Later that same day, the whole village was standing in the graveyard. We were having the funeral for the ones who died. There were two deaths; Bethany and Al's father. A lot of people were injured. It was a very sad day. Everyone was in tears. Even the priest was having a hard time talking, and he was used to funerals.
After it was over, everyone left except for Father and I.
"Sapphire, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
Father let out a breath. "The king and I spoke for some time earlier today and we both think it's best if you went to the castle for a while."
My eyes widened. "Why would I need to go there? Is it because I'm related-"
"It has nothing to do with that, actually. After what happened today, I realized that action has to be taken soon. And seeing as how both you and the prince possess pieces of the Triforce…"
"You mean I'm going there to get ready."
"Well, not to just get ready, but to get things you won't be able to get here. You're also going to get a little bit of training from the top ranking knights."
"I understand." I looked at the ground. "When am I leaving?"
"Today, actually."
"Today? Even after everything that's happened? I'm not sure if I'm even mentally prepared for tomorrow knowing my best friend is dead!" I shouted.
"I know, but the longer you wait, the more people he might kill."
I sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry for yelling."
"It's alright. It's been a long day. Let's go home."
"Okay."
It was just me and the prince now. We were both in the dining room, sitting at the table. Father, Impaz, and the king had gone off somewhere to talk. We sat there in an awkward silence. Then he spoke up.
"Isn't it weird to you?"
"What?"
"Everything that's happened within two days."
"Weird isn't the word I'd use to describe it, but yeah. What did you first think when you found out about…well, us?"
"I'm not honestly sure. I just wish Grandfather would have talked about who my father was, at least. It's almost if he purposely kept it away from me. What about you?"
I rested my chin on my hand. "I was a little mad a first, since I had to find out through eavesdropping. Father purposely didn't tell me, but it was because he hated to talk about what happened."
"I just wonder why Impa sent you away. That was the part that confused me the most. We will have to talk about it with her when we get to the castle. Oh, and, um…I wanted to apologize for earlier."
"For what?" I tilted my head slightly.
"Well, I was rude."
"Yes, you were."
"And I honestly didn't realize what had been going on until last night and this morning, so I hope that pardons my attitude."
"I'll think about it," I said with a chuckle. "Anyway, since we started off on the wrong foot, let's start over. I'm Sapphire." I stood up and held out my right hand for him to shake.
He smiled. "I'm Liam." He shook my hand. "I assume there's no need for the full title."
I shook my head. "No, not really." Sitting back down, I asked him another question.
"When were you given your piece of the Triforce?"
"The same day as you; on our sixteenth birthday. I woke up yesterday morning and saw it there. And honestly, I wish it wasn't. I know why people receive a piece, and I don't want to be a part of it. Though it seems like I don't have much of a choice."
"I don't think anyone does, because it's happening right now."
King Daphnes, or technically Grandfather, as I should say now, was packing the carriage that he and Prince Liam had arrived on yesterday. People were starting to bid them farewell, unknowing that I would most likely be leaving with them today.
I finished packing my bag for the trip and gave it to the prince, who took it out to the carriage. I then saw Father sitting in the dining room. He almost looked sad. I sat down in the chair next to him. He glanced up at me.
"Are you all ready to go?"
I nodded. "Is there anything you can tell me that will be helpful?"
He shook his head. "I can't really think of anything that would be of any help to you right now. I'm sure that you'll learn many things during your stay. Also, we agreed that you would come back after one week for a pickup."
"A pickup?"
He nodded. "I'm going to make you a sword. It will hopefully be one of the best I have ever made."
"Even better than the steel one?"
"Even better than the steel one. Anyway, by that time, you should have learned enough to know what to do about the…situation."
"In your adventures, you started off knowing nothing, right? Shouldn't I be fine knowing what you know?"
Father thought for a moment. "Even though that is true, it was a lot harder and a huge mistake was made. You're going to learn a lot of information so no mistakes are made this time."
"I see. It makes sense. Anyway, I wanted to go say goodbye to my friends…well, Rico. I can only really say goodbye to him." I looked down.
"Hey, it's alright," Father reassured. I looked at him. "I'm sure Bethany would appreciate a goodbye as well. Just because she isn't here doesn't mean she can't hear you."
"I've already said my goodbyes to her," I muttered. "I'll be right back."
"Okay."
I left my house and headed straight for Rico's. I knocked on his door and his mother, whom Rico mainly took after, answered.
"Hello, Sapphire! It's nice to see you!"
"It's nice to see you too, Miss Opal."
"I meant to find you earlier and give my condolences about Bethany. I know the two of you were close."
I forced a smile. "It's alright. Anyway, is Rico here? I would like to speak with him for a moment."
"I'm afraid he's not. He just left a few moments ago. I'm not sure where he went, however. He just said he'd be back whenever."
"Okay, thank you." I bid her goodbye and started searching for Rico. My first guess was going to be the graveyard, but he wasn't there. He wasn't by the Skulltula House either. I decided to climb to the barn loft and see if I could get some kind of view of the village so I could maybe find him that way. But, as it turns out, Rico was actually in the loft. He was sitting on the edge, staring out at Hyrule Field. I sat down beside him and hung my feet over the edge.
"So, what are you doing up here?" I asked.
"Just thinking."
"About…"
He shrugged and ignored my question. "Why did you come up here?"
"I was looking for you, actually, and I found you up here. I, uh…need to tell you something."
"Oh. Well, what is it?"
I told him everything that had happened to me in the past two days, from learning that I was a twin to gaining a piece of the Triforce. He sat and listened, while still staring out into the field. Once I was finished explaining, he looked at me.
"So basically, Bethany was right all along?"
I nodded. "I don't know how she figured it out, but she did. You know, she seems to have quite a knack for it."
"And you're leaving?"
I slowly looked to the ground. "Yeah." Before he said anything, I quickly added, "But it's only for a week. I'll be back."
"But for how long? Because if I heard your story correctly, you're going have to leave again after that for Goddesses know how long."
"It hopefully won't be that long. If everything goes as planned, I will have gained enough information to prevent whatever Ganondorf tries to do."
"What if nothing goes to this plan your pa and the king discussed?"
"Then action will be taken prematurely."
Rico sighed and let one foot hang over the edge of the loft. He brought the other knee up and rested his arm on it. "Are you just doing this because of what happened to Bethany?"
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"What I'm saying is that you have a choice of safety or danger, yet you choose the dangerous choice. Is it because of what happened to her or is there another reason?"
"Did you not hear the part where I got a piece of the Triforce?" I waved my left palm in the air. "I don't have a choice. This is what I have to do. Sure, Bethany may have pushed me more to the side of wanting to, but it has less to do with wanting and more to do with having. I have to stop him before more innocent people get hurt."
"But when did you suddenly decide this? When did you decide to put yourself in danger to save others?"
"I'm not sure, but yesterday was a big factor when that dragon attacked the village. A lot of people could have died yesterday, but they didn't."
He let out an annoyed breath and frowned. "I know that. You saved all of us, and you yourself lived in the process. What I'm trying to say is what if you don't come back from this?"
"Then it's a risk I'll have to take."
By this time, we were both practically glaring at each other. Rico stared at me for a moment before relaxing and looking away.
"Sapphire, I'm sorry…I'm just worried. I don't want to lose another friend."
"And I don't, either. So, I'm going to go to the castle. I'm going to prevent whatever is to come." I started to head towards the ladder. Rico grabbed my arm.
"I…just…be careful, okay?"
I gave a reassuring smile. "I'll be okay. You'll see me in a week."
"I know, but still…"
"Rico, I'll be fine." I started to climb down the ladder before he called my name. I stopped, just barely having gone down a few rungs with my feet. I raised an eyebrow.
"Do I have to keep reassuring you?" I asked.
"No, that's not it. It's just…you know, Bethany's been right about a lot of things."
"Yes, we've established this already."
"And one of those things…" He started to mumble incoherent words.
"Rico, I can't understand what you're saying. You need to speak up."
"Sapphire!" I heard Father call my name. Rico started to give a panicked look. I rolled my eyes playfully.
"I'll be okay. I have to go, so see you in a week, alright?"
He looked like he was about to say something, but stopped and just mumbled, "Alright."
I stepped down two more rungs before I heard Rico say, "Wait!" I sighed and climbed back up.
"What is it n-"
My words were cut off when he suddenly pressed his lips against mine. My eyes widened and I froze in my place, feeling my whole entire body heat up. As soon as he backed away, I heard my name being called again. I tried to muster up something to say, but all I could think of was, "I have to go." I quickly climbed down the ladder and ran back to my house.
