Fortitude: Chapter 51 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
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Fortitude: Chapter 51
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I watched him from the shadows of the Temple of Time, admiring his strong, composed stance. Night had fallen, and the gentle torchlight illuminated his figure, softening the starch white of his clothing. His loose, plain tunic lacked any kind of decorative stitching, and a white sash had replaced the usual belt. Such humble attire had been specially made for this very occasion, when Link faced the judgment of the Three Golden Goddesses themselves.
This was his Rite of Kingship, the first and most important step toward coronation.
He had formed a mental barrier to help him focus completely on the ceremony, so while I could not sens
Fortitude: Chapter 50 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
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Fortitude: Chapter 50
Xxx 50 xxX
I stood on my balcony, cradling a mug of hot tea as I savored the calm, fresh autumn morning. The stormy weather that plagued Hyrule during Ashton's tyranny had slowly begun to disperse. Patches of a perfect blue sky peeked through the clouds, and the earthy smell of crushed leaves filled the air. Even the birds seemed to sing a more joyful tune. Before Ashton forced his way back into my life, I had taken these everyday hints of beauty for granted. That morning I took the time to appreciate them, viewing them as hopeful signs that life would return to the way it had been, the way it was meant to be.
I had risen a few hours ago, fi
Fortitude: Chapter XLIX by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude: Chapter XLIX
Fortitude
Chapter XLIX
"Link!"
"Brother!"
I relinquished my hold on Link, stepping back while the Sages gathered around to express their joy at his recovery—and our victory. Nabooru snatched him first, kissing him square on the mouth and embracing him with a laugh. Ruto grabbed his face and kissed each cheek before Darunia lifted him off the ground in a crushing Goron hug. By the time Impa rescued him for a gentler embrace, Nabooru had remembered one other living soul still watched us from the shadows.
"What should we do with this scum?"
We turned to see Ashton stumble forward, hissing when Nabooru forced him to his knees. She snatch
Fortitude: Chapter XLVIII by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude: Chapter XLVIII
Fortitude
Chapter XLVIII
"NOOO!"
My anguished scream tore through the chamber, echoed by Ashton's cries of pain.
"LINK!" I struggled wildly against Nassir, forgetting his previous threats as my terror consumed me.
Then the dark portal orb suddenly pulsed with light, and three more figures appeared in the room—Impa, Darunia, and Nabooru.
"Help him!" I cried. Impa had already vanished, but Nabooru and Darunia rushed to Link's side. Before Nassir could interfere, I whipped the knife from my wrist and stabbed him in the side. I knew it wouldn't kill him, and how it harmed Link hardly mattered anymore.
He gave a startled cry and loosened h
Fortitude: Chapter XLVII by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude: Chapter XLVII
Fortitude
Chapter XLVII
I woke to silence and darkness, too disoriented to recall how I had gotten there. Slowly I sat up, groaning as my head gave a painful throb. Every move brought a wave of nausea, and I clutched my stomach as I fought the urge to retch.
As my mind began to clear, my thoughts quickly turned to my son. I forgot my discomfort and tried to calm myself, seeking his little presence within me. Immediately I sensed his distress, an echo of my own.
It's all right, I soothed, relieved to feel his anxiety fade. I'll keep you safe...
"…Sleep well, dearest?"
My eyes flew open to find Ashton sitting just a few steps away, vag
Fortitude - Chapter 1 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude - Chapter 1
Xxx 1 xxX
Darkness.
Ceaselessly it stretched before me, surrounding me. Permeating the core of my being, it clogged my mind, choked my spirit. I groped for an anchor, something to keep me grounded…
Then, gradually, the darkness began to clear.
Two pale blue lights materialized in the distance, their mirrored forms sharpening into torches. At last my eyes could adjust, and in the feeble glow I observed my surroundings.
I stood in a dark corridor, surrounded by rough, dirty walls. A flash of silver caught my eyes, glinting in the eerie torchlight…
Metal bars. Rusted with age, they lined the walls on either side before fading into
Fortitude - Chapter 2 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude - Chapter 2
Xxx 2 xxX
I sat in my study, working through piles of neatly stacked papers scattered about my desk. Endless contracts, reports, and inquiries all awaiting my response. I sometimes wondered how long it had been since my desk was clear. Or had it ever been clear?
My pen paused at the sound of a quiet knock.
"Come in," I called, lifting my head as Lady Ariella Pierson, the Royal Chamberlain, entered the room. Ariella had managed the castle household since I was a child, and her husband, Captain Ian, had served in the Royal Guard for nearly three decades. They had two sons, both training to follow in their father's footsteps.
"I have a letter fo
Fortitude - Chapter 3 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude - Chapter 3
Xxx 3 xxX
Slowly I wandered the castle gardens, clutching my lavender shawl about my shoulders. The cold air seeped through its thin material, adding to the chill I felt inside. Brown, lifeless plants surrounded me, and above me stretched a grey, cloudy sky. It seemed nature itself wished to dampen my spirits.
I sank onto a bench near a barren rose bush, rubbing my arms to warm myself. Heeding Impa's suggestion, I had left the castle to pull Link from his duties so we could discuss Ashton's letter. I hoped to go somewhere more private, preferably beyond the castle grounds…
Yet I lingered there in the gardens, reluctant to follow through
Fortitude - Chapter 4 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
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Fortitude - Chapter 4
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The following morning Link and I presented our decision to the Council as planned. Neither of us had come in high spirits, though I greeted the ministers with a pleasant, confident smile. Link sat rigidly beside me, not bothering to hide his displeasure.
"We have discussed Impa's suggestion to rendezvous at the borderline," I informed the Council, "and we find it an acceptable compromise. I have included this request in my response to Ashton's letter, and an emissary will depart this morning."
"Have you chosen to remain here, my Lord?" Kinsley asked Link, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I have agreed to exclude myself from the rend
Fortitude - Chapter 5 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude - Chapter 5
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I stared at him, unable to believe my ears.
"You… You cannot be serious…"
"But I am."
"Can we not discuss more reasonable terms? We arranged this meeting to review treaties — to preserve the peace!"
"That was before your soldiers attacked my people," Ashton replied. "The circumstances have changed. So have my terms."
"You don't even know the truth behind those attacks — certainly not enough to declare war!"
"I have all the information I need."
Blood pounded in my ears as I fought to control my panic. "This was your plan all along; wasn't it?" I snapped. "To force this upon me?"
"Not initially," he replied, cr
Fortitude - Chapter 6 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude - Chapter 6
Xxx 6 xxX
I woke to a dark and quiet room, confused to find myself in bed. Slowly I shifted onto my back, remembering the argument I had with Link just a few hours ago. I had remained in the drawing room, determined to stay awake until he returned. Clearly I had failed.
I sensed Link's presence nearby, which meant he was awake. Wanting to ease his insomnia, I pulled the covers aside and rose to retrieve him.
He sat in an armchair near the balcony doors, his pensive form illuminated by moonlight. Sensing I was awake, he turned his head and extended his hand toward me. I took it and settled onto his lap, melting into his shape as I'd done count
Fortitude - Chapter 7 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude - Chapter 7
Xxx 7 xxX
Thirteen days.
Nearly a fortnight had passed since the soldiers left for war, and I had received no word of their current status. Reports from sentinels posted in other towns and villages had arrived, but not a single Vandelian soldier had been sighted. Such things were no cause for alarm, but I worried nonetheless. Protective though he was, Link knew better than to keep me in the dark.
And so I waited. I threw myself into my work, struggling to stay occupied as the days dragged by. I had launched a full investigation of the attacks in Vandelius, exploring every possibility and naming all potential suspects. Vasilis and Kinsley led
Fortitude - Chapter 8 by xx--ingie--xx, literature
Literature
Fortitude - Chapter 8
Xxx 8 xxX
I slammed the bedchamber door and flung open my wardrobe to snatch my traveling bag. Tossing it onto the floor, I grabbed my traveling clothes from my bureau, pausing to strip off my gown and pull on a pair of leggings. I knew my maids could pack my bag for me, but I had to keep my hands busy. My knees shook and my head throbbed, but I pushed myself to move faster, faster, faster —
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I pulled a tunic over my head with a frustrated sigh. "I need no assistance, thank you," I called.
The door opened, and I whipped around to meet a pair of crimson eyes.
"Oh, Impa." I opened another drawer to retrieve a leather belt. "