Link's departure had devastated me. As the guards surrounded me, grabbing at my arm, there was nothing else to do but watch him disappear in the night, my heart shattering. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, a torrent of conflicting emotions overwhelming my senses, my cries falling on deaf ears. The guards, seemingly oblivious to my royal status, forcibly escorted me back into the castle with a cold indifference. In this harsh and unforgiving moment, I realized my title had never really meant anything. I was bound to follow the enigmatic orders of a hidden figure, an invisible force with ultimate control over my fate.
The sense of abandonment settled within me, every step I took feeling like a step further into captivity. There was nothing I related to here anymore, the only person that had made me feel like I belonged, the only person I had felt comfortable around, the only person that understood me had left. I couldn't understand why he would leave, as close as we had gotten. I thought together we made a team, an inseparable one. Perhaps it was me who didn't want to understand the reasons behind his decision…
As I was dragged within the castle walls, I was met with Impa's disappointed gaze, her stern expression mirroring the gravity of the situation. The desire to leave, to escape the confines of the castle, consumed me entirely. The castle, once a symbol of safety, now felt like a prison, echoing with the silence of loneliness. The guards finally released their hold on me, causing my body to collapse in front of Impa. Tears continued to flow unabated, the physical and emotional toll of my pleas evident in the pool of vulnerability at her feet.
In the dimly lit corridor, the weight of my entreaty hung heavy. Without hesitation, I begged for freedom, my words a desperate melody echoing through the tense atmosphere. My voice, laden with a raw desperation, spilled from the depths of my heart, expressing a yearning to break free from the suffocating embrace of my royal duties. The expectations imposed upon me felt like chains, constraining the essence of who I truly was. Impulsively, I blamed Link's departure on the poor decision-making of those in control, who seemed to harbor an incessant desire for our separation. My words dissolved into desperate sobs, exhaustion settling in.
In that vulnerable moment, Lady Impa stood by without uttering a word, allowing me to release the torrent of emotions that had welled up inside me. After a while, she stepped towards me, her hand finding a place of comfort on my shoulder, what I believed to be a small act of kindness in the midst of my emotional turmoil. But surprisingly, she instead informed me that someone was waiting for me, brushing aside my previous pleas without any acknowledgement. I regarded her with pained disbelief as she motioned toward the hall, silently signaling me to move. Trying to hold back my tears, I looked down at my hands and drew a deep breath in. I couldn't help but question why I had ever deluded myself into thinking that I could find a sense of belonging in an environment where I was merely a symbol, a princess detached from the warmth of family bonds. Mustering my resolve, I finally wiped away any remaining tears and stood up.
Lady Impa eyed me briefly before taking the lead, guiding me to a part of the castle I had never seen before. As we continued our ascent through the towering castle, each flight of stairs taking us higher and deeper into its labyrinthine structure, my curiosity mingled with a trace of uncertainty. With each step, a subtle unease settled within, and a delicate shiver ran down my spine, a precursor to the foreboding that now enveloped me.
As I quickly dismissed the feeling, Impa finally stopped in front of very tall doors, her hands grabbing the handles firmly. She stood there for a moment before sighing and looking at me, her expression soft.
"We only ever cared for your safety, my dear," was all she said before opening the doors, allowing me to catch a glimpse at a room that was unlike any I had encountered within the castle's walls. The room exuded the elegance of a lavish bedroom but also boasted a functional kitchen and a comfortable living area. Spiral stairs adorned one side of the wall, leading to another level. Rustic decor blended seamlessly with paintings depicting royalty and Hyrule's rich history. Intricate furniture adorned the space, and a soft glow emanated from an ornate chandelier suspended from the ceiling. It was a room that managed to embody both luxury and intimacy, providing an unexpected contrast to the cold corridors I had traversed.
Unfortunately, my pleasant distraction was short lived, as my eyes fell on a towering figure, a man of regal stature with gray hair and a beard that framed his weathered features. The sight sent shockwaves through me, a realization striking with profound impact. The crown not only denoted royalty but also a familial connection that I had long believed lost. A profound silence enveloped the room as I stood in bewilderment observing the person before me, attempting to grasp the reality—he was not merely the king, but also my father, his eyes both familiar and distant. Every fiber of my being longed to reach out, to confirm his tangible presence, but I was paralyzed, caught in a web of disbelief and overwhelming emotions. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, a fragile balance between reality and surreal. His presence struck me with profound astonishment, as a missing piece of my fragmented life had suddenly materialized before me.
"Father?" The word escaped my lips, my breath catching in my throat. Disbelief held me in its grip as I gazed upon him, standing there alive and well. The silence between us was palpable, pregnant with unspoken words and emotions too complex to put into speech. It was a moment that would forever etch itself into the tapestry of my existence, altering the course of my life in ways I could scarcely comprehend.
"Zelda," he uttered in a soft, emotion-laden tone. The peculiar nature of the moment lent it an otherworldly quality, akin to a dream. However, the sharp pang of emotion in my chest served as a stark reminder of the harsh reality unfolding before me. As I stood there, my gaze unwavering and fixed on him, I could feel tears stinging my eyes, emotions overwhelming me.
"Where have you been?" The frustration and sadness melded in my voice. "How are you alive? It was documented everywhere that you and mother had passed away... Why did you leave me?...How could you leave me? All on my own? I longed for you, for my family!" My voice rose involuntarily, emotions pouring out. Every attempt to hold back the tears proved futile as the dam within me burst, releasing the pent-up emotions that had silently accumulated through time. The weight of years of longing and unanswered questions hung heavily in the air. In that moment, the harsh reality dawned on me—everyone dear to me had abandoned me, shattering my trust.
My father's gaze remained steady, absorbing the torrent of emotions that erupted from my words, his presence commanding yet gentle. He came forward from behind his desk, flinching as his hand touched my cheek, wiping my tears away. He took a moment before responding, choosing his words with care, his gaze filled with sadness.
"My child, the world we live in, it's not that simple…" he began, his eyes filled with regret betraying his calm and measured voice, "I understand the weight of your questions, the pain I've caused you…and for that, I am truly sorry," he said, searching for my eyes. He then caressed my hair as I stood there, in shock at his sudden affection, something I currently longed for yet despised. I watched as he turned away, walking towards the window, a grim expression on his face.
"During the previous war, there were forces at play, ones that compelled me to make choices I never wished to make, all these sacrifices in order to protect the kingdom." Meeting his gaze, I averted my eyes, finding it difficult to face him, grappling with the challenge of understanding my father's unwavering commitment to duty, even at the cost of abandoning me. Sensing my internal struggle, he inhaled deeply and cleared his throat, his ensuing words resembling a persuasive lullaby.
"It was never my intention to abandon you, but I had to make a decision that went beyond the confines of the throne, all in the hope that Hyrule would be spared from the ravages of the Demon King's insanity… I had to die. Or rather, make him believe I had died."
His explanation, though delivered with a sincerity that resonated, felt like a fragile bridge over a vast chasm of unanswered queries. The complexity of his position, the dual role of a king and a father, was evident in the lines etched on his weary face. Even then, the pain, a blend of betrayal and abandonment, cut deep into the core of my being. It wasn't merely the fact that my father had left me; it was the understanding that duty had taken precedence over his role in my life. The reasons for secrecy and protection, while logical, provided little solace in the face of the emotional abyss that had opened within me.
I grappled with the notion that perhaps I hadn't been enough to make him stay, to be an integral part of my existence. The years of yearning for a father figure, someone to guide and share life's trials, now bore down on me with an intensity I hadn't anticipated. In my efforts to maintain composure and strength, I found myself teetering on the precipice of an emotional maelstrom, struggling to reconcile the absence of the one person who was supposed to be there, unwavering and supportive. The room felt stifling as I confronted the reality of a fractured bond. I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to respond.
"Why didn't you come back for me?" I pressed, my voice a mix of resentment and despair. "You left me all alone, without any ounce of knowledge about my legacy. I had to grow up with no guidance, no support… no love... Discovering my identity, the responsibility of ruling a kingdom, understanding my connection to the Triforce, all of it completely turned my life upside down. I could barely handle it…" As I involuntarily reminisced those moments, I sought comfort by wrapping my arms around myself. He nodded solemnly, acknowledging the validity of my sentiments. The room seemed to contract around us, the air heavy with the unspoken history that lingered between a daughter and her long-lost father. He sighed, a heavy exhale laden with remorse.
"I had to remain concealed, as those sinister forces endeavored to exploit every potential weakness, vulnerability, or source of power within the kingdom to attain complete control over Hyrule. You, my dear, constituted the most significant vulnerability I had, a profoundly powerful one at that. Without a doubt, you were and continue to be Ganondorf's primary target… Fortunately, as your mother drew her final breath, her unwavering dedication to protect you triggered a peculiar occurrence—a blessing in disguise. This twist of fate ensured that your presence would be forever cloaked in secrecy, unable to trace, defense against the prying eyes of those who sought to exploit your significance." I thought of my mother for an instant, a loss both my father and I shared, his actions at the time probably fueled by her recent death. I held eternal gratitude in my heart for my mother, who had fought tirelessly for me until her very end.
"I couldn't risk involving you in any of this, the less you knew the better it was," he concluded. His explanation, while shedding light on the circumstances, didn't fully quell the storm of emotions raging within me. I wrestled with conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, and a flicker of longing. His words resonated, but the wounds of abandonment ran deep, and the revelation of his continued existence only intensified the complexity of our relationship. As silence installed itself between us, my father's unwavering gaze locked on me.
"I've always kept a watchful eye on you, whether you were in Hateno Village or here. I made sure of your well-being from a distance, though it seems things have taken a turn for the worse since you met Link, or perhaps when you are around him," he confessed with a solemn tone.
The weight of his words triggered a surge of defiance within me, looking at him in disbelief. "Link was the only one there for me the whole time. He went through those hardships with me. He fought for me. He's the only reason I even came to the castle," I asserted, a swift interjection driven by a profound loyalty to the one person who had stood by me through thick and thin.
"The boy brings instability, peril, and impulsivity into your life. The day after you encountered him, you disappeared, and I feared I had lost you forever. I was reassured when I learned you were in good hands with the Sheikahs, but now I hear about your endeavor to escape," my father explained, his voice tinged with concern.
"Is that why you let him go? Why you sought to separate us, eliminating him from the contest?" I pressed, the questions fueled by a mixture of disbelief and anger, my emotions running raw.
"It was his decision to leave," my father replied, his tone strained, as though he, too, grappled with the weight of the choices made.
"Because he probably thought he had no choice! His fate would have been much worse imprisoned here, as you would blame him for my decisions!" I cried. My father shook his head and sighed, a heavy exhale that seemed to carry the burden of the entire kingdom.
"Zelda… Link is the one that told us, he is the one that exposed your plan."
I stood there, ear ringing, my throat dry, heart pounding, an intense headache installing itself. I couldn't believe it. The realization hit me like a tidal wave, threatening to drown any semblance of reason. Link, the one I had confided in, had betrayed me. The implications of his actions sent shockwaves through my already fractured world, a betrayal that cut deeper than any physical wound.
"Why would he do that?" The question escaped my lips, a desperate plea for a rational explanation.
"He must have had his reasons, as I did," my father replied, his gaze reflecting a profound sadness. "What you did could have ended terribly for you. The threads of destiny are converging once more, Zelda. Darkness is rising, and the Demon King's influence is spreading, unleashing his fury upon the villages of Hyrule. Your safety is paramount," he said. Betrayal, disappointment, and abandonment tangled within me, creating a web of emotions that threatened to suffocate.
Exhaustion wrapped around me like a heavy shroud, rendering my mind numb and unresponsive. My father's voice, once a familiar anchor, now seemed distant, its resonance unfocused and unclear. The reality that what I had known was a façade, that my trust had been callously abused, my heart shattered, and my mind deceived, bore down on me with a crushing weight. The deception and the unraveling of illusions left me suspended in a state of emotional desolation, grappling with the profound impact of the shattered truths that had defined my reality.
"We must stand together to protect Hyrule," I heard my father say, his voice carrying a weight of responsibility. I looked at him with a blank expression, the exhaustion evident in my eyes. "Get some rest Zelda, we have much to discuss and a lot of work to do in the following days."
As I stepped out of the room, the weight of exhaustion mingled with the searing pain of the newfound information, sending my emotions into a tumultuous frenzy. Questions echoed through my mind like a relentless storm. Why had I always adhered to propriety, sought to please everyone, offered help, trust, love, and obediently followed the rules? What was the purpose? Was it only to be met with hurt, pain, and perpetual deception?
Driven by an overwhelming surge of emotions, I sprinted through the echoing halls of the castle, the desperate rhythm of my footsteps echoing my inner turmoil. Down the stairs, through the corridors, until I finally reached my room. The door swung open, and I advanced towards my bathroom with a determined urgency, splashing cold water on my face in order to calm myself.
As I confronted my reflection in the mirror, in a sudden, impulsive motion, I seized a pair of scissors, the metallic blades glinting in the dim light. Without hesitation, I began to cut away at my hair, the strands falling to the floor like a cascade of liberation. It was a symbolic act of reclaiming control, a declaration of autonomy, a visual representation of severing the ties that bound me to a past dominated by deception and betrayal. The sound of each snip echoed through the room, punctuating the silence with a sense of defiance.
As the last strands fell, I stood before the mirror, transformed. The reflection staring back at me revealed not just a change in appearance but a metamorphosis of spirit. The pain, the lies, the expectations—they all lay on the floor, discarded. In that moment, with my hair now a symbol of resilience and defiance, I felt a burgeoning sense of strength, ready to face the uncertain path that lay ahead.