The Legend of Zelda: The Silent Princess

Chosen

The day after the ceremony arrived all too fast. I waited for Father to instruct me to go out and pray again. I was actually eager to try. The only thing that stopped my happy mood was that I would have to pray with Link there.

The dream I had before waking that morning reflected the terror I felt. I spent my time waiting for Father just thinking about it as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands.

My bedroom door opened. I looked up to see that it wasn't Father, but Urbosa. She sat down next to me, and just as Mother did, she pushed one of my loose strands of hair back into place.

"You seem troubled."

"I am," I answered honestly, "The dream I had last night keeps haunting me. Well, I suppose it's more like a memory than a dream."

"Well, sharing these kinds of things is a way to get over it, but only if you wish."

Without question, I told her. "It was the day I went to the Great Deku Tree. I was right there by the sword and under the Goddess' watch. I prayed to her and tried calling to the voice inside the sword. Nothing happened, and then . . . he came in. He pulled out the sword like it was nothing and strolled out minutes later. I hoped that through his success in drawing the sword, the voice could finally speak to me, but it didn't."

"So, that's why you've been giving him the cold shoulder," she chuckled a little, but there wasn't much liveliness to it, "You aren't going to like what Daruk suggested we do this morning if that's the case."

I stared up at her, raising my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Daruk found out that Link is to be the knight that protects you. He wants us to honor him with the same ceremony performed 10,000 years ago."

My head rolled to the side, away from Urbosa. "The ceremony I had to memorize when I turned four." I stood to my feet, adjusting my dress, "Well, let's get it over with."

Together we met up with the others who waited for us at the drawbridge that led into Castle Town. From there we walked through in the sleepy town until we made it to the Sacred Grounds. I got into position as Daruk instructed Link where to go. He had him kneel down in front of me while the rest of the Champions went off to the side. Daruk joined them once everything was in order.

I took a breath as I extended my right hand out in front of me. I began to recite the words of the princess from 10,000 years ago.

"Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness. You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity. And have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia."

That last sentence made my heart feel a ping of guilt and pain. I had no idea how Hylia felt about any of this. Yes, he was certainly worthy due to the sword on his back, but I was definitely not worthy of Hylia's blessings considering how long I'd spent praying to her and getting nothing. I pushed the thoughts away.

In a shaky voice, I continued, "Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight the sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero. We pray for your protection . . . and we hope that--that the two of you will grow stronger together, as one."

I set my hand down, taking my time to get my dream out of my head. Once I felt like I could go on, I raised my hand back up. To the side, I heard the others begin to talk. I blocked them out as well, focusing only on the words that were not my own to a boy I hardly knew. Of course, the few lines were actually directed to the sword itself, something else that hadn't spoken to me.

"Forged in the long distant past, the sword that seals the darkness . . . guardian of Hyrule, ancient steel, forever bound to the hero. In the name of the Goddess Hylia, I bless you and your chosen hero. Over seas of time and distance, when we need the golden power of the Goddess. Our hope rests in you, to be forever by the hero's side. And we pray again . . . that the two of you will grow stronger . . . and be together as one."