Chapter 5
Zelda came into the room, coming home from a trip one day. She glanced around the empty hall, hearing no one. Outside, a desolate, ashen gray sky seemed to befall the kingdom. It looked much more similar to that of the doomed Kingdom of Termina, than Hyrule. The sullen patterns of rainfall, and an ashy sky seemed to portray the sky in a sullen, grim manner. "Dad". Zelda said, as whisps of her braided hair seemed to blow softly in strands. She heard no one again. "Dad". she said again. No response. Zelda searched up and down the halls, as the castle seemed skirted in tragedy. "Well, maybe he's outside". A teenage Zelda, now 16 said. That, I forgot to mention. Zelda looked up and down, in a matter of solace. "I don't know where my dad is". Zelda said, pausing only for a second to convalesce.
She sat in her room, waiting for her father to return from the courtyards to greet her. But no one came. Instead, there was a soft knock on her door, her door, that had acquired an undead grayish color. The paint on the wooden door was peeling back now revealing some homes for caterpillars, and stink bugs.
Instead, only Impa came in, as she softly and with gentleness knocked on the door. "Zelda, are you in here?". Impa asked, with a sullen, and distant nurturing to her voice. It was as if the nurturer had become strict, and cold, Fall-like in nature. "I am…do you need something?". Zelda asked. "oh…well…I do need to talk to you, is all". "It is quite important". Impa said, gently. Impa did let herself in. "Come in, if you want". Zelda said. Zelda glanced up at Impa, with a look of sullen disposition to her face. "honey….I have some sad news regarding your dad". Impa said, softly. "What happened?". Zelda asked. "He….he passed away last night due to brain cancer". Impa said, softly as she sniffled. "Oh…he's gone now…but…but…but". Zelda began to protest. Zelda could feel herself becoming angered, and heated with emotion. "I'm sorry, honey". Impa said, as she sniffled, wiping away some tears. She and Zelda hugged one another tightly as Zelda sniffled, feeling the hurt take her underneath, much like a tidal wave. Zelda sniffled, as she felt her body begin to shake with anxiety. She shook, feeling lightheaded, and the fear of a medical emergency was all too real. Zelda sniffled, in a crying measure.
"I don't think we'll get much sleep tonight". "We have to start planning for the funeral arrangements". Impa said, as she sniffled. "That's ok…I can do whatever is needed". Zelda said, quietly. Zelda walked over to the balcony, empty, desolate, and worn with winter's cold, as a chill swept over the now empty courtyard where flowers had shriveled up, due to the cold.
Zelda sniffled, glancing over at the place where she and Daltus used to pick flowers. It seemed lonely in that area as well. Zelda sighed a heavy sigh, walking away from the balcony. I knocked on the palace door, gently, bringing a bouquet of flowers. "Is everything alright?". "I heard there was some troubling times, I brought something that might help us". I said, gently. "Yes, I just told Zelda". Impa said. "Mmm, she perhaps needs someone to comfort her". I said. "She walked away, locked herself upstairs, and won't talk to me". "I asked her nicely to open the door, and come out, but she's refusing to". Impa said, sniffling. I could tell Impa was having a hard time, herself. She had trouble walking, she couldn't go down the palace steps, and she was having trouble remembering things. She also had cataracts in both of her eyes. As someone in my 80's, I was beginning to experience it as well. Yet, I was still agile, and physically fit. My glasses helped me as well.
"She is crying, she is becoming defiant, she is becoming angry, and she is beginning to become less and less reasonable, and more along the lines of a toddler". "The nicer I ask for her to come downstairs so we can talk, and plan, she meaner she becomes". "I'm afraid I cannot get through to her". Impa said, sniffling. "She trusts you….a lot". "Could you try and talk to her?". "If I can't?". "I've tried all I could do, I've given all I could, I can't give anymore". "I'm exhausted, and I don't have much more I can do without putting in energy I don't have".
"Mm hmm". I nodded, gently. "I can do it, if she needs me to". "I know it's hard right now, we'll get through it". "Try to get some rest, I'll make us a nice Herring Udon". "Does that sound good, dear?". I asked, kindly. "It sounds good, thank you, Drophy". Impa said, gently.
I nodded, as a smile crept across my face. While I undressed, using Daltus's old bedroom as a place for me to stay, I put on my negligee pajamas, a silky white negligee with lacy silk shorts. It looked sexual for an old woman, but it was the traditional blooms and brasseires. Something of a woman's elegance. ;)
I came into Zelda's bedroom, where I found her holding her teddy bear Daltus gave her. She was in her closet. She laid on the floor, head down, as she cried. She just cried, as her emotional age was that of a toddler. Unable to reason, unable to think, unable to use logical arguments in her statements. "Zelda….darling". I said, gently with softness as I spoke to her. "What happened, sweetie?". "What's troubling you?". I sat on the floor, reaching my hand out to caress her tearful cheek. "My dad died yesterday….and I wasn't there….to say goodbye". Zelda said, as she cried, sniffling. "I understand, baby". I said, gently with a softness and whisper to my voice. "I know right now it is hard without daddy, it's something no one deserves to have happen to them". "It's tough, isn't it?". I talked to her at her emotional age level. I whispered to her. "Yes". Zelda said, as she sniffled. "I know you're feeling sad, and mad right now, and that's ok". "Just know that feelings are hard sometimes". "If we show our feelings, we know we're much stronger and happier when we talk". I said, gently with softness. Like a mother would talk to her grieving child. "I want that for us, too". "I want to talk to you about my feelings, and I want you to talk to me about how you're feeling". "I want my best friend to feel happy". "When you're happy, I'm happy".
"Shh, it's ok, darling". "It's ok". "Take as much time as you need to rest, I'll be nearby if you need anything". "Know how much I love you". I whispered, gently. "I know, and I'm ok". Zelda said. "Thank you for helping me". "Thank you for trying….I guess….whatever".
"Of course, darling". I said, softly with gentleness. "Know that, I will do my best to fill the place of your father, and be the guidance you need to thrive". "I will advise you, assist you, and give you hope, I will work and I will worry, until you are where you need to be". "I'll be your parent, while your parents are away for a while". "We'll do great things to ensure our goals are met, baby". "Love is only known when its given the full span of attention".
"Let me be your voice when you've lost yours". "Let me be your sounding board". I said, gently. My raspy voice had some airiness, and allure to it. It was a comforting allure, and gentle register. Somewhat sexual. "I love us, deeply, and together, we'll reach for heaven". "We'll get there, together, my Zelda". "My true love". I smiled a gentle smile, caressing her tear ridden cheek. "Thank you". Zelda said. Zelda sniffled as she glanced around. She felt herself becoming better. "Let's share a hug, love". I said, gently. Zelda nodded as she came closer to me, hugging me. We both shared, as I stroked Zelda's cheek, gently. Zelda nodded as she felt better about being in my arms. She trusted me more. She was in a better place. I smiled a gentle smile, rubbing her back, as I stroked her porcelain cheek with my thumbs, pushing a strand of her braided brown hair behind her ears. "Shh, it's ok, honey". "I'm with you". I said, gently. "I'm always here beside you, Jadore".
"Thank you". Zelda said, as she sniffled, standing up, breaking away from my embrace and hug. My negligee rustled as I smiled. "Would you like to sleep in my bed with me this evening?". "You'll feel safer, less likely to have nightmares". I tried convincingly, gently. "Thank you, but I'm ok for now". Zelda replied. "I think I'm going to go to bed right now, in my room". "I'll let you know".
"Of course, darling". "But if you ever need me, you'll know where to find me". I said, gently as I winked, smiling a kind smile. "Thank you". Zelda said. Zelda sniffled. "You're my finest love". I said, gently. Zelda nodded as she felt me stroke her face, gently. I made circles on her face. "I missed you on your trip". "I wish I could be beside you, always". I whispered, gently. "Thank you, me too". Zelda said. Zelda sniffled, as she glanced around. Her eyes seemed to be focused on her teddy bear. I smiled a kind smile, knowing Zelda was someone I could rely on for our thought processes.
As Zelda slept, I was in Daltus's room, watching the television. I sipped some Sake as I watched it. "Hmm, the funeral is tomorrow". I muttered as I glanced around. "Zelda will love the gift I gave her". "She is someone so loving and sagacious". I pursed my lips. "Zelda". I mumbled, as I sipped another thing of Sake. It was a peaceful and content evening, as a clap of thunder was heard outside. The thunder roared as rain pattered down the side of the castle. I sipped my Sake, looking at the news report. "Mm, how definitive". I muttered to myself.
Zelda came to the room, seeing me on the bed, with my Sake. "Hello, darling". I said, gently with a kind smile. "You are so beautiful in many ways". "I love seeing you". I put my Sake aside. My negligee slipped a bit, revealing my breast. My nipple was there in the dim light. "Mmm". I mumbled.
"How is your sleep, baby girl?". "Is everything alright?". I asked, gently. "I'm doing ok". Zelda said as she sat down. "How are you feeling, darling?". "You aren't having any intrusive thoughts, or anything bad?". I asked, gently with softness. "No, I'm doing ok, I guess". Zelda said. "I just couldn't sleep, I've been pacing back and forth for a while". "It's the easiest thing to do at this point".
"I understand". I said, gently. "Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is to hope, and have love". "Remember, love heals all wounds".
"Come sit with me for a while". I encouraged, gently. "Ok". Zelda said, quietly. She saw me smoothing the bed spot for her to sit. "It will be alright". I said, gently. "We will be in a good place soon enough". "We just have to have hope and faith".
"You seem a bit scared this evening, my Zelda". I said, gently. "Why is that?". I rubbed Zelda's back, gently. "I'm scared because I've lost a parent before". "It hurts inside". "I don't know what else to do". Zelda said. "Mm, losing a parent is painful, but I promise you, as time goes on, we eventually realize how accepting we need to be". "I know it's hard right now, because you're in the middle of it". "You know, one day you and I will find our paradise". "We'll float out to sea, find a mansion on the Cliffside, and live luxuriously". I said, gently. "We deserve love in every aspect, we need love in order to thrive in the best way possible". "My loving girl, I'll do as I can to ensure your best interest". "You are my best friend, and my love". I stroked Zelda's head, gently. "I promise you it will be alright". "My Jadore".
"I know right now is hard, because you're in the middle of it, but I promise you, things will be quite alright". "We'll get through this, my Zelda". I said, gently. Zelda nodded, as she laid back down. I was sure to stroke Zelda's head, gently. Zelda seemed calm and loving at the moment.
"Your father was a special person". I said, gently. "I remember when you were just a baby, just a young girl, perhaps an infant, he would hold you close, kiss your head, and tell you how much he loved you". "You and daddy were so close". "You both loved one another a lot".
"You and mommy were so close when you were just a baby, always kissing, always hugging, such a happy family". "But your mother went to heaven, and only comes, and visits…every so often". "And where's daddy?". "He went to heaven as well, baby girl". I said, gently. "Mom and dad are in a different place, but they'll come back soon". "They will see us again one day".
"I guess". Zelda replied, as she sniffled. Zelda seemed to sniffle, while I stroked her face, kindly. "It'll be alright, Jadore". "Mom and dad will come back soon to visit, even if they aren't permanently with us". "They love you very much, but most of all, I love you very much, and I wish the best for us, as time goes on". "Our love is something I cherish". I said, gently.
"I guess". Zelda said. "I'm trying my best". "I'm doing what I can".
"I understand, love". I said, kindly with soft gentleness. "I know you wish for your mom and dad to come back someday". "I know you bonded well with them, throughout your life". "It's ok to feel sad, it's ok to feel scared". "It's a scary time".
"I failed in my efforts to protect them". Zelda said. "They're no longer here because I didn't do as needed, and I didn't look out for them".
"You didn't fail, sweetie". I said, gently. "If anything, you did your best, and you looked out for mom and dad". "You held them close to your heart, and in doing so, you protected them". "Mom and dad are safer because of you". "You are a philosopher, and a protector, with a kind heart". "We can do anything, because of my belief in you". "You are my love, my Zelda".
"Shh, shh, don't be sad, now, Zelda, darling". "Don't be worried, everything will be ok". I said, gently. Zelda nodded as she glanced upwards. Zelda felt loved, and comforted, even now as she snuggled up to me. My teenaged girl was falling asleep. "Stay in bed, honey". I said, gently. I stroked her head, kindly, as she laid her head down, closing her eyes. She felt my lips on her forehead, as my purple thick lips kissed her forehead. Her beautiful forehead.
Zelda, Zelda Zelda. The more she stated her profound wisdom, the more eloquent she was, the more she was reverent, the more attracted I was to the thought of her, and the woman she had become. Now was the time to act on this attraction, and control her. Take total control of her.
Zelda heard a rustling outside as she awoke. Glancing up from her sleep, she took a gander outside, seeing her friend, her Link. Link was outside, playing the ocarina, his mouth-organ.
Link glanced up from his Ocarina, seeing Zelda through the window. In his movement, he aimed to capture her attention in some way, shape or form. "Hey there". He said, kindly. "Oh…hello". Zelda mentioned as she came closer to the window. "How are you, this evening?". She whispered a bit. "I have to be quieter, or Drophy will hear me". Zelda said, softly.
"Why wouldn't you want her to hear?". Link asked in his whisper. "Because I'm technically not allowed to be seeing you….Drophy made up that rule, because….because she wants me to focus on my career". Zelda said. "She is a good mentor, a very nice liaison, but I kind of don't want to listen to her anymore". "I don't feel safe, really when I'm around her". "Not like I do when I'm with you".
"I understand". Link said. "I guess Drophy is someone that's making up all sorts of stupid rules, just to see you suffer, and work yourself to death".
"I woke up with these on my arm when I fell asleep a couple hours ago, after Drophy left my room". Zelda said, showing Link the scratches and bruises on her arm. Link, in all of his pervasive impudence geared towards investigating, checked the bruises on Zelda's arms. "That's weird….she doesn't hit you, or abuse you physically, does she?". Link asked. "No….she doesn't do anything like that…she doesn't hit me or scratch me at all". "And her bloodhound doesn't come after me either". Zelda said. "No one hits me, or abuses me that I know of". "If I do break a rule, Drophy has threatened me with the redtail pike she put in the pond". "The pike is a mean fish that can walk on land, chew someone's flesh, and bite someone's body parts if one of Drophy's rules is broken, and she finds out about it".
"The bloodhound also bites, and chews away at a body part as well". Zelda said. "Drophy is really strict, or she's becoming really strict". "She moved the bloodhound to the front of the castle, at my entrance, and the bloodhound attacks if I leave the castle after 6pm". "I'm essentially trapped in the castle". "Also, Drophy is in my dad's bedroom, laying in his bed, drinking Sake in his bed, but I'm not allowed food in my bedroom". "She also took the teddy bear my mom gave me when I was adopted, and threw it away". "I'm not allowed to do evening prayers, I'm not allowed to go outside, I'm not allowed to see you, I'm not allowed to visit Impa unless I ask….it's getting worse". "It's worse now that I'm older, and she sees me as someone that is lazy, or inept". "I don't know what to do…and I'm afraid if I break my trust in her, she'll be disappointed in me, and then she'll be angry". "I've seen her when she's angry…she is very passive aggressive and mean when she's angry".
"I know it seems hard now….and all I can say is, you have to hold onto hope". Link said. "It isn't right what she's doing…and…I have to tell you something….I feel I owe it to you to be honest".
"What is it?". Zelda asked. "I saw Drophy through the window of your dad's bedroom, and she was putting his things, his mementos he promised you, and Grandma, into a sack, and tying it up". "She's stealing from you, and Impa". Link said, as he had a look of concern on his face. "I knew she was…I don't know why I didn't intervene". Zelda said. "I can't believe she'd do that".
"I trusted her….I knew she was doing something". Zelda said. "She's a wench". Link said, with harshness to his voice. "She is a female pirate, they are wenches". Zelda said. "Well, she's a wench in the way she steals your dad's things, abuses you, drains you of finances to feed her drug addiction, and makes stupid rules in order to keep you down, and clip your wings". Link said. "I did some background research on her…she did some prostitution in her teen years as well".
"Oh….". Zelda said, as she glanced up at Link. "I don't know what I can do now". "I guess…I guess….I have to let her go….I have to relieve her, if Impa's ok with it".
"That sounds like the right thing to do". Link said. Link glanced around as he looked down at his watch. "Everything will be ok, Zelda". "I know it's a lot to take in, but for what it's worth, I do have honesty, which is nice".
"I thank you for your honesty". Zelda said. "I guess…it is kind of hard living here….without my parents". "I don't know what else I can do". Zelda sniffled as she wiped a tear away. "Hey, don't worry, I promise you, things will be much better when we're patient". Link assured. "If you need anything, know that I'm always here beside you….it's ok…I've been abused, and controlled as well". "It may seem like after a while, you don't remember what freedom is, but freedom shows itself again". "After the trials it endures". Link mentioned. "When will freedom show itself to me, again?". "It seems like it's gone now, and it won't come back". Zelda said. "It'll show itself now….of all times". "It's right here in front of you". Link mentioned, gently. He and Zelda chuckled, as they both sat on the rooftop, holding one another's hands, gently. Zelda and Link kissed one another on the lips, gently, as they came close to one another. They kissed, just kissed, gently. It was their way of saying they were content. Their eyes closed as they kissed, as Link touched Zelda's face, gently, caressing it. "See, nothing to be afraid of". Link said, gently. "And hey, whatever fear has, rebellion has". "You're luckier now, because you can actually see the scope of your life". "That's what rebellion has".
"I see that now". "I don't know why I was so naive not to see that, before". Zelda mentioned. "It's an easy concept to figure out, now that I have it".
"It's as easy as anything you experience". Link said. Link smiled a gentle smile, as he kissed Zelda again. Their hands caressing one another, in the moonlight, away from my watchful eye.