I'd like to give a sincerely thankful shout out to my new beta, Arvidius; and all my loyal, loyal readers who had stood by me for so long! Hopefully as I settle into this whole college shtick I'll be able to update things more regularly.

(Let's all take a moment, too, and remember the lives lost on this day, September 11th. May God bless the ones who died... and the ones who survived.)

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Chapter Six

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Midafternoon was always hot in Hyrule, especially in the summertime, but the heat today was worst of all this season. Compounding the miserable temperature was the buzz of movement in and around the Castle; Zelda fanned herself uselessly in her elegant and thankfully lightweight dress. The dust cloud of the Cobblians' arrival had been slowly growing since that morning, but the knowledge that hope was on the way did nothing to relieve her suffering in the unforgiving heat.

No breeze stirred the gauzy cotton skirts that were just thick enough to hide the color of her legs, and her breathing against the golden bodice that left the tops of her shoulders bare was quicker than she liked. Her Triforce of Wisdom was burning, freezing on her hand in a way that reminded her ominously of the day that the unnatural twilight first fell. It was a milder sensation, however; perhaps just nervousness? Or was this a warning of something sinister?

Silently, she send a prayer skyward. Let the Cobblians bring no harm to my people.

Taking leave of the peace of her room, where she had been standing at the window as a servant tied her hair up into an elegant braided bun, Zelda glided like a dawn cloud down the stairs. Workers were laying out some of the more temperature resistant foods, like bread and some small cakes, and making preparations for bringing the wines and cordials up from the cellars. The Gorons were more than happy to bear the heaviest loads, and the small faction of Zora that Prince Ralis had brought with him were dabbing themselves with moist rags as they sat in the shadow of the stairs with Yeta, apologizing for their weakness to all who passed by.

A flash of movement by the door caught Zelda's eye, and her mouth curved into an absent smile as she saw Link striding over to Ashei, his eyes bright with unspent energy and his clothes freshly cleaned in the same method as her gown - taken outside to have the dust beaten out of it. The rich green stood stark against his bronzed skin; it was the cleanest he had been in quite some time.

He, too, was in more clothing than he would have liked - his metal shield, polished to glimmer like the stars, lay against his back with Rusl's sword, and his belt and boots had been shined with oil. Some of the citizens more used to complaining had requested Link redraw the Master Sword from its resting spot in the Hidden Grove, but both Triforce Bearers had been staunch on that front. The Master Sword was not some trinket to be displayed like fine china; it was a weapon, only to be drawn by the pure of heart in dire circumstances.

"Your Majesty?"

Telma was at her shoulder, a checklist of wines under her arm, her free hand resting on her rounded hip. "I think that's the last of the drinks. Care to look it over?"

The Queen shook her head lightly, the delicate braids at her temples brushing along her collarbone with the movement. "I trust your judgment, Telma."

Her capable brewer beamed, her eyes drawn to the Ordonian in the middle of the hall. As though feeling their gazes, he turned; a smile graced his features as he locked eyes with Telma and he pattered over, bowing low.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty, and you too, Telma." Blue eyes sparkled like Lake Hylia used to as he adjusted the strap for his sword nervously. Link hated waiting around for anything; the coming of the Cobblians had set him on a definite edge.

Pursing her lips mischievously, Telma bowed in return. "It's too hot to be that good of an afternoon, but thank you. I'll have to excuse myself, though." She nodded to a certain shaman who had just slipped in through the massive oaken doors.

Zelda raised an eyebrow teasingly as Link chuckled. "But of course," he nodded, as the portly lady set off to accost Renaldo, her hips swaying with a grace that belied her figure.

"Poor man," the Queen murmured to her fellow Triforce Bearer. "Unrequited love can be a burden to bear, when a delicate thing like a heart is placed in your hands and you know that you will break it."

Link seemed tense and avoided her gaze. "I pity Telma more, actually. I feel that… she knows there is no hope for her, but she loves him anyway."

An expectant, awkward silence stretched between the two Hyrulians, one laced with deeper meaning but shrouded in uncertainty. Zelda paused, ruminating on his words and getting the feeling he wasn't thinking of just the bartender but... maybe her?

But then, who was she to him? Was she like Telma, or Renaldo?

Her musing was interrupted by a trumpet from outside the city gates and she was relieved to entertain new thoughts in her mind, as she shoved the uneasy twist in her heart down to her stomach where it sat like ice. The Cobblians had arrived.

-x-

The dusty procession of foreigners drew most of the Castle Town Inhabitants out of their cool houses or from the scant shade of the trees to gawk at these bronze skinned, pale haired beings. Their shoulders were broader, and they were slightly taller than the average Hylian. Their hair was in shades of gray from misty white to charcoal black, and their eyes were a striking pearl-like silver.

As for clothes, bright, simple garb seemed to be the norm. Soldiers were dressed in brown boots with loincloths of red or blue and golden helmets, while the servants bearing covered chaises and carrying bags sported sandals, white loincloths or short dresses, and indigo belts.

The ambassadors halted at the steps to the very Castle, organizing themselves into neat sections on the withered lawns as Zelda and her court descended the stairs. The smallest of the three chaises approached; the bearers knelt and the Great Fairy emerged from behind the obscuring blue curtains. Some of the color and compassion had returned to her face, and as the pitifully small host of fairies followed her, she dipped her head to Zelda and took her place beside Darbus on the Queen's left side.

At her right, Ralis shifted in the sunlight, his coral earring clattering softly with the movement as he cast a pleading gaze to the mercilessly clear sky. Behind him, wearing a tight lipped expression of thinly veiled dislike, was Link who subtly handed the Prince a flask of water.

Zelda directed a thankful gaze the Hero's way as the main chaise approached, followed by a tall, willowy female in jungle green.

The bearers knelt, then after a moment of anticipation, a boy who could not have been more than nine years of age stepped out, his dark, wavy locks tied into two loose ponytails that framed his face under a shining band of gold. His people knelt their heads in respect as he blinked pale eyes edged in blue paint in the sunlight.

"Presenting Prince Mutoh, the second son of the late King Amases," the lady proclaimed, her rich tones echoing through the courtyard as the little Prince dipped his head to the Hyruleans, who all greeted him in a similar fashion.

Is this boy all they sent?

Zelda's silent question was answered as the chaise curtains opened one more; this time, every Cobblian present fell to their knees as a tall man came into view. His white hair shone like starlight in the sun, and his eyes were sharp as steel knives. His crown was simple but large - a gold helmet like affair with a massive gray pearl set in the front. Red paint lined his eyes, and a cape of scarlet edged with green feathers framed his broad, bronzed shoulders.

His gaze flicked around for a bit, like restless silver fireflies, then as they settled on the Queen, he smiled.

"Presenting Dakhutem, firstborn son of King Amases and Crown Prince of the Cobble Kingdom!"

Both sets of Royalty dipped their heads to one another as Ashei spoke with authority. "Her Royal Majesty Queen Zelda, Prince Ralis of the Zora, and Darbus the Patriarch of the Gorons, along with the Great Fairy, welcome you to Hyrule."

As Dakhutem and Murtogh bowed again, a fresh sting of warning trailing up the Queen's right arm; a quick glance told her that her Triforce was faintly glowing. As fast as it came, the light died, and none seemed to have noticed it.

"Please," she gestured with her other hand, "follow me inside. I hope that you shall enjoy the meal we have prepared for you."

The Cobblian Prince smiled, his strange pale eyes flickering over her features. "I believe that we will. My slaves; what would you have me do with them?"

Slaves! Zelda froze for half a moment, and then added calmly, "If you would not mind, they would dine with us."

"If that is the custom here, then I shall not mind." He gestured to his attendants, then the whole procession moved as one inside, where the Castle presented slight relief from the heat.

-x-

The feast had gone over remarkably, with entertainment in the form of acrobatics by the Zora, wrestling by the Gorons – the Cobblians seemed to enjoy this the most, to the pleasure of Darbus – and dramatic readings by the Hyrulians. Great sides of meat were grilled outside, served with fresh bread and the best of Ordon's famous goat cheese, washed down with the refreshing cool water or wine. A small selection of fruit was also available, various roasted seeds, and the Cobblians had brought selections of their finest seaweed.

By now, at the start of sundown, it was a Council between royalties. All but the Great Fairy had one or two advisers at their side, and so far she had been quiet for most of the proceedings.

Shad and Link were Zelda's aides, seated beside their Queen in a tall room above and deeper in the Castle. The massive golden windows faced north, and the cool evening breeze added to the comfortable air. Zelda would not have her friends standing for the hours it might take to work around diplomacy.

"I thank you again for coming on such short notice, Prince Dakhutem and Prince Mutoh," Zelda stood, dipping her head to the two foreigners. Dakhutem smiled warmly.

"It is nothing, Queen Zelda." He stole a look at his lady adviser, the same that had announced his arrival in the courtyard. "When your ally, the Great Fairy told me of your plight-" he stopped, gestured to her a smiled, "I felt duty bound to assist you. I have discussed this much with my father's old consort, Lady Ramatra, and we have a proposal for you."

"The cost for the shipping and running of my machines, plus the piping and other things, would cost," he chuckled, "a king's ransom. So I ask you this instead: by the law of my kingdom, an unwed child of royalty cannot be granted full leadership."

He paused, then locked eyes with her, and asked softly, "would you consider marrying me?"

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