Chapter 12 - What Once Was
If the throne room of Hyrule Palace was half as elaborate as that of Zora's Domain, it was beyond imagination.
Esair led Link and Zelda to a rectangular chamber with quite a few things to marvel over, the first being the floor. Most of it was marble and designed in blue and white diamond patterns. But at the center was a walkway constructed of a durable glass paneling through which a pond filled with colorful carp was visible. From white to gold, red to blue, each was just as beautiful as the last, and along the right and left sides of their pond were openings through which they could be fed.
A number of Zora were now crouched by the edges, some of them reaching in to pet the fish as they passed, and their throne room dwelling wasn't the only part of the room Link and Zelda admired.
As Esair led them across the aquatic walkway, they both realized a reflection of water was shining on the floor. Looking up to find out why, they noticed portions of the domed ceiling was constructed of glass through which Lake Hylia was visible, proving the throne room was underwater.
It was almost too much to take in without stopping, but the Hylians managed to keep their pace with Esair, and soon turned their gazes to Queen Majalyn. Seated upon an elevated throne constructed of shells with a back carved in the shape of a spiked dorsal fin, she radiated elegance.
Majalyn's pale blue skin possessed a faint pink sheen in the light cast by the blue fires burning in various scones around the room. Spiked fins flared out on her arms and hips, as well as one across the top of her head identical to what the statues in the harbor possessed, proving they were depictions of the Zora's ruler.
Yet the real thing had a much kinder face, a confidence in her deep blue eyes that suggested she was a capable leader but also merciful, and the moment she spotted the Hylians, a smile curved her lips.
As they reached the landing of the steps leading up to her throne, Esair gave a respectful bow, then took a place off to the side of the room to allow the three of them to talk. In turn, the Queen provided them the same warm welcome Esair had when they first arrived.
"Welcome to Zora's Domain. I am Queen Majalyn, and Esair tells me your names are Link and Zelda."
"They are," Zelda confirmed, offering the royal Zora a bow along with Link before she qualified, "and we're both honored to meet you, Your Highness."
Still smiling, Majalyn stood from the throne to a height that matched Esair's and took the steps down to the landing where she related, "I thank you, and am also pleased to meet you. But though Esair has told me your names, he has yet to inform me of your reason for visiting our home."
Standing straight from his bow, Link didn't hesitate to qualify, "The Sage Myriad sent us here to request your assistance with entering the Temple of Water."
His comment had Majalyn tilting her head as if it was the last thing she'd expected him to say. Following the movement, she glanced at Zelda, and when she noticed her amulet, the Zora Queen slowly reached out to lift it.
Turning it over to see the royal symbol etched on the back, she appeared to be enlightened over Zelda's identity, releasing the amulet with a comment that confirmed their suspicions.
"Princess Zelda, we've been awaiting your arrival for quite some time now. Our peoples were once close, but knowing what we do of Hyrule's current leadership, we've withdrawn until such a time that peace returns to the land. When it does, I would like to request that we convene to reestablish our former accords."
Despite being unaccustomed to dealing with tasks of diplomacy in any official capacity, Zelda felt a sense of responsibility to oblige the request. As far as she knew, Majalyn was right, and the Zora once had a peaceful relationship with Hyrule during her parents' reign.
So she didn't hesitate to respond, "Once our problems are solved, I would love nothing more than to do so, Your Highness. Aside from being eager to establish peace wherever possible, it would also give me a chance to visit the lake again."
Letting a soft laugh, Majalyn replied, "I'm pleased to hear you enjoy it so. Your mother was fond of Lake Hylia as well, though I understand you were taken from your parents as a baby to be raised in safety from those threatening the crown, correct?"
"Yes," she confirmed.
Nodding, Majalyn added, "This being the case, you'll have a few adjustments to make once you're wearing the crown yourself, but if your desire for peace is earnest, you'll do well, particularly if the company you keep is honest and compassionate."
With that said, she turned her gaze to Link, asking, "And you are the other sent away with the Princess in order to save your own life?"
"I am," Link confirmed respectfully.
Smiling, she waved a hand between them and related, "You said Myriad sent you for our assistance, and her name is well known to us, though we sadly never met her in person before she disappeared. Still, word of her wisdom was widespread, and it earned our admiration. So I will of course aid you in entering the Temple, but first, we have something to return to you, as well as a few matters to discuss."
Lifting her finned arm, she waved her fingers at a female Zora nearby, and the servant instantly approached them with an item wrapped in cloth clutched in her fingers. Once she reached Link's side, she unwrapped it and presented him with Lyonel's flute, explaining, "You dropped this when you fell into the water, and we recovered it before it could be lost and brought it to the Queen."
Seeing the enchanted instrument had a wash of relief passing over him, and he took the item with a sincere, "Thank you very much. This isn't officially mine, so it's good to know I can now return it to the owner."
As the servant nodded her head in acknowledgment of his gratitude, Majalyn inquired curiously, "Who gave it to you?"
"A friend of ours named Lyonel. We met him not long ago, and he let me borrow this to help on our journey."
"Lyonel?" the Queen asked knowingly, adding, "Myriad's mate?"
"Yes," Zelda confirmed. "Do you know him?"
"We do, and we thought for certain he'd been killed the night Dragmire took the throne from the King and Queen."
Zelda shook her head, qualifying, "No, he survived, though he was injured in a manner that probably made it appear he'd been killed. He always wears a hood now to cover his facial scars."
"I see," Majalyn returned with a nod. "That does sound feasible as he had no scars when our people knew him. But it is good to hear that he is actually still among us, and considering his unwavering loyalty to your parents, I can only assume he would've gone into hiding due to his allegiances."
"That's precisely what he told us he did," Zelda confirmed.
Nodding, Majalyn turned to ascend the stairs once more and take her seat upon the throne. Once there, she asked the Hylians, "Do you know where that flute came from originally?"
"Lyonel only said it was an enchanted heirloom, but he didn't explain further," Link qualified.
"Yes," Majalyn confirmed with a warm smile. "It was originally crafted by a man who used to sing for us regularly, and his talent was unmatched. His voice always expressed the emotion within his soul, yet he used no magic to enhance the sound or give himself an edge. Naturally, he made his living off of his talents, but one day, he contracted an illness which claimed his voice for good.
"So he decided to carve a flute to play and requested for us to enchant it to express the same depth of emotion he could achieve with his voice, among other things. The reason was that he'd never actually learned how to play an instrument properly, and that is the flute you now hold. Eventually, he gave it to his daughter, though we lost touch with her after his death. It wasn't until we met Lyonel that we learned the flute's fate."
Gazing down at the instrument clutched in his hand, Link wondered if Lyonel's grandmother was the daughter, or perhaps his mother, deciding he'd probably have to ask Lyonel to find out. Saying he's actually fine and Arden didn't defeat him.
Unwilling to let himself be caught up in worry over the former soldier's fate while standing in the Zora's throne room, Link pushed the thought aside to ask Majalyn something equally as important.
"Would you like to have this flute back?"
"Not at all," she answered with a shake of her head, adding, "but I would like to ask if you might play it for us sometime."
Link exchanged a look with Zelda, then rubbed the back of his neck and admitted, "I'm not much of a musician. I mean I know this flute is enchanted, but you might find something more interesting from someone who's actually got experience performing for a crowd."
Smiling, Majalyn qualified, "It is not your musical talent we're interested in, but rather yourself, as you are. Playing for us would provide the opportunity to know you. Lyonel performed for us on several occasions as well."
It was surprising to hear that Lyonel had performed if only because he didn't appreciate standing out in a crowd. Still, these performances would've been given quite a long time ago, before things had grown so dire in Hyrule, so perhaps Lyonel had been a different person.
Yet he hesitated to agree, remarking, "I don't know how interesting I could possibly be to listen to, Your Highness."
"You are the Hero of Legend, Link," Majalyn countered. "To have the chance to know you would be an honor none of us would wish to pass up."
Understanding her reasoning better now despite refusing to believe there was anything special about himself, Link finally agreed. "Since you put it that way, I can't refuse."
"Splendid!" Majalyn returned with a smile, obviously delighted by his accord.
Happy to see her so pleased, Zelda smiled, though she found herself curious to know how Majalyn was so well informed, inquiring, "Your Majesty, might I ask how you know so much of us already? Is it because of Lyonel?"
"In part. He told us many things, and we have also been given numerous visions of meeting you both. Without going into detail, your claim that Myriad sent you is what proved to me precisely who you are, and that aside, I also knew your mother and father well, Princess Zelda. They weren't just the King and Queen to me, but good friends, and you're the vision of Nissandra when she was your age."
Unable to help herself, Zelda stepped forward and asked, "Could you tell me anything of them?"
"Of course, and I would have to start by saying that once they learned you were soon to arrive, they were overjoyed. In fact, the further along Nissandra came while carrying you, the more she believed she was going to have a girl, so much so that she commissioned a circlet for you to wear as Princess, one she encrusted with a Zora sapphire."
Hearing this, tears welled in Zelda's eyes. She had to take a breath to ward off the swell of emotion, wishing she could have known her parents so badly it hurt.
As she fought for composure, the Zora Queen thoughtfully mused, "It was just after she gave birth that we lost contact, though relations between our people remained good for a time. Yet it gradually became evident that things were changing, and a visit from Lyonel informed us of why. He related the affair of manipulation and child swapping, and warned us to withdraw from Hyrule's lands as well as to protect the domain until the Princess re-emerged. We were powerless to help in any event, so we heeded his advice."
Somehow, as she spoke, Link couldn't help thinking about Dragmire and how he would've needed to enter the Temple of Water in order to establish his dark orb and gain its power. Perhaps that was why the Zora were unable to offer much help, but whatever the case, the notion of Dragmire actually entering the temple had a curious thought coming to mind.
"Queen Majalyn," he started, requesting, "tell me about the Water Temple. Has it always been completely submerged?"
"No," she confirmed, explaining, "it once stood above Lake Hylia on an island many years ago. But the dark mage Dragmire deceived us and sank the entire island in order to prevent anyone from entering and undoing what he had done. Some of our own people have tried, yet we cannot break the spell he's placed upon the temple's power, and without that power, we are much more vulnerable to attack. This is why we could not aid your family, Princess Zelda."
The Hylians exchanged a knowing look before Link asked, "How were you deceived?"
Though Majalyn's demeanor had been warm and cordial, the question put a somber look on her face as she related, "My twin sister, Majastra, was the Sage of Water, and before Dragmire became a dark mage, he was a wizard on the court of Hyrule's Magic Council named Druno. One day, Druno came bearing false news that the Kingdom of Althor was coveting the power of the Water Temple—my sister's power—and that he'd foreseen an attack.
"Considering Althor is a seafaring nation, and he was a trusted Royal Councilman, we had no reason to doubt his claims. So my sister accompanied him to the Temple of Water and was killed. Druno returned saying he'd found evidence of malicious magics within the temple, and sealed it off, then sank it to prevent that magic from spreading until he could research a way to counter the effects."
Looking down, she related more angrily, "But he never returned, and we learned later that the malicious magics were his doing. Druno killed my sister and stole her power for his own, then sealed us out of the temple's sanctum to prevent us from undoing the damage he'd caused."
Link couldn't help but feel a swell of both anger and sympathy for the sister Queen Majalyn had lost, and yet, he could barely focus on it. Instead, during her explanation, he found himself stepping to the side, feeling as if he'd taken a swift punch to the gut because of the name Druno. The story Nabooru told me of her lost son … .
As he had the thought, Zelda placed a hand on his shoulder and asked, "Link, are you alright?"
Looking up first at Zelda, and then Majalyn, he slowly nodded and confirmed, "Yes, and I'm sorry. I just had a thought about something concerning your story. So please continue, Your Majesty."
Majalyn regarded him curiously, but if she wanted to know more about his momentary distraction, she didn't comment on it. Instead, she concluded, "Very well. We know little of the methods Dragmire used to achieve his goals, but we do know he employed an orb of black magic to continually consume the temple's essence and we've yet to find a way to stop it, or even access the sanctum where it's locked away.
"Making matters worse, each year the temple grows more dangerous, plagued by monsters we've never encountered anywhere else in the lake. So we eventually barred the doors shut in the hopes of keeping it from spreading for as long as possible."
Knowing the reason they couldn't access the sanctum, Zelda immediately qualified, "The only way to unleash the temple's power and restore balance is if I go inside and break the seal so I can destroy the dark orb."
Hearing this, Majalyn seemed intrigued, asking, "How can you destroy it?"
"I'm sure you know all spells require a counter to be cast," Zelda started, explaining, "and we've learned from Myriad that Dragmire created his orbs with the stipulation that only a member of Hyrule's royal family could undo his work. This is likely because I wasn't yet part of the picture, and he believed my parents would never realize this, or by the time they did, they'd never make it far enough inside to destroy his orb."
Majalyn held the Princess' gaze for a thoughtful moment, musing more to herself than anyone else, "This is why we've continually failed." As if the statement fed her resolve to change the story, she cast a determined look in Esair's direction and gave him a silent nod.
Proving he understood her wordless decree, Esair provided a respectful bow and turned to depart as the Queen informed the Hylians, "I shall gift you with the necessary tools to enter the temple and restore it. Esair will have them ready in the harbor where your boat has been undergoing repairs. Thankfully, the damage was minimal, so it should be ready any time."
"Thank you so much, Your Highness," Zelda replied. "We only borrowed the boat, so it's good to hear it's being repaired."
Majalyn smiled, replying, "It was our fault, and I extend my apologies for the mishap. But go to our harbor now. If the boat isn't yet repaired, you may at least consult Esair over the proper usage of our tools in preparation of your quest."
"Sounds like a plan," Link replied, unable to help his informality after what he'd just learned from the Zora Queen over Druno's identity. Still, he held out his arm for Zelda to go first, hoping to hide his sour mood until they could be alone and he might explain to Zelda what he'd learned.
Yet, as he prepared to move in behind her so they could adjourn to the harbor, Majalyn asked, "Link?"
Turning to look back, he saw her waving a hand in silent invitation to come closer.
Having just reached the door, Zelda stopped, watching as Link ascended the steps to join the Queen and find out what she wanted, though she wasn't close enough to hear when Majalyn informed Link, "I'm sorry to delay you, but I have two requests to make before you go."
Curious, Link inquired, "What are those?"
"The first is that once you see Lyonel again, could you please tell him I'd appreciate having him visit us again whenever he has the time to spare."
"Done," Link agreed easily, having no trouble passing on the message—and he hoped he'd have the chance. But instead of dwelling on the possibility that he wouldn't, he inquired, "What's the other favor?"
At his question, Majalyn canted her head to regard Zelda over his shoulder, admitting, "I worry for Princess Zelda. She's so young, and has so many obstacles to face before she can gain a proper footing on the throne."
Casting her blue eyes back at Link, she added, "I also take it you two are close, and I speak from personal experience when I say it is good to have a friend on the same level when rising up to royalty. If it weren't for Esair, I would not be as secure in my crown as I am now, and Zelda will need someone who doesn't treat her as if her sole place is up on a pedestal. Someone like you. Otherwise she'll become quite lonely."
Link held Majalyn's gaze for a thoughtful moment, not that he had to make up his mind over whether or not to be Zelda's friend. Yet the Queen's request had him considering several things that went beyond their friendship, such as how he may have already put Zelda on a pedestal without meaning to—and the thought was bothersome.
The notion that she'd have no one to relate to didn't suit at all, and because of that, he took Majalyn's words to heart.
"I'll try to continue treating her as my friend, Your Highness. You have my word."
Smiling, Majalyn nodded. "I'm glad, and I normally wouldn't ask something so … personal. But knowing Princess Zelda wasn't raised as royalty concerns me for her emotional well being, and like you, I'm interested in seeing Hyrule returned to a capable leader, which she will become as long as she has a friend she can relate to."
Link couldn't help a smile, replying, "I'll remember that, Your Majesty, and thank you for your concern."
"You are welcome," she replied with a nod of her head. "Thank you as well, and be safe on your journey to the temple."
Still smiling, Link stood back and bowed low to the Zora Queen before turning to go.
Reaching Zelda only a moment later, she asked after they departed the throne room, "What was that about?"
"She just wanted to ask me to tell Lyonel to come see her again sometime."
"Oh?" Looking back at the doors, she qualified, "It seemed like you were up there longer than that."
Smiling as she turned a curious look to him, Link replied, "She also asked me to watch out for you because she wants to be certain you'll adapt to being royalty as easily as possible."
"I see," Zelda returned, flattered that the Zora Queen was so concerned for her well being. In fact, their entire conversation had been rather pleasant, and in thinking over it, Zelda thought it was safe to say she liked Queen Majalyn quite a bit.
Yet, as they took the steps into the vestibule, Link's thoughts took a different path, drifting back to Dragmire again and his identity as the father of Nabooru's lost son.
Ganondorf.
The mere thought of it was as shocking as it was sad, and he could no longer mask his feelings as they headed to the doors leading out to the docks. Zelda didn't miss his expression either, coming to an abrupt stop while grasping his arm the moment she noticed the dour look.
"Link, what's wrong?" The question reminded her of his reaction to Majalyn's story, and she promptly added, "Did something Majalyn mention about her sister bother you?"
Turning to face her with a solemn mien, he answered, "Yeah, the name Druno. I've heard it before, and I know it's the same person."
Confused, Zelda shook her head. "The same person? As who?"
Exhaling low, Link looked down and muttered, "He's the father of Nabooru's son … Ganondorf."
It only took Zelda a moment to add everything up, and the moment she did, her eyes widened in shock. "Nabooru is Ganondorf's mother? But … how is that possible?"
Groaning, Link related, "It's a long story, but Nabooru told me she met a man named Druno while visiting Hyrule Town for trade and conceived a child. By the time she found out, she'd returned to the Gerudo Valley, and Druno came to visit not long before she was due to give birth, but he wasn't the same man she remembered.
"He was curious about the way the Gerudo only have one boy every hundred years, and eventually tried to kidnap her for the child. Thankfully, he failed, and she eventually had a boy. But one night when her son was only a few months old, a sand storm came through the valley, and he was gone when Nabooru woke up."
Looking down, Link concluded, "That means Dragmire came to the valley to steal his son away from her, and named him Ganondorf."
"That's terrible," Zelda whispered, finding his expression matched her own feelings over the matter. Just how many people had been affected by the events Dragmire set into motion seventeen years ago? Even Ganondorf had been affected by them, a thought that prompted her to state, "If not for Dragmire, her son might've been a completely different person."
"I know," Link muttered, adding, "and none of this would change anything if you told him the truth. But the worst part is trying to figure out what to tell Nabooru. She still yearns to have her son back, and that's one of the reasons she became so fond of me. But I can't tell her that her son is twisted and evil now. It would break her heart."
Frowning, Zelda rubbed his shoulder gently and related, "Don't worry about it for now. After all, it's not certain he's the same person he would've been if Nabooru raised him, so in a sense, and as much as I hate to say it, perhaps her son really is dead."
Link groaned, knowing that was one way to look at it, but it didn't make the task of telling Nabooru seem any easier. Still, Zelda was right, and now wasn't the time to consider it. So he merely replied, "I'll have to think about it and just hope I don't see her until I've figured it out."
Zelda gave an understanding nod, easily able to sympathize with the burden this discovery put on his shoulders. She only hoped she'd be close by whenever he relayed the information so she could help—saying the best idea was to tell Nabooru at all. The Gerudo may well be better off not knowing her son's true fate if only because she could come to her own conclusions.
But that was yet to be seen, and for now, they had a temple to cleanse.
Tugging on Link's arm, she mentioned, "I'm sure you'll have plenty of time before then, so come on. Let's go see if the boat is ready and find out what the Zora are giving us to access the temple."
With a nod, he followed her out to the harbor, hoping she was right, though it didn't truly seem as if the amount of time would matter in the end. Nabooru had always been good to him, and he looked up to her, so telling her the truth would be hard to do no matter how he worded it.
Still, he pushed the thoughts away the moment he saw Esair near their boat and focused on more immediate matters. Temple of Water, he thought. This should be loads of fun.