Some are born great, some achieve greatness...

[sageprincess]

Characters: Princess Zelda and England
Setting: Room 1-20, set just after this thread.
Format: Action?
Summary: Gandalf wants Zelda to create and lead the Fellowship of Animus. Zelda is kind of really unsure about the whole thing, and decides to seek guidance from the one person she knows has experience with royalty.
Warnings: None!

["Your team will need a leader, and I believe if anyone is capable that it would be you."

Goddesses above, what is she getting herself into.

"You're a leader, right? I think you know what I mean."

She's inexperienced! Untested! She's made awful mistakes in the past! She hardly even knows how to be a princess anymore, much less one that can lead competently. And yet...

"I can think of no better candidate to unite the free people of this tower."

Even people she has barely met believe her to be a leader.

These are the thoughts that war within the Princess of Hyrule's head as she makes her way out of the library on the nineteenth floor and through the tower. She doesn't know if she should wish Impa were here, considering the tower's dangers, but she could really use her attendant's guidance right now...

... Maybe she knows someone who will do just as well.

There's a moment of hesitance as she stands before Room 1-20, fist raised to knock but frozen in air, but she eventually swallows her pride and drums upon the door.]

Arthur? Are you there? It is Zelda.

Comments

[keepscalm]

[England doesn't exactly have a lot of visitor. Perhaps in part because he's not a social creature, and perhaps in part because of his line-up of roommates, which are an...intimidating assortment. Willow visited him the one time, but she's-- well, Willow, that's all.

He doesn't have time to stow away all the bundles of thread, needles, and embroidery hoop that are scattered on his bed, so he just gently pushes them aside before he goes to answer the door. Upon seeing Zelda, he gives a good-humoured smile.]

'Ello. And to what do I owe the pleasure, your highness?

[sageprincess]

[Because it's only polite, she gives him a cordial smile in return, though it's laced with nervousness. In fact, her entire body gives off a sense of anxiety, from the way she stands stick-straight to the way she quietly wrings her fingers at her waist.]

I... was hoping I could seek your council on something, actually. If it is not too much trouble.

[keepscalm]

[Seeking counsel from him? He wonders, with the utmost respect, if the princess had recently suffered some head trauma. People don't really come to him with problems.

But, far be it from him to turn her away, especially when she looks so troubled.] It's no trouble at all. Do come in, and I hope you'll excuse the untidiness. You may take a seat, if you'd like.

[He steps aside and gestures her in with a sweep of his arm. Such a gentleman, he is.]

[sageprincess]

[People are also not normally instructed to lead revolutions against nigh-omnipotent tower administrators.

But nevertheless, she bows her head slightly in gratitude, making her way inside and eventually taking a seat at the foot of one of the beds.]

Thank you. And do not fret about being unprepared - I came unannounced, after all.

[And honestly, she's not all that high-maintenance anyway. Can't be when you're hiding from Evil Kings.]

[keepscalm]

[He really may not be the best person to seek advice from about revolutions.

He shuts the door behind her and seats himself primly next to Zelda, smoothing out the covers a little before he does so.] Well, there aren't many ways to announce a visit with the communication here.

What ails you?

[sageprincess]

[This will go swimmingly.

She folds her hands in her lap, staring down at them pensively for a moment as she thinks of how to put what transpired into words.]

... I met a man down in the library not too long ago. He seemed wise, trustworthy, and he practically radiated magical power. Admittedly, I was curious, so I had a conversation with him.

We eventually came to the topic of our situation here, in the tower. He told me he believed that if we hope to escape, we need to organize more effectively. And, of course, I agreed - working together towards a common goal is better than working separately, yes? To do so, however, he said we need someone that can lead the effort, someone we can "trust and follow in dark times."

[There's a pause here, and she fiddles with the fabric of her skirts a bit. Clearly, this is the part of the story she's uncertain about.]

... After learning of my station and my ancestry, he said... I should be the one to lead us. And I do truly wish to help, but... that is such a great task, and I hardly think myself experienced enough for it.

[She sighs, deflating a bit now that that particular piece of information is off her chest, and she finally looks back to Arthur.]

I suppose I am asking for advice on what I should do. As far as leaders go, I am... untested, to say the least.

[keepscalm]

[Thankfully, though revolutions aren't really his thing, England has had a great many leaders, both brilliant and terrible ones. So he's kind of familiar with what works and what doesn't.]

Well, here's your time to test it. Experience doesn't appear from thin air.

If you truly think that it's beyond your limitations, I would suggest respectfully declining, for the good of everyone. However, if you think that with more polishing that it would be possible, perhaps begin taking up small tasks that involve directing groups. Teach something, maybe, or lead an exploration of some sort. See how comfortable you are giving direction and having people look to you for guidance. And, most importantly, see if you are comfortable with people placing trust in you to keep them as safe as you can. It's a large weight to carry on one's shoulders -- a leader needs to be able to bear that weight with dignity, for the good of their followers.

But I can say for sure that it's hard to say definitively if you'll be a good leader unless you are put into a situation where you can try. [Centuries of politics have taught him that much.]

[sageprincess]

[She keeps quiet as he speaks, attention undivided as she considers his words. Honestly, she doesn't know if it's beyond her capabilities or not, which she supposes is why she came here. To gain insight. And she cannot deny that he's right - if she wishes to become experienced, she has to actively seek it out.

The princess remains silent for a moment longer, taking some time to collect her thoughts. She's not fidgeting as much any more, and in fact, the anxiety in her expression has given way to something akin to resolve.]

... Even if I am not the right person for this task, I am still Hyrule's sovereign. That will not change. If for nothing else, I must refine my leadership skills for the sake of my country.

[But she's still seventeen when it comes down to it, and...]

Though... I would not know where to begin. Most of my skills are geared towards merely surviving, and I currently do not have enough information to chart an expedition, I feel.

[keepscalm]

[He gives her an almost confident quirk of the lips -- not a smirk, exactly, but it has a visible undercurrent of pride.] Good. You're accepting responsibility. A wonderful first step.

[That said, he leans forward to prop his elbow on one of his legs and rest his face in his hand.]

Let's start this way, then. What are your skills? And don't omit anything out of modesty. A leader needs to be confident and aware of their own abilities.

[sageprincess]

[There's the slightest headtilt at that little prideful grin, though she makes no comment upon it. There are other, more important things to attend to at the moment, after all.

She purses her lips in thought before answering. It's hardly modesty that makes her hesitant to speak - no, she's more worried about not living up to what's expected of someone in her station - but well, she's already confiding in him. Might as well swallow her pride.]

Stealth and evasion. How to remain unseen and unheard and how to escape. Unarmed combat. Basic survival skills such as finding food when there is little around, or where one can sleep safely outside at night. I am proficient in magic as well, though I do not know if it is something that can be taught.

[Hi, is it obvious she has not had the typical royal life yet?]

... I can also play the harp and the ocarina.

[keepscalm]

All good things to know. More than some leaders can say. As for the magic, it depends on the type and the belief of the student, I've found. [It's pretty hard to teach magic of any kind to someone who doesn't believe in it.]

And what of your social skills? Are you good at making friends, instilling fear, mediating arguments, or reassuring people? Anything along those lines.

[He almost added "manipulation", but he doesn't think Zelda is the type of person to go down that route.]

[sageprincess]

[She also thinks it might be difficult due to being drawn from a source she's fairly sure only she has access to. But she nods, somewhat reassured.

... Though his next questions leave her at a loss for a moment, and she goes quiet, thinking it over. Making friends? Somehow, she's managed to drum up quite a few. Mediating arguments? Her position during the misunderstanding between Link and her ancestor comes to mind (even if she had been more than a bit irrational when it first flared up). Reassuring people? Sure, who hasn't in this place?

And... instilling fear? Well, she certainly tried when she found the one responsible for Link's recent near-death experience.]

I have at least attempted every one of those things during my time here if my memory serves me well. I... do not know how skilled I was at 'instilling fear', but I like to believe I have been moderately successful in the other arenas you mentioned.