Chapter 2
Days of adventure begin…
Inside the branches of the pine tree in the training court sat a huge crow with red eyes and a silver collar around its neck. The crow cawed and flew off without anyone even glancing at it.
“Wow an entire day, so what should we do?” Selene asked the group. “We could go for that ride that Meria wanted.” Sheik said. “That is a possibility since we have more time now.” Gerad said. They all agreed and headed for the stables. They passed by the adults on the way and Link asked where they were going. “We’re going riding we won’t take too long.” Gerad replied. “I’d like you to take a soldier with you for escort anyway.” Zelda said. As she said that Calhan came around the corner, “I would be honored to ride escort for them.” He said with his handsomest smile and deepest bow. Since there was no other soldiers around they had to take him. “Alright, head to the stables with the children and ride with them as escort.” Link said, and the adults left. The group continued on to the stables with Calhan right behind.
They stopped off at the armory to grab their weapons for their combat instructor swore that every time was a good time to familiar one’s self with his weapon of choice. Selecting her morning star Selene strapped it to her hip with out even blinking and strapped her buckler to her back. Gerad strapped on his broadsword and buckler. Calhan already had his longsword and shield and the others grabbed their weapons from the racks that held them.
They reached the stables and selected their mounts. Selene retrieved her mare Starfire, a white horse with a silver mane and tail. Gerad retrieved his stallion Artimus who was a blue-ish gray. Dahrin got his stallion Desertstorm, a yellow cream colored horse with a black mane and tail. Aerica retrieved her mare Orchid, a brown horse. Meko slept catatonic on her shoulder his tiny belly swollen from eating himself silly with bread. Sheik retrieved his horse Spider, a huge black horse. Meria retrieved her horse Eyona, the daughter of Epeona, a red mare with a black mane and tail and white hooves. Lucius saddled up a “horse” from Zora’s Domain, it was indigo blue and had long pointed ears, and gills behind its ears, its hooves had fins around them, its name was Fish. G-Link’s “horse” was a giant lizard from Death Mountain its name was Bob. Calhan saddled up Slaughter, another soldier saddled up and together the group rode out the palace gates.
They rode through the town and the little children gawked at Lucius’s and G-Link’s mounts. The townsfolk bowed when Selene and Gerad rode past. Selene smiled and waved as did Gerad. They made it to the town gates and rode out.
Once outside the city they stopped. “So where are we going to ride to?” Sheik asked his voice muffled because of his face wrap that he always wore in public. He undid it and tied it around his right arm. Selene shrugged and said “It doesn’t matter to me.”
“How about we head northwest then circle back this way.” Dahrin put in. The others agreed and they took off.
The wind streamed past them as they flew over Hyrule Field. Meria in the lead with the others scattered behind her. They rode for hours until the sun started sinking down to the horizon. Gerad reigned in Artimus who snorted out a puff of vapor. The others stopped scattered around him. Calhan was looking around scanning for any sign of threat. A crow cawed and flew in a circle above their heads. “That was invigorating.” Sheik said, rubbing Spider’s neck. Calhan was still staring off into the distance. The others smiled and patted their own mounts. They dismounted to let the horses rest and eat, except for G-Link. Bob plopped himself down onto the ground and went to sleep soaking up the last rays of sun. Sheik snorted, “Just like his master, catches sleep wherever.” The others grinned as they heard G-Link snore, except for Calhan who continued to scan for danger. “Well its getting too dark to head back now, we’ll have to camp here for the night.” Sheik said. “What do you mean camp here?” Lucius asked. “He means that it would be dark when we got back so the gates would be closed. Besides we can go a little further to the rivers edge so you can sleep in the water.” Gerad said pulling himself back onto Artimus. The others remounted and Dahrin tapped G-Link and they continued on to the river. “We need to get a message to mother to let her know where we are.” Selene said.
“Yes, Mathius, ride back to the castle and inform their highnesses where we are and that we shall be camping out tonight, and tell them also that I will stand guard and protect them.” Calhan said over his shoulder to the soldier behind him. Mathius saluted, turned his horse around and raced off in the direction of the palace. He was a small man and he had a huge horse, they flew off and in seconds were gone.
The group settled down at the rivers edge and made a fire. They had packed blankets and rations so they wouldn’t starve or freeze. They were sitting around the camp fire warming themselves and laughing and telling jokes, except for Lucius and Calhan. Lucius was in the water asleep and Calhan was at the firelight’s edge keeping a lookout. G-Link was asleep in a ball next to Bob who was curled around him. They all dozed off one by one; Selene leaned on Gerad who sat still so he wouldn’t disturb her. He jiggled his shoulder to wake her up when Meria and Aerica turned in. Selene yawned and got up to go lay beside them. The boys continued talking into the night. Meko sat on Gerad’s shoulder and joined in the conversation.
It grew to midnight and everything was peaceful, when a deep rumbling started. The boys jumped up and looked around confused. The girls sat up startled by the noise. G-Link slept on as did Lucius. Calhan backed up to stand next to the boys. The rumbling stopped a few minutes after it had started. Everyone was tense expecting something to happen but hoping nothing would. Their hopes were answered.
“What was that?” Meria asked edging closer to Sheik. Dahrin shook his head, “I don’t know.” They closed into a circle their backs to each other. Calhan had drawn his sword and was standing next to Selene and Gerad. Aerica had her bow cocked and Meko hovered next to her right shoulder. Minutes passed and still nothing happened. They relaxed, a little, but still stayed on guard. An hour passed and still nothing happened. They lay back down around the fire closer together and sleep came later.
A few hours later the group was dead asleep. The ground burst open near their campsite and ten stalfos crawled out each wielding a sword or club. The group awoke in time to scramble to their weapons to defend themselves. Annoying as he was Calhan was still the best soldier, he jumped in front of Selene and Gerad as two stalfos came for them. Gerad put himself in front of Selene as another came from the side. Sheik guarded Meria as two came for them. Dahrin, Aerica, and Meko handled two more but there were still three left. Calhan beat back the two in front of him while defending himself from another. Gerad battled with one and Selene another. Sheik managed to kill one and shouted in triumph only to have it get caught in his throat as the stalfos came back together and attacked him again. The remaining three went to their horses with the intention of slaughtering the tied up beast. But the horses were war trained and defended themselves from the skeletons.
The group was spread out each fighting to survive, as more stalfos clawed their way out of the ground around them. Selene whacked one with her Morningstar and it fell apart and disintegrated. Another one came at her from behind, she turned with a swing and knocked it’s head clear off. Aerica stood near Dahrin shooting out knee caps of stalfos as they came their way, Meko acted as targeter for Aerica hovering near the stalfos she aimed at to give her a better target, Dahrin hacked at them with his double headed axe.
Lucius and G-Link were still asleep. Gerad sliced and hacked with his broad sword while Sheik ducked and weaved while slicing with his daggers. Meria whacked and beat with her quarter staff knocking off bones as she hit them. Their horses undid the ropes that held them and fought their way to their masters to help them fight. Selene was backed against a wall being hounded by four stalfos, she and Starfire held them at bay. A bony hand shot out of the ground and grabbed her ankle. Selene screamed and whacked at the hand.
Gerad heard Selene scream and looked to where it came from, he saw Selene whack the hand but another grabbed her other leg and a third reached out from the wall and grabbed her arm. A fourth hand grabbed her other arm and two more grabbed her around the throat. Gerad killed the stalfos he was fighting and tried to get to his sister but there were too many in between him and Selene. Calhan was trying to get to her as well but he faired no better. Dahrin was pinned down with Aerica and Sheik and Meria were having a hard time with the stalfos also.
A huge stalfos stepped into the circle surrounding Selene, he stood a head taller than the rest of the stalfos; he wore a robe and carried a twisted evil looking staff. Selene shivered as he drew near. He stared into her eyes, his hideous face inches from hers, he lifted a hand and touched her cheek, caressing it. She shivered and tried to pull away but the hands holding her wouldn’t budge.
Gerad fought harder than he thought he ever could to reach his sister but to no use. The boss stalfos stepped back from Selene and placed a bony hand on her shoulder. He handed his staff to a subordinate then drew a long twisted dagger as he hissed something to Selene. Her eyes widened and he plunged the knife into her stomach. “Selene!” Gerad screamed as the hands let her go and she fell to her knees. The boss stalfos laughed as Selene stared at her hand as she pulled it away from her stomach; her hand was covered in bright red blood. Gerad slashed and hacked through stalfos making his way to his sister. Calhan fought harder but got nowhere.
The boss stalfos grabbed a sword from a smaller stalfos with a grunt of disgust as Selene pulled the dagger out and tried to stand up. He leveled the sword with her neck and pulled it back to take a swing but Dahrin slammed into him. The boss stalfos howled in rage and turned to face Dahrin who had already gotten up and aimed a swing at his chest. He blocked the swing with his sword but Dahrin recovered and swung again. They traded blows and cuts with Selene on the ground watching through a grey haze.
Dahrin was tiring quickly but the boss stalfos showed no signs of fatigue. Dahrin swung one last time and missed; “I am not going to kill you, little master.” the boss stalfos came in and hit him on the back of the head with the hilt of his sword. Dahrin went down unconscious. He turned back to Selene and raised his sword to strike again. He tried to kill her again but this time Sheik hit him from the back and bounced off onto the ground. The boss stalfos turned and hit Sheik with a back knuckle and Sheik went flying and landed sprawled out on the ground unconscious. Calhan attacked from the other side and managed to hold his own for awhile till two stalfos jumped him from behind and knocked him out also. The boss stalfos turned his attention back to Selene only to end up with an arrow through his chest and knee. He screamed noticing Meko hovering near him, he grabbed him out of the air squishing his wings and threw him into the wall of stone, Meko fell to the ground his light going dim. Aerica screamed his name, the boss stalfos turned back to the direction of Aerica and pointed at her, she fired again the arrow landing through the stalfos’s outstretched hand. Three stalfos attacked her and knocked her out too. Meria jumped in front of Selene and blocked the swing of the boss stalfos’s sword with her staff. He screamed again and tried to hit her again but she blocked. He swung a few more times then back handed her across the face; the force of the hit threw her against the wall. She hit her head and went down. He turned back to see Gerad standing over his sister. The boss stalfos screamed with rage at all the interventions in this assassination of one little girl. Gerad held his ground as the boss stalfos came at him with his sword raised high. Gerad blocked the swing and shoved him back away from his sister. The boss stalfos stumbled back and defended himself from Gerad’s furious blows. Gerad kept coming at the boss stalfos no matter how hard the stalfos tried to defend and counter. Finally the stalfos saw signs of fatigue on Gerad’s face and he pressed the advantage. Gerad was on a backpedaling defense now as the boss stalfos came at him.
Selene saw Gerad miss the swing and it go across his stomach, it was a shallow wound but the boss stalfos hit Gerad on the back of the head and he went down. He turned his attention back to Selene who lay on the ground staring at her fallen friends. “You just made a big mistake.” Selene said as the boss stalfos stood over her again. Selene stuck out her hand fingers spread wide and a blinding white light shot out of her hand and struck the boss stalfos full in the face. The boss stalfos screamed in pain as he disintegrated. Selene stood up and a bright light shined from her wound and engulfed the battlefield with pure white light. The other stalfos screamed as the light burned them.
After the light vanished there wasn’t a single stalfos left and everyone was healed. Gerad shot up and ran over to Selene to find her sleeping and unharmed. He breathed a sigh of relief and went to check on the others. Meko rose from where he had fallen and flew to Aerica. Sheik was already up and at Meria’s side. Dahrin was sitting on his knees rubbing the back of his head. Gerad went to Aerica and found her rubbing her arm just above the elbow and staring bewildered at it. “What’s wrong?” Gerad asked her. She stared up into his eyes hers full of fear and astonishment, “They cut it off Gerad. They had cut it off.” Tears fell down her cheeks and Gerad held her close hushing her sobs and stroking her head. “Hey love it’ll be ok.” Meko said landing on her shoulder and hugging her cheek. Aerica smiled and rubbed him with her finger. Orchid and Artimus stood over their masters and neighed softly comforting them.
Starfire stood over Selene and nuzzled her cheek till her eyes flickered open. Dahrin was kneeling beside her and smiled when her eyes opened. “Hey, how you doing?” He asked as he helped her sit up. “Headache.” She said rubbing her forehead. Selene petted Starfire on her nose and stood up with Dahrin’s help. “Is everyone alright?” Selene asked surveying the battlefield. “It would seem so.” Sheik said walking over with Meria by his side. “Where’s Calhan?” Gerad asked looking around. “I’m here.” He said coming up behind them rubbing his head.“Where’s Lucius and G-Link?” Gerad asked looking around. They all heard a big snort as G-Link rolled over. Shaking their heads they all laughed.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
So... life yeah...
apparently i have one of those......don't know if anyone is keeping up with my blog cause i haven't posted in forever. something calle dlife got in the way ^_^ amazing what that does to one's time.
i will try to get the story going again....in case anyone misses it.
if not oh well.
i will try to get the story going again....in case anyone misses it.
if not oh well.
Monday, July 14, 2008
By the way...
this story is based off the video game Zelda Ocarina of Time. so all original characters and layout belong to Nintindo or whoever actually owns Zelda.
here's chapter 1
Chapter 1
Ten years later…
“Gerad?” Selene called over her shoulder from the room window. “Yeah?” Gerad answered from the adjacent room poking his head through the doorway. “They’re here.” By they, she meant their six childhood friends. “Well I’m glad that they are.” Gerad said coming into the room buttoning his shirt. “Selene, where did I put my boots?” Gerad asked looking around the room. “Why are you asking me? Your room is that way, they aren’t in here.” Selene said turning from the window and putting her second earring in. She was wearing a comfortable pair of pants that would never grace the doors of the throne room and a loose white shirt. Her long brown hair was in a bun. Gerad brushed his hand through his short brown hair. Their hair used to be bright blonde but had turned brown over the years. Selene sat on her bed and pulled on her riding boots. The necklace their parents had presented her at their tenth birthday dangled around her neck. Gerad snapped his fingers and ran into his room.
“Found them?” Selene called to him as a triumphant shout came from his room. Gerad came back holding up his black riding boots triumphantly. “Yes I found them.” He sat next to his sister and pulled on his boots. A knock came from the door and Selene said “Enter.” A guard poked his head around the door and announced that the delegates had arrived and were waiting in the eastern courtyard.
“Thank you.” They both got up and walked out of the room. Selene tucked the necklace back under her shirt. The guard fell into step behind them as they passed him coming into the hall. Compared to Gerad with his 6’ 5” height Selene was short at 5’ 5” but tall for most her age. Their rooms were in the west wing of the palace. They passed servants who were dusting and Gerad said hello and Selene smiled to them. The servants bowed and continued with their work. “Why are they all the way in the east courtyard?” Selene asked over her shoulder to the guard. “I don’t know your highness, I was only sent to tell you.” The guard replied with a bend at the waist. Selene looked forward again and fell silent.
Gerad and Selene made it to the eastern courtyard as the delegates were being served refreshments. “Hey what took you so long?” Sheik asked from the left bench. He was sitting with his left knee up under his chin like he always did, with his red eyes full of mischief. Meria was sitting next to him in her usual white loose shirt, ankle length orange skirt, and brown riding boots. “Well you did tell them to put us in this courtyard.” She said looking pointedly at Sheik. “Yes and you know good and well that they live in the other end.” Aerica piped in from beneath the oak tree off to the right. Meko floated circles around her chasing a bug.
“No not me you must have me confused with someone else, I definitely wouldn’t have done it.” Sheik replied oozing innocence.
“Uh-huh, liar.” Selene said sitting down on the other bench beside Dahrin.
“He was like that all the way over here.” G-Link said from the ground near the entrance. It was too confusing over the years to call Goron Link, Link, so they called him by a nickname G-Link. “You didn’t have to travel with him before we met up with the rest of you. You don’t want to know what I had to put up with.” Dahrin said.
“What? I didn’t do anything bad, just not entirely good.” Sheik replied trying to defend himself from the truth. Everyone laughed at Sheik’s discomfort. “So how have you all been since last we met two weeks ago?” Gerad asked from the wall he was leaning against next to G-Link. Lucius surfaced from under the water in the fountain. “Well everything is going smoothly at my home, the water’s up; fish are plentiful, nothing really happening.” He said putting his arms on the edge of the fountain. “Everything is fine at the farm, we had two colts born and another colt is due next month.” Meria said cocking her head a little to the left in a habit since childhood. “Everything is fine at Death Mountain, rocks are good, lava’s warm keeps it warm in our home, levels down so it’s all good.” G-Link said without raising his head. He was sitting in a position like a closed up box turtle. His voice was muffled but they could all understand him for he had his father’s voice. “Well everything is fine in Kokoriko Village, the cucu lady’s Cucues got out again.” Sheik said rolling his eyes. Cucues were a type of domesticated birds (like chickens). “And I’m sure you had nothing to do with that.” Aerica said. Everyone laughed, “No I had nothing to do with it this time.” Sheik replied.
“This time?” Gerad asked with a raised eyebrow, “So it was you who let them out the other twelve times?” Sheik looked up into the tree and said, “Well, maybe.”
Gerad shook his head. Selene laughed with the rest of them and Dahrin smiled. “Well the desert and sands are as hot as ever but that’s not uncommon, and I’m not the only boy anymore.” Dahrin said holding his hands up in triumph. The others congratulated him and asked who had had a son. “Well her name is Shelnock and she married a carpenter, and they had a son the beginning of this week.” Dahrin answered.
“But isn’t that forbidden or something?” Meria asked.
“Not anymore, my mother decided that if we don’t marry out then the Gerudos would eventually die out, so she banished the law.”
“Wow so you’re like the last pure blood Gerudo child.” Sheik said.
“Something like that, yeah.” Dahrin said.
“Well the forest is in full bloom, you all should come and see it before the end of spring.” Aerica said from a lower oak branch. She had climbed up into the tree to sit in the shade of the leaves. Meko was still chasing the bug and getting dizzier by the minute. He finally stopped and made his way to Aerica’s shoulder swaying all the way there.
“Well nothing of interest here. This is the highlight of the two weeks.” Selene said pulling a foot up under her knee. “So what should we do while our parents are conducting important business of country?” Sheik asked hopping up and into a handstand. “Well we could go riding.” Meria said from behind Selene and Dahrin. Meria had always “drifted”. She’d be in one place one second then in another the next. Meria didn’t know why and they all were too good of friends to care. “We won’t have time to get a good ride. The meeting will be over soon.” Selene replied standing up. “Well how ‘bout we head to the kitchens and discuss it on the way, because I’m starved.” Sheik said gracefully flipping up out of the handstand. “You always are so what’s new?” Lucius retorted stepping out of the fountain. Gerad poked G-Link, who had fallen asleep, with his toe. “What?” G-Link asked sitting up. “We’re heading to the kitchens.” Gerad replied straightening up. G-Link nodded and fell back down and started rolling towards the kitchens. The rest of them left the courtyard and walked behind G-Link, slowing to match their pace to his. The group made its way to the kitchen all the while they discussed what to do during their time together today. They finally settled on archery and sparring. They made it to the kitchens and grabbed some loaves and some water skins then headed to the training area.
Knights of Hyrule were training vigorously for the annual tournament coming up in a couple of months. Captain Calhan was among the best of the knights and made sure everyone knew it. The group came in through the side entrance just as he unhorsed his opponent in a joust. The knight flew back from the force of the hit and landed with a thud. “Wow, nice hit.” Sheik said from behind Gerad. Sheik and Calhan were not on good terms. Calhan rode over and bowed to them from on top of his horse whose name was Slaughter. Slaughter was a huge stallion, his coat was red, and his main and tail were black, from his knees down his fur was black. “Ah Selene how are you this morning?” Calhan asked holding out his hand to Selene. Selene put her hand in his and he bent and kissed it. He smiled his best smile and Selene backed up and stood next to Gerad. “Is the archery open?” Gerad asked smiling. His friends could tell it was forced; he didn’t care for Calhan and his advances on his sister. She didn’t care for him at all and wished nothing to do with Calhan. “Yes milord. The Knights are practicing jousting today so the archery is all yours.” Calhan replied with another bow, “Is there anything else you require milord?”
“No not at this moment, thank you captain.” Gerad said as they walked off to the archery range. Sheik stayed out of site from Calhan, and Dahrin kept his eyes downcast. Calhan had no love for Sheik or Dahrin, and they all knew why. Calhan had been trying to get Selene’s father to arrange a marriage between himself and Selene, to no success. Gerad could barely contain himself when Calhan was around.
Selene shivered when they were out of sight from Calhan, and Gerad placed his arm around his sister. Sheik was quiet for five minutes which was a miracle in itself. They made it to the archery range with no further unpleasant encounters.
“Is he still trying?” Aerica asked Selene as the boys took their turn at the bows. “Yeah, and father keeps saying no. I don’t understand why he can’t get it through his head that I have no attractions to him whatsoever. I mean he is only five years older than me, but still. And has no love for any of you guys.” Selene replied. The other girls nodded their heads and went back to watching the boys. Meko was sitting in Aerica’s lap and munching on bits of bread she fed to him watching the boys as well. Gerad, Sheik, and Dahrin were the only ones that were shooting, G-Link and Lucius sat and watched. Gerad hit the bull’s eye nine times out of ten, Sheik hit two out of ten, and Dahrin hit six out of ten.
“Yeah, I don’t trust him.” Gerad said over his shoulder as he released his shot, hitting the bull’s eye, “He’s too ambitious.” Gerad moved over and Sheik stepped up.
“If you ask me he needs a sense of humor, he still hates me for that little joke I played on him.” Sheik said as he missed.
“Which one?” Dahrin asked as Sheik stepped off, “The one with the manure or the one with the bucket of scalding hot water?” Dahrin took careful aim and hit the bull’s eye. The girls took up their places and shot for awhile while the guys rested their arms. Meko moved from Aerica’s lap to Gerad’s who continued to feed him bred. “Well if you ask me, I think he’s only after the crown on my head and not for my spirit.” Selene said releasing a shaft.
“Well you could just misunderstand the guy.” Aerica said as she released a shaft. “Are you kidding? I’ve seen the way he looks at her, his cold eyes calculating how much and how little to do to win her.” Meria replied as she let loose a shaft that went through the target landing in the stone wall behind it. “I still don’t know how you do that.” Selene said as servants ran out to change the target.
Their parents came out to the training area as they were into the third round of sparring. Gerad and Dahrin were fighting and it was coming to a tied match again. Link looked at his son proudly and Nabooru smiled at hers. The time ended and the fight was a tie. The adults clapped as the two opponents bowed and walked out of the ring together. Selene handed both her brother and Dahrin a towel and congratulated them. “So what have you children been up to?” Zelda asked. The children bowed to her and the other adults. “We were practicing archery and hand to hand combat mother.” Gerad said coming up and giving her a hug. He kissed her on each cheek before she could push him away. “Silly boy you’re all sweaty.” Zelda smiled as she dusted off the front of her dress. Gerad smiled. “You both seem evenly matched.” Link remarked as he patted his son on the shoulder. “Actually I think he’s holding back, but so am I.” Gerad replied smiling at Dahrin. Dahrin laughed, “No, I’m sure if you had good reason you’d beat me hands down.” Gerad laughed with him and replied, “Well I hope I never have the reason.” The rest nodded, “So what did you discuss?” Selene asked her mother. “Well we came to the realization that we don’t know that much about our respected neighbors and friends so we have decided to send delegates to stay in the homes of the leaders of the five countries.”
“Oh and who will we send?” Gerad asked. “We are going to send you two, while the others will send them.” Link said pointing to the other children. “So we get to spend time at one of their homes, for how long?” Selene asked. “Well you’ll start at Kokoriko all of you and will stay there for a month, learning the ways of the people and the culture.”
“And then you’ll stay at Death Mountain.” Darunia said, well yelled is more the word, “And then Zora’s Domain.” Ruto put in putting her hand on Lucius’s head. “And then you will come and stay in the forest with us.” Saria said. “Then our home in the Gerudo fortress.” Nabooru said solemnly.
“Then on the ranch with us and the horses.” Malon said. “And then finally all of you will come back here so that they can learn about our culture.” Zelda said. The children were ecstatic, “When do we leave?” Selene asked with a huge smile on her face. “You leave a week from tomorrow, so that they have time to pack for the trip.” Zelda replied.“Thank you, mother and father.” Gerad exclaimed hugging his parents. Link laughed, “Now its not going to be all fun and games, you’re going to learn about the people and their culture, and there will be reports to make.” The children groaned. “But that will be on weekdays, weekends you get to spend with each other doing what you like.” Nabooru said. The children cheered. “Can we stay an extra day and head home the next day?” Sheik asked his red eyes big and shinning. Impa smiled at her son, “I don’t have a problem with it, as long as you get home on time and in one piece.” The rest of the adults agreed and then left the children to spend more time together. “Wow we get to spend an entire day with you guys.” Meria said. “Yeah good thing we all packed an extra pair of clothes.” Sheik said. “So did you plan to ask this or were the extra clothes just in case you got dirty?” Selene asked poking sheik. “Maybe?” Sheik said shrugging his shoulders. “Maybe to which part?” Gerad asked. Sheik just stared at the sky and hummed. Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched.
here's chapter 1
Chapter 1
Ten years later…
“Gerad?” Selene called over her shoulder from the room window. “Yeah?” Gerad answered from the adjacent room poking his head through the doorway. “They’re here.” By they, she meant their six childhood friends. “Well I’m glad that they are.” Gerad said coming into the room buttoning his shirt. “Selene, where did I put my boots?” Gerad asked looking around the room. “Why are you asking me? Your room is that way, they aren’t in here.” Selene said turning from the window and putting her second earring in. She was wearing a comfortable pair of pants that would never grace the doors of the throne room and a loose white shirt. Her long brown hair was in a bun. Gerad brushed his hand through his short brown hair. Their hair used to be bright blonde but had turned brown over the years. Selene sat on her bed and pulled on her riding boots. The necklace their parents had presented her at their tenth birthday dangled around her neck. Gerad snapped his fingers and ran into his room.
“Found them?” Selene called to him as a triumphant shout came from his room. Gerad came back holding up his black riding boots triumphantly. “Yes I found them.” He sat next to his sister and pulled on his boots. A knock came from the door and Selene said “Enter.” A guard poked his head around the door and announced that the delegates had arrived and were waiting in the eastern courtyard.
“Thank you.” They both got up and walked out of the room. Selene tucked the necklace back under her shirt. The guard fell into step behind them as they passed him coming into the hall. Compared to Gerad with his 6’ 5” height Selene was short at 5’ 5” but tall for most her age. Their rooms were in the west wing of the palace. They passed servants who were dusting and Gerad said hello and Selene smiled to them. The servants bowed and continued with their work. “Why are they all the way in the east courtyard?” Selene asked over her shoulder to the guard. “I don’t know your highness, I was only sent to tell you.” The guard replied with a bend at the waist. Selene looked forward again and fell silent.
Gerad and Selene made it to the eastern courtyard as the delegates were being served refreshments. “Hey what took you so long?” Sheik asked from the left bench. He was sitting with his left knee up under his chin like he always did, with his red eyes full of mischief. Meria was sitting next to him in her usual white loose shirt, ankle length orange skirt, and brown riding boots. “Well you did tell them to put us in this courtyard.” She said looking pointedly at Sheik. “Yes and you know good and well that they live in the other end.” Aerica piped in from beneath the oak tree off to the right. Meko floated circles around her chasing a bug.
“No not me you must have me confused with someone else, I definitely wouldn’t have done it.” Sheik replied oozing innocence.
“Uh-huh, liar.” Selene said sitting down on the other bench beside Dahrin.
“He was like that all the way over here.” G-Link said from the ground near the entrance. It was too confusing over the years to call Goron Link, Link, so they called him by a nickname G-Link. “You didn’t have to travel with him before we met up with the rest of you. You don’t want to know what I had to put up with.” Dahrin said.
“What? I didn’t do anything bad, just not entirely good.” Sheik replied trying to defend himself from the truth. Everyone laughed at Sheik’s discomfort. “So how have you all been since last we met two weeks ago?” Gerad asked from the wall he was leaning against next to G-Link. Lucius surfaced from under the water in the fountain. “Well everything is going smoothly at my home, the water’s up; fish are plentiful, nothing really happening.” He said putting his arms on the edge of the fountain. “Everything is fine at the farm, we had two colts born and another colt is due next month.” Meria said cocking her head a little to the left in a habit since childhood. “Everything is fine at Death Mountain, rocks are good, lava’s warm keeps it warm in our home, levels down so it’s all good.” G-Link said without raising his head. He was sitting in a position like a closed up box turtle. His voice was muffled but they could all understand him for he had his father’s voice. “Well everything is fine in Kokoriko Village, the cucu lady’s Cucues got out again.” Sheik said rolling his eyes. Cucues were a type of domesticated birds (like chickens). “And I’m sure you had nothing to do with that.” Aerica said. Everyone laughed, “No I had nothing to do with it this time.” Sheik replied.
“This time?” Gerad asked with a raised eyebrow, “So it was you who let them out the other twelve times?” Sheik looked up into the tree and said, “Well, maybe.”
Gerad shook his head. Selene laughed with the rest of them and Dahrin smiled. “Well the desert and sands are as hot as ever but that’s not uncommon, and I’m not the only boy anymore.” Dahrin said holding his hands up in triumph. The others congratulated him and asked who had had a son. “Well her name is Shelnock and she married a carpenter, and they had a son the beginning of this week.” Dahrin answered.
“But isn’t that forbidden or something?” Meria asked.
“Not anymore, my mother decided that if we don’t marry out then the Gerudos would eventually die out, so she banished the law.”
“Wow so you’re like the last pure blood Gerudo child.” Sheik said.
“Something like that, yeah.” Dahrin said.
“Well the forest is in full bloom, you all should come and see it before the end of spring.” Aerica said from a lower oak branch. She had climbed up into the tree to sit in the shade of the leaves. Meko was still chasing the bug and getting dizzier by the minute. He finally stopped and made his way to Aerica’s shoulder swaying all the way there.
“Well nothing of interest here. This is the highlight of the two weeks.” Selene said pulling a foot up under her knee. “So what should we do while our parents are conducting important business of country?” Sheik asked hopping up and into a handstand. “Well we could go riding.” Meria said from behind Selene and Dahrin. Meria had always “drifted”. She’d be in one place one second then in another the next. Meria didn’t know why and they all were too good of friends to care. “We won’t have time to get a good ride. The meeting will be over soon.” Selene replied standing up. “Well how ‘bout we head to the kitchens and discuss it on the way, because I’m starved.” Sheik said gracefully flipping up out of the handstand. “You always are so what’s new?” Lucius retorted stepping out of the fountain. Gerad poked G-Link, who had fallen asleep, with his toe. “What?” G-Link asked sitting up. “We’re heading to the kitchens.” Gerad replied straightening up. G-Link nodded and fell back down and started rolling towards the kitchens. The rest of them left the courtyard and walked behind G-Link, slowing to match their pace to his. The group made its way to the kitchen all the while they discussed what to do during their time together today. They finally settled on archery and sparring. They made it to the kitchens and grabbed some loaves and some water skins then headed to the training area.
Knights of Hyrule were training vigorously for the annual tournament coming up in a couple of months. Captain Calhan was among the best of the knights and made sure everyone knew it. The group came in through the side entrance just as he unhorsed his opponent in a joust. The knight flew back from the force of the hit and landed with a thud. “Wow, nice hit.” Sheik said from behind Gerad. Sheik and Calhan were not on good terms. Calhan rode over and bowed to them from on top of his horse whose name was Slaughter. Slaughter was a huge stallion, his coat was red, and his main and tail were black, from his knees down his fur was black. “Ah Selene how are you this morning?” Calhan asked holding out his hand to Selene. Selene put her hand in his and he bent and kissed it. He smiled his best smile and Selene backed up and stood next to Gerad. “Is the archery open?” Gerad asked smiling. His friends could tell it was forced; he didn’t care for Calhan and his advances on his sister. She didn’t care for him at all and wished nothing to do with Calhan. “Yes milord. The Knights are practicing jousting today so the archery is all yours.” Calhan replied with another bow, “Is there anything else you require milord?”
“No not at this moment, thank you captain.” Gerad said as they walked off to the archery range. Sheik stayed out of site from Calhan, and Dahrin kept his eyes downcast. Calhan had no love for Sheik or Dahrin, and they all knew why. Calhan had been trying to get Selene’s father to arrange a marriage between himself and Selene, to no success. Gerad could barely contain himself when Calhan was around.
Selene shivered when they were out of sight from Calhan, and Gerad placed his arm around his sister. Sheik was quiet for five minutes which was a miracle in itself. They made it to the archery range with no further unpleasant encounters.
“Is he still trying?” Aerica asked Selene as the boys took their turn at the bows. “Yeah, and father keeps saying no. I don’t understand why he can’t get it through his head that I have no attractions to him whatsoever. I mean he is only five years older than me, but still. And has no love for any of you guys.” Selene replied. The other girls nodded their heads and went back to watching the boys. Meko was sitting in Aerica’s lap and munching on bits of bread she fed to him watching the boys as well. Gerad, Sheik, and Dahrin were the only ones that were shooting, G-Link and Lucius sat and watched. Gerad hit the bull’s eye nine times out of ten, Sheik hit two out of ten, and Dahrin hit six out of ten.
“Yeah, I don’t trust him.” Gerad said over his shoulder as he released his shot, hitting the bull’s eye, “He’s too ambitious.” Gerad moved over and Sheik stepped up.
“If you ask me he needs a sense of humor, he still hates me for that little joke I played on him.” Sheik said as he missed.
“Which one?” Dahrin asked as Sheik stepped off, “The one with the manure or the one with the bucket of scalding hot water?” Dahrin took careful aim and hit the bull’s eye. The girls took up their places and shot for awhile while the guys rested their arms. Meko moved from Aerica’s lap to Gerad’s who continued to feed him bred. “Well if you ask me, I think he’s only after the crown on my head and not for my spirit.” Selene said releasing a shaft.
“Well you could just misunderstand the guy.” Aerica said as she released a shaft. “Are you kidding? I’ve seen the way he looks at her, his cold eyes calculating how much and how little to do to win her.” Meria replied as she let loose a shaft that went through the target landing in the stone wall behind it. “I still don’t know how you do that.” Selene said as servants ran out to change the target.
Their parents came out to the training area as they were into the third round of sparring. Gerad and Dahrin were fighting and it was coming to a tied match again. Link looked at his son proudly and Nabooru smiled at hers. The time ended and the fight was a tie. The adults clapped as the two opponents bowed and walked out of the ring together. Selene handed both her brother and Dahrin a towel and congratulated them. “So what have you children been up to?” Zelda asked. The children bowed to her and the other adults. “We were practicing archery and hand to hand combat mother.” Gerad said coming up and giving her a hug. He kissed her on each cheek before she could push him away. “Silly boy you’re all sweaty.” Zelda smiled as she dusted off the front of her dress. Gerad smiled. “You both seem evenly matched.” Link remarked as he patted his son on the shoulder. “Actually I think he’s holding back, but so am I.” Gerad replied smiling at Dahrin. Dahrin laughed, “No, I’m sure if you had good reason you’d beat me hands down.” Gerad laughed with him and replied, “Well I hope I never have the reason.” The rest nodded, “So what did you discuss?” Selene asked her mother. “Well we came to the realization that we don’t know that much about our respected neighbors and friends so we have decided to send delegates to stay in the homes of the leaders of the five countries.”
“Oh and who will we send?” Gerad asked. “We are going to send you two, while the others will send them.” Link said pointing to the other children. “So we get to spend time at one of their homes, for how long?” Selene asked. “Well you’ll start at Kokoriko all of you and will stay there for a month, learning the ways of the people and the culture.”
“And then you’ll stay at Death Mountain.” Darunia said, well yelled is more the word, “And then Zora’s Domain.” Ruto put in putting her hand on Lucius’s head. “And then you will come and stay in the forest with us.” Saria said. “Then our home in the Gerudo fortress.” Nabooru said solemnly.
“Then on the ranch with us and the horses.” Malon said. “And then finally all of you will come back here so that they can learn about our culture.” Zelda said. The children were ecstatic, “When do we leave?” Selene asked with a huge smile on her face. “You leave a week from tomorrow, so that they have time to pack for the trip.” Zelda replied.“Thank you, mother and father.” Gerad exclaimed hugging his parents. Link laughed, “Now its not going to be all fun and games, you’re going to learn about the people and their culture, and there will be reports to make.” The children groaned. “But that will be on weekdays, weekends you get to spend with each other doing what you like.” Nabooru said. The children cheered. “Can we stay an extra day and head home the next day?” Sheik asked his red eyes big and shinning. Impa smiled at her son, “I don’t have a problem with it, as long as you get home on time and in one piece.” The rest of the adults agreed and then left the children to spend more time together. “Wow we get to spend an entire day with you guys.” Meria said. “Yeah good thing we all packed an extra pair of clothes.” Sheik said. “So did you plan to ask this or were the extra clothes just in case you got dirty?” Selene asked poking sheik. “Maybe?” Sheik said shrugging his shoulders. “Maybe to which part?” Gerad asked. Sheik just stared at the sky and hummed. Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Prolog
hope you all like the revised version no promises it'll stay like that though ^_^
Prolog
Tap tap tap tap tap…the sound of footsteps echoed down the vast hall of the palace as a father paced back and forth in front of his wife’s room where she would soon give birth to his child.
Tap tap tap tap tap…back and forth he went pausing a few seconds in front of the big oak door trying to decide whether to go in or not only to return to pacing nervously.
Tap tap tap tap tap…pause…tap tap tap tap tap…pause…tap tap tap tap tap…and so on into the dawn. Then at dawn with the sun peaking through the vast window he heard a baby’s cry, and ran through the door. He startled the midwife who looked at him with a huge smile on her face. “Good news your majesty, you have a son.” She said as she handed a small bundle into his shaking arms. He folded the cloth back and met the sapphire eyes of his firstborn son. His wife groaned, he looked up to see her on her bed. The midwife shooed him out of the door again as his wife began giving birth to his son’s twin. Now outside the door he sat instead of paced and cooed to his son. He became so absorbed with his son that he didn’t hear the midwife call for him to come back in till she stuck her head out of the door. He came back in to see his wife holding another small bundle. He walked over to his wife and sat next to her on the bed. She pulled back the fold and he met the emerald eyes of his daughter. His wife looked into his brown eyes and said, “Oh Link, look how beautiful they are.” Link smiled at his wife.
“Yes Zelda, they are beautiful. What shall we name them?”
“Gerad and Selene.”
Dawn ten years later…tap tap tap the footsteps echoed down the hallway getting closer and closer. Gerad and Selene cramped back into the corner further, being as quiet as possible. The footsteps came closer still. Gerad held Selene’s hand as the footsteps stopped just around the corner. Selene pressed into Gerad. Then their pursuer rounded the corner and shouted, “Ah-Ha there you are.” They shrieked and ran for it. “Run Selene run!” Gerad yelled to her back as she dashed in front of him. “Hey don’t leave me!” Gerad shouted as they rounded a corner and dashed down the hall with their pursuer right behind them. They rounded another corner and ducked into the next hallway. They ran for what seemed like hours but their pursuer was still right behind them. Selene tripped and slid across the floor. Gerad kept running not realizing that his sister wasn’t behind him, he slowed and glanced behind him and saw her on the floor. He dashed back and got her up just as their pursuer dashed around the corner saying, “You can’t run forever, I’ll get you soon my moppets.” They scrambled away from him and kept running and dashing down side hallways until they came to two big doors. They pulled on them to get them open, but they wouldn’t budge. They tried to find a way to escape but they were trapped against the doors. Their pursuer slowly came around the entrance way and walked slowly towards them. “I have you now.” They huddled against the doors Gerad interposing himself between their pursuer and his sister. Then the big doors opened inward and they dashed backward to their mother’s lap where she sat on her throne, shrieking at the top of their lungs, “Mommy he’s going to get us.” Their mother laughed and held them close as their father came up behind them. “Well I can’t get you now. I’ll have to wait till later.” Link said as he kissed his wife and sat next to her on an identical throne. Selene giggled and hopped down from her mother’s lap and climbed into her fathers. She gave him a big kiss and curled up into his arms. Gerad was still panting from the thirty seconds of running. “So tell me what were you playing this time children?” Zelda asked looking pointedly at Link. Selene answered, “We were playing that the castle was under attack and Gerad and I were the only ones left and daddy was the enemy gananforsh.” Sitting up and putting her hands on the armrest of her father’s throne and looking at her mother with her big green eyes wide with excitement. Zelda looked at her daughter with amazement. “Well that was certainly a feat running from the big bad Ganondorf.” Their mother said hugging her son closer. “Well now that you three are all hot and sweaty you can go and take baths before our guest arrive.” Link stood up and put his daughter onto the floor and picked up his son and put him on the ground next to his sister. He kissed his wife once more then led his children to their chambers to give them baths.
After their baths they headed back down to the throne room. Link had adorned a green velvet tunic with dagger sleeves over a white cotton longed sleeved undershirt, and brown breeches. Selene was in a blue dress with silver trim while Gerad was in a blue tunic like his fathers. Selene’s long blond hair was brushed and down. Gerad’s short blond hair was combed back. On the way they heard a crash and one of the servants squeal as a kid with white hair dashed out of a room and ran smack into Link. The kid fell back onto the floor with an “oof”. Link looked down at the white headed, red eyed kid that stared up at him with a horrified expression on his face. Link chuckled and reached down to help the kid up, “Young master Sheik you must be more careful where you plant your pranks.”
Sheik stood up with Link’s help but said nothing hanging his head down in shame of being found out. He was slightly taller then Gerad and much thinner. Link chuckled all the more at Sheik’s shame, “No need to worry Sheik I won’t tell Impa, as long as you behave yourself the rest of the day.” Link told him sternly. Sheik brightened at this and nodded his head eagerly. Gerad and Selene stared at this weird kid. Sheik noticed them and stuck out his hand, “Hi I’m sheik and I’m twelve and I’m one of the Sheikhas. Who are you?” Gerad stepped out from behind his father and shook Sheik’s hand, “I’m Gerad. And this is Selene.” Selene curtsied. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
Link ushered them all in front of himself down the hallway, “Alright lets go, before your mother has my ears for being late.”
They made it to the throne room without any more adventures. The servants had been busy setting up the decorations for the event of Gerad and Selene’s fifth birthday. Gerad, Selene, and Sheik stopped in the middle of the throne room staring at all the guest arrayed in bright festive colors. Link headed up to the front where his wife was.
“There’s so many people here.” Selene said edging closer to Gerad. Gerad nodded and edged closer to Selene. “Yeah. Hey what do you think those are?” Sheik asked pointing to a group of Zoras as he edged closer to them both.
“Silly those are Zoras they’re the people who live in Zora’s Domain under Lake Hylia.” The three turned to see a red headed girl in a white dress standing by them. “Hi I’m Meria.” She said as she stuck out her hand to Selene. Selene shook it, “I’m Selene and this is Gerad and Sheik.” Selene said pointing to Gerad and Sheik. “I’m pleased to meet you all.” Meria said curtsying. “How do you know about the Zoras?” Sheik asked. “Aerica told me about them.” Meria said pointing to a small girl with green hair. Aerica noticed Meria pointing at her and came over at Meria’s beckoning. “This is Aerica.” Meria said as Aerica stopped by her side. Aerica inclined her head toward them as they said their names. On Aerica’s shoulder rested a small orange sphere of light. Aerica noticed them looking at it and smiled, she nudged the sphere with her finger and it fluttered its wings and rose up. When they got a better look at it they realized it was a tiny person, a tiny orange guy person. “This is Meko, my fairy.” Aerica said.
“Nice to meet you all. Anything interesting happen while I was asleep?” Meko asked stretching.
“Wow a real fairy, dad used to tell us stories about his adventures with Navi.” Gerad said edging closer to Meko. Meko floated backward a bit to keep them all in focus.
“Yeah all Kokorikoes are paired with a fairy when they become old enough.” Aerica explained.
“Why is your hair green?” Sheik asked bluntly. “Some of the Kokoriko are born with green hair. It’s part of living in the forest I guess.” Sheik raised his left eyebrow at this, “Ok if you say so.”
Aerica cocked her head to the left and said, “I do say so.” in a matter of fact tone. Sheik looked at her quizzically but she only smiled and turned to Selene and Meria. “Not the brightest is he love?” Meko stage whispered to Aerica. The other girls smiled as Sheik turned to Gerad for an answer.
“So how old are you, Aerica?” Selene asked her as the group moved to a side wall out of the way of the grownups. “I’m twelve.” Aerica replied. “And I’m eleven.” Meria put in. “But you’re the same height as me, I thought Kokorikoes didn’t get very tall.” Selene said.
Aerica smiled, “Normally that’s true but since the old Great Duku Tree’s death and the birth of the new one we have aged at a regular rate and will continue to age until the new Duku Tree reaches maturity and if he doesn’t want us to not grow up.”
“Oh.” Selene said nodding her head in understanding. The three of them became fast friends and started talking about girl stuff, Meria told Selene and Aerica of the life she had on the farm where she grew up and Aerica told them of her life in the forest. “Wow you two have such exciting homes mine seems so boring now.” Selene said after they were done. “Excuse us but may we join you guys?” a soft voice said somewhere behind Gerad. They turned to see a small Zora and a small Goron standing there looking at them. The Zora stuck out his hand to Gerad, “Greetings, my name is Lucius and this rock is Link.” Gerad looked puzzled, “No he isn’t; my dad is Link.” The rock shook its head, well body, “I was named after you’re father. Since my dad is friends with you’re dad he named me after him.”
Sheik laughed, “How bout we call him Goron Link?” Aerica shook her head and rolled her eyes at him.
“That is fine with me.” Goron Link said. The others agreed and continued talking about other things. They began a game of walking tag so as not to annoy the adults, even though this most likely annoyed them more seeing how they were used as pillars.
Link cleared his throat to try to get everyone’s attention. “Good day ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for attending my son and daughter’s tenth birthday, whom I seemed to have lost.” Link said chuckling as Gerad and Selene raced up the steps to stand by their mother. “Ah there you are.” Link said motioning for Gerad and Selene to stand by him. The other children had gone to stand with their parents. The herald called out some names of nobles that Selene and Gerad had no clue of who they were. The nobles came up one by one and shook hands with Link and bowed to Gerad and Selene who bowed and curtsied back. The Harold called out a name they recognized and Meria along with her mother and father came up the steps. “Malon, Geoffrey, and you must be little Meria.” Link said reaching down his hand to shake hers; Meria smiled and shook his hand. Her father smiled fondly at his daughter, as Malon spoke, "My dear friends, we have been fortunate this year, our cattle and horses have done wonderfully. Two colts have been born twins, and we offer them as birthday presents to the prince and princess." She and her family bowed to the royal family and moved off the dais. Link and Zelda thanked them as the herald called up more guests.
A few hours later the herald called a name that the children found interesting, "Lady Nabooru, leader of the Gurodo nation." a young woman stepped up to the dais and bowed to Link and Zelda. "My Lord" she said to Link, "Lady, we of the Gerudo Nation congratulate you on your children's tenth year of birth. I have someone I wish you to meet." She took a deep breath and stepped aside to reveal a young boy of thirteen years of age. Link and Zelda stared wide eyed at this boy and Nabooru hung her head. Gerad didn’t see his parents’ reaction and stepped forward to shake the boy’s hand, but his father pulled him back and stood in front of him with his sword drawn. Nabooru pulled the boy behind her and held up her hand as if to fend off a blow. “No Link, he is my son, even though I don’t know who the father is it doesn’t mean that it is Ganondorf.” She stared into Link’s eyes as they stood there. Link finally sheathed his sword back in its place by the throne and bowed to the young boy. “My apologies I thought you were someone else.” He held out his hand to the boy who still stared wide eyed around his mother’s leg, he gingerly put out his small hand and Link took it carefully and shook it slowly. “What is your name?” Those big amber eyes stared up at him and the boy replied “Dahrin, my name is Dahrin.”
"Well master Dahrin, welcome to Hyrule Castle this is my son Gerad and daughter Selene." Link said motioning his children forward. Gerad and Selene stood in front of the small boy; they bowed and then moved back behind their father, still not sure what had upset him. Nabooru and Dahrin moved off the dais and to the side with the rest of their group.
Link cleared his throat, "Now it is time for our gift," He motioned to some servants who arrived at the steps with two pillows. Zelda and Link took the presents off the pillows. The servants bowed and left. Zelda and Link turned around and placed a necklace each on Selene and Gerad. The necklaces were in the shapes of three small triangles. Two of Selene’s triangles were gold but the bottom right one was blue. And two of Gerad’s were gold except for the bottom left which was green. “Thank you, mommy and daddy.” Selene said giving them each a big hug. Gerad was silent studying his necklace. “What’s wrong Gerad?” Zelda asked.
Gerad looked up into her eyes, “Mom whose is the top one?”
Prolog
Tap tap tap tap tap…the sound of footsteps echoed down the vast hall of the palace as a father paced back and forth in front of his wife’s room where she would soon give birth to his child.
Tap tap tap tap tap…back and forth he went pausing a few seconds in front of the big oak door trying to decide whether to go in or not only to return to pacing nervously.
Tap tap tap tap tap…pause…tap tap tap tap tap…pause…tap tap tap tap tap…and so on into the dawn. Then at dawn with the sun peaking through the vast window he heard a baby’s cry, and ran through the door. He startled the midwife who looked at him with a huge smile on her face. “Good news your majesty, you have a son.” She said as she handed a small bundle into his shaking arms. He folded the cloth back and met the sapphire eyes of his firstborn son. His wife groaned, he looked up to see her on her bed. The midwife shooed him out of the door again as his wife began giving birth to his son’s twin. Now outside the door he sat instead of paced and cooed to his son. He became so absorbed with his son that he didn’t hear the midwife call for him to come back in till she stuck her head out of the door. He came back in to see his wife holding another small bundle. He walked over to his wife and sat next to her on the bed. She pulled back the fold and he met the emerald eyes of his daughter. His wife looked into his brown eyes and said, “Oh Link, look how beautiful they are.” Link smiled at his wife.
“Yes Zelda, they are beautiful. What shall we name them?”
“Gerad and Selene.”
Dawn ten years later…tap tap tap the footsteps echoed down the hallway getting closer and closer. Gerad and Selene cramped back into the corner further, being as quiet as possible. The footsteps came closer still. Gerad held Selene’s hand as the footsteps stopped just around the corner. Selene pressed into Gerad. Then their pursuer rounded the corner and shouted, “Ah-Ha there you are.” They shrieked and ran for it. “Run Selene run!” Gerad yelled to her back as she dashed in front of him. “Hey don’t leave me!” Gerad shouted as they rounded a corner and dashed down the hall with their pursuer right behind them. They rounded another corner and ducked into the next hallway. They ran for what seemed like hours but their pursuer was still right behind them. Selene tripped and slid across the floor. Gerad kept running not realizing that his sister wasn’t behind him, he slowed and glanced behind him and saw her on the floor. He dashed back and got her up just as their pursuer dashed around the corner saying, “You can’t run forever, I’ll get you soon my moppets.” They scrambled away from him and kept running and dashing down side hallways until they came to two big doors. They pulled on them to get them open, but they wouldn’t budge. They tried to find a way to escape but they were trapped against the doors. Their pursuer slowly came around the entrance way and walked slowly towards them. “I have you now.” They huddled against the doors Gerad interposing himself between their pursuer and his sister. Then the big doors opened inward and they dashed backward to their mother’s lap where she sat on her throne, shrieking at the top of their lungs, “Mommy he’s going to get us.” Their mother laughed and held them close as their father came up behind them. “Well I can’t get you now. I’ll have to wait till later.” Link said as he kissed his wife and sat next to her on an identical throne. Selene giggled and hopped down from her mother’s lap and climbed into her fathers. She gave him a big kiss and curled up into his arms. Gerad was still panting from the thirty seconds of running. “So tell me what were you playing this time children?” Zelda asked looking pointedly at Link. Selene answered, “We were playing that the castle was under attack and Gerad and I were the only ones left and daddy was the enemy gananforsh.” Sitting up and putting her hands on the armrest of her father’s throne and looking at her mother with her big green eyes wide with excitement. Zelda looked at her daughter with amazement. “Well that was certainly a feat running from the big bad Ganondorf.” Their mother said hugging her son closer. “Well now that you three are all hot and sweaty you can go and take baths before our guest arrive.” Link stood up and put his daughter onto the floor and picked up his son and put him on the ground next to his sister. He kissed his wife once more then led his children to their chambers to give them baths.
After their baths they headed back down to the throne room. Link had adorned a green velvet tunic with dagger sleeves over a white cotton longed sleeved undershirt, and brown breeches. Selene was in a blue dress with silver trim while Gerad was in a blue tunic like his fathers. Selene’s long blond hair was brushed and down. Gerad’s short blond hair was combed back. On the way they heard a crash and one of the servants squeal as a kid with white hair dashed out of a room and ran smack into Link. The kid fell back onto the floor with an “oof”. Link looked down at the white headed, red eyed kid that stared up at him with a horrified expression on his face. Link chuckled and reached down to help the kid up, “Young master Sheik you must be more careful where you plant your pranks.”
Sheik stood up with Link’s help but said nothing hanging his head down in shame of being found out. He was slightly taller then Gerad and much thinner. Link chuckled all the more at Sheik’s shame, “No need to worry Sheik I won’t tell Impa, as long as you behave yourself the rest of the day.” Link told him sternly. Sheik brightened at this and nodded his head eagerly. Gerad and Selene stared at this weird kid. Sheik noticed them and stuck out his hand, “Hi I’m sheik and I’m twelve and I’m one of the Sheikhas. Who are you?” Gerad stepped out from behind his father and shook Sheik’s hand, “I’m Gerad. And this is Selene.” Selene curtsied. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
Link ushered them all in front of himself down the hallway, “Alright lets go, before your mother has my ears for being late.”
They made it to the throne room without any more adventures. The servants had been busy setting up the decorations for the event of Gerad and Selene’s fifth birthday. Gerad, Selene, and Sheik stopped in the middle of the throne room staring at all the guest arrayed in bright festive colors. Link headed up to the front where his wife was.
“There’s so many people here.” Selene said edging closer to Gerad. Gerad nodded and edged closer to Selene. “Yeah. Hey what do you think those are?” Sheik asked pointing to a group of Zoras as he edged closer to them both.
“Silly those are Zoras they’re the people who live in Zora’s Domain under Lake Hylia.” The three turned to see a red headed girl in a white dress standing by them. “Hi I’m Meria.” She said as she stuck out her hand to Selene. Selene shook it, “I’m Selene and this is Gerad and Sheik.” Selene said pointing to Gerad and Sheik. “I’m pleased to meet you all.” Meria said curtsying. “How do you know about the Zoras?” Sheik asked. “Aerica told me about them.” Meria said pointing to a small girl with green hair. Aerica noticed Meria pointing at her and came over at Meria’s beckoning. “This is Aerica.” Meria said as Aerica stopped by her side. Aerica inclined her head toward them as they said their names. On Aerica’s shoulder rested a small orange sphere of light. Aerica noticed them looking at it and smiled, she nudged the sphere with her finger and it fluttered its wings and rose up. When they got a better look at it they realized it was a tiny person, a tiny orange guy person. “This is Meko, my fairy.” Aerica said.
“Nice to meet you all. Anything interesting happen while I was asleep?” Meko asked stretching.
“Wow a real fairy, dad used to tell us stories about his adventures with Navi.” Gerad said edging closer to Meko. Meko floated backward a bit to keep them all in focus.
“Yeah all Kokorikoes are paired with a fairy when they become old enough.” Aerica explained.
“Why is your hair green?” Sheik asked bluntly. “Some of the Kokoriko are born with green hair. It’s part of living in the forest I guess.” Sheik raised his left eyebrow at this, “Ok if you say so.”
Aerica cocked her head to the left and said, “I do say so.” in a matter of fact tone. Sheik looked at her quizzically but she only smiled and turned to Selene and Meria. “Not the brightest is he love?” Meko stage whispered to Aerica. The other girls smiled as Sheik turned to Gerad for an answer.
“So how old are you, Aerica?” Selene asked her as the group moved to a side wall out of the way of the grownups. “I’m twelve.” Aerica replied. “And I’m eleven.” Meria put in. “But you’re the same height as me, I thought Kokorikoes didn’t get very tall.” Selene said.
Aerica smiled, “Normally that’s true but since the old Great Duku Tree’s death and the birth of the new one we have aged at a regular rate and will continue to age until the new Duku Tree reaches maturity and if he doesn’t want us to not grow up.”
“Oh.” Selene said nodding her head in understanding. The three of them became fast friends and started talking about girl stuff, Meria told Selene and Aerica of the life she had on the farm where she grew up and Aerica told them of her life in the forest. “Wow you two have such exciting homes mine seems so boring now.” Selene said after they were done. “Excuse us but may we join you guys?” a soft voice said somewhere behind Gerad. They turned to see a small Zora and a small Goron standing there looking at them. The Zora stuck out his hand to Gerad, “Greetings, my name is Lucius and this rock is Link.” Gerad looked puzzled, “No he isn’t; my dad is Link.” The rock shook its head, well body, “I was named after you’re father. Since my dad is friends with you’re dad he named me after him.”
Sheik laughed, “How bout we call him Goron Link?” Aerica shook her head and rolled her eyes at him.
“That is fine with me.” Goron Link said. The others agreed and continued talking about other things. They began a game of walking tag so as not to annoy the adults, even though this most likely annoyed them more seeing how they were used as pillars.
Link cleared his throat to try to get everyone’s attention. “Good day ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for attending my son and daughter’s tenth birthday, whom I seemed to have lost.” Link said chuckling as Gerad and Selene raced up the steps to stand by their mother. “Ah there you are.” Link said motioning for Gerad and Selene to stand by him. The other children had gone to stand with their parents. The herald called out some names of nobles that Selene and Gerad had no clue of who they were. The nobles came up one by one and shook hands with Link and bowed to Gerad and Selene who bowed and curtsied back. The Harold called out a name they recognized and Meria along with her mother and father came up the steps. “Malon, Geoffrey, and you must be little Meria.” Link said reaching down his hand to shake hers; Meria smiled and shook his hand. Her father smiled fondly at his daughter, as Malon spoke, "My dear friends, we have been fortunate this year, our cattle and horses have done wonderfully. Two colts have been born twins, and we offer them as birthday presents to the prince and princess." She and her family bowed to the royal family and moved off the dais. Link and Zelda thanked them as the herald called up more guests.
A few hours later the herald called a name that the children found interesting, "Lady Nabooru, leader of the Gurodo nation." a young woman stepped up to the dais and bowed to Link and Zelda. "My Lord" she said to Link, "Lady, we of the Gerudo Nation congratulate you on your children's tenth year of birth. I have someone I wish you to meet." She took a deep breath and stepped aside to reveal a young boy of thirteen years of age. Link and Zelda stared wide eyed at this boy and Nabooru hung her head. Gerad didn’t see his parents’ reaction and stepped forward to shake the boy’s hand, but his father pulled him back and stood in front of him with his sword drawn. Nabooru pulled the boy behind her and held up her hand as if to fend off a blow. “No Link, he is my son, even though I don’t know who the father is it doesn’t mean that it is Ganondorf.” She stared into Link’s eyes as they stood there. Link finally sheathed his sword back in its place by the throne and bowed to the young boy. “My apologies I thought you were someone else.” He held out his hand to the boy who still stared wide eyed around his mother’s leg, he gingerly put out his small hand and Link took it carefully and shook it slowly. “What is your name?” Those big amber eyes stared up at him and the boy replied “Dahrin, my name is Dahrin.”
"Well master Dahrin, welcome to Hyrule Castle this is my son Gerad and daughter Selene." Link said motioning his children forward. Gerad and Selene stood in front of the small boy; they bowed and then moved back behind their father, still not sure what had upset him. Nabooru and Dahrin moved off the dais and to the side with the rest of their group.
Link cleared his throat, "Now it is time for our gift," He motioned to some servants who arrived at the steps with two pillows. Zelda and Link took the presents off the pillows. The servants bowed and left. Zelda and Link turned around and placed a necklace each on Selene and Gerad. The necklaces were in the shapes of three small triangles. Two of Selene’s triangles were gold but the bottom right one was blue. And two of Gerad’s were gold except for the bottom left which was green. “Thank you, mommy and daddy.” Selene said giving them each a big hug. Gerad was silent studying his necklace. “What’s wrong Gerad?” Zelda asked.
Gerad looked up into her eyes, “Mom whose is the top one?”
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