HF
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HF
I laid on my bed, the mattress unnecessarily three times my size.
I needed to get Link to come back sooner than he had said. Ganondorf was moving quickly; I wouldn't put it past him to march up to the castle's gates and let himself in, regardless of the time of day.
Impa obviously thought something similar.
She only rested for short intervals at a time throughout the day when she thought it was safe enough - which really wasn't that often. But she was determined to not be caught unawares. She had me pack a small bag and kept her horse in the palace outer gardens. The stables was much too far for a quick escape should we need to run.
"Does my father have an escape plan too?"
Impa kept her gaze on the window. "Certainly."
I slowly nodded my head. I wouldn't feel right having a plan if it meant abandoning my father. I sighed and pulled the covers over my shoulders. I didn't know where exactly Link was so I couldn't send him a messenger bird or give the mail man an express letter.
"Message..."
The Goddesses sent me my dream visions as a form of messages. I hadn't thought about sending messages through my Dreams gift. Was it possible? Or was I only a receiver of messages and not able to send my own?
"Impa."
"Princess," she quietly acknowledged.
I sat up in my bed. "Do you know how to send dream messages?"
She turned around for that question. "Dream messages?"
"Yes, messages sent through dreams. I want to tell Link to come back here."
"He'll return."
"But what if it's too late?"
Impa tapped her forearm. "Your gift is special, but I'm sure there is a scroll about others with your ability. I unfortunately don't know where that would be, at the moment." She looked up at the Triforce painting above my bed with the three Goddesses swirling around the golden pieces. "Personal items are commonly used when trying to use seeking spells or potions."
"Do I need something of Link's then?"
"Perhaps."
A personal item. I didn't think I had one on hand. But...I pushed the blankets off of me and went over to my dresser. On the corner of the mirror was a deku nut hanging from a necklace. He had cleaned it and shined it before stringing it for me. It wasn't something he personally owned, but he did make it.
Maybe that would be good enough.
I put it on and then hopped back into bed. "Ok." I laid back and looked at the deku nut. Now I needed to sleep but I wasn't really that tired. I huffed. How was I supposed to communicate with him if I couldn't sleep?
I heard the soft strings of Impa's hand harp.
"Have I told you the tale of 'The Wolfo or the Knight'?"
"No..."
Impa stroked a few chords as she told the tale. I sunk into the soft mattress, listening.
HF
I took two days of thinking and praying before I returned to Link's tent.
But I think it was more of a matter of pride that I delayed my decision. It seems that no matter how hard I tried to control myself, there was still some arrogance in my character. It was my flaw, especially when my pride was mixed with it. However, I was determined to not let my flaw overrule my logic.
Hence, the two days away.
I came in the evening after dinner. He had his eyes closed and was napping against the pole.
"I have come to a decision."
He cracked an eye open. "I hope you don't take this long to decide on every matter."
I flushed a little but quickly pushed the feeling aside. "This is not a light matter." I crossed my arms. "You stole from the Crown."
"Unknowingly," he added.
"Yes. But you wouldn't be in this situation had you kept your hands to yourself."
"And you," he easily replied back, "wouldn't be alive if I had."
My pride stirred. "Hold your tongue, lest I change my mind."
That response made him sit up. I scolded myself for letting him get to me again. I knew very well that I could have died if he hadn't stolen my ring and revealed my identity. But he would have been shot by an arrow had I not intervened, hitting him Goddess knows where. Judging by the violent beating he took, I could only ascertain that it would have been a mortal wound, if not death.
We owed each other. That much I would allow.
"Apologies, my lady."
A little shiver went up my spine. "Highness will do."
I could have sworn he smiled, but the lighting in here was poor.
"Or Milda, I expect."
I didn't reply, instead stepping a little closer. "After deliberating your actions against what is needed, I have decided to release you from the prisoner's tent." His wide grin I did see. I lifted my chin up. "For how else can you train men if shackled in here?"
His grin waned. I allowed a smile.
"Pardon?"
"You'll train in archery," I amended, slowly walking around him to the other side of the tent. "For I do not know how you fair in the other skill sets. You do not carry a blade or dagger. Proper horse care you know, of course, but I do not think you know how to properly ride."
He turned his head to look at me. "I know how to ride."
I lightly shrugged. "The horse reared up when you got on." I continued walking around him. "That doesn't inspire confidence in me."
He bristled a little. "I made him rear up, just as I could have made him jump the hurtle or trot or canter -"
"So then it'll be archery and horseback riding."
His bristling stopped. He tilted his head, considering me as I stopped near the fire pole.
"You are Queen of the Foxes."
"I beg your pardon?" I quickly scolded.
"I mean in terms of cunning," he lightly chuckled. "Truly."
I narrowed my eyes on him for a moment more and then eased. "You will be under Sir Arken and I will allow you to earn payment for teaching the Free Arms. Won't do to have you stealing again."
"If I agree."
"You will," I murmured. "Unless you prefer to serve your time in the palace dungeons or the stocks every day for several weeks. Months, even. I haven't calculated it yet."
He leaned back against the pole. "Why give me an option?"
We both knew I could simply put him in the dungeons and be done with him.
"...Do you know the tale of 'The Wolfo or the Knight'?"
He shook his head.
"Travelers would come to a lady of considerable power to be tested to see if they were worthy." I gave him a long look. "If they were foul, they'd be turned into a wolfo and she'd slay them. But if they were true of heart, they'd be transformed into a white knight."
He was silent. I went over to the entrance of the tent.
"How many men turned into wolfos?"
I paused to answer. "Enough that the blood rusted her blade."
"Will you slay me, if I am a wolfo?"
He had said it in a teasing voice, but I knew he was truly interested in my response. But the mention of killing reminded me of the death I brought about - Rokan, the bandit. Redeads, wolfos, stalfos, wild game...I slew these creatures as Sheik.
But never a human.
"Only if your fangs dig in," I finally warned. "You'll start in a few days, once you're healed."
I left it at that and exited the tent.
HF
I was dreaming of the tale Impa told me.
A wolfo was in front of me and I slew it with a rusty blade. I felt weary of killing. It was ridiculous that so many came to me, seeking my approval. Why would I approve of a stranger I just met? And why the Goddess did these evil men come, knowing that the spell I cast saw into the soul, not allowing any amount of acting to fool me?
A wolfo was a wolfo - fur or not.
"Hello Zelda."
I turned around. "Link! We need to talk."
"But I'm here to be tested."
I waved off his concern. "You're a white knight already. You don't need some test to tell you that. Look."
He looked down and saw the shiny armor he now had on his little body.
"That's incredible!" He grunted as he tried to lift his shield. "But really heavy." He looked back at me. "So what do you need to talk about?"
"Talk?" I had been distracted by how comical the armor looked on him. But I remembered what the purpose of this dreaming was for. Quickly, the dream's forest started to wither and the sky darkened. "Yes."
A harsh wind blew around us.
Link let go of his shield in shock. Fire was everywhere and the wind seemed to be screaming. "Zelda?" He looked at his friend and frowned upon seeing her face ashened and her usual lilac dress ripped at the bottom.
"He's coming, Link. The treaty didn't work."
"Zelda, you're shaking."
He came over to steady me. My hands tightly gripped his forearms; he was no longer wearing the shining armor.
"Come back to the castle before Ganondorf comes! I need to give you something!"
"Give me what?"
I didn't answer. A large man on a dark horse was coming over. Link turned to see what I saw. A blade was in Ganondorf's hand. Link put himself in front, covering me from the vile villain, but to no use.
The blade cut through both of us...
I cried out in pain. I can tell that I'm awake now, but the pain won't stop.
"Princess?" Impa, for the first time, sounds extremely concerned. "Wake up, Zelda!"
Tears are running down my face. I knew it was a dream, but I could still feel the bite of the blade. I rubbed my collarbone repeatedly, trying to erase the burning feeling. He had cut through my skin, flesh, bone...Impa helped me sit up. I immediately felt the necklace fall down onto my lap.
"Impa," I half whispered, lifting the deku nut up so she could see. "How could a dream blade cut the string?"
My nursemaid's scarlet eyes were deathly cold.
"Sorcery," she murmured and then immediately went to her cot, hastily pushing it aside. She pulled a large stone out of the floor and reached down, pulling out a sturdy box. She came back to me, putting a charm around my neck.
I felt the blade's bite fade away. The tension in the air suddenly dissipated.
"He must have done something when he came to court," Impa darkly muttered. "Did you have any contact with him?"
I looked down at the charm. It had the eye of truth on it and some other symbols around it.
"He took my hand for introductions."
"Viper," Impa cursed at him.
"Impa...Link had been cut too. Is he in pain?"
"Perhaps initially upon waking up," Impa muttered, "but not for long. You were the source of the connection, therefore he needed to hurt you more than Link."
I relaxed a little. "I don't think I want to sleep right now."
Impa quietly came over and sat next to me. "Let me hear you play."
I took the proffered hand harp, glad for the distraction.
HF
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HF
AN: Sooo I'm playing around with Zelda's abilities. Dream abilities are so fascinating.
