Where is she?
"Father!" a girl's voice cried, bouncing along the pillars of the caste interior.
The King of Hyrule walked up the great hall, adorned in finery and a finer cape, his daughter pestering him. She wore a white and purple dress and mitre, hair bound closely beneath her Triforce-badged cap, tabard artistically emblazoned with her nation's symbols.
The princess follower her father up the blue carpet. "Father, please! Don't meet with that man!"
Frustrated, The King turned, left hand up and fingers curled. "Please... Is this about your dream again? Ridiculous! We live in a time of peace!" He walked away.
The princess stood still, hands clasped by her chest. She felt...cast aside like an unwanted thing.
Father's footfall echoed, a reminder of where the final authority came from. He briskly sat on his throne, where an immense roll of parchment waited to be read by the king. He never took much shortcuts or breaks, carefully reading every line, interpreting every sentence, not a single letter missed. Father seemed so different when curtained by his paperwork.
The princess felt her heart beating through her ribs and against her hands. Like a timid mouse, she quietly, carefully, innocently...scuttled towards Father, one more time, keeping her shoulders low.
The King did not even lower his paper, masked by endless homework. Yet, the scratching of the quill softened. "Zelda... This is the kind of superstition that nearly cost your mother her life. You were too young to remember that horrid civil war, though you will understand the nature of this world when you become a woman."
The princess of destiny stood right by Father, bowing her head. "Father, I do remember."
"No, you do not."
Princess Zelda's chin lowered. "Father, you always deny what I feel. Why can you not even consider what I speak of...if but once?"
Father's gaze did not leave his paperwork. "I am not here to validate your feelings, child. I am here to rule a kingdom and ensure everlasting peace. By forming an alliance with the king of the desert, his people will have access to our trade, food, water... Such an agreement benefits them greatly, ensuring their allegiance." He signed various parts of the pact. "Only when Hylians, Zoras, Gorons and Gerudo become trusted friends...will Hyrule truly reach a golden age no calamity can shatter. I cannot jeopardize this opportunity over...what, your bad dream?"
Zelda's shoulders dropped. "Father, I... My... My prophecies were never wrong."
"Dreams are just that. Dreams," he replied. "If the Goddesses wanted to tell us mortals about something, they would have told everyone in the world, would they not?"
Zelda's eyes widened. "Well... Not everyone has the sensitivity to evil as I do..."
Father frowned. "Child, when you speak with metaphors, they can mean anything you want."
"But Father, I can't make my dreams mean anything I want. Those dark clouds in my dream..."
"Maybe they symbolize a magical chicken who likes ice cream?"
Zelda felt like her soul was ripped out her body, so hard that her skeleton ached. Lost for words, she tried to think of something. Nothing came. Only Father's quill scratching against the paperwork.
A woman's hollow voice resounded across the great hall, "Your daughter speaks with wisdom."
Zelda looked down the great hall. Her heart skipped a beat. She gasped, covering her mouth.
A knight, head to toe in Gothic armor, walked up the blue carpet, armor clinking, black cape swaying. Spikes and claws adorned her gauntlets, one hand always resting on the pommel of her sheathed longsword. She did not wear a helmet, her red hair hanging over her breastplate. Tattoos of swirly black patterns mapped her chiseled face, contrasting green eyes and thin red lips.
Princess Zelda held her breath and stepped back a bit. Then, memories of...Mother...and... Flickering flames. Swinging blades. Spattering blood. Echoes of screaming and clattering...
The veins in Zelda's temples throbbed. Her heart thumped against her ribs so hard her chest hurt. Her eyes darted around, pupils dilating. Wherever Zelda looked, she saw blood trickling out the walls, some dripping from the ceiling. Silhouettes of violence danced across the floor, each depicting someone's final moments before a death blow.
Zelda shut her eyes, clenching her teeth so tightly her jaw ached. She put on her pleasant demeanor, slipping on an invisible mask of solace to hide all those horrible things. She examined the unwelcome guest.
The chevaleresse had glassy eyes, absent of emotion. She was indeed beautiful, but not even beauty could cover the cruelty brooding within her. Keeping her chin up and lips parted, she disdainfully curtsied before The King, her piercing gaze never leaving him.
The King of Hyrule lowered his paperwork. Although he took the guest seriously, he was still annoyed. "I did not summon you, Rozenn du Châtel."
She straightened her back, eye contact locked with His Majesty. "What are the Gerudo but thieves and harlots?" The chevaleresse slowly grinned, ferocity seemingly frozen within her unblinking visage. "And now, their king lies within our clutches... Make them leaderless. Unleash a crusade with the Temple's blessing. Make the Gerudo pay for their meddling against us ten years ago."
The King's brow tightened. He got up from his throne, Zelda raising her shoulders from fear. She hated seeing Father angry, always feeling guilty even when clearly guiltless.
Unfazed, his Majesty did not drop eye contact from the upstart, clasping his hands behind his back. "Ms. Châtel, after the civil war, I had forgiven more rebels than necessary...much to the disappointment of the Sheikah." He slowly walked around the knight as he spoke. "You I spared. Not because of your skills, or that you deserved mercy... Only because you were too young to understand what your father dragged you into."
The chevaleresse remained unflinching, turning to always keep her shoulder facing the monarch, both stubborn souls keeping eye contact.
The Royal Guards shifted in their armor, uncomfortable.
Zelda kept her hands under her chin, her heart beating harder from just the sound of Father's footfall. How the topics escalated as they did gripped her in thorns.
His Majesty stopped by her side, so much taller than she. "Starting at the very same day the civil war ended, I endured countless hours of restless negotiations... Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, months became years... And I created a new era of peace... And here you desire to destroy all my effort."
The King leaned over her, then spoke through clenched teeth, "Do not make me reconsider your fate, child."
The chevaleresse cocked her head, defiant as always. "The desert king will decide yours."
"This was never about you, Rozenn," came a little voice.
The knight and The King turned their heads, the little princess standing by.
Princess Zelda continued, "How dare you come here to interfere with the Royal Family's personal affairs, mixing your poison into my words like that. You acknowledged that I speak with wisdom. By that same wisdom I dismiss you in peace. We will not speak of this again."
Rozenn's armored hand slipped off her pommel, the veins in her forehead bulging, though her eyes and face remained blank. "I pray you won't regret—"
"I said I dismiss you in peace."
"That you did." Frowning, Rozenn du Châtel took her leave.
Zelda sighed with relief. She gasped when Father put his hand on her shoulder.
"Wise beyond your years, Zelda. You will make a great queen one day."
She smiled, breathing softened, much weight slipping off her shoulders. Hearing a compliment from Dad meant so much to her.
"Though I will keep my word and meet with the Gerudo king nonetheless."
Zelda winced, all the horrible weight heaving upon her shoulders again.
Father went back to his throne and the mountain of homework, as if he didn't even speak to his daughter.
Marching sounded. Two by two, the Royal Guards began entering the great hall, going to their positions.
Zelda felt deflated, defeated, gutted. Hollow pain churned against her stomach and heart. Eyes shiny, she bit her lower lip and curtsied, trying to maintain composure as she walked past the motionless Royal Guards.
She shakily breathed, a few teardrops rolling out. I wish someone would listen to me...
Around the corner, where Link and Navi hid, the boy's ears twitched. He did not comprehend what he eavesdropped, but felt it was something suspicious. He looked the opposite direction. The heavy spearman was approached by the redhead knight. However, they were too faraway for Link to hear clearly, so he sidled closer.
"...suspicious fellow over there," Rozenn explained.
"Hm? I don't see anything, ma'am," the heavy spearman replied. "Oh!"
Navi flew behind Link's hat.
Link's toes curled. His skin crawled, spine tingling, heart drumming—a whistle shrieked.
"Hey you! Stop! You, kid, over there!"
Link found himself carried by the back of the shirt.
"What is a kid like you doing here?!" the heavy spearman yelled, briskly entering a stairwell. "What the hell are the guards doing?! They should be keeping kids and their bugs outside the castle!"
Link's eyes darted about as his captor carried him downstairs. Think of something, fast! "I—I had a task to ask where to deliver the milk from the ranch! But I got lost!"
A big metal door swung open, Link and Navi kicked out, landing on white bricks in the ground.
The bald guy remained lying where he was, snoring as if nothing happened.
The heavy spearman paused upon noticing the two large crates of milk, doubt and confusion settling in.
Link jumped to his feet, gesturing to the crates while Navi flew up and down around them. "See? See?!"
... ... ...
"Hm. I do recall that Talon had a kid... But why do you carry a sword and shield?"
Link unsheathed the Kokiri Sword and swung at the air. "In case anyone tries to steal our milk!"
The bald guy snored away.
"Why is he sleeping there?"
Link sheathed his sword. "Because he worked so hard that he needed a rest. We carried those crates barehanded, all the way from...outside."
"Hrrmm... Well, you're still not allowed inside the castle. I will request guards to manage the delivery at the east wing." He shut the door.
Navi jingled, sparkles fluttering. "That was some smooth talking, Link!"
He sighed with relief. "I was hoping I wouldn't get kicked out the entire way."
A chicken cried aloud, startling Link.
Navi flew closer. "Look! A chicken hatched from the egg you were incubating! It's the miracle of life!"
"Hunh?" Link rummaged his pockets. Where the egg and nest once lay, a Chicken poked her head out Link's pocket, staring attentively. Link gently clutched the little thing, holding it out.
The Chicken called out again.
"Wwuhyee—" The sleepy guy briskly stood. "What in tarnation?" He shook his head to wake up, though he kept his eyes closed, trying to remain sleep even while standing. "Can't a person get a little shut-eye around here?"
Navi crossed her arms. "Sir, you were sleeping on bricks..."
Link approached the guy.
"Hello, and who might you be?"
"My name's Link. Are you Talon?"
"Yep, I'm Talon, the owner of Lon Lon Ranch. I went to the castle to deliver some milk, but I sat down here to rest, and I guess I fell asleep..."
Link nodded. "Malon, she's looking for you."
"Hihhyyy?
What?!
Malon was looking for me?
I'm gonna catch it from her now!
I messed up bad, leaving Malon behind to wait for me!
She's really gonna let me have it!
Yih-yih-yihheyhhhehhh!"
Elbows up, forearms flopping to and fro, Talon ran off in the most unbelievably awkward manner. Despite being a pretty big dude, he ran quite fast, leaving a trail of dust behind.
Navi hovered by Link's head. "And I thought you were the biggest sleepyhead in Hyrule."
Link rubbed the back of his head. "Wow, thanks..." He looked around. Water was flowing out a channel from the castle wall, blocked by a braced wooden hatch suspended from chains, the Triforce engraved on its front. "That must be what the guy from town was talking about." Link stepped to the ledge, the moat below him, a set of three tiers extending partly across the water. Though, Link had his eye on the hatchway. "Hm. I don't think I can jump that far..."
He looked around. The crates... Link scuttled behind the two big boxes. "Eyhnih..." Little by little, the first crate scratched across the brickwork, soon thudding against the side. Link ran around, pushing the crate from the other side. Slowly, the crate slid over the ledge, landing with a heavy thud—
CH
KLL
RRR
KKHH!
Thhllurrr-rrrr...
Link and Navi looked over. Torrents of milk gushed out the crate here and there, pouring into the moat. Bits of broken wood and shattered bottles stuck out the damaged crate.
Link scratched his head. "Oops..."
"Did you hear that?"
"What was it?"
Link's eyes widened. "Uh-oh..."
"Link!" Navi cried, "Quick, we must push the second crate over the first one!"
Link scurried over, pushing the crate, Navi helping.
The crate thud against the side of the bricked section. Link stuck his head out; his heart jumped up his throat.
Two guards approached, armors clinking, footfall loudening.
Link and his fairy looked at each other and nodded.
Navi flew forth, swirling around the gaurds.
"What's that?!"
"A fairy?"
Link leapt from his hiding spot. "Hohh!"
A Deku Nut burst against the ground.
The guards reared, stunned and confused. Navi tackled their whistles down while Link pushed the crate forth, the previous crate creaking from the weight. Link climbed up the crates and jumped over the moat, landing in the channel. He crawled in, cool water soaking his front...
The channel was quite narrow and dark, though Navi's aura provided enough light.
Water gently splashing, Link reached the end of the channel, which opened up to a wider channel flowing from a raised opening in the wall to the right, the water flowing leftwards from Link. The interior channel continued flowing laterally, separated by a fence.
Link stepped out the channel and onto grass, a few small pine trees here and there amid stacked barrels. There was another metal door to Link's right, though such doors seemed to open only from the other side.
Navi scanned the area. "I wonder where we'll find the princess in this big old castle?"
Link shrugged. "Let's try this way..." He quietly walked across the grass, the wall ahead only partial. White tiles served as a path along the grass, some tiles separate from the main array. Link gestured Navi to fly over.
Navi peeked. "Around the corner, I see a square hedge flanked by more hedges. A guard is walking around the square hedge for no apparent reason."
Link leaned out from the corner. Everything was as Navi described. Link blinked a few times. "I guess they really want their hedges looking nice?"
Navi shrugged.
The guard patrolling the hedge stopped nearby, looking side to side, unaware of Link's nearby presence. Once the guard walked away, Link gradually walked past the square hedge.
The next area had another hedge, afterwards two fountains gushing water beautifully. Two guards patrolled haphazardly amid the fountains, Link easily scurrying past.
The next area had large stone steps leading to timbers serving as a trellis for laterally growing vines. Each side had a hedge, too. A guard patrolled around the central pillar, Green Rupees at his feet.
"I don't think those Green Rupees are worth snagging," Link remarked.
"I wouldn't bother, either."
"But it looks fun going up there anyways." Link climbed up the steps, balanced over the timbers, and jumped off the other side.
Next was a stone wall in the way, the last portion smaller and angled. Around the corner, two guards patrolled a large pedestal, where a statue of an armored figure amid angels diving away stood.
Navi peeked. "Hmm... That statue looks like...one of King Louis the Sun King..."
As usual, Link bypassed the guards easily, snickering as he scurried. "Why do they even have guards..."
Navi giggled. "Security guards don't really do much besides walk around doing nothing."
Next, Link arrived at a larger, rectangular section going northwards. A wide hedge, flanked by two narrow hedges, stood in the way. A rectangular array of hedges surrounded a statue, the path going around patrolled by two guards.
"Hmm, that next statue..." Navi said, "looks like Seneca the Younger."
"Oh." Not that Link knew either of them.
Link frowned. The guards here are a bit smarter... He walked on, two narrow hedges at either side of the room, behind each a small pine tree. A large window in the middle of the north wall seemed to show a bookcase. To the left, a spacious pathway with an arched ceiling, another window in the center right, presumably where more of a library resided.
Link looked down the passage. "Well, that was easy!"
Navi sighed. "All they had to do was literally put one guard right here..."
He ran forth, boots clicking against the floor...