I'm sorry this chapter took me so long. It's hard to find motivation and inspiration sometimes. That being said, thank you all SO MUCH for the reviews, follows, and favorites. I will try not to disappoint.
XXXX
The blackguard
sat hard down
with no head on him now.
and I felt so bad
because I didn't know
how to
feel bad enough.
XXXX
"Link." I blink rapidly and feel my legs tense up, not knowing how to explain Ananias' sudden appearance. "It's funny- I was just waiting out here for you, and- and Ananias showed up, almost out of nowhere it seemed, I was actually quite startled." My words are choppy and I laugh joylessly, hoping that Ananias doesn't suspect that Link and I were both alone in his bedroom. Which of course, we were- but he didn't need to know that. Keeping his eyes locked on Ananias, Link steps forwards and hooks his arm around my waist. I relax underneath his touch and sigh deeply, smiling inwardly and looking up at Link's face for just a moment. Snapping myself back into reality, I look back at Ananias and tilt my head.
"Sh-shall we go? You said previously that you would like to take us around Charleton."
Ananias stares at Link's arm, as it is still coiled around my waist and resting on my hip. Almost as if this action deeply offends him, he smacks his lips and slowly turns his head up to meet my gaze.
"Yes, of course. Please, follow me." Ananias treads quickly, walking ahead of Link and I as we keep our footsteps synchronized. I see Link's expression soften as he then slides his hand from my hip, into my palm. He intertwines our fingers and I feel my heart flutter for a moment, looking up at his face to see him mouth the words 'I'm sorry'. It takes me a moment to remember that he is apologizing for teasing me just a few minutes before, nodding my head and accepting his notion, despite how much it was not needed. Link, I enjoy it when you tease me so!
Shifting my focus from Link to Ananias, I see his feet movie briskly ahead of where I walk. He holds his hands clasped behind his back, his very stance preaches and gives off an aura of authority. Together the three of us make our way out of the main corridor, down a winding set of steps, and into a large room that's dimly lit with candles. The walls are painted a dark red, rich color, framed with wooden trim. Around the area where we stand there are shelves with coats and scarves, along with boots and hats. Turning to Ananias, I ask him about this strange room.
"What are all these coats for, Ananias?
"This is the room where guests can get ready for carriage rides or trips through the forest. We have clothing and things to keep them warm stored here, as Charleton's winter climate is quite harsh."
I reach to touch a fur coat, running my fingers through the soft fibers.
"But it's so warm out, we won't need these..." I hold a sleeve up to my face and cuddle against it, Link chuckles at this action and and tries it for himself. We stand like complete fools and marvel against the fur coats, all while Ananias watches in disapproval.
"Ahem..." He then audibly clears his throat, crossing his arms and staring at me as I straighten myself and give him a shy smile. "Our carriage awaits, just outside." Ananias then continues, motioning with his arm to a large set of swinging wooden doors. Leading Link and I out of the coat room, he pushes open the doors and fresh air rushes into my lungs. I glance at Link to see his eyes shift upwards, marveling at the painted evening sky. Keeping up with Ananias' rushed pace, I walk steadily and suppress my urge to point and exclaim at every little thing I see.
There, an exotic macaw in the tree.
That's a very pretty leaf, if I do say so myself.
Right there is a Tielian berry bush. Those are rare. I wonder if Ananias would scold me if I went and picked some branches...
My thoughts are scattered and my eyes are everywhere but where they should be. Bringing myself back to reality, I see a beautiful carriage coming into view, a bit father ahead on the cobblestone path. Nudging Link, he takes my hand for a split second and squeezes it tightly. Just as Ananias turns around however, he releases his hold and gives Ananias a reverent smile. Leading us to the carriage now, I examine it's massive wheels and intricate golden designs.
"Our carriage driver will be arriving shortly I hope, until then...Just make yourself comfortable." Ananias turns to me, taking both my hands in one of his and smiling warmly. I swallow hard and stare back into his piercing eyes, nodding my head and breathing heavily. He steps away and opens the door to the carriage, offering his hand as I step onto the platform. I slip my cold fingers into his palm and he grips them tightly, leading me upwards into the carriage. He leans against the door frame for a moment, staring at me as I sit myself on the padded bench. Grinning from ear to ear, he leans in towards my face and inhales deeply.
"Lady Zelda, if you don't mind- I would like to have a word with your Knight. It shall only take a minute."
I feel my heart stop in my chest, but there is no apparent reason for me to deny him of this. Blinking my eyes and giving him a startled expression, I slowly nod my head and agree.
"Y-yes of course." I pause and stare at the floor for a moment. "And his name is Link. You may call him by his name." Dismissing this, Ananias turns swiftly and closes the door behind him. I sit in silence, then pressing my ear against the wall and attempting to hear what they speak of. Nothing but the sound of the blood rushing in my ears sounds back at me, and I sigh back into my seat and fold my hands.
I ought to just go out there and see for myself.
No, Zelda. You are trying to make a good impression. Surely Ananias will find your interruption to be rude!
It was quite often that I weighed out situations in my mind, always fighting with myself and slumping my shoulders down when I couldn't make a decision. Why must a lady give so much thought into every single little thing? Why can't I be like the farmers or the men on the battlefield, they act in seconds and always seem to come home victoriously. Ah, I shouldn't complain.
Just then, the carriage door opens back up and I am disappointed to see Ananias' face instead of Link's. Sitting up straight and smiling, I watch as Ananias places himself beside me and orders a guard to shut the door.
"But, where is-"
"Oh, no worries. I simply sent him along to carry out some arrangements for us later. He truly didn't mind. He was happy to do it."
"Ananias-"
"He truly is such a good little servant, always there to obey your commands..."
I want desperately to argue and defend Link's honor, but the carriage wheels begin to move and we have already left the courtyard. Being painfully aware that a lady must never argue with a man, I decide that just this once- just this once- I will remain silent. If it were anybody else and I was in any other kingdom, I would spit fire back at someone who spoke of Link in such manner. But for Hyrule's own good, I know that I must appease Ananias.
This is going to be far more difficult than I expected.
Standing with my head tilted backwards, I let the setting sun beat down on my face. Ananias concerns himself with nearby merchants, as we now both stand in the shopping square. I let my mind drift as a squabble arouses between a noblewoman and a younger peasant, Ananias watches from a distance as if it is a theater act. Finally the commotion rises so, and I bite my lip to see a Kingdom's king doing absolutely nothing to aid his commoners. Deciding that something must be done, I glance at the merchant's cart and examine the situation. It appears as though she is accusing him of stealing something, but his hands are empty and his expression is quite innocent. Approaching the scene, I see Ananias step forwards and suddenly he grabs my wrist.
"Zelda, what on earth are you doing?"
"I am going to aid this dispute, obviously." I struggle out of his grasp, but he follows directly behind my back and keeps a hand on my shoulder.
"You mustn't concern yourself with the conflicts and trials of these people. They are...they are simple folk." I jolt my head aside, facing him square-on.
"You're right.." I pause, taking a step closer. "You should concern yourself with the trials of these people, since they are your people."
"I am sure I do not know what you mean."
"I simply mean that as the King of Charleton, you should tend to your people... and at least pretend that you care about their well-being." I speak with a smile, attempting to soften the blow of my harsh words. Ananias furrows his brow and scowls at me for a split second, but catches himself and reverts back to his previous charming expression. Glancing at the people who were quarreling, he then lifts his arm to point to them.
"See Zelda? They aren't even fighting anymore. Simple people with simple problems that don't need-"
Suddenly, with a vicious scream, the noblewoman lunges forwards and digs a dagger into the side of the Peasant's neck. Ananias stops his speech and freezes, as I do the same. Watching as the young peasant drops to the ground, my heart pounds in my chest and I feel myself growing nauseous. Feeling Ananias leave my side, I turn my head slowly to see him fleeing the scene. Anger boils inside my stomach, but I decide the only thing I can do is try to help this peasant in his final moments.
Rushing to the side of his helpless form, people scatter and disperse about me. I reach my arm underneath his back and hold his head in my other hand, watching as blood seeps out of his mouth and the wound on his neck. Whispering silent prayers to the Goddesses, I close my eyes and bring myself to a calm state of mind.
""Din...Nayru...Farore...Grant this man a peaceful passage into the next life, hold him to your white light, let him find his place in the waters of the afterlife..."
"Zelda?!" Just then, a strong hand grasps my shoulder. I turn abruptly and see Link with a horrified expression, staring down at the dead body in my arms.
