Why hello everyone. I'm sorry it's taking long to update but here is a new chapter!
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Link grumpily ate his bread and cheese while in the soldier's barracks. What embarrassment! What happened back there to him? Something…got bigger…
"LINK!" his commander shouted. He nearly choked on his bread and stood up.
"Sir?" he asked while not looking at him in the eye. It was the small tip he got from other soldiers….well more like guards. They never really did any fighting.
"What the hell did you do at the bar? Those weren't your orders!" it was a big man with a large beard. He stood a foot taller than Link and wore heavier armor than Link's cheap leather, guard armor.
"Ah….the young lady was in distress so I had to help-" he was cut off as the commander's face went red and a vein pulsed on his neck.
"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT WHAT GOES ON IN THE BAR. YOU ARE TO PATROL FOR THEIVES AND CRIME. NOT BEAT THE LIVING HELL OUT OF YOUR FELLOW MEN" Link's jaw tightened. What would happen if he attacked this guy right now? Nothing good for sure.
"Sir Yes sir!" with that he was dismissed and he walked out of the barracks. Jogging back to their little room they rented at the inn, he found Zelda there, counting the small coins she made with a huff. Had she been living in the castle she wouldn't have to be working so low like this. Even if it meant she would be able to tease Link!
Looking up she found her traveling companion and tilted her head. She had gotten a new dress, thanks to Renaden, who decided it would be fun to do another clothes chase. It was a simple cloth dress that hugged her waist then billowed around her ankles. From the waist up it was white with long sleeves and a lace that tied around her chest in a bow. From the waist down it was a plain brown. Link tilted his head.
"Where did you get that?"
Zelda sighed. "Renaden went on another clothes run. He thought it would be fun. I told him not to do it again"
Link shrugged off the leather armor and sat on the bed in the regular clothes Renaden got for him before they entered Castle Town. "I need to go to the library for a bit but…I…need your help" Link turned away.
Zelda tilted her head. "Hm? You need me to show you where it is?"
Links face turned red. "Not exactly…"
They had entered the library. Not many kids were there. Zelda followed him in, still not knowing why he needed her help. Link's eyes stared intently at one sign and Zelda raised her brow, following his line of sights.
"Are you interested in myths?" she asked, seeing as how hard he stared at the sign. Link blinked.
"Oh…yes" he walked in and rubbed the back of his head "Do you think you can help me find a book on…werewolves?" Zelda turned around to look at him.
"Yes. It'd be much faster if we both went looking for a book"
They had finally found a very large and dusty book on werewolves. Zelda opened it and coughed as the dust filled the air. "Wow…okay, here you go Link"
The boy peered over her shoulder as they sat down on a table to read. He looked at a picture of an ancient picture of a wolf on two legs. His eyes darkened. Zelda stared at the picture as well.
"I wonder what this means?"
Link sighed, guess she didn't see the small passage under it. He began to read….very slow and broken. He mispronounced some letters and Zelda stopped him.
"Link you don't know how to read?" rubbing his face he shook it embarrassed.
"No…" Zelda smiled.
"That's no need to be ashamed! Here let me help you" she stood up and came back with a pencil and paper. "Here, let's just start with the basics okay?"
Link sat there fidgeting and Zelda put a reassuring hand on his shoulder causing him to jolt.
"Being without human contact for so long I understand you can't read or write okay? You don't have to be embarrassed." He calmed down a bit and stared at the paper as she taught him the basics of the alphabet.
After about an hour she let him read the words in the book. It still wasn't an acceptable pace of reading. He had many mistakes but his improvement was showing.
"Now what do you want to know about werewolves?"
Link rubbed the back of his head. "I want to know the cure"
Just as she was about to flip the page a loud crash was heard as well as yelps and men screaming. Warriors stormed through the library and pointed their spears at Zelda and Link. Dyratti and Renaden were already caught and muzzled. The wolves stared at their friends from the inside of small cages.
"By order of the King and Queen of Hyrule you are under arrest" a man prodded his spear at Link. He bared his teeth like a wolf and snarled.
"Princess you are wanted back at the castle" Zelda huffed.
"My father had me whipped! Why on earth would I go back?" The sound of Link's struggle made her turn. Her eyes widened as she saw him being hit from behind and knocked unconscious. Blood leaked down his forehead and they tied his hands up.
"Orders are orders. You are wanted back" By force they had taken the princess and dragged her away. Stupid stupid stupid! How could they have gone into one of the most opulent cities and not be recognized? She battered at the soldiers who dragged her to a coach and locked her in. For Link, they tied him to the back of a horse and let him be dragged.
There she sat again. Back in her bedroom staring at the window she loathed. Staring at the window that mocked her and showed what she couldn't have. Freedom. Her father had apologized just as much as he could as did her mother. She was showered in riches and gifts beyond her wildest dreams. But…isn't this what she wanted? To live lift to its fullest in riches? Then why did she feel so empty?
Zelda wore her usual expensive pink gown and long white sleeves. She walked down the long hallway with extravagant carpets and paintings. As she walked by the servants bowed and welcomed her back. They did their usual servant gossip to which she paid no attention to, until something caused her to perk her ears up.
"Did you hear? That wolf boy is about to be executed tomorrow at dawn. He's to be beheaded!" her eyes widened. No!
That's when she ran. She made her way to the dungeon entrance and that's where she was stopped. "Halt, no one is allowed in here besides the King and servant"
She huffed. "I am royalty and you will do as I say! Open this door!" The guards remained unmoving and continued to push away the screaming girl. In defeat she left the door. What had they said? Only the king and servant can go down? The servant was more than likely to be serving food to Link and the other prisoners…but where to hide? Footsteps caused her to hide behind a wall and peek her head out. The food cart! A servant was walking her way with a rusty food cart. No doubt that was going to the dungeon due to the poor condition the cart was kept in.
She waited for her position to jump. As soon as the servant turned the corner and the first sight of rusty metal was seen she subtly rode inside the cart, hiding herself with the cloth draped over it.
"Halt, state your business" the guard she had spoken earlier to said. The servant sighed.
"I'm just here to feed the lowlives" they moved away from the servant and opened the door. It was a very bumpy and uncomfortable ride as the cart slammed down each step.
"Wow…the King is being much too generous. This cart weighs as much as a cow!" Note to self, fire this servant. The cart had stopped. Zelda waited until she heard footsteps lead away from the cart. The princess bolted out from the cart and ran down the moss covered walls. It was so cold here…she could even see her breath. Hugging herself from warmth she heard a familiar lonely whine.
She sank to her knees and cradled the beaten and broken black wolf. His fur was sticky with blood and his leg was obviously broken. She tore off part of her dress and made a small cast as best as she could around his broken bone.
"Oh Renaden…I'm so sorry" she kissed his wet nose. Looking around she found Dyratti in the same state. Broken, beaten, lost. But one thing she saw in both wolves was that they hadn't lost the fire in their eyes. They wanted revenge, they wanted freedom and they had hope they will get it again.
"Where is Link?" Renaden breathed heavy in pain and just stared at her. How was he to answer? Flicking his tail and gently raising his head he let out a painful yowl.
"Princess…" Link coughed. He was chained to the wall, naked and his skin nearly all gone. Her eyes widened and she rushed to him. Her hands hovered over his body afraid to touch him.
"What did they do to you?" small tears leaked down her face. "It looks like they skinned you alive!"
Chuckling, he grimaced again. "They nearly did, with that God forsaken whip. Dumped some kind if burning chemical into the wounds too, and salt." She sniffed and looked around. Finding a rusted bucket she filled it with water from a faucet and ripped off another part of her dress. Dampening it with water, she gently ran it across his skin, washing away the unwanted chemicals, spices and bacteria.
His muscles tightened at the extreme pain that flared in his body. He didn't even care that he was naked in front of her. All he needed was help.
"They're going to kill me tomorrow…I'm sorry we didn't spend that much time together. If you can, please, set my brothers free"
Zelda stopped her cleaning and glared hatred into his eyes before slapping his face. "Don't you ever say that! We're leaving. We're going to get out of here!"
Link scoffed "They broke our legs. We cant." She blinked and stared at his legs. They seemed fine…but the inside must be horrible. "The doctor came here and bent the bones back in place. He was the only one with a heart."
Her hair hid her face and she gently buried it in his chest. "I'm sorry this happened, Link" he felt her tears dampen the skin of his chest.
"Zelda, how could this have been your fault? Look at me" She sniffed and pulled away, staring back up at him. His blue eyes softer than what she had seen before. The fierce, courageous and brave look now replaced with sadness, and comfort. His lips were pale as was his mangled skin.
"I know my time is up. But you have to set Dyratti and Renaden free. Please?" her eyes overflowed with tears and she sniffed, nodding.
"I understand Link" with that his eyes clothes and he fell into an unconscious sleep. His body could not take the pain, what other way to bare it than to sleep? Zelda continued to stare at his cold, blue, lips.
"…" leaning forward she pressed her plump, pink ones to his. Her eyes closed and she pulled away softly, trying to at least give some warmth to him.
"You're so cold"
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Ah? Ah? I think this was a good chapter. I'm proud of it. Hopefully you readers are intrigued. The story is not yet over! It had merely just begun! But, I really am motivated only by reviews. Please help this story continue and grow with your opinion. Thank you c: