"KOUME! KOTAKE!" Ganondorf bellowed, practically kicking in the door of his throne room as he stormed inside, several members of the Royal Guard trembling in his wake.
The two witches quivered as their liege marched over to them, practically seething anger and hatred from every pore in his body. Both Koume and Kotake squawked and retreated from their lord's titanic form.
"Lord Ganondorf," Koume gulped, scrabbling backwards until her frail back hit the stone wall behind her. "Back from Termina?"
"Did it… did it not go well… milord?" Koume added, blanching as Ganondorf towered above them, an ugly scowl on his face.
"This," Ganondorf hissed, throwing down a bundle of broken wood. For a second, both witches looked at it in confusion, before realizing that it was the splintered remains of a long feathered arrow.
"I was attacked," Ganondorf growled dangerously, his giant hands clenching into fists. "Ambushed in the slums of Castle Town."
"But… milord," Koume whimpered in confusion, not daring to look at his face. "You are still here, alive and well… I fail to see why you are- "
"You have told me that I need not fear rebellion from the people!" Ganondorf bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the throne chamber like thunder. Both Koume and Kotake cringed against the wall – the few Royal Guards that had the courage to follow their lord to the throne room were trembling just as badly. "You assured me, consoled me, that the Hylians were too weak, too broken, to attempt to rebel – much less assassinate me!"
"Milord…"
"Do not talk!" Ganondorf commanded, and both witches shut their mouths promptly. The usurper king strode to his jewel encrusted throne, brooding like a terrible god. "I believed you, Koume and Kotake – I bought into the illusion that the Hylians had been beaten into subservience. Obviously, this is not the case."
"Milord, did you kill the assassin?" Kotake spoke, mustering the courage to question her lord. Ganondorf cast her a withering glance, causing the witch to immediately recoil.
"No – the unknown assailant escaped, and killed several members of the Royal Guard." Ganondorf turned and looked at the remains of his bodyguard with distaste. "They only afforded meager protection. If there had been more than one assassin, I would not be standing before you tonight…"
"Milord," a guard spoke, his entire body shaking and his face white as snow.
"Silence!" Ganondorf roared, charging up to the man and practically strangling the man. The rest of the Royal Guard only stood by, eyes averted and breaths held, as their king strangled one of their number to death. The unfortunate man scrabbled weakly at Ganondorf's hands, his face turning a splotchy purple and his eyes rolling up into his skull.
"My Royal Guard has disappointed me this night," Ganondorf whispered, continuing to choke the unfortunate man. The rest of the Royal Guard stood ramrod straight, not daring to move lest they provoked further action from their king. With a contemptuous glance at the man he was strangling, Ganondorf released the man from his iron grip. The man collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath as tears streamed from his eyes, sniveling pathetically.
The usurper king turned to direct his wrath once more at Koume and Kotake. "You, witches," Ganondorf breathed, fire practically exhaling from his nostrils. Both Koume and Kotake pressed themselves against the wall, covering their faces with shaking hands.
"Milord, you know that we have always been faithful…"
"Milord, if there is anything we can..."
"Be still!" Ganondorf commanded, and both witches ceased their babbling immediately, eyeing Ganondorf in fear. "I did not come to listen to your pathetic prattling or hear your excuses." Ganondorf paused, watching both of the witches carefully. "I need your help."
"Of course, milord…"
"Anything, milord…"
"Silence!" Both witches ceased their groveling once more, falling fearfully silent. Ganondorf nodded in grim satisfaction. "I need to know who is stupid enough… foolish enough… to attempt an assassination on my life," Ganondorf breathed heavily. "I cannot let this man expose any weakness. I must find him!"
"But milord, there are thousands of Hylians…"
"There are too many potential…"
"It was a noble," Ganondorf interrupted, sitting on his throne and practically crushing the bottle of wine that was brought to him by a quivering servant. "Only weeks ago, I purged the aristocracy of any impure blood – obviously, one of the more disillusioned nobles has decided to strike back at me."
"What are you suggesting, milord?" Kotake asked carefully, watching as Ganondorf took a deep swig of wine. "That we undertake another purge of the aristocracy? Milord, these are your most ardent supporters…"
"Exactly," Ganondorf said sourly. "Which is why I am leaving it up to you to discover the identity of the assassin."
"Us… us?" Koume asked in disbelief. "Milord, how do you expect…"
"It is a simple task, no?" Ganondorf demanded, glaring at Koume. "All I ask is to know his identity. I will leave the death of this fool to Aveil and my Gerudo. Is this too much to ask of you?"
"Of… of course not…"
"Excellent," Ganondorf said, smiling dementedly. "Because after tonight, I will not tolerate any more incompetence. And I would hate to put your lives in danger, especially when you have so much… talent."
Both Koume and Kotake exchanged nervous glances with each other, sweat glistening over their faces. Ganondorf only took another sip of wine, giving the illusion that he had calmed his settled nerves.
"I expect this to be quick," he said, watching the witches carefully. "It should not prove a difficult task to weed out the assassin."
"Of course not, milord… it will be a simple task, easy…"
"That is good to know," Ganondorf growled. "Because if this man is not found soon, I may begin to suspect that your loyalties to the crown are in question as well…"
Link slept restlessly that night: his dreams were plagued with visions of Zelda and the specter of his dead father. Visions of the manor burning, his servants put to the sword. Of Ganondorf's foul, mottled green hand extending itself ravenously over the fair land of Hyrule…
He woke late in the morning: the noonday sun was shining through the creaks in the walls of Rauru's hovel. Link groggily sat up in the bed, rubbing his eyes and trying to step out of bed. Then, his left leg collapsed beneath him, and he fell unceremoniously to the ground, too late remembering the wound he had suffered the night before.
Viscen looked up from the desk where he was tearing off a piece of hard bread. "You know, all you had to do was ask."
The guard helped Link to his feet, whereupon the young knight unsteadily hobbled back to the bed and sat upon the dirty blanket. Viscen brought over a small slice of bread, sitting down next to Link and chewing his own ration thoughtfully.
"Where is Rauru?" Link asked, looking around the room and not seeing the old man.
"My father is in the market," Viscen said, wolfing down his small piece of bread in another bite. "He always is. Trying to scavenge enough food for tonight's meal."
"What are you doing here?"
"I am supposed to take you back to your home once you are ready," Viscen said. "Forgive our rudeness, but we barely have enough food for two of us to live off of. We cannot lodge you another night."
"I'm sorry," Link said, privately resolving to give Viscen some rupees and food once they returned to Hylia manor.
"There is nothing to apologize for," the guard stated bluntly. "My father and I may be poor, but we can provide for ourselves without relying upon the charity of others. Even if Ganondorf has taken away our livelihoods, we still have our pride."
Link took a bite of the bread Viscen had given him, chewing the hard grains slowly in his mouth. Viscen was watching him closely, as if hesitating to say something that was on the tip of his tongue.
"We've met before," Viscen said, as Link swallowed the hard lump of bread.
"Have we?"
"You don't have to play riddles with me – I know it was you that broke into the castle dungeons."
Link's insides immediately turned to ice, but Viscen only smiled. "You have nothing to fear from me. You should know that."
"You saved me that night," Link replied. "Why?"
Viscen shrugged, casting a wary eye at the door before speaking. "I bear no love for Ganondorf. As I told you last night, I am only under his service to support my elderly father. And I didn't want your blood to be on my hands, if I had revealed your presence."
"Thank you," Link replied, a genuine smile on his face.
"Not all of the guards are under Ganondorf's sway," Viscen continued. "I have many friends that have joined for similar reasons as I did." He sighed, standing up from the mattress and putting on a pair of boots.
"Are we leaving now?" Link asked, watching as Viscen put on a worn coat over his tunic.
"It is best if we do. Your home is miles away, and in your condition, we won't be travelling fast. Best to make the journey in the daytime."
Link stood shakily from the bed, his left leg trembling but managing to support his weight. He gladly accepted a walking stick from Viscen and managed to limp away from the bed on his own power.
"Do you need my support?" Viscen asked in concern. Link shook his head fervently.
"I can manage by myself."
"Lone wolf, eh?" Viscen said, opening the door. Link hobbled out of the hovel and into a back alley, part of the Castle Town slums. He blinked in the blinding noonday sun, taking pleasure in the feeling of the warm rays of light that bathed his face.
"Where exactly are we?"
"East Castle Town," Viscen said, closing the door firmly behind them. "A good ways from your estate. Come, we've only got about six hours before dusk."
Link followed Viscen through the maze of twisting alleys, their progress made fairly slow due to Link's leg wound. The hovels and wooden shacks that comprised the houses of the peasantry were dispersed freely throughout the back alleys, which stank of filth and decay. Every so often, they would pass by a person sitting on the ground, dressed in rags and gazing morosely onto the hard ground, or staring at the grimy walls with pained eyes. Link made sure that he stayed close to Viscen, as he was unwilling to lose himself in such a place when he was so vulnerable.
After several minutes of walking, Viscen stopped abruptly, pointing at a small alcove hidden in the shadows. "This is where my father found you last night," he said. An unmistakable splotch of dried blood was painted on the ground where Link had lain helplessly the night before.
"So it is," Link confirmed, unsure of what else he could say. He was startled by the amount of blood that stained the walls and alley floor – had he really been wounded that severely?
"Strange," Viscen said quietly, "that you were injured here. There was an attack on Ganondorf last night, not far from this place – my father told me."
Link nodded, his mouth going dry – but he guessed that Viscen knew the truth anyways, and that the other man had thus far proven trustworthy.
"So you were the assassin," Viscen said lightly, looking at Link curiously. "And I'd wager a guess that you're also the vigilante that's been antagonizing Ganondorf's captains for the past few weeks."
"Is it that obvious?"
"You're lucky that I'm on your side," Viscen said, throwing a glance over their shoulders before beckoning Link to continue walking. "For your sake, I wouldn't continue these activities."
"My sake has nothing to do with it."
"Well, whoever or whatever you're fighting for, it's going to end up killing you," Viscen warned. "I've met many young men like you, always idealistic, always overconfident. Take my advice, Link, and stop while you still have your life and livelihood. Even the nobles are not immune from Ganondorf's suspicions."
"I know," Link said simply. "My father was arrested and killed for treason."
Viscen turned his head, his stance softening. He paused respectfully for a second, facing away from Link, before turning back and speaking in a quieter tone.
"I am sorry to hear that." Viscen coughed awkwardly, his eyes still averted. Link rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on. We should get going."
Link turned to walk away, but Viscen stayed where he was, seemingly lost in thought. Link turned back, eyebrow raised.
"Viscen?"
"I know a man," Viscen said suddenly, breaking out of his reverie. "Named Kafei Dotour. He is a noble like you, a member of the aristocracy, but he's a friend of mine."
Link nodded, unsure of what to make of the information. "Kafei…?"
"Dotour," Viscen finished. "I just thought… well, he's opposed to Ganondorf's reign, similarly to you. I just… thought you might find the information useful."
Link smiled. A potential ally was always welcome information.
"Alright, we've spent too much time here," Viscen said gruffly, before Link could thank him. "Let's go – we don't want to be caught unawares by one of Ganondorf's patrols."
"Miss Zelda?"
"Have you found him yet?" Zelda asked desperately, her heart beating with hope and terror in equal measure. The maid sadly shook her head, and Zelda's arms trembled weakly.
"None, Miss," the maid replied, eyes downcast. "We've searched the market square and parts of the slums – there's no sign of him at all."
"Oh Goddesses," Zelda moaned, burying her face in her hands and trying to suppress a sob of agony and exasperation. The maid took her distress as a sign to leave, for she quickly curtsied and scuttled from the room.
"Impa, where in the name of Nayru could Link be?" Zelda asked, anxiety washing over her in waves. Link had been missing for a day and a half – had he been caught? Arrested? Killed?
"Link can take care of himself," Impa said, gently touching Zelda's shoulder. Despite her calm words, the old nursemaid looked harried and frightened, her steel-gray hair disheveled and her eyes lined with stress.
"He's been found, he's been arrested," Zelda murmured helplessly, looking back at Impa. "He's been missing for nearly two days – Oh, Nayru, where can he be…?"
"Hush, there's no cause to suspect he's been arrested," Impa replied, her quivering voice indicating she did not truly believe in her own words. "Link's done nothing wrong… done nothing that would warrant an arrest…"
Yes he has, Zelda thought privately to herself, reflecting on her prior conversation with Link. The way his eyes lit up when he spoke of that damned legend, the idealistic hope he had of single-handedly fighting to break Ganondorf's reign. Link, what have you done? Zelda wept to herself, lamenting the fact that she had done absolutely nothing to prevent Link from engaging in his suicidal endeavor.
What have you done, Link?
Where are you now?
"All my fault," she moaned, hiding her head in her hands. "All my fault…"
"Don't blame yourself, Zelda!" Impa reprimanded, holding both of her hands gently. "Link will return, just fine, you'll see…"
"I should have stopped him," Zelda lamented, not even paying attention to Impa.
"Stopped him from doing what?" Impa demanded sharply, but Zelda only shook her head.
"He's been caught, I know it! Impa, we need to do something!"
"Do what?" Impa asked, her voice somewhat frightened as she noted Zelda's increasing distress. "Zelda, he – he's perfectly fine! There's nothing we can – need – to do!"
"How can you say that?" Zelda demanded, turning her tear-filled eyes upon Impa. "Leave Link to die – just as we did to Aleron?"
Impa's face was now white. "Aleron – Aleron's arrest was not your fault, Zelda…"
"We can't just abandon him!" Zelda argued, breaking out into a dry sob. Impa immediately embraced her comfortingly, whispering soothingly into her ear.
"Calm down, Zelda, be still…"
"He's as good as dead!" Zelda cried, tears welling in her eyes. It was too much – first Aleron, and now Link! Link…! The very thought of him clawed at her soul with awful finality; while Aleron's death had left a saddened wound in her heart, Link's had left a gaping hole in the pit of her soul that refused any hope or cheerful thought at all.
"Calm yourself!" Impa said, shaking her. Zelda was now crying in full despair, tears flowing down her cheeks and dropping like rain onto the carpet.
I'm sorry, Link, she thought pathetically to herself, disgusted in her own weakness. Hating herself for abandoning Link to his fate, and her inability to do anything to save him. Despising the fact that all she could do was pray and beseech the Goddesses to return him to her safely.
"Miss Zelda! Impa!"
The maid burst into the room, oblivious to the tears that Zelda was shedding. Impa looked up to flash her a warning look, but the maid was breathless and positively ecstatic. "Master Hylia! He's returned!"
Zelda drew a sharp gasp of breath at Link's mention, trying to stem her tears as she glanced up at the maid uncomprehendingly. "Link…? He… he's…"
"Master Hylia has arrived at the manor's main entrance with another man," the maid explained, bouncing on the soles of her shoes in delight. "He's being attended right now by another servant – oh, isn't this wonderful?"
Before the maid had even finished speaking, Zelda had stood up from her seat, tears still falling freshly down her cheeks, and stormed from the room, doing her best to hold herself up with dignity and wiping the tears from her face. Outside of the room, she could hear the sound of distant voices in the main entrance, and her heart began to beat with fervor.
Link?
Zelda practically flew through the corridors, her mind still numb, not daring to hope that he had returned... knowing it was just another cruel trick, that she would never see him again…
She burst into the main entrance, where she saw Link sitting in a comfortable chair with a wine glass in his hand that was being filled by a servant. Another man she did not recognize was standing next to Link, looking around the manor halls with vague interest. Everyone stared at her as she halted in her steps, glaring viciously at Link.
"Zelda!" Link said jovially, remaining in his seat with an overjoyed expression on his handsome face.
She ignored him, walking right up to him in a terrible fury. The stranger was watching apprehensively; the servant had backed off into a corner. Link's smile faltered ever so slightly, before he spoke in a cheery voice, "What? No kiss to welcome me home?"
Zelda wanted to slap him as hard as she could, but her arms were still shaking and weak. Her entire body quivered as she raised an accusatory finger at him. "You… you…"
Link's smile faded; he looked distinctly nervous, now. The other man looked on, seemingly torn between the desire to laugh and the desire to flee the scene.
Zelda's eyes fell upon Link's left leg, which he was resting very gingerly. A white cloth – stained unmistakably with blood – was wrapped around his leg. "What is that?" Zelda demanded fiercely, pointing at the wound.
"Oh – nothing," Link said quickly.
Zelda got down on one knee and carefully unwrapped the makeshift bandage, each layer smelling foully of blood. As she pulled the bloodied wrappings away, her eyes fell upon the wound: a half-healed mass of flesh and scabs. Something was buried deeply in the wound, sticking out halfway. With deft fingers, Zelda reached out and grasped the object firmly –
"OW!" Link exclaimed, jerking his leg away and looking at Zelda with watery eyes. "That hurts! Can't you be any more gentle?"
"What in the name of the Goddesses is that?" Zelda asked hotly.
"A crossbow bolt," the other man replied, before Link could speak up.
"A crossbow bolt?" Zelda exclaimed. "Link, what in the name of Nayru have you been doing? How did you sustain such a wound?"
"Zelda, can you please just help me?" Link asked through gritted teeth, slowly easing his wounded leg back to her. She gave him a glowering look, before grudgingly acquiescing to his request.
"Fetch a red potion, some hot water, and wrappings," Zelda ordered to the servant, who bowed and immediately left the room. She turned her attention back to Link, who shrank into his seat fearfully.
"Do you have any idea," Zelda asked hotly, "how terrified I was? When you disappeared for nearly two days? I thought you were… I thought…"
Her voice cracked slightly, her tone slightly softer as she addressed Link. He held her shaking hand gently, stroking the side of her cheek.
"It's alright, Zelda, don't cry," he muttered, looking at her anxiously.
"You're so reckless!" she cried, more tears threatening to spill from her reddened eyes. "I told you… I told you… do you care so little about your life?"
She glared at him through tear-glazed eyes. Link at least had the grace to look ashamed of himself, as he reached out and wiped away some of her tears with his thumb.
"Look, Zelda," he said guiltily, eyes refusing to meet hers, "I would never... ever… intentionally put you through this suffering. I didn't mean for you to become so upset over my actions… if I had known…"
"You liar," she accused, "you've got this idea… some crazy, impossible hope… that you can single handedly defeat Ganondorf!"
The man next to them shifted, causing Zelda to notice him for the first time. Drawing herself away from Link and doing the best to regain her composure, she gave him a watery smile and offered a shaking hand. He took her hand delicately, bowing low to her.
"I'm sorry for… my rudeness," Zelda offered, throwing a furious look at Link. "I am Zelda, 'tis a pleasure to meet you. What is your name?"
"Viscen," the man said simply, releasing her hand and looking shrewdly between her and Link. "I take it that you are Link's wife?"
"No," Zelda replied humorlessly, "I'm just a servant."
"Zelda…" Link protested, from behind her. She ignored him.
"Were you the one that helped Link home after he… injured himself?" Zelda asked. Viscen nodded, shifting uncomfortably.
"Well, I… uh, my father… found Link last night… and I just escorted him back here. We did our best to treat his wound, but as you probably saw, it's still in need of healing…"
"Yes," Zelda said, casting Link another icy glare. The young knight did his best to return a neutral, innocent expression. "How did Link injure himself?"
"I've no idea," Viscen answered. "You'll have to ask him that."
Zelda rounded on Link, but before she could begin her interrogation, the servant reentered with a bag of healing supplies and clean rags for bandages.
"There you are, Miss Zelda," the servant said, handing her the items and nervously backing off. She thanked and dismissed him before turning her attentions to Link, who had once more shrunk into his chair nervously.
"Zelda…"
"Be still," she ordered, filling a large bowl full of steaming hot water and fishing a bottle of red potion from the bag. She dropped some herbs into the water before taking a rag and she dipping it into the bowl. Allowing the rag to soak in the water, she handed Link the red potion.
"Drink it."
He obediently uncorked the glass bottle and downed the potion in one gulp, coughing as the concoction burned its way down his throat. A ruddy flush returned to his pale cheeks, as the potion returned some of his vigor. He handed the empty bottle back to Zelda, who took it promptly without a word.
"I've got the distinct feeling," Link said cautiously, as Zelda took the water-soaked rag and brought it to his wound, "that you're angry with me."
She squeezed the rag, bathing Link's wound in hot water. He flinched as the steaming liquid splashed onto his raw flesh, running down his leg in bloody streams. After a second of intense discomfort, he released a relived gasp of air. "Ah."
"Now to remove this… crossbow bolt," Zelda murmured, throwing the rag aside and peering intently at the wound. Link was nearly sweating now, sucking in his breath in anticipation of the coming agony.
"Hold still," Zelda commanded, reaching up with her right hand. Link's leg shot away, his body quivering.
"Are you really sure you should be probing my wound?" Link asked, shielding his leg protectively.
"I put some Deku-weed into the water that I washed your wound with. It should act as an anesthetic. Now, let me remove that bolt before you become too attached to it."
Hesitantly, Link offered his wounded leg back to Zelda, glancing at her fearfully. If she wasn't feeling so angry, she would have found his expression comical. She maneuvered her fingers deftly over his wound, keeping her eyes focused solely on the metallic crossbow bolt lodged in Link's flesh.
Slowly, holding her breath, she skillfully grasped the bolt and wiggled it lightly. Link exhaled softly. Carefully, Zelda loosened the bolt from its position until she felt sure that it would come free with a tug. She glanced up at Link, whose face was white as ice.
She pulled, the bolt slipping free from the wound as if it had been greased. Zelda triumphantly held up the crossbow bolt in her bloody fingers, the small metal dart glinting in the candle light.
"That wasn't so painful, was it?" she asked, turning back to Link, who was examining his wound with an expression of disbelief on his face.
"N… no…" he answered, looking back at her with a relieved, surprised, and grateful expression. "Zelda, I cannot thank you enough…"
"Can I help you with anything, Viscen?" Zelda asked, ignoring Link completely and turning to the other man. "Food or drink? You must have had a long journey."
"Um… some bread and wine would be much appreciated," Viscen said gratefully, looking at Link. "Thank you, Miss Zelda."
"Call me Zelda," she said, digging in the medicinal bag to find some cloth to wrap Link's wound in. "Would you stay the night, Viscen? It's past curfew, and traveling is dangerous."
"Erm… I really must return to my home," Viscen said. "Perhaps a bit of refreshment, and I'll be on my way."
"You are always welcome here," Zelda said graciously, before adding to Link, "you can bandage your wound yourself, I assume?"
"Of course," he replied, taking the cloth and wrapping the wound himself in silence. Zelda smiled to herself and turned back to Viscen.
"Come on, I'll show you the kitchen. You must be famished…"
With that, she turned and left Link alone in the entrance hall to lick his own wounds.
"I think she's mad at me."
"Well, aren't you observant?" Impa said, rifling through the letters that had just been delivered to the Hylia estate that morning. "You had us all in a terrible fright, Link. Zelda was nearly sick over your disappearance – you put the poor girl through quite an ordeal."
"Yes, but did she have to be so… angry about it?" Link asked, taking a small bite out of his toast and blinking in the morning sunlight. "It's not like I was trying to frighten her on purpose, Impa."
The old nursemaid only gave him a disapproving look, sitting down next to him. "I'm afraid I have to agree with Miss Zelda here. Whatever it is you're doing, it's obviously dangerous – and I would very much like it if you didn't forsake the safety of the manor so willingly."
"No place is safe with Ganondorf in power," Link retorted, eying the letters in Impa's hand. "Anything important?"
"Here's a letter with the Royal Seal," Impa frowned, picking out a large envelope stamped with the blood red mark of King Ganondorf. The old nursemaid fell silent, as if fearfully contemplating the horrible things inside of the lifeless letter.
"I'll take that," Link said cheerfully, grabbing the letter from her hand and dropping his toast so that he could tear it open with vigor. Discarding the envelope, he read the letter's contents, which was not much – several printed sentences and another Royal Seal.
"What does it say?" Impa inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her normally stoic restraint. "It… it's nothing bad, is it?"
"One could say so," Link answered, throwing the letter down on the table. "It's a ball. Our King wants me to attend a celebratory gala at his castle."
"Why in the name of the Goddesses…"
"Don't ask me, I've no idea," Link interrupted, reaching once more for his toast. "Although it's not just me – it's an open invitation to all of the aristocracy. That's funny."
He took a bite of his toast, chewing the bread slowly as he thought. Why was Ganondorf suddenly inviting the Hylian nobility to a seemingly random bash at the castle? Only two days ago, Ganondorf had nearly been assassinated. Was he throwing a party to celebrate his continued life? Link laughed at the thought.
Impa had now taken the letter and was reading it through. Her steel-gray eyebrows were raised in surprise as she read the letter line for line. Finally, she put the paper back down, a bemused expression on her face. "That certainly is odd. And you've no idea why he's doing this?"
Link caught the suspicious tone in her voice. "None at all," he replied sharply. Impa nodded slowly, regarding Link steadily.
"You're hiding something, Link," the old nursemaid said carefully. "And if you won't tell me, at least tell Zelda. She deserves to know, after last night."
"I will tell her," Link said softly, "but not right now."
"Link…"
"I'm not doing this to torment you or her!" he said vehemently. "It's just… better if she doesn't know about this, for now."
"Know about what?"
Link nearly jumped out of his seat as he heard Zelda's voice behind him; he turned around so fast that he nearly toppled from his seat. Zelda was standing in the kitchen doorway, perfectly poised, as if she had been listening in there for awhile.
"Good morning, Impa," she said, only giving Link a curt nod.
"Good morning to you as well," Impa said, standing up from her chair and offering it to Zelda. "I'm a bit late for my normal duties – I should be off now."
Impa excused herself, hastily leaving the room. Zelda slowly sat down in Impa's vacant seat, a foot away from Link across the table. The tension in the air was palpable.
"Zelda," Link began, "about last night…"
"What about last night?" she asked, taking a piece of toast and buttering it delicately.
Link swallowed the lump in his throat, struggling to come up with the proper words to express his feelings adequately. After several seconds of silence, he replied rather pathetically:
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," Zelda answered as aloofly as before, purposefully staring away from Link and out onto the rolling lawn of the Hylia estate.
Unable to think of anything else to say, Link settled for trivial matters. "Did Viscen stay long last night?"
"No, he left soon after we met. I gave him a small basket of vittles to take with him – he told me about his elderly father."
"Good, I was hoping to repay him for the help he gave me," Link said awkwardly.
"Hmm. And all I got was a thank you?"
"Well, you don't seem to be in a particularly bright mood…"
"Link," she said incredulously, turning around to face him. "Do you have any idea how much… how much agony you put me through for the past few days?"
Link remained silent, sitting in his chair uneasily. When he had been wounded during the ambush, he had been primarily thinking about how to stop himself from dying from blood loss. He decided not to tell Zelda that, for the sake of keeping himself in healthy condition.
"I thought you had died," she continued, her beautiful eyes tinged with fright rather than fear. "Or that you'd been arrested, and tortured… Link, you had me terrified."
He swallowed the guilty lump that had once more formed in his throat. Now, he was beginning to realize the pain and anguish he had put Zelda and Impa through…
"I'm sorry, Zelda," he said, taking her hands and squeezing them tightly. "I'm sorry. It was foolish of me, I know – I can't imagine how you must have felt…"
"No, you can't imagine how I felt," she said, looking back at him sadly. "I was so scared, Link, so worried, that I had lost you. And for you to come back two days later and brush it all off so carelessly – Link, you're living too recklessly! You don't value your life at all! What would Aleron think? He gave his life for you. And now… now…"
Zelda stifled a small sob, turning her head away from Link. Carefully, he cupped her delicate chin in his hand and turned her back to face him. Small tears were gliding down her cheeks, and he felt his heart break.
"Zelda, Zelda," he whispered softly, caressing her skin. "I never would hurt you. Never. I'd give my life for you."
"I'm not asking you to give anything for me," she replied. "Just keep yourself safe. That's all I want."
"If that's what you desire, then you shall have it," he said solemnly, drawing her into his arms. She clung to him tightly, her body trembling ever so slightly. He stroked her hair, reveling in the feeling of her silky locks in between his fingers.
"Oh, Link…" she murmured, whispering softly into his ear. "I'm not sure if you're lying simply to reassure me."
"Zelda, I gave you my word."
"How much is your word worth?"
Link looked away, out towards the rising noonday sun outside the manor. "That remains to be seen."
Zelda sighed, drawing away from Link and gazing at him sadly. He turned back to her, holding her hands and smiling. "Cheer up, Zelda. Our dear king has invited all of the Hylian aristocracy to a gala, and I would be honored if you would deign to attend with me."
"You want me to go with you?" she asked, slightly surprised.
Link nodded, stroking her cheek softly. "Will you grant me such an honor?"
Zelda looked down at her hands, cheeks flushed. "I… I've nothing to wear."
"Then we'll have to fix that, won't we? I would be devastated if you could not attend with me on account of a lack of proper clothing."
"Really, Link…"
"Zelda, you are coming with me!" he said decisively, leaning forward and planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "And that is the end of that, my dear."
