Chapter 2
We rode up to the castle, not saying much. He probably just wants to see her, I thought bitterly.
They raised the drawbridge for us and, once inside, I began stacking the boxes in the corner, where we used to before the castle had been destroyed. Of course, Link helped. It's in the job description for the Hero of Time to be a gentleman.
I had to deliver the bill to the princess, so we headed to the throne room. I guess the guards recognized us, because they let us inside without question. Well, he is the Hero of Time, how can you not recognize him…
Zelda looked horrible. She had dark circles under her eyes, her dress was rumpled, and she was dozing on the throne. "Oh Link…and Malon, is it?"
"Yes, your highness," I said, "I brought your delivery."
"Are you okay?" asked Link.
She shook her head. "I haven't slept in three days."
"Why?"
"These damned dreams…"
Oh great…prophetic dreams are never a good sign. "about…?" Link asked.
Zelda's head drooped. "Hyrule's future. I am not going to last as its ruler."
"You're just being pessimistic - "
"No, in the literal since," she sighed. "I'm going to die."
I'd never heard silence before. Because it's silence, you aren't supposed to hear it. This, however, was palpable.
"Plague will strike Hyrule," she continued. "Many will die… the remaining will lead us into the golden age of prosperity but I will not be one of them."
I felt really out of place in this conversation, like I was not worthy of receiving this information. But there was no way I could excuse myself at this point.
"Who will rule?" Link asked.
"I am not permitted to reveal that," she said quietly.
"You're a Sage, how can you die?" he seemed baffled.
"I'm just their leader…it's not like I have a temple to protect," she shrugged. "It won't affect any of the dealings of the Sages."
Now, I'm not a very patriotic person…in fact, I could care less about what happens in Hyrule most of the time. But no leadership and a plague didn't sound good for anyone.
In fact, it kind of sucked.
