Hey everyone, so sorry for the long wait :( The chapter update coincided with my finals for university & the protests happening in the US. Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy; these are really unstable times and I hope y'all are finding ways, big and small, to ground yourself.
I'll keep it short so you guys can just read and get lost in a fantasy world. Enjoy!
They were hovering, not stepping too close, but not letting Link and Midna drift away into the crowd. Just enough so that neither Link nor Midna felt as if they could speak without fragments of their conversation being overheard.
They weren't even trying to be subtle about it too, but Ghirahim was never about subtlety. He was always about breathing down someone's neck, getting in their face and making them paranoid. Paranoid enough to where someone could be in the busiest, most convoluted town but feel walls closing in around them.
Link wasn't paranoid, more wary than such. Ghirahim meant problems or warnings; he was never around the Citrine Legion unless asked by Ganondorf to do so. The pompous snake only taunted Link constantly too; it'd been that way since he was a child, the older man being both bully and ally in his teens.
The instant Link and Midna reached the lower-level landing in front of Telma's, Link whirled around, glaring up at the trio who had reached the top of the stairs at the landing.
"What do you want?"
Link was met with a high-pitched laugh, mocking laced in it.
"That's not the type of welcome that I was expecting to get!" Ghirahim practically skipped down the steps, his two companions trailing after him with much more level strides. "You're acting like I'm your worst enemy~"
The silver-haired man smiled, a disconcerting look that didn't match his slitted eyes. "How's Linkie? Missed me?"
His voice was sickeningly sweet, just barely covering up the venom in each word he uttered. Link scowled as Midna rested her elbow on Link's shoulder, turning up her nose at Ghirahim.
"What's your slimy ass doing back here?"
Ghirahim feigned hurt; brow furrowing as he clutched at his chest, staggering in dramatics. "Midna! You'd say that to your superior?"
Midna made an aggressive movement towards Ghirahim, and the next few moments were blurred with flashing metal reflecting the low light of the sun. A wicked shiv found a place underneath Midna's chin, a dagger pressed warningly into Ghirahim's gut. Two rapiers were drawn, needle-sharp tips affixed on Link and Midna's faces.
Ghirahim tutted, adjusting his grip slightly on the shiv as he smirked down at Link's dagger pressed against his side. "Naughty," He murmured, his previously teasing gaze turning flat. "We only want to help."
"Allies don't stalk allies," Link countered, keeping his focus steady on Ghirahim rather than his two companions. They wouldn't do anything unless Ghirahim said so, they valued a good look in the man's eye rather than a scuffle. "That's code."
"It's a guideline, Linkie. After all, it's not every day that the great Ganondorf himself asks me to watch his son. I couldn't resist," Ghirahim's lips curved upward in an unnatural, narrow smile. "He had a pretty...tantalizing, message to pass on too. Quite exciting. I can't help but wonder what you've been sent to Hyrule to do."
There was a touch of knowing in the bastard's words; it was obvious Ganondorf had told Ghirahim something about the Citrine Legion's plans for Hyrule.
"My father would only have a good reason for you to come find me, so tell me the reason. It isn't hard," Link didn't let up the pressure he had against Ghirahim with his blade as he spoke. "You're only delaying us."
"You came from Jovani's, isn't that right? How in the world did you get him to agree with you?" There was a hint of jealousy in Ghirahim's words, and Link couldn't help the small twitch of a smile grace his face.
"It's none of your business."
"...You need to hurry up," Ghirahim's nose wrinkled in distaste as he pulled his weapon away from Midna's neck. As he did, his two companions lowered their rapiers. "As far as I know, Ganondorf is already impatient."
"It's been a day..."
"You know better than anyone that Ganondorf doesn't bother about that." Ghirahim put a hand on his chin, thin fingers grazing over his mouth as his gaze narrowed at Link. "He's more short-tempered than usual."
Ganondorf was already expecting something from Link, something that felt near-impossible to manifest in the span of 24 hours.
"Isn't meeting with Jovani already good progress?" Midna rubbed at her neck where Ghirahim's blade had been pressing. "I hardly know what Ganondorf is expecting, but anything from Jovani is good."
Ghirahim scoffed, looking at Midna with raised brows. "Ganondorf didn't even tell you that he wants the Empress of Hyrule dead? What importance in his eyes..."
The moment Ghirahim's words entered open-air, Link's stomach twisted in discomfort as he felt Midna's surprised look on him. Leave it to Ghirahim to deliver big news like a blow to the head.
"...That's what you're keeping from me?" Disbelief was in her tone, one eyebrow raised. "That almost sounds like a joke..."
"It hardly is," Ghirahim butt in, smiling. "Think of it as a promotion from your past assignments, my dear lady."
Midna sent Link a look that screamed 'You didn't tell me?!', but said nothing more. It looked like she was fighting the restraint, however - her cheeks were slightly flushed and fists were balled.
"We'll be keeping an eye on you, per your father's request, Linkie," Ghirahim purred, crossing his arms and cocking his head slightly. "More pressure to help you focus."
"I've always found that does the opposite," Link muttered, more to himself but Ghirahim caught his words, raising his brows.
"If we're nipping at your heels, you'll just run faster, and for longer," He reached out a lithe arm, silky, dark-purple sleeves flashing a little in the sun as he roughly pushed Link's shoulder. "We'll come for you later."
Ghirahim gave no time for Link or Midna to retort; rather, he simply whirled around, pulling his hood back over his head and making his way back up to the main street above, his companions following close behind. Their footsteps on cracked stone faded, and both Link and Midna said nothing for a few moments.
"You kept quiet about something like this? And we're already getting pestered about progress?" Midna's words didn't seem to be disappointed, or discouraged - rather, there was more of a hint of exasperation, a tone that Link took on much more than Midna did. "Do you realize we need to start surveying now? Planning?"
"I didn't think there'd be this much urgency."
Midna huffed, crossing her arms. Link could hardly understand the sudden demand for something already. Ganondorf prided himself on patience and plotting - it was one of the first things he'd taught to Link.
You can't corner your target starting in the middle of an open field, Link. You guide them to your corner, and once they realize where they are...it's far too late.
Link had followed his father during the tracking of the deer the day he said those words, using the purposeful cracking of sticks and rustling of foliage to guide it into a tight clearing. He also remembered watching his father standing from his crouch, bow draw, arrow making a dense mark in the animal's head before it could react. The entire event had taken a sizable chunk out of the day, Link remembered.
If comparing the Empress to a prized buck...hours of tracking meant days in context.
"I really didn't know. I'm sorry," Link tacked on the last part of his remark, to which Midna's mouth curved into a smug smile.
"You're apologizing to me? Are you sure you aren't a body double of my all-work-no-play partner?" She reached up to roughly tussle Link's hair, grinning as she did, before abruptly yanking at it, a yelp from Link made in response with the sudden jolt of pain rushing through his scalp. "I'm still annoyed with you for not saying, whether father said so or not. I consider you my brother, that means you're supposed to tell me everything."
Midna turned up her nose at Link, making him feel both exasperated and relieved. Ghirahim's slimy threats were doing little to bog him down anymore - the man's actions spoke louder than his words, and his behavior had screaming nothing but annoyance.
Annoyance was a dangerous look on the man, however.
"Personal relationships shouldn't interfere with work ones," Link couldn't help but keep the teasing monotone in his response as Midna gave him an incredulous look.
"I sincerely hope you don't believe in that. You're not that stupid." She crossed her arms, leaning heavily on one leg as she did. "So, what'd you say?"
Her phrase, without context, meant little in Link's mind. He could only fix a bored stare on Midna until she rolled her eyes, grabbing his wrist.
"Let's eat, then get to work."
The empress sat at her desk, her legs curled up her chair as she gazed out towards the open balcony. The maids had nearly rubbed her skin off in their ambition to remove any trace of dirt dust that had coalesced to her in her and Sheik's outing to Castletown.
Sheik's fury hadn't dissipated until they'd reached the entrance to the living quarters of the castle, the emotion practically oozing out of him. The walk back through Castletown had been impatient, and he'd done nothing but grumble at the guards who were on watch at the gates barring entrance to the castle. Sheik's demand for a horse and the bruising hold he kept on the empress as they rode up the sett road had an edge to them, and he'd hardly said a word when a flock of maids rushed to the private stables squabbling over the empress's appearance.
Her hot-headed younger brother's mood had soured. It was a shame - the two had been enjoying themselves before, the recklessness of their actions serving as adrenaline rather than anxiety.
The adrenaline had turned to something morbid quickly - what a weird sensation, the empress thought back on. What would've happened if her head had been crushed by the bull's hooves? Or if she'd been kicked? Well, she would've likely died. But what then? What would the council do? What would Hyrule's allies do?
The empress frowned at that, pushing the thoughts away. She shifted again in her chair, looking at her candlelit desk. Various papers and books were strewn about it, the candle leaking wax into its holder, some of it falling over the sides. It had fallen into early evening, the sky painted deep blue and violet tones, the orange of the sun almost completely drowned out.
The empress did nothing and just rested her head against the back of the chair. The sleeve of her loose white dress she wore drooped down her arm, and she sighed as she pressed her cheek against the rough fabric of her seat.
She'd never gotten that man's name, she thought as she continued to beat herself up over it. And she had been so willing to reveal hers - it wasn't too big of a deal, Hyrulian tradition meant only family names were shared with the public, but she could've been more careful in retrospect.
He'd been annoying but in a good way. He'd definitely been doing it on purpose, his handsome smirk had been an indicator of that.
A good-looking hero with an aloof personality to boot, tall, broad-shouldered...
The empress sat up straight, lightly smacking her cheeks with her hands as she did.
"Keep your head on straight Zelda," She murmured to herself. "A nameless stranger, the first and last time you'll ever see him."
The two sharp knocks on her door snapped the empress back from her self-reprimand, her heart jumping slightly from the sudden sound.
"Come in," She said, shifting a little in her chair and pulling her falling sleeve up her arm as the door opened.
Sheik stood in the doorway, gripping the door handle of one of the double doors. His brow was slightly furrowed, the weak candlelight on Zelda's desk giving her this view. His clothes were no longer dusty and well-worn - a royal purple gold-embroidered shirt, the high-neck collar clasped tightly was on his figure. To Zelda, it looked weirdly out of place, like he didn't seem to belong in stiff clothing.
"Can I step in?" He inquired, quietly.
The empress smiled, standing up from her chair. "You're my brother, of course."
Sheik remained still for a moment, before stepping through and closing the door. He bowed stiffly, before standing straight and crossing his arms.
"I'd like to apologize, Zelda."
"It was my fault. I should've been more careful," Zelda quickly replied, sitting down on the edge of her bed and clasping her hands. "I'm not as well-versed in… 'street smarts', as they're called."
Sheik scoffed. Her admission seemed to relax him somewhat, his shoulders drooping as he sat down next to her before falling back on the bed, letting out a noise of relief. "The woes of being the heir apparent, huh?"
Zelda fell backward as well, sighing. "It is woeful."
Her brother looked at her, eyebrows raised. "I remember when we were young, it was the only thing you could talk about. You annoyed the hell out of Impa."
She laughed slightly, shaking her head. "I think I had more of a power complex when I was younger."
"Had? Don't you mean still?"
"Ugh, you don't need to bring it up," She hit her brother lightly in the chest as a reprimand, sitting up again quickly. "Impa eventually bent me into shape."
"Thank the goddesses," Sheik muttered, unable to keep a smirk off his face as Zelda roughly shoved his shoulder.
Impa, Sheik and Zelda's beloved governess, was no longer in the castle. The tough woman had left years ago, and not come back. She had been enigmatic, practical, logical. She'd taught Sheik how to use a sword, Zelda the bow.
Both siblings thought their late father disagreed with the governess, but he didn't do much to restrict her teachings. Maybe their relatively detached father somehow saw Impa's importance through his stubborn eyes.
Well, she'd gotten them to their destined places - Sheik a warrior, Zelda a politician. Their father never thanked Impa for that.
"Y'know, this impending marriage of yours…I disagree with it," Sheik said, and Zelda looked at him in surprise. "it makes no sense."
"Politically, it makes sense," Zelda said quietly.
"The guy's a pushover," Sheik sat up, turning to face his sister more, "a pretty-faced pushover. No offense."
"None took."
"…You could just," Sheik moved his hands in a pondering manner, "call off the marriage…?"
"It's not as easy as that," Zelda said, taking one of his hands and squeezing. "this is more of a…political thing than an emotional thing. I've been refusing this sort of deal since I was 18, I'm 26 now, I can't fight it off for the rest of my life."
"…I mean you could."
Zelda rolled her eyes, but Sheik looked at her with a steely gaze.
"I'm kinda serious."
"..."
The two siblings sat in silence before Sheik inhaled lightly.
"...Say, that man today -"
A rapid, almost urgent knocking at the door interrupted him, and he rolled his eyes in annoyance as he stood, waving a hand at Zelda.
"I'll get it."
Zelda leaned slightly forward to look beyond Sheik as he opened one double door. A young page, wearing the standard grey and white of Hyrulian uniform, quailed slightly under Sheik's (undoubtedly) annoyed gaze and bowed deeply.
"S-sir!"
"It's late. I don't think the empress would appreciate being disturbed at this hour."
Zelda huffed slightly, resting her chin on one of her hands at Sheik's cold response. The page only bowed again, before standing straight quickly, putting his arms behind his back.
"A-a guest has arrived...and they're requesting the audience of her majesty!"
"Hah? What kind of guest was able to get past the gates?"
"O-one of special priority sir...a Labrynnan party...sir!" The page tacked on the last title, shaking his head slightly. "The party of the...Crown Prince, sir."
Zelda stood up quickly from her seat on the bed, striding to the door and nudging Sheik aside, who let out a noise of annoyance as she did. She watched the page flush and take a few steps back before kneeling on the floor, head bowed.
"Your majesty! I-I apologize -"
"None needed. Where is he now?" Zelda was aware that she was only wearing practically a nightgown, but she hardly felt flustered about that - she was more irritated in retrospect. Now? Of all times? Without any previous correspondence? The nerve...
The page continued to kneel, not looking upwards. "The Blue Tea Room, your majesty! He...reported little of a rush..."
Zelda could barely resist a slight, cross expression from flitting across her face. "Tell him I will be there momentarily. Go."
She waved a hand as the page scrambled up to his feet, nodding before giving his final acknowledgments to Sheik and Zelda's titles and rushing back down the hall. As he got out of earshot, Zelda couldn't help but groan in annoyance, rounding back to her desk, where a regal, decorative robe was draped on the back of the chair.
"It's almost like I manifested him into existence here," Sheik remarked, unable to stop his teasing smile as Zelda swung the heavy, royal blue robe over her shoulders, slipping her arms into the oversized, full-length sleeves. The silver embroidery flickered in the candlelight from the desk until Zelda bent down, blowing the candle out. "His presence is untimely."
"He could've requested a daytime audience," Zelda pouted, pulling her hair into a low bun to avoid any more informality. "Then I wouldn't have to go waltzing around like this."
"Sister seems annoyed," Sheik commented, before flinching as Zelda flicked his nose as she walked past him.
Zelda stepped out into the hallway, forcing herself to stand straight in regality. "You'll be escorting me." She forced her voice to become clipped and slightly frozen over. Sheik only smiled wryly, lazily bowing.
"Yes, your majesty."
Ok! I'm excited to share the next chapter because I have a couple of ideas of how it'll progress and finish but I don't know how twisted I want certain circumstances to be. I hope to post this next chapter quickly - within the week to make up for my slacking these past couple weeks. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed - I see this more as an overarching/developing chapter rather than action, which I'm planning the next chapter to be more based on. I hope it satiates you guys' longer wait. Please let me know what you think!