Note: the song sung in this chapter is 'Wildflowers' by the Wailin Jennys.
Link: watch?v=XdgY-CQsbKU
Legend smiled at the pretty maid as she refilled his cider. For the first time in a very very long time, he was really 'letting his hair down' and it felt wonderful. Lorule's crab apple cider was delicious…tart and sweet and crisp. The fine selection of meats and dishes that seemed to be served in an endless stream with savory baked tubers, greens, and sweet fragrant little pies. What an incredible feast! He looked around him from his seat of honor at the end of the long gilded table facing presumably where the Empress would sit on the other side, his brothers sat catty-corner to him on both sides and seemed to be celebrating with equal vigor.
"YAH! HAHHAH!" Wild crowed as he finally bested Twilight in an Ordoninan drinking game (It seemed very complicated and involved far too much hand-holding for Legend's tastes.)
Twilight laughed and clapped his protégé hard on the back causing him to sputter cider onto his fine new tunic.
Each of the men had been given a new set of clothing, much the same as Legend's new rust-colored tunic made of the same light silken material and delicate feeling but incredible sturdy magical silver mail (did they simply think that all Hylians dressed this way? He was flattered but…). A personal gift from Hilda. He knew he would treasure his..
"I wonder where our hosts are.." Time murmured over the lip of his stein as he sipped from his seat just to the left of the Hero of Lorule.
Four upon his other side nodded his agreement through a mouthful of a sweet berry pie. He swallowed and chased it with a deep draught of mulled wine. "I was just wondering the same thing.."
Legend hummed thoughtfully, looking around. The girls too for that matter, he hadn't seen Danielle or Winona in hours. His head swived about their small merry crowd looking to see if they had slipped in somewhere, but they hadn't.
The Lorulian gentry and many royals from visiting lands had appeared for the celebration; the fierce horsewomen of the far north, the blue-turbined sea warriors of the east… and people from even farther abroad that he did not recognize. Each seemed to have sent a representative to the feast.
Suddenly the young page from earlier appeared at the top of the carpeted stairs to the great hall and called out in their high clear voice, announcing the arrival of the empress and her emperor consort. All in attendance stood out of respect and the party quieted in anticipation.
Her grace appeared upon the steps, regal as ever in a deep navy gown of finest shimmering silk. Upon it glittered thousands of tiny, beaded crystals that shone like the stars on a clear Hyrulian night. She wore a simple circlet spun of gold and set with blue stones. Upon her arm, her consort was dressed to match, in a crushed velvet navy tunic with a wide gold sash. His crown was much like hers. Time nodded and smiled as the pair carefully made their way down the stairs and to the head of the table. Hilda helped Ravio make the descent. He leaned heavily on a cane of dark polished wood still not completely recovered from his injuries. He smiled at the Chain and at his assembled guests. Upon arriving at the ground floor he told them to eat, drink and be merry. The table sat again when The pair were seated and resumed eating. The Chain exchanged a series of looks of shock and wonder, save for the old man who harbored a small secret smile upon the rim of his stein.
"You knew.." Legend said to him softly. His tone indicated that was not a question.
Time's smile broadened and he was about to speak when Hilda's voice rang out, causing the party to hush.
"We have a special treat tonight;" she told her esteemed guests. "We have a pair of visiting songstresses from a kingdom far away. They have offered their dulcet tones for your entertainment this evening, a song from far away to commemorate the return of Lorule's Hero!"
Everyone clapped. And turned their gaze once more to the stairs. Upon the landing, clad in fine evening gowns of their own, were Winona and Danielle. The girls clasped hands, nodded to each other, and delicately stepped down the stairs.
Upon reaching the bottom, the pair curtseyed to applause, and the room hushed as they began a haunting acapella rendition of a song called "Wildflowers".
The song was sweet and somber, full of a long-hidden hurt and yearning. Legend wondered idly as did many in attendance if one or both of them had written it themselves. The crowd listened in rapt silence.
"You belong among the wildflowers
You belong on a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free
Sail away, go find a lover
Go away somewhere bright and new
I'd see no other
That compares with you…"
Legend locked eyes with his pink-haired friend as she sang, and felt an old and only too familiar rush of warmth as he did..it called to the back of his mind a gentle island breezes and the smell of Frangipani.
'Oh no.' he thought… 'not again.'
As soon as that rush hit an even more familiar sensation threatened to knock him off his seat…dread. He'd come years ago after one too many heartbreaks to the conclusion that these sorts of things were simply not for him and he'd be damned if he was going to change that now for some…. Some.. his thoughts trailed off as he continued to listen.
Her eyes never wavered; it was as if she were singing just for him.
"You belong among the wildflowers
You belong on a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free
Run away, go find a lover
Run away, let your heart be your guide
You deserve the deepest of cover
You belong in that home by and by
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me (close to me)
Far away from your trouble and worry
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me (somewhere close to me)
Far away from your trouble and worry
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong somewhere you feel free"
A new stinging sensation slowly began to creep over his cynical resolve; hope… tender, unfamiliar, and tragically fragile was blooming in the hero's scarred chest. He warred with himself before deciding; maybe just this once, even though he was already regretting it, he might dare to let it bloom.
The song ended and all around him in the gathered group stood and applauded. Legend sat, stunned and unmoving, fixated on Winona. She curtseyed deeply to the crowd and then raised her eyes again, catching Legend's in passing. A small smile curled the corners of her lips, and she crinkled her nose at him as she made her way to her seat: a place of honor at the empress's left hand.
Legend felt a stupid little smile pass over his own lips. Yup…. This was going to hurt.
After they were seated, a small band that had patiently been waiting out of respect for the esteemed guests struck up a soft merry tune for the diners to enjoy.
"Lovely.." Ravio sighed smiling at her and then turning a dreamy eye to his queen. "Wasn't that simply lovely?"
The Empress nodded slowly in agreement. "It was.." She said carefully, her face an unreadable mask of polite, regal airs. She raised a delicate fluted glass to Winona and in turn to Danielle. "A beautiful song by equally beautiful Ladies. I am glad that you have come." The girls flushed at her praise and returned her toast as the party around them took on in full swing.