Chapter 44

The Gift

Zelda staggered up the hill, eager to return to her pavilion. A mixture of fuming, distress, and tears in her eyes. Curse that silly Jester who promised me peace this evening. She leaned against her tent, far away from the party, and was alone in the darkness, save for a few surrounding campfires that pulsed like fireflies in the distance. Alone with her thoughts with nothing but the fluttering of tent flaps in the midnight breeze to keep her company.

She shooed the two sentries who kept post at her quarters, assuring them that she will be fine without their ever-present watch. That if it made them feel at ease, they could stand post a stone's throw away. Far enough away unable to hear her embarrassing whimpers yet close enough to have a glimpse of her silhouette if anything were to go awry. They obeyed without protest, quickly disappearing into the shadows.

Zelda sniffed and tugged at the drapes of her tent with one hand while wiping the tears as they fell from her wind kissed cheeks with the other. What am I doing? Why am I blaming a dancing fool for my woes? Of course, he didn't know my circumstance. It's not his fault that the man I fell in love with could be as thick as a plank sometimes. How could he have known anything? He was just trying to cheer me up is all. His song meant nothing.

Suddenly, she whirled to the startling sound of footfalls coming toward her from behind. It caught her off guard but was still a way off and she had just stepped foot into her tent. She quickly composed herself by splashing her face from a nearby wash basin and turned to the oncoming figure in the night as he marched closer and closer. The figure carried a lantern, so she quickly recognized him when the dim orange glow revealed his face to be Lord Simon of Illiastar. Go away, I'm in no mood! Why now!? Why me?

But instead of waltzing under her flaps to air some minuscule grievance or silly matter that he had made into a fiasco, he just marched on by. Shocked, the princess was confused and relieved at the same time. Surely, he must have seen me when I saw him? She thought it was strange, to say the least. Where was he sneaking off to?

Not so much a 'goodnight', or a 'where were you this past hour', 'are you okay', nothing. Zelda was flabbergasted that he just trudged by without a worry or care in the world. He didn't even have any guards with him. Surely, he wasn't going to retire. There's no way the party had concluded yet. It had yet to show any signs of simmering down when she left hardly an hour ago.

If these lords were anything like her father's court from a century past, they easily would be able to drone on and on into the wee hours of the morning. Those men would puff away their plots and schemes and toast to each other all night in a circle of congratulations for being masters of the universe. Why, it was only the first hour into the darkened dawn and when she was there the party looked like it would never end. I wonder why he left so soon? Clearly, it wasn't to wander off and find me. How peculiar? What is he up to at this hour and all alone in the dark?

The princess cupped her chin and thoughtfully peeked around the corner of her tent. But, he was gone. Slipped away as if he was never there at all. Just as she spun around to head back inside to nestle to the warmth of the hearth, she nearly came face to face and smacked right into another. The princess shrieked but no sound escaped her lips. Robbed of breath, only a silent empty exasperation left her as she plopped to her bottom on the patchy grass, narrowly missing the velvet entrance rug to her private pavilion. The guards far off were none the wiser to what was occurring, that or they had drunk too much to care.

Zelda's eyes widened and she covered her mouth in shock as she looked to the foot of the person before nodding back, slowly meeting his eyes on her. "Why-It, it's you!"

"Why hello sweetling princess, yes, me."

Sidon looked on in silence, feeling the weight of the tension between the two young lovers as they split apart. He could feel the palpable heartache radiating from them, a melancholic aura that seemed to hang in the air like a heavy fog. He didn't know what to do or say, so he simply stood there, watching where Zelda had stormed off while Link remained frozen in place.

The red prince knew that this was a delicate situation, one that required tact and delicacy. He couldn't just leave Link to his thoughts, nor could he follow after Zelda and make things worse. Instead, he decided to speak softly and try to offer some comfort to the heartbroken knight.

"I'm sorry, my friend," Sidon said, his voice gentle and soothing. "I know this is not easy for you but remember that the night is darkest before the dawn. You and the princess have been through much together, and I know that your affection for each other is true. Not all is hopeless yet. There's still time to change things."

Link looked up at him, his eyes filled with sadness and regret. "I don't know, Sidon," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I've ruined everything. I said things I didn't mean, and I hurt her. How can I ever make it right?"

The red prince placed a hand on Link's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You can start by showing her. Not with words, but by deeds. Show her that you still care," he said. "Apologize for what you said with actions and let her know how much she means to you. It may not be easy, but it's a step in the right direction."

Link nodded, taking a deep breath as he tried to collect himself. "I don't know," he said, his voice strained. "But if you think so, I'll see if I can talk to her tomorrow," Link sighed heavily. "If she will listen, that is."

"She will, don't worry. Even if she acts like she is ignoring you, she isn't. Like I said, you just show her and she will realize the truth. She may be upset but I know she cares about you still."

Link paced ahead of him and knelt. Sidon hesitated, unsure what was he doing. The knight then reached down for a rock that fit into the palm of his hand, gripped it tight and shook it up to his face. "You're right Sidon. I mustn't give up." Link arose fervently and chucked the stone far off into the tree line beyond the borders of camp. "I can still try and make things right between us. Whatever it takes!"

"That's the spirit, my friend," Sidon said, smiling, proud of his friend for taking the first step towards reconciliation.

"I won't let what we have be torn apart by my foolishness." he said, squeezing a raised fist with a firm nod. "At the very least, if she won't speak to me, I can show her my heart is true. I have to try and show her I haven't given up on us."

"Exactly. I have faith that you and the princess will work things out. But, as for now we can call our game a draw. How about we get some rest? We have a big day ahead of us, and we'll need all our strength if we're to overcome the challenges that await us."

"Challenges that await us? The war is over…." Link said, raising a brow as he stepped away. The knight slowly turned to face him. "Is there something I need to know about?"

Sidon coughed into his fist. "I was just being sympathetic, let me clarify, my friend—Challenges that await you!" Sidon said with a sharktooth smirk. "A princess challenge to be precise! You up for the task?"

"Ch-yeah, right…Don't remind me." Suddenly Link's confidence wavered at the prospect of proving his affection for her. "I can only pray she'll listen to me after what I did earlier."

"Oh c'mon, I believe in you. If anyone can pull this one off, it's you Link."

Link chortled to himself nervously at Sidon's elbowed jest, knowing that tomorrow he would have to summon the bravery to express his true feelings, even if it meant swallowing his pride and his regrets. Oh, how he wished for a cup of that high born special vintage right about now. If there ever was a time he would need that high-priced Liquid Courage from Cremia, now was it. Speaking from the heart was not his forte, and he wasn't known to have a candy coated tongue either. In fact, expressing any emotions for him was as easy as saddling a lynel.

And with that, the two young men made their way back to the heart of camp,

Amidst the lively hubbub of the main pavilion, four sheikah ladies sat at the main table atop the dais, enjoying a brief respite from the revelry. What seemed like several short minutes had slipped into an hour. Purah, Paya, Impa, and Imeria were chatting and laughing when one of the attendants graciously whispered into the old woman's ear as they sat.

"My lady, sorry to disturb you, but Lord Ingo Gorman has informed me that his troupe are about to begin the final spectacle for the evening. That he and his minstrels are all ready for their performance. Shall he proceed?"

Impa scoffed out a laugh, nearly spitting out her drink. "Lord Gorman? Don't be ridiculous Sir, he is just a circus ring leader and a rupee chaser at best. He's hardly a lord. A wind bag more like it."

Overhearing them, Purah suddenly noticed Zelda's absence. "We can't start yet, sis! This show is for the princess. I know her and she won't want to miss this. Has anyone seen her?" the girl asked, her spectacled gaze scanning the room.

"I believe she left a while ago," Paya replied, her expression also growing concerned. "I hope everything is alright."

"Maybe we should go check on her?" Imeria added, on the verge of hopping off her seat to have a look around as well.

"Not to worry," Impa interjected, waving them all down before they could get too worked up. The sage nonchalantly turned to face the man to bid him leave to go first. "You may begin as soon as you see fit sir. I promise the princess won't begrudge you for beginning without her. She has other, more important business to attend to as of now anyway."

Purah arose from her seat and leaned over the edge of the table. "Other business? What can possibly be more important than her own party? What do you mean? Is that why she has been gone for so long? What are you hiding?"

"Private business," Impa said, sipping a small dignified taste from her cup as she leaned back in her seat, a glint of grin gleaming in her eye.

"Oh, I bet! So private in fact that only you need to know, is that it, sis?"

"Mayhaps, mayhaps not."

"You're starting to really grind my gears in your old age. You think you're so clever don't you."

"No more than most."

"Need I remind you—Ugh, why do I even bother, what's the use, nevermind. I'll just go check up on her myself and see if she is alright. Since you won't share with us the big secret."

"You don't have to do that," Impa said raising her hand again.

"Yes, I do! What if she's in trouble, how do you know?"

""I don't. I mean, I believe she is fine, but impossible to know for absolutely sure of anything in this life. A bolt of lightning could have struck her head to toe just two steps outside of this tent and I would be none the wiser. But would it? I highly doubt that."

"You know full well what I mean! Stop playing at words with me."

"I know, and life has its risks, dear Sis…. Now-"

"-Then, don't you think we should send somebody after her? Are you losing it sis? Is it finally time to put you out to pasture and let Paya take the reins? Goddess, help us all.

The two teenage girls giggled at that but not before the old woman turned to burn them with a scowling glare into silence.

Purah continued. "In case you forgot in that senile head of yours, but it's our job to keep her safe you know!"

"Settle down already, I know what I'm doing, she is fine. I would have sent watch after her earlier, but she expressly forbade me to follow her with an escort."

"And since when has that ever stopped you?" Purah retorted.

"Since an army showed up," Impa said with a frown. "I see no urgency to disobey her wishes this night. Any danger that there was, has passed. Her requests are all within reason. Besides, she is safe and well-guarded here in this camp."

"Right, safe you say. Protected…. from this lot. Oh boy, now I really feel warm and fuzzy!" Purah huffed, shrugged, and rolled her eyes. "Have you seen the state of these soldiers as of late? I'd be surprised if they could guard their own shadows, let alone protect the princess from harm.""

"And what possible harm might that be? Ganon has been defeated, his armies scattered and ruined and the Yiga are all but dead or fled in fear of that 'knight' of hers. At some point in her life she is going to have to make her own decisions. Hard choices where we aren't holding her hand like a small child if she is ever to rule with wisdom."

"My dear sweet, sweet sister," Purah began sarcastically. "There's letting her have her space and grow into the woman she is born to become and then there is carelessness. I'm going to look for her. I haven't seen that 'knight' you mentioned for some time either. And if he isn't around to guard her, then I'll have to do it myself."

"You? Guard her?" The old woman squeaked out a laugh, her aged bones creaking as she wobbled in her seat. "You're hardly seven stones soaking wet and that's if you were wearing armor! And we both know you don't have any! What possibly can you do to protect her if a true villain revealed himself? Hmmm? Talk him down with your witty charm? Bore him to death with your theories and calculations?"

"More than I can say for you, sis!" Purah hit back with a fiery retort. "You know what, you're right!"

Impa leaned back, impressed that her sister could admit a defeat. And before she could praise her humility, the little scientist touted back.

"I'll just go find her some soldiers who can actually form coherent sentences! Purah shot out from her seat, took a final swig from her goblet and with a glint of fierce determination prodded the others to make a choice, not taking no for an answer. "Paya, Imeria, you coming or what!?"

The other two women exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Both unwilling to defy the short-tempered girl.

"I just want to check up on her that's all."

They all slid out from behind the table as a commotion stirred below on the dance floor. Purah saw it first and before she could move edgewise and away to lead them out of the pavilion, she was halted by a man wearing a fancy suit. It was the Master of Revels and Lord of Misrule. The ringleader of the troupe, Lord Ingo Gorman himself.

The middle-aged man was a sight to behold and was thin as a fence post. He had a wild mane of dark auburn hair to accompany his pencil-thin mustache that would put a walrus to shame. He wore a long, flowing cloak of deep purple-scarlet, that trailed behind him as he strutted across the royal rug of the pavilion. You knew he was coming because of his overpowering aroma of his many perfumes mixed together to create a pungent cloud that followed him wherever he went. It was a sickly-sweet smell of jasmine that seemed to cling to the air and assault the nostrils of those nearby. Some even claimed that they could taste the fragrance on their tongues. If that didn't alert you to his presence then his cape adorned with silver bells would do so no doubt. The man could sparsely be missed in a crowd.

But don't let his flamboyant appearance fool you, for he's got a sharp wit and a tongue as quick as a whip. One minute he and his band of entertainers would have you rolling with laughter from their jokes and the next he'll have you rethinking your entire existence with his philosophical musings. The man fancied himself a true showman, through and through.

Purah and Impa knew better and though the sisters quarreled more than most, one thing they could agree on was this fellow. That underneath all that pompous flare he was a dopey try hard. Nothing more than a second-rate performer and a clever imitation and shadow of a showman from the glory days of Hyrule when the country led the world in a more cultured and civilized age. But, he was all they had in this time of uncertainty, so beggars couldn't be choosers.

"My dear ladies and gentlemen!" the man proclaimed, stepping atop one of the benches to gather everyone's attention. "One and all, come around, come around and enjoy the spectacle prepared for you all! It is time for the Finale extraordinaire!"

Purah and the two timid girls who held to her coattails had to get away, but as they tried to wiggle past they would be stifled by a crowd of performers who piled onto the floor.

It's him, she thought. Of all the people… Zelda's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the voice of the flamboyant jester who had promised her peace earlier if only she heeded his song. Despite the warm smile on his face and the mischievous twinkle in his eyes under the pale moonlight, Zelda couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in her chest. She hesitated for a moment before taking his hand to help herself up, feeling a little foolish for almost falling in front of him.

"What brings you all the way out here? Isn't your troupe's performance happening any minute now?" Zelda asked, trying to keep her composure.

"Oh, it is, and I will be there in time, don't you fret. The final act is yet to begin without me."

"Then?"

"But then I saw you leaving the party, and I thought to myself, what could possibly be troubling such a lovely young lady on such a festive night? So, I followed you, my dear," the Jester said, still grinning. "Would you like another song?"

Zelda's suspicion deepened at his words, but she tried to remain polite. "I appreciate your concern, Mister—"

"—Tingle-Jangle's the name, sweet princess!" he interrupted, bowing and waving his pointed hat across his waist. His silver-white hair draped below his ears and hovered just above his shoulders.

"Well, Mister Tingle-Jangle, I appreciate you taking the time to take your duties seriously as an entertainer on my behalf, but I'm quite alright. There's no need for another song. Thank you for asking. Now I must be—"

"—Did she finish the last one, I wonder?" Tingle-Jangle asked, his tone suddenly cryptic.

Zelda's brows lifted at his strange question.

"Her last song, I mean. The Queen would like to know. Oh yes, oh yes, before the fall of autumn snow!" The man hopped away on one foot with a jolly skip and flapped his hands like fairy.

It was all so peculiar, but Zelda shrugged it off. After all, he was a fool, and he played the part well. Too well actually. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Neither does the painted man! But if one listens and sings along, then the lords of court will dance her song!" Tingle-Jangle replied, humming in that strange, high soprano voice he had.

Zelda rubbed her forehead, unable to make sense of his meaning. She decided she wasn't in the mood for riddles and wanted to rest for the night. "I'm sorry, Mister, but I really must retire now. I thank you, but goodnight."

"Now, now, that's no way to treat a new friend, Princess," Tingle-Jangle said, blocking her way back into her tent. "And on a night like this, when all the world is bright and merry, we should be enjoying ourselves, not wallowing in misery," he said, still smiling.

Zelda couldn't help but wonder how he knew what she was going through. What strange magic possessed him? She felt a little uneasy with the way he was looking at her, as if he knew something she didn't. She took a step back, but he inched closer and just as she thought something ill was about to happen he instead presented her with a small, brightly wrapped box. It was no larger than a brick, covered in soft silk gold lace, and tied with a swirling red bow.

"It's a gift, my dear. A small token of my friendship for your welcoming this evening," Tingle-Jangle said, still grinning. He cleared his throat and hummed again. "After all, tonight was your celebration, and it is hosted in your honor. Let this be my gift from me to you as I bid you adieu, to do with as you will; Goddess knows, you have the skill. There is still time, you have until the last drop of—"

"—Wine," Zelda finished the song for him. "I know... I remember, I uh—"

The man poofed his hat back atop his head and stepped back slowly.

The princess eyed the box curiously, captivated by such a random curtesy. "-I thank you for the gift. That's very kind of you. But I'm not sure if I can accept such a present." She insisted, lifting her head.

"Of course, of course you can. I insist. Besides my Queen has prepared it for you. You won't regret it and besides aren't princesses supposed to accept gifts from queens?"

Zelda felt unsure but it looked innocent enough and she wasn't one to be rude when someone was showing her a kindness. "Well, in that case—"

"That's the spirit, my dear!"

"Thanks, I accept your gift and I will open it on the morrow, but I really must be going though. I'm quite tired."

"Of course, I wouldn't dream to keep you from your rest, Princess. Heh, heh, Dreams!"

"But do remember to open the box when you have the chance. Alone. I'm sure you'll find it quite delightful," Tingle-Jangle said, bowing low and sweeping his hat off his head for a final salute.

Zelda watched him, feeling a strange mix of relief and unease settle in the pit of her stomach. Unsure if she should accept it truly, hand it back or toss it the moment he left. But before she could decide a sudden loud boom rang overhead them all in the night sky. Startled, she gazed up to the heavens and blasts of brightly colored reflections glimmered in her eyes. Starbursts of scarlet, sapphire and amber illuminated all around and her breath slipped back into her as their thunder above pounded her chest.

Fireworkserupted and a crowd began to congregate outside the main pavilion to bask in the wonder. By the Goddess, how could I forget, the finale before the main show. Of course, she remembered. She shook her head of her awe and cast her gaze back down eye level only to see the jolly Jester had vanished without a trace.

"Where did you?—" Zelda stopped herself mid sentence, realizing she was alone. Stunned, she glanced about in a circle, still holding to the diminutivepresent. Her eyes rested on the small gift she clutched in her hands, wondering what mysteries it kept. The booms persisted above her, lighting up the entire camp and she heaved a sigh. Whatever secrets it held whether great or mundane she decided it could wait for the morrow. After all it was just a box and seemed innocuous enough. Surely, if he meant her harm he would have done so by now openly. They were alone after all.

Nonetheless, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. A strange sense that she was being watched, and the gift from the Jester burned in her hand like a hot coal. But, it was probably just her nerves she figured. She had quite a whirlwind of an evening and the explosions above only added to all the excitement. So, with that she turned to head back into her tent, to put the mystery box away and as she did a more familiar voice called out to her. One that would turn her whole world upside down.

Authors Notes- More coming this week, expect a hail storm of drops. As always, Fanfic net doesn't let readers know of updates, you have to mark that you want to be notified by them. They reset your settings every 6 months. I know this is a pain, but I can't help their policy. See you next time - Sir Link