Hullo again! Took some time to get this edited bc I caught the *ahem* c-word lmao. I love being forced to take so much sick leave ahaha. Anyway, enjoy Chapter 8 lol
Chapter 8
As if the goddess Hylia herself was weeping over the recent tragedies that had unfolded, the rain continued to pour down upon the kingdom of Hyrule. It flooded small streams, muddied the grassy plains, and soaked the earth with ceaseless tears. The lovely songbirds of Hyrule kingdom were nowhere to be seen nor heard. There was no joy in the air, and instead, it filled only with the sad and monotonous drone of falling rain.
The rain was both a blessing and a curse. It meant that fishing was an easy and reliable source of food for weary travellers. Unfortunately, it also made travellers more vulnerable to surprise attacks because the sound of rain covered the tracks of any clever bandit or hungry monster. It made for a difficult journey, even for a knighted champion of Hyrule.
For every corner they turned, there was always an enemy in their path. Even forests which had once been safe and free of monsters were riddled with evil. It seemed that the primitive creatures could sense the king was dead, and that the light shining upon Hyrule was beginning to fade. Evil began to flourish, and like a plague, it started to spread throughout the land.
But for Link, these were minor inconveniences. Cutting down a stray bokoblin or an angry moblin was child's play. None of it could compare to a fully-fledged fight upon a battlefield, or his recent battle with Naboris and the Yiga. It wasn't the exhaustion which hurt Link. It was the crippling weight of his duty. And with Zelda, now choosing silence in her grief, Link felt the weight of his responsibilities grow.
He'd already failed to protect the kingdom. He'd failed to keep the king alive. He had let his friends die. His understanding of the very concept of his duty had crumbled. Like a simple sheet of glass, it had shattered into a thousand pieces. All this time, it was a mere façade which he had hopelessly strived to maintain. And now that it was gone, Link felt lost. His body ached from the days of riding, while his sanity slowly faded away from lack of sleep. His thighs burned from the ride, his arms felt heavy, and his head was starting to throb with a headache. He was the hero of nothing.
And yet… It was the absence of his sense of duty which made his heart burn. He wanted to stay strong. He wanted to grit his teeth and bear the pain. He wanted to be strong – not because he gave a damn about appearances, but because he wanted to be strong for her. It had been duty which had kept him in denial. He hadn't wanted to accept the idea that he was important to the princess – it simply wasn't right. A princess and her appointed knight… Their relationship was a fine, precarious bridge that swung dangerously over the flames of scandal and dishonour. But right at that moment? It was the sole remaining bridge Zelda had left. Without him, she was alone. It was with this new understanding that Link felt the weight of his burdens increase ten-fold. It wasn't only the fate of Hyrule which weighed upon him.
He lifted his head just an inch, to look over at Zelda. She remained seated on her saddle, her back arched and her shoulders slumped with defeat. It had been three days since they left the destruction of Hyrule Castle Town behind, and for the entire duration since, Zelda hadn't spoken a word. Perhaps of all the people who had ever accompanied her, Link was someone who best understood the need to be silent. Even so, he had grown used to her lively chatter over the years. During their travels, during their meals, even during a short walk between her study and the library as she sought to find a book she'd forgotten. Zelda was a person who liked to think aloud, and when suddenly plunged into utter silence, Link never knew what might be wrong. Was she tired, or hungry? Should they stop to rest? He could only guess at her needs and pray that he was providing enough.
Sitting astride her loyal steed, Zelda's head hung low. Her cloak had long been soaked through, and even with the hood over her head, she could feel the rain beginning to soak into her hair as well. She wasn't sure how long they had been travelling on horseback. Plodding along the dirt roads, crossing the swelling streams, only to rest for a mere few hours at an inn if there was one. Other nights, they were forced to sleep in the forest. And even then, Link didn't sleep. He stood guard in silence, never allowing Zelda to go without protection. She wasn't sure it was worth his sacrifice. Her nights had been sleepless for the past few days, and it was no fault of his. He had to be exhausted by now.
She peered up from beneath her hood, taking the opportunity to glance at her surroundings. She realised she had no idea where she was. Given her current state of being, Link had tethered her horse to his and taken responsibility for navigation and leading the way. He could have been leading her to her demise and she would have never known. Even if she had the ability to ride her horse freely, she wouldn't have known where to go. Still, she took a look around at the foreign landscape. The hills were lush and tall, the rivers crisp and clear. The banks were steep and hilly, and for the past few hours, their ride had been mostly uphill. They'd just finished crossing a vast canyon, where a careless mistake would have sent both their horses down to the river below. It occurred to her that she wished to ask Link where they were going. But at the same time, she didn't really care. She didn't have the energy to speak, nor did she think their destination had any significance. Not anymore.
She dared to glance across the road, in Link's direction. The rope tying her steed to his was slack and swung gently with each step their horses took. When she followed it, her eyes eventually landed on Link's saddle. Unlike her, his hips and body moved in rhythm with his horse as he guided it along the road. Every now and then, he would tug lightly on his reins to adjust their path. He'd always been good with horses, she thought. He always knew how to bond with them, to help them trust him, and to have them obey his command.
Zelda's eyes trailed over Link's clothes. Like her, he was soaked to the bone. Water dripped from his leather boots, and though he wore a dark blue cloak to provide warmth, she had no doubt his clothes were already wet. Eventually, her eyes travelled to his face. His eyes were on the road ahead, and perhaps for the first time, he seemed to be focused only on riding his horse. Usually, he sat with a straight back, with eyes scoping the far horizon in search of danger. But today, his back was curved as he guided his horse up along the hilly road. Perhaps he knew there were no monsters here. Or perhaps he was simply exhausted, and about to fall unconscious from the lack of sleep.
Those blue eyes glanced at her. All of a sudden, Zelda felt flustered. He'd caught her staring at him, and even though she looked at away immediately, she could see from the corner of her eye that he nudged his horse closer to her.
"Majesty," he murmured. "Everything alright?"
His hand reached for the rope that tethered her horse to his. Tugging at it, he brought her steed closer to him. Dipping in search of her eyes, he struggled to get a clear view of her face.
"We're nearly there," Link told her softly. "We'll be able to dry off soon, I promise."
Zelda simply nodded. She didn't particularly care how much longer they had to ride. The rain may have stopped, but there wasn't sufficient sunshine to dry them off or warm them up. It didn't matter anyway, not when she didn't feel much of anything.
Link felt discouraged by her lack of response. He wished to fill the silence with something, anything, but he didn't know how. He didn't know how to tell a story, like his fellow Hylian captains. He never sang along with the soldiers, either. He nudged his horse forward and looked across at their surroundings. At the tall cliffs behind them, to the lake ahead of them. Clearing his throat, Link turned his eyes to his left.
"See the lake in the distance?" Link began tentatively. "That's Lake Jarrah."
Glancing back at Zelda, he noted her lack of response. Swallowing nervously, he looked back at the distant waters.
"Lake Jarrah," Link repeated to himself. "It was… It was where my father first took me fishing."
A small smile crossed his face at the memory. He remembered how his father had spent the entire morning teaching him to bait his line, how to be quiet, and how to be patient. Unsurprisingly, a small child had limited capacity to do any of those things. He never did catch anything that morning.
"I was terrible at it," Link murmured softly, reminiscing. "I just wasn't… I wasn't good at waiting."
It must have been a strange idea, Link thought. A silent knight, who refused to speak, but had no patience for fishing?
"I was better with a spear," he went on quietly. "You just had to be quiet… And fast."
He shook his head at the memory. His father was the one who made sure he could kill a fish, even if he couldn't cast bait and wait. It was a skill that had continued to prove valuable, especially on their journeys across the land.
"And that… Those are the old archery ranges," he said, pointing to the old buildings partially hidden in the trees. It wasn't anything nearly as fancy as what he had seen in the Hebra mountains, where the Rito warriors trained. Of course, it was mostly down to the fact that Link and his kind didn't have wings. But this was also a remote and isolated area. To have even just a few old targets, painted upon wooden boards, was already a luxury.
"Oh," Link breathed. He spotted the distant movement of life, somewhere within those trees. "I guess it's still in use."
He hadn't visited the old archery range in years. In fact, he hadn't returned to this side of the kingdom in a long time. Ever since he signed his name to the royal army, he'd had access to much better training grounds, and they were closer to where he was stationed. Still, he remembered his childhood days. Riding upon his little pony, attempting to shoot at targets while his father shouted instructions from the side. They were simpler days. He was shooting at unmoving planks of wood. When he struck his target, he'd be rewarded with a whoop or a cheer of encouragement. But now? His arrows struck living beings. He wasn't rewarded with anything except the burden of knowing he had taken a life.
Link sighed and leaned forward on his pommel. He simply didn't have the energy to sit with his back straight. He would rather conserve his energy in case he needed to fight. Turning his eyes back to the front, he scanned the small woods that they now approached. It was a small and quiet patch of trees, and hardly counted for a forest, but Link remembered the first time he ever passed through. The trees had been so tall. The bush had been so dense. For a small child, it was a frightening place to be. And now… Now, he saw the sparseness of the trees and their lack of height. Sitting astride a stallion with a legendary sword upon his back, even with a multitude of injuries that ached silently, Link didn't feel threatened in the least. If he listened closely enough, he heard civilisation beyond the woods. Further behind the canopy of the trees, there were trails of smoke from chimneys billowing into the skies.
Zelda's eyes were fixed on the back of Link's cloak. His attempt to fill the silence hadn't slipped her notice, and though she never responded, she had clung to each word he spoke. She wanted to hear more. She wanted to hear his voice. Except she didn't know how to voice such a desire.
The distant rustling of leaves made Zelda jerk. They were in a quiet, isolated stretch of road, hidden within the woods. Was it a monster? A bandit? Her eyes immediately went to Link. Except… His back remained curved, relaxed. His only response was to reach for his hood and pull it back, revealing his blond hair. His other hand lifted in what appeared to be a small wave.
"Hello."
His voice was so kind, so gentle. It took Zelda another few moments to realise what was happening. Half hidden in the bush, running about with a wooden sword, was a small child.
"H-Hello."
Link smiled at the small child. He didn't have the opportunity to say anything more before the child disappeared again, running off into the bushes. For a moment, Zelda didn't know whether she ought to say anything. What was there for her to say? Maybe it had simply been too long since she last saw a sweet, happy encounter with other human life. She couldn't comprehend life without monsters lurking at every corner, not anymore.
A few more minutes of silence passed before the woods began to clear. To Zelda's surprise, they were met with a small settlement. There were wooden gateway posts to mark the village's entrance, alongside a few worn signs that no longer bore any legible writing. Paddocks lay to the side, filled with thriving crops and tended to by a small handful of people. Children played at the side of the road, throwing sticks across circles that had been etched into the dirt. The village was a small and humble one, with buildings that were small and plain. From what Zelda could see, it was a farming village. The huts were made from basic construction materials, and the only metal she could see were the farming tools. Even the wheels on the carts were simple wood.
As they passed by, they began to attract attention. People looked up from their work in the fields, while children paused their games to gawk. All of a sudden, Zelda felt self-conscious. She was no stranger to being stared at, but it felt somehow different this time. Was it the clothes? The villagers wore plain, mostly undyed linens. Most of the children were barefoot. In contrast, both Zelda and Link wore expensive cloaks. Dyed a most regal navy blue, it had even been embroidered with fine coloured threads. Even Link's boots, which Zelda would have considered to be very ordinary, seemed highly refined in contrast to the villagers' straw sandals. Perhaps for the first time, Zelda came to appreciate the luxury and privilege she had been born into.
When she looked to Link, he didn't seem at all worried. Instead, he dismounted from his horse, and opted to walk. Taking his horse's reins, he tugged the stallion forward and checked to see Zelda's horse followed.
"It's Link!"
It was a young man's voice, calling across to them in the cool afternoon air. When Zelda looked to the person who had called, she saw a skinny figure clinging to the village flagpole. He looked too old to be a child, but not quite old enough to be a teenager. When Link raised a hand to wave, he grinned and leapt down from his vantage point.
"Link? He's back?!"
More voices began to fill the quiet village. Children came running to see who the new visitors were, and though the youngest ones were more cautious, the older ones seemed to know exactly who Link was. In fact, just about everyone seemed to know who he was. Once more, this wasn't exactly a new occurrence. Zelda was accustomed to her champion garnering attention at every town they visited. Except this time… They all called him by name. As the voices built to a small clamour, Zelda realised that not once, did she hear the usual titles. Nobody called him a champion, or a hero. She didn't hear the word saviour, either. All she heard was the sound of his name.
"Oh, Link…!"
This time, it was an elderly lady. She tottered over to Link, her hands extended as she welcomed the young man. Link stepped forward to greet her, a tired smile on his face.
"Madam Emea," he greeted. "It's been a while."
Emea reached out and pinched his cheeks with both hands. "Too long!" she scolded. "You and your adventures – you're taking the young men away from this village!"
Despite the disapproving tone of her voice, she pulled Link in for a warm hug. Behind them, the skinny young boy from the flagpole had made it the road.
"Link, Link! What a magnificent horse!" he exclaimed. "Granny Emea, please, you're suffocating him."
"Don't you granny me, young man!" she growled, waggling her finger at him. The boy only threw his head back with a laugh.
"Link's the only one who still calls you Madam, you know!" he taunted. Ducking away before Emea could slap at him, he scuttled over to Link's side. His eyes, bright and blue like the skies, shone excitedly.
"May I see your horse? I've never seen such a beautiful creature!"
"Stop badgering him, Mazi!" a female voice exclaimed. "I'm sure he just wants to bathe, and to sleep in his own bed!"
The boy, named Mazi, only turned to scowl at his older sister. She looked to be around the same age as Link, though Zelda couldn't quite be sure. She carried a basket of freshly dried laundry and was halfway up a dirt trail that was etched into the mountainside. Even so, she set the basket down and gathering her skirts, started to make her way back down.
"See! Look at you run," Mazi shouted. "You just want a piece of Link, don't you? I see the way you—"
"Mazi!" she screeched, going bright red. Bending down, she took off one shoe and threw it at her brother. "I'm going to kill you!"
"Children, children," Emea warned sternly. "Stop fighting. You'll give me a headache!"
She said something else in an attempt to soothe the bickering group, but Zelda didn't quite hear it. Her attention was focused on Link. She saw the way he greeted all the villagers by name. They all spoke to him excitedly, asking questions, demanding stories. She saw the admiration in their faces, and the excitement. She didn't think she had ever been approached in such a way, by anyone. Even her own friends, which were very far and few between, never spoke to her in such an excited and lively manner. They all feared offending her and invoking the wrath of the royal family.
She felt so alone. It was the same as watching her soldiers laugh and sing together. No, it was worse. She knew she didn't belong. Link had a past with these people, and they all wanted him for who he was. Nobody even cared that they were talking to an accomplished soldier. Nobody cared that he was a knighted champion. Rather, they treated him as long-lost family.
Where Zelda had just about lost all that was left of her family, Link had so much more. Was that all he would ever be? A painful reminder of what she could never have, and what she could never be?
"Link!"
It was a young girl this time, maybe around ten years old. She came running at such neck-breaking speed that Zelda thought she might trip and fall flat on her face. She had already lost one of her shoes, but that didn't seem to deter her. Just as Zelda thought the girl would run smack into Link, he bent down and lifted her off the ground. She felt a pang of pain as he spun her around in a peal of giggles. It only hurt more to see Link lift her into his chest and hug her tightly.
"Link, I missed you so much…!"
There was something about the way Link held the young girl so tenderly which caused Zelda such agony. The way his hands stroked over her blond hair, the way he whispered sweetly into her small ears. The way he smiled at her when he drew back. And even then, he didn't let her go. Instead, he shifted her weight to one hip and settled to carry her in his arms.
Zelda never thought it would be possible to envy a single person so much. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like, to be loved like that. To be loved so unconditionally.
It wasn't till Link took the reins of Zelda's horse in hand that she realised how close he had come. Those blue eyes of his, they looked up at Zelda now. She glanced at him, then at the girl he carried in his arms.
"This is Aryll," Link said softly. "My sister."
Zelda's mouth opened in a small and silent oh. She saw the resemblance now. Link glanced over to the little girl, giving her a small shake.
"Say hello, Aryll."
Aryll smiled shyly at Zelda. "Hello."
Link kissed her forehead before he bent and lowered her to the ground again with a soft groan. Grasping the reins of their horses, he led them further into the village. From atop her horse, Zelda saw the way the villagers gave her space. Now that she was nearby, the children didn't dare come as close anymore.
"And this is Hateno Village," Link went on. Giving Aryll a small nudge, he sent her on her way. Zelda saw the way she ran on ahead but waited at each corner for them to catch up.
"This is where I was born."
Suddenly, it all made sense. The way the villagers greeted them, the way they welcomed Link. Of course, nobody here would care what Link's title and rank was in Central Hyrule. And even if they did, it wasn't their only reason for loving him.
Zelda watched in silence as the villagers finally started to disperse. Link led them up a steep hill, past a small pond, and onto a narrow bridge.
"And this…"
Link drew to a stop before a small but lovely little cottage. There was a field of flowers next to the shed, along with an apple tree and a small pond. He paused to pet the horses, taking a moment to reward them for their hard work.
"This is my home."
Slowly, achingly, Zelda lifted her leg to dismount. She was stiff from the ride, and hated that she didn't dismount as gracefully as she would have liked. If Link noticed, he didn't comment.
Link brushed his fingers through her horse's mane, his eyes downcast as he seemingly busied himself with patting the steed.
"We're as far away as we could possibly be," he said very quietly. "We'll be safe here. Just for a little while."
He didn't know what else to say that might help reassure Zelda. He didn't want to admit that he simply didn't know where else they could go. That him choosing his hometown was a selfish choice. He ached from the past week's events, and though he would never admit it, he needed time to heal. They both did. At least here in Hateno Village, so far away from the central kingdom, there wouldn't be anyone who knew who or what Zelda was. Link wouldn't have to worry about security, nor did he have to worry about monsters.
"Well, boy, haven't you grown?"
A deep, booming voice called out to them, and though it was a voice of authority, Zelda didn't feel threatened. She didn't know a man's voice could be both powerful and so… warm.
Link smiled at the voice. Turning towards the house, he saw his father emerging from the front door. He held in his hand a cane, and though he walked with a crooked gait, he had the energy of an otherwise healthy man. He wasn't as old as the king, but he was certainly old enough for some grey hairs to start showing. When Link went to him, he dropped his cane to embrace his son.
Zelda found herself smiling faintly. She'd never known the warm embrace of a father who loved his child. But to see Link being held so tightly by his father? She felt a tinge of bittersweet happiness for him. He was loved, and by so many. It was quite possibly the nicest discovery she'd made in the last few months.
"And this…"
Link stepped back from his father's arms and bent to pick up the dropped cane. Passing it back to his old man, he gestured a hand at Zelda.
"This is Zelda."
The sound of her name took her by surprise. She thought he would introduce her by title. But he didn't, and the sound of her name, spoken so freely and casually, brought her a great deal more joy than she thought it ever would. She stepped forward, her hand raised in a small and awkward wave.
At the mention of her name, Zelda saw surprise cross the old man's face. Clearly, he recognised her name. And when he turned back to look at her, it was obvious he understood who and what she was. Zelda felt a breath catch in her throat. She didn't want to be treated like royalty. For once in her life, she didn't want anything to do with it. Was it too much to ask?
"Zelda," he uttered, smiling brightly at him. It was a smile so radiant, so warm, that Zelda felt it shine upon her face like a sun. He extended a hand, and though Zelda hesitated for a split second, she accepted his invitation and placed her hand in his. To her surprise, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, m'lady," he told her, lowering her hand and stepping back again. "My name is Banzetta, but you may call me Banz."
He swept his other arm and gestured his walking stick to his warm cottage. "Welcome to my humble home!"
Zelda blew out the breath she hadn't realised she was holding. She'd been nervous for absolutely no reason. She glanced over to Link, to check what his response had been. He seemed completely indifferent. If anything, he looked more relaxed. Exhausted, even. That rigid, knightly posture of his was nowhere to be seen. His sword was still slung over his shoulder, but his arms lay by his sides.
Out of the blue, the end of Banzetta's walking stick struck Link square in the chest. Zelda couldn't help but gasp, startled by it. Link grunted in response, but his expression of irritation made Zelda think he wasn't all that surprised by the assault.
"I can see why you get all giddy, talking about her," Banzetta remarked. "Very, very pretty." Link's hand shot out to snatch the walking stick, stopping it from poking him a second time.
"Father," Link uttered, his voice dark and lethal. "Don't."
Banzetta threw his head back and laughed loudly. He swung his cane back to his side and turned away from his son.
"Come, come!" he called. "You must be weary from your journey. Aryll! Bring us some fresh milk!"
Link waited till Banzetta was out of earshot before he whirled to face Zelda. There was a deeply remorseful and apologetic look on his face.
"High… Highness," he stuttered. "I'm so sorry. My father… He's…"
Zelda stepped towards her knight, her hand raised in a quiet and dismissive gesture. She shook her head, to show she wasn't offended. If nothing else… She liked him. It wasn't often that she had the opportunity to see Link so flustered, and for that, she couldn't possibly fault the man.
Link scratched his head awkwardly as he fumbled for something to say. Swallowing, he glanced around at their surroundings.
"I… I imagine you'll be quite weary," he said. He didn't say it aloud, but he knew Zelda hadn't been sleeping well at all the past few days.
"I'll have your bed prepared soon, but… Would you join us for something to eat?"
His voice dropped to a soft, tender whisper as he peered into her eyes, searching for clues. "Please? You haven't eaten much lately."
Slowly, Zelda nodded. She saw the way Link's mouth twitched with a half-smile of relief.
"But first… I'll find you some dry clothes. Um…"
He gave a jerk of his head, silently asking her to follow him. He hadn't ever thought he would bring Zelda to Hateno Village, much less his childhood home. He didn't know how to act. And all of a sudden, he felt anxious. Zelda was born of royalty. His home, though he had always found it quite comfortable, was in a poor state compared to the castle. They didn't have floorboards, nor any carpet. Their floors were mere dirt, washed out and replaced every summer. They slept in beds made of straw and feathers, and they all slept in the same room. Link had to wonder what he was thinking, to even consider it appropriate to bring Zelda to his home.
The touch of Zelda's hand, small but warm, surprised Link. He looked down at his hand, surprised to see her holding it of her own accord. And still, she said nothing. Her eyes were downcast, lost somewhere across the grass, but he felt the warmth of her palm in his. He swallowed his doubts and led her inside.
"It's… It's not much," Link mumbled, opening the front door for her. Still clinging to his hand, Zelda followed him inside. She looked around at the small cottage. It was certainly a different setting, with very simple furnishings made from wood. There was a dining table at the centre of the common area, where Aryll was busy handling a jug of milk. Behind her, Banzetta prepared food at a counter by the far wall. A glowing fire burned at the hearth, giving the room both light and warmth. Another small fire heated a pot of cooking food, and though Zelda had lost her appetite for days on end, she found the scent to be mildly inviting.
She looked to Link then, with a small shake of her head. It wasn't much, that was true. But it was so much more than she could ever ask for. It was something she didn't think she would ever come to know. It was a home.
The corner of Link's mouth twitched. He wasn't quite sure what Zelda's silence meant, but he took it that she didn't find it altogether too distasteful. Passing by the entrance, he led Zelda up the old wooden stairs and into the loft above. Judging from the beds, Zelda assumed it was where the family slept at night. There was a chest of drawers by the window, along with a dainty vase of fresh flowers. Leaving Zelda at the top of the stairs, Link went to the drawers.
Zelda looked around at the sleeping area, noting there were three beds. The largest was at the far side, while the other two were smaller and lined up alongside the edge of the loft. She noticed there was a sword hanging from above the master bed, and a fine one too. She would recognise a royal broadsword anywhere. It was a familiar design, forged from fine steel and decorated with a golden hilt. They were swords awarded to knights that had achieved remarkable feats, and she wasn't altogether surprised to see one in Link's house. She'd known his father had been a royal knight too, though he retired from service quite early. It was comforting to know she was being welcomed into a home of knights.
"Here."
The shy, bashful sound of Link's voice made her turn around. She saw that Link had removed his sodden cloak, along with his sword. He held out a folded set of clothes for her, his eyes downcast.
"Aryll's clothes will be too small for you," he said apologetically. "You'll have to wear mine for the time being… I'm sorry if the fabric is a bit itchy."
Reaching out, Zelda touched the folded linen with her fingertips. It wasn't anything luxurious like silk or velvet, but it was soft and dry to her touch. She took it from him with a grateful nod.
"I'll have your clothes laundered first thing tomorrow morning," Link promised. "And we'll buy some more too, so you have enough to stay warm."
The tender sound of Link's voice, and the flustered motion of his actions, caused a deep swelling of emotion inside Zelda's heart. She felt a sob rising in her throat, and when Link looked to her in a panic, she felt the floodgates threaten to break. She saw the concern in those blue eyes of his, fearful and worried. His hands cupped her cheeks tenderly as he searched her face in a hurry.
"Zelda?"
She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. The spare clothing fell from her shaking hands, and she reached out, desperately needing the comfort of another living being. His body was wet from the rain, but it was warm. He was alive. And when she sank into his embrace, she felt his arms curve around her so tightly, so securely. The tears finally began to flow. They rolled over her cheeks in great big droplets, dripping off her chin and soaking into Link's linen shirt. Each sob that arose in her throat shook her body, forced her to gasp. It was a raw, unrefined display of emotion that once upon a time, she would have been reprimanded for. But there was nobody left to scold her. She was alone in her world now, and not even Link's arms could protect her from the deep and painful sorrow of her loss.
Banzetta watched as his son descended the stairs to join them at the dining table. He saw from the way he walked that he was injured. Not quite badly enough for him to be in visible pain, but it hindered his movements just enough. When he reached the table and finally sat down, Banzetta took the opportunity to examine Link's face. The last time he saw his son, he had been a young boy struggling to fulfil his role as the princess's appointed knight. His worries centred over how he ought to behave in front of the princess, how to conduct himself in a castle full of aristocrats, and how to carry out his duties without intruding on the princess's desire to be independent. But tonight, he had the look of a young man who had lived through unspeakable horrors. The dark circles under his eyes told of many sleepless nights, while the grim expression on his face suggested he was barely keeping it together.
Setting his pot of rice on the table, Banzetta gestured for Aryll to serve it. He leaned into the table and sat down in his usual seat, eyes on Link. The knight sat in silence, his blue eyes focused on something on the dining table. He only moved when Aryll handed him his plate of food, and even then, his only response was to set it in front of him. He didn't eat.
"Not hungry?"
Banzetta gestured at Link's plate. It was filled with rice and grilled meat, alongside baked vegetables. It was a hearty meal, cooked from all the fresh crops they harvested from their fields. Hateno Village may not have been a wealthy town, but food was always in abundance. Link had grown up with a mother who loved to cook, and with the surrounding farmlands, good food had never been difficult to come by. But to see his son sitting in silence, refusing to eat?
It was only at his prompting that Link moved again. He picked up his fork and stabbed a piece of meat. Banzetta watched him put it in his mouth and chew slowly. His second mouthful was eaten a little more quickly, and by his third, he started to pick up the pace. Judging from how soaked the two had been, Banzetta assumed their journey had been a difficult one. Link had to be half starved by now, even if he didn't have the appetite to satisfy his body's needs.
It wasn't till Link had been eating for a few minutes that Banzetta felt at ease enough to start eating his own dinner. Picking up his fork, he took a bite.
"So tell me," Banzetta began, after they had gotten to the midway point of their meal. "What brings you here?"
Link set his fork down to take a drink. Wiping his mouth, he glanced over at Aryll. She had already finished eating and was sitting there quietly, listening and waiting.
"Just for a little while," Link promised. "We will leave as soon as we are able to."
Aryll looked over to her brother. "You're not here to stay?"
Banzetta swallowed his mouthful of food and raised his brows.
"You will always be welcome here, son," he reminded. "I will never chase you away. Even if there is an army of men after your life, I will shelter you."
Link inhaled slowly. "I know, father. I know. But I… We…"
He trailed off. He didn't know how to explain the past events. He couldn't very well come out and tell them their king was dead, could he? There was a part of him that didn't want to admit he had run from the conflict. King's orders or not, he felt very much responsible for their kingdom's demise.
"Aryll, take your dishes outside and get them washed."
Aryll whirled around to look at her father. "But…!"
Banzetta gave her a stern nod. "And when you're done, go find Granny Emea. Go, now."
Link only watched as Aryll pouted. She gave some vague arguments about why she should be allowed to stay and talk with the adults, but Banzetta didn't let her. Link watched as she gathered her dishes in a sulk and went outside. He watched her go from the corner of his eye. It wasn't till he heard the front door closing behind him that Banzetta spoke again.
"You have some bad news, don't you?" Banzetta asked quietly.
Slowly, Link nodded his head. Banzetta jerked his head upward, towards the loft where Zelda slept.
"Are we sheltering a princess, or a queen?"
Link swallowed. He felt the hard lump in his throat, refusing to let him answer. He waved his fork in a semi-circular motion, indicating that he wished to choose the second of the two options Banzetta had given him.
Banzetta only leaned back in his chair. He had guessed as much. At first, the distant clamour of the villagers had made him think Link had returned for a short break. The sight of a travelling companion, a female one, made Banzetta wonder if his son had brought home a bride. But the sight of Zelda, guarded only by her appointed knight and lacking any of her usual entourage in tow? It made him realise that something terrible must have happened.
He watched as Link continued to eat in silence. A few minutes passed before Banzetta decided he was tired of the silence. He pushed out of his chair and went to the cupboards, where he took two goblets and a bottle of wine. Returning to the table, he set it down in front of Link.
"Will you need stitches?"
Link finished his food and set his fork down on his plate. Looking up at his father, he puzzled over the question.
"I see the way you move, lad," Banzetta warned. Uncorking the wine, he poured them each a generous cup. He picked up one goblet and placed it beside Link's hand, before taking the other for himself.
"I assume from your lack of tears that you haven't broken any bones," he said, "…but if I need to call for Sina to help stitch you up, I will."
Link slowly shook his head. "No. No, I'm fine."
"Do you need any elixirs? I keep pain relief potions in my bedside drawers."
Link shook his head again. "Father, I'm fine. It's not that serious."
"Then drink," Banzetta said, pointing to the wine.
Link didn't touch it. He wasn't like the other soldiers, who often liked to drown their sorrows with ale. He'd seen plenty of his friends mourn with the aid of alcohol, especially after difficult battles.
"Wine isn't going to take the pain away, father."
Banzetta sat back down in his seat and took a sip of his wine. "You're right," he agreed. "It doesn't. You'll still feel the pain. But it simply… hurts a little less."
Link's eyes closed as he scoffed quietly. He'd seen the havoc that often ensued after a night of heavy drinking. Things would get broken, and fights sometimes broke out between men. It wasn't that he was above such behaviour, either. There was a time where he would gladly partake in wrestling challenges, or eating competitions, with his fellow soldiers. But ever since his knighthood, he felt the desperate need to be in control. And yet, all his efforts… Maybe he had never been in control at all. Link picked up the goblet and took a slow, careful drink.
It was a sweet wine. It wasn't bitter like ale, nor was it anything like the expensive wine Zelda often drank in the castle. It wasn't wine that had been aged a hundred years, but rather, it was a fresh flavour which flooded his tongue with the tangy taste of wildberries. Link licked his lips a moment, trying to decide whether he liked it.
"I used to find it too sweet," Banzetta commented quietly, watching him. "But it was your mother's favourite. And, well… It's not good manners, to let your lady drink alone."
Banzetta smiled when Link took another drink.
"Talk to me, lad," he said softly. "I know what it's like to lose a battle. I know it hurts, and I understand how shameful it can feel. You won't hear a word of judgement from me."
Link held the goblet in both hands and looked down at his reflection. It rippled now and then, distorting his image.
Banzetta saw a forlorn sadness in his son's eyes. It wasn't quite the same expression he made when he made a mistake in his work. If he missed a shot at target practice, or if he injured himself in a duel. They were temporary failures, all of which made him grow stronger. It wasn't the same as the sadness and frustration associated with the loss of a friend or ally in battle, either. There was a small similarity, except it wasn't quite the same. No, Banzetta recognised that dull sheen to his son's blue eyes. He'd seen the same look on his face ten years ago, on the day which Link's childhood ended. It wasn't simply loss. It was heartbreak. As his father, he couldn't possibly ever forget.
"Are you in love with her?" Banzetta asked very gently. "Is that why it hurts so much more than you thought it would?"
Link closed his eyes. In love with her? With Zelda? She was supposed to be the Queen of Hyrule. She was miles above him in rank and status – beyond his reach. And yet… Perhaps it was true. Perhaps his heart never had understood his duty. Maybe such was the reason he had failed.
"…what if I am?" Link asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
A small, gentle smile crossed Banzetta's face.
"Then you are everything your mother wished you to be," he whispered back. "A boy with a heart."
.
.
.
Chapter 9 is coming~