Zelda was prompt in her messaging of the Pathos' estate. Upon her return to the Grand Keep, letter was sent to Lord Geoffrey. The writing was concise, stating only that the situation had changed and that the trip was to occur as originally scheduled, it was to be made public—and begin in such a way that her father's suspicions would remain minimal.
Then Zelda brought the girl to her quarters, sealing the door behind her.
Arielle followed, though maintained her distance from the green haired girl, her expression torn between curiosity and resentment. The handmaiden's eyes seemed unblinking, never wandering far from the green haired girl.
The green haired girl—Saria—bowed her head, docile as she was before the initial interrogation. Even removed from her home as she was, the scent of the forest remained with her. After but a moment, the aroma of dew and pine needles permeated the room.
Zelda crossed her arms and smiled.
Arielle crossed her palms over her waist and looked prepared to speak, but said nothing, all the while directing a passive anger towards the girl with the green hair.
"Sa-rai-uh," said Zelda. On her tongue, the name sounded foreign. It was with a newfound light in her eyes that she appraised the girl with the green hair. "Named for the third Guardian, I assume?" A ghost of a smirk. "Or are you she?"
Saria said nothing. Though her bonds were removed, her hands hung limp at her sides.
Zelda considered her. "I suppose stranger things have occurred."
"Princess—" It was Arielle who spoke. Her voice was a battle between two tones, dissenting and courteous. "You can—you cannot trust her so soon."
Zelda lifted a hand.
Anything Arielle had prepared to say fell away.
"I did not say I trusted her," Zelda said. From the corner of her eye, she watched the girl with the green hair.
Saria did not react.
"But if she is connected to the third Guardian in more than just name, I will make use of her." Zelda's attention returned to Saria. "You will be staying here. You will not approach my father. Formally, you are one of my servants."
At that, there was a simultaneous reaction from both Saria and Arielle.
Saria head twisted slightly to the left, her eyes flickering about as Zelda's quarters were analyzed a second time, observed with an alternate set of circumstances.
Arielle's chin lifted—a small gesture. The hard of her eyes did not change.
Zelda clasped her hands together. "Today, I ask nothing of you, but you will serve me. Catalia will provide an opportunity for you to connect your memories to reality."
Arielle's eyes widened and moved to Zelda. "Princess! I—"
She stopped herself, letting her chin fall to her chest.
"I beg your pardon, princess."
A slight turn of the head and lazy gesture of the hand from Zelda.
Arielle nodded, saying nothing.
To Saria, Zelda said, "I will have the kitchen prepare a meal for you and a tailor shortly after. Expect them to be ready before we are required to leave again. To Duke Pathos, you must appear in every way the servant. When you speak to me, you will address me as 'Your Highness'."
Saria was silent.
"Now."
A momentary quake in the girl's hands, but it passed. She lifted her gaze, though it did not rise above Zelda's chest, and said, "Yes, Your Highness."
Zelda nodded and moved to the door of her quarters. Arielle followed, albeit slowly. "Then you know all that you need to. The rest must be learned through doing?"
Zelda exited back into the dark, sunless corridors of the Grand Keep, locking the door to her quarters from the outside. She looked to Arielle and said, "Follow."
They walked in silence for some minutes, no destination chosen. It was while doing so that she monitored her handmaiden. Even behind her, she noted the loss of rhythm in the young woman's footsteps, the uncouth manner in which she breathed.
Arielle said nothing.
So Zelda said nothing.
Eventually, they crossed the courtyard. It was there, amidst the patrols of armed soldiers, that Arielle paused, and said, "Princess, I believe it is unwise the trust this girl."
Zelda stopped mid-step. "It's brash of you to attack someone's age when you yourself are so young."
Arielle bowed once. "Forgive me, princess, but I do not believe she will—" She bit her lip. "Your father may use her against you."
"He will try. My safeguard is already in place. Betrayal is now impossible." Zelda looked to the sky, where the white sun was at its peak. "But that isn't what you're failing to speak of."
"Prin—"
"Lying does not suit you, Arielle."
The tension in the shoulders of the handmaiden began to slip—but she said nothing.
Zelda waited.
Arielle averted her gaze and tightened her lips.
Several of the guards about the courtyard took an interest in the exchange. From a distance, they watched in silence, peering through the slits of their full-helmets.
Zelda slipped her hands behind her waist. She continued to face away from her handmaiden. "You will need to come with me to Catalia. Block out your jealousy, for the girl will come as well. The time will soon be upon us to provoke my father, and I will not have you here to be the subject of his wrath."
Hesitation from Arielle, followed by: "…yes, princess."
Zelda's tone fell when she next spoke. Ice lingered in her words. "I have given you safe harbor, but if your actions begin to affect your performance or add risk to the situation, you will no longer have protection from the consequences of my actions."
She faced Arielle.
"I will see to it that a tailor is sent to my quarters." A slight turn of the head. Zelda's eyes passed over Arielle. "You will notify the kitchen of her presence and have them prepare a meal to revitalize her. And you are to take it to her, allow her to finish, and then return the dishware to the kitchen staff.
"Should you allow your emotions to cloud your judgment, all privileges granted to you will be rescinded." She turned to face Arielle. "Do I make myself clear?"
Hesitation. Subservience. Arielle knelt, her head hung. "Yes, princess," she said.
The caravan bearing the Lord Geoffrey arrived three days later. Unlike the transports of King Ganondorf, Lord Geoffrey's coach was unmarked. Though pulled by four powerful stallions, its outside was an inconspicuous combination of brown paint and gold edgings. No symbol marked it as the transport of nobility—and the same went for its twin following some meters behind. To the side of each, mounted soldiers road, their bodies masked by varnished steel plate armor.
The caravan was called to a halt outside the gate of the Grand Keep, held off from crossing the moat. After several minutes, the gate was lowered, but even then, the group was kept from entering. Instead, Zelda exited, flanked on either side by Arielle and Saria, each of whom hefted large brown sacks of clothes. Zelda herself carried very little and left unarmored, clothed instead in more casual garb: a red jerkin accentuated by gold lacing.
The mounted soldiers moved aside to allow her group to pass.
The door of the first coach opened, revealing the face of Lord Geoffrey. Since his previous visit, he had shaved, but still seemed the worse for wear. His expression was sleepless, his eyes heavy. "Princess Zelda," he said, "I must ask that your servants travel in the other coach."
Zelda nodded.
Without a word, Saria moved, throwing her pack onto the rear of the second coach.
Arielle hesitated. She looked to Saria as the younger was accepted into the rear coach, then back to Lord Geoffrey. Out of the corner of her eye, she looked to Zelda.
The princess rejected her without a word.
Arielle did not slunk, but there was weakness in her gait. She dispensed her luggage onto the back of the second transport, as Saria had done, before disappearing into the coach, pausing a moment before entering.
"Princess," Geoffrey said before leaning back to allow her in.
The coach was cramped and dark. A small window behind Zelda's head granted Geoffrey access to the driver, whom he ordered off when Zelda was settled.
They traveled some ways in silence before speaking. The barren landscape made for a mixed roadway; at times smooth, at others rough. When reasonable distance had been placed between the caravan and the Grand Keep, Geoffrey spoke. The weariness of his appearance found its way into his voice. "Your servants, are they experiencing problems?"
Zelda rested her chin on the knuckle of her left index finger, staring out the window to her left. "Arielle is unwilling to accept that my endeavor requires more than a handmaiden."
"…I see."
Silence. The sound of hooves beating against ground seemed louder than normal.
"Your father consented to your leaving?"
"My father believes I am taking a long leave to Catalia so as to better contemplate my eventual courtship. It was the cost I paid to steal one of the Kokiri from his clutches." Her voice was toneless, but her eyes flickered once to Geoffrey.
"The other girl?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Zelda leaned back in her seat. "The girl's name is Saria."
"Saria?"
"Yes."
"Is there a connection?"
"Too early to determine. The name is more likely an heirloom the Kokiri have been passing down. She bears none of the traits the original Saria possessed. It is quite likely that she is nothing more than an analog."
"But?"
Zelda grinned. "But in an age where the King of Darkness reigns, we do not have the luxury of proof. For the moment, I will assume she bears some connection to the Guardian of the Kokiri. If so, we have gained the advantage."
Geoffrey nodded—a slight nod, listening only with the ends of his thoughts. He brought his hands together across his waist and leaned forward, though there was little room for such things. "Princess, about this—I parted with my father after we left. I remained in Hylium with the intention of meeting you. I did send word ahead in order to begin clearing the dig site, but I couldn't do so without allowing my father a hint of what may lay inside."
Zelda twisted her gaze, staring back out the window. "He is under the same impression as my father."
"…yes."
"And what of the site itself?"
It was Geoffrey's turn to smile. "He believes a tour of the ruins is part of my elaborate attempt to court you. He finds the idea of sealing off the temple until your arrival… romantic."
Zelda too smiled. For a moment, they shared a quiet laugh.
A moment later, she said, "Have your incompetents uncovered anything more in their observation of the outer layer?"
The smile lingered. "Little more than before. Based on the decay and the architecture, they believe it predates the Third Era."
"Anything more specific?"
A shake of the head. "No, princess. There is little else they can surmise from the outside—and you wished the site left alone until your arrival."
"I did." Pause. "How deep did you excavate?"
"Several hundred feet."
"And there were no other remnants nearby?"
"No, princess."
Zelda pondered. Outside the coach, the call of several crows circling above.
"Do you know something?" said Geoffrey.
"Perhaps, but the possibilities remain great. My conclusions will wait until I've viewed the site itself."
Geoffrey nodded, but did not continue the subject. Shifting his legs and staring at the ceiling of the, he said, "My father will expect a formal greeting prior to our entering the temple."
"Then he will have one."
Geoffrey fiddled with his hands.
"I will play along, Geoffrey; do not worry."
Relaxation. Lord Geoffrey leaned back and sighed.
It was a long journey.
The sharp contrast of Hylian and Catalian landscapes was separated by only one constant: the Zoran River. Neither land shared a similarity. On one side, the barren landscape. Lifeless and gray, bringing joy only in the form of rain, which is allowed only to cool those captured in its heat.
On the opposite side: Catalia. From any single point in Catalia, great tracts of land were visible. Endless prairies encompassed the entire landscape, broken up only by the occasional tree. Flowers of all sorts blossomed, despite the Hylian season shifting into autumn. Even the temperature in Catalia was mild, despite its proximity to Hylium.
Lord Geoffrey's entourage crossed the Catalian border after three days spent in Hylium. Some four days later, they arrived at the estate of Duke Pathos, one of three nobles who swore fealty to Ganondorf. Its resemblance to the Grand Keep of Hylium was only passing. It lacked such size and dominance. It consisted of only a single compound, four stories in height. The castle itself was circular. A double door ten feet in height allowed entrance, where commoners moved in and out without reprimand from the guard. From the outside, it did not seem to possess the necessary defenses to withstand siege.
The market fell silent at the return of Lord Geoffrey's caravan. Peddlers of wares watched as the young lord exited his coach, then turned to offer his hand to a young woman who stepped out a moment later. She accepted, but her steps were powerful and lively. Her skin was a dark brown; her hair was a dark red. Exotic.
Geoffrey moved to the castle without a thought for the servants, who had yet to begin unloading the luggage added by Zelda.
As Arielle shifted the many cases to the ground, struggling at times to find a grip on their leathery surfaces, she looked to Zelda.
Zelda did not look back.
Six guards emerged through the castle's double doors, all more heavily armed than the casual military men patrolling the estate proper. Behind them, an older man dressed in formal wear dabbed his forehead with an embroidered handkerchief.
Geoffrey fell to one knee and lowered his gaze. "Father," he said, relief evident in his voice.
The soldiers parted, allowing Duke Pathos through. He seemed older, the wrinkles on his face more evident. His movements lacked energy. With a weary smile on his face, Duke Pathos placed by hands on his son's shoulders and said, "Welcome back, Geoffrey."
Formalities past, Lord Geoffrey stood and embraced his father, who returned the gesture.
Several moments later, Duke Pathos remembered himself. He broke away from his son, falling to one knee before Zelda. "F-Forgive me, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect."
"And I perceived none."
Duke Pathos nodded, though the words of the princess seemed to go unacknowledged. Following many seconds of silence, he said, "It is an honor to host you in my house, Your Highness."
Zelda made a small display of observing the estate and inhabitants, moving her head about as though meaning to observe the merchants. "I must admit, I have only ever traveled to Catalia twice—once as an infant and once at the age of twelve."
Comfort eased Duke Pathos' sweating brow. "I hope you will find your stay enjoyable. My home cannot compare to Your Highness's domain of Hylium, but I beg you allow it a chance to surprise you."
Zelda crossed her arms. "We will see."
Duke Pathos rose. "It would honor me if you were to join my son and me for a meal. Your journey has no doubt been long."
Out of the corner of Zelda's eye, Geoffrey shifted.
"Of course," she said, though her tone revealed nothing.
Duke Pathos bowed, rose, and beckoned to his son, who moved to walk alongside his father. Zelda followed. They passed through double doors opened for them by two guards waiting inside the manor. The entryway was plain. A limestone archway passed over their heads. The walls were a dark gray. Portraits of lined the walls, all bearing physical similarity to Duke Pathos and his son.
"I apologize for my words to your father," Duke Pathos said as he guided them through the manor's halls. Their construction was simple, nowhere as elaborate as the inner workings of Hylium's Grand Keep. "I forgot my place."
"My father is unreasonable. It is not a trait we share."
"I… wish only the best for the people of Catalia."
"My father does not."
Duke Pathos said nothing more. In silence, they found the dining room, where an intricately carved a table meant for many more than three stretched across the room, silver dinnerware already placed in preparation for multiple courses. Servants seated each of them; Zelda on one side of the table, Lord Geoffrey and his father on the other.
Geoffrey's eyes found Zelda's for a moment before they sat down.
She said nothing.
They sat.
Moments later, they were served. A dozen servants carrying large silver platters entered from an inconspicuous door to the side. When opened, the sound of a kindling flame and the suppressed demands of a chef eked out. In the lead was a younger girl, who brought thin stemmed glasses to each of those dining. She then took from another servant a dusted vintage of wine and poured a small amount in each before bowing, uttering, "Your Highness," to Zelda, and retreating from the room.
Each servant repeated the process in turn, each with a different dish. At last, a meal was gathered before them. A roast pig, skinned, gutted and cooked through, surrounded by an assortment of steamed vegetables. Loaves of fresh wheat bread and a grand variety of cheeses. Soups and Nothing as elaborate as the meals hosted by Ganondorf.
Zelda lifted the knife from the right side of her plate and peeled away a layer flesh from the roast pig and moved it to her plate, ignoring the other foods offered. Lord Geoffrey chose an assortment. Duke Pathos moved foods to his plate, but did not eat. Instead, he placed his elbows on the table, rested his chin on both hands, and leaned forward in his high-backed seat wooden seat.
"I… understand that you have come to see this temple my workers have discovered, Your Highness," said Duke Pathos.
Zelda sipped a portion of her wine. "I am."
"…Geoffrey was adamant that excavations be halted until you had been given a chance to examine the site."
"That was my request."
She sipped her wine.
"I am the only one who possesses enough familiarity with the previous Eras to identify this 'temple'. If it is a relic from our past, then I will gleam whatever secrets it may hold, and protect them from the careless hands of the ignorant."
Duke Pathos picked up his glass and stared at its contents. "…Your Highness, I was—"
"I am also—" Zelda smirked. "—here to consider your son."
At this, Geoffrey paused, the barbs of his fork half driven into a section of cubed potato.
Duke Pathos continued to stare at his glass. He seemed older that moment—the gray in his beard more defined, his paunch more evident. "He is strong," he said, weakness in his voice. "I am not… as strong as I once was." Duke Pathos replaced his glass on the table and stood. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I must take… my leave. If you desire, one of the servants can show you to the quarters set aside for you."
With that, he left through the door he had entered.
Geoffrey ceased all interaction with his food, leaned back in his chair, and sighed. "Will—do you wish to see your quarters?"
"No." Zelda stood.
Geoffrey did the same, smiling. "I thought not."