SnowCrystal: Wow, I didn't know that about the manga! Thanks! Oh, and I'm going to make Zach have trouble using the Hookshot, but he'll master it eventually. As for hiding under his shield, only one thing comes into my mind…TURTLE! Okay, sorry.
LadyAkki45: Well, if Link took Zach back, the stupid old King may accuse him for abducting the Prince for ransom, yada yada yada. He knows Zelda is worried, but right now I can't say anything without ruining the story. :(
UszumakiNaruto: LoL, I'm glad you like the story. I'm updating as fast as I can!
Link Fangirl01: Yep, I'm updating as fast as I can! Keep watching your e-mail for the alert!
qwertumz: You're great at writing, too! Don't worry, my REAL crappy stories are all located at the very dusty bottom of my profile, all for PotO and other crap. I mean, the movies/books aren't crap, but the stories are. Yeah.
foxdude33: Haha, thanks. Sorry for the scare. I think they stopped now.
Ayadin: Well, I'm glad you like the fast rate and the story! It's great having a fan!
maximushyrule: Yes, it would be hilarious, and I'm trying to find a way to incorporate it in!
ShinigamiLenne: Wow! Fave'd and alerted! Thank you! I'm glad you like the story!
Alli-dunno: Zelda will know…in this chapter!
TheGoddessKnight: Link may be toying with him…and he may not… ;)
Living the Legend
Chapter Seven: The Discovery
Somewhere off in the distance, a Cucco crowed. Zelda woke up instantly, always liking the sound of the Cucco in the morning. The Cuccos in her country were somewhat quiet, but it was nice be in Hyrule and hear the cry every morning for about a week. She got up in her thin nightgown, as it was summer, and gazed out the balcony.
Her husband snored on, oblivious to the rising sun. Zelda shook her head at her husband and went to get ready. She was strangely famished and craving a good breakfast. She also wanted to see the chipper face of her son. Washing up, she changed into her royal garments, and left the chamber, nodding to the guards. She passed Zach's room.
"Has the Prince awaken yet?" Zelda asked.
"The Prince is still asleep, I believe," the guard responded, "I have not heard any movement in the room since he went in."
"He must be tired," Zelda mused, then thanked the guard. I suppose I would be tired as well if I were constantly questioned by my grandfather.
Zelda came lightly down the marble steps, nodding to the maids that curtsied and the guards that bowed in her presence. She proceeded to the dining room and met her father there, sitting at the head of a great table.
"Good morning, Father," she called, coming in. Taking her seat a few chairs away from him, she began to eat.
"Where is Zachary?" the King asked.
"Asleep, Father. He is very tired."
"Oh, is he? I want to see him as soon as he wakes up."
"He will come down once he does, Father."
"Yes, yes."
The two continued to eat in silence. Half an hour later, Byral came down, still looking sleepy. He kissed his wife and nodded to the King.
"It is strange for Zachary to sleep later than us," Byral mused. "He's usually wide awake hours before we are. He naturally rises as soon as the eastern sky pales."
"I'll go check on him," Zelda stood, and walked swiftly to the hall and up the steps. Some inner sense told her something was wrong. She hoped he wasn't sick with a fever, or some other horrid disease. She ran up to his room, and without acknowledging the guard, threw open his door.
He wasn't sick, that was certain—he wasn't even there.
Zach could not help looking back down every so often to see the receding Kakariko Village. It got smaller with each step. After walking for an hour, they chanced upon some more tektites; these kinds were red and yellow. Link sliced one, and let Zachary kill the other two. They continued forward.
Once, Zachary glanced back, and saw the tip of Hyrule Castle's green roof. He felt a pit in his stomach as he thought of Zelda, and how worried she must be, for now the sun was higher, and it was around 11:00. Zachary looked back at Link, who was pressing onward. Zach followed in silence.
"How much farther?" Zach croaked, noticing how thirsty he suddenly was.
Link noticed as well, and handed him the canteen without a word. "A while. You're the one who wanted to come up here, I believe. Don't worry. One-third of the way up is a cave we can rest in for a day, if you want."
Zach quenched his thirst, but Link's words pierced him suddenly. "We're not even one-third of the way up?"
"Well, young one, I said the hike would be two days if you wanted to reach the top," Link smirked.
Zach held his groan; he didn't want to complain in front of this great and honorable Hylian. He tried to put all his energy into going up the dusty path. Finally, after another hour, a cave with a wide mouth greeted them, and Zach felt relieved to feel its coolness as he sat down inside it. Link remained standing.
"We can stay here for a while, if you want. At night, when it's cool. We can sit on that ledge over there to look over some of Hyrule. Around that ledge is the rest of the path."
Zach nodded, then peered down at the endless darkness. "Where does this cave go?"
"Inside part of the mountain. This is where the Dodongos lived so long ago. Fear not, they are defeated, but it is not wise to venture in there often," Link explained.
Dodongos! Again, from his mother's story! It was almost as if everything on this journey was linked to the legend. Zach bounced eagerly on the ground, but then realized how much it hurt, and stopped.
"Since we are on a volcano," Link spoke, "and it is summer, it is best we travel at night, when it is cool. When we near the top, there may be some avalanches, so you will need that strong shield of yours. Rest now. We will travel at dusk."
Zach nodded, lay on the ground, and closed his eyes.
Zelda's scream probably woke everyone in town. Byral and the King rushed to Zach's room, finding the sobbing Queen.
"Zach is gone!" she cried.
"How is that possible?" Byral came to her.
"No one entered the room last night," the guard swore.
"It is obvious," Zelda whimpered, "that he has run away, because he did not want to be King. He told me on our way over."
"We must find him!" Byral roared, sudden anger flowing through him. "I will find our son!"
Byral made it sound like "I will find our son and kill him!" rather than "I will find our son to ensure his safety!" Zelda ignored this and wept bitterly as the King comforted her. He turned to Byral.
"As soon as you are ready, I will prepare some of my men to go with you under your command to find your son. We must not lose the heir of Hyrule!"
Byral nodded, and went to Zelda. "Fear not, dear wife. I shall find him!"
With that, Byral left to get ready.
"Where would he go?" Zelda sobbed quietly. Then she froze. Calling a maid over, she said, "Send for Link, the distributor for Lon Lon Ranch here in town. If he is not there, send for Malon, the Ranch owner. Maybe he is over there preparing orders."
The maid nodded and hurried off to tell the messenger. The King came and put his arm around Zelda. He did not hear who she sent for, as he was questioning the startled guard. Both gazed out the window.
"I'm so worried for him," Zelda wept.
"I as well," the King agreed. "Not only as an heir, but as a grandson as well."
Zelda wiped away the tears. Minutes later Byral returned, telling the King he was ready. The King left with Byral to gather the men. Zelda continued to stare out the window, at the vast and empty Hyrule Field. She stood there for hours, until the sun was near setting.
"My lady," the maid returned. "We have searched everywhere, even the Ranch. Link cannot be found. We have brought Malon with us, and she waits for you in the Great Hall."
A smile found its way on to her lips. She nodded to the maid. "Thank you. That is all the information I need." She took one last look out the window.
Somehow, deep down, Zelda felt proud of Zach.
Sorry
the chapter is
short! I wanted to keep it simple. Another one may be soon! And yes, I
made Link work for Malon! xD He just delivers the milk now since Talon
is getting too old for it. (Plus he falls asleep on the job. xD)