Link was quiet for much of the feast. Zelda was talking animatedly with three Gerudo dignitaries. Link tried to follow the conversation but much of it was lost on him.

Nobody who knew Link would consider him dumb. Anyone who did severely underestimated his cleverness. He just didn't grow up with the same sort of education that Zelda had received. However, despite the fact that Link didn't understand much of the speech that passed between Zelda and the Gerudo, he certainly paid attention to the body language. Behind the friendly smiles and gentle etiquette, Zelda was sparring with the dignitaries. Link recognized the rhythm of battle. Every "please" was a sword thrust, every change of topic was a parry, and every question was a potentially fatal blow. Zelda was a warrior of a different type.

After the feast was over, Link accompanied Zelda as she walked. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the wooden figurine he had carved.

"Oh, Link!" exclaimed Zelda. "Did you do that?"

Link nodded. "I carved this while you were in a Council meeting. Whittling helps me relax. I carve a lot of animals, and sometimes people too. I've never carved a Queen before so I hope my work is up to royal standards."

"It's amazing, Link. Whittling faces looks difficult but I can easily recognize myself in your work. That's the hallmark of mastery. I see that I'm carrying my sword in this carving. Why carve me like that?"

"Maybe a sword in hand suits you" replied Link. "Or maybe it's because my face had a few close calls with your sword when Ganondorf was possessing you. That's the kind of thing that sticks in a person's mind."

Zelda let out an embarrassed laugh. "Well, I'm glad Ganondorf couldn't control me as his puppet very well. I think I have the potential to be quite deadly with a sword. Maybe you can teach me what you know of swordfighting tomorrow. In return, I can teach you what I know of archery."

"That sounds like fun to me" said Link.

"Tomorrow will be a very busy day, and that's why I am going to retire to my bedchamber now. You will be staying in the chambers adjacent to mine. It was actually where I used to sleep when I was still a princess before becoming Queen, so it will be comfortable enough for you."

"I very much appreciate your hospitality" said Link as they arrived at the door to Zelda's chambers. Link bowed to Zelda and then left her side to walk to the entrance to his own chambers.

"Oh, and by the way, Link" interjected Zelda right as Link was about to step through the door. "If you want your accommodations to be even more comfortable, you may want to search the large wardrobe along the back wall of your bedchamber. There's a false panel in the back. If you're as smart as I think you are, you will easily figure out why I told you about it, but it's entirely up to you whether or not you make use of that knowledge."

Zelda winked mischievously at him before she disappeared into her chambers. Her words captivated Link's attention. Ever since she had arrived in Ordon Village, she had been acting purposefully vague and mysterious around Link, but this was something altogether different. She desperately wanted him to know something but just couldn't bring herself to say it aloud.

Link resolved to figure out what she wanted to tell him. He purposefully strode through his antechamber and into the bedchamber that lay beyond. The luxurious bed looked like the most comfortable bed he had ever seen but he walked right past it without so much as a second glance. He headed right towards the wardrobe at the back of the room and threw open the doors.

It was filled with very expensive looking clothes. Despite the fact that it used to be Zelda's bedchamber, all of the clothes were male clothing. Link realized that Zelda had prepared for his stay before she left for Ordon Village. That had to explain it. Carefully, he removed the articles of clothing and laid them out on the bed. He did this methodically until the wardrobe was emptied out. He then reached into the wardrobe and placed his hands on the wooden panel on the back. With a little effort, he was able to slide the false panel to the left, revealing a opening of sorts that went directly into the wall of the bedchamber. It was a secret passage.

Somehow, the fact that Zelda would have had a secret passage in her old bedchamber didn't surprise Link in the least. Without hesitation, he climbed through the opening and entered the secret passage. It wasn't very dark like he would have expected. The passage was lit by mirrors, which were located near small vents along the corners of the passageway. The source of the light was hidden by the system of mirrors but the light was visible enough. The passageway went downhill and then suddenly plateaued immediately after a hard left turn. After a short walk, there was another left turn and the passageway started going uphill.

Link retraced his steps in his mind. Downhill, then left and flat, then left and uphill... and Zelda's chambers were to the left of his chambers. He realized then that the secret passage led to Zelda's chambers.

That realization caused the cryptic nature of Zelda's clue to make a lot more sense. She was giving him an invitation that she knew he would figure out when he got to the point where he was at presently. It was now his decision whether or not to take the next step or to return to his own chambers. Link had stood at the thresholds of numerous bleak and frightening dungeons, and had boldly stepped through ominous doors to meet the deadly beasts that waited beyond, but never before had Link's first steps beyond and unknown doorway been so nerve-wracking.

Link took a deep breath and slid the panel in front of him out of the way.