Fan Fiction Friday: The Queen’s Tale – Chapter 1

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Chapter One

The Queen of Hyrule combed her daughter’s silky, golden hair in front of an ornate mirror.  She paused to glance up at her own reflection and couldn’t help but smile.  At least Zelda would never have to force a comb through a curly blonde mop, such as hers!  She stifled a laugh at the thought of how many combs she had broken as a child.

“What are you laughing about, Mother?” Zelda asked curiously.

The queen looked down into the mirror again, where her daughter was staring up at her with an eyebrow raised.  “Oh, it’s nothing, Little Bird,” she replied, smiling down at Zelda.

“It must be something, Mother,” Zelda countered, as she twisted around to face the queen.

“Well, I was remembering my messy hair when I was just your age,” the queen explained.  “It was so fuzzy that I couldn’t even comb it!”

Zelda covered her mouth as she giggled, then raised her tiny hand to touch her mother’s perfectly groomed curls.  “But your hair is so pretty now!”

“That’s because I have learned to be patient with it,” the queen replied.  She bent to scoop her daughter into her arms, and then began to dance jovially in front of the mirror, making Zelda giggle even more.  “But enough talk of hair, I have a surprise for you.  We are going on a trip to Gerudo Town!”

Zelda’s eyes seemed to sparkle and she caught her breath as the news of such a treat sank in.  “Really?!  When do we leave?”

“Right now, Little Bird,” the queen replied, happily.

Zelda was so thrilled that she couldn’t find the words to speak.  Instead, she threw her little arms around her mother’s neck, and hugged her tight.

---

Zelda walked at her mother’s side as they descended the steps to Castle Town below.  The queen was pleased that her daughter was holding herself well, especially as the whole of Castle Town seemed to have turned out to see them.  At the forefront of the crowd, a figure stood out, her garb setting her apart from everybody else.

“Is that a Sheikah from the council, Mother?” Zelda asked, recognizing the distinctive markings on the woman’s face.

“Yes,” the queen answered, “Impa is going to travel back to Kakariko Village with us.”

Zelda beamed as they reached the foot of the steps and Impa stepped forward with a bow.

“Well met, Impa.” the queen acknowledged with a smile.

“My thanks to you, Queen Serena,” Impa reciprocated.

It didn’t take long to settle into the carriage.  As they traveled, the townsfolk waved and children chased their party.  The Royal Guard, consisting of eight soldiers, followed in their wake, keeping any troublemakers at bay.  It didn’t seem to be too difficult, as Castle Town was a peaceful place.  In fact, apart from a select few instances, most of Hyrule was seemingly at peace.

“How long until we reach Gerudo Town, Mother?” Zelda asked, politely.

“I’m afraid it could be almost five days, Little Bird,” Serena replied, before turning to Impa.  “I believe you will have a much shorter journey by far, Impa?”

“Yes, Queen Serena,” answered Impa gruffly. “Two days, if I ride well at the Hills of Baumer.  There is much to discuss with my clan.  The king is concerned with how bold the Yiga have become, and worries that it is a sign of the Calamity gathering strength.

Serena glanced quickly at Zelda, who was listening intently, before turning her attention back to Impa, “I understand my husband’s concerns, but perhaps we should leave such talk for the Council meetings?”

Impa nodded, and Serena noticed a tinge of pink flush her cheeks.  She smiled her forgiveness, hoping that Impa understood her desire to shield Zelda from the horrors of Calamity Ganon.  The terrible fact was that Zelda’s fate was entwined in those horrors — something that she did not know just yet.

Attempting to move on from her mistake, Impa addressed Zelda, “I believe this will be your first time to visit Gerudo Town, Princess?”

Zelda sat up straight and grinned eagerly, “Yes, I cannot wait to meet Lady Urbosa!  She and my mother are like sisters.”

“My goodness,” Impa responded merrily, “then this trip must be very exciting for you?”

Zelda nodded enthusiastically and replied, “Oh, it really is!”

---

As conversation fell into comfortable silence, the queen enjoyed the view of Hyrule Field from the window of their carriage.  She was most content when surrounded by nature.  Such simple things took Serena back to before she had married King Rhoam; to when she had traveled around the kingdom, learning about the land.  Of course, she was happy with her life now, but those memories were still so sweet.

At last, just as the sun was setting, their carriage came to a stop at Hyrule Garrison, where they would make camp for the night.  The Royal Guard rushed to inspect the area, and then the queen’s party gratefully stretched their limbs in the night air.

“Impa!” called a deep voice from across the garrison.

Impa turned to squint into the distance and recognition lit up her features.  “Rohla!” she exclaimed.  She turned quickly to the queen and bowed her head, “Queen Serena, might I be excused?”

“Of course, Impa,” Serena smiled.

“Thank you.  It looks as though I may have some welcome company on the second leg of my journey!”  With another bow, Impa raced across the garrison to her clansman.

Serena turned to Zelda, whose attention was focused on a swarm of fireflies nearby.

“Mother, look!” she exclaimed in a hushed voice.  “They are so beautiful — like fairies!”

The queen laughed, “Except fairies are much more beautiful.  They glow brighter than the stars.”

Zelda’s eyes went wide with wonder.  Then a soldier appeared and advised that the garrison had prepared lodgings for their arrival.  Serena and Zelda made their way to their quarters for the night, where a hearty dish of Prime Meat Stew was waiting for them.  Zelda, clearly hungry after their long journey, ate every morsel and was soon sound asleep.

Serena trusted Zelda’s care to the Captain of the Royal Guard, and then made to join Impa and her companion by the camp-fire.  When they seen her approach, they stood and bowed, but Serena dismissed any ceremony.  Impa introduced her companion Rohla, who was honored to meet his queen.

“An unexpected pleasure, Your Grace,” Rohla smiled, “I am pleased to share your company.”

“The pleasure is mine, Rohla,” replied Serena, genuinely.  As she looked between Impa and Rohla, Serena realized that she had interrupted a conversation.  “I seem to have put a stop to something important, my friends.  Please forgive me.”

As she stood to leave, Impa made an effort to reassure her that she was welcome.  “You are most welcome to remain, My Queen.  We were simply discussing the Calamity.”

“The Yiga grow bolder with every passing day.” Rohla began, in an effort to bring Serena up to speed on their conversation.  My trip to the Hebra Region proved fruitful, and I gained knowledge of their current objective.  The Yiga are recruiting.”

“Rohla tells me that they even attempted to force the Rito to submit to their cause.” said Impa, seriously.  “A battle broke out, and the Yiga fled with their tails between their legs.  But I would wager that this will not be their last attempt to gain influence over the tribes of Hyrule.”

Serena nodded her agreement.  “They are a paramilitary, and this cannot be tolerated for much longer.  Especially if they are becoming a real threat to the citizens of our kingdom.  Does the council have plans to deal with them?

“At the moment, the location of their hideout is still unknown to us.  Until we can gain access to their whereabouts, we are stuck with random and usually individual confrontations.”  Rohla let out a huff of breath, clearly frustrated by the situation.  “Will your journey bring you past the Coliseum Ruins, My Queen?”

“I believe that is our route, yes.”

Rohla met Serena’s eyes with concern, “I would advise that your guard keeps a wary eye on your journey.  Bokoblins have been sighted near that area, and it might be worth taking a different path.”

Serena was grateful for the information and before long, she decided to retire for the night.  As she approached her quarters, the Captain of the Guard stood to attention.

“Fabian, may we talk?” Serena requested, politely.

The Captain of the Guard bowed ceremoniously and Serena told him of Rohla’s warning.  He seemed unsurprised by her information. “The garrison soldiers have told me as much, Your Highness.  Unfortunately, with Princess Zelda in our company, we cannot consider another route.  The journey would be too harsh for a child, and worse than Bokoblins could lie in wait, if we leave the beaten path.”

Serena almost bit her lip with worry, but years of royal instruction stopped her.  She considered sending Zelda back to the safety of Hyrule Castle, but she knew that would break her daughter’s heart.

“Forgive me if I have taken action without your consent, Queen Serena,” Fabian begged. “But I have recruited a party of the garrison soldiers to accompany us until we reach the Gerudo Canyon Pass.  This will bring our guard to a number of sixteen, instead of eight.  I feel that the extra manpower should be sufficient to get us safely through the next leg of our journey.”

Serena smiled with relief; she was pleased that she could count on Fabian.  His wealth of experience as the Captain of the Royal Guard was difficult to rival and the other soldiers certainly respected him.  “Thank you Fabian.  You have put my mind at ease, as always.  Now, please allow yourself some rest and refreshment, and send another guard to stand at this post.  I will see you shortly after dawn.”

“Thank you, My Queen.”  Fabian bowed once more, and the queen entered her quarters.

Zelda stirred slightly, and opened her eyes.  “Mother?”

“Yes, Zelda?” replied Serena in a soothing voice.

“I love you, Mother.” Zelda whispered, as her eyelids fluttered shut and sleep took her again.

“I love you too, Little Bird,” Serena whispered in return, as she tucked the blanket snugly around her daughter.  Kissing her lightly on the forehead, she said, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

 

Artwork by hylianknight246.  See more of their work here.

Judy Calder is an Original Content Editor for Zelda Dungeon.  She enjoys lengthy debates about the Zelda timeline and thinks that we need to see more of the Queen of Hyrule.  Follow her on Twitter.