Chapter 23
The Queen jogged down the hallway, fretting with impatience. Torchlights threw a warm glow on to the thick, patterned carpet in her path, but she had no time to admire the artistry. She had dashed back to her chambers to change out of her gown, needing something a bit more practical to wear for the meeting with the Wise One. She'd settled on a plain, brown dress and simple shoes – another gift from the Freelanders. Reaching back, she pulled the pin from her hair and let it drop around her shoulders.
Zelda took in a deep breath, excited that things were finally progressing. She increased her steps, eager to listen to the Freelander sage's wisdom. Zayna would probably be there already and the Queen hoped she had not delayed things for too long. The poor girl must be waiting in agony. There was a flicker of caution in her heart – a warning that this might be no more than a false hope. She pushed the thought away. This had to be the help they needed, she was certain –
The hand grabbed her from the corridor mid-stride making her yelp in surprise.
Zelda blinked, finding herself in a dark, narrow passageway. Her head spun slightly, still confused from being pulled in. She looked up at her would-be kidnapper.
"Link!" she hissed with mild reprove as she rubbed her arm. "You scared me."
"We have to talk," he said, stepping closer. He was still dressed in his party clothes. His eyes were serene and his posture relaxed, but she saw some sort of conflict playing on his face.
"We will," she said. "But not right now. Chizan wants us to meet with this Wise One." Her thoughts turned to Link's apprentice again and she felt giddy. "I think we can help Zayna, I really do. I just have this feeling."
"They can wait," he said, his voice calm.
"But…"
"They can wait."
She couldn't help but respond to his smile in kind and she relaxed, letting her shoulders sag a little. A few more moments, she hoped Zayna could hold out a few more moments. It was selfish, she knew, but she had to get this over and done with.
He was standing awfully close to her. His broad shoulders made her feel small. Worse was his deep stare that seemed to scrutinise her so intently. What was in those eyes – Anger? Passion? She did not think the latter was appropriate, especially as they were here unchaperoned. She swallowed, feeling unnerved.
She let her gaze examine him, taking in his eyes and his fading scars. Her stare dropped down and Zelda noticed that one collar was turned inwards. Her hand rose and he stiffened, eyes mildly wide.
With a quick flick, she corrected the offending item, letting her fingers smooth out the neckline of his tunic.
"Oh," he said, and she laughed happily at his misinterpretation of her actions.
She sighed, the amusement opening a warm spring in her heart. "So, Link," she said, her voice no more than a sparkly whisper. "What was so important that you had to put off saving the world to tell me about it?"
He leaned forward slightly and she saw the conflict again in his face. She could not quite interpret it though, his expression rotating between the naive humility she was familiar with to something that was altogether quite…darker.
"You are," he whispered, his eyes darting as if he was not quite sure he had said what he had.
Zelda's heart thudded. She stepped back and found herself reversing into a cold wall. The sensation was jolting, the coolness a sharp contrast to the heat she was suddenly feeling. The Queen felt uncomfortable. There was something not quite right here. Brought up under strict Hylian customs she was not used to this kind of proximity from someone she was not married to.
As if noticing her uneasiness, he stepped back with an awkward smile. He bowed slightly, a gallant gesture. She noticed that his face and returned to its more bashful appearance. For some reason that relieved her.
"Me?" she said, struggling to get the words out. "I am no use to anyone."
He blinked, the look on his face almost comical. "No, no, no," he said, his voice soft. "That's not true! You know it's not true, you're the Queen! You're more important than any of us – than all of us."
She felt her cheeks redden slightly at the earnestness in his voice. "Your words scare me."
"But they're all true, Zelda," he said. Her eyebrow jerked at his use of her name. "I don't know how you can't see that. I think you can. I hope." He was rambling now, lost. "Everyone loves you. We love you."
We? Did he mean himself and Tyron and Zayna…?
"How can you say that, Link?" she said, letting her gaze drop to the floor. She was relieved, glad that it was finally out in the open. "After what I did to you?"
He frowned, chewing on his lip. "You did what you thought was the right thing to do. That's what you always do."
"Even if it means hurting the ones I…" She paused. She couldn't say it; it was too soon after the end of her marriage. "Hurting my friends?"
"Especially if it does."
She did not want to think on that. "Link," she said, her voice soft. He looked at her intently, waiting. "What did you do all by yourself for all those summers?"
He shrugged. "I sat and thought about things."
"Things?"
"About you." Again, that stare. She looked away.
"Thinking about married women," she said, a mischievous lilt to her voice. "Not very pious or heroic."
A playful scowl knitted its way across his face. "I know." He paused. "But it kept me going, in a twisted sort of way."
Zelda bit on her lower lip, not wanting to ponder on his words. "Did you have any friends there?"
His mouth twitched in thought. "Just one. A good man, loyal. He was young, tried to dress and act like me."
Zelda's eyes narrowed playfully. "He wore green all day and sulked?"
He chuckled. "Imitation is a sincere expression of flattery. Or so Tyron says."
"So he does." She took in a deep breath. "So…" She scuffed her shoe on the ground. "Any female friends out there?"
"If I had, I would have married one. I'm not going to play around." He winked. "That's not very pious or heroic."
She smiled, though inwardly she thought of his actions around Tessa. "Right."
His eyes sharpened, drilling through her. "What about you? Did you think about me while you were married? Were you happy?"
"Link, don't," she said, looking away and feeling uncomfortable again. "That's not fair."
"Why not? You asked me." His voice started to gain an edge to it.
"That's different. You weren't married."
He looked down, shame on his face. "I'm sorry."
"I was happy. For a while at least," she said, her mind going back to that time. There were good times, she could not deny that. The days out to other nations, the picnics in the castle, the lazy, sweet chats they had at night talking about the future, about how many children they would have. But the memories were all hollow now; now that she knew there was no sincerity behind them. At least not on her ex-husband's part. Sincerity. That's all she wanted from people now. Such a small request, but so difficult for others to give. "No, I didn't think about you. Not in the way you're suggesting anyway."
"I shouldn't have asked. It was stupid and dishonourable of me."
"Then it all went sour…" Her voice trailed off, talking more to herself than Link.
She glanced up, caught him gazing again, but he did not press her for more answers. She was grateful for that.
Her head swam. She felt locked by his intense stare.
"What do you see?" Her words were nothing more than barely audible breaths.
"I see a strong, beautiful woman who doesn't have to feel all that pain she hides away." She felt the tears, letting his words bury down into thoughts and feelings she had tried to lock away. Yet, she wanted to laugh too. His words were absurd, like something from a child's tale. But he says them with such genuineness. "Most of all I see the kindest person I have ever met. And anyone who shows such kindness in the world we live in is much more deserving of this than I am."
Her eyes flicked to his upturned hand, letting her gaze trace the triangular lines of the Triforce of Courage.
She looked at his face again, feeling her eyes widen, knowing that her face must be contorting with all the conflicting emotions rushing to the surface. "I made a mistake didn't I?" she said. "I should never have married Cyle. I was afraid, Link, afraid. I didn't want to marry some stuffy, overweight nobleman that didn't care a jot about me. And when Cyle appeared, it was like a … a…I don't know what. A chance. A way to make sure my fears would never be realised." She sniffed. "I was so selfish. I handed the world over to him – how can anyone forgive me for that? How can anyone say I've done any good after that?"
The words flowed, and she remembered that familiar feeling again. The feeling that she could tell him anything about herself.
"You saved me," he said after a pause. "I was always lost without you. Every time we faced a new threat I always did it for you." She could hear his slow breathing and it was almost hypnotic. "And you're far from selfish."
"Stop," she said, but her mind raced. Saved him from what exactly? "I don't deserve this."
Her eyes met his. "What do you see, Your Highness?"
She smiled. "I see a good man," she said, mimicking the words she had said about Cyle so many summers ago. "An honourable man." Something twitched on his face at that.
The man I should have married. She wanted to say it, but couldn't. There was nothing she could offer him except disappointed hopes and it just did not seem right when the world was spinning away wildly around them. The optimism from earlier in the day faded away. "A man who will make some lucky girl a good husband."
Link's head jerked as if he had been physically slapped. Her face twisted, scared that she had hurt him again. She couldn't say it.
"I don't want to lose you!" The words blurted from his mouth, like a child's desperate plea.
She couldn't say it.
But you want to.
"Link…" She tried to turn away, not wanting to cry. "I'm always here for you. Always have been."
"No," he said, a hint of anger in his voice. "Not like that. That's nothing, a pale imitation. Not as friends. You'll be close, but distant. I would lose you like that." He swallowed. "I miss you."
She couldn't say it.
You ache to say it.
"I don't want to lose you," he continued. "Not again."
Zelda turned back to him, willing her face to be calm. She was battling with herself – she should get going, she should stay. Zayna wanted her, Link wanted her, Zayna wanted her, Link needed her. Zayna, Link, Zayna, Link, Link, Link.
She couldn't say it.
They held each other's gazes, Zelda half turning again, ready to leave. Hesitation held her back.
But you've already wasted one chance all that time ago.
"I don't want to lose you either, Link," she whispered.
His face melted in relief and he stepped forward. Zelda waited, trembling, her eyes closed.
There were tears and there was hope. There was acceptance and conviction. There were embraces and there were words whispered, meaningless, but full of weight.
And there was forgiveness.
*
"I need to get out of here."
Lorfor the Old sat at the bar, a lonely denizen of The Queen's Ring tavern. The inn had stayed open all night, in case anyone wanted to drown their sorrows with their friends. No one but him had taken up the offer. Outside, he heard the angry shouts and the never-ending wails as the townsfolk vented their rage. The rain had started to subside, but it was still dark enough to hide the dawn. He had not slept this night – who could, with that racket going on?
The tavern keeper watched him carefully while he cleaned the inside of a mug with a white cloth. "Where would you go? No offence, but you're a bit too old to pack up and start a new trade."
Lorfor let out a breath through pursed lips and slumped on the hard, wooden tabletop. The man was right.
"It's mad out there," the old hunter said. "And it's only going to get worse. Especially with the King stirring things up."
"Aye," the tavern keeper said, his thoughtful gaze wandering to the door, where the orange light of a fire seeped in under the cracks. "But you can't expect them not to be angry." He put the mug in place and, after a moment's consideration, picked a new one to clean. Lorfor did not think any of the mugs looked particularly dirty anyway. "Their minds might clear as soon as the shock passes."
Lorfor snorted. "Doubt it. Some of already headed off to castle to sign up for the new army."
"They feel a need to do something," the other man answered. "Just like you."
"I know what I need to do," the old man said pulling his mug towards him and taking a sip. "I need to get out of here and find Fran."
The tavern keeper perked up. "Where has that old dog got to anyway? Took off with his daughter and that blasted Imp and we haven't heard word from him since."
Lorfor shrugged. "That's what I intend to find out."
The door opened and the two of them looked up in surprise. Lorfor sat back, appraising the newcomers. Three men, dressed all in white walked in with measured steps. Hoods covered their heads and their necks were bent in a slight bow. Monks, maybe. Whoever they were, they weren't from around here.
"Ho, there," Lorfor said cheerfully. "Welcome to Lon Lon."
They sat on the stools at the bar, not giving him a response. In fact, they did not seem to make any sort of noise at all, even when they moved. Lorfor glanced at the tavern keeper who responded with a small shrug.
He stole a glance outside. Three horses stood there, two of them were pulling a small, wooden cart behind them. The cart was covered with a leather skin, but there was a significant bulge there, indicating some sort of cargo.
Lorfor looked at the men carefully and noticed that their hands were dirty. "Miners, are you?" he asked. The question was bizarre, he realised. Miners dressed as monks? He wondered what spiritual order they belonged to. He had never heard of any order of white robed monks before.
The men didn't answer. They remained fixed in position, their gazes straight ahead.
"What'll it be?" the tavern keeper said with a soft voice in order to break the uneasy silence.
This time one of them did speak, his voice quiet, but holding a tone of command. "Water."
The tavern keeper nodded, turning to get their orders.
Lorfor chewed his teeth, not sure what to make of the newcomers. Taking another swig from his mug, he tried again. "You must have some business in Lon Lon, right? Looks like you've been travelling a while, from…?"
One of them turned slowly to regard him with inky black eyes. Lorfor felt frozen, an icy paralysis running through his veins. He tried to swallow, but his throat would not respond. Again, the man did not speak and the old hunter felt his head start to pound. Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the feeling was gone. The monk turned away.
Gasping for breath, Lofor stood. "I think it's time for me to turn in for the night."
"Aye," the tavern keeper said in response, a look of concern on his face. Lorfor caught his eye and the man twitched his nose, giving the sign that he though he would be perfectly safe in the tavern by himself.
Of course he would be safe, he thought to himself as he strode out into the cool air. They were just monks after all.
He shrugged his coat closer around his shoulders to fight off against the chill and let his eyes fall on the cart. The horses ignored him, gently scraping their hooves against the ground in boredom. He could not quite make out what was under the cover, but he did spy a small hole there.
Casting a nervous glance back towards the tavern, he shuffled forward trying to look casual. As soon as he was close enough, he squinted. There was not enough light for him to see clearly, but something flashed within. Something golden.
He walked away quickly; throwing one glance at the large fire someone had built. It was raging well and someone had placed crudely made effigies of Link, Zelda and a Freelander on top of it.
His thoughts whirled back to what he had just seen. Ridiculous. Monks had little interest in gold; they were supposedly cut off from the base desires of the world. Lorfor shook his head. He was getting too old and events were clouding his judgement. He definitely needed to get out of here.
*
Zayna waited impatiently, her fingers tapping on the side of a wooden table. She looked down, noticing that it was made with the usual Freelander attention to detail and beauty. Out of the corner of one eye, she saw Prince Chizan pacing the room, his arms folded in obvious annoyance. Tyron was sitting calmly beside the plump figure of the Wise One of the North.
Zayna didn't like the look of the woman. There was something sly in her eyes, and her mouth curled as if she was in on some eternal joke. She was dressed in brightly coloured attire; a sharp contrast to the muted colours Freelanders usually wore. The Key wondered if the old woman was even sane. She would hum to herself happily and would snatch at things in mid air, things that Zayna could not see. Once, the Wise One had caught her staring and had winked, licking her lips. Zayna had turned her face away abruptly, the scowl clear for all.
The door opened and the Queen and the Hero bounded in. Zayna's mouth began to smirk as she noticed Zelda's flustered appearance and slightly dishevelled hair.
The Prince caught it too and his eyes narrowed, a look that he seemed to have perfected this night.
"You're late," Chizan said.
Link trotted up to him, a spring in his step. He waited until they were eye-to-eye. The Prince did not flinch.
"She tripped," Link said, his tone filled with amusement. "I caught her."
Zelda coughed sharply, throwing the Hero a playful glare.
Zayna giggled under her breath at the interchange, but was cut off by a stare from the Wise One.
"I hope we haven't kept you waiting too long," the Queen asked looking directly at the Key with concern.
She smiled in response. "No, no," she said, glad at the look of relief on Zelda's face. It was true as well. She had been strangely calm, despite her eager impatience to hear the Wise One's words.
"This is Adreya," Tyron said, motioning to the old woman. His tone was sombre and his eyes weary. "The Wise One of the North."
Noticing Chizan's short bow, Zayna followed suit. After a moment, Zelda and Link bowed too. In perfect synchronisation, the Key noted.
"So," Adreya said, her voice high pitched and containing a tint of contempt. "Which one of you thinks she's the Key?" Her eyes darted between Zelda and Zayna.
Zayna swallowed as the Queen looked towards her, an encouraging look in her eyes.
She stepped forward. "I am."
Adreya shuffled over towards her, cackling. She lifted Zayna's chin, examining her face while her tongue rolled around the bottom of her lip. Zayna tensed, trying not to feel annoyed. Abruptly, the Wise One dropped her head and looked her in the eyes.
"You're the Key?" she asked, her voice filled with scorn.
"Yes," Zayna said through gritted teeth.
Adreya cocked her head to one side. "What makes you so certain?"
Zayna blinked. "My mother told me."
"And what made her so certain?"
"She saw dreams, I suppose," she answered, frowning.
"Enough of this!" They all turned to the sound of Link's voice. There was an unusual scowl on his face, and Zelda was looking at him, puzzled. "Zayna is the Key or else why would Cyle and Chalance Vance be seeking her? Her mother was told by the voices in her head."
Adreya fixed him with a cold stare. "She's not the only who hears voices in her head, is she?":
Link gaped. "What?"
Zelda and Zayna exchanged confused glances as Chizan frowned.
The old woman turned away from the Hero. "Hmm," she said, her eyes narrowing. "The Counter Key is what you need."
The Hero of Time hissed. "The Counter Key is dead." Each word was like a poisoned arrow.
"Oh?" Adreya said, an amused tinkle in her voice. "What makes you so certain?"
Link snarled, clenching his fists. Tyron jumped and Chizan's hand fell automatically to the hilt of his sword. Zayna chewed the inside of her cheek – why was the Hero behaving so strangely?
"Link!" the Queen cried, shock clear on her face. He wilted in front of her stern glare and composed himself with a shrug. Zelda continued to watch him, her forehead creased in a frown.
"I saw her die," the Hero said, his voice straining to stay calm.
The Wise One digested this without comment.
"Please," Zayna said, disgusted at herself for her tone. "I need to know. Is there any way to remove this curse?"
There was silence as Adreya pondered her answer. Torch lights crackled, their noise amplified. Zayna saw the dancing flames reflected in the old woman's eyes. Her face was rigid and her mouth set. Zayna thought she was not going to speak again this night.
Tyron fidgeted with his robe as they waited. Zayna saw Link stand there, his arms folded across his chest. The Hero's eyes thinned to slits as he spied the Prince silently padding over to stand beside the Queen. For all their nuances, Zayna felt a sudden surge of love for them all. They were her friends. Her friends.
"There may be a way." Zayna jumped at the sudden sound of Adreya's shrill voice.
"Yes?" she asked.
The Wise One licked her lips. "To the North are the Morose Mountains. They are on the border between the Freelander Emirate and the Morolak Kingdoms."
Chizan bristled. "That is many leagues from here," he said, his voice soft. "It will take time." His gaze took in all of them. "Perhaps many weeks."
"I did not claim it would be easy, Your Highness," Adreya answered a little stiffly.
"What must I do there?" Zayna asked.
"Slay the Dark Dragon there and drink his blood."
"What will that do?"
"It will give you a good complexion," the Wise One said with a wry smile. "The Dragon guards the Temple of the Dead. There you will find your answers."
"You don't have any answers for me?" she asked, feeling frustrated. She felt Zelda walk up to her and wrap her arm around her shoulders. The disappointment threatened to pull Zayna down.
Adreya held out her hands. "This is all I have to offer you," she said, her voice softening for the first time this night. "Take it or leave it."
"We take it." It was Link's voice, ringing out strong and clear. He drew his sword and stood beside his apprentice. "Who is with us?"
"I am," Chizan answered, taking his place behind the three of them. Link and the Prince glanced at each other, something unspoken passing between them. Tyron nodded, shuffling over to stand by the Queen. She looked at him, pressing her mouth into a thin smile. He smiled back.
"Then it is agreed," Zelda said. "We take an oath this night, all and one, to guide Zayna to the Temple of the Dead and free her from her curse. We will stand beside her until our task is done or we have fallen in the attempt."
Zayna clenched her jaw, trying to keep back the intense whirl of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Indeed," the Wise One said, her voice soft and quiet as her narrowed eyes regarded each of them. "Just remember one thing." They all turned to her, waiting for her to continue. "Expect the unexpected."