'Sorry this took so long. The business I'm working for is going bankrupt... seriously! Life sucks! Oh well, at least I still got you guys.
Well, I kept you waiting long enough so here's the chapter. ZeLink fans should love it!
Once outside Fair Zelda sighed woefully; "Oh Din, Nayru, and Farore... Why are you goddesses so cruel to me? Whatever have I, or my father, done to deserve your ire?"
"Do not hold the goddesses to account for a grim fate of your own making!" reprimanded her Stern Impa, "Had your father not lied to the king, and in such a manner as to endanger and dishonor an innocent, honest man, he'd still be a free man."
Poor Zelda moaned pitifully, "Oh Father, why did you not listen to my words? Why did you not just do as I advised you? ... tell me this though, knightly lady, why does the king set all these demands upon me? I am but a poor farmer's daughter. Does the king not know mercy? Does he have no pity?"
"If it is compassion and kindness that you seek then I swear upon my knight's honor that no one possesses more than our young king other than the goddess Farore herself, Fair Zelda."
"Then why is he so harsh to me and my father? Does he not trust the common folk, his own people?" asked Fair Zelda as they started towards Hyrule's castle town.
"What you say is true. The king is being harsh and strict. But that is not because the nobility over the common folk. He is strict because he has to be." explained Stern Impa, "Right now our kingdom is weak. Vile Ganondorf has inflicted much pain upon Hyrule and her people. Homes have been ruined, crops have been burned, livestock has been slaughtered... It is a hard time we have to live through, and many are uncertain and fearful for their lives and future... and some resort to deceit and treachery to sustain their lives. Our king is also young and was crowned before his time, and many question that he sits on the throne. Some believe that they can benefit from him and his inexperience. Young Link has not ruled for long, but already people have tried to enrich themselves by deceiving him, and although he has brought them all to justice, some still try him."
"Furthermore," added the fair-haired lady, "Keep in mind that our late king, Young Link's uncle and only family, died because of deceit and treachery."
The fair Zelda thought over the lady knight's words.
"Our king is a kind and compassionate young man, but as of now and as our king he cannot allow himself to be too trusting, nor to be too kind. More than half of Hyrule's people have lost all they possessed; they have no homes, no belongings, and no food. So the king is trying his best to provide all for them from the castle's treasury. But since our people cannot pay their taxes, and will not be able to for long, the king must be most cautious; if he buys too much or does not see to it that the goods are distributed fairly and wisely, then innocent lives may be lost after surviving Vile Ganondorf's invasion."
After a good moment of silence Fair Zelda decided to ask, "So the king did not want any of this? Just like me and my father?"
Stern Impa shook her head, "No, he wanted nothing to happen to you or your father. And he feels sorry for you as well. That is why he had you search for the missing sheath; so that this sad matter can finally be resolved."
Fair Zelda sighed again, "Yet this riddle he set upon me is rather confusing. If you take the lines as they are, the riddle would be impossible to solve."
Stern Impa smiled at her, "Fear not, Fair Zelda, the king would not ask you to solve an impossible task; our king is just and fair and he'd never do such a thing. While the riddle is indeed tricky to solve, I do not believe that our king chose it merely to test you."
The pretty maiden looked at her questioningly, "What do you mean milady?"
Stern Impa continued to smile, "I believe the king chose this particular riddle for you because he knows that you will solve it."
Fair Zelda looked up in surprise, "Whatever makes you say that Good Lady?"
The lady knight's smile grew teasing, "I have known our king since he was a little boy, and he has never shown much interest in women. But it seems to me that you intrigue him. I even dare say that he has taken a liking to you."
Fair Zelda did not know how to respond. But the knowledge that the king had given her a riddle that he knew she could solve brought her comfort.
Am I getting carried away justifying Link's action? In the original tale the king seemed to me, for a lack of better words, dumb and unjust. I didn't want that so I tried to iron things out as best as possible but I think I'm going too far; what do you guys think?
In the next chapter another LOZ character is going to make a brief appearance; any one wanna take a guess?
At AnriMia24: You did it again!
Anyway, you don't need to write once you become a member; I myself do not write as much as I read here. People here would be just as happy to exchange messages with you. Or if you just read and review. If you offered yourself as a beta-reader here you'd be welcome as well.
And of course I know no one's allowed to help Zelda, sassy girl! I just thought it'd be unfair if she is the only one cudgeling her brains.
Now, to all of you: Please review and comment. All forms of reviews, comments and criticisms are very welcomed and appreciated. As are numerical ratings from 0-10.
0 = Delete this shit. 10 = Perfect.