I enjoyed writing this chapter. Consider this the interlude and your early Easter present! The next chapter will hopefully be up soon. Enjoy!
Chapter 8: Reunions, Drinks, and Pranks
"Princess! You're back!"
"Of course Captain. I told you I would come back safely, didn't I?"
The group was back in Zelda's study. Captain Medeus was filling out paperwork for the traveling Princess when they came in. Now he was staring in alarm at the entourage she brought in. Link and Darian followed her in, Midna and Drimani tailing them closely. Quickly regaining his composure, he addressed the two that were standing beside Zelda.
"Hero. Sir Darian. Welcome back. I trust no harm befell the Princess during your time away?"
"None at all, I must say, Captain," Darian bowed slightly.
"You had nothing to worry about," Link added. "The Princess is a very skilled fighter."
"Why thank you Link!" Zelda smiled. "Captain, you may go. Take tomorrow off as you did a fine job while I was away I'm sure," she finished pleasantly.
"Right away Princess!" With that, Medeus left the room.
Zelda took the now vacated spot and looked up at the four other adventurers. "What are you all waiting for? Get some chairs and sit down!"
"You heard her wolfy! Get me one too while you're at it!" Midna said dryly. Link stuck his tongue out before grabbing two chairs. Darian and Drimani each took one. After making themselves comfortable, Zelda looked at Midna and Drimani.
"Are you two okay?" she asked, concern showing on her face. "When we first found you, you looked like Zant was just finished torturing you. I know Link and I gave you both some energy to fight with us, but that does not prevent me from asking."
"I cannot speak for Princess Midna here, but I for one am okay," Drimani answered. "Thank you for your concern though Princess, I'm flattered you would ask." Zelda rolled her eyes at being called by her title.
"Okay from now on, all of you are calling me Zelda. Whether in public or in private. No more of this 'Princess' stuff." When Link, Midna, Darian, and Drimani all nodded, she continued. "Now that we cleared that issue, what did happen to you two?" Midna spoke up.
"I was discussing future projects with my fellow Council. You see, the Twilight Realm was still in a state of repair from Zant's previous attack. Then we heard screaming and crashes coming from outside the palace. I told my Senior Councilman, Veran, to protect the other members of the council and to evacuate immediately. That was when Zant came…" Her eyes started to tear. "I'll never forget that moment. I thought we killed him before, but there he stood, as if nothing happened to him. Veran was the only one able to escape. The rest of the council members were murdered right in front of me. I was in so much shock that I could not even defend myself. Zant spoke about how he served a new master and that he was going to take over all of the realms. A moment later, he hit me with a spell and I woke up in the dungeons." At the mention of Zant's master, Link, Zelda, and Darian gave each other dark looks. Midna looked confused.
"What?" she asked.
"We'll explain after you finish," Zelda answered.
Midna continued. "Anyways… I could not escape, as my shackles prevented me from using magic. Zant had not turned me into an imp this time, stating 'it is not worth changing you again'. He continuously tortured me for his own amusement, and I eventually grew weak. A couple days later, guards came and threw Drimani into the cell with me.
"Honestly, I was beginning to lose hope. My body became weak, and I could only pray for a miracle. And then you three showed up…" she began crying, letting the tears fall. Link got up and knelt beside her, putting his arm around her shoulder and holding her close to him. Zelda waited patiently, respecting the time Midna needed to gather her thoughts together.
"And then you three showed up. I never felt so much hope. Ever. I thought I would die in that cell." she finished. Link dried her tears and kissed her softly.
"I would never leave you there. I vowed to myself that I would find you, and I was not going to break that promise." Midna smiled through her tears and hugged him tightly. Once they broke away, Zelda addressed Drimani.
"How did you get into the Twilight Realm? And what happened before you were captured?"
Drimani thought for a moment. "Well… I ran through a portal our brother Ionin created," he started, gesturing towards Darian. He noticed Darian hanging his head down and looking away. "I woke up some time later in the Twilight Realm, away from all civilization, away from my brothers. I started in a certain direction, hopeful I would find someplace to stay until I could go back to the Night Realm and perhaps get help like I had promised Ionin.
"I eventually saw a palace floating above a large city. I traveled there, hoping to ask the ruler for some help. I managed to get to the plateau where we fought all those Beasts when I heard cackling behind me. I turn around and realized it was Zant. I didn't even have time to defend myself or launch an attack because he knocked me out. I woke up in the cell with Midna, and much like her, I was tortured, all part of Zant's fun. I was not sure myself if I ever would be able to leave the cell either, and thought I was stuck there, failing my brothers. But you three came along and helped us escape. For that I am truly grateful." He looked at Darian. "What happened to you?"
Darian looked up. "After you left… Zant attacked us. We tried to fight back but he overpowered us. Ionin told me to leave, find you, and find help. I could not even say anything as Zant struck me with a spell that blasted me right into the portal, leaving Ionin alone with him. I woke up here in the Light Realm and found Link battling some monsters.
"Zant decided to pay us a visit and tried to take the Fused Shadow that Link was trying to recover at the time. We managed to duel him and win the Fused Shadow. Actually that thing helped us get in and find you two."
Midna stared incredulously at Darian, and then at Link who pulled out the ancient artifact. "How…? It was destroyed when I fought Ganondorf!"
"We thought so too," Link spoke. "But the light spirit Ordona told me to recover it and bring it to Zelda. I was on my way when I ran into Zant, and he was going to escape with it had Darian not interfered. We ended up repairing it with the power of our Triforces." Right on cue, the Triforce on his hand lit up, along with Zelda's and Darian's. Noticing the Triforce on Darian's hand, Midna was shocked. She had never seen that piece before.
"What piece is that?" she questioned.
"Oh! I take it you've never seen this before? It is the Triforce of Mediation." Darian went on to explain its history, along with everything that had happened recently, including Caedin's escape and what he was about to do. Drimani looked appalled.
"The end of the world? But… How… Never mind that. He is in the Night Realm right now! We have to go! If Ionin is still there we need to rescue him!" He grew angry when Darian shook his head sadly. "What do you mean no? I'm not going to sit here while Ionin goes up against that guy!"
"Drimani… Ionin is gone." Darian said miserably. "Zant defeated and imprisoned him after the battle, but Caedin came and murdered him. I was told he put up a great fight. Drimani I… I'm sorry."
Drimani looked at his older brother for some sign that this was a cruel joke or a lie, but he noticed his emerald and midnight blue eyes were full of sadness and truth. "Ionin…" He clenched his fists as angry tears started forming. "I'll kill that bastard…" Darian went over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"We all have reason to hate him. Caedin took our brother away from us, made Zant usurp Midna's kingdom and attack Link, and through Zant threatened Zelda and the Light Realm. We all have our reasons for killing him, but Drimani, you and I need to be strong. Ionin sacrificed his life for us, and we need to defend his honor now. He would have wanted us to move on." Darian finished, giving his younger brother a sad smile but his eyes were shining intensely. Drimani looked up and had a hard look of determination.
"You're right. I will train harder than ever before. I wish to do Ionin proud."
"And you will." Zelda smiled at him. "You are already an adept fighter, and from what Darian said, you are a brilliant commander in the army, even though you are only eighteen. Ionin was already proud of you, and I have no doubt he will be after you lead the army of this realm to victory."
Drimani looked at her, shocked. "Me? Lead your army? Zelda, that's-"
"The best option for our success." Zelda finished. "I would not want it any other way either. We shall take a few months and train the Hyrulian army, which will be made up of humans, Gorons, and Zoras. After enough planning, we will attack Zant in the Twilight Realm and recover the kingdom for Midna. I trust you will help us with this task."
"Wow! That's… I am honored to command your army, Zelda. I will not fail you!"
Darian laughed. "You should be proud, little brother! You will do us all proud." He became serious again and looked at Zelda. "Once we recover the Twilight, are we going to march on to the Night Realm and attack Caedin's forces there?" Midna spoke up.
"If that is your plan, I will bring as many soldiers as I possibly can to aid you. I overheard Zant did not turn many of my people into Shadow Beasts this time around, but merely cloned the few that he did using his new magic many times over." Link sighed in relief.
"Well that's good that we didn't kill many of your people… Only clones." Midna smiled at him.
"Yes, wolf-boy, we lucked out this time."
Zelda stood up. "Well, now that we have figured all of this out, I will make a speech the day after tomorrow. We shall use tomorrow to relax and recover our energy." She walked to the door, motioning for the other four to follow. "I believe the gentlemen were taking us to dinner tonight?" she asked, a coy smile on her face. Link and Darian mock-bowed.
"As you wish, Princess," they said.
Drimani laughed. "At least I won't have to pay for dinner." Zelda gave him an evil grin.
"I have a friend who you might like to meet Drimani. She shares a bit of your strategies in war and I believe you will get along with her just fine. However, you will also pay for her dinner, just like the Hero and your brother."
He sighed. "Very well. But it'll be worth it if you say we'll get along."
"So this is a triple date then?" Link asked.
"What? Don't tell me you mind, my wolf!" Midna laughed.
"Oh not at all, my imp!" he teased, poking her in the side.
Two hours later, six people were sitting in a nice restaurant in Castle Town, just outside of the fountain area. Link, Darian, and Drimani were on one side of the booth, while their respective ladies sat in front of them. It turned out the woman who Zelda was talking about was none other than Ashei, the young knight who helped Link with his previous travels regarding Snowpeak.
She and Drimani were currently getting along quite well, both sharing their common interest in military combat and strategies among other things. They just got to the subject of their pasts.
"The Night Realm?" Ashei was asking. "I've never even heard of such a place, yeah."
"It is beautiful in its own right," Drimani responded. "The moon is bright, and all is peaceful there. Well, usually," he added. He had finished explaining the whole situation to her, the others pitching in where appropriate. "I would like to take you there sometime when there isn't war or strife happening."
"I would like that, yeah." Ashei gave a rare smile, prompting subtle thumbs up from Link and Darian. Zelda and Midna giggled quietly. Ashei turned to the rest of them. "Princess, I enjoyed dinner tonight. Send me notice when you would like me to report for training, yeah."
"Will do," Zelda smiled. Ashei stood up, getting ready to pull out red and gold rupees, when Drimani stopped her.
"No no, Ashei, I will cover this, don't worry."
"Thank you Drimani. Goodnight. Take care, yeah."
Once Ashei left, Darian smiled. "I didn't know you were such a gentleman. Great job!"
"Watch it Dari," Drimani warned. Link burst into laughter.
"Dari? That's your nickname?" he said, catching his breath. Darian scowled.
"Hey! You have plenty of nicknames too, wolf-boy."
"Only Midna can call me that!" Link complained.
"Okay, wolfy." Zelda laughed. Link decided to play along.
"Well alright then… Zellie." Said Princess aimed a playful kick under the table, but caught Darian instead.
"Ouch! What was that for? I didn't do anything!"
"Sorry Dari! I didn't mean to!"
Midna sniggered. "You and your pet names."
"Of course, because you have none, my little imp," Link retorted. She tried to kick him, but he caught her foot and started tickling her mercilessly.
"Liiiiiiink! Stop it!" Midna squealed between fits of laughter.
"Make me!" he answered. He threw a purple rupee on the table and took off running. Darian and Drimani each added another purple rupee, covering the dinner, and ran after him. The two princesses laughed and chased after them.
Link arrived sometime later to Telma's Bar. She greeted him and asked what he needed.
"Nothing yet Telma. I'm waiting on a few friends." Right on cue, Darian and Drimani burst in.
"Link! I knew we'd find you here!" Darian exclaimed. Link motioned quietly and the two brothers sat down with him at one corner of the bar. Sometime later, the Princesses came in, out of breath, and staggered to Telma.
"Princess!" she said, surprised. "What can I do for you?"
"Where are they?" she panted.
"Oh! You mean Link and his friends? They are over there!" She pointed to them, who waved back in response, mischievous smiles on their faces.
"When I get my hands on you, wolf-boy…" Midna threatened. The two ladies sat down next to their men. Telma walked over.
"Alright boys, the game is up. What is going on?" At this, all three laughed.
"We promised to take them out to dinner if they drank with us tonight," Darian snorted. Telma looked on in amusement and noticed Drimani.
"Who is this handsome man?"
"Don't get any ideas Telma," Link joked. "That is Darian's little brother, Drimani."
"Pleasure to meet you!" he said cheerfully.
"Likewise, honey. So what can I get for you all?"
Darian thought for a minute. "Link, you know what drinks they have. And we DID promise them dinner if they drank with us. We did our part. What would be good for them?" He laughed when Link grinned evilly.
"Hehe. I think Mayor Bo's special will do." Zelda and Midna gulped.
"Listen here wolfy. If we get drunk out of our minds…" Midna warned.
"Don't worry. We won't let you get too far," Link assured.
Five drinks were brought out to them. Each of them grabbed the handle on their tankard, full to the brim with Mayor Bo's special, which, unknown to all but Link, was extremely powerful.
"Here's to making new friends, and saving the world!" Link spoke, raising his drink. The others returned the motion, and then all of them took a gulp. The two ladies cringed, while the two brothers looked at Link, who was laughing.
"Aieee! What is this stuff?" Midna hollered.
"Mayor Bo's special," Link answered with another laugh. "I should have warned you all. This is particularly strong…" he trailed off, mock guilt on his face.
"Oops," Darian said before roaring with laughter. Drimani joined him before speaking up.
"This is like some of the stuff we have back home. Boy does it hit the spot!"
"You three are going to be the end of me," Zelda muttered. She was already starting to feel the effects.
"Oh relax Zellie! It's all in good fun!" Darian put an arm around her and kissed her cheek. Link chuckled and looked at Midna, who was scowling at him.
"How are you holding up Midna?"
"Link, I am going to kill you," she said dangerously before taking another gulp.
Two more drinks later and some funny truth or dares, some of which Zelda admitted her love for Darian and Link performed a drunken waltz with Midna (knocking over a few tables in the process), the five headed back to the castle. They were supporting each other, although Link, Darian and Drimani had to step in and help the two ladies as they stumbled up the stairs to their rooms. After making sure the two of them were safely asleep in their beds, they made their way to their rooms. This time, Drimani had a prank of his own.
"Hey guys, hold up." Link and Darian turned around and looked at him questioningly. "What if we put some flour on their faces and steal something valuable to them?"
Link roared with laughter. Indeed, pranking Midna this way was sure to get her angry. Besides this was the perfect revenge for when she broke the Mirror. He quickly agreed to this plan. Darian looked at his brother.
"Drimani, I didn't think you would be so evil!"
"It's brilliant though!"
"You have a point. Let's meet up in six hours. The two Princesses should still be sound asleep, thanks to the alcohol." The three boys agreed to the plan and walked back to their rooms and fell asleep.
Precisely six hours later, Drimani tiptoed to his brother's room and tapped the door four times before doing the same to Link's door. He waited for two minutes before they emerged, flour in each of their hands.
"So what are we stealing?" Link whispered as they made their way to Zelda's room. They were going to target the Light Princess first.
"Hmm…" Darian thought. "Well I think I will steal her tiara and a picture of her when she was a little kid. Drimani can hold onto the tiara."
"Then I will steal Midna's cloak. She never goes anywhere without it." Link responded.
"They are going to kill us," Darian sniggered. "But this will be so worth it."
"Agreed," Link and Drimani nodded their heads.
The plan was simple. Link would stand guard outside the door while Darian and Drimani did the dirty work. Two minutes later, they emerged, the deed complete. Drimani was holding Zelda's tiara, which was expensive no doubt, while Darian was holding a picture of her when she was still an infant, held by her mother. The three of them sniggered.
"I trust everything was done properly?" Link asked.
"Yes. The mission was a complete success, she did not even stir." Darian responded with a wink.
"She is REALLY going to kill us," Drimani murmured.
"We already knew that," Darian pointed out.
"No, really." Drimani looked slightly ashamed. Link looked at him suspiciously.
"Drimani, is there something you wish to tell us?"
"Well…" Link and Darian had to clamp a hand to their mouths to keep from roaring with laughter. Drimani was holding a pair of Zelda's panties. She was going to kill them indeed.
"We are so dead…" Darian trailed off as they approached Midna's room. This time, he and Drimani would stand guard while Link performed the deed. He walked out of the room a minute later, Midna's cloak and a pair of her own underwear that he stole from her bag. Darian and Drimani couldn't hold it in; they burst into laughter.
They stuffed the ladies' belongings into Link's bag, which was magically enhanced to keep objects of any size. Link led the way out into Castle Town, which by now was busy with people going about their everyday business. He turned around and looked at the two brothers.
"What say the three of us pull out another prank on these poor people?" He took out the shadow crystal. Drimani looked confused.
"What is that?" he asked.
"Are we going to play 'Have You Seen my Pet'?"
"Something like that," Link smiled. He went into the east part of Castle Town and was once again mauled by the fangirls. Escaping their clutches, he ran down the street again, screaming at the top of his lungs and disappeared in an alley.
Drimani was confused. "What is he doing?"
"Let's just say we've lost our pet wolf and we're trying to get him back," Darian answered. Sure enough a great wolf emerged from the alley, chasing people this way and that. Drimani fell over laughing while Darian tried to keep a straight face. He too was sniggering and had to lean against a wall for support. When they deemed it was time, they started running after Link.
"Brutus! BRUTUS where are you?" Darian called. "Damned wolf, I told him to stick by me and he instead escapes! Brutus!" Link came trotting back to them, barking a few times.
"Brutus, how many times do I have to tell you to stop running off? You're scaring all these poor townspeople!" Darian scolded playfully. Link whined in response and hung his head. "Oh I can't stay mad at you," Darian continued. "Come here." He scratched the great wolf behind his ear, earning a lick. Some townspeople gathered around.
"That beast is yours?" one of them said timidly.
"Yes he is ours," Drimani responded. "And he's not a beast. He never really attacked you, he just wanted to play. We're sorry if he scared you." Gradually the townspeople got a little closer and Link allowed them to pet him, although cautiously, while returning a few licks. Satisfied, the townspeople went about their business normally.
"That was fun," Darian grinned. Drimani agreed while Link barked once. "I think it's time for you to-" he was interrupted by screaming.
"LINK!" "DARIAN!" "DRIMANI!"
"Uh oh…" Drimani started. "It seems the princesses woke up." Link barked once and motioned for the two brothers to follow him. They ran to the south side of Castle Town to a small house that had roughly fifteen cats in the front yard. As soon as they rounded the corner, they saw the Princesses running towards the east side, cloaks on and murder in their eyes. They looked this way and that until they realized they could just ask the townspeople. Link, Darian, and Drimani heard the conversation.
"Have you seen three men?" Zelda gave accurate descriptions of the three.
"Umm, we only saw two, and they headed that way. There was a great wolf with them-"
"Thank you, that's all we needed to hear," Midna cut in.
By now, Link had reverted back to his true form. "Guys we need to move before they catch us. In here." He pointed to the house. They rushed in and closed the door behind them.
"Link, we essentially trapped ourselves in here. Where do we go now if Zelda and Midna find us?" Drimani questioned.
"Oh don't worry about that," Link answered with a laugh. "The owner of this place left on an adventure of his own to find himself. We can use this as a way to escape," he finished, opening a treasure chest. Darian looked at him skeptically.
"In that? Link I hardly think- OH!" Link had just jumped in. "I stand corrected!" He and Drimani jumped in just as loud knocking was heard.
They found themselves behind Link in a passageway that was effectively a waterslide. He turned to them and said "Look I don't know about you, but we left that treasure chest open. We need to move, now." Just then, more shouting came from above them.
"Right, let's go!" Darian yelled before throwing himself on the slide, Drimani and Link close behind. "YEEEAAAAAHHHH!" They landed in a deserted, underground chamber. Darian stood up and laughed. "Now this is what I call fun!" Link led the way through many hallways and ruined staircases, before finally coming out to a truly spectacular sight. They were on one of the many rooftops of the castle, and the view of Castle Town and Hyrule field beyond was truly amazing.
"Wow," Darian and Drimani said at the same time.
"I came here when I started my first adventure with Midna as a wolf," Link explained.
"Must have been one hell of an adventure then," Drimani murmured. They began walking across the rooftops and jumping gaps. Just as they were about to enter a tower, Link's and Darian's Triforces glowed. The voice in their thoughts was angry.
"I hope you boys wrote your last wills because you are all dead."
"We shall see Zelda, we shall see," Darian responded through the connection.
"Where are you, anyways?"
"Let's just say I'm feeling a bit… Nostalgic," Link answered before they broke their connection. The boys saw two figures climb out of the tower they had left not too long ago.
"LINK! YOU ARE SO DEAD!" Midna screamed. Link merely laughed as he jumped into the tower, Darian and Drimani following him. They ended up in a vacated room with a bed, a fireplace, and a dresser. Link took a look around and sat on the bed.
"This brings back so many memories," he murmured.
"You shall have to tell us about it!" Drimani smiled. Darian nodded before he spoke.
"Well it looks like the ladies know we're here. Why don't I camouflage ourselves and we can play with their minds a bit?" Link and Drimani chuckled and agreed. Darian muttered the spell and once again, they were invisible. Link hid under the bed, Drimani went behind the dresser, and Darian flew to the upper corner of the room, propping himself between the ceiling and the two walls. Just then the door shot open, revealing two VERY angry Princesses. They stormed into the room.
"WHERE ARE YOU?" Zelda hollered. "I SWEAR WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU-" Darian's response came through the Triforce.
"You're getting warmer…"
"LINK YOU WILL WISH YOU WERE DEAD WHEN I'M THROUGH WITH YOU!" Midna screeched. Zelda and Midna searched all parts of the room. However, Link had gotten up from underneath the bed and had moved accordingly to avoid the ladies' touch. Drimani and Darian were silently doing the same. Link decided to taunt Zelda some more.
"Are you sure you looked everywhere? Because you haven't found any of us." By now they had positioned themselves by the door, laughing silently at the two women who were searching furiously. "I'll give you both a hint." They had sneaked through the door. "Where is the one place you haven't looked?" They slammed the door shut and took off, laughing and running as fast as their legs would take them. It turns out the tower was directly in association with the rest of the bedrooms, so all they needed to do was to reach one of their rooms.
They had just passed the door to Link's room when Zelda teleported in front of them. Darian cursed quietly. She gave them a death glare. "You three are so dead." she spoke in a low deadly voice.
Link turned around and cursed when he saw Midna at the bottom of the stairs. "There is no escape for any of you." she said dangerously.
Link noticed they were right in front of his room. "You'll never take me alive, coppers!" he yelled before taking the bag and throwing the door to his room open. Darian and Drimani dove through and Link locked it. Grabbing a pillow in each hand, they waited. Suddenly, Zelda's voice came through the Triforce again.
"There is no escape. Give up now and I may spare you."
"Come on Zelda. We are not giving up," Darian thought. "Get some pillows. We shall be waiting for you." He and his two fellow pranksters waited with abated breath.
Suddenly the door was kicked open. In strode the two Princesses, each holding pillows.
Link jumped first. "Think fast!" They were then locked in a massive pillow fight, guys against girls. Zelda and Midna both were extremely angry at first, but then realized the boys were only trying to have fun, so they started laughing too and the fight turned playful. Feathers flew this way and that while they beat each other mercilessly, taunting and yelling.
Some time later, the five people were laying down, catching their breath. Feathers littered the room from ruined pillows. They were laughing now.
"That was some chase! I didn't think you both would run after us like that!" Link exclaimed.
"You gave us a reason to wolf-boy!" Midna countered.
"I loved the look on your faces up in that tower! You were trying so hard to find us and failed miserably!" Darian laughed.
"You and your darn camouflage!" Zelda complained.
Drimani got up and retrieved Link's bag. "Zelda and Midna, I believe these are yours." The tiara was handled with great care as it was placed in Zelda's small bag. Link gave back Midna's cloak and underwear. She grabbed him by the arm.
"Do you like it?" she teased, holding them up to his eye level. Link turned a brilliant shade of red.
"Uhh… Yes? Don't kill me?" Midna laughed and kissed him.
Drimani handed back Zelda's panties. "Zelda I was the one who took these from you." She promptly smacked him playfully.
"I don't think your brother is very happy with you right now." Said Night Dweller laughed.
"Nah, it was part of the prank." He slowly pulled out the picture of Zelda as an infant. "Zelda… Would you mind if I kept this?" he asked with a genuine smile.
Zelda walked over and gently kissed him. "Of course you may." She turned to the other three. "After we clean ourselves up, we need to meet and discuss the plan for tomorrow. We have a very busy day."
The others nodded an affirmative and left for their rooms.
Hope you enjoyed! R&R! Please? You know you want to! :)