Here's this one, finally. Just finished chapter 14. Enjoy! Pay attention to this chapter, it drops hints.
11
Royal Library. Ashlyn's Panic. Rushing.
When Link woke up, he thought for a moment that he was in the Amalgam. But there were metal cell bars across from him. What he was lying in was not his bed. His arrest yesterday had actually happened. He sat up, brushed the thin blanket aside, and got off the cot. There was something he really needed to do. Out of habit, he made the bed first. Then he walked to the corner, pulled his leggings and undergarments down, and crouched over the bucket to relieve himself. Once that was taken care of, he slid into his boots since the stone floor was cold.
A few minutes later, a guard brought him a tray of food. It was a full meal and good, which was better than he had been expecting. He leaned against the left wall, holding the tray in one hand. When he had finished eating, he set it on the ground near the door, since there was no table.
''Do you want to take a bath now?'' a soldier asked.
Link glanced up. ''A bath?'' he asked. He wondered why they were offering such a nicety. That didn't usually happen in prison, did it? Wasn't there supposed to be a set time for bathing, if at all?
''Yes. You could have had one yesterday but by the time they found you...''
''Oh. Uh, yes, I would like to bathe.''
He was taken upstairs to a bathing chamber, which he went inside. He latched the door. The water, when he entered it, was pleasantly warm. He cleaned himself and washed his hair with one of the various bottles of hairsoap. Noticing the matching bottle of conditioner, he had an idea. It was supposed to make one's hair softer. Usually only the nobility and upper classes used it frequently. Most other people used it for special occasions, if ever.
Link decided he would try it. He took some and smeared it in his blond hair. He knew it was supposed to stay for a few minutes to work, so he waited. When he thought enough time had passed, he rinsed it out. It had worked; when he ran his fingers through his wet hair, it felt silky. Satisfied that he was clean, he got out of the bath.
After he had dried off and gotten dressed, he unlatched the door and opened it. The soldier, who was waiting outside, glanced at him as he came out.
''Right then. Come.'' He gestured for Link to follow.
''Where?'' Link asked.
''Her Royal Highness is waiting for you.''
Princess Zelda was awake? Link assumed it was around six thirty in the morning. ''She's awake at this time?''
''Yes. She planned to wake early today.''
Although the thought of seeing the Princess again sent shivers down his spine, Link followed the soldier to the foyer and into one of the lifts. He counted the floors they went up. The soldier stopped the lift at the ninth floor.
The hall had no doors. Link assumed that wherever he was being taken to was around the short corner, directly above the throne room which was many floors below. He was led around that short corner. They walked to center of the hall and turned to face the north wall.
''The Princess is in there,'' the soldier said, pointing at the door across from them.
''You're not going to go in? Aren't you supposed to guard me?''
''No. I was ordered to wait by the door.''
Link steeled his nerves and opened the door, stepping inside.
The room was very big. It was the castle's library. Bookshelves lined the walls and were placed in rows. Tables were arranged nearby. But where was the Princess? Link started walking in between two rows of shelves, noticing that while some of the books looked to be new, others looked like they were very old.
There was another area when he came out from the aisle between the rows. Standing with her back to him was Princess Zelda, holding a book in one of her gloved hands. Then she turned to face him, a small smile curving her lips upwards for a brief second. She was wearing a dress similar to the one she had worn yesterday; he could not tell if it was a different dress.
Link respectfully knelt on the floor. Did he do that right?
''You may rise,'' the Princess's flat voice stated.
He stood, feeling quite nervous. What did she want from him? Why was she keeping him alive? What was she planning?
She went up to him, standing about a foot away. He roughly calculated her height, assuming that she was wearing shoes like the short heels she had worn yesterday. She was actually almost as tall as he was, based on his rough estimate. Granted, she might have been wearing different shoes. He might have been off a little.
''Did you sleep well?'' she asked, still in a flat tone. He was starting to wonder if she ever put emotion into her speech at all.
''Y-yes, Your Royal Highness,'' he replied, trying to keep his voice level. ''The castle dungeon is a lot...cleaner than I expected.''
She seemed amused at his statement. ''Very good. Yes, the front of the dungeon is much nicer than the back. You are quite fortunate to be kept up front.''
For some reason, that sent a chill down his back. Did that mean there were other people down there in worse conditions than his?
She noticed his apprehension and smiled faintly, one of those smiles that made another chill run down his back. ''You do not have to worry. If you behave, you will not be locked in the back.''
He didn't know if she was joking or not. It was impossible to tell by her emotionless tone. ''...So why did you have me brought here?'' he asked, changing the subject.
''This library is the largest in Hyrule. It has books dating back to the founding of this country and even some before that. It is one of my favorite places in this castle.'' She placed her book on a table nearby. ''I think it would be more comfortable for you to sit.''
Link sat down in the closest chair to him. She took the chair across from him. Her icy blue gaze unsettled him; it was almost as if she could see right through him. Such a thing was impossible, even with magic, but it was unnerving all the same.
''As you know, my father is ill and unable to govern. So I rule in his stead-''
''You're not doing a very good job up here,'' Link said, interrupting. Then he sucked in a sharp breath, shocked that he had just said that aloud. Oh Goddesses, what was she going to do now that he had most likely insulted her?
Princess Zelda seemed unfazed by what he had said. ''Oh? May I ask why you think so?''
''Your people are suffering. Some can not pay their taxes. Your soldiers harass and beat them. I have seen this for myself,'' Link replied.
''The soldiers keep order. Surely you do not want lawlessness?'' she said calmly.
''Order? What the soldiers are doing is rather harsh for order, Princess.''
''That is your opinion. Perhaps stricter practices are needed to keep the people in line,'' she said, still calm. ''If criminals are not punished, what is to stop other people from doing what they do?''
''While the law must be obeyed... You are oppressing the people you are ruling over. Those people did nothing.''
''You do realize that you have broken the law? You and the rest of the rebels?'' she asked.
''Yes, I am well aware that I am guilty of treason. But with good reason,'' he replied. But there was something else he wanted to know. ''Knowing this, why are you keeping me alive?''
''As I said, you are useful...Link Aldamear.''
A chill went through him when she said his surname. He hadn't told any of the Resistance his surname. But she knew it. She knew who he was. Well, he had expected her to, seeing as her ancestors were often paired with his to defeat evil. But hearing her say it was unnerving.
''Is that the only reason? Because of my ancestry?'' he asked. Right, if she had him executed, that would put the country in a bind. He was supposedly the next hero, just because he was descended from the father-son line of all the previous heroes.
''No. The rest is not for you to know.'' There was a note of finality in her statement.
Ah, I see. Keeping me in the dark... ''So, am I supposed to assume you'll keep me chained up here as a prisoner?''
''Well, you will have a bit more freedom, but yes. You will not be leaving any time soon,'' she answered.
Link had gone missing. He had said he was going to the Southgate safe house. He had not returned. They had assumed he had stayed there. But when he hadn't shown up in the morning, the search began.
Ashlyn had questioned Johann and the others, who had not even seen him because they had been on a raid. Johann had said that Link certainly had not stayed the night. Someone nearby had told her that they had seen a boy of Link's description being taken away by soldiers. Her eyes widened in horror and she asked her next question, ''When was this?''
''Around two forty yesterday. It seemed like they were waiting for him.''
Oh Goddesses. Ashlyn ran back to the Amalgam, panic setting in. She threw open the door and rushed to Risbon. ''They've taken him! Link's been arrested!''
Cries of surprise and horror erupted from the group. Lux looked ill, Glurak turned a shade paler than he already was and Tancred cursed.
''What!? What... No. No!'' Risbon took a moment to regain control of himself. Such news was the worst he could receive today. ''When?''
''Yesterday afternoon, apparently. They were waiting for him when he got there.''
''Damn!'' Risbon swore.
''Is there any time left? We have to do something!'' Ashlyn demanded.
With a feeling of dread, Risbon asked, ''Did you find out where they took him?''
''The person I questioned said they saw them get into a carriage, which was heading to the castle.''
Risbon took a breath. ''They need the Princess to sign the death warrant. That's why they take captured Resistance members to the castle. It might be too late. But... They like to hang people at noon. Since noon had already passed yesterday, they might not have done it. We still might have a chance.''
''What are we waiting for!? Let's go!''
After she had met with him in the library, Princess Zelda had left to do something. She had told him he could walk around the castle as long as he had guards with him. As much as he did not want to be supervised, there wasn't anything he could do about it. Complaining wouldn't do much and he was not one for complaining. Fighting would only make things worse.
Besides, he knew he was a prisoner. He knew that. He knew from the moment he had been arrested. No matter how nicely he was treated, he still couldn't leave. The Princess had even said it, in not so many words, that he was going to be held here against his will. He had thought they would execute him, but that, thankfully, wouldn't happen. Although he wondered if the Princess would change her mind if he didn't do as she wished.
So he decided to walk around the castle. That way he could figure out what was where in the enormous building. He left the library and stepped into the hall, where the guard was waiting.
The main Resistance group ran to the central square as fast as their legs could carry them. When the reached the square, they expected to see a crowd and Link being led up the stairs to the scaffold. But there was no one assembled near the gallows, nor was anyone on it.
''What... Where is he?'' Ashlyn asked, confused.
''They might have hanged him at the castle. It's not unheard of, especially if they thought he'd escape...'' Risbon said grimly.
''Shit! We have to make sure!'' Ashlyn said.
Lux walked over to a soldier. ''Are there any executions scheduled for today?''
The soldier looked surprised. ''No.''
''Did you hear of any at the castle?'' Lux asked.
''No. Though if you want to be sure, ask the guards at the castle gates. They might know.''
The King of Hyrule was resting in bed. Once again, he cursed the fact that he could not get up and rule. He hated feeling like this, like he was not getting anything accomplished. Damn whoever's behind this!
He heard the doors to his royal chambers open and close. Then the doors to his bedchamber were opened. In walked his daughter.
''Zelda,'' he said, sitting up.
''Father. How are you feeling?'' she asked flatly.
His daughter was so different now. It was like she was another person entirely. Even her physical appearance had changed. But even from here, he knew what was going on. There was a rebel group taking up arms. He didn't blame them, not after the things he had heard his daughter was doing.
''Unwell, as per usual. I do wish this would go away,'' he replied, shaking himself out of his thoughts.
''I am sorry to hear that.'' Her voice was emotionless, mechanical. She stepped closer to his large, canopied bed.
''Has anything happened?'' he asked.
''Captain Rusl arrested a rebel yesterday,'' she said. There was a slight hint of satisfaction in her tone.
Well, that was...news. To keep up appearances, he said, ''Good.'' Although the rebels were, well, rebels, he understood why they were doing it. A good cause for treason. ''Has this rebel been hanged?'' he asked, trying to keep his tone detached.
''No. He is very useful to me. I intend to hold him here,'' she replied.
Ah. Well at least whoever it was would be spared. Although he had no idea what she was planning. Did she intend to use this rebel for information?
''Well, I must return to the throne room.'' And with that, she left the bedchamber, closing the doors behind her.
King Herbert sighed. Something was wrong with his daughter. He wasn't sure what, but there was something wrong.
You know how you wake up and you have to pee? That's Link in the first scene. He probably hasn't relieved himself since his arrest at two forty the previous day. Of course, he might have when he was waiting in the dungeon for an hour. Who knows? Also, he took a bath! He didn't expect them to let him do that. He's the kind of person who likes to be clean. Oh and ''hairsoap'' is obviously shampoo. They did have it in the middle ages but it wasn't called shampoo, of course.
I pronounce his surname as Alda-mere, rhyming with ''bear''.
Princess Zelda's high heels are not as high as today's heels. High heels weren't as tall as they are today. Trying to keep accurate, here. Anyways, she isn't exactly forthcoming on information. She wants to keep Link in the dark. And he stood up to her a bit, although he was afraid she would get angry and possibly order his death. She brings up some logic in her arguments, though. Lawlessness is bad, although that isn't what's happening. Link and his friends ARE technically breaking the law by rebelling but they're doing it for a good reason. It's still treason, though. Link is a good boy, he's one to follow the law and point out real crooks. The only reason he's with the Resistance is because of what the Princess is doing. Otherwise, he and the rest of the Resistance would be perfect law abiding citizens.