Legend of Zelda: Dark Echoes

Legend of Zelda: Dark Echoes-Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Link was just dumped back into his cell with no more words from the guards, or the King. He was forced back into the chain which attached to his ankle tightly and he gave no complaints whatsoever because he simply found it tiring, a waste of time and energy also. He wanted to go to sleep and make time go faster but the chain around him was highly uncomfortable so, instead, he had hoped his tiredness would do the job. In the end, Link just stared at the wall in an inattentive way, leaving his mind to think about important questions. Were the guards going to give him food and water? Will he manage to rest? Is Franz alright? And most importantly: Will the King realize Link is innocent and free him?

He sighed heavily and leaned his head against the cold wall behind him. In the distance he could hear some agonizing screaming. They sound like they're getting tortured, Link instantly thought, which sent shivers down his spine. 

"I will probably be next," he whispered, burying his eyes in his hands. He wasn't crying yet he felt the need to do this as it comforted him in some way.

"I assure you, you are not." A voice replied.

He looked up, eyes widening as he did so. A woman stood behind the cell bars, a beautiful woman actually. She looked about just a year older than Link, and wore rich jewels to show her wealthiness to others, even though she was wearing a night gown. Her hair was brown which suited her blue-gray eyes, and her eyes suited the big, shining jewel on her tiara-like headpiece. Of course she was a Hylian, and you could tell by her pointy ears. Despite her serious expression that was directed towards Link, she looked as if she was wondering about something. 

It would take no-one smart to notice who she was:

Princess Zelda.

And Link was face-to-face to her.

"My father told me of your story and how you got here. He wanted to tell me because he felt the need to. You see, I have been having weird dreams of late. They involve this mysterious look-a-like which you speak of, or so I believe," The Princess pulled out a key from a pocket and opened the door. She proceeded by entering the cell and walking up towards Link, then kneeling down so their eyes met. Link's eyes were still wide. "My father pushes aside my nightmares and claims that it is all a big coincidence, and now here you are. This is all because of him, my selfish father, and so I apologize deeply."

"Th-There is no need to apologize, my Princess," Link said, trying his hardest not to stutter. "Because it's that dopple-ganger's fault, right? Not yours. Has he been the one killing the people then? The murderer?"

"I assume so." Zelda nodded. 

"What...what happens in your dreams then?"

Zelda looked down to the solid floor for a few seconds, thinking - or so it looked - then turned back to Link, her eyes looking sorrowful. 

She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself before proceeding any further. Somewhere, in the distance, was a noise and it made her mutter something under her breath. A curse maybe? A Princess simply does not swear though, especially for someone known so ladylike, thus Link assumed that it was something else. 

"I am sorry, but I cannot tell you, not now. The guard is coming, and he must not know that I am here!" She rested her hands gently on Link's shoulders and stared right into him. "I will see you again in the morning this time," She told him as quick as she could. "But go to sleep, okay?! Do not under any circumstances talk to anyone besides the guards!" Link didn't know what she meant exactly by that and would've asked why, however Princess Zelda left before anything else was said, shutting the cell door behind her and heading the opposite way from the noise.