Inspiration: Chris Evans, pumpkins (aka cucurbitaceae), lost innocence, tension, extemporaneous speech, and "Tree of Life" album by Audiomachine for the 2020 reedit.
All Original Shout Outs: Miss Ashlynn, Shadow's Lament, Blazer672, Sippurp123, Vivi, Maura, Kingdomfantasies, Skittcreamstar, China Moon, ZeldaGeek726, and James Birdsong. Thank you for reading.
Author's Note: Reuploaded 3/4/2020. Reedited 3/22/2020.
Word Count 12,944
Chapter 3
"Please, let me go, I'm not a thief."
There was a tense silence between us after my utterance. I wasn't sure he believed me.
"Are you armed?" He did not let up on his grip.
I shook my head no.
"No, I promise."
To confirm my answer, he frisked me slightly with his other free hand. He patted my back and my hips for weapons, but felt nothing. When he found no concealed items on me, he still didn't release me. In fact, he secured me with his other arm around my waist, and his grip tightened a little on my mouth. I winced. Maybe he didn't realize his own strength, but he was unintentionally hurting me.
"Ow!"
However, he ignored my cry.
"How did you get here?"
My pulse danced and I gasped.
"I walked."
His grip tightened a little more.
"Were you followed?"
I tried wriggling a little and shook my head.
"I don't believe so. I took the off roads so no one knew which way I was going. I tried to be as discreet as possible."
He obviously did not believe me.
"Who sent you here? Why were you hiding?"
I shook my head again.
"No one sent me. I came of my own free will."
I didn't bother with the last question right now. After hearing that, there was a brief pause on his part. I noticed a slight change in his body language too. His grip loosened a little and his other arm now wasn't quite so tight.
"Your own free will?" he repeated.
I nodded.
"Yes, my own free will."
My tone must have finally had a convincing inflection. After a few moments, slowly, Link released his hands from my mouth and waist. My heart beat lessened when I could breathe more freely.
Thank Hylia.
I closed my eyes, but knew the situation was far from resolved. I quickly turned around to face him and took several steps back when I was free. I couldn't see his face, as it was hidden from the shadows of the doorway. There were no lights filtering into the room. The shutters to the front windows were closed. I couldn't lie, I was frightened. With his current stance, Link looked like a predator who had just cornered his prey. I could only imagine what his enemies felt like in combat when he overwhelmed them. I wanted to look around, but didn't dare in fear of what he may do in reprisal. I had seen this side of him only a few times in the past. It wasn't a side he showed often, but when he did, he was quite intimidating. The recollection of that made me take another step back. I tried to compose myself.
"I-I mean you no harm good sir, and I'm very sorry for my insolent behavior. I never should have entered your residence the way I did just now. That was terribly rude of me."
Link didn't reply right away. He was still studying me. I remember him being excellent at investigative information gathering with just his observations alone. He looked for pertinent material in a person's clothing and overall manner. I suspected he was doing just that. I probably already provided him a repository. Finally, he took a few steps forward so his face was no longer hidden. He stared at me with a piercing blue gaze. His eyes seemed bluer than I remembered them. I sensed he couldn't recognize me in my hooded state. However, I immediately noticed the striking change in his appearance up close. He was six inches taller and his physique was more muscular now. That was nearly an inch for the number of years I hadn't seen him. His hard day's work was evidenced by his clothes sticking to his sweaty body. His face was still extraordinarily handsome, but it didn't carry the innocent radiance it once did. The enthusiastic vigor I once saw in him was gone. He looked hardened now. Almost like an embattled soldier, or a man who had seen the real world. After what he had been through, how could he not be?
At his movement, I took another step back. His presence was overwhelming.
He's changed so much. He's become more rugged with the years, more calloused. Goat herding is definitely hard work. It's... it's actually very becoming on him.
I knew my admiration was out of place, but it couldn't be helped. However, he surprised me momentarily with what he uttered next.
"You're from Castle Town. The west or the northern district to be exact. I can tell from your posh accent."
I looked at him surprised. He was frighteningly accurate. The castle was located in northern Castle Town. I knew he was good. I didn't know he was this good.
"Is-is my accent posh?"
He gave me a quick once over.
"Very. You aren't from the country at all."
My heart raced.
"I did come from the city."
His gaze remained fixed.
"Are you a noble?"
I shook my head, though, technically I was the noble. The noble of all nobles.
"No."
He narrowed his eyes then.
"Are you a spy?"
I shook my head again.
"No."
He paused for a moment.
"Are you a brothel girl?"
I stared at him taken aback. How was that even a question?
"No! Not at all!"
There was a brief silence where Link gave me a long uncomfortable once over. Afterwards, he focused his eyes back on my face.
"Don't sound so shocked. High class whores do exist. Why were you watching me?"
My throat tightened and I took another step back. I clasped my hands together, as a surge of anxiety came over me.
"I should have just made myself known," I whispered more to myself than to him. "I'm sorry."
His patience seemed to be wearing thin with my constant apologizing.
"You're purposely being evasive and you know it. Now, answer my question."
The poignancy in his tone was apparent. I paused and cleared my throat.
"I didn't mean to alarm you," I reassured. "I didn't realize I was staring at you so intently."
My reassurances didn't ease his mind.
"That's your reply? I ask you why you were watching me, and all you have to say is, 'I shouldn't have been so intense'? Does that make any sense to you?"
His points were clear. I needed to stop fumbling over my words.
"I-I-I realize this sounds untoward, but I meant that."
He raised a brow.
"Oh, you are most definitely from the city." He shook his head, then became more direct. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
His frustration was more apparent now. Even so, I hesitated in answering him. He was right. Why did I act so presumptuously? Why did I just barge in? Why didn't I knock? I realized then the only way to diffuse this situation was to reveal myself to him. This was escalating in ways I did not anticipate. I didn't want to alert anyone else in the village.
"Maybe it would be best if I just showed you who I am."
I hoped my identity would curtail the matter. Link didn't respond to my utterance, but his defenses went up immediately. He narrowed his eyes in discretion. Even so, slowly, I took the hood off my head. I probably should have been quicker, but I didn't see the need for such. Once it was off, I stroked my hand over my braided hair. Afterwards, I straightened my posture so I stood erect. With my full disclosure on display, Link's eyes widened instantaneously. He recognized me without a shadow of a doubt. He even took a step back, as he stared at me in pure and utter disbelief.
He was dumbstruck for a moment.
"Your majesty," he whispered anyway.
I pursed my lips together and stared into his eyes. I didn't know what to say to him. It had been so long since he said those words to me. This was suddenly becoming so much harder to do.
"Hello Master Link."
At the sound of my voice, Link seemed even more befuddled. It was almost like he was thinking he should have realized the person he was speaking to was me from the moment I started talking. He stared at me in wide eyed amazement. His gaze carried on for a long time. Longer than I think even he anticipated. The inquiries were all over his face: what are you doing here? How did you get here? Why are you alone? He gave me another once over before he finally took another step forward. When he saw I didn't flinch at his approach, he took another step. Then another, and another, until he was finally right in front of me. His eyes were staring deeply into mine. His astonishment never went away. I was nervous. He was so close now, but I stood my ground. I saw he had no intentions of hurting me. Not that he ever would. He wasn't that kind of man.
Even so, Link remained silent. He continued staring at me until his gaze shifted to my mouth. I was surprised he did that with no subtlety. I guess he saw no need for it. We were a long way from what that gaze used to mean. Link used to casually gaze at my mouth before he would reach in and kiss me in the past. There would be no passionate kisses in this moment. Just recollections of such. Even so, it wasn't a surprise that his gaze made me blush. He was the only man that could affectively do so.
With this sudden closeness, I decided to step back. The tension between us was enveloping the entire room. However, my escape was halted when I felt his table right behind me. I didn't realize I was this close to it. I gripped it from behind so I could balance myself. But, I never turned from looking at his face. His expression was one I couldn't read. It was one of mixed emotions. It made me wonder.
I was intrigued as I stared into his eyes.
Is... is he actually happy to see me?
However, the perplexity didn't stop there. Link's gaze didn't falter, and suddenly, as if he couldn't help himself, he reached up and caressed my cheek. He caressed it like it was the most natural thing to do in the world. It almost seemed involuntary. Like he needed to know I was tangible... real. My eyes widened and I blushed again. His touch made me tremble a little bit. I was hardly expecting anything like this. He probably wasn't expecting it of himself either. As soon as his fingers lingered on my skin, he realized what he was doing and pulled his hand away. He even looked a little embarrassed.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
I was a little taken in by his tone.
"It's alright," I whispered back.
I thought that would be the end of it. However, we also had a brief moment of civility.
"I can't believe it. You're really here, it's really you... I knew it. I knew there was something familiar about you when I first saw you."
I wasn't sure what to make of his words.
"Yes, it's me... it's Zelda."
Link looked like he wanted to utter something else, something pleasant. But, then he quickly caught himself and disposed of that idea. He realized once again who he was talking to. Who he was looking at. The hint of tenderness in his eyes disappeared. And, unsurprisingly, his expression turned suddenly to one of open contempt. I couldn't believed how quickly the warmth left his expression. He cut his gaze from me, pursed his lips together, and stepped aside, giving me my personal space back. Afterwards, he widened the gap between us by furthering his distance from me. I was slightly disappointed in this regress, but was not astonished. It looked like we were back to square one.
Well, that didn't last long, did it? Nothing has changed, even after all this time.
I turned to face him, and now his back was to me. He seemed upset, and I wanted to break the tension somehow. I needed an appropriate conversation starter.
It was then I attempted such.
"It's... it's been a long time."
Link took in a deep sigh after my utterance. He didn't reply right away.
"It has."
There was a brief silence between us afterward, and I didn't know what to do with it. In my head this was so much easier. I had the conversation all planned out, even with his answers in view. Why did I think I could just waltz in here and suddenly strike up a conversation with him? I remember in the past having a hard time talking to him because I was so painfully shy when we first got acquainted. And, that was at a time when there wasn't so much unspoken tension between us. Why did I think it would be easier now? What a ridiculous assumption I had. Even still, I willed myself to keep the conversation going.
"Is everything going well with you? Are you carrying along nicely?"
Link was cautious at my questions. He knew I was trying to gauge him.
"Everything... is as well as it can be your majesty." He did not bother elaborating.
I wanted to say more, but decided against it. It was obvious Link was in no mood for small talk, especially with me. Another silence overcame us. We said nothing, and, it was just awkward. There was no other way to put it. It was simply awkward. We didn't know what to say to each other after all this time. And, trying to tiptoe around the bigger issues was only making this more difficult. I knew why he was so bothered by seeing me. I knew why he couldn't stand the sight of me right now. It was only a matter of time before that two headed monster reared its ugly head. However, it was my hope to overcome that eventuality with an amiable proposition.
Just give me a few moments of your time Link. That's all I need.
It was like he was clairvoyant, because then he finally decided to speak up.
"What can I do for you my lady?"
Link's tone was curt and short. He turned back around to face me. When he approached his table to pour himself a cup of water, I stepped back. I needed to proceed with this with the utmost persuasion. I didn't want him thinking I came here to waste his time. I could begin with a neutral subject, then bridge the gap into the deeper issues we had. I just needed a starting point.
"First off, I wanted to tell you that your ability to gather information is impeccable. I had no idea you were that talented when it came to investigative informatics. You ascertained where I was from with real verve. Bravo good sir."
I attempted to smile, but he didn't return it.
"Investigative informatics? Real verve?" he muttered more to himself than to me. "Dear Farore."
I didn't care if he thought my compliments were high blown or false, I meant them. Even so, I cleared my throat and went on anyway.
"I-uh-I just wanted to see how you were. It had been so long since we last spoke, that I felt it was necessary to come and pay you a visit."
I had to admit, that sounded like a very trite excuse. If I didn't find it convincing, how would he?
Link just stared at me.
"You felt it necessary to visit me after five years? Five years?"
I saw his point, but I had one of my own.
"Well, it was either I come see you or nothing." I then avoided his eyes. "You said... you said you were never going to return to the castle. Never. So, I had to come here and see you."
The hero looked at me surprised by the recollection. He didn't reply right away. He knew what I was talking about. I was quite certain he remembered the occasion. He broke his gaze from me and stared hard at the cup in his hands.
"You walked all the way to Ordon on your own for a social call?"
His inflection said it all, but he was trying to deflect. It was my turn to counter.
"Why is that so hard to believe? I know this may sound ridiculous, or even incredible to you, but there is a hint of truth to it."
Link then gave me an offhanded look.
"A hint of truth?"
I was getting frustrated with myself, because I didn't mean it the way it sounded. Communication like this on any level was bound to get convoluted if what needed to be conveyed was lost in translation. It was a silly thing to say and I was starting to get nervous much like I did in the past when he got close to me. That was probably where all these garbled thoughts and words were coming from. I hated myself for it, but it was the truth. I had to remember my objective.
I took another step back.
"Yes, good sir."
He groaned.
"What does that even mean? Why are you talking in circles?"
I shook my head trying to reword what I meant.
"I only meant-"
"Why don't you just tell me why you're here like I asked?"
I was slightly taken aback at his tone, but I expected it. He was right that I wasn't being very clear. I interlaced my hands and attempted to clarify my point once more.
"That is the truth, but I just got a little tongue tied for a second."
Link shook his head, clearly annoyed, and gave me another long uncomfortable once over. This was much harder than I thought.
"With all due respect my lady, a queen doesn't just come to visit a peasant. There's usually an ultimatum with it, and since you're having such a hard time expressing what you mean, why don't I help you?" He didn't wait for my answer. "Let me start with this, is there something you need?"
There was no sense stalling with this man. Admittedly, I appreciated his candor, even if it was a little off putting. I should have gotten to the point long before this.
"Alright, I need your assistance."
Link then took a long drink from his water cup. Afterwards, he placed it on the table.
"That's what I thought. Assistance with what?"
Admittedly, I was unsure in how to answer that.
I'm still trying to figure out what to do next myself.
It was amazing what a little enthusiasm could do to motivate me to do this. It was even more amazing that I didn't have the forethought to think about that before the question was asked.
"Um... I'd rather not say right now. I'd like to give you the details along the way."
A perplexed expression crossed Link's handsome face just then.
"You want me to agree to something without knowing the details first?"
I only nodded, understanding his cynicism, but there was nothing else I could offer him. I didn't even know all the details.
"Yes," I replied anyway, "and I can't ask anyone else but you."
Link shook his head incredulously and paused for a moment. He took another drink of water before he made his next inquiry.
"May I ask why?"
I looked down at my hands and felt a little nervous. How was I going to answer that question without sounding ridiculous? I just had to be as forthcoming as possible.
"No one else can help me like you can." Which was true considering the circumstances.
Link was surprised at the candor. And for a moment, by the look of his expression, I thought we were going to have some civility. However, that idea soon fell to the wayside when it became obvious to me that he wasn't interested in moving beyond his anger. His next snide comment was proof of that.
"So, that's why you snuck in here? You want me to help you with something? You certainly have an odd way of showing it."
I sighed and looked away.
"There's no need for this right now Link." I did not want to argue. "We could be a great asset to each other if we just tried." I paused, then added, "I... I want to make amends."
Link was caught off guard by my rebuttal. He stared at me with a hint of disbelief.
"Amends?" he repeated.
I heard the doubt in his voice. I looked away and rolled my eyes.
Here we go...
"Yes," I went on anyway, "I realize, Hyrule owes you..." I stopped myself to reword what I was going to say. "I realize I owe you at least that much."
Link's gaze didn't falter after my utterance. My cheeks warmed with the frustration of the moment. This situation was steadily getting worse.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I avoided his eyes.
I already knew the answer, but he ignored my question anyway.
"Amends for what your majesty?"
I closed my eyes.
Don't make me say it.
"Master Link..."
I did not want to go on.
He was not going to let me get past this. He placed his hands on the table and continued his interrogation.
"Amends for what?" he repeated.
It was more of a demand now. I took another step back at his tone.
Why does he need me to say it?
I wasn't going to be goaded into that. I knew that was what he wanted. And that kind of thinking wasn't going to solve anything.
"You already know good sir."
There was another brief silence between us afterwards. He wanted me to come out and say what I meant, but I perceived the bait. A discussion of that magnitude right now would only conjure up more bad feelings. His dislike for me was apparent. I was not blind to that. It was going to be hard enough to convince him to come with me without having to discuss the past. We didn't need more fuel to the proverbial fire. Even so, Link leaned forward on his table, waiting for me to go on. His impropriety was really making me apprehensive.
"At least allow me the opportunity to try and make things right," I offered. "Don't just turn me away without at least a consideration."
He shook his head in tandem with my words.
"I've thought about your 'consideration' and I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your majesty."
My eyes widened involuntarily. I looked at him stunned.
"What?"
He didn't flinch.
"You heard what I said."
I couldn't believe he was being so abrasive. Now he was just being stubborn.
"You're going to decline?"
His stance was clear.
"Yes, I am going to decline."
My fists balled at my sides. He was being insolent.
He won't let me make things right. He won't let me forget.
I took a step forward, wanting an explanation.
"May I ask why with so little recourse sir?"
Link seemed to be waiting for that very question.
"I think you know the reasons why. My answer shouldn't surprise you at all."
My frustration was mounting.
"It does surprise me," I said anyway. "It doesn't make sense to me."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Don't pretend," he said cautiously. "Don't pretend that you don't know why I can't stand the sight of you right now."
His rebuttal made me look at him astonished.
"You are not polite sir."
"I wasn't meaning to be."
There was another silence between us. I wasn't going to run away. I wasn't going to let his expected words supersede my resolve. I was on a mission. The goddess sent me here. I needed to remember that. However, I could not lie, those words hurt.
"Fine. I understand that. It does not negate the fact that I need your assistance."
At this point, Link didn't bother being indirect.
"I told you my answer. I'm not going with you. I have other engagements. I simply can't help you your majesty. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
My mouth then became agape. I looked at him stunned.
"What?"
Link raised his brows, as if he didn't want to repeat himself.
"You need to leave."
I narrowed my eyes and my bottom lip began to quiver.
Who the hell does he think he is?
"Do you dare to dismiss me?" I demanded, not being able to help myself. "How dare you treat me so disrespectfully?"
It seemed my demands were his second cue. At my inquiries, the hero took a few steps towards me. He stopped when he was about a foot away from my position. It was obvious he didn't respect me the way he once did. It also wasn't helping that I was coming at him with a high and mighty act, especially when my whole purpose was to get him to come with me. Even so, I couldn't pretend he was not making me nervous.
Maybe I should have planned this better.
I took another step back.
Link kept his gaze fixed on mine.
"Disrespectfully? You have the nerve to ask me such things when you barged into my house and started demanding proclivities of me? You think that's mutual reciprocity your majesty?"
I saw his point, but to be honest, there didn't need to be mutual reciprocity.
I am your queen. I didn't verbalize.
He wasn't making this any easier with his attitude.
"I didn't demand, I merely-"
"I'm not the one who can't say why I'm truly here, am I your majesty?" he interrupted.
I stiffened when he uttered that.
Is he trying to take unnecessary digs? What does he want me to do? Beg? Well, he'll get no such pleading from me.
"I told you why I was here! If what I said wasn't good enough for you, that's your problem not mine!"
Link rolled his eyes in frustration, then turned and walked over to the basin at the back of the living room. He was done with this conversation.
"Well, I guess you have your answer then. Now that we have that squared away, I need to wash up and get ready for supper. But, you probably already know that since you eavesdropped on my conversation with the young lady I was talking to."
I couldn't believe how contemptible he was being towards me. I knew I had some malice warranted, but I was hoping the years would have softened his heart. It seemed all the years had done was make his dislike for me that much greater. It was a shame too, because there was a time I considered him my dearest friend... my best friend, even over Elbourne.
Have I really lost all of his respect?
"Master Link-"
"I'm about to get undressed. I don't know if you planned on standing there to watch me, but I'd like a little privacy. I am still allotted that, aren't I?"
My mouth became agape.
It really is gone. He really hates me.
Our thoughts were obviously on different tandems. My response suddenly warranted an offhanded look from the hero.
"Blushing?" he said more to himself than to me.
I stared at him perplexed.
"What?"
He gave me another once over at my flushed reaction, then crossed his arms over his chest.
"Unbelievable, after all that you're still blushing. You just can't help yourself, can you?" he asked in a strange way. "You still have that same look on your face. That same disposition. Nothing has changed, has it? I'm still just a servant to you. All you want from me is to do your dirty work, don't you?"
I couldn't believe my ears. Where was this coming from?
"That was never the nature of our relationship in the past and you know it. You aren't being fair."
He shook his head.
"This isn't about being fair." His frustration seemed to mount the more he looked at me. "Why did you really come all the way out here? Are you here to prove you're just like any other depraved noble? That you want a peasant to pleasure you because you're too bored in your castle? You don't have to hide behind a guise."
I looked at him stunned. I couldn't believe he uttered such an accusation. I took a step back. He wasn't even trying to be vague about it.
"How dare you? How dare you imply, or even suggest such a thing?"
Link didn't answer right away, he just stared at me and shrugged.
"If what I am saying is untruthful then correct me."
I took another step back. I was in such complete disbelief by his behavior, that I cut my gaze from him and decided to leave. I turned and headed for the exit.
This is unbelievable! I knew he still hated me, I just didn't know it was this much!
I didn't bother to look behind me and slammed the door shut when I got outside. I hurried down the ladder with trembling hands, careful not to fall.
That's not how that was supposed to go. What am I going to do now?
I bit my lower lip, frustrated with my current circumstances.
"I don't need this kind of abuse. Why should I be someone's whipping girl? This is ridiculous, I'm leaving." I was resolute and then started down the road.
However, halfway down the impasse I stopped myself.
No, that's what he wants. He wants me to give up
"I'm not leaving." My duality was making me sound ridiculous. "I've already told ancestral mother I was going to right the wrongs of this situation. And damn it, that's what I'm going to do! But how in the bloody hell am I going to make him come with me without commanding him to do so?"
I was so upset, frustrated tears welled in my eyes.
"Oh no," I whispered in defiance, "I'm not going to let him get the best of me."
I wiped my eyes and sighed.
I don't understand where all that anger is still coming from. It's been years, and at the time I had no choice! If I didn't do anything I-! My thoughts were becoming circular. It's not entirely my fault that things turned out the way they did! He does have some measure in this too!
I was getting considerably more upset.
"He was acting like an insolent son of a-"
Before I could finish, a bright light flashed before my eyes interrupting my 'would be' curse. I raised my hands to protect my sight from the blinding luminescence.
What's going on?
However, I didn't have to wonder long. The uncouth tongue spoke for herself.
"Whoa! Whoa, hey, is that foul mouth coming from you?" a voice said to me from behind me.
I jumped slightly and turned to see Hylia leaning up against a tree. She was giving me an obvious look. I was relieved it was only her, but I think she was going to be disappointed with my outcome thus far.
"You gave me a fright ancestral mother." I placed my hand over my heart. "I thought I was alone."
Hylia shrugged and walked towards me.
"Sorry," she answered in a casual manner, then added, "what are you so upset about?"
I sighed and stroked my hair behind my ears. Nothing was out of place. It was just a nervous habit.
"Nothing."
I did not want to rehash that horrible experience.
Hylia didn't answer right away, then looked up at Link's closed door.
"So... how did everything go with asking Link to go with you?"
I wished she wasn't so direct, but I suppose she had no reason not to be. I figured there was no since being evasive.
"It didn't. That's the problem, he hates me now more than ever. I knew this was a terrible idea."
Hylia merely nodded, but disagreed with the latter.
"Okay... how did you approach the situation?"
I paused for a moment.
I see where she's going with this.
I tried being nonchalant, but it wasn't working. Hylia could clearly see I was upset.
"The way I should have."
The goddess gave me an obvious look.
"Which is?"
I really did not want to answer, but I knew there was no way I was going to get out of it.
She's going to give me grief if I don't.
"I came to the village, sought out Link, and then followed him back to his house. After we engaged in conversation, he threw me out."
Hylia frowned.
"You forgot to mention how you barged into his home and watched him like a creepy hooded stalker."
I thought I had a reasonable rebuttal, but nothing came out.
She's right.
"Of course I'm right," she replied to my thoughts, "and don't think I didn't catch your 'grief' thought either."
I was in no mood to be trifled with. I was so frustrated, I squealed like a spoiled child.
"Ooooh!" I groaned irritably. "I hate that you can do that!"
"Look," she ignored my discomfiture, "you need to get back in his good graces, otherwise you're not going to be able to do what you came to do. Act like an adult and apologize for how you acted towards him just now."
I stared at Hylia surprised.
"You cannot be serious! You want me to apologize after how he treated me? After how he spoke to me so disrespectfully? He accused me of coming down here to proposition him for... for..." I leaned forward a little to lower my voice, "for sex."
Hylia crossed her arms over her chest.
"I heard him, was he wrong?"
I looked at her shocked.
Who's side is she on?
"Ancestral mother!"
Hylia raised her hands in surrender.
"Okay, maybe I was out of line just then."
Maybe?
I cut my eyes away from her.
"To say the least."
Hylia stared at me thoughtfully.
"However, who's trying to right the wrongs here? You or him?"
I paused for a moment. I saw her point.
"I am."
Hylia simply nodded.
"So, where's your argument?"
I let my head fall back.
"It seems that I don't have one."
Hylia grinned, reached over, and caressed my cheek. She could see I was still stressed.
"Everything is going to be okay," she reassured. "You just need to calm down and try to look at the situation from his point of view. What if you were him and someone you weren't expecting just popped up at your doorstep? How would you feel? Try being more empathetic. Yes, you are the queen. Yes, the people need to remember your station in life. But remember you get better results with persuasive talk than with stern demands."
I couldn't agree with her there.
"I wasn't being stern."
She gave me a knowing look.
"I read your mind when you were upset back there. You reverted back to your position of authority. You didn't even consider how rude it was just to barge into someone's house. You didn't think you owed him any reciprocity. Remember how the two of you used to be at the castle. Remember when you were friends. Link constantly put himself in your shoes, that's why he desired to be close to you. He knew he had an ally in you."
I looked at her surprised by her sudden insights. She witnessed the entire ordeal, including what I was thinking. I didn't realize that my attitude had gotten so hostile so inherently. When we worked together, Link spoke freely because he felt so comfortable with me. Much of the antagonism I was experiencing now was self induced.
"You have a point" I admitted. "In the past, Link would usually put my or Hyrule's welfare before his own. He was always so giving... so selfless. I can't just expect him to say yes now when things are so complicated between us. I have to try and reach him somehow."
The goddess nodded.
"Exactly."
Even so, I did wish Hylia saw things my way too. However, I let it go for now.
"I suppose so."
Hylia smiled at me.
"You know so. Try again and you'll do alright my dear."
I sighed, hoping she was right. With the way things were right now, it would take all my powers of persuasion to convince Link to go with me.
"Once everything gets settled," Hylia then changed the subject, "you and Link need to visit Ordona, Faron, and Lanayru at their respective springs. They all have information that's going to be helpful to you on your journey."
I stared at her surprised by the sudden revelation.
The guardians?
"Information?"
Hylia nodded.
"Specifically for your area of expertise."
She was only adding to the intrigue.
I was puzzled.
"I... I don't know what you mean. What 'area of expertise'?"
Hylia was confident I would understand soon.
"You will, you're too smart not too."
My brows raised involuntarily.
"A compliment? Am I dreaming?"
The goddess laughed.
"No, actually you aren't," she said, then added with a hint of seriousness, "also too, there's a rumor going around about an 'Arbiter's' Kiss' I want you to be aware of that."
I looked at her flummoxed by the second change of subject. Then felt a little unease, because Shad said my generals were investigating something similar.
"'Arbiter's' Kiss? What is that?"
Hylia looked away for a moment before answering.
"That's what you're going to find out." She did not elaborate. "It actually has something to do with what you're planning for your own personal reasons."
I still did not understand any of what she was telling me.
"What does an Arbiter have to do with my helping Link?"
She didn't clarify.
"You'll find out more in time. That may be sooner than you think."
I shook my head.
"But I don't-"
Hylia put a finger to my lips to silence me.
"You already know what to do Zel." She then took a couple steps back. "So do it. Now, I have to go, but I'll see you soon."
I wasn't exactly excited that she just popped in to add more confusion to what was going on. Even so, another bright light flashed before my eyes, and when it disappeared Hylia was gone. I wasn't ready for her to go.
"Ancestral mother! Come back! Please!"
However, I got no answer. I looked around the forest, hoping for another sign of her presence. It was no use. There was none. She was gone. When I realized she wasn't coming back, I started pondering over what she discussed with me. She did have some startling revelations.
'Arbiter's' Kiss? What in the world is an 'Arbiter's Kiss'?
I rationalized on the new problem several times before subsequently letting the matter go. I wasn't going to figure that out in the here and now. I needed to refocus on my immediate problem with Link.
"I have to get the hero to go with me. Hylia is right, I know what to do. I need to appeal to what he wants. I need to see things his way."
I felt better about it saying it out loud. Having decided to do so, I glanced up at Link's door once more. I hadn't traveled out of the area. I could just wait to reengage him, or I could go and knock on his door once more. I decided to wait considering the results of our last conversation. About thirty minutes later, the hero reemerged. He had washed up and changed into a clean set of clothes. I had to admit he looked rather handsome clean shaven and in his humble village garb. However, when Link caught sight of me, his expression turned to one of immediate irritation. He descended down the ladder and approached me with open annoyance.
"You're still here." He did not hide his displeasure.
I chose to ignore it and nodded.
"Yes, yes I am."
His impatience was a fixture on his face.
"Your majesty, it isn't safe for you to be out here like this. You need to be at the castle where you can be protected."
I stared directly into his eyes.
"I can't leave until there is a form of reconciliation between us. It's too important to me."
Link then paused for a moment.
"Look, if this helps then please know that I'm not angry with you your majesty, and I forgive you for barging into my house."
I rolled my eyes.
"I could care less if you were," I knew this wasn't the best way to approach the situation, but his attitude was unbecoming. "I didn't wait around for your apology."
He looked at me taken aback by my tone. It seemed he was going to mince words for words.
"That's not surprising coming from you," he accused.
I looked away from his eyes when he said that to me.
Don't let this get unhinged. Remember what ancestral mother said.
"I want a true reconciliation Master Link, not merely words."
Link crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"I'm afraid words are all I can offer you."
He still insisted on being stubborn.
I shook my head,
"You know what I mean Master Link. You know words aren't enough."
Link narrowed his intense blue eyes at me and had nothing else for me.
"Then I'm afraid I can't help you." He then forced a bow and turned to walk in the opposite direction. "I bid you good day."
My eyes widened at his abrupt reply. I quickly went to follow after him. When he saw that I was persistent, he groaned in frustration.
"I'm going into the village your majesty," he warned, hoping that would stop my pursuit. "Are you sure you want to be seen?"
I wasn't going to be curtailed that easily.
"I'm perfectly fine with it. I'd like to meet the villagers of Ordon anyway."
He shrugged and didn't wait for me. In fact, his stride got faster.
"Fine, that's your choice. Not mine."
Link immediately left me behind. However, that didn't deter me.
"Oh no you don't!" I muttered stubbornly and put my hood back on. "Master Link!" I called after him, but he didn't stop.
I was getting aggravated.
Ooh! This man!
He walked over the impasse into the village. I followed right after him.
"Master Link!" I called again, in a slightly raised voice.
Link still didn't stop and I called to him even louder.
"Master Link!" I nearly shouted. "Mr. Link please wait!"
My actions were so brazen, that it caught the attention of several villagers socializing in the main square. They turned and looked at me in surprise. They were obviously puzzled by my presence, having no idea who I was. And, I looked like a mad woman calling after Link the way I was. When I realized what I had done, I put my hand over my mouth, wishing I had been more discreet.
Remarkable, that was rather uncouth.
Unsurprisingly, I was suddenly the center of attention. Something I wanted to avoid.
"Who's that Sera?" a middle aged gentleman asked his wife.
The prodigious dark blonde standing next to him looked at me with open suspicion.
"I don't know," she stared at the hero precociously as Link walked by, "but apparently she knows our adventurous goat herder."
The adolescence I was watching earlier were suddenly alerted to my presence as well, especially the two brothers. The young woman Ilia was aware of me too now. She looked surprised and a little uncomfortable at my outburst. When Link finally met up with her on the pathway in front of her house, she was still looking past him at me. It seemed an impromptu interrogation was underway for him.
"Who's that?" she asked the hero, trying to keep her voice casual.
I could tell Link was more than a little uncomfortable with what was currently going on. He was being put in such an obtuse situation. He was hoping to dispel it quickly.
"She's just a girl in need of assistance."
Ilia looked at him surprised.
"Assistance?"
"Yes." He wanted to drop the subject. "Assistance."
Ilia was not appreciative of his short tone.
"Then why are you walking away from her?" she demand, narrowing her eyes.
Link closed his eyes.
"Ilia-"
"You're just leaving her behind? You just said she needs help. She was calling after you. Why aren't you helping her if that's all it is?"
Link was frustrated with her questions.
"It's a little more complicated than that Ilia."
She looked at him concerned.
"I don't understand, what's so complicated about giving directions, or pointing to where she needs to go?"
It was apparent the hero did not want to discuss the matter.
"I'd rather not say," he said honestly, which probably wasn't a good idea.
Ilia's eyes widened and she shifted her weight from one leg to the other uncomfortably.
"What do you mean by that? Are you purposely not telling me something?"
Link let his head fall back.
"Ilia..." he was trying to keep his voice low.
Link then maneuvered in a way to stand completely in front of her. His back was now blocking my view of the young woman. They continued their conversation in a much lower tone. I couldn't hear anything else. Admittedly, I felt bad for him.
This is not good. I hope I didn't cause any unnecessary discord for him.
With discretion now thrown to the wind, my heart began to beat fast. Almost everyone was looking my way. I just put myself in a very compromising situation. The whole point of my dressing as a peasant, keeping a low profile with no entourage, and leaving the castle in secret, was to appear above suspicion.
"So much for circumspection," I muttered to myself.
I looked around at the perplexed villagers, hoping to diffuse this situation without having to reveal who I truly was. However, I couldn't expect subtlety when I came stomping through the woodlands like a disoriented banshee. These people had no idea who I was, and it appeared to them I was harassing their friend. All they saw was an uncouth woman attempting to get the hero's attention. How many times had that happened in Link's life? I searched the sparse crowd, immediately trying to formulate another plan. However, while doing that, I also needed to be aware of the swordsman known as Rusl, and the chief of this village, a man named Bo. They were the only people outside of Link who knew who I truly was. I was frustrated with myself for not acting with more prudence.
That was rather stupid of me to just shout out like that. Now look at this mess I've gotten myself into.
I generally wasn't the type of person who had a penchant for trouble, though trouble seemed to creep into my life on a regular basis. Speaking of which, the youngsters who were congregating in amongst themselves were whispering to each other about me. However, it seemed they came to a consensus and walked over to introduce themselves. I wasn't sure how I felt about this, but they appeared to have pleasant dispositions. I reached up and made sure my hood was still situated over my head, and tried to remain calm.
Act normal, I told myself, no wait… I can't. My 'normal' wouldn't work in this setting.
I had to improvise.
The young people approached.
"Hello," the older brunette boy said in a friendly manner, "my name is Talo."
I attempted to smile at him and nodded.
"Hello there."
The younger boy then grinned at me and waved his hand.
"And I'm Malo," the other brunette chimed in.
I nodded at him as well, not trying to be rude, but I needed to avoid their eyes.
"Talo and Malo" I repeated. "Such memorable names, it's nice to meet you."
Talo looked back down the road to where Ilia and Link were, then back to me. He raised a brow in inquiry.
"Are you in some kind of trouble miss? With the way you were shouting after Link I thought you were hurt or something."
I was embarrassed by my behavior.
"No it's nothing like that, and I'm sorry to have disrupted your private conferences," I said sincerely. "It was not my motivation to undermine anything that was taking place here. Please forgive me."
The young man looked at me perplexed and grinned.
"It's nothing you have to apologize for," Talo replied. "We just don't get very many visitors, especially girls."
That didn't surprise me in the slightest. This village was in the remotest section of the country, and almost inaccessible with that tiny bridge leading into Faron as the only way in or out.
"I see," I replied, then added, "I too noticed on my way here that there were a great deal of road blocks. That bridge is going to need some structural reinforcements to last for a few more years. I noticed that one of the key rungs were slipping out of place when I walked over it. It's either that, or you'll have to possibly build another one sooner rather than later."
The two boys looked at me surprised, and that was when I realized I may have said too much.
That wasn't inconspicuous either Zelda.
"You know the funny thing about you mentioning that," Talo started, "my father was just talking about how we needed to replace some of the rungs in the bridge. You've got a pretty good eye. Are you an engineer or something?"
I shook my head and smiled.
"No, I've just read a great deal about the subject. In my village, it's very important to remember where all the keystones and fortifications are for safety reasons."
Again, the two boys looked at me surprised and nodded in agreement.
"You certainly speak funny for the way you dress," Malo commented.
His brother then smacked his shoulder.
"Malo!" he scolded.
Malo took offense.
"What?" he demanded of his brother.
I quickly interceded.
"It's alright, I get that from time to time. I don't always keep my surroundings in mind when I speak."
Malo then gave his brother a dirty look and felt justified by his comment when I came to his defense. Listening to our conversation from the distance, the young lady known as Beth then decided to join in. She came over and pushed herself between the two boys. And, while she greeted me with a smile at first, she then noticed my hooded appearance and let it fade to nothing. Afterwards, she looked me up and down with open disdain, probably not understanding why her friends were even speaking to me.
"What's going on with her?" she asked of me to no one in particular. "Why is she dressed like that?"
I raised my brows at her rather forward manner and decided to keep quiet at her reply.
She's going to be… something of a mishap, I realized.
When no one answered her rhetorical questions, she then decided to greet me.
"Hello," she said finally, "my name is Beth."
"Hello there," I greeted with a nod. "Nice to meet you Miss Beth."
Beth's blue eyes roved up and down my frame.
"I didn't say 'Miss Beth' I said Beth." Her undertone was curt, rude. "Are you hard of hearing?"
Talo looked at her surprised.
"What's your problem?"
Beth stared at him stunned, as if she did nothing wrong.
"What are you talking about? I just corrected her and asked a question."
He gave her an obvious look.
"Don't be a witch. You know what I'm talking about! You don't have to be rude!"
I looked at Talo in slight surprise at his use of speech, but had to remember where I was. I wasn't in a position to undermine either one of them. However, I didn't want a senseless argument to take place because of me. Besides, I had to get used to peasant colloquiums and vernacular. I was sure Talo didn't really think this girl was a witch. It was merely an expression of endearment, like a friend or something.
However, Beth rolled her eyes.
"I wasn't rude." She defended her behavior anyway. "I asked if she had a legitimate problem, what's wrong with that?"
Malo fanned her off.
"You know what's wrong with that. You could learn a thing or two about how to address people."
The young lady was irritated with both of them.
"Oh shut up! You're only saying that because this woman doesn't know you like I do."
In the background, the other young man, Colin, was watching and listening before he finally walked up. He stopped to the right of Beth and looked at me with a grin. He had a very friendly disposition, then held out his hand to shake mine.
"Don't mind these two, they go at it all the time. If they weren't fighting they wouldn't be normal," he informed me. "I'm Colin by the way, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."
I smiled at him from under my hood and graciously took his hand.
"Thank you, and likewise good sir."
He gave me a quick once over and took a step towards me.
"What's your name?" he asked casually with a smile.
He caught me slightly off guard with that question. I forgot I never announced who I was and had to think quickly.
"Uh-" I started, but then cut myself off, "Zelg-no! El-Elga, my name is Elga."
Colin raised his brows at my stammering, but thought nothing else of it when he heard my pseudonym. He nodded when apparently the name went through his head several times. He even said it out loud.
"Elga, Elga, Elga," he repeated in rapid succession. "That's beautiful."
I looked at him taken aback at the unexpected flattery.
Someone's a charmer.
Beth then looked over at him surprised.
"That's what?" she asked him incredulously.
Colin merely glanced over at her.
"She has a beautiful name," he said once more.
Beth crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. Apparently, she didn't appreciate his new found interest in me.
"Whatever Colin," she muttered to herself.
Colin simply shrugged and didn't let himself be bothered by her disgruntlement.
Malo just stared at the adolescent girl and shook his head at her behavior. He decided to ignore it. He then shifted his gaze back to me.
"Where are you from?"
Another question I wasn't anticipating. I should have thought of this before now. I turned my attention away from him for a moment, trying to think of a faraway place.
It can't be too obvious.
"I'm from the region near Dragon Roost," I said, thinking quick. "My family owns a mining province out that way."
The adolescents all nodded.
"Is that where you know Link?" Talo asked all of a sudden.
My ears perked when I heard that. I wasn't expecting that disclosure.
Wait a minute…what? Did Link go to Dragon Roost recently?
"Uh…" I trailed carefully, "yes, I think so. Did he... did he travel there recently?"
Malo nodded.
"He went there a few weeks ago on business. He was acting as an escort for the dragon prince on his hunting trip."
My eyes widened involuntarily at the revelation. That disclosure seemed impossible. The two men literally hated each other.
Link acted as Elbourne's bodyguard... and I had no idea?
I didn't mean to be so engrossed in my own thoughts, but it couldn't be helped. It was a shocking unveiling considering their history. It must have been readily apparent because Beth felt the need to stare at me for it. I caught her eyeing me suspiciously. I had to remember that this wasn't my home territory. I needed to be careful. I decided to address her.
"Is anything the matter?" I asked her, wishing she would avert her gaze elsewhere.
Beth narrowed her eyes at me.
"Nothing's wrong… I think," she said with a shrug and continued to stare at me.
Since she wasn't going to be forthcoming, I just shook my head at the matter and let it go. I didn't have time for this girl's silly histrionics. Afterwards, I looked past her to Link down the road, still in disbelief that he was a courier for the dragon prince. That must have been quite a story. However, those thoughts soon diminished when I saw that he was still engaged in conversation with Ilia.
What are they talking about?
I couldn't help but wonder why that young woman was giving Link such a hard time. Was she his betrothed? Were they courting? Was she worried I was infringing in some way? I didn't understand why he had to explain my presence to her so extensively. There was nothing for her to worry about, especially with how Link greeted me. Beth must have been following my gaze and got indignant when she saw I was ignoring her. She was so annoyed by it, that she came up and did something I wasn't expecting.
"You know, you could probably see better if you removed that hood." Beth suddenly stepped up and pulled the top of my cloak back.
I didn't react in time.
"No wait!" I said slightly panicked.
I stared at her astonished once the unveiling was over. I was so aggravated, I nearly lost my composure.
This insolent, little… remember where you are Zelda... remember where you are.
There was nothing I could do about it now.
Beth seemed pleased that I was mildly upset.
"Sorry," she chided with a snide smile, "I just like to look people in the eyes when I speak to them."
I didn't react to that because that was what she wanted. I had to consider my current station and situation, but that still didn't dismiss how disrespectful I considered her behavior. She was ridiculously immature for someone her age, and to think I pitied her for a moment.
What in Hylia's name is wrong with this girl?
I looked away and tried not to be bothered by the abrasive gesture. However, my surprise was about to be nil in comparison to hers. When she saw a full disclosure of my face she looked completely stunned, and not just her, but everyone else around her as well.
Talo's mouth dropped and he didn't even bother to hide his admiration.
"My goddess," he muttered to himself, "she's absolutely gorgeous."
Colin and Malo's eyes widened as well.
The younger one was almost too taken aback to speak.
"You're-you're quite beautiful Miss Elga, wow."
Beth wasn't expecting anything like this.
"Uh…" she was unable to think of anything to say in that moment.
However, it was Colin who surprised me the most. He came up, took my hand in his without any questions, and kissed the back of my palm tenderly. He then stared into my eyes as if he knew me his entire life. He was quite bold to say the least.
"I'm pleased to officially make your acquaintance Miss Elga," he said to me in a soft serious undertone. "You are quite possibly one of the most beautiful creatures I've ever laid eyes on."
I unintentionally blushed.
Well... that was certainly unexpected.
Beth looked livid, she put her hands on her hips.
"Colin, what has gotten into you? Why are you coming off at the mouth like this?!"
He was still staring at me.
"I have no idea." Colin then smiled at me. "I think I've been bewitched."
Beth slapped her forehead and rolled her eyes.
"Dear goddesses," she muttered to herself.
I smiled back. I couldn't help it. He was quite charming.
This rascal is more than he seems. I thought he was painfully shy, it seems I was wrong.
"Thank you good sir, and don't worry, I'm no enchantress."
Beth narrowed her eyes at me.
"We can clearly see that!" she snapped upset and added. "What are you doing here?"
I raised a brow at her, but didn't really blame her for feeling a little threatened. I came and disrupted the normal ebbs and flow of the attention she was used to receiving. As such, I slipped my hand from Colin's grip and decided to be a bit more forthcoming.
"I need some assistance from your resident hero," I replied, but didn't go any further.
Talo looked at me puzzled.
"What kind of assistance?"
I shook my head.
"That I can't really go into too much detail about."
They all looked at me intrigued.
I shouldn't have said that.
"Wow," Malo said all of a sudden, "are you on some covert espionage mission or something? Is that why you sound so smart all the time?"
I gave him an offhanded look, but then smiled.
"Not exactly."
Beth narrowed her eyes at me in contempt.
"Well, then why do you need Link? You're already causing enough trouble as it is."
I wasn't surprised by her blunt, assuming statement.
This young woman… she's rather forward, isn't she?
"I'm sorry?"
Beth side stepped out of my line of sight and pointed down the road towards Link and Ilia.
"That woman over there is Ilia. She has it bad for Link, I mean bad. It's so deep that he's afraid to tell her how he feels about me for fear of breaking her heart. But now, here you come along and make all her insecurities about his adventures surface again."
The last caveat seemed hyperbolic.
Oh really?
I stared at Beth indifferently, but knew there was a ring of truth in her grand tale of an explanation.
Talo then rolled his eyes.
"Link is not in love with you Beth. He hardly knows you exist!"
Beth gave Talo a venomous glance.
"Shut up!"
I glanced at Link and Ilia again and did notice the expressions of strain on their faces. I wouldn't want to be a fly on the wall in that conversation. She looked like she was letting him have it.
That has got to be a tense conversation. They've been talking the entire time I've been over here.
Ilia looked from Link to me with a slightly distressed expression on her face and continued with whatever she was saying to him.
I pursed my lips together.
Oh dear.
I was hoping to keep my eye on the two of them, when a moment later, the middle aged, ash blonde who looked like Beth's mother, came up to where I and the other adolescents were. It looked like the questions were going to keep coming.
"Good afternoon young lady. Welcome to Ordon Village."
I wasn't sure if there was an inflection of sarcasm in that or not. However, I didn't want to appear rude, so I did a slight curtsy.
"Good evening madam."
She looked me up and down the way her daughter did at first.
"Is there anything I can assist you with?"
I shook my head.
"I'm afraid not ma'am."
I was going to say more, but then saw that Link was making his way back towards this direction. Apparently, he finished his conversation with Ilia. Ilia was standing in front of her house with her hands on her hips. It didn't look like it went too well.
Oh goddesses, what now?
The middle aged woman followed my line of sight, and narrowed her eyes slightly. She then grunted and made an assumption in her head.
"You're not in some kind of... trouble are you?"
This course of conversation was bound to take place given my entrance. Now it seemed it was going to take a salacious turn for the worst. I decided to change the subject.
"I'm actually here to pick up some pumpkins," I stated, figuring I needed to tell the villagers something, or they would never leave me alone. "I was hoping Master Link could help me deliver them."
Colin raised his brows.
"Pumpkins? You came all the way to Ordon for pumpkins?"
I simply nodded.
"That is what this place is known for. I expect that your variety is wonderful."
Colin smiled.
"It is pretty good."
I decided to go on at his expense.
"In my village the volcanic ash won't allow for proper water distribution," I explained, thinking quickly. "So, we have to go to other places to gather basic supplies."
Colin nodded, but then added.
"I thought Dragon Roost had a fully thriving water irrigation system now. It's surprising to hear that things like ash have gotten in the way when I thought the people worked their way around that."
I looked at him surprised.
This young man is more astute than I gave him credit for. Nothing seems to get past him.
"You are correct. However, I live in a province near Dragon Roost, not exactly in Dragon Roost."
Colin nodded again, then smiled at me.
"Of course."
I grinned at the subtlety of his tone.
Oh goddesses, this could turn into a problem.
Beth looked like she was going to kill Colin, but then turned her wrath onto me.
"You came all this way for pumpkins?" Beth repeated in disbelief. "You don't seem too bright, because they sell pumpkins in Castle Town. That's much closer than coming all the way here."
I frowned slightly at her slippery tongue.
I don't think I like this girl. She's incredibly rude.
It was then I smirked at her, deciding I was going to teach her an impromptu lesson on etiquette. If she consistently wanted to be rude, then she needed to understand there was a consequence for such behavior.
"I heard the soil was better here."
Beth scoffed.
"The soil? Are you kidding me?"
I raised a brow, not wanting to completely embarrass her in front of her friends, but she was leaving me no choice.
"Yes, the soil," I replied. "You should know the deeper regions of the forests have more nitrogen enriched compounds which allow the cucurbitaceae to grow and thrive more easily than in mountainous regions. The runoff from the rain in my country leads the sediment here, allowing for a more favorable environment. So yes, it may seem dimwitted at first to not go to Castle Town for a pumpkin, but when you sit back and analyze the pros and cons, you'll see that a pumpkin from Ordon isn't quite the same as one from the city, my dear Beth."
Everyone looked at me stunned after my explanation, including Link, who had finally freed himself from his conversation with Ilia and heard the entire ordeal. The hero ran a hand over his face and groaned in frustration.
"Dear Farore," he muttered to himself.
Beth's face turned as red as a tomato.
"Uh… I…"
Colin had the opposite affect and smiled at me.
"Touche, well said."
Beth gave Colin a venomous glance.
"Will you shut up!"
Colin took a step forward and ignored her.
"You're really something Elga," he said to me admirably.
I smiled back at Colin.
"You can never underestimate the importance of cucurbit bioflavonoid goodness. No matter where you get it from."
Link shook his head as he stared at me. He then pushed past Beth and took an abrupt hold of my hand.
"Will you all excuse us," he said to everyone else, "Miss…" he then stopped himself and turned to look at me, he raised his eyebrows expectantly as a cue.
"Elga," I said quickly.
Link was going to repeat it, but then gave me an offhanded look before addressing the others once more.
"Miss Elga and I will be right back. We have to discuss what to do with those bioflavonoids."
With that, Link yanked on my arm and pulled me away from the group.
My goddess, he's being so rough!
"Not so hard." I attempted pulling my hand from his harsh grip. "Seriously good sir, take it easy."
Link ignored me and headed back over to the impasse to the clearing in front of his house so we could have a little privacy.
"Is she going to be okay?" I heard Colin ask Talo in concern.
Talo merely nodded.
"It's Link," he replied simply, "she'll be fine."
When we were alone, Link let go of me and closed his eyes. He clearly looked frustrated.
"Your majesty," he said, trying to keep his voice low and his temperament in check, "what are you still doing here? I know you have more important things to do, other than to make adolescents feel more insecure about themselves."
I looked at him defiantly.
"I told you I won't leave until you agree," I divulged, ignoring his last statement.
Link took in a deep breath.
"I told you already I won't do it."
I saw no point to this conversation.
"Then I'm not leaving."
Link looked at me upset and was silent for a moment.
"Are you going to command me to go if I keep refusing?" he asked me, breaking the silence. "You know you have that power."
I looked to the ground, not wanting it to come to that.
"No, I was hoping you would come of your own free will."
Link shook his head, clearly not going to change his mind.
"Your majesty-"
Bring up Midna, I told myself, the only way he'll agree is if you bring up Midna.
"What if… what if I were to tell you I think I know a way for you to get back to Midna."
Link's mouth suddenly clamped shut at my utterance. His eyes widened in disbelief. He got quiet and didn't respond right away. He looked completely dumbstruck.
"What?"
I closed my eyes and pursed my lips together.
I knew that would get your attention.
"What if there was a way for you to get back to the Twilight Realm to see your beloved friend once more?"
Link stared at me in disbelief, but his breathing suddenly quickened. There was another brief silence between us.
"Is that possible?" he inquired finally.
I nodded, admittedly feeling indifferent about his excitement towards Midna's mentioning.
He must really love her… deeply and truly. Well… I shouldn't have expected otherwise.
"I believe so."
Link looked away from me for a moment and ran a hand through his dark blonde hair.
"You know of a different access point to the Twilight Realm?"
I didn't have a direct answer to that right now, but I wanted to reassure him. If ancestral mother was helping me, I was certain there was a way.
"There is a way to get back there."
I just don't know what it is yet. Hylia will help me.
A look of relief came across his face just then. There was yet another silence between us.
"How do you know this for certain?" he asked.
I didn't.
"I have my ways."
He apparently wasn't too sure about that.
"How do I know you aren't lying?"
Was this necessary? I got a little indignant at the question.
"You're just going to have to trust me. You did once, you'll have to learn to do so again."
He looked at me surprised at my words, but didn't reply directly to them.
"Fair enough. Alright, I'll do it. I'll go with you."
I stared at him without really seeing him for a moment. His disposition was like night and day.
All I had to do was mention Midna, and that's all it took. All I had to do was mention the twilight queen's name.
"Good, thank you."
The look on his face was priceless when he thought about the Twilight Queen.
"Midna..." he said underneath his breath. "I can't believe it." Link seemed lost in his thoughts for a moment, but then looked at me to address me once more. "Can I ask you a question?"
You just did.
I looked at him expectantly.
"Yes."
Link looked into my eyes.
"Why are you doing this? Why now?"
I paused at the question, already expecting it.
"I'm doing this because my family has a lot to answer for. I'm doing this because no one should be away from someone they love. I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. I'm doing this because... I want to do right by you good hero."
He was surprised by my candor.
"What?"
I looked away from him.
"There is no double entendre here," I said, quoting Hylia, "I meant what I said."
Link just stared at me for a moment, then inquired further.
"No strings attached? No quid pro quo?"
I shook my head.
"Of course not, why would there be?"
I didn't expect an answer to my question and there was another silence between us. One where Link chuckled absently, then actually smiled. Seriously, he smiled. Would the wonders ever cease?
"Well, your majesty it looks like you've got yourself an escort. When do we leave?"
I avoided his eyes for a moment. I couldn't help but reflect on our past too. Did any of that time between us even matter? Was that all an illusion? How could times so wonderful be so easily forgotten by him? How could he not recall how close we once were? Those were questions that couldn't be answered now, nor should they have been. Even so, perhaps I didn't want to know the answers. Maybe Link simply put no stock into the past... the good parts rather.
I spoke up soon after.
"Tomorrow, the sooner the better."
Link nodded and placed his hands on his hips.
"I couldn't agree with you more."
I avoided his eyes for a moment. Suddenly, he was so eager. Suddenly, he couldn't wait to go. But, I guess anything could be done with the proper motivation. Anything.
"Alright then, it looks like that's settled."
He nodded.
"Looks like."
However, before I could say anything else, another voice suddenly interjected in our conversation.
"Good," the female said out of nowhere, "because tonight Miss Elga you'll be staying with me."
I looked past Link to see who the voice belonged to. I couldn't believe either one of us hadn't taken notice of her before now.
Dear Nayru, how much of this conversation did she hear?
I wasn't going to get an answer to that as the young lady approached.
"Hello, welcome to Ordon Village," she greeted, her smile seemed forced, "my name is Ilia."
Thank you for reading.