Oh dear, oh dear, another long, long wait has had to pass before I could put this up. Shame on me. Shame. on. me.
But it's up! Yay?
Okay, as per usual I would like to thank:
Meg
Louiii
Sachiko V
Random-Kittie-Yuffie
Lady Alamantia
TheWatcherand Reader
Hellotoday
For their kindness and support. Most for the reviews, really but hey. Still love yous!
And teh replies to anons:
Meg: Heheheh. Thanks. I know Navi gets annoying when you're playing OOT for the second time, but I LOVED her on my first go. I would have neem completely and utterly lost without that ball of blue light. Honestly, when I was playing TP sometimes I was like, 'Midna! Why aren't you talking to me! I need advice! Navi was so much better than you ugh!' Though I have to say Midna has more personality.
I'm sorry to say there is little fluff in this one. But i hope it's worth the wait.
Hellotoday:
Review1: Thanks for your appreciation, and the ideas, but I think I'll stick to mine. I think you should write those stories since you made the dieas yourself.
Review2: Um, LOZ is a game. Is there actual specific fact that dictates the Kokiri stop growing once they turn thirteen? And since when was Link twenty in any of the fics so far gone? I'm just going 17 because that seems to be the most popular interpretaion of Link's age, and I really don't think that can be considered a mistake. Thanks for pointing out you opinion though.
Review3: Nah, that ain't my last chapter XD. I'm just really, really slow. I hope you enjoy this.
Review4: And, dude. That's a REVIEW PAGE. You put in reviews. If you want story suggestions, private message (PM) the people you see on the review page by clicking onto their name and then start asking around. The review page is not a forum, thanks.
Okay, go ahead! Review at the end, okay? Thanks!
Bindings
It was with little difficulty that Savir, Lynda and Navi bundled themselves into Lynda's room through the window, without getting caught by the guards. The morning was cloudy in the field region of Hyrule (unlike the desert, was empty of all clouds) and that immensely helped their cover.
Lynda was first to hop into her room followed closely by Savir, and she gave a luxurious stretch that the man took care to not look away from. The whole journey back had been an event of shy awkwardness on Lynda's part, while Savir was… to put it lightly; open about physical affection for his princess.
Navi was very irritated by the time they got back.
"I think I'll tell Zelda to fix the guards as soon as she hits the thrown," Lynda chuckled, brushing sand off her sleeve, "I know now that most of them are competent, but they need something to pay attention to."
Savir paused contemplatively, and then shrugged. "If you insist."
"Aw, what's that tone fo-" Lynda trailed away, finding herself caught in his loose hold. She blushed as he bumped his forehead against hers.
"Are you sure about what you're doing?"
"…What?" those were not the words she had expected. In fact she had not expected words at all.
He sighed; moved away. He looked distracted. "Nothing. Just… like we spoke before, I'll be leaving today. I'll know what's what at my father's estate within two nights, maybe three. Five at the longest. I'll send you a message when I sneak back, with enough time to be ready for the journey. Is that alright with you?"
"Yeah, sure," Lynda said hesitantly, not quite sure 'what's what' with him. Suddenly her stomach plummeted. "Are you… you're not regretting asking me, are you?"
"No." he spoke quickly. Too quickly. "No. It's nothing. Really. I'll see you soon. Bye."
"Bye," she waved at his back as he slipped through the window and out.
Navi was very quick to throw some choice insults out the window at him.
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When Savir entered his own room through the window and tried to exit it through the orthodox portal (the door) it flung open on its own and indignant blondeness burst into his face. The door slammed shut behind her.
"Zelda, why hello," Savir greeted her brightly, "What do I owe this pleasure for?"
"What were you doing last night?"
"I'm sorry," he muttered wincingly, "Your pitch of voice is so high I believe only the wolves heard you."
"Savir this is no laughing matter!" she half shrieked, only a midge lower in pitch. She was stalking into his room, thrusting her face into his, and for fear of his personal space Savir found himself backing away. "Fine, my sister loves you, fine you spend time with her, but you can't stay out longer than dawn you can't what do you think my father would do to her if anybody found out do you understand how much danger you put her in!? And the behaviour you displayed at the colossus was appalling."
The Sheikah realised then that Zelda was not angry. She was worrying. She was fretting as she threw her arms up in the air, over him as well as her sister. …What had the world come to?
"Wait," he realised a split second later, "Lynda loves me?"
Zelda rolled her eyes and slapped her face in exasperation. "It's the biggest open secret this Castle has held since the Queen fell sick, Savir."
"You're calling me by my name?"
"I don't see any other choice if my sister is doing the same."
"The Queen's not dead yet?"
"Savir!" she cried out at his balking face, "There would have been a funeral!"
He shook his head, trying to clear it. "…Right. And how did you know that we were at the Colossus?"
"Nabooru saw you two and delighted in telling every one of us sages just what was happening in her domain and making Ruto particularly jealous on the subject. I hope you weren't, as Nabooru put it, totally snogging each other's brains out."
Savir decided wisely that he wouldn't say they were about to. "That didn't happen. But Lynda's going to be a tryst embarrassed by this…"
"Just, please," Zelda clasped her hands together, worry etched in her forehead, "You make her happy, I know that, but what would that amount to if you put her in danger? If you're going to run, make it clean so none would suspect!"
Savir realised blandly, now, that there was no point in hiding anything from this Sage of Wisdom. He was just glad that she didn't seem to be objecting to any of it.
He found that highly suspicious. "Are you sure?"
"I am hardly sure on whether Lynda made the right choice, if it that's what you're enquiring after," Zelda informed him truthfully, "But I must admit you have suffered enough for your past and perhaps I overestimated your malice towards those that are dear to me. I will not apologize for my discretion, however. On the point on you two eloping, I think it would give Father a good metaphorical slap in the face, Lynda and you will be able to live as freely as you like, and at the risk of sounding self-serving, I will have a clean road to the throne once more. It benefits all of us." She shrugged and added wryly, "And if I were to go on a despotic rage on my country, I can count on you to come and set things right."
"You mean Lynda."
"Oh, you as well," she smiled, "You wouldn't be able to resist the opportunity to pester me."
Savir had to admit that she was absolutely right. Unbidden affection for his arch-nemesis stemmed up from somewhere that held Lynda close to his soul. "I might end up converting to a saint between you two."
"Only the Gods can accomplish that." she muttered stoically before turning away. "I apologize for intruding, but I hope I have delivered my point across and you have understood my concern?"
"Yeah. Just…" Savir teetered over his edge of distrust, before plunging over. "Lynda. She… loves me?"
Zelda turned around slowly, incredulity plain on her face. "You're uncertain?"
"Because I don't look it do I," he grumbled sarcastically, "Do you even know why she's here? She had a choice to be a 'he' and go Din knows where, she had the perfect reason to escape this place when that bastard mugged her, but she stayed. Why do you think that is?"
Zelda looked properly inquisitive as she made a gesture for him to carry on.
"It's that damn sense of honour," he sighed, shoulders sagging, "She didn't want to leave at first because she thought she had an obligation to the Sheikah for the treaty and the maids that were nice to her. Hell it's their job to be nice to her and she knows that but she still thinks she ought to pay them back! And then she goes on this rampage to know everybody because she realised that she wasn't the only one who'd gone through that mess and because she wants to do something heroic."
The Sage of Wisdom smiled sympathetically. "You can't imagine her leaving them for you."
"Basically."
"Savir Varekai," Zelda sighed helplessly, "Do you know what kinds of mindless things women do for love?"
Savir thought about it and said slowly, "Throw random girls in dungeons because you suspected them of plundering their said love's soul?"
Zelda shook her head despairingly with the look that said, 'I should have seen that coming'.
She also interpreted his smug look for: 'Yes you should have. Thanks for the advice. Tell anyone and die.'
"Have a nice life," she told him wryly before leaving his room.
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The next morning Lynda found a tiny owl, burning with purple and orange magic, pecking at her writing desk.
With a shout of delight she rushed over, and with every peck the owl made words were burning across the paper, and it said,
Apparently I had sisters, both older and younger, but they're all married off. I'm his only heir he has, so he's keeping an eye on me. I'm sorry it's had to come to this, but I won't be able to come back within a week to play the ideal docile son. If I can sell this land off we'll have enough funds to finance our adventures for years to come.
I'm sorry I can't come back sooner.
Don't forget me,
S.
p.s.: I feel your pain on getting dressed up. You do not know how many seamstresses were forced on me when I got here. Ugh.
Lynda could not help but be a little disappointed. There was no explanation of yesterday's hesitation, and he had seemed so sure that he would be back here in less than three days… he must be regretting ever asking her, oh gods, he just can't say it to her, even in script…
Then the owl was hovering in front of her face, and Lynda jolted at its sudden presence. Its shell seemed to be scraps of velvet and its beak was spelled mahogany, or what looked like it anyway. Lynda wondered whether she was supposed to say something to it when it pecked her nose affectionately and Lynda could have sworn it was Savir's lips that touched her skin.
"I miss you," it said with his voice before fading away like a sun dipping down a low horizon.
"Show off," Navi huffed, fluttering her wings indignantly. "To think he thought you'd actually buy that…"
Lynda was already blushing and internally swooning, and was promising to herself that she would be on her best behaviour so no one would suspect a thing. Navi, if she had an arm and a hand and a face, would have made them connect with an exasperated slap.
And so she spent her morning smiling animatedly to the maids, giving no teasing complaint on the what/why/how of her dress and cosmetics, which was considered a little strange from their simple-tasted princess, but was a quiet change they took advantage of in order to gossip about Castle Town. Lynda attentively listened and responded to Mistress Sarren's lessons, earning herself a proud smile from the old refined lady. She embroidered poorly and laughed. Sewed fairly well and was satisfied.
And she was fire incarnate in her sparring matches. She creamed them all, and was so gracious in her victory that nobody could feel resentful. The sword was a toy, a thing of beauty in her hands, and the fairy a halo around her temples. Many elder soldiers looked at her with patriotic pride; the younger realised that not only was she a princess, but a girl, and boy was she pretty.
She was still defiant when it came to balls. She spoke mostly to the 'lowly' and to the servants. The next day she received a letter from Yana who had successfully left the palace for her mother's, and was courting a very sweet man, even if he was a little slow on facts. But he had gentle hands that tended the garden that flourished with flowers and fruit, and that was all that mattered.
In the evening, however, Lynda experienced a dampener at the dinner, in a form of a man sitting next to the King.
"Navi," she muttered into her spoon, "Can you check that guy's aura? The new one next to the king? Please?"
Huffing at the request, but glad that Lynda seemed to have recovered some of her sanity, Navi looked over and gave a disapproving sound. "He's shifty."
Lynda looked at him more closely, but she couldn't find the shiftiness in his stance. He sat in his chair boldly, talked to the King with a sense of equality which the monarch didn't find offensive, and that was a feat in itself. He had his brown hair cropped short over his skull, his skin pale as cheese, and his eyes were brown, too. He had a stubbly jaw, which Lynda found particularly disgusting. She hated stubble with a passion.
She had to admit, though, that they looked a very noble pair. Old war veterans sharing good memories.
"Shifty, huh?" Lynda muttered, watching him suspiciously, "We'll see."
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Over the next week she found herself getting irritated by Shifty, who somehow popped up in her plans of each day. He stayed and watched her train with the guards, smiling languidly. He probably knew that she was not supposed to be there, that the guards were keeping quiet for the sake of her honour and company, and the only person who didn't know she was there was the King.
When she glared at him pointedly and tried to make him go, he did go, but with a shrug and a careful bow.
He showed up when she was mounting Epona for her evening stroll, and to Lynda's frustration she forced herself to ride side-saddle, and that made Epona unhappy too. What made it even worse was that he decided to follow her. He had a nice horse, she gave him that, but the fact that he had replaced her usual escort really irritated her.
And it took him only a few minutes to speak. "Tis a beautiful day, your Highness."
"It could have been better," she spoke graciously, because she had to. She knew Savir was enduring this kind of thing, so she had to too. It was only fair.
Shifty laughed. "And what day could be better than this? A clear soaring sky, a touch of breeze, the green grass, and the sun, in its highest glory."
"Rain can sigh in a way the wind can't. The clouds can shine silver. The leaves that litter the place in autumn can have the lustre of copper, and the night has its share of glory, in the moon and the stars."
Lynda couldn't help but be impressed with herself, and Navi too, made a noise of approval. She had sounded very wise. Not as wise as Zelda, though.
His smile shifted to a smirk. "Great words, for such a petulant tone."
Ah. Lynda scowled. He'd noticed that.
"I'm just stating my opinion."
"Then I'd be thoroughly interested in other opinions you have, your Highness," he nodded, and his smile was outwardly pleasant, but there was something only Navi could feel that made her want to swat it away. She'll tell Lynda later. "What are your opinions on marriage?"
"Marriage?" Lynda blurted, indignation written all over her face, "Obviously, you hadn't heard how the meetings with my suitors went. They were cast away, even if some have stayed to be friends. The more stubborn ones lost to me in sword fights."
"But as the other only heir to the throne, surely you must have some idea of a partner to rule…"
Lynda positively growled at him, for the smile that plainly told that he thought her a foolish child was really annoying her. "Zelda is ruling, sir. Zelda is the heir. Goddesses forbid the day when I end up with the throne, because when that happens this country would be in chaos. I don't know anything about keeping a country."
His tone was reasonable, and politely confused. "Then perhaps a partner-"
"I'm not ruling and that's final!" it frustrated Lynda most that she couldn't challenge him to a duel, without witnesses to see the offence he'd caused her and a sword right then and there to attack him with, because he sure had one. All she could do was ride away like a coward.
Lynda was determined to make sure the man left her alone.
When the man came to visit Lynda in one of her study sessions, she was ready with a good, tart, go away when the Mistress beat her to it by glaring, and pointedly telling him to leave.
Through her shock (did she just say that? Really? But that was so unladylike!) Lynda saw that Shifty seemed a little affronted that he had been ordered by a servant, but he smiled it off, waving airily as he said, "Lady, I am here as a man of the gentry to observe the intricacies of-"
"The intricacies of this room," the mistress tapped at her glasses huffily and insisted, "Are the kinds of intricacies that belongs only to the mind of a Lady, and a princess, no less, and I would find it most appropriate if you took leave of this classroom, my Lord."
"Surely-"
"My Lord does not seem to understand. If you do not leave, sir, I will have the guards that foolishly let you in drag you out by your coats with reinforcements in tow. Now, if you please…"
The flash of anger in his eye was quickly wiped off as he gave a disappointed sigh and he backed away.
To Lynda's shock and wonder, she realised that Mistress Sarren, the bane of her mortal existence, actually cared for her in some obscure way, and more importantly, she was human. Lynda realised this when Sarren cancelled the rest of the lesson muttering something about 'the bastard' and 'how dare he' and 'thought he could get away with it' and finally, 'I should have worked harder'.
A 'Sarren' did not swear. Nor did she ever doubt her work ethics. If she thought she should have done better, surely it must mean that she was human.
When Sarren left the room, Lynda gave her fairy sister an inquisitive gaze and asked, "What was that all about?"
Navi fluttered and replied, "Hey, personally, I think she has something against that guy because the aura from her was really hostile and I think it had something to do with you. Listen, before you ask, I have no idea why."
"Uh…huh,"
Lynda puzzled over the strangeness of it and the increasing suspicion of Shifty for two more days before they were blown from her mind. For by the end of those two days another magic owl came to her that morning, and its message (followed by another peck on her temple) was See you tonight.
Needless to say, she burst into a state of bliss. And perhaps that was her downfall.
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The whole day Lynda was happily counting her weapons and masks, counting down the hours left till she ran away by folding down each wonderful finger, noting with delight that they were getting smaller and smaller.
Lynda didn't notice how harassed the maidservant looked when she gave the message that the King wished to see his daughter. Lynda didn't notice how the girl hesitated in the light of the dieing day, as if to say something more. But she slumped when her eyes met Lynda's, so happy and carefree, and quietly dismissed herself from the Princess's room. Navi was too busy fussing over Lynda's silliness to notice, too.
When Lynda closed the door to her room, she found herself yelping and giving a breathless chuckle because Zelda was right there.
"Zelda," Lynda gasped, "Furore you gave me a fright."
"We must talk, quickly, before we meet Father." She looked worried as they walked. There were bags under her eyes, and there was something about her expression that gave a sense of desperation. It was alarming enough to drag Lynda out of her blissful reverie.
"What's wrong?"
"It seems as if Father wishes one of us would marry."
Lynda stopped. Zelda stopped too. Lynda gave her a quizzical expression, and asked rather sceptically, "One of us?"
"Yes, one of us." Zelda confirmed, touching Lynda's arm comfortingly. "I fear this is why Father sent out a search party out for you. Not only to boost his popularity, but to give himself a chance at wider alliances with other countries' royalty. There is the Old Kingdom in the south, Karazan in the north-east, and Calatia, Holodrum, Labrynna-"
"I've been to the latter two, Zelda, and I know they already have an alliance with Hyrule." Lynda snatched her limb away, swallowing down her sudden ire, "I've also been to an island that didn't exist and a land that doesn't belong to this world, and they didn't necessarily have kingdoms, so it doesn't necessarily mean that all those kingdoms you mentioned have any princes to marry off. And you know that anybody who puts me at the head of anything is mad."
Zelda was frantic. "But Father doesn't, Lynda I can honestly say that his ambition to spread his dominion has left him a heartless man. He's shunned his wife for his perfect image, he trusted Ganondorf because of impossible promises of conquest, and he knows of my status as Sage of Wisdom and yet he still does not listen to me!"
"Then I'll tell him," Lynda stated stubbornly, whirling around to walk to the throne room once more, "I'll tell him he should listen to you because he's an idiot if he doesn't, that if he intends to marry me off he's a bigger idiot, and he doesn't want me as an enemy if he claims himself not an idiot."
"Lynda," Navi's tone was a warning.
"I still don't see him as my father, you both know that."
"I know all too well, Lynda," was Zelda's quiet sigh, one that only the fairy could hear, "For he doesn't see you as his daughter, either."
All too soon the sisters arrived at the great doors that led to the throne room. They opened with great ceremony, for there was a fanfare, a crowd, a whole crowd of people, in all their best gowns and finery, jewels sparkled, white faces gleamed with cosmetics, and Lynda winced and internally frowned. Why would the King arrange a marriage with this giant audience?
Lynda quickly glanced at Zelda, and she looked mildly relieved. She took it as a good sign.
The two stepped up the long red carpet that led up to the thrown, and the difference between their stride was blatantly obvious. Zelda's lilting steps were graceful and controlled, every connection between her slippers and the carpet meant something. Lynda's stride was measured, bold, and impressive. She kicked up her skirts, causing a bit of a flutter while Zelda's skirts were still as a statue's. They were imposing in their walk. Navi was proud of them both.
Both of them curtsied before their father. Zelda's was one of respect, but hardly meek. Lynda's was clumsy, but it was challenge as she held the King's eyes in a glare.
He stood from his throne and boomed out, "Rise, my daughters."
They rose. Two magicians stepped around the ornate chair and tapped their rods against the marble floor. The echo against the quiet air gave Lynda the creeps.
"Today's a special day for us all," Jerold Harkinian continued, gesturing towards the mages. Lynda took a suspicious step back, making the King laugh. "There is nothing to worry about, my dear Lynda. Come, let the Mage touch his wand against your hand."
"Don't," Navi muttered, for Lynda had been very determined to point out that the King had never spoken to her this way, ever, what is this all about really?
"You too," the King added, "Zelda."
The sisters looked at each other, and in silent agreement, lifted their hands. But Lynda's was palm up, as if demanding something, while Zelda's was poised as if waiting for a gentleman's dutiful kiss.
The mages approached, and the silence in which they moved in seemed impossible for such a large crowd. They touched their staff-heads to the back of the Princess' hands (the one attending to Lynda apologetically fixed its position) and the results of the connection was, again, different with each sister.
The staff that touched Lynda's hand grew a small leaf at its tip. The other formed a crystal blade.
And that seemed to be the signal for them, for the mages shouted, and their staffs were lifted once more, and with great force were rammed through the space above their hands and the princesses had no time to even flinch.
Magic burned and seared across the back of their hands. Zelda's left no mark. Lynda's did.
"I hereby grant Princess Zelda," the mage in front of the said Princess cried out, "The Official bind as High Sage of Nayru and the future Royal Advisor!"
"And I grant Princess Lynda," the other mage cried out also, "The official seal of marital engagement, and the right as heir presumptive to the Hylian throne!"
The cheer they received was wild. In the confusion the sisters stared at each other in despair, at the necklace that hung from Zelda's shoulders and the small, circular brand that marred the centre of Lynda's Triforce.
This hadn't been an arrangement. How could it have been, when everything had already been arranged?
The two spun back to their father, and he was grinning ear to ear as he brought Shifty to his side and boomed out, "I welcome Duke Serpine, who's son shall be taking my dear Lynda's hand in marriage, to this court, and inevitably to my family."
Shifty—now Duke Serpine—smiled languidly at her, and nodded his head in friendly acknowledgment.
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They were in Lynda's room once more, trying desperately to get rid of the mark on the back of Lynda's hand. Zelda was trying one last spell; any more magic on that appendage that day would fracture the bones.
Lynda frantically scratching at the skin of her hand as Zelda prepared the spell. "But… but why? Why would he choose me?"
"That spell the mages cast." Zelda muttered, sweat beading her forehead, "It searched something within us, and though it was well disguised, I realise now what it was."
"Then what was it?"
"It…" Zelda screw her face and then shoved the energy she had collected in her palm against the marital mark, but there was only a slight sizzle of power before it died away. The sigh the Sage of Time gave was one of despair. "It was a spell that inspected one's fertility. The leaf you produced was one of health, a sign that you will have no trouble in bearing a child. The crystal I produced, however… would mean I am barren. Or highly close to it."
Navi screech was one of outrage. "But that's got nothing to do with being a good ruler! What gives!?"
"'What gives' is the King's old-fashioned views." Zelda cursed, reaching for a pitcher of water with a towel in hand. She soaked it through, and with great care dapped it against Lynda's hand, where the skin was almost blistering from the magic and the constant scratching Lynda was doing against the black circular mark. "Women have been allowed to do little in politics, and are hardly ever put in positions of power. Despite evidence against the theory some villages around Hyrule still maintain the belief that women do not have the capacity to reason or think as well as a man."
"So…" dread was rushing through her veins faster than blood. A bed was coming to mind, and a man without a face, grabbing her arm and dragging her towards the innocent looking furniture. Lynda's imagination shut down. It couldn't happen. Not again. Not now. Not when things were going so well with Savir. Not when she was so close to being free. "So…"
"The only job worth having a Queen for," Navi surmised bitterly, "Is to have kids and stay in the background,"
"I'm afraid that's the case."
"I need to be alone." Lynda abruptly blurted out, her breath coming in short gasps. "I need to be alone. Please. Both of you. Please."
"Of course." Zelda stood, hesitantly stepping back, as if she wanted to do something consoling, but couldn't think what. In the end all she could do was hand her the basin and the towel, murmuring a simple instruction on what to do with it before gently closing the door behind her. Navi was morosely following. The guards outside her door looked depressed.
Lynda's hand shook. The mark on the back of her hand felt heavy. Like a manacle. Like a metal ball that weighed her down and kept her to the spot. She couldn't stop the tears that fell, but she couldn't cry out, couldn't wail, because her throat would not work. Because if she did, if she did cry and scream and wept it meant she was giving up, she didn't want to give up, she didn't want to confirm what her tears were telling her, that she had no hope left.
What made it worse was the lack of rage. The lack of blood-lust. She had the power to murder the king, the mages, Serpine, every one of them that were causing her this pain, and yet she could not pick up her sword and hunt them down. She fought monsters. Not Hylians.
It was raining outside, she noticed bleakly. How fitting.
And CUT!!!
Tell me you hate me. I know you do. XD
Just please, please, remember that I love happy endings. I love my characters, and I intend to give them happy endings. Just because it's not happening now it doesn't mean it won't.
One or two more chapters to go! \(0o0)/
Please review!!!