Chapter 20 - Nothing More
On the fifth day of the festival, Zelda was finally crowned the true Princess of Hyrule.
Her coronation was absolutely lovely, albeit shorter than most average ceremonies. As Link understood it, the practice traditionally ended with a celebration that involved music and dancing, but with the ongoing festival being observed every night at sundown, there was no real need to do anything special aside from hosting the coronation itself.
Still, there were rumors that some official function was being planned for the last day of their week-long celebration, though Link hadn't been able to glean any details over what it concerned. The most he knew was from overhearing talk about how the King and Queen intended to honor his mother for all her work and numerous sacrifices, and if so, he couldn't think of a more fitting reason to host a special party.
His only complaint was that no one had involved him in the planning.
But the party was only two days away, a thought that elicited a heady sense of disbelief. Had they really spent almost an entire week in the palace with their parents? The sentiment proved true the old adage about how time flies when you're having fun, and both Link and Zelda could attest that getting to know their parents was the most fun they'd ever had in their entire life.
And Link found himself surprised by the truth.
After undergoing such a difficult journey to defeat Ganondorf with his mother guiding the way, he'd expected her to be proper and reserved only to learn she was actually the troublemaker. Lyonel had his moments, and Myriad was indeed wise, but Link often found his father trying to dissuade her from enacting some form of mischief just because she thought it would be amusing.
As for Zelda, her days were typically spent traversing the market with her mother to observe the numerous repairs taking place. It was amazing just how quickly the people were working to rebuild Castle Town as well, and though vendors were in short supply, she and Nissandra found a small street side cafe which had just reopened with a limited menu.
Despite the lack of options available for order with the kingdom still rebuilding so much of its damaged infrastructure, the Queen and Princess took to eating lunch there together everyday. What's more, the cafe served honey tea which Zelda soon learned was her mother's favorite drink.
Each afternoon, they'd sit and discuss every topic under the sun, their laughter warming the hearts of everyone around. Of course, it was strange to have a small entourage of royal guards following wherever they went, not to mention a few handmaidens, but Zelda wouldn't have changed a thing.
Once they returned to the palace, they'd join Hadinaru who was usually working on any number of affairs, but always smiled brightly to see them both. He was also happy to elaborate on any issue he was handling and often asked for his daughter's opinion on matters in a search for potential solutions.
Nissandra was both amazed by how well they worked together and also proud, watching with great interest as father and daughter learned from each other in their efforts to rebuild Hyrule. Furthermore, the Queen was overjoyed to watch them both engage in a game of chess each evening once they'd concluded their work with matters of a more official nature.
Things were as they always should've been.
Still, for as perfect as things had become, there was still a matter of great importance weighing heavily on Link's mind. The issue was one he knew would greatly benefit from his mother's advice, though the opportunity to speak with her didn't come until much later that night.
And he found her in the last place he ever expected.
After checking about the palace in places he'd learned his mother favored, he had to ask a few people if they'd seen her around. But the last time anyone saw her was after escorting a group of Gorons to the gate so they could return to their city for a celebration being planned the next day. Not even Lyonel knew where she was, and it wasn't until Link took a break in his search that he finally located her.
Deciding to adjourn to the Royal Gardens—one of the few places that remained completely untouched during Ganondorf's reign—he came to a stop at a circular pool of water located at the center of a wide patio. It was the central venue of the garden with an elaborate statue of the three Goddesses surrounding a golden Triforce at the middle, and the calm waters provided a sense of serenity to the area shrouded from the rest of the palace by the bushes and trees standing sentinel nearby.
Yet not everything was silent.
Slosh slosh.
The sound of water being disturbed came from the opposite side of the statue, and Link craned his head while making his way around until the source was revealed—his mother.
Clasping the skirt of her white lace dress in a bunch around her knees, Myriad was slowly walking through the water barefoot with her shoes sitting on the edge of the pool not far away. Considering the chill in the late evening air, the water had to be several degrees below a comfortable temperature, yet his mother was smiling brightly downward while dragging a leg through the pristine liquid until it splashed upwards.
Pursing his lips in confusion over her behavior, Link shook his head and asked, "Mom? What are you doing?"
Proving she hadn't heard him approach, Myriad spun around with a brief gasp, then laughed and inquired, "Link, how long have you been there?"
"Just got here," he admitted, motioning at the pool with the question, "Aren't you cold?"
If finding her wading through a cold pool of knee-deep water wasn't confusing enough, her answer baffled him even more.
"Oh it's absolutely frigid."
She sounded delighted over the fact, and for as strange as it seemed, she was quick to provide a reasonable explanation.
Dragging her leg through the water again, she qualified, "It's been ages since I felt a chill, or even uncomfortably hot. There's no real weather to speak of in the Sacred Realm, it's always a perfect temperature, so the breeze or a cool stream of water is never necessary to cool down. A fire is never needed to warm up."
A smile curved his lips at the reminder that his mother was thoroughly enjoying the sensations her return to Hyrule provided, and his expression grew bigger when she met his gaze and directed, "Just don't tell your father I've been doing this. He'll think I'm needlessly risking a cold and become extremely grumpy."
Link chuckled, knowing she was right—Lyonel would certainly reprimand her out of concern for her well being. So he quickly promised, "Don't worry, I won't say a word. Besides, I know of an even better way to enjoy it that would probably just make him more upset."
Curiously, Myriad inquired, "Oh? What's that?"
Taking a step back, the grin on his face must've spoken volumes over his intentions because Myriad lifted a hand with a finger pointed and remarked, "Don't you dare!"
Despite her scolding tone, her lips twitched while fighting a smile, betraying her amusement as Link rushed toward the pool.
"Link! You—oh!"
Her gasp came when the splash of water resulting from his landing doused her—and he wasn't done. Instantly, Link took to splashing more water in her direction, and his mother wasn't reluctant to return fire.
"You treacherous child!" she scolded playfully between her squeals and fits of laughter. "I'm sending you to bed without your dinner!"
"I already ate!" Link countered, gasping when she managed to splash his face. "Hey!"
"Then you're grounded!"
Laughter ensued amid their vigorous water war, each taking turns sending waves out and enduring frigid blasts with loud gasps until they were both soaked. But neither noticed the cold, too busy enjoying their time together to give it a second thought.
At least until they heard someone clearing their throat.
Instantly coming to a stop, Myriad and Link looked toward the edge of the pool nearby while pushing the soaked hair from their face—and cringed at the sight revealed. Standing before them with arms crossed and lips pursed was Lyonel.
In response to his stern mien, his wife and son froze, soaked from head to foot while staring with expressions that proved they knew they were in for it. Truth be told, Lyonel was having trouble not laughing at the sight, but fought to keep up the pretense of anger if only to enjoy the moment for as long as possible.
That's when Myriad pointed at Link and related, "He started it."
Gasping, Link retorted, "Mom!"
"Alright," Lyonel interrupted, adding, "that's enough. It doesn't matter who started it. What matters is how it's finished."
His stern tone had both flinching as they tried to figure out how to smooth things over. Yet Myriad caught the mischievous glint in her husband's eyes before Link could be made aware of his intentions and remarked, "Oh no."
The comment had her son redirecting his gaze at Lyonel just moments before the newly reinstated Royal Guard jumped toward the water much the way he had earlier. Yet the resulting splash was much bigger, causing his wife and son to yelp as the water war commenced.
Working to both attack and dodge, the battle was sometimes two on one, and at others it became every Hylian for themselves. Regardless, their shouts and feigned reprimands were filled with as much happiness as either had felt in a long time.
This went on until Lyonel determined their battle had lasted long enough, and shortly thereafter, Link found himself in his parents' chamber with a blanket over his shoulders. Myriad was also wrapped up, the both of them holding a hot cup of tea in their hands while Lyonel took their wet clothing to add to the laundry.
As he walked away, Link waited until he was out of earshot before asking, "Do you think he's really mad at us?"
"No," Myriad returned with a soft chuckle. "He may be somewhat … frustrated, but he understands."
Grinning, Link took a sip of his hot tea and turned his gaze to the chamber around them lit by a warm fire burning in the hearth. It was filled with a mixture of items that reflected the interests of both his parents, such as various books and numerous styles of weapons mounted on the wall. Still, what caught his attention when they first arrived was a stack of letters on the table where they now sat.
The correspondence looked old enough to be from a time before he was born, a thought that piqued his curiosity. So, with his father presently out of the room, he inquired, "What are those?"
Looking up to see her son regarding the stack of letters, Myriad replied with a warm smile, "Correspondence your father and I sent to one another when duty separated us that eventually led to our engagement. I thought the letters had been lost, but he surprised me with them this afternoon, having managed to salvage them after abandoning the palace to live in Roshala."
Chuckling, she related, "In the last, Lyonel was providing some very obvious hints that he was planning to propose marriage when he returned from his trip."
Link smiled at the sentiment, unable to ignore the irony in what the stack of letters represented when the very reason he'd sought his mother out that night was to discuss the matter of marriage as well.
So now that she'd broached the subject, he thoughtfully suggested, "Maybe I should take a lesson because I've been considering the same thing."
Having just pressed her tea cup against her lips, Myriad was grateful she hadn't swallowed, otherwise she might've choked. Instead, she abruptly stopped to stare in her son's direction, then carefully downed the tea in her mouth before asking hopefully, "You want to ask Zelda?"
At his nod, Myriad gasped in delight and leaned over to hug him while exclaiming, "How wonderful!" Pressing a kiss to his cheek, she sat back with a sparkle in her sapphire eyes and mentioned, "To be honest, I'm surprised you hadn't already proposed given the unique bond you share."
"Well, I wanted to, but … ."
As he trailed, recognition lit in his mother's gaze as she suggested with a smile, "You still need my advice."
"Of course," Link returned easily, and her smile grew as he qualified, "you're my mother."
Chuckling, Myriad sat her tea cup on the table and gave Link her full attention with the question, "Then how can I help?"
Pursing his lips, Link returned, "How about finding a way to ensure the King doesn't demand my head for asking, because I think he hates me."
"Nonsense," Myriad retorted without wasting a moment, asking rationally, "Why would he hate you? You've only saved his kingdom, his life, his daughter, his … ," trailing, she considered her last word with a roll of her eyes and reluctantly stated, "wife."
"Nice rhyme," Link chuckled out, then admitted, "and I know he doesn't hate me, but when it comes to Zelda, he's stern and always acts … grumpy around me."
"Well, in his own words, he's stern with everyone to keep them on their toes," Myriad returned with an amused smirk, adding confidently, "Honestly, asking her won't cause any trouble. If you're afraid–"
"I'm not," Link interjected.
"Nervous," Myriad amended, "then simply discuss the situation with Hadinaru. For as protective as he may be, he's just as understanding."
As his mother made her point, Lyonel returned to finish the task of tidying up their quarters before bed. Though he was content to allow their conversation to continue uninterrupted, his wife's claim had him asking curiously, "What are you talking about?"
With no lack of prideful enthusiasm in her voice, Myriad announced, "Our son is planning to ask Princess Zelda for her hand in marriage."
Lifting the tray carrying a pitcher of water from the table, Lyonel shot a surprised look at Link and asked, "Oh really? If you haven't done so already, then I can only assume you're concerned about her parents' reaction."
When Link exhaled and nodded in confirmation of his father's assumption, Lyonel smiled as if pleased to hear of his son's intentions. Yet there was a knowing quality to his smile that had Link asking uncertainly, "What?"
"Nothing," Lyonel returned with a casual air as he carried the tray away, adding, "nothing at all."
Pursing his lips, Link watched his father momentarily departing with a shake of his head. Maybe Lyonel simply understood his concerns but didn't want to say anything that might cause his son to doubt the situation even more, who knew? Either way, he couldn't help feeling hesitant about the issue despite knowing for certain that he not only wanted but also needed Zelda in his life.
After all, the King and Queen had only just met their daughter again—not that Nissandra ever behaved as if Zelda's relationship was a problem. Yet it seemed fathers were always more protective, and Hadinaru was no exception.
Still, Myriad was right and the King was also reasonable. So maybe it really was the best idea to discuss the matter of proposing with him—while the Queen was in attendance to mediate, of course.
As he considered the possibility, Myriad remarked, "Perhaps you should wait until the week-long festival is concluded. There's a grand celebration being planned for the last night, and it may be easier if you focus on your proposal once it's done."
Link nodded, thinking that sounded reasonable, though his mother's comment also served as a reminder of the rumors flying about in regards to the celebration. So he changed the subject in favor of asking, "I keep hearing an official function is taking place on the last day of the festival, too. Do you know what it's about?"
"I know King Hadinaru wishes to host a celebration in honor of those who fought to save his kingdom," Myriad replied, musing, "though with Queen Nissandra planning the affair, there's honestly no way of knowing what surprises are in store, and I'd wager they'll be even more interesting with her daughter about to provide suggestions."
Chuckling, his mother concluded, "The only thing I can say with certainty is not to allow Nissandra's handmaidens to prepare you for the event, Link. Otherwise you'll find yourself longing for the challenge of another temple after spending hours being fussed over with little to no say of your own."
Her claim put a grin on his face she was powerless not to admire, and found herself reaching over to stroke his cheek with a loving yet sad smile.
Link didn't seem to mind, though he had to ask, "Is everything okay?"
"Oh yes," she confirmed. "It's just that every time you smile, I find myself struggling not to become sentimental, but it always reminds me of when you were a baby and first began doing so."
"When was that?"
"Oh, at about a month old, give or take," Myriad mused. "I almost thought you were smiling the night you were born, but I know that's just motherly pride coloring my memories."
Link smirked, supposing most parents possessed a bias toward their children that altered their perception. Whatever the case, her admission also drew to mind a question Lyonel told him to ask his mother, prompting him to state, "Father said you named me, but he never elaborated on why you chose Link because he wanted to give you the chance to tell me yourself."
Chuckling, Myriad returned, "He thinks I enthrall when I tell stories, but I'm glad he provided me the opportunity this time. Still, the answer is rather simple despite my inability to decide on any names until the night you were born."
Hanging on every word, Link inquired, "What happened?"
With a fond smile gracing her lips, Myriad gladly appeased her son's curiosity by stating, "It was a much colder night than this, with heavy snows and frigid winds rapping against the shutters of my chamber at the Temple of Time. You see, when I could no longer conceal my pregnancy with clothing, I announced my intentions of traveling on missionary work as a ruse while in truth, I was staying at the temple to remain out of sight."
Sometime during her recounting of the tale, Lyonel returned and took a seat across from them with a fond smile on his face. The look spoke volumes of the fact that he knew what was going to happen, but enjoyed listening to his wife tell the story regardless.
In turn, Myriad regarded him lovingly and supplied, "Not long before I was due to give birth, Lyonel joined me, and I thank the Goddesses everyday for that blessing because I would've gone stir crazy waiting for you to arrive if not for him."
Her claim elicited a chuckle from Lyonel that caused her to smile his way before continuing, "Finally, the day came when I would deliver, and at first, the labor didn't seem so difficult to handle. But by evening, the pains had worsened immensely, and that's when your father came to inform the midwife and I that Dragmire was on his way to the temple after hearing rumors that I'd returned from my missionary work."
Link's brows narrowed in angered annoyance, but he said nothing as his mother continued her story.
"So we rode away in a carriage before he arrived to discover me, though I could only handle so much of the bumpy ride through the early winter storm before telling Lyonel to find somewhere to stop. Thankfully, he found a thick enclosure of trees where any sound I made in pain was masked by the whipping winds, and it wasn't long before you were born."
With a warmth in her voice that couldn't be denied, she concluded, "The midwife swaddled you and handed you over to Lyonel who brought you to me all but whimpering the words he's so beautiful, my love."
Lyonel chuckled in response to Myriad's description of his reaction, but said nothing as she supplied, "As for me, I was speechless, whatever pain I'd endured to bring you into the world forgotten as if carried away on the wind. Holding you for the first time, all I could focus on was the bond we shared, the connection I felt to my husband through you, one I knew he sensed as well, and the first word out of my mouth was link."
" … Link," she repeated after a moment as if reciting what she'd said all those years ago. "His name is Link I told Lyonel, and when he asked why, I answered because he is what links the three of us together forever."
Remaining silent as the answer of his name's origin sank in, Link eventually drew out a disbelieving, "Wow … that's so much more meaningful than I thought it'd be." Unable to resist—and not caring to try—he leaned in to kiss Myriad's cheek with a smile and a heartfelt, "Thanks, Mom."
His mother smiled in response, her sapphire eyes glistening with tears. The bittersweet expression had become a fairly common sight over the past week as their family interacted in ways they never had the chance to before. So Link wasn't at all surprised, and merely leaned in to hug her tight.
Watching them from the opposite side of the table with a smile, Lyonel remarked, "Maybe it's just my reluctance to consider the past eighteen years at length, but it honestly doesn't seem like it happened that long ago. Yet here we are with a son old enough to be planning to ask the Princess for the honor of being her husband."
Sitting back, Link gave his father a sheepish smile and admitted, "I don't think I'll ever feel like I deserve that honor and I'd be happy if all I had the chance to do was nothing more than love her from afar. But it also feels like refraining to ask would be the same as disgracing her. So I just think I should propose sooner rather than later."
"Of course you should," Myriad announced in a tone suggesting she was eager to start planning a wedding despite knowing her son hadn't even proposed yet.
But her enthusiasm wasn't bothersome at all, and in fact, it helped ease Link's nerves over the prospect. The certainty in her voice and casual attitude had him believing it was well within his right to ask the Princess of Hyrule to be his wife regardless of what her royal father might have to say about it.
Yet he had no chance to really consider it before Myriad patted his shoulder and added to her previous comment, "Lyonel and I have the perfect thing to help as well. I just need him to show me where he stored those satchels he kept while living in Roshala."
Lyonel curiously canted his head, wondering what could be in the satchels that would help their son propose. As a result, he asked at the same time as Link, "What is it?"
Chuckling over their synchronized inquiry, Myriad responded, "You'll see," as she stood from the table to wait for her husband to lead the way.
In response, father and son exchanged a look, then shrugged before standing to discover what Myriad had in store.
"Checkmate."
"Checkm—what? Again?"
"For the third time in a row, yes. Are you sure you're not going easy on me?"
Hadinaru's lips pursed as he studied the pieces upon the chessboard to ensure his defeat at the hands of his daughter—though her suspicious question distracted him from the task.
"Of course not!" he hastily replied, insisting, "I learned my lesson the first time I did that!"
Soft snickering sounded in turn, drawing Hadinaru's gaze across the table to see Zelda stifling her laughter with a gloved hand covering her mouth. The sight transformed his own disgruntled expression into one of amusement, and in leaning against the arm of his chair, he inquired, "And you said Impa taught you how to play?"
Nodding, Zelda gave her father a bright smile and supplied, "She also said I was a natural."
Hadinaru quirked a brow with a sheepish smirk and remarked, "I don't doubt it. But tell me, what other games do you know—or not know—how to play? There must be something I'd have a fair chance of winning, such as a card game perhaps."
Zelda couldn't help her amusement over the way her father was grasping at straws in the hopes of finding something they could play where the chances were equal. Yet she also felt guilty, deciding she might have to go easy on him.
Still, his mention of card games distracted her from the thought completely, her eyes going wide as she gasped, "Oh!"
"What? Did you think of something?"
"Not exactly, and to answer your question, Shamrock taught me all about cards, and he was basically an expert."
"Shamrock?" Hadinaru inquired, then snapped his fingers in recollection. "Ah yes, I remember now. He's the one who saved you from falling along with Link."
"Right," Zelda confirmed, standing from her seat before adding, "and the reason I gasped is that thinking of him reminded me that he just sent something here I want you and Mother to see."
With that said, she hurried around the table to lean and give her father a kiss on the cheek, relating, "So I'll be right back!"
With no lack of excitement, Zelda hurried out of the parlor where they'd been playing their game, giving a hasty greeting to her Mother who entered just as she was leaving.
It happened so quickly that Nissandra called, "What? Where are you go—Darling?"
"I'll be right back!"
Blinking, Nissandra turned from her daughter's retreating visage to find her husband staring at the chessboard with a studiously dismayed look on his face that could only mean one thing—Zelda had defeated him yet again. The thought curved her lips in a smile despite her confusion over the way their daughter had so hastily departed, asking as she approached Hadinaru, "Where in the world is she going?"
Still regarding the pieces on the board, he replied, "She said she had something to show us."
Sitting in the chair across from him, Nissandra knowingly asked, "So how swiftly did she beat you this time?"
Hadinaru quirked a brow at her accurate assumption, but then exhaled a resigned sigh and admitted, "Faster than I've ever won a game. Our daughter has quite the strategic mind."
Chuckling, Nissandra suggested, "It sounds as if you need a new opponent. I'd suggest asking Link if he'd enjoy a game, but I'm fairly certain the poor boy would faint at the prospect of playing against you."
Uncertain, Hadinaru inquired, "What do you mean?"
Without hesitating, she announced, "I mean how stern you've been with him. I know you're only taking the opportunity to play the role of a protective father, but I'm sure he's honestly surprised you haven't asked for his head on a platter yet."
Finally, Hadinaru laughed and announced in a kingly manner, "I'm stern with everyone. It keeps them on their toes."
"Hadinaru," Nissandra chided, but stopped her reprimand short at the look in her husband's eyes. It was mischievous, and barely noticeable unless one knew him well enough to discern the jovial glint.
Seeing it, she suggested, "There's something more, isn't there?"
Leaning his cheek against a fist, Hadinaru returned a coy, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh yes you do. I know you too well for this. Something's going on regarding our children's relationship and I want you to admit it right this minute."
At her mockingly stern tone, Hadinaru chuckled and confessed, "Very well, but don't tell Zelda until it's over."
"Over?"
Nodding, he explained, "Lyonel and I believe Link intends on proposing marriage to Zelda, so we made a bet over how long it will take him. Lyonel thinks it will happen before the festival is concluded tomorrow, and I think it'll take a bit longer. So I've been a bit more stern than necessary to ensure my victory."
Staring at her husband with wide eyes, Nissandra announced, "You're terrible!" Fighting the amused smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, she next asked, "How much did you bet?"
"Not much, just a purple rupee. But if I recall correctly, the pool is at five hundred and fifty."
Incredulous, his wife exclaimed, "Pool! You opened the wager to others?"
"Only a handful who know them best," Hadinaru returned, adding, "and before you get upset, know that we decided to give the winnings to our children as something of a congratulations to them on their engagement. Though we both believe modesty will see Link giving his share to Zelda regardless."
Finally, Nissandra's expression softened with a warm smile curving her lips if only because she could easily agree. They hadn't known Link long, but his humility and selflessness shined through in nearly everything he did—particularly where it concerned their daughter.
That aside, their plan to gift the winnings to their children was heartwarming, prompting her to inquire, "And Lyonel thinks he'll propose before the festival concludes tomorrow?" At her husband's nod, she shocked him by stating, "Then add me to the wager because I believe he's right."
Staring at his wife with disbelieving eyes, Hadinaru asked, "You really think Link will propose that soon?"
"Saying he hasn't already and we simply don't know it because he's concerned you won't approve?" Chuckling, she answered, "Yes. You've seen the way they look at each other when they believe no one is watching. Their love runs deeply, and if marriage is actually of interest to either of them, nothing we say or do is going to prevent it from happening."
With a smirk proving he knew she was right, Hadinaru thoughtfully mused, "A clandestine engagement, hmm?"
"It sounds romantic," Nissandra qualified with a playful smile.
Chuckling at his wife's whimsical observation, Hadinaru returned, "True, though I doubt it's happened."
"Why is that?"
Glancing back to the chessboard between them, he pointed out, "If it had, I probably would've won thanks to her distraction."
Hadinaru's answer drew a soft laugh from his wife that was punctuated by the sound of the door opening. Simultaneously, the King and Queen looked up to spy their daughter hurrying into the parlor with a box clutched in her arms which she placed upon a nearby table.
"Mother, Father, come look," she urged, removing the lid with an excited smile on her face.
It was difficult to immediately oblige her—being so urgently summoned by their daughter was an experience neither wanted to let pass without first enjoying the moment. Yet they didn't keep her waiting, each standing in turn to join their child as Hadinaru asked, "What could all this be?"
"I'll need to give some of these things to Myriad," Zelda started in response, spinning around with both hands held up while exclaiming, "but look!"
Dangling from her fingertips were two locks of hair, one a golden blond while the other matched her own deeper shade. Both were tied with a ribbon in a manner suggesting they were special, and Zelda didn't hesitate to explain why.
"These are locks of hair Alma saved after Link and I had our first haircut, and this box is full of such memoirs."
Handing the lock of her own hair to her mother who took it as if nothing was more precious in the world, she replaced Link's lock and then snagged a small, yellow dress that was obviously tailored for a very young child. Holding it up, she added, "This was my favorite dress! I had no idea Alma even kept it!"
Nissandra admired the dress with an amount of motherly fondness that had tears stinging Zelda's eyes. Thankfully, her father's joke prevented them from being shed.
"And was this Link's?"
Turning around to see him lifting a stuffed doll from the box, she laughed and chided, "Father, no! That's Lilia! Alma made her for me as a gift when I was four!"
Chuckling, Hadinaru handed the doll to Nissandra for her own personal inspection, then waved a hand at the box and inquired, "And where did this come from again?"
"Impa delivered it from Shamrock along with this letter explaining the contents," Zelda explained, retrieving a folded parchment from within the box to open and read Shamrock's message aloud.
"He says forgive my omission of a proper salutation, but I'm not sure if I should open this message addressing you as Mira, or Your Majesty!"
Pausing to snicker at his opening statement, she continued, "I can scarcely believe the true Princess of Hyrule was living under our noses this entire time, but there's not a soul in the village who isn't telling fond tales of you and Link as children and praising your deeds on behalf of the kingdom! As for me, I can only hope this note finds you doing well in the palace, and with all the good that's come about, I think it's time for you to have these belongings.
"When Alma was taken from Kakariko, I took the liberty of gathering everything I knew she considered important and stored it away for safekeeping. But she never returned, so I kept it for the day you might want it back. At first, I couldn't be sure the reminder wouldn't upset you after all you suffered and lost, but now that you've been reunited with your true parents, I'm hoping it will be a pleasant surprise, something even the King and Queen might appreciate having."
With a deep breath to steady her emotions, Zelda read the last with a fondness in her voice her parents couldn't ignore.
"I don't know if I'll ever have another chance to serve you a cup of honey tea, but it goes without saying that you and Link will always be welcome here! So on behalf of Kakariko, allow me to say congratulations, and may you enjoy your newfound happiness to the fullest! Long reign the true King and Queen of Hyrule with their lovely daughter now forever by their side."
As Zelda read the name at the bottom of the note, Nissandra sincerely observed, "What a lovely sentiment," before giving Hadinaru a pointed look and suggesting, "We really do need to recognize him for the help he's given our daughter don't you think?"
"Yes, and I believe it would be suitable to build a proper memorial for Alma as well," he qualified. "What happened to her is unforgivable, and her kindness alone deserves recognition to say nothing for providing her a proper burial site."
Nissandra could wholeheartedly agree with his decision which put tears in Zelda's eyes as she rasped the question, "Really?"
"Of course," the King announced, adding on a more fatherly tone, "not only does she deserve it, nothing would've pleased me more than to have had the chance to thank her personally for everything she did for you. Sadly, that's not possible now, so I intend on doing everything I can to show our gratitude."
Truly, her father's intentions pleased Zelda more than she could say. Alma had done so much for her adopted children, and not simply by taking them in and caring for them. Link related the way she'd appeared to him in the Dark Palace as a specter and assisted him with finding his captured friend as well as providing a warning concerning Dragmire's phantom.
So Zelda didn't hesitate to respond by hugging her father and exclaiming, "Thank you! I know she'd say she needs nothing more than to know Link and I are safe, but she does deserve recognition!"
Smiling, Hadinaru hugged his daughter with a pat on the back and related sagely, "Those who want nothing more than what's best for others are oftentimes those most deserving of recognition. Sadly, I can't say I'm one of them."
Confused, Zelda stood back and cast a questioning look up at her father, inquiring, "Why not?"
Smirking, he confessed, "Don't misunderstand, if all I could have was nothing more than knowledge of your safety and happiness, I'd take it, but I'm afraid I'm too greedy to settle otherwise. Nothing less than having my daughter in my life where she should've always been will do."
His words put a grin on her face, and with a nod of understanding, she looked between her parents and confessed, "I feel the same. I would've been happy with Hyrule's restoration alone, but I would never have settled for it if given the opportunity to achieve more. So I suppose we're both greedy."
Scoffing, Nissandra interjected, "Don't forget about me. I have no intentions of being the selfless one in this family!"
The Queen's declaration had the parlor filled with as much of her family's laughter as their evening was filled with joyous discovery. Commencing with their inspection of the items sent from Kakariko, each had a story attached that proved Shamrock right—the wealth of history regarding their daughter's childhood found within the box was worth more than any number of treasures.
Still, for as much as Zelda relished going through the collection with her parents, she dozed off while sorting out what needed to be given to Myriad and Lyonel. Her cheek came to rest against her mother's shoulder, causing the Queen to go still and whisper her husband's name.
Seeing what had happened, Hadinaru smiled and stopped Nissandra from waking her. Instead, he took the opportunity to do something he'd never had the chance to do before—carry his daughter to bed.
Gently lifting her, he began the walk up to Zelda's quarters with his wife by his side. She didn't wake the entire way, eventually allowing her parents to tuck her in and kiss her cheek without making a sound.
Unable to immediately tear themselves away, the King and Queen then held one another as they stood by her bed, simply watching her sleep. Though Zelda had found her way back to them nearly a week ago, somehow it hadn't felt real until that moment. Against all odds, their beautiful daughter was right before them, their family complete for the first time in almost two decades.
Whatever trials she'd faced and no matter where the future would lead from there, having her home was all that mattered, and the simple truth wasn't lost on either parent.
They could ask for nothing more.