Hello! Welcome!
This story is the third installation in the And She Waited series. It is preceded by And She Waited and Look What She's Done. However, this story differs from the first two, and I really intend for anyone to be able to read it even if you haven't read the first two. But it might make a bit more sense if you have. I dunno, your call. :)
I love putting a song or two at the beginning of each chapter that really either inspires the events or matches the tone of the chapter, so if you are interested, maybe it'd be cool if you listened as you read. :)
Anyway, here it is! :) Hope you will enjoy!
Battles She Fought
Chapter 0
Another Turn of the Cycle. ("The Iron Sea" by Keane)
February 17th, 2011 (222 HT)
"You need to come with us."
She looked up with weary eyes at several similarly dressed soldiers. She didn't protest. They took her arms when the door creaked open, held her until she was secured with heavy cuffs that glistened in the dim light, then guided her from the dungeon cell. She wasn't meant for this.
She had to admit that she was doing her best to ignore his protests from the next cell over. He was yelling fiercely, vulgarly, in ways she hadn't heard him yell before. He was a noble creature, and such things did not usually pass his pure lips. Especially in such a strained, crackling voice. In that moment, she really wished she could just be the person she was supposed to be. But she was quick to tear up, exacerbated by the fact that she was sure she was being led away to speak words which would ultimately betray Hyrule.
Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a situation he couldn't get out of. He was stronger than them. He was braver, more intelligent and battle-minded. But for some goddess known reason, he couldn't beat these people. Their weapons were too deadly, the circumstances were too twisted. She had to ask the goddesses why, again. But they never answered her. Anymore.
"Andrew just wants to speak with you, Queen Zelda. Please don't look so glum."
She ignored the soldier's voice and turned to face her only ally in the room as she left her cell, his frame stuck behind shadows of rusted iron and oppression.
Defeated.
That had never been a word to describe him. However, that was just how he looked now. Defeated.
She was angered as she wondered how their hero could ever be treated like this. How could one even justify this? The one who had been handed such a cruel fate should not be forced to continue saving the world, nor should he be imprisoned when it was clear he hadn't done anything but try to save his world once again. He was just a prisoner of war. A war she thought she'd caused, no matter how inadvertently.
The cycle of their life continued.
There was nothing she could do but stare at him for as long as could, while some force propelled her feet in the other direction. She couldn't even call his name in comfort, nor could he. They couldn't be themselves in this moment. There was just one thing she wanted to say to him, but she wasn't sure which language to use. Whether she expressed herself in Hylian or English, her proclamation wouldn't be in her true voice. She chose English in her hurried decision. It would be the closest, and she thought it might make the soldiers feel some sort of pity.
"I love you."
So, anyone familiar with the previous story, are you confused? :D
(In case you were wondering/didn't remember, ASW takes place in March-May 2007 and LWSD in April-May [and November] 2008.)
