The Silence Between Them | ✔

2) Silent

⚔ In which new things are learned ⚔

Link

When we return to the palace, I hand off my horse, Epona, and head to the barracks, leaving the rest of my friends in the Royal stable, still talking about the trip. The Sword is still on my back, and it feels heavier with every step I take toward the safety of my barrack room. I need to get it off me.

When I finally burst into my quiet room, I instantly pull at the straps holding the Sword to my back. I eventually pull them off, throw the whole harness - Sword included - into my tiny closet, and slam the door shut. I make sure the lock to my room is secure before changing into sleeping shorts and falling on top of my blankets, the ones my mom made me when I was smaller, and I begin to cry.

I can't help it, and I'm glad the door has a lock. I wouldn't want anyone else to see me like this.

I can't quite explain this feeling. I can't shake whatever it is since yesterday afternoon.

It's the feeling of being doomed. I feel suddenly trapped, suffocated, tied to this thing I pulled out of a rock. Now, my entire life has shifted into something I can't even begin to imagine.

Now, I 'll have the King of Hyrule always looking at me. Now, I have the Divine to worry about, the Goddess and her rules and prophecies. And the Princess, Zelda. And my own parents. What if I put them all in danger? What if I can't do whatever it is they want me to, now that I have the Sword? What if I end up killing them all?

The thoughts flood my mind faster than I can sort them out, and so I lay in bed and sob softly until I lose track of time.

I don't know how long it is until I hear soft voices and footsteps outside my door, but I can imagine I've been gone for a few hours at least. I quiet my blubbering long enough to hear what the voices outside are saying.

"He's in there. The door is locked." It's my father.

"You don't think he-" Whoever is speaking doesn't get to finish.

"Don't even go there, Sir." Father sounds so concerned.

Concerned enough for me to slip out of bed and reach for a notepad and pencil. I write a quick note saying I'm okay, just tired. I slip it under the door. They stop talking, and I hold my breath.

"Dinner is outside the door, Link. If you want it," father says. I hear grumbling, and someone walks down the hall. "I love you, Link. Goodnight." Footsteps sound down the stone hallway and disappear around the corner.

I fiddle with the lock until it comes undone and pull the food tray inside. I shut the door and locked it again right after.

I sit on the cold floor and nibble at the bread and cheese that was undoubtedly my helping from the dinner I missed. I wonder what my class talked about while I wasn't there. I wonder what my dad thought, what he told them to excuse my absence. I wonder what the princess thought if she was even there.

She probably thinks I'm weak.

I finish my food and set the tray back outside, only to shut myself inside again. I fall back onto the bed and sigh deeply, trying to gain control of the shuttering breaths from the sobbing.

The Sword in the closet seems to taunt me. I don't think that feeling is going to go away. I stand and pull it out of the closet and examine it. It's the only thing I can think of to do.

It looks normal enough. The blade feels like typical metal, except for the fact it's warm to the touch instead of cold. The hilt is purple, the color for Royals, with green wrapped around it. The forte and pommel are engraved with the Triforce symbol. The guard looks like the Triforce bird's wings that decorate the palace.