"Hyrule Castle"
In order to discover new lands, one must be willing to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
-Anonymous
Link stared around the guest room he was staying in with awe, not believing the careful and intricate design of it. The walls were painted a deep red, matching the elaborate comforter on the massive bed. The furniture was a deep russet, decorated with matching flowers and lamps. The hero shook his head, and let his thoughts trail back to how badly he needed to shower. With slight humor, he cautiously smelled his shirt, and was immediately repulsed.
They'd surely make me sleep in the stables with Epona if they were to see me right now, he thought.
It took him a minute to find his bathroom, as there were three doors adjoining his room. He'd found the closet, at least. It didn't have too much in it, but there were some notably fashioned tunics and gowns hanging idly on a centered rack, along with sturdy black boots, and nice looking sandals that he'd seen some women wear in Castle Town. He carried what looked to be the most comfortable looking attire with him to the bathroom, and laughed at how beautiful the royals could make even a lavatory look exquisite. After he'd set the fresh apparel from the wardrobe onto the counter, he chose a soft, chocolate colored towel from the cabinet directly underneath the sink.
Slowly, he pulled off his shirt, the rough textile scratching his face as made contact. Link half considered throwing his Ordonian rags and sandals away as she shed them, but chose against it after remembering that he would need them when he went back. He brought them into the shower with him, intending to at least wash some of the stench away before anyone else, even a servant, came in contact with them. He hung them on the shower rack, and then was bewildered. There wasn't a spigot to be found, or even soap for that matter, and several knobs and buttons were secured throughout the whole tub.
Link knitted his eyebrows in confusion, and let out a sigh. He reached out a hand, and began fooling with whatever was in his reach. Without warning, he was splashed with some sort of lavender smelling substance from above. He shook it out of his eyes, noting how bad it burned them.
"Found the soap," he muttered disdainfully to himself.
The next time, he prepared himself before he turned another handle. The shower immediately turned on, and Link was amazed once more by Hyrule Castle. The water fell just like rain from the ceiling, and the hero barely had to adjust the temperature. Wanting to experiment more, Link caked himself in moisturizer, more of the awful lavender cleanser, a good smelling aftershave, some type of bath salt, no-scent shampoo, and other various concoctions.
What was supposed to be a quick wash turned into a very long one. Though, while he was curious, most of the hero's time was spent trying to remember where everything he liked was. He muttered something along the lines of "they should really label this…" after staring at the plethora of different choices. He picked out a familiar one carefully, hoping for the best, in vain, of course, as he was greeted once again with the flowery aroma that he hated.
"Not that one," Link narrowed his eyes.
His fingers were wrinkled by the time he was clean, and he was very grateful to finally be out. Once he secured the towel around his waist, he scooped his old set of clothes into his arms, and threw them in the hamper. Link ran a comb through his hair, noticing that it had darkened a shade due to being wet for so long, and also that it was sticking to the sides of his face.
The new outfit he'd chosen was softer than expected, and the hero knew the moment that he put them on that it'd be easy to rest in it.
(A/N… I have no idea how to insert the line symbolizing a time skip… but I'll improvise.)
Link woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. It was early, of course, so the birds were still chirping pleasantly outside. He rose from the mattress, noticing instantly that the aches from sleeping outside were far gone. He raised his arms to stretch, and inhaled deeply, and was angry moments later. He scooped up the grey tunic, and took a bigger whiff.
"Blasted petunia soap," he didn't refrain from being snippy, as he was alone. Either way, he groomed himself to the best of his ability, slipping on boots over his deep grey trousers, and left his room. Girehen had shown him the living quarters down the hall, and suggested he go there before breakfast if he woke up early enough. However, Link did not know when breakfast was, or how to get there even. As he walked towards his destination, he noticed a girl flitting about, and dusting the multiple pictures hung on the wall.
"Excuse me, miss…" Link spoke lowly, and she turned on a heel, and gasped, clearly startled.
"I'm s…" her face reddened at the sight of him, but then she cleared her throat, "I'm sorry, sir, I did not hear you coming behind me; usually no one is up at this early hour."
"It's probably my fault," Link chanced a smile at her, "I just arrived last night, and am still a bit perplexed on the concept of the palace. I can go back to my room if necessary."
"No!" she answered a bit too quickly, and her odd behavior puzzled Link even more, "I mean… you don't have to if you don't want to. The only set rules in the palace is to respect the princess, and don't wander to her quarters unless summoned. "Link didn't take a step in either direction, knowing that he should reply, even if he wasn't good with words. He debated his response for a few seconds, hoping she didn't notice his lack of social skills.
"Very well, then. I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind answering…" he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, feeling ignorant for not knowing anything.
"Of course not, ask away, sir…" she trailed off, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear.
"Kindheart. Link Kindheart," he gave her his name before making his inquiry, "I don't know when or where breakfast is held, much less what to do afterwards. Also, I do need to speak with the Princess Zelda sometime today, and have no idea how to even see her. I'm from Ordon, you see…" he chuckled, and her eyes widened.
"Oh! Mr. Kindheart!" she smacked her forehead, and then met his eyes, "I'm terribly sorry! We servants were given strict instruction to bring you to Her Majesty as soon as your arrival was noted! The princess is in the throne room! Come along, I'll bring you to her. My apologies," she squealed; now more red in the face than Link had seen anyone. She gestured for him to come forward, and he didn't argue. The maid didn't talk for a moment. The young swordsman offered a delayed word of conciliation.
"She even gave us your description. I am a fool!"
"Not any more than I."
She giggled.
"Forgiving and handsome, I can see why Princess Zelda has taken a liking to you," she threw a casual wink back his way, and this time… words were far beyond Link's mouth. He cast his eyes down at the finely carpeted floor, and wondered why everything about this palace was far more peculiar than it was back at his home. She noticed his silence, and chuckled again, as if her words weren't supposed to affect Link in any manner.
"I didn't mean to embarrass you, sir. I thought surely someone had told you that before," she admitted. He brought his chin back up, and blinked before shaking his head. No one had ever been so bold to say something of the sort before.
"Really?"
Link shrugged.
"Then you might as well get used to it; there are people in this palace far worse that I am," he listened to her words as he followed behind her. The discomfort slowly relented, and the hero took her words into account. If that was truly the way the Hyrulians acted here, then he would not hold the servant at fault for her candid statement. After all, he'd, in a way, conformed to the Ordonian way of life, and the maid probably found some of his words to be strange.
"By the way, if you need any more help… I give you my assistance. My name is Ella, should you need for me, just call over to me," she said, and the hero noticed the friendliness that laced her tone. There was at least one person in Hyrule Castle that would tolerate him, besides Girehen, who only patrolled and guarded the stronghold. Link wasn't sure whether or not the friendly guard resided within the walls of the citadel.
"Well… thank you, Miss Ella. I appreciate it."
She halted, and wheeled to face him.
Disbelief sparkled in her blue eyes, and Link worried that he'd insulted her.
"Miss Ella?" a laugh escaped her throat, "I don't deserve anything more than Ella; I assure you. I am a maid. However, make sure you do call the noble-women Miss; else they'll cut out your tongue for disrespect." Link took note of this, hoping that he'd remember her advice when the time came. While he did not speak much, he surely treasured his tongue.
"Not literally," Ella amended, recalling his little knowledge of the royal place.
Link chuckled.
"I assumed as much, but it's still an awful thought."
Link still intended to call the servants by Mister and Miss, as that was how it was done at his home. No matter how much money or land you owned, you still deserved the same veneration as everyone else, he thought. That was the way he thought it would be here, and it was how he would have it if he were a noble, but he knew that their culture was quite different.
"Here it is, the throne room."
Link hadn't even noticed the gigantic double doors until she had said anything, as he was trying to take in everything else. She rested a hand on the doorknob, and shot Link a look, and then smiled. He nearly smiled back, as he saw her conduct as outlandish, and inexplicable. He exhaled deeply, ready to be thrust into more confusion.
"You ready, dear?"
He raised a brow, but nodded.
Ella knocked, hand still grasping the handle. She was a bit puzzled by him as well. Not once had he given her a real smile, when normal Hyrulians would grin without shame. She gazed at him, and resolved that it was simply a Hylian thing, for the princess Zelda herself seemed the same way, as had her parents before her. It was a while, but then the clear and unyielding voice that could only be Her Majesty's floated through the thick wooden egresses.
"Enter."
Ella opened the door, and nearly had to shove Link forward.
The princess sat on the far side of the room, and was speaking to one of her guards, and it was almost as if they were arguing about something. Link and Ella made their way down the burgundy mat, until they reached the three steps that led to the cathedra Zelda sat in. Ella coughed lightly, hoping to draw her attention away without rudely disrupting her.
Zelda turned away from the guard, and Ella curtseyed. When the princess's gaze passed to Link, he went to one knee in a highly courteous bow.
"My goodness! I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow!" her smile brightened, and she stood up.
"Thank you, Ella… Fredrick…" she cast a glance at the guard at her left, "you are both dismissed while I speak with my guest."
They left as ordered, and Link was still kneeling. When he felt a delicate hand on his shoulder, he tilted his head up to meet her impossibly blue eyes. She now wore a serious, yet pleasant expression on her face.
"You do not bow to me, Hero of Time…" she held her hand out, and he took it, and brought himself to his feet. A moment later, she was the one that kneeled. She performed the action just as he had, and he noticed her golden hair was wound just as it had been the day in the Gerudo Desert, and the wrapped strands hung elegantly to the sides of her alabaster face. He was a bit surprised at this, but helped her upright.
"I do not think you should lower yourself to me, Princess of Destiny."
She gave him a small smile.
"Ever so humble, I see. I'm glad you came, Link. I wasn't sure that you would, as this place probably brings about horrible memories," she admitted, her voice dropping an octave, "and, you do not have to refer to me as anything but Zelda… It seems that we've known each other and have shared far too many hardships for such ridiculous formalities."
In all honesty, while this had been the peak of his adventure, he'd rather be here than home. Their similar struggles were refreshing as well, seeing as he didn't have to go about explaining himself to her. According to the maids, or Ella, to be more specific, she had been acting similarly to the way he had. He smiled a genuine smile, and he was surprised how easy it was.
"It's nice to have someone that understands," he disclosed.
She looked down.
"I was just quarrelling with Fredrick about that, as it happens. So I know exactly how you feel… it took me a very long time just to get used to the idea of living here after all that time locked away," her lashes fluttered, and the hero could tell she was fighting back tears.
"I'm truly sorry, Pr- I mean, Zelda," Link's voice was sincere.
She met his eyes.
"Thank you for all of your bravery, Link. Without you, we'd surely all be dead."
He allowed his Triforce to flash for demonstrative purposes.
"It seems I was fit for the job," he chuckled, this time, without humor. In return, hers lit up. They both stared at each other's hands, in deep thought. Link and Zelda both felt the flutter of the other Triforce, as it was engrained to do so. It made Link shiver a little, but the princess did not notice it, as she was still looking off into the distance.
"Are you faring well now?" he asked.
"At the moment, yes."
"That's a good thing to hear," the hero smiled a little; his Triforce (and personality in general) wanted to do everything in its power to make sure she was truly okay, "I worried about you."
Zelda looked up.
"I did as well. Either way, breakfast is being served by now. Come if you will, and I'll introduce you to a few people," she began to walk forward, and then stopped abruptly, and her head snapped to him. It took a few seconds, but a smirk played its way onto her face. Link didn't comprehend, so he waited for her to speak. He was embarrassed when she finally did.
"Lavender, is it?"
(A/N- I wanted to make this chapter slightly humorous. It's been terribly emotional and depressing for the first few chapters, and you guys needed a break from that. Especially because, all in all, while Link and Zelda have been through emotional turmoil… they are friends (may be subject to change… who knows if or when? ;) cept me…) who especially need another person to understand, so I needed to give Zelda a good vibe from the get go. Reviews are appreciated! Thank you to all who have done so already!)