The cool night air felt wonderful after my long stay in the castle. I was standing on a balcony by my room, looking out over the land below, wondering what was beyond the castle walls.
It's been two weeks; two weeks of struggling to recall who I am, where I came from-anything, everything. Those around me have not told me much. The one called Impa says that it'd be best for me to try to remember on my own.
If I could remember, I wouldn't be in this position.
I glanced over my shoulder at the door. The light glowing inside almost seemed threatening. I didn't want to go back in there. I didn't want to breath the stuffy castle air again, nor did I want to go back to their secrets and deceit. They've all acted preoccupied lately, like something's going to happen and they're waiting for it. I've tried asking them about it, but they have yet to give me a straight answer. They've also refused to let me go outside at all, as if I'm some fragile piece of glass that they can't afford to break. The cut on my wrist is healed, so that can't be why. They plan on using me for something...
I don't want to be used.
There were vines on the wall. Curiously I looked down to see how far it went.
All the way down...good.
With one last check over my shoulder to make sure no one was around, I grabbed a hold of the vines and carefully started to climb down. The way the leaves brushed my fingers felt oddly familiar, and the motion seemed like it was second nature. I should've felt nervous, this being the "first" time I'd ever done something like this, but instead I felt confident as though I'd been climbing up and down vines my whole life.
Perhaps I had.
A few minutes of silent climbing passed before my feet finally touched the ground. The grass cushioned my footsteps, allowing me to traverse silently over the courtyards.
The path my mind picked out for me zigzagged behind bushes and statues. I wasn't sure why I moved the way I did, only that it was my first instinct to do so. Only when I finally made my way past the castle gate did I realize that I had somehow walked around every guard between where I currently stood and the room I had just escaped.
Perhaps another memory?
Puzzled, and somewhat excited, I turned my back to the castle and continued on in the cover of darkness.
Drat...
The drawbridge is closed, blocking the only way out of town. Some guard told me that it wouldn't be open until dawn. So for now, I'm still trapped.
I pace the expanse of the common, my eyes drifting over the strange sights. Buildings made of brick and stone strecth upward, not nearly as tall as the castle. The ground itself seems to be made of stone, making my footsteps louder than I would like. I wonder vaguely what time it is, though somewhere deep inside I know it'll be three or four hours yet. All the shops are closed, and I know better than to knock on someone's door at this hour.
Dogs seems to be wandering everwhere, most of them lacking a collar. Now and then one will start to follow me until it gets bored with my pacing and runs off to find something else. I'm tired by now. I'd gotten used to sleeping so long every night, and this little escapade certainly disrupts the pattern I'd fallen into.
I stop in my pacing, suddenly alert and wide awake. I heard shouts in the distance, coming from the castle. I felt like a rabbit being hunted. They must've realized I had left and were coming to look for me! My suspicions were confirmed when I heard the sound of horse hooves heading in my direction. Panic threatened to paralyze me. I didn't want to go back. If they found me, I'd be back in that castle, that prison, and they'd no doubt keep me under closer watch than before.
Finally I willed myself to move. I ran for an opening between the buildings, not certain as to where I was actually going, but not caring. I just had to get away, out of sight.
I found myself in an abandoned alleyway. The ground was covered with broken beer bottles and crates. Cautiously I peered around the corner and looked into the common in time to see a white horse come to a stop. Zelda was the rider, and Impa was with her. They talked to the guard who I'd asked about the bridge earlier. I couldn't hear what they were saying, my heart was beating too loud. He nodded...why did he nod? Was he telling them I was still here? Of course he was...why else would he nod? They were going to find me...
"Hiding from someone?" I nearly jumped out of my skin at the voice. I spun around to see a cloaked figure watching me from the shadows.
I swallowed my panic before answering. "Y...you could say that..."
"Ah, well...in that case, perhaps I can help you." the man approached slowly. I wondered vaguely why this man was here, but my desperation over-rode my caution.
"How?"
"You can come with me. I'll get you out of here," he smiled under the hood of his cloak. "What do you say?"
I hesitated only a moment, the sound of hurried footsteps in my direction rushed my thinking. "Yes, yes, please!" I said hurriedly. He nodded. He clapped his hand together and said something under his breath. There was a bright light, then silence.
T.B.C.
So sorry for the long wait...this chapter may be somewhat sloppy only because it has been literally a year since I've written ANYTHING complete, fanfiction wise. Also, I had to use notepad for this because my computer is a pain in the butt and, should I ever get a new one, will literally be thrown out the window. (Never get an ME, NEVER) I've had to reinstall windows five times as of now, and have had to replace the hard-drive once, and I believe this one is starting to go. -sigh- Anyway, hopefully I will be updating regularly for awhile.
Until we meet under the stars' light again, farewell and good luck.
LinkSage