Firstly, thank you very much for your reviews and support for this story! I am always grateful for feedback, especially constructive stuff – it's the best way to improve, so please do feel free to review. Sorry it's taken ages to update. To keep you happy, I've posted another oneshot named 'In another Lifetime' which you might enjoy. (Way to plug my own work, eh?!)
I wish I hadn't invented the siblings now. But never mind… I will find a way to use them. Anyway, on with the story…
Chapter Fourteen – Belief
(Link's POV)
Water runs slowly down my back. It is warm. Deliciously warm. I heave a sigh of relief and allow my aching body to relax. The Princess is safe. I have already offered my prayer of thanks to my beloved Goddesses for delivering her from harm but I feel the need to thank them again. I smile as I whisper the words of thanks again. I was never so relieved to see Queen Ruto (the fifth) storming into Rheyan's quarters, demanding to know what the deuce was going on.
Ruto has not changed since I last saw her, if anything she is worse than she was. She was always autocratic and demanding. Rheyan tells me that Zora Queens only get worse with age. I smiled at this, for all her faults, Queen Ruto is an excellent ruler and she returned from her vacation as soon as she knew what her subjects were planning in her absence.
Zelda is in private consultation with her now. Hence the reason I am finally allowing myself to relax. I've not done that for these last ten days. I suppose old habits die hard – my sword is within grabbing distance. Even in the bath, I am prepared for the worst. I give my hair a final rinse and for a moment, my mind flashes back to when I lived on my ranch. I remember bathing in the old tin tub before my fire there. And cutting my hair with sheep shears. Some of its grubby blond length falls into my eyes. I could do with a haircut. I wonder if anyone has any shears…
I smile at this thought and hop out of the bath before the water starts to cool. I could picture Queen Ruto if I asked to borrow some shears to cut my hair with. She thinks I am uncultured already. The room I have been allocated is in the guards' quarters and it is nothing magnificent. To be honest, I don't mind. Of course, in Hyrule Castle, I have my own chambers and an attendant servant but it's nice to go back to more humble surroundings. I glance at my reflection in the mirror as I dry myself. Yep, I need a haircut. I wonder what Mali saw in me?
I wonder what she's doing right now? I hardly have time to think of my former life but I kind of feel sorry for her. I think I hurt her more than I ever intended. In fact, it is probably better if I don't think about it. She seemed to like Varjo, which might be a blessing in disguise. Varjo is a flirt and I wouldn't exactly recommend him as a worthy partner for any lady but Mali can take care of herself. She is very strong willed and is more than a match for any trick he could pull on her. Although I will never love her, as I love Zelda, I am still her friend and I hope that our friendship will last for all time. She'll get over me, I know. It was probably just a crush.
I frown at my reflection and turn. Whatever I hope regarding her, I know that I hurt her greatly and that is not a thing that I can just wish away.
As soon as I am dressed, I head towards the throne room. I want to speak to Zelda, I mean the Princess, before anything else. I wonder what her nightmare was about. She was trembling with fear when I woke her. Poor thing. Of course, I must be on my best behaviour from now on. The Zora like to annoy King Daphnes, but I cannot let them see how much I care for my Princess, I doubt even they would accept any kind of intimate relationship between us. I think I have been discreet these last few days. I have let my anxiety get the better of me. Fortunately, most of these times, Rheyan has been on hand before I could go too far.
I know quite a few of the Zora now. Even the Zola warriors have been treating me with a kind of wary respect. This increased tenfold when the Queen returned. A few of the children greet me as I pass. My delightful siblings are not with them. This makes me frown slightly. I specifically told Priya and Elliot to wait for me here. Typical little brats have disappeared. All right, so they're not brats. In fact, I was amazed to find out how well they have been brought up. That would be Madam Riko's influence, she has practically raised the pair of them and they are very well-mannered. I just find it hard to relate to two children that I hardly know. I wonder if the Princess will have better success than I.
"Priya went with Zora Rheyan before." One of the children volunteers the information before I have to ask. Obviously my frown clearly conveys my thoughts.
"And where's Elliot?"
"Dunno." The children reply. "Maybe with Madam Riko?"
"Thanks." I say and continue my journey. I don't think I am cut out to deal with children. Yet again, my bloodline has let me down. All of the past hero's have been able to relate to kids, and have made friends of them. I can't. They freak me out. They are way too perceptive.
Rheyan is waiting outside the entrance to the Royal Chambers. He smiles when he sees me. "Ah, you've arrived finally. What were you doing?" He asks as I approach.
"Bathing. Who's she got in there at the moment?" I look pointedly towards the door Queen Ruto's private audience room in case Rheyan hasn't already guessed the nature of my thoughts.
"Zelda and Priya. She sent for the latter a while ago and they've been incarcerated in there fore hours, poor children."
"What was it about Priya that you wanted me to see, Rheyan?" We have not discussed the reason for me being here in the Zora's domain since I arrived. We were a little distracted by Zelda's imprisonment. I note that for once Rheyan looks uncomfortable. It must be something bad if he looks perturbed. Rheyan is notoriously serene in every situation. That is why he is the Queen's personal emissary. That, and the fact he is also her nephew and heir to the Zora throne. See, I do know some important people! Although I have obviously met with my siblings since arriving here, this will be the first time that Zelda has met them. I glance at the ornate silver door and wonder how she will cope with such an encounter. Especially since it is being supervised by Ruto.
"Priya…" Began Rheyan. Again, he looks at his hands. I know he's searching for the words to explain. He takes a breath and continues, "She is different to you, Link. We are beginning to suspect she is not related to you at all."
To be honest, I have always wondered about that. She never has looked like my father. She has bright blond hair, much like Queen Helene did, but her eyes are golden-brown. Since Helene and my father both had blue eyes, it would be unlikely for her to be their child. So, providing Helene did not have any other secrets she did not reveal in her lifetime, there is only one other person who could be her real father. Which would make her a princess of the realm. Which would cause some unforeseen difficulties.
"Do you think she's…?"
"Daphnes child." Rheyan finishes the sentence for me. His sea-green eyes are troubled. "I can't be sure of course, but the timing would fit in. She was born seven months after Helene ran away with your father. We always assumed she was his for they insisted she was born early. She was a very small child..."
"But if it is true?"
"Then I don't know what will happen." He replies quietly. I can see the worry still lurking in his eyes. The Zora shielded Helene because of the friendship between her and Ruto. They believed she was escaping an unhappy marriage but if Priya had been conceived before she had ran away, then the marriage could not have been as unhappy as they had been led to believe. Helene had lied to them and to my father. All of this makes me pity the men involved. Rheyan sighs and continues, "It's one thing to harbour two illegitimate children, it is another matter entirely to conceal a princess."
"Has Priya any idea of this?"
"Well, that's the odd thing. She never seems to talk about your father; it is almost as though she knows it herself. Of course, we have never mentioned our suspicions to her." Rheyan scratches his head, "She is different, Link. It is almost like she is… Zelda – the true Zelda."
"What?"
"She knows magic." Rheyan looks at his hands again and scratches his arm. "She has had visions."
"Is that why you brought me here? You want to see if she has the Triforce?"
"I know you believe your Zelda is the true heir to the Triforce but it is well known that she does not have faith in herself. She has yet to show she has any of the hereditary powers that the true Princess Zelda should."
"I don't doubt the princess for a moment." I reply quickly. And then my mind starts thinking about all those times that I have been worried by her comments, her lack of faith, and her naivety… No! I cannot start thinking like this. She cannot have been misnamed. Why, it was said that at her birth, the Triforce on her hand shone so brightly that one of her attendant's was almost blinded. And I love her. Surely that means something?
Rheyan nods. Perhaps he is thinking the same thing as I. Hyrule's dependence is on this one girl. If she was not the person we believe her to be, if she is not the true heir to the Triforce, then this whole country has been deceived. And we are all in serious trouble.
Rheyan and I have been waiting for hours outside the Royal chamber. Of course, my Zora friend could have long since abandoned me, but he chose to remain with me. I think he knows that my thoughts are so troubled, so confused, that he realises I need his support. I count Rheyan as one of my oldest friends. He is older than me, and he is very experienced in the ways of the world. I count on him to advise me for I know he is always honest with me and whether his counsel is easy to take, or hard, I know it is always best to listen to him.
He has not yet discussed my burgeoning relationship with the Princess, although I know he is not blind to my feelings. Perhaps he is reluctant to discuss the issue with me. Maybe he knows that I already know the stupid risk I am taking by staying with her. Or he could just feel pity for me.
Finally we hear movement in the room. The murmur of voices grows louder. Their meeting is at an end. Not for the first time today, I wish I could have heard what was discussed.
Zelda is the first to emerge - she glances at me and smiles weakly. I can feel that familiar sensation in my blood. How I wish I were anything but an ordinary man. She looks at Rheyan and he responds to the silent entreaty in her eyes.
"I… need to think…" She mutters. I see her violet eyes flicker towards mine again and I hear her sigh. Her eyes are glittering, either with anger or hurt. I cannot determine which. I control myself. I deny myself. More than anything do I long to rush forward and comfort her. But I cannot.
Rheyan's words drift through my mind – is she really the Princess of Destiny? What if she is not?
My eyes are drawn to the second person to emerge. Priya.
She is like Zelda, and she is not. Her hair is bright blond and she wears it tied up. Her skin is darker than Zelda's. Her eyes are bright and full of mischief but are brown. I prefer the usual hue of Zelda's beautiful eyes. She favours her mother, Helene. I still cannot determine any resemblance to me, apart from her hair. This makes Rheyan's words choke me.
She is thirteen, five years Zelda's junior. Seven years younger than me. She is sweet, but a little boisterous. She likes to set people about by the ears. She had me sussed in about two minutes. Perhaps it was my own fault for going on about Zelda and how I would rescue her somehow. But still, she didn't have to say before the entire population of Zora that I was clearly besotted by the Princess.
That was not a good move and if she has got the Triforce of Wisdom, she could at least have put it to better use!
I think some of what I am thinking must be written on my face, for she is grinning at me. "Heya, Linkipoo." She says cheerfully. Even as a thirteen year old, she cannot help the note of authoritarianism entering that little voice of hers. She has been learning the ropes from Queen Ruto.
"Linkipoo?" Repeats Zelda. She glances at me again, and I see the glimmer of amusement lighten her expression for a moment.
"It's a nickname." I explain hastily. "I hate it."
"But it suits you." Laughs Priya.
I hate her but I can't help smiling. She grins up at me and to my surprise, she suddenly hugs me. "I love having a big brother to tease and a big sister to share secrets with." She announces.
My eyes meet Zelda's and we both smile. Priya looks from me to Zelda and smiles knowingly. "C'mon, I want you to meet Elliot." She says to Zelda. Before my princess can agree or disagree, her hand is clasped in her sister's firm hold and she is dragged away. "Oi, you too, Linkipoo!" She calls as she sees that I have not moved.
I cannot move. I don't feel like I am part of that family. I look at Rheyan and see that he is watching the pair with something akin to a frown on his face.
"Sir Link!" The very intensity of Queen Ruto's voice makes me jump as it comes from directly behind me. I didn't even realise she was there. I turn swiftly and bow. She is unimpressed with courtesies. That is one of the best things about her. "I want a word with you, please."
Like all Ruto's requests, they are really commands and I can do nothing but obey. Rheyan is dismissed and I notice that he follows the Princess. I wish I could go with them.
Ruto is troubled. I can see it by the way her fins rise and fall with rapidity and the way she is wringing her hands. She tells me only what Rheyan has told me. She has told Zelda what they suspect, although she has not told the Princess outright that they believe she might be a fraud. I am to watch her closely and see if there are any signs of divinity in her. If not… if she is not what we think… Ruto broke down at this point, lost in conjecture.
I was the one that thought of that nurse that brought her in to the world. The sign of the Triforce is the sure sign of Nayru's power in her. If the maid was to be believed, then Zelda truly is the heir to the Triforce. I am also tasked with finding her. The Princess will accompany me. She should not object, for that nursemaid was her nurse up unto the age of twelve.
She vanished after that day, dismissed by the King. It is believed she settled in the hidden village, far north of Hyrule. Surely the maid's word can be trusted. Perhaps she has some hidden magic that will make Zelda's mark appear again.
What worries me is that the sign of the Triforce has not appeared on the hand of either Zelda or Priya, yet I have the very same sign on my hand. If I am here, there must be a Princess Zelda – there must be one alive who bears the Triforce of Wisdom. I really do believe that it is Zelda herself, but Ruto is not so sure.
All I know is that I must find out. There is great darkness hidden in the shadows of this land, inching forward, slowly taking over. I can feel it all around me. I feel it in the air that I breathe and although I will face any foe, I cannot hope to win unless I have Nayru's guidance.
I am in serious trouble.
The plot thickens!! Tell me what you think, hit review :p It might encourage me to write faster LOL.