Lost in Time- A Zelink Story

Chapter Six

There are cheers from the crowd, laughs, whispers, and even a few prayers to Hylia. I sag in my chair, relief flooding through me. Of course, I never doubted before that I was a true descendant of the first king and queen, but being put under so much pressure, being questioned, it makes you question yourself. A hand I hadn't even realized was on my shoulder retreats, and I immediately feel more alone. Link moves away from me, and all my problems come flooding back, the relief gone entirely.

The members of court make their way back to their seats, and we once again climb the stairs to ours. King Rauru goes over some more things- policy, status of the economy, a few complaints about thieves- and I quickly lose interest. I've never really been one for policy, and plus, there is a lot distracting me at the moment.

Finally, the meeting is adjourned, and I sulkily wonder why these lords fought so hard just to be able to sit through these things. We head down onto the main floor of the sanctum, along with the four major town representatives, so Rauru and Sonia can greet and chat with the court. As lords and ladies file out of the sanctum around us, I spot Rauru slowly making his way through the crowd toward Link and I, standing awkwardly next to each other.

"Zelda," he says warmly as he arrives, tall and imposing but still a kind presence, "that was very brave, what you did. I could tell that you were afraid, just then, and you overcame it. What's more, you put yourself at risk, just to defend those who care for you. You will make an exceedingly good queen."

I gawk- open mouthed- at him, before stopping myself, and quickly apologizing, "I- I'm sorry, King Rauru. I truly appreciate it, really. That is genuinely one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me."

He smiles, and I self consciously find myself holding back tears. While the last lords and ladies make their way out of the sanctum, he goes to have a quick word with Sonia, seemingly comforting her. I watch her expression, and she starts to gesture wildly. He listens the whole time, nodding along. She must be really upset about Lord Shoman bringing up the whole situation with the guards. Eventually, she smiles weakly, and leaves the room.

"Link," Rauru says, much more seriously, after Sonia turns the corner, "will you have a word with me? Zelda, you can wait until we're done to walk back to your rooms together, it shouldn't take long."

Link and I nod, and he follows King Rauru into a spare room, hidden on the side of the sanctum. I sink down onto one of the plush chairs brought in for the court members, slightly exhausted. What will I say to Link, when we're alone?

Finally, he returns, grabs his satchel off of the floor where he left it, and heads out the door without a word. I grab mine and follow meekly, not willing to say anything to him. We walk the rest of the way to our rooms in silence- a cold, frosty silence that reminds me painfully of my mistake earlier this morning.

We arrive at our quarters, and he goes straight to his room, leaving the door open and beginning to pack things into a leather backpack. I see him grab weapons, clothes, food; what looks like the provisions for a trip. A trip that will take a lot longer than one day. He doesn't say anything, and he doesn't look at me. I stand in the doorway, unsure what to do.

"Are you... going somewhere?" I ask softly, avoiding the subject I know is on both of our minds.

"Yes," he says, finally turning to face me, leveling me with a cool stare. Our eyes lock, and I force my gaze down, not wanting to look at his face for fear of noticing too much. What is wrong with me?

He lets me squirm for a minute, before turning back around to pick up some arrows and saying, "Rauru thinks he may have found a way to restore my sword. The spring of power. Supposedly, it's more powerful in this time than it is in ours. I was going to say goodbye, when I was done packing. Or at least, tell you where I was going."