Hey guys, sorry this has taken so long. I've been kind of busy, trying to find work, and getting ready for Christmas. So to all of my readers out there, have a merry Christmas when it comes around.
To Omilophile: yes, a great deal of inspiration for the storyline, and more specifically the Ordonians, was indeed drawn from Lord of the Rings. I have also drawn inspiration from other movies and historical sources as you will see.
As the group came out from under the shadow of the forest Link was immediately set upon by a creature the likes of which Malon had never seen before.
"LINK! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE PUT ME THROUGH!" Link didn't make any response to his sister other than to roll his eyes as he stepped around her and walked towards the open space where Epona grazed. Sheik chuckled lightly as he watched.
"Take it easy sis. You're scaring our guests." Ilia gasped as she caught sight of the two girls still wrapped in their blankets. Sheik shook his head. "I'm surprised you didn't notice them before."
"Well I'm not the one who can sense things nobody else can. After all, Link's the woodsman, not me." Sheik chuckled.
"Good point. Anyway these girls need some clothes. Theirs got ripped to shreds by some thugs, and I thought you might be able to help them." Ilia looked at the two girls.
"I think I have just the thing." she said. Moving to the side of the horses she pulled the girls down. Zelda drew back slightly from her, unsure of what to expect. Ilia noticed and smiled gently.
"There's no need to be scared of me. I just put on that act to keep the boys in line. Now come on. We've got to get you cleaned up." She said as she took the arms of both girls and hustled them towards a large tent. Once inside she immediately moved to a large bag that appeared to contain clothes. Ilia was quick to find a pair of dresses for the girls and handed them over.
"They may be a bit large, seeing as the two of you are both a tad smaller than me, but they should suffice." Malon and Zelda took the dresses quietly, still in awe of the young woman in front of them. They dropped the blankets they had been holding around themselves, and began to put the dresses on.
/
Link barely glanced up as the girls came out of the tent, the two princesses now wearing the rough woolen dresses that Ilia had given them. And as his sister led the girls towards the kings tent, Link found his gaze unconsciously following the redheads figure, admiring the grace with which she walked. Realizing what he was doing he shook his head slightly, and turned away to face the forest. Sheik noticed his brothers movement, recognized it for what it was, and let a grin reach his lips.
"Hey Link." Link glanced up at him.
"What?"
"What do you think of her?" Link gave him a look.
"Who?" Sheik resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"The princess." Links eyebrow raised a fraction.
"Which one?"
"The redhead.." Link looked towards the kings tent, where Ilia had taken the girls.
"I don't." This time Sheik did roll his eyes.
"If you say so." Link simply didn't respond.
/
The king of Ordon sat heavily in his chair. Bo stood nearby, his hand rubbing the thick stubble that covered his jaw. The girls had gone several minutes ago, and their news disturbed both men.
"So Ganondorf has surrounded Hyrule Castle by now. Tell me Bo, what do you think?"
"I'm not sure. But I think that we should ride as soon as possible. It is a four day ride to the borders of Hyrule, and another two across Hyrule field to the castle. And even then, they may have moved to another place." the king folded his hands and closed his eyes for a moment, praying to the goddesses for wisdom.
"Very well. Spread the word. We wait for two days, then we ride for Hyrule. Leave a message here for any who come after to ride for the plains of Hyrule." Bo nodded and turned to stride out of the tent.
/
Malon walked along the bank of the river that ran next to the camp. She hummed lightly as she walked, an airy tune that was reminiscent of a child's lullaby. As she drew near to a small grove of trees, a sharp rasp drew her attention. Moving around the grove, she spotted Link, kneeling by the riverside, a whetstone in one hand, his sword in the other. As he slid the whetstone over his blade, the rasping sound she had heard ground out, disturbing the peace and quiet that she had been enjoying. She approached him slowly, trying not to make any noise, thinking it would be fun to slip up on him. His voice caught her completely off guard.
"You're too loud." he said. Malon had the dignity to look ashamed.
"I'm sorry if I disturbed you." Link simply sheathed his blade, placing the whetstone in a pouch on his belt, and stood.
"No, you're not." he said, turning away and walked down the riverbank. Malon stared after him, unsure what his problem was. She hadn't done anything to offend him, had she? As she thought about it, she became more and more convinced that she had done something to offend him. Looking after his retreating form she whispered the words to voice her confusion.
"What did I do?"
/
Braden stood at the Red Gates, a narrow spot that would open into a massive box canyon. The Gates were a natural choke point, and it would be here that the volunteer force consisting of three hundred Sheikah Strikers, the elite of the Hylian army. All of them wore heavy armor consisting of a steel breastplate, a pair of pauldrons, bracers, greaves, and a heavy plate skirt. The long blue cloak served to add a touch of their heritage under the steel of their helms. The heavy shield and long oak spear served as their main weapons, while a single edged blade hung at their sides. As they looked across the plains outside the canyon they could see the long thick lines of the rivers, and steadily moving closer, the long black lines of Ganondorf's army. Turning to the canyon behind him, Braden took one last look at the rapidly disappearing column of soldiers and refugees. He knew when he assumed command of this force that none of them would survive. But their deaths would give the people of Hyrule time to get to Arn's Deep. Looking around, Braden recalled a legend of the Sheikah. Taking a deep breath, he called out.
"Men, gather round. No retreat, no surrender. That is the law that the Strikers live by. And by that law, we will face the numberless hordes that Ganondorf brings before us! We will hold them here at the cost of our very lives! And who will be left to carry the news of our glorious deaths? The birds and the creatures of the ground! There can be no survival here! Earn a death worthy of a Sheikah Striker! Take a thousand enemies with you when you fall! We will inspire a fear so terrible in them that they will quake in terror when er' they pass by here. They will fear the ghosts of the three hundred!" Braden's clenched fist shot into the air.
"HRAAH!" the cry tore from the throats of the Strikers as they listened, working themselves into a bloodlust. Braden continued without missing a beat.
"We will slaughter them, making mountains with their bodies. And before we fall, even the White Guard will fear our blades! Give thanks to the Goddesses men! Our legend begins here!"
/
Ganondorf was furious. He had been tricked again. There had been no refugees, and he had returned to find an empty castle. He had immediately set the great wargs in his employ to tracking the Hylians down, and they had caught the scent quickly. And now, as his horde rushed toward the people who had escaped his grasp, he ground his teeth in frustration. His plan had been to sweep through Hyrule, slaughtering and burning as he went, with no one able to put up an effective resistance. He had prepared his army accordingly. They were equipped lightly, and had not carried any siege equipment with them. His siege of Hyrule castle had been completely unplanned, and it had frustrated him that the Hylians had held out against him. His fury was doubled by the many times he had been tricked by the Sheikah. He did not give the Hylians credit for that, he held them in too much scorn. No, it had to be the Sheikah. He swore that when he finally possessed Hyrule, he would slaughter every Sheikah he could find. As he rode towards where the Hylians were fleeing, a dark grin crossed his features.
/
Zelda looked up from where she was helping Ilia do the wash. A number of children were fighting in a nearby clearing. As she watched, she was captivated by how serious the children seemed, both boys and girls. Their fights looked more like duels, or open warfare, than children's games. Looking out to the plain she could see more children, riding their small horses as if in battle formation. Nearly a hundred children gathered around this cluster of tents alone, and all of them appeared to be preparing for war. Turning to Ilia she asked the question that had been on her mind.
"Ilia, why do the children's games seem so much like warfare? Don't they have other things to think about, like the boys finding little rocks or lizards? Or the girls picking flowers?" Ilia straightened from the tub. Looking out across the plain to the children she thought about how to answer.
"It's because warfare is the life of a nation like ours. Our children don't play childish games like in your culture. They practice maneuvers on horseback and fight each other preparing for the day when they are called upon to take up a sword to defend their people. So their games are combat, and their days are filled with training." Zelda looked around at the children.
"And what about the girls? Don't they practice homemaking skills?" Ilia sighed.
"In this culture the girls ride with the men. That is why we are able to muster as many as we are able. Another nation of equal size would only be able to summon half as many soldiers. Yes the girls do learn to be homemakers, alongside the men. There are no gender related tasks. Both men and women do all the chores." Zelda seemed slightly confused, but accepting. Then a question that had been on her mind since that day in the market came to mind.
"Ilia, something I've been wondering for a while. What breed are your horses? I mean, They're too small to be Gerudo horses, or Hylian drafts, so what are they?" Ilia watched her for a second.
"They're Ordon mustangs. It's a breed that is unknown in your lands, yet there is no equal to them in any of the nations. Nor is there a bond between horse and rider anywhere that is as strong as the bond between a man or woman of the Ordhorrim." Zelda looked confused again.
"Ordorim?" She asked, butchering the pronunciation. Ilia smiled.
"Ordhorrim." she corrected. "It is the name of our people in old Ordonian. There is a tale that tells of how we came to be, which is essentially summed up in a single saying." Zelda leaned slightly closer over the wash basin.
"What is the tale?" Ilia giggled slightly.
"The tale will have to wait a while. But the saying is much easier. Ferth marone Nayru elt Ordhorrim, ferth bothe Din elt Ordoie, ferth medel Farore elt Ordohalath." Zelda stared at her for a moment.
"That's beautiful, what does it mean?" Ilia smiled again.
"It means 'from the arms of Nayru came the Ordonians, from the bosom of Din came the untamed horse, from the heart of Farore came the Ordon will.' It is a legend that has been passed throughout the ages. And likely, will continue to be passed down, unless all should be lost to Ganondorf."
Okay, so another installation of old Ordonian. If you guys like the tidbits of the language that I put up so far, just leave a request in a review and I might start leaving little proverbs at the ends of the chapters. If not, oh well. Did you guys like the reference to 300? The Sheikah Strikers armor and weaponry is similar to that in the movie, only more covering. (The strikers aren't showing off their pecs) anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I really appreciate it when you guys review. thanks.