Unwanted Connections

Zelda woke up to an aching back feeling more tired than before she had reported to bed. She was used to an intense training routine, but she missed home.

Many of the other girls were asleep even though it was only an hour before training started. She rolled her eyes and changed into the uniform required for the ceremony. They would be accepted into the Royal Guard today!

Zelda wondered when her fellow trainees would awaken as she sharpened her blade. Grumbling and moans answered her question. As they slowly awoke panic settled in the room as they realized the time.

Scrambling and running footsteps were heard all around. Some were still half asleep and some alert with panic. As the chaos commenced around Zelda, she felt a slight satisfaction that they were not ready, and she was.

(First up best dressed), she thought to herself with a rare smile on her face.

They had been hostile towards her. She suspected she knew what they thought about her. She had a feeling that the reason they were so hostile was because of her skills or something similar. Zelda had only stated one of the reasons for their jealousy, these remarks were much simpler than she realized.

After a while everyone settled down and was dressed. Some of the girls were glaring at her. The reason soon became clear.

Last night when they were on the training grounds, the others apparently noticed that the Prince had taken an interest in Zelda. Zelda was not aware of this when she was swarmed with a group of them demanding answers for this incident. She hadn't realized at the time what they were talking about. They had all scowled at her and stalked off mumbling terrible things about her.

The trainees that had swarmed her were still staring daggers at her. She pretended not to notice and cleaned her blade. She secretly prayed in her mind that the Captain of the Royal Guard would come so she could escape this strange conflict with the other girls.

The trainees were sitting patiently on their beds when Barta, Captain of the Royal Guard entered the sleeping quarters. Barta was originally part of the Gerudo army. She had flaming red hair, dark skin, and sharp green eyes.

"Attention!" Barta's voice boomed.

Immediately Zelda and her fellow trainees shot up with their arms at their side. Barta paced the room back and forth satisfied with their obedience's. "Forward" her voice boomed again.

They shuffled out the narrow door where they followed the dimly lit halls lined with the seal of the soldier's banner bearing the symbol of a shield with two swords crossed over each other.

Zelda had known the castle contained grand halls where royalty, royal guards and guests resided. It looked very lavish at a glance, but she had never had a close look before. The soldier halls were much less showy and were bare stone floors unlike the royal halls which were completely covered in lush red carpet.

She looked forward to when she could walk those halls after the ceremony. Then she thought of the prince and the moment when their eyes met. Suddenly she began to feel uneasy.

When one of the other soldiers snapped in her face, Zelda suddenly came back to her senses. When she identified the snapper, the snapper smirked at her. Zelda gave her a dirty look. Then she saw Barta intensely staring at her. Barta turned away shaking her head.

Zelda had almost forgotten where she was and felt shame. She should have ignored the snapper, but she hadn't and the resulting stern look from the Captain was the most shameful things that could happen as a guard. The other girls seemed to be in a daze also ignoring their surroundings as their minds wandered.

Zelda kept her head low until they reached the grassy field of Hyrule Field. They followed a crumbling path that led to the Sacred Grounds where most knights and guards were sworn into the military.

The scene was as breathtaking as if it was a beautiful painting. The grassy fields and the delicate trees added to the effect. Hyrule Castle was right behind them and seats had been placed around the grounds.

She felt queasy and unsure. So many eyes stared intently at the group. Zelda could see the boy trainee group directly ahead of them. The boy's quarters were on the right side of the castle while the girls whose quarters were on the left.

They filed into a line, waiting under the shadows of the trees. She searched the audience for her father and grandmother.

(Where are they?)

Instead, she found the prince in the middle of the Ceremonial Grounds holding a royal claymore.

(What is he doing there?)

Then horror struck her as she realized he was the one giving the speeches and knighting them into the royal guard! Since the Queen was sick the responsibility fell to him. That was the last thing she wanted. He had already caused her enough trouble in the quarters with the other soldiers, now this! She became more terrified and nervous.

Zelda always strived to be courageous, but this was not one of those moments. She had been so caught up in her thoughts, she forgot why she was searching so intensely. She finally spotted her father and grandmother on the west side of the audience and resisted the urge to wave. Instead, she locked eyes with them.

Zelda's grandmother smiled happily at her, but Zelda's father seemed to sense she was uneasy just by a look. He gave her a concerned look, but Zelda averted her eyes.

She was relieved that the girls were going last, but she heard whispers about the Prince and squeals.

Which only made Zelda dread the ceremony more. "Oh, I can't wait, it's exciting to meet the prince," one said.

Many of the others agreed. Zelda was about to comment that there is a difference between meeting someone and acknowledging another person existence. When her name was called, she froze.

So many eyes were on her, staring her down. She walked quietly towards the center of the 5 pillars that were mounted on a stone platform with steps going off it. Breathing in deeply she approached the Prince. She kneeled in front of him and closed her eyes. So many eyes were on her. It was overwhelming. Sweat starting to wet her palms.

Barely hearing any words, the Prince had said except the last part "We pray for safety and that you keep Hyrule safe. As the kingdom threats grow so does the hope of the people. We expect that you will fulfill your duty to Hyrule," he paused and spoke "In the name of Hyrule, you will protect the kingdom with your life and soul. You will stand by Hyrule's side if danger shall arise. You have now been sworn into the royal guard...we express our gratitude to you...Zelda."

She shuddered. He had said the same speech over and over, but she swore she heard him linger on her name as he spoke it. Zelda opened her eyes and looked up staring into his blue eyes as he stared down at her. She tried to keep a straight face as she stood up and walked towards the other sworn in guards.

Zelda made eye contact with her grandmother and father again. They seemed genuinely happy, but her father still acted concerned. She could see his mind working. She would have to tell her father later what was troubling her but for now she appreciated that she didn't have to look the Prince in the eye the whole ceremony.

After her fellow now royal guards all gathered at the far side, they had permission to see their families. She tried to contain her excitement until she and her family found privacy where they could speak freely.

Zelda, her father and grandmother walked for some time. When reached a patch of trees, her father asked "Zelda, you looked troubled at the ceremony. What happened?" His green eyes pierced into her soul.

"Er...I had gotten very nervous" she scratched the back of her head, unsure if she should tell him about the strange incident on the training grounds last night.

She decided against it. Instead turning the conversation towards their life "So have you been getting along fine without me?"

Her father picked up that she was changing the subject to avoid him. "Zelda what happened at the ceremony?" Zelda knew she was lying but it would only worry her father.

"It was just nerves," she was telling the truth just not all of it. Her grandmother sensing the conflict between her son and granddaughter changed the subject which Zelda greatly appreciated but her father not so much.

Her grandmother told her it had been a good season this year so many of the people had food to eat. She also commented sheikah researchers were coming in everyday for a mysterious reason. Her grandmother always loved gossip though sometimes would get carried away with it.

As her grandmother chattered on, the sun started to set to set. She kissed her grandmother on the cheek and hugged her father goodbye. Her father hugged her tightly.

As Zelda walked away, she heard her father whisper to her grandmother. Zelda wanted to respect their privacy but couldn't help but stay hidden in the trees as she heard her father speak.

"What could have happened before the ceremony to put her on edge, I mean I understand being nervous, but I could see her sweating? I find that to be a little extreme" her father said.

Her grandmother stared at him for a minute then responded "Oh it's probably more, you must understand she's a royal guard now. She probably been under pressure, but the most likely reason includes a boy. You know they get all crazy at that age" her grandmother smirked.

Her father was taken aback "No, that's wrong. That can't be possible" her father protested.

"Oh, please I saw you at that age when Rila came into the room you had that same exact face" her grandmother chuckled.

Her father's face went red "I...alright you have me, I just wonder who it is."

Zelda face went white. Why were they thinking these things about her! As a matter of fact, she started to hate that boy prince for causing this. She saw her grandmother lean into her father's ear and whisper.

Zelda couldn't overhear it. She felt angry about what her grandmother had said and powerless over their assumptions. Her grandmother laughed but her father looked tense. Obviously, whatever suggestion about the identity of Zelda's so called "lover" was not appealing to him.

She could overhear some words, but the sound faded as they walked off into the distance towards Castle Town, towards home. Zelda's mind overflowed with questions.

(Why did grandmother think that?)

Zelda rid her mind of this thought. She couldn't tell if the prince was curious or merely intrigued by her. Did she even want to know what this boy prince thought of her? As Zelda walked back towards the Castle where the unofficial Royal Guard party would be, she decided that she would put as much distance between herself and this boy as possible.

She smiled as this thought brought a new spring in her step.

However, fate is a fickle and this was most surely not in the cards for her.