Vulnerability
Invincibility is something that is to not ever be attained. But what is invincibility? Is it the resilience to harm? Or is it something more?
Pain need not only be bodily. The mind is easily swayed and betrayed, maimed and changed. To be invincible means to be untouchable. This must apply both physically and mentally.
How is invulnerability obtained, if it were to shield a person wholly? Mind and body alike must be unreachable, completely impenetrable and susceptible to pain in any manner.
The body, perhaps, may be guarded by armor and touchable defenses that would not break. Possibly, physical indestructability could be made feasible, but the flaw would be the mind.
Mysteries are wound and unwound and wound again in the mind. It is the most complex of puzzles and mazes, and understandable to an extent, past which point there are more mysteries and unanswered questions. So how is something so foreign to be rendered impregnable?
But really, what is it about the mind that makes it a weakness in the first place? Is it the freedom of thought?
No. What the mind has is both a weapon and a flaw. Some say that have tamed such this factor, but in the end it is not so. In the end, this one feature is what makes people live and die, succeed and fail.
After all, where would the world be without emotion?
Emotions are dangerous. They are powerful and unstoppable, and for this reason, they can do anything: cause and stop death, instill life and scar, and change the past, present, and future as it is known. Why? Because that is their purpose.
Maybe the greatest pain a person can ever know is not of the body, rather the mind.
There is conceivably no greater suffering, or power, than that of loss.
His body felt numbed with a sense of loss.
Her sparkling sapphire eyes were hard and serious, indicating an unalterable decision had been made. And indeed it had.
She had arranged the features of her lovely, fair face to be cold and dismissive. Such emotions did not look natural upon her.
The Goddesses had apparently decided it was time for his period of happiness to end swiftly and painfully. But why? Surely there was a reason, a reason that could be argued and a verdict to be changed.
Anger steadily began to reheat his limbs to a temperature noticeably higher than the norm but he did not notice. He kept his gaze on the object of his rage.
Coincidently, the same object was also that of his affections.
The very same affections which she appeared to have just disposed of.
"This . . . association," She spat the word as though even the idea of it were preposterous, "must end. You know as well as I that the path which we shared was to come to a close and exist no more."
"No," He growled. "No, I did not know such a thing. Had I known I would've never entered this association." He mimicked her condescendingly. The numbness of loss had long vanished. There was nothing fueling his life except his rage. Endless, fiery rage.
"Why now?" In spite of his pride, he could help but demand the very question which fueled the heat.
There was a pause.
"Because I am to be married shortly." Her voice and eyes were ice, conversely to the scorching flames which licked at his fingertips and burned his tongue black with poisonous malice.
"What poor soul has burdened himself with you?" He sneered.
Those cold eyes narrowed and her rosy lips pursed with contained ire. In a deceivingly calm gesture, she pushed a mutinous lock of flaxen hair away from her face where it had formerly strayed and sternly tucked it behind one delicate pointed ear. He did not miss the irritated flick of her elegant wrist or the stiffness in her shoulder as she lowered her arm again. It was such a simple motion, one which he had in her stead often taken upon himself to perform in a tender manner.
Never again.
"I do not yet know. The Council has yet to inform me of my selected husband." For a moment, the frosty façade dulled to reveal a worn, burdened young woman who carried a weight on her shoulders meant for one far beyond her years in age and experience, yet she bore upon her it like the queen she was.
His anger receded a little, enough to allow him to speak more kindly and empathetically. "You do not have to marry whom they choose. Come with me. You know I can take you away from this life you torture yourself with."
This words, however benevolent, were tactless and therefore were not well-received.
The ice was rekindled and with it fled the true woman under the surface, the woman he loved.
"I torture myself with nothing." She replied irately. "You would not understand anything about this life which has been chosen for me. The Goddesses are willing I live it, and so I shall, with the utmost obedience and spirit. I've done so up until this point and henceforth shall I continue to live this way."
He opted to try again. "Yet you mention nothing of your own happiness."
"I am happy," was the vehement reply, "And it would do you well to remember your place. You do not challenge my word, nor do you question it."
Instantly, the fire was fed and flames dancing higher than before. "I question it! I have always questioned it and you have allowed me because I have done so for your own sake! Why do you accept such a restraining fate? You never would have done so before!"
"Enough!"
The single word was a release of anger and frustration from her core. Her eyes gleamed for a moment with emotion and her lips pulled back in a snarl. He did not want her rage but he would gladly receive it over the indifference she had displayed before. Some part of him was pleased when the storm continued to swell from within her.
"How dare you? You delude yourself into thinking you understand me where you do not! I will not myself to be treated thus and order you to leave this castle immediately!"
"I'll not go." He immediately growled. "I'll not leave like this. Not without explanation nor understanding. You'll not bid me go in this way."
"I do. I bid you leave now!"
"You have given me nothing! Why must you end this? Our secret was as sure as our feelings! What have you to be afraid of?"
"Feelings! You know nothing of my feelings! I fear nothing!"
"You lie! You fear something yet you will not tell me what it is! Have I not always tended to your fears before? Have I not comforted you and aided you in troubled times? Do you dare deny the truth?"
"I do not deny you have been a dear companion and aide. What I do deny is your insistent ramblings of fear and explanation." Helplessly, he watched as her light gradually ebbed away and she retreated into her unfeeling state once more. "I have nothing more to say to you, and if you will not leave I'll have you arrested and imprisoned for trespassing."
"You won't." The fire had died inside of him. She would not allow him to see inside her mind, that had become clear, but the remaining ashes struggled to maintain what little life they could salvage. His desperation was apparent and although his pride yearned to continue his rage, it was equally apparent that anger would have no effect. "You'll not arrest me. Please, just offer me something of the truth you see, the one which I am blind to."
She hesitated. That gave him hope. Perhaps all was not lost. Perhaps those stubborn ashes would find something to relight.
However, she severed that hope with her next words: "There is nothing left to be seen."
And with those words, she began to exit the stables as gracefully as she had entered, but she did pause once more. This time, he did not allow himself hope. He was drowning far too deeply in icy, numbing water. Since she did not look back, the only witness to his tears were the steeds who had also invariably witnessed every meeting which they had ever shared here.
"I must ask that you be safe, Link."
Then she was gone.
Six months.
Six torturous and terrible months since she had dismissed him so casually from her life, and all her days seemed so blackened without his sky-blue eyes and sunny-golden hair to brighten them.
This pain was necessary and tolerable, though, if it kept him well.
Suspicions had begun to arise. Why hasn't the princess married? She must soon bear an heir. Perhaps there is a secret lover in her life? Pray tell, who might it be? The gossip was all very scandalous. She had never thought of her secret nightlife with Link as scandalous, but rather simultaneously thrilling and tender, a combination which seemed to also aptly describe the Hero himself.
As it was, the Hero was no longer her secret to bring herself joy with in this dull life she led. His safety was too important, both to her and the people. If they had been caught, Hero or not he would've been banished, or worse. The Council did not care for the Hero as she did, although perhaps asking them to do so would be too great. After all, she wasn't sure the council should be wanting to kiss Link as she did.
And she did so miss kissing Link as she once did.
Never again.
In those bleak six months, the gossip had changed its focus to her wedding. How terribly amusing for the people; a royal wedding. It was the highlight of their year, especially the royal staff members. They were find great entertainment in preparing for their princess's wedding, although it was still another six months away.
A year to plan a wedding? Personally, she thought the timespan a tad bit ridiculous.
But it was a distraction, and distractions were very welcome indeed. They helped to evade thoughts of Link.
Not for very long, though.
It also became well-known that the Princess of Hyrule enjoyed calm strolls through the stables in her rare moments of freedom without any responsibility which needed to be dealt with.
She had not once heard mention of Link in the months of his absence. It was as though the people had forgotten all that he did for them, all that he had risked. Yet, they continued to prattle on and on about her wedding. The injustice angered her. Link deserved recognition far more than she did. After all, what good had she done him? What had she done the people? In her mind, very little; she felt dirty and unworthy.
Perhaps, she mused bitterly, she should live amongst the mounts in the stables. It would be terribly fitting after all.
The gossipy staff would certainly find it interesting. No longer would they have her refined bedroom to tidy, but rather a musty stall with shavings and straw. They would ever so enjoy that.
Although, perhaps not.
It would be amusing and apt, but the Council would ridicule her for it and more than likely declare her senseless and unfit to rule.
More than ever, she had to become queen. After sacrificing her own feelings for the crown, she would settle for nothing short of success, even if it meant marrying an arrogant, domineering husband with whom she would do nothing but fight for the rest of her life.
Maybe then, all this pain would be worth it.
Of course, she could simply be deluding herself. She'd long since found that hope wasn't manageable anymore, nor was it helpful in any sense. Hope was pointless, and better suited for children who needn't worry about ruling a kingdom when they were older. Children who could find joy and light where their princess could no longer find it.
Instead, she was seen as collected and steady, independent and kind. She was the ruler that the Goddesses and the people planned for her to be, and the woman the Council would try to drag down every moment of her reign.
The future wasn't much to behold in her eyes, but she would make the most of it, whatever "it" was.
Life for the princess was hard, but she stood admirably strong, even if she was alone. Her closest companion was gone, but she was all that the people needed her to be, if not more. As long as their Princess Zelda was there for them, to represent them within the Council, they would be content.
And so, they unintentionally took her presence for granted.
Then she was gone.
I have decided to discard the first chapter of the former story and restart anew. Rereading, I realized how truly awful it was, not that this one is much better. I do like this story line slightly better, and I feel as though there aren't as many kinks. I believe I will essentially be redoing, and hopefully finally getting around to adding to, everything in my profile.
I'd love some feedback if you could spare a moment.
-Roheryn's Knight