The Calm of the Storm

Zelda's carriage, pulled by two horses deemed the quickest and most sturdy in all of Hyrule, gradually made its way toward Hyrule market under the guidance of the driver, Erik. While Zelda previously rode horses, the instant she came of age she occupied the carriage explaining to Link that she had no choice but to conform to the roles and presentation expected of a princess. Of course, she hadn't explained it that nicely to Link, nor did Link refrain from teasing her the first day she set foot in the gold and jeweled plated carriage. From that day, Link rode twenty feet behind the carriage in the event that a moblin or bandit chose to attack. Seeing as that only occurred once, Link usually resigned to tediously watch Hylians gawk and awe after Zelda who occasionally waved or shared kind words. Today there were fewer people, so Link instead hummed a song he overheard the Hylian orchestra practicing as he left the castle. It was during the sixteenth measure when the horses suddenly whinnied fearfully before rearing up and galloping away.

Link, suddenly alert, urged his own horse after the carriage as it violently bumped behind the frightened horses. As he aligned parallel to the carriage, he noticed that Erik hung onto the window of the carriage for dear life. Link reached into his pack and retrieved a rope, managing to lasso Erik just as he lost his grip. He secured Erik before turning his attention again to the carriage, which managed to gain several feet during his distraction. Link urged his horse again, who neighed in protest at the added burden of Erik.

Hearing Zelda's screams, which were genuine cries of terror compared to her usual daily whines, Link aimed the rope for a desperate attempt to lasso the carriage. He had only heard her scream like that one other time when an iron knuckle invaded the castle and nearly disemboweled her with its large blade. She had even kissed him after he defeated the iron knuckle, but later dismissed it saying she had to do something extreme to prove that she was really alive. Link struggled to admit it, but he had liked the feel of her lips on his, even if for a brief second. It was as if all of their years together had suddenly amounted to a powerful affection that could only be expressed in a kiss. If Zelda had waited only a second longer, Link would have returned her kiss and perhaps his perplexing affection for Zelda, who relentlessly taunted him, would be explained.

Link waved these thoughts from his mind as he readied himself to fling the lasso toward a side rail on the carriage. The rope landed several feet short and the carriage continued to gain on him. Feeling his horse slowing, Link reached for his boomerang, attached the rope and launched it toward the rail. Right before the boomerang rounded the rail and secured the knot, Link silently said his prayers and leaped toward the flapping rope. Fortunately luck was on his side as he managed to grab the rope right before the horses turned. Using his shield as a platform, he pulled himself behind the carriage.

Link thought he heard Zelda ask why he wasn't here, so he replied, "I'm on my way princess!"

As he pulled himself closer he saw her point and say, "No! Get OUT of here!"

He followed her finger gesturing towards woods that lay in the direction the frightened horses fled. Sighing, he removed a bomb from his pouch, braced it against his arm, and struck the flint to light it.

"Are you sure I don't earn my keep?" Link called to the princess as the woods edged closer.

She turned to regard him with widening eyes Link could not see before yelling, "Don't even think about it!"

"Too late princess!" Link cried right before the bomb exploded, propelling him towards the carriage while his shield guarded him from the flames.

Link landed on the roof of the carriage, using his sword to secure himself. He pulled himself towards the driver's seat, managing to grab the reins. Link gave a strong tug, but found the horses unresponsive. Seeing that the reins had loosened around the horses, he realized breaking the axle would be the only way to stop the carriage. Concentrating his strength into both arms, he lunged his sword toward the axle, severing it in one strike. The carriage jolted forward, but abruptly slowed end eventually rest in a brush as the horses galloped into the forest. Sheathing his sword triumphantly, he turned his attention to Zelda who had already exited the carriage and fallen to rest in the grass.

"Princess, are you alright?"

The only response was thunder in the distance and the cry of birds overhead.

"Princess..." Link repeated and knelt next to her.

She turned her gaze toward him, compelling Link to pull her into his arms. The few moments she rested in Link's embrace seemed to sober her for she suddenly pulled away.

"Thank you Link," the princess paused and Link was so surprised he could not speak. Her gaze was the same as when she kissed him a few years ago- full of wonder and an affection that only manifested upon the realization that she was so close to losing the object of her affections. It was a gaze, he knew, that reflected his own. This time it was he who closed the distance and captured her lips in a quick, uncertain peck. A clap of thunder sounded, causing the two to break apart as if the bolt had landed between them.

"Sorry princess! That was just..." Link paused, contemplating his words.

"Something extreme that you had to do to prove that we were alive," she finished for him.

"Exactly," he lied, for he had never had a doubt in his mind.

"More importantly," Zelda said, "is discovering what it was that spooked the horses. They've traveled through several storms before without so much as a neigh of protest."

"Princess, I believe that this incident is connected to Ganon somehow. I cannot explain it, but I've had a feeling ever since the attack this morning."

"If you had a feeling the entire time, why did you let me travel today, hero?" Zelda challenged.

It was then Link knew that their relationship had resumed its usual course.

Ganon laughed maliciously as another clap of thunder shook the overworld. His keese scouting the forest had informed him that Link and Zelda were stranded without a carriage along the woods. How easy it would be to sneak into the castle and claim the Triforce of Wisdom...

"Lord Ganon," a moblin said.

"What is it now?" Ganon growled.

"Two of us are on our way to claim the Triforce of Wisdom as you ordered."

"WHAT?!" Ganon bellowed.

The moblin cowered again.

"But boss...you told us to-"

"I told you to NOT take the triforce you insolent fools," Ganon interrupted.

"But Lord Ganon...we always-"

"I know we always do, which is why we're not doing it now you imbeciles."

"My apologies, Lord Ganon. I will go tell them-"

"You will do no such thing."

Ganon summoned four keese and released them to deliver the message.

"How do I put up with such ignorance?" Ganon muttered, but was soon comforted by his plan.

He had waited this long to get the Triforce of Wisdom. Surely he could wait a little longer for his plan to completely unfold. If he were too hasty Link and Zelda would simply reclaim the triforce and all of his hard work would be meaningless. No doubt...this time would be different. This time he would render Link and Zelda completely helpless, which in actuality, they would consider a worse fate than death.

Link and Zelda traveled the fields of Hyrule, eventually finding shelter in a barn from the relentless rain. Zelda fashioned a bed of hay and pretended to sleep while Link stood watch. Even if the thunder wasn't clapping in her ears and rattling the barn tools, she would have been unable to sleep. Her thoughts kept cycling back to Link's kiss, and she couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same affection that compelled her to kiss him that time. Surely he had some nerve to kiss her as she could easily throw him in prison for such a violation, or perhaps he was simply claiming revenge for the kiss she gave him. It was true that she had dismissed the kiss in the most insignificant manner she could fathom at the time, but she needed the time to place her feelings. Did she really love Link, the man who she constantly bickered with or was she simply admiring his heroics and strength, a quality that would impress any woman no matter what she claimed.

"I know you're awake princess," Link spoke, displacing her thoughts.

"Aside from my responding now, what makes you think that?" Zelda questioned.

"Because even I couldn't sleep through that!"

Zelda's smile was hidden with her back to him. "You have a point."

"It really wasn't necessary for you to agree" Link grumbled.

Zelda resisted the urge to engage in their usual banter and changed the subject.

"What did you mean when you said that this event is connected to Ganon?"

Link shared his suspicion with her and this time Zelda waited until he finished before she spoke.

"I suppose we should return to Hyrule as quickly as possible then," Zelda replied.

She started to stand but her legs buckled beneath her.

"Listen, I'm not about to travel in that storm, especially when you're in no condition to."

"Don't patronize me, Link."

"I wasn't. I was just saying-"

"I know. I'm just mad that I'm so helpless now. But thank you for your concern..."

Link regarded her with puzzlement. "This is the second time you've thanked me today. It's beginning to scare me!"

"If you don't let me go to sleep, it will be the last time," Zelda retorted.

"Well, excuse me princess," Link muttered.

Zelda didn't reply and it was not long before she felt her weariness pulling her into the comfort of sleep. She resisted until one thing was clear- behind Link's teasing, he really did care.