Chapter 41: Home Sweet Home
AN: Hello to those who are reading this next chapter. It is I, Dark Eagle91! I'm still around and writing and working on the upcoming chapters. Next chapter is here so please enjoy it!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
The mountains seemed so small compared to how fast Samantha and Zelda were moving. In all her life, neither woman had ever experienced such a thrill like this. The moon was past the horizon and they were approaching Hyrule.
"Where shall I land?" Kurthnaga questioned the queen. Zelda thought about it for a minute. The Goldoan prince may be attacked by Hylian knights and send the citizens into a panic if they saw a dragon landing within their kingdom at night.
"Fly around the castle. There's a small ranch southwest of the castle. Could you possibly land to the west of that ranch? And, I know this is nitpicky, but if you could land with as little noise as possible…I would be eternally grateful." The dragon slightly changed course and the two could see Hyrule Castle in all its glory.
"Mom…it's so beautiful." Samantha admired her home. Seeing her daughter smile caused the queen to smile as well.
"It's sure is, Samantha. By the way, what do you want to do? Do you want to head home or swing by the ranch and say hello to Malon?"
"It's a bit late, don't you think? I'll go see her tomorrow. I'd really like to sleep in my bed once again." Samantha stretched and yawned.
"As you wish. We'll need to stop by and call-" Zelda paused for a minute. "…oh…that may be a problem." She stated before going into deep thought.
"May I make a suggestion?" Almedha inquired. "I see a small village within the forest. Perhaps you can try your luck there."
"A small village? What could possibly-"
"The Kokiri Forest." Zelda quietly replied. "I…I hope Saria is in a good mood." He quietly landed near the ranch and the two women climbed off of Kurthnaga's back and he, along with his sister, changed back into their beorc forms.
"Which direction was the village you saw?" Zelda questioned the dragon woman. She pointed southeast of their current location. "Thank you, Lady Almedha, Prince Kurthnaga."
"Tibarn, Naesala, and the herons will take flight at first light. They may arrive in the evening at the latest."
"We'll have rooms prepared. Are you sure I can't convince you to stay a night in Hyrule?"
"We are meeting with Lord Skrimir and the former king Caineghis. We must plan our next attack."
"Safe travels home." Zelda waved goodbye and the two changed back and flew towards Tellius.
"Will we be allowed in the Kokiri Forest? Have you ever been there?"
"In my entire life, I have never been in the Kokiri Forest."
"Never?" Samantha's eyes grew big.
"I've wanted to go, but they never invited me. Even your mother! She's been to the Kokiri Forest…without me!" Zelda pouted like an upset child. "Well, that changes tonight. We're going and that's that."
"That's not very ladylike." Samantha smirked before clearing her throat. "A princess must-"
"Shut up." Zelda grumbled and marched in the direction of the forest. To Samantha's surprise, Zelda had never spoken to her like that before. Samus, yes; that was her nature and Samantha was accustomed to how the former bounty hunter spoke. But Zelda? She was a queen; she is what Samantha aspires to be like. She was surprised that she would speak to her own daughter in such a manner. The two walked towards the forest and entered one giant log and came to a bridge.
"I suppose it's on the other side." Zelda spoke nervously. "Just…need to…walk across this bridge."
"…are you scared?" Samantha inquired.
"Ah…um…n-n-no. Don't be ridiculous…" She dismissed the princess, but her legs refused to move forward.
"Mom…" Samantha took hold of her mother's hand. "We'll do this together. Besides, if we're going to the Kokiri Forest, I'd much rather go with you instead of mom." Samantha smiled while Zelda chuckled.
"Thank you, Samantha." She inhaled and the two walked across the bridge into the new world. Everything looked much different than what Zelda had ever seen. They all looked like simple tree houses in a quiet, yet gorgeous grassland.
"E-Excuse me…who are you?" A simple voice peeped out. Zelda and Samantha looked down to see a young child looking up at them.
"Are you lost, little one?" Samantha knelt down to comfort the small child.
"I'm twenty five." She folded her arms and glared at the two strangers. "No one is allowed here."
"Tina…" Another woman yawned and stretched as far as her tiny arms would go. "…go to sleep. I'll take care of this." The other woman was a child, just like the previous one, except her hair was green and her eyes a deep blue. "Zelda…what are you doing here?"
"We need a place to stay." Zelda stated.
"Forgive my language, but you live in a fucking castle."
"It's night. Which means the gates are up." Saria thought for a minute. "And, by the way, I've never seen your home. You've never invited me. I've always wanted to come. You wouldn't seriously throw me out, would you?"
"I might." Saria tapped her foot against the ground.
"But Samus stayed here! You can't seriously-"
"Keep it down out there!"
"Shut up!"
"I'm trying to sleep!"
"Sorry!" Zelda called out before looking down in shame.
"Is that what this is all about?" Saria asked as she noted Zelda frustrated expression. "You're jealous."
"No."
"Yes. You're jealous because she got to spend time here and you didn't." Saria smiled. "Come on, I'll take you both to the hot springs. It's where your darling wife went when she visited." The two women followed her and she led them to the Kokiri hot springs. "Alright. Take off your clothes and hop in." Saria turned around to ensure no one had followed her and to give the women privacy.
"Just…remove our clothes?" Samantha hesitantly questioned. "Won't someone see?"
"Not while I'm here. Now hurry up, please." Saria insisted as she kept watch with her back to the women. Samantha looked over at her mother who had already removed her dress and was now wearing just her underwear. She gulped hard and carefully removed her own clothing; too embarrassed to look at anyone else or even herself. Once she finally removed all her clothes, she looked at the water and noticed something on her left shoulder. She turned her arm and her reflection showed the star fox symbol on her left shoulder. She began to quietly sob as she bit her bottom lip.
"What's the matter, honey?"
"I don't know how much longer I can do this. Mom, I miss Marcus…I miss him so much." Her quiet sobs became louder. "Without him, I'm nothing. I loved him…I miss Marcus…I need him…I can't do it by myself."
"Samantha, Marcus is always with you. He's…he'd want you to keep going."
"But how? Marcus-"
"Is everything to you…I know what he means to you. We must trust in Hylia. She will guide us in our time of need. She will watch over us and help us." Zelda insisted. Samantha wiped her eyes and sniffled before nodding.
"Are you in? I'd like to-dah!" Saria exclaimed and turned back around. "I thought the two of you would've been in by now!" It took Samantha a moment to realize that both she and her mother had a full discussion in the nude.
"M-Mother!" Samantha turned her face and used a hand to cover her face before blushing red from embarrassment.
"What?" Zelda questioned as she entered one of the hot springs. "I've seen you naked before."
"I am your daughter!"
"And I am your mother. You have seen me as I have seen you. Why does it embarrass you?" Samantha quickly slipped into the hot spring next to her mother. "Ohh….wow…" Zelda quietly sighed with content. Samantha glanced over to see her mother was now in the hot spring. "How long has it been since you've called me mother?"
"I…I can't remember." Samantha quickly got into the hot spring next to her mother. "…wow…" She gasped and smiled.
"You're so beautiful."
"Mother!"
"What do you want me to say? You're so ugly?" Zelda smirked. Samantha knew what she meant, but she was still embarrassed.
"You know when Samus was here…we talked about you, Zelda." Saria turned around and sat in front of both women.
"Me?" She asked. "What about me?" Saria smiled and looked up.
"Samus was convinced you had what it took to win the championship. She was convinced you were going to win the tournament. You know, the Cinderella story…"
"Yes. I remember." Her eyes lightly squinted like she were trying to forget it ever happened.
"Zelda, you need to let it go. I can tell it's still eating at you." Saria spoke softly.
"I was so close…another inch and-"
"You pushed him to his limit. He gave you everything he had and he barely won. You did that to him. You, Fox, and Samus…you three are the only ones who have ever pushed him to the brink of losing consciousness. That alone is quite the feat." Zelda nodded and the two women silently enjoyed the warmth and relaxing sensation that came from the Kokiri hot spring.
"When did you stop calling me mother?" She turned to Samantha.
"What?"
"I think you were thirteen. I insisted you call me mother and you refused. Instead of force you, I let you do your own thing."
"Do you want me to call you mother?" Samantha appealed to her mother.
"It sounds…unusual coming from you." Zelda smiled at her daughter. "No, I prefer you referring to me as you always have."
"Mom…I know this sounds really dumb. I know I'm not worthy to hold the title of queen."
"Why do you say such foolish things, Samantha? You're going to make a fine queen one day."
"I curse, I get drunk far more than you ever did…I am not queen material."
"Samantha, you don't even know all the dumb things I have done when I was your age."
"What have you done?" Samantha questioned.
"Let's see…I left your mother when she was training me, I flew to a dangerous bar in hopes to find her, I've been drunk…at least three times that I can remember…I've fallen asleep on the front lawn. I've completely embarrassed myself more times than I can count. We've all had embarrassing moments. Being a queen, a princess…it's just a title. Behind that, you're just a person…just like me." Hearing her flaws and embarrassing mistakes helped the princess feel better.
"Mom…I want to be just like you." Samantha smiled and Zelda lightly laughed.
"You will never be like me." Zelda began and Samantha's smile faded. "You'll be better."
"Better than you? Mom, you're the greatest ruler Hyrule has ever had. Hell, you're the greatest ruler in all the kingdoms."
"Language, young lady. A princess does not curse." Zelda reminded her daughter. "Second, I do not consider myself the greatest ruler. Lady Emmeryn, King Xander, King Ryoma, Lady Elincia, Peach and Daisy…well, they're still princesses, but you know what I mean. There are plenty of people who deserve that title…I am not one of them."
"Bullshit!" Samantha stated.
"Language!" Zelda sternly reminded her daughter. "Samantha, we may continue this discussion another time. For now, let's just enjoy this. Do you remember what I promised you before all this?" Samantha tried to think, but she couldn't remember.
"I'm sorry…" she apologized to the queen.
"I promised you we'd have a spa day. And while we can't get manis and pedis, we are getting a hot spring treatment."
"You're right…we should…" Samantha stretched as far as her arms would take her. "We should enjoy this. I could fall asleep right now. It's so nice."
"I don't mean to brag or anything, but we are, by far, the best hot spring around. There's one in Meltokio…well, north of Meltokio. There's a wonderful hot spring there. Not as good as this one, but it's alright." Saria gave a smug smirk.
"Let me ask, Saria…have you been affected by…whatever is out there?" Zelda questioned and her smirk disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
"We have doubled our efforts into hiding ourselves. How you managed to find us is incredible. How did you find us?"
Prince Kurthnaga brought us from Tellius. His sister, Lady Almedha spotted this from the skies and with the moon up, we needed a safe place to stay."
"I see." Saria stated before standing up. "We're unsure of what has caused this, but we're a small village and well hidden…so we believe as long as we stay out of it, we'll be safe."
"Saria, I'm ready to get out. Is there a towel or something I could use?"
"I'll take care of it." Zelda chimed in.
"No offence mom, but…we're adults and I don't think-"
"Samantha, all joking aside, I am perfectly capable of acting like an adult and a queen. Unless you want to remain wet as you put your clothes back on." Samantha looked away for a moment and then back at her mom.
"I'm serious, mom. Professional." She got out of the spring and stood there naked.
"Honey…arms to the side." Zelda instructed and she complied. Zelda wiggled her fingers and all the water that was onto Samantha drifted towards the queen and shaped into an orb of water.
"You have got to teach me that one." Samantha smiled as her mother continued working her magic.
"Almost finished…" She clenched her hand into a fist and the remaining water of the front half of her body absorbed into the orb and with a snap of her fingers, the water dropped back into the hot spring.
"That's incredibly unsanitary." Saria shook her head and laughed.
"I'll clean it when I'm finished." Zelda stated as she motioned with her finger for Samantha to turn around. "The other side, dear." Samantha turned around and she could feel the water pulling off her body.
"I remember when I was young like you."
"Mom-"
"Joking." She laughed as she continued drying her daughter. "You're not as pretty as I was."
"Mom, that's hurtful." Samantha quietly uttered like she was hurt by her words; though the smile on her face said otherwise.
"The truth hurts sometimes." Zelda began laughing alongside her daughter and Saria.
"Personally, I think Rosalina was the prettiest entry in the tournament."
"Rosalina? Really?" Zelda scoffed. "Well, it's alright to be wrong."
"Oh is that how it is?" Zelda finished drying her daughter and snapped her fingers once more before climbing out of the hot spring herself. Samantha quickly dressed and Zelda dried herself off in a quick manner.
"Now to clean the hot springs." Zelda's hands glowed red and she swiped both arms in front of her with her palms facing down. From the hot spring rose what looked like a bunch of dirt particles and small debris.
"That is both disgusting and fascinating." Saria observed alongside the firstborn.
"What is that?"
"Oh, you know…dead skin cells, dirt, grime, any kind of filth from the water."
"That came from us?" Samantha looked grossed out. Zelda clasped one hand on top of the other and all of that was tightly packed and enclosed in a prism.
"Ready?" She looked at her daughter with a mischievous smile. Samantha nodded and Zelda's hands began to shine a brighter red. The prism glowed as well and its contents were now on fire.
"Mom, we're in a forest."
"I know."
"You're going to set it on fire."
"I won't." The contents were burning with an incredible flame. After a few moments, all that was left was burnt ash and evaporated steam. "Here is where the real magic happens." Zelda flipped her hands so the other hand was on top and the red hot prism became a cool, icy blue. A few seconds of that and Zelda released her hands; letting the contents of the prism drop to the ground. Samantha looked at it and the contents were what looked like frozen dirt particles.
"Mom…that's…wow." She gasped in amazement.
"Come now; let's find a warm place to rest."
"I know just the place." Saria stated as she waited for the queen to get out of the water, dry, and dress herself.
"Ready." She stated and Saria checked before leading them to a small area in front of a massive tree.
"Great Deku Tree, I bring guests into our village. They mean no harm, but…may they stay here for the night?"
"…it talks?" Zelda whispered, but was shushed by Saria.
"The one who wields the triforce of wisdom…yes. I will grant them shelter for the night." Zelda squeaked with surprise.
"You can stay here." Saria gestured at the ground in front of the tree.
"In front…of this tree?" Samantha spoke with a bit of fear and worry. "Mom-"
"Saria, we don't wish to offend you or anyone else, but…"
"The Great Deku Tree will not harm you. He will watch over you and protect you."
"…thank you." Zelda quietly knelt down and found a spot to rest her head. "Samantha…"
"Mom, you can't be serious."
"We can either sleep here for the night, or take our chances out there." Seeing no other option, and because Samantha might have been worried about what might occur, she nodded her head and found a safe spot next to her mom.
"Goodnight." Saria stated and left the two alone. Thirty minutes passed and Samantha sat up with frustration.
"Can't sleep?" Zelda questioned her daughter as she slowly sat up.
"I'm worried. I'm worried about Ginny and mom…Alex, Jackson, Lilly, and Grandpa."
"Everything is going to be fine, dear. Tomorrow, we'll go say hello to Malon and return home. I'm sure Alexander and Jackson haven't destroyed the castle…" Zelda was in deep thought for a moment before gulping hard. "If they so much as touched the throne…"
"Why don't you get an iron throne like they have in Game of Thrones? That's the kind of throne that nobody fucks with."
"Samantha!" Zelda exclaimed and the firstborn immediately became silent. "You know I don't watch that kind of stuff."
"You're favorite non-Disney movie is Lord of the Rings." Samantha stated bluntly.
"Well…your mother knows more about that. But please…don't mention that to her. I know her and she'll want to do that." Both women began quietly laughing.
"Can you imagine? Your chair…all fancy and glorious…and then her chair…"
"No. No!" Zelda stated with a smile and they laughed once more. "Alright, should I help you fall asleep?"
"Mom, I haven't needed your help since I was a child." Samantha replied with a hint of embarrassment.
"But you'll always be my little girl." She jokingly smiled and she waved her hand in a circle. A purple aura floated towards her daughter and circled her neck. Samantha felt her eyelids growing heavier and her head started to bob up and down.
"Rest, Samantha…we are safe now." Zelda whispered as her daughter began to fall asleep on the ground. When she was fast asleep, Zelda stopped moving her hand and placed it against her chest.
"You shall fall against the unknown force." The Great Deku Tree spoke. Zelda looked around to ensure no one else was around before concluding that it was talking to her.
"Are…are you talking to me?"
"You shall fall to the unknown force…and the result will leave your heart warm."
"Are you implying that I will fail? Are you suggesting I am going to love failing?" She questioned the tree; now irritated with his words.
"An ally will reach out to you in regards to an unknown world. You will overcome, but you must fall to it first."
Who…or perhaps what is…it?" Zelda inquired, but the tree was not speaking anymore. "I do not plan on losing. For the sake of Hyrule, I will not lose." She laid down and placed a hand on her chest. Her body glowed a light purple and Zelda also fell asleep. The following morning arrived and both women woke up and stretched their arms and yawned.
"Did you sleep well, Samantha?"
"I did. Thanks mom." She smiled and the two got up. Samantha began walking towards where they entered, but Zelda lingered behind for a moment. "Something wrong, mom?
"I…um…i-it's nothing." Her expression said otherwise, but it seemed like an issue she didn't want to push the issue. As they approached the exit, Saria smiled as the two of them walked towards her.
"How was your sleep?"
"We slept well. Thank you again, Saria." Samantha smiled while Zelda looked troubled.
"Zelda, is everything alright?"
"Mm-hmm…" She nodded her head, but she gulped hard and refused to make eye contact with anyone.
"…Zelda-"
"I said everything's fine!" She stated with a frustrated tone. She noted the expression on Saria's face and immediately felt ashamed. "I…I'm sorry, Saria…it's…" She turned to her daughter. "Samantha, can you start walking towards Lon Lon Ranch? I'll catch up with you in a minute."
"You won't be long?"
"I'll be right behind you, I promise." Samantha took her mom's word and began heading towards the ranch. Zelda made sure that the two of them were alone and no one was within earshot of them.
"Zelda, what's going on?"
"That…tree thing said that I would fall to something. It told me you shall fall to the unknown force."
"What? What unknown force?"
"I don't know. I don't know what it means and…I'm scared. I don't want to die, I don't want to lose my family, I just…I don't know what to think. Is it ever wrong?"
"The Great Deku Tree can see into the future…even I don't know how. But, no…it's never wrong."
"Well, what is this unknown force? Can you tell me that?"
"I am unsure of anything like that. None of this sounds remotely true. But, then again, entire worlds are being swallowed up by these robot things."
"Robots?"
"The scenarios are always the same. Two robots, one bomb. Two robots activate the bomb and remain in place until the bomb detonates…I don't understand the purpose of the robots or what function they serve."
"But something is out there…and it wants to kill me."
"I can't help you. I just hope you stay safe."
"I'm sorry…I am so sorry for everything, Saria."
"There is no reason to be sorry, my dear." Saria reassured the queen with a smile. "You've always been cautious and careful with others…I refuse to believe that any higher power would remove you from this world."
"What am I to do? There's no rule or instructions for something like this." She began crying.
"We just have to hope. Hylia will protect you…" Saria gulped hard and her tone didn't sound sincere; like she didn't believe what she was saying. "G-Go with your daughter. I'll…I'll make some calls and see if I can figure out what's going on."
"You don't have to."
"You have no jurisdiction over me." She smirked and motioned for her to leave. "I'll do my part. We've cowered in fear for too long. The children of the Kokiri Forest must learn to be brave. If our friends can be brave, so can we!" She declared and Zelda nodded her head. She waved goodbye and headed for the ranch. She saw her daughter, from a distance, enter the ranch and she looked around for something to distract her from the prophecy she had just heard. Unfortunately, as she approached the ranch, the prophecy dwelled in the back of her mind.
'Distract yourself, Zelda. You can't show fear to Samantha.' She gulped hard and walked inside. The ranch hadn't changed much in the years that she visited when she was younger. Other than the wooden fence, a new house, and a new barn, it looked almost identical to what she remembered. Her daughter was waiting by the railing; running a hand through a horse's mane.
"Samantha. Have you been waiting long?" Zelda inquired.
"I just got here. Look at this one, isn't he handsome?" Samantha kissed his head and the horse neighed with joy.
"Blackjack? Yeah he's ma favorite." A voice chimed in from behind her. The women turned around to see Malon smiling and a young blonde girl running towards Samantha.
"Sam! You're here." Samantha took a cautious step back and held her hands out.
"Wait a minute, stop!" She protested and, to the confusion of the young girl and her mother, she hesitated for a minute.
"Are you sick?" The young girl asked.
"N-No. I…um…"
"Linkle, she's…there's something serious out there and she is just trying to keep you safe." She weakly claimed. Though the little girl was convinced, the mother had her doubts.
"Ok…" The little girl quietly shuffled away with disappointment.
"Mom, who is she?" She whispered.
"Later." She whispered back.
"Why don't you run along, Linkle? Aunt Zelda and I gotta talk 'bout grown up stuff."
"Kay." She ran towards the entrance of the stable to go play with the horses.
"Aunt…Zelda?" Samantha looked at her mother with disbelief. "You never told me you had a sister.
"Sister?!" Malon exclaimed before turning to Zelda and pointing at Samantha. "What's up with her? If a duck had her brain, it'd fly north fer the winter."
"Malon, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't refer to my daughter as stupid." Zelda spoke with an irritated tone. "A mean fellow casted some kind of spell onto Samantha and she forgot her memories. She's retained the basic functions and she can recall her immediate family. However, her extended family…"
"I hear ya." She turned to Samantha. "It'll all come back to ya, one day. If ya need some help, come by anytime. We're family, hun. An' I'm sorry."
"Malon, there's a lot going on right now. Where is Link?"
"He was lookin' for somethin' out there. Think he was tryin' to find a gift fer Virginia. Y'know, since her birthday's comin' up real soon."
"That's very nice of you, Malon. She will very much appreciate that." Zelda smiled and turned back to her daughter. "Samantha, would you tell Linkle goodbye? We must be heading home." Samantha nodded and proceeded to walk towards the entrance of the corral.
"Zelda, what's-"
"I think I'm going to die." She spoke in a hushed tone.
"WHAT?!" Malon almost yelled, but Zelda covered her mouth with her hand.
"Keep it down. Samantha does not know. I spoke with the…you know, tree thing in the Kokiri Forest."
"The Great Deku Tree? So you finally met 'im." She smiled at her ally.
"Yes, and-" She paused and narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean 'finally met him?' Have you met him before?"
"Oh sure." Malon nodded. "Link an' I went to visit durin' our honeymoon." Zelda gave an exasperated sigh and shook her head. "But, let's back up a second…yer gonna die?"
"There was a prophecy that said I would fall to an unknown force. And the result would leave my heart warm."
"That don't mean yer dyin', Zelda." Malon calmly informed her.
"What else could it mean? I will fall to an unknown force? That doesn't sound like I'm going to trip and fall against the ground. That definitely sounds like something is going to bring me to my knees or kill me."
"Zelda, calm down. Look, if somethin' happens, Sam's…well…" Malon looked over at the girl and saw how timid the firstborn was when it came to petting the horse Linkle was caring for. "…she's goin' to be fine. We'll visit every weekend an' things will be ok. Samus is gonna be 'round, right?" She put her arm against her friend's shoulder.
"I'm scared."
"It's gonna be fine." Malon reassured her.
"Mom." Samantha spoke softly and she turned her head.
"Go on." Malon tilted her head towards the firstborn of Hyrule. "It'll be alright. Don't you worry none about some silly prophecy or whatever." Zelda weakly smiled and hugged her friend.
"You're a good friend, Malon." She whispered in her ear.
"We're more than friends, Zelda. We're family. Y'all are always welcome here." They broke the hug and Zelda walked away with her daughter; heading for home.
"So…Aunt Malon…" Samantha said quietly and Zelda gulped hard. "Want to tell me what that's all about?"
"A-another time." Zelda nervously replied and they continued walking towards the kingdom. As they approached the bridge, two guards stepped in front of them.
"Halt! What is your business here?" One man stated.
"Excuse me?" Zelda questioned with restrained anger. The guard tipped his helmet back and yelped.
"Ah! Y-your majesty! I…s-sorry." He stepped aside to let the women pass him. As they entered the kingdom, Zelda could see the townsfolk continuing on as if there was nothing bothering them. Though, when they saw Zelda and Samantha…they parted and gasped in surprise.
"Z-Zelda?" A man questioned as he approached her.
"Hello, Hank. Yes, it's me." She hugged the older man and everyone began cheering.
"She has returned to us! Praise Hylia!" An older woman reached out for her and Zelda grabbed her hand and smiled.
"Samantha, I trust you can see yourself home. I feel that I may be here awhile." She smiled at the woman and hugged her.
"Yeah." Samantha didn't want to leave her mother alone, but these were her people; she was close with each and every one of them and deep down, Samantha knew she was safe here. She walked back towards home and, unbeknownst to her, Zelda was concerned about her daughter too. She decided to follow her home. She could return and say hello to the people tomorrow.
"I…um…excuse me, but I'd like to go home. I promise to come back tomorrow. But, I'd like to see my father and my children." Zelda insisted and the people back away and allowed her to walk towards the gate. As she approached the gate, she noted Samantha having a conversation with the two guards at the gate.
"Hey! A rupee!" One guard exclaimed; followed by a giggle from the firstborn and a hearty laugh from the other man. "Can you hold this for a second?" He seemed to hand the lance to Samantha who yelped in response and it fell to the ground. Horrified and worried by what might've occurred, Zelda quickly rushed towards the group.
"Samantha! Are you hurt?" Zelda grabbed her daughter's hand to check.
"L-Lady Zelda?" The other guard gasped. "It…no…it can't be."
"It's really you." The first guard smiled. "Praise Hylia! I knew you couldn't be dead." Zelda had little interest in what the guard was saying at the moment.
"Samantha, answer me. Are you hurt?" She repeated her question.
"I…I'm fine. But his poor lance…I let it fall…" She looked disappointed in herself.
"It's not a problem, your highness." He smiled and picked up the rupee and the lance. "A little dirt never hurt anything, right?" He stood up and the men opened the gate.
"But, a princess-"
"You have done nothing wrong, dear. Go inside, I'll talk to them and clear everything up." She smiled at her daughter. She weakly smiled at her mother before shuffling inside without raising her head. Zelda then hugged each guard individually and her eyes began watering.
"Robert, Doug…I've missed you both. I'm sorry to have neglected you."
"You were checking on your daughter…like any mother would." Doug nodded his head. "You should've seen Ol' Bobby when news broke that you died. He was blubbering his little eyes out-"
"Shut up!" He pushed the other guard who laughed in response.
"What are we going to do? Without the queen…" He acted like he was blubbering and crying to replicate what the guard had done in Zelda's absence.
"Robert, did you really miss me that much?" Zelda smiled at the man. He blushed red with embarrassment.
"No! I-I mean, kind of…but i-it wasn't like I was crying. I might've shed a tear or two. Not like crying or anything. You're nothing…" He stopped speaking and caught himself before he finished his sentence.
"I get it." Zelda spoke softly and her cheeks turned a rosy pink. "It's very sweet of you, Robert. Now, about Samantha…" Her expression turned a bit grim before she gulped hard. "Please do not spread this around Hyrule. She has…been cursed."
"Cursed? Our fair princess?" Doug exclaimed loudly before being shushed by Zelda.
"Doug, please." She motioned for him to keep it down and continued. "She has lost all memories aside from the fundamental principles. She knows where she lives and her family. Outside of that, she has no memories of anything else. Her fighting abilities, weapons…she remembers the importance of being a princess. Which I should be thrilled by…" She looked away with disappointment.
"It's not who Samantha is." Robert replied.
"Exactly." Zelda nodded her head. "So, for the time being…please keep this a secret. If word got out, I am afraid that other…undesirables may attempt to force themselves upon her."
"We'll inform the guards to keep a close lookout for anyone who seems suspicious. Shall we close the castle to all guests?"
"For the time being, yes. Zelda nodded and proceed to walk towards the castle. "But, Doug…please be as discrete as possible. The only ones allowed to enter are family members.
"As you wish, your highness." He bowed his head and the gates began to shut behind her. Zelda looked around to the blooming trees and smiled once more. She was home. Happy to be here and happy to return to the confines that she knew was safe.
'There is truly no place like home.' Zelda thought as she walked towards the front entrance of her castle and looking forward to seeing her family once more.