Inspiration: Kilton from BotW (his currency mon), and economics.
Shout Outs: Riddle-Me-This and AnonReviewer3.0, thanks for reading.
Author's Note: This does not stringently follow canon. A little integration is involved.
Word Count: 7,708
Chapter 3
Later that morning, Castle Court: Link
My walk to the counsel hall was the same every morning, but it didn't dispel the grandeur that was Hyrule Castle. Even to this day, there were some mornings when I woke up feeling surreal about my new station in life. I remember coming here as a child and running through the gardens like a covert deku lotus. That chance meeting with Zelda didn't give me the opportunity to stop and admire my surroundings. When I finally had the opportunity to properly vet the castle, my favorite place to visit was the gardens. It was where my fondest memories of Zelda took place. The flowers and foliage were of all different varieties, adding to the natural splendor of the small park. Gladiolas, silent princesses, tulips, roses, azelias, carnations and many other flowers and ferns beautified the area.
Though the gardens were my favorite, nothing compared to the magnificence of the halls of the castle. The might of the Nohanseen bloodline was on full display. The vaulted ceilings and carefully crafted tapestries told a story of the mainline history of Hyrule. The hall I was walking down now was paved with limestone, but overlaid with marble. The marble added a luxuriant brilliance to an otherwise austere look. The halls were furnished with long silk rugs, or short tough leather style harnesses for more stilted areas by windows. The glass fixed in the panes were both clear and stained in some places. The stained glass told stories of history and were placed in areas of prominence: the grand hall, the front foyer, the grand dining room, and the great library. The spires that surrounded the castle were a mixture of private and public spaces alike. Several of the spires were turned into apartments for guests, one was used for castle tours, another for access to lower levels of the castle, and the last one for private stewardship. I occupied the last one.
Beyond the castle, there were several large building projects being undertaken to expand Castle Town and to fortify the villages of many of the provinces. Since Ganondorf's fall, the country has been steadily moving forward to restabilize itself, but one of my key initiatives was to restructure the provinces not near the castle. I wanted the people to know that anywhere they went they would be safe from a potential attack. I knew I couldn't personally protect them all, but it was part of my duty to think ahead. It was actually the first order of business constituted by me when I held my first court session. I was met with some opposition, but I was adamant on the measure. Zelda too was surprised, but she wholeheartedly supported me, and for that I was grateful. There was the issue of the financial strain it would cause on the people, but my wife aptly and wisely shut that argument down, stating it would be a personal gift from the royal family. The notion sent shockwaves through the court. However, after going over the reserves of the personal wealth of the Nohanseen bloodline, it was almost immeasurable the amount of wealth Zelda and her family acquired. The propositions put forth by me were mere penance in terms of an actual rupee count.
Even so, I soon understood that court life was like a game of chess, with the reverse order of the players being seen first. Considering this was the hierarchy, the peasants unfortunately were the proverbial pawns, but I did mandate a day when I could see them before the nobles. Today was one of those days. I wanted the people to know I took their concerns seriously, so I did my best to hear them all out. Admittedly, most of their issues were related to the taxes levied on their businesses. Now, I understood taxes were an inconvenience, but the tax was a flat rate at best and marginal at five percent. I considered five percent a small price to pay for the amenities the citizens enjoyed, and with the new construction going on being fully funded by the royal family, I thought some of the complaints were contrite. I was definitely the people's champion, but I often had to explain to the citizens that without the taxes the kingdom couldn't function properly: the lands wouldn't be cared for, there would be no revenue for the military, the parks would go into disarray, and many of the other comforts the citizens enjoyed in town would cease to exist.
Once I made things more clear, many of the citizens had a change of heart and understood matters of protocol a little bit better. They often thanked me for not dismissing them and hearing them. I informed them it was my duty as their king. Even so, once matters were concluded with the peasants, next waiting in the wings were the 'rooks' as I saw them, or members of the military. The representatives of the military had a twofold purpose: they needed monies to maintain procedural duties, while at the same time also needed to account for, and identify threats, to the kingdom's peace. The latter function was done more so in private with my generals. However, the former was always presented in court to justify the needed expenditures for expanding the budget.
Like the tax issue with the peasants, I often had to explain to the representatives of the military that the budget necessitated was for times of peace, not war. The financiers had to stop thinking we were always at war. A mindset like that meant there was always an enemy to engage with and that simply wasn't the case now. Once my general spiel was over, I would get one or two Hylians challenging me with the notion that war wasn't the only catalyst for the changes. However, these men were also members of the industrialized aspect of the military, not the men who had to go out and fight in it. Their goal and aim was purely financial, and I was not about to put people's lives on the line to fatten the pockets of a few insatiable men. All their requests were denied. Needless to say, I didn't have many friends on the financiers' side of the court.
The last sets of individuals to present their cases were the nobles, and I'll admit, I had a bias towards them. They were like the 'knights', or even the 'queen' on the chessboard. The nobles were a manipulative, narcissistic bunch, who often only thought of what benefited their own private enterprises as opposed to what was best for the country. I clashed with them often, even before I was king, but now that I was in a position of power to overrule them, they didn't have the same clout as they once had. So, they were forced to choose different tactics. However, even though I was king I still didn't garner any of the noble's respect. They often tried to undermine me because I wasn't formally educated in the Scholar's Academy, but I did read many of the books studied there over the years, and I wasn't ignorant to procedural protocol. In the two months of my being king, I had fifteen cases presented before me by the nobles. Their insatiate need to be catered to was rather cumbersome.
Two of the nobles present today were ones who wrote me letters requesting an encroachment on Zora's Domain: Lord Filgore, and Lord Rue Morgue. They were both influential men, with many private enterprises that intertwined with their politics. Lord Dinivane Filgore hailed from Eldin province. He owned several mines in the Goron City adjacent to the Dragon Roost mountains and sold the ore and minerals to the king for profit. His enterprise started small, but like any budding enterprise, it soon grew with him also becoming a fixture in the court of Dragon Roost. I would explain more about Dragon Roost later. Standing next to him as his counterpart was Lord Vlad Rue Morgue. Lord Rue Morgue resided in Lanayru province. His claim to fortune was banking and economics. He established a currency system with the Zoras before the stewards of Hyrule Castle could. Even though the rupee was the standardized currency in Hyrule, including Zora's Domain, that secondary currency could undermine the legitimacy of the overall economy. These men were experts in pilfering, not amateurs, and they thrived off the ignorance of the common folk.
Admittedly, I had been one of those 'ignorant' common folk in the past. I had no idea men could be so greedy and corrupt, but not now. Nothing or no one was going to trick me or prevent me from protecting the people now. These two vultures before me were going to be ceremoniously rejected, but before I did so, I was interested to know why they felt they could infringe on a nation simply because they felt they had a right to. Filgore looked to be the first to approach. He, along with his steward, walked up slowly and bowed respectfully before they began. This promised to be noteworthy.
"Your majesty," Filgore began, "first I wish to bestow my thanks upon you for taking this audience regarding these matters, you are indeed very busy my lord, and frivolities are not the mainstay of the court."
That led to the perfect segue for me.
"Then make sure the fat is chewed from your proposal Lord Filgore," I warned, "state your business good sir, and your thanks is much appreciated."
He wasn't surprised with how undeviating I was, but he certainly wasn't appreciative with how directly I addressed him.
"Uh… indeed," he replied, then raised his hand to prompt his steward. The assistant handed him a scroll and deposition book for accounting. "There was a proposition I wished to put before you my lord regarding a land acquisition."
I expected such, I led right into it.
"For what land?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
Filgore opened the scroll and scanned it briefly, pretending to be indecisive.
"There is a group of mountains with precious resources right at the cusp of Zora's Domain. It is my desire to purchase these mountains for excavation purposes. There are a great many buildings that need stone for masonry."
I didn't even give it a single thought.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to deny your request. The Zora people would consider such an infringement a violation of the treaty we signed with them. Their domain is based on their rock fortifications surrounding and protecting it."
Filgore cleared his throat.
"I realize that sire, and that is why I paid special attention to how the excavation was to be implemented. I'm having special drills made so the integrity of the mountain will not be compromised."
I paused for just a moment.
"The answer is still no, and what prompted you to build such devices without getting permits for them first? You would have saved yourself a great deal of time and money by not engaging in such an acrimonious activity."
Filgore then looked at me shocked.
"Acrimonious activity?" he repeated in mild disbelief.
I just stared at him.
"Did I stutter my good man? There's nothing further to discuss, your request is not granted."
It was then Rue Morgue decided to interject.
"My lord if I may approach?" he asked from the back of the hall.
I looked past Filgore to Rue Morgue in the back. It was unorthodox for one case to be interrupted by another, but I had a feeling the two of them were working in tandem for the same goal. Something about this seemed a little too focused for it to be a coincidence. I decided to hear the candid noble out and kill two birds with one stone.
"You may," I granted the request.
Rue Morgue then walked up with his steward and bowed. Afterwards, he presented his case.
"I think I can add a little succor to this confusion sire," he started. "You see, I have been working extensively with the Zora people, so I have a little insight into how they think."
I gave him a knowing look regarding at his remark, considering my own personal dealings with the Zoras. However, I wasn't going to argue him tit for tat over nonsense.
"Oh really?" I replied with open cynicism.
Rue Morgue nodded.
"Yes my king," he said, "in fact, the Zoras are engaged in an initiative in becoming Hylian."
I nearly bucked my head back when I heard that.
"I beg your pardon?"
Rue Morgue went on.
"Yes my lord, the Zoras are greatly inspired by Hylian culture and a desire to know more about how we trade, finance, think, and live. It would be of great benefit for both Hyrule and Zora's Domain if we partook of mutual reciprocity."
My eyes narrowed slightly, because how he was presenting this was very clever. He was hiding his coup under a guise of goodwill.
"That's all well and good, Lord Rue Morgue, and if you want to act as a benevolence ambassador to Zora's Domain I will gladly hear your commission out. However, such goodwill will not be used as a crutch to infringe on the rights of the Zora people. We cannot and will not interlope on their land for selfish gain. As I stated before, it would be a violation of our treaty."
Rue Morgue's frustration was becoming more apparent.
"No such violation exists, I'm telling you your majesty," he insisted, "the Zora people want this."
There was a sudden shift in the back of the hall with him saying that. The noble's insistence seemed to be having a synergistic effect with those watching. So, I decided to entertain his notion.
"Is that so? Why don't you enlighten me then good sir? You seem obviously to know something I don't."
Rue Morgue immediately cleared his throat and went on.
"Well," he continued, "his majesty, King Zora, has been pleased with the current business dealings I've engaged with him. Trade and different financing options are all the excitement right now with the aquatic people. In fact, his majesty stated that business expansion might be greater and faster due to the new currency push than he thought."
I scoffed slightly and realized what he was trying to imply. I set to correct this foolhardy thinking now.
"You mean the currency exchange you recently established to undercut the rupee?" I countered. "Is that what you mean by becoming Hylian? If such an exchange proves futile, it can wind up collapsing the Zoras' entire economy. I wouldn't be so quick to brag about an early institution set up with no real evidence behind it to support your claims yet. You better tread softly with where you go with this conversation next Vlad, because you're starting to sound fantastic. You're toting a line with your notions."
The two nobles looked at me surprised, as did everyone in the surrounding courtroom. A little murmuring even started after then. I guess I was a bit forceful, but such undermining needed to be nipped in the bud. These men fed off each other's greed, and that currency acquisition had bad blood written all over it to me. If Rue Morgue owned most or all the notes to such a proposition, he was essentially the sole proprietor to drive the value of his currency up or down. This would be extremely detrimental if he decided to loan a great deal of money and charge interest to maximize his insured stakes. Something like a war would make an ambitious man like Rue Morgue very wealthy, even wealthier than he was now. Fortunately, he had no control over the rupee since it was the currency insured and verified by the royal family and bank. I made sure all notes related to banking trusts were accounted for and verified by the royal treasurer. If a noble could control a nation's currency, they essentially could control the kingdom. That was not going to happen in Hyrule or Zora's Domain.
Rue Morgue cleared his throat uneasily, but also began to show his displeasure. I didn't care if he was uncomfortable with what I said. He was going to know I wasn't a man to be trifled with and that I understood his motives completely. He was not going to play games with me today, or any day for that matter. Even so, Rue Morgue looked to even challenge my warning.
"Have I incurred your displeasure sire without even first saying completely what my intentions are? Surely your majesty can't be as hot tempered as that."
I wasn't going to get baited.
"You stated your intentions, you were speaking of some enculturation initiative and I gave you an avenue to provide such."
He couldn't keep the aggravation from his face.
"Your majesty…" he trailed, clearly frustrated, "this is not how we do business!"
It was clear a nerve was touched. So I went to end this discussion by providing an ultimatum.
"Correction, this is how business is conducted good sir. Stop stalling because you are trying to circumvent the real issue. If you have something else to add then I'll hear you out, but if it's more of the same nonsense, just know you're wasting your and my time," I warned. "If you don't do so soon, I'll dismiss your case with extreme prejudice."
A few in the back gasped, but not as readily as the two lords in front of me.
"But your majesty-" he tried.
I held up my hand to stop him.
"State your business," I interrupted.
At this point both Filgore and Rue Morgue were seething openly, but there was nothing they could do. Not a thing.
"Very well my lord," Rue Morgue said finally and regressed, "very well, it is my desire to help fund Lord Filgore's venture with the expressed interests of expanding Hylian capacities in Zora's Domain."
I didn't flinch.
"I already told him no and I'm telling you the same. There will be no excavation in Zora's Domain."
Both men looked at me with open frustration.
"But my king-" Filgore tried this time.
"I said no," I interrupted again, "and if I hear any reports of you excavating in that region I'll consider your insubordination hostile actions against the throne."
Rue Morgue involuntarily growled at my threat.
"This is ridiculous!" he suddenly said angrily. "Are you against free markets sire?!" he demanded. "How can you be so imprudent?! Expansion is part of business!"
Again, another perfect segue was provided for me.
"And greed is the first symptom of corruption," I replied. "I have no problem with free market enterprises Lord Rue Morgue. In fact, I encourage them. It's hostile take overs I'm not fond of. Now, do you want to take this conversation further, or are you going to stop while you're ahead?"
Filgore balled his fists at his sides and said nothing, while Rue Morgue was still fuming next to him. They were both silent for a long time before either of them answered my question.
"No," Filgore said finally.
I nodded.
"Very well, both your requests are officially denied, and you're both dismissed. Thank you my lords."
They stood there looking at me as if they were stunted or something in that moment. I wanted to make sure I was particularly strong with these two because they had the greatest amount of influence in the court. Even now, they probably thought I was ignorant to their 'secret' cabals and meetings held at one of their mansions discussing their business intentions. When I was First Knight, I was well aware of their activities then, and I was more than aware of their activities now. That was the only credence I gave this fishbowl I lived in as king. It did give me the efficient power when I needed it.
The nobles still hadn't taken their leave, and I decided to expedite the process.
"Gentlemen… it's time for you to go," I gave a clear warning this time, "this discussion is over."
Even still, they hesitated, but eventually took note of the cue and bowed before they took their leave. Afterwards, I turned to my steward standing next to my throne and spoke with him.
"No more audiences for today. I have other duties to attend to, please recess the court for tomorrow."
My steward bowed.
"Yes my lord," he said, "but I believe the nobles were your last audiences."
I nodded at the news.
"Very well."
With that, I stood along with everyone else after me, and when I started walking down the hall everyone began to murmur quietly again. I was used to such, and I suppose I needed to be ready for the retaliation waiting in the wings. It was no matter, I anticipated that too. As I walked by, everyone bowed, even the reluctant men I just dismissed. Once I left the council room, I headed right towards my and Zelda's chamber. As I was walking down the hall, I saw Zelda walking towards me from the opposite direction with some of the ladies of her court. She looked exceptional in her pink gown. I stopped to stare at her for a moment as she did me. All I did was give her a small smile and she in return did the same.
"All is well with you my queen?" I asked her.
She looked at me surprised regarding the question and blushed for some reason, but then she clasped her hands together ever so gracefully.
"As it can be my lord," she replied quietly, "I was about to proceed to the garden. Did you need anything from me first?"
I stared at her for a long time before answering.
"No," I answered finally, "everything is perfectly fine… I'll tell you about it later."
She gave me a curious look just then.
"Are you going to leave me in suspense your majesty?"
I grinned at her eager tone.
"Later," I promised, "we'll talk later."
Afterwards, I nodded at her and went about my way. She curtsied slightly and was taken aback at my action. The ladies with her started whispering and smiling in amongst themselves. Zelda even turned and watched me for a moment.
"What was that all about?" she said more to herself than to her ladies with her.
I heard her as I walked away. I knew she would have been proud of me if she saw me a moment ago. She had taken years to groom me for such service and I was secretly appreciative of her rallying behind me even when the stakes were high. That was something only a queen of Hyrule could do.
Maybe there is more to this royalty procession than I thought... Maybe, just maybe, I am fit to be king.
~SSS~
One Week Later, Lanayru Province, Saria
It was morning and the sun was shining on my face when I opened my eyes. I blinked several times before I completely woke up. It promised to be a beautiful day. I stared out the slightly ajar window to the beautiful Zora falls and coastline in the distance. I couldn't have imagined a more lovely view. It was the last day of Ralph's and my honeymoon trip, and soon we would be returning back to Ordon, but life seemed so sweet in this moment. I never imagined anything could look or feel so perfect.
I remember being a child in the woods and wandering off into the Sacred Forest Meadow and playing there for hours. I played my ocarina and often dreamed of the world outside of the forests. Now, I had to dream no longer. There were so many things I experienced that I knew that if I were still a Kokiri none of it would have happened. That wasn't to say I didn't appreciate my true heritage, I did, but life was so much grander than I had ever realized.
When I was a child of the forest I loved my upbringing. I lived in safety and security for hundreds of years in the shadow and protection of the Great Deku Tree. I appeared as a child to Hylians, but when I was a Kokiri I had no idea what a true Hylian was, or even looked like. That is… until one day a Hylian baby was brought to the forest. I recall that day as if it were yesterday. The baby was Link and the woman looking after him was his beautiful mother, but she was mortally wounded at the time. She explained there was an uprising of evil happening in Hyrule and begged the Great Deku Tree if she could stay in the forest to care for her son. Though her promise was kept without question, shortly after her plea she succumbed to her wounds and died. It was the first time I ever experienced the concept of death. I never knew what it was before then.
Link was only a infant when he was taken into the care of the Deku Tree and thus the Kokiri. I remember being marveled at how small and quaint he was, but then over time he got bigger and bigger, until he was the size of all us other Kokiri. He was ten years old at the time. Though I wasn't his primary caretaker, I took it upon myself to look out for him. I showed Link all of my favorite hiding places, as well as my favorite secret place in the whole woodland, the Sacred Forest Meadow. I wasn't sure why at the time, but I knew that place was going to have purposeful significance for us. My premonition turned out to be true years later. I also had no idea why I had such a yearning for the young Hylian in my heart when he was supposed to be like any other Kokiri to me. It turned out that that yearning was love, and it only deepened when he left the confines of the forest.
The day Link left the forest, I knew… I knew he was someone special. I knew he wasn't like me and the other Kokiri. He told me he was going off to vanquish a great evil, the same evil that killed his mother no doubt. I wished him well and told him to come back to the forest whenever he needed solace. I wanted to tell him I loved him, but I didn't… I was too afraid. Seven years later when he returned, I was captured in the Forest Temple, waiting to be released. When I saw him again that fateful day, and he was so much bigger than me, I knew then he no longer had a place in the forest with me and my friends. Time was so cruel with that consciousness. However, I even recognized for myself, that I no longer had a place with my friends. I had awakened as the Forest Sage, and though I was honored with such duty, I knew I wasn't fit for such service.
Years after Ganon was defeated, I started realizing that yearning in my heart had never left me. I understood I was deeply and almost hopelessly in love with Link. It affected me so badly, that I was no longer able to do my duties in the Sacred Realm. It was so operative, that there were these off occurrences of disturbances that happened in the outside world because I was no longer able to concentrate and keep my portion of the seal intact. I kept hoping… wishing that there was some way I could be with the hero once more. As fortune would have it, after a series of extraordinary events, my wish was granted. However, there were parameters, and those parameters prevented me from pursuing the hero the way I wished. Even so, when I met him again after so long a time, I was extremely grateful.
I came back to Hyrule as a Hylian, and though my years of life were much longer as a Kokiri, I asked to be presented as the same age as the hero. I was twenty-five in Hylian years when we were reacquainted, and it was the most wonderful experience of my life. However, unfortunately fate had another thing for us. Though Link and I had fallen in love, it wasn't to be. The cogs of time were against us and we just couldn't be together. I wasn't embittered, but I wasn't completely innocent either. I had my part to play in confusing the hero's life, and I wasn't going to pretend that I had a right to do so. Nevertheless, I did love him… I loved him very much… truthfully, I love Link still, but I had to move on.
It was during this transitioning time that I met Ralph. Ralph was a comfortable and wonderful convenience to not having Link, and though I wasn't in love with him yet, I knew I could be in time. He reminded me so much of the hero, and I knew that was wrong, but I would be lying to myself to suggest otherwise. It was nice having a reminder of someone so dear. Now, here I was a married Hylian, doing Hylian things. I loved being Hylian. I loved being able to be a wife and seeing the world. Speaking of such, Hyrule was so much grander than I could have ever imagined.
When I first left the confines of the Sacred Realm I still resided in a tiny remote village known as Ordon. I didn't travel much those days until I came to Kakariko Village in the company of an elderly businessman. That man was my friend gramps. I had my own agenda and reasons at the time, so I didn't enjoy much of the beauty surrounding me. It was only after so many whirlwind things happening, that I began to look at life for what it truly was, and it was so precious. Even now, Ralph's and my honeymoon trip was in the Zora's Domain. I never knew such a beautiful place could exist. The blue hues of the corral rooms, the gentle cascading of the waterfalls, the exotic strength and beauty of the extraordinary Zora people -it all seemed so surreal. It was no wonder Lady Ruto had such pride for her people.
This entire week Ralph and I explored as much of the domain as we could. We went everywhere and saw everything. I even saw Ruto's father. I wish I could speak to Lady Ruto again and let her know he was doing well, but perhaps she didn't need me to. Perhaps she was already well aware. I was certain she was watching over him in her own way. Anyway, the week was closing out and soon we would have to return to life as we knew it so Ralph could start his medical practice.
As I contemplated all this in my sleepy moments, I was about to sit up, but was unable to completely due to Ralph's arm being wrapped securely around my bare waist. I grinned because his holding me this way had been the norm for the last six nights. Admittedly, on our wedding night I was terrified. I didn't know what to expect or what to do, but Ralph was very patient with me. He was so loving and attentive when he saw I was scared to death. He held me for the first hour before he initiated anything. It was gradual, starting with a kiss and then another, before I finally felt comfortable enough to take my clothes off. It was the first time anyone else had seen me naked. I trembled with how he touched me to make me feel relaxed, that often included making me feel wet... he obviously wasn't a novice at this like I was. That first night was intense for me because I had never experienced anything like it before. I had so many orgasms that I thought I soaked the sheets beneath me. When it was over I was surprised how much I wanted him again and again. The past few days were evidence of that. And this morning, when he felt I was trying to get away, he finally opened his beautiful blue eyes to look at me. I glanced over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of his gaze and ran my fingers over his arm still wrapped around my waist.
"It's time to wake up sleepy head," I whispered.
Ralph just grinned at me with his half opened eyes and reached up to stroke my hair.
"I suppose it is," he whispered back.
I closed my eyes, then turned and leaned over to kiss him softly. It was nice and gentle, but soon became less gentle and more intense as memories of the past few nights went through our heads. I stroked his perfect golden blonde hair when it lingered, and I pulled away a few seconds after to smile at him again and caress his cheek.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked.
He stroked my cheek at my question and stared into my eyes.
"I slept next to you," he whispered, "of course I slept well."
I grinned and rolled my eyes playfully.
"Oh really?"
He just nodded.
"Yes," he said with no qualms.
"Why are you always so charming?" I whispered.
He let his forefinger circle my lips.
"Why are you so perfect?" he whispered in return.
I chuckled softly, we were starting to sound incredibly corny the way newlyweds often did.
"I'm not," I replied, "it just seems that way."
With that, I was going to get out of bed, but Ralph still had a pretty good hold on me. I let my head fall back and gave him an obvious stare.
"Seriously, we can't stay in bed all day."
A mischievous look then came into Ralph's eyes.
"Actually we could, and I wouldn't mind at all."
That made me chuckle.
"Oh doctor, doctor, your prescription is invaluable."
Now he chuckled, then let his smile fade a little bit.
"Alright you win," he digressed, "what would you like to do today?"
I looked at him thoughtfully just then and pondered the matter for a moment.
"How about… how about we hike up Zora falls and check out all the precipices and bluffs there?"
Ralph raised a brow at my request.
"Saria that's going to be an all day adventure. We have to check out before noon."
I grinned.
"That's right, I hadn't considered that. Well, why don't we check out and then think of something on the way?"
He nodded at my reasoning, liking the idea.
"That sounds good."
It was then he finally sat up and released me. Afterwards, we got out of bed, bathed, dressed, and packed up our belongings. On our way out, we checked out of the inn we were staying at and loaded our wagon waiting for us in storage. However, before we left, we had breakfast at a little open fire restaurant of eggs and bread, but when we tried to pay we came into a problem.
"I'm sorry sir we only accept mon currency here," the Zora divulged.
Both Ralph and I looked at the Zora perplexed.
"I'm sorry?" Ralph replied.
The Zora had no qualms repeating himself.
"We only accept mon here sir," the Zora said again, "if you need a currency exchange just go to the registry at the edge of town and come back."
Ralph looked over at me and I had no words for him. I had no idea what mon was.
"Why can't I just give you the equivalent in rupees?" he asked. "My wife and I have been here all week and we've never had any issues with any vendors until now."
The Zora got slightly indignant at the accusation.
"I don't make the rules sir," the fishman replied, "I just abide by them, and unfortunately we now only accept mon."
The frustration was prominent on Ralph's face, but I reached over to quell it.
"Let's not argue with him honey, he's just doing his job. We'll just get the currency exchanged and pay what needs to be paid."
Ralph groaned, but he got up from the table anyway.
"You're right," he muttered then looked past to the exchange center at the edge of the domain, "stay here, I'll be right back."
I nodded and watched as he walked off to get the needed monies. I turned back and saw the Zora looking after him sympathetically.
"I wish I could just take his rupees, but rules are rules you know?" he said more to himself than to me.
I just grinned.
"Who made that rule?" I asked in passing. "It seems very inconvenient for the people wanting to dine here."
The Zora shrugged.
"My boss, he just got involved in some new venture regarding currency exchange and now he's trying to take advantage of it at every given step."
I found the news interesting.
"What's wrong with the good old fashioned rupee?"
The Zora shook his head.
"I have no idea, there's always some new scam or scheme to trick people, you know."
I nodded.
"I agree, it seems common sense is going out the proverbial door."
The Zora finally smiled.
"I thought I was the only one who saw that."
I grinned.
"A good friend of mine named gramps always said that, he's much much older, but I think his words have serious merit today."
The Zora grunted softly.
"I agree with him, it seems the older I get the more I become my parents and I never thought that would happen to me."
I chuckled softly at his saying that.
"I think a lot of people think like you."
He shrugged again.
"I guess."
Just then, Ralph came back from the currency exchange with a slightly flustered look on his face.
"If your boss wants people to use the mon," Ralph began as he walked up, "please tell him they need to make the exchange rate better. Five rupees to one mon is highway robbery."
I looked at Ralph surprised.
"Five rupees to one mon?" I repeated. "Who in the world mandated that?"
The Zora looked between us with open empathy.
"I was just telling your wife sir that my boss is involved in some wanky currency exchange scheme," the Zora explained. "I think if you and others complain about it, he might be willing to go back to the state reversed currency."
Ralph sighed and nodded at the suggestion.
"That's not a bad idea, I don't know what's driving the barter to be so lopsided, but there's no way this mon is five times more valuable than the rupee, it's ludicrous."
The Zora nodded.
"I agree, you're the seventh person to complain about it."
Ralph then just fanned his concerns off.
"How much do I owe you?" he asked.
The Zora calculated the bill.
"Ten mon."
Ralph looked at him stunned.
"Ten mon?!" he repeated.
The Zora nodded.
"Sorry," he said sympathetically.
Ralph glanced over at me in open frustration, but then paid the bill anyway. He didn't want to make a scene. Afterwards, we thanked the Zora for his service and went about our day. Ralph soon forgot about the mon issue as we started exploring the bluffs, but I could definitely see that being a rising problem for the country as a whole if each region were to dictate their own exchange rates for currency. Hopefully, Link knew what was going on to put a stop to it.
Soon, we headed off to walk up the perimeter of the domain and watch the Zora acrobats dive and flip off the tall cliffs. It was amazing. However, something beyond them caught my and Ralph's attention. The large western border mountain encapsulating the city had an unusual amount of activity going on about it. I noticed a few days ago Hylian men scouting the area, but now there seemed to be a whole crew of men scouting the mountain. I didn't want to assume the worse, but it was odd and it seemed they were trying to be discreet.
"What do you suppose is going on over there?" I asked Ralph.
My husband shook his head.
"I have no idea, more strange business acumens from the Zoras perhaps?"
I shrugged, but still felt a little uneasy.
"This is so odd, all of these uncanny occurrences seem to be happening at once."
Ralph took hold of my hand just then.
"Maybe we better get going," he suggested, "there's too much going on in Zora's Domain today."
I nodded.
"I agree," I said, then added absently, "I wonder if Link knows about this?"
At the hero's name, Ralph turned and looked at me.
"Link?" he repeated.
I nodded without saying anything else. I noticed him give me a long once over before he spoke again.
"I've been meaning to ask you," he began, changing the subject, "was he able to make it to the wedding?"
I looked from the men scouting the mountain, back to the Zoras jumping at the falls. I was silent for a moment before I answered.
"Yes he made it," I said quietly, "he had to be very discreet to be there."
Ralph just nodded, but I saw him studying my face now.
"Gertrude told me some handsome fellow came to see you before the wedding," he divulged. "She said you were very excited to see him. He called himself Mr. Killjoy or something."
I looked away from the Zoras just then and stared down at the pool below. I had a feeling Gertrude was going to tell Ralph about Link's and my encounter at her own volition. I was aware of how protective Gertrude was of her younger brother. Ralph was her pride and joy.
"Yes," I said quietly, "I used to call him that as kind of a nickname in the past because he was always so serious. So I knew when he used that name it was him."
Ralph simply nodded, but I saw that he was still studying my expression.
"So… did you two talk about anything serious?" he asked softly.
I turned to look him in the eyes just then, and I saw the subtle worry there. I reached up to caress his cheek and dispel it.
"He gave us a wedding gift, that's all. Afterwards, he sat in the back and watched me marry you."
Ralph stared deeply into my eyes as I said this to him.
"I just…" he started quietly, "I just remember the night you saw him again in that tent in the medic's bay. The way you held onto him and kissed him-"
"That's over," I interrupted softly, "that's the past, don't trouble yourself with such thoughts."
Ralph stared into my eyes deeply after I silenced him.
"It's over?" he repeated.
I nodded and took hold of his hand.
"It's over," I said again.
Ralph took in a deep sigh just then and attempted to smile. He was doing his best, but I knew he was concerned about my feelings for Link. I wasn't going to pretend he didn't have a right to be, but Link's life and my life were miles apart now. We lived in two different worlds now and they would probably never connect again. I was grateful for such a separation because I knew at this point in my life I would be too weak to resist him if he told me he still loved me. That was why he stopped me from saying it the night of the wedding. He knew it would have just undermined everything that was going on.
I knew I was probably wrong for marrying Ralph when I still loved Link, but I had to move on with my life. I couldn't sit crying over a dream that was never going to happen. Besides, I knew in time I could fall in love with Ralph. He was an extraordinary person; he had a good heart with a good sound mind. In time, what I felt for Link would weed itself out and would probably be replaced with love for Ralph. I just needed to give this marriage all I had to help make that happen. I just needed time.
Afterwards, we left Zora's Domain and headed back to Ordon Village. There were a few concerning things that I wish I could bring to Link's attention that I saw there, and hopefully word would be sent to him soon that someone was working outside the borders of his jurisdiction. In the meantime, Ralph's and my honeymoon was over, and now life was about to begin anew for us. Ralph was going to be starting his practice as a doctor, and he promised to be someone special with his talent and level of care. I just hoped we were both ready for what was in store for us… all of it.
The next chapter will be up soon.