Apprehension
/the sound of his voice was a warning

Word Count: 550
Rating:
K+
Disclaimer:
Zelda owns Kanthia, not the other way around.
Kanthia notes:
Inspiration comes from better fanfiction than this, so thank you to everyone who writes.

x x x

The library was quiet at the late hour, and would have been empty if not for the two men sitting and arguing at one of the tables.

They were both rather large and burly, the type that makes one do a double-take to see them in a place of learning and not on the field of war. The man on the right had the air of a warrior- skin dark from training in the sun, hands stained with the memory of the dead- while the man on the left had a nobler aura, that of the king ready to defend his country with his own two hands.

"…Always the same, Daltus," the first man was saying, as he pointed to a passage in the book open between the two of them. All around them, piled high, were various other texts: maps, diaries, interpretations. "It's always the same. As soon as his name is mentioned, some kind of terrible evil seizes the world. And once he disappears, the evil disappears too. It's a reoccurring cycle, don't you see?"

"Well- yes, I suppose so. But what does it mean?"

A heavy fist pounded the table, disturbing the knowledge piled about them and loosing a cloud of dust into the air. "For Din's sake, Daltus, he must be stopped before the world suffers again!"

Daltus' eyes glazed over. He stared blankly in the general direction of the scroll in front of him.

"Your daughter, Daltus. Has she noticed anything?" His voice was lower, comforting, as though the loss of composure was merely a crack in a dam.

"Yes, actually- yes, I'm told that she wakes from nightmares periodically. The nursemaids say she dreams of a battle between a figure in green and a figure in red."

"There, see? According to these books, the royal family bears prophetesses. It happened then, and it happened now. Princess Zelda must have foreseen the coming of the evil that has tried to consume Hyrule time after time."

There was a heavy silence that permuted the lazy air. "I suppose you're right. But what does that mean? What can we do with only- apprehension?"

"Plenty, my good friend. We know his name and we know his nationality. By the nature of who he is, he stands out from his kin. You must seek him out and put an end to his life before misery and suffering return to your kingdom!"

"But if what these texts say is true, he will just be born again. Perhaps we should capture him, place him under arrest and keep him in the dungeons-"

"-It won't work, Daltus. He's much too powerful. Do so and he will escape- you will be putting Zelda's life in danger as well just by having him so close to her. No, the only reasonable solution is his death. Think of the world, Daltus. Think of the favour you would be doing for your people by getting rid of him."

"…Yes," Daltus replied after a few moments, as though he could finally see something he could not before. "You are right. He must die for the sake of Hyrule. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll send my soldiers out for this Link as soon as the sun rises."

"Anything for a fellow king," Ganondorf said.

x x x