Not much to say this week. There are references to Skyward Sword in this chapter, but I have not actually finished that game, so if there are any mistakes in the timeline/continuity, please let me know. I love all of you! ^^
Hyrule, Lanayru Province, Hyrule Castle
Despite Zelda having been left alone for the remainder of the day, she could not seem to come to a decision on the matter of Viscen and Termina. Each time she tried to focus, Link's words replayed in her mind and her thoughts began to wander.
I just think that you deserve to marry who you want, why you want.
Only for diplomacy?
Benefit? Is that all that matters?
And... what of love?
Enough. She'd had enough, and clearly a decision wasn't going to be made today. She stretched, suddenly sleepy, and silently left the study, leaving her papers sprawled on the desk. She did this often. No one else was allowed in this room unless given express permission. As a princess, when every aspect of her life was meant to be perfect, she took comfort in making tiny, meaningless messes.
It was already late evening, she noticed, as she walked leisurely about the palace. Slowly, taking the longest route she knew possible, she made her way towards her bedroom. She paused at the door, glancing for a fleeting moment at the doorway to Link's room. No, she thought. I mustn't bother him. Of course, the logical thing would've been to leave him alone. And against every urge in her body, every tendency she had telling her to find him, all the emotions rushing through her at the sight of his door, she did the logical thing.
{Various} Hyrule
It had been far too long since Link had traveled. Castle duties as a knight and as a guard of the princess kept him busy. Far too long. The horizon looked as it always did - All of Hyrule around him and not a single care to plague his thoughts. This was true freedom, a feeling he didn't realize how much he missed. It was somewhat liberating, seeing such scenery after so long, noting its changes, and the parts that stayed the same. Through the barren landscape of Death Mountain and Kakariko he explored, thrived in the cool shade of the Faron Woods, relaxed in the refreshing salty air of Lake Hylia. He never knew how much he would long to feel pounding hoofbeats under him, wind in his face, sun shining. For two short days he felt truly free. But not truly happy.
He couldn't be happy. Not like this. Not alone. Not while Zelda, the woman he was supposed to protect, the woman is had saved, was all alone. His best friend.
Oh, Din burn it.
His love.
Of course. Of course he loved her. Yes, it was easier to say now. Love. He had someone he loved. It made him feel happy inside, just coming to such a revelation. Just thinking of her. He could not say he was truly happy if she was alone and unprotected.
That realization came on the second night of his three day's "vacation" that Zelda had given him. He'd been away for two days, but on that night he started to feel the urge to go back to the castle. To see her again. He would ride, he decided, first thing in the morning back to Lanayru.
Hyrule, Lanayru Province, Hyrule Castle
Midnight. Zelda had not spoken or seen Link in two days. She was more worried for him than she was for herself. She kept his absence hidden well, but she knew sooner or later his absence would be noted. And Impa would not be pleased.
As much as it pained her to admit it to herself, she missed him. Though she threw him out in anger, she was lonely. The moon held high in the sky, the stars shone as they normally did, and, though lonely and uneasy, Zelda managed to drift off at the window sill. Amongst the deathly silent night, something awoke her. A crackle, like thunder or something burning. Her body tensed, and she glanced around the empty room. Nothing. Her weary gaze drifted out to the field below her. Everything was peaceful. Zelda shut her eyes and buried her face in her hands, telling herself it was only paranoia. She almost believed it, too, until the thundering noise filled the air, louder and closer. She stepped out to the balcony in the cool night air to investigate, but froze in her tracks when a black, hooded figure greeted her. The figure's face was concealed; his tall eerie body draped with the dark cloak. Zelda stared in horror as the intruder stepped forward, and Zelda swore at that moment she saw a tiny grin on his face.
"W-who are you?" She demanded.
"Who I am is of no great importance, Princess." The voice was dark, but flimsy, like he was ready to laugh at any moment. "Though, I suppose it will be in the future. But for now..." The figure pulled a long, thin blade from behind him. "What do you know..." He examined the sword slowly, carefully. "...Of your ancestry, Princess?"
"I-"
"Your lineage. Your history. You see... your ancestress, thousands of years ago, was a Goddess."
"How do you know?"
"How do I know? I knew her, you see."
"Who are you?"
The figure pulled down his hood to reveal a sickly pale face, with dark menacing eyes and ghostly white hair. "Some have called me the Demon Lord, others simply name me Ghirahim."
"And what is it that you want from me?"
"You see... Given your unique history, and the fact that you are the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom I would be surprised if you did not bear any... power of some sort."
"Are you going to kill me?" She asked calmly, though she trembled inside.
"Not yet, my dear. I still need the Triforce of Power and Courage, and I intend to save the best for last."
"I care not of the Bearer of Power. But if you so much as touch the Bearer of Courage..."
"Oh, Princess, I don't wish to upset you, but your precious Hero is a descendant of the Hero of ancient times. And I need the Triforce,"
"That Hero is the savior of this kingdom, and he will not hesitate to protect it from the likes of you."
Ghirahim laughed. "Such empty threats, Princess, such empty threats and nothing to back them up. If you're so sure of him, where is your Hero now?"
Zelda was silent. She sent him off, and he would not be back. She was sure he would not come back. She fumed. Who was this... monster that he could intrude the castle and make threats such as these? She conjured whatever magic she could in her angry state and sent a powerful blast flying towards him.
Ghirahim smirked. In an instant he disappeared in a wisp of red and yellow smoke. He reappeared, faster than Zelda's magic could respond, behind her. "That's what I thought." He said smugly. "Now, as lovely as this has been, I must be going. I've much to get done."
And with that, he was gone in the same cloud of red and yellow.
"Be weary, Princess, for yourself, and for your Kingdom..." The voice echoed in the air, and then there was silence.
"Princess," Zelda heard a voice behind her. She jumped, but relaxed when she recognized it.
"Impa," she breathed.
"Where, might I ask, is he?"
"I... I don't know."
Impa let out a sigh of disappointment, but said nothing. "If he is truly gone, you must not be so easily recognized,"
"What do you mean?"
"You must go into hiding. Conceal your identity. And quickly, before that lunatic wages war on Hyrule."
Go into hiding? Zelda was unsure of her meaning, but nodded anyway. How could she go into hiding? What did that mean for the kingdom? Questions whirred in her head, and in her current state, she couldn't answer any of them.
"You will take on a new name, a new identity. You will not live in the castle, for now."
"What about the kingdom?" Zelda asked.
"I will take care of that," Impa reassured her. "What's important is that you are kept safe. I will teach you how to properly conceal your identity, and how to properly defend yourself."
"I have magic,"
"Do you think that magic will really stop that monster?"
Zelda sighed, defeated. "Impa, no one must know of this." Zelda paused thoughtfully for a moment. "Not even Link,"
"I can't imagine why you would wish to keep such information from your Hero and guard, but I will make sure that the secret is hidden from everyone," Impa promised.
"Thank you," Zelda sighed.
Ghirahim - Skyward Sword
Uploaded on 4/5/2013, 10:15pm, EST