Her Love is Poison, but My Love is Pure

Disquieted, Agitated, Concerned

Link pulled his golden silks back into his favorite elastic, which matched the color of his garments. The wind blew through it like hummingbirds in a garden on a fresh spring morning. The cerulean butterflies chewed on the grass with bitter animosity, and the beetles urgently hung to the tree bark. All seemed well in the world.

Serenity: a word that hadn't seemed familiar to Link in the past few weeks. I wouldn't be lying if I were to say the same thing for myself.

Another word for how Link feels is secure; though the connotations of that word are more rigid and less fluid. It also is a more long-lasting feeling than calmness. For this, I could not say the same. My mind was plagued with what had happened a few nights ago.

And even though seeing my friend be so undisturbed for once comforted me, it of course couldn't last long. There was a world out there that was counting on him — no, us — and there was almost no time to delay. Also, I am highly agitated about the princess' recent behavior. Dangerously so.

"Link, may I ask you something?" A twinkle in the eyes of the one who so fervently responded by turning his head and nodding.

I paused momentarily, conjuring up the words I would use in what I was about to say. Then I leaned forward lowering the volume of my voice, in case anyone else were to intrude or eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Recently, I've been having my suspicions about the princess' actions recently. She's been acting very strangely..."

All of a sudden, my eyes meet green ones as they strode towards the two of us. I leaned back into the position I had held before leaning in, and crossed my arms casually.

"So, as I was saying. Make sure that when you are shooting, you keep your eyes focused on the target at all times. Nothing else matters until you shoot the arrow." Link gave me a confused look, tilting his head and holding it there for a few more seconds until Zelda made her way over. His expression then reverted back to normal, showing his understanding, as he turned toward the princess.

"Link. Revali," she acknowledged, nodding her head towards the both of us respectively, her arms crossed like someone with immense power. "I hate to intrude while you're training, but I would like to speak with you both. Do you have a moment?"

Link and I exchanged invisible looks before nodding, and I prayed to the goddesses to protect me because of a secret in mind, a secret that I desperately wanted to share. A secret that was too dangerous to withhold on my own.

Link knew that the secret was dangerous, so he kept himself close by my side as we followed Zelda's path to the throne room.

-

Zelda placed herself upon the throne, her golden tresses falling among her shoulders and back, blending in with the beautiful shine of the cathedra. In that moment, the princess truly changed her title to queen. In a way, it scared me.

Suddenly, this imagery before me plagued my mind with thoughts that went much too far into darkness for my own liking. Wasn't Rhoam supposed to be here? Where was her father, anyways? I've even heard rumors circulating around the circle of castle guards that the great King of Hyrule had gone missing. But where to?

If Rhoam was gone, would Zelda ascend the throne in his stead? And if so, would that pose a greater danger than the Calamity itself?

These thoughts were trivial, of course, to the matter at hand. Or at least that's what I am telling myself.

"Your Highness..." Link breathed, obviously taken aback by Zelda's new appearance, though really she only changed the setting and nothing about her physical appearance. That was the power of this woman... she was no force to be reckoned with, that is for sure.

Zelda noticed this and smiled, not one of sincereness and kindess but one more sinister, borderline creepy. Link didn't seem to notice, still lost in awe at the sheer regality that Zelda evoked from her presence.

"I have brought you two here today to announce something that will be a very vital turning point in this war against the Calamity," Zelda started, finally grasping the attention of Link's consciousness. "I... will be taking my father's place in his absence. I will ascend the throne to protect Hyrule from harm."

My breath hitched in my throat. This... this is not good.

"I will be appointing you both important roles in this period of time. First, Revali..."

I looked up upon my name being called. Her deep, lush eyes were searching me, knowing that I knew. She forced me to know. I hated her for it.

"You will act as my vassal. You will ensure that no harm comes my way from intruders or those who oppose the kingdom of Hyrule."

Keep your enemies closer, huh? I always new Zelda hated me, but this was next level. She was out to get me, and now she wants me to protect her. My eyes were suddenly fixated onto the bandages on her hands, and I shuddered.

I had not answered, but she had already moved on. Her eyes met Link's, and then immediately looked away.

"Link... your task is a bit more taxing," Zelda explained, her eyes suddenly meeting anything in the room but Link's. "You... will temporarily act as King of Hyrule." Link's eyes widened, and he audibly choked on air. "It is just to keep the balance in the ruling powers." Balance, huh? Sure, with Zelda there's a balance. She will just force everything to go her way no matter what. "There will be no coronation ceremony, or anything like that. You will merely act as a courageous leader for our people, giving them hope: false or not, it does not matter."

I looked over at Link, gazing into the distance, lost in thought. What of Mipha? I asked myself, and I'm sure Link was thinking the same.

Zelda chimed in as well. "You may be asking — what of Mipha? But do not worry, this marriage is only political, and we do not have to indulge in any sexual activities as most husbands and wives do. You are merely acting as a father to our people, and nothing more if you do not need it. Mipha will always be there if you are in need of something more in... those aspects. I will not stop you."

Link wanted to refuse, so badly that I could feel it within my own heart. His cerulean eyes were borne with pain and resistance, his fists clenched in anger, and his posture bore rebellion. Despite this, we both knew he could not, and so eventually both his mind and body backed down. If he had refused, who knows what would have happened with Zelda ruling on her own? I felt sorrow that Link could not make the choice, but with myself unable to make any choice in that aspect, I knew he would be able to pull through. After all, Link had always been a stronger man than I was, though I would hate to admit it out loud.

"Yes... Your Highness," he sighed, finally admitting defeat. My heart broke when I heard his voice so vulnerable, so weak. Only Zelda would be able to do this to someone like Link with sheer force.

"I'm glad," Zelda nodded, bringing out a smile that brought lies and deception to the table. "We will start tomorrow. Be sure to get a good night's rest to prepare for the trepidation of work ahead."

We departed, but hours later Zelda's stare still ached my mind. Her eyes told me a story of hatred: a story of my impending doom.