Link awoke slowly, even though just a dream, he felt drained, as if he actually did to run to the Castle, and fight his way through a small army of monsters. He collapsed back onto the mattress, spreading his arms out.
"Good morning" Zelda said, smiling, still looking a little sleepy.
Link turned over, draping his arm over her, pulling her closer into him, "Do you and I have to get out of bed today?" he asked, gazing upon Zelda.
"Unfortunately, yes, my love." she answered, willing herself to sit up, the blanket fell away from her chest, with Link not being able to help but look before she pulled the covers up and over it, "Hey!" she shouted playfully, "There's plenty of time for that later..." she blushed slightly, with Link doing the same.
Zelda and Link pulled themselves out from underneath the sheets, both of them taking glances at each other's bare forms, Zelda made her way into an adjoined room, with Link dropping the underclothes he was about to put on as she called him over. He hurried to the room Zelda was in, to find her slowly heating up a bath, Link smiled, watching Zelda as she lowered herself into the large tub, she beckoned to Link, he made his way over, lowering himself in too, with Zelda situating herself on top of him.
The two of them remained like that for a while, just enjoying the togetherness joined with the warmth of the water, but soon, Link began caressing her body, she moved so as to guide Link's hands, with his hands soon finding their way over her breasts, she squeaked when Link applied a light grip to them, he lowered one arm, pulling Zelda over his lap.
They took turns washing each other, and rose out of the tub, holding onto each other delightedly. After drying off, they both returned to the bed chamber, in which Zelda donned her most ornate white and pink dress, with a silver trim, the Triforce logo emblazoned on the chest. Link pulled on his underclothes, and reached for his white shirt, pulling it on over his bare upper body, soon he added the plain blue trousers he had with him to the ensemble, he quickly recalled the state of his formal wear, realizing he needed to replace it, the former outfit having been torn apart during the Golem Incident, as it was now being called.
Zelda was sitting in front of her mirror, her hair dried, she was brushing it when Link spoke up, "I missed mornings like this, waking up to each other, starting our days together."
"You don't have to miss them anymore, I'm back now, we're together again." she replied as she stood up, making her way over to Link she embraced him tightly, pressing her lips against his, almost simultaneously they said "I love you." the looks in their eyes being able to communicate the deeper meaning that could not be expressed through words.
Link picked Zelda up, carrying her to the bed where he laid down, lowering her on top of him, both of them smiling all the while. "Link! What are you doing?" she asked, the smile remaining on her face.
"Making sure I don't let you go." he said, feeling a warmth inside him flare up as he held onto her.
The two stayed there for an hour, just enjoying the warmth each other's bodies, even through the clothing they had donned, they could feel it. "Link, I have to attend the Council meeting, soon." she said, reluctantly pushing herself off of him.
"How soon?" he asked, not wanting his time with her to come to a close, even if they'd be seeing each other again soon enough.
"Well, I do have time for this." she said, suddenly running to the door, and taking off down the hall with a laugh.
Link knew what she was doing, when they had met as children in past lives they did this often, Link sprang up, chasing her down the hallway, she moved surprisingly fast in her dress, turning corners with ease, always staying just ahead of Link, making her way to a door at the end of the hall she burst through it, emerging in the garden.
Zelda looked around, it had been a while since she had been in this part of the Garden, quickly remembering it's layout, she turned towards a large portion of gathered shrubs, noting that Link was in hot pursuit. She let out a joyful laugh, having not had this type of fun for a very long time.
Link continued after her, he mused to himself about how, even though he was 18, and she was 20, the game they played as children was still not something they saw as beneath them, and still had great fun participating in it. He turned corner after corner, the gathered shrubs making this part of the garden almost maze like.
"Come get me!" Zelda shouted, keeping her pace, every now and then slowing to listen for Link's footsteps. She ducked around a corner, hearing Link growing closer, becoming concerned when she heard two startled yelps, followed by two thuds.
Link looked up, his eyes landed on Minister Hawkwood's stunned form, lying on his back side. "I'm so sorry, Minister, let me help you up." Link extended his hand, the older man clutching it, pulling himself up, "Must be some important papers, if you would rather hold onto them than catch yourself before you fall." Link remarked, seeing the documents tucked under the Minister's left arm.
"They're notes, for the Council meeting today, so yes, you could say they're important." Minister Hawkwood answered, giving Link a slight glare, "Please be more careful in the future." the Minister added.
"What are you up to down here?" Link asked, looking over the Minister's shoulder, trying to spy Zelda among the shrubs.
"Just taking a morning walk, what about yourself, Mr. Link?" The Minister asked curiously, seeing Link looking off into the distance.
Soon Link heard Zelda's voice calling from beyond the nearest wall of shrubs. "Link? Where are you? Are you alright?" she asked, raising her voice so she could easily be heard.
The Minister looked shocked, he turned to Link, glaring at him, anger visible, "Oh...I see, you decided to bring a girl here to impress her, I hope you realize you're abusing the privileges the Prince has given you, I will make sure he will hear about this at once!"
"Minister Hawkwood, please calm yourself." Zelda said, emerging from behind a nearby tree.
Minister Hawkwood spun around, about ready to tell off what he thought would be one of the many girls in Castle Town, but as soon as his eyes fell upon her his jaw dropped, and he froze, suddenly falling to his knees. "Princess, I am so sorry, please forgive my outburst, if I had known it was you Mr. Link was here with, I would have conducted myself much more reasonably!"
Zelda looked down at him, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, "It's quite alright, Minister Hawkwood." she said, her smile lighting her face.
The Minister glanced back at Link, then up at her as he rose to his feet, "If I had realized you had returned, I would have greeted you personally!" the Minister exclaimed.
"Do not worry yourself with that, Minister Hawkwood, I enjoyed the alone time." she smiled, as the thoughts of her "alone time" with Link flashed through her head.
"Ah, I see, shall I be seeing you in the council meeting today?" the older man asked.
"Of course, Minister." Zelda answered, smiling, "I somewhat missed council meetings"
"I'm glad to hear this!" The Minister said, turning around towards the Castle, "I shall take my leave now, see you in the meeting Princess." he said before turning to Link, "And Good Morning, Hero." he said cordially, moving onward to the Castle.
Link turned his sights to Zelda, she walked towards him, and clasped her right hand around his left, pulling them onward.
"Where are we going?" Link asked, looking at her curiously.
"Can't I just take my soon-to-be husband on walk around the Castle?" she said with a smile.
Link returned the smile, "Sounds reasonable to me." he said
The two walked, hand in hand, with Zelda sometimes resting her head on Link's shoulder. "Our wedding, it could take place in the Castle Courtyard." Zelda suggested, her excitement building. The Castle Courtyard was the traditional location for Royal Weddings to take place, they had been married there before, but after their last lifetime, with Link making good on his promise of marrying her on the shores of Lake Hylia, she found herself missing the Courtyard weddings.
"That sounds wonderful." Link replied, pulling Zelda in close, hugging her tight. The two embraced for what felt like a long time, before they broke apart, not being able to help but smile at each other.
Zelda looked up, taking note of the sun's position in the sky, shielding her eyes from it's full brightness with her forearm. "Link my dearest, I really must make my way to the council meeting, but do not fret, our next meeting shall come soon." she said, looking deeply into his eyes.
Link held Zelda's hand in his during their walk to the council chamber, with the two smiling at each other all the while, the great love between them being quite apparent.
Zelda reached for the door handle, looking back at Link, "I'll be done soon." she stated, gazing at Link, with Link returning her gaze.
"I can't wait." Link replied, as she entered the council room. Sad to see her go, Link made his way to the Great Hall, he looked down from a a balcony, seeing the crowd of guests growing larger, tonight was the main event, the day in which all of the guests from lands near and far were due to arrive, Link awaited this with mixed emotions, he looked forward to seeing the Delegations from other lands, and species, but he knew it was also an opportune time for an attack. Link shoved these thoughts from his mind, turning his attention to his need of a new sword, he made his way down the stairs, suddenly finding himself facing Audrik.
"Hero!" the Prince exclaimed, "I was wondering where you've been, I was worried when I didn't see you up and about earlier, and to my surprise you weren't in your room, where have you been?" The Prince questioned, looking upon Link inquisitively.
Link looked around uncomfortably, not quite knowing how to answer the Prince's question, "You'll...um...find out soon." Link said, seeing the Prince's bewildered look.
"Um...I'm not quite sure what you mean, Hero, but I'll take your word for it, by the way, I'm glad to see you up and about, I was concerned for you after our fight with the Golem...and your, well, experience."
"It's quite alright." Link responded, "I've come back from worse." he said with a smile, noticing the Prince's look of relief.
"Well Hero, I wish I could stay and talk, but I'm late for the council meeting, see you soon!" he called back, running up the stairs toward the council chamber.
Link allowed himself a small smile, thinking of the surprise the Prince was in for. As he made his way through the crowd, multiple people were pointing at him, speaking at a low volume, even though he was in the densely populated Great Hall of Hyrule Castle, he felt slightly on edge.
"Excuse me sir." he heard from behind him, Link turned around to find a Noble looking at him, he was quite short, and had a plump appearance, a trait many Nobles shared. "I couldn't help but notice the Prince spoke to you...casually...who are you?"
Link recognized the man as a member of the group that was whispering about him, realizing that they were gossiping about his seeming friendship with the Prince, Link decided he wasn't going to soften his answer and looked upon the small Noble, drawing himself up to his full height, "I'm the Hero of Legend, and you'd do good to address me with respect." he said, his voice being marked with an aggressive tone.
The Noble gasped, hurrying back to his group, Link not being able to make out their conversation due to the noise in the room. He didn't care whether or not they believed him, he was just glad they were leaving him alone. He passed by a large group, listening intently as a tall, physically imposing man spouted war stories, Link stopped when he heard the man exclaim, "They all turned and ran when they saw me with their leader's head on the end of my blade!" he began laughing while the crowd clapped, some of it's members looking uneasy. Link recognized the man as Sir Nawk Ginthorne, Admiral of the Hylian Military. Link, not wanting to interrupt his stories, kept on moving, resisting the urge to correct him, seeing as it was his Triforce powered spin attack that sent the Bulblin forces running, "Could have been another battle, with another Monster's head." Link thought as he laughed to himself.
Link made it outside, making it this day's mission to procure a new sword, he reached into his pack, looking through the many rupees he had, Audrik paid him quite handsomely. Link dug through the red and blue rupees until he found a large silver one, with a line of gold running across it's edges, this alone could get him a more than decent sword. Link tucked it in his pocket, making sure it was readily available.
Walking through the gates, Link continued forward, as townspeople went about their daily business around him. He made his way towards the entrance to West Castle Town, thinking of a shop he visited quite frequently in his former lives, hoping it was still where he remembered it being. fighting through the ever increasing crowds, Link found himself in a line of people being redirected by Guards, the street blocked off, up ahead more guards were using it to move equipment to East Castle Town, Link realized they were using the equipment to dismantle the broken remains of the Golem, the only thought in Link's mind being "Good riddance."
After following the queue onto another avenue, Link began walking west again, making his way through an archway, the Hylian symbol for "West" hanging above it. Link for the first time since regaining his memories, felt like a normal Hylian, Walking the streets, full of people, going about their business while he went about his. He took a sharp right turn, coming to a covered staircase that was wedged in between two buildings, Link read the sign on one building, reading "West Town Butcher", while the other building was left unmarked. Link made his way down the staircase, and to his delight, there it was, "Markus's Curiosities".
It wasn't the place one would usually look for a sword, with smiths and armories seemingly being the obvious choice of where to look for a new weapon, and that is precisely what Link did, up until his visit to the far off land of Termina that is. Link had found many rare and powerful items in Clock Town's curiosity shop, and decided that he'd definitely seek one out when he returned to Hyrule. He hadn't had the chance to do so in that life, the era which was now being referred to as "The Mythical Age", but he did in his next lifetime, he found "Markus's Curiosities", at that time being manned by the original Markus. Link had many dealings, not all of them morally sound, with Markus, but always was able to get what he needed, even if Markus would refuse to divulge how he came across certain items.
Link entered the store, noting a suit of armor off to the side, with the walls being lined with glass cases, containing bracelets, rings, and pendants.
"Ello, an' welcome to Markus's Curiosities, anything I can help you with, Sir?" the young man behind the counter asked, eyeing Link.
Link looked down at the jewelry, he was going to be a married man soon, and yes, Zelda still had their engagement ring from more than a few lifetimes ago, but he thought she deserved a new one.
"That pendant there, with the black stone, it makes you nearly impossible to notice...not invisible, just unnoticeable, good for stealth and such." the clerk said, he was obviously a descendant of the original Markus, but wasn't too similar looking, with just enough of the same facial contours to make their familial relation easy to see.
"Well..." Link started, "I'm to be married soon and-" the clerk cut him off.
"Congratulations Sir, I'm guessing it's a ring ya be lookin' for?" he said with a smile, approaching Link. "That one right there is made of pure gold, with the gem in the center a very rare Great Bay Sapphire, some say it has the power to bring good luck to it's wearer, how'd your lady like that?" he asked, looking at Link.
Link scanned the case, "What about this one?" he asked, pointing to a shining silver ring, a purple gem adorning it.
"Ah! Fine choice, fine choice indeed!" declared the clerk, "That one there wards off evil spirits, I'm not being too sure 'bout it's origin, but I know it does it's job, truly." he said looking at Link once more, "...Be quite a damper if some bad spirit is haunting your honeymoon, yes, yes?" the clerk asked, laughing heartily.
Link was becoming irritated, he forgot about the strange way Markus spoke, needless to say, Link was surprised to find it ran in his family. "I'll take them both." Link said, eyeing both rings, the Sapphire adorned ring is the one he wished to give Zelda. Link had sensed something was wrong with it the moment he laid eyes on the ring with the purple gem, there was a reason it warded off evil, and whatever that reason was, with the way Link could feel his Triforce reacting, it wasn't good, he wanted to get it in his hands before it could fall into the wrong hands...or the unprepared ones.
The clerk's face lit up, "Right away sir! Disappointed you won't be, that is indeed my promise!" the clerk said, using a key to open the case, he grabbed both rings, taking them into the back. He emerged a short time later, with one ring in a silver clamshell type package, the other in a black one.
Link checked both, the Sapphire ring being in the silver, while the strange ring with the purple gem was in the black, Link closed both, storing them in a pocket on his pack. He took a few handfuls of red and blue rupees from his pack, counting them out and giving them to the clerk, Link cursed his concern for others in his head, the Sapphire ring was only 3150 rupees, but the ring with the purple gem was 5000, proving Link would pay quite a price, literally, to keep his people safe.
"Anything else I can be doin' fer ya, sir?" the clerk asked, looking at Link expectantly.
"I am in need of a blade, and not one of those mounted on the wall, I want to see what you have hidden" Link said, narrowing his eyes at the Clerk, he pulled out the silver, gold fringed rupee, making sure the clerk saw it, and see it he did, Link could swear his eyes almost bulged out of his head.
"Ye...ye...yes! right away, Sir!" the Clerk exclaimed, leading Link to a room situated behind the counter. He unlocked yet another door, leading them into a small walk-in closet. Link spied a case that was quite obviously, and very powerfully magically protected. Inside was a sword, it's handle black with silver detailing, the hand guards pushed out and curved up like the horns of a beast, with the silver detailing wrapping itself around those too, in the middle of the hilt sat a red gem, which gleamed brightly, the blade was a deep, glossy black, that seemed to shine, even with little light present.
It reminded him of Ganondorf's sword, but unlike that sword, the Triforce reacted positively, to a lesser degree feeling like it did when in the presence of the Master Sword. "Tell me about it." Link spoke quietly, the sword capturing his gaze.
"'Bout a month ago we bought it from a Zora merchant, he told us it was made using a strange black rock they found underwater, and that gem there, it's magic, it makes the sword light as air, Sir!" the clerk explained.
Link looked upon it, it would do nicely until he could retrieve the Master Sword. "What do you call it?" Link asked curiously.
"The White Sword, Sir" the clerk answered.
Link looked at the sword, scanning it's black blade, "With the blade being that black, why do they call it "The White Sword"? Link asked, the reason for his confusion obvious.
"The way it shines in the sun light, Sir, you'd swear it glows white." the clerk answered.
Link smiled, the clerk quickly undid the protection spells, with Link subsequently reaching into the case. Taking hold of the sword, Link could feel it had great power immediately, he also noted with delight that it was as light as the clerk had claimed it would be. "I'll take it." Link said, sheathing the sword. Making their way back to the counter, Link gave the clerk the silver rupee with the gold fringes, and a couple handfuls of red and blue rupees, the sword was quite expensive, but with the power he could sense within it, and the way it reacted with his Triforce, Link deemed it worth the cost, being a more than decent blade.
oOo
Zelda took a seat at the head of the table, having already greeted the Ministers, receiving their greetings in return, glad their Princess had returned.
"Where is Minister Tonbridge?" Zelda asked, noticing his absence.
Farin Zant was the first to speak, "The Prince put him on leave after the Golem incident, my Lady." he replied.
Soon the door flew open, Audrik striding in, "Good mor...Sister! You've returned!" Audrik ran to his sister, hugging her in her seat.
Zelda laughed, "It's nice to see you too, little brother." she responded.
Audrik took a seat, "So how about we update my dear sister on events, and then share the day's news?" Audrik said excitedly, glad his sister was back, not just because it meant less dealing with Nobles and less council involvement for him.
Zelda cut in suddenly, "Audrik...what is this "Golem Incident" I've been hearing about?"
Audrik suddenly became worried, a fearful look on his face, "Minister Tonbridge and the Guild of Sorcerers created a massive stone warrior, at least the size of the legendary "Biggoron", much like an Armos Knight, but modeled after the shape of a Hylian Knight, Minister Tonbridge claimed to have taken all precautions...but it broke from his control and destroyed a third of East Castle Town, thank the Goddesses we had the Hero..." Audrik explained. In his mind he put two and two together and realized where Link had been the previous night, quickly deciding not to think about it.
Zelda looked upon her brother, her eyes containing a sparkle the Prince knew all too well, "Link defeated it?" she asked, smiling at the thought of him, her Hero.
"Yes!" Audrik explained, "He almost died in the process but he did it!, with the help of Impa, Oren, and myself that is..." Audrik trailed off, realizing the error in what he just said. He turned to his sister, an exceedingly distressed look in her eyes.
"Let's move on with the meeting." she said quietly.
Audrik immediately cursed his lack of forethought for having let slip that the hero almost met his end, but continued on with the meeting, not knowing what to expect from his sister later.
"Minister Ryos, what do you have for us today?" the Prince asked, noting his lack of fidgeting as a good sign.
"The Bulblin Empire has pulled it's forces back to their territory, the Dragon Knight hasn't been seen since Kakariko, and no incidents have occurred along our borders." He stated, a happy tone to his voice.
"Great!" the Prince exclaimed, happy to have driven the Bulblin Empire back, Minister Hawkwood, what have you to say?" The Prince asked, shifting his gaze accordingly.
"Everything is in place for the arrival of the Foreign Delegations, my lord." Minister Hawkwood stated, "Also, please never assign me as event planner again, it was a dreadful time." he said, looking off at the wall.
"Fine, fine." said the Prince, "But with everything looking as good as it is right now, I'd be foolish not to." he said, shooting a smirk the Minister's way.
"Actually, that would be my decision now." Zelda spoke, she was correct, "Audrik; did your time without me get to your head? Remember, I am regent, when I am present, authority lies with me."
Audrik's face clearly communicated how stunned he was, while the Ministers around him looked away, realizing the Princess was quite cross.
"Of course, dear sister, I was merely, bantering with Minister Hawkwood." he said nervously, managing to keep his smile.
Zelda looked over the table, "Minister Zant, how is the state of our Education system, with the rise in population I suppose class sizes have increased, resulting in a higher demand for instructors, which I'm guessing you've dealt with?"
Audrik took a seat, watching as his sister took over the meeting, glad she was getting back into practice.
Minister Zant stood up, "Yes, my Lady, I have added 73 new instructors to our schools, the numbers await your confirmation." he said as he handed her a document.
Zelda skimmed the text, then taking a nearby quill, signed the parchment, handing it back to the Minister.
"Thank you, my Lady." Minister Lin said, taking his seat.
"Minister Lin, what news have you brought us from the Ministry of Health?"
Morik Lin looked up at Zelda, a serious expression on his face, "The Cucco Flu is being controlled, but two different diseases we're in the process of identifying have broken out, we're doing our best to contain it, but our remedies can only treat these diseases, not cure them, I need you to sign off on a work order, we need the entire Ministry of Health researching this!" he exclaimed.
Zelda took the parchment, looking it over, she signed it quickly, handing it back to Minister Lin. She had seen this before, it was frequently part of Ganondorf's plan to spread illness, in order to weaken her people, Zelda thought it strange he had yet to reveal himself...if even he had been reborn in this era. Zelda's thoughts turned to other threats they've faced in the past, Vaati, Veran, Koume and Kotake, and Zant the Twilight King all flashed through her mind, she hated to think about it, but it could even be a new threat completely. She quickly turned her attention away from the subject, calling on Minister Kendres.
"I've received Viscen's permission to use some of his Guardsmen, I've assigned them patrol routes in the areas that crime is currently at it's highest rates, it's too early to see improvement, but the plan seems promising so far." he said, he then looked the Princess in the eye, a thing not many had the confidence to do. "We need to stop relying on Bokoblin patrols in Hyrule Field, just the other day a Guardsmen was assaulted by an individual in the field he couldn't...or wouldn't identify, we have yet to catch his assailant, and at this point, I doubt we ever will." the Minister of justice said, breaking his gaze of from Zelda's.
"Speak to Viscen, Minister Kendres, I can grant you control over the investigation, but Viscen controls where guardsmen are posted, you'll need to speak with him." Zelda stated calmly.
"Yes, my Lady." Minister Kendres replied.
"Is this all?" Zelda asked, glancing around the room, catching Prince Audrik's eyes for a moment.
Minister Hawkood stood up, "Princess, I believe the best time to do so would be now, seeing as the Festival is in full swing, and your parents have been missing for quite some time."
Zelda looked on curiously, "What do you speak of, Minister?"
"After the Delegations arrive, your coronation as Queen should take place, we've planned it, and have begun setting up or it, you can't rule Hyrule as it's Princess for all your life, with all due respect." Minister Hawkwood stated, taking his seat again.
Zelda looked stunned, "You've begun setting up the coronation...my coronation...without asking me first? Zelda asked incredulously.
"We thought you'd be overjoyed at the idea, Princess." Minister Hawkwood said, the nervousness he now felt being easy to see.
"I'll consider it." Zelda shot, "Meeting adjourned!"
The Ministers filed out the door, with Zelda and Audrik leaving last.
"The audacity!" exclaimed Zelda, "Planning my coronation without my knowledge!"
"Please sister, calm yourself." Audrik said, "If you wish for your coronation to take place another time, I will arrange that!" he assured his sister. Audrik didn't show it, but anger welled up in him too, Minister Hawkwood was good at his job, but took a little too much initiative sometimes, taking actions before asking he or his sister.
Zelda looked upon Audrik, "What did you mean when you said Link almost...met his end?" she pressed, as Audrik could clearly see her worry reemerge.
With a sigh, Audrik began, "We managed to topple the Golem, with Mr. Link hanging from its chest as it fell...the force of it's impact once it hit the ground was too much for his body, we were sure he was dead...if it wasn't for the Triforce he may be..." Audrik winced as he finished, the yelling he expected from his sister did not come. He looked up, seeing her face, a look of distress on it. "The fact of the matter is, that even with all that has happened, the Hero is still alive and well." Audrik said, motioning towards the stairwell.
Zelda turned her attention to the stairs, Link climbing them rapidly, as soon as he made it to the top he was almost knocked over by an embrace from Zelda. Link could tell something was wrong by the way she held him, her arms wrapping around him, tighter and tighter. Link returned the embrace, glancing at Audrik, who merely shot his hands up in the air and backed away, leaving his sister and Link to sort out the matter, while he attended to business elsewhere.
oOo
Chapter 10 is done, finally made it into the double digit Chapters!
I hope you all enjoyed the read, thank you for all of your views!
Until next time,
-Prometheus17