Chapter 3
Link
What the fuck is the matter with me?
I slam my fists into the hard wooden fighting dummy.
How could I be so goddam stupid?
The red flaming knuckles crash into the padded midsection. The second I woke up this morning after a terrible night of restless sleep, I knew I had to work off the tension somehow, yet this was doing little to calm my racing mind.
How could yesterday have gone any worse?
The clash of metal around the training grounds is barely audible to me as I work through my daily routines. Routines that had been drilled into me for years on end. Routines that honed me as a warrior and yet felt as if they did little to help me at this moment. It was all muscle memory at this point. I smash my fists into the side of the dummies head and the pain splintering into the bruised knuckles barely registers.
Her face. Her eyes. That pain that I caused. It all haunted me last night. I had caused it.
"Link."
I throw a kick into the wooden dummy.
"Link."
I throw a punch.
"LINK."
I throw another.
"LINK!" I feel a slap to my head and turn on instinct to attack and stop inches from my fathers throat. He jumps back in surprise and then the anger rises.
"What the hell is the matter with you," he growls, stepping forward, but his once menacing form does nothing to me now.
"What," I growl back before turning and dropping to do push ups. My muscles are aching.
"What is the matter with you," he asks again.
"I'm training father," I snap, my usual calm demeanor shaken.
"Well stop and go bathe, the king has requested our presence at the morning meeting," my father growls. I falter in my workout, not daring to question an order from the king.
An hour later I'm dressed in all of the grandeur as I walk through the halls of the castle, heading to the kitchen for some food that I missed before my workout, my body screaming for substance. I make my way through the main dining area and am caught off guard by the king's voice.
"Link my boy," he calls and I turn to see him seated at the end of the table with Zelda and her ladies maids.
"Majesty," I say with a low bow.
"There is no need for that, please sit," he gestures towards the seat to his left. The place normally taken up by my father. I hesitate but obey and take a seat.
"Renolds," the king calls and the servant to his left responds. "Please retrieve Link a plate."
"Majesty, I can do it," I say, not wanting to be a bother.
"Nonsense," the king bleats before returning to his meal as the servant scurries to retrieve my meal.
I am not accustomed to others waiting on me hand and foot. Although I was chosen and was raised with the royal family I was never waited on like this, my father wouldn't allow it. He said it made you too complacent and lazy, however he took full advantage. Reynolds returns with a plate in tow and sets it before me with a deep bow, as if I myself am royal. I stare at the plate as if in awe.
"Eat my boy," the king says before stuffing another bite into his own mouth. I obey, taking the fork and knife and digging in, my hunger overpowering me. I scarf down the meal. I am vaguely aware of the women seated around me eyeing me as if I am a meal or giggling behind their napkins.
"So Link," Zelda pulls my attention when I slow to drink some tea. "How are you finding home so far?"
"It's…" I want to say well but so far being home has been confusing, difficult, and painful. The words don't come. I feel myself flush as I turn my attention back towards the plate. I had never been good at talking to anyone. Anyone besides her. Now that was ruined too. The women giggle as if my non answer is enough.
"Girls," the King warns before shoveling in another heaping bite.
"I'm sure it all very disorienting," one of the maids chimes in. I look up to see the blushing dark haired women with skin that looks like milk. I simply nod before returning to my food, picking over the remnants, attempting to avoid conversation.
"There are many things to occupy your time now that your home. Many people as well," the blonde one with curling hair pipes in. Her face goes crimson when I turn towards her.
"If you ever need anyone to show you around the grounds or keep you company, know that we are always available to you," the one with darker skin says. The three in unison fan themselves with their feather fans hiding a demure giggle. I can feel my face heating from the attention.
"Do you actually believe he doesn't remember how to get around the palace," a voice that sends my heart plummeting chimes.
I turn towards the entryway as Dreamana filters through the doorway. Her mass of brown messy hair flowing in tendrils of loose curls that I remember running my fingers through as a child. She glances my way but doesn't linger and it stings. She brushes past me and leans in to kiss her father on the cheek.
"Glad to see you alive darling" the king snorts and she gives him a wry smile.
"All better father," she says, stealing toast off his plate and swatting him playfully.
He gives her a grin before pushing her off. Dreamana and the king had always had a light relationship. She was the only person that he shared smiles with. I was once told it was because Dream took after her mother or perhaps it was her lack of responsibility. The stiffness in Zelda's posture said enough of her resentment for that bond. The king and Zelda never saw eye to eye.
"Did you end up calling a healer," the king asks before looking over to me. I hadn't gone to report on Dreamana yesterday, I had been too flustered to manage it. I give him an apologetic wince.
"There was no need father," Dreamana crohn's before reaching past me to retrieve the tea kettle and pouting herself a glass. I get the scent of lavender and honey soap. The smell strokes something inside of me, caressing it awake. "Link here took care of it." She says smacking me hard on the shoulder.
"Good," her father says. "Well I'm off to prepare for today. Link see you at noon." The king says standing. "Zelda," the king barks and she straightens at the tone. "Do not forget your prayers this morning to the goddesses."
"Yes father," she stammers out.
"The gods do not bless the meek," he growls and she winces.
"Yes father," she says again.
"Good," the king says, moving around his chair to which Dream slides into with her cup of tea. The king leans down and plucks a light kiss to the top of her head and Dreamana swats him playfully away.
"You, please be good," the king says but smiles as if he knows that the order will go unheard by his daughter.
"Yeah, yeah," she jeers, leaning into the cushioned arms.
"I mean it Dream," the king says with more authority. Dream scrunches her nose and nods. He snorts before turning and exiting the room.
Dream leans forward and grabs the forgotten paperwork left on the table by the king. She takes it and leans back, kicking her feet up on the side table as she reads. The picture of pure nonchalants. I can't help the kick in my heart it gives me. The true innevorant princess.
Zelda snorts from the other side and it causes Dream to stiffen and look up from her reading.
"What," she asks, sipping from the tea.
"Nothing," Zelda bites back. Dreamana only rolls her eyes before returning to her lounging.
"It just must be so nice to have a day of nothing to do besides staying out of trouble and you can't even do that."
Dream shifts in the seat lifting the papers to block off Zelda's head. I didn't exactly agree with Zelda's reprimands but I understood where she was coming from. I understood that kind of pressure. Dreamana had no idea what it was like to carry it the way we did.
"All I'm saying is it must be nice to lounge about," Zelda hisses.
"If you believe that is all I do Zelda, you know nothing," Dream growls but doesn't look up from her papers.
"Oh I'm sorry. I forget that you spend all that time training," she spits the word. Dream stiffens. "Unlike the rest of us that have real responsibilities and all." Dream doesn't respond, but I can tell she is shaking with restraint.
"Well ladies, I suppose we should get on with our day," Zelda finally says, standing with graceful ease. "Lord Link." She bows her head before filtering out of the room, the ladies maids in tow.
Dream doesn't look up as they leave. Doesn't even acknowledge me sitting there. I can feel the tension so heavily in the room it's smothering. I have to say something.
"Would…would you like me to get you some food majesty," I mumble quietly. She doesn't respond. I can see her eyes move across the page. She heard me, but was choosing to ignore me.
"Majesty," I say again. She doesn't look up.
"Dreamana," I bite out, annoyance rising. "Are you simply ignoring me now?"
"It seems like a viable option," she sneers, turning the page over.
"Viable option?"
"If I ignore you long enough maybe you'll go away."
"I'm not going anywhere," I say, feeling the heaviness of her words. "And I'm not going to say anything to your father."
I had decided last night that ratting her out wouldn't be smart. It wouldn't serve anyone any good. I couldn't bring myself to betray her after the pain I caused.
"Why," she asks, finally peering over the paper at me. I meet her look.
"It doesn't matter," I say. "But it ends."
"So blackmail, hm?" she hums.
"It's an ultimatum," I counter. "You stop or I tell your father everything."
"That sounds an awful lot like blackmail," she snorts.
"Call it whatever you like. It stops." I say again, but her smirk makes me think she has no intention of listening to a word I say.
"No thank you," she says, throwing the papers across the table and standing. "I'm not in the business of negotiation."
"This isn't a negotiation, it's a command," I say, meeting her challenge. A challenge that has my blood boiling.
"You have no proof it was me, hero," she spits. "I think you're going to have to come up with some evidence to prove I'm the thief."
"You don't think your father will believe me," I spit while standing with her.
"I think you've always underestimated me," she says.
"It ends." I growl.
She doesn't respond before she rounds the chair and heads for the door. I almost chase after her and demand her response, but she turns to me flashing her challenging look. The look I know all too well as a declaration of war. Fortunately for her I was in the mood to play.
Dreamana
"Keep your elbow up," Jackson commands from beside me as I throw my weight into my attack.
"I am." I growl before shoving forward into him, he blocks it easily and side steps. I follow him with all my 'fancy footwork' that Link sneered at before.
"If you were I wouldn't see every attack coming," he snaps before lunging for me. I sidestep and parry. I thrust my sword forward and he stumbles back.
"You didn't see that," I laugh, but it's short lived as he sweeps me. I come crashing to the ground in a hard thud. My sword clatters away and before my fumbling fingers can grab it the hard whining metal sword presses into my throat. I peer up at Jackson sneering down at me.
"Unfair," I hiss.
"Fighting isn't about fairness. It is about who lives and who dies," He pushes the blade harder and I feel the tingle of anticipation, but he pulls the sword away before reaching his hand out to help me up.
I take it as he yanks me to my feet. I fall into his hard chest. The scent of firewood and musk hits me. Memories of us tangled up beside the river months ago flashes through me and I wince away. He steps away too, putting distance reluctantly between us. Things had been weird since that make out session, but I had made it clear that I wasn't looking for a relationship.
The truth was that that day I was so lonely I was willing to throw myself at anyone who offered me a scrap of companionship, but before I could make that final step something in my veins started screaming. I put an end to anything between Jackson and me. I made it clear to him that I wasn't really looking at being anything more than what we already were and what we already were was training partners. Technically he was a king's guard and I was a princess.
"You have to anticipate your opponent's moves. Your footwork is great but you're relying too much on it," Jackson says, wiping the sweat from his brow. That was twice now my footwork had been ridiculed.
"My footwork is flawless," I bite before turning to wipe the sweat from my hands.
"I never said it wasn't," he says, but I ignore him as I grab the water ladle and down it. "I said don't rely on it."
"Because it's not good," I spit.
"Defensive this morning," he growls back.
"Whatever," I roll my eyes and turn to him, I can feel his bristle as he stalks up behind me.
Jackson was not a small man by any means. He was tall and handsome with dark brown hair and eyes. He was golden skinned from all his time spent outdoors in the sun. He worked the night shifts up on the gate tower. It was where we met one night after I snuck in and left a trail of blood from an arrow wound through the shoulder. He was kind enough to get me stitched up and kept my secret. We became fast friends as he offered to train me against those sorts of attacks by being faster on my feet. Only months ago had things progressed further than just idle companionship. Although I had shot him down, he had a keen way of acting as if we were more. Jackson snags my elbow and turns me into him.
"What happened," he growls.
"What are you talking about," I say, twisting out of his grip.
"I heard about the blood," he says.
"It was nothing."
"It wasn't nothing if I heard from every guard that you had been injured."
"I had a run in with the law," I say simply, not wanting to recount the entire situation to him.
"Why didn't you come to me," Jackson asks.
"Because it was handled," I say.
"Handled by the new lord in training," Jackson sneers.
He knew about mine and Links friendship before, probably because I couldn't stop talking his ear off about him. Based on the bite in his voice he was thoroughly jealous.
"Link," I say.
"Yes, Link."
"He's back," I say, still not looking at him.
"I'm aware," he hisses. "What does that mean for us?"
"Us?"
"Yes. Us?"
"There is no us. We are friends right," I see the disappointment cross his face. He turns away and retrieves his shirt. Throwing it over his head.
"Yeah, friends," he says quietly before heading out the back.
It feels like a weight lifted off my shoulder with him leaving. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to handle this situation. Jackson was a good man. He was a commoner yes, but above the snobbery of the royals. After Link had left I fell into a dark place that I had never really recovered from since. Jackson was one of the first friends I had made in a while. Well him and Max.
I sigh before turning to exit the front of the barn. I make it inside before I hear the shriek of my sister and turn to see her bouncing up and down with the other ladies maids peering over the balcony of the castle common room. Curious, I move closer to see what they were watching so excitedly. Outside in the courtyard the king's royal guard train in combat skills and in the forefront of it all is Link.
His white tunic is hanging loosely from his muscled abdomen. Muscles that I don't recall him ever having. His hair is tied back and sweat trickles over his hard jaw. I can't help the sudden need to gulp as my throat goes dry from the sight. Zelda and her ladies giggle and shriek as he takes the men through a series of movements. Each showing the toned muscles of his body and I can't help but stare at him, the fine specimen he had become.
As if sensing me his eyes shoot straight up to the balcony, catching me with my mouth hanging halfway open in awe. A playful smile dances across his lips and I can't help but jump backwards as my face heats. He caught me gawking at him. My whole body flutters awake as the shame of it washes over me. What was wrong with me? I back away into the hallway. I needed a bath desperately now to wash away the shame.
Link
"I think the guard could use more of these sessions on a regular basis," my father croons as we watch the king's guard move through a simple series of moves I had just demonstrated. I didn't think they were all that bad for men who spent only a few months training before being stationed.
"Maybe we could have Link run them through a few drills a couple of times a week," my father suggests and I bristle at the thought of teaching them all every day.
"I don't think it's necessary to put in that much work," the king says as we walk through the lines of sparring soldiers.
"Of course your Majesty," my father bites.
"Perhaps we could do it once a week," the king suggests. "They do seem to be thriving at the moment."
I nod right before a guard knocks into my shoulder causing me to stumble forward. I turn to find a dark haired man about the same size as me.
"Apologies my lord, Majesty," he says bowing.
"Jackson," the king chirps, clapping the man on his shoulder. The man smiles broadly at the king.
"Sir," he says back.
"Link, Jackson here is one of our newest up and coming commanders," he says and it makes the man stand straighter. I nod my approval before turning back towards the training.
"Lord Link," Jackson says, pulling my attention back. "I would love a demonstration," he says. He smiles at me but there is something pinched in his face as if he disapproves of me for some reason.
"Of course," I say, meeting his stare and gesturing to the front of me so we could spar.
The man smiles before taking up a fighting stance against me. We get into position, but before I can say go he lunges for me. I don't expect the attack and stumble back slightly, blocking his punch as I sidestep. We continue through a set of movements that I had demonstrated, but Jacksons throws are becoming more wild and rough. His foot work however becomes more familiar. I follow it, admiring how well he moved. It was almost recognizable and before I can comment he sweeps me and I plummet to the hard ground.
"Sorry about that," Jackson laughs as he holds out a hand to help me. "I get a little carried away at times."
"It's fine," I say, standing and brushing away the dirt. I hadn't expected to be so easily bested. I turn towards my father and he and the king aren't even watching as they chat about troop movements.
"Yeah well, I spend a lot of time training, so…" Jackson says, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You're very good," I say truthfully.
"Thank you. So are you, of course my lord. I had heard," he says and something like resentment seems to wash over his face.
"Heard?"
"Yeah well, Dream said you were good," He says, giving me a sideways smile.
"Dream," I say confused. "The princess."
"Yeah she mentioned you two had been friends or something," he says with a shrug and a coy smile that has my blood howling.
"Your friends with Dreamana," I ask as my stomach twists.
"You could say that," he says, giving me a wink that has everything in me ratcheting up more. What the fuck did that even mean? "Well this morning we were pretty good friends."
I resist the urge to punch him square in the face. I turn back towards my father who is still preoccupied with the king.
"She's spunky you know," he says, pulling my attention back. "Of course you know that."
"Yeah," I say glaring at the insinuation that he knows her at all. "She's my best friend."
"Was," he inserts. "That was a long time ago, right Link?"
I sneer at him to which he only smiles more. It is enough to set my blood boiling. I turn away and head inside, fighting the urge to turn around. Fighting the urge to put him in his fucking place, but I know he's right, Dream wasn't my friend anymore.
By the time we get through all of the afternoon meetings the sun is dipping just below the horizon. The warm summer heat is making way for dewy warmth as rain storms loom near the dueling peaks. I let out a sigh of relief as for the first time all day I'm alone. I had made my way up to the roof after our last meeting. My father had gone into another private meeting with the king and I was dismissed to prepare for dinner. We were to sit with members of parliament tonight and I was to look my best. I had to get away just for a moment of silence. The silence that was suddenly now interrupted.
The sound of scuffling footsteps draws my attention as the roof access is breached. I whip my head around to find Dream scurrying up the ladder. She hasn't noticed me yet and I take the opportunity to get a good look at her. She had changed so much since the last time I saw her. As usual Dream opted for blue flowing pants and a cinched bodice of black gossamer. The straps of which hang loosely down her arms. She wears a pair of silk black slippers and her mass of brown hair is tied up above her pointed ears. I can't help but gawk at how beautiful she is and considering I had caught her earlier in the day gawking at me I figure this is warranted.
She turns finally and I can see the dark freckles along the top of her nose and high cheekbones. I had counted them all once when I was young, I wonder if she still has the same amount now. Her piercing green eyes catch mine. The shining forest green grows in realization as she is not alone.
"What are you doing here," she asks defensively. She looks around the roof as if I am impeaching her sacred land. She forgets that this was our special place.
"I needed some air," I say simply. She nods, but eyes me suspiciously. She looks me over and turns for the hatch.
"Well I'll leave you to it," she says and I can't help the panic.
"Wait," I call shooting to my feet. She stops and turns to me.
"I don't want to bother you," she says, shifting as if uncomfortable on her feet. Uncomfortable with me.
"You never bother me," I whisper.
"Yeah, well, I think yesterday would beg to differ."
"Fuck yesterday," I blurt before I can stop myself. Her eyes grow in shock and I wince at the outburst. "Sorry."
"No," she says, stepping away from the hatch. "That may be the first, you thing, I've heard so far." She gives me a small smile that has my heart pounding. She closes the hatch and turns for the railing ahead of me, brushing past me, close enough I can feel the heat pass between our bodies. I turn slowly to follow her, as I always had. I had to fix this.
"I…I'm sorry about yesterday," I say carefully as we both look out over the setting sun.
"What is there to be sorry for?"
"I shouldn't have assumed that this would be all easy. Me returning, you being…whatever it is you are."
"Extraordinary," she blurts, flashing me a wry smile. I can't help but smile back.
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't say that was the word I was looking for," I say and she laughs knocking her shoulder playfully into mine. It all feels so…normal. As if the last years never happened. We stay there, saying nothing for a long time as we soak in each other's presence. This was how I wanted it to be yesterday. Two friends meeting again, but reality has a terrible way of smothering you.
"LINK!" I hear my name yelled from the courtyard below. I bristle at the tone in my father's voice and visibly straighten.
"Well…I guess that's your cue," she says shifting away. As if she was woken from a trance and realizes who she was talking to, time finally catching up with us both.
"Yeah…I guess so."
"Wouldn't want to upset daddy," she says lifting herself over the railing, I instinctively grab ahold of her elbow as she swings her legs over.
"What are you doing," I demand.
"Taking in the sights," she says innocently and then I realize the tunic she is wearing has a hood and mask.
"You're going out again," I growl. She gives me a smug smile before jumping down to the lower roof below. I lurch forward to catch her but she is too quick. "Dreamana!" I hiss after her. She doesn't so much as turn as she disappears across the roof and over the wall.
By the time the window squeaks open that evening it's well past midnight. I had finished my dinner with the king, my father, and parliament hours before and had excused myself. Somehow I ended up in her room, wanting to give her a scolding for leaving me on the roof to worry about her the entire night. As the minutes turned into hours I began to slowly lose my mind, terrified as to what could be happening to her. Then when the window squeaked open minutes from a complete and total mental breakdown I couldn't help the sense of relief rushing over me.
Her silk clad feet whisper on the floor and she hasn't noticed me sitting in the far corner of her room. When she illuminates the candles and turns however she catches the sight of my slouching figure.
"Gods!" she shrieks, hand flying up over her chest. "Link? What the fuck?" She growls as she sets the candlestick down and advances. I follow in suit, ready to demand she give an explanation to her whereabouts.
"Where the hell were you? Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Do you have any idea how inappropriate it is that your here?" she snorts before turning to unwrap the black tunic from her neck, flinging it haphazardly across the satin satee.
"Don't make excuses. What the fuck were you thinking," I snap.
"What was I thinking? What makes you think that you have any right to question my whereabouts?" She bites out.
"I could have told him," I snap as she turns away, her shoulder stiffening at the tone. "I didn't say a word when they asked before but you're putting yourself in danger on purpose and I can't keep turning a blind eye when I know the truth."
"Truth," she laughs. "Don't act like you know anything about the truth."
"I'm not the one running around here wearing a mask," I challenge.
"Oh aren't you!" she snaps, whirling on me. "You act like someone else entirely but you forget that I know you."
"You used to know me, I am not that person anymore," I growl.
"No shit," she sneers.
Something in my stomach settles like a rock. I want to find my way back to the people we were before but at this rate it was impossible. I was not him and she was not her.
"It ends or else," I warn, turning to leave.
"Or else what? You'll turn me in," she growls after me.
"What you're doing is dangerous," I say, reaching for the handle.
"Who would have guessed you would be such a snitch Link," she hisses and stop.
"I want to protect you," I say.
"I don't need nor want your protection. Do you not think I'm capable of handling myself," she demands. I turn towards her, head held high.
"I think you're delusional in thinking they won't find out the truth," I say.
"Fine, let's make a bet then," she counters.
"A bet?"
"Yes. You used to love games, let's play one now," she saunters, running her fingers along the gossamer curtains hanging from her bed. The green of her eyes glints in the moonlight. "If you're so skilled then lets play a round of hide and seek."
"That's a child's game," I counter, but I am obviously interested because she gives me a wry smile.
"Well then let's make it interesting. Tomorrow you'll be in charge of watching over me as our fathers go on a turn about the camps."
"I'm supposed to be with them," I say confused.
"Oh don't worry, it will all be arranged. You'll be tasked with watching over me and then that's the game. If I can slip away from you before sundown you drop this whole meddling in my business thing," she plops on the cushions in an irreverent move. Something inside my body heats as she leans back on the bed.
"And if I win," I say husky, aware of the fact that my voice has dropped.
"You can have whatever you want," she teases and to no ones surprise my mind goes somewhere else internally as she runs her hands over her silken sheets. My mouth goes dry as she gives me a sentinel little smile, dripping with mischief.
"I…" my brain stops working entirely and then finally it all catches up. "I want you to stop whatever it is you're doing. No more thieving. No more sneaking out."
I watch as her face falls a little in disappointment. What was she disappointed about? She sits up and seems to weigh my resolve as I cross my arms over my chest.
"Fine," she says, shooting up and crossing the distance between us. The scent of her lavender soap and sweat hitting me. She reaches out her hand to shake mine.
"Confident are we," I say as I reach for hers a sudden shock courses through my body as our hands meet and we both jump as our hands touch.
"I'm always confident," she says and then turns for the bathroom, leaving me reeling over the possibilities of tomorrow.