Post by Kiki on Feb 2, 2010 19:12:22 GMT -5
Current word count: 24,630
lol, NaNo habits never die.
Chapter 1
The sharp sound of ringing steel broke the silent, still air. Two youths were behind the swords, both blonde, one boy, one girl. The two glared at each other, mirroring, dodging, parrying, feinting. They were equally matched, or so it seemed, until the boy rushed his opponent. He seemed to be going in for the kill until he pulled up at the last second, merely knocking the girl to the ground. He smirked as he put the tip of his sword to her throat.
“Gee, Zelda, I almost thought you were going to win,” the boy said, his blue eyes sparkling with triumph. He continued to hold his sword at Zelda's throat until she pushed it away and stood up.
“You're too cocky for your own good, Link,” Zelda said as she folded her arms. Her sword had flown out of her hand when Link had knocked her down. She glared at him and turned her back on him. “You'll lose to me someday, you know.”
“Right.” Link rolled his eyes and he sheathed his sword, then handed Zelda's to her. She shoved him as she took the sword back and sheathed it. She glanced at him and he smiled, clearly amused, and she shoved him. “You've killed me!” Link gasped dramatically and fell to the ground, a loud 'thump' heard when he hit the ground. Zelda hesitated, then glanced over her shoulder. As much as he could annoy her, he was her only true friend and she cared about him.
Link was sitting on the ground, grinning at her. She huffed and kicked his foot. “Ow! You've wounded me, Princess!” Link said, groaning in mock pain and falling on his back.
“I'll show you pain yet!” Zelda said. Link got up and started running away. Zelda followed, a look of determination on her face. Link laughed to mock her and Zelda couldn't help but allow her lips to twitch into a faint smile. He looked over his shoulder and stopped, then tackled Zelda. A child-like giggle escaped the princess' lips as her and Link rolled down a hill and landed in a muddy stream. A couple of horses scattered as the pair wrestled and became covered in mud.
Zelda laughed happily as she pinned Link down in the stream, face down. She gripped his arms behind his back and smiled, her blue eyes sparkling merrily. Link spat and groaned as he lifted his face out of the mud and shallow water. Zelda giggled again and patted his head. It had been quite a while since she had felt this free and alive. Being with Link was the only time she was able to be herself, able to be free. “Gee, Link. I almost thought you were going to win,” Zelda said, her tone mock and also playful as she repeated Link's earlier words.
“All right, all right, you win this round, Princess. Now let me up; your immense weight is crushing me!” Link's voice held a taunt and Zelda smacked him in the back of his head, then let him up. She sat on the edge of the small stream and looked at the forever blue sky. Link sat next to her, his fingers brushing the back of her hand. She shivered a bit at the contact, unsure of whether it was accidental or intentional. Link wiped his brow and looked at the sky. “Man, it's never like this at the castle unless you're up on top.”
“It's really beautiful,” Zelda said as a gentle smile spread across her face. “I'm glad Father finally let me come as a delegate to Shikal. Hyrule is beautiful and will always hold my heart, but this land is equally as beautiful.”
“Yeah... Surprised he let me accompany you, considering how much he hates me.” Link's tone was even, but Zelda knew Link well. When his tone was even like that, it was equal to bitterness. She knew how to read people from her courtly upbringing, but she mostly knew Link's moods. To the normal observer, he would be closed off and rude, hard to read, but he was an open book to her. They had grown up together, almost like brother and sister. He was the son of a knight and she was the princess of Hyrule. By all means, they should not have been so close, but nobody had been able to stop them.
“You know I have Father wrapped around my finger.” Zelda smiled mischievously and giggled. After the death of her mother when she was an infant, her father had always been overprotective of her. It was especially true of who she was in contact with. Normally, she was only allowed to be around other nobles and royalty, but Link was special to her. He had been there as long as she could remember.
“I'm still surprised you managed to convince him to let me come. Even with my skills, he considers me unfit to even look at you.” Link shook his head, his blond hair shining like gold in the warm sunlight.
“Don't worry about it, Link,” Zelda said. “You know my father wouldn't refuse any of my requests.” She looked at him and smiled, but he was staring at the stream. She knew one of his greatest insecurities was his self-esteem. The pair was a strange one. As similar as they were, they were also that different. Zelda was highly confident while Link had almost no respect for himself and his abilities. The constant disapproval from his father had seen to that.
“He almost didn't let me come on this trip. I'm next to useless.” Link sighed and tossed a small stone into the clear stream.
Zelda remembered well what they were talking about. Her father had informed her two months prior that she was going as a delegate to Shikal and would have a whole continent of guards to escort her. She agreed, knowing he wouldn't let her go otherwise, but requested Link come. Her father had nearly exploded at the suggestion. She had fled the room in fear of her father and returned at his summons several hours later. He wanted to know why she wanted 'that bastard mouse' to accompany her. A heated debate soon followed and Zelda's reasoning and feelings had won over her father's hatred...barely.
She took Link's hand in hers and he looked at her, blinking. "I don't care what my father thinks about you; you're my only true friend. You like me for me and not my status." She smiled sweetly at him and he smiled back. "I don't care what anyone calls you or thinks about your relationship with me. It's all just talk and gossip is petty. You shouldn't let words affect you so much."
"I know... It's just hard, I guess... I just want your father's approval..." He trailed off and Zelda nodded in understanding. That promise they had made so many years ago as young children was still strong. She would stick by it as would he, no matter what. Link had to ear the kings approval soon, however, or it could all fall apart...
"You have some mud on your face." Zelda smiled and wiped the mud off his face, mostly around his lips. He flushed a bit as Zelda leaned in to kiss him.
Right about as their lips were touching, the sound of hoof beats jarred them away from each other, blushing. "Princess!" Horse Master Marshall came riding up. The Master stopped his horse and looked at them, then sighed. "Your Grace, why are you covered in mud...?"
"Link and I got into a tiff, Marshall," Zelda said, her blush becoming slightly more pronounced. The Horse Master smiled and his horse snorted. The Master was one of the few people that knew and approved of Zelda's relationship with Link. To Zelda, he was much more of a fatherly figure to her, loving and supporting her decisions. She was glad he was in control of the whole delegation. He let her do pretty much as she wanted. About the only restriction was that she be with Link for protection.
"Princess, Her Highness of Shikal requests your presence for a meeting." The Master's mare shifted under him and Zelda sighed. She would have to bathe and changed quickly..back into a dress. She despised having to wear dresses. They were uncomfortable and hampered movement. They were nearly impossible to fight in, as she well knew. Arms Master Kokai had taught her some useful techniques, but she still preferred trousers.
"All Right, Marshall..." Zelda whistled and her gray gelding ran over. She hopped onto his back and Marshal shook his head.
"I may be Horse Master, but I'll never understand how ye can ride bareback all the time, Princess. Your connection with the beasties is uncanny."
"I'll see you later, Link," Zelda said, winking. "And I'll get payback for that swordplay match."
"That's what you think." Link grinned and Zelda rolled her eyes though her smiled remained.
"Let's go, Geram." Zelda's gelding whinnied and took off at a full gallop.
--------------
Zelda walked out of the meeting room with a sigh. It had been midday when she had entered and it was now night. Sometimes, she really hated being a princess. It took away all her freedom and ate up the beautiful spring days. She was expected to be a perfect lady, playing a good hostess and being obedient. She was supposed to sit quietly and whittle away her time doing needlework. The only needlework she liked, however, was swordplay. Her spirit was alive with the fire of the Gorons and Death Mountain she had so often visited.
“Zelda, you did very well today.” The King of Hyrule, her father, approached her and she looked at him. “Although you were a little late, it seems that you are finally settling down a bit. I'm proud of you.” He put his hand on her shoulder and she just looked at him. He claimed he loved her, but that only seemed to be true when she did her duties. He had arrived earlier in the day, when she had been in the pasture with Link, much to her anguish.
It meant the end of her freedom. A month. That was how long she had been free. A blissful month, full of bareback riding, swordplay, trousers and rolling around in the meadow with Link. Now, it was over. Back to her lessons, needlework and everything else she hated.
“I'm going to bed. Good night, Your Highness.” She turned around, her long skirts twirling around her ankles. She shut her door when she got to her room, then discarded the disgusting pink dress on her bed. It had been made for her by her mother, but she couldn't remember her. The queen had died soon after bearing her daughter and Zelda felt no love for her. She knew her father wanted her to be her mother, but she would never be. Her nicknames in Castle Town among the normal people were 'mustang', 'streak' and 'fire'. The most common, however, was 'wings'. They seemed strange to outsiders, but they made perfect sense. She was untameable like a wild horse, fire or bird in flight. Never would she let her father hold her in.
Zelda pulled on some trousers and a long sleeved shirt that Marshall had smuggled In from the market for her. She walked to the window and grabbed her sword, then slung herself over the sill. The full moon shone down on the vast expanse of gross out below the window. She smiled as she shimmied three stories down the vines that covered the castle. She let go a few feet above the ground and landed silently.
“I see you're sneaking out again.” A dark-haired boy leaned against the castle and Zelda turned around.
She put a hand on her chest, breathing a sigh of relief. “Zar, you nearly scared me out of my mind.”
Zar smirked. “Shouldn't you be calling me Prince Zar? You know if the guards find you here, they'll tell your father.”
“And you know they won't be around for another ten minutes. I've got to go.” Zelda ran off to the horse meadow, her sword slapping her thigh in the silver moonlight.
Chapter 2
Zelda smiled happily as she felt Geram's powerful muscles move under the moonlight. Nobody, not even Link or Marshall, could understand why she loved to ride bareback. It was the feeling she got of being one with the horse. A saddle separated the rider and horse, hindering the bond between them. Without the saddle, the full power of the horse could be felt. True, it hurt more to ride bareback, but it felt so much better to her than using a saddle.
“Hey, princess.” Zelda's heart leaped first with fear, then relief as she heard the voice. It had caught her off guard because she hadn't been expecting anyone, but she should have known he would find her. She stopped Geram and looked at him. Link was half smirking, half smiling at her and she rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help but smile. So many nights like this had passed that he would know she was out here.
She hopped off Geram and Link caught her, twirling her around. She laughed with childlike delight as her hair swirled around them, becoming silver in the bath of moonlight. Link sat her on her feet and swept her hair behind her pointed ears. “You look beautiful in the moonlight,” he muttered quietly and Zelda shivered. It was so unlike him to be so calm and gentle. He was normally so loud and bold, but the night seemed to soften him.
“Link...” Zelda said, but he put a finger to her lips. The night was also the only time he took charge of their relationship. It was their playground and their keeper; they were completely free under the moon's gentle gaze.
“Zel, just be quiet. This won't last long; let's just enjoy the time together.” Her heart fluttered when he used her nickname. He was one of the only people that called her by name and the only one that called her 'Zel'. It was his special nickname for her, had been since their childhood.
Link sat down and patted the ground next to him, inviting her to sit next to him. She gladly did so and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, holding her close. Zelda closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. She wanted this night to go on forever. These tender moments were so few and far between; she cherished each and every second of them. It was only at night they happened they they had to be careful. Their relationship was forbidden, but they could care less.
After a while, Link shifted a bit, waking Zelda from her light doze. She hadn't slept since before dawn of that morning and was exhausted. Link dug a small box out of his pocket and Zelda blinked. “So you know...that I'll never go back on the promise. I'll never break that vow to you, Zel.” He gently rested the box in her hands and she ran her hands over it. It was a polished box made of redwood. Link must have been saving up a long time just for the box... She went wide-eyed. The box was made by a craftsman at the castle in Hyrule. It had the royal crest on it. She dragged her finger over the crest, so finely detailed... “Open it.”
Zelda slowly opened the box and gasped. Inside was a beautiful necklace made of crystal, set in silver, in the shape of the Triforce. “Link...” Words were lost on her. What could she say? It was a piece she had dreamed of for years and had only ever shared with Link. She knew she could have had it made at any time, but she just didn't feel the need to. It must have taken him years to save up enough. “How much...?”
“It doesn't matter, Zel. It's for you. Proof I'll keep my promise. I'll do something to make the king approve of me. I..I know I have less than a year, though...” He sighed, but had a look of fierce determination in his eyes. Zelda was seventeen. She had just turned so three months before. There were only about nine more months before her father would arrange a marriage for her. The most likely contender was Zar. But she didn't want to be forced to marry someone she didn't know. She wanted only Link. The promise they had made nearly ten years before as children to get married and lead Hyrule together had persisted. They were deeply in love, anyone could see it, but the king refused to acknowledge it. Zelda would make him see, though...
Link took the necklace out of the box and fastened it around her neck. “It only enhances your beauty,” he muttered in her ear and she flushed a bit. He always said things like that, sometimes mockingly, but he always meant it. That was one thing she loved about him; he was always honest with her. He had never lied to her before. Well, he had a few times over the past few years, but she now knew why. He had taken all sorts of odd jobs around Castle Town and always exhausted, saying he was just helping people out. It wasn't a whole lie, she supposed; Link always helped people. He had taken those jobs just to pay for the necklace and, perhaps, a ring...
“I love you,” Zelda said as she gently kissed Link. It caught him off guard, but he returned it. That was actually the first time they had fully kissed; all the other kisses had been stolen and on the cheek. Zelda's heart fluttered as he pulled away and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
“I love you too,” he whispered back. He slowly started rocking back and forth and she felt her eyelids drooping. The rocking was always something that that soothed her and made her sleep. He snook into her room on nights she couldn't sleep and always rocked her. She knew it was childish, but it always worked. Her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep, remembering the moonlight on the grass.
-----
“Princess, you must wake.” Somebody shaking her jarred Zelda awake and her eyes snapped open. She reached instinctively for a sword that wasn't there. The servant was wide-eyed. “A-Apologies, Miss Zelda...”
“It's all right.” Zelda grunted as she sat up and looked around. She was in her room? How had she gotten there? She made a mental note to ask Link how he hauled her up three stories of vines without breaking them. She was also wearing a nightgown. Added to mental note as she flushed a bit.
“It's nearly midday, Miss. His Highness of Hyrule summons you to his chamber.” The servant curtsied, then left the room in a haste. Zelda sighed as she changed into her dreaded pink dress and put on the necklace Link had given to her the night before. There was no doubt about what her father was going to talk to her about. He knew when she slept like this that she had been out at night with Link.
Zelda hauled her skirts up to walk as she headed to her father's room. Oh, how she hated dresses. Whoever forced women to wear them would get a piece of her mind if she met him... It definitely had to be a man responsible. No sensible woman would have invented the torture devices. Especially corsets. She hated those even more than the dresses themselves. It was like being stuffed into a walking coffin...
She knocked and entered her father's room. The king was pacing, clearly irritated. He had never been good a hiding his emotions, or at least when he was around Zelda. He was even more of an open book to her than Link. “You wanted to speak to me, Father?” Zelda asked in her best princess voice. She knew how to adapt to different situations and could do it as easily as breathing. She preferred not to, however. “Weren't you?”
“You know very well that I was in my room all night, sleeping.” Zelda kept her tone even and respectful, her face expressionless. It's what her father called the 'ruler mask'. It made anyone unable to read them. Zelda had mastered it when she was around twelve. “Zumali should have told you so.” She stayed still despite her want to twitch. She despised lying, even to her idiot father. But she knew Zumali would vouch for her. Zumali was her Shiekah guard and an invaluable ally. She backed Zelda no matter what and was unshakable. Zelda knew her father wouldn't be able to shake the Shiekah.
“I don't believe it, Zelda. I don't trust you anymore.” He sighed. “I had hoped sending you here would have made you grow close to Zar...”
Zelda looked incredulously at her father. That's what she had been sent here. She wasn't acting as a delegate; she was supposed to fall in love with that pompous prince! “How dare you!” She stood up, her ruler mask crumbling. She started pacing, glaring at her father with every step. Her blue eyes seared into him the way his couldn't do to her. “You treat me as a pawn when I am a princess and a living being! You never think of my feelings!”
The king folded his arms and returned Zelda's hard glare. “I have been far too lenient with you, Zelda. You are too loose for a princess. And princess aren't supposed to do as they like; they are supposed to do what is best for their country.”
“Best for...! I knew you didn't care about me!” Zelda's temper was rising more. “I love Hyrule with all my heart and I do what I think is best for it!” Color was rising in her face.
“Running around Castle Town in boys clothes with that bastard mouse is what's best for Hyrule?!” Color was also beginning to rise in the king's face as he glared at Zelda. “Disappearing for a week to ride to Lake Hylia bareback is what's best for Hyrule?! Climbing Death Mountain, risking your life in the Lost Woods?!”
“To get out of the castle and see what the races of Hyrule are doing! How they get along with each other!” Zelda stopped pacing and stared her father in the eyes. This was one of the countless fights they had gotten into over her behavior and their ideals of Hyrule. “You do none of that! I love every rolling hill in Hyrule with every piece of my heart! I love every race! I care about their well being! You, on the other hand, do none of that! You never reach out to the other races but around tax time! You stay holed up in your office and throne room and never leave!”
The king grabbed Zelda's arm and she struggled. He was a big man, despite staying indoors a lot, at least six feet tall with well-toned muscles. He did work out plenty to stay in top shape. She could take him down, though, if it was necessary. She'd learned so from Arms Master Kokai. “You are to stay in your room and practice needlework and etiquette. Zumali will see to it you don't leave.”
“I don't think so.” Zelda twisted her arm back and hit him in the gut, then brought her foot up to where it hurt. The king doubled over and fell to the floor, a look of extreme pain on his face. “I'm not your slave!” She stormed out of the room, her arms folded. She went to her room and changed into boy's clothes, then fastened her sword around her waist. After she reached the ground, she broke out into a full out run toward the meadow.
Geram met Zelda at the gate and she got on his back. The pair had always been finely tuned to each other, always knowing what the other was feeling. “Let's go.”
“Zelda!” Link ran over, then leaned against the fence, panting. “W-What are you doing?”
“Leaving. Forever. My father treats me like a slave and I can't stand it anymore.” Geram shifted his weight under Zelda, snorting, his ears flipping back and forth. She knew it was a warning something was coming. “I have to go.”
“I'm going with you,” Link said. “You don't think you can leave without me, can you?” He whistled and Epona galloped over. The brown and white mare was beautiful to Zelda, but not as good as her Geram. Link hopped on Epona's back, then grinned at her. “All right, princess. Let's go.”
Chapter 3
The pair slowed their horses to a walk after they entered a nearby forest. They had hopped the fence some time before, marking the end of their old life. Zelda blinked and blushed a bit when her stomach growled. Geram snorted and shook his mane in amusement, causing Zelda to gently tap his shoulder. She could never hurt her gentle mount, though she did let him know when she was displeased. “Hey, Link. Could we stop for lunch?”
“Sure, Zel.” Epona stopped at her rider's words. The relationship between Epona and Link was similar to the one between Zelda and Geram. They understood what the other was thinking and feeling. Often, Link had only to think what he wanted and Epona responded.
Zelda and Link dismounted and started looking around. A flicker of worry crossed Zelda's face. As well educated as she was, she didn't know anything about surviving in the wild. She had never studied what plants were poisonous and which weren't. It was spring which also meant that a lot of fruits weren't out yet. She knew how to identify a lot about flowers, so she knew what apple blossoms looked like...
“Zel, relax.” Link rested his hand on his shoulder. “You know I've been in the forest and whatnot enough to know what's safe to eat. We'll be all right, I promise.”
“I just wish that we had planned this...” She sighed and leaned against a tree. Geram gently lipped her shirt and she smiled a bit, patting his nose. He flipped his ears, saying, 'We'll be all right, mistress. Epona and I can tell you what's okay to eat.' Epona snorted and bobbed her head. Zelda had always understood Geram's body language, no matter how simple it was. He almost spoke to her through telepathy, it seemed.
Epona lifted her head, ears priced and alert. Geram similarly pricked his ears and pawed at the ground. He snorted, lipping Zelda's hair, saying, 'We have to go. Something bad's coming.'
“Link, let's go.” Zelda got on Geram's back and Link got on Epona, a bit mystified. He couldn't always understand his horse, even though their bond was strong. Geram whinnied and shied a bit as he started walking, but Zelda gently urged him on. The gelding surprised Zelda by going into a head long gallop, weaving between the trees and jumping fell longs. She wondered what was going on. Normally, she could sense and respond to whatever Geram did a few minutes after he did, but this time, she couldn't. It truly terrified her.
Geram whinnied again and reared up. Zelda felt fear erupt from him, almost powerful enough to knock her unconscious, but she held on. The gelding danced around, staying reared up so Zelda couldn't see what was going on. She put her had on his neck, but she got no response other than terror. Zelda flipped off the gelding and looked around him. A huge spider, a Skultulla, was in the middle of the clearing, clacking its poisonous fangs at Geram. Zelda's heart plummeted and her eyes went wide, freezing. She'd only read about them, never seen one; it was huge and terrifying.
Zelda felt a hand on her shoulder and she started to whirl around, but a dagger was held to her throat. “Move and I order it to kill your precious Geram,” a voice, deep, masculine, evil, hissed in her ear. She licked her lips and gulped. She knew she should freak out, but her training had made sure she stayed calm in these situations. But who was this that knew her gelding's name? It wasn't widely known, even in Hyrule.
“I won't hesitate to kill you, but it would be a pity. You're such a beauty... I bet you'd be great in bed, Zelda. I'm sure Link would know all about that, wouldn't he?” Zelda flushed in anger and embarrassment. Nobody talked about her relationship with Link like that and she was a virgin! She quickly threw her weight into her right elbow and hit her assailant in the armpit. His dagger went flying from the unexpected attack. The princess wasn't finished, however. She whirled around on her heel and drew her sword, putting it to the assailant's throat. She couldn't see the face or any discernible features because he was wearing a thick black cloak, but she knew it was male.
Zelda tossed a look over her shoulder and she saw Geram pounding his hooves on the Skultulla's hard shell. His blows, however, were ineffective, bouncing off of it. “Don't worry, Zel.” The assailant's voice was full of malice and mocking, especially on the word 'Zel'. She narrowed her eyes and pushed her sword deeper into the assailant's throat.
“What have you done with Link?” She glared down at him, her blue eyes burning hard into him. She saw a flash of white, clearly teeth in a wide grin.
“He's a little...tied up.” The assailant snapped and another cloaked figure walked out of the trees, a bound and gaged Link over its shoulder. He was struggling, but to no avail. How had she overpowered her assailant, but he wasn't able to? He was so much stronger than she was...
The cloaked figure holding Link raised its free hand and Zelda stepped back. Though she couldn't see into the dark depths of the sleeve, she could sense it. Evil power building. A blast of dark energy came sailing at her. She tried to dodge, but it was too fast; she sank into the realm of unconsciousness.
Chapter 4
Zelda sat in an alley, crying. So many people had passed the small child, thinking her just a street urchin because of her tattered dress and dirty face. She was four years old and had somehow managed to find her way out of the castle. It would be dusk before they started looking for her and she was terrified. Huge dogs roamed the back alleys of Castle Town at night and would gobble up a little girl like her in one big bite. She cried loudly at the thought. She wanted Zumali and Germo, the fat little pony she rode. She was so scared and alone. Nobody wanted her or cared about her. She'd die there, alone and crying...
“Hey.” Zelda blinked and looked up at the voice. A boy was standing above her. “You 'kay?” He didn't look much older than her and had bright blue eyes and blond hair. A toy sword hung on his hip. “Why so glum? It's a real pretty day.”
“N-Nobody cares!” Zelda howled. “I-I'm g-gonna die!”
“Don' look like it.” The boy smiled broadly at her. “Let's play! You be the princess and I'll be the knight that saves you!”
“B-But I am a p-princess...”
“Don' look like it.” The boy looked at her like she was telling a lie, but also like he wanted to believe her.
“I-I'm Z-Zelda...” She pulled out a pure gold Triforce necklace and showed it to him.
“Guess ya are. Let's go, princess!” He grabbed her hand and started running toward the castle with her. “My da's a knight and I'm gon be just like him someday! I'm Link, by the way!”
-------
Zelda groaned as she tried to sit up, but something held her down. Her eyes flew open as she looked around wildly, trying to struggle. A high-pitched squeak came from something nearby as well as the tinkling of bells. “Stay still!” a high-pitched voice squeaked at her. “Don't move!” Zelda looked to her left and saw a small winged figure standing next to her. If she wasn't potentially in danger, the scene would have been comical to her.
The little person was glaring at Zelda with her hands on her hips. A dress made of rose petals hung on the small figure. Jewelery of what appeared to be made of crystallized dew drops hung on the fey's neck and wrists. Her hair was a vivid blue and her eyes were the brightest green Zelda had ever seen. Strands of other flower petals were interwove into her hair.
“W-What...?” Zelda stared at the small fey who was still staring at her. She struggled against the vines and they constricted, causing her to cry out.
“Don't move,” the fey said again in her high-pitched voice. Zelda winced. The fey's voice could be very shrill if she wanted it to be. “Who are you?”
“I should be asking you the same.” Zelda continued to glare at the fey. She could tell the fey was of a very high rank among her people by the way she held herself. Zelda knew how to read people and the fey was sending off very strong, clear signals.
“Ariel, princess of the Tamin tribe. And now who are you?” Ariel held Zelda's hard glare and Zelda nodded in respect. She knew little of Shikal's fey tribes, but there seemed to be universal things all fey understood. She thanked the goddesses for having learned the ways of the fairies in the Kokiri Forest.
“Zelda, princess of the land of Hyrule.” She kept her tone cool and respectful. While she was burning with rage inside, she knew the fey wouldn't respond well to it. Of the one fey tribe in the Kokiri Forest, they only responded to rage with violence. It seemed all fey harbored a deep seeded hatred of humans. “Can you please let me go? I'm not going to hurt you.” She shifted slightly to the left and felt her sword belt missing. All of her equipment was gone. She had her magic, but she wasn't very good with it. Her father had forbidden her from honing her magic. The most she could do was squash the fey like bugs, but she wouldn't do that. They were sentient and deserved to live just as much as she did.
“Humans only bring suffering. We won't release you.” Ariel turned around and crooned softly, sounding like a loon. Fey with all different hair colors and wearing different flower dresses walked out from behind a tree warily. Ariel chirped and several of the smallest giggled. A sharp reprimand from their princess subdued them, but their eyes remained bright. There had to have been at least a hundred of them.
Zelda sighed as she shifted slightly again, wincing when red hot pain shot up her left forearm. It was clearly broken and she sighed. The fey flitted up onto her and started tending her wounds. One stood on her nose and she stared at the little fey, cross eyed. The fey hummed a tune as she applied a soothing salve to a wound on Zelda's face. The wings tickled her nose and she sneezed. The fey squealed in fright and flew off.
Ariel landed where the other had been standing. “What was that?” Her arms were crossed as she stared at Zelda.
“Her wings tickled my nose. I had to sneeze. Nothing else.” Zelda maintained Ariel's gaze. “If you were to let me up, I would help with my own treatment. I wouldn't have to scare your people. I swear by Nayru I won't run.” Ariel stared at Zelda for a few more seconds, then snapped. The vines restraining Zelda retreated and she sat up, stretching her good arm. She winced as the red hot pain shot up her left arm. She couldn't remember how her arm had been broken, but was glad it was her shield arm.
“Where's Geram?” Zelda asked. Ariel narrowed her eyes as she held Zelda's gaze. Zelda knew, however, fey had to tell a magic user where their familiar was.
“He's safe.” Zelda sighed at Ariel's words. She should have known the fey would be vague. They were rarely straight forward with humans. Ariel dug in a pouch and flicked some powder into Zelda's face. She sneezed, then drifted off to sleep again.
---
Zelda looked up at the moon, sitting by Link. They were sitting on a roof in Castle Town, his hand over hers. She was seven and he was eight. They had sneaked out of the castle through a secret passage that only they and the Shiekah knew about. Zumali had been the one to show them the tunnel and Zelda was glad. She had used it to sneak out time and again to escape her jerk of a father.
“The moon's really pretty tonight,” Zelda said as she put some of her loose hair behind her ear. She was supposed to have it pulled back at all times, but she preferred it free.
“It's just like you.” Zelda blushed a bit at Link's words. He smiled at her. It wasn't his usual gaggling grin; it was a true smile. He brushed the rest of her hair behind her ear as he looked at her. “There'll never be anyone as pretty as you, Zel.”
“Oh, you're just saying that.” She gently pushed his shoulder as she continued to blush. But she knew he wasn't. He almost always said what he meant. He was honest with her and she was glad for that. The only people that were honest with her were Link, Zumali and Marshall, the Horse Master.
“No, Zel. You're really, really pretty. The prettiest girl in all of Hyrule. No, the world. And ya know what?” HE smiled brightly at her and she looked at him curiously. She hated when he played these guessing games with her. She jutted her bottom lip out, pouting at him. He blushed a bit and scratched the back of his head. The pout never failed. “I'm gonna marry you. I promise. By the moon and the stars, I promise. No other guy's ever gonna take you. No matter what the stupid king says. I'll marry you.”
Zelda was shocked into silence. Link had never said anything like that before. He was always loud and immature (though she didn't have much room to talk...) but she knew he was being serious. He only promised by the heaven's if he was going to keep it. “You'll marry me right, Zel?” He looked at her.
“Of course I will.” She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. He blushed more as he smiled and hugged her.
-----
Zelda's eyes fluttered open as she groaned and sat up. A gently whinny caught her attention and she turned her head. A gray and white notes as well as two big, brown eyes greeted her. “Geram!” Zelda was ecstatic that her gelding hadn't been harmed in any way. IT didn't last long, however. She remembered Link. He had been kidnapped by a black-cloaked figure. Why hadn't she? There were so many questions, but no answers. The sun was hanging low in the sky and she sighed. How long had she been out? She tried to stand up, but found herself far too weak. “How am I supposed to find Link like this...?”
“I don't think you're supposed to do it alone.” Zelda snatched the dagger from her belt as she looked around for the speaker. “After I treated you, you insist on trying to hurt me?” Zelda blinked as she recognized the voice. Ariel. But where was she? The fey stumbled out of the forest, the size of a normal human. Her flower petal dress had turned to a long evening gown and her hair was a deep brown. The only thing that made her recognizable were her vivid green eyes.
“Well, excuse me for being a warrior!” Zelda snapped. She knew she should have respected the fey, but her frustration was at an all time high. She absolutely hated having to depend on others and she was beyond worried about Link. Her arm was broken which meant her balance would be off for a long time and she'd have to depend on someone. She had no food and no idea what was safe to eat.
“Some warrior you are if you can't even get up on your own.” Ariel walked over and helped Zelda up. “You must go back to the castle you came from.”
“What?!” Zelda was shocked. There was no way she could go back to the castle after she ran away.
“Horseback riders have come everyday for the past week looking for you,” Ariel said coolly. Zelda's eyes went wide. A week! She had been out for a week?! She sighed and covered her face with her good hand.
“And I'll have to walk...” Zelda put her hand on Geram for support and headed back toward Shikal's castle.
Chapter 5
Zelda warily walked up to the castle. Geram was still at her side and his tail was twitching irritably. Ariel had returned to her small size and was hiding in Zelda's pocket. The fey didn't like Zelda one bit, but one of their goddesses had apparently told her she had to come with Zelda. She wasn't any happier about the arrangement. The fey's pride was highly annoying and grated on her nerves.
Zelda patted Geram's neck with a sigh. “I'll see you in the morning,” she muttered to him. He whickered softly and breathed his sweet breath into her face.
'I'll see you then. Good luck with your father,' he said. He gently lipped her shirt, then trotted off, his tail whisking behind him.
Zelda sighed as she pushed her way into a door into the kitchen. All was dark, but it was no surprise. It was the middle of the night and even most of the servants would be asleep. She coughed at the smoke that had built up in the room from the fire that hadn't been put out completely. Ariel flew out of her hiding spot, also cough. “Why must humans use fire?” the fey said. She flapped her wings, a dull green glow coming from her. The smoke swirled around into a concentrated column, then blew out the door. The fey found the fire and pointed to it. “Can you put it out?”
Zelda nodded and retrieved a large cooking pot, quite a task with only one arm, and put it in the vast sink. She tried to pull the pot out after it was full of water, but found it impossible. She sighed. “I can't move it with only one good arm.”
Ariel huffed as she flitted over. “You humans are so useless.” She became human sized and lifted the pot like it was a featherweight.
Zelda huffed. “Well, excuse me for having a broken arm!” she snapped. Ariel threw the water on the fire embers, then squeaked in surprise when a light became visible in the kitchen door. She returned to her normal size, then zoomed into Zelda's pocket.
“Who's there?” The voice was familiar to Zelda, though somewhat slurred from being tired. Her hand went to her belt and she drew her dagger. The blade flashed in the dim light. “Woah! Princess, calm down!” Zelda blinked and sighed in relief as she slid the dagger back into its sheathe.
Horse Master Marshall walked over to her and she blinked. He looked extremely haggard and had several days of beard growth on his chin. He clearly hadn't slept in quite a while. “Marshall, am I ever glad to see you.”
“Same can be said for me.” He yawned widely. Zelda rolled her eyes when she realized what he was doing in the kitchen in the middle of the night.
“How many times have I told you to kick the drinking habit?” She put her hand on her hip and looked hard at him.
“Oi, you know I only drink to take the edge off when I can't sleep.” He yawned again, then blinked. “Princess, when did you get back? What happened to ye? Your arm, your face...”
“I'll explain later, Marshall. I just want to sleep...” Zelda yawned, sleepiness hitting her like a brick wall. Gentle shadow arms enveloped her and she fell into the realm of dreams.
-------
Zelda jarred awake as sunlight flooded her room. She was on something soft. An actual bed, unlike the leaf mattress the fey had placed her on. It felt so good to sleep on an actual bed for the first time in a week. She knew it wouldn't last long, though; she would have to set out this day to find Link. A light tinkling noise caught her attention and she looked at the table. Behind the pictograph frame, Ariel was asleep. Her tiny breaths made a slight tinkling noise that was easy to miss. Zelda only caught it because she'd heard it so often while she had been asleep.
The princess stood up and went to the closet, then pulled out a shirt and trousers. “Do you need some help changing?” Zelda smiled and looked to her left. In the chair beside the nightstand, a woman with black hair and bright red eyes sat.
“Zumali!” Zelda said, smiling brightly. The Shiekah guard smiled back and walked over to Zelda. “Yeah. I need some help changing. I can't do it on my own...”
After Zumali helped her finish changing, Zelda sat on the bed and Ariel fluttered onto her shoulder. The fey froze and grew wide-eyed when she sensed and saw Zumali. “What is that doing here?!” she squealed in Zelda's ear. Zelda clapped her good hand over her ear.
“Ow!” Zelda said. Her ears were ringing from the assault on her extremely sensitive hearing. It was a trait all Hylians shared because of their pointed ears, but Zelda's was especially sensitive. She spent hours in the Kokiri Forest just to hone her hearing so she could always be on guard. “What do you mean 'that'? She's Zumali, my guard.” In truth, Zumali was more like a mother than a guard to Zelda.
“The Subre! She's with Gremorie!” Ariel hid behind Zelda's neck. The princess looked to Zumali for answers, but the Shiekah had none.
Chapter 6
Zelda looked in the mirror with fright. The magic blast the black-cloaked figure had shot at her changed the right side of her face to a sickly ashen color. Her perfect skin was marred. She wondered if anyone would look at her the same way again. She sighed and turned away from the mirror.
“Hey, don't be so down. If we can find the Subre that did this to you, we can reverse it. Would you know the aura if you sensed it?” Ariel asked.
“Aura?” Zelda asked, blinking. The aura rang a faint bell in her head, but she couldn't remember why.
Ariel sighed and shook her head. “You don't know anything about magic... Aura is a life force around every living thing. It extends a little ways around everyone. Everyone can sense it, but magic users are the ones that use it the most. That's how I knew what you were feeling..other than it being written all over your face,” the fey explained from her perch on Zelda's shoulder. “You really must be sheltered if you don't know what an aura is.”
“My father doesn't want me to do anything 'unladylike'.” Zelda huffed as she rolled her eyes. “I don't understand it.” In reality, she saw where her father was coming from, but she utterly hated it. Due to her political training, she knew how to see almost every side of an argument no matter her own views.
There was knock on the door and she sighed. She knew it was her father coming to talk her out of it. It had been a scant fifteen minutes since she had woken up. Zumali was still sitting in the chair. Ariel had refused to explain what a Subre or Gremorie was. Zelda wanted to know, but the fey was being tight-lipped while Zumali was in the room. “Come in,” Zelda said.
The king walked in and hugged Zelda tightly. She cried out in pain when he crushed her broken arm against her body. He released her immediately and looked at her. Her arm was held in place by a very fine silken material that was almost like a spider's web. It was very strong, however; it hadn't moved much since Zelda had realized it was there. “Zelda, I'm so glad you're back.”
“Don't give me that crap,” she said coldly. “You only want me back to further your political agenda. I only came back to get the proper supplies for my journey.”
“What are you talking about?” The king looked at Zelda incredulously, like she had committed high treason against him.
“Link was kidnapped a week ago. The...things...that captured him almost took me. They did this to me.” She pointed to the right side of her face and her arm. “I have to find him.”
“You'll be doing no such thing!” The king began to pace angrily, throwing his head. This always reminded Zelda of a scared horse in a confined space: irritated and unpredictable. “You are the princess of Hyrule! You must become close to Zar so you can marry him!”
“I won't!” Zelda snapped. “I refuse to bend to your will any longer, Authuro!” She had never called the king by name before, but now seemed like a damned good time. It was going to get the point across she wouldn't take anything more from him. “Link is the man I love and he will someday be Hyrule's king! He is what is best for me and Hyrule! He loves the land and the races as I do! And he loves me for who I am, not who I should be or who you want me to be! I am a grown woman and you no longer have control of me!” She narrowed her eyes. “Not that you ever have.” Her voice went from raging hot to freezing cold. Her intent was clear: she'd go after Link whether he permitted her to or not.
“I forbid you to leave this room for the duration of our stay. Zumali, you will see to it she does not leave.”
“I refuse.” The Shiekah stood up and made direct eye contact with the king. She had never refused a direct order from him before. The Shiekah were loyal to the Royal Family, it was true, but there was also something few knew; they were only loyal to those they saw as the true ruler of Hyrule. Before Zelda, it had been her mother they were loyal to. They had only grudgingly listened to the king until Zelda came of Shiekah age of adulthood at fourteen. The fact had been hidden from the king until now.
“What did you say?” The king's black eyes flared in anger and confusion.
“I said I refuse. You have no love for the land that you were born to, that was trusted to you by your father and his mother before him. Princess Zelda and Prince Link are the true rulers of Hyrule. Every part of them resonates with kindness and love of everything in Hyrule, even the despicable Gerudo.” Zumali's red eyes bored into the king and he shifted his weight slightly, nervous under the Shiekah's gaze. Zelda could tell he was surprised by her words, but was most confused by 'Prince Link.'
The Shiekah had officially recognized Link as the future King of Hyrule on the same day they pledged their loyalty to Zelda. The Shiekah were always right in their choosing of Hyrule's future rules. It was little known, though, since few knew the ways of the Shiekah. Zelda knew a lot about them because of their loyalty to her.
“Princess Zelda will retrieve Prince Link or else the future of Hyrule will be in jeopardy.” Zumali sat back down, her arms folded. Zelda knew her father wouldn't have the backbone to stand up to the fierce Shiekah. There were four others in the castle and Zelda knew her father wouldn't dare go after Zumali. They were worth ten normal Hylian soldiers and four Hylian knights. Nobody could defeat them.
The king turned around and stormed out of the room, his red cloak fluttering around his ankles. “I will see to your provisions, Zelda. You will be ready to leave on the ten hour.” Zumali stood up and walked out of the room, her arms still folded.
Zelda grabbed a piece of string from her belt pouch. “Ariel, could you help me with something?” The fey stuck her head out of Zelda's pocket.
“What?” Her green eyes were hard as she glared at Zelda.
“Could you tie my hair back, please? Right about here?” She pointed to the spot and the fey snapped, Zelda's hair floating at the perfect angle. She removed her dagger from its sheathe and cut her hair. Long strands of gold fluttered to the ground as Zelda turned her back on the soft life she had known. She walked out of the room without a single glance back.
lol, NaNo habits never die.
Chapter 1
The sharp sound of ringing steel broke the silent, still air. Two youths were behind the swords, both blonde, one boy, one girl. The two glared at each other, mirroring, dodging, parrying, feinting. They were equally matched, or so it seemed, until the boy rushed his opponent. He seemed to be going in for the kill until he pulled up at the last second, merely knocking the girl to the ground. He smirked as he put the tip of his sword to her throat.
“Gee, Zelda, I almost thought you were going to win,” the boy said, his blue eyes sparkling with triumph. He continued to hold his sword at Zelda's throat until she pushed it away and stood up.
“You're too cocky for your own good, Link,” Zelda said as she folded her arms. Her sword had flown out of her hand when Link had knocked her down. She glared at him and turned her back on him. “You'll lose to me someday, you know.”
“Right.” Link rolled his eyes and he sheathed his sword, then handed Zelda's to her. She shoved him as she took the sword back and sheathed it. She glanced at him and he smiled, clearly amused, and she shoved him. “You've killed me!” Link gasped dramatically and fell to the ground, a loud 'thump' heard when he hit the ground. Zelda hesitated, then glanced over her shoulder. As much as he could annoy her, he was her only true friend and she cared about him.
Link was sitting on the ground, grinning at her. She huffed and kicked his foot. “Ow! You've wounded me, Princess!” Link said, groaning in mock pain and falling on his back.
“I'll show you pain yet!” Zelda said. Link got up and started running away. Zelda followed, a look of determination on her face. Link laughed to mock her and Zelda couldn't help but allow her lips to twitch into a faint smile. He looked over his shoulder and stopped, then tackled Zelda. A child-like giggle escaped the princess' lips as her and Link rolled down a hill and landed in a muddy stream. A couple of horses scattered as the pair wrestled and became covered in mud.
Zelda laughed happily as she pinned Link down in the stream, face down. She gripped his arms behind his back and smiled, her blue eyes sparkling merrily. Link spat and groaned as he lifted his face out of the mud and shallow water. Zelda giggled again and patted his head. It had been quite a while since she had felt this free and alive. Being with Link was the only time she was able to be herself, able to be free. “Gee, Link. I almost thought you were going to win,” Zelda said, her tone mock and also playful as she repeated Link's earlier words.
“All right, all right, you win this round, Princess. Now let me up; your immense weight is crushing me!” Link's voice held a taunt and Zelda smacked him in the back of his head, then let him up. She sat on the edge of the small stream and looked at the forever blue sky. Link sat next to her, his fingers brushing the back of her hand. She shivered a bit at the contact, unsure of whether it was accidental or intentional. Link wiped his brow and looked at the sky. “Man, it's never like this at the castle unless you're up on top.”
“It's really beautiful,” Zelda said as a gentle smile spread across her face. “I'm glad Father finally let me come as a delegate to Shikal. Hyrule is beautiful and will always hold my heart, but this land is equally as beautiful.”
“Yeah... Surprised he let me accompany you, considering how much he hates me.” Link's tone was even, but Zelda knew Link well. When his tone was even like that, it was equal to bitterness. She knew how to read people from her courtly upbringing, but she mostly knew Link's moods. To the normal observer, he would be closed off and rude, hard to read, but he was an open book to her. They had grown up together, almost like brother and sister. He was the son of a knight and she was the princess of Hyrule. By all means, they should not have been so close, but nobody had been able to stop them.
“You know I have Father wrapped around my finger.” Zelda smiled mischievously and giggled. After the death of her mother when she was an infant, her father had always been overprotective of her. It was especially true of who she was in contact with. Normally, she was only allowed to be around other nobles and royalty, but Link was special to her. He had been there as long as she could remember.
“I'm still surprised you managed to convince him to let me come. Even with my skills, he considers me unfit to even look at you.” Link shook his head, his blond hair shining like gold in the warm sunlight.
“Don't worry about it, Link,” Zelda said. “You know my father wouldn't refuse any of my requests.” She looked at him and smiled, but he was staring at the stream. She knew one of his greatest insecurities was his self-esteem. The pair was a strange one. As similar as they were, they were also that different. Zelda was highly confident while Link had almost no respect for himself and his abilities. The constant disapproval from his father had seen to that.
“He almost didn't let me come on this trip. I'm next to useless.” Link sighed and tossed a small stone into the clear stream.
Zelda remembered well what they were talking about. Her father had informed her two months prior that she was going as a delegate to Shikal and would have a whole continent of guards to escort her. She agreed, knowing he wouldn't let her go otherwise, but requested Link come. Her father had nearly exploded at the suggestion. She had fled the room in fear of her father and returned at his summons several hours later. He wanted to know why she wanted 'that bastard mouse' to accompany her. A heated debate soon followed and Zelda's reasoning and feelings had won over her father's hatred...barely.
She took Link's hand in hers and he looked at her, blinking. "I don't care what my father thinks about you; you're my only true friend. You like me for me and not my status." She smiled sweetly at him and he smiled back. "I don't care what anyone calls you or thinks about your relationship with me. It's all just talk and gossip is petty. You shouldn't let words affect you so much."
"I know... It's just hard, I guess... I just want your father's approval..." He trailed off and Zelda nodded in understanding. That promise they had made so many years ago as young children was still strong. She would stick by it as would he, no matter what. Link had to ear the kings approval soon, however, or it could all fall apart...
"You have some mud on your face." Zelda smiled and wiped the mud off his face, mostly around his lips. He flushed a bit as Zelda leaned in to kiss him.
Right about as their lips were touching, the sound of hoof beats jarred them away from each other, blushing. "Princess!" Horse Master Marshall came riding up. The Master stopped his horse and looked at them, then sighed. "Your Grace, why are you covered in mud...?"
"Link and I got into a tiff, Marshall," Zelda said, her blush becoming slightly more pronounced. The Horse Master smiled and his horse snorted. The Master was one of the few people that knew and approved of Zelda's relationship with Link. To Zelda, he was much more of a fatherly figure to her, loving and supporting her decisions. She was glad he was in control of the whole delegation. He let her do pretty much as she wanted. About the only restriction was that she be with Link for protection.
"Princess, Her Highness of Shikal requests your presence for a meeting." The Master's mare shifted under him and Zelda sighed. She would have to bathe and changed quickly..back into a dress. She despised having to wear dresses. They were uncomfortable and hampered movement. They were nearly impossible to fight in, as she well knew. Arms Master Kokai had taught her some useful techniques, but she still preferred trousers.
"All Right, Marshall..." Zelda whistled and her gray gelding ran over. She hopped onto his back and Marshal shook his head.
"I may be Horse Master, but I'll never understand how ye can ride bareback all the time, Princess. Your connection with the beasties is uncanny."
"I'll see you later, Link," Zelda said, winking. "And I'll get payback for that swordplay match."
"That's what you think." Link grinned and Zelda rolled her eyes though her smiled remained.
"Let's go, Geram." Zelda's gelding whinnied and took off at a full gallop.
--------------
Zelda walked out of the meeting room with a sigh. It had been midday when she had entered and it was now night. Sometimes, she really hated being a princess. It took away all her freedom and ate up the beautiful spring days. She was expected to be a perfect lady, playing a good hostess and being obedient. She was supposed to sit quietly and whittle away her time doing needlework. The only needlework she liked, however, was swordplay. Her spirit was alive with the fire of the Gorons and Death Mountain she had so often visited.
“Zelda, you did very well today.” The King of Hyrule, her father, approached her and she looked at him. “Although you were a little late, it seems that you are finally settling down a bit. I'm proud of you.” He put his hand on her shoulder and she just looked at him. He claimed he loved her, but that only seemed to be true when she did her duties. He had arrived earlier in the day, when she had been in the pasture with Link, much to her anguish.
It meant the end of her freedom. A month. That was how long she had been free. A blissful month, full of bareback riding, swordplay, trousers and rolling around in the meadow with Link. Now, it was over. Back to her lessons, needlework and everything else she hated.
“I'm going to bed. Good night, Your Highness.” She turned around, her long skirts twirling around her ankles. She shut her door when she got to her room, then discarded the disgusting pink dress on her bed. It had been made for her by her mother, but she couldn't remember her. The queen had died soon after bearing her daughter and Zelda felt no love for her. She knew her father wanted her to be her mother, but she would never be. Her nicknames in Castle Town among the normal people were 'mustang', 'streak' and 'fire'. The most common, however, was 'wings'. They seemed strange to outsiders, but they made perfect sense. She was untameable like a wild horse, fire or bird in flight. Never would she let her father hold her in.
Zelda pulled on some trousers and a long sleeved shirt that Marshall had smuggled In from the market for her. She walked to the window and grabbed her sword, then slung herself over the sill. The full moon shone down on the vast expanse of gross out below the window. She smiled as she shimmied three stories down the vines that covered the castle. She let go a few feet above the ground and landed silently.
“I see you're sneaking out again.” A dark-haired boy leaned against the castle and Zelda turned around.
She put a hand on her chest, breathing a sigh of relief. “Zar, you nearly scared me out of my mind.”
Zar smirked. “Shouldn't you be calling me Prince Zar? You know if the guards find you here, they'll tell your father.”
“And you know they won't be around for another ten minutes. I've got to go.” Zelda ran off to the horse meadow, her sword slapping her thigh in the silver moonlight.
Chapter 2
Zelda smiled happily as she felt Geram's powerful muscles move under the moonlight. Nobody, not even Link or Marshall, could understand why she loved to ride bareback. It was the feeling she got of being one with the horse. A saddle separated the rider and horse, hindering the bond between them. Without the saddle, the full power of the horse could be felt. True, it hurt more to ride bareback, but it felt so much better to her than using a saddle.
“Hey, princess.” Zelda's heart leaped first with fear, then relief as she heard the voice. It had caught her off guard because she hadn't been expecting anyone, but she should have known he would find her. She stopped Geram and looked at him. Link was half smirking, half smiling at her and she rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help but smile. So many nights like this had passed that he would know she was out here.
She hopped off Geram and Link caught her, twirling her around. She laughed with childlike delight as her hair swirled around them, becoming silver in the bath of moonlight. Link sat her on her feet and swept her hair behind her pointed ears. “You look beautiful in the moonlight,” he muttered quietly and Zelda shivered. It was so unlike him to be so calm and gentle. He was normally so loud and bold, but the night seemed to soften him.
“Link...” Zelda said, but he put a finger to her lips. The night was also the only time he took charge of their relationship. It was their playground and their keeper; they were completely free under the moon's gentle gaze.
“Zel, just be quiet. This won't last long; let's just enjoy the time together.” Her heart fluttered when he used her nickname. He was one of the only people that called her by name and the only one that called her 'Zel'. It was his special nickname for her, had been since their childhood.
Link sat down and patted the ground next to him, inviting her to sit next to him. She gladly did so and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, holding her close. Zelda closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. She wanted this night to go on forever. These tender moments were so few and far between; she cherished each and every second of them. It was only at night they happened they they had to be careful. Their relationship was forbidden, but they could care less.
After a while, Link shifted a bit, waking Zelda from her light doze. She hadn't slept since before dawn of that morning and was exhausted. Link dug a small box out of his pocket and Zelda blinked. “So you know...that I'll never go back on the promise. I'll never break that vow to you, Zel.” He gently rested the box in her hands and she ran her hands over it. It was a polished box made of redwood. Link must have been saving up a long time just for the box... She went wide-eyed. The box was made by a craftsman at the castle in Hyrule. It had the royal crest on it. She dragged her finger over the crest, so finely detailed... “Open it.”
Zelda slowly opened the box and gasped. Inside was a beautiful necklace made of crystal, set in silver, in the shape of the Triforce. “Link...” Words were lost on her. What could she say? It was a piece she had dreamed of for years and had only ever shared with Link. She knew she could have had it made at any time, but she just didn't feel the need to. It must have taken him years to save up enough. “How much...?”
“It doesn't matter, Zel. It's for you. Proof I'll keep my promise. I'll do something to make the king approve of me. I..I know I have less than a year, though...” He sighed, but had a look of fierce determination in his eyes. Zelda was seventeen. She had just turned so three months before. There were only about nine more months before her father would arrange a marriage for her. The most likely contender was Zar. But she didn't want to be forced to marry someone she didn't know. She wanted only Link. The promise they had made nearly ten years before as children to get married and lead Hyrule together had persisted. They were deeply in love, anyone could see it, but the king refused to acknowledge it. Zelda would make him see, though...
Link took the necklace out of the box and fastened it around her neck. “It only enhances your beauty,” he muttered in her ear and she flushed a bit. He always said things like that, sometimes mockingly, but he always meant it. That was one thing she loved about him; he was always honest with her. He had never lied to her before. Well, he had a few times over the past few years, but she now knew why. He had taken all sorts of odd jobs around Castle Town and always exhausted, saying he was just helping people out. It wasn't a whole lie, she supposed; Link always helped people. He had taken those jobs just to pay for the necklace and, perhaps, a ring...
“I love you,” Zelda said as she gently kissed Link. It caught him off guard, but he returned it. That was actually the first time they had fully kissed; all the other kisses had been stolen and on the cheek. Zelda's heart fluttered as he pulled away and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
“I love you too,” he whispered back. He slowly started rocking back and forth and she felt her eyelids drooping. The rocking was always something that that soothed her and made her sleep. He snook into her room on nights she couldn't sleep and always rocked her. She knew it was childish, but it always worked. Her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep, remembering the moonlight on the grass.
-----
“Princess, you must wake.” Somebody shaking her jarred Zelda awake and her eyes snapped open. She reached instinctively for a sword that wasn't there. The servant was wide-eyed. “A-Apologies, Miss Zelda...”
“It's all right.” Zelda grunted as she sat up and looked around. She was in her room? How had she gotten there? She made a mental note to ask Link how he hauled her up three stories of vines without breaking them. She was also wearing a nightgown. Added to mental note as she flushed a bit.
“It's nearly midday, Miss. His Highness of Hyrule summons you to his chamber.” The servant curtsied, then left the room in a haste. Zelda sighed as she changed into her dreaded pink dress and put on the necklace Link had given to her the night before. There was no doubt about what her father was going to talk to her about. He knew when she slept like this that she had been out at night with Link.
Zelda hauled her skirts up to walk as she headed to her father's room. Oh, how she hated dresses. Whoever forced women to wear them would get a piece of her mind if she met him... It definitely had to be a man responsible. No sensible woman would have invented the torture devices. Especially corsets. She hated those even more than the dresses themselves. It was like being stuffed into a walking coffin...
She knocked and entered her father's room. The king was pacing, clearly irritated. He had never been good a hiding his emotions, or at least when he was around Zelda. He was even more of an open book to her than Link. “You wanted to speak to me, Father?” Zelda asked in her best princess voice. She knew how to adapt to different situations and could do it as easily as breathing. She preferred not to, however. “Weren't you?”
“You know very well that I was in my room all night, sleeping.” Zelda kept her tone even and respectful, her face expressionless. It's what her father called the 'ruler mask'. It made anyone unable to read them. Zelda had mastered it when she was around twelve. “Zumali should have told you so.” She stayed still despite her want to twitch. She despised lying, even to her idiot father. But she knew Zumali would vouch for her. Zumali was her Shiekah guard and an invaluable ally. She backed Zelda no matter what and was unshakable. Zelda knew her father wouldn't be able to shake the Shiekah.
“I don't believe it, Zelda. I don't trust you anymore.” He sighed. “I had hoped sending you here would have made you grow close to Zar...”
Zelda looked incredulously at her father. That's what she had been sent here. She wasn't acting as a delegate; she was supposed to fall in love with that pompous prince! “How dare you!” She stood up, her ruler mask crumbling. She started pacing, glaring at her father with every step. Her blue eyes seared into him the way his couldn't do to her. “You treat me as a pawn when I am a princess and a living being! You never think of my feelings!”
The king folded his arms and returned Zelda's hard glare. “I have been far too lenient with you, Zelda. You are too loose for a princess. And princess aren't supposed to do as they like; they are supposed to do what is best for their country.”
“Best for...! I knew you didn't care about me!” Zelda's temper was rising more. “I love Hyrule with all my heart and I do what I think is best for it!” Color was rising in her face.
“Running around Castle Town in boys clothes with that bastard mouse is what's best for Hyrule?!” Color was also beginning to rise in the king's face as he glared at Zelda. “Disappearing for a week to ride to Lake Hylia bareback is what's best for Hyrule?! Climbing Death Mountain, risking your life in the Lost Woods?!”
“To get out of the castle and see what the races of Hyrule are doing! How they get along with each other!” Zelda stopped pacing and stared her father in the eyes. This was one of the countless fights they had gotten into over her behavior and their ideals of Hyrule. “You do none of that! I love every rolling hill in Hyrule with every piece of my heart! I love every race! I care about their well being! You, on the other hand, do none of that! You never reach out to the other races but around tax time! You stay holed up in your office and throne room and never leave!”
The king grabbed Zelda's arm and she struggled. He was a big man, despite staying indoors a lot, at least six feet tall with well-toned muscles. He did work out plenty to stay in top shape. She could take him down, though, if it was necessary. She'd learned so from Arms Master Kokai. “You are to stay in your room and practice needlework and etiquette. Zumali will see to it you don't leave.”
“I don't think so.” Zelda twisted her arm back and hit him in the gut, then brought her foot up to where it hurt. The king doubled over and fell to the floor, a look of extreme pain on his face. “I'm not your slave!” She stormed out of the room, her arms folded. She went to her room and changed into boy's clothes, then fastened her sword around her waist. After she reached the ground, she broke out into a full out run toward the meadow.
Geram met Zelda at the gate and she got on his back. The pair had always been finely tuned to each other, always knowing what the other was feeling. “Let's go.”
“Zelda!” Link ran over, then leaned against the fence, panting. “W-What are you doing?”
“Leaving. Forever. My father treats me like a slave and I can't stand it anymore.” Geram shifted his weight under Zelda, snorting, his ears flipping back and forth. She knew it was a warning something was coming. “I have to go.”
“I'm going with you,” Link said. “You don't think you can leave without me, can you?” He whistled and Epona galloped over. The brown and white mare was beautiful to Zelda, but not as good as her Geram. Link hopped on Epona's back, then grinned at her. “All right, princess. Let's go.”
Chapter 3
The pair slowed their horses to a walk after they entered a nearby forest. They had hopped the fence some time before, marking the end of their old life. Zelda blinked and blushed a bit when her stomach growled. Geram snorted and shook his mane in amusement, causing Zelda to gently tap his shoulder. She could never hurt her gentle mount, though she did let him know when she was displeased. “Hey, Link. Could we stop for lunch?”
“Sure, Zel.” Epona stopped at her rider's words. The relationship between Epona and Link was similar to the one between Zelda and Geram. They understood what the other was thinking and feeling. Often, Link had only to think what he wanted and Epona responded.
Zelda and Link dismounted and started looking around. A flicker of worry crossed Zelda's face. As well educated as she was, she didn't know anything about surviving in the wild. She had never studied what plants were poisonous and which weren't. It was spring which also meant that a lot of fruits weren't out yet. She knew how to identify a lot about flowers, so she knew what apple blossoms looked like...
“Zel, relax.” Link rested his hand on his shoulder. “You know I've been in the forest and whatnot enough to know what's safe to eat. We'll be all right, I promise.”
“I just wish that we had planned this...” She sighed and leaned against a tree. Geram gently lipped her shirt and she smiled a bit, patting his nose. He flipped his ears, saying, 'We'll be all right, mistress. Epona and I can tell you what's okay to eat.' Epona snorted and bobbed her head. Zelda had always understood Geram's body language, no matter how simple it was. He almost spoke to her through telepathy, it seemed.
Epona lifted her head, ears priced and alert. Geram similarly pricked his ears and pawed at the ground. He snorted, lipping Zelda's hair, saying, 'We have to go. Something bad's coming.'
“Link, let's go.” Zelda got on Geram's back and Link got on Epona, a bit mystified. He couldn't always understand his horse, even though their bond was strong. Geram whinnied and shied a bit as he started walking, but Zelda gently urged him on. The gelding surprised Zelda by going into a head long gallop, weaving between the trees and jumping fell longs. She wondered what was going on. Normally, she could sense and respond to whatever Geram did a few minutes after he did, but this time, she couldn't. It truly terrified her.
Geram whinnied again and reared up. Zelda felt fear erupt from him, almost powerful enough to knock her unconscious, but she held on. The gelding danced around, staying reared up so Zelda couldn't see what was going on. She put her had on his neck, but she got no response other than terror. Zelda flipped off the gelding and looked around him. A huge spider, a Skultulla, was in the middle of the clearing, clacking its poisonous fangs at Geram. Zelda's heart plummeted and her eyes went wide, freezing. She'd only read about them, never seen one; it was huge and terrifying.
Zelda felt a hand on her shoulder and she started to whirl around, but a dagger was held to her throat. “Move and I order it to kill your precious Geram,” a voice, deep, masculine, evil, hissed in her ear. She licked her lips and gulped. She knew she should freak out, but her training had made sure she stayed calm in these situations. But who was this that knew her gelding's name? It wasn't widely known, even in Hyrule.
“I won't hesitate to kill you, but it would be a pity. You're such a beauty... I bet you'd be great in bed, Zelda. I'm sure Link would know all about that, wouldn't he?” Zelda flushed in anger and embarrassment. Nobody talked about her relationship with Link like that and she was a virgin! She quickly threw her weight into her right elbow and hit her assailant in the armpit. His dagger went flying from the unexpected attack. The princess wasn't finished, however. She whirled around on her heel and drew her sword, putting it to the assailant's throat. She couldn't see the face or any discernible features because he was wearing a thick black cloak, but she knew it was male.
Zelda tossed a look over her shoulder and she saw Geram pounding his hooves on the Skultulla's hard shell. His blows, however, were ineffective, bouncing off of it. “Don't worry, Zel.” The assailant's voice was full of malice and mocking, especially on the word 'Zel'. She narrowed her eyes and pushed her sword deeper into the assailant's throat.
“What have you done with Link?” She glared down at him, her blue eyes burning hard into him. She saw a flash of white, clearly teeth in a wide grin.
“He's a little...tied up.” The assailant snapped and another cloaked figure walked out of the trees, a bound and gaged Link over its shoulder. He was struggling, but to no avail. How had she overpowered her assailant, but he wasn't able to? He was so much stronger than she was...
The cloaked figure holding Link raised its free hand and Zelda stepped back. Though she couldn't see into the dark depths of the sleeve, she could sense it. Evil power building. A blast of dark energy came sailing at her. She tried to dodge, but it was too fast; she sank into the realm of unconsciousness.
Chapter 4
Zelda sat in an alley, crying. So many people had passed the small child, thinking her just a street urchin because of her tattered dress and dirty face. She was four years old and had somehow managed to find her way out of the castle. It would be dusk before they started looking for her and she was terrified. Huge dogs roamed the back alleys of Castle Town at night and would gobble up a little girl like her in one big bite. She cried loudly at the thought. She wanted Zumali and Germo, the fat little pony she rode. She was so scared and alone. Nobody wanted her or cared about her. She'd die there, alone and crying...
“Hey.” Zelda blinked and looked up at the voice. A boy was standing above her. “You 'kay?” He didn't look much older than her and had bright blue eyes and blond hair. A toy sword hung on his hip. “Why so glum? It's a real pretty day.”
“N-Nobody cares!” Zelda howled. “I-I'm g-gonna die!”
“Don' look like it.” The boy smiled broadly at her. “Let's play! You be the princess and I'll be the knight that saves you!”
“B-But I am a p-princess...”
“Don' look like it.” The boy looked at her like she was telling a lie, but also like he wanted to believe her.
“I-I'm Z-Zelda...” She pulled out a pure gold Triforce necklace and showed it to him.
“Guess ya are. Let's go, princess!” He grabbed her hand and started running toward the castle with her. “My da's a knight and I'm gon be just like him someday! I'm Link, by the way!”
-------
Zelda groaned as she tried to sit up, but something held her down. Her eyes flew open as she looked around wildly, trying to struggle. A high-pitched squeak came from something nearby as well as the tinkling of bells. “Stay still!” a high-pitched voice squeaked at her. “Don't move!” Zelda looked to her left and saw a small winged figure standing next to her. If she wasn't potentially in danger, the scene would have been comical to her.
The little person was glaring at Zelda with her hands on her hips. A dress made of rose petals hung on the small figure. Jewelery of what appeared to be made of crystallized dew drops hung on the fey's neck and wrists. Her hair was a vivid blue and her eyes were the brightest green Zelda had ever seen. Strands of other flower petals were interwove into her hair.
“W-What...?” Zelda stared at the small fey who was still staring at her. She struggled against the vines and they constricted, causing her to cry out.
“Don't move,” the fey said again in her high-pitched voice. Zelda winced. The fey's voice could be very shrill if she wanted it to be. “Who are you?”
“I should be asking you the same.” Zelda continued to glare at the fey. She could tell the fey was of a very high rank among her people by the way she held herself. Zelda knew how to read people and the fey was sending off very strong, clear signals.
“Ariel, princess of the Tamin tribe. And now who are you?” Ariel held Zelda's hard glare and Zelda nodded in respect. She knew little of Shikal's fey tribes, but there seemed to be universal things all fey understood. She thanked the goddesses for having learned the ways of the fairies in the Kokiri Forest.
“Zelda, princess of the land of Hyrule.” She kept her tone cool and respectful. While she was burning with rage inside, she knew the fey wouldn't respond well to it. Of the one fey tribe in the Kokiri Forest, they only responded to rage with violence. It seemed all fey harbored a deep seeded hatred of humans. “Can you please let me go? I'm not going to hurt you.” She shifted slightly to the left and felt her sword belt missing. All of her equipment was gone. She had her magic, but she wasn't very good with it. Her father had forbidden her from honing her magic. The most she could do was squash the fey like bugs, but she wouldn't do that. They were sentient and deserved to live just as much as she did.
“Humans only bring suffering. We won't release you.” Ariel turned around and crooned softly, sounding like a loon. Fey with all different hair colors and wearing different flower dresses walked out from behind a tree warily. Ariel chirped and several of the smallest giggled. A sharp reprimand from their princess subdued them, but their eyes remained bright. There had to have been at least a hundred of them.
Zelda sighed as she shifted slightly again, wincing when red hot pain shot up her left forearm. It was clearly broken and she sighed. The fey flitted up onto her and started tending her wounds. One stood on her nose and she stared at the little fey, cross eyed. The fey hummed a tune as she applied a soothing salve to a wound on Zelda's face. The wings tickled her nose and she sneezed. The fey squealed in fright and flew off.
Ariel landed where the other had been standing. “What was that?” Her arms were crossed as she stared at Zelda.
“Her wings tickled my nose. I had to sneeze. Nothing else.” Zelda maintained Ariel's gaze. “If you were to let me up, I would help with my own treatment. I wouldn't have to scare your people. I swear by Nayru I won't run.” Ariel stared at Zelda for a few more seconds, then snapped. The vines restraining Zelda retreated and she sat up, stretching her good arm. She winced as the red hot pain shot up her left arm. She couldn't remember how her arm had been broken, but was glad it was her shield arm.
“Where's Geram?” Zelda asked. Ariel narrowed her eyes as she held Zelda's gaze. Zelda knew, however, fey had to tell a magic user where their familiar was.
“He's safe.” Zelda sighed at Ariel's words. She should have known the fey would be vague. They were rarely straight forward with humans. Ariel dug in a pouch and flicked some powder into Zelda's face. She sneezed, then drifted off to sleep again.
---
Zelda looked up at the moon, sitting by Link. They were sitting on a roof in Castle Town, his hand over hers. She was seven and he was eight. They had sneaked out of the castle through a secret passage that only they and the Shiekah knew about. Zumali had been the one to show them the tunnel and Zelda was glad. She had used it to sneak out time and again to escape her jerk of a father.
“The moon's really pretty tonight,” Zelda said as she put some of her loose hair behind her ear. She was supposed to have it pulled back at all times, but she preferred it free.
“It's just like you.” Zelda blushed a bit at Link's words. He smiled at her. It wasn't his usual gaggling grin; it was a true smile. He brushed the rest of her hair behind her ear as he looked at her. “There'll never be anyone as pretty as you, Zel.”
“Oh, you're just saying that.” She gently pushed his shoulder as she continued to blush. But she knew he wasn't. He almost always said what he meant. He was honest with her and she was glad for that. The only people that were honest with her were Link, Zumali and Marshall, the Horse Master.
“No, Zel. You're really, really pretty. The prettiest girl in all of Hyrule. No, the world. And ya know what?” HE smiled brightly at her and she looked at him curiously. She hated when he played these guessing games with her. She jutted her bottom lip out, pouting at him. He blushed a bit and scratched the back of his head. The pout never failed. “I'm gonna marry you. I promise. By the moon and the stars, I promise. No other guy's ever gonna take you. No matter what the stupid king says. I'll marry you.”
Zelda was shocked into silence. Link had never said anything like that before. He was always loud and immature (though she didn't have much room to talk...) but she knew he was being serious. He only promised by the heaven's if he was going to keep it. “You'll marry me right, Zel?” He looked at her.
“Of course I will.” She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. He blushed more as he smiled and hugged her.
-----
Zelda's eyes fluttered open as she groaned and sat up. A gently whinny caught her attention and she turned her head. A gray and white notes as well as two big, brown eyes greeted her. “Geram!” Zelda was ecstatic that her gelding hadn't been harmed in any way. IT didn't last long, however. She remembered Link. He had been kidnapped by a black-cloaked figure. Why hadn't she? There were so many questions, but no answers. The sun was hanging low in the sky and she sighed. How long had she been out? She tried to stand up, but found herself far too weak. “How am I supposed to find Link like this...?”
“I don't think you're supposed to do it alone.” Zelda snatched the dagger from her belt as she looked around for the speaker. “After I treated you, you insist on trying to hurt me?” Zelda blinked as she recognized the voice. Ariel. But where was she? The fey stumbled out of the forest, the size of a normal human. Her flower petal dress had turned to a long evening gown and her hair was a deep brown. The only thing that made her recognizable were her vivid green eyes.
“Well, excuse me for being a warrior!” Zelda snapped. She knew she should have respected the fey, but her frustration was at an all time high. She absolutely hated having to depend on others and she was beyond worried about Link. Her arm was broken which meant her balance would be off for a long time and she'd have to depend on someone. She had no food and no idea what was safe to eat.
“Some warrior you are if you can't even get up on your own.” Ariel walked over and helped Zelda up. “You must go back to the castle you came from.”
“What?!” Zelda was shocked. There was no way she could go back to the castle after she ran away.
“Horseback riders have come everyday for the past week looking for you,” Ariel said coolly. Zelda's eyes went wide. A week! She had been out for a week?! She sighed and covered her face with her good hand.
“And I'll have to walk...” Zelda put her hand on Geram for support and headed back toward Shikal's castle.
Chapter 5
Zelda warily walked up to the castle. Geram was still at her side and his tail was twitching irritably. Ariel had returned to her small size and was hiding in Zelda's pocket. The fey didn't like Zelda one bit, but one of their goddesses had apparently told her she had to come with Zelda. She wasn't any happier about the arrangement. The fey's pride was highly annoying and grated on her nerves.
Zelda patted Geram's neck with a sigh. “I'll see you in the morning,” she muttered to him. He whickered softly and breathed his sweet breath into her face.
'I'll see you then. Good luck with your father,' he said. He gently lipped her shirt, then trotted off, his tail whisking behind him.
Zelda sighed as she pushed her way into a door into the kitchen. All was dark, but it was no surprise. It was the middle of the night and even most of the servants would be asleep. She coughed at the smoke that had built up in the room from the fire that hadn't been put out completely. Ariel flew out of her hiding spot, also cough. “Why must humans use fire?” the fey said. She flapped her wings, a dull green glow coming from her. The smoke swirled around into a concentrated column, then blew out the door. The fey found the fire and pointed to it. “Can you put it out?”
Zelda nodded and retrieved a large cooking pot, quite a task with only one arm, and put it in the vast sink. She tried to pull the pot out after it was full of water, but found it impossible. She sighed. “I can't move it with only one good arm.”
Ariel huffed as she flitted over. “You humans are so useless.” She became human sized and lifted the pot like it was a featherweight.
Zelda huffed. “Well, excuse me for having a broken arm!” she snapped. Ariel threw the water on the fire embers, then squeaked in surprise when a light became visible in the kitchen door. She returned to her normal size, then zoomed into Zelda's pocket.
“Who's there?” The voice was familiar to Zelda, though somewhat slurred from being tired. Her hand went to her belt and she drew her dagger. The blade flashed in the dim light. “Woah! Princess, calm down!” Zelda blinked and sighed in relief as she slid the dagger back into its sheathe.
Horse Master Marshall walked over to her and she blinked. He looked extremely haggard and had several days of beard growth on his chin. He clearly hadn't slept in quite a while. “Marshall, am I ever glad to see you.”
“Same can be said for me.” He yawned widely. Zelda rolled her eyes when she realized what he was doing in the kitchen in the middle of the night.
“How many times have I told you to kick the drinking habit?” She put her hand on her hip and looked hard at him.
“Oi, you know I only drink to take the edge off when I can't sleep.” He yawned again, then blinked. “Princess, when did you get back? What happened to ye? Your arm, your face...”
“I'll explain later, Marshall. I just want to sleep...” Zelda yawned, sleepiness hitting her like a brick wall. Gentle shadow arms enveloped her and she fell into the realm of dreams.
-------
Zelda jarred awake as sunlight flooded her room. She was on something soft. An actual bed, unlike the leaf mattress the fey had placed her on. It felt so good to sleep on an actual bed for the first time in a week. She knew it wouldn't last long, though; she would have to set out this day to find Link. A light tinkling noise caught her attention and she looked at the table. Behind the pictograph frame, Ariel was asleep. Her tiny breaths made a slight tinkling noise that was easy to miss. Zelda only caught it because she'd heard it so often while she had been asleep.
The princess stood up and went to the closet, then pulled out a shirt and trousers. “Do you need some help changing?” Zelda smiled and looked to her left. In the chair beside the nightstand, a woman with black hair and bright red eyes sat.
“Zumali!” Zelda said, smiling brightly. The Shiekah guard smiled back and walked over to Zelda. “Yeah. I need some help changing. I can't do it on my own...”
After Zumali helped her finish changing, Zelda sat on the bed and Ariel fluttered onto her shoulder. The fey froze and grew wide-eyed when she sensed and saw Zumali. “What is that doing here?!” she squealed in Zelda's ear. Zelda clapped her good hand over her ear.
“Ow!” Zelda said. Her ears were ringing from the assault on her extremely sensitive hearing. It was a trait all Hylians shared because of their pointed ears, but Zelda's was especially sensitive. She spent hours in the Kokiri Forest just to hone her hearing so she could always be on guard. “What do you mean 'that'? She's Zumali, my guard.” In truth, Zumali was more like a mother than a guard to Zelda.
“The Subre! She's with Gremorie!” Ariel hid behind Zelda's neck. The princess looked to Zumali for answers, but the Shiekah had none.
Chapter 6
Zelda looked in the mirror with fright. The magic blast the black-cloaked figure had shot at her changed the right side of her face to a sickly ashen color. Her perfect skin was marred. She wondered if anyone would look at her the same way again. She sighed and turned away from the mirror.
“Hey, don't be so down. If we can find the Subre that did this to you, we can reverse it. Would you know the aura if you sensed it?” Ariel asked.
“Aura?” Zelda asked, blinking. The aura rang a faint bell in her head, but she couldn't remember why.
Ariel sighed and shook her head. “You don't know anything about magic... Aura is a life force around every living thing. It extends a little ways around everyone. Everyone can sense it, but magic users are the ones that use it the most. That's how I knew what you were feeling..other than it being written all over your face,” the fey explained from her perch on Zelda's shoulder. “You really must be sheltered if you don't know what an aura is.”
“My father doesn't want me to do anything 'unladylike'.” Zelda huffed as she rolled her eyes. “I don't understand it.” In reality, she saw where her father was coming from, but she utterly hated it. Due to her political training, she knew how to see almost every side of an argument no matter her own views.
There was knock on the door and she sighed. She knew it was her father coming to talk her out of it. It had been a scant fifteen minutes since she had woken up. Zumali was still sitting in the chair. Ariel had refused to explain what a Subre or Gremorie was. Zelda wanted to know, but the fey was being tight-lipped while Zumali was in the room. “Come in,” Zelda said.
The king walked in and hugged Zelda tightly. She cried out in pain when he crushed her broken arm against her body. He released her immediately and looked at her. Her arm was held in place by a very fine silken material that was almost like a spider's web. It was very strong, however; it hadn't moved much since Zelda had realized it was there. “Zelda, I'm so glad you're back.”
“Don't give me that crap,” she said coldly. “You only want me back to further your political agenda. I only came back to get the proper supplies for my journey.”
“What are you talking about?” The king looked at Zelda incredulously, like she had committed high treason against him.
“Link was kidnapped a week ago. The...things...that captured him almost took me. They did this to me.” She pointed to the right side of her face and her arm. “I have to find him.”
“You'll be doing no such thing!” The king began to pace angrily, throwing his head. This always reminded Zelda of a scared horse in a confined space: irritated and unpredictable. “You are the princess of Hyrule! You must become close to Zar so you can marry him!”
“I won't!” Zelda snapped. “I refuse to bend to your will any longer, Authuro!” She had never called the king by name before, but now seemed like a damned good time. It was going to get the point across she wouldn't take anything more from him. “Link is the man I love and he will someday be Hyrule's king! He is what is best for me and Hyrule! He loves the land and the races as I do! And he loves me for who I am, not who I should be or who you want me to be! I am a grown woman and you no longer have control of me!” She narrowed her eyes. “Not that you ever have.” Her voice went from raging hot to freezing cold. Her intent was clear: she'd go after Link whether he permitted her to or not.
“I forbid you to leave this room for the duration of our stay. Zumali, you will see to it she does not leave.”
“I refuse.” The Shiekah stood up and made direct eye contact with the king. She had never refused a direct order from him before. The Shiekah were loyal to the Royal Family, it was true, but there was also something few knew; they were only loyal to those they saw as the true ruler of Hyrule. Before Zelda, it had been her mother they were loyal to. They had only grudgingly listened to the king until Zelda came of Shiekah age of adulthood at fourteen. The fact had been hidden from the king until now.
“What did you say?” The king's black eyes flared in anger and confusion.
“I said I refuse. You have no love for the land that you were born to, that was trusted to you by your father and his mother before him. Princess Zelda and Prince Link are the true rulers of Hyrule. Every part of them resonates with kindness and love of everything in Hyrule, even the despicable Gerudo.” Zumali's red eyes bored into the king and he shifted his weight slightly, nervous under the Shiekah's gaze. Zelda could tell he was surprised by her words, but was most confused by 'Prince Link.'
The Shiekah had officially recognized Link as the future King of Hyrule on the same day they pledged their loyalty to Zelda. The Shiekah were always right in their choosing of Hyrule's future rules. It was little known, though, since few knew the ways of the Shiekah. Zelda knew a lot about them because of their loyalty to her.
“Princess Zelda will retrieve Prince Link or else the future of Hyrule will be in jeopardy.” Zumali sat back down, her arms folded. Zelda knew her father wouldn't have the backbone to stand up to the fierce Shiekah. There were four others in the castle and Zelda knew her father wouldn't dare go after Zumali. They were worth ten normal Hylian soldiers and four Hylian knights. Nobody could defeat them.
The king turned around and stormed out of the room, his red cloak fluttering around his ankles. “I will see to your provisions, Zelda. You will be ready to leave on the ten hour.” Zumali stood up and walked out of the room, her arms still folded.
Zelda grabbed a piece of string from her belt pouch. “Ariel, could you help me with something?” The fey stuck her head out of Zelda's pocket.
“What?” Her green eyes were hard as she glared at Zelda.
“Could you tie my hair back, please? Right about here?” She pointed to the spot and the fey snapped, Zelda's hair floating at the perfect angle. She removed her dagger from its sheathe and cut her hair. Long strands of gold fluttered to the ground as Zelda turned her back on the soft life she had known. She walked out of the room without a single glance back.