A Soldier's Love: Tale of a Hylian Guard

3

                                          Six weeks earlier....

What a lovely day, thought the guardsman as he patrolled the streets of Castle Town.

Indeed, it was: few clouds sailed the blue sky, and the city was bustling with people as usual. A little girl chased after a Cucco, clucking madly as the she tried in vain to capture it. A pair of lovers danced in each other's arms, oblivious of the crowd's stares. Other soldiers stood around various parts of the town, nodding to the citizens as they passed them by. 

The noonday sun shone brightly on him, yet he felt cool despite his gleaming armor.

"You know, a knight in shining armor hasn't had it tested," his general once told him.

The guardsman laughed. "What's to test it on? The mosquitoes?"

He was now keeping his post at the town's entrance, right at the portcullis. It was tedious, but he often crossed the bridge and gazed across Hyrule Field, often spying a figure of a man running far in the distance. He would often sit against the walls of the walkway and sleep his shift away. 

Much like he was doing now, at the moment...

"Hey..."

The guardsman stirred slightly, but continued on sleeping.

"Hey, guard..." 

Still no response.

"Guard!!"

The guardsman snapped awake, scrambling for his spear and pointing it at....

A large, mustachioed man and an orange haired girl atop a cart.

"D'ya mind puttin' that thing away?" asked the man. "It's a bit unnervin', ya know."

Still slightly rattled, the guardsman lowered his weapon. "Forgive me, I was startled out of a nightmare."

"Har har har! I saw you were stirrin', too! I was afraid'a wakin' ya up close cuz of that!"

The guardsman was not amused. "State your name and purpose of entry into Hyrule Castle Town, sir."

"Sure. My name's Talon, and this is my daughter Malon." He gestured to the girl sitting next to him. "I was tasked with bringin' milk from my ranch to Hyrule Castle. Yar welcome to check it if ya like."

He considered it, but remembered that Malon has a reputation of being one of the most honest men in Hyrule. "I don't think there's a need, sir. Just wait here so I can clear a path ahead."

"Sure thing! Oh, and if ya see Malon in town without me, don't worry. I told her to wait for me there, if that's all right."

"It's no problem at all. Let me clear a path and I'll signal for you."

"Okay, then!"

A few minutes and some coercion later, the guardsman whistled for the cart to come forward.

The horses reared, then charged full speed towards them.

My goddesses, he's in a rush, thought the guardsman as he hurriedly stepped out the path. 

But just as he stepped out, a childishly small, cloaked figure walked across the path. 

The guardsman began shouting at the figure to move out of the way, but the din of the crowds drowned out the sound. In desperation, he threw a pebble at the figure. 

It froze. In the middle of the street. In front of the Lon Lon Milk cart heading straight for it. 

Without thinking, the guardsman forcefully broke through the crowds towards the figure as the cart grew closer and closer to it. He could see Malon's panicked expression as he tried to reign in the horses to no avail. 

Just as all seemed lost, the guardsman dove towards the figure, barely managing to push them both out of the way. 

The cart sped onward, its owner oblivious of the near-death experience below him. 

Relieved that he survived, frustration made the guard stand and lift the figure by the front of its coat. 

"Are you insane?! Why did you run in front of the cart?! What could you have possibly-"

The hood of the figure fell backward, making him and the whole crowd gasp in astonishment. 

It was Princess Zelda.

****************************************************************************

"Then the Batallion of the King's Servants appeared, grabbed at me, took me to a dungeon where I stayed for two days, then brought into trial."

"Which was where Zelda came and placed you in her eternal servitude," concluded Impa.

The guardsman nodded, taking another bite out of his pastry. "I'm glad of it, though. Zelda may not need two of us to care for her, but it's a service I am proud to complete."

"I could not agree more," said Impa. "My tribe has been serving the Royal Family for generations. There is no one I would rather-"

"Come, come, Nana!" Zelda giggled. "And you too, guardsman! You'll make me blush!"

Both of them flustered awkwardly.

"Nana, I have to relieve myself. I shall return in a moment."

"Er, y-yes, milady. Go on, the guardsman and I shall wait here." Zelda scampered out.

A strange quiet permeated the room, a force both of them felt to a great degree.

"So..." muttered the guardsman. "Have you been in any wars?"

Impa smiled. "No, thank the goddesses. My father has, however. Around eleven years ago, there was a civil war between..."

He couldn't help but notice the way her ears were shaped; long and pointed at the ends, the same as Zelda's. Her ruby red eyes weren't as frightening now that he was used to them; in fact, he thought they were beautiful, in a haunting sort of way. Stray locks of gray hair fell over her forehead, bouncing with each nod of her head. 

It wasn't that he was attracted to her; in reality, he wasn't attracted to her at all. He just couldn't help but notice the contrast between her masculine features and her feminine figure, how the gods managed to meld it perfectly together to create-

"Are you going to answer my question, guardsman? Or will you keep staring?"

He blinked at her. "......Forgive me. I was...distracted for a moment."

She rolled her eyes. 

"Er, what was the question?"

"I asked if you yourself have participated in any wars."

He shook his head. "None, Lady Impa. Castle Town has been safe and conflict-free."

"That sounds pleasant." She smiled again. "And please, call  me Impa."

Zelda finally arrived barging loudly through the doors of her room. 

"Forgive me for taking so long!" She plopped herself down, grasping her tea cup and taking a delicate sip. "Where were we?"