Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda.
Sorry. Computer problems. Long story short: my computer should die. Oh wait, it already did. Luckily with some CPR it should work fine now.
Now, I've read note about reviewer responses. I think it's stupid, but I don't want to get into trouble. Therefore, I'll be responding through the message link, but only to those who I have something long to say to. Sorry, but it takes a while longer now and there's no need to clutter your inboxes with "Thanks for the review".
But to all those who did review, thank you so much!
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Chapter 6: Royal Lies
Everyone at Hyrule Castle was taken by surprise when Zelda burst through the front gates, sending a flurry of small birds into flight. Even more surprising was her torn attire, the numerous scratches, and the very, very scary expression darkening her face. Wisely, the guards and servants stepped out of her way as she passed. Otherwise, they feared she would just knock them over.
It didn't take her long to cross the gardens – compared to the length of time it took her to cross Hyrule field on foot – to the building that jutted out from the side of the castle. It was a giant library, but also one of the Royal Advisor's favorite haunts.
Ganondorf was just entering the library from his secret entrance that connected his tower to his office when suddenly the front doors burst open with such force he feared they were about to fall off. They remained intact, luckily, and hurrying inside with a furious and murderous face was none other than Zelda. Ganondorf, alarmed, shut the secret door as fast as he could. In the process, Tatl and Tael got shut off. They cried out in protest. To mask their wailing, Ganondorf made the loudest introduction he could.
"Good day, your Highness!" he boomed into the echoing chamber, making an extravagant bow. Zelda stood in her place, arms crossed with a foot impatiently tapping. Seeing his greeting was not returned, Ganondorf straightened and coughed.
"Your guards," Zelda stressed every syllable like she was spitting out venom, "took a man from the forest. I command you to release him." Ganondorf opened his mouth, closed it, and then opened it again.
"Why…Princess Zelda. I was just doing my job."
"Your power only extends to the borders of the field. I believe the forest is not in your command, but of my father, the king."
"But this man is a criminal," Ganondorf protested. He led Zelda away from the secret door and to the center of the dark library.
"What did he do to you?" Zelda cried out.
"Not what he did to me, Princess. But what he did to you. He kidnapped you a few nights ago!"
"He didn't kidnap me!" Zelda argued, her voice growing louder than was necessary. "I ran away!" Ganondorf put on a mask of surprise.
"Oh?" he asked, putting a hand on his chin and acting horrified. "You don't say! Now…if only you had told us earlier…" He walked away from Zelda so she couldn't see the sly grin forming on his face. Zelda grew suspicious. Frowning at him, she placed her hands on her hips.
"Then what? What did you do, Ganondorf…"
"The man's sentence has already been carried out…" Ganondorf turned and faced Zelda, looming over her. His face grew dark as he gravely said, "Death!" Zelda gasped, turning pale. She backed up until she hit the bookshelf.
"No!" She covered her mouth with her hand, the tears brimming on her lashes threatening to spill.
"I'm so sorry, your Highness…"
"How could you?" Zelda couldn't manage any more words. With a sob, she rushed out of the library. Ganondorf waited until he was sure she was gone. Then, he briskly walked over to the secret entrance and opened it, letting the two fairies fly into the room with a flurry of complaints. He quickly silenced them.
"What do you think? A good reason?" he asked.
"I don't know," Tael said. "I think she will be pretty mad if she figures out…"
"Don't be a dumb head," Tatl interrupted. "Why do you think she will figure out anything?"
"Exactly," Ganondorf agreed. "I've got everything under control." He chuckled and two guards appeared at the door.
"Lord Ganondorf. The King requests your presence." Ganondorf rolled his eyes.
"Oh, bother!"
………
"You do not have permission to carry out sentences without my consent! If you hadn't been loyal in all these years of service, you wouldn't be as lucky as you are today."
"I understand, your Majesty." Ganondorf made a grand bow to King Harkinian. The king sighed and inclined his head, turning to Zelda. She had her hand wound around his arm and was aiming a bitter expression at Ganondorf. Her maids had changed her into a deep purple gown and arranged her hair as best as they could into a braid. Zelda had brought it over her shoulder and was toying with it with her free hand.
"Now, I hope that we can put this entire situation behind us," the king continued. He took his daughter's hand and led her over to his royal advisor. Ganondorf took her hand and held it to his heart.
"My most sincere apologies to you as well, your Highness." Zelda snatched her hand away.
"Make sure you remember this! As soon as I am queen, I will have your head!" Zelda tossed her braid over her shoulder with a flick of her head and walked off. King Harkinian put his hand to his forehead.
"I do hope she will get over this soon," he sighed. Ganondorf put a reassuring arm on his shoulder.
"Of course she will, your Majesty."
………
Zelda's sadness had not completely melted away, but she veiled it with anger. Every servant who passed by her way got a carefully measured glare. They trembled in fear and hurried away before she actually had a chance to turn her anger physical.
Zelda entered her room and threw herself onto the bed, not caring if that was the least princess-like thing she could do. She traced a hand over her pillow absently. Soon, everything she wrote turned into Link, and she stopped before she had the urge to cry again.
Suddenly, she remembered something. Hurrying to her dresser, she frantically threw open the drawers till she found the folded up Sheikah clothes. They had been mended and returned to their place. Zelda felt around the fabric until she found the hidden fold that hid a secret pocket. Within that pocket was the arrow Link had made for her.
Light.
Zelda hugged the arrow to her breast and bit her lip.
Her friend had been taken away from her for the sake of her "safety". Her life wasn't fair.
I hate being a Princess.
………
Down in one of the deep dungeons of the castle, flames flickered as they swung lightly from the low stone ceiling. No sunlight had ever touched these floors, and the dull blue stones absorbed all light so every other step was cloaked in shadow. Many pathways extended from this main corridor, the stones sprawling out to the boundary of the castle. It was easy to get lost in the twists and turns, the confusing layout purposely made to stall escaping prisoners.
Because of King Harkinian's peaceful reign, there had been no need for the dungeon. No one had entered these chambers in twenty years. The floor lay unswept and the corners were clothed in cobwebs. Now, one prisoner had recently been brought into these chambers. For his sake, they lit several lamps near his cell, but after years of no use, they burned out quickly and once again smothered the area in darkness.
"How could I have been so stupid?" Link cried, frustrated, as he shook the bars of his cell. The bars didn't budge – he hadn't expected them to. "She was a princess. All along. One of those people from the outside world. Now I'm stuck here…Saria must be so worried. Why didn't I ask her name?"
"Oh, stop moaning," Navi replied, having heard his whining the whole time.
"Why did she even befriend me? Why did I even think we were the same?"
"Because you are one of those people too. Or at least you're supposed to be." Link sighed. He leaned his forehead against the bars, feeling the cool metal touch his skin. He stared into the darkness dimly lit with Navi's fairy glow.
"She'll probably forget about me in a few days. Besides, only the princes in those fairy tales of Saria's ever get any princess." Link closed his eyes again, trying not to imagine how long he'd have to stay while the princess was out in her extravagant palace meeting all the other suitors. Suddenly, he felt the skin on his neck prickle, like someone was watching him. When he opened his eyes, he saw that warm orange light had flooded his cell. It was coming from behind him.
Link whirled around and met the eyes of a large man who looked to be grandfather-aged. He had a partly bald head with a large white mustache. His immense body was robed in a flowing orange outfit with red velvet designs. He was carrying a large, flaming torch.
"Why, young man, you are quite pessimistic," the stranger boomed in a sagely voice. "Do not be so eager to throw away your chances. There are yet some things that can sway a princess besides a title." The man revealed his other hand that held a handful of precious stones. Link's eyes grew wide as he came closer to the treasure.
"Golden rupees!" Navi cried, knowing a lot more about the currency than Link. "And silver rupees. Those are rare…and diamonds, rubies…sapphires…" The man tucked the treasure back into his sleeves. Navi sighed in disappointment.
"Who are you? Where did you get those?" Link asked.
"Interested, are we? My young lad, my name is Rauru. These treasures come from a very sacred Temple belonging to the three goddesses of Hyrule. And you can acquire it as well."
"How?"
"Follow me, complete my little task, and I will let you take part in this treasure. There's enough to even impress your little princess…"
"Sounds good!" Navi cried, eagerly rushing forward, but Link thrust out a hand and stopped her. He narrowed his eyes.
"Little task? It isn't something…dangerous, is it?" Rauru laughed, his booming voice echoing in the cell, the light bouncing in his shaking hand.
"No! I just need a little artifact, an old musical instrument I've wanted to conduct research on for a long time. There is some mystical significance to it, you know?"
"Then why can't you get yourself?"
"Ah, a smart boy! I need a strong body, energetic and trim," Rauru paused to point to his large belly, "…and a sharp, young mind…" he pointed to his head, "…to complete such a task."
"So…if I come with you, find the artifact, then the treasure is mine?"
"Correct. So, what say you?" Link pondered the idea for a moment. He didn't know exactly what he was getting in to. It could be something deadly. But then again, the only other choice was to rot away in the dungeon. Right now, the prospect of escape and riches, things of the other people, intrigued him, even if all this was sudden. Then, he thought of something.
"There's a problem," Link said. "How do I get out?" Rauru chuckled.
"Did you believe I simply appeared in this cell? Look over there, in that far corner. Some things concealed are now revealed…" Rauru pointed to a corner behind him. There was a small crack with light seeping through it. When the old man snapped his fingers, several of the stones were pulled back to reveal a well-lit passageway leading up.
"I guess that solves that problem," Navi observed. She turned to Link. "Hey! Listen! Maybe if we get out through there and do what he asks, we can even get some gifts for Saria and the others." Link nodded.
"I don't really think it's worth waiting here anyway." Link took one last look at the cell interior and nodded. Rauru held out his hands as if offering the door as Link walked to the opening and ducked through, immediately bathed in light as he disappeared. Navi lingered by Rauru's face for a moment. Then, she quickly followed Link. As soon as the two were gone, two fairies emerged from behind the stones.
"They bought that pretty quick!" Tael exclaimed. "Lord Ganondorf, you are a genius!" Rauru's face grinned, slowly distorting until it resembled an older version of the royal advisor's face.
"When that annoying fairy looked at me, I thought the magic was wearing out. You do have enough of the potion, right Tatl?"
"Of course. Luckily, humans are more gullible than we thought. First the king, then the princess, now this forest boy…"
"It shows why they are so easily manipulated," Ganondorf said. He put back his disguise just as Link shouted a concerned shout from above.
"I'm coming, my lad. Old age and a big belly don't contribute much to speed when it comes to climbing stairs…" Tatl and Tael snickered. "I'll be there in a little while, my lad. Just keep going till you reach the top." Ganondorf-Rauru gave a quick flick of his head. Seeing the signal, the two fairies dove into the hood of the bright orange robe. Then, extinguishing the flame of his torch, the disguised royal advisor slowly ascended the stairs.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Okay. Sorry that was short. I'll try to get my next update in two weeks. Review!
