Chapter Twelve
The guards initially had not allowed them entrance when Link and Talon had beseeched to have council with the princess.
Link had begged and pleaded, but repeatedly his request was denied. A servant was sent to inform her of their arrival, after Talon had humbly asked if their presence could be known to her, on behalf of the business of the Lon Lon Ranch. It surprised them both when the young servant hurriedly came back, stating that the princess was more than pleased to see them.
They were led to the king's ruling chambers by several guards, and when they had entered the capacious throne room, the sight before them was perplexing.
There were more guards than usual, than even the king had thought redeemable. On both sides of the room they stood, their backs to the walls, in perfect lines. Their bodies were eerily stiff, immobile. They appeared as statues as Link gazed at them peculiarly, a slight tremble to his legs.
Yet, nothing seemed more bewildering than the lady seated at the throne.
Almost simultaneously, Link and Talon gave one another intrigued glances, immediately returning their gazes before them, carefully kneeling to bow down.
Extravagant, lush, flamboyant -there wasn't a word dramatic enough to describer it, her.
Princess Zelda sat at the throne, appearing like a small child in the large, adorned chair. However, she had taken on the lavish appearance of a queen, with her hair braided, heavy earrings dangling from her lobes, as well as a flashy dress. The skirt was poofy, exaggerated. On her shoulders, gold plates were adorned, yet now ornamented with jewels, such as rubies and diamonds, as the fabrics of the dress were a deep, thick red. The same color as the paint on her lips, while a shimmery black glossed the lids of her eyes. Atop her head, a crown was placed, the gold illuminating seeming to blind anyone who dared directly gaze at it.
She was beautiful, deadly beautiful. And the smile on her dark red lips proved it. Yet, she did not sit properly at her father's throne, as a royal lady should have. Instead, Zelda had leaned her elbow against the massive arm rest, laying her cheek against the palm of her hand, her legs crossed sloppily, almost unladylike. And when she saw the guards approach her with Link and Talon following behind, she made no attempt to fix herself, yet curved her lips slightly upwards- not smiling, but seeming interested.
"Your highness Princess Zelda," emerged the deep male voice of one of the guards bowed before her, addressing the young woman, "Men on behalf of the Lon Lon Ranch have come to speak with you."
With a nod, she fluttered her dark, thick lashes in approval. "They may proceed."
Even her voice sounded different, Link had noted, while the guards separated to allow the visitors to step forward. Talon moved hastily, Link hesitating to raise himself to stand besides the eager man.
"Your majesty," spoke the ranch owner as he stood before the throne, bowing yet again in respect. "I have returned with Link to formally inquire your refusal to continue business with the ranch."
Zelda stared at him with a neutral expression for a moment, as if she expecting more from him. At her silence, Talon fumbled briskly looking over at Link, who stood beside him leisurely, his hands clasped behind his back. The older man gulped.
"Link...could you, um, please add to our case."
Glancing at the ranch over, Link subtly nodded, and when he looked at Zelda, their eyes had locked, and an iciness pierced through him.
He bowed properly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Your majesty."
Still, she did not speak, but simply gazed at him, her fingers curling at her lips. At her intimidating silence, Link cleared his throat, stepping in front of Talon now, making sure never to lose his glare with her.
"As Talon has said, we are inquiring on your refusal to purchase milk from the Lon Lon Ranch. As the king has been on good terms with us for years, we find it peculiar that you have so suddenly decided to stop purchasing from us, and without stating a reason. As a ruler, it seems quite strange that the princess would not be noble and state her reasons for this sort of action. That is, unless this proposition is based on a personal vendetta."
Talon gandered at the boy with shock implanted on his visage, rubbing his head at Link's bold words. He wanted to interrupt, to tell the boy to cease taunting the princess. Yet, she had suddenly become interested, elongating her posture now, placing the tip of her index finger to her lip in intrigue.
"Why, that indeed is a very good question. As a ruler, I should explain my actions." Clearing her throat daintily, Zelda uncrossed her legs, relaxing her shoulders.
"You see, my father the King has fallen ill. I have some reason to believe that the milk we receive from the Lon Lon Ranch may have sickened him. So, until we are able to further investigate this theory, I refuse to purchase from the ranch."
She sounded too proper, too political. Link flinched at the sound of her voice, the oddly reasonable expression on her face. Talon had opened his mouth to speak, and perhaps Link should have allowed him to. Yet, the young man immediately shot back at her, his hands on his hips, his head slightly tilted.
"In case your highness has forgotten, the profits received from the castle is what keeps the ranch functioning. This temporary postponement of yours is going to prove ill-fated for the future of the Lon Lon Ranch, and no one in Hyrule will be able to receive milk, or eggs, or any other goods produced by the livestock."
Talon turned to Link timidly. "Link, perhaps-"
"Also, since I know how your majesty cares so deeply for her subjects, this proposal would also worsen the living conditions of the ranch owner and his family and workers. Since they both live and work at the ranch, this act would jeopardize their housing needs and work."
At his explanation, Zelda raised both her dark blonde brows, nodding according, succeeding in keeping any emotion whatsoever to appear on her face. And yet, her focus never left Link, as her gaze was completely intent. Blinking several times, she decided to reply to his theories.
"Then, to prevent this, I plan on buying the Lon Lon Ranch from you, Talon. And you and your daughter will work personally for me."
Now the stout man parted his lips in startlement at the princess's offer, going on his knees before her once more to bow, clasping his hands together desperately.
"Please, you highness! You mustn't! I have owned the ranch for years! If there is some other way-"
"Your justifications for this are ridiculous!"
The guards jumped up instantaneously when Link had hollered at the princess. But, even as she seemed rather surprised herself, she calmed the armored men with a gesture of her hand, a look of intrigue appearing on her visage. "Let the boy speak. I want to hear this."
Talon had attempted to stop Link, quietly begged him. Yet, the young man was persistent, stepping directly before the throne, the distance between he and the princess very minimal. Before her, he stood firmly, a scowl planted on his lips.
"I know why you are doing this, Zelda. We both know why. And I think it is unjust for you to feel the need to punish this family because of a grudge you are holding against me."
At last, her face flared with her hidden emotion, as she suddenly sat up very straight, leaning her back forward to glare at the young man. There was a quiver to her bottom lip, a menacing glare in her eyes.
"A grudge?" she repeated, as if to mock him. "You call it a grudge? You little prick! You used me for your personal exploits, confess a falsehood of love for me, then leave me after receiving what you wanted, and you say I hold a grudge against you?"
Zelda's body quavered terribly as she sat, biting down at her lip harshly at her anger and frustration. The truth had been revealed, and Talon dreadfully shifted his gaze to the guilty boy he had trusted, his lips parting in shock and bewilderment. He could not speak, did not know how to respond. Only could he shake his head, feeling completely betrayed.
Carefully, Link's hands curled into fists, his body shaking as he tried desperately to maintain his composure. His stare had fallen to the floor for a moment, allowing the princess's words to soak in his mind, so that he would choose his next words with care, realizing how much power he had over the security of the ranch. Slowly, he raised his gaze to meet hers once more, arching his brows.
"I had never wanted to hurt you, Zelda. I had not wanted to hurt either of you. I don't understand why you would act so drastically. Talon and the King have been on good terms for years. I'm sure your father would not want you to tarnish this relationship."
"Stop trying to sound so noble," spat the princess, a look of disgust thrown at his direction. "You are the only one to blame for this. Not me. You've never once blamed yourself. I had never thought you'd grow to be so selfish, so thirsty for a false security of love. You don't even know what love is!"
"I know that plotting an empty vengeance towards Malon's family is not going to tarnish your anger towards me!"
At his words, she paused, her lips pressed together firmly, as she suddenly became very still.
Sighing, Link allowed his arms to rest at his sides, for his muscles to release. A tenderness had captured his face, as he looked at her now more gently, humbly, a hopefulness lurking in the blue of his eyes. At his benevolence, her shoulders hunched, a pout claiming her lip.
"You are right, in every way. And I accept the responsibility of my actions. You have every reason to hate me, to have this anger. But please, your majesty, adhere to this plea, that you please do not release the extent of your hatred on Talon and his daughter, but only to me."
For a moment, silence had captured the large room. Several times the princess blinked, her lips horizontal, her eyes blank. At last, a soft breath fled her mouth, as she nodded her head slowly.
"Alright. I adhere to your plea. We will continue to receive milk from the ranch."
A loud, exasperated sigh of relief escaped from Talon's throat, his heart beating violently from his passionate alleviation. Placing a hand at his heart, Link allowed a pent up breath to release as well, a careful, tiny smile forming on his lips. The ranch was safe now, and he had fulfilled his promise to Malon that he would set things right.
"Now," spoke the princess, leaving the thought open, interrupted the silent moment of assuagement, gingerly repositioning herself on the giant seat. "Now," she repeated, eying the guards that surrounded them studiously,"seize him."
Link hadn't a moment to think, to resist, or even to comprehend what had just occurred. The next thing he knew, three guards had instantly taken hold of him at the princess's command: one at each arm, and the other behind him, hands sturdily on his shoulders. His natural color had drained from his face, replaced now with a boiling crimson. With a broad, opened mouth, he glared at the princess, flabbergasted, quickly glancing at Talon, who seemed just as bewildered as he.
When the armored men had seized the young man, Zelda stood from the throne leisurely, standing indomitably before them. Her gaze was intense, focused, her mouth slightly quivering as she continued to glare Link right into his eyes, ruling over him.
"Link, I place you under arrest," she spoke collectively, yet sternly.
He scoffed, shaking his head, unbelieving. "On what charges?"
"For violation of the princess."
The boy's eyes widened at her statement, glimmering hopelessly.
Zelda, however, did not budge at her sentence, not even appearing even the tiniest reluctant, unsure. She only stood fiercely, dedicatedly, with a mixture of anger and sadness claiming the features of her face.
One of the guards tightened his grasp on Link's wrist, nodding before the princess in obedience. "Is there any evidence you would like us to present to the king, my lady?"
Now she stood motionless for an instant, while only her lips moved with uncertainty. Lifting her hands now, Zelda carefully placed her palms atop of her stomach, gently clutching at her abdomen. As her eyes narrowed, her brows arched, and her eyes slowly drifted downwards, her gaze fixated on her belly. And ever so nonchalantly, her eyes rose to look at the men, her stare mostly directed towards Link.
"The evidence," she stated languidly, caressing her stomach, "is in here."