Disclaimer: I don't own the legend of zelda.
Aveilna nipped at their heels, chattering on amiably as they walked amongst the fortress rooftops after joining the girl in her dancing.
A dark pair of figures flagged them down from a level above and Aveila waved back at them excitedly.
The young girls face brightened at the pair of girls likely around Link and Zanoras age as they approached. "Hey 'Piyo! Yumi!"She cried, waving her arms about wildly. "C'mere! I don't think you've met Link yet!" Even from a few yards away Link could tell they shared a glance before slowly making their way over, long black sleeves billowing as they moved.
Everything about them, from the features of their faces to the style of their clothing was identical save for the color. Aveilna turned to him "These are my sisters, Apiyo and Fuyumi. They study magic!" She said excitedly, pointing between them both and marking the one with red accents as the former and the one with blue as the ladder.
They voices were synced as they greeted him curtly and turned to Zanora. "The All-Mothers have returned. "They said simply and Zanora dipped her head in understanding. "They wish to speak with you."
Zanora's smiled faltered. "I had figured they might. It was to be expected."
"They sent us to tell you to wait for them in the chapel and they will meet you there shortly."
Zanora nodded. "I understand, thank you both."
The sound of a gong coming from the top of the city, signaling the turn of the hour, made the pair incline their heads off to the side.
"We have to go," Said Fuyumi. "Or else we will be late for our studies." With that they turned on their heels, striding briskly away.
Aveilna kicked at the ground, crestfallen. "Yeah yeah. Study time…."
"They must take their studies pretty seriously," Link said, wondering exactly why Aveilna had so suddenly switched moods.
"Yeah, they do." Aveilna agreed. "They were chosen when we were little to be the All-Mothers apprentices, so they have to study and practice their magic a lot." She straightened, apparently over with her melancholy. "Whelp, I better get back to my studies too." She gave them both a broad smile. "Come back often so we can do it together!" She twirled- quite literally- away, humming the song they had danced to.
Zanora nudged him, drawing his attention away from Aveilna's flittering, retreating figure and back to their walk.
"Poor Aveilna," She sighed "She's practically on her own you know,"
"What about her sisters?"
"Like Aveilna said, the twins study- a lot. They're hardly ever in their own family chamber from what I hear."
"What about their parents?"
Zanora shook her head. "The twins and Aveilna came from different fathers, and a few years after Apiyo and Fuyumi were chosen to be apprentices to the All-Mothers, their mother died from an Illness that swept through the tribe." She explained. "She is very well liked though, which is good for a social creature like her." She smiled.
As they walked, crossing one of bridge that spanned from one side of the fortress to the other, he couldn't help but notice her fidgeting.
"Are you okay? You seem kinda squirrely."
"It's nothing, it's just the All-mothers can be kind of unnerving. They're very powerful and their presence is quite ubiquitous."
When they came to a chamber filled with rows of ornate cushions that had a few women kneeling on them here or there, he knew they were there. The chamber was a far cry from the grand temples or the more humble sanctuaries of hyrule, with its lack of windows, cushions in place of pews and a large statue of a strange woman holding a snake at the far end of the room, but the smell of incense and the act of praying was unmistakable.
Zanora knelt in front of the statue and he copied her, but when he knelt down, she stood and quietly paced in front of the statue.
"What are you so nervous for? Surely you must already know them, and everybody loves you so whats the matter?" He questioned.
"I wouldn't say everyone loves me, but regardless its not me I'm worried about. It's you." she answered.
"Me? Why are you worried about me?"
"The All-Mothers have the power to say whether you still get to live or not." She stopped her pacing to fidget with her nail, he noted, that at the mention of the All-Mothers, that at least two of the women quietly stood and shuffled out of the chamber.
"I thought the chief gave the okay for me to live as long as I'm your slave." He pointed out.
"She did," Zanora confirmed. "But if they believe it for the best, the All-Mothers could still order you to be left for the wolfos or so on, and it would be done with no complaint."
"Surely they wouldn't though, right? The chief just commented the other day about my "good behavior" remember?"
"Yes, she did." She knelt again on the cushion next to him, her voice low as her eyes swept about the room. "But the All-Mothers are not known for their mercy."
He cleared his throat and looked to the statue as a new topic. "So who is that woman supposed to be?"
"That is the Goddess of the sand. She's to us what those three are for you."
"Really? I suppose that explains the lack of triangles around here." He said. "But don't you revere them at least a little?"
"No, we don't. Your legends praise them so highly, but If your goddesses are as merciful as your legends say, they've never shown us any kindness, so why should we revere empty promises?"
"Quite right, young one." He jolted at new voice that spoke up from the doorway. A pair of identical elderly women stood in the doorway, the beaded curtain still rustling softly behind them. Their hair was curled up in a rather a peculiar fashion, and their wrinkled skin had a strange and sickly green tint the like of which he'd never seen. They were short, their backs bent was age and each propped themselves on a broom, of all things.
Zanora leapt to her feet and the remaining three women in the room quietly excused themselves. "Mother Koume, Mother Kotake. It is good to see you again. The Goddess must be smiling upon your safe return." She smiled as they approached, any sign of the nervousness she'd displayed before had vanished. ""I pray you had a pleasant journey. Do you perhaps bring news of the king?"
These women, much like Aveilna's sisters had distinguished themselves with red and blue accents on their dark robes. And he was left wondering how they weren't suffering heatstroke being covered so thoroughly and in such a dark color.
"We have come to see the interloper." The one with red said with her crackling voice. "But yes, he has continued his journey further into the desert to seek the nomads."
"I pray he returns to us safely." She stepped off to the side, shooting him a quick, uneasy look. "Here he is. I believe if you speak to Nabri you'll find everything is in order. He's got a bit of a loose tongue on matters he does not understand, but he behaves very well and has given us no trouble."
The pair stepped forward, their large eyes sharp. They circled him, and a strange sense of familiarity and dislike washed over him. He knew he couldn't know either of them, yet something deeply rooted in his mind sent him on the defensive. Perhaps this feeling was what had set Zanora so on edge earlier.
"What do you think, Koume?" The blue one asked.
"He's rather on the small side for one of their kind." The red one answered.
"Yes indeed. At least he's not the worst looking among them, not the worst choice for a priestesses companion."
"Ha! Call it like it is, Kotake, He's no companion, he is an insect. You don't keep insects as pets."
"True... hmm I'm not so sure about his usefulness in the field, he doesn't seem to have that much muscle.
"You're right about that. It's no matter, he can build muscle or fail."
"Hard to believe one like him could have caused so much trouble, isn't it, "
"Like I said, he's very well behaved. Nabri could attest to that. so could Hama and her daughters As well as the stable hand Nanya, and the sister of your apprentices, to name a few witnesses if you need…." Zanora interjected.
The pair stopped their circling to face her. "We've decided," They old croaking voices were eerily in synch as they spoke. "That Madas shall have the final say whether he may stay or be cast out. Until then you may keep him." With that they had turned and swept out of the room as swiftly as they had come in.
Once the curtain had stopped it's rustling Zanora let out a heavy breath. "Thank the goddess I was sure they were going to say you couldn't stay. It's your lucky day, Link."
"What about this Madas person? It doesn't sound very good that my fate lies on yet another person..."
"Don't be silly. Madas is a fair voe. And if nothing else I'm sure I can persuade him, he trusts my judgement and will listen to what I have to say." She gave a roll of her shoulders. "Now, lets get out of here. I've promised to help out around the nursery in exchange to borrow a slate and some chalk and I suppose it can't hurt to go early."
When they passed through an open chamber with a large stone fireplace and an even bigger cauldron, Nabri beckoned them from her seat as a large table and Otsana gave a small wave from across the leader.
"I assume you've head that Koume and Kotake have returned. I suggest you keep an extra tight hold of his leash now." Nabri said, her sharp golden eyes sweeping the small room. "I heard whispers that they weren't so keen on the idea of keeping a Hylian so close to you."
Zanora took a seat next to Nabri and he awkwardly sat on the opposite end as Otsana. "I know, they requested my presence not an hour ago in the chapel. Made me worry terribly."
Otsana grimaced. "Well I hope it was at least decent enough news. I'd hate to have to drag the boy out behind the fortress now."
"It is." Zanora folded her arms over the tables surface. "It's actually pretty good news. They said Madas will have the final say."
Nabri gave a scoff accompanied by a sly smile. "Well then you've got nothing to worry about then. He'd listen to you over his own sister."
"Don't say that Nabri, You know he values his sisters opinion as much as mine."
"So it is a good thing this Madas guy is going to have a say?" He questioned. "I don't have to worry?"
"Probably not, but don't get too comfortable yet. However unlikely it is the king could have you thrown out." Nabri answered. "And he is the King, mind you, not just some random voe, and it would be wise to address him properly."
"I hope not. I don't think I want to be mangled by Otsana or anyone else."
Otsana laughed, leaning forward in her seat. "Boy, you especially don't want it to be me if someone is going to mangle you. I may not look it, but I was almost an Iron Knuckle once."
"Iron Knuckle?" He inquired. "Whats that?"
"One of our most elite warriors. They defend our most sacred locations." Zanora explained.
"Oh..." He looked to Otsana. "What stopped you?"
"Damn Leavers." She answered with some asperity. "I was on a team chasing a gang of Bulbins that was getting to close to our temple. One of the little boogers knocked me off my horse and as I tried to get back up a damned Leaver popped outta the sand and got my foot before I could kill it."
"And there isn't any magic or potion that'll fix that." Nabri shook her head.
He gaped at her. "You lost a foot? But I've seen you walk and run and fight just fine?"
Otsana leaned down and tapped her knuckles against her lower leg. "This ain't real." She laughed. "Took me a few years but I learned how to fight again. Hell I probably fight better now that I can use my own leg as a bat."
At this Nabri laughed. "Remember that time you drop kicked a Megmat all the way across the fortress?"
"Indeed I do." Otsana said proudly. "Dumb little monster never knew what hit it."
Zanora slid out of her seat. "I should probably get going. Promised I'd help in the nursery."
Nabri stood and clapped a hand over Zanora's shoulder. "Good luck with that. Try not to get vomited on." She moved, jostling him as he stood from his seat.
She leaned in close for the smallest moment, her breath brushing against her ear. "Don't trust the mothers."
She pushed him aside brusquely. "Watch yourself, Voe." She disappeared down one of the halls.
Zanora shrugged and nudged him forward down a different hall. He risked a glance back to find Otsana giving him a sharp, knowing look before she too stood and went her own way.
When they came upon a door with an oddly high handle Zanora paused. "Since it's you're first time in the nursery, I should warn you to mind your ears."
"My... ears?"
"Yes, I always have to be mindful of mine or else tiny hands love to pull on them."
When she opened the door, a older woman with her hair tied up in a bun upon her head and little makeup on her aging face greeted them. "Zanora, Vaa'sag. you're here early. Come in, come in, children."
The woman passed Zanora a baby and motioned her further into the room and looked at him with a critical eye and shooed him along behind her.
A few other women, certainly younger than the first women but much older than they were milled about the room, chasing toddlers or sitting in upon plush cushions holding sleeping babes or nursing infants.
Zanora sat crosslegged on the floor and found herself swarmed in moments by the little ones big enough to toddle. He found himself watching her as he took a place on the floor next to her. Her silver laughter mixing with the squeals and babbling of her tiny followers. He noticed that whenever a small hand approached her ears, she was quick to distract its owner.
He gave a small squawk of pain as one of his own ears was given a sharp tug. The culprit was a little girl no older than four, who clapped her hands over her mouth in an attempt to hide her bubbling giggles, her bright yellow eyes alight with mischief as she scurried off. Zanora too gave a laugh at his expense. "I warned you to mind your ears. At least somebody else now knows my pain."
A younger woman came in, cradling a fussing baby in her arms and turned to the older woman, "I tried to get her to sleep for you before I brought her, but she refuses. I've noticed a new tooth beginning to break through."
Zanora placed the baby she had been holding in his lap before he could protest and rose to meet the newcomer. "I can take her for you, go on ahead to your shift." She took the baby from the woman, who nodded in return. "Thank you, Lady Zanora. Hopefully she calms soon for you." Zanora paced around the room lightly as the mother left, bouncing the babe in her arms.
The infant in his own lap stared up at him, wide eyes almost unblinking as she watched him silently. He stared back, not entirely sure what to do with her. He'd had plenty of experience playing with the young children in the village back home, but not with the babies. The mothers back home would be hard pressed to even let their husbands watch their infants so what reason would he have to watch over one?
But she seemed content to simply stare at him, suckling on her fist, so he turned his attention back to Zanora, who was carefully stepping over and around children as she sang a wordless song under her breath. The notes soft and flowing as she swayed gently to the tune. It took a few minutes but the baby in her arms quieted down until she finally stilled, breathing deeply. Zanora placed her in a small wooden crib and returned to her spot on the floor next to him.
"Well that seemed to work well." He commented.
"It's a lullaby I think. Sure works like one." She said. "Used to sing it to myself when I was a kid."
He turned his head quickly at the feeling of tiny fingers curling around his ear. The same little girl from before grinned at him, ducking behind Zanora.
Zanora turned to face the little one, saying a few quick words in a foreign tongue and shooed her away. Apparently scolded, she scampered across the room to one of the older women sitting on a cousin, peering over cautiously from the womans lap.
Zanora glanced down at the babe she had left in his lap. "Do you want me to take her back?"
He nodded. Having someone or something stare at him so thoroughly was a tad unnerving. Zanora leaned forward, grabbing hold of the babe.
He jerked back in surprise when she let out a screech as Zanora pulled her away. "Or I guess she can stay with you." Zanora placed her hastily back into his lap and she grabbed on tightly to the front of his shirt. Across the room a few of the women snickered.
When it came time to leave the nursery removing the baby from his lap had proven difficult. It had taken him awkwardly trying to mimic the song Zanora had sung as he bounced her in the crook of his arm until she'd finally succumbed to sleep.
When they left Zanora hummed her song, holding a slate in one hand and a few small pieces of chalk in the other. "I figure we can start you're lessons in the morning." She said, tucking the slate under her arm. "It might help you not stand out so much."
A thought struck him and he paused. "You really want me to be like you guys, don't you? I can't be one of you."
"Well obviously not, unless you can shapeshift and haven't told me." She scoffed. "I know you'll never be one of us. You're too Hylian. But that doesn't mean you can't learn to stand on your own among us. Don't you want to be more accepted?"
"... I don't know." He admitted. "It's hard and I'm still adjusting and I just want to go home..."
She stared at him silently for a long moment. "I know you're probably still hurting over everything, but the hurt will heal in time."
"Yeah, and then there will be a scar..." He muttered.
"A scar is stronger than normal flesh." She said softly. "Scars remind you of who you were. Look, I know that this whole situation was complicated the moment it started, but... couldn't you be content here with me? Don't you think that maybe one day you could realize it's not so bad?"
He looked away, avoiding her probing gaze. "I... I don't know. Maybe? It's just... hard to think about."
"Well I pray that one day you'll see." She said, turning away and walking forward. "Lets get you back to your room, yeah? And maybe try to get to sleep earlier so I don't have to wake you up at noon for once." She teased.
In the dimly lit room, two haunched figures paced wildly despite their slow steps.
"What should we do, Koume? His spirit- did you sense what I did?"
"Yes. Very powerful spirit indeed. A soul that strong doesn't happen without some form of divine meddling."
"We should just have him executed now. It's too dangerous to have someone like that around Zanora."
Koume held up a hand. "No. If we simply kill him now Zanora will be upset- ask questions. And if Zanora is upset and asking questions, Madas will start asking too." Koume threw her hands in the air "Besides, a spirit like that won't die just because we kill the body it's in." She muttered.
"Then what should we do?" Kotake repeated.
"We keep our word and let Madas have the final say whether he lives or dies. We won't risk losing either his or Zanora's trust."
"But clearly Zanora is already partial to the boy! Madas is guaranteed to let him live because of that!" Kotake cried.
"Then we make it clear that he is still an interloper, and if he so much sticks on toe out of line it will be his head." Koume explained. "But don't you see, Kotake? The fates have blessed us again with his presence. The voe has the soul of a hero, and he is here and under our control."
I feel like I ought to clarify in just anyone is wondering that yes Twinrova are in this story, but the Gerudo king featured in this story is not Gannondorf. He's is not in this story... (Or is he?)
Shoutout to my mom for nagging on me to write more of this so soon so she can read it
And to the guest who left that long review, you made me screech into a pillow with joy after I read it. :)
feedback is always appreciated! ^ v ^
