Chapter Thirty
Glory Upon The Amethyst Queen
News of the death of Lana Dragmire and Ramades Madeena spread quickly through Shaylin. Rumours travelled rapidly about what had occurred. Some said that Queen Zelda had set Lana, Ramades and Jaendral against each other in a ferocious duel to the death. Others said Jaendral has murdered the other two and taken the throne. Some said that Prince Rael himself had assumed the rule of the city, and butchered all challengers.
After a few days, once the mourning period was finished and normality had returned to Shaylin, an announcement was made across the city. A new Gerudo Queen had been appointed by Queen Zelda; a Queen who was of the ancient royal bloodline of Cassido, the first Gerudo kings. She was a restorer of the throne. Though many questioned the royal legitimacy of this girl, who was rumoured to be from the Hylian Southlands, few were willing to have the alternative, Jaendral, named as king. And of course Queen Zelda's word was law.
A week since Lana and Ramades' death, a publicly open coronation was held in Shaylin's largest open plateau, on the ground level of the city. On that day, the sun shone down from cloudless blue skies, upon a city square alive with music and colour. From every house and inn and merchant hall flags and banners and streamers flew, in shades of green and yellow and blue. The square and all the streets around it were packed with Gerudos, mixed with a scattering of Hylian soldiers. They were gathered around a platform which had been erected in front of the city hall, decorated with hundreds of banners and flags bearing the colours of the new queen: a white field, and a magnificent purple snake with emerald-green eyes
Rael sat aside from the crowds, beyond barriers that had been erected around the platform, perched on a low window ledge in the shadows. He had secretly been watching the crowds gathering for several hours now, contemplating the sheer size of the event. Many thousands were here to witness the coronation. Perhaps today, for a time, he would be able to forget his troubles.
Around the platform, and from building-tops across the square, a fanfare was taken up by hundreds of silver trumpets. The music they made was beautiful and stirring and resounded out across the city.
When the fanfare was finished, a lone woman walked out through the doors of the city hall, and proceeded briskly towards the high white platform. Rael recognised her as Jevilla Falsha, General of the Shaylin Gerudos. She was wearing the green silks of her station, with her bright red hair laying across her shoulders. She stood before the crowds proudly and when she opened her mouth to speak, Rael quickly diverted a minute amount of magic to the woman, allowing her voice to project loudly across the square. Though Jevilla knew he was going to do this, the multitude gathered before her did not, and they broke out into rapturous applause.
"My sisters," she said, "my brothers and honoured friends from distant lands. We are gathered here today to bear witness to the coronation of the queen. Behold, she approaches." Jevilla now turned, as the city hall doors were opened wide, and a procession emerged from within. Musicians' came first, carrying with them string instruments and wind instruments, and yet more trumpets. They lined the red carpet leading from the hall to the platform. They were followed by royal guards, who began taking positions around the area. Then a procession of dignitaries walked up onto the platform, and stood around its edge. The dignitaries were led by Zelda, who despite trying to appear unassuming today, still drew much focus.
"Fair morning," said a voice behind Rael suddenly. Rael spun around to see Link standing there. For a moment Rael did not recognise him, as he was missing his usual heavy black robes. Today he was wearing a simple set of clothes no different to a common Gerudo man.
"Father," said Rael, somewhat less warmly than he might have liked.
"Today is a joyous day," said the older man, "why are you alone in the shadows?"
"Today is for Elane," said Rael. "Besides, I am starting to feel that if I'm not on the battlefield, I don't belong anywhere."
Link smiled and sat down beside him. "You're a man of my own heart," he said.
The musicians went into full swing now, playing their grandest and most powerful tune yet. At last, Elane appeared. She was quite far from where he was seated, but he could tell she was nervous. She was wearing a flowing white dress, with a train carried by two young girls.
"Rael, are you sure she is ready for this?" asked Link.
Rael shook his head. "No. But I have faith in her." Link gave him a sidelong glance. "None of us are ready for what is coming, so faith will have to do."
"She's just a girl, Rael," said Link, "she's barely twenty years of age."
Rael frowned. "How old were you when you were fighting monsters and demons and evil spirits?"
Link grunted. "That was different."
"Well," said Rael, "different or not, there's no going back now."
Elane reached the platform, and was greeted by cheers and jubilation. Standing there, dressed in the purest white, with her black hair waving gently in the breeze, she was so beautiful, and held a quiet dignity that none of the three Gerudo lords had ever possessed.
A final trumpet blast resounded across the square and silence fell. Jevilla spoke now, directing her words to Elane. "Elane Cassido, you have been appointed by Her Majesty the Queen of Hyrule to sit upon the Amethyst Throne and rule the Gerudos as their Queen. Will you accept this duty?"
Elane spoke out loudly, and Rael magnified her voice like Jevilla's. "I will," she said.
"Elane Cassido," said Jevilla again, "will you govern these lands in justice and truth, never forsaking its people, nor the earth beneath their feet?"
"I will govern in justice and truth," replied Elane confidently.
"Elane Cassido," said Jevilla, "will you honour the Covenant of Hyrule, that we may live in peace with the other provinces of Hyrule, under the sovereignty of Her Majesty the Queen of Hyrule."
"I will honour the Covenant of Hyrule," replied Elane once more.
"Elane Cassido," said Jevilla, "will you defend this land from invasion and swear to protect your people in dark times?"
"I will defend this land," said Elane.
"Elane Cassido," said Jevilla, "will you love this people? Will you love this people with your heart and soul, and serve them with honour and humility unto the end of your days?"
"I will love my people," said Elane.
"Please kneel," said Jevilla. "Bring forth the crown!"
A sole figure emerged from the city hall, a young man. He was carrying a purple cushion, and resting upon it was a bright silver crown. The amethyst snake was set into the front, the only jewel in the crown, positioned as though leaping forwards, with its green eyes gleaming.
"Rael, I have a gift for you," said Link, as they watched.
Rael turned to look at his father. "A gift?"
Link unbuckled the scabbard that was hanging from his belt, and handed it to Rael. "This belongs to you," he said. Rael took the scabbard, and knew at once what it was. The hilt was instantly recognisable; its black-and-gold patterned design was very distinct. Rael could barely believe what he was holding.
"Is this truly the Father Blade?" he asked.
"Yes it is," said Link, "and it is yours once more."
"I don't understand," said Rael. "When you broke it you said its blood bond could never be remade."
Link raised an eyebrow and grinned. "I found another source for the blood. But that is a tale for another day."
Rael shook his head hopelessly. "Will you ever stop being so mysterious?"
Link laughed, and put his hand on Rael's shoulder. "Probably not," he said.
Rael grasped the hilt firmly and withdrew the blade from the scabbard. The long curved blade shone like silver even in the shadows, catching glimmers of light in the engraved runes. Rael could not read those characters along its edge, but he knew what they said. "Blessed is the Halisarin Blade Master, Prince of Hyrule," he said.
"I'm so proud of, my son," said Link, "you are fine man, and you will do great things… before the end."
Rael bowed his head. "How can you say that? All I do is make the wrong choices."
"How so?" asked Link.
Rael shrugged his shoulders and imparted to Link his innermost thoughts. His conscience had been burning for many days in solitude. "When Ramades was first captured, he was brought before Lana's court in chains, and I released him." Rael sheathed the sword and looked at his father. "I was weak. I couldn't condemn him to death, despite all the terrible things he had done."
Link thought for a moment. "Any man can take vengeance, but it takes a truly great man to forgive."
"Sometimes, surely!" said Rael, "But the death of hundreds of Gerudos was on his hands, and Tabett, and Barark, and Barl, and Thoril, and Nolin."
Link sighed. "Yes, of course. Well, perhaps Ramades deserved death, but death found him soon enough anyway did it not? And what is more, because you spared him, he was able to save Elane from certain death."
"But then I killed Lana," said Rael, "just because I was angry. I forgive with one hand and kill with the other."
"Lana was guilty," said Link, "she tried to murder Elane, and then murdered Ramades. She knew she would hang before she even moved, but that did not deter her. Trust me Rael, I knew her. She would rather be dead than see another woman upon the Amethyst Throne."
Rael slammed his fist on the stone ledge. "That doesn't make it right."
"No," said Link, "it doesn't make it right. Rael, it's good that you don't delight in death, but don't let your distaste for death drive you to forget what is good, and what is evil, and what is just, for one day you will have to make the ultimate choice between life and death."
Rael clenched his fists. "It isn't fair, it shouldn't be my choice to make."
"Remember what I told you when we first met, Rael. It is by our own choices that we are defined, our own hardships that prove our hearts." Link looked Rael in the eye. "The decisions you make will affect us all, Rael."
A magnificent cheer went up as Jevilla lowered the silver crown onto Elane's head. "On the behalf of the Queen of Hyrule, the Grand Council, and the free Gerudo race, I name thee Queen Elane, Queen of the Gerudos, High Seat of House Cassido, Right Hand of the Royal House of Nohansen."
The crown touched Elane's head, and Jevilla stepped back. When Elane rose to her feet, it was as though many were seeing her for the first time. A young queen now stood, reborn from the ashes of a broken kingdom, with unsurpassed beauty and grace.
"Glory upon the Amethyst Queen!" declared Jevilla.
Rael laughed out joyfully when he heard those words, as prophecy and reality suddenly touched and became one. "Glory upon the Amethyst Queen!" he cried, immediately drowned out by the sound of cheering and jubilant shouts of praise. "Glory upon the Amethyst Queen!" came the call again, and again and again.
For a while, there was celebration and dancing and music. Flags flew and banners waved and all the different peoples that were joined as one in the moment. Then Elane spoke, and all fell silent.
"Thank you," she said, "for welcoming me so graciously today. You are a blessed people, re-united after many long hard years, and here I stand as your ruler. If I make but one promise today, it is that I will strive with all my heart to rebuild this city and this kingdom and bring joy and happiness back this land." More celebration cheers erupted, the whole city alive with elation.
"In my first act as Queen," she went on, "I want to make a pledge. I would be most honoured if His Highness Prince Rael would join me here."
Rael was surprised to hear his name said, and wondered what to do now. "Link?" he asked.
"Go on," said Link, "they need you."
"Yes," he said, fastening the Father Blade's scabbard to his belt, "I understand." He stood up cautiously; conscious that he was not dressed grandly like anyone else there, and began walking. He quickly made his way along the row of buildings and then hurried up the steps of the platform.
Up close, Elane looked more beautiful than he could ever have imagined. In her royal attire, with the crown upon her head, she looked like a queen of legend. "You Majesty," he said, with a smile, kneeling down before her.
"Arise," she said to him. "My people," she declared to the crowds, "this is the man who lead the battle against the Kairin. He is our noble champion, and he will give us to glory." She kneeled down before Rael. "Your Highness, I lay the Amethyst Throne at your feet and give you the Gerudo nation as your humble servants. May you be a light, shining like the dawn, to guide us on to victory. Hail the Lord of Dawn!!"
The multitude took up the call, "Hail the Lord of Dawn!" and like a mighty wave, fanning out across the square and into the streets beyond, ever man, woman and child kneeled, even the Hylians for whom Elane did not speak. All the soldiers and musicians kneeled also, and all the Gerudo nobles surrounding him on the platform. Away to his left, Link too had emerged form the shadows and was kneeling for him.
Soon, there was but one person left standing other than he. A beautiful golden haired woman, dressed in the green of fields.
Zelda gazed at her son with admiration, her pride displayed for all to see. Then, she crossed the platform and stopped two paces short of Rael and smiled at him. "Hail the Lord of Dawn," she said softly, and then swept into a deep bow, coming down onto one knee and bowing her head low.
Rael looked out upon the vast expanse of people, his people, and his heart swelled with emotion. The weight of authority was resting on his shoulders, the enormity of his responsibility raising him above lords and ladies and kings and queens. His path was clear, his duty unavoidable, and his destiny decided.
……
Hundreds of miles away across the sea storm clouds covered the skies, thunder boomed, and lightning flashed unending. In a magnificent throne room set like a jewel in a high palace, a man sat upon a dark throne, with a black and gold crown upon his head.
In his hands, King Ralis held a golden ring, plated with a simple symbol, three triangles above an eagle with outstretched wings. Its shining golden reflection was all but extinguished in the gloom which hung over the palace.
"You are my nemesis Rael," he said, "my one and only enemy." He let the ring roll across his fingers onto his right palm. "I hate you, and I hate light, and I hate everything in this world. I will break you." He clenched his fist tightly and the ring cracked and was crushed within his grasp. "The world will kneel to the Crown of Dusk."
…………
The chosen beget a father of light.
The sea rages and lightning breaks the waves.
The father blade herald's twilight's fall.
A dark road diverges to the ocean.
A guide awakens and the horn rings true.
A river of blood marks the father's path.
The tides of night swallow the sand.
The amethyst queen reclaims what was lost.
The desert bends knee to the morning star.
A crown of dusk is remade.
A path of death is carved through the ocean.
A price is paid for glory.
…………
The End of Book Three of The War of Twilight