Yes. I know. NA is still waiting. I know. I know. But this is a little treat on my part.
A finished story. I know. Amazing, considering that NA has been running longer than this has taken to write, but what can I say? I finished writing it past midnight on August 13th. Well, I guess it's actually August 14th. But you know what I mean.
The whole point of this is that I always wanted to exploit the basic plot outline for Disney's The Lion King, and make it more dramatic and bloody. (Yeah, I know. Loose-screwed. I know.) Plus, my love for the Legend of Zelda made the mix inevitable.
I'll be posting each chapter at random intervals. But you can pick this up without fear, because trust me: the finished story is sitting right here, in my computer. All of it. From this First Chapter to the very last one.
A side-note: the reason, amongst others, that NA was so slow is because of this. So consider it like a good reason.
Also, for those who think this is just Disney's movie rearranged to fit my fanfic author needs, huh, come again. Because a lot of things in here have been changed. Emphasis was put where I believe it needed to be put, and I added to the unseen parts of the animated movie. I imagined new sequences to the story, and I made a big effort to modify a few things that annoyed me about the movie. So it's pretty much a whole new story.
In any case, let me outline the basics to you:
The first two chapters are those of childhood. The remaining eleven chapters are those of adulthood. You'll notice the winks I made to other sources, I'm sure.
Alright. This author's note is turning out to be long when it's not meant to be. So, BEFORE YOU START, PLEASE BE AWARE that this story was not censored, in any way. It was written as I felt it needed to be written. Therefore, there will be violence, some sexuality, and language. There will be more particular warnings at the beginning of each specific chapter. This does not apply, for example, to this chapter.
With that said, please enjoy this story. X)
Hylian Kings
By CM
First Chapter: Overthrow Brewing
"Your majesty," Harkinian's advisor welcomed. "Master Rauru is ready for the child."
Harkinian and his wife, smiling, came through the doors, and into a small room. An elderly man in bright orange robes was washing his hands. He turned to them, and his concentrated frown became a warm, heartfelt smile. Outstretching his hands to the queen, he carefully took the tiny bundle of blankets, and pressed it to his chest. His kindly eyes took in the pink, little creature wrapped up there. He shot his king a smile.
"She will be a beautiful maiden, when the time comes," he complimented. The queen blushed with pleasure.
"I suppose the crowd is waiting," King Harkinian proudly declared. Rauru nodded.
"Yes, you're right, majesty."
The priest took a droplet of honey from a vial, and poured it onto the baby's skin, smudging it gently. The little girl whimpered at the feeling of the sticky substance, but did not cry. A tiny, upset tear came out of her closed lid.
"Now, now, princess," Rauru chided, his fatherly tone calming the baby.
Finally, Rauru ran a thumb over the honey drop, whispering softly, "Your name is Zelda, little princess. May you be as beautiful and wise as your ascendants, and have a fruitful life, with many worthy descendents."
Finishing, he turned to the king and queen, before walking to the double doors, where a loud rumour was heard. He passed the doors, onto a balcony, closely followed by the two parents, and showed the child to its people. Below, the crowd was cheering, celebrating the day.
Back inside, a young woman also carried a child, a baby boy, who was watching the scene with the curiosity of a two year-old infant. He didn't understand what was going on, but the good humour was contagious, and he was smiling faintly, his thumb in his mouth.
"Listen, Ganondorf, I would like a day off from this subject! This is the naming day of my only daughter! Can we please push this to tomorrow, this once?"
Ganondorf was angrily watching the festivities below. At his side, the king was saluting, smiling, but would talk to him with annoyance. The tall, tanned, bright haired man, master of the Gerudo from the desert to the west, towered above the king with a warrior-like presence. He had his hands joined in his back, and he still tried speaking to the king with a sickly sweet tone.
"Your majesty," he prompted, "some matters cannot wait. My people are dying at this very moment."
Harkinian was a short, round man, with a wobbling chin covered with a thick beard and an optimistic by nature attitude. He was also graced with a very short temper. Ganondorf wasn't helping him.
"They've been dying for the past months, Ganondorf. What will one day change? If your subjects are dying of starvation, then they must be lazy."
"We've been over this matter many times before," Ganondorf angrily growled, before controlling his temper. He toned his spite down slightly. "The landscape does not allow good crops and we've been relying on trade. We need Hyrule's help."
Harkinian huffed, ignoring him, choosing to simply wave more enthusiastically at the crowd. Seeing that he would gain nothing out the ruler today, Ganondorf left his side, fuming. It was bad enough he had to be nice to him, wasn't it?
Ten years later…
Nabooru sharpened her knife, planting it into the wooden table with fury. She let out a frustrated scream.
"I'm hungry!"
Two old hags, hidden in a pile of rags, in one corner, glared at her.
"Shut up, you're making us hungry!"
Nabooru stood from the table, pacing to and fro, clenching and unclenching her fists angrily.
"Where's that imbecile man, that foolish man who has been asking for help from Hyrule for the past decade! We've been eating our own for the past three months! I'm hungry! I want food!"
The old women wailed, their high-pitched screams trying to cover Nabooru's complaints.
The door opened, and a powerful gust of wind, carrying sand into their eyes, momentarily kept the women from seeing the newcomer. The tall figure was wearing a cloak.
"Why are you yelling now?" The voice was deep and angered. Nabooru snorted, sitting down.
"I'm damned hungry, that's why! Can't you feed your own people, you pathetic excuse for a man!"
Pulling down the hood, the man glared at her. Nabooru sniffed.
"Your evil eyes won't fill my stomach, Ganon."
Ganondorf snarled and hollered, "If you don't keep quiet, I'll make sure you don't have a stomach left AT ALL!"
Nabooru rolled her eyes. The two hags, in the corner, finally showed sign of life.
"How are things in Hyrule, Ganon?"
Ganondorf grunted. "The king will be of no use."
"Sure took you some time to come to THAT conclusion," Nabooru muttered. Ganondorf glared at her.
"However," he continued, "I have a better, more effective plan. And it'll be done the Gerudo style."
This got Nabooru's attention. She sat up and looked at him with newfound interest. "What is it you're planning?"
"We take Hyrule."
Nabooru fell back into her seat. She rolled her eyes and laughed. "And I actually believed you there."
"We walk into Hyrule Castle Town, and wreak havoc. We kill the king's advisor, and the king himself. We could afford to hold the princess at bay."
"I heard she had a consort planned for the day when she can be queen," one of the old women risked.
"Bah. A consort's nothing without an actual princess to marry," Ganondorf shrugged.
Nabooru blinked at him, playing around with her knife. "You plan to actually go along with that plan?"
"Are you with me?"
After a long hesitation, she smirked. "You're insane. When do we strike?"
Link wielded the small wooden sword, crying out with each swing. He was grinning.
"He strikes me with his sword, I avoid it! Oh, ya think you're so great, huh?" He rolled and crouched. "Now he's about to kill me, I kill him! Aha!"
Bursting into wild laughter, Link fell to the ground, holding his sides. His wooden sword fell to the grass. He didn't notice his mentor standing on the steps to the courtyard, watching him with a fatherly eye, until he spoke.
"Well, Link, you're cheerful today."
Link rolled over, staring at his mentor with a fixed, open mouthed, smile. He let out a squeak, and brushed himself off as he stood. The tall, broad-shouldered man walked down to him, arms crossed.
"Darunia—Uh, MISTER Darunia," Link corrected himself, standing at attention.
The tall, powerful looking man looked down at Link, chest puffed out, and Link strived to imitate him, though he could not reach Darunia Goroni's stature.
They stayed silent, observing each other quietly.
Darunia Goroni was a strong man with powerful arms and an earthy look. He seemed made of dirt and rock. His skin was strongly tanned, and his hair was wild, a tawny colour. He didn't seem fit for war, and rather for farming, but had nonetheless worked his way to the king's military advisor. He was a trusted friend of royalty, and thus greatly respected.
Six years ago, he'd taken Link in after his mother died. The woman had been a kindred subject of the queen, and her husband, one of Darunia's best friends, had died in combat. Out of respect for both of them, Goroni chose to adopt the baby boy, and raise him as one of the future knights to the kingdom of Hyrule.
Link was a quick, mischievous boy; a healthy, energetic promise. He'd shown great learning skills and enthusiasm. His bright blue eyes were full of laughter, with that twinkle of unexpected. His dirty blonde locks reminded Darunia of his father's, and his grin stayed plastered on his face at all times. His favourite colour, to Darunia's surprise, had turned out to be green, as his father would have chosen.
The two had an odd relationship. They viewed each other as family members, but always kept at a respectful distance of each other, as would a teacher and his student.
When they strolled the busy market streets, they looked very strange. On one side, the frightening giant, and on the other, the tiny, cheerful boy, and they walked together.
And so Darunia raised a thick eyebrow, as Link refrained from a smile, pressing his lips together, rocking on the ball of his feet. Finally, Darunia sighed loudly, the sound whooshing.
"Alrighty, Little Link. You've been convoked. Royally. Royally convoked."
Link immediately lost countenance.
"What? By the king?"
Darunia rolled his dark, amused eyes.
"No, Link. The Princess."
The boy pouted, slumping. He hopped over to Darunia's side as the mentor proudly started walking. Link looked up, craning his neck.
"Mister Darunia," he mumbled with a tiny whine, "why does the princess want to talk to me?"
"She'd like to play," Darunia said.
Link grimaced, tongue pulling out. "Ew, girl games!" He lowered an eyebrow, and glanced up at Darunia. "Are you sure that no one found a girl disease yet?"
Darunia's chuckle was a low rumble. "Nothing that will keep you away from the princess' games just yet, Link."
Link's complaint was cut short, as Darunia reached wide doors, which gave into a smaller, circular courtyard. They both paused. Darunia looked at Link, eyeing him.
"Where's your wooden sword?"
Link looked down at his belt, and scowled. "I forgot it back there."
Darunia sighed once more. "Link, a knight never forgets his sword on the scene of combat."
"I know, I know."
"Link!"
The boy and his mentor turned to look at a cute little girl, who'd run through the gate and was smiling broadly at them. Link grinned weakly. Darunia bowed respectfully.
"Princess."
Princess threw the military advisor a lovely smile.
She was a very cute little girl, with pale blonde hair and bright blue eyes, with a kind, optimistic glint in them. She wasn't disobedient, but she liked adventures and was curious of everything. Locked up in the palace walls, she wanted friends. And she'd found one.
She shot Link an adorable smile, causing the boy to blush and look away, hands in his back.
"Hi, princess," he mumbled.
"Oh, Darunia, can I please play with Link? Daddy said I—"
"Go on right ahead. He likes it more than he lets on."
"Hey!"
Giggling, the princess took Link's hand and dragged him away from his mentor. Link tried looking sulky, but had a faint, tight-lipped smile. He'd always liked playing the hero in Princess Zelda's games, as much as she liked being the courageous lady.
Darunia watched them leave, before letting out a breath. He turned to smile at his subordinate guards, who'd watched the scene with amused grins.
"Another usual morning, ain't it?" He sighed again, and looked distant.
"It's true he was chosen to be her consort?"
Darunia turned to look at one of the guards, a young man with curious eyes. He nodded. "Yes, but I doubt he'd understand if I told him. Link is only twelve. He wouldn't quite get the implications of that. It's best to wait."
Ganondorf paced the throne room. He'd been waiting a long time. Now was the king's last chance, though he wouldn't admit so.
"Alright now, what do you want, Ganondorf?"
Ganon glanced at the king, holding back a smile. He knew coming here was useless, but he'd try anyhow.
It was dark out by now. He knew down in the town, his underlings were only waiting for the signal, which he wouldn't fail to give.
He was about to speak, when the throne room's doors creaked open, and in stepped Zelda, holding a small pillow close to her. She peered shyly at her father, all across the room, and padded over to him quickly, embarrassed to be in front of all the dignitaries. Her father patiently leaned over and listened intently to what she had to say. He smiled warmly at her as she finished, and ruffled her soft blonde hair. She held back a giggle.
"He's in town with Darunia Goroni. If he doesn't come back too late, I'll send him over."
She beamed at him, and Ganondorf saw, with mild disgust, that her father nearly melted under his daughter's smile. How unnerving that in a few minutes, she could get him to obey to her every whim, and in ten years, he hadn't managed to convince the king to consider his demands.
It didn't matter. Not anymore.
The king turned back to him, looking completely happy. "I'm sorry. You were saying?"
The dark-skinned man nodded in acknowledgment. "I pray Hyrule, one last time, to assist the Gerudo."
The king sighed exasperatedly. Ganondorf noticed that Zelda was lingering to hear what her father was so unhappy about. No matter. He didn't have qualms about killing her father before her eyes.
At all.
"Now, Ganondorf, we've been discussing this for the longest time. You know as well as I do that such a thing is impossible. Your people have no possibility for reimbursing Hyrule. We cannot simply donate food to neighbouring countries so. I'm sorry to say, if for the last time, that my answer is no."
Ganondorf's amiable smile melted into a smirk. Zelda gasped. He found it amusing that she knew something was wrong before the rest of the room. A perceptive girl, really. Maybe he'd spare her.
Maybe.
"Mister Darunia," Link whined, "why is this taking so long?"
He hadn't stopped fidgeting since they'd entered the shop. Darunia looked at the boy over his shoulder. The tailor made a loud coughing sound, telling Darunia to turn back and stand straight. Begrudgingly, the huge man obeyed. Link yawned, looking out the window and into the street. People were hurrying to get home. It was already late. He noticed a lot of Gerudo in the town, but he hadn't paid it any particular attention.
Until he saw one readjust a knife under her cloak. He instinctively reached for his wooden sword slowly, not wishing to alert anyone. Maybe his mind was playing tricks. It wasn't uncommon for travellers to carry weapons in town, but it was highly unusual to try and hide it, like… Like you were guilty of something, or about to do something reprehensible.
Link wasn't a fool. Something was strange about the atmosphere at the end of this day. It was charged, like a spring about to surge forth but first coiling tightly. He didn't like it.
He saw another Gerudo, this time looking up and down the street as inconspicuously as possible.
Another, down by the fountain, was looking up, unabashedly, at the castle. As though waiting for something or someone.
They were everywhere. This was highly unusual.
And suddenly, a shocking feeling of dread crawled into his gut. He stopped fidgeting, staring out into the street with panic coming over him. He didn't know why. He just felt something was terribly wrong.
Something was fatally amiss.
Review if you think it's worth it.
Love,
CM