~there is a small instance of violence that can be considered a sensitive one (it's against a kid?), it's marked with 'xxxxx' so you can skip it if you want.~
Late to the party as usual... writing this chapter was difficult for what felt like no reason, but it's probably because I can only describe this chapter as a lot of thinking. I hope it isn't too dense, I liked writing it but it was definitely one where I was reaching for vocabulary while half asleep. Please enjoy! I'm happy about getting reviews & all the like, it's nice to see :) Lmk if you see any gaffes that I can fix, but Don't let me keep holding you up, enjoy!
It was mystifying how Telma's bar never seemed to quiet down, no matter how late it was. Bargoers continued to yell and drink without end, the rowdy noises leaking out onto the street that led to the sunken alley of Telma's.
The noises were intrusive on the small bedchambers above the bar and the floorboards felt like they were trembling from the auditory chaos below. The door to the chambers was bolted shut, ensuring if any drunken bargoer had found their way up the innocuous, tiny staircase from the first floor, their ascension would quickly be stopped.
Midna was spreading out small scraps of manuscript paper on the floor, scribbling little notes on them with a fading pen that Telma had given at her request. They were all chicken-scratch, mostly detailing the number of turns down the halls of the castle from where they started to where the Empress' chambers were, about how fast it would take to climb to the balcony, guard spacing on the grounds. As crass as Midna was, her mind was sharp and rarely a detail escaped her; she was a perfect partner in the games that the Black Legion gambled in.
Link could still remember when some Legion members had found the Twili girl creeping around the camp, looking for food and other small scraps before having been caught. He'd been only about 10 at the time, watching behind his father as the younger, thinner girl squirmed in the hold of two members, half cursing and half crying before spitting at Ganondorf's feet.
His 10-year-old self had unconsciously squeezed his eyes tight, still not used to the unpredictable bursts of violence his father flew into when wronged. Every time his father had, Link could've sworn that if he'd returned to the places where those frenzies occurred, patches of grass would've grown back tinged with red.
Link remembered having made a mental note of where they were to check the now-bare ground next spring until he heard the low grumble of his father's laugh.
"How funny. Put her in my son's care. Take her to his tent and chain her up."
His younger self had been indignant, not pleased with having to share his tent with what seemed to be a disagreeable girl. As hardened as he was for a child, he was still a child, and children had fits of upset occasionally.
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
Link had also remembered his father's large hand wrapping around his throat, squeezing till the boy's breaths were wheezes and tears blurred his vision, growled low threats with citrine eyes that were flat and unfeeling.
xxxxxx
"You will do what I say. You don't want this to go any further, do you?"
The black spots in Link's vision and his raspy, painful voice as he gruffly spoke to the bristling girl named 'Midna' had kept him on edge, and that was that. Soon, he and Midna came to depend on each other; whether out of tentative friendship or out of necessity, Link wasn't sure, but it was nice nevertheless.
"Your thoughts are so loud."
Link slowly looked from the ceiling to Midna's spot on the floor, laying flat on his back in the creaking, old-smelling bed. Midna was looking at him with a bored expression, the tip of the pen pressed against her lips. "I hope you're thinking of something relevant to what we've done," She stretched, fingers reaching up to the ceiling. "In my opinion, we could get this done in the next few days..."
"Mm. Tomorrow, I'll be seeing Jovani, and then we can start."
"Should we dispose of that Labrynnan prince?"
Link pondered the question, tugging lose the stiff neck of his shirt with a finger. It certainly would be impressive to cut short two young political powerhouses, but he couldn't predict the response if it happened. Killing the empress would lead to instability and likely in-fighting between the political aristocracy, giving the Legion ways into fiscal reserves. Killing both leaders sounded like a recipe for war - that wasn't bad, but it could definitely get in the way of his and Midna's reward.
"...If he gets in the way of anything more. Did you hear what the empress and that man were talking about? If he intends to get her majesty out of Hyrule, we're done for."
Labrynna was a nation to be avoided; as small and neutral as it was, most bandits and assassins were caught there. It was a defensive country that cracked down on any whisper of organized crime, always looming over groups like the Legion like some sort of specter.
Annoying.
"I think he's just impatient. Rumors are that the empress is a beautiful Hylian," Midna smirked as she began to push all the little papers together into a little bunch. "So? Were you able to get a good look at her?"
"I could only see her silhouette. She was facing away, unfortunately, so we'll just have to be bolder about it." Link didn't really know what to anticipate from the lithe silhouette he'd seen, but Midna seemed satisfied with his response.
"Whatever, it's not like her appearance matters anyway, she'll be dead soon, and we'll get great pay to boot. Say," Midna stood up from the spot on the floor and made her way to the side of the bed opposing Link, sitting down. The bed groaned. "What should we do when this is over? Something like this, Ganondorf has to give us some leeway..."
Link's mind drifted from what Midna was saying. He hadn't exactly told her what he was promised from his father if they did their job correctly, the promise of freedom.
Why did his father propose that? He couldn't think of any reason at the moment, other than maybe Ganondorf instilling some trust in him, but that seemed so insignificant. Regardless, it wasn't his place. Questions only agitated the Gerudo.
Midna's voice came into focus once more. "...About The Great Sea? I've always wanted to be on the ocean, I've been in the ocean, but never on-"
"Don't get ahead of yourself. You'll jinx it," Link rolled over onto his side, facing away from Midna as he did. "And we shouldn't bring any bad luck onto ourselves."
There was a snort. "Okay, what's gonna happen, the goddesses will smite us just before we pull a weapon on the empress? Not if I can help it." Link felt Midna shift heavily in the bed, his side bouncing up slightly under her sudden movements. "Will you sleep first?"
"No. You go ahead, I'll stay up."
Link sat up while Midna made herself more comfortable. It wasn't like he could sleep easily anyway, it was better to think about what to do next.
The next few days. It had to be done within the next few days.
Zelda could hardly keep the small tremble out of her voice as she paced, Sheik sitting at her desk with a monotonous look on his face. Stupid Teru. Considerate, but stupid.
"It was bold for him to suggest that."
Her voice had a shred of disbelief in it contributing to the tremble. Sheik gazed at her for a long moment, gauging whether or not she would speak again before he himself spoke.
"It's coming from a good place. After all," Sheik picked up a loose stack of papers, the pile flopping loosely in his hand. "This report may be why. Labrynna did disclose information for us to help."
The empress made her way to Sheik, moving to grab the pile from him before he stood up, holding the papers high above his head. Even if Zelda jumped, there'd be no way for her to get the papers.
"Give those to me, you pinhead. That's a confidential report."
"Oh?" Sheik used both hands to hold the pile above his head, looking at the first page. Zelda's hands were forcefully tugging downwards on his upper arms, but they stayed stalwart. "If you recall, I was at this meeting as a high-ranking officer of the Hyrulian Army."
He smirked downwards at his sister as she feigned a cold glare. "I don't remember you being there."
"You're lying through your teeth."
Zelda cast a downwards gaze as she stepped backward, Sheik dropping his arms and holding out the papers as she did. A long silence hung in the air before the empress's brother spoke.
"He has a right to be worried. Considering this, too. Labrynna is already ruthless on organized crime, and quite honestly, I wouldn't mind speaking to his highness on greater security measures for us."
"That's fine with me. But I won't be very accepting of anything that has to do with me leaving Hyrule. Abandoning my country is an affront."
"Tch. You're not abandoning Hyrule, it'd just be a safety consideration. I'm worried about what he said."
The empress straightened out the papers in her hands, looking at the front sheet. A carefully done organized crime report, full of group names, areas of activity, modes of action, and everything in between. The newest pattern that'd been reported was frequent attacks on lesser aristocracy and nobility; Holodrum had been the most impacted, it's society could only be best described as feudal and made an easy target.
The meeting had only taken place a little over a week ago, following the death of an earl in Holodrum under strange circumstances. The mood hadn't been pleasant and anxiety had been the most prevalent feeling then. Maybe Zelda was stubborn, but her composure in the face of organized assassins and muggers had remained impassive. Hyrule was avoided as much as Labrynna by the looks of the report, and regardless, she'd rather die in Hyrule rather than Labrynna.
Was that too bleak?
"I'll note to Teru that I'll consider it. You helped arrange quarters for him?"
"The best we could - he did show up unannounced. We couldn't provide a full detail of servants and guardsmen that quickly...you'll have breakfast with him tomorrow? I can make sure a full detail is there then."
Zelda gently tossed the papers back on her desk, sighing as she walked to her balcony doors. "Maybe tea. It's been a long day...? Oh, I don't remember unlocking the balcony doors."
The doors swung open at a gentle push, unhindered by a lock. A cool breeze sent a shiver up the empress's spine as she looked at the bright lights of Castletown below, the inky black of the sky above.
"What do you mean? Are you saying your chambers were disturbed?" Sheik's voice was dry and somewhat apprehensive as he followed his sister out onto the balcony, standing opposite to her.
"It's probably nothing. I could've definitely forgotten." Zelda looked down at the capital below, the lights of the town flickering and bright around dense clusters of buildings. "We weren't able to go to that shop today. Maybe showing Teru around Castletown would be a more in-depth show of Hyrule's offerings."
Part of the empress was thinking that she could actually enjoy the capital to its extent without being nearly mowed down by an angry bull. What she and Sheik had done that day had been effective; the epitome of the idea of "hiding in plain sight".
"Hah...if we do that, I'll fight the idea of you having an outing."
Zelda had known Sheik was going to say something even before he opened his mouth, but it had been worth a try. In just a short time, she'd be married to a prince who obviously thought the best way to be comfortable was to be inside some impenetrable fortress. Maybe that was why she was so intent on getting out more - many doors were closing on her, but if she had to keep her foot in one...
"Maybe sneaking out..." Zelda muttered under her breath, the thought foreign to her. She thought of the kind flower vendor from earlier that day. That was a good excuse, wasn't it?
"What did you say?"
"Ah, nothing. You should turn in tonight Sheik, don't worry about it."
There were a few beats of silence before Sheik sighed, pushing off the balcony's balustrade and retreating back into Zelda's room.
"Don't do anything funny."
Sheik's intuition was a little too good.
"Mm."
"Goodnight sister."
"...Goodnight."
From behind her, Zelda heard the opening and closing of her chamber doors, before she leaned more against the balcony, looking outwards towards Castletown. The thought of stepping outside the castle grounds just once more would satiate her, at least for a month. Her other duties and events would keep her occupied, and it was only lucky that there was a lull in her work now. She was empress, for goddesses sake. She should be able to come and go as she pleases; her face being private to the public only served to her advantage.
Maybe Sheik would chew her out for endangerment of her self, but it'd just be for a few early morning hours. Zelda steeled herself to that thought as she rounded back to her chambers, ready to sleep early and wake up early.
In a fleeting moment, one that the empress almost dismissed, she remembered to secure the lock on those balcony doors.
It was so early in the morning that Castletown seemed to be just waking up to the sun crawling away from the horizon, the sky painted with warm oranges and pinks. It was a time where there was a short lull in town activity - in between the latest bargoers and earliest shopkeepers. Nothing in Castletown seemed to truly rest, however - there were still rodents and stray animals flitting in and out of alleys and occasionally the very early risers on the main streets.
The inconspicuous street Jovani's property was on was devoid of people, and only a stray cat flitted across the street as Link emerged from the alley, a long bundle strapped to his back.
Jovani hadn't been the happiest when Link showed up so early, but true to his word, Link had arrived before 10 AM. The older man had been constantly grumbling under his breath as he ordered Link to remain in the dilapidated foyer of his building, making the younger man wait for him for a few minutes.
He'd dropped the carefully wrapped weapons into Link's arms, looking more like wood slabs or a larger good than some under-the-table weapons. "If I hear that you ruin these within a month, I'm not helping you till I die." Jovani's tone was laced with early morning exhaustion as he pushed a finger against Link's chest, making the younger man back out of the foyer.
"You have that little faith in me?" Link couldn't help but tease as Jovani's grumblings increased, the older man giving a curt 'good luck' before he'd slammed the door in Link's face.
Link had hardly gotten anything that could be considered sleep whereas Midna had, and was likely still, starfished across the bed. It wasn't unusual to not get sleep for him, but it wasn't like he was impervious to sleep deprivation over consecutive days.
He shifted the heavy goods on his back as he made a mental note to himself to force himself to sleep that night. He could feel an aching sensation behind his eyes and the tightness in his muscles, which were more a nuisance now than an impairment.
The main street of West Castletown was still somewhat empty; the only people out were shopkeepers and other early risers, most staying close to the sides of the road rather than walking down the middle, contributing to a greater feeling of emptiness. Link passed a few Gorons and Zoroans who were seemingly bickering over who got what spot for their vendor, and then an elderly Gerudo laying out jewelry and spices on an ornate blanket. The blinds of a storefront's windows opened as he walked by, revealing a hunched over Hylian with a fluffy beard pulling at the blind cords.
Once he got back to Telma's and woke Midna, they could relax a little in the morning before winding up for another romp around Hyrule Castle. For once, Link felt the tension of this assignment loosening in his body; he could feel it in his shoulders, though they were still somewhat strained from the weight of Jovani's wares on his back. True, what he'd heard from the empress the previous night was worrying, but at least he could forget about it a little bit this morning...
Link was aware of his gaze and focus slipping a little, his strides down the street becoming automatic. Letting his razor-sharp focus fumble felt nice; he could tell that the ache behind his eyes was dulled by zoning out.
He thought about napping a little too. That would do no harm - no, it would definitely help. As crazy as Ganondorf was, the Gerudo did always confess that sleep was a good ally if you could get it.
Link yawned, eyes scrunching a little just as he felt a solid bump against his left shoulder, making his respective side jerk back a little and stumble in surprise.
The small touch of independent, undisturbed tranquility had abruptly been pulled out from under him, and he couldn't help but inject a little poison into his words as he turned to look at whoever bumped into him. There was plenty of room on this road, no sense for someone to walk so closely!
"Hey, watch it...! Uh -"
Link cursed his tone starting out standoffish and quickly morphing into a more embarrassed one in under a few seconds. The woman he'd run into was looking up at him with an annoyed look herself until that too turned into bewilderment.
His daze had led Link right into colliding with a woman at a flower vendor, where the owner was watching the interaction through thick glasses. A bouquet of brilliant pale-blue flowers was in the woman's arms - they looked Zoroan from the dew petal illusion, and a few had fallen to the ground from their collision.
The woman's golden hair was pulled back into a loose bun, almost violet-colored eyes flickering with mild surprise.
"...Ah." Only a small noise of realization escaped Link at the absurdity of the situation. Paths crossing once in a place like Castletown was a regular occurrence, one where you never thought about the person again. Paths crossing twice?
Zelda blinked once, twice.
"...Oh."
Tee hee I gotta stop here. Internal monologuing of a character always has me banging my keyboard ready to have some actual dialogue but I have to stop here otherwise I'll just keep going with this chapter. In my logical brain, misunderstood identity is always the hardest trope to believe but it's actually kinda entertaining to frame in something like this. Please let me know what you think/fav/follow! I'll work to get the next chapter out in 1-2 wks :) Thank you for reading!