Not a Traitor, Nor yet a Hero (Josh and Marianne)

The jovial knight grinned. “Ha! Yea even I was nervous back then. Hah but ‘tis a secret tho’ don’t tell anyone, ‘kay?” He snorted in a suppressed laughter.

“But I was lucky I had Princess Marianne. Truly, She was more nervous tha’ me am,” chuckled the knight, “ ’Twas her first as a Supporter after all. Sent me letters over letters even when tha’ ceremony was still two weeks away, writing so many things from, what, the history of the Knighting Ceremony to anecdotes she had gathered ‘bout past ceremonies. She’d make sure I understand the whole buck and I‘d get any questions and any situations right! Hahaha...! So afraid was she that I’d make a fool of myself. Why, she even pestered King Leon – Prince back then- the Officiator what he’d likely ask me so she could help me ta’ prepare. I still remember the letter,” He smiled, a look of remembrance in his face.

“It came so late the very night before the ceremony, her personal chamber page delivered it. Why, when knocked the chap I afraid ‘twas a robber! Hahaha….! Panicked was she because she had not thought about telling me tha’ meaning of tha’ Hyrule Knight symbol. So! She -really, I am nae kiddin’ here- transcribed a whole chapter ‘bout heraldry that very evening after she received a tip from Prince Leon. Imagine, a Princess wrote essentially a book herself for yer pleasure to read! And after that she forced me ta’ come 4 hours early so we could practice first and made sure it all went smooth. Hahaha.... I still laugh whenever I remember my Ceremony! Princess Marianne –blessed be that sweet lass. So concerned was she about her subjects, tho’ it turned the ceremony was no difficult at all!“

There was a look of reverence in the knight’s face. He clearly held his liege in high regard. “I am glad she had grown strong the way she is now, Josh. Let’s you and me make sure her first Officiator go well, too, ‘kay?”

At that moment the gilded doors creaked. All the knights turned their heads towards the door, now moving slowly and dramatically, until, at last, it opened with all its majestic glory. Standing on the right and left of the door were two Hyrule Knights in complete armor, apparently the more junior of the bunch. Sir Tomas laughed and clapped Josh’s back hard as the atmosphere of anticipation perceptibly rose several level.

“This is it, Josh. Yer first step towards yer own legend! Best of luck to ye! Remember what I told ye, lad, and yer be fine.”

There was a buzzing sound, gradually increased and increased in intensity as the knights clasped their helmets and positioned their swords or shields, readying themselves to enter the room. It was a resplendent spectacle. All the great heroes of the land, their armors varied but polished, their noble chins and mighty eyes held high in their glorious form.

And then, at one exact moment, without a cue or a clear signal, all the knights moved in unison. The mass of clanking metal and steel boots drummed as they entered the Hall of Heroes.

Sir Tomas grabbed Josh close. “Don’t be separated, now.” He grinned, “Yer stay by my side.”

He was apparently a litte giddy in expectation, and the same kind of enthusiasm was also evident in all the other Knights present. There had not been any Knighting Ceremony for over a year owing to the recent circumstances. So for The Knights and especially veteran ones this was a long overdue reunion, a chance for them reconnect with their kin and relight their spirit in this troubled times. For all the Hyrule Knights present, this brought a sense of normalcy. A proof that the fire of the Knights still lived on and burned strong.

In hindsight, perhaps this was why Princess Marianne forced herself so hard to prepare for this Knighting Ceremony, beleaguered already as she was with work and other responsibilities. Morale, as Josh had said, was what won the battle. And with this simple act of enacting the Knighting Ceremony again the morale of the Hyrule Knights soared.

They entered in orderly columns, filling the Hall of Heroes with their stalwart visage. The moment they crossed the door threshold all of the Knights fell silent, as if an unknown force in the room demanded their utmost respect so as not to breach the sacredness of the room. As Marianne had said, the Hall of Heroes were rather bare, decorated only with a few flags bearing the symbol of the Royal Family and the Hyrule Knights on a few other. At the far end across the door was a raised platform on which was placed a chair throne, colored gold and red. It was a bit bare for a throne, but in its simplicity it brought an aura of serenity. There was no other chair in the room so this must be for the Officiator. Behind the chair, hanging on the wall were two giant banners: the symbol of the Royal Family on the right, and on the left the personal symbol of Princess Marianne, a stylized Red Rose with her initials, flanked by two red birds. Hung between the banner was a smaller one, longer and more slender, colored white with the symbol of Hyrule Knight in the middle.

There would be no mistake, then. This was as official as it could officially get.

There was a long red carpet connecting the foot of the throne to the door, and it was on the left and right of this carpet the knights took their position, roughly splitting their ranks into East and West wing. Among each wings there were many other divisions and cues that seemed complex but actually was very easy to remember. This enabled the knights to take their exact right spot in the mass of people according to pre-arranged criteria. All the way Sir Tomas kept Josh close and directed him towards their place, taking care that he was not lost in the confusing blur of movements. They took position in the East Wing, slightly in front but quite far from the chair, with Sir Tomas directly on Josh’ right. Josh’s position, he might notice, was slightly out of place in the otherwise orderly ranks of the Knight. He had not been inducted yet, at least in this ceremony.

Sir Tomas turned towards Josh and secretly gave a thumb up, smiling in encouragement.

After a short while, all the Knights fell silent. Waiting. The atmosphere of expectation was so high it felt choking.

From a door on the left of the throne entered Princess Marianne, now clad in her official armaments as a Hyrule Knight. Her Princess Crown from his official capacity in Twilight Table had been removed, changed with a simple gold tiara which encircled a high helmet of steel and bronze. She did not carry a shield nor a sword, although honestly she looked somewhat beautiful without both, her slender frame perfectly encapsulated in her glistening armor. Her face was open and unvisored, a few strands of her reddish black hair were pressed to her forehead. On her back was a billowing purple cape emblazoned with the symbol of The Royal Family, while her white and golden tabard was decorated with her personal symbol sewn on her left chest. Walking closely behind her was Captain Tethras, also in full armor, both of his hands held a magnificent sword on top of a golden and red pillow.

Arriving at the chair, Marianne gave a salute, which was returned by all the Knights. She clearly had progressed far than the nervous lady a few years ago as told by Sir Tomas. Her movements were elegant and easy, as if she had done this countless times before.

Only the most eagle-eyed of observer could notice that she was actually a little stiff. Marianne was nervous as hell. But she covered it by memorizing and re-enacting her part countless times before in preparation of this ceremony. She did sacrifice many things, then, to be able to host this Knighting Ceremony.

Officiator Marianne turned and sat on the throne facing all the knights. Captain Tethras cleared his throat.

“Welcome, Hyrule Knights, to The Hall of Heroes.”

The Knighting Ceremony had begun.

It started with reports from the Lieutenants about many things, mostly about the state of their own companies. Then representatives from each region would tell a thing or two, followed by the veterans after that, and then anyone who had something to say. It had an informal vibe, yet the aura was one of sacred and reverence. One could easily imagine that it started as a very informal gathering before, which, over the centuries, evolved and added many embellishments to be the current kind of ceremony it was today. A tradition born out of a collective memory of a glorious past.

At long last, Princess Marianne waved his hand and swept her gaze on the assembling knights. Pausing, just a little slightly, on Josh.

“I decree that our meeting be adjourned, lest a kin ought to say their mind?”

At that moment Sir Tomas strode boldly towards the throne. The knights shuffled around him, giving him way. At the foot of the raised platform he bowed low and fell on his left knee.

“Aye, Your Grace. ‘Tis be Tomas of Ordon. I brought ‘afore a fine lad whom I guarantee shall be a great benison to our ranks, with thy blessings.”

The edges of Marianne’s lips curved into a smile, but only slightly.

“Wherefore art this man thou spoke of?”

All the eyes turned towards Josh who was supposed to be saying something affirmative and kneel beside Sir Tomas. Marianne stared at Josh with a secret look of encouragement behind her professional facade.

“Come forth, fellow knight, and explain thyself, that we might better know of thee.”

---

It was very subtle, so subtle as to be almost imperceptible, but there was a worried look in Marianne’s face as she watched Sir Josh moved to kneel beside Sir Tomas –clearly under a lot of self-control, she might add- and as he seemed to almost falter in his first word. It hit her then that perhaps she might have been unfair to the new knight, having promoted his interest to slightly advanced her own agenda of bolstering the Knights’ morale. She genuinely wanted to honor the Hero of Eldin and genuinely afraid that the Royal Family had done him a dishonor. Although from the looks of it Josh was not one to really care about such things. Yet it was also true that she had her own intention to push the Knighting Ceremony this way.... A useful intention, perhaps, but still a selfish one.

So her gaze as she met Josh’s was a mixture of worry and apology, praying in her heart that she had been right in believing in his ability to act.

And with each passing word from Josh’s lips, Marianne’s gaze eased. The new knight would do just alright. Her lips smiled, just slightly, unable to hide her relief.

There were audible chuckles as Josh cracked a little joke of his own. Even Captain Tethra’s smiled, while Marianne didn’t even stifle her soft laugh. A knight in the rear shouted “Hear, hear,” and several knights burst out laughing. Clearly this ceremony was not as stiff as formal as Josh had taught it to be. In their own way the knights seemed to ease the induction of the newest one to their ranks. And as Josh found it easier and easier to talk, so did Marianne’s face showed more and more of her assent.

“A fine speech, Sir Knight,” Marianne concluded as Josh ended his introduction. There were several loud claps from the knights and some even shouted approvingly. “I do hereby see that Sir Tomas of Ordon hath chosen well.”

Her hands made a gesture towards Sir Tomas, who was smiling wide. A well-practiced gesture, but Marianne added a little personal honesty in her movements. “Him, then, whom thou stand to join our ranks?”

“Aye, Your Highness,” Sir Tomas bowed deep, “By me good name, and those of me crest: I pledge Josh Dragelion a brother o’ mine, an’ offer him a brother o’ The Knights of Hyrule.”

Marianne nodded, “And shall he prove wanting?” she inquired, rather sharper than she intended.

To which Sir Tomas solemnly replied, “Then shall I share the shame, and punished for my judgment.”

So this was what he meant as “Supporter.” It really was someone who “support” the newcomer to be inducted into the ranks. It would not be clear for Josh now whether the punishment part be real or not, though their exchange of words did seem rather grave.
Marianne’s face now turned to look towards Josh.

“By the strength of thy words, Josh Dragelion, didst thou declared thy protection of Hyrule, its royal family, and its people,” she began, picking her words carefully, but with confidence. This, then, would be the “question”. All the other knights fell silent in anticipation. “Yet, as fate so often hath in her ways, difficult are these to reconcile, at times.”

She inhaled deeply, placing her hands on her sides. “The kingdom sees far. Yet, by the very nature of it doth it sacrifice a few for the betterment of many. While the people, the few people at times, see what is immediate and they do have the rights to their own well-being, others notwithstanding.”

Her eyes now rested firmly at Josh. “Should these orders collide, Josh Dragelion. Where will you put your loyalty? The kingdom? The people? The sacrificed people?

Or would you follow your own heart, kingdom and people set aside?” She added, with a smile.

A few knights couldn’t help but whispered to others near them. Beside Josh Sir Tomas shifted uneasily, staring at Marianne with a little bewilderment in his eyes. Even Captain Tethras tilted his head slightly. The question at Knighting Ceremony usually revolved on several well-known topics. A test of knowledge, for sure, but far from being very personal. So Marianne’s question, which seemed to be almost a probe to one’s mind, was highly unusual.

“Ah,” whispered a knight somewhere, “Perhaps it was to be expected from Princess Marianne. The smartest of the lot.”

The Princess herself clearly anticipated Josh’s answer eagerly.

An uneasy hush fell on The Hall of Heroes as Josh finished his lengthy answer. Indistinct voices silently spread throughout the room, as the assembling knights no doubt whispered words towards those nearest to them. Some of those had tones of approval- yet others, of harsh rebuttal. From his body’s gesture Sir Tomas seemed to be one of those who approved. Indeed, he held his chest almost higher than before. Captain Tethras’ face was inscrutable.

“Thy heart, then,” concluded Knight Officiator Marianne with a smile, “I pray that thy heart be true, as it hath been ‘till now.”

But indeed, the biggest mystery of all was Princess Marianne herself. Was she pleased by the answer of the new knight? Was that enigmatic smile a genuine approval or just a well-practiced courtesy? Was that slight tense on the edges of her eyes a sign of disapproval or just another expression of officiality? Josh would not know. And perhaps never would.

The Princess raised her arms. “I hereby declare, for all to bear witness to, and obey. In this blessed hour of the day, with the solemn company of The Knighthood of Hyrule: I proclaim Josh Dragelion, a rightful Knight of Hyrule!”

Marianne paused and smiled, throwing her gaze towards the shouting voice at the far end of the chamber. The whole room buzzed with palpable excitement as a knight emerged from the ranks, walking surely and assuredly towards Marianne’s throne. The knights on his left and right cheered him as he went, her broad shoulder and ruggedly handsome feature exuded an aura of assuredness and intimidation. He looked straight at Josh, like a hound homing on his prey.

But, it seemed that this day's surprise was far from over.

Walking closely behind the knight, her panicked face screaming confusion and wonderment at how she got into this situation was a figure Josh knew very well.

A stunningly beautiful woman, with long bluish hair which reached her waist, and a natural grace which didn’t dampen even as unsure as she was now. She wore a lightweight chestplate and small pauldrons of heirloom quality, gilded in intricate gold, while underneath was tight trousers and boots, an uniform one would see on a rider or a Town Guard. A slender spear was strapped on her back, glinting with honor. Last Josh heard she had started a family of her own, but it seemed years had not diminished her figure: her shapely legs and tight waist still an alluring sight for any Zora lucky enough to set their sights on her.

Yes, for the woman was a Zora. A Town Guard Zora.

She was Raisara Naiar.

The confident-looking knight arrived at Josh’s side, opposing Sir Tomas, and bowed low to The Princess. Behind him Raisara hesitated at first, but followed suit with a graceful bow of her own. Then she noticed Josh and her ultramarine eyes widened in complete surprise.

"Sir Josh...?" was her voiceless whisper. "What...?"

“Milady,” the knight started, his voice deep and reassuring, “How can we deign for him to join or exalted kinship, with nary of us witness how fare he in a fight?”

As if on cue, shouts of encouragement were thrown from the ranks of the knights. The aura was almost euphoric. It frightened the poor Zora Raisara, who seemed to shrink smaller and smaller with every minute.

Knight Marianne raised her chin. “And thou art willing to test his skill?”

“ ‘Tis not I, milady,” he smiled, “But someone who has bested me. And thus, worthier of this more than I am.”

More voices were heard. Some inquisitive heads popped out of the ranks to look at the Zora, who withdrew even more. The faces of some of the more knowledgeable knights who understood immediately lightened, including Captain Tethras and Marianne. Others, like Sir Tomas, was dumbfounded, but increasingly curious.

Marianne’s smile widened.

“Today is exactly four hundred years since that blessed day, milady.” The Knight bowed, still grinning with satisfaction. “It occurred to me to honor Sir Art, by re-enacting the circumstance of his Ceremony.”

Marianne nodded. “Very well, Sir Ector. Your vision is warranted.” And then she turned towards Raisara who jolted slightly.

All attention on her, the edges of her lips stammered slightly. But when she spoke, her voice was as dignified as Josh remembered her to be.

“My name is Raisara Naiar, First Lieutenant of Clock Town Guards….” She mumbled, although her voice kept getting stronger with each words. “I...don’t know what happened, I am really sorry. I was just, um, guarding a special shipment to Lord Ector. From Mayor Vakarian. And- and then I was asked to spar….”

“She defeated me, fair and square.” The knight solemnly declared. Which caused cheers to erupt.

The poor Zora was even more frightened now. “Have I done something wrong?” she asked weakly, her voice drowned by the cheer, “I apologize. I really don’t-”

But Marianne seemed to notice the Zora’s distress and she immediately raised her hand. At once the hall fell silent again.

“Worry not, esteemed guest.” When she spoke, her tone was calm and reassuring. “Thou hast done no wrong. On this lest thy be assured. Just in fact that thou hast been chosen to partake in this honorable occasion."

She pointed at Josh. “Cross blade with this knight in front of thee. Show us thy skills who hadst bested one of our own, and thou shall be honored in this hall for years to come.”

Raisara’s eyes widened. “W-Wait! You want us to fight each other?” but before she could finish, both Sir Tomas and Sir Ector withdrew, and a wide ring was quickly formed around the two combatants. The feeling in the air was unmistakable. The Knights wanted a show of skill. And they wanted it now.

Her hand shaking a little, Raisara automatically reached for her spear behind her back and turned to face Josh. Even as unsure as she was, her skill with her spear was unmistakable. She was a deadly spear-wielder during the time Josh knew her, but it seemed that time had only refined her edges. The way she positioned her spear was nothing short of masterful, even if it was done unconsciously. Family tradition run deep indeed.

Raisara made a show as to circle around Josh, as if to gauge his strength, while in reality….

“Sir Josh, they aren’t going to make us hurt each other, are they?” She whispered everytime she got close enough to Josh. “Sir Josh, what should I do?”

It seemed Josh’s order years ago not to call him Sir had been forgotten, as was always the case with the redeemed Zora.

---

Raisara honestly did not understand what it was she had been getting herself into.

Really! What and where it went all wrong?? Lord of The Whirling Waves…. It was supposed to be a routine escort mission. The kind of assignment given to a few trusty guards by The Mayor himself (‘And it pays off handsomely, too’). She had done as she was told, delivering the parcel safely. The noble knight of Hyrule was a tad eccentric, albeit a good-looking eccentric, and the moment he noticed the way Raisara held her spear he immediately ordered a sparring match.

Well, it wasn’t in her father’s teaching to back off from a challenge, so she gracefully accepted. The knight even sweetened his offer by a few, ah, what did he call it…. Obligatory rupees. Enough to bring trinkets to the triplets back home.

And Raisara did her part, didn’t she? (‘Wait, maybe I was supposed to feign losing?’) She took him down fair and square, and suddenly this… this whirlwind train of blurry incidences and indistinct shouts happened in quick succession. Before she knew it she was inside Castle Hyrule itself, in the company of gallant knights who seemed to be orchestrated by a young lady with a crown over her helmet in front, saluted to, and was forced to fight an old acquaintance.

And speaking of old acquaintance… What is Sir Josh thinking?? Raisara visibly winced as Josh without hesitation entered a stance to face her, sword in hand. Just…what? And here Raisara hoped he would be one ray of certainty in this all-too-confusing incidence.

He offered a vague attempt at reassurance, which for the poor confused Zora clearly did not tell her much. (‘So Sir Josh approve of the fight? He wants me to fight him? But why?’) If only he could spare more words... It was strange also that he attempted to calm her while being ready to fight himself.

Perhaps it was all a trap?

And so as Josh waited, Raisara waited along with him. It was truly hard to expect Raisara would make the first move in this kind of strange circumstance, as she was never the aggressive one. In fact she was content to let this circling contest went on for infinity. (‘Perhaps then they will get bored and we don’t have to actually fight? Lord of Whirling Waves please keep our distance….’)

On the throne, as if noticing something, Officiator Marianne turned and whispered something to Captain Tethras.

---

When Sir Josh’s hand was extended to reach her, Raisara naturally withdrew, taking a step backward and keeping their distance. In no circumstance would she allow someone whose sword was positioned at the ready to touch her –especially not someone who was just moments ago fixed his gaze upon her like a hawk upon its prey. No way.

But… it was comforting was Sir Josh said. Raisara’s wary gaze didn’t relax much, but her stance indeed softened a little. A ceremonial sparring match…? It was understandable (‘But why didn’t he tell me the first thing?’) If only it was… true?

The small praise went past the Zora just like that, eliciting not a grin nor a nod. She was still the same. When focused at one thing she poured all her attention to it to the exclusion of everything else. And right now she…wasn’t sure she could really trust Sir Josh.

But…

The tip of her spear lowered, facing Sir Josh. She kept her flexible stance, but now much more guarded as she continued keeping their distance. Her stance was incredible, really. It left no room for a surprise strike. Considering her strict training and having a master to guide her, perhaps it was not surprising.

“After you then, Sir Josh,” she murmured, barely above a whisper.

'A bit late,' thought Princess Marianne, keenly watching the two figure, 'But then again, he is no Sir Arty, The Golden-hearted....'

Raisara was trained from birth in the customs of her family’s traditional values, of their fixation on both the spiritual prayers and its warrior aspects. So, of all things Josh did she was most grateful of his show of tapping their blades, as was the custom of an honorable sparring match. If it was done earlier, perhaps she would have trusted him easier than when he started circling her with his sword drawn.

The tip of her spear was lowered, ready. Her grip on the middle and the weighted edge of her spear tightened in a perfect stance. The clamoring of the other knights crescendo into higher and higher fever of excitement. In any battle of a sword against spear, spear has almost all the advantage if its wielder is clever in their positioning.

And positioning was the first thing her father made sure she mastered.

Raisara took a deep breath. Though slight confusion remained, her mind was clear, almost automatically so. On on one battle was her forte, something she trained herself diligently out of respect to tradition, if not pride. Even now the three-words mantra of her father echoed in her head, the same one she had been obliged to teach her children 

Swift.

Precise.

Decisive.

His first move was… against the center of her spear, which baffled Raisara a bit at its ineffectiveness. No spear warrior who called themselves such would dream of having their weapon dislodged so easily. Considering its fulcrum is more centred than a sword, it might even be said that it is more stable than a sword. Surely he would have….?

From her lowered position she could have taken a swipe on Josh’s feet with her weapon’s superior reach, but she withheld. Instead, she swiftly parried the strike and defensively kept her distance, making sure that any hasty follow up would be met by a sideswipe that might easily be decisive.

But it was the sound of the two weapons collide which assured the sensitive Zora. Josh’s weapon had talked, and her spear understood. The once-Guard captain really did not intend for a mortal battle.

For a spiritual warrior like Raisara, it was a comforting thought.

---