a/n: *grits teeth* O...k....I've finally finished the 2nd chapter, so if you haven't already, read the
first chapter. Pwetty Pwease review? It's kinda pitiful when I write something and only get 4
reviews, and that's on a good day, although I appreciate those who do review.
Disclaimer: I'm unlucky enough to not own Zelda.
Drum roll please! Ba baba baaa! And now, our feature presentation...
An Ocean Between Ch. II An Awaited Escape
Like the crescendo of an approaching melody, the birds of Hyrule twittered and sang
whole-heartedly to the sun's motherly countenance as her light steadily invaded the fairy-tale
kingdom. The Market Place became alive with morning vendor activities as the shopkeepers
dutifully and happily opened their humble doors to the public. By the sun's growing warmth, the
sand of the Market Place became hot by the touch as bare feet scuffled hurriedly against the
grains. The drawbridge creaked and moaned as its gaping mouth opened into Hyrule Field,
crossing the babbling moat. Another day had begun in Hyrule.
But for Link, the day had already ended.
From returning home to his tree house, he could still taste the salty air of the harbor. Link
was surprisingly comforted by the bitterness on his tongue, as it reminded him of the ocean, of
her. And everyday that taste would grow stronger, more distinct, until today, when it grew
overpowering. A peculiar emotion had rooted itself deep within Link's heart, it was a feeling of
anticipation. It had been so terribly long since the you man had felt anything save a sickening
emptiness. It was unusually exciting for Link, because the reason for this new feeling was totally
irrelevant to his knowledge. But it was more rewarding than feeling nothing at all.
* * *
Zelda sat at the long breakfast table, staring down the expanse of the wooden carvings,
annoyed by the incessant chattering of her servants as they repeatedly pampered her. She lazily
leaned back in her small throne, scratching her smooth chin in deep though. Her brow furrowed
as one of her attendants meekly approached the intimidating princess.
"My lady, dost thou wish to hear the news of the morning?" The servant pleaded pitifully
with her large eyes.
"Proceed then." Zelda seemed uninterested as she began to toy indifferently with the
chair's fine moldings.
"Yes my lady, Zora's Fountain has reported a shortage of mackerel in their waters, and
they have requested..."
Zelda pertly cut in.
"The shipments have already been sent."
"Of course my lady, hast thou heard of the Goron's newfound supply of..."
Once more Zelda finished her sentence.
"Iron? The palace has already placed an order this morning."
The attendant began trembling with fear, afraid that the princess would have her head for
her insolence. In a final attempt for redemption of past failures, the servant leaned forward with a
glint in her eye, anticipating Zelda's reply.
"Then of course, you highness has caught wind that all the ships of Hyrule's harbor are
setting sail today for the Great Hunt?" Zelda's eyes widened in realization.
A respectful silence captured the large hall as the princess rose swiftly from her throne,
eying every servant with hidden surprise. Her eyes questioned every attendant as each one
responded in a nervous nod. Zelda left the immense table, pacing quickly and quietly to the
passageway in which she had entered earlier that morning. She reluctantly stopped, turning
slightly to her pursuing servants, immediately ceasing their chase. Zelda shot out an undeniable
command that no one could ignore, lest they should lose their head.
"Send for Impa. Bring her to my bed chambers immediately."
As she turned around the corner, her demanding voice echoed loudly down the Imperial
Hall, startling the servants.
"Time is of the essence."
* * *
The Great Hunt was perhaps the most celebrated event in all of Hyrule. It was marked by
the changing of the winds. People would flock from all ends of the kingdom, fighting for
vacancies at inns and useless trinkets in the market. For the innkeepers and shopkeepers, the
Great Hunt was the time of the year in which they waited impatiently for. The profits would
skyrocket in those few months in which the winds had changed their direction to the west.
Gerudos would be at peace with the Kakarikans, the Zoras and Gorons would enter the Imperial
City arm in arm, and the Kokiri were able to leave the forests safely. The Great Hunt brought the
people of Hyrule together in a rejoice of treasures that were to be found.
Ship after ship left Hyrule's harbor in a mass of white and brown sails to return in only
three months to flaunt their bountiful treasures to the public. Sadly enough, some fleets never
returned at all. Each ship sought a different treasure, be it gold or diamonds, silk or spice. They
return either rich with fortunes, or they return baring nothing at all. The Great Hunt was merely a
game of chance, in which death could be the dire consequence.
An outsider would ignorantly perceive this celebration as completely nonsensical. But for
the people and creatures of Hyrule, the heart of their country ran rich with the blood of this
occasion. It was widely believed that the mother of all treasure lay yet to be discovered.
Perhaps this was to be the year...
* * *
Confusing Link dearly, his heart rang with laughter and joy, racking his body with an
unknown emotion. What was so special about today that had made his confining barrier from the
rest of the world crumble? He inhaled the sweet air of the summer as the bitter taste of salt was
dissolved. But there was something peculiar about this air, this day. He noticed a small blossom
of a flower, fallen to the ground. The warm air was blowing the bud in an unfamiliar way.
The winds had changed.
His calloused hands began trembling with anticipating excitement as his eyes began darting to and fro. Link whisked away into his tree house, creating a calamity of ruckus as he stumbled over his table. Searching frantically for his cedar chest, Link became distressed to see that it was locked.
"The key...the key..." Link mumbled as he began writhing his hands. Where was it?
Looking down in realization, our hero annoyingly discovered that the small skeleton key had been precariously strung across a leather cord around his neck.
He sighed.
Link made a mad dash to the chest as the key fumbled in his fingers. Finally achieving success, he slowly opened the chest, afraid of its contents. Lying sheathed and untouched, there rested a weapon in which Link was apprehensive of using. It was not the Master Sword, for Link had retired that blade years ago. But Link was terrified. Terrified of a thing that could never harm him, his own sword. Another blade meant more heartless fighting for Link. To handle a sword meant to engage in battle, and Link was not ready for battle, nor shall he be ever again.
Reluctantly, Link extracted the sword from the chest which was rich with the aroma of cedar. He slammed the trunk in a cloud of dust, coughing. The blade seemed to gleam with joy, having lay dormant for years of loneliness, it had awaited for the birth of a new adventure. Its razor edge looked hungry for blood, for death. Was it the saber that yearned to kill, or was it Link? Disregarding the thought, Link attached the sword to his leather belt.
A burlap sack lay concealed under his bed, becoming the home of many creatures over the years. Link's brawny arm shot under the cot, patting the floor in search of his bag. Feeling the soft and worn fabric of the satchel, he snatched it up and began filling it with clothes and other necessities. He would probably never have a use of the things he brought, but Link always believed in being prepared.
Today was the day, he would set sail with the fleets, become a sailor himself. Today he would begin his long awaited search for Marin. Today he was leaving Hyrule, perhaps forever.
Today, the Great Hunt would begin.
* * *
Her immense carven doors moaned as an unsure voice squeaked:
"Your highness, Impa."
A stately woman entered the chambers, bringing with her an air of justice, of honor. She stopped before the princess, who had been impatiently pacing her room for too long.
"Your highness." Grumbled Impa.
"Impa." Zelda's eyes became filled with amusement. Impa was in a bad mood. "Tis a fine day, is it not?"
Impa growled. "It shall be the better when it is over, your highness."
"It shall be of the better when the ships set sail. The winds have changed, Impa."
Impa's eyes widened in shock as her memory raced back to a conversation she had with Zelda many months ago...
~Flashback~
"It would be a better time than any, Impa. You know that." The princess eyed her attendant knowingly.
"Yes, but...it is still...too dangerous." Impa stumbled over her words as she tried to conjure up a reason why Zelda should not set sail.
"The remaining season is filled with deadly winds, it is hard even for the fishermen to bring in their catch. The Great Hunt is the only time. I will be able to sail upon one of those ships. I will be able to escape! During the celebration, it will be hard to notice I have left." Zelda began pleading. "I can not stay here, there is nothing for me. I need to find the life that suits me."
"Are you saying that you would forfeit everything? Your family? Your high stature? The only life you have known?!"
Zelda's eyes began to sparkle mischievously.
"Everything, Impa, everything."
~End Flashback~
"Everything has been arranged, all that is needed now is departure." Said Zelda.
"So, your highness, this is it?" Impa's eyes were clouded with sadness.
"It is, Impa. Hyrule has no use for me now. Perhaps some other land will."
"Very well, your highness. I suppose there is no use trying to prevent you from going, is there?" Impa tried to hide her sorrow.
"I am afraid not."
"Then this is farewell, your highness?"
"Yes, Impa, it is." Zelda turned around, hiding her tears. She began to walk to the door. "And Impa?"
"Yes, your highness?"
"You can just call me Zelda."
"Of course. Zelda." Impa smiled.
In a flurry of petticoats and tears, Zelda leapt onto Impa, embracing her for all her worth. Impa had been like a mother to the princess, always being there in time of need. Impa choked back her tears as Zelda cried them freely.
"Chin up, Zelda. A princess never cries."
"No, a sailor never cries." Zelda winked at Impa and began backing away towards her open window. Still maintaining a theatrical performance, Zelda performed the trick that she had once learned as Sheik.
In a cloud of smoke, she disappeared.
-Rosaceae
Alrighty then. If you like it, your reviews would be wonderful. If you hate it, well then you can kiss my a...no just kidding, actually your criticism would be appreciated as well.
* * *
Still maintaining a theatrical performance, Rosaceae performed the trick that she had never learned.
In a cloud of smoke, she blew up.