Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Zelda, but have recently fallen head over heels in love with it. And as I've been suffering a crippling blast of Writer's Block (echo echo echo thunderclap) lately, the moment I got a whiff of creativity, I pounced on it. Even though…well…this genre isn't one of my usual haunts…
An: Well…here goes and I hope you enjoy! Any and all feedback/criticism is always welcome! ^-^
Chapter 1: Composure
Zelda sighed from her perch by the window. She turned her crown over in her hands, fingers tracing the jewels absently.
Her coronation several months ago promoted her title from Princess to Queen; her council was still rather bitter about it—constantly remarking how queer it was—the arrogance of taking such a title when she had no king beside her.
Well, they could grumble all they liked; she was now officially ranked as the land's ruler.
Yet, she continued feeling powerless.
Her nation had been devastated since Ganondorf's invasion, and rebuilding Hyrule proved difficult.
Sweeping debris and reconstructing buildings was a long tedious affair; and even then the wreckage was easier to deal with than her subjects.
Bolstering the people's spirits was decidedly more challenging—no amount of public announcements declaring reassurance helped.
They'd lived a nightmare…and the fear lingered…
Worse still, everything always seemed to come back to Link.
Poor man just couldn't escape.
First, he'd had to literally save their world, and now the people demanded he rebuild it as well.
She'd wanted nothing more than to release Link back to his life.
It'd been clear at the two celebrations he'd attended with her, that he disliked the limelight of a champion's fame.
He was a Hero in deeds, but a Goat Herder at heart…quiet fields and quaint country living was far superior to pompous galas with snobbish company.
Yet…whenever she requested his presence, he came—dropping his life at once to come to her aid.
Something that simultaneously pleased and shamed her…that she should take secret delight in his often immediate responses…
She was his Queen…it was natural that he should come…for Hyrule.
Patriotism…nothing more…a faithful hero of their land…
Well, now was her opportunity to pay back at least a bit of her gratitude:
A Knighthood.
She'd insisted it since Ganondorf's defeat, but he had always shrugged it off. That he had no need for such grandeur—anyone in his place would have done the same…
He'd finally relented a few weeks back—agreeing that a knight's status would give him more clout with her guards, whom he felt were incompetent (which she privately agreed more or often than not).
A title would allow him the power to voice his complaints officially to the council. (They'd been more than content to swat down any suggestions Link made to their training and guard rotations. They would scoff about the commoner's arrogance; never mind the fact that he'd saved the realm—oftentimes using the guards' ineptitude to his advantage.)
Regardless, she was pleased for his change of heart: It would allow her to grant him more advantages and bestow honor to his village.
Now, there would be numerous prospects for the orphaned goat herder. Now, he'd have prestige as well as glory to his name. He would live well, could marry well, and live happily…
She's already heard rumor that Ordon wanted to make him the Chief of their village.
A Knight's title would serve him well in trade's negotiations with neighboring towns.
Yes…he had a bright future ahead of him.
Glancing through the window she spied her hero in the gardens surrounded by his friends.
He'd arrived early to their designated meeting place.
She would bring a small contingent of guards (for propriety's sake) they would once again go over the schedule of the parade and ceremony (which knee to kneel on and so forth).
And then the event would begin…hopefully lifting the people's mood with festivity and joy where reason and reassurance had failed.
Dressed in the Hero's green garb, he looked like a dashing champion of childhood fairytales.
The crowd would appreciate the sight: him kneeling before their Queen would appeal to their romanticized sentimentalities.
She watched his ring of companions closely.
One in particular caught her eye, a honey haired girl who kept leaning close to him.
Illia…
He'd spoken enough about the girl that Zelda could guess that was her.
She pursed her lips as she watched the two of them laughing together…
Friends since childhood…
So easy in each other's company…
The young woman flushed at something Link said, smiling bashfully.
Violet eyes narrowed at the sight…
Such a carefree smile and soft features, it was no wonder Link adored her so; an inviting presence for his war-torn soul…
They'd be happy…that girl could make him happy with her light-hearted spirit.
Zelda would never have that…That sort of all-encompassing warmth…a 'lady's touch' or so she'd heard her soldiers lament it…
Zelda sighed…her own presence was…intimidating to say the least.
She could silence people with a look.
With a toss of her head, she could speak volumes of disdain.
With a word of contempt, she could reduce nobles to their knees and commoners to tears.
She didn't have the necessary 'touch' to heal wounds of the heart.
Proud, some said, aloof said others, formidable…they all agreed—whispered as she passed through halls and ballrooms.
But she was always fair. Fair as only the ruthlessly righteous could be.
Wise. Honorable. Cold.
There was no softness to recommend her and that lack of feminine essence had earned her the title of Queen.
Zelda the Ruler elicited no ardent feelings, only respect.
Just the way she needed it to be, the only way a lady could be taken seriously in such a powerful position.
Though in the far corner of her mind, she mourned for Zelda the Woman—a budding flower that died before ever blooming.
Sacrifices…they all made sacrifices…
In a few hours she'd be greeting him as Sir Link.
At last doing what she could to improve his station of life before he disappeared back into obscurity…
It was only fair…
She swallowed down the bitter feeling poisoning her breast: A longing that she had no right to feel, a longing that would only spoil their newly growing friendship; acting on such a selfish feeling would only complicate matters for both of them.
For a moment she silently cursed her predecessors, almost entirely convinced that this sudden passion had sprung from their collective sorrow and repressed emotion, and that the ache in her chest was artificial; remnants of a tattered fabric knotted by the Goddesses out of amusement and spite.
She watched a few more of his friends circle him, each ruffling his hair or thumping him on the back.
They laughed so easily with one another—their good cheer abundant…
In a few more hours he'd be free to pursue his happiness…
The honey haired girl spun twirled around, showing off her light yellow dress…
The others applauded her and she gave a clumsy curtsy.
Zelda made a silent prayer to the Goddesses, wishing him luck in all his endeavors.
She placed the heavy crown over her brow and stood.
Link sighed, stretching the taut muscles in his neck. Every tendon and sinew was ready to spring into action; as if certain there were an enemy just beyond his sight—eager to catch him unawares.
Was it bizarre? That he was more nervous waiting for his knighting than he'd ever been on his quest?
Illia straightened his collar for what seemed the hundredth time—muttering that he was about to "rub elbows with royalty for goodness sake" could he stop rumpling his shirt!
Queen Zelda…he thought… immediately feeling a rush of warmth that had nothing to do with the sunshine bearing down on them.
He was so grateful to her for everything.
She was so…practical.
The way she took charge after Ganondorf's defeat had been inspiring.
In no time at all, she'd begun restoring her kingdom; purging her lands of the darkness and healing the hearts of her people.
And in spite of so many important tasks swallowing every minute of her day, she somehow found time for him; helping him readjust to life without Midna. The Twilight Princess had literally been his shadow—he'd been so accustomed to her company that he'd often wait for commentary…only for the silence to remind him of her now permanent absence.
Through it all, Queen Zelda had been a constant pillar of support through his grief; with soft words of encouragement to buoy him in times of dire loneliness.
She often prompted him to speak—that it would lighten his heart…but he'd never been much of talker.
So she'd invite him along for tasks, letting her company console him. The irony of him now being her shadow wasn't wasted on him.
Sometimes they'd be in meetings with smithies and carpenters…
Sometimes they'd be listening to villagers' complaints…
Other times they'd be filling out paperwork…well, she'd be filling out paperwork, he'd be stacking her documents neatly or tying scrolls with cord.
They'd also started a tradition of reading in the library every other day. Not a pastime he would have imagined for himself…Not to say he didn't mind a good book now and then, but he was more a man of action than a scholar.
But…
Sitting with her at a table, so close their elbows touched every time she moved to turn a page…
He wouldn't trade those moments for anything…
Nor would he have ever guessed she was so particular towards poetry…
Or that he'd become just as fond of it, if only to hear her sweet voice murmur the lines with such passion.
And perhaps it was a bit pitiful of him…But he rather liked it when she read romantic ballads…
The hushed way she'd say "love" and "darling" as though they were the most sacred words in existence…
Thankfully, she'd always be so engrossed in her reading; she never noticed the way he flushed to the very tips of his ears.
She was just…comforting…like lilting chords on a harp or a cool gentle breeze…
And when she smiled at him…really smiled at him…not the 'I'm-your-benevolent-ruler' obligated pleasant expression, but the 'I'm-glad-to-see-you-Link' smile…
His lips quirked…well…in those times he couldn't help but marvel how Beautiful and Graceful and Wise and Beautiful and Composed and Patient and Beautiful and Beautiful she was.
He'd wondered at first if he'd been substituting the company of one princess for another—but comparing them…well, it was like the sun and the moon.
Fiery Midna whose biting sarcasm lent her a certain charm even while it charred one's senses was in a category all her own; Goddesses, he missed that ill-tempered imp.
She could never be replaced and that reality had led him to a rather undignified outburst.
In a fit of self-wallowing anger he'd gone to the castle's training grounds and literally knocked the stuffing out of a practice dummy. Releasing pent up frustration that one of his dearest friends was now suddenly gone forever and without so much as a real farewell.
Sand poured from the dummy. Viciously, he raised his sword for a final attack, when slender fingers rested on his shoulder; the grip surprisingly strong.
"Hero," the Queen commanded. "Do not be a blade raised in anger, a rod for destruction to strike through. You are too great to be defeated by so petty a thing as wrath."
"She left," he gritted his teeth, "Just. Like. That. I'm allowed to be angry."
"Yes."
"Left me to all of…this," he spat contemptuously, waving a hand to encompass the crumbling walls lining the grounds.
"Yes," she agreed. "Winning the battle was merely a step. Saving Hyrule is a much more complicated task."
"I didn't ask for any of this," he hissed.
"No, but the Goddesses deemed you worthy."
He'd quieted at that, because the Goddesses chose her too and she never complained.
"When…when people dear to us…" she had paused a moment, collecting her thoughts, "when their paths…diverge from ours. It is perfectly natural to feel abandoned, angry, scared…and it is in those moments where hope seems so fragile that courage must be called forth; to overcome these insecurities and allow us to find new joys, new adventures, and new dreams."
She relinquished her hold on his shoulder, taking his free hand in both of hers.
"Just because you no longer see that person who forged so many wonderful times with you, does not mean that the happiness of those memories leaves with them. One need never feel alone. Our loved ones we carry with us in our hearts…always."
So eloquent…Midna would've just whacked him for his stupidity.
No…Queen Zelda…was very different. Even then, with her eyes dark with disapproval…he couldn't bring himself to look away or storm off or scoff…because Goddesses she was beautiful…
That undeniable fact always seemed to overwhelm him, leaving him breathless and uncomfortable in his skin… and he wondered if his supposed incarnations ever dealt with this; especially if their Zelda's were half as beautiful as his.
It was probably a mercy that she hadn't joined his and Midna's journey. He would've been so damned distracted.
He supposed he ought to feel chagrined, that the first thing he always seemed to think of was her beauty.
But whenever he pictured her, it always came back to her lovely eyes.
So beautiful…beautiful…but sad…
Yes…there was a streak of sadness in her so profound, that he often lay awake at night wondering about her…
For someone who continually insisted that he share his burdens; she never told him anything about herself or her troubles.
And he knew there were plenty.
Those times when her violet eyes would lose focus and she was lost in her own world…
And he just knew…knew intrinsically…that for that one terrible moment, she's back in that tower…
And it made him feel powerless…not only because it took so long to free her, but that he lacks the strength to talk about it…even now.
Despite being the Bearer of Courage, he'd never been quite brave enough to ask her what being a prisoner of Ganondorf entailed.
Had she been chained? Beaten? Starved? Or worse?
Just the idea of it sent anger surging through his veins.
Never again, he vowed, glancing at her bedroom tower—almost certain he glimpsed her for a moment.
Never again will you know such torment, my Queen. This Hero promises.
Read & Review please! ^-^
This whole thing was inspired after too much Mountain Dew and pondering the whole "power corrupts" parable with Ganondorf. I started wondering what too much "wisdom" could rot into; i.e. too much thinking, not enough feeling.
And my brain went OHO! Rationale (to the point of cynicism) eating up her humanity; making her doubt the validity of emotions—that wisdom should give her the ability to dictate what her heart feels.
Thus, making her a very controlling (though well-intentioned) person…which would definitely put her at odds with someone like Link, who goes with the flow.
And whereas he'd be open to feelings of affection (platonic and romantic), she'd try to fight the invasive sensation at every turn.
It was an interesting concept and I just ran with it…