Haunting Shadow of the Past

Part 21

Link didn't even know where to start looking for Zelda. Her horse, Jesper, had hardly left any hoofprints and the ones he did see led him to the stone ground of castle town. From here Princess Zelda could have literally gone anywhere. Link racked his brain thinking of somewhere Zelda could have run off too. The first place he thought of was Gerudo town but then Link noticed that she wouldn't get there until dark and even she would know that was a bad idea, running around the desert alone at night. There had to be somewhere else she had gone.

"Are you looking for Princess Zelda?" Someone asked from behind. Link turned on his horse to see the sheikah poet from earlier, Reilk.

"I am, yes. You didn't by chance see which way she went."

The sheikah smiled. "I tried following her but once she left town she was able to go faster."

"Can you tell me which way she went?" Link asked, pushing down the impatience that was surfacing.

Reilk nodded. "She went that way." He pointed towards one of the roads that lead out of town, "However, she made sure to emphasize that she didn't want you with her. "

"Unfortunately, that's my job." Was all Link said before hurrying along the way the poet had directed him. He had no idea why the princess would be going that way except perhaps Gerudo Town but there were easier ways to get there. Technically going that way would be the fastest route up to Rito Village but Link couldn't think of any reason why she would need to go up there. Link shook his head, thinking about those destinations wouldn't help if she hadn't gone to either of them. The only thing Link could possibly rely on was tracking Jesper's hoof tracks that could possibly have been left in the dirt road. Though that was the only idea Link could think of, he knew it was no good. Multiple horses went up and down that road and the slight breeze would stir up the dirt and cover up ant tracks.

Link sighed. He had to find the Princess before it got dark because once the sun set all sorts of monsters roamed around Hyrule and Zelda would be a primary target. The King would never forgive Link if he failed to protect his daughter.

As Link started along the dirt path he scanned the ground for any possible faint tracks. He regretted his decision of not asking when exactly Zelda had left town and the description "...she was able to go faster." Wasn't much help when it came to knowing how fast Princess Zelda was possibly going on her horse. If she had been at a full gallop she could already be halfway across Hyrule and there would be several miles between her and Link.

Link was about to start assuming a new approach when something called to him. He wasn't entirely sure what it could be but it reminded him of the calls he had received when he had been looking for the master sword. In fact, the call was exactly like what he had heard while searching for the Master Sword. Link removed his sword and noticed that it had a soft glow to it. He started moving it to look at it better and he quickly realized depending on which way it was pointing it either gew brighter or dimmer. "Are you pointing me towards Zelda?" Link thought allowed. The sword didn't do anything but Link knew inside him that it was helping.

Link started pointing the sword in different directions and when it finally reached its brightest that was the way that Link steered Epona. Much to Link's surprise the sword wasn't pointing towards Gerudo town nor Rito Village it just seemed to be pointing to a random place. As Link's trust in the sword increased, Epona picked up speed. It wasn't long before Link noticed Jesper standing at the top of a slight hill. After putting away the master sword, Link flicked Epona's reins and when he reached the top he saw Zelda examining what he had been told were shrines. He brought Epona up next to Jesper before jumping off her and jogging towards Zelda who had turned to scowl at him. She stalked over to Link and he stopped. While she walked towards him she hung the sheikah slate on her belt and balled her fists.

"I thought I made it clear I was not in need of an escort." She stopped a few paces from Link and put her hands on her hips. "It seems I'm the only one with a mind of my own. I, the person in question, am fine, regardless of the King's orders." Link opened his mouth to tell her the king hadn't ordered him to find her but she continued. "Return to the castle and tell that to my father, please." Zelda briskly walked past Link who sighed and started to follow her. Zelda stopped again before exhaling angrily and turning around to face her knight. Her face was twisted in anger and her hands were balled into fists so tightly her knuckles were turning white. "And stop following me!" She screamed.

Link inhaled sharply. The Princess hadn't exactly been kind to him but this was the first time she had ever raised her voice like that. "I'm- I'm sorry , Princess, but we need to return to the castle. It isn't safe here."

Zelda crossed her arms. "I'm not going back to the castle. Couldn't you see I was busy? Goodness, how can you be so brainless?! You're the worst, I hate you!" As soon as Zelda screamed that Link could see on her face that she immediately regretted it. Without saying anything she walked over to her horse and climbed on the back of it and started off. Link went over to Epona and, after climbing onto her, followed Zelda.

The way back to Hyrule castle was nothing less than awkward. Zelda would occasionally send glares back at Link but he could sense that she was regretting what she had screamed at him. While on the road the sun slowly started to set and it was almost fully night when they reached the castle. They dismounted their horses and after they were accepted by those managing the stables Zelda started walking in the direction of the castle. Link raced after her.

"We're back at the castle, can't you just leave me alone for a few hours," She said without even looking back.

Link sighed. "Unfortunately, Princess, I do have to report this back to the king or at the very least my father."

Zelda's hands balled into fists and she spun around to glare at Link. "Why do you hate me so much?!" She demanded.

Link dropped his hands to his side. "I don't hate you, Princess, but I have a duty."

"Report to whomever you want but I don't care, my father can't hold me tomorrow because I have to head to Gerudo town for a mandatory survey and my father can't stop that. So, go ahead, report me, nothing is going to happen!" Without waiting for a response Zelda turned and stormed off.

Link watched her leave, debating between whether he should follow after her or report to the king. After several seconds Link came to the conclusion that maybe just this one time he didn't have to tell the king or his father. After all Zelda was fine and Link had already upset her enough that day he didn't want to make things between them worse. Link chased after Zelda but stayed careful not to get too close. Hopefully, things would be better in the morning.

Since it is June I just wanted to say Happy Pride! Although I myself am not part of the LGBTQ+ community I am an ally and think everyone who is part of that community directly is super awesome. I support you whether you are out about it or it's still a personal thing. But yeah haha hope everyone is doing well! :)