It was calm outside. The weather was flawless and there was no better time to take it all in. A refreshing, cool breeze flowed by Zelda, gently brushing against her face as she stood at the wooden windowsill in her room. Her window was bigger than most. It actually took a bit of effort to open and close it. The crystal clear window panes were often left open though, as Zelda liked having a nice airflow. Large, soft clouds gracefully drifted on by as the ever flowing wind moved them forward until they were out of sight. Zelda closed her eyes and took a deep, relaxing breath. A subtle chill was sent throughout her body as she thought about how content she truly was at the moment. A faint smile appeared on her face. It was rare to have anytime to herself these days. She didn't necessarily want time to herself to read, or to complete any of the tasks she set out to accomplish for the day. She just wanted time to think, that's all.
She put her elbow on the edge of the windowsill and rested her head in the palm of her hand, staring off into the distance secretly hoping that everything would turn out to be alright in the end. Not just for her, but for everyone in general, especially the ones she cared about most.
Zelda's room was located at the top of the main tower in the castle. There was no better view from her window as it overlooked the Kingdom of Hyrule. Her room was quite spacious, which is to be expected considering the person who occupied it. Her large King-sized, 4-poster bed sat against the middle of one of the stone walls. It was made of a dark oak. Strong and appealing to the eyes. Soft, white mesh curtains hung from the top of the bed, draping down to the floor and creating a calm, elegant environment for her to obtain her beauty rest. Her ivory white, down pillows sat atop her excessively large down comforter which matched the pillows in both color and texture.
A grand stone fireplace rested in the middle of the other wall directly facing her bed. It was nearly as tall as Zelda and stretched nearly 3 meters across. Huge birch logs were resting, unlit, in the fireplace patiently awaiting the day to keep the Princess warm during the cooler months of the year that would inevitably come. Many pictures frames stood atop the mantle, showing many friends and members of the royal family that had passed on during her time. It was a sort of a tribute to them, and to ensure she never forgets about the ones she loves, even for a moment.
There wasn't much in her room, despite her lineage. She liked to keep things simple when it came to decor. The only other objects she had in her room consisted of a massive armoire, made out of the same dark oak that her bed was made of, and a small study in the corner of her room that consisted of a wooden desk and chair, a small bookcase that held only her favorite novels, and a medium sized household plant that she liked to take care of. She also had a small closet located near her bed. She rarely went into in and she kept it locked at all times.
Zelda continued to look off into the distance, almost as if she was waiting for something, or someone. She began to hum her favorite tune, a lullaby, passed down by her family for many, many generations.
Only moments passed before a solid knocking sound could be heard on her bedroom door. Zelda reverted back to reality and redirected her eyes towards the door.
"Yes? Who is it?", Zelda peacefully questioned.
The door opened and one of the many castle guards took a step in. He knelt down and removed his helmet almost instantaneously. He was clad in chain-mail neck to toe and armor was worn over top of it. It was glimmering and silvery. It looked to be finely crafted and taken care of.
"Sorry, your majesty. But you have a guest at the castle gate waiting for you. He claims it's quite urgent and that he speak to you immediately."
"Ah, a guest? I have a good idea who it might be." Zelda smiled.
"Thank you for bringing me the news. Please tell him I'll be down in just a moment."
The castle guard stood up, gave her the salute, and made his way back down the tower to the aforementioned guest.
"I wonder what the news could be this time. Hyrule has been at peace for quite some time now so it mustn't be anything too serious. Unless...there are some personal issues involved. I wonder...", Zelda stared back outside for a moment. She had a feeling she wouldn't get time to herself to think for awhile and wanted to grasp one last moment of it before it was over.
Zelda let out a little laugh, as if to tell herself it's time to get back to her duties. She calmly left her room, closed the door behind her, and traversed down the tower staircase to greet her guest.
The staircase twisted its way down the entirety of the tower. It was fairly dark, only lit up by the small windows that pierced the tower walls every so often along the way. There were some wall lamps, but those were only lit up at night by the castle guards. Zelda knew the tower almost inside out. Which is to be expected as she has been living in it since she was a child. She felt comfortable walking along the towers many steps, even at night. The tower itself was a bit eerie at times, but Zelda enjoyed the quiet that came with her rooms seclusion.
Zelda continued her way down the tower staircase until she reached the bottom where a large, heavy wooden door greeted her, as it always has. It looked quite difficult to open and close due to the sheer size and weight of the door, but it was flawlessly put together and attached to the neighboring wall. Zelda effortlessly pushed it open with one hand and continued towards the castle gate.
As she neared her destination her excitement grew. Her steps hastened as she anxiously made her way towards her guest.
She passed through the courtyard and through the castle hall that led to the grand foyer. She then exited through the main doors where the castle gate was located and gently closed the doors behind her.
It was a large iron gate, about 3 stories tall and only one of two entrances in the castles exterior wall. Zelda's father told her when she was a child that the exterior wall served as a protective barrier, so that no one would ever be able to harm his little princess. She knew now that he only told her that so she would feel safe. The wall provides nothing more than privacy nowadays.
Zelda looked around the castles front grounds for her guest, but couldn't see anyone anywhere. She walked towards the center of the grounds, which had nothing more than the end of a dirt road that lead to the castle and some grass.
"Where in the world did he go?" she said to herself.
Zelda looked around for the castle guard hoping for an explanation, but he was no where to be found.
"How strange..."
Zelda turned around in disappointment and began to walk back into the castle. But just as she did the castle doors opened and two castle guards appeared followed shortly after by a familiar face.
"Princess Zelda, there you are!" said the familiar face.
"Ah, I had a feeling you were my visitor."
Zelda smiled and walked up towards her guest and long time friend.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Link." Zelda giggled.
"Yes it has." Link smiled.
"Sorry for not visiting as much as I'd like to. I've been doing some digging lately pertaining to something quite important, which is why I'm here actually."
"Oh! I didn't think we would get down to business so quickly here. Not even a friendly chat or a nice cup of tea to start things off?" Zelda said jokingly.
"I know what you're trying to do here. Stop making me feel guilty", Link gave her a wink.
They both began laughing. Link went in to give her a friendly handshake, as he had always done in the past. But Zelda delicately brushed passed his hand and gave him a hug instead.
"But really, I have missed you", Zelda said as she held him.
Link stood there, shocked at how much she really missed him, but then quickly snapped back into reality and put his arms around her.
"I...I've missed you too, Zelda"
They both stood there in each others arms for a few seconds before ending their affectionate greeting. They looked at each other and smiled, but not before Zelda saw him blushing a bit.
"So, you had something important to discuss with me?" Zelda giggled.
"Oh right! I almost forgot!" Link exclaimed.
"Alright, lets go find a place to sit and talk then, shall we?. It's such a nice day out, mind if we sit in the courtyard? It'll be nice and quiet there." Zelda suggested.
"Not at all" Link said as adjusted his hat.
They turned towards the mains doors and began making their way to the castles courtyard which was only located at the end of one on the halls that connected to the foyer. They only had to walk straight ahead, their destination wasn't far, but as they walked side by side, Zelda pondered what Link had to say to her. Could it be about a situation in Hyrule? Was Link himself having some personal issues? Or could it even be about herself?
She grew anxious again and she only hoped that his news was positive.
They reached the end of the stone hall, which was quite dark, and opened the small wooden door that led to the courtyard.
The suns light shined directly at the pair and caught them off guard. They both squinted for a moment and Link put his hand up to block the sun from his eyes.
The courtyard was quite large in comparison to most. It had hedges every which way one looked, perfectly trimmed and watered daily it seemed. The hedges were waist high and outlined the cobblestone path that winded through the area. There was an almost endless amount of flowers as well. Each patch of flowers perfectly spaced from the ones beside it. They were beautiful and remained Zeldas favorite part of the courtyard to this day. She always remembered going outside as a child and helping the groundskeepers water the plants and trim the dying parts off. She still helped from time to time, if she wasn't busy. It kept her at peace.
There were also various statues that stood in the courtyard. They were all ivory white and looked to be taken care of very well. Most of the statues resembled heroic knights clad armor. But there was one in the center that depicted a beautiful woman in an alluring dress. It looked as though she was dancing, arms up in the air and legs twisted. The way she was posing made it look as though she was happy, but the facial expression was quite the opposite. It always made Zelda wonder why her face was made to be so sad. It was her favorite statue of course.
"Here, lets chat over in the middle. It's my favorite spot", Zelda pointed towards a nice grassy area beside the statue of the elegant women.
"Sounds good to me!"
They walked over and Zelda adjusted her dress and kneeled down. Link removed his sword and shield from his back and laid it on the grass beside him. He then dropped down, as if he hadn't sat in a long time, and laid on his back. He began to look at the clouds for a moment as they drifted on by in the wind.
"Hmm. I haven't looked up at the clouds in awhile. I can't even remember the last time I did", Link explained.
"Funny, I was just looking at them just before you got here"
Link sat up, arms supporting himself, legs sprawled out. He gave Zelda a gentle smile.
"You know, I remember sitting outside on nice days like this together when we were younger. Do you remember that?"
"Of course I do" Zelda laughed.
"They were some of my best memories as a child. Everything was just so much simpler back then. I kind of miss it..."
"Yeah, I do too."
They both looked up at the sky for a moment together as they reminisced about their childhood.
"Anyways, you had something important to talk to me about, Link?"
"Oh right, I'm not sure why I keep forgetting. I guess I'd better fill you in."
"So a few days ago I received word of something happening off in the west. Something evil that couldn't really be explained. There have been reports of a tall, dark man with a purple aura causing chaos on a widespread level and I fear that it may be..."
"It can't be him? Can it? You think Ganon is still alive?!" Zelda interrupted.
"That's what I want to find out. If he is still alive then I want to be sure. If he IS still out there, then I feel it's my responsibility. I thought I made sure he would never return last time, so if it is in fact Ganon causing all this destruction then I need to fix it and make sure he never rises again."
"But why do you think he's off in the west? You'd think he'd be here again, right?"
"Yeah, that's the one thing that doesn't make much sense here. But the description I've gotten goes beyond a 'Tall, dark man with a purple aura'. I've gotten detailed descriptions that match Ganon almost to a tee, which, to be honest, kind of frightens me. Ganon himself doesn't frighten me, just the idea that I failed in preventing this absurd resurrection, and knowing that it's potentially my fault that people are getting hurt out there"
Link crossed his legs and looked down at the ground, looking almost depressed. He started picking blades of grass and tossing them in front of him.
A slight breeze blew in, catching the end of Zelda hair and links hat, whipping them gently in the wind.
Zelda then noticed a white butterfly appear out of nowhere and flutter about for awhile, circling Link and Zelda. Zelda watched as it made its way over towards Links sword and shield. It fluttered above his gear and delicately landed on the edge of his sword.
Zelda let out a long sigh and smiled.
Link looked up and looked at her, wondering if something was on her mind.
"You know, I have a feeling you'll be alright if you went and simply investigated the situation out in the west. No harm in that, correct?" Zelda said.
Link looked back at the ground, and then looked and his sword and shield. The butterfly flew up and fluttered around him for a few seconds before making its way towards the plethora of flowers that the courtyard had to offer. Link smiled.
"You know, you're probably right, Zelda"
"Of course. I usually am, aren't I?" Zelda winked at him.
They both laughed a bit with each other, and Zelda laid down on her back and looked up at the sky. Link did as well.
"So, why did you want to tell me this by the way? I know you would have gone regardless of what I said."
"Well, I just...wanted to let you know that I'd be gone for awhile I suppose. I didn't want you to worry."
"Oh. Well, thank you. I would have worried too! If I ever found out, that is. It IS hard to keep track of your whereabouts these days."
"That is true", Link laughed.
They laid there for awhile, simply relaxing and looking up at the sky, watching the clouds pass by.
Link then sat up and looked at Zelda.
"I...hate to leave so soon. but..."
"Already? I was hoping you'd at least stay for a bit longer"
"Sorry Zelda, you know how anxious I get"
"I was just teasing again" Zelda laughed.
"I'm the exact same way, always anxious to complete my duties."
Link stood up and picked his sword and shield off up the ground. He threw it on his back as he always did.
"But! Before you go Link, I'd like you to have something" Zelda said.
"Oh? What is it?" Link questioned.
"Just one moment. It's up in my room. I'll run and get it for you!"
Zelda quickly stood up and brushed the grass off of her dress. She then ran towards her room. As she did so, she turned around and yelled back at Link.
"Just wait there! I'll just be a minute!"
"Alright! But make it quick!" Link let out a laugh.
"I wonder what she has for me this time..." He quietly asked himself.
Zelda hurriedly ran through the courtyard, down the short hall towards the large door to the tower, and up the staircase that led to her room. She opened her door and stopped for a moment to catch her breath. She then walked over towards her bed, lifted the right side of her mattress, and pulled out two necklaces with almost identical medallions on it.
She looked at them for a moment, and then quickly ran back down to the courtyard where Link was waiting.
"Heeeyy!" Zelda yelled at Link as she ran towards him.
She slowed her pace a bit to catch her breath again as she neared Link.
"Hey, what's that?" Link asked.
"Here you go!" Zelda handed over one of the medallions.
"You'll probably want an explanation as to what its purpose is and what the meaning behind these medallions are, right?"
"Sure, that'd be nice" Link said jokingly.
"Well, these aren't just for show, although I DO love how they look. They are capable of creating a bond with itself and the wearer. You simply have to put it around your neck for a moment and it instantly recognizes the person wearing it. It's a sort of Magic spell that I've cast on it. I'm not about to go into detail since you probably won't understand it all." Zelda explained.
"That's probably true" Link laughed.
"Well go on, try it!" Zelda urged.
"Alright."
Link unclipped the two ends of the necklace and then put them around his neck, clipping the ends back together.
Link held the medallion in his hand and examined it closely. It was a bright silver and it depicted the sun and the moon crossing paths, like the beginning of an eclipse, on one side, and a full moon on the other. It's strings were made of a dark leather, practically black in color. He looked at it closely for a few more seconds before it suddenly flashed a bright light.
Link stumbled, fell over, and blushed in embarrassment as Zelda laughed at him.
"That light you saw? It represented the bond between you and the medallion. That bond will remain until it is worn by someone else, meaning you don't have to where it all the time. You could keep in in your pocket if you wanted to, or even keep it on your dresser."
Zelda then put her medallion on and it flashed the same bright light. She adjusted her hair accordingly as Link stood back up off the ground.
"Alright, so what does this bond represent, exactly?" Link asked.
"I was just about to get to that" Zelda smiled.
"So not only is there a bond between the wearer and the medallion, but there is a bond between the two medallions themselves.
Zelda held up her medallion to show Link. It showed the same beginning of an eclipse on one side, but then instead of showing a full moon on the other side, it showed the sun.
"So, in short, the medallions connect the two wearers in a sense. It's purpose is to let each wearer know if the other is in danger or if they're hurt. That way I'll know if I have to come and save you" Zelda stuck out her tongue at Link.
"Funny, I was thinking I'd be the one saving you" Link gave her another wink.
"But seriously, the medallion will begin to pulsate and glow if the other is in danger or in pain. Just be careful out there alright? I want to aid you in any way I can. I know you probably don't want me tagging along with you on your journey which is why I'm giving you this. I know you'd rather have me be safe here at the castle, but I will come and find you if I see this thing glow, and I expect the same from you!" Zelda laughed.
"Of course!" Link laughed with her.
"But really, thank you. That's...really sweet."
Link looked at his medallion again before tucking it inside his tunic.
"The ONLY issue with these is that it doesn't really have a definitive way of telling you where the other wearer is exactly. That, and it makes me look a bit paranoid about your safety and whereabouts" Zelda joked.
"It does however, point towards the direction that the other medallion is. All you have to do is hold it up in the air away from your body and the medallion will lean towards the way you should go. You can try it now if you want to."
Link nodded. He took a few steps back and unclipped the necklace. He then held it up in front of him and sure enough, it gently leaned directly towards Zeldas medallion. He went side to side watching the medallion as it continued to point towards her, proving its accuracy.
"You made these?" Link asked.
"Well, yeah. I made them awhile ago figuring they would prove to be useful at one point or another. I just haven't found a chance to use them yet. That, and I haven't had anyone to give one too. It's your lucky day!"
"I suppose it is, isn't it?" Link laughed again.
"Thanks again, Zelda. I really do appreciate it."
"Why it's my pleasure." Zelda took a bow.
"Just don't lose it alright? I'd go nuts if I went searching for you only to find someone else in trouble was wearing it."
"Don't worry, I won't." Link patted his chest where the medallion was sitting.
"Good. Now I'm guessing you want to head off now, don't you."
"Well, I don't really WANT to. But I feel like it is my duty to at least check out what's going on in the west. There's a chance that it's nothing, but it will still be nice to have your medallion with me just in case."
Zelda smiled at him.
"I haven't laugh this much in such a short time span in awhile you know? I get all excited and start acting like a child when old friends visit me. Come back soon alright?" Zelda said.
"Don't worry, I won't be gone too long."
"I hope not..." Zelda said as she crossed her arms.
Link then turned around and waved goodbye as he left the courtyard and headed towards the castles entrance. Zelda waved back until he was out of sight and let out a long sigh shortly after. She then headed back into the castle to find out what she needed to do for the day.
Night fell as Link traveled west towards who he suspected to be Ganon. He decided to travel by sailboat across the nearby sea as it would be faster than walking around it and he didn't want to burden his horse, Epona, by riding her for miles on end to his uncertain destination. Earlier that evening before setting off on his journey, Link managed to convince a local sea side fisherman to lend his sailboat for a few days, but not without a hefty price to go along with it. Link felt it was worth it however and wasted no time trying to barter with the old fisherman. It was a small, 2 person sailboat, but that was all he needed. Aside from the looming scent of fish, he felt that this boat would be able to comfortably and safely get him from point A to point B without worry.
The night sky was spotted by an endless amount of stars. They glimmered and shined as Link sat back against the side of the sailboat and stared up at them, pondering about how vast it must truly be out there. There was a beautiful crescent moon that night, outshining all the stars as it usually did. The water was calm and the breeze was gentle as it carried the refreshing sea air towards him. His journey couldn't have been going any smoother then it was at the moment.
Link began to doze off, confident that his sail was set in the correct position and that the sea breeze would safely guide him and his boat to where he needed to be. He checked his medallion one last time before going to sleep, lifting it up from under his shirt and unclipping it. He held it up and watched it point in the opposite direction that he was going, which was towards Zelda of course. He smiled and then carefully placed the medallion in his pocket. Link then pulled his hat down a bit to cover his eyes and fell into a deep, comfortable sleep.
