Author's note. Dying is easy anyone can do it writing about funerals is hard I had to make some tough decisions this time and I was 60/40 on all of them. I would discuss those choices, but I might resurrect those plots later who knows. I will introduce another Gerudo this chapter but, since she does not meet the naming convention for the Gerudo I have utilized thus far I thought it worth mentioning so you can attempt to figure it out. Instead this new character follows an established Zelda naming convention.
Disclaimer Comedy is also hard so no unoriginal meme joke today just a disclaimer. 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 unlicensed work and is meant to be enjoyed by those who played the terrific game/s that inspired it.
Gigantic Optimism Chaprter VI Honoring a Hero.
Karlovaa looked over at Riju as they made their way to the cemetery and noticed her majesty's attire was the same blue cloak she had worn at the race, except laundered and maybe even a more vivid shade of blue, to complete the ensemble there was a small metal mask. "Why did she bring the lightning mask it should be back home it's a royal heirloom and only articles that honor the deceased are to be worn at funerals." "If it does honor him, I doubt she wants to discuss it today." Given the ancient custom of the desert women Karlovaa was wearing the green tunic from the race Riju had always intended on bringing a racer and had provided a suitable outfit for her guest to attend the funeral. There was such a crowd the Hylians in black, the Rito with no feathers or braids, Gorons dusted with soot, Gerudo wearing shirts bearing honorifics of the dead hero, Karlovaa's favorite of these was one bearing Sarsqso the Gerudo phrase for thanks. There were hardly any zora she noticed a group of three waving at someone and moving off down an alleyway towards their presumed friend. After a quick comparison with her nearby gaurds "Zora are not that big. Those guards were just telling a big fish story" These thoughts flit in and out of her head, Karlovaa tries to refocus on the event. "it's amazing your highness everyone here is so different, but we are all here to give thanks for the one who saved our land." "I am glad so many have made the journey to honor my friend but, I am sure there are many who could not be here personally." "At least they got to participate in the commemorative events in their districts." At this Karlovaa unconsciously fingered the hem of her tunic. "It has certainly been a momentous week for all of Hyrule, it reminds me of something he said in his posthumous letter." The queen stopped walking while she brought the words from the recesses of her brain to her tongue, her companion and guards doubling back after taking a few steps without Riju. "In thinking about my death I ask that all of Hyrule realizes that everyone with courage can improve the world." The discussion gave way to introspection for both the queen and the unorthodox Gerudo representee. The former on the ideals of her friend, the latter on how each event this week had been a local custom especially for that region, "It was his last gift the gift of rituals for the people."
Sidon was standing by the casket his champion attire swapped out for a t with three Zora his age consisting of two males and one female "I am relieved you three were able to come, he would have wanted all who knew him to be present." "Think nothing of it The Big bad Baz brigade had to see off our favorite member." Asserted the titular Baz "I did not think we would get to see him off after he…disappeared for a century." "Thanks for clearing our way up here Sidon, it would have been a lot harder to pay respects from a distance we could fit Vah Ruta in." joked the other male but without smiling. It was such a different time so chaotic" Mused Gaddison the sole female member of the Baz Brigade foiling her friend Razz's attempt at changing the topic. The Baz brigade was Link's childhood play soldier platoon. "Chaotic does it justice, what a difference victory makes from an unmarked grave to a bejeweled casket. He does deserve it," added the prince hastily afraid of being misunderstood. The gems seemed odd to Sidon they were in the Goddess Hylia's symbol this in itself was commonplace yet, "I have never seen gems this uncut embedded into something though. I wonder how it was done." Baz leaned closer to the closed casket of smooth stone. "It almost looks like claw marks made those holes something around the size of a Lizalfos " Razz Postulates a theory in response, "What you think a monster dropped out of the sky and then made something with Hylia's symbol on it." The group became puzzled the idea was absurd, monsters served the demon king and were as incapable of acknowledging Hylia, as a member of the race that bears her name is of beating a Zora in a swimming match. They were definitively some form of claw marks. Stefano joined the group and gave a small cry of alarm "Who did this? I saw the casket yesterday in a temporary holding tomb it was unadorned." A man was quickly dispatched to the casket's former resting place upon his return this announcement was made. "There is a patch of broken rock and a recently covered hole sir something tunneled in and made the symbol."
Karlovaa was in the center of the crowd that still, solid mass made up of a multitude of mourners, following with a unbroken gaze Riju's slow progress to the front where the select few who had met the late master of The Sword that Seals the Darkness awaited her. This group few in number had a small detachment of guards acting as a buffer from the majority of those there. A nebulous mixture of ideas had prompted the impulsive woman to stay amidst the other onlookers to be part of the oddly respectful, mob. "I don't belong next to those who knew him best, I should be with the others who remember him as a figure, or a story." Then she heard whispers "who is that?" "Just a soldier heading to his post." "Not him her." The crowd moved by the speaker's insistence turned not in concert but in response to whoever turned that was nearby. A blonde head of hair having drawn the Hylian congregates' attention. "Is that the queen?" broke in an enthused voice "Yes that's her!" quietly uttered Karlovaa the one woman in that assembly that had met the royal in person, her transformation from aloof spectator to one member of the crowd completed by that strong, hoarse whisper. For what sports figure is unstirred by crowds? There was someone behind the ruler of Hyrule a dark-skinned individual with red hair.
Sidon saw the Gerudo woman behind Zelda she was slightly younger than Riju, guessed the prince and she retained the red hair but, her skin was folded and cracked with age, he looked at the two elder Gerudo and noticed the newcomer's skin was lighter "She is not as tan that is odd maybe she is one of the stall bound merchants and gets more shade." "Sav'aaq, Aftson you are looking well, how long has it been my friend?" "I Believe your majesty it was the seventy-fifth anniversary of Gannon's defeat about five years ago?" the two old friends began discussing their families and catching up on the happenings in their towns. "Everything is fine in town, I just need to figure out where the new Hylia shrine for the Zora priests will go." Aftson commented nodding slowly as she did so to assure her pal that things were well. "You must be from Tarrey town! I have some relatives that moved down there recently they cannot stop talking about the fine place I heard about the shrine last time they wrote. Aftson hmm wait I will think of who you are in a minute…I got it the mayor." Baz introduced himself as an afterthought. "Your family must gush about the place it seems my reputation preceded me ah and this must be the Zora prince your father informed me you will be returning with my party tomorrow." Riju ever quick on the uptake interjects "You finally agreed to train a replacement then. That is wonderful I will be praying for your success." " I always appreciate that your highness, I could use some assistance," admitted the mentor a sheepish grin on his face and his fin placed on his head." Look no further I can come with you! I have some bereavement leave from the guards and molding young minds would do my heart good. Plus, I have been promising to visit Tarrey town and I think they were losing hope that I would actually come." Baz clumsily took the remark more seriously than intended and invited himself along. Sidon patted his subject's shoulder leaned down and whispered, "welcome aboard." "We would be delighted to have you both now beg your pardon but, I have to make my commemorative speech soon." The Tarry Town resident made the short journey to the wooden platform where Queen Zelda was standing. Sidon cocked his head at Riju, his quizzical stare prompting the queen to address her failure to speak. "My stories are all adventure tales not really suitable for this crowd." No, one noticed the atypical tone in which this statement left the old warrior. Zelda had of course requested Sidon as Link's oldest friend to prepare a speech, directly after he arrived, the Zora Prince had refused for the simple reason he would have started crying uncontrollably.
Zelda takes the stage her regal and grand manner captivating the crowd. "Thank you all it means so much to have all Hylians together to recognize and honor one of our great heroes we thank the good people of Hateno village for giving Link a second home and for allowing him to be buried here as he wished. They have asked me to read a statement from the town elder." Having prefaced the words as not her own she began to read. It was unmemorable Karlovaa was left with the distinct impression that Link had largely kept to himself sequestered within the quiet house he owned, during his retirement and had seldom been there while he was younger, occupied solely by his adventures, an accurate assessment. I now have the honor to introduce our next speaker Mayor, Aftson of Tarry town.
The mayor hesitated as she got up to speak "There are so many here, it has to be frightening." Kalrovaa said to herself aloud the Goron in front of her turned to talk "Frightening I think you mean t… he never finished the joke the glare the traveler from Eldin received from the young athlete, had convinced his lips to turn the smile into a frown and command the Goron's throat to swallow the joke. The mayor began her speech.
"When, I was very little my father Hudson would tell stories about how he founded the village where I grew up, as I grew the story would also grow, I understood more so he told me more. This is when I learned that in founding the town, he had married my mother. A Gerudo from the desert when I understood that the desert was far away, I asked how my mother found the little settlement? My curiosity was awarded, and I was told a new version. My father had help in founding his village a man in a blue tunic had offered to tell others about the place as he travelled my father would tell him what the town needed, and this man would recruit people. That man was Link I only later comprehended he was the same one who saved Hyrule That was how my mother came to sell her wares in town on the opposite end of the kingdom. I often have wondered why this young man took time away from saving not just the kingdom but one of his dear friends to help a woodcarver build a settlement?" For I realized if he had not, I would not exist if he had not finished his quest would any of us exist? My answer to this question is that it gave people hope that things could change for their good during a time where everything had slowly become bad, very, bad, and then even worse. Things did change for the better and as long as Hyrule grows to understand each other more we can add to his story from our own perspectives much like a zora priest and a Gerudo gem seller put their own marks on a Hylian wood carvers' town. Link may be gone but, we are here because he was here. May his story, be better understood in the retelling. Leading to a better understanding of his life."
Zelda turned to the crowd " I merely want to repeat a conversation my mother had with the Hero of the Wild ,while we visited Link." Stefanno wonders if this was the same visit when he and his wife met. My mother inquired of Link, "Why do you like it here? "Zelda there is no pressure here anywhere in Hyrule I have expectations to be a hero, to remember my past, to train new warriors. This place knew me before I was a hero, I am just a guy who bought a house." "I suppose that is fair, but we could build you a house anywhere." "Then I am not the guy who bought a house I am the person who was important enough to have a house built for him. Zelda when I am at the palace I act like when I first was chosen by the sword closemouthed serious. Here I can be at peace I can focus on building a life not destroying it." " I hope that is what we will be remembered for restoring Hyrule not just rescuing it." After reiterating the importance of restoring Hyrule she left the stage and the Goron and Rito champions and King Stefano lowered the coffin into the grave.
"I believe that is all that happened today. Father deserves to hear about it from me I know he wanted to come. " an agonizing time had been spent by King Dorephan's son in composing the multi-page note it had taken a toll emotionally. Sidon rang the bell a clear sound issued one that was as bright and airy as the zora's mind given this somewhat therapeutic session. This sound summoned a royal courier appeared after a slight delay to take the letter before the ink had even dried. Sidn has just enough time to get ready for the closing dinner in the royal banquet hall.
He heard the dining room long before he entered it plates, footsteps, and the low murmur of conversation just out of earshot, ringing down the hallway then he smelled the food smoke trout of some kind, the earthy scent of fresh bread, the icing of a giant yellow cake, Sidon began to run licking his lips. Once the clamor had grown substantially larger in volume due to his proximity to it the Prince slowed down. Catching his breath, wishing he was in his more loose-fitting champion attire rather than his funeral clothes, he darts through the open door. Inside is a long table with all the leaders of Hyrule minus his father whose usual spot was filled by Aftson sitting at its head servers bustling at any gap large enough to fit a ladle through. The table was sorted by general esteem all the way down Sidon suspected an empty place at the head of the assembly and was his correct zone unfortunately, the multitude of servers rendered such a long walk nearly impossible for someone as large as the massive Zora. A vision of his tail inadvertently knocking some poor server into the cake with great force deterred the amphibious humanoid from seeking his appointed seat. Forced to choose a second seat his eyes flit over the table a bright color catches his eye, most garb still appropriately drab for a funeral. It was green tunic with some sort of insignia on it. "What luck! There was an open seat across from the splash of color and it was near the back! that looks like, a perfect spot."
He took his seat across from the nearly garish tunic surprised to find a young Gerudo with a hooked nose clad in it. She is floating a diminutive utensil around her plate in small circles. Ever one for manners the zora starts the conversation with "Savaa'q" she slightly lifts her head to see him better it feels like her first time noticing him. She replies with a barrage of her own language. Correcting her mistake takes the prince a moment."Sorry miss I do not actually speak Gerudo I simply know the formalities, my mistake. What did you say?" "No the mistake was mine your pronunciation was good so I assumed you knew the language." "Ah I just have used it for a long time, go on then" she did so "I said I heard a story about a zora and I think it was about you." "Is it a good story?" she laughs it was a quick and sharp guffah "The best kind of story one I did not believe at first." She launched into the narrative growing excited as she envisioned the fray. He begans to pile all kinds of fish onto his plate keeping eye contact to assure the speaker he is listening. She finished her recital about when Sidon had made up his plate "I did do that I am not quite sure why so many guards wanted to fight me." She called me a zora warrior maybe it is for the best that no one realizes the crown prince was involved Sidon decides to just enjoy the conversation.
Aloud he uttered " I forgot to introduce myself I assume you did as well unless you slipped it in while you spoke Gerudo, I am Sidon." "No, I did not mention it my name is Karlovaa." Sidon attempted to steer the conversation because, the formalities had been observed "Now that we know each other I have to ask what is that outfit!?" there was a tinge of wonder in his voice playfully pointing at the tunic. Brushing her long, red, hair, over one shoulder she began with no preface "I wore it for a special occasion you see, but not the funeral…" Thus the desert vai told her second tale that night covering the events of the Hyrule champion's cup. when she finished the zora was wide eyed, "Sand seal racing sounds amazing and to think your biggest challenge was Riju she is full of surprises." Sidon had heard the tale from his Successor friend the other night here the passion of the teller transported the Prince to the track. With that the zora's plate was finished and Karlovaa was relaxing after her heated retelling. "I have told you two stories I think it is your turn" said the woman. "What shall I discuss then my lady?" "Tell me how you came to be here." "Well uh." faltered the soon to be story teller than inspiration struck. "I am here because of this fish it is how I encountered the young man while he tried to save hyrule and aided him in his quest." Proudly Sidon raised up a volt fin trout.
"That is quite a claim! I knew zoras were long lived you are the first one I have met so I did not realize how long." She addressed this remark to the big, red, zora sitting across from her holding a small yellow scaled trout he would have looked absurd except for his own bearing countered the impression. "I bet he is quite charming when he wants to be." Mused the jockey With a small shake of her head she began to pay attention to the smiling speaker. "If you think I am old you should meet my father he is over three-hundred. But, back to our little buddy here. I was in Zora domain eighty years ago at that time Gannon controlled the divine beasts, Divine beast Vah Rutah was creating torrential rain enough to flood the reservoir dam, so the king released a call to arms for any brave Zora to go put an end to it. I was going to answer the call but, to dismantle the safeguards shock arrows were needed. Since I am the first zora you have met I assume you are not aware that electricity is extremely fatal to us. It was a puzzle after a few days I had a solution there is an electric elixir that decreases the effect of electric shocks I simply needed to make one so I began to gather ingredients I found a recipe which called for a guardian core an electric dharma, and this fish." "You had to fight a guardian, that seems much more interesting than a trout." Added his listener. "If I had fought one I would agree, luckily I scavenged the core off of a disabled one on my way to riverside stable to meet a merchant who sold the darners. One of our zora elders told me where to find the volt fin trout so I went to lake hylia and caught one I traveled back to the domain and made the elixir ready to save my home. " He's blushing his face is almost as red as the rest of him!" The listener decided not to draw attention to her companion's embarrassment. "I tried it and had the worst stomach pain of my life! and the whole time I just tasted trout, so I will never eat voltfin trout again, the elixir was for Hylian use only it did not even counteract the electricity. So, the only solution was to have a Hylian brought to the domain to help I asked my friends to search for a suitable warrior and that is when I met Link and gave him the rest of my elixir and he disabled Vah Ruta". "I am here because Link was a greater hero than I will ever be." "Weren't you tempted to try disabling it yourself?" "No, my sister would have never forgiven me if I got myself killed like that." A pensive look appears on the young racers face, her eyes turning vacant, "She would have understood you did it to save the Domain to save her." The zora rose suddenly, "Well I hope you enjoyed my tale I certainly liked yours but, I need to rest for my journey to Tarrey Town tomorrow." "Safe travels then I did enjoy myself I am glad you were the first zora I met." Karlovaa said rising to see him off. "Farewell or should I sav'orq " replied the zora voe then he was gone still clutching the voltfin trout. " I will mention him to my friends but, not his story he wouldn't want me to If he was embarrassed by it why did he share it with me in the first place? We just met today." She muses once again by herself.