A fated coincidence. (Closed RP- Ehrandil, Aryll)

The morning sun hung brightly above Hyrule Castle Town. The streets were almost empty, a few stray faces littering them as the majority of the town were preparing to greet the day. Most of those present were town guards trading their shifts, and stall owners preparing to hawk their wares. A few were the average person already up and about, or a wayfaring traveler rolling into town to seek their fortune, or a tavern.

Among these faces, Saria walked, trying not to track too much attention. It was odd to see a child this early in the morning. But most dismissed her as she was harmless so long as she tried not steal anything like the street urchins or as mischievous children were known to do. And besides...A man accompanied her. Perhaps it was her father? Regardless, aside from the initial glances and smiles in the hopes of getting them to buy, there was no commotion.

Still...Saria pulled the hood of her green cloak in tighter. She still wasn't used to being in the world outside of the Forest after all this time. The people of Hyrule had plenty of variance in the color of their hair, but even among them, her bright green was a rarity....Hence why she wanted to keep it hidden. She felt no need to make a scene. This is also why Gate was hidden in her hood. Faeries were unheard of outside of the Forest. As hard as it had been to convince her, she made sure Gate stayed hidden.

Finally, the girl stopped as she looked at the swinging sign that read "Telma's Tavern", the Inn looking quite inviting, though slightly run-down.

Finally, she turned to her traveling companion. "Well...I guess this is the place, Ehran...Why did you want us to meet here? Was it something we couldn't discuss back at the castle?" she asked stepping back to look him in the eyes. Her voice was full of concern.

Ehrandil always remained vigilance with his surroundings and the hooded ranger tasked himself to safeguard the Child Of The Forest even with the cost of his life. Such was the way of the Waystriders, safeguard their allies and friends with their lives. Both Ehrandil and Saria had arrived at an inn, and the Kokiri asked that what was the reason that they should be here, Ehrandil lowered his mask until it covered his lower chin.

"Two reasons," he spoke to Saria. "Do you still remember my ancestors fought with another human clan, the Vankirks back then? I received news that their descendants were the noble powerful House of Lionborn, and I fear that even though the civil war was centuries old... I fear that the Vankirks descendants still resentful towards us. If they found about my presence, no doubt they'll chase me off before I can meet the Queen." Ehrandil spoke to Saria with bitterness. Not sure why they changed their name but Ehrandil had no doubt that the House of Lionborn became a powerful noble house within Hyrule. Even though most of the Hyrule people spoke goodness and heroic acts of the Lionborn but he had no doubt that the House was still resentful towards to the Waystriders of today.

"Secondly, there were a small band of young Waystriders who were traveling around. Their leader managed to dispatch one of them to meet us here after I summoned them, he should be here shortly and I need him to send a message to all the Waystriders over all kingdoms that they should be ready for any evil thus... give them hope that they might be return here to their ancestral home... our home." Ehrandil said to Saria, his heart was filled with brim of hope but he could not hold it high yet, he had not met with the Queen yet.

Then, Ehrandil approached the counter and sat down on the tall stool, he looked back to Saria. "Let us rest first before we could meet my fellow clanmate," Ehrandil said to the Kokiri and lowered his hood, he turned back to his front and raised his hand, hoped that someone would come to them and served them drinks.

Saria took in Eran's words as he spoke, a feeling of dread coming over her...The Vankirks were serving the Royal Family? While things could easily change over the course of time....She knew better than most anyone from personal experience that his sentiment that ill feelings remained could very well be true.

She opened her mouth to reply as they entered, beginning to whisper That is serious...If it's true then we must quell the situation before it begins...When we return, I can request the Princess....Perhaps finally give you the audience we nee-" but cut herself off as a strange aura suddenly hit her like a wave as they stepped in.........A feeling she recognized but had not felt in centuries.....

When she had first felt it, it was after she had awakened as a sage...Maintaining her role from the Temple of Light, watching the Hero's journey with the only other awakened sage of the time....Rauru, the former sage of light. It had been when her brother had found the then-time un-awakened Sage of Fire, Darunia...Another future dear friend....When she had asked, Rauru had told her....Any awakened Sage could sense the potential of an un-awakened sage. Not that it had helped then....But now....

Snapping back to the present, hoping she hadn't worried Ehren, she began to scan the Inn for who this potential sage was....There were a couple of people present....Plus the Serving girl....There was no way to tell at the moment...But then...She got a good look at the girl. She lost her composure for a moment as she let out a small gasp. She looked almost exactly like Link.

However, despite the overwhelming shock of the situation, she managed to answer the girl's question.

"Good morning!" she greeted giving a small bow...Old habits died hard, even if unnecessary. She followed her friend to the inn's bar, struggling slightly to climb atop. "I would just like a glass of water please." she said with a bright smile....She had to focus on the reason Ehran brought her here....But the Bar-Girl...Aryll...She was unsure at the moment, but two factors were pointing to this girl as being one of those she sought after.....She would need to try to make conversation. Hopefully before Ehran's contact arrived.

It was a Hylian barmaid, probably more younger than him. Her smile enlightened him but Ehrandil managed to maintained his composure while looked away from her slightly. "Give me a pint of ale with mild alcohol inside," Ehrandil said to the Hylian barmaid and then he sensed something, someone just arrived at the entrance of the tavern. His silvered eyes scanned at the individual; a hooded and masked man with fur cloak, thus a Waystrider bow and a quiver of arrows slung across his back. "... Make it two," Ehrandil said to the barmaid and beckoned his kin to come forward. The Waystrider walked towards to Ehrandil and Saria, his heavy footsteps could be heard. "Hagel, son of Hurin. I am Eregor, son of Svardet. My anforare sent me here to answer your call, what is it you require?" the Waystrider said as he sat next to Ehrandil. An anforare is a Waystrider who finished his or her Journey recently and led a small band of young and inexperienced Waystriders who were just set their foot on the outside world for their Journey.

"I am pleased to see one of my kin again after so many years." Ehrandil said as he forearm handshaked with Eregor. "A message to our kin," Ehrandil said, "Tell the others especially my father that a Hero of Time is here within the Lands of Hyrule, I need every Waystriders come here and aid the Hero in his quest by defeating the Darkness." Ehrandil said to Eregor, the Waystrider was surprised. "Hero of Time and the Darkness... These are trouble times indeed, bror, no wonder we encounter so many evil back then... Anything else?" Eregor asked and Ehrandil smiled slightly to him. "Also tell them that... I am going to meet the Queen and if she permits us thus Goddess Farore wills it, to come back here... We no longer need to hide in the shadows anymore..." Ehrandil said to Eregor, the Waystrider felt something... hope within his heart. "... After centuries... after we suffered so much hardships and peril... after we shunned away by others and lived ourselves in shadows... are you telling me that... we're going home?" Eregor said while shaken slightly, Ehrandil sighed deeply and turned his eyes away from his kinsman. "I do not know, Eregor... but here," Ehrandil showed his palm and showed Saria to Eregor. "I doubt the Queen is heartless, she is a reasonable person and thus... The barn i skogen is going to help us to consult with the Queen." Ehrandil said to Eregor.

Eregor looked at Saria for a moment and his eyes were widened, "... I've read tales about the Children Of The Forest but to see one in front of my very eyes, it's..." Eregor stammered for a moment, no doubt he was amazed to meet a Child of the Forest just like Ehrandil did back then at the Lost Woods. "... But what about the House of Lionborn? The descendants of Vankirks?" Eregor was concerned about their old enemies but Ehrandil remained steadfast and maintained his composure. "You just send the message to the others, leave that to me." Ehrandil said to Eregor and he looked back towards to the Hylian barmaid. "Argyll, can you tell me how is the current situation of Hyrule? Is there any news regarding of Princess Zelda or the Hero Of Time?" Ehrandil asked the Hylian barmaid.

The Kokiri merely listened to Ehran and the contact he had spoken of, Eregor, as they discussed the situation. It wasn't her place to speak just yet, as she simply drank the flagon of water that was given to her, giving an appreciative smile to the serving girl.

She felt the pressure building the more the two Waystriders spoke...They really were hinging their plan on the princess lifting the exile...She knew the princess to be kind and compassionate enough that she would with no qualms if she were free to do so...But there were those who would no doubt stand in the way. The Lionborn and King Galadion came to mind.

She flinched slightly as Ehran referred to her race that she was trying so hard to conceal at the moment, lesser known term or not...She was about to reply to Eregor's question when the loud clatter rang out...Her heart sank as she saw the bar girl looking quite bewildered, apologizing sheepishly as she worked to clean the fallen flagon....There was no doubt she knew the meaning of the term, barn i skogen....But then again...That might actually be a good thing considering the aura she was suspecting came from the girl.

When Ehran asked her what she knew, however, she finally found her chance to speak up as Aryll spoke of basic things the common-folk knew of for the preparation of the ceremony...But then she spoke of her brother....Now she had to confirm something.

"He's in the Royal Guard?" she asked, her interest piqued. "I have a friend in the Royal Guard...I...noticed you looked remarkably a lot like him when we walked in...If you don't mind my asking...Is your brother named Link? I recall him mentioning a sister a couple of times..."

Even though she kept a bright smile to the girl as she spoke, she felt her stomach tying into a knot, gripping the flagon of water tightly, as she already knew the answer...This girl was the current Link's sister....By blood, as opposed to the spiritual bond she had shared with her own Link. She was actually a bit disappointed in herself as a feeling began to well up from within...A feeling she despised...Jealousy. This girl still had her brother. Even though Saria had finally met the current Link, it still wasn't the same boy she had helped raise, bonded with, and called brother years ago. This girl wouldn't have the misfortune of seeing those around her change and leave while she stayed the same...

She shook her head out of those thoughts, inwardly scolding herself...She may technically be a child, but she felt great shame in thinking them....No...She was happy for this girl...Though it pained her knowing what she'd have to tell her if her suspicions were right.

Now the Kokiri’s hidden identity has been exposed, thanks to Eregor and Ehrandil smacked his foot but not too hard on his kinsman’s ankle. ”You should had used our dialect, skamta!” Ehrandil scolded quietly but harshly to Eregor who gave out his apologetic look. ”No matter… what happened has happened.” Ehrandil sighed deeply and reached his hand to his pint. As he listened to Aryll, visitors from all kingdoms were arrived here to attend a ceremony and the words of “Labrynna” and “Holodrum” surprised him and Eregor a little.

”I thought that they despised each other in cold manner, especially that King of Holodrum.” Ehrandil said with a scoff. ”That king has passed, his son Prince Asthar took over the throne and I’ve heard that he visited our encampment few months ago… he tried to reconcile with us and your father spoken to him few times.” Eregor said to Ehrandil. So a king is dead and a new king arise in the Kingdom of Holodrum thus the new king was trying to make amends that his late father did back then… it might be a sign of new hope for Holodrum but no doubt it was not going to be easy. ”But the Mad King of Labrynna? I doubt that he is happy to see the new king of Holodrum during the ceremony.” Ehrandil shook his head slightly. Any affairs of the outside world were not concern of the Waystriders unless if there was a threat on all kingdoms, they had to step in and when the threat was gone, they disappeared.

When Aryll mentioned about her brother served in the Royal Guard and Saria asked that was her brother named Link, Ehrandil suddenly remembered something. ”The previous Heroes of Time, all of them named Link… isn’t it? Could your brother be-“ before he could finished, Ehrandil and Eregor heard something outside… an army marching footsteps. Ehrandil looked across his back and saw an army of armored knights thus led by a female knight, marched down the streets outside the tavern. He saw something that worried him; all of them dressed in red capes and tabards thus their banners were a red lion. ”… Send the message immediately and I want your anforare bring his group to me and meet me here immediately… go!” Ehrandil said to Eregor and the young Waystrider went out at once. The Lionborn knights paid no heed and they continued their march down the streets. As the Lionborn knights were gone, Ehrandil turned to Saria, ”Could Aryll’s brother be the Hero of Time that I’m looking for?” he asked the Kokiri

Saria flinched slightly as Ehren lightly punished Eregor for unintentionally revealing what she was. She merely gave a sympathetic smile to the contact to at least try to inform him that she believed the error to be nonfatal. As they spoke of the neighboring kingdoms, she held her tongue...She knew a little bit of Ashtar from her conversations with the Princess....While Galadion, she knew was not to be trusted from the short encounter she had shared with him long ago....She had already expressed her concerns about the mad king, but not much could be done at the moment...Especially with Prince Perseus on their side...She couldn't share this information though....Not just yet...She had promised.

She merely looked to Ehran, giving an agreeing nod as he realized what she had suspected upon them entering the tavern and laying eyes on the barmaid. Of course...Ehren barely knew Link. He didn't know him as she had....An incarnation of him anyway.....

However, she turned with the two in alarm as the marching passed....The very enemies they had come to discuss. Watching Eregor leave, she sighed, giving a nod to Ehren as the girl confirmed everything by stating that Link was, in fact,the brother in question, before turning back to the girl in question.

A pang of guilt shot through her as she listened to the girl make the realizations as to what she was...And that Link hadn't told her what he was....She began to climb off of the stool, dusting herself off. "Yes...I apologize for my excitement getting ahead of myself..." She removed her hood, revealing her outlandish hair, Gate flying free to float around her head. "My name is Saria...The Sage of the Forest, and currently the only known sage..." she gestured to Ehren. "And this is my friend, Ehrendil of the long-exiled Waystrider clan." she looked to him "I truyyst her, Ehren..."

Looking back to Aryll, taking a step forward, she gave a bow. "It is an honor to meet you Ms. Aryll...And I apologize you had to find out this way about Link...The princess sought me out upon learning that service of the Sages may be needed, and the hero found...And she brought him as a bodyguard...I recognized him instantly...He looked exactly like the hero I knew from when I was awakened..."

A deep frown crossed her as the girl panicked over Link lying to her...She knew fully well that the Link she knew all those years ago would try to keep secrets to avoid hurting those he cared about....Suddenly she was back on that bridge....The bridge between thr forest and the rest of the world...

Shaking her head out of the memory, she looked to Aryll regretfully. "I'm so sorry...I wish it wasn't me you learned this from...But I believe I know why he concealed this..." she trailed off, wanting to give the girl a moment to cope with this...

She looked to Ehren. "I will gather the Princess and Link at once after we're finished here...We have much to discuss now..."

Saria introduced Ehrandil as one of the Waystriders, but he gave out a sad smile to Aryll. "I doubt that she heard about my people, Saria." Ehrandil grimaced. The Waystriders were long exiled for centuries, either they became topics within the histories of Hyrule or scarcely remembered by its people. Nevertheless, Ehrandil must meet Zelda with the help of Saria so that his people could be back home and regained their honor as the second defenders of Hyrule thus allies of the Hylian knights and the Kokiri. Right now, the trio must focus about the ceremony. "If the ceremony is going to be around, we need to be on guard on that time." Ehrandil scooted in front of the counter and readied to discuss.

"Even though Hyrule got the Hylian Knights, the royal archers of Labrynna or the knights of Holodrum... I fear that we need more people to be on guard about this matter. There is an old saying from my people, Whenever there is light and hope, there will be darkness and despair trying to prevent them. I hope you know what it means." Ehrandil said to the two with caution. If the ceremony was here in Hyrule and yet conducted publicly, no doubt there would be someone or something could disturb it or even worse... attacking the ceremony. So not just him and his not-yet-arrived Waystriders, Ehrandil hoped that someone who had heart of valor and courage would also stood guard at the ceremony and if anything happened, they would join into the fray.

"Aryll..." Ehrandil said to the Hero's sister, "One month ago, I was approached by someone in my dreams. He said that I should find your brother and aid him whenever he need me... I swear on the Goddess Farore with my bow and arrow... I will help him even though with the cost of my life. He also could be the key to a door which my people had been shut away for ages, he is also a hope to me and my people." Ehrandil said with his slight pleading tone but then he remembered something, a half smile appeared. "If the Hero of Time can fight, so does his sister... isn't it?" Ehrandil said to Aryll and he look at her for a brief moment... then he snapped out from his mind and turned to Saria. "... Once my Waystriders band is here, we will discuss about guarding the ceremony from distance and if something goes wrong, we'll join into the fray." Ehrandil said to Saria and he gave out his worried look to her. "Saria... what if... Princess Zelda disagree of letting my people back? Doesn't mean that my hope... our hope is lost?"

Saria winced as Aryll quickly left, leaving her with Ehran, Gate, and her guilt in having to deliver the news...She knew she likely had caused a world of pain for Link...But it was too late.

She looked to Ehrendil sadly before giving a small smile to try to comfort him...and herself... "If the princess rejects our request...I doubt it would be from her own choice...As we somewhat discussed...King Galadion has been causing worries of late...But even so...She is sensible enough to find a way even if we can't formally allow it...Let's go off to finally introduce you to her...Just a moment first..."

With that, she moved towards the bar, finding their parchment and a quill, beginning to write. Looking it over, making sure it was up to what she desired it to convey. Stepping back, content, she gave a nod as she put her hood back on, Gate flying back inside.

The note read "Hello! I apologize I am not on duty right now! I have some personal business to attend to right now. Someone else will be here to help attend to you!"- Aryll with a small smiley face on the end....It wasn't perfect....She had no idea how she wrote...But she figured the tavern's customers and other employees deserved SOMETHING....Besides....Its not like it wasn't true...

She dusted off her skirt as she left a green rupee on the counter to pay for her water. "Alright...Let's go meet with the Princess...And make history..."

"Aryll, wait!" Ehrandil tried to call out but the Hylian was gone, he rubbed his temple with his finger and thumb as if he was in a headache. "... Helvete!" Ehrandil cursed and he should not say anything in the first place, now he ruined everything. Then, Ehrandil listened to Saria that even though Zelda rejected their plea, it was not her choice but the Mad King's presence caused too many things too happened. "Otherwise he wouldn't be called as Mad King by others." Ehrandil scoffed slightly. If they were not permitted to return, Ehrandil had to think of something else because not just the Mad King made him worried... the presence of the Lionborn was a rather uneasy for him.

After the message was done, Saria told Ehrandil that it was time to meet up with the princess and also... make a new history. "Lead on, Saria." Ehrandil smiled and followed Saria after he left his rupees on the counter. As he walked out from the entrance, Ehrandil saw something that he was longed for; the anforare and his band of Waystriders. "My brothers, kom!" Ehrandil gave out his sharp whistle and beckoned them to follow him and Saria. With slight puzzled looks on their face, the Waystrider band followed Ehrandil and perhaps they would asked question later. As he looked around, Ehrandil saw Aryll but she increased her pace which made Ehrandil wonder what she would do.

"Aryll!" Ehrandil called out for the Hylian's name and moved ahead of Saria and his clansmen. He caught up with Aryll and gestured that she should stop whatever what she was trying to do now. "Your brother didn't mean to hide his destiny from you, perhaps he does not want you to get worry too much." Ehrandil tried to explain to Aryll but then, he slipped onto the ground... the damned street was too slippery. "Or perhaps," Ehrandil said while got up from his clumsiness, "He does not want you to get involve his burden or any danger, he cares for you." Ehrandil said as if he knew the Hero... in truth he did not.

Making her way through the streets with Ehran, Saria couldn't help but feel some dread at the events that had just transpired...She was glad to finally meet Link's sister...And likely have just met one of the very new sages she had been searching....But...The way Aryll had learned of her brother's role as the hero...She hadn't wanted to cause that pain...

As Ehran saw and led his brothers to join them, she was momentarily shaken out of these thoughts in surprise at the coincidence....But she said nothing, hoping Ehran would explain to them...But then that thought was cut short by what happened next.

It was none other than Aryll...demanding to be let into the castle. Ehran was quick to try to ensure her that Link had meant no harm in not telling her...Falling down in the process.

She quickly helped him back up, watching as Aryll ignored his (Likely true, if this Link was like the Link from so long ago,) rationalizations, trying to continue to push past the guards, angrily screaming about her position....And then....It happened. In a burst of light, Aryll had forced one of the guards against the wall so hard, he was knocked unconcious...The very ground around her now impacted.

This confirmed Saria's suspicions. There was no doubting it now. Aryll was the Sage of Light. The girl was clearly shocked by her powers...Saria could tell...This was the first time they were activated.

Saria walked forward with purpose, removing her hood, thus releasing Gate again. The Princess had told all of the guards that she was a welcome guest into the castle grounds, and a trusted ally. While her exact role was unknown to them, she hoped this would justify her next action in the wake of the approaching officers.

She lightly squeezed Aryll's hand, trying to give her a reassuring smile before looking to the guards. "Officers, I must humbly apologize for this situation...Ms. Aryll is a friend of mine, as is Mr. Ehrandil and his clan. I promised both of them an audience with the Princess, and the hero to discuss important matters...I will take full responsibility for Ms. Aryll's actions...I haven't had the chance to properly teach her how to control her newfound abilities just yet...Should you arrest anyone, let it be me. But please, allow them to meet with the princess and explain her the situation....But first...Allow me to offer what little atonement I can..."

She then let go of Aryll's hand, making her way over to the unconscious guard. She knelt to him, holding out her hand as a green energy began to emanate from it forming what appeared to be the bud of a flower, not yet bloomed in her hand, more magic energy then flowing out from it....Bathing the injured guard. His wounds did not completely heal...But they were lessened, taking away a few days of recovery.

Standing back up, she offered Aryll, Ehran, and the Waystriders a reassuring smile as she stepped to the guards, offering out her hand. "Please...Escort me to the cells in her stead. Just honor my request to inform the princess of the situation." she stated firmly, not backing down.

The Hyrule Castle guards tried to barred Aryll from entering and the Hero's sister was not going to give up. Ehrandil raised his hand up to his brethren an a sign do not do anything stupid. Aryll was still persistent and Ehrandil raised his hand to stop her and he was slightly annoyed with her persistence, "Aryll, please stop this at-" before he could continue, a flash of light and the next thing he knew that he saw the guard who tried to arrest Aryll was knocked against the wall. "What in the name of-" Ehrandil was dumbfounded after what he saw, what did Aryll did to the guard? As more guards were coming, the masked Waystriders quickly reached their hands to their arrows with their bow ready but Ehrandil quickly waved his hands in front of them, forcing them to stand down. "Stand down! Stand your arrows down!" Ehrandil ordered repeatedly, the Waystriders band slowly lowered their ranged weapons.

Then, Ehrandil witnessed Saria's healing spell which he was never saw before, the guard was healed but no doubt it will took days for recovery. "You two, get him up." Ehrandil ordered two of the young Waystriders, they slung their bows across their back and approached the recovered guard, they held him up and took him to the guards who were apporaching earlier. Ehrandil rubbed his temple for a moment and turned to the other Waystriders, "You fane almost ruin everything that I've worked for! I do not want to risked of getting our people exiled forever away from Hyrule! So stand your pilarna down unless its necessary to draw them out!" Ehrandil gave them a good scolding and none of them were brave enough to talk back, he was the son of their chieftain after all thus they nodded their head meekly.

When Saria mentioned that she should be escort to the cells for Aryll's mistake, Ehrandil's eyes widened and horrified. Aryll did not harm the guard in purpose and Saria did nothing wrong, Ehrandil's hands were tightened. "... Anfarore!" Ehrandill called out the leader of the Waystriders band and he came forward. Without haste, Ehrandil unslung his bow and arrow thus he unbuckled his hooded-cloak. "... Youn... Young master?" the leader stuttered but Ehrandil handed his belongings to him. He walked past Saria and showed his hands to the Hyrule castle guards. "Take me to the cells instead of her, I'll be in the woman's stead for what she had done." Ehrandil said to the guards with his pure determination. The anfarore and the rest of the Waystriders tried to protest but Ehrandil gave them his glare, "Not a word from any of you!" Ehrandil shouted and his brethren stood silent once again. The Waystrider turned to Saria, "You and Aryll need to see the Princess and the Hero at once, my proposal can be wait and do not worry about me, I'll be fine." Ehrandil said to the Kokiri with a smile followed, he also smiled to Aryll then turned his attention to the guards. "Well? Are you going to take me to the dungeons or are we going to stand here all day until my hair turns grey?" Ehrandil said to the Hyrule Castle guards.