Chapter 8: Breakfast

The light of dawn flooded Link's spacious apartments as he stirred in his massive bed. The double doors into his bedroom had been left open, and light from sitting room tumbled into the room on waves of dust. He felt completely refreshed from just a short nights rest, another side effect of Zelda's healing spell, but the noise from his stomach told him he still needed to eat. He rolled himself out of bed and headed for the bath to wash up when he heard the oiled catch of the lock falling out of place. The door was closed quietly, if he had not been awake it would never have woken him, and silent footsteps approached his room.

He leapt silently to the foot of his bed, grabbing one of his large curved Gerudo knives from his saddle bags and waited. He could hear the intruder walking slowly and quietly to his room, attempting to catch him asleep. The intruder slowed to a whisper outside his open door, the padded rugs muffling any noise, and Link took the initiative. With a low snarl he leapt into the sitting room, his free hand grabbing for the unknown intruder while his knife was held out in his left, chest high ready to slit the throat.

He never made it, for there in his sitting room, was the very startled, much unarmed serving girl Ceara, carrying a basket of freshly laundered clothes. They simply stood, staring at each other for a moment, before Link dropped the knife, and barely heard it clatter on the floor as he dove back into his bedroom, slamming one of the doors shut. He was stark naked, about to attack a castle servant bringing him clothes! Smacking the back of his head against the wooden door, he waited for her to say something, anything, but she didn't. Damn! I must be the biggest idiot in the world! Servants Link! You're in a castle, remember? Peaking his head around the door, he attempted to salvage the situation, but found he didn't even know where to begin. "I…I…I'm sorry Ceara. I was… was… that is, I heard you come in, and well, I just thought…well, I am not sure what I thought, but…I'm sorry. I'm…not used to having anyone help me. I…I didn't mean to scare you." Warmth from his face was spreading to his ears, but he didn't take his face away from the door.

"No, no apology necessary sir. I am so sorry sir… I wer' just…just delivering these clothes which the Princess ask'd be made for you, she said you ruin'd yours yest'rday, and that you would be needing some more, and I wanted to leave them out for you so that you, you'd have somet'ng to wear for breakfast this morning sir. 'Tis a great honor to be eating his Majesty sir, and I want'd you to look your best. You know they say a Master's appearance is a reflection of the servant's work, and while I know that 'tisn't strickly speaking our situ'ion, well I…. that is…I am terribly sorry for disturbing you sir, please don't tell Master Corson. I don't want any trouble sir, hon'st I don't." Tears were beginning to shine in her kind eyes, and her speech was rambled and thick with Castletown accent, forced between painfully heavy breaths. Link was confused, he didn't handle crying well, but tried his best to calm her down.

"Oh…well, that was very thoughtful of you Ceara. Please, don't be upset. I appreciate it. I promise. I won't say anything to Corson…if you won't. I won't attack you next time either." His pitiful joke elicited a weak smile, and Ceara wiped away her tears with one hand, her breath becoming stable, and her accent disappearing, replaced by the practiced speech she had no doubt learned when she first started working in the castle.

"Thank you sir, I promise, you won't regret it. I'll just leave these clothes here sir, is that all right?" Ceara place the basket on the dining table, and busied herself with cleaning up the plates from Link's dinner. "It's nearly sixth hour now sir, you could catch a bit more sleep and I could send one of the girls to come get you and take you to the breakfast room if you would like. Or I could draw a nice warm bath for you. I doubt you have had such a proper wash as you will get in here in the castle you entire life."

"Oh, no, thank you, that won't be necessary, I can manage that myself. There is one thing you could do for me though. I was hoping to get a little work in with my sword and bow, and I was wondering if there was anywhere in the castle I could do that." He realized now as it slowed how fast his heart was beating, and he found it rather amusing. Biting back a laugh, he didn't want her to think him maniac, he waited for her answer.

"Of course sir, I could show you to the Royal Guard training grounds, they are right here within the castle walls if you like. I've already finished most of my morning chores, and I could spare the time for the walk, if your not opposed to taking the servants hallways sir, they are the fastest way around the castle, technically speaking. Let me just put these dishes away and I will be right back to take you." Ceara was beginning to speak rather quickly, and a happy look was replacing the gloom that had been on her face.

Link agreed and ducked behind the doors to slip on his tattered clothes and borrowed tunic. He buckled his belt and sword on, and grabbed his bow and quiver, thankful that the soldiers had retrieved them from the field after his fight with the dragon. He left his shield behind, the ancient shield of the Hylian Knights that the Great Deku Tree had given him all those years ago. Captain Morann's reaction after the battle at the Moira Forest suggested that it was better left behind unless he needed it here. He didn't have any answer for anyone who asked him where he got it, and wanted to avoid the question all together. The fact was that he didn't know where any of his weapons came from, they were all a gift from the Great Deku tree the day he had left the forest, "Old mementos from an old friend" was all he said when Link asked him about it, and none of the Kokiri he questioned knew where it came from. It didn't surprise him. They had short memories for immortal peoples, which contributed to their charm.

Ceara returned shortly and guided Link through the maze of halls, this time he was even more confused as she cut through hidden doors, concealed behind tapestries or made to look like a part of the wall. They descended stair case after stair case, until they emerged outside the castle through a nondescript wooden door. They followed a garden path along a soft hill, around toward the back of the castle where they meet a large flag stone road that lead east. Link could see the glory of the towering spires and green hills in the sunlight, he admired the immense yet coherent flow of the Sheikah's craftsmanship.

Link asked Ceara about herself, and she dutifully prattled on about growing up in Castletown, her mother and father had both been servants in the castle, but died suddenly when a sickness had broken out ten years ago. Link was surprised to learn that she was only fifteen. He had thought she was about his own age, which she guessed was twenty-five but Link honestly told her he didn't know. He suspected that he was only twenty or so. She soldiered on, telling Link about all the beautiful Ladies and powerful Lords and Kings she had gotten to see come and go from the castle, but how there had been more buzz and excitement then all of them put together among the servants about his arrival yesterday. Was it true that he had defeated an entire army of giant spiders alone, saving the Princess single handed? And how did he defeat the dragon yesterday without a using any weapons. She had heard all these rumors from one of the cooks who she told him was the most trustworthy source of good gossip in the castle, and she believed him modest when he denied them. Ceara was also extremely proud of her being in charge of the rooms that Link stayed in, an honor she told her had made her the envy of the servants.

They followed the road as it cross the moat, and turned down towards the Royal Guard barracks that nestled against the eastern castle walls. A large training field had been plowed around it, and a number of different obstacles, targets and wooden striking dummies decorated the landscape. A few guards were already out practicing on the shadowed field. Their arrows whistled in the air and the thud of their swords against the wooden dummies the only sound within the walls. Ceara stopped at the edge of the bridge, begging Link's forgiveness, but she had to return to the castle to finish her work before the waking bell at seventh hour. She promised to send someone to fetch him at eight to ensure that wouldn't be late for his breakfast.

Link ambled down the road, taking in the view of castle grounds. The castle rose up behind him, the spotless white walls reflecting the early morning sun. He thought of Zelda, who was still fast asleep if he wasn't mistaken, wondered where she was in this enormous place. The eastern castle gate was barred at the end of the road, and Castletown bustled behind it, the street markets already dutifully set up by vendors. Their plants, flowers, clothes, and fruits were laid out with careful precision under watchful eye. The streets were beginning to fill up with people going about their business, ducking in and out of shops, stopping at standings and chatting with friends. Link turned off before reaching the gates, and heading for the barracks and training field. The Royal Guard barracks was a long plain white stone building, built even with the wall to allow easy access to the walk ways one top. No one stopped him as we walked up to the range out front, he wondered if they thought him an off duty guard by his tunic, but there were few out this early anyway, and he soon lost himself in his rhythmic practice.

Each arrow was notched and drawn precisely the same way, no wasted motion or flourish was permitted in this ritual. Sighting along the arrow, he drew the feather until it tickled his lip and released. The heavy twang and sudden thap of the bow against his arm guard came like beats of the drum. He emptied his quiver, and a large X crisscrossed the target down the range. Jogging to the end of range he retrieved his arrows, intent on getting another two sets in before practicing his sword work. A small crowd of guardsmen carrying wooden practice swords emptied out of the barracks as he settled at the line again. They were headed towards the practice circles when one of them pointed vigorously at Link, and they soon approached him.

Link paused, unsure if he should continue as though he didn't see them, which would probably be rude, but what he really wanted, or wait to speak with them. I've embarrassed myself enough for today. I will just wait and be polite. Who knows who I might offend otherwise? As they approached, Link could tell they were all just cadets, still in training. They all had fresh excited looks, and ranged in age from as young as fourteen to about eighteen. Link recognized the flaxen hair brothers from the previous night who had escorted Warden Donah. The group spoke with animated gestures to each other in a whisper, and pushed one of the blonde boys forward to speak for them.

"Excuse me sir, but aren't you Link, the Dragon Slayer?" Link nodded but said nothing. "I thought so. My brother and I saw you last night when the Princess arrived didn't we Comen?" The other blond haired boy bobbed his head in confirmation.

"YAMAL AIMON! What in the names of the Goddesses are you doing? I thought I sent you out here to practice your sword, which I assure you son is in dire need of attention. Get back to work, or I'll feed you to the mountain myself boy!" A large burly man, with thick hairy arms and a wicked double bladed axe on his belt loop was striding quickly toward the group, which had lost all interest in Link, too busy burying their heads to avoid this man's gaze. "If you think you can just waltz through this training you have another thing coming son, I don't care who your father was. You are not here to socialize laddie!"

Yamal, who Link quickly gathered was the leader of this group, hardly flinched at the bellowing of man. "Yes Marshal Bern. My apologies, I simply wanted to introduce myself to the dragon slayer sir." The Marshal gave a little grunt at his excuse, and pushed his way toward Link. His stood two palms taller than Link, his great barrel chest stretching the limits of his red tunic. Black eyes needled at Link beneath his heavy brow, and he chewed passively on a broken pipe stick.

"So, this is the mighty Link? Hmmppph, I couldn't believe it when they told me about the dragon. Blast if I didn't miss the whole thing here with these women, although I guess there wouldn't have been much for me to do anyway! Holden tells me that you are quite the swordsmen. Could I press upon you to practice here with this rabble of boys I have been cursed with? Not a one of them will survive the first round of the tournament if they don't get some proper work in, lousy swordsmen, all of them." Link caught a whiff of whiskey on the man's breath, and the boys behind him smiled at his constant insults, clearly used to them.

"Certainly sir, I was hoping to get some practice in myself." Link almost doubled over when the Marshal clapped him on the back in thanks.

"Excellent, excellent. Danil, run along and get Master Link a practice sword you dog. We use the basic tournament scoring technique Link my boy, I am sure you are familiar with it." Link was not in fact familiar with it, his training had never been formal, but felt no need to tell Bern that, since he explained the practice to him anyway. "Single points are given for strikes that would wound, three points for dismembering blows, seven for fatal. Seven points wins the match, two matches wins the contest. It's the standard tournament scoring, I am trying to get them ready for the Knight's Tournament, I'll be damned if it is even worth it. I prefer a more real life technique, if you know what I mean boy." Marshall Bern spit to show his displeasure. "Warden Donah is a fan of the tournament though, so we do as he commands."

They stopped at a large flagstone square, with concentric circles on brick in increasing size expanding from the middle. When he saw it, Link remembered an old story he had read in the Library of Crionact, about the legendary Knight Finon Mahul, who drew circles in the sand. Mahul claimed that the greater the swordsmen, the smaller the space needed to defeat their opponent, and that within the smallest circle no man alive could challenge him. It was less than half the height of a man in diameter in the smallest circle, and twenty men long in the largest circle. There were five circles in all, for the five levels of swordsmen that existed in Mahul's estimation.

"Now! Who is brave enough to square off against our Princess' savoir here?" None of the boys stepped forward, not even Yamal, who suddenly looked very young, and very modest. Bern wasn't stymied for long though. "Yamal, I heard you boasting you would have liked to take down the dragon, why not a shot at its killer, eh? Get in there boy!" Bern shoved the young man into the circle, and gave Link a light clap and whispered. "Now don't go easy on him just because he is a pretty boy Link, he's the best we got."

Link nodded and took the practice sword that Danil offered him. It was hollowed out piece of wood, carved into the shape of a standard broad sword without a guard. Link twirled it about, feeling its weight and balance before squaring off against Yamal, letting this opponent set their range. Yamal considered the circle a moment, and stepped to the line inside the middle circle. Link did the same, lifting his sword and nodded. Yamal gripped his wood handle tight, a fierce excited look taking over him. "BEGIN!" The sharp bellow of Marhsal Bern was like a cattle prod, and Yamal shot forward, his sword thrusting straight at Link's heart.

Link was ready though, and parried the attack to the side easily, measuring his opponent. Settling in to defend as Yamal attacked, his wooden sword flashing brilliantly only to be deflected again and again as Link parried each of his attacks. Marshal Bern continually barked orders and critiques at Yamal, who adjusted and responded perfectly each time. Sword thrusts turned into slashing attacks, which turned into heavy handed over head blows. This kid IS good. Finally, when it appeared that Link was just barely able to deflect the rapid succession of attacks, and frustration grew too great, did Yamal make a mistake. Lifting his sword high overhead, Yamal left his torso exposed, and Link's arm flashed like lightening, slashing the dull wooden blade against Yamal's stomach, and then suddenly straight up, the tip catching Yamal's chin, knocking him back and finally separating his hand from the wooden sword. Yamal tripped up, falling on his elbows, before dropping back in exhaustion.

"Danil, Comen, attack!" The two young men jumped into the fray, all pretenses of position, scoring and order already forgotten. Link reacted instinctively, deflecting Danil's blow, and kicking Comen to the ground. He flipped away and picked up Yamal's dropped sword, focusing on his two new opponents. No holding back now. Link took the attack to Comen, forcing Danil to back off and reposition. His right arm flashed as strong as his left, and he kept them off balance, but the boys fought well together, their training and teamwork evident in each of their movements. Each time Link was about to strike a fatal blow, the other would step in, careful not to tie each other. With Comer behind him, and Danil in front, Link surprised them, running straight at Danil before launching himself up into the air, twisting his body around he threw the sword in his right underhanded at the charging Comer, catching him square in the chest, and bringing his left hand down heavy on Danil, breaking his defense, landing a crunching blow on the collarbone.

Sweat coursed down his brow, his pulse was racing, and he loved every moment of it. Three more boys leapt forward at Marshal Bern's command, but they weren't as good as Yamal or Comen or Danil had been, and Link disarmed them and struck fatal blows before Comen or Danil could crawl out of the circle. Link stood in the center of the smallest circle, two wooden practices swords in hand, his chest rising and falling heavily, ready for more. The defeated cadets stood off to the side, nursing injuries, while a large crowd of fresh Guardsmen gathered behind the maniacal Marshal Bern, who barked at three more cadets. They moved forward together warily, spreading out, crouching low like lions in the plains. To Link they were sheep to be taken from the flock one by one. Link set himself inside the circle, the balls of his feet shifting in dirt on the stone, and bared his teeth like a wolf. The crowd grew silent, waiting for the attack. It came from the left and the right together, but they weren't as synchronized as Comen and Danil had been, the boy on the left moved too fast. Link dropped the sword in his left hand, leaning his torso back he grabbed the cadet's thrusting wrist, pulling it across his own body, into the attacking cadet from the right. They collided with a crunch, their swords cracking into each other, bending and finally splintering. Showers of wood fragments rained on the stone. The last cadet moved in from the front, his sword point low, the handle firmly in a double grip.

"STOP!" The cadet froze at Bern's command, the shock of his reprieve from injury evident. A young girl in blue livery, and short skirt was tugging at the Marshal's belt. He bent low beside her, smiling while she whispered in his ear. Bern gently patted her on the back, pushing her into the circle towards Link. She skipped toward him, over the concentric circles and droplets of blood, her blonde pigtails bobbing up and down. She walked right up to Link and took him by the hand, her small fingers grasping his pinky.

"Please sir, Miss Ceara said I had to come get you. Its eighth hour and she said you can't be late for breakfast. Please sir, please come with me." Her young voice pleaded with him as she pulled him out of the circle. Link nodded silently, and dropped his practice sword as they walked towards the assembled crowd of Guardsmen, some of whom chuckled at the sight of this great warrior being led in hand by a child. Most of them simply looked on with awe at the spectacle they had witnessed. Marshal Bern motioned for one of the few standing cadets to pick up Link's affects. Link took them slowly, his muscles shaking for the action and strain he had just wracked them with.

"That was amazing Master Link, simply amazing. I have never seen anyone fight like that, totally unpredictable, unrestrained, and not a single blow landed on you." Bern was effusive with his praise, insisting that Link return the next day, and continue to trash his lazy mutts, as he called them, until they learned how to truly fight. Link nodded his ascent, his mind still swimming with the intensity of the fight, all of his senses and fighting impulses were heightened, and almost all conscious thought had left him.

He followed the young girl along the road to the castle, the speed of the battle still on his mind. Normalcy returned slowly as they neared the small garden path he had exited the castle from before with Ceara. The girl dutifully led him all the way to his room, skipping along and humming softly. She didn't offer her name, and Link didn't ask, other concerns weighing heavily on his mind. He thanked the little girl, patting her on the head as she skipped away, and silently entered his room. A warm bath was waiting for him, and he stripped quickly sinking into the tub. It was refreshing, and Link let himself sink beneath the warm water, his long hair floating up to the surface like ghosts in the night.


After finishing washing up, Link dressed in the clothes that were laid out for him by Ceara. A fine white silk tunic and soft blue pants of a material Link had never felt before. He dressed quickly, and stepped out into the hall, suddenly aware that he had no idea where he was going. Dropping back into his room, he grabbed the bell rope.

"Link?"

Link turned slowly, releasing the bell pull. Malon stood waiting for him in her doorway, her long red hair tied up in an intricate bun. She wore a smile on her face, but it seemed forced, and her simple wool farming dress. Taking a few steps out of the doorway, Link could see a servant approaching from down the hall, coming to take him to the breakfast. Malon didn't take her exhausted eyes away from him.

"Hey Malon…good morning." Link didn't know what else to say, she looked like she was waiting for him to make everything alright, to have some words that would clear the air magically, but he didn't.

"You…look very nice Link." Malon noticed the servant as he waited a few steps away. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes…the, the King, he asked that I eat with him this morning. What about you, what are you going to do while you're here? I was thinking about taking Epona for a slow ride around the city this afternoon, maybe you should come along, it would give us time to catch up. I am sure Epona would love to see you again." It was the best he could come up with, and seemed to make her happy, she certainly brightened up.

"Oh, Link, that's wonderful! You have no idea how happy that makes me. I am going to breakfast too. The Lord General sent me an invitation this morning. I was afraid, but now that you are going there, I feel much better. I wish I had some proper clothes though, I must look wretched." She picked at her dress, and hair, but Link thought she was just being silly, she was a natural beauty, no matter how plain her clothes.

Link didn't get a chance to tell her though, because the servant took the chance to interrupt. "Master Link, Miss Malon, I have come to escort you both to breakfast. If you would please follow me." He made curt turn and led them silently through the hallways. Link found the quiet with Malon unnatural though and tried to spark conversation.

"So, where is your father? Is he staying here in the castle too?"

Malon was slow to respond, her brow furrowed while she bit her lower lip, which Link knew was an old habit she had when she was bothered about something. "No, he wanted to stay behind and start rebuilding right away. I don't even know how long I will be here, and I didn't have anything but this dress to bring…" Her voice trailed off, and Link didn't press her. He knew she was having a difficult enough time with yesterday's events, and his sudden reappearance, with the Princess no less, didn't appear to be helping her.

They continued on in silence, leaving the maze of lower levels and arrived on what Link believed was the second or third floor. They entered a long thin room on the eastern side of the castle. Sunlight poured in through the wall of open glass double doors that led to a balcony with a stunning view of the city and snow capped northern mountains curving into sight along the horizon. The sun was into its daily trek across the sky on a cloudless day, and a cool breeze kept the room from getting too hot.

The King was seated at the head of a long wooden table flanked by a dozen or so high backed chairs with deep purple velvet padding. Zelda sat at his right hand and Impa beside her. Lord General Baden and Warden Donah sat across from them, and a pretty raven haired serving girl was pouring juice for them. Their guide introduced them simply by name, and they took their seats at the end of the row, Link beside Impa, and Malon beside Warden Donah, who stood and held the chair out for her.

The King greeted them both with a kind smile, and resumed his conversation with the Baden and Donah about preparations for the festival, and which nobles had already started coming to Castletown. "Lord Karlston has already arrived, a full two weeks ahead of when we expected him, wanted to know why I hadn't arranged an honor guard to walk him through the streets." Baden looked annoyed that he had to put up with such trifles. "Of course, all I keep hearing about is the registration act, and whether I support it or not, and do I believe we have enough soldiers for it. They are all worried about increases in taxes sire, same as every year."

The King just laughed at his stories of annoyed nobles and unwelcome guests. He seemed to be the same man as the night before, and Link began to wonder what his response had been to Zelda's surprise gift of the Book of Mudora. He had no time to ask Zelda though. "They're all pouring in early this year. I believe that your tour has done the trick my daughter. Even now reports are coming back that inns and hostels are filling up, a full six weeks ahead of time." He patted Zelda on the hand, and gave her a kind smile.

"I told you it would be Father." Zelda had a satisfied smile as she picked up her juice glass. Something called pineapple, which came from the islands off the coast of the Lost Woods. Link had never had it before, but enjoyed the tart taste and happily passed his glass to be refilled.

"If I may say so daughter, the Goddesses themselves must have blessed your trip, for look what fate has brought us? If not for you untimely journey through Moiro Forest, our new friends would not be joining us here at breakfast. Link would never have saved you, and therefore might not have been here to drive the dragon away, which saved the life of our young Malon here. All things are possible through the blessings Goddesses, and everything has occurred according to their will." The King raised his glass to both Link and Malon in acknowledgement.

"Speaking of our guests, Link, Malon, I hope you found your rooms agreeable?" Link wasn't grateful that Zelda had brought them into the conversation, a point he refrained from passing on to her through their bond. He let Malon speak though, and busied himself with buttering his toast.

"Oh, they are wonderful your Highness. I can never hope to thank you all enough for allowing me to stay here. My father wished for me to pass along his thanks and regrets, he wanted to get as much of the ranch rebuilt before the festival as possible…If I may say this dragon attack could not have come at a more inopportune time for us, father is afraid that our customers might turn to other ranches for milk and horses if we cant get ourselves in order and –" Malon blushed, embarrassed that she had revealed so much, "But…but thanks to the Lord General's generosity, I am sure that we will be fine. Thank you again my Lord, your help is more than we could have hoped for."

The Lord General simply waved her thanks away, and Link knew that the cost of such a project was probably nothing to him, but still couldn't figure out the man's motives. Link was acutely suspicious of the man's good will, but had no real reason to be. The

King smoothly changed the topic, surprising Link when he said, "So, Link, Warden Donah tells me that you put on quite the show this morning over at the Guardsmen Barracks. What did you think of our cadets?"

Link couldn't believe that he had heard about that already. It was only an hour ago! But he wasn't caught off guard for long, "I thought they were very well trained sire, and each of them fought bravely. There is always room for improvement, but there is little that that time and experience can't teach them."

Donah chuckled a bit, and drowned the egg he was eating with a glass of water before continuing. "If I hear correctly from Marshal Bern, you single handedly thrashed the best of his cadets, without a single blow against you? Well, if you are to take part in Knight's Tournament, as the Princess had told us, don't expect all the competition to be so easy. The best fighters from all of Hyrule will be competing for the title this year, and I doubt that half of them are interesting in joining the Guard. An invitation to the Festival Ball and a Dance with her Royal Highness has swelled the competition to historic levels. We even have entrants from Lords and Princes from other countries! You had best watch out your Highness, there are going to be a lot of disappointed men at the Ball." Donah and the King both laughed at this, while Zelda gave them both a huff. Impa raised an eyebrow in Link's direction, she clearly hadn't heard about his exploits, but didn't seem too surprised.

"If I may say so Warden Donah, I believe it is your job to watch out for me, but it won't matter. I assure you that Link will win the tournament. He is, after all, my champion. Do you think I would have selected anyone but the best? The only question I have is if he can dance." Zelda playfully jabbed her fork the Warden, and Malon surprised everyone by responding to Zelda's rhetorical question.

"He can." All the heads turned toward Malon, whose freckled face became as red as her hair. "I mean to say…he could dance, when we were younger, your Highness." Malon suddenly became very interested in her plate, while the King and Warden Donah had another good laugh at Link's expense. General Baden simply reclined in his chair with folded arms, as though the entire discussion was beneath his attention.

The King was about to reply when the tenth hour bell rang throughout the castle. "Ah, we shall have to continue this discussion later I am afraid. Captain Morann will be waiting to give us the report. Warden Donah tells me that you are going to sit in and give us your insight on the events of the trip Link?" Baden's bored countenance sharpened momentarily at this news, but he said nothing. Link doubted anyone else saw it.

"Yes your Majesty, I am at your service." The servants began clearing the dishes as the King stood up and helped Zelda out of her chair. Baden made his goodbyes and left quickly without another word, the imposing shadow of his servant was waiting for him in the hallway. Zelda and Impa walked over to Malon and engaged her in silent discussion while Link hustled to follow the King and Warden Donah out of the room.

"Link, I am going to take Malon for a walk around the castle. I can feel how sad she is, perhaps it will help her to be with someone else, and the castle can be lonely. What do you think? Zelda's first contact of the day proved to be her most troubling. Link thought many things, none of which he wanted to tell the Princess. "Link?"

"I…I think that is very nice of you Princess. Thank you." Link strained not to shout as he pushed his response across to her.

"Good. Have fun with father, he was most pleased with your gift." And with that she was gone, and a hazy pink painting left on the canvas of his mind.