Firstly thanks very much to fantasymask and la generala for reviewing. I hope this chapter will clear up a few things it is a little short though. Believe it or not but there are only a few more chapters to go…
Chapter Eighteen - Ruaela
Varjo's eyes glow red in the darkness of the room. I see a sneer pass across his features as he watches the world beyond his window. I follow his gaze and feel my heart thud once in my chest as I see below us a sight I had almost forgotten – Link. But it is not as I wanted, nor as I expected, for holding on to him is that Princess.
I feel Varjo's eyes on me and I turn to face him, his cold hand touches my skin and I feel a comforting shiver run down my spine. His eyes are almost aglow as they observe me.
"It looks like we are on, my dear." He whispers. There is no need to whisper. The house is deserted, but still, it can only add to the atmosphere, can't it? His gaze returns to the golden haired ones below us and I see that familiar predatory look in his eyes again. "What a pair of fools." He sniggers.
Below us Link is holding Zelda's hand, talking to her in what appears to be an animated fashion. Zelda, the dolt that she is, is just staring up at him. He is right - they are a pair of fools. Varjo is right about many things. How love can turn into bitter, contemptuous hatred for one. I feel it, like bile rising in my throat, that all consuming anger as I look upon him. To think I was once blind enough to adore him too…
Now if I imagine Link embracing me, I cringe. If I picture him kissing me, I shudder. The very thought repulses me. I glance back at Varjo and smile again. It is strange but I can hardly remember my life before I knew him – it is like I only began to live on that day.
It has been two weeks since we came to his house. And in those two weeks I have learned so much about Hyrule, there is much more to this country than I ever imagined was possible. I have been to the vast scorching desert, I have visited the highest snowiest mountains, I have swam in the cold waters of Lake Hylia, I have walked into the heart of the forest, and I have been even been inside the catacombs under the castle.
And now we have returned here to begin our plans of revenge. My plans have altered slightly over these last weeks. Varjo has taught me many things and our main priority now is to sever the bond between Link and Zelda. Upon observation, I realise that it might be more difficult than we anticipated – but it is not something that is impossible to overcome.
There is a soft knock on the door. Varjo smiles at me and calls 'Enter'. His smile only deepens as the Zora walks in. To all observers, the Zora is relaxed and serene, but I know, thanks to Varjo, that this particular Zora holds a very serious grudge. His tattoos are striking against the pale blue of his skin and the gold and silver jewellery that pierces much of his skin glistens in the moonlight.
"I have a message from Queen Ruto." He announces in that soft, strong voice of his.
"Speak." I glance at Varjo and see that his eyes are glowing even brighter now. He looks positively evil. The Zora is not in the slightest bit intimidated. He just nods and relays his message, "We are ready."
"Is that all?"
"That is all." Answers the Zora, perfectly calmly. "What more would you like me to add? I can tell you every secret of our nation but I cannot see that it will help you. We have played our part. I have done what you have asked. Queen Ruto is willing to assist you. We too want our revenge. I want my revenge…" The Zora's eyes flash for a moment, and for once I can see the anger in his eyes. It was said he was very close to his cousin once.
"You will have your revenge, my friend." Laughs Varjo. "If you want proof of this, just look out of the window – observe your 'friends' below. I have more than enough information to destroy their whole world." The Zora glances in the direction Varjo points. I already know what is down there – the bodies of a number of Ganondorf's minions, a foolish princess and her blind knight.
"My argument is not with Link or Zelda." Says the Zora quietly as he observes them. "However, sacrifices must be made for the good of this nation." I see a strange sneer appear in his eyes. "I suppose that means that I must offer myself as a potential candidate for her hand, must I?"
"It will be for the best, she must choose either you or I. This country has too many friends on the outside. There is no alternative but to end Daphnes reign from the inside. When it is discovered that yet another member of that family is a philandering slut…well, that will be the downfall."
The Zora turns his attention back to Varjo and smiles slightly; "You do know that Helene did not actually become that man's mistress until three years after fleeing the castle?"
"Of course I know." Answered Varjo. "I know the full story, I helped her escape and arranged for Gustav to be her escort."
The Zora smiles slightly at Varjo and shakes his head, "I still do not understand why you did it."
"Hah! You want an explanation after all these years, do you?" Varjo laughs. He gazes back down at Link and Zelda and says softly, "There are too many reasons. There were deep rifts between the Hylians and Zora even back then, as you know, the country was dangerous. The people were on edge – little Zelda had shown no sign of the Triforce's power – she was an obstinate, foolish child, shy and nervous too – the people began to suspect she was not what she appeared to be. So when Helene suspected she was pregnant again, Daphnes decided that she would be safer away from the castle. If the second child proved to be the real heir to the Triforce, then the people would revolt."
"So who is the heir?"
"I do not know." Says Varjo. "The only three people to witness Zelda's birth were her mother, the nursemaid Impa and Daphnes. Only Daphnes is alive now and he would insist that he told the truth about the matte.r Unless the Princess can prove it herself, then it is in doubt."
"What do you think?"
Varjo smiles wickedly, "I go off what Link believes. And Link says she is."
"I see." Says the Zora. He glances back down at the couple in the yard and rubs his chin. "I did try to convince him otherwise when he was with us, but he does seem to have an extraordinarily strong belief in her."
"That is because he is in love with her." Sneers Varjo. "He is a fool. I don't know where he thinks that will lead him, but it certainly will help our cause."
"It will? I do not see how, but I trust you to know the answer to that." Says the Zora quietly. "Why did you take Helene to the Zora?"
"That is simple – so that Ruto could keep watch over her. If the child born really was the heir to the Triforce, then Ruto would publicise that information. And if not, then we had another weapon to use against him."
"Was this before or after Ruaela was murdered?"
"After." Varjo smiled again, "Ruaela was good. She actually got into the castle, you know. She almost made it to Zelda's rooms. Unfortunately, she was caught before she could accomplish her mission. She was tortured and executed…"
"I know." Snapped the Zora. His eyes flashed in anger again.
I could have told him that Varjo likes to see people suffer and that asking him not to talk about something that causes you pain is useless. I see the anger deepen in the Zora's eyes and one of his hands clenches into a fist.
Varjo merely smiles at these signs and continues, "I was impressed, even under such torture she did not betray our cause."
"Who killed her?" The Zora asks quietly.
In answer Varjo laughs. Looking at his face, I suddenly get the impression that I know exactly who was responsible. I can tell by the way his eyes gleam with sadistic mischief. "It doesn't matter. The point is that she was killed and then Helene carried the news to Ruto. Seeking refuge in the domain of your enemy – quite a novel trick I would say. Of course, I arranged for it to be rumoured that she had actually ran off with Gustav and he was the father of her children."
"He did father the second."
"True." Laughs Varjo. His eyes wander back to Link below us. "To this day, I do not now how Daphnes hung on to his throne. But this time he will not succeed. By hook or by crook I will destroy him."
The Zora nods. I get the impression Varjo is not talking about Daphnes though. His eyes are still fixed on Link's form and he is smiling.
"What message should I convey to Queen Ruto?" Asks the Zora.
"Tell her…" Varjo turns away from the window, and for a moment he is completely shrouded in shadow. I see a twisted grin on his face and his eyes glint. "Tell her that her daughter's sacrifice was not in vain. Our time is coming. Your cousin will be avenged, Rheyan."
The Zora nods and bows again. When he has left the room, Varjo turns to me and grins. "You know, don't you?" He murmurs into my ear. I shiver in delight. "Who killed the Zora Princess?"
"You." I whisper back.
"Good girl. You are learning so fast. Why do you think I did it?" I gaze up at him and notice that his eyes are filled with laughter.
"I would say it was to do with Daphnes, but I think there is an even greater reason than you let on." I answer.
Varjo laughs and nods, "Very good, Mayor Bo. Shall I tell you why?" He presses his cold lips against my neck and I shiver again. Every time he does that I feel that I am falling deeper and deeper under his spell of darkness. His voice sends a quiver of fear down my back as he whispers, "Ruaela was the water sage…"
As the dawn light pierces the window of the bedroom, my eyes sting. I have gotten so used to being in the shadow of darkness for so long that I can barely open my eyes. The light pierces not just my eyes, but also my soul. It hurts.
Varjo is still sleeping at my side, a contented smile on his face. Even when he sleeps he looks disturbing. Careful not to wake him, I slip into my dressing gown and sidle to the window. I want to see what Link has been up to overnight. I kind of hope he has died of the cold.
He is camping near the house. A small fire is still burning. He is still awake. Has he been up all night? Behind him, Zelda is curled up, wrapped in his cloak. She is between the house and the fire. Link sits in front of them both, his sword resting across his knees. How selfish of her – to sleep whilst he keeps watch. As I watch, he stands and stretches. Clearly his first thought is the Princess. He turns around and, even from this distance; I can see his expression soften as he gazes at her.
The light grows in intensity as the sun rises. He crosses to her side and hesitantly he strokes her hair away from her face. Her eyes flicker open and slowly, like the world outside, she wakes. When she has stretched and yawned she touches his face and then kisses his chin. As they embrace, I feel a little bad – not for watching – but because it is a shame to know that such a beautiful thing as love will be such a horrific experience for these two.
Part of me feels a little guilty because I know what is going to happen. The whole world will be against them. Perhaps they know this already, for even as they break the embrace, Zelda turns away. I see her rubbing her right hand, then suddenly she looks up.
She has seen me.
Even though I shoot back into the shadows of the room, I know she saw me. Our eyes met for the briefest of moments.
"What is up?" Varjo is awake, watching me as always.
"She knows we're here." I stammer nervously. Varjo must have seen me looking out of the window, even though he had expressly forbidden me from doing so, but he doesn't seem particularly concerned. He smiles lazily at me and his eyes glint. "Aren't you worried?" I ask.
"Why should I be?" He replies. "It doesn't matter. There is nothing she can do about it."
"But she will guess we've been here all night."
"So? As I say, it doesn't matter." He stretches and I catch my breath at the sight of his naked torso. Suddenly the outside world is not nearly as interesting as it was. He sees the direction of my gaze and smirks. "Come on, Mali. We have work to do."
The light that filled my heart for a moment vanishes under wave upon wave of darkness. "What do you want me to do?"
"That's easy. You are to befriend Zelda." He smiles. "Let's go."
I hope things are starting to become clearer... please review and let me know!