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+--- Thread: The 'Elf' and the Soldier from Camelot (/showthread.php?tid=1300)
The 'Elf' and the Soldier from Camelot - Zelda - 04-30-2015
If there has ever been a story that needs to be told: it isn't mine.
The void is an empty space between dimensions - whether parallel or otherwise - that exists merely to provide some small shelter of sanity to those that pass through it. It's torture for some; purgatory for others, and still more find themselves wondering if they (in fact had) ceased to exist, or if the world around them had merely vanished - swallowed whole by some Great Power far beyond any normal means of comprehension.
On the day that a young Hylian faded, there weren't any songs of praise; no crowns upon royalty's head, or even the cheers of subjects once so severely oppressed that they had forgotten freedom. Instead, only Zelda in bed, whisked away in the night by the very being she suspected had freed Ganondorf from his eternal prison days prior. She might have been snoring. As it had been the first time she had slept since the discovery. Strange, that this particular 'eve happened to also mark her abduction. And, while the state of Hyrule would certainly fall into question without the presence of the Triforce, there were more immediate concerns.
Darkness. But, not so. She had never seen anything quite so impossibly black. Yet, the dull shimmering glimmer of her 'kidnapper' (she presumed), brought comfort. Just another torch lit so a person might see, and though not a friendly face, a face at all could combat isolation. Still adorned in what could pass for a humble nightgown, the former Princess of Hyrule, stood firm and listened. In fact, she didn't bother to attempt to speak. Maybe because within a dream not remembered, she learned what was to come. Or simply the order of her mind, found the notion of arguing with an entity that basically ripped through the folds of space and time, foolish - suicidal. So, she let the sphere of rainbows grow warm in her extended hand, and merely lent her ear to this stranger.
A Boy in White with a Massive Grin. Nothing else at all. That or it forced nothing else to matter. Reality blurred and contorted into a thousands upon thousands of shapes, images, people and things to form nothing. Everything would be nothing and this Trickster probably found that amusing; a boy with his sandbox and his many dolls to play with. At least, it looked like a boy, but what could she know?
Gods can have many forms, and they choose what to reveal to those of lesser qualities.
Under different circumstances, Zelda may have asked: 'Are you lonely?' But, the mannerism of a rehearsed affair, rushed along the brief meeting. Before long, the Boy in White, departed. In his place, he left a realm of sheer brightness. Blinding at first, but after a few moments, a vast span of white that led ever onward to great Arches in the distance, became clear. However, she first approached the Fountain, drawn to its melodic sounds of constant current, and the only indication of life so far otherwise. She knelt beside it, dipping a hand gently to test its waters: cool. Cupping both her hands she brought the liquid to her mouth and drank (before she had been taken she had been thirsty).
Is this where he came through? Omni spoke about the others . . . immortality. Reborn over and over again. He would consider that a gift. It's a curse though.
Parting her hands, Zelda let the remains trickle through the cracks back into their home. "The implications," she muttered. "I can't allow him to reap destruction upon these realms as he did Hyrule. I must go from here - before he learns of my arrival." Lost in thought the Hylian barely realized she spoke aloud, but the youth clad in iron and clutching steel certainly had heard her. He too, had a thirst; on the other side of the welled source, he quenched it. But now, he looked upon her staring at her odd presentation, and mostly, upon the points of her ears.
"Were you talking to me?"
"Oh, no - I'm sorry!" She replied, stumbling clumsily to her feet again. "I only just came here, and I thought I was alone. Mistaken on that part of it." Tilting her head at him she assessed easily enough that he was a solider. His armor, blade, helmet and the shield upon his back, were signs enough of this fact. She watched briefly; his eyes darted from her nightgown, to her ears and back again. She looked away.
"Milady, are you an Elf?"
Zelda shook her head. "I'm not sure what an Elf is." Despite the situation, somehow, she kept herself from stammering. Then, she remembered the colorful orb and what had been told to her. When had she lost it? She couldn't recall.
"Your ears though, you look like an elf." She saw his hand lingering quite close to the sheathe of his sword. Her eyes widened - could this be a place that attacked kin like her upon sight? She dared not think what would have happened to her people, if they were brought here. But, no one save for Ganondorf had disappeared. Maybe, they were still safe. "But, you say you just came here - you must be a prime then." His voice rose interrupting her thoughts. "Did Omni speak to you?"
"Yes." A simple response. Presently, she worried over Omninilium; something that supposedly would come naturally with a mere musing. A second or so later she felt something momentarily weigh down a hand. With a glance she saw the sphere once more, even smiled at its warmth. The Soldier crept quite quickly around from the other side of the Fountain at the sight of it. Instead of glaring at her ears, that orb had him in a daze.
"That's Ominilium, you must be a Prime. You're my assignment. I mean - " he rubbed the back of his head. In his swiftness he had left his shield and helmet behind, resting against along the edge of cool granite and stone. "I'm supposed to be recruiting you lot for the Kingdom in Camelot." He pointed off to one of the great doorways in the far off way. "But . . . "
"Elves aren't welcome?" Zelda intoned picking up on his hesitation. She swirled her fingers around the chunk of rainbows. Smooth and warm, whereas most objects like it would be cold. It's as though it was made for forging and its fire could not be put out by the most violent of storms. Capable of creating either destruction or peace at the whim of the user. A terrifying prospect if true, but it would also solve her more cosmetic - the wardrobe problems. As the man-at-arms continued, she focused longing to swap out her nightwear for something more appropriate.
"It's not t-that, but, there are some people that still remember. They . . . I-I admit to still fearing the Magic that flows through your people. My father - " He stopped his advance. His hands had fallen back to the comfort of that familiar hilt. The gleam of steel would be swift if he drew upon its wrath. However, she knew that he wouldn't. Although dressed as one, an instrument of war, this boy would never be. Too young and filled with life, and hope for better times. He only wanted to help his friends, family and those to whom he sworn fealty.
Zelda had turned back to him with a smile. That had stopped him in his tracks. "It's alright, be still. I won't cause harm to you, nor your family. And, I'm not an Elf. I may look like one to your eyes, though." After speaking once more, she peered down at her clothes, and for a second her face was filled with a blush. Thereafter, she could feel a 'force' begin to surge through her body. A bright light eclipsed her entire form. It remained as new cloth was fitted promptly unto her figure. That orb in her hand, poofed out of existence. Several minutes had passed, but she now knew that - regardless of what Omni is - he wasn't a liar.
When the light disappeared, she now wore a deep-lavender cloak about her person. A long hood trailed down her back, and vestments of purple, gold and white covered her person. Most notably however, her face now was concealed by a soft rose-colored mask. It swept across her mouth up to just before her nose, almost Arabian in appearance, leaving only her eyes visible. Without a word she raised the hood and covered the majority of her luscious hair.
"You just - you did that!" He cried out. "Summoning as many call it. Only Primes like yourself do it. It's a magic in its own right, but, I've never seen it done before." He appeared more relaxed at the sudden shift in her adornments. Probably because before, she only wore what a person might wear to sleep. Now she was no more out of place among the White than he was. "May I know your name, Milady?" He almost stuttered, but restrained himself by talking far slower than he usually spoke.
For awhile, Zelda only stepped forward and gazed into the stream below her. If I am - if everyone is - to live peacefully. I can no longer be who I am. Another path must open. She taxed her mind remembering those songs she played for the Hero of Time. The Ocarina, the lullaby she played, and the sound of Time itself as it slipped right-on by. Even imagined, the tones soothed her. Now, they could calm others (help them too), and serve another purpose in ensuring that the peoples that lived across so many of these fabricated worlds, could remain in harmony. When she faced him once more she replied: "You may call me Muse. What is your name?"
"Hector, I'm only a scout. Actually, I should be reporting in soon. Time is funny in the Nexus. Oh, that is what you see before you now, Muse. And, the doorways lead to entire worlds." He proceeded back to the other side as he spoke, and then retrieved his equipment. Without another word he began the long walk back to the Gateway to Camelot. Although, he did think that it would be better if he said nothing to his supervisor about the latest Prime. She seemed out of touch and worried about someone that was not among them.
He had left her alone by the Fountain. Zelda reached out for another rainbow sphere. It shined in her grasp. She thought deeply upon it. Then, time passed and the unchanging waters trickled on and on. She shut her eyes feeling her body, mind and soul straining to grab what she wanted - what she desired - and needed.
The Mare and the Portal - Zelda - 05-02-2015
The steed snorted and neighed, blowing a rush of hot air into Zelda's face. "Whoa, now! There isn't a need for that." Its hooves thumped, and clacked in place, blunting the vacant ground by the Fountain. Hector could still be seen marching diligently from whence he came - all-the-while holding his helmet at his side.
She smiled, looking in his direction. Then with a brush in hand, she ran it roughly along the breadth of horse's body, grooming the recently summoned Mount. A white mare conjured from will alone, and quite willful herself. The Hylian tended to her though with a practiced care, occasionally running a hand along the snout gently; calming her with light presses upon her mind and hummed, familiar melodies.
After a few minutes of awkward shifts, stumbles, snorts and huffs, Zelda slipped the harness in place, following close with a saddle at arm's reach. Without knowing how far she needed to travel, there wasn't any sense in riding bareback. That just welcomed all sorts of nasty blisters and rashes to their new homes.
Still trekking for too long, would warrant the same results. Glancing towards her destination, she noted a steady pace would see her to one of the Portals without much delay: forty-five minutes, an hour at most. Not wishing for further delay, she positioned herself adjacent to her steed; slid one foot in its proper stirrup, and mounted in one fluid motion. A familiar warmth rushed through her body - a thrill to be atop a noble beast off to whatever adventure lay beyond. However, it never could be that simple.
Galloping at all speeds, the Mare carried her charge. Thunderous trots into the ground, her footfalls resounded outwards into the White. Taken to motions previously mastered, the former Princess seamlessly urged the animal forward: indicating with gentle touches from her knees, when to alter the path (although considering the terrain that wasn't needed much). Slowly her mind emptied, and she zoned out. She thought to herself about the state of things, past and future. Soon they (thoughts) sped up time itself, and she drifted away from the moment. Those moments after, were fleeting. She would not remember much of the trip.
Instead, Zelda only hid worry - turning it inward and doubting whether or not there was truly anything she could do for those left behind. I was so quick to hide again. To just be a different person, and run away. Is it for the best? Barely arrived and already fleeing for the sake of others. It may protect this realm, but it certainly does nothing for Hyrule and the people there. The world will be out of balance. I'm gone. Ganondorf . . . gone. A-and if Link is . . . I don't know what has become of him. Regardless of her worst nightmares, they would have to brave the ensuing chaos - for a time - alone. What lay ahead here, also mattered.
Ganondorf summoned and freed before me. He would have had time to establish himself. Once he learns of my existence, he'll tear the worlds asunder for my piece of the Triforce. So, I must wander - be someone I'm not again. It all seemed ever so wise to the young woman, and the Mare below didn't care one way or the other; it had direction and a competent rider at the reigns. But, I can't roam forever; he'll find me, and Omni has answers I need. If none of us can go back (home), maybe he can keep Hyrule stable in our absence?
Steadying down to a trot these thoughts weighed upon her, and she slowed her mount gradually to a stop before a Great Arch covered in bark and vine. The overgrowth hung down and low, covering portions of the glimmering shimmer of an entrance to another place. Dismounting, she ran her palm along the Mare's snout and then briefly pressed her forehead upon it. Thank you,she intoned to her companion and then waved; thereafter dismissing her into several thousand particles of pure energy. It welled up, forming a bright sphere of Omninilium. She grasped it, and as she stepped towards the gateway, the orb disappeared entirely.
Under different circumstances, the Portal may have been called: beautiful. Crafted to the extent to display to any weary vagabond where he or she would be bound next. In this instance, a vast forest was offered. The Hylian looked back briefly, wondering what would become of the Soldier Hector, but if he did lie, perhaps it wouldn't matter one way or the other. In the far off, she could barely make out the Fountain, and with one lasting look, she walked forward pulling up her hood as she went.
A new life then? No, just another period of pretend. But, if it would spare those in the Omniverse even for a little while, it would be worth it in the end. I should arm myself, but first . . . She stepped across the threshold, whisked away yet again.
Quote: Leaving the Nexus and heading for Tangled Green.