Chapter 8:

Princess Zelda

Zelda was angry. She had reached the back entrance to the tavern and right now, she couldn't care less if anyone spotted her.

She was furious, but she had to admit, she was furious with herself, mostly. Had she actually thought she would fool anyone with that disguise, asking questions like she had been born yesterday? Was she really that naïve? That boy had seen through her clear as daylight. Oh how much of a fool she must look, giving grand speeches about her life, standing there in borrowed maid's clothes. Stupid, stupid!

She garnered a few wondering looks from other maids but she stormed through so quickly, they must think she had urgent business and didn't look twice.

She went upstairs, entered her chambers through the maid's entrance and was relieved to find nobody there. It made sense, the girls would all be busy preparing for their departure in a few hours.

She whipped that idiotic bonnet from her head, peeled herself out of the dress and threw it all fiercely into the clothes basket.

Finally free of that constricting stuff, she entered her private chamber.

She was a little surprised to realize, that she didn't feel at all insulted by what that… boy had said. He had clearly been extremely irate and judging from his sickly appearance he'd had a dreadful day. No, she wasn't insulted, she mused. That would be idiotic, taking his words of inane rage that serious. She was however angry and a little disappointed that he had lost his control so utterly.

But then again, so had she. Goddess, it had felt good to, for once, vent her anger at someone. Nayru knew how often she wanted to do that, but couldn't, as it would not be proper.

But now she felt guilty as well. She couldn't say, why she had felt the need to mock the poor boy. She had felt angry that this… that Link, who had been so fascinating the other day, would let himself fall to despair so easily. And over such a trivial and easy to fix matter.

Zelda was no fool. She had understood the way he had looked at her yesterday. Standing in her chamber now, rather scantily clad, thinking about the looks he had cast at her, she blushed furiously. She looked in her mirror at her reddened face. "Foolish girl, how is that going to help?" she chided herself.

Maybe she had hoped that being derided by her would pull him out of his self pity and back into determination. No, she had to admit. That's what I'm hoping now. Back there, I have simply lost my cool. With a cold feeling in her gut she recalled the shock and hurt in his eyes. Those gentle, deep blue eyes…

She sat down in front of her dressing table and put her face in her hands. Maybe it was for the best. What could possibly have come from their encounter? Maybe her, well, nastiness would settle matters for him at least. Close that short (but sweet) chapter…

She sat up straight again and looked at herself in the mirror again. A sad girl's face looked back. Zelda looked away and stood up. "Goddesses, I'm such a fool!"

She went to her dresser and picked one of her simple white dresses.

The door to what during her brief stay had been something like a sitting room opened.

"Back so soon? I thought you'd… oh."

Sally entered and closed the door behind her. She was still dressed like a princess, to throw off anyone who just threw a casual glance. She now walked up to her, worried expression on her face. As per usual, she couldn't hide anything from her cousin.

"What's wrong? Did you lovebirds have a fight?" Sally's girlish face turned rather impish.

"You could say that. He was being a brat and then so was I. I don't think I've ever felt ever so foolish in my life." She grumbled, trying to bind her dress impatiently as the anger boiled up again.

"Not even when you slipped on the stairs in front of the Zora delegation and landed in the ambassador's footbath? Here, let me, before you rip it in half." And she took the ribbons out of Zelda's hands.

"Thank you for reminding me. Also: Lovebirds?" she asked with her dangerous voice.

"Sure. You should have seen your face when you returned yesterday. You seemed like you genuinely had fun, for once. There, done. Now I can finally get out of that heavy thing. I wonder why I let you even do that little charade, if you just went and botched it." She exclaimed, somewhat muffled by the heavy fabric of Zelda's dress around her head.

"Because you're my younger cousin and it was a royal request?" it was a low blow, Zelda knew, but she wasn't particularly enjoying her best friend's antics right now.

Saria had always been a rascal, that's why she had always held her dearly. She was everything Zelda couldn't be. They had always been together. The nickname Sally had started when Zelda had still been unable to pronounce R…

Sally had finally fought her way out of the dress. Now her darkish hair was ruffled and her face was red. "That must be it. It certainly has nothing to do with me wanting you to enjoy yourself. That would just be silly." Sarcasm was dripping from her voice.

"Now tell me what happened!"

Zelda recounted what had occurred, sparing no details. All the while the two girls had tea and a whole tray of cakes to attend to.

When Zelda had finished her deliberations they sat in silence for a while.

Sally spoke first: "I have to say, he does rather sound like an idiot."

"Then I'm telling it wrong. And if he is an idiot, then so am I." Zelda sighed.

"Anyway I'm sorry that it ended like this. I had hoped you would have a few pleasant hours before we have to leave." Her cousin tried to console.

"I did have a nice afternoon, yesterday." Zelda mused, thinking back. A tiny smile played on her lips before she could stop it.

Of course it didn't slip past Sally. "Look at you, smiling like a dolt! And you always tell me to stay away from shifty looking youths. And here you go out for the first time in forever and you have fallen head over heels!" she slandered.

"Come now, it's not that bad."

It really wasn't. She had liked him, definitely. But again, what good could have come of it? She had maintained an emotional distance and it was good that she had. Her duty as Hyrule's princess would always come first.

But it still saddened her that she would have to leave today and couldn't rectify that foolish quarrel. Yesterday evening she had actually plotted to maybe play sick so her retinue would have to stay for one more day. But that were, of course, the thoughts of a child and she had abandoned them as such.

"It is of no matter anyway. We must leave and he will stay and that's that." She made a brave face.

"Well, you could always order some of your knights to just put him in a sack and drag him with us." Saria suggested innocently.

Zelda had to laugh at the thought. "Look, father, I have a new pet!" is what she would say back at court.

"And when you tire of him you can just let him be put back in the sack and delivered back to here. Easy!" her cousin continued.

Zelda giggled. "Excellent plan. I'm sure we'll find some corner in the castle where he can sleep in his sack. And when I need him I just pull him out and we'll… well, do something." She finished lamely.

"I'm sure you can think of an activity to do with him." Sally piped and with relish put another piece of cake in her mouth.

Zelda cleared her throat loudly. She imitated one of their governess' throaty voices. "Such talk is very unbecoming of a young lady. Shame!"

They both laughed for a while. It felt relieving. Maybe would just treasure this memory and move on.

Sally interrupted her musings. "And, you know, if your little manoeuvre did work and he does find his determination, then he will be at the tourney in eight weeks. Who knows? If he wins he'll receive his price from you, right?" she asked mockingly and smirked.

Zelda felt a mix of dismay and anticipation wash over her. Drat! The tourney! That would be awkward…

Two days and a half later they were well underway. She had held a brief speech about the exemplary hospitality she had received in Ord village and had thanked the mayor and her host personally.

Currently she was sitting in her father's opulent carriage, rocking back and forth with the uneven road and fighting with nausea. Around her, her ladies-in-waiting bustled about in an admirable effort to make her voyage bearable. She had no words for how she hated travelling in this eternally quaking birdcage. She would so much prefer riding on horseback, wind in her hair, sun in her face, marvelling at Hyrule's beautiful landscape. She had a horse, naturally, a gentle but energetic white mare, but she wondered why.

Soon, she knew from studying maps, they would pass through the Twins, a mountain split in twain, and shortly after they would camp for the night along Lake Nisa. She couldn't wait until they finally halted.

She made a decision.

"Anya!" the 18 year old maid stopped talking to her neighbour immediately.

"Yes, my lady?"

"Please tell Sir Craster that I wish to speak to him as soon as we have stopped." Zelda had put this off for too long already.

"As you wish, your highness." The girl stood, curtsied shakily and went to the one openable window to communicate with the outside world.

Two hours later Princess Zelda sat in a comfortable wicker chair in her tent. The impressively large canvas cave was erected each and every night for her. She always felt utterly spoilt when she watched the servants and soldiers put it up, only to stow it a few hours later. However, sleeping in the hideously stuffy carriage was just too dreadful a thought. She had sent all of her maids away. Only Saria was still present, albeit behind a screen where she was writing. Zelda had thought about allowing her to listen to the following conversation, but had decided that she would spare her that unpleasantness. Even though she was terrified about what she might learn.

"Sally, I am expecting Sir Craster in a few minutes. I'm afraid I will have to ask you to leave." It sounded horribly stilted, Zelda thought. Especially between her and her cousin.

Sally immediately picked up on her nervousness and didn't answer with her usual sarcasm. "What's wrong, Zelda? What's worrying you?"

Zelda wouldn't insult her by lying. "I will discuss the Bokoblin attack with him. I will tell you afterwards, but I want to hear his words alone."

Sally made a face "Oh, because the gruesome details would be just too much for my poor little soul to handle. I might swoon!" And there was the sarcasm. Honestly, Zelda thought, she might be 14 years of age, but in terms of sarcasm and cynicism that girl was at least 85.

"Yes, I knew you'd react that way. It won't change the outcome, however. Out! Go look at the soldier boys." She overdramatically pointed towards the tent-flap, a tiny smile on her lips.

"Hmph!" Sally hmphed. "Better than you, looking at old knights. Try not to wear out old Craster too much, with your 'discussion'. He might not survive the process."

"Out with you, you letch!" Zelda commanded, with as much fervour as she could manage between giggling and indignation.

Sally left, undoubtedly to try and eavesdrop, somehow.

Hardly a minute later Sir Craster was announced by the guards at the entrance to her tent.

"Ask him in!"

The aging knight was attending her in full armour, helmet under his arm. She chided herself for her forgetfulness. He was a very keen advocate of perfect chivalry and old age hadn't mellowed him much. And, of course, being summoned by the princess traditionally meant appearing in full gear. She should have worded her it differently, as a personal invitation, then the poor man would have been spared from wearing 25 kilos of metal.

She stood up as he entered. If he wasn't comfortable, neither would she be.

The man bowed curtly. "Your majesty. How can I be of service?"

Sir Craster was her herald for this voyage. Her father had hand-picked him and with good reason. He was a thinking man, a capable commander who enjoyed the respect of his peers. He had seen her grow up, she valued his opinion and most importantly, he would be honest if she was insistent enough.

"Please, Sir Craster, stand at ease." she found her regal voice. "I have asked you here to discuss the attack we have suffered."

The old knight did not seem surprised, he had seen this coming. He did however seem pained.

She continued. "I feel I have already shirked my duty by not enquiring sooner. My wish is that you tell me everything there is to tell."

It was voiced as a royal request, not just a mere command. She had asked him both as princess and as herself and she knew he understood that.

The aging knight looked defeated, but he rallied and began woodenly. "Very well, your highness. As you are aware two protective rings defend you at night. The outer one manned by soldiers, every fifth standing guard, the others sleeping and awaiting the changing. The inner ring is comprised by us, your sworn knights. All in all you have 125 men guarding you, 25 awake at all times, the others shielding you with their bodies."

Zelda hated that wording.

The old man took a deep breath. He truly looked old right now. "At the time of the attack, young Thodric had the watch."

She nodded, setting her jaw.

He hesitated. "Everything, Sir Craster." She reminded him, hoping that her voice didn't quiver.

"Aye, your majesty. The boy was cut down from the front. The look on his face when we found him was that of shock. Even though he was speared from the direction he was looking at, he did not see it coming until it was too late."

She nodded again. Her mind conjured the face she had placed the coins on, but instead of peaceful she envisioned it shocked and in deadly pain. The images were real, so dreadfully real.

"The boy probably couldn't even shout. It is only thanks to his brother in arms, a certain Kard, that we were immediately rallied to arms. He noticed the boy being attacked and sounded the alarm. He later reported something odd, but it was probably the shock. I've seen it before, even with weathered men."

Interesting, Zelda thought. She had a feeling that she should follow that thread. But Sir Craster wasn't through yet. "The soldiers reacted admirably, no faltering, no tumult. They had already stopped the onslaught in its tracks when we came. Together the Bokoblins stood no chance."

The more he talked, the clearer she could see it. She was almost there. She could could hear the frenzied shrieking of the monsters, she could feel the racing heartbeat of each man and woman. She could smell the blood as the attackers were slaughtered. Her stomach heaved, but she controlled it.

"How many were there in total? Twelve? Fifteen?"

The knight seemed perplexed at her accurate 'guess'.

"Fourteen. Thirteen dead, one could flee into the woods. I ordered the men not to give chase. I suspected an ambush, but nothing more happened." He sighed, his expression grim. "It makes no sense."

"Fourteen naked creatures, armed with wooden clubs and pointed sticks attacking over a hundred armed men. Why?" she asked, bewildered. The vision was slowly fading again, for which she was thankful.

She could see in his face that she had hit the question that was bothering him the most. "Precisely. Why? It was pointless. Utterly pointless death. They had no way of winning anything by that attack. In all my years I have not seen something as this. Were they starved and crazed? Not likely. Were they stupid? No. They have low intelligence, but are devious fighters. Where they hoping to sneak in? Then why attack the first man they see. And how…" he noticeably stopped himself.

"Continue." She bid him.

"How is it that the boy Thodric didn't see them? I have seen the lad, he was neither simple nor incapable…" He finished.

"I will need to speak to the soldier you mentioned before."

The old knight's pained expression came back. "If that is your wish. But I doubt he will be able to tell you any more relevant information. And, well… he might not know how to speak of such… events to a princess." He pleaded.

"You mean to protect me, Sir Craster, and I thank you for it. But I will not cower in fear over hylian blood that has been spilt for my protection. Nor will I forgo gathering intelligence if not all questions have been answered." Zelda said fiercely.

"Then ask him tomorrow, princess Zelda, please." The old fighter said gently. She was tempted to take this compromise. He could probably see her discomfort clear as day. She was probably white as a sheet and trembling. Her head was spinning from those haunting visions but her pride would not allow her to show weakness.

"No. Tonight. Now, if you would, Sir Craster." She commanded, more harshly than she had intended.

"Very well, your majesty." He acquiesced, bowed and exited the tent.

Zelda used the few moments she had to take a sip of water. When she closed her eyes she could still see the images of that night. She cursed herself for this… talent, this punishment, this ability she had. It had always been with her, showing, telling. Frightening her to death when generals spoke about battle, crushing her when envoys would tell of disasters, sickening her when people pleaded to her father for help after bandit attacks. Her father had been uncomprehending and probably would have punished her for the perceived weakness. But luckily her mother had had a similar talent and had intervened. Unfortunately she had died soon afterward, so she had been left to deal with it herself. She used it when she dared and the king had slowly learned to, if not trust, at least heed her words. Lately it had even followed her in her dreams, tormenting her with diffuse images of burning, ashen rain and ruin. Zelda was afraid that if she was forced to see the visions too regularly, too clearly, her talent would grow and invade even more.

She took deep breaths and forced her pulse to calm. She had just regained her composure when she heard approaching footsteps.

"Sir Craster, accompanied by a soldier, your majesty."

"Ask them in."

Sir Craster stepped inside, followed by a gaunt man in his fourties. He had a tired, yet nervous look about him. He went on one knee while the knight did his bow.

"Stand, please, and tell me your name." she said, gently commanding.

"Kard, your majesty. Kard Kardson, your majesty." He stammered as he rose.

"I have asked you here to tell me of the night of the attack. You are ordered to speak truthfully of everything I ask and not to leave out any uncomfortable details. If you have to speak of a failure of your duty, do so. I swear by the name of the goddess Nayru, my divine guardian, that neither you nor one of your peers will be punished." Zelda would have felt much better, if she could be gentler to this man. But she had had to learn that her trying to cross the barrier of social rank had only led to panicked confusion in them.

The soldier surprised her with a candid and, to Zelda, elating answer. "I would not lie to you, your majesty, not on my darkest day."

Zelda, moved, nodded. "I thank you. Sir Craster has already filled me in an all he has seen. But you were there first and you were there to sound the alarm, correct?"

"Aye, my lady."

"Sir Craster mentioned that you have reported something odd. Repeat it to me."

The man clearly was uncomfortable with that order. Zelda felt that he wasn't sure whether he trusted his own senses and didn't want to seem like a fool.

"I was standing to the lad's left. Thodric, I mean, bless his soul. The torches were burning, it wasn't a dark night as the moon was half full. We were both doin' our duty, your majesty, neither Thodric nor me would've lazed about, forgetting our watch."

Once again, images formed in Zelda's mind. The dark of night, illuminated slightly by torches and the moon. The sound of snoring companions. The smell of sweat as the night was warm and the leather was hot. There he stood, the 18 year old boy, alive and well, watching the perimeter earnestly. Honest eyes, a stout chin… a good man.

"Then, suddenly, it was like it grew darker. First I thought a cloud had moved in front of the moon, but then I saw the fire of the torches flicker and dim. It was as if they were about to go out from too little oil, all blue and low burning. The lad and I noticed at the same time. We looked around."

Zelda could see it. A sudden dark, like a shroud over one's eyes. The torchlight was hushed, as if suddenly all the power had left the flame. An oppressive feeling crept through her, and she noticed that all wind had ceased.

"Then he said something like "Do you see that?". It was like a… fog. But black. Not grey like mist but black like soot. And it came closer and right quick."

Zelda saw. It was like a wall of blackness creeping ever closer. It filled her with unknown terror. Suddenly she something she had never seen before. Two images in her mind, both of the same horrible darkness, but not the same. In one she saw Thodric, tense and afraid, in the other she saw other soldiers. She didn't understand. "I could see, like, long dark fingers inside, graspin' and twitchin'. I was about to shout when…"

She saw long black tendrils writhing within the darkness in both images. But also other shapes, concentrations of black malice, clawing at the boundary between their world and hers. She felt panic rise in her. Two images… why two?

"… suddenly one of those bastards jumped out at the poor boy and…"

Stabbed him, she saw. They came from that deathly cloud. Why two? Suddenly, in the same instant the boy was stabbed, she recognized the second picture. It was her tent, her men, camped along the lake. Now!

"Sound the alarm!" she shrieked. Sir Craster hesitated only a fraction of a second, wide eyed, before bellowing.

"ATTACK! TO ARMS! PROTECT THE PRINCESS!" He stormed towards the entrance and drew his sword.

Instantly Zelda heard screams of terror and pain all around her. Sounds of battle erupted all around the camp. She saw in her mind as the shadows she had seen broke through the wall and swarmed over the still rallying soldiers. Stabbing, biting, clawing at every piece of flesh they could find.

She stumbled towards her sword and yanked it out of its scabbard. She felt all the fear, all the pain while running for the exit.

She saw with her own eyes as an unstoppable flood of shadowy terrors threatened to overrun them from everywhere.

Zelda was numbed by sheer panic and horror. She stepped forward, like in trance. She saw as Sir Craster tried to grab her, slowly as if the flow of time had dried to a mere trickle.

Another image invaded her head. An image of a bright light that cut through black clouds. An image of a young woman, beautiful and strong, her face fierce, her eyes determined… and a swordsman shielding her. A feeling of wielding a pure power, guiding it with her hands, weaving it with her fingers. An image of…

"LIGHT!" she yelled, raising her hand and a rays of the brightest light erupted from her fingers. They tore through the horde of darkness, disintegrating all of the foul terrors instantly. Zelda illuminated the night life a tiny sun, turning it brighter than day. Her light dispersed the wall of fog and banished the darkness.

And just as quick as it came, it ceased. The light faded and so did Zelda's consciousness. The last thing she saw was the floor coming closer.