The Dark Whisper
Chapter 1- Threatening Dreams
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Zelda or Nintendo or any of these characters!
Castle Town was a rather small town, located in front of Hyrule Castle. Many people shopped there because it was said to have some of the rarest items in all of Hyrule. To some people like the aristocrats, it was a place to be seen. To others like the peasants it was a special treat. And to others it was a play ground of memories. Especially to Prince Link and his wife Princess Zelda. Seven years ago they had frolicked around in the crowded town, not a care in the world. Now they were strolling around hand-in-hand. They seemed to still have the carefree life they once did, but being the rulers of a kingdom was harder than one would think. Even though they were burdened by the kingdom, they didn't want their subjects to think anything was wrong. So right now they were just taking a vacation and reflecting back on the past.
"Remember that?" Link asked, pointing his free hand in the direction of a small cafe. "We would always have breakfast there when we were kids." His handsome blue eyes had an excited gleam in them as if he were still a lad.
Zelda smiled, envisioning the past. She and Link were children, sitting at a round table with blue and white checkered table cloth. Her short golden hair was in a pullback and she wore a rose colored dress with a brown vest. Link looked like a younger version of his present self: green hat, green tunic, blonde hair parted in the middle. But he did not wear a white shirt or tights under his tunic. They both had radiant smiles on their faces and were laughing and telling each other stories. Zelda secretly longed for those days to return. Everything seemed peaceful in Hyrule, but she had a sinking feeling that it wouldn't stay peaceful for long.
When Princess Zelda did not answer, Link looked concerned. The spark in his eyes faded away like the morning mist and he halted. "Zelda, what's the matter?" he asked in a whisper. He stared at his wife and waited for a reply. The slight coastal breeze was blowing the princess' golden hair in her face, for it was not held back by her crown. She wore no crown on her head and she wore a simple gown - long and flowing were the sleeves and hem and they were of sky blue silk. The princess who Link had often seen with a cheerful expression on her face now looked downcast a weary. At last she spoke.
"I'm fine," she told him, looking up. She squeezed Link's hand tightly and forced a smile.
Prince Link could tell that Zelda was not fine, and he longed to help her forget her troubles. Seeing that the crowded streets of Castle Town were not the place to do it, he took her aside and led her into the East Castle Gardens. She made no complaint, in fact, she said nothing. After Link halted in front of a glistening fountain, he took her in his arms and embraced her. As he held her against his chest he felt her heart beating swiftly.
As Zelda stood there in her beloved husband's arms, she let her emotions take control and found herself sobbing. The tears flowed down her cheeks and dampened Link's green tunic.
Link took notice of this and tightened his grip around her. He laid his cheek atop her golden head and slightly swayed back and force, trying to sooth her. He then spoke. "Zelda, something has been bothering you. I've noticed. Can't you tell your own husband what it is? I care so much for you."
In hearing that, Zelda choked on her tears. She slowly backed out of his arms and looked into his compassionate eyes. She soon felt comforted and relived that there was someone she could talk to. "I'm sorry!" she whimpered. "I'm sorry I haven't shared my troubles with you earlier! My heart told me I could trust you! Marriage is all about trust! But I didn't tell you! Please forgive me! I'm so foolish!" She was now weeping uncontrollably and collapsed forward into Link's arms.
Link squeezed her gently. "I forgive you, Zelda! I forgive you! I love you!" he told her sincerely. He then carefully led her to a marble bench and sat down with her, hoping to make her more comfortable.
Zelda's tears soon seemed to slow down a bit. "Thank you!" she told him. "I adore you so much!" She laid her head on his chest and wept.
The prince stroked her head gently and asked, "Now what is it that's been troubling you?"
She looked up at him, her eyes clouded over with worry. "It's my dreams, Link. The dreams I've been having! All I see is darkness. And I hear a wicked voice saying, 'I will get you. I promise you! I will get you! You, your husband, your child! I will get you all!'" As she told him this she started to sob immensely again.
Link looked down at his wife's slightly round belly and rubbed it gently. It hadn't been too long since they had discovered her pregnancy, but Hylian babies seem to mature faster than humans. Link's eyes suddenly grew cold. "Ganondorf. Are you certain about this?"
There was another break in Zelda's crying. "No, nothing is certain. But it haunts me, almost every night."
Link suddenly felt like crying himself. "Poor thing," he said with a sniff. "But I don't know what we can do."
Zelda felt more comforted and her tears vanished. Her eyes seemed to lighten up again and she felt like her old self. "We'll just have to keep our eyes out for anything suspicious," she told him, playfully tickling his stomach.
"Hey!" he exclaimed, squirming and trying to seize her hands. "Now that's my Zelda!" He suddenly grabbed her wrists which forced her to stop with a yelp. Then Link brought his face up to her's and closed his eyes. His lips met her's with barely a sound and he sat there passionately kissing her. They both felt each other's warm breath on their faces and the tender touch of their lips. Link and his Zelda were in paradise.