Chapter 6

An Unexpected Visit

I was somewhere between asleep and awake. I didn't know how long I was lying there, but I could feel I was in some pain, and I felt like I was awake, but I couldn't move or respond to anything. After a few more moments, I'm pretty sure I fell asleep again, but it's hard to say.

Well, when I noticed my surroundings once more, I was able to sit up… The heat of the desert was wrapped around me even from the canopy. My head hurt and my body was covered in large bruises and sores. I didn't know what time it was, but it looked like it was almost noon. Compared to when I came outside from fighting Horsehead when the night was starting to wane, I must have slept for quite some time. I cursed my luck, for it was easy for me to sleep in! Either way, I had to move on, even if I was still weak.

I shuffled in my bags for a minute and brought the scroll the elder gave me and studied the words. I thought that it would be safer and smarter to cast the spell, but in the end, I didn't. Truthfully, and I wouldn't have admitted it at the time, but I was too defiant. I didn't want the pity on myself, for I was stubborn and too prideful to allow myself any weakness. After eating a light breakfast, I hoisted myself on my feet. Every inch of my body protested and begged me to rest more, but I suppressed the fight and pushed forward.

The desert was hot, and was more of a challenge for me than when I first came here. I didn't even have the energy to chase down monsters, but still fought with those that came near. I didn't even try very hard to avoid them, even though that would have saved me some trouble.

As I neared the cave, I found that I was thinking of the last time I was here when Ganon came to me as a hallucination. Why did I think of him so much? He's dead, he's old news, I thought, and there's no way he could come back! It's all lies! But still it bothered me, although I wouldn't allow myself to dig deep enough to find out why. The only thing I knew is, hallucination or not, I didn't want to see him again. I wasn't aware that I quickened my pace to a jog until I reached the cave safe away from the desert.

I walked for hours since I left the palace, and the forest was just as crowded with moblins and deelers. But finally, I found the road! I stopped, and wanted nothing more but to collapse onto the dirt. The wounds I had now were my own fault, I had never stopped even for a breath to calm my aching body. Ever since I left the desert, I pushed on, and I pushed hard, and now I only felt worse. But I held my restraint to kiss the ground and took out my map to mask the feeling.

The dirt road stretched on the map to the town of Rauru, that was just a few miles south from here, and then it led to the always visible castle at the east. The ancient map said that the Midoro Palace was in a swamp several hours south of my hometown and to the west.

Everything was on schedule. I was already making my way to the second palace! If the temples are all easy like this, then I will have the Triforce in no time at all! That boosted my pride a bit, and I nearly ran out of childish excitement down the road.

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I was tired and still sore as I came back into my hometown. Night was already closing the town in a restful hug, and I made my way across the sleepy streets to my house. Who would have thought that I would come back to the beginning? To my house? I didn't know Midoro would have me passing Rauru again. Which made me think, how come I never found these palaces? I traveled a lot, and if I found an old temple, of course I would explore it in a heartbeat!

Suppose I'll never know, I shrugged. By the time those thoughts ran through and finished, I was back at my own doorsteps. I was thinking of continuing down the road despite my state of exhaustion, for I was excited to find the Triforce, but I convinced myself otherwise. It was late, and it didn't matter how soon I would find every single palace. I would be forced to sleep eventually.

The house was still in the exact same state that I left it in, and just like my last visit when I came back from the castle, it was dark and quiet. That day felt so long ago! But a day in a temple always felt like fifty to me.

Every ache resurfaced as I removed my equipment and lied down on the bed, but I was so tired that it didn't matter to me, and as the sound sleeper I was, as soon as I was comfortable, I was asleep.

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I woke up still wishing I was asleep, and the remaining soreness reminded me of a foolish decision to keep marching, but I still wouldn't dare to admit that, even to myself. I knew I should wake up and continue to Midoro, but with every movement my very bones refused, and for many minutes, I remained in bed. I was fighting the urge to sleep more, but was already giving in when something shocked me fully awake!

A rhythmic pounding at the door had me up on my feet and reaching for my sword in an instant. But I froze before I even touched it, shaking my head. I was startled by the sound and my fighter instincts led me to my sword. But I highly doubted that whoever was outside was my enemy, so instead of relying on my weapons this time, I straightened my clothes and cut across the living room to answer the door.

The young man waiting patiently behind the wooden frame held his posture perfectly upright, and he wore a regal red tunic that was backed with the purple cape behind it. Even though he chose not to wear his crown, I knew his face and curly hair well enough to know who he was. "Your majesty!? What are you doing here?" I asked, failing to keep the shock from my voice.

"Link, I can't tell you what a relief it is that you're in town." He didn't look very pleased, and I think it was safe to say he wasn't at my house for a pleasant visit.

"Why aren't you wearing a robe? People are going to recognize you, and then the whole town will be suspicious!" I finished my statement by unceremoniously reaching out and pulling him into the house. After a short yell in reply, the prince cleared his throat and smoothed his fine clothes as I shut the door.

"Ah yes," He started, obviously feeling embarrassed by my act. "So tell me, Link, have you already been to a palace?"

I didn't reply at first. I was in no mood for small talk, and really wished I was on the road already. "What does it matter to you?"

He looked taken aback. "Umm... Just asking. With my sister's life at stake, I thought it reasonable to know." That response left me like a slap in the face, but it only had me feeling angry. "Where's the next palace?" He continued. If he noticed my anger at all, he chose to ignore it. "You're back in Rauru, so it has to be on the way, right? Where was the last one?"

I was fed up with his games. "Just tell me why you're standing here so I could get going already!"

But he never slowed. "Judging by your bruises and the fact that it has been a few days, you probably just came from the last temple!"

It was no good, I realized. I needed to leave, and he was taking my precious daylight! I huffed out a quick sigh and didn't say anything more as I went back to my room to grab my equipment. He seemed to shut up for a short moment and just waited for me to come back. By the time I had everything I needed however, I wasn't about to stand there and let the prince ask anything more. I came tromping in the living room and moved for the door. "Where are you going?!" He asked when he finally realized I was leaving.

"To the south!" That was the only answer I planned on giving and I even had the door open when the prince spoke next.

"No, that's no good. It'll led you nowhere."

I stopped, wondering why he would say such a thing and turned. By now, I could feel my anger dripping like venom. "Why? Why will the road take me nowhere?"

He took a deep breath and gave a relaxed answer. "Because the road south is blocked by a boulder between the cliff pass. My men are trying to move it away as we speak but it's going to take time. Time I don't think you want to take."

"That's a lie!" I accused without thinking, and as the words came out, it hit me how rude it was.

Now it was the prince's turn to be angered. "Why would I lie about that? And have you take the long way throughout the kingdom and into the mountains all the way by Ruto? I wouldn't delay you, not when I want my sister back as soon as possible!"

Silence past between us then, and I didn't dare move an inch because even that felt like an insult. But something nagged at me then, and I couldn't keep quiet when it slowly came to me why he was here. I spoke when the thoughts formed whole and when I was absolutely sure on my predictions. "Is that why you're here? To wake Zelda as soon as possible? You doubted me when I was at the castle, and now you think you can fix this yourself?" The prince opened his mouth to speak but I wasn't done. "That's why you were asking all of those questions, because you want to clear the rest of the palaces yourself." That was it, that was the sole reason he stood in my house, and I was not pleased with his doubt.

"Yes," He admitted, not backing down but standing straight like the royal heir he was. "That's why I'm here. I came wanting to know which palace to go to next."

"You can't. You're not the chosen one! You heard what Impa said, I am the only one who can find the Triforce." I finished with my hand on my chest to emphasize my point, but I knew that wouldn't make him budge.

He shook his curly head with Zelda's unrelenting stubbornness. "I told you, I don't care about a single mark! Lady Impa may be wise, but that doesn't mean she knows everything. You may be the chosen one, but I still don't see why I would be unable to fight the guardians. And that's why I'm coming with you."

"What? No, you can't! You don't even know how to fight like I do!"

At first, I thought he flinched because I found a weakness, but then he reached for the thin sword on his hip. He slid it from its sheath expertly and pointed the singing tip towards me. "Just because you're a hero doesn't mean you're perfect." Anger glistened in his eyes and he looked more determined than ever I seen him before. "I'm coming, and there's nothing you can do to scare me off."

I stood dumbfounded at the other end of his rapier, not even knowing what to say back to that. I had looked for any kind of weakness to attack, but now I was the one struck with nothing to say, and deep inside, I felt a churning pain from his accusation. "Come, hero." He spat the title like it was an insult and slid the royal blade away. "We have a long journey before us if we are to reach the area south of the blocked road."

This conversation was done, he shoved his way past me and was out onto the streets. I was left at the first step in my house, my mind rehearsing everything that was said and forced me to look down at my feet. I could not even muster the courage now to object his majesty from coming, I knew it will do no good. I shook off the thoughts that continued, stepped outside into the town, and closed the door behind me before rushing off to catch up with the prince of Hyrule. But still his voice chased me down.

Just because you're a hero doesn't mean you're perfect.

Author's Note; Thanks for reading again. So what do you think? Pretty shocking, right?

I have a little, important note for you though. I don't want to give the prince a name because he's not an original character. He never appeared in Zelda II, but he was mentioned in the plot at the beginning and there was even a picture of him in the instruction booklet. But he was not given a name anywhere, and I don't want to give him one because I always thought it was cheesy to give untitled characters a name.

But that's just me, what's your opinion? Please leave me a review, I need more helpers! Your thoughts are really appreciated!