Moments in the Cold
"Are we there yet?"
"Not yet"
Link sighed and leaned back on his steed. Tiny wisps of snowflakes started to form around them. He looked over at Zelda who kept her eyes straight ahead refusing to look at him. Link sat up on his white horse and stared at her.
"How about now?" he asked.
Zelda whipped around with a look of annoyance. She pulled the reins of the horse causing it to stop and looked him dead in the eyes.
"For the tenth time, No!" she yelled.
"But I'm tired," Link moaned and flopped onto the back of his horse.
Zelda grabbed the reins of his horse and pulled them to a stop.
"Please sit up Prince Link. You wouldn't want your horse to run off the trail." She sighed.
Link begrudgingly sat up and glared at her. They had been on the road for about 8 hours now. Link had asked her if they could stop at Serene Stable but she refused to stop until they made it to Snowfield Stable. It was the Queen's orders to make it to Snowfield Stable within the first day.
Nightfall came and it brought a chill over the two of them. Their horses trudged along the granite path. The horse's shoes clicked against the old path. The path slowly faded after each use.
To the left of Link, a huge and dark canyon cascaded down into oblivion. It seemed a never-ending drop but if he squinted enough he could see mysterious gray with moss running along the curious grey. The scene didn't look like it belonged there.
Link was tempted to take a closer look and leaned over a bit off the side of his horse to take a further glance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her warning green eyes.
"Don't you even think about it," Zelda warned.
Her beautiful blonde hair swirled around in the gentle wind as she said this. Link scoffed and tilted back into a normal seated position. They carried on with the tiring routine of the journey.
He kindly patted the side of his horse's head and it emitted a content noise. Link smiled fondly at the horse. He felt Zelda's stare upon him. He turned around to meet her twinkling green eyes.
"Do you need something?" Link raised his eyebrow.
"No," she paused "Have you seen the mountains yet?" Zelda looked up at him and for the first time he saw her smile. Her smile gleamed in the night air as it brightened up the dark sky.
"No, I haven't" Link replied. He looked at her as if waiting for her to say more but she didn't. Instead, she pointed across the deep canyon.
There he saw it. The beautiful mountains were tipped with a snowy touch. The navy-blue sky swirled with bright colors that danced through the starry sky. Proud pointed trees were scattered among the crisp white mountains. The mountains cascaded down in gentle and great slopes. Tiny little flurries of snow kissed the gentle mountains with grace. It was an absolutely beautiful sight.
For a breathtaking second time stood still as he looked upon the grand mountains. Zelda cleared her throat and Link turned around. Zelda was back to her usual self. The smile had faded. She was no longer smiling or generally happy. Link liked the happy Zelda better, the one he had glimpsed only moments before.
"Let's continue shall we," she suggested as she motioned down the long path.
Link nodded and set his horse back to trudging through the rough ground. He looked back at the sparkling mountains again. It seemed oddly familiar though he might be mistaken. But now that he squinted at it, Link noticed a high peak. It was the same one he had looked upon with his father that fateful night.
There at the grand balcony stood a young boy and a man. It was long after dark but the two of them still stood awake in the dark navy night. The man pointed out towards the familiar peak that towered over the snowy white mountains.
Tonight, it looked slightly different. A vicious blizzard brewed over the gentle mountains. The colorful lights that usually danced around the heavens had diminished into dust. Castle Town was as still as stones. Only a few twinkling lights were scattered among the sleeping houses. The night breeze whispered to the grassy fields and evergreen trees. A tranquil sound of music was hummed by the crickets who awaited daybreak.
"When is Mother coming home?" The young boy on the balcony turned to the man standing next to him.
The boy's blue eyes electrified the cool indigo night. The man looked down at the boy, his chestnut hair swayed in the wind. He shared the same bright blue eyes as the boy.
The man patted the boy on the back and looked out across the great distance of Hyrule. Forests and rivers seeped through the land as the darkening sky clashed with the many mountains and hills that dotted the land.
The man looked back down at the boy and leapt onto the balcony rail making his legs dangle dangerously over the edge. He reached for the boy, pulling him up beside him. The boy was hesitant at first but then followed suit with the man letting his feet also dangle over the dangerous drop. The man wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulder and pointed to the Gerudo Desert.
"Your mother is there, she should be back soon." The man spoke in a dull lifeless voice as he stared out toward the sandy far desert.
"Why did she go there?" the boy asked with curiosity.
"I don't know why she had to leave, Link. I just have a bad feeling." The man mumbled to himself and looked down at the boy.
"Did she leave to see Urboso?" Link looked up at the man inquiringly.
"I guess. You should call her Chief Urboso, Link. She may be your godmother, but titles are necessary nowadays," the man told Link with a strange voice.
"Father, are you happy?" Link blurted out with no sense of sensitivity.
Link felt his Father's body tense as he spoke those words. Link's Father held Link closer to him as he stared at the cold, still night.
The blizzard in the distance grew more dense and violent as the chilling night went on. Soon the mountain stars disappeared from the sky.
"Yes, I am incredibly happy. I just wished she would listen to me sometime. I told her I wanted to go with her..." Link's father trailed off.
Link's father sighed. He let go of Link staring down at the dangerous height below them.
"I just wished she knew that I care."
"What do you mean? You married Mother because you love her? Isn't that how it works?" Link queried and looked up at his father while he swung his legs back and forth.
"I care about your mother, Link. It's extremely complicated. I'll tell you when you're older. Not every marriage starts with love."
Suddenly Link swung his foot too far and he slid forward off the rail by accident.
"Link!" his Father shouted in panic.
Without a moment to lose, Link's Father grabbed onto his son's sleeve. Link was shrieking in terror as his Father gently pulled him up from most certain death. He brushed his son's hair with his warm gentle hand, calming Link down. The young boy shook in his father's arms as he recovered from the near death experience.
His father was surprisingly calm, like calm and gentle waters. Usually, his father would be reckless and stubborn. Gingerly Link's father set his son on the stable balcony floor far away from the edge.
"Let's go inside. I shouldn't have done that," his father mumbled to himself and pushed Link inside the safe castle.
Quickly Link's father locked the balcony door and glared out into the streets of Castle Town. Link sat down on his huge bed that truly was way too big for a tiny boy like him. Just when his father was about to open his mouth, Link's private bedroom doors burst open. A tall royal guard with shaggy dark brown hair barged in. He was panting and looked up at Link's Father trying to catch his breath.
"I have news, my King" the guard announced his face blank of emotions.
His father's anxious state vanished as the guard spoke. His father straightened his back and looked right into the guard's brown eyes.
"What is it?" his father casually asked while Link tilted his head curious what the guard would say.
The royal guard glanced over at Link and Link's father nodded. He swiftly walked over to the guard. The two of them turned their backs away from Link and talked in quiet whispers. Link huffed in annoyance.
(Why all the secret stuff?)
As Link squinted at his Father, he saw slow anger spill onto his Father's face. His Father jerked away and began to breath very deeply. He grabbed his trusty sword that Link had always seen him carry.
"My King! The guards are handling it! There's no need for you to come," the guard insisted.
"They want me to sit idly by? I think not!" his Father yelled as his sheathed his sword.
"My King, it is unwise to go. Please stay at the Castle!" the guard pleaded desperately.
"Elwin, do not let them follow me. That's an order." Link's Father looked at the guard with his sapphire eyes.
The guard stuttered some undecipherable words and hesitated but spoke again.
"I won't tell them you're gone until you're out the gates." The guard, Elwin mumbled to the King. The guard looked displeased doing so.
"Good." The King answered in contentment while he situated his bow and grabbed his faithful shield.
His father was never without his weapons even in times of peace.
"My King, you know you can't save everyone," The guard whispered.
His father's flared up in anger..
"Yes, I can and will. Watch me."
Then Link's father looked over at Link. Changing his firm mood to a gentle one. He quickly walked over to Link and sat on the bed next to him. His father grabbed Link and held him tight. Link snuggled up in his father's hug.
"I'll be back before you know it." His father gave him a small smile that only Link could see.
Link smiled too, believing his promise.
With that, Link's Father gently patted Link on the back and nodded to the guard. The guard sighed deeply and looked over at tiny Link. The doors slammed close as the guard left in a huff leaving Link and his father alone in the room.
His father stood up and was about to open the door but hesitated. His father lingered, his back turned to his son as if contemplating what he was doing. As his chestnut hair swayed and his blue eyes flashed to Link only for a second.
Link saw his father's usually confident self and thought of his father returning soon. A turn of a doorknob and his father's fate was sealed.
Link sat quietly on his bed, alone. He heard the clopping of horse's hooves outside his bedroom window a few minutes later. Quickly he scrambled to the window, wishing to see his father go.
Link looked out the clear-paned windows seeing, a Hero, his father. The man triumphally soared across the fields with his trusty horse towards his destiny. Looking at his father he only saw a proud Hero, not a father anymore. Link knew his father was doing it for the greater good. It unnerved the young boy that he didn't know his father's destiny. His father took a sudden left turn and galloped in a different direction.
The starry sky was emptied of the beautiful lights. The green trees loomed as the grassy fields darkened of their vibrant color. A patch of sandy lands and the Gerudo Highlands ominously looked over Link's father. To Link's horror he was heading toward The Gerudo Desert!
(That's where Mother went!)
Link's heartbeat quickened though he wasn't sure why. He stumbled back to bed and flopped onto the soft sheets. Link calmed his mind by filling it with comforting words.
(Father is coming back I just know it. Nothing bad can happen to either of them. They'll be fine. They'll come home.)
Link smiled to himself and rolled onto his side. He played comforting thoughts through his mind as he drifted off to sleep. He slept only knowing his father and mother would return and be safe.
The sleeping boy didn't know that his father had left his door forever and would forever remain a mere memory.
Link was startled to attention by a blast of cold wind. He shivered at the sudden coldness. His hands were a frosty red. Link's hands went to his cold stricken face. It felt frozen and cold to the touch. His cheeks and nose was a frosty red. The air was much colder than before. Link's body started to shiver violently.
The sky was now an inky black. Drifting snowflakes fell onto the two of them. Zelda didn't look bothered whatsoever as she held out her hand to touch the falling flakes. She glanced back at him. Her luminous green eyes shone in the falling snow.
"Did you bring your snow quill tunic?" Zelda questioned Link, raising her eyebrow.
(My what?)
"What snow quill tunic?" Link blurted out with a confused look.
Zelda slapped her forehead and sighed. Even nature had enough of Link. Suddenly hard flakes started pelted him as the snow thickened.
"Ow, ow!" Link yelled and covered his honey blonde head with his freezing hands.
"It's required to have it during this journey. Why don't you take a look in your 5 bags?" Zelda suggested though doubt was layered in her voice.
She lingered on the word 5 bags as if mocking him.
"Yeah, yeah good idea." Link hastily replied as he slid off his white horse's back.
He now regretted brushing off Impa's attempt to help him pack and insisting on doing it all himself.
Link quickly took off the bags and made sure they didn't touch the sloppy wet snow. Holding them carefully he ripped through each one. The cold seeped into his sturdy boots and froze his feet which were turning numb. Link frantically pawed through his bags as the cold wind swirled around him. It hadn't reached an unbearable cold temperature at the moment though the temperature was plunging rapidly.
"Has it appeared yet?" Zelda challenged. A tiny smirk played on her lips. She was definitely teasing him.
Link's face was a burning red, thankfully he was turned away from her.
(How could I forget this!)
Again, he frantically searched through the bags. Still no snow quill tunic. Link had brought everything else except the stupid snow quill tunic.
(At least I still have the rupees)
Then Link's eyes went into panic.
(Wait did I forget them too!)
No longer caring if rest of his items get wet he threw the bags' contents on the ground desperately groping through them. Items fell out into the wet sloppy snow. By the 5th bag he found the rupees secured in a leather pouch and he sighed in relief. Link clutched it close to his chest and put the pouch into his pocket away from prying eyes.
Link knew he had truly forgotten the stupid tunic.
(How am I supposed to get to Rito Village now?)
Then Link's mind connected the dots. A smirk appeared on his frosty face. He even forgot about his numbness.
(I'll have to go back to the castle to get it. That means I don't have to see Revali too soon. It will at least delay it and annoy Mother!)
Link felt he could sing with happiness. Not seeing Revali immediately would sweeten the deal. Though if he did sing, he would sound like a broken record with straining high pitches. Link's voice was not a thing of beauty.
To Link's chagrin his celebration was short lived. In the middle of his happy thoughts, something smacked his face. He stumbled back almost slipping in the icy snow. Link's eyes were covered by it and he snatched it off. He held it and brushed it gently. A snow quill tunic? The white feathers and comfortable design could not be anything else.
(Where did this come from?)
Link's bright blue eyes looked up expecting to meet her luminous green ones, but they were nowhere to be seen. Zelda's chocolate horse stood alone beside his snow-white stallion in the billowing snow.
He peered around and suddenly heard a noise from nearby. Link's ears strained hard to hear and another rustle emitted from the right of him. The evergreen trees hushed the whispering wind as it blew through the chilling air.
Slowly memories from the hospital crept into his mind. He remembered the unnerving silence and sense of constant danger. Link slowly bent his knees and quietly scuttled toward the sound. The snow made his boots crunch loudly but he still thought he was being sneaky. He was about to peek around the large evergreen tree that drooped over him.
"Gahhh"
Link fell over in surprise and slipped in the frosty snow. He frantically tried to break his fall, but he ended up face first in icy snow.
"owww"
In fright Link tried to crawl away. Then he looked up to see the person that had scared him. Her twinkling green eyes glimmered.
"Wha-Zelda why did you do that?"
"To keep you on your toes."
"Why would I need that?"
"When you're out in the wilderness you never know what may happen. That dragon is still out and about."
Link sat up and glared at her. But she seemed to be genuine in her warning. She scanned the area. Why had he been so on edge when he couldn't see her moments before.
Zelda would never be dangerous.
(Why is she acting so weird)
The two stayed still for a moment while the beautiful flakes danced around in the frosty air. Zelda looked down at him, still sprawled in the snow. She hesitated at first but then extended her hand to help him up.
Her green eyes stared into his blue ones. Link without any hesitation grabbed her hand firmly. It felt warm even through the bitter cold. The pure white snow crunched beneath his boots as he stood up.
Suddenly they were so close to each other Link could feel her hot breath on his face. A twinkle danced in her green iris. Instant embarrassment bloomed on his face. His heart stopped, he felt he could die right then and there.
Wobbly, he stepped away from her and turned away. Link felt his face turning redder and redder by the minute. This time it wasn't because of the cold. He whipped around and saw Zelda was turned away too. Zelda held her hands over her face. She seemed to be shaking her head and mumbling to herself.
Link ran to his horse wishing to escape the awkwardness. His white horse gave him a glare but let him on. Link petted his horse's mane and tried to calm himself down.
(What just happened?)
Link held his head in his hands and stared into the pure white snow. He didn't know what to say or do anymore. It was an awkward situation and both of them knew it. Link wished it hadn't happened now because he couldn't stop thinking about it.
After a while Zelda stumbled into the clearing Her feet dragged herself to her chocolate horse. Zelda was carrying what seemed to be spicy peppers. She silently mounted her horse and urged it to trot ahead of Link. Zelda refused to look him in the eyes and didn't look back once.
After a long silence Link spoke up trying to break the uneasy feeling lingering in the air.
"Um, is this your snow quill tunic?" Link tentatively asked. He held it out for her to see.
"Yes, since you didn't bring your own. You can have mine." Zelda dull voice echoed through the frosty air.
"But isn't it going to be too tight?"
"You didn't bring yours so don't complain." Zelda was now back to her usually feisty self.
She whipped around and narrowed her eyes. Though she seemed to be a little on an edge it was better than no speaking.
He pulled the snowquill tunic over his other clothing. As expected, it felt tight on him, but it was better than nothing. The warmth from the tunic did make up for the suffocation. Zelda munched on a spicy pepper and coughed a lot as she forced the flaming taste down her throat.
The snow became thicker and thicker around them. Even through the warm tunic, a chill seeped in. The mountains drew closer and closer to them. The peaks loomed over them and the sky blanketed the stars.
Link looked up seeing Zelda point towards a dim light in the distance. A shadowy building was seen through the falling snow.
"There's the stable!" Zelda told Link. He heard her sigh in relief. Link knew he would soon be able to relax and rest up. He felt he could unwind and just enjoy the scenery instead of worrying and being tired.
His eyes flickered over to the deep canyon. It was intriguing and dark. Little snowflakes fell into the cascading darkness never too be seen again. The canyon was an ominous black and the night did not help in vision.
A pair of icy eyes were hidden from sight in the dark canyon. It had waited hours upon hours, waiting for the right moment to strike. It trained its eyes on its next victims.
A roar ripped through the icy and still air echoing across the barren snowy lands. The sickening roar shook the ground in a low rumble.
Link snapped back to attention and looked up into the pair of icy eyes which glared at him. A long slender body licked with purple flames loomed. Multiple dark yellow eyes with snake like pupils grew off the body, like a sickening disease.
It dripped with a disgusting substance that burned the white pure snow into ash where it dripped onto the ground. It reeled its mutant horns and bellowed another bloodcurdling roar. Link thought it was Dinraal but he wasn't so sure looking at it now.
Zelda let out a shriek of panic and Link was paralyzed with terror as this huge thing towered over them. Link's heart raced in fright.
"Prince Link, let's get to stable!" Zelda yelled over the swirling of snow and noise.
Link didn't need to be told twice. The dragon vigorously chased after them in the inky night. Link tore after Zelda as his white horse kicked up the snow in their path. Zelda's blonde hair whipped in the riled wind. The thing chased after them and zeroed in on them. While Link was wildly trying to get to the stable, the icy chunks from his horses hooves were kicked up in the thing's eyes. It screeched in pain as the ice struck its eyes and it recoiled into a defensive position.
They were so close to the stable. A young boy ran out and saw them. He put his finger over his lips and silently cupped a lantern in his hands. The boy blew out the candle in the lantern. Suddenly the light, the light that had been guiding them, went out. His shadow scuttled back to the safety of the stable.
Zelda and Link sped towards the stable taking advantage of the dragon's temporary distress. They skidded into the perimeter of the fence surrounding the stable. While Zelda gracefully stopped her horse from its previous gallop, Link flew off the horse and landed in a heap in the snow as his horse skidded to an ungraceful stop. He cursed as he got up from the numbing snow.
Link looked back and saw the dragon was rapidly recovering as it scanned the area with its icy eyes seeking its prey. Zelda was already at the stable doors and didn't bother to help him up. From a distance the stable was hidden from view since every single light had been blown out. Link kept his eyes on the preying dragon. Quickly he flew across the snow which crunched loudly under his feet causing the attention of the dragon. His heart was pounding.
(Stupid boots)
The dragon narrowed its cold eyes in his direction. It swiftly flew over to them, its eyes searching for movement. Link and Zelda stumbled into the silent and dark stable. At first Link thought it was empty of people.
Then he noticed in a dark and dingy corner at least a dozen people cowered in fear. They shook their heads and nervously shifted away from the newcomers. Link saw the boy from earlier huddling by a tall man that seemed to be his father. Link reminded himself that now was not the time to observe the people.
He felt someone grab his hand. He looked down and saw it was Zelda leading them to a dingy corner away from the other people. Silently Link and Zelda sat down. Link held his head to his knees hoping to block out the sight of dragon. Zelda kept her eyes on the dragon that was now surveying them.
Suddenly it darted forward, a huge icy eye stared into the "empty" stable. The eye was incredibly big and took up the entire entrance. Its icy pupil dilated and narrowed as it investigated the dark stable searching for its victims.
No one made a sound. Link held his breath and closed his eyes wishing for the horror to pass. Link wasn't sure if its intention was to eat him or worse. He didn't want to find out.
The other disgusting yellow snake like eyeballs scattered on its body also surveyed the area looking at all sides. Their snake eyes utterly disturbed Link. The gruesome dragon would just not go away! The gooey substance clinging to its body dripped in the snow melting the snow under the sinister beast.
Link glanced at the other group. They held each other in fear, their mouths open in a silent scream. He gulped and looked back at the dragon. To his luck its cold eyes drooped and grew lazy. It snorted and let out a low growl believing their trick.
The growl rocked the stable. Link had to hold onto to the wall from falling over. The dragon finally gave a last glance and soared away from the stable, going to wherever it was going.
No one dared to get up. Not after what just happened. Link just wanted to get to safety or home. Maybe even ride on his favorite snow-white horse. Wait. Link's eyes flew open.
(Oh no)
Link leapt up causing the rest of the stable including Zelda to startle. He tore out of the stable. He wildly whipped around looking for their horses.
They were nowhere to be seen, nor was the dragon. Zelda chased after him out of the stable. The swirling snow was still kicking up a storm. Their boots crunched in the burnt snow. The dragon had torn down the trees around them making them exposed under the dark inky sky.
Link squinted into the far distance where he saw two figures in icy snow. He sighed in relief. It seemed to be the horses. Silently standing in the falling snow they were peaceful which was strange given the recent presence of a huge predator. The horses must have fled from the dragon. Still... something put Link on edge.
(Why didn't it touch the horses?)
Its not like he would have ever wanted that to happen. But a true predator would go after any meat. It was like the dragon had chosen them as their meal and only would be satisfied by them. It had been chasing them incredibly slow.
That was because dragons never attacked people and weren't built for attacking. Its body was invulnerable to attacks so if it had truly cornered them, they would be helpless. Something was off.
Behind him, people stirred, still too terrified to ignite the lights again. Low murmurs filled the frosty and still air. Link followed Zelda back into the stable. He was exhausted. Zelda sighed and slumped against a smooth oak wall. Link's boots echoed across the floorboards. It had to be at least midnight.
Fumbling in his pocket, he found his pouch. Quietly Link placed a few rupees on the counter. His two fingers pushed the rupees to the man across the counter. Judging by his pointy signature stable hat, this was the stable master. The man raised his eyebrow anticipating Link's request.
"Two beds." Link hesitated "Please."
The man sighed and lazily waved his finger to his left in a general direction.
"Over there." The man wearily spoke and placed the rupees into a satchel.
Link nodded and scurried over, practically falling into the stiff bed. He scoffed. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable bed, certainly not a soft bed. It creaked under him.
Slowly the other travelers, merchants, and staff at the stable wearily drifted off. Peaceful silence filled the tired stable. Link still couldn't fall asleep even as much as he wanted to. Something in his mind screamed for attention but he wasn't sure what.
One inhabitant stood still and straight not taking her eyes off the door. Zelda leaned up on the wall stiffly. She seemed to be contemplating a query or complication though Link wasn't sure.
Multiple times within the restless 20 minutes her eyes darted to her left hand which was covered by an ominous black glove. Link wondered what she was thinking. Suddenly her face screwed up in irritation and she stormed out.
Link wondered how she didn't wake up the entire stable by now with all the huffing and stomping. Going out into the bitter cold especially in this time of the night must have been urgent or else no one in their right mind would do it.
Curious to see what she was doing, he sat up and slid out of the bed. He tip toed towards the exit being sure he didn't wake up the stable. Though if they could sleep through Zelda's irritation, they could sleep through anything.
At the entrance he peered around, searching for her. He didn't dare step out into the snow because his boots' crunch under the snow would give him away. A scraping noise followed by a sudden clink brought his attention. He found her crouching before a soft fire. One that he supposed she made.
Zelda's back was to Link thus he could not make out her expression. Swiftly she pulled out a gleaming knife from her belt. The warm fire reflected in the cold blade. She slipped off her black glove. Link couldn't see her hand clearly in the fire's dim light. Link heard her breath hitch as she drew the knife towards her hand.
Before Link could react she had already sliced her hand, but she didn't even have time to scream before something else did.
In the far distance a wounded cry echoed throughout the land. It sounded like the cry of a diseased golden eagle, a bird of prey. It rumbled the grounds and sudden snow from the mountains fell down in sheets. The people from the stable clambered out awoken by the sudden noise. Zelda's eyes widened as she looked back to her hand. Link took a step towards her.
Another noise erupted from the direction of the wounded cry. Except it was more threatening nothing like a wounded cry, like retaliation. Link looked out in horror as the sky lit up with a burning red color.
This was not the soft type of red of a welcoming fire. Rather this was the kind that resembled revenge and hate. Fiery sparks in the sky violently exploded in the once peaceful sky. Shouts of people rang out, but they were faint to his ears deafened by the scream from the sky. The trees and animals shook in fear.
Whatever that wounded thing was, it must be the cause of this disaster. In the distance, a birdlike silhouette flew into the burning skies. It spread out its wings in triumph. That was no normal bird. No living and breathing bird could cause all this chaos.
The silhouette of mountains and trees seemed all too familiar. To his horror he realized where this monstrosity was happening:
Rito Village.