Chapter 12: Resentment

Zelda rode through the night and until noon the next day before finally reaching the Ancient Columns. Like Purah's message had promised, there was another of the cone-shaped shrines, sitting there as if awaiting her arrival.

She walked around it for a few minutes, before going back to the front to examine it more closely.

That's when she noticed the strange pedestal. The one by the docks in Hyrule Castle was half buried, hiding this half of the structure.

"I wonder…" Zelda pulled the Sheikah slate off of her belt, holding it over the engraved eye and teardrop on the pedestal.

Nothing. She looked around the pedestal and found not a single gear. Nothing.

She tried again to hold the slate to the stone, but…

"Nothing. Just as I thought." Zelda glanced at the door of the structure. "Hmm…"

That's when she remembered a story told to her about the hero of ten thousand years ago. "It could be possible that this is one of the structures that were designed to be exclusively accessed by the sword's chosen one."

Hah. Like she would let that knight touch the one thing that she was good with. And if he was the one to open the shrine… well. There goes any doubts about the perfect knight.

Zelda glared at the pedestal. "But designs can be worked around." At least, I hope.

Zelda turned back to the door and gazed longingly. "How do I get inside…? I need to activate it somehow." She mumbled.

That's when she heard a whinny.

The princess turned to see the knight, Sir Link, galloping forward on his brown and white steed.

Zelda gripped the slate tightly. Tailing me, are you?

Sir Link dismounted and jogged toward her, not looking the least bit out of breath.

Zelda stepped toward the knight angrily. "I thought I made it clear I am not in need of an escort."

Silence from the knight, as always. Like he was silently judging her- As usual.

"It seems I'm the only one with a mind of my own." Zelda huffed, placing her hands on her hips, glaring at the knight all the while. "I," She held a hand to her chest. "-The person in question, am fine! Regardless of the king's orders."

Absolutely nothing from that blank faced knight! Why couldn't he just look guilty, or relieved, or triumphant, or whatever it was that was going on inside of that head of his?

It reminded Zelda of Impa, but more quiet. Impa was blank faced most of the time, but she still spoke normally. Sir Link, however, was completely silent!

"Return to the castle." Zelda said finally, walking past the knight. "And tell that to my father, please."

When she heard continued footsteps, she whirled around with a glare. "And stop following me!" She yelled. Anyone would've been better than you, you faceless hero!

To Zelda's surprise, the knight replied. "I apologize, Princess, but if I did so they would surely have my head, Hylian Champion or not."

He said this so calmly, and so surely, that Zelda almost believed it herself. Then she blinked and shook her head. "Ridiculous. Without you, the entire kingdom is doomed."

She expected the knight to go back to his silence, but instead he shook his head. "The same is true for you, Your Highness, but in a different way." He said emotionlessly, but his face had hardened slightly. "I am merely a weapon. Your people need you as a leader, not simply as a way to seal the Calamity."

Zelda narrowed her eyes. "Without my powers, there will be no kingdom to lead! None look to me as a leader, only as a foolish failure that can't unlock the power that is her birth right! They all despise me!"

Zelda saw slight hesitation on the knight's face, but then he spoke. "There is not a single soul I know of that despises you, Your Highness."

"You... you liar!" Zelda shouted, not controlling the words that tumbled out of her mouth. "You're one to talk, considering that you despise me the most!" Like my father, and the other knights, and everyone...

Zelda did not give the knight an opportunity to speak, instead stomping towards her horse and mounting surprisingly quickly. The stubborn horse huffed as she came to rest on the saddle.

"I will be going to Gerudo Desert." Zelda huffed. "I order you not to stop me."

Zelda kicked the steed into a canter, which was the fastest she could make the steed go without much yelling.

Link stared at the white speck that was traveling away. Well, he mused. At least it wasn't worse. Now they will assume we left for Gerudo Desert instead of the princess running off. Now I won't be in much trouble… maybe.

Link mounted Epona, who huffed at him. "We will be traveling a short distance behind the princess. She needs a bit of space right now."

Link understood the feeling of needing space. He felt it every time he walked into a room. He did better when he was alone, as it the only time he could really show his true colors. The second best was with Liari, also alone otherwise. He could smile and joke around her, but he knew he had to distance himself from her, as well. He could see the worry in her eyes every time she looked at him.

Even his own sister was beginning to lose faith in him.

"Master Link," Fi said emotionlessly. "How long are you going to stand there?"

"Oh, right." Link sighed before he set Epona into motion at a slight trot, to ensure they did not get too close to the princess. "My apologies."

Link could only hope the princess could find it in her heart to believe him. For he truly wished that she did not beat herself up. Unlike him, she was dedicated and (most of the time) kind. Link would be fine with the princess taking out her anger and frustration on him, if she so desired.

After all, someone like him deserved it.

THE LONG AWAITED "RESENTMENT" MEMORY! Or at least I like to think so. Maybe. Probably? I don't know. I'm just confusing myself.

Tell me if I should change anything- seriously, anything. Like replacing a word with another that would make more sense. ANYTHING! If I think it's a good idea, I will totally do it.

Replies! (Remember: Review about whatever you want! Suggestions, constructive criticism, speculations, a "good job, Ari," whatever! I read and reply to all of them!)

SmokeyMirrors: Sorry about the wait. I've been getting slower with chapters lately. Like I said before, any suggestions are absolutely welcome. Although I do have some of the story finished, it is kind of amusing to see people speculate. It also helps me know what they are expecting, so that I can surprise them and make it really similar, or completely flip it and shock them like Fi did to get Link to fall asleep. After all, where's the fun in making the story boring and predictable?

Currently, we've got 25 reviews (56% of which being from SmokeyMirrors), 2,337 views, 9 favorites, and 18 follows! Thank you! It's great to know that people have been enjoying this!

Psst... Go read "Red Sky at Night." It's about pre-BoTW (like this), but the author isn't completely crazy like I am. And it's seriously underrated! Go check it out!

Have a nice day!

-Ari