I can't think of anything clever or witty to say and I'm tired as FUCK so enjoy chapter two, and I was so excited all week too lol ,)
"Dinsel!" Hazen hissed. "Get back here now!"
Dinsel, the little brat, just waved him off impatiently and continued crawling under the table.
"You--!" Hazen inhaled through his nose and mimed strangling his brother before coming at the table from another angle. "Dinsel!"
He was ignored, again, and Hazen heaved a loud sigh, standing. "Fine," he muttered, snatching up the Clawshot that, for whatever reason, was lying on the floor. "You wanna do it the hard way? We can do that." He stuffed his hand through the Clawshot's glove and got back on his knees, glaring at Dinsel as he rummaged with something, goddesses knew what. He caught his brother's eye and hefted the Clawshot. "Just remember, you asked for this," he said, and triggered the switch.
The claw shot out and grabbed a clawful of Dinsel's shirt. His yelp was drowned out by the shhhing of the weapon as it dragged Dinsel out from under the table. Hazen quickly tore off the glove and grabbed his brother, carrying him under his arm. Dinsel squirmed like a mad thing, whining. "Come on, I wasn't doing anything wrong!"
"Oh no," Hazen said in a dead voice, staring straight ahead. "Of course not. No way."
Dinsel groaned, aggravated. "How do you even know, anyway?"
"Because I know you," Hazen said, knowing it would piss him off. And piss him off it did. Hazen sighed over the indignant screeching and insults that no twelve-year-old boy should know and said, "Look, I don't know what you were doing under the meeting table, and I don't know what your obsession is with sabotaging these Summits, but you need to stop. Mom will flip out if you embarrass her again."
"I don't embarrass her!" Dinsel said indignantly.
"Well, you certainly don't make her look good!" Hazen shot back, wincing at how harsh he sounded. He set Dinsel down in the hall and knelt at his eye level. "Dinsel, look. I know you like to have fun, and I know you don't care much for politics. Me neither. But we have a lot of important people coming here. And we have to make mom look good."
Dinsel didn't meet his gaze, crossing his arms. "So what? They all like her. They're friends."
Hazen sighed. "I know they are. But . . . okay, you know how mom has her council?"
Dinsel nodded, intrigued but unwilling to show it. Hazen tried a smile. "Well, all of these people also have councils, back in their own countries. And those councils don't like it when their ruler's food is turned blue, or when their chairs fall out from under them. Ravio and Darmani might not mind it, but their friends do. How can they expect Mom to manage an empire when she can't manage her own children?"
Dinsel fidgeted, a sure sign Hazen was getting through to him. He gave one last push. "Just promise me you'll keep your pranks away from the Summit. Far away. Okay?"
Dinsel scowled. "But I had this great idea for the table--"
"Dinsel." Hazen put on his no-nonsense face, and his brother sighed in a way only a child whose grand pranks were foiled. "Fine," he acquiesced, rolling his eyes. And then he whirled and ran off, smirking because his brother hadn't realized his fingers had been crossed.
At least, until he rounded a corner and bumped into Tessen, on his way to the library. Dinsel hurriedly wiped the devious look from his face, an expression he'd learned early on was a dead giveaway. He smiled charmingly up at Tessen, but gave up when the older boy simply raised a brow. Of course, he had to run into the resident smarty-pants.
"Not off to trouble, right?" Tessen inquired, fully aware of the truth but humoring Dinsel.
"Of course," Dinsel said candidly, not even trying to fool Tessen. He was twelve, not stupid.
"Right." Tessen smiled in a way that made Dinsel unsure. Was he going to rat him out--
"And I'm sure Hazen has no idea, right?"
At that, Dinsel rolled his eyes. "There's a reason me and Faroe are the smart ones."
Tessen laughed, ruffling the young prince's hair. "Just try not to blow anything up this time, okay?"
"Deal," Dinsel said brightly, running off. And just in time.
Hazen rounded the corner, blinking at Tessen, seemingly smiling at nothing. Hazen decided to have a little fun. "Daydreaming about Saval again?"
Tessen jerked, nearly dropping his papers. He adjusted his glasses, blushing furiously, and cleared his throat. "No."
He made to pass Hazen and said, "Your brother is headed towards the East Hall. I'd hurry if I were you."
Hazen let out a sound of pure aggravation. "I don't suppose you tried to deter him?"
"I restricted him from explosions. You're welcome."
Tessen walked off, stifling a snort as his friend's shoulders slumped, a grimace crossing his face.
"Great."
The doors of the castle slammed open and Hazen stepped through. He closed his eyes, feeling the sun beat down on him. Freedom.
His brothers were occupied with lessons for the next few hours, the meetings were going smoothly, and most importantly, no explosions.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled down the hill, watching the sun make its way towards the horizon. The city was still busy, even as sunset loomed.
He nodded at the guards posted at each flag post along the hill and passed under the great gates. He could hear the bustle of the three rings already, and as he exited the castle grounds, it suddenly became much louder. Merchants and vendors crowded the central area, and if Hazen stood on his toes, he could see the orphanage spires poking the orange sky. Within the city, right in front of Hazen, was an enormous statue. It was quieter around it, as if in reverence.
He walked right up to it, watching an old couple drop a clump of flowers and back away. A small fountain had been erected, and on the ground, the flagstones had been replaced with black marble, carved with thousands of names, in a circle around the statue. In the base of the monument, Hazen read nine names carved into the stone.
"Mipha, Champion of the Zora. Urbosa, Champion of the Gerudo. Lulu, beloved sister. Laruto, beloved mother and Queen. Daruk, Champion of the Gorons. Revali, Champion of the Rito. Nabooru, Honored Sage. Rauru, Honored Sage. Each had a place in the empire. Brought together by pain and will, they shall be revered as heroes. But to those who knew them, they will always be family."
Hazen stared at the plaque, at the monument. It rose high into the sky, reams of gold and color shining in the dying sunlight. Another reminder, another piece of the war he'd never understand. It frustrated him, and he didn't know why. Why couldn't he let it go? It nagged day and night, all through his studies, invading his sleep. What was it about the war, the sadness that hounded his parents' steps, the steps of his people?
Would he be king of a new nation--would he bring about the dawn of a new day? Or would he rule over a broken people, unable to move on from the horrors of the past?
Hazen sighed, looking away from the statue, and found an older man standing beside him, staring up at the vague features of the statue. He didn't speak, so neither did Hazen. He thought they'd stand in silence until the old man spoke.
"'Twas a sad day when Ganondorf's army was seen from the castle, marching on Hyrule Field."
Hazen glanced at him, finding his gaze out there, on the fields. His own eyes tightened, recalling yet another detail.
He knew about the mass grave out there. Knew about the one night a year that his parents left the castle to sit out there, for one whole day. Patrols were delayed, rerouted, all to give the war heroes time to grieve with their friends. One last time.
It had just been Link and Zelda, at first. Then Hazen heard that the Sage of Forest had left her forest home to join, and then Ruto and Darunia, and then Commander Impa took leave to be there.
Sometimes they laughed and joked, recalling the good times. Sometimes they sat in silence, each buried in their own private memories. And sometimes, it was just Link and Zelda, the way it started, sitting beneath the sky, from daybreak to midnight.
Sometimes, they came home red eyed and stiff, and Hazen had to turn away.
The old man spoke again, making Hazen jump. He'd forgotten he was there.
"One of the empress's dearest friends was in the castle that day. One of her most trusted advisors, and one of the bravest souls to walk this land of Hyrule."
Hazen frowned. Tetra? He knew that. "I--"
The old man smiled, then, turning his gaze to the castle. "My brother would have been proud to see what she's accomplished," he said, blue eyes so bright, despite his age.
Hazen cocked his head. Wasn't . . . he talking about Tetra? If not, then who was the brother? He squinted at the old man, who noticed out of the corner of his eye. He chuckled, closing his eyes. "You don't remember me out of uniform, but I was there when you announced your will to lead this empire," he said, and slowly the old man's identity dawned on Hazen.
He felt a smile grow and became more comfortable. "I never thought I'd say this, but retirement suits you. Sir."
Gaepora laughed in full, a deep booming laugh. "Don't get cocky now, boy. I can still give you a run for your money."
They chatted for a while, until the growing anxiety of what Dinsel and Faroe could be doing became too much to ignore. Hazen bowed to Gaepora, and received one in return. "Give my warmest pleasantries to your mother," Gaepora called, smiling as Hazen climbed the hill.
"I will!" Hazen called back, and watched him turn from the monument before heading back to the castle. Now that he was back, he kept both eyes out for any sign that his brothers had gotten into trouble, and found one as he passed the room where the meeting was.
A dozen things stood out to him at once, chief among them being Dinsel hidden behind the door, aiming a bubble shooter right at Mayor Ruul's head, and Zelda doing her best to keep the rulers distracted. It was working, for the most part. Midna was wearing an uncrackable poker face but her shoulders were shaking, and Hilda was hiding her sniggers behind her fan.
Hazen swept in and snatched Dinsel away from the door right as he let fly, and hauled him behind the door as the snap sounded through the room. He peeked around the corner and had to bite down on his knuckles.
"Oh!" Mayor Ruul exclaimed. "Was that a--"
"Nothing, Mayor, please relax," Zelda said, her face calm but for a bead of sweat falling down her neck.
"My word," Ruul said, his frail voice making Midna and Hilda laugh harder. "It sounded just like a bubble shooter. Oh, I had one as a young'un, did I ever tell you? Now that was a toy, I tell you."
"Of course," Zelda smoothly interjected, her voice putting the old Mayor at rest. Hazen sighed a silent breath of relief before dragging Dinsel down the hall. Once his brother was on his feet, Hazen shot him a glare hotter than Death Mountain.
Dinsel toed the floor while Hazen shoved his hands through his hair. "Did--like--did what I said earlier register even a little?" he asked. "I want to know. Like, I genuinely want to know."
"Sort of," Dinsel muttered mutinously. "It's not like he was gonna get hurt, holy cr--"
"Don't say it," Hazen warned, pointing a finger. "Don't you say it."
Dinsel pouted. "But the Summits are boring! I don't wanna go to class and read all day, I wanna have fun. And we never get to travel anymore."
Hazen twitched, but shoved the niggling sympathy aside. "I get that, but please, please behave yourself. It's just for a few days, Dinny, it's not so bad." He went to ruffle his hair.
"Don't call me that," Dinsel muttered, pushing his hand away.
Hazen crossed his arms. "Fine. You've got a couple hours before bedtime, so I'll tell you what."
As if sensing a deal on the horizon, Dinsel perked up, turning bright blue eyes on Hazen. "I'll make a deal with you, but you have to play along," Hazen warned, and though Dinsel nodded along emphatically, Hazen had enough experience dealing with his sibling to know his sincerity wouldn't last long. "If you don't you'll get in trouble, you won't be able to play with Lulu or Saori when they get here."
". . . But, I'll help you steal sweet cakes if you cause your destruction in a part of the castle that doesn't embarrass mom," Hazen finished, watching Dinsel carefully.
Maybe the sweet cakes part had been . . . overboard. Dinsel burst off sprinting towards the West Hall, and Hazen felt the blood drain from his face.
"Not that one!"
Just a lil nod tochapter 58 of empire :). Also I adooooreee writing children, they're so fun. I'm off to sleep for work bc I'm falling asleep writing this (my attention span = zero) bye!
Lasted like 2 seconds before I realized I forgot to reply to the reviews, haha WHOOPS.
Queen Emily the Diligent: you too! I could hardly wait to start posting again :)))
StJames1: yeah this story's a little darker; it was actually supposed to be like a more uplifting one but as plot developed... yeah haha. And not every death can be viewed onscreen; personally I think some hit harder when you find out after the fact