Author's note At first I was concerned with accurate travel representing in days precisely as they appear in game now I have decided that travel is flexible and not as important as story consistency I hope this approach works.
Disclaimer Legend of Zelda is older than I am, so I am not its creator nor the company that facilitated its creation the legend of Zelda franchise is owned by Nintendo including, the world, races, events, characters, and anything else from that IP. I am in no way affiliated with that company. This is an unofficial and unlicensed work of fiction and is made to be enjoyed by those who played the remarkable game/s that inspired it.
Gigantic Optimism Chapter V Three days and Three perspectives
It was three days before the funeral the noon sun high in the cloud speckled sky, and all the dignitaries had arrived. The Hyrule castle training barracks were full of all the accompanying detachments of soldiers sent with the various rulers most had sent two companies one to relieve the other. Thus, roughly half of the best soldiers from every region are all gathered in Hyrule Castle town with nothing to do but rest up until now that was not a problem only one thing had changed the Gerudo battalion had arrived early that morning.
Now there is a temptation to show off for the attractive and to the Hylian soldiers exotic female warriors it is almost tragic for the Gerudo are the best warriors there. Two of these guards are grousing to one another. "We came all this way I was hoping to see the market or something but, that cursed Karlovaa just wants to sleep today." "Could be worse you could be Sarge and stationed at the door all day." "True at least we get to tour the castle and amuse ourselves." Muttered the first guard. They turned back to the two men dueling in training gear yet shirtless, whose sword encounters all seemed to end with their swords meeting and both straining against the other while also moving nearer and nearer to the two vai.
"Something has been odd though the zora prince is here yet there are no zora detachments." "Maybe they do not need to rest. So perhaps the prince only has a retainer or two. " suggested the second swordswoman. Living in the driest section of Hyrule naturally led to little interaction between the water loving zora and the desert women. "Let's see something new this trip and maybe get some peace." Then in a loud voice the first warrior resumed "I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE A ZORA" "ME TOO IF ONLY SOMEONE WOULD BRING US ONE." Sings her friend in her cutest tone, mysteriously all the Hylian sparing partners started to leave each one paired with a Goron or Rito making some excuse. The vai who had been speaking took the nearest ring and battled spear on sword.
Sidon was not having a good day he had just finished his interview with the Hyrule historian and had been unaware the bespectacled man meant to question him on not just the major events Sidon had been involved directly with but, also the fashion, the monster habitats, Link and Zelda's relationship, what shrines Link had mentioned visiting, which of the champions had he met, was it true that all gaurdians(giant robots with lasers) were disabled a hundred and eighty years ago, had the prince seen a rito bard, what artifacts would the royal family loan to the Hyrule historians. At this Sidon had ended the interrogation state secrets and family heirlooms were not related to the supposed subject of the departed hero. The historian was puzzled he had been careful not to ask any questions about Mipha just as instructed by his superiors. Leaving there around noon the aquatic prince began looking for the tunnel to the castle moat. He never made it off the history floor. Having not bothered with an accompanying military force Sidon was the only Zora in Hyrule castle, the civilians taking a more leisurely route. After the fourth soldier asked for a demonstration of his famous double trident technique Sidon trudged behind the requester on his way to the sparring courtyard.
Several of the soldiers assumed the prince was his own personal bodyguard with both tridents unleashed from his back the muscular red scaled man looked a warrior from his dorsal fin to his tail. Some noticed the blue tunic and were excited that the zora champion had come to show off forgetting the champion and the prince were the same entity. Still upset with the interview Sidon decides to work out his frustrations "you four grab some practice weapons and try to get behind me." he gestured sharply to his escort the same four who had bothered him earlier within the castle proper, a corner of his lip raised bearing one fang. Two soldiers charged the behemoth he raised both tridents in a motion similar to a proper javelin toss and executed an overhead stab when each had dodged in opposite directions, he brought the weapons down and around striking each soldier in the back knocking them flat with the shafts of the weapons. A swift dash back and the two remaining combatants had failed to entrap Sidon while he dealt with their allies. The knights started to circle Sidon their foot work was off unsteady the Successor held both tridents diagonally his arms touching each other in an x pattern he swung forward with both weapons as his opponents neared it was slow, they reacted each were disarmed from the sheer force of the blow. Next the Gorons gave it a go they did not fair much better one had tried to roll at Sidon and had been launched with a low diagonal swing. One complication in fighting Sidon was he had invented his own trident style few had seen it let alone knew how to counter it.
"I bet your sword play is lacking Hyrule castle has the best swordsmen in the land." challenged one of the heartsick duelists The voe was lucky he had used the gender specific term or he would have ruined any chance at a Gerudo tryst that week. Sidon approached the weapons rack looking for a zora broadsword unable to find one he lifted a royal claymore a two- handed weapon in one clawed fin a full lipped smile accompanying the words "Perhaps in all the land but not, in all the waterways." The onlookers failed to approach the rack one or two looked game until "were any of you trained by Sir Link?"
There was a hard to define emotion present in the question, some heard affection, others thought longing, it was equal part all these things and a hint of zeal. Sidon is thinking of the last time he saw a royal claymore. "King Stefano was the last one trained by Link the previous queen commanded it." broke in a Rito some of the aerial warriors were obsessed with who the strongest warrior of each race was. The king's biggest supporter in that debate had spoken up and Stefano's exclusive training under the best swordsman in living memory was this Rito's favorite argument in his favor. "Well, I was the first one he trained in swordplay," the claymore hit the ground dropping from his fin "though technically it was with sticks." The zora ran back into the castle Mipha never had figured out that some of those scrapes she healed when Link was a child had been inflicted by the intense play sparring sessions between her brother and her future crush. Sidon's skin was a little tougher than the hylian's there had been no wounds to heal.
King Stefano Lumkin Hyrule the first and if the queen had her way the last, she never used his full name. Her highness was grateful that Hylian Kings always took the wife's name rather than the other way around. looked up from his correspondence the sound of feet slapping on flooring came from the library he opened the secret door in his study to cock his head at Sidon, the small wiry man looked up at most fighters. Bowing in respect , till they were at eye level Sidon petitions the King."My lord, what happened to the sword that sealed the darkness? "Stefano never felt like an adult when talking to Sidon partly due to his over politeness and some unnamed factor. "is it because he is old enough to be my great-great grandfather or is it his buoyancy?" "He just reminds me of home very much like a small harbor in a storm." After these meditations, aloud the former ship captain said. "My love, has already taken the sword to the lost woods it was done following the body's arrival." The king had turned back to his desk, so he merely felt the tension leave the room like a spring gale upon fall's arrival. "I could use some relaxation after this, look at all the correspondence I received today. The giant press of letters had blocked out any wood on the supposed desk. Hey! how about you and I take a fishing voyage?" "Forgive me my king but I need to attend to manners in Tarry town after the ceremony." "I see have you looked at the sea charts for your trip back Sidon?" a shake of the red head prods the King to continue "Let me brief you on the fastest route with the best currents." He turned to a bookcase and removed the Akala sea charts.
The room's inhabitants poured over the sea charts like two boys discussing a sunken treasure expedition. After some time, Sidon's jolly laugh precluded his next statement. "And to think the Queen mother wanted to set up Zelda with a scientist." Stefano owed as much to Link as Sidon did if the then princess had not been accompanying her mother upon visiting the retired warrior in Hateno village she never would have met the fisherman at lover's pond. "Well, when we do go on that fishing voyage, I will take you to where she and I first met even the ever-logical Queen that sealed the Darkness came around to the magic of the place." Hopefully it will work as well for the next Zora King as it had for the current Hylian one. "Speaking of my royal family we should be heading down it is getting late and my wife would hate not having you at dinner." "Only if there is no Voltfin trout." His mind still on the small chance that changed his life the king thought to himself "that will be the true tragedy of Link's death who will bring unlikely friends together now."
At dinner an informal affair with most dignitaries attending queen Riju regaled the attending royals with her defeat at the race held in Link's honor. "I assume your real reason for joining us was to avoid the cheers for the victor." Came the loud zora voice a hand over his chest as if pitying the queen. "Exactly I was so mortified I brought her with me maybe they will forget about it by our return." Bowed the ex-champion her crown actually askew this time in her mock gregariousness. "You sure you brought her the only Gerudo I have seen around here who rides a sandseal is you Riju." Added Stefano "Our travels wearied her after such a grueling race and she retired early." Failing to see the irony in this remark since the aged Gerudo had slept wonderfully the young racer could not sleep at all on her first trip outside the desert. Never mention someone else sleeping during an evening get together it ushers in a crowd of yawns and a parade of goodnights.
The next morning two days till the funeral.
Karlovaa was asleep covered in blankets only her hair visible as it fell screening her face from view, it was a lovely sight or would be except for the incongruity that she was asleep on the floor next to the giant bed. Light streamed through the window waking the racer. "Travel for two days to the most upscale palace in the kingdom, and I still have to sleep on a cot." First the forest night sounds had kept her up for the company's two days on the road it had been so different from the desert. Then, the massive bed had attempted to swallow her so all of yesterday had been spent asleep on the hard floor. She opened the massive wardrobe her four outfits hanging failed to take up even a fraction of the space available. Getting dressed took a moment and she was clad in a dark blue vest over a black top and gray pants. Her hand wrapped around the hairbrush on the bed side table she began to fix her hair and was starting to leave the room after taking her wallet. When the feeling that she had forgotten to do something stopped her hand from opening the door. "Sorry Dorn, I won't be grooming you today you are in the best hands." Her friend Vacta and Batma were keeping the white sand seal while she was away. Vacta had agreed readily. "You would have done the same for me if I won." Vacta came in fourth in the Hyrule Champions cup but was happy for her friend from their days in the minor circuit. "There is our honored guest." Growled the sergeant Karlovaa looked at her other two keepers as she departed the doorway if they were glad to see their charge the professional fighters hid it well. "Sergeant take me to the town spa I hear it's lovely." Used to following nonsensical orders the sergeant failed to mention the futility of going when half of Hyrule was in town.
They were in luck though there was one private steam room left no one had paid the exorbitant fee for the best room in the place. "One day to treat myself I deserve it after seven years of living on third place winnings." The racer had been eighteen when she first began her time in the minors "Please let this be the start of my major circut career oh great Link." Was the prayer she uttered while lowering herself onto the warm bench. This was the first ancestor other than her parents that she had a personal connection with, and this was the first of many of her prayers to the hero. The guards were talking again all three stationed outside her door. Assuming the steam blocked their conversation, it did not Karlovaa heard every word. "You ever see a zora fight chief? "You mean one zora or two going at each other? Replied the commanding officer. " She means One zora sir "clarified the last guard who was promptly dismissed to check for any new suspicious patrons at the main entrance. Starting to drift back in her memories the officer responds to the inquisitive guard wistfully. "Yes, or rather we fought together I worked with some zora guards clearing out a moblin camp back when I was a sell sword they are all right. My group did all the work" "all right all right!" the tone of the junior guard rising in shock almost morphing into a screech "This voe was red taller than me and used two tridents like they were fishing poles took out four royal guardsmen by himself." Karlovaa turned her attention back to the sauna she doubted the excitable rookie was being truthful and blocked out the rest of their conversation.
She saw a stray dog some sort of small mouser breed. Karlovaa threw a morsel of bread instinctively recalling her own pet, as her detail escorted her to a quick meeting with Riju after stopping at a bakery where the hot bread loaf hailed from. Her head was back in the Gerudo town of yesteryear without taking a step, talking it over in her mind "I was twelve she had noticed a small sand tornado or sink hole by the city wall a small white sand seal barely bigger than her hand was the cause." day after day I threw fruit into the hole some of it from refuse piles but only the best specimens from those decomposing piles." Dorn was brought home after his sallow skin had regained some fat. The hardest part of restoring the animal was healing the sun burn as an albino the animal burned more easily, as a result Dorn spent almost all of his time submerged more than any other sand seal she had seen.
A shadow distracted the vai and they were at Hyrule Castle, most of the structure was newly built in the last 80 years, like the rest of Castle Town. Some of the palace's grandeur was spoilt by a mismatched rock or unfitting spire, the castle remains impressive. She finished the bread not wanting to hear any awkward questions about the snack.
In the main hall he tribal leader walked briskly toward her young friend " Are you enjoying yourself Karlovaa?" " Savaa'q Hyrule castle town is very relaxing your grace." "You mean boring come with me." Upon some gentle urging from the ruler together they make their way towards a central tower no one stopped the two Gerudo who traveled unaccompanied. Queens were never anywhere they were not supposed to be, it was a fair trade for their time as princesses when everywhere was off limits. They made their way down the slope and across the moat Karlovaa saw a mine cart track, "Where does it lead" "Down!" said the queen reaching into a pouch she withdrew something and handed it to the thrill seeking vai beside her. "Be back for dinner tonight I do not want to excuse you again." As the recipient looked at the glowing rock in her hand wondering what it was there was a slight touch on her shoulder and the old woman was gone.
She held her new light source aloft and headed down the mine cart track there was some new track laid and it went towards the wall. "Time to explore." She pulled a lever than jumped into the now speeding cart the ride was slow compared to a sand seal the exciting part was when she could not see the turns or dips she had never experienced that thrill of unknown danger. As the cart slowed there were three metal hoops where barrels had been and a crumbled wall. Karlovaa stepped through the wreckage and saw an unlit torch ensconced on the wall taking the stick in case something happened to the stone seemed wise so the lone traveler did just that, the air was damp moldy and goosebumps broke out on her skin but, not from the tunnel conditions.
Some Keese detached themselves from the ceiling as the adventurer reached a carpeted portion a quick swipe of her torch was an effective if makeshift way of dealing with the annoying beasts. They turned to smoke as they expired. Another hole in the wall provided passage to a steel door. "I shouldn't open it I need to head back. It is quiet a peek would not hurt" Her more aggressive side winning the argument she pries the heavy door ajar arms straining and sees a macabre sight. There was a massive skeleton in the middle of the room, Bam clangs the door shut forcefully as Karlovaa ran. She had not forgotten her lessons as a Gerudo child about monsters dead monsters did not leave full skeletons. "I do not know what that was but, it was alive! I think a wise proverb about taking unnecessary risks would have sufficed Lady Riju." Thought the frightened youngster her chest heaving as she stood outside. Karlovaa conveniently forgot how ineffective those proverbs had been, she did remember the iron door though and the horned head with a single eye socket.
"Sidon sends his apologies but the two other champions wanted to catch up while they were all in town." Announced King Stefano a hand moving through his sandy hair. "Catch up those three are probably off looking for something heavier than the other two can lift" Riju interjected. Sidon did in fact throw a rock farther than the other two keepers of the divine beasts could manage that night. "I am sorry I missed him." Kaarlovaa lied she had no idea who Sidon was but her customary lethargy came off as genuinely regretful to her observers. The food was delicious from boar, to venison, even a couple of salads, there were no fish dishes though which struck the guests as odd none deemed the risk of insult low enough to venture a comment to that effect.
"Have you visited us before Karlovaa, you look familiar this was the second line uttered by the head of Hyrule's government that night. Taken aback the questionee realized one never knew what Zelda was thinking. "I have never left my homeland your Highness." Came the hurried response from behind a half-raised glass. 'Hmm must be a passing resemblance I think I would remember that…distinctive nose." she finished lamely. "Elder how was the archery contest?" Riju states seizing on a luul in the talk. The older warrior women coming to the youngers aid with the same rapidity with which she would have tossed one of her unarmed soldiers a sword. The tide of conversation ebbed and flowed amongst safer waters caried mainly by the Rito Elder a ancient female Rito until all retired to their beds, except Riju's dinner companion who fell asleep on the floor. Pleased that at least her account of the sauna had been well received.
Afternoon of the next day the eve of the funeral.
Riju was reading a letter from her granddaughter princess Bacta heir to the throne and current Gerudo Champion. To sum up the letter there was the usual update on Divine Beast Vah Naboris. A gemstones shortage, and Bacta had commissioned an architect to perform maintenance on the seven sacred statues. There was also a postscript that Purah was ill. "Nothing she cannot handle, and she did not ask for any advice for once." Smiling the queen wrote her reply.
Dear, Princess Bacta.
I am pleased by your letter and am glad you are handling things adeptly as befits the next ruler of the Gerudo. I will mention the gemstone issue to the Goron elder later today and request more shipments. Please, remind the architect to finish by the next Cup of The Seven while respecting our ancestors. Karlovaa has enjoyed the trip and contrary to your expectations has caused no trouble. The other Champions were sad to miss you, I will be back in three days only contact me in case of an emergency tomorrow.
Love, your Grandmother Riju.
The queen looked over her written communication going over it in her head, she was leaving out small details more often than she had a few years ago requiring this extra precaution in letter writing. She straightened at the desk in her in room today clad in her favorite black tunic and matching skirt. "Tomorrow I will wear the Champion uniform again and retire it." she had worn it at all of the Successors funerals but doubted she would be present for the Zora champion's ceremony. keeping stocked on flame elixirs during Yunobo's ceremony just to enable the gesture. "That poor attendant who had to catch those lizards to make it, I should have just worn the frame proof armor." That might have been an abuse of her royal position. The word royal jogged an obligation loose from the recesses of her mind and Riju hurried from the room. Queen Zelda was waiting for her. Since the time of the current Hylian Queen's grandmother 200 years ago the two royal family's had been close. For Urbosa's sake the first Gerudo queen to build relations Riju had instructed Bacta to keep the relationship strong 200 years was a long time. Riju bowed as she looked over at the middle-aged ruler with her mother's blond hair and her father's brown eyes.
"Is something amiss in your kingdom Riju?" "No, your majesty I simply wanted to ask you a question." "How ready are we for him?" speaking the name was unneeded Zelda understood the allusion. "Now that Link is dead, Zelda there could be another hero chosen by Hylia." A glint entered the Hylian's eye "We are more than ready for that pig, that monster, the divine beasts are fully operational, the sheikah have dismantled almost all Guardians (Giant ancient robots with laser eyes) I have mastered the goddess power, and Stefano and I have agreed to try to start a family in a few moons to continue the holy bloodline." "I am glad to hear it but, what about the sword tournament will you begin presenting the winner with the Sword that Seals the Darkness?" a sharp nod was the only answer queen Zelda did not like being patronized. The Gerudo employed a different tactic "I would humbly ask that if a new hero should emerge that the Gerudo be allowed to send our best warriors to assist in his training." "I would be happy to grant your request on the condition they are supervised by our combat trainers." The meeting broke up both rulers understanding the emphasized conditions and Riju returned to her quarters and began to tidy the room to keep occupied. the Hylians are prepared to combat him but, they will only allow the provinces to help with the divine beasts and their soldiers are not prepared for a Lizalfos. "I worry they would be unable to train the next Link." She stopped furrowing the bed sheets and sighed "My suspicions proved correct Zelda believes we are safe." She is probably right. Riju had lost her family at a young age, fought in two wars and had spent most of her reign exterminating the Yiga clan Gannon's most royal supporters, is it any wonder the desert dweller rarely felt at peace? There is a soft thump as Riju sits on the bed for a brief respite "I am officially the old guard I wonder if this is how King Rhoam felt. "I have not heard Rhoam mentioned In years. A yawn slips from the woman as she recalls the occasion. Featuring the first queen Zelda Riju had known.
Zelda had wanted a boy it would have been easier. after her attempts to replicate the divine power with science had failed the royal couple had agreed to have a child "Riju I do not want to repeat my father's mistakes we will prepare but we will balance it." Zelda had confided in her Gerudo fiend as they sat in the royal nursery her newborn asleep in the crib close to the hearth. "I am sure you will." Whispered the red-haired warrior. we will support her together it is easiest to balance a scale with two weights." You are quite right, when all of Hyrule is united no one can stop it." This was when the dream changed to other pleasant memories times when the vai had been at peace. For no one had heard from or about Gannon since his second defeat the rest of Hyrule is also at peace.
Author's Note two The Funeral is next week and our two leads meet and we meet more of the supporting cast. I really liked breaking up the narrative Majora mask style here into three days so far I have not done it again. It would probably work better in the first person but, you cannot just fire an omniscient third person disembodied narrator they are too expensive.