Before Dawn

[Kotone]

XX

The air was quite as it was early morning before the sun's rays hit the darken sky to scare the night away. Size horses seem in this area for some time been traveling for many days to this area. However they already been in this spot many time. The people on top of the horses were all clocked figures hiding their figures and their faces. They all quite as they looked at the person up front looking at a self made map of the area they were traveling in. However they seem to be looking for some area however these woods seem to be getting them lost.

The clocked figures behind that one started to whisper to each other. "We been at this for 4 hours... its almost morning now" The first clock figure to the second clocked figure. "I don't see why we have to come out here... If we can't find the place then there no way a criminal would find it too" The third figure said as the first two nodded as the fourth one shook its head. "No remember the Master Sword is in this place... well it was. However it was destroyed... for all we know it was the same person. So we can't let our guard down" The fourth one said as the fifth one chuckles at this.

"Its funny how you guys are judging our king orders" The fifth on said as the three turn and looked at the fifth one. "We are no" "How dare you say that" "Your just jealous because you was picked last" The group went from talking softly to almost yelling at each other. The sixth one let out a sigh never looking back at the others. She raise her hand and snapped her finger then roll them in a fist.

The group went quite as they slowly took out their weapons and looked to the sides of them. Something was either watching them or coming closer. The sixth clock figure felt it or something either way the other seem to listen to their leader and forgot about their fighting or topic they was on. There was something else to pull their anger out on now.

[titania]

Titania waited at the palace. Soon she was to have guests, six of them, including one who made an attempt on her life. What an exciting prospect, maybe.

However, this group seemed to be taking their good sweet time getting here and Titania, being who she was, couldn't sit still.

"Keep the palace prepared for our guests, I'm going to go find them."

"But your majesty..."

"The court is wise, it does not show it by constantly second-guessing my orders. Palace. Prepare. I do not speak in riddles." She went to her private quarters and removed her regal clothing, switching to her traveling attire. It was a pain to constantly switch between them, but in the palace she had to be regal.

Not long after, she left the grove, hopping branches like a monkey, though with her wings she did not have to swing on vines. She moved much faster than six bickering Gerudo on horseback. Their shouting was so loud in the early morning she could hear it from across the forest.

"Bickering. Women. Sounds like I found my targets." She quickly leaped branch to branch, switching into her light ball form until she was right above the ladies. Switching back to her full size, she began to address the travelers.

"Hello! Lost are we? Loud too. You're not very good assassins are you?"

[Kotone]

XX

They all lower their weapons to see the ball of light as the Sixth person let out a long grudging sigh. The second person came up after the sixth one let out that sigh. "Sorry to make so much noise Queen Titania of the Fairy folk. We here on order of King Merik of the Gurdeo to protect you" She said as the second clock figure took off her cloak and so did the rest all but the six clock figure. No she stay cover up in her cloak.

The women were Gerudo five and a 6th one being Kotone hiding her face from the Queen bug. She really distaste that women and rather not even deal with her. However do to her promise she can't kill her... for now. So Kotone let her Gerudo females talk for her. "We gotten lost in these woods... Oddly they seem to keep their name as the myth of the Lost Woods" She explain why they did not seem to get to their palace yet. For the fact the Gerudo never made it out of the desert this far before. They always went to the Castle town once in a bit but never made it out this far before. So this was new to see this many trees around like this.

[titania]

Titania didn't pay much attention to the Gerudo who was addressing her. Her eyes remained fixed on the sixth, the silent, the cloaked. She knew who it was, the letter made it clear she was coming.

"It doesn't actually matter how much noise you make, I'm sure if you had to be quieter you could." She slowly floated down to be the group face to horse-face.

"Yes, I received a letter telling me I was to receive envoys." Her eyes continued to focus on Kotone and she gave a sly smile. "Hello Kotone, sister of the King. I hope our second encounter will be less eventful than our first one." It was new for her though. She'd never been thrown in prison before. "Follow me." She motioned for the women to follow as she lead him back to the Sacred Grove.

[Kotone]

XX

the second gerudo was going to speak again but the sizth one took her hand and shook it a bit. Kotone knew it was useless to speak to this queen as she takes people's words and use them on them. Sometimes being mute is the best thing when it comes to this thing in Kotone mind. Her hand on the rings of the horse as she thought to herself mainly but her mind wonder if Merik was ok and how much longer she have to go threw this hell.

Her clock moved a bit as she heard her name as seem Merik did a letter to the queen bug. She would not eve try to lip to her as its not like she can lip read anyhow. However there was one gesture she wanted to do however Merik told her to be nice. So she did not flip off the queen even if it might be a compliment to her anyhow.

The women say and did not move as they looked at Kotone in her cloak still for a sign to follow. After some time Kotone lift her hand and slow move it forward to follow the bug Queen. They all knew Kotone's hate for this women. They did not know why really but they only knew they have to keep an eye on both their leader and the queen for this matter. So they all rode their horses following the queen.

[titania]

Titania was leading them through the forest. She knew having her back to six gerudo was dangerous, especially one who was less than thrilled to be around her. But they had their orders to make nice. The other five would probably just make nice. Kotone would be the interesting one.

"Actually these aren't the lost woods. Those would be within the grove. You got lost in the regular forest." She softly laughed to herself. She should have anticipated this as Merik hadn't actually been to the province to her knowledge. And he certainly hadn't been in the grove, or she would have known about it.

While walking down, approaching the entrance to the grove, she suddenly stopped and turned her head to the right suddenly. Crouching down, she went off the path slightly into a bush.

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww" could be heard from the bush as Titania emerged holding a small bunny in her arms. She cuddled it as it ate a small piece of lettuce. "She's adorable. Anyway, back on track." She continued to lead the group into the grove, never taking her eyes off her newest little pet. She really had to stop being distracted by animals, but she couldn't resist bunnies. Her one weakness.

[Kotone]

XX

Kotone fist clinch around the rings a bit as the queen bug made fun of her and her group. Its not gerudo was use to forest period. Really it was very hard for them to get around with out being shock at how tall the trees are. Something they hardly have even on the pirate bay. She let out a long deep sigh letting out her anger out as she went on following.

She held her hand up to stop the gerudo as the fairy queen started to act funny. Then what she saw next almost made her fall off her horse to see the queen treat a bunny like that. she started to laugh under her cloak hard as the other gerudo was laughing too but covering it up so their laughs could not be heard. Now Kotone new her weakness and if things get bad she can always use that on the bug queen. However if she knew it she have to watch out make sure the killer won't know it too. As it is a sad weakness really...

With a movement of her hand once more the group went on following the queen. They was still lighting chuckling at what they had seen. Sure they have their own weakness. However their weakness were nos so.... weak.

[titania]

Titania took the laughing lightly. She knew it was comical to suddenly have a leader figure jump into a bush to find a bunny.

"Laugh it up all you want, she's cuter than any of you." She laughed lightly as they entered the grove. The guards looked at the Gerudo strange, but were informed of their arrival.

She let the bunny go, smiling as it hopped off. What a cutie.

"Welcome to the grove. I hope your stay here is comfortable." She knew six Gerudo would probably be bored out here doing nothing, but at least she could treat her guests well. "I'm sure the denizens of the palace have the rooms prepared for you by now."

[Kotone]

XX

The Gerudo got off their horses as soon they enter the grove but kept the cloak around their bodies but the hood off their face all but Kotone. Kotone looked to the one of ht girl as they nodded as they were all going to stay in the same room. They was still going to train and do route guarding around this place. There was little time to rest if they did they be studying or researching about this place.

Kotone was not going to get bored as she knew there had to be a library here and she might find the information she needs to fill in the gasp of history. Yes she had to do research on the history so Merik will not fall in to traps. The second gerudo step forward to talk for Kotone. "We be all staying in the same room together. We be needing you schedule on where you be at all time so we can have a one of us by you at all times." She said as Kotone gave a nod to her talking.

[titania]

Titania looked back to them. "We can provide multiple rooms for your party but if you prefer one room then you are welcome to do so. As for a schedule, I don't typically keep a solid one. Although with you people around, I can't help but think I won't be leaving the grove anytime soon. I guess I'll spend most of my day in my room or in the throne room." She gave a heavy sigh as they walked towards the palace. No more adventuring for now.

As they reached the door of the palace, guards welcomed them inside. Respect was key, keeping relations with the Gerudo might save her hide later in life. She made her way to the throne room and sat on the throne, consisting of elegant flowers and various wood. Not a very intimidating throne like Merik's, but definitely elegant. "Anything else I can help you with?" She took the royal staff and began to twirl it slowly in boredom.

[Kotone]

XX

They gave their horses to some guard to take to the stable. Then and follow the Queen inside. Their eyes alert and looking at everything. It was so ... green and woody. The place was so different from the sands and hot sun beating down on them. Kotone knew right away there had to be some training to do here. Get use to the environment around even more so blend in to the area. This was great for her and the other females as there be more training and elite gerudo now.

Kotone shook her head as she still in her cloak. She turn around and started to walk out going to the room that post to be their room. However the others were not moving or rather no following her. She stop to look as the others seem to nod to the Fairy Queen. Kotone eyes widen a bit as she glare at them and a wonder what the hell they were doing. "We know fairies have great deal of Healing magic" They all started to say as they nodded to each other. Kotone snapped her fingers at them as she knew where this was going and she did not want it at all.

However they went on ignoring Kotone snapping at them trying to tell them to stop right now. "Is there a way to heal Kotone's voice?" They asked the fairy queen as Kotone had walked back as she knocked and flip each one of them down to the ground. She snapped at them once more as her golden eyes glare at them under her cloak. They were sorry but they all wanted this as tell the truth they did not like the no voice Kotone. It was still hard to understand her and even more Kotone did not wear a pirate charm so still she was very hard to understand.

[titania]

Titania looked at the 5 Gerudo before her, as Kotone didn't want to stay there any longer. Understandable, she wore her feelings about the queen on her sleeve.

As they asked her question, Titania grew quite curious. It seemed they were overstepping their boundaries asking that question. It was clear Kotone wanted nothing to do with the idea, though it couldn't be that bad.

"Seems to me that your commander doesn't want you asking that question. As I recall, Kotone is the one in charge of your group, and as your ranking officer you should be listening to her instead of overstepping your bounds. Kotone, it is your decision. Would you like me to ignore their question? A simple yes or no will suffice." She was intrigued by the prospect. She didn't actually know the answer to the question for certain, but with the multiple forms of magic available to the fairies there had to be one way to work it.

[Kotone]

XX

The group got up after getting knocked down by Kotone in front of the Fairy queen. They was taken back but knew they did wrong. They looked at Kotone as she shook her head no as she had no voice for longer then she had a voice. She gave up a long time ago ever getting her voice back. she knew her sister and Merik have no given up hope but she had reason why she only gesture and lip things.

Kotone turn to the group and pointed out. She gave a couple of gesture telling them to put the stuff in the room and do 50 warm-ups for punishment. As they left she let out a sigh as she took off her hodo then took off her cloak. Her eyes seem to be in a golden daze looking at the exit where her group went out. She soon snapped out of her daze looking at the Fairy Queen with harden eyes.

[titania]

Titania nodded at Kotone's refusal of the answer. It seemed she was comfortable with her position in life, being a high-ranking mute-gerudo. "Very well. You will be shown to your room." She pointed to two of the guards to escort the ladies to their quarters.

She then was left in the room, alone with Kotone. Not the best place for her to be, given their history, but Titania was sure Kotone knew better than to disobey her king's orders.

Titania returned Kotone's hardened gaze with a soft smile. A shining example of fire and ice. She stood up from her throne and walked down the steps, so they were on the same level. Kotone was a couple of inches taller, though.

"It is a long journey to come from the desert to the sacred grove. You should rest."

[Kotone]

XX

Kotone let out a sigh hiding a yawn that was coming out from her mouth hidden by her veil. she looked around looking for some sun light as she have the first shift of watching this fairy queen for two hours then they will switch for every two hours for each person. She looked at the Fairy as she smiled back at her glare as she she rolled her eyes a bit as she can't stand that women at all with that smile and all. How could Merik like this women at all? Well he did say he just use her but still that disgusting race in her mind.

She blinks as she came up to her trying to size her up it seem which won't work as Kotone was taller then the fairy queen even with the freaky hair the queen has. She looked at her as she said something to her as she shook her head at the lady as she held up two fingers then tap her wrist a couple of times. Stating she be up two more hours then looked at her and pointed between them saying she be watching her are her eyes glared. She had to gesture knowing the queen did not know how to lip read.

[titania]

Titania gave Kotone's gesture a nod. She may not read lips, but she understood the gesture. Two hour shifts. Understandable.

"Well I guessed I should kiss my alone time goodbye. It would be nice to see you again, but last time you tried to kill me. Water under the bridge now, I know you're fiercely loyal to your king." She extended her hand to Kotone, still keeping the smile upon her face. "We're two people loyal to our people. We need to put differences aside. For now, we have to work together, doing....not much actually. You can have free range of the place, just don't attack any of my guards please." So she didn't word it well. Her point was made. A friendship needed to be forged here, or this would be a very tense visit.

[Kotone]

XX

Kotone gave a cocky smile as she knew this was going to hurt the fairy queen free time and she not be alone for a very long time. So in fact this was revenge and Kotone did like that idea very much so. However she still did not like the idea she have to watch this bug for even two hours a day. However she was right as she was loyal to Merik no matter what he does even if she does not like it. She was just glad he listen to her as his adviser and his love. He could said no and done it anyhow and she would listen to him and follow him even if she dislike it.

Kotone looked down at her hand and looked back at her with a face. She was not going to shake her hand heck she was not going to touch her. If she did she might put her in a head lock or threw her over her shoulder and in to a wall or something. she only nodded as she was not going to hurt anyone who does not seem to be a threat as promise by Merik not by her. thought Merik said not to think evil thoughts about the fairy queen. HA! How can she not think evil thoughts about her or plan for her death? she be here for who know ho long that all she can do at the moment.

[titania]

Titania smirked and took her hand back once it became clear Kotone would not shake it.

"I know you don't like me Kotone, but let's at least fake trying to get along. Can I at least get you something to drink? We don't keep anything particularly hard that a Gerudo might be used to, but our selection of wines is extensive." Alcohol always had a way of cooling the mood. She didn't worry about Kotone, she'd be fine. Maybe a drink in her system would do her some good.

[Kotone]

XX

Kotone was not going to pretend she did not like her... well she will. However she won't like it. She listen to her as she shook her head as she did not drink Alcohol at all sh was just a tea and water person. Merik was a bit drinker but she was not as she had to keep a level head during most of her guard routes and body guarding. She made a W with her fingers and put it up to her lips as if drinking it hoping sh get the idea she wanted water. Thought if the fairy did not know better she be thinking she wanted wine or a white wine. Of course that not what Kotone wanted but it was hard to gesture water after all. She figure it be an easy thing to get.

[titania]

The gesture was a tough one for Titania to grasp. W could stand for water or wine. She pondered for a moment. She would have agreed if she wanted the wine. Process of elimination dictated she wanted water. She was used to those fireballs Merik had the first time they met. Guess it didn't resonate with the whole family.

She went toward the double door, poking her head out and motioning to one of the guards. "Pitcher of water." She closed the door and smiled. "I guess the drinking habits of your brother didn't descend through the line." Perhaps those kinds of lines weren't a good plan to say to someone who didn't like her, but Titania was determined to lighten the mood.