Chapter 59 - Just Desserts

Summary: In the Calamity timeline, Fallon gets some combat pointers from Astra. The three ruffians who attempted to kidnap Astra at Crenel Peak consider their options before trial.

Morning light struggled to pierce the thick storm clouds that shook Hyrule Castle. The powerful winds and relentless rain battered against the stone walls and echoed through the halls. Inside a small meeting room in the nearby castle prison, three accused prisoners sat across from their assigned attorney, Alton. Frond, Leon, and Rogan shifted nervously in their seats as Alton began to speak.

"After carefully examining the Royal Guard's report on the incident," said Alton. "I highly recommend pleading guilty to the charge of attempted kidnapping."

"Isn't that a very serious charge?" asked Leon.

"It is," said Alton. "If you had listened to the warning and backed off, you would only be facing charges of attempted robbery, which could result in a sentence of just one or two years. But your decision to fight escalated the situation. However, I believe I can negotiate a five-year sentence. Consider yourselves fortunate that the Royal Family is not pushing for harsher consequences. It appears they want to avoid too much attention surrounding the Princess."

Frond couldn't help but ask, "What if we plead not guilty? What are our chances?"

"If you insist on a full trial, be prepared for the Princess and the guard named Fallon to testify against you," replied Alton with a stern look. "The fact that you threatened to harm our kingdom's beloved newly crowned Princess is unlikely to garner you much sympathy in court. You could be looking at ten to twenty years behind bars, which is the most likely outcome in my judgment."

Leon's eyes widened in shock. "Twenty years? That's a long time!"

Alton gave a low sigh before continuing. "In ancient times, the Sheikah would have hunted you down without hesitation and ensured your lives were forfeit for even attempting to harm a member of the Royal Family. Count yourselves fortunate to live in a more civilized age. Five years in prison may seem like a lot, but it's nothing compared to what could have been."

"Maybe he's right," muttered Rogan, finally speaking up. "We will still be young when we get out."

Alton leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "And this is not related to legal advice, but let me just say that you don't exactly come across as the best and the brightest. Do you want your names associated with such a humiliating defeat, the entire kingdom aware that all three of you were easily bested in combat by a single person?"

There was a heavy silence in the room as the prisoners contemplated their options.

"Well, think it over and let me know tomorrow," said Alton, standing up from his chair. "Remember, you each have the right to make your own decision on how to plead."

"I'd like to discuss it with my brother Frank first," said Frond. "We'll see him at lunch today in the mess hall."

"That's fine," said Alton.

With a nod, he walked to the door and signaled to the guards waiting outside that the meeting was over. The prisoners were escorted back to their cells, their minds filled with thoughts of the uncertain future.

Later that day, as the prisoners filed into the mess hall for their midday meal, Frond, Leon, and Rogan sat down at a table with Frank. Frank, who only had two more months of his thievery sentence left to serve, wasted no time in getting straight to the point.

"So, did you meet with your attorney?" he asked Frond. "What's the verdict?"

"I'm not in the mood for your puns, Frank," replied Frond, annoyed. "Alton said we could get five years if we plead guilty but ten to twenty if we fight it and lose."

"Seems like taking the plea deal is the smarter choice," commented Frank.

Frond quickly glanced around to ensure no guards were within earshot before leaning in closer.

"Is there any way you can help us escape once you're out?" he whispered to Frank.

"I don't know," Frank hesitated. "It's risky, and if we're caught, it could mean longer sentences for all of us. Besides, I want to settle a score with Fallon when I leave prison. I'll think about it. But for now, I suggest taking the plea deal."

"That's what I'm doing," added Leon.

"Me too," chimed in Rogan.

"I guess that makes three of us," Frond nodded. "But I'm hoping you'll find a way to cut our sentence short, if you know what I mean."

Meanwhile, earlier that morning, Astra awoke to thunder and relentless rain hammering against her bedroom windows. The violent storm had woken her up too early, so she lay in bed, thinking as an even louder crash of thunder seemed to shake the walls and rattle the windows. She hoped the storm would lessen by dawn. Fallon had the morning shift this month, 5 AM to 1 PM, and patrolling in such a heavy storm would be dangerous. She wondered how Fallon reacted to thunderstorms. He had told her he lost both of his parents to a lightning strike at age twelve, which was a horrible experience, and must have left emotional scars. Thunderstorms could be frightening. Then, another ferocious peal of thunder triggered a vivid flashback about her sister.

She was about six and a half years old then, six months before her nineteen-year-old sister's wedding to Randall.

Astra had awoken as a strong storm rattled the castle walls and then turned over to fall back asleep. But then she suddenly heard her bedroom door open and close, followed by the sound of light footsteps tiptoeing toward her bed. She turned to see her sister, Zelda.

"Zel?" Astra whispered.

"I…I thought you might be scared by this terrible storm, Astra," Zelda replied as she climbed into bed next to her and wrapped her arms around her tightly.

A moment later, another fierce clap of thunder shook the room, and Astra felt Zelda shiver against her. It was then she realized that her typically brave and confident sister was actually the one frightened by the storm. But she didn't want to embarrass her.

"Thanks, Zel," Astra said as she hugged her back. "I feel much better that you're here. You're the best sister!"

"I'm always here for you, sweetheart," Zelda reassured her with a loving kiss on the forehead. "Try to go back to sleep."

"I will," Astra whispered back. "Love you, Zel."

"Love you too, Astra," Zelda replied softly.

And with each other's comforting presence, they both fell back asleep, wrapped in a warm embrace.

Then, the flashback ended.

"I hope you're doing well, dear sister," Astra whispered. "I miss you…very much."

Then she pulled a pillow over her head to muffle the noise and fell back asleep.

The thunder had ceased, though heavy rain was still falling as Astra made her way to breakfast with her mother, Queen Zelda.

"Good morning," said Astra as she entered the family dining room where her mother was already seated.

"Good morning. I hope the storm didn't wake you too early."

"It did, but I fell back," said Astra. "You?"

"After all I've been through, I've learned to sleep through most things," laughed Zelda. "But that's good."

Astra helped herself to some eggs, toast, and tea. She noticed that Myra had already delivered yesterday's critical incidents report.

"I remember you offering to take on some of my responsibilities to familiarize yourself with them," said Zelda. "Perhaps one of the first tasks would be taking charge of these reports and any necessary follow-up. I only hope you don't end up reading about your own misadventures."

"Don't worry, Mother. I've learned my lesson," Astra chuckled. "But that's not a problem."

"I'm arranging for an office to be prepared at the top of the adjoining castle turret," Zelda announced. "Myra offered to assist you as well, and since we're not increasing her workload, just redistributing tasks between us, I accepted. Just remember that she is a diligent worker who always tends to do more than necessary. So please keep that in mind."

"I will, and I'll keep you updated," Astra promised. "And if there's anything else you need help with, just let me know. You also tend to err on the side of doing too much."

Zelda chuckled. "That's probably true. But staying busy with work has always been my way of coping with the tragedies in my life. Now that you're here, I have another distraction - your delightful company. Are you planning to see Fallon today?"

Astra nodded, her expression eager. "We plan to meet at the Sacred Grounds for a picnic after Fallon finishes his shift."

"Why not ride there together?" asked Zelda.

"Fallon feels uneasy when he's around his superior officers, especially the Royal Guard assigned to me," explained Astra.

"I hadn't considered that," admitted Zelda.

"Also, Fallon has requested some combat training during our time together. He's determined to improve his skills in battle. I believe he feels guilty for not intervening during the incident at Crenel Peak, even though it was my decision for him to stand down."

"I can see why he feels that way," Zelda said sympathetically. "He aspires to be a Royal Guard and expects to be the one protecting you, not the other way around. But you, dear, are one of a kind. Looking at you makes me wonder what could have been between Link and me - the normal way, without all the time-travel complications that Goddess Hylia turned into a blessing."

"I understand," Astra replied after swallowing a sip of tea. "Multiple timelines can be hard to wrap your head around. And they can bring heartache, too."

"Yes, forgive me. I sometimes forget how much you've lost as well. We need to support each other," said Zelda, reaching for Astra's hand.

"And we do, Mother," Astra squeezed her hand in reassurance. "We always will."

The relentless rain finally ceased by noon, much to Astra's relief. In the company of two watchful Royal Guards, she rode through the muddy roads towards the Sacred Grounds. As she arrived at her destination, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, casting a golden glow over the lush green grass and trees. The sound of chirping birds and the gentle rustle of leaves filled the air. Fallon stood there awaiting her, his horse grazing nearby and carrying what looked like a heavy picnic basket. Astra had brought two slices of Royal Fruit Cake, carefully wrapped and ready to be devoured for dessert.

"We will just keep watch nearby, Highness, and try not to intrude on your privacy," said the officer in charge of the guards.

Thank you, I appreciate your professionalism," said Astra.

Then she rode over to where Fallon was waiting.

"Hello, Princess," said Fallon with a warm smile as he reached out to assist Astra to dismount from her horse.

"The presence of guards nearby does not warrant such formality," Astra teased, her voice tinged with laughter.

"Then allow me to try again," Fallon said, holding her hand. "Hello, sweetheart. I've missed you."

Their embrace and kiss were full of warmth and longing as if they had been separated for years instead of mere days.

"At least that's a bit better," she said with a smile after their kiss ended. "I missed you too. I hope your tour this morning wasn't too difficult. The roads are a muddy mess after the storm."

Fallon reassured her with a grin. "It wasn't too bad," he replied. "I feel sorry for the shift before mine - they endured the brunt of the storm. Our only problem now is finding a dry spot for our picnic."

"Well, consider that as question number one of your Royal Guard exam," teased Astra, playfully poking his side. "Finding a suitable spot for a royal picnic."

"Very funny, dearest," Fallon laughed. "But I think over there will do nicely." He gestured to a spot that was partially shielded by trees.

Setting down the picnic basket, he pulled out a soft blue blanket and spread it on the ground.

"Notice I brought a blue blanket in keeping with the royal colors," he said with a wink.

"I'm honored," Astra replied with a smile. "But I'm also famished. So, let's see what you brought and dig in."

Fallon had meticulously packed a colorful array of mouth-watering dishes from various Castle Town vendors, and the fragrant aromas of spices and herbs wafted from the neatly stacked containers. Astra couldn't help but smile in amazement.

"You truly went all out, sweetheart," she exclaimed. "But did you spend a fortune on all this?"

"Not at all," Fallon replied with a chuckle. "I've become quite skilled at bargaining, and many vendors recognize me from my frequent rounds, so they give me a good price. But coming off duty and heading straight here, I had no choice but to buy ready-made food."

"I completely understand, and next time, it's my turn to prepare our picnic," Astra promised. "But for now, I can't decide where to begin. Everything looks so delicious!"

Ultimately, they both indulged in a little bit of everything, savoring each bite and relishing in the various flavors that filled their mouths. It was a truly satisfying and enjoyable meal.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but we haven't talked much about your family other than your father being the famous hero of Hyrule, Link," Fallon said. "Can you tell me more? Do you have any siblings?"

Astra took a bite of a delicious curry beef and thought for a moment before answering. "I can share some things, but there are others I cannot discuss and some rather difficult to explain."

"Oh, I understand," Fallon replied. "I'm just very interested in getting to know more about you if possible."

"I appreciate that," Astra said. "Technically, I am an only child, but I did grow up with an older half-sister whom I miss dearly."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to open old wounds or bring up any painful memories," Fallon apologized.

Then, after hesitating a moment, he continued.

"But since your older sister did not come forward as the reigning Princess of Hyrule, I … assume she is no longer with us?"

"Not with us is the best way of saying it," said Astra. "But you didn't open up an old wound. I often think of her anyway."

"That must be tough, sweetheart," Fallon sympathized. "I'm sorry."

"Now, let's talk about something more cheerful," Astra suggested with a smile. "Did you save room for dessert, or should we wait until after your training?"

Fallon paused, considering his options. "Let's wait," he finally decided. "I don't want to feel sluggish and weighed down after a big meal."

With a playful grin, Astra stood up from the table. "Then let's get to it," she said eagerly.

As they walked towards a clearing, Fallon revealed two wooden swords and shields he had brought for their practice session. The air was filled with the scent of fresh pine needles and the distant sounds of birds singing. They took their positions facing each other.

"What should we start with?" Fallon asked, feeling nervous about not performing too poorly.

A thoughtful expression crossed Astra's face as she considered their options.

"Perhaps defense," she suggested. "If you have a shield, the best move is a shield parry. Timing is critical. It will stun your enemy momentarily if done perfectly, leaving them vulnerable to attack. So, let's work on that first. You attack me, and I'll demonstrate a few times first. Then we will reverse, and I'll attack you."

Fallon gave Astra a reassuring smile as he prepared to spar with her. "Now, please remember, we're just practicing," he reminded her. "I want to stay in one piece to enjoy that delicious Royal Fruit Cake you brought."

Astra playfully rolled her eyes at his comment. "Oh, is that why you wanted to save it for later?" she teased. "To guilt me into going easy on you?" She chuckled. "But seriously, I want you to improve your combat skills and confidence, so let's take it one step at a time."

As Astra and Fallon continued to spar, she noticed a marked improvement in his movements. His parries were more precise, his stance more balanced. However, after two hours of intense training, Astra could sense exhaustion creeping in and dulling his reflexes.

"I think it's time for a break," she said. "Trying to do too much at once can be counterproductive."

"Thank goodness," Fallon replied, his breathing heavy. "I can't wait to sink my teeth into that dessert you brought."

They made their way back to the picnic blanket, Astra carefully unwrapping the slices of fruitcake she had brought as a treat. The warm, sweet aroma of fresh fruits wafted through the air. She handed one to Fallon, their hands briefly brushing against each other's in the exchange. Fallon couldn't resist playfully teasing her.

"Now I can do that sweetness test we discussed after our Crenel Peak trip. You recall. Which is sweeter, your kisses or this fruitcake," teased Fallon.

Astra's eyes sparkled with amusement as she countered, "I certainly hope you get the right answer. Otherwise, our sparring sessions may become a bit more intense."

"I think you're trying to cloud my judgment," laughed Fallon as he took a bite of fruitcake and savored it before swallowing.

"Now for a kiss as a fair comparison," Fallon suggested with a mischievous grin. The two leaned towards each other and shared a passionate kiss that left Fallon tingling with pleasure.

Astra pulled away with a playful smile on her face. "And now for your verdict, sweetheart?"

"I might want to compare once more to assure an impartial decision," said Fallon.

Then, noticing the look on Astra's face, he thought better of his teasing.

"There's no comparison. Your kiss is by far the sweetest thing I've ever tasted."

"Then I shall reward your good judgment with another," Astra laughed as they kissed again, their lips locked in a deliciously sweet embrace.

The remaining fruitcake lay forgotten as they lost themselves in each other's love and affection.

The sun was beginning to set as they decided it was time to return, the sky painted with hues of orange and pink.

"I need to meet with Her Majesty at dinner to discuss some matters," she said. "But I hope you found our session today rewarding."

"In oh so many ways!" Fallon exclaimed with a laugh. "Your combat training was excellent. And we at last settled the burning question of which is sweeter."

"With the right conclusion, I might add," Astra teased as she playfully tickled him.

Their banter continued as they packed up the picnic containers and blanket.

"Next time, we will review what you learned today, then move on to some other techniques," Astra stated, her expression serious once again. "In a month or two, you'll be an outstanding swordsman. Oh, we can ride back together if you want, but I understand being in the presence of your superior officers makes you uncomfortable."

"I told myself l will just have to get over it," Fallon replied with determination. "I don't want to give up a single extra minute I can spend with you."

"You're getting so sweet," Astra chuckled, giving him a knowing look. "I wonder if it's from the fruitcake."

"More likely from your kisses," Fallon retorted with a grin as they leaned in for another kiss.

Then Astra signaled to the guards as they retrieved their horses and began the short ride back to the castle together. As they trotted side by side, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the landscape. Fallon stole glances at Astra, admiring her beauty and youthful exuberance.

"I never in all my life expected to find someone like you," Fallon said softly, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "Someone who pushes me to be better every day and a beautiful princess as well. I think I'm living in a dream."

Astra smiled, touched by his words. "And I never expected to find someone who makes me feel the way you do to me. And is so much fun to tease besides."

"I guess my gullibility is my endearing quality," Fallon laughed.

"One of them," laughed Astra.

As they approached the castle gates, Astra turned to Fallon with a soft look in her eyes. "Thank you for today," she said sincerely. "I had a great time, and I hope you did too."

He spoke softly to her with a gentle nod and a warm smile. "I cherish every moment we spend together. I love you," he whispered.

Astra's heart fluttered at his words as she whispered, "Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you, too."

Their horses had carried them this far, but now they dismounted and stood facing each other in the moonlight. They kissed one last time, and then Astra turned to walk back to the castle, surrounded by her two Royal Guards. She paused to wave and blow a kiss to Fallon, who returned it with a smile. Then he watched as she disappeared into the castle.

"I love you very much," Fallon murmured to himself before turning away.

He strolled through Castle Town, heading towards an agreed meeting spot - the curried meat stall where he was to meet his friend Torin for dinner. As soon as he arrived, Torin greeted him with a playful jab on the shoulder.

"Hey there, Prince Fallon! How's it going?" Torin exclaimed.

"Come on, Torin," Fallon chuckled, returning the gentle poke but blushing as well. "But yes, everything is going well."

"Don't say I didn't warn you. I knew the princess's magic would enchant you," Torin teased with a laugh.

"If that's what this feeling is, then I don't mind at all," Fallon replied. "She truly is amazing!"

They placed their orders and continued chatting while waiting for their food to arrive, Torin still shaking his head and laughing at Fallon's response.