The Truce Between Link and Zelda

Lap number thirty-seven, Truce thought as he again traveled the perimeter of the Temple of Time searching for anything that might resemble what the geezer was talking about. Truce's lantern must have extinguished at least five times and now he was on his last match.

I will leave if I don't find what I am looking for after this lap, he silently promised himself.

Truce carefully felt his way around the Temple of Time, running his hands along the walls and shuffling his feet on the stone floor. Any passerby would have thought him obsessive, but Truce was in fact occupying himself while he considered his options. Truce's boot kicked a loose stone which skidded ahead until it was out of sight. Seeing it again a few paces later, he gave it another kick, this time intentional. He kept this up for many minutes.

It's ironic, Truce thought. If Zelda had only told me the truth, I would have ceased my advances. Because she lied to me she will have to pay!

With that, he kicked the stone so hard it launched into the air and a moment later Truce heard it collide with the wall. It was just then that he reached his destination.

"Well," he mumbled to himself, "I looked everywhere but perhaps I'm not meant to find it." He prepared to leave, but was stunned by a sudden raspy voice.

"Come back, Lord Truce."

Though the voice was not loud, the hours of silence made it seem deafening. Startled, Truce obediently turned and found himself facing the elderly man.

"Thirty-seven times," the elderly man mused. "That is quite impressive. I would say you have earned your reward."

Truce suddenly boiled with rage. "You were watching me?"

"I had to be certain you were perseverant," the man nonchalantly replied.

For a reason Truce could not explain, he was satisfied with that vague answer. "Well, I must admit you have provoked my curiosity. What have I been looking for?"

"Come here and I will tell you."

Truce strode forward until he could clearly see the man's impassive facial features.

"Closer," the man commanded.

Truce took another step.

"Closer," he repeated.

Truce took a small step so that his arm brushed against the man's shoulder. Truce shifted uncomfortably and almost stepped back until he noticed the man leaning on his cane so he could reach Truce's ear. His whisper was so soft that Truce barely heard it. As the plan was revealed to him, Truce's eyes widened.

"That's crazy!" Truce exclaimed.

"Did you think of anything else that would work better?"

"No," Truce sheepishly admitted.

"Then you'll do it?"

True hesitated only a moment, before hearing himself say. "Yes..."

Zelda studied the Triforce of wisdom engraved on her hand, willing it to give her guidance. Please...tell me what I should do with my feelings for Link, she asked of it. As always when she summoned its power, the Triforce glowed a faint blue. The glow barely lasted a second before the Triforce faded to match her pale complexion. Sighing, Zelda lowered her hand. What good are you if you can help me with everything but the most complicated problem I have?

"My lady," Zelda turned to see a maid standing in the doorway, "you have a visitor."

"Who is it?"

"Link, my lady."

Link? What is he doing here at this hour? Zelda wondered.

She turned again to Elle and nodded.

"Very well. Thank you, Elle... I shall see him."

After Elle went downstairs to see to Link, Zelda ran to her full-length mirror and saw for the first time the effect the "friendly" breeze on her balcony had on her waist length hair. Quickly, she snatched her brush and ignored the pain as each strand of hair untangled. Once satisfied, she hurried downstairs to join Link. Finding him admiring a painting of one of her ancestors she resolved not to disturb him. She felt slightly invasive staring at him when he was not aware, but she was unable to help it. These brief moments allowed her to daydream incessantly about her love for Link, and she would often pretend during these times that they were not separated by a mere confession. It was when he would turn around that Zelda was reminded of reality. However, despite the depression her daydreams brought upon her, the brief moments of delight were worth it. This moment had now ended.

She moved to stand beside Link. "Hi Link, is everything alright?"

"Yes, sorry for visiting at this hour-"

"Oh, it's no problem at all!" Zelda interrupted.

Could I sound any more desperate? She silently cursed herself and quickly changed the subject. "I noticed you were looking at the painting of my great-great grandfather. This painting intrigues me because he refused to be painted in his youth. He wanted to be remembered like this..." she paused a moment to glance at the haggard man portrayed in the painting. His skin was aged and wrinkled and the focal point was his two large moles.

"Maybe he wanted to show people that it's alright to be remembered as you are," Link pensively said.

Zelda did not respond for a moment, as if carefully considering her words. "It's difficult for me to think that way. For as long as I can reminder I've had etiquette lessons to teach me the proper mannerisms of royalty," she suddenly changed her tone to mimic someone really anal. "Royalty must always look presentable. Seeing a haggard and flustered princess reminds the civilians of their fatigue and stress. You are the role model for the country. You are the country. Cherish and represent it well."

Link couldn't help but laugh and Zelda joined him. "Well you shouldn't be ashamed to be remembered as you are. You will always look presentable."

Did he just say I'm beautiful? Zelda beamed and bowed her head for a moment to conceal her blush. Then, remembering the nature of the visit, she quickly composed herself. "Did you have something you wanted to discuss, Link?"

"Yes, actually." Link turned from the painting to face her. "There is something I want to say, and I just felt that it couldn't wait until our next visit."

Zelda's heart fluttered wildly. Could this be it? Did Link come here to confess his love for her? Why else would he be here at this hour? Oh stop it Zelda! she chastised herself. He may have a problem he needs to sort out and here you are planning the wedding.

"Go ahead," she gently urged him.

"Well, you've always expressed concern that I live alone..." Zelda nodded for him to continue. "So I decided to take up residence in Lon Lon Ranch. I will be living with the ranchers Malon and Talon!"

"Oh?" As much as Zelda tried to ignore her oncoming thoughts, one in particular pounced on the others. He must be truly excited to come all the way out here to share this with me...

Link continued telling Zelda about how he even came to return to Lon Lon Ranch, and as soon as he mentioned Malon, Zelda felt a pang in her chest. She had encountered Malon on a few occasions when Malon delivered Lon Lon Milk to the castle. Zelda had stopped to chat with her for a short time, and though the two only exchanged small talk, Zelda found herself immediately appreciative of Malon's sweet and genuine nature. In short, most maidens usually had either beauty or personality. Those with beauty tended to have a character lavished with snobbery and ignorance. Those without the beauty had to compensate with their personality. Then there were those in-between, the median, the ones that most men in Hyrule settled for. Malon, however, was one of the rare maidens that actually had the beauty to complement her character, making her quite remarkable in the hierarchy of maidens.

Zelda thought she knew jealousy years ago when a maid winked at Link. She had to fight hard to control her rage that the maid had the audacity to wink at Link in front of her! However, Link did not return the maid's affections, a fact which Zelda knew internally. Malon presented a rivalry for Link such that Zelda would never forget this occasion as her proper introduction to jealousy.

Finally when Link finished, Zelda did her best to sound excited. "Wow Link...that sounds great! I am so happy for you."

Link saw through it. "Zelda, tell me what you're concerned about. Your opinion means a lot to me and I promise I will not get angry."

Zelda took time to consider her words. "Is this really the change you want Link? You always said that you never wanted to be placed in the position to choose between being a hero and your new life..."

Link beamed. "That's just it, Zelda. I won't ever have to make that choice at Lon Lon Ranch. Malon and Talon both desire a simple and anonymous life. I can just be as I am...like the painting."

Zelda nodded. "Just promise me one thing."

"Of course."

"Promise me that you will continue our weekly visits," Zelda said while she actually thought, Promise me that you won't let Malon steal you away from me.

Link's expression was overcome with puzzlement. "I don't understand..."

"I just know that you are going to be busier and I still want our..." she winced as if the next word was painful to utter, "friendship to be a priority."

Link's puzzlement turned to awe. "Of course I promise, Zelda. I'm a bit disturbed you would even think otherwise."

She placed her delicate hand on his forearm. "I know...You just mean so much to me and I guess I just had a bad premonition. Forget it."

He pulled her into an embrace so that he was whispering into her ear. "No, I'm glad you told me this. Now we can be certain that this never happens. Thank you for helping me understand."

Link, much to his surprise, felt Zelda trembling as he spoke. Instinctively, he tightened the embrace and rocked Zelda back and forth in what can best be described as a soothing dance. Link's fingers tenderly ran through Zelda's hair, and the two embraced until Zelda's eyes were devoid of all tears. Many thoughts ran through Zelda's head, but again there was one that dominated them all.

No, Link, you don't understand...Will you ever?

There were some nights in Hyrule that were too serene and beautiful to sleep. This night was particularly brimming with life as the crickets were chirping and breeding in the brush, the owls were hunting, and the horses of Lon Lon Ranch were galloping around Malon as she sang. Malon knew many songs, but one song above all was her favorite. The one her mother composed and would sing before she passed away. Malon did not recall much about her mother, but on some nights when she sang she felt as if her mother were singing with her. Hoping this would be one of those nights, Malon closed her eyes so the song filled her entirely.

She was so engrossed in the song that she did not notice Link approaching on Epona from behind. He silently dismounted, then stood some distance from her so she would not be distracted. Listening for many verses, Link suddenly had an idea. He removed his Ocarina of Time from his pack and began playing along with her. This was a song that Malon had taught Link long ago and it still came easily for him. She obviously did not notice his ocarina accompaniment, for she jumped when she saw him.

He grinned apologetically. "I am sorry to startle you. I just heard your song as I returned and I could not bring myself to turn away. You have a phenomenal voice."

The darkness concealed Malon's blush. "Thank you...You were playing along?" She glanced at the ocarina still in his hand.

"Yes, I can't sing but I-"

Link was interrupted as Epona neighed and nuzzled her head against his shoulder. He stroked her mane once then ushered her away. Malon glanced at him wearing an expression he had never seen on her before. It was as if she were in the midst of recalling a lost memory. He dared not disturb her and patiently waited for her to break the silence.

"Link...may I ask the name of your horse?"

"Epona," he said without thinking.

The expression had never left Malon's face, and it seemed to deepen at this moment. "Link, I'm going to ask you again. Have we ever met before?"

She'll know if I lie to her again, Link thought. Oh well. Here goes nothing...

"Malon, were you planning to be up for awhile?"

It is impossible for an individual consumed with envy to get a moment's rest. Those who did manage were actually worse off as the envy followed them to their sleep. Zelda was one of these unfortunate individuals. Her dreams that night contained no surprises. Her subconscious perfectly relayed the greatest fears of her conscious mind. All except for one thing... She too married in her dream, but not to any of the likely suitors. She selected a power-driven, ambitious individual who cared little for her or Hyrule.

"Why did I marry such a man?" she asked herself in the dream.

Zelda, as she was portrayed in the dream, simply nodded to the Triforce of Wisdom engraved on her hand. Something to do with wisdom? Zelda awoke before she could find out.

Link and Malon sat against the fence encircling the horse track. Realizing he was now fully committed to revealing the truth to Malon, Link told her all about his history, the history of Hyrule and the history of their encounter. Malon intently listened to Link's story, not interrupting him with qualifying questions or doubts. While this was a quality Link normally appreciated in Malon, this frustrated him now because he could not determine if she didn't question him because she believed him or because she was waiting until he was through to tell him he was crazy. It was almost dawn when he finally finished sharing everything. Neither of them said anything for many moments, and Link found the silence so awkward he desperately sought small talk to break it. Fortunately, Malon beat him to it.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, Link."

"Y-you…don't have any questions?" Link stammered.

Malon shook her head. "Now it's my turn to share something with you."

Link laughed. "After that I'm all ears!"

Malon didn't acknowledge the lame joke. "When I told you that you were in my dreams, I didn't tell you that there was more than one occasion. You performed many of the very acts you mentioned and you described many of my dreams in perfect accuracy. Normally I am not one to blindly trust my feelings, but I knew there was something familiar about you. I felt that you were the answer to many of the questions I had, and that is why I was so thrilled when you agreed to live with us. I felt that if you left, I would never have those answers."

Link suddenly found himself disappointed. That's the only reason she wanted me to work here?

Malon continued as if reading his mind. "And then there was your friendship. I also felt that I would lose a dear friend if you left, though I did not understand why I felt that way at the time. The truth is," she glanced at his hands folded neatly in his lap before resting her hand on his forearm, "you have given me, no...you have given Lon Lon Ranch more than you will ever know. You kept us in business during Ganondorf's reign and now you are back to lend your aid to us again. I feel selfish that you are here when there are others in far worse circumstances-"

"Don't," Link quickly interjected.

Malon turned and glanced at him meaningfully. Link met her gaze with a sudden desire, affection and passion- emotions that were all foreign to him. Link had never known a more intense gaze, and though he was tempted to glance away there was also a strong feeling of curiosity towards these new emotions. Malon finally blushed and glanced down at her lap. Link found that he was both disappointed and grateful that she had averted her eyes. He needed time to understand these emotions before he acted foolishly. Little did he know, there was one whose entire plan centered around Link's folly.