Summary: Continuation of Rise of the Hell Lords---
Just minutes after the battle against Hell Modeus ends, the Triforce Team discuss what they should do next in their quest to destroy the evil army of Hell. They decide to go back to Earth, and it is there that they meet a warrior with something unbelievable; a fifth piece of the Triforce...is he friend? or foe?....
Categories: Fan Fiction Characters: Zelda, Link (OoT & MM), Impa
Genres: None
Warnings: None
Challenges: None
Series: None
Chapters: 22 Completed: Yes
Word count: 53484 Read: 58325
Published: Jul 14, 2004 Updated: Dec 12, 2004
A Feast of Royalty by BOEG
Chapter Three: A Feast of Royalty
“I can’t believe this…we already have enough on our hands without having to deal with him!” Link complained loudly. None had even considered Ganon returning, and now that he had, their minds had gone blank, fears and wild thoughts running rampant through their heads like an untamed beast. They had all heard of Jet’s tale of the slaying of the Hell Lord, and how he had been banished to the realm of the damned, the acidic pools of waste below Hell, and how he could never return.
This was not the first time the unexpected had occurred when Ganon was involved. On Link’s first journey he was certain the seal could not break, he was certain that Ganon could never escape, and that peace had returned for good. How wrong he was. Ganon had returned in full force, armed with the Triforce of Power once more, and angered to a point none had imagined possible.
Healing the wounds of Hyrule would be difficult, but protecting it from gaining more would be an even greater challenge. Link sighed loudly and sat down on the damp grass, drained physically and mentally. For the moment all had forgotten the wounds Jet had sustained during the battle with Hell Modeus, but the memories came back with a frightened cry from Zelda. They all turned their heads and saw Jet, his unconscious head on Zelda’s lap. There was a bleeding wound near the top of his chest, close to his neck. It was the last thing he needed now, and they knew he would likely be Ganon’s largest target.
“Is he okay?” Impa asked.
“He has a pulse…and he’s hardly bleeding, but I don’t know how much more he can take,” Zelda answered.
“…q-q-quite a b-bit,” Jet answered slowly, opening his eyes. He struggled to his feet and smiled, wiping blood off of his lips.
“Jet…no…rest,” Zelda instructed, standing next to him.
“Zel…I’ll be fine,” Jet said with a smile, kissing his wife on the cheek lightly.
“Yeah…now, when did you say the soldiers were gonna start reconstruction?” Link asked.
“Um…they want me to conduct some kind of ceremony or somethin before they start. Ya know, for good luck and protection,” Jet answered.
“Yeah…well uh maybe you should do this ceremony thing soon,” Link suggested.
“Link, look at him, he isn’t exactly in the shape to be conducting ceremonies and overseeing reconstruction,” Twindora said quietly.
“Nah…we’re havin it tonight…it won’t be anything to major…just a dinner with the head of the reconstruction team and us, and then a few prayers…I’ll hardly have to move a muscle…and even if I did…I’ll be okay,” Jet assured them.
“How can you say that? You’re still weak, and to add to it, you’ve been wounded again!” Zelda said in a worried tone.
“Um…it’s just a ceremony,” Jet said calmly, clutching his chest in his hand.
“One that you’re in no shape for,” Zelda told him.
“Zelda…I love you…and I’m glad that you care so much about me…really glad. But…just like you’re the queen…I’m the king…and they need me…we’ll be together, okay?” Jet asked.
“As long as we’re together…I hate the idea of us being separated…ever since that day you came to Hell…” Zelda’s voice trailed off as a tear fell to the already damp grass.
“….you’re welcome,” Jet said, smiling brightly. The team made their way to Hyrule castle to rest and prepare for that night’s feast.
“No! you can’t get in! I am sure no boyfriend of yours has entered the castle! Give it a rest already!” Jonphor yelled, slamming his spear into the ground angrily. The Triforce Team had just started walking up the dirt road that led to the gate of Hyrule castle. They heard the voice of Jonphor, frustration quite apparent in the tone. The other voice was weaker, and hardly audible, but they managed to make out the words spoken.
“But I know he came here! You must let me in!” the female voice cried out.
“I don’t want to have to put you in the dungeon ma’am, but I will if you do not stop and desist now,” Jonphor warned.
“But I know the king!” the woman claimed loudly. This caught Jet’s interest. He knew very few women in Hyrule aside from Zelda.
“Haha, yes! And I govern over the army of Hell!” Jonphor jeered.
“But I know Jet!” the woman screamed, her voice hoarse from the arguing.
“You’re home is burning, I am sorry, but until tomorrow, the reconstruction crew cannot began work. Now please go home and take comfort in the fact that we know you are in aid,” Jonphor tried to persuade her.
“But I can’t take comfort! I need to know he’s safe!” she yelled.
“Who?” Jonphor asked.
“My boyfriend!” the woman yelled.
“Ah! There is no man who knows you in this castle, only me, and I am quickly learning to regret it!” Jonphor yelled.
“Is Link not here?!” she asked.
“Link? You are dating Link?” Jonphor asked.
“Yes!” the woman yelled.
“Then what is your name?” Jonphor asked.
“Malon,” she answered.
“Right…I know the validity of your claim…how?” Jonphor asked. The team walked up the path to the gate upon hearing this, wanting to see if it was Malon. Link stepped forward, and his eyes grew wide, a caring look upon his face.
“That’s my girl,” Link said, his tone weak and unguarded, something none on the team were used to hearing.
“Then you’re okay! I knew you would move to combat that…that beast…and I was so afraid you were dead….Link….how did you do it?” Malon asked, sobbing lightly, her face buried in Link’s chest.
“We had the queen and king…and the queen’s nursemaid…along with all of these warriors,” Link answered, proud of the size and strength of their team.
“Almost all,” Twindora pointed out, arms crossed at his side.
“This is Twindora…he’s our newest member…he comes from Zedusria,” Link said.
“What?” Jonphor asked, awestruck.
“…Zedusria,” Link answered, slightly confused at the soldier’s shock.
“Don’t speak that name in this kingdom…king Harkinarian said it brought ill omen upon all of the land,” Jonphor said with the same disgust he used to bear toward Jet.
“Harkinarian was a damned fool!” Twindora yelled.
“Don’t you dare……..talk about my father like that,” Zelda commanded.
“Your father….Zelda…was a meandering fool, who could not see defeat in front of him, so he wandered into the path of death, and loss, and…and cost, and the foolish acts he committed are of a caliber you cannot hope to nor should attempt to attain,” Twindora said coldly. Zelda became angered at this, unsheathing one of her daggers and with a single spinning motion, pointing it at the Zedusrian’s throat. Al’ Rashid and the executioner moved forward, restraining the queen. She regained her composure slowly, eyeing Twindora the whole time, sheathing her dagger quietly.
“This is my kingdom…and if you speak badly of my father……you will hang,” Zelda warned, brushing past him.
“Um…how is Jet?” Malon asked, trying to change the subject. To answer the Hylian’s question, Jet stepped forward slowly, his wounds bleeding, and those that had begun to heal leaving large scabs. His body was covered in scars and burn marks, discolored skin nearly a constant, one part of his body different in shade from the next.
“Oh my goddesses…Jet….” Malon said, a queasy look in her eyes.
“If it’s nasty to look at, imagine how it feels to have it,” Jet said with a sigh.
“I’m sorry your highness, incredibly sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that-,” she was cut off.
“No…it’s fine…I wouldn’t be bleedin if I didn’t care about this place….i look at it this way…every cut I have…is one that someone else who is weaker could have gotten,” Jet said.
“Oh…wow…hope you recover soon your highness,” Malon said, returning to her boyfriend’s embrace.
“Me too….” Jet said to himself, walking through the open gate into Hyrule castle.
Light fluttered in through the open window of the room. It reflected onto the stone floor, bathing the Royal bedroom in light. It was one of the largest rooms in the castle, situated on the top level, overlooking Hyrule field from behind a large iron fence built around the castle grounds. There were four windows in the room, three looking out on the field, and one looking out onto the red carpeted hallway leading to the throne room. The bed was simply amazing in every meaning of the word; much larger than the one Zelda had in her days as a princess.
The pillows were very large, stuffed with the soft feathers of some rare, exotic bird that was hunted out of existence long ago. The covers were heavy and warm, perfect for the cold nights in the castle. The entire bedspread was an enchanting crimson color, diamond shaped cuts of sky blue cloth sewed into it.
Jet walked forward hastily, closing the windows in disgust. He loathed sunlight. He grabbed a newly stitched brown shirt and quickly put it on. His gym leader tunic was complete once more. Zelda had been sitting on the edge of the bed, looking doubtfully onto the stone floor, the wide eyed look in her gaze, the one that meant something was wrong. He slowly walked to the bed and sat down beside his wife.
“Zelda…what’s wrong?” Jet asked, obviously concerned.
“I’ve been…thinking a lot about daddy…” Zelda answered quietly.
“Oh…because of what Twindora said?” Jet asked.
“How can he even dare to talk badly about daddy? If he knew….what daddy did for us…that night….” Zelda broke into tears at this, embracing Jet tightly.
“Yes…I remember that night…you don’t have to talk about it,” Jet said caringly, holding Zelda.
“B-but…he has no right…my father was a great man…he never did anything horrible,” Zelda said, calming down, the thoughts of the Aku-Mari slowly disappearing for the time being.
“Well….he never told you about Zedusria…suppose there’s more goin on than he wanted you to know?” Jet suggested.
“I don’t know…I just…don’t know,” Zelda said, frustrated.
“Well there has to be some way to find out…I mean, maybe the-,” Jet was cut off.
“Sir!” a soldier said rather loudly, stepping into the room.
“…um?” Jet questioned.
“The meeting is about to begin sir, we are just waiting for you,” the soldier said, his tone calmer.
“Thank you, we’ll be down in a minute,” Jet said. The soldier nodded and left.
“What were you going to say Jet? Maybe the what?” Zelda asked.
“Maybe the library has something,” Jet answered.
“But as members of the Royal Family we’re only allowed there once in our lives,” Zelda said.
“I know Zel…and you never went in,” Jet pointed out.
“…you want me to do this…without you?” Zelda asked.
“Zel…that library changed me…if you look for the answer…you’ll find it, but it’s a path you have to walk alone…and I have a feeling it will change you too,” Jet said quietly.
“How did it change you?” Zelda asked.
“It gave me a sense of duty…the one that I needed to keep the kingdom safe…it turned me from Jet…to the prince of Hyrule,” Jet answered.
“…then I’ll go,” Zelda declared slowly.
“Can’t be tonight,” Jet said slowly.
“Why…oh. The feast,” Zelda said quietly.
“Yeah…we better get going,” Jet suggested, tying his cape around his neck and standing.
“Jet?” Zelda asked.
“Yeah?” Jet questioned back.
“How are those wounds doing?” Zelda asked.
“I just put fresh bandages on about an hour ago…that curative oil really makes the burnin go away, lemme tell ya,” Jet said with a smile.
“Um…thanks…you know…for everything. I love you,” Zelda said.
“Mmm…I love you too,” Jet responded, holding Zelda tightly.
“Let’s go,” Zelda said.
“You got it,” Jet agreed. The two left together.
The dining room in which they entered was giant, almost as large as the throne room. Seated at the table were several Hylian generals, along with several other soldiers, and a few Kakarikan villagers. All were eager to get started on the reconstruction, each one having unique ideas and ways of looking at the damages. Jet was seated at one end of the long table, and Zelda at the other, the Triforce Team littered around the table, sitting among villagers and soldiers.
The table was lined with hundreds of items of food, roasted birds and animals, fruit and vegetables, soup and deserts, everything a hungry man could desire. Everyone seated at the table had a relatively large copper cup, filled to the brim the finest wine in Hyrule. Jet and Zelda both golden cups, inlaid with rubies. Jet stood slowly.
“Hyrule! Many mighty wounds have been dealt to this land as of late! The creature in question was the lord of Hell, a demon known as Hell Modeus! He has been slain, as you all know, and Hyrule has returned to a state of safety! But also, as you all have heard and seen, the land has been ravaged, torn apart, lit ablaze, drained of water! Now, our first task is going to be unblocking the Gerudo river before it floods the whole valley! This will bring water back to Lake Hylia, and our problems there will be over! Once we have water, we can begin working on the fires, and once they are gone, the reconstruction of the wall outside the village, and the drawbridge will begin! This will be a difficult time, but as an independent nation, set apart from Calatia, and Labrynna, and Holodrum, and Koholint island, and Termina, I believe we are the best, and can overcome this trial alone!” Jet yelled loudly.
“Sir, why not enlist the aid of the other kingdoms?” a soldier asked.
“We have already asked…they refused. Only in a time of war will they help,” Jet said. The soldier was seated.
“Now, let the feast begin!” Jet declared loudly. There were cheers and yells of agreement. Apparently they were all very hungry. Jet himself hadn’t had an appetite for quite some time.
“Nice speech your highness. Hopefully you will lead the Hylians to a better fate than Harkinarian did,” Twindora said, smiling behind his helmet.
“Let us hope so,” Jet said smiling.
“With the condition he left the kingdom in after the war of unity, it is amazing it is still standing,” Twindora noted, looking around at the walls of the dining room, as if he expected them to collapse at any moment.
“Hyrule had to become an independent nation somehow,” Jet said.
“By stepping on its allies feet!? By knocking them to the ground and rushing to the finish line?!” Twindora asked.
“I don’t know what your problem is-,” Jet was cut off.
“I do! It is that damned fool Harkinarian that is my problem! The thing I regret most about his death is the fact that I was there to ring his neck myself!” Twindora yelled. At this Jet stood up, enraged. He kneed Twindora in the chest, and the Zedusrian fell to his knees. He picked the man up and punched him in the armored face, knocking him back. Grabbing the Zedusrian by the shoulders he threw him into the stone wall with all of his might.
“Beyunte Beyunte Sha! Malenios Syentarios Sha! Beyunte Beyunte Sha! Syentocurious!!!” Jet screamed.
“No!!!!” Twindora yelled, closing his eyes in fear of the Death spell.
“You fear it!? Are you scared of it?! Aku-Mari, you fool! An Aku-Mari! King Harkinarian lost his life battling an Aku-Mari! Will you shut up now?!!!” Jet asked, his voice hoarse from the screaming.
“I’m….s-sorry,” Twindora said.
“Get out of my sight, maggot,” Jet said in disgust. In his rage he hadn’t realized all conversation had ceased, and all eyes were on him. Several dropped their food onto the ground, mouths wide open in shock.
“Umm…how about the prayer? We can have that now right?” Link asked.
“….yes,” Jet answered.
“Good…uh…I like prayers,” Link said sheepishly, trying to shift attention onto him, and off of Jet.
“To Nayru, to Farore, to Din, the goddesses who brought Hyrule here, protect these people in the tasks to come! These men being our soldiers, our neighbors, our fathers and children, our mothers, our husbands, our wives, protect them, and keep the family bond strong through this time….thank you,” Jet finished.
“Reconstruction starts tomorrow…have a good night’s sleep,” Zelda said.
“The meeting is dismissed,” Jet said, leaving the dining room.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.