Chapter 15: The Favor

Mid-day June 20th, 611 GK, The War of Imprisonment, Day 704

Laketown, Lake Hylia

The morning of her sixteenth birthday, Princess Zelda was awakened by Impa softly calling from outside of her door, "Your grace? Your grace? It's time to get up! I have a small gift for you out here!" A thrill of youthful delight rippled up through the girl as she quickly yawned – stretching her arms and back – and scampered (in her night-dress) to the chamber door - throwing it open.

In the center of the throne room stood her matron beside a wooden mannequin; bearing a wondrously beautiful white and blue silk dress. The guards and servants had been dismissed to the corridor, so the young sovereign immediately pulled the new gown over her head and twirled before the mirror Impa had brought out from her own room.

"Oh, you look magnificent, your grace! Just as I knew you would!" The sheikah marveled, smiling brightly at her adopted child. Zelda beamed up at her. It was so wonderful to receive a gift like this – it reminded her of joyful times when she was a little girl and her mother and father were still alive. "What will we do first?" she asked eagerly, glancing back at the mirror and admiring her new dress. "We have a full day planned, your grace, but I am certain you will love it!" answered her matron with another happy smile.

Link had risen several hours earlier. A sharp kick against the frame of his small bed jolted him awake. His vision was still blurred, but he could hear the grunt of the twilight guard, "Hey… get up. Its time." "Yeah… yeah, thanks." He mumbled in reply and groped his hands over his lamp-table, searching for a spare match.

After bathing and dressing in his under-clothes, the young soldier set about polishing his armor and his sword. This was a special command from Alfon – the Princess' Bodyguard had to look immaculate, especially on a day when she would be 'amongst the people.' So, he had asked the night guards to wake him early – to give himself time to clean and polish his gear.

As dawn began to climb in the East, the squire hurried to don all of his gear and rush across the still sleepy town, to Telma's. The day before, his master had remarked (with a sour frown) that Link's hair was becoming much too long and 'too shaggy' for a respectable knight-in-training. Lord Alfon owned a pair of scissors and had cut the boy's hair himself several times. But he was not known for having a delicate hand – nor a keen eye for a handsome cut. Telma on the other hand, specialized in carefully trimming and shaping the hair of both Hylian men and women (even off-duty soldiers) in the mornings before her tavern opened.

The teen managed to reach her front step before anyone else had arrived, and the tavern-matron set him down upon a stool beside the stable and covered his shoulders with an old table cloth. Her hands were quick, but graceful – carefully separating, arranging, and re-laying his hair as it was needed and swiftly clipping away the excess length and frayed ends. Where his master would be silent – except for the occasional grunt for Link to remain still – Telma insisted on talking to all of her captives while she trimmed their hair. "Oh, you're so lucky! Such beautifully golden hair… and it's so soft and thick! You're never going bald honey!" she kept remarking. "Telma… please." Groaned the boy, flushing with embarrassment.

With only a few minutes to spare, the boy dashed into the temple – shaking the last few trimmings from his brow – and stopping before the throne room door.

The entire day had been carefully planned by Impa. In the morning, the Princess set out for the center of the town – guarded by her matron, Link, and several of the temple soldiers. She would receive the praises of the people for a few moments, before leading a ceremony of thanksgiving to the Goddess Hylia and praying for her continued protection and guidance (as well as a very earnest prayer for the restoration of the gardens beside the lake.)

The mid-day was taken by several tours of the town's workshops – even though most had been shuddered for lack of supplies during the winter. Finally, a festival-like dinner was prepared and her highness ate alongside her subjects. The portions were still quite small, but great efforts had been taken to retrieve as many fish, fruits, and vegetables as possible from the lake and forest – to make a good showing.

Throughout it all, no one spoke to Link. His feet were sore from the constant standing or walking and he began to sweat heavily under the summer sun with all of his equipment. Zelda however, didn't seem to be touched by the activity nor the heat. She continued to smile brightly and greet every Hylian that approached her. She even seemed to take a genuine interest in whatever her minister was showing to her.

Once dinner was concluded, fresh linen cloths were laid over the tables and several sets of candles were lit - just as the sun was beginning to set. A small assortment of instruments was produced and a lively folk-tune began. The children and the young adults began to dance, as the elders sat and traded stories of better times with one another.

Though the boy could hardly believe his own eyes, he watched as Telma managed to pull Lord Alfon to his feet and coax him into dancing with her for a few minutes. Not long after, a very polished and neatly-groomed Corin approached Minister Impa – on her high seat beside the princess. Clearing his throat first to get her attention, he dropped into a low bow and asked her for the honor of a dance.

Zelda giggled girlishly and covered her mouth and nose with both hands. The sheikah, however, was not amused and curled her lips into a disgusted sneer. "You… can't be serious." She groaned back at him in reply. Undeterred, the captain straightened his back, gave her a determined eye, and answered, "A warrior is always serious, my lady." Before extending his hand to her. The regent leaned backward away from him and mocked, "What does that have to do with you?"

Nearly all of those gathered were paying attention to the music and the other couples who were dancing, but those who sat nearest to the princess now turned to regard Impa with looks of disgust. True, Corin was older and less handsome than some of the other Army Captains, but his breastplate carried more battle scars and royal honors than any man here – except for Lord Alfon of course.

For a few shocked seconds, the old Captain hesitated before withdrawing his hand. Fortunately, the princess quickly threw her handkerchief into Impa's face and stood up. "I would be honored to dance with you, kind sir." She declared, lifting her skirt slightly and giving him a light curtsey.

A hushed gasp and rapid murmur of whispers rolled through the crowd as Impa threw down the handkerchief and Corin's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Oh… I… um… That's very gracious of you, your highness," he answered with another bow, "but… this old fool is unworthy of such an honor. If you'll pardon me." he finished, before quickly turning away and disappearing into the crowd.

Stunned at his refusal, Zelda angrily smacked her hand against her warden's shoulder. "I have asked you several times to be kinder to him, Impa!" she growled, dropping back into her seat. The regent snorted in disgust, and grumbled, "Damn fool." In response.

The two continued to bicker quietly, so Link turned his attention back to the Hylians celebrating nearby. For a few minutes, it really did feel as though the war were far away. The people were smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves – the first time in many months. But as the evening wore on, he began to notice the small symptoms of their conflict bleeding through. Many of the talking elders had fallen asleep and the younger folk – who were dancing – began to stumble and painfully wince at their frail limbs. Soon, the mass of people fell into a dejected sort of rocking back and forth, clapping their hands to the weak music. "It's all a show," he thought bitterly to himself, "They are starving and frightened, and it's all a show… for her."

The minister too began to notice the weakening people, and calmly urged the princess to 'conclude the evening, with the final item.' Zelda, eager to move onto something much happier than her argument with Impa, quickly smiled, rose, and raised her hands for silence. Link had expected her to thank everyone for celebrating her birthday and then send them away, but the princess began to make a small announcement, "Today is a happy day for me, not only because it is my birthday, but because we have had the pleasure of welcoming a dear friend into our family!"

The squire turned and looked curiously up at her – who in the world had she 'added to her family?' He wasn't aware of any royal changes. After a light applause from the people, she continued, "By tradition, the princess presents the new royal guard with a favor" -here Zelda waved her embroidered, silk handkerchief, "However, with times being as they are, we felt that a more… martial gift was appropriate. Squire Link, if you please." She finished, gesturing to the ground in front of her.

The boy's face flushed and his ears turned a deep red. No one had warned him of this little 'ceremony' and he hated the idea of his new responsibility being paraded before the people. But a stern eye from his master forced him onto his feet and he stepped over to meet the princess. "Kneel, honorable guardian." She commanded, smiling brightly at him. It was nearly unbearable for him; being forced to come and kneel at her call, after the charade that this day had been. But, kneeling down and bowing his head meant that he did not have to look at her and he knew in his gut that once this little act was done, the people would be sent away.

"In place of the lady's favor," she began, after a dramatic pause, "I grant you these pauldrons – marked with the seal of the royal house. May they keep you safe – just as you serve to protect me." As she spoke, Impa lifted a small bundle from beneath the table, and handed each steel plate to her. Awkwardly, Zelda struggled to affix them to the squire's mail armor, but after a few moments' effort, managed to lock them in place. "Now, stand and be recognized!" she cried, stepping back from him.

At once, the people cheered and clapped loudly – a few nearby soldiers even reaching out and patting Link on the back once he was back on his feet. But all of their joy and praise could do nothing against the clenched anger within his stomach. "You're not going to use me in your little games, princess." He thought to himself, as he turned and faced the people.

Forcing a little smile, he tried to acknowledge their praise gratefully and lifted a hand to wave. His eyes drifted over them, until he found Malon… and Captain Seb.

They were standing within the crowd, several paces away from him. She was leaning back against Seb's chest, while he wrapped his arms around her and clapped softly for Link. Malon was looking at the boy but… the old warmth and compassion wasn't there anymore. She was simply a Hylian clapping for a soldier.

The anguish… the utter ruin that he felt. He forgot everything about Zelda, behind him, and his mournful eyes stared at her pitifully. Without speaking, he tried to reach out to her – to show her how heartbroken he was. Maybe, if she could see how badly he needed her, she would turn away from Seb?

Just as the young soldier wondered this, the handsome captain bent down and gave Malon a little kiss behind her ear – forcing her to giggle and blush – then whispered something to her.

Just there – at that very moment – Link made the decision: he was going to kill Seb, no matter the consequences. As the fire of his hatred swelled and rolled over his heart, the princess' voice suddenly spoke out from behind him. "W-what are you doing?!" It was not a shout… but it was unusually loud for Zelda's speaking voice – and she sounded… fearful.

Terrified that she might have somehow read his mind, Link whirled around to find her staring at him – wide eyed and mouth hanging partly open. Lady Impa, Lord Alfon, and all of the other Hylians were looking at the two – mostly glaring at Link, wondering what he had done.

"P-princess?" he tried, genuinely fearing the look of horror coming over her face. "N-no! NO! HE'S JUST A BOY!" she suddenly screamed at him – reaching out a hand, as if to grab him. Link leapt backward away from her and shouted, "I haven't done anything!" But when he moved, her eyes did not follow him. She continued to stare directly ahead of herself, at nothing.

"NO! PLEASE!" she sobbed, falling to her knees and reaching out both hands to plead, "TAKE ME! TAKE ME! NOOOOOOOO!"

Impa and Alfon both dashed to her sides – the sheikah crying out for her to tell them what was wrong. But Zelda's eyes remained locked on the unseen phantom before her. Just as they gripped her upper arms and attempted to lift her up, the princess' hands suddenly shot back to her own face and the girl gave a blood-curdling scream.

A rapid and incoherent series of images flashed through Link's mind. He too now fell to his knees, grasping at his own forehead and groaning in pain. What was happening? What were they seeing? He did not understand it… but he knew that something terrible had just happened. Something… demonic.