Between Timelines: A Legend of Zelda Fanfic

Chapter 13

The guards throw me back into my cell, feeling even worse (somehow) than when I left it. There is a steaming bath set up near one wall, and on my dusty cot is what appears to be a dress, the fabric a light lavender color.

"For the ceremony," grumbles one of the guards monotonously, sounding bored, "be ready before your time is up, or the knight gets it."

They leave me alone, and I decide that even though I can't possibly go through with Marianna's plan, I should take a bath and change. My once flowy and beautiful Gerudo outfit is ripped, sweaty, and bloodstained, and I could really use some relaxation right now.

I strip my cot of its threadbare blankets and fashion a curtain to hang in front of the bathtub for some sort of privacy. Undressing quickly, I get in the wooden tub, sinking into the deliciously warm water. I know that I shouldn't stay in here too long, but the water is so nice after the cold, damp, darkness of the Yiga hideout. It smells ever so slightly of lavender, and a small white bar of soap sits in a tray attached to the tub.

I wash my hair (which is so much easier now that it's short) and soak in the bath for a while, thinking over my options. I could: A, betray the kingdom I love and have sworn to protect, condemning all of its citizens to a terrible fate, or B: lose Link. Lose the one person who has always been there to protect me.

Somehow, that feels even more impossible. I close my eyes, sinking deeper into the bath water. I don't have a choice, really, so why do I shrink from the idea of saving my people?

I don't know how much time passes before my fingers start to prune up, and I finally get out of the bath, using a stained white towel to dry off. I put on my soft lavender dress, which is floor length and a true princess dress: flowy sleeves, tight bodice, and a long, poofy skirt. It's accented with silver stitching, and silver glitter makes the gauzy skirt sparkle in the dim torch light. Marianna might have been stingy with the home decor, but she was definitely not with the dress.

When I'm done, I notice that a dainty silver necklace with an amethyst gem has fallen out of my bundle of clothes and landed on my bare cot. I put it on, and attempt to smooth my hair, even though there's no mirror in my cell.

The cut on my leg feels better, after some rest and a bath. I can walk a lot easier now, even through the full skirt of my dress. I sink down on my uncomfortable bed, staring blankly at the stone wall. What should I do? What can I do? There is no one here to save me, not anymore.

Just then, I hear footsteps coming from the hallway outside of my cell. I straighten up, preparing myself. It hasn't been 4 hours yet, has it? To my horror, two guards come into view, dragging between them a limp form, bleeding and slumped. Link.

I run to the door of my cell, gripping the bars as I take in his condition.

"Link!" I yell, my voice breaking, "what did they do to you? What happened?"

He looks up, meeting my eyes, but his hands are bound, and he has no way of signing to me. The guards stop outside my cell and open the door, cutting the rope at his wrists and throwing him inside. I rush to his side, helping him into a sitting position against the wall.

He takes a second to catch his breath, and I assess his injuries. He has a black eye, and he's bleeding from his lip. Bruises are starting to appear up and down his body, and several gashes bleed openly.

"Zelda," he signs with difficulty, "I-"

"Don't you dare tell me you're okay," I growl at him, "look what they did!"

"You're right," he says, attempting to smile but ending up with more of a grimace on his face, "I'm not... feeling great right now. But... she's leaving us alone in the same cell for a reason."