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trixiwritesfanfic · 11 months ago

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We'll Do It Right This Time

Chapter 4: Reaching an Accord

For the second time in ten minutes, Zelda heard wood cracking. It was swiftly followed by a huff and a distinctive clattering sound as the bow hit the ground.

‘Another!’

‘If I may, Ganz, kindly stop stacking my bows. I understand that you’re used to a greater draw distance, but you have damaged the limbs of two of my favourites since we began.’ The queen didn’t even look at the man, too busy sighting a target halfway across the courtyard. Her form was exquisite as she drew back the string, then let fly with an arrow. Without looking, both heard the thunk! as it found its home in the centre of the target.

‘I’ll replace them. You’d like one of our golden bows, I’m sure. They’re designed for distance shooting, so I reckon you’d be able to hit a bullseye all the way down there,’ He gestured vaguely to the opposite end of the courtyard.

‘You speak as though you doubt my capacity to hit a bullseye without the aid of an enhanced scope…?’

‘Well, most folks need an assist for distance shooting. The Rito are the best at aerial archery, the Gerudo have distance shooting covered, and Hylians excel at flexible short-range fire.’ Despite the fact he’d just been asked to be careful, the Gerudo immediately strode back across to the weapon rack, plucking one more bow from the collection. He began the process of examining it and gingerly pulling the string back, testing the draw distance… and then—

THUNK!

‘I asked you to stop!’ Barely an inch from Ganz’s nose, an arrow trembled in the sturdy wooden frame of the weapons rack. The redhead’s gaze slowly swivelled from the bow he still held to the irate blonde. Passion furrowed her brow and flared in the endless blue of her eyes, and it was beautiful.

No, not just beautiful. Powerful. She was a powerful, fierce Vai, and doubtless could challenge him if she so chose. Looking at her now, seconds after she’d shot an arrow almost straight at his face, he knew. Of course, her resolve thus far had been admirable regardless – meeting with a threat to her land, maintaining cordial relations amid tensions, her enduring willingness to consider distasteful options – but now, he also knew she would not hesitate if necessary.

Good.

‘You asked me here to discuss the possible terms of a betrothal.’ He could see uncertainty swirling in her expression at the mention of official business. ‘We should get started.’

‘Now, sire?’

‘Yes.’

The queen gestured for her advisor, who had been watching apprehensively from the sidelines. He bobbed over to the duo, clutching a board and some parchment. A pen was tucked behind one of his long, pointed ears.

‘Very well. For the first order of business—’

‘At least five children.’

For a solid minute, Zelda was stunned into silence, her cheeks still flame. Despite the laid-back, informal way Ganz had acted since his arrival, she had anticipated at least some degree of posturing, a struggle to negotiate political influence, a bid for the throne – anything but that, really.

‘I- don’t you want to argue about the balance of power? Political advantage? Distribution of duties?’

‘Nope. I’m happy to rule the Gerudo as I always have, and to support you in ruling Hyrule as you have. If something impacts both territories, we can argue then, don’t you think?’ Ganz’s attention turned to weapons other than the bows as he spoke, loath to have his hands idle for long. He procured himself a spear and began to work through some basic drills as he waited for the queen to snap out of that shock.

‘Well, what about where you’ll live? I cannot be in Gerudo Town, away from my people, but isn’t the same true of yourself?’

‘If you don’t mind me saying, I think you need to spend a little more time on your own roads, your nibs. Yes, we settled in Gerudo Town, and yes, it’s where we’re most comfortable, but we’re roamers by nature. Vai constantly leave town to find boyfriends and start families. They tread the roads of Hyrule more than any others, by my reckoning. We learn independence from infancy, and I have sisters who can serve as my mouthpiece in my absence in any case.’ Despite his massive size, there was a fluidity and grace to Ganz’s every movement as he walked through the various combat stances. As if it was something he was simply built to do. ‘So I’m not worried about political power, though I get it if you want some safety clauses in there. I’m more interested in protecting and expanding my family.’

‘Expanding. You mentioned before that you have children – how many?’

‘Four so far.’

‘So far?’

‘Mm. There could be a few more coming – Baki and Kota were involved with me a few months ago, and I’ve not seen either since. I don’t have any way of knowing yet if either is pregnant.’

‘How can you not know?’

‘Well, as I mentioned, many of our Vai do spend their time on the road. There are also a few cliques who isolate for parts of the year for spiritual reasons. I’ve never questioned who’s coming and going, as long as they’re a Vai.’

‘Well, yes, but… how can you not know if…’

‘Ah, Zelda. Do not ask questions you do not want the answers to!’ The Gerudo king’s laughter was deep and rumbling, curling hot and heavy around Zelda’s already flushed ears.

‘I assure you I want the answers! If there is one thing I hate, it is remaining ignorant.’

‘Very well – in our land, marriage is not a prerequisite for all things carnal. My experiences are numerous and varied, and some involved several different women. Simultaneously. I bedded Baki, Kota, and Risha all on the same night. I know only one of them has had her bleed since.’ He paused, considering the queen’s expression. Thunderstruck. The concept seemed to paralyse her rather than necessarily inspire revulsion, which if he was honest, was what he’d anticipated. ‘See it as an assurance that I will be able to please you.’

‘Will… will you be expecting me to enable this behaviour indefinitely?’

A silence fell between them as Ganz considered the question, apparently having never put thought to it before.

‘I suppose it depends, really.’ He placed the spear back in its rack and scratched at the back of his head. Not for the first time, he wished they were a more similar height; he’d have liked eye contact in this moment. ‘I was blessed with an enormous amount of stamina, and a libido to match. The prolific nature of my experiences is due, mostly, to that.’

‘The implication being that one woman is not enough?’

‘The implication being that I know my needs and wish to have them met. I have met few Vai who were capable of keeping up with me, but I hope one day to meet my match.’

Zelda turned from him, then, swiftly nocking another arrow and sighting her target. She loosed it moments later, and it flew straight and true before embedding itself deep in the heart of the bullseye. The bullseye at the opposite end of the courtyard.

‘That sounded a lot like a challenge,’ the queen quipped, turning back to him and arching an eyebrow. ‘Is this the start of a slippery slope, Makeela Ganz?’

‘A challenge doesn’t mean a war, your Maj. Challenge is healthy. Desirable, even.’ There it was again – a flame in those eyes, burning blue. He found himself smirking at her as he was drawn into that easy confidence. ‘Why do you think I wanted to shoot with you, Zelda? When I could head to the parapets and test my aim on far harder targets?’

‘You wanted my measure.’

‘I wanted your measure. I assumed you were fit for your role, but many Vai can be cowed by a Voe. I wanted to know if you were one of them.’

‘And your conclusion?’

‘I asked to negotiate, didn’t I?’ It was a strange sentence to be flustered by, and yet Ganz watched as Zelda turned slowly back to that pretty pink shade.

‘Yes, I suppose you did.’ She gathered herself with a deep, soothing breath. Was it her imagination, or was there a tension in the air? ‘Please, grab a bow. I can walk you through shooting without breaking it, if you’re willing to listen.’

‘Always.’

‘I would expect you to cease all sexual contact outside the marriage bed.’ Zelda’s hand rested against Ganz’s arm as he gradually pulled back the string of the new bow. There was a point, far before the extent of his draw, where she pushed against his triceps, resisting for him. ‘I do not wish to have a husband who diverts his attention elsewhere – I will keep up with your needs, following an adjustment period.’

‘This is as far as these puny bows go?’ He huffed and cast his gaze down the arrow, lining up much as she had. He held the shot longer than she had without the slightest hint of effort, taking his time with the whole aiming business.

‘Accuracy and moderate range, rather than distance and helm-splitting power,’ she responded, internally marvelling at the display of strength. Not even a tremor… ‘The point is to aim and fire quickly. Remember, these are often used on horseback.’

‘Mm.’

Another sound thock! followed the release of the bowstring as the arrow found a new home, barely missing the centre circle of the faraway target. Ganz lowered the bow, feeling Zelda’s hand still resting against the back of one arm. It was uniquely delicate and warm.

‘If you are sure you can keep up with my needs,’ he rumbled, scrutinising the spread of their shots, ‘I will do all I can to meet yours. I will cleave to you, Queen of Hyrule, if you bear me many daughters.’

‘…Daughters? Isn’t it typical to want sons?’

‘Not when you wish for your offspring to be able to visit their homeland. To experience their heritage firsthand.’

‘You understand I cannot control…’

‘I am aware. I will not blame you if you bear only sons. As long as our destinies entwine and our blood intermingles, I shall bear you no ill will. You shall be safe.’

‘And you have no demands of a political nature? Not a one?’

‘I will support you if you support me. We each govern our own and work together for the betterment of both.’

‘And what of your… children?’

‘My children and their mothers. A wing of the castle, perhaps, or a home in Castle Town. Somewhere I can see them daily and teach them.’

Off in the corner, Zelda’s advisor was scribbling furiously, barely keeping up with the conversation now that the sport had ceased. The man sweated lightly, and the scratch of pen against parchment underscored the tension which followed that demand.

‘Your relationship with your children and their mothers, it shan’t interfere with our family?’

‘You will become of our family, and they will become of yours. My children will be our children, and the siblings of our offspring. Their mothers, our friends. A support.’ He saw the doubt in her expression, a smouldering, subtle thing beneath a gracious host’s smile. ‘A strictly platonic support, unless you desire otherwise.’

Really, it was more than she’d hoped for.

‘Very well; I accept your terms, Ganz. May I enquire as to your preferred duration for our engagement?’

‘However long it takes for all the dignitaries I plan on inviting to our wedding to get here, of course! I must start planning immediately; tell me, are you well-acquainted with Valora and Corbin?’

‘The chieftains of Rito Village? We’ve met on occasion since their inauguration, but we’re not particularly close.’

‘They’ve been working on a means for us wingless folks to visit the sky temples. I think that might be the best place for us to be wed. It’s on neither your sovereign soil nor mine and was the last known place of import for the Sages of Upheaval. It feels fitting, don’t you agree?’ The man seemed to have come alive now he’d been given a task – or well, grabbed the task for himself, rather.

‘If you can figure out how to invite King Sidon into the skies for the ceremony then I will happily follow wherever you lead.’

‘…Maybe I should send word and ask how the Rito are getting on with that project, first.’

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

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trixiwritesfanfic · 1 year ago

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We'll Do It Right This Time

Chapter 3: Sheikah Tech

There were precious few occasions when any part of the castle was open to the public, but the Sheikah tech presentations were always among them. In the queen’s view, her people deserved to understand the measures that were being taken to protect them, and therefore it was imperative that communications remained transparent. In any event, any weaponry that was developed was defended by the clan of trained professionals – there really was no safer place for them, other than perhaps by the side of the hero, wherever he was. As a result, the great hall was thronging with the Hylian commonfolk and conversation bubbled from every corner.

At length, a sharp crack announced the beginning of the presentation. Three individuals stood on a dais at the front of the hall; Lea was among them, adjusting dials on the side of a large slate affixed to the wall.

‘Good evening, people of Hyrule.’ The man who spoke first was taller than his companions; he had the distinctive red eyes of the Sheikah, though his hair was streaked with brown, the result of a mixed heritage. ‘First, a progress report on the Depths expeditions.’ The woman to his left, older, slightly bent, and wearing the complete garb of the tribe, flicked at the wall slate. An image rippled to life, depicting the chasm in Kakariko village.

‘The rate of deterioration of the chasms appears to have stabilised for the time being, and we have re-marked the boundaries for your safety. Please adhere to new regulations and do not interfere with the guard posts at each site. In relation to these changes, I can also report that we have sent construction teams into the Depths themselves with the intent of investigating whether a support system can be constructed. I am informed they are working on the reactivation of the Construct creatures to aid this process.’

Scattered murmurs filled the air when he paused, gesturing Lea forwards and taking a step back himself.

‘Regarding the situation on the surface,’ Lea began, swiping sideways on the wall slate. The chasm was replaced by the strange glowing shrines that had emerged so long ago. ‘The restructure of the shrines is mostly completed at this point. Given repeated concerns which were raised in the past two decades—’ It was difficult not to see her gaze flitting towards the group of Gerudo, sitting at a table that didn’t quite fit them. ’—access is currently limited, and therefore safety protocols will be drawn up and distributed to the populace. If you are interested in helping with cultivation at your emergency shelter point, please leave your thumb imprint on Noni’s slate on your way out of this meeting.’ A brief wave towards the older woman, who was now holding the small pad up in demonstration.

‘Finally, we have officially begun the construction of a restorative apparatus based off the blueprints we found in the ancient Hateno laboratory. If this venture is successful, it may be able to mitigate the ill-effects of the gloom residue in the deepest parts of the Depths and enable us to fully eradicate the threat underground.’

A ripple of enthusiasm spread through the room in the aftermath of those words, for it was the first mostly positive progress report they’d heard in quite some time. Relief and elation were written in many of the faces, interspersed with the occasional eager or determined expression.

Many of those eager, determined individuals were carving their way towards Noni as they began to file from the hall.

‘Y’know, I expected more prattling, incoherent jargon from a group you called the “Sheikah Technology Division”,’ Ganz remarked to the queen, leaning casually against the side of her throne. He had been looming over her almost the entire meeting. ‘That was pretty understandable, and we don’t deal in anything fancy out in Gerudo Town.’

‘I have requested that the people of the Sheikah tribe present their information in a way that is comprehensible for the commonfolk. Occasionally, there are some things which cannot be simplified this way, but they’re the nitty gritty details that the populace doesn’t need to know about.’ Zelda paused, sighed, and then glanced up at the hulking redhead. ‘Were you aware of the chasm collapses or the shrine restructures? I am aware news travels slowly through the desert.’

‘We knew about the structural problems with the one at Birida Lookout, but only because the quake from one of the walls breaking down managed to rattle all the way down to the icehouse. Makute reckons the last major one swallowed up the abandoned Yiga den. Hadn’t heard about the shrine restructures.’ There was a brief pause as he considered that prospect, then… ‘It’s important that any shrines within Gerudo territory are restructured and cultivated by those who respect our law and understand the necessary balance of our climate.’

‘I take it you would prefer an all-woman construction crew exclusively consulting with the Gerudo?’

‘If possible. Exemptions for Voe are very rare, and many of my kin would rather not have a shelter than allow them any influence.’

‘I’ll see what I can do. Excuse me for a moment, I need a word with Cadoc.’

The crowd had thinned somewhat already, but those who remained quickly parted for the queen as she strode from her throne to the dais. Ganz watched her go, noting the natural fluidity of her gait and the slow, sensual sway of her hair.

It wasn’t often that he had to restrain thoughts of that nature; back home, his presence in any bed was welcomed, and his affections were highly desirable. Normally, he could take what he pleased. It wasn’t so in this odd little town, where the people felt the need to restrain themselves to the detriment of their own pleasure. It was frustrating, certainly, but if he wished to receive respect, he knew he must give it in kind.

He watched Zelda’s back as she finally paused alongside the man with the streaked hair, unable to hear her words or read her lips. Payu emerged at his side as he focused, trying without success to listen over the bubble of voices.

‘The young one, the girl.’

‘Mm? What about her?’

‘She distrusts us. She thinks that the queen’s caution is well-founded. And she’s part of the technology development team. She could be trouble.’ Ganz heard the air popping in Payu’s joints as her hands balled into fists.

‘It’s okay, Payu. Look, I don’t blame them for pattern recognition – it’s not like there have been many decent Voe in our history. And the point is that we’re proving that pattern wrong anyway. We knew folk were going to think I’m just another ratbag demon king, at least until they know me.’ The few remaining commonfolk were proving that point, too; he could feel several pairs of eyes on him, and a vague undercurrent of tension. ‘These folk are still traumatised, you know. We got told tales of Makeela Riju and her lightning, and the hero who helped her direct it – they got told about the demon king and his army of monsters. Even if you look at the calamity records, we got off lightly.’

‘Well, I just hope their love of their queen outstrips their desire to act on their trauma.’

In fact, the love of their queen was very much a deciding factor in the actions of the people. Ganz could see the adoration written in the eyes of those around her as she spoke with the research team. True, it was a more subtle and reverent affection than he was used to – the Gerudo as a people were very physical and predisposed to expressing their emotions accordingly – but if you watched carefully, it was clear as water.

‘It won’t be a problem,’ he rumbled after a few moments of silent observation.

If he had to marry someone for the sake of his reputation, at least it was someone like her. Quiet dignity, a love of her people, and a drive to try and better the world.

He’d still miss the celebratory orgies, though.

‘Cadoc, have you come to an arrangement with the Gorons regarding the exploration of the Death Mountain chasm?’ Zelda was doing her best to ignore the tableful of Gerudo behind her; it was imperative that she displayed trust and respect so her people would do the same.

‘Yes, your Majesty; several young Gorons have volunteered for the task. It seems they’re a tad bored with the mining operations and would rather support the exploration in other ways.’

‘Good; I’ll leave the logistics with you. I trust you’ll continue the good work. Now, has Lea taken over the coordination of the surface teams, or is Noni still handling those?’

‘They’ve taken to sharing the load, your Majesty. Lea has the energy for doing a lot of the physical stuff, but not the experience to back it up. I’d speak to Noni if you want to issue instructions.’

‘Thank you, Cadoc.’ Zelda nodded to him before stepping away, walking gracefully around the last trickle of her subjects to join the women by the door. The elder of the two seemed unphased by the development, simply pressing down harder on the thumb of a man who looked as though he’d grown up with Tabantha wheat in his mouth. The younger, on the other hand, promptly dropped the slate she’d been using with a devastating cracking sound. Everyone in the vicinity flinched.

Queen Zelda collected the fallen slate with surprising elegance and took a few moments to examine the screen. A hairline fracture ran through the centre now, but it still worked.

‘Please make a backup of the information from your slate, Lea. I doubt it will withstand more imprints this evening.’ There was a gentle rebuke in there, though her eyes and lips still smiled as she spoke to the Sheikah girl. A flurry of nodding followed, enough almost to dislodge the thick-rimmed glasses atop Lea’s nose, and then the girl was fleeing from the room, clutching tight to the device. The elderly woman sighed, releasing the farmer’s thumb and beckoning forward the next volunteer, a teenager who looked like he might faint being in such close proximity to the queen.

‘Noni, it has come to my attention that we did not make allowances for the law of Gerudo Town when considering the specifics of cultivation and restructuring. The king of the Gerudo has requested there be no men in the teams assigned to the desert.’

‘Ah, that’s easily fixed, Ma’am, I can make the alterations when I finish up here.’

‘He also requests that the team cooperate with the Gerudo regarding climate-specific crop growth, so we shall need an experienced botanist if possible.’

‘Very well. I may be able to persuade Terese to transfer there rather than the Zoran quadrant.’ It was quite apparent that Noni had lived long enough to be unbothered by, well, pretty much anything, for those were rather specific requests, one of which might even necessitate the training of a new party. Yet they were taken fully in stride, with barely even a pause in the pressing, releasing, and swiping of thumbs across the greyish slate with its bright little screen.

‘I appreciate it, thank you.’

‘So do you have any space for folk who aren’t about three feet tall?’ Ganz was wandering alongside Zelda once more. He had resumed casually clasping his hands behind his head.

‘The height of the average Hylian is between five and six feet, for your information,’ she responded coolly. She was precisely an inch shorter than the average Hylian woman, squarely in the middle of that range. It wasn’t her fault the Gerudo were a towering race. ‘There were some rooms designed specifically for taller individuals, though they have a rather aquatic theme. King Sidon says they were made to accommodate him and his kin following the Upheaval.’

‘I’ve never actually met that giant fish; heard a lot about him though. He really as buff and friendly as they say?’

‘I don’t know who “they” are, but he’s even moreso. He says he takes after his father; still growing more and more every year. Soon he’ll be too large for any of our rooms.’ There was little point in worrying about that, however, as the Zora king had little motivation to leave the Domain of late, too busy maintaining the state of his realm and monitoring the chasm.

‘Mm. Hey, Nalani, will you figure out what the Zora like and get some of it ready to go? We for sure need to invite King Sidon to the wedding.’

The casual mention caused the queen’s mind to grind to a sudden halt and she felt as though she’d just been choked. They were still to discuss expectations and see if an equitable agreement could be reached!

‘Makeela Ganz, kindly rescind that instruction. We are not yet betrothed, and I would not discuss the matter tonight. If we come to an accord, then we will discuss wedding plans, but not before!’

‘For the love of Hylia,’ came the vague rumbling. ‘Does it need to be so strict? Where’s your sense of adventure, Zelda? Spontaneity is the spice of life and it’s you who wants the insurance anyway, not me, so where’s the problem?’

‘We are not a traditional couple, sire. Our union is not one of passion, but one of political necessity. Spontaneity in a political alliance would be disastrous for us both. I am protecting your interests as well as my own.’ There was a moment of awkward silence, punctuated only by the smart tap of boots on the polished floor and the occasional click of armour, and then Zelda sighed and spoke once more. ‘You and your retinue may stay in this wing of the castle. If you require anything, there are small service bells in your chambers. I shall take my leave for the night.’

‘Well, alright. Until tomorrow, then. Archery?’

‘Archery. Two o’clock, sharp.’

Part 1 Part 2

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