Chapter 2: Saddle Up
The curtains had been drawn and the morning sun that was rising in the east cast its warm rays into the bedroom of the Princess Zelda. She reached over to pick up the last of her jewelry that she placed around her neck and wrists and so forth. After she finished clothing herself in the traditional garments of the Princess, she turned and made her way down the hallway towards the throne room. The carpets were crimson, not a stain or wear to be found. The walls varied in rich colors of royal blues, greens, reds, with gold trims and décor in every direction. Tapestries were strung throughout the halls and stairwells that depicted wars won, messages, the creation of Hyrule, and of course, the Hero of Time.
"Good-morning your highness" a guard said cheerfully as Zelda made her way by. "You look lovely, as you do always."
"Thank you, Henry," Zelda replied, as she turned left down yet another hallway.
Zelda slowed her pace a bit, for she was really in no rush to begin her duties of listening to citizens bicker about their land, sheep, or rocks. Why they even cared who owned which rock was beyond her. She sighed heavily; this was how most of her days went. She woke up, went and talked to officers till breakfast, then listened to people till lunch, then listened to more till dinner. She didn't have a very exciting life. Zelda had never told anyone, but she half-way enjoyed the life she lead as Sheik during the Dark Years. She was free, she trained, she fought and protected what she loved, she could assist Link, and be of use. This life, it was…not her first choice.
"Acuista, what would your will have us do now?" Asked Crenoora hastily. "My regiment is becoming restless for the search of the Hero, and was wondering if we could leave now?"
"It is a little early…" Acuista replied, contemplating what she should do. "Go ahead, he should probably be awake by now but not aware enough to put up a difficult fight. Remember, be silent, and quick, I want him alive."
"Yes my leader," replied the officer before she turned and briskly made her way back to her troops.
After Link had scattered the remnants of the charred wood from the fire, he gathered up his belongings and began to pack them on the readied Epona. They were going on some sort of journey, not really one of great haste, and it was in Hyrule, so long distance traveling wasn't really involved.
Three days earlier, Link was meandering through the Hyrule Town Market and noticed some men talking of a mysterious treasure that was supposedly hidden deep in the forests about Hyrule. Link needed something to do; he needed a little adventure, so he picked up on this immediately. He bought minimum supplies and readied Epona for the week trip at most.
Link finished checking everything, he didn't want to leave behind something important, like the Master Sword, or his shield, or anything for that matter. He climbed up onto the leather saddle and set Epona into a slow walk as he took in the wondrous warmth and comforts of the forest around him.
Crenoora lead her regiment from the Gerudo Fortress, through the valley, and onwards towards Hyrule Field. Once they reached the edge of the field, she would send out messengers to find out of Link's whereabouts, as well as sending a few spies to begin the search for the Hero in the mountains, lakes, and forests. She was going to find Link, and make her leader proud. Nothing would stop her.
It was lunchtime for Zelda, as well as the rest of the royals and nobles. She sat there at the right hand side of her father, the King of Hyrule, poking at her food wither her head resting on her hand. She was bored, and needed some time out. As she continued to ponder her plans, the usual chatter of the castle staff went on about her. She paid no attention to any of the people around her, when usually she would be a large contributor to many of the conversations.
Then it struck her. She should spend some time with Link, a somewhat of a childhood friend, and of course the Hero of Hyrule, so no one should really object to it. She stood up, and proclaimed that she was going up to her room for something, and then quickly made her way off to the stable to saddle up the fastest horse she could get her hands on.
After speeding out of the castle grounds, she made her way through the town market and onto Hyrule Field. Here, she used one of those mystical telepathy power things she had from being the Princess of Hyrule, and a Sage to call Link.
Link spun around in the saddle looking in all directions when he heard Zelda's voice. It startled him, it would have startled anyone for that matter.
"Link, where are you, it's Zelda, I'm at Hyrule field, meet me here, and hurry up." Came Zelda's voice.
"Well, you can't really get any quicker to the point than she was, can you?" he said aloud to himself. "Hmm…ugh, well, the treasure isn't gonna go anywhere, it wouldn't hurt to go and see Zelda, I hope there's nothing wrong…again." Link pulled Epona's reigns and turned her about and gave a few nudges in her sides with his heels and they were off galloping through the forest towards Hyrule Field.