Sigh, I don't understand why everyone is so shocked I put a dying king in the story. Every single story out there, every single one, has a cliche in them. Eh... whatev. I'll just get on with this...
Diablo1123: Hmm, I forgot about those. And there are Zelda games where the king hasn't died besides Minish Cap. It's just hard to tell because he's almost always never mentioned. XD
la generala: Hehe, we'll see.
Lady . Zayriah: Well, I won't go too much into romance in the story, I'll admit it, but I will hint at it. Whether they get to the love stage in the story is still yet to be decided... As for Maple and Syrup, Syrup's the gramma and Maple the sort of sister figure. I always wanted to include them in a fanfic, just never had an opening for them until now. I thought their names were cute too. X3
darthritter86: I'm not good at beginnings. I'll admit, even I think it's dry. -shrug- Luckily, we start getting on track in this chapter.
link2832: Like I said, every story out there has a cliche or two. There's no such thing as an original story. Every single story out there is a retelling of one or the other-different writers are simply what makes the stories different in any way. Good writing can excuse a cliche, and I hope I'm capable of that.
This might be the last response thing I'll do for a bit. I like talking to ya guys, but these take time. -sweatdrop-
All was going according to plan. He had played his role and he played it well. As far as the king was concerned, Ganondorf Dragmire was his best friend and most trusted advisor. For someone who had no family, he'd naturally entrust the throne to someone with political experience, someone he knew he could trust. Yes, a man who rose up through the ranks to become one of the king's most invaluable subjects and greatest friends. He was a shoe-in to become king. And if he wasn't named successor, he'd still be king. In fact, he was already a king: King of the Gerudo-the desert thieves neighboring Hyrule. But no one need know that… at least, not until after Hyrule was under his rule.
And it wouldn't stop at Hyrule… No, Hyrule was just the beginning. A star had fallen just the other night… If he could get a hold of that star, then so many more options would be available to him… And he already knew exactly what he was going to do.
"Lord Dragmire," he recognized the voice as the king's personal attendant, "I do not mean to disturb you, but His Highness wishes to see you."
Though he was slightly annoyed at the sudden interruption, he put on his best tired look. He had to make it look like he actually cared for the king's health. "Then I will see him."
The man bowed and then led the way to the king's quarters. The grand door was opened and he walked in. The king lay in his bed, in pain surrounded by servants and his personal doctor. With great difficulty, the king pushed himself up as best he could. The king was not as young as he once was, but his sudden sickness made him appear more old and haggard than before. His beard was graying and the wrinkles and bones in his face were more evident than ever before.
"Leave us," the king commanded to everyone else in the room. They quickly scurried out without a word. The doctor, being the last to leave, closed the door behind them.
"Ganondorf," the king started, "My good friend…" he could not finish. Grisly coughs escaped from his throat.
"Please, Your Highness," Ganondorf said, rushing over to help the king lay back down, "You mustn't overexert yourself."
The king just kept coughing and let the dark man lay him back down. The coughs died down and the king began to speak again, "It does not matter since I will die one way or the other." at that comment he made a raspy noise that one would associate with a laugh. Ganondorf stifled his own laughs and kept his face of concern and allowed the king to go on, "I know not how I have contracted this disease… Whether it is simply the time the gods have put upon me or a curse, it does not matter. I will die and I will die soon. But if I die, I leave this great kingdom of Hyrule without a ruler… and blood will be shed to find the new king… I cannot die knowing there is no one to take my place."
"A wise decision, Highness… But who will take your place? No one could ever hope to live up to your name." he really couldn't believe he was saying these words, but some things were necessary to vomit out.
"I still do not know… That is why I have called you here, Ganondorf." said the king, "I trust in your judgment… I would like for you to speak to the Court on my behalf on the matter of succession."
"Me? But Your Highness, there certainly must be another who is better suited to handle this!" Ganondorf said, trying to seem as astounded as possible.
The king coughed a bit more and then said, "I am sure you know what qualities to look for in a leader." he smiled, "I trust you with my life Ganondorf."
He bowed and said, "I am honored, Your Majesty… your words are much too kind…" They really are.
The king sighed and smiled. "To know I have such trustworthy people at my side is a blessing… but truth be told… I think this sickness is a curse…"
He tried not to seem too alarmed by the king's comment. Even if the king had figured out about a curse, he surely didn't know that… No, he had just told him about how he trusted him. "Whatever do you mean, Majesty?"
The king gave an empty chuckle, "It goes back to before you came into my service… For those sins, I think I have been cursed. I would not be surprised if the goddesses thought me a wicked and cruel man for what I have done…"
"I am sure the goddesses have forgiven your sins, Majesty." Ganondorf attempted to reassure. Because I was the one that cursed you not the goddesses, you old fool. And now you've put me in charge of finding your successor. You make things much too easy…
The messenger's news quickly became the talk of the day, which bothered Link greatly. He just sat on a bench, frustrated. He didn't want to think about it, he really didn't. It should've been expected… the king was an older man getting on in his days. And when he thought about it, that wasn't really bothered him. It sounded heartless, not caring about the death of a person but rather caring about what would happen after he died. The death of kings had an impact on just about everything…
"You seem to be very bothered by the messenger's words."
He jumped when he heard Zelda. She was sitting next to him, looking genuinely concerned.
"Nothing good will come if the king dies." he answered simply.
She cocked her head to the side in the fashion of a curious cat. "Is he that good of a king?" she asked.
Link sighed and stared up at the sky for a moment. "I'm not sure-I mean, he's a better king than most Hyrule has had before but I can't say I really care."
"So why do you care if he's going to die?" Zelda asked, seeming very confused.
"I care and I don't care. It's complicated… the thing is, if he dies, there's going to be an enormous power struggle within the Court. The king has no heirs and so far he hasn't chosen anyone to be his successor. And I'll be honest and say I don't think anyone in the Court is fit for the throne." he said.
"Then when the king dies…?" she didn't finish her question. She probably already knew the answer but Link would answer anyways.
"Hyrule will be at war with itself. The nobles are all going to fight over who's to become king." he said grimly.
The young witch frowned. She didn't have much knowledge of politics but she did know civil war was bad. "If he has no heirs then he was never married… He has no brothers either?" she asked.
"He had a brother that died the war some twenty years ago. I doubt he would be willing to take up the reins from beneath is grave." he said.
Both of them let out sighs, knowing that Hyrule was in for a grim future. Unless… Zelda began, "We could always-"
"-wish for it." Link finished.
They looked at each other, smiling. There was a star somewhere and the star had to grant a wish to get back home! Sure, their wishes may not come true but it wouldn't be quite worth it to have them granted if the kingdom had fallen to ruin.
"We just need to find the star!" Zelda said.
"No, I just need to find the star." Link corrected.
Jaw dropped in offense the witch said, "I can help!"
"But it's not your responsibility. As a servant to the king it's mine and it'd be wrong of me to take a young woman on a potentially dangerous quest." he said matter-of-factly. From his expression he was absolutely serious, too.
"I'm sure you don't know the first thing about star-beings! I could help you!" she said a bit angrily.
"Alright, tell me what you know and I will handle it from there." he said simply.
She growled squeakily and then said, "I can do so much more if you'll let me help you! I'm not a little girl, I'm a witch!" She shook her hat in front of his face to emphasize the "witch" part.
But before Link could retort, someone else took part in the conversation,
"Yes and that's all very nice little girl, but could you keep it down? Some of us are trying to sleep."
Both Link and Zelda looked around warily for the owner of the voice. They found it in the alleyway behind their bench. He stayed hidden in the shadows, sitting against the wall with his face hidden underneath a hood. From his dress he appeared like a ranger of some sort but something about him was… unnerving. Not to mention such a strange accent as well.
"Wait…" Zelda said as a thought came to her, "It's the middle of the day! What are you doing sleeping? And in an alleyway?!"
Link put a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back slightly, "I don't think we should be talking to him…" he whispered.
She shrugged off his hand, climbed over the bench and rushed over to where the strange man was. She bent down to try and get a look at his face, but he'd turn away. "Come on now, don't be like that. You really shouldn't be in the dark like this."
"I don't like the sun!" the man snapped. He then quickly waved his hands in front her saying, "Now shoo! Go away!"
She was about to say more but Link had walked around the bench and behind her. He grabbed a hold of her arm and pulled her away, giving the man an apologetic smile, "Sorry about that. She's a bit of an idiot."
She shot a look at him but he just shot one back at her.
"I've noticed…" they heard the man mutter. "Now go, I don't wish to be disturbed."
Without another word, Link dragged her away. Zelda reluctantly followed, feeling more irritated than before. "What a rude man! I was only concerned!" she huffed.
"Not everyone is as nice as you are." Link said.
"I've noticed…" she muttered.