There she sat in her throne of high honor. Most people came and gave her gifts as objects, as it was her birthday. They came from everywhere, did anything to gain her parents favor. To be frank, it was pathetic. The presents were always the same. In gold or in silver it really didn't matter. Her father seemed to having a grand time as well as her mother. She really didn't care what they gave her, she had only one desire. To be treated as an adult. To be looked at as someone who could make up her own mind and take her own decisions.
Where was her father getting the understanding she wouldn't be able to handle her own outside? She could do better than most guards did!
Zelda finally had it. She wanted a different view of the world other than the view she has from her bedroom window. The people of Hyrule were stilling giving her family royal gifts fit for a king and queen. That is until her peace and tranquil was interrupted by continues grunts and the barking of a dogs.
What was going on? Was that a prisoner? Or was he the gift to be presented for the king and queen? Zelda's father eyed the boy curiously.
"What is this you bring to me?" Asked the king.
A man dressed in common work clothes worked vigorously to heave a large cage containing two very large dogs. Accompanying him was a boy. His age was unknown but he looked very young. The boy was tied and forced to walk in front of the guest.
"Your majesties!" panted the man. "As my gift to the royal princess, I offer you her first slave!" he announced. Two dogs growled while the prisoner hushed them.
"And what of the dogs?" the King asked, staring at them with a suspicious eye as he stroked his beard.
"They come with the boy, your highness. Together they make a perfect trio! I've seen what they can do!" Zelda observed their new slave. Never had she had one before. The boy looked a bit older than her, with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair.
"Tell them your name and what you can do". The boy sighed and glared at the man who was holding the chain ropes that led to the cuffs behind his back.
"My name is Link, and I can swordfight and protect the palace."
"We already have enough warriors we do not need more…" the king mumbled as he shifted in his throne. He was about to send the man on his way with the new trio.
The man who held the boy eyes widened. "Wait! He can also do things with his dogs none can ever do before I saw him do it!" The king looked at the boy and said
"Let's see if he has manners, you did find this boy in the wild correct?"
Zelda was curious, the wild? As in outside palace walls? What amazing things can he do that the man spoke of?
"Well, go on, show me your etiquette!" Link growled and bowed toward his majesty. The king looked impressed, but what made him raise a brow in slight awe was when he saw Link say something to his canine companions and they bowed as well.
"This boy can speak to animals? He'll be perfect as a slave here! Guards, take him to the stables! He as work to do" Zelda gasped, This harmless looking boy become a slave? But why? There is no right to take a person's freedom for you to use!
"Father, if I may, why him become a slave? Why not become a warrior or a gladiator?" Her father laughed.
"Because darling, look at him! A man from the wilds? Do you really think he can handle himself or turn tail and run like a meager rabbit? No. He will remain a slave. I have more than enough guards and soilders"
Link growled under his breath. This is the King? This is the man people loved undeniably? He tugged at his restraints to no avail. If it weren't for all these blasted guards he'd show him what it meant to sit there and be king!
"Send him to the dungeon and bring his food by dawn"
The guards dragged Link and his pets away. Zelda looked into his eyes and he stared back as they took him away to the dungeon. As she did that she saw the fear in his eye of what was to become next and anger at what happened. He should not be treated as a slave that's for sure. But what was she, a princess, to do against the king's word? Dawn was approaching and it was almost time to bring Link his food.
"Father!' Zelda asked the king looked at his daughter
"Yes?" he asked
"Well may I bring our slave his dinner? I feel...I feel it is important I go down there. He is mine after all." Her father smiled
"It is not a place for a princess but for your sake go on". Zelda grabbed the plate of food and dashed toward the prison chamber. Every step she took the more fearful this place seemed to be.
Rats scattered across the floor, lifeless skeletons hung from the wall. But all that ended when she saw Link. Around his wrist was a cuff connected by a long chain to a wall.
"I assume you're here to beat me?" Link asked. Zelda smiled
"No, I came here to bring your dinner and I snuck a few leftovers for your dogs over there. Link sniffed the food as a dog would and turned his face in disgust.
"What's the matter? You don't like it?" The grimace on Link's face soon disappeared and was replaced with a sad expression.
"No you see I just don't find me being a slave fit and neither do my dogs". The word hissed out of his mouth. Zelda could feel something was wrong when we called his friends dogs.
"What's the matter? They are dogs aren't they?" She looked at a big dog with smooth brown fur. Eyes as blue as the midnight blue-sky and white teeth as white as the night stars. His big puffy tail wagged happily as he barked.
"That one over there, his name is Dyraati" He said as he pointed to the big brown dog. Then her eyes traveled to the one next to him. His fur was jet black, his forepaws, underbelly and half his tail was white, and his eyes were forest green. A true beauty to behold and witness.
"And his name is Renaden" Link said petting the black dog gently. "It's ok they won't bite you can pet them." Zelda was unsure about it she raised her hand slowly and attempted to pet Renaden. She was to slow for Link's patience, however, so he took her hand in his own and placed it upon Renaden's head.
"Zelda!" Her mother cried. "Come up here immediately!" Zelda sighed as she began to get up and leave.
"Wait, you will come back won't you? I enjoy your company." He smiled and she returned it.
"Why would you my company? I am no different than my father". Link chuckled and looked at her with those genuine blue eyes.
"You're the only one who has treated me as a person and not a slave." Zelda stared for a bit and gave a small smile of gratitude.
"Well I actually find it quite interesting that you lived in the wild all your life with your….." Link continued "Wolves"
Zelda stared at him "Excuse me, wolves?" Link sighed
"The reason I got mad when peopled called them dogs was because it disgraced the true proud beasts they really are. Calling them dogs gave me the impression and insult of you calling them nothing but a mutt, I love my animals they are like family to me and I don't want anyone calling them dogs" His little speech held much on Zelda and she smiled.
"I'm glad you love and care that much for your animals you would even defend their name and what they are, unlike most owners who abuse and whip them." She turned and walked away, she was about to leave when Link called out to her.
"I do hope you wont let me rot in this cell. The goddesses wont take your favor if they see you ripping a person's freedom for your use" She slowed her steps as she walked to the stop of the stairs and out of the dungeon.
He was right.
But, being a woman and just the princess she had no word over anything.
She does not believe this boy should be a slave but she was only one person against it. She opened the dungeon gate and closed it behind her. Link was truly a nice man and she did find him quite attractive. Well, more attractive than the ridiculous middle aged men that always came to court her.
It wasn't anyone's right to keep him here. So she needed to think of a plan that would get him and his wolves out. Problem was, there was no way she could do that without starting a fight.