Before the Wild

Now We Ride

Eight and a half years later...

"Your Majesty, Princess Zelda is here." Rhoam nodded, gesturing for his daughter to enter his study. Following his king's orders, Sir Ordon opened the door, and in walked the Princess. She walked in wearing a long blue, white, and gold dress. She had her hands cupped at her waist, her head and face locked in a manner befitting her royal status. She displayed no emotion to being in her father's presence, something that was a rarity given their duties. He had become the distant father, and she, the neglected daughter. It saddened Rhoam greatly, nearly to the point he wanted to relegate himself to sorrow, but he could not. He was a king before he was a father, and so, he will act as such.

Zelda bowed before her father, her golden hair that flowed from her headdress to the waist falling all over her. She stood back up straight, so silent Rhoam could hear the other inhabitants of the castle from the central and west wing. Scratching his snow-white beard, King Rhoam stood up over his daughter, hoping to initiate some casual conversation before he gets to the reason she was called. "You have grown so beautiful over the years, my child." It was definitely true, Zelda was a flower in a grassy plain, a diamond surrounded by topaz. It made him realize that, as her sixteenth birthday approaches, she was to prepared for her eventual marriage and rise to a queen in the upcoming years. He didn't neglect his duties as king to prepare his heir, but his fears that he bespoke on her birth were still present. A son would be much easier, but destiny seeded him a daughter.

"Thank you." Her voice, regal as it was, didn't waver from lack of feeling. It didn't sway Rhoam from his task, hoping to have some fatherly time before his switch to him as king.

"It was when I was fifteen when I met your mother. I...was different then. Your grandfather called me a rebellious prince, for I was carefree and wild. I met your mother at the winter ball. The dress you wore there a few months back was nearly an exact replica, if not the same dress exactly. You looked just like Tetra then... I might have fallen for her right then and there." Rhoam smiled as he remembered that night. "Grandfather didn't approve, for he had another woman in mind, but as you can see, it worked out my way."

It has been nearly ten years since the Queen Tetra's death. Zelda and the majority of the public were told it was due to sickness, but only Rhoam, the Sheikah clan, and the tribal leaders of Hyrule knew the truth. One day, she'll have to know what really happened. Unfortunately, that day was today.

Rhoam looked to Zelda, who was doing very well holding her emotions. It was sickening, but it was his fault. It was all his fault. She lowered her head, either to hide her face or to not look to her father. "Is this the reason you called me, Your Majesty? To recall memories of my mother?"

A sword had been driven through Rhoam's heart. Not once had she called him as a parent but as his title. Did she truly hate him?

Whatever it was, Rhoam decided Zelda was right. Taking his seat, Rhoam cleared his throat. "No, I had not. How goes your training?"

"Same as always."

"Then you must try harder."

"I... I am doing all that I can. I am trying." This time, Zelda's voice quivered, but she was quick to level it out.

Rhoam nodded. "You will push yourself even more now. The time, I feel, is approaching. I have decided that maybe it is time you meet with the spirits of Hyrule. Maybe they know how to unlock it. You will go to the Great Deku Tree first. I will arrange a guard for you, for your protection."