Chapter Twelve
The Grand Council
The Grand Council Chamber was located in high in the north wing of the palace of Hylia. It was among the smaller rooms of the palace, but was by far the most grand of all chambers save for the throne room itself. The north facing wall was made tall wide archways leading onto balconies overlooking the gardens, with flowered vines winding around the pillars supporting the wall. The other three walls were decorated with images of former kings and queens of Hyrule of all races and a multitude of banners representing rulers past and present.
A circular stone table dominated the room, with eightstone chairs evenly spaced around it. The table and all the chairs were built into the room as much as the floor, walls and pillars, fixed deep inside the stone to represent a solidity of alliances. This room was built fifty years ago, after the civil war of Hyrule. The ruling king hoped that the new order of rule in Hyrule represented by the Grand Council would last a thousand years.
Zelda was alone, leaning nervously against the one of the archways. It was usually easy for her to be emotionally strong, she was born to be in command, yet today the weight of the Crown of Hyrule seemed great upon her head. Her eyes were transfixed upon the largest portrait of the room, which hung above of the great doors of the chamber overlooking all who entered. The portrait was of the man who had led the Hylian race to victory in the Civil War of Hyrule and brought peace to the land, Rahyl Nohansen Hyrule. The crown that burdened Zelda rested naturally upon his head of thick yellow-gold hair; his authoritative, deep blue eyes focussing upon Zelda with a gaze that could have been approval and pride, but just as easily accusation and condemnation. She could never decide which. Perhaps he thought all such things of her.
"Father…" Zelda said quietly to the portrait, "… D'da… hear me. I ask not for your praise. My rule has waned, and I struggle to maintain your mighty empire, and I feel I have failed you. I have done all I ever could to honour your memory, and have kept Hyrule united as far as I can, yet all you worked so hard to build could soon fall." Only her desire to appear dignified before her imminently arriving guests restrained her from crying. "I ask only for your strength and wisdom father, that I may do everything I can to uphold the rule of this kingdom. Watch over me father." She sighed and bowed her head, shaking physically. She was fifty years of age, but talking to her father's memory made her feel as but a child. Across the room from her, beneath her father's portrait was her seat at the Council Table.
At the sound of approaching footsteps echoing beyond the closed doors, she drew a deep breath and stood up tall. As the doors swung open a lone Hylian soldier entered, bearing a scroll. He bowed deeply to Zelda from across the room, and waited for her instruction to rise. "Your Majesty," he said, confidently, reading from his parchment, "presenting General Dragan al'Dragal, General of the Hylian Army."
Beyond the doors was a short corridor, with a purple carpet running its length. General Dragan came into view around the corner at the end of the corridor and walked towards the council chamber quickly. He strode into the room with purpose, and came around the table to kneel before Zelda, not making eye contact with her. As always he bore no expression upon his face, and though he showed respect for her it seemed to be of a begrudging nature. His eyes were hard, his grey hair oiled back across his head. His blood-red robes were decorated with silver dragons, and the lace ruffled under his chin and at his cuffs was of the finest quality. "I swear allegiance to the Queen of Hylia and Hyrule," he said with his powerful deep voice, "may the grace of Gods be upon Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule."
"Rise, General Dragan," said Zelda, "you may sit at my Table." Dragan arose, keeping his eyes bowed. He took a few steps backwards then turned and walked to wait standing next to his chair, the chair to the right of Zelda's own.
The announcer now proclaimed, "Your Majesty, presenting General Brold, General of the Goron Army." Zelda felt the floor shake slightly as Brold, the notoriously brave, strong Goron warrior came into view. The general's mighty body was eight feet tall and four feet wide, a heavy coat of black leather resting upon his shoulders covering his stone skin. His head brushed the doorframe as he entered. He walk passed Dragan and he too came to kneel before Zelda. "On behalf of the Chief Brother Link of the Death Mountain Tribe, I swear allegiance to the Empress of the East and Queen of Hyrule," he said in a voice like a rock avalanche, "may the grace of Gods be upon Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule."
Hearing the name 'Chief Brother Link' never failed to amuse Zelda, though she did not let it show now. The previous chief Darunia had disappeared after the Seven Year War upon awaking as Sage of Fire. His son and heir who assumed his rule had been named Link in honour of the boy who had saved them from famine.
"Rise, General Brold," Zelda said, showing no sign of being daunted by his size. "You may sit at my Table." Brold stood up and went to wait behind the next chair along from Dragan around the stone table. It was larger than the other chairs to accommodate a Goron's size.
The announcer again spoke up, announcing, "Your Majesty, presenting General Jevilla Falsha, General of the Gerudo Army." The room had been quiet once Brold had stood still, but now a certain feel of silence descended upon the chamber as a red haired woman dressed in thick green silks entered the room. Dragan and Brold watched her with cold dislike, and Zelda herself struggled to maintain a calm expression. Jevilla Falsha had small right to be present at this meeting. Her army was split by the very civil war Prince Rael was currently trying to resolve.
Jevilla kneeled before Zelda and bowed her head, "On behalf of the The Amethyst Queen, Lana Dragmire, of the loyal Shaylin Gerudos, I swear allegiance to the Master of the West and Queen of Hyrule," her voice was shaking but she was doing her best to impress some of her right to be present, "may the grace of Gods be upon Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule."
Zelda paused and looked up at the portrait of a raven-haired middle aged woman that hung on the west wall of the room. Lana's portrait was present as much as the other race leaders. She was not entirely to blame for the division in her country, and she at least responded to the summons to council by sending Jevilla, though she was surprised Jevilla had the nerve to call the Shaylin Gerudos 'loyal'. "Rise, General Jevilla," she said eventually, "you have the weak command of only third of your true army, and even that is threatened. You bring little worth, but nonetheless you may sit at by Table.
Jevilla stood and moved quickly to the next chair along from Brold. She stood nervously, keeping her eyes bowed from the other two generals.
As if to quickly break the tension, the announcer now called out, "Presenting General Vellaro Vellatta, General of the Zora Army." The Zora who entered the room was tall and slender, his blue skin bearing the grey dryness Zoras develop after long periods out of water. His silver plate mail clinked as he walked, and his long blue cape waved in the breeze from the windows. He kneeled before Zelda, and pledged his allegiance like all those before him. "On behalf of King Ralato Zora of the East Hyrule Zora, I swear allegiance to the Empress of the East and Queen of Hyrule, may the grace of Gods be upon Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule."
Vellaro went to wait by the seat to the left of Zelda's chair, directly opposite Jevilla. He kept his eye on her, studying her suspiciously.
The announcing soldier now shifted uncomfortably. "Presenting," he said, somewhat nervously, "Mido of the Kokiri." A silence hung in the air for a moment, and all waited nervously. Slowly a thin whistle echoed through the room. Gently, almost like a smoke rising out of dust, a green light began to slowly materialise before Zelda. Everyone present had seen this sight before but all but Zelda showed open concern. The green light shifted and changed colour, eventually stretching out into the shape of a boy. A boy with green clothes and a pointed green hat that looked all too familiar to her.
This was of course no boy. Mido could easily be hundreds of years old, but by appearances a child now stood before Zelda, glowing with a peculiar light. The Kokiri could not leave the eastern woods, so he appeared now in this form by fairy magic. When his image solidified he bowed down, speaking slowly the words entrusted to him by the rest of his small population. "On behalf of the Kokiri race, our guardian spirit the Great Deku Tree, and all forest folk, I swear allegiance to the Empress of the East and Queen of Hyrule, may the grace of Gods be upon Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule."
"Rise Mido," said Zelda, "you may sit at my Table." Mido stood, bowed again, and crossed the room to wait by the seat next to General Vellaro, so that Brold was directly opposite him. Mido's chair had a raised seat so that he could sit eye to eye with the others.
The announcer now bowed his head, and said quietly, "No Sheikah has answered the summons to council, for all have perished. There is life in the Sheikah race no more." Zelda was saddened by the thought that the chair beside Mido would remain empty forever, representing an extinct people. Everyone bowed their heads in respect for those who had passed into death.
When a sufficient amount of time had elapsedd, the announcer declared the final member of the council. "Presenting the Marshal of the Gerudo, Zora, Goron and Hylian Armies, His Divine Highness, Ivarl al'Arantos, the Marshal of Hyrule."
Zelda looked to the end of the corridor. Link was approaching, dressed from head to toe in black. His robes were black, his boots were black, his gloves were black, and a black hood hung over his face. He walked as silently as a shadow. He rested he hand on the jet-black hilt of a sword in a black scabbard as he walked around the table to stand before Zelda. He looked directly down into her eyes, expressionless, then kneeled down before her. He spoke slowly, with more respect and reverence in his town than any of the lesser leaders had done. "I, Ivarl al'Arantos, swear allegiance to the Queen of Hyrule, as Marshal over the Generals of her armies. May the grace of the Gods be upon Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule."
Zelda laid a hand upon Link's head, saying, "The authority to lead my great armies as Marshal is sustained. You may sit at my Table."
Link rose slowly, and turned to wait behind the seat which was now closest to him, the one directly facing Zelda's own across the table.
The five Council members other than Link and Zelda now looked ready to sit down, and were clearly expecting for Zelda to come and take her place. There was surprise and confusion when the announcer read out another name. "Presenting," he said slowly, "the Illivartan."
The generals looked at each other, all desperate to ask the question on all of their minds. Who was this final person?
Daran walked down the corridor towards them. His clothes were plain white robes, with a black belt and black boots. His white hair rested neatly upon his shoulders. A very elegant and beautiful man indeed, Zelda noted. He walked into the room gracefully, walking through the room of people as though they were not there. The generals were surprised still when this unexpected man did not bow to Zelda. He came and stood before the Queen, and said simply, "By your leave, Your Majesty, may I join your council this day?"
Zelda nodded. "Yes, we are honoured by your presence, Illivartan."
Daran smiled at Zelda and inclined his head slightly in respect. He then stood aside, not taking any seat, but rather waiting amongst the columns alone.
Now that all the introductions had been made, and everyone was present at the council, the announcer spoke his final formality. "Presenting Her Majesty Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule, High Seat of the Royal House of Nohansen, Queen of Hylia, Empress of the East, Master of the West, Blessed by the gods Queen of Hyrule."
Zelda lifted her head up high, took hold of her long skirts, and walked around the table slowly, looking at each of the generals and Mido in turn, then came to her seat. The weight of her crown seemed greater than ever, with her father's portrait behind her, its searching eyes upon her back. She hoped the other saw the portrait looking at all of them with just as much intensity.
"By your leave, Your Majesty," said the announcer.
"You may leave us," said Zelda commandingly. The sound of footsteps and the closing of the doors said that the announcer had left, but she waited for Link – who could see behind her clearly – to give a nod to say that it was time to continue.
Zelda sat down first, easing herself slowly onto the surprisingly comfortable stone chair. "The Grand Council of Hyrule is hereby convened," she said to the six standing by their seats, "my loyal subjects, please be seated."