A/N: a week later than i would have liked. i had to take time and digest all the threads i saw running through this very transitional chapter. hope you like it!
Chapter 11: The Return
The weeks that followed Link's arrival in Castletown passed quickly. The castle was beginning to fill up as Zelda had promised with nobles from all over Hyrule. Almost every other day there was a parade of soldiers leading parties of Lords and their retainers through the streets to the castle. Zelda was constantly called to greet and entertain them, to which she would often drag Link or Malon along to suffer with her. Link was called upon more than Malon and soon his story was the popular topic of conversation. Unfortunately, rumors about his past began to swirl about, and Zelda wanted to combat them head on, apparently by parading him about as the exemplary hero she believed him to be. For her part, Malon seemed to tire quickly of the formality, and spent many of her days riding back to the ranch to check on the construction progress. Link noticed that Corporal Troy would escort her whenever he was off duty, and the Princess had even given him leave to do so on more than one occasion.
When not entertaining guests, Zelda and Link spent much of their time engaged in intense preparation for upcoming events. Zelda studied the Book of Mudora with her father everyday, attempting to glean any and all information about the Triforce she could. Her focus and power in magic had magnified impossibly since her collapse by the Triforce a month ago. Lapses in concentration or control that had been common occurrences before were no longer an issue, and Zelda found she discovered new abilities each day. She spoke of her progress with Link as they walked through the hallways of Hyrule Castles at night or during the mornings that Zelda would join Link at the Guardsmen barracks. The Princess had taken up learning the sword with the Link after he suggested it might be a good way for her to relieve some tension. Link had made a special practice sword that was lighter and shorter than normal, modeled on a single edge blade that Link claimed would be the most effective for her.
Other nights she spent hours lying on the floor of the Great Hall, her long hair fanning out across the tiles like blonde peacock feathers. With the Triforce song growing louder each day, the King was forced to close the Great Hall. It was impossible for anyone to hear him there, and even if they could, no one could concentrate. Zelda would sneak in each night and watch the light cascade across the glass ceiling, reading the story of her life with each celestial wave she inspired out of the Triforce. The spiritual connection between the Princess and the Triforce was growing as strong as or stronger than the connection between her and Link and it sang for her in a way that no one else could understand. Zelda was obsessed with unlocking the secrets of this song, and with overcoming her fear of taking her place in the prophecy. She had confessed to Link that she was incredibly thankful for the anchor of his mind inside her, the physical toil he put her through each morning, and the stolen kisses in darkened gardens. They provided a much needed respite from the ever growing weight of duty and prophecy.
When Zelda was not available to shield him, Link spent as much of his time as possible at the guard barracks, practicing his sword work with the cadets, instructing them after each new beating he gave them. He was attempting to avoid the attention of visiting Lords who wanted to conscript him into their private defense forces, or worse their daughters, who seemed to overlook the fact that Link was just a common swordsman in the face of his grand reputation. Thankfully, the cadets wore their bruises with pride, puffing out their chests as they told the visiting Ladies who had battled Link the fiercest, who almost landed a blow, and who was the most likely to lose to him in the tournament. Everyone in the castle had settled into the assumption that not only would Link win, but he would do so with ease. This fame had cast him into nearly a dozen fights. Each new day hurled a number of challenges from swordsmen and soldiers who traveled in the company of their local Lords solely to compete in the tournament. Learning that their journey was apparently in vain had bruised more than a few egos. Zelda cautioned Link against declining each challenge, which would offend the honor of the Lords as well as their champions. Being Zelda's entrant in the tournament put him under greater scrutiny, and not wanting to cause her any trouble he did his best not to injure the men who challenged him, attempting to disarm them instead. There were more than a few men who left with broken ribs and wrists, despite his best efforts. Most accepted the results with humility, especially after Zelda was kind enough to repair their injuries magically. This proved beneficial to everyone, as the injured would still be able to participate in the tournament, and Zelda could continue to expand and refine her skills.
To his relief, Yamal and the other cadets had taken up challenging the swordsmen before they could Link, after a particularly unseemly encounter in the great courtyard inside the castle grounds. The Lord General Julian Malnus, commander of the Southern Army had sailed north on the River Alish from Crionact, bringing his son, Lord Jaser who was considered the finest swordsmen in the south lands. Link had heard of him before in his travels, even witnessed him compete in tournaments in Crionact. Jaser was indeed a fine swordsman, and it did not surprise anyone that he would be taking part in the competition. The Malnus family was notoriously ambitious, and Zelda had confided in Link her disgust with them all. The Lord Jaser was considered by some the leading candidate to be her husband once she was of age. He had dogged her every step during her visit to Crionact only a couple of months ago, and would no doubt be attempting to impress her during their two month stay. Lord General Julian would be pressing her father as well, Jaser was seven years older than Zelda, and if he was not to become Prince would need find his own wife immediately. Seeing this coming, Zelda herself had lobbied for Lord Julian to take the Command of the Southern Army five years ago when Warden Donah had declined, her desire to see Malnus gone from Castletown overwhelming her displeasure at seeing the family gain power.
The King arranged for the entire castle to greet their massive entourage in the great courtyard, as befitting a man of Julian's stature. Normally they would be greeted in the Great Hall, but the Triforce of Wisdom's awakening had ended that tradition. The King and Princess Zelda waited side by side in front of the Goddesses fountain, while the Lords and Ladies aligned themselves by rank on either side of the path. Link had taken to positioning himself beside Impa, outside the field of vision but in place to scout any danger to Zelda. Impa could hide in a shadow less plain, a trait that Link desperately attempted to emulate these days. The Malnus Lords rode on great black stallions at the front of a large contingent of southern Lords and soldiers, stretching back down the road out into Castletown proper. They dismounted before the King and paid homage to the Royal Family as they were bound to, exchanging pleasantries and compliments. A flash of anger had passed uncheck from Link to Zelda as she allowed Jaser to kiss her hand, a bit longer than necessary Link thought. He was not the type to be jealous, but Zelda's description of Jaser had put Link in the mind to beat him soundly during the tournament. What happened after their arrival had put the castle on edge for the last week.
"My Princess, father and I were outraged to hear that you were assaulted on the journey home. If only you had accepted my offer to escort you personally, you would not have suffered even a moments discomfort from those beasts." Jaser's words were heard by everyone in the courtyard, indeed Link was sure he intended them to be. Link and Impa stood beside a statue of King Malvern the Wise, who ruled during the second century of the Irule's era. They had clear path and vision to the Princess, but were far enough away from the crowd not to be noticed. A large cherry tree gave them shade from the spring sun, and they passed a water skin between them as they waited for the ridiculous formalities to come to an end. There was a considerable line of nobles to be greeted, and Link was annoyed that Jaser was continuing to prattle on.
Zelda didn't let the slight against her guard go unchallenged, an over emphasized frown and furrow of her brow preceding her rebuke. "My Guard performed their duty without fail Lord Jaser, and was assisted by the finest swordsmen Hyrule has to offer. I doubt there was little more you could have done." Zelda spoke loud enough for the guard close to her to hear, but not loud enough to wound Jaser's pride in front of Hyrule's so called 'elite'. She opened the connection to Link to allow him to hear and see what she was saying, which he dutifully passed on to Impa. She grimaced that her charge had taken the bait.
Jaser sneered at Zelda's reply, a false amusement weakly taking over his face. "Yes, we have heard tales of this Link 'Dragonslayer'. Simpletons and bard's exaggeration have granted him a reputation greater than even Finon Mahul. Is it true you have sponsored this vagabond as your champion in the Tournament? It will be a shame when I crush him, the commoners do so love a hero." The entire courtyard fell silent at the insults that Jaser hurled at Link, the King giving him a fearsome glare, while Lord Julian simply chortled in amusement.
Link could feel Zelda's anger rise at the unnecessary insult, and before Link could council against it, she lashed out Jaser, her beautiful voice magically amplified to fill the courtyard. "If so sure you think yourself, why wait Jaser? On behalf of my champion, I accept the challenge your insults lay bare. Do you withdraw?" Zelda motioned imperiously for Link to come forward, while Jaser quaked with anger. She had painted him into a corner, if he withdrew he would be seen a coward, and if he accepted and lost, his humiliation would be public knowledge.
Impa grabbed Link by the arm before he could leave her side. "I do not doubt you Link, but Jaser is a great swordsmen. Do not take him lightly, and do not hurt him more than necessary. End this now, the Princess does not need any more distractions the next few weeks."
Link nodded his ascent and strode calmly to the Princess' side, bending to one knee before her and the King. A retainer in Jaser's party was running forward carrying two wooden practice swords, which relieved Link. He did not want the challenge of not killing Jaser with his blade.
The King was whispering furiously into Zelda's ear, who stared forward in determination. Link knew that she was mad at herself over losing control, but also…pleased. For the first time, he understood how much she truly hated Jaser. The King's anger was understandable, but he would not dishonor the Malnus' by putting an end to the challenge. The crowd became excited at the prospect of this impromptu spectacle, and Link swore he heard some soldiers and Lords betting on each fighter. He busied himself with unfastening his sword and stretching lightly. Jaser held his arms out wide as his servants removed his silk jacket and sword belt, the sneer Link had witnessed from afar larger than ever at the sight of Link's plain clothes and boots. The servant handed Link a wooden sword after Jaser, who was making a great show of flourishing and spinning it as though he held a god's own blade. Link contented himself with tossing the wood back and forth between his hands, rotating in small circles, getting a feel for the weight.
The crowd had collapsed into a large semicircle around the edge of the great fountain, a large berth given on every side for the fighters to move about. Jaser stepped to the edge of a flagstone and readied himself for battle. Link squared against him, examining the older man's physique, he was a bit taller and much broader than Link, his handsome face unmarked by injury or scar. His skin was tan with the southern sun, and his long nose seemed poised to make him to always look down over his wide chin at people. Dark eyes glowed with maniacal glee at the prospect of battle. "I should warn you Dragonslayer, I have never been defeated in a contest all my life. You may walk away now, knowing that you could not defeat your better, and save us all some time."
Link smiled before offering his retort. "Then I should tell you my Lord, you are much smaller than the dragon I killed not a month ago." Jaser's face contorted in rage, and Link took the fight to his opponent, against his custom. He had seen Jaser's speed with the blade before, and was not going to give him the chance to get comfortable. Link skipped quickly left and right as he charged at Jaser, thrusting at his midsection with the practice blade. The attack was parried away, but Jaser was forced out of his stance, exactly as Link had expected. Spinning around he aimed low at the knees, ready to end the battle immediately, but Jaser was even quicker than he expected and leapt above the attack.
Jaser retreated a few steps and Link could feel the man's dark eyes searching for a weakness to attack. They slowly revolved in counterclockwise circles while their blades flickered with unparalleled speed in short attacks, meant to measure the opponent more than inflict damage. Small splinters were falling like rain on the stones as their blades collided in mid air, and Link sensed the crowd hold their breath with each attack they waged against each other, small cheers and hammering wood punctuating the mostly silent crowd. He was comforted by the absolute calm he felt even now through the connection with Zelda, she had no doubts about the outcome, her mood a serene yellow in his mind.
Link was content to continue trading measuring blows with Jaser until his opponent tired, but the Lord from Crionact was not. Each attack that Link deflected seemed to anger Jaser more and he moved to bring the attack to Link. Jaser charged directly at Link, heaving his wooden blade in a crushing overhand blow. Link blocked, but the force knocked him to one knee, his back to the fountain. Jaser seethed above him, his dark eyes wild with rage. Beads of sweat were coursing down his veins, and spittle flew from his open mouth. Throwing all his weight behind his sword, Link cast aside Jaser's blade with a short shove and a twist of his wrist brought his wooden sword in an uppercut. Again, Jaser proved more elusive than he would seem, diving to the right, and rolling up into an attack position.
They were close to the fountain now, and Link ran beside the rim toward Jaser. At the last moment he planted hard on the fountain edge with his left foot, leaping high into the air, flipping over Jaser and swiping at the man's head, but Jaser ducked under it. The crowd cheered in awe as Link landed on his feet, facing Jaser's open back. Link didn't hesitate, leaping forward to land a crushing blow against the shoulder. Jaser turned as he fell back to the ground, barely deflecting the attack, his free hand grabbing Link's tunic to pull them both down.
Link could feel the air knocked out of him as they tumbled about, their blades pressed uselessly between them, incapable of movement. Struggling for a breath, Link found himself beneath the enraged Jaser, who drew his face even with Link's ear. "I shall enjoy having you hanged after I make the Princess my whore and take the crown for myself." Jaser's insult was whispered for only Link to hear and he did not share it with the Princess as intense rage blossomed suddenly within Link's breast, a roaring fire of anger consuming his heart. Planting his foot in Jaser's stomach he launched the man into the sky. Jaser probably thought the threat would put Link off balance, and before his time in the castle, Link would have not have understood the sudden blood lust that drove him. All restraint and conscious though was cast aside, the wolf his father had seen was taking over.
Jaser landed with a thud on his back and Link got up slowly, pacing back and forth, waiting for Jaser to catch his breath. The bruised noble eyed Link warily as he stood, his shocked face betraying that he would never have given Link the same courtesy. Link waited until Jaser lifted his sword into a defensive stance, and then launched a sudden attack more ferocious than any the crowd had yet witnessed. Link danced around him as though he was a child, pushing and pulling Jaser wherever he wanted within the courtyard. The crowd buzzed with each near miss, in awe of the command that Link had over the sword that blurred like a hummingbird's wings. Jaser was just barely able to deflect Link's blows at his head and neck, the fury in them never ceasing or relenting.. Link drove Jaser's back to the fountain, and the nobleman's furious eyes began to quake with terror at the cold fury he had unleashed.
And suddenly it was over. Link spotted the weakness he had been searching for, and feigned a slash at Jaser's head. The fearful opponent brought his sword straight up to block, but Link had already split his left leg out wide, letting himself fall down as he continued his swing to crush into Jaser's knees. The nobleman dropped his blade in pain, doubling over to clutch at his leg. Link wasn't content though, springing off the ground he shattered the flat of his blade into Jaser's exposed face, sending the man sprawling backward. Already off balance from the crushing blow to his knee, Jaser stumbled against the rim of the fountain, falling back in a loud splash.
The crowed cheered in delight as Link cast aside the broken handle in his hand. Link did not acknowledge it, instead casting a chilling stare that silenced the sodden Lord beneath him. He took no delight in the blood that flowed freely from Jaser's nose into the water, the desire to harm Jaser still coursed through his veins, propelled by ancient magic and oath. Zelda glided to join Link at the lip of the fountain and his fury softened immediately at the comforting touch of her delicate hands. She smiled at him, turning Link about to face the crowd and lifting his hand to the sky in victory.
Jaser's defeat was the talk of Castletown for the rest of the week, Ceara told Link the maid's had seen him limping about, cursing Link constantly under his breath. The Lord General Malnus had been furious at his son's defeat, but the threat of the King's anger had stopped him from making any further insult. The murderous looks he received from the southern lords drove Link to cease dining with the King and his company. Instead he preferred to dine in the comfort of his own rooms or the Guardsmen's dining hall. This meant no meals with Zelda, but also much less unneeded tension, a sacrifice they both agreed was for the best. Malon often joined him, fresh from a hard day's work selling contracts in market or helping to rebuild the ranch. Zelda had supplied castle masons and engineers to help with the construction, and Lord General Baden was true to his word, paying the entire cost. The ranch was expected to be entirely rebuilt by the end of the festival, and Malon assured Link they would be able to absorb the lost revenue from the last month.
Link was happy to see that whatever discussion had taken place between Zelda and Malon had brought about a number of positive changes. Malon was the girl that Link remembered from his year of solace on the ranch, cheerful, funny, and charming, like the sister Link never had. She teased Link about the Princess constantly, calling out the distracted pauses and goofy smiles that he couldn't hold back whenever the Princess was mentioned. Link in turn questioned the fancy new dresses that Zelda had showered on her, and often wondered allowed which of the numerous castle soldiers who had taken interest in Malon would be the first to steal a kiss.
One such night Link and Malon were eating down in the soldier's dining hall with Troy and a few of the cadets when the clanging guard bell interrupted a particularly embarrassing story Malon was telling at Link's expense. The toll signified that all active and off duty Guardsmen in the castle were to report for new orders. For the past month the bell had been ringing constantly, as each noble that arrived required the presence of Guardsmen. A groan went up for the men as their utensils were dropped in unison. The scrapping of benches and the metallic chirp of armor and sword belts replaced the boisterous laughs and conversation that made the dining hall Link and Malon's favorite place to dine.
They finished their meals quickly, following the stream of men out of the kitchens, back to their rooms. "Let's try and make it with only five wrong turns tonight Link." Malon and Link both chuckled at their nightly ritual. Neither one of them had mastered the castle floor plan yet, despite the fact that they seemed to walk it every waking hour. Link could not believe how long it took to get from place to place in the castle, and was of the firm conviction that it wasn't worth it to have so many rooms, no matter how nice the views.
They followed the procession of soldiers up from the depths of the castle to the courtyard inside the main portcullis. While Link and Malon turned away to head up once of the countless stairways when he saw the King and Zelda approaching from the opposite direction, followed by the most powerful nobles in Hyrule. The King was dressed in his finest royal robes, and for the first time, Link saw him wearing his full golden crown, encrusted with jewels and toped with a great Triforce upon the brow, a diamond set in to the empty center. Zelda was wearing a beautiful pale green dress, the ancient necklace of Alish around her neck. She too wore her formal Princess' crown, a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, two interwoven bands of medal, one silver, and one gold braided into her carefully styled hair. "Link! I was just about to ask you to come meet us. We have just received word that the Gerudo ambassadors are arriving. Would you stay and greet them, I am ashamed to say that it has been a long time since they last walked the halls of Hyrule Castle. I thought a familiar face would help put them at ease."
Zelda's news shocked Link. The King had told him he had invited the Gerudo to attend the festival every year in an attempt to improve relations. No one had expected them to come though. The Gerudo had not sent a representative to Hyrule Castle in over two hundred years, when the entire Gerudo army had marched to Caisel Irule to fight in the Thirteen Day war. While the King technically had claim over the Gerudo Valley as Hylian land, no monarch in Hylian history had ever command them to do anything. The history of the Gerudo was something that Link had never been able to learn during his stay among them, and he was still amazed at what Zelda and the King had told him.
"The Gerudo are the descendants of the wives and daughters of the traitors exiled with Ganondorf following his attack on Irule. Ganondorf was the first general in the history of what has become the Hylian race, and probably the greatest warrior our people have ever produced. When he was exiled, many of his men believed that Ganondorf was the rightful King, and followed him loyally. They are called the Apostate's Army. They left with nothing but their swords and spears, severing all ties with Irule's people. They burned all their clothes and killed most of their wives and daughters, taking their sons with them. After Ganondorf and his army passed out of this world, they were corrupted and turned into the beasts and monsters that we are plagued with here in Hyrule. The people we now know as the Gerudo began with only twenty one families, all women, headed by the wives brave and strong enough to kill their own husbands." The King paused as he told the story, lost in the great sadness in his eyes evoked, the weight of his people's past heavy on his shoulders.
Zelda picked up the story where her father left off. "The Gerudo families split from Hyrule that very day. The women dyed their hair red as a mark of their dishonor and shame, and to outcasts themselves from the Hylian people. They followed Irule as he wandered from land to land, but they did not associate with his people, they did not camp with them, and they did not accept his protection. When they came to Hyrule, the leader of the Gerudo at the time, Aderes, met with Mudora, who had foreseen their arrival. The Sheikah led them to the Gerudo Valley, on the cusp of the harsh desert wastelands to the west. A city had been carved into the side the cliffs and mountain ranges, and through agreement between Rian, Aderes, and Mudora, this land would belong to the Gerudo, without interference from Hyrule. Aderes pledged Gerudo loyalty to Rian once more, declaring that her people would prepare themselves for the day that they could take revenge upon the Unforgivable Army. Knowing the desire that lay in the heart of all the Gerudo, Mudora gave them seven magical talismans, a great red ruby surrounded by a silver disk, which would prevent the Gerudo from giving birth to any male children.
"Of the original twenty one families, sixteen survived the journey, and nine survive today. These families are ruled by a single matriarch, selected and trained from childhood to rule their family. The Gerudo have no queen, they are instead headed by a council of the nine matriarchs who oversee the daily running of the Gerudo Valley. A single commander of their military is chosen, usually she is not one of the matriarchs, but rather the fiercest and most successful warrior from the generation of matriarchs trained from birth. You have met Nabooru. For all intents and purposes she commands the fate of the Gerudo."
Link wondered at what brought the Gerudo to the Hyrule now, and who would be representing them. During his stay with them, it had often confused him who was in command beyond Nabooru, some of which he attributed to the complex social hierarchies between the families, and part to their general distrust of outsiders, including him for most of his stay. He had come in contact with Nabooru a number of times, even defeating her once in battle. After he had recovered from the injuries that brought him into their care, the Gerudo women had challenged him daily to fights. They prided themselves on their skill and warrior spirit, especially delighting in battling whatever man was foolish enough to come near their territory. Link had found this puzzling at the time, but knowing their history, he understood their passion for combat more.
His victory over Nabooru had brought Link great honor and respect among the Gerudo. The high value placed on strength in battle among the Gerudo meant that those who proved themselves stronger in combat were respected and honored above those they defeated. For Link, access to most of the city had been restricted before his victory because he was an outsider. Afterward, he had almost full reign, and even traveled among their hunting parties through the desert wasteland beyond the Sheikah built city that burrowed into the valley walls. No Hylian had seen the vast deserts and dramatic mountain ranges that Link had traveled in, he considered it one of the great achievements in his life. He had tried his best to describe it to Zelda as they walked the halls, but in the end he just let her sift through his memories, he had no words for what he had seen.
The methodical cranks of the moat bridge descending was the only disturbance of the focused silence as Link settled in beside Impa off to the side of courtyard to wait for the Gerudo party. Malon stood beside him, even she was curious about the Gerudo. Few people in Hyrule beside Link had ever really met them in person. Link noticed the Guardsmen stood a little sharper and their faces were a little stonier under the orange torch light. They were arranged in three rows on either side of the path that lead directly into the castle's main entrance, with every third man holding a torch high in the sky to light the way. The great lanterns that hung upon the walls surrounding the courtyard were also lit, casting hazy yellow light behind their tinted glass.
Zelda was standing parallel to Link as they faced the gates, her eyes bright in excitement, but her pale skin echoed the anxiousness that he could feel through their personal bond. Her perfect hands smoothed nonexistent creases in her pale green dress, and she ignored the chatter of the nobles behind her. She stood beside her father on the steps that rose up to meet the great double doors, thrown open wide for the occasion. Link knew that inside the foyer all of the nobles in the castle were gathering, pushing forward as politely as possible, the importance of rank and stature never forgotten. Upon the grand twin staircases, the bravest of servants would gather, attempting to look over the heads of their masters.
They did not have to wait long under the cover of night. Sharp horn blasts drifted to their ears, each a single long note from trumpeters positioned on the city walls and rooftops, with roughly a half mile between each trumpeter. They were used to signal the coming of foreign dignitaries on occasion, as a sign of great respect in Hylian custom. Soon the guards at the top of the portcullis gave notice; they could see the torches of Warden Donah, and the Lord Generals Baden and Malnus, who had rode forth from the city to escort them.
Link could see the faint yellow light that attempted to crawl over the hills that blocked the path from view. The gathered crow of nobles went silent at the first torch light that came into view, a lone rider holding a torch in the sky, followed by two more, and two more after that. As the path straightened into the great stone courtyard, the lights merged into one, and Link could no longer count the number of riders past twenty. He could feel the anxiety grab hold of Zelda as she gripped her pleated dress. They cleared had not expected so many.
The Warden Donah was the first into the main courtyard, followed closely by the Lord Generals, who dismounted their massive stallions and took their places at the King's left hand. A soldier rode at the shoulder of each Gerudo women, a torch high in one hand to light the black night. Link realized this was the first time he saw the Lord General Baden without his massive servant, whom Link could see no where within the courtyard. Baden appeared distracted; his sour face appeared more annoyed than ever. The thought was driven quickly from Link's mind as the Warden stepped forward, followed by two cloaked Gerudo women, one holding a long black wooden box. Close to fourteen or sixteen of the Gerudo contingent remained standing by their beautiful black stallions, their faces hidden beneath the ubiquitous black dust cloaks they all wore.
The Warden stopped at the bottom of the stairs to salute the King, smacking the bottom great ceremonial spear he held in his hands in a great CRACK upon the stone. The small murmur of the crowd died immediately. "Hail Great King, Iolan Daihi Irule; Lord of the Immaculate City" Link had read the ancient histories and fairy tales of Hyrule to know that Warden Donah was invoking the most solemn and archaic of salutes, one that the Gerudo most familiar with, as it was popular during the Thirteen Day war. Following suit everyone in the crowd saluted the King with a fist over their hearts, saying, "May he forever keep peace in the City of the Wisdom."
The Warden pounded the stone again. CRACK! "Hail Great King, Iolan Daihi Irule; Commander of the Armies of the Night Mountain" The crowd saluted as one again, "May he forever honor the Builders and the Prophet."
CRACK! "Hail Great King, Iolan Daihi Irule; Master of the Clouded Tower." The crowd responded enthusiastically again, "May he forever have the Courage of the Exiled Nation."
CRACK! "Hail Great King, Iolan Daihi Irule; Guardian of the Endless Forest."
"May he forever protect the Sightless Witness." Link chuckled to himself that everyone intoned for the Great Forest Spirit, but so few believed in or knew of him.
CRACK! "Hail Great King, Iolan Daihi Irule; Champion of the Deserted Army."
"May he forever remember and protect his Lost Sisters."
By tradition, this greeting was used whenever the Sheikah or Gerudo command visited Caisel Irule, if it was the Sheikah and not the Gerudo who had come, they would have been honored last. The greeting was intended to note both the power of the King of Hyrule, and his responsibility to all Hyrule's people.
The Warden Donah stepped off to the side, and a lone Gerudo figure stepped forward. This close, Link could tell who she was even before Donah announced her coming. "Your Royal Majesty, I am honored to present to you, Nabooru of the Valley of the Gerudo, High Seat of the Twenty-One Sisters, Commander General of the Lion Army."
Nabooru slowly dropped the black hood and cloak that hid her from view, revealing the exotic blue skirt and white blouses that the Gerudo were famous for. Her muscles arms and midriff were bare, exposing her people's trademark tanned skin, and the deadly rhythm of her hips and navel drew the lustful eyes of the Lords. Link could feel the embarrassment, and perhaps even a hint of jealously, through his bond with Zelda. Nabooru stalked enticingly up the stairs to the King and bowed her head to him, lowering her eyes to the floor. "Nabooru has shown trust in your father already. Among the Gerudo, it is almost forbidden to lower your eyes when meeting a man for the first time. No man is worth such respect to them." Link could feel Zelda file the information he passed to her away, like notes in a great journal.
The King bowed in return, and Nabooru turned to Zelda, taking another step, she enveloped the shocked Princess in a great embrace, more like that of a lover than a sister, kissing her face on each cheek and forehead. Stepping back, Nabooru grasped the Princess's hands in her own, and dropped down to her knees. Her associate stepped forward, carrying the long box in front of her with two hands. The crowd began to murmur at the peculiar greeting, finding it odd Nabooru would be so familiar and then so reverent towards the Princess. Link understood the ways of the Gerudo better than most, and even he could not answer the curiosity his new love bristled with.
The Gerudo commander looked gravely into eyes of the young woman before her, and continued to shock everyone with her greeting. "Honored Daughter, Princess of the Protectors, Deserted, and Chosen, I Nabooru, seventy-third daughter of Aderes Meloras present to you the sword command of the Lion Army. The Sister Army of the Valley awaits your command."