So first off, thank you to everyone who has read the previous chapters! I really appreciate it.
In this chapter Link finds a new ally, someone who just may come in handy for the future!
Zelda was sat in the royal garden, harp placed in her hands and quiet sounds leaving the instrument. Her mind completely at ease, eyes closed and peaceful-
"Princess Zelda!" a servant appeared suddenly.
Zelda opened her eyes, slightly annoyed that her rare moment of peace was now ruined.
"The king and queen of Hyrule are on their way here-"
She raced to her feet, running recklessly towards the castle.
When inside she ran to her room and pulled on her best dress, brushed out her hair over ten times, all before attempting to cover up the remaining visible bruises.
Downstairs Ganondorf was already waiting, a smug expression on his face.
"You're late." He growled before entering first.
She shuffled slowly after, a fake smile glued onto her face.
The queen smiled warmly, "Zelda, you look well."
Ha. Zelda thought before replying, "Thank you."
"I believe we've never had the...pleasure of meeting." The queen struggled for words as she turned to Ganondorf.
"I am Ganondorf, Zelda's beloved husband." He cheered.
He was almost unrecognisable, laughter flooded his eyes and a hearty cheer continued to escape from his chest.
After hours of fake smiled and lies the king and queen finally left.
"I hope to see you again." The king smiled as he kissed Zelda softly on the cheek.
"You too." She sang.
Once the door was closed his personality changed instantly. The smiled faded from his face and a large grin covered it.
"I think we've got them fooled." He roared, "They won't be bothering us anytime soon."
For once she could agree with him. The king and queen suspected nothing.
A slight tickled suddenly erupted in her throat, causing her to pull out her spare tissue. She coughed slightly into the paper, small red splodges covering the material.
III
Link had known from the start that he could not protect all of these people.
By the time they had reached kokiri forest only thirty five out of the fifty remained – seven guards and twenty eight others – after a planned ambush by some Gerudo guards, killing twelve guards and one helpless woman and her husband who had badly retaliated.
Kokiri was quiet as usual and he was welcomed by most residents.
He turned towards the anxious crowd,
"Start camp over there," he pointed towards his house, "I need to sort something out." He walked off.
He needed to find Saria
When he arrived at her house he was met with her father,
"You have nerve showing up here! I swear I will-"
"Is Saria here?" Link interrupted.
"No she's not, but I'm not telling you-"
Link sprinted back the other way, leaving her father alone on the front porch.
He new exactly where she would be.
III
She was in her usual place in the meadow, Ocarina in her hands.
"Saria!" he shouted as he ran towards her.
Full frontal anger covered her face, disgust blinding her sight.
"Get away from me!" she stood to leave.
"Just let me explain-"
"No! I don't want to hear it Link!" she shrieked.
"I just want you to know that I am truly sorry, this is my last and only chance to say it."
She frowned deeply.
"Why?"
"I have a task with a 90% chance of failure."
Everyone knew that failure meant death.
She looked over him quickly,
"You're an absolute mess."
"I've been travelling for over a week. Give me a break!" he snapped.
"...Well good look on your travels."
"Yeah..."
He walked back towards Kokiri.
III
Zelda liked it whenever Ganondorf was out of the castle. In fact she loved it. She could play her harp, sing around the castle, paint in the garden and even talk to the servants.
As she was lying down on the grass in the garden Impa appeared above her,
"M'am I have letter."
"Show me it later-"
"It's from Link-"
Her eyes flashed open and she bolted upright.
"Pass it here!" she snatched it from her grip.
Dear Zelda, we have just arrived in Kokiri, 39 people have survived out of the 50, eight guards have died a long with two towns people after an ambush by some Gerudo guards and a Skulltula. We are heading through the lost woods next.
Please reply.
Link.
A radiant smile ran across Zelda's face, a warm laugh rising in her throat.
"Impa, burn this letter and get me some paper and a pen." She demanded.
Impa grinned. This was the Zelda she knew and cared for.
As soon as Impa returned Zelda's pen was racing across the paper.
"Send this immediately!"
"Yes!" Impa ran off.
III
"Here take this." Malon handed him a piece of bread.
Link smiled, enjoying the extra company she was giving him.
"Thanks."
"It's a nice place you have here." She looked around his spacious room.
"It's barely mine, I'm never here." He began to eat the warm bread.
"Oh, do you stay at your girlfriends-?"
He swallowed the bread too fast, causing him to choke.
"I-I'm sorry, that's private!" Malon stuttered.
"Um, I don't have a girlfriend," he replied, slightly embarrassed.
"Wow! I'm sorry!" she turned red.
"Wow?" he smirked.
"It's just that, well erm- never mind!" her voice rose.
"Okay then?"
There was a few moments of awkward silence before he spoke,
"Malon, what happened to your father?" he turned to face her.
"...He stayed on the ranch and insisted that I come along. He guaranteed me that I would be safe." She sighed.
"I'm sorry."
"No! Don't be sorry, he was right, I'm in good hands." She winked playfully at him.
He blushed wildly before pulling up his drink,
"Cheers!"
His cup collided with her.
III
Nothing could ruin the good mood that Zelda was feeling. Not even when Ganondorf returned and repeatedly harassed her, or when he abused her into submission. Through every single thing he threw at her, she held a vibrant smile, ignoring his whole presence.
After as they both lay on the bed he asked,
"Why are you still smiling?" a frown circled his forehead.
"I received good news today."
"What was it?" he leant over her face.
"I got a letter."
"From who-?"
"That's none of you business!" she snapped.
He grinned, finally been able to break her facade.
"I prefer it when you are feisty." He admitted.
"Yeah well, don't get used to it."
He laughed before leaving the room.
She pulled out a clean tissue from her bedside desk, coughing loudly, a small portion of blood landing in her hands.
She folded the material and placed it on the side.
Her throat began to burn like raw fire, chest heaving with un-even breaths.
She knew she was ill, it was obvious. However she didn't know exactly what was wrong.
She just hoped that Link would hurry.
III
Link heard a rustling outside.
He sat up carefully, not wanting to disturb the herd of sleeping people next to him.
Pulling out his sword from its sheath he headed outside.
Everything looked as peaceful as usual. He scanned around the bottom of the tree and saw a light flickering.
After jumping down he pulled apart the bushes before finding the source.
A small fairy was fluttering recklessly, stuck inside a spider's web.
He pulled carefully at the fairy freeing it from the web. It lit up brightly, flying around his head quickly.
"You saved me!" a high pitch voice sounded.
"You can speak?" he jumped backwards, alarmed.
"I'm not just any fairy! I'm a guardian! I am in debt to you...Link."
"How do you know my name?" he stepped closer, observing the fairy closer.
"I was actually trying to find you; you're the only person in Kokiri without a fairy!"
He frowned shrugging, "So?"
"Well you can't do anything about it-!"
He turned to walk away.
"Hey, listen!"
"Why don't I know your name?" he questioned, turning around.
"Because I haven't introduced myself yet! I'm Navi!" the fairy twirled.
"Okay." He turned and entered back inside the house, Navi following close behind.
Yeah, decided to bring in Navi because lets face it, this would not be Ocarina of time without Navi's annoying comments and calls!
So what do you think? Please review and tell me all your thoughts!