Chapter 43: Lilly
AN: Hey everyone! I've gotten another chapter finished! Huzzah! So here it is and I hope you enjoy!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
The next morning, Zelda woke up and, to her disappointment; Samus wasn't in bed with her. She knew that Samus was off to locate her suit, but still…the former Hylian princess misses her wife. She remembered a time when she and Samus were separated for almost a full year and now, she was missing her even more than before. She sighed and got cleaned up before dressing in casual clothes and exiting her room to head downstairs for breakfast.
"Good morning, your highness." One of the butlers pulled a chair for her and she took a seat.
"Good morning, Bradley." Zelda cheerfully replied to him.
"I'll grab one of the cooks." He quickly left and in his absence, Daphnes and Lilly took a seat near the queen.
"Good morning, Zelda." Lilly spoke as was about to pull her chair out, but Zelda quickly hopped out of her chair and pulled the chair for her. She sat down and she pushed it back in for her. Daphnes pulled his chair out.
"Father, I can-"
"There is no need, my daughter." Daphnes pulled his chair towards the table. "Lilly raised you when it should have been me."
"Father, don't speak like that. You've been in my children's life and in mine since you've stepped down as king. But, to me, you will always be the king of Hyrule." Both Lilly and Daphnes chuckled at her statement.
"Maybe so, but you're a good ruler." Lilly jeered at the older man.
"Lilly, you're such a bully." Daphnes shook his head and the two women laughed.
"Now, now…don't make me put you two in timeout." Zelda cautiously warned as they were now approached by Samantha. Her bedhead was clear to see as she sat in the chair next to Lilly.
"Good morning, Samantha."
"Mmmm." Samantha groaned as she sat in the chair. Two boys rushed down and one rubbed Samantha's head; messing up her already messy bedhead.
"Jack! Alex!" Samantha yelled with anger, but the boys sat across from the firstborn.
"Geez, Sam. We're just having fun. Calm down." Jackson laughed as Alexander pulled a seat next to him.
"Yeah, come on. Everything's been weird, here. Mom isn't here…Virginia's busy doing…whatever she's doing. You finally come back…we're just messing with you. Chill out."
"Mom-"
"Boys….your sister has been through a lot in the past few days. It's too early to have that much energy."
"Sorry, mom." Both boys apologized as the cook approached the family.
"Wonderful! The whole family is here. What can I get you?" He took out a pad and was ready to write.
"How about a surprise?" Daphnes suggested. The table did not object to the former king's request.
"As you wish." He put away the pad and headed into the kitchen.
"What's on the agenda today?" Zelda questioned her family.
"Jackson and I are going fishing." Alexander stated. "Yesterday, we saw some giant fish. We're going to try the fishing hole first and then Lake Hyrule."
"Are you catching for sport?" Lilly asked.
"Catch and release. It's only for fun." Alexander smiled.
"Good. Do you need bait?" Zelda inquired.
"We've got it covered, mom. Thanks though." Jackson smiled and Alexander laughed.
"Samantha?" Zelda glanced at her daughter.
"Mmmm…I don't know…" She brushed her hair out of her face. "Maybe just stay in bed all day."
"Samantha, you must do something today." Zelda shook her head.
"If I remember correctly, you had one day a month that was a lazy day." Lilly pointed out.
"Lilly!" Zelda whined, but her daughter was already smirking.
"See? Lilly's on my side." Samantha held out her fist and Lilly reached out and grabbed her fist with her hand. She was trying to be cool with the younger generation, but her age might have prevented her from learning new trends. Zelda chuckled and rolled her eyes before turning to her father and senior maid.
"Father? Lilly?"
"We have a personal meeting with someone. We are not to be disturbed until it is finished." Daphnes informed the table.
"A meeting? Father-"
"This is not for discussion, my daughter. It is not of any importance to Hyrule." Daphnes spoke calmly and even Lilly looked worried.
"Lilly…"
"Zelda, I don't wish to burden you with such minor problems." Lilly looked like she was on the verge of crying. Zelda also felt like crying, but she never liked crying in front of her children. "So, ah…what are your plans?" Lilly cleared her throat and Zelda looked down before swallowing her emotions.
"I haven't spent time with the people in quite some time. I'd like to catch up with the citizens of Hyrule. Assure them all is well, and reassure their concerns." Zelda stated as the cook came back with six plates of food.
"Waffles for Jackson, pancakes for Alexander. A bowl of cereal for Samantha, blueberry oatmeal for Lilly, two mini sausage biscuits for Daphnes, and scrambled eggs for Zelda." He served each family member and after everyone was served, he began placing condiments around the table.
"Thank you, Arnold. You're always so efficient." Zelda beamed with pride and her compliment seemed to fill his heart with pride.
"Well, thank you, your highness." He bowed and returned to the kitchen as the family began eating. Their meal was rather silent as they finished their food to their heart's content. Zelda stood up and collected all the dishes before bringing them back towards the kitchen. Daphnes grabbed the glasses and followed his daughter towards the kitchen. They handed their dishes to the cooks and exited the kitchen.
"Zelda, a word." Daphnes quietly stated before they returned to the group.
"Father, what is this about a guest? Why wasn't I informed?"
"Zelda, I must insist you not worry about such matters. The person who we are meeting is not someone you need to worry about."
"But-"
"Enough." Daphnes practically yelled at the queen and it was more than enough to rattle the queen. She nodded and quickly walked towards the entrance to head towards town and more importantly, to get away from her father. She exited her home and walked towards her secret hiding spot; a fairy fountain that few people knew of. She ran towards the center and sat in the center of the fountain; not caring the her clothes were wet as she began crying because even though she had become older and was more mature than her younger self, when her father's voice boomed, she felt like the innocent, fragile child from long ago.
'Father's such a jerk. I'm only trying to protect him…why's he being so mean?' Zelda rubbed her eyes and sniffled. She stayed in her hiding spot and cried her eyes out. She didn't feel very royal and she certainly didn't feel like a queen right now. After a period of time, Zelda was enjoying the silence along with the fairies circling her. She carefully raised a hand and a fairy landed on her finger. She smiled as the fairy began flying once more.
'Who are they meeting? Is it someone I know?' Zelda thought as she tried to think about this. 'Plus there's that blue fellow that Sothe and…'
"Uh oh…" Zelda had completely forgotten about the guests that were staying in her home. She bolted back to the castle and entered her home. Lilly was waiting in a chair for something, or perhaps someone to enter the castle.
"Zelda, about what your father-"
"Sothe and Micaiah. Are they still here?"
"I'm afraid they left shortly after you left." Lilly stated. "I'm sorry; I should've told them to wait."
"No, I…" She pouted and folded her arms. "They know how grateful I am for their safety." Zelda felt disappointed that it didn't dwell on her to say goodbye to her friends.
"Why don't you head into town? I'll join you in a few minutes." Lilly suggested and Zelda nodded her head.
"Stiff upper lip, my dear." Lilly stated. Zelda sniffled and nodded her head. She left the castle in silence and walked towards the gate. As she approached, she could hear some kind of discussion between the guards and the four individuals. One was a beautiful female with bright green hair. In front of her was a young woman, perhaps younger than Samantha, with golden blonde hair and silver armor. Next to her was a tough looking female similar in age with the other woman. Only she had blue hair instead of yellow. She also had pale white skin, and a bow and a few arrows tucked behind her. Finally, the last was a strong looking fellow with an axe drawn; ready to strike. His hair was brown and he also had a full brown goatee.
"…not enter unless you have a meeting." One guard stated.
"I'm telling you we have a meeting scheduled with Lilith and Daphnes." The blonde haired woman stated.
"And I'm telling you we have not been made aware. You're not on the list which means you are not coming through."
"That's-"
"What is your business?" Zelda asked from the other side of the bars. Everyone turned to face the woman.
"And who might you be?" The green haired woman questioned Zelda.
"I live in the castle. Who are you?" Zelda's eyes narrowed at the group of four; she was certain these four were the guests that Lilly and her father were meeting."
"We must speak with Lilith and Daphnes." The blonde haired woman stated.
"Not unless you state your business." Zelda folded her arms.
"Go fetch your queen. Lady Rhea will only speak to-"
"I am the queen." Zelda sternly glared at the man. "And I will warn you…I am not someone you want as an enemy." Zelda hands began to glow red.
"Zelda Grace Hyrule!" A voice bellowed and she turned around and was too scared to move. "Are you preventing our guests from entering?" His attention turned to the people on the other side of the gate. "Open the gate."
"Don't." Zelda protested without taking her eyes off her father. He stared at his daughter and there was fire between the two.
"If you don't open the gates-"
"I outrank you, father. Do not open that gate." She stated with anger. "I want to know what's going on. I will not be kept in the dark."
"This is your daughter?" The woman inquired. "Catherine, restrain yourself." The blonde woman immediately backed down.
"Rhea, I apologize for my daughter's behavior." Daphnes stated which angered the queen even more.
"She is curious. Do you blame her for acting in such a manner?" Rhea asked and Daphnes sighed. To Zelda's surprise, she actually agreed with the green haired woman.
"I…I…." He closed his mouth. "Lilly left that life behind. She asked that I not share that part of her life with anyone. My daughter included."
"Where is Grace?" Rhea inquired. Daphnes and Zelda did not say anything and the silence gave her the answer. She placed a hand over her heart. "I offer my deepest sympathies, Daphnes."
"Can I sit in? I wish to know the truth." Zelda begged her father. Daphnes hesitated to say yes, so Zelda turned to the strangers. "If I agree to let you enter, am I able to sit in to your meeting with Lilly and father?"
"I see no quarrels with that." Rhea smiled and the others nodded their heads.
"Robert, open the gates." The gates opened and the guests walked towards Daphnes and Zelda.
"You have your mother's passion." Rhea smiled and her words warmed the queen's heart as they passed the queen and she began walking towards the castle with her father.
"Lilly won't be happy about this." Daphnes warned Rhea. "And where is Seteth? I was expecting him to accompany you."
"He chose to stay behind with the students. Along Manuela and Hanneman." She explained as they entered the castle.
"Daphnes have they…" Lilly's voice trailed off and she was in shock. "Lady Rhea…" She uttered quietly and nervously.
"Hello, Lilith."
"Lilly, I wish to have Zelda sit in this meeting." Daphnes requested.
"No." Lilly refused. "I won't allow it."
"Lilith, please. She is a curious woman. Let her sit in for Grace." Rhea calmly pleaded while Lilly began fidgeting for a minute.
"When she finds out, she will act just like the rest of them."
"The rest of them?" Zelda questioned.
"Lilith…" Rhea spoke in a motherly tone. Lilly reluctantly agreed to allow the queen to sit in.
"Shall we go outside? It is such a lovely day." Rhea suggested.
"As you wish." Lilly walked outside and the others followed her. Zelda had more questions than answers, but she kept silent for now. They walked outside and Daphnes cleared the guards from their area before everyone sat in patio chairs underneath two giant umbrellas under the sun.
"Are we comfy? Shall I order some drinks for us? What will we be having?" Zelda bombarded the group with questions.
"Alcohol. Everything is better with alcohol." Daphnes stated and everyone at the table laughed. "Just grab a few glasses and coasters. I believe we restocked the cupboard a few days ago." Zelda smiled and left to acquire glasses and coasters for the guests, her senior maid, and her father as well as herself. She returned with everything she procured and they were deep in conversation.
"…a woman named Samus? That's wonderful. I'm happy that she is able to-" Rhea stopped herself and smiled as Zelda returned. "Ah. Refreshments." Zelda set coasters on the table.
"Father? Whiskey on the rocks?" Daphnes nodded and she made his drink before serving him.
"Hard cider, please." Lilly requested and Zelda served her.
"Bourbon, if you wouldn't mind." Rhea smiled and Zelda stopped a moment.
"Really? That's…rather strong." Zelda noted.
"I can handle my liquor." Rhea smiled and Zelda served her before turning to the man.
"Just a light beer, please."
"Seriously? Alois, you're such a lightweight." The blue haired woman laughed.
"I…I'd prefer not to get drunk at a time like this." Aolis protested.
"White Russian." The blue haired woman stated and glanced at the blonde.
"Seriously? That's such a strong drink." Catherine scolded her friend.
"Oh yeah? What are you thinking?" Shamir smirked. Catherine thought for a moment before answering her friend.
"You know what? No. I'm not letting you talk me out of it. I'll have a White Russian as well."
So…two White Russians?" Zelda wanted to clarify with women.
"Yeah!" Shamir smiled, but noted the displeasured look on Rhea's face. "Um…I-I mean…yes please." The young woman timidly chimed and Rhea's expression turned back to joyful.
"As you wish." Zelda began making drinks for the guests.
"Now, how is it that the queen of Hyrule knows how to make alcoholic beverages? That would imply that she's spent some time in bars." Alois stated, but immediately placed a hand over his mouth and his face turned a crimson red.
"You're thinking of my better half, Samus Aran."
"Who is Samus Aran?" Alois asked.
"She is my wife." Zelda explained.
"She is the perfect spouse for my daughter and a queen as perfect as my own daughter." Daphnes to a sip of his drink while Zelda quickly finished Catherine's drink and grabbed a lemonade and added some vodka before taking her seat.
"Now, then…where do we start?" Rhea began. "Well, let me ask you, Lady Zelda. Do you know of Lilith's maiden name?" She turned her head and she tried to recall her maiden name, but she couldn't remember it.
"Walker was George's last name. I can't seem to recall yours."
"Her full name was Lilith Nadine Von Aegir. She lived as a noble in Fódlan." Rhea informed the queen. Zelda's head snapped towards Lilly and she looked like a deer in headlights.
"You're a noble?!" Zelda exclaimed with shock. "I…I didn't know."
"I was disowned. I left that life behind." Lilly took a sip of her drink. "Would you have treated me differently if you knew the truth?"
"Absolutely. You-"
"And that's precisely why I didn't want you to know. I doubt even they consider me a noble."
"Are you speaking of your family? How could they disown you? You're amazing and perfect." Lilly smiled at Zelda's statement.
"I was the fourth of six children. But I was born without a crest…" She took another sip of her drink and her expression turned sour. "My parents…thought of me as useless without a crest."
"Because you didn't have a crest? What awful people." Zelda shook her head in disapproval.
"Among my idiot siblings, who is still alive?" Lilly asked the green haired woman.
"Only Ludwig." Lilly took a long drink from her hard cider. When she finally stopped drinking she looked furious with hearing that information.
"I told them…I warned them…they didn't believe me. Well, who was right?" Lilly yelled that last part out loud. A confused Zelda looked at Lilly, her father, and then at Rhea and the group.
"Lilith found evidence that her youngest brother, Ludwig, was attempting to murder his siblings so he could take the throne when his parents died. Lilith didn't want to die, so she came to me and begged me to help her find a job as far away from Fódlan as possible." Rhea explained. "She warned her siblings and her parents, but no one believed Ludwig would ever be so villainous." Rhea sighed. "He has a son, Lilith. You should meet him."
"Is his son as rotten as his father?" Lilly remarked.
"It's actually the opposite." Catherine spoke up. "He's everything his father isn't. And at seventeen years of age, he is everything that House Aegir should be."
"What's his name?"
"Ferdinand Von Aegir. He stands for everything his father opposes. I've been teaching him lessons on how to be more like you." Rhea told the senior maid.
"Me? But…Lady Rhea…I do not deserve such kindness." Lilly protested.
"Lilith, in my opinion…House Aegir should be resembled by their best members. Ludwig…is a troubled man. You, however, stopped at nothing to assist and provide for the commoners around your home. Those are the lessons I wish Ferdinand to take away from life."
"That's…that's so nice." Lilly's eyes began water and she gave a great big smile. "Thank you so much, Lady Rhea."
"Uh, can we please talk about anything else?" Shamir groaned. "All this talk of Lilith this and Lilith that-"
"I enjoy hearing stories about the woman who raised me." Zelda stated as she took a sip of her spiked lemonade.
"As much as I enjoy stories of her…I'd much rather know more about you."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Lilly…is that what you call her?" Shamir glanced at the senior maid and Lilly nodded. "In Lilly's last letter…of at least what Lady Rhea has told us. Zelda was nothing more than a baby. It would've been nice to have known she's much older than that." Shamir held up a pair of small booties for a newborn baby that she brought.
"They're so cuuuuuute!" Zelda gushed with a great big smile and Lilly smiled.
"You think Samantha could-"
"Lilly, that's mean." Zelda laughed. "She's twenty four…"
"Perhaps when she and Marcus have children." Lilly implied and she could see Zelda's cheeks blush light red.
"I…I'll talk to her."
"And you have children as well?" Rhea asked.
"Four. There's-" A commotion was stirring behind the group. They turned and Alexander ran from the castle and Samantha came out with only a towel around her waist and her hair still soaked with water.
"I'm going to kill you, you fucking asshole!" Samantha yelled at her brother.
"It's just a joke!" He laughed and ran past her back in the house.
"Samantha." Zelda spoke through her clenched teeth. Samantha turned back and didn't seem fazed by the guests.
"What?" She asked.
"This is your daughter?" Rhea inquired.
"Uh…yes…" Zelda nervously laughed before gulping hard and she glared at her daughter. Samantha's face quickly turned beet red and she quickly ran inside. Zelda closed her eyes and covered her face from embarrassment. "I am so sorry…"
"Which of us hasn't been caught wearing only a towel?" Catherine chuckled and noticed no one else was laughing. She gulped hard and drowned the silence in her beverage.
"Wow." Shamir smiled and took a sip from her drink. "You're embarrassing yourself." Rhea, Lilly, and Daphnes laughed altogether. Not wanting to be left out, Aolis joined in the laughter. "So." Shamir set her drink down. "What about you?" She asked again.
"Um….w-well, I'm a two time champion in the tournament."
"What's the tournament? Is that a Hyrule festival thing or something?"
"It's the greatest fighters from all over. It's the biggest tournament and only the best and toughest fighters enter."
"Really?" Shamir seemed quite interested. "Do you have to be a royal to enter? Or is anyone allowed?"
"Anyone can enter. You'd need to enter the preliminaries and win in order to qualify. Former champions include a plumber, a queen, a bounty hunter, and a couple mercenaries."
"Really?" Shamir smiled. "When's the next go around? I want to sign up."
"A year from now. The tournament just finished." Shamir looked disappointed as she took another drink.
"Zelda's reputation is well known throughout most kingdoms and she has the biggest heart of all kings and queens around. She would make House Aegir proud." Lilly's recommendation got the queen to smile and her heart was filled with pride.
"Samus…um…she earned the nickname: The Big Bad Bounty Hunter. It used to be longer, but we wanted to keep it short and sweet." Zelda explained. "I think…um…I think that's it. Other than that, there really isn't anything remarkable about me."
"You certainly sound like an incredible person." Catherine smiled and took a sip of her drink. "I know this might be a bit of a longshot, but would you be interested in maybe becoming an interim professor? With your magic ability, our students could learn a lot from you."
"A professor? I don't know…" Zelda looked at Lilly and her father.
"Do what your heart wants to, my dear. If you choose to go to Fódlan, then I will fully support you." Lilly smiled.
"I…I suppose when all of this is over…perhaps I could teach a little bit." Zelda bashfully admitted. "Samus could perhaps teach how to manage physical attacks while I teach your students how to manage magical abilities."
"What a wonderful idea!" Rhea smiled. "See, Daphnes? It was a good idea for your daughter to join us."
"I will not force her to do anything she does not want to do." Daphnes stated, but the look in Zelda's eye showed she was determined to conquer this new challenge.
"Once all of this chaos ends, I will visit this…Fódlan. I will offer my services to the kingdom." She spoke with confidence before becoming quite shy once again. "That…that is…if you'll have me. I didn't exactly present you with the kindest reception."
"Water under the bridge, my dear." Rhea reassured the queen. "The students can learn quite a lot from you. I'll be sure to research what this tournament is. I'm certain the students would be eager to compete against fighters who live in other kingdoms and worlds."
"Hey mom!" Jackson called out and despite Zelda wanting to stay and learn more about Fódlan, her priority was her children's safety.
"Lady Rhea…please forgive me. I must attend to my children."
"Lilith, I am so proud of you. You have raised this young woman to be a wonderful mother." Lilly turned to Zelda and gently cusped her cheek.
"She was always perfect. I merely guided her down the path towards nobility."
"Mom!" Jackson called out again.
"Yes, Jackson?" Zelda stood up and walked towards the back door.
"It's Sam. She's….well, she almost fell down the stairs. One of the guards grabbed her and-"
"What?!" Zelda exclaimed and quickly ran inside to see her daughter. She got to the stairs and noted two guards at the top of the stairs.
"Doug, talk to me. What happened?" Zelda ran up the stairs and knelt down next to her daughter.
"She complained of a headache and her face looked really pale. I asked if she was alright and she nodded her head. She began falling after she nodded. I think she's ok. She's just really tired."
"Are you ok, Doug?" Zelda asked while she and the guard helped carry Samantha to her room. After they put her in bed, Zelda tucked in her daughter and asked the guard to leave them alone. Zelda sat on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes.
'Samantha…I wish I knew how to help you. Even if it's a shot in the dark…a small bit of hope…I'll find a way to bring you back, my dear.' Zelda kissed her daughter's head and quietly left the room.
"Shall I find a guard or a maid to watch over her?" Doug asked.
"No. Let's…leave her alone for now. Let her rest, we'll check on her later." Zelda calmly ordered before heading towards town and towards her friends in the town.