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Thank you to BusbeeRD, LightLitAflame, , and fatimaestrellitadeplatagmail for following and/or adding this story on their favorite's list!
Responses to Reviews:
Guest: Thank you very much! Zelda's still got much to go through, but we are getting there ;) And don't worry, your english is good!
Lunitari: Hah it was pretty stock-filled with emotion lol! Hopefully Zelda will learn her lesson...;) Thank you!
Awakening5: I'm sorry about holding out on her side so far. Well to best describe it, the reason I've kept away from writing about Zelda's feelings is because she's kinda steeled herself up from her emotions, and there is a reason that is briefly mentioned in this chapter. But about Link right now, she just appreciates him for being the hero of her country. She hasn't exactly fallen for him quite yet, but that won't last too long, so don't worry. (No spoilers but this is a Zelink fanfic lol) Thank you for your support so far! I appreciate it :)
KHLostEmpress: Uh-oh, look out Zel! Haha, I know, she was kinda cold to him in the last chapter, but only for what she believes to be his own good. But thank you, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
TheDragonKnights: I know, she's so irresponsible when it comes to her own well-being XD But thank you!
Thank you all for your support, it really means a lot. Any suggestions and critiques are also welcome.
Early upload, I know, but schools starting soon and I have the next three chapters already done so expect another one up this week.
There is a lot of drama in this chapter; a lot of closing doors and opening them as they say. Also, I found out that Fado's actually 17 years old, which is younger than my Link so wow. Lol, anyways, enjoy!
Without further ado, chapter 10!
"Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay any longer? There's to be a dangerous weather; you'd be better off waiting for it to pass."
"I know what I have to do," the hero replied, strapping his belt over his tunic. The next morning had arrived in Kakariko Village and Link awoke in the inn, prepared for what he had to do next. After patting down his attire, he glanced up and smiled at the shaman in gratitude. "Thank you for all your help, really."
Renado smiled tenderly. "It was the very least I could do after all you've done for this village. Know that you're always welcome here." Link nodded, obliged. "I only wish for you to have safe travels, Link. Be sure to make haste to your destination so that you won't get caught up in the afflicting weather for too long."
Link nodded once more before turning to the young girl who stood patiently at Renado's side. "It was nice seeing you again, Luda," he acknowledged, and she smiled, bowing her head graciously.
"It was nice to see you, as well. I also wish you safe travels, and please send Colin and the others my regards if you happen upon them," she replied, as eloquently as her father, and Link gave her a small smile.
"Allow me to see you out," Renado insisted, placing a palm on Link's back as he escorted him down the wooden steps of the inn and towards his horse. As they stood by Epona's side, he turned to the hero with solemnity and sincerity. "I hope for all the best for you, my son."
My son. Link swallowed heavily. "Thank you…. I'll see you again soon."
"You're welcome here anytime. Remember if you need me, I'll be here to help you all that I can. It's the least I can do for you."
Link gave the shaman one last nod before mounting his horse and grasping the leather reins in his tight grip, causing Epona to step anxiously in place.
"Goodbye, Link," he said before the duo dashed forward, the silhouettes of a hero and his mare shrouded by the flurry of snow once Epona galloped away from the village.
Hyrule field was enveloped in the white snow, more so than in Kakariko due to the warmth radiating off of Death Mountain. The endless ivory dunes were a beautiful sight: the majesty of Hyrule veiled under a thick blanket of shimmering powder, only to be imprinted by the hooves of his loyal stead. The calm serenity of it all distracted and comforted him from what was yet to come, almost as if he were floating on a fleeting cloud rather than racing through a monster-infested field towards a testing situation.
As he slipped past yet another familiar spring, he hopped off Epona and pulled at her reins, leading her past the suspended wood bridge. He spared a reminiscent glance at his former home perched up in the tree before steering forward, focused and driven.
The villagers were all hidden in their homes, away from the vexing winter winds, so Link didn't have any distractions as he marched towards the home past the frozen river and on top a lonely hill. His hands clenched and unclenched nervously as he stood on the porch, before he swallowed, nodding to himself reassuringly and knocking lightly on the door.
The door swung open by the hand of a small woman with short locks, cradling a baby in a soft pink blanket with the other arm. "Link!" she shouted excitedly, pulling him into the cozy home. Colin, who sat in a rocking chair before a blazing fire, jumped at the call of his name and rushed to his side. He looked as though he had much to say, but waited politely for his mother to speak.
"Where have you been?" Uli asked eagerly as she pulled him to sit at the sofa, and with one sweeping look of the home, Link realized Rusl wasn't here. He wasn't sure if that relieved or disappointed him.
The observant woman, meanwhile, seemed to understand what – or rather who – he searched for and shook her head sadly. "He hasn't returned since…" she glanced over at Colin, who sat excitedly at his mother's side, innocent and unknowing of the circumstances that befell them, "…since the ceremony. He sent message that he's still in Castle Town, waiting for you."
Rusl stayed back for him, even when he wasn't sure if Link might come to forgive him? His heart almost tore at the thought; the man who raised him – who'd just had a child, no less – still waited for Link after he'd barked bitterly at him. His head sunk in shame.
Uli reached out her small hand, gently placing it on his shoulder. "It's okay," she reassured him. "Rest now, Link. Say hello to all the others; I am sure they would love to see you."
Colin frowned in confusion, looking to Link for reassurance, and the hero swallowed his emotion to smile at the young boy as if nothing were wrong.
Lady Irene, Councilor Cole and some of Zelda's maids stood around her bed, waiting anxiously for Dr. Borville's diagnosis. A fire was lit within the queen's bedchambers in an attempt to bring heat back to her chilled skin, but she'd yet to awaken from her unconscious state.
The only doctor within Hyrule's Castle Town was the uncouth doctor Borville, who'd usually be called upon in the castle's infirmary for any emergency matters. They all knew he wasn't the ideal doctor, as he didn't accept all who needed his treatment, and with the ones he did test, he was imprudent or incompetent.
However, there weren't many uses for doctors in Hyrule lately, not since the tragedy that befell the Royal Family, so the job didn't offer much income, discouraging anyone from thinking about applying for it. All the issues plaguing the kingdom since then were mystical, to best explain it, and stethoscopes and natural remedies couldn't aid taking on spiritual forms. Nobody in Castle Town could complain though, as they needed someone to aid the ailing queen in her precarious situation; beggars could never be choosers.
"I've come to the conclusion that the queen has come down with the Hylian Influenza," Dr. Borville said bluntly, pointing his bony fingers at the clipboard filled with messy diagrams and disorganized notes in his hand. "I'm sure you've heard of this illness, hm?"
Irene held her hands close to her chest knowingly and Cole rubbed his temples in his frustration. They had both witnessed the tragedies that befell their kingdom due to that horrible illness and had hoped – rather, prayed - it would never befall them again. Meanwhile, the lady's maids looked amongst one another in confusion; they were too young to remember, it seemed, and the doctor let out a long, exasperated sigh.
"It's a virus usually caused from exposure to cold temperatures," he explained in irritation. "It's an infection in the lungs that will cause some trouble breathing, a lot of coughing, and she'll soon come down with a fever. I also see that she might've hit her head somewhere in her fatigue, which might explain why she's out cold. I expect that she will wake up soon though."
"What're we to do?" Irene asked, worried as she stared at the unconscious queen on the bed.
"Fortunately for you, the Hylian Influenza shouldn't be too contagious, but it's not an easy illness to treat." He flipped through some of the papers in the clipboard, his magnified eyes reading over other notes before letting the papers fall slack against the board. "I can prescribe a potion that might just help, but I make no guarantees. Here are some instructions on what you can do to help her pass through it."
Lady Irene burrowed her eyebrows and took the slip of paper from the old doctor's lax grip.
"Isn't there anything else you can do?" Irene asked pleadingly. "You must have some sort of…of therapy or techniq-"
"I'm afraid not," he interrupted. "Whether she makes it through the illness is up to her. All we can do is help along the way."
"How ridiculous," Cole spat, finally speaking up with his hands waving dramatically. "You'll be seen as banished if the queen cannot pass through this illness! Now that, sir, is a guarantee!"
"Don't get hostile with me, now. I'm just a doctor, not a miracle worker!"
"This is the queen of your kingdom! You will be a miracle worker if that's what we demand!" Cole senselessly shouted, furious at the doctor's lacking efforts to aid Zelda.
"Please!" Lady Irene cried, holding her hands out to silence them both. Then, more softly, she reminded, "The queen needs rest and both of your shouting will do nothing but disturb her." Both men frowned, Cole nodding solemnly with lips pressed tightly and the doctor's head sinking low.
"Now then," the doctor spoke up after a soundless moment. "I should be on my way. You may get in touch with me if there are any severe changes, but other than that, follow the instructions on the note and she should be fine."
Irene nodded and walked the man out of the door, dropping rupees into his bony hands before he left.
The hero and young blond boy marched through the fallen snow, headed to visit each of the villagers' homes. Colin insisted on following along, eager to tell Link all about how he'd begun to learn swordplay and how well he and the other children have gotten along.
"Did I tell you about the time my dad took us to the woods? We even saw some of those monkeys who came by the village earlier, but Talo told us they weren't all that bad like we thought," he retold, and though the hero was distraught by his own personal affairs, he wouldn't let Colin believe he didn't care about his stories when he really did.
In fact, Link was happy that the young boy wasn't as shy as he once was and could now step out of his comfort zone by exploring the woods he was once terrified of. Though they'd passed by the forest before, when everyone was coming back from Kakariko Village, they were all too exhausted to get to see much of the vast forest.
"Was the forest as good as you hoped?" Link asked and Colin nodded excitedly.
"Even better! It's so big and there are so many trees! It was nice, since dad took us when all the leaves were pretty colors. He even told us all about the spring and we saw some guy with birds in his hair!" The boys shared a laugh as they climbed the porch of the mayor's house.
Link knocked a few times and was greeted happily by the mayor, who opened his eyes wide in surprise to see the hero return to Ordon. "Link, Colin!" he welcomed, opening the door wider for them to step in. "It's been so long, Link. How've you been?"
Link smiled softly and hesitantly replied, "I'm good. How are you?"
"Ha, great now that Ilia is home, thanks to you!" The mayor slapped the young man on the back cheerfully. "I heard that you were knighted by the queen herself! 'S that true, m'boy?" He nodded in response, forcing himself to maintain eye contact, and the old man beamed with pride. "Great job, Link! ...So then, what brings you to Ordon, lad? 'Specially in this weather?"
"I…just wanted to visit everyone," he lied, not keen on telling anyone about his and Rusl's argument. He suspected that Bo didn't know about it.
"Oh. If you're looking for my little girl, she ain't here. She's up in the ranch, I think." Link furrowed his eyebrows; what would Ilia be doing in the ranch? Maybe she was checking on the goats; she was always fond of animals like he'd been. Maybe she even got her own horse to care for. She was always very good at taking care of Epona.
"How long will you be stayin' for, lad?" the mayor asked, breaking him out of his thoughts.
Link shook his head, sighing. "Not long. I have to be back by tomorrow," he answered. As nice as it was reconnecting with his old friends, he'd come looking for Rusl in an effort to apologize, and now that he knew he awaited him in Castle Town, he needed to see him as quickly as possible. He didn't want to keep him from his family any longer.
"Ah, that's too bad. But it was nice seeing you, boy! I hope you come 'round the village soon…'Course not in this weather. And Colin! I better see you practicin' with that sword. You ought to protect us now that Link's out bein' a knight," he said playfully, ruffling his blond hair and shoving him lightly.
The two boys shared another laugh as they walked out of the home, headed to the ranch next. But as they trudged up the small hill and through the wooden gates, Link's jaw dropped. Ilia and Fado sat there, cuddling under a wool blanket and the hero didn't know if he wanted to blush or run away to hide. Looking at Colin, he could tell the young boy felt the same way and the knight pulled him by the arm out of the ranch. "We should come back later," Link stated as calmly as he could, but the distant shouting of his friend immediately thwarted his plans.
"Link?" Ilia hollered as she jumped up and the hero turned around awkwardly, reluctantly stepping back to the ranch. Sparing a glance at Fado, who anxiously followed her towards the two of them, he couldn't tell if he was also excited or disappointed. "Hi Colin!" she greeted kindly before turning back to Link and hugging him tightly. "What are you doing in Ordon, Link? It's so nice to see you!" the young girl said as she pulled back, clapping her hands before her and grinning broadly.
Didn't she feel awkward about what just happened?
"Just visiting," Link repeated, scratching the back of his neck nervously.
As Fado approached, he draped an arm over her shoulder casually and she grabbed his hand for a brief moment. "It's great to see you, bud. How you've been doin'?"
"Good." He nodded slowly, looking at them expectantly. "And you?"
"Oh!" Ilia shouted, seemingly coming to a realization of what happened. "…Well, you see, Fado and I are…" She trailed off, finally coming to terms with how uncomfortable this situation was.
"Together now," he finished proudly, grinning.
Both Ilia and Colin examined Link's expression at the news, and she was almost worried that he'd be upset that she would move on from him so quickly. After the hero had denied her feelings and left the village, she'd spent so many days locked up in her room crying, so heartbroken that the man she'd loved since she was a little girl didn't feel the same way. Her father, who worried relentlessly for his daughter, insisted and begged that she'd go outside and she reluctantly followed his wishes, hoping that maybe speaking to other villagers would distract her from her feelings.
Not long after, she found that Fado – who was the only other one who was her age – had a lot in common with her: they both cared for animals and he turned out to be a really nice man. He had the same dreams that she did: he just wanted to stay in Ordon, the small cozy village that they grew up, to raise children in the grassy knolls and care for the animals that lived there. Soon, he admitted to having feelings for her and she decided to give him a chance.
But Link didn't mind. Who was he to hold her back from finding happiness with anybody else? He already came to terms with his own feelings towards Ilia and she seemed happier now than she was when he left. That's all he could ask for.
"Congratulations," he said honestly and Ilia beamed.
"Thank you, Link," she replied, then turned to Fado with a hopeful expression. "Would you mind if Link and I talk for a bit?"
The wrangler nodded, though even Link could see he was hesitant. "'Course," he answered, and then turned to Colin. "C'mon, lil buddy. Let's go say hi to some o' the goats."
Ilia escorted Link down the snow-ridden path with her hands fidgeting nervously in front of her. They remained quiet as they trekked along, slowing their steps once they approached the riverside.
"I'm sorry if that seemed sudden," she spoke up timidly.
He shook his head, snowflakes scattering from his messy hair. "Of course not. I'm happy for you," he said, wearing a small smile.
"It really means a lot that you're so nice about it. I wasn't sure if you'd be upset or not…actually no. I mean I…I know that what happened between us was weird at first, and I'm sorry if I overreacted about how you didn't tell me how you felt right away. It was so soon and I –"
He silenced her with a consoling hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. I'm sorry for not telling you earlier."
She turned to him with a small smile. "You had every right not to. But either way, we're both happy now, right? I mean, you're a knight! That's so great!" Link nodded a little, trying his best to hide his emotions, but it was to no avail. She'd known him for too long and could see right through any mask he put on. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm…" she placed her hands on her hips, almost daring him to try and lie to her, "it's just not as easy as I thought it'd be."
"Nothing ever is, Link. You of all people should know that." She smiled lightly.
"I know…" he said, bobbing his head lightly.
"You're hiding something from me, Link. What happened?" she asked, then sat down by the icy stream and pat the snowy ground next to her, knowing that it might be easier to talk if they were seated, and he followed her directions.
"I…It turns out that Rusl knew my parents." He picked his words cautiously, but it did nothing to stifle Ilia's gasp.
"Really! How? What happened? …Did he tell you?"
"Some things…my dad and him were both knights and good friends. But then something happened and Rusl saved my life. It turns out you were right: I am Hylian."
She smiled sadly and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Link. I can't imagine how hard that was for you to hear."
The hero sighed and drew a finger through the snow in front of his crossed legs. "I kind of lashed out at him after and I just…I came here to look for him and apologize," he admitted and the young woman looked at him knowingly.
"Well…it was brave of you to come back." She sighed. "You know Rusl loves you, Link. If he kept something like this from you, it must've been for a good reason."
"I know. But I was just surprised and…I made a mistake."
"We all do." She smiled softly and crossed her legs as well. After a moment of silent meditation, she added, "What else have you been keeping from me?"
He chuckled a little, against his will, and shook his head. "What are you trying to find out, Ilia?"
"Oh don't be like that! I just want to know how castle life is. Is it exciting? Have you made friends? Do you like being a knight?"
"I love it. Queen Zelda gave me a job to train the knights and it's been great…but sometimes I feel like I don't fit in there." Green eyes peered at him, insisting he continue, and he sighed again. "The nobles are too much sometimes and I feel like even the queen doesn't want me around. Maybe she was just using me to train her army."
Ilia was silent for a moment, examining the etched patterns on the ice as she thought over his words. "And her opinion means a lot to you?" she asked quietly.
"Well yeah, she's my friend. Or at least I thought she was."
"Link," she started, shaking her head, "higher-class people are just normal people with fancy titles, you know that. Why do you care about their opinion?"
"I don't." She looked at him accusingly. "…I mean, not always. They just try to get in my business and they don't like me."
Ilia pinched her eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean? Why don't they like you?"
The hero looked off, embarrassed, and combed his fingers through his hair. "Because I'm not noble like them."
"So? Not all knights are, are they?" she noted and the hero frowned.
"No, not really but…I'm close to the queen and they don't like that."
"Do you like her?" she blurted out bluntly, and the very words that fell from her own lips hit her deeply. Though she cared for Fado very much, Link would always have a special place in her heart and she wasn't sure if she could ever let that go. She hugged herself as if it would protect her from his words.
The hero flushed, embarrassed at her abrupt question. "No," he said quickly and she stared at him seriously. "…I mean it's not like that. I'm just…I don't know."
They sat in silence for a long moment, both tending to their busy thoughts. The hero was confused, and with good reason: his life was complicated enough at is, he didn't need to even consider feeling that way about anyone, especially not a queen. Especially not Zelda.
Meanwhile, Ilia sat pensively, wanting to believe Link's words but not knowing why. Link didn't care what she did with her life, why should she care what he did with hers? But…she'd loved Link since she was a young girl, one with naïve dreams and hopes that only a simple and trouble-free child could conjure up. And maybe it was true; maybe she would never be able to move on from the feelings that she had for him.
She stole a glance at him through the corner of her eyes. That was the man she loved once, now, and maybe even for the rest of her life. He looked different now: battle-worn, jaded and tired, from combat and maybe even from life itself. She'd noticed the differences in his complexion and composure upon regaining her memory, but did she ever properly process it? She could see faint scars through the fabric of his blue tunic and bags under his eyes that a man his age should never have. Even his posture was stiffer and his eyes grew distant more often than not.
Maybe the man she loved wasn't there anymore. The child who ran rampant through the forest, mischievous and playful, and the little boy who wanted to learn swordplay as though it was just a sport or a pass-time: he was grown up now. The goat-herder who spent his time on the fields reading, thinking or affectionately caring for the animals around him had a new busy schedule and huge responsibilities. Maybe this new Link wasn't the man that she fell for; he was the shell of a man he once was, confused and lost with who he was now.
Ilia had spent all her time since his departure wallowing and pitying herself, but she had the time to sort out her thoughts. She came to her realizations after a long while and found someone who she understood as he was now, and she was okay. She always knew what she wanted in life, where she wanted to be and what she wanted to do. Maybe things weren't perfect or ended out the way she hoped, but she was strong and she could handle it from here.
But Link, Link was lost and needed help and didn't she always say she was going to be there for him? After all, wasn't he the one who pushed her out of the way of a raging Ordon goat when she was younger? Wasn't he the one who comforted her when she cried and mourned over the loss of her mother? Didn't he listen to each of her mindless ramblings and senseless rants after her father and her got into an argument? And wasn't it Link who helped her regain her memory when she'd lost hope?
Just as he'd been there for her all her life, she would be there for him when he needed it.
Ilia rubbed her upper arms anxiously before taking a sharp breath and nodding firmly. "Link…it's okay if you do."
Link shook his head. "You don't understand."
His words struck her. She didn't understand? She felt the same way once for Link, afraid and hopeful all at the same time. The problem was that she understood too much.
"Yes, Link. I do," she said in a serious tone, and after a moment's glance in her direction, he realized what she meant.
"I didn't…I don't mean it that way. It's just being her friend is difficult. Being in a place where everyone watches what you do and judges you for it is difficult. I'm not even sure it's worth it at this point."
"Link, you've fought monsters and saved villages! You can handle some snooty old men who get in your way."
He drew his knees closer to him and shook his head. "It's not that simple."
"I know it isn't Link, but you're not either. You've got what it takes to fight for what you want and this is worth fighting for."
He stared off into the churning river beneath the thick sheet of ice and frowned. "I can't defend myself against this kind of thing with swords or arrows, Ilia, and I'm not the most persuasive person."
She huffed; she'd give him that. Link was smart and strong and brave, but he was a man of little words. Something like this wouldn't come easy. "Then think of a way around it. Maybe you can't persuade people of things, but you can definitely talk it out. Think of it like a battle: dodge and strike." She added little gestures at the end to emphasize her point, punching his arm playfully.
He couldn't help but chuckle, thinking that her idea was so silly, and she laughed at the sound of his joy. It was silly, actually, but maybe she was right. Maybe he just needed to look at it from another angle.
He smiled at her with gratitude, sighed and pulled her in for a hug. "Thank you, Ilia," he mumbled. "I'm really glad we're friends."
She leaned on his shoulder and shut her eyes. "Me too, Link. Me too."
Her skin felt as though it was aflame and it hurt to blink. These were the things Zelda first realized upon waking up, scalding hot and exhausted. A light streamed in through her eyelids but her aching body wouldn't cooperate with her mind in an effort to ease the discomfort: perhaps to look around or even to shift away from the light. Why was it so difficult to blink? Where was she?
After a few moments, she could hear the mumbling of voices and tried to make out what they said before her mind spun painfully. Perhaps if she could just peer at her surroundings, she would understand what was going on.
Her eyes squinted, loathing the light for shining so brightly in her eyes before she blinked painfully and the blurry sight of figures were revealed to her. Her mind spun again before she could put names to their faces and she felt herself moan deep in her chest in protest.
The effort caused aching in her throat – or maybe it was her chest - and the sounds quieted around her before instantly getting louder and closer. If she had any idea what was going on, she would hear the maids' relief to see their queen waking up from her stupor, but unfortunately, she couldn't even process words from sounds.
Tea would've been nice. Some scorching hot liquid to intimidate the burning in her throat would make all the difference if she could do much as request it.
She heard a man's voice call out and thought she could hear the name 'Irene' somewhere in his request. Yes, maybe she will bring me tea, she thought hopefully.
Then, what could've been hours later - had she some semblance of time - she thought she could hear her nursemaid's voice. Much to her relief, the queen felt a cold, wet cloth rub against her face as the frantic noises started to mold into words.
"My Lady, can you hear me?"
Zelda tried to bob her head, but her neck felt sore and she stopped midway.
"Oh thank goodness," she heard someone say.
Then, "We'll help you, Your Majesty. Can you sit up?"
The queen didn't think she was capable of sitting at the moment, but she made an effort, straining to heave herself upward. Strong hands settled on her shoulders and pulled her up, and eventually she opened her eyes to the sight around her.
The faces didn't seem familiar in her semi-conscious state and her head lulled on her neck, but at least she had the strength to move, which she didn't think was possible moments ago. Suddenly, someone tilted a bottle against her mouth and said, "Drink this." It was more of a demand than a request as the cold glass touched her swollen lips and a bitter solution poured down her throat. She coughed in protest, only causing the aching to burn more, and swallowed the concoction in an effort to not choke and make it worse.
That was all she could remember before slipping back into unconsciousness, the world of light fading to dark once again.
Ordon did wonders for Link's emotional state. Perhaps it was the soothing forests that he grew up in, or better yet, the people that assured him he would always belong somewhere. After his small reunion with the villagers lifted his spirits, the hero felt a rush of vigor and newfound courage that would carry him back to Castle Town, and he wouldn't waste another moment. With the plan of coming back on his mind and weaved into his goodbyes, he set off in hopes to see Rusl again.
Heeding to Uli's wise suspicions, he dropped by Telma's bar, and upon entering, was relieved to see his old friend seated at the wooden table in the back. However, soon after, his relief was washed over by anguish as he witnessed the terrible state Rusl appeared to be in. His eyes were swollen, hair greasy and skin gleaming with sweat while an empty glass of alcohol sat in his shaking grasp.
Telma finally took notice of Link standing at the door and scurried over to him in discretion. "It's about time you came here, Link!" she whispered fervently. "Rusl hasn't been doing so well lately but he won't tell me what's going on. All I'm getting is something about you and some mistake. Go talk to him, maybe you can help," she insisted, pushing him forward before adding, "and be nice."
Link gulped nervously as he approached the table, worried of what his friend's reaction might be. As he stepped into Rusl's line of sight, the older man blinked tentatively, almost afraid that he might be some sort of illusion, before trying to stand. Link nervously set his hands on his shoulders, urging him to sit, and took his place beside him.
"Link…is it really you?"
The hero swallowed again and nodded.
Rusl, stricken in grief, had tears brimming his eyes as he hesitantly stretched out a hand to cup the younger knight's cheek. The hero breathed heavily before he leaned into the embrace, holding his hand with one of his own.
"I didn't think you would come by…Link. I'm so sorry… so so sorry…"
Link closed his eyes for a moment. "You did what you thought was right…and…I'm sorry for getting so upset with you for it. You've protected me and cared for me all my life, and I can't be thankful enough," Link said, emotion laced through every word.
"Don't apologize to me, Link. Not when I've hurt you so much."
The hero shook his head, setting their hands on the table. "I'm okay, Rusl, really. It's all in the past now." He stared into his eyes with such intensity that the older knight sighed. "You didn't have to wait for me here all this time…with everyone at home…I-I would've come to see you either way."
"I know…" he breathed tiredly, "but I couldn't leave."
They were quiet for a while as the younger knight couldn't figure out what to say to him. Should he apologize? Should he thank him?
"Link, your parents would've been so proud of the man you've become," Rusl remarked suddenly and the weight of his words hit him like a ton of bricks. "I only wish they could see you today."
Link stared at their hands blindly, rubbing them absentmindedly before responding, "A good friend of mine told me they aren't gone, not really." Their eyes met for a serious moment. "Not as long as we remember them."
"I could never forget your parents," Rusl replied shakily. "They were some of the most amazing people I've ever met." Link smiled a little and lowered his gaze again. "You remind me very much of your father. He was brave and strong just like you are. But your kindness and positivity comes from your mother."
"They do sound amazing."
Rusl smiled – bitterly and regrettably. The guilt, it seemed, had never left his system.
"If there's anything you want to know, I'll tell you," he requested, and though the smile never left his face, Link could see it quiver as though he was afraid to speak of them.
The hero had gotten a glimpse of how they looked and how they acted by the pictograph and a little of how Rusl spoke of him. It was obvious that his father was brave, tall and rugged while his mother, at contrast, was small, kind and delicate. But there were so many other things he wanted to know, so many that he didn't know where to begin.
"How'd you meet them?" he settled to ask and Rusl stared off distantly, almost lost in thought as he considered his answer.
"Your father - you should know his name was Daphnes - and I met when we were stationed for the army. I'll admit, when I first saw him, I was intimidated; he was strong, brave and moved unflinchingly in battle. I was never that confident in swordsmanship but we did share one thing in common: we both loved Hyrule and wanted to fight for it. Eagus had us duel once – after I'd gotten stronger - but your father still bested me. It was when the battle ended and I was on the ground that he helped me up and asked if I was okay. That was when I realized he was more gentle and kind than I first assumed, and we got along well after that. Better than well: we became best friends.
"This bar was always a safe-house for the knights of Hyrule, and after our small victories, we would come to celebrate or just converse. One night though, your mother, Marie, had stayed longer to clear up her shop in the market and had caught your father's eye. As his best friend, I was there to see them fall in love and get married, and I got to know her well myself."
The hero glanced around the room, trying to imagine Rusl and his father sitting in those very chairs, celebrating and rejoicing, young and well. He tried to imagine the man - his father - in the pictograph falling in love, sweeping his mother off her feet. How many times had Link passed by the market with no semblance of what it meant to his family?
"Do you miss them?" the younger man asked before he could stop himself.
He hesitated, maybe too afraid of his own feelings or maybe too guilt-ridden to accept them. "There hasn't been a day I haven't missed them. I made a mistake that day on the battlefield and I'll never forgive myself for it."
The hero watched Rusl's expression, tracing the lines of worry with his eyes. "What happened?" he asked in a soft voice.
Rusl looked broken almost, the tears brimming in his eyes swelling as he sat in the memory, and Link regretted asking.
"You don't have to-"
"It's all right, Link," he interrupted with a shake of his head. "Your father trained me for months after that, and message came that Arcadia had planned an attack. Maybe he gave me confidence or maybe it was the thrill of it all, but I overestimated myself, taking on too many enemies at once. He came racing to help me, thinking he could block one of their blows with his own sword but he didn't have the time to hold it back." He swallowed heavily and Link's eyes grew dark.
How could something like that happen to them? He'd been in battle many times for himself and understood how risky it could be; it only took a moment of weakness for everything to change. They were powerless against a herd of soldiers, even if they were brave and strong.
"It happened so fast…I…I should've done something. If I hadn't been so reckless…"
Rusl was hurting, blaming it all on himself even though what happened was beyond his control, even though it'd been so long. It wasn't any good for him to hold in so much regret for so long.
"You can't think like that, Rusl. You've done so much for my family. You are my family now."
"I know, my boy." He smiled for his sake. "I've just gotten old now, and the regrets of my youth often come back to me. But I'm so proud to have raised you, Link. That is something I could never regret."
Link's smile weakened and he tightened his grasp around the older man's hand. "Thank you, Rusl. I'm lucky to have you as a father." And the tears Rusl fought back made way as they embraced one another.
Zelda's pale skin had lit up with a rosy color and the glistening of perspiration, which would've been taken as a good sign had her fever not been going up drastically. Her maids tended to her at all times, freshening her up with cool towels and wiping away the beads of sweat that trickled down her flushed skin. The only instructions that were written on the doctor's note were to give her the medication he prescribed and for her to drink frequently, though she slept so often it was difficult to give her the potion.
The whole kingdom worried for her deeply and the princes vowed to stay as long as they could to see Her Majesty up and well again. But as the days faded in and out, so would her consciousness and no one knew when she'd get better.
The Hylian Influenza wasn't new to Hyrule, nor was it a big surprise to Lady Irene, since the symptoms were so similar to the ones she has witnessed before: it was the same flu that plagued the Royal Family all that long ago. It wasn't an easy illness to cure, she knew, since Zelda's parents were regrettably lost to it. However, back in the day, there were more doctors to aid Hylians, especially in the infirmary. Lately, fortunately, there wasn't much of a need for doctors and the infirmary remained unoccupied. Only now did she wish there were more or at least better skilled doctors to help Zelda feel better.
Irene sat on top of the bed and pressed the back of her hand against her forehead. Her temperature was rising significantly, even now, so she circled the bed, grabbed small towels and wet them with cold water in the bathroom. When she returned, Irene pulled the golden crown off the queen's head and set it down on her bedside table before she patted the wet cloth against her skin. "You'll be all right, my Zelda," she reassured softly, though she wasn't sure if the queen could hear her.
After dabbing the wet cloth against her skin for a long while, she set it across her forehead. The nursemaid ran her hands through the queen's hair, brushing small strands aside and speaking soft words of encouragement.
"I'm here," she cooed. "You'll be all right, my Zelda. You are strong and brave and by the goddesses you will be fine."
As soon as Link entered the palace, he overheard many of the servants speaking about Zelda's condition and he could feel the worry swell in his chest. He'd only been gone for two days and her symptoms have already gone up so drastically? Though his initial plan was to apologize to the commander for his absence, he asked around for where the queen could be found and dashed to her chambers.
The door was cracked open and he couldn't help but overhear the conversation within. "…said not contagious, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I'm just worried for all you lovely ladies is all," the man replied casually and Link rolled his eyes.
"Is there something I can help you with, Sir Link?" a voice called from behind the hero and he pivoted quickly in surprise. Lady Irene stood there, holding a vessel of fresh water and watching Link curiously.
"Um…no I just…I wanted to see if the queen was okay. I heard she was feeling really sick."
"It was kind of you to show up, Sir Link, but if I may, I'd suggest you return another time," she replied almost nervously, and then continued in a lower tone. "She's being visited by a prince currently and it may be best to avoid such a meeting."
"Oh…right. Well, is she okay?"
Lady Irene shook her head sadly and opened her mouth to speak, but the door beside them swung open, a tall man standing in its frame. "I thought I heard you out here, madam."
Link examined the prince under a narrowed gaze. He was tall, much taller than his own already short stature, and stood with a stiff posture as though movement was too much of a strain for him. His nose stuck high in the air, so much that he couldn't get a proper view of his eyes, and his dark hair was slicked back with oils. The clothes on his back were of fur pelts and a gold threaded tunic, while Link wore a simple blue – the same he wore for the previous two days.
The prince took note of his presence and examinations, obviously offended for being scrutinized at for so long. "With whom do you speak, madam?"
Irene glanced nervously at Link before saying, "This…This is Sir Link."
His gaze shifted to an ice-cold glare as he stared down at Link like he was a pest. "Ah. You wouldn't happen to be the same 'Link' who'd saved Hyrule, would you?"
The hero eyed him cautiously, wondering for a moment if he should hide the truth from him before realizing he would probably find out the truth either way. Besides, why should he hide his accomplishments from a prince? He just nodded slightly.
"Hm. I suppose that doesn't surprise me. I haven't heard many people with the name 'Link' before. It's a strange one, isn't it?" Link glared at him bitterly before the prince turned to the maid. "Why don't you go on in and set that pitcher down, and excuse the hero and I for a moment?" Lady Irene shot Link an apologetic look before curtsying and escaping to the bedroom.
Once he was certain she was out of sight, he approached the hero languidly. "Well, hero, I'm not sure why you are here today but it truly doesn't seem too good for your standing." He stood in front of Link, looming over him with a maniacal smirk playing on his lips. "I understand that you're new to this palace, but allow me to inform you on a little information. People of your…status don't belong around the queen's quarters. It almost seems scandalous. If anyone were to hear about this incursion, it could do wonders for your and your queen's reputation. What business does a commoner such as yourself have skulking around the queen's bedchamber?"
Link's eyes sharpened with anger at his words. Yet again, a noble has put him down and he hadn't even been in the castle for an hour. But this time he wouldn't take it. He'd listen to Ilia's advice and approach it from a different angle; he would stand his ground, just as he would if he were in battle. "I'm not skulking. I just wanted to see if the queen is okay."
"Of course she isn't, you fool," he snapped coldly, sticking a finger against his chest. "It wouldn't surprise me if it was you that made the queen fall ill just so that you can have an excuse to be in her presence. You've probably brought some terrible illness from your pathetic village."
How could this man say that to him! It didn't matter if he was a prince or not, he was being offensive and he had no reason to speak to him like that. But Link kept his temper subdued, knowing anger would only lead to something worse and Link was truly done with being upset. "I would never do something like that. And Ordon is not pathetic."
"Ordon? I've never heard of such a place. It's obviously insignificant if a royal doesn't know of it." His temper rose with every imprudent word that he said, but kept his calm.
"Why are you so rude to me?" he smartly chose to ask instead, plainly and innocently.
"How dare you question royalty? Know your place peasant."
"I just asked you a question!"
The prince pushed his finger up against his chest until the hero landed against a stone-wall, his face leaning in too close to his own. "You must treat your superiors with respect!"
"Superior?" Link spat. "You aren't any better than me."
The prince's eyes narrowed and voice became dangerously low. "You think you can compare yourself with me? You are irrelevant. Whatever accomplishments you claim to have are worthless in these castle walls." He pushed off of him, throwing him only a cold glance as he walked away. "Why don't you scurry back to your pathetic village so we can pretend that you never existed? It'd be easier for us all."
"You can't tell me what I'm worth," the hero shot back.
The prince scoffed. "You are what you are. Whether you heed to my words is your choice, but you'll still be, and always will be, a commoner."
Link stomped his foot impatiently, clenching his hands into fists at his side. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It is. Face it fool, you're never going to be enough. Not for Hyrule, not for the palace, and most certainly not for the queen."