The Legend

The Legend: Chapter 68- Frustration

Zelda’s P.O.V

We left that night. It was the darkest night I had ever seen. The stars were missing and the clouds rolled in which in turn blocked out the moon. We had mounted Epona and met the rebel army in Hyrule field. We were set up on the edge of the forest leading to Ordon. Using the tree for cover we set up camp. Tents of all species were here. Materials such as swords, shields, chainmail, were here; we had it all. We were ready for this battle and we were prepared to win. Link and I hadn’t spoken a word to each other the whole ride there. I couldn’t say anything to lighten the mood, it was too hard. I had a feeling that if I did, I would burst into tears and tell him everything. I would tell him that he was destined to die and I was prepared to take my place for him in death.  That could not happen. Link would most likely have me secured during the battle and I would never be able to get to him in time to heal him. So I kept quiet. “Link must never know.” I told myself. Even though we didn’t speak Link still escorted me and offered to carry my things like a true gentleman, but I of course denied him. That night we met with all of the nation’s leaders. Queen Rutella and Prince Ralis were there, as was the Goron Elders from Death Mountain. Even Mayor Bo and Rusl attended this meeting. We studied our battle plan for hours until there was an interruption. It was young Ronin. “Excuse me?” He stated as he poked his head inside the tent. “Yes, what is it?” I inquired. “There’s someone here.” He answered. “Who?” Link demanded. “She says her name is Nabooru.” The young man answered. Both Link and I straightened. “Is she alone?” Link asked. “No there are others with her; they say they come in peace.” Ronin explained. I quickly left the strategy table and made my way out of the tent. As I pulled back one of the cloth flaps a large group of women stood before me. “Long time no see.” Nabooru chuckled as she stepped forward and bowed to me. But instead of returning the bow in respect I ran to the Gerudo woman and hugged her. I felt her tense at the sudden contact but she eventually gave in and returned the hug. “I see I’ve been missed?” Nabooru inquired. I chuckled and pulled out of the hug. “I’m so relieved to see that you’re all right.” I sighed. “Those Gerudo men never stood a chance, especially when my girls came in to help.” Nabooru gestured to the small army of Gerudo women behind her. They were all dressed in the same way as Nabooru. All of them had their hair either pulled back or braided back. Their heads all adorned red veils and golden accents bonded into the headpieces. Nabooru stood out among them only by her large gold head piece decorated with rubies that fitted around her head like a crown. Nabooru also had her veil pulled back unlike the others as she spoke to me. Link suddenly came out of the tent only to meet with Nabooru again aswell. He smiled and also hugged her. “Is this a Hyllian thing or what?” Nabooru teased. “It would seem that both Link and I are so happy to see that you are allright after you risked so much helping us.” I explained. Nabooru held up her hands to me and grabbed them gently. “It was my duty and pleasure, my queen.” She stated with a slight bow. “My army of Gerudo warriors is at your desposal. Ganon must pay for what he did to all of us. “Nabooru explained. I looked over the crowd of women to see them scared and overall angry. I felt the pain of loss seep into my heart once more and nearly began to cry. “Thank you. I swear to you, that we will take back what is ours. Once again you will be the leader of Gerudos and the Queen of the Desert.” I swore. “I only want to be leader of my people, if you are the supreme leader of us all, not the tyrant Ganondorf. I’d rather die.” She stated. “As would I.” Link added. “Don’t you get it Link! You are going to die!” I thought to myself.  “Thank you both. Now if you would like to join us we are discussing the battle plans for tomorrow, care to join us?” I asked. “After you.” She politely stated as she gestured towards the tent. Link held the flap open for both Nabooru and I and then followed us in afterwards. The other leaders seemed surprised to see her. “Nabooru?!” Queen Rutella exclaimed. “You’re alive?!” Elder Mora questioned. “It would seem.” Nabooru stated sarcastically. “I thought Ganon had killed the lot of you. Please tell me the rest of the women and children are alive also?” Mayor Bo inquired. “Some, but not all unfortunately.” She sighed in response as she took a seat at the stragety table. “So what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Nabooru asked. “We took the liberty of using a battle plan intended at the thought of my teacher Lady Impa.” I stated. “Where is the Sheikah?” Nabooru asked. Everyone went silent and glanced over at me worryingly. After a long silence I answered her. “She’s dead.” I sighed. Link instantly gave me comfort. I felt him grab my hand and squeeze it reassuringly. “Oh I’m terribly sorry! I didn’t know.” Nabooru apologized. “It’s alright! But I think we should concentrate on the battle plans for tomorrow instead, if that’s alright?” I practically begged. I was still aching about the loss of Impa. But I needed to be strong. So I sucked it up and continued to push forward. Together with the other leaders and Link we made a near foolproof plan. In Hyrule field there is many hills that overlook the castle. Our archers would keep post there and fire at the armies exiting Castle Town into Hyrul Field. Our footmen would stand in barracks and fight from there; shields and spears in the front alongside the Gorons, with swordsmen on horseback right behind them with the Gerudo woman and Ordonians. Our plan was to take back Castle Town, but in order for that to happen Ganondorf must fall. The safest and fastest way into Castle Town was through the underground sewer system. The Zoras would take Link and I through the waterways safely and into the Castle while the armies outside distract Ganondorf’s armies at the city walls. Once we were in the Zoras would concentrate on taking back the castle. Link and I were to concentrate on defeating Ganondorf and nothing else. He was the source of all this evil and the only way to stop him was by using the Triforce. While creating this plan Link hadn’t the slightest idea that I was planning a whole new strategy without him. After we had finished it was already dark and most of the other leaders had returned to their quarters. Link and I were alone together again. “Are you hungry?” Link asked randomly. “A little.” I responded. “C’mon let’s get you something to eat.” He chuckled as he grabbed my hand and led me outside the tent. “Where are we going?” I asked him. He remained silent until we reach and area of green tents or in other words the Ordonian’s tents. These were Link’s people. They were his friends and family. I suddenly realized that not many of them may live through tomorrow. I felt guilty, and almost angry that was even a possibility. “Soup?” Link offered. In the midst of my thoughts I hadn’t realized that Link had grabbed both a blanket and a bowl of soup for me. “Thank you.” I stated as I took it. Together we sat down on the ground and enjoyed our dinner. We sat before a small fire that had a large pot boiling over it. Other people sat around and ate as well. Some talked about their families back at home and some grumbled about Ganondorf and how he should perish. But almost randomly Rusl appeared and greeted us. “Hey you two love birds!” He greeted. Link visibly blushed and glared at his friend.  Rusl only rolled his eyes in response as he sat down in front of the fire with an ocarina in hand. Once the man was settled he blew gently into the instrument and began to play. It was a soft and lively tune. People around us began to cheer and sing; some even danced as Rusl played it quick tune. “What’s her playing?” I asked. “He’s playing the tune of the Lost Woods. It’s very well known in Ordon.” Link answered. “I recognize it.” I stated. “The tune came from within the forest. I’m sure you heard it when we wandered in the Lost Woods by ourselves.” Link stated as he finished his soup. “Where does the music come from in the forest?” I asked. Link sighed and glanced back at me as he set down his bowl. “Not sure, but I’ve heard stories that it originally came from a girl named Saria. She lived in the forest and had a fairy as a companion. She had an ocarina just like Rusl and played that tune all day long while she ventured in the forest.” Link explained. “That sounds tiresome.” I chuckled as I leaned against Link’s side. “I guess, but she probably enjoyed it more than most.” He laughed. The people surrounding us began to get even more rowdy and kept dancing and whooping along with Rusl’s music. “Would you like to dance?” Link suggested. Instantly I backed away and began to distance myself. “Oh I don’t think so. I’m not really the dancing type.” I tried. “Oh come on! You can’t be royalty and not know how to dance!” Link laughed. “I know how to dance! I just don’t like to.” I stated firmly.  Link shook his head and laughed. “Come on! For me?” He begged. I rolled my eyes at him and crossed my arms. Link then removed his hat and bowed whilst outstretching his hand to me. “Alright, just one dance though.” I huffed as I took his hand. Link couldn’t be happier it would seem. We joined the other couples and began to dance alongside them. I felt Link place his hands on my waist while I placed mine clasped around his neck. The clad in green smiled and laughed as we swayed and spun in tune with the music. It was honestly fun. I enjoyed it and Link’s gusto and confidence threw me off. I was so used to formal dances with strict postures and firm facial features. But this way of dancing was so much different. We were laughing and smiling and even touching one another. We were close and basically sharing one another’s air. It was upbeat and tiring in the way we danced but once the song ended I felt Link push me closer to him. I was pressed against the firmness of his chest while his arms wrapped round me. In that moment began to play a different tune. It was much softer than Saria’s song; it was something I had recognized. It was a song I had distinctively heard while in Kakariko Village. It was a soothing, and homely song. As the song went on Link held me close and I rested my head on his shoulder as we swayed gently. Suddenly I felt Link step back. “It’s getting late and tomorrow is kind of a big day. Can I escort you to your tent?” Link inquired. “You may.” I answered. After that Link took my hand and walked with me across the camp and over to my tent. He held the flap open and gesture for me to get inside. I did so and he followed in behind me. “Well goodnight.” I stated awkwardly. I was slightly confused on why Link had decided to come inside the tent but I couldn’t find the words to make him leave. I looked at him and gestured to the exit. “Zelda.” He sighed with frustration. “Yes? What is –“ I tried but was suddenly cut off by Link’s lips. It was a pure shock to realize that he was kissing me. I had kissed him back at first. I had given in at first. After all it was my first kiss with one as gentle as him. It wasn’t a crude and obscene kiss that made me feel uncomfortable. It was sweet, and caring. I felt Link placed both his hands on either side of my face. He stroked my cheek gently with his finger. But as we kissed the cruel thought of him dying tomorrow returned. I felt the pain surge right through my heart. I reacted in anger of course and shoved Link away after our prolonged kiss. “Zelda I’m sorry!” Link instantly apologized. I couldn’t help but feel of the emotions. I was so upset that this was happening. The man I loved was destined to die, but I had the chose to swap his life for mine in fate. Either way we would never have a life together after this. I would never get to experience the things a woman should with the one she loved. It was heartbreaking. I refused to let Link die. He was to live and not I. “Go away!” I cried. I felt the hot sting of tears and the gross sobs that shook my body as I realized I loved him more than I should. “Zelda please-“ Link tried but I cut him off. “Get out! Leave me alone!” I shouted as I through a pillow from my futon at him. Link dodged it easily and shrunk away towards the exit of the tent. In truth I didn’t want Link to leave. I wanted him to comfort me and hold me in his arms again. But after tonight it would never happen again; for I was to die tomorrow and never see him again. After that I had made my final decision. I wrote in black ink on a parchment. There I wrote the kingdom over to Link if I were to die. I choose the seating’s of the Hyrulian court as well and then signed it. Once it was done I gave it to Prince Ralis whom I deemed the most responsible. The Zora boy didn’t ask any questions as I dropped it off and the presumed to bed. It was now visible to me that I loved Link, and I was prepared to do anything for him.