Wont You Reconsider (Tuatha)

[Zelda]

The setting sun shone through the large stained glass window of the princess' study. The picture of the seven sages and a large triforce stretched across the length of the long room, warping only at her large wooden desk and high backed chair, the only furniture decorating the dark marbled floor. The princess herself stood in front of the window, hands clasped loosely behind her back as she looked down at the courtyard tinged yellow by the colored pane she was observing it through.

She'd been waiting for the better part of the day for Tuatha to arrive, she wasn't even sure he'd respond to her, but she had hopes that she could return him to her guard. It had been voiced among many of the other ranking officers that his actions, no matter how honorable and defenseless, were inappropriate in terms of military action. She couldn't disagree, but she also would not cause him harm, all she would do was speak to him, see if prehaps she could return him to his former post, though she had no high hopes for success.

Now as the day was coming to a close she was sure he would ignore her summonings entirely. She sighed, bowing her head and closing her eyes. It had only been four years, four peaceful years at that, but already the weight of her responsibilities was making her heart heavy and the dreams of the last few months had done nothing to put Zelda at ease.

[Tuatha Dé Danann]

It was about that time, when she had given up all hope, that the clanking of armor could be heard entering the courtyard. A figure in a suit of armor, leaving no part of themselves visible, had entered and was heading towards the castle gates. They did not look upwards nor in any other direction, simply focusing on the gate. The deep blue cape flowed behind them and the plume extending from their helm lightly bounced with each step. The suit of armor matched that of the very knight Zelda had been waiting for. At least, it matched from the last time he had come in representation of the Fairies.

Upon reaching the split in the path, which lead to other parts of the courtyard as well as the main gates, the figure stopped and looked around, honestly having been expecting more of a welcome given the personal summons of the Princess. At the very least, he had hoped for a guide of sorts to be present to show him the way to where the princess may be located. Deciding to approach the gates, he banged on them a couple times with his metal-clad fist.

"Is anyone present? It is I, Tuatha Dé Danann! I have come in response to the summons of Princess Zelda!" he shouted, easily loud enough for the princess in question to hear from her view. If there were any doubt that the armor was him, it was certainly gone now.

[Zelda]

Zelda was all but ready to give up as the shadows grew longer and a somber purple stretched over the opposite horizon, choking out the golden rays of the dying sun. She lifted her head to give the courtyard one last look before she would return to her paperwork, but as she did an armor clad figure appeared from the western gate. She gave a soft smile and turned towards the silent guard near the door.

"My guest has arrived, please send for him," the guard nodded and opened the door a crack, poking his head out to mutter something before closing the door again and returning to his post. Zelda already felt a little more relaxed, the waiting had bundled her nerves and now that the time had come she felt her familiar calm return. She sat in her high backed chair, organizing the papers on her desk and signing a few things she'd already given thought to.

[Tuatha Dé Danann]

Tuatha waited for about five minutes before the escourt arrived at the door and showed him inside. It had been some time since he had seen the interior of the Hyrule Castle. Although he had long since stopped pausing in shock and awe at it, he certainly still appreciated the architexture. He walked along calmly, not paying much mind to the turns they were making as they started off being the same ones he always made to get to the throne room when typical summons were sent.

However, they began going down a way that he had never been in soon after and he was...mildly confused. Just where was the princess, if she were not in the throne room? Weren't summons typically carried out in the throne room? He raised no questions to the escourt, assuming he'd get his answer upon arrival at wherever their destination lied.

Eventually they arrived at the doors and the escourt opened them for him, the knight stepping inside and quickly figuring out that this was a more...private room for the princess, most likely a study of sorts. Odd that things would be carried out here, but he did not question her decision. Once he was inside he immediately kneeled down onto one knee, his arm before him and his head bowed in the proper manner.

"It is an honor as always, your highness. I apologize for my late arrival, as it was quite a long journey from where I was on foot. However I did attempt to arrive as soon as possible." he promptly greeted and explained, hoping that the princess was not too annoyed by his late entry. To most, his actions would be seen as rude, but it was purely circumstantial. Hopefully she would be understanding.

"If I may be so bold as to inquire, what is it that you have summoned me for? There seems to be no major conflict in the land that would require our attention." he asked, maintaining his kneeling posture. By 'our', he referred to himself as well as the Fairies. It had become a habit for him when it came to formal affairs, as being the representative of the fae kind, he had to truly represent them.

[Zelda]

Zelda nodded to the guard who'd opened the door, once Tuatha was inside he stepped back out into the hall and closed the heavy mahogany behind him. She watched as her ex-captain and current representative of the Fae knelt before her, proper as always, she thought. She stood briefly to show her own respect before sitting back down.

"Please, sit," She looked to the guard near the door and he took a chair from against the wall and brought it forward, placing near the desk for Tuatha to take.

"You are correct, there are no troubles in the Fae's land," she looked down at her papers, shuffled them for a second then looked back at the man, "I actually called you here to possibly discuss your returning as my Captain," Zelda was never really one to beat around the bush.

"I've had visions these last few months, something is lingering on the hem of our world, something malicious and destructive. I fear the worst is on the horizon and I feel as if your abilities would be better served here," she had a feeling that he would refuse, but he was honestly the best captain she'd had and with the unseen threat growing in her mind she would feel better to have him here.

[Tuatha Dé Danann]

Tuatha rose upon Zelda saying for him to sit, nodding a thank you to the guard as he took the seat provided for him. It was a little difficult with the armor, but thankfully it was a chair without arms so it wasn't as bad as it could've been. His cape was tucked underneath him so it didn't bunch up behind him.

Although part of him should've seen it coming, he was surprised upon hearing the princess's reason for calling him out here. Even after all this time, she wanted him to return to the military? It had been ten years since that battle, since he shamelessly fell from the sky and was left for dead by his comrades. It is understandable that they did not need to search for one overly-eager captain, and he held no grudge against any of them for what transpired. It was his actions that caused it to happen so he brought it upon himself.

As he heard why she decided this all of the sudden, things made sense. It is understandable that she would want all the power she could get to face this growing evil that will threaten the land. It is natural for a leader to do everything in their power to try and protect their people, but for Tuatha, this was an offer he could not accept. More so than Zelda, there were people who needed his protections, especially if her visions prove true.

"I apologize, your highness, but I cannot accept such an offer. Should your visions prove true and this evil you speak of does present itself, then more so than ever the Fae will require my protection. I would give no second thought to fighting alongside your men in order to protect Hyrule, but the Fae are my priority, and I cannot afford to be held down by the chain of command." he explained, his voice both regretful and apologetic. He understood Zelda's position and wished to do what he could to help, but rejoining the military was simply something he could not afford to do.

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[Zelda]

Zelda listened, her eyes looked on Tuatha, not in an intimidating way, she'd just always been taught to look at someone when they were talking; that and she wasn't much of a fidgeter. When he finished she sighed, remaining silent and thinking about what she could potentially say to change his mind. She knew the story of his last battle, though the actual event had taken place when she was twelve. She disapproved heavily of his abandonment after his fall, the one that left him crippled of his wings. 'If only I had been princess during that battle, then perhaps he would have never left,' she thought, but she couldn't dwell on such thoughts as the past could never be changed.

"I understand your dedication to the Fae and I respect you for it," She gave another sigh, it was of no use, he would never take back his position, "I am sorry to have inconvenienced you, I had hoped I could restore your position, though it seems it was a wasted effort. For that I apologize," Zelda had had little hope that he would take back his post as captain before the man had even arrived, but she had to try.

She stood from her desk, resting her fingertips gently on the hard wood surface, "I would like to offer you supper and a place to rest before you return home, since you have traveled so far for such a foolish reason," She gave him a soft smile to imply she was truly sorry for having dragged him all the way here for a question she'd already known the answer to.

[Tuatha Dé Danann]

Tuatha felt no annoyance nor anger towards Zelda for what she had done, as it was simply a natural act for one at the head of a realm. She had to do everything she could in the defense of her people, and he could sympathize with that, as he does the same for the Fae. Despite being two different positions, they had a similar duty, and were he in Zelda's position, he would have most likely done the same thing.

"I would not be one to turn down such an offer, but before we depart from here, allow me to speak a few words," he rose from his seat as he spoke, taking a couple steps away from the desk and turning back to face her, "Do not consider such a reason to be foolish. Your act was not a wasted effort and you have no reason to apologize for such a thing. You are acting in the defense of your realm, doing what you believe to be in its best interest. That is nothing to be punished for. Apologizing for such an act would be akin to apologizing to an enemy leader who was trying to conquer your kingdom for stopping them. If anything, under these circumstances, it should be I who apologizes for being unable to respond to your call in the interest of Hyrule."

As if to give a non-verbal apology, Tuatha kneeled down as he had before, only with his head bowed in a more apologetic manner. It was subtle, difficult to notice thanks to his helmet, but it was certainly there to the perceptive eye. He remained that way for a short amount of time before rising again, walking towards the doors of the study in preparation for his exit.

"Business aside, your highness, I would be much more at ease if I had possession of my lance during my stay. Should I need to depart if a Fae comes under attack, it would save precious time and life if I have it on my person at the time of need." he knew that if he had to go fetch his lance back from the guards in proper procedure, the time used to do that could cost a Fae their life. He didn't intend to let such a thing happen.

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[Zelda]

Zelda nodded, Tuatha almost seemed like a leader himself, he was wise and would do anything for 'his people', it was something she respected greatly.

"Of course, I would not deny you the means to protect the Fae, I'll have a guard bring it to the dinning hall," She looked at the man standing by the door, he'd heard every word and she gave a short nod to him, he poked his head out the door and she knew the guard on the otherside was off the fetch Tuatha's weapon from the front gate.

"It is almost supper time, shall we" She smiled softly as she stepped from behind her desk ready to make her way to the dinning room.

[Tuatha Dé Danann]

Tuatha knew that this guard, much like those at the front gate, would find it odd that he carried around a jousting lance rather than an actual combat lance. One would think that such a thing would break in a real fight, but he knew better. The magic of the Fae protected it and him, and it would continue to serve as his faithful weapon; a manifesto of his ideals and the Fae.

"We shall, your highness," he replied as he knelt again near the door, waiting for Zelda to step out first. He did not intend to lead her around, as that would be seen as poor manners on his part, and it was proper to let the lady through first.

"After you, of course."

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