Chapter 4: The Choice of a Lifetime

Jin was overwhelmed at the moment, a million thoughts running through his head at once, and it took him way longer than he would normally like for him to collect himself.

"Wait, wait, wait, stop everything. What's going on?" He was doing his best not to freak out from the sudden whiplash that was the entire room kneeling to him, "and can you please stop kneeling?" All in the room rose, following Jin's unintentional command.

Riju spoke, "As I said, given everything we've seen and heard, I'm certain that you are, in fact, Gerudo. Therefore, as Gerudo Chief, I am hereby declaring that you are our rightful king."

Of all the twists and turns Jin had faced in the last few days, this was one he could say, with certainty, that he never expected.

"Hold on now, that can't be right. I'm the son of a merchant and a mercenary, I don't know the first thing about ruling. Isn't that asking for disaster?"

Riju remained firm, "The Gerudo Chief works in tandem with the king in order to better our people as a whole." Considering the circumstances, she didn't want to say that the king could decide a new chief at any given point in time, so she held off for the moment.

Jin still seemed to be in disbelief, "I…can't even think straight right now. I need time to think about this…"

Riju nodded, "That's understandable. Given everything that's happened perhaps you should take some time to rest your highness?"

Jin shook his head, "Please don't. I can't do formalities. Please call me Jin."

She looked unsure, but relented, "If you insist, Jin."

He took a deep breath, "Well, now what?"

Riju put her hand to her chin, "As I said, I recommend we call it a day for now. I'm sure everyone here needs time to rest and gather their thoughts. We can reconvene tomorrow and form a plan."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

"And we can start planning for the announcement that we have a king now," Riju smiled mischievously, trying to see if she could rile Jin.

He physically flinched, "Yeah…I guess that is important. Changing topic, you have a place I can sleep that isn't a prison cell? Haha." He was trying to make light of the situation in order to cope with the absurdity of it.

"Well, I guess there's the royal chambers…" Riju seemed off again, which Jin picked up on.

"Something wrong with it?" He asked.

Before Riju could comment, Buliara answered first, "That's where Lady Riju has been staying."

Jin reacted quickly, "Then I don't want it. Keep your room. Are there any guest rooms? I'll take a room at the inn if nothing else is available."

Again, another voice interjected, "You'll be staying with us tonight." Everyone turned to Danda. "We have much to discuss as a family. And I'm sure your cousins would love to meet you."

Nobody in the room dared argue with her logic, Jin included, "That sounds like a wonderful idea." He walked over to Danda. The two of them just watched each other for a moment, before embracing. "Sarqso, sarqso." Jin closed his eyes and smiled happily.

Danda could also be seen smiling, "You're welcome, child." The two eventually released each other.

"Should I call you vaba? Or keep calling you Danda?" He asked.

Danda continued to smile, "Whichever you prefer, Jin."

"Vaba it is then." He said happily, he then turned to Naborah. "Would you prefer Aunt Naborah, or something else?"

Naborah laughed, "I never expected to be called an aunt in my life. That works fine, Jin. Are you two ready to head home?"

They both nodded, "Lead the way."

"Before you all go," Riju spoke up again, "I don't want you to feel rushed, so please come back once you're ready."

"Ok, I can do that," Jin confirmed.

"Also, please wait for five minutes or so, I'd like some guards to spread the news that you're allowed to be here under my orders. That way we can reduce the commotion around a voe being in town. But we're only announcing that you're here, we will wait a bit longer before making the proclamation." She looked around the room to all present, "Is that understood? If any of this information leaks out there WILL be consequences."

"Yes, ma'am!" The guards shouted in unison. Jin was relieved, he at least had a day before people started treating him like royalty. He still wasn't sure what to think about that.

"Alright then, everyone is dismissed."

Waiting those couple minutes before leaving turned out to be a godsend. That, combined with the two guards escorting them to their residence, ensured no one bothered them. Although he did get a handful of stares. Some with confusion, others intrigue, a few scornful, and a small handful looked at him like he was a piece of grade A meat. Jin could understand the reasons for such various reactions, but he didn't like some of them.

The house of Danda and Naborah was small like most other houses in Gerudo Town, small and quaint. Nahborah stopped them at the door.

"Let me go in and explain the situation to Kalani and Makure. I'll make an excuse that Lady Riju has given you special permission to enter the town and that we've been given the honor to house you for the night. We'll have to save family matters for another night, it seems," Nahborah explained.

"Alright, I'll make sure to not call you aunt, or call Danda, vaba" said Jin.

Nahborah nodded, "Alright, I'll come and get you when they're ready," she then entered the house.

Jin took a deep breath, "I still can't believe I have family here."

Danda chuckled, "Yeah, I can't believe I have a…grandson. The soon to be Gerudo king…"

"Life sure has a strange way of throwing you for a loop."

Danda guffawed, "Tell me about it, I never would have guessed something like this would be happening at my age. Knowing I have a grandson, but confirming my vehvi is dead…it's a complicated feeling…"

"...if it's any consolation, she was an excellent mother, and she was happy with us until her final days."

Danda closed her eyes, "It does bring me some peace…sarqso Jin."

The door opened, and Naborah smiled at them both. "Please come in, both of you."

Danda motioned with her hand for Jin to walk in first. He did just that, and was greeted with the wide-eyed stares of his two young cousins. However, he knew he couldn't tell them that right now.

"Jin, this is Kalani and Makure," Naborah introduced, Kalani being the visibly older of the children "Kalani, Makure, this is our special guest Jin, now what do you say?"

"Vasaaq!" They both shouted with gusto.

Jin chuckled and decided to play his role, "What a greeting, no wonder your vaba spoke so highly of you two."

Kalani and Makure both smiled proudly, but Jin was certain he was about to have both of them bombard him with questions.

Makure spoke first, "Wow, a real voe in our house, and a special guest to Chief Riju."

"Yeah yeah," Kalani agreed, "voe aren't allowed in town, so you must be SUPER special."

Jin laughed internally, 'If only you knew how right you were' he thought.

"I delivered a special message to Chief Riju. We spent all day talking about it, but now we're taking a break before resuming tomorrow." He said, feeling good about his lie by omission.

The kids had stars in their eyes, "Wow,"

"Ok you two," Naborah spoke up, "why don't you two show Jin the house while your vaba and I get dinner situated?"

"Ok!" They both replied happily, dragging Jin into the next room. Like most houses in Gerudo Town, their home was very minimalist. Just enough for the four of them to live happily. The girls showed him all manner of things that would seem mundane to most people, but their energetic personalities kept him engaged in listening to them until they were called to dinner. It was a simple affair, roasted cucco over a bed of greens.

…

"So where'd you come from Mr. Jin?" Makure asked.

"Well, I come from beyond the desert, the opposite direction of Hyrule."

The kids looked excited, "What's it like out there?" Asked Kalani.

"Have you read about Hyrule in books?" They both nodded their heads. "Then you'll know there's a vast world out there with different environments. Where I'm from, the desert eventually gives way to some rugged mountains, but also some beautiful grasslands, and access to a city on the ocean."

"Ooohhh," they were both listening intently, "are you from the ocean city?" Kalani asked.

"Not exactly. My dad is a merchant, ran in the family. He grew up in the mountains, but we traveled a lot once I was a bit older than the two of you. He taught me everything I needed to know about business."

"What about your mom?" Makure asked.

Jin knew he could only say so much, "She worked as a hunter, taught me that and how to protect myself in combat."

"How strong are you?" She asked again.

"Hmm, I don't really know what to compare myself to, but if I need to fight I'm very strong."

"That doesn't really answer the question," noted Kalani.

"Sorry Kalani, but it's really hard to say. I haven't done anything too noteworthy," he said while looking at Danda, hoping she would pick up on his unsaid call for assistance.

Luckily for him, she did, "Alright you two, it's getting late so you should be getting ready for bed."

"Aww do we have to?/Must we?" They both asked simultaneously.

Nahborah nodded, "Yes, you must. Now go get ready while I tidy up." The kids did as instructed.

"Anything I can do to help?" Jin asked.

"Yes, stay here and talk with Danda. I'm sure there's more you'd like to talk about." She answered without hesitation, and quickly cleared the table before heading off to the kitchen. Jin simply sighed.

"Have you made a decision?" Danda asked.

Jin turned to face her, "About what?"

"Whether you're going to stay or leave Gerudo Town." The question was not an easy one to answer.

"That's…hard to say. On one hand, mom kept something this big from me and expects me to take over something I have no experience in. On the other, it seems I was literally born for it."

"You still want to explore Hyrule, don't you?" Danda asked.

"Well, yeah. That's what I planned to do from the get go, but now I'm not so sure. Should I be selfish, or self sacrificing? I know I shouldn't be selfish, but taking this position is a lifelong commitment, one that I feel I'm ill prepared for."

"I won't waste my breath trying to convince you of anything. Just know that we'll always be here for you if you need help. We're family, after all." Danda gave him a soft smile, which he returned.

"Thanks, vaba."

…

Jin couldn't sleep that night. It wasn't due to the bedroll being uncomfortable, or even the cold temperatures of the desert night. No, he couldn't sleep because he was thinking.

The choices were to stay and rule over people he didn't know were his "subjects" until just today, or go off into the world and adventure to his heart's content. Both had their share of unknown variables and would undoubtedly be challenging.

'I understand why you didn't tell me ma, but jeez, a little more warning might have helped.' He thought while looking at the ceiling.

'...is this really my destiny? Am I really the right guy for the job? This is so damn hard, dang nab it…ugh, I'm talking like dad again.'

Jins thoughts remained in turmoil until he eventually fell asleep.

When Jin awoke, the first thing he did was check his right arm. He now had full feeling in it again, but it still "hurt like hell". Danda, Nahborah, and the kids woke up early. After eating an early breakfast, they all departed to work their various jobs. Before leaving, Danda left Jin with some parting words: "No matter what you choose, just make sure you visit from time to time. I'd like to make sure my grandson is doing well."

It wasn't long after that, that Jin went back to the palace, escorted by two different guards from the day prior. They brought him right to the main chamber where Riju and Buliara waited.

"Lady Riju, we brought Jin as instructed," one guard said.

"Thank you, you may leave us," instructed Riju, the guards obeying without question. The only three in the room were Jin, Riju, and Buliara. Riju rose from her seat and approached Jin, her personal guard right alongside her. "Let's get right to it. Have you thought about making a decision?" She asked, getting straight to the point.

Jin closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I have some…reservations I'd like sorted out first."

Both Gerudo vai nodded, "Understandable, let's discuss them. After all, it would do us no good if you weren't fully invested in this decision," Riju assured him.

Jin sighed in relief, "Sarqso, now where to start…would I be expected to stay in Gerudo Town entirely, or would there be opportunities for me to visit more of Hyrule?"

"I can confirm that we would spend most days here in town, but there's plenty of time for excursions throughout Hyrule for diplomatic relations," Riju explained.

Jin liked that answer, "Ok, I can live with that. Second question, I eventually want a family, how would the hierarchy work in that case?"

An interesting question to be sure, but not one Riju was prepared for.

"I'm…not sure. I never looked into it. Buliara, do you know?" Riju was honest that she didn't know.

Buliara spoke up, "I do, Lady Riju. In the event Jin has a family they would be akin to the royal family. All their needs will be met, but they would have no official say in policy making. The only exception would be if Jin made his wife the Chief."

"If I made my wife Chief? I can do that?"

Riju grimaced, she knew she'd have to explain it eventually.

"Well, as king you have the final say for who our chief will be. Meaning you could replace me at any time." Even Jin could hear the trepidation in her voice. He looked over to Buliara.

"Buliara?" He asked to gain her attention.

"Yes, your highness?" She asked.

Jin cringed, "Just Jin, please. Would you say Riju has been a great leader up until this point? Please be honest with me."

Buliara wasn't expecting such a question, but did as instructed and replied honestly, "At first, myself and many others were unsure of her ability to lead. She started younger than any leader to date. That said, she's flourishing as Chief, and I've watched her go from being uncertain over decision making to a confident, strong leader." Riju looked touched at the compliment from her closest companion.

"That settles that then, you're staying on as Chief."

Riju internally sighed with relief, "Thank you, your high- Jin."

Jin chuckled, "Nice catch. Now onto my last question. You might think this is a strange one, but I promise there's a reason for it." The two Gerudo vai nodded, confirming they were ready. "If I were to give an order that would endanger the lives of many, would you follow it without question?"

Riji looked appalled, "Of course not, I'm not a mindless drone. I wouldn't obey such a command without knowing why you're making it."

"I agree with Lady Riju," Buliara joined in.

Jin put his hands up defensively, "Ok, Ok. That was what I was hoping you'd say. I don't want mindless drones. If everyone here did as I said without question, I'd most likely end up running Gerudo Town into the ground." He joked trying to alleviate the tension he caused.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask?" Questioned Riju.

Jin shook his head, "I think that covers my apprehensions. I'm ready. I'll do it. I agree to be the next Gerudo king. Only question I have left is what to do next."

Riju and Buliara smiled. Buliara spoke, "First, we plan the announcement and inauguration. The people must be made aware of our new king. Couriers will also be sent through Hyrule to alert the other races and major populations."

"Starting off with a bang, huh? Do you think the rest of the Gerudo will be as welcoming or accepting as you two? Cause I highly doubt it," Jin stated.

"Then we must make sure you earn your people's trust. Once you prove yourself to them, then they will follow you," Riju said with confidence. She was, after all, speaking from experience.

"About that," said Jin, "I have an idea I'd like to run by you for the announcement." Jin proceeded to explain the details of his plan to the two vai.

"It's an interesting idea," Buliara gave her opinion, "I think it will go over well with the part of our population that is hesitant to make big changes, as well as placate those who expect immediate changes. It should also help you ease into your role."

"I agree, Buliara, it's a splendid idea," Riju smiled. "With that, there's only two smaller arrangements we should sort out before planning the rest of the announcement." Jin looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "First is your living quarters, we need to have you live on site in case of an emergency situation."

"Makes sense, so what's the plan there?" Jin asked.

Riju looked away, before looking back at Jin, "After some careful… considerations… we've decided to partition the royal chambers, that way we can both be reached if something were to happen." Jin could make out the light blush that adorned her cheeks, but he wasn't about to point that out now. Riju shook her head.

"Anyway, that can be done rather quickly without us needing to get heavily involved. The other task is assigning you a personal bodyguard. Normally, the strongest warrior would be assigned to you, which is Buliara," Riju explained.

However, Jin could hear her hesitation, "You want Buliara to stay as your bodyguard?"

Riju kept up a brave face, "If it's not too much trouble. She and I get along very well, and I consider her a close confidant and friend."

"I wouldn't dream of tearing you two apart for something like this. Besides, I think I have a Gerudo in mind."

"Who might that be?" Asked Riju.

Jin answered, "I think I'd like Ripp to be my guard. We haven't known each other long, but I have a good feeling about her. We worked well together in Kara Kara, so I think she'll go far in the position."

Buliara nodded, "Ripp has been an excellent soldier. I think she'll accept the position when offered. Speaking of Ripp, due to all the commotion, I had glazed over her report and only this morning had a chance to read it thoroughly. Is it true you can use magic?"

They both looked at him expectantly. "Well…yeah, but it's kind of…unstable." They continued to watch him, waiting for him to elaborate. He sighed, "It's embarrassing, but I have a hard time putting the right amount of magic into an ability. It's how I ended up with this," he lifted his right arm, "I put too much fire magic into my arm, and it burst into flames. But it was either that or not enough. Given the size of that molduga, I wasn't going to risk putting too little into the attack, so I overdid it on purpose."

Buliara stared, impressed by the self sacrifice he made in order to defeat the molduga. 'If he's already making choices like this, I have a good feeling he'll make a great king.'

Riju was also staring, but she was thinking of something different. 'He also has trouble with magic? Perhaps he and I can work together on that as well. It's almost as if the Seven Themselves sent this voe to us in order to help us rebuild.' Riju studied Jins face closely, it was the first time she had done so without a heavy amount of scrutiny. 'I'm going to be one of few Gerudo Chiefs that's worked together with their king. I wonder how we'll do together? Only time will tell.'

"I see, well hopefully some practice will help so you won't continue to hurt yourself in battle." Buliaras statement broke Riju from her thoughts.

"Right, perhaps we can train together in the future, but we're getting ahead of ourselves. Shall we start working on planning the announcement speech?" Riju asked.

Jin grinned, "As my dad would say, 'Let's get to work,'"

Here I am saying this story will be shorter, yet I'm making the chapters longer. Can't win can I? Lol. Let me know what you think!