Escape to Hyrule CH.2
A/N- I know. It took a while :)
I blinked my eyes. Trying to focus on one thing. Bright light filtered into the space blinding me momentarily. That must have been what woke me up. As I sat up in bed I looked around my room. Exactly the same as yesterday. I don't why but I thought that today things would be different. It was my last day. But as I got up and went through my morning routine, I found that this day seemed like any other, though the prominent differences were there.
Usually I could be found throughout the castle clothed in fancy dresses that I was usually guilt-tripped into wearing by the helping maids. They would go on about how 'it was made especially for me' and that 'their hard work would be wasted' if I didn't wear the dress. How could I turn that down? I was much too kind-hearted to say no to them, which was why I more often than not ended up losing my argument as to why I'd rather not wear them.
I absolutely refused to wear the large puffy dresses though and when I was about four they finally gave up on getting me into them. I mean, you can't do anything in them. They made things as simple as walking a chore and when wearing them you'd always feel hot and sweaty. Even on the coldest of days. Besides, how was I supposed to play with Link in it?
Occasionally, on days when I had field training, I would trade in my silky clothing for navy blue pants that hugged my figure, allowing me to move more easily. Accompanying them was a silver tank top and a long cloak that acted as camouflage in the dark of the night and also concealed everything on my face but my eyes. Personally I preferred this over the formal dress that I was accustomed to. Which was why I was so happy as I strutted down the halls in what I'd like to call my ninja outfit, since I always wore it with a weapons belt hanging loosely from my waist and my favorite sword strapped across my back.
I headed down the multiple staircases of the castle, eager to start with this day that was so oddly exciting. It's weird. Just yesterday I was furious with my father for making me leave the castle so suddenly over such a preposterous vision. But now I see it as an opportunity. In my 16 years I had only left castle ground but a few times and only a short distance with an army of guards shadowing my every step. But like this I will be totally free to do whatever I want. No guards, kings or rules. Just me and my 'body guard'. I could take care of myself anyway. I had sparred with Link a few times and though I'd never won I think that pretty soon I may be able to win…maybe.
As I approached the kitchen I spotted a large golden clock above the door that was my mother's pride and joy when she was alive. She had died of disease a few years back. Something so simple went so badly. She was always sick and as she neared her death I would lie with her in the bed and hold her hand as she hacked up blood. The doctors said that there was nothing they could do for her and a month or so after she died peacefully in her sleep. I was 13 then. My father had distanced himself from her when he got word of her illness. After she passed he became even more unbearable. Going to crazy lengths to make sure I don't get hurt. He was very overprotective of his only daughter to put it simply, so I figured that this was a once in a lifetime chance to experience the outside world.
The clock read 7:46. Good. That left me plenty of time to find Link, grab my stuff and get out of here. I entered the rather large kitchen merrily. In it were two people I didn't know and one that I did. My smile broadened. "Link! What a coincidence that I'd meet you here!" He turned from the kid he was helping and smiled at me.
"Well, my stomach sort of woke me up…" He smiled sheepishly, rubbing his golden brown hair with his hand. I had always loved his hair. It was an idle but true thought. When we were younger it was truly golden. He always kept it short too. I loved playing with it since it was so soft…but as the years passed the hue of his hair slowly shifted from blonde to brown. By next year or so there would be no trace of the golden locks I'd grown to know and love. I sighed. Just one more thing that time has taken its toll on.
I felt a gentle tug on my coat, snapping me out of my reverie. There stood the little girl that had only moments ago been standing next to Link, getting help with making lunches. I smiled down at her and she mirrored me.
"You vewy pwetty." She only reached to about my knees while standing, so I figured that she was only a few years old. The young girl stood shyly, staring at the ground through her thick eyelashes. I scooped her into my lap and nuzzled the cute girl, before responding.
"Thank you! That's very kind." She beamed at my response and turned to give me a hug. After that she hopped off of her perch on my lap and waddled back over to Link, taking her lunch in a big brown bag and then waddling away.
After her departure Link walked over to where I was and sat down in the chair next to mine. "So we have what? Another hour or so before we have to leave?" he asked lightly. I thought back to the clock, nodding my head.
"I have a few loose ends to tie before leaving, but other than that we're good to go." He looked at me questioningly but remained silent. I rose and looked at him. "Do you want to come with me or do you need to do other stuff today?" He seemed deep in thought, pensive, for a moment.
"You know…I think I'm going to do some stuff before we leave. Meet me at the fountain in the garden. Bring everything you need for our little journey. How about…9 o'clock?" My heart sank. I nodded to him before slipping out of the room. I felt sad. Rejected somehow. I didn't know why though. Link had better things to do than be with me today. Why should I feel bad? My pep talk worked somewhat but the poignant feeling was still there in the pit of my stomach.
I spent the next hour gathering necessities and saying goodbye to the few people I'd grown close two over the course of my childhood. When that was said and done I found myself in one of the old music rooms, my stuff scattered across the floor. I went through my list, making sure I had everything I needed.
'Food?'
Check.
'Weapons?'
Check.
'Book of Sheikah?'
Check.
The list goes on and on. Finally I reached the end, sighing happily as I checked it off. I stuffed all of it back into the onyx Sheikah bag where it belonged. The clock above the door still only read 8:34. I didn't want to come too early and it only took five minutes to get there. What to do? I scanned the room for anything of interest. My eyes eventually landed on the large black piano that was sitting in the corner, gathering dust.
I approached it slowly, wistfully. I hadn't played a piano since I was little. Hopefully I didn't suck too badly. People with pieces of the Triforce were all instrumentally gifted, so I had learned quite a few in my years, piano being one of them. It had always been one of my favorite ways to pass the time. I ran my finger across the piano's dusty surface. It left a clean trail, allowing me to see its smooth surface. I blew on the bench, sending dust particles into the air around me. After, I sat on the bench and lifted the lid, revealing the hidden keys. I ran my fingers over the ivory keys before placing them in their appropriate places.
Before starting I thought one last thing. I wonder what Link was doing right now?
Link
Finished. I tied down Epona and Masha, our beloved horses. I mentally went through my To-Do List for the third time. Truthfully I'd only had one or two things to do in the first place. Say bye to Granny, get my favorite fighting gear together. I could've easily gone with Zelda but I figured that she'd be tired of me following her around by now and would want some time alone before we left.
Which left me here, bored and alone. I have absolutely no clue what time it is, but I was already at the fountain. I knew though that it was better to be early than late. So I sat on the circular fountain's ledge and hummed a tune while I waited.
It was warm out today and I closed my eyes, basking in it. I loved the fuzzy feeling you get when you sit in the sun long enough. It was all I could do not to fall asleep.
Zelda
I slid down the twisting banister of the stairs, hoping to save time. Plus, it was sooo fun. I had gotten caught up in my music and lost track of time. Now I had to rush down to the courtyard to meet Link…
I was getting super excited. This whole experience was definitely going to be different. Different than what I do every day here and anything I'd ever done in my life. Plus I'd be doing all of it with my best friend. What more could a girl ask for?
Even though the prospect was exhilarating, I still couldn't ditch the nagging feeling that something bad actually was going to happen. I thought back to my conversation with Impa.
All of Hyrule's fate lies in your hands. Do whatever it takes to survive.
I wasn't quite sure what we were getting ourselves into, but it was my responsibility to protect Hyrule at all costs.
I made my way to the fountain and approached it buoyantly (Enjoy the happy times right?) I found Link lying on the fountain. I bent down over his face and found that he had fallen asleep. Being the mischievous girl I was I saw this as a perfect opportunity to get him back for all of the things he had ever so callously said to me.
The water engulfed him. His brown hair turned dark and his peaceful expression was broken. I, on the other hand, could be found laughing at the helpless green creature. Link's head finally surfaced. He looked confused. His eyes darted around frantically, making me laugh harder. He stared at me, confused. Eventually comprehension flickered across hid face and he turned shades of red I'd never seen before. They kinda suited him…
"ZELDAAAAA!!!!" He jumped out of the fountain, chasing me. I ran towards the castle grounds, exiting the garden. I spotted my horse, Masha, and ran towards her. Link was nearing me and I was not in the mood to get wet. All of Link's stuff was by his horse, Epona, so I decided that now was as good a time to leave as any. I untied Masha from the tree she was grazing at and hopped on her. We eased into a steady trot, leaving Green Boy in our dust. Soon Link was behind us, his same smiley self.
"That wasn't very nice." He stated, pouting. I smiled back at him.
"Revenge is sweet." He looked at me skeptically before galloping in front of me. So he wanted to play that game did he?
I hoped the rest of our trip would be like this, fun and games. But I knew that it probably wouldn't be. Something was going to happen. And we had to be the ones to stop it, but for now, if only for a moment, I wanted to enjoy this freedom. Bask in it. If only for a minute.
A/N- After ages I finally posted. I don't have real incentive to write but I enjoy this story so I'm going to continue it. If I got reviews I'd be faster updates, but oh well…