Link looked around corners, and dodged everything in his sight. He wanted to go outside, but he has to make sure he doesn't get caught sneaking off. With Dyraati and Renaden behind him he tiptoed past the king and queens bedroom. He was about to pass Zelda's room when someone called him and made the hairs on his neck stand.
"Link!" He turned around to see who it was, it was Zelda herself. "What are you doing?" Link licked his lips and decided to tell her the truth since he was caught.
"I want to go outside" Link said, Zelda just stared.
"What?! You know you're not allowed outside this building! Father doesn't even let meinto our garden!" Link cast his eyes down. Zelda remained quiet afraid if she hurt his feelings. He then smiled and lifted his head up.
"What if we accompany each other? If your father doesn't let you out because he is afraid you'll get hurt what if I'm there to protect you?" He made a gesture to his wolves. Zelda pondered and then smiled.
"Yes! It's genius! And since I'm there my father won't think you planning to sneak off!" Zelda exclaimed. Link smiled at her happiness.
"Well?" Link said. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!" The two of them, plus Dyraati and Renaden, raced outside the castle doors only to be face to face with the guards.
"Halt!" Ordered the guard. "State your business boy" Zelda came out behind him. "Princess! Forgive me for not seeing you!" He bowed. "Allow me to open the door." He opened the door to reveal a beautiful garden. Dyraati and Renaden stood there in awe.
"Well?" Zelda said to Link. "Are you coming?" Link laughed and chased after her. Her, Link and Dyraati and Renaden were playing a wonderful game of tag until Zelda tripped. Link rushed to her.
"Are you alright?" Dyraati and Renaden squeezed through and stared to sniff Zelda's hair checking if she was fine. Zelda giggled.
"I'm fine! Really no need to be alarmed!" She got up and ran to a tree, Link followed. Zelda closed her eyes as the breezed blew through her hair. "This is so wonderful, all my life I wanted to go outside of my bedroom. But…there is one place I would like to see" she said. Link stared at her.
"And what would that be?" Zelda looked into his blue eyes and said
"The forest". Link stared at her with a frown on his face, and Dyraati and Renaden flattened their ears. "What's wrong?" Zelda asked. Link turned his gaze into the entrance of the forest and sighed.
"Princess" He was interrupted.
"Please, call me Zelda". Link smiled at her kind gesture. "What were you going to say again?" Zelda asked, Link sighed
"Zelda, if we go to the forest and you get hurt it will be on my head. And if we leave I might get executed because I'm not allowed to leave". Zelda looked down at Dyraati and Renaden.
"But what about your wolves?" Surely you would like to make them happy right?" Link looked down at the two canines. They stared back at him with their genuine eyes, and that's when Link caved.
"Fine, we'll go but please be careful." Link warned, and Zelda smiled and him slyly.
"Why should I be careful if I have a strong guard like you to protect me?" Zelda giggled and Link laughed.
"Yeah, a big strong guard." He micked a guards march. Even Dyraati and Renaden smiled a wolfish grin of amusement. All together they walked into the entrance of the forest and Link became cautious. Zelda was amazed at how he behaved in the wilderness. He acted as if he was a wolf himself, sniffing things, howling back to stray wolves, hunting with Dyraati and Renaden. They had so much fun together that they hadn't realized it had gotten dark.
Zelda gasped. "Link!" she yelled. Link was startled by her scream until she pointed to the sunset. "Father is going to kill me!" Link began to panic until he saw some horse grass. He looked at the grass and continued staring at it until Zelda asked him. "What are you staring at?" Link smiled and plucked one of the horse grasses. He put it to his mouth a played a beautiful melody. Zelda enjoyed it but was wondering how it was going to help them get back to the castle.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the neigh of a horse. She looked all around and she saw one galloping to Link. She was a beautiful horse; she had chestnut fur that glowed in the dim light the sun was giving. Zelda just stared at her until Link spoke up.
"Her name is Epona, I got her when she was just a little colt and raised her myself." Zelda seemed impressed and hopped onto Epona.
"Well? Let's go then! We are getting late!" Link jumped onto Epona's back and ordered her to gallop as fast as she can to the castle. It wasn't too long before they got there, but it was still too late. The kings guards stood in front of them weapon raised at Link.
"Boy you and your runts are being punished by order of the king for leaving castle grounds and are being whipped 25 lashes each". Zelda gasped in shock and Link growled. "Rules are rules son. Okay men, take him and the dogs away!" With that last statement they took Link away and Dyraati and Renaden into a place unknown to Zelda as she watched in complete and utter shock.
She stood there until she heard her father call her name. She winced at his yelling. "Yes father?" The king's face was red with anger.
"One day! Just one day and already that boy is causing trouble! You're going to learn what happens when they disobey their king." Zelda stared at him with wide eyes.
"You mean you going to make me watch him get whipped?" Zelda asked. The king nodded his head.
It was almost time for Link's punishment. The royals had great views to watch Link get tormented. Then it started. They had Dyraati and Renaden in a cage, they were starting with Link first. The guards removed his shirt and tied him to a pole, back facing to them. One of the men brought out a whip and raised it over his head. That is when he lashed at Link's back making him yell and leaving a nasty wound on his back.
They continued to do this and that's when Zelda couldn't take it anymore. The whip went over the man's head and he brought it down.
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
The whip sounded repeatedly and Link's muffled screams caused her to shake lightly. By the goddesses, no. This wasn't how they were supposed to treat people. This wasn't how they were supposed to live.
She got up from her seat and ran in between the guard and Link, making the guard stop and everyone stand in awe. Even the measly servants and peasants were amazed by her action. But the king was not happy at all.
"Lash at them both!" he yelled.