Chapter 4
A few hours later, Link was beginning to question if Zelda was going to wake up at all. Not for the first time that morning, he wondered at his duties as her appointed knight. Would she sleep all day unless he woke her up? Or was she simply that tired? After all, it couldn't have been easy to keep the Calamity contained to the castle for over 100 years.
He'd busied himself at the communal cooking pot for most of the morning, making meat skewers, roasted mushrooms and anything that could be eaten on the road with what ingredients he had on hand. Not only were his stores of ready-to-eat meals running low, but also Zelda would likely need an escort to wherever she wanted to go, even if she ultimately decided the two of them should go their separate ways. Figuring she was most likely to want to meet with the Impa in Kakariko, he made sure they would have food enough to last them the trip.
It was almost ten before Link approached her bed once more, a peace offering of fried eggs and rice in his hand in case she didn't take kindly to having her rest interrupted. She had shifted onto her stomach and pushed the blanket to her waist, revealing the white dress she used when praying at the springs. Link was fairly certain it was the same one as in his memory, though it was rumpled and stained with mud. Had she been wearing it all these years?
Shaking the superfluous thoughts from his mind, he gently shook her shoulder. "Princess," he called softly, not wanting to startle her. "It's time to wake up."
Zelda shifted, a sliver of green peeking through her lashes as her eyes opened. Her brow furrowed in confusion at the unfamiliar curtain, rolling onto her back as she looked around. A Sheikah was standing at her bedside, his garb somewhat different from the traditional robes she was used to but the symbol across his chest identified him easily enough. She blinked groggily, squinting uncomprehendingly at the slightly blurry form haloed by the bright light outside the curtains. There was something off about him, but she was unable to put her finger on what in her half-asleep state. How late had she stayed up the previous night? She continued staring, eyes slowly adjusting to the light as her mind sluggishly began to process the situation.
She inhaled sharply as she suddenly realized what was wrong. Every member of the Sheikah tribe was born with pure white hair. His was a light brown. She quickly sat up, belatedly realizing her legs were already partially restrained. The sudden movement made her dizzy and she closed her eyes tightly, one hand bracing against the mattress to keep her upright. "Where have you brought me?" she demanded angrily, wondering if she'd been drugged as well.
Link's eyes widened, not having anticipated such a hostile response. Perhaps he should have let her sleep after all. "This is the Outskirt Stable," he answered quietly, edging back to give her some space. His eyes were drawn to the golden light shining from her free...hand? Was that the sealing power she'd worked so hard to unlock all those years ago? He dragged his gaze back to her face, keeping his movements slow and non-threatening as her eyes flew open. Emerald green orbs stared at him in shock as he lifted the plate in his hand. "I thought you might be hungry."
Zelda let out a short breath as the achingly familiar voice she'd longed to hear for so long serenaded her ears. "Link...?" she breathed, the glow from her hand fading as the events of the previous day came rushing back. "Forgive me," she apologized, her guilty gaze falling to the mess of blanket and sheets tangled around her legs. Sleep-muddled or not, she should have realized those were not restraints. "I...was still half asleep and did not recognize you beneath the mask," she admitted, mentally berating herself. He was finally speaking to her and she had almost attacked him.
Link raised a hand to his cheek, having forgotten he was wearing it. The silencing properties of the material had saved his life on more than a few occasions and he'd long since grown accustomed to the feel of it against his skin. "Sorry," he apologized, pulling the material down so she could see his face more clearly.
An awkward silence stretched between them, neither quite sure how to break it. Zelda cleared her throat after a moment, directing her words to her knight although her eyes remained fixed on her lap. "Are you...feeling better today?" she asked hesitantly.
Link had no idea how to respond to that. Had he been feeling ill yesterday? Or maybe she was asking about some injury he'd received? Although he had a plethora of new bruises, they would have all been hidden beneath his armor. Then again, she may have witnessed the fight when he obtained them originally...
"Forgive me," Zelda apologized again before he'd organized his thoughts enough to form a coherent reply. "Your reasons are your own. It is not my place to pry." She bowed her head, letting her hair fall forward to hide her face.
Link opened his mouth to ask what she meant but was interrupted by an audible growl from the princess' stomach. The red spreading across what little of her cheek was visible through her locks of hair stilled his tongue as he pressed the plate into her hands. She nodded her thanks but did not raise her head.
Link quietly withdrew, leaving her to enjoy the meal in peace. For two people who had supposedly spent so much time together before, that had been incredibly awkward. Then again he was her knight, not her confidant. Perhaps he was just supposed to be a silent figure behind her, seen but not heard? She was usually the one talking in his memories, seemingly to him but never really waiting for a response.
He stepped outside, watching the stable hands go about their daily duties as a merchant peddled his wares to other travelers. It seemed as ordinary a day as any other. It was a bit difficult to believe the Calamity was finally gone. Was this really the first day of a new age? How could something so monumental take place and no one even realize it? Then again, Zelda's sacrifice had allowed her subjects to live their lives in peace while she kept the beast at bay. Their lives now weren't affected by her success. Her failure, on the other hand, would have told a different tale entirely.
A tug on his arm drew his attention and he glanced down to see a young girl staring up at him with wide eyes. Her dark hair was mostly tucked up under her hat with two small banded ponytails hanging in front of her ears. A pale red vest hung open over an off-white tunic, brown shorts with matching shoes and work gloves completing the ensemble- a child-size version of the stable hands' uniform.
Link tilted his head toward her, waiting for the question that was sure to come. The various children he'd met over the last year seemed to have no filter between their brains and their mouths, simply saying whatever was on their minds at the time. He suspected not even their parents knew what would come out of their mouths next.
The little girl did not disappoint. "Is it true what all the grown-ups are saying about you?" she asked as soon as she had his attention.
Link blinked, not having anticipated being the topic of the local gossip. He opened his mouth to ask just what was being said about him when a woman's voice interrupted.
"Haite! What have I told you about bothering the travelers?" A woman hurried over, taking the child's hand. Her clothing marked her as a stable hand and the similar facial features and hairstyles indicated she was probably the child's mother. "I'm so sorry sir, please don't mind her. She just gets bored without any other children to play with," Myti apologized, quickly leading the child away before Link could get a word in edgewise.
Haite's words left Link feeling a little self-conscious. He started paying more attention to the staff as they went about their duties, noticing they did seem to be glancing his way more than was usual. However they didn't shy away from his gaze when he met their eyes, instead offering a smile and a nod or a wave before returning to their various tasks. Whatever rumors were circulating didn't seem bad, but he wished he'd been able to ask the girl before her mother had taken her away.
Link was pulled from his musings by the soft clearing of a throat behind him. He turned to see Zelda standing there, empty plate in hand.
"The meal was lovely, thank you," she said politely. "I will clean these if you will show me where to do so."
Link shook his head. "I'll take care of it princess," he said, taking the dishes from her. His hesitated, eyeing the ripped and stained dress with an appraising eye. While in surprisingly good condition for being over 100 years old, it was clearly not meant for the road. "You may want to change into something better suited for traveling."
Zelda glanced down as if to remind herself what was she was wearing. "I'm afraid I don't have any other clothing with me."
"You can borrow something of mine," Link offered with a dismissive shrug. "There's a bathhouse out back, too. Probably not what you're used to, but better than nothing."
The princess gave a very un-ladylike snort. "I have been sealed within Calamity Ganon for the last century. I should be very glad indeed if nothing is ever 'what I am used to' again." Her eyes widened as it struck her just how long it had been since she'd had to worry about something as benign as bathing or even eating; any of the normal routines required of a physical body, to say nothing of the cosmetic ones. She quickly started combing her fingers through her hair, trying to at least look like she hadn't just rolled out of bed. "I must look a fright," she said apologetically. Her tutors were no doubt rolling over in their graves.
Link shrugged as he led the way to the bathhouse, not sure how to respond. His own appearance had never been high on his list of priorities and the reminder of the princess' fate sent a pang of guilt through him for taking so long to do his part. All those requests from the various people he'd helped across the country didn't seem quite so pressing in retrospect, to say nothing of the numerous distractions he seemed to find at every turn. The glowing mountain, the picture of a stalhorse for the journalist, finding the Fang and Bone, the white stallion near Safula Hill... All of those and more could have waited until after he'd fulfilled his main objective. He blinked as he realized the last one, at least, would prove useful to him now.
The bathhouse was empty when they arrived, Link opening the door and stepping back to let Zelda enter. He pulled out the Sheikah slate and brought up the inventory, hesitating slightly before handing it to the princess and shutting the door between them. She probably didn't want him hovering as she chose which of his clothes to wear.
He made his way back around to the exterior counter at the front of the stable, ringing the bell for service. Embry appeared shortly, nodding his greeting. "What can I do for you, lad?" the older man asked conversationally.
Link briefly debated asking about the rumor circulating, but decided against it. It was likely just idle gossip about the mysterious woman he'd showed up with anyway. "I wanted to know how Aspen's training was coming along."
"Ah, he's a fine stallion. A bit on the spirited side, but Kyle's been working with him the last few months. He should be tame enough for your lady friend, if that's what you're asking," Embry replied, glancing around for the woman in question. "Shall I have someone saddle him and Epona for you?"
"Not yet," Link said, shaking his head. "I'm just going to check on them, if that's alright."
"Certainly," Embry nodded, gesturing toward the barn.
The scent of hay and tack washed over the knight as he stepped past the wooden doors, the smells both familiar and comforting. He walked down the row of stalls, glancing in each until he came across a familiar mare. She was a dark brown quarter horse he'd found in upland Lindor, difficult to tame but incredibly loyal once he'd earned her trust. She nickered when she spotted him, shaking out her black mane before leaning over the stall door and bumping her nose against his palm.
Link reached for the slate at his hip before remembering he had left it with Zelda. "Sorry girl," he apologized, rubbing his hand down the long bridge of her nose. "I left all of my apples with the princess. Maybe later, hm?"
He was still there when Zelda came looking for him some time later, humming softly as he brushed Epona's coat. "I see some things never change," she commented, stopping outside the stall.
"What do you mean?" he asked, pausing his task as he glanced over at her. She had picked out a faded red tunic with a dark green undershirt, though she had opted to leave off the leather chest guard Link recalled purchasing with the set. Her hair was left down, a small part in front braided to keep it out of her face.
She shrugged at his question, leaning against the stall door. "You and horses. You've always had a special bond with your mount and seeing you now reminded me of that."
"Hm." Not quite sure how to respond to that, Link turned his attention back to the horse. "You'd know better than I, princess," he said after a moment a silence, continuing to run the brush down Epona's coat.
There was a slight pause followed by a heavy sigh. "Link," Zelda began, her voice serious, "we need to talk."
There was a heaviness in her statement that set warning bells ringing in his mind. Whatever subject she wanted to broach, he needed to tread carefully. "What did you want to talk about, princess?" he asked mildly, affecting a nonchalant air as he kept his eyes on the horse.
"About us, where we stand," she answered, looking away. "I understand if you despise me."
That...was not what he had been expecting. "Why would I despise you?" Link asked carefully, not sure where this was going.
"There are many reasons. It was my decision to place you in the Shrine of Resurrection, thus robbing you of all your memories." Zelda's voice was flat, carefully devoid of emotion as her fingers absently traced over the rough wood of the door. "You fell in battle protecting me because I insisted on accompanying you to the castle." She took a deep breath, her eyes downcast. "And Hyrule would not have fallen in the first place had I only learned to harness the sealing power sooner."
Link was openly staring at the princess, the curry brush all but forgotten. "I'm afraid I don't understand, princess," he said, his confusion bleeding into his voice. "My memories may be few, but it seemed you were doing everything you could to unlock your power and I think a knight's duty includes protecting his charge, even if it means his death. Am I right?"
"Yes, on both accounts," Zelda answered quietly.
"Then does that mean I'm supposed to hate you for allowing me another chance to live?"
Zelda shook her head. "Those were the only reasons I could come up with." She turned her back to him as she leaned against the stall door, arms tightly folded across her chest. "Perhaps you could shed some light on the subject instead."
Link was completely lost. He quickly ran through their brief conversations, hoping to find something to give her statement context. There was nothing. "I don't know what our relationship was before, or what it should be now," he said slowly. "But I don't despise you princess."
"Then why, Link?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Why would you not utter even one single word to me yesterday?"
"Yesterday?" He'd found his context, though it didn't make the situation any clearer. What exactly had he done to prompt this conversation?
"Yes, when you refused to even look in my general direction, or acknowledge my existence at all. For a frightening moment I feared my physical form had passed without my knowledge and you simply could not see nor hear my spirit!" She hugged herself more tightly, bowing her head. "I was fully prepared to find you gone when I awoke this morning."
It was Link's turn to look away, absently rubbing Epona's nose as she craned her head toward him. He couldn't fathom what might have possessed him to treat the princess so callously. "I...I'm sorry." It was insufficient, but he simply didn't know what else to say.
Zelda let the silence stretch between them for several beats, biting her lip. "Will you at least tell me why?" she asked, turning her head slightly as if she wanted to see his expression but was not quite ready to face him yet. "I must have done something to anger you so greatly."
Link had no answer to give. "I'm sorry," he apologized again. "But I can think of nothing that would warrant such behavior. I have no idea why I would have acted that way. To tell you truth, I can't remember anything that happened yesterday."
Zelda scoffed, shaking her head. "If you do not wish to tell me, then just say so. I will not press the issue further so you need not feign ignorance." She sighed, covering her face with one hand as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I merely wish to make amends, if I can, and I need to know where we stand so I can plan accordingly. You've fulfilled the oath sworn upon becoming my knight- you need not remain bound to me, if that is your wish."
"Did I?" he challenged. He could see Zelda's back stiffen in irritation, likely assuming he was mocking her. "I'm not playing some mind game as retribution, princess," he continued, moving closer to the stall door. "To me, it's like yesterday didn't even happen."
Zelda released a sharp breath, dropping her hands to her sides. "Link-"
"You say I fulfilled my duty?" he continued, cutting off her angry retort. "I'll have to take your word for it because I don't remember doing it. I got up this morning, fully intending to ride to the castle, until the stable master told me the 'lady I had arrived with last night' was still asleep." He shook his head. "My first thought was that you were a Yiga trying to get close to me, or an opportunistic traveler looking for a free bed. I can't even begin to describe my shock when I saw you lying there instead."
Zelda slowly turned to face him, her expression a mixture of annoyance and skepticism. "You're serious," she deadpanned after a moment, studying him carefully. "You don't remember forcing me to beg you not to be left alone on the plains? Nothing at all?"
Link gave her a pained look. He'd treated people he was positive were Yiga in disguise looking for an opening to kill him better than he apparently had the princess. He wondered again what could have made him act that way. "If Embry hadn't stopped me, I'd be storming the castle as we speak."
Zelda stared at him for several long seconds, disbelief fading into concern. Although a man of few words, she'd never known her knight to be dishonest and she could sense no deceit in him now. Her troubled gaze fell as she pondered this worrying news.
A dim memory flitted across her mind of her brief time studying plants and their various properties when prepared a certain way. She vaguely recalled at least one type of mushroom whose side effects included memory loss, though she'd long forgotten the specifics. Could he have unknowingly eaten one of those?
"Do you know how long..." She let the question trail off, not sure how to phrase it correctly. She thought the mushroom's effects could range anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, but would the swordsman even remember what his last meal had been?
"How long this has been happening?" Link guessed, curry brush dangling from his fingers as he rested his arms on the stall's door.
"No, that's not what I-" She jerked as Link's words registered, turning sharply toward him in shock. "This isn't the first time?" she breathed, heart sinking when he shook his head. "Link, I-" Her jaw worked soundlessly as words failed her, not even sure what sentiment she was trying to express. Closing her eyes she took a deep and calming breath, trying to focus on the facts. "How long has this been happening?" she asked, hoping it could be traced back to him finding a large patch of mushrooms somewhere.
Link looked up, scratching his chin in thought. "I guess it started a matter of weeks after I woke up on the Great Plateau," he said after a minute. "I...thought it might be connected to the Shrine of Resurrection."
She stared at him, shocked this had been happening for the better part of a year. She shook her head, forcing her mind back on track. "Purah theorized using the Shrine would result in complete memory loss, but nothing indicated it would be a recurring problem after the healing process was complete," she mused, trying to keep emotion at bay by approaching the problem logically. "Have you discussed this with her? Or whoever took over her research," she amended, realizing Purah may have passed away during the last century. Although Sheikah tended to live far longer than Hylians, 120 years might be pushing it.
"Purah's still the resident expert as far as I know," Link hedged, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided her gaze. "I...haven't really had time to talk to her about this though."
Although relieved to hear Purah was still alive and well, Zelda couldn't help but stare at Link in disbelief. "You haven't had time?" she repeated, incredulous. "For an entire year?"
"Hyrule's a big country." He shrugged, completely unrepentant. "I should know; I've travelled over most of it."
"Surely you could have made time for one conversation," she pressed, confused why he wouldn't seek a solution if he knew what was wrong. "I wouldn't think you'd be eager to lose more memories."
"I'm not," he agreed, his voice taking a more somber tone. "Which is one of the reasons why I didn't mention it to her."
Zelda blinked, brows furrowed as she failed to follow his logic. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
Link sighed, picking at a splinter of wood sticking out of the door. He was silent for a long moment, trying to figure out how to put his fear into words. "I guess...the root of the problem is that I don't want to go in there again."
"We're talking about discussing your problem with an expert, not putting you back in the Shrine," Zelda pointed out.
Link snorted, sharp blue eyes challenging worried green. "Are you saying there's some other way to fix this?"
Zelda hesitated, biting her lip. "I see your point," she conceded. "But I'm sure it won't be like before. For one, you aren't on the brink of death." Her mouth snapped shut as another thought occurred to her. What if fatal injuries were needed before the Shrine would activate? Was that why Purah was unable to do a test run on it before Link was injured? She shook her head slightly, banishing the thought. Such a thing was preposterous...right?
Link didn't notice her distraction. "Maybe, maybe not," he said with a shrug. "I don't know anything about how or why it works, but I do know no one expected me to be out of commission for 100 years. I don't want to wake up in another century with almost everyone I knew long dead and gone, trying to figure out who I am in a world I don't recognize. I...I just don't want to go through that again."
"I see you've given this a lot of consideration," Zelda said softly. She couldn't blame him for his fears. They were valid concerns as there was still so much about the Shrine they didn't know. However that didn't mean they should give up without even looking for alternative solutions. "There may or may not be a way to fix this without those risks, but we'll never know for certain if we never look." She reached toward him, placing a hand on his arm. "Please. Talk to Purah. You need not re-enter the Shrine, but at least you'll know that was truly your only option."
Link held her gaze for several long seconds with an indiscernible expression before finally bowing his head. "If that is your wish, princess." With the Calamity sealed and the princess rescued, he was out of excuses to put this off any further. Zelda smiled with such relief that he almost felt bad for considering denying her request.
"Excellent, we'll set out at once," she announced, turning to do just that before remembering she didn't have a horse or any idea where they were heading. "Do they lend horses here?"
Link shook his head as he slipped out of the stall, shutting the door before Epona could follow him. She snorted loudly, tossing her mane in displeasure. "They don't, but I've already got another mount for you," he answered, stroking the mare's nose soothingly before heading deeper into the barn. "I was told that he-" Link paused, shaking his head. "Well, you can see for yourself. Princess, meet Aspen," he said, stopping in front of another stall.
Zelda glanced into the pen, her lips parting slightly in surprise as she saw the pure white stallion inside. "Oh Link, he looks just like Casilon! Where did you find him?" she asked, holding her hand out as the horse leaned toward her over the door.
"A little north of here, I think? One of the stable hands told me a horse that looked like the one you used to ride had been seen around the ruins up there but no one had been able to catch him," he replied, patting the stallion's neck. "It took some convincing, but we were able to come to an understanding, weren't we boy?"
"One of the stable hands remembered my horse?" Zelda asked curiously, stepping back as Aspen became a little too interested in her tunic.
"Not exactly," Link replied with a faint smile. "His grandfather saw you riding through Castle Town once and told his grandson about it years later. Seems you made quite an impression."
"I never learned Casilon's fate," Zelda murmured softly. "Seeing what may possibly be his descendant brings me great joy." Her fingers rubbed the fur between the stallion's eyes, her own gaze going distant as she remembered the past. "Perhaps it was selfish of me to pray my horse survived the Calamity when so many of my people did not."
Link held his tongue, remembering the brief history lesson the ghost of King Rhoam had given him shortly after waking. Everyone in the castle and the town surrounding it had lost their lives when Calamity Ganon struck. Zelda would have seen their destruction when she went to face Ganon; would have known all of her friends and family were already dead. In the midst of all that, could anyone condemn her for praying for mercy on her horse? "I can't speak for anyone else," he said after a moment, glancing sidelong at her. "But I probably would have done the same thing."
"Thank you," Zelda said, offering him a grateful smile. "Although 100 years have passed, it still feels as if I am to be judged for every action I take. The court and their gossip-mongers may be gone, and my father with them, but the feeling of failure remains." She shook herself, putting the thoughts out of her mind. "Forgive me, I fear my time in solitude has formed the habit of giving voice to thoughts better left unheard. I'm sure this horse will prove more than adequate. Aspen, was it?"
Link nodded, unsure if he should try to reassure her or comply with her implied request to pretend she hadn't said anything.
"I'm sure Aspen and I will get along wonderfully, won't we boy?" she asked, stepping closer to rub the base of the stallion's ear.
The horse turned his head to nibble at her tunic as soon as she was in range, the faint scent of carrots clinging to the fabric.
Zelda jumped back to avoid being bitten, shaking her head. "Just like Casilon, too," she said, dropping her hand back to her side.
"He just needs some time to warm up to you," Link offered, deciding to let the other matter drop for now. "I'll tell Embry to ready the horses. We've got a long trip ahead of us, so we should head out soon."
Zelda watched him go, belatedly realizing she hadn't received the answers she'd set out to get when she sought out the swordsman initially. She slumped against the stall door with a groan, rubbing her hands over her face. The initial terror at the prospect of Link leaving her on her own in this now strange and unfamiliar land had subsided, the knight seemingly willing to escort her to Purah's lab, at the very least.
She didn't know how he had managed when he woke, alone and without any idea who he was or how he was to accomplish the monumental task set before him. A rueful smile curved her lips, memories of her first impressions of the Hylian Champion rising unbidden in her mind. Although she had been wrong about a great many things concerning the hero of Hyrule, his proficiency had not been one of them. He had always been far more capable than she.
The recurring memory loss sidetracked her question of his intentions for the future and she had essentially invited herself along for his trip to talk to Purah. She had done so without thinking, the familiarity of traveling with her knight momentarily overriding her concerns about their current relations. He hadn't voiced any opposition to her presence, although whether because she was his newest charity case or some other reason entirely, she didn't know. Regardless, she decided to remain at his side for as long as he'd let her. Link had always been there for her, even when she didn't deserve it. Now, it was her turn to be there for him. One way or another, she'd help him fix this.
To Be Continued
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