The Legend of Zelda: Wisdom - Part One

Chapter I

His advisors could sugarcoat, no longer.
"There is one other thing, My Lord."

With this, began Sahasrala, the elder, whose wisdom can be seen from just one look. But not even this lofty title could prevent the fury of the King anymore. "His name, my grace," he continued, with a voice full of solemn respect, "is known only as Ganondorf, from the Gerudo Desert Tribe."

He glared at his most trusted advisors and waited. They all stood mere feet away from the elevated throne made of gold in a row, with a long red carpet behind them.

King Rhoamses had grown used to using a distant, uncaring gaze. His meals remained the same, however. His advisors, if given the opportunity, would only see it to give him the fairest of news, in the kindest of manners, as his temper would fluctuate rapidly and without warning. The King asked of the kingdom less and less and only worried about his daughter and personal warriors.

The people noticed.
And if the people noticed, his enemies would as well.

He blinked and scratched his graying reddish beard. "And?"

"And....he is said to be searching for the Triforce of Power," admonished the Bishop of the Hylian Temple, words quivering under the gaze of his highness. "We fear that..."

"That what?" The king raised his voice, his gold necklace clinking slightly, "Nothing but rumors designed to spread fear. The Hylian Army can destroy anyone." He adjusted himself, as he sat on his large throne. "As if this so-called Ganondorf could even come close to dethroning me!"

"But, my lord," Sahasrla admonished calmly again, "We have heard he is working with a dark wizard. The soldiers return and tell stories about..."

"Let me guess....Undead monsters? Beasts? Witchcraft, magic rods, spirits....I care for the people in the land of the living, Sahasrala, and no one else. Is that all you have offered me as far as news?" He looked around for approval. "I'd rather be enjoying a meal, right about now."

"But, sir! Take heed to these words! There are prophecies that state that after a time of peace in Hyrule, there will be great adversity, and one who brings death and...."

"Ugh! Your old tales bore me Bishop. No one is interested in ancient prophecy anymore ever since the Triforce has been separated and sealed away. It's been that way for centuries! Half of the world doesn't even believe the Triforce exists anymore." He mumbled, "Let alone Hyrule."

Sahasrla leaned on his cane and passed a hand over his bald head. "The prophecy I've read speaks of the destruction of Hyrule, my lord. What do you think will happen to the ruler of that kingdom if it comes to fruition?"

"What?! What are you implying?!"

The guards shuffled uncomfortably, the advisors kept their faces bowed and desperately avoided the gaze of the King.
The silence made King Rhoamses' face grow red and his eyes violent. As he yelled, the gold chains shuddered with the men who were now getting reprimanded.
"Suddenly, everyone has gone quiet! A few seconds ago, you were all complaining about a man from the desert.... and now?! Mute! Dumb!" He rose from his throne and yelled, "I'll tell you exactly what I'll do with anyone that steps foot into my kingdom when not called upon! I'll have them hung, drawn and quartered like hogs! I'll display their bodies in the Square! For all of Hyrule to see!"

The Royal Hall is suddenly quieter than ever before.

It started with Sahasrla bowing deeply and making a path for Princess Zelda, followed immediately by the bishop and everyone else.

Zelda had her eyes fixed clearly on her father. Her arms were crossed as she passed along the nervous and quiet bowing crowd of men. The thin diadem on the base of her head although it held so much power, she would rarely, if ever, flaunt, unlike the large and boastful one on her Father's head.

"Father," she started, "are you certain that this is the correct way to deal with this threat?" No one could calm or silence her father like Zelda herself. Was it due to her voice? Embarrassment? Or perhaps it was because she reminded him too much of ...her?

The Great King Rhoamses Bosraphaem became sheepish, his face turning from beet red to a sickly pale. "Daughter," he whimpered, attempting to save face. "You aren't needed at this moment."

"Why are you acting like this, Father? Do you not care about the people? How much Hylian blood will be spilled?"

"It's just a rumor..."

"And, if it's not? As if your most trusted advisors would lie after all these years!"
"I've made up my mind. One man against an entire army? This isn't of your concern. Now, Zelda..."

He was about to ask her to leave when she said, "Think about what you will leave me behind if you continue this way."

"Enough!" He yelled. He yelled at Zelda. Something he swore never to do. And Zelda's face said everything.

He sat weakly and placed his head in his hand. "Enough!.....I....wish to be alone. Everyone. Leave!"

One by one, the advisors, followed by the Royal guards, bowed and filed out of the room.

Zelda wasn't mad, but very worried. Her father changed so dramatically since her mother's passing. No doubt he has many thoughts he cannot express. As Zelda approached the large dark wood doors, she stopped and waited.

"Zelda. Stay here, please," he said, finally.
His hair matted with sweat and his eyes full sadness and hate, he asked, no, he begged, "Play me a song. Just one song? Play me...her song."

Underneath the cold Royal Queen's throne sat a small silver box, emblazoned with the Hylian winged Crest and a lock that was never used. Zelda was taught how to use it when she was a child. In fact, Zelda could hear her mother's voice telling her how to place her fingers on the ocarina to play a familiar melody. A lullaby that now reminded her of past lives and bittersweet times. As the soft tune played the King sat motionless, allowing just a single tear to drop.

She looked just like her.

Some days he would talk of his wife and how she would hum that tune every night to their daughter. Other days he would pretend that that ocarina didn't even exist and had no meaning to him.

But, not today.

He was sad, furious, and melancholic all at once, listening to the dulcet tones of his daughter's and his wife's lapis blue ocarina.