Inspiration: "This Woman's Work," by Kate Bush, however I think the definitive version is done by Maxwell.
Shout out: GodonX1r thank you for reading.
Author's Note: I want to thank all of you for your insightful reviews. It's so interesting getting a feel of what you as the readers think, whether it's a character type or trope. I really appreciate. Also, per the suggestion of one of my readers I changed the rating, so you might not see it as readily. ~ZR~.
Word Count: 7,457
Chapter 16
One week later, Hyrule Castle: Link's POV
The time had finally come.
I was pacing vigorously in the hallway outside of Zelda's birthing chamber. She had been in labor for ten hours now. Initially, she wanted me at her bedside, but soon she asked for me to leave because she said she couldn't bear for me to see her in so much pain. I was puzzled by her request and told her I wanted to be with her to support her. However, she was adamant in her position and begged for me to leave. The royal physician and the midwives tending to her were all in agreement with me and thought her plea was bizarre as well. It didn't make sense to me that she was worried about something so trivial, when her giving birth was such an important event. However, I didn't want to bring her anymore unnecessary stress, so I complied with her request and left.
To keep me lucid, I asked my generals to keep me company. Not the usual request of a soldier, but they abided by my entreaty anyway. They could all see I was a nervous wreck, and for them it was little amusing.
Fyrus was the first to speak up.
"Sire, you're going to wear the floor out with all that pacing," he joked, "why don't you sit down and try to relax?"
I ignored his suggestion and shook my head.
"I just want her to be okay," I said, "I have no idea what to expect."
Ravio then chuckled.
"You're expecting her to have a baby," he said, "she'll be fine."
I turned to look at him with a hint of defiance.
"What if she isn't?" I asked anyway. "What if something terrible happens to her?"
Osfala chimed in.
"Sire, seriously, please try to relax," he said, "my wife is due in a month herself and she is as calm as a lamb; it's our second baby. Women are great at this kind of thing."
That didn't help me.
"I just wish Zelda wasn't so stubborn and would let me come in to be with her," I said, "why would she ask me to leave? It makes no sense."
Ravio raised a brow.
"To do what exactly?" he challenged. "Watch?"
I gave him an obvious look.
"To give her comfort; to be there for her," I corrected, "that baby is just as much mine as it is hers."
Fyrus grinned.
"You would think you were giving birth your majesty," he replied. "The child may be the both of yours, but you didn't have to carry the little lad or lassie for nine months. Let her have her moment."
I groaned at that incendiary comment and my men just laughed.
"This is nerve racking," I muttered, "good goddesses I wish the baby would just come."
As if on cue, soon after the door to the birthing chamber opened, and one of the midwives stepped out. I turned immediately and looked at her in anticipation.
"Do you have news?" I asked quickly.
The midwife nodded.
"Sire, your baby is almost here," she said, "but her majesty is requesting for you to be with her now. She says she needs your strength."
I looked at the midwife taken aback, but didn't hesitate to hurry over to her.
"She needs my strength?" I repeated.
The midwife nodded.
"Yes my lord," she said, "those were her words exactly."
I paused slightly worried, but then shook my head of my confusion.
"Of course," I said anyway, then turned to my men, "wait for me here."
The three of them just grinned at me.
"We'll be here sire," Fyrus promised with a hint of sarcasm.
With that, I went with the midwife inside the birthing chamber. When we entered, I noticed immediately that the room was dark, with only a few candles lit. When I was here earlier the windows were open and there was an air current for circulation in the room. Now, the doors were closed possibly because of the length of time. Admittedly, I thought that was a bit strange, but I didn't say anything as I made my way over to Zelda's bedside.
My poor wife looked exhausted when I walked over to her. The candle light by her bed showed her to be sweaty and breathing hard. Her normally perfect strawberry blonde hair was sodden and mildly disheveled. Her complexion was pale and her countenance was gaunt. The white gown she was wearing was slightly damp from her sweating, but the bottom of her gown was raised above her legs, while her legs were spread wide and fixated near the edge of the bed but covered by a birthing sheet. The physician had a basin of warm water, mineral oil, and a collection of red potions at the bedside for medicinal relief. The midwives had a bassinet ready for the baby, along with swaddling clothes and receding blankets. The room looked completely functional, but I sensed worry from everyone's faces.
I took Zelda's hand in mine when she reached for me and kneeled down next to her to try and comfort her. When she felt my touch she closed her eyes and sighed. She looked happy to see me with her small grin, but when she opened her eyes they filled with tears. I could only imagine the fatigue of her emotional state.
"Link…" she whispered, "darling, I'm so glad you're here."
I nodded.
"Of course," I whispered back, "this is where I want to be."
She closed her eyes again at my utterance.
"I'm… I'm so tired," she said honestly, "I didn't know it would be this hard."
I looked into her eyes empathetically.
"I know, but you're doing wonderfully," I whispered back, "you're such a fighter Zelda."
That was when I confirmed that everyone was concerned with what was going on. I caught everyone's expression from the corner of my eye after my utterance. However, I didn't break my gaze from my wife.
Zelda took in a deep breath as her tears spilled over.
"I don't think I can push anymore," she whispered with a broken voice, "I've been pushing for the last hour and the baby just won't come out."
I was concerned in hearing that.
"The baby won't come out?" I repeated.
She shook her head.
"I don't know why this is happening," she said, letting her emotions get the best of her, "why can't I do this?" she sobbed.
I took her in a quick hug and stroked my hand over her damp hair.
"It's going to be okay," I whispered against her hair, "maybe your resting is the answer," I tried to reassure.
I pulled back to look at her face and Zelda attempted a smile.
"Maybe," she whispered, "but I'm not so sure."
However, just then the doctor, overhearing our conversation, gestured for me to come to him. I looked a little worried by the expression on his face, but I had a feeling I needed to hear what he wanted to tell me. I looked back at my wife and caressed her cheek.
"I'll be right back," I promised, "I want to talk to the doctor."
Zelda stared into my eyes for a long moment before she nodded and let me go. Afterwards, I got up from the side of the bed and walked over to the doctor. He then pulled me further away from the others so we could have more privacy. When he was certain we were out of earshot he spoke.
"Sire, she is very weak," he stated, "I did not realize labor would be this hard on her body, but she needs to push. The baby is right at the cusp of her womb and is ready to come out, but now she is saying she has no more strength. I even did an episiotomy on her to widen her opening. However, the problem now is her unwillingness to push."
I didn't like the sound of that.
"What do you mean her unwillingness?" I whispered. "She's been looking forward to this event for months!"
The doctor raised his hand to calm me.
"Perhaps my wording was wrong," he corrected, "but she is extremely weak and she is going to need you to will her on. I know she wanted you gone because she thought she was strong enough to do this without you, but I honestly think she needs your encouragement now."
I initially didn't understand how he deduced this.
"What do you think I can do?" I asked sincerely. "I want to help in any way I can."
The doctor lowered his voice.
"Just tell her you love her and you are proud of her," he said, "she seems to think you despise her for some strange reason."
I looked at the doctor taken aback.
"What?" I whispered.
He looked beyond me to the other midwives who were waiting for us. He then focused his attention back on me and lowered his voice more.
"I don't want this to leave this room," he said, "I even made the midwives swear they would never repeat what the queen uttered, but her majesty may have said something I don't think she intended for any of us to hear. In her pain, she cried out that you hated her and never wanted her to have your child. I think that was why she wanted you gone earlier."
I stared at the physician stunned.
"Are you serious?" I replied. "She said that?"
The doctor nodded, but then focused on what was truly important.
"Please sire," he begged gently, "for the sake of your child, please help the queen get through this ordeal. Her insecurities are what's making her think she can't give birth. If the baby delays any longer the child could strangulate from the umbilical chord and die."
My eyes widened at hearing that.
"The baby could die?" I whispered.
He nodded.
"Yes," he replied, "so please… please help her."
I looked back over at Zelda and suddenly felt a pit of dread produce in my gut. However, I nodded and looked back over at the doctor.
"Of course," I promised, "I'll do whatever needs to be done. I don't want to us to lose our child. I want her to have our baby more than anything."
The doctor looked at me relieved, then gestured for us to head back over to the bed. As I walked up, I glanced at Zelda's prostrated center near the edge of the bed. There was blood covering the towels underneath her body and her gown at the bottom was stained with blood as well. The most captivating picture I could see was the baby's head crowning at her womb. I could see our child wanting to come out, but I could also see why she was in so much pain. I never in my life knew how women endured child birth. It was such a physically draining process, but I was finding out it was quite an emotional one too. I hurried back to the head of the bed and took hold of Zelda's hand. Her face was still glistening with sweat and she looked like she was ready to break down and cry again.
I held her hand securely and looked into her eyes.
"Darling," I whispered, "our baby is almost here, you just have to find the strength to keep enduring. I know you can do it."
She shook her head.
"I thought I could, but I'm scared," she said honestly, "I've never been so terrified in my life."
I nodded.
"It's okay to be scared," I whispered, "I'm scared too, but you're doing one of the most incredible things in the world, you're bringing in a life."
Zelda stared into my eyes when I said this.
"Link…" she whispered.
I caressed her damp cheek.
"You can do it," I whispered again, "I know you Zelda, you can do anything."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"You're just saying that," she said.
I shook my head.
"I'm not just saying that," I replied, "you're one of the greatest women I know. You have more wisdom and grace than anyone in Hyrule. I know you can do this."
She looked at me surprised when her tears spilled over again.
"I don't want you to hate me Link," she whispered.
I felt my throat tighten with her saying that.
"I don't hate you Zelda," I whispered back, "I never could, I care for you too much."
Zelda stared at me surprised.
"Really?" she whispered.
I nodded.
"Of course," I reassured, "you're having my baby."
She actually smiled when I said that, but she was looking progressively weaker.
"I'm so glad you're saying this, but I don't think I have the strength left," she whispered honestly, "I really don't."
I stared into her eyes.
"Then I'll give you some of mine," I promised, "if you feel like you're too weak I'll help you. I'll make you strong again."
Zelda looked at me surprised.
"Link…" she trailed.
I then put one of my arms around her back to sit her up. She looked so tired as I sat her up. I stroked her wet hair from her forehead.
"I'm going to help you push," I said, "you just follow the doctor's command and I will keep you steady, alright?"
Zelda was looking at me slightly frightened, but she nodded anyway.
"Alright," she said.
I then looked over at the doctor.
"At your ready sir," I cued.
The doctor nodded, then sat back down at the bridge of the bed.
"I need you to push her closer," he ordered, "I have to be able to grab the baby as quickly as possible."
I nodded, then looked at my wife.
"Ready?" I asked her.
Zelda nodded.
"I'm ready," she replied.
I gripped her tightly at her waist and pushed her closer to the edge of the bed. When Zelda was where she needed to be, the doctor raised his hand for us to stop. The midwife standing next to him, then handed him bottle of mineral oil. The mineral oil was used to decrease the pain and allow the skin to stretch when Zelda pushed. Afterwards, the doctor looked to us.
"On my count your majesty I need you to push," he said to Zelda.
Zelda nodded slowly, but was trembling slightly in my arms.
"Alright," she agreed.
I attempted to smile at her.
"You can do it," I said.
Zelda stared into my eyes for a moment and smiled back.
"I think I can now," she said sincerely.
The doctor was focused on her womb now.
"Alright," he said, "one… two… three… push!"
With that, Zelda closed her eyes and bore down with all her might. I kept my arm braced at her back and felt her giving it her all.
"Ahhhhh," she cried out in pain.
I could tell by the expression on her face that this was taxing on her.
"Good job!" I encouraged. "You're doing great!"
The doctor then took a set of metal forceps and placed them around the baby's head when the face and neck popped through.
"Keep going!" the doctor ordered. "We just need one more good push!"
Zelda was breathing hard and shaking her head.
"I can't go on anymore!" she cried out. "It feels like I'm being ripped apart!"
"That's normal!" the doctor stated. "Don't stop! You're almost there!"
I then took it upon myself to inspire her.
"Look at me Zelda," I ordered.
She was still breathing hard, but she opened her eyes and looked my way. Her whole body was trembling.
"You're almost done," I said, "we just need one more push! One more push!"
She pursed her lips together in pain, but she nodded through it.
"Okay," she whispered, though she sounded terrified, "okay, I can do it."
I pressed my forehead against hers again.
"You can do it," I promised.
She nodded.
"I can do it," she repeated.
I reassured her more.
"Yes you can," I said.
She closed her eyes once more and that was when she gave one more last hard push, but her scream accompanying it sounded throughout the room. The doctor, having a good grip, pulled as the shoulders rotated out of the womb and soon the baby was born. As Zelda scream quieted, the second sound throughout the air was the baby's cry when the doctor suctioned the baby's nose and mouth. Once the doctor cut and tied the umbilical cord, he gave us the news.
"Your majesties congratulations," he started, "you have a beautiful, healthy baby boy."
I was stunned at the news, while Zelda collapsed in my arms and started crying in happiness. The doctor handed the baby to one of the midwives for him to be cleaned off. Afterwards, the child was brought over to Zelda and me. I marveled at the sight of the little person, while Zelda smiled and attempted to sit up even after her whole ordeal. The midwife handed Zelda our son when she saw the queen open her arms out. He was placed ever so gently in Zelda's arms and I could not believe how incredibly beautiful he was.
"Oh my goddess!" Zelda whispered excited. "He looks just like you Link!"
I was too in awe to combat her on that, but in all honesty he looked just like Zelda… just like her. He had beautiful golden blonde hair and the brightest blues eyes I ever saw. He looked just like his mother.
"He's incredible," was all I could think to say.
Zelda giggled at my reaction and cradled him close to her bosom.
"He's perfect," she whispered, fighting back tears of happiness, "he's absolutely perfect."
The two midwives watching us smiled, but then came to give Zelda some directions.
"He's going to need to latch on to your breast so he can start feeding my lady," one of them said, "he'll need the nutrients right away."
I moved back at this point so Zelda could sit up completely. However, she wasn't immediately out of the clear yet. The doctor made sure to let her know that.
"Your majesty, you still need to release the placenta," he stated, "it hasn't happened yet, but I won't prevent you from wanting to feed your baby. However, after the baby is fed I need to make sure all the gestational contents are gone."
Zelda nodded, but had her complete attention on our son. I couldn't say I blamed her.
"Of course," she said absently, then asked, "can I feed him now?"
The doctor just grinned.
"Of course," he said, "it might help with expelling the rest of the placenta."
The midwife nearby helped Zelda get into a better position so she could hold the baby more securely. Afterwards, Zelda uncovered one of her breasts and attempted to latch our son on. She seemed to be a natural because he suckled almost immediately.
"Excellent job your majesty," the midwife complimented, "that was so well done."
Zelda cradled the baby closer.
"Thank you," she said.
I watched in complete amazement and didn't know what to say other than the first thing that came to my mind.
"I guess those aren't just for me anymore," I joked.
The two midwives looked at me shocked, but then giggled uncontrollably as did Zelda. She looked over at me and shook her head.
"Link you're incorrigible," she said, "but I'll let it pass today."
I grinned at her, but still felt surreal. While I was watching her breastfeed, I still couldn't believe how only moments ago he was inside of her, but now he was here.
The miracle of life, I thought.
"What shall we call him?" Zelda asked as she rocked with him back and forth.
It would be cliche and typical to name him after me, and honestly to me he didn't look like a Link. He looked very regal, very distinguished like the little prince he was. He should have a distinguished name, and that was when it hit me.
"Let's name him Daphnes II after your father," I suggested.
Zelda looked at me surprised.
"What?" she whispered.
I nodded.
"Let's name him after your father," I repeated, "your father would want that."
Zelda's eyes searched my face.
"You want to name him after papa?" she said surprised.
I smiled and looked at our suckling child.
"Yes," I said.
Her expression turned so grateful just then.
"I would love that," she said sincerely, "and you're right, father would appreciate that."
I reached up and caressed her cheek.
"I knew you would," I said.
She looked back down at our son as his beautiful blue eyes searched Zelda's face as he continued feeding.
"Do you hear that my love?" she whispered to him. "Your name is going to be Daphnes after your grandfather. You're going to be named after a great king."
I thought it was endearing that Zelda had taken to the name so quickly, but I was surprised in myself about how much I found myself loving this little guy whom I just met. He was simply extraordinary and I felt a love I never knew I could feel for another Hylian-being.
He's so perfect, I thought.
"Daphnes," I whispered, "my little Daphnes."
At the sound of my voice, he looked over at me and stared at me with those big blue eyes. He probably was just trying to figure this huge world out. It was then I realized I had so much more to protect now… so much more.
Now I finally understand sire, I thought of the late king, now I finally understand.
~SSS~
Two days later, Hebra Manor: Lady Bathory's POV
"'It is with great honor and exhilarating pride that we welcome into the world your new prince: Daphnes Nohanseen II. A treasure so great, that not even the diamonds of the Hebra Mountains can compare,'" I finished reading the stationery sent to all the families in Hyrule. "Well… isn't that an obvious dig."
Dinivane Filgore and Vlad Rue Morgue, who I was reading the information to, looked anything but excited by the news. We were gathered together at my manor after a long absence. We hadn't convened like this in months. It was actually quite dangerous for us to meet together, because it seemed the king had a more watchful eye than I thought. Admittedly, my admiration for the young monarch was growing every time he did something I considered out of character for him. Who would have thought that he would send someone to spy on me? I knew about it of course, but if he thought I was that important, I couldn't help but be flattered, and now he had a little one here to protect too.
My, my, my your majesty, I thought, you are full of surprises.
It was then Filgore thought to speak up.
"How wonderful," he said sarcastically, "another royal brat."
I raised a brow at the ire in his voice, but grinned.
"Come, come now Dinivane, these are exciting times my dear," I said with a hint of sarcasm, "it's not everyday royalty comes into the world."
Filgore fanned off my saying cantankerously.
"Elvira sometimes your cavalier attitude is irritating," he said. "We still haven't recouped from the losses we experienced at Zora's Domain, and you want to act as though this were a happy occasion? And don't forget how the king almost exposed us in front of your fiancé. Had Prince Leonhart found out about the mon we would probably all be in jail right now. That smug bastard having a child is the last thing I'm concerned with."
I didn't answer and shifted my gaze over to Rue Morgue, who had the same sullied expression as his friend. He was the shrewder of the two, but he was feeling the strain of our perceived lack of progress.
"Elvira, I'm afraid I agree with Dinivane," he said, "I still have yet to see my financial returns from all the work we put into the Zora's initiative. It seems once we have a foothold in something we keep getting knocked down. The last thing I want to do is celebrate our defector's baby. Stop being ridiculous."
I smirked and placed the stationery down on the table set between them. I looked at my two old friends with an empathetic face. I was significantly younger than the both of them, but I learned a great deal from their years of experience. However, with their experience they lacked the enthusiasm needed to get beyond a setback. It must have been hard seeing the world with such a pessimistic point of view. I also noticed they weren't as devoted to making things work because they were incessantly pragmatic. Pragmatism had its place, but it was often at the cost of spontaneity. Men who were pragmatic were reliable, but they did not like to take risks; thankfully that was why they had me as a friend. The ideals that we clung to were deeply ingrained in my heart. My mother and father told me to never give up on the cause, even if it was beyond my lifetime to achieve. It was how the Interlopers survived throughout the centuries. I had to reinvigorate my friends, and I knew being spontaneous was the only way to do it. I believed we could be successful if we were resilient, but we had to stay the course. Also, they had no idea what I had been up to these last few months. Perhaps my news about the breakthroughs I've made would give them some hope.
I then cleared my voice to speak up.
"Well," I started, "I do happen to think it's wonderful news that the royal family has produced an heir. Where would Hyrule be without one? However, I do think it is a little contrite with how the king and the queen are acting on appearances."
Both men turned and looked at me when I uttered this.
"What do you mean Elvira?" Filgore asked first.
I pretended nonchalance and clasped my hands together. I started walking across the room to properly gather my thoughts. I looked around for a source of inspiration, which was knowledge. We were in my favorite room in the manor, my library. I had hundreds of old books ranging from the works of the great philosophers, to the words of the arcane magi. I always felt powerful here, especially when I had such good news.
"Haven't you heard?" I teased finally. "The king and the queen's marriage is for show."
There was a brief pause where Rue Morgue raised a brow.
"There marriage is for show?" he repeated. "How would you know that?"
I smirked.
"I have my sources," I said simply.
Now Filgore wasn't in a mood for taunting.
"Elvira will you be out with it please?" he asked with a mild impatience. "Where did you get this information?"
My smirk widened.
"Fine, but you're no fun," I replied, then added, "a little birdie told me… he told me while he was making passionate love to me."
Rue Morgue seemed to find the humor in that, while Filgore did not.
"You mean the prince told you?" the latter asked plainly. "Is that what you are saying?"
I raised a brow at Filgore's sour attitude.
"Yes you killjoy," I replied, "Prince Leonhart told me in confidence. He informed me he had a rather frank talk with his majesty, and he divulged quite accidentally that the king is not in love with the queen."
Rue Morgue seemed more interested than Filgore, but still verbalized his doubts.
"There are arranged marriages all the time Elvira," he said, "this is hardly news, though I did think they put up a rather convincing front for a while. I never would have guessed they didn't love each other."
Filgore then chimed in.
"Yes, and honestly, who cares?" he asked. "Them not loving each other might actually make them more effective rulers."
I scoffed gently and walked over to one of my rows of books in the library. From it, I grabbed one of my favorites: The Ancient Mysteries of Hyrule.
"So it would seem," I said, "but I think I found a weakness of the king."
There was another brief silence after I uttered that, and when I turned around, both men were staring at me keenly.
"What do you mean?" Filgore asked first.
I walked back over to them and set my bound volume on the table between them.
"I meant what I said," I replied plainly, "I found a weakness of the king."
Rue Morgue tapped his fingers on the table.
"Well, tell us what it is," he said with a hint of impatience, "don't keep us in suspense."
I then opened the book to a page I was interested in, then addressed my dear friends.
"The king is in love with another woman," I said quietly.
Both men looked at me taken aback, but they didn't have the shock I expected.
"And?" Rue Morgue pressed.
I tilted my head slightly.
"And what?" I asked.
Filgore groaned.
"Is that all?" he asked.
I raised my brows.
"Is that all?" I repeated. "Isn't that enough?"
Filgore fanned me off again and sat back in his seat.
"If you're talking about that salacious rumor about him and that peasant girl that's old news," he said, "in fact, it's been industriously circulated throughout the town when it was big news nearly two years ago. That certainly has no bearing now."
I was a little surprised to hear this.
"I certainly never heard of this rumor," I divulged.
Rue Morgue shook his head and looked over at his friend in agreement.
"That's because you live in the middle of nowhere my dear Elvira," he said, "news takes its longest getting up to these cold mountain tops. You also forget you were doing a great deal of traveling back then, but as it stands, I have to say, there isn't very much to go by."
I was starting to feel a little untoward about my news, but I wasn't through yet.
"Even so," I went on, "there is still an inkling there between this woman and the king. I'm telling you this as a fact."
Flgore shook his head.
"And what difference does it make?" he demanded. "What proof do you have?"
His temperament was getting the better of him.
"You forget, I was with the royal party when the prince came for his visit," I explained, "that woman who the king used to have a past with was at one of the stops when we went to visit the peasants in the square. She's married to another man now, but it took a great deal of restraint on the king's part not to properly acknowledge her. However, when he did everyone there could all but tell he was in love with her."
Rue Morgue then looked over at Filgore with a renewed sense of interest.
"How do you know that?" he asked.
I then walked over near the fireplace and stood at the front between the both of them as they sat.
"I could tell by the way he was defending her that he cared for her," I explained, "he had so much conviction in his voice. It was the same kind of conviction he showed to me when he asked me why I was trying to bring war about the land. It was undeniable."
Both men were quiet as they contemplated what I was saying. Their cynicism was starting to return. However, I knew I needed to keep the persuasion strong with this and decided to put the nail in the proverbial coffin.
"Besides that," I went on, "I have something else that might be of interest to you two. This woman might be who we are looking for. She might be the catalyst to bring back the moon goddess."
When I said that, both Rue Morgue and Filgore looked up at me stunned.
"What are you talking about?" Filgore asked. "How?"
I then looked down at the open pages of the book I so admired.
"I mean, I think I found our vessel of darkness," I replied, "I think I found the sacrifice needed to bring the moon goddess back."
Rue Morgue was looking at me wide eyed now. It was the first time that entire evening his face went from stoic to excited.
"How do you know?" he asked.
I walked back over to the table and picked up the book. I cradled it close to my chest.
"The night of the festival the moon shined favorably upon her… just her and no one else," I explained, "and according to the legend, the moon goddess chooses former tetraforce wielders, or those with an innocent heart. Considering this young woman tried to seduce a man who was affianced to another woman, I don't think innocence has anything to do with this. However, I am going to assume it was because she was a former tetraforce wielder."
Filgore too for once look interested.
"But how do you know she is a former tetraforce wielder?" he asked. "We don't even know if the tetraforce exists."
I couldn't answer that for a certainty, but I wasn't going to let them know that.
"The moon would never just shine upon anyone," I said, "she is special, that woman is the key, and what makes this so perfectly delicious is that she is just the weakness we were looking for in the king. He is in love with her, I know it."
After my spiel the two men got quiet, but I could sense their attitudes changing in my favor.
"Think of it," I went on, "if the moon goddess comes back we no longer have to worship her in hiding. We can be free with the darkness she will bring upon this world. She will give us the power to dominate and subjugate at will. We will no longer be bound by the treacherous goddess of light who only wishes to enslave us. We will truly be the Interlopers we were meant to be." I then got closer to Filgore because he was the biggest doubter of us all. "Imagine it Filgore," I whispered near his ear, "imagine you being filled to the brim with dark power and having a kingdom to wield that's all your own. No more Hyrule, no more unilateral monarchy, just plain unquestionable power."
Filgore's eyes suddenly had a glow.
"Power…" he whispered, "absolute power."
I nodded as I stared into his eyes.
"Yes," I repeated, "on a scale that we have never seen before. Who needs riches when you can have the elements at your fingertips? Who needs housing when the forces of nature are at your will?"
The more I spoke the more I saw Filgore coming to my rationale. I then looked over at Rue Morgue who seemed to have been convinced moments ago.
"What do we have to do?" Rue Morgue asked. "Where do we find this woman?"
I stood up confidently just then and looked down at the image of the moon goddess at full power in the illustration in the book.
"We have to be patient first and foremost," I stated, "and secondly, I know exactly where to find her."
Rue Morgue leaned forward in his chair.
"If we know where she is, why haven't we captured her yet?" he asked. "Why are we waiting?"
I understood his inquiry.
"We need to know everything about her first, plus the sacrifice cannot happen until a blood moon is upon us," I said. "That won't be for several months. Besides, I already hired a spy to give me information on her, and the first collection of intelligence was quite impressive I must admit."
Filgore pressed for me to go on.
"Which was what exactly?" he asked.
I then flipped the book to the last page where I kept the piece of parchment my spy had given to me. I took the piece of parchment out of the book and placed it on the table. It was a map. Rue Morgue was the first to pick it up and study it. His expression was quite confused.
"Where in the world is this?" he asked.
I had no idea either, but was going to definitely find out.
"That, my dear friends, is a map to the Kokiri Forest," I said, "I have never heard of it, but apparently our little green haired friend is from there."
Filgore then sat back.
"Kokiri Forest?" he repeated. "I thought the Kokiri were myths and legends. I never knew such a place was real."
I nodded.
"All the more reason for us to find it," I said, "but I need to know more before we do."
Rue Morgue placed a hand to his chin, and looked to the fireplace thoughtfully.
"But would such a place harbor darkness?" he asked. "It doesn't make sense. The legend states the Great Deku tree is there and that guardian is hardly an agent of darkness."
I understood his concern.
"That is why we need to proceed with caution before we move forward," I reassured, "but if she is who we are looking for, she is the sacrifice needed to bring back the moon goddess. We may see her realized in our lifetimes gentlemen."
My enthusiasm was apparently infectious, because both men were starting to have faith in what I was saying.
"Perhaps," Rue Morgue said with caution, "but this is promising."
Filgore nodded.
"It is," he agreed.
I glanced down at my book again and looked at the illustration of the magnificent dark goddess. If she was anything like this image, I was glad to give her a sacrifice. I would give her one hundred if it was deemed necessary. The more I stared at her the more I wanted to visualize her. I could not wait to meet her.
Soon my lady, I thought, soon.
~SSS~
Somewhere in Hyrule, another reflection from an Interesting Character
I have been around for quite a long time, and the last time I recollected I spoke of the tale of the fourth goddess, the moon goddess as her devoted servants like to call her. However, I sense there are strange workings going on in the world, ebbs and flows that make no sense to me. The land of Hyrule is about to be ripped in two if the lords and ladies have their way. I have this strange fascination with the fantastical and the devotion of the arcane and old sects. However, that fascination does not negate the need for common sense. I firmly believe in common sense. It's one of the reasons why I do the things I do. I am currently in the middle of writing another book about the esoteric lore of Hyrule. It seems my first book, The Ancient Mysteries of Hyrule, was a resounding success. I only printed twenty copies, but the persons who managed to get a manuscript were individuals who belonged to the highest echelons of society. My book was even reprinted by these persons, and was considered a valuable treasure to the scholarly world.
How ironic.
Who would have thought… my little book of purported nonsense to be an important work of the scholarly world? A world whom at once openly rejected me. It was one of the reasons I actually found scholars annoying; such pretentious folks. They sometimes made the strangest things important. However, I digress, there is a current tale that is not yet finished, and I am interested in seeing how it is going to end. I wonder… I wonder if that green haired maiden got my letter yet. And if she did, I wonder how many times she has read it. Perhaps it was time I sent her another, but not merely for the reasons of cajoling like before, this time it would be for a true purpose.
Yes.
I think I need to warn her of the people who might want to cause her harm. I am connected to some rather high circles, but due to my eccentric nature most people ignore many of the things I say… until they come true that is. Interestingly enough, these are the same people who are highly devoted to my book. I remember telling a certain little lad to have faith when he went about his ventures. When he listened he was rewarded. When he didn't he unfortunately suffered the consequences. Another time too, I remember telling a certain young woman that the masks that we wear are not always made of wood or stone, but of flesh and blood. She looked frightened because I said those things to her, but her expression made for an interesting chapter in my new book. The tale of the girl with the green hair was going to correspond with the new king of Hyrule. How interesting that such a virtuous young man grew up to be such a liar. I didn't expect that outcome at all. I would have to put an exert in my book about the whiles of dishonesty.
Recently, I noticed when I took a walk today in the forest there was something odd in the air, like a rippling effect in the confines of space and time. What was it? There were those incidents nearly two years ago where the Twilight Realm, a realm the rulers of Hyrule tried to hide, merged with our world. I was interested in this world of twilight because it may have been like the other world I once visited that had darkness and unsettling themes, but fortunately this land was saved by a little lad… a little lad who was now king. Considering the recent events and the relative nonchalance of my odd nature, I think it was time I gave a visit to the lad who was now king. This might be the perfect time where I left the lore behind and actually ventured forth for a purpose.
Yes.
Yes, that was exactly what I was going to do.
I was going to visit the little lad who had become king and let him know the world was a little unstable. I think he would appreciate the efforts I put forth. I certainly appreciated his when he worked for me… but that was another story. I would write him a letter and request an audience, hopefully he wouldn't say no. It would be quite the ordeal if he said no. Perhaps I should write another letter to the green haired girl too. I think she might benefit greatly if she realized she was a central player in this tale.
Yes.
Yes, that's what I would do.
A moment later, I pulled out two stationeries, one for the king and one for the green haired girl. I would write them both, but to the king first. With this decided, I went about my duty.
"How should I begin?" I whispered.
Then it hit me.
Begin the way I always begin.
Greetings to you from an old friend…
The next chapter will be up soon. Thank you for reading.