Chapter 6
The Gerudo Prince
Zelda was three days into training and she was hardly making any progress except for the fact that her archery was excellent and her hunting skills were beating the rest. She practiced with Rusl every so often but Impa liked practicing in the arena where Alfonzo can overlook their practice and give Zelda a good score. Zelda was lacking in hand coronation and her attitude but then again… the animals talked back or put up a fight against her.
"Focus, Zelda! Keep your eyes on the sword at all costs or they'll have your head!" Impa growled as she tried teaching Zelda how to handle a sword. Sure she was quick with a bow but arrows run out and a sword is her last option. "Keep your eyes on the sword and never glance away." Impa muttered dropping her weapon.
"I'm better with just hiding out in a tree and shooting them from above!" Zelda shouted dropping her sword.
"What happens when you get hungry or thirsty? Not all trees provide sap and knowing you, you won't hide in a sap tree."
"Practice is over ladies!" The leader of the Hyrule guards shouted. His name as Zelda remembered was Russell and he was short temper, loud and difficult to work with but as far as she was concerned, Zelda only paid attention to Impa and Ralph.
"Training Bryce today?" Impa asked. Russell nodded. "That boy was watching other tributes all day learning their strengths and weaknesses."
"Is that even allowed?!" Zelda said angrily. She looked over at the approaching figure that had his hood up, blocking his face from the sun. Sure, she's heard all about Bryce. He was the prince of Gerudo and Lilith's son but she's never actually seen him before. Whenever meals were served most tributes would just eat in their rooms to avoid making friendships or worse… fall in love. Zelda shuddered worrying about the two tributes she saw the other day kissing behind a tree who were from different kingdoms.
"Bryce! This here is Impa and the Ordon tribute, Princess Zelda." Russell said patting Bryce's back. Bryce made no movement towards either of them and stood there next to Russell, his face covered.
"Well… we better grab something to eat and study Zelda." Impa said pushing Zelda towards the double doors. Once they got inside Zelda walked up the stairs and looked out the window that overlooked the arena where Bryce was practicing in. Impa noticed Zelda watching them and jester her towards a small balcony that was shaded and cool.
"Alright before we begin you must know that only five survive the battle and then they're released into the woods to find the triforce." Russell explained to Bryce. Bryce's back was towards Zelda and he took off his cloak and threw it over a rock, his black hair slightly messy.
"That Bryce boy… He seems dangerous." Impa whispered to Zelda.
"I heard he could throw fire and he's quick with a sword. Some say he even beats Russell and some duels." Zelda replied. She watched the two of them duel quickly, Russell losing the first few but then sending Bryce heavy blows which gave him a nasty cut on his cheek. Bryce turned and Zelda gasped. His face was nothing like Lilith's but more pale. His eyes a deep hazel that added a small touch of red in his cheeks but the gash on his right cheek truly made him look like a god like warrior. He was indeed the most handsome boy Zelda ever laid eyes on. He looked up and noticed Impa and Zelda watching him and gave a small smirk.
"Alright Zelda now is the time to take everything I taught you and use it to impress the gamekeepers! Since you arrived last, you and Rusl will go last so go out with a bang." Impa said fixing Zelda's bow as they sat there facing Ralph and Rusl waiting for their turn.
"Princess Zelda." The caller shouted out. Zelda stood up and looked over at Rusl.
"Don't screw this up. Remember this is for your survival score so the crowds will send in enough money for you and you'll get the best weapon possible." Zelda warned him.
"The higher your survival score is the more money the Hylians will send in and you'll be able to buy the best weapon possible to take with you to the battlefield." She remember Cole telling her after dinner one night when she was in the library studying plants that were edible.
"Welcome, Zelda!" She heard Cole shout happily as she walked into the arena. In the balconies above the arena stood crowds of people who must've spent their life fortunes to see who was the best tribute watch hungrily but the middle balcony had the gamekeepers from each kingdom. Almost fifty of them sat with bored looks and slightly annoyed faces at the jittery crowds around as Zelda walked in. She was wearing her hunter's outfit that Alfonzo brought back from Ordon for her. She retied her boots and stood waiting for the okay motion from Cole.
"What is your choice of weapon?" One of the gamekeepers asked her.
"A bow and arrow, sir." Zelda shouted, the crowd buzzed. She grabbed the bow that was seated on its cradle and a few arrows which she dropped onto the grass next to her. The target was all the way at the other side of the arena which suited her just fine. She took a few steps back and aimed the arrow at the target. The crowd was silent as she let go of the arrow and screamed with delight as it hit the middle of the target.
"Oh come on now. That Bryce boy flung a sword from that distance and made the target break in half. She's isn't worth a damn cent of mine." She heard one of the crowd members shout. It was coming from the balcony near the left. Her anger bubbled inside and she aimed another arrow at the target again.
"She's going to shoot again?! Boring! Give her a five!" Zelda quickly turned and shot the arrow into the brick wall centimeters from the man's skull. The crowd was silent, mouths open wide. The gamekeepers stood to get a better look of where the arrow was stuck and Cole stood up clapping his hands.
"Thanks for your support, now… Give my friend the same respect you gave your beloved Gerudo Prince." Zelda said to the frighten man. She tossed the bow on the ground and walked back into the castle, avoiding the crowds of tributes anger words to her. "They're all bastards but I'm not afraid." Zelda whispered and walked into her room, slamming the door.
"I can't believe you pulled off that trick! You could've killed that man and not only will they have your head for that but your kingdom will go to shame! You're damn lucky that the Chancellor is hoping for you to win." Impa yelled at Zelda as she paced back and forth in front of Rusl, Ralph and Zelda.
"It's not that big of a deal, Impa. I think she put on a pretty damn good show. The crowd was screaming after Rusl left and they cheered 'Ordon'! She just gave herself bonus points for more money." Ralph said.
"The gamekeepers will give her a low survival score because of her attitude and her lack of keeping her anger in!" Impa shouted.
"Look… If you were out there and being judge against that snobby bastard you would fire an arrow at the guy who's saying it too." Zelda replied.
"No I won't! I would keep my mouth shut and find another way to please the crowd not give them heart attacks or fears of being shot!"
"You know lately these games are boring me… When do we find out our results?" Rusl asked as he carved his hunting knife.
"In awhile when Cole announces to the whole crowd out there. You better get a better score than that boy from Gerudo or I'll never hear the end of it from Russell." Impa complained.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE SCORES HAVE BEEN COUNTED AND OUR TRIBUTES ARE JUDGE NOW IT'S TIME TO ANNOUNCE THEY'RE SURVIVAL SCORES!" Cole's voice rang throughout the kingdom. Cheers from below turned the setting into a thunderous applause as The gamekeepers stepped onto the balcony that overlooked the whole Hyrule kingdom. The crowds waved different flags that represented each kingdom. Zelda stepped out and stood with the rest of the tributes who were standing or sitting in the grass, the golden gates keeping them from running to save their lives.
"I would ask that each tribute from each kingdom I call can please step forward onto the podium below the balcony as we give you your scores. Now remember: Each tribute is scored by strength, bravery, and how they proved to us who they really were yesterday. The score goes by one to ten. Ten is being the highest and most respectable who has huge chances of survival." Cole announced.
"Zelda!" Someone hissed. Zelda turned and saw Link appear and sit down next to her in the grass. "Impa is banging her head against a wall demanding to know why you ruined her life goals and chances of becoming head of the royal guards."
"Shh." Zelda whispered as Cole announced the first kingdom and two skinny teenagers stood up and walked onto the podium. The girl received a four while the boy was given a six and the two of them quickly got off and headed back into the castle. The ceremony went on for what seemed like hours before someone looked interesting to Zelda.
"Minish kingdom!" Cole announced. Two teens stood up and walked onto the podium. The boy had his face covered like Bryce did in the arena.
"Fatine Glitter, seven! Vaati, eight!" Cole shouted. The crowd cheered and Vaati raised his head a little so Zelda could see red markings underneath his eyes. They stepped off the podium, only a few kingdoms were left including Gerudo kingdom.
"Twilight kingdom!" One girl stepped forward onto the podium, her orange hair covering her face. She received a seven and quickly she walked out as people whistled at her. It was ten minutes when the only people were left were Bryce, Zelda and Rusl.
"Why didn't a girl come from Gerudo?" Link asked.
"Girls… are sacred to the Goddesses. We respect that and make sure none are cut down in bloodshed during these games." Bryce replied standing up as Gerudo kingdom was called.
"Yet they want everyone else to send one girl to fight. How typical of a prissy ass kingdom to pull an ass move like that on everyone." Link muttered.
"Prince Bryce, nine!" The crowd cheered louder than ever as people waved the Gerudo flag and chanted Bryce's name.
"And finally… Ordon kingdom!" Cole shouted. Zelda took a deep breath and stood up gathering all her strength to walk across the podium and face the crowd who stood there watching her every move.
"Rusl, seven!" Cole announced. The crowd cheered and Rusl waved his arms, his smile glittering.
"Princess Zelda…" The crowd was silent and Zelda could hear her own heart thump. Thump thump thump thump. "Receiving the highest score, Princess Zelda, Ten!" She couldn't make out the rest of what Cole said because the crowds were hysterical.
"ZELDA! ZELDA!" The crowds chanted. She could see by the gate a few kids clapping and cheering waving Ordon flags. A girl was waving madly and jumping up and down. A girl… who looked just like Zelda.
"ZEFA!" Zelda screamed and ran off of the podium towards the gate. Zefa squeezed through the gate and ran towards her sister.
"Zelda!" Zefa cried as her sister grabbed her and hugged her tightly. Zelda sobbed hugging her sister, the crowd cheering. "Zelda I saw you yesterday! You scared that man!" Zelda laughed.
"I did it to make sure he was afraid of me." Zelda said touching her sister's nose.
"Is Bryce afraid of you?" Zefa asked.
"He better be now. I just won the best score out of everyone." Zelda whispered.
"Link!" Zefa cried as Link hugged both girls, crying.
"Link you're crushing me." Zefa coughed.
"Zelda! How many times are you going to break the rules?!" Impa screamed rushing towards them angrily.
"Oh Impa relax! Let the poor girl say hello to her sister." Cole said wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
"How did that girl receive a higher score than my own son! HE THREW A SWORD INTO A TARGET FROM ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIELD AND IT WAS A BULLSEYE!" Lilith screamed as she shoved aside gamekeepers and stared at Zelda. "You… You… You ruined the Gerudo name! How dare you brainwash the gamekeepers with your petty tricks and attitude!"
"Hey leave Zelda alone!" Zefa shouted.
"And you! How dare you run into the courtyard! You should've been taken away and hung immediately for the disturbance you caused!"
"If you even lay a finger on her I'll have your head." Zelda warned grabbing her sister.
"Is that a threat, Zelda?"
"You tell me. Do I have enough courage to cut off your head? I did by fact almost kill a spectator that was a fan of your son so I think I have enough courage to take you down too." Zelda warned looking at Lilith straight in the eye before picking up Zefa and walking away from the Queen.
"That bitch is going to regret this… She's going to regret ever making a threat to me or my family." Lilith said to Cole before storming off into the castle, the doors slamming behind her.
"Well… These games will be more interesting than I thought…" Cole said grinning and doing a jig as he waved at the crowds that were leaving the gates slowly.
"Zelda… That boy Bryce… He was clapping for you when they announced your score." Zefa said before yawning. Zelda put her in her bed before grabbing the medallion she gave her a few days ago.
"Where did you get this, Zefa?" Zelda asked.
"A stranger gave it to me… He said you would need it when the time comes and I would know when. I kept it in my pocket until that time came and it did!" Zefa said happily as Zelda covered her in blankets. Zefa fell asleep peacefully as Zelda and Link left quietly. Zelda quickly walked down the quiet halls into the throne room where Cole was pacing back and forth reading papers that were most likely talking about the games.
"Cole!" Zelda said. Cole turned and took off his glasses. "Zelda! You're supposed to be asleep. What's the matter?"
"My sister gave me this before I left Ordon. What exactly is it?" Zelda gave him the medallion and stood there as he looked at it carefully.
"This… This is one of the six medallions that our guardians possess. Sadly they left Hyrule long ago after it split into many kingdoms but… from what my dad says… if you find all six medallions the guardians will return and reunite Hyrule but it's just a silly legend."
"Do you know anyone who might have the missing ones?"
"Actually I know one! He keeps it in his pocket all the time for good luck."
"Please Cole… Can I speak to him?"
"Well you already are, Princess!" Cole said and took out an orange medallion. It had two small teardrop like shapes circling each other.
"The Spirit medallion!" Link said as Cole gave it to Zelda. "That's one of the greatest ones and rarest ones to find! Only few people have seen the guardian who kept it and after she left… they said her medallion was destroyed."
"My father was in Gerudo on a important trip many years ago when he stumbled upon it. On his deathbed he told me this is one of the six keys that will bring back the old Hyrule. A hero will walk into my life, he said, and will be given a task to reunite Hyrule using these medallions. I think… I think you're that hero, Zelda." Cole explained. Link stiffened for a moment before leaving the throne room quickly.
"Link!"
Link took the stairs two at a time and opened the double doors to the arena where Russell and Impa were battling even though it was too hard to see with very little light.
"Oh! It's Zelda's little friend, Link." Russell said dropping his weapon.
"Link is Zelda alright?" Impa asked also dropping her weapon as well.
"I need you two to train me." Link said quickly ignoring Impa's question.
"Train?"
"Rusl won't survive those games even for a few minutes. Zelda has a much better chance then he does but Cole is giving her a really dangerous task to work on while she's on that battlefield."
"Wasn't he saying something like he had something Zelda would need but she had to find the others?" Russell asked Impa. "Yeah… he had some sort of key that'll open a huge door to someplace." Impa replied.
"Guys! He's asking her to bring back the old Hyrule using the six medallions! We only have two so I need to protect her! We all know everyone wants her dead because she got the highest score and Cole is favoring her to win."
"We know! Link… We can't just sneak you in there… Lilith will have our heads if we try."
"Russell, make it happen. Now…" Link said and grabbed a sword from one of the stands and pointed it at the two of them. "Train me."