Warnings: SLIGHT violence, SLIGHTLY disturbing material
Zelda awoke to a strange chill. She shivered, sitting upright in the bed. Blinking wearily, she recognized that it was still nighttime, perhaps exceedingly early in the morning. She rose from the bed to close the drapes, yet when she reached the balcony, she halted. Her fingers digging into the thick fabric, she stood still as a stone. Something was amiss…
Impa had been teaching Zelda to focus on her instincts, and one of the benefits of having Hylia's magical abilities was being able to sense certain things…such as when something was horribly wrong. Cautiously, Zelda made her way out onto the balcony, glancing left and right. Her perceptive eyes caught no traces of anything out of place. Unconvinced, she reluctantly returned to her bed chambers, drawing the curtains shut.
As soon as the room was darkened, a body dropped instantly before the princes, and the sound of the figure's knife being drawn from its sheath, as fast as quicksilver, echoed throughout the silent room. Zelda immediately recalled her defensive lessons and quickly surrounded herself with a magical, translucent barrier as the figure hurled their knife at her. The weapon bounced off of the enchanted shield harmlessly.
Zelda retracted the barrier, forming a ball of flame from the air about her, holding the projectile within her hands. Temporary light flooded the room as a result, and Zelda briefly observed her attacker before flinging the fire towards them. A Gerudo warrior.
With a shriek, the girl leapt back from the flame, but too late. She clutched her arm painfully from the burn. Yet the warrior continued to lash out, making a sprint for her fallen knife. At the sound of the warrior's cry of pain, Zelda became aware of three more figures tumbling through her window, slashing her drapes to shreds. Zelda spun in a circle, waves of electricity radiating from her body as she did. The four warriors somersaulted backwards, efficiently evading the blow.
Panting from the energy it had taken to conjure the attack and appalled at her opponents' ability to avoid it, Zelda took in her surroundings. The Gerudo had efficiently blocked the only door of the room—leaving her no choice. Zelda dashed to her balcony, leaping over the side.
Despite her exhaustion, she clung desperately to the ropes lining the castle walls. As quickly as she could manage, she began to maneuver herself, moving slowly-painstakingly-higher up the rope. Her destination was the castle tower, where she could then promptly alert the castle to the intruders. Her hands ached, her body begged for a release from the immense strain she was placing upon it, and the added weight of her growing baby seemed to make the task all the more impossible. Clenching her teeth, Zelda summoned all of her strength and laboriously began to clamber up the ropes more swiftly. Her pace was grueling—her right hand, then her left in front of the other. Right. Left. Right. She heard the war cry of the Gerudo behind her and tried to ignore the sudden horrifying sound of rope being severed echoing in her wake. It didn't take a scholar to puzzle out what the noise insinuated. Holding her breath and timing the drop, the princess quickly released the rope as she swung downwards with the now split cord, grappling onto the brick exterior of the castle instead. The rope swung past her limply.
Zelda gasped with pain at the burning in her fingertips, her whole body supported by her loose hold on a brick of the castle wall. A spear suddenly whizzed by her head, making her press herself firmly to the side of the castle. A sickening feeling settled in her stomach as another spear barely missed her—this one coming from a different location: the castle tower. She was surrounded. She couldn't move; there was nowhere to go. She couldn't fall; there was the baby. But she could feel her strength giving out, blinking and flickering like a candle's flame. Her fingers were sliding, her grip failing. With a screech of terror, Zelda registered that she was plunging downwards, the brick tumbling with her. A Gerudo on a rope sped by her falling body, quickly clutching her and planting her back upon the balcony of her bed chambers. The princess was immediately surrounded by Gerudo, the tips of their spears poking into her sides. "Hold out your wrists," one grunted, "You fight or scream; you regret it."
Zelda watched with dull interest as her wrists were bound. She was then blindfolded, being nudged by the end of a spear to blindly follow her captors.
Link walked briskly through the busy ballroom, his mind as weighted as the thick tapestries a slew of butlers were attempting to hang over the railings. "Master Link," one maid called out suddenly, darting up to the prince after giving a quick curtsy, "Master Link, sir, the lilies you wanted, what color should they be?"
"White," Link answered immediately, "It is very important that they are white; they're the princess' favorite."
The maid nodded her understanding and quickly scurried back to her task of polishing the currently empty vases. The flowers were to be harvested the next day so as to be fresh, naturally. While Link fully understood that Zelda cared for him as little as he did her, the least he could do was pay attention to small details, such as her favorite flower. The rising queen deserved every small joy in her nerve-racking life.
Link exited the ballroom, taking the steps two at a time as he descended a grand staircase. And another, smaller, less impressive staircase. And another, even less grand staircase. Finally, on one of the lowest stories of the castle, he stopped, hastily rapping against a thick door. The door creaked with age as it opened, but a kindly face greeted Link's as it did. "Your majesty," Rauron stooped low with respect, "Come in. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
Link stepped inside the small living quarters, wondering if his anxiety was as obvious as he felt it was. "A very grave subject, I'm afraid," Link said quietly.
Rauron hobbled over to his kitchen, the area lit by candlelight, and poured Link a bowl of soup, gesturing for the boy to sit at the table. "And what troubles the young prince of Hyrule so?" Rauron finally asked, allowing Link to sample a few spoonfuls of the soup first.
Link exhaled slowly, collecting his many thoughts. Rauron, an old and wise man who had served as advisor to Zelda's father, had always shared a special friendship with Link. Link deeply appreciated the elder man's composure and sound advice during some of the more trying times for the teenager—such as the events that had occurred during the night's dinner. "I'm leaving at dawn, Rauron," Link murmured, his eyes fixed upon his soup, "And I won't be returning to the castle. Ever."
"Why this sudden exodus?" Rauron mused, his voice wholly collected and gentle.
"I can't bear it anymore, Rauron!" Link exclaimed, slumping back in his chair, "I bring Zelda nothing but misery, try as I might. I cannot love her, and she cannot love me. Our relationship is a strain for her, I know. She will never be content so long as I am with her, which is why I've decided to go. She would be happier, and it would be best for both our sakes. I tell you this because I'll need you to explain everything tomorrow. Portray the whole matter as my idea, my fault. I accept full blame and all of the consequences for my actions. Exile me if need be; I know my actions will require punishment. But I can't live like this anymore, Rauron; I can't!"
Rauron smiled lightly, shaking his wrinkled head. "What is so amusing?" Link asked, bewildered by the old man's actions.
"My eyes tell me I speak with the Hero of Courage, but my ears tell me I speak with a coward," Rauron said simply, still smirking.
Link could feel his frustration boil within him, sitting upright. Rauron's brutal honesty was typically hard for Link to accept, but he respected the wise man's words to always be true. "I am no coward," Link growled under his breath, the insult slicing his gut like a sword.
"A coward would leave Zelda to raise her child in solitude," Rauron elaborated, leaning back in his chair, his hands folded over his stomach, "He would allow her to face the dual trials of motherhood and running a kingdom by herself rather than stay by her side and offer his guidance. He would allow her kingdom to crumble alongside her as she was torn by the expectations placed upon her and the challenges of her many duties. He would run away from his troubles rather than face them."
Link blinked, allowing the wise man's words to seep into his being. "I-I had not considered the child," Link spoke softly. Yet something like fire flashed within his eyes and his tone suddenly turned harsh.
"Then what to do you propose I do?" Link demanded, still greatly distressed and upset, "I cannot be what Zelda needs! Do you suggest we stay together and raise our child amidst our own despair? I am no lover—"
"But you are a husband," Rauron said calmly, "The princess knew what to expect when she married you, Link, and a romantic relationship was not her intention."
"But she cannot even tolerate my presence! There is nothing left to do but to—"
"Somehow make yourself tolerable? I would agree, Master Link. That would be the best alternative for both Zelda and the child," a smile split Rauron's lips.
Link sighed in exasperation, "She loathes me; I swear it. I really think it would be best if I left."
"And I think you are too hard on yourself. Marriage is no simple thing, Link; you're not expected to be perfect at it," Rauron commented, winding one finger around the curl of his mustache.
Link sighed again, a drained recognition of defeat. He parted his lips to speak, but suddenly—he jolted, leaping from his seat and drawing his sword. "What is the matter?" Rauron questioned, rising from his chair also.
"Something's wrong," Link breathed. He sprinted for the door, leaving a hurried apology, "Zelda—I'm sorry; I must go!"
"Go," Rauron acknowledged, bowing to signify Link's dismissal. When he raised his white head, Link was gone.
Zelda blinked, her eyes adjusting to the faint light about her as her blindfold was removed. Stars glowed above her in the night sky, and she recognized that she was no longer on the castle grounds. In fact, she seemed to be out of Castle Town entirely. Truthfully, she didn't know where she was—and the realization frightened her. She was still surrounded by Gerudo, who seemed tense…perhaps even afraid. They were obviously awaiting something…but what?
Then, quite rapidly, a great cloud of smoke seemed to materialize out of the very air before them, and Zelda watched with intrigue as the Gerudo stepped back fearfully, each of them dropping to their knees. Her mind still centered on the idea of escape, Zelda kicked at the Gerudo who currently held her tied wrists on a leash. The Gerudo shouted with pain, and Zelda wasted no time in running. Zelda realized that she must be just outside the Gerudo Valley's boundaries—for she was running over the dirt of Hyrule Field, not the sand she might expect. Besides, not enough time had elapsed for her to be within the lands of the Gerudo, but the wind whipping past her was dry—signifying that she was indeed close. "Get back here!" the Gerudo screamed after her, but Zelda ignored them, using some of her magic to lighten her feet and run faster than she typically could.
But with a great boom, like a clap of thunder, Zelda wailed in pain as she fell to the ground, feeling a shock of agony resonate through her body. A malicious laugh sounded behind her, "Tsk tsk, Princess, you must stop before I burst with laughter."
Zelda clutched at her stomach, her mind instantly worrying over her baby. Had it been hurt too? Thankfully, she could still feel a faint kick against her skin—signifying the infant's life. Zelda winced, unable to lift herself from her crumpled position on the ground. What had struck her? Magic? No, Zelda would've easily foreseen a magical attack and been able to combat it. Unless it had been…dark magic. Impa had been careful to avoid teaching Zelda any of the dark arts. The very mention of dark magic was forbidden in most settings, but as a result, Zelda knew nothing of how to oppose it. "Foolish little girl," the laugh continued, "I hear you're but nineteen—and your husband too! What a young age to lord over an entire land. You are audacious; I'll give you that. Why, I believe that's the first time in nearly two hundred years anyone's dared to oppose me!"
Zelda flinched as the Gerudo encircled her once more, kicking at her and forcing her to her feet. She was still dizzy and in great pain from whatever had attacked her, and everything appeared blurry to her. "You're fortunate I find you amusing," a figure, which Zelda couldn't make out due to her unfocused vision, approached her, "If you had really made me angry, you wouldn't be able to stand now."
"Empty threats don't frighten me," Zelda said in a strained voice, her impetuous nature, which Impa had hoped she would outgrow with adulthood, still thoroughly unharmed.
"Don't try my patience, Princess," cold fingers clutched Zelda's chin suddenly, making her gasp, "You have more to lose than you realize."
Zelda gasped again as she felt her stomach—contracting. She felt herself losing her breath, as if it was being sucked from her lungs, and her baby's kicks became more frantic as she felt her womb growing smaller and smaller. "No-stop!" Zelda wheezed, her hands flying to the icy hand that had wrapped around her throat.
The being chuckled and tossed Zelda back into the arms of the Gerudo, the princess exhaling with relief as she felt her abdomen and breathing to normal, her baby's kicking returning to its typical pace. "Bind her again, with stronger ropes this time. Then take her to my lair," the voice ordered, and Zelda blinked, finally able to make out the owner of the sound.
Before her stood a woman, a few inches taller than Zelda. She wore a headdress and veil that concealed most of her face as the Gerudo did, but she didn't look to be Gerudo herself. Her skin was a different color than that of her servants, a more sickly, green shade rather than the rich brown of the Gerudo. Her eyes were the only feature of her face visible, and Zelda hurriedly averted her gaze after meeting them. They were black—almost wholly so—in a way that was frighteningly unnatural. The woman laughed, "You fear me already, Princess; don't think I can't sense it. Your brashness cannot mask your childish terrors, which I intend to exploit fully."
Zelda felt her anger mount within her, "Don't think you've accomplished your goals so quickly. As the blood heir of Hyrule, I'll have legions of soldiers seeking me. There's no place that you'll be able to hide where they won't find you, and my husband's the best tracker of them all! He has never once lost his prey in a hunt, and he's saved my life once before this. Don't think he won't find me again."
The woman cackled, "Oh, I do hope he does, Princess; you speak too soon. For my goals are far from accomplished yet."
Zelda hoped her confusion at the woman's words was not evident as the Gerudo tugged her away, like a dog on a chain, once more.
Oh c'mon! So what I post an hour earlier than planned?—I'm exhausted! …I guess it's safe to say that chapters may or may not be posted EXACTLY at midnight each night, but hopefully you won't complain. I felt kind of silly posting the warning, but just in case there are some sensitive readers (and there's nothing wrong with that!), I felt that I should. As a reward for sticking with me through the somewhat brief introduction to the story, here was your reward! The premise of—the main conflict! If there is something in this chapter or even in the last that wasn't very deeply explained, never fear! I shall definitely delve into those subjects as the story progresses. And hopefully Zelda wasn't too out of character in this—I know she's typically very calm and collected, but hey, she can be feisty too! Let's not forget her character in Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Skyward Sword! As usual, look out for a new chapter next Saturday! And happy reading to all of you!
P.S. Sadly, I have neither played The Minish Cap nor the original Four Swords, which both occur between this period on the timeline and the events of Ocarina of Time. As a result, the layout for Hyrule for this story will mostly be a mix between that of Skyward Sword and that of Ocarina of Time. I apologize in advance for any errors.