Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Jan 14, 2022 1:06:18 GMT
YEAR 03, SPRING
Starlight Festival Grounds, Hyrule Castle Town
Noon
Starlight Festival Grounds, Hyrule Castle Town
Noon
Starlight Festival.
It used to be synonymous with revelry and celebration, a time when Hyrule welcome the Spring after enduring the harsh Winter and once again give their prayer to their patron goddess for another year of prosperity and joy. It was also synonymous with romantic overtures, a time when, in the past, people come out from their abodes that might have been isolated by the snow to finally meet and embrace each other again under the aegis of spring. It was a name spoken by most with fondness, even if the actual time of organizing the festival had been a source of heated contention among the academics. Lately, a theory by one Dr Bas Ilica had gained prominence, and it was the official stance of the Hyrule Castle to date.
But... that is something best be left for the dull-eyed academics, isn't it? What we people know, there is a Starlight Festival and we love it.
Even though one certain Starlight Festival would always mar the discussion of future festivals, simply because of the unspeakable horror that once happened there.
The Starlight Tragedy....
The ground had been set. The stalls were up and running, the aroma of food being prepared soared from the open-air kitchens enticing everyone to come and try the finished products of Star-Studded Feast later. The music players were doing last-minute check on their instruments and comparing notes -the Dance in The Starlight would go on all day and well into the night so they needed to be in tip-top shape to accompany the dance. Rumor had it that The Queen herself wished her favorite group the Indigo-Go's to appear, especially considering she was a big fan of their vocalist Lyndis Aoide. But for safety reason, they couldn't. Elsewhere near the Ice-Skating ring the mages are finishing their last touch upon the artificial field. The Queen had personally inspected the ring for its safety and gave her approval, so the mages were rather proud of that. At one big tent on the corner of Castle Town Plaza the organizers for Skylit Vigil were busy completing hundreds of lanterns to be released later night. It was to be the crown moment of the festival and they could not afford a single misstep.
So now that most of the citizens had gathered and the air of celebration was steadily rising, it was time for the Festival to be officially opened. A stage had been set across the Castle Gate that would host the announcers and the best dancers later, and it was to this spot that everyone gathered. Among the Hyruleans, Zoras, Gorons, Ritos, and others gathering there were also people from other places. Vice-Captain of Terminan Town Guard Raisara Naiar was there, escorting one of the Mayor of Termina's delegation that happened to be in Hyrule at that time. There were also representatives from Holodrum and Labrynna and other sovereign nations that were stationed in Hyrule, invited out of respect. There was no outside invitations for this year's Starlight Festival -the Twilight Curtain made travel especially dangerous- so it had the flavor of a much local affair, but no less celebrated.
And as the Castle Announcer took the stage, every chatters and noises stop. People in the plaza lifted their heads to the stage and fell silent, for another presence would soon make herself known.
"Her Majesty, Queen of Hyrule."
It used to be synonymous with revelry and celebration, a time when Hyrule welcome the Spring after enduring the harsh Winter and once again give their prayer to their patron goddess for another year of prosperity and joy. It was also synonymous with romantic overtures, a time when, in the past, people come out from their abodes that might have been isolated by the snow to finally meet and embrace each other again under the aegis of spring. It was a name spoken by most with fondness, even if the actual time of organizing the festival had been a source of heated contention among the academics. Lately, a theory by one Dr Bas Ilica had gained prominence, and it was the official stance of the Hyrule Castle to date.
But... that is something best be left for the dull-eyed academics, isn't it? What we people know, there is a Starlight Festival and we love it.
Even though one certain Starlight Festival would always mar the discussion of future festivals, simply because of the unspeakable horror that once happened there.
The Starlight Tragedy....
The ground had been set. The stalls were up and running, the aroma of food being prepared soared from the open-air kitchens enticing everyone to come and try the finished products of Star-Studded Feast later. The music players were doing last-minute check on their instruments and comparing notes -the Dance in The Starlight would go on all day and well into the night so they needed to be in tip-top shape to accompany the dance. Rumor had it that The Queen herself wished her favorite group the Indigo-Go's to appear, especially considering she was a big fan of their vocalist Lyndis Aoide. But for safety reason, they couldn't. Elsewhere near the Ice-Skating ring the mages are finishing their last touch upon the artificial field. The Queen had personally inspected the ring for its safety and gave her approval, so the mages were rather proud of that. At one big tent on the corner of Castle Town Plaza the organizers for Skylit Vigil were busy completing hundreds of lanterns to be released later night. It was to be the crown moment of the festival and they could not afford a single misstep.
So now that most of the citizens had gathered and the air of celebration was steadily rising, it was time for the Festival to be officially opened. A stage had been set across the Castle Gate that would host the announcers and the best dancers later, and it was to this spot that everyone gathered. Among the Hyruleans, Zoras, Gorons, Ritos, and others gathering there were also people from other places. Vice-Captain of Terminan Town Guard Raisara Naiar was there, escorting one of the Mayor of Termina's delegation that happened to be in Hyrule at that time. There were also representatives from Holodrum and Labrynna and other sovereign nations that were stationed in Hyrule, invited out of respect. There was no outside invitations for this year's Starlight Festival -the Twilight Curtain made travel especially dangerous- so it had the flavor of a much local affair, but no less celebrated.
And as the Castle Announcer took the stage, every chatters and noises stop. People in the plaza lifted their heads to the stage and fell silent, for another presence would soon make herself known.
"Her Majesty, Queen of Hyrule."
Bedecked in a lovely crimson dress of satin and silk, accented with embroidery of golden threads, with her hair tidied up and her face expertly polished to hide how tired she actually was, Queen Marianne stepped onto the stage. There was no crown on her head -the famed Crown of Hyrule she had left on the empty Throne Seat, but there could be no doubt from her countenance and how everyone around her bowed in reverence that this little woman was, indeed, the Queen of Hyrule.
She raised her hand in a welcoming gesture.
"People of Hyrule: of Ordon and Faron; of Eldin, Lanayru, and Central Province. Friends, from Zora's Domain and Goron City; from Gerudo Desert and Sky Province and all places in-between, and Honored guests from our allied nations, in temporary stay or permanence: with love and humility, I welcome you all to Starlight Festival."
Gone were the uncertainty and the second-guesses that had perhaps appeared when she was vulnerable during a horse-riding session one day. Gone were the mysterious disposition and brutal tendency that might had been exhibited once in a Bulblin Camp. Gone were the broken and teary-eyed face of that little sister finding out that her brother and sister had left her alone, that night in Courtyard in Roses. They had all been swept away, hastily shoved and hidden behind a queenly mask that she expertly wore. This was Marianne at her full control: the diplomatic princess a Great Fairy had encountered and the cool strategist that did not even bat an eye knowing her cousin had been kidnapped and were demanded of ransom.
This was the Princess of Hyrule, The Queen of Hyrule- and Marianne was nowhere in sight.
Her gentle, confident silver eyes swept across the audience, shrewdly calculated in her every movements.
"Tonight, once again the three constellations of Northern Crown and Princess's Shield and Hero's Sword will grace our night sky. Tonight, we shall once again celebrate that which our ancestors had done before us. Starlight Festival : a time of love and plenty, of gratitude and remembrance. Blessed we are to be able to savor the day- and it is only because of the gallant fighting of our military and the diligence and assiduity of our servants of the State, and the devoted service of our people that we are able to do so. Let us remember their sacrifice in this festival, let us honor their memories and forever pray for their just rewards in the life after."
Silence.... Silence fell upon the crowds. Marianne knew that she did not have to sugarcoat things. They were in dire times, and no one should ever, ever forget that fact.
"Two years ago, Starlight Tragedy happened. I need not be reminded, as do most of you, of the loss and sadness we felt that day; lost and sadness that may never be replaced. Why, then, do we celebrate the Starlight Festival again today, knowing the grief it has caused us? Why, then, we gather ourselves here once more, lively and jubilant, while the clouds of that tragedy still linger yet in our hearts? Why do we continue to honor the Starlight Festival, when Twilight itself is knocking on our door?"
Her eyes hardened.
"To those voices I answer with pride: because we are the people of Hyrule. Because we are the people of Hyrule and we are unafraid. Because we are the people of Hyrule and we have survived events far worse than this and darned if we will let this Twilight kill our spirit! I stand before you today as Your Queen, yet I am not the best of you! If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right! Weak and feeble though I may am, I have the heart and stomach of a Queen, and of a Queen of Hyrule too! And think foul scorn that Twilight or any accursed darkness should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms alongside you; to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for our kingdom, and our people, our honour and our blood, even if the dust be my fate!"
There was strength and confidence radiating for the queen, as she gazed at her subjects one by one.
People began to cheer.
"To that Twilight Curtain we can see over yonder, I say: do not look away! Look at it bravely and without fear, squarely in its eyes, and then look towards the stars burning bright tonight and remember that: yes we are people of Hyrule. We are people of Hyrule and we will see the sun rise yet. We are people of Hyrule and we will stand together, as firm and plentiful as the stars themselves. We are people of Hyrule, and where there is discord, we bring harmony. Where there is error, we bring truth. Where there is doubt, we bring faith. Where there is darkness, we bring light. And where there is despair, we bring hope. That is what makes us people of Hyrule; And that is why we celebrate Starlight Festival today."
The Queen lowered her hand.
"Eat, drink, and be merry, my friends. Tomorrow we may die. But that is no reason not to celebrate today. Remember why we stand here together, remember who have made us be able to stand here together, and be thankful. Be thankful and be strong.
Hylia blesses us all."
And with that, she put her hands in front of her chest in a gesture of prayer for a moment. Then, with a wave and a smile amidst the roaring crowd, the Queen of Hyrule descended the stage.
She raised her hand in a welcoming gesture.
"People of Hyrule: of Ordon and Faron; of Eldin, Lanayru, and Central Province. Friends, from Zora's Domain and Goron City; from Gerudo Desert and Sky Province and all places in-between, and Honored guests from our allied nations, in temporary stay or permanence: with love and humility, I welcome you all to Starlight Festival."
Gone were the uncertainty and the second-guesses that had perhaps appeared when she was vulnerable during a horse-riding session one day. Gone were the mysterious disposition and brutal tendency that might had been exhibited once in a Bulblin Camp. Gone were the broken and teary-eyed face of that little sister finding out that her brother and sister had left her alone, that night in Courtyard in Roses. They had all been swept away, hastily shoved and hidden behind a queenly mask that she expertly wore. This was Marianne at her full control: the diplomatic princess a Great Fairy had encountered and the cool strategist that did not even bat an eye knowing her cousin had been kidnapped and were demanded of ransom.
This was the Princess of Hyrule, The Queen of Hyrule- and Marianne was nowhere in sight.
Her gentle, confident silver eyes swept across the audience, shrewdly calculated in her every movements.
"Tonight, once again the three constellations of Northern Crown and Princess's Shield and Hero's Sword will grace our night sky. Tonight, we shall once again celebrate that which our ancestors had done before us. Starlight Festival : a time of love and plenty, of gratitude and remembrance. Blessed we are to be able to savor the day- and it is only because of the gallant fighting of our military and the diligence and assiduity of our servants of the State, and the devoted service of our people that we are able to do so. Let us remember their sacrifice in this festival, let us honor their memories and forever pray for their just rewards in the life after."
Silence.... Silence fell upon the crowds. Marianne knew that she did not have to sugarcoat things. They were in dire times, and no one should ever, ever forget that fact.
"Two years ago, Starlight Tragedy happened. I need not be reminded, as do most of you, of the loss and sadness we felt that day; lost and sadness that may never be replaced. Why, then, do we celebrate the Starlight Festival again today, knowing the grief it has caused us? Why, then, we gather ourselves here once more, lively and jubilant, while the clouds of that tragedy still linger yet in our hearts? Why do we continue to honor the Starlight Festival, when Twilight itself is knocking on our door?"
Her eyes hardened.
"To those voices I answer with pride: because we are the people of Hyrule. Because we are the people of Hyrule and we are unafraid. Because we are the people of Hyrule and we have survived events far worse than this and darned if we will let this Twilight kill our spirit! I stand before you today as Your Queen, yet I am not the best of you! If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right! Weak and feeble though I may am, I have the heart and stomach of a Queen, and of a Queen of Hyrule too! And think foul scorn that Twilight or any accursed darkness should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms alongside you; to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for our kingdom, and our people, our honour and our blood, even if the dust be my fate!"
There was strength and confidence radiating for the queen, as she gazed at her subjects one by one.
People began to cheer.
"To that Twilight Curtain we can see over yonder, I say: do not look away! Look at it bravely and without fear, squarely in its eyes, and then look towards the stars burning bright tonight and remember that: yes we are people of Hyrule. We are people of Hyrule and we will see the sun rise yet. We are people of Hyrule and we will stand together, as firm and plentiful as the stars themselves. We are people of Hyrule, and where there is discord, we bring harmony. Where there is error, we bring truth. Where there is doubt, we bring faith. Where there is darkness, we bring light. And where there is despair, we bring hope. That is what makes us people of Hyrule; And that is why we celebrate Starlight Festival today."
The Queen lowered her hand.
"Eat, drink, and be merry, my friends. Tomorrow we may die. But that is no reason not to celebrate today. Remember why we stand here together, remember who have made us be able to stand here together, and be thankful. Be thankful and be strong.
Hylia blesses us all."
And with that, she put her hands in front of her chest in a gesture of prayer for a moment. Then, with a wave and a smile amidst the roaring crowd, the Queen of Hyrule descended the stage.
