Journey of Melancholy
Chapter 2
I'm abruptly woken up by my bed covers being torn off me. I blink in surprise and find Impa standing at the foot of my bed. I let out a dramatic groan and glare at her.
"Why, pray tell, are you waking me up so early? What could possibly be happening this early in the morning?" I ask groggily.
"Sorry kiddo, Lord Nicholas has called a council meeting and you are required to be there." The Sheikah explains to me as I prop myself up on my elbows, letting my head roll back to work out the kinks in my neck.
"So, I can actually attend this one?" I ask sarcastically.
"What do you mean? Since when haven't you been able to attend meetings?" Impa asks in bewilderment, her brows furrowing together, but her face shows no more emotion than that.
"Yesterday, Prince Damien came to visit and wanted to speak with the council members alone. I didn't really argue with him at the time, but when do I ever want to sit at three hour long meetings?" I smirk at her.
"Yes, well get dressed. I think this one is important." She tells me with no hint of sympathy and then walks briskly out of my room, leaving me alone. I've learned not to take anything Impa does to the heart, because that's just her personality towards everyone.
I sigh in frustration and get up to trudge over to my oversized dresser. Picking out my favored aquamarine dress, I slip it on and make my way down to the council room. I step inside and find that everyone else is already here and seated, including Damien.
"Sorry I'm late…" I apologize and take my seat at the head of the table. Can I really be blamed for my tardiness? I am a teenager and we tend to sleep in to later hours than what I did this morning.
"No need to apologize, Princess. We were simply early." Lord Nicholas speaks for every council member seated here.
"Alright then, what are we here for?" I ask, leaning back in my chair casually.
Nicholas shoots me a cold glare; I sigh and roll my eyes.
"This is important business, Princess. Stop with the sarcasm; we have a guest." Nicholas says sternly.
"It's quite alright, Lord Nicholas." Damien speaks up. "I'm actually quite fond of the Princess's sarcasm." He eyes me possessively.
I raise my eyebrow at him and sit up straight in my chair, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.
"Let us get this meeting started then, shall we?" Lady Ilene speaks up, attempting to control the disorganized atmosphere.
"Let's; today we are discussing the reason why Prince Damien is here with us. As you all know, the king and queen will not be coming back to us this time…" They all bow their heads in respect.
I refrain from rolling my eyes at them; they lose confidence so easily. I notice Damien grin for half a second and an evil glint enters his eyes as the council members mention my parents.
What was that about? Could he have been the one who...? But before I can finish my thought, Nicholas continues speaking.
"And because of their absence, Princess Zelda must step up and take throne as queen, but she first needs a prince to marry."
My body tenses and I can't help my eyes going wide. I didn't like where this was going.
"Prince Damien has been so nice as to take the role of our king. Senilis and Hyrule will have a much stronger alliance when the two are united into one." Nicholas finishes, sitting back down as Damien stands up.
"Thank you, Lord Nicholas. I am pleased to say that, as future king, I will defend Hyrule with my life. I am also pleased to say that I am looking forward to be Princess Zelda's husband." Damien says before giving me a lustful grin. My nose involuntarily wrinkles in disgust, but I quickly lose it before Nicholas can notice. "Once I am king I will bring Hyrule a bright new beginning."
The council members all look at each other, baffled by what Damien has declared. They shrug it off almost immediately and start their own conversations. They might have missed Damien's darkened tone, but I hadn't. He was planning something and it was not for the good of Hyrule either. I will not let anything happen to my kingdom and my people. My parents told me to protect it well while they were away and I will stick to it.
I put my hands flat on the table and slowly rise to meet Damien's fierce gaze.
"Hyrule will never be yours, even if you are king. And I will not marry you." I narrow my eyes at him and listen to each of the council members gasp at my sudden reaction. Damien grins to himself and chuckles.
"Oh my dear Zelda, I'm afraid you have no choice in that matter. You do not choose who you may marry." Damien flashes me an evil grin.
"And why not?" I ask in anger. It's my life, isn't it? I have the right to choose the proper king.
"Because Lord Nicholas has already accepted my proposal to you."
I stare at Lord Nicholas in utter shock. He's been going behind my back and making decisions without consulting it with me first. But, though I hate to say it, Damien is right. I never did have an opinion in who I wanted to marry. The council members didn't care if I loved the man or not; as long as we had a king that's all that mattered.
I glare at Damien a moment, I knew he did this intentionally, he knew this would be the result.
"It is true, Princess. I accepted Prince Damien's offer as a way to unify Senilis with Hyrule." Nicholas says guiltily.
I let my eyes fall on each council member; they all wore the same expression as Nicholas. They hang their heads in shame as I lower my head and shake it.
"This meeting is adjourned. You are all dismissed." I say sternly and walk towards the door. Once I close the door behind me, I run to my room.
Tears start to escape my eyes as I slam the door to my room shut. I stand with my back against the door and I find myself taking slow, shaky breaths. I sink down to the floor and bury my face in my hands, curling my knees up to my chest.
Why is this happening to me?
I have no control over my life here at the castle; it's all laid out for me and I'm expected to follow along like a good girl. I wish I could just run away from it all, but I know that I could never leave my people. They need me more than ever now. Damien plans to bring ruin to Hyrule; I won't let him. This is my castle, my kingdom, my home...my life.
I lift my tear stained face up and look out the window. That stupid meeting took up my whole morning. There is a sharp knock on my door.
"Whoever you are; go away..." My voice hardens at each word spoken.
"Let me in, Zelda." Impa's voice demands.
"Not now, Impa." I moan.
Silence falls between us and figured that she left and followed my wishes, but a second later the Sheikah is in my room, standing on my balcony.
"What...how did you...?" I blink at her. I'll never understand how she's able to do that and I'm sure Impa isn't about to tell me either. She waves off my stutters and focuses on more important things.
"What happened? Why are you crying?" Impa asks while coming over to me, holding out a hand to help me up off the ground. I take her offered hand and let her pull me to my feet. She guides me over to my bed and I sit on the end of it gratefully. "Sit and talk."
I calm myself before going on, wiping away the tears on my cheeks. "It was the meeting..."
"I suspected as much. What was it about?"
"Damien was there and apparently I'm engaged to him as of yesterday." I mutter bitterly.
"How do you feel?" She asks and sits down next to me.
"I feel like my life is being controlled and I don't think Damien has bright plans for Hyrule." I add in an angry whisper.
"I think your suspicions are correct. There is something different about him. All Damien wants is power and he'll do anything to get it."
"He doesn't just want power, he wants me too." I tell her sadly.
Impa is quiet a moment as she sorts through her thoughts. "Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. The council members believe they have full power over you since you are only the princess and not the queen."
"I know...and it makes me feel powerless. Can you do anything?" I ask, looking up at her with hope.
"Sadly, no...For the little time Damien has been here, he has stripped me of all my authorities. I'm powerless as well." She admits with a frustrated sigh. I let out a heavy sigh of my own and lower my head to stare at my intertwined hands resting on my lap.
"I wish my parents were here..." I whisper faintly.
"You and I both, Zelda." Impa pats me on the back before standing. "Try and get a descent night's sleep tonight. You'll need it for the next few days." She smirks while heading towards the door.
I smile at her, "Love you too, Impa." I call after her as she closes the door behind her. I fall back onto my bed with a long disgruntled sigh. What am I going to do? Damien is going to bring havoc to Hyrule and I can't do anything to prevent it. I can't rely on the council members anymore since they've already sided with Damien.
How am I supposed to get a good night's sleep when the fate of Hyrule is resting on my shoulders? Life doesn't make sense like it used to, at least not to me. I roll over and bury my face in the pillows, waiting for sleep to take me in its grasp.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When morning comes around, I'm woken up by a maid coming into my room. She notices I'm awake and instantly falls into suit.
"Your Majesty! Did I wake you? I'm so sorry, your Grace. I didn't mean to-"
"No, no don't worry yourself. I've been up for quite some time now." I cut her off, lying to her for her sake.
"I've brought you breakfast, your Majesty. I guessed you wouldn't want to eat in the dining hall with Damien considering what happened yesterday." She says quickly.
It's amazing how word gets around so fast. "Thank you, I would prefer to eat up here. Can you inform Impa that I will be taking a stroll in the garden today?" I ask of her.
"Yes, your Majesty." She bows quickly and leaves me to my food.
I end up only taking one or two bites of my breakfast, and then walk down to the garden in hope of seeing Link again.
When I arrive at the glade again, he is there and he's playing the Ocarina just like the other day. I sneak up behind him and wait for him to finish the song. I glance over his shoulder at the Ocarina between his lips. I just can't believe that he's holding the ancient artifact used by none other than the Hero of Time. The sleek surface of the Ocarina glimmers in the sunlight and the small golden band at the mouthpiece is as golden as the Triforce mark carved above it. I never would have thought that the Ocarina lived to this day after so many years.
I've heard stories about that dark time in history by none other than my parents. Hyrule's history fascinates me to no end. What I don't understand though is how Link came to have the Ocarina of Time. It was and is a royal family heirloom.
"She returns! And with no cape this time." Link teases as he finishes the song and turns around, snapping me from my thoughts.
"It wasn't a cape, it was a cloak." I state, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Well, whatever it was, it brought you more attention than needed." He smirks. He knows me all too well and we've only known each other for a day.
"I suppose it did. Maybe I won't wear it as often." I admit and sit down next to him.
"It was hiding that pretty face of yours, too." Link smiles softly.
I blush faintly, but continue to talk with him for hours. Whatever came to our minds, we talked about it and laughed at the jokes that were made. We weren't disturbed once, until my ears picked up on a certain voice that I loathe.
"Zelda, where are you?"
I sigh and message my already throbbing head as Damien's voice grows louder.
"I think your fiancé is looking for you." Link points out rather sadly.
"How did you know he is my fiancé?" I ask in surprise.
"Word travels fast in the castle, Zelda."
"Great, now everyone knows..." I sigh and cross my arms.
"Zelda? Oh, there you are! Come inside it's getting late." Damien calls to me as he glides over to us.
"It's not late; it's just a little after noon." I say rather smartly.
"It is much too late for you to be out." Damien glares at Link. "And shouldn't you be working, peasant?"
"Damien, don't talk to him like that! In Hyrule, we refer to no one as peasants; we are all equals." My voice hardens.
"Yes, well things will have to be changed once I am ruler." Damien's voice darkens.
"What-"
"It's fine, Zelda. I do have to get to my post. I'll...see you around..." Link cuts me off and then leaves before I can say anymore.
"Good riddance...filthy peasant." Damien mutters under his breath.
I shoot him a glare and stalk past him towards the castle. I'm stopped mid-step, however, when Damien takes a hold of my wrist rather tightly and pulls me into some nearby bushes. I struggle in his grasp, trying, but failing, to break free.
"Alright, Damien. What do you want?" I ask, feeling very irritated at his behavior.
"What makes you think I want something?" He asks innocently.
"Well, considering you ordered Link away and forcefully pulled me into the bushes; I think you want something from me."
"That peasant has a name?" Damien whispers to himself. I knew that the land of Senilis was full of rich, stuck-up inhabitants, but this is terrible. I suppose when you're the prince of a country like that, you become the biggest one.
"Will you stop calling him that? Nayru, you're just like my father-always persistent." I add in a whisper.
"You miss your parents, don't you?" Damien smirks for reasons unknown to me.
"Who wouldn't? I lost him and my mother when I was only sixteen."
"What if I told you I knew what happened to your parents?" He grins menacingly.
"How would you know anything? Unless you were actually there when it..." I trail off as everything starts to fall into place. Damien continues to give me an evil grin as I stare at him in shock. "Y-you kidnapped my parents?"
"I would say king and queen-nap." He smirks.
"You took my parents!" I yell, losing my stone composure.
"Yes, I did. They had to be removed from Hyrule."
"Where are they? Tell me where they are!" I hiss through clenched teeth; ripping out of his grasp to roughly push him back.
"Far away from here and my guess is, they're dead." He glares at me.
"What did you do to them? Goddesses dammit, give them back!" I demand him, my voice rising above normal level.
Damien abruptly grabs my shoulders and pushes me up against a tree.
"You can forget about them, Zelda. They're gone forever and nothing you do will bring them back." Damien seethes and comes in closer to my face, making me uncomfortable.
"You took my parents from me at a young age. You had no right to take my parents, Damien. I loved them and you took them away from me! How could you?" I shake my head, feeling tears swell in my eyes.
"I did it so we could be together..." He whispers as he brushes his lips up and down my neck. I almost cry out in disgust, but instead roughly tear away from him.
"You're a sick man, Damien. I hope you rot in hell." I whisper angrily and turn to run back into the castle, which is hard when you're in a dress. I keep running all the way until I reach my room. I slam and lock the door and then throw myself onto my bed, crying into my pillow as I think about what Damien just confessed to me.
They are not dead, I will not believe in that.
Damien had told me that they were somewhere far from here. They wouldn't be in Senilis; Damien wouldn't allow Hylians in his kingdom. They're being held prisoner somewhere in Hyrule. I can rule out Kakariko Village and Lake Hylia, they're much too close to the castle. So that leaves Gerudo Valley, Faron Woods, and Snowpeak Mountain.
The question is: how am I going to get to those places?
I sigh and roll over to look up at the ceiling. I am going to find a way out, no matter what.
I'll bring my parents back.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Whew, another chapter done. Next one will come shortly I hope. :)