Reincarnated

Chapter 6: Excerpt from Zelda's Diary

This morning, I awoke under an extra blanket of dread. Even now, the cloak weighs heavy on my back, and the thought of his presence constricts me still.

The air felt heavier than was usual, and there was a great difficulty in raising my head. The certainty of a confrontation with Father stole any desire to live the day. I expected to see him, waiting at the door with a scornful. When I did raise my head to the door thought, it was not my father that awaited me. 

It was the intrusive sight of an unknown man, watching me sleep.

I shot up from my sheets and a sharp scream fled my lips. His face read surprised, somehow unaware of the reaction his presence would cause, and his eyes fell onto my frightened face, then down my body that was pushed out from under the covers. I saw him trace the line of my neck as it turned to the collarbone that held the nightgown below. 

Before the guard's improper gaze could linger any longer, I gathered the sheets from where they fell in my lap and held them up to my chin.

"Who are you?" I demanded. His presence returned to my face, and I was glad I had my blankets to cover the nervous rise and fall of my chest.

He pulled a hand from behind his back and held an envelope towards me. I looked at him, taken aback at his request for me to cross the room in so improper a state. He evidently saw the absurdity of his ask when his cheeks flushed further and he walked to my bedside, again extending the envelope. 

I looked dumbfounded at his continued cluelessness towards the taboo of his action. "Put it on my bedside." My command washed further embarrassment across his face. He set it on the table, then retreated to the door. While his back was turned to me, I quickly snatched the letter and smuggled myself under the blanket.

It was stamped with the Royal Seal. At first, it meant relief, a confrontation avoided. Then, however, came anger at the insistence on ignoring me. 

He would send this guard to keep me here, out of his sight and away from his affairs rather than speak to me? 

I tore the note open and read.

Letter from King Rhoam to Zelda

My Child,

You don't realize the danger you have put yourself and our family in. I wish only for your safety.

I have ordered this guard to be placed in your room in order to keep you from doing anything rash. He is ordered to not take his eyes off of you for a second.

I do hope you'll understand.

Your Father,

King Rhoam

Excerpt from Zelda's Diary

The nerve of him to even write a letter. Of course I know what you've done and why you've done it. Everything has been for "my safety," not at all for your own convenience. 

I really could help, I know I could if he'd just give me the chance.

I poked my head out from my hole. "Can you face the other way while I dress myself?" Without a second thought, my warden shook his head. Of course,  he was "ordered to not take his eyes off of you for a second," and the imbecile they chose to send to me had decided to interpret the King's words literally. Between his incompetent delivery and his unreasonable adherence to benign words, I began to doubt his authority.

"How do you suppose I dress?" In response, he simply motioned to the table where I had laid out my clothes as if to say "There's nothing stopping you." Continually, he found further ways to stun my brain into confusion.

"Do you know who I am?" He shook his head. 

"Do you know why you're here?" He shook his head. 

I paused a moment, considering the inhuman orders he must have been given, and his inhuman, uncurious response. The moment of consideration had brought me a plan.

"Would you like to know why you're here?" After a moment of thought, he nodded. 

"Then I'll tell you, as long as you leave the room whilst I clothe myself." He considered, and with greater sympathy, shook his head. "Can you just turn around at least?" He inhaled deeply, nervously, as if someone would know he had broken his vow, then obliged. 

I waited a moment to make sure he would not turn. As the covers rustled, he moved his head ever so slightly, then pulled it back to the wall, so I decided it was safe to get up. 

"You may turn around," I called to him once dressed. He turned, and again with that unprofessional, untrained, and unscrupulous eye, lowered his gaze to my body, despite me hiding much of it behind my desk chair. Strangely, I did not altogether dislike his less-than-honorable glance.

"What have you been told?" He raised his gaze to meet mine at the sound of my voice, and again, shook his head weakly. 

"You're allowed to talk," I told him with greater sternness.  

Surprise entered his eyes at my most gentle of attacks. He replied quietly. "Nothing."

"Really?"

"Only that you are not to leave this room."

"Did you not ask why?" He returned to the silent, shaking of his head. 

"Tell me your name." I refused to let his voice flee.

"Link."

"Are you not curious?"

"I am."

"I assume you're ordered to never speak of what you learn in this room." He nodded. I stood up to walk closer to him. The promise of one who'll listen was all too appealing. "Then here I give you. Your King is afraid of me. He wishes I weren't here. He thinks I'm a danger." 

I stood now, very close, and looked down into Link's eyes. They were wide and blue and shadowed by a straight brow. His forehead was covered with tufts of shaggy hair that had undoubtedly been left to grow out for some time, likely due to the lax standards of new recruits' hair as the throne searched for quantity. Two stray locks fell to his shoulders while the rest was hastily tied back. 

Being as close as I was, I was struck by his height, a short stature that seemed so befitting of the incompetence he had shown thus far, but his face wore determination still, as if he was proud to have the solemn duty of keeping me trapped here. 

"Can you guess why I might be a danger to him?" I leaned close so he could see my face. His head retreated into the wall at the sudden lack of distance between us. It was funny to see him with his head pushed back like this. The man who had terrified me moments ago, intruding on my expected solitude now stood, gazing up, his nose barely reaching the base of my neck.

"Do you know who I am?" I asked again, smiling down at him.

He searched for an answer in my face. He searched through everything he knew. 

"No." He mumbled. I was completely unrecognizable.

"Interesting." I returned to my desk, to my writing that lay open and uninformed of the past day. 

"I'll give you your answer in a moment. I must put down my thoughts first." The inquisitive stare I'd sparked in him seared into the back of my neck. Before I could focus on his answer though, I needed to put down all the past day's events. 

I suppose that brings me to now, and this room with the guard. 

Link.

He deserves a response, but I can think of no answer that would spare my identity. I can think of no answer but the truth.