I stirred awake in my apartment bedroom, trying to gather my senses. My head was fuzzy and my throat was dry, but other than that I felt no pain. But, my shoulder? Wasn't I injured? I glanced down and saw it was wrapped, but there was not blood. I touched it, but other than a slight tinge of pain as I pressed my flesh, I wasn't harmed. Thank the Gods. I then took in my surroundings. I was no longer in my battle garments, but a thin nightgown. I was also alone, but there were several chairs around each side of my bed. There was a single candle lit and I could see through the curtains that is was dark outside. I pushed myself to sit up, my head protesting the movement, when I heard footsteps. Estelle entered my bedroom.
"My Lady! You're awake!" She quickly ran over and put the bowl of water on my nightstand. She pressed her hands gently on my arms, avoiding my shoulder. "Please, lie back down. You were hurt."
"Nonsense, Estelle. I feel fine."
"My Lady, you were struck by an arrow! And you fell off your horse! Please, just rest." I reluctantly let her push me back down. She then grabbed a ladle of water. Lifting my head, she brought it to my mouth. Never had such cool water been so refreshing. I asked for another before lying my head back down.
"How long have I been asleep?" Estelle put the ladle back before sitting in the chair by my bedside.
"About 6 hours. The soldiers brought you back here. They laid you on the bed as I sent for the doctor. He tended your wounds and said you were just passed out. He said he couldn't find anything seriously wrong, but he'd stay nearby incase that changed." Obviously he thought I was stable enough for him to leave, seeing as he was no longer present.
"I told you I was fine. My shoulder doesn't even hurt, unless you press it. The worst is my headache."
"Headache? Here! The doctor said the fall might jar you a bit, so he gave us this." She uncorked a red potion, and dumped a blue powder inside it. She corked it to shake it up and once the powder dissolved, uncorked it again. I lifted my hand to take the bottle, and I quickly downed it. Immediately I felt the effects of the red potion revive my body.
"Wonderful. Thank you, Estelle. Anything happen while I was out? Did the Bulblins show up and attack?" She fiddled with her apron.
"No. You were struck and that was it. The soldiers didn't even see who hit you." I felt my forehead crease. That was peculiar.
"What of the arrow? Bulblins have a specific style of arrow. That could prove they're behind this." She looked confused.
"I believe they said they couldn't find the arrow." I pushed up on my elbows, but Estelle didn't stop me this time.
"Couldn't find it?!"
"Yes. They said you were close to the river, so it probably reflected off your shoulder guard and into the water." I tried to think for a second. The blue powder was working, but slowly. My head still hurt, forbidding any strenuous thought.
"So…strange."
"Yes. Oh! I almost forgot. The Hero is here as well." My ears perked up.
"Link?" She smiled.
"I knew that news would cheer you up. Yes. He's here in Castletown. He said he liked to see you once you were awake. He was worried. Well, we were all worried. Oh! The others! I should probably tell them you're up." She jumped up.
"Yes. Send Link in as well, would you dear?" She glanced back at me. Then ran to my wardrobe and pulled out a big robe.
"Can't let him be eyeing you in your skimpies, can we?" She winked. I laughed at Estelle's usual humor. Good to see her spunk replaced her worry.
"No, I suppose not. Here, I'll put it on, you go spread the word." I sat up more gracefully than before, thanks to the potion. She eyed me cautiously before handing over the clothing. She bowed and left the room. I heard the apartment door close as I threw off my blankets. I put my arms through the sleeves. I stood up to get it around my waist and tie it there. I sat down quickly as stars danced before my eyes. I sat for a couple seconds before hearing the apartment door open again. Athena then came rushing in followed by Marian and Althea.
"My Lady!" Athena came and gently hugged me. "We were so frightened! Seeing you limp on that horse…we thought the worse!" I squeezed her, and shushed her. I pushed her back, revealing her tears.
"I'm okay. Please, don't cry." She nodded and wiped her eyes. Marian and Althea hugged me as well. My vision blurred as their concern overwhelmed me.
"Okay ladies, stop crowding. You decent my Lady? The Hero is here." Estelle was hanging by in the doorway. I glanced to see my robe still covering my nightgown.
"Yes, send him in." Now my apartment is small but it was still quite spacious. However when Link walked in, he seemed to dwarf the place. I squeezed my hands together as he approached my bed. His beautiful blue eyes were full of concern. Concern…for me. I felt my tears start to pick my eyes again. He stopped a good distance from my bed, facing me. My maids huddled near the bottom of my bed, watching him.
"Your Majesty. I'm very glad to see you mostly unharmed. You scared everyone for a bit." I looked down at my clenched hands.
"I apologize, good Hero." I watched my maids slowly creep out of the bedroom from my peripheral view.
"It's not your fault. Whatever attacked you," I saw fierce anger cloud his eyes, "It was theirs. I only wished you would've asked me to go instead." I heard the front door of my apartment open. As my maids slip out, I heard the door silently click shut. Almost instantly Link came forward and lifted me off the bed and into a hug. I was so surprised I gasped. He pulled back looking worried. "I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?" He started to back away.
"No, no I'm fine. You just…surprised me is all."I saw his ears turn slightly red.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I don't quite know what compelled me to…" I think I surprised him when I drew my arms around him in a gentle embrace.
"Don't be." I felt him relax and put his arms around me once more. We stood there hugging gently for a while. He was so warm, and he smelled so…
"Zelda. What happened out there?" I opened my eyes and drew back. His question brought me back from wandering thoughts. I bit my lip as I sat down on the edge of my bed. I motioned him to sit in the chair beside me. He did.
"I'm not sure, Link. I remember I was about to leave, when I was struck. There was an explosion of a dark light, or shadow I guess. It was powerful enough to completely lift me of my horse and fall to the ground, which is strange. It was like a burst of magic had knocked me down, not an arrow." He scratched his ear and thought about it.
"Bulblins can't do magic, not that I know of."
"No, I didn't think so either. But, Link. There's something else. The soldiers never found the arrow. They claimed it probably reflected into the water, but I was a good distance from the water. Also, an arrow would've pierced me, not moved me. At least no ordinary arrow." He frowned in thought.
"Well there's one of three options. The first being that the Bulblins got smart and found ways of magic…"
"Highly unlikely."
"Precisely. The second option is that where Bulblins may have attacked Ilia, there is another group of monsters roaming about, ones that can perform magic." I saw him visibly swallow. "Third is, something evil is controlling them. Again." My heart panicked as I thought of yet another evil plaguing Hyrule, and so soon.
"I really hope it's not the last one." I met his eyes.
"Me too." I held his steady gaze for a couple of seconds before looking away. "Zelda, why didn't you ask me to go? You know I would've."
"You were…busy. Plus I felt my people would've been comforted if their queen took action."
"They wouldn't have been if their queen got herself killed." I felt my gut twist in guilt.
"I realize that. But, I…"
"I know Zelda, but there's no need to prove yourself. You did all you could for your people in such trying times. Don't feel as if you failed them. You did nothing of the sort." How he knew just how I felt, I'll never know. I felt tears return again. Gods, I was being emotional today!
"Thank you, Link. For everything. For saving Hyrule, in both big and small ways, saving me, and continuing to put yourself out there for the sake of others. And thank you, for being my friend as well. Gods knew I needed one." I swiped the single fallen tear from my cheek. I didn't bother to be discreet about it, he'd seen it anyway.
"You don't need to thank for me any of that, especially being your friend. I'd want to be that regardless of hero status." I reached forward and grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly. He turned his palm and wrapped my hand in his, his thumb brushing my knuckles.
"How did you know what happened?"
"Telma. She apparently saw you enter the town unconscious and sent the postman running with a quick note. I rushed as soon as I received it." I smiled sadly. Even Telma was worried.
"Well, something is going on and I intend to find out who is disturbing this land again. Link I…" I looked up at him again. He looked determined, as if he anticipated my request before I even spoke it. "I could use your help." He smiled softly.
"Of course." He stood up, releasing my hand. "I'll start by asking around Zora's Domain and Lake Hylia if anyone has seen anything. Those are the only two places to enter Upper Zora's river where Iza's land was attacked." I nodded, noticing the shift from my friend to Hyrule's hero.
"Yes. I'll expand my soldiers to patrol the fields so you can be relieved from such duty. If they see anything or engage in combat, I'll let you know when and where. "
"Likewise. Well, I do believe I'll start." I glanced at the window, aware of the lack of sunlight.
"Link, it's nighttime! Please, wait until dawn." He frowned a bit and looked out the window as well.
"I'll be fine. Besides, nighttime is best to go hunting for monsters." He grinned and tugged his hat a bit. I smiled slightly.
"Well, at least let me help you get supplies for your adventure."
"Zel-"
"No refusing my help, Link, especially since I asked you for yours." He stood there for a bit, looking meek, but then smiled and nodded. I stood up, giving myself time to steady myself before walking to my desk. I took a fresh sheet of paper off my desk and quickly scrawled a note to the local markets to put anything Link took on a bill and send it to me. I signed it and put my royal insignia on it, before handing it to Link. "If you need anything else, simply ask." He took it and read it over. He smiled a bit before looking back at me.
"Thank you."
"No, thank you." I don't know why I did it, but I stepped forward and hugged him for a second time. He hugged me back gently before stepping away and out of the room. I sighed, before walking back to my bed. I, unlike the hero, needed rest. The blue powder did wonders for my headache, but also seemed to make me drowsy. I slid under my sheets and taking care not to lay on my injured shoulder, I fell asleep.
