Zelda walked into the throne room, looking every inch the beautiful, wise and strong ruler-to-be she was. Her father smiled upon seeing her, and she smiled back, glad as she always was to see him alive and in good health.
She still remembered the day of Ganondorf's attack vividly, the last, horrible sight of her father as Impa took her and fled on his orders. She'd missed him deeply during the seven years she'd waited for Link's awakening, grieving him for a long time.
The day she'd opened her eyes back in the past of the current timeline she'd surprised the man with a long, tight hug as she wept into his chest. He'd been shocked, as she'd always been an independent girl, but he'd still held her gently, soothing her as she felt the warmth she'd almost forgotten. Afterwards she'd made an excuse of a nightmare that had seemed frighteningly real.
After that she'd worked to advise him to the best of her abilities, pushing passed the stigma of her age that had always kept her silent before, and he slowly began to actually listen to her, as her ideas almost always had merit, unless there was information she wasn't aware of. Because of her ideas and advice, the kingdom had prospered, the citizenry happier and wealthier. She was especially proud of the programs she sponsored to aid those in need.
As she walked to her own, smaller throne beside the King's, she looked around at the members of the royal court, who bowed their heads in respect when they noticed she was looking at them. Not all of them liked her. In fact, most didn't, as her ideas weren't as popular with the aristocracy as they were with the general populace, but all respected her shrewd mind and tenacity. That would help, she knew, when the time inevitably came to take her father's place. Sadly, for royalty being liked wasn't as important as being respected.
"Zelda dear, you're just in time." King Nohansen Daltus Hyrule said with a smile, his white beard, still streaked with some blonde hair, partly hiding his features, blue eyes like his daughter's crinkling happily.
Zelda smiled back as Navi flew up to rest on the back of her throne and Impa managed to take up an unobstrusive position to watch over her charges. "I'm glad, father. I've been looking forward to meeting with our guests for some time. I've read all I can find about them and their peoples."
Nohansen chuckled at his daughter's thirst for knowledge, pleased. He knew that she would eventually be a great ruler. Much better than he was, having ascended to the throne almost completely unprepared after the death of his older brother in Hyrule's last war seventeen years ago. Once again, he wondered at the way her abilities and attitude had changed since that day seven years ago.
Nohansen might not be the greatest ruler in Hyrule's history, something he was well aware of and had accepted, but he was no fool. Something had happened on the day Zelda had come to him, crying her eyes out. She had been more mature and willing to make her voice heard, whereas before she had kept silent, simply watching even when she disagreed with something. Long had he wanted to know exactly what had happened to his precious daughter to cause that stark change in her.
He shook the thoughts away as he always did when the royal herald walked forward to speak, indicating the visiting leaders had arrived. "Your Highness, introducing Chieftain Darunia of the Gorons, Princess Ruto of the Zora, and Nabooru of the Gerudo!"
The doors opened, and in walked the other three leaders of the various peoples of Hyrule. Nohansen stood and spread his arms in welcome, a wide smile on his face. "Welcome, welcome, my friends. It is good to meet you for the first time. In some cases, it has been generations since our peoples have met like this."
Darunia rumbled with a laugh like a rockslide as he offered a surprisingly courtly bow. "It is good to meet you, your Highness. You're right, this should have happened long ago."
Ruto nodded in agreement, giving the King a small bow of respect of one royal to another as she smiled. "Indeed. I've wanted to leave our domain and see the sights of Hyrule's Castle Town for some time now. I am glad for the opportunity, especially for such an interesting event."
Nabooru gave her own bow, barely keeping it from being mocking, her innate anti-authorianism (which made her being in a position of actual authority nigh unbearable sometimes) being kept in careful check for now. "Yeah, it's nice to get out of the desert and meet all of you, especially for a tournament. It promises to be fun."
The King chuckled even as the courtiers didn't look as amused by her attitude. "Yes, I admit I'm looking forward to it as well." He turned slightly as Zelda made her way to his side. "Ah yes, of course. Allow me to introduce my daughter, Zelda."
The three greeted her respectfully, carefully hiding smiles at being introduced to their fellow Sage.
"It is good to meet you all." Zelda said with a smile. "I'm sure we'll have much to talk about during your stay here."
"Sounds good, princess." Nabooru said. Then she clapped her hands. "So, when does the actual tournament start?"
"In a few hours." The King said. "I believe that's enough time for us to have a meal together, to get to know each other."
"Fine thinking!" Darunia laughed. "It's been a long journey."
"Follow me if you would, then." Zelda said as she turned, leading the way to the banquet area with her father, Navi moving over to follow her. Nohansen and the courtiers had become so used to the sight of the fairy following Zelda around that they didn't even really notice anymore.
Soon enough they were all eating a hearty meal. Zelda had made sure that the castle cooks were aware of each guest's diet. Darunia was given some special stones from the areas around Gerudo Valley and Lake Hylia, which he ate with gusto. Ruto got grilled fish wrapped in steamed seaweed, which she enjoyed immensely. And Nabooru partook of a large, juicy steak that had her licking her lips.
The group talked and made merry as they ate, and Zelda smiled contentedly as she ate a salad with grilled cucco, pleased to be among friends. While Darunia was distracting the King with a tale of one of his son's misadventures, Ruto reached over and took the Hylian princess' hand, giving it a squeeze. "It's good to see you again, Zelda." She said softly so they wouldn't be heard.
Zelda squeezed back. "Yes, it is. I've missed you despite our messages. Impa and Navi are wonderful company, but it does get a bit lonely sometimes."
Ruto nodded in understanding. "I agree. Knowing what we know… It can be alienating…" They were interrupted when the King and Navi burst out into laughter.
"…and then he said 'Dad, I thought cheese was soft.'" Darunia finished saying, roaring with laughter along with his audience.
Ruto and Zelda blinked. "Uh…" Ruto began.
"Don't ask." Nabooru said with a smirk as she sipped some wine. The she jumped in with her own story. "You boys haven't heard nothing! Let me tell you about the deadly Sand Cuccos!"
Ruto and Zelda glanced at each other before shrugging in confusion.
Link was counting his rupees after buying himself some food. It had been some time since he'd been to a festival, and food stall offerings were always tasty, if not terribly healthy. Biting into his meat bun he chewed happily as he made his way through the crowds.
He watched children play games in various stalls, trying to win prizes, with their parents watching over them. Merchants hawking their wares added to the general noise level of the place, and various people from all walks of life were making their way to the stadium in the hopes of getting good seats before it started getting crowded.
He stopped when Malon ran up to him, calling his name. He smiled as he watched her approach, taking one last bite of his bun before wiping the crumbs off his face.
Malon stopped in front of him, grinning. "You registered, Fairy Boy?" Link nodded and she clapped her hands. "Great! I look forward to watching you beat everyone in the tournament, got it? You better win the entire thing!" He nodded again, chuckling, and she grabbed his arm to drag him along. "Good. Now show me around. I want to see what this place has to offer." Link rolled his eyes but obediently followed along.
They played some games, Link winning Malon a couple of prizes, which she was very happy with. Then they grabbed some food and continued wandering. Before long, however…
"Would all tournament participants make their way to the stadium!" A crier called over the noise of the crowd. "The opening of the tournament is about to begin!"
Seeing various armed people making their way to the stadium Link did the same with Malon at his side. Once they reached the competitor's entrance Malon broke away with a smile. "I'll be watching, Fairy Boy. Do your best." She gave him a quick hug before making her way to the audience entrance.
After watching her walk away he quickly made his way into the stadium, making his way through a hallway with waiting rooms and medical stations before emerging onto the field with the other competitors. He looked around, seeing many warriors of all types, armed and ready to fight, standing around him, looking up at the royal seats. He did the same, and smiled.
There, beside the man that could only be the King, sat Zelda. It had been a long time since he'd seen her, but she was just as beautiful as he remembered her being. He also saw Darunia, Ruto and Nabooru, all of them looking strong and healthy in seats of honor next to the royals. They were all looking down at the field, studying the competitors. Apparently they didn't spot him among the crowd, but he didn't mind. They'd be seeing him soon enough once it was time for him to fight.
The King stood to address the crowd and contestants. "Welcome, one and all, to the beginning of what will no doubt be an exciting demonstration of skill and power!" The crowd cheered. "Warriors, soldiers, adventurers, mages, show us your talents, be tenacious, and above all, fight well!" Another cheer, many of the contestants raising their fists. Link simply crossed his arms and smiled. "Now, I will give way to my daughter to explain the rules of the tournament, to make sure everybody understands." The King sat down as Zelda stood, a smile on her lips, and Link could tell that a vast majority of the crowd was instantly enamoured with her.
"Thank you, father." She said with a nod. She then turned to the crowd of contestants that filled the space before her. "This will be an elimination tournament, the winners of each match moving up the brackets till eventually only two are left." She paused before continuing. "For those wondering, yes, magic is allowed, but there will be restrictions to keep things fair. Mages, you are allowed to use lower and mid tier spells with impunity, and while most higher spells are not allowed, there is a list of known spells which are allowed that you would be advised to review. This includes primarily the not instantly lethal and healing spells, for the most part. To those of you with magical items, there are also restrictions." She eyed the crowd to make sure they understood. "If you have multiple magical items, in the spirit of fairness only one may be used per match. So if, for example, you have boots that grant you speed and a ring that provides some form of durability, you may use one in your first match, and the other in the next, but not both at once." Pausing once again to make sure that sank in she finished the explanation of the rules. "This, of course, only goes for enchanted items. You may use as many non-magical items as you wish. The last rule is simple: no intentional murder. We will do our utmost to keep this tournament, if not bloodless, then at the least non-lethal. If you so much as try to knowingly kill your opponent, you will be disqualified and arrested. Are these rules understood?" She watched, waiting for someone to speak up, before nodding with satisfaction when nobody said anything. "Excellent. In that case, fight well, and may the Goddesses' blessing be with you." Once again, the crowd began to cheer as she resumed her seat beside her father.
The official announcer for the tournament now took his place at his podium. "The first bout begins in fifteen minutes. Please make your way to the waiting rooms, review the spell list, check the fight order, and do anything else you require to prepare. We will see you soon." With eager cries, the crowd of competitors made their way back to the halls under the stadium seats to do just that.
Link followed the crowd, and eager smile on his lips as he felt anticipation flow through his veins. It had been some time since he'd had a good fight, especially one that didn't have his life on the line, and he was eager to test his skills once again. Making his way to one of the waiting rooms he went up to the large board with the fight order on it, looking for his number. Once he found it he saw that he would, surprisingly, be the tenth fight. He'd though his fight number would mean he'd be waiting longer, but apparently the organization of the brackets was almost random.
Still, this was good. It meant he didn't have to wait long for his own battle. He moved to an isolated corner of the room and began an equipment check, which could take some time, considering the sheer amount of items he had hidden thanks to his Kokiri Magic. As he worked he looked over his fellow competitors, trying to determine their threat levels by what he could see of them.
There were a couple of obvious mages just from what he could see. He didn't know their specialties, but he'd fought enough to recognize them. There were also the usual mountains of muscle, declaring loudly how they would be the champions. One fool was even saying that once he won he would take Princess Zelda as his bride.
Despite his normal easy going nature, hearing that made Link almost let out a Ganondorf worthy sneer. Zelda would chew up and spit out someone like that with contemptuous ease.
He listened as the cheering of the crowds as the fights began, the noise thunderous from his position underneath the stands. He could almost follow how the fights were going simply from the various sounds they made as certain things happened, and it was easy to tell when someone won.
Finally, it was time for his fight, and one of the organizers came into the waiting room. "Would Link of the Kokiri make their way to the field? Their fight is about to start."
Link got up from his seat, stretching in preparation before beginning to make his way back out, hearing the expectant cheers of the crowd waiting for the next fight. An attendant stopped him before he stepped out of the shade and onto the field as the announcer called out the names of the next contestant.
"Next, gentles, comes the battle between Gorman of the Lakeside Plains, against Link of the Kokiri!"
Link stepped out into the sunlight amidst cheers and some confused murmuring, his eyes taking in the new battlefield now that there wasn't a crowd of contestants obscuring things.
It had obviously been set up with the various races in mind. There was a pond to his right along the wall, obviously for any Zora fighters, and another section that was arid and rocky almost directly opposite it, large boulders dotting that area. Trees were planted throughout the area, most likely for use as cover, and everything else was covered in fresh green grass.
His inspection done, his gaze turned to his opponent, a large man in leather armor bearing a large, two-headed axe in his meaty fists. A small smirk on his face, Link reached up and drew his blade, the steel slipping out with a quiet rasp, and got ready to fight, his shield up and at the ready. His eyes glittered as the man, Gorman, glared at him with small, dark eyes.
Then, the battle began.
Zelda almost felt her heart stop as her eyes widened when she heard the last man's name. It couldn't be…
But no, there he was, striding out onto the field, green outfit practically announcing who he was to anybody who knew him, his stride confident and assured, a small smirk on his handsome face. As he drew his blade, clutching it in his left hand, his friends could no longer contain themselves.
Darunia let out a loud cheer, startling the King, and pumped a large fist with a look of childlike excitement on his face. Nabooru laughed uproariously, her gleeful cackling ringing out as she stared down at the contestants. Ruto brought her hands to her lips, eyes wide and moist with happiness. Zelda herself wanted to vault down onto the field and gather the man in a hug, a wide smile on her face as her eyes took every inch of him in. And she could practically feel Impa's amused surprise at the revelation. As for Navi…
"…Link?" The fairy practically sobbed out at the sight of her partner, her form trembling slightly with barely contained emotion. Zelda quickly gathered the small woman in her hands, holding her close. "Zelda, let me go!" She began to struggle as the shock wore off. "He's here! He's here! I need to go to him! Please!"
"I know, Navi, but if you go to him now he'll end up disqualified due to potential interference, not to mention he'll be distracted. I know you need to be with him, but please wait at least till the bout is over." Zelda said gently, Navi slowly calming down as she stared at Link, who was standing resolutely as the match began and his hulking opponent charged at him with a roar.
"…Alright. You can let me go…" The blue fairy said softly.
The crowd roared in delight as Link expertly stepped back, letting the large axe pass inches from his chest, bringing his shield around to hit it as it swung by, adding to its momentum and making his opponent overbalance slightly. This allowed him to spring forward, bringing his sword around to smack Gorman in the face with the flat of the blade. Gorman stumbled backwards stunned, but had the presence of mind to fall back, bringing his axe up in a guarding position.
"So… I take it you all know this man?" Nohansen asked wryly.
Nabooru grinned, eyes riveted on the fight. "I personally owe him my life, and he is an official honorary gerudo. I can't believe he's back…"
Ruto giggled slightly. "He saved me as well. I… gave him something precious in return…"
Navi giggled wetly. "You realize he didn't know the significance of what you did till I sat him down and gave him a long explanation, right? He's Kokiri. Those sorts of concepts went right over his head."
Ruto's eyes glinted. "He knows now, doesn't he?"
"He is my sworn brother." Darunia rumbled, arms crossed as he watched Link backflip out of the way of a horizontal swing, much to the crowd's approval. "The entire Goron nation owes that man a debt. He's one of us."
The King's eyebrows were high on his forehead before he turned to Zelda. "And you, daughter?"
She was silent for a moment, watching the two warriors clash, though it was obvious to anybody with combat experience who the winner was going to be. "One day, seven years ago, a young boy of the Kokiri and his fairy companion snuck into my personal garden in the castle. He made it passed all the guards to meet with me." She smiled softly as her father's eyebrows somehow managed to rise even further. "…He is a dear friend, father. I am glad to see him alive and well."
"So he is truly of the Kokiri? I was under the impression they were, well, children."
Navi moved out of Zelda's grasp, making her way closer to the King. "Link is Kokiri. He's not a normal one, no. Nobody could ever describe my partner as normal. But he's as much Kokiri as any of the others." She said proudly.
They watched as Link apparently had enough. Expertly deflecting an overhead slash with his shield, making the axe bury itself in the ground, he began a whirling barrage of strikes, the flat of his blade joining his bashing shield to pummel his opponent, who let go of his axe in pain and confusion, stumbling backwards and desperately trying to protect himself. Finally, Gorman could take no more, falling onto his back, dazed and confused. Link placed the edge of his sword against the man's neck. "Yield." He said simply.
Gorman simply stared at Link before his large, bald head thumped onto the grass. "…I yield."
The crowd promptly went wild, cheering Link's impressive victory even as the young warrior nonchalantly sheathed his blade and made his way back under the stands, passing by the healers coming out to carry Gorman to a medical room.
Zelda turned to Navi as she clapped for her old friend's victory, practically having to shout to be heard over Darunia and Nabooru's yelling. "I think now is good."
Navi shook with excitement before streaking away to the waiting rooms, her friend smiling softly as she watched her leave.
Link was stretching as he walked back to the waiting room he'd been in. That fight hadn't been difficult. Compared to what he was used to facing, Gorman was halfway competent, but otherwise didn't rate. But he shouldn't be too surprised. It was only the first round. Things would get tougher going forward.
He stopped as he sensed something watching him. The presence felt… familiar? Then…
"…Link?"
Link felt as though his heart had skipped a beat. Slowly, unable to believe it, he turned around to see who had spoken to find a blue light with wings. A very familiar blue light with wings.
"…Navi?" He croaked out, tears gathering in his eyes.
With a sob, the fairy launched herself at him, slamming into his chest and clutching his shirt as she began to cry. "You… stupid… idiot." She choked out. "Where in… the name of the Goddesses… have you been?"
A tear streaking down his cheek, Link brought his hands up to hold his fairy. "…I was taking a walk…"
She let out a wet laugh. "For seven years?"
"It was… a very enthusiastic walk…" He smiled gently, and she laughed again. Link closed his eyes, feeling a sense of completion that hadn't been there in a long, long time.
He had his fairy back.
And… done!
This chapter was Sage heavy. Let's be honest, we all know Link isn't going to have any issues at the beginning of the tournament. So instead I focused on his friends' reactions to seeing him back.
There isn't really much to say about this chapter. I hope you all like my interpretation of the King, and that you all think the tournament rules made sense. I wanted to avoid curbstomps, so limiting the characters in some way seemed like a good idea.
Anyway, if you enjoyed yourselves, let me know in a review. I'm always happy to receive them. So many fuzzy feelings…
Till next time!