Previously…
Sidon warns Zelda that something has possibly happened to Link. But the outcome ended in a small fight and Zelda is worried what will become of her friend.
Over the course many months, Link has been using himself as a test subject to make an elixir to help those afflicted by the fever. He also gains some history of his kind from Impa.
-Only obvious key points will be summarized. There are likely moments of an Unreliable Narrator or Sneaky Foreshadowing.-
Yet another dusty tome was tossed on the pile, string up particles in the stale air. He had found a total of seven now from digging in the underground ruins of the castle. Most were manuscripts of old trade agreements and relationships with the neighbouring races; the others were a documentation on insects, a story book and a journal of a bitter old general. Yet none of it was of any use to him. So Link kept digging and moving rubble, going from room to room. There had to be something that wasn't found and that maybe was on the people with the blessing of Hylia. He even looked for loose stones in the walls and floor for a possible hiding place.
Making his way to the lowest levels of the old dungeon cells and rail tracks, it was his last place to check. Though unsurprising that the cells themselves held nothing but the remains of prisoners from long ago or monsters that had tried to make themselves at home.
Link kicked down the rotting door that he had guessed was what use to be a storeroom, but it turned out to be a small study of sorts. Half the room was caved in from the ceiling giving out; judging from the blackened wood, Link would guess a fire was the cause. A thin stream of water that was running down the heap left a fair sized puddle, taking up much of the remaining floor space.
Link began his search with the desk, tearing it apart, going through every drawer, checking for hidden compartments, and finally breaking it into pieces just to make sure nothing was inside. He did the same for the bookshelf and the cabinet. Nothing.
Moving on to what he could dig through under the half collapsed ceiling. Thankfully, it seemed as though there was another book buried beneath, he could see a glimpse of the spine, but the wording had long been stripped away. Lifting large pieces of stone and wooden beams out of his way probably wasn't the best idea when he suddenly heard the groaning of what was left above him. Link stilled and looked up; hoping that he had stopped in time, but it was too late. He could see splinters in the wood slowly spreading and the grinding of the weight shifting got louder.
Not wasting another second, Link pulled forth the Sheikah slate and activated the stasis rune on the ceiling. The moment it lit up in a yellow light, the Hylian knew he had but a few more seconds before the roof would drop. Yanking the last chunk of debris away, he was finally able to grasp the book. Link made a leaping dive out the door just as the last of the room caved in.
Scrambling to his feet, Link continued running, just in case the rest of the dungeon wants to collapse as well. It was not uncommon for these things to have a rippling effect.
Once he had climbed up enough floors to deem it safe, he inspected the find. Hopefully it was worth all the trouble. There appeared to be evidence of a strap that once held it closed, but only the lock remained now. It was pretty thick, but still something that could be put in a hip pouch to take along on a trip. Not at all like the large, almost square like books that were common in a library.
The cover was completely scratched up, whatever might have been on the outside was long gone. It had a faded colouring in what remained, impossible to tell its original colour from the potential rust and water stains. Green, his mind quickly supplied like he was certain, like this book was familiar to him. But it wasn't that surprising; there were many things that he felt that were familiar, though it was extremely rare and unlikely that it would be personal. The book made faint snapping noises as he flipped the cover open, this book was far more worn than any he had found before.
It might be best to be a little gentler. He then read the first page and honestly was a little surprised at the title.
The Complete Language Of Hands
That would be why it was so familiar, he would have studied out of a book like this when he was learning to speak. It was strange as it almost felt nostalgic and Link felt the need to embrace the feeling, he didn't know when something would come around like this again. But he didn't, this would be for another time.
There was nothing left to search through down here. Ransacking the royal library had also come up with nothing, but he suspected as much from the start. Over all it was a bust.
Well for finding anything more for research on his kin, the other half of his mission as slowly piecing together quite nicely. It was time to find out if there was anything new in the council member's studies.
~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~
It had been narrowed down to three council members, Marillo the minister of trade, Thaagit the minister of law and Kafei the mayor of New Castle Town. While it seemed as though all members of the council played some sort of role, these three had the strongest ties to the quarantine camp. The location was in Gatetown Ruins.
Marillo was a stoic man, devoid of almost all emotion and always seeking improvement. To the point that he would press this on others, questioning them on their methods. It was perfect for trade and product discussions, but an annoyance to everyone else.
Link's suspicion of him lies in the man's capable skills in transporting and managing goods going across all of Hyrule. If he wanted something to get somewhere unnoticed, Marillo would know all the best methods, were all the check points are and be able to falsify documents of contents. If he was the offender, Link believed that he could possibly be capable of personage trafficking.
Thaagit, the second suspect, seemed easygoing and was hardly seen without a smile, but she was known for her short temperament. This sudden change of heart happened whenever criminals, injustice, or the function of society was brought up. She had strong envision of her ideal world, where everyone had a role and place.
While honourable to many, her view is syllogistic. That alone, Link felt to it be the biggest threat to those that returned to ancestry. Thaagit could possibly see that it was her placed to 'correct' what she believed to be wrong.
Lastly was Kafei, a woman whom had every interest in making New Castle Town even better than it was in Link's time. She made it sound like it was for the people, but her act only fooled those that stood at a distance, unable to see the lines of her mask. Kafei was narcissistic to the core.
The worst of it all, she seemed to be making a profit off Ganon's Blight. In what, he was still trying to find out. But he did discover that she was pouring a lot of rupees into the funds of the relief effort. Enough that, despite the growth costs of New Castle Town from a hamlet to an actual town over the years; she could have almost effectively doubled the reconstruction rate.
In all… Link was just thankful to the Goddess above that Zelda was not involved. As far as she knew, those infected were receiving the only the best treatment and care that she and the council could offer. Hylia, he knew that it would break her if she only knew how possibly wrong it all could be. Even he still held onto the spider silk thin thread of hope that this was all a misunderstanding and not a cover-up.
~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~
That night when the book had bounce on the bed from being dropped, a page appeared to have come loose. Opening the book at this point, Link had originally planned to just push the page back into place, but this page did not belong. The page was in terrible condition and all words had faded away. Only the image was fairly clear, it was of a naked person with the whites of their eyes blackened, a mass of crazed people on their right and children with the same eyes on the left. While it was certainly an odd image, he couldn't quite understand why it disturbed him so much.
Lifting the unmatched page from the book, he was not sure if it was intended to go with the visual pronunciation of 'threat' or just had been randomly thrown inside. Flipping the piece over, there was a note written on the back; likely written after the original text had begun to vanish.
Never forget.
Speaking can kill.
Silence can kill.
There will always be consequences.
Never forget.
This handwriting was familiar and Link swore that he heard that somewhere before. Who's book is this? Does it belong to someone that I knew from my past?
Flipping the book to the back in hopes to put an end to this frustrating feeling. There Link found another piece of paper that also did not belong, though folded this time. And behind it, engraved into the back cover was a signature.
- Link
He felt his heart begin to hammer in his chest like a frightened bird. His mind felt hazy and he began to frantically flip through the book. The book must have belonged to him, it made the most sense, it had to have been his! There was a memory here, he could feel it, but there wasn't enough to trigger it. However, he was given a clue when he ended up on the signing word for 'monster'. It screamed at him until his head felt like it was going to split, seeing raging fires when his eyes were closed and when he opened them his gaze was on the strange picture.
Monster, this..? I don't understand, but if this image is about a monster then… There are only two people that might recognize something this old.
Abandoning the book, Link rushed out of his dorm and down the hall to room forty-eight. He didn't even bother knocking, he just barged on in. The platoon was just about to settle down for the night, half of them were already lying in bed.
"Is everything alright, Captain Link?" Senza asked while the men were still in slight shock. Link never entered a platoon's quarters and if he needed to speak to someone he would wait by the door after knocking. Though adding this to the pile of odd behaviours that had started up months ago, they shouldn't be that surprised; it was like their captain had become a different person.
Link didn't acknowledge her words and hurried to Ingo, handing him the frail piece of paper. [Can you tell me what this is?] He asked once his hands were free.
"Um." He looked over the image. "Ya, I guess. But it's so outdated and the information is so scarce of proof that even apprentice hunters won't take it seriously. It's fable at best, not even a particularly good one either… Why do you ask?"
[Just tell me!] Link aggressively signed and stomped closer, clenching his teeth together in frustration. If Ingo didn't hurry up, he feared that he might lose the memory trying to come back to him. It was slipping through his fingers like water, he just knew it.
Ingo took a few steps back. "Okay, okay, okay!" A tad frightened of what the next thing his captain would do and his unpredictably only made things worse. "It's a Nyimaph! A female only monster that wares the skin of other living things to lure in desired males to have offspring, often using more pack oriented animals so that they had a close food supply to feed their newborns!"
Nyimaph? But it didn't sound familiar and if anything was pulling his mind further away from finding the key.
"But it's a page from, like a two hundred year old bestiary. I doubt that such a strange monster even existed. Where did you even find this? Are you trying to hunt something like this down?"
Link shook his head in defeat, carefully taking the paper back with his left and used his right like he was pulling something from his forehead. [Memory.] Or, what it would have been. But it was a lost cause now.
Ingo wasn't the only one to notice the sudden weakness in his gestures. Honestly it was the first glimmer of the Link they all knew, their Link, their captain. Was this the reason for his strange behaviour? A memory of his past that he was trying to bring into the light? If there was a way that Ingo can help, then he would do all he could. "Captain Link… I'm sorry I don't have the answers that you're looking for. But I believe my old mentor might have a copy of the book that page is from. I'll write to him and ask if he could send it here."
[That's not-] But then Link paused, it was unlikely to trigger anything if he already knew it in this life, yet there was a possibility that it would. Any piece that he could get of who he really was, the Hylian would take. [That would be appreciated… Thank you. And I'm sorry for barging in like this.] He then turned to leave.
"No worries, Captain. I don't think any of us could understand what you're going through, but we'll help if we can." Shad piped up with a sympathetic smile, to which the rest of the group nodded in agreement.
The moment door shut behind Link, Ingo turned on his group. "You think that his memories are overlapping?"
Madas groaned and rolled his back to the group. "Ya mean like the Link from hundred years ago takin' over the Link from now? O'knows."
Shad shook his head. "I doubt that it is possible, though High Councillor Zelda would be the only one to know if the past Link took over the present."
"I don't think the Captain's behaviour has anything to do with his past."
"Were ya not listenin' earlier, Senza?"
"Technically it would be watching, cuz you know, the Captain can't speak." Ingo corrected Madas, to which the elder man whipped his pillow square in the other's face.
"Ya fuckn' know wha' I meant!"
Senza rolled her eyes as the pair started to break out in a childish scrap, though Ingo was the only one that was actually enjoying the wrestling slash pillow fight. Madas was just done right pissed.
"So…" Shad crept closer to the edge of his bed to hear her over the other two screaming, honestly curious of the woman's view on Link's behaviour. "What do you think is causing his drastic change?"
"He's blocking everything out on purpose. Becoming a shadow. Much like my assignments as a Sheikah scout, we were trained to close off the world in order to have our soul focus on completing our goal. I do this regularly, as you should know. It is undeniably the best skill to have, it keeps you mind unfazed to pain and enemy distractions."
Shad hummed in replay and slowly began to back away, Senza was about to break out another Sheikah lecture on the true art of becoming a warrior of a single person army. That was not a bedtime story he wanted to listen to.
"Yet… That is not how Captain Link has trained us. When facing an enemy, it is best to work together as a unit and support each other regardless the strength of the opponent. To put your trust in others." She then looked Shad dead in the eye. "I think whatever the Captain is going through, he believes that he can't trust anyone with it, not even High Councillor Zelda. And that. Is a very dangerous conclusion."
"So… all we can do is watch and wait?"
"Pray to Hylia, that I am wrong. But whatever it turns out to be, he is going to need all the help he can get."
~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~
If you all only knew the truth in the suffering my lack of self brings me. Link thought, but his own problems were his own. He placed the page back inside the book, deciding that the folded page in the back would be for another time. He needed a clear head, not frustrating taunts from his past life.
The book was then stored away next to the unopened letters the past few months. Thinking about it for a moment before he took them out and carefully began to peel back one of the envelope's ribbons, popping the royal wax seal free.
No. I shouldn't. He groaned and tossed the letter on his bed before grasping his head in his hands. Sidon comes after I finish my mission! I've already told him that I won't be able to write anymore for a while. There's no need for me to read these or reply.
And before he could change his mind, before he gave into the comforting temptation, Link returned the letters to his hiding spot. Now go to sleep.
~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~
"Link." Zelda calmly called out to him, though wrung her hands nervously in her approach. The young man was supposedly on his lunch break, but even now he was working hard. Recognizing two of the books that he had taken from the castle library, the others seemed to be of design from the other sovereign regions. "You're days of absence are at the end of this week correct?"
Link nodded, but did not look at her as he flipped through a medical book. Jotting down notes in his elixir log as he slowly chewed on a bit of dry meat. But his lack of effort to converse only made her frown. Here goes nothing.
"That works out quite nicely doesn't it?" Zelda's words full of cheer. "Now you don't have to worry about your knights training colliding with the event. I'm sure the Prince will be bursting with joy to see you again."
She seemed to have captured enough of his attention to question her as he turned to meet her eyes. [The Zora Prince?] Link enquired with an uncertain expression.
"Is there any other? What's the matter, you seem confused."
[Champions Day isn't for three more weeks.]
"I know, but I'm talking about Sidon's invitation to an event in his name. Quite literately actually. Have you forgotten? That is very unlike you, Link."
What invitation? What event? The warrior hadn't heard of such a thing. If it was important then surely he would have heard about it long before Zelda would have brought it up. Sidon would have told him– except he couldn't have, Link hadn't been reading his letters after his first fever. After he hid away his treasures at home.
In his hesitation, she expressed her sadness. "You are coming… Aren't you?"
The young man shook his head before replying. [Tell him that I will not be able to attend.] Whatever it was, it was best that he not go. Not only did he have his work to finish, but one of those three days he would not be in his right state of mind. Even with the prototype suppressant it could be a risky move.
"Tell him yourself. I won't be the one to hurt him." The bitter words slipped past her lips before she realized too late what she had said. But even so, she did not take them back. She understood that Link was suffering from something in the shadows, however cutting Sidon and herself out like this only brought them pain as well. Zelda wanted him to understand this and maybe, just maybe it could help him open his eyes to what he was doing.
While shocked at hearing her speak in such a way, Link deemed it to be an end to their conversation and did not reply. Yet another that ended in sour feelings and fresh wounds. He didn't like locking her out, but it was for the best. For her, for everyone. A little hatred and pain now was far better than possibly losing someone in the crossfire of the battle he was soon to wage.
Link closed his books, stacked them and left Zelda standing alone by the bench.
~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~
However in the end, the thought nagged him continuously, every day with the fast approaching date. And it wasn't until the early morning hours of the first day did he finally cave. Link had been preparing to take the giant mare with him when he took notice of a rare sight. The carriages were at the gate, waiting for the last of their passengers to board. He saw Zelda, as well as many other councilmen, dressed in formal clothing.
Too formal to be a gathering of leaders, is it a coronation? He thought as he watched the gates open and the carriages pull away. A wedding? No, Sidon never mentioned getting into a relationship… But he is a royal so it could be an arranged marriage.
Now Link had to know what the invitation was for. Dropping his gear back at the stable gate, he ran back to the barracks as fast as he could, though light enough on his feet not to wake anyone as he made it down the hall.
Even as much of hurry he was in, Link made sure not to rip any paper, opening each until he found the letter with an extra piece inside. The letter began as it always did, the tender familiarity of well thought out strokes. His body suddenly feeling lighter, like he had dropped all his armour.
To my most treasured friend of all time, Link.
Yet in all its tenderness, it became swiftly bittersweet as Link attentively read.
I know that you are most busy with the training of your fine knights. Yet I have a request, perhaps one that is a quite selfish of me. And, before you hastily decline, please know that I have not forgotten our promise and I will understand if you choose not to attend. But.
Please hear my request. It would bring me the utmost delight if you were to join me in celebrating my hundredth and eightieth names day. Won't you please be by my side through the ceremony and enjoy the formal festivities with me? I know it will be nothing like the celebration of Champions Day and it is likely that such an event may bore you. But if there was only one gift I could receive on this monumental day of my life, it would be to see you again. Even for only a few hours.
I am not ashamed to admit it, my friend. I miss you, Link and I hope that in turn, you miss me as well.
In the absence of your words, I have sorely realized how much I long to see you again after four long years. So much, I dare say, I miss even the small moments when you use to stop by the Domain to gather supplies and be off to fight the next battle… even those dark days.
I know I shouldn't say this, it's horrible of me. But I fear that if I do not bear myself that you will slip further away. I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you, Link.
If you insist on not coming. Then I beg of you, please, at least write to me. As you said you would.
Until next time,
Sidon.
Link shook and took a deep, long breath. Zelda's words from before had all the more bite to them now. It only made the sting in his chest greater. He thought that he could take his friends anger and pain until he had destroyed the new threat to the people. He had done it before, when it was Calamity Ganon. What was different now? He was trying to protect them, the same why that he had always done. Why was it so much harder to keep out the people he cared about most in his life?
Why now? What has changed?
But now he knew that he had wounded the most kind-hearted and gentle person that he had ever met. He had hurt Sidon. And it brought him a pain that he had never felt before.
[I'm sorry, my friend.]
~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~
"–and that was how Vah Ruta was cleansed! The rains swiftly stopped, saving not only the Domain, but the lands below from a devastating flood."
"Every tale I hear of this, Hero of Hyrule, makes me question the truth behind the words."
Sidon was bewildered at her declaration of doubt, while pleased that Yanun had been gradually growing more forward with him, he did not want to be taken for a liar. "Are you saying that you believe my words to be fictitious?"
"No, no, not at all, Prince Sidon! Forgive me." She quickly bowed her head in apology before clarifying her words. "It's just– I-I believe every word you tell me, but I have a hard time excepting that such a small person could achieve such feats alone. You said that we are the similar in height, did you not?"
"Fret not, Princess Yanun." The taller softly chuckled. "There is nothing to forgive, some things take seeing to believe. But I do not believe that being smaller hinders one's ability to be strong. You both are some of the strongest people I know."
The silver woman's cheeks never failed to tint whenever the prince would compliment her, however small. "Do you… do you desire to have this warrior for your own?"
"Pardon?"
"Link sounds like he is the strongest in this land, is that not true?"
"Without a doubt in my mind."
"Then why is he not under your command? From all the stories you've told me of him, Link sounds like he has earned your complete trust. You even allowed him mount you in order to defeat a foe the size of a mountain. Why do you keep Bazz and not put Link in charge of your army?" Then bitterly added. "Even a land dweller would do a better job as a leader than that man…"
Least to say, she was not entirely happy when the red Zora burst into laughter. What did she say to set him off? "Ah, Princess Yanun. Some things are never that simple. Though you pick on Captain Bazz so much, it sounds as though you are trying to cover up any feelings for the man."
"F-Feelings!? For that pond scum!?" Her expression suddenly twisted as though she was about to be sick. "Ugh, no! Absolutely not!"
Though Sidon only laughed harder. "Oh come now, he isn't that bad."
"He is! He has been nothing but rude since we met and he even dares to spite me any moment he can."
Knowing that the topic had become slightly more serious, his humour quickly died. "I apologize, is he still bothering you and your people? Even after you all have officially taken up residence here?"
"Nothing more than cold looks now… But honestly, why not have the hero serve you instead?"
"It wouldn't be up to me. It is the King's decision who has earned the right to be Captain of the army."
"But if it were? Would you request him to be yours?"
Sidon grew quiet and thought about it. Though who was he trying to fool? He had known the answer to this for years now. "If it was possible… Yes, without a second thought."
~~~~~~ ҉ ~~~~~~
By noon many of the guests had gathered and so far, none of the silver Zora had showed hostility toward the small group of visiting Rito. But they kept a wide birth and stuck in groups of at least three. Things were off to a very good start.
Well, Sidon was a nervous wreck and while he did his best to hide it, the young man was unable to keep himself from sitting still. And the soul reason for his anxiety was the prospect of Link making an appearance. It had been almost a month since he sent that dreadful letter and he held out some hope that the lack of reply meant he was coming today.
Upon spotting a particular blond entering the hall with a large group of Hylians, it took every fibre of his being not to rush to her side. He had to remember that many representatives around Hyrule will be here today and he was the future leader of the Zora people. Sidon had to be presentable and be crucial in his actions. But he could not deny the swell of his heart at seeing his friends, he could hardly wait to speak to them.
From the time of the opening speech his father made, throughout the rite of knowledge, rank, the bestowing of the ceremonial crown, and even the feast. Sidon would steal any glance at the audience he could, hoping to spot the Hylian man lost in the sea of faces, but only twice did he see Zelda.
When he was finally free to greet and socialize, the celebration had reached the late hours of the afternoon. Careful not to neglect any of the guests that had come all the way to the Lanaryu capital, even Riju had come from the other side of the country, so Sidon left Zelda till the very end.
"Zelda!" The prince beamed and gave a polite bow as he approached her. "It is good to see you. I pray that you have managed to enjoy yourself at such a formal event."
"It is good to see you too, my friend. Though fear not, I have enjoyed every moment. I am honoured to bear witness to such a cultural ceremony, I doubt that many Hylians have had the chance in their lifetime." It was slightly nostalgic really, it reminded Zelda of her seventeenth birthday in many ways. "Congratulations on becoming a hundred and eighty, Sidon."
"Thank you!" And perhaps a little rude, Sidon eagerly looked about her group of Hylians for a particular young man.
"He's not with me…" She declared with much regret. "And I take it that he has not written to you either."
"Oh… No, no he hasn't." He deflated immediately, all joy slipping away while a mix of dread and guilt bubbled to the surface. Recalling the words of his last letter, he knew it had been a bad idea when Zelda had asked of him to confront the young man. "This… this is all my fault, I knew I was being too bold. I've been told, time and time again that my honesty is too harsh at times."
"Stop that, none of this is your fault nor is it mine." She offered out her hand, which he took and allowed her to lead them an edge of the hall. As far away from people they could possibly get, but even the closest group was still within hear shot. Hopefully the sounds of the party would help keep the conversation as private as possible. "We just have to keep trying, don't give up, Sidon."
"The only thing more I could possibly do would be to visit Hyrule Castle. Yet I fear that he will feel cornered if I did and I don't want that."
"That may be true, but you haven't seen him the last few months like I have. I even fear the time he has taken for himself, Link returns weakened and ill. He's also been obsessing over elixirs to the point of asking his platoons to gather ingredients while they are on an assignment. But that's not the worst of it." She then gestured for him to come in closer.
Which he obliged, but dreaded all the same as he took a knee. Zelda then kept her hands hidden as best she could from anyone possibly listening in and carefully whispered the very words that could threaten their friend's life. "Some of the knights believe that Link might be afflicted by Ganon's Blight."
"No!" Sidon gasps, backing away while fear and fury twisted together. Speaking of that very sickness alone was enough to make anyone skeptical and on edge. But to accuse Link's relapse behaviour as being affected by the plague? The mighty and holy hero of Hyrule infected by the remaining taint of Calamity Ganon? Were they trying to start a panic? Who would dare say something so slanderous!? "That's nothing but lies!"
She quickly brought a finger to her lips, hoping he would quiet down. The last thing they needed right now was eavesdroppers. "Keep your voice down. I'm just telling you what I've heard. It doesn't mean it's true."
"Terribly sorry. I over reacted…" He lied to deter the few that had looked their way. Though even taking a deep breath did not do much to quell his anger. "Who else knows of this?"
"I don't know. But no one has tried to examine him or take him into isolation, that much I am certain."
Sidon hesitated on the next thing he was about to ask. He knew that she would tell him the truth and perhaps that was the scariest part of it. "Do you believe that it's possible?"
Relief washed over him as Zelda vigorously shook her head. There was no way that he was suffering the affects of the plague.
"Sharing secrets?" Yanun spoke up, startling the living daylights out of the pair. Sidon swore his heart stopped, while Zelda feared how long she had been paying attention. The princess then smirked up at the prince as he was back to his full height. "I got you good this time."
"Indeed you did." He weakly chuckled.
"Don't worry, Prince Sidon. I haven't a clue as to what you were talking about." But then she turned her attention to the Hylian woman. Yanun had caught Sidon looking at her a few times and on a first impression, she didn't like other woman. "I saw you during the mass."
"Ah, allow me!" He quickly perked up and began the introductions. "High Councillor Zelda of Central Hyrule, may I introduce you to Princess Yanun of the Kingdom of Nylle."
"Fallen, Kingdom of Nylle." Yanun corrected calmly. "I no longer have land of my own so I'm nothing more than a figurehead. But it is nice to meet you, High Councillor Zelda."
Zelda's eyes widened in surprise, glancing from Yanun to Sidon for a brief moment, catching his full force grin before looking back to her. "A Zora Princess and from an uncharted Kingdom? Goodness, forgive my rudeness, but where did you come from?"
"Far to the south. Far enough that we do not get– what was it?" Looking up at the man next to her. "The white stuff that falls and is very cold, what was it again?"
"Snow, frozen rain." Sidon happily supplied making the silver princess smile brightly as it brought back fond memories of their time together.
"Yes, that! Snow! Prince Sidon showed it to me for the first time about a month ago. It was marvellous, I have never seen anything quite like it! Though it's only pleasant in tiny amounts, I admit that when it bunches together and turns into a rock it becomes undesirable."
"You mean ice, Princess Yanun, but it is more of a crystal." He chuckled as she pouted at him.
"Yes, I know. But crystals are far nicer than ice so I call it a rock."
"Just wait until winter hits, snow may not hold much luster to you anymore after that." Zelda smiled, but held her laughter, not wanting to appear rude to someone she has only just met. "But I must say that I am very interested in learning more about your old homeland. If that isn't too much trouble."
"I'd rather not talk about it… It brings back many painful memories." Yanun fidgeted with her hands in great unease and dropped her gaze. Though was grateful for Sidon's gentle hand of comfort on her shoulder.
"I understand what it's like to lose your homeland. I'm sorry for your loss." Zelda bowed her head. "I take it, you and your people have made a new home here in Zora's Domain?"
"Yes and we have received the warmest of welcomes from everyone." Well, not everyone. There was Bazz, but she kinda didn't count his feelings. On anything really, the sooner he was gone the better. "It's hard to believe that we have only been here for about five months. This truly is a beautiful kingdom and Prince Sidon has also taken me to see a little of the neighbouring regions as well."
"Are you two betrothed then?" The Hylian woman couldn't help the smirk that crossed her lips when the pair went rigid and their cheeks flushed almost as crimson as Sidon himself. Now she just had to tease him. "Oh~? Did I ruin the surprise?"
"N-no, no, no!" Sidon pulled his hand away from Yanun like she had burst into flames. While the poor Zora woman touched her burning cheeks, eyes wide in shock and unable to speak. "Y-you misunderstand, Zelda."
"Do I?" She giggled and held her hand over her lips in overly playful manner. "Or is it that you have yet to propose?"
"Please stop this, Zelda! We have but known each other for five months-"
"And? It seems like you two get along quite well and what better opportunity than a Zora princess! Just look at how flustered you two are, it's adorable. Do tell, Princess Yanun. Do you fancy the Zora prince?"
"I do believe my father is beckoning me. I must take my leave, pardon me." And Sidon hurried away before Zelda could torment him any further. But it took putting half the ballroom between them before the sound of her laughter could no longer reach his ears.
Though his father was perceptive as ever and grinned at the remaining tint of his cheeks. "Are the ladies giving you are hard time, my son?"
"Only Zelda… Poor Princess Yanun was caught in the crossfire." Sidon sighed and timidly rubbed the back of his neck. Though not appreciating his father's own deep chuckling in response. "Father, please. I want no more teasing on the matter, I came to you to escape the mockery. Not to have you join the ranks."
"Very well, very well. I shall let it pass for today as it is a very special occasion." Though the unimpressed look that his son gave him only earned Sidon another short chuckle. Yes, he would let it go for today, but that did not mean he would not bring it up tomorrow. As in first thing in the morning, as in right at breakfast. "Now then, another subject?"
"I would be most grateful. Perhaps something slightly serious so it does not appear that I came to you for nothing."
"Something to show for when 'asked' to join me?" Some days Sidon wasn't sure if he was blessed or cursed to have a father that was quick on the uptake. But right now, he was blessed, incredibly so and gave Dorephan a firm nod. "There is something that I have been meaning to speak to you about, privately of course. But I am still uncertain when would be the best time."
"Oh? And what of, Father?"
"It is something that I would have normally waited until after your two hundredth names day. However…" The king's expression fell, his frown so deep it reminded Sidon of when his father thought of Mipha's absence. His gaze even wandered away as he hesitated on his words, though before he had recomposed himself, something caught his eye. "Perhaps this isn't the right time after all." Dorephan murmured.
"Father-" Sidon began, but was cut short when he watched the colossal Zora lift his hand to point at the entrance of the hall. So reflexively his gaze followed suit, falling upon the distant figure bent over and panting at the archway. Had a guard rushed in due to an emergency?
But when the navy blue Zora up righted themselves, Sidon felt the whole world around him still into silence. The light of enclosing dusk shimmered across the armour and jewelry, giving away the appearance of Zora scales from the fabric's convincing illusion. At this distance there was no way for Sidon to know for sure the colour of their eyes, but his mind supplied only the bluest of skies.
His heart felt like it was going to burst, overwhelmed with strong emotions of long lost sorrow and renewed joy. No doubtably trembling as for the first time he couldn't shout and have but one word, one name resonant throughout the palace. There was no air, but he did not care.
He knew that the other had found him as well, it was evident in the way they froze halfway through wiping their brow. Their eyes may not have been meeting, but surly their souls did and to Sidon's relief, he managed to force out a weak call.
"Link."
