Chapter 2
Rumors and Ramifications
Zelda abruptly woke, flinging the hand-stitched blanket that covered her clear across the room where she'd slept. She was surprised to notice the soft bed she lie upon wasn't her own, nor was the gown she wore, when the memory of the previous night's festivities returned. She had fallen asleep outside...right next to Link!
"What time is it, where is Link, and what am I wearing?!" she exclaimed, swiftly sitting up in the bed as she attempted to get an idea of her surroundings.
"It's eleven o'clock in the morning," came the voice of Impa, who sat idly rocking in an old, creaky chair at Zelda's bedside. Apparently, she'd been watching over her the previous night.
"And, if you must know, Link is just outside this humble abode," the elderly woman calmed the girl, placing a hand upon Zelda's shoulder. "The boy carried you ever so gently to this room after you fell asleep. A rough wooden bench is no suitable bed for a princess, after all. And, before you worry your pretty self over your state of dress, you should know it was Paya who swapped your gown. After a century keeping the scourge of Calamity Ganon at bay, you must have been quite tired indeed. You did not stir once during the whole process. A Jester's firecracker could of went off next to your pointy ear and you would not have noticed, I'd imagine."
Impa handed Zelda a small bundle of fabric. It was clothing in shades of blue and black.
"My...adventuring clothes?" Zelda asked, tears in her eyes at the happy sight. "You kept them all this time?"
Impa chuckled at the question. "I certainly did! A difficult task, too. The moths in this region can be rather tenacious. Nevertheless, I kept them as perfectly preserved as possible. They should still fit you."
Zelda moved about in a spellbound fluster, quickly washing up with a rag and a bowl of warm water that Impa had left on the nightstand. In a flash, off came the dull brown Sheikah gown she'd been given for bedclothes, and on went her new outfit. Well, new in one sense, yet old at the same time. The black leather journey pants hugged tightly to her legs, emphasizing and complementing her figure. The pants were paired with a rugged but stylish royal-blue jacket with gold lace. A sturdy pair of boots completed the ensemble. Comfortable clothes for a journey across all the lands of Hyrule.
Still a perfect fit, too, Zelda thought as she studied herself from head to toe, enjoying being out of the rags she had been wearing just a day prior. She wasn't vain, of course, but deep down she was still a princess.
"So, where again is Link, Impa?" Zelda asked, turning to face the woman with smile, proud of her new outfit.
"He is right outside," Impa replied, ushering Zelda to the doorway. "A true warrior always trains his body and mind, Princess, even in peacetime."
"Thank you, Impa. You've done so much for me. Thank you for keeping what little remained of me in the past intact. And thank you even more for never giving up on me, nor on this Kingdom. I am truly in your debt."
Zelda bowed deeply to the woman, then turned and walked out the doorway.
Making her way passed the furniture, eagerly heading to the front door, Zelda nearly bumped into Paya, who was again carrying a silver platter. This time, the Sheikah girl was much swifter to prevent the fruits and vegetables she had on the large rounded plate from dropping, catching every piece like a juggler, and doing a quick spin to avoid falling into Zelda's arms.
"Oh, my goodness, I need to start watching where I am going," Paya said with a nervous look. "Link is right outside, waiting for you. He's been training in the yard for most of the morning."
A faint blush colored the girl's cheeks as she made her way back to the kitchen. "That Master Link is a very talented swordsman!"
"Indeed he is, and a good morning to you, as well," Zelda replied, smiling back as she headed out the door, though a subtle glint of jealousy shone in her eye.
The princess walked outside to the delightful sound of the birds singing, and giggling children playing a game of chase with a cucco. She inhaled the fresh air deeply, taking in its scent of dandelions and water lilies wafting on the warm breeze from the nearby ponds.
A good morning, indeed, she thought as she strolled over to where Link practiced.
Zelda approached Link slowly, halting roughly twenty feet away on the small grassy hill behind Impa's home. The young man had freshened himself up after last night, it seemed and wore his sky-blue Royal Champion's tunic, though without the rugged chain mail this time. He dashed and danced about in front of her, swinging his sword in graceful motions, totally focused, dealing strike after strike, each with enough force that the wind he tore through could shake those watching nearby. Impa's attendants, the keepers of the village peace, stood with their mouths agape, astounded by the knight's display of speed and swordsmanship. They watched his training with eager eyes, hoping to glean what they could from the experience.
Zelda, too, was in awe of her knight's impressive ability. Walking closer to where he practiced, she decided to try and get his attention.
"Ahem," she began with a polite cough. "Good morning, Link. I do believe the war is over."
She said the words with a joking smile, but he seemed not to even notice her. Realizing that she'd failed to attract his attention away from the mock battle, the smile faded from her face. Her pretty brow began to furrow, ever so slightly, into agitated frown.
"I said, 'Oh, Hero! The war is over now!'" Zelda called again, hand cuffed over her mouth, nearly a shout, but not quite. It seemed to do the trick, and Link snapped to attention, facing away from her.
"Finally," she whispered to herself. "Now that I have your–"
Zelda had a raised finger and her eyes shut and been prepared to enter a long diatribe, but was caught off-guard by Link's erratic change of behavior, as the knight spun around and darted away from her. He hadn't halted his training because she had called...but because he'd caught the scent of food.
Was that the scent of fresh cucco eggs tossed together in a savory mushroom omelet, paired on the side with sweet, succulent Mighty bananas? He thought. He nearly did not notice the princess at all as he ran past her.
Fortunately, the young man did notice her, along with her dumbfounded expression that he would pass her by without so much as a 'hello or good morning'. Stopping as fast as he took off, Link paused, suspended in front of her almost in mid-air before immediately attempting to rectify the awkward situation. He turned back to face her and bowed so hard and so fast that his knees seemed to split the earth open. Zelda couldn't help chuckling to herself at his foolish antics when teased with the prospect of food.
Finally, possessing his undeniable attention, she spoke. "Link, good morning! We should-"
Yet before she could utter another word from her mouth, Impa stepped into the doorway to interrupt them. Zelda sighed. It seemed she couldn't get a word in edgewise if her life depended on it.
"Zelda, Link...about what was said last night," the wise-woman spoke, motioning them to come to the morning picnic that Paya laid out beneath the tall willow tree on the other side of the house. "Let us have breakfast and we can get you both on your way, there is so much work for all of us to do. The realm cannot wait a moment longer your highness."
Sitting next to the wonderful spread Paya had graciously prepared for them, the four began to speak of the important matters mentioned the previous night.
"My dear Princess, you must begin the long journey of healing your kingdom," Impa said to Zelda, squeezing the girl's hand.
Link, seated beside the princess, was too busy eating than listening to the conversation. It had always been the case that Link would got lost in discussions of politics, or when made to listen to some long-winded speech. Those sorts of things tended to bore him.
"Impa, how do you propose we begin?" Zelda asked with a nod. "The people here have been through so much, and I don't think anyone can spare the sort of resources necessary to help rebuild the Great Kingdom as it once was. How could I ask that of them? Everyone has lost and sacrificed so much, as it is."
"Don't worry, Princess," the wise woman continued, "I've already sent word through courier to the three greater Noble Houses of Hyrule. I would have you know they were unscathed by the terrible claws of the Calamity. They should be able to help us. The letter I sent to them joyfully proclaims that their princess has indeed returned, and that they must remember their oaths and keep their pledges to the Crown. They must send men willing, rupees, food, and whatever other aid that is necessary to help in the rebuilding of the heart of the Kingdom.
"It would be the least they can do for the princess who saved them, after all, whether they realize it or not. Were it not for you, Ganon's malice would have covered the world in desolation and darkness, and all would have succumbed to the same terrible fate."
"Thank you Impa," Zelda replied, hands pressed against her chest, "but I still need to help the people who are here right now. It will take many, many days before they could even receive word of what has taken place here. And that goes without saying if they even remember they had a princess at all; it has been over one hundred years."
Link paused, his voracious eating momentarily halted as he noticed the princess' voice shake with doubt and fear. He slid back from where he sat and placed a firm grip onto the handle of the legendary blade of evil's bane, lifting his head to speak.
"Then perhaps I should go and remind them of their honor," he calmly declared.
"That is okay, my dear boy," Impa said, calming Link with a simple gesture as she turned to address Zelda. "Such drastic action will not be needed. Although, I shall tell you truthfully, Princess, that it will not be long now before rumor spreads of your return. Not just to your friends, but to the enemies that hide among those friends. They will soon know the truth of your existence."
"Enemies?" spoke Zelda, incredulous. "What enemies do I have?"
"My dear child, so long has the presence of your divine leadership been away from these lands that envious eyes have descended on what remains. And where the light does not shine, evil dwells in darkness, if left alone long enough to fester."
"Who?" the princess asked, worried at the prospect.
"I do not know. Such motives are always hard to decipher when so much deception clouds the air. We must hold onto the truth that we know, and trust in those we know are loyal. Stay vigilant, even in peacetime, like this young lad."
Impa turned to face the Knight. "And you, lad, must remember that your duty is to the princess. She will need your strength, now more than ever, to lift her up. Guide and protect the way for her, as you've always done, for you are the only one she shall be able to trust."
Impa looked back to Zelda. "And I do recommend you trust in him, your Grace."
"Um...," Paya softly interrupted, "is anyone in need of a slice of pumpkin bread pudding? Link?"
The girl offered him a warm smile. With a salivating expression on his face, the knight nodded in approval. They all laughed at how quickly he snatched the bowl, and began to wolf it down.
"You should both make for the town of Hateno, and the other close provinces of Hyrule," Impa continued with a subtle urgency to her voice. "They must see you in person if we are to garner support. I trust that support shall eventually come. We will await any word of the other three distant Houses in the Greater Hyrule Kingdom to the north, your grace. I do believe you will be well pleased to see more of your kin in Hateno. Praise be to Link's brave sacrifice a hundred years ago, for the old fort there still stands, never having fallen into shadow. Many innocents were spared from certain doom that day."
The group soon headed back inside to gather their belongings, while Impa and Paya helped them prepare, scurrying about to fetch horses, packs, and all other sorts of supplies for the journey across Lower Hyrule Kingdom.
Zelda had been in the midst of packing some clothing Paya had laid out on the bed for her, when she happened to notice a notebook of sorts curiously lying open upon the nightstand. Not being one to overlook such things, the princess picked it up out of curiosity.
Perhaps it is a recipe I might share with Link, since Paya turned out to be a pretty good cook, if I do say so myself, she thought. Or maybe it is an old Sheikah mechanical manual? Perhaps left behind by Purah, and kept in Paya's care? She hoped that was so even more.
To her shock and surprise, it was neither of those things. It was Paya's diary! Intrigued, she couldn't help but read what was left so brazenly out in the open for anyone's eyes to see.
One peak couldn't hurt, she considered. I won't even turn the page.
As her eyes flowed over the page, line after line, she heard creaking steps begin a swift climb up the stairs toward the room. Her hair sprung and stood on end, and she thought for certain that she'd been had. In a quick flutter of embarrassment, she moved to toss the journal across the nightstand. Unfortunately, Zelda just so happened to be an incredibly well-learned individual, taught as she'd been by the best scholars and wise men in her era. While they were certainly lost to the Calamity long ago, the princess' reading talents were not. And so, though she caught only a glimpse of it, the first passage of Paya's diary was now burned into her mind from beginning to end, reciting itself to her in a loop.
'Master Link looks so gallant! He is the very picture of the hero I always imagined. His blonde sideburns flow like a golden waterfall over his dignified, pointed ears...and the way his hair is so perfectly parted to the side, wow! I don't know why, but my heart won't stop beating faster and faster! I must admit that I'm still not great at interacting with young men, but I think I am finally able to speak to Master Link while looking him in the eyes. Those wonderful eyes...naturally I still get a little embarrassed...but I can't help it! I always follow his gaze with my own. I blame his beautiful blue eyes. Ugh! This is all so strange...'
The door barged open, just as the diary took flight through the air! With not a moment to spare, it found its final resting place in a nook just behind the dresser stand. Paya entered the room then, in what seemed to be quite the hurry, clumsily stumbling and stammering into the room. Zelda stood there, looking disheveled, her eyes wide, one hand in her pack while the other pressed firmly upon the mattress of the bed. Surely, this did not look suspicious at all! The princess' heart drummed as though it wanted to burst from her chest and do a dance alongside the two girls.
Did Paya see that I was reading her diary?! I couldn't bear to be caught doing such a dreadful thing! she thought, feeling guilty even as her jealousy piqued at the words written by Paya about her sworn protector.
...what more is there to that story I did not get to see? she pondered.
"Paya!" Zelda exclaimed, voice all but dripping with suspicion as she tried to hide her guilt and jealousy simultaneously from the Sheikah girl. "Thank you again for everything you've done! And the clothes, too! I am so grateful!"
"Um...of course, your Highness," Paya replied, pressing her index fingers firmly together in nervous embarrassment, even as she was taken aback by the princess' peculiar behavior. "Um, Princess, may I ask you something?"
Zelda, prepared for the worst, and dreading what she might hear come from her lips, braced for her heart to shatter into a million pieces.
That she might come to find that Link had already chosen...Am I already too late? Zelda thought despairingly.
"About Link...," the Sheikah girl began, "I had never seen him so happy until last night. In fact, I don't recall ever seeing him smile before now. He is probably so relieved, what with the fate of the world finally off his shoulders...He is so brave...Do you think he would be interested in...? Oh, never mind. Please, forget it." The girl looked away sheepishly, letting out a wistful sigh.
A shadow of puzzlement fell over Zelda's face. She didn't want to be forward with her feelings, but the idea of anyone else with Link would surely break her. Even so, she had to know! "Would he what?" the princess asked intently.
"It's not important, just a silly thought," responded Paya. "I'm sorry if I overstep myself. Sometimes I say things I don't really mean when I'm nervous...What is important now is helping you both on your quest!"
"Do I make you nervous?" Zelda asked.
"Well, no. I mean, yes, you are the princess, after all...but you are quite different than I had imagined you would be."
"How so?"
"You are much more beautiful than I was told by grandmother. It's such an honor to be in your presence and to have you stay in my room! And grandmother said now that you are back, you are to fulfill your royal destiny. That means you must be married when you are eighteen, does it not? Will you be looking for a suitor now that peace has been established? Though I should say, your Grace, that you would be hard-pressed to find a suitor more wonderful than Link, I should think. He is truly amazing!"
Zelda scoffed at the suggestion by pure reflex. "Thank you for the compliment, Paya, but don't be absurd! Link is a wild ruffian! I'm hardly the type of girl that he would have eyes for. And if you must know, Link and I are just friends! He is my knight attendant, nothing more. Not that it could be more even if I wanted it – which I don't! The old law forbids such things. Even I cannot undo such an ancient law from the foundation of time."
And, from pure memory, caught up in the moment and trying to bury her own feelings, the princess began to expound upon the nature of the law she spoke of. "The law states clearly that a princess can only be promised to a man of noble blood or, barring that, a man from the lost Holy Order of KNIGHTS, of which none exist, and haven't existed in over an age."
Paya gave her a questioning look, confused as to why Zelda would feel the need to go into such a long-winded explanation. "But Grandmother said the law must –"
"I know what you would have me say!" Zelda interrupted. "But I don't have the luxury of sorting out such feelings, nor filling my head with those kinds of thoughts...Peace has not yet truly been established in my kingdom. Yes, Calamity Ganon is gone, but there is so much more that needs be done. Healing my kingdom must be my only concern, for now."
Zelda had been caught off guard by Paya's insinuation. Only a moment ago, she'd thought herself caught red-handed, reading the girl's diary. And even though she'd tried to drive the conversation away from revealing the affections she had in her heart for Link, her own facial expressions might very well have been betraying her at that moment.
"You're right, of course," Paya said bashfully, looking down at her feet in apology. "I'm sorry for prodding or implying anything, dear Princess, especially when it comes to Master Link. You could have any nobleman of your choosing, your Grace. Forgive me."
The girl smiled and bowed deeply to the princess. "You have my help whenever you might need it, Princess. Whatever it may be, I am at your service."
The world, and most of all Link, mustn't know just yet, Zelda thought.
Zelda did feel relieved to know that Paya and Link were not seeing each other in that way...but it might still be good for her keep a close eye on the girl.
Perhaps there is still hope for me yet, she thought.
Zelda flung her bag over her shoulder, feeling slightly guilty for being so harsh to the Sheikah girl. She smiled over to Paya, and took the time to give the girl a short hug. She then proceeded to march down the bamboo staircase, into the main living room and out the front door.
The princess didn't want to admit outright, but it felt nice to know that Paya seemed to be someone she could count on. She had lost so many friends from a century long ago. Yet, still thinking about what she said to Paya moments earlier, she knew that the law is the law, and even her authority has its limits when it comes to the laws said to be strictly ordained by the Goddesses themselves. Even so, the possibility that she might not be able to one day be with Link held no appeal for her. Her heart ached at the very thought of it, so she decided not to ponder on the matter anymore.
Walking out into the midday sun, Zelda noticed that Link had already prepared them horses at the drinking trough, packs loaded and adventuring gear ready. The knight was taking the time to feed the beasts fresh apples, when he saw her start to make her way towards him. He gave her a sweet smile in the blowing wind. Immediately, all thoughts of the old law fled Zelda's mind, and she was determined not to worry about it anymore.
At that moment, Impa came up alongside the princess, swiftly laying out last minute details before the two were to set off on their quest. "Now, my dear Princess, be mindful. Not everyone is going to take kindly to your return to the land. In the meantime, we will keep our ears close to the ground. As soon as we hear word back from Houses Draene, Tarble, and Illiastar, we will send notice to you."
Link gently gave Zelda a boost up onto her steed, followed by him leaping onto his next to his own at her side.
Zelda's face then seemed to light up, full of excitement at some stunning revelation. "It has occurred to me that if we shall be needing rupees, the treasury deep within the bowels of Hyrule Castle should still be intact. Great wealth, priceless treasures and heirlooms beyond measure are gathered within. Ganon had no need of such things, after all. There is certainly more than enough to help the people and get the kingdom out of the destitute state it is in now, I'd imagine."
"Not many have braved the Castle since the Calamity and lived to tell the tale, your Grace," Impa spoke, and the simple logic that followed put a damper on Zelda's high spirits. "Perhaps only our dear Hero in all of the last century. It may still be too dangerous to venture deep into the depths within the Castle walls. Ganon is gone, that much is certainly true, and so are the guardians...but his allies and hordes still linger, and haunt these lands aimlessly. I wouldn't think it wise to go lurking about there, at least not until his forces have disbanded completely, and cowered away back to the burning lands from whence they came.
"Perhaps when we receive some word from the Noble Houses, they may be called upon to send reinforcements to help clear out the heart of the kingdom. Only then, I think, would it be safe enough to look deep within the Castle for the old wealth that lies hidden. For now, you should both make haste towards Hateno, and then to all the inner provinces to visit the loyal clans and villages, so that they may see you. By that time, word and help might have already arrived from Greater Hyrule."
Impa smiled as she placed a comforting on each of their horses. "Now, don't you fret, my dear Princess. All will be made right soon enough. You will see. Now be off, the both of you, and take good care!"
With that she gave a hearty smack to the behinds of the horses the pair of adventurers sat upon. The horses took off at a gallop before Zelda even had a chance to say goodbye. They were now well on their way, back out in the open wilderness, heading toward Hateno village.
Hateno was a small Hylian settlement, the new home of the many descendants of refugees who fell victim to the Great Calamity that decimated the great capital city of Illuminor, a name long since forgotten to the memory of this age. It was known better in the common tongue and of it's people as Hyrule Castle Town. In truth, it had never been a town at all, but a grand city of Kings. The jewel and light of all the civilized world, leading in all aspects of culture, wealth, and prosperity. Only after a century, it had been left in ruin and decay, with its remaining citizens scattered to the four winds of the kingdom. They were once doomed to remain as pilgrims in their own land. Now, finally, the lost princess and her knight were on their way to grant restitution to those citizens, and right the injustices done to them.
The hours passed by, and the sun hung low in the west, leaving a burning red glow upon the horizon. Zelda and Link had already ventured many miles away from Kakariko. Link, tramping alongside Zelda on the trail not far from Hateno Village, had the sudden realization that he still carried the Sheikah Slate. He reached for the device strapped to his belt, and leaned off the side of his horse to offer it to the princess.
"Here," he said, curious as to what her response would be. She'd loved these sorts of things, once. "I almost forgot that this actually belongs to you."
Zelda turned to look at the offering. She loved gazing at the magnificent craftsmanship that was put into such a wonderfully small piece of technology. She could hardly imagine what sort of mysteries surrounded the Slate and how it functioned. Imagining all sorts of magical powers that must have been bestowed in such a gift to allow it to do the marvelous things it could do. All the more it intrigued her. She couldn't wait to study it further.
"Wow. Thank you, Link. I mean, if you insist I carry it, then I will most certainly oblige you," she said, trying to hold back her childlike curiosity.
"Well, it is yours, after all. I was merely watching over it until after I saved you. Which was bound to happen anyway, I reckon'," he replied, trying to get a rise out of her.
"Ha! Saved me!? So, that's your version of the story now? I guess I had no part in having saving you, as well? Hmm, Hero? Sealing away Ganon was merely a conjurer's trick, a silly trifle?"
She playfully snatched the slate from his grasp, quickly tossing it into her satchel.
The knight gave his princess a teasing look. "Ha, no, don't misunderstand. I'm sorry…I was just pointing out that I had the largest role to play. You helped I guess, kind of like how that slate helped."
She gasped, mouth agape at his silly attempt at a joke. "Hmph! I think I preferred you better as a mute! At least then you could be counted on to simply stand there looking handsome and – " She stopped herself abruptly, realizing that she was getting too carried away.
"Go on, Princess," Link responded playfully.
"You...you are terrible! And stop calling me 'Princess!' Do as I command, will you?!" she exclaimed in a comedic fluster, worried she might very well have been tricked into saying how she truly felt.
"Well, for someone who doesn't like to be called 'Princess,' you sure do love giving orders like one," he said, cracking a slight cool smile. With no way to rebuke his claims, Zelda elected to escape, yawing her horse forward.
"Ha! Have it your way then 'Mister Legendary Hero!' See how far you get without any of my help!" She galloped ahead of him, darting toward the gates of the small town ahead of them. Link, not wanting to lose sight of her, spurred his own horse on to give pursuit. He was after all charged to keep her in his care at all times.
Riding through the entrance of the small settlement village, Link sped past a few of the watchful sentries at the gate, trying in vain to flag him down.
"Hey, you there! Halt! No rough riding through the Village!" They could be heard yelling behind Link as he left a trail of dust in his wake.
It was no use giving chase, since they wouldn't be able to catch catch up to stop him. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, Link seemed to have lost track of the princess. He only looked back toward the sentries for just a moment and he must of lost sight of her then in that moment. Now he was concerned that the game of chase had probably gone a bit too far. With a groan, he continued his search of the village.
Nightfall quickly arrived as the hour passed, and Link began to get a little concerned for Zelda's wellbeing. Mist began to blanket over the village, and thunder cracked overhead as rainfall started to drizzle down upon him. The whole situation left him feeling quite uneasy.
"Where could she have rushed off to?" he whispered to himself.
After making a round of the village, he decided to try somewhere indoors, beginning with the small inn and tavern.
She probably went up ahead to acquire us lodging for our stay in Hateno, she was a sharp minded girl after all, he thought.
He dismounted and quickly made his way up the stairs into the old inn, where he heard muddled voices shouting from inside. He stopped at the edge of the door to listen for half a moment.
"He~ey, little missy. Wut a fancy toy you have there! Wouldn't mind if old Nod had a looksy at it, right? Could be worth a pretty rupee!" Times aroun' here be tough for the likes of us," said a freakishly tall, overly round, slack-jawed Hylian man to Zelda. The man swiped the Sheikah Slate right from her hands, and was casually passing it around the rag tag bunch of obvious ne'er-do-wells accompanying him.
"Hey! I demand that you give that back! You, sir, have no right," declared the princess. Rather than acquiesce to her demand, the man chose instead to dangle the Slate over Zelda's head, chuckling at her futile attempts to reach it.
"Ha hah! She looks kinda cute, this flower, when she's made red, doesn't she boys? She's almost in full bloom! Perhaps ya do a little dance for Ol' Nod and the boys, and maybe we be handing your shiny toy here back to ya? What do ya say? How 'bout it?"
"Yeah! Do a little twirl for us!" one of the other lanky and slouched men shouted at her from behind Nod.
"I would have you know," she said to them all, her chin up high and with serious eyes, "that if you do not relinquish what is mine, I'll have no choice but to have my sworn knight put you in your place."
She chanced a glance around at her own words, somewhat stressed given that she'd entered the tavern alone. Attempting to maintain a confidant appearance, she pointed a finger at the men. "A-as soon as he arrives, Link will see to it that you're all taught some manners! And he will arrive, mind you! He never fails to answer his princess' call!"
Her threat fell on deaf ears.
"Ha hah! Listen lady, we don't care who you think you are!" Nod replied, him and his accomplices laughing heartily at Zelda's display of authority. "Just cuz yer dressed in yer fancy outfit don't make ya royalty 'round these parts. Ain't no such things as knights, only things. Things for sellin', and things for thievin'. Now, why don't ya go ahead and hand over whatever other things you might have that're worth somethin', aye?"
"Enough! You heard the young lady!" Link shouted, slamming open the door in dramatic fashion. In a flash, he moved between Zelda and her attackers, sword out and at the ready. Zelda's eyes lit up with relief at his timely appearance, and her heart pounded in her chest.
"Listen, I should really warn you guys," he said, glaring about at them while ushering the frightened Princess behind him. "You don't stand a chance against me."
"Ha hah! Look who thinks he's the Champion Beam-Splitter, and Guardian Urn-Crusher of old!" Nod mocked him as he and his group of scoundrels began to close in eagerly. "Kid, there's nine of us, and one of you."
"I could take on fifty of you, and still wouldn't break a sweat," Link retorted smugly, eyes focused.
Suddenly, one of the goons lunged at the knight with his fist.
"Fair warning," Link said, gracefully dodging the strike and knocking the man out of the melee with a perfectly placed elbow to the ribs.
Another man darted from behind Link, while two others attempted to rush from the front.
"Link, look out!" Zelda screamed.
The knight's perception of time slowed to a crawl, and Link swiftly knelt to avoid the first blow. The attacker from behind missed, his punch sailing over Link's head only to accidentally knock out one of his would-be accomplices, and leaving the last goon open to Link's counterattack. Not wanting to seriously hurt these roughnecks, the knight carefully swung the blunt end of his sword into the chest of his final attacker, knocking the man to the floor in a wheezing, panting heap. Nod looked to his remaining men, only to see them skulking away in fright at Link's superior martial abilities.
"Why you...!" Nod growled, and readied his burly hands for a brawl, intent on bringing this upstart hotshot down. Before he could properly strike, the tavern doors burst open, a flash of lightning from outside lighting up the entire room. Standing before them all at the entrance was a mysterious cloaked figure. A woman? No, perhaps it was a young girl? It couldn't be certain.
"Silence! Seize yourselves! And SNAP!" she exclaimed as she paced through the doorway. With a crash and a flash, golden light bolted up from a device on her waist, shooting out her hands and through the air into Nod, shocking him with the fury of an electric current. Zelda and Link stared, confused as to exactly what had just happened. Unfortunately, as quickly as the girl sent her lightning bolt at Nod, the device she was carrying began to smoke and shake, going completely haywire.
"Eyyaaahh!" the mysterious girl screeched in pain, shocking herself as she tossed the small tablet into the air. It hit the wooden floor with loud clatter, its light blinking out as it bounced along the ground, cracking and popping as it shot hot sparks all over the place. It was then Zelda noticed that the device...appeared to be another Sheikah Slate! It was fashioned differently than hers, a more rudimentary design that seemed more of crudely crafted knockoff than an original like her own.
Could it be possible? Zelda thought.
The device twisted and vibrated on the ground, sizzling with an electric current until finally exhausting itself of all its power. With a tiny explosion, the knockoff Slate was left a ruin on the floor, small flames burning away its remains.
Nod, mostly unharmed if somewhat fried, immediately scurried to what beaten friends of his still remained in the tavern. The tavern itself was an absolute mess, with chairs broken and splintered, tables flipped over, and drinks spilled all over the floor. The bartender and innkeeper had huddled together behind the front booth since the argument broke out, praying to the goddesses simply for the noise and commotion to quiet down. All in all, the place looked as if a hoard of Bokoblins had sacked it.
"Big Sis! So, so sorry! We didn't know!" Nod wailed, before the stress and injuries caught up with him, and he fainted in the arms of one of his companions. The pair of them collapsed onto the floor, Nod's friend attempting to fan the man's face so that he'd wake.
Zelda calmly walked over to the unconscious Nod, retrieving her Sheikah Slate with a huff of annoyance. "Hmph! Serves you right, taking what doesn't belong to you!"
The mysterious cloaked figure, meanwhile, was still hopping about, blowing on her burned hands in some hope of soothing them. With a flourish, she ceased attempting to soothe her wounded hands, and pulled a notebook from her pocket.
"Slate number one hundred and thirty two – yet another failure. Core doesn't appear to stabilize after using the blue essence of ignition," she muttered under her breath, furiously scribbling into the note pad. She looked up then at Zelda. "Apologies, dear Princess, did these clumsy fools try to strong arm you?"
The cloaked girl kicked at pair of men on the floor. "You jokers are more trouble than you are worth! I told you to find me ancient parts, not rob helpless girls who you happen to come across along the road!"
"Helpless?!" Zelda interjected, her face scrunched up in annoyance at the notion anyone would think of her to be helpless.
The cloaked figure then revealed herself. Throwing the cloak to the floor, she quickly spun around and snapped a her fingers at Zelda, shutting down any complaints the princess might voice in an instant.
Zelda's might have gone aghast at the prospect of being so blithely silenced, until she noticed that the little girl snapping at her was the spitting image of a young Purah, the chief scholar and researcher of Ancient Sheikah technology. At least that is what she thought of herself to be. Well, depending on who you asked. Some might very well argue that master Robbie of the Akkala Observatory was the leading mind in the field of lost technology. It was anyone's guess, really.
"So sorry, Big Sis," Nod apologized, as he stirred to wakefulness on the floor and stood up. "Ya told us to do whatever was necessary to find ya these broken pieces of Sheikah machines, and we saw this little lady had such on her person. It's dangerous to be venturin' to the castle these days to look fer such things, especially with all the missin' folk 'round those parts. They say nobody comes back from such journeys."
"I meant hunting for you to seek the parts out in the open! Not going about like a bunch of thieves!" Purah scolded the group of men. "Now, you owe these two a big apology, and a debt of gratitude that young Master Link here didn't simply gut you like a fish! And just so you fools know, you have the honor of being in the presence of Princess Zelda of Hyrule! As in THE PRINCESS, along with her appointed bodyguard!"
"Bodyguard?" Link asked, confused by the term.
Purah snapped her fingers toward him. "Excuse me, knight, or whatever. You lot owe them your respect and allegiance. This whole town does. Besides, if they are here, that means Calamity Ganon is no more, and neither are the guardians. Which further means you can all hurry over to the castle and fetch me some wonderful tech to study!"
Purah seemed positively delighted at the prospect.
"Purah? Is that really you? What in the world happened to you?" Zelda asked, awestruck by the woman-turned-girl's tiny stature and childlike appearance.
"We don't speak of it...but since you are the princess, I guess it wouldn't hurt to let you know," Purah replied, a hint of smugness in her response. "It was Sheikah Slate number thirty-three that created the stunningly beautiful image of youth that your eyes see standing before you now!"
The diminutive researcher still had that same quirkiness about her that always seemed odd to Link, though being so instrumental in repairing his Sheikah Slate to full functionality on his quest had helped the knight to warm up to her antics a great deal. Her fashion sense, however, had always made Zelda feel awkward around her, even a hundred years ago, and the woman-child's current cutesy dress and mismatched Sheikah cloak (though that was currently on the floor) made her stick out like a sore thumb among the rest of the tavern patrons. Not the sort to blend into a crowd, that Purah.
"We are so sorry, pretty little lady – I mean, Princess!" Nod said, him and his group dropping to their knees at Zelda''s feet. "Beggin' yer pardon, your Grace. Please, forgive us. We are forever in yer service. We had no idea who ya was."
"That won't be necessary. All is forgiven," Zelda replied in a serious tone, though she winked at Link and Purah. It was refreshing to frighten a group would-be robbers with her position as the Princess of Hyrule. "Just don't be going about terrorizing people or trying to steal from anyone again, else I will be forced to lay a harsh judgment upon your heads."
"We won't! Never again, we promise!" Nod agreed, bowing to Zelda, and looking over his shoulders to nudge his men to do likewise. "We are honored to be in yer presence, ain't we, boys?"
"Yes, ma'am! We are at yer service!" they all shouted, bowing their heads.
"There! The matter is settled. You may all rise now that we have that messy business out of the way," the princess spooke with a smile, motioning with her hands for them to rise. "Oh, dear me. Innkeeper! It is quite alright for you to come out, now. I do believe this lot won't be giving you anymore trouble. And to compensate you for the damage, we'll pay triple the going rate for a night's stay."
At the girl's words, the bartender and innkeeper sluggishly made their way out from behind the counter.
Link, in the meantime, wasn't so certain of their ability to hold to Zelda's claim of triple the going rate. He scrounged in his pockets to see how many rupees the pair of them had. He came out with fifty-seven, hardly enough to cover a single night's stay, let alone a triple rate. Perhaps the princess forgot that she wasn't in the company of her royal caravan, and didn't have the luxuries of endless money at her behest. She'd made a deal that she would have normally been able to keep, but with Link's resources drained after battling the Calamity, he had no way to cover the expense.
He felt a nervous sweat beginning to bead across his forehead. He didn't particularly want to interrupt Zelda with the bad news, and tarnish her reputation in the process. Fortunately, his saving grace came in the form of the innkeeper's own humble generosity.
"Dear me, you honor me too much, fair Princess," the innkeeper said, waving his hands and bowing to Zelda. "It is I who is blessed just to have you under my humble roof. Please, stay as long as you like. We'll bring food and drink for you and your strong friend."
"Well, we must still pay you at least what the room is worth," responded Zelda, looking to Link with a smile. "I wouldn't want anyone to think I was taking unfair advantage of such kind folks such as yourself. Link, please pay the good man his price."
"Heh heh. Well, if you insist, your Grace. The standard rate for the room is fifty six rupees for a night," the Innkeeper said, skulking over to Link rubbing his hands together as the young man emptied out his purse. The knight handed over the rupees, tossing the last remaining green gem back into his wallet.
"Phew, that was close. I guess I'll just have to hunt our breakfast before she gets up," Link whispered quietly to himself, grateful that he didn't have to tell Zelda that they were already out of money just yet.
"Now, Princess, what brings you to Hateno?" Purah questioned Zelda, curiously. "More importantly, what brings you to me?"
"Actually, Purah, we came to see the people here, and to let them know that it will be safe to return to the capital just as soon as word reaches the remaining Houses and Clans of Hyrule," Zelda replied, a glimmer of hope shining in her eye as she gazed at the growing number of people gathering in the tavern. "Everyone may now begin making preparations for the journey home."
"That sounds wonderful and all, Princess, but a lot of the people here couldn't afford to make the trip," Purah said scratching the back of her head. "Most folks can hardly rub two rupees together."
"We are already working on that as well. Link will be leading a company of men from the other Houses, and will clear out the Castle as soon as they arrive," she spoke with joyful glow to those in the room. "There should be more than enough rupees to help these dear people of the village return home. Which reminds me, Purah...is there truly a way to travel great distances instantly with use of the Sheikah Slate? I recall Link mentioning such thing, but that it only worked for a single traveler. What's more, it has not functioned since the Calamity was defeated. Do you think you can tell us what's wrong, and is there a chance the function could be repaired and for two?" Zelda gleamed over to Link.
Purah quickly snatched the Slate from Zelda's hands as she was distracted looking the other way towards Link. The tiny scientist adjust her glasses to get a better look at the Slate, poring over it for a long moment while muttering to herself. Whatever she was saying was too quiet and jumbled for Link or Zelda to make out. With questioning looks, the pair of them crept closer to better hear her, yet again she turned to snap her fingers at the both of them. She shooed them away with hands, before suddenly spinning and shouting.
"It's no good, no good at all!" Purah exclaimed, the look on her face declaring it all but obvious why the device refused to work. She continued looking around the room, seeing nothing but blank stares.
Amateurs, she thought with an exasperated sigh.
"You see, Princess," the researcher began, "ever since the Calamity was defeated, what your people would call the Sacred Fires of Din...well, they've gone out. The 'divine' Blue flame has been mysteriously extinguished, and without its glow these fine artifacts don't work properly. Not to mention that I just don't have the necessary materials, no thanks to this lousy lot, to fix your Slate."
She shot a fiery glare at her hired mercenaries before continuing. "In truth, I must admit that even I cannot replicate the wonders of the Slate anew. I've tried over a hundred times, all to no avail. Its mysteries evade me, and even though I hate to admit it, I haven't learned all there is to know of these machines."
With that, Purah returned the Slate to Zelda, a defeated look on her face.
"Well, below the Castle –" Zelda began, but was quickly cut off by Purah.
"Yes, we detected there to be wells of energy down there, possibly rivers flowing with the sacred fire," Purah said solemnly. "However, try as we might, we never could reach the source before the Calamity struck. I feel it's all connected, somehow."
"I see. Then I am afraid we are left with a conundrum," considered the princess, fingers cupping her chin in contemplation. "We will simply have to wait until help arrives."
Nod made his way over to the two of them, while Link assisted the innkeeper with cleaning the mess in the tavern. "Big Sis, what do we do now?"
The moniker jogged Zelda's memory, and she cocked her head in curiosity. "That's right, these men have been calling you 'Big Sis' this whole time. Why do they call you that? As far as I recall, your only younger sister is Impa."
Before Purah could respond, Nod clumsily blurted out an answer. "It's because she's been keepin' a watchful eye over all of us. She's been watchin' the whole village since I could remember. And..."
Nod paused a moment to look about the room with an apprehensive stare.
"And...?" Zelda asked, tense with anticipation.
"Well, because she never grows old. She's been tamperin' with strange, old magic, some say," Nod explained, nodding his head in a way that implied the rumors absolutely had to be true.
"Move over you! And it's not magic! There are no 'magical' phenomena that cannot be explained by science. Ah, what am I saying? It's not like the likes of you would understand anyways!" Purah shouted, shoving Nod out of the way, and giving Zelda a formal-looking bow. "Princess, if it concerns you, I'll be at my study at the top of the hill. We may address the town formally in the morning. Many blessings on your long-awaited safe return to us, and I bid you good evening. Come along, all of you! The princess needs her rest!"
Zelda hardly had a chance to respond before the room cleared out.
Zelda and Link finally made it to their room, and were about to turn in for the night when Zelda began to rant about Purah's earlier words.
"Need my rest? As if I was just a helpless little girl, foolishly wandering about!" the princess vented to Link from behind a dressing curtain. Link, for his part, was firmly focused on a dimly lit corner of the room in the opposite direction.
"Well, sort of. Definitely not tonight, though," he whispered, quietly laughing to himself as he caught glimpse of her silhouette flailing about as she threw off her day clothes, replacing them with a nightgown.
"Ha ha, very funny!" she shouted, peering around the side of the veil to look toward him. "And don't think I'm speaking to you again, either! I still haven't forgotten about what happened on the road earlier!"
With the princess now properly dressed, the knight turned to face her. Zelda quickly hopped into the rickety bed the inn offered, and speedily threw the lone brown goat-hide blanket over herself. Immediately, she turned away from Link, still stubbornly annoyed from losing the debate on the ride over.
"Well? Go do whatever it is you do at this time of night!" she called out to the young man, blowing out the candle near bed with a sharp breath. "I'll see you in the morning. Good evening."
Link, feeling that it probably wasn't proper for him to stay in the same room as her, particularly with the mood she was in, quietly left her to rest alone. He made his way outside the inn, to a nice spot beneath a tall apple tree. The night sky was clear of the storm clouds that had raged before, and the air was surprisingly comfortable.
The knight thought it best to rest alongside the old, proud tree until morning, rather than sleep somewhere indoors. It was just below Zelda's window, anyways.
Perhaps she does need her rest, Link thought to himself. As he looked up at the stars, he very gradually slipped off to sleep.
"Volley!" screamed a man from the top of his lungs, perched on the fortress walls and yelling down to other soldiers below. The men frantically rushed to form lines, lighting up their arrows and firing them deep into the stormy skies above them in the hopes they would rain down upon their encroaching enemies.
"It's no good, their armor is too thick!" one of the men shouted to the others, the fear of inevitable death in his eyes.
"What news from the castle?! What's happening?! Is this all the people you could save?!" the Captain of the Garrison roared, questioning all the subordinates around him. "Get them within the gates, quickly now! There's no time!"
"It's no use! We need more men!" a lieutenant shouted back to the Captain just above him on the lookout.
Screams of men could be heard atop the wall-tops, firing barrages of arrows down into the canyon below. Unfortunately, the enemy was unaffected by their ill-attempted drive to keep them back, and continued to charge toward them, faster and faster. Time slipped away, and soon the great citadel that had stood for over a thousand years in the light would be tested by the punishing power of the darkest shadow it ever faced that night.
Soldiers could be seen, leading frightened women and children across the open plains up the tall slopes that led to the citadel. The road was puddled, and the knee-high mud made it nearly impossible to make way up the steep hills. Their fortunes took a sad turn for the worse, as the heavy deluge of rainfall flooded the way down the road they were climbing up. Running for their lives, they scattered in every direction in a crazed effort to reach the safety of Akkala Citadel, Hyrule's strongest fortress and the last bastion of hope.
"Get the women and children into the barracks! They will be safe there!" the Captain shouted to the men stationed at the gate.
Just behind the people running up the cliffs, terrible explosions overturned rock and stone, and shattered boulders could be seen soaring through the air. Scorching bright blue beams of death shot toward the fleeing people from all directions. The noise of the onslaught horrified all those who heard it. Soul-piercing screams of terror joined with loud crashes of thunder, and blasts that shook the earth beneath people's feet only to be followed by an eerie silence.
The terrible noise of war quickly came upon the citadel.
A group of soldiers leading the last group of survivors from the capital city could be seen rushing through large gates of the towering fortress.
"Sir, they tore us to pieces!" the panicked soldier panted to the Captain, hunched over and trying to catch his breath. "Before we realized what was happening, it was too late...and the city fell. We were split, and just when we thought all hope was lost and we were about meet our doom, your son appeared! He saved us...he saved us all..."
"And where is my son now?! Where is he?!" The Captain shouted, grabbing the man by his armor and shaking him about in a panic.
"We do not know, sir! We were flanked and split. He alone drove the enemy back, and he had her Majesty the Princess with him, along with a few other men of the Royal Guard and some civilians. They couldn't follow us, and fled south. The way was shut."
"Goddesses be with them, then...," Link's father whispered, disbelieving what was happening around him. His ears rang with the noise of war in every direction. "Goddesses be with us all..."
"Eyahhh!" A woman's screams cut through the commotion, piercing through the armored gates, and the Captain's eyes widened as he came to. He pulled himself together with quick resolve as he heard the scream again, and several times after. He knew he had to save her, whoever she was, outside the gates...
"Eyahh!"
Link who was drenched in fevered sweat, was torn from his nightmare at the sound of a loud shriek coming from Zelda's bedroom. An intruder!
In Zelda's room, a gangly man in hooded assassin's garb moved atop her as she lay, defenseless and panicking, in her bed. At that moment, she deeply regretted acting so foolishly earlier that night, and childishly pushing Link away. The man held her wrists with one hand, covering her mouth with the other as she attempted to claw her away out of his grip. She tried to screech out a call for help, but couldn't move or let out a breath. Her eyes looked up at the man in horror at what he might have planned.
"Where is the book and the staff?!" the hooded, ninja-like assailant demanded as he as squeezed his grip over her mouth tighter. "Where are you hiding them from us?! We know you know where it is! Where is the rod?!"
Zelda could only stare, terrified and confused. She had no idea what he was talking about! She shook her head in terror, tears beginning to flow down her cheeks.
"Squeal, girl. Your boy knight won't be able to save you, now. He's long gone...," the man gleefully whispered as he took his hand from her mouth to draw out a threatening dirk from his belt. He gently feathered the edge of the knife down her cheeks and to her neck.
Suddenly, Link came bursting through the window, swinging into the room in a blaze of fury, and kicking the man off the princess with both feet. The assailant flailed through the air, slamming into the opposite wall of the room, splintering the wood with a crash. The intruder quickly found his bearings, hurling a trio of bladed throwing stars at Link, who'd taken up a defensive stance at Zelda's bedside. Despite the speed of the throw, Link was faster, having already snapped off the legs of an old chair near the bed, and using the broad piece of wood as a makeshift shield against the weapons.
The throwing stars plunged deep the wood of the chair with startling force, sending splinters showering over the princess and her Hero. Link tossed it to the ground, and in one fluid motion drew the Master Sword from where it rested under the bed and hurled it at the assassin. The blade buried itself with a meaty 'THUNK' deep into the chest of the masked man, impaling him against the door to hang like some tasteless ornament.
The room fell silent as the attacker, firmly nailed too the bedroom door, gasped out three faint breaths before the lights in his eyes went out.
Zelda rushed to Link then, burying her head in his chest and sobbing. "I'm so sorry, Link! I was...so frightened...I guess I truly am helpless..."
He wanted to wrap his arms around her in a warm embrace to soothe her, but that would not be proper as she wasn't properly dressed and was wearing just a simple night gown. So he kept them stiffly at his sides, and hated that he had to do so.
The princess continued, her tears soaking the front of his tunic. "Please, forgive me...I should never have said those things to you...You were just trying to cheer me up...I've had so many things weighing on my mind, and I took it all out on you. Link...I..."
She lifted her head up from his chest to stare deep into the blue of his eyes. She was mere inches away from his face, perhaps even ready now, in this moment of heightened adrenaline, to bare her soul to him, finally. She could feel his breath mingling with her own. But before she could utter another word, Link interrupted her as he went ahead and wiped a few tears from her face.
"It's alright, Zelda...You're not helpless...Well, maybe just a little," he said, smiling in softly in the hope of lifting her spirits. "I am...I mean, we are...all here for you. Impa, Paya, Purah, me...everybody."
Their long gaze into each-others eyes broke a few moments later, as the two of them looked over to the corpse of the failed assassin, still hanging on door. Suddenly, said door swung open, revealing the innkeeper.
"What in the names of the Goddesses is happening in here?!" the innkeeper shouted, confused as he avoided the blade of the Master Sword poking out the outer side of the door. The man looked around the door, only to regret it when he caught sight of the dead man hanging from it.
"I'm not quite sure..." Link answered. "Though it appears the Yiga Clan is involved."
"Iga? What's an Iga?" the innkeeper asked with a lost stare.
"Yiga..." Zelda restated, turning to face Link."Are you certain?"
"Definitely," he replied, motioning at the man's garb and the emblem on his shroud. "I've encountered many of them in my journey to free you and defeat Calamity Ganon. But I thought I'd put an end to them when I bested their leader..."
"Then why did this man strike at me here?" the princess asked.
"I have no idea, but Impa was right. Rumor has already spread of your return. First light will be upon us soon. You should try to get some rest before dawn. We have a long journey ahead of us."
"And what about your rest?" Zelda retorted, genuine concern for his well-being clear in her voice. "You won't be so invincible for long, if you do not keep up your strength."
"I slept for one-hundred years," the knight replied with a grin, pulling the Master Sword from the corpse and door with a heave. "I think I'll be alright."
The innkeeper's mouth hung low and confused at what was happening, but he dared not try and interrogate his guests after seeing the aftermath of their scuffle and clearly what Link was capable of. He even went so far as to help Link drag the corpse from the room. It was probably for the best simply to wait until morning to ask questions.
Zelda, meanwhile, fell back onto her bed, though she could not bring herself to close her eyes again. Her mind and heart raced. Daybreak, and the ramifications of that night's events, would soon be upon them.
Authors notes: This story will be a long epic. Most of it is done and in its editing phase. I took some minor liberties on expanding the size and scale of Hyrule Kingdom trying to tie in as many aspects from the actual games and their canon as much as possible for accuracy. I written this story as if Hyrule was in fact, an actual flourishing fantasy kingdom that had existed throughout the ages since Skyward Sword. That being said this is meant to be a Breath of the wild direct sequel and I written it as such. I am trying to keep true to those characters and to that game, all the while still expanding on the great foundation of a story that they have laid down. I always imagined throughout playing the entire series as a whole that it was indeed an actual Kingdom even if we never had a chance to explore all its settlements; either due to hardware limitations at the time or just because of story progression of the games in general. Also, I will be posting regular chapters at two-week intervals and smaller break chapters weekly from the previous released chapter. Thanks and enjoy!