#hyrule historians hate him so much for time traveling

[the0maski]

Not necessarily LU based, but in the overall “canon” -verse the Hero of Time doesn’t exist in two timelines, right? He died in the Downfall Timeline and never came to be a hero in the Child Timeline.

Legend and Hyrule probably only heard about the title Fallen Hero, never his true title. Same goes for Twilight, only knowing Time as the Hero’s Shade or Cursed Swordsman. Which means, only Wind knows about Time, and he is the only one with a legend about him.

Funny detail, if Hyrule Warriors would fall under the Child Timeline that would mean that Time was present during the whole timeline, it gets better if Mask was only dragged into the war, because the goddesses pulled a: You broke it, you fix it! Making it more fun, Time becomes just history’s biggest mystery and meme under historians. To the point where there are huge debates about him, because some records say that he lived after the Hyrulean civil war, but at the same time he is mention being at the War of Ages which was two whole Eras later! Was he ever a hero? Why are they no family records about him? Was he really just a forest spirit, was he even hylian?

Flora would absolutely have a field day, if the chain ever stepped only a foot in Wild’s Hyrule. Seeing how she is extremely interested in history.

For real: there is to little mention, in the fandom, that the Hero of Time is only known to one person (Or two if Mask had been in the war). Everyone else had never heard of him, less knew that there was a hero that came after Four. How had they all found each other? I know that, there is a fanfic troupe of the chain slowly forming, while hopping through portals ending in a new Link’s Hyrule. But in comic, the first time they all walked through a portal together, was after visiting Malon. Meaning they all met in Time’s Hyrule, in the Timeline were he is no “hero”. How did they find Time, since asking for a hero would not worked? What makes me also believe, that Time is only leader of the group, because he is the oldest and apparently has a high rank among Hyrule’s military. Maybe he showed the Triforce mark on his hand? But less likely since he hides it most times.

My money goes to Wind or Twilight. Wind talking randomly to this soldier, about the legend of his time, not knowing he is speaking directly to said person of the legend. The rancher only because, he got flashbacks of Shade, and he needed to find out more. Bonus would be Warriors lost at words, because that one deity that sometimes possessed his little brother, became the Milkman!

[2sleepy4dis]

╰┈➤ ❝ Chain/OC Pairing! ❞

┊ ➶ ｡˚ ° Warning! Long list of Chain/OC pairing ahead! Ahah!

┊ ➶ ｡˚ ° Just a notice, the OCs do have a name I, however, just referred to them in this post with their title to make them recognizable easily! Next time, I'll post a little short fanfic individually 😊

Four/Seamtress

I make you guess to which I took the seamstress inspiration

Four and Seamstress met when they were children. Seamstress' family travels around the land and sells their fabrics, outfits and products.

Edited: Four and Seamstress before the Minish Cap event.

Four went to relax in the field after he helped his grandpa at the work, not bothering to change his torned clothes.

Seamstress saw him decided to help him.

During this, she found that he is the grandson of a blacksmith while Four got to see Seamstress' parents works (from clothes to jewelry).

There on forth, Seamstress always looked after the boy with green tunic whenever they visit Hyrule Town.

During the FourSword Adventure, Seamstress got targeted by Shadow because she's close to Four (to which I won't go in details now because I'm going to write a fanfic of it)

one of my favourite. why? because I'm into elf/gnome trope, except seamstress is not a gnome but she's taller than Four and I adore the idea of them being lovey-dovey. Four not minding to be lifted up by Seamstress and Seamstress sitting to lean on Four whenever she's tired.

Wholesome, loud, very supportive of each other. Seamstress loves watching Four smithing (helps him when she can). And also want to impress him with her works like little plushies that kinda reminds of Four the picori.

Warrior/Inventor

I got inspired by the sheika from botw!

Also one of my favourite but for different reason.

Inventor is a son of biiiiscuit— you gonna hate him. He boast and is cocky. Arrogant mf and only love his inventions.

Warrior wonders why Cia didn't targeted this dude yet

Inventor have many projects but sadly is more ahead of time so, much to his dismay, he gotta step back a bit so the things he invents can be properly used—

He is actually passionate about his work and tends to overwork himself.

I can't write much about Inventor since he still in w.i.p. but kinda have some scenarios about him and Warrior

I kinda imagine their trope to be idiot rivals to idiot friend to idiots who won't admit they now fallen for each other and historians will say they were good friends(TM)

Wind &Explorer

Platonic Childhood Friends!

I got inspired by Mido but this one is less mean lol

I like the idea of them going in adventures and playing around their island

Explorer is the one who mostly leads Wind back then but Wind comes up with the crazy idea they do!

Is also protective of Aryll!

Explorer, Wind and Aryll stargaze together and Explorer likes to keep books and charts about the sea and sky.

Explorer never got interested at the old folks story about the hero ("Let that ancient dude's soul rest in peace, for Goddesses' sake!" —Explorer, probably).

Maybe he do a little but lil' lad just want to explore the sea

Still have faith in him though and yelled at the ocean, sky and horizon to be kind to Wind or he gonna fight them—

When Wind had to leave the island he was worried but he knows he couldn't stop him either. Aryll got taken and the idea of his friends leaving and never to return again filled made him sorrow.

Wind cheered him up by promising once he returns they gonna explore the sea together and teach him the ropes like once Explorer did to him

They spit swear!

Other ships that I have but don't have much yet

Twilight/Witch || Witch lives in the forest doing her daily witchy stuffs. Kinda imagine their dynamic to be shaky at first. Once they get to know each other, Witchy and Twilight would be a bit flirty to mess up each. At least try to. Because later they would just go with casual talk, wholesome and domestic dynamic. If one is at the home of another, they look like have lived together for years! Very lax and gremlincore aesthetic pair.

Wild/Historian || I've read somewhere that Wild is around 4"11 so I made Historian 4"6 lol. Came from family of historian who worked for the royal family. Historian is a bit shy but he looks up upon the champions, especially Wild. Pending whether to make Historian live in the past or present 💀

Legend/Bard || Their trope is that "Person A hates Person B's guts so they annoy B. But Person B thinks of Person A as a friend anyway". Don't have much yet but Bard came from a family of historian too who worked in the castle but preferred to travel the world. At time they visit Hyrule Castle, they and Fable have a cup of tea and tells story. May have invited Legend from time to time but some of them got turned down. Anyway, Legend and Bard have mutual respect to each other and has been on travel together when they bump to each other! They are very fluffy-angsty genre.

Hyrule/??? || I adore this dude but I can't help but to be totally unsure since I don't know a lot about him or his game. I'm doing more research

I don't have any for Sky and Time but if I have any it would be a platonic one ^^). For Sky, I was thinking about a mysterious person who resides in the land and raised by the kikwi dhsjdhqks

And for Time, a gerudo. He, Malon and the gerudo are a trio and have a platonic dynamic. Gerudo would protect this two with her life 😤😤

»»———-　　———-«

That's it! That's all! For now!

I have some images made from picrew but they kinda don't have whay I have in mind soooo... I guess I'll just draw them as the next post! I found a cool brush!

[ashleyswrittenwords]

Whumptober No.5

Where Do You Think You’re Going? (On the Run | Failed Escape | Rescue)

Series Summary: After Calamity Ganon awakens, Zelda is left alone and heartbroken. Now something horrible has happened to Link and no more is she merely tasked with fighting the Calamity - but also what is left of her knight.

Growing up, everyone was taught about the inevitable prophecy.

Esme knew as much as anyone did that 10,000 years ago a fabled princess and her hero fought against a dreaded evil, ultimately bringing peace to Hyrule. It was a tale told in primary school alongside the common alphabet. As a young girl, she nearly obsessed over the prophecy – reading legends and mythos to find similar themes that all led back to a girl with the blood of Hylia and a boy blessed with Her sword.

So, when it was decreed by the historians that the ancient evil would soon break from its seal Esme was not afraid. She knew their crown princess was the goddess’s descendent just as the many princesses before her. Esme had grown from a girl and into a young woman and with that, she found love and bore a family. Still, with so much at stake now, she wasn’t afraid because by the time her daughter was born, they had found the boy who will wield the sword that seals the darkness.

It seemed that everything was falling into place.

Her hometown, just west of Castle Town, was evacuated in preparation for Calamity Ganon. Her husband refused to leave as this was his father’s home and so she left with her children to the outstretches of Hyrule.

Naturally, the Calamity resurfaced and with it was destruction.

News traveled relatively fast. The events that were meant to happen fell out of place. The princess did awaken her power; however, it was too late. Her knight had died at Fort Hateno while they were fleeing from Calamity Ganon. As she was meant to, Princess Zelda was able to fight back against the Calamity’s adversaries even though the time in between had collapsed their current monarchy and resulted in a stand still.

With no hero, who was going to slay the darkness?

It had been nearly a full year since the Calamity overshadowed them. Hyrule was experiencing one of its coldest winters on record and Esme hadn’t seen her husband in months. The only acknowledgement of his whereabouts came from the men who visited their wives or the housewives that have returned to their settlement. It was grueling to be away from him, but she knew he was alive and her two young children were safer away from where Calamity Ganon was the strongest.

Esme also knew her husband wanted to protect their little farmhouse for as long as possible, but it was unforeseeable how long that demon would hold reign over Hyrule. And, of course, she missed him. Their family was alive and well. Without him it only felt incomplete and if she had to drag that man from that house, then so be it.

Perhaps it wasn’t the wisest to leave in the dead of winter. The thought occurred to her as she began trekking east. Her children were safe with her parents and in-laws, so she knew they would be well-cared for. Hylia had blessed them with being so close to Rito Village and the inhabitants were more than generous with supplying them foodstuffs and winter gear. Because of this, Esme told herself she would endure.

Hylians weren’t the only ones that hated the cold, according to her many tomes on Hylian legends, the monsters were adverse to these conditions. So, yes, should she not run into anything particularly difficult – Esme would endure.

She took her old horse east without a hitch. It was true that there was an influx in monsters. They tended to watch her from far away, not willing to chase after one woman. If anything, they were disinterested in her and if she weren’t as smart as she was, Esme would’ve been slightly offended.

Families didn’t stay in her little village, especially in the months following the Calamity. Those that stuck with her stubborn husband were other men and the elder families whose children were already grown.

When she arrived, Esme didn’t see one person on the roads. The sun was setting over the horizon and beyond the windmill of their village was Hyrule Castle in the distance. When prior she had felt blessed to have such a view, it now felt like an awful reminder of what they lost. Their village was modest, but it had never been so quiet.

Winter or not, one of the major roads passed through here and there was always something happening. Mr. Hutchinson would have his world-famous bread baking every morning, his wife just as busy with winter treats. The children here were always so active in the snow. They never tired of their games and would dress up every year to sneak ale from the midwinter festival. (They never succeeded when Esme was around, but sometimes she would overlook the older teens because she was young enough to remember how it feels to yearn for adulthood.)

Mrs. Hutchinson opened her door the moment Esme rode into town. Her wrinkles had deepened and the stress had worn her features. They embraced briefly.

“I saw your old man just the other day,” she had said. “There aren’t many that have stayed, but he’s been beyond helpful.”

Esme scowled at that, “He should be with his family. Just like you and your husband.”

The baker’s wife sighed, “With the raids happening all around this place… you’re right, we should. The timing just hasn’t been the best.”

In response, Esme should have asked what she meant. She didn’t. Instead, she was all too eager to see her partner. Not a moment longer she had bid Mrs. Hutchinson goodbye and promised she’d stop by after wrangling her own husband into leaving.

At the end of the road was her home. It was still standing in one piece with the stable beside it empty. With a gentle voice, she left her horse in the open field in front of her home. She’d properly feed and stable him once she saw her husband.

The door creaked open under her fingertips and she shivered from the sudden shelter from the wind. The fireplace was out, however the embers were glowing and the house looked properly lived in. The lock to the door clattered shut. She unwound the Rito scarf from her shoulders and set it on the coat rack, shedding her first layer of clothes with it. The living space had a set of dishes atop a table, a hearth on the far wall, and a small kitchenette that Esme had always adored.

He wasn’t home, evident from the empty space on the coat rack, but she popped in front of their mirror anyway. Her hands went to smooth down her hair, combing down her pale locks after two days of riding. Her eyes held extra lines she hadn’t noticed before now.

A thought snuck into her head and she cursed herself for her vanity.

“Ben?” she called out, turning slightly to glance at the stairs that disappeared to the upper floor. There wasn’t an answer, so she turned back with a crease in her brow. The emptiness bothered her more than she’d ever admit to him.

He’d tease her about missing him. She’d bully him into confessing that he missed her too.

Esme turned fully away from the mirror and bounded up the steps, calling out again, “Benji?”

It was darker upstairs. She passed the kids’ room and peered into her own. The sheets on their bed were mussed, the workmanship of a man whose heart was only half into the task. That, too, was empty.

She resigned to looking out their bedroom window over the snow-covered cabbage field. They didn’t make much money by farming. Her husband had once done reservation work in the Royal Guard before leaving prior to the Calamity. Even if she believed it was all going to work out, she didn’t want him in danger. Esme knew how guilty he felt, but they weren’t as young as they used to be – only living for each other. They had two more little lives to support, and she wasn’t sure she could do it without him.

Dusk had fallen over the town when she heard a loud bang coming from the village. The picture frames on the walls shook before ebbing back into place. Esme’s heart stuttered in her chest and she pressed her cheek flush to glass to find the source of the loud sound. Her hands launched herself from the windowsill and she bounded down the stairs. Her scarf tangled with the coat rack so she left it a flurry of motions to open the door.

From the entrance of her house were a varied array of screams emanating from the center of town. Smoke rose steadily into the air, illuminated ominously by fire. Esme tried to hold down her horse, but he was already spooked and shirked away from her touch.

Esme did the second best thing, she began running. The air was colder than before and it pinched her cheeks as she reached the road. On her way out, a stocky man she recognized was running her way.

“Esme, gods, what are you doing here?” he huffed out a breath, his hands placed tactfully on his knees. He was the butcher’s apprentice, no doubt staying to safeguard the butcher shop.

“I came for Ben,” she glanced at the direction he came from with concern. “What’s happening?! Are we being robbed?”

“Monsters. A lot of monsters. They’ve been going around raiding villages for food instead of finding it on their own,” he frowned. “You should flee. Come on.”

He went for her arm, but she tore it away. “What about the Hutchinsons? Are you just leaving them?”

He glared at the accusations, “It’s too late!”

She held in her disbelief, again starting down the road.

“Esme, stop! It isn’t just the monsters!”

It didn’t matter. It was beyond awful to leave an elderly couple to fend for themselves. Hopefully he was the only one to abandon them.

The fires roared over the town square and were already spreading towards the bakery. It looked like they started at the general store. Esme reached the bakery entrance, pulling at the door and pounded for them to open up. The porch to the general store creaked to a slump before falling completely into charred smoke. She hacked on a throatful of it and stumbling from the bakery front.

Her name found her ears and she saw a crouched form slumped against the building. Esme’s sight adjusted and she stumbled over.

“Margaret! Are you- Hylia above,” Esme choked on her words and held her hands in front of her month.

Mrs. Hutchinson looked up at her mournfully, tears in her eyes, then looked back down at her husband. He was limp in her arms and stared with unseeing eyes. Sweet Mr. Hutchinson was dead and surrounded by a puddle of his own blood.

Mrs. Hutchinson sniffed and spoke through watery words, “You should leave, Esme. Those monsters…”

She heard them. A bokoblin snort coming from the other side of the wall, then a crash. They were rummaging for food.

“Come on,” Esme began, ignoring the bile forming in her throat to help Margaret to a stand. The women was hesitant at first.

“But…” she motioned to her husband.

Esme found her eyes, “He’d want you to live. Let’s go.”

Her hands shook with uncertainty, but she willed it not to appear on her face. If she could get this woman to her horse then they could start west. The search for her own husband would have to wait, even if the thought of his fate made her heart ache horribly.

Another crash was heard and across the square was a shout of anger.

“Burn it all, damn it!”

It was so loud that Esme stopped in her tracks. Across the square passed the town well was a man in front of the mayor’s broken-in door. She had half a mind to call out for help until his mannerisms sunk in. A blue moblin knelt before him… groveling at his feet. The man brought a swift kick to its head, glaring down at the thing.

“Animals. The lot of you. I want it to the ground. Do you hear me?! You’re not here to scavenge!”

Esme expected the moblin to rear up and attack the idiot, but he only made a noise of pain and slunk backward. She began to think that this idiot wasn’t an idiot after all.

Anger welled in her chest, but she wasn’t reckless. She wouldn’t be. The man turned to them, bright yellow eyes against the darkness. His motions stuttered for a few seconds, enough time to tell Margaret that her horse was waiting at the farmhouse.

He began walking towards them. A nondescript expression forming on his face.

“What about you? I’ll ride this way,” Mrs. Hutchinson whispered harshly, already backing away at the sight.

“No,” Esme said immediately. “No, you leave first thing. I’ll find another way.”

The woman ran off, leaving Esme to glower in the man’s direction. She shouted, hoping to seem indignant instead of startled. If she distracted him then maybe he wouldn’t care to go after her friend.

“What are you doing to my town?”

He was still fairly far away, but she could see the unnaturalness in his movements. His sword in his hand… Esme stumbled back. Blood, red and recent dripped from the tip.

She took a step back and he tilted his head, watching her curiously. “Your town?”

Esme held in a gasp. She knew that face. “I-I thought… I thought it wasn’t true…” she breathed out.

Even with the fire illuminating from behind him, it was unmistakable. She had taken her family to Castle Town to see one of the many military parades and festivities the king threw to keep public morale high. The Champions were a staple, famous. Esme could spot the Hylian Champion easily in a crowd.

But she made a mistake – her voice wavered. His steps grew faster and she staggered back before falling into a run. The fire had spread further, wicking up from the rooves. Rich laughter followed her, echoing off the walls as she ran past the bakery.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

A yelp escaped her as she tripped over Mr. Hutchinson’s dead body. Her leg twisted awkwardly, but she scrambled up anyway. The short alleyway led to a brick way where the bakery furnaces were along with a storage area for the general store. Esme bypassed these too, cursing herself for not taking another avenue.

With the town cut out of the hills, the back alleys were sloped and craggy where infrastructure wasn’t held as a priority. It was often that snow was left undug. Her ankle pulsed red and gave out under her weight once the snow grew too high.

Esme cursed bitterly, scraping by her hands and knees until even that was pointless.

The princess’s knight had loud boots. They were thick and distinctly of military garb. The rest of it wasn’t. He wore a common coat, but peaking out was a Hylian royal blue. In his grip was a broadsword, drawn and ready.

“Please!” she began, her voice taunt. “I-I have children waiting for me.”

In a blink, things were slightly different. He blinked down at her with a blankness and when he kneeled before her, she winced and pulled away as far as she possibly could. When she opened her eyes, she saw normalcy in his. A cobalt, brilliant and beautiful.

The knight brought a hand to her bangs and smoothed them back. It was a gentle gesture. Her hair threaded through his fingers.

“Your hair is the wrong shade,” he said absently, as if disappointed. “And your eyes are the wrong color.”

Esme went to speak but as soon as she did a piercing sound flew through the air and an arrow burrowed into the knight’s shoulder. The force propelled him backward and he made a sharp sound. It happened quick. He rolled into a stance, but then her view of him was obstructed by another.

The woman turned to meet her eyes and gave a minute signal to leave. Her blonde hair was braided back tightly and in her hands was a bow with an arrow readied on the string. The quiver strapped to her back jostled when she faced the knight once more.

“I was wondering when you would show up,” he grunted, Esme heard the snap of wood.

“What do you have to gain by doing this?” she sneered. She stood readily; her thick clothes clear that she was expecting a fight.

Esme shuffled in the snow to get off the ground, but with her injury her getaway was slow.

“You never come out to see me,” he said, a grin was audible. “What else was I to do? Oh… are you going to kill me?”

The knight was referencing the woman’s bow. Esme held in a gasp as the arrowhead shown with bright light. The fingerless gloves she wore readjusted on the bow.

That must be…

From Esme’s position, she could see the broadsword loosen in his grip then falling to the dirty snow altogether.

“Was my sword not enough for you? We both know you can wield it now, but – no –  you choose another weapon. I should be insulted,” his humor was palpable. “How poetic would it be to be struck down by something so dear to me?”

“Shut up,” Princess Zelda said through gritted teeth. “Pick up your sword.”

He sighed heavily, falling to his knees in a grandiose slump. “I suppose my charge will do.”

“Link.”

“Death is only good when it’s swift.”

“Link!”

Esme watched as he just barely made eye contact with her. Back was that cat-eye yellow. She opened her mouth to yell out a warning but Zelda had already loosened the tenseness of her string.

In one motion, Link gathered the hilt of his sword in one hand and sprung towards the princess. Her reflexes acted quickly, attempting to parry with the bow’s neck. She braced herself, becoming easily overpowered by the man’s weight and twisted away from him quickly. She drew the sword at her hip in time for his follow through. Steel clashed against steel.

A hand on Esme’s shoulder startled her. She met the amber-red eyes of a Sheikah who tried her best to express that she wasn’t in danger.

“Please, come with me.”

Esme wanted to argue in favor of helping the princess.

“We can only leave him to her. Quickly now.”

At that, she acquiesced and took the woman’s hand. Ducking through a series of alleyways, the Sheikah seemed to know this town better than Esme did. Finally at the town square, she led her to a pair wearing traditional garb. Their faces were covered, but when they saw the woman leading her, they stood.

“Let us go inside,” the smaller of the two said, she took her hand gingerly and Esme turned to thank the one that found her, she was gone.

“Always in a hurry,” she tsked. Her hair was cut to her shoulders and despite her stature, she had no problem carrying Esme inside the house. The fire of before seemed dampened now.

“They must have found him,” the man exasperated, following them inside. “Did you even scout the area? What about those bokolins?”

She gasped at the accusation, wriggling her mask down to glare with full effect. “Um, yes, Robbie. I did. I sent those little soldier boys over.”

Robbie scoffed.

“My name is Purah,” she said with a smile a little too bright and motioned for her to sit. They were in a hallway where a skinny bench sat. Immediately, she saw a dampened Mrs. Hutchinson sitting on the same bench.

“Margaret!” Esme smiled. “You’re safe.”

Purah raised a brow, “Oh good you know one another. The ankle, is it?”

In response, she nodded.

“Are you well, dear?” Mrs. Hutchinson said, enveloping Esme’s hand in hers.

She sobered up, remembering sharply that this woman’s husband was dead. “I am. Thank you. I believe the princess saved me.”

The woman blinked, “Princess Zelda? I found her and her group on the way to your farm.”

“How miraculous,” Esme winced as Purah rotated her ankle.

“Pardon,” she said under thick glasses. “I may be a doctor but my medicine for alive things is a bit rough.”

As Purah examined her ankle, the Sheikah woman of before returned with the princess beside her. Through the small window, Esme watched as they were chattering together and only stopping when a group of men returned with reports. There were at least a dozen men and women, all carrying some sort of weaponry, scurrying through the village either looking through debris or taking the remaining monsters.

The princess’s clothes were slightly more disheveled , but before she could examine further Esme’s thoughts were cut off.

Purah sniffed, “Sprained – probably. According to my calculations, I’m pretty sure.”

“Not that confident, it seems.”

“Robbie, shush!”

Attempting to put weight on it, Esme stood and braced the wall. It wasn’t as bad as she expected.

Robbie opened the door for her and when she hobbled down the steps, she caught Zelda’s attention.

“Your Highness-”

At that, she shot up from the conversation she was in.

“Just Zelda,” she remediated, softening the hurry in her speech. “Please. Did he hurt you?”

Esme bit the inside of her lip. “No, I fell… though I was convinced he would. Thank you.”

“He most likely would have,” the Sheikah woman beside the princess muttered.

Zelda politely acknowledged her before smiling graciously at Esme. “Of course.”

There was a sharp tear through one of Zelda’s sleeves with the faint trace of red. She didn’t seem bothered by it. Purah went about looking at it with a gruff series of mumbling.

“You really should be evacuated,” Zelda spoke up again. “This area is only miles from Castle Town. The creatures here are stronger.”

“Forgive me but… I didn’t know it was true. The hero,” Esme swallowed her nerves. “He’s….”

Purah’s chattering stopped and even the soldiers’ side conversation settled to silence. The group came to a standstill. The only sound came from several men working on outing the fires.

Zelda worried her lip between her teeth. “It happened during the Calamity. We think that somehow Calamity Ganon infected his body with Malice. I’m unsure what it amounts to…”

The Sheikah woman put a hand on her shoulder when she trailed off. Her voice was cool, prepared, “He is the Calamity Ganon’s adversary now. We’re in the midst of stopping him.”

So, the tales were true. And like that, the Sheikah commenced once more into delivering orders to the men and women putting out the fire. Zelda met her eyes with a subdued smile, “Again, I implore you to take as many people to the evacuation zones. They’re the same as planned prior to Calamity Ganon. Do you need a guide?”

“No, actually, I’ve come from the settlement near Rito Village. I’m looking for my husband.” Hope flooded Esme’s breast. “His name is Benji Feidelm.”

Slight confusion screwed the princess’s lips together until her face slacked slightly, she turned to Robbie and asked a soft question. He nodded and walked away towards the smoking buildings.

“He’s been a fantastic help,” she smiled again.

Only moments later, cheeks marred with soot, she saw him. His hair was that same mussy brown that she’d grown to love so much. Ben’s eyes met hers, widened, then ran up to wrap his arms around her. Her feet left the ground while in his embrace and she couldn’t help but laugh as tears escaped her eyes.

When he put her down, she punched him squarely in the shoulder.

The princess watched kindly but left soon after.

  Eventually, the commotion died down to make camp in the village square. Benji and Esme insisted that their farmhouse be used, but the group who followed the princess refused in place for the tents they packed. They hadn’t been soldiers’ after all, well, not all of them. As Benji had explained, they were people who were willing to thwart Ganon in any way they could – no matter how menial.

Zelda placed a hand on her arm, partially steering her away from the campfire songs.

“I’m sorry,” she lowered her voice and glanced behind her at Impa, who was caught in an argument between Purah and Robbie. “But was Link telling you something? Before I intervened?”

Esme searched her, taking in the slight glimmer in her green eyes. She was a beautiful girl, but it wouldn’t be so surprising. She was the Princess of Hyrule. As she waited, there was intelligence within her, guiding her.

“I wish I knew what he meant. He said that my hair and eyes were the wrong colors,” she frowned at the short-sighted answer. Esme was smart. She’d fallen in love with the legends of heroes and princesses. They were a staple story in her family, so she had an inkling of an answer. “I believe he was looking for you.”

Briefly, Zelda’s face softened. Her brows knitted together and her eyes grew. Esme reached for her, as any woman would to comfort another, but she had already regrouped. Her jaw set and she added a plastic smile.

“I see, thank you.”

Esme watched her leave the square altogether.

[thefabledlegendsloz]

A Strange Historian

Pretty clean right now but will become mature over time.

4,376 words

There aren’t any warnings that I can think of for this chapter.

Link rounds the corner from the stream behind one of his neighbors houses, carrying a pot of water hoisted over his shoulder, making his way towards his neighbor’s wheat field. He makes his way over the hill thinking of his cozy life in Hateno village and how someday it’s going to be torn from him as he will need to save Hyrule from evil forces. He looks at the back of his left hand where the triforce of courage sits, unchanged since the day it appeared when he was about seventeen. He finds, despite his worries, he has an insatiable desire to roam and explore. So much so, he often thinks of leaving the village to satisfy this wanderlust. The only reason he hasn’t yet is he hasn’t a reason to. Even if it’s as ridiculous as being asked to make deliveries to other towns for trading. Grimacing, he reaches the field and lowers the pot as his neighbor addresses him.

“I really can’t thank ya’ enough for helping me with the farm work, Link. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do for ya’ in return?” He says with a slightly concerned look. “No really, it’s fine!” He says, “It gives me something to do when I’m not studying or doing my patrols.” His neighbor turns to face him completely, “how are your studies going anyhow? Have ya’ found anything new?” Link sighs and shakes his head, “No. I don’t get it. There Has to be more, cause it feels like I’m missing so much information... Like I’ve barely scratched the surface.” Sympathy in his eyes, his neighbor nods, “I’m sure you’ll find more soon, Link. Don’t give up. In the meantime, would ya’ like a snack? My daughter just finished baking some muffins about an hour ago.” Link smiles softly but shakes his head, “No thank you. As much as I would love to, I’ve gotta go make my noon patrol around the town.” “Well stay safe, Link. I hear the other scouts have been spotting monsters more frequently as of late, and as courageous as you are, I’d hate to see something bad happen to ya’.” Link meets his gaze, “Thanks, sir. But rest assured I’ve been practicing my archery too so I don’t have to engage in close combat.” Link then walks to his house to put his gear on, running his thumb over the back of his hand absent-mindedly.

Link walks up to the house he’s called home since the mark appeared on his hand a few years ago. In his studies, he discovered that in his last life, he bought this house mere hours before it was to be demolished, only to buy out all of the renovation services in a matter of days. Throughout his childhood, the elders would tell him and the other children that perhaps one day, the legendary hero will be reborn again and that the community would keep the place clean for him should he return to the little village. If someone had told him then that he’d live there eventually, he probably would have laughed at them, saying, ‘I can’t possibly be the legendary hero.~’

Slipping on his cap and belt, he started looking for his bow and quiver, knocking over a stack of books he had lying on his desk. He started cleaning the mess when he found an older looking page he had bookmarked. Lifting the book a bit, he ran his hand over the page to smooth it down a bit as he read, ‘In the age of the wild, a century after the great calamity ravaged Hyrule and the surrounding lands, the hero spent a majority of his time in Zora’s Domain with king Sidon, who at the time was still a prince. He’d live out his days there until he died at the supposed age of a hundred-and-ninety-three years, taking into account his hundred year slumber. Whilst devastated by the loss of the king, when asked, Sidon replied with this; ‘As grim as it sounds, I knew it would come to this one day, being a different species. However, I don’t regret a minute of it.’

He closed the book and finished picking up the rest, equipping his bow and quiver and making to leave the house for the afternoon. As he made his way to the outskirts of the town, he thought about another thing he had read during his studies, ‘In the age of twilight, when the usurper king, Zant threatened to shroud the land in permanent twilight and take over Hyrule, the legendary hero had to work with another twili to save his friends and break both of their curses. They subsequently saved the kingdom of Hyrule in the process, having discovered that the dark king Ganondorf had housed his power in Zant while he set about creating a physical form.’

Link almost didn’t realize it when he reached his destination, thoughts preoccupied with the things he had read. He shook it off as he began scouting for monsters. His sword and shield ready incase there was an ambush, which there usually wasn’t, but there was an incident about a month and a half ago with one of the other scouts. Link found that hunting monsters during his shifts would curb his need to explore temporarily each day, however, not completely. While it gave him something a bit exciting to do, it was never very far, only within the Hateno region. As he scanned the surrounding brush while he walked through the lightly wooded area, he stumbled across one of the other scouts. Being careful as to not spook her, so as to not be struck by her blade, he asked, “Phoebe. You find anything?” Despite his effort not to startle her, she tensed up. Link was thankful she didn’t swing at him. She relaxed before her brows knit, “Damnit, Link! You scared the crap out of me! And no I haven’t seen anything yet. I’m starting to think that the monster population is going back down...” chuckling lightly he replied, “We can’t be sure of that. Anything could happen, like a giaNT SPIDER! GIANT SPIDER ON YOUR NECK!!!” He shouted as he lightly ran his fingertips on the back of her neck to mimic the creature, leaping back just in time to avoid her sword as she shrieked loudly, wildly swinging her sword around aimlessly. “LINK THAT ISN’T FUNNY!!! Goddess above, stop doing that!”

Link couldn’t hold back the guffaw that tore from his lungs as he doubled over. “I’m just teasing you, Phoebe, sweet Hylia!” He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye while phoebe stood there, red faced and pouting. “You’re so mean sometimes, ya’ know?” She said as Link collected himself. “You know very well spiders skeeve me out...” “I know, I know. I’m sorry.” He said, mischief in his eyes. “No you aren’t! I know that look.” She whined as she crossed her arms. However, even she was fighting a smile now. “Can’t help it Phoe. You’re like a little sister to me. I Gotta poke fun. Keep you on ya’ toes!~” He beamed. She looked at link, “You learn anything since last month.” She asked, referring to his studies. “No, not yet anyways. I’ve been going in circles and it’s starting to drive me crazy. I feel like I’ve barely learned anything. Like I’m missing so much context.” Link frowned, thinking about the small pile of books on his desk. “Five books can’t Possibly be it, Phoe. There has to be more out there...” He said, almost not addressing her anymore as his thoughts returned to exploring.

“Well, in any case, I hope you discover what you’re looking for. I should get going to my section anyways... Ooh! My friend, Shelby made muffins today! You should grab one and hang out with us after patrol.~” she grinned at Link. “Sounds good, Phoe! Heh, maybe I can finally convince her to try my recipe for once. She’s so dead set on family tradition. I’ll see you then!” He said as they split in opposite directions. “See you then!” She shouted over her shoulder.

After about three hours of searching and finding nothing, he was about to call it an afternoon and head back towards town when he heard something a ways off into the woods. Straining his hearing, he held still and listened for the sound again. He heard a faint shout of frustration from a little ways west and what sounded like a couple bokoblins. Reaching for his bow, he quickly but quietly made his way towards the commotion further down the path.

Ducking behind a tree, he saw two red bokoblins and one blue surrounding a tall man wearing a purple and blue cape and mask that looked like the wings of some kind of giant bird. He noted how it also had a long, dog-like tail, and thought how it didn’t look like any bird he’s ever seen. Other than that, the cloaked figure was wearing a thick, dark brown coat, dark grey leggings, and white boots and gloves with gold accents. However, other than the cape, the most striking thing he wore was a long blue scarf that ended in long tassels, had the triforce sewn onto one end and small triangles lining all- no, most of the scarf.

The man’s book bag was lying on the floor, contents spilled out in the dirt. Oddly though, Link noted, the man didn’t seem to be afraid, despite his apparent lack of any weapon to protect himself with. Reaching for an arrow and knocking it into his bow, he pulled back and aimed for the head of the blue bokoblin to stun it. As the arrow let loose and whistled through the air and hit the bokoblin in the eye, the hooded man pulled a concealed, silver and gold throwing knife from his white boot and threw it at the same bokoblin, looking to take a similar approach of ‘take the strongest down first’.

As the bokoblin lay dead on the path, disintegrating into a plume of maroon smoke, the two red bokoblins chanced a look in Link’s direction as the cloaked man swiftly pulled two more daggers from his boot and struck them both down. After they disappeared leaving only a fang and a couple horns, the man looked up at Link. Putting his bow away, Link stepped out from behind the tree to check up on him, as is protocol when a scout helps a traveler.

Approaching the hooded figure, he asked, “Are you alright?” The man began to collect his things while saying, “I had it under control, boy. I don’t need anyone looking out for me.” “Fair enough.” Said link as he started picking up books too. As he handed them back to the figure, he noticed the cover of one read; ‘age of the great sea: vol 2’ and had the triforce of courage sit just above the title. “Here’s your books, sir... I can’t help but notice though that this one is one of the tomes dedicated to the legendary hero. I want to ask, where did you find this? I’ve been studying just this for years now and I’ve hit a dead end. In fact, I was about to give up hope in ever finding another one.” He said, grabbing a small elixir that rolled to the side. “Ive been hunting the tomes myself for a very long time, studying as you have. Might I add, however, you look strikingly like the hero himself, only, with a goatee... I wouldn’t be surprised if someone said the same beforehand and put the idea in your head that you are the hero reborn. Heh, what would be the odds though? Am I right?” He scoffed, putting the rest of his stuff in his bag and standing up, pulling link up with him.

Link quirked a brow at his words and pulled his archery glove off, holding his hand up for the man to see. “Funny you should say that, sir.” he said confidently, smug grin on his face. The hooded man stood still as a board and went quiet. For a moment, Link wasn’t sure when he’d finally respond. The man cautiously reached his own hand out to take his and examine the mark with a ghosting touch. His hands were almost shaking as he stuttered, “I-it’s you. I-...” He paused, links hand in his own. Expression unreadable as his face was covered with the hood that pulled over the top half of his face, large goggles built in, and the large, blue scarf covering the lower half.

Link’s brows knit a bit as he carefully pulled his hand away. The man softly apologized before Link asked, “So what brings you to these parts, sir? If you don’t mind my asking, of cour-“ “Will you accompany me in my travels for the missing tomes??” The man interrupted with a slightly wavering voice. Link paused before speaking, “What?...” he then thought, ‘well I did need a reason to leave...’ The figure stammered, “ For-forgive me, Link. It’s just, you said you’ve been studying these things too and fell in a dead end, and I have an extensive library of tomes and artifacts that could prove useful to your goal. I was asking if you’d like to join me in searching for more artifacts and books, foolishly thinking you’d say yes to a complete stra-“ “Yes.” It was Link’s turn to interrupt. He nodded and repeated himself, “Yes, I’ll join you. Just let me grab some things and talk to a couple people first.”

The man paused in disbelief. “You...you’re agreeing?” He quietly asked. Link thought about it for a second, he would be leaving his only friends, though he has told them about his desire to leave, and they reassured him that it would be fine so long as they wrote to each other regularly. Link nodded, “Yeah, something was bound to change in my life soon anyways, being the hero reborn after all. I’ve yet to go on some life changing journey, and who’s to say this isn’t how it starts? Besides, I could always defend myself with my sword and bow.” He said, shooting a look at the man at his last statement as if to say, ‘Don’t try any funny business’. “...Got it...” the man said with more confidence in his voice.

Link started making his way back into town with the figure walking about two feet behind him. Once they made it to his house, he told him to sit tight while he ran a couple errands first, and to help himself to the bowl of fruit that sits on the table. Link jogged to the building near the edge of town that the community built for the scouts as a sort of barracks. He checked in with everybody and told them the situation. Most of the others were happy to see that Link was finally able to go on an adventure and bid him farewell, knowing this trip could do him some well. Some others though were concerned he agreed so fast and made sure he had plenty of arrows. “Thank you, guys.” he said, “have any of you seen Phoebe.” A few nodded and told Link she was at the little overhang the town used as a public kitchen. “Thanks again! Goodbye!” He said as he quickly left the room, waving goodbye with a grin.

When he got there, Phoebe and Shelby were already sitting at a table and talking. Shelby spotted Link first and waved jubilantly at him. “Hi Link! We almost thought you weren’t gunna show up! I kept the muffins warm for you!” Phoebe turned to him, “Yeah Link, where have ya’ been?” He sat at the table with them, grabbed a muffin and told them about who he found. As he was explaining, Shelby was excited for him, but Phoebe was concerned. “You said yes awfully quick, Link. Now I know you’ve had a hankerin’ to explore and stuff, but are you sure about all this?” Link nodded confidently, “Yeah, he can help me tremendously with my studies and I’ll finally be out and about, exploring the land of Hyrule. Besides, if he tries anything, he’ll only meet the sharp end of my sword.” He reassured her, though her expression didn’t completely lift. “I just want you to be safe, Link. Everyone knows you’re the hero reincarnate, but you’re still my best friend. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.” He nodded, “Thank you for the concern, Phoe, really. I know you’re worried for me, but... I don’t know, something about him is oddly familiar... maybe it has to do with my past lives or something. All I know is that, for whatever reason, I feel...comfortable around him? If that makes any sense. It probably doesn’t...” Her expression finally shifts. “Well if that’s the case, I suppose you’re fine. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you, it’s that your intuition is really strong. If your gut says he’s okay, then he probably is... But I still want you to be careful, alright?” She lifts her gaze to meet his. “Of course, Phoe. I’ll be careful.” He said. “Can I have a few muffins for the road? I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll try to make it as soon as possible.” “Yeah! Take as many as you want.” Shelby held out the basket for him. He grabbed a few and set them in his bag as he stood from his seat, hugging both of them tightly. “I should get going then. I don’t want to keep him waiting for too long. I love you guys, take care of the village while I’m gone! I’ll be sure to write!” He shouted behind him as he ran off towards his house. “Bye Link!” They shouted in unison.

He opened the door to his house and set his bag on the table to pack his things before speaking, “Hey, I’m back. I’m gunna go-...” he stopped when he looked up to see that the man wasn’t still at the table. He quickly looked around and found him sitting on the edge of his bed across from the desk holding one of his books. “Oh, there you are.” Link mumbled as he climbed the stairs to the platform that served as his bedroom. “Im gunna pack my things now, so could I see my book, please?” He asked. “Oh, of course, Link. I was just skimming through it a bit while waiting for you to return.” He stated, handing him the book before standing up. “I’ll meet you out front.” He said as he walked down the stairs. “Okay. Be there in a minute.” Link said over his shoulder as he grabbed his books and papers, some blank parchment and some pencils, and a photo of him and his friends he keeps on his nightstand. Running down the stairs, he grabs some food, water, and a bag holding all his rupees before leaving his house and locking the door behind him.

“You ready?” The man asked, removing some sort of necklace from his pocket. “Yeah. What’s that?” He asked, pointing to the metal disk in his hand. It appeared to be some sort of pendant, but then the hooded man pressed a button and it swung open like a pocket watch to reveal a small screen on the top panel, and a few diamond shaped buttons on the bottom panel. “This old thing? Well, have you read about shieka technology from about a couple centuries ago?” He asked, turning to face him fully. “Uh, yeah... Yeah I have. Is it shieka technology? It looks so different from the illustrations in the book... they usually have weird patterns and glowing lines.” He replied. “Hmm, no. I made this myself using their technology, tweaking it to my specific needs.” He stated easily as though unraveling the intricate inner workings of shieka technology is something you just do over the weekend. “You make it sound easy.” Link retorted. “Ah, well, you could say I’ve had some first hand experience regarding the subject.” The man said casually.

“Just how old are you, sir??” Link asked, abruptly. “I am many millennia old, I’ve seen many of the old legends unfold.” Link was put off to say the least. ‘Many millennia??’ “You’re not human, are you?” He asked, confusion evident in his expression. “Goddesses No! I’m nowhere near human!” He said, head moving back, almost looking offended at the question. “Hmm, well, in turn, I suppose it’s only fair to tell you how old I a-“ “You’re about twenty-two years old, you’ll be twenty-three in August.” The man listed off like it was common knowledge. “H-how?-“ “you’re the reincarnation of the legendary hero, dear boy. Your last incarnation died in August around twenty-two years ago.” The cloaked figure told him. It checked out in Link’s mind, so he dropped it. “Okay, so, what does this thing do?” He asked, returning to the pendant the man held.

“This is similar to the shieka slate in that it contains a map as well as the ability to teleport me and whatever I have my hands on. I have many different locations all over Hyrule and even beyond that I have saved in this to teleport to at a moments notice. It also has the ability to store items of any weight in the form of information that you can pull out at any time. Pretty neat huh?” The man then proceeded to show Link an example of each feature before awaiting his reply. “Woah... this is incredible, sir!” At that, Link had another thought. “You know my name cause I’m the hero reborn, but I don’t know your name.” Link said, tilting his head slightly with a curious look. “Ah, fair point, dear boy. You may call me Jacque, master Link.” The man answered. “Master? Fancy. I’ve only heard of my past incarnations being called that periodically. No one has called me that. At least, not in this lifetime so far.”

Jacque stilled, the hand holding the pendant lowering slightly. “Heh. I suppose it is a bit different to what you’re used to, huh? Never the less, we should be off. Look,” he points to a screen folds out from underneath the pendant, “we’re going to make a stop at my place real quick to drop a few things off and get you settled before we begin diving into all this... Only if you’re comfortable with that, of course...” Looking at the screen at where Jacque pointed, he recognized the area from a map he read once that traveling merchants carry with them. It was in the far western part of the lost woods next to the korok forest. “Yeah, that’s fine. Your house is in an odd place. I’ve heard legends of the lost woods and how anybody who goes in without knowing the proper way to go will only be spat back out where they started.”

“I built my house there for that specific reason, dear boy. It’s a good home defense system, seeing as the only ones who know how to traverse the forest anymore are the koroks themselves.” Link nodded, mumbling in agreement. Jacque then asked, “You ready? Teleportation takes some getting used to, so don’t be surprised if you feel a little dizzy the first few times while you get used to it.” He warned, holding the pendant in front of the young man. “Yeah, let’s go!” And Jacque tapped on the icon where his house is, put his free hand on Link’s shoulder, and pressed a diamond shaped button on the bottom panel. In an instant, they were inside a huge mansion, decorated lavishly with enormous crystal chandeliers, long, plush futons, many sculptures depicting scenes from many of the legends he had heard throughout his childhood. There were two wide, curved staircases that led to an open corridor on the second floor with a balcony overlooking the main entrance. There were large windows with elaborate drapes made of expensive looking fabric, and marble tile flooring that held beautiful patterns of curly-cues and fleur-dis-lees dancing across their surfaces.

Link had to regain his balance before speaking. “Now This is incredible...” Link said, gawking at the intricate decor, almost at a loss for words. “It’s usually either green or blue in your past lives, but I’ll ask you anyways, dear boy. What’s your favorite color?” Jacque asked, bending slightly to meet his height. The young man thought for a second before answering, “Soft lavender.” He replied, fidgeting slightly with the hem of his green tunic. “Why do you ask?” Jacque chuckled lightly before stating, “You’ll see soon, but before I go tend to that, here’s a map of the place until you get used to it here. Make yourself at home, master Link.~” He hands the small map to link before he goes upstairs. “Just, don’t come in here for a few minutes. It’s a surprise.~” he added before dipping into one of the rooms. “Okay, Jacque. I’ll just be checking things out.”

As Link followed the map and began looking around the place, he couldn’t help but think about the situation. ‘You’re at a strangers mansion on a supposed rest stop, you’re gunna go on a quest with him in search of more information for both of your studies, you know next to nothing about him, yet he seems to know almost everything about you, and yet despite all this, you trust Jacque?’ He stopped walking once he reached the kitchen. ‘Yet I can’t help but feel there’s something familiar about his voice... I hope my guts are right. He seems genuinely interesting...’ And with that thought playing in his mind, he sat at the large dining-room table and pulled out one of the muffins he brought. As he started eating, he wondered, ‘ I knew him in a past life? He did say he was many millennia old after all... Maybe we were friends?’

[czeriahshiptank]

Missed connection

Ok, so I started writing this during the Zelink month last August, but we lost my aunt and life in general caught up with me. I've been stranded home with the chicken pox for the last week and a half, so I finally had time so stop and finish this.

Needless to say that it wasn't how I had imagined writing this particular piece, but it kinda got away from me, and I now think that it's probably my best one so far. I really like it...

It take place in a Hyrule after BOTW, with some weird spirits tracks elements, imagine just a BOTW Hyrule but where the technology had evolved again after the game, kinda modern time Hyrule. I might have a few headcanon going on in there, I hope I doesn't bother anybody.

I listened to this Youtube channel during the writing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHW1oY26kxQ) and I think it grasp a lots of the general atmosphere I tried to convey, so don't hesitate to give it an ear during your reading.

As always, English is not my first language, so I apologize for any awful mistake I might have left, I've reread that a hundred time already and I can't see anything anymore...xD

Happy new year to everybody, and have a good read ! I hope to read in the comments your thoughts about this ^^

Note : cross posted on my own account on AO3.

That year, as it happen sometime, autumn arrived on a crisp summer night. One hour the air was heavy with warmth and sweetness and the next was ice cold and filled with the bittersweet taste of the end of something.

Weather in Hyrule was often like that, mostly on the far sides of the kingdom. The plain around the castle always seemed to have her own micro climate of soft breeze, shy sun and eventual rain, meanwhile the outskirt could go from year long frigid air of the Snowpeak, to the desertic warmth of the Gerudo valley.

But nothing ever felt like home to Link like the crisp and cold air of the Akkalan plains, so close in shape as the rest of the grand plateau but as if engulfed in a perpetual autumn late afternoon.

As much as he loved his job as Hyrule Train Track employee, he enjoyed it most when he was assigned here, in the Akkalan station. Most of his coworker were assigned to a certain place in particular and stayed there, or enjoyed running the trains all over the country while always going back home at the end of the day. Link wasn’t like that. He was a floater. They were only a handful of employee like him, never assigned to a task in particular, always changing affectation.

He hated staying in one place for too long, but he had to admit that this station near the University was his favorite one.

If you asked him, he would tell you it was because of the bright colors the tree leaves seemed to have all year long, from bright greens to dark reds. the low light of the sun on the long meadow, never high enough to make you feel like it was summer, but giving this eerie feeling of late autumn to the area all year long. He would tell you about the crisp air of the wind, sometime hot when it came down from the Eldin volcano, sometime full of salt when the sea would bring rain.

However, he would probably never tell you about his main reason to like the place.

In the very north-east of the province, you could find an old scientific facility. It was said that this place had been crucial in the defeat of the calamity, but that was hundreds of years ago and mostly history lovers would talk to you about that. It was only an hour away from Tarrey town, the capital of the region.

The place had probably changed a lot since that time. It was said that the only remaining piece was the giant telescope on top of it. The building was now surrounded by houses and smaller labs as well as the biggest university of the land.

The school was well loved by his students, as much for the history surrounding it that for the serenity that came with the area. It has a couple of coffee shop, the biggest library outside of Castle town and the kind of atmosphere you only see in movies, where everybody likes to study and all is good in the world. Like a Yuletide tale where the heroine find love at the end of the story.

Zelda kinda felt like she was the heroine of a bad movie like that, and if you asked her, she would tell you that she might have preferred not missing her last train home. But of course she had. Her last class of the semester had run late, the professor had gone on and on about the schism between the Sheikah and the Yiga, from all those centuries ago, and how it was believed that the royal family of that time hadn’t really made a good decision in making the Sheikah destroy all their technology. Zelda actually agreed with him, who knows how would be the scientific global knowledge if her ancestors hasn’t been so stupid. But as interesting that lecture had been, it had extended the lesson by a good thirty minutes and as a result made her missed the connection to the central tower which was the only way for her to go back home on time. She would have to wait for the 6.45 train on the next day and of course, had no way to go back to her small appartement in the campus since everything was closed for the Yule season.

She took in a long, meant to be calming, breath.

Part of her had always loved train station. Particularly this one. It wasn’t the huge ones you could find in big cities, engulfed in a shell of metal and glass. As claustrophobic in their metallic skull and ambient madness than liberating as the new travel prospect they announced. They always smelled like the end of something and the beginning of everything. The crowd and the noise, so overwhelming you just wanted to fall into the first train possible without knowing where it could take you, just hoping it would be an adventure..

The Akkala Faculty station was not like that. The station was situated just before Tarrey Town, which was the last of this line. It was composed of four docks, next to each other, and a small building to buy tickets and be safe from the weather.

It wasn’t in the middle of the city but slightly on the outskirt, just at the verge of the forest. If you squint along the east of the tracks, you could even see the ocean not so far away. It was always breezy, mostly in the evening, and most often misty in the morning. It has the kind of atmosphere you imagine when someone tells you a fairy tale filled with magic and weird places, the kind that gives you the chills and make you dream of sorceress and mighty heroes. The kind you see in these movies, where the two lost lovers meet and fall in love right next to the tracks before each leaving in a different trains.

Train station always made her think of sad love stories. Like the ones of the heroes of old, and the princesses also named Zelda. The ones where the princess send back her hero back in time to let him live his life, the one where he decide to leave all by himself, the ones where he died in her arms, and all she could do was to hope than in her next life they would finally be happy.

They're haven't been a hero for so many years, and even if the Royal Family kept the habit of calling their first born daughters Zelda, most of the links she met were the ones made on the Sheikahnet. Ganon, or the calamity, was just a memory, kept alive by Historian and old fear that it could always come back, but never really sure if it was a legend or reality.

She breathed out.

The sun was slowly going down, and there was no use staying outside now. No magic train would come and pick her up. She could only wait for the morrow. At least she had taken a couple of books with her.

Link loved reading strange stories on the Sheikahnet. Tales of liminal space, moments and places in time that did not really exist, but were there anyway. Feeling that anything could happen if you were attentive enough of your surrounding.

Like sometime in the morning, when from the corner of your eyes you could glimpse a fairy. Nobody ever believed him when he mentioned it as a kid, so he stop speaking about it, but it happened. A small light that would float on the verge of his consciousness when the light were low and the mist so thick you could cut it with a knife. He sometime dreamt about a moon about to fall, about great battles that happened here and somewhere else. Of big birds, one as red as the fire of Eldin, and another bluer than the sky above. He dreamt about fairies and princesses, sometime brunet, sometime as blond as the wheat he could see from the train windows. Sometime he dreamt he was dying, other time he dreamt that she was.

Most time he just dreamt of her. She was always the same even if she never bore the same face, and he was always himself even when he wasn’t.

He never talk to anyone about these dreams.

He loved the Akkala Faculty station most of all the places he knew. The weird feeling like he could meet anything, anybody from anywhere. Although at night, like right now, most of the time it was empty.

He hadn’t expected to see someone, let alone a girl, sitting on the bench inside the station, but here she was anyway. Long blond hair, falling on her laps, even as she put them back behind her long and fine hylian ears. She was reading a book and in the silence of the place he could hear a slow music being hummed. A lullaby of sort, one he had never heard before but was strangely familiar anyway.

She was familiar in that way strangers sometimes were, as if he had met her in another life, and maybe he had. He dreamt of strange life so often that he wouldn’t be surprised, and after all, he might have seen her on another day, in a train. She was familiar because somehow, he knew who she was, he had seen her, who hadn't? She was the crown princess after all, he recognized her. Everybody knew she was studying here. But he knew her, not in a gossipy way, just a true as saying he knew the grass was green or the sky was blue. He just knew….

“Excuse me miss, are you waiting on a train ? There isn’t another one before tomorrow…”

She hadn’t expected anyone to be there. The place was so small and quiet, she had never realized how much she had needed the calm before staying there for the last hour, alone with her book and the slow sound of the light rain falling on the glass ceiling of the station. His voice made her jump slightly, all taken as she had been by the story within the page of her novel, she hadn’t heard him coming closer. He was wearing the uniform of the Train Tracks, a green tunic, with golden boutons. A nice green cap over dirty blond hair and big blue eyes who were looking at her with a bit of worry.

“Yes, I know, I missed my last one and can’t go home because of the holiday. I was hoping of staying here for the night, is that a problem ? I can leave…” Now that he was closer, she could read his name embroidered in gold lettering.“...Link?”

The name was strangely familiar on her lips. And after all, it was. She study history after all, and if one name came back as often as her own, it was this one. It was quite a strange name to wear nowadays, less and less people named their sons after the heroes of old. Too much to bear, too dangerous, if the calamity was to come back, and their son was the one to go ? She could understand the predicament. After all, she herself was the most likely Zelda to be called upon if anything like that were to happen.

“Oh, no, don’t worry miss, you can stay.”

His voice was soft, almost inaudible. She had read that a lot of the heroes had been shy, silent, some says that a few were completely mute. She wondered if all the Link in the country were like the first one, if the name was implicitly making them take certain character. A name is a heavy burden to carry, one that most parent didn't really realize.

She looked at him and everything inside her was yelling that she knew him, but no word would come out of her mouth, his eyes were full of recognition and the fear was restraining her heart. The silence stretched for what seemed like years, when finally her throat allowed for the sound of her hope and fear to come out.

“Do I know you ?”

Could she know him? Yes she could, as true as he knew her without having a clue on how he did. He wanted to touch her, to feel the soft skin of her hand like all the other time he had met her. Sometime with a glove, sometime with fur. He knew her in a way he couldn’t understand.

His voice was silent in the back of his throat, memories of dreams too real, and realities that couldn't have been anything else but dreams. In this place where everything could happen, he had met her, and somehow, something in him told him it was impossible.

But here she was, Zelda, his princess, his everything in so many lives. It was unlikely, said the voice inside his head, that they somehow manage to meet for once without the hovering of an horrible future. But maybe it had happen, maybe this time they could just be themselves without the fear of imminent death and unshakable duty…

Maybe it was just a flicker of his imagination, maybe it was just him who felt the overwhelming need to wrap her in an embrace and never let her go. He wanted to say something, anything, try to make her feel what he felt…

“I think you do.”

They looked at each other for what felt entire lifetimes. All the one they could  never be together, and some of the one where they were. They say that some kind of love transcend life time and maybe theirs is one of them.

One of Zelda favorite story was the one of the creation of this land. Strangely enough, it arrived almost unscathed to them when so many others were just like tree leaves, scattered to the wind, never to be heard again. It was said that it was the will of the goddess that her soul be reborn in a human girl, and her hero soul to follow hers until the end of time. And maybe it was what that was. She for sure wasn't feeling really goddess like right now, but the rythme of her heart was telling her that it was him.

Some things are just too hard to ignore, and the attraction she felt for this boy, no older than her, was unprecedented. Before that, she realized, she had been mostly going through her life like a lifeless puppet. Or maybe the goddess had just made everything happening to make their encounter possible.

Her mind was filled with so many memories that weren’t her own, it was almost hard to keep up. All the faces of the same man, so different were suddenly juxtaposing on the face of the one in front of her. That’s how she realized.

“Do you...want to have a coffee ? I think we both need a hot drink…”

The eyes and the voice, they had always been the same.

They ended up in the all night coffee shop next to the station. The place was about as empty as it could be, a few patrons here and there and a waitress who would have prefer another shift. The music was soft, the booth comfortable. Their hands were joined in the middle of the table and their hot coco discarded on the far side of the table for the last ten minutes. If you looked carefully, you could see the soft curl of three triangles softly shining on the back of their hands, another proof of what was happening, but too taken they were with each others presence, neither of them seemed to acknowledge their presence.

They had talk about their lives, how for all this time it has felt like something was missing. For the first time Link told someone about his dreams, and Zelda about her own. They spoke endlessly about their families their works, the school. How freeing conducting a train was, and how much a single jar could teach you about your own civilisation.

It felt like no time at all had pass when Zelda realized the first ray of light had started to appear by the large window of the shop. The clock was announcing 6 o’clock, and it was almost time for her to catch her train. They had taken the time to exchange slate number, and as Zelda was dragging him to watch the sunrise on the tracks, the incomprehensible need to tell him she loves him was overwhelming.

How could she just say that to someone she barely knew, if her mother were here she would probably scold her like the teenager she acted like. But when her eyes fell once again into his, it was like the whole world was lit on fire.

She didn’t know him, yet, but her soul did. And if you can’t trust the very soul of the goddess to find true love, then who could you trust ?

She was surrounded by light and Link had never seen anything as beautiful as her right now. The whole evening was surrealist, but even him couldn’t have invented a plot like that for a dream he hasn’t been asleep to have. For all time, the mere concept of Soulmate has seemed somewhat preposterous to him. Not something someone like him could ever hope to have. Even with the dreams. So many of them finished with despair and sadness that he never thought that he would meet her, and live to tell the tale, even less enjoy her mere presence, here, in his favorite place of the world, with her in his arms.

But here she was, and together they were.

Well, she had to leave soon enough, but they knew the real them now, and texting was a thing they could do. Meet up somewhere else and get to know the them from this lifetime, after getting to know all the them from before. They could go on dates, learn to love each other, and spend the rest of their life, knowing that they would never be truly ever appart for long.

Maybe the next one won’t be as nice and peaceful as this one was about to be, but he knew they would be together.

Finally the train arrived, he listened to the sound of the wheels, grinding against the tracks, smelled the smoke of the chimney concealing them from the crowd starting to mass around them. Even now, they felt alone, just the two of them. Neither of them could say which one went for it first, but when their lips met, if was like a hello and a goodbye. The happiness of the start, followed by the bittersweetness of the separation.

It was a promise of more to come.

The ring of the train called them back to reality and Link dutifully brought them to her wagon, helping her with her luggage before dropping a last short kiss on her lips, followed by one on her hands.

“Your highness, I’ll text you when I arrived in Castle Town on the weekend.”

She could feel the blush on her cheeks, she curtsied.

“I’ll be waiting” she paused and winked at him, “Even if I sure hope you will text me sooner.”

He smiled at her and she swear it could have eclipsed the sun.

He watched as the train left the station, too slowly and too quick at the same time. Once it had disappeared, his gaze got lost in the forest surrounding the area. The leaves, as green as her eyes, and red like the blush the hard wind had left on her cheeks.

Yes, Akkala University Station was definitely his favorite assignation.

[ashleyswrittenwords]

How to be a Queen [Part 26]

Summary: Princess Zelda is at a loss. Her handed royal responsibilities have begun to weigh heavily on her and she is eventually backed into a corner. Live a life she loathes or run away from everything she’s ever known? Navigating life is hard, and Link forces her to learn that she doesn’t have to do it alone.

Previous

Next

Part 1

How To Be A Queen

I hated this.

She stared at me. My own staring had long turned to a steady glower; eyes squeezed almost shut as I tried to pick apart every stitch for some inkling of an answer. Maybe the real problem is that I didn’t have a coherent question.

The fire in my father’s mantle crackled to fill in my silence and illuminating my balled-up place on the carpet. I should be asleep right now, that was the plan anyway, but it was thwarted earlier in the day when my last bedroom was deemed a “risk”.

Still, I hated it all the more. The doll was in the same useless state where I placed it – a slightly slouched perch on the velvet loveseat. It intensely reminded me of when my tutors would make me find symbolism in a storybook where there obviously wasn’t, making me conjure some flowery explanation for why the author used this phrase or that description.

With my knees up to my chin, I fiddled with the hem of my night gown and wondered and wondered and wondered because a head full of pointless thoughts felt better than nothing at all.

There was commotion – arguing, then the door opened and I was met with the burning sight of Urbosa. In her hand was a page, crumpled by her fist, and I understood before she spoke.

“You can’t be serious!” she glowered. Urbosa was a woman who schooled her expressions masterfully yet now she was untamed.

My face reddened, embarrassment probably. “I can explain.”

“Explain what exactly? This man has threatened my life, my countrywomens’ lives, and now yours… and you want to give him a platform to speak on?”

She was outraged, flailing Ganondorf’s letter as she spoke. I pressed my lips together and let her rant on about what I had mentioned to Impa before. My toes pressed deep into the carpet.

“Your anger is something I can understand,” I finally said, frowning when she caught my gaze. “But I’m not a child and this is not an entirely irrational reaction.”

Urbosa watched me for a tense moment and stepped away to pace the room in an attempt to air out her feelings. When she did, I saw Impa accompanied her with a careful presence. I steeled myself for whatever it was she wanted to say.

My father’s quarters weren’t where I expected to be tonight, but at least he was in a safer (and more inconspicuous) part of the castle. If anything, the familiar setting was a slight comfort even if it wasn’t my own room. It was an airy space and not much had changed since the war started. I rose from my spot, trying to gracefully slip the doll into my gown’s deep pockets and perched myself where the toy once sat.

“Okay,” the Gerudo leader breathed again, sitting on the cushions with Impa across from me. “Okay, then explain it to me.”

I breathed in deeply. “No doubt you’ve read what he’s wrote, but I’ve read it more than you have. Let’s talk about it.”

The half impatient nod my way with born out of pure frustration. I could completely understand it, but it didn’t make the feeling of pressure any lighter.

“In his words, he wants to declare a form of parley,” I spoke, slowly choosing my words. “Meaning a temporary truce in war to sit down and discuss negotiation – or the start of them.”

I swallowed as I mentally scanned through the letter word-for-word in my head:

I doubt that my reputation holds well in your circles and it would be foolish to give a nobody’s word any weight.

“Traditionally, it would be held by one party sending an ambassador of sorts to the opposition. We would discuss terms at a distance, however he is willing to travel to Hyrule Castle himself.”

Urbosa scoffed, “That’s even worse.”

“It means he’s going in place of someone expendable. It was the whole point of ‘parley’ as a concept and he is willing to give us leverage to make this happen.”

I could tell there was more she wanted to say, but she chose not to. Impa spoke up instead.

“I realize that I haven’t told you this before,” she said. “But you should consider your image.”

My brow furrowed, “My image?”

“To history, Zelda, there has never been an enemy like this within the castle walls unless force was taken. No other ruler has offered an invitation like this before. Don’t you find that troubling?”

I felt my frown deepen. The fabric of my gown twisted around my fingers. I took another deep breath of the burning applewood in the hearth before saying, “The conflict we’re currently in has surpassed the amount of casualties in any other war I have lived through in half the time. Pray tell, do you find that troubling?”

They didn’t reply; they didn’t have to.

“I am afraid,” I spelled out. “I am afraid to see the country being torn with violence and bloodshed. To consider that I am assumed its leader is another type of fear I haven’t grasped yet, much less what historians will jot me down as. Better yet, let’s discuss how someone I know very dearly is out there; contingent to the choices I make.”

Roughly, I swallowed. My gaze went to the ceiling where engravings of old legends escaped the firelight.

“Let us discuss what I know will be his vehement disapproval of my consideration. My goal here is to mitigate as much as I can and if that means buying time at the cost of my reputation, then so be it,” I conceded. Impa stared at her hands and I could only feel shame, weak. I wonder if that’s what she had in mind. “Horrible rulers have preceded me and I don’t expect to be the last.”

There was a long moment of quiet that made it awful to resist squirming in my seat. I didn’t like our options either, but pride was my father’s forte. I wasn’t about to inherit it now that an opportunity like this is tangible, even if it came about through unconventional means. I’ll let them move me into the royal quarters and I’ll let them squander more of my personal time with increased security – I won’t let them pass this up without a single consideration.

Urbosa and Impa stood, I expected them to leave immediately but instead Urbosa said my name and took my hand in hers. Worry was in her eyes.

“You know I would never give you up,” I said softly. “I really hope you weren’t expecting me to abandon you so quickly.”

The sofa dipped slightly as she took a seat. “Tamen non obliviscar tui et filiae.”

At my slight confusion she merely smiled and said, “It means: Never forget your daughters. We say that when we underestimate our children after they’re grown. I am scared, Zelda.”

Our hand hold slipped into an embrace. She continued, “I worry constantly for you. As much as I want to, I don’t have all the answers. None of us do and maybe that’s why I reacted the way I did. I forgot that and, more importantly, I forgot you.”

  The next days brought sleepless nights. I wasn’t sure if I preferred them because in the darkness was the chilling vision of what Link had become. That dream wouldn’t fade as the days wore on, instead sharpening in the parts that struck me the most. In the mirror of my room, when Anju would prod at the dark circles under my eyes, I would see his eyes staring at me.

“It wasn’t real,” I muttered, almost angrily.

Anju grunted behind me with bobbypins caught between her teeth. “What wasn’t?”

“I had a dream,” I said. “And it wasn’t real, but I feel like it was and it’s ridiculous.”

“Well, ya look tired enough,” she replied with a nonchalant drawl, watching me in the mirror a moment before shrugging. “Everyone has nightmares, Zelda. Even Her Royal Grace Majesty Herself.”

The smile I tried to suppress fought hard. “It was about Link.”

“You’re worried! Welcome to the club. You already know the things Aryll writes to me, halfway between gloating and going stir crazy,” she laughed. “His next present to her has to be twice as shiny as the last.”

Her hands paused in their tugging. “If it’s bothering you, you should talk about it.”

I sighed, relenting quickly because she’d prod further if I hadn’t. I left out the odd parts about the strange man and the dancing and focused more on when I saw Link.

“It was probably me projecting…” I groaned. “But he seemed driven mad, Anju! And I caused that. The only reason why he isn’t with his family or living more peacefully is because of me.”

She considered it, seeming to weigh my words as she viewed me from the front. Her nose crinkled, “Zelda, you know that boy. I know that boy. When we were kids, he would always be the lead troublemaker leading the charges. Shocking, believe me I know, but you must be raving mad if you think he wouldn’t force himself into this mess regardless of your decisions.”

“With or without me?”

She hummed in thought, “Reckless is a word I would use  – no, wait – organized recklessness. But he has always needed help picking up the pieces. It used to be Aryll with scrapes and bruises.” Then, there was a glint in her eye that made me laugh, “I wonder who it’ll be now?”

  “There is no guarantee that the negotiations will come to anything,” Fierlin grimaced, reading through Ganondorf’s letter. “Though I won’t disagree that a truce, no matter how temporary, is a plus.”

He stroked his beard with a raised brow and met my eyes. “Do you… know how to send news to your right hand?”

We were in my father’s study with a long list of staff sitting on my desk, each with a detailed list of any possible connections to the opposition. I pushed it away.

“I have consulted every consultant at my fingertips at the moment; written out the pros and cons,” I said. My head rested on my fist in a dull way to help my sore neck.

“Well,” the man leaned back in his chair as old worn men tended to, “I know the tenacity and unwillingness to quit. I’ve gotten well acquainted with that side of him when he was my captain. Don’t get me wrong, Your Majesty, Link will follow any order you give him… but he will fight and kick every step of the way.”

“That’s only because Admiral Whitehurst is with him right now.”

He raised a hand to negate me. “Not necessarily. Link’s a fine remediator. He doesn’t show obvious favor to anyone under him and is constantly listening. He’ll tune out whatever sees fit. Any resistance you saw came from him alone.”

I glanced down at one of my desk drawers that contained some of Link’s letters and closed my eyes.

“I want him to travel back to the castle if we go through with it.” When, really, but it was hard to believe what was happening myself.

The look he gave me wasn’t remotely hopeful.

“I wouldn’t count on it. It’s not likely he would abandon his men because who is to say this truce lasts more than a day? We don’t know the temperament of this ‘Ganondorf’ and he is largely unpredictable in much else.”

“Will Link resent the idea that much?”

“I predict he will…” Fierlin stopped himself, then sighed. “He will have some complications with it.”

  That night, crumpled papers littered desk. They were filled with words that didn’t string together properly and thoughts that weren’t quite complete. The first letter was a formal inquiry of Ganondorf’s arrival. On the closed envelope, I pressed my father’s insignia with more pressure than necessary.

I kept it in a closed drawer because the second letter was both an order and request for counsel.

In this, my thoughts were far more frayed and there were countless drafts that kept the wick of my candle burning. It was a constant debate on whether I should even forgo pairing the first with it. I recalled his reluctance to retreat and the disappointment that came after. The ink pen felt heavier in my hand.

This was when I realized that this was what Impa was fearful of.

My hand dragged down my cheek and I forced myself to sit up straighter.

She has told me more than once, no matter how indirect, that whatever Link and I had would eventually conflict with my duties. Especially with the dynamic at play now, he was my Commander General and I was his Queen. I have asked the opinion of all my resources both past and present, why should my consideration of his opinion be so weighty?

It had grown to the point where I could barely put pen to paper.

An obstruction of my duties, that is a phrase Impa would say.

The words I ended up writing were addressing him formally. Though I was sure word had been sent about what had happened, I reiterated the events from what Lord Ibauna shouted about to the letter within my room. After that, in the most political way I could muster, I told him I was considering it with the counsel in mind. This time, I wouldn’t slip an additional note because I couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t me trying to influence him.

I bound the two letters and sent them the same night. Once I get the General’s counsel, I will make the final decision and either order him to send a messenger… or not.

  This is grossly miscalculated.

Urbosa was speaking, but it was difficult to truly listen to her. She was walking beside me. I want to say that her gentle suggestions to coax me off the ledge were helping, but it only pushed me to push my nails deeper into my palm. The sharp pain helped me more to keep my mouth shut.

“He was only trying to assert another option.”

Immature

I glanced to her and said through gritted teeth, “What he was trying to do was insult my integrity.”

My steps were heavier than they usually were when going to attend meetings with the admirals. On any other day, I would approach it with a cool head. It was a war room, I wanted to be as even keeled and level-headed as I could.

Rash

Now, I couldn’t stop seeing red.

Just barely, I turned my head towards her. “He acts as if he has had lifetimes of experience already,” I hissed, pausing briefly while passing a couple of maids with bowed heads. “Link is barely any older than I. Ridiculous.”

Urbosa and I bounded a set of stairs and before I entered the war room, I requested an ink pen and parchment as well as the awaiting messenger. It hadn’t been two days before I got a reply from Link. A set of officers stood when I entered the room.

I wasn’t exactly surprised to see Admiral Whitehurst return almost immediately after the letter arrived. His face was still red from his traveling and I politely acknowledged him.

“Your general isn’t happy,” he said. “He made the carriage ride through the night, gods willing my back is still intact.”

“Oh, no,” I uttered out, splaying the several pages Link had written me onto the table. “He surely is not.”

The admiral blinked considerably. I had never acted this way in front of them, but at this point I didn’t have the luxury to care. The only reason I took a seat was to keep them all from standing awkwardly.

“Groveling at the enemy’s feet, he says,” I glanced at the pages with a casted hand. “How, exactly, is he coming to these absurd conclusions?”

I feared that he would have tried to influence Link more in my disfavor, but I did trust what Fierlin had told me and the handwriting on the correspondence was unmistakably Link. Why he had sent John Whitehurst was a mystery to me altogether, perhaps in an effort to sway me even more?

Well, good, I thought. Maybe the one he is receiving will beat some sense into him.

Whitehurst grunted as he sat back in his chair and took a moment to adjust.

“General Forester is doing what he was appointed to do, fight to win. If we pause, especially in the terms he has relayed to me, I believe that he believes you have given up.”

I reeled back, “When has lessening the toll this war has taken meant ‘giving up’? Did he say those exact words?”

He looked uncomfortable. “Um, yes, perhaps, Your Grace.”

I breathed in deeply. Slowly, I counted from ten.

Tyrant was a bad look on anybody – more so me.

“Okay,” I said finally, calmer. “I think we can now say we have received all the insight we need to make a decision.”

A guard who was outside the door brought in a pot of ink, a pen and parchment. I thanked him quietly.

“I wanted to convene one more time before I decide to send this order,” I said, taking the pen between my fingers. The correspondence on the table, which Urbosa was now leafing through with Whitehurst, was missing the final page. It was burning in my dress pocket.

Reconsider, Zelda.

I caught Urbosa’s gaze while the officers and the sparse admirals had a last discussion about weighing the final options, or their lack of. She watched me with a solemn demeaner. Then, she nodded.

I will not be there to help you.

I don’t need his help.

“Is it decided, gentlemen?”

Delicately, I folded the paper twice just in time for the messenger to walk through.

My only words to him was an order to send my acquisition across enemy lines.