Reminisce

CHAPTER THREE

"That man…" Zelda said as she looked into the fire crackling in the middle of the campsite.

They had managed to get a good distance away from the men out searching for them. They were in the forest located on one of the hills overlooking the kingdom of Vanale. Nave and Zelda were huddled around a campfire, sitting against trees with large cloth blankets around them to keep warm.

Nave looked up and stared at her.

Zelda thought for a moment, "Vincent was it? He sounded important." She opened up her canteen and drank some water from it before saying, "Who is he?"

She then tosses the canteen over the fire; Nave catches it with one hand and says, "Vincent is the emissary of our kingdom. That's it." He uncorked the canteen and drank, "He's behind this mess, I know it." He took another long gulp as Zelda watched.

He sighs, "I have no idea what he's up to." He shakes his head, "I feel so helpless…" he screws on the cork angrily, "Dammit! Now I'm the traitor!"

Zelda didn't say anything.

He looked at her with anger for a moment. He felt it was all her fault, but didn't bother saying anything.

She could see how he felt, "I'm sorry…" she offered.

"Sorry is not good enough." He said miserably. He puts his head down. Zelda looked down and hugged her knees, "I…know." she said, "We'll get to the bottom of this, as long as we stick together, I'm sure we'll find a way."

She didn't get a response. She pulled the blanket around her neck to keep warm.

The silence settled in for a long time, as the two of them listened to the fire; both were deep in thought, drifting into their own little world.

"I'm not mad at you…" Nave suddenly said.

Zelda looked up at him. Nave continued, "I'm just…trying to save what's left of my life, that's all. Everything's happening so fast. Ever since I put you in that cell, my life is falling apart. I'm just trying to cope here, so if I say something wrong, don't take it personally."

Zelda nodded slowly, "Do you have any family?"

Nave nods, "Yes, a mother, a father, and a little brother. I had a good childhood, I guess. I wanted to be a knight when I grew up...like most boys my age. I went to some rich school, I wore fancy clothes, had to learn how to properly eat, how to speak properly, and how to dance." he sighs, "All I wanted to do was become a knight and be a hero or something…I'm halfway there, at least. I'm just the head of the kingdom's security force."

Zelda smiles, "I guess I can relate…being a princess and all."

Nave leans his head back against the tree and looks at her, "Princess…hmm, well…how's that title treating you?"

Zelda laughed softly, "Can't complain too much. I had the same childhood you had…schooling, etiquette, social things…" she shrugs, "Now that I'm out in the real world like this, I can see that it's all pretty worthless."

He scoffs, "Tell me about it." they both laugh a bit, trying to forget their own problems for a moment. They both fail miserably as the dank cloud of depression settled over them again.

"This guy you're looking for…" Nave began, "what is it about him that makes you like him so much?"

Having this question asked from nowhere took her off guard and she struggled for words, "Well…uh…he's nice. Really nice." She began, "and he's very brave. He is always so helpful, so compassionate about every little thing. He's also the most loyal person I've ever met. Even as a little boy, he'd always find some way to help someone." She begins sighing dreamily, "And that face…so perfect…his skin is so nice looking…he smells nice and acts so sweet."

Nave raises a brow and stares.

Zelda smiles faintly, sinking into her fantasies, "And his voice has this perfect tone, too!"

She closes her eyes halfway, looking comatose, "I could listen to him talk all day, even about dumb stuff, it didn't matter…I remember when he was little, when he'd walk, his butt would do this little jiggle, it was so cute! It was even better when he runs! I could watch him run all day…"

She giggled to herself, "Also, he's so caring, I mean…I can tell he really cares, the way he'd hold me…he's so protective, and I always felt safe. He's also a very great kisser. Even for his first time, he was great. Every time he'd look at me with those beautiful eyes of his…my heart would melt, he's so strong, but so gentle, those lips, oh Goddesses, those lips! And that body…!"

"Okay—stop." Nave said bluntly.

Zelda blinked, waking up from her dream-like state, "Oh…I'm sorry! I got carried away!"

"Yeah…" Nave replied slowly, rolling his eyes, "Basically, he's the perfect guy, I get it."

Zelda smiled happily, "Yes." She winked at him, "Jealous?"

Nave shakes his head, "No way…I wouldn't dream of it. Getting involved with royalty is too troublesome."

Zelda laughed, "Agreed."

"So, why'd he disappear all of a sudden?" Nave questioned.

She thought for a moment before saying, "From the info I gathered, I suppose he's on some quest or something." she shakes her head, "I don't understand why he didn't tell anyone. I don't get why he didn't tell me, of all people…it would at least comfort me to know where he went, but he just left without a word. I haven't heard from him since."

"…Doesn't sound very loyal to me." Nave mumbled. Zelda looked at him sternly, "Don't talk about him that way! He must have a reason…I know him better than that."

Nave shrugged, "Oh well…I guess we'll just have to ask him when we find him, eh?" he looked around, "Didn't you say you had a horse?"

Zelda smiled faintly, "Well…I sold it for some money. I needed to ride a ferry across the river to the north of here. That's where we're headed."

"You sold your horse…" Nave muttered, "Just great."

"I made sure it was to a good family!" she said defensively.

Nave shook his head, "Well, to the north is a village, I bet if we walk fast enough, we could get there in two days."

Zelda nods, "Yeah…and then you'll have to get a job."

Nave looked at her, puzzled, "What?"

Zelda smiled sweetly, "I'm not paying for you. You wanna ride the ferry; you make your own money."

Nave puts his head down, "I don't believe this…this has got to be a dream…"

Zelda grins, "Well, if it was and I'm in it, it can't be all bad, right?"

Nave laughs sarcastically, "Right…" he stared at her for a moment. Zelda blinks and her smile fades, "What?" she frowns, "Hey! Those better be clean thoughts you're thinking!"