Chapter 3
I'll spare you the details of the rest of that exchange. It involved Zelda crying a lot, and Link telling her everything was going to be okay. When in fact, I didn't see how that could be possible.
We stayed in guest bedrooms of the palace that night (separate ones, you perverts.) I slept okay, given that I was still worrying if Link or I would be victims of this plague.
I was more worried about him. If I died, the world would be at no great loss, but he's probably Hyrule's only hope after Zelda was gone.
And I didn't ever want to think of him dying and me surviving, life just wouldn't be worth it.
I left the next morning. Alone. Link was probably still comforting her royal whininess.
I'm sorry. That was mean. I'd be like that if I was about to die too.
(which you know, it was possible)
I was kind of forlorn upon my return, but my father was smart enough not to ask why. I ambled about my chores in a kind of monotonous drone.
Yes, I know I'm whining. I believe I had reason.
My sleep that night was troubled. Dreams haunted me - not prophetic ones, but horrible ones nonetheless. Hyrule in a state of desolation with no one - not even Link - to help us. That sort of thing.
I woke up several hours before dawn and, giving up on sleep, I sat by my window and stared out at the night sky. I heard soft snoring, and thought it to be my father downstairs.
Then I rethought my last statement. My father does not snore softly. His snoring, entirely separate and more like a bear growling than anything else, came from downstairs. This is not where the second set came from.
I looked out my window and down to see none other than the Hero of Time reclining against the wall of the house, sleeping like a baby. I took my blanket and went outside to where he lay. Gently I covered him with it, and returned to my bed.
I slept a lot better after that.
And I woke up to the greatest thing in the world afterwards.
The sun was shining through the shutters, or at least I figured it was. I could tell it was bright, but I still had my eyes closed.
I realized I had to get out of bed eventually, so I blearily opened my eyes.
Link was standing at the foot of my bed, looking slightly shamefaced. "I've never tucked anyone in before…sorry to wake you."
At that point I saw I had my blanket back. I'm never washing this again. "It's okay, I need to be up anyway." Jeez, I must look like a mess right now. I struggled to climb out of bed. "Need something?"
"Yes," he said, "And it's rather important."
"Lay it on me." It took great effort not to giggle at the innuendo in that statement.
"This plague…it may originate in the water supply, or so Zelda suspects," he began. "You can't exactly stop drinking water, but if you boiled the water before you drank it, or gave it to your animals, it might prevent trouble later."
"Understandable," I said. "But what if this plague is because of something that is with the cows upon birth?"
He sighed. "I don't know. Don't sell the beef or milk of any cow that has peculiar behavior."
"We don't do that anyway," I said, slightly offended.
"Well, be extra careful." He sat down in a chair. "This could get ugly."
"I know," I said, but I didn't know anything about plague. This was the first during my lifetime. "Is Zelda taking this any better?"
"No," he said with a groan. "She doesn't know what to do."
"Did she ever tell you a full account of the dream?" I asked.
He took a deep breath. "Yes…all of the races of Hylia were standing upon its fields, and were suddenly knocked down by some great force, and then it rained for a long time."
"Which is why she thinks it comes from the water supply," I…supplied.
He nodded. "Then there was a great light, and she was taken up in it…and then the new ruler was revealed to her. No, she didn't tell me who," he finished, seeing the question in my eyes.
"That could mean a million things though!" I protested. "And from what I can tell, it doesn't sound like plague at all!"
He looked puzzled. "What do you think it sounds like?"
"A monster," I said. I didn't know where this was coming from, but I knew I was right. "It's a monster, that's coming from a water source. He might knock down our people, but not if we stop him in time."
"But she would know more about interpreting these - "
"She misinterpreted her last one," I pointed out, "And because of it, Ganon almost sealed Hyrule's fate in shadow."
Link leaned back and closed his eyes. "You have a point.
"We've just got to stay alert," I said. "It's all we can do now."
"You're very insightful, Malon."
I blushed. A lot. "Thanks," I said meekly.
"Zelda needs all the help she can get at the castle," he said. "Do you think you can come back with me and help her from spazzing out?"
I thought about this a minute. "Well, dad's been hiring new workers, and doesn't need me as much…"
Link smiled. "Great. So can we go?"
He certainly wasn't one to wait around. I quickly threw some clothes in a bad, explained the situation to my father, and rode off into the afternoon sun with Link.
(though sunset would sound much more romantic)
I think I should describe this situation more acutely. The handsome, blond, muscular, all-around good guy Link, sat on the front of the horse, nudging Epona along at a leisurely pace while I had had my arms wrapped lightly around his waist (it is proper etiquette of horsemanship, after all) and we ambled on, chatting idly about the little things.
Wow, that was a long sentence.
We arrived at the castle, and he helped me off Epona…yes, I can get off a horse on my own, but I'd like to see you resist him. By the way, you'd think he'd hands would be more calloused from all the swordplay….
But I digress. Anyway…
Back in the palace things were, to put it mildly, chaotic.
Guards were everywhere. I guess Zelda was afraid of being assassinated as well. Servants were running around, trying to fill the Princess' orders. Then there were the ver present carpenters, putting the final touches on the castle.
What have I gotten myself into?
