Father—
Please do not be alarmed by my sudden absence. I had to go. I can't stay here any longer. I will make wise choices and I will be back soon. Don't send for me.
With love,
your princess
The little blonde girl looked at her work, waving the parchment through the air. The ink was bleeding off the page. It was sloppy work, but it would do. She huffed, rolling up the parchment and tying a pink ribbon around its center. She laid the paper on her bed just as a firm voice echoed around the corridor.
The little girl hopped on top of a mahogany desk, pushing letters, books, and melted candlesticks aside. Her heart was pounding as she gingerly lifted the glass window. All seven of the windows in her circular room were open, causing the purple curtains to billow inward. Dressers, chairs, and stools were stacked in front of each one of them, and clothes were strewn messily across the floor. The girl pushed golden strands out of her eyes and groaned with effort as the sound of approaching footsteps grew closer, accompanied by the clanking of metal. Come on, come on, almost there…
A tall woman strode into the spacious bedroom. Her silver-gray hair was pulled tight into a ponytail at the top of her head, and her red eyes were narrow. Two soldiers followed her into the room.
"She's gone! Lady Impa, what do we do?"
The woman closed her eyes and slowly folded her arms, cursing in a foreign tongue. "I knew she was up to something," she muttered. "Get the sheikah!"
A second later, the little girl sat up and straightened out the rumples in her dress. She rolled out of the bushes, careful to make as little noise as possible. Commotion from the window above her head reached her ears but with a little luck, it would take them a few minutes to figure out where she had gone. She had never escaped this way before, after all.
The guard in front of her shifted and the girl saw an opening. Taking a deep breath, she dashed across the courtyard. Alarms were barely being raised as she shimmied through a small hole and splashed into the castle moat.
"She's run away again?" A man with an impressive belly and equally impressive gray beard stood in the doorway of his bedchambers, wearing a silk robe. His voice carried all the way through the arching stone corridor, rumbling like thunder. His round tummy shook like jelly.
"We're retracing every inch of the palace as we speak," Impa reassured him as she got off her knee, armor plated outfit gleaming in the morning light. She held out a roll of parchment. "But I believe she left this for you, your Majesty."
The King accepted the roll and untied the ribbon, weary blue eyes scanning its message. "Oh, that girl. What does she think she's doing? I told her to stay away from the market festival tonight."
"She cannot have gone far," Impa said. "She's likely headed for the festival, like you said. We will find her and bring her back safely. Have no doubt."
"I have none." The King placed the script in her hand. "I only wish that girl would listen to me more. How can I rely on her to be Queen someday when she can't even follow a few simple rules?"
"She's not queen yet, she's a princess," Impa reminded him. "And though she is mature beyond her years, she is still a child. She does not like being cooped up in the castle, sire. We will bring her back again, but I fear until she is satisfied, she will continue to run away."
The King scratched his beard, grumbling. "That girl. I bring in the finest entertainment a lass could want and in return, she runs! What about the philosophers, or the minstrels! She seemed to take a liking to them, didn't she?"
"I agree, sire," Impa said, placing her hand on her hip with a stern expression. "But your princess has different ideas of fun. She often talks about wanting to be like the 'other children.'"
"Well, she is not like the other children! She has a sacred duty to her country." The King shook his head and gruffly motioned toward Impa with his hand. "Go and find her, Impa. I've made up my mind—I will no longer tolerate this behavior. Send message to the captain to double the castle guard."
Impa dipped her head. "It won't fare well to ignore your child," she advised. "The princess also wishes that you would give heed to her visions—"
"For the last time, those visions are only dreams," the King huffed impatiently. His features strained for a moment, then slowly relaxed with a sigh. "You know Zelda. I only want the best for her. Ever since her mother passed…"
The King trailed off, a distant sadness in his light blue eyes. Impa bowed stiffly and said nothing. The King suddenly came back to his senses and scowled.
"Hurry and find her before something happens," he muttered. "I am needed in court."
Impa watched as he retreated with a slew of servants for fitting. She turned to her comrades. "Spread word to the others. We're going to search the castle town, King's orders."
The marketplace was lively as ever. Lined with houses that were crammed into alley ways and backward streets, and filled more people than anyone could keep track of, the town square was positively animated. Princess Zelda panted slightly as she walked into town, eyes trailing over her shoulder as she set foot on the scene. Her heart felt ready to leap from her ribcage. This is amazing!
The sky was clear blue; water gurgled from a nearby fountain as the townspeople ambled about. Smells of fresh bread and roast beef filled the air. The sound of conversation was so loud she could hardly hear herself think. She rushed into the crowd, smile lighting up her face.
No one noticed the blonde girl in a simple pink dress weaving between legs. She clutched the pouch on her hip tightly, heart racing as she bobbed over to a stand filled with fruit. What if someone recognizes me?
She was so involved in her thoughts she smacked right into a boy clad entirely in green. He was standing in front of the counter with the roast beef, and she nearly toppled the both of them over.
"I'm sorry," she started, turning to cover her face.
"You're a thief and a liar," the large man standing behind the counter interrupted.
"I don't have any money," the boy spluttered back. A glowing orb of blue light with wings hovered beside his head. "I didn't know!"
"You're gonna pay for that beef, brat!" He growled, waving the butcher's knife in his hand. "Come here!"
He paled. This boy couldn't be more than ten or eleven years old. Zelda scowled.
"Stop!" The next moment she found herself standing between the boy and the angry salesman with her arms out. "I—I will pay you!"
The man paused in sheer surprise. After a tense moment of silence, the butcher broke into roaring laughter. "You!?" He sniffled, wiping away tears. "You're going to pay for him? What are you two scheme'ing?!"
"It's not a scheme." Zelda quickly reached into her pouch. Her clammy fingers grasped the first rupee she could find.
Distant shouting from the edge of the crowd drew her attention. With a jolt, she recognized the spears and weapons of the castle guard. "Here!" she cried, thrusting a gold rupee onto the counter. Without another word, she grabbed the boy by the arm and darted toward the alleyway, leaving the now dumbstruck salesman to gape at his payment as they vanished from sight.
Zelda dragged her new companion into the shadow of one of the buildings. She exhaled in relief, turning around. "Looks like he's not going to follow us. Are you alright?"
Her violet-blue eyes gleamed in the light from the fairy as she waited for an answer. The boy stared, tan cheeks flushed at little. His ruddy blonde hair was messy from the collision, funny green hat askew.
"Sorry about that," she giggled, trying to shake off the feeling that she had met this boy before. She straightened his hat. "I'm, uh, hiding from someone."
He continued to stare, eyes a deep blue color. They reminded Zelda of pictures of Lake Hylia she had seen in books. The fairy flew over and whispered something in his ear and he shook his head, startled. He straightened up awkwardly. "Why'd you save me?"
She smiled sheepishly. Her short hair shone like gold. "You looked like you were in trouble. Is this your first time visiting the castle?"
At this, the life seemed to return to him and he bashfully grimaced, twisting his fingers. "Yeah, it is. The Great Deku tree sent me."
"The Great Deku tree? Did you come all the way from the Lost Woods?"
He nodded and she clapped her hands together in delight. "So that's why you're wearing green! You're a Kokiri. I don't think I've ever met a Kokiri—don't your people usually stay in the woods?"
He smiled. "Yeah, I'm the first one to ever leave the forest. I'm on an important mission." He frowned when she began to move away. "Hey, wait!"
She floated along the alley, drinking in the tall homes and narrow walkway. The boy trailed behind. "Where are you going!?"
She glanced at him ruefully. "Oh, I've got to hide!"
"Hide?" He trotted up to her side. "Why?"
She stopped. "Um…well, it's a long story. Promise you won't tell anyone I'm here, kay?"
He lowered his eyebrows seriously. "Why? You're not in trouble are ya?"
The door in front of them swung open suddenly. Zelda squeaked and dove behind it, leaving the boy in full view for a random stranger to come strutting out. He closed the door and wandered off. Zelda sighed in relief, leaning against the wood.
The boy was staring at her curiously. "What was that?"
Oops. She wiped her brow and grinned. "Um…nothing?"
"You screamed and jumped out of the way."
"I did not scream!" She tittered at herself. "Okay. Maybe a little. I squeak."
He crouched beside her. "Well, you squeak super loud." He frowned. "You look real nervous about something. You are in trouble!"
She shook her head. "I just came here to play and that's it. Hey!" She jumped up in excitement. "The festival is tonight, right?"
The boy looked mildly dazed by her enthusiasm, which was amusing to Zelda. "Uh, the festival? Well…I think so…I mean a bunch of people were talking about it in the market…"
She grasped his hands, eyes wide. "I have to go! I've never been! You've never been either, correct?"
He stared at her, this time probably because he thought she was crazy. His cheeks reddened a little. "Uhhh, no, but…"
"You should come with me!" She abruptly released his hands. "It would be so much fun!" She laughed to herself, thrilled by the idea. They could go to the shops, play in the town square, eat home-made scones—the possibilities were limitless in Zelda's mind.
"Yeah…" The boy seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden. He was back to fidgeting with his belt. Zelda noticed the hilt of a small sword sticking up over his shoulder. She realized he was wearing a shield as well. It hit her— he had said something about an important mission.
"Oh. I think I understand. You have to carry out your special duty from Great Deku Tree, don't you?" she asked the boy quietly.
He frowned, almost like he didn't want to admit it. "Sorry, it's just that it's real important that I get it to her as soon as possible…the Great Deku tree told me I had to deliver a special stone to Princess Zelda."
The little girl stood rooted to the spot, violet-blue eyes frozen in surprise. He has to see…me? My vision! The Scared Stones…this boy must be the one I was dreaming about! She chewed her lip. But…I don't want to tell him that yet. He would probably act really odd around me, like everybody else does.
She realized she was looking at the Kokiri boy strangely, so she quickly smiled. "The princess lives in the big castle on the hill, that way," she said, pointing in the general direction behind the buildings. "But…she's probably busy right now."
The boy's eyes widened. "Busy?"
She nodded fervently, feeling slightly embarrassed. She clasped her hands behind her pink dress. "Yes. Really busy. But I'll tell you what—she and I are…close friends. I bet I can get you an audience with her at the castle."
The boy looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Really!?"
He does seem familiar somehow. I wonder what his name is. "Yep. But only on one condition!" She giggled, reaching for his hand.
"W-what's that?"
She smiled. "You play with me for today, until after the festival."
He slowly returned the smile. She raised her free hand and spit into her palm, outstretching it for him. "Deal?"
He glanced from her expression to her hand, surprised. His face then split into a grin and he spat into his own palm. They vigorously shook hands. "Deal!"
The sun was setting when the bustle in the marketplace really took off. Festive music poured from every corner, it seemed, and as the red sun reflected off the distant mountain range Zelda and her new friend dangled their legs over the edge of a balcony overseeing town square.
"The festivities must be starting!" Zelda gasped, bug-eyed as a hylian man stepped into the square juggling three flaming fireballs.
"Yeah. Hey, what's that mountain over there?" the boy sitting next to her asked distractedly, pointing beyond the town. Zelda glanced up.
"The one with the ring of clouds around it? That's Death Mountain." Her gaze returned to the fascinating things below her feet. "It's a volcano. Look at that, foreign dancers! Say, let's go down there, Link!"
She shook the Kokiri's arm as she quivered with excitement, stuffing the rest of the fresh pastry they'd bought in her mouth. Link's fairy companion, Navi, fluttered lazily above their heads.
"Wait, is that the castle?" Link asked, grabbing his hat as she jumbled him to his feet. Zelda paused long enough to follow his finger.
"Yep. Pretty, isn't it?"
His blue eyes went wide. "It's—it's huge! Is that where—"
"Yes, that's where the princess lives," she giggled, rolling her eyes. She took a moment to stare at the white and blue spires twirling in the distance. It did look stunning from here, though personally Zelda felt it was much duller up close. The little girl scanned the square for any guards or sheikah, nervously adjusting the mask sitting on her head. Though they had successfully played all day without getting caught, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched.
Link grinned at his sugary scone and gobbled it up while she was distracted, like he had forgotten it was there. The boy had eaten more than five. He acted like scones were the greatest discovery the world had ever made. "Hey, look, fire!" he shouted with stuffed cheeks, barely noticing what was going on in town square. Navi flew to his shoulder. "Don't talk with your mouth full, Link!"
He shrugged as Zelda abruptly gripped his arm again and dragged him down a wooden staircase. The music was getting louder, and so were the sounds of laughter and talking. The town center had cleared just around the fountain, where performers took the stage. Zelda frowned up at the crowd of much taller people when Link took the lead, grabbing her hand an weaving through legs until they reached the front. A group of actors perched on the edge of the fountain, shouting at each other. One dramatically pushed the other into the water, making the crowd cry with delight.
"What's going on?" Link looked confused. Zelda giggled.
"I think it's a play," she explained. "They pretend to be people from a story and act it out. Oh, look, it's the fire-man!"
Both children watched in awe as the man juggling fire took place of the actors and began to dance to the music with his flaming tricks. Around them, the townspeople started to clap and shout. As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, people with lanterns strung on string and colorful banners could be seen hanging lights from every corner of the town.
Link's face split into a big smile when fairies of different colors and sizes floated up into the sky above the marketplace. "Navi, look! It's just like in the Kokiri Forest!"
Zelda tore her eyes from the performers to gasp at the slowly-darkening sky. She turned to Link and Navi. "Is it really?"
He nodded, eyes lit up like the fireballs. His smile grew and he grabbed her hand. "Come on!"
The children darted over the cobblestone, laughing and avoiding castle guards. The fairies bobbed magically in the air as they went, growing in number. Link climbed on top of a crate, unstopping what appeared to be a glass bottle. Zelda gasped when he, in one fluid motion, swiped his arm and captured one of the floating orbs. He corked the bottle, holding it up to see a little pink fairy fluttering inside. She was even smaller than Navi.
"Is that okay to do?" Zelda asked breathlessly, scratching up her once-nice gown as she struggled to climb up beside Link. He helped her up.
"Yeah." Link had a proud a half-grin on his face. He handed the bottle to Zelda, who was utterly fascinated with the glowing being inside. "Fairies are really nice. If you open the bottle, the fairy will heal you."
The violet in her eleven-year old eyes was shimmering. "Really!?"
Link's smile grew as he nodded. Zelda unstopped the lid and slowly released the fairy from the bottle. The sprite fluttered in front of the girl's nose for a second before zipping around her from head to toe. Zelda laughed aloud, following the mystical being with her eyes as it flew off to rejoin the other fairies. With a grin spread from ear to ear, she looked back at Link, who had been watching her. The little Kokiri boy stared at his shoes in embarrassment.
"The Kokiri village!" Zelda could hardly contain her excitement. "Are there really fairies everywhere?"
He overcame his blush and nodded. "Yeah, and lots of other magical things, too." He turned to observe the activity of the festival. "We sing and dance kinda like this when we celebrate stuff." He jumped off the crate and rolled to his feet. Zelda hopped off and followed. "The Great Deku tree would summon lots of fairies and Saria—" He stopped without warning. Zelda stumbled into him.
She was about to ask what the matter was when she saw it—a tall, dark Gerudo man across the square, staring at them. His golden eyes were unsettling and Zelda felt eerily exposed. She shuffled behind her friend a little more.
The man then smiled politely and turned, motioning to the two women at his sides. They all disappeared into the crowd and out of sight in only a moment.
Link relaxed, turning to Zelda. "Is that the person looking for you?"
She scowled and shook her head. "No…but I don't like him, whoever he is. He creeped me out."
Navi flew up a little higher, then returned to them. "He just left the town. He's headed toward the castle."
That must be the visiting King my father was expecting, Zelda thought. She chewed her lip. A dark, uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. Her vision…
"Geez. That guy looked evil. I hope the princess will be safe," Link commented offhandedly, half-heartedly gazing in the direction of the castle. He didn't notice Zelda's heavy sigh.
"Hey, you!" A voice from their right cried out, catching both kids' attention. It was a man dressed in armor crested with the royal family's insignia, and he was rushing toward them with his spear in hand. "Hey there! Wait! Stop!"
Zelda barely registered the guard before she and Link and Navi were running, weaving in and out of the crowd until they were carried into the thick of it. The guard tried to give chase, but was not small or fast enough to follow. His cry faded into the music, "Princess!"
The three stopped to catch their breath when they were sure they'd lost him, collapsing next to a brick block with a plant in the center. Link sat on the edge of it, bright eyes searching the crowd. "That guy looked like he was going to snatch us up," he exclaimed. His eyes flew to the little girl, who cringed slightly. He didn't notice. "Why are they looking for us, anyway?"
He hadn't heard the guard's cry, Zelda realized in relief. She smiled up at him and jumped onto the brick beside him. "They must've mistaken us for somebody else," she giggled nervously. "We've done nothing wrong…but maybe we should go hide in a shop just in case."
Navi bobbed above their heads, not saying anything. Zelda hoped she hadn't heard the guard's exclamation either. She couldn't place why she so desperately wanted to keep her identity a secret from him, but she did. She couldn't go back! The festival wasn't over yet!
Link leaned back into the plant, swinging his legs and sticking his hands behind his hat. He opened his mouth to respond, but a different voice interrupted.
"Kid!"
Zelda jumped, thinking it was another guard, but a Hylian man was pointing at them from the crowd. Her eyes widened as Link sat up.
"Kid! Yeah, you. Kokiri!" Other people began to look over at them. Zelda pulled her Gerudo mask over her head and casually inched behind the brick pot as Link stared at the man. "You too, little noble girl!"
Zelda froze but Link jumped to his feet. The man beckoned them over. "Come dance!"
Dance? A few people nearby smiled in agreement, patting the children on the shoulders and motioning them toward the fountain. Zelda lifted her mask and realized people were dancing there. She then noticed three guards out skirting the crowd, searching for something and heading in their direction.
She threw off the mask and rushed forward, grabbing Link's arm. To the onlooker's delight, they stumbled to the fountain.
"What's going on?" Link muttered, eyes wide. "What are we doing out here?"
"Show us how you dance, kid!" someone shouted. Zelda felt a bit bad all of a sudden.
"It's a dance," she giggled nervously. "You're a Kokiri, so I think that they might want to see what Kokiri parties are like."
He gaped at her, color draining from his face. "But I don't dance!"
She giggled again, this time out of amusement. "Come on, it'll be fun!" She grabbed his hands and skipped up and down. He looked sick.
"I—I don't know h-how—" He vigorously shook his head and stumbled away from her, knocking into the edge of the crowd. He was pushed back toward the center.
A few of the couples dancing around them were sweeping around and prancing to the music, doing complicated moves and twirls and—well, clearly not anything Zelda's poor Kokiri friend was familiar with. But people kept cheering for a dance, and slowly the others stopped dancing to see what the commotion was.
"They've never seen a Kokiri in the city walls before," Zelda hissed in his ear apologetically. Then she smiled. "But you were talking about celebrations! Come on, Link—show me some of the dances you were talking about."
Link stared at her, the blue of his eyes paling. He gulped. "What about all these people?"
She shook her head. "Don't worry about them. Just show me!"
She swished her soiled dress and twirled around. Some people clapped. She twirled again, gaining a couple more cheers.
"Link," Navi murmured when he suddenly began rummaging through a pouch on his belt, which was enchanted, like Zelda's, to hold much more than it looked. The color began to return to the little boy's face when he pulled out a pale peach instrument, not much bigger than his hand.
Zelda stopped twirling. "Is that an ocarina?"
He raised the ocarina. "The music isn't right. In the woods, we play this." He blew into it, closing his eyes. Zelda listened intently as clear, energetic notes filled the air.
Her face broke into a huge smile. Link played a little louder, and the minstrels stopped to listen as well. Zelda was delighted. She clapped her hands to the rhythm.
Full of merriment, she let her feet carry her in a cheerful little skip. Clapping spread to the onlookers, who cried out merrily when she began to dance. It was unlike any ball she had attended. The music moved in such a playful way.
Link opened an eye as she swept and twirled, smiling a little. The minstrels picked up on the tune he was playing and began to puck out the notes on their instruments. Other people began to shout and move about in an uncoordinated fashion. The little boy lowered his ocarina in amazement.
Zelda grabbed his arm before he could retort, pulling him toward the fountain. No one was paying them much attention, as they were trying to figure out how to move to the unorthodox music. Link blinked at her as she giggled, swaying back and forth.
"That's not right," he said when she tried to force him into a dancing position like the ones she'd been taught. "Everyone is doing it wrong."
"What?"
Link took her hands and pulled her toward an open space. "It's more like this."
He showed her how he and his brothers and sisters always danced, skipping about in a lively jig. It was amazing, since Zelda had never danced this way before, nor had she ever had this much fun while doing it. She grabbed his hands and they laughed at themselves silly, prancing to the music and skipping about the town square. The townspeople began to realize what they were doing and tried to do it as well, though no one could do the dance as energetically or as articulately at Link could. Entertained by the small Kokiri, the villagers pestered him for more. Link played several other songs he could remember on his ocarina, which he said his friend named Saria had given him, and he and the little blonde noble girl no one recognized danced until they could no longer find the energy. They snuck away from the townspeople into a lantern-filled alleyway and plopped down on a stray pile of hay.
Zelda was still giggling. She was so tired she couldn't seem to help it. Her heart was pounding and she felt lightheaded, especially when she met Link's eyes. He still had his ocarina in his hand.
Zelda noticed some guards talking to folks only a ways away from where they now sat, so she tried to quiet down a little. "That was fun!" she whispered between titters.
"I've never had that many people looking at me at once." Link threw himself onto the hay and stared at the lanterns, breath labored. You should try being royalty, Zelda thought with a smile. Hay poofed up into the air, disrupting Navi's flight.
"Your home sounds wonderful," she told Link sincerely. "I'd love to see the other Kokiri children and the Great Deku tree. We could all be friends!"
His face fell. He removed his funny long green hat and clutched it in his hand, mussing with his rusty blonde hair. For a moment, Zelda thought she could moisture in his eyes, but perhaps it was the effect of the lanterns. "The Great Deku tree is dead," he mumbled.
Zelda froze. Her brain couldn't quite process what the boy had said, especially after having such a grand time minutes before. What? "Are you sure?" she finally spluttered.
Link solemnly nodded, placing his hat on his stomach. Navi drifted down to his side. "Link tried to save him, but it was too late," the fairy explained in a quiet, high-pitched voice. She sounded sad, too. "We fought off every monster tormenting the Great Deku Tree, even that nasty parasite spider with the big eye. Link barely made it out alive. And then, after all of that…"
"He died." Zelda turned to study her new friend, who's normally lively voice had gone flat. The Great Deku tree clearly meant a lot to his people. It was the guardian of the forest, an ancient and wise and powerful being. Zelda pondered the cobblestone, a deeply concerned expression on her face.
"Did you say a parasite spider killed the Tree?" she wondered. Her mind ran over all the books she had read on the subject of monsters in the castle's vast library.
"Yeah." Link wiped his nose with a scowl. "It was huge. The Great Deku tree said an evil man from the desert had sent it."
She remembered one monster in particular. "Was it a Gohma?"
Link slowly turned to look at her. For a split second, the ten year old looked much older than he was. He scowled, and then nodded. "I think that's right."
Zelda caught her breath. Gohma were huge, fearsome monsters created by evil men and women. Hearing that this little Kokiri fought it off, this boy, made her look at him in a new light. "Link…can I see the stone the Great Deku told you to give to m—uh, the princess?"
He looked penitent for a moment, glancing Navi's way. He should say no, of course, but…he reached into his pouch and fiddled until he slowly brought out what looked like a big emerald. It glowed a soft green light, and it was wrapped in a gold design.
"The Kokiri…Emerald," Zelda breathed. She carefully accepted it.
This was terrible, terrible news. This meant… "Oh, no, father," she muttered to herself as she inspected the emerald. "Those are not just dreams."
Link scrunched up his brow, but didn't ask. Zelda stared at the gem in a sort of terrified awe for a few more seconds and then handed it back to him. She swallowed dryly. "You should definitely get that to Princess Zelda. As quickly as possible."
He tucked the stone away and sat up, giving her a mildly confused look. "Why? What's it to ya?"
She blinked, spending a moment deciphering what he had just said before she shook her head. "Oh, no, not for me. Well…Er, it's just that the emerald is very important and if it fell into the wrong hands—oh, you just should ask the princess," she sighed, studying his confused expression. "It would be odd for me, a noble girl, to tell you."
Link just appeared to get more and more confused. "You're a noble girl?" he asked hazily. "Wait—you never said what your name was!"
Zelda half-heartedly giggled. They had had this conversation earlier, when Zelda had discovered Link and Navi's identity, but avoided telling them hers. She thought about all the fun they had experienced that day, and how she had found a real friend in this boy. A great sadness settled in her heart. This would be the last time she had fun for a while. Then she did something that surprised all three of them—she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
He was warm. Zelda laughed when she saw his expression while she started to pick hay out of her hair. A funny warm feeling seared through her insides.
"Go see the princess first thing tomorrow morning," Zelda told him, standing up to brush dirt off of her skirts. "I promise she'll be waiting for you. Just tell the guards—on second thought, you'd better find your own way inside the castle, okay?"
He gawked up at her, his nose and the tips of his ears red. Dumbly, he nodded. Zelda giggled. She wondered how he would react if she did it again—no, Zelda, she scolded herself. Navi, however, wasn't nearly as tongue-tied as her partner. "How can you be sure she'll want to see us?"
"Trust me, she will." Zelda smiled somewhat sheepishly. "I have to go now, but it was very nice meeting you. Both of you." She curtsied and just about fell over. Her manners master would never let her hear the end of it if she had curtsied so poorly in front of her suitors. The thought made Zelda want to laugh and cry at the same time.
"I will never forget this night," she told them with a big, sad smile. She couldn't stand to look him in the eye for long so she huffed and turned toward the crowded marketplace. "Goodbye!"
It wasn't until she darted off that Link finally snapped out of his trance. He stood up, hat flopping to the ground. "Wait!"
"Thanks for taking me to the festival!" she shouted over her shoulder, waving. "I'll see you later!"
She ran until she was out of his line of sight, then turned—with a frown at the thought of the tantrum her father was going to have—and walked up to one of the castle guards.
"You disobedient child! I should have you locked in your room!"
The King's voice carried all the way down the corridor. Nearly a fourth the castle guard stood in a semicircle in the King's chambers, in the middle of which a little girl stood shamefully before her father's bed.
"And you—" The red-faced man in bed pointed at the nearest unsuspecting guard. "It took you all day to locate my eleven year old daughter!" He coughed, choking on his own sleepy fit of rage. The guards shuffled back, mumbling apologies to the King. "Perhaps I need to replace every guard in this blasted room!"
Zelda grimaced. She was plenty prepared for the punishment she would receive, but hadn't meant to get anyone else in trouble. "I don't see how they could find me, father," she raised her voice. "I evaded the guards easily in the crowd. Tonight is the festival, you know. And the Gerudo King's arrival."
That changed the subject quickly enough. Her father's puffy red face return to her, a vein bulging on his forehead. His face contrasted wildly with his thick, gray beard. "And that's another thing! We have a visiting King in the castle with which I am to have conference tomorrow!"
"The Great Deku tree is dead!" she shouted back. "Dark magic brought evil creatures out of the earth! I believe that man is not honest in his dealings and he had something to do with it!"
The King rubbed his cheek wearily. He waved at the guards, who scurried from the room and shut the door behind them. "Not this again, Zelda," he groaned. "With the dreams—"
She clenched her small fists. "They're not dreams! They're visions of the future of Hyrule, as far as I can tell the future is going to be a dark one if we don't do something!"
"Silence!" The King sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes now, too. The red was fading from his face and he seemed more alert than before. Waking him up in the middle of the night had been a poor decision, since her father had a the tendency of being a very cranky waker. "Enough. Zelda, the Gerudo race is a separate people with their own dealings. The King has simply traveled here to discuss matters of land with me. I know your political advice has been of great use to me before, dear daughter," he added quickly when she opened her mouth. "But this is not what you say it is. I am, in fact, honored to meet the sole male Gerudo of the entire race. Only one is born every century, you know."
"I do know," Zelda stressed. "And did you know that not once has the King of their kind ever done anything good?"
"Enough, Zelda," her father repeated adamantly. "This conversation has come to an end. You shall go to bed and I will see to it you will not be allowed so much as a foot onto the castle grounds tomorrow, nor will you sit with me in court when I meet with the Gerudo King. This much I can promise, at least until I figure out what to do with you."
Zelda's eyes went wide. "The castle grounds? But father, I—!"
"Stop!" The king cried out. "I've already informed Impa. You won't be allowed outside the courtyard until I deal with these matters, understand? I'm worried for you, child. I can't count on a future ruler to be running off all the time."
She fell silent, knowing any arguing past this point was useless now. Her father—as good as he may or may not have intended—would never listen to her. Not really, and not when she contradicted his own ideas. The old man was set in his ways. She inhaled as he continued to talk. He was growing sleepier by the moment.
"And don't forget your lessons tomorrow. Your tutor is leaving soon to visit his sick great-uncle in the east and I don't want you forgetting everything while he's gone." The King let loose a yawn worthy of a lion, sinking into his cushions.
"I won't forget anything," Zelda grumbled. She never did.
"Good." The King seemed satisfied with himself, like he imagined they had a good father-daughter talk. He blew out the light and closed his eyes. "Go to bed, Zelda. I will see you at breakfast in the morning."
She sighed, pondering the hand-carved intricacies of the footboard of her father's bed. In only moments, the King's light snoring could be heard. A shadow appeared in the doorway.
Zelda turned to see her sheikah nanny holding a small candle and half-smiling in the moonlight.
"He won't listen to me, Impa," she grumped.
Impa rested a hand on Zelda's shoulder. "Come, princess," Impa said as the girl yawned. "I think both of you are poor listeners when you've had little sleep." They left the room. "It's high time you returned to your chambers."
The birds woke Zelda first. She had a fitful night, full of strange dreams and dark visions. The same vision kept repeating in her head lately—she would find herself standing in a vast field, under a bright blue sky and a near-white sun (Zelda knew from books that this was most likely what Hyrule Field looked like, but she had never been there herself) when black clouds appear in the west, rumbling toward her with great ferocity. Sometimes there were sprites and children dancing in the field when the clouds appeared, other times hylian villages celebrating and feasting—either way, the same thing always happened next: the storm would block out the sun, the laughter would turn to screams, and the field would catch fire. Darkness enveloped everything, blotting out any light.
The despicable dream always made Zelda squirm in her sleep, seeing such destruction and being helpless to stop it. But then, after some time, the dream would shift, and a ray of sunlight would force its way through the oppressive clouds. The light always cast itself on a figure standing on a knoll in the field, a ways away from Zelda. She could tell the figure was clothed in green, and had a strange light, like a fairy, floating about him. As distant as the figure was, she could tell was he turned toward her, he was holding a large, shining, emerald in his palms. Then the dream would end.
The princess slid out of her bed, shaking her messy blonde hair. The dream had visited her again last night, but it had disturbed her more than usual. She felt like she was starting to grip its meaning.
Zelda rung a dainty little bell at her bedside, calling for her ladies-in-waiting. She would behave herself today, and then perhaps her father would allow her freedom to the castle grounds. If not, her new friend was going to have to find a way in himself. At the sound of the door, Zelda's pointed, slender ears perked.
Impa sauntered into the princess's room, arms crossed. Zelda gave her a half-interested glance before hurrying to the windowsill.
"A little early to be waking up the rest of the castle, Your Highness," Impa commented with a small frown, watching the girl hastily open the pane.
"I have to get ready for breakfast." Dawn was approaching steadily behind the mountains. Crisp, fresh air greeted Zelda, as well as the lively sound of birds in their nests.
Impa said nothing, simply observing and standing as Zelda scurried away from the window in the direction of her wardrobe. She flung it open and clasped her hands behind her back, violet-blue eyes darting around impatiently.
Minutes later, four ladies stumbled into Zelda's room, bleary eyed. They should have been used to such behavior from the princess, since she was often calling for them at unholy hours of the morning. Nevertheless, they attended to the child, helping her dress in something more than appropriate for castle activities. Zelda's heart sunk. Were more suitors visiting today?
Her simple pink dress lay ragged and dirty on one hook of the wardrobe. Powered sugar speckled her front. Zelda sighed as she looked at it. Impa glanced down at her, but did not speak up.
Zelda's thoughts were all over the place as she and Impa journeyed to meet the King. More guards stood at attention than usual, and the servants were whispering madly.
"Are you smiling because you are so pleased to dine with your father?" the wise sheikah observed, interrupting Zelda's thoughts. "Or because you're thinking of that Kokiri boy you were playing with all day yesterday?"
Heat rushed to the princess's cheeks. She gazed at her nanny in alarm. "How—?"
Impa's red eyes returned to the staircase they were approaching. "It seems you aren't the only one who knows how to sneak around."
I knew I sensed someone watching me! "You knew where I was all day," Zelda stammered. "Didn't you?"
Impa laughed softly. "To give you some credit, we did not find you for the first hour. But you did not wander far, dear." Her tone hardened. "You should be glad the sheikah are capable of such deeds. The castle guard was a lost cause."
Zelda chuckled guiltily, studying the polished marble wall. "I'm sorry, Impa."
Impa eyed her with a raised brow. "Your father is the one you should be apologizing to, princess."
Zelda's posture sagged. "Is that evil Gerudo man really staying here?" she whispered, suddenly remembering the conversation from last night.
"Watch your tongue," Impa scolded. "If anyone was to hear that—"
"I'm sorry," she amended quickly. "I meant, is the Gerudo King, Ganondorf, staying at the castle this very moment?"
Impa regarded her with contained reprimand, but did not press the subject. "Yes, he is. He was invited to dine with you and your father for breakfast."
The breath flew from Zelda's lungs. She nearly collided with a page boy. "I had the dream again, Impa," she said. "I think—"
"Sh." They arrived at the door of the King's study. "The Gerudo declined. You will see your father alone, and I suggest you try not to provoke him. I've heard he is in a mood this morning."
Zelda nodded quickly. She could have predicted that without visionary dreams.
"One more thing. If you do not wish me to inform your father of your adventures in the marketplace yesterday—"
"Oh, no!" Zelda clasped her hands in a pleading gesture. "Please don't, Impa!"
"I wasn't finished," Impa said, red eyes calm. "I was going to suggest you tell me what happened. We may have had eyes on you, but not ears, child, so I would like to understand what you may have learned about the Deku Tree and such."
Zelda's face lit up, but in an anxious way. "Of course, Impa. I shall explain to you everything. I was hoping to ask you anyway…"
Impa nodded. "After breakfast," she prodded, signaling the guards to open the doors. Zelda managed a smile before correcting her posture and walking inside.
I-I-I
The sun was climbing in the sky by the time father had finished eating. Any attempts at conversation had been bleak, leaving the King to grunt to himself any time he wanted to say something. Zelda was not surprised; she had never had the easiest time talking with him. Her mind was on other matters.
The King excused himself and Zelda found herself once more with Impa.
"Where are you going?"
"To the courtyard." Zelda walked as briskly as her nanny would allow her. "The King allowed me to go there." She sent a worried look at Impa. "Right?"
Impa lightly dipped her head so the princess rushed onward. They had arrived in the Great Hall, and she could see the entrance to the courtyard just across the way—
"Princess Zelda," an unwelcome voice cut in, the figure of the voice stepping into her path. "What a pleasant surprise!"
Zelda came quickly to a halt, expression twitching slightly as she reeled it into place. She dropped a perfect curtsy. "Hello, Lord Charles."
The young man performed a long, swooping bow, muttering reverently, "Your Highness." He delicately accepted her hand and planted a kiss on it. "It is an honor."
Zelda smiled politely. "I had not known you were coming."
In truth, she had refused to acknowledge any of her suitors for the past few weeks. A majority of her time was spent fretting over the future of the country or running away from her father, which meant escaping the flood of noblemen who had suddenly come seeking her as well. But of all her suitors, Lord Charles was the youngest and certainly the most persistent.
Charles sent her a charming smirk, a trick Zelda was sure worked well on most of the ladies in court. As the younger son of a high ranking Duke, sixteen year old Charles could be called ambitious in every sense of the word. He was tall and dashing, with side-swept dark orange hair and glittering green eyes. He was humorous and witty, and he was considered quite a catch among many of the giggling servants in the castle. Just not to Zelda.
"I am glad to have caught you at such an opportune moment, then," Charles said appreciatively. "I've been calling on the castle for the past week or so, just so I might see your face once more, fair princess." He acted like he was going to kiss her hand again, so Zelda promptly withdrew it. She forced a smile.
"How kindly of you."
"But alas," he said, expression falling. "I am here for another reason. My father sees fit for me to learn arts such as archery to the fullest extent available, so I am to seek out the captain."
Zelda was steadily growing impatient, but she arched one eyebrow and commented, "Your father has good taste. Perhaps I can accompany you in your lessons some other time."
Charles chuckled. "What, for archery? I see no need for you to fret over such manly arts, princess. Wouldn't want to bore you, now would we?"
Zelda cleared her throat quietly. "I do not find archery to be a bore, I assure you."
Charles chuckled again, and Zelda had the distinct impression he was not listening to her. "As you wish, Your Grace. I must take my leave now, but it has been an utmost pleasure to bump into you." He bowed again, and flashed his winning smile. Zelda managed to plaster another smile onto her face as he turned to his escorts.
He and his company walked off and the princess picked up her skirts, breaking into a run. It was most inappropriate to run through the Great Hall, but she did not stop until she had reached the courtyard.
Impa was waiting for her, a knowing gleam in her eyes. Zelda caught her breath with a frown.
"How could you leave me? I was defenseless!"
A smirk pursed Impa's mouth. "I did not abandon you. I merely thought you could handle him yourself."
Zelda's expression fell further. "I did not want to handle him at all. He irks me." She huffed, straightening her headdress and glancing at a window on the far end of the courtyard. It felt good to be outside again, even if boxed in by tall stone walls. "He hasn't come for me yet, has he?"
Impa propped one arm up on her elbow, gaze following the princess as she crossed to the window. "By 'he,' if you mean the Kokiri, then no."
A flicker of disappointment jumped to the princess's features. Impa gazed down at her curiously. "Why are you expecting a Kokiri to visit the castle, princess?"
"Not the castle, just me. His name is Link. I think he may have something to do with my vision." And Zelda explained what she had learned from playing in the marketplace the day before, exuding any unimportant details (like the kiss, for example, though Zelda was positive the sheikah had witnessed that for herself).
"He's the one who informed me of the state of the Great Deku Tree," she continued. "He has the Kokiri Emerald with him."
Impa's eyebrows went up in mild surprise, which for Impa, meant quite a lot. "Perhaps he's not very much like his brothers and sisters. I would never assume a Kokiri capable of a stunt like that."
"I must talk with him," Zelda concluded, turning to face the window. "I have a bad feeling, Impa. Something is about to happen—soon."
Impa's face returned to its mildly disinterested, expressionless state. She gave the window an odd look. "I'm afraid talking with this Kokiri will be harder than you imagine. You are unable to leave the castle, and the King is about to be having an audience with the Gerudo. No one is going to let a little Kokiri boy inside the gates without permission."
Zelda glanced up. "Can't we give permission? Can't you?"
Impa studied her face, then slightly shook her head. "It will not be enough. Not without the King's consent."
"Then how am I supposed to—"
"We will see." Impa's mouth was a firm line. "If what he claims is true, and his quest is of so much importance, I think he will find a way." She offered a hint of a smile. "Don't look so distraught, child. If he truly is the one you saw in your dream, he should be able to manage a few half-blind guards."
She sighed, and then nodded. "I suppose you're right. Still…" Her eyes glimmered with worry as she returned to the window.
Impa chuckled, walking away. "I needn't remind you Kokiri do not grow up, do I, princess?"
She looked over her shoulder, eyes wide. "N-no, of course not, Impa." She inhaled and scowled. "Why would you ever feel the need to remind me of that?"
Her nanny actually smiled, casting Zelda a look. "Don't tease me, child. I was young once, too."
Zelda stood there, unsure of what to think, as the sheikah woman stepped into the shadows and disappeared. What on earth?
She tossed the thought from her mind, returning to the windowsill.
The King, without realizing it, had given her access to the window directly outside the throne room. She could see her father striding in now, a worn expression on his face. Her eyebrows lowered.
Where is that nasty man? She noticed a tall woman with copper skin and fiery red hair enter the room after her father settled on his throne. Her ears were not pointed like Zelda's, but short and curved, and she had an unsettlingly pronounced nose. Gerudo—the race of women bordering the boundaries of her father's kingdom—were characteristic of this look. As Zelda watched, another Gerudo entered after the first, and they stood at attention across from each other, as if waiting for something. Zelda peered on the tips of her toes through the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Gerudo King—
A distant disturbance among the guards reached her ears. Her eyes went wide.
Link!
Her heart sprung in nervous excitement in her chest, then in worry. She turned from the window, studying the empty courtyard. Her father denied her access beyond this area, and she might miss her father's meeting with Ganondorf, but what if they threw her Kokiri friend in the dungeon? Or worse? He would not get the chance to give her the Emerald, and he would not be able to help if he was trapped. She tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear and made her choice, racing down the courtyard and through the connecting tunnel. If she could somehow help him or create a diversion—
Zelda did not have the chance to finish her thought because she smacked into someone running in the opposite direction and sent both of them sprawling. She saw a flash of green before her headdress was fell over her eyes and she tumbled hard onto her rump.
She heard fast breathing and a high-pitched squeak as she fumbled around in the grass. The breath had momentarily been knocked out of her; all she could make out for a confused moment was the solider's distant yells and frantic rustling beside her. Then someone with small, warm hands and a horrified voice grasped her arm to pull her upright. "Princess!"
She made it to her feet and felt strangely like laughing, though she could tell from the sound of his voice he felt far from it. He kept apologizing repeatedly, and Navi was having a heart attack. "No, no, no, it's alright," she finally cut in with one breath, reaching for her headdress. She straightened it properly out of her eyes and looked up with a small smile. The big blue eyes staring at her suddenly widened infinitely.
Link's mouth quite literally fell ajar. His hat was skewed to one side of his head, and he looked a little more bruised than the night before.
"It's you!" he cried, perhaps a little too loudly. She shushed him, glancing around for the nearest guards, when he abruptly sunk to one knee in a bowing gesture. Her first thought was where did he learn that? and her second one was he shouldn't bow to me like that, my kingdom technically does not stretch to the Kokiri forest.
Someone nearby yelled and both of them jumped. Whether Link had been spotted, or even Zelda outside her courtyard, thankfully Zelda's third thought was much less scatterbrained. She grabbed Link's arm and dragged him away from the scene, shouting, "Come on!"
They stumbled through the tunnel and dashed into the courtyard, Zelda checking over her shoulder for followers. Luckily, no one appeared to have seen them. With a sigh of relief, she finally released the green Kokiri boy, who was struggling to catch his breath.
"You," he choked, straightening. His little green tunic was dirty, and his dark blonde hair was wild. She realized those bright blue peepers of his were ogling at her, and embarrassment flushed her features. He slowly lifted a finger. "You, you, in the marketplace…"
"Yes, that was me." Zelda covered her mouth, feeling the urge to giggle, but deciding it would be inappropriate for a proper princess to giggle. Instead, she offered the most apologetic smile she could manage. "I'm sorry for not telling you who I was before." She took a deep breath, and curtsied elegantly for them. "I am Zelda, princess of Hyrule."
The little boy went redder than all get out, dropping his hand and suddenly staring at his boots. Out of his hat zipped a blue orb of light that flew right up to Zelda's face, ringing out a series of tinkling noises. "You! You were the princess the whole time!"
Zelda smiled. "It's a pleasure to see you again, too, Navi."
The fairy stuttered, hesitating before zipping back to where Link stood with his eyes glued to the ground. He had begun digging the toe of his left boot into the manicured soil of the courtyard. Zelda's vision sprung to memory and she remembered his purpose—the Kokiri Emerald. She nearly opened her mouth to ask him, but at the same moment, movement through the window caught her eye.
Zelda hurried to the window, bracing her palms against the sill and leaning as far forward as her toes would let her. "What's that?" Link asked, following her curiously.
Ganondorf had arrived. He swept down the hallway slowly, yellow eyes scanning the place as if inspecting an item for sale. He looked at her father with something hardly short of a sneer. The cold knot the young princess always got upon seeing him tightened in Zelda's stomach.
"The Gerudo King of Thieves," she said under her breath. She turned and found Link standing only a few feet away. Perhaps he would understand more than any other my innate dislike of this man. She waved him over.
"Look, Link," the young princess told the boy, motioning to the window. The Kokiri leaned forward to peer through the glass pane, pushing scraggly blonde hairs out of his eyes with both palms.
"I know that guy," he commented darkly.
"That's Ganondorf, king of the thieves who live in the desert." She shuddered. "He's here to flatter my father into combining forces…"
The man suddenly turned to look straight them with his shimmering yellow eyes. Link cried out in alarm, jumping back from the window.
"He knows we're talking about him," Navi squeaked, peering out of Link's long green hat.
Link glanced at the princess. "What's he up to?"
Zelda sighed deeply, then shook her head. "It's hard to say. But…I…can sense his intentions aren't benevolent…" She was struggling for words, and he looked plenty confused.
"Do you know what the Triforce is, Link?" she eventually asked, sitting down on the top step leading up to the window.
He casually dropped down next to her, sword clattering against shield. "Yeah, the Great Deku tree told me a little about it before he died…" His eyes grew wide. "Don't tell me it's a real, actual thing!"
"It is a real thing," she confirmed. "A very real thing. And in the wrong hands, it's a very dangerous thing. I—I think that Ganondorf and his soldiers aren't here for any other reason than to find it."
His eyes went even wider, if that was possible. "You mean he wants to—"
"Yes," she moaned. "The royal family guards it's location, but if he finds it, he will surely take over the world.
"I have no proof that he plans to do this except for the dreams I've been having as of late," she explained. She proceeded to tell Link everything she'd been thinking, from how she had begun having strange visions in her sleep after her eleventh birthday to this suspicious visit from the Gerudo.
"And then a figure cloaked in green appears in a ray of sunlight with a fairy floating around his head, holding an emerald stone," she said, motioning with her hands rather energetically now. Link, who had been listening with captivation, raised his eyebrows a little when she suddenly looked at him.
"Fairy…and a stone?" He swallowed, glancing down at his green tunic.
Zelda laughed. "Don't worry, Link. I think with your help, there's a possibility we can stop dark times from befalling Hyrule like they do in my dreams. But it'll require a bit of adventure."
He looked suddenly intrigued, as if the word 'adventure,' snapped up his attention the way a dog senses a squirrel. "I'll do anything, princess."
Oh no. "Please," she cut in. "Call me Zelda." If Link will not treat me as a friend, no one ever will!
His ears went red and his normally courageous gaze hid in the folds of his tunic. "Sorry. I mean, I'll do anything…Zelda."
A strange warm feeling similar to the one she'd felt last night wormed into her heart, making her break into a smile. The most bizarre urge to hug him flitted through her mind, but she did not act on it. "Thank you very much for your support. You believe my dreams are visions, then?"
He looked back at her. "Of course I believe you," he said with a hint of incredulity, as if anyone who did not believe her was stupid.
Relief and warmth tingled her insides. A frown touched her face as she suddenly pulled her knees up. "My father does not believe me. Anything I do to prove otherwise backfires. So I cannot leave the palace, as much as I dearly wish to."
Navi, who had been flying in the nearby flowers while they talked, reappeared above Link's head. "If you can't leave the palace, why were you in the marketplace yesterday?"
Zelda smiled sheepishly. "Um, well, I sort of snuck out for the festival." She hugged her knees tighter. "I get tired cooped up behind these walls, so I escaped and spent the day avoiding guards. That's who I was hiding from," she added with a glimmer in her eye, nodding toward Link. His face split into a toothy beam.
"Oh." The fairy settled on her companion's shoulder. "But you aren't supposed to leave?"
She shook her head with exaggeration. "Father's rules," she groaned. "It's even harder to sneak out now that security has increased. But Link, you did it, so I congratulate you." She cast him a wary smile.
He grinned. "You want to go adventures, too, don't you?"
"I would love to see the world someday," she muttered wistfully. "In disguise, so no one would know—or, better yet, care—who I was. But that's not important." She huffed, brushing aside daydreams. "I am stuck here for the time being, so I need you to go into the world for me."
He nodded, grin fading. "What do you want me to do?"
"Stop Ganondorf." She straightened and continued, "He can't find the keys to the Triforce if we find them first. There are three sacred stones and a special Ocarina. You have the first stone, the Kokiri Emerald, and I have…"
She turned and rummaged through a small pouch at her side. She withdrew a blue instrument.
"An ocarina?" Link pulled out his own pale pink ocarina to compare.
"Like yours," she smiled. "But this is a special family heirloom—the Ocarina of Time."
Eyes wide, he watched as she put the Ocarina of Time away. "This, with your stone, that means we have two of the four keys. I need you to find the other two keys. Do you think you can manage?"
He stood up, adjusting his belt. "I promise I can." He looked mischievous with bruises and dirt smeared across his skin, but his bright blue eyes were full of light and courage. It suddenly struck her how ridiculous it was for her to be asking this dangerous task of him—a small Kokiri boy, who grew up in the forest without knowledge of the rest of the world. But there was something in his eyes that made her think otherwise. "You can count on me, Zelda."
He offered her both hands, which is perhaps how they helped each other up in the Kokiri forest. It only made Zelda's smile grow as she accepted them and got to her feet.
"You may need this to let yourself in to certain areas," she put in, handing him a note she had prepared earlier. "It should work outside the castle. Oh, and I almost forgot."
Zelda lightly cleared her throat, blushing. "I do believe you will need to verify yourself as a messenger for the royal family sooner or later, so I will teach you song only the royal family and its protectors know. Ready?"
Navi bumped him, and he scrambled to find his ocarina. Zelda covered her mouth, restraining giggles as he fumbled over himself until he recovered with instrument in hands. Ears red, he nodded. "Okay!"
She softly sang the notes of a lullaby from when she was little. Link closed his eyes and raised the ocarina, repeating the song.
"I could have taught him that, princess," a mature voice interrupted when they had finished. Link jumped, but Zelda immediately recognized the voice. She turned with a small, embarrassed smile. "Impa."
Her caretaker dipped her head and Zelda returned to face Link's blanching face. "Link, Navi, this is my sheikah nanny, Impa. She watches over me. Impa…this is Link and his fairy, Navi."
Impa studied them with hard red eyes, though she was smirking slightly. Zelda knew she had already been spying on them, so she certainly didn't need an introduction. But smiling was a good sign.
"Young man," she started in an stern voice. Link stood there stiffly, staring at her. "You've shown diligence and loyalty toward the princess today. She trusts you, and so will I." Her gaze hardened a smidge, though. "You are the first to believe the princess's visions, other than myself." She slowly dipped her head in his direction as she had done to the princess. Zelda watched in shock—Impa never bowed to anyone but royalty. This was a good sign!
"I will escort him to the outer gates," Impa offered, and Zelda nodded gratefully. No use beating up the little hero before he had the chance to be heroic. First, however, she stepped up to his side.
"I can't thank you enough for all your help, Link," she admitted, taking a deep breath. "Bring all three stones back here when you have them. And please be careful!"
Before she lost her nerve, she lightly kissed him on the cheek. It would have been terribly inappropriate for her to do that to a boy who was not suitor. But it reminded her that Link was her friend, and it wasn't out of line as a friend. Plus, it made her feel fuzzy inside.
Link was even more bewildered this time than he had been the first time she'd planted one on his cheek. He went redder than a tomato.
"You may go now," she giggled, stepping away. He stumbled a few paces from her, Navi making comments as she flew about his head, until Impa materialized right in front of the boy. "I've got him," she said, grabbing the collar of his tunic. Link's eyes widened as she yanked him into the air, to which he began to protest adamantly. Zelda watched with a mixture of amusement and concern as her nanny walked off with the Kokiri struggling in one hand.
Zelda observed them until they were out of sight, then snuck over to the window again. Her father's meeting with Ganondorf had come to an end. She sighed. With any luck…and perhaps a little fate…her new ally Link would get the stones before they were out of time.
At least, that's what she hoped.
The morning Lord Charles proposed was the morning the attack started.
The day had already started out dreary, and Zelda had poor night's sleep from the worst fit of nightmares yet. Seeing Charles in the parlor with her father had immediately worsened her mood.
"Princess!" Charles strode forward the moment after her arrival was announced and kissed her hand. His voice was far too loud and cheerful today; it swam in her brain and made her skull ache. She shot a disturbed look at the King.
"Father." Zelda's violet-blue eyes were tired and cross. Her hair was a mess of blonde that refused to lay properly for some reason. "What is the meaning of this?"
The King was already dressed for the day and had a small smile on his face, which faded when he noticed her tone. "Lord Charles has asked me for your hand in marriage, my dearest child, and I've given my permission."
What? Zelda was certain she was not hearing him correctly. All she could make out was Charles's pearly whites flashing at her and the smattering of applause from whoever else was present in the room.
"I'm too young," Zelda finally stammered, too speechless to say anything else. She glanced at Impa in shock, only to find her nanny was no longer at her side.
The King dipped his head in acknowledgement. "For now, yes." He turned to the others. "As soon as the princess's fourteenth birthday arrives, Zelda will be wed to the Duke's second son, Lord Charles, right here in the castle. Hip-hip-hurrah!"
Charles smiled at her expectantly as the room broke into cheers. Thunder rolled ominously from the dark, low hanging clouds outside as Zelda stared back.
Suddenly, the castle trembled. All eyes flew to the window, cheers turning into murmurs. Impa appeared out of thin air, expression grim. She pulled the King aside and said something very urgently into his ear.
The King paled. From elsewhere in the palace they could hear shouting and screaming and clashing of blades.
"The palace is under attack," Zelda's father declared. Guards thrust open the doors and swarmed the room immediately after the statement, ushering in discord with them. Chambermaids began to run about in panic while noblemen fought to find a suitable exit. The King shouted orders, unheard by Zelda through all the ruckus.
Impa found the young princess at the window, watching the battle unfold on the grounds below. Monsters she'd only read about in books were clawing out of the earth and ambling forth from the shadows. Twin witches on broomsticks flew around, casting destructive spells and cackling as the royal guard crumpled beneath them. Atop a steed several paces back, watching above it all was the Gerudo King, Ganondorf. Zelda's breath hitched in her chest.
"Princess!" Charles wormed his way out of the discord, reaching for Zelda as Impa pulled her away. Zelda's eyes briefly found his, stunned and frightened. Then he was gone.
Zelda couldn't find the breath to ask questions as Impa flew through the castle, using passageways Zelda didn't know existed. She saw several guards, sheikah, and even a glowing green skeleton as they flew past, but Impa avoided all of them. They stopped only once they were outside, where the sounds of battle were painfully loud.
"What's happening?" the princess eventually cried.
"Your vision," Impa replied under her breath, lifting the girl onto the back of a horse. "It's coming true." Impa swiftly lifted herself onto the horse as well, ignoring the princess's pleas to turn back.
"My father is still in there!" Zelda wiggled about in the saddle as Impa took hold of the reigns. Impa shook her head.
"My duty is to protect you, child. Your father has to rally his forces to keep the castle from falling. We need to get you as far away from here as we can so if things turn for the worst…the royal line might still continue."
Impa commanded the horse onward and Zelda stopped struggling, eyes going wide. The carnage already strewn from Ganondorf's demonic army was mortifying. Soldiers and knights fought feebly against the horrors of the underworld on the castle's groomed lawn, some of them lying motionless on the ground. Impa covered Zelda's head as they raced by it all, forcing her to look away.
My vision. Impa's horse leapt onto the road leading to the marketplace right as Ganondorf took notice of their escape. Impa urged the horse to run faster as the gears began spinning in princess Zelda's head.
"Link!" The girl's scream was nearly drowned out by the wind. "He's was bringing me the Sacred Stones! We have to get him!"
Shouts arose from the castle town as people spied the horse speeding toward them. Impa shook her head. "There's no time, princess!"
Zelda looked over her shoulder as they charged through town square. Ganondorf was gaining ground quickly on his black steed, a look of steel in his eyes Zelda could see from a mile away. A terrifying shiver shot down her spine, and she fingered a cool instrument in her enchanted pouch. She received the impression that it was no longer going to be safe in her possession.
Impa and Zelda were nearly at the drawbridge when Zelda spied a familiar figure in green running toward them from the other side. Her heart dared to hope. It was Link! She saw the glimmering red, blue, and green objects in his fist as they thundered over the bridge. He had retrieved all the sacred stones!
Link shouted out as they galloped by, running after them. "Zelda! Zelda, wait!"
"Stop the horse, Impa!" Zelda commanded in a shrill voice. Impa shook her head. Zelda glanced direly at Link, who was fading like the castle behind them. She drew her hand from her pouch, and in one last desperate move, she threw the Ocarina of Time with all her strength. It sailed through the air over Link's head and splashed in the moat behind him. Link stopped running, a forlorn look settling on his face before he glanced over his shoulder. Right as Zelda's line of sight disappeared behind a hill, she saw Ganon's dark horse slowing to a stop beside the little Kokiri boy.
"He'll be alright," Impa assured her as they continued to ride onward, seemingly toward a cluster of ominous-looking trees. But her voice wavered, and Zelda nearly broke down. Impa never wavered.
Monsters like the ones Zelda had seen attacking the castle roamed around the entrance of the Lost Woods, immediately giving chase when they saw the princess and the sheikah approaching. Zelda screamed as they grabbed at the animal's tail and legs as it rushed into the trees. One caught hold of her foot.
"Hold on, child!" Impa reared back, throwing the undead from them and then bolting off into the forest. Zelda lost a shoe.
"Where are we g-g—?"
"The Kokiri Village!" Impa gasped when more monsters surged from unseen places in the woods. The horse neighed, almost tossing its riders to the ground when a large, dark purple plant sprang upward, snapping at them. A deku baba.
Impa regained control of the spooked animal with some difficulty, forcing it deeper into the forest. The trees were all starting to look the same. "The Kokiri Village?" Zelda screamed again as they jumped over another creature. "What about the castle? What about my kingdom, my father? What about Link!?"
Impa raced into a clearing and abruptly slowed the horse to a stop. She dismounted, revealing for the first time she held a wrapped bundle under one of her arms.
Thunder roared and a feeling like static washed over Zelda, filling her with a strong tingling sensation. A strange light appeared in her lap. She and Impa both looked at Zelda's hand, which was now shining very brightly with a golden triangle symbol. Zelda knew exactly what it was before her mind had the chance to register it.
"The Triforce."
Impa's red eyes were almost disbelieving. "He's opened the Sacred Realm," she said, pulling Zelda off the horse. They studied her hand again as more thunder boomed. "The Triforce of Wisdom has taken refuge in you."
Zelda wasn't sure what to think. She could not think properly at all. Instead, she only stared, half-terrified, as Impa slapped her horse's rear and sent it sprawling into the trees.
"Wait!"
Impa knelt before the girl, a serious expression on her face. "Zelda. This is where we must part paths. Take this." She placed the bundle in Zelda's arms. "Your destiny still awaits you."
Impa ignored Zelda's scared retorts, instead placing a calm hand on her shoulder. "You and I cannot be seen together. Ganondorf is on the hunt for you now, and you must not let him find you. I've changed my mind; follow this trial into the mountains. Go to Kakariko Village. Do not tell a soul who you really are."
Screams of the undead and screams of the living reached Zelda's pointed ears, echoing all the way from Hyrule Field. She searched her nanny's gaze for a hint of sarcasm, perhaps a cruel joke. There was nothing but somberness.
"You can't leave me on my own." Tears welled up in Zelda's eyes. She realized she was shaking. "Impa, don't go."
Her caretaker's face softened, and then, in an un-sheikah-like way, Impa pulled the little girl into a hug. "You must, Zelda. Hyrule depends on you now more than ever." She pulled away. "Promise me you'll be strong."
She didn't want to promise. She didn't want leave at all—she ached to go back to the castle and find everything restored to the way it was. But the glowing Triforce on her hand filled the princess with warmth, and she slowly nodded.
Impa released a sigh, then stood. "This is not the last time we will meet, princess. Trust your visions. Be wise." There was almost a twinkle in her eye when she said that, but it quickly vanished. "The heavens will watch over you, so make haste!"
Impa lightly pushed in her the direction of the mountains as the moan of monsters grew close. Zelda looked over her shoulder a final time to see Impa standing in the clearing, sword drawn, and understood with sudden clarity that this would be the last time she would see her beloved sheikah nanny for a long time.
She turned to the gloomy trees, bundle clutched tightly, and ran.
Navi flew high above Link's head as they rushed down the cobblestone road. "You think we'll make it?" Link shouted, darting around a pair of frightened hylians. In one fist he clutched the Ocarina of Time, and in the other the Sacred Stones.
Navi zipped back to his side. "The coast is clear." Her tiny voice was worried. "The villagers don't know what's happening yet."
Link pushed hair wet from the moat out of his eyes. "We don't even know what's happening yet!"
Navi chirped, "I can see the temple just ahead!"
They reached the marketplace square and ran right through it. Dogs and butterflies and children still played in the streets, and the adults stood close and whispered to one another. The tall tower of the building Zelda had told them about rose up into sight alongside the mountains. Link and Navi ran up the stairs, taking two at a time.
Out of breath, the little boy pushed open the heavy doors of the Temple of Time, pausing in the entryway to look at the impressive structure. His brown boots slapped against the tile as he ran to the altar at the opposite end of the room.
"I hope Princess Zelda is okay," Link mumbled, dumping the wet items in his hands on the stand.
"She will be," Navi reassured him. "She probably wonders what happened to you after that evil man stopped us by the moat."
"He knocked me out of the way like I was nothing." Link's features scrunched up in frustration. He stared at the pieces. "I don't get it Navi, what are we supposed to do now?"
The sacred jewels Link had placed on the altar began to glow. He stumbled back. The carving of the Triforce on the wall directly behind the altar lit up.
Link stared at the golden symbol and swallowed. Navi timidly flew over the stones, blue glow falling on an inscription on the altar. "Link, there's some writing here," she declared.
He stood on the tips of his toes to see it, squinting at the inscription. "What's it say?"
The fairy's tinkling voice read, "Ye who owns 3 Spiritual Stones, stand with the Ocarina of Time, and play the Song of Time. Hmm. What could that mean?"
Link reached for the Ocarina. "It's gotta be from my vision of Zelda. In the moat—she taught me the song. Hold on, I can play it." He grabbed the Ocarina and raised the instrument to his lips. The notes came out pure and clear.
The Sacred Stones rose into the air as he began to play, to their surprise. The music penetrating the air had a magical quality. As the song came to an end, the stones settled in three respective slots on the altar, and the temple shook suddenly. The wall below the carved Triforce split in half with a loud crack. Link nearly lost his balance as the stone doors rumbled open.
"It's the Door of Time," he managed, holding on to his hat. Navi had long since disappeared inside of it. "Zelda said this would happen!"
Determined, he jumped up the stairs around the altar and ran into the newly revealed corridor, cold and musty air greeting his cheeks. Link took in the tall walls of the new chamber at the end of the hall, light pouring from a single high window onto the mystical pedestal before him.
Navi timidly reappeared as Link slowed, gasping at what she saw. She flew over to the pedestal at light speed. "Look at this, Link!" she cried.
Link glanced around at the lofty space as he walked into the chamber. Light spilled into his eyes. "It feels…weird in here," he commented, coming to a stop beside the fairy. They stared at the sword gleaming in the center of the pedestal.
"The Master Sword." Navi sounded as though she could barely contain her excitement."This is the opening to the Sacred Realm. Link, do you know what this means?"
"No," he breathed.
"I can't believe it's real." The fairy circled the Master Sword. "It's so real! Touch it!"
Link laid his hands on the deep indigo hilt. It was cool to the touch. The eerie glow emitting from its blade seemed to fill him with a distant warmth. "It seems like it's sleeping," he murmured.
"I think it's meant for you to pull it," Navi whispered, hovering back a few inches. Link gawked at her. "Pull it? Me? I couldn't pull it! I'm not big enough!"
Navi settled on his shoulder. "It's your decision. But I think…I think the Great Deku tree foresaw this."
Link studied the legendary sword. "How would I use it? It's practically my size." He fingered the symbol of the Triforce engraved into the blade. "You really think it's meant for me?"
Navi fluttered to the hilt once more, touching it with her tiny hands. "Only a true hero can pull it out. Try it, Link! It's your destiny!"
Link put on a brave face, inhaling very deeply. "Alright," he decided. He cast a solitary glance over his shoulder. "If it'll help me save Zelda," he said, stepping onto the sword's base. Both of them watched with avid eyes as he gripped the hilt with both hands. The little boy grunted and lifted the sword, which slid easily out of the pedestal.
The chamber flooded with light.
A dark thundercloud rolling over the castle rumbled all the way to Death Mountain, clapping most sharply above the burning remnants of castle town. A tall, hook-nosed man with hair as red as the depths of Hell walked out of the Temple of Time, yellow eyes narrow as the thunder raged. A group of ominous figures bowed at the sight of him, keeping their heads low as the flames around them licked up the walls of the town buildings and danced on the roofs.
Two old women with green skin and white hair as tall as their scrawny little bodies greeted the man as they floated in the air on broomsticks several feet above the ground, cackling unintimidated.
"The Triforce split," one crowed.
"The princess is nowhere it be found," the other added. "This weeklong raid was almost for nothing."
The golden-eyed man breathed deeply. The fires seemed to jump a little higher.
"I will find the girl," he said. He turned, facing the burning towers of Hyrule castle in the distance. Dark energy radiated around it. "It won't be long. I will have the full Triforce again."
He straightened the glove on his right hand where a strange triangle symbol glowed: the Triforce of Power. Creatures of the undead moaned at the glow.
"Let it be known to every mewling coward in the land that I am King of Hyrule now," he boomed. He laughed darkly. "With this Triforce piece alone, I have the power to turn everything slave to my bidding!"
Thunder clapped and a wave of energy rippled out from where the man stood. The shock sent several buildings in disrepair and caused the Redeads standing within the town to fall over.
"The princess still has the Triforce of Wisdom," one of the old hags warned, wagging a finger.
"And that brat kid has the other one," her sister chirped.
"Never mind the brat." Ganondorf's eyes glowed maliciously as he watched the castle burn. "Neither of those children are a match for the strength I have obtained. It won't be long before the princess will emerge from her hiding place, begging on her hands and knees for mercy." He clenched his fist. "I will find her. And when I do, I will tear that ancient power from her broken body."
Author Notes:
If you have made it this far, I love you! Eh, actually, that's creepy. I like you very much!
This long chapter is the first of many to come in my LoL fanfic, something I promise to update on an almost regular basis (I technically already broke the promise to update monthly, but NO MORE). School is out and the need to write is STRONG!
If you couldn't tell, I took inspiration heavily from the official Ocarina of Time manga for this chapter! ;) The story is nothing like the manga from this point onward, though, and hopefully that's okay. Disclaimer that my fanfic doesn't match the game exactly, even with certain events/characters. I've made up some of my own characters, clearly, and others I have given names (they weren't given real names in the games-some names are based on that character's Majora's Mask counterpart and/or zelda wiki research).
(I also want to apologize for the lack of paragraph breaks in the first version of this chapter-I had some but they got friggin erased when I saved the the document to the website. It was very confusing.)
Reviews and constructive criticism are very much appreciated! I want feedback! Positive feedback especially if you can give ANY! Like, even just, "hey, I think your story is mostly okay." End of sentence. It's nice, it really is. Gives me a tiny high. Just a little one, though, so don't think I am on drugs.
Writing is like drugs.
That's it. Next chapter coming soon. Stay posted!
