As the sun began to rise over the horizon, Lier was awoken just as he was every morning by a cuccos unmistakable cry. The day was beginning and so was Lier's thoughts about the girl he had met the night before. He had never taught anyone how to defend themselves let alone a girl or anyone of noble rank. He could not help but be amused with the whole idea. What would he even teach her? How would he teach her? With a sword? Or perhaps unarmed combat? Hopefully the stubborn nature that endeared him to her would not carry over to her attitude as a student.
At any rate, he was getting ready now for the day within the small confines of the home his father had left him. A home that also doubled as a small forge. Filled with a multitude of leftover and neglected weapons, he wondered which one would suit his newfound pupil best, if at all. As he washed his face in a small water basin, his gaze wandered upward toward a sword that was mantled above his front door. It was a smaller sword. One that he had used when his father had taught him basic forms and foot work when he was a child. A short wide blade with a wooden grip carved from a tree originating from the Kokiri forest. At the center of the pommel lay a small red ruby with a thin gold outlined trim. Perfect for a beginner.
The sentimental side of Lier was pained at the thought of giving it to anyone seeing as how it was a reminder of his fathers guidance and teachings. And yet, the practical side of him was delighted that the sword would finally see any sort of action instead of being another ornament in his home gathering dust.
With a deep sigh, he walked over and reached up to retrieve the blade. Removing it from its sheath, he was taken aback by how light it felt in his hands. At one time in his life, he struggled with the weight of this very sword and the various cadences of swordplay his father instructed him. Lier let out a small chuckle and nodded in approval at his choice of blade with which he would give the noble girl.
Waving it to and fro, he practiced a few swings in the room. Nothing fancy, but just the basics he had in mind for his new student.
Satisfied, he gave the weapon on last glance before placing into its modest pale blue sheath.
The day had just begun and the lessons he was to teach were not till sunset. In the meantime he was to report back to his captain for a new assignment. What sort of duty it entailed, he did not know. But it didn't matter. He was ready for whatever lay ahead.
Gathering everything he needed, he set out to the training yards. Dusk could not come soon enough.
* * *
Mera paced through the castle halls, recounting the previous days activities as well as what lay ahead for today in a quiet murmur. This was a routine she established long ago under the guidance of her mother and mentor who served the royal family too.
Her mothers words echoed in her head,
"Remember Mera that if you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
Simple words that would always give Mera pause and served as a reminder to think things through. However these days it felt to her as though no amount of thinking could ever prepare her for the unpredictable nature of happenings within the walls of Hyrule castle. Whether it was the kings whimsical and ever changing ideas about his royal portrait, the size of the royal garden or a second opinion on his majesty's royal garments, it seemed as though she may be attending to the needs of a child and not a man.
The queen however carried herself differently than the king. Being much less taken by the pomp and frill of her status within the castle. She was a kind, humble woman who never needed much and was insistent on her independence. But more than being a queen to Mera, she was something much more. A close friend. Though the queen was a few years older than Mera, she relied on her wisdom in much concerning the opinion of the people of Hyrule, its inner affairs and how best to deal with the more difficult people in her life. And whenever time allowed, Mera and the queen would often find themselves in the royal garden to share in the latest castle gossip, indulge in various pastries provided by the royal family baker, laugh about the current fixations of the queens husband and all manner of talk to pass the slower parts of the day. Those were the times and moments Mera believed the queen a sister to her.
And today would provide another one of those times.
Sitting at a small table under a shady part of an overhanging lattice, Mera found the queen sipping tea with one hand and a muffin in another. She was famished. At seeing her approach, the queen with a mouth full of food, rose and pulled a seat out for her.
"Thank you.'' She said as she let out a small sigh and sat. Immediately Mera reached for a small butter tray and slathered a muffin with a generous helping. Next she grabbed the tea pot, pouring herself a cup hastily spilling a few drops. As she bit a chunk out of the muffin and chewed, she kept the the tea cup just inches away from her mouth ready to wash down the bite. Mera continued gorging herself, all while the queen sat back in her chair staring at her with a small smile that grew with every bite and gulp. Finally, Mera took on last bite and promptly finished her tea with a hearty swig and sat back in her chair letting out a small belch. Mera began to eye another muffin but turned to see the queen looking at her with big smile. Within thirty seconds of sitting down, she had already had crumbs and butter on her face. This roused a laugh within the queen so hard she nearly spilled her tea.
"What?!'' Meras said incredulously.
"You!" The queen replied.
"Half of that muffin still remains on your face!" She continued laughing for a long moment as Mera attempted to clean her mouth, slightly embarrassed. Wiping her mouth thoroughly and yet missing the small dollop of butter on the tip of her nose only made the queen laugh harder. Hardly able to get a word out, the queen gestured to her nose. Mera took her meaning and wiped the butter away.
"It's not that funny.'' Mera said half heartedly as she could not fully deny the humor nor the smirk growing on her own face.
"Here, have another!" The giggling queen said teasingly. Mera eyed it and then the queens almost beet red smiling face.
"I think I'm done.''
"No I don't think you are. Not after that ravenous display. Good afternoon by the way."
The queen began buttering another muffin for Mera.
"So did you forget to eat? Again?"
Mera looked longingly at the second muffin the queen placed before her.
"Ill not have any of my subjects starve under my rule."
Mera mockingly repeated the queen in a nasally tone and took a bite of the muffin.
"Oh my, you really are hungry. How many times must I tell you that whatever you find in the kitchens is yours to have?"
"I know. I know. I've just been caught up in all my morning affairs I forget."
The queens brow furrowed.
"If you need more help we can enlist more servants. It's of no importance."
Mera mulled over the queens offer in her head but quickly dismissed it. She glanced at the muffin in her hand and took a smaller bite this time, savoring the flavor.
"No, it's alright. This a problem of my own making. I just need to work harder and be more diligent in the right places. I know I can do better."
The queens countenance had now sobered and she sat in silence for a moment thinking about how best she could help her friend. While she loved Mera as a sister, she also knew that at times she could be her own worst enemy. The queen reached a hand toward her shoulder.
"You ARE better. Better than any in my service. I can think of no one more suited to oversee the affairs of our castle. I think if you were gone but for a day these very walls would crumble. But I would sooner see the fall of Hyrule than I would my best friend simply because she believes she could do everything herself."
Deep down Mera wish she could deny the truth in the queens words but she could not. She was her own obstacle.
Had it been anyone else to offer such such a solution, she might have turned it down the idea immediately. But there was a certain comfort in the queens words. One that did not cast judgment or sow doubt. Only benevolence and a genuine care for her.
"You're right. Perhaps some assistance with my duties would not be the worst thing." Mera spoke with a hint of dying pride.
"I am proud of you Mera. As was your mother. Never forget that. You have done much for our kingdom, and me. Now allow me to do something for you."
Turning away in her chair, the queen waved at a nearby guard posted at an entrance behind them.
He soon stood before the table, quickly running to the queens beckoning.
"My handmaiden Mera is in need of additional servants to carry out her duties to King Jarrus and myself. Please, if you would find Impa in the east wing of the castle and tell her to begin making inquiries."
Mera had yet to look up from the table, too lost in thought as to even acknowledge the guard standing before them.
The queen however upon closer inspection of the guard realized she did not recognize him.
"I don't believe I have seen you attend to these grounds before. Are you new to this station?" She asked earnestly.
"I am, your Majesty." The guard replied.
Something in the guards voice began to pull Mera's attention away from her restless thoughts.
"Ah I see. And what is your name?"
"Lier, your Majesty."
Mera's eyes widened fully as she finally recognized the guards voice. Looking up to see Lier in full royal armor, she was beside herself, mouth slightly agape. The armor itself shined with a brilliance that made Lier's eyes sparkle. A far cry from the simple tunic the night before.
The queen smiled at him not noticing Mera's face.
"Thank you Lier for expending yourself in the castle's service. I appreciate your time and efforts in my kingdoms behalf."
"The pleasure and honor is all mine, Queen Morgia. The royal family has done much for me and my father. I would not be where I am without their generous aid. In this way, perhaps I can repay what they have given me."
The queen made a small bow in deference to the young man before her.
"Thank you, Lier. Before you go, would you care for some tea or perhaps a muffin?" The queen gestured to the spread before her.
Lier glanced down at the various treats before him and then at Mera. She returned his gaze unflinchingly. For a long moment he said nothing trying his best to restrain a smile, but was unsuccessful. The slight linger in his regard to Mera caused the queens eyes to dart back and forth between them in confusion. She opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by Lier's reply.
"No, thank you, your Majesty. I fear should I indulge in even a small amount of food now, it would only serve to arise my appetite without bedding it back down again."
"I understand. Then perhaps you can take some for later for when you are able to fully conquer your appetite. We have far too much here to finish by ourselves at any rate."
The Queen began taking a handful of pastries into a small tablecloth and tying it up in a neat little bow for Lier. Handing him the small bag she had made, she smiled once more, putting her hand over his in gratitude.
"Thank you Lier, I hope your day is as pleasant as you have been." The queen said.
"Your majesty." Lier said with a small slow nod. He then turned to Mera with another small smile forming on his lips. "Malady."
Swiveling on his heels, he began toward the east wing of Hyrules massive castle.
As the queen watched him leave, she waited before Lier was out of earshot and turned to Mera.
"Could it be my imagination, or do the castle guards, grow easier on the eyes every year?" She asked with a slight mirth in her voice.
Mera sat with her arms crossed looking away from the queen, biting her lower lip.
"I wouldn't know, I don't have time to notice every passing face in the castle." She said. Her response had not convinced the queen in the slightest.
Mera had talent for a great many things, but being able to hide her thoughts and emotions on her face was not one of them. This only made Queen Morgia apply more pressure.
"Is that so? Well, he certainly noticed you. It's almost as if you two were...acquainted. Tall, handsome, with a keen sense of propriety. Such a rarity these days in young men. Would you not agree?" The queen asked almost teasingly to draw Mera out.
Mera turned to face the queen with pursed lips and crossed arms, knowing full well that her secret acquaintance with Lier may as well already be common knowledge. The queen had a certain persistence that could not be ignored. This playful jesting would only be the start of a long line of efforts to get Mera to reveal her small secret. She decided to get it over with instead of delaying the inevitable.
She began with a long sigh.
"As a matter of fact, yes. We are, acquainted." she said, pausing on her last word as if ashamed.
"I KNE- ! Ah I'm sorry, please continue." The queen pulled her seat slightly closer to Mera, teacup in hand.
Mera blinked slowly and began again.
"We met yesterday, by the oak overlooking the western reaches. He snuck up on me and complimented my singing. We talked for a time. His father was apparently a sword smith for Jarrus's father. They were close, the king and him. But I've since forgotten his name. "
"Link. His name was Link." The queen stated flatly as if remembering a bygone era of her life. Mera perked up, awaiting more from the queen expectantly.
"I met him when I first began courting Jarrus. A man of few words but also kind. The kind of company the king enjoyed having around often.
He made a sword for Jarrus and I the week we wed. Beautiful thing it was. I had intentions to begin taking lessons just so I could honor such a gift and wield it properly. However he took ill before I was to study under him. He passed soon after. I had no idea he had a son."
Mera was now considering her newfound information about Lier's background and history. A small seed of empathy began to bloom in her heart that had not been there before. Lier had been honest when speaking about his father and his past. Something in her felt obligated to share that same honesty with him from here on out. But she quickly buried the feeling, not ready to admit it to herself.
Again, unable to mask her thoughts and emotions, Mera's face contorted in deep thought causing the queen to take notice.
"What is it?"
Mera took another deep breath, preparing herself for further interrogation.
"Yesterday, I asked him if he would teach me ways in which I could defend myself should the need ever arise and he agreed eagerly."
Queen Morgia was silent. Mera knew that whenever her friend was this quiet in conversation, she was either thinking hard, or waiting for more information.
Mera continued. "In exchange for these lessons, I will sing for him."
The Queen leaned back in her chair with a wry smile and sipped her tea.
"Interesting that you would wait until now to learn self defense. Not from Impa, but from him. Well, at any rate I'm happy you've found a friend other than me. Do tell, when and where will these lessons take place?"
Mera already began regretting telling her friend this much. But there was no helping it any further.
"The same place we met. Under the oak. Outside the western wing of the castle. I don't know why I agreed to it. I admit, however, there is something about him. He is different. Trustworthy. It's as if everything he is and wants is written on his face and in his words."
Queen Morgia finished the last of her tea and set down her cup with finality.
"Another rare quality in men, let alone people in general. Too often I find myself surrounded by those who speak half truths and adorn themselves with false modesty in order to gain my favor or hide their motives. Needless to say, its exhausting. I suppose it comes with territory of those in my position. But every now and again I find someone who is unafraid of voicing their true thoughts and feelings. And its in those moments I am truly refreshed." Morgia said reflectively.
She looked at Mera with a small warm smile.
They sat in silence for some time, breathing in the quiet that only the inner courtyard could offer them this time of day.
Mera rose from her seat and took a breath, wishing she could remain in the quiet tranquility of the courtyard.
Gathering her thoughts, she returned to the present, not forgetting the formalities of rank and royalty, she gave the queen a small bow and was on her way.
