The rain was coming down as heavily as the thoughts within the rider's mind. Behind him lay the shelter of Faron Woods and as he rode on, he and his mount exposed to the growing winds and falling rain. Link urged Epona on through the approaching storm, her hooves splashing through puddles littering the path as her master kept the mare at a swift though steady pace. Squinting against the strengthening wind, Link kept his heading on a northerly route, directed for Castle Town's South Gate and main entrance. If it hadn't been raining like it was, he would have preferred entering the usually bustling town from the West Gate, which is where the stables were located. Shelter was Link's main priority because him riding out in the middle of a vast field during a lightning storm was far from smart. Kicking Epona into a slow gallop, he directed her towards the border of rock that marked the northern edge of the field.
It was Link's own fault that he and his mount were caught out in the storm, for he had taken too long getting out of Faron Woods and the storm had come in quicker than he had anticipated. After his final meeting with the Hero's Shade, Link had just stood there in the Sacred Grove for a good fifteen minutes, letting the falling rain to soak his tunic, while he sorted through his thoughts and tried to collect himself from the surprisingly emotional ordeal. He went over all of what the Hero of Time had told him, his story and his advice, yet Link struggled to make sense of most of it. The whole time-travelling and being-forgotten-about-completely stuff were difficult concepts to comprehend and the knight's final piece of advice about love and truth had rattled Link. The thought that he might never see the Hero of Time again made Link considerably sad and the ache in his chest felt similar to when he had lost his parents. Funny how things work out like that, how you don't realize what you have until it's gone, and Link knew that he would miss his mentor greatly. When he finally decided to leave the ruins, the Hylian weighed the Shade's words of love and tested them to see if they applied to his situation with Ilia.
Technically, he had told her that he loved her, just not to the extent that she seemed to feel for him and if he was truly honest with himself, Link knew that he loved Ilia as a dear friend. Climbing out of the Sacred Grove and making his way down the forested path back towards the Deep Gorge, Link frowned when he recalled the expression of heartache and loss that he had seen on the Hero of Time's face when the knight mentioned his love that never was meant to be. What stories the Hero of Time could tell, if only there had been time for Link to hear them all, to get to know his spiritual ancestor even more and to know what he had experienced. Walking, Link silently hoped that he would never have to experience that sort of heartache, such feelings of loss from not being recognized for his achievements, forgotten, and unrequited love. Actually, if was difficult for the eighteen-year-old to think of any woman that he could get so close to that would understand what he had been through and with whom he could relate with being a hero. Besides Ilia, who else in Hyrule was there? Link didn't want to think himself as choosy or biased or anything but… Most men his age were already married or at least courting a girl, yet here Link was considering a life without love simply due to the fact that he was a hero and perhaps that meant a life of being alone.
"Ugh! Stop thinking about it!" he exclaimed in a huff, shaking his head and picking up his pace. Now was not the time to be thinking of such things.
Link had more important things to think about than love or girls or anything of the sort, like getting back to his horse and getting back on the road. Thunder rumbled in the distance just as the hero reached the Deep Gorge and the rain was becoming heavier. He still had to make his way back through Faron Swamp and the cave. By the time Link finally jogged out from the entrance of the cave, he found Epona restlessly stomping her hooves, shaking her head, and standing beneath a nearby tree to escape the increasing downpour.
"Hey, girl, sorry for being late…" Link muttered, coming up to the mare and greeted her with a kiss to her nose.
Mounting quickly, Link took the reins and nudged the horse into motion and she took off into an eager trot, obviously wanting to get moving having picked up her rider's sense of excitement to travel. If he actually thought about it, Link hadn't been gone for that long because, even though he had probably been with the Hero's Shade for a few hours, with their talking and training, being in the Ghostly Ether was different than the real world.
"Like no time passed at all…"
Frowning at his own words and recalling the entire Hero of Time's story, the young man shivered at the realization that their training sessions had always been instantaneous in relation to time in Hyrule. For example, Midna had never said anything to Link about him disappearing, only that he fainted like a girl sometimes but that was it. Even if she had asked, Link always found that if he wanted to talk to her about the Hero's Shade, his words always stuck and a voice always told him to remain quiet, as if his training sessions with the ancient knight were to remain a secret. Even so, he had still dawdled in returning and with a storm on its way and him still not having a clear idea as to where he was headed, Link mentally kicked himself and had no one to blame for becoming soaked but himself.
Castle Town as a destination just sort of seemed the most logical. It was the closest and first place Link thought of as he left Faron Province, hence his current course. Making his way down the trail, walls of rock on either side of him, Link allowed Epona to find her own footing and didn't want to push her too fast in case she slipped in the mud. The silver lining of being caught in the storm was with the rain came fog and haze, which aided in cloaking Link from any monsters from seeing him; though, with how he was feeling lobbing off a few Bulblin heads might make him feel better. The low cloud cover also had blocked his view of Hyrule Castle even when he first had entered Hyrule Field and perhaps that was for the best. The Hylian man just felt low and was deep within his thoughts, though however he was feeling was by far better than how he was back in Ordon. In a sense, the grey, rainy weather matched his mood pretty well.
During his final battle against the evil king, Ganondorf, Link had been in the eastern portion of Hyrule Field, upon Epona and with Princess Zelda, having being transported there from the castle by Midna for their own safety. He and the princess watched as a grand explosion erupted from the throne room of the castle. When Ganondorf himself appeared following the explosion upon a black steed, Midna had seemingly been defeated and Link thought her dead and the castle completely destroyed. It happened to be that he was wrong on both accounts: Midna turned out to be fine and was once again in her original form, as a rather attractive and tall princess since Ganondorf was defeated himself, and the castle had remained standing, though had suffered major damages. Link knew that when he had left Hyrule Town five months ago, Zelda had already begun discussions with masons and Gorons to begin construction on the castle but because of the rain, Link wouldn't be able to see their progress until he actually entered the town.
Rounding the last corner, Link was suddenly faced with the grandeur of the main stairs and wall front of Castle Town nestled on the other side of the castle's moat. Nimbly, Link directed his horse up the ramps before dismounting, to lead her across the drawbridge. The two heavyset doors of the South Gate were closed but upon his arrival, a lone soldier appeared and opened a side to allow Link and his horse to quickly enter the town. Nodding his thanks at the man, Link wasted no time to lead his mare down the empty streets. Lining the streets Link could make out the light from within windows, glimpse the shadow of a person moving within, and the swirling rush of the rainwater pouring off the roofs of houses blocked out any sounds of the citizens within. The rain and storm had coaxed all of the inhabitants of the town indoors, which meant that Link didn't have to worry about people getting in his way and had a smooth journey to the west end and to the stables.
The stable master happened to see Link approaching and was opening the stable doors in anticipation.
"Good evening, sir! Fine weather we havin', eh?"
"Yeah, it's lovely," Link replied with a small smile, indulging in the man's small talk.
"Ah, that's a fine mare you have there. How old would she be? Five?"
"Almost, yeah," Link replied, leading Epona into the stables after the stout man with his large moustache. On his left, Ordon goats bleated leisurely, unaffected by the rain, but Link quickly looked away from them, not wanting such an evident reminder of his village after having just left it.
"Here, ya' be!" the man exclaimed, stopping before an empty stall. Whistling, the man hollowed out a name that Link didn't catch while he led Epona in and after a moment or two, a young stable boy appeared.
"Ervick here will fetch your mare hay and give her a good rub down. How long were you planning on holding up here in town?"
"Ah, just for the night at the moment," Link replied after a second of thought. "But if you could make sure she's well taken care of, I'll pay extra if need."
"Oh, lad, that won't be necessary! I'll make sure that she's be taken care of, don't you worry about that!"
The man chuckled deeply and Link couldn't help but give him a thankful grin; it was nice to see some decent people for a change who didn't start drooling at the thought of some extra rupees. Hyrule was still in a bad way, even with the evil having been vanquished, and in such hard times trickery, thievery, and deceit usually flourished. Sure enough though, the boy Ervick arrived with a pitchfork full of hay that he emptied into a corner of the stall. Link smiled at the boy who started to help him unfasten Epona's saddle.
The man raised a brow as he looked over Link and the Hylian couldn't ignore that the stable master paid extra attention to the Master Sword.
"Sir, if you don't me asking, but what might be your name?"
Link, feeling suddenly on the spot, hesitated in handing over Epona's wet saddle to the boy before clearing his throat to say, "Link. Yours?"
"Ardi," the man replied, blinking upon hearing Link's name, before shaking his head as if to dismiss something.
"Is something the matter?"
"Oh, no. Sorry sir. Just thought for a moment that you were someone else."
Confused, Link just let that one slide and paid the stable master the rupees for the night, handing Ervick a blue one to ensure that Epona was indeed taken care of, before he collected his things from his saddlebags in a sack that he hauled over his shoulder. Thanking Ardi again, Link went towards the door only to pause. Where should he go? He could try the inn but stepping out into the rain, Link found himself following the roads until he descended a couple flights of stairs. The growing sounds of boisterous voices grew louder once the teen stepped from the stairs and headed towards a door, finally becoming sheltered from the rain. He was soaked but, knowing from experience, Link knew that in no time at all his Hero's Clothes would be dry: sometimes magic came in handy!
Adjusting his sack, Link pulled open the door and entered the establishment, met immediately with the sounds of laughter, clinking glass, and music. Closing the door behind him, Link looked around the bar until he set eyes upon a familiar figure and walking forward, he found a stool at the bar and set his sack down in front of his feet.
The bartender, busy with another patron, came over to Link after a couple of seconds and without looking at him at first, she said, "What can I get you…?"
Link smiled when the woman trailed to a stop before he jumped when she suddenly shrieked with delight and came around the bar with her arms wide. Slightly terrified, Link leaned away but was unable to escape the woman's strong arms and much to his growing blush, found himself very close to her large bosom as she hugged the breath from him. Link didn't even want to think about how many people were watching, probably jealous about having not received such a glorious hug.
"Oh, Link! Honey, honey, it is great to see your handsome face around here again! My, my… if folks around here found out….Mm! It is sure good to see you!"
Finally Telma released him and Link sucked in a breath and coughed, smiling with his face a deep shade of red and while he wanted to ask her what she meant by being 'found out,' he was too preoccupied with catching his breath to ask. Other patrons were indeed glancing in his direction but soon returned to their drinks and behind the bar a man whom Link had never seen before had taken over Telma's orders. Crossing her arms, Telma took her time to look Link over, slightly shaking her head with an expression that Link thought meant that she approved of what she saw. "My, my… What brings a hero like yourself back to Castle Town? The last time I saw your good-looking figure, you were hightailing into the sunset, back to your quiet life as what, a farmer?"
"Rancher actually," Link corrected, fixing his now-dry hat, "But I've decided to not be one."
"I see, a hero 'til the end, hm?" Telma said with a nod and sly smile, coming around the bar once again and poured an amber coloured, frothy liquid into a mug and set it before him. "There you are, honey! On the house for the Saviour of Hyrule!"
Link smiled shyly at the woman's generosity and flirtatious wink, glancing around in case anyone had heard that because he really didn't want that attention right now. He indeed took the mug and sipped the sweet-tasting mead. Link had yet to actually get drunk, only having in the past a few drinks with Rusl on the odd occasion but he had been too young to actually indulge. The way he was feeling right now, feeling guilty about Ilia, missing Midna and now the Hero's Shade, getting drunk didn't seem that bad of an idea because that's what people did, right? Drink away their sorrows? Licking his lips, Link set down the mug while he asked, "So, Telma, tell me. What's the latest news?"
"Oh, where to begin," Telma said with a sigh, grabbing a rag to wipe out mugs. Taking a moment to think, she looked at him only to smirk. "You've been missing quite the party! I told you months ago that you should've stayed around for the Queen's coronation because I tell ya', honey! It was one hell of a celebration! Packed bar every night for two weeks straight! I was so busy that I had to hire Karan here to help me out because as much as I can handle, I even found it to be overwhelming! And you should hear the songs they're singing of your exploits! I have to say that my personal favourite is the Warrior of the Wood!"
Chuckling, Telma glanced over at the loud party to Link's right where a group of soldiers occupied the back table who were laughing, though not as loud, but still looking as though they were enjoying themselves. "Yes and you should have seen the Queen when she was coronated, the poor thing. All dressed up and as beautiful as any of the goddesses but anyone could see how sad she was even though she smiled for the crowd, well I could anyway, and I think it hasn't much improved over the past months. Understandable, really, because you'd have to be dumb and ignorant to not understand the amount of stress the poor girl must be under."
"What do you mean?" Setting down his mug, Link gave Telma a questioning look, concern evident in his expression.
Link did not know the Queen well, only meeting her a few times and the majority of those he had been a wolf. Still, she and him had fought Ganondorf together and Zelda had even saved them both, so of course he was concerned.
Telma, raising a brow at him, leaned upon the counter and said in a lower tone, "Ever since you left, the Queen has been busy with various projects: the restoration of the castle, building up her guard, delegations, and probably twenty other things. She's been very active, helping as much as she can, but honey, I have not seen that poor girl smile once in the last year and she used to be such a happy child. Okay, well she smiles, but I as a woman know what it looks like to hide your true feelings, and the Queen Zelda is hurting. I mean, we are living in hard times with so much death and destruction hanging over our heads, but our queen I'm sure must be feeling the brunt of it."
Link furrowed his brow a bit lower but didn't say anything, allowing Telma to continue.
Leaning closer, the bar owner looked Link in the eye and said, "How much do you know of the Royal Family, honey, or about the Queen? I know you saved her but do you really know her? I can only imagine that farmers don't pay that much attention to royalty, hm?"
Link, blinking as to why Telma was acting all mysterious, shrugged and looking down at his mug he said, "Well, I guess I know only as much as any other normal person would. That her mother died around the time I was born about eighteen years ago and I had heard about the king's death last year, I mean who hasn't? He was the king after all. But, aside from when I was supposed to deliver a sword as tribute to her coronation, I guess I don't know much at all about Queen Zelda."
That was right. The Ordon Sword that Rusl had asked Link to deliver to Hyrule Castle months ago was supposed to be a tribute to the Princess Zelda's coronation, but then the monster's attacked because the Twilight has descended upon Hyrule, everything had changed. The castle had been attacked first, as Zelda herself had once told to Link, and it all had happened only a few days before her coronation. Thinking about it now, if Link had left a day earlier to deliver the sword, he might have been caught up in the attack on the castle and who knows how things would have turned out because of that? Would he still have become the Hero Chosen by the Gods? Well, probably, but all his friends would have been kidnapped without his knowing and... Link shook his head and cast away the innumerable possibilities.
Telma, nodding, shrugged and returned to cleaning her mugs. "Ah, yes, poor Queen Adelheide, Zelda's mother. I remember that day quite well, the poor little princess. She must have been around two at the time? Yes, and she didn't cry once you know, during the funeral, just watched the entire thing with the saddest expression I have ever seen on a child. No child should ever be that sad but it seems, there have been a lot a sad faces plaguing Hyrule these days. I mean just look what happened in Kakariko! All those people slaughtered... And the King Arawn was a loving father I tell you, such a strong and handsome man, though to raise the princess on his own must have been hard on him. A child needs a mother, yet the king never remarried. Now there's a true love story that I could tell you, between the late king and queen. When her father died last year, the princess didn't appear publicly for a month after the funeral as I recall."
Swirling around the contents of his mug, Link listened quietly before he looked up to see Telma paused in her mug cleaning, lost in thought, before she suddenly shook her head and continued her cleaning. "Why are you telling me this, Telma?" Link asked, breaking the silence.
Telma looked at him with an arched brow, before she set an arm on the counter and the other at her hip, a coy smile playing upon her lips. "Well that is the reason why you're here, right? To see the queen? I thought you ought to know a thing or two about her before you go and see her, to help you understand her. I suspected that you heard about her recruiting soldiers and that was perhaps why you've changed your mind about farming."
"Ranching."
"Same thing, honey."
Shifting on his stool, Link gave himself a moment by taking a large sip of his mead, swishing the increasingly delicious liquid in his mouth before he swallowed and shook his head. He really hadn't thought about what exactly he was going to do, though it was along the lines of finding something that was heroic and go for that, but the prospect of joining the Queen's Guard did hold some interest. But, did he want to be tied down with a profession like that? Link was the Hero Chosen by the Gods, which meant he was special, so shouldn't he be pursuing a more… adventurous or courageous path? He could see himself climbing the ranks of the guard and thus being able to take on the more dangerous missions to ensure Hyrule's safety, but... he wasn't sure.
Telma must have noticed the uncertainty in his expression because she chuckled and gave him a wink. "Don't worry about it, honey, and take your time. As I see it, a handsome man like you will figure it out because you are meant for greatness, there's no doubt about that. So tell me, how's my sweet Ilia? You two still cute and all?"
Link's shy smile in gratitude suddenly vanished and he lowered his eyes. "She's... fine," he replied simply, tone hollow and distant, and once again he considered that getting drunk wouldn't be the worst of ideas.
Telma, reading his response correctly, sighed sadly and said,"Ah, a shame but that's how these things go sometimes," she muttered to him. "Though, I'm sure with your reputation, especially around these parts, you'll have to hold the girls at bay with both hands. Who knows? With you being a hero and all, you'd probably find yourself a cute noble girl even".
Link glanced up to see the woman's smiling face, understanding and compassion in her eyes, but her tone and words were enough to coax a small smile back into his features. The hero then watched Telma return to tending to her patrons and help Karan and he was left to nurse his emptying mug.
A guffaw of obnoxious laughter caught the young man's attention and he turned his head to see in his peripheral the group of soldiers, with their armour bearing the Hylian crest. Watching them, Link tried to imagine himself as one of them, donned in metal rather than green and he frowned. Link liked green, he felt natural in his Hero's Clothes, and the magical properties of the garments made up for steel or iron. Then again, he considered the fact that he had never actually tried on armour so he wasn't in the position to judge.
One of the guards, a gentleman sitting in the corner slightly away from his comrades, caught Link watching them and the youth turned back to his drink. Shifting on his stool, the hero looked down into his mug and watched a few bubbles rupture at the mead's surface and he furrowed his brow in thought. Call Link irresponsible, but before his whole adventure with the Twilight and Midna started he hadn't actually given his future any thought whatsoever, he just sort of had been content with his life in Ordon. Thinking about it now, Link realized that if the monsters had never attacked, thus he was never told of his destiny of being the Hero Chosen by the Gods and if Zant and Ganondorf had not brought destruction and the Twilight to Hyrule, his life would have been completely different. He probably would have ended up in a real relationship with Ilia, married her, had kids, and lived out his days in quiet comfort. Funny how a person's perspective of things changed because the thought of such a life now almost made Link cringe at the image and anxious to be back on the move. Married and kids? Was that even possible for a Saviour of Hyrule? The Hero of Time admitted that he never had a family so maybe history was fated to repeat itself?
A tap upon his shoulder stalled Link's train of thought and shifting in his seat, he blinked to see the same guard who had looked at him earlier standing right behind him. Helmet off, the man looked to be in his forties, with his chestnut-coloured hair accented with the flourish of grey, his impressive moustache waxed to neatly curl upwards, but this did not seem to muddle the intense seriousness and strength the man held in his facial features, or how his brown eyes held Link in a gaze that commanded his full attention. Up close, Link finally saw that there was a difference in regalia that the man wore from his comrades, however slight, and the hero surmised that probably that meant a higher or at least different rank.
"Can I… ah, help you… sir?" Link asked, swallowing the last of his mead but maintaining his relaxed composure.
Not replying immediately, the man considered Link in a manner that made the younger man sit a bit straighter. His buddies had also quieted from their antics and most had switched to watching their moustached comrade address Link, making the hero slightly uncomfortable. Telma and her assistant, Karan, had also noticed the change in atmosphere and the woman was looking at Link with a calm though protective air about her.
"Pardon me, lad, but are you the one they call Link?"
"Yes," Link answered without hesitation and with a raise of his brow, his left hand shifting ever so slightly just in case he would need to draw his sword. The guard gave no indication that he noticed Link's hand move but a voice in his head informed Link that the man had and to be cautious.
"I see. In that case," the guard spoke cryptically with a nod before he suddenly suddenly struck his fist to his left breast, causing Link to jump from his stool and grip the Master Sword's hilt. But the guard fell to his right knee and bowed his head. "I am in your debt and owe you my gratitude".
Dumbstruck, Link stood there blinking like an idiot, quietly gasping when the remainder of the guards at the table quickly arose to follow suit and kneel to Link, all in unison. By this point, the entire bar was looking directly at the young man and it was clearly written in his face that he had no idea what was going on.
Thankfully, Telma came to his side, chuckling quieting with a knowing smile on her lips. Casually draping her arm on his shoulder, the woman leaned over to speak softly in Link ear, "Relax there, honey, but now you see why I thought you were here to see the Queen."
"What?"
The guard stood, his men mirroring him, and looked at Link with the same serious expression, but his intense eyes held respect. "Master Link, allow me to introduce myself and then I shall explain my actions. I am Captain Jerret, commander of Her Majesty's Royal Guard, and I would like to personally extend my gratitude for saving not only our Lady Zelda, Her Majesty the Queen, but also the whole of Hyrule. It is an honour to finally meet you, sir".
Only his blinking disturbed Link's blank expression. Relaxing his grip slowly on his sword, he shifted uncomfortably under the stares of the bar, before glancing up at Telma to silently ask for help. Sure, have him face fifty enemies and Link didn't bat an eyes but have a few soldiers bow to him and the 'Saviour of Hyrule' was at a loss and needed help.
Shaking her head and grinning, the woman went up to the captain, hands on her hips, and said, "Now, now, Jerret, honey. I don't think that there's such a need to be so formal, not here at least. Can't you see that you're confusing the boy?"
"I'm not a boy," Link spoke up indignantly, shaking free of his shock.
Jerret, looking between the two, crossed his arms and raised a brow at Telma. "You know the hero personally, Telma? Why hadn't you said so before".
"I know a man named Larrie too, should I had said that also?"
Link glanced between Telma's strong smirk and Jerret's mild amusement before he stepped forward to clear the air and have his say. "Captain, I appreciate your, umm… bowing and gratitude and all but it's really not necessary. I did what I had to and would do it again, but I must ask as to how you knew of me?"
Link hadn't gone public really about his exploits and when he had last met with Queen Zelda to receive his honours, it had been in a private audience. He had left Castle Town without fanfare or any grandeur because that's what he had requested. His identity as the 'Saviour of Hyrule' mainly remained in legendary rumours, so it somewhat surprised him that the captain had been able to recognize him so easily.
"I knew your identity, Master Link, because of the way you're dressed, for the hero who saved us is said to be clad in green bearing a sword with a purple hilt. As well, the Queen had told me of your name", Jerret replied politely.
Ah, okay, perhaps Link wasn't that surprised that he had been recognized but it still was an odd experience to be called 'Master Link', let alone knelt to!
"Right," Link answered simply, smiling bashfully and feeling rather unlike the courageous hero he probably was reported to be.
Jerret, sensing the younger man's discomfort, cast a glance to his men who instantly resumed sitting and talking, and soon most of the remainder of the bar did as well, though it was clear that the patrons were still watching. The captain gestured for Link to sit and once the young man did, so too did the man. Telma, still smiling, returned to behind the bar and without asking him, refilled Link's mug and gave Jerret a shot glass of a brownish liquid.
Downing the shot with ease, Jerret set down the glass without flinching and looking aside at Link he said, "Forgive me if I might have embarrassed you, Master Link, but I took into consideration your current state and thought that if ever I had a chance to thank you, now would have been the only time".
"What do you mean by that?" Link asked before sipping his mead.
"Your pack, a clear indication that you are on a journey and probably won't be staying in Castle Town for long, which is a shame".
"Sorry, but I'm not really one to glorify in fame, and I am leaving Castle Town soon... I think".
"You think?" Jerret paused to consider Link's words for a moment before continuing. "And no, glory and recognition is not what I meant," Jerret said as he turned to fully look at Link. "I meant that it would a shame if you left without seeing the Queen. She thinks quite highly of you and these past few months had been… difficult for her if you hadn't already known or heard. It's clear that she's trying to remain as busy as she has been for the good of all Hyrule, but it is plain to see that she is..." Jerret hesitated to try and find the right word as Link looked on in concern, "troubled. Her Majesty has a lot on her mind for such a young queen and I believe that perhaps seeing you, the Saviour of Hyrule, might lift her spirits".
The tone of the captain's words was low and sad and it was clearly evident to Link that Jerret cared deeply for his queen and her well-being. Link, thinking, wet his lips and was about to ask when the other man beat him to it. "If you are wondering why I care so much, know then that the late King Arawn asked me to watch over his daughter just before he died. I have not seen the Queen smile in over a year, her true smile, ever since before her father's death, and I cannot help but feel that I am failing his final command".
"Well, when you put it like that," Link said slowly, "of course I will meet with the Queen".
As if he had a choice.
Jerret had placed him in a difficult position and Link was not entirely sure if the captain had done so unintentionally or not. When the man slapped him on the back and thanked him, that small voice at the back of Link's mind whispered that the captain was more cunning and clever than some average soldier. Rather than being annoyed, Link was fairly amused in fact. Giving Jerret a small smile, the Hylian had to admit that thinking about all the times he had either spoken to or seen Queen Zelda, he couldn't recall her smiling either. Well except when her body had been possessed by Ganondorf, but that didn't count. Link used to think that her serious and solemn composure was just because she was royalty and when they had met, it had been under a less than pleasant context. Still, hearing Jerret speak so sadly and with the worried tone of a guardian, Link tried to think with a new perspective on the whole situation.
"I don't know how I can help, though. I mean, I've only actually spoken to Queen Zelda a couple of times because really, we had been too busy fighting Ganondorf or saving one another to chat or whatever," Link admitted, finally pushing away his half-empty mug.
"I think that that is exactly why it would be good if you were to speak with her," Jerret replied. "Your role as a hero might help remind the Queen that-"
"Captain Jerret! It is time to head out, sir!"
His own men, who had finished their mugs, interrupted the captain's words and were all standing to await departure. Jerret, frowning briefly, nodded to the guards before turning back to Link. "Well, if you do intend to speak with Her Majesty, I suggest that you come with us now."
/ / / / /
What a contrast in environments Link had found himself in.
Once the entourage of soldiers left the tavern, a break in the storm ensured that they wouldn't get completely soaked as they marched towards the central fountain of Castle Town with Link following behind Captain Jerret. Rather than head north towards Hyrule Castle, the guards instead headed towards one of the finer houses in the town where more guards stood by the front door. As Jerret explained to Link, with the castle under construction the Queen had taken up residence in one of the houses of the Hylian nobility, much to the family's annoyance to being temporarily evicted from their home. The house now served as a temporary headquarters for meetings of the castle's restoration, peace delegations, and a 24/7 guard ensured the safety of Hyrule's monarch. Since the end of Zant's Invasion of Hyrule and the fall of Ganondorf, tensions have been high and the threat of another attack weighed heavily on everyone's mind. Upon entering the house, Link found himself in such finery and riches unlike he had ever seen, so different from the bar he had just left. Even while he had been in the castle, Link had not seen the amount of exotic rugs, tapestries, silver, and portraits as he did in the home's foyer. Then again, the castle had been ransacked and partly destroyed in places but all the same, Link felt very out of place.
Only Jerret lead Link upstairs while the other soldiers either remained outside or on the main floor. More guards stood posted outside a set of doors which Link could only assume was where Queen Zelda was; having remained silent for most of the journey, he did not ask. The captain nodded to the men and knocked upon the door. When a voice inside bade him enter, Jerret looked over to Link, nodded, before opening the door and lead Link inside.
"Your Majesty. Master Link has come to gain an audience with you."
Link glanced at Jerret with a confused expression before his gaze was caught by the figure sitting on the other side of a grand desk on the opposite end of the room. In the midst of writing something, the Queen of Hyrule stopped to look up and Link stood a little straighter when he felt his ruler's eyes on him before they shifted to Jerret.
"Captain," she said simply and bowing his head, the man stepped from the room and shut the door, leaving Link standing alone in the room with the queen.
Silence enveloped the space and Link was frozen in place, a blush beginning to burn in cheeks. He had no idea what the hell to do or say or why exactly he was there or what he was supposed to do. Zelda on the other hand, sat calmly at her desk, set down her quill, and gracefully stood to approach Link. In a panic, the hero dropped to one knee, head bowed, but a single syllable broke the quiet of the room.
"No."
Confused, Link hesitantly looked up to blink up at the queen who was standing right in front of him and he found himself, like usual, at a loss for words. The monarch wore a simple light blue dress with no jewelry adorning her noble features and her long, brunette hair hung only in a loose braid. She was beautiful, even he could see that just like anyone else within the kingdom, for Zelda's beauty was renowned by all. As plainly as she was dressed, she still looked stunningly regal with the way she held herself and the air of royalty she resonated; from where he knelt, Link couldn't help but notice the lovely perfume the Queen Zelda gave off.
"What…" Link began, his confusion turned to shock when he saw Zelda shake her head and offer her hand to him.
"You bow to no one," she said and after a few moments of hesitation, Link slowly took her hand and stood.
"But, Your Majesty-"
"And you shall not call me that either. When I first met you I had introduced myself as Zelda and it is by my name that I ask you to call me as."
The Queen took his hand in both of hers before looking him in the eye and Link swallowed nervously. With no make-up, jewels, or her crown, the Queen Zelda looked as lovely as he remembered but face-to-face with her now, Link could see for himself the sadness that Captain Jerret had spoken of. Zelda's flawless features looked distant and weary and her brilliant blue eyes looked tired and troubled.
Link bit his lower lip and the blush in his cheeks deepened from being asked to call his Queen, the Ruler of Hyrule, by her first name; even Link knew that that was a big deal and highly unusual. Zelda stood a couple inches taller than Link and the Hylian knew that she was also a couple years older than him but he might as well as been as tall as a mouse with how shy he was feeling, not knowing what to say in response to her. Her hands were so soft in comparison to his gloved and calloused hands, from riding and the sword.
Zelda, sensing his discomfort, gently dropped his hand and stepped back, her eyes holding his. "I know that you have not come to Castle Town to see me, Link, though I can understand why Captain Jerret has convinced you to come here."
"B-but Your Majes- I mean, ah…" Link floundered over his words and stopped completely when Zelda held up her hand.
"It is fine, Link, please there is no need for you to explain. I am aware that the captain is worried about me and while I appreciate his concern, I assure you that I am well."
Link frowned slightly and watched his queen cross the floor to stare out the window where beyond the glass panes, somewhere in the stormy night, Hyrule Castle loomed empty. He was the Hero Chosen by the Gods and had just received advice from his ancient knight predecessor about being courageous, yet Link said nothing out of shyness and confusion. He simply listened to the woman softly speak.
"The last I saw of you, I promised you anything you might want in gratitude for saving Hyrule and my people, but you had insisted that you needed nothing and to be able to simply return to Ordon. I respected your decision and still do, though... while you might feel that you deserve no recognition, what you have done for Hyrule is indefinable. You were forced into danger and asked to achieve the arduous task of saving Hyrule, to which you bravely accepted. And so... I must apologize to you." Turning from the window, Zelda looked at Link and inclined her head, "for being the one responsible to having to risk his life because of my mistakes."
"Your Majesty, it wasn't like that," Link finally said, his voice and expression torn while his eyes pleading for her to understand.
"Yes, it was, Link. When Zant first attacked Hyrule, I had not been the leader that Hyrule needed, the ruler that my father raised me to be. I had been too selfish and preoccupied with his death to focus truly on my duty of the protection of Hyrule. Thus, Hyrule was slow to react when evil showed its terrible face. When Zant attacked the castle, I was left with the choice of surrender, but that did not stop so many from being lost: Kakariko Village was massacred, the queen, Rutela, of the Zora was executed, and my cowardice and failure to Hyrule also got you imprisoned."
"But you had to surrender, to save more people from dying!"
"But people had died," Zelda said firmly, looking up at him. "Can you look me in the eye and tell me that the soldiers you have encountered while Zant lived had been brave warriors or terrified men with spears?"
Link opened his mouth to answer but stopped and exhaling, looked away from her and Zelda nodded.
"Hyrulean soldiers fought bravely and valiantly when Zant entered the throne room and I had to stand by and be protected by them, only to watch as they were overcome and slaughtered. I, as the future Queen of Hyrule, was a symbol of the kingdom's courage and strength but when I had given up... I consequently destroyed the morale of my soldiers. Those who you have seen or encountered, many were drafted by Captain Jerret, who was one of the few who survived Zant's onslaught, and who are mere boys. Inexperienced and newly recruited, they were no match to the monsters of the Twilight. My surrender reflected the failure of the Royal Family, thus I am solely responsible. Peace had become the norm for Hyrule, her soldiers had become complacent with maintaining order without much effort, so even the trained soldiers and knights who defended the throne room and me were too easily overcome by true evil." Wetting her delicate lips, Zelda fell silent for a moment but when she turned to Link, she saw the hero's expression of sorrow and concern. With a sigh, the queen's tone softened. "Since you have left, Link, I have dedicated every waking hour to prove to my people that I will undo what Zant has done but, I cannot bring back those who fought bravely on my behalf only for me to surrender and slander their memory. I have commissioned a monument to commemorate their names, have already begun to rebuild Hyrule's defences, have begun planning to expand Castle Town's walls to encompass more of Hyrule Field, and have also entered into delegations to strengthen our kingdom's relationships. The Zora and the Gorons have already agreed to being our allies, with the Gorons even offering to help rebuild the castle as you know."
Zelda paused and Link furrowed his brow to see her actually frowning in what looked like disgust. "I had not wanted to begin construction on the castle so early and I argued that there were other important matters than a building, but my councillors motioned that the castle was a symbol to all Hyrule and that Hyruleans would see its rebuilding as a sign that our kingdom was prospering." Sighing, Zelda's face fell and she visibly slumped into her seat, Link stepping forward a few steps in alarm but stopped when he saw just how strained and stressed Zelda actually was. He couldn't help but feel rather useless and helpless. She looked so tired that Link was afraid she would fall asleep right then and there in her chair. Knitting her slender hands together, Zelda looked down at the paperwork neatly stacked upon her desk evenly and said in a quiet tone, "I've also been in contact with the Gerudo as well to develop a truce."
"The Gerudo?" Link exclaimed, anger crossing his features as he recalled that the Hero of Time had said that the Ganondorf of his time had been of the Gerudo. "I thought that there were no Gerudo left in Hyrule."
"There weren't, as most of the leaders had been executed before Ganondorf was while the remainder of the tribe were exiled into the lands beyond the Great Desert. However, when word spread that Ganondorf had returned Gerudo have been spotted at the borders of the desert in the past few months and I have sent embassies to try and establish a truce with the tribe."
"But the Gerudo cannot be trusted," Link spoke firmly, his anger burning through his shock and bashfulness and the queen looked at him with what could have been admiration.
"Exactly my point. As I see it, that it is better to keep an enemy close, that way you might better see the knife before it strikes and stop it. Besides, the numbers of the Gerudo are so few now that they pose no real danger."
Zelda's eyes glanced from Link's face to the hilt of the Master Sword and Link, glancing in the direction of the sword, reached up to slowly draw the blade from its sheath. "I know that you advised me to return this to its rightful place, and trust me I did, but I was… told recently that the Master Sword belongs in my possession."
"By whom, may I ask?" the queen inquired, her neat brow arching slightly.
Link, not wanting to lie directly to the queen but not wanting to have to explain the Hero's Shade either, simply said, "A wise friend."
"Ah," was all Zelda said, before her eyes filled with sadness and she raised her left hand to look upon it. "I am envious of your friend, Link. I have in my possession the Triforce of Wisdom and throughout my life I have been noted of being wiser than even my elders. Lately, I have not felt very wise and have begun to question my every judgment, second-guessing what I have done, and what I could have done differently." Looking aside, Zelda tapped her finger upon her chair before glancing back to Link, "Tell me if you can, but why have you returned to Castle Town? I was under the impression that Ordon was where your future lay."
Link lowered his eyes and watched how the room's light reflect off the blade of the Master Sword before he answered. "It was, I thought that was where my happiness was. However, I have discovered that I am meant to do more I just... I don't exactly know what yet. I came to Castle Town because, well... I started this journey with no real destination in mind so here was just my first stop."
Zelda from behind her desk watched Link and his eyes met her, she said slowly, "Alas, I see now. You have risen as the Saviour of Hyrule, Hero Chosen by the Gods, but even with the darkness that plagued Hyrule having been vanquished, peace alludes you." Sitting up, Zelda slid a slight finger along one of the papers set out before her before she went on, "I regret to say that this is a fault of mine as well, for you deserve peace. I, as Queen of Hyrule, have not restored balance to the land and for that please know that I am truly sorry."
Before he really knew what he was doing, Link came around and knelt before the queen, using the Master Sword for stability, and when Zelda looked down at him, he said, "You must not regret, Your Majesty. The Hero... I mean, my friend, he told me that it was his regrets in life that ended up being his downfall. He became trapped and was forced to wait a very long time until he could redeem himself to be freed. The Triforce chose me... it chose us, for a purpose and my friend told me to never lose my courage, as I think you should not question your wisdom, and to bear the mark with pride." Wetting his lips with an expression of soft determination, Link stared directly into Zelda's eyes undaunted before he continued, "From what you have told me, Zant gave you no choice but to surrender. As I see it, if you had tried to fight him you would've only gotten yourself killed and all those who fought to protect you would have died in vain."
Zelda's eyes slightly narrowed though not with anger for Link saw the sparkle of tears in the corner of her eyes but he did not stop, with his words forming on their own. "The choices and decisions we make, as a leader or as a hero, will have consequences. But, it is who we are and what we stand for that allows us to be able to make to the difficult decisions which others probably could not, even if it is at the cost of our desires or happiness. I believe that you chose right for if you hadn't, you wouldn't have been able to save Midna, without whom I never would have been able to be where I am, and you also saved me! You summoned the Light Arrows and we were able to defeat Ganondorf together. Zelda, if you had chosen differently, the whole of Hyrule could have been lost. It is true that I have left Ordon because I could not find peace that that is not your fault, for I am a hero of Hyrule, I have accepted that, and that is why I have returned."
Silence once again filled the room and as Link stared up at the queen, he feared that perhaps he had said too much or crossed some sort of line. Zelda just stared down at him with an intense expression of thoughtfulness and sadness, yet he held his position before her, holding her gaze.
After what felt like minutes, but really was only a moment or two, a small smile appeared on the monarch's lips and she said softly, "You called me Zelda."
Blushing at her soft words and fighting the urge to fidget, an idea popped into Link's head and he was surprised that he had not thought about it earlier. The image of the Hero of Time, standing before Link in his armour, smiling at him with complete belief in him and his abilities, brought courage and steely determination into Link's eyes. Without another moment's hesitation, Link bowed his head to say, "To prove that I truly believe in you, Your Majesty, I pledge myself to you. To defend and stand by you with whatever decision you may make and to stand for all of Hyrule, as your loyal hero. It would be an honour if you would accept my request to become a Hyrulean Knight."
Link waited, head bowed, down on one knee, with the Master Sword shining softly before him and within his heart he knew that he was making the right choice. What he was committing himself to do was what he was meant to do, why he had left Ordon and perhaps even why the Hero's Shade had truly come to him. As a hero, Link was destined to protect Hyrule and becoming a knight in service to the monarchy, like his predecessor had before him, was a part of that destiny.
Soft fingertips came to touch Link's cheek to coax him to look up and, slowly, Link did so. He met the queen's blue eyes and to his surprise, her beautiful smile. "Link," she said softly, a couple of tears flowing down her cheeks, which she wiped away her sleeve. "I thank you for your words. You are a hero of true courage and it would seem that I have much to learn, for you are right. I must believe in the Triforce, in the Goddesses, and my role as the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. With time, all will be better, I have faith that it will."
Sitting straight, Zelda looked down at Link, her smile remaining and with a tone of authority she spoke, "As for your pledge to me and Hyrule, I accept. While you have proven your worthiness for the title of knight more than any other by show of your valour and courage, tradition prohibits me from bestowing knighthood here and now. However, I give you my solemn promise that your training to become a knight will begin immediately. Only after you have passed all of the tests required, will I knight you. I hereby declare, as Queen of Hyrule, that you, Link of Ordon, Saviour of Hyrule, Hero Chosen by the Gods, are officially a member of my guard and be given the title of Squire. Rise and accept these words by taking my hand as your Queen and you, as my Squire."
Link rose and looking down at her, returned Zelda's smile and calmly took her offered hand. The moment his fingers clasped hers, Link knew that a new chapter of his life had begun with his pursuit for knighthood.
