"An Issue of Trust and the Sages Council"
The sun shone right through the chiffon curtains and its rays landed upon Zelda's face. She slowly opened her eyes and arose to the beginning of a new day. She went outside onto her balcony to recollect what happened last night, the dream, Link's coming, and her own feelings for him. They all seemed to run together. Yet, she was okay with it. She was okay with all of it. It was not uncommon for friendships to bloom into something more, and this certainly the first time Link and her shared dreams. What if they were prophetic? What does all this have to do with a desperate servant? She couldn't quite figure it out. She looked around the courtyard for a while when a glowing sphere caught her eye.
" Whatcha doin'," it asked. It was Navi.
" Just thinking," Zelda said warmly. She had forgiven Navi.
" About what?"
" Paraphernalia," Zelda answered. She loved using big words around the fairy.
"Oh. Who's he, your boyfriend?"
" No. Paraphernalia is a word. It means stuff."
" Oh," said the fairy. She felt really dumb now.
" Navi, would you do me a favor?" Zelda asked.
" Sure Princess! I beg to serve," she replied facetiously.
" Quit that. I want you to go down to the dining hall and talk to Impa. Tell her I'll be down as soon as I'm dressed. Do you understand?"
" Yes Princess," Navi replied.
" Go now. Make haste!" said Zelda as the fairy flitted away. She turned around and went back to her room to get dressed. She opened her closet to choose a dress and found them to be very elaborate. Not that this was unusual; after all she was the Crown Princess of Hyrule, heir to the throne, but today she wanted to wear something simple. She remembered a dress her seamstress, Ms. Kosha, made. Now where did she put it? She continued to look through the closet when she remembered she put it in her armoire. She ran to it and put it on behind her screen.
It was a very plain dress but it had sentimental value. Ms. Kosha made the dress from her own material with her own money, which wasn't very much. It was made for the summer season and tried to wear before but her father forbade it. Her father was in Termina now for a week long festival, which he left for yesterday. It was a lovely dress made of chenille with a red linen overlay. The chenille went off the shoulders, and the overlay covered most of it though but left a little bare. She looked in the mirror and was satisfied. Somehow the simple frock looked better than all her other dresses combined. She pulled back her hair halfway and, for propriety's sake, she put on her crown.
Zelda turned from her mirror to look at Link. He was still sleeping peacefully. She wondered if she should wake him up. She wanted to let him sleep, after all, two weeks without any could take its toll. On the other hand, her maid was bound to scream if she saw a man in her chambers, and if she did that the entire castle would assume ... She should wake him up, for both their sakes. She went towards the chaise and knelt beside him. He seemed so angelic when he was sleeping. Like he had seen neither evil nor death. Unfortunately, he had seen both, and yet it never fazed him. At least he never let on that it did. Zelda moved a lock of his hair away from his face. Link, without notion, grabbed her hand gently and opened his eyes.
" Morning Princess," Link said. " Did you sleep well?"
" Yes I did. How about you? How did you sleep?"
" Like a baby."
" We must go own to the dining hall. Impa is waiting for me. It took me forever to get dressed."
" I know. You make a racket."
" You were awake?" asked Zelda horrified. " Were you watching me?"
" Hell no! Pardon my language. It's just the slamming of those doors tend to get people's attention."
" I'm sorry. I usually don't make a fuss over what I wear."
" But you did today," said Link. He grinned a sarcastic grin.
" Get up!" said Zelda smiling. She enjoyed being teased. For some reason she took it as a sign of affection.
Link and Zelda entered the dining hall a little bi past the hour. Impa was waiting at her place at the table, tapping her fork in annoyance. Zelda sat at her normal spot and invited Link to sit with her. The food already served, Link waited for Zelda to give the okay to start eating. He was never very good at etiquette. There was a long silence and nothing happened. Though he was afraid to move he looked around to see if he had missed something. Zelda was staring at her Impa who was staring at her plate. Impa had a stern look on her face, but then again she always did. She finally looked up and glared at Zelda. Zelda smiled a friendly smile, which Impa did not return. Zelda looked down at her plate and stared at it instead.
" You're lucky your father isn't here," said Impa. Her tone was very cross." " If he had seen you pull a stunt like last night there would have been hell to pay."
" What stunt?" asked Zelda, not sure of what her protector was talking about.
" Don't play innocent with me. You know what you did."
Zelda was very confused. She didn't think she had done anything wrong. "I swear the dream was real Impa! Link can corroborate it."
" That's not what I'm talking about and you know it."
" That's just it! I don't know it. I have no idea of what you're talking about." She was becoming a little upset.
" Ha!" said Impa, " and I suppose having a man spend the night in your room completely slipped you mind."
" No. I didn't realize it was a bad thing," said Zelda carefully. " Link came to me in the middle of the night. Since I could offer him no other room I offered him mine. Nothing happened."
" That's not what the fairy told me."
Link, who had given up on the etiquette and started eating, dropped his fork. Zelda had sent blabbermouth Navi to tell Impa she was late! Not one of her smartest moves. He had to get Zelda out of this mess and move on to more important matters, like the dreams.
" Impa, despite what Navi says Zelda is speaking the truth. I came to Zelda in fear for her life. She let me sleep in her chambers out of hospitality. I tell you now, there are more important issues at hand than your silly suspicions."
" Explain," said Impa.
" I dreamt that Zelda was in danger and last night I saw her die at the hands of a servant."
" Were you present in this dream?"
" Yes."
" Then why didn't you save her?"
" I tried, I really did. An outside force kept me from," Link paused. He remembered his emotions from the dream, and the visions. He was frustrated by what happened. " It kept me from— it kept me from saving her." He felt a surge of pain run through him. He did hot want to relive what happened in the dream ever again.
Impa's attitude completely changed. She remembered Zelda's dream; his seemed to complete it in an unsatisfying way. She would have to take action quickly but who would carry out her duties. Link could fulfill them. Yes, he could. If the dream was accurate though, and a servant is plotting against the Crown, they will need a trustworthy spy to help out. Ms. Kosha fit that job perfectly.
" I'll take action on this immediately," said Impa in a determined tone. " Link, since I will be studying in the library, looking up dream symbols, I'll need you to stay by Zelda's side and protect her. I'll also talk to Ms. Kosha and ask her to watch what's going on around the servant corridors. Navi, you can come out now."
Navi had been hiding behind a coat-of –arms. She was afraid that what she had said had gotten her friends into trouble. She came out slowly and went to Link. " I'm sorry about everything," she said.
Link gave a friendly smile and said," It's okay."
" Let's get to work. I don't know whether these dreams will come to pass but I'm not taking chances," said Impa.
The three of them, and Navi, exited the dining area and entered the Grand Hall. There they saw a woman standing. She was tall and had dark hair and was dressed in drab clothing, obviously a peasant. Yet with all her simplicity, there was something strange about her.
For a while no one said anything; the woman was not yet aware of their presence. The silence was short-lived though when Impa grunted at the woman's existence and went on to the library. Zelda decided to help her out.
" Can I help you?" she asked. " What or whom are you looking for?"
"You," said the woman. Her tone was startling. It was very fluid and at the same time very sharp.
" I beg your pardon?"
" I'm your new maid."
" I'm sorry but that position is filled. Henrietta is my maid."
The woman started walking towards Zelda until she was at arms length. She was indeed very beautiful. Her ebony locks fell to her shoulders and her eyes were of deep amethyst making her a marvel to look at. But the air she gave, her aura as it were, was off. It was as if her soul hung over her like a veil, draping her in darkness. It is fair to say that her beauty was not innocent but seductive. She gave a mock sympathetic look and stated," Poor thing."
" What do you mean?" Zelda asked defensively.
" Henrietta eloped with one of your ostlers. Tom I believe. I'm her sister, Roxa. She asked me to take her place.
Link followed Zelda angrily back to her chambers. He couldn't believe that Zelda, the wisest person he knew believed that cock-and-bull story that woman made up. Not that it was implausible, but the karma Roxa possessed was unnerving. She was obviously up to something.
" What in the world are you thinking Zelda?" he said fervently.
" By whatever do you mean Link?" Zelda said nonchalantly.
" Hiring Roxa! I don't trust her, she's nothing but trouble!"
" And how did you come to this conclusion?" she asked a little sternly.
" Instinct," he answered," and it hasn't been wrong yet."
Zelda opened the door to her room and was surprised to see her seamstress, Ms. Kosha standing at her bedside. Ms. Kosha was a short plump woman with dark skin and textured black hair. She was not like normal Hylians by the fact her ears were not long or pointed. Most servants said she was cursed because of this but it didn't bother Zelda one bit. She smiled at her friend warmly asked to what the nature of this visit was.
" I've made a new dress foh ya Mizz Zelda," she spoke with a thick accent. (AN: Think Cajun accent and you've got it).
" Oh. All right. Link could you wait outside while my dress is being fitted?"
" Yeah, why not," he answered coldly as he slammed the door.
" Dat didn't sound so heartfelt you and him okay?" asked Ms. Kosha
" He's just angry. He'll cool down," Zelda replied shakily.
" You sure?"
" No," she answered and broke down crying.
" D'here now Mizz Zelda. Don't cry. D'here no reason to cry. My goodness child, you gon' run outta tears soona or lateh. What's wrong?"
Zelda dried her tears and sniffed a few times. " I really trust him, did you know that?"
" I sorta figured dat out by talk in the kitchen."
" Now I'm disowning that trust."
" I don' understand."
Zelda's eyes welled up with tears again. " Oh Ms. Kosha, I have to tell somebody."
Link sat down next to the door and grumbled loudly. Didn't Zelda trust him after all he's done? He couldn't fathom to think such a thought, yet it would explain things. The idea was still hurtful though.
Navi floated down delicately to him. " What's wrong?" she asked.
Link glanced at her and gave her a look of angry disbelief. " She doesn't trust me. After all I've done for her and Hyrule and everyone else she still doesn't trust me."
" I don't think that's the issue."
" And what would you know?"
" I know a lot more when you're angry," she said sternly.
" And…"
" You know Zelda's smart, and that she trusts you. I think your problem is you don't feel needed."
" What! That's insane!"
" And true."
The hollow cavity created by the previous thought grew as Link slowly realized that Navi was right. The way Zelda handled herself last night was proved she could protect herself without him or Impa. Gone were the days when she was innocent, fun loving and would scream at anything. Zelda is smart and probably hired Roxa for a reason. Maybe the issue wasn't Zelda trusting he; maybe the issue was he trusting Zelda. He would have to think on that a little more.
Link was drawn out of his moment of contemplation by a figure standing over him. It was a boy, a page most likely. He seemed to be a little intimidated.
" Uh, excuse me sir. Are you Link?" the bay asked. He couldn't have been any older than ten.
" Yes, I am Link," he answered.
" There's a messenger downstairs in the Grand Foyer. He says he has a message for you."
Ms. Kosha gasped when Zelda finished speaking. " Mizz Zelda you gotta tell him, you jus' gotta tell him. He yo friend!"
" Don't you think I want to tell him? Don't you think it would be easier for me?" Zelda cried.
" I don' even see why you not tellin' him in the first place."
Zelda was quiet at her seamstress' retort. She knew if she told Link about her plan/ idea it would fall apart. She needed his reactions to be true not just false actions. She also knew that by keeping him ignorant, she would not only disown his trust but also denounce their friendship. It was a tough call either way: let evil thrive or lose a friend.
" I don't know what to do she mumbled. " I'm torn."
Ms. Kosha placed her hand on Zelda's shoulder. " Mizz Zelda, you do what yo heart tells ya."
Zelda looked deep into Ms. Kosha's dark brown eyes and knew what to do. She went to the door to tell Link her plan. After all, his friendship and trust was worth more than some silly idea she cooked up. Even though it was a good one. She opened the door and cried," Link!" but saw no one. " Link?" she called again. She took a step out of her room and looked around. One of the pages peeked his head around the corner.
" Excuse me Your Highness. Are you looking for Link?" said the page.
" Yes, where is he?" Zelda inquired eagerly.
" He's downstairs in the main foyer. Some messengers came looking for him."
" Messengers?"
" Yes, messengers."
" How could Link be receiving messages if no one knows he's here?" she pondered, more to herself than the boy.
" Don't ask me Your Highness. I'm just a page."
" Hmm, very well now. You may go."
" Thank you Princess."
Down in the main foyer Link looked carefully at the three parchments he was holding, his blue eyes studying carefully. All three had his name on the front, and on the back was a seal, each different. A goron, a zora, and his owl friend had been the deliverers. Think! What could this mean? Then he heard his name. What now?
He saw Zelda gracefully running towards him. She had an urgent look about her face.
" I have something to tell you Link!" she cried.
" Could it wait? I need to show you something," he answered.
" All right."
" Look at these," he said, showing her the letters.
" Who are they from?"
" Well, this one," he held out the one with the green seal," is from Saria. This one," now holding the blue seal," is from Princess Ruto. And this one with the lovely red seal is from—,"
" Lat me guess," said Zelda," Lady Malon."
Link laughed. " No, King Darunia."
" Oh," she mumbled. Her cheeks flushed slightly.
" What could all this mean Zelda?"
The Princess took a good look at the letters. All of them were still sealed. " Why don't you open them and find out."
Link obeyed and gave a startled look each time. " They're blank!"
" Blank," puzzled Zelda.
" Yes blank. Now what?"
" Well," she started hesitantly," let's use logic." Link raised an eyebrow but nodded in consent. Zelda continued," Three letters—."
" Four," said a guard. " This one nearly gave me a haircut." He handed her a fourth parchment with a split down the center, obviously where a knife had been.
" This one has to be from Nabooru," said Link.
" The way of delivery certainly is the Gerudo style," she pauses. " Wait a minute. King Darunia, Princess Ruto, Saria, and Nabooru. You know what all these people have in common?"
" They all know me?"
" Besides that."
Link took a deep breath and stated," No clue."
" They're all Sages."
The Hero of Time appeared to have reached enlightenment after she said those words. " Right! But why would only four of the seven Sages be sending blank letters?"
" The blank letter could be a symbol of secrecy. It could also be a way of getting your attention. Of the other Sages, the one who didn't contact you got a hold of them and told them to each send you a blank letter attention."
" Okay. That still leaves me with three to choose from."
" Two to choose from."
He gave her a quizzical look.
" I have no idea what's going on," said Zelda. " And of these two, only one knows you're here."
" That would be…"
" Impa!" the Princess cried.
" Exactly," Link stated.
" That and Impa is behind you."
" Huh?" Link turned around and sure enough Impa was behind carrying a bundle of cloth.
" Come, we've no time to lose," she said hastily. " Here, put these on," and she threw Link and Zelda each a bundle.
" What is this?" asked Link as he examined the green tweed.
" It's a Shiekah cloak. It help's you avoid from being seen," said Zelda.
" From bad people?" he asked.
" From people in general," the Princess answered.
" Ah," sighed Link.
" Come on! They're waiting," Impa snapped impatiently.
" Who's waiting?" Link asked.
" The Sages," Impa replied.
The Sheikah woman led them out of the castle. At the gate she doubled checked to see if their cloaks were on properly. " Now do not utter a sound until we are inside the temple. Understand?" They replied by giving a nod. They walked into the market square to the east where the Temple of Time stood. Link understood everything a little better now. Impa had sent the Sages instructions to get his attention, knowing Zelda would use her intelligence to figure it out. The Sages were also instructed to get to the Temple of Time. She must have found something out, something vital, but what? Apparently it was something that had to be kept secret, hence the cloaks. What could be so important to call all the Sages together?
They reached the entrance to the temple and took off their cloaks. Zelda moved closer to Link and walked beside him. " There's something I want to tell you. It's important," she said quietly.
" It'll have to wait Zelda. I think something more significant is about to happen," Link said stiffly. He was still a little sore around her.
Inside the central room of the temple stood a small altar where three gems could be placed. Beside the altar were seven handsomely carved chairs. Three on one side four on the other. Traditionally three would be on each side but with the introduction of Zelda as the Seventh Sage things had changed. In the center of the room was another chair. Zelda presumed this chair was meant for Link, being as he was the Hero of Time. She walked over to what she thought was her seat.
" No Zelda," said her caretaker," you sit over there." She pointed to the center chair.
" What's going on?" Zelda asked.
" Do as you're told," said Impa. Zelda obeyed, but was a little confused. " Link, you may sit by me," Impa continued. He walked to the chair and sat down. A council of Sages, something must be stirring.
The Sages sat quietly while they waited for the final member to arrive. A hidden door behind the altar opened as a blinding radiance pierced the room. A figure emerged from the sea of light and stepped behind the altar. It was Raoru, the last ancient sage who protected the Sacred Realm.
" You all know why you have been called here," Raoru's voice was wise and thunderous. " Zelda, the Seventh Sage, has dreamt a disturbing dream. Whether it is prophetic or not is for me to determine."
The room was silent. The sages looked at him at him intently. Zelda and Link were still baffled.
" And how are you going to decide that?" asked Link. " I think it's a little apparent isn't it?"
" Shh," hissed Navi.
" I plan to perform a dreamscape. Do not ask anymore questions," said the Sage of Light. He walked over to where Zelda was seated. " Zelda, I need you to close your eyes and remember the dream, as much as you can at least. All right?"
Zelda looked over to Impa with a worried expression on her face as if asking " Is everything going to be okay?" Impa gave her a reassuring nod and the Princess closed her eyes in accordance. She slowly started to remember the dream.
Raoru placed his hands a couple inches from Zelda's temples and started the dreamscape. Link watched from his seat, his sights firmly affixed to the process. Zelda's facial expression started to change rapidly. First utter confusion, fear, and horror. She gave a quick gasp, her breath increased rapidly. Raoru concentrated harder as if trying not to lose her. Zelda started to whimper and jerked her body. Raoru was starting to sweat trying to keep the princess still. Zelda panted heavily, a look of sheer terror crossed her face. She let out a blood-curdling scream and shot up, her eyes wide open. She and Raoru stared at each for a moment, communicating with each other somehow. The sage bowed his head and turned to face the other six. Zelda crumpled to the floor and wept. Without a word Link rushed to her side to comfort her and placed his hand on her shoulder. She instantly clung to him and wept some more.
" She still needs me," Link reflected," She still needs me."
Raoru stood in thought for a long period of silence. A couple of the sages grew restless.
" Well! What does it mean?" said a strong voice. It was Nabooru.
" The dream," he paused," is not prophetic." A loud murmur of voices started up. How could this shared dream not be prophetic? The murmur grew silent as Raoru continued. " It is, however, scripted."
" What does that mean?" asked Princess Ruto in her usual sassy tone.
" I believe someone planted it there. Someone of great power," he answered. " The dream was meant for Zelda and Zelda alone. It is a diversion. The person in question believed it would throw her off the right track, so his plot would grow."
" Do you think it has anything to do with Ganondorf?" asked Impa.
" I believe it has everything to do with Ganondorf, though I do not believe he sent the dream. No, he is much to weak for that. However…" he trailed off.
Zelda stopped her crying. The dreamscape had caused immense surge of pain she could not handle. It had subdued now, she felt stronger. She spoke feebly but securely. " It is an accomplice to him. The dream has little relevance now, but still plays a vital role. We should not keep our sights on Ganondorf alone though. He is not the only evil in the land."
" Ah, but he is the greatest!" said King Darunia.
" True," she replied," but if we keep all our sights on him we allow other evil to creep forward."
" She's right," said Saria," I think we should return to our temples and pray to protect Hyrule from all evil. Not just Ganondorf."
" I agree. It is time to return to our duty," said Raoru. The sages nodded their heads in compliance.
" If there isn't anything else, we mustn't waste time," said Nabooru.
" Wait!" cried Link," I have a question." Raoru stared at Link curiously. " If Zelda's dream was directed towards her, how come I saw part of it?"
The sages looked at each other in disbelief. How could he not know?
" You and Zelda are bound together," answered Raoru.
" By what?" Link asked as he stood up. Princess Ruto walked by him and answered before Raoru," The triforce Link. You two are bound by the triforce. I'm going to lake Hylia to the Water Temple. I don't know about you but I want to nip this evil in the bud."
Everyone agreed. Impa walked towards Link and Zelda slowly. " Link," she began, but he interrupted.
" You don't need to ask. The answer is yes I will protect her. With my life if needed.
" Thank you," she stated. She put on her cloak and left. Most of the Sages said a small hello and good-bye to Link, King Darunia nearly knocking him out in the process. Saria was the last one to leave. Her small childlike frame made her look innocent and carefree, though her mind frame was quite the opposite.
" You remember my song right?" she asked happily.
" I can't forget it. Navi won't let me," Link laughed.
" If you need to talk to me, you know what to do," she said.
" You got it," he answered. And with that Saria left. Raoru had closed the door to the secret chamber and Link and Zelda realized they were alone. There was an awkward silence.
" Well," said Link," I guess we better get going. It's twilight outside."
" Yeah. We better get back to the castle," Zelda answered. She was glad he had forgotten about before. The two walked towards the tall entryway that was now their exit when Link stopped. " Wait a minute, you said you had to tell me something important. What is it?"
Zelda cringed at his words. She had hoped he had forgotten about that too. It had no relevance now. Not with the new evidence of circumstances. Still, she had to do it. " It really isn't important now. It was just then. I just wanted to tell you," she walked to his side and looked at him. He turned to listen. Zelda continued, as she looked at link eye to eye. " I just wanted to tell you I do trust you and I do trust your judgment. Even when I don't act like it." There, now she felt better. She would have told him her plan but she decided to abort it. She never got past hiring Roxa anyway.
Link's bitterness and anger towards her had melted away. His two disturbing thoughts had been disproved. Zelda still needed him, and she always had trusted him. He gave a smile of great relief. " I know," he answered," I know." And the two of them returned to the castle.
Meanwhile, deep within the servants' corridors, a seductive beauty was communicating with Lord Ganondorf.
Thank you all who previously reviewed my story. It means a lot to me.
A special note to LainieG304: Thank you so so very much for taking the time to review a mediocre writer like me. Please continue to give me constructive criticism!
Sorry it took so long, (both the chapter and the update). Your support means the world to me!!