December 20
Zelgius stared out the window from his second floor hotel room. The people of Hyrule were running through the streets shopping for gifts and singing Christmas carols. It seemed as if the war had never even happened.
I don't understand. How can they go about their lives as if no one was ever killed? The manager of this hotel gave me a five star room without hesitation. He even seemed happy to give it to me. He gave it to me for free. I can't tell weather these people are incredibly forgiving or just afraid of me. They're probably afraid.
Zelgius shut the window after a chilling breeze entered the room. He walked over to the bed and let himself fall onto his back.
Well I've done it. I completely made a hypocrite out of myself. I always say that the senate's orders are to be followed no matter what yet I let my emotions take control rather than my logic. How could I have been such an idiot? Now I have to send in a letter to the senate explaining the army's progress yet no progress has been made. What will they say when I tell them that I've decided on a week of peace with Hyrule?
Zelgius rolled onto his side and began rubbing his forehead. A headache was beginning to form.
I guess I'll either have to lie or not send in a letter at all. Maybe I should just tell them I was too busy to send one in. Knowing that senate they'll just bombard me with questions anyway. Ugh I can stand those goddamn idiots!
Zelgius sat up as the pain in his head began to intensify. He lifted both hands to his head and began rubbing his temples. His hands grew numb and his body grew cold. He opened his eyes to see a dark aura in his vision and his stomach grew nauseous.
Oh great. This is just what I needed. A migraine. Ugh why does this have to happen now?! This is just perfect! It's only a matter of time before I-
Zelgius cupped one hand over his mouth and jumped off the bed. He ran to the bathroom and fell to his knees at the toilet before vomiting. He sat there for a good few seconds dry heaving before falling back against the wall. He sat still groaning in pain and holding his head in his hands. Zelgius jumped when he heard a knock at the door. Though the knock was quiet his migraine made it sound like booming thunder. Zelgius struggled to his feet and made his way to the door. He ripped the door open to see one of his soldiers staring at him with a concerned look on his face.
"General are you alright? You don't look well."
"I'm fine. What do you want?"
Zelgius could tell that his voice sounded really snappy but at this point he really didn't care.
"Well sir, Levail told me he wanted to have a word with you in private. He said to meet him in the alley next to the hotel."
At this point Zelgius felt like he needed to punch something. He wasn't in the mood for Levial to nag him.
"Tell him I'll be there in ten minutes."
Zelgius slammed the door hard. He didn't care if he hit the soldier or not. He wasn't in the mood for this. He cleaned himself up and put on his armor despite feeling like he could vomit again at any given moment.
Zelgius headed out the door and down the stairs. His head was still pounding but it was slowly starting to fade after he took his medication. He left the hotel and headed into the alley where he saw Levail waiting patiently for him.
"Levail what do you want?"
Levail looked at Zelgius in slight surprise due to his rudeness but quickly shook it off.
"Sir I have a questions for you. Why did you agree to this week of peace with Hyrule when we should be fighting them? I mean they are our enemy."
Zelgius took a deep breath and tried to keep his unbelievably short fuse from going out.
"Well think about it. It's almost Christmas and we can both agree that the princess was right about what she said."
"Yes but the senate gave us orders to follow and you completely disregarded them. I mean you're the one who always told me to not go against the senate's orders."
Zelgius found his fuse hanging on by a thread.
"Look Levial what's done is done and there's nothing more to it."
Zelgius turned to leave but was stopped as Levial grabbed him by the shoulder.
"But general I'm just curious. I mean you're completely going against the senate's orders and your own views. You always tell me not to let my emotions get the best of me so why?"
Zelgius shoved Levail back without realizing it.
"Levail I told you why so are we done here?"
Levail narrowed his eyes slightly. The one think he couldn't stand was not being listened to.
"What's your problem? You know you should really listen to people when they're talking to you. Don't be rude."
Zelgius turned to face Levail. His fuse was no longer existent and he was no longer thinking clearly.
"God damn it Levail! Just shut up!"
Levail shoved Zelgius back and raised his voice.
"Don't you dare tell me to shut up!"
"Don't shove me Levail."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"Levail I'm your superior. It's my job to tell you what to do you idiot!"
"Shut it! Just because you're in a higher rank than me that doesn't mean you're any better!"
"Of course it does. I was chosen as the general of the central army not you. There was obviously a reason for that. They never would have chosen you because you couldn't handle one day of my job."
"I could handle your job any day!"
"Yeah sure because breaking down and crying every time you're forced to kill a child is a great way to handle my job."
"Well at least I have a value for human life unlike you!"
Zelgius ignored Levail and turned to leave the alley. He felt Levail grab him once again and was about to turn around only to be forced to turn. Levail punched Zelgius straight in the face. Zelgius stumbled back and clutched his face he turned in shock as Levail began leaving the alleyway.
"Levail you can't do that! Come back here!"
"Kiss my ass!"
Levail didn't turn back. He left Zelgius all by himself. At this point Zelgius felt like he might kill someone. Seeing no other way to blow off his anger he ran out of the alley. Without thinking he took a random turn and headed straight into he southern section of Hyrule Field.
Zelgius' run turned into a jog, then into a walk. For a second he had completely forgotten why he was running in the first place. The migraine had subsided at this point. Zelgius' cape was now soaked at the bottom from trailing in the foot high snow. He finally came to a stop to clear his thoughts and scan his surroundings.
Well that conversation with Levail didn't go well at all. I can't believe that he actually punched me in the face! But I really can't blame him. I mean I can't believe what I let come out of my own mouth. I completely turned off my filter!
Zelgius looked up at the sky as fresh snowflakes began to fall.
If I stay out here I may get caught in a blizzard. I better head back now.
Zelgius turned to head back to Castle Town when something caught his eye. At the farthest end of the field was a small opening to the forest. Zelgius grew hesitant. He knew he should head back but he was curious. Finally curiosity got the best of him. He walked over a small bridge and entered the forest.
Zelgius stopped to scan his surroundings once he entered the forest. It was already close to nighttime and the trees made it seem even darker. He began to walk past a man with a large Afro sitting by a fire watching him. Once Zelgius made eye contact the man called over to him.
"Hey come over here for a second!"
"Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah do you have a lantern? It's not safe to wander around a nighttime without one."
"I don't need one thank you."
Zelgius turned to leave only to have the man insist on the lantern.
"No really! It's important to have one. Look it's one hundred rupees for a lantern. I'll even throw in a whole bottle of oil for free! What do you say?"
"Okay fine. It's a good deal so I'll take it.
Zelgius handed the man the money and received the lantern and oil. Zelgius turned to walk away as he filled up the lantern before looking back at the man.
"By the way, where is this?"
"Oh this is Faron Woods. If you take a right you'll reach Ordon Woods. At the end there's a really nice village called Ordon Village. It's rumored that the hero of time lives there."
"Wait. The hero of time is named Link correct?"
"Yeah. You know him?"
"No just wondering. Anyways thank you."
Zelgius turned the right corner and headed for Ordon despite not having much of a reason to go there. The route was very specific. It only had one trail so it was impossible to get lost. Zelgius finally entered Ordon Village and scanned the scenery. It was a small village with a tiny stream and a water wheel. Despite the hour there were some children playing outside however they stopped the moment they saw him. They instantly turned and began whispering to each other.
"Is that who I think it is?"
"Yeah it's really him!"
"You mean that General Zelgius guy?"
"No way! Why would he come here?"
"I heard he's mean and scary! Maybe he came to kill us!"
"Stop it!"
One of the girls that looked older than the rest of the kids approached Zelgius.
"Are you the Central army general of Begnion?"
"Yes."
The children began mumbling again as they slowly made their way over to him.
"I thought he was an old guy! He doesn't look old."
"Yeah but he sounds old. Okay old man why are you here?"
Zelgius narrowed his eyes slightly at the boy.
"Old?! I'm not that old."
"Talon stop! I'm sorry about him but I must ask why you're here myself."
"No reason. I guess I just came here because I felt like it."
The girl gave him a look of suspicion.
"Are you sure that's why you're here?"
Why am I here? Maybe I just decided to come because I heard the hero of time was here."
"I came here looking for the hero of time. I heard he lives here.
"And why do you want to see him for?"
"Well just to speak with him. I promise you I'm not here to hurt anyone."
Ilia hesitated for a while. She sighed to herself and pointed to a near by tree house.
"He lives there."
Zelgius turned to where she was pointing. He hadn't even noticed the tree house before.
"Thank you."
Zelgius headed towards the tree house. It looked as if no one was even there.
Wait why is he living in a tree house anyway?
Zelgius turned around when he heard the sound of hooves behind him. There was a horse staring him right in the face. It jumped back and whinnied in fright.
"Epona calm down."
Zelgius looked up to see none other than Link on top of the horse. He jumped off and drew his sword at Zelgius.
"What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you."
"Why?"
Zelgius looked around to try to find something to say. He didn't have any specific reasons to want to see Link honestly. His eyes finally found Link's broken arm and the patched up gash on his side.
"I'm sorry about those injuries I gave you. Are they healing well?"
Link looked at Zelgius in slight confusion.
"You mean you were just here to see how I was doing?"
"Well not exactly. You see I had a long day. I got into and argument with my second in command about this whole week of peace thing then I went into Hyrule Field to clear my thoughts. I ended up finding Faron Woods and decided to look into it. I bought a lantern from a man who told me you lived here so I decided to see for myself."
Link nodded slightly and put his sword away.
"I see. Well then do you want to come in? You must be freezing."
Zelgius looked at Link in absolute disbelief. This was the man who he attacked just yesterday. He almost killed him. He was his enemy yet he was carelessly letting him into his house.
"Are you being serious?"
"Yeah come in."
Zelgius hesitated for a while before following Link up the latter and into the house. The house consisted of a small room, a basement and an upstairs. Link instantly put on some tea and led Zelgius to a chair by the fire.
"So you're Zelgius if I remember correctly. Tell me about yourself."
"Are you kidding?"
Link raised an eyebrow at the other man.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm your enemy. I threatened the life of you and your princess. How can you just let me in your house and ask me about myself?"
"Look Zelgius, I know you're not a bad person."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Zelgius you agreed to Princess Zelda's week of peace because you're just human. You feel pain to see people dying. Also I know you didn't start this whole problem. It's not like we can just blame you and your men for something that Begnion authority is in charge of. After all you threatened your own life by going against authority."
Zelgius remained silent and stared at the fire as the teapot began to scream. Link instantly got up to go fix the tea.
"Link I'm really sorry about your injuries."
Link just turned around and smiled at him.
"See? That's how I know you're a good person."
Link came back and handed Zelgius a cup of spearmint tea. Zelgius thanked him and took a sip of it. The scent and the nice flavor lightened his mood. He turned to Link's wound again and noticed that it was healing quite quickly.
"Link how is your wound healing so quickly?"
"Oh that. You see that princess has healing powers. She just visited a few minutes ago."
"You mean she came here by herself?"
"Well yeah. She's no fragile flower let me tell you. She's got the temper of a bull seeing red."
"She didn't seem to temperamental when she spoke of the week of peace."
"Well she was worried about me so obviously she wouldn't be angry. But get her mad and she'll take your head off."
There was a long pause between the two before Link started again.
"So that second in command of yours, what's his name?"
"Levail."
"Levail? Man you Begnion people have the strangest names."
"Well in all honesty I've never met a person named Link before."
Link laughed and nudged him on the shoulder.
"Well yeah I guess but you have to admit that Zelgius and Levail aren't very common names."
"Yeah I guess."
"So Zelgius do you have a wife at home?"
Zelgius turned to Link in slight surprise.
"Uh no."
"Really? You can't tell me that you don't have a girlfriend of something."
"No I don't."
Link turned to see Zelgius had a slightly surprised look on his face.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just that no one has ever asked me that before."
"Oh well I just thought it was weird that you don't have one. I mean I thought women would be all over you."
"And why is that?"
"Well you're attractive."
Zelgius choked on the tea in shock that Link had been so blunt. Link turned to the man in slight concern.
"Are you alright?'
"Yes I just didn't expect you to be so blunt. I mean in Begnion men never call each other attractive."
Link just laughed.
"Well I can admit when a man is good looking even though I'm not attracted to men. Also I don't know about Begnion but over here you're a really attractive guy. I mean you haven't noticed women watching you?"
"No."
"Well yeah. I mean you got broad shoulders, nice eyes, a strong jaw line, over all just the whole package."
Zelgius couldn't help but feel slightly awkward about the conversation. He looked down and played with the empty cup in his hands.
"Thank you…"
Zelgius turned to see that it was now quite dark outside. He stood up and handed the cup to Link.
"Thank you for the hospitality but I must get going."
"You're very welcome. I hope to see you around."
"The same to you."
Zelgius opened the door and headed out into the chilling winter air.
Zelgius made his way through Ordon woods with his lantern leading the way. He crossed over into Faron woods.
Well Link seems friendly enough. I guess I don't have to worry about him. But Levail is probably still upset about that argument. I guess I should go and apologize to him tomorrow.
Zelgius stopped as he saw another lantern light flashing in the distance. He slowly made his was closer to it and read a sign pointing in it's direction. Faron Springs. As he moved closer he heard a sound. It sounded like music playing. Once he was just behind the corner he could hear a voice singing. It sounded beautiful. He had never heard anything like it. Zelgius peaked form behind the corner to see who was creating such a sound. He turned to see an amazing sight. A young woman stood with her lantern tied around her waist. In her hand was a harp that she played like a pro. Her song sounded like a sweet lullaby that could even put a child on a sugar rush to sleep. She had pale skin and long dirty blonde hair. Her dress was a pure white color with a purple top. By the look of her ears she was definitely a Hylian. There was a bright glow around her. Fairies were fluttering around her. Zelgius felt a branch snap under his foot. The sound was so quiet that Zelgius had barley heard it himself however the woman stopped singing and turned to him. She looked startled. There was a long pause between the two for a good two minutes. Finally the woman began trotting away with her long hair bouncing behind her. Before he knew it she was gone.
Who was that?! I've seen some attractive women in my life but none hold a candle to that girl!
Finally regaining his senses he began walking back to Castle Town. Every once in a while he would look around to see if he could find the woman again but she never turned up. He kept her in his mind the whole way back. Finally he made it back to the hotel. He walked up the stairs and entered his room. Realizing how exhausted he was he undressed himself and fell onto the bed. Before he fell asleep he mumbled a small sentence to himself.
Who was that?
