The Serpent's Egg

By Nicolle

1st Note: As I've been editing the chapters already written (and yes, I'm way ahead of where I'm posting), I've decided that what I'm writing doesn't merit the M rating. It's just not any more violent than Harry Potter.

2nd Note: The cheese thing is something I said to one of my coworkers.

3rd Note: If you recognize the 'standing and waiting' line, you're a real Zelda geek.

Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda is the property of Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo.

Chapter Two

This was, above all else, the one thing Link absolutely despised doing. It was one thing to die in a time of war. There was an expectation of danger, an understanding that loved ones might come home on their shields. But this was a time of peace and no amount of honors heaped upon the dead will return the spirit. There were no words you could offer the bereaved.

Elise stood trembling, mouthing the word no over and over. Zelda, wearing a gown reserved solely for this purpose, gently took her hands. Link rested Drishti's sword, wrapped in Hyrule's flag across them. Elise dropped the sword and hugged Zelda around the waist. Zelda wrapped her arms around Elise, smoothing down her hair and cooing to her softly.

Princess Elana gave an audible gasp from where she stood next to Sir Stewart. Link shot her a look and she turned up her nose. A tug on his hand distracted him and he found Drishti's little Utta looking at up at him, distressed. He picked up the three year old.

"Why is mommy so sad?"

"Because your father has gone to his ancestors."

She frowned. "But isn't that a good thing?"

He smiled thinly. "Yes. But it also means you will not see him again for the rest of your years."

Utta laid her head down on his shoulder, running her little hand up and down his arm the way children did when they wanted you to feel better too. Elise let go of Zelda and carefully wiped her face with the edge of her sleeve. She looked to Link, red eyed and bone weary.

"Did you bring him home?"

"Yes."

"Did he say anything?"

"He told me to tell you he loves you."

Elise covered her face with her hands and took two deep, shuddering breaths. She reached out for her daughter and Link handed her the child. "I'll come by the castle this evening to..." She faltered and Link put an arm around her to steady her. "Discuss arrangements. I need to see his mother. Tell her." Her head dropped and she stared at the ground, hugging Utta fiercely. Link let her go and she turned away.

Stewart knelt down and lifted the sword. "Give me leave."

Link nodded. "Granted."

Stewart put an arm around Elise and led her into the house. "I'll walk you over by way of my house so Utta can play with the girls. We'll pack a bag for her."

Link and Zelda turned as one and walked back to the castle, guard detail keeping pace with Elana between them. The citizenry on streets stopped mid bow, cold at the appearance of their Queen in black.

"Who? Who?" the question was whispered from all sides, though some simply wept where they stood.

Mournful tones pealed from the temple bells when Zelda closed the door to her private room.

"And what exactly," Elena started, "is wrong with your people? Don't they know how to bow? And you just let that woman blubber all over your dress? How could you let her touch you?"

Zelda said nothing as she changed into less formal mourning attire. The Queen put the dress in the arms of the maid who waited there, already clad in black, hair tied with black ribbons. There was a knock at the door and it opened slightly.

"Ramanjani is here to see you, Madam."

Zelda poured herself a cup of water from a pitcher. "Send him in."

A rotund old man came through the door, pushing a shocked Elana aside as he pulled the chair from Zelda's desk and sat in it.

"How dare you push me out of the way? Do you know who I am? I'm Princess Elana of Zoebha! Apologize!"

Ramanjani eyed the princess. "Quiet, punk!" He settled comfortably into the chair. "I've called all the assistants and apprentices to the bakery. You'll have all the bread you'll need for the feast. Sally has the pastry shop running all night for the cake, and she'll be over soon to speak to the family."

Zelda smiled a little. "You have my deepest gratitude, Ramanjani."

He smiled then. "See? There's my little Zelda!" He stood and took her hands in his. "But I would do anything to put a smile on your face. I brought some of your favorite rolls for your dinner tonight. Be sure to share with that boy of yours." He patted her hand.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything."

"I need leaf bread and rations. Enough for three- No, four people. A month's worth."

"Consider it done. I'll leave it with Link tomorrow." He sighed heavily. "Be safe, Zelda." He looked over his shoulder at the maid who was carefully hanging the funeral gown. "It pains us to see you in that dress. I don't want to see you buried in it."

Zelda nodded and the old man left. Elana opened her mouth and Zelda raised a hand to silence her. "Dinner tonight will be spent planning a funeral. You will respect the dignity of the mourning family. That means you will keep silent if you have nothing other than condolences to offer."

Elana turned up her nose. "Funeral arrangements at dinner? How positively disgusting."

"If you will not join us at the table, you are free to dine in the kitchen."

Her jaw dropped. "With the staff?"

"This evening will be far too long as it is. Your poor attitude will not make it easier. You will sit in silence at the table or you will eat in the kitchen."

She put her hands on her hips. "Then I won't eat at all!"

"So be it."

Another knock came at the door and it opened slightly. "Madam? The body has been prepared. We await you in the hall."

"Thank you."

"In the hall?" Elana looked from the door to Zelda. "A peasant is to lie in state?"

"Any man who gives his life for Hyrule is honored with a funeral befitting his sacrifice." Zelda stepped up to the princess pinning the girl with a cold gaze. "He will lie in state, so his countrymen will have the opportunity to thank him for what he gave them."

Elana swallowed hard.

Zelda turned to the maid. "Christie, escort Elana to her room."

The maid nodded and curtseyed to the princess. "If it please your highness to follow me."

Elana sneered at the girl. "It doesn't please me to follow you."

The maid gave Zelda a worried glance.

"You have permission to drag her out."

Christie sighed. "Oh, thank you, Ma'am!" She grabbed Elana by the wrist and pulled her out the door.

Zelda headed into the hall and stopped short on the threshold. Link stood over Drishti, carefully tucking a blanket embroidered with the royal insignia of Hyrule around his legs. Elise stood next to her beloved husband, holding his hand. Zelda took a deep breath and stepped into the hall. She put her hand on Elise's shoulder. "Let's retire to the dining room."

"I beg your pardon, Ma'am, but I don't know that I can eat."

"I don't think any of us can, but we should still make the effort."

The effort proved easy after the first bite. A few stories of heroic daring and idiotic bungles on the part of the deceased and even Zelda found her smile again.

Link gestured to Elise. "And then he screamed at the top of his lungs: 'CHEESE IS GOOD FOR YOU AND DON'T EVER BLASPHEME AGAIN!'"

Elise giggled uncontrollably. Stewart banged his head off the table.

Link pointed to Sir Chaco. "Remember the first time he challenged you to a full out duel?"

"Oh yeah!" Chaco laughed, "Not The Face! Not The Face!"

Stewart put on his best impression of Drishti. "It's my bread and butter, man! I can't have you messing with my bread and butter."

Zelda snorted hard enough wine came out her nose. "Oh damn."

"Well done, Majesty! Very dignified!" Chaco joked while passing her a napkin.

Zelda swiped it out of his hand to wipe her face. "Thank you, Sir Knight."

"Anytime, Ma'am."

She wiped her nose with a growing dread of being the one to cut the stories short and broach the funeral. But Elise beat her to it.

"I'd like it very much if you would be in the reception line with me tomorrow, Your Majesty."

Zelda nodded.

Elise took Link's hand and reached across the table to grab Stewart's. "And I would be honored if you would both be in the line as well." She dropped Link's hand and clasped Stewart's with both of her own. "Thank you for asking Maggie to look after Utta."

Stewart patted her hand. "Maggie was more than happy to help."

She turned back to Link. "Would you give the eulogy and benediction?"

"I'm not half so eloquent as I act, Elise. Are you sure?"

"Drishti became the good man he was by following your example. I have no doubt that your heart and lips hold all the words needed to honor my husband."

"Then your wish is my command."

The royal steward put a plan of the hall in front of Elise as the kitchen staff cleared away the plates and the planning commenced.

Morning found Zelda standing next to Link in the receiving line. Link leaned close. "You haven't said his name yet."

Zelda took his hand and squeezed it. "Don't make me. Not before I have too." Link waited patiently for her to continue. He was always standing and waiting. "He took that blow for me," she whispered. "And I couldn't save him from the poison that tainted his blood."

Link squeezed her hand. "Did you try?"

"Yes."

"Then Drishti gets the honor of telling his ancestors that the legendary Queen, keeper of the Triforce of Wisdom, blessed him with her devotion."

Zelda's mouth twitched. "What was that you told Elise about not being eloquent?"

He held up his hands in surrender. "I'm still just a farm boy, Zelda."

"You're in good spirits."

"Actually, I'm in a very foul mood. There's still no word from Bot and I'm standing next to the body of a good friend."

Zelda swallowed. "Bot will be fine." She sighed. "We leave tomorrow evening. Elana is coming with us."

"At least she was smart enough to stay out of the funeral."

Zelda caught an uncharacteristic flash of color amongst the black. "Don't get your hopes up."

Link motioned one of his men over. "Permission to use ether granted. Just get Princess Elana out of her quietly."

The knight frowned. "Is she that bad, Captain?"

"Worse."

"Consider it done, Sir."