Lost in Time- A Zelink Story

Chapter Three

The ballroom is beautiful as always when we walk in, with huge arching windows and a cathedral like ceiling, but now it's outfitted for a party. Hundreds of candles light the large space, hanging from the ceiling in giant, golden chandeliers. What must be around sixty or seventy round tables with white tablecloths dot the floor. At the front of the hall, there is one longer table facing the rest on a small platform, with throne-like chairs set behind it. Guests mill around in the stunning outfits of the time, not yet seated for dinner.

The construct leads us through the crowds of people, some of which give us strange looks, and towards a large group clustered around three people.

"Your majesty, how was your trip?"

"Have you found anything new? Any Information?"

"What is the state of the Gerudo?"

"Are we all to die just sitting here, or shall we do something about it?"

The cluster of people either do not notice that we are trying to get through, or they just simply don't care, because they make no sign of moving out of the way. The construct seems to change its mind and leads us around the group to where Lady Mineru is standing, a smiley baby in her arms.

"Hello again," she says happily, bouncing the baby up and down.

"Hello," I say, smiling, "who is this?"

"This is Soleil," she says, "princess of Hyrule. I'm watching her while Sonia and Rauru deal with... them."

"Who are those people?" asks Link while Soleil grabs my finger in her tiny hand. I try to contemplate that this small, golden haired baby is my ancestor in some way.

"That is the court of Hyrule," says Mineru with a sigh, "they watch over the different regions. Although Rauru is really in charge of all of them, they have some amount of influence, and they all act like they own this place," she rolls her eyes.

"We don't have a court, where we're from. Just a king or queen and the leaders of different towns,'' I tell her, and we're silent for a minute, wondering what must have happened. I never learned about that in history. Some things, I guess, have been lost to time.

"What... what did they mean, when they asked King Rauru about Gerudo?" I ask tentatively.

"Oh," she says more seriously, "you heard that. We've been having some... troubles with the Gerudo recently. Or, more accurately, the leader of the Gerudo and his followers."

"His?" asks Link, "a Gerudo voe?"

"Yes, a voe. There is one born every hundred years, and that voe usually becomes king. He is not very... cooperative with Rauru and Sonia. He's just been doing pretty much whatever he wants."

Before I can ask for more details, such as why we may or may not all die, Sonia manages to drag herself out of the mob of people and tap on her glass, announcing the start of dinner.

"Come, you two will sit with us at the head table," Mineru tells us, "you are both technically part of the royal family, so it works out."

I don't even bother correcting her this time.

__________

Dinner, it turns out, is not as relaxing as it seems. We sit at the head table on plush, velvety chairs, and as Rauru stands to make a speech, hundreds of eyes turn towards us. My corset is suddenly very tight, and I have no idea where to put my arms. I sneak a glance towards Link, who shows no sign of discomfort.

"My friends," King Rauru says loudly and with a beaming smile, "it warms my heart to see you all here, gathered together for this celebration. I learned much during my travels, but I am glad to be home, at Hyrule Castle. I trust you all will enjoy the meal, and I hope everyone has an appropriate amount of fun on the dance floor after we eat."