Chapter 3: Kill the Queen!
She stared out the large window of her study; she could see the knights scouting the grounds of the Temple, their armors shining in the sunlight. The silhouettes of her guests were hurriedly making their way inside, either to support their Queen or to verify whether the rumors were true. Their reasons didn't matter to her; she wasn't serving them after all.
"Princess are you certain you want to go through with this?" Impa is standing on the opposite side of the study her arms are crossed. She tends to do that under high levels of stress or doubt. Zelda turns to face her and sees that they are all staring at her, waiting for her to say something. She turns her attention back at the small figures walking up the marble steps of the Temple; they all look the same from all the way up there. She takes her telescope in hand and peers inside the lens; instantly she is able to identify Lord Ainsley and a few other lords from her court. She recognizes the Duke of Elden and his wife Clara.
"Princess" her tone is more demanding than questioning this time. Zelda can hear the irritation in her tutors commanding voice but the princess remains uninfluenced by the situation. She doesn't quite understand, she should be afraid, nervous even but she feels nothing. Instead she is calm and collected, which is preferable, panic doesn't allow you to think clearly.
"I have decided to go through with the ceremony as planned; I will not show them weakness in light of these rumors. That is precisely what they expect." She turns her attention back towards her council. She can see the irritation and fear in their eyes.
"Princess this is not a matter we must take lightly, a threat has been made on your life. I think you should reconsider, at least give us some time to investigate these rumors." It is lord Able who speaks this time. He was a man whom Zelda admired greatly and respected; he was one of the very few council members that Zelda felt she could trust.
"I understand your concern Lord Abel but I'm afraid this is the only logical alternative."
"Princess if I may" an icy voice cuts through the air.
"Please forgive my insolence but I do believe that Lord Abel is right" Lord Malik says as he walks towards the princess.
Lord Malik was an older man whose position in the council had suffered a great deal after the death of the King. He was a tall thin man with long skeletal fingers. His skin was pale and almost transparent when in the light. He had a long pointed nose and small eyes that were surrounded by dark circles. He was a man who was set on the old ways; he was one of the few council members who had initially opposed the coronation of Princess Zelda. He believed that no woman should rule the kingdom without a King. He insisted that the Princess's only duty was to produce a male heir to the throne, she had no place dealing with the ruthlessness of diplomacy; according to him, only men were capable of handling such a thing.
"With all due respect Malik, it will take a lot more than a rumor to frighten me away from my duty" Zelda responds defiantly, another reason why the old Lord disliked his princess. She was too headstrong and willful, qualities that would not allow her to be so easily swayed by others.
He gives her an icy smile that sends shivers down her spine. She wasn't sure why but she always felt uneasy around Lord Malik, she didn't believe she could trust him.
"Your highness let's not forget what happened so long ago with your great grandfather "he raises his long fingers and slowly slides them across his wrinkled neck.
"That won't happen this time Lord Malik, I assure you" Impa cuts in before Zelda has a chance to respond, getting in between them; her crimson eyes blazing with anger at the Lords insensitive comment. Zelda on the other hand is taken aback by the Lords remark and admits he managed to plant a seed of fear inside her, but regardless of the dangers she may face, this was her duty to her people and she would not back down for some rumor.
"Lady Impa please don't take this the wrong way I was simply implying the dangers of her highness's decision" he scampers away from them; afraid Impa might take a swing at him.
"Lord Malik I appreciate your concern and have taken your-"she moves her hands as she tries to find the right word to fit his hostile remark.
"Uneasiness, for lack of a better word, into very careful consideration" she motions them to leave and walks back towards the window.
"Gentlemen if you would please begin to make your way down to the Temple, we will begin the ceremony momentarily" Impa ushers them out impatiently.
"Princess when you are ready I will be waiting right outside" she wanted to say more, to tell her how brave she was but she was unable to, for the first time since she'd been by Zelda's side Impa was at a loss for words.
"Thank you Impa I will be there shortly"
As soon as Zelda hears the door shut she releases the tears she had been fighting to keep in this entire time. She begins to feel an immense sense of desperation, she wants out, she wants to scream and run away. She wants to leave Hyrule, abandon her duty and never come back. The tears are falling uncontrollably and her knees are giving in to the weight that is now on her shoulders. Zelda places her hand on the glass in attempt to support herself, but the task is futile and she allows herself to fall to her knees.
Please forgive me father, I am not the Queen that Hyrule deserves" She leans against the stone wall holding her knees as close to her chest as she can, her face buried in the safety of her shell.
Zelda be brave, sitting here isn't going to accomplish anything. You've already done the best that you could do and there's still work to be done. I do wish father was here though, I wish I didn't feel so alone and so detached from the world.
Enough of this, it's time to take your place as the Queen of Hyrule.
She gets up from her spot on the floor and brushes her skirts. "Farore give me the courage I need to lead my people, Din give the power to overcome my fears and Nayru bestow upon me the wisdom that I need in order to provide for my people" she wipes away her tears and takes a deep breath. Before leaving she decides to take one quick look through her telescope. She is scanning the last few nobles entering the Temple when she sees a man dressed in a royal blue coat. He seems strangely familiar, like someone she knew a very long time ago. He is in the company of a young woman. Before she can adjust her lens for a better view they walk inside the Temple.
She walks away from the telescope thinking her eyes must be playing a trick on her, there's no possible way that could him; he left a very long time ago.
The sun is shining brightly on Hyrule today; she looks towards the town which is beautifully decorated in her honor. There are bundles of flowers hanging on every post, the colorful ribbons sway in the wind, there's a crowd standing behind the line of guards waving as they see their Princess. They are chanting
"HAIL QUEEN ZELDA!"
Zelda's first instinct is to talk to her people but she knows she would only be exposing them, so she simply waves and smiles at them. She begins to climb the marble steps of the Temple, the grand doors to the Temple are closed and as she reaches the last step and waits for her cue to enter, Zelda prays one last time for good fortune and a smooth ceremony.
Ring, Ring, Ring..
The deafening sounds of the bells startle the Princess and right before she walks in she gazes up at the blue sky and takes in a deep breath.
The large doors swing open and the Princess gracefully enters the Temple.
Once inside Zelda scans her surroundings she sees the eyes of the entire nobility staring at her, for a short second she contemplates running away but her determination is too great and she proceeds to walk down the aisle. As she walks she doesn't hear the whispers or the harpist play the Royal family tune, she only focuses her attention on the Sage of Light, Rauru, who is waiting for her at the end of the altar, dressed in his ceremonial robes. She is so entranced that she fails to see him staring at her, captivated by her beauty.
Once she has reached the altar, Rauru motions the crowd to take a seat. Zelda remains standing her hands placed gently in front of her skirts.
He raises his arms and begins to chant in ancient Hylian, his voice fills every corner of the temple. Once his chant is done he proceeds to recite the goddess's prayer
O' Nayru of wisdom, Farore of courage and Din of power
Blessed be thine divine power and grace which granted us
This land of Hyrule. We adore thee and thy might; we are forever
Grateful for thine great love. We humbly ask that you continue to grant us
With your love and protection.
Once the prayer is over Rauru brings the book of the goddesses, inscribed in ancient Hylian and begins to chant once more. As he chants a loud sound comes from behind him and the stone door protecting the stones of Hyrule disappears. Zelda glances at Rauru and with a slight nod he urges her to kneel. The time of judgement has come. Her heart is beating faster, she had no idea how nervous she really was, and she hoped the drumming of her heart could not be heard.
As she waits for the judgement ritual to commence three monks, dressed in crimson robes, bring the three stones and place them in front of her. The three stones of Hyrule, left behind by the three goddesses, Farore of Courage, Nayru of Wisdom and Din of Power, to judge a rulers worth.
Once they are placed Rauru begins to chant once more and it is then that the stones begin to spin slowly. As they spin Zelda can feel the energy surging inside her, she can feel herself being judged. The goddesses were judging. They were judging her worth, her spirit, if she was unworthy to rule Hyrule the stones would stop spinning, but if she was deemed worthy to lead the people then the stones would glow brightly and continue to spin throughout her reign. At that moment Zelda would be crowned as the legitimate Queen of Hyrule, chosen by the goddesses.
Only once in the history of Hyrule had the goddesses rejected a ruler, they had judged him unworthy to rule. He was cast out as was his family, never again to rule the land of the goddesses. But that happened a very long time ago, for centuries it was Zelda's family, the Harkinian's, who had remained in power at the will of the goddesses.
Every King and Queen before her had kneeled before the stones to be judged, waiting patiently for their resolve.
She could feel her palms beginning to sweat; doubts were surging in her mind.
What if she is judged unworthy to be Queen? What will happen to her kingdom?
Then all of a sudden she no longer felt that powerful energy surging inside her, they had made their decision. She stared at the stones waiting for something to happen, her breath still. They continued to spin but there was no glow. She swallowed hard, the anticipation was too much to handle.
Even Rauru fixed his gaze on the stones, his chanting had stopped. Even the congregation watched silently.
Suddenly all at once the stones started to glow. Their glow was bright and blinding, Zelda shielded her eyes from the intensity of the colors as did Rauru and the spectators. The Temple was painted with shades of blue, green and red for a few glorious moments. The crowds murmured in amazement at the spectacle.
As the glow banished Zelda let out a sigh of relief, the goddesses had judged her, and she was worthy. Rauru motioned everyone, including Zelda, to stand. To her right a monk holding a golden case comes to stand in front of her, he opens the case to reveal the golden scepter and jeweled orb. She removes them from the container and for the first time since she entered the Temple she turns to face the crowd. She tries not to look directly at them so instead she fixes her eyes on the window above the entrance. The suns light is gleaming straight through the window, casting a marvelous wave of light.
Rauru once again begins to speak in ancient Hylian, the concluding prayer will bind her forever to the land.
For a brief moment Zelda closes her eyes and imagines the vast oceans and lands that would have been at her disposal, she can almost smell the salty breeze. As she opens her eyes Rauru has removed her circlet from her head. The crown bearer comes to stand next to the Sage and carefully he removes the ornate circlet from its resting place.
"May the goddesses be with you always." As he finishes his last prayer he places the circlet on top of her head.
Once the crown is safely secured Rauru steps to the side and with his golden scepter commands everyone to rise.
"I present to you Zelda Harkinian II, Queen of Hyrule!" his thunderous voice echoes throughout the temple. Outside you can hear the people chanting,
"HAIL QUEEN ZELDA!"
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"
For a brief moment Zelda manages to smile.
Just then the sound of glass breaking comes from behind the altar. Zelda turns immediately towards the sound; she takes a few steps back. The knights stationed inside the castle are rushing towards her position. A smaller group of knights have drawn their swords and are carefully scanning the area where the window was broken.
Suddenly she spots a dark hooded figure climbing the pillars of the building, the figure jumps from one pillar to the next avoiding the daggers and arrows wheeling towards him. She can hear the crowd screaming, she can hear the sound of their heels running towards the door, and she can hear the shouts of the knights.
"Protect the queen" they say
Meanwhile Zelda is unable to move, she wants to run, to live but her legs won't respond. She is paralyzed, her heart is beating hard and she is afraid, so very afraid.
"Guard the queen" she hears Impa yell. Zelda watches as she commands her knights, her weapon is drawn and she is fighting, fighting to save her. Finally she breaks out of her trance and immediately moves back further back; as she does a circle of guards surround her. Their swords are drawn and their shields are held below their eyes.
Zelda looks back towards the door, her exit is blocked by a panicked crowd, there is no way out.
She can see the hooded figure, whoever it is they have yet to draw their weapon. The assassin's movements are swift and graceful; he dodges but never really attacks. Not even Impa can seem to lay a hand on him. Then as if on cue, the figure pulls out a pair of twin blades and begins to swing them in sync. The sound of clashing metal resonates within the marble walls of the Temple.
Then out of nowhere Zelda feels a warm liquid splatter against her cheek. She touches her cheek and looks down at her fingertips which are now covered in blood. It's not hers; it is the blood of the guards that were protecting her. One by one they all fell around her. She stares at the ground, horrified at the sight. She lets the jeweled orb fall to the ground and with her free hand clutches the scepter tightly. She picks up her gaze off the fallen knights and sets them on the hooded figure standing a few feet away from her. Behind the second assassin she can see Impa deflecting the other assailant's attacks.
She is getting sloppy, her desperation is too great and she can't think clearly. She wants to save the queen but her opponent is too strong.
Zelda quickly realizes that she is on her own, her guards are dead and the rest of the knights are unable to get to her. She raises the scepter, her only defense. The assassin twirls the blades and slowly starts to make his way to her.
Zelda steps over the dead knight's body clutching her scepter tightly. In a swift movement the assassin swings the blade and strikes the scepter straight out of Zelda's hand.
The queen holds up her hands in an attempt to shield herself
"Zelda!" she hears Impa cry out to her, but she cannot reach her. The assassin swings the blade once more making contact with Zelda's skin.
She lets out a painful shriek and falls to her knees. Blood is dripping down her arm now; her blood is staining the marble floor of the temple along with the blood of her fallen knights.
Instinctively she places her other hand against the wound and looks up towards her killer. If she is going to die then she will do so bravely. Her heart is beating faster with every passing second, she can hear it against her ear drums, and if she can hear it, then the figure standing in front of her can too.
The attacker circles around her, his blades dragging behind him.
He stops once he is a few feet away from the queen, he brings the blade high above his head ready to deliver the final blow, she closes her eyes, and just as the sword is about to strike the sound of metal clashing makes her open her eyes again.
Wide eyed Zelda looks up to see a man standing in front of her, he blocked the attack.
Instantly her hero pushes the assassin back with brute force.
"Are you alright your majesty" there is worry in his voice.
"Yes, I'm alright" she manages to say despite her close call with death.
"Get behind the pews your majesty "he commands.
Zelda does as she is told and quickly gets behind the pews of the Temple mentally thanking her hero. As she crouches down she looks down at her bloody hands, they are shaking uncontrollably. Her heart is racing and she is sweating in places she didn't know she could sweat.
Directly ahead the hero is fiercely fighting off the assassin. Impa has regained her focus and she is now pushing back against the crafty assassin. They continue to fight against the attackers who are persistent in their desire to kill Zelda. Impa swings her Biggoron sword against her opponent and almost hits her target, but the figure is too fast and only barely dodges the attack.
"GO!" the sound of clanking armor fills the Temple as the knights standing outside finally find a way inside. Realizing they are vastly outnumbered the attackers run away towards each other, followed by Zelda's hero and the knights who are demanding they stop running.
"Do not let them get away!" Impa yells as she chases her elusive rival.
Zelda looks out from her hiding spot and she sees the two figures jump high in the air, as they do a black cloud suddenly obscures her vision. She quickly ducks down afraid the assassins will attempt to strike while every ones sight is clouded.
Suddenly she feels a pair of hands grab her arms, she is about to scream when she recognizes the man's voice.
"Stay behind me your majesty" slowly he helps her on her feet and carefully guides her away from the cloud of smoke.
His hand protectively encircles her as they walk backwards, her hands rest gently against his muscular back. She feels her face getting warm. She looks up at her savior, his face remains hidden from her, but the further they walk away from the smoke, the more she can begin to see the man that saved her life.
She is so close to him, despite their predicament she is enjoying the proximity with the stranger. She can smell him, he smells like the sea, like the flowing waters of Lake Hylia, such a comforting scent.
The smoke begins to clear, until finally all that remains from the attack are the bodies of those that died. It seems that whoever tried to kill the queen had escaped. Zelda releases a sigh of relief and as the adrenaline begins to fade she starts to feel the stinging pain in her right arm, where the assassin struck its blade.
Zelda releases her hold on the man's shirt and tenderly covers the wound with her other hand. She squints as the pain worsens.
"Your majesty" Impa is at her side now
"We have to get you out of here, now. I have ordered the guards to stand guard outside, I will escort you back into the castle through the secret tunnels." she says, worry present in her otherwise commanding tone. Zelda nods her head softly, still in disbelief.
She glances towards her hero, whose back is still to her.
"Thank you for saving my life, I am indebted to you" her voice is soft and low.
He withdraws his sword back into his scabbard hanging on his waist and finally turns to face his Queen; a soft smile adorns his face, his cobalt eyes fixed solely on her.
Link..