Nostalgia

Refoundation

Clacking of heels and rhythmic clunking of armor echoed down the grand spans of hallways, Queen Zelda and Link frantically making their way to the conference room on the second floor. As they arrived outside the doors, another young guard, whom of which was restraining a frenzied and vocal Terrako, whimpered a simple 'Thank Hylia!' before fumbling and dropping the guardian all together. Zelda yelped in surprise, body jumping forward in an attempt to catch the poor thing as it clattered noisily. Link's brow furrowed, eyes closing, as he sucked in a sharp breath. Zelda crouched down, flipping Terrako, before standing and tucking her hair away once more.

Angry voices gradually increased through the doors to their left, drawing their attention quickly, as other unfamiliar ones tried to talk the irate ones down. Zelda then extended a hand for the door, Link reaching over to straighten her crown, the handles before them swiftly turning downward, grand doors flying open.

He expeditiously pulled his hand away from his queen's crown, face flushing and ears turning downward.

Riju stood before them, furrowed brow softening as her eyes widened, mouth parted in surprise.

In the room behind her, Teba's feathers ruffled, Yunobo dropped the letter in his hands, Bularia faltered where she stood, and others followed suit in varying reactions. Riju surveyed him, eyes running down and up his person in disbelief.

"What in the seven her—are you v'hekkin s'av aani veh!?" Her perfectly curled eyelashes fluttered with every twitch of her eye. "He's really—!?"

Bularia didn't dare utter a word on the language flying past the young lady's lips, for she stood straighter now, giving a light bow in his direction. Her gaze then fell to Zelda, her body repeating its previous action out of sheer respect.

"Queen Zelda." The others picked their jaws from the floor as they acknowledged her presence as well.

Link kept his eyes to the floor.

He'd just about die if who he thought was here, was actually here.

"Welcome back...Master Link." A familiar male began. Although, it was not the voice of the man he feared it would be.

He lifted his gaze.

Teba.

The Rito in question gave a gentle smile as best he could, golden eyes tearing into Link before snapping away. He cleared his throat and brought his wings back upon the table, talons clacking against the floor as he redistributed his weight.

"Well! Quit gawking!" He snorted in annoyance. "Let's get our heads out of our asses, and get to work on the real issues at hand!" He turned to Zelda for confirmation, her tense expression melting away as she nodded for him to continue.

Link gave a light bob of his head in acknowledgement to those of them that were in the room, light gold orbs catching his attention. She had the most pinched expression whilst still regarding him. Deep purple scales ruffled, muscles tensing as she faced back towards those in the room when she realized Link had caught her eyes on him.

Link prayed she'd find it in herself to keep her mouth shut, but then again, this was Dunma. She was bound to tell her dad at least. And Rivan had a big mouth.

'Just greeeaaat'

The meeting moved forward as Zelda seated herself, Link begrudgingly posting himself at the door. He unfastened the straps across his chest, swinging the Master Sword down to be planted firmly between his feet, a motion both familiar and haunting as it sent chills up his spine.

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He tightened his hands on the hilt, gaze lifting in sudden surprise.