Timing Is Everything

[captainviscen]

[Captain Viscen slowly awakens. He has a throbbing headache, but that seems to be the least of his problems--he doesn't recognize anything about the place he now finds himself in. It has a familiar feel to it, but it is certainly not Clocktown. Confused, he tries to think back what happened before he passed out. He remembers...telling his men they

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[regnant_zelda]

[The Princess spends most of her time in Castletown and the Castle itself. While on the roof of a market stand, she regards the stranger raptly. Zelda has seen that armor before--it is the old design of the Hyrule Guard. From atop the roof, confident he won't harm her, and speaks.]

I can hear you--are you a friend of Hyrule?

[captainviscen]

Viscen turns rapidly to the source of her voice, but in the darkness can only make out her silhouette. He tenses but answers as best he can.]

I cannot claim what I do not know as friend. I am a stranger to this place.

[regnant_zelda]

[So he is not who she suspects...she recognizes the armor, most certainly.]

You wear the armor of my Guard. [Which wasn't entirely true, but the armor of what once was her family's Guard, which was close enough.] Tell me, if you are not Hyrulean, where do you herald from?

[captainviscen]

[Viscen frowns at this revelation. The only female in the mayor's family is his wife, and neither the shape of the silhouette nor her voice matches his Madame's profile.]

I think you must be mistaken, ma'am. I am Captain of the Imperial Clocktown Guard, and I hail from Termina, land of the Blessed Four.

[If this stranger's family is important enough to warrant their own guard, perhaps she will recognize the name of his land.]

[regnant_zelda]

[She had heard the land of Termina mentioned before, but in all of history and of what she knew of geography, no Termina existed anywhere near Hyrule.]

I am not. That is the garb. I have heard once or twice of your land. It cannot be near Hyrule, since I have had no contact with it as this land's sovereign. Tell me, how have you come to be here?

[captainviscen]

[She has had no contact with its sovereign? Who exactly is he talking to?]

I simply awoke here. If you know of some way to get back to my land, I beg you to share. My city is in distress and if I am not there, who will muster the men?

[Viscen draws himself up. He does not want to continue talking with a stranger who has the obvious advantage.]

I have given you my station, Madame, and you have me in plain sight. Will you not step out of the shadows and explain yourself?

[regnant_zelda]

[She considers him, and feels a bit sorry at his desperation. She, at least, was still in her homeland.]

I do not know. I would tell you if I did. I'm sorry.

[Zelda purses her lips thoughtfully, and then sighs. She won't jump from the roof, instead she stands. She feels as if she has offended the soldier.] Very well. [Taking the pathway she led up there, and down the stairs, she steps to him silently, finally becoming visible.]

I am the ruler of this land--or what it will be. I am Princess Zelda.

[captainviscen]

[Her reply is not what Viscen expected. Even if she cannot help him, she outranks him. The stress of the past few days must finally be getting to him, if he is no longer capable of making basic deductions. As she reveals her name, he drops to one knee and crosses his fist over his heart in respect.]

I fear I have made a fool of myself, my lady. I am...overwhelmed, by my circumstances.

[He lifts his head.] Allow me to start over. I am Viscen, Captain of the Guard, and I am honored to meet you on behalf of my land.

[regnant_zelda]

[She feels a little guilty at his formality. Zelda may have hurt him.]

You could not know, and if you are what you say, then I cannot blame you. Stand, Captain. I am glad to meet an esteemed soldier of Termina.

[captainviscen]

[Viscen rises to his feet, relieved he hasn't offended the princess.]

Do you always wander about the land at night, my lady? The air seems unsafe...

[The air is not the only thing that feels unsafe in this land. There is no birdsong, no sound of movement. It seems like a most unlikely place for a princess to have safe passage.]

[regnant_zelda]

[Unsafe? This was the first time in a long time she had felt safe--although there had been multiple attempts on her life while she was here. No monsters, able to leave the castle alone...perhaps not "safe", but "free".]

I can defend myself. [Zelda gestures to her bow and sword.] Though your concern is pleasing, Captain.

[captainviscen]

[Viscen raises an eyebrow at Zelda's assurance. For a split second he is reminded of another child of dignitaries who had a similar attitude--but he is looking at a blonde head of hair, not a blue one.]

It is rare to see a princess trained in the art of battle. It bespeaks a country in turmoil...But I am grateful for it, if it allows you to wander freely. Surely that is a precious thing for royalty?

[regnant_zelda]

[She wondered if she should explain the history of the Zeldas. The heir apparent had long since they had been tought to defend themselves if need be, in times of war and strife. Zeldas particularly had been tought to harness their magic, and achieve a type of communal with the gods and spirits. She opted for the simpler route however, not wanting to damage this poor, confused man.]

My country is at peace now. It is only a precaution that we defend ourselves. [She didn't add, Although that could not save my parents. But she smiles at his last statement.] Hyrule is abandoned of life, besides few as confused as we. There is none to rule, none hold or protect me. So I wander.

[captainviscen]

That is a sad fate for a princess, to wander with no people to serve or be served by.

Perhaps...if we traveled together, we could better find the source of your land's troubles?

[Viscen crosses his fist over his heart and bows his head slightly, to show he is not being forward in his tentative request. It simply does not sit right with him that this princess wanders unprotected, even if she is armed. And besides that...what good is he as Captain of the Guard...if he has nothing to guard?]

[regnant_zelda]

[Fate? Zelda had not dreamed yet that this was a permanent situation. Perhaps it was only a test of the Goddesses, a mere fluke with time...what would her people do without her? Worry showed on Zelda's face as she wondered. She was the last of the Royal Family...the family that had ruled Hyrule since it's beginning.]

I do not think it is my fate, friend. I will find the meaning--and a way--out of this.

[She stops a frown from forming on her face. Truthfully, it wasn't wise to wander unprotected. For the safety of her land, she had her own life to worry about. But she was not as delicate as she appeared. She could fight, if she had to. And she didn't want to lose her freedom. For the first time since the cucco attack of her childhood, she was allowed outside on her own.]

Your offer is noble, and very brave, Captain. I see the citizens of Termina are a courageous lot, if they are anything like you. But I will not hold you to me. See if you can find your people, if you would. I will be fine.

[captainviscen]

[Viscen just barely keeps his face from falling--he knows a rejection when he hears one, and is careful to keep his head down in respect. He doesn't want the princess to think he is being disrespectful.]

Then I...thank you, my lady, for your time.

Could you point me to the last place you encountered someone?