Skalds and Queens (Finished)

[Zenethil]

Zenethil smiled. Few people truly realised the twin disciplines that made the Hylian Knights such a powerful unit. Physical might, through the sword, the mace, the hammer, the shield. Well drilled and honed into an effective fighting force, capable of defending themselves, and persecuting their hated foes. And magical superiority. It was no secret that the Hylian's were the single most adept race with magic in it's various guises. Some of the most powerful mages were Hylian, and that trait carried on, though sometimes to a lesser extent, into their Knights. Zenethil was the pinnacle of magic, and yet he himself was a very adept wielder of the blade.

Strangely enough, the word 'spellcaster' doesn't often spring to mind when you think of a man standing a foot over most, wearing armour that makes him look like a giant.

Words were coming far easier to his mouth, now that the conversation had turned to something more in line with his profession. Her next words were in tune with those exact thoughts. He nodded sagely, before smiling again. The words she spoke, and the way she spoke them were oh-so-enticing, and he, despite his resiliently stoic nature, couldn't help but feel drawn to do exactly what she had spoken of. To speak of war and strategy. He was, however, slightly perplexed at her mention of serenading. He wasn't aware that his musical talents were public knowledge. Perhaps it was, in this instance, a blessing they were. He gestured somewhat half-heartedly, not-quite-waving off the comment.

I simply play what I enjoy. Music gives me comfort after many a campaign. There is something soothing to a melody well played, and I try my best to achieve as such.

He smiled, almost meekly at his assessment. He wasn't being strictly honest. He was, after all, thanks to his very good hearing, a very able student of the musical arts. While certainly not a master harpist or violinist, he was capable enough to entertain himself and others. And, he supposed, should he desire, though he had never tried, to serenade women.

[titania]

"I'm telling you, the surprise from the spells give you a free attack. Sometimes, it's the difference-maker. We know that well, which is why the fae guards are always trained in some magic." In truth, her elite guard were modeled after the knights, though their swordplay was so heavily based on the fairy dexterity.

She smirked at him as his facade broke slightly. His cold stoic nature seemed to warm up at the mention of his playing of music. She was fortunate, the knowledge was not privy to just anyone, but everyone knew Titania was not just anyone. Her time with the guards was for more than just fun after all.

"I happen to love music, in all its forms. Whether it be to soothe, calm, or invigorate, nothing beats a well-played song." She couldn't help but laugh at her next thought. "The great captain Zenethil, leading the troops into battle against fearsome opponents, marching to the beat of his great war drum. O how the skalds shall recount the tale with a glimmer in their eye." She twirled around once, humming the great tune. "Hmm hmm hm, great Zenethil."

[Zenethil]

Titania, despite her somewhat unusual tendencies, certainly shared at least a few things in common with Zenethil. They both respected magic. They were both leaders of men, and of women. And both, evidently shared a love of music. His raised eyebrow, and slight smile at her impromptu song, as well as small hint of admiration as she span around, revealed both his amusement, mixed with a measure of modesty.

You are too kind Titania. I must commend your musical talent. Not many people can simply come up with a tune on the spot, let alone put words to it.

His smile broadened ever-so-slightly, as he thought on one detail. One detail that he raised.

But actually, my favourite instrument is the harp.

His smile broadened a little more, as he continued to watch her, his stoicism warring with her almost inexorable charm. He was confident. He was in control here. She simply... Opened him up a little. Made him speak a little easier. Nothing more. He reminded himself of this fact several times as he smiled. Even so, he had the sudden urge to play. The mention of music, and his surroundings, kindled his inner musician.

[titania]

Titania opened her mouth to respond to him, but no words came out. Instead she simply burst out laughing. It wasn't really funny, but the idea of a giant of a man sitting and playing a harp was quite amusing to her.

After a short time she regained her composure and shook her head, chuckles still emerging as the fixed her hair and her dress, having been slightly disheveled from the laughing fit.

"Apologies Zenethil, but I simply cannot imagine you playing a harp. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but you have to admit, you don't exactly scream harp player." She now so badly wanted to see this. You can't lead man into battle playing tunes from a harp. Although...this is Zenethil, if anyone could pull it off, he could.

[Zenethil]

Zenethil couldn't help but smile along with Titania as she laughed, an almost musical sound, mirthful rather than mocking. Few people realised that his armour made him look considerably bulkier than he actually was. He watched as she corrected her appearance with casual ease. He raised an eyebrow still smiling with the shared mirth.

Appearances can be deceiving Titania. As you said earlier, one of my apparent stature would not be thought of as a magic user. I will be honest in that this armour does more to further that image than my true stature.

He smiled again, looking at the various people who now looked at Titania with mixtures of amusement, adoration and wanting. It almost made him laugh how something as simple as her laughter had brought several men, and a few women, practically to their knees. He shook his head briefly, exacting his composure on himself again. Fairy Queen. Fairy Queen. Propriety and temperance Zenethil. The same words ran through his head. The was just something about her manner which was... Almost intoxicating. The veil of stoicism dropped over him again.

Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a harp nearby. A shame really. I have the sudden urge to play...

[titania]

Titania thought of about three jokes and seven dirty thoughts as he spoke, all of them involving a harp. They dissolved from her mind as she was reminded what a turn-off his scars were. All the violence flooding in at a moment's notice, she turned her head and sighed.

"That is a shame. For all the things I've heard, the one thing I haven't heard is you actually playing. Maybe the next time Zelda throws a ball you'll be the one to play. It would certainly be a pleasant surprise for the guests. Although there are two more days of the festival to be had." She'd get him to play, one way or another. Maybe she'll try to convince Lorina or Nairore to convince him. That would do the trick.

She looked around, at those who had seen her little spectacle. Oh the wolves were certainly out tonight, a'hootin and a'hollerin. Never for Din, though possibly for Nayru or Farore. Wrong place wrong time ladies and gentlemen, though she shot a few glances just to spice things up. One man almost fainted and she smirked, amused by his reaction. Fairy queen indeed.

[Zenethil]

This woman was irrepressible. The fact that one man had almost collapsed in a pile was enough to demonstrate, and several others had either wandered into each other, or kept sneaking glances back at her, after a few choice looks from her to provoke their attention. It would be cruel if it weren't for the fact they clearly enjoyed it so much. And she clearly enjoyed that they enjoyed it. His eyebrow shot up again as she tormented the 'crowd' ceaselessly. If anyone else did such a thing, it would be frowned upon. With Titania, it was just taken as a simple fact of life. The smirk on her lips made him smile again.

You really enjoy doing this to them, don't you?

He shook his head with mock despair, still smiling, casting his gaze around the area again. A couple of Knight saluted as they walked past, doing a slight double take as they saw who he was stood next to. He rolled his eyes slightly at that.

Perhaps. There are, however, far better harpists than I. I simply play for my enjoyment.

He nodded his head a little, flexing his fingers slightly, before crossing his arms in front of him at the wrists, continuing to watch as his two Knights continued to glance back. A stern, condescending gaze quickly put pay to their continuous distraction, their heads snapping back forward almost instantly. His eyes rolled again, as he returned to watching the performance.

We're into the seventh volume now.

[titania]

There wasn't much she could say. She did enjoy to torment them, give them some choice looks and have them melt at her fingertips. What a wonderful thing it was to be so adored.

However, she simply shrugged and turned back to him. "What can I say? The crowd loves me, and I love it. It's symbiotic."

Titania turned as Zenethil was motioning towards someone. A pair of Hylian Knights were patrolling by, taking their sweet time to enjoy the view before their captain got them back to attention. Typically she didn't mind that, as made obvious from her recent actions, but they were his man, and if he wanted them sharp, so be it.

"Well so we are. I'm surprised the bards can maintain their composure, though I think they might be a bit upset that I'm stealing their attention. Anyway, where were we? Ah yes, the harp. There may be those who are superior in skill to you, but are any of them the great Captain Zenethil. Besides, if you're playing you don't have to waste time mingling with all of the hoity-toity nobles." In truth she wasn't sure how well he worked a room. This was the longest time they've spent talking to each other. Maybe he liked the hoity-toity nobles.

[Zenethil]

She certainly acknowledged the fact, and he noted, with a considerable amount of relish. He'd never met a woman so completely at ease with both herself and everyone's opinion of her. And he'd never seen someone quite so nonchalant about that fact either. He smiled again as she took note of the two Knights that had spent so long looking on in disbelief and adoration, almost laughing slightly as she looked almost disappointed when he sent them on their way.

Those two, despite their tendency to let their gaze wander across the fairer sex, they are two of the more disciplined and dedicated guards. Yriel and Uladar. They were part of my unit before I became Captain. They were much more impetuous back then.

He smiled fondly at the memory. He'd drilled that particular quality out of them. One of the reasons they were so good at guard duty is that they probably had the most experience of it. Punishment details tended to remove your more headstrong tendencies. Perhaps a few stints wouldn't have gone wasted on Nairore... He mused on the thought, wondering where she was. Probably bludgeoning another wayward Knight senseless, knowing his luck.

True enough. The vapid conversations of the Hylian nobility do not interest me. Hence why I generally excuse myself, or remain near to my Lieutenants, or Zelda herself. It makes for more interesting conversation.

He smiled briefly, before rolling his eyes at her comment of 'the great Captain Zenethil'. He shook his head, looking at her, smiling again. She was very complimentary of him. It caused him to raise an eyebrow at her words, before turning to the performers, nodding in their direction.

Actually, they're likely so immersed in doing everything correctly, so they most likely don't even know. Well... Aside from the prima donna. She doesn't look happy at all.

He smiled as she looked at him, barely concealed annoyance in her eyes, as she turned to glare at Titania, before returning to an even more spirited performance than before.

[titania]

Titania chuckled in response. In response to what? Just about everything. Yriel and Uladar, the excusing from hoity-toity noblemen. The glare from the prima donna. She shook her head and her wings flared out again, sparkling against the faintly lit backdrop.

"Zenethil, the fact that I can make the most disciplined guards turn their heads and earn a glare from a prima donna" she stopped to stick her tongue out at the prima donna, who was so upset at that she almost went to tackle the fairy queen.

"I believe my work here is done. Zenethil, it has been an honor chatting with you, but I'm afraid I must work the room some more. As you may or may not have noticed, there are many who wish to chat with me. Or simply drool and gaze." Was she lacking modesty? A bit. But she didn't care. She was realistic, and the reality of the situation was that she was a hot commodity.

"And with that, a bid you farewell." She gave him a smile and a few pats on the chestplate before entering ballform and flying off. A formal girl would have had the man kiss the hand, or the cheek maybe. Titania would have settled for a fistbump, it was just her thing. Plus, if Zenethil took her hand, even gently, he might crush it.

EXIT[/i][/u]

[Zenethil]

Once again, for what seemed like the hundredth time upon meeting Titania, his eyebrow was raised, as she patted on his armour, smiling up at him. She really was an... Unorthodox woman. He, unbeknownst to him agreeing with her half thought sentiment, presumed the general farewell would be for him to kiss her hand graciously. That was what he'd done with most other nobility, no matter how petty they were, and how high and mighty they thought of themselves. This was definitely not what he considered the 'normal' response. He nodded slightly, just before she dematerialised, turning into a small winged ball of light. He tracked her across the night sky, before returning his gaze to the spectacle before him.

Farewell Titania.

[EXIT]

[Midna]

Rewards given. Thread locked and moved~