Palace, Found (Titania, Nairore)

[Nairore]

x x

The Master Sword. Of course Nairore had heard of it. No self-respecting warrior went without longing to wield such a legendary blade. But she had always dismissed it as just that, a legend. No sign of it had been found for years now, and there was no proof that it had ever really existed outside of stories and myths of ancient heroes and dark threats. Zenethil had made sure she understood what sort of threat the Gerudo were by telling her the story of Ganondorf over and over again. But Merik was nothing like Ganondorf, at least not the one from Zenethil's stories.

Merik didn't feast on the blood of newborn children, for example, though Nairore always suspected that to be an exaggeration.

She brought another stack of books to Merik and laid them down, realizing that she was working faster than he was. She was scanning titles, of course, compared to his actual reading, so it wasn't easy for her to overtake him. However he had enough books to last him for some time, so Nairore figured she shouldn't bring anymore until the pile dwindled some. She imagined it could be quite overwhelming to see such a large stack of books bearing down on you, and no doubt Merik planned to go through them all.

So she wandered off into the library, making sure to keep him in sight that she could continue her job when needed. She scanned a few titles, glimpsed through a book or two, but ultimately found her mind was drifting back into the fog where she had tried to avoid going. That shadow of doubt that was always looming over her mind. Two figures standing over her, Merik and Zenethil, and both being weighed against each other. Was Zenethil's word to be believed over her own experience with Merik, or was Merik merely putting on a show to create the doubt.

Such thoughts occur without much conscious effort and as Nairore's mind began to drift her body leapt for the opportunity to shut down. These two actions didn't coincide, however, and Nairore stumbled and fell, landing roughly first on a chair that toppled across the library quite loudly, then with a thud onto the ground. Her weariness both physically and mentally seemed to have caught up with her, though immediately upon landing her palms found the ground and she started to climb back to her feet. She was overcome with nausea and dizziness and fell back down to sit against the leg of a table, sweating.

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[titania]

Titania noticed that Nairore wasn't feeling good, and was immediately there as she fell over and was reeling against the leg of the table. She had overheard enough of the conversation to end Merik's search, but Nairore took priority. She got down on one knee and looked to the tired Nairore.

"You need something to eat. Or drink. Just relax and someone will be by with something for you." To make sure she didn't have to do anymore work. She sat down across from Merik and look at his book.

"You're wasting your time. I know the legends, everything points to the old ruins in the outskirts of the grove. There's the ruins of an old settlement there, possibly dedicated to the goddesses given the amount of the times they found triforce symbols. In the meantime, your student is exhausted and could use some help. You might to try and give her some assistance before she faints." She couldn't stand to see someone struggle so much. What exactly was he doing to her?

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik looked up and started to move as soon as he heard Nairore fall but as soon as he saw Titania reach her he settled back in. Not long after starting back on the book he was distracted by Titania taking a seat across from him.

"I'm not looking for the sword itself, I'm looking for where it originally rested before being moved into the original temple of time. My research has indicated it was in a forest but not within any buildings...which doesn't narrow it down at all." He replied to the first part of her comment before considering her words about Nairore. He was silent before finally sitting the book down and looking at her.

"There isn't anything I can do for her, whatever has brought her to this point is in her head...she hasn't slept in nearly a week even though she acts like she has; if I try to ease up on her training she either gets angry or she just withdraws into herself; even before this she barely talked so I haven't been able to make heads or tails of what's going through her...I've actually been waiting for her to pass out so she would rest..."

[Nairore]

x x

Nairore rested her back against the table leg but refused Titania's aid and her advice. After she had caught her breath she reached up and grabbed the top of the table, trying to hoist herself up. It was not the time for rest, not yet. If she gave up Merik would end up stopping his work, which would mean she wouldn't get back to her training. She grunted and pulled herself up to her shaky legs. "I'm okay, really, just a little bruise."

She reached down to the hem of her short shirt and pulled it up to examine her ribs, where a bruise was forming fast where she had landed on the chair. Breathing in hurt, but she was fairly certain she hadn't broken a rib. She let her shirt go and closed her eyes, overcome by another wave of dizziness. "You don't need to worry about me," she added, insisted. She didn't want them to worry about her. This was her problem, it was her mind, she couldn't bother others with it.

Instead she began to busy herself, going back to scanning titles. The problem was the titles didn't stand still long enough for her to read them. She began picking books anyway, but they seemed to be a random assortment, with only a handful being related. But Nairore was determined to not be a problem, to not bother. She brought the books over, laid them down where Merik still sat and walked away, having to stop to steady herself on one of the tables, but refusing to give up.

And throughout all of this there was one little detail to be taken note of for the astute observer. Nairore's right eye, while still the same piercing blue as always, contained within it startling flecks of brilliant Gerudo gold around the iris as if her internal conflict seemed to be breaking the enchantment that had turned their color in the first place.

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[titania]

"Hmm, not much I can tell you about that. I know just as much as you just...oh for the love of Nayru!" Her hand glowed a bright white and she got up and rested it upon Nairore, attempting to heal her. Unfortunately, she also missed the color change within Nairore's eyes. There was too much healing light occurring for it to be noticeable when not looking for it.

After her healing was complete, she sat back down across from Merik and began to think on his destination, the one he was searching for.

"I know I've heard someone mention its previous location, but I wasn't really aware you could move a weapon like that. I think it would take a large magical force to remove it. I could have someone scout the area for a magical surge, but it was so long ago it might have dispersed. Still, you're more likely to have some results with that. Better than looking through these books." It would be good for someone to go out and try it. Though the idea of Merik going wasn't great, for it would mean Nairore would go too, and that wouldn't be good for her health.

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik nodded at Titania's assessment of his hunt after she cast her spell on Nairore and sat back down.

"If my information is correct it has been moved at least twice since it's creation: you are correct that the Master Sword is believed to be locked somewhere within the nearby ruins, when my grandfather was alive the Temple of Time was in Castle Town and the blade was supposedly held there...though you're probably right, even though its possible I could find the exact location in one of these books I could probably find it easier by looking in person." he said as he watched his student continue to work before asking quietly. Titania, I realize you're in a slightly difficult situation but might I request the use of your guest chambers for a day or two so I can get her to rest? Maybe just being in a bed will do her some good..."

When Nairore brought the next stack of books, aside from noticing that most of the books she brought had nothing in common with his quest, he noticed the slight change in her eye and couldn't help but smirk. He pushed a chair out for her and indicated that she should sit down.

"You've got something on your mind and we ARE going to discuss it whether you want to or not because it is affecting your health... and your body. As it stands I refuse to continue your training until you're back in good health."

[Nairore]

x x

Nairore didn't want to stop, even as Titania came to her and tried to heal her. She shrugged off the fairy's attempts. Pain was good, her body would grow accustomed to it. You couldn't train without walking away with scars, without injuries. A bruise on her ribs was nothing, she'd had those before. She'd had worse, actually, and had to keep going. She shrugged it all off and went back to the bookshelf, only to be stopped when Merik called her and motioned for her to sit down.

She turned and wandered back to the table, hesitantly taking a seat in the chair. Her posture clearly displayed that she needed to sit as she slumped forward, her elbows supporting her head as her fingers ran through her hair. "I just . . . I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a problem," she said, rubbing her eyes with the palms of her hands. "Things have just been . . . confusing . . . I don't know, my mind's just been too active lately, it's hard to sleep."

The thought of losing her training was almost too much for her. It was the one steady thing in her life. Whether with Merik or her father, it was all training. That was why she was trying so hard to keep on track. She had to show Merik she could maintain herself even with all the wear and tear of training, but it was growing hard. She couldn't even muster the strength to get up out of her chair. "What do you want me to do?" she murmured into her arms with resignation. "Just tell me what to do." Don't give her reason to think; she was afraid of what choices she might make.

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[titania]

Titania listened to his request, largely ignoring the ramblings of Nairore. She was bordering on delirious, it seemed. Her rib was bruised and she appeared quite flustered. Titania quickly summoned a keeper over.

"Bring this honored guest to the guest quarters. She needs to rest." She looked over to Merik and nodded over to Nairore. "You should accompany her. Sounds like she's having some trouble coping to her new lifestyle. In the meantime, I know I'm going to take some heat for this, but stay for the time being." The court hated her guests enough, they would flip if they learned he was Merik Dragmire.

"I think I can organize some scrying. Let me see if there's anything I can do help. Besides, I hate to say it, but I'm not a big fan of you staying here, especially if you're going to be spending more time with her than with me." Making sure no one was looking, she flashed a wink at him and leaned forward, giving him a good view.

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik rose when the keeper approached and helped Nairore back to her feet, giving her a halfhearted glare to stifle the objections he knew would be coming. Smiling at Titania for her assistance...and the more than pleasant view, he couldn't help but toss out a quick and quiet jab after the keeper had moved forward a bit.

"For someone who didn't want to be locked into a relationship, you are very good at sounding jealous of the company I keep." he answered with a wink before turning serious again. "After I've gotten Nairore settled, and I'm sure she's asleep, I'll come back and clear up my little mess here."

Leading his student after their guide, he kept a careful eye on her in case she decided to take a nap on the way to the guest chambers.

"Nairore, you're a grown woman and you don't need me telling you what you need to do. When we get you settled in, if you want to tell me what exactly is going in your head I'll weigh in on it, but ultimately this isn't a decision that I or your father can make for you; whatever it is, the decision rests with you."

[Nairore]

x x

Nairore growled at Merik as he came over the help. She really didn't need it, but he was insistent and simply dismissing her objections. She sighed and gave herself over to him as he led her down the hall. She didn't want to be a burden, she could do it herself, yet he seemed to insist upon it. "I'm fine, I can keep helping you," she objected as the two of them walked down the hallway, though her weight resting on him seemed to contradict her words.

She ignored the comments Merik gave to Titania. That simply wasn't her business, but she did notice the contrast between Merik's way of handling things and her father's. Zenethil was always so stern, so strict and disciplined. The innuendo that flew between Titania and Merik would be completely foreign to Zenethil, and he wouldn't even think about returning should Nairore be under the weather. Yet Merik was going to see to her and then continue his work as he was. It actually made her feel better to know that he wouldn't stick around.

Except when they got to the guest chamber and he led her in the fatigue finally overcame her and she collapsed onto the bed, barely able to move herself. Merik was there and he was welcoming, helpful. She was vulnerable and weak, yet he wasn't taking advantage of her. There was something wrong about this, or maybe that was just her father's stories talking again. She couldn't discern truth from fiction anymore, everything she was experiencing directly contradicting everything she knew.

"I just . . . I was raised to hate who I am. Who you are. Yet you're . . . you're no way what I imagined you," she murmured, staring up at the ceiling, not even having the energy to life her head to look at him. "It doesn't match up with what I've always thought was fact, it's like worlds are colliding, like there are two mes and they're not agreeing in my head. It just . . . can I really continue lying about who I am?" she muttered, the gold glints in her right eye almost seeming to expand, to begin to eat up at the blue.

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[titania]

Titania watched as they left. It was comforting to see him care, though she couldn't help but be a little upset by his statements. There was nothing wrong with relationships, they were great. Her and Merik's seemed to be coming along with quite the vigor. But that was secondary right now, he had a student to attend to, and she really needed to get out of this dress.

She made her way down the hall to try and find someone to relay her message, what she wanted a guard to take care of. After she had she went back into her chambers and quickly changed into Something easier to move in. After, having fixed herself up sufficiently she went over to the guest chambers to check on Nairore.

Leaning against the doorway, she gave the two some distance, not wanting to claim more space around Nairore, as she needed so relax. It was important that she recover, but at the distance Titania was at she could not see the war going on in Nairore's eyes. She remained oblivious to her internal conflict's literal manifestation, and stayed in the periphery. This was part of the training.

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik sat down beside the bed as Nairore spoke, everything falling into place in his mind as she explained her problem. He caught sight of Titania out of the corner of his eye but his attention was held by the woman before him, especially as her eye began taking on its natural gold.

"I can't say for certain, but I've always believed that Zenethil's hatred of our people stemmed from a personal tragedy, a death during the war or possibly someone killed by accident during a robbery gone wrong, but it doesn't excuse what he's done here...it's not right to take a child as your own and raise them to think they're less than everyone else, much less to make them hide away the things that set them apart." he said quietly to her as he took her conflicting thoughts into consideration.

"There are two of you: there is the you that has spent her whole life safe in the knowledge that everything she knows is right and now there is the you that knows she didn't have the full picture. I won't deny that there were probably plenty of truths in what Zenethil taught you but now you're discovering there are more truths to be seen and you'll have to sort through what you know until it all works in your head. It'll take time to figure it out but if you ever need help you can come talk to me and I'll do my best to help you." he said before offering her a smile at her last question. "You can lie to everyone as long as you want to but I think it's clear that you don't want to hide anymore...brace yourself because I'm going to show you something that might be a little shocking..."

Standing up he summoned Frostbite to his hand and rotated the blade so a big enough section of the ice could reflect the image of her face back for her to see.

[Nairore]

x x

Nairore listened to Merik's words, taking them in. She focused on his voice. It was still the same even if his appearance had changed. It was still him talking. She found his voice oddly soothing, actually, a piece of familiarity. She attributed the feeling to the near month she'd been traveling with him and the fact that it had only been the two of them the entire time. But there was something deeper than that, she was fairly certain at this point. A reason entangled in the fog that clouded her mind.

Yet it was clearing as Merik spoke. Not so much that he shed new light on the situation, but she had been avoiding thinking about it and as he voiced the main concerns running through her head it was like a lighthouse showing her the way. The fog began to dissipate and the gold flecks in her right eye began to expand accordingly. His words were making sense, and reasonable. He didn't simply dismiss Zenethil, he embraced him, he combined the two.

He drew his sword and said he had to show her something. That cause her eyes to widen as suddenly she felt vulnerable and weak, unable to defend herself. It was irrational; if Merik had wanted to harm her he could've done it a hundred times over. He twisted the blade and she saw her own reflection, by now her right eye was completely gold, creating a contrast with her left eye that still remained piercing blue, untainted. Her eyes shot wide open and her hand immediately came up to touch at her eyelid, making sure it wasn't a trick. Her reflection responded in kind.

"W-what is this? What is happening?" she stammered in a mere panic. Everything seemed to be taking a toll on her and she was finding herself entirely incapable of handling the situation fully. "Why?" she asked breathlessly, standing up with a burst of adrenaline-fueled energy, and across to a mirror on the wall and examined her eye more clearly. "How?"

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[titania]

Titania remained on the side, not wanting to interfere, to allow Merik to console his student. When he pulled out his blade she flinched momentarily, but soon realized he only meant to use it as a mirror. What she saw must have really been a shock to her system. Soon she got up to the mirror in the room which was when the queen got her first look at it.

Making sure the door was closed, she fully entered the room and began to inch closer, being careful not to startle anyone or cause a panic. Nairore was still in a bit of shock over her eye color, and quite frankly Titania didn't blame her. It looked like a physical manifestation of an identity crisis.

"Your body seems to be responding to your mind. Your inner conflict is translating within your eyes. Fascinating." Titania soon took a step back in defense. "My apologies, I know this isn't easy for you, I've just never seen it before." There was a long list of questions she wanted to ask the conflicted Gerudo, but now was not the time. For now she would be there, for support and assistance.

[Merik Dragmire]

As Nairore jumped to the mirror in a burst of energy Merik allowed his blade to dissipate while he moved with her, ready if she overtaxed herself. When Titania entered the room and commented on the phenomenon he nodded in agreement as her words matched his own thoughts perfectly.

"I can only assume Zenethil used some form of magic to change your eyes blue...it shouldn't, and in most cases wouldn't, have lasted as long as it did. Many of our people are very resilient to magic and would have just shrugged it off; in your case I suspect that in an effort to please him, even if you weren't aware of it, you forced your body to accept the changes he made. Now that a part of you has begun to accept your heritage you've begun to remove the changes..." He said soothingly as he gently slid an arm around her and tried to steer her back to the bed.

"If you fully accept your heritage then I believe your other eye will change to...alternatively if you were to wake up tomorrow and decide you still wanted nothing to do with the Gerudo its possible you might allow the magical to take hold once more."