In the quiet corners of the library, I delved into the texts, my quill dancing across the pages as I transcribed the ancient wisdom onto parchment. The soft scratching of the quill was the only sound, creating a serene rhythm that echoed the atmosphere. The words seemed to come alive, unveiling the mysteries that lay hidden within the pages. The Triforce, its origins, and the responsibilities bestowed upon those chosen by its power were slowly unveiling themselves, forging a tangible connection to the Kingdom of Hyrule today. Finally, as the evening settled, I knew I had to leave soon for my usual dinner. I closed the books strewn on the table and organized my documents, my eyes scanning the notes I had taken, absorbing the significance of each passage.
'The creation tale of Hyrule started with three goddesses, Din, Goddess of Power, Nayru, Goddess of Wisdom and Farore, Goddess of Courage, revealed as the architects of existence, each imbuing their unique essence into the world. After they were finished shaping the very fabric of existence, the Goddesses created the Triforce, a symbol of unity, strength and balance. Infused with a fraction of their formidable abilities, the Triforce became a vessel of immense power, its purpose transcending the mere physical realm. Legends spoke of this divine artifact's ability to manifest the deepest desires of those who came into contact with it. A touch could turn dreams into reality, shaping the course of destinies and altering the very fabric of existence. However, this extraordinary power came with a perilous duality — the potential to unleash unfathomable destruction, transforming the Triforce into a formidable weapon capable of laying waste to all in its path.'
This information was crucial, allowing me to form connections with the reality I lived in. The Triforce, a relic of unparalleled might, must be a tantalizing target for the Demon King, whose insatiable hunger for supremacy fuels his every move. If Link indeed embodies the Triforce of Courage, a hero chosen to safeguard the delicate balance of the world, then Ganondorf's fixation on Link and I would not merely be a quest for dominance but a calculated strategy to secure the ultimate weapon. He sought to eliminate any obstacle that dared stand in the way of his ambition, a path that inevitably leads him to dispose of us both…
In this case, Ganondorf's actions were not just manifestations of malice but driven by a primal fear, a fear of the unknown, a fear of a destiny that seemed to defy even his formidable power. In his desperate attempt to possess the powerful artifact, he was unraveling the threads of a predicted fate that intertwined all three bearers of the Triforce into an incredible battle, an inevitable clash that he fought so hard to avoid.
'The hallowed ground where the Triforce was created became to be known as the Sacred Realm. In reverence to this sacred site, a temple emerged, its purpose to guard its sealed entrance. It was in these times that the guardian deity Hylia assumed her solemn duty, entrusted with the protection of the Triforce, ensuring it remained undisturbed, shielded from the covetous eyes of those who sought to exploit its might for sinister motives. As the Goddess of Time, Hylia undertook the forging of The Master Sword, a sacred weapon crafted to answer the call of one pure of heart and deemed worthy of the goddess's blessing: the bearer of the Triforce of Courage. The Master Sword, with divine power coursing through its very core, was designed to stand against the encroaching shadows and repel evil forces, surviving through time. In a testament to her boundless love for the realm she watched over, Hylia chose to descend from the heavens, taking mortal form as the first true ancestor to the Royal Family of Hyrule, allowing her to plant the sword for the chosen hero to find.'
History chronicled the lineage of my ancestors, revealing the very essence of the Goddess of Time coursed through my veins, a connection that began to unveil the mysteries that had long lingered in the recesses of my consciousness. The vivid memories, the ethereal encounters, especially with the Great Fairy, now found a plausible explanation in the celestial lineage that bound me to the divine.
As I pondered the extent of my powers, a thought crossed my mind — goddess Hylia, in her divine duty, was entrusted with the protection of the Triforce, raising a temple in order to guard this powerful relic. The question lingered: where could this temple be situated? The revelation crystallized in my mind like a puzzle finally solved — the Temple of Time. It had to be the sacred sanctuary erected to protect the Triforce, where the Goddess of Time' statue was raised within as a testament to her unwavering commitment.
'The Master Sword should be embedded where the Sacred Realm stands. Its location reveals itself only after one offers three spiritual stones to the statues of the three goddesses that stand across Hyrule. These spiritual stones are guarded by the forces of electricity, fire, and water.'
The quest for the three spiritual stones, guarded by the forces of electricity, fire and water bore a striking resemblance to the diverse and enigmatic races of Hyrule—the Gerudo, Goron, and Zora. If each of these sacred orbs were imbued with the elemental power of their respective forces, then it would mirror the unique strengths and challenges faced by these distinctive races. Perhaps they were the key to obtaining these orbs.
'The sword can then only be drawn by the one who embodies the Triforce of Courage, a chosen hero, forever resuscitated…'
Forever resuscitated… What did it mean? Before I could fully comprehend what I was reading, Link shifted in his chair, catching my attention. I watched as his eyes slowly opened, the library's ambient hum and the scent of aged books enveloping us. His initial disorientation transformed into momentary confusion, and then his gaze met mine.
"I must have dozed off," he remarked with a sheepish smile. I couldn't help but return the grin.
"You were in a peaceful slumber. But, welcome back to the world of the awake." Link stretched, a satisfying yawn escaping him.
"I feel like I missed something."
"Just a few pages turned," I teased, gesturing at the books around us. "But don't worry; I'll fill you in. Look at what I found," I said, pushing my documents in front of Link. I watched as he focused his attention on the page detailing the Master Sword, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. à
"What does this mean?" He inquired, a few seconds later, his brows furrowing in confusion.
"Well, considering how we uncovered the existence of the Triforce, forging a connection between Ganondorf, you, and I. If you embody the Triforce of Courage, it implies that you were chosen, a hero deemed worthy of its powers. Consequently, you might be the sole individual capable of wielding the Master Sword. I understand our original quest was to locate your sword... Perhaps it's the very same sword. And I have a hunch about where to find it." As Link absorbed the information, a subtle realization dawned in his eyes. It was as if the pieces of a puzzle were falling into place, aligning with the stories he had heard and the trials he had faced. Silently, we exchanged glances, understanding passing between us without the need for words. The library, with its ancient tomes and forgotten whispers, became the backdrop for a shared revelation. With that said, I collected my documents and stacked the books, preparing to depart.
"Listen, I have to excuse myself now, but meet me tomorrow morning in the courtyard at the exit of the castle closest to the royal stables," I conveyed as I rose, picking up the books and placing them on a book trolley. Leaning over Link as he sat there, observing my every move, I whispered in his ear, "I'll share my plan with you." Flashing a smile, I left before giving him a chance to respond.
Filled with excitement, the evening swiftly slipped away, my thoughts constantly returning to the information I had unearthed. Discovering the sword would, at last, enable me to validate my theory and establish that Link was genuinely linked to the Triforce, consequently playing a crucial role against Ganondorf.
Oddly, my sleep had been uneasy, a sense of impending doom shrouding me. I experienced the perplexing feeling that something was amiss, yet I couldn't precisely identify what. Fortunately, the weekend granted me a brief reprieve from my responsibilities, temporarily delaying my duties. After a night of restlessness, in the early hours of the morning, I ventured outside, intent on ensuring my plan would come to fruition. Surprisingly, as I reached the courtyard, Link was already there, perched on the stairs, nodding off as he leaned against the wall.
Approaching him with a light touch on his shoulder, his eyes opened almost instantly, perhaps catching the subtle sound of my approach. A faint smile played on his lips as our gazes locked.
"You're up early," he remarked, rising from his seat and running a hand through his tousled hair, punctuating the motion with a yawn. I nodded, appreciating how effortlessly he carried himself even in the early hours.
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" I asked, curious.
"Mhm, I was too excited to see you," he replied, a teasing glint in his eyes. I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile at his playful remark.
"This is a serious matter," I reminded him, and with a comical shift in expression, he adopted a serious demeanor, playing along with the gravity of the situation.
"Yes, your majesty," he replied. In a playful gesture, I seized his arm, prompting him to walk with me. At this early hour, few would likely witness our stroll, affording me the opportunity to walk with him, side by side, arm in arm. As we moved together, I began to reveal the intricacies of my idea.
"I've formulated a plan to secure the Master Sword," I began, my voice unwavering. "It involves our escape from here to reach the Goron, Gerudo, and Zora villages, obtaining their respective orbs. They would be the key to finding the sword. Last night, I dispatched letters to each of their rulers, seeking information about the whereabouts of their orbs and how we might acquire them. Once we gather the necessary details, we'll make our way to the royal stables, take our horses, and embark on the quest to retrieve these sacred orbs. Our mission is to return them to the Goddess statues across the Kingdom, allowing the Master Sword to manifest in the Temple of Time, where Goddess Hylia had planted it to protect the Triforce's birthplace." Finally, I turned to face him, and Link's eyes, pools of worry, met mine as he absorbed the gravity of my words.
"I don't know about this, Zelda. It's a dangerous path… What if something happens to you? You are the safest here." he cautioned, a familiar sense of responsibility evident in his gaze.
"I know," I affirmed, determination resonating in my voice. "But it's the only way to prove your identity and unlock the power we need to confront Ganondorf. I want to come, to get out of here. I can't bear the castle's walls confining me any longer. The weight of my royal duties feels oppressive, incredibly demanding, suffocating my true self. I don't recognize myself anymore in all of this." He averted his gaze with a sigh, then met my eyes again, his expression carrying an understanding tone.
"You're right. It's the only way to prove my identity. I should be doing this alone… The moment we step outside the castle grounds, we will be out in the open, easily traceable. I can't risk it, Zelda."
"I'm not asking," I said, my tone resolute. I watched as Link bore an unreadable expression, though his lips parted, as if he was surprised at the words I had just spoken. He stood in silence, contemplating the situation. Despite his initial hesitation, he eventually nodded slightly, grasping the significance of our mission.
"I understand," he responded, his eyes locking onto mine. His face remained impassive, suggesting he was considering the details. His gaze dropped to my hand, taking a hold of it. "I'll protect you" he declared simply. He then looked at me intently before resuming his steps. We continued walking for a while, his mind seemingly elsewhere, until he regretfully mentioned he had to leave.
"Let's meet tomorrow after dinner. I unfortunately need to attend training, can't get out of it this time," he said, referring to the last time he had lied to come see me. He pulled on my hand to bring me closer, and planted a soft kiss on my cheek.
"Until later, beautiful," he said, giving me one last look. A blush crept onto my face, and he smiled faintly before turning away, heading towards the training grounds.
In the agonizing period before receiving responses from the village rulers, I sought refuge in the familiarity of my royal responsibilities and training, clinging to the semblance of normalcy. Adhering to my regular routine, I navigated each day as if the impending events weren't unfolding. In the brief moments when schedules aligned, discreet meetings with Link became cherished respites, sweet but regrettably short. As the details of our escape plan were refined, I sensed Link's growing unease, a realization settling upon him that our venture was drawing near. In our encounters, his embraces conveyed a depth of emotion, each one seemingly tighter, as if he sought solace in the physical connection between us.
On the decisive day, the responses from the village rulers arrived, confirming the existence of the orbs and assuring further assistance upon our arrival. As soon as my duties released their hold, I sought Link to convey the imminent execution of our plan. Together, we waited until nightfall, when the impending shift rotation would create an opportune moment to slip away unnoticed. That night, Link seemed shrouded in contemplation, a grim expression etched across his features, weariness evident in his eyes. When the anticipated moment finally arrived, we executed our escape swiftly and silently. Stealthily reaching the castle stables under the cover of darkness, we observed as some guards departed. Leveraging Link's horsemanship skills, our horses were secured and mounted with remarkable efficiency.
In a fleeting moment, our eyes met, and I flashed a smile, conveying the satisfaction of successfully initiating my plan. Urging my horse into a spirited gallop, we dashed through the courtyard, reveling in the exhilaration of newfound freedom. However, the illusion was abruptly shattered by the appearance of guards, swiftly surrounding me and compelling my horse to a halt.
Link, confronted with the harsh reality of our situation, hesitated as more guards closed in. I could see the conflict reflected in his eyes, recognizing the burden of anguish settling upon my heart. His jaw clenched, eyes reflecting somber sadness. Faced with the emerging threat, he made a swift and heart-wrenching decision, pivoting the horse around, urging it into a rapid gallop, the resonating echoes of hooves punctuating the courtyard's tension. My desperate voice called out to him, a plea tinged with sorrow, but he pressed on propelled by a selfless purpose, leaving me ensnared in the clutches of the castle guards.