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Xxx 26 xxX
He staggered through the howling winds of the Desert Colossus, shielding his face from the swirling, violent gusts of sand. His strength seemed to leave him with every step, but somehow he managed to reach the Spirit Temple. The storm faded to a distant moan beyond its massive entranceway, and the dimly lit antechamber lay quiet and still.
With slow, heavy steps he ascended a stairway and dragged himself into a dark corridor. There he paused to rest against the wall, his face contorted with pain as he fought to catch his breath. Allowing himself only a moment, he pressed on toward a glowing doorway at the far end of the corridor.
By sheer willpower he managed to reach his destination, clutching the doorframe as he struggled to stay on his feet. The room's sole occupant—a woman with dark skin and bright red hair—whipped about to face him, her blade flashing in the candlelight. Immediately she dropped her attack, her eyes wide with horror as she recognized her intruder. Slowly he lifted his head, exposing the black tendrils which marred his trembling hands and anguished face.
"Na-booru…"
Her sword clattered to the floor as she flew to him, catching him as he fell to his knees.
"Link? Link!"
Her frantic voice echoed into obscurity as darkness claimed the scene, lifting seconds later to reveal another…
...He lay at the center of a darkened chamber with his wrists and ankles bound, thrashing wildly as powerful magic consumed him like multicolored flames. The Seven Sages formed a ring about him, enduring his agonized screams as they focused their power upon him…
.
I woke with a gasp, too panicked to notice I was shackled and gagged. My chains clanged against the stone wall as I fought to break away, quieting only when I succumbed to bitter, muffled sobs.
It's killing him… It's killing him…
I left him to his death…
The sound of approaching footsteps left me little time to wallow, and within seconds I heard the rattling of keys. Torchlight flooded my cell, forcing me to look away as rough hands removed my shackles.
Away, I have to get away… I must find him!
The shackles fell from my wrists—and something snapped within me.
With a muffled cry I attacked the guard, thrusting him against the far wall with magic. Then I tore the gag from my mouth and ran out of the cell, flinging spells at every guard who dared to stand in my way. They hit the walls and crumbled to the floor, helpless against my power.
Down the corridor I flew, passing rows of cells until I spied the dungeon exit. In my mind I formed a plan, a destination beyond the castle walls.
If I reach the Temple of Time I could contact the Sages… find out where Link is… Someone could teleport to me…
Determination fueled my strength as I left the dungeon and fled through the castle. The corridors stood dark and empty, but the guards clattered behind me in pursuit.
Then a sudden wave of dizziness swept through me, followed by a jolt of panic. My shaking legs failed to obey my will, and I felt myself slow down.
No! Not now, please! Please!
My vision swerved, and despair set in as I struggled to keep moving.
"Subdue her!" a guard shouted behind me.
Seconds later someone snatched my arm, and I cried out as he forced my hands behind my back.
"No!" I screamed, fighting to break away. "Let me go!"
Tears stung my eyes as I stumbled, and exhaustion set in like a dead weight.
"No," I croaked, still resisting as the guard forced me to my knees. "No…"
Then a cloth covered my mouth, and the world went black.
.
A splash of cold water jarred me awake.
I cried out in shock, my flight still fresh in my mind, and immediately tried to defend myself—only to find my hands were shackled. I sat in a dark, windowless room, furnished only with a plain table and two chairs, all of which had been thrust into the far corner. Metal hooks and chains hung from the walls, illuminated by a single torch near the door.
An interrogation room.
Four guards occupied the small space, but my attention immediately settled on the man standing before me.
"Good evening, Zelda," Ashton's low voice broke the silence. His expression seemed unusually sinister in the torchlight.
"If you think you can force me to talk," I said, inwardly cringing at my weak tone of voice, "you're wasting your breath. I'll die before I help you hurt him."
"Now, Zelda, let's not be dramatic," Ashton sighed. "You are not here to talk. You are here to be punished."
"Then get on with it," I seethed. "Beat me until your arms tire. Every bruise will be my weapon against you."
He gave no sign of annoyance. Rather, his cold, unflinching gaze bore into mine so intensely that I almost looked away.
"My dear Zelda," he purred, "you know I could never lay a hand on you. Nor could I allow my guards to cause you harm. Your punishment will be... indirect."
I hid my confusion, watching nervously as he turned to address the guard closest to the door.
"Bring her in."
The guard pounded his fist against the door, and immediately it swung open. My nerves shot to horror as another prisoner was shoved inside.
"Heather!" I cried, struggling against my chains. "Let her go! She had nothing to—"
"Silence!" Ashton shouted, fixing me with a glare. Reluctantly I complied.
"When you first fled the castle," he told me, regaining his calm demeanor, "I told you that any reckless, rebellious behavior would result in the suffering of others."
I stared at him, struggling to recall that conversation.
"This is the third time you have deceived me," he went on. "It would seem my words have failed to communicate the gravity of your actions, and so I've been forced to give a demonstration."
He nodded to the guard behind me, who, to my horror, removed a whip from its hook on the wall—an item long unused in my dungeon.
"No!" I cried. "Have you lost your mind? She's an innocent girl!"
"I'm not entirely convinced of that," Ashton replied. "But her guilt is irrelevant. Tonight she will suffer the punishment you have earned."
"What are you saying? Ashton, this is barbaric!"
He barely heard me.
"Six lashes," he told the guard. "Two for each time she deceived me."
The guard advanced toward a now terrified Heather.
"Turn around," he told her.
Slowly, rigidly she obeyed, her wide, hazel eyes finding mine. In them I saw the depths of her fear.
"Heather," I whispered, struggling to find my voice.
"On your knees."
She sank toward the floor, her trembling hands pressed against the stone. She seemed dazed, lost in the nightmare.
"Stop this!" I cried, summoning my magic until my fingertips glowed. "I won't allow it!"
Ashton stopped me with a finger. "Make one move," he warned, his eyes narrowing to emerald slits, "summon one little spark, and I will double her sentence."
I hesitated, then slowly, painfully relinquished my magic.
"Heather," I choked. "I'm so sorry—"
"Enough," Ashton cut me off. "Not another sound."
I forced myself into silence, regarding him with hateful eyes. Unfazed, he turned back to the guard.
"Begin."
Time slowed as the guard raised his arm, then sped up when he cracked the whip. I forced myself to watch, starting when the leather struck her back. Heather cried out but quickly stifled the sound through clenched teeth.
One.
Again the whip cracked, and again she cried out, her anguished voice shaking with tears. Blood stained the torn material of her dress, spreading beneath her long, wavy hair.
Two.
Hot tears blurred my vision, streaming down my face as I fought the urge to look away.
Three.
Heather screamed every time, despite her efforts to keep silent. I swallowed my own cries, biting my tongue until I tasted blood.
Four.
I chanced a glance toward Ashton, disturbed to find him watching me with cold satisfaction. In that moment I realized, with more certainty than ever before:
This was not the Ashton I remembered.
He had always been arrogant, self-serving, even unfair, but never cruel. Something had truly changed in him… something evil.
Five.
Heather's forehead nearly touched the floor as she endured each blow. Her shuddering sobs filled my ears, twisting the knife in my heart.
Six.
"Stop!"
I struggled against my shackles, desperate to reach her, and Ashton ordered the guard to release me. Immediately I threw myself down before Heather, careful not to touch her back as I drew her close.
"You monster!" I cried. "She's an innocent girl!"
"It was you who brought this upon her," Ashton replied, his face lacking any trace of remorse. "Perhaps next time you will think twice before you defy me again.
"Guards," he then addressed the others. "Escort the queen to her chambers. We're finished here."
"My Lord, what of the girl?"
Ashton paused, casting Heather a disinterested glance.
"Let me care for her," I pleaded. "I won't say anything; just let me tend to her, please!"
He considered me a moment. "I will allow her to remain in your quarters, if you keep her quiet. Her life depends on your silence; do you understand?"
I gave a rigid nod, too frightened to risk a response.
"Have the queen cleaned up—thoroughly cleaned up—and brought to my office," Ashton ordered his guards. "You have one hour."
With that he turned and left the room, flicking his long red hair over his shoulder. I stared after him, too stunned to react.
Some form of evil had taken root in Ashton's soul, and I feared its influence grew stronger every day. But he seemed oblivious to his corruption, and he made no attempt to fight it. Rather, he invited it.
He embraced it.
xxxxxxx
"Have you no fairy water?"
I stood with my arms crossed, watching anxiously as my primary physician, Geoffrey Maddox, treated the wounds on Heather's back. The poor girl lay face down on my bed, unconscious.
The guards had forced her to walk all the way back to my chamber with a dark cloak about her shoulders—to hide the blood. Dawn was still hours away, so no one had seen us, but they took no chances. I had helped her the entire way, and despite the pain she managed to reach my bedroom without losing consciousness—and without making a sound. There I had guided her to my bed, where she lay without argument, weeping as I began to cut away her shredded dress and expose her wounds.
I lacked the proper tools to treat her, but thankfully Maddox had already been sent to my chamber, seemingly to check on me. Without knowing who his second patient would be, Maddox swore himself into secrecy before Felix allowed him to enter my chamber.
I could see Maddox was shaken by what had been done to Heather, but this had no effect on his work. Gently he instructed her to drink a vial of medicine, and with steady hands he began to clean her wounds. She lost consciousness before he even began to apply the salve.
"I used the last of my fairy water stock months ago on the wounded soldiers," Maddox told me, "and Lady Renae tells me a fairy hasn't been sighted in weeks. I can't say I'm surprised. The land itself seems to wither beneath that tyrant."
I crossed the room to my vanity, opening a drawer to retrieve a small vial.
"Use this," I said, handing it to Maddox. "It's the last I have."
He studied the vial, then met my gaze with a grave expression. "Lady Zelda… I pity this poor girl as much as you do, but she will survive without this..."
"It isn't a question of survival," I told him. "Heather has done nothing but aid me and serve me, with more loyalty than those in my own court. I owe her a debt of gratitude, and now she has suffered a terrible punishment on my behalf. Giving her this water is the least I can do."
Maddox hesitated, then breathed a heavy sigh.
"I argue only because you are my priority," he said. "This water is reserved for you. I don't know when I might acquire more, and using it would place you at potential risk. Guarding your health is my highest duty."
"I understand, Maddox, and I appreciate your dedication. But it's a risk I am more than willing to take. Must I order you to do this?"
"I'm afraid you must, my Lady."
"Then I order you to use it, Maddox."
"As you wish."
With that, he uncorked the vial and carefully poured the water onto Heather's back, ensuring he did not waste a single drop. He did not touch the liquid but allowed Heather's torn skin to absorb every droplet directly.
"As you know, this will only minimize her scars," he told me. "But it will certainly help; none but the fairies themselves could do better."
I nodded, realizing then how fortunate I was to count Maddox among my few allies still left in the castle. But he was a gentle, grandfatherly man, slender and frail in his old age, and I feared for his safety. How long could he manage to walk the narrow line between loyalty to me and obedience to Ashton? And what would become of him once I left the castle?
Corking the empty vial, Maddox then placed thin sheets of red ice atop Heather's bandages and covered them with another layer of cloth.
"That should do it," he murmured. "Her bandages will have to be changed at least twice a day—maybe more. I don't suppose l can arrange for a healer to treat her between my visits."
I shook my head. "I will tend to her myself."
Maddox nodded, and I felt his probing gaze pass over me. "Is there anything more I can do for you, my Lady?"
"No, thank you. I'm sure Felix will return any moment now."
Maddox began to pack away his supplies while I sank into the chair at Heather's side. Gently I swept a lock of hair away from her sleeping face, noting her pained expression with a tug of remorse.
I should not have come back.
In a moment of panic I had surrendered myself to save Link's life, but I could not help but wonder… Have a I made a terrible mistake? Should I have tried to teleport, as Link had wanted?
Mistake or not, I had made my choice. All I could do was find a way out of it, a way back to Link… but I could not leave Heather behind.
Knock knock.
A harsh voice drifted from the drawing room, ordering Maddox to leave. Fearing he might wake Heather, I quickly left the bedroom and closed the door. Felix turned to appraise me, his green eyes registering my combed hair and clean change of clothes.
"You will come with us," he said coldly. "Now."
Without waiting for my consent, two guards seized my arms and forced me out of my chamber. I resisted as they dragged me through the dark and empty halls, but their iron grips held fast until we arrived at Ashton's study.
Inside he sat behind his desk, dressed in the black and blood red of Vandelian royalty and regarding me with a stern expression. The guards silently left the room, but I remained standing near the door.
"Come, Zelda," Ashton greeted me with feigned courtesy, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Have a seat."
Reluctantly I came forward and sank into the chair, noticing some paperwork lay beneath his folded hands.
"My dear Zelda," he sighed, "whatever shall I do with you? I must admit I tire of keeping you locked in the dungeon, especially when it interferes with our wedding plans. The people crave a joyous occasion, and I plan give them a celebration unlike any other.
"Of course," he added, leaning forward in his chair, "it is rather difficult to plan a wedding without the bride's participation. So I have decided to pardon you and start anew. I believe you have finally learned the consequences of your actions, and I would like to proceed on good faith."
I stared at him, knowing his decision had little to do with good faith.
"Before I can do that, however, there are some... legal entanglements I would like to avoid. Nothing will stand in our way if all goes according to plan, but I take precautions whenever I can. That includes," he murmured, his voice darkening, "the annulment of your current marriage."
He pushed the paperwork toward me, and with a pounding heart I skimmed the cold, formal script, down to the final declaration:
I, Zelda Ariadne Harkinian, Queen of Hyrule, hereby consent to the annulment of my marriage to Link Harkinian, Prince Consort of Hyrule.
An unbidden chill crept down my spine. There it was: the very thing Link had always feared, the very thing I vowed would never come between us.
"Sign this, Zelda," Ashton said, "and I will restore your authority within the castle. You will no longer be a prisoner here, and you will be treated as my wife should be."
I lifted my gaze to his, masking my unease.
"And why should a widow like myself have to sign an annulment?" I said dryly.
He gave me a humorless smile. "I said it was a precaution; didn't I? Just in case that peasant chooses to abandon his secrecy."
"And what makes you think I won't reveal him?"
"Oh, I know you won't," Ashton smirked. "You see, I think he's afraid to reveal himself, knowing what's become of him. And as long as that fear keeps him silent, you won't say a word either."
I studied him a long moment, refusing to show the slightest sign of weakness.
"Really, Ashton," I then said, pushing the paperwork away with distaste, "I thought you knew me better than this."
Ashton frowned. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"I know what you're trying to do. When Link is revealed, by his word or not, you plan to use this annulment against me. You would lead my people to believe I committed one of two despicable acts—the first being that I still support Link but failed to uphold the sanctity of our marriage. Or you would have them believe that, by some stroke of madness, I've accepted your lies and agreed to be your wife—"
Ashton smacked his hand on the table to silence me.
"This is not a debate," he hissed. "If you refuse to sign, you will return to your cell and remain my prisoner until you come to your senses—or until I truly eliminate the need for this annulment entirely."
"I think you're bluffing," I replied, unfazed by his temper. "Your sudden willingness to pardon me while Link remains at large tells me you cannot afford to keep me locked away. Am I correct to assume your dwindling reputation now depends on me being seen at your side?"
"You're a fool if you think you have any grounds to negotiate," Ashton growled. "I am offering a compromise that could benefit us both. If a long prison sentence isn't enough to deter you, then consider your precious servant girl. I cannot guarantee she will receive the care she needs in your absence."
"Careful, Ashton. Heather is one of the few reasons I choose to remain here. If you do anything more to her, you will find yourself without a bride. I've vanished more than once, and I can do it again."
I paused to hold his gaze, wordlessly daring him to challenge me, but he seemed too infuriated to speak.
"It comes to this, Ashton: You can make all the wedding plans you like, dress me in all the gowns you like, but I will starve in my own dungeon before I break my vows to Link. My strings are taut enough. You pull any harder, and they will snap."
"Enough of your damned riddles," Ashton hissed. "You may think this a victory on your part, but it changes nothing. Whether by his own destruction or by my sword, your husband will die. In the meantime, our wedding preparations will proceed as planned, and you will perform as expected. I think you know your own reputation depends on it."
I fell silent, knowing he spoke the truth. Between serving time in the dungeon and vanishing from the castle, I had roused a great deal of unfavorable talk among the nobles. Until I found a way to leave the castle with Heather, I had to consider my own reputation.
"It would seem we've reached an impasse," Ashton muttered. "I think I've had enough bickering for one night. Guards!"
Immediately the door opened, and I heard Felix cross the room to stand behind my chair.
"Have her Majesty escorted back to her room," Ashton told him. "See that she remains there until I say otherwise."
"Yes, my Lord," Felix said, pulling me up from my chair and dragging me toward the door.
"Oh, and Zelda?"
Felix paused as I turned back toward Ashton, regarding him with a frown.
"If that bastard does choose to reveal himself," Ashton told me, his eyes boring into mine. "I'll put a price on his head so high that his closest follower would deliver him to me."
A rush of fear swept through me, but Felix thrust me out into the hall before I could manage a reply.
The way back to my chamber seemed painfully long. My head spun with everything that had transpired that night, and my body ached to rest. With every step I felt myself grow more nauseated, and I might have collapsed if not for the guards' iron grips on my arms.
Finally we reached my chamber, and roughly the guards shoved me inside. I stumbled and caught the back of a chair, not bothering to turn around.
"You will remain here until Lord Ashton permits you to leave," Felix reminded me.
Silently I waited for him to go, staring down at the upholstery as I fought another wave of nausea. Then the doors slammed shut, and I ran for the bathroom, reaching it just in time to retch.
My breath escaped in quick, short pants as I slowly I sank to floor, and my body trembled beneath a cold layer of sweat.
What is this? I've dealt with this since my imprisonment… Could Ashton be doing this? Drugging me to weaken my resolve?
I closed my eyes and drew several deep, calming breaths, relieved to find I could do so without feeling sick.
Nausea, fatigue, soreness… I gave a short, bitter laugh, sweeping wisps of damp hair out of my eyes. If I didn't know better, I say it was—
Then I paused, opening my eyes as realization struck—hard.
Wait.
My heart hammered against my chest as I thought back to the night Link and I shared in Gerudo Valley. Nearly two months had passed since then…
And I'm late. Again.
My hand flew to my mouth, muffling something between a laugh and a sob. Is it possible…?
We had been given one night together, one night in nearly four months of separation, and that had been enough. After two years of trying and failing, one night had been enough.
I pressed a gentle hand to my abdomen while the other still covered my mouth, muffling the shaky breaths that seeped between my fingers.
A baby, the word filled my head like a melody I had long desired to hear. It must be… It would explain everything…
My thoughts dissolved into a rush of sobs, pouring out of me in a moment of pure, uninhibited joy.