Chapter 9: Beneath the Surface

Images. So many images. They flew through his mind, each one causing him to wince.

A cloaked figure, holding a bloodied sickle. The scarlet liquid dripped from the curved blade...

A little boy, crying over a lump on the ground.

The figure approached the boy, and he looked up at them with tears pouring from his eyes like rain from a stormy, dull blue sky.

Please… no…

The figure raised the sickle…

Link gasped awake, bolting upward. How did I fall asleep?

Then the memories of the previous night flooded back to him. Oh no…

"Fi!" Link yelled, glaring at the sword.

The blade glowed innocently, as if having not a clue what was the matter."What is it, Master Link?" Fi chimed.

"What did you…" Link glanced around the camp, realizing that something was wrong. "Fi?"

"Yes, Master Link?" Fi asked.

"Where is the princess?" Link asked quietly.

Fi was silent for a moment. "Ah, yes." Fi finally replied. "She went off. It appears that one of these 'shrine' structures was found by the Ancient Columns."

Link felt frustration bubbling up inside of him. Then he realized he was supposed to be blank-faced, and took in a deep breath. "Fi, you do realize that my job is to watch the princess."

"Her Grace Zelda, yes." Fi said. "The one with my creator's blood."

"Explain this to me." Link said slowly. He took a deep breath. "Why," Link paused, thinking of the best way to phrase it. "...Didn't you wake me up when you realized she had left?"

"I am incapable of waking you." Fi replied. "I attempted to do so, but it appears that I have lost that ability over time."

"Yet you can still shock-" Link stopped himself and drew in a deep breath. Blank. Emotionless. Bury those feelings ten feet underground, then cover it with rocks.

Think of rain drops. The patter of it upon leaves. The plop upon the rocky ground.

Link took another deep breath.

"We will discuss this later." Link said calmly. He whistled, and Epona came running with a whinny.

Link packed the remaining supplies onto his loyal steed, before mounting and nudging her into a gallop.

The princess is not skilled enough with riding at a gallop, at least not for long periods of time. Link thought. That, and her horse kind of… hates her. As rude and disrespectful as it is to say it, that should be helpful for me.

And on he rode. Epona, being the strong, speedy, and loyal steed she was, could easily outrun the princess's horse. That, and the fact that she couldn't gallop for long periods of time, Link could possibly even reach her before she got to the shrine.

But then again, he had to take into account the fact that she had… how many hours' head start?

"Approximately three and five eighths hours." Fi replied helpfully.

"Great." Link mumbled. Epona whinnied and sped up, sensing her master's hidden frustration. Just wonderful. All because I let my own weapon knock me out.

"Master Link, it could have been quite worse." Fi said emotionlessly. "If you went on much longer with a lack of sleep, as well as your supposed solution to lack of faith, the consequences would have been disastrous."

Yet reliving the same nightmare every time I sleep is much better? Link hardened his gaze. No. Perhaps that is stupid. A real hero wouldn't avoid sleep because of a silly little nightmare or two.

And a real knight would not have let the person they were charged to protect escape in the middle of the night, now, would they?

My father would be ashamed of me, wouldn't he?

And what about my mother? What would she have said?

What if the princess was attacked by those assassins, and killed, all because of my silly little failure?

And the princess clearly despises me. Why else would she run away in the middle of the night?

She's probably still angry about the guardian. I'll admit, I'm still regretting that. With that thought, he felt a twinge of pain in his forearm.

Though who doesn't hate me? I am trying! I'm trying not to look like a helpless little boy! I'm trying not to look like I have no idea what to do!

Link closed his eyes and listened to the clop of Epona's hooves. I'm being so dramatic. Would a real hero complain like this?

Just more proof of my failure. I'm a horrible person.

Zelda continued riding through the morning, but Storm had eventually slowed to a canter (after stopping, and Zelda yelling a lot).

It was about noon when she was passing the castle, and she heard fierce galloping come up from behind her.

Zelda pulled the stubborn horse to a stop and steered it around, only to see the last person she had expected.

The brown horse pulled to a stop in front of her, its rider blank as ever.

"I am not in need of an escort." Zelda said firmly. "I'll be fine on my own."

To Zelda's surprise, Sir Link responded. "You should at least get permission." He nodded his head towards the castle, which was the biggest gesture he'd ever made other than a nod or shake of his head.

Actually, now that Zelda thought about it, he had rarely, or never, shaken his head. In fact, he had never challenged anything she had ever said.

So what? Zelda's brain told her. He still hates you. Denying or disobeying anything the royal family says is treason, so of course he'd oblige.

Zelda narrowed her eyes. "No. You can go back to the castle at report to them my location."

Sir Link shook his head. Hah! There you go! Disobeying the words of the princess! Proof of your arrogance!

"I apologize, Princess, but that would be against my orders." The knight said calmly.

"And what would those orders be, exactly?" Zelda asked with frustration.

The knight looked at her a moment with eyes of piercing blue before replying with what sounded like a quote. "'You are to go to Goron City, Sir Link, and return immediately. If there is one scratch on the princess, or you are to go one step off track, then-'" The knight cut himself off by clearing his throat.

Zelda thought she saw some emotion flash through his eyes, but it was too quick to identify.

Wow. Zelda thought, impressed. How could one remember someone's words so well that they could quote it without a moment's notice?

Zelda shook off the thought. Not important. "Was there more to that conversation, then?" She quizzed.

Sir Link, once again, shook his head. "That is not important, Princess. However, we must return to the castle."

Zelda narrowed her eyes. The knight and champion was hiding something. But perhaps, if she went back to the castle, she could sneak out again to see the shrine. This week Purah and Robbie were visiting Kakariko Village. If Zelda remembered right, they were retrieving Lady Impa. So, unfortunately, she probably would not be allowed to see the shrine until then if she did not.

"Very well, then." Zelda huffed.

Zelda was surprised to see a small hint of, well, surprise on Sir Link's face, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come.

She turned Storm's reins to signal to turn, who gave a huff and refused.

"Come on!" She growled, ignoring the knight. "Move, already!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw the knight bite his lip, but when she glanced at him she saw nothing but his ever blank stare.

Zelda finally turned the stubborn horse towards the castle.

Sir Link is hiding something.

And I'm going to find out what.

As always, she could feel his stare burning into her back. Constantly judging her every move. He probably thinks I'm a spoiled child who has never done a thing for myself. My failure to awaken my power is only proving that to others.

Does he understand?! No! No one does! Who else could possibly be carrying the fate of the world on their shoulders, yet know that it's all their fault that the world is doomed?

That knight… not just him, but all of the other champions… They are all prepared and ready for the Calamity to come. They will fight with their all.

Yet despite what I will do, will I simply sit back? Without my sealing powers, they'll all fight for nothing. In the end, everyone will die because of me.

Link watched as the princess rode ahead. He was surprised the stubborn princess had obliged so easily.

'If there is one scratch on the princess, or you are to go one step off track, then I will personally see to it that you are beaten until you get some sense into of that simple brain of yours!'

'Yes, sir.' Link had replied blankly.

Hopefully the captain doesn't hear of this.

Link knew that it was too much to hope. The captain would hear of it at one point. Perhaps it would be better for him to hear of it sooner, so that he didn't accuse Link of hiding things. After all, if he did, then all the more odds of getting a harsher punishment.

If I go one step out of line, I will be punished. Link recited. A knight does not fail. A knight does not show weakness. A knight follows the orders he is given, no matter what the circumstances.

And of course, the classic A knight is a weapon, nothing more. Opinions mean nothing. Simply do as asked.

Oof. Poor Zellie. Poor Link.

So I am putting off that "Resentment" memory. So? I have plans!

We get a few hints of Link's past. And his present, too. No wonder he's a bit messed up.

More of Zelda's POV. I need to do more of hers. Some of her own insecurities, but she's also getting suspicious. Even I don't know what Link is hiding! Well, actually, I do, but whatever.

REPLIES!

SmokeyMirrors: Huh. I actually finished this chapter before I read your comment. You are really good at predicting stuff. There's your nightmare. But I can't explain it, now, can I? And we also have discovered a root to Link's low self esteem! Yay! Fi is incapable of feeling emotion, so I suppose she doesn't understand that the nightmares could make him retreat further. Link is really patient, too. I would kill for patience like that! Well, not really. Maybe something small, like a carrot? Another review mentioning an AU! Well, I will think about it. Having the champions survive, and Link only asleep for like, 2-5 years sounds like a good idea! I'll have to think about it, though, so feel free to give more suggestions!

Thanks y'all. That's about it. I've had 1,395 views! Wow! I hope that you guys are enjoying this! I might not update tomorrow, but I don't know. I've updated every day so far! Feel free to give me ideas for the story!