A.N: This chapter has been the bane of my writing existence, at least so for. I know I tend to waffle on both in story and in life, and my biggest worry is it ruining the pacing. On the other hand I don't wish to leave out stuff that can potentially be used to build world and characters. It's a careful balancing act and I just hope I get it right.
As always feedback, whether it be pure unadulterated adulation or constructive criticism, is appreciated, so if you wish to point out that the pacing is slower and shakier than an elephant on an ice rink please do so.
Chapter 11 – Starvation and Temptation
Princess Zelda would probably be relieved that no lives were lost during Bernard and Basil's latest refashioning project.
Link couldn't rightly say the same as he stared in horror at his reflection, so gaudy and flamboyant it made Falbi and Fyer's outfits look almost conservative! Okay that was a little harsh but who wouldn't be prone to over-exaggeration with a look like his.
His classic green hero's tunic had been replaced by what Basil referred to as a slashed doublet, of the deepest red, embroidered with fruit in various shades of orange and yellow. He had to admit the craftsmanship behind it was exceptional, however that didn't make him feel any more comfortable wearing it, particularly with how the sleeves were puffed out just above the elbows. The worst part of the attire though was undoubtable the banana coloured breeches that looked like they'd been inflated by blacksmiths bellows. The final nail in the coffin for Links dignity was the silvery knee-high socks he had to wear.
The beast that had been his hair, once believed to be untameable, had been viciously declawed with scissors, while its wild free spirit received a sentence of death by gel, flattening his once carefree locks in a substance so toxic, its uniquely foul stench could act as a great pest repellent. To counter this obnoxious odour, they had then given him a liberal dousing of cologne that smelt strongly of apples, which combined with his flashy fruit-oriented ensemble left him feeling like a talking fruit bowl on legs.
The total effect of his transformation could have been mistaken as being a carefully crafted concoction of comic genius, had he not had bared witness to its catastrophic coincidental creation and been personally inflicted with the result. Link considered the hair to be the worst crime simply because unlike the other abominations there was no option for immediate correction afterwards. Quite frankly though, he'd have considered the entire look to be the height of hilarity had he not been the unlucky sod cursed to bare it.
Basil, the mastermind behind his metamorphosis from the green of courage to the red of utter embarrassment, seemed completely oblivious to its comic value. Indeed, Link had to wonder whether the man even comprehended the concept. The presumably humourless courtier surveyed Link's reflection from over his shoulder, head cocked to one side as he considered his handiwork, taking on an almost philosophical air as he stroked one perfectly sharpened end of his moustache. "Hmm, not my best work… however I think it is an admirable effort given what I had to work with…" Great, another insult! "…That doublet is a little garish, but when one has to work with off the peg, one is left at the mercy of fate… and fate could have done better." Okay, maybe not.
"Not much could be done with that coiffure but when one lacks the gift of fine facial hair, options are understandably limited and with a mane as uncivilised and vulgar as yours, I could almost understand why you wear that bizarre… hat." Ah, there was the insult he'd been expecting. Link had lost count of the number of times he'd had to suppress a response simply to avoid a diplomatic incident or a bloody massacre. He had, however, succeeded in getting a couple of sly quips in upon the realisation that neither Basil nor Bernard were gifted with particularly sensitive sarcasm detection. That was the one thing that had granted him a chance to save his sanity and with it, his two unsuspecting tormentors lives.
The lead tormentor completed the round off of his last fashion creation, blissfully unacquainted with the irony of his final statement. "It may not be a masterpiece; however, it carries the essence of nobility…" What, apples and pears?! "and it is certain to make a big impression!"
"Oh, there's no doubt about that" Link mumbled drolly, as he continued to gaze at the monstrosity that was his appearance. To think that he would soon be meeting the princess dressed like this. What had she referred to Lord Halshaw as that time? "A certified plum duff" was it?! Well with his current guise he fit that title to a t. He was so altered he wondered whether she'd even recognise him. Would he even want her to recognise him like this?
Basil's crisp consonants sliced through his thoughts and Link turned to face him. "Mr Link, given that your presentation is now of a suitably civilised nature, it is now down to you to demonstrate that you possess an equally civilised manner. Please prove that you have understood the fundamental cornerstone of basic etiquette. I wish to see you genuflect."
"What?"
"Please bow." Basil's curt reply carried the stench of patronising superiority.
Link restrained a roll of the eyes. "Of course the answer was straightforward" he muttered under his breath. Despite the courtier's insufferably pretentious linguistic grandstanding, the hero begrudgingly complied with the command, performing the ostentatious bowing technique as had been demonstrated during his hair's brutal maiming. He quickly discovered it was easier observed than replicated, particularly with his new attire.
"Tsk, tsk, it lacks a modicum of grace and ease, but we have learnt to expect less from those not acquainted with the intricacies of high society."
"Well I'd find it a whole lot easier in a less restrictive outfit." Link mumbled irritably, a little louder than intended.
"If members of the court have performed such motions flawlessly for centuries in far more troublesome accoutrements then it should be no struggle to a gentleman of your physical capabilities. Now if the gentleman has finished his critique on the practicalities of civilised convention, an audience with her royal highness awaits. Please follow me Mr Link." With that Basil spun on his heel and marched to the door.
"Finally!" Link growled along with his stomach, sure to keep his voice low as he followed. They began what, to him in his state of near starvation, seemed like an hour-long trek through the labyrinth of corridors towards the royal wing.
"So, the gentleman remembers how to bow, but does he recall the acceptable terms of address for her royal highness." Basil inquired after barely a minute of silent walking.
"Your highness, your grace or your arch-magnificency." Came Link's flippant reply.
"Ah, I see the gentleman is in the mood for jests. The princess is not of such a favourable disposition."
"Well clearly the barber didn't get that memo." He let the sarcasm drip from his words.
"I was not aware of Bernard saying or doing anything worthy of amusement?!" The courtier responded quizzically picking up the sarcasm even as it's meaning missed his dome entirely as it sailed passed. There was a long pause as the man tweaked his whiskers again trying to decipher Link's supposedly enigmatic comment. After a minutes stewing in his cranium, Basil replied somewhat incredulously. "Mr Link, surely you do not wish to imply that there is anything risible about your coiffure. It is a favoured style in the court, albeit more elegant and sophisticated with a…"
"Psssffff cough Haha cough cough" The courtier promptly whirled round at a guard that had suffered a sudden and violent attack of "coughing" at the sight of Link passing. He opened his mouth as if to speak, his nose wrinkling in annoyance, almost dislodging his precariously balanced spectacles. No response was forthcoming however and his jaws soon reunited tensely as he turned imperiously and strode off down the corridor, the unhappily vindicated hero trudging along just behind.
They ascended a spiral staircase one floor to more practically identical hallways. The hero had to wonder just how far the Princess's private dining chamber was. Would he have even an ounce of dignity left by the time he got there? Basil, demonstrating infinitely more awareness than he had up to this point, tried rather awkwardly to downplay the situation. "Mr Link, I can assure you that…"
"Hahahaaachoo achoo!" It was no use. Every second guard they passed contracted the same disease as had afflicted the first they'd come across, some overcome with coughs or sneezes, others seemingly doubled up with severe pain in their chests. Few escaped this epidemic that swept through the corridors with Link's presence. His companion, the one responsible for this whole chain of humiliating events, stalked on at pace, tight lipped and clearly trying to ignore the snorts and wheezes that pursued them.
After another spiral staircase that took them up an additional two floors, they reached an intricately carved door flanked by two guards, who demonstrated far greater self-restraint than their comrades they'd passed earlier. "This gentleman has a scheduled audience with her royal highness." Basil addressed them. They bowed in response before allowing them entrance to what must be the royal wing.
Once the door had closed, leaving just them and another corridor, more finely decorated with various paintings, Basil's voice was as stiff as over-starched pantaloons as he stated in a decidedly miffed tone. "It would seem that the common soldiery possesses such weakness of character that they are thoroughly amused by the most insignificant of idiosyncrasies."
"Amusement is a weakness of character?!"
"No. Finding amusement at such simple trivial things is." Basil corrected haughtily.
"Do you find ANYTHING funny?"
"Of course, why, just the other day I saw a production by our great playwright Bill Stirlance called "The Taming of the Chuu" and I found it most amusing and stimulating!" The courtier protested hotly, evidently wounded by the implication that someone could consider him humourless. "I simply wish to stipulate that finding such hilarity in such a minor fashion misjudgement, the validity of which is debatable, demonstrates nothing more than a lack of discipline and class. A flaw that I can guarantee her royal highness does not possess!"
"Well, as I told you during our little manners masterclass I've already met the princess…"
"Her royal highness" came a curt interjection.
"Her royal highness" Link corrected irritably "Anyway, I've met her and she certainly isn't devoid of humour and definitely didn't leave the impression of being fond of these… formalities. Why not just point me to the correct door?"
Basil gave him a probing stare, still sceptical that he'd had the chance to meet royalty. "Her royal highness appreciates order and values the formalities and traditions that come with her honoured position. Besides it is most unseemly to receive an audience without an introduction from her most trusted courtier." He puffed up his chest again in self-importance. Link just wished he had something in his chest so he could puff it up. Unfortunately, as another rumble reminded him, he was fast approaching terminal starvation.
They stopped in front of a door halfway down the hallway that bore the royal crest. Basil Hesitantly rapped his knuckles against the mahogany and waited. Link felt a momentary pang of nerves until a recognisable dulcet voice drifted back. "You may enter."
The courtier turned and fixed his obstinate steel grey stare on Link "Please wait outside until I have introduced you." He ordered. Realising it was pointless to debate and thinking it wouldn't make the best impression having an argument outside her chamber, the hero simply nodded.
Satisfied, the stuffy stylist swung to face the door, adjusted his cravat, straightened his doublet purposefully and entered. "Ah Basil, I take it my guest has finally arrived" Upon hearing Zelda's tones along with her unique fragrance, uninterrupted by half a foot of wood, Link was struck by a compulsion to ignore his previous order, and his manners, and enter unannounced. He resisted and was luckily rewarded with his cue seconds later. "Indeed, your highness, may I present… Mr Link."
Link strode into the room and participated in "the civilised art of genuflection", as he was sure Basil would refer to it. Not sure how long to hold it he waited for a response. Only when Zelda's voice was not forthcoming did he rise to his feet and witness the princess's expression, at which point it became blatantly obvious as to the reason.
Her appearance was just as immaculate and beautiful as ever, wearing the same dress and jewellery as back in Ordon, but Zelda's expression was one he'd never expect to see on the face of such a calm and collected royal figure.
The princess blinked repeatedly as her eyes flashed. Her lips were forcibly pursed together but twitched and trembled as she fought most valiantly to repress a broad smile. The trembling soon spread to her chin and she brought a gloved hand up to cover her mouth only for her shoulders to start shaking and Link could just pick up the faint giggle bubbling up. There was no doubt about it. The sophisticated, wise royal had been struck down by the same disease that had struck down her guards.
Basil seemed utterly shocked and clueless how to help with such an affliction, but as the poor princess's whole body began to shudder, Link knew there was only one thing left for him do. He had to put her out of her misery. Casting his manners aside, he quipped drolly "let me guess, it's the slick hair or the banana balloon breeches?!"
This line broke the dam that had held back the tide of joyously bubbly giggling and Zelda almost doubled up at the force of the flow. Her eyes welled up with tears and her melodious contagious hysteria threatened to send Link into his own bout of laughter. he managed to restrain it to a chuckle, realising it wouldn't help her recovery or, rather less importantly, Basil's opinion of him.
Eventually the torrent waned to a trickle and with a few calming breaths the princess regained her composure. Dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, she met his gaze, addressed him, voice still squeaky with mirth. "I'm sorry, Sir Link, that was most unbecoming of a princess, please forgive me."
Link was about to say there was no need and he would have had the same reaction but was cut off by a thoroughly bemused courtier. "Your highness, does his outfit really deserve such derision, and why did you call him Sir? I was not informed that he was of noble blood or had received a knighthood!?"
She turned to smile at that affronted courtier. "Please Basil, do not take it so hard. We were not laughing to mock your work in any way. It's simply that, being the avid devotee and expert of courtly fashion trends that you are, you tend to become a slave to popular styles, and prescribe them to guests, occasional when they do not compliment them, and the current craze REALLY does not compliment Sir Link. As to why we address him as Sir, no he is not yet knighted, nor is he noble. He is however the chosen hero of the goddesses, responsible for defeating a great evil and freeing the kingdom from the grip twilight."
Zelda's expression was hard to read as she switched her attention to Link, but he could have sworn he saw a hint of concern in her sapphire orbs as she asked pensively "Why did you not tell him?"
The princess's initial reaction to his absurd outfit had done much to break the ice that her royal status may have put in the way of their meeting but her question brought up another barrier. Link may have let slip to Ilia the fact that the claims and title of hero felt like a deception when it came from his own lips, but he wasn't about to admit such things to Zelda, particularly not with company.
Link didn't meet her questioning gaze, instead rubbing his neck as he answered flatly "I, errr… I don't like to seem boastful."
Zelda's lips parted briefly before pursing again, realising she may have touched a nerve. There was no mistaking the worry in her eyes as he glanced awkwardly back at her. He then watched as for the first time in this encounter he saw the veil slip into place and she turned to her expectant courtier. "We thank you for your service, Basil, could you please go and inform the staff as to start serving, after which we would wish to be left alone with Sir Link until the time that we summon you."
"Of course, Your Highness" the man bowed so deeply, Link half expected the glasses to tumble from his nose. He then turned to the former goatherder, part time hero and now, it seemed, court jester, but rather than a snobbish remark, basil offered a apparently sincere apology, manner completely transformed from pompous to contrite. "I'm dreadfully sorry, Sir Link, my manner of addressing you was not deserving of a man of your stature."
Link was somewhat taken aback by this miraculous switch in attitude from an individual who had given him nothing but grief up until now, but his natural aversion to holding grudges led him to accept it as genuine. Basil was an eccentric after all. He gave a cross between a nod and a bow, and the now seemingly reformed goatherder slanderer departed, closing the door behind him.
What had left him arguably more baffled than Basil's switch was Zelda's strange manner of addressing the eccentric servant. Using "we" instead of "I"? What was that all about?
The princess seemed to demonstrate her magic mind reading skills again, asking placidly "You seem confused Link?"
"err, yeah, why did you refer to yourself as "We" rather than "I" when talking to Basil?"
"Oh, that!" her mind reading powers must have been rusty, as she clearly expected a different question. "Have you ever heard of the royal we?"
"I've heard of it, but I hadn't a clue what it was. I just assumed it was some dirty joke about royal toiletry tradition."
This prompted a chuckle from the princess and the tension built from her earlier inquiry eased once more. "haha, no. The royal we is an ancient formal royal tradition to refer to themselves as "we" rather than "I" when addressing their subjects. It's part of Basil's curious nature that he, and he alone, actually prefers when I address him in such a manner. Then again, he has always had an almost unhealthy obsession with tradition, so it is not so outlandish behaviour. Regardless of his foibles, which are many, I count him among the most loyal members of my court, one of the very few I could trust to never be bought out by the council."
"Really!" Link blurted incredulously "To me, he seemed a pompous, humourless ass." His thoughtless comment, prompted a wince as soon as his hunger addled brain caught up with his mouth.
Instead of a rebuke, he earned himself another chuckle and the princess nodded. "Yes, he can be many irritating things to many people, including me, but he is never-the-less loyal and much valued ally in a court contaminated by lies, betrayals and backstabbing's aplenty."
"Is it really that bad?"
"Well you've already had a taste of it with Lord Halshaw, but let's not bring our reunion dinner down with such sour topics. Let us be seated for the bountiful feast that awaits us as, from the sound of your stomach, you really need it."
As Zelda directed him to a large ovate shaped dinning table, Link finally got a chance to observer his surrounds properly. The room was comfortably large, the stone walls on three sides bedecked with brightly coloured tapestries each depicting scenes related to food or food production: Seeding, harvesting, hunting and cooking. The far wall beyond the table was dominated by a large stained-glass window displaying the royal crest in gold, that resulted in the whole room being bathed a soft yellow.
It was only as he approached the table and took in the military rows of assorted silver cutlery that filled ever space between delicate porcelain plates, that Link came to the realisation that, not only had he completely forgotten his earlier crash course in cutlery identification, but he hadn't dined with others for at least three years. He probably had a few bad habits he'd have to try and control.
Then there was the seating arrangement and all the etiquette matters that came with it to concern himself with. There were six chairs around the table, all seemingly identical in their ornate elegance. There was no throne-like seat that screamed "this bergere belongs to the Princess of Hyrule". Did they just pick one on a whim? How close should he sit to Zelda? Should he sit across from her or to the side?
He also vaguely recalled hearing somewhere that a gentleman should always pull out a chair for a lady… or was that only when he was courting her? Damn it, he couldn't remember! His empty stomach sank, weighed down with the sudden regret that he hadn't paid more attention to Basil's brain numbing lectures. It wasn't that he cared for the protocol or customs of the noble class but he did feel compelled to put his best foot forward to impress the princess, or at least to avoid looking like an uncouth idiot.
He decided action was the lesser risk of insult to her highness than leaving her to seat herself. Besides as he thought about it, it just seemed like a nice gesture of respect to Zelda. It just felt right somehow.
As Zelda approached the table to sit, Link slid past and pulled out the chair he thought she was heading for. This earned him a puzzled look from the princess as her eyes darted from the chair to Link and back again. He was beginning to think he'd made a mistake when suddenly he saw the corners of her lips creep upwards and he couldn't be certain but he was sure her cheeks were a shade pinker than they were a second ago.
She gave him a nod and lowered herself gracefully into the chair, her gloved hands tucked daintily into her lap and he pushed her in towards the table cautiously, careful not to tip the princess out. Task complete, and doing his best to suppress a blush of his own, Link slipped round to the opposite side of the table. If there was one thing Basil had hammered in, it was to maintain a respectable distance and of course, the absolute rule…NO DIRECT CONTACT! Plus, they'd be directly facing each other this way, which was probably the most civilised way of conversing.
Zelda clearly disagreed as she frowned at him across the sea of silverware, so shiny you really could see your face in it. It was as he made to sit down that she voiced her disapproval at his choice of position. "What are you doing all the way over there?!" she chided gently, cocking her head to one side.
"keeping a respectable distance."
"Nonsense" the princess dismissed airily "I did not invite you here to converse as though you were some distant foreign dignitary, here only for some trade negotiation. We are friends, are we not? Come, sit with me!" She patted the chair next to her, adding coyly "although judging by your rather forward move back there a lady is made to wonder as to your intentions."
"My intentions, your highness?" Link asked, although he had a suspicion he knew what was coming, a suspicion that furthered his faces rapid transformation towards a tomato with a toupee.
"Zelda, please, just Zelda or Princess when we're in private" came Zelda's clear evasion of his question, her eyes twinkling.
"Zelda, what intentions?" he pushed
"Much better, thank you" the princess toyed with him before finally elaborating "As to the intention I speak of. Why your intention to propose marriage of course!"
Marriage proposal! That escalated quickly. He thought, at most it was a simple gentlemanly gesture of respect, at most a gesture used in courting, not a proposal of marriage! He was brought out of his shocked state at the sound of a fresh bout of giggling from the princess.
"My, my, hero, the look on your face" she chimed, voice ringing with mirth "and with that outfit and hair, why you could be my court jester…" Link glanced away, trying to subdue his embarrassment. "Were you aware, Link, that pulling out a chair for a lady is a courtship gesture."
"errr, vaguely, I wasn't sure if it was just for courtship only or whether it was a more… general way to show respect."
Zelda shook her head. "No… well at least, not among those who consider each other of equal status. Some nobles may expect their servants to pull out a chair for them but I do not consider that the same thing. Among those of equal status a gentleman pulling out a chair for a lady is considered a either a proclamation of intent to court said lady or if already courting her, THEN it is a gesture of affection or respect…"
"But we aren't equal, princess, besides you said intention to court, not marry!"
Link's ardent interjection brought a frown to the young royal "We may not be equal in shallow theatre of societal class, but in all the important aspects; heart, honour, strength, skill and a willingness to stand up for what's right, I consider us equals. Don't forget that, Link."
There was a moments silence as they simply locked eyes with each other across the expanse of fine cloth and tableware. As his ice blue orbs met with her warm earnest sapphire gaze, Link almost felt the distance between them shrink, both literally and figuratively. He had, of course heard the princess speak highly of him previously however for her to say, in no uncertain terms, that she considered them equals set a rather substantial precedent. One that, while he admired the sentiment of and was immensely flattered by, he couldn't bring himself to agree with. Perhaps one day…
Zelda brought him back to reality as she patted the chair next to her and stated regally "you still haven't moved Link" before adding in mock warning "I hope your stubbornness doesn't require me to command you do so on threat of punishment. Do not make me deny you dessert!"
"Well, excuuuuuse me princess!" he drawled in equally false childish petulance as he rose strode back round to sit is his royally designated position next to her.
There was another, more restrained, giggle from Zelda and link could see the veil slipping back on as he sat down next to her. She seemed to be composing herself to say something so he waited "There we are, now shall we get…"
Link's attention was stolen from her words by the unannounced opening of a side door and his keen sense of smell detected such delicious aromas, it took all his fortitude and self-control not to drool all over his fancy knifes and forks. If he'd had a tail, it would have been wagging. What approached was nothing less than divine salvation from his starvation.
"Ah, I see our feast has arrived." The princess noted wryly, observing with amusement, the look of rapturous anticipation on the face of the chosen hero as a caravan of servants brought and deposited their silver platters of delectable morsels in front of them.
Link was beginning to feel overwhelmed as more and more delicacies, some known, some alien, flooded through that magical gateway that must have led up to the sacred realm of food in the sky. He counted pork, beef and what he assumed to be pheasant, accompanied by various glazes, sauces and gravies along with potatoes cooked in a multitude of ways and a myriad of vegetables, covering pretty much every colour of the rainbow. As the final dish of what looked and smelled suspiciously like cauliflower dipped in cheese concealed the last free patch of table cloth not covered by plates, cutlery or food platters, he came to one inescapable conclusion.
Even with my appetite, there's no way just two people could defeat this gourmet display! Anticipation turned to trepidation as he scanned the culinary mountain range, suddenly aware of the summit he had to scale. He had to admit, being intimidated by a plate of food was a new experience but, as he gazed out as his task, he felt he had better odds of defeating Ganondorf in a duel, armed with nothing but the serving spoon he was clutching, than finishing off the gargantuan mass of gluttony that lay before him. There was no doubt, however which of those tasks would be the more enjoyable.
He finally turned his attention back to the princess, who, he only just realised, he'd completely ignored since the first dish's arrival. Zelda was just finishing a conversation with one of the serving maids who asked "would you wish us to serve your food your highness?" to which the young royal replied graciously "thank you, I do believe that would best."
"Sir?" Came a deep man's voice from behind Link "If I may take your plate, I could serve your food as well."
"Err, thanks" replied Link hesitantly, wholly unused to being waited on. "I know this may seem like a stupid question but err… would you mind tell me what some of those are?" he gestured to the feast.
"Of course sir, there's…" The servant promptly launched into a menu so long the start had faded from Link's memory by the time it drew to it's end. Deciding he would take many courses rather than overload his plate, he went with a pork roast, potatoes and a medley of vegetables to start with. It appeared that Zelda had a similar idea and with remarkable speed the food was plated and back with them. At long last the growling wolf in his belly would receive it's fill.
"Will that be all sir?"
"Err, yeah… thanks." Came Link's "unconventional" dismissal but if the man was upset by it he didn't show it, bowing respectfully and joining the caravan now exiting back to their mystical realm of gastronomic delights.
Having waited hours and now having such a delicious dinner laid out before him, it took all his willpower not to simply dig into his plate with all the gusto of a Goron at a "rock and roll" wrestling convention. What stayed his hands, flanking his meal, Knife and fork gripped as he would a sword and shield, was the princess who was still dismissing her maid with far more eloquence and dignity than he could ever possess.
As the maid gave her curtsey and hurried off to catch up with the last of her fellow servants, slipping silently away like ghosts into the night, Zelda seemed to pick up Link's intense gaze as he sat like a coiled spring impatiently waiting for to be sprung. Apart from the faintest twitch of the lips and a quirked eyebrow, she showed no signs of being moved to grant him the salvation of his waiting plate of deliciousness. Instead she proceeded to lay out a serviette in such a proper and princessly manner that the frustrated hero half expected to hear a royal fanfare.
Link waited on tenterhooks as she then, at an equally sedate pace, picked up her own cutlery, with a dainty touch that couldn't be more opposite to his vice like grasp. It was then that he noticed that despite them having chosen essentially the same ingredients, she had different silverware.
He'd been so hungry that he hadn't even thought about that! Had he chosen the wrong fork? The wrong knife? His hands fell from their attack positions as he stared at his collection of ornate implements in confusion. He was saved from his dilemma by the princess's calming tones "Please do not concern yourself with such things Link, do not stand on ceremony for me. Just enjoy your meal."
His eyes shot up to see the ghost of a smile playing on her lips and she gave a nod. The chains were released and the starving wolf that lurked inside him was unleashed to wreak havoc on the feast on his plate. He hacked away at the substantial cuts of tender pork, before skewering a hefty chunk, dipping in sauce, ramming some vegetables onto the last available space on the fork and stuffing the lot haphazardly into his mouth. "Hmm" He couldn't suppress a slight moan at the taste. It was even more delicious than it had smelled!
"I trust that the food is satisfactory?"
"Hmm" he was about to give a more comprehensible answer through the mouthful of meat when he remembers his manners. Once he was free of the obstruction, having savoured it's flavour long enough, he replied somewhat absent-mindedly "more than satisfactory, princess, indeed had I known the food was this good I would have come for an audience with you sooner"
"Hmhm, If only audiences worked that way." She chuckled but it rang undeniably hollow.
After a few more savage slices and delectable but hasty bites, where he set upon his meal with all the control and precision of a raging beast, Link couldn't help but notice just how polar opposite he and his royal host were. He clawed and cleaved his once refined dish into ragged ribbons, like a rabid dog, rushing as though some disaster would appear any moment and snatch away his chance at sustenance. She patiently and carefully carved off perfectly uniform pieces with the most delicate of touches, scooped up condiments with the meticulousness of an alchemist and slid the resulting delicacy into her mouth in a leisurely and refined way, only a royal princess could pull off.
There she was, the picture of civility, propriety and grace and here he was, the personification of the spirit of wild, untamed, uneducated animal instinct. This observation served to bring into stark contrast the worlds they occupied and crystalized his doubts about her claim of them being equals.
With those thoughts, he surveyed his surroundings once more, prompting another realisation. His concern over having to eat the entire tables worth of food was borne of his upbringing where he had little and where nothing could go to waste. He had just stepped into a world where all was plentiful and waste could be both afforded and, in some ways, beneficial, although Lord Halshaw clearly hadn't grasped that concept.
"Zelda, what will happen to the leftovers?" he asked, fearing that much of these delectable dishes would simply be dumped.
"It depends on how much there is. Generally, when I dine with the council very little is left, in which case any unspoilt food left is given to the serving staff as an extra treat to their own meals. When there is more, some of it is actually gifted to a local orphanage for their evening meals. You may know the place as, word around town has it that a mysterious man, clad in green, donated most generously to it following the twilight invasion, but insisted on remaining anonymous. You wouldn't happen to know his identity, would you Link?"
"I'm afraid not princess" came his evasive response as he developed a sudden fascination with a precariously placed potato.
"Such a shame, as I would very much like to thank him for such a show of compassion and selflessness to those less fortunate among my subjects. Well if you should ever meet him please inform him of my grateful appreciation for his noble actions and that he should consider himself a hero and model citizen."
Link tried to suppress his bashful smile. An abrupt gasp of horror from the princess brought his gaze back to her, wondering if he'd done something reprehensible.
"Link, you haven't got any wine! What sort of hostess would I be, were I to neglect to offer my guests some quality libation!"
It felt distinctly odd hearing the princess refer to herself as a mere hostess, but even more so when he found her waiting on him. "Would you prefer a red or a white?" she enquired expectantly.
"Err… I don't know as I've never actually had wine before." He confessed awkwardly
"Oh" that news delivered a momentary shock to the princess but she quickly regained her composure "Of course, wine is rare and expansive outside of court. I apologise…" she paused as if considering whether to elaborate. Yet another spotlight was cast on their vastly different backgrounds and offering further explanation would only stretch the distance between them, an outcome Zelda clearly wished to avoid. "May I recommend a white as they tend to compliment pork better."
"Okay" he mumbled uncertainly. Link wasn't a huge fan of alcohol as not only had he not yet succeeded in finding a beverage that he actually liked, rather than tolerated, the taste of, but he was also something of a light weight when it came to maintaining sobriety. As he watched his glass being filled he prayed the alcohol wouldn't lead to more humiliation.
With his glass filled, she went to raise her own and while only vaguely aware of the custom of toasting Link followed suit. No words were spoken as she simply brought her glass to his with a clink. She then closed her eyes and link guessed she must have been saying a silent prayer or blessing as she rested her other gloved hand on the necklace of the goddesses, that he knew all too well from their prior meeting. Prayer complete, she guided the glass to her lips and for a second seemed to simply take in the aroma before taking just the briefest sip. Link hesitantly copied, sniffing curiously at the yellowy liquid. Upon sampling it, he was left in the highly unusual position of being wholly unable to tell whether he liked it or loathed it. The sensation baffled him.
"So, how do you like your Channomy Aud?" she asked inquisitively.
"To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure."
"try it with your pork, that may enlighten you. Oh and Link, this food is to savour, not scruff down as though catastrophe is around the corner. The dish will not run away if you're not fast enough."
"I'll try to keep that in mind." The next few minutes passed wordless with just the clatter of cutlery on porcelain breaking the silence as they both feasted, the thoroughly out of place hero struggling to restrain his pace as the princess occasional glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
He soon came to suspect that it was actually his comical appearance that was drawing her attention, particularly when he noticed the tell-tale twitch of amusement that subtly cracked her princess veil. Suddenly he was struck by the light of inspiration.
"Princess, would you be able to cast an illusion spell on me?"
Zelda was perplexed. "Whatever for?"
"To give me my own look back, so that my appearance doesn't inspire laughter wherever I go."
"And hide all the work that went into your current presentation?! Basil would be most upset!" Zelda said with mock incredulity before turning more serious. "Besides I'm afraid that is quite impossible, as I have not mastered that level of illusion spell on myself, let alone the additional complexities of casting such a spell on you."
"But you performed one in Ordon!"
"Two in Ordon actually; one concealing the grass stains from my dress and the other was the illusionary necklace I created, to replace the one you broke. Both were on myself and neither was large scale, such as changing my whole appearance."
"Okay… but surely you could fix my hair."
"No" the princess's tone was calm but firm "an illusion spell is powerful and if used incorrectly, highly dangerous. I have never tried casting it on another and do not have the knowledge to do so safely. Such magic cast at your head could potentially leave you deformed, render you blind, take your voice or wipe your mind. The only spell that I would cast on anyone other than myself, let alone you, is a healing spell."
Despite Zelda showing no signs of upset Link couldn't help but apologise again. "I'm sorry"
"Please Link, do not be. You were not to know. I simply do not wish to see you hurt in any way in some misguided attempt to correct a trivial problem." She sighed and very deliberately shifted topic, clearly not wishing to continue that line of thought. "Now, has the pork changed your mind regarding the Channomy Aud or would you prefer to try I different one, perhaps a red?"
"I think I'm warming to it a bit, although I doubt wine will ever really be my kind of thing."
"Well, if you are sure you do not wish to try another… then perhaps you could tell me what you did on your travels after twilight."
From then onwards they settled into a comfortable arrangement of "I'll tell you my story, if you tell me yours" sharing tales and small talk of their lives since going their separate ways those months back, while the other listened and took leisurely bites. Link started off rather closed off to such subjects, but the princess found ways of coaxing him to open up and soon he actually found himself enjoying it. It was uncanny how well she could read him, almost as though they'd known each other for years. When he thought about it though, he shouldn't have been surprised. She was the barer of the tri-force of wisdom after all, as well as coming from a world were deciphering people and their motivations was likely a necessity to survival. Then again there was always his magic mind-reading theory.
Link wasn't the best storyteller but after some cajoling from her royal highness he soon found his forte and was rewarded with the occasional break in her veil from a giggle or a broader smile. Zelda meanwhile, had lost none of her raconteurial skill and was able to make even the most mundane of royal duties riveting. There were a number of subjects which each of them had marked as "not to be touched" and fortunately neither stumbled upon them, intentionally or by accident. Everything seemed to be going splendidly. The conversation flowed and, for a while, time slipped from Link's mind as he sampled food and discussion in gluttonous excess.
It was just as Zelda finished an entertaining but never-the-less trivial tale of court intrigue that he began to get the unshakable feeling that there was more going on than he was aware of. They'd nearly reached the meals end and they'd still yet to discuss the very reason the princess had apparently invited him for. The conversation drifted into more mundane and frivolous topics, yet the princess showed no signs of addressing the very purpose of their meeting. Why?
As he cleared the very last scrap of visible residue from his plate, leaving it almost as clean as when he found it, Link decided he'd have to bring it up himself. "Princess, not to be rude… as I've greatly enjoyed our talk but… wasn't there some arrangement that you wished to discuss with me?"
"Ah… yes…" the princess faltered and Link couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as, despite her best efforts to hide it, disappointment and uncertainty flashed briefly across her features, which had just moments previously been blessed with a subtle yet joyous smile. Zelda, for the first time since they'd met, seemed to be legitimately struggling for the right words. Silence hung between them as she fiddled with her necklace nervously. What could possibly cause her to be like this?
"Well…" she began hesitantly "Link, do you remember our discussion that night in Ordon?"
"How could I not, your words made quite an impression." Link quipped trying to alleviate her nerves.
Zelda responded with weak grin which faded quickly. "I'm glad to hear it. The thing is… I wasn't entirely truthful when you asked my purpose for being there. What I said was all true but I omitted something… a matter that I later eluded to in my battle with Lord Halshaw."
"You mean me getting a knighthood?"
"Well, that part was actually just to rile him up and make him snap." The princess dismissed nonchalantly, starting to recover her confidence. "Believe me Link, I would have loved to give you the recognition you deserve by knighting you and giving you a title, but sadly that ship has sailed… at least for now. No, what I was referring to, that I wished and still very much hope, is the possibility that you would take up a position, here at the castle, as part of my royal guard."
Link had suspected such a deal and yet actually hearing it still took him by surprise. It would be a huge change, committing to an entirely new way of life. How would he handle it? What about all these manners and etiquette? Would he fit in? Could he fit in? Did he even want to fit in? All these questions exploded in his head.
Sensing his hesitation, Zelda clearly took his silence as a flat-out rejection and her confidence was once again cut down as she proceeded to babble a hasty apology, words tumbling out like a waterfall. "Of course, I'd perfectly understand if you weren't interested. I know that you value your freedom greatly and I would not wish to tie you down to a life that is not of your choosing. I realise that such a rigid life in such a crowded place most likely appears a horrifying prospect to…"
"Zelda. I haven't said no yet…" Link pointed out in his best reassuring tone. "It's just a lot to think about."
"Oh… sorry…" relief crept cautiously on to her features "It's just that… ever since I thought of asking you… I expected you to reject it out of hand. That is why I was hesitant and why I neglected to bring it up in Ordon. Please do not feel pressured into it on my account. I simply ask that you give it serious consideration."
"I promise I will. it's hard though when I don't know anything about it."
"Oh yes, well I can answer any questions or queries you may have over dessert."
"Dessert?!"
"Of course, the most important part of any meal." Zelda answered, beaming with joy, drowning her shadows of nerves and doubts. The hero, meanwhile, was overtaken by an almost foreign sensation of warmth and lightness, basking in her incandescence, however short-lived it was, before her composure reigned it in once more. He found himself unable to repress a stupidly broad grin as he gazed back at her.
That the usually self-possessed and poised princess showed such trepidation at the prospect of him not accepting her offer, served as proof to Link of the high esteem that she held him in. While he had tried his best to take her words of praise to heart, his demons did their best to remind him of the existence of exaggeration and lies. Actions like he'd just witnessed though, they were far harder for his negative voices to disregard. Pride and hope were in the saddle for once and if anything, he would have said they'd gotten drunk on victory as a whisper drifted to his minds ear. "there you are. you've been looking for purpose, justification, worth! The princess obviously WANTS you at the castle. It should be a done deal. After all you can't get a more noble calling than aiding the wise and compassionate princess of the kingdom." Hope was abruptly interrupted mid flow as another unwelcome voice joined the mental debate… but not the one he dreaded rising from the depths. No, it was the crazed rebel cell that had brought his thoughts into disrepute back at Telma's bar. "you forgot beautiful from that list." Not you again!
"Link, is everything alright?" Came Zelda's sudden concerned tones to his right, prompting the startled hero to almost throw himself from his seat as he whirled round to meet her gaze which held him briefly spellbound. "Her eyes really are a lovely shade of blue." The rebel voice added fondly. Will you shut up!
"Fine, fine, I'm perfectly fine… Why do you ask?" He blurted once he'd recovered sufficiently to string a sentence together without sounding like a linguistically challenged auctioneer.
"You were glaring most intensely at your plate"
"Well err… I was just trying to imagine the possible desserts your marvellous chefs have rustled up."
The princess raised an eyebrow "And that made you glare as though you were attempting to set fire to it."
"Hey, It's hard for a man with limited imagination! I was simply concentrating."
Zelda tweaked her bottom lip as she regarded him suspiciously. She examined him closely and Link could swear he felt her magically probing his brain for secrets. The seconds drifted by under her penetrating stare, until, seemingly coming away from her silent interrogation empty handed, her countenance softened.
"Very well. So, do you have any particular queries regarding your position or would you prefer I cover the essential elements of the role first?"
"Aren't you going to signal the servants for dessert?"
"Already done. While you were participating in your staring match I rang this bell." Zelda lifted a small unassuming looking bell that sat on table next to her.
"How in the world would they hear that. Heck even I didn't hear it and I'm right next to you!"
"That's because it's magic. It connects to a larger functional bell in the kitchens."
It may have been a perfectly reasonable explanation but something smelt fishy and it was the approaching desserts. "If that's the case then why did you order basil to go and inform the kitchen in person rather than use the bell for ordering the main course?"
"Because as loyal as he is, Basil can still succumb to the temptation of eavesdropping, although in his case it's purely for his own curiosity. I simply sent him as far from any such temptation as possible. He may not spread gossip but he would be liable to try and lecture me on etiquette too, if he found out my appalling lack of propriety in your presence."
Speaking of temptation! The sacred food portal opened once more and the smells of the most divine confections, tarts, cakes and pastries drifted through, encouraging a fresh bout of salivating from the already well stuffed hero. The desserts, when they at last emerged, were marvels to behold and Link found himself desperately wishing that he hadn't wasted space in his stomach on a second helping of meat. By his estimations he only had room to sample two, perhaps three desserts at most, but perhaps if he waited…
The caravan of servants reappeared and like a whirlwind swept away the dishes and plates and replaced them with new gastronomic delights. As the last servant slipped away again and the portal closed once more he decided to give his plan a try. "Princess, do you mind if we hold off on the desserts for a little while, and you can give me some details on the royal guard thing."
"I see no harm in it, provided you can actually pay attention with all these confections and sweet temptations to tantalize you." Zelda was teasing again, the trace of a wry smile playing on her lips as she finished.
"I think I can manage. For small talk it would be doubtful, but for information on a decision that could alter the entire course of my life… I think I can do it." Link responded drolly.
"Very well then…" With that the princess launched into the duties, responsibilities and perks of his unique royal guard position that, even with her mastery of language, she couldn't sugar coat it. As she listed off the regular tasks that would proliferate most of his days, Link began to have major reservations. The most shocking revelation, to him at least, was that he would start off as a legate, which meant after some limited training he would actually be required to command his own regiment. What was Zelda thinking?! He had all the command potential of a bum in a brewery!
He would get some unique perks though, as reward for his prior exploits, and apparently if by some miracle he did perform well enough to be promoted to captain or even a knight, he would have the opportunity to meet the princess on a semi-regular basis. That was most definitely a plus! This would certainly require some careful consideration.
"Of course, such promotions would require you to undertake new responsibilities, such as escorting guests and dignitaries to the castle, as Ashei demonstrated so… uniquely this morning. I'd trust that were you in her position, you could have accomplished the task without the property damage and the public disturbance, although to be fair I have observed how crowded it can get on market day." Zelda's tone was almost wistful as she glanced out the window, from which the far-off peak of death mountain could just be seen through the gold stained glass of the royal crest.
After a moment of almost sombre introspection, she slipped back into serene princess mode. "Now I think we had better start on dessert, lest we find ourselves still here at sunset, which would be most improper."
Link followed her glance out of the window and was immediately aware that her words, while said in jest were in danger of coming true if they continued at such a languid pace. From the light outside he would have guessed it to be mid-afternoon, between four or five o'clock. That would mean they'd been talking for two to three hours! He'd never held a conversation that long with anyone! He considered himself to possess all the social abilities of an emotionally constipated accountant and had, in recent months, developed the temperament of a Goron suffering from piles. Yet on this exceptionally strange and eventful day, his newly characteristic ire never broke it's chains and he had to admit that these few hours dining with the princess had been the most pleasant he'd experienced since the start of his adventures.
Having come to terms with the bizarre contradiction that his most pleasurable experience in recent memory came from his least proficient or enjoyable pastime, Link returned to reality to survey his choices of delectable delicacies. Scanning through the plethora of delicious cakes, confections and pastries his eyes were drawn like a magnet to a solitary sweet that made up for, in smell and flavour, what it lacked in size.
Chocolate! Chocolate was almost as rare as wine in Ordon and he'd only had the chance to taste it once but it had left a considerable impression. The object of his current infatuation looked like chocolate tart with something else mixed in. Was it… Mmmm raspberry. Well I'll take…
"Ah, ah, ah what do you think you are doing Link? That is mine." Zelda snapped, as if addressing a mischievous child, before snatching the miniature masterpiece of chocolate paradise away.
"Hey, you're the princess. You can probably have it anytime you want."
"Au contraire, the council often denies me such treats on account that it may make me "unpalatable for suitors" and insist that I stick to lighter desserts. Not that those lighter delicacies are objectionable in any way, but every lady deserves the occasional indulgence..." She then fixed him with her most innocent, doe eyed expression. "You wouldn't deny me this one small pleasure, would you?!" she simpered.
Damn it! He couldn't win against that. "No" he mumbled begrudgingly, slumping back in his chair and resuming his search for something delicious. It was in the middle of serving up a strawberry cheesecake that his focus was stolen by a moan from next to him that, out of context, sounded almost indecent. He turned to witness the princess having… well he wasn't quite sure what she was having, other than chocolate and raspberry tart, but he was sure it wasn't something you had at the dinner table. Whatever it was he found himself temporarily mesmerised by it and time seemed to slow down as he watched.
The princess, in a moment of madness, had dispensed with her cutlery and now held the tart in dainty white gloved fingers while her face beheld a look of pure bliss, eyes closed, delicate lashes fluttering. Link sat transfixed as his gaze fell upon a drop of dark chocolate mousse on her soft pink lips. He followed it as it slid from her bottom lip onto her ivory skin leaving a faint trail briefly, before it was suddenly caught by her tongue, wiping all trace of it's existence. "Mmmmm… diviiiine"
Link felt… strange.
At that moment the spell was broken, as the entranced hero accidently brought his arm down right on the handle of his spoon, resting over the edge of his dessert bowl, sending the silver implement and it's cheesecakey contents sailing up towards the ceiling. He watched in horror as the plaster gained some new decoration before being forced to duck as the wayward spoon narrowly missed his head as it fell, bouncing off his back and finally coming to rest in the nook between the back of the chair and the seat.
A splutter followed by a howl of laughter rent the air as the princess awakened from her "sacred" experience, only to almost spit out the mouthful of tart she'd been savouring. Link, meanwhile bore the face of a man who had just lost all the villages underwear in a freak washing accident. Once recovered, Zelda couldn't resist a quip "Honestly Link, did you come here to audition to be my court jester, because I haven't been so thorough entertained in years."
"That was not my intention." He mumbled trying to extinguish the burning in his cheeks with the cool sweet taste of strawberry cheese cake.
After a few more much savoured mouthfuls, the princess asked "So, do you have any particular questions about the royal guard position?"
He thought long and hard, a spoonful of cheesecake half way to his lips. "No, at least… not directly connected to that."
She cocked her head, intrigued. "Please, feel free to inquire of me what you wish."
"Well, is it standard practice for you to instruct all you guests to wait at Telma's bar? Hope they all get drunk? Make negotiations easier?"
She responded with a chuckle. "Generally, my guests need no assistance in getting sozzled, without the need to go to a bar. I would say though, that Telma's bar isn't the standard waiting area for those seeking an audience with me. Most nobles wouldn't set foot in there for the hoi polloi and it would set a bad impression for some foreign dignitaries, while the others would never make it to the castle. You are actually one of the few guests I've had who has done me the honour of remaining sober. I hope it's not because you found the wine so disagreeable?"
"No, I just think it must be an acquired taste and I don't know whether I'll have enough chances to acquire it. Besides I've never been big on drinking."
"Have you arrived at a decision yet regarding my offer?" Zelda asked the faintest trace of her earlier nerves creeping into her voice.
"Not yet. It's a lot to think about… and a big change."
She nodded "Of course, Link, I understand. It appears you've finished your dessert Link. would you like another or is your hunger sated?"
"I could manage another but I don't want to turn into Lord Halshaw."
His joke did not bring the giggle he expected. Instead her shoulders slumped slightly while she gave her best subtle princess smile. "Well then, I guess this is where we should call it a day. The council will be waiting." She stated plainly, gracefully rising from her seat and ringing a second bell that she had on the table.
Link got up and followed her as she made her way to the main entrance. Stopping just in front of it she turned to face him and he saw, despite her best efforts that her veil was cracking, revealing disappointment and… was that sadness?
"I thank you Link for being the most pleasant company. I thank you again for everything you have done for this kingdom and for me. I fully understand that you need time to consider my offer. I do not wish to pressure you into a decision you come to regret and I know that what I offer could be seen, not as an opportunity but as a prison, to someone with your free spirit…" The princess paused to take a calming breath. It didn't help as her usually collected bell-like tones began to shake. "If you wish to inform me of your choice, please contact Telma and she will be able to get word for me to put arrangements in place. I can keep the position open to you for a month, after which it must be filled and I would assume, if I have no word from you, that you do not desire the role. Know that no matter your decision, I will always consider you a hero… and a friend… and should we not meet again, I wish you an amazing life and may the goddesses bless you on your journey." Her voice may have become shaky, but with great fortitude, she kept the princess veil in place, with just the barest hint of deeper emotions in the innermost reaches of her sapphire eyes.
Links mind was sent reeling by her last few lines "and should we not meet again…?" Did that truly mean what it implied? For some reason such a prospect as not seeing Zelda again didn't just leave him disappointed, but filled him with a deep sense of anguish that turned a knot his stomach. All of a sudden, the thought of turning her down became almost inconceivable. Yet he did not speak up, for his fears of command and a life bound by strict rules held him back. Also, he couldn't escape the feeling that he'd forgotten something… Telma's Bar…
On receiving no reply Zelda's gaze fell and she couldn't or possibly didn't even attempt to hide the hurt from her voice. "So, Basil should be here shortly to escort you…"
"Telma's Bar, of course! I'm so sorry princess. I just had this horrible feeling I'd forgotten something and… and… I had, oh where did I put that letter?!" Link patted his ridiculous outfit down for pockets.
"A letter… from Telma?"
"No, a letter from a friend of Telma, oh where did I put it?!"
"Who is this friend and why would they wish for you to deliver their letter?"
"An old ex-royal guard who's name I…I think it began with an A. He apparently knew you and your father. Ah here it is." He finally found the letter and looked up only to see Zelda's face turned white and her entire body tense.
"It can't be… Alfonzo?!"
"Yes, that was it."
"No, no no it can't be… give me that!" without waiting for a response she snatched the scrunched-up paper from his hand and opened it with trembling fingers.
She let out a ragged gasp as she read the first line and her hand flew to her mouth. Link's senses suddenly went into overdrive as he watched her entire body begin to shake as she continued to read. Had he made a terrible mistake?! He could hear her heartrate climbing and she started to pant erratically, her eyes growing ever wider with shock as her hands shuddered so violently, he was amazed she could even decipher the letter.
"Princess, what's wrong?!" He wanted to intervene, but knew not how to save her from her distress. Should he swipe the demon letter away or would that make it worse? Part of him wanted to hug her but that was probably the biggest crime in the book, not that he hadn't already held the princess in a similar manner before.
"Princess?!"
Zelda's startled gaze snapped up to his and Link's stomach flipped at the sight of the complete stranger that stood trembling before him. Gone was the confident, graceful and collect to princess, replaced by a vulnerable, fragile maiden riddled with fear, sadness and regret. "Link… Please…" she pleaded breathlessly.
Time seemed to crawl as the princess feebly reached for him with a pure white gloved hand and he extended his to take it. Just as they were about to contact, her legs gave way beneath and Zelda fell away from him. Link threw caution and courtly etiquette to the winds as he dashed to save her before she hit the floor.
He caught her halfway to the carpet and pulled her tight to his chest to support her as her legs lolled uselessly. Holding her for the first time, without the severe debilitation of sleep deprivation, she suddenly seemed so light and delicate, even with her pauldrons. Their eyes met as she gazed helplessly up it him and he saw it clear as day, all the emotions and doubts she buried from everyone: fear, loneliness, guilt and… shame. A solitary tear escaped her moist blue pools of unfiltered emotion and trickled down her cheek.
When they'd met he'd been greeted with tears of laughter, now as he was soon to be escorted out, possibly to never see her again, it would end with tears of sadness and loneliness that tugged painfully at his heartstrings.
No, it couldn't end like this!
What so of man would he be to abandon the princess, now that he what she hid inside. Regardless of the possible hardships this position may hold, he could not use them as an excuse to turn his back on another who needed him. He'd done too much of that already. If sacrificing any chance at find his own happiness let Zelda find some peace then… that was a price he'd willingly pay. After all, isn't that what heroes are supposed to do?
With his free hand, he grabbed one of hers, briefly marvelling at it's delicate compared to his own, work-worn and calloused from his adventures and livelihood. He met her gaze and opened his mouth to speak.
Then came a knock at the door…