NOTE: A lengthy chapter. Warning in advance. It's about seven pages all
told. I'm probably not following the route of many Zelda fanfictioners, but
I hope that adds a change (and doesn't get me lynched or something. Yeah.)
Chapter Four
Link sat atop Epona, patiently waiting for Lance to say his own good byes. The Hero of Time had received orders to return to Hyrule Castle immediately after sufficient recovery. Lance had also wanted to come along, although Link wasn't entirely sure as to why, but he would be glad for the company. Even though Mellifluous Bay was about two days' journey from Hyrule Town and Castle, it was still a lonely trek through the thick Kokiri and Tiptip Forests.
"Lance, where are you?" Link muttered beneath his breath, casting a wary eye towards the rising sun. It was perhaps only an hour or so after dawn, but Link felt the insatiable urge to gallop the entire distance to Hyrule Castle, to see his revered Princess Zelda, to perhaps banish the two longing voices in his heart...
"Link! Aye, Link, I'm comin'!" The owner of the voice suddenly appeared, riding atop a fine midnight gelding at full speed. They came to a declining stop as they neared the Hero of Time.
"Finally!" He didn't mean to sound so exasperated, but Link thought perhaps enough time had passed to allow Lance to say good-bye to everyone at least twice. Lance ran a hand swiftly through his fine dark blue hair.
"Aye, and I beg yer apologies, but I had to take special care to say good- bye to me father and his crew, y'know..." The blonde teenager nodded, and the two of them gigged their horses and trotted out of Mellifluous Bay.
On the second day's journey, Link finally began firing questions about the strange girl in his dreams, Miyako. She had visited him again last night, and this time the message was a little different, but all the more cryptic:
I live in the shadow of a beautiful tyrant's evildoings. Please, Link, help me.
He understood the bit about needing help, but a beautiful tyrant? Link could only recall several tyrants, and none of them were very beautiful at all.
"What was she like?" was Link's first question.
"Oh, aye. Miyako was a right pretty soul; beautiful as the sunrise and as kind as spring's fair days. Aye, so she were."
'How poetic,' Link thought, somewhat surly. He didn't care much for poetry and over-flattering descriptions. "Did you love her?"
"Only as a sister, mind ye. I knew 'tweren't for me to love her. She were kind, but straightforward. I remember her telling me she would travel to find her love, and when she found him, she wouldn't ever let go, no sir. I knew then it wasn't me, but I was still happy being her friend."
"What did she look like?" Lance grinned and blushed a little, to Link's startled surprise and amusement.
"Oh, that. She were right beautiful, like I was sayin' before, mind ye, but methinks the best thing about her was her shimmering red hair. Aye. It was right so pretty, and more oft than not it would be a'dancin' in my dreams. She had lovely green eyes, she did. A good laugh. A fierce heart, though. She could be bitter when called for, but what woman isn't, aye?
"Oh, she were a wild creature. Had it in her mind that she'd be travelin' abroad and dueling dragons and escaping evil." The young sailor's expression turned distant and melancholy. "Aye, p'raps that what she's doin' now, eh?" Lance glanced at his companion and found Link's eyes had wandered off. They looked icy, but also contemplative and distant. "Aye, and sure that yer name's Lily Hunder and ye be courtin' yer love, Adam Bankly." Link blinked and looked at Lance.
"What? What did you say?" The young sailor threw his head back and laughed.
"Well, now I know yer payin' 'tention. What were ye thinkin of, ger fada?" The Hero of Time shook his head slowly.
" 'Tain't important," he answered briskly. "We should be entering the Kokiri Forests, soon, judging by the looks of these trees." Lance scoffed.
"Matey, we've been in Kokiri Forests for nigh of an hour." The blonde teenager jerked in surprise.
"Wha-what?"
"Aye, ye heard correctly. We been in Kokiri Forests for the better half of an hour, so we have." Link ran a hand nervously through his fine blonde hair.
"So we have," he agreed shakily.
"What's vexed ye so, matey?" Lance's tone was one of curious sympathy. Link sighed.
"I don't know, Lance. It's been... a long day for me. My mind's... cluttered. I can't think straight. I beg your pardon."
"Of course!" Lance replied vehemently. "Nay, ye needn't be apologizin' to me, Link-fada, I need no apologies. 'Sides, yer me matey, and 'twould be right shameful of me to not be askin' of yer good health. I ask 'cos you look pale and unwell."
"I do?" Link shook his head slowly. "Yes, I suppose I must." Lance wriggled around on his horse, and then looked up at the sky. Only small patches of blue could be seen from inside the thick forests.
"Of course ye do, matey, and I'm frightful sorry that yer mind's wanderin' so oft. 'Tis a terrible thing. Are you thinking of the Princess of Selinta?"
"...Yes... I suppose I must be..."
Hyrule Castle was in sight several hours later, but the sun had already begun to set. They would not make it in time unless they galloped, but Link decided not to put extra stress on the horses.
"We'll camp here tonight," Link suggested, pointing near the entrance to the true Kokiri Forests. Lance nodded silently and gigged his horse, trotting over to the staked area.
"Aye, 'tis a fine a spot as any, I'll warrant. We make for Hyrule Castle at sunup?" inquired the dark-blue-haired teenager.
"All right, sounds fine," Link replied absently, and sat down near the stump of a tree. Unbeknownst to either of them, a shadowed creature watched them from the treetops, then took flight.
"Link and his companion have entered Hyrule, Your Majesty," Mon reported, landing on Princess Zelda's balcony. The beautiful young princess looked up and smiled.
"Thank you, Mon. I do hope he is feeling ever so much better. To think, General Khegen, a traitor! It bears thought, does it not?" She wiped away a single tear from one of her deep azure eyes. Mon dipped his head in silence. "Well, at least Link is safe." She beamed dazzlingly at her servant. "And guess what Father said? He has given me permission to talk to Link about wedding arrangements!"
"Wedding arrangements?" Mon repeated, startled. "Did you talk to Link a'tall about an actual wedding, Princess?"
"No, Mon. I was planning to surprise with him it!" Zelda clapped her hands together and sighed sweetly. "Oh Link... he'll be so thrilled!"
"I'm sure he will, Your Highness," the winged creature replied, smiling uncertainly.
As the sun peered over the horizon, Lance's eyes slowly blinked open.
"Mmm...?" The young sailor sat up and looked around. "Shucks... Link, up yerself now, matey. 'Tis dawn, if ye can't tell." The Hero of Time murmured fuzzily and sat up. To Lance's dismay, Link didn't look half as good as he had yesterday, and yesterday he hadn't looked very good, either. '...Yer looking worse, matey,' Lance thought, thoroughly worried. 'Hope 'tisn't the wasting disease... Miyako's own mother looked as bad as that when she were sick... aye... Link, matey, don't die on me... yer the only friend I got...' Aloud he asked, "Link, matey, yer looking well this beautiful morn!"
"Oh, hush," Link muttered sleepily, rubbing at his eyes. "I feel as bad as I look, and I feel pretty damn sick."
"Aye, so ye do," Lance said, all laughter and jest fading from his voice. "Link, if ye begin to feel sick to yer stomach and all light-headed, tell me, aye?"
"Aye," Link replied weakly, and smiled falsely. Lance returned the sham smile, concealing his worry.
Link tied up Epona and Mason outside the castle walls as Lance examined the moat with some wonder.
"What be this, Link-fada? A moat that couldn't even hold back a horse! Tch!" Lance clicked his tongue and shook his head. "What a useless waste, eh?"
"I suppose," Link replied, shrugging. "I never gave it much thought. I always supposed it was for decoration, not so much as an actual defense." Lance shook his head.
"Tch, I do say, 'tis a waste!"
"Let's go," his companion urged colorlessly.
The town was experiencing its usual industrious commerce, even early in the morning. Lance marveled at the variety and quantity of goods to be found. Link made his way through the crowd, arriving at the other side only to find his friend was not behind him, as he had thought.
"Lance?" Link called out, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Lance!"
"Right here, matey!" A cheerful voice replied. The Hero of Time looked to his left and found Lance waving at him from just outside the Target Practice shop. Link half-smiled; he had some fond memories of his adventures freeing Hyrule from Ganondorf.
"Come here, and I'll show you something," Link called out, turning and walking off in the direction of the Temple of Time.
"Wow..." Lance whistled and nodded his head barely, his eyes never leaving the wondrous sight. " 'Tis a majestic place, aye. What be it for, matey?"
"It's Hyrule's Temple of Time," Link replied thoughtfully, tilting his head slightly to one side. "This is where I spent seven years of my life..."
"Aye, so I've heard. But ye let Ganondorf into the Sacred Realm, so ye did..." Lance murmured, avoiding eye contact with his friend. Link cast his view to the ground.
"I know, but it could not be helped." The young sailor nodded.
"Aye."
"Let's go."
"Inside?" Lance seemed afraid of the temple. Link shook his head.
"No, to the castle. I'm sure the Princess is waiting for us."
"Halt! Who goes there?" The Guard of the Gate called out menacingly.
"It is I, Link, the Hero of Time, and I bring a companion, my friend Lance Untille!" Link replied loudly, rolling his eyes to Lance. Lance sniggered silently but managed to keep a straight face as they peered around the corner. The Guard of the Gate spluttered in surprise,
"L-Link! Welcome back to Hyrule Castle, sir!" The Hylian soldier saluted dutifully. "The King and Princess are expecting you! Go right ahead!" Link nodded at the guard in the threshold, and the gate slowly creaked open.
"Welcome home, sir!" The other guards called out as they passed by.
"Glad to have you home and well, Link!"
"It does a heart good to see a young lad home again, Link!"
"Do you know all these guards?" Lance inquired quietly as the drawbridge lowered steadily. Link nodded.
"Yes. They're the Guards of the Gate and Castle, and I've spent some time with all of them. They're friendly men, Lance, and they seem to always be eternally grateful to me."
"Well, ye did save their country and home, Link," Lance pointed out, a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
"True, true..." They entered the Hyrule Castle, which stood like a monument to dignity in the morning sun.
The pair of teenagers strode briskly down the red carpeted hallway. Lance murmured in amazement at the grandeur of decorations and the well-kept atmosphere of the castle. A passing pedagogue nodded nervously at the pair of them, and then said,
"Link, how do thee fair?"
"Thee, thee!" Lance chuckled with amusement. "Aye, and sure 'nough that ye and yer people talk funny, so ye do." Link punched Lance's shoulder in a playful manner, although the young sailor winced.
"Mind your manners, he's the Hyrule's Chief Advisor," Link muttered, then replied in a louder tone, "I am well, Advisor Misha." The elderly man smiled thinly.
"That is good, my son. Now, if you would please step this way, the Royal Court is awaiting your presence."
"My presence?" Link echoed, looking perturbed. "But how did you know...?"
"We have far reaching eyes, Link," Advisor Misha replied matter-of-factly. "Now come."
"Of all the pompous prigs..." Lance murmured, narrowing his eyes as Misha turned away from them. Link said nothing. Lance's accent had disappeared entirely, thus furthering adding to Link's trouble. Who was this strange boy who claimed to be who he was?
When the three of them entered the Royal Court's Assembly Room, there was two high tables seating thirteen counselors each. At the far end of the room was a smaller, yet fancier table. At this sat King Chandler, King Edward, Queen Eloisa, and Princess Zelda.
"Welcome, Link. And you as well, friend," King Chandler called, rising out of his seat and standing tall before them. Link and Lance walked forward until they came to a halt before the table. "What is your name?"
"Lanceton Untille the Fifteenth, sire," Lance replied gravely, bowing deeply as he said so. Link remained silent still. All trace of accent was gone yet again. "I come with good tidings from King Nichias and his wife, the fair Lady Noua."
"Of the all the Northern Baronies of Callembah and the United Force of Dinesen?" The entire Royal Court seemed shocked. Even Link could hardly stop his jaw from dropping open. Lance bowed once more.
"Yes, sire. I have this letter from King Nichias himself." The young sailor (although Link was not entirely sure of this anymore) reached inside his shirt and produced a royally sealed envelope. "He wishes good fortune upon your land and your harvest." King Chandler accepted the letter, tucking it away in his own breast pocket.
"I shall read it in due time. Meanwhile, we were discussing possible plans for a future alliance, among our lands." King Chandler indicated King Edward and Queen Eloisa. "I present King Edward and his wife, Queen Eloisa, of Selinta."
"We are met well," King Edward replied in his presumptuous, dignified manner. "My wife and I are already acquainted with young Lanceton." King Chandler raised an eyebrow curiously but said nothing. "How do you do, Link of Hyrule?" The Hero of Time bowed modestly.
"I fair well, King Edward. I hear that your land is recuperating from the terrible famine that had once gripped it. It is good to hear that." The king of Selinta nodded.
"Yes, we are. Thank you for your concern. Our larger problem at hand are the Tophetian Warriors, as you may know." King Chandler cleared his throat for attention and smiled benignly at Link and his friend.
"Let us settle those matters at a later time, yes? Now then. I have a very important announcement to make." The King of Hyrule glanced at his daughter and nodded. Princess Zelda stood up, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks and tinting them a lovely shade of light rose. Link's mind dipped and swooned in his head, but he kept his countenance passive, expressionless, as per usual. Lance's face displayed an emotion of curious wonder. "Link, it is my pleasure and joy to present to you my daughter, Princess Zelda. Will you take her as your wife, Hero of Time, and be King of Hyrule when my reign comes to an end?"
At first Link supposed King Chandler was talking in some archaic, forgotten language, such as Illian, but it was not so. His mind deciphered it after a moment's consideration, and it was then that he realized all eyes were focused intently on his being.
His knees actually buckled; minutely, however. No one noticed in the intense minute of concentration. Princess Zelda's eyes were fixed upon him with simple adoration and hope. Link felt his mind gibbering madly at him -
(what about her what about her oh you can't marry Princess Zelda don't forget you love her you love the Princess of Selinta you can't marry Princess Zelda)
- and slowly but surely his legs became unhinged from beneath his favorite green tunic and ever so sluggishly Link collapsed onto the floor of the Royal Court's Assembly Room, before the counselors and the royalty.
Link was not aware of anything anyone did to or for him during the next three days after his physical collapse. He lay in the silent grip of a deep coma as the physicians worried and whispered, not having the slightest clue what he was afflicted with. King Chandler and Princess Zelda stood by his sickbed often, praying and willing him into wakefulness, but neither worked. He lay, comatose, in the bedroom that would be his and Zelda's if he should accept the proposal.
But would he? How could he? How could he possibly accept the offer, knowing that his love lay elsewhere, with two women he never met? Link simply could not hope to live a comfortable life with Zelda knowing that his true love was far off, possibly in trouble.
Finally, on the morning of the fourth day, the Hero of Time's eyes slowly lifted open, cloudy and semiconscious. A thick, warm blanket was draped over his body, and after a moment's confusion he realized he was lying naked in bed.
He sat up with a start and uttered a howl of pain as a bright flash seared just behind his eyes. Link winced and rubbed his eyes furiously, his head alternately pounding with blood and screaming with agony.
His memory was muddled and unclear, and at first the blonde teenager had no idea how he got in this state, but slowly it began fitting together like puzzle pieces. He groaned and put a hand to his face, feeling hot embarrassment creep into his cheeks. He had fainted in front of the Royal Court. Not to mention Kind Edward and his wife Queen Eloisa and their thirteen counselors.
"Oh no..." Link buried his face in his hands for a moment, trying to justify such a unthinkable event. And what must Zelda and King Chandler think of him? A knock-kneed, foolish, and weak idiot? Perhaps not, but he did not feel much better, even after arriving at this conclusion.
"You're awake, matey, aye," a cheerful voice noted. Link jerked in surprise and found Lance watching him from a stuffed armchair at the other side of the long bedroom. "And how are you feelin' this fine morn, sunshine?"
"Stupid and sick," Link muttered sulkily, laying back down. "Damn it, I can't believe I fainted."
"You were weak, Link. There's no shame in being sick and fainting." Lance's accent disappeared entirely once more, and the Hero of Time propped himself up on one elbow and inquired,
"Lance? Who are you? And why do you feign a southern sea accent?" The young sailor looked hesitant for a moment.
"I know it may seem odd for me to drop in and out of accent, Link-fada, but you must believe me. Everything I have told you thus far is true... but I haven't told you all of the truth."
"No, you haven't, and I think I'd be very interested in hearing it," the nineteen-year-old stated thoughtfully. Lance shook his head.
"Not at the moment. You're too weak, so ye are. Get yerself some sleep, matey, ye don't know to have another spell like that 'un?" Link considered it for a moment, then decided it would be a good idea to rest a little.
Chapter Four
Link sat atop Epona, patiently waiting for Lance to say his own good byes. The Hero of Time had received orders to return to Hyrule Castle immediately after sufficient recovery. Lance had also wanted to come along, although Link wasn't entirely sure as to why, but he would be glad for the company. Even though Mellifluous Bay was about two days' journey from Hyrule Town and Castle, it was still a lonely trek through the thick Kokiri and Tiptip Forests.
"Lance, where are you?" Link muttered beneath his breath, casting a wary eye towards the rising sun. It was perhaps only an hour or so after dawn, but Link felt the insatiable urge to gallop the entire distance to Hyrule Castle, to see his revered Princess Zelda, to perhaps banish the two longing voices in his heart...
"Link! Aye, Link, I'm comin'!" The owner of the voice suddenly appeared, riding atop a fine midnight gelding at full speed. They came to a declining stop as they neared the Hero of Time.
"Finally!" He didn't mean to sound so exasperated, but Link thought perhaps enough time had passed to allow Lance to say good-bye to everyone at least twice. Lance ran a hand swiftly through his fine dark blue hair.
"Aye, and I beg yer apologies, but I had to take special care to say good- bye to me father and his crew, y'know..." The blonde teenager nodded, and the two of them gigged their horses and trotted out of Mellifluous Bay.
On the second day's journey, Link finally began firing questions about the strange girl in his dreams, Miyako. She had visited him again last night, and this time the message was a little different, but all the more cryptic:
I live in the shadow of a beautiful tyrant's evildoings. Please, Link, help me.
He understood the bit about needing help, but a beautiful tyrant? Link could only recall several tyrants, and none of them were very beautiful at all.
"What was she like?" was Link's first question.
"Oh, aye. Miyako was a right pretty soul; beautiful as the sunrise and as kind as spring's fair days. Aye, so she were."
'How poetic,' Link thought, somewhat surly. He didn't care much for poetry and over-flattering descriptions. "Did you love her?"
"Only as a sister, mind ye. I knew 'tweren't for me to love her. She were kind, but straightforward. I remember her telling me she would travel to find her love, and when she found him, she wouldn't ever let go, no sir. I knew then it wasn't me, but I was still happy being her friend."
"What did she look like?" Lance grinned and blushed a little, to Link's startled surprise and amusement.
"Oh, that. She were right beautiful, like I was sayin' before, mind ye, but methinks the best thing about her was her shimmering red hair. Aye. It was right so pretty, and more oft than not it would be a'dancin' in my dreams. She had lovely green eyes, she did. A good laugh. A fierce heart, though. She could be bitter when called for, but what woman isn't, aye?
"Oh, she were a wild creature. Had it in her mind that she'd be travelin' abroad and dueling dragons and escaping evil." The young sailor's expression turned distant and melancholy. "Aye, p'raps that what she's doin' now, eh?" Lance glanced at his companion and found Link's eyes had wandered off. They looked icy, but also contemplative and distant. "Aye, and sure that yer name's Lily Hunder and ye be courtin' yer love, Adam Bankly." Link blinked and looked at Lance.
"What? What did you say?" The young sailor threw his head back and laughed.
"Well, now I know yer payin' 'tention. What were ye thinkin of, ger fada?" The Hero of Time shook his head slowly.
" 'Tain't important," he answered briskly. "We should be entering the Kokiri Forests, soon, judging by the looks of these trees." Lance scoffed.
"Matey, we've been in Kokiri Forests for nigh of an hour." The blonde teenager jerked in surprise.
"Wha-what?"
"Aye, ye heard correctly. We been in Kokiri Forests for the better half of an hour, so we have." Link ran a hand nervously through his fine blonde hair.
"So we have," he agreed shakily.
"What's vexed ye so, matey?" Lance's tone was one of curious sympathy. Link sighed.
"I don't know, Lance. It's been... a long day for me. My mind's... cluttered. I can't think straight. I beg your pardon."
"Of course!" Lance replied vehemently. "Nay, ye needn't be apologizin' to me, Link-fada, I need no apologies. 'Sides, yer me matey, and 'twould be right shameful of me to not be askin' of yer good health. I ask 'cos you look pale and unwell."
"I do?" Link shook his head slowly. "Yes, I suppose I must." Lance wriggled around on his horse, and then looked up at the sky. Only small patches of blue could be seen from inside the thick forests.
"Of course ye do, matey, and I'm frightful sorry that yer mind's wanderin' so oft. 'Tis a terrible thing. Are you thinking of the Princess of Selinta?"
"...Yes... I suppose I must be..."
Hyrule Castle was in sight several hours later, but the sun had already begun to set. They would not make it in time unless they galloped, but Link decided not to put extra stress on the horses.
"We'll camp here tonight," Link suggested, pointing near the entrance to the true Kokiri Forests. Lance nodded silently and gigged his horse, trotting over to the staked area.
"Aye, 'tis a fine a spot as any, I'll warrant. We make for Hyrule Castle at sunup?" inquired the dark-blue-haired teenager.
"All right, sounds fine," Link replied absently, and sat down near the stump of a tree. Unbeknownst to either of them, a shadowed creature watched them from the treetops, then took flight.
"Link and his companion have entered Hyrule, Your Majesty," Mon reported, landing on Princess Zelda's balcony. The beautiful young princess looked up and smiled.
"Thank you, Mon. I do hope he is feeling ever so much better. To think, General Khegen, a traitor! It bears thought, does it not?" She wiped away a single tear from one of her deep azure eyes. Mon dipped his head in silence. "Well, at least Link is safe." She beamed dazzlingly at her servant. "And guess what Father said? He has given me permission to talk to Link about wedding arrangements!"
"Wedding arrangements?" Mon repeated, startled. "Did you talk to Link a'tall about an actual wedding, Princess?"
"No, Mon. I was planning to surprise with him it!" Zelda clapped her hands together and sighed sweetly. "Oh Link... he'll be so thrilled!"
"I'm sure he will, Your Highness," the winged creature replied, smiling uncertainly.
As the sun peered over the horizon, Lance's eyes slowly blinked open.
"Mmm...?" The young sailor sat up and looked around. "Shucks... Link, up yerself now, matey. 'Tis dawn, if ye can't tell." The Hero of Time murmured fuzzily and sat up. To Lance's dismay, Link didn't look half as good as he had yesterday, and yesterday he hadn't looked very good, either. '...Yer looking worse, matey,' Lance thought, thoroughly worried. 'Hope 'tisn't the wasting disease... Miyako's own mother looked as bad as that when she were sick... aye... Link, matey, don't die on me... yer the only friend I got...' Aloud he asked, "Link, matey, yer looking well this beautiful morn!"
"Oh, hush," Link muttered sleepily, rubbing at his eyes. "I feel as bad as I look, and I feel pretty damn sick."
"Aye, so ye do," Lance said, all laughter and jest fading from his voice. "Link, if ye begin to feel sick to yer stomach and all light-headed, tell me, aye?"
"Aye," Link replied weakly, and smiled falsely. Lance returned the sham smile, concealing his worry.
Link tied up Epona and Mason outside the castle walls as Lance examined the moat with some wonder.
"What be this, Link-fada? A moat that couldn't even hold back a horse! Tch!" Lance clicked his tongue and shook his head. "What a useless waste, eh?"
"I suppose," Link replied, shrugging. "I never gave it much thought. I always supposed it was for decoration, not so much as an actual defense." Lance shook his head.
"Tch, I do say, 'tis a waste!"
"Let's go," his companion urged colorlessly.
The town was experiencing its usual industrious commerce, even early in the morning. Lance marveled at the variety and quantity of goods to be found. Link made his way through the crowd, arriving at the other side only to find his friend was not behind him, as he had thought.
"Lance?" Link called out, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Lance!"
"Right here, matey!" A cheerful voice replied. The Hero of Time looked to his left and found Lance waving at him from just outside the Target Practice shop. Link half-smiled; he had some fond memories of his adventures freeing Hyrule from Ganondorf.
"Come here, and I'll show you something," Link called out, turning and walking off in the direction of the Temple of Time.
"Wow..." Lance whistled and nodded his head barely, his eyes never leaving the wondrous sight. " 'Tis a majestic place, aye. What be it for, matey?"
"It's Hyrule's Temple of Time," Link replied thoughtfully, tilting his head slightly to one side. "This is where I spent seven years of my life..."
"Aye, so I've heard. But ye let Ganondorf into the Sacred Realm, so ye did..." Lance murmured, avoiding eye contact with his friend. Link cast his view to the ground.
"I know, but it could not be helped." The young sailor nodded.
"Aye."
"Let's go."
"Inside?" Lance seemed afraid of the temple. Link shook his head.
"No, to the castle. I'm sure the Princess is waiting for us."
"Halt! Who goes there?" The Guard of the Gate called out menacingly.
"It is I, Link, the Hero of Time, and I bring a companion, my friend Lance Untille!" Link replied loudly, rolling his eyes to Lance. Lance sniggered silently but managed to keep a straight face as they peered around the corner. The Guard of the Gate spluttered in surprise,
"L-Link! Welcome back to Hyrule Castle, sir!" The Hylian soldier saluted dutifully. "The King and Princess are expecting you! Go right ahead!" Link nodded at the guard in the threshold, and the gate slowly creaked open.
"Welcome home, sir!" The other guards called out as they passed by.
"Glad to have you home and well, Link!"
"It does a heart good to see a young lad home again, Link!"
"Do you know all these guards?" Lance inquired quietly as the drawbridge lowered steadily. Link nodded.
"Yes. They're the Guards of the Gate and Castle, and I've spent some time with all of them. They're friendly men, Lance, and they seem to always be eternally grateful to me."
"Well, ye did save their country and home, Link," Lance pointed out, a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
"True, true..." They entered the Hyrule Castle, which stood like a monument to dignity in the morning sun.
The pair of teenagers strode briskly down the red carpeted hallway. Lance murmured in amazement at the grandeur of decorations and the well-kept atmosphere of the castle. A passing pedagogue nodded nervously at the pair of them, and then said,
"Link, how do thee fair?"
"Thee, thee!" Lance chuckled with amusement. "Aye, and sure 'nough that ye and yer people talk funny, so ye do." Link punched Lance's shoulder in a playful manner, although the young sailor winced.
"Mind your manners, he's the Hyrule's Chief Advisor," Link muttered, then replied in a louder tone, "I am well, Advisor Misha." The elderly man smiled thinly.
"That is good, my son. Now, if you would please step this way, the Royal Court is awaiting your presence."
"My presence?" Link echoed, looking perturbed. "But how did you know...?"
"We have far reaching eyes, Link," Advisor Misha replied matter-of-factly. "Now come."
"Of all the pompous prigs..." Lance murmured, narrowing his eyes as Misha turned away from them. Link said nothing. Lance's accent had disappeared entirely, thus furthering adding to Link's trouble. Who was this strange boy who claimed to be who he was?
When the three of them entered the Royal Court's Assembly Room, there was two high tables seating thirteen counselors each. At the far end of the room was a smaller, yet fancier table. At this sat King Chandler, King Edward, Queen Eloisa, and Princess Zelda.
"Welcome, Link. And you as well, friend," King Chandler called, rising out of his seat and standing tall before them. Link and Lance walked forward until they came to a halt before the table. "What is your name?"
"Lanceton Untille the Fifteenth, sire," Lance replied gravely, bowing deeply as he said so. Link remained silent still. All trace of accent was gone yet again. "I come with good tidings from King Nichias and his wife, the fair Lady Noua."
"Of the all the Northern Baronies of Callembah and the United Force of Dinesen?" The entire Royal Court seemed shocked. Even Link could hardly stop his jaw from dropping open. Lance bowed once more.
"Yes, sire. I have this letter from King Nichias himself." The young sailor (although Link was not entirely sure of this anymore) reached inside his shirt and produced a royally sealed envelope. "He wishes good fortune upon your land and your harvest." King Chandler accepted the letter, tucking it away in his own breast pocket.
"I shall read it in due time. Meanwhile, we were discussing possible plans for a future alliance, among our lands." King Chandler indicated King Edward and Queen Eloisa. "I present King Edward and his wife, Queen Eloisa, of Selinta."
"We are met well," King Edward replied in his presumptuous, dignified manner. "My wife and I are already acquainted with young Lanceton." King Chandler raised an eyebrow curiously but said nothing. "How do you do, Link of Hyrule?" The Hero of Time bowed modestly.
"I fair well, King Edward. I hear that your land is recuperating from the terrible famine that had once gripped it. It is good to hear that." The king of Selinta nodded.
"Yes, we are. Thank you for your concern. Our larger problem at hand are the Tophetian Warriors, as you may know." King Chandler cleared his throat for attention and smiled benignly at Link and his friend.
"Let us settle those matters at a later time, yes? Now then. I have a very important announcement to make." The King of Hyrule glanced at his daughter and nodded. Princess Zelda stood up, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks and tinting them a lovely shade of light rose. Link's mind dipped and swooned in his head, but he kept his countenance passive, expressionless, as per usual. Lance's face displayed an emotion of curious wonder. "Link, it is my pleasure and joy to present to you my daughter, Princess Zelda. Will you take her as your wife, Hero of Time, and be King of Hyrule when my reign comes to an end?"
At first Link supposed King Chandler was talking in some archaic, forgotten language, such as Illian, but it was not so. His mind deciphered it after a moment's consideration, and it was then that he realized all eyes were focused intently on his being.
His knees actually buckled; minutely, however. No one noticed in the intense minute of concentration. Princess Zelda's eyes were fixed upon him with simple adoration and hope. Link felt his mind gibbering madly at him -
(what about her what about her oh you can't marry Princess Zelda don't forget you love her you love the Princess of Selinta you can't marry Princess Zelda)
- and slowly but surely his legs became unhinged from beneath his favorite green tunic and ever so sluggishly Link collapsed onto the floor of the Royal Court's Assembly Room, before the counselors and the royalty.
Link was not aware of anything anyone did to or for him during the next three days after his physical collapse. He lay in the silent grip of a deep coma as the physicians worried and whispered, not having the slightest clue what he was afflicted with. King Chandler and Princess Zelda stood by his sickbed often, praying and willing him into wakefulness, but neither worked. He lay, comatose, in the bedroom that would be his and Zelda's if he should accept the proposal.
But would he? How could he? How could he possibly accept the offer, knowing that his love lay elsewhere, with two women he never met? Link simply could not hope to live a comfortable life with Zelda knowing that his true love was far off, possibly in trouble.
Finally, on the morning of the fourth day, the Hero of Time's eyes slowly lifted open, cloudy and semiconscious. A thick, warm blanket was draped over his body, and after a moment's confusion he realized he was lying naked in bed.
He sat up with a start and uttered a howl of pain as a bright flash seared just behind his eyes. Link winced and rubbed his eyes furiously, his head alternately pounding with blood and screaming with agony.
His memory was muddled and unclear, and at first the blonde teenager had no idea how he got in this state, but slowly it began fitting together like puzzle pieces. He groaned and put a hand to his face, feeling hot embarrassment creep into his cheeks. He had fainted in front of the Royal Court. Not to mention Kind Edward and his wife Queen Eloisa and their thirteen counselors.
"Oh no..." Link buried his face in his hands for a moment, trying to justify such a unthinkable event. And what must Zelda and King Chandler think of him? A knock-kneed, foolish, and weak idiot? Perhaps not, but he did not feel much better, even after arriving at this conclusion.
"You're awake, matey, aye," a cheerful voice noted. Link jerked in surprise and found Lance watching him from a stuffed armchair at the other side of the long bedroom. "And how are you feelin' this fine morn, sunshine?"
"Stupid and sick," Link muttered sulkily, laying back down. "Damn it, I can't believe I fainted."
"You were weak, Link. There's no shame in being sick and fainting." Lance's accent disappeared entirely once more, and the Hero of Time propped himself up on one elbow and inquired,
"Lance? Who are you? And why do you feign a southern sea accent?" The young sailor looked hesitant for a moment.
"I know it may seem odd for me to drop in and out of accent, Link-fada, but you must believe me. Everything I have told you thus far is true... but I haven't told you all of the truth."
"No, you haven't, and I think I'd be very interested in hearing it," the nineteen-year-old stated thoughtfully. Lance shook his head.
"Not at the moment. You're too weak, so ye are. Get yerself some sleep, matey, ye don't know to have another spell like that 'un?" Link considered it for a moment, then decided it would be a good idea to rest a little.