Familiar Betrayal
Link was the only one to follow her, as she rode at a rampant pace into Hyrule's Great Field. He quickened his own pace to meet her.
"What is the key?" He asked, still thoroughly confused.
"I'm not exactly sure," she admitted through heavy breaths. "But, I think- I think I know." She refused to stop her horse but she slowed considerably. "Every time a heir is born to the throne of Hyrule there is a grand elaborate ceremony naming the child officially as a prince or princess; and that child is given a crown. I was crowned at my first birthday, and because my mother had passed away during my birth and she was the prominent daughter of the King of Arundel, a nation we had been experiencing tensions with, it was ensured that I would be the sole heir to the throne, and any other children my father would sire would be unable to take the throne, all to ensure a peace treaty.
"The crown I was given that day was made from metal forged in sacred forests , by a race died out- they where of a mystical elfin type, legend tells. The crown is older than Hyrule itself, and embellished with gemstones that are said to hold a protective power, a life-giving power. It's been used by the Harakinan family for generations, but only when a sole member of the blood line remains to rule- obviously because of it's protection, but also because of the dark magic it's said to possess, a magic that's only to be used when needed. Impa told me once, when I was a very young girl, that I was never to leave the thing unprotected. She told me that if royal blood was spilled over it, magic could be drawn from it to give the fallen new life but with the proper powerful sorcery that power could be taken and transferred to another, giving that person immortality. She said if anyone was given eternal life, the balance of power would be upset forever. It isn't what was intended by the gods.
"First, these stories scared me. Then, I grew and I didn't believe them anymore- but maybe the legends weren't the weaving of imagination, for even my father, a serious man, was apprehensive. I believe, whether or not the crown actually holds any such power, this beast is after it. I plan to retrieve it and return it to the world it came from by destroying it with the only tool strong enough to destroy something made with such powerful strands of magic-the master sword.
"My own life cannot compare to the pain of my people, for my protection is too high a price to be paid for their suffering." She cast her eyes toward the sky and sighed. "It is what must be done."
He nodded silently with a certain pain is eyes, and continued riding by her side. "After we've recovered the crown, I'll lead the army to the camp, and take care of things with my men." He took her hand from the bridal "And Zelda, I'll always be here to protect you." He grinned with the same foolish charm that had drawn her to him. She squeezed his had lightly before letting go, and a smiled spread across her own face.
Castle Town was not far away, but the shroud of night made navigation a difficult task. They took many short cuts through the patches of trees, and soon enough the towers of the castle blocked the stars. Together, they left their horses outside of the town and crept in to the silent place. Zelda's eyes darted frantically from left to right, searching for something as simple as a candle flickering on a window sill, but darkness was all that greeted her.
"There isn't anyone here-" she said softly.
"But there aren't any signs of violence either," he answered.
They followed the cobblestones to the castle, walking hand and hand again. The gate stood unguarded, a sight Zelda had never seen before. They passed through the courtyard, which had become overgrown due to lack of care, much as it had been when she was locked into the tower during the time of the Twilight. The views brought back a flood of dark memories.
They reached the ornate door to the palace, this too was unguarded. Link pushed it open, and they walked inside. She braced herself for what could be the sight of her ransacked home, but instead of destruction the marble floors caught the moon's glow and illuminated the perfect foyer, with every flowered vase standing neatly where it should be. The chandeliers held unlit candles, as no servants crowded the halls to do their work, but everything else was seemingly untouched.
But horribly silent.
She went up the main staircase and began searching for someone, anyone, but mostly-the King. With Link following her apprehensively, she went to the throne room, and his chambers, but she found nothing. In a frantic panic, she turned to Link.
In a voice scarcely stronger than a whisper she cried out, "Where is my Father?"
"Zelda, I'm sure he probably left with the other villagers." He grabbed her shoulder lightly.
"He wouldn't leave. He wouldn't." Zelda's eyes met his.
"Well then we shall search the castle."
They split ways and began ripping open the door to every room. Zelda's thoughts fell to paranoia as the night went on, for in the giant stone edifice she there was no one, and no key to where the people of Castle Town or the King might be. She came near to quitting her mission, as her voice grew weak as it rang through the corridors. Then, she heard a cry. At first she was convinced the voice was her tired mind deceiving her, but she heard it again. She followed the followed the sound until her feet met the tattered floor of what she knew vaguely as the dungeon. She yelled again.
"Who's there?"
"Zelda..." The voice sounded back.
She looked to her left and peered through the bars. In the darkness she could make out a figure. She turned to a table near the door and found a sole lantern. She lit it and turned back to cell. Through the bars she found her father.
"Father..." she reached her arm through to grasp his. He looked to have aged twenty years in a time that had not been one. He was still in his fine garb, but he was mangled, bloody and scarred. She pulled the keys from a rack near the door and her shaking hands eventually managed to open the iron door. She pulled her father out of the cell. He stood shakily, the collapsed into her arms. She began to lead him out of the chamber and he cried in pain. She could tell by the stains on his clothes and floor her had lost a lot of blood. She tried to carry him but she couldn't. She carefully lowered him to the floor, and took his hand in both of hers.
"They came, in massive numbers-" His voice was raspy and fatigued. "All the people of castle town had been sent to forts in snow peak just days earlier. He came, and his men. They brought me here Zelda, and they tortured me with their swords. They wanted to know where the child was, I didn't know what child- a princess they said. Faron, I said. Faron woods. It was the only thing I could remember. Did they find you?"
Tears slipped down her cheeks rapidly, and a new swarm of emotions fell over her. How could her father betray her? How could he endanger her people, her life, and her daughter? She tried to hold her composure, but she spoke through gritted teeth.
"Yes, they did. Who came to you?"
He turned to her with his last shred of strength.
"I'm sorry, Zelda. I'm sorry. I am weak, not like you. My daughter you are strong. You will make a outstanding Queen."
She pried her eyes away from her father. She couldn't bear to look at him.
"Zelda, you had your baby? How is the baby?" He asked, pleadingly.
"She's fine. She's wonderful and healthy, safe I pray." She responded without turning.
"A girl. Little girls are so wonderful. I remember when you were born, such a sweet babe." He paused, a with a great graveness he said "The man who came, came before. White eyes, his white eyes where haunting. Zelda didn't understand, and she didn't feel she had the mental capabilities to do so.
"Zelda, please look at me." She obliged, and his glossy eyes stared up at her. "You have your mothers eyes." His voice began to grow softer. "Protect your daughter Zelda. I love you yet I have failed you. One day you might forgive me."
"Father, please rest now."
"Yes, I feel tired. I'm not dieing am I?"
"No," she steadied her voice. "You aren't dieing Father just rest." She heard a sound near the doorway and turned to find Link, slightly taken aback by the sight.
She was filled with more rage than she had every felt in her life. Her Father had betrayed her very moral being, yet still her lachrymose eyes contemplated the man before her with compassion. For now, she could have no feelings. She stayed on the cold floor for what could have been hours or minutes, clutching his hand and entertaining herself with memories of her father in days passed, until the last signs of life left the King of Hyrule.
