Chapter 2: An Evening with a Princess
Link felt a little uncomfortable at the silence that lingered over the strange company he found himself in. He hazarded a look at the Princess, who held the book carefully in her delicate hands. Her eyes were still wide in surprise, her lips locked in an incredulous smile. The shock could not hide her natural beauty and grace that she carried herself with always. Link forced himself to look away as he felt Captain Morann's eyes on him. "Master Rourke was right, I have already said too much. It was careless of me to mention the Princess in public. The Captain is suspicious of me."
He was brought out of his reflection when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder, and two more taking his hands. He looked up and saw the Princess' smiling face beaming down at him, and Impa kneeling in front of him. "You seem to be full of surprises Master Link. Today you have safely returned two of the most precious treasures of Hyrule. I imagine the King will honor you beyond any man in history." Link could not believe that he saw tears in the eyes of the Sheikah.
Impa grasped Link by the shoulders, and hugged him fiercely. "You have returned the honor of my people, I shall never forget the debt I owe to you," she whispered. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Link was suddenly struck by how much older Impa must be than himself. Though he had only seen her from a great distance before, her face has always seemed timeless to him. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight knot revealing white wings at her temples. Eyes of an incredible amethyst stared back him, unlike any that Link had ever seen before, but they seemed older and wiser than any as well. Her skin was different than Hylian's as well, a yellowish tan color, which appeared to make her seem older, this close. She smiled suddenly, and the unreadable mask of the Princess' protector returned.
Impa lifted Link to his feet by the elbow, "Come Master Link, we must leave now if we are to return to Moiro by nightfall, I dare say that you have a great story to tell, and I wish to hear it all. Captain, please have the guard prepared to leave, I wish the Princess to be on the on road as quickly as possible."
Link walked in the middle of four soldiers behind the ring of guards encircling the Princess during their march to Moiro. With her carriage destroyed, and her horses killed by the gohma, Link had been happy to offer Epona's service to the Princess. He had been intrigued to see that she handled Epona with ease, since his mare was often a bit skittish with others. Impa rode next to her on the Captain's horse, with the rest of the company's horses where either killed in the attack or being used to carry the bodies of the dead back to town.
The guard towers of Moiro appeared on the horizon as the sun set behind the city. Link reflected on the day's events, and felt relieved that the Princess had escaped without harm. He assumed that she would be emotionally strained from the attack and the guilt of the dead guards, but she would recover, perhaps stronger than she was before. "This will be just the beginning. There are great trials ahead, and she must be prepared to lead Hyrule when they come." He knew this to be true, but it still surprised him that someone so small and gentle would be called upon to do so much. His eyes lingered upon her silhouetted body; she held the Book of Mudora in her hands and exchanged excited but soft conversation with Impa.
"You would do well not to let the Captain see you look at her Highness like that stranger. He does not trust you." A soldier to his left said. Link shifted his eyes from Zelda and looked at the man. He was older than Link, perhaps as many as seven or ten years, shorter but wider, and though his face was stoic, his eyes held a great sadness.
"And you sir, do you trust me?"
"It is not my trust you need to gain…, I will say this. I cannot blame any man for being captivated with her Highness; there is no woman like her in the world. I also find myself indebted to you for defeating the monster that….killed my brother. However, the guard understands the Captain's suspicions….still, we are all aware that you saved our lives. You have our thanks." The men surrounding Link saluted him with their hands over their hearts.
Optimistic, Link returned their salute, "It was my honor to be of service to the Princess and her guard."
They soon crossed under the Moiro's western gate, and followed the path into the town square. Moiro, like most villages of the plains was not very large, consisting primarily of one main road with houses on both side, and possibly an inn or two. At the center of town lay a paved square and a large fountain well. Here the villagers and farmers would gather to trade their goods, offer their services or simply pass the day away. If the town was large enough to warrant a priest or cleric, they would conduct services in the square on Holy Days. Moiro and Derrie were not so fortunate, and surely relished the opportunity to put on a show for the Princess' arrival, as the decorations and stage that was set for Zelda's audience were not yet taken down.
A few villagers sill lingered in the square and began to talk excitedly at the return of the Princess, until they saw the fierce appearance of many of the soldiers. He himself was quite the site to behold; though he had cleaned his face before they left, all of his clothes were damp in blood, his and the Gohma's. He had somehow cut one of his pointed ears, and the blood was still trickling down his cheek. His tunic and pants were torn in various places, and he wasn't surprised to see bloody footprints from all the soldiers tainting the square.
Busy examining his injuries, he didn't notice that Impa had approached him, leading Epona. He gave a start when she placed her hand on his shoulder; she smiled mysteriously before handing him the reigns saying, "Master Link, the Princess has asked that you dine with us tonight at 8th hour. We have arranged for rooms at the inn. I suggest that you clean yourself up, and find a change of clothes while the merchants are still out."
Link considered Impa for a moment, bowing his head, "I would be honored."
Impa nodded and quickly returned to the Princess' side, who was engaged in animated conversation with an elderly gentleman Link recognized as the man affectionately called Old Colman. You could find a hundred like him across Hyrule, old men, wise and honest, and more than a little crazy. Like most people when they met the Princess, he appeared to be doing much more listening and staring then talking, but that did not seem to faze her. She gestured grandly, and Link could tell she was describing the Gohma Queen, to his embarrassment, she pointed to Link while imitating a thrusting motion with the Book in her left hand. Old Colman chuckled, and said something to her Link could not hear. Zelda laughed joyfully before saying her good-byes. The old man touched his knuckles to his head as she left, and pushed on with his walking stick. Link watched Zelda walk through the square towards the inn, a train of soldiers behind her, bowed men and women in front.
"Lo'k like you made quite the impression y'ng hero, quite an impression." Old Colman wheezed before patting Link on the shoulder and pushing on.
Link said his good byes to the soldiers, who were beginning to disperse. A number of the local ones had already rushed home, probably to assure their families that they were alive. A few more lingered in the square to talk up a girl or two. Link saw a few young ladies examining wounds, all of whom seemed mightily impressed. "Well, they earned it. Not often one looks into the eye of the Gohma and survives."
Link was lucky to find a tailor open. The motherly lady who owned it was more than happy to help him after he explained the situation. "Can't have you looking like death meeting the Princess, can we? What a fine young woman, she shook my hand this morning, swear by the Goddesses she did. As soon as she left I ran to tell Robert, he couldn't believe it…." The woman rambled on about the outstanding qualities of their Princess while measuring Link. "Now don't you worry about a thing, I have something all picked out, bought it from the merchant train that followed the Princess' caravan. A nice Blue tunic, it will go lovely with you eye's. You run along and get washed up; I'll deliver it to the inn. Go on now." He didn't have a chance to argue as he left his rupees on the counter as he was shooed out the door.
Zelda lounged in a great wooden bath, her head resting on the lip, staring up as the last rays of sun stretched and disappeared across the ceiling. She had been a little surprised that the inn had such a large bath house attached to it. The room held two large wooden baths, and a large fireplace for heating water. Polished wooden walls and floors shimmered with moisture, shelves lined the walls with large soft towels and fragrant soaps, and small windows provided ventilation near the ceiling. Oil lamps had been lit in the corners, but the steam rising from the tub misted their light. She dropped lower into the soapy bath, only her head above the water, and examined the rising bubbles. Her thoughts were scattered like the surface of the water, from the wooden box sitting on the ledge next to her bath, to the young man who had given it to her, to her anxiousness to return home. "He is quite handsome, intelligent, and an excellent warrior. Even father will like him." The inn's serving girl Aine, who was pouring more hot water into her bath, keep shooting her nervous glances out of the side of her eyes. Zelda smiled at her to ease her tension.
"Aine, do you know anything of this young man, Link? He said he traveled through here before." Zelda tried to sound casual, but Impa still snorted from the bath behind her. Apparently Impa no longer felt the need to disguise her amusement at the Princess' infatuation. Aine splashed water across her dress, apparently in shock that the Princess would talk to her, or perhaps that Zelda had remembered her name? It was important to Zelda that she addresses her subjects with respect, which surprised many of them.
Aine bowed, then appeared to think she should courtesy instead, so she did that before saying, "Please Highness, I do not know much, but perhaps as much as anyone. He has stayed here many times while I have served over the last five years. A wanderer or ranger some say. He speaks of many lands and places that I do not know of. I believe he is some kind of explorer or traveler since he always pays in rupees and tips generously, and is very polite. He is also a skilled musician; he plays a strange flute, an Ocara or Octoro…. I am very sorry Highness; I forget what he called it."
"An Ocarina?"
"Yes, I believe that is it, thank you Highness. He last stayed here about a month ago, but left suddenly when Master Rourke told him that you would be giving an audience here. He did reserve a room, but he did not arrive before you visit. That is all I know you Highness." Aine curtsied again, and resumed pouring hot water into the baths.
"Thank you Aine. You see Impa; I told you he was telling the truth. I could feel it." Zelda turned to face her guardian wrapping her arms around the exterior of the bath. She was feeling triumphant, and loved rubbing it in with Impa.
"Yes Princess, you wisdom is unparalleled. Thank you for your service Aine, you may go." Aine curtsied and bowed her way out the room, while Zelda kindly smiled her good bye. When she had left, Impa stood in the bath, her toned skin glistening beneath the torch light. Black hair clung to her face and neck, and Zelda was not surprised to see a great number of scars across her generous bosom and legs, many gained protecting her, but they only enhanced her exotic beauty. Impa climbed out of the tub, lifted a towel off the ledge upon the wall and wrapped herself before lifting another. Zelda sighed, and lifted herself out of the tub. Though not as muscular, Zelda was much more striking. Her long blonde hair was wrapped in a bun, exposing the gentle features of her oval face, but a few strands fell down across her soft breasts and down her back. Blotches of red from the bath marred her pale smooth skin. She often heard how beautiful she was from visiting nobles and dignitaries, and she supposed that she was, but few boys her age had ever shown interest in her. Impa assured her they were nervous because she was royalty, but Zelda did not believe it. She had never even been kissed! No man had ever looked at her the way Link had, as though she was a person, a beautiful person too, and she was intent on appearing as beautiful as possible tonight to keep his eyes on her.
Link returned from the bath to find a brown paper package from the tailor waiting for him in his room, which contained a gold trimmed silk blue tunic and grey pants. They fit him perfectly; the woman obviously knew what she was doing. Without a matching cap, Link was forced to attempt to comb his hair, which was more or less a lost cause. His thick blonde hair fell across his face and around his pointed Hylian ears. Pushing his hair behind his ears, only for it to fall back immediately, he checked the clock in the room before heading out. "Time to spare."
Walking into the common room, Link realized that he wasn't exactly sure where he was to meet the Princess. He scanned the noisy room, a great number of soldiers and townsfolk but saw no sign of the Princess or Impa. "Now you didn't expect her Highness to be dining out here did you boy?" Link turned to see Master Rourke behind the bar, a great smile breaking his face. "She has requested a private dining room, its down at the end of the hall opposite from the stable entrance. I hear you did her a great service young man; it's the talk of the town. You should be proud Link."
One of the inn keeper's buxom daughters, Awne, led Link to the dining room, easily found by the two guardsmen stood outside the room. Seeing Link approach, they opened the door, and announced him simply as "Link" as they knew not his last name or home, of which he had none. Link entered the room to see Impa and the Princess, who stood at his entrance around a circular dining table with three chairs. He lingered for a second on the wooden box holding the Book of Mudora on the table, apparently they did not want to let it out of their eyes either. Aine, the serving girl waited in the corner, where she smoothed and picked at her plain brown skirt and white blouse incessantly. The room was well decorated, if not overly rich. It was brightly lit by fireplace and wall lamps, and a large painting of Lake Hylia hung opposite the door.
Link was surprised to see Impa dressed in a rich purple robes, her black hair was let down, neatly combed and hung around her shoulders. Whenever he had seen her before she was wearing Sheikah battle armor and soldiers garb, which he now saw hid her decidedly more feminine features. She was certainly a remarkable woman, although Link was still puzzled at her age. Zelda was simply radiant in a stunning red evening gown. Her blonde hair was intricately braided around a small silver tiara, which made it look as though it was interwoven with gold, and framed her flawless face perfectly. Golden scroll work adorned her bodice, accentuating her fair curves and small waist. Soft hands peeked out from the long sleeves, revealing that she had painted her nails to match her dress.
Link dropped to one knee and bowed before Zelda, forcing himself to tear his eyes away from her. "Please, stand Link; you need not be so formal here. Forever shall you be welcome at my table as an equal." Zelda motioned for Link to stand up and the guard to leave with a flick of her wrist. "Thank you Corporal Martin, please be informed that I do not wish to be disturbed."
Link remained standing until Zelda and Impa sat then took his seat opposite the Princess. He tried to be careful not to let his gaze linger upon Zelda, for fear that he might stare. Aine served them silently from the corner, pouring them water and wine with fresh baked rolls and butter. Link was eager to accept; he had not eaten since the previous day, and was ravenous. Impa broke the silence first, "So Link, you must tell me who taught you the sword and bow, your skill is beyond any I have seen in a man so young. Perhaps he would be available to help train our soldiers."
He was deliberate in finishing his roll, which was much better than he usually received, thanks to the Princess for sure, giving him time to consider the question. "Well, I have traveled far across Hyrule and the neighboring lands, and I have learned the sword from local trainers and champions. I have sparred many times to earn a bed for the night, or rupees to buy dinner. I spent a year among the Gerudo after being stranded near the desert, this was perhaps five or six years ago. They taught me much of what I know of the bow, and I was able to practice my sword play against them as well. Since that time I have continued traveling, always on the look out for anyone who might be able to pass on some knowledge." That's close enough to the truth at least I suppose.
Impa's face was impassive at his answer, but Link felt him stomach leap to see Zelda genuinely interested. "Most impressive Link, most impressive indeed, to be so skilled without formal training, may I ask, how did you gain the trust of the Gerudo, as I am sure you know they have a most unsavory reputation for thievery and xenophobia, especially considering they are a society of women?"
Zelda's knowledge of the Gerudo was to be expected, she was Princess of Hyrule after all, but not her attitude. Most Hylians were appalled by the Gerudo, particularly tales of their kidnapping men for procreation and slaves. Though Link knew this was far from the case, not many did. It impressed him that Zelda seemed to have an open mind about them, "Well, I was pretty lucky actually, I was ambushed by a group of tektites, spider like creatures who live in the mountains near the Gerudo desert. I managed to defeat them, but I was heavily injured. After I collapsed, Epona dragged me to a camp of Gerudo. They tended to my wounds and brought me back to their city. I stayed until I was healthy, and tried to repay them as best I could. The year passed quickly, during which I learned many skills, including the bow."
Aine brought in a cart, with a great roast and various greens, which she served to Zelda, Impa and Link in turn. She placed in front of him a great number of knives, forks, and spoons. They ate silently for a while, Link careful to be dignified and slow as possible despite his hunger. When much of the plates were cleared, Impa began conversation again. "So Link, tell us, how did you retrieve the Book of Mudora? I have thought of little else since the forest, and I still can't believe it. After the Betrayal I believed the book lost forever."
Link looked long at Impa's unreadable face, and then at Zelda's hopeful anticipation. There is no way out of this, she will see through anything less than the truth. "Well, I am glad that it is not. I had learned the book was held in the ancient Sheikah fortress in the northern Hylian Mountains, in the hands of Hyrule's enemies. I had no idea how I would get in, let alone if I could retrieve the book, as the entrance to the cave was hidden from all except Sheikah, and even then I imagined that it would be guarded by the creatures and traitors that had overrun the fortress. Therefore, when I reached the mountains I followed some of the creatures, to see if they would lead me to the entrance, and if I could sneak in behind them. Unfortunately, that would have been impossible; the entrance was half destroyed, and guarded by too many Moblins. Not to be deterred, I searched the mountain side until I found a tunnel carved into the rock by a stream over time and hidden by the brush. I crawled through the tunnel for miles until I discovered that it let out into an underground pool, which served as the water source for the caverns." Link paused to take a drink, and noticed that Impa's face held the same fascination as Zelda's now.
"I snuck through the fortress, which was easier than I expected due the unnatural darkness that waited within. The black stones they built the fortress with appeared to suck the light from torches, I do not think the enemy had adjusted yet. I must admit, I was a bit frightened as I stumbled about the fortress for days on end, surviving on bits of bread and water, until I discovered the chamber where the Book lay. It was deep within the mountain, and far underground. I found a balcony high above, where I studied the room. The Book was on a pedestal surrounded by a great amphitheater filled with the dead bodies of beasts and monsters unlike any I had ever seen. Blood filled the floor of the chamber like it was a fountain. The Sheikah guards that had protected the book lay dead on the ground as well. In front of the book I was surprised to see a Sheikah woman, in black robes with pale blonde hair; her skin was extremely pale, almost sickly so, and covered with strange symbols painted in blood. She was speaking softly, almost mumbling in a language I did not understand, I assume it was Ancient Hylian, as she was attempting to pry the cover of the book open. She could not and began to curse in frustration."
"I can't believe that Seana is still alive! After all these years, when the wasting took everyone else. It is most cruel that her betrayal would bring death to all Sheikah, and left her alive." Impa interjected, her face crestfallen and saddness darkened the room.
"Excuse Mistress, I am afraid I don't understand; who is Seana?" Link was genuinely puzzled. It was Zelda who answered though, as Impa seemed lost in thought.
"Seana was the Shepard of the Sheikah, their chosen leader. She was a religious zealot, who came to believe that the Sheikah and the Sheikah alone should wield the Triforce of Wisdom, since it was Mudora who the Goddesses passed it to. She betrayed the vow Mudora made to serve the Royal Family. There was some in the Sheikah tribe who agreed with her, and attempted to steal the Triforce from the castle, but Impa and the castle guard repelled them. Soon after all the Sheikah fell ill, as Mudora had promised would happen if ever the Sheikah would break their vow. Impa herself was close to dying until –"
"Until her Highness saved me. Though she was only a girl, her magical power was already great. She performed a complicated bit of healing magic saving me from certain death." For her part, Zelda blushed heavily, but Impa's moment of sadness was gone, instead, all that remained was burning hatred.
Nodding, Link continued his story, "Well, if she is still alive I do not know, but I doubt it. While I was watching her I overheard a great voice, terrible and anguished. It spoke the same language as the woman and they seemed to be arguing. The voice seemed to come from the blood on the floor itself, and shook the entire cavern. Taking advantage I climbed down from the balcony, and attacked. She was very weak, and I was able to overpower her. I wounded her leg, but left her alive when I heard the Moblins' piggish squeals coming closer. I took the Book and ran, wandering through the halls, avoiding the beasts. It took me a few days but I found the pool, crawled back through the water tunnel to the light of day." Link smiled realizing that he had never told the story of the retrieval of the book to another person before.
Zelda clapped softly and smiled with delight, but Impa appeared deep in thought and said "Link, it is a thrilling tale, worthy of being recorded in song and history, but I admit myself confused, the journey alone from here to the mountains and back would take over a month, let alone discovering the tunnel and retrieving the book. How did you accomplish that?"
"A month? I am afraid I don't understand Mistress."
"At the forest road, when you presented the Book, you told us that you went to retrieve it a month ago."
"Ahh, I see, yes, well that was the truth, I did go to retrieve it a month ago, but from where I had hidden it. You see, I entered the cave and took the book…oh, I'd say about eight years ago." Zelda dropped her water goblet, spilling across the table and Impa's mouth hung open in shock.