Impulsive
Summary: An innocent royal finds herself out of her element and in the protective arms of a young tramp. She begins to sees things about her kingdom that she never expected to see and find out a little more about herself in the process.
Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Zelda or its characters.
Rating: Rated M for sexual situations.
Chapter Three: Hyrule City Market
The sun rose from behind the Goron Mountains to the east with a brilliant orange glow. It painted the plains of Hyrule in the glorious gold only seen early in the mornings and that particular morning a young man was out enjoying the first light of day with his beloved chestnut mare.
The wind whipped through his hair as he urged the mare on through the still morning. It was just him and her running under the sun in a surge of independence and joy. He galloped past a small farming community where an older couple watched him wistfully.
"Ah to be young and carefree again," The woman said in wonder as they watched him ride off in the distance.
"It has never been easy love, and I'm sure even he has moments where life seems impossible. One day maybe this country will come out of this depression and waste it has become," He said turning back to look at the pitiful plant that was trying to survive in the dry land.
"Until then all we can do is pray and continue praying," he with a sigh.
Tramp slowed the mare down and took in the sights around him.
"Well what do ya think Epona ol' girl? Time to head back and see what's going on back at the city?" He asked in amusement. Epona snorted in reply and took a step forward in a different direction. Link laughed at her antics.
"Sorry girl but I need to give my report so we have to go back to the city," Tramp said wistfully as he gazed across the field. His blue eyes critically surveyed the land and took in account of what he saw. The dark trees to the east which held the boundaries of the forest stared at him in despair. To the south he gazed at the mist rising in the sun that dwelled over the low Lake Hylia. The sands of the desert swirled atop the plateau where the Gerudo once called home. Finally his eyes rested on the expanding town of Hyrule City where his destination lay.
Tramp sighed before tapping Epona forward to the north.
"Come on maybe something interesting will give someone laughter in these hard times," Tramp said quietly to the mare.
"Just remember you're the only gal for me," Tramp said. Epona snorted and continued walking. They passed the small fields along the way with some of the country folk hopelessly attending them.
"Master Link, welcome. What brings you to this small section of Hyrule this fine morning?" one boisterous farmer asked.
"Haha! Good morning, Seoras. Epona needed a good stretch so here we are and now we are on our way to Hyrule City," Link said greeting an old friend.
"This place is sinking down and without a righteous ruler we are gonna perish on this land. May the Goddesses send their tears," Seoras said looking at the cloudless morning sky.
"Hang in there my friend, they will send on the rains soon. I can feel it. As for the kingdom, that is a different matter," the Tramp's face darkened at the thought.
"Perhaps the Princess will pull us through," a female voice came from behind Seoras.
"Charity, I wouldn't count on her. She is very unfit to rule this kingdom. She has never been outside the castle walls. Edric the fool keeps her locked in knowing she will bring his reign down if she knew the truth. She is very clueless, I met her once and she has no idea what sort of state this land is in and she wouldn't have the slightest idea how to fix it. She's as useless as they come next to the proclaimed king," the tramp voiced exactly what he thought of the princess.
"Then there isn't much else there is. Hyrule will go to a foreign prince if the king marries that princess to another land," Seoras said in despair, his former boisterous self disappearing.
"We'll see, I have an ally that I'm meeting with she may be able to shed some light on what the court has in mind for the princess. God knows there are enough nobles around to take her hand and take the throne. But who would you chose to be the next king of Hyrule?" the tramp asked.
"Personally if it were up to me it would be someone who knows the land like the back of his hand. Someone who has fought the enemy and won. Someone who is liked by the people. I would pick you Link. The races of Hyrule adore you and so do the farmers. You've helped us a great deal," Seoras said making Link shift uncomfortably.
"Hyrule City isn't much of a fan, but enough talk. The city waits as does our news. Take care my friend and I'll be around to spread the news as I see fit."
Link urged Epona into a canter and they were well on their way to the city.
Under that same blue sky the Princess of Hyrule was awakened abruptly by her highest handmaiden.
"You majesty the morning hours are waning and Impa has requested to come see you in ten minutes. She said you are to wear this dress and cloak and wait for her here," the maiden said rather urgently. Zelda's eyes bleary with sleep looked at her in confusion but shut quickly at the sudden burst of sunlight that bathed the room in a bright light as Lotte pulled open the drapes.
"Lady Lotte what's going on?" She said as she came to the edge of her bed and slowly opened her eyes.
"She didn't say, now hurry milady," Lotte said shooing her behind the dressing screen. Zelda held up the dress in confusion.
"This isn't one of my dresses, where am I going that I need such a dress?" Zelda asked holding up the soft brown dress. It was very simple for it had a bodice and a flowing skirt but nothing on it to make it stand out.
"I wasn't told why now please Princess, I need you to get ready," Lotte said rather urgently. Zelda paused at the tone in the handmaiden's voice and narrowed her eyes at her.
"What's going on?" Zelda asked sharply causing the maiden to pale.
"I don't know. I'm just following Impa's orders," Lotte said briskly. Zelda was about to protest when Impa entered the room.
"Lotte is she dressed yet?" Impa asked impatiently.
"Impa I demand to know what is going on," Zelda said stubbornly from behind the screen. She almost had the dress on when Impa came behind and did up the simple lace up back.
"We are going into the city now hurry up milady," Impa said braiding the blonde mane swiftly.
"Going to the city?" Zelda echoed in confusion, "You never take me to the city."
"I was finally able to convince your uncle now hurry princess before he changes his mind like he is famous for," Impa ushered handing Zelda the simple cloak that swung around her shoulders like a cape but could be closed.
They swept quickly through the secret passages of the castle and found their way into the courtyard where Zelda's own snowy white mare stood waiting for her.
"For your safety Zelda you are going to have to walk and guide the mare while I ride. It is the perfect way to keep you safe if you act like a young servant rather than a noble woman," Impa instructed mounting the white mare.
"But won't they recognize you Impa? You go to the city all the time," Zelda questioned.
"Yes they will milady but they won't recognize you which is the important part now walk along," Impa commanded. Zelda decided not to take any more chances and took the reins to lead the mare down the road to the city. She wasn't thrilled with the way that Impa was treating her but it gave her a chance to get out of the castle that happened only once in a very rare while.
The air was still and hot as Zelda lead the mare into the city and took Impa's directions from the saddle.
"Down that street please, we are going to find fabric for the princess today for a new gown," Impa said taking Zelda down a side street to avoid the main crowd down to the centre square.
"Why are we going this way Milady?" Zelda inquired politely to avoid interest from people on the street.
"Its quicker to take this side street around the main square and enter the square by it instead of the main road," Impa explained patiently. Zelda lead the mare to the entrance of the square where Impa swung down and tied the horse to a hitch post.
"It's often too crowded to take the horses into the square so they have these posts set up on the side streets," Impa explained quietly and suddenly Zelda realized that Impa was taking the opportunity to teach her about the city without her uncle knowing.
"Don't the horses get stolen? There's nothing stopping a thief from taking them," Zelda pointed out. Impa chuckled a little before explaining.
"If your horse is good they won't let a thief steal them. When properly trained and taken care of the horse will remain loyal to one person and that is their caretaker. Have no fear milady," Impa said walking into the sun of the open square and the bustling people. Zelda swiftly followed behind her.
Link rode into the city and also left Epona near the outskirts of town where she could graze on the open grass there. As a master of disguise he joined the ranks of the city undetected and made his way to the city square.
Zelda gazed around the square in wonder as the shopkeepers and Hyrulean citizens bartered back and forth for the lowest or highest prices they could get. Impa steered her towards a smaller shop that held many many bolts of cloth for clothing.
``Ah Impa, back again for another gown for the princess" a jolly voice rang out as a large robust man came from behind a counter.
"Indeed I have Matthias," Impa said before turning her attention to the many colours that lined the walls of the shop.
"What colour do you like?" Impa asked Zelda as she looked at the bolts of cloth.
"The green one Milady, may I wait for you outside?" Zelda asked, way more interested in the people that were milling around then the prospect of another dress. She had hundreds of dresses.
Impa hesitated but then nodded, "Stay close." Zelda nodded and went out into the streets of Hyrule City. She walked through the people and marvelled at the common people. They hurried around town doing different things. One young lady was trying to get people to buy some milk.
"Come and get the famous Lon Lon Milk," the red head called out. Zelda's blue eyes drank in her surroundings as she moved about. The people started to thin out as Zelda made her way along the outer square and into more residential areas of the city. Here the children were not quite as cheerful and playful. They were thinner, had tattered clothing and seemed to be doing chores rather than playing. Zelda came to a tree and leaned against for shade and a little rest. One young girl came up to Zelda.
"Please milady, would you help my family?" she asked outstretching a hand to Zelda. Zelda gently drew the child into her arms, and gently spoke, "how can I help young one?"
"A coin perhaps, we are very poor and don't have much to eat. The king taxes my parents terribly," She said in a soft voice, close to tears, "It's not fair, I wish I was a princess."
Zelda quietly drew an orange rupee from her pouch, "Here take this to feed your family little one. It's not much nor will it last you long but it is all that I have to give you," Zelda said with a smile as the girl took it from her gratefully.
"Thank you!" she called as she dashed off. Zelda smiled sadly as the girl disappeared around the corner. I have to put a stop to my uncle's tyranny in this country. He disrespects this country and its people. I'm going to be the one to help them. I just wish I knew where to start.
Zelda was abruptly brought out of her thoughts with a large hand grabbing her from the back side of the tree she had been leaning against.
"I saw you give that girl the money now where's the rest of it?" a harsh voice said in her ear.
"I don't have any more that was all I had!" Zelda shouted in fear and annoyance that she had been caught unawares. Impa would have her head for being caught napping.
"Let me go," She said coldly as she struggled in his grip. His shaggy black hair and beady black eyes gazed at her lustily as she tried to free herself from him. He was a smart man though; Zelda quit struggling as she felt the cold steel of the knife against her throat.
"Now my pretty one, where is the money? If you don't have it there is plenty more that you can offer me," He said wickedly. Zelda gulped visibly by the suggestion and desperately wished she hadn't left the safety that Impa had provided.
"Let the maiden go or you'll feel this shaft in your throat," A voice echoed around the area.
"Show yourself, or I'll slit her throat," The man said using Zelda as a shield. It was a stalemate in Zelda's mind, she wondered who was trying to save her.
The man's answer was the wrong one. An arrow shot out of no particular direction and sunk into the arm that had been holding the knife to Zelda's throat. He let her go as the pain became apparent. The second arrow ended his life leaving Zelda staring at his limp body on the ground.
A young man stepped out of the shadows to stand next to her.
"You killed him," She whispered in shock.
"For your safety and protection Princess, now we must get you out of here before you are further recognized. Nobody carries orange rupees without being a type of nobility. Follow me." He said, ducking into the dark alley.
"How can I trust you?" she asked still rooted to the spot.
"Because I'm the only one you can trust now," He said as she followed him into the shadows.
Hey everyone here is the long awaited update. Please review!
Kariah