"Tie!" The official called. Link stepped back for a moment. He held his hand to his back, palm facing away from him, to avoid attention. The light flashed for barely a split second, meaning only him and his opponent saw it.
If he didn't know any better, Link would have figured that he simply imagined it. But, seeing how his partner was equally startled, it couldn't have been a mere figment.
As the audience clapped for their draw, Link stepped out of the ring, and back to his seat. He avoided the strange glances his partner must have been giving him, and sat quietly.
But, he didn't stop himself from looking up at the princess's balcony, and when did, he found her eyes trained on him once again. Again, she looked as though she was trying to figure something out. But this time, she gave him a kind smile, as if he was a lifelong friend, and she was happy to see him.
Slightly stunned, Link turned his gaze to the current duel, and tried not to look elsewhere for the rest of the exam.
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Later, Link exhaustedly walked back down the corridor to leave the castle with the other swordsman. "What a long day..." He thought to himself. The chosen knights names would not be announced until the next day at high noon, in the town square.
"Watching all those matches sure made me hungry!" One of the young men walking near Link told him.
Link chuckled. "Tell me about it. I'm so hungry, I could an oc-" Link froze in his tracks.
"You alright? " The young man asked. Link shook his head to clear it, then nodded.
"I'm just tired." He claimed.
But that wasn't the reason he stopped. Link felt a strange force pulling him. Not physically, though. It was as if something was telling him to come. Come? Come where? It had to have been his imagination.
But, sure enough, when exited the castle, the feeling was even stronger, and almost had a voice. "Please come... to the garden.." Was what it seemed to say.
I'm going to get caught, aren't I? he figured, but unknowingly did as he was told.
He glanced at the guard posted at the front gate; the only one manning the courtyard. He was informing a young swordsman of something or other. Link took the chance, and ducked behind the tall hedges, concealling himself from the guard.
"How am I supposed to find the garden in this huge place??" He wondered.
But just as he was wondering, a tiny light flew passed his eyes, and landed on a bush next him. As he focused on the light, he realized it was a red fairy. "Shhh.." She whispered in the tiniest voice. Then she gestured him to follow her, and flew away.
Link made sure they were out of earshot before he asked, "Are you the one who called me? Where are we going?" But the fairy simply giggled.
The lack of information irritated Link, and he was about to ask again, but by then, they reached their destination: A garden, filled with lush green plants within a dome formed by walls. The far end of the yard was bear, save for thick railing, making a balcony to look over the cliff the castle rested on, viewing the sparkling Lake Hylia. The sound of water trickling came from a small waterfall in the garden, and the stream was surrounded by bright flowers of every shade. Four stone paths intersected at the center of the garden, where a girl stood, her back facing Link.
The fairy made a sound like a tiny bell ringing. "He's here!" She exclaimed, in her shrill voice. Link knew who the girl was before she turned around.
"Your Highness!" He cried, before bowing his head.
The princess raised her hand to calm him. "Please, no need for formalities. You're the one who's duel ended in a tie, am I correct?" She asked softly.
Link nodded. "Are you the one who called me here?" He asked nervously.
"Yes," She answered. "I am Zelda, princess of Hyrule. Please tell me your name." She requested sweetly.
Link cleared his throat. "I, um.. My name is Link. Your Majesty, may I ask why you called me?"
"Of course." She agreed. "I noticed something while you dueled. That flash of light from your hand."
Link's eyes widened. "You saw that?"
Zelda nodded. "May I see your left hand?" She held her hand out, gesturing to his. Link took several steps toward her, lifting his left arm, and placing his hand in hers. "Just as I thought." Zelda sighed in awe at the mark on his hand.
Then, she looked up at him."Link, are you familiar with the legend of the Triforce?" She asked, her voice somewhat urgent.
Link blinked, slightly surprised at her sudden change of tone. He nodded."Yes. It was a divine power left to us by the goddesses, made up of three golden relics: The Triforces of Power, Wisdom, and Courage. All three together are completely omnipotent, but it's said if one who touches it, and doesn't have all three qualities will only get one third. The other two will go to others worthy." Link recalled, "So... this means I've been blessed?" He asked.
Zelda sadly nodded. "Yes. I believe what you bear is the mark of the Triforce of Courage. This means something awful is about to happen." She looked away, worriedly.
Link didn't know what to say."I... I'm sorry."
"Hey! Link! It's not your fault!" The fairy assured him.
Zelda held up her hand for the fairy to land on, and nodded. "She's right. This little one who brought you here is called Mari."
"Oh, thank you for showing me here, Mari," he dipped his head. Then he thought for a moment. "Wait, princess, there's one thing I don't understand. That flash of light was small, and extremely brief. How did you notice it from your balcony?"
Zelda smiled. "It's hard for one who is also blessed to miss such a recognizable light." She then lifted her hand, palm facing herself. A light in the shape of the Triforce bled through her lavender glove.
Link stared in amazement. "Is that why you might take the thrown before your brother?"
The princess nodded sadly. "Father was unable to determine who would succeed him before he died."
Link sighed slightly, then said softly, "I have another question."
Zelda raised her head to look at him.
"Why didn't you call upon me officially, and have me meet with you and the prince, so he would be informed of this too?"
Zelda frowned at Link. "My brother Regis isn't yet the official ruler of Hyrule, yet he is nothing more than a puppet."
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More talk than walk, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Look foward to chapter 3! ^^
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The Legend of Zelda: The Regal Flame
AdventureThe Regal Flame was an everlasting mystical candlelight given to the the ruler of Hyrule. It seems some would go to great lengths to obtain it...
