Chapter 10: Past the Wall, on the Balcony.
Zelda and Malon had stayed in the garden for close to an hour, discussing their lives and their dreams. Before that day, Zelda believed there was little she had in common with other girls. She had a life and duty which seemed so grand and demanding, few could understand. Everyone she had ever met had deferred to her, listened to her speak, rather then tell her their own troubles. Malon had given her much to think about in their brief encounter, and Zelda was more thankful for each moment they spent together.
Malon represented the heart of a country like Hyrule. She represented everything that Zelda hoped her people could be, hardworking, intelligent, and passionate. Her life was not so different than Zelda's, she had tasks and responsibilities, things she needed to accomplish to help keep her ranch alive. They both wished to be freer, like Link, to be able to travel from place to place, but they both were mindful of what that life cost a person. Link was withdrawn and quiet. He was unaccustomed to having to deal with people for long periods of time, although Malon's experience had shown how capable he was in almost all situations.
Their mutual love of Link had blossomed instantly into an understanding of each other. Each moment with Malon, Zelda felt more aware of her destiny and duty, as though her new friendship with people so alien to her normal life had opened her to what her quest was really about. She was destined to be a savior to all people, not only the rich and noble. Link and now Malon had opened her to loving and appreciating all of her people, and ultimately Zelda believed this was the key to her success.
They were now walking back through the garden, the lunch bells calling them to the castle. Zelda had promised to have a dressmaker come to the castle after lunch after Malon embarrassingly confessed her lack of wardrobe. Zelda would have happily given her own dresses up, but Malon was much curvier, and it would never have fit. "Maybe some of Impa's would work."
Malon's cheeks still shined with tears under the noon day sun, but the charming smile she flashed now and then was completely genuine. Her relief was evident in her every move and thought, some of which were too powerful for Zelda to block out. They were innocuous and predominately concerned with how she could finally move on, how she could live her life free of the burden of unrequited love. Zelda blushed profusely when Malon explained in detail how she could always tell when Link was thinking of the Princess. Each little movement and hesitation, the far away look he would get when they were younger, and even now were exhausted in minute detail.
To Zelda's relief they were interrupted by a castle messenger, a young girl with blonde pigtails and a natural excitement in her step. The girl's thoughts burgeoned into Zelda's mind uncontrollably. "I can't believe it…the Triforce." Zelda grabbed Malon's wrist and tore through the garden path, turning the girl back toward the castle before she could get a word out. "It's starting..."
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They reached the Great Hall much faster than normally, darting through servants passages and cutting down halls that Zelda had not seen in years. She was practically sprinting, all pretense and pomp forgotten, dragging Malon along by the wrist. Their young messenger giggled in delight as her little legs churned to keep up. Finally they came up the hallway to the Royal Family's private entrance, Zelda pushing the door open with her mind. She could feel Malon's shock and bewilderment, but more than that she could feel the new presence in the castle. It was beautiful and completely unfamiliar. She had never felt a presence like it in all her travel or experience. It was so immense and powerful, Zelda was fearful even to brush against it.
The extraordinary music that came from it was barely audible once she opened the door, and she suddenly felt the presence of all the people that were in the Great Hall. The Triforce had been overshadowing them all as Zelda ran from room to room. Even Link had been hidden from her until she saw him standing beside her father, both looking on in awe at the floating treasure. No one looked up at the sudden intrusion, but the Triforce itself took notice. Its soft melody became a soaring crescendo. There was only one voice singing, the most beautiful woman's voice anyone had ever heard, but its melody so complex, the language so different and powerful there might as well have been an entire orchestra and choir. Now it echoed around the cavernous chamber, bouncing off the ceiling four stories above. The open hallways and balconies above the hall began to fill up with servants and clerk who stood elbow to elbow with Lords and Ladies, all hoping to catch a glimpse of this miracle. No one talked throughout the hall, not a single word. Everyone wanted to soak up the beauty of the music.
Small ripples of light began cascade from the Triforce, dancing off the colossal columns of blue marble that supported the vaulted roof. The light gained strength with each step that brought Zelda closer to the Triforce, growing exponentially like the rising sun, refracting off the legendary glass mosaic that immortalized the Mudora Prophecy on that far away ceiling. Zelda walked slowly to the Triforce, the sentinel soldiers who stood a constant guard and the castle servants who were in the middle of cleaning giving way. She still held her grip on Malon's wrist, whose shock had given way to astonishment and the bubbling euphoria of song. Her father was waiting on the other side of the intricately carved stone pedestal, whose ancient runes and symbolic inscriptions held mysteries even to those who carved them. Link stood beside him, the unearthly light casting strange shadows upon his handsome face.
The light of the Triforce revealed the true Link to Zelda. It was as if the courage that rested within his heart was manifested suddenly before her. Here in the hall stood Hyrule's greatest warrior, a hero whose name and deed would be told and retold for all of time. Link was a wolf in a man's flesh, with a coat of pure light and power, and the fearsome eyes of a hunter. The vision overwhelmed Zelda and she stumbled forward, catching herself on the lip of the stone pedestal, her face just a nose away from the glowing artifact. Her own eyes started back at her, but the reflection was not one she recognized. They were wise beyond her understanding, not the eyes of a young woman, not the eyes of a Hylian at all. They sucked her in, pulling her spirit out of her body. The world around her melted away, the Great Hall and its inhabitants were erased in swift, blinding white light.
Zelda was walking alone now in the tall grass of Hyrule Plain, under a sunless blue sky. There were no shadows and light seemed to radiate from every blade of grass, every insect and butterfly. A beautiful song was coming from somewhere, it but she couldn't understand the words. Zelda spun around searching for the source, when her eyes came to rest upon a woman standing alone atop a small hill. Her hair was made of ethereal blue light, and she opened her golden arms in welcome to Zelda, who lifted her dress to run across the field.
Suddenly she was back in Hyrule, in the Great Hall. The Triforce's song was quiet now, barely a whisper, and the fantastical light had faded. To Zelda the Hall was now as dark as midnight, shadow figures moved within, talking in whispers. Sweat had begun to bead up on Zelda's brow and she felt that Impa, who she had not seen before, and Link each held her by the arm. She could barely see their faces and their hands were illuminated in the strange silver blue light of a full moon. Her father's shadow was addressing the crowd, but she couldn't hear anything he said. Malon's red hair was visible in the corner of her vision, but her face too was hidden in beneath unnatural darkness.
"Zelda! Princess, are you alright? What happened?"
Zelda heard Link's panicked call in her mind. She could hear him speaking to her through their connection, but she couldn't remember how to respond. Her thoughts and senses were beyond her control right now, the weight of the world seemed too great for her to stand against. She swayed again, but Link and Impa's silver hands gripped her tight. They led her to her father's throne, sitting her down gently. Slowly the world was returning to normal, like eyes adjusting after hours in the snow sun. She could hear her father speaking to the crowd, assuring them that everything was ok.
"Today we have been blessed with a miracle, a sign of hope which fills me with awe. The gift of the Goddess Nayru has graced all of us here. Tell everyone what you have seen here today, the Triforce of Wisdom has spoken! As it did to Mudora of old. Our Princess has been graced by the Goddesses themselves. This is a day for rejoicing in Hyrule! We all shall have a story to tell our grandchildren, we who were first to witness this miracle." At the continued urging of the King, the crowd began to disburse, and soon the Hall was empty on every level except for Link and Impa, her father and Malon.
Zelda collapsed into the great throne of her father, her head lolling against the padded wood. Her father was crouched beside her, rubbing her cold hands and examining her face intently.
"I saw her father…I saw Nayru. She was so bright, so beautiful…I ran to her…but I never seemed to get closer. The world is so dark father. So dark. It's him, he's poisoned it, poisoned us. He lives in shadows, hidden from us, but I know it's him. We have to stop him. We have to…" She never finished, the call to sleep had finally overwhelmed her.
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Malon walked quietly in the strange procession that was striding the halls of Hyrule Castle. Link carried the sleeping Princess gently in his powerful arms directly in front of her, while the King and Impa Sheikah exchanged whispers urgently under their breath in front of him. None of the guards stationed along the hallways turned their heads, avoiding eye contact with her or anyone else. A bit stiff if you ask me, they could at least ask if she is ok! Her own concern for the Princess was surprising to Malon, who had nurtured the hatred she held for Zelda with religious zeal in the past. The last day had seen Malon's entire world turned around. Her home, her life nearly completely destroyed in one day, at the same time the love of her life had suddenly returned, with the only person she could ever remember hating. Worse conditions she could not have imagined.
So it was that Malon found herself in the company of the most powerful men and women in Hyrule. Link, her Link, as she still thought of him at times, was stealing glances at the pallid face of his beautiful princess. The concern on his face needed no words, but he was Link and nothing would to break the natural calm he carried himself in. His mind was as tireless and unyielding as the body that it commanded, and was committed to serving Zelda. It no longer saddened her to think that all of Link was devoted to the Princess. Malon had come to the castle last night ready to fight to win Link's affection, but her resolve had melted at the lake. When she had looked Zelda in the eye, looked at the soul of her enemy, Malon didn't see the woman she hated and vilified privately in her mind. She saw the woman that Link did. The Princess of destiny, a young woman of incredible integrity and wisdom, a beautiful beacon of hope in increasingly dark and dangerous times, not the selfish and careless noble Malon had happily imagined.
The King and Impa still walked a few paces in front of them. Their whispered conversations would pause while each of them thought deeply, and then suddenly resume, each of them tripping over the other's words. The walked quickly without rushing, up the endless stairways and down long corridors. Malon had some trouble keeping up without breaking into a trot every few steps. She almost stumbled into Link when they suddenly stopped outside excessively polished hardwood doors. Symbols that Malon recognized as Ancient Hylian text that Link had shown her years ago were carved in the molding around the doors, and the Great Seal of the Royal Family was carved on each door panel.
Impa pushed the doors in, and they entered into a sunny sitting room, the windows and balcony doors all opened to the beautiful spring breeze. The long curtains and shades billowed into the room like framed skirts. Malon surmised from her view that the rooms faced east, but she had little time to appreciate it. Impa kept moving through the sitting room opening doors into a small hallway. On Malon's right were open closets, with hundreds of dresses and shoes. At the end of the hall, opened double doors lead into the massive bed chamber, with a massive four posted bed raised up in the middle. A writing desk complete with parchment and ink faced the opened balcony doors and windows. To the left an open doorway led to the Princess' private bath, complete with the ingenious fresh water tubs that seemed customary in the castle. Still more closets the size of small barns were attached to the bedroom, and Malon couldn't help but wonder if an entire shop was devoted to the Princess' wardrobe.
Link walked quietly to the bed, placing Zelda gently atop the red and cream striped quilt. His hand moved absently to fix the hairs that were matted against her brow, but he stopped himself and withdrew. The King hovered over his daughter for a moment, putting his hand to her forehead and squeezing her palm before whispering again to Impa and Link in turn. Malon had stopped at the doorway, her plain brown skirt gripped tightly in her small hands and her lower lip locked a nervous bite. The King smiled at her hasty curtsey, and strode purposefully out of the room
Impa sat heavily on the edge of the bed beside Zelda, her emotionless face staring at her charge. Malon had heard stories of the mysterious Sheikah woman who cared for and guarded the Princess of Hyrule since birth. She was the only Sheikah to survive the great plague that killed their race close to ten years ago. Even the gruff merchants and their soldiers who she dealt with at the ranch spoke in fear of the Sheikah woman. Malon had never seen her before, despite the fact that she was always at the Princess' side. Impa seemed to her the most dangerous woman she had ever seen, her ever step laced with graceful deadliness. There was a softness buried beneath Impa's steel exterior though, one that could not be seen only felt, and Malon felt it now. Like a mother watching over her daughter, Impa wiped the sweat away from Zelda's perfect brow and folded her arms across her modest breast.
"Link, will you stay here with her? I will report to Alastara what has happened, if he has not already heard. He will want to send guards. There are herbs and potions I would like to gather and mix for her small fever. I want to have it ready for when she wakes. Malon, I was hoping that you would come with me. I could use an extra hand.
Malon's shock at being addressed lasted only a second. She was getting used to expecting the unexpected, especially here in the castle. "Of course Mistress Sheikah, it would be my honor." She didn't know whether or not to curtsey, so she bobbed her head affirmably. They paused only to shoo Link out of the room as they changed Zelda into a night gown, and tuck her under the covers. The Princess was extremely light, and it proved no challenge for Malon and Impa who were both used to lifting much heavier weights.
Link gave Malon a small smile as she walked into the sitting room. He was engaged in conversation with a short Guardsman with broad shoulders. Word in the castle certainly travels fast. Link introduced Malon to the Corporal Troy who he apparently knew from their journey north. Malon thought she had never seen a man with such sad eyes before, but he was handsome and smiled brightly when saying her name. The Corporal spoke briefly with Impa, but Malon thought she caught him stealing glances at her. She felt her cheeks redden, but said nothing more until she left with Impa Sheikah.
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Zelda's fever broke shortly before nightfall. She awoke to find Link standing in the doorway to her balcony. The clear blue sky was turning dark along the horizon. The imposing peaks of the Night Mountains were disappearing into the starless abyss. Zelda noticed right away that the world appeared as it should once again. The effect of the Triforce had apparently worn off while she slept. She elbowed herself up to a sitting position against her pillows before realizing that someone had changed her into a very thin night gown. "Don't turn around!" She screamed through their bond, but it was too late. Link had been turning before she could stop him, and his eyes widened in shock, whether at the sudden reprimand or her lack of clothes, she could not be sure. Zelda pulled the covers up to her neck and pointed to a silk dressing robe left on couch, which Link stepped quickly to fetch for her. He focused intensely on the floor as he handed it to her, and turned his back while she wrapped herself in it.
"Thank you Link. You can turn around now." He did so slowly, his arms folded across his chest and a relieved look on his face. Link was still wearing the clothes he had on at breakfast, and she realized as he stood before her now how out of place they seemed. While he certainly looked handsome, after everything they had been through and witnessed, it was odd to see him without his sword and shield strapped around the green tunic that she always pictured him in. Zelda considered him a long time before either said anything else, examining his strong cheek bones, his icy blue eyes, and the small scars that decorated his face like scratches on a table. All of them seemed harder than steel, harder even than she remembered. Something had changed in him, something that affected even his stoic countenance.
Link was the first to break the silence, and Zelda noticed even his voice was different. It was stiff, more forced. Something was wrong. "How are you feeling Highness? You have been sleeping since lunch." Zelda didn't respond, too concerned with what was going on with Link. She brushed and poked against the part of her mind that was Link, but she found that she couldn't read him as she had before. The emotions and stray thoughts that should have been there were hidden from her behind a wall of determination. Something is most definitely wrong. I guess I will just have to do this the old fashioned way. Zelda couldn't tell if she was more annoyed or worried at the changes that had taken place during her sleep. She decided to try and catch Link off guard.
Putting on her most determined face, one she hoped too cute for him to resist, she replied, "I should say I am doing a shade better than you are. What has happened, your troubled mind weights on me a like a bear, it's a shock I was even able to wake up!" Link didn't know how to react, the wall in his mind faltered for a second, enough for Zelda to catch visions of her father in his mind. They were in the King's sitting room discussing the Book, but nothing else. Link recovered quickly, his face betrayed nothing, and replied stiffly again.
"Nothing Highness…I was…concerned, you took ill so suddenly and the Triforce….It was all rather strange. I am sorry if I…upset you. This is still new to me"
Zelda wasn't giving up yet though, gracing Link with the sweetest smile she had she invited him to pull up a chair beside her. "Thank you Link. Don't worry, I am fine. I was overcome by the magic in the Triforce, I should have been more careful. Even now I can feel it, it has awakened. I am sure that father left right away to consult the Book of Mudora…and let me guess Impa has gone to brew some potion, no doubt dragging Malon along to help her, leaving you here to watch over me." She knew she was correct even before he give her a puzzled nod. The Triforce had awakened her as well. Zelda could feel the power inside her more than ever before.
She stretched her mind as far as she could, to encompass the entire castle. The servants, the guards, the clerks and lords, everyone was within her. If she wanted she could invade the deepest recesses of their minds, everyone was open to her now, everyone except Link. Each moment awake she became more aware, and he became even more withdrawn. As if he were the last piece in a puzzle, but to her building annoyance, the only one she truly cared about. The pull to unlock this secret was strengthening, and she was determined succeed.
Focusing, Zelda could feel that Impa was still mixing up the potion that would take her another half hour before it was ready. Her father was deep in study with the Book of Mudora, and the Triforce still sang quietly many floors below. Outside her room the Royal Guard was changing, Corporal Troy heading to the kitchens while Corporal Martin took over. She knew that no one would disturb them for some time, which meant she could crack whatever was bothering Link without interruption.
Remembering an old lesson that Impa taught her about dealing with men, she asked Link to help her walk to the balcony, on the pretense of wanting fresh air. She wrapped her arms around his, nestling herself into his muscled shoulder. Stretching her senses magically, she listened to his heart, feeling it beat faster as she pretended to slip and she squeezed harder against him. "Remember Princess, a woman's touch and smile is worth a thousand rupees." Impa had prepared for everything, but not for the falling sensation in her own stomach.
Link's mental resolve was weakening, but she didn't want him to feel her prying about, it would be better if he told her himself what was wrong. Out on the balcony, she stepped in front and leaned her body against him with folded arms as they looked out toward the east. She could feel his breath on her hair, his unease and desire, and smiled to herself. From their vantage they could see almost all of Castletown and beyond. The great battle arena and horse track that covered four city blocks in the eastern part of the city was empty, a dark bowl in the sea of white buildings. The markets were closing down, and the watch lights were being lit throughout the city like fireflies in the fields. Thousands of people were walking about the streets, hustling with goods and children in tow.
She pointed out the colossal stadium to Link, asking if he had ever watched the chariot races or tournaments inside. They made small talk about the tournament, Zelda explaining the other events and ceremonies that took place during the festival. She pointed out buildings of historical importance and the homes of powerful nobles. Link listened diligently, responding in kind, and Zelda monitored his mind the entire time. His guard was lowering, and she found herself enjoying the simple pleasure of his private company, of being so close, the warmth of his body through her robe. Her skin prickled and she shook with a tremor, bringing her mind back to focus. She jumped back to what she had gathered was weighing on his mind.
"So Link, what did you think of my father? Was he still excited about the Book of Mudora? I promise you, he had never been as happy as he was when I gave him your box last night." It was true the King's face had lit up like a small child's when he laid eyes on the Book for the first time. Zelda turned to face Link, her hands gripping the cold balcony behind her, he robe opening ever so slightly at the neck. Her hair spilled down her back and across her breast as she shook her head, trying to put on an alluring stare. Link's wall flickered again. She too was loosing focus again, but the combination of physical temptation and questioning was proving effective for Zelda.
Link took a deep breath before answering, his jaw softening, but his cold eyes never strayed from hers. "He was indeed. I think the King to be a fine man, and I have always known him to be a fair and just ruler….I hope that I can be of service to you both while I am here." He wasn't going to give her anything more than that, but Zelda wouldn't be denied. She could feel the wall between them was close to breaking down. Whatever Link was hiding was almost ready to burst forth. Zelda changed the topic again.
"Link, about what happened yesterday. After I saw you fall…I was afraid. I thought you were going to die. I don't know why or how I did exactly what I did, but I assure you, I did it only to save you. I, I am sorry if what I have done has upset you. A person's life is a private matter, yours more so than most, I know. What I have seen, what you did…none of it has changed how I think or feel about you…"
His guard softened even further, and he was without an answer for a more than a few moments. Finally he shook his head to himself, and Zelda felt the bricks of the wall crumbling down between them. "Princess, there is absolutely nothing you should apologize for. All that I am, all that I have done, I would gladly lay bare before you...Today while you slept, I have thought of nothing else but my time with you. I learned this morning of who I am, of what I am. My life was promised to you before I had a name, and it will be yours long after my name is forgotten. I have loved you since time unmemorable without question or doubt until today. You see, all day I wondered if I chose to love you, or if I had never had any choice. It was foolish really, because I know now as you stand before me, I would battle a thousand dragons to see you smile only once, die a thousand deaths to be loved by you for but a moment. Forgive me please, I…."
Before he could finish she was in his arms, in the embrace she had dreamed of since they had first met. He lifted her bare feet off the cold stone as the kissed under the unforgiving black night. She gripped passionately at the back of his head, her small fingers running through his thick hair, down his face on his high cheek bones, around his pointed ears. Through their bond Link told her everything that had happened. He shared his conversation with her father, who he was, the blood oath which bound him even more to her. She passed everything that had happened today at the lake, and within the Triforce, she wanted to give him her entire life. Zelda knew instantly that the desire for Link she felt was not just hers, but that the Triforce of Wisdom, calling out through her for Link, who would bear the Triforce of Courage, and she pulled him in deeper, trying to keep him for herself.
She didn't care to track the time until Link dropped her feet back to the ground, and pulled away, his predatory eyes replaced with the calm warmth she loved. Tears streamed down her cheek, tears for the pain and sorrow her life had brought Link, and tears of joy that they were together. All her life she had missed him without ever knowing it. She cried for the burden of fate which she had carried alone her entire life, and smiled that Link was there to see her through it, to protect her and love her. She buried her face in his warm chest, holding him fast in with all the strength her arms possessed.
Beneath them in the Great Hall, the Triforce of Wisdom sang for joy.
