Chapter 5- An Unexpected Visitor
Slipping slightly on the stones Link gripped the meat skewer between his clenched teeth.
"Don't you dare come back here you little rut," the chef called up at him, though Link knew deep down she was fond of him. He probably had stolen far too much from the kitchen and yet the round woman still allowed him to come in and watch her cook. He had learned quite a bit from her and could cook a pretty mean omelette now.
Now he was in his element, climbing. It was the one thing that drowned all the noise of his life out and he would often evade the guards and climb the plentiful towers of the Castle. He had gained quite a reputation doing so and thanks to his new Hylian hood and a shieka face scarf the bet among the guards to find out who he was one that would never be collected, they just didn't know who the child was.
Link scrambled up the last window looking in at a very surprised nobleman who let out a shrill squeak much to the hooded boy's amusement. He clambered up the spire and leant out one hand clasped around it tightly. It was one of his favourite views. Hyrule field stretched out before him beyond the walls of Castletown in all its green splendour.
It was a boundary he was yet to cross but he sure as hell planned to. Being stuck in the cramped town was awful. Sure there were so many people to talk to and a diverse range of characters and races. Only the other day Link had met one of the rock people who had shown Link the best rocks to eat, though he hadn't tried any yet. Despite this, he still longed for the smell of grass and the clean crisp air it called out to him from beyond the walls, more than anything though he missed home, and Grandpa.
He winced a little the blows to his body still throbbed madly, today's training session had not gone well.
"Pay attention you stupid boy, what are you thinking of this time."
His trainer Orca's sternness could only be matched in how hard he hit. Link had joined the academy many years before the rest but now he was thirteen the same age as the other newbies and would get no preferential treatment. The numerous bruises and nosebleeds were a showcase of that. Still the academy was not all bad he had some friends and the Senior Knight Alfonzo was nice to Link. His father had always spoken admirably about him
He looked back. Where to climb today?
Link picked out the tower to the west of the castle which extended out from the main building via a tall bridge. It stood out from almost everything save for the main inner sanctum which would take far too long to climb and would likely push the guards a little too much. Before the other tower had seemed too difficult to actually get too unnoticed, the secluded tower was oddly well guarded but perhaps today would be the day.
Link launched himself onto a nearby roof landing with a heavy roll and likely shocking everyone beneath it. As he ran he felt the gentle clink of the tiles beneath him. He would make it to the tower easily this time, there were almost no guards about the castle. They were likely responding to the Yiga attack in the Faron region.
Link jumped of the final roof. The tower was far too tall and smoothed to reach the top from the very bottom, he would have to cross the bridge and then make his way up with half the distance already covered. He stuck the landing and fell heavily with a loud crash onto the bridge bellow.
Damn everyone in Castletown probably heard that.
Several footsteps were coming from behind the doors into the main castle, in a few mere moments Link knew the guards would be on him. There was nowhere to go other then back the way he came.
Think Link think.
There was only one very stupid idea that popped into his head. He vaulted over the side of the bridge and dangled off slightly, trying desperately to control the heavy breaths of exertion.
Not good enough they'll see my hands.
Latching his toes on a gap between the bricks he held desperately onto the side of the bridge with just his fingertips. The pain of hanging there was intense, despite Link's calluses, there was barely anything to hold onto but it was far better than being caught.
Three guards burst onto the rooftop and rushed across the bridge into the room on the other side. The sound of sheer shouting could be heard from inside. Link felt himself shimmy slightly down the side of the bridge, one foot having nothing to rest on and simply dangled out into the air. A few chips of rock fell, clattering to the ground below quietly. He heard the guards exiting the room.
"Geeze what's gotten her so riled?" one asked.
"Were you not here yesterday she argued with him again it was rough stuff I could hardly believe my ears," another replied with a more gruff voice.
"Can't wait till you get a child we'll see how you fare…" the previous guard said.
"He's probably already got several, he just doesn't realise it yet," the final man chuckled.
"Shut it, I definitely wouldn't lock my child away to pray every day, the girl only talks to those three Shieka and that Gerudo when she visits," the gruff guard spat back.
"Urbosa? Damn I wouldn't mind being locked away with her…"
"I bet you would she'd tear you into pieces besides your far too ugly for anyone."
"What was the noise anyway?"
"Probably you smacking your fat head on something," one said to a chorus of chuckles.
There was more arguing but the sounds of their voices muddled behind the now closed door leading back into the castle. Link stayed perfectly still until he knew they were gone. After waiting a few seconds his arms could take it no longer and he pulled himself up onto the bridge. His clothes were covered with dust.
Ma is going to kill me.
What the guards were talking about Link had no clue, he had stopped listening to the various rumours long ago. It seemed there was always something worth a gossip about, whether it was the chancellor's affair or the various nights of debauchery enjoyed by some of the Knights. He sighed and climbed up onto the side of the bridge and balanced his way across to the tower at the end.
Link clambered onto the first window ledge, he could hear movement from inside but it would be fine it was not like anyone could catch him now and he had his sailcloth if things got a little too dire.
All that was left was a quick run up the blocked window and he would begin the final climb to the top, it was a maneuver he practiced regularly. He stretched his legs and pushed his legs and hands onto the window. The rafters were not shut properly. They swung open. Link fell to the floor heavily headfirst and slammed into the room bellow.
Ouch.
Link rubbed his head slightly it sang out to him in throbbing pain almost as bad as Orca's staff blows. There was going to be a lump and he knew, thankfully his Ma had stopped asking questions about the bumps and bruises, even the bloody noses. She just looked at him with the silent sad eyes, the ones he hated.
Oh Goddess…
Link remembered what he had fallen into. He opened one eye already grimacing. He was really done for now his father was going to absolutely murder him. He let out a little gasp.
"Are you okay?"
Large green eyes were right there in front of his face, a sweet smell of blossoms had clouded over Link making him feel a little woozy. In front of him knelt a girl with golden blonde hair her hand was placed gently on his knee and head was tilted slightly in consideration. Link had seen many things already in his life, the blue lights of the Zora domain, the green trees of Hateno and the sunset over Lurelin. Still the girl before him was just...
"Huh?" he muffled out. His heart seemed to be racing quickly but he had forgotten how to get up and run and so just sat there looking blankly at her.
The girl's lips move up slightly in an amused smile. "Your head is it okay?" she asked. "I don't think calling the physician would be clever but I might just have what I need here."
She moved over to her desk and began to mash at something in a pot. The girl was around his age and height and wore a long elegant dress which was blue but lined with golden thread. Clearly she was of some significance in the castle which explained all the guards. Link felt dumbfounded why she hadn't called for them already, he was a complete stranger in her room with a hood and…
No, please no.
But there it was, the Shieka mask had fallen from his face to the floor and hood had retreated from the top of his head. The girl could see clearly who he was. Yep he was totally going to be murdered, she was just mocking him really he had nowhere to go.
"I think deep down I knew who the hooded boy who the guards talk about had to be you but I didn't expect to ever see you again," she spoke with some grain of amusement. "I'm guessing you're also probably the one person in this castle who doesn't know who I am, unless that vacant look is because you hit your head a little too hard."
"Argh," Link rubbed his head again the mention of it seemed to make it cry out even harder. He did seem to recognise the girl though although he could not place who she was or her name. The only noble his age who he'd met was-
She looked back and chuckled at his sudden shocked expression. "Yeah we met in the Domain," she said. "I'm afraid I remember it all too well, back then I didn't speak to many my age. Now I'm simply not allowed to."
"Princess Zelda?" Link whispered.
"Too right!" she allowed her smile to widen and came forward with the concoction she had made. "Drink this."
Link necked the mixture, it tasted foul and almost made a reappearance into the princess's lap but he forced it down. What the hell was in it? Lizards? Insects? But his worries were subsided when the pain dissipated and Link felt the swelling on his forehead go down significantly. It was almost like Mipha's magic, if instead of a warm healing was an arduous journey into foul tastes.
"How do you feel? Has your vision turned purple?" she asked.
"Erm no I feel fine," Link said wondering what she could possibly mean by purple vision.
"Oh really?" she said jotting something down in her journal. "If something out of the ordinary happens like you begin to grow another toe let me know."
"Was that safe to drink?" he inquired. Link didn't really fancy an eleventh toe.
"Probably, the last guards didn't seem to take to it kindly though," she replied not a thought of worry slipping onto her face. "Though I'm sure you'll be fine and it's not like you can complain you did break into my room."
Yeah…he'd forgotten about that bit, though it wasn't like he had been trying to break into her room just trespass slightly and loosen a brick or too here or there. Not anything to be annoyed about, that was for sure. It wasn't like he felt shame in being found out, instead he was feeling oddly…shy.
A knock came at the door. "Princess?" the guard from earlier was calling from the other side.
She sighed deeply before calling out fiercely "Yes!"
"S-sorry for the disturbance w-we just heard another crash," he called in. Link was sure as hell thankful that they hadn't entered into the room like earlier but something told him the guards wanted that even less than he did.
"For the final time I'm fine. Go. Away," the final words seemed to rise in intensity and three quick footsteps could be heard scurrying away. They would likely be staying away indefinitely regardless of the noise.
"Don't worry your secret is safe with me but on one condition…" she looked to him still showing that stern expression.
"What is it?" he asked quietly. He definitely wasn't going to be drinking anymore of those damn elixirs he was fine with having the normal amount of limbs and didn't fancy growing extra horns either.
"Just get me the hell out of here. You managed to get in and were surely aiming to get out, you'd just have to do it with a princess," she looked to him with wide optimistic eyes.
"Yeah that sounds simple just smuggling the Princess of Hyrule and heir to the Kingdom out of a literal fortress right?" Link said, he had managed to regain some of his confidence and of course his charming charisma.
She huffed. "Look I get it'll be difficult but I really need this, I feel I'll go crazy if a pray a second longer and I'll not be leaving for the springs for a few weeks," she explained. The Princess looked at Link with a stare that made him feel a little uncomfortable, as though the cotton clothes he was wearing had suddenly become rough to the skin.
He thought for a second sit sat there on his arse. "Okay, I can do it, but just an hour and you'll have to get back into the castle on your own."
She yelped with glee and through herself into Link in a fierce hug. Zelda withdrew smiling slightly. "Well then," she said. "shall we be off?"
Trying to ignore the flush of his cheeks Link nodded.
"That thing really is amazing I wouldn't mind taking a look at it there are some people I know who would love to see it."
Link folded away the paraglider he had made many improvements to the sailcloth over the years some of the previous prototypes had been pretty unsuccessful one even causing a pretty badly broken arm. Now through trial and a lot of error he had a design that seemed to work perfectly but still didn't get in his more active choice of hobbies.
Just over the indentation of the moat was Hyrule field and he was eager to get to it. He clambered up only to be swiftly passed by the Princess who giggled with delight at being in the open air. She really should've been a little bit quieter with there being a small guard's post but a way down the moat but Link was strangely content with watching her run about across the grass with not a worry in the world.
"Thank you," she breathed in the deepest sincerity. "I've only been out but once in my life, past being a baby, but I missed it while I've been gone."
"You really need to get out more then," Link grinned. "Not that I can talk that trip back from the domain was my last time here too."
She walked over to him gently. "How many places have you been?" her voice was dipped with curiosity.
Link scratched the back of his head thinking to himself. "Well I'm not the most travelled person but I've been to Kakariko once on the way to the Domain, Lurelin village too once to see one of Ma's friends, when I was much younger."
"How is she, your Mother?" Zelda enquired. "I liked her when I met her all those years ago."
Link felt his heart tug slightly. His mother was not in a good state the complaints about the academy's treatment of him had fallen on deaf ears and she no longer fussed over him but, the hurt was still there in her voice every time she asked how his day was. His father was also barely around, always either off on some errand for the King or, in one the late night meetings with him and the Knight Alfonzo. When he did return it was in exhaustion but in those rare moments when he did they were a family once more and his mother's smile returned earnestly.
"She's fine," he replied. Link hoped his face didn't give away his blatant lie. The trainers said his inability to control his emotions was his greatest weakness, unless that emotion was anger. With anger he often surprised the instructor often completely overwhelming his fighting partner.
"I see," she said reacting to Link's defensive answer.
They walked for a while, evading a few patrols here and there before finally arriving at a small woodland where Zelda took a seat on a small stump gesturing Link to sit beside her. Link conformed and took a seat next to the Princess and with recollection he brought out the meat skewer from earlier, not quite realising why he hadn't eaten it in the first place. It was cold but food was food.
Zelda studied him as intently as when he had swallowed the elixir. "What made your family leave Hateno?" she asked.
It was clear she was just trying desperately to make conversation, it was already widespread knowledge that the Calamity was predicted to come once again and that his father had returned to help prepare. "My father had to return to take his mantle as Captain of the Guard and right hand to the King," Link gestured to himself. "My Ma and I are here because of my training."
"Your training?"
"Yeah I'm part of the new scheme training a whole new generation of Knights for the castle I was just lucky to be let in earlier." It felt strange to say it aloud it always did. He was different to the other children because of it, the extra training sessions didn't help either but those hadn't even been force by the King but the Academy themselves.
"Do you enjoy it?" she asked. The princess looked happy he was talking more freely now. "There are a lot of rumours about the academy."
Link had heard the rumours too around the castle, that the guard practically beat the kids to death there and instigated a survival of the fittest environment, and that the Knights that came out were more stone faced than the Gorons by the end of it.
"It's not like that, sure it's hard work and all, and you do take a few beatings but all the squires I've spoken to aren't exactly brainwashed," he wasn't lying this time he really didn't believe the rumours to be true. "I'm friends with some of them, they've just got a more bleak look on everything that's all. Most of your friends are probably just over-exaggerating."
"I wouldn't know…" her kind expression had soured. "I've never really had a friend at least not one who wasn't an adult and I feel as though they just feel bad for me."
"Oh…" Normally silence made Link content. He would often come out of conversations exhausted and needing a break somewhere to sit in silence and clear his mind but now the silence was uncomfortable. She had been so friendly to him already and he could hardly say he's returned the favour up to this point. "Why's that?" he asked unable to think of where else to take the conversation.
Zelda smiled dejectedly as though the words that were to come next had become second nature to her and yet they were not her own. "My father and his advisors have decided there is not enough time for me to truly have a childhood and that the Kingdom must come first, I am to remove all social obligations in my life and am to concentrate on praying."
She looked down at her hands which had come to rest on her lap, one thumb fiddled awkwardly with the other but the discomfort was still not showing in her speech. "The only thing I real have to do other than praying is research, though I at least try to stay out of the Shieka scholars way I feel much more gifted in that aspect," she would not meet his gaze which had now softened in sympathy. "It helps me to not feel completely useless you know?"
Link nodded resolutely as she looked to him. He knew exactly how she felt, the achievements of his father weighed heavily on him and he was expected to match his father eventually which seemed almost impossible feat. No one moved like him, with equal measures of grace and ferocity.
There was much he still wanted to say but the sun had begun to bathe the field in an orange glare, a sign that his mother was soon going to worry about where he was. "We better get going," he said. "I won't be able to get back into town during the night."
He got up but the Princess remained motionless. "Link…?"
Link hummed quizzically ushering her forwards.
"Would you mind doing this again… If you have the time of course, I wouldn't force you to-"
"I'm always free around the same time so unless I'm in a bad shape I can meet you at your tower," Link said in that deadpan tone that was so much like his father's.
To Zelda it didn't matter and she could do very little to hide the curl of her lips, the dilation of her pupils and the slight crinkle around the eyes.
"I would like that,"
They turned back to the city and Link began to talk fondly about his childhood in Hateno and their fond memories of the domain. Their shoulders brushed ever so slightly as they walked towards the slowly growing shadow over the Castle.