Sooner Than Expected
Watching King Harkinian's progressing illness was like watching a hopeless battle. Those sentries, servants and maids who witnessed the king's battle firsthand knew the fight was a lost cause, but King Harkinian still would not surrender himself to remain bedridden or relinquish his duties to the more than capable Princess Zelda. As a result, the kingdom suffered increasing poverty, crime and dissension, and many Hylians secretly wished the king's death would come soon. Such thoughts were initially accompanied by guilt, but it was not long before this feigned sympathy gave way to resentment. Hylians desired nothing more than to continue their routine way of life and any disturbance to the routine was a threat. Zelda was aware of this frustration, and though she never imagined herself revealing such details to her father, she felt she had no choice. He had to know the threats the kingdom was facing and she hoped such knowledge would ease her father's stubbornness.
It has to, Zelda thought, or else we will face a revolution.
Yet despite the force behind her thought, her reassurance faltered as she ascended the steps towards her father's room. It was as if each of the dozen steps brought her a step closer to insecurity and by the time she reached the top, all of her confidence was sapped. Zelda nodded to the sentry and weakly knocked on the door. She knew the sentry inside had not heard, but she could not immediately bring herself to knock again. This was her last effort to receive her father's permission to assume his duties, and failure meant further challenges and possible destruction of the kingdom. This burden rested solely in Zelda's hands and her body reacted with immobilization. She desired to turn and flee, but before she could do so the door opened. Facing Zelda was a sentry who invited her inside.
This is it, I can't turn back now, she thought as her body released her from its hold.
She straightened her posture and approached her father wearing an expression etched in concern and compassion. He glanced at Zelda as she approached and imitated her heightened posture as best as he could prostrate on his bed. The sentries and maids took no notice of the unspoken dispute between Zelda's perseverance and the king's stubbornness. This dispute occurred at least every week, and the only proof of Zelda's looming victory was in the king's weary eyes. The king blinked as Zelda moved to stand beside him.
"Hello father. How are you feeling today?"
"Fine, just fine," the king grunted. At Zelda's skeptical gaze he added, "Just because I am having a bad day does not mean I have one foot in the grave."
"Of course father," Zelda solemnly affirmed.
"But I am close..." he said pensively.
The satin covers receded as he reached for Zelda's hand. Her delicate and youthful hand in his aged and coarse one was further proof of his deterioration.
"My dear Zelda, I am aware of your intentions and while I am ready to resign my duties to you I do have one condition..." the king trailed waiting for Zelda's responsive question, but Zelda was so shocked that she could only gape at him. She had not expected her father's stubbornness to dispel so soon.
Does he really have no fight left in him? Zelda fretted.
"The condition..." the king continued, momentarily displacing Zelda's fear, "is that you not rule Hyrule alone. It is that you rule Hyrule with a husband at your side."
"What?" Zelda finally gasped the question she felt compelled to ask before.
The king nodded and feebly squeezed Zelda's hand before releasing it. "I understand this was not what you expected, but please understand that I cannot bear the thought of leaving you alone."
Zelda finally found her voice. "Who would you have me marry father?" Will you allow me to marry whomever I desire?
"Zelda, that is for you to decide. I have given you plenty of opportunities to meet fellow lords, counts and princes, but you seem to already have someone in mind." He raised a hand to silence her. "Now don't bother denying it; everything about you says it. The way you glance out the window and smile as if Hyrule stops in the face of your bliss. You probably think I haven't noticed the way you light-heartedly stumble through the corridors after your encounters with him as if you are taking flight. I will say, however, that I have done my best to encourage your perception and foresight so if you cannot foresee the problems that will arise from marrying a commoner, then you will have to learn from experience."
Zelda was taken aback. Her father's approval had always been one of her concerns supposing Link did return her feelings. Now that her father was granting his permission, his weakened condition meant she had to act quickly. She would have to confess her feelings to Link upon his next visit, and little did she know, that too would come sooner than she expected.
Malon lay awake recalling the day's events. She reflected on the princess' longing glance when she spoke of Link. It had been so obvious to Malon that the princess loved Link, but then again, Link was too preoccupied with his direction in life to take notice of the princess' feelings for him. He was so preoccupied that Malon would bet that he did not even recognize his own feelings for the princess. While it would appear that Malon merely wished to assist the princess and Link, only she knew her true motive. Malon suspected that the confession would astound Link so greatly that his love for the princess would be clouded by shock. He would falter before the princess and Malon would be there to comfort him upon his return. Only one thing bothered Malon. Link was not only the object of her affections; he was her friend. Could she really deceive her friend and confidant?
Immediately she felt the burden and guilt associated with the worst kind of deception: betrayel. In response, she immediately lurched forward and fell onto the wooden floor below. I must tell him! I can't let him do this!
As she arose and hurried to the door, she stopped in midstride and listened conscientiously to the fading pounding of Epona's hooves upon Hyrule Field.
"Tell me, Lord Truce...how do you feel?" the elderly man inquired.
Truce clenched his left fist. "Sensational! I can feel the power flowing through me."
"Excellent. You have passed the first test. If you pass the next one your power will reach its full potential. A potential that even you, a most proficient swordsman, could not fathom."
Truce, possessing a talent at the blade since early childhood, had long ago achieved his potential. As such, his practices reflected this recognition and he sparred and trained with the goal to maintain his skill. The thought of surpassing and improving what he previously knew to be his limit filled him with an excitement that showed on his normally solemn face. Obviously understanding this new direction of Truce's thoughts, the elderly man addressed it.
"Do remember your place," the elderly man sternly spoke. "Remember exactly how you felt the other day- mute, immobile and vulnerable. If you abuse your power at any time he will revoke it and you shall remain in that vulnerable state forever." He emphasized that last word. "Do you understand what I am saying?"
"Yes," Truce replied, and when he was certain his composure was regained, he thought, With this new power no one can stand in my way, not even the Hero of Time.
The ride to Hyrule Castle was so monotonous that Link usually engrossed himself in daydreams. He rarely thought of anything significant, which is why the anxiety that accompanied him today was so frightful. What could Zelda possibly have to tell him? More puzzling yet, how did Malon, who met Zelda just once, know what he who knew Zelda for years didn't? He was denied an answer to both of these questions and by the time he arrived at the castle, ominous clouds blanketed Hyrule Castle.
What a nice accompaniment to my puzzlement, Link thought as a maid approached him.
"The Princess is attending to his majesty now, but she will see you in the courtyards my lord."
Link smiled graciously and sauntered to the usual meeting place in the shade of an oak tree. On this day, however, the shade was uncomfortably cool in the breeze, so he resolved to stand by the stream that flowed around the perimeter of the castle. In a sudden moment of reverie, he recalled the courtyard as it was almost a decade ago. The recollection lasted for only a second, but Link was able to see how the trees had grown, the tulips were uprooted for roses, and everything but the stone walls of the castle had changed. Link felt the change in himself too, but when he tried to feel the change in Zelda, he found himself suddenly anxious for a reason he could not explain. He didn't have much time to delve into that anxiety before Zelda appeared in the doorway. She smiled and stepped toward Link, her silky blond hair seeming to grace the courtyard with a ray of sunlight. Though she smiled, her sapphire eyes contained a vague anxiety.
"Hello Link. I didn't expect to see you today."
"I know. I apologize for interrupting your visit with your father. Is he alright?"
Zelda shook her head wistfully. "He is preparing to relinquish his duties to me, and though he denies it, I know his surrender means his time is near."
"You don't know that, Zelda. Maybe he just wants you to gain some experience while he is still around to advise you," Link suggested hopefully.
"Yes, it's possible." Zelda's face suddenly softened. "Anyway, I don't wish my troubles to interrupt our time together. Is there something on your mind, Link?"
"Actually, that is exactly why I have come," he paused to fidget with a loose thread on his tunic while he considered his words. "I thought that you seemed anxious during our last visit and I just wanted to be sure that you were alright."
Link's tan complexion turned a shade of red, feeling sheepish at being so vague. Yet for a reason he did not understand, he could not bring himself to mention Malon.
Zelda suddenly moved to stand close beside Link and meaningfully cast a reminiscent glance around the courtyard. Her gaze paused in front of the stream for many moments, and just as Link was about to break the silence, Zelda spoke.
"You know Link, it's amazing how much time we have spent together in these gardens. Do you remember when we fed the swans?" She asked the question with a rhetorical tone, but Link nodded anyway. "That experience taught me that most people in my life will come and go like the swans, but those who remain in my life are the most important."
Link found this his hand had found his way into Zelda's without his slightest knowledge. Zelda gripped it tightly and turned to face him.
"Link, do you ever wonder who the man is that I care for? The one I mentioned to you awhile ago?" Zelda asked apprehensively.
"Not often Zelda, as long as you will smile all the rest of your days," Link lied for he had often wondered who this mystery man was. He tried to picture every face he had ever seen and none of them could even measure up to her smile. At some point in his imaginations, he had pictured his own face, but dismissed the idea to avoid complications.
"For being the Hero of Time you sure are blind to reality." Zelda giggled and gazed down at her slippers.
Link swallowed and spoke. "What do you mean Zelda?"
"You really do not comprehend what I am saying?" Zelda looked up at his face and as their eyes met it was then Link suddenly realized what Zelda was revealing to him. All of Zelda's perplexing behavior filed out of his memory as if it were reoccurring right before him and it all became clear. The way he would catch her regarding him when she suspected he wasn't aware. The way she melted into his arms and entwined their fingers. The reason she confirmed that he would continue their weekly visits. Everything she did indicated her feelings for him, but he failed to notice it because he was too intent on finding his place in Hyrule.
Seeing at once Link's enlightened expression, Zelda resolved to explain what Link had just discovered.
"Link…the young gentleman is you. Every week when you reassure me in my role and ease my concern for my father, my heart aches for you to be with me. My heart wants to obey your every command, to answer your every call, to make you as happy as can be because you deserve every smile, every joy. And then yesterday, after that disturbing visit with Truce, I was so relieved to see you. To see the friend that rescued me and Hyrule eight years ago. To see the friend who dedicated his life even then to save me. To see the friend," Zelda paused and lifted both of her hands to his cheeks, "who I cannot live without."
Link was dumbfounded. Of course he had hoped that it was him, but what could he do? He never thought he could have Zelda, and he dismissed his desires many years ago as naïve and foolish. Now he cared for Malon. How could he deny his feelings for Malon after he had given up on Zelda years ago?
Link stepped back. He was not ready for this, he was not prepared for such a blunt confession. Zelda was ready to sacrifice her every breath so that she could stand by his side each passing year. Link stepped back again. It could never work. The life of a princess and the life of a peasant clash in every way possible. He took his third step back and Zelda's hands completely dropped from his cheeks. Link had in his hands a very vulnerable heart that with one word could crush its very hope. He had a dear friend who finally loved him the way he always wished to be loved and all he could do was walk away. He grimaced as he realized the vulnerable heart he held in his hands was also his own. Stopping in midstride, he turned and lowered his gaze to see the distressed Zelda. Tears streamed down her soaked cheeks and glistened in the dim light. Her shoulders were shaking but she was doing everything in her power to maintain an impassive expression. Her eyes were her betrayal for in her eyes Link saw a crushed dream that reflected his own.
"Zelda..." Link paused as another tear slid down. "I cannot be the man to wed you."
He risked a glance in her direction as the words sank in. She sat next to the pond with her arms wrapped around her knees to keep from trembling. In her shaken and distraught appearance Link longed to embrace her, but he knew such an action would provide false hope.
"I am sorry," Link whispered more to himself than to her, before turning from the courtyard.