- To KPGirl1227: Well, the Wolf is definitely going to be making more appearances now. Who knows what kind of mischief it can get into now that it finally has a voice of its own? ; )
- Darn it. I was trying to get this update out sooner than this but it just didn't happen. The only thing I can honestly say is that I will get the updates out as soon as I can….
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Sheik sat alone, crossed legged on Zelda's bed trying to gather his spinning chaotic thoughts through sheer willpower since, for once in his life, meditation wasn't doing the trick.
Zelda had just left through the door into the hallway with Link, who had just returned after an awkward moment of when Victor had to return to the room and cautiously approach the man that had just assaulted him. It seemed the prince realized a bit too late that he wasn't getting up to the third story window of the loo without some help since the rope dangling almost mockingly in the wind was too high for him to reach.
So, after a profuse apology from the hero, the wolf had gotten so riled up and clawing to get out again that Sheik needed to sooth the beast before it hurt someone. The Sheikah pursed his lips, suddenly very paranoid when Link had hurriedly explained to Victor in attempts to let him understand that it wasn't personal. There was a part of himself that he was slowly losing control over.
Sheik was panicking at the thought that there was some unseen being following them around that could hear everything they were saying. He had to fight the urge to rush to Link's side and cover his mouth to prevent him from telling anything that could be used against him. But that would reveal that he knew that there was something to be paranoid about in the first place.
If this invisible being, who sounded very similar to the hero, was following them…then by all means, it had numerous opportunities to kill Link but it hasn't even tried. At least not as far as he could tell. This made letting the hero leave without him excruciating to watch. What if this was just the chance it was waiting for?
What truly struck him to the core however, was the fact that this being remained invisible to him. Why couldn't he see it? His kind were gifted with the sight of truth! That branched into several abilities that should have rendered both invisibility and shapeshifting to be completely useless against him!
Then he had realized something when the wolf had been…interrogating the prince. The hero's bright green aura, something that had been nearly blinding in its brilliance and vitality, was completely nonexistent. He watched Link closely after that, trying to spot any indication of why he wasn't seeing what he was supposed to see naturally.
Did the curse they had finally gotten rid of have any after effects? Was it even really gone? Or did it just mutate into something so different that the potion Link had taken not have any effect on it?
Perhaps it had nothing to do with any of that. They did just stumble back into Hyrule when she was hosting an entire group of people that, if what they thought was right, worshiped an ancient enemy that was trying to personally make sure that they didn't succeed in their quest to restore the world. Any one of the members of the Order of Sol probably had the power to curse him or the hero.
Sheik sighed as he opened his ruby eyes and swept them around the room, searching for anything that looked out of place. What if that invisible being was sitting right in front of him? Or following the hero? But it had other, safer opportunities to hurt either one of them before this. The most vulnerable would have been when Link slept out next to Elden's Fountain. They both had been alone then. In a village with a hand full of people. Honeslty, odds were they would have just disappeared without a trace.
He needed to warn Link…but where would be a safe place to do so?
Sheik took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves. There was one fact that he should take into consideration…the wolf had been asking for help from this invisible being. It seemed more intelligent than it used to be during the times that he had encountered the beast while traveling through the Forest Temple, but he still thought that it remained mostly instinctual.
Surely the beast wouldn't demand help from someone or something that could harm Link? Was he overreacting? He had before…
The Sheikah realized that perhaps the best way to solve this problem was to ask the wolf directly. He had spoken too it on numerous occasions but not in a way that would require it to respond in any way. If he could gain some insight on what this unseen being really was then it should be easier to decide if it was a threat or not.
It could also help him understand why the wolf was changing in the first place. The hero was starting to become unsettled by something, so maybe he could get the wolf to tell him. He didn't want any more episodes like in the sewers. Zelda wouldn't always be there to help them through it and they didn't have time to let Link barrel through his problems like he normally did.
Honestly, he already told Link that he could tell him anything but as soon as something bad enough comes along he chooses to lock it away instead!
Sheik sighed as he ran a hand down his face. He really had no right to say that when he wasn't any different when it came to his own problems. He suddenly raised his head and blinked.
Maybe that could break whatever was left of this metaphorical wall still standing between them? Link did seem to trust him but he didn't even know who Sheik truly was, did he? What right did he have to expect Link to unburden his troubles on Sheik if the only times he returned the favor was when the hero had to literally tackle him to the ground and force it out in the open?
Sheik nodded. He was ready now. Once the hero returned, they needed to get everything out in the open. The thought made the Sheikah nervous. He hadn't truly opened up to anyone except his mother and the princess, but if it made Link feel like he could finally confide in him without hesitation then so be it.
They were friends after all, right? Even if his heart wished for more, but his soul would be fine with it as long as the hero trusted in him.
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Link's sensitive nose scrunched up in distaste for the sixth time as he and Zelda strode down the hallways. The smell was subtle, accounting to Zelda, but his sense of smell was fiercely arguing with that fact. Link understood the need for it, he guessed. They did just walk out of a sewer, but come on! Did it really warrant the need for cologne?! Something that, according to the princess, was necessary for males of the higher status to smell appropriate.
Link scoffed. Whoever created the idea of 'cologne' must have died laughing, because it really was just perfume labeled for men. He would be laughing himself at the hilarity of it if he weren't going to meet a fearsome man who probably has the entire northern continent under his control by now.
The prince apparently 'forgets' that cologne that Link currently reeks of in Zelda's room quite often.
The hero scowled, intimidating a few servants into giving him a wide berth. He bet Victor left it in there so he wouldn't have to use the horrid stuff! Zelda calls it 'White Justice'. His nose has named it 'old man sitting in the rain'.
That's just what he needed. Something else for these people to make fun of him for. He even wore a dark blue tunic with gold embroidery that was too tight and didn't breathe well. To the point where he expected to be sweating waterfalls any minute. His white breeches felt like they would blow away with how thin they were. Didn't people wear these kind of pants when they went horseback riding? Was noble attire just meant to do nothing but supposedly look good? The brown boots weren't that bad he guessed, but any amount of damage to them and he would be walking bare foot for the rest of the day.
Not an outfit he wanted to be wearing should he find himself in a fight. Which probably will happen knowing his luck.
Well…if it made it easier to talk to the Lion King…because he was laughing at him, then he guessed he could be that finely dressed 'old man sitting in the rain' for now.
"Stop that Link. You're scaring everyone that walks near us. The smell is not that bad. I barely dabbed your neck with it too. If you're going to be angry then be angry at your wolfish senses for picking it up that strongly. Now, just take a deep breath. Everything is going to be fine. We shouldn't even be there that long. You did just get back from a long journey after all. So, it will be expected that you would want to retire for the day soon. You remember the mannerisms and poses we've been practicing?" asked Zelda quietly. Link sighed irritably, but nodded.
A few quick pointers from the princess was all the instruction that he had before they left her bedchambers. The only reason he wasn't a nervous wreck was the hesitant wave his partner gave him as Zelda ushered him out the door. How he felt now with Zelda at his side was nothing compared to what Sheik must be feeling by himself as he waited for them to return.
Hyrule was depending on how the Lion King decided to perceive them. That depended on what kind of impression Link made on the man. He needed to keep a level head. The hero nodded as he went through a checklist. A rather sad checklist considering that his only experience with nobility was those few pointers from Zelda, an actual princess, and Beth, a young girl that spent years dreaming about being a princess.
Stand up straight. Like a pillar.
Don't stammer or say anything stupid.
Keep eye contact, but not long enough that it looks like you're glaring at them.
Don't punch people playfully in the shoulder. They won't get it.
Wear puffy cloths that gives the impression that you just came out of a doll house.
Link sighed. Hopefully this night didn't blow up in his face. Why would nobility care so much about what everyone else thought of their stature anyway? Was wearing something not ridiculously expensive or saying something that didn't make you sound like a conceited prat really worth all the trouble?
And the whole 'we must be respectful of the Golden Goddesses expectations of us?' He seriously doubted that the goddesses would waste their time frowning down at people of noble blood that didn't bother to wear top hats stiff enough to be used as a weapon.
"Jones?" asked Zelda suddenly. Link glanced up to spot a man jogging up to them. He then recognized the way this man held himself. Even in his hurried pace, he still watched his surroundings, ready to defend himself if he needed to. This was one of the guards that had been protecting Victor when Link had first arrived in the castle.
"Princess. Hero," greeted Jones once he reached them. He immediately fell into step beside the princess. His body language seemed causal but his eyes looked unsettled to the hero. Link took notice of the short black hair and cautious brown eyes. He wore leather armor and no shield, making the hero believe that this man relied heavily on his speed.
"My lord wanted me to inform you both of the new arrival. The prince has been conversing with the Archbishop of Magnoth but he has retired for the day now that the Archbishop of Rauru has joined the feast in the dining hall," said Jones quietly. Zelda frowned.
"My brother risked being alone to inform me that yet another man we have to impress is going to be at the feast?" asked Zelda with a frown.
"Woman, your highness. The Archbishop of Rauru is a woman," said Jones. He paused along with Zelda once they realized that Link had stopped in middle of the hallway.
The hero's mind had halted at the name. Rauru. He had experienced this enough to know that his ancestor had something to do with that name. He didn't recognize these images from the memories flashing before his eyes though. Was his big brother not fond of this person then? Or was the name just situated with an event that he had struggled with? Like Link's own experience with the wolf while within the Twilight?
An old man in robes…in that same place that Sheik and I met our ancestors…a Sage? But he isn't like the other ones...why?
"Link?" asked Zelda quietly. The hero blinked as he glanced up at her and then shook his head. He sighed and continued walking.
"It's nothing. I just suddenly remembered something. But anyway, I thought women were, you know, like secondary citizens or something in Calatia?" asked Link as Zelda and Jones rushed to match his pace. The hero jumped a bit when he felt something move around under his shirt. He had forgotten about Abby during their dash to the dining hall. He glanced down subtly once he noticed a little head pop out near his left shoulder.
"Your aura is really strange when you're 'remembering' things Linky. Once we make a clean get away later, we should probably work on hiding that since there's a bunch of magical castors around to sense it now too," whispered Abby. Link hummed in agreement. The others didn't seem to hear her.
"That's what I thought too. I've never known a female that hailed from Calatia to have any sort of power. Has she been here this whole time and just not bothered to show herself?" asked Zelda quietly to Jones. The man shook his head.
"To my knowledge she has been in Hyrule but has, for some reason, just arrived in the capitol this afternoon. If I may your highness, it doesn't seem like your impression of Calatian culture is misled. I have yet to see a single female solider in their ranks or within their noble seats of power. The only place that has broken this impression is within the Order of Sol itself," said Jones as they turned a corner.
The hallways were getting jam-packed with people now. Mostly servants as they bustled to make sure the feast was well stocked and those within are well cared for. Link grew nervous as they started to recognize him. The hero couldn't sneak away this time so he just smiled weakly and nodded as they started to stop and bow to them. His anxiety increased once he realized that more than half were bowing to him and the excited murmurs as maids waving their dusters around would cluster together and peer after them, or the butlers holding silver trays bearing champagne glasses would pause and bow their head with a small flourish of their free hand as they passed by.
Link jumped again when Zelda's hand slipped into his, but he smiled nervously at her when she gave him an apologetic look.
"This…could be a good thing. Perhaps the Order of Sol doesn't answer to Leonard. They might not be trustworthy but as long as they aren't hostile towards us then we could gain them as allies against the Lion King. Like how Labrynna had done! We'll need to find the Archbishop of Rauru and speak to her. The other Archbishop should be approached as well but we'll have to do that tomorrow. I would have done so myself but I haven't had the chance to meet neither of the Archbishop's yet, nor that the Order of Sol could be independent from Calatian royalty," said Zelda excitedly.
The hero frowned. He'd gotten so used to shooting off ideas at Sheik that now he was uncomfortable planning anything without his notice. Zelda was the bearer of wisdom though. If there was one person who could be better at planning then Sheik, it was her.
Yet, the wolf growled irritably at the thought. It didn't seem to want to trust anything or anyone it wasn't familiar with. It wasn't suspicious of Zelda. Something the hero was glad for because he had gotten quite close to her over these last few months, so he couldn't even fathom a reason that a part of himself wouldn't trust her. The wolf seemed to always act hostile when around her but perhaps it had just been angry at other things and she just happened to be in the area of its irritation.
The hero debated with trying to cage the beast again but decided against it. He couldn't afford to have it break free and leave him vulnerable while in the presence of the Lion King. He'd probably black out and never wake up again.
"Jones, thank you for the warning but please return to the dining hall. I don't like the thought of my little brother alone with the majority of Calatia's strongest warriors," said Zelda as she laid a hand on Jones's shoulder. The brown eyed man nodded and then took off down another hallway.
"I thought Victor had like, twenty actual trained guards tailing him? Are you really using all but that Jones fellow?" asked Link. Zelda sighed as she ran a hand through her long blonde hair.
"I've had the strongest of them guard the few things that were too important to leave in the royal treasury. The remaining ones, with the exception of Jones, are stationed around the castle to command the other soldiers," said Zelda. Link raised an eyebrow, making the princess chuckle at how similar he looked to Sheik when he did that.
"I'm not a military buff here, but aren't there captains for things like that? Or especially a commander? I don't mean to be rude here Zelda, but it really doesn't seem like our military is very…organized," said Link with frown. Zelda leaned her head against Link's shoulder, making him slow his pace so he wouldn't bump it into her head every step.
"…Victor said I should have rebuilt the army's broken ranks. Even Telma had commented on it when I snuck out in disguise for a few hours to get away the first month after the Twilight Incident. When Zant invaded he targeted, or rather Ganon probably told him to target, all the weak points of our military. That was many of the captains on the field and in the towns keeping order. Then finally General Colwyn…who stood ready in the entrance of the castle…was killed just before Zant had stormed into my throne room. Afterward, all I could see were my people hurt, homeless and scared. I wanted to put them first. I should have realized that helping my people get back on their feet before repairing the military ranks was really just polishing a priceless jewel without providing any real protection for it. Goddesses, I was a fool," muttered Zelda shamefully. Link sighed and patted her arm.
"It doesn't matter now. We'll find a way to kick this domineering asshole out of our home and then fix our defenses. But…does this mean that you don't have a general right now? Who's keeping the military in order then?" asked Link.
They approached a stairway so Zelda raised her head and sighed. Link peered down and swallowed nervously at the sheer amount of servants and other people, who's status he wasn't sure of because they didn't seem to dress as elegantly as the nobles he had seen around but they wouldn't be here if they didn't have a high enough social status to begin with though, right?
Zelda lifted the hand she was holding and gently bent Link's arm until it was parallel with the ground. She then slipped her hand out of his palm and laid it on top of his bent arm. Link was glad that she was paying attention because he wouldn't have thought to change his stance. He didn't even really know how to look proper outside of the few pointers that he got from Zelda and Beth. The extent of acting 'proper' in Ordon was things like not to curse like a sailor or to make sure your undergarments weren't showing because of low hanging pants.
Boy, did the ladies of Ordon hate it when your underwear showed because your pants had sagged too low. His bottom stung at the memory of Uli snapping a towel at his behind whenever she noticed it. Ilia even kicked him into Ordon Spring once because he hadn't noticed his sash had loosened enough to make his pants start to sag lower.
"Lord Alistair is essentially acting as my general, but I haven't officially given him the title yet. He is well respected among the soldiers and was a commander before he retired. It's really just the other Council members that are in a tiff because I, in their words, 'let just about anyone walk around issuing orders'. Why can't they just trust that I'm know what I'm doing? I always thought that I had gotten used to it, but most of the Council's constant criticism is grating on my nerves now more than ever," said Zelda bitterly as they descended the blue carpeted stairway.
"It's even worse since The Order of Sol and even King Leonard himself seem to be trying to divide the noble houses. Not that it was all that hard to begin with but I didn't think that so many of them could be swayed in their favor. This is still their kingdom too," said Zelda frustratingly.
Link squeezed her arm reassuringly. She wasn't kidding about being at the beginning of a sour story.
He sighed, dejected. He didn't even get to have that much of his blueberry jam before the wolf smashed the damn jar to pieces right into his hand….at least Zelda got to enjoy some. She really sounded like she could have used it.
The hero recognized where he was now. The dining hall that was attached to the ballroom was just past this lobby. Link took a deep breath but then heard a familiar voice. It made him narrow his eyes as he tried to recall where he must have heard it before.
"Ah, an excellent dinner, though the champagne was terribly lackluster. Honestly, you would think that a feast honoring the presence of such a great man like the Lion King would have better beverages but I guess it was too much to expect," boasted an obese man standing near the foot of the stairs. The man turned when his audience seemed to have lost interest in him in favor of staring up at the pair descending the stairs.
The hero barely suppressed the scowl at the sight of the man. This was Bastian, if he was remembering correctly. The same one who nearly started a fight in the courtroom with him the other day.
I guess it was actually almost a month ago…this is so confusing….
Link noticed that the fat man had grown a mustache, making his chubby baby face seem less pronounced with his shiny bald head. He paused though, unsure how he was supposed to address the council members.
Zelda seemed to pick up on that and turned to face the obese man, who seemed to be struggling with suppressing a scowl himself.
"Good afternoon Lord Bastian. If you will excuse us," said Zelda with a slight bow of her head. Link figured he shouldn't start something or leave the wrong impression with the man so he nodded his head once he passed by with a curt, "Lord Bastian".
The, "Hero," he got in return was not as nasty as he had expected, but it did seem layered with thinly hidden disdain. He felt Abby stir in irritation against his collarbone, and then the mutterings of 'that stupid fat baby lord' or 'what is his problem?' started to filter quietly from under his shirt. He chuckled as he peered at those surrounding the fat man, but didn't recognize anyone until he spotted a familiar face.
Ben, the guard that had helped him earlier, glared at the councilmen. As if the mere act of disliking the hero was blasphemous. Regardless of the reason, Link was happy to see a friendly face. The dark haired man was out of uniform but still had a sword at his side.
Ben's expression brightened once he noticed that Link had caught sight of him. So, he flashed him a grin and gave him a salute. Link returned it with a small smile before the doors of the dining hall were opened.
The noise was what hit him first. Everyone seemed to have either finished their meal and left the comfort of their seats to seek conversation near the sides of the room or formed in groups around tables while they ate. He suppressed a cringe as his sensitive ears were assaulted with the sound of the shrill, piercing laughs of young children. What were children even doing here?
Then it was silent once the doors closed between them. The hero swallowed nervously as every eye in the room turned to stare at him. An assortment of colors were everywhere. From the paintings hung on the wall, to the elegant blue and gold table runners sitting on top of white table cloths, to the clothing around the room. Most styles were so flamboyant and bright that it seemed almost like a joke to wear such things in the royal castle, much less in the presence of the princess herself.
Then he was startled at the booming laugh that filled the room. It was deep and loud, with an edge that seemed to demand attention.
"Ah! The Hero of Twilight has graced us with his presence at last!" exclaimed the booming voice that echoed around the room. Zelda tighten her hold on his arm and subtly pulled him forward.
People seemed to be rapidly moving out of the way on the other side of the room but Link still saw the giant form of the man. His dark red hair was a stark contrast to the blondes and light browns that were surrounding him. He must be at least over six feet tall, easily allowing him to tower over the hero once he had reached them. It was painfully obvious that this was the King of Calatia.
The man had tan breeches and black hide boots, but the hero could spot no scabbard or other kind of indication of a weapon at his side or anywhere else on his person. At least he couldn't start hacking heads off at any moment. Though it seemed that he would be more then capable of snapping necks instead, if his broadly muscled arms were anything to go by.
His red tunic was almost hidden by the thick fur of the cape he wore. Link wasn't even sure what animal it was made of, but it was quite a sight to behold. It had vibrant orange and black stripes throughout its length.
The hero felt a pang of sadness that such a majestic creature had to die to make that cape.
Link took in a breath, preparing to make a proper introduction as he locked sight with the man but the narrowed golden eyes threw him off slightly.
Everything about this guy just radiates indomitable power….
Then the man smirked, revealing pointed canine teeth and his golden eyes sharpened to become feline. The presence of a predator invaded his senses and for the first time in his life, Link was intimidated enough to not care about the unstable nature of the beast within so he called out to it. Nearly begging for its aggressive bravery.
But the hero paled, horrified to find the beast just as intimidated as him. It cowered away when he reached out to it, hiding in the farthest corner of his mind. Link began to panic, his thoughts spinning in endless circles as if he couldn't control his own mind anymore. Emotions became unbalanced, memories became jumbled.
No, no, no! I can't do this now! I have to do this! Just focus….just focus….
But the edges of his vision started to darken and the hero knew that he was losing the fight but couldn't figure why because the wolf wanted nothing to do with this man. Maybe he was fainting…?
Goddesses…please protect them…..
"Oh, shut up you pansy…I guess I'll have to handle this then," grumbled an irritable voice in his mind. It startled him, thinking that he had finally gone insane because it sounded just like him. The hero felt a chill spreading through his limbs, making him lose feeling in them for some reason. He had a fleeting thought that the wolf didn't seem to be suspicious at all of this phenomenon, then he blacked out.
Zelda had her head bowed, thinking quickly of how she could calm Link once his arm tightened in what she could only guess was fear. She lifted her head and could see the barely concealed Abby under Link's shirt, looking like she was nearly bursting with the need to fly out and calm Link's nerves.
Then Link suddenly relaxed. All his anxiety apparently melting away as he closed his eyes. Zelda was afraid that he was about to faint until the hero chuckled lightly. When he opened his eyes, the bright sapphire blue seemed to darken slightly and they held an air of confidence as he stared up defiantly at the giant man in front of him.
Link made a small flourish with his free hand as he bowed his head.
"My apologizes, mighty Lion King. I'm a bit out of it. Long journey and all that. I hope you have been enjoying your stay here in Hyrule?" announced Link as he wore a smirk of his own. His tone startled her with its slow, purposeful but slightly arrogant speech. Like he had been raised among nobility.
King Leonard raised an eyebrow, apparently surprised as well but then hummed in thought as he gave a once over of the man he must have misread. Then that booming laugh filled the room again.
"It was better than I thought it would be. Considering the hardship this land had went through recently. You are younger than I thought you would be. No matter though. After all, I was battling monsters twice my size when I was your age! Ha! The stories you must have! Come! I will hear all of them!" exclaimed Leonard as his smirk widen into a grin. He gestured toward the head table and with a flourish of his vibrant cape he strode away.
Zelda peered up worriedly at Link as they followed.
"Link? Are you alright?" whispered Zelda as she leaned her head closer. Link turned to face her and blinked. His brow wrinkled in thought. As if he had forgotten she was there.
"Right. Ah, yeah I'm fine. Guess I'm good at on the spot impressions, eh?" whispered Link with a wink. Zelda nodded, still watching him worriedly but trying to not make it obvious. At least Link sounded like himself again. She guessed he really was better when put under pressure.
They followed the Lion King through the crowd of people and Link surprised Zelda yet again with the way he handled the nobility. He bowed his head, always shaking hands or nodding his head at those that didn't seem too keen on touching him. He took it in stride though, a smile on his face the entire time.
Zelda caught sight of her brother sitting at the head table, who was watching Link carefully. He must also see how strangely well the hero was playing his part. As they rounded the corner of the table, Link clapped the prince on the shoulder as he passed behind him.
"Hey Victor! I bet you've had an exciting few weeks, eh?" asked Link as pulled the chair out for Zelda. Both royals were surprised at the action. Link wasn't actively rude, but he didn't go out of his way to be overly courteous either. The princess smiled in thanks as she took her seat though. Jones leaned casually against the wall behind them, watching everyone that came close to the prince. He moved slightly so he was closer to the princess once she sat down though and folded his arms with a frown.
"It was quite the experience to have not just the Lion King, or even just the Order of Sol, but apparently the Archbishop of Rauru was with the group that was escorting many merchants and such from her land. Apparently the Welcoming Festival has grown quite the reputation," replied Victor as he laced his fingers together and laid his head on top of them.
"Wow! That will be great for commerce," said Link before he turned to face Leonard when he took a seat beside Zelda, "That was most generous of you to allow your people to come here,"
"My daughter pestered me to allow it. Such a large scale commerce will help both of us anyway. So, I agreed to have groups escorted with the aid of the Knights of Zenith," replied Leonard with a wave of his hand. Then a servant placed a covered silver plate in front of Link and lifted the lid. Zelda had told the cooks what to make for the courses of each night, so she knew that Link would have his favorite meal.
She momently paused when she remembered the last time he was in this room with his favorite meal though. She pursed her lips but couldn't say anything without Leonard hearing it, so hopefully Link didn't make that much of a mess with his food.
The hero looked down at the steak. He frowned though and turned back to the servant who paused when Link gestured for him to return.
"This is too well done. I like my steaks rare. Think you could fix that for me?" asked Link with that frown still in place. The servant bowed his head with a hurried apology and took the plate away. Zelda was looking at Link in subtle confusion but then nearly jumped out of her skin when Leonard's booming laugh roared out from beside her.
"You eat your steaks rare as well?! Ha! I'm starting to like you boy! On your way to becoming a king and you already know how to eat right!" exclaimed Leonard as he slapped the table hard enough to make the mugs and wine glasses move.
Link shrugged as he placed an elbow on the table and propped his head up with a closed fist. Zelda was starting to get a bit unnerved with how different Link was acting. She was expecting a shy grin or a scratch to the back of his head like he always did when he was nervous or uncomfortable.
Victor peered curiously over at her from the other side of the hero as Link launched into the story of how he fought a dragon high in the sky. Zelda gave a slight shrug, indicating that she didn't know what was going on but as long as the Lion King bought it she didn't care at the moment.
Link was surprisingly good at telling the story without revealing where he was or why he was there and it ignited a competition between the two men. Trying to see who could come up with the most impressive story.
Zelda eventually excused herself from the table, both because she really had no reason to be there and because she was tied of getting the daylights scared out of her every time Leonard laughed. She sent a sharp look to Victor when he started to get up as well. She subtly shook her head. Link needed one of them there in case he was in need of them. It might as well be the one that everyone else would take seriously.
So, she mingled with the other nobles and other people within the dining hall. Within twenty minutes she noticed the stream of people starting to come from the ballroom, trying to catch a glimpse of the hero sitting in what used to be her seat at the head table.
Link didn't seem to take any notice to the growing number of bodies in the dining hall. His attention fully on the story of how Leonard had battled a monster known as a Mantigore. A giant winged lion who could shoot poisoned spikes from its tail? She didn't want to travel up north if things like that were common place.
Zelda caught sight of Lord Noren finally, one of the council members that had stayed firmly loyal to the crown when King Leonard and the Order of Sol had started stirring trouble within Hyrule's noble houses. He was watching Link carefully, as if he too could tell that he wasn't acting normal. That made her uneasy. Link couldn't be making everyone suspicious or it would defeat the purpose of why he was trying to make peace with the Lion King in the first place.
But…no one knew Link enough to tell the difference. One of the good things about how Link had always shied away from public attention.
So, why was Lord Noren catching strange behavior that he shouldn't know about? Unless Link had some kind of prior relationship with the councilmen that she didn't know about but it didn't seem like it when the hero had interacted with him outside of the courtroom.
You don't introduce yourself to someone you already know. She sighed before approaching the councilmen and curtsied when he turned and bowed his head.
"Good afternoon Lord Noren. How are you today?" asked the princess.
"Good afternoon princess. I'm as good as I can be with our current guests. Did you know that Lord Bastian has offered his home to the Archbishop of Rauru? As if hosting half the Order of Sol itself wasn't enough to boast about. He had to try adding not just another member, but The Reaper herself. Thankfully she declined. At least one of them has some good sense about them," replied Noren.
Zelda nodded in agreement but then narrowed her eyes when the councilmen peered up to look curiously at the hero again.
"Is something the matter Lord Noren? You seem…distracted," said Zelda. The councilmen frowned as he watched the hero interact with the Lion King.
"It's nothing really princess. Due to certain…rumors up north, I have been just a tad bit worried how the Lion King would perceive us. A conqueror is always going to be a conqueror. In every aspect of their life," said Noren and then raised a hand to twirl his long red goatee in thought, "But I suppose there's not that much to worry about, hum? The hero, no, our future king seems to know exactly what he is doing. Most impressive. Here I was, pegging him as some kind of farm boy with absolutely no refined taste or proper manners. After all, there's some things you just can't fake. That look in his eye?"
Lord Noren gestured up to where Link was now using his hands to tell half the story of how he had faced a demonic horned specter that wielded a cursed sword that was bigger than he was. His eyes were intense, focused on his audience. The reactions of the Lion King seemed to propel the story forward. When had Link gotten so insightful? What made her pause, was that smirk. It wasn't his normal playful one.
No, it was almost sinister. Like he enjoyed the attention of his heroics. No matter how violent or disturbing it was.
Link was getting along too well with the Lion King and it was starting to scare her.
"That belongs to a true aristocratic. Only someone who has lived this kind of life can pull that off. I wonder how many faces he truly has?" replied Noren thoughtfully as he continued to twirl his goatee. The princess laughed weakly before she excused herself. She approached the head table, unnerved with how many black and red cloaks that bore the golden flames of the Order of Sol on the borders of the cloth.
Zelda did not want Link interacting with the Archbishop yet. She didn't even want him interacting with any of the lesser members but she would have to get him away immediately if she was going to pull that off.
She subtly indicated to her brother that they should leave. Victor nodded slightly and turned to join the conversation. After several minutes, Victor was trying very hard to hide his frustration as Link continued to wave him off. Saying he wasn't ready to retire for the day yet.
Zelda started to rub her thumb against the side of her right hand nervously. She thought that most of the members of the Order were now in the dining hall. She cursed quietly once she saw the hint of a blue cloak among the crowd, its golden seams flashing in the light. Only the Archbishops and the Pontiff out ranked those who wore blue within the Order.
She started forward again. Maybe she should just ask Link to escort her out? No, it would be against the submissive nature she had been portraying during this whole week.
"Your highness? Are you alright?" asked someone as they placed a hand on her shoulder. Zelda's eyes snapped to the person and sighed once she recognized the soft brown eyes and long auburn braided hair hanging over one shoulder.
"Yes, Lady Tianna. I'm just feeling a little faint is all. Thank you," replied Zelda softly. This was perhaps the single councilmen that she would trust wholly. She paused when she noticed others starting to glance her way. Her eyes widened slightly when she caught Link glancing curiously over as well but then he went back to telling his story.
She suddenly found a way to get everyone close to her out of this room quickly.
"I think I will retire soon…I am rather tired…" Zelda paused to raise an arm and press the back of her hand against her forehead in a way that made her wince on the inside. She was not one for theater and yet, she was about to put on quite a show.
"Actually…maybe I should-" Then she closed her eyes and collapsed. She felt Lady Tianna grabbing a hold of her so she wouldn't hit the ground so roughly. She heard voices muttering near her and a soft hand pushing the hair out of her face.
"Princess?! Don't worry, help is on the way," muttered Lady Tianna worriedly to her.
Then she heard her brother irritability telling people to get out of his way. She opened her eyes slightly but kept her head to the side, like she was confused and dizzy. Victor was almost to her side but Link was hot on his heels. The hero was just pushing people out of his way, not even bothering to say anything.
"Sister?! What happened?!" asked Victor frantically once he reached her. She felt horrible when he was feeling her forehead. She wasn't known for near faints like this so her brother must think that something was truly wrong with her.
"I apologize King Leonard but I must retire for the day. My princess needs attending too," she heard Link inform Leonard. The Lion King snorted.
"You can always expect a woman to crash a party, eh? Go take care of your woman. I'll have to hear the rest of that story tomorrow then," said Leonard before she heard his heavy footsteps fade away.
Zelda was furious at the implication she was a piece of property that someone needed to 'take care of' but before she could convince herself not to throw the closest flower vase at King Leonard's head, she was suddenly lifted into the air, bridal style.
"Come Victor. Lead the way would you?" asked Link. His voice vibrated through his chest, telling her that he was the one that was carrying her. She didn't even remember when she had closed her eyes again but she decided that it was best to keep them closed.
"Do you remember her eating anything strange? Did she say anything about not feeling well today to you?" asked Victor worriedly from beside Link. They had reached the stairs when Link sighed.
"Not that I can think of. Relax though. She'll be fine," said Link. Victor narrowed his eyes.
"How can you say that? You don't even sound worried. She isn't known for random dizzy spells Link! Something isn't right!" exclaimed Victor frustratingly. The hero rolled eyes but didn't reply. No matter what the prince tried to say throughout their walk back to Zelda's chambers.
Not even servants or the random member from the Order would prompt a reply from the suddenly silent hero. The most anyone got out of him was a fierce glare that would have put the most ferocious monster to shame.
Regardless of Link's sudden dark mood, Victor had quite enough of it once they entered his sister's bedchambers. The prince paused only slightly when the red fairy burst out from under Link's shirt to hover near the ceiling, oddly quiet.
"Alright. I don't know what has gotten into you but I've had enough of it. You don't seem to care enough about her welfare so give me my sister this instant!" commanded Victor angrily as he slammed the door closed. Link snickered, making Victor scowl darkly.
"I told you to relax. She's fine. Isn't that right sweetie pie?" asked Link in a mockingly sweet tone. Then he dropped her legs. Victor shot forward with his arms out stretched, expecting her to hit the ground but Zelda straightened immediately. She faced her brother, who now stood frozen with a look of shook on his face with how healthy she suddenly looked.
"See?" said Link with a smirk. He glanced behind her to see Sheik halfway off the bed and staring cautiously at him. The hero shook his head with a tired sigh.
"Link? What hap-," but Link waved Sheik's question off and yawned.
"I'm done for now. If you people want to talk then wait for the one who cares what you'll have to say," muttered Link as he strode toward the bed. Sheik, with one leg still braced on the ground, watched the hero make his way around the bed and then promptly collapsed on the other side.
Link kicked off his boots and then pulled the covers over his head. Sheik stared at the lump under the comforter, confused for a moment and then turned once he heard Victor muttering angrily to his sister.
"I'm sorry Victor. But I needed to get Link away now and this was the option that presented itself at the time," said Zelda apologetically. Victor pinched the bridge of his nose with a frown, but finally sighed.
"I suppose he was playing his role far too well wasn't he?" muttered Victor and then glanced suspiciously over at the hero, who now took up half of his sisters huge bed, "Is this another instance where he…lost control?"
Zelda ran a hand down her face in frustration. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to smile gently at the Sheikah giving her a worried look. She gestured for them to follow her as she headed toward the doors to her private garden. She spared a cautious glance at the covered form on her bed before grasping the handles of the patio doors and swinging them open.
The sun was high in the sky, its bright rays flooding into the room now that the patio doors were no longer blocking them. Muttered harsh cursing, something else that Link rarely did, came from the lump on the bed and she turned to see the hero turning around to face away from the open doors. She sighed before striding forward, intending to put some distance between them and that….person on the bed.
Because that man was not the one who helped her save Hyrule. She was certain. Sheik must have a similar feeling, because she caught him occasionally glancing briefly behind them with an air of caution that he normally reserved for enemies or those that he didn't trust.
"I don't know what happened. Everything was going fine until we met King Leonard," said Zelda once she reached the small circle of trees that surrounded the sigil that Sheik often uses to teleport to the castle. The Sheikah paused briefly to check the sigil, perhaps an instinct born from his near death experience of using one that had collapsed on him.
It seemed fine. Still the same circle of subtly glowing blue runes carved into the stone walkway that branched all throughout the princess's garden. He raised his eyes to the princess when she spoke, unnerved by her uneasy tone. Victor folded his arms with a frown.
"So, Link was acting normal until the Lion King approached him? Did you sense any ill intent? Any spells that could have altered his mind or manipulated him in some other way?" asked Victor. Sheik tensed at that question. He knew the princess would not have been able to sense anything, because he had taken what was left of her magic.
He knew he should have gone with Link. He knew it!
Zelda paused as she stepped closer, placing herself in-between Victor and Sheik. Her brother didn't miss the subtle move, making him narrow his eyes.
"Sister?" asked Victor cautiously. Zelda laced her fingers in front of her and gave her brother a stern look.
"Victor, I couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary and when I tell you why, I want you to keep a level head. Understand?" replied the princess. Victor glanced briefly at the Sheikah standing behind Zelda, who had his head bowed as he looked to the floor. When his eyes returned to his sister, they held a spark of anger.
Zelda sighed, knowing it was too much to hope for. Victor always was just as, if not more, insightful as she was. Of course he would pieces things together.
"When Link came to me for aid, it was because of Sheik. To make a long story short, the sigil he tried to use collapsed on him and ruptured his magical core. In order to save Sheik I had to pour so much of my magic into his magical core that eventually…something reached out and gave to Sheik what he needed all along. Unfortunately, it also left me with no magic at all," said Zelda.
Victor took a deep breath and folded his arms again as he peered up at the sky. She was nervous, already seeing his little signs that portrayed that he was approaching fury.
"So, let me get this straight. The Sheikah, who will soon not even be here and therefore will not have to deal with the Lion King, his strongest warriors, the few very influential figures of the Order of Sol and, of course, the few council members that are starting to see the benefit of siding against us, has gotten his magic back by stealing it from you?" Victor raised a hand sharply to stop the protest that Zelda had ready, "While you are going to be here, with every dangerous figure I just mentioned and more. What are you going to do to defend yourself against someone that ties to alter your mind or your mood? Read your thoughts? Outright attacks your mind? There are ways magic can bend the mind that we haven't even learned about yet! I can't always be beside you sister! None of my guards are trained in the ways of magic except for Jones, Blythe and Erwyn! That is mostly because of the lessons that we have been giving them! You can't even spare Blythe and Erwyn because you need them here, protecting what is left of the treasures of our family!"
"Victor, the world is in more danger then you realize. I am not referring to the Lion King either! Link needs to succeed on his next quest or Hyrule will not be the only one to suffer. To do this, he needs Sheik by his side!" exclaimed Zelda. Victor paused to glance at Sheik again, this time with disbelief and a hint of disdain. Sheik hadn't moved a muscle, still stiff and staring submissively at the floor.
"What could be so dangerous that Link needs him by his side? What does the Sheikah have to offer that Link couldn't get from you, any of his allies or even myself?! Protection? As if the Hero of Twilight can't protect himself? Advice? Guidance? As if he needs someone to hold his hand or explain every little confusing thing because he is completely incompetent? What sister? Explain to me the reason that the Sheikah is so necessary to the Great Hero?! To the point that you must be left here virtually defenseless?!" exclaimed Victor, his calm demeanor failing near the middle of his speech and morphing into fury.
Sheik continued to stare at the floor, but his composure was slipping. Of course he was worried about Zelda! What could he do though? Nothing! At least she wouldn't be a lifeless, barely breathing body like he would be without whatever she had lost to restore him!
But now he was starting to tremble. The prince was stripping down his role, his very purpose for being a part of Link's life. The thought had filled him with rage at first. What did the prince know of what Link had gone through?! What he will have to continue going through?!
His first instinct was to shout that the hero wouldn't be alive without him. That reminded him of the bright green aura that he had seen surrounding the hero in the Lost Woods though. The power that signified that Link was not an ordinary man and it made the Sheikah pause in his furious thoughts.
Link hadn't been wielding the Master Sword when they had first met. He also hadn't awakened the Forest Sage and gained her primal power. Not to mention the power he had gained as he earned the title of 'Hero of Twilight'. Perhaps Link had needed his protection at first, but not anymore.
Sheik's anger was fading, being replaced with an almost desperate need to find a justifiable reason why Link would need him by his side. It was his destiny, his purpose to be the Hero's Guide. What did that mean though? What reason did Link really have for his guidance? The hero knew his way around most weapons. He knew how to handle practically any enemy if he studied it long enough. Sheik himself wasn't any more knowledgeable about what the world needed from them anymore then Link did. The hero even had to find out about his real purpose from his ancestor because he had taken him to the Sacred Realm too early!
The only time that came to mind was when Link had obtained the Kokiri's Emerald. The hero had admitted that Sheik had been the reason that he had succeeded at that test, but was that really true? Could the wolf not have eventually broken free of the joyful but restrictive power of the Spiritual Stone of the Forest and guided Link to his own memories? Would the test even be that hard if Sheik just hadn't been there in the first place?
The Sheikah stood motionless now, trying to fight the numbing sensation that was invading his soul. Why did Link need him? What did he really provide that the hero couldn't do himself or find in those that he trusted? He couldn't even say his racial abilities anymore because he no longer had access to them!
He was starting to give into the whispered harsh realities like 'burden' and 'useless' swirling around his mind until Zelda growled in frustration and jabbed a finger toward her brother.
"Because Nayru deems it so!" exclaimed Zelda furiously.
Sheik raised his head, startled.
Nayru. Of course. Wisdom. Faith. Fate.
Perhaps the reason for his presence is not revealed yet or he just hasn't seen it. He was so good at perceiving what was around him that he often missed what was right under his nose. Something his mother and the princess are quite fond of reminding him of.
The Goddess of Wisdom had told him he was destined to be the Hero's Guide. So, that is what he would be, regardless of the reason why.
Victor's eyes widened, almost comically before turning to survey the Sheikah like he'd never seen him before.
"The Goddess Nayru has dictated that he is to be by Link's side…? Why?" asked Victor in disbelief. Zelda huffed as she folded her arms.
"Because it is the will of the Goddess of Wisdom. We have no right to question it. Especially if it will save our world! Now, please. Will you just drop this brother? I've forbidden Sheik from returning my…whatever he has that was taken from me until he can function without it," said Zelda.
Victor scowled but then just threw his hands into the air in frustration.
"Fine. Fine. But you're taking Jones with you whenever I'm not nearby then. I'll not have you left vulnerable, understand? A weapon will only get you so far against those with a talent for the arcane arts," said Victor irritably. Zelda sighed, but then nodded with a small smile.
"Alright, little brother. I was not planning on going anywhere alone anyway. Now, I think I need to speak to Councilmen Alistair about new formations around the castle now that Link is here. I want a solider always nearby in case he needs them. Link probably won't like it but he'll have to deal with it," said Zelda. Her voice returning to the calm, almost pleasant tone as if they hadn't just been yelling at each other.
She shot a hand out and wrapped it around her brother's wrist before he could reply. She gave Sheik a grin before dragging her brother out of her gardens.
Sheik sighed as he started to follow at a slower pace. He would wait until Link woke up. He had a feeling that the hero would be the only one that could tell him what had happened at the feast, since the royal siblings didn't seem to know themselves.
Perhaps the hero could also explain why it had almost stung the Sheikah's eyes to look at him. Like he was seeing something that his eyes couldn't handle. Was whatever blocking his natural abilities starting to wear off? Or was what he had seen in the hero once he had entered the room, carrying the princess so intense that even his weakened abilities had picked it up?
The Sheikah quickened his pace at that thought.
Link…what has happened to you?