A/N: Hello all! Thankyou all for the reviews on Mixed Doubles. There are always highly appreciated. This story started out as another one shot, but got a tad too long, so I decided to once again brave the world of multiple chaptered fanfiction. It shouldn't be too long, around four chapters I'm hoping.
Thanks to Rufus Wainwright, whom I listened to whilst writing ALL of this story.
A Gypsy Tale
Prologue
It is often found that where the prosperous gather, great ignorance can be found. The rich are generally close minded and the educated are frequently conceited.
But take hope, for, no matter how rich or educated, the fools will always be slaves to those who are truly wise.
And so it was my shock to discover a young woman both prosperous and wise, of greatest position yet still compassionate and of kind nature. From a tender age her love was not of money or power, but of beauty and truth. And as she grew, the gentleness of her heart became manifest in her grace and unmatched radiance.
Chapter 1
The University of Hyrule was nestled beside Karkariko village. Once the children of the richer families in the kingdom reached seventeen, they were admitted into the institute of higher learning where scholars might be taught within the limits of current politics and schooled in etiquette befitting of one's social status. It was not an experience either Zelda or her companion Sheik had been anticipating fondly, yet the university embodied the final test before they would be considered adults and therefore free to do as they pleased – at least within the constraints of what their families expected of them. For true freedom it seemed was a sweet elixir neither would ever taste.
The market place was a hive of activity, the crowds like many voiced beasts, every transaction frantic and heated. The two young nobles dodged their way quickly across the square before Zelda caught Sheik's arm.
"Sheik!" She hissed, her hand tugging on his sleeve. "Sheik, who is that?"
Sheik's crimson eyes followed the gaze of Zelda's.
"He is one of the travelers. See the way he is dressed? That is how you can distinguish a traveler, they dress in bright colours."
"A traveler?" Zelda's eyes were captivated by the young man, yet Sheik's explanation didn't seem satisfactory. "Like a merchant?"
Sheik almost smiled at her innocence. "No. 'Traveler' is the polite term."
Sheik pulled her away and towards the drawbridge.
"I don't understand," Zelda answered.
"Traveler is another word for 'Gypsy'. He is a gypsy."
Sheik pointed at the vibrant tents recently pitched in Hyrule field close to the river. Zelda could see children paddling in the water, laughing and squealing. There were also dark horses, gathered on the river bank.
"Aren't Gypsies magic folk?" Zelda asked, remembering stories from her childhood.
"Some are," Sheik answered as they crossed the bridge and approached the steps that led up to the looming dark building of the university. "Gypsies don't have the greatest reputation. Most consider them to be a menace."
"And isn't that an understatement," An all too familiar voice sneered.
Malon, the wealthy ranchers' daughter, was a pretty girl with a head of flaming red hair, yet her beauty was marred by her cruel tongue and devious mind.
"Gypsies are thieves and peddlers. The sooner King Harkinian gets rid of them, the better."
Malon tossed her hair and stalked ahead, followed by a band of her followers. Zelda fell silent, but Sheik caught her looking back at the tents as they reached the great oak doors of the University.
"I imagine the life of a gypsy is most exciting. Imagine being able to see so many wonderful places and taste different cultures."
"I think you may be romanticising it slightly," Sheik answered, fearing Zelda's sudden fascination of the travellers.
"So what if I am? What good is a daydream if you focus upon the negatives?"
She sighed, turning and stepping out of the sun, back into the life that was hers.
"I find Plato most refreshing. His focus upon knowledge rather than position is inspiring," Sheik explained.
"I don't think my Father would appreciate him," Zelda answered, sadly.
The grass rippled as a breeze swept by. Sheik could read the gloom in Zelda's voice. He also couldn't help noticing her glances at the tents on the other side of the river.
"How long do you think they'll stay in Hyrule?"
"Zelda," Sheik growled, warningly. "You're playing a dangerous game, allowing your imagination to get the better of you."
"Imagination is all we have to cling to. All that can never be robbed from us. Won't you allow me to indulge?"
Sheik shook his head, getting to his feet.
"We should get back to the castle." He offered her his hand, but she seemed frozen, her attention captured by an approaching figure.
Sheik turned and saw the young man from the market. His clothes were deep green, betraying his identity, but his face could be mistaken for that of a prince. Even with the distance between them, Sheik could not help noting his deep azure eyes and long golden hair tied back with a strip of black leather.
He had emerged from one of the tents and was walking in the direction of Lake Hylia.
"Zelda?"
"You go ahead Sheik. I think I've left my satchel back in the library."
Sheik sighed. Zelda's lie did not fool him and yet he felt compelled to allow her just the smallest glimpse into freedom, no matter how great the risk.
"As you wish."
Zelda took great care to keep an innocent distance between herself and the gypsy boy. Her heart was hammering as she followed him. How would she explain herself if she was found here? What would her Father say if he knew what she was doing? She almost turned back, but her curiosity drove her to walk on.
He had disappeared over the hill that led to the Lake. Zelda took a deep breath as she finally reached the top of the hill. Her eyes searched from her new vantage point for any sign of him. But there was nothing, not a ripple across the lake's surface nor a whisper amongst the grass. Somehow, the boy had vanished.
Zelda sank down to the ground near the bank, clenching her fists in frustration and not daring to think why she had followed him in the first place. The sun was descending in the west. Soon people would worry about her absence, especially since Sheik would have arrived home by now.
But as she got to her feet, a head emerged from the water, causing her to gasp.
His blue eyes took notice of her presence and a small smile of delight passed over his lips.
"I thought I had seen a shadow," he spoke, his voice clear and void of any accent.
Zelda simply stared, too startled to speak yet.
He walked slowly up the bank, his body rising out of the water.
"What were you doing in the lake?" Zelda asked, quietly.
He lifted his left hand that was hanging onto a wooden cage.
"Crab pots. Had to see if I'd caught anything."
Indeed, there was a small orange crab captive in the cage.
He passed her, walking back in the direction of the field.
"Aren't you going to ask me why I followed you?" Zelda demanded, feeling a sudden boldness.
"And what use might your answer be to me, Miss?"
Zelda bit her lip. This wasn't how she had imagined such a scenario to play out.
"How long are you staying?" She blurted out, frantically.
That stopped him. He turned, looking at Zelda with renewed interest.
"I am curious as to how that would concern you."
"Do you ever just give a straight answer?"
He smiled. "Life is not a concept of logic. I can give you no straight answer. We may stay as long as the weather is good, as long as crabs continue to stray into my traps or even as long as night follows day. Yet since you are so concerned with logic, we are most likely to stay as long as we are tolerated."
"Tolerated?" Zelda whispered, betraying her naivety.
"Yes," he answered, solemnly, "and I can predict from experience that it won't be very long."
"How can you know that?" Zelda asked, defensively.
He had reached the summit of the hill. The sun glowed in his wet hair and glittered in his eyes.
"People are unwelcoming to the unknown."
And then he was gone, leaving Zelda to her confused thoughts.
"Where on earth have you been?"
Zelda would usually have shrunk away from her Father's anger. Today, it didn't seem as important as usual.
"I went for a walk."
"Alone?" The King barked, incredulously. "Are you dense, girl?"
Zelda snorted. "I should hope not, else spending hours at the University would indeed be a waste."
Her Father's eyes, she noticed with some satisfaction, were wide and enraged.
"What is wrong with you?" He demanded, without any trace of Fatherly concern.
"Nothing. Nothing is wrong with me. I am still your daughter, ready to ascend to the throne, but remain powerless even then. I am still a young lady with faultless manners and grace. So you needn't concern yourself Father."
He was obviously at a loss for words. A man of his age could never possibly hope to understand the thoughts of a seventeen year old young woman.
"Impa!" He called, finally washing his hands of his daughter.
The towering Sheikah woman strode into the hall, her face expressionless as always, though Zelda knew her prolonged absence must have worried her and for that she was sorry.
But Zelda was not willing to release her Father's attention yet.
"What would you do about the travellers Father? Would you force them to leave?" Zelda demanded, ignoring the raised eyebrow of Impa.
"Why does this concern you?"
Zelda was reminded of the boy's words. I am curious as to how this would concern you. Why did it? What did it matter to her what happened to these people? She owed them nothing, they were not even Hylians, after all.
"Tell me."
He sighed. On another day he would have refused her, but this day he was too tired to argue. "I have had complaints. If they continue to disturb, they will be asked to move."
"Disturb? What harm are they doing?"
The King sank down into a chair. He was old and frail now, preparing himself for death to claim him. It would not be long, he knew.
"If I am honest with you, none. But you will learn daughter, as I have, that there is little justice in our world. People don't like the travellers; I am forced to bend to the will of the people."
Zelda narrowed her eyes in disgust. In her heart, she had held out hope that he was a stronger man, a better King. But he was just like them all.
"Of course you are," she seethed, before storming out into the gardens.