Notes at the end of the most recent chapter.
Princess Zelda's sudden distaste for Link certainly made the knight feel uncomfortable. Though the journey to Goron City was originally supposed to last three days, the pair arrived in merely two days of traveling.
The princess's pace seemed to have quickened significantly. She wanted to be away from Link as soon as possible—that much the boy could tell.
Though they wouldn't admit it, both wanted the awkward silence to end soon. Zelda had grown accustomed to talking freely and carelessly in front of her knight, and he appreciated the company of her voice.
The worst part of the trek was the final stretch: the hike up Death Mountain. At the foot of the trail, Zelda purchased several fireproofing elixirs. Such drinks were necessary because the volcanic activity of the mountain resulted in the surrounding air to be extremely hot—especially near the top, where Goron City was located. Inhaling it would most certainly scorch a person's lungs. Goron anatomy allows a natural resistance to the intense heat, but fragile Hylians would certainly be walking to certain death without the fireproof brew.
Approximately halfway to the city, Link's body temperature was almost unbearably hot. He wanted so badly to shed his outer layers in favor of a more comfortable temperature range, but doing so was incredibly inappropriate in front of a royal family member.
Pain certainly wasn't a new subject for the boy. He didn't enjoy the sensation, yet he found that pain was the only feeling he could tolerate. For some reason unbeknownst to Link, it was acceptable to tear himself apart but never heal the rifts.
He resolved that the heat was only affecting him, so he kept quiet. The knight wouldn't want to break protocol, after all.
For the first time since the bakery incident, Zelda decided to spark up a conversation:
"My, it sure is quite hot up here. Luckily, it won't get worse than this. We're in close proximity to a lava lake, which explains the temperature spike. Goron City is actually cooler than this."
Link's breathing had intensified, and his vision was blurring. He slowed down and fell to a knee, grasping his chest in pain. He coughed hard, a small amount of blood leaking from his mouth.
Zelda must have heard the throaty cough, because she whirled around in confusion. Upon seeing Link spitting blood and hearing his strained heaves, she gasped and ran over to him.
"Link! I'm so sorry! You never drank a fireproofing elixir!"
She fumbled with her pack, searching for the potion as quickly as possible. When she found it, Zelda quickly uncapped it and brought it up to Link's mouth. He thankfully grabbed the bottle and downed its contents quickly. The boy instantly calmed down, closing his eyes as the icy liquid flowed through his body.
Zelda backed away from the kneeling hero, sobbing lightly.
Link capped the empty container and returned it to her travel pack.
She slowly picked up her pack once more, looking apologetically at her knight.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't think… I thought you'd—that you…" she sighed and her breath hitched a few times. "I'm sorry, Link."
Link still had to make sure that he stayed true to the Oath. He couldn't say anything back to her—or nod, for that matter. He simply stared at her blankly.
Zelda's expression darkened a little.
"We're almost there. Let's go," she stated plainly.
Fortunately, the rest of the journey was uneventful. The princess and her knight arrived in Goron City, and Daruk happily greeted the guests.
"Welcome to Goron City! I'm glad to see you both made it here in one piece. Princess, the Goron Research Team is waiting for you up in the main building. Say, Link, would you like to see Rudania while the princess meets with the scientists?"
The knight looked to his liege for confirmation.
"That would be most helpful, Daruk. Thank you."
Zelda then promptly walked toward the compound Daruk specified.
"Come on, little guy. We haven't been able to talk much. Well, I mean I haven't had the chance to talk to you. Sorry. Forgot about the whole Oath thing," Daruk scratched his head awkwardly.
Daruk decided to boast his abilities by demonstrating how skillfully he could maneuver Vah Rudania.
"Yeah!" Daruk shouted gleefully.
"I think I'm finally getting the hang of controlling this Divine Beast!" Daruk released the controls and walked up to the bow of the massive Beast. Link followed close behind him.
"I tell you what…sure is a blast piloting a toy like this around. Let those other champions know, they better eat their gravel if they wanna keep up with Daruk. Speaking of which, can you believe this view? Just look at all those delectable rocks sprinkled on those mountains… Mighty tasty. I may not know a whole lot about this Calamity Ganon thing…but mark my words, I'll protect this land of ours to the death! Right, little guy?" The Goron champion raised his hand high and clapped the hero's back on comradery. Only, he underestimated his immense strength and Link staggered forward a few feet before catching himself. The knight also grunted in pain—no broken bones, hopefully. Daruk laughed heartily.
"Hey, by the way…congrats on becoming the princess's appointed knight. That's a really big deal! Protecting the king's daughter… No pressure!" Again, he clapped the boy's back; this time, without the strength of a battering ram.
"Seriously, though. The princess is a strong personality—so strong she can't quite see the range for the peaks. Remember that, and you'll be fine."
Suddenly, the entire mountain started tremoring. Both Daruk and Link looked to the peak of the mountain in confusion. The Goron seemed especially worried.
"Huh…? What the—?!" the trembling continued for a few more seconds before a massive boulder erupted from the mountain, heading straight for Link and Daruk. The Goron growled a stiff battle cry and raised his fists defensively to the incoming boulder. The moment it impacted, it shattered into thousands of tiny pieces—and Daruk was surrounded by a glowing orange barrier, completely unscathed.
Link couldn't help being amazed at the sight.
"All right, so what was I saying…" he trailed off. The Goron looked back up to the mountain.
"That was a little strange… As far as I know, Death Mountain has been quiet for decades. But if the mountain is shivering enough to send down boulders that size, then—" he stopped himself.
"Never mind. Forget I said anything."
The knight and champion stood at the bow of Rudania for a few more moments, staring on at the powerful mountain.
"We should head back down. The princess has probably finished her meeting with the scientists."
Zelda said her farewells to the Gorons before beginning the trek back down the mountain. Link was sure to follow close behind, as he always did, but Zelda seemed irritable to his presence.
"Must you always follow so closely? It seems you have no sense of what privacy is."
Confused by her sudden outburst, Link slowed his pace to create a little more distance. She seemed to be satisfied with his action, staying silent for the rest of the journey down the mountain.
After hours of hiking downhill, the pair finally reached the foot of the mountain. Zelda returned the unused fireproof elixirs, insisting she had no more use for them. She turned to Link.
"Well, hero, it seems that nightfall is upon us. It would be unwise to travel while lacking the proper gear for the night. We shall lodge here for the night," Zelda's eyes lowered. She sighed.
"Come with me, please. I need to tell you something."
Her knight did as he was told, following her around the back of the local inn.
"Come closer."
He swallowed and approached her, only a few feet away.
Zelda averted her eyes for a moment, studying a distant campfire.
"I… realize that I have coaxed you into breaking proper protocol for a knight on numerous occasions. But one such occasion particularly stands out to me. You recall when we were in Gatepost Town several days ago?" her eyes returned to meet the knight's.
'Is this…another test? Does she want me to answer? Should I stay quiet? Sikumar was right, emotions really do make things harder than they have to be. Stop feeling, you idiot!' Link mentally scolded himself. Reluctantly, he nodded his head.
Zelda smiled. "That's the first time you've answered one of my questions. I'm glad you're warming up, or whatever this is. Anyway, I wanted to apologize for putting you in that situation. It was inappropriate and unprofessional. I'm just so…curious. I always wonder what you're thinking or what you want to say. I thought by making you comfortable I might see a different side of you. But now I realize how vulnerable you felt. I assure you, it will not happen again."
Link's expression remained devoid of any emotion. However, he did nod to acknowledge her apology.
"I always thought that having a personal companion meant I'd finally have someone I could entrust everything to, seeing how my father and Captain Sikumar interact. But I guess that's a bond that takes time." Zelda smiled awkwardly. "When we return to the castle, I will inform my father that I will be taking some alone time. I'll only be gone for a few hours. Just… need to think a few things over. Unaccompanied."
Link wanted to say, 'But it's my duty to protect you! If you need space, just say so. Don't risk your life for childish reasons.' Of course, he reminded himself that his opinion was worthless. He's just a dispensable line of defense for the princess. 'That's why you're not allowed to speak. You know nothing. You are nothing more than an unintelligent sack of muscle and flesh. Just kill the assailants and keep your mouth shut.'
Self-deprecation was one of his newest hobbies.
"Oh, and I'll rent a room for you to sleep, as well. You're far too tired to stay up all night again."
Somehow, the knight knew there'd be very little rest for him tonight.
In the morning, Zelda and Link set out to reach Hyrule Castle before noon.
The castle staff were happy to see the princess back home safe.
Captain Sikumar pulled Link aside as Zelda went up to her private study.
"Great job so far, Link! Two whole months without incident. That's quite impressive for a young knight like yourself. Take some time to take care of yourself; you've earned it!" the captain complimented, smiling widely.
Link gladly took some time to eat a hefty lunch, polish his sword and boots, and use the bathhouse. He also found a clean set of clothes—undergarments included—in his small room. He felt clean, full, and replenished…but he made sure he wasn't happy. He didn't think he was entitled to that feeling.
"Father, he doesn't say anything! He just stands silently—awkwardly—behind me all the time!"
The king of Hyrule sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Zelda, that is the point. You are supposed to pay no mind to him. He has one duty: protect you with his life. Don't push him beyond that. He swore to uphold the Oath so that you don't have to deal with him."
"But, father, that's the problem. I want someone to talk to. I thought that's what I was getting when you assigned him to me."
"No, Zelda. And I'll cut out his tongue if he speaks. I've already explained this—"
The princess interrupted him. "Oh, would you? Then why's Sikumar so special?" She held a smug look on her face.
Rhoam's expression darkened. "You wouldn't understand. Do not speak of this to anyone."
"Why? You don't want Link to live happily? It's a shame… no parents, no friends, and what did you do? Silence him."
"Guards! Leave us," the king ordered. All the guards briskly left the throne room and closed the exits. Zelda looked around, confused.
"It's clear you care for this boy," he observed. "But you shouldn't. Zelda, it is not your place to speak of his past. That is his business alone. However, it's important that you know he came to us in need. We gave him everything we could, and I had to be lenient on Sikumar. We've experienced more than you can imagine, fighting side by side. The captain convinced me that he might prove to be a good warrior one day, so he gave him company while also being my companion and captain of the entire royal army. Should you ever speak ill of him again, I assure you that you will regret it. Is that clear?"
Zelda's eyes were wider than ever before. Her father had never spoken to her in such a way before—so defensively. She shook her head to affirm his request.
"Don't you dare try to pry him open. It is true that, in time, you two will grow closer. But not now. You'll know when the time is right to grant him his voice back. You see, his fear is what keeps him in line. When he realizes that it's simply the right thing to do, he will feel more comfortable with you in private. Now is not the time, though, so stop with your advances."
The princess studied the floor. "I understand. But…why are you telling me this?"
Rhoam walked closer, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"I don't want you to hurt him. He's fragile, Zelda. Not him, but his mind. He's had a rough upbringing and nobody to tell it to. Which is why I must stress that you don't pry. If you start asking questions, he will never trust you."
"Thank you, father."
The two embraced tightly, and Zelda left the throne room. In fact, she left the castle completely. She told Sikumar that she needed some time to herself to think a few things over, so she was going to focus on her research. The captain reluctantly allowed her to leave, but hastily made his way to Link to make sure he followed.
The princess elected to take her horse to a shrine that has been studied by the castle's archaeologists. She wanted to see if she could engineer access to it, even if she isn't the sword's chosen one. At least some scholarly work would distract her from him and the sealing power, which she still had no idea how to activate.
Zelda tweaked a few things on the front of the shrine's pedestal, hoping her augments would allow access. She held up her Sheikah Slate to activate the shrine.
"Nothing. Just as I thought." She looked up at the rather large structure.
"Hmm… It appears that this structure was designed to be exclusively accessed by the sword's chosen one. But, designs can always be worked around, at least I hope. How do I get inside…? I need to activate it somehow."
Her thoughts were interrupted by the whinny of an approaching horse. She looked behind her to see her knight, Link, riding hastily toward her. He hopped off the horse and approached until he was at his normal distance.
Zelda's expression turned angry.
"I thought I made it clear that I'm not in need of an escort," she scolded.
"It seems I'm the only one with a mind of my own. I, the person in question, am fine, regardless of the king's orders. Return to the castle, and tell that to my father please." Zelda strode past the knight, who turned sideways to let her pass. She was a good distance from him when he started following her again.
The princess seemed to notice that he was still right behind her, which made her even more annoyed. Anger boiled up inside her, and she turned around to shout at the faithful knight:
"And stop following me!"
She mounted her horse and rode away at a speedy gallop. Link looked down at the ground, confused by what just happened.
'I'm… supposed to follow her, but she doesn't want that. I… think I need to ask Sikumar what to do…' a tear threatened to fall, but he held it back and steeled his expression.
Link rode back to the castle in record time. He stabled his mount and jogged to the royal barracks. Luckily, he found Sikumar inside.
"Link! Great to see you again—wait, weren't you going to accompany the princess? What happened?" The captain's face turned grim.
The knight used his hands to ask for writing utensils. Sikumar quickly fished out a pen and papyrus from his desk.
Link's handwriting was scratchy and barely legible. He wrote, 'She told me to stop following her and ran away. What do I do?'
"She… oh, I should have expected this. Link, it's not your fault. She's confused and afraid. Rhoam keeps telling her to dedicate more time to unlocking her power, but she doesn't know how. Her research is the only thing concrete and known. You are a reminder that she's failed at unlocking her abilities. Don't take it personally. Look, I know you're confused, too, but you took an oath and swore you'd protect the princess with your life. Go, find her. I'm sure she went to Urbosa; she's close to the Gerudo champion. It's getting dark, so you best hurry."
Link didn't waste another second. He nodded and ran back the way he came. The knight mounted his steed and was off into the setting sun.
Link stopped for nothing. He rode his horse hard and fast, blazing through the desert sands. As soon as Vah Naboris was in sight, he beelined for it. The night was approaching quickly, so he was forced to make haste.
He tied his mount to a nearby rock outcrop and ascended the massive Divine Beast. After only minutes of searching, he found Zelda asleep in Urbosa's arms.
The Gerudo champion noticed him approaching.
"Ah, well…you certainly got here fast. I should have expected as much, from the princess's own appointed knight. She was out on a survey earlier. Still as the sands, now… So? Spill it, boy. Have the two of you been getting along all right? It's OK… I know. Your silence speaks volumes."
Link was taken aback by what she just said. 'Your silence speaks volumes.' Is this what Zelda was truly saddened by? Maybe she's been waiting to have a companion all this time to have as a friend, not just a protector. He mulled over the prospect of being friends with his liege, but then dismissed it, internally reprimanding himself for even considering something so wrong.
"She gets frustrated every time she looks up and sees you carrying that sword on your back. It makes her feel like a failure when it comes to her own destiny. Don't worry, it's not like you carry any blame in any of this. It's unfortunate. She's put in more than enough time. Ever since she was a young girl, she's gone through rigorous daily routines to show her dedication… She once passed out in the freezing waters trying to access this sealing power. And she has nothing to show for it… That's the motivation driving her research. I'd be doing the same thing. She really is quite…special."
Urbosa brushed away a blonde bang that had fallen over Zelda's face. Link stayed silent, watching the two. The princess's bond with the Gerudo champion must have been going on for much longer than the boy's knighthood. She seemed so…at peace with Urbosa. Like nothing mattered and that Hyrule was safe. Link enjoyed that look, and he silently wished he could have that feeling, too. Of course, he knew that it was only a dream, yet he still berated himself for even considering the idea of happiness and safety. All the boy had ever known was disparagement and suffering. He is the child of forbidden love. He burdened an esteemed noble with his presence for years as a child. He put in his hours at the training field, only to be harassed by field masters. And now, he faithfully follows his liege only to be pushed away by her. What was he really worth?
"You be sure to protect her with your life. It's quite the honor. The night brings a chill…It's probably time we take her in…" Urbosa trailed off. Her head abruptly shot up. "Hmm… Or…" she smiled deviously.
The Gerudo raised her hand and snapped her fingers. A massive bolt of lightning shot from the skies with a thunderous boom, tearing apart the tranquil silence that existed only moments before it.
Zelda shot up from her arms, covering her ears and shaking.
"Urbosa! What was that?! Did you feel that?" Her breath hitched as something caught her eye. She turned around to see Link standing stiffly behind them. "Wait, what—how did you—what are you doing here?!" she stammered out.
The Gerudo champion laughed heartily as the princess's expression remained confused. Link simply stood his ground, doing his duty as he always has. "Wh—what's so funny?" the princess asked. Urbosa simply laughed more. Zelda's face reddened as she stood up. "I told you to stop following me. Why can't you just listen to me for once?!" Zelda screamed, storming away.
Urbosa's smile faltered. "I promise it will get better. Just try not to push her. She already has enough of that in her life." The Gerudo stood and chased after the princess.
Link waited until both were far away before he collapsed to his knees.
'Am I failing at my duty? I swore to protect her with my life, but she doesn't want me anywhere near her. I'm such an idiot. Why was I chosen? I'm incompetent and useless. She thinks she's failed at her duty, but I don't even know what mine is! Will I even be alive by the time Ganon returns?'
At this point, Link was in the fetal position, burying his head into his knees as he thought. It wasn't long until tears started to leak from his eyes. He sobbed for a few minutes before calming down. The knight sat up and hugged his legs.
Closing his eyes, he whispered almost inaudibly to himself:
'Stop. Feeling. You can't talk, so why feel anything anyway? Just do your job. Stop being such a nuisance. Your life doesn't matter. That's why you're dispensable. Shut up and protect her. So what if she hates you? You don't deserve happiness anyway. You're worthless.'
More tears spilled out. He gritted his teeth.
'STOP!'
He wiped away the tears and rocketed up to a standing position. Link nearly lost his balance, still shaking from his mental breakdown, but caught himself. As a final decree, he drew his sword and looked at his reflection in the moonlight.
'You don't deserve happiness. Stop feeling and stop thinking. Now and forever.'
He sheathed the Master Sword, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath and solidifying his impassive facial expression.
Link figured that Zelda would stay in Gerudo Town for the night because voe—men—were prohibited from entering. He resolved that he'd wait until she left the next morning to follow her at a long distance.
In the meantime, he decided to sleep next to the shrine just outside the walls of Gerudo Town. Maybe some shuteye would help him think more logically.
The boy tried his best to lay comfortably against the side of the shrine, keeping the Master Sword ready to fend off any attackers at a moment's notice.
He finally closed his tear-stained blue eyes in hopes of being taken away by the reprieve of slumber.
Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock…