Episodes from Rito Village: Part 2

Zelda

When, at long last, they had managed to wrest themselves away from the bed, and each other, they were undecided what they wanted to do. For many weeks they had always had a clear goal, or at the least a heading, in front of them… Now, with a whole week of leisure to look forward to, the possibilities seemed endless! And confusing…

After nearly 10 minutes of back and forth discussion, and a narrowly avoided outbreak of an argument, Link had had the quite clever idea to separate for the day. She could see that, instinctively, it rubbed him quite wrong to let her out of his sight, but the idea behind it was sound. They would both go exploring on their own, at least for a few hours, see where in the comparatively small city they would chance upon one another, and then, on the following day, they could show each other their most intriguing finds.

Zelda really liked the idea! In a weirdly, childishly rebellious sort of way she enjoyed the chance to, for a short while, be rid of her ever vigilant protector… going out to explore completely on her own sounded like the ultimate adventure! 'Din's fire, how coddled I sound even to myself!'

Nevertheless, they set off in different directions after he had cheekily stolen a last quick kiss from her. Elated by the unfamiliar sense of freedom she positively bounced away… at least until the first hanging bridge offended with its incessant swinging nastiness. Still, not even the fear of almost certain death could put so much as a dent in her high spirits!

She knew her kiss stealing, good-for-nothing, princess-manhandling sausage knight would uncover something truly magnificent in his roaming, be it a view, food, a person… He truly had a knack for that sort of thing. Still, faced with these odds, she too had to descry some hidden marvel she could enthral him with! Naturally, she wasn't competitive at all… and she never lied to herself or the universe in general… It was simply good sportsmanship birthed from her noble upbringing… and it wouldn't really be fair otherwise, now would it?

As she meandered her way along the narrow walkways with their occasional distressing lack of anything resembling a banister, winding between under and above the joyously colourful globes the Rito called their homes, Zelda felt more and more alive. With each step she took her smile grew wider, with each touch of the perfectly polished wood or the smooth, warm clay that covered the spheres the sensation of almost floating grew stronger! Today, bathing in the still strong autumn sun as the wind caressed her skin and played with her hair, she could finally feel truly free, unbound by any rules, etiquette or perilous tasks. Giggling like a small child, she couldn't help but twirl during her walk a number of times when a particularly lively gust whisked past her, throwing her arms and open hair our as far as they would go. One ancient Rito of unidentifiable sex stared at her admittedly slightly unhinged display with such jaw-dropping bafflement, the piece of clothing he was in the middle of washing dropped from his fingers, that all she could do was laugh harder. Waving at him or her like a child would, or in her case, a lunatic, she showed him her most radiant grin and simply twirled on.

Had she gone mad? Well… if this is what madness felt like, it would take a lot of convincing to get her to return to sanity! She couldn't rightly say why today, of all days, she felt so happy she could practically feel it bubbling out of her ears. Was it the afterglow of what had been, without any doubt, the most magical night of her life? Was it that the realization of their shared accomplishment had finally settled into her stubborn, over-thinking brain. Was it simply having a few days to relax after having braved so much adversity and danger? Or, maybe, it was quite simply being at a place that was in all aspects so very far away from the oppressed life she had led till now?

She did not really wish to think on it, fearing it might dispel it all…

Zelda nearly danced down a few steps, then paused as her eyes began to sparkle. During her aimless wandering she had chanced upon one of the many landing platforms that were sprinkled across town… it seemed it was considered bad behaviour to just plop down a landing on one of the pathways… but this one was special! For one thing it was clinging to the lowest part of the enormous branch and it was partly overhung by one of the spherical nests, giving the whole construction an enticingly precarious look. Secondly, for some reason, it appeared to have the perfect angle overlooking the main part of the four-tiered city, the main branch with the market square and the highest density of houses. You could see the hustle and bustle of the stalls, the ever changing armada of Rito ascending, circling and landing, as well as the marvellous spectacle of the vibrantly painted nest-walls, invoking in her the image of a treasure chest full of sparkling gemstones.

Now, if this wasn't a spot she could show her sweet knight! Already a plan formed in her head to zigzag from stall to stall, setting up the perfect picnic, then lead him to this secluded place… and just eat and talk through the whole evening and night…

Farore's love, that sounded wonderful! She had already scampered away with an ear-to-ear grin, eager to set her plan in motion when she skidded to a halt, trying to commit every detail of this place and the path to it to memory, so she would find it again in the labyrinthian network of gangways, stairs and bridges.

Now, with a clear goal in mind, Zelda quickly made her way towards the market. Her head was pleasantly abuzz with activity and possibilities, and she felt she had idled enough. She knew there was a high probability to run into her stalwart companion at the almost funfair-like place of commerce… drawn by his adorable, excitement-sniffing nose… or his ever grumbling stomach… Briefly she toyed with the idea of sneakily avoiding him, just to be silly. He probably would get the creeping feeling of her proximity… and stealthing around him, always just out of view would probably drive him wild! Good thing none of her bothersome maids could see the devious smirk on her face right now! They'd probably get their seven or eight virtuous petticoats in a twist if they caught but a glimpse! Goddess, it sounded like fun!

Before she knew it, Zelda had crossed two of the despised hanging bridges without even thinking about it. Surprised at her own thoughtlessness she glanced back at the frightfully long one that spanned the gap between the branches. Almost as if it were miffed at her lack of respect, it lurched and waved in a gust of wind. Her royal highness, mature as befitting her standing, deigned to present her outstretched tongue and uttered a resounding "Nyaaaaaa!" at the vile offender. Then she turned and giggled at her own foolishness.

'Nayru's infinite wisdom, my head is light!' she revelled in her thoughts. 'It's like a divine wind has blasted into the disorderly cubbyhole I call brain and swept out the cobwebs!' It was simply fantastic!

She entered the wooden square and the smirk on her face turned to a bright smile. Still so much to explore! So much to experience! So much-

"I have to say: Your grin is extremely catching, princess!" a soft woman's voice interrupted her reverie.

Saki, her stunning pink plumage waving softly in the breeze, stood proudly at her side, showing her a kind smile of her own. Zelda felt a little flush of embarrassment creep on her cheeks at being caught so defencelessly happy… a notion for which she would have liked to slap herself a second later.

"You approve of our way of life then?" the Rito-lady asked, half in jest.

The younger girl nodded eagerly, her confidence of earlier returning. "It is wonderful… truly wonderful!" she sighed, then added with a hand raised appealingly: "And, please… just Zelda."

"Right! Normally I too despise formalities, but… you do have a regal air about you…"

Zelda didn't know what to reply… She rather doubted that, standing there, grinning like a loon, there was anything remotely dignified about her… Saki, on the other hand, seemed like she only had to casually wave her resplendent wing and the whole town would be at her beck and call. With a weird sort of admiring interest, she realized she could probably learn quite a lot from the woman…

"I had almost forgotten how much of a joy it can be, watching these simple, proud, spectacular cocks and hens stride and flutter around, constantly arguing, haggling and helping each other at every turn…" The beautiful Rito intoned with a thoughtful smile as she observed her tumultuous swarm of people. "Over the last months the creeping shadow seemed to have invaded not only our sanctuary, but also all our hearts… dulling every smile, souring all affection, besmirching our tight bond…" Her gaze re-fixed on Zelda and her expression got even softer. "You two seem to have rekindled that precious fire in us. I feel I'm only beginning to understand just how big of a service you have actually provided…"

Once again, the younger girl didn't know how to respond. What could possibly be said to properly dignify such a momentous assertion?

"Bah! Look at me, going all emotional! Good thing my dear husband isn't hear to see me like this, he'd laugh his feathers off!" She giggled a very melodic little symphony. "Sorry, if I embarrassed you with all this soppiness. I actually meant to find you for another reason. Now that you two have finally emerged from your love-nest… " Zelda felt her face practically radiate a bright crimson "…I wanted to invite you to a little private woman talk. Let the boys meet to do all the important decisions… as long as the girls have done the actual thinking beforehand!"

Bright red face or no, Zelda had to grin crookedly. A private meeting with Saki was strangely intimidating, but… she had to admit, she liked her style. This would be about as much of a simple pleasurable hen party as when her father met with the ruler of an adjacent country. Still, her odd sixth sense told her of no deception… and her genuine curiosity far outweighed any caution at the moment.

Only…

"I… erm…" By the goddess, why is this still so embarrassing? "I actually meant to… well… meet my… meet Link later…" Din's hellfire, you ditz! 'Regal air about me' my royal rear! Magniloquent like an ox in a wig! AND STOP BLUSHING!

Saki had a good-natured laugh at her expense and she couldn't blame her. Still, there was a lovely, coquettish gleam in the older woman's eye… Almost as if she felt her own memories stir quite vividly at seeing the younger girl's awkwardness.

"My, oh my, if only one could be this young again!" she trilled. "It really is the most magnificent of times! Right this moment, I envy you… Especially for all the clumsy beginnings…"

Zelda could do nothing to banish the little pout that settled on her face. She knew how direct and stinging the Rito humour could be… and the woman was probably holding back quite a bit. Only princess-like restraint made her bite back a comment that Link and her possibly weren't quite as 'clumsy' any more as she thought. That and common sense… Still, she was not going to be so easily rendered speechless!

"Well, I assume there are some merits to be found in the experience that comes with advanced age?" she shot back, presenting her best faux innocent face.

Saki laughed in a radiant little melody and spread her wings in joy. "Finally someone to have a decent conversation with! Come, I'll strike you a deal, your royal highness! Let's have your little shopping spree together and afterwards you'll divide a tiny speck of your attention away from your beau and lend it to me. I'll give you a few hints what to buy that might tickle his fancy. Agreed?"

Zelda grinned a slightly naughty little grin. It felt strangely good to be talking to another woman on the same level… and not that little Bokoblin that, if rumours were to be believed, was somehow related to her.

…Goddess, she missed Sally… She hoped the Rito woman wouldn't take too much of her time… Curiosity about this fascinating hen aside, she had to admit that, still, what she mostly wanted was to spend yet another wonderful, uninterrupted, worriless evening with Link.

Either Saki could read her mind, or her longing was just so shamefully plain on her face, but she didn't even have time to voice her concern. The older woman simply took her by the hand and gently led her towards the closest market stall.

"Don't worry, fledgeling! That spot you picked is best in the evening!" she cooed with a kind, conspiratorial glance down at her guest.

Zelda, dumbfounded, felt her mouth fall open with a very 'regal' "Buh!" Then her eyes turned to suspicious slits. "How do you…"

"I have my methods! All women do!" she replied with a grin.

The younger girl cocked an eyebrow and focussed on her host with a decidedly unimpressed look. "What, flying and looking down?"

Saki, unfazed, gave a moderately patronizing nod. "That is one of my methods, your royal highness!"

For a second, her royal highness wondered whether she should grow angry. Then, somewhat to her own surprise, she decided that she rather enjoyed being benevolently toyed with like this by this older gal. It was a bit like having an older sister…

"What is it you wish to discuss so eagerly anyway? That you would risk driving a wedge between the future queen and, as you put it, her gallant?" she snarked, not quite able to keep all traces of being slightly miffed out of her voice, being hijacked like this. 'Gallant', a treacherous part of her mind mused all the while… She very much enjoyed Link being considered her gallant, if she was being honest.

"Some idle chit-chat, some poorly veiled threats, some pointlessly insulting remarks, a lot of petty, mindless scheming…" the Rito accounted nonchalantly.

"Ahh…" Zelda exclaimed quietly with a knowing nod. "The high art of politics!"

"Quite! That too… But mostly, I mean to show you something that could be of great importance to you…" the older woman hummed with infuriating secretiveness.

"What?!"

Saki's head turned to face her. Smirking and with her eyes sparkling with anticipation she leaned down until her beak nearly touched Zelda's ear. Hushedly, she sang but one word, which sent streams of goosebumps all over the young girl's body.

"Magic…"