Every Shard of My Heart Belongs to You: The Difference in Dead and Buried

"These are brave accusations, young sir, but I think I may know the identity of your assailants. You know enough already," he paused, "...maybe even more than you have revealed. Withholding what I know from you might delay you discovering the truth, but I cannot prevent it, so please, understand that this information is not to be shared with anyone."

"But what about Zelda? Shouldn't I—"

"Words spoken in this room do not leave this room," he interrupted.

"Aye, my lord."

"Now... Silvanna Harkinian— Her name was Silvanna Hylia before she was my wife, but I suppose that was before your time." He pointed to a commemorating tapestry on the wall above his desk. "Our marriage ended the Hylia dynasty, though she remained the reigning monarch. My one duty was to produce a legitimate heir for the kingdom of Hyrule."

"So the woman, Silvanna—she is Zelda's mother."

"But you figured that out when you saw her portrait, didn't you?"

Link couldn't rightfully remember the name he had read, but he did notice the family resemblance. "She could have been any member of the royal family, as far as I knew."

The king's hand fiddled with the tassels of his robes. "I'm sure you have also seen the grave."

"Not up close, but I have seen the portrait that adorns this very hall, my lord. Tales of her incomparable benevolence congest the mouths of your people, but I have seen her on this side of the grave. The character that my eyes have witnessed does not match what my ears have heard."

"And so you're probably wondering why everyone believes she is dead. What criminal deed could she be guilty of that could nullify her existence in the eyes of my country? Of her own daughter?" The king folded his hands. "Much was thought of my queen, but little was known. She had a great weakness for delinquancy, and not with impunity could she live. Death allotted her penalty." The king's voice grew small; he held a shaking hand to the bridge of his nose. "You must understand... I loved my wife—a rare thing, but truth. I am sure that within the nub of her being she might have produced an inclination to love me as well, but not as she loved the captain of the Hylian Guard, Sir Iain Klave. By law she was to burn for her treason and he subjected to exile, but I could not bring myself to raise a hand against her nor the child she would bear."

"Zelda?"

"Aye. Zelda is not by blood my daughter, but I have raised her as my own. Because I inherited the crown by marriage only, she is the solitary heir to Hyrule's throne, whether legitimate or not. In order to protect them, Silvanna's sin was kept secret, I bid her leave after the child was born and never return. Along the back of her hand the sentencing symbol was seared so that her adulterous standing might precede herself."

Link traced his finger across his right hand, remembering Silvanna's scar. "And Klave, he went with her?"

"Yes, though the official records will say that he was killed in an accident with a loose horse in the stables or was shot by the misguided arrow of some fool's crossbow. I lost my wife and my guard's captain that day. I could not relinquish her daughter unto the same fate."

"So Iain and Zelda share the same father, and neither of them know," Link muttered. "Who else knows of this, my lord?"

"Only my closest advisor and yourself bear this secret burden, a burden that will be taken to the grave, though I ask no formal oath of you."

Thank you, my lord, for your time. This discussion has been insightful, but I have one last question for you."

"It is understandable that a man who has seen half as much confusion, would have twice as many questions."

"What do they want with the Ocarina of Time?"

"Hmm, I can't be sure, but I don't imagine they have noble intentions. Until anything further can be extracted, I wish that you would remain in my castle, Link. I dismiss you."

"Thank you, my lord." Link bowed respectfully and exited through the arches of the monstrous wooden doors.

The king collapsed into his oversized chair and closed his eyes with a frown. "What are you up to, Silvanna?" he whispered.

Link couldn't fathom what it would be like to learn you were born and raised in the shadow of a lie. How much more dismal would it be to have someone who is supposed to love you unconditionally feed you that lie? How pathetic would you feel to strive to earn a name whose legacy would bring nothing short of disgrace? He supposed it was unfortunate that Iain and Zelda would never know.

Link wandered aimlessly throughout the empty halls. A man could easily get lost without the proper map and concentration—both of which Link was woefully wanting. Or rather, he would have wanted had he been paying attention to his surroundings at all.

"Link!"

He froze in his steps. Perhaps if he made no sudden movements, he wouldn't be noticed.

"Link, I have been looking all over for you. You just ran off like that, and I was so worried, and Iain fetched the doctor and..." Zelda rambled on. Her rapid flood of words was interrupted only by the occasional insertion of breath.

Link turned around slowly. He didn't say anything. Zelda was speaking enough for a three-way conversation. A knowing smile graced his lips as he saw the powerless physician she had dragged helplessly behind her. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned his head against the wall, almost as if he were listening to her rabid scolding. He couldn't help but notice how those little curls bounced around her face when she moved, or how the of reflection of light in her eyes floated around like a firefly.

"Link?"

"Hmm?" He quickly snapped out of his sweet reverie and shook this head so that his hair fell over his eyes.

"I want the doctor to examine your head at least."

"Oh. Here." Link brushed his hair from his forehead, exposing a small patch of dried blood. The doctor squinted and traced his finger along the length of the cut, causing him to wince sharply and bite his lip.

"Oh, dear. This needs to be stitched. And I'd like to check for broken bones," the doctor suggested. Link looked at Zelda accusingly. She shrugged as if she had nothing to do with it.

"That sounds like a safe idea, but I really don't think it's necessary. I feel fine really. In fact, I think I may go jump out of another window," he teased, slinking away with a sheepish grin.

"Link. Don't. You. Even. D—" Zelda warned with a cocked eyebrow.

He took off down the hall, however, before she could even finish.

"Li-ink! Return at once!" she shouted as she ran after him—or as close to running as possible in a four-layered gown.

The forgotten physician stood in the middle of the hall, dumbfounded. "At least he no longer limps," he mused.