Alright, college finals week is officially over and i can focus again, but unfortunately not for too long. this chapter is going to lead into big events for the Ordonians and their unknowing allies. And perhaps to a more personal discovery for the princesses.
Link rode alongside Sheik in the long line of horses and soldiers that rode towards the edge of the forest. Two days had passed since they set out, and the massive camp of the Ordonian nation was now in view. A shout drew his attention to the front of the line.
"Link, get up here!" spurring Epona into a canter, he swiftly caught up with his father at the head of the line.
"Yes, father?" he asked as he pulled up next to the man.
"Go inform the king that we're here. He'll want to know how many we are." Link nodded and kicked Epona in a gallop, angling her toward the tent that sat beneath the banner of the king. As he rode away Sheik pulled up to the place he had occupied.
"He certainly is reliable." his father nodded.
"That he is. But I fear for him. He may not be able to control his anger when we face Ganon." Sheik shrugged his shoulders, adjusting the weapons on his back.
"He'll be fine father. He's not the kind to let a personal vendetta get the better of him." his father turned to look at his eldest son, studying his features.
"I certainly hope your right son." he said, turning to watch as Link disappeared into the camp.
/
Malon glanced back at her sister, noting how much Zelda swayed in the saddle of the small Gerudo mount. Their Gerudo guide had turned to face down a group of thieves and had told them to run, they had not seen her since.
"Stay awake, we're almost to the forest! We can stop there!" she yelled over the sound of the rain. Large drops of water slammed into her face as she turned back to the line of trees the they were approaching, forcing her to place her hand in front of her eyes so she could see. Both she and her horse were long since soaked through, and Zelda was no better. As they rode underneath the cover of the trees the rain lessened and the wind, blocked by the trees, seemed less fierce. As Malon pulled up next to one of the huge trunks, she glanced back. Seeing that Zelda had successfully followed her this far, she dismounted and tied the horses reigns to a low hanging branch. Moving to Zelda's side, she helped her sister down from her horses back and to the trunk of the tree, setting her down and wrapping a blanket she had pulled from the saddlebag around her shoulders. Moving back to the horses she proceeded to remove their saddles, setting them under the tree and covering them with the saddle blankets so that the leather would dry. Moving back to the animals she slipped bridles off, replacing them with the halters and ropes, which she tied to the branch. She placed the bridles with the saddles before moving around and gathering as much dry wood as she could find. Piling the wood near the tree, she set about putting a fire together. As soon as the wood caught, she set about putting a small meal together. As the girls ate Malon observed her sister, taking close notice of how pale she was. She had always known that Zelda was delicate, but she had expected more than this from the girl. Fifteen years in the palace had truly left both of them unsuited for the journey that they were now forced to undertake. Setting the small wooden plate on the ground, she moved over to her sister, taking the empty plate from her hand, and placing it with the other. Both girls settled into their blankets to try and get some sleep before the dawn came.
/
Link saluted the king of the Ordonians as he entered, the feeling of his fist against his heart slightly strange to him. The king returned the salute, then looked at Link expectantly.
"My father, Bo, brings one hundred and sixty spears my lord. All ready for battle." the king nodded.
"Thank you my boy. You may go." Link turned and walked out of the tent, picking up his horses reigns.
"Etelin, mei heruthie, Epona."* he whispered to the animal as his head passed hers. Epona had been with link since birth, seventeen years, still quite young for an Ordonian Mustang, considering that some outlived their masters, often living for more than seventy years. He didn't bother to mount, choosing instead to walk beside her. As he made his way to a clear space he observed the various camps that were rapidly filling the valley on the edge of the Kokiri Forest. The massive trees formed a third or fourth side to many tents and lean-to's, as well as providing much needed shade. Selecting a spot underneath a vacant oak, Link sat down to wait for his family. He did not bother to unsaddle Epona just yet, knowing that his Father might send him out into the forest itself to hunt, and he would need Epona to carry back the game. He also did not bother to hobble or stake her, knowing that she would not wander far. As he closed his eyes he opened his ears, concentrating on every little sound. There were the sounds he was used to hearing produced by the camp. The dull rumble of the approaching horses, the occasional thud of Epona's hooves, and the sounds of men and women, preparing to ride to war. Then there werre sounds that were less familiar. The creaking of the massive oak at his back. The babbling of a nearby stream, of which he took careful note of the direction. The sound of a beehive a few trees over, which one of the men had found and was smoking out to get to the honey. He opened his eyes when he heard the sound of light footsteps approaching him. Opening his eyes he saw the one person who could make him smile anymore.
"I see you've made yourself comfortable." Link grunted at his sister, Ilia. She chuckled and sat down next to him, adjusting the sword at her side. "You may as well unsaddle Epona. Father says that Sheik is going to go hunting this evening and that we'll be taking shifts until the army moves out for Hyrule. Your's is tomorrow." Link nodded as he pushed himself up and gave a sharp whistle that brought Epona jogging up to him. As he pulled off her saddle, he glanced at Ilia.
"Where's Father?" he asked. Ilia looked at him for a moment.
"He took Sheik and is reporting to the King, they'll be here shortly." he dipped his head slightly, then turned back to his horse.
/
Brandon looked out over the walls of Hyrule Castle, taking in the view of the town below, and the field beyond. To the east he could already see the smoke that came up from the dark horde that approached.
"Frightening, isn't it?" Brandon glanced back at the king.
"Yes Father, very." the king stepped up to the parapet.
"They'll be here in three days according to the Sheikah scouts. So we have some time to prepare." Brandon glanced in the opposite direction, to the west. The king followed his gaze.
"Do you think they're alright, father? The scouts reported their guides body found ravished and killed on the field, and the area around the Kokiri Forest is notoriously dangerous." the king rested his forearms on the wall.
"Right now my son, we can only pray that the goddesses have mercy on them." both men looked to the forest that offered the last hope for the royal family, and prayed that the girls were safe.
/
Sheik waited outside as his father spoke with the king. They had engaged in casual conversations almost as soon as they entered, and both men had spoken at length about their families, weather, and the general condition of their fighting men.
"Tell me Bo, your son said you bring one hundred sixty spears. Did something happen? You used to be able to rally more than five hundred." Bo looked grave.
"Yes, many things have happened. We discovered quicksand near one of our water holes which claimed several men before we moved on. Then great wolves from the high northern mountains descended to the plain we resided at. We fought them hard, but paid dear price. Those wargs cost my people half of their strength. Most of what is left of my force is inexperienced young men and girls." the king nodded.
"Grave misfortune, to have encountered the wargs of the northern mountains. I hear they are vicious." Bo face formed a grim smile.
"Not anymore. My children hunted down nearly all of them. Any that are left will be hiding in their caves for years to come while they lick their wounds." the king bowed his head in relief.
"That's good to hear. I only hope that we can deal with Ganondorf as effectively. So far only about half of the warriors I expected have arrived. I fear that we won't be able to wait much longer."
"I heard that nearly ten thousand of our warriors have arrived. Is that true?" the king nodded as he looked out towards the plain, now covered by tents.
"It is less than half of our number at the last gathering. Though some of the clans have yet to show up, many of those present have been through situations similar to your own. Many have less than half of their former numbers." Bo bowed his head.
"I heard a plague had swept through the northern clans." the king let a sigh escape.
"Yes, but now is not the time to bemoan our losses. Go and prepare your clan for war." Bo bowed slightly before turning and stepping outside of the tent. Sheik turned as his father.
"Bad news?" Bo nodded grimly.
"Less than half of the expected riders have come. We may be in for a difficult battle." Sheik was silent as they strode back to their campsite, where Ilia had a small fire going in front of a number of small tents. As Sheik looked around he could see no trace of Link, in spite of the sight of Epona grazing nearby. He stooped Ilia with a hand on her shoulder.
"Where's Link?" she looked towards the forest.
"He went into the forest to look around. Said he needed to get away from all the bustle of the camp." Sheik glanced towards Bo.
"This will not sit well with father." Ilia nodded and turned back to the vegetables she was cutting up.
/
Old Ordonian, Very distinctive because of the graceful intonations that it possesses as opposed to Gerudo, which possesses more of an Arabic tone, or Hylian, which is more similar to english.
*'follow, my dear friend.'
/
Okay, so Link has disappeared into the Kokiri forest and the princesses have camped right on the far edge. No telling how this is going to turn out. I tried to add a little feel of the exotic to the Ordonians, as well as giving a deeper glimpse into their culture. enjoy the latest chapter, and review.