Chapter 11: Princess Zelda

Our story transitions to the following morning, where the light of dawn bathed the Kingdom of Hyrule in a golden light.

/

Hyrule Castle rose up from the green earth of Hyrule Field like an iron giant. Hyrule Castle was at least ten times larger than Peach Castle. The massive structure was positioned upon a tall cliff that was high above a large and treacherous river which completely surrounded it. As a result, anyone who dared to assault Hyrule Castle would be forced to strike uphill and from the front, a task that might as well be declared as a suicide mission.

A unique feature of Hyrule Castle was that certain sections of it were on lower or higher parts of the uneven land upon which it was built. Each of these separate structures were united by underground passages, as well as the fact that they were all made of grey stone with the tiled roofs of their spires coloured a bright blue. Red flags featuring the Hylian crest in gold whipped in the wind from atop the spires.

At the bottom of the hill where Hyrule Castle resides was a large stone bridge, which crossed the large river that surrounded Hyrule Castle. On the other side of this bridge was a gate, attached to a stone wall which took the form of a ring. Enclosed in this ring was Hyrule Castle Town, the largest town in all of Hyrule.

/

Within Hyrule Castle, Princess Zelda was within the Throne Room all by herself. She was wearing a gorgeous royal blue dress that was adorned with golden decorations. This was the formalwear of the Royal Family. Her long blonde hair was flowing behind her, and she wore a golden tiara that rested along her hairline.

The Throne Room of Hyrule Castle was colossal and utterly astounding. It was circular in shape, with two sets of red carpeted stairs bordering the left and right walls. The stairs met at an elevated section which housed the Throne of Hyrule. A winged statue stood magnificently above the Red Throne. Higher in the room yet overlooked two giant statues of knights brandishing javelins while riding on horses with raised legs. Red flags, golden symbols, and intricate stonework were highly present in the magnificent room. Large arched windows circled the room, which casted light down on the center floor, where visitors would normally stand while kneeling before the King seated up above. In the very center of that stone circle, was another stone circle that featured the Triforce. In this Triforce emblem was carved the symbols for the Goddess Nayru (bottom left), Goddess Farore (bottom right), and Goddess Din (top).

The King of Hyrule, Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, had passed away during the time Link and Zelda had been sealed. With no other successor to the throne, Princess Zelda was now the rightful heir to the throne. However, she was still formally a Princess. Regardless, she was now essentially the ruler of the largest and most prosperous Kingdom in all the lands. She was the most powerful woman in the world.

Princess Zelda was standing before the Triforce emblem at the lower level of the Throne Room. She had her eyes softly closed and hands gently clasped together. She was concentrating on maintaining a magical seal that was currently keeping Ganon imprisoned. Suddenly, her blue eyes slowly began to open. She could sense someone was approaching.

"Good morning, Impa." Zelda politely greeted.

An old woman who looked to be over a hundred years old was approaching Zelda. She was a short woman that was slow in her movements, but something about her made it quite apparent that she was as strong as an ox. Her name was Impa, and she was part of the Shiekah clan. The Shiekah are a prosperous people who created and wielded advanced technology in the service of the Royal Family. Impa had snow white hair that was up in a bun, as well as the symbol of the Shiekah -the eye of truth- on her forehead. Impa is the chief of Kakariko Village, a village within the mountains where the Shiekah reside. Impa was the former advisor of King Rhoam, and has known Princess Zelda since she was a baby.

Impa walked slowly down the red carpet, eventually arriving behind Princess Zelda.

"Good morning, sweet child." Impa greeted, smiling softly. "Working hard already, are we?"

"Mm. I mustn't sleep for too long." Zelda reminded. "Lest the seal grow weaker."

"Yes, yes, I know that all too well." Impa groaned, shaking her head. "But I can't help but worry about you, dear. I do hope that all of this will come to an end very soon, for your sake."

"You are free to ask Link all about that." Zelda dismissed, in a matter-of-fact tone.

"That again? You mustn't fret about that, child." Impa softly warned. "Whining and complaining isn't going to bring him back any sooner. He shall return. For now, concentrate on the task at hand."

Princess Zelda's eyes narrowed angrily. She was looking down at the Triforce emblem, but she wasn't paying attention to it.

"And what if he is never to return?" Zelda challenged. There was a pause. Impa looked alarmed as she stood there behind Zelda, but then she smiled softly. She shook her head.

"Now, now, my sweet child..." Impa eased, her tone resonating with the recollection of heartfelt memories. "Do you not remember?"

Zelda remained silent, but she looked more relaxed already as she listened to Impa speak.

"Before your powers awakened, over a hundred years ago... the most diligent, courageous, and skilled knight in your service... do you recall watching him fight in the training grounds on that day?"

"Yes... You were at my side, and so was Father." Zelda recollected, turning to Impa with soft eyes. "He was dominating the sparring grounds. Father had him appointed as my head knight."

"And although he would follow you all around Hyrule, protecting you while you waited so painstakingly long to awaken your true powers, you would push and push and push him away, time and time again..." Impa reminded. "Hohoho... He must have thought you were an ungrateful brat. But did he ever leave your side?"

"No." Zelda admitted, failing to hide a bit of a smile. "He always remained loyal. To me and to his duty."

"Exactly!" Impa cried, her eyes wide with life. "So do not fret, Princess. He shall return, without a doubt."

Zelda was silent for a moment. She looked downward again with a solemn expression. "Yes, well. Be that as it may, I need not be happy with the fact that he has left us in the first place."

Impa did not have the chance to respond, as their conversation was intervened by the arrival of three characters who were mavericks among Zelda's attendants.

The first of the three peculiar characters was a Goron. The Gorons were amiable folks with big, boulder-like bodies. They possess superior strength, as well as heat resistant bodies of rock. They tend to be rather laid back in nature, and possess the ability to curl into a ball and roll around. They reside on Death Mountain, which is the highest and largest volcanic peak in all of Hyrule.

This Goron was a gruff looking fellow by the name of Daruk. Despite his appearance, he is tremendously kind, as well as an experienced leader. On top of his incredible strength, he has the unique ability to generate force fields around himself in order to defend against attacks. Because of his remarkable abilities, Daruk was selected as the Goron Champion.

"Hey! What's rollin', Princess?" Daruk greeted, smiling brightly.

The next character was a Gerudo. The Gerudo are a desert tribe composed exclusively of women. They are a proud race with their own deeply rooted culture and customs, such as their own language. They are tall and muscular in build, and with training, become some of the most fierce warriors in the Kingdom. They have fire red hair and brown skin. Once every one hundred years, a man is born among the Gerudo. That man is destined to become the King of the Gerudo. The Gerudo reside in Gerudo Desert, which is located in the southern sand lands of Hyrule.

This Gerudo was a dignified woman by the name of Urbosa. Despite the typical proud and fiery personality one might be inclined to associate with a Gerudo, Urbosa has a soft side to her, as she is more the motherly, supportive type. Urbosa is not only a fierce warrior, but she also has the ability to control lightning to a degree. Because of her remarkable abilities, Urbosa was selected as the Gerudo Champion.

"You summoned us, Princess?" Urbosa greeted, her blue eyes like wild fire.

The third and final character was a Zora. The Zora are the aquatic race, and guardians of the waters. They have fishlike fins and uniquely coloured scales. As a result, they are superior swimmers. The Zora have their own Royal Family, and often live extremely long lives. They reside in the waters of Lanayru, a province which is located in the eastern part of Hyrule.

This red Zora was a timid woman by the name of Mipha, Princess of the Zora. Mipha is very soft spoken and extraordinarily kind, but deep down she is also incredibly strong. She is a highly skilled warrior who fights to protect her people. On top of that, she also possesses healing powers. Because of her remarkable abilities, she was chosen as the Zora Champion.

"We aren't intruding, I hope?" Mipha nervously asked, with a guilty expression.

"No, of course not, dear." Impa assured, with a pleasant smile.

"Urbosa, Daruk, Mipha..." Zelda firmly greeted. "Is Revali not with you?"

"Mm, nope." Daruk frowned, scratching his head with a finger. He shrugged. "Haven't seen the guy at all today."

"I haven't either." Mipha added, shaking her head.

Zelda directed her attention to Urbosa, who shrugged softly without a word.

"Well, time is of the essence, so we will have to begin without him." Zelda decided. She paused with closed eyes. Upon opening them again, something in the brilliant blue colour of her eyes made her appear troubled. "Unfortunately, I have some bad news. It's about Link."

"Oh?" Urbosa inquired, tilting her head while placing her hand on the other hip.

"A-About Link?" Mipha gasped. She looked rather anxious. "Has something happened to him?"

"The little guy aint hurt, is he?" Daruk added, scratching his head with a single finger.

"If only that were the case, Daruk." Zelda sighed.

"Princess!" Impa scolded, aghast.

"Oh, I was only joking." Zelda eased, with a hand. She looked downward and spoke softly with contempt. "Sort of..."

"What's going on with Link?" Urbosa inquired.

"Are you mad at him?" Mipha ventured, frowning with a fist clenched near her chin.

"Yes Mipha, I am mad at him." Zelda promptly replied with a nod, facing forward again. "Because Link has left Hyrule."

Urbosa, Daruk, and Mipha recoiled in shock. They each had surprised expressions on their faces.

"W-What?" Mipha gasped. "But why?"

"I don't know." Princess Zelda sighed. She raised up her right hand softly, and the Triforce started to glow on the back of her hand. The Triforce of Wisdom was glowing the brightest, in a blinding gold flash. "But I can sense him. He is far away, in the Mushroom Kingdom."

"The Mushroom Kingdom?" Daruk scoffed, shrugging from incomprehension. "Where in Dodongo's Cavern is that?"

"I've never heard of this "Mushroom Kingdom", either." Urbosa added, shaking her head with her arms folded.

"It's a land, a kingdom, very far from here." Mipha explained. "It's quite nice, actually. It's very colourful, and there are all sorts of fun little creatures."

"Oh? Have you been there before, Princess Mipha?" Impa questioned.

"W-Well, no," Mipha admitted, looking downward timidly. "But I've heard a lot about it from the others back home. The waters of Hyrule and the Mushroom Kingdom connect, after all."

"So why is Link in the Mushroom Kingdom?" Urbosa questioned, returning to the problem at hand.

"I don't know." Zelda admitted. She was suddenly rather somber. "I can't see any reason why he would go there."

"Maybe the little guy went to find some help?" Daruk proposed, scratching his chin.

"Help?" Zelda smiled, unable to prevent herself from softly laughing at the proposition. "But Daruk, he has all the help he could possibly find right here in Hyrule. The strongest warriors in all of the Kingdoms, save for Revali, are gathered right here in this room. You are called my Champions for a reason. The Mushroom Kingdom, on the other hand, is notorious for housing some of the weakest warriors in all of the Kingdoms. There is just no way he went there for help."

"Well, I guess I shouldn't question someone like you about strength." Daruk admitted. He burst out into laughter. "BWEE HAH HAH! Compliment accepted!"

"Umm, well, you are no doubt the strongest in all of the Kingdoms, Princess, but..." Mipha started, avoiding eye contact as she struggled to finish her point. "But since you're so busy managing the seal and all, maybe he did go and find some extra help?"

Zelda turned away, her face frowning at this point. She paused for a moment. "It just doesn't make any sense. I can't help but worry that he ran away."

There was a pause. Mipha and Daruk looked disheartened. Urbosa stepped forward with confidence.

"He didn't run away, Princess." Urbosa stated.

Zelda turned to her and they met eyes. "Urbosa?"

"He had his chance to run away, one hundred years ago." Urbosa reminded. "If he was planning on packing up and running for the hills, why would he choose to do it now, and not while you're sealed away?"

"That's a fine point indeed, Urbosa." Impa agreed, with a nod.

"Yes," Mipha started, speaking with much more conviction now. Zelda had turned and grit her teeth. "If we just give Link some more time, I am sure he will-"

"Silence." Zelda finally snapped. There was a short pause. She turned to them again. "I grow tired of this discussion. Link is gone, and that's that. So I am sending you three on a mission."

"Er, of course, Princess." Daruk complied, rubbing the back of his head.

"What is it that you request of us?" Urbosa inquired, her arms folded.

"I want you three..." Zelda started. She lifted her chin up proudly, and spoke with seriousness and conviction. "To locate the Master Sword."

"The Master Sword?" Daruk barked, scratching his head with a single large finger.

"Yes. The sword of evils bane." Zelda explained. "A blade which Link is destined to wield in his fight against Ganon. Without it, we are guaranteed to be destroyed once Ganon breaks from the seal. It is paramount that we locate it beforehand."

"Very well. Where might we find this sword?" Urbosa inquired, with a hand on her hip.

Zelda turned away. She was looking downward, slightly somber. "I can hear its voice, calling to me from the north. I believe it is somewhere in the forest there."

"So you want us to track it down, right?" Mipha clarified, with a nod.

"Well that shouldn't be too hard." Daruk thought, scratching his chin.

"Surely all three of us do not need to go?" Urbosa challenged. "Send me, and leave the others to protect you. I am certain I can handle this mission myself."

"Are you absolutely sure, Urbosa?" Zelda asked.

"I am positive, Princess." Urbosa confirmed, with a nod.

"Very well. I leave the matter in your hands." Zelda consented, with a graceful nod. She faced Daruk and Mipha, who both looked happy. "Daruk. Mipha. You two will stay here with me."

"Yes, Princess." They each acknowledged, nodding in near unison.

"That is all." Zelda dismissed, turning away from them again. "Leave me, please. I must return to the seal."

With that, the Champions bowed out gracefully. Urbosa had set off on her mission before noon, while Mipha and Daruk patrolled the Castle Grounds. Impa stayed nearby, while Princess Zelda concentrated on upholding the seal on Ganon.

/

A few hours later, the fourth champion had arrived. He was a Rito, who are the wind-dancing rulers of the sky. The Rito are easily identified by their bird-like features, namely their colourful feathers, beaks, and taloned feet. They are a people with a tradition of developing expert archers and skilled songsters. The Rito are really adept at aerial combat, and they reside in the western province of Tabantha, near the northern Hebra mountains.

This blue Rito was a sly looking fellow by the name of Revali. He was a maverick in the field of archery, and was extremely prideful and confident in his abilities. He also has the ability to generate updrafts, and is particularly skilled at aerial combat. Because of his remarkable abilities, Revali was selected as the Rito Champion.

Revali flew into the throne room and landed about six paces before Impa. Zelda had her back turned to the both of them, as she was concentrating on the magical seal.

"Sorry I'm late." Revali apologized, raising a blue wing. "I was caught up with my training."

"The Princess is concentrating on the seal, now." Impa explained. "The matter has been settled with the others. She has a special mission for you, however."

"Naturally." Revali acknowledged, as if it was expected that he was to receive special duties. "What's the mission?"

"Link has made his way to the Mushroom Kingdom, for reasons unknown." Impa explained.

"Ha! He must have gotten cold feet, the coward!" Revali challenged. "Am I to finally swap roles with him?"

"No. And you mustn't speak ill of Princess Zelda's appointed knight." Impa scolded.

"Very well." Revali sighed. "You want me to find him and bring him back, yes?"

"That is what the Princess desires." Impa nodded.

"Not a problem." Revali assured, getting ready to take off. "I'll be back with him before you know it. Just you wait and see."

"Revali." Princess Zelda suddenly summoned. Her eyes were glossy and almost completely white, as if shining clouds were smothering them.

"Oh?" Revali and Impa barked, both rather surprised that she had broke her concentration.

"Don't hurt him." Zelda softly pleaded. She stared forward with her back to them. She sounded as though she was very low in strength. "Please."

"Right..." Revali groaned, rolling his eyes. "I'll go easy on him."

With that, Revali took flight and left the Throne Room. It was just Impa and Princess Zelda once again.

"He doesn't like Link very much, that one." Impa noted. "I suspect that he is envious that he is not your appointed knight."

But Princess Zelda did not respond. She closed her eyes, her expression strained. She looked as though she was using a tremendous amount of energy, which appeared to be doing some damage. The Triforce of Wisdom was glowing brightly on her hand.

(Link... Come back... to Hyrule...)

Impa gasped as Zelda had suddenly fallen to her knees. Impa rushed to her support, looking at Zelda's tired face with an aghast expression.

/

Our story continues one week later, back in the Mushroom Kingdom...