The King's Decision

"Do you think he's going to let me in anytime soon…?" I had resorted back into the confines of my room after spending the entire afternoon stalking an unmoving door. Nobody would tell me anything as usual. I was used to the somber sympathetic looks every person who crossed in and out of my father's keep. I felt like a lonely little puppy waiting for their master to come home. I perked up whenever the door whisked open and then hung my head low as soon as it was quickly shut. All I could hear were hushed whispers, the smell of incense, and a few brief images of the bed and the backs of bent over Hylians.

"I don't know dear. I'm sure he'll call on you when he's ready." The voice came from Fira. Although she never said anything, I suspected that she had been given the duty of keeping an eye on me. She sat quietly in the corner as she knitted small wool booties for her newest granddaughter. Her head was bowed down in the utmost concentration as she knitted feverously.

I pulled myself away from the window before catching one final glance at the sun disappearing behind the mountains. The city was dead and quiet as the wind gushed through the deserted streets. It was another unusually cold day for spring. To be outside was to risk frost bite and breathing the air was like swallowing jagged icicles.

"I don't know why he lets him in and not me." Link had returned around midafternoon with a tall native man and his daughter. They had been greeted cordially and then immediately whisked away to my father's quarters. The little girl had been taken to the guest bedrooms and was given books and toys to devote her time to. She had been very well mannered and spoke politely. Despite being timid, the glint in her eye gave away her eagerness to be chauffeured by royal handmaidens and prepared meals by royal chefs.

Fira put down her knitting needles and eyed me disdainfully as she pursed her lips. "Now I'm sure your father has his reasons." She struggled to rise from the rocking chair. It squeaked and creaked as her old bones tried to propel themselves upward. I offered her a helping hand and she stubbornly declined as her arms shook in exertion. "You were hard to keep up with this afternoon." She playfully joked, making light of the situation. She swallowed a deep breath and hobbled upwards. "Knees a little stiff today." She grumbled.

"You may take a break if you'd like." I offered as I watched her feeble body fight with the simple task of getting up and about.

"And let you run wild? No, no, no…" she chuffed as she poured herself a cold drink of water. "I have to make sure you don't get yourself into any trouble."

"It's just not fair." I felt a shrunken feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was nearly nineteen years old and treated like a little girl. If I had been born a boy I would be out scourging the lands of Hyrule and traveling the world. "It's not fair that so much is expected of me when I receive little to no gratitude for my work. Everyone but me is allowed to see him. The town drunk is allowed to see him." I scowled as Fira watched me silently with thoughtful eyes.

"Watch your tongue." Fira chided as she ambled her way back into the rocker. "That man you speak of has done a great deal for Hyrule. He brought your father medical assistance. You should be thankful to have him." Her needles clicked together in an unrequited rhythm. A small scowl was faintly seen in the crevice of her wrinkles.

"He has done great things in the past." I unenthusiastically agreed. "But a man with morals such as his is more than questionable in the presence of the king. I have never met a man that arrogant and self-absorbed in my life. It's positively atrocious the way he carries himself about."

"Aye." Fira considered in mock agreement. "Before you go and start calling that man a self-absorbed bloke, it'd be wise of you to think of his past first. I have heard many a stories of his travels to return the light. Tell me, why would a self-absorbed man risk his life for thousands of strangers?" Fira's tone was rather smug as and the steady rhythm of the needles never faltered as she conversed.

Taken aback by her disagreement I was left with nothing to say. The clicking noise filled the silence and I felt a numbing calm creep over me. I wasn't at ease, I was far from. I had just spent so much of the day in a tizzy that I had exhausted all my energy and could worry no more. Annoyance and an undying worry boiled dangerously underneath my surface and ate away at any happiness I could muster. My eyes ached and felt raw due to the lack of sleep I was getting. There were so many things to worry about. As soon as grasped one thought my mind tittered to another pressing matter and a tornado of emotion whipped violently around in my head until I could think no more.

Even though the sun had long but set, the night was far from over. After the small dispute we made up rather quickly and idly chit chatted about her granddaughter. Fira was upset about her break being put off. She had planned on visiting her daughter and husband but the routes were so snow covered they were hard to see. It was dangerous to venture off into the white abyss without direction of where one is going.

We ate dinner quietly and my mood perked as I gossiped freely with some of the younger maids that ran about the castle. Since my father had grown sick, I had taken on the habit of eating with the lower class help. It eased the loneliness and helped me get my mind off things. I longed for real friends someday, maybe when I had time.

After supper I was called to consult with the council. We were having yet another problem with our financial state. More budget cuts were set to be made by the end of the week. Hyrule's exports were coming to a screeching halt. Our dairy farmers and ranch hands were unfortunately unable to reach the quota. Ranchers were beginning to repel. The castle had since removed the privilege of subsides for farmers. With no crops or money from the royal estate to feed their families, the finger was being pointed angrily in our direction. My head felt dizzy as legal document after legal document was passed into my hands. The fine print and paragraphs all blurred together. All of them problems and all of them hinted at bankruptcy.

Once the meeting had ended it was nearing bedtime. Fira had escorted me from the conference straight to my bedroom and bid me a goodnight. She made me promise to stay out of trouble and complained about her old bones as she murmured and hobbled out of the doorway.

The room was quiet and I poked at the newly lit fire as I watched the logs turn dark black and ashy. I gazed down at my left hand and stared at the strange marking. It had not bothered me all day. I had hoped this was a good sign. Maybe Hyrule wouldn't be in danger if the shaman had truly fixed my father. The longer he stayed in his resting place, the more I realized that I wasn't cut out to be a ruler. There were so many documents, and legal matters to attend to. It was overwhelming. One person could not keep up with all the problems of a nation. I needed guidance.

There was a rap at the door. I uncrossed my legs and put the poker down. I turned the door handle and half expected to see Fira's stout figure in the frame. Instead it was the dark skinned man with the long black hair.

"Oh…" I said, apparently startled. "Please come in." I stammered as I opened the door wider. His statuesque figure remained still and his large thick lips remained unmoving as he stared at me somberly. My gut wrenched as I prepared myself for bad news.

"The King will see you now." His voice was brisk, but comforting. His somber russet eyes gave away no hint of the day's findings. He bowed respectfully as I stared at him with a confused expression.

"Is he going to be alright?"

"That is for him to tell you. If you will excuse me, I must get back to my daughter." I nodded solemnly. He bowed once more before vanishing from the entryway.

I gathered my thoughts, shuffled around awkwardly in my room thinking I needed to grab something, and then walked out empty handed. I didn't run, but I speed walked with as much poise and grace as one could when trying to get somewhere in a hurry. I could hear my heart pounding rapidly in my chest as I scrambled through the nearly empty corridors.

When I reached the door I was surprised to see that the guard's had left and the hall was empty. I swallowed dryly before cracking open the door, trying not to be frantic. I didn't know what I was expecting to see, but I was prepared for the worst. I held my breath as the image of the room flooded into sight. I focused on everything else first. There wasn't a swarm of people around my father, it didn't smell like death, the run was clean and smelled like fresh pine and herbal teas. It wasn't dark and gloomy, but rather cheery looking and illuminated with the bright orange glow from various lanterns. A large fire cackled in the fireplace and roared with immense intensity. Then there was dad.

The bed he had been in for so many days now remained empty and newly made with fresh sheets. The room almost appeared as it had been left unused for weeks. It was abnormally tidy, with floors so clean you could eat off of them. The only thing that looked out of place was the large portly body of my father sitting in an overly plush arm chair. Even though three of me could have filled the seat with room to spare, he looked squeezed and massive in comparison.

My father didn't budge an inch as I shut the door silently behind me. I felt ashamed, like I was little and about to get a scolding. I proceeded forward with caution. He caught my gaze and he looked chipper despite the heavy situation.

"Your majesty." I curtsied respectfully, a habit from years of uttering the phrase. He stroked his beard and nodded humbly. If there had been any sign of my father's illness, it was his beard. It was longer and more unruly than usual and peppered with whites and grays. If my imagination was not playing tricks on me, the white streaks were more prevalent than before.

"You needn't the formalities." His voice was meant to be soft but came out loud and abrasive as he eyed me commendably. "We are long past that." He was surprisingly jovial as he motioned for me to come closer. "Sit, sit!" he urged. My heart was beating so loud I was surprised it didn't burst out of my chest. I sat on the bed, feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. I was at a loss for words. I didn't know where to start.

"How are you feeling?" I spoke as one might speak to a frightened animal. They came out languidly and emotionless, however, my face gave away my worried discomfort.

"Ah…." He grumbled roughly and waved a massive hand through the air, as if wiping away an imaginary problem. "Healthy as I'll ever be." He growled heartily as he chuckled at some sort of internal joke. His belly rocked up and down as he laughed freely at himself.

"Did they give you anything for your pain." The knot in my stomach grew and contorted as a plethora of emotions whisked throughout my body. I felt oddly queasy and out of place.

"Real men do not feel pain Zelda. The shaman did his duty well." He paused and took a deep breath. "His services please me. Be sure and thank that blonde fellow who brought him. He looked oddly familiar."

"Link?" I said in an almost disgusted matter. My brow furrowed and I found myself biting my lip.

"Was that Link?" the king's eyes widened as he mulled the thought over. "He looks mighty different than the last I saw him running about her."

"Hmmm…" I mused softly as I fixated my eyes on a hand stitched embroidered tapestry on the wall. The cloth depicted a picture of the Three Goddesses. The fiery blood red of Din caught my eye. I shivered in spite of the sweltering temperature in the room.

"Peculiar indeed." My father continued. To my surprise, he lifted himself out of the chair with such ease and gusto. I had not expected such mobility from a man who had been bedridden for weeks. He began to pace the room like an animal trapped in a cage for too long.

"I have not called you here to talk about my health. There is something very serious I want to discuss with you. In my time here, I have considered this idea many a time and I think I know the right thing to do." He spoke with such a calm grace that I found myself entranced in his words. I nodded grimly and eyed him like a cat would eye a mouse.

"Now, I know that you are blossoming into a young woman. The sickness brought much realization with it. I now understand things I was not able to see before. One really starts to appreciate life after looking into the eyes of death." He paused and seemed to consider an unknown thought.

"I spent many hours worrying about my wellbeing and what was to come of me. I spent many hours brooding over you as well. You are a very smart girl, just like your mother, but you are far from ready to run a kingdom." The King cleared his throat and let his words sink in.

"I don't understand father?" My voice was cold and emotionless. I had expected some kind of release, or weight to be lifted off of me when I came here. Instead the gnawing hole in my stomach only worsened. I picked at a loose string on the comforter. It uncoiled and ripped the seam. My father didn't notice when I threw the thread on the ground.

"What I am getting at Zelda, is…" he paused to collect his thoughts. "Well I guess what I am saying is that you are to be wed." His voice rang throughout the room in an ethereal manner and time seemed to stop.

"Father…I haven't even began courtship yet." I was smarted to sound calm and poised but instead I felt childish.

"There is no need for courtship." He said vigorously, cutting me off. "I have already made the proper preparations."

"You have chosen a suitor for me! When was I going to be informed? When were you plan-" his booming voice stopped my prying and a look of malevolence spread across the king's face.

"You will let me speak!" he thundered in annoyance. I felt like I was shrinking, crumbling into myself. "I have already made the proper preparations." He repeated, making sure that I had his full attention before continuing. "I am telling you now aren't I?"

"I have spoken with my dear friend Adravan. He has a son. He is a handsome lad and has the chivalry of a true gentleman. They are not royalty but they have certainly proved their allegiance to Hyrule and have made a respectable living."

"But father I-"Just as the first word slipped out of my mouth the king had already raised his finger, urging me to be silent. He scowled and paused another moment before starting back up.

"I will not be here to protect you forever. It is important that I see you in good hands before my time here is gone. The Dranavir's are very respected and have riches beyond your wildest imagination. They are hardworking people and I would trust Adravan with my life. The hardships of Hyrule are becoming all too real and are getting out of hand. It is our duty to protect and serve our people. We must put our own selfishness and dignity aside and ask for help in our time of need. The people need it." A long silence filled the air and I couldn't bring myself to speak. A fire burned deep in the pit of my stomach and I resisted the urge to be sick. My already drowning mind seemed to explode and spill over as the new information leaked its way into my mind.

"Is this new man going to be the King?" Keeping my voice level was the least I could do. I was teeming in an uncontrollable fashion as my hands trembled. A shock was sent up my arm. I looked down to see the Triforce light up before the glow disappeared.

"When I die, yes this man will be king. He will not be unprepared. I have invited Adravan and his family to join us in this time of need. Adravan and I will see to it that the boy is learned and prepared. I would not leave you without that gift." The King caught sight of me sulking and his expression turned livid.

"Do not act like a child Zelda." He said crossly as he took a step or two towards me. "Now is not the time to be greedy. You should know this."

"I am not being greedy father." I spat uncontrollably. "I just do not see why you are allowing some strange man to run our country."

"This is why you are still a foolish little girl. You speak as if we are entitled to this position. I earned the title of king. I was not born into it. This country is ours only if we can take care of her needs."

"Do not call me a fool!" My temper flared instantaneously and I was nearly blind with fury. I was not a foolish girl. This was my life he was talking about. I would be serving underneath this unknown man for the rest of my life if we did get married. I would bear his children, and follow his orders long after my father was gone.

The King tightened his lips defiantly and pulled at stroked his beard zealously. "I have already arranged for the Dranavirs to arrive before dusk of next week. It will be done with or without your consensus. It would be wise of you to have an open mind about this matter." The angry tone had disappeared and the stolid iron clad voice of the king returned.

"Please father, give some thought to an alternative solution." I pleaded mercilessly as felt an indescribable wave of helplessness wash over me.

"Go back to your room now. That's an order."