Chapter 51: Fódlan
AN: Hey there! I've got another chapter finished and ready to your reading pleasure. We're wrapping this story up soon and I've got ideas for the third and final act to this trilogy. But my focus is finishing up on a strong note. I hope you enjoy it!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
Samantha opened the door and walked inside; her clothes drenched and her eyes barely holding back the tears. A guard approached her and she didn't take her eyes off the floor.
"You are under arrest for trespassing within the kingdom of Hyrule. Penalty for trespassing is-"
"Idiot! Do you know who you are speaking to?" A butler yelled at him. "That's Sam, you dumb fuck!" the butler rushed to her side.
"Samantha…hey…" She knew that the man speaking was Melvin. Samantha wrapped her arms around him and sobbed. "You alright?"
"Where is my family? Where are they?" She sniffled.
"They haven't arrived. There is this one girl…she's claiming to be Virginia's fiancé but lady Virginia isn't-"
"Where is she? I will see her immediately." Melvin turned to the guard.
"Bring the girl here."
"We cannot-"
"You accused the firstborn of trespassing, and now you're disobeying her orders? You have a death wish or something?"
"N-no…I…" The guard quickly turned around and ran for the door to bring Serena back to the castle. Soon after, Samus was the first to return home, along with Virginia.
"Lady Samus…Princess Virginia!" A maid spoke up. Samantha got up and ran towards the front door. Her mother and her sister were also drenched from the rain. Samus pressed a button on her suit and stepped out. She was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts underneath. She walked up to her bedroom to change and Virginia slowly made her way upstairs.
"Ginny." Samantha called out and her younger sister looked up. She saw Samantha's eyes were filled with sorrow and she ran up to her.
"Sam…" Virginia quietly cried. "It…this is a nightmare. Grandfather…he's not-"
"Yeah…" Samantha sniffled. "I think this is real."
"No…no…" Virginia sank her face into her sister's shoulder and sobbed. Zelda was the next to enter was Fox and Jackson. Fox had a troubled look on his face while Jackson was seriously distraught.
"Prince Jackson? Sir Fox…what is the meaning of this?" A maid's expression turned sour. "You cannot show up without-"
"He's with me." Jackson stated with a clenched jaw. He began walking upstairs before seeing his sisters. "Sam…Virginia…" He also was trying to hold back tears.
"Seriously we need to change." Samantha tried to laugh it off, but her heart still felt heavy. "I'm going to change and wait for mom." The three siblings went upstairs, showered, and changed. They returned to see Alexander and Virginia's friends at the door.
"They can't all be with you, Prince Alexander."
"Why not? I have friends…and…look, it's not important. They're my guests, so…they're staying. Alexander walked upstairs and saw his siblings. "Hi."
"Alex…" Virginia spoke up and the boy's lip quivered.
"Alex, you should clean up…we're waiting for mom." Alexander sniffled and walked to his room. Marcus and Krystal were the next to enter.
"This is getting out of hand." The maid mumbled.
"Marcus!" Samantha called out. Marcus hugged the princess and she didn't care that she was still soaked.
"Where did you end up?" Samantha asked.
"Corneria. Mom and I were at home. We had to check a few things before flying here. I wanted to make sure you were alright." The guard returned with Serena and Virginia ran up to her fiancé.
"Serena!"
"Hi, Virginia!" Virginia leapt into her arms, but the feeling wasn't of joy. Serena didn't feel happy and Virginia wasn't smiling.
"Serena…"
"I know." She pressed her forehead against Virginia's. "I know." Finally, Zelda entered the castle followed by Vyse, Aika, and Fina.
"Ok you know what-" Zelda sprinted upstairs and ran straight towards Lilly's room; not caring that she was drenched or acknowledging her family. The family rushed behind her to the room, but before they entered, Samus turned around.
"All of you, stay in the main hall. This is a family thing." Everyone except Marcus and Serena returned to the entrance.
"Marcus, Serena…you too."
"But-"
"It's for the best." Marcus placed a hand on her shoulder and reluctantly, she nodded. The two returned to the entrance while the rest of the family entered. Lilly was lying in bed, attached to a heart monitor. Two senior butlers were standing nearby while Zelda was kneeling next to her; crying and holding the woman's hand.
"Lilly…please…don't go." Zelda begged.
"I…Z-Zelda…" Lilly began crying herself. "I'm sorry…" Samus turned to the men who were monitoring Lilly's health.
"Yes or no?" Samus asked the men and they didn't respond; which gave Samus her answer. "Would you please leave us? We'll…" Samus began tearing up. "We'll say our goodbyes and…" tears now ran down her cheeks. "And that'll be it." Her voice lightly cracking. Without another word, the men nodded and quietly left the royal family alone.
"Al…ex…Ja…Jack…son…" Lilly called out for the boys. "So han..handsome and st…strong…Daphnes…would be…so proud…"
Lilly…" Jackson sniffled and alexander wiped his tears from his face. "I'm really gonna miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you more." Alexander rubbed his eyes. Lilly lightly laughed and she hugged Jackson and then Alexander.
"I love you, Lilly." Alexander said.
"I love you more." Jackson weakly smiled.
"Vir…Vir…gin...ia…"
"Lilly…I'm sorry…I didn't return as much as I should have."
"You are fuh…full of ad…venture…continue…living…a won…wonder…ful…and ha…happy…life." Virginia rubbed her eyes and used her shirt to wipe her nose.
"Lilly, I love you. I love you so, so, much." She hugged the woman and then took a step back.
"Sa…man…tha…" The firstborn gave a shuddered exhale sigh and tears continued rolling down her face.
"Lilly…I…"
"You are…a fine…prin…cess…you re…" Lilly began coughing and cleared her throat. "…remind…me…of your…mo…mother…"
"Lilly…I love you. If I have a daughter…I'll name her Lilly…" The senior maid smiled and Samantha took a step back.
"Sam…us…" seeing Samus cry was a rarity. But Lilly meant the world to the family and especially Samus. "You…you're ah…you suck…at royal…eti…quette." Samus laughed and wiped her tears from her eyes.
"I'm going to miss your snide remarks…we used to make those kinds of jokes all the time." Samus sniffled and smiled. "I love you, Lilly. There will be none quite like you." She also hugged her before backing up.
"Z…Zel…Zelda…"
"Lilly, please…no…" Zelda sobbed. "Father is gone…not you too…I need you…I don't know what to do without you…"
"You…you are…the fi…nest qu...queen…in all…of Hy…rule…you are…just li…like…your muh…mother…"
"Lilly…" Zelda's voice was shattered; her hugged the woman as tight as she could. "I will see to it that you are buried with the royal family."
"I…I wan…want to…go…home…prom…prom…ise me…you…will bring…my ash…es…home…to Gar…reg…Mach…" Zelda broke the hug and nodded at the woman.
"We'll have a tombstone erected next to my mother…and George…Lilly Walker."
"No…" Lilly coughed again and leaned back. "I…will not…hide….anymore. Lilith…Abi…gail…Von Aegir…"
"Your maiden name?" Lilly smiled while Zelda gulped hard. "Lilly…I love you with all my heart…" Zelda rubbed her eyes, but continued crying.
"I…I love…you all…as…as well…" She gently leaned back and her eyes started glazing over.
"What do you see?" Zelda asked, realizing her time was near.
"I…I see…Gr…ace…and Ge…Geor…ge…and…Da...Daph…nes…" She smiled one last time before the heart monitor flat lined and the senior maid closed her eyes. Zelda rested her head next to Lilly's hand and sobbed. Samus lifted her shirt to cover her face as she cried. Alexander placed a hand over his eyes while Jackson turned around to try and hide his emotions from his family Virginia covered her face with both hands and Samantha just lowered her head. The family spent a few moments alone; mourning the loss of Hyrule's senior maid. Samus collected herself first and walked over to Zelda. She stood up and wrapped her arms around her and continued sobbing.
"Kids." Samus spoke with a soft tone as she turned off the heart monitor. "Mom's going to tell everyone in the castle. When that's done, I want you to go into town and ring the church bell."
"Mom-"
"Samantha." Samus turned to her daughter with red eyes. Samantha sniffled and nodded her head. The family exited the room and waited.
"Your highness-"
"Gather everyone." Zelda spoke softly and rubbed her eyes. "Gather every guard, butler, maid, cook…every personnel Hyrule has. And bring them to the castle. I will tell them first." The man began walking away. "And tell them it's urgent." He nodded and left to gather every person who worked for Hyrule. Zelda walked upstairs once more to visit her father. She carefully opened the door and her wife, entered alone. The first thing they noticed was how the late Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule looked exactly the same…and yet, completely different. He looked peaceful like he was still sleeping.
"Do you think the people will accept me after they know?"
"They won't abandon you." Samus reassured her wife. "You've never abandoned them. If they aren't with you, then they never were." Samus wiped her tears away and kissed her wife. "You saw how happy he was…Grace and Daphnes…Lilly and George…they're watching over you. We're still here." Zelda didn't smile. She gulped hard and gave another shuddered exhale. Before they left Zelda walked over to her father and kissed his cheek.
"Goodbye…father." She whispered and quietly left along with Samus. Every guard, along with their friends, were all waiting for the queen.
"Everyone…" Zelda spoke up and cleared her throat to the best of her abilities. "I have an announcement to make." Silence filled the castle. Samus held her wife's hand and she took a deep breath. "Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule…has passed." Those who worked in Hyrule gasped.
"This…it's a joke." One guard nervously laughed. "That's quite a jest, your highness…good one…" He nervously laughed, but the expression of the royal family showed there was no joking involved.
"I also wish to report that…my senior maid, Lilith Abigail Walker had passed as well."
"Lilly?" Maya questioned. "She's…no…"
"I am asking all of you to return home…spend time with your families…I wish to be alone." Zelda sat on the steps and quietly sobbed. Each and every worker in Hyrule approached their queen, offered their condolences, and hugged her before quietly leaving.
"Virginia…" Serena sniffled. Virginia walked to her and hugged her fiancé. Marcus approached his wife and Samantha placed her arms against her chest while he hugged her tightly.
"Virginia-" Mallow called out, but Wicke held out a hand.
"No." The woman shook her head. "We need to leave."
"What? But-"
"We need to go." Wicke informed the group. Not one of them protested and they quietly followed the workers out.
"Um…" Aika kicked at the ground. "I…um…"
"You know…we could leave a ship, if you like." Vyse offered.
"Thanks, Vyse…but I think it's best if we're alone right now."
"Please call if you need anything. Any request…big or small…call us." Fina said before the trio left. Marcus kissed Samantha's forehead.
"I'll check on you tomorrow." He began walking away, but Samantha pulled him back.
"Please don't go." Samantha begged.
"Marcus." Fox called out. "Stay here. I'll take your Arwing back. Sam needs you…stay with her." Fox stated before leaving with his wife.
"Serena, Marcus…we have one last thing to do." Samantha motioned for her siblings to come with her. Marcus took a step forward, but Samantha shook her head.
"We have to do this alone." Alexander informed the blue fox. He didn't say anything; he just nodded and walked up to Samantha's room.
"Hey Serena…come on, you should probably get out of those clothes. I'll take you to Virginia's room." The children walked through the rain and towards the town.
"Why did we clean up if we were going to get soaked again?" Alexander asked.
"Maybe…some of us didn't think about that…" Samantha ran a hand through her hair as they walked on.
"You never did much thinking, Sam." Jackson laughed and instead of getting mad, Samantha laughed.
"Remember that time when I tried to take on those bandits?" She asked with a smile.
"It was like fifteen to one." Alexander recalled. "You only beat up…what? Nine? Ten?"
"I got most of 'em." Samantha chimed in.
"Yeah, and then you came home and Lilly spanked you." Jackson laughed. "Your ass was red and you were in pain for a full week." The siblings laughed as they reached the gate.
"The gates are locked. We forgot the key!" Virginia exclaimed.
"There's a path over here. I found it when we were kids." Samantha turned left and climbed up the ladder with her siblings in tow. They got to the top and Samantha made her way down a set of vines off of a cliff and once they reached the ground. They hustled towards the church. Thunder and lightning filled the sky as they entered the church.
"The royal family." One of the pastors spoke softly. "To what honor do we owe-"
"Father Thomas, we need access to the bell."
"I can only allow you access if-"
"Father." Virginia stepped forward. "It's happened." The old man stared at the family.
"…who?"
"Our grandfather." Thomas looked sick and he nodded. He returned to a room and retrieved two silver keys and two larger gold keys. Each child collected the keys and walked towards the spiral staircase. It was quite a trip to the top, but they finally made it to the top.
"Silver keys first." Samantha and Jackson put their keys in first and opened their locks.
"Gold keys." She spoke and Virginia and Alexander unlocked their locks before opening the door. Inside was a giant bell and a long, leather rope.
"Grab the rope." Samantha instructed his siblings. They grabbed the rope and had a moment of silence.
"On three." Samantha stated. "One, two-"
"Wait!" Jackson called out. "Is it one, two pull on three? Or one, two three, pull?"
"Does it matter?" Alexander asked his older brother.
"Yes it matters! If we don't pull the rope together, then we-"
"How about we just pull now?" Jackson complained.
"No, idiot!" Alexander yelled.
"You're the idiot!" Jackson yelled louder.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Virginia screamed and everyone turned to her. "Sam…you're the oldest. What do we do?"
"One, two, three, pull." Samantha said. "Guys, we need to stop arguing. We're all hurting right now and the last thing we need to do is argue…especially since mom is hurting more than all of us." Everyone once again felt bad about their actions and though her words were true, they still hurt. "So if you feel like arguing, get it out of your system now. Because when we leave this room, I don't want to hear any arguing. Not a fucking word. Now, if you want to argue, let it out." There was silence among the siblings. "Okay…" Samantha tightened her grip on the rope. "Ready?" She asked and her siblings followed suit. "One, two, three, pull!" She yelled and they all pulled the rope. A giant gong echoed and it felt like it echoed in their souls. "Pull!" Samantha yelled and they rang it a second time. The siblings rang the bell eight times before carefully placing the rope down and exiting the room. They locked the doors and descended the stairs to the entrance. They handed the keys back to the priest and walked back towards the door.
"I really don't want to tell them." Alexander admitted.
"Me neither." Virginia added.
"It's my duty to tell them. Part of being the firstborn and all that." Samantha took a deep breath. "Here we go." She opened the door and the entire town flocked to the church.
"Your royalty…is…is it true?" One townsfolk asked.
"Citizens of Hyrule…it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you all that the former king: Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule…has died." The townspeople gasped and exclaimed with grief. "Preparations are underway for the funeral. For now, I am suspending all visitations to Castle Hyrule." Samantha began making her way back home with her siblings in tow." The climbed back up the vines and walked towards the top of the gate. Instead of climbing down the ladder, Samantha chose to walk over the gate, towards the front door.
"Shouldn't we go down?" Alexander pointed to the ladder.
"The door's right there." Samantha pointed to the entrance and continued walking. The lightning and thunder continued to flash and boom the dark sky. They returned home to find Zelda and Samus still sitting on the steps. Serena had a towel wrapped around her body with Braixen sitting on the couch along with the other two pokémon belonging to Serena. Marcus sat in a chair on the other side; quietly waiting for Samantha's return. K-9, Aqua, Zap, and Torch were laying down with Pyro, Vivi, Fang, and Pixie laying next to them. When they all returned, the pokémon rushed the kids, but none of them seemed happy. Aqua leapt into Virginia's arms.
"Hey Aqua…" Virginia kissed her cheek. "I missed you."
"Was the castle always this big?" Zelda questioned her wife. "I've never felt so…small." Samus had an arm around her wife and remained silent.
"Um…Virginia…" Serena asked. "You don't…um…have a washer and a dryer or anything like that, do you?" Zelda waved her wrist and sniffled.
"Serena, your clothes are clean." Zelda gulped and rubbed her eyes.
"Um…th-thank you." She quietly made her way upstairs and back to Virginia's room to change.
"I think we need to get some rest." Samantha suggested, but no one moved.
"Sam's right. Come on…you're going to get sick if you stay in those clothes." Samus helped her up and they returned to their room. Jackson didn't say anything as he went into his room.
"I…I think I want to sleep in tomorrow." Alexander cleared his throat while Fang and Pyro followed him into his room. Serena returned and gave a comforting sigh.
"I want to forget today ever happened." Virginia whimpered and slowly trudged to her room. Every single pokémon followed her and Serena held her fiancé's hand as they returned to their room. Marcus stood up and walked over to Samantha.
"Is there anything I can do to try and make you feel better?" Marcus asked. Samantha kissed him and rested her head against his chest.
"I don't want to be alone."
"You never will be." The two walked back to their room and after Samantha freshened up once more and changed, she and Marcus crawled into bed. A few weeks passed and the funeral arrangements were made. Though Daphnes would be the only one whose body would be buried, Lilly was cremated and her ashes now belonged in an urn. A casket and a tombstone were set in the back and Samus, Zelda, Samantha, Virginia, and Serena were donned in all black. Jackson, Alexander, and Marcus wore their best suits. The date of her birth and her death were at the very bottom of the tombstone. There was also an epitaph that read:
Lilith Abigail Von Aegir
Loyal Servant, Loving Mother
Forever in our hearts
Her father also had his birthdate and his death date following by his own epitaph that read:
Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule
Proud King, Loving Father
Forever in our hearts
Zelda and the rest of her family stood around the casket as each of them placed a hand on the top.
"May the golden goddesses guide you…and may the great goddess Hylia protect you in the afterlife. In the name of Din, Nayru, and Farore…we ask Hylia to watch over you…Amen."
"Amen." The rest of the family, excluding Serena said.
"A-a-amen." Serena quickly added.
"Amen." The townsfolk and the rest of the nobles stated. Zelda knelt down and rested her head against her palm for a moment before kissing the casket before turning back and returning to the castle. There was a buffet of food for everyone to enjoy. However, Zelda sat in her throne chair; quietly crying and away from everyone. Samus was sitting next to her wife, stuffing her face.
"You really shouldn't eat so much." Zelda remarked.
"eah…ooh…" Samus swallowed what she was eating. "Yeah, well…you know how I stress eat when I'm sad."
"Or angry, or worried, or bored." Zelda went on and weakly smiled. Samus smirked and continued eating.
"Ooh ant omding?" Samus asked.
"Don't speak with your mouth full. And no, I do not need anything." Zelda mentioned. Samus gulped again and their children were mingling on behalf of their mother. Virginia was sitting with her fiancé, Serena. K-9 had his head next to Virginia and Aqua was sleeping in her lap. Zap was resting to Virginia's left and Torch was on her right. Braixen was quietly sitting by the fireplace along with Sylveon. Pancham was chilling out and relaxing in Serena's lap.
"Virginia…" she looked up and saw mallow holding two pieces of cake on two separate plates. Her tsereena set down two bowls of poké food on the ground. "I thought you'd want…some cake." Mallow was trying her best to hold it together, but failing miserably. Her eyes were watering and tears streamed down her face. "Cake is good and…I know how much you enjoy…sweet treats." Her voice cracked as she spoke. Virginia gently nudged Aqua and the aquatic pokémon moved off her lap. Virginia took the plates and handed one to Serena and the other on the table. She stood up and hugged her. Mallow began sobbing and while Virginia's lip quivered. Serena looked up and saw Clemont and Bonnie in dress clothes as well.
"Serena…" Bonnie called out and her approach slowed down. Serena set the fork down and closed her eyes.
"…hey Bonnie…" She whispered. Clemont placed a hand on her shoulder and Serena turned her head to hide her face from her friends.
"Serena…if…you can always call us. Bonnie's about to start her journey." Clemont smiled. "If you need anything…anything at all-"
"Bonnie, Mallow…could you leave us for a moment?" Serena asked and saw Virginia's friends from Alola. "Uh…Kiawe! Sophocles! Can you come here?"
"What are you doing?" Virginia hissed.
"I'm going to ask Clemont. You should ask them." Serena tipped her head in the boy's direction. Virginia was scared, but Serena was right next to her.
"Virginia…I…um…" Kiawe rubbed the back of his head.
"Here." Sophocles handed Virginia a small picture. She took it and it looked like a star cluster. "I purchased a star…I thought it'd be a nice gift for him since…you know…" Virginia smiled and hugged the man.
"It's such a nice gift, thank you." She rubbed her eyes and sniffled. "Um, right…so…um…" Virginia gulped hard and tightly closed her eyes. "Serena and I want to start a family, but since we can't do it ourselves will you both please help?" She asked and refused to look them in the eyes.
"Help?" Kiawe asked. "How would we-"
"I believe they are asking if we would…ah…impregnate…them?" Clemont adjusted his glasses and blushed red with embarrassment.
"She wouldn't be asking us to-"
"I am." Virginia interrupted her friend. "If-if you're against it…"
"Well…" Kiawe hesitated. "I mean…who would you want first?"
"You both are amazing and…Kiawe…would you…um…"
"You want me to…be your first?" Kiawe seemed incredibly uncomfortable with her request. "I don't know…I mean, maybe not right now, but…"
"We-" Virginia wiped her nose with her arm. "Not right now, I mean. Maybe in…like, a month? Or two? Or a year?" Kiawe looked at Virginia and sighed.
"If this is what you want…" Kiawe nodded.
"And Sophocles…I know you had feelings for me. That book you had…it had the answer we needed."
"It did?" He asked while the princess nodded.
"Maybe a year or two after…i-if you want…"
"We'll see." He replied. "If you want a second child…we'll see." He replied. Virginia's face was still red.
"You…you think I sleep around…or I'm loose…or a whore, or-"
"Virginia, I don't think any of those things." Sophocles informed her. "You're a smart woman who wants a family. You're still the coolest princess I know. Don't tell Sam I said that. She scares me." Virginia giggled at his remark.
"And Clemont…" Serena turned her head.
"You? An-and…and m-me?" He asked.
"I only want one child. You're the sweetest guy I know." She asked. He thought about it for a minute.
"No, it'd be wrong. You're engaged, and-"
"If Virginia gave you permission, would you feel better?" she asked. Clement gulped and nodded. Serena turned her head to her fiancé and Virginia looked up at him.
"C-Clem…Clemont…would you…ah…please don't make me say it." She begged. "But…would you? Please?" He looked back at Serena and nodded.
"Alright." He agreed.
"But you can't tell anyone!" Virginia blurted. "Please don't tell anyone about this. They'd laugh and call me names." Virginia pleaded. "The only ones who know about this are you, Kiawe, Clemont, Serena, and myself."
'And me.' A voice echoed in Virginia's head. The princess turned her heard frantically turned her head.
"Who said that?!"
"Said what?" Serena asked. "No one said anything. You just said we're the only ones who know about this plan and then you're looking around…" Serena murmured. "I think you need to lie down." Serena picked pancham off her lap and set him next to Aqua before placing an arm around her. "Guys, seriously…please don't tell anyone."
"No! I want to say hi to my friends!" Virginia protested. "And…and I want cake!" Virginia began eating the slice of cake Mallow got for her. "Dis ish rolly gud…" Virginia commented while Serena chuckled and grabbed a napkin.
"Your mom's going to get mad at you if you talk with your mouth full." Serena cleaned her mouth and she leaned towards the princess.
"Was it that spirit lady? The green one?" She whispered.
"Farore?" Virginia asked with the same volume.
'Yes?' Farore questioned the princess.
"So it was you." She gasped and looked at the confused expression on her face. "It was Farore." Serena nodded to indicate she understood.
"Hey Farore…can you not make my future wife look like a crazy person?"
'It's not my fault you're talking to yourself.' Farore remarked.
"Hey!" Virginia protested and Farore giggled.
"These two have lost their minds…" Sophocles stated while Kiawe laughed.
"I think it's cute." Kiawe remarked.
"They're certainly made for each other." Clemont laughed and Virginia walked over to the other friends in Alola.
Samantha was in the backyard searching for comfort in the bottom of a potato chip bag. Marcus was drinking a beer sitting next to her.
"We're gonna need to do so much exercise…" Samantha complained with a smirk.
"You alright?" Marcus asked.
"I don't know…it's kind of a bittersweet feeling." Samantha grabbed her beer and took a swig before letting out a belch.
"Very ladylike." Marcus said with sarcasm. Samantha laughed and slapped his stomach. He grunted and started laughing.
'Disgusting.' A voice spoke to Samantha.
"Nayru, you're gonna need to get used to this. I'm not like the other members of royalty."
"That blue chick is talking to you again?" Marcus questioned his wife.
'I am not a 'chick!'' Nayru remarked. 'I am a golden goddess who protects the-'
"She's in a fuss that you called her a chick." Samantha responded.
"Sorry…what do I call her…you…her?" Marcus questioned his wife.
'He may refer to me as the golden goddess, Nayru. Or perhaps Nayru the wise.' She informed the princess.
"Yeah…I'm going to go with Nayru. Just Nayru." Samantha took another swig of her beer before letting out a louder belch. "That was pretty good."
'You are disgusting.'
"And you're my new best friend." Samantha smiled. "We're stuck together until I die. Or until we reform the triforce and then you can choose someone else…or whatever." Samantha heard a frustrated groan before chuckling.
"Sam…" Marcus' voice became serious. "Are you alright? It's a lot to take in…losing your grandfather and your mom's senior maid." Samantha took a slower sip of her beer and thought about her answer.
"I'm upset that Grandpa and Lilly are gone…but, they're with George and Grandma Grace. So, they're happy once again."
"You know, if you want to get away-"
"There's a lot of places I want to go…" She looked over and was approached by Bayonetta and Palutena. Genny squirmed in Bayonetta's arms and reached out for Samantha.
"Sam!" Genny cried out.
"Hi Genny." She was given the child and she hugged the girl. She began tickling the young girl's stomach. Genny squealed and laughed in Samantha's arms. "You know, if you're still planning on killing me-"
"It would benefit us if you perhaps did not mention this to your parents."
"Mention what?" Samus' voice asked from behind the women. Palutena and Bayonetta looked nervous while trying to come up with some excuse to avoid any anger from the former bounty hunter.
"Uh…w-well…you…you see…" Palutena stammered.
"…that we…slept with you…best not to bring that up again." Bayonetta nervously chuckled.
"You slept with them?" Samantha asked while her mom's face turned red.
"Why would you bring that up with her?" Samus folded her arms and looked frustrated.
"Slip of the tongue…my bad." Bayonetta apologized.
"She wants me to lie about her threatening to kill me." Both women turned to the firstborn and glared at her.
"…what?" Samus asked with restrained anger. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Why did you tell her?" Palutena hissed.
"Because I'm bored and I want some entertainment…" Samus' expression softened and she smiled.
"You know what? I'm bored too. Go for it." Samus remarked and Samantha's smile faded.
"Wait, seriously?" She stared at her mother.
"I'm only letting this slide because that same night, Palutena saved your mother."
"She…saved mom?" Samantha asked while Genny played with her fingers.
"She developed a fever and chills…right before my match. Palutena rushed her to the medical wing and she made it. Thanks, by the way. I don't know if I thanked you for that."
"It's what anyone would've done."
"Why didn't you tell us you had a kid?" Samus asked. "We could've gotten gifts and all that. Zelda loves children…almost as much as Elincia."
"We were…waiting. We wanted her to get accustomed to her new home before we were going to celebrate with friends." Palutena admitted.
"She's cute." Samus knelt down and licked her thumb before wiping off some icing on her cheek.
"What are you doing here, mom?" Samantha asked.
"Zelda's crying on Elincia's shoulder. I needed some air." Samus took a seat next to Samantha. "It's such a weird feeling…dad's dead and I kind of feel a little happy for him."
"That's what I was telling Marcus. It's like a bittersweet feeling."
"Exactly." Samus nodded her head. "Life is really fucking weird, but it's full circle. We live, we do stuff, and then we die."
"Mom, don't curse in front of Genny." Samantha quietly said.
"You're just like your mother." Samus placed her hand on Samantha's knee and ever so slightly patted her knee before standing up and returning inside.
"So…she should really be with you. She's spent enough time with me." Samantha handed Genny back to Palutena. Genny adjusted herself so her head rested on her mother's shoulder and she fell asleep.
"We wanted to properly thank you for taking care of our child…and apologize for our manic behavior."
"It's understandable. I'm just happy we finally reunited you together." Samantha said.
"You know…" Marcus took a sip of his beer and pointed at the child. "If you ever want a day off for some R&R or whatever…Sam and I would be happy to watch over her." The women looked at each other.
"It wouldn't be a problem?" Bayonetta questioned the couple.
"Of course not! We'd love to!" Samantha's face lit up.
"We will keep that in mind." Palutena smiled at the young woman.
Zelda sniffled again and, to her surprise, Gannondorf stood in front of her. Zelda gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.
"Not today…if you make even the slightest scene, I-" He held out a bouquet of white lilies.
"I'm not heartless, Zelda." He quietly spoke as she took the flowers. "Sorry about your old man." He then took his leave and walked towards the door.
"Gannon!" Zelda called out and he slowly turned around. "Thank you." He turned back and left without another word. Zelda sat back down and sighed. Samus took a seat next to her wife.
"What'd I miss? Anything exciting happen?" She asked.
"Gannon gave me flowers."
"Poisoned flowers? Or maybe the kinds of flowers that'll kill you if you touch them?"
"I believe they are known as lilies." Zelda remarked with a weak smile. Samus' heart sank a bit and she gulped.
"Zelda-"
"I know you're trying you best. And I'm grateful…I'm glad that I have you by my side." Zelda kissed her wife. "I'm just not me right now." She wiped the tears off her face with a hand and sighed once more. A woman held out a glass of some clear liquid. Zelda looked up to see Lady Rhea from Fódlan in attendance.
"Here." She offered a glass to the Hylian queen.
"What is it?"
"Two parts hydrogen. One part oxygen." Zelda stared at the glass like it was some kind of laboratory concoction.
"It's water." Samus informed her wife. Zelda turned to Samus and then looked up at Rhea. She nodded and Zelda took a cautious sip; it was water.
"I came to check up on you. That, and Manuela insisted that she see if your firstborn was still healthy."
"She's fine…" Zelda took another sip while holding the glass with two hands.
"She was unconscious for nearly two days when she arrived at Garreg Mach." Rhea informed the queen. "My dear pupil found her and we brought her to the medical wing. Which reminds me…" She turned and motioned for some people to join her. "I asked the head of the three houses to join me in meeting you…however, they elected to remain back home." Rhea spoke with embarrassment and shame.
"Perhaps it's for the best." Zelda weakly smiled. "I am not worthy of meeting-"
"Your highness, please." Rhea insisted. "A daughter of Hyrule would be an honor for anyone to meet. They do not know what they have given up." Three young adults approached the queen. Each child looked almost the same age as her children. "Instead, each house chose a representative." She turned to the children. "Everyone, please state your names and which house you represent." The first person to step forward was a young girl with light brown hair; almost white. She also had soft blue eyes, a black dress, a beige veil with sharp, blue trim, the same blue for leggings and beige colored boots.
"Good day, your highness…" The young woman's voice was soft and feint. "My name is Mercedes von Bartels. I am the representative for the blue lions."
"Like the vehicle?" Zelda asked. "Mer-say-deez?" She tried saying out the name, but Mercedes shook her head.
"There is a long 'e' in my name. Mer-said-es." She stated to the queen.
"I am so sorry…I did not mean to insult you."
"There was no insulting…I am sorry about your father. I will offer my prayers to Seiros." She bowed her head and stepped back. The next girl stepped forward and she was quite short. Her hair was unmistakably white and quite long as it draped over her shoulders. Her iris was pink, perhaps red and her outfit, like Mercedes, was black with gold buttons all along the sides and unlike the blue trim Mercedes had, she had white boots with gold trim at the top.
"My name is Lysithea von Ordelia. I am the eldest child of House Ordelia and the representative to the golden deer."
"Your name…" Samus shook her head. "…what?"
"Lysithea." She repeated.
"It's a beautiful name. Lysithea…it sounds elegant." Zelda smiled and took another sip of water.
"I am an excellent mage as well." She touted.
"Really?" Zelda asked with a bigger smile. "You are an expert in magic?"
"I…I wouldn't say an expert…" Lysithea's face blushed red as she took a step back. Finally, a young man with orange hair stepped forward. Like the other two, his outfit was entirely in black with gold trim and black buttons. He donned a gold plate across his chest and a sword in tow next to his left leg.
"I am Ferdinand von Aegir. Son of-"
"WHAT?!" Zelda exclaimed loudly with her eyes wide open. Everyone stopped and stared at the queen before Samus stood up.
"Uh…don't mind her. Just…do…whatever it was…you were doing…" She replied nervously and after a few minutes, everyone resumed with talking to one another. Samus took a seat and stared at the man. "So…she's what? Your aunt? Your great aunt?" Samus asked.
"Lady Rhea, I have a request. Her dying wish was…was to return home…"
"We shall fulfill your request." Rhea nodded her head.
"Can I do it? I feel like since she was my mother…it should be my responsibility."
"Perhaps this is a conversation I shouldn't-"
"Whom are we speaking about, Lady Zelda?" Rhea questioned with a smirk. "You should know that young Ferdinand here has been doing research regarding his family. Apparently, there are some rumors that his father had five siblings instead of the four that are listed with his family archives. Ferdinand, I seem to forget what the name of that supposed sibling your father had." Rhea's eyes met Zelda's and she knew what she was implying.
"L-Lilith. Lilith Von Aegir." He nervously responded. Zelda and began crying once more.
"Mercedes, Lysithea…pleas give us some privacy." The two women bowed their heads to one queen who was crying and the other who acknowledged them.
"God…what a small world…" Zelda collected herself and exhaled slowly. "Lilith Von Aegir lived here."
"She's here?" Ferdinand's eyes lit up.
"Was, kid…" Samus corrected him. "Was…here." His expression faded quickly as he realized what she was implying.
"…I see…"
"She was a wonderful woman. She was best friends with my mother and when tragedy stuck, she raised me as her own. She was laid back, yet strict. Stern, yet caring. I consider her to be the greatest maid to have ever worked within these walls."
"She was a mere maid?" He asked with concern.
"Not once did she inform me of her nobility. My father knew…but he chose to keep that away from me. It is my understanding that she did not want to be seen as a noblewoman. Instead, she became a maid of her own choice. She became my mother of her own choice." Zelda looked down and smiled. "Would you like to see her tombstone?"
"Yes, please." Ferdinand nodded his head and Zelda stood up.
"Try not to embarrass the kingdom, dear."
"I'm getting shit faced and blackout drunk." Samus replied. Zelda began walking away before looking over her shoulder at her wife.
"I believe it." Samus smiled and flipped her off before Zelda left alongside Ferdinand.
"I can't believe she'd…say that…and do that in front of a queen…how horrible." Ferdinand shook his head in disbelief.
"That's my wife…one of a kind."
"Horible…ly…fantastic!" He nervously laughed and Zelda smiled.
"Prince Ferdinand, you need not be humble with me. I will not speak ill will to Lady Rhea." Zelda replied as she made it outside. "Besides, she's kind of a bitch anyway." Ferdinand couldn't believe that the queen would use such vulgar language.
"I thought Edelgard has a sharp tongue." He quietly said, but loud enough for the Hylian queen to hear.
"Is that your house leader?" Ferdinand yelped and blushed with embarrassment.
"Y-yes…please don't say anything to her."
"Of course not." Zelda shook her head. "What is said between us stays between us." Ferdinand smiled as Zelda stopped. "Lilly." Zelda called out, but received no response. "I…um…I've brought you a guest. His name is Ferdinand. Ferdinand von Aegir. This is your nephew." Zelda smiled as she turned to the young man. "Go on."
"Uh…" Ferdinand stammered.
"Ferdinand, you may not see her, but she is here. Her spirit lives here." Ferdinand took a deep breath and then sat on the ground.
"Hello, Aunt Lilith. I am Ferdinand von Aegir. Son of Ludwig. Um…he…he still hates you. I'm sorry…" He apologized and Zelda left him alone and returned to the castle. Rhea and Samus were still talking and the two saw Zelda's return.
"Ferdinand is speaking with Lilly. I didn't want to intrude on their conversation." Zelda explained.
"So, I have an idea. Your excellence…see, I can use etiquette when I need to." Samus smirked.
"We just need to work on you using that all the time." Zelda smiled and Samus lightly pushed her.
"Shut up." She laughed. "Anyway, she was telling me about that place, Garreg Mach…it seriously sounds like our kind of place."
"What do you mean?"
"We're going to need to teach Sam and Virginia magic. Plus teaching Jackson and Alex how to handle themselves physically wouldn't hurt either…PLUS this could be a way for us to establish connections with the other noble families in Fódlan…" Samus hinted to her wife.
"If you wish to visit. I do not want to force your hand or make demands." Rhea calmly stated. Zelda looked at her wife and thought for a minute.
"Our children will vote as well. Majority rules."
"Agreed." Samus nodded. "Lady Rhea, would you give us a few minutes?"
"Certainly." She bowed her head and left the queens alone.
"Find Jackson and Alexander. I will gather Samantha, Marcus, Virginia, and Serena." The two split up to grab their kids and their in-laws before moving to a private room away from the crowd.
"You alright, mom?" Jackson asked.
"I'm…managing. Thank you, Jackson." Zelda smiled at the young man. "So, there's an opportunity for all of us. As you may remember…" Zelda cleared her throat and tried to speak, but her emotions were getting the best of her. She sat down and Samus picked it up where she left off.
""Alright, so Lilly's last request was to go home. She wanted to return to Garreg Mach. It's in the continent of Fódlan which is quite far from here. We've been invited to visit a monastery known as Garreg Mach. We see it as an opportunity to teach you…all of you…how to fight. Your mother can teach you magic…especially now that you both know you have the triforce." Samus pointed to Virginia and Samantha. "And I can teach you two in the ways of weapons." She pointed to Alexander and Jackson. "Marcus, I'd be willing to train you as well and Serena, if you want to join us…we'd be happy to bring you along."
"That sounds great." Alexander stated.
"We need to put it to a vote." Samus said. "If the majority says we don't go, then we don't go and we'll figure out something. We'll take a family vacation of some sort. If we do go, we're exploring a whole new continent together. And we'll be the first ones among our neighbors to go there. I haven't heard of any reports that any other kingdom has visited Fódlan. All those in favor?" Every single hand rose up. "Opposed?" No hand went up. "Alright. It's settled. Pack your bags. Marcus, Serena, do you need to head home and grab more clothes?"
"I brought a few sets of clothes. I should be fine." Serena smiled and looked down at her pancham who was enjoying lying in her arms.
"What about our pets? Fang, Pyro, Vivi, Sparky, Rita, and Pixie…what about them? They need to leave the house too." Virginia protested.
"Couldn't they stay at the Aether Foundation?" Serena asked. "Lillie would probably love to spend time with your pets and they'd probably love meeting your friends." Serena smiled. Virginia kissed her and smiled.
"You've thought of everything!" Virginia cheered. Everyone laughed as Virginia collected herself and blushed from embarrassment.
"What about a house sitter? The people of Hyrule are going to worry if you're not around. Especially after a tragedy like this." Marcus pointed out.
"You think Link will mind?" Samus looked over at Zelda.
"No, he lives at the ranch. He lives close enough to Hyrule. What about Fox and Krystal? The people love them as much as they love me. They know the rules and they're quite tidy."
"I'll ask. Go pack, Zelda. We're going on a trip." Samus smiled and the family left to get ready. On her way to Fox and Krystal, Samus swung by Lady Rhea speaking to two adults and one young child.
"Lady Rhea." Samus said quietly as she turned around.
"Excuse me." A green haired man said sternly. He had a chinstrap goatee that was finely trimmed and pale white skin. His hair was spiked and his eyes were a dark shade of green. "Lady Rhea is-"
"Cool. Thanks. Didn't ask. Don't care." Samus held up a hand. Rhea simply laughed.
"Seteth…this is Lady Samus. The…I believe the phrase is, yang to Lady Zelda's yin."
"Sup?" Samus tipped her head back and glanced back at the woman. "If the offer is still there, Zelda and I would be honored to travel to Garreg Mach. If…the offer is still there."
"Of course." She smiled.
"Awesome." Samus smiled. "Um…the kids are packing now and…Zelda's getting ready. We'll leave as soon as you're ready…but we have a few last minute things to attend to."
"Of course. Before you go, you should meet some of our staff. This is Seteth. My right hand, if you will."
"Hello, your highness." He bowed before the former bounty hunter and she nodded her head.
"This is Manuela…she…oh dear." She placed a hand over her mouth and gazed outward. Samus turned her head to see a woman on the verge of falling over; completely drunk out of her mind. Rhea groaned softly and gently nudged Seteth. Without a word, Seteth walked to the woman and grabbed her arm before leaving the castle.
"So…that's Manuela…"
"I cannot be more embarrassed than I am right now." She closed her eyes.
"Come on, if I had a dime for every time I was drunk within these walls…" Samus laughed before noting Rhea's surprised expression. "Um…so…yeah…" She took a small step back before the young girl nearby giggled. "Who's she?" Samus quickly asked; trying to change the subject.
"This is Flayn. Though she is not quite old enough to enroll at Garreg Mach, she's showing great promise."
"Thank you, lady Rhea. And it's an honor to meet you…Queen Samus of Hyrule."
"yeah, I'm gonna stop you right there. Even Zelda will tell you, I've never been one to accept the title of queen. I prefer people call me Samus."
"But royalty must-"
"Kid, I was a bounty hunter before I was a queen. I'm not royal material. Just call me Samus."
"Miss Samus." Flayn bowed in front of her.
"You're not going to budge on this, are you?" Samus asked while Flayn stood upright. "Alright, fine. Miss Samus it is. Look, I'm going to start packing, but we'll be ready in a bit." Samus then saw Seteth return in a prompt fashion.
"My apologies, your highness. Manuela is one of our esteemed teachers. However, where there is alcohol…she tends to get carried away."
"Set…Seteth, right?" Samus asked and the man nodded his head. "Look, I should probably apologize as well. I wasn't born into royalty and…please don't take my attitude as a reflection on Hyrule's reputation."
"Of course not." He reassured the woman. "I look forward to showing you around Garreg Mach."
"I give it my all." She bowed to the trio and looked for her closest friends. Fox and Krystal were chatting with Elincia's uncle as well as Elincia herself, Lucina, Prince William and Romeo.
"…worry about you two." Fox said. "I know the three of you were the closest of friends-"
"Mr. McCloud, your concern is admirable." Renning took a sip of his drink.
"Uncle, take his concern seriously!" Elincia begged.
"I will cautious, your highness." He then noticed Samus approaching them. "Lady Samus."
"Samus…" Krystal hugged her friend and though Samus felt a little down, she was trying her best not to dwell on the circumstances. "Say the word and we'll go clubbing. Though…we may not be as young as we used to, but I'm willing to get shit faced, emptying our stomachs, with a three day hangover drunk."
"That would probably kill us at our age." Samus chuckled. "You could however, help us out with a favor."
"Whatever you need." Krystal smiled. "Right Fox?" Before he could respond, Krystal had already answered for him. "See, he's on board."
"Uh-" He began to say, but Krystal kicked his leg and he winced in pain. "Yeah…sure…whatever you need…" Fox knelt down and rubbed his leg.
"Would you mind house sitting? We're going to fulfill Lilly's final request and…we can't leave our kingdom unattended."
"We understand. We'd love to stay here. It's like a summer home."
"Krystal has been talking about taking a vacation…we could stay here for a while." Fox nodded his head.
"Great. Thank you." Samus hugged her friends. Zelda came down and approached the queen.
"Samus, you need to pack." Zelda whispered.
"Someone has to stay here and mingle. Tell you what, how about you go back with Lady Rhea and everyone? You and the rest of the kids. I'll tell the people and I think robin has at least heard of Garreg Mach. Maybe she can make a portal there or maybe to Ylisstol and I can get a ride there." Samus stated.
"Thank you." Zelda kissed her wife once more and hugged Krystal and Fox.
"Zelda, I'm really sorry about your father. Daphnes was a good man."
"He's with mother now…" Zelda closed her eyes and gave a shuddered exhale. "I'm trying really hard not to dwell on it."
"We'll spruce up the home a little. It'll be almost brand new. Well, as brand new as a castle like this can be."
"Do whatever you wish, Krystal. Fox…please ensure Krystal doesn't get carried away. I'm trusting you in Hyrule's care."
"Hey…I can clean up after myself." Krystal protested with a smile. Zelda raised an eyebrow. "…m-most of the time…"
"I'll keep her in line." Fox smiled and nodded his head. Zelda returned to her children and the group walked up to Rhea.
"Um…L-Lady Rhea…"
"Are you ready?" She asked. "Very well. We'll be off." She led the family towards the front door and outside. Manuela was attempting to flirt with another member of the laguz tribe named Maurim. However he didn't seem to be interested in the woman.
"Ya know…a man like you…and a gal like me…"
"I do not know, strange woman." Maurim replied with confusion. "Please leave me alone."
"Ya don't mean that…" She slurred and nearly fell over.
"Manuela, pull yourself together!" Rhea sternly spoke to the woman. She gasped and turned around.
"Rhea…heeeeeeyyyyyy…"
"You are in serious trouble when we return." Rhea folded her arms.
"Lady Rhea…please do not punish her. She is attempting to loosen up. She's doing what I wish I could."
"Consume so much alcohol that you are totally inebriated?" Zelda looked away for a moment.
"If I could, I certainly would." Zelda admitted. Rhea sighed before nodding her head.
"Very well." She looked around for Zelda's family. "Is your family not coming?"
"Samus will see to our guests. The children are getting ready." Zelda explained. "Is…are there certain customs I must know prior to visiting the monastery?"
"Be yourself and try not to indulge in alcohol." Rhea smiled as the children all reported outside to the queen of Hyrule.
"All set." Jackson said. "I think we're good."
"Totally ready for some quality family bonding time." Alexander smiled.
"I am looking forward to visiting a new world with my w-wife." Virginia blushed and grinned with excitement.
"We're not married yet." Serena kissed her fiancé. "But I'm excited too."
"Sam…" Marcus put an arm around the firstborn's waist. Samantha moved closer and her cheeks turned rosy pink.
"As long as you're with me…that's all I need." Samantha replied and received a kiss from her husband. The other students and professors from Fódlan met up with the archbishop.
"That was the best cake I have ever had." Lysithea beamed.
"Lysithea…I do hope you remember why we were asked to attend. This wasn't a vacation for us." Mercedes scolded the younger woman. "This was a funeral. Not some kind of tea party."
"Mercedes, it's fine." Zelda put on the best smile she could. "I'm happy that she enjoyed herself. Father never did like attention anyway. He always preferred to be away from the spotlight." Seteth returned with Flayn and Ferdinand.
"Your highness, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with my late aunt. I only wish I knew more of what she was like."
"I would be more than happy to regale you with tales of her raising me." Zelda seemed genuinely satisfied. "I have many wonderful tales and-" She paused for a minute. "Wait one minute. Samantha, run inside and get the photo album." Samantha nodded and quickly went back in the castle and returned with a semi-large photo album. The cover was a light pink with white lace around it. "I also grabbed this." Samantha handed Lilly's urn to her mother.
"That's the one." Zelda smiled wither tears forming in her eyes; recalling the memories once more of her and Lilly. "Sorry, Lilly." She whispered to the urn.
"Is that everyone? Let's get going." Rhea waved a hand and created a giant portal for all of them to walk through. Once they all had passed through, the other side was unlike anything they had seen before.
"Ho…" Alexander said while looking at the buildings. "This place is huge…"
"Yeah…it's incredible." Alexander smiled.
"Chiko!" A voice chirped while the others looked around.
"Was that you?" Samantha asked her sister. Virginia shook her head.
"No, that-" She looked horrified as she noticed her pokémon had all followed her through the gates. The six pets from Hyrule, plus her traveling companions all followed them through the portal. "Rita!" Virginia yelled out and ran after the grass pokémon.
"Wait up!" Serena called out and chased after her with braixen and pancham in tow.
"So, what are we-"
"HEADS UP!" Someone yelled. Samantha turned to see a few arrows flying in her direction. She yelped and threw her hands up and created a barrier that blocked all the arrows from hitting her or the others.
"You know magic?" Rhea questioned the firstborn.
"She's learning. It is my hope to teach her how to control it. She and her sister possess two pieces of the triforce. Samantha has wisdom and Virginia, courage." A blue haired woman that Zelda recognized as Shamir ran up to the group.
"Lady Rhea…I…I didn't know you were here. Sorry."
"It is not your fault, Shamir. We created our portal here this morning, I should have assumed that the students would partake in archery upon our return. It is I who should apologize."
"Is everyone safe?" Seteth asked and checked on the group.
"My hero!" Manuela draped her arms around Seteth and tried to kiss the man. Shamir placed a hand against her head and shook it in disapproval.
"Manuela's at it again, I see…" She sighed.
"Seteth, Flayn…please bring Manuela to the medical wing and…try your best to lull her into sleep." The tow nodded and escorted the professor away.
"Mom, Aunt Krystal said you were really good with a bow and arrow. How about a demonstration? Show the Fódlan…ers what Hylians can do." Samantha suggested.
"I don't know…" Zelda gulped hard and looked away. "Samantha, there's a lot on my mind and-" Samantha quietly began clucking like a chicken and tempting her mother. Zelda was unable to keep a serious face and she smiled at her daughter.
"Really?" She asked with a big grin. "Alright, fine. Do you have a spare bow and arrow?"
"Yeah, we have plenty." Shamir motioned for them to follow her and she returned to the children.
"Alright kids, we have a special guest here. This is Queen Zelda. She is the ruler of a kingdom known as…uh…Hy…rule?" She asked.
"Correct." Samantha replied while Zelda looked for a bow.
"I don't see a spare…" Zelda quietly said as she looked around.
"You can have mine." A young woman offered. She wore a red dress and hair like red wine. Her eyes were soft and her smile was beautiful.
"Thank you." Zelda took the bow and arrows from the woman. "May I ask your name?"
"Dorothea." She replied.
"Dorothea…what a gorgeous name." She turned away from the students and aimed her bow towards the targets before lowering the bow. "How far are we?"
"Fifty yards." Shamir responded. Zelda knelt down to pull up some grass and watched the wind carry it away.
"A decent breeze to the…is that south…southeast?" Zelda pondered to herself before grabbing an arrow.
"Don't miss, mom." Zelda turned to her daughter and smirked.
"How about we make things interesting?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"I hit the bull's-eye, you give a foot massage to one of these students."
"What?!" Dorothea exclaimed before chortling. "You couldn't…a princess shouldn't-"
"In Hyrule, we don't follow rules. My parents and I spend an entire day once a month with the commoners. A good member of royalty must treat their citizens like kings and queens and treat other royals like family."
"R-really?" She nervously asked with a small smile. "I've never heard that before."
"You ever come to Hyrule, we'll show you. Our kingdom is pretty open to the people."
"It sounds like a paradise." Dorothea said in a dream-like state.
"So what happens if you miss?" Samantha asked.
"I'll give a massage."
"Deal." Samantha laughed.
"What's so funny?" Dorothea asked.
"Watch this." She smiled and Zelda aimed down sight. After a few moments she let the arrow go and they heard a thunk. Shamir looked with a pair of binoculars and slowly looked back at the queen.
"Bernadette, give me your bow. Two hundred yards, let's back up." Shamir ordered the queen and the students backed up.
"Shall we make the same wager?" Zelda asked.
"What happens if we both hit the bull's-eye?"
"Then we both fulfill the task."
"Sounds good." Shamir pulled her bow back and aimed. She let go and saw through the binoculars that she had it her mark. "Alright. You can tie or lose."
"I am looking forward to speaking with the students." Zelda aimed her bow. She let go and it sailed through the air and then…
THWACK!
Her arrow his ever so slightly to the left of the previous one.
"Holy shit…" Shamir stated quietly under her breath.
"Lady Rhea, is there any place nearby where I may acquire lotion. Preferably something with eucalyptus or perhaps lavender?"
"I'll get it." Samantha offered.
"You will need a guide." Rhea informed the firstborn. "Unless you know where the greenhouse is?" Rhea teased the young woman. Samantha stared at her blankly and didn't know where anything was. "I am merely joking, your highness. Please do not take offence. Dorothea, would you mind?"
"Not at all." Dorothea chirped and began walking. "Please follow me, your highness." As the two began walking, when they got out of earshot of the archbishop and the queen Samantha turned to her guide.
"Hey…um…Dorothea."
"Mmm?" She turned her head towards the princess.
"I know that Lady Rhea refers to me as your highness, but I'm seriously not that formal. You can just call me Sam."
"Sam? But…that sounds so…basic. It's not right for a commoner to refer to a member of royalty as-"
"Seriously, we're not as formal as you think. We're getting lotion so my mom and I can massage and clean your feet."
"I…you mean, of the other nobles. I'm not a noble…I'm a commoner."
"Then you're first on my list. We do this all the time back home."
"Really?" Dorothea questioned the princess with a heavy sense of doubt.
"Yeah. I think we visit the people twice a month now. Mom goes down, talks to people, plays games with them, lets them braid her hair, she'll sometimes do their hair, she gives them manicures, pedicures, washes their feet, back massages, and she raised us to do the same."
"Wow…" Dorothea smiled at her statement.
"A noble and a farmer deserve equal respect." Samantha stated. "Mom told us that when we were growing up. So, yeah. I'll clean your feet first." She cracked her knuckles.
"You people are unlike anyone I have ever met." She lightly laughed and entered the greenhouse.
"Miss Dorothea!" A woman exclaimed with joy. "What can I help you with?"
"We need a couple bottles of lotion. Enough for…oh, I don't know…all the students? Something with a scent. Lavender or rosemary, if it's not too much trouble."
"Not at all." The woman left to retrieve the bottles.
"You really don't mind?" Dorothea asked. "I you didn't want to…provide those services to me, I understand."
"Dorothea, everything's fine. Don't worry about it. You're getting a foot massage. I'm pretty good…at least, I think I'm pretty good." Dorothea became giddy with excitement as the woman returned to the duo.
"Shall I call Raphael to assist? These crates are quite heavy." The woman warned.
"Is he around? I can get one." Samantha insisted.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm a lot stronger than I look." Samantha smiled confidently.
"Raphael!" The woman called and this man with bulging muscles walked up to the woman. His clothes were barely holding together by how big his muscles were. His hair was a messy golden blonde, and his skin was a light pink.
"Yes?" He asked with a smile.
"Dorothea and her friend need help with these crates. Would you mind?"
"Not at all!" He replied and picked up one crate. "I'll come back for the other one."
"No need, I got it." Samantha took a deep breath and lifted the crate. There were six massive jugs per crate, yet Samantha and Raphael were able to move it with ease. They carried them back to the group and carefully set them down.
"You're pretty strong. You know, there's this thing that Felix keeps talking about. Maybe you should try out." Before Samantha could respond, Dorothea groaned.
"Raphael, do not talk about that stupid, barbaric fight competition. It's foolish and silly…" She shook her head in disapproval.
"What competition?" Samantha asked while her husband gently grabbed her waist from behind. Samantha yelped and turned around and hit her husband. "You're such a jerk." She smiled and he laughed.
"You love it." He smirked at his wife.
"I do." She kissed him and giggled.
"It's this dumb…thing. It's known as the tournament. It's…what are the rules?" She grumbled trying to recall the rules.
"Thirty two competitors enter, one wins, one on one matches and the goal is to try and knock your opponent off or knock them out or get them to submit. How am I doing?" Marcus spoke up. Dorothea stared at him in disbelief.
"Y-yes…that…that's exactly it. How did you know?"
"We're both champions of that same tournament. In fact, her mom is a two time champion and her other mother is a five time champion." Marcus explained. Dorothea blinked and stared at the two of them in disbelief.
"Felix is going to lose his mind." Dorothea chuckled as they approached the group once more. A woman with purple hair ran towards them and squealed with excitement.
"Dorothea! Did you see them?" She exclaimed. "Look! Look at this cute little fox."
"Vul!" Samantha's vulpix chirped in the woman's arms.
"She's so cuuuuuuuuute!" She nuzzled against her fur.
"Pixie. Come here, girl." Samantha made a kissing sound and while in her grip, Pixie managed to squirm free and sit in front of the princess.
"Is that your pet?"
"Yup. We have six…and if we count the four that my sister brought, we have ten friends here. Along with my family, of course." Samantha picked the red fox up and Pixie licked her cheek. "You like it here, Pixie?" She happily cheered once more and a smaller mouse ran over to Marcus.
"Hey Sparky." Marcus knelt down and rubbed his head. The purple haired girl squealed again.
"That little mouse is so cute!" She picked him up and nuzzled his cheek.
"Please don't." Marcus cautiously told the woman. "Sparky doesn't like new people. He tends to-" Sparky began to electrocute the woman. She exclaimed in surprise, but his power wasn't fatal. She was about to drop the small mouse, but Marcus caught him as she keeled over.
"Bernie!" Dorothea cried out and rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"
"Y-yes…" She whined. "He's mean."
"You're the one picking up strange animals." Dorothea shook her head. "Look, Bernie…we're getting manicures. Let's go." Dorothea picked up the girl and walked to a set of steps. She set the girl down and removed her shoes before taking off her own.
"Is that the lotion?" Zelda asked. "Excellent. So, I suppose…who should be first? Alexander, Jackson…"
"We're giving massages." Alexander smiled. "Ten bucks per massage."
"Alexander!" Zelda glared at her son with a smirk. She knew they were only having fun and they weren't serious about charging anyone.
"It's a joke, mom. Relax…" Alexander reassured his mother.
"It's twenty bucks." Jackson added with a smile. The boys, along with their mother laughed and she turned her attention to the other students.
"I…we…" Virginia grabbed her fiancé's hand. "We can provide tea or…um…what have you."
"Shamir, would you grab two tea sets from the dining hall?" Rhea requested.
"At once." Shamir bowed and took off towards the dining hall.
"Who is first?" Zelda took off her own shoes and flicked her wrist with her hand. A young woman raised her hand and sat on the steps next to Bernie. The lotion from one of the jars slowly exited from the top and made itself into a small ball in front of the queen. She lowered her hand and the lotions sank into the female's foot.
"Woah…" She gasped at her magic.
"Samantha, your turn." Samantha tried to harness the magic, but nothing seemed to happen.
'You're not trying hard enough.' Nayru chimed in.
Shut up. I am trying!" Samantha quipped and strained her fingers, but nothing happened.
"Are we…what's supposed to be happening?" Dorothea asked. Samantha sighed and walked over to the jug to gather lotion manually.
"Samantha, don't feel bad. It takes time to master." Zelda opened and closed her palm and the lotion on the young woman's feet began moving all on its own. "What is your name?" Zelda asked.
"M-Me?" The purple haired girl questioned as Zelda nodded.
"If I am offering free foot massages, the least I ask for in return is your names." Zelda told her in a calm manner.
"Uh…B-Bernie. Well, actually, it's B-Bernadetta von V-Varley." She nervously spoke while Zelda began massaging her feet.
"Bernadetta…quite a pretty name." Zelda smiled. "Do you know who I am?"
"Her servant?" She pointed to Samantha.
"Servant?!" Virginia began laughing while she played with Aqua and Vivi. "My mother? A servant?"
"Mother?!" Bernadetta exclaimed. "I…I'm so, so, sorry!"
"Worry not, child. I know you meant no harm." Zelda smiled. "You never told me your name, dear." She glanced over at the young woman sitting next to Bernadetta.
"Ingrid." The young blonde woman said. "Ingrid Brandl Galatea."
"What a noble name. Is everyone here from a noble family?"
"Not…not everyone." Dorothea's face blushed red with embarrassment. "I am Dorothea Arnault. You don't have to massage my feet. It's probably best if you didn't." Samantha knelt down and began applying lotion to Dorothea's feet.
"Nonsense!" Zelda dismissed the woman's suggestion. "Our family does this all the time. Whether one is rich or poor, a true heir to nobility will assist all people. Regardless of their title."
"Lorenz would do well to learn that." Ingrid replied while she closed her eyes and sighed with content. Shamir returned with two tea sets and quickly set them up for the two women.
"Do you want to make the tea or fetch the water?" Virginia asked.
"I'll get the water. Can't have you working too hard, your highness." Serena bowed with an over-the-top gesture and Virginia smiled.
"You're so mean…" She smirked.
"There should be some buckets by the docks." Shamir added and Serena left in the direction Shamir was pointing in.
"So, you make tea?" A young man asked.
"Yes. But I actually overlook at the health and status of wild pokémon." Virginia explained.
"…what?" The young man pushed his glasses up onto his face.
"My friends here…" She gestured to the other pokémon and looked back at the man. "They are called pokémon. They are unique to certain regions far from here. I used to work for an organization that would provide services to ensure the well-being and safety of wild creatures as well as a safe haven for those who became injured or are unable to return to the wild."
"That's incredible." The man smiled. "Uh-I'm sorry. My name is Ignatz Victor."
"Virginia. Virginia Hyrule." She smiled and Aqua walked over to him. "Aqua, be nice…" Aqua sniffed the man and Virginia took his hand. "Just be gentle." She led his hand to her back and he began petting the aquatic pokémon.
"Wow…" He smiled while continuing to pet her.
"She's the young of her siblings." Virginia smiled while Serena returned with two buckets of water.
"Are we going to be able to meet everyone today?" Marcus asked.
"Most likely, no. Most students are off doing other things. Studying, practicing with training weapons, or free time." Rhea explained. "I will call an assembly tomorrow. You all can meet each house and their leaders at once." Rhea smiled.
"So…Lady Rhea…care for a massage?"
"I really shouldn't."
"Lady Rhea, if anyone deserves a back massage, it's you." Shamir stated. "I'll get one if you do."
"Very well." Rhea moved her arms horizontally to make what looked like two tables for her and Shamir to lie on.
"You know magic, too?" Alexander asked.
"Of course. I'm not just your average archbishop, you know." She smiled. And the two women removed their shirts; leaving only their bras on.
"Jackson, Alexander…" Zelda warned. "I expect professionalism from both of you. Your actions reflect directly upon Hyrule."
"We got it, mom." Jackson reassured her and the two of them began relieving stress to the women's backs.
"Oh, fuuuhhh…"Shamir's eyes rolled back as Jackson began massaging one of her pressure points; relieving the tension built up and quickly working his way around her shoulders. Jackson looked too nervous to massage the woman.
"You alright, Alex?" Marcus asked with concern.
"Yeah, yeah I just…" He gulped hard. "She…uh…I've never…"
"Massaged a woman? Here, I got you, bro." Alexander hung his head like he wasn't good for anything. "Alex, don't feel bad. You can always contribute another way…you're a music guy, right? Maybe someone knows if there's some kind of guitar or something you can play. Something simple and easy for us to relax to."
"There's a guitar and a ukulele in our classroom." Ingrid informed the young prince. "Head around the corner, turn right and turn right again. The room with the blue walls…that's my classroom. Tell them Ingrid is looking for whatever instrument you want." Alexander nodded his head and left to retrieve something.
"What's Hyrule like? If this is how the royal family treats their people, I imagine everyone loves you." Ingrid smiled while Zelda began applying lotion to Bernadetta's feet.
"I visit them twice a month and spend the entire day with them. They talk about their day, or share a bit of gossip they've heard…some of the children will braid or design our hair and we'll do the same for them. Overall, I try to get a feel for how they are feeling. Instead of having them come to me within my castle, I'll go to them and treat them as they treat me."
"You sound like a wonderful queen."
"Thank you." Zelda beamed with pride as she turned to her kids. Virginia finished boiling the first pot and served the young man she was speaking to first. Before pouring the tea into other cups and setting it on a plate.
"It's perfect!" Ignatz remarked. "What's in it?"
"It's nothing special. Green tea with a bit of lemon, honey, and ginseng." Virginia casually stated.
"Raphael, you must try this." The man took a seat next to Ignatz and Virginia shook out of fear.
"U-u-u-um…" She held out another cup that was shaking from being in his presence. "h-h-here you g-g-go…"
"Are you alright?" Raphael asked.
"I think she's scared of you." Ignatz informed the man. "You don't need to worry. Raphael is a gentle giant. The only things he enjoys are eating and working out."
"Speaking of food, you have any grub? I'm starving." He rubbed his stomach and took a sip of the tea. "Huh." He nodded his head.
"Isn't it great?" Ignatz asked.
"It's alright."
"Just alright?!" Ignatz exclaimed. "It's exquisite and well made."
"Ignatz, you're forgetting that I don't drink a lot of tea. I don't have the…uh…what's that fancy word? It's like, how people taste things and describe different flavors."
"Taste buds?" Virginia asked.
"I believe he is referring to a palette." Ingrid remarked while waiting for the lotion to soak into her skin.
"Yeah! That's the word! Thanks, Ingrid!" Raphael smiled. Ingrid nodded her head and closed her eyes to relax once more while Zelda continued massaging Bernadetta's feet. Samantha was finishing up with Dorothea's feet and looking around to help someone else.
"Even so…don't be upset, lady. I'm just not cut out for fancy tea drinking." Virginia appreciated his honestly and she smiled.
"It's alright." She replied with a smile. "Um…wh-what is…ah…your name?"
"Oh…right. I forgot. Sorry." He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "I'm Raphael Kirsten." Virginia smiled feeling more comfortable around the two men she was sharing tea with.
"A little lower…little lower…little…yeah…" Shamir closed her eyes and smiled. "That's…wow…" Shamir was completely relaxed while Jackson was alleviating her stress from her back.
"So Lady Rhea…is this, like your castle or something?" Jackson asked while working on Shamir's back.
"It's the stronghold for the Church of Seiros. I'm…guh…" She sharply exhaled while Marcus massaged her back. "The archbishop." She finished her thought. "And you are Marcus, I believe."
"Correct." Marcus nodded his head. "The leader of team Star Fox and the son of Fox and Krystal McCloud."
"And what is…ooh…could I ask you to work the-ah…that's it. Right there." He massaged her shoulder blades and was starting to relax. "…what is Star Fox?"
"We're like a mercenary group. Bad guys who the military or the police are too scared to chase after. They'll pay us to hunt them down or bring them in. We're pretty successful and so far, we haven't ever failed a mission. I hope we can keep that streak going."
"Are you…" She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. "…laguz? I believe that is the correct term."
"I am not. I am from the Lylat System. It's like the milky way in every way, but everyone is a type of animal." He explained.
"You and Samantha…you are fortunate to find one another." Rhea sighed with content, but noted that Marcus' pressure lightened a little bit. "Something wrong?"
"I haven't spent a whole lot of time with her since this whole thing happened…I just miss being with her…" Marcus shook his head. "I…sorry. I shouldn't be complaining about my personal problems." He reapplied pressure and continued massaging the archbishop.
"But you're married. Haven't you spent time with her before?" Rhea questioned him.
"We have, but lately…we have the same goals, but due to…shall we say…unfortunate circumstances…we haven't really had time to try and achieve them."
"May I ask…" She lightly groaned before smiling as Marcus was still massaging her back. "…what these goals may be?"
"We want children. Sam's been asking me for a while now, and something always comes up. Last time I wanted to ask, we were having a picnic. And then, this vile pig named Pigma showed up, I was taken away, and now Lilly's gone…it just…we'll never have a chance to-"
"What if I could provide you with an opportunity?" Rhea asked.
"Lady Rhea, I couldn't ask you to do that. I'm already embarrassed that I've gone this far into-"
"Samantha!" Rhea sat up and called for the firstborn. "Are you almost finished over there?"
"Yes, just a moment." She finished massaging Dorothea's feet and looked around. "We're missing nail polish." She said to her mother. Zelda frowned for a moment before smiling.
"I have an idea." Both Zelda's pointer fingers glowed purple as she drew a small triangle with both hands. She then placed her fingers inside said triangle and pulled like it was made of rubber. The triangle grew and it was a small portal. The other side was of Zelda's bathroom in front of a drawer.
"There should be a dozen colors or so. Can you grab them?" Zelda asked while continuing to massage Bernadetta's feet. Samantha reached through and pulled the drawer open. She picked out every color her mother had of nail polish and set them on the ground next to her.
"Maybe you shouldn't teach me magic. I can't harness anything…I can't use it…it's not worth the effort." Samantha hung her head.
"Samantha, don't be ridiculous. It won't happen right away. I shouldn't have asked you to try and master it. That is my fault, and I apologize for that. We'll work on it soon. Now go see what Lady Rhea needs. I can handle this." Zelda waved her daughter away and Samantha looked up at Dorothea.
"I'm sorry I can't stay."
"Don't be. My feet feel wonderful." Dorothea smiled. "I'll have to repay you someday."
"You really don't need to. I'm happy to-"
"Sam, I wasn't really asking." She batted her eyes and gave the cutest smile to the princess. "Go speak with Lady Rhea. I'll come up with something." Samantha stood up and walked over to Rhea. Marcus' face was beet red but he continued massaging the archbishop.
"Yes?"
"It has been brought to my attention that you and Marcus have a common goal that you've been unable to fulfill." Samantha looked at her husband with confusion. Marcus looked embarrassed as Rhea sat up and continued. "What if I were to provide you with an opportunity to achieve your goal?"
"What goal?" Samantha asked.
"You…you know the one. We've never been able to-"
"That?" Samantha gulped hard. "Marcus…what if we're not ready? What if we're horrible parents?"
"We're going to be great." Marcus insisted. "You're a loving person with a giant heart. And I…well, I've been brushing up on my dad jokes. I've got some good ones."
"Have you?"
I tried to catch fog the other day…mist." He smirked. Samantha was trying her best not to laugh.
"I hate you so much right now." Shamir responded while Jackson finished massaging the woman. Samantha began chuckling which turned into full blown laughter.
"Who's next?" Jackson asked.
"Five more minutes." Shamir insisted.
"You're supposed to be massaging people like the rest of us." Jackson remarked. Two individuals approached the group.
"Lady Rhea! Shamir! I wanted to let you know that I have polished the four statues. Is there any other-"
"Cyril! Excellent timing!" Rhea complimented the young man. He had mocha colored skin and black messy hair. "Can you do something for me?"
"Anything for you, Lady Rhea." The boy smiled at the woman.
"Can you escort these two to the guest house just beyond the market? Inform the receptionist that I have given them permission to stay the next few nights."
"At once!" He turned around and led Marcus and Samantha towards the market.
"We're really going to do this…" Samantha smiled and squeezed her husband's hand.
"Together." Marcus smiled as they followed the young man towards the marketplace.