"What in the name of Din happened here? Speak, child!" The elder commanded.
The bleeding boy did not respond at first. He seemed to be dazed from something peculiar. Staring off into space, the blonde did not notice the two maidens until the elder barked in a superior tone: "You there!"
He jumped back to his senses and turned towards her sharply, as if they she just suddenly began existing. His face was as pale as death, his eyes were shadowed, and his field-colored tunic was splattered with scarlet where wounds were likely concealed under the cloth. It did not look too serious after sizing him up, but what had her on her guard was the vile odor of spilled blood hovering in the air. She caught a glimpse of a crimson puddle approximately thirty feet away from where she stood, and no trace of anybody else in the vicinity. She wondered, if by chance, that blood was the child's. But the splotch was far away from where he stood, and no trail indicating that it was his indeed.
He didn't seem like he was going to respond, so the elder opened her mouth as if she was about to repeat herself with a scolding. She was interrupted with his shaking voice. "I don't know. But it... it killed him!" The elder held her tongue, discerning his motions, face, and words. It? What was it? She pondered to herself quietly, alarmed that a murder had taken place. But where was the body? There was only blood. But even then, it was too much to have some from this scrawny farmer.
Shivering and swaying, he rubbed his forehead as if he were suffering from a major headache. The elder swept past Her Highness and confronted him, a tattooed hand gripping his shoulder tight as she lowered herself to meet him face-to-face. Her red orbs stared right into him, studying his wounds. Either this peasant was from a lineage of talented performers, or he was genuine in his words. He didn't seem to be the former.
"Who was killed, young one? What happened?" She yearned to know more, but added, "...You are safe now. It's alright." She hoped her comforting would help him relax, but Nayru bless this poor boy, covered in blood and possibly had seen things suited for only nightmares.
"It's not alright! I couldn't save him, I'm sorry! I couldn't, he died..." His voice strained as his words fell out into a jumbled cacophony, his gaze never meeting the elder's. "It was strong and I couldn't fight back, and then he came and saved me and it, oh, there was so much, too much-" He looked as if he were about to collapse and melt into the marble floor. "I'm pathetic! I couldn't even do anything..."
"Young one." The old woman patiently repeated. "What happened?"
"Impa," The mistress with the golden hair coolly inquired behind her, a gloved hand tapping at her right earring, "we shouldn't pressure him right now. I'll have the garrison take action immediately; whatever attacked him is likely still in the castle!" And Impa could agree without a shadow of a doubt, her mouth quivering to a determined frown.
"What about the boy? Should he be taken under custody?" Impa turned to the younger maiden, who nodded in agreement. The latter turned away while speaking in a hoarse voice, whispering to the knights via communication magic through her earring.
"I don't think," The boy interrupted, "they're here anymore." This little input was all it took for Impa to silently question the validity of his words. It is now they, and how does this boy know that they're gone?
A young squire made his way into the dim Chapel, his swift footsteps slowly sinking into a stop as his shadow lay before him. His golden eyes peeked out from behind deep scarlet hair and scanned the room hastily. He found two very posh women with a peasant boy who looked no younger than he was. The boy garbed in green looked exhausted and miserable, and the newcomer thought he could see blood all over his clothes. The squire immediately recognized the two other faces, and let out a gasp. It was Her Highness in the flesh and blood, Princess Zelda, and next to her, Lady Impa!
He saluted and held still, if still meant shaking in his boots. He noted disappointingly that his teacher was not present in the grant room, but this situation interested him a little more.
Lady Impa was the first to notice him. "At ease, squire!" She commanded, and he let himself loose from the pose, exhaling. "Young one, wh-"
"I am Platz, ma'am! I was sent by Captain Gavin!" His voice carried well through the polished room, cutting through Impa's words quite rudely. "My apologies for asking, ma'am! Do you know where Sir Dain is?"
The stranger, who had been doing a little better in keeping calm, froze as the name bounced off the grand walls and into deathly silence. Lady Impa seemed to notice, casting a concerned gaze in his direction. She offered tattooed hand to assist his, but he ignored the offer and found his unpolished boots more interesting than making eye contact.
"I'm sorry." The blonde mumbled under his shaking breath.
"...Why are you apologizing?" Platz asked curiously, oblivious to the obvious.
"Squire Platz, help this boy and escort him to the third solar." Princess Zelda commanded, the weariness beginning to show in her voice as she finished her odd conversation with her earring. Despite his emotions, Platz had no reason to not oblige to one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom. He hurried to the country boy's side, the two maidens watching like owls.
"And as you do, warn everybody you see that a murder has taken place within the castle! Have them round up as many soldiers as possible and be on the lookout for suspicious happenings. When you're able, round up the Ministry of Investigation and send them here!" The silver-lined platter of orders overflowed in Platz's mind, but he think he got the gist of what needed to be done. Take this kid to the third solar, tell people that a murder happened, bring ministry people to the chapel, stay on guard. Wait...
The golden eyed man's mouth gaped open. A murder? Was this why this farmer was covered in wounds? And was that why a creepy bloodstain was splattered across the floor near them? He wanted to ask more, but a warning glare from Lady Impa shut him up and had him nodding in submission. Now wasn't the time for details.
The boy flinched when Platz swiftly approached, the former never meeting his gaze. The kid didn't say anything else, he was in some sort of trance and stared blankly ahead. He dragged himself towards the doors quite quickly, the squire always beside him in case he collapsed. His lack of direction put Platz into quite an unbalance. It was slow and awkward, but the two eventually slipped out of the golden chapel together.
"This is very troubling." The heir to the throne spoke to her caretaker after the two boys left the room. Impa nodded, her red eyes focused on the doors as she contemplated many scenarios on how these events could have unfolded. "There has not been a murder in Hyrule Castle for many generations!" Impa turned to Princess Zelda, her posture broad and dignified as she spoke quickly. "And to have it occur someplace this sanctioned, I fear the worst."
Impa's voice drew back to nearly a whisper, "Can't you feel it? You have your mother's gift-"
"Oh, Impa!" The Princess interrupted. "Look at that!" Her oceanic eyes burned with an honest fire as a gloved finger pointed towards the dark windows of the chapel. A flash of ominous lightning roared in the dark clouds, veiled in growing rain.
"I can sense it. It's getting to my head as much as yours." The silver haired woman turned towards the stained glass windows at the end of the hall, absorbing the sight of the battle of lightning, rain, and roaring wind. "Those dark clouds can't be any old storm. You can sense the dark powers brewing more than anybody."
"Are you familiar with the tales of that legendary sword?" Impa asked smoothly, already knowing the answer but wanted to get the topic on the Princess' mind.
"I've read the legends, Impa. The clouds grow dark, a foreboding wind blows. The evil wind sorcerer is resurrected, and a hero takes the sacred sword. It is he who splits into four by drawing the sacred blade. The four heroes embark on a journey and once again seal away the sorcerer," Zelda paused, tilting her head,"...and restores peace to Hyrule for another millennium."
"That's the gist of it, yes." Impa nodded, her red eyes narrowed.
"How is it that nobody has noticed the dastardly pattern in this?" Princess Zelda suddenly raised her voice, flickering her gaze towards the splatter of scarlet on the floor. The blonde's face was crestfallen in grief.
"My people suffer from this, time and time again. Are we destined to face terrible bloodshed every several eons? Even though I am not the one who has suffered, I am Hyrule, and I share its pain. Is there nothing I can do in times like these? Am I just to sit here and watch my kingdom face the horrors of this damnable curse?" The Princess spat, her dignified shoulders shaking. "Each one of my ancestors who share my name... all of them were kidnapped around the beginning, weren't they? I'll bet you that sometime soon, possibly tonight..." Zelda rubbed her temples with her hand, "...I'll be taken. And so will the seven sages. Hyrule is about to pummel into another war."
"The fact alone that you are aware of this, my child," Impa soothed Zelda's troubled soul with words as soft as a dove's cooing, "can only mean greater things for you. You have the advantage this time." Impa stepped over to the Princess. "You know why? It's because you have knowledge. You know these events will play out. Paired with your visions, surely you can rise above your ancestors." Impa's words were enough to have Zelda raise her head, her attention fully focused onto her caretaker. "You can change your future, Your Highness. Your gift is a treasure too valuable to go to waste."
The third solar was royally... cozy. A warm fireplace burned mysteriously in the center of the noticeably smaller room, full of silky sofas, golden trimmed tables, vibrant vases, and everything else that made a room feel like a rich home.
It was too fancy for Link, who was sitting in silence. He stared at the fire, the flames licking the air and stale wood. His mind was racing in a confused mess. He knew that he might have to go through a lot of interrogating about tonight, and he didn't even know that much. He met creatures tonight that seemed to have already known who he was. A good man was murdered in front of his eyes.
The image of Dain's deathly pale face was engraved in his memory. It haunted the blonde.
"You could have stopped it."
Those words hurt the most. The fact that Link was able to save him, but didn't. His cowardice kicked in at the worst time and it cost his sanity greatly. He was responsible, and it could have been avoided.
His weary hands tugged at the blanket provided to him by Platz. Even beside the fire and wrapped in a warm blanket, his body felt like ice. His breathing was irregular and silent, his nose stuffed from his quiet tears.
What could he have done? If only he was in his place, a kid not worthy of being granted training to become a knight. Dain's friends would likely blame him. Not only for being there and witnessing his death, but also that he could have done something.
The events occupied his attention for half an hour. He was alone in the quiet room, and glad to have been. He hated being seen falling apart like this.
The fire was slowly burning out, and so was he. Absorbed into the blanket, Link was on the brink of sleep until the door creaked open. Blinking his tired eyes awake, Link's eyes spotted a beautiful maiden dressed in blue approach where he sat, carrying a silver tray with bandages, some sort of medicine in a glass, and an odd expression. He couldn't tell if she was pleased or upset to be here.
Link didn't stir much, but had just then realized how much his back hurt when he wondered why she was here. He also suddenly became aware of all the stinging scratches strewn across his skinny body and the blackening bruises bulging out of his skin.
He didn't say anything to her as she set the tray down onto a small table next to him. She pulled up a chair and sat down, eyeing his wounds with a concerned or judgmental gaze. "My name is Calirela." Her voice was bitter, absolutely contradicting her appearance. "I was supposed to be in charge of patching you up. But honestly, I have things to do. Better things."
Link took a nice disliking to Calirela's attitude. Hasn't he gone through enough tonight? He sat up a little straighter, but his back felt like snapping twigs as he did so. He didn't know what to except from her, so he carried along with the conversation in the most polite way it could be put, "Would you like me to do it myself?"
"Yes. Anything to get away from a murderer."
"I'm no murderer!" Link had raised himself from the chair, looming over Calirela in an aura of defiance. He didn't realize how rude he had just been until the woman rose up to meet him face to face.
"Don't you talk to me like that, peasant boy! I know what you did, quit denying it!" She slammed her foot down, the heel missing his toes by a mere inch.
"I'm telling you, I'm not a killer!" Link pulled back his sleeves to reveal the wounds underneath and displayed one of them under her nose. "Dain's murderer also attacked me! I.."
"Really, now?" Calirela sneered. "Then why-"
"Enough, both of you!" A third voice pierced through the tension like a spear. Calirela's hand was mere inches away from Link's face as if she was about to slap him. She remained frozen, her eyes burning with uncontrolled rage. Link took an uneasy step backwards, nearly tripping over the table.
"Maiden Calireta, what are you proving by verbally attacking this poor child?" A similarly fashioned maiden strode into the solar, the lioness stalking her prey. The rat readjusted herself, straightening out her hair and dress, before confronting the predator.
"My apologies," Calirela spoke in a mockingly posh accent, "I was just on my way out." The blue maiden stomped past the yellow one, glided out of the room, and slammed the door behind her. Link was now alone with this maiden, his mind a whirlwind of new questions. What was her deal?
"...Ahem." The new maiden, garbed in a gown the color of sunshine, cleared her throat. "I'm truly sorry about that." She approached Link, her presence much more welcoming. "Maiden Calirela usually... isn't like that. Please don't mind her."
"It's because of tonight, isn't it?" Link already knew the answer, and so did she.
"Child, may I have your name?" She brushed off his last question, already sitting down where Calireta was only a minute ago. Link figured that he should, too, and reclaimed his sofa.
"My name's Link. It's a pleasure to meet you." He offered the warmest smile he could muster, but the corners of his lips quivered.
"Huh. That name is sort of odd."
"How so?"
"Well, it isn't too often when one meets a young boy of the name Leek. Can't you agree?"
Link fell silent. The lighthearted conversation immediately dropped and he didn't care about it anymore. The duo lingered in an awkward silence, but only Link's mind was occupied by painful thoughts.
"It's Link." He breathed, barely audible for hearing. She somehow picked up on it.
"Oh, Link! That's it. My name is Sonneblume."
It was painfully awkward once more.
"Er, I suppose she was tasked in cleaning you up?" She stuttered, pointing to the tray of medicine. Link nodded in response, reluctant to speak once again.
"I would do it for you, but unfortunately, I can't stay here for much longer." She raised herself and curtsied before him. "I was summoned to a meeting, so I think you'll have to do it yourself."
Link was genuinely surprised at the respect he'd gained from the castle already. "Oh, that's no problem. I guess."
"Farewell, Link." And like that, Sonneblume had left the room and closed the silver colored door gently. Once again it was Link, the fireplace, and his sleeping conscience.
Link decided to at least make an attempt to get his mind off of his troubles, so he continued what Calirela had failed to complete. But facing wounds that came from the event that one is trying to avoid thinking of is a bit difficult to do. He carefully removed his tunic, cringing at the painful movement. He was still in his long sleeved undershirt, and even then it was quite messed up. Here and there, whatever attacked him shredded some of his sleeves. It had several bloodstains, and that was how the blonde knew where the worst of it was. Blegh, this was his favorite tunic.
He took a small, delicate cloth of silk from the tray and dipped it in the cup, just enough to make it damp. He applied the stinging liquids to the drying cuts and yowled. The medicine burned through the torn flesh. Link bit his lip as he continued. He wondered why Hyrule Castle didn't use remedies like Heart Berries. They weren't as painful and healed wounds extraordinarily. He remembered them plopping out of the grass like weeds near his farm. Were they not so common around these parts?
Link decided to swiftly end the rest of the applying, rushing to get it over with. He didn't want to look at the scabs anymore.
A particular burn was eating his neck, where he was held by the creature hours earlier. He was not able to see how bad it was, so Link decided to actually look at himself. Careful to not make any sudden movements, Link examined the large room. Tables here, a couple of vanities... ah. He found a mirror hanging up next to a dusty vanity. He limped his way over and found a dead boy contemplating him from the depths of the mirror.
Link had jumped, and so did the corpse in the reflection. When Link looked straight at the reflection once more, he only saw himself, a tired and miserable boy.