Chapter 18: Complications
Ganondorf stopped dead in his tracks as a thought came to his mind. Was he really sure that the ocarina that boy had held really was the Ocarina of Time? He didn't seem at all like he was anything special. Was he a worker in the castle and if not, how had he come inside? On the other hand that boy had the Zora's Sapphire, he didn't doubt that it was the real thing and he had seen him close to the princess. If the princess was around he had to assume the worst.
But what should he do now? He needed those bothering witches, Koume and Kotake, to get here before he could lay his hands on the other spiritual stones and, once he did that, at least the Gorons would contact the castle.
Those musicians, Sharp and Flat, was surely scientists undercover and of what he'd heard he could get the Song of Time from them. However, he couldn't exactly ask them for it and to use violence would only cast suspicions on him, especially from Zelda. If he let them live they would probably tell the king themselves.
Ganondorf's problem was that he was stuck and could do nothing while the princess probably already was acting.
He could try to find the boy. It would be easy to steal the ocarina and the stone and the boy would think he lost them himself. Still the best thing would probably be to wait until the boy showed up by himself. Until that happened Ganondorf was sure he could sneak into Flat's and Sharp's room and find the notes to the Song of Time.
He turned and started to walk back since the musicians' room was in the other part of the castle.
Zelda hurried to a deserted place. "Impa!" she called out and her guardian stepped out on command.
"What do you consider being the best option now?" Zelda asked.
"Take the ocarina from the dim-witted boy, oh, and take the sapphire while you're at it."
Zelda frowned. "I'm sure Ganondorf is too smart to simply think it's the Ocarina of Time in the hands of a simple boy."
"But remember Zelda that he held the sapphire and that you were present at that time."
"Yes, I thought about that too. That's why I need your advice on what to do", Zelda answered.
"I think you don't need to hear what I have to say. You're wasting time with this Zelda. You should have acted while you had all the involved persons right next to you."
Zelda nodded as she felt a bit disappointed in herself. "I want to talk to Sharp and Flat first and then I need to find Link. I'm a bit worried how he will react if I entrust him something important and then take it back immediately."
Impa shook her head. "You have good reasons to take it."
"I guess Sharp and Flat must have headed to their own place while I left, or rather, when the other scientist was brought away." Zelda continued. "I'll go there now."
"Not to spoil your plans but it's beginning to get late and your father has planned another meeting tomorrow so you need some sleep."
"Don't you think this is more important? Besides haven't you trained me to be fine without sleep?"
"Okay, but if you're going to sneak around at night change to you alter ego."
"I'll do that as soon as I've talked to Sharp and Flat. It isn't that late yet". Zelda said with a determined nod and turned to leave.
"Zelda, before you go. Will you go to Link or follow Ganondorf afterwards?"
"Yes, thank you for reminding me Impa, can you keep an eye on Ganondorf?"
Impa bowed and quickly leaved and Zelda started to run to reach Sharp and Flat as soon as possible.
Sharp glared at his younger brother. "Just do it Flat!"
"But why do we have to hide all our research all over again? I thought it was hidden."
Sharp shook his head. "Only for those who's not looking for anything. There were too many present there that can gossip about what that old fool said."
"You shouldn't talk about our old friend like that", Flat said and accidentally dropped the papers he was holding. Sharp groaned as they spread over the floor and made a half-hearted try to break his baton into two pieces. It was much too valuable to him to actually do it.
"We don't have time for your stupidity! Don't you understand what might happen if our research get into the wrong hands? Will all our work be for nothing?"
"That would be really sad", Flat stated as he tried to pick up all the papers but it ended up with that he dropped them all again which caused Sharp to cast murderous glances at his brother.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door.
"Quickly!" Sharp hissed and pushed everything on the desk he stood by down into the open boxes they originally lay in and shut them quickly. Flat clumsily tried to pick up all the papers at once but dropped a few every time he picked some up.
Sharp felt how he began to sweat when the person outside knocked again. He picked up the papers and threw them down in a drawer and Flat did the same with the ones he carried.
Sharp went over to the door and opened.
"Princess", he said a bit shocked bit quickly got his regular grumpy look back. "You could have said something."
"I'm sorry", she said. "I hope you realise the seriousness in this matter though. I assume you know what I'm talking about."
"Yes, princess, since you are one of the few that know about what we actually work with we can turn to you with our worries now."
"I'm in a hurry Sharp, I just want to make sure that you know that Ganondorf may be after your results."
"So he does know already?" Sharp said and began to mumble to himself about evil gossiping.
"It's your decision if you should stay or leave. Just be careful, I'm very worried", the princess said, and indeed she sounded very worried.
"Don't be princess, Sharp can take care of anything", Flat said. Zelda smiled at the naïve composer. "I only came to warn you. He might show up anytime. I don't know how long he will wait but if I'm found here he might grow more suspicious."
Sharp and Flat bowed and Sharp closed the door behind her. She walked through the corridor and was about to turn around the corner when Ganondorf almost walked into her. He gave her a cold stare and continued. Zelda stopped and turned around.
"They don't have what you search, leave them alone Ganondorf."
He treated her like air and continued down the corridor. Zelda hadn't expected him to listen, but could she really walk away now? She ran up to Ganondorf who heard the sound of her steps. Zelda grabbed his arm.
"Ganondorf!"
"Yes, princess?" he said with narrowed eyes.
"They are in there, if you bother them I'll make sure you'll get thrown out!" she threatened. Her eyes had never been more beautiful.
He made her let go of his arm as they kept their eyes locked on one another. He waited a while before he answered.
"Please, I was only going to discuss a few things with them princess. You misunderstood. But it's nothing important, it can wait. Let me escort you back to your room while we're here."
"My apologies", she said and linked arms with him.
Outside of her room she was greeted by her recently hired bodyguard.
"Princess, such a delight to see you! I hope we can discuss some details concerning my new duties."
Zelda nodded and turned to Ganondorf.
"How very kind of you Dragmire to escort me, but I think I'll be fine from here."
Ganondorf nodded and bowed and turned to her bodyguard. "I assume you're the new bodyguard. Yes, I know since the king discussed the matter with me personally. Please, make sure not to keep her up late. We wouldn't want to rob our princess of her beauty sleep."
"Of course not sir!" He said with a grin and bowed before he opened the door for Zelda. "So…" he began after he had entered. "I've already talked to the king, but busy as he his we couldn't get into any details so I hoped I could turn to you."
"Yes, we must decide what your job includes. I myself have some thoughts about what may be needed and you may of course add your own opinion to this."
"Oh, princess, what's with that tone?" he grinned at her serious face. "We know each other better than this."
"Well, I guess we have a closer acquaintance than I have with the other guards but I can't say I know you. At least not on a personal level…" She said a bit hesitantly.
"But now that'll have to change." He grabbed her hand. "Let's make this our beginning, I'm…"
Zelda interrupted him with a giggle. "Oh, but Taime, we know each other better than this. You know I'm Zelda and I know that you're Taime."
He scratched his head making his brown and untidy hair even messier. "See, we do know each other. You're not making any sense!"
"I just commented that we knew each others' names! We don't need a beginning!" she answered.
"So when we got that sorted out I guess it's time to clear things out with the job", he said.
"What I had in mind, I'm sure father will let me take care of this on my own", Zelda said and immediately got the more serious tone to her voice back. "Is that you will come every morning in time to escort me to breakfast. You will then stay close…"
"No problem there", he said with a mischievous grin.
"I thought you were married", Zelda muttered and began once again. "You will then stay close if necessary. That means that you may still practice with the army but only when I don't have need for you. During the night I have other protection so there won't be any need for you to stay up all night."
"Yes, I will always be close if you need me, just ring the small bell and I'll come running", he said with a slightly mocking tone and pretended to ring an invisible bell.
"Maybe you're not interested in this job that gives you so much free time and payment and…"
"Sorry, I was just joking, you're not the humorous type, are you?" he asked.
"It's okay as long as you know what's okay to joke about", Zelda answered. "The time has not come yet when people can say whatever they want to whomever the want and in my company you will meet a lot of nobles."
"Don't worry princess", Taime smiled but sounded very severe. "You have my deepest loyalty and you've always had it. I won't let you down when you've given me this great opportunity."
He wished her a good night and left her room. As soon as he had left Zelda changed into Sheik.
"No", she heard Impa's voice say. Zelda crossed her arms and waited for Impa to show herself. "We decided that I would spy on Ganondorf. It's too late to talk to Link now and it's not much bother for me to steal the sapphire and ocarina", Impa continued.
"Fine… keep an eye on Ganondorf but don't take the ocarina or the sapphire from Link."
Zelda didn't need to look at Impa to know that she wanted an explanation. "I mean… It's not necessary yet", she added.
"Don't wait too long", was all Impa said, though it was clear she had more on her mind, and opened the door to the balcony. "I'll report tomorrow or immediately if something of importance happens. Zelda nodded and changed back to her old self after Impa left from the balcony.
Zelda sighed as she crawled down under the covers. "Sometimes you really just want the night to last until you're ready for tomorrow", she said softly to herself.
"Good morning! Time for breakfast!" Taime slammed the door open just when Zelda finished her hairdo.
"Don't you know how to knock?" Impa jumped up from her chair and picked out a knife which she brought to his throat.
"She's fast!" was Taime's only reaction as he pointed at Impa and then ducked to get past her arm.
Impa had told Zelda everything about what Ganondorf did last night while Zelda got dressed this morning and they were just finished when Taime had come in. Unfortunately Ganondorf hadn't done anything suspicious, it seemed like he waited for something which wasn't at all what Zelda had expected. It would have been a lot more like him to take this opportunity, because it was an opportunity for him, which made it all much harder for Zelda.
Zelda left her room for breakfast with Taime following a few steps behind.
"Ah, Zelda, in time as usual."
Zelda couldn't help the suspiciousness she felt when she heard her father speak to her with such warmth as she entered the dining room. She soon enough got the reason when she saw three men which had all risen from their chairs as she entered. She curtsied as they all made a small bow before they sat down again.
"This must be our guests, welcome", Zelda said even though she hadn't expected them at all. It wasn't hard to figure out the reason they were here though. A man with two sons that was about her age and they seemed wealthy enough. She tried to remember if she had been told about their arriving. She had heard something about their arriving, but this early?
She sat down at her usual place, which happened to be next to the youngest one. All three had flaming red hair. The eldest son had neat hair and was blushing furiously. She could tell he was fiddling with his fingers under the table. He could only be a few years older than her if not the same age. The younger one seemed to have tried to make his hair look in order but he had somewhat failed. He behaved well, as someone well raised should, but she could tell he was a bit restless.
"This is a very important man for Hyrule", her father said and brought her attention to the brother's father. "And these are his sons, Hideo, 18 years old and Lyell, 15 years old. Boys, may I introduce you to my daughter, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda."
The lowered their heads in respect and Hideo's face turned crimson as he noticed her looking at him.
After breakfast her father suggested that she showed Hideo the library while Lyell stayed because he could need the experience of the discussion the father's were to have. Zelda noticed how pained Lyell looked because of this before he quickly caught himself and brought back his serious face.
"This way", Zelda said to Hideo. She gave Taime, who stood by the wall, a look that said that he wasn't needed. Hideo walked quietly beside her and opened the door for her when she stopped in front of the door leading to the library. He swallowed and hesitated to speak.
"Do you enjoy reading?" He asked after he had closed the door behind them
"Yes, very much indeed."
He smiled timidly at this. Zelda went over to one of the bookcases and picked out a book.
"I've read this one several times. It is very interesting."
He walked over and took a look at it.
"Yes, this is a very good book." His face lit up before he began to talk about the book, which he obviously had read several times too. Zelda guessed that he had recovered from some of his shyness.
The library, except for all the bookcases, books and a few tables also had a fireplace, a sofa and a few comfortable chairs. Zelda sat down. She had to admit that the shy, yet enthusiastic, and polite Hideo had made a good first impression on her.
Soon enough a maid was sent to get Zelda and Hideo and this meant that Zelda now would spend time with the younger brother with the excuse that Lyell had learnt enough and that Hideo's judgement might be needed.
Zelda went to the garden with Lyell and both ended up on a bench. Lyell made sure there was some distance between them.
"So, do you like it?" Zelda began.
"You look lovely princess", Lyell said with no emotion to his words. Zelda was about to explain what she had really meant but he began to talk before her.
"Look… Hideo's the one that's fond of you, not me."
Zelda was about to answer but he obviously wasn't finished. "I know that you know why we're here and you really are wonderful but don't bother about me. Give Hideo a chance."
Zelda tried to say something yet again but Lyell continued.
"He isn't normally that speechless as he was at breakfast. Don't misunderstand. He sees you as the woman of his dreams and he is always trying to hear if someone has news about you, the mysterious princess."
Zelda was now speechless but Lyell didn't seem to notice. "I guess it's for the best if I just tell you. I mean, he won't. He has fallen deeply in love with you before you even met. He is always talking about you and blushing and being clumsy and distracted whenever it comes to you. So do you understand now?" He turned to her. "I know it hurts my brother that I'm getting all this attention and I know that he will make a great king and that he will make you very happy." Now he turned to look at the sky. "I think… he actually has convinced me that the two of you are meant to be… or maybe I just knew it when I saw you that it was the way it was meant."
Zelda felt a mix of speechlessness, gratefulness and also, to her dismay, irritation. What attention had she given him? Wasn't they ordered out here and hadn't they only been here a few minutes? She closed her eyes and concentrated on her own breathing before she spoke.
"I… feel honored that he thinks so highly of me… I must be truthful to you Lyell. I shall spend time like this with all suitors to get to know them. I'm sorry to say that it has nothing to do with me taking certain interest in anyone."
He seemed a bit surprised but nodded as a sign for her to go on. "I don't think you have to worry about Hideo either… But", she said as she noticed his smile. She could bet that Lyell always told his brother everything about everything. "Please, don't get his hopes up because I can't say that I answer his feelings and…" She cursed herself for acting like this. She had gotten used to always having an answer and she didn't enjoy how this issue made her search for words. Before she could continue Lyell rose from the bench and gave her a fierce look.
"How dare you!" he exclaimed furiously.
Zelda waited for him to continue. It was always better not to take any hasty decisions but she was a bit surprised over how quick his mood had changed.
"I just told you of his feelings about you and you take it this lightly? You didn't see him when we got the invitation to come here. You haven't seen him during the last years when his entire world came to circulate around you. You're just a spoiled child that knows nothing about others and their feelings."
Zelda rose and gave him such a cold stare that he gulped and took a step back.
"I'm trying to be humble, giving you a hint not to speak with your brother about this… Oh, don't look at me like that. I know you will tell him everything I've said. And I do not, in any way, take this lightly. And who are you to call me a spoiled child? You assume that I'm interested in you. You assume that you can tell me about your brother's feelings instead of letting him take his time. I've just met him. And you dare to treat me like this when I try to explain this matter to you. If anyone doesn't understand others it is you, not me", she said with such a cold and calm voice that she appeared as more frightening than if she would have yelled. Lyell was at a loss of words and could only stare at her in awe.
She kept her gaze fixed upon him and made sure not to be the one to look away first. Then he inhaled to speak.
"P-princess Zelda, you're eyes are so beautiful", were the words that left his mouth as he with wide eyes stared into hers. The he realised what he had just said and covered his mouth. Zelda in turn noticed how close they stood and quickly drew back. Then they were interrupted by a yell of surprise.
"What!"
Zelda flinched at the sound of the voice that she recognized and Lyell made a small jump out of surprise. Zelda didn't even have time to turn around before a fist hit Lyell's face.
"Link!" Zelda cried but her childhood friend didn't listen. Link attacked Lyell again and grabbed him by his collar.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Link", Zelda said once again. Lyell looked as if he was about to lose consciousness. "Let go of him now."
Link finally seemed to hear her and she noticed that some of his tension let go of him. He released Lyell who fell to the ground. Lyell grabbed his head and felt his face as he moaned in pain.
"What do you think you're doing?" Zelda asked Link, her voice high, as she scowled at him.
Link didn't answer. His fury changed into a stern expression, almost statue like, and then he turned to Zelda.
"Who is he?" he asked.
Zelda hesitated to answer.
"Who is he?" Link said more slowly as his eyes narrowed.
"He is the son of a very important guest and I am to keep him company."
Link still looked very bitter with his arms crossed. "Well, what is he to you?"
"Why are you asking this? What does it matter to you?" Zelda asked and frantically tried not to get upset by his behavior. She cast a quick glance at Lyell to see if he was okay but it didn't go unnoticed by Link who kept his eyes fixed on her.
"Oh, don't bother telling me Zelda. I know. So why are you lying to me?"
She knew that Link could be short-tempered and by just listening to his voice she knew that one wrong word from her now could cause another flare-up.
"T-that you would take someone else he…" Link began but then stopped in the middle of the sentence. He stared at the ground with intense fury and his hands clenched into fists.
Zelda's eyes saddened. She hadn't thought about how important this place was. It was the part of the garden where they usually met. Was it really so important to him that she didn't bring anybody else here? Her expression softened and Link felt much of his anger simply melting away.
"Please, Link, understand."
His eyes widened. Had he really been acting this stupid? All he knew was that he had come there and seen her inches away from someone else, who with such a tender expression complimented her beautiful eyes. He had been furious. It had felt like fire flowed through his body instead of blood. Never before had he really wanted to hurt someone so badly. He only wanted to protect her but she obviously didn't want him to. Did she want that man to stand so close?
Link looked at the man on the ground that seemed to recover by now.
"Fine, Zelda, I understand", he mumbled and left.
Zelda felt her heart pounding inside her chest, torn over him leaving like this. As soon as Link had left she, despite her will to run after her friend, ran to Lyell's side.
I'll have to clear that up with Link later, she thought as she checked his wounds, having problems to concentrate on anything else but her childhood friend.
"Who… was… that?" Lyell asked dazedly.
"P-please", Zelda began.
"Oh, everything is spinning. I couldn't think clear just a moment ago…" Lyell said as he held his hand pressed against his head.
"So… you didn't hear?"
"Hear what? Who was he anyway?"
"He is a very loyal soldier, it was all a misunderstanding. Please, don't take this too seriously", Zelda pleaded.
"Don't worry. I don't really care if you got lousy servants. What bothers me is that he got a hit in. How could someone like him succeed with that? I'm better trained than this!"
"I'm sure you are. Don't think too hard on it. Our soldiers are also very well trained", Zelda explained in a try to cover for Link's incredible skill, as not to hurt her guest's pride. She helped him to stand. "I think we should let one of my bodyguards take a look at you."
Zelda was sure Impa would know what to do. Then no one would have to find out about this and Link wouldn't get into trouble. It pained her that things could go so wrong with Link who was so dear to her.
Link stomped past his mother and slammed the door to his room. Navi who sat comfortable on his pillow flew up when he entered.
"Where have you been? You always leave me behind! I can't believe you… Hey, are you listening?"
"Shut up!" Link yelled and grabbed her wings. His mother turned around from the stew she was stirring when she heard Link open the door, in time to see him throw Navi out with all his strength.
"Link!" She said a bit shocked but he slammed the door shut again. Navi's usual soft glow turned into a furious red.
"He's just getting worse and worse for every year."
"I wonder what is wrong", Link's mother uttered worriedly.
After three hours Link's mother knocked on his door, thinking he had received enough time to calm down. "Come out now, dear, we're going to Kakariko."
She didn't get a response. "Linky? You'll see that we'll have a great time. I really need your help…"
"It's no use!" Navi grumbled.
"My little deku flower. Come now. You are my world and I need your strong arms to help me with my shopping in Kakariko. It was such a long time since we were there. Come now…" Link's mother cooed in vain tried to make him come out again. "You won't feel any better locking yourself up like this honey."
"I don't feel like it…" was heard from behind the door.
"Hey, if you don't come out now I will…"
"Shut up Navi!"
Navi felt insulted by his outburst and flew over to the dining table.
"Now, what makes you behave like this?" Link's mother said with a more serious tone to her voice.
Yes, what made him behave like this? Link would like to know that as well. He just knew that no matter how much he tried he couldn't get the picture of Zelda and that guy, or that sad look on her face when she told him to understand, out of his mind and it was driving him crazy. All he knew was that he never wanted to leave his room again.
"There, there, my deku flower, he heard his mother's soft voice from the other side of the door. "You need to think about something else than what troubles you. Let's go to Kakariko together."
Link gave in and rose from his position of sitting cross-legged on his bed. He didn't feel at all like coming out or to cheer up but anything to get this off his mind.
I said that I would be more serious this time but then I figured that I hadn't had enough fun with the suitors so I had to delay Ganondorf a little (sorry Ganny). I also planned to make this chapter much longer but I think this will do for now. I've been studying English for almost 9 years now (so maybe I should be better but what to do about it?)
I got a wonderful suggestion for names to Link's parents too. I knew about the site that was mentioned and I read some of the stuff they got there but never the comic from where these names were taken. The thing is I will have to consider whether to use them or not because (I think I can reveal this much) since Ganondorf has put his plan at work the days in the castle will soon be over and it will be more travelling from then on. This means Link's parents won't make much of an appearance anymore.
And it's back to school for me now (a new school and new class, I'm so excited!) Thank you for your reviews (and kindness).