Chapter 4: Cool Safflina

Zelda had walked around the Divine Beast (Revali had landed it so that she could board) until about noon. Then Revali had landed it again, and brought her to her knight. Sir Link had had the horses ready (they seemed strangely content), as well as their provisions for the trip back to the castle.

Sir Link was completely silent, leaving Zelda completely bored out of her mind. She'd probably be far more interested if she was allowed to stop and look at all these plants. She could collect them, and possibly experiment with their different effects.

That's when Zelda got an idea. She stopped her horse and turned to look at the knight.

His eyes were narrowed and his ears nearly twitching.

"Sir Link, there is nothing to worry about." Zelda said calmly. "I simply wanted to collect some of these specimens for an experiment." She dismounted her horse and looked around the ground.

Here's some… what is this one called? I haven't seen it before.

Zelda picked a few stems of the purple flowered plant. She examined it, trying to remember which book she had seen it in.

She turned her head when she heard the knight grunt something right beside her. "What was that? I'm afraid I didn't hear you."

The knight cleared his throat. "Cool Safflina." He repeated before becoming silent again.

Does he have Sheikah training? Zelda thought, a bit downcast. He's completely silent, even in his movement. I didn't hear him dismount.

Zelda shook it off. Now wasn't a good time. Cool Safflina? "I'm sorry, but I believe I don't remember hearing of it before.

The knight turned to her again. "It's rarer, and only found in the mountains of Hebra and the Gerudo Desert." He answered.

Zelda nodded and looked back at the plant in her hands. "Do you know of the effects it has in elixirs?"

"Cooling." The knight grunted.

Zelda's demeanor brightened. "So I can use this for the trip to Death Mountain! Though I'm sure that they will already have some for use."

Zelda scooped it into her bag, before turning to her knight. "How is it that you know so much about these herbs?"

Unfortunately for her, Sir Link had reverted back to silence and had mounted his brown steed. Zelda sighed and mounted her own horse, who huffed as she came to rest on its back. "Oh, calm down." She mumbled.

It wasn't quite so long before they were back to camping. Sir Link got the fire started quite quickly while Zelda unrolled her sleeping mat. They ate (the knight eating very little, as usual), cleaned up, and then went to bed.

Zelda was trying to fall asleep- really, she was- but there were too many thoughts going through her head. Why was Sir Link so quiet? How did he have knowledge of herbs that extended her own?

After lying awake for… a while, deep in thoughts, she heard a voice.

"...We discussed this already." Zelda blinked. Wasn't that the hero's voice? She rolled over to see Sir Link sitting cross-legged across from her, facing away (That's convenient, she thought), the Master Sword across his lap. Unlike the other times she had seen it, however, a gentle blue glow licked the blade.

Zelda nearly leapt up with a start as she heard a ringing. Then she realized that it was the sword.

"I understand that, Fi." Fi? Sir Link sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Since when did he do that? Or talk? "But I already told you- it is better for one to suffer than a kingdom to perish."

The ring came again, but now that Zelda was more prepared, it was more of a sweet chime.

"The princess?" As his head began to turn, Zelda quickly closed her eyes and did her best to pretend to be asleep. The chime came again, and Zelda could imagine the pulsing of the sword.

"...You already know how I feel about her." The knight said quietly.

Zelda didn't bother to questions any further meaning of his words. Instead, red hot rage bubbled through Zelda like boiling water. So he did think the same as everyone else! I was right all along.

But they're right. They all are. Zelda felt tears burning at the corners of her eyes. I really am nothing but a failure, aren't I?

The rest of the ride back to the castle was silent. Zelda didn't bother trying to fill it, as she usually tried. She simply rode her horse, in silence, until a thought came to her mind.

"There are many legends about the Master Sword." Zelda said suddenly. "It even has many names- the Blade of Evil's Bane; the Sword that Seals the Darkness; the Legendary Sword; the Sacred Sword..."

Zelda heard the knight grunt in response.

"Though I'm sure you would know all about that." Zelda added. "However, I must say I am curious. You see, some legends say that an ancient voice resonates inside it."

No response. Was she getting to him? But of course not- his head was too big to see a challenge practically slapping him in the face.

"Can you hear it yet...hero?" Zelda finished, but instead of the usual respect of using the word 'hero,' she had managed to voice a somewhat subtle resentment within the word.

"It depends, Your Highness." Zelda blinked and turned her head around to see the knight's face as blank as ever, but slightly hardened. "I expect you've heard that, as legend says, the voice you speak of began sleeping within the blade long ago."

That was… the new longest sentence he had spoken to her. "Yes, I suppose I have." Zelda admitted. "However, you must also bring the theories to question- some say the spirit spoke to the Hero and Princess of ten thousand years ago."

Sir Link was back to complete silence. Really! One minute you are basically spewing words out of your mouth, then the next you are completely silent!

Zelda turned back to face the front of her with a sigh. At least she could talk to Purah when she got back to the castle. She actually spoke her mind!

Slight play on the "Resolve and Grief" memory, but I thought the location didn't exactly make much sense. I also changed it up a bit more, as Zelda doesn't seem like she would really talk to Link like she does in the beginning of that memory. But I don't know. If you don't like it, that's okay! Tell me what you believe would be a better approach! I think it needs to be longer anyway! Way longer! This is seriously short!

Replies:

Austin Shroyer: I will assume that is a good thing :b

SmokeyMirrors: Yeah. I actually thought it was kind of humorous at the same time! I thought it was funny that on the outside, Link looks like this really serious warrior dude, when on the inside he's ridiculously hilarious. But at the same time, it makes me feel really bad for writing him as someone so stressed. When one writes, the characters are like children. Poor Link indeed! Good input! I had completely forgotten about how he got the Master Sword, but now that you have mentioned it, I have some fun ideas. I'm glad you like it!

Holy Hylia! I've had 421 views 143 visitors! Wow! I only have like, five chapters, and they're all really short! I hope that all of you people like this! Do review, and if there's anything you don't like, don't hesitate to tell me!