The Price of Freedom
She slowly removed the hood from her face. His deep blue eyes widened for a slit of a second, before becoming guarded and defensive.
Link was taken aback with the sight in front of him. He vaguely recalled the princess from the past, when she was in danger. The woman in front of him looked smaller, more fragile than she appeared to be at that time. Now he was almost a head and a half taller than she.
She looked so beautiful; it was hard to look at her. She was the most breathtaking creature he had ever seen. Not that he didn't notice before, but given the situations of danger they were in at the time, he hadn't had time to give her a glance taking in her appearance. Now that he stood relatively close to her, it was almost impossible to ignore. Almost.
Gaining control of his thoughts, he mentally punched himself for being so weak. Soon he would start drooling in front of her. What for? He didn't even know her. Nor he wanted to, all the opposite in fact. He wanted nothing to do with her.
At all.
Link bowed, trying to keep the scowl under the surface. "Princess Zelda". Her cold blue eyes were steady, as the made a movement with her head acknowledging the gesture.
"Swordsman," Her melodic voice filled the room. It was somewhat hypnotic. "I come here to ask for your service."
Her voice. Perfect and calm. She reeked formality and coldness, just as expected from someone who would someday rule Hyrule. Royal. Reminding him of everything he had learned to despise and stay away from, as much as he could, in the last years. In that moment it dawn to him. Another task? He mentally growled. He had just come back, what the hell was going on?
"Your Majesty, I just came back from a mission concerning the welfare of your kingdom. I find it confusing that no one mentioned it—" He was cut in midsentence.
"I require your ability with the sword to guard my life and keep me safe from the danger which has set upon my life."
He stood there silent for a moment waiting for her to further explain the situation, the command. Anything. But as the seconds ticked by, he realized she expected him to respond.
"Who is the target?" He was tired of this cycle. He desperately wanted out.
Her eyes went downcast to regard the floor as she responded. "We have no idea, which makes it worse. It can be someone inside the castle as well as anyone outside. That's why I'm here." His confused stare made her continue, this time with her eyes meeting his. "No one knows where I am, only that I left to a safe place. I left a note and departed the castle as soon as you did. This is not an order from my father, it is a request of my own"
He was slightly irritated. Not only did he have the king on his back, but now the princess too? It was too good to be true. Not.
In the most polite manner he could manage he said, "I'm sorry princess, but I receive orders from the king only. If he hasn't sent it himself or at least approve it, I can't do it"
She was slightly shocked by his answer, but steadied herself before he could notice. "Have you not heard a word I spoke? My life is in danger. I left the castle to ask for your help. You can't just leave me on my own"
Ok, maybe she wasn't so composed, but the previous shock had lead to anger. It was more than a shock to have been denied by him, given everything she did in order to get to him. It infuriated her more than anything ever had before. Not only that but his politeness and calm self over this was like fuel to her growing anger. She expected a fight, certain restraint because she knew he wasn't fond to do what her father told him to. Still something inside her expected to agree, nonetheless.
A deep frown vas set upon his features. She was getting a bit red, but her face was still almost as formal as before.
"Oh yes, I heard. What I didn't hear was the asking-for-my-help part. It was more of an imposition. And princess, I only accept that from the king himself." He regretted the words after they came out of his mouth. Why in the world would he talk to the princess like that? It was true that he wasn't used to talk with royalty, but still he knew better than to just speak bluntly what was in his head to an authority.
She mentally smiled with triumph, her face never giving her away though. The sarcasm was better than the fake formality. Still, she hadn't wanted to impose her request, she really went to ask for his help.
Before Link could apologize, she did. Which left him speechless.
"You're absolutely right, and for that I beg my pardon. I came here to ask for your help in this matter." She looked really ashamed, or at least he thought she did. The princess was excellent at hiding emotions from her features; it was a skill that came most useful for her along the years. Then more quietly Zelda added, "What is it that you want the most?"
Even as he was a bit confused by the question, the answer escaped his lips in a whisper before he could stop it, "Freedom."
Link mentally kicked himself. Why had he been so sincere? Why didn't he just say he wanted a dog, a bigger house, a faster horse, a—
"If you keep your word to protect me, under my own conditions, I'll give you your freedom." Zelda looked very serious, as always, but she had a determined look in her eyes that made Link trust her word. "You will be exonerated from my father's requests if you do as I say."
. . .
A/N: I'm sorry it took so long for me to continue! Between work and studies I have no spare time to write. I know this chapter is short but I will update sooner.
I know this is not the way Link would react in the game. I know he helps everyone with a good heart and smile, but this Link has had his life taken from him. He has changed in those years. So I hope you understand why he reacts like that.
As they say, feedback is love :)
Filomena Mississippi