Chapter Seven Ambassadorial Duties
Zelda was most upset to find out that Link was going to be away without her. But she could not fault his reasoning and agreed that the sooner the searches began, the better it would of course be for all concerned. She was sorry that he would miss a lot of time during her cousins' visit but knew it could not be helped. Link swore to her that he would return every other day or so when he was able.
Once again Prince Tarin was amazed at the King for allowing the young Prince the responsibility of such an important task unsupervised. He was sure that they would all be sorry when one day the boy's superb luck ran out and this feeling did not lessen, when he saw Link's sparkling eyes and determined manner; proof of his eagerness for the task ahead. Link could not keep the joy from his face at the prospect of his mission even though he knew that it pained Zelda.
Zelda tried to be cheerful as she watched her beloved ride away on Epona; knowing that she could not accompany or follow him this time. She could tell from the mental link they shared, that he too was saddened by that fact that they would be seperated; but his overall demeaner was excited for the adventure. The Princess couldn't help a fond smile as she recognised the feelings of the Hero about to face his next task. She sent a personal 'message' down the link to her husband and laughed to see him blush and stare at her as he rode away; his eyes searching her out, knowing exactly where she was standing, until he was too far away to see her any longer.
As they rode off through the town and market, the soldiers were waved at and cheered by their families and friends. This was a happy send off however; as opposed to the much more sombre and sad times when the men went to wage war. Link led out at the front with the Lieutenant and Sir Gron; the Hero was dressed familiarly in his green tunic and hat, his flaxen hair shining brightly in the sunlight. Their first destination was the mountains to recover the Captain of the Guard and then back to Death Mountain where rumours had reached Gron of some moblins living in the shadows, who were also leaderless.
When the mountain moblins saw the approach of the cavalcade, they cautiously came out of their homes to find out what had transpired with Gron and the King. There was great rejoicing when they saw the wagon that was full of provisions which included grain seeds and bolts of material. These were eagerly and gratefully received, the material and sewing equipment would be immediatly useful; as the women and children were by now, just dressed in rags.
Soon the relief party was organising the dispersal of the goods and regaining their captain. Gron had then left the group in the charge of his deputy as he was to accompany Link as an ambassador to any of his remaining people. It was not long before they were once again on their way towards the stronghold of the Goron Race at Death Mountain.
Meantime Zelda had come down from the tower; from where she had rushed to see the last that she could, of her husband as he rode away and strained to feel him through their link. But all she could sense was a profound relief and she knew that it stemmed from Link's desire to be useful and productive. She smiled sadly; missing her mate and companion, who could be trusted to put all other's interests before his own. Tarin met her outside her chambers and the Prince offered her his arm.
"Since you are deprived of your normal escort my dear Zelda, permit me to supply the deficiency." He took her hand in his own and placed it on his arm and the pair went down the stairs to the entrance hall. There they met Sarah and Julia and agreed to take a picnic tea down to Lake Hylia. Zelda wasn't overly enthusiastic about this, she loved her cousins dearly, but they were not so free as she and Link; they were always attended too by so many servants and guards, that she felt as though she was a prisoner. At least when Link was with her they could run off and hide from the ever present 'eyes'.
But at the moment that was all just wishful thinking and also lacking in gratitude, she chided herself; so with good grace, she smiled and agreed to the picnic. Tarin was very attentive to her needs; he always had been, taking care of her as if she were the youngest of his sisters and his favourite. He in turn was glad to have her to himself for a while, without having to worry about the boy to whom she was married. It had been too many years since the cousins could all be together just to enjoy themselves like old times.
Later that day, Zelda felt her mental link flare into life as Link's mind brushed against her own and for a short while she could communicate with him. He was pleased with the way the first phase of the assignment had gone and now they were headed for Death Mountain. That explained the sudden connection; he was fairly nearby, on his way to visit the Gorons, so she sent her regards to Darunia via him and wished him luck. He sent his own feelings of love back to her and reassured of his safety, Zelda allowed herself to loosen up and enjoy the evening more.
Link would not be back that evening obviously and Zelda did not feel like going to a lonely bed too early; so she stayed up later than normal for her and kept her father and Tarin company. Malon and Jardan had retired to their rooms already, which left her with no one else to keep her company except her cousins once again. Not that she minded; but Tarin had a tendency to say some stupid things recently which would make her uncomfortable, as she could tell he was half serious about his words.
Tarin and her father had been enjoying quite a large quantity of wine between them, the girls had been more modest in their amounts and the conversation was getting on Zelda's nerves. Tarin kept hinting that the King had made a mistake in wedding Zelda to Link and that he should have united their kingdoms, by betrothing her to himself. He recognised at least that that was now too late thankfully and that the young royal couple were very happy; but he kept belittling Link in the way he spoke and it annoyed Zelda greatly.
She reasoned with herself that wine loosened men's tongues too far in any case and that it was most likely that Tarin would be mortified in the morning if she brought up the subject to his face. At least her father was not agreeing with the man; he saw no difficulty or problems in the fact that she was married to the Hero. Ah well, she thought, it will all be forgotton in the morning when the sore heads wipe it from the mind. She supposed that it should hardly be a surprise to her that Tarin had thought of her in those terms either; it would have been an advantageous match for both of them at one time and probably a happy one as well, had she not already fallen in love with Link.
Whilest all this was going on in the palace, Link had reached and met with Darunia who was overjoyed to meet once again with his 'brother'. The Goron Halls were soon alight with lanterns and welcoming feasts for all their guests. Darunia had shown absolutely no surprise at all when Sir Gron was introduced, leading Link to suspect that the rumours of Moblins at Death Mountain had a basis in truth.
Gorons would not be rushed however and he was in Darunia's domain; waiting on the Goron leader to introduce the question, that would allow Link to explain the purpose of his visit. Knowing this would not happen until all the feasting and introductions were completed to all Goron satisfaction; which could take a long time as feasting was very important to the rock eaters, Link settled down to enjoy the hospitality and observe quietly.
Darunia was a shrewd being and one of the sages; he had a great love of life and was intensly loyal to those who claimed his protection and was generous to a fault. Link watched him as he made to speak with Sir Gron and was pleased when the atmosphere stayed congenial; if Darunia was at all surprised that a Moblin was in his Halls, let alone one knighted by the King;he did not show it. Soon he caught the bright eyes of Link watching him and he beckoned him over to his table, inviting him to sit down next to him and opposite Gron.
"How is my Brother the King, Link?"
"He is well Brother Darunia and sends his regards, as does Zelda; she also said that she'd give you a kiss if she were here in person, but I am sorry, I do not do that by proxy." And Link grinned at Darunia whose eyes widened as he roared with laughter.
"No! I should think not Link and I will wait until I see her next, to return the favour. Now explain your quest to me. I take it from Sir Gron here that your king has certain proposals for me?"
"Yes, but not for you directly; it is your help we require."
"I did not go into details of your mission Prince Link; it was not my position to explain all to Lord Darunia." Gron hoped he had not overstepped the mark and informed the Goron of more than he was required to do.
"That's O.K. Sir Gron and can we drop all the titles and formality while we are here; it's stuffy enough at court when we have to be ceremonious, unless of course you wish to keep it up?"
"No Link; that's fine by me, my brother."
"And me, I am not used to being anything but Gron."
"Well good that's settled then; perhaps now we can just talk. Darunia, we need to know if you know of any moblin refugees..." and Link proceeded to tell the Goron of the plans that had been put forward for the Moblin Race.
"There are some moblins who have taken refuge in this mountain, or rather around the other side of it; but they are under my protection and are quite reserved. What would be their situation should they not want to take up the King's offer?"
"No different to now, so long as they remained non aggressive." Link waited on Darunia's reply as the Goron considered carefully.
"I will go myself to find out wether or not they wish to meet with you. Wait here until I return please and do not follow, allow me to pave the way." This was of course agreed upon and arranged for the morning. Meantime, the events of the evening carried on and it was late by the time everyone got to bed. But in the morning when Link rose and was seated at breakfast, Darunia came to him to say that he had already been to visit the moblins and they agreed to meet with Link and Gron.
Passing through yet one more of the secret doorways from Goron Hall, one Link had never seen before; they came to a set of caves hidden on the side of Death Mountain and overlooking a pretty green valley. This was new territory for Link as he had never come over this way on his travels and he took everything in. As they drew closer, an elderly Moblin came to greet them and invited them in to his cave. Then he served them cool drinks while they all chatted and ideas were exchanged.
This group was quite numerous but mainly made up of females and their young. The old Moblin was the only adult male left, the nearest in age to him being several juveniles; mere adolescents who had been too young to fight with their sires. Link was distressed at the number of orphans and widows especially when he knew that he personally, was responsible for the deaths of so many of their males.
Gron noticed Link's growing disquiet and surmised for himself the reason.
"You must not blame yourself for this depletion in our numbers Link. All of us know the risks of war and you had a duty to your kingdom to protect it from great evil. Only Ganondorf is responsible for our lack; you were always honourable and this is well known among my people, as I have said to you before."
"Thank you Gron but it still upsets me to think of such wastage."
"That is all to the good and now you can find your atonement in helping as you are doing. These here will agree to the King's terms gladly now; although it will be better for them to stay here for now. Darunia is happy for them to do so."
The deals were done and the moblins left in peace again. Link was happy to take his leave of Darunia and set his sights on returning to Hyrule and his Princess; he missed her more than he thought possible and if they hurried they could be back in Hyrule by nightfall.