Impa was quick to step between the insulted Goron King and the new arrival.
"Queen Nabooru," she said bowing slightly. "You grace us with your presence."
Queen Nabooru, Link thought. She might be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Immediately Link forgave himself for mistaking the woman as a Goddess. Head-to-toe the queen of the Gerudo people practically glowed, her skin was a rich bronze color that was lighter than Nagina's. Her hair was entirely red, yet a darker red than that of Malon. She wore clothes similar to Nagina, bright pink flowing pants and a cloth brassiere that left her shoulders exposed. The queen wore three rubies, as though the aura around her wasn't enough to separate her from her kin. One was in her hair, where the ponytail started, almost blending in with her red hair. One was mounted on some sort of tiara that mysteriously kept itself on the top of Nabooru's forehead. The last was part of a gold choker necklace, hanging down well over her cleavage.
Queen Nabooru allowed her eyes to drift from one person to the next, starting and ending with Impa. When her gaze fell over Link, the boy had to struggle to maintain eye contact. It was as though the woman's golden irises pierced through him revealing the no doubt shabby little boy that was hiding in Link's body. Link had to reach back subtly and feel Din's Wrath to comfort himself.
"So this is the royal gathering Malukha?" the Gerudo asked sounding completely underwhelmed. She had been addressing Impa yet Link had never heard Impa referred to as "Malukha".
Darunia, not put off by the seemingly rude woman, raised both his hands over his head. "Now that you are here, it is! Welcome to the gathering Queen Nabooru!"
Nabooru offered the measliest of nods, which was more of an exaggerated blink than anything else. If Darunia felt slighted in any way, he didn't show it. Ruto spoke next.
"I am Princess Ruto," she said physically and verbally inserting herself into the conversation. She curtsied as she addressed Nabooru. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
Another measly nod. "I suppose the children will want to introduce themselves next?" she asked referring to Sheik, Saria and Link.
Saria spoke next, "I am Saria Banphrionsa." Unlike Darunia and Ruto, Saria did not bow or curtsy. Link turned to his friend surprised. He didn't know any of the Kokiri had surnames. How did he miss that Saria had one? Strangely enough Saria received a complete nod of the head from Nabooru.
"I am Sheik Prava," Sheik said offering a very low, sweeping bow.
"Hmm one of Malukha's many nieces?" Nabooru asked. "Tell me," she said with a wicked smile. "How is Amos Prava? Is he well?"
Sheik straightened and furrowed her brow. Impa glanced back at the disguised princess.
"Is this an insult, Queen Nabooru?" Sheik asked in a serious tone. Nabooru only raised an eyebrow and smirked. "You know as well as I do that my brother was killed during his hunt. His hunt that took him through your desert."
It had been a trap, Link realized. Nabooru must have suspected Sheik was not truly part of the Prava family.
Nabooru brought her hands up in front of her. "Forgive me Sheik. I don't know how such a tragedy slipped my mind." That smirk was still on her face. She turned to Link awaiting his introduction. "Come now Hylian boy. Nagina tells me there is some fuss about you."
Link glanced back at Nagina who was giving the boy a mocking look. "I am Link," he said. The introduction seemed too short, even to him. He was no king, no noble, he didn't even have a surname. Nabooru watched him for a moment as though waiting for more.
"Well Link," she said when it became apparent there would be no ensuing titles. "How is it you find yourself amongst such noble company?"
"I live here," he said evenly. Less and less he was appreciating this woman's tongue.
"Oh? A Hylian living amongst the forest children? Won't it be awkward when you are a man of twenty and your girlfriend here," she gestured towards Saria. "Is still a child? Tell me boy, is it strange to see grown women?"
Link could feel his ears turning red. He did not like this woman. "Tell me woman, is it strange to see living men?"
Nagina's sword appeared in her hand as she hissed, advancing on Link. The boy was quick to draw Din's Wrath. It was Nabooru who stopped the two. She reached across with her arm, halting Nagina's advance. The Gerudo servant did not resist her queen's restraint. Focusing all the venom in her eyes towards Link she secured her curved blade behind her waist and stepped back. Nabooru only smirked.
"That was fair Link the Nameless. Mock the tragedy of my people again though and I will see to it that worse befalls your village."
"Threaten my brother's people!" Darunia bellowed stepping forward. "And you threaten mine!" All three Gorons slapped their chests, flexing their powerful muscles.
Cuda, Barri, and Dace all extended the sharp fins along their forearms, ready for a fight to break out at any moment. Nagina reached behind her back and placed her hand on the hilt of her blade, eyes bouncing nervously from the Gorons to the Zora.
"Link," hissed Sheik. Link looked back at the girl. "We are here for diplomacy." She spoke with urgency, but quiet enough not to draw attention to herself.
With a nod Link turned back to the now explosive meeting. "Brother Darunia," he said speaking softly. Without turning his head Darunia's eyes shifted towards Link. "The fault was mine," Link said. "I shouldn't have said what I did. She is an ally." He said those words slowly and deliberately, to remind himself as much as to pacify the Goron.
Link addressed everyone in the clearing, "We are all here as allies! We are here to restore the peace that Hyrule knew." Everyone's attention was on the boy now. Impa had her arms crossed in front of her chest, she gave the boy a nod of approval.
"More than two thousand years ago," Link started. "Our races walked side by side. Titanum Petra, first of the powerful rock-people. Pisces Zora, first of the elegant water-people. Reish Alafshin, first of the Sheikah. Leanbh, first of the Kokiri children. Caligula Harkinian, first of the Hylian. Adam Clerigh, first of the Humans. Malik al-Inkitar, first of the mighty Gerudo." The names danced off of Link's tongue as though he had prepared this speech. In truth he didn't think he'd retained any of the names he'd read in A History of Hyrule and Its People.
"Our forefathers walked side by side, welcoming each other as brothers. For that first century Hyrule experienced peace across the realm. Her size was more than ten times our borders now." Link swept his arms out wide. "Each race enjoyed one hundred years of prosperity and growth. That came to an end though. Peace and prosperity ended when our races, one by one, decided to concern themselves only with their own affairs." The boy looked hard at each ruler, Ruto, Nabooru, and Darunia.
"Invaders and conquerors of different races assailed Hyrule from outside and within. Peace was lost. Prosperity and progress were lost. Time and time again the only generations in which Hyrule would prosper were in those where we joined together, uniting under a common cause.
"We have a new conqueror now. A tyrant from within our own borders who threatens Hyrule. But unlike the last usurper, Megas Alexandros, we will not wait twenty years to be rid of him as our great great grandfathers did. Ganondorf has abused your people. Has mocked your reign. Has tarnished the sacred halls of the Temple of Time and the realm granted us by the Goddesses.
"If we can bear the presence of one another, for but a short time, I have a plan that will free Hyrule and defeat Ganondorf and his legions." Link spoke confidently, in a manner he had never spoken before. Every word he had uttered had been true, lessons learned from his readings. He silently thanked Impa.
When Link imagined telling everyone that it was HIS plan they would use to defeat Ganondorf, he had expected resistance. "Surely a boy cannot know anything of war," some faceless quarrelsome persona had declared. But no, nobody said anything at first to question him. Darunia spoke up first.
"Well put brother!" The king of the Gorons turned to Nabooru. "If you can stomach my bellowing," he said with a wry grin, "I'll forgive you for threatening my kin."
Nabooru chuckled softly. "I've a strong stomach. We should be fine." Her eyes shifted to the Zora, who were slowly retracting their fins. Still watching the Zora she said, "Tell us this plan of yours Link, Brother of Darunia."
As a smile of relief spread across his face, Link sheathed Din's Wrath and began spilling his plans. He had not gotten more than a dozen sentences into his tactics when Nabooru started shaking her head.
"This would work," she said referring to the part Link had just explained. "Only if Ganondorf were not present. Besides being an unparalleled warrior and sorcerer the man is a brilliant tactician," she warned. Link could not help but notice her voice was dipped in both fear and respect. "When he fought for the Gerudo he defeated the Royal army with a tenth the number of men. When he defeated the Gerudo armies he had even fewer. Now he has legions at his disposal." She shook her head again, dark red hair whipping back and forth behind her.
"No, this is suicide. Ganondorf will see through your deception in an instant, as clever as it may be." Nabooru sounded truly upset the plan would not work.
"It is the Gorons who will be taking all the risk," Darunia countered. "And I trust Link. The boy has a mind sharp enough to pierce dodongo scales."
Link smiled at his "brother" but could not shake the queen's words. Ganondorf was indeed a proven general, while Link had yet to even lead the Kokiri.
"Ganondorf will not be present," Impa said taking a step forward. By now everyone was gathered in a circle, with Link and now Impa in the center. She continued, "Observe Link's plans with that truth in mind. Ganondorf will NOT be on the battlefield."
"How can you know that?" Ruto asked right away.
Impa turned her pale gaze towards the water princess. "Because the Treasure of Antaeus guarantees it."
Nabooru furrowed her brow. "It was my understanding the Treasure of Antaeus only guaranteed my attendance."
Ruto looked from Impa to Nabooru, at a loss and clearly not happy about it. "What is the Treasure of Antaeus?" she asked impatiently.
Neither woman looked at her. Impa and Nabooru were staring at each other intently. Nabooru answered without taking her eyes away from Impa. "A bargaining chip that can apparently be used twice, when the Shadow Folk deem it."
"I know this name!" Darunia declared. "Antaeus was the Gerudo who wrestled Fe Petra, the tenth king of the Gorons. The strongest man to ever live." He pointed to Link, "Antaeus wore that bracer I gifted you."
Nabooru's head whipped around to Link. Her eyes hungrily scanned his body until she found the gold bracelet on the boy's forearm. Link unconsciously put his hand over the gold band. Nabooru's pink lips turned upwards into their favorite "smirking" position.
"Surely that isn't the same treasure that brought me into these woods, so far away from my kingdom?"
Impa did not blink or move. "It is not. You seek the gauntlets, that is what I offer."
A full smile spread across Nabooru's face, revealing perfect white teeth. "Then Ganondorf will not be present."
Despite everyone's prodding neither Nabooru nor Impa would reveal exactly why the evil king would be missing. Trusting his mentor, Link decided to resume explaining his plan, knowing that Impa would not let him down or deceive him. The twelve bodies listened to the Link intently, asking questions here and there. Every now and then Link would be met with suggestions but not once did anyone rise to challenge his plan. Several times the boy had to halt his explanation and ask capabilities and quantities from each of the attending royals. Nabooru and Darunia both knew the exact answers without having to pause or recall. Ruto on the other hand had to defer to Dace, who was just as knowledgeable as Darunia or Nabooru were, concerning his own people. Link needn't ask Saria about the Kokiri. He knew exactly how many villagers there were and how poor their capabilities were as soldiers.
When Link had finished laying out his entire plan he looked around waiting for everyone's opinion.
"Do you truly believe this will work?" Nabooru asked. The question was simple.
"I do," Link answered. He tried his best to sound confident. His plan had sounded good to him and Navi when they had discussed it in private but now, asking each ruler to risk his or her own people? Insecurity nagged at Link. People would die. He knew this. He knew this as a fact. And yet, in the plan he just explained, projected casualties were so low that it seemed possible nobody had to die. None of their soldiers anyway. But Link knew that was being naïve. Not a single war Link had read about ended without far too many deaths.
"Then that is good enough for me." Nabooru seemed to be in much higher spirits, and much more cooperative than when she had first arrived. "If we are done here," she said bowing to the congregation, "I have an army to prepare and some gloves to pick up." The last bit was for Impa, who nodded and stepped to the side.
"Thank you King Darunia and Princess Ruto," Impa said bowing to each. "I trust we will meet again soon, as we discussed." Ruto curtsied and Darunia lifted his hands over his head.
"Brother," Darunia said turning to Link after the two women left. "I must go prepare my men, there is much work to do before glory awaits them." He gave Link a bone-crushing pat on the shoulder. "When I return you will have to give me the tour of your kingdom."
"Of course brother," Link said trying not to wince. "Farewell King Darunia, Tuff, Gabbro."
All three Gorons raised their hands over their heads once more, bid their farewells to Sheik, Saria, and the Zoras, then rolled into the tunnels that would take them back to their mountain.
"I would invite you to stay," Link offered to Ruto after the Gorons had left. "But I'm afraid my village does not offer any lodgings worthy of your highness."
"Nonsense," the princess said with a flick of her wrist. "Any bed good enough for my fiancé is good enough for me."
Link sucked in air between his teeth and glanced at Sheik. A golden eyebrow was raised. No doubt the scarf was hiding a grin too.
"But," Ruto continued "Father will want to hear about your plan. It is my duty as princess to return to him immediately." She walked away from her silent bodyguards and put her arm in Link's again. "You will walk me back to the entrance won't you?'
"Of course."
"You two enjoy your stroll," Saria said looking from Link to Ruto. "It was a pleasure to meet you Princess Ruto." The two girls curtsied to one another then Saria walked past them. Sheik bowed too.
"I have matters to discuss with Saria," Sheik said. "Please pardon my absence Princess."
"Think nothing of it," Ruto said sweetly offering her deepest curtsey.
Don't leave me alone with her! Link screamed in his head. If telepathy was amongst one of Sheik's magical abilities, she was choosing to ignore him.
Alone with the four Zora, Link walked back to the pool.
"Is Saria a close friend of yours?" Ruto asked as they walked side by side. "King Darunia said you mentioned her. How come I didn't hear about her?"
Link only shrugged. "I have known her my whole life." Then remembering her surname, "but apparently not long enough. You never asked about my friends from back home."
Princess Ruto looked forward thoughtfully. "It always appeared to me as though you didn't want to talk about home, or your past. When I asked how you ended up working for the Royal Family you told me you had been running errands for them for some time. That wasn't true was it?"
"No, I suppose not." Link was impressed Ruto remembered what he had said. His first impression of her had been that she was too self-centered to listen to what anyone else said.
They reached the tide pools while Link was debating telling her the whole story about The Great Deku Tree and how his adventure really started. He decided it could wait for another time.
"Well," Ruto said with a smile. "This will have to hold you over until I return." With that she leaned forward and kissed Link on the cheek. Dace subtly cleared his throat.
When the Zora princess leaned away her violet eyes were full of life, joy and mischief. "Until next time Link."
A backflip, then ripples, and the Princes was gone. The three Zora followed shortly behind her. Link offered Dace a wave before he too disappeared below the surface.
"This all went better than I could have hoped," Link said to Navi as he headed back to his home. It was just past noon and Link was somehow exhausted.
"It did go surprisingly well after those first few minutes. You should not have insulted Queen Nabooru," his fairy scolded.
"You are absolutely right." He knew it had been over the line. Hell, it could have cost them an ally. It would be a wonder if Impa did not punish him for the comment.
On his trek through the village Link noticed that the Kokiri named Shylock was participating in some childish games with the rest of the villagers.
"What is it Link?" Navi asked. It was almost as if she could see the gears turning in his head even before he spoke.
"That mask he's wearing, do you think it would work on me?" he asked. "Do you think it would turn me into a real Kokiri?"
Navi hummed while she thought. "A kokiri does not have the means to save Hyrule, Link. Even if it did work, would you really choose such a path?"
Link sighed. He knew before he'd even asked the question that he wouldn't. It was his responsibility now. "It" being everything. The fate of Hyrule.
"Still," Link said after shaking his head. "I'm going to get older right? And that means getting bigger and taller." Link glanced back at Shylock one last time before he went out of view. "I won't be able to return to Kokiri as an adult. Not truly anyways. I probably won't even fit inside my own home."
Navi left the air and plopped herself on Link's shoulder. "These are concerns that are years away, Link," she counseled. "For now let's focus on defeating Ganondorf, and returning the throne to Princess Zelda."
"You're right."
Link could see the top of his home even before he rounded the last hill. Someone was in his house! "Navi?"
"I'm on it," she said flying ahead.
Surely it wasn't Saria, who never entered Link's home uninvited. Maybe it was Malon?
Link got to his ladder and started clambering up, waiting for any sort of warning from Navi. As he neared his porch he caught a whiff of something he'd only smelled once before. Something sweet and exotic. He had his answer before he cleared the ladder or heard from Navi.
"The Gerudo Queen is in your house!" Navi warned as Link hoisted himself onto the porch. Sure enough Nagina and Nabooru were standing in his doorway, both of them relaxed and comfortable.
Wisdom told Link not to reach for Din's Wrath. Surely there was an explanation for this.
"Can I help you?" Link asked keeping his eyes on Nagina's hands.
"Is that how you welcome the queen into your home, boy?" hissed Nagina. Nabooru raised her hand to quiet her attendant and let out a soft laugh.
"Impa Malukha sent us here," the queen said. There was something sinister in her eyes but Link couldn't identify it.
"Why did she send you here? Why didn't she come with you?" Link demanded.
Nabooru threw her head back and laughed. "Surely you know by now, Link of So Many Questions, that Malukha rarely offers explanation for her actions." Then Nagina pushed off the doorway and walked directly up to Link. She squatted down so that she was eye-level with the boy. That smell was intoxicating.
The queen's golden eyes once more burned into Link's. "I'm here," she said. "Because you are coming back with me."
Author's Note: Lots of dialogue. Truthfully I could have probably tripled the amount of interaction between all the royals, and I may go back later and do just that. It is on purpose that you (the readers) didn't get to hear Link's plan. You won't find out what it is until it is being carried out.
Names! There were a lot of original names in this chapter. Many of you know the nightmare that is trying to think up names for your original characters. The task is daunting because of all the different connotations people give certain names right? So what I did, was I assigned each race a civilization, besides the Zora and Gorons. The Sheikah names and lore are pulled from Hebrew roots. Malukha being a Hebrew word for royalty. Zelda's family names come from two place. Harkinian, the king from the old cartoon's name, and Caligula, the third or fourth emperor of Rome. If I need more names for the Royal family they will likely come from Roman, or Byzantine history. The Gerudo names came from Arabic roots. Nagina, an Egyptian name for a snake. Malik, Arabic for King. The Kokiri names will come from Gaelic roots. Banphrionsa is Irish for Princess. The Zora names, as I mentioned earlier, come from fish names, latin or otherwise. And Goron names come from rocks and minerals. Titanum - Titanium and FE - Iron's symbol. Not super original but it works well enough for me.
So as I am writing I realize that the war is even farther away that I had originally thought. Sorry about that. On the bright side, you are about to get a lot of Gerudo lore, and your first look at the Spirit Temple! Hope you all are enjoying!
Thank you!