Principatus, Chapter XII
"Milady..." A squeak near the doorway drew Zelda from her conversation. Her maid, Cara, entered and bowed. "I've brought Master Link for you. Should I show him in?"
"Yes, please," Zelda replied with a subtle smile. She sat with Darunia, Ruto, Impa, and Nabooru in her sitting room, at last removed from the suffocating court.
"There's someone with him too," Cara added, "an older man. Should I escort him in as well?"
"I suppose..." Zelda responded hesitantly. She thought it odd that Link would be accompanied by anyone. The door creaked open, and a sliver of light from the hall shined onto the sitting room floor as two men entered.
"Link!" Ruto gasped. The Sages rose to their feet and turned to face the newcomer, who ducked his head bashfully as he approached.
"My Sworn Brother!" Darunia's tone swelled with pride. He stepped forward to greet the young hero. "You know, you're always welcome in Goron City. It would've been nice for you to pay Link and I a visit once or twice."
"And I as well," Ruto added indignantly. "You're a terrible friend to not come see me once in five long years!"
"Ruto," Link stammered, "I—I..."
"Well, anyway," Nabooru laughed and slapped Link on the back, "it's good to see you, kid."
While the Sages turned their attentions to the Hero of Time, Zelda could not take her eyes off the strange older man who followed Link. His shaggy, sandy-colored hair was peppered gray like his beard. The thick bags etched beneath his piercing blues eyes gave him a weathered look. He seemed like a man who didn't know whether he was living in a dream or reality.
"Link," Zelda said quietly, "who is this man with you?"
"Um, well..." Link's gaze darted to the man's face and back to hers. He swallowed hard. "This is—this is Caedmon Aelstan."
"Sir Caedmon Aelstan," the man added. "Officer of the Crown."
The Sages exchanged confused glances and shrugs. Zelda's eyes grew wide, however, as a wave of shock washed over her. Caedmon was an Officer of the Crown... a skilled swordsman... he lost everything that night... She and that baby boy meant everything to him.
He may have left Hyrule altogether... It's more than likely he's dead by now.
"But that is not possible," she whispered after a moment of silence.
Link hung his head. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
Caedmon Aelstan took a step forward, tapped Link on the shoulder, and muttered something in the young hero's ear. Link nodded in reply.
"It's okay." He gestured toward the Sages. "These guys know... about my past."
Zelda stared back in amazement. Ever since he returned, Link had known that Caedmon Aelstan — his father— was alive, and yet he played it off as nothing. "Link," she said finally, "I thought you said you couldn't find him."
"Well," the young Hylian replied defensively, "actually I said it didn't matter— not after what happened here with the king and all."
Zelda felt a pang of guilt. Why did Link always have to put others before himself?Even though she knew selflessness was in Link's nature, she wished he would open up to her without being forced.
As Zelda walked to greet the Hylian men, Caedmon Aelstan dropped to one knee with his head bowed and hand over his heart. "Your Majesty."
"Sir Aelstan." Zelda reached out and caressed his rough hands between her own. "The pleasure is all mine," she said softly and bade him to rise. At full height, he was only a few inches taller than herself. Zelda wordlessly searched the old knight's eyes, and discovered an intense sadness in the familiar shade of blue.
Still holding onto his hands, Zelda ushered Caedmon forward. He resisted for a half second, but wordlessly gave in. "Everyone," she announced, "I would like to introduce you to Sir Caedmon Aelstan— Link's father."
Silence followed Zelda's exclamation. The Sages stood still. All four pairs of eyes furrowed inquisitively on the queen, the hero, and the man they didn't know.
"Link," Nabooru broke the silence, "I didn't know you had a father?"
"What sort of question is that?" Ruto scoffed. "Of course he does— everyone does."
"Don't ruffle your fins," the Spirit Sage chuckled. "What I meant was that I didn't know his father was alive."
"Did you ever ask him?"
"No," Nabooru huffed and tossed her red ponytail over her shoulder. "But Link never mentioned him. He never mentioned any of his family. I just assumed they were—"
"I didn't know, okay?" Link finally cut in with a disgruntled tone.
All eyes in the room turned onto him in surprise. When he realized this, he muttered more softly, "I-I thought he was dead too."
"Nevertheless," Zelda interjected, "Sir Aelstan is part of our team now. If he is related to Link, then I am sure he can be trusted." She locked eyes with Caedmon and added a firm, "with everything."
"Hear, hear!" Darunia stepped forward to shake the old knight's hand. "It's an honor to meet the father of my Sworn Brother!"
"Indeed," said Nabooru. "You must be very proud of Link."
"We all are," Ruto added.
"I...err..." Caedmon took a step back. Zelda could tell by the baffled look on the old knight's face that Link had not told himeverything yet. She could only imagine how difficult the situation was for them.
"We're honored to have you here, Sir Aelstan." She closed the matter with a reassuring smile and turned to address the others encircling the room. "However, we must move on to why I summoned you all here. There is precious little time to waste."
Without a word of protest, the Sages retook their seats. Link and Caedmon remained standing by the fireplace.
"There are a few important matters we must discuss," Zelda began, "pertaining to sensitive topics not suitable for the Council's ears. As Sages, and trusted friends, do I have your oaths of secrecy?"
They nodded silently.
"And Caedmon..." she faced the old knight. "What I have to say relates to information only the others in this room are privy to; therefore, you must promise to only confer only with us concerning the questions I am sure you will have."
Caedmon nodded curtly. "You have my word."
"Thank you." The queen turned back to the rest of the group. "I have been racking my brain these past few days sorting through everything that has happened to find something I might have missed, something that might shed some light onto the Ten'al-tarian's motives."
"But we know what the Ten'al-tarians are after," Nabooru cut in. "They're after your crown, aren't they?"
Ruto's purple eyes grew wider than usual. "Do you think they might be after something more than just dominion over this realm?"
Zelda lowered her gaze. "We must at least consider the possibility."
"But what more could they want?" Nabooru scoffed.
The queen fixed the Spirit Sage with a knowing look. A moment of silence lapsed as Nabooru racked her brain. "No!" She finally gasped.
"But Zelda," Link added, catching on, "most people think it's only a legend. How could the Ten'al-tarians possibly know about it?"
"I believe it is time you all heard a legend of the Sheikah, long forgotten by most— the legend of Knowledge and Truth." Zelda turned to face Impa in the corner of the room. "Impa, if you would please."
"As you wish, Your Grace." The Sheikah bowed her head and walked to the center of the room. "Listen carefully. This is an unknown legend passed down by the shadow folk, the Sheikah.
"In a time of chaos following the Great Reunification, a brother and sister undertook a quest to compile the legends and myths passed down orally amongst Hyrule's many races. Their creation became known as the Book of Mudora. After the completion of their work, they settled at the base of Death Mountain and founded what would become Kakariko Village. However, the brother did not stay long. He no longer found satisfaction in the knowledge of what he'd seen and heard during his travels. The brother left the village in search of the Truth."
Impa spoke with a low, sing-song cadence that breathed a sense of mystery into her every word. The Sages, Link, and Caedmon leaned in to grasp every syllable.
"A decade passed," Impa continued, "and the brother was never heard from. In that time, the sister began to realize that so much knowledge in one location could only lead to disaster. She regretted creating the book and considered destroying it. She held out, however, until the day her brother returned, clearly changed, and claiming he discovered a way one could see the truth. He believed he could see his sister's deceit within her and tried to take the Book of Mudora for himself, but the sister, powerful in the ways of magic and clear of conscience, defeated her power-hungry brother and drove him from the village.
"In the wake of the battle, the sister turned the Book of Mudora over to the crown, vowing her loyalty to the monarchy. The brother swore revenge, and began to collect followers with lies and false promises. After seven long years, the brother led an army against the crown an epic battle, but to the brother's dismay, his army was vastly outnumbered. In secrecy, the sister had drawn together an coalition of men, Zora, Goron, and several ancient races to stand up to the insurrection. In their final encounter, the sister triumphed over her brother once more, at last putting the Sheikah uprising to rest. The brother was executed for his crimes and his followers banished into the mountains. They became known as the Ten'al-tarians."
An absolute silence followed Impa's story. Neither the Sages, nor Zelda, Link, or Caedmon made a sound. They all seemed to hold their collective breath.
"But what happened to this book?" Nabooru was the first to respond. "The one the brother coveted so?"
"Your Grace." The Sheikah nodded to the queen, who rose and took the floor.
"That is where things get interesting," Zelda said slowly. "See, Mercy Middleton was attacked in the library. When Link and I went to investigate, we found a book that I later confirmed had been infused with dark magic. The book was written in ancient Hylian, and its contents led me to believe it could be the one described in the tale. Many of the chapters detailed legends passed down by the Sheikah orally, and should never have been put to writing. Curiously, however, there were many pages missing—including several legends concerning the Triforce."
"What do you suppose that means?" Nabooru pressed, trying to mask her fears.
"I'm afraid we can only guess," Zelda shook her head, "and prepare for the worst."
"But even if the Ten'al-tarians were after the Triforce," Ruto added with a hint of desperation, "it is gone from the Sacred Realm."
"Czar-Aran does not know that, though," the queen replied. "Besides, if he could somehow amass the power to open the Door of Time— if he could somehow access the Sacred Realm— the consequences would be far more terrible than if he'd actually laid a hand on the Triforce."
"But he can't steal the treasure without opening the chest first," the Spirit Sage reasoned. "So if the keys remain hidden, then there's nothing to worry about."
Ruto nodded in agreement. "As long as the Spiritual Stones stay safe and sound where they are, the Ocarina remains with you, Your Majesty, and Link—" All eyes shifted onto the pensive young Hylian, "—if you don't draw the Master Sword, then Aran can't possibly..."
"I'm afraid," Zelda's voice rose over the Water Sage's, "it may sound simple now, but we have no idea what trials lay ahead. We can only take each day as it comes, and prepare for all possibilities, so that nothing catches us off guard."
Caedmon stood with his back turned on a small circular bedchamber, and gazed out a narrow window toward Death Mountain. He grasped the stone ledge for support, expecting to wake up from his dream at any moment. First Link and his story, then all the nonsense the queen and her gathering of races spewed about the Sacred Realm and the Triforce— either he was dreaming or he'd finally gone insane.
A loud clank sounded behind him, and a metal helmet rolled up against the old knight's ankles. He picked it up and turned around to face a disgruntled Link, who was sorting through the pieces of armor that had been laid out on the bed for him.
"I'm not wearing all this garbage." Link held up a chain mail shirt to examine.
"The 'garbage' is there to protect you," the old knight grumbled and dropped the helmet back on the bed.
"But how can it protect me when I can't move?" the young Hylian scoffed. "It must add fifty extra pounds!"
"It's made to be well-balanced," Caedmon replied, thinking back to his own days in the service.
Link gave an unsure sigh, and reluctantly slid the chain mail shirt over his head. It made a slinking sound as the tiny, metal loops shifted around. "Well, it's lighter than I expected."
"Kid, do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?" Caedmon shook his head, astounded by Link's nonchalant tone. "Joining the army isn't something you do on a whim."
"Ha— a whim!" Link laughed and slid his green tunic on over the chain mail. "There isn't a man, Zora, Goron, or Gerudo alive who's seen the things I have— or fought the monsters I've fought."
"You don't get it, do you?" Caedmon eyed Link narrowly. "The army won't care about what you say you've fought. All that matters is what you've done for them, and the fact you're so close to the queen won't make things any easier."
"And why do you say that?" Link huffed.
"Because soldiers talk as much as nobles do— only they tell it to your face."
"I don't care what they have to say," Link scoffed and tossed aside a leather brigandine. "If they want to talk about me, then fine. I'm going with Sir Dryden to defend the realm, not make friends."
Caedmon stood with arms folded across his chest, growing incensed. There was something strange about this kid— that much he'd garnered from the first time they met. He recalled the way Link calmly talked him down when he had the kid held at arrow-point, and how Link effortlessly fought off the cursed skeletons in the forest. What happened to Link in his past to make him so desensitized to conflict? Why did he jump at the chance to go to war? What had he seen? What had he fought?
"All right, that's it!" he finally burst. "I want to know what you're not telling me. Where and when did you do all this fighting? All this talk of Sages, and the Door of Time, and the Triforce— it's a bloody legend, you know! It's not real!"
Link stared blankly back at Caedmon, frozen in the act of fastening a leather gauntlet onto his arm.
"Well, isn't it?" the old knight urged, his tone wavering.
Again, Link said nothing. Caedmon watched as the kid finished pulling on the gauntlet and ran his fingers through his hair, clearly pondering something. "People are meant to think it's only a legend," Link finally said with a sigh. "If the general public knew it were real, there would be chaos."
A dizzying feeling gripped Caedmon once more. "Y-You are completely insane," he found himself stuttering as he backed up against the wall for support. "Do you actually expect me to believe—"
"You wanted to know the truth. I told it to you. I have no reason to lie to you."
Long-buried memories from Caedmon's life resurfaced— his mother dragging him to temple as a boy, his father lecturing him on the three virtues, Lydia going on and on about faith and piety— but one thing was consistent. He was always taught that the Triforce was a symbol, nothing more: a marker of hope for mankind, and a reminder of the three virtues one must strive to balance in life.
A strange sadness in Link's eyes, however, convinced Caedmon that the kid was telling the truth. Besides, the Triforce's actual existence wasn't any more unbelievable than anything else he'd heard so far. The old knight recalled the conversation he'd witnessed an hour before in the queen's sitting room, and he remembered something interesting. "Then the Zora... she said that the Triforce is gone from the Sacred Realm. How can it be gone?"
"Because someone found it," Link said bitterly. A hollow pain in the kid's tone knotted Caedmon's stomach. It was clear that Link had suffered over this matter, and his wounds had not fully healed.
"That can't be, though," the old knight muttered, remembering what he'd been told about the Triforce's legendary power. "If someone were to claim the Triforce, they would be a god, the most powerful being alive."
"That may be true," Link replied softly, "but he couldn't claim the whole Triforce. There was a catch." His gaze fell onto the polished surface of his shield propped up against the headboard. "The man who found it had an unbalanced heart. He could only claim the piece representing the force he most believed in."
"Power..."
"Exactly."
The old knight considered Link's words as he watched the kid shuffle through the pieces of plate armor. Based off of what he'd seen and heard since leaving the forest, it seemed that Link, the queen, and the Sages were the only ones who knew of the Triforce's disappearance— but that fact only confused the old knight further. After all, how could someone simply walk into the Sacred Realm and come away with a third of the bloody Triforce without anyone knowing?
"What happened to him, then? The man who took the Triforce of Power. Did you... did he... is he dead?"
"I don't think he can die," Link shook his head, "so long as he holds the Triforce of Power." The young Hylian pushed aside the rest of the armor and plopped himself at the foot of the bed. "Since we— Zelda, the Sages, and I— couldn't kill the man, we sealed him away in the Sacred Realm. If the Ten'al-tarians got in, there would be nothing but the seal preventing Ganondorf from escaping."
"Ganondorf..." The name sent a chill down Caedmon's spine. Piece by piece, snippets of the conversation he'd overheard in the queen's sitting room started to make sense— the Sheikah woman's story, why the queen was so worried about the Ten'al-tarian's motives, and where the Triforce had gone if it wasn't in the Sacred Realm... or part of the Triforce anyway.
"But if this Ganon character only claimed one piece," Caedmon mused aloud, "what happened to the other two?"
"It's... complicated." The young Hylian lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. "The Goddesses, they... picked out two poor souls to entrust the shards to— one for Wisdom, one for Courage."
"So there's two people just walking around out there with god-like powers?"
"I wouldn't put it that way."
The old knight couldn't decide which was more remarkable— that the Goddesses would entrust their power to a Hylian, or that these two individuals wouldn't abuse the blessing. "But these people would be more than mortal men," he reasoned. "Surely we'd know who they are."
"Caedmon, unlike Ganondorf, the wielders of Wisdom and Courage did not choose to become bearers. They were marked." Link sat up and fixed the old knight with a glare so serious it made Caedmon's blood run cold. "If word got out about these people, they'd be hunted for their power."
"But you know who they are," the old knight whispered, "don't you?"
"Yes, I..." A soft knock on the door interrupted Link.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude." The door creaked open and the queen entered, unaccompanied by her guard. "The troops are gathering outside the walls and riding for Kenton. Link, I... I just wanted to see you before you left."
Caedmon's gaze flicked from Link to Zelda and back again. The wheels in his brain started to churn. He remembered his parting with Link in the forest, and how the Triforce symbol started to glow on the back of Link's hand.
Something's happened at the castle... Something bad. I have to go.
And something bad had happened— the king had been murdered only hours before. But Link couldn't have known about it. The kid had been in the forest with him the whole time.
I have a hunch... that was all Link had said.
A hunch that has to do with the Triforce glowing on the back of your hand?
A mark.
How did this boy, who knew nothing of his past or the Hylian way of life, become friend of the future queen? Why did the leaders of so many races treat Link with the same respect they did their sovereign? How did he have such a terrifying command over magic? How did he become so skilled with the blade?
It explained everything.
He silently observed Link and Zelda conversing by the door. It was obvious there was a connection between the two more powerful than friendship— more powerful even than love. It made sense...
Link— his son— was one of the chosen bearers of the Triforce, and Zelda, the queen of Hyrule, was the other. It had to be.
"Caedmon," Link called. The old knight looked at him, really looked, and saw not a kid, but a man— and a troubled one at that.
The wielders of Wisdom and Courage did not chose to become bearers. They were marked.As Link's bitter words resonated in Caedmon's mind, his heart ached. Why, of all the Hylians in the realm, did the Goddesses choose Link? What had he done to prove himself worthy of the tremendous burden?
"Caedmon," Link said again and fixed the old knight with a worried expression. "Do you mind, umm, stepping outside for a bit? I need to speak with the queen— alone."
The old knight blinked. "Oh... yes, of course." He crossed the room toward the door, but before he left, the queen called for him.
"Sir Aelstan..."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Oh, please call me Zelda," she replied with a smile. Her voice was lyrical and soothing.
"Zelda," he repeated.
"I'm sure we will have a chance to talk later."
"I look forward to it." Caedmon nodded. "Link, I-I'll— I'll meet you by the stables then... to see you off." The old knight took his leave with those words, gripped by a dizzy, numbing feeling.
On a cold spring morning thirty years ago, his wife gave birth to a son— his son— and that baby would grow up to bear the heaviest burden imaginable.
These thoughts and a thousand more swirled around in Caedmon's mind as he briskly made his way toward the castle grounds. He desperately needed some air.
The door clicked shut, leaving Link alone with Zelda for the first time since the council meeting. A moment of silence passed, and the queen said nothing. Link knew he was in for it.
"I can't believe it," he chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "The man never shies away from a chance to argue with me, then the second you walk in..."
"Link." Zelda silenced him with a cold, slightly hurt glare. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I-I told you it didn't matter—It doesn'tmatter."
"You cannot be serious." Zelda's eyes grew wide. "Of course it matters. He's your father, Link!"
"So what was I supposed to tell you? I'm sorry about your father the king, Zelda, but hey! I just found mine."
"That's not what it would have been like!"
"Oh? And how would it have been?" Link lowered his gaze and walked past her toward the window. The rain had moved on, leaving a cool wind in its wake.
"It would have been comforting," said Zelda in a more soothing tone. "A spot of joy amongst all the sadness."
"I shouldn't have gone in the first place." An exasperated sigh escaped Link's lips. "I knew something like this would happen if I left, but I let you talk me into it. If I had been here to stop Zel-Taren, none of this would've..."
"Stop this instant, Link!" the queen snapped. "Do not blame yourself for what happened to my father. He never should have trusted the Ten'al-tarians— ever! If anything, he was the cause of his own undoing!"
"Zelda, you don't mean—"
"Why can't you just accept this blessing for what it is?" She cut him off with an anguished plea. "Why must you always put others before yourself, even if it's a detriment?"
"Because happiness never comes without a price, Zelda," he replied bitterly, refusing to look her in the eye. "I can't sit back and watch other people suffer if I can do something to stop it— no matter what the cost."
"That's not..." She opened her mouth to protest, but Link pressed on as if he'd never heard her. "I could've gone on living just fine if I'd never found Caedmon Aelstan, but if something had happened to you while I was gone... I'd never be able to live with myself. Besides, why do you care so much about my happiness?"
Link felt her step closer to him. Her proximity made him nervous. "Don't you get it, Link? Your happiness is mine," she said with a hint of desperation.
"What?" Link choked. Her words numbed him so that he couldn't think straight.
Zelda must have noted his perplexed look. She rested her hand gently on Link's shoulder. "I like seeing good things come to you, because no one deserves them more."
Link finally turned to face her, daring to steal a glance. A reassuring smile illuminated her face, melting away his bitterness. Seeing him happy made her happy? How?He didn't quite understand, but then again, Zelda usually thought two steps ahead of everyone else.
"Thanks, Zelda," he finally muttered. "It is a good thing— I know it's a good thing."
"You shouldn't need me to tell you that," she laughed.
He liked it when she laughed. In all the time they'd spent together, there hadn't been enough reasons to laugh. "The situation's just complicated," Link sighed, and bent forward slightly, hands gripping the windowsill. "I'm not used to opening up to people."
"You just met him, Link. I'm sure things will get easier."
A sarcastic huff escaped Link's lips. "They always do, don't they?" After all, what was he, if not a great adapter?
"So what have you told him so far?" Zelda's question refocused Link's attention.
"Enough," he stated flatly, causing the queen to roll her eyes.
"Be serious, Link," she huffed, clearly not amused.
On the contrary, Link was always sincere, just not as open as he knew Zelda would like. "Well," he said uneasily, "we'd just gotten past the 'Triforce is real part' when you walked in."
"I see..." Zelda's voice trailed off. Her brow furrowed in thought.
After a moment of silence, a thought occurred to Link— one he was surprised hadn't dawned on him earlier. "Can I ask you a question, Zelda— kind of a personal one?"
"Of course, Link." Her face lit up. "I'm an open book."
"You're so sure I should tell Caedmon everything— but you never told your own father. Why not?"
Zelda didn't flinch. A hint of regret flickered in her eyes, but when she spoke, it was with a tone of certainty. "Not a day went by in five years I did not wish to tell him." She reached for his hands and wove her fingers through his own. "But not even the Lens of Truth could have illuminated the facts enough to convince the king that my words were true."
"But you think Caedmon will believe me?" Link eyed her curiously. "He hardly knows me."
"He wants to, though," she urged, giving his hands a gentle squeeze, "and that makes all the difference. My father loved me, yes, but he never tried to understand me. The king only heard what he wanted to, and far too often, I spoke words which he did not welcome."
Link sighed. Zelda always seemed so certain. He studied the queen for a moment— the way the sun reflected off her hair, the way her tired eyes filled with hope and encouragement. The young Hylian couldn't help but smile.
"I'll tell him everything in time," Link said softly. "But there's just so much I... I can't expect anyone to believe..."
"I know, Link," the queen whispered. With one hand she reached up and tried to tuck his unruly bangs behind his ear. When they proved too rebellious, her hand came to rest on his cheek. "It's the burden we share together."
Link said nothing. She was so close that he could see his reflection in her sapphire eyes. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Zelda returned the gesture, and he felt her sigh against his shoulder. Link lost track of how long they stood there. It could have been seven seconds— or even seven long years— but for a brief moment, he experienced a peace of mind like he'd never felt before.
It made their parting that much more cruel.
"The sun is well beyond its peak," Link finally muttered. "I'd better head for Hyrule Field."
"Oh..." Zelda blinked. "Yes." She did not protest as the young Hylian pulled away.
Link's throat felt dry. He silently turned away and equipped the rest of his effects scattered across the bed. Finally, he reached to the bedpost for a dark green cloak and pulled it over his shoulders.
"So, do I look like a knight now?" he said proudly, adjusting the straps of his quiver and sheath.
Zelda shook her head hopelessly. "You didn't put on any of the armor Cara laid out."
"I put on this thing." Link poked the chain mail shirt beneath his green tunic. "I don't need anything else."
"Well, you still look like a rogue." Zelda flashed him a mischievous smile. "But if you add the helmet..."
"No way." Link moved between her and the bed. "There's only one hat I wear on my head."
Zelda fought to suppress a laugh. She reached for his arm, and they left the bed chamber side-by-side. As they wove their way through the castle corridors, every lord, lady, and servant bowed his or her head and muttered a quick "Your Majesty" to Zelda as she passed. They fixed Link, in turn, with confused glares— though the young Hylian didn't mind. Since the council meeting, he'd given up trying to hide from their watchful eyes, and refused to let their unwarranted judgments hinder his relationship with the queen.
"It's an honor to ride with the Knights of Faron," Zelda said as they turned a corner onto the cool grounds.
"You made the arrangements," Link shrugged.
"I figured it prudent. Your talents would be wasted as a mere foot-soldier. Besides, I'd like you to keep a close watch on someone."
Link's eyes narrowed on her, but he said nothing.
"If things take a turn for the worse," Zelda continued, "we may find that our power and the Sages are not enough to defend the realm. If that time comes, we'll want the right men on our side. You and I know one such man— a powerful leader and skilled fighter."
"I don't—"
"I'm talking about a man capable of leading a great resistance—a man who always needed that little extra push in order to realize his true potential."
"I still don't—" he began to say again, but as soon as he opened his mouth, a thought occurred to him, and slowly a picture began to form in his mind piece by piece. Link had known such a man once— but it had been in another lifetime. A young man with a bushy brown mane and unkempt beard, staggering out of a bar. He had been known around Kakariko Village as Draven the Drunk— or Draven the Mad. But in this time and place, he was known as Dryden de Vaux— a respected knight and the son of the Duke of Faron.
"I'm surprised it took you this long to remember," Zelda whispered.
"I have a hard time recalling the faces of the people I met back then— except the ones I killed."
"It's best we all start remembering some of the past," the queen said sadly. "We may need those memories yet."
"Please don't say that."
"I only speak the truth." She turned quickly to face him and met his eyes with a blazing look. Silence followed.
They reached the crest of a rolling hill on the edge of the grounds. Link could see the stables nestled in the valley below. He paused for a moment as he struggled between leaving without another word— which might have been the easier option— and turning to face the queen again.
"Caedmon's waiting for you," Zelda finally whispered. "I will take my leave and let you say goodbye, but first, I have something for you." She withdrew a small golden trinket from her pocket. It glistened in the cool sunlight.
"Zelda, I don't need..."
"Just hold still." She fastened the gift onto his cloak. It was shaped like a bird— a familiar symbol he recognized from the royal family crest. "It's customary for a lady to give her knight a token to take with him into to battle." She smiled and adjusted the clasp.
"Oh, so I'm your knight now?" Link fought to suppress a grin.
"No," Zelda said curtly. Her eyes watered as she looked up into his face. "You're my hero. You always will be."
Link found it difficult to return her gaze. Knowing he had to leave, it was too painful— but Zelda ignored this. To the young Hylian's surprise, she leaned up and kissed his brow. He could only blink and stare back silently. But as Zelda flashed him a reassuring smile, he knew, at that moment, they understood each other perfectly. He didn't have to say anything.
It took every ounce of Link's strength to turn his back on Zelda and begin his descent down the hill without her. With every step, he wished she would turn away, so he wouldn't have to feel her eyes on the back of his head, tempting him to turn around. Finally, he rounded the corner of the stables. The smells of hay and horse greeted him. Caedmon leaned against the door of Epona's stall, stroking the mare's nose.
"That's a nice gem," Caedmon noted as Link approached. "Don't remember seeing it when I left."
"It's just a gift," Link replied nonchalantly.
"A gift from the queen of Hyrule is not 'just' a gift."
"It's from a friend," Link stressed, "and I'm done discussing it." He opened the stable door and coaxed Epona out.
"So... should I even bother asking what's the deal between you two?" The old knight said slyly.
Link flashed him a testy look. "No."
"That's what I thought," Caedmon chuckled. Something about his all-knowing tone made Link's insides squirm. The old knight passed Epona's saddle to Link, and the young Hylian wordlessly tossed it over the mare's back. Link could feel Caedmon's gaze bearing down on him as he furiously fastened the straps.
A noise between a snort and a laugh escaped the old knight's lips. "Ha! And I thought I had it bad."
"What are you talking about?" said Link indignantly.
"I'm talking about falling for a woman way out of your league. I mean, I've been there done that, but the queen of Hyrule— that's pretty lofty, don't you think?"
Link could only muster a weak "Shut it" in reply, a fact which didn't escape Caedmon. "See, you can't even deny it," he retorted.
Link fastened the last buckle on the saddle, stood up, and wheeled around to face the grinning old knight. "She was my friend before she was the queen of Hyrule." An odd bitterness laced his tone. "She was my friend before I even understood what a princess was, and she's the only person in this whole kingdom who completely understands what I've been through—"
"—and you don't like sharing her," Caedmon cut in, causing Link to choke on his words.
"What?"
"You don't like sharing her with everyone else," the old knight reiterated. "You're jealous."
"I'm not jealous... I'm just... it's just different," Link huffed. "Our relationship's mostly involved saving the realm from the neglect of one king or another, and now she has all this responsibility— it's different."
Caedmon said nothing else. With Epona hitched up, Link led her to the end of the stable. "In all seriousness, Caedmon, I want you to keep an eye on Zelda while I'm gone. Protect her in my stead." The young Hylian mounted the chestnut mare. Epona tossed her head, eager to leave. "Zelda's safety is far more important than my own."
"No. You coming back in one piece is important." Caedmon grabbed hold of Epona's bridle to steady the horse, and sought Link's eyes. "This isn't the first time I've bade farewell to someone I... to someone... from these stables, and I couldn't take it if things turned out like last time."
"Nothing's going to happen to me, Caedmon—"
"—but you don't know that!" he barked. "No matter how many unique abilities you possess, you're still only a man of flesh and blood."
"You're starting to sound like Zelda."
"Well," Caedmon flashed him a knowing look, "she does seem like a wise woman."
"You have no idea," Link said with a smile; however, the strange sense of understanding in Caedmon's eyes seemed to hint otherwise. Link began to wonder how much the old knight picked up on, but quickly forced those thoughts to the back of his mind. They would have to wait.
Pink clouds streaked across the sky over Castle Town, where the lamplighter was probably making his rounds while Bertie poured mugs of ale at the Bumper, and men and women closed up their shops and carts for the day. Everything was so normal. Link wondered how long that would last. "Please don't worry about me, Caedmon," he finally said, with his eyes on the horizon. "There will be time for us when I return, I promise. But for now, we must do our part to protect Hyrule."
"Nayru's Love," the old knight chuckled sadly, "you really are Lydia's son."
"And when I come back," Link replied, "I want you to tell me exactly what that means."
"Aye." Caedmon nodded. "That's something I can agree to." He reluctantly released his grip on Epona.
Without another moment's hesitation, Link gave Epona a subtle nudge in the sides, and the chestnut mare lurched forward, leaving the old knight behind in a wake of dust. Link was on his way to war once more.
AN: As always, I like to know what you think. You're comments A. help me improve B. let me know what works and C. let me know there's people reading :)
Happy Spring!
Scarlett