A/N: Okay I'm a bit excited about the information in this chapter and I wanted to put in a note about Link's last name which will appear here. I found this completely by accident but it was too good to pass up. You see most of the OC names I pick out have meanings directly relating to their characters, not all of them are this way but the vast majority. The King's name for example Alberic means Elfin King but then I have characters like Estelle who that name just stuck on them and the meaning has no bearing whatsoever. I was looking up a word using thesaurus dot com. One of the great things about this site is it often known for random information. I love researching random information so I have a habit of reading their postings. One day they had a posting about certain colors and the origins of their names. This is what led to Link's last name in this story. To see the information on it read the postscript after the story. While I'm on the subject of names, though, in my research I found out another interesting tidbit. Link has its origins in both Gaelic and German and means left hand, I don't know if this is why our favorite hero tends to be left handed but it is a fun fact.
Enjoy and Later
No matter how the outside changes ones inner reflection will remain the same
Once everyone was settled the King turned to Clovis, "Clovis my dear friend, I would like you to start this off. I would like you to explain the mission I set to you and your findings if you would?" Clovis nodded as he stood before the gathering but waited until the King was seated comfortably.
"Shortly after Lord Tierney, his son, and the rest of their party came to the castle to celebrate the coming engagement between the Princess and Donovan Tierney I returned from a visit to my home village. However, I did not remain long as His Majesty the King pulled me aside and made a request of me. It seems that Donovan Tierney had brought a present for her Royal Highness the Princess and it was in the form of a young servant boy. According to the King my counterpart Impa was trying to find out more about the young man but there were certain barriers in the way. The King wished to be certain that his daughter would be safe so he asked me to track down as much of the boy's past as I could. With the little information he could provide for me I set off.
I managed to track down several of the boy's previous owners and from every one of them I received the same information. The boy it seemed was the best slave they'd ever owned. Completely silent and able to do at least twice the work of any of the others, however, this tended to bring jealousy and mutiny amongst the others causing a disruption in the household. There was also a rumor that the boy was cursed for any household that took him in found that things would soon take a darker turn and they would end up having to sell him off much to their disappointment. From what I understand some households even folded in on themselves and the families lost everything. I tracked down as many of his previous owners as was possible but there were quite a number of them and at last the trail went cold since one owner had died and no one in his family knew how he had come by the boy.
When I returned quite a while later I informed the King of my findings and it was then he made another request of me. He asked that I keep my distance and talk to no one within the castle about the boy. He requested that I follow the young man to see what he did and how he spent his time. To say that it was a tiring following the boy around was an understatement. I would have much rather sumo wrestled with half the Goron Tribe instead; you boy really need to learn how to relax and take at easy once in a while." Clovis was looking sternly at Link yet there was a hint of a smile on his lips.
"He was always up before dawn doing different chores I didn't even know needed done. What was worse was that he was quite quick and he appeared to have knowledge of both Shadow and Light Magic so he could travel through the shadows as well as I could. The only meal he would consistently sit down for was breakfast and I had the distinct impression that the only reason for this was because Estelle made him. I noticed he ate very little of the meals in front of him despite the fact someone always made sure he had a heaping plate. However, oddly enough his plate would be cleaned of any food by the time the meal came to an end. It took me a while to discover what was happening but I finally noticed he was carefully sending the food to his room through a teleportation spell. I thought that maybe he was just self-conscious about eating in front of others, yet he never ate the food when he was in his chambers. Soon enough I discovered what he was doing with it.
I followed him one day to the East side of town, which I found quite odd as he had no reason to be there and he had done his utmost to make sure no one knew where he was at. I was apprehensive as thus far the boy had proven to be of a worthy character with all the help he had been doing around the castle, but I could see no good that would come of him being there. I was happy that I was proven quite woefully wrong. During the day he helped by making repairs to homes where he could, the food he'd held back from his own plate was distributed amongst the small children, and the meager wages he brought in were divided and given to families. Never once has a day passed that he has not helped someone nor has he taken a day off.
On the night of the ball I could not trail him as I had been doing because with the large number of guests it was my sworn duty to protect the Royal Family. Unfortunately that was the night he was kidnapped and I can tell you that his helpful presence has been sorely missed by many." With that Clovis gave a slight bow and returned to the spot where he could more easily see everyone in the room and stop any threats.
The King smiled as he now stood before the room, "Thank you Clovis, your information was quite enlightening and it depicts well what we have seen and heard thus far of the young man's character. Now before I go farther I wish to iterate the only two reasons the marriage contract between my daughter and Donovan Tierney may be broken. The first were if either party was to pass away but as they are both healthy and young this is unlikely. The other reason would be if there was an older contract still in place that had not been nullified. The only way for a contract to be nullified is if both parties that originally agreed to it determine it no longer necessary.
You see I find it quite odd that a boy who grew up as a slave seems to carry no bitterness in his heart and only seeks to help others. The only explanation I have for that is that he must have a kind soul and have come from such good parents that their goodness was imparted onto him even when they could not be there for him. This alone though was not enough to raise my suspicions of where the boy came from. As Clovis made his reports to me I only felt relieved that I could trust this boy to be around my daughter and my people. It was oddly enough the night of the ball that I started to ask more questions about him, for you see a dear friend of mine mentioned that he looked similar to an old friend of ours. The friend in question has been deceased now for fourteen years as has his wife. There was of course a mystery in their deaths that the body of their three year old son was never found. It was speculated at that time that the small body was consumed by the fire that had been used in an attempt to cover up his parent's murders. However, there was also the chance that he had somehow escaped the fire and was alive somewhere. I spent many years looking for a child that would match his description and found many hopefuls but all failed the test. Unfortunately I held out so long that by the time it became a requirement my daughter should be engaged all the eligible young men who would be fit to rule were already engaged. I was left with only one option for her and from what I had seen and heard it was by far the worst option."
At this Donovan Tierney's face became red and he looked as if he were about to yell out but a look from the King and the two Sheikah silenced him.
Ignoring the young noble the King continued, "I knew the person we found would lead Hyrule into dark days and would have no respect for my daughter but as I said I had little choice in the matter. Then by happenstance the very people who I believed would be the ruin of my Kingdom brought with them what I believe to be its salvation. If you will take notice of the portrait behind me it depicts a young family with their month old son. The man in the portrait was my most trusted Knight and a good friend of mine for we had grown up together, Elrohir Celadon. The woman, Bria, was a hand maiden to my dear wife in her early years and they too had grown up together. It was through my courtship of my dear bride that the two met. They were quite smitten with each other and though she had no great family name or wealth he cared not. They were married a few months after the marriage of Queen Saraid and me.
Not a month into their marriage a skirmish broke out in the Southern area of Hyrule that required not only his presence, as he was the Captain, but my own. The battle was not intense and it was easy to see that we would prevail though not without some casualty. The last battle was the worst of it with the brigands throwing every last thing they had at us in hopes of crushing us in one large cataclysmic onslaught. I was engaged in battle with the leader and found out I was quite out matched for I had never been very good with swords or any weapons for that matter. He broke through my defenses with ease, as he was a far superior warrior, and was preparing the killing blow. It was quite tragic for once I fell there was a good chance the men would lose their confidence and very well might have been over powered.
Just as I was sure I would be dead his blade was stopped by none other than my dear friend's. The last I had seen of him he had been battling the second in command, a man who was easily double his own size. As I looked around in shock I noticed the giant laying in a pool of his own blood that blossomed from a slit in his throat. How he had taken him down I did not know but my friend was a sword master whose skills far exceeded my own. The leader of our enemy was now finding out this fact the hard way for though he was a good swordsman Elrohir was still better. It was not long before the man lay dead upon the ground but with the last of his strength the cur swung his sword at my friend's leg. He fell when the blade made contact but somehow managed to get to his feet only a moment later. The remaining insurgents seemed to lose heart with their two most formidable members taken out by a single man and were easy to finish off.
We made it back to the castle victorious with very few of our number lost. Elrohir's leg though had been permanently damaged and he would no longer be able to ride out. However, to honor his great deeds and the fact he saved my life I gave him a title and an estate. All was well for a time and it was not long before both our wives were pregnant with his child due a month after my own. The four of us spent many happy days together talking of our children to be. When we were able to determine rather our children would be a boys or girls we took the earliest opportunity. Upon discovering we were to have a girl and our dear friends a boy my lovely wife and I discussed a rather uncouth agreement. We knew our friends were good people and would raise their son well and if we were to send special tutors to them when the boy was of an age to learn he could be taught to be a fine king. So even though our friends did not have a high title that would normally be needed to even consider a marriage we decided upon a marriage pact between our two families. Once our children were both old enough they would be wed and all would be well. It was quite perfect since we could ensure his education and his parents would ensure he had a good and noble heart. However, as I previously mentioned tragedy struck and until very recently I had given up all hope. Now the very person meant to help seal the wedding between Donovan Tierney and my daughter may be its undoing."
"You cannot prove any of this Alberic! He may look similar but you have no proof of just who he is and even if he is you cannot break our agreement," shouted Lord Tierney. The King looked at him solemnly and with a hint of pity in his eyes. "You are right Lord Tierney as of right now this is all speculation, however, there is a way to prove if he is my friend's son. If this test should prove it then our agreement becomes null and void as the one between his parents and the Queen and I was created first. Not to mention in our own contract I left a small disclaimer that should the original betrothed be found the one between our families will be obsolete.
Now the test is quite simple for you see quite some time ago it became popular to kidnap noble children and sell them back. However, the child that was returned was not always the noble child. Sometimes they would give back a look-a-like child then raise the noble one themselves or sell them for another profit. That caused problems with people claiming their child was the true heir to a fortune and/or title. So a system was devised that any parent who wished it could have their child magically imprinted with the family crest and should a child go missing if they were found a simple spell would make the crest visible for a time proving the child's linage. This spell could only work on children younger than a year so the decision had to be made fairly early in the child's life. Where the crest was hidden was always kept a secret so that it was unlikely an imposter would have the same crest in the same area.
Due to the contract we insisted that my friend's son have the Celadon Family crest imprinted on him for safety and it has been this test that I have tried on many with all of them to fail. His family crest can be seen in the background of this portrait so there shall be no question of its authenticity. There is also the fact that this is the last known depiction of the crest as all others were destroyed in the fire. Now Impa, if you would please, perform the spell and we shall see if my hypothesis holds weight."
Impa nodded then walked over to the front area where the King stood and beckoned Link to stand by her. Link came over as quiet and as quick as ever. Impa placed a hand on the top of his head before saying a few quiet words, "Que la lumière de la véritè brillera." With the words spoken Link's entire being began glowing, a bright golden color, before slowly retracting pulling into a single spot. The spot that was alight was right over the young man's heart.
"Link we need you to remove your shirt so we may see the mark," stated Impa. As always Link didn't hesitate to obey and soon the item was held loosely in his hands. The mark shone brightly and clearly defining well the crest that had been imprinted, it was also clear to see it was a perfect match to the Celadon Family crest in the portrait. For several seconds all eyes are on the mark until it began to dim and slowly fade away.
"Impossible," shouted Lord Tierney. This boy cannot be who you claim him to be. I specified that everyone specifically the son be killed that night but his body removed so that you might continue to search for him. He must be an imposter!" The King's eyes narrowed as the angry flush drained from Lorcán Tierney's face.
"So you orchestrated the murder of my dear friends and attempted to have their son killed too. Quite the devious plot to try and take the throne Lorcán, but nothing I would not have expected of you. There were so many things that could go wrong with it. It also explains why you encouraged me to keep searching for the child over the years when you would visit. You wished to be certain your son became my only choice. Yet for all your careful planning it seems a cruel mockery of fate that you should be the ones to bring about your plan's undoing. I really should thank you for returning him to us and now that my theory has been proven there are only a few matters to attend to.
This young man who has spent the better part of his life a slave to others is in fact the betrothed of my daughter and future King of Hyrule. Unfortunately with relationships being what they are between our Kingdoms I cannot put you both in the dungeons, though that is the least of what you deserve for your crimes. Instead I will now have to ask you both to leave not only the castle and the town but the lands of Hyrule and I bid you never return or you will find I will be far less inclined to care about diplomatic relations. Your guards have been informed to ready themselves and your horses so there is no need for you to linger as your state rooms have also been readied while we have been speaking." The King was smiling broadly as he said all of this.
"You are a fool Alberic!" Both Tierney's were on their feet by now. "Do you honestly expect that that…that thing will be able to rule your Kingdom better than my son?!" Lord Tierney was sputtering with his rage now as spit flew from his lips pointing to the still shirtless boy; all semblance of decorum had vanished as he saw his years of work deteriorating at his feet. "He has had no training in any form of etiquette or decorum let alone on the delicacies of managing an entire Kingdom. Your Kingdom shall crumble if you continue with the charade!"
"On the contrary from the reports I have been given as well as what I have observed with my own eyes the boy managed to educate himself in many areas already. It is true he will have to have many more lessons to catch up but we have time to bring him up to speed. However, even if we had not the time I would have still chosen him over your son. This young man knows the people and has already shown an inclination to helping them though he has little to offer. That is the type of ruler a Kingdom needs someone who puts the people above their own needs. From what I have seen of your son he will drain my Kingdom's economy as well as the people. He has always preferred the suggestions that would take from the people and give to the Crown versus the other way. He seeks not of the betterment of the whole only the betterment for himself, though it is not surprising considering his father. Now please leave this room I still have things to discuss with my family and future son-in-law that you are no longer privy to." The two men looked about to argue but at a look from the two Sheikah warriors they settled for glaring at the Royals and the young boy before leaving the room, several guards were there to escort them out.
Once they had left and the door was shut Impa directed Link to put his shirt back on and go sit down again, assuring the blanket was wrapped around him. The King turned to look at the three sitting on the couch grinning like a fool, he had never been able to contain how he felt one could easily see it on his face. It was not necessarily a good trait for a monarch but his tutors had never been able to break him of it either. He had to give the boy credit in that area despite the heavy burden of information placed on him his face remained impassive.
There were several moments of silence as everyone processed what had just happened. Finally the Princess spoke though her voice shook as she was still in shock, "So that means I no longer have to marry Donovan Tierney and that Link… Link is…" "Yes dearest," replied the King when it became apparent she could not continue. Our young Link here is in fact the one you were originally betrothed to, he is your future husband. Oh dear, I suppose we will have to have another Engagement Ball and we will need to go about making the announcements and send back all the gifts too. I must remember to get that all into place but first and foremost we must get our young Esquire here set up and begin his training."
At the mention of the title Esquire, Link's eyes found the King's but were quickly cast downwards again. The King frowned the boy would have much to learn. "Now Link, rule one of being a leader is acting the part you must learn to hold eye contact." The young man nodded and hesitantly lifted his head to meet the eyes of the King. "See now that is better. Now as for your family's lands I am afraid all that is left is the land. The house and surrounding buildings were burned to the ground that night and with no one to see to their restoration it has been left unchecked. In all rightfulness since there was no heir apparent the lands did revert back to the Kingdom but if you should want them back we can discuss it at a later date. We will also see to it you are set up properly here in the castle with a room befitting your station and you will start taking your meals with my family and me. I am also afraid you are in for several strenuous classes that will be needed to get you up to speed. It shall not be easy but from what I understand you are quite intelligent and a quick learner. There are probably things I am forgetting about but we will get all those details worked out soon enough. Well then my boy do you have anything to say?"
The boy was silent for so long that the King did not think he would answer and then very quietly he spoke. "Please Your Majesty; you need not go to all of that trouble. I realize you needed me as an excuse to end the arrangement between the Princess and Master Tierney but you do not have to go through with the marriage. You should find someone more suitable and pretend they were me for I am not worthy of anything you have said is mine."
The King was sorely reminded of when he had first heard the boy speak and was about to object when the Queen did it for him. "Do not dare to say that! To say such things about yourself is to also disrespect your parents. They were good hearted people and they loved you so. They wanted what is best for you and to deny it by saying that you are unworthy is to spit in their faces and I will not have it. I will admit I was mistaken about you in the beginning, but you have proven yourself far more worthy than any other man would be. You are truly your father's son when it comes to valiant deeds helping others but you need to find the strong will I am sure your mother Bria left you. She would have never allowed anyone including you to talk in such a self-deprecating manner about you.
Despite what you have been through in your life you are still their son and I will not stand to see their names smeared by some imposter. You will study hard and learn to be the young man your parents wished you to be and one day you will wed my daughter and become my own son. There will be no more talk of replacements is that clear?"
The boy merely nodded again refusing to meet anyone's eyes. Sighing, the Queen stood and put a hand on Link's shoulder. "I am sorry I have a tendency towards a sharp tongue but I meant what I said. I will not tolerate you being so critical about yourself. You have every reason to be proud of your accomplishments and I know not only are your parents proud of you but you will make this Kingdom and us very proud as well. Now you should rest; if you should ever want to know more of your parents by all means ask the King or I and we shall be happy to relate all we know to you about them. Impa would you see to it he gets back to his room and rests, he will be in need of his strength once his lessons begin." The Sheikah woman nodded and guided Link to his chambers to rest.
In the fields of Hyrule the Tierney's were standing with their guards as the castle guards that had been ordered to escort them out of the castle and town had just left advising them to leave quickly and that they were no longer welcome in the Kingdom. It was just at sundown and the encampment was attempting to settle in but none of them knew how. They had only ever set up the tents; the boy had done the rest of the work. The guards were bumbling about and making little progress while the two nobles sat loudly complaining about the Royal family and that damn brat of a slave. After a meager and poorly prepared dinner many of the men were sitting around the fires all very drunk from the alcohol they had stolen before being ejected from the castle.
So inebriated were they that none of them noticed when the horses began to panic and pull loose from their poorly tied tethers. They did not see the dark shadows approaching until they were surrounded by a dark dense mist. All who were conscious shot up on wobbly legs and those that weren't were soon kicked awake by their comrades. All shook in fear as two distinct bodiless voices sounded out from the mist.
"My, my, what have we here brother?" "It seems, dear sister, to be a squadron of drunkards posing as guards with two poor excuses for nobles who were out done by a mere slave boy." A lite tittering was heard that sent shivers up the spines of all the men. "There is so much hate and darkness in them brother. We can use it to strengthen our side." "They may have blackness in their hearts sister but so do many men. They are not powerful." "True but right now their hate for our own enemies is strong. We could use that."
Before either unseen being could speak again Lorcán Tierney spoke up in a quavering voice, "Who are you, what do you want? I warn you if you do not let us be there will be dire consequences."
"Oh listen dear sister, he thinks he is our equal, but he is no more than a simple human. How very amusing." "Yes brother but he is right. There will be dire consequences." Again that spine tingling giggle was heard. "Perhaps brother we should speak with these noble men. They may be sympathetic to our cause and wish to aid us." "Excellent notion my sister, let us speak with them though in our realm where we shall not be disturbed."
The darkness suddenly surrounded the Tierney's before either could blink or cry out. Slowly their eyes adjusted and they found that they seemed to be in the same place they had been before only now it was darker, everything seemed shadowed. As they looked around two figures melted out of the shadows in front of them. There was little to distinguish them as they were both blacker than the night with the only coloring being there bright blood-red eyes. There forms were nearly identical both were lithe and appeared muscled. The only difference was one having the look of what would be a gorgeous female with long braided hair and the other seemed to be a handsome man whose shoulder length hair was tied back. Other than these obvious features nothing more could be made out from the two as they circled the quaking nobles.
"Tell me my dear handsome gentlemen," cooed the female. "Were you not humiliated by the Royals and their newest pet?" She put emphasis on the word pet almost as if it were some private joke. At first neither nobleman spoke but it was clear the shadowed figures were getting impatient so Lorcán Tierney screwed up what little courage he had and answered.
"Yes, they humiliated us and degraded us by choosing that lowly servant boy over my far superior son. They went so far as to suggest imprisonment or worse and have forbidden us from their lands." The more he spoke the more his anger took hold of him the fear he had felt started evaporating. "Those worthless dogs do not know who they have insulted. I intend to have my revenge upon them." It was quite strange for though feelings were his Lorcán felt as if they were being enhanced somehow. Now more so than even when the events took place his anger and hatred boiled, consuming his mind and leaving nothing but a burning passion to destroy those who were at fault.
The shadowed man walked over to Donovan placing his hands upon the boy's shoulders, "and what about you. You were to wed the fair Princess whose beauty is matched by none. You are quite handsome yourself and far more intelligent yet she didn't want you, never wanted you." Donovan began to quake as the words sunk in, feeling as his father had felt that the anger was far more acute now. "That bitch! How could she not want me! I am far more than that ugsome peon of a plebian could ever dream to be. That strumpet of a woman and her ridiculously idiotic father likely only want the boy because he is merely a puppet. If the rumors are true she has already forced him and many others to her bed but she would hardly spare me the time of day. I am the one who deserves that title not her or her new little consort. What right have they to take that from me?"
The shadow twins giggled as the two drowned in their rage almost past the point of knowing anything. It would not be long now. "We can help you to seek your revenge for we too desire their downfall. All you must do is agree to give us what we want, and revenge shall be yours."
"YES," screamed out Donovan first "anything you want from me it is yours I just wish to see them suffer." Lorcán was quick to follow his son in agreeing to give the figures their desires. Neither asked what it was they wanted they were to consumed by the burning pits of wrath within their hearts to think of the consequences.
"Then we shall peer into your very souls to make sure they are adequate to our needs. Within seconds both men felt a clenching in their very beings as if something were being forced from them and the twins continued to laugh. "Oh dear, you two certainly have committed the vilest of acts, haven't you! Quite delightful indeed. Murder, torture, rape, theft, and so much more; your souls are stained by the blood of those whom you have acted against. There is nary a trace of purity left; your souls are indeed perfect for our needs, thank you for being so kind as to offer them."
A dark light surrounded the two men though by now they took no notice of it but even in the haze of their fury they felt the pain of having their souls ripped from them and both screamed into the night. When the deep fog lifted the Tierney's were the only ones still standing but their eyes were vacant and unseeing. There was no life in them any longer. Had they still been able to comprehend what was around them, they would have fainted at the carnage. The bodies of their guards were splayed about the encampment mutilated past recognition. Despite the many wounds and missing limps there was little blood to be seen and none dripped from the waxen looking bodies. As it was the two men took no notice of this and simply walked forward to a portal that had appeared, disappearing into its depths.
Months passed and much had changed. The Tierney's slaughtered men and decimated camp were discovered and though there was little to go on. The report of how little blood was found and the disappearance of limbs and the Tierney's made Impa and Clovis uneasy. A letter was sent to the estate explaining what was found and what they knew had happened, but nothing was heard back. It surprised none as Lady Voirrey was well known for having been bitter about marrying her husband and when he was away often took the company of other noblemen. Since little more could be done and few really wanted to do much for it, this event was all but forgotten by many within the castle.
The King had made the proclamation and presentation of his daughter's new fiancé and all the gifts from the ball had been sent back. A new date had yet to be set though as they were trying to push the time out as far as possible to give Link time to catch up. For his part Link had accepted this unexpected turn in his life with grace and never once complained about the work, though he did argue if he felt things were being taken too far in extravagances.
Despite his protests he had been moved to a much larger suite with far finer furnishings. More clothing had been ordered and now he was expected to know which outfit to where during certain times of the day. Etiquette, table manners verses manners during meetings, how to walk, talk and any other number of things were now on his list to learn. He also was learning the history of the country, economics, Hylian both modern and ancient, diplomacy, and other more practical subjects needed for a ruler.
Then there were the training sessions with Impa, time he needed to spend with the Princess, time with the Royal Family, and there always seemed to be one more person that needed his attention. Many of the servants could now barely look him in the eye afraid that they would be let go for the rumors they had spread about him. Impa and Zelda watched as Link bore all of the new requirements and excelled in most of them. His tutors had nothing but praise for how fast he learned and they were sure he would soon catch up with the Princess. The only areas Link seemed to have trouble with were speaking forcibly on any opinion or just speaking in general, disagreeing, or holding eye contact. It had been so ingrained into him that he was lesser it was almost a reflex action now.
Link even somehow managed to find time to clean his own quarters and attend to his herb garden. They had tried to tell him it was no longer becoming of him to clean and the garden he should direct the gardeners on how he wanted it done but thus far they had yet to stop him. Part of the problem lay in that he was as quick and silent as ever and seemed to get by on little sleep. Zelda and Impa hoped that they could get some of his slave training out of him but thus far he showed no signs of stopping. Zelda smiled as she thought of Mr. Stitches words of advice on this when they had visited last to take new measurements.
"Zelda dear there are two old sayings that come to mind and both say much the same thing. The first is, you can take the warrior out of the battle but you can't take the warrior out of the man. The second is that, you can change a tiger's stripes to spots but a tiger still he'll be. That boy was a slave for years and no matter where you put him or what clothes you dress him in on the inside he's still a slave. He ain't gonna change in a couple months and even when he's as old as me he'll likely have some remnants of the time. Best you can do is be there for him and show him there is another way. He'll cotton on soon enough; he's a smart lad and a lucky one too."
Zelda knew he was right and so she tried her best to help him and be understanding. As well as give him breaks from the immense load he was bearing. For that reason she now had freed him of his afternoon and was walking along side of him on the same path she had walked with Donovan just before the ball. She thought of how different everything seemed from the time she had first laid eyes on the boy, no man, beside her.
Then she had barely noticed him and had been appalled by his grimy appearance and smell. The fact that he was a 'gift' from a man she hated had not helped. She nearly snorted at that thought and Link looked at her curiously as he could somehow tell what she had barely reigned in. She decided to tell him to try and draw him into conversation as he still spoke little. "I was just thinking about the first time I saw you and that you were to be a 'gift' to me. Truly Donovan Tierney could have given me no better gift than for a way out of marrying him. I probably should have thanked him."
There was a hint of humor in Link's eyes at her words and Zelda again had to refrain herself, this time from rolling her eyes. She was well known for keeping a stoic expression but Link had the technique mastered. She wondered if people got annoyed by her when she acted aloof because she certainly found it annoying when it was done to her. They reached the koi pond and settled down to watch the beautiful fish for a moment before Zelda spoke again. "Tell me are you doing well? I know you have had much thrust upon you and are in a world you only served to before. I do not wish for you to become overwhelmed and fall ill or turn resentful."
He was quiet for a while but Zelda knew by now to give him time as he often tried to weigh his words carefully. "Your Highness, I am having no trouble with the work but I worry for you and your parents. Are you sure you want me? I am aware of what the Queen said but I cannot help but notice how inadequate I am for this. I know nothing of debating a law or arguing over taxes. I am merely a servant whose life is to serve others not to be served. I feel that there must be others far more suited to this than I."
Zelda carefully thought out his words before replying for it was no shock that he felt he was not worthy of the job, he hardly felt worthy to sleep in a bed now. Zelda wished she knew what to say but for being the supposed bearer of Wisdom she found she had none to give so she said what she felt. "Link, I do not know how to make you see that you are indeed right for this but ever since I saw you I have felt a connection between us. I was unaware of it at first but over time it has grown and now I am sure that there is no one better for me or for Hyrule. I wish I knew what to say but I might know of someone who can help you see the truth of my words. Impa has wanted to go back to her home village for some time now. She wished for both of us to go with her so we might meet her mentor Anjean. At the very least it would give us a slight break and at best you might be able to find the person I know you are meant to be. Impa also believes she may be able to help me find out why I have yet to awaken the Triforce piece within me. I will talk to both Impa and Father to see if we may go soon now that winter is passing."
PS A/N: This is a verbatim quote from dictionary dot com the first part is why I chose this last name for Link and his family, enjoy the random trivia. Oh, and by the way Link's father's name, Elrohir, means Elf-knight.
"Celadon – The word celadon (for this lovely shade of greenish gray) comes from the name of character in the 1610 book "L'Astrèe" by Honore d'Urfe. The character Celadon was a sentimental lover who wore green clothes. Celadon Chinese, Korean, Siamese, and Japanese stoneware decorated with glazes the colour range of which includes greens of various shades, olive, blue, and gray. The colours are the result of a wash of slip (liquefied clay) containing a high proportion of iron that is applied to the body before glazing. The iron interacts with the glaze during the firing and colours it. Celadons were prized in Eastern cultures long before their comparatively late introduction to the West. A wide demand led to their export to India, Persia, and Egypt in the Tang dynasty (618–907) and to most of Asia in the Song (960–1279) and Ming (1368–1644) dynasties. The ware was popular because of its beauty, because of a superstition that a celadon dish would break or change colour if poisoned food were put into it, and because, to the Chinese, it resembled jade. Yue ware, first made in the Han dynasty (206 BC – AD 220), is the earliest celadon."