Link began to head for the door before realising that he had no idea where he even was. Though he was not about to let that stop him, when he was lost, he always found a way. Even when it seemed impossible.
Before he could open the door though, the King stepped in front of it, shaking his head. Link tilted his head to the side and arched an eyebrow in confusion, he was about to ask why he was being stopped from leaving when the King's eyes narrowed and he pointed over to the other side of the room, where Midna was sat with her usual cocky expression written on her face.
"I'll allow Midna to do the honours of explaining what you will have to know before continuing on the journey." The King stated and stepped aside.
Link turned around to face the giddy little imp. He took a few steps forward and then gave her a nod to continue.
"Come on Link, we have to get moving." She urged him, standing up and going over to open the door.
"Woah, hold up! Where are we going? And exactly what are we going to do?" He quizzed as he caught up with Midna, who was already outside the door.
"Before we begin our quest, we will need to visit a few familiar places. Our first stop however, is right here in Castle Town." She informed him.
"Easy peasy. No problem there." He responded, with a dose of boyish confidence in his voice.
"Whilst here, you need to speak with Telma, you still know her right?" Midna questioned, a little concerned that he may not remember.
Unlike the rest of the Hylians though, he seemed to remember perfectly fine as he gave her a little nod to say that he did, indeed, remember Telma.
"Be safe on your journey brave Link and young Midna. I will be here in the castle if you should happen to need me." The King bid farewell.
Once they were outside and further into Castle Town, nearing the fountain, Link stopped. He couldn't help but think about the long journey ahead of them, but asides from that, his brain had only just registered with him what Midna had asked. It was an odd question since there should be no reason why he wouldn't remember Telma, the bar owner with several cats as friends.
Despite the strange question, he knew that he would most likely find out why once they reached her Tavern. Unlike near the castle itself, Castle Town was crowded with rich Hylians. Usually they would be going around, minding their own business and doing what had to be done, however Link instantly noticed how they were all running around as though they were frantically searching for something - most likely a safe place to hide - and some were even wielding weapons while others were making them out of any random object that they could find. Extremely odd for the calm population of this town, he thought to himself quietly as he stopped and waited for Midna to catch up. He hadn't noticed how fast he had been walking until he had looked back only to notice that there was quite a distance between himself and her.
"What are you standing there for?!" She asked disapprovingly as she finally caught him up. "We have to meet up with Telma, remember?" She insisted.
Link was about to open his mouth to speak and tell her that he had been waiting for her when he quickly remembered that she could easily teleport herself to him using magic. So rather than giving her that answer, he continued walking down the south side of Castle Town, past the fountain and down the little walk way and the steps that led to Telma's Tavern.
Stood near the doors, with Midna by his side, he waited for her approval before opening the doors. Once she had given him that little encouraging nod, that he was used to by now, he fiddled with the doorknob and twisted it to the left until the door opened.
"Link! What a fantastic surprise! And you've brought your little friend." Telma cheered.
She seemed a little too cheery for someone who's town had just been under attack. But because he knew that it was just the way she was, Link let the thought slide and put all his focus on finding out why they were even there. He turned to Midna and waited for her to speak first before he even said a word.
"Link, go and ask Telma about the attack that happened." Midna instructed him.
Without a word he nodded in understanding and walked up to Telma, resting his arms on the bar and leaning closer, he spoke.
"Telma. Do you know who was behind the attack on Hyrule?" He asked, his jewel blue eyes locked on the kind bar owner.
The burley woman stared blankly at him for a moment before a look of confusion spread across her face. At first he thought that she was perhaps just searching her mind for all the important information that he needed to know, just as she had once before. But then a frown appeared on her face and a look of worry.
"Attack? Where .. who?" She stammered, completely clueless.
Link looked back at Midna with a questioning look, and he instantly saw the disappointed look in her eyes. It was then that she walked to him, looking as though she had something important to say.
"She doesnt remember .. No one here will." The usually giddy imp informed him.
Link looked back and for between the two, frightened for what this meant for the kingdom and all its people.
"Look... Zant used some kind of magic on them after kidnapping Zelda. So all the Hylians wont remember a thing of the attack." Midna further explained.
Hearing about everything that he had completely and utterly failed to prevent, all Link could do was silently kick himself for not picking up on anything that was wrong sooner than he had. The past few days had been spent so caught up in Princess Zelda's aura, and planning their wedding that he had completely let everything else slip his mind or go right over his head.
"Sorry Link, honey. I don't know what you're talking about. I wish I could help you. Maybe you should ask Ilia." Telma suggested sadly, disappointed that she was unable to help them anymore.
"Ilia! Thats it!" Midna exclaimed with a snap of her fingers as a smile spread across her face.
"We must find Ilia! She isn't from this part of Hyrule. She lives just on the borders of the kingdom, in Ordon village. Your true home." She added, almost jumping in the air with excitement from being able to figure out exactly what they needed to do.
"Thank you Telma." Link smiled at the woman and turned back to Midna. "First we should check in with Kakariko village and maybe stock up on weapons and supplies, I do not think that a wooden sword from when I was seven years old is going to do much." He added to his companion.
"Where is your master sword?" Midna asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
Link looked down at his old and scuffed brown boots and walked over to the door, pulling it open and waiting for Midna to go through before he did. Once they were outside the Tavern once again, he stopped and turned to her.
"I lost it when I fainted." He admitted to her sheepishly.
Her reaction was just as he expected, she gasped in shock and horror before going right up to him, with her body just inches away from his and then she poked him in the chest.
"You lost the legendary blade?! You know we need that sword! It is the only one that even remotely stands a chance against Zant!" She began to freak out on him.
Link nodded with a little sigh. He knew that she was right, and he was deeply ashamed of himself right now. If he had just kept his guard up then none of this would be happening.
"Midna, I didn't lose it. When they attacked and knocked me out, they must have taken it because when I woke up in Zelda's bed chambers it was gone." He stated in his defense.
The imp did not reply though, she appeared to be deep in thought.
"Hmm... didn't you deliver the Ordon sword back to the village?" She questioned, her mind going over the events that happened just before they had parted ways.
"Colin's father keeps it safe." Link stated.
"You should use that sword until we can find the blade that you lost." Midna suggested.
"Right! That would be best." He agreed.
"Then let's get going." Midna said, walking on ahead.
Without a second thought, Link followed and soon caught up with her. They were in for a long journey and most likely a difficult fight against Zant, but no matter what he would not fail his fellow Hylians, his beloved Princess or Midna again.
