CHAPTER 2
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm really sorry for the short chapter. The next one is better… Anyways, follow this story, so that you can get updates! :)
It had been a long journey, but Ed had finally made it to Hyrule castle. He somehow knew that Epona would go back to her master, and left her outside the gates. "Thank you." He whispered before setting off for the castle.
Ed weaved through the bustling people in the market, made easy from his small stature. Soon he arrived at the massive gate, eyeing the guards critically.
"Boy, you're lucky," One guard stated, "I was just about to close these." He jabbed his spear at the doors.
"Go on." The other guard grunted as Ed hurried inside.
He followed the long passageway up to the peak of the castle, guided by a woman dressed in a simple, yet flattering black dress.
Ed finally approached the throne, staring up in awe at the woman who sat upon it. She was almost otherworldly; Her long, rippling gown flowing like a waterfall over the floor, and the tiara that encircled her head was inset with thousands of tiny glimmering stones. Her long blonde hair shone like gold in the sunlight, while her eyes were like the blue of a crisp night sky.
"Salutations." She greeted him regally.
"H-Hello..." Ed stuttered awkwardly, bowing.
She smiled. "Why have you come to see me today?"
Ed faltered for a minute before stating, "I was sent here by Link. He told me to see you about why I was brought here. You see your majesty, I am from Amestris..."
"Oh," Her eyes glimmered, showing a hint of amusement. "And where is Amestris? I've never heard of it."
"It's most likely another dimension-" He stopped as the burly guard standing at the princess' side held a spear to her neck.
"Hagen will... Show you to the dungeons..." The princess stated quietly, an apologetic look on her face.
"Wh-What?! You must be joking!" Ed exclaimed, backing up towards the doors.
"I-I'm so sorry..." She stammered, tears glittering on her cheeks.
"You... But I did nothing wrong!" Ed protested as the guard strode towards him.
"That's a matter of opinion." The man grinned evilly.
And as Ed was ushered down the dark stairs into what he assumed was the dungeon, he could hear the large gates of the castle grinding shut.
The guard's torch fell on cells full of ragged people. They scrambled over each other, pitifully calling out for Ed to save them. "Please, I want to go home!" One man closest to him shouted.
The man guiding Ed hit the cell with his spear, the sound resonating throughout the dungeons. "Shut up you!"
Ed was more enraged than he had been his entire life. These people were being treated like animals, and he could do nothing for them.
"Get in boy." Hagen sneered as he opened a door at the very end of the hallway.
Ed reluctantly complied.
The man dragged him to the wall and placed shackles on his wrists. "I'll be back in just a second. You prepare yourself. You're in for a world of pain and suffering."
Link had been practicing with his sword when Epona came trotting up to him.
He wasted no time in swinging himself up onto his loyal horse, slinging his sword against his back. He patted Epona's neck and she set off at once for the castle.
***
By the time Link got to the castle, it was already dark. He wondered vaguely if he could find a way in around the side, or back of the castle, but soon noticed that the guards on duty were asleep. Acting on this, he snuck past them and continued to the interior of the castle.
Link started as a lantern appeared around the corner. He hid in the shadows, ducking into an indent in the wall nearest him.
"Link?" A voice called softly, "Is that you?"
He peeked around the corner cautiously. "Princess Zelda!"
She wore a grim look on her face. "You sent someone here two days ago; correct?"
Link nodded, confused.
"Please, you must forgive me for not contacting you sooner. My communication is limited for the time being." Link could hear footsteps around the corner, getting steadily closer. Zelda hiked up her dress and dimmed the lantern before hurrying to where Link had hidden himself, and continued in a hushed voice, "I haven't much time. Your friend is here in the dungeons." She whispered hurriedly, Link growing more and more alarmed. "Please take care of her." She managed to blurt out before casting her magic, leaving Link confused and lost, in the darkness.
The footsteps faded before long, and Link could breathe again.
So... Ed was in the dungeons? How could he have already gotten into so much trouble?
He knew where to go, as he had been locked in the very same dungeons when he had first been to the castle - Though of course, he had been a wolf then, and Midna had also been helping him escape, so he knew it would not be an easy stunt to recreate.
He thought back to the panicked look on the princess' face. She had come down to warn Link about something, but only gotten so far as to tell him that Ed was imprisoned in the castle. And she was evidently being watched by someone.
There was something strange going on at Hyrule castle; of that much, he was sure.
