Hello everyone, it's time for Chapter 71, and things are about to get more intense!
"Come on Link, wake up already!" Aviel said.
"Don't wanna." Link said.
"You heard my man. Leave us alone, Birdbrain." Kesuta muttered, hugging Link and snuggling against him.
"No way! You two aren't gonna waste today!" Aviel protested, grabbing both of them by the legs and yanking on them.
"Leggo my leg you little twerp!" Kesuta said, wiggling her leg to try and break free of her.
It was the morning of the last day at Zora Coast to celebrate Ruto becoming the new queen of the zora, as well as the alliance between the zora and the gerudo. Ruto had already gotten herself up to go prepare for her breakfast, while Aviel had been tasked with dragging Link and Kesuta out of bed to join everyone.
"Okay, that's it!" Aviel said with gleaming eyes as she turned her arms into bird wings by the use of her Roc's Wing, then jumped on the two and started tickling them all over with her feathers.
"Keeehehehehehehe!" Damnit you little- keeehehehehe!" Kesuta giggled like crazy from the sensation.
"Ahahahaha, Aviel, quit it!" Link shouted in tears as he was laughing too hard.
"No way, submit to my will!" Aviel laughed out as she made no effort to stop.
Just when Link and Kesuta thought they had enough, the tickling mysteriously stopped, and they both looked up to see Aviel's upper body wrapped up in green vines.
"Would you three hurry up already? Ruto wants you all over to eat as soon as possible!" said a small voice behind Aviel.
"Saria?" Link exclaimed, before he and Kesuta were bound by vines as well, as it turned out Saria was using her Deku Staff to tie them all up so sh could get them out of bed.
"Hey, no fair!" Kesuta shouted.
"Now come on already!" Saria said in a bossy fit, as she led the three of them out of the cabana to the dining yard.
"Yes master." Link said annoyed as he yawned and allowed Saria to guide him out.
"She's lucky I don't set these vines on fire." Kesuta pouted following him.
"I need to get me one of those staffs." Aviel said.
After they all arrived, Link and everyone sat the same dining table they were at for lunch yesterday, as Big Momma Octo, along with Sovan, handed out the omelets, sausage and hash browns they had prepared.
"There you go everyone, eat up!" grinned Sovan, spinning her spatula in her hand.
"Gladly!" Togau said, already gobbling down her food.
"I'd like to say to everyone, thank you for all your hard work on this outing." Nabooru said, "It's because we banded together that Sister Ruto is well and our alliance with the Zora is secure!"
"At this rate, we'll be meeting with the Hylian Parliament in no time!" Saria said smiling, as she took a piece of sausage she had seasoned and put it on Link's plate so he could try out the combination. He took a bite and his eyes dazzled at the taste, making Saria giggle at his enthusiasm.
"You know, there was some tough times, but I really enjoyed this trip." Aviel said, "Any chance we can come back out here again soon?"
"Well what do you think Ruto?" Nabooru asked with a smirk, "I know King Zora made this exception just for the alliance, but you think we can take a trip out here again sometime?"
"Oh of course!" giggled Ruto, looking up from her large meal, "Zopem, Luva and everyone will be delighted to see you all again!"
Soon enough, everyone finished their meals except for Ruto. As the others got up to head to the beach one last time, Link decided to stay behind to sit with the zora queen.
"What did you want darling?" Ruto asked after swallowing her food, "Why don't you go off with the girls and have some more fun before you go back to the desert?"
"Nah, I'm fine here for now. Besides, I thought there's something you'd enjoy doing." Link chuckled, taking Ruto's fork from her and using it to lift up a portion of breaded fish to her.
Ruto's eyes lit up in happiness, she closed her eyes and opened her mouth, and he started feeding her what was on her plate. On occasion when the two ate together in the past she'd try to get him to feed her, though even now he never really understood what she liked about it. Regardless, it made her happy, so he went along with it. As he pulled the fork away from her youth, her tongue slowly wrapped a little around it to savor the lingering flavor on it, and Link blushed at seeing just how into it she was.
'I wonder if it just tastes better to her this way...?' Link thought as he cut a piece of sausage and took a small bite himself.
"Darling, keep going." she said with her eyes closed and her mouth open, and he quickly went back to feeding her.
Eventually Ruto's breakfast came to an end and she cleaned off her face, taking a drink of water and sighed out, rubbing her slim stomach. Link still couldn't for the life of him fugue out how she could pack so much food away now without any difficulty, but seeing the content look on her face was all he needed to know.
"That was marvelous, thank you for the royal treatment Link." she said blissfully, leaning against him.
"So how's your new power from the rite feeling?" Link asked as he held her.
"It seems to be holding up quite well." Ruto said, raising her hand and gazing at some water forming around it, then firing a shot into the air over the fence. "Too bad I didn't have this level of power back during that one incident we were in."
"You mean back at Lake Hylia with Morpha?" Link asked.
"Well yes I suppose, but I mean that other incident in particular. You remember it don't you? When you, me and Chief Darunia got caught up in that enormous battle?" she said.
"Oh right, now I know what you mean!" Link said, "Yeah, it was a trying time... I don't think I can ever forget what happened..."
It was then Ruto saw the sad look in his eyes, she paused for a few seconds in confusion, before she realized what was wrong and gasped out.
"Oh right! I'm sorry Link... I forgot how hard of a time it was for you in particular!" she said desperately trying to comfort him.
"No, no, it's okay. It's taken a while, but time healed a bit of it. You and Darunia were a big help to me during that time, as well as all the others... especially her..." Link smiled with a reminiscent look in his eyes..
"Hmph, that girl was sweet, but I think at times she was a little TOO much help to you!" Ruto said folding her arms and looking away pouting, "She was far too clingy with you for some reason!"
"Oh like you're one to talk." grinned Link, "I still remember the way you were checking out that one knight while we were there!"
"W-Well he reminded me of you in some ways, except older. That's all!" Ruto said blushing, "Besides, as I recall you were also looking a lot at that other lady as well!"
"Ah yeah, she reminded me a lot of Princess Zelda." grinned Link, "She was even skilled in the use of the rapier too. Lady Impa told me about how Zelda's still using hers after all this time."
He paused on that note, holding Ruto closely as ran his hand along her new head fin, taking that moment to gaze up at the morning sun starting to rise up over the fence.
"Speaking of which, is what Nabooru told me true, about how Princess Zelda's married to the Prince of Fargent now?" Link asked.
Ruto took a small glance over at Link and saw the stare in his eyes as he looked out at the sky. She frowned a little and spoke up.
"Yes that's right, me and Daddy attended the wedding. Zelda mentioned she wanted to invite you to it as well, but the Hylian Parliament weren't too eager to allow just anyone to attend it because of everything going on as of recently." Ruto said.
"I see..." Link whispered, "Have you seen her since then...?"
"Indeed I have." nodded Ruto smiling lightly, "She seems to be doing just fine. I've known Zelda since we were children, so I admit I was pretty concerned for her as far as this marriage went since it was arranged for her."
"Yeah, I know how you feel about arranged marriages. You mentioned you turned down all those suitors for my sake." Link said.
"Mm-hmm, I've always thought that a woman should be allowed to follow her heart, regardless of their rank or duty or whatever." Ruto nodded, "But from the way Zelda spoke to me, she seems pretty happy with her marriage to the prince. And I think you'll be quite happy to see her again when you finally come for the Parliament meeting."
"Glad to hear that, I'm looking forward to it." Link nodded, "So do you know at all what he's like? The prince I mean?"
"He didn't speak much during the wedding, I think he was trying to maintain an air of professionalism, but he seems like a kind, good-looking man. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't hold a blue candle to you in my eyes Link-darling, but he does seem to be seeing to Zelda's happiness and well-being." Ruto said.
"...I see." nodded Link.
"Oh that reminds me! Zelda's nanny Lady Impa wanted me to tell you... " Ruto paused for a second, sporting a stern expression and folding her arms, before speaking in a stern, deeper voice, "'Hello, young hero! I trust you're keeping up with your training!'"
"Heh, were you trying to mimic her just now? That's not a bad impression." Link snickered in amusement.
"Now she probably wouldn't want me to tell you this right away, buuut I can't help myself." Ruto said with a mischievous grin, "From what I heard and saw, Lady Impa is with child now!"
Link's eyes widened as he felt his heart jump, "O-Oh, is that so...? Good for her!"
"Hee hee, no need to play innocent with me Link-darling, Lady Nabooru already told me all about you meeting with Impa over at the Goron City hot springs." smirked Ruto, "I'm aware she's the last of the Sheikah, and I think it's rather sweet of you to give her a child!"
"Well I did get something out of it too." Link grinned a little, rubbing the back of his head as he thought about that night, "I'm glad to hear it worked out, she really wanted to be a mother, and that child will be essential to the future of her people."
"Indeed," Ruto said a small smile, poking at Link's nose, "And when the day comes that you and I have children, I hope we can build a great future for them as well."
"Yeah," Link smiled and put his hand over Ruto's, to which she squeezed it lightly, "I hope so too."
"Hey Link, Ruto!" called out a voice, it was Kesuta walking up to them, "Still hanging around here, huh? Did you two wanna go shopping with me and sis?"
"Sounds great! I've been wanting to get some nice clothes to fit my new body!" Ruto said smiling, finishing the last of her breakfast and getting up before looking to Link, "Come along, our loyal pack mule!"
"Okay, okay." Link said rolling his eyes, when a thought occurred to him, "Hang on Kesuta, I thought you said you spent all your souvenir money on day one."
"It's okay, I helped myself to a bit of the treasure over at the pirate's hideout!" grinned Kesuta, holding up a bag of rupees.
"Oh you fiery little devil!" giggled Ruto, hooking her arm around Kesuta's, "Get a move on Link, judging from the size of this pouch, you're going to have a lot of carry!"
"Hooboy." Link sighed as he followed obediently after them.
Late that very night, far off from the joyous celebration at Zora Coast, stood the great Hyrule Castle, the home of the royal Hyrulian family, overlooking the normally bustling marketplace of Hyrule Market Town. Due to it being so late though, very few people were out.
Inside the castle itself, most of the servants were working on final cleaning and preparations before settling in the night, but there was one room in particular that was quite busy.
Far down the great halls of the castle, was one large circular room with a round table in the center, and surrounded by multiple chairs. Hung from the ceilings were tall, long tapestries embroidered with Hyrulian text and symbols depicting various tribes throughout Hyrule, each tapestry was hanging over a specific seat in the room.
Among them included a tapestry with the Triforce and a crown embedded on it for the Hyrulian King. Beside it was once the seat for the queen, but now belonged to Princess Zelda, and beside that was a tapestry labeled with ancient Sheikah markings and the symbol of shadows on it, and was reserved for the Sheikah tribe, and belonged to the last of their people, Lady Impa.
"So we're at an agreement then?" spoke a voice.
"For once, yes. Go on ahead, boys." said another.
Seven individuals sat at the table under their own tapestries, as two servants were at work hanging up a new red tapestry before they unraveled it, causing it to come down and reveal itself to have the Goron symbol of Death Mountain.
"So it is with this day that the Gorons have secured a seat at our table." spoke one voice, then gestured to a servant, "Please notify Chieftain Darunia that his request has been met, and he may meet with us as soon as possible to discuss what he intends to do with his place here."
The servant bowed and ran off to relay the message, passing by someone who he bowed to as well on his way out. The seven individuals stared at each other from across the round table as they waited for the new person to speak to them.
"Please excuse my intrusion, but I have message for you all." spoke up the new person. It was Princess Zelda's nanny, Lady Impa. She was currently wearing a dark purple maiden's gown, a great contrast from her usual Sheikah stealth jumpsuit that she usually wore.
"Ah Lady Impa, I see you're still on business despite your condition?" asked a silky feminine voice from the round table.
Impa paused and looked down, seeing the pregnant bump of her stomach. She placed a hand on it and rubbed it lightly, "I have devoted myself to the royal family for as long as I deem necessary, and I'll give my temporary leave of absence when I feel it's needed, thank you. Now as for my report, I have a message delivered from the Zora people. It would seem that Princess Ruto has officially completed her rite of passage and will be recognized as the new Zora Queen soon."
"That's good news, I admit I was worried about her when I heard what the circumstances were regarding the ceremonial rite." an older woman's voice spoke from the round table.
"I'll be looking forward to speaking with her then. She seems so much more refined then that bumbling king of theirs." said a man's voice as he was putting on some gloves, "The queen was a fine ruler but after her passing her husband wasn't a particularly good replacement. Hopefully their daughter fares better."
Impa narrowed her eyes, but then smirked as she continued, "Another matter with the zoras is that their representatives have met with and spoke to Lady Nabooru and the Gerudo people, and have agreed to an alliance with them."
The Parliament's eyes widened in shock from this news. They all seemed to look somewhat uneasy, one in particular furthered his brow, leaning forward on the table.
"Y-You gotta be kidding me, them too?" one man stammered.
"How on earth did that happen?!" shouted the feminine voice, "The zora and gerudo are practically opposites!"
"This has to a trick of some kind!" said another member of the table.
"..."
"Settle down, all of you, or he'll yell at us again!" exclaimed a particular tall man.
Impa chuckled under her breath. She had been eager for the moment she could drop this news on the Hylian Parliament, and it was just the reaction she had hoped for. She had already mentioned the Goron's alliance with the Gerudo shortly after her trip to Death Mountain, but they weren't as bothered as they were now to see more tribes were stepping up on behalf of the desert people.
"I see..." muttered one man facing away from Impa, "Very well, thank you for your hard work Lady Impa. You are dismissed."
Impa nodded and turned to leave, though her walking was starting to be a little less graceful as before thanks to the ever-increasing weight from her child.
Once Impa was gone, the Parliament all sat without a word to say. There was a heavy silence among them, and the only sound was coming from some torches crackling above the table.
"This is indeed growing troublesome..." muttered one of the members of the parliament, "The Gerudo have been quickly gathering allies, and the longer we wait, the more support they'll get. I've even heard rumors the forest folk known as the Kokiri are in talk with the Gerudo about an alliance with them."
"To think I always thought their existence was just a myth." said another one, "But apparently they just came out of hiding some time after the capture of Ganondorf."
"To be fair, it's because of our delayed response to these matters that we're in this mess to begin with." said the older woman, "We ignored the requests for assistance from the Zoras to deal with the water demon Morpha at Lake Hylia, and then there was that ghost monster that the Gorons had spoke about in Death Mountain. Chief Darunia mentioned that the situation has already been dealt with."
"Are you getting too old, or do you forget we have our reasons?" said a member of the table, "Your mystics said that Morpha would be out of control that day, so we had no choice but to move the patrol knights our of there. It would had been disastrous for our reputation if it was believed the knights stood no chance against that thing!"
"And yet the Gerudo seemed to have handled the situation just fine, as well as the situation at Death Mountain." the older woman retorted, "Don't forget it's because of our failure to respond to the crisis with the Gorons that we had to push to give them a seat in the Parliament to keep business with them."
"Hmph, I didn't even consider the idea the Gerudo would had aided them in that matter." said one member, "We still aren't even sure how they got past the border without detection."
"Well isn't this simple then? We know enough information from our sources that the Gerudo have trespassed on Hylian soil, shouldn't that be enough to have them all arrested?" asked another of the people at the table, who was in the middle of polishing a gold rupee, "I say we just place arrests and throw them all into Arbiter's Grounds along with that new king of theirs, yogogogo!" he added with a laugh.
"Unfortunately that's not possible!" one of the men said, slamming a small hammer he was holding to the table. The man sat up straight and tapped the hammer in his hand. He was an exceptionally tall Hylian clad in a black muumuu with a white stripe going straight down the middle. His shoulders were covered in bronze pads with a chain connected to both that lead down to a golden scale-shaped necklace. He also wore a powered wig, and he seemed to have a permanent scowl on his face..
This was Judge Isambard, the head of judicial law and order of Hyrule, and seat number five in the Hylian Parliament. Once a run-of-the-mill knight of the guard, he quickly gained a knowledge of all the crimes in Hyrule from experience and eventually started campaigns for new policies, until he finally got into his position.
"As pointed out by Princess Zelda in the last meeting, the law states that a Gerudo can only be detained for trespassing if a Hylian knight or citizen witnesses and properly reports it! We weren't counting on the citizens being so uncooperative with our policies!" Isambard said.
"Grumph, then I say we just storm Gerudo Valley and crush those desert rats..." grumbled one man who wore heavy bronze armor and a centenarian helmet. His eyes were shadowed by his helmet, and he had a large spear strapped to his back, "Power is all they understand as demonstrated by their former leader Ganondorf, so we'll demonstrate it just as we did in the war eight years ago!"
This was Captain Andreas of Hylian Military Services, and sixth seat of the Parliament. He had a reputation of being a merciless but skilled leader on the battlefield, and survived horrific battles that were deemed impossible to come out of. He took the position he was in after the death of Captain Gereminus during the war against the Gerudo at the hands of Reirousa's friend Hiraemo.
"Ooh, I love when you try to flex your authority like that, as pointless as it is. It's so entertaining, loohuhuhu!" giggled the silky feminine voice, it belonged to a beautiful mature woman clad in a skin-tight red dress that showed off her curves. She wore a small hat with a fishnet that hung over her eyes and nose. Her lips were a crimson red and she sported a white pearly smile as she drank from her martini glass, "Just get it through your hard head how the people of Hyrule will react to something like that, it would lead to revolts against us!"
This was Countess Roesia of Hylian Public Relations, and held seat number three of the Parliament. She once had a husband who was part of the counsel, but people often criticized his attitude to neighboring tribes. During that time he fell into a whirlwind romance and marriage with Roesia, but shortly after that he reportedly died of poisoning by an assassin. With her new estate and her charisma among the nobles, Roesia quickly rose up in fame and claimed her late husband's position.
"Speaking of pointless, why do we even have you on the Parliament, Countess?" spoke another man, "You're supposed to be addressing to the people about their recent protesting in regards to those slaves who were freed last year!"
The man was clad in green regal clothing and pure white gloves, along with a monocle on his eye. He took a glass of water and drank from it, before noticing a small stain from the glass and throwing away his gloves. He then gestured to a servant for a new pair to put on.
This was Marquess Haralden, head of Hylian Foreign Affairs and seat two in the Parliament. About eight years ago he was known as Sir Haralden, and was one of the most imperative people in the creation of the Gerudo Banishment Law. Before his promotion to the Parliament he took direct part in many inquires into Gerudo deportation. But despite his skill, he was still tricked by Togau who was covering for Malon back at Lon Lon Ranch back when she was a child.
Putting on a fresh pair of gloves, Haralden continued, "Damn servants don't know how to keep a glass clean, I should have them put to death for possible contamination."
"So you were saying before you started ranting about the big bad germs?" Roesia asked with a smirk.
"Yes, I was saying that my officer Lieutenant Ernoldus is supposed to be recognized as the one who brought down the slavers known as the Wyvern Keepers. There's been an uncomfortable amount of doubt in the people's minds after one of the former slaves admitted the Gerudo had freed them, and the people have been questioning the law in regrades to the Gerudo's banishment!"
"You think you have it tough Haralden? It's thanks to the Gerudo taking out the slavers that it's been affecting our connections to the black market!" said another man. He had a very round figure with skinny arms and legs. His mustache was crooked into a v shape on both sides. He wore a sparkling gold suit with a long skinny top hat on his bald head. He was busy rubbing down a gold rupee before him, before taking a moment to admire it's shine.
This was Duke Geronim of Wealth and Finances, and position number four in the Parliament. He pulled the land of Hyrule out of a crippling debt with a foreign land after the war with the Gerudo, and secured his position in the Parliament. Though there were rumors the papers were manipulated and forged, no one could actually prove it.
"Our connections allowed us to monitor the black market and take a fair amount of revenue from their profits, but after the Wyvern Keepers were brought down it's put us in a bind." Geronim muttered.
"Just that can't be the only problem." spoke Haralden, "Not even you can mess up our country's finances that badly."
"No worse then the way you handle our immigration by the sounds of the Gerudo managing to slip through your sterilized hands." Duke Geromin said, "There's also the matter of the numerous noblemen who have been paying us donations are reporting that a number of their... shall I say 'horses' have been abducted in the night, along with some of their possessions and wealth in the process."
"Really, 'horses', huh? I assume these 'horses' weren't from Lon Lon Ranch but obtained through the Wyvern Keepers?" Marquess Haralden asked.
"...I'm not saying another word on that matter." Geronim muttered, "But the fact that they're all being targeted like this leads me to wonder how they're being tracked down like this, eh Haralden?" the round man asked.
"Wait, what's this about?" asked the old woman.
"It's... in regards to the actions of my subordinate Lieutenant Ernoldus, he mentioned he had a list of the 'horses' given to him and he destroyed it so as not to get the noblemen in trouble." Haralden sighed, "Seems a certain group may still have a copy of the list. Unfortunately, trying to expose them for that would be problematic since we shouldn't know about the list's existence."
"As I said before, we're in a bit of finical bind at the moment due to all this. We may need to raise taxes with the people of Hyrule Town to cover those losses, not that I'm complaining, yogogogo!" Geronim laughed.
"You do that and the people will retaliate more then they are already you idiot!" snapped the older woman, who sat at her chair, her body height was short the table would had almost obscured her, if not for the tall purple bishop hat she wore. She also wore a matching purple cloak with religious markings lining it, as well as a necklace decorated with small replicas of the three Spiritual Stones decorating it.
This was Minister Odleh of Religious and Supernatural Affairs, seat number seven in the Parliament, and one of the top mystics of the royal family. It was said she was one of the main mystics who aided the royal family in thwarting Ganondorf's attempted attack on the castle and getting him captured nine years ago. Such a great success earned her a place among the Parliament.
"I do agree as far as the Wyvern Keeper's defeat though, it was due to them that we were able to keep better track over the powerful and dangerous black market items they were procuring and selling. We're still not sure who helped the slavers rebuild all those years ago after the death of Monsieur Adulph exposed and dismantled them, but it had given us the opportunity to have more eyes into their affairs." Odleh said.
"I still can't believe we actually were allowing the black market and slaver organizations to go on without my notice, that vastly unjust!" shouted Judge Isambard, banging his hammer on the table.
"Ugh, it's exactly because of that we didn't mention it." Countess Roesia said covering her ears, "Now quit smacking the table, you're giving me a headache!"
"If it's not his hammer causing your headache, it's your indulgence in those drinks of yours." muttered Marquess Haralden.
"You say that again and I'll have Duke Geronim wipe a booger on your clothes..." said Roesia coldly.
"Hey! My hygiene is perfect!" Geronim interjected as he was picking his nose.
It wasn't long until each of the Parliament started interjecting on what to do about the various situations going on. The six of them all were trying to force their perspective on the others, all the while one of the members was siting still and calm with their arms folded. The sole person clenched their teeth, having enough of this.
"Enough, this is getting us all nowhere like usual!" finally shouted the man, standing himself up, and making the others immediately stop talking and sit back down.
The sole person sitting up was the final member of the Parliament. He was a tall bulky man, clad in a white suit and a red tie, with a rose decorating his suit. His hair was done into a short black pompadour. He had a thin mustache and flat goatee that decorated his face.
In front of him was a set of wooden titles from a game called mahjong, and he was arranging them in a double stack, with three-to-four identical pieces together. He then took a tile and placed it down, before saying the word, "Pung." indicating he completed a match.
This was Governor Balterius, seat number one and leader of the Hylian Parliament. His authority placed him only second to the king himself as the ruler of Hyrule. Not much was known about him by the people, or even the Parliament themselves, though his strength and authority made him the most powerful in rank of the seven.
"We'll worry about the legal loopholes of the Gerudo's punishment later, don't forget what our priority is as the Hylian Parliament, helping the king to protect the people at all costs." Balterius spoke, "And dealing with the Gerudo is one of them, you all know why that must be."
There was an awkward pause as all the members contemplated what he said.
"Ugh... he's right..." muttered General Andreas.
"The one thing I think we can all agree on..." spoke Duke Geronim.
Minister Odleh meanwhile stared down with a grim and pained look in her eyes, "Yes, we can't allow what he did to be for nothing..."
"Exactly." Governor Balterius sat back down and put the tips of his fingers together, leaning forward on them, "There's also a matter that we became aware of about a month ago, in regards to the meeting with Lady Nabooru of Gerudo Town about a peace treaty. It would seem the rumors circulating about them are true, they have selected a new king, and he wishes to be a part of this meeting as well when the time comes."
"Oh wow, a new king, how fascinating!" Countess Roesia giggled, "Is he a handsome one?"
"What does that have to do with anything, you damn gold digger?" Duke Geronim asked sweatdropping.
Marquess Haralden spoke up, "We've received numerous requests from Lady Nabooru for an audience with us, but I've been making a point to turn them down. Lately however with the pressure coming from the people, the Gorons and Zoras, I'm afraid we may have no choice but to allow them here to talk. I will admit they did good to go through all the legal work to be approved."
"So just who is this new king?" Andreas asked, tapping his finger against his arm.
"He's the one I spoke to you all about before, the one who was reported to have worked with the Gerudo in taking down Morpha, the Wyvern Keepers, the phantom monster in Death Mountain, and if what I've been told is correct, he may have had an involvement in Ganondorf's arrest."
Balterius placed a tile between two more, completing the part of the wall he had made.
"The young Hylian man known as Link."
The others all sat in silence, each of them narrowing their eyes coldly in their own ways at the mention of his name.
"That boy again..." Judge Isambard muttered.
"I have no official source on this, but I've heard rumors myself that he may even be connected to the king's daughter, Princess Zelda." Countess Roesia said, dabbing at an olive sticking out from a toothpick in her martini glass, "And that's how he was able to get the previous Gerudo king arrested."
"If that's the case, we may have an opportunity to out the princess as a traitor to the kingdom by her connection to the Gerudo King!" Duke Geronim exclaimed, "That would get her out of the way of our work!"
"Don't be so eager you simpleton, don't forget we'd need actual proof to do something that extreme, the people wouldn't stand for the princess they all love being seen like that!" Minister Odleh shouted, "Especially now with her marriage to the prince of Fargent!"
"That's right, we worked hard to secure relations with the land of Fargent through their marriage, trying to dethrone the princess now would just cause gave trouble for us!" Marquess Haralden pointed out.
"An unfortunate coincidence..." Captain Andreas muttered.
"Yes, to deal with this new Gerudo King, we may have no choice..." Balterius said, placing a tile with eight blue dots on it onto the middle of two other different tiles, "Chow." he spoke.
"Chow? Chow what? I already ate!" Geronim said rubbing his stomach.
"Can you translate that without your stupid tile game Governor?!" Haralden asked.
Balterius narrowed his eyes, "Quite simply, we may have to deal with them... without honor."
The others paused for a while, before they all nodded, some of them reaching down and holding some sort of object on their person.
Governor Balterius continued, "So it is agreed among us then, we shall allow the Gerudo to come to Hyrule Castle for a peace treaty meeting, so that we may properly meet Lady Nabooru, and the new Gerudo King Link..."
He reached out at one tile and picked it up, gazing at the symbol on it.
"When the right time to play our hand comes, they shall understand what happens when you defy the Hylian Parliament."
With that, he placed the tile on the row in front of him, completing it with fourteen tiles, before looking up to the other six members of the Parliament.
"Game."
And that ends the chapter, and now Link and Nabooru finally have a chance to meet with Hyrule, but as we can see, it might not go as well as they may have hoped. What is it the Parliament have in store for them? You'll just have to wait and see!
Next time, we focus on another of Link's potential marriage candidates, as she has a new crisis to deal with, something not even a genius doctor like her can handle alone.
As always, leave a like, follow or comment at your leisure, your feedback si always encouraged!