Thanks for the review, nothing worth doing a review corner though, let's keep going.
Zelda had given Link a full tour of the castle, and she knew a lot about her ancestry. Link felt compelled by the way she told all these stories.
"And here is the place they store all the portraits of my family! Funnily enough, all the portraits of the 'females' in my lineage end up looking like me... a Goddess thing, apparently. I haven't felt anything like that, though."
"W-Wait, what?"
"Ah, right... apparently, the Zeldas in the royal family are descendants from the goddess Hylia. And when darkness tries to ravage our land, the current princess will awaken her powers and fight alongside a hero who can wield a sacred sword..." Link was taking this story very seriously, except the princess wasn't. When she saw the face of the Gerudo prince, she giggled. "It's a silly story, don't you think?"
Link looked at a dusty portrait of one of Zelda's ancestors, who looked just like an older version of the young princess sitting near him. "Stories are told again and again to teach people about not making the same mistakes... even if it was meant for children, I wouldn't think of it as silly."
The princess smiled. "You are quite right... I wish the other children I meet were more... mature. They are all so focused on lavish things. Your people in the desert do not have the luxury of our land. Sometimes I ask myself if I'm privileged, if I deserve any of this."
"The simple fact that you think that considers this shows you have a very altruistic mindset. It's something my people honor in the desert, to think about others instead of yourself."
The princess looked out the window; it was getting late, and Link had to go back to his family for lunch. "Would you like to join me for the next spring festival?"
"S-Spring f-festival? I-I heard you mention it, but-but I don't know what it is." Link was already feeling uncomfortable. Despite the pride he took from being invited by the princess herself, he felt like this was already going to be trouble.
"It's part of a religious ceremony the Hylians organize to honor Farore, the goddess of courage. It's to protect the harvests and thank her for the land which we have been given," Zelda explained.
"But-but that's-that's a month away. I-I'm not sure I can travel all the way here; it takes a lot of resources, and-and my fa- I mean, King Ganondorf is really busy. We have to gather more food and resources, and-"
"I'm inviting you; you do not have to worry about that! I will be your host, and I fully intend to make you feel as welcomed as possible," the princess reassured him. Link looked at the ground and considered the offer... he felt like he could obtain more if-
"It would help a lot if- ... if you could convince your father to work with mine," he said weakly.
Zelda took a few steps inside the room to go look at other portraits. "I'm afraid I do not have that power, yet." Link discreetly gritted his teeth; he didn't like to "use" the princess, but he was on to something. His father would be proud if he succeeded.
"I- ... I really enjoy being with you. It's not like when I'm around my sisters. Your kingdom is much more different from mine, and- ... I wish I could see it again. My father has been trying for years to get Hylian aid, but he never succeeded. If he fails again, I fear we won't be coming back here... ever." He didn't like playing with her feelings; Nabooru said it was the worst thing to do to someone else, yet it seemed to work.
"I will- ... I will try to talk with my father, but he is- ... well-"
"Stubborn?" Link suggested; Zelda nodded. "My dad is just like that; he often prefers the method that involves strength over diplomacy. He calls it 'Gerudo might.' At least it works with the moblins, but he obviously can't with the Hylians."
Zelda sent a worried glance at Link. "He wouldn't start a war... right?"
"N-No, of course not!" Link gestured with his arms to prevent a political misunderstanding. "I meant to say- ... a lot of my people are getting desperate."
"How much do you care about them?"
"They are my sisters, not by blood, of course, but the tribe is the family; no one is ever left behind. We survive together, or we disappear together." Link explained almost mechanically; he looked up at Zelda's head. "Why the veil?"
"O-Oh, it's- ... my dad thinks I shouldn't show my haircut while it's still short... not 'Zelda' enough, as he says. It's not like people actually care; I don't often leave the castle grounds."
"Can I see you without it?" The Gerudo prince requested; Zelda blushed but proceeded to remove her veil anyway. She looked... amazing, not cute or nice, just amazing. She gave the impression of being unbound, free from some invisible weight.
"What do you think?" The princess was impatient for a review.
"I appreciate the Zelda sitting next to me better than the ones in the portraits," Link replied.
The young royals returned to the throne room for lunch. A large table had been set, and as soon as they entered, they saw both of their respective fathers sitting across from each other with visible frowns on their faces.
Zelda leaned a bit toward Link and whispered in his ear, "How well do you think it is going?"
Link shrugged. "My father looks like he is about to murder someone... n-not your father, of course." The young prince corrected himself, shooting a worried glance at Nabooru, who, in response, signaled her son to sit next to her. Zelda joined her father.
"I cannot just allow your people to sell 'hazardous' materials on our lands," the king continued as if the children weren't present.
"I am aware, though, that some of your people procure themselves Molduga parts and other 'hazardous' materials, as you define them, illegally, by trespassing on our lands. And if I'm not mistaken, either these goods are then sold back through black market operations on your land."
Nabooru huffed silently. These products were used to make armors and were expensive. Gods only knew how much of their resources had been stolen over the years. "And if I may add... these products are actively used by Hylians, publicly," the Gerudo queen specified in support of her husband's accusations.
Zelda glanced at Link for a second. "They are right, father. I believed Duchess Kolomo's beauty products contain Molduga oil-"
"Hush, Zelda." Her father was clearly annoyed, and a simple glare sufficed to silence the young princess. King Roham sighed. "You have a point, Ganondorf... This money is wasted on both sides... I'm willing to allow trades between our two people; it shall be defined as 'luxury goods' in our treaty. However, I cannot dispatch our army near your border to stop the traffic."
"As long as you allow us to punish these criminals under our laws to make an example, then I won't be asking for anything else." Ganondorf conceded.
"I trust your judgment regarding their fate, but try not to fuel the rumors and the beliefs around your people's customs." The king warned, ironically further fueling Ganondorf's anger.
Link discreetly elbowed his father's side to bring him back to his senses, and thankfully, Nabooru intervened once again to close the debate. "If we do make any prisoners, we will make sure to send them back to their land; you might as well desire to uproot the traffic on your lands," the queen suggested.
Roham rubbed his beard for a few seconds. "It seems like a good partnership, yes. Let's settle this after lunch; I believe we are having deer today."
The lunch went well; the rulers exchanged a few pleasantries, forgetting about the troubles of the damned treaty. And then the Hylian king asked Zelda a question. "I heard you have banned young Lord Hergo from the festival this year. His father stormed into the throne room earlier this morning. I assured him the matter would be settled by the end of the day... just why did you do that?"
Zelda carefully finished what she already had in her mouth before putting back fork and knife on the table. "Lord Hergo was being very disrespectful and aggressive toward Prince Link and his people. I asked him multiple times to stop his behavior at once, especially in front of our guest, but he refused to do so. I had to-"
"You cannot take this kind of decision yourself!" Her father snapped, hitting the table with his fist. "You are putting me into a bad position... it's too late to do anything now; the festival is fast approaching." Roham complained.
Link hardly understood the Hylian king's relationship with his daughter. Ganondorf would never threaten him like this, unless he had done something real. And even when he did disobey direct orders from the Gerudo king, which was different from disobeying orders from his father, Ganondorf had proven to be patient and showed compassion. What Link was witnessing just appeared to be toxic.
Link wanted to intervene, but he couldn't do anything... not now at least. "I also invited Prince Link." Zelda continued, her posture betrayed her expectations, but her father didn't seem angered by her last initiative.
"I see... it is up to the Dragmires to decide if they can join the festivities." The Hylian king explained, implicitly asking the Gerudo king and queen.
Nabooru spoke first. "We would be honored to participate during the event. I believe all the tribes of Hyrule are allowed to present and sell their products during the event? If you allow us, I'm more than certain that our own artisans would be more than willing to show off their skills."
The king mumbled something, but the Dragmires couldn't hear what he said. "Of course, however, I will not be able to offer accommodation for all your people; I am already receiving a lot of guests, mostly nobles."
The conversation was headed into another direction. As soon as lunch ended, Zelda left the table, and Link trailed after her. The princess was headed toward her room at a fast pace. "Zelda, I would like to apolo-"
"I need a moment, Link." Zelda finally talked to him, not paying attention to the rather aggressive tone she used. "Please." She requested in a more gentle manner.
"I- ... I understand." The princess reached for the door handle when Link added. "If you want to talk, I'm here." She stopped for a second... she opened the door and motioned at Link to come inside.
Zelda's room was simple... it reminded him of his own room back at the fortress. A bed, a wardrobe, a desk—correction, a laboratory. Why would she keep that in her room?
Bottles filled with colored liquids, gems and other rare or precious looking stones, mechanisms with little gears. "You see something you like?" The princess scolded playfully while Link was looking at her belongings.
"S-Sorry, it's-it's just- ... you have a lot of... hobbies?" He tried to make it sound like a good comment, but he knew his tone sounded too awkward for that. "I-I never expected you to like these kinds of things."
Zelda jumped up on her bed and sat on the edge. "Well, Prince Link, what did you think I liked when we first met?"
The Gerudo prince felt like he was being tested. "You-You spend a lot of time in the gardens; I-I thought you- ... you liked flowers and perhaps even medicine, or that you had an interest in art with the paintings."
Zelda smiled. "Also." She leaned near her nightstand to pick up a small metal device, a clock. Link had already seen one, but it was broken. "It's not really 'princess-like' to enjoy these sorts of things," she added while she was having a look at the small piece of technology.
"Does your father approve it?" He regretted asking... though, Zelda was waiting for him to ask. When she didn't give him any kind of answer, the Gerudo prince thought he had gone too far. "Can I sit with you?" The princess nodded and gestured at Link to sit to her left.
"My father has always been like this... it was better when Mother was still among us, but since she- ... the king is doing what's best for the kingdom."
"The way he treats you doesn't seem fair to me... It's hurting you." Link pushed a bit.
The young princess fidgeted with the small clock in her hands. "It's necessary, though-"
"Is it?" Link didn't mean to snap, but he was not going to let Zelda convince herself this was how normal relationships between father and daughter are supposed to be. "I'm not saying your father is wrong; I'm saying the way he talks and acts toward you is... my mother was fuming during dinner."
Zelda put back the clock on her nightstand. "My father is still grieving... it will go better-"
"Zelda, I'm serious; I'm really worried!" The Gerudo prince raised his voice.
"And what would you do?!" The princess raised her voice too, standing over the young prince.
"I-I would kidnap you and bring you back to the desert and-and hold you hostage so- ..." Link realized he spoke without thinking.
Zelda burst out laughing though. "You are really silly, Link." The Gerudo prince was glad she didn't take it in a wrong way, however, he heard her whisper. "That could be fun, though."
Link looked outside the window; far away, he could see the canyon leading down to the desert, their valley. "Would you like to visit my land, though?"
"Father would never allow it."
"I mean... when we are older, when he won't just be able to order you around."
"When the time comes? Yes, yes, surely I will... what's your favorite place in the desert?" Zelda wondered.
Link mentioned the great statues, this one place in the valley where travelers can rest thanks to the great shadows that are always cast by the rock formations, the gardens of the fortress... he could hardly make up his mind.
With the paperwork settled, the Gerudo party prepared to leave the majestic Hyrule Castle. The sun was rising over the horizon, and Link barely had time to bid farewell to Princess Zelda.
"I was starting to miss the desert," admitted Nabooru. "Even though, for once, we got something worth the trip. The negotiations are always so chaotic and hostile..." She exchanged a glance with Ganondorf, hinting at the discussions that had transpired during their stay.
"I was referring to—" Ganondorf interrupted his wife with a stern look, signaling that the topic was off-limits. He was evidently weary of the heated debates within the castle.
Link observed his father, realizing the complexities that lingered beneath the surface. The desert king avoided delving into the details, leaving a sense of mystery hanging in the air.
As the Gerudo party approached the castle gate, ready to embark on their journey back to the desert, a voice called out to them.
"Linnnnnnnk!" The princess appeared, running towards them in her nightdress, accompanied by a couple of maids. Zelda nearly tripped on the grass, but Link caught her just in time.
"Pr-Princess—" Link stammered, caught off guard by her sudden appearance.
"You were about to leave without saying goodbye!" Zelda scolded, her voice a mix of playful reproach and genuine concern.
"W-Well, I-I—" Link struggled to find the right words.
Zelda handed him a small, ornate seal. "Here, that's the seal of the royal family. We can send letters to each other! Just use it as a stamp, and when it reaches the castle, it won't be rejected."
Link, holding the precious seal in his hands, stammered his gratitude. "Let-Letters? I-I-Y-yes! I-I will write a lot, I promise."
Zelda smiled warmly and unexpectedly hugged him. "See you in a few months." With that, she returned to the castle, occasionally glancing back at the departing Gerudo party.
Link carefully placed the seal inside his bag, a newfound sense of anticipation and connection burning within him. "Can we really send letters to the princess?"
"We can," Ganondorf confirmed. "We are going to start exchanges with Hyrule as soon as possible. You can entrust your letters to our envoys."
As they continued their journey, Link couldn't shake the feeling that this farewell was not the end but rather the beginning of something extraordinary.
The young Gerudo Prince stood at his desk, a sheet of paper and some ink spread out before him. The room was dimly lit, the flickering candle casting shadows on the parchment. It was late; they had traveled safely and returned to the fortress by the end of the afternoon. His grandmothers had kept the fortress safe during their journey to Hyrule.
As the Gerudo king announced their success, celebrations were called for—a rare opportunity, but a well-deserved one. The youngest Gerudos swarmed near Link with a barrage of questions, most of them centered around the princess.
He told them the truth, and soon rumors started to spread. Link was now "officially" rumored to have a crush on Princess Zelda. If his sisters didn't have a reason to tease him before, they certainly did now, and he wouldn't hear the end of it.
With a sigh, Link grabbed a pen and dipped it into the ink pot.
"Princess Zelda,
I hope this letter will reach you as soon as possible. At the time I'm writing, we just returned to the fortress. Festivities were held to celebrate our success with the treaty.
I haven't seen my sisters so happy since my mother and father got married. Things are going to change for the better; they must.
I assume it will take a few weeks until this letter arrives in Hyrule. I pray Din that if it crosses the border, it will make its way to you.
Until I can see you again, I wish you good health and protection during your journey.
Your desert friend, Link."
Satisfied with his message, he folded the sheet into a scroll and placed it inside a drawer to protect it. Just a few months, and he would be able to see her again.
A couple of weeks passed, and the first caravan they sent to Hyrule returned with literal treasures—food, medicinal herbs, gardening products, and other raw materials they couldn't obtain in the desert.
The party reported that despite the general atmosphere of distrust between Gerudo and Hylians, the people in Castle Town were willing to trade. They were already booking future deliveries. It was a complete success.
Link had gently pressured his older sisters to ensure the letter reached the castle, and it did. In fact, it was even received personally by the princess herself.
The presence of the caravan in town hinted that Link's letter would arrive. The princess didn't have much time to speak with the Gerudos; however, this encounter allowed her to deliver her own letter in person.
"I protected it all the way, my prince," the leader of the caravan reported as she handed the letter to Link—letters, to be exact. The prince thanked his older sister for her dedication, and once he was done helping with the returning caravan, he sprinted to his room and sat at his desk.
There were three letters, all with dates at the top.
"Three days after the delegation left."
"Prince Link,
I have been rewriting this letter twice at this point. I still have so many things I wish to show you and talk to you about. My father, the king, has asked me a lot of questions about you. Do not fear; I told him you were nice and kind to me. He doesn't appreciate when boys are around me. He says I'm too young to court. How else am I supposed to gain friends if half of the population cannot approach me?
The only exceptions are the other races; the son of the Rito chief came to the castle today. His name is Revali. He is kind of egocentric, but I think he is just trying to be up to the task that awaits him eventually. He reminds me a lot of you. He will be present too at the spring festival. I'm sure you two will become friends. (Just try not to flatter his ego or get into a rivalry with him, or else you will never hear the end of it.)
I hope to receive your letter soon. Zelda."
Link had never seen a Rito, not even in Castle Town. He wondered how the bird people looked. Judging by the content of Zelda's letter, Revali might not actually mean trouble, though it did sound like a warning.
"One week after the delegation left."
"Dear Prince Link,
Today father has been especially angry with me. He says I should have unlocked my magic abilities already. I do not understand why there was such an urge, at least I didn't until this evening. I overheard nobles whispering—a rumor spread by someone who wants to hurt me, I assume.
I am not used to these situations. For the first time, I heard someone say I was responsible for my mother's death. I am not, of course. I would never even begin to believe or think that I could have any influence in that matter.
My father does, though. It was hard to believe at first, but I was visiting the castle's physician the other day, and my father passed by. I was told to go to my lessons, and I eavesdropped on their exchange.
You were right; a father shouldn't say such things about his daughter. But I still love him. I love the man he was before my mother left. It's just anger, a lot of grieving. It will pass; perhaps he didn't mean it.
I'm growing restless. I wish I had someone to talk to. The letters help a lot. I heard the first Gerudo caravan would be coming next week. I will make sure to receive your letter myself.
With the hope to read about you soon. Zelda."
Link felt sorrow in his heart. He really hoped Zelda was right about her father—that given enough time, the Hylian king would see reason.
"Two weeks after the delegation left."
"Link,
This week Impa is coming to the castle. She is a few years older than me but doesn't treat me like an adult would. As a Sheikah, her duty is to serve and protect the royal family. I keep telling her that I want her to be my friend, not a mindless servant.
She is really smart and dedicated. Impa says she has to prove her abilities to the elder. I see her staring at trees or bushes in the gardens from time to time. I think her clan members are watching and evaluating her.
As far as I know, she will be staying at the castle for an extended period of time. This means I won't be as alone as before. I just wish the other Sheikah warriors would stop pressuring her.
Princess Mipha from the Zora domain has been invited by my father to be officially named as an ambassador. She is barely older than we are. I met her after the ceremony. We didn't have a lot of time to talk, but we became friends very quickly.
Her younger brother, Prince Sidon, will be the next Zora king. It is her choice to take the mantle of diplomat instead. She has amazing healing powers; I wish I could do the same.
I invited her to the spring festival. Now that I think about it, if there is someone you wish to invite, please, do tell me.
Your friend from the great plains, Zelda.
PS: I heard a group of Gerudo was entering Castle Town. You better have sent me a letter! I'm running down to the gate right now."
And this is how Zelda's letters arrived here. Link tried to picture all these wonderful friends the princess made. He didn't have many friends at the fortress—well, not any "close friends" if he looked from Zelda's perspective.
Just as he finished folding the last letter, he heard an alarm horn outside the fortress. He recognized the signal; it meant "assault"—the Bulbins.
Link grabbed his scimitar and ran through the walls of the citadel to meet with his parents.
Ganondorf was standing on the edge of the wall, looking over the horizon with his arms crossed. The Bulbins recognized strength over anything else, and if there was one thing they respected, it was the might of the Gerudo king.
Nabooru was giving orders to secure resources and keep their youngest sisters safe just in case.
Link approached his father. "What do they want this time?"
"They must have spotted the caravan. They want their cut of the treaty," the king deduced. "If it comes to war—"
"You aren't really considering it ... right?" The Gerudos hadn't been at war with the Bulbins for over a century.
"A king must envision even the most regrettable outcomes. You do not negotiate with a beast."
Link leaned above the wall; their king was mounting his blue boar. He signaled to his troops to stop, and then he approached the gates with a single Bulbin by his side.
"Who is this?" Link asked. The other Bulbin was mounting a white boar; he looked young.
"More trouble it seems ... come with me. Try not to let Nabooru see you." Ganondorf slowly left the edge of the wall and headed to the main gate, followed closely by Link. "Open the gates; I'm speaking with their king," he ordered.
The Gerudo guards obeyed and triggered the opening mechanism. The large doors of the fortress opened, allowing the wind and the sand to penetrate inside the walls while Link and Ganondorf made their way out.
Link felt not only the eyes of the Bulbins on him, but also the eyes of his sisters. He felt no fear; this feeling had been banished by an invisible force. Their king gestured at the younger Bulbin to stand where he was. Ganondorf did the same with Link, and the two rulers advanced.
"Greetings, Deben." Ganondorf saluted using the Bulbin's name instead of his title, to remind him who was in charge.
The Bulbin laughed. "Hello, king of the valley." He said valley, not desert. Ganondorf had confronted him multiple times and always came out on top. The Bulbins never launched a total assault against the Gerudo; they would show themselves from time to time, to check if the Gerudos were still dominant. But now it was different, so many of their warriors were gathered at the fortress. "We felt the wind change its course; we saw the treasures you carried back. You now share the prosperity of the grasslands."
Ganondorf placed his hand on the handle of his sword. "We earned these goods; you do not hold any share of it. If you came all the way here to 'pressure' us, then I'm afraid I will have to remind you in front of your people that I am still as strong as I was years ago. It will stay that way for a while."
King Deben, grabbed his spear and pointed it at Ganondorf. "I am growing restless of this struggle of power; my people hunger just as much as yours. We aren't beasts, but if we have to devour to ensure our future, then we will." The Bulbin's gaze landed on Link, Ganondorf noticed and immediately took a threatening step toward the mounted king; however, this only had the effect of making Deben laugh.
"Speaking of the future, how about we let the future of both our people decide the outcome. I'm willing to let your son face my champion, the rules of the desert, just like between us." Before Ganondorf could disagree, the Bulbin added. "If you refuse, I will send my army against your sisters, and the battle will last until one side cannot fight anymore."
"Link ..." Ganondorf called as calmly as he could. If the Bulbins attacked now, they were in the worst possible position.
"No, I want to do it." Link replied, not taking his gaze away from his opponent. "It has to be this way." Oboro was taller than him by about two heads; the young Bulbin didn't say anything; his right hand went behind his back to grab his weapon, a double-edged spear.
Link did the same and drew his scimitar before assuming a fighting stance; the two princes awaited something—a signal, anything. Eventually, it was Oboro who engaged the conflict.
The young Bulbin went for a direct stab with his spear; Link dodged with ease. However, the Bulbin pivoted to the side and managed to land a small cut on Link's cheek with the other end of his spear.
Unlike his brethren, this one knew how to use his weapon. Link refrained from touching his injury and waited for the next attack. This time around, Link parried and didn't allow Oboro to attack again.
The Gerudo prince headbutted the Bulbin and slashed his spear in two. Oboro looked at his now broken weapon and scoffed; he grabbed the two pieces of his spear in both hands and held them like small axes.
The young Bulbin proved to be very resourceful. Link couldn't do much because of the armor plating, and his opponent was just as dangerous as before with his recycled weapons.
Link ran out of options; he used every occasion he had to target the armor of the Bulbin and tear it apart, plate by plate. It worked, but with less weight on his back, Oboro was less impaired, and his opportunities to attack Link multiplied.
Both princes were exhausted; the Bulbin lost patience and launched one final assault on Link. The young Gerudo dodged, creating himself an opening. He disarmed Oboro and made him trip down in the sand. The young Bulbin struggled to turn around on his back, and by the time he did, Link's scimitar was inches away from his face.
King Deben dismounted his boar and attempted to get to his son, but Oboro stopped him. "I'm ready." He said barely aloud. The Bulbin prince glared at Link and then screamed. "Do it already! End me! Don't you dare humiliate me-" Link threw away his scimitar and instead offered his hand to Oboro.
The Bulbin was almost speechless. "Why?" he asked.
"Killing you would be meaningless." Link tried to explain, only for the Bulbin to scoff. "If you die, your people lose their prince, and they still attack us out of desperation. I'm not showing you mercy; I want to help you." Link insisted on his extended hand.
Oboro reached out and grabbed The Gerudo's hand. Link felt his opponent shiver; perhaps the Bulbin had been expecting a betrayal, but it never happened. Link helped the Bulbin to get up, and then he let him go back to his father.
Oboro avoided his father's gaze out of shame; King Deben placed his hand on his son's shoulder and whispered something to him. Link didn't catch what it was, but Oboro immediately looked up to his smiling father.
Ganondorf hurried to grab Link in his arms. "Good fight, son ... you did great." The Gerudo king stood in this position for a long moment. Right as the Bulbins were about to leave, though, he called out to their king. "Deben ... let's talk."