Chapter 2
The doors to the Royal Throne room were barred shut, guarded by two Hylian guards. As they saw Link walking briskly towards them, they crossed their spears over the doors, and signaled him to wait as one of them knocked strongly on the door. The doors opened, and Link was permitted inside. Red carpet stretched the length of the hall, all the way to the end where the King sat. Behind him, a beautiful mural of the Three was depicted; Din, Nayru, and Farore. They were seen together creating the legendary Triforce. But Link didn't focus on that; he was more concerned with the woman sitting on the King's left. Princess Zelda did not look pleased at all.
Link kneeled in front of the King, putting his fist over his heart in the customary salute. "My King, you requested my presence?" he asked.
"Indeed, Lord Guardian. Rise, and let us speak."
Link slowly rose to his full height, and looked directly at King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule XV. The King had a perfect mask of diplomacy, showing no emotion whatsoever. Link glanced towards the Princess. His daughter was less composed, but she too hid much of her feelings.
"Lord Guardian" Link whipped his head back towards the King. "It seems that my dearest daughter does not believe in your skills, despite you being the foremost candidate chosen from our most esteemed military officials," the King voiced, making his displeasure with his daughter known. The Princess pursed her lips. "As you know, the ceremony is mainly for show, and a way to boost morale for the citizens of Hyrule" the King continued. "As such, it was important for us to choose a Guardian for Zelda as soon as she became of age. The people have not had much to look forward to recently, especially with the recent famine striking harder on the lower classes.
"However, my daughter and I have reached a compromise in this matter." Link continued to stare at the King, refusing to acknowledge the Princess so far. "Zelda will agree to keep you her Guardian if you can pass her… tests, as she said." The King frowned. "I do not approve of her actions; I believe you to be more than qualified. However, in this, she would not be swayed."
At this the Princess could not hold her silence. "I believe it was you who said in the ceremony that you trusted my judgement, Father," she refuted. The King said nothing. Zelda turned towards Link. "There are two tests you must pass to gain my approval," she stated.
"Firstly, I have a diplomatic meeting to attend with the Gerudos in two days' time, and I have decided that the meeting will be held near the square where Din's Festival is to be held. No doubt the Gerudos will be happy to see their patron goddess celebrated as such."
As she was speaking, Link's eyes widened. Din's Festival was a huge event, drawing thousands of people, and she wanted the meeting there? It was a bodyguard's worst nightmare. Zelda saw, and smiled at Link's unease. "Yes, I realize that many people will be around us. I trust your skills will keep me unharmed, yes?"
Zelda continued without waiting for a response. "And secondly, I wish to… interrogate you." Link raised a questioning eyebrow. "Do not worry, it is nothing so severe as a military interrogation. I simply wish to know who you truly are beneath this façade of Lord Guardian." She narrowed her eyes. "If I find your character to be lacking, or treacherous, or if I have any reason to disapprove of you at all, you will be removed from your position." She gave a sweet smile after that. "Any questions?"
Link stood in silence for a moment, thinking. "With all due respect, I wish to be granted certain conditions for these tests," said Link. Zelda beckoned for him to continue. "For the first challenge, you must listen to my every instruction," Link stated. Zelda rose and spoke with indignation. "You wish to order the Princess of Hyrule around like some soldier in an ar- "
"As Lord Guardian, it is my duty to keep you unharmed," Link interrupted. "Though I cannot stop you from meeting with Gerudos in a crowded area, I can determine whether your immediate safety is at risk, and when we must evacuate." Link glared at the Princess. "Because of this, I request that, should I feel you are unsafe, you obey my every command until the threat has passed."
Zelda sat down, a bit miffed. She was used to only her Father disagreeing with her, and try as she might, she could not think of a counterargument against Link. "Very well," she grudgingly said. "I accept that condition."
Link let out a shaky breath. Halfway through. "Secondly, in this… interrogation… I wish to choose whether or not I want to answer the question."
Immediately Zelda began to shake her head. "Absolutely not. I would not be able to truly determine who you are otherwise."
Link begrudgingly agreed; he had hoped the Princess would grant him this condition so he could avoid answering questions about his past life, but that seemed inevitable. "Very well, your Highness" he saluted.
The King let out an annoyed huff. "Yes, well, now that THAT unpleasantness has been resolved, let us all sit down to lunch. I am starved."
Link moved to the side as the Princess and the King got up from their thrones. He followed them to the dining hall, a huge room that could easily seat one hundred others with its huge dining table. The King sat at the head of the table, with his daughter at his right. Link attempted to conceal himself in the shadows of the curtains that adorned the giant glass windows of the hall. His job as Lord Guardian was to remain unseen until needed after all.
The food was brought out, and servants began to tend to the King and Princess. Link stayed back; he'd planned on eating later, and it didn't seem proper to eat with the Royal Family in his position. He busied himself with profiling the servants attending Zelda first and foremost; which may be concealing a weapon, which may poison her food, bodyguard things.
"You are Sir Link?" Link turned to see a young man about his height addressing him. The man wore quite nice clothes, had glasses on, and carried several books underneath his arm. Presently he seemed determined not to meet Link's eyes, and busied himself cleaning his glasses. Link nodded in the affirmative.
"Just Link is fine. You are…?"
The man put on his glasses and finally met Link's eye. They were a deep blue, brimming with knowledge. "I am Shad. I am to be your assistant."
Shad saw Link's confusion written on his face, so he hurriedly elaborated. "That is to say, whatever business you need to attend to, whether it be gathering troops for a trip the Princess has planned, needing blueprints for a building, receiving the Princess' schedule ahead of time, needing new weapons, re-"
Link cut the man off from his rambling. "I get it, you assist me in business matters." Shad seemed rather abashed at his ramblings. "Yes sir- I mean Link- er…"
"Link is fine, Shad."
Shad simply nodded in the affirmative, a hesitant smile playing on his face. He adjusted his glasses. "Well, Link, do you have need of my assistance at the moment?"
Link nodded. "Actually, I do Shad." He began to list off his needs. "Firstly I require blueprints for the place where the Princess is to meet with the Gerudos in two days' time. I also require two lists of all A-class soldiers, one list for female soldiers, and the other for male soldiers. Lastly, each day I will require the Princess' schedule delivered to me, before she wakes up and prepares of course." Link turned back to look at Shad and saw him scribbling furiously in a notebook, writing down all of Link's commands. "And what time do you request the Princess' schedule?" Shad inquired.
"Leave her schedule today; I will manage without it. If possible, I would like her schedule for the next day on the night before, after the Princess has retired if possible."
Shad began to chew on his pencil, a habit he seemed to have developed. "That may not be possible every day, Link, but on days where it is, I shall send someone to deliver her schedule to you."
Link nodded, pleased. "Then, when it's not possible, just have someone deliver it to me around five in the morning; I'll be up at that time in front of the Princess' room." Shad nodded, and turned to leave.
"Hold on," Link said, remembering something. "If something needs to change, where can I find you?"
Shad turned around. "Oh, I often remain in the library. My office is in there, and I enjoy spending my spare time researching different topics of interest." He turned and waved good bye as he walked out the dining hall.
Link smiled to himself, and turned his attention back to the Royals, who, it seemed, had just finished their hor d'oeuvres. Shad seemed like a good person, and a good friend once the man lost his awkwardness around Link.
"Lord Guardian!" a voiced boomed from the table. Link moved from the shadows and stood next to the King, who was waving him over. He seemed in a much better mood than in the throne room.
"Yes your Majesty?" Link inquired.
"Please, have a seat, dine with us! Every Guardian beforehand has granted us their presence!"
Link raised an eyebrow in surprise, but listened to the King's request all the same. No one had shared this fact with him, that the Royal Family held the Guardians in such high regard. He unbuckled his sword from his side, but leaving it within arms' reach he took a seat on the King's left, directly across from the Princess. She seemed incredibly interested in the pattern of the table cloth. The tension in the air was so thick one could slice it clean through with a cleaver.
The King attempted conversation as the main course was being brought out. "So, Lord Guardian, Rauru was your father, was he? An admirable man, and a good friend of mine."
"Yes, your Majesty, but he wasn't my birth father. He was kind enough to take in me and my sister when we were orphans though."
The King nodded. Silence reigned as the food was being served. Link attempted to break the tension. "Um… your Majesty, no offense, but you can just call me Link. If it please you, sir!" Link let out a shaky breath and fought to not facepalm himself at this very moment; that was so awkward!
The King glanced at him with a strange look on his face, then burst out laughing. "HAH! The man of the hour doesn't want the title! Hah HAH!"
"N-No, it's nothing like that at all sir! It's just-"
"Hah, I'm only messing with you boy. You prefer to go by Link? Well then, no sirs and majesties around me when we're talking in private either! Just Daphnes will do just fine. Heh." He chuckled and extended his right arm for a handshake.
Link was quite shocked at how easily the King jumped from formality to conversation, but he too began to chuckle as well afterwards. "Heh, Daphnes it is then!" he said, and firmly shook the King's hand. It was like a grip of iron.
The conversation was broken as they all began to eat. Link prepared to dive right in; Cucco over rice. Link smiled maliciously; anything with Cucco in it was a good meal to him. But, he WAS in the presence of Royalty.
Link glanced up and saw Zelda eating her meal; daintily, eating in small bites and chewing it all slowly before taking another bite. Similarly, the King ate slowly, although he seemed to want to savor every bite he ate. Link clumsily began to eat as well; he resolved to educate himself immediately on proper table manners later.
Lunch was uneventful. The King soon rose afterwards and declared he was taking a long nap; it was Saturday, after all. The Princess looked at his receding back disapprovingly; she apparently did not like her Father's carefree manner in running this country. Link thought it was rather hilarious, though he was quick to hide his feelings. Zelda rose, and Link followed suit.
The rest of the day passed by in a haze of boredom, standing in her office and watching her sign papers, check one or two royal officials who were bringing even more paperwork, counting the number of tiles on the floor of Zelda's study multiple times (1000 exactly, interestingly), and generally trying to fulfill the role of Lord Guardian to the best of his ability.
It was late when Zelda decided she was done for the day, about eleven at night. Link escorted her back to her room, and decided to switch the guards out with a new rotation; he wanted to make sure the soldiers were truly awake. As he stood outside and leaned against the wall, waiting for the new soldiers to come take his place, he saw Zelda was still standing outside her room, staring at him.
Link didn't say a word, just stared back, waiting for her to break the silence. He didn't mind the silence itself, though he found that others try to break a perceived awkwardness in the air by speaking. Plus, there must be a reason Zelda was not retiring just yet. Her reason, so she had to say something first.
"… I hope lunch was enjoyable for you, Sir Link."
"It was. Thank you, your Highness."
"It is a pity that I had to take dinner within my study. You didn't receive anything, did you, Sir Link?"
"I instructed the servants not to bring me anything your Highness. Eating with one hand makes it difficult to hold a sword and shield should a danger arise."
Zelda raised an eyebrow. "You take your job that seriously, Sir Link?"
Link nodded. "This is the greatest honor I have been given, and I intend to surpass the duties placed upon my shoulders."
Zelda stared at him. "But that is not why you have taken this role, is it Sir Link? You must have another motive as well, not just a desire to protect the Princess?"
Link didn't answer. "Didn't know we were having my interrogation right now, Highness." Immediately Link winced; that sounded much worse out loud.
Zelda turned and opened her door in annoyance. "Wait," said Link. She turned back. Link struggled to say something. "I didn't mean it like that, your Highness. That was rude of me, and I apologize. It's been a long day for the both of us." He exhaled heavily; that sounded good.
Zelda softened her gaze. "Indeed it has, Sir Link." She turned to enter, but heard Link say something. She glanced back. "Beg your pardon?"
"I said: just Link is fine, your Highness."
She turned around completely. Link thought she seemed to be struggling with what to say. After what seemed like an eternity of standing, she nodded and smiled to him before shutting her door.
It took several more minutes for the soldiers to arrive, and once they did, Link told them to wake him up when their shift changed, in seven hours. He hurried to his room, changed into his pajamas, inhaled a few sandwiches he had kept stored for dinner, and flopped onto his bed. His royal armor was still strewn on the floor, but he didn't have the will to pick it up. He simply fell into a deep sleep.
A/N: First off, thanks for the reviews on my first story.
a. marsh55- Thanks, I hope it develops into a good story as well!
Guest 1- Thanks for the congrats, and I hope you continue to enjoy!
Guest 2- Thanks for the words of encouragement!
Seriously, the reviews mean a lot to me, really give me motivation. I'm so excited people are actually reading this! Puts the pressure on tho haha.
This chapter was really plot heavy, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to establish the setting and the conflict that will happen later on. I hope my writing is enjoyable to read, because otherwise these things can get really boring. Hopefully next chapter we can see how Link deals with Zelda's meeting with the Gerudos.