Haunting Shadow of the Past

Part 20

Once they reached the stable they parted ways with Purah and Link and Zelda got on their horses to head back to the castle. The trip back was quiet and Link continued to think about what had happened on Vah Rudania. Daruk was going to say something but he cut himself off and Link couldn't take his mind off it. Was he going to comment about the strange activity being related to Calamity Ganon or was he just thinking something else that would just affect the gorons. Either way Link wished that Daruk had told him, they were friends after all.

"What are you always thinking in that head of yours?!" Zelda asked, ripping Link from his thoughts. "You are always just sitting silently never saying anything, probably silently judging everyone around you. Is it just that nobody has asked you anything or is it that you just hate me?"

Link exhaled. "I just don't want to bother you."

"But you think judging me won't bother me."

Link shook his head. "No, I'm not judging you. I just... I don't want to annoy you more than I do." Link saw Zelda's hands tense but she didn't say anything. Link's heart sank and he looked down at his hands in front of him. It was a quiet rest of the trip and when they finally got to the castle Link let out a sigh of relief. Both Link and Zelda dismounted their horses and walked allowing them to get taken back to the stable. That's when Link noticed a sheikah standing by the side of the stable looking between him and Zelda. The sheiakah also held an accordion and when he saw Link had noticed him he quickly looked away and started playing his instrument. Zelda must have heard the accordion the young man was playing and she looked in his direction. The musician looked up and smiled before walking over to them.

When he reached them he knelt down on one knee. "Princess, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Zelda smiled slightly. "You may rise."

"Thank you, Princess." The sheikah stood up and smiled.

"I heard your music, it was very beautiful." Zelda said her smile was slightly bigger.

The sheikah blushed slightly and looked away. "It's nothing really. I've been playing my whole life but I thank you." He looked back towards Zelda.

"You're welcome. Might I ask your name?"

"Oh, yes of course. My apologies for being so rude. My name is Reilk of the sheikah."

Zelda nodded. "Are you here to help with the guardians?"

Reilk chuckled. "No nothing like that. I'm not someone who is gifted in the ways of technology. I prefer to use my words and music. See, I'm a poet although I will occasionally add music to my poems to make them more interesting."

Zelda smiled. "That is very cool. I would love to hear one of your poems sometimes."

Reilk's eyes glimmered with pride. "I would love to but..." His eyes shifted over to Link. "I would prefer really if they were just for you."

Zelda turned to Link and folded her arms. "You're dismissed."

"Princess, you know I-"

Zelda cut him off. "I can report to my father later."

Link crossed his arms. "The King would never allow me to let you out of my sight. This is my duty Princess and I will follow it-"

Zelda cut Link off again. "Impa can watch me then." Link turned to see Impa walking towards them. Zelda waved her over. "Impa, my personal knight deserves a break. Would you be so kind as to stay with me while he is off relaxing."

Impa nodded. "Definitely, everyone deserves a break and," she turned to Link, "I will keep Princess Zelda safe while you are off taking a breather."

Link sighed. "Alright, fine. But I'll come back looking for you both in a couple of hours." Impa nodded and Link turned to head towards the castle. He definitely trusted the royal adviser but he didn't like the idea of stepping away from his duty even for a little bit. He was caught off guard when a voice called to him.

"Link!" Link looked up and saw Liliana waving at him before running over to him. Link caught his younger sister in an embrace and felt a smile spread across his face. "Link," Liliana started as soon as she let go, "me and Dad have missed you so much. Yesterday though Dad brought me to walk around Castle town! I wish you could have come with us but Dad said that you had to go visit the Gorons with the princess."

Link nodded. "That's right. We had to go up to Death Mountain."

Liliana smiled. "How many gorons did you meet?! I think gorons are so nice. I once talked to Mister Chief Daruk and he was really nice."

Link smiled slightly. "Yeah, he is really nice isn't he. I got to talk to a few up there. Now enough with me, besides going into town with Father, what else did you do?"

Liliana shrugged. "Not much. Dad has been very busy. Is watching the princess super great?"

Link sighed before forcing a smile. "It's alright. I've definitely been able to get to know her better."

Liliana beamed. "Yeah! That's wonderful. I bet she is super nice." Link opened his mouth to say something but Liliana wasn't done. "I'm glad you are back though it's been so quiet and lonely without you. Dad has been busy so I've needed someone to watch over me so nothing happens."

Link looked around. "Where are they?"

Liliana pointed in the direction Link had come from. "Lady Impa has been watching me. She is really nice you know."

"Then why did she just leave you?"

Liliana's smile widened. "She wanted to tell you to come say hi to me."

Link opened his mouth to say something when someone called to him. "Link!" Link turned to see Impa jogging towards them. When she reached them she was breathing hard. "Link, it's Princess Zelda, I looked away and she was just gone. Apparently she had taken her horse and ridden off."

Link frowned. "I'll find her." He started jogging towards the stables and called over his shoulder, "Thank you for watching Lily, Lady Impa." When Link reached Epona he jumped up on her and flicked the reins. He was torn that he didn't have a chance to spend time with Liliana but finding Zelda was his responsibility and that came first. Hopefully, Link would be able to find the Princess before something or someone else did.

I am so sorry for missing last week. I had to get surgery (it was minor but I was still tired and I'm doing better). Tomorrow is my last day of school so I'll be able to get a lot more writing done (the updating schedule will be staying the same though).  Anyway again a sorry for missing last week and I hope everyone is doing well! :) Also in case you didn't pick up on it this new character, Reilk, is actually Kass' teacher so yeah haha. This isn't super important information but in one of Kass' songs he mentions that his teacher was a sheikah who had a crush on Zelda so I figured I would put him in. Anyway see you all next week and I hope everyone is doing well!