Before the Wild

Zelda Meets Another Knight

As the pair of riders came to the Crenel Hills, across the Orsedd Bridge, the princess took point. She slowed Gaepora's speed, just enough that she could enjoy the scenery around her. Unlike most princesses, Zelda got out the castle a lot due to her training, but most times it would be to the Sacred Fountain, which provided an excellent view of her country, but it was just that. Seeing from afar and from up close provided different experiences. She has been passed this range multiple times, but not at her pace. Her companion didn't seem to mind, as long as she kept her pace. That's what she thought, at least. Link and she hadn't said a word to each other since they left the fork at the town's eastern gate. She didn't mind the silence, as she didn't care to conversate with the knight. Zelda was sure she was quite embarrassed in the town with the looks the civilians were giving her and the knight, probably because of his stupid attire.

Link, in his perspective, kept a watch on the princess. He didn't show it, but seeing her act so freely was amusing. She had slowed down, Link making similar adjustments with Epona, and let her do what she want. Meanwhile, he had his map in hand, plotting their course towards the Great Hyrule Forest. His plan was for the two to rest themselves and their horses at the Woodland Stable, then finish the trip to the forest. Part of him didn't know why she wanted to go, for he knew that it was hard to get to the center of the forest, where it is said the Deku Tree reigns. The Lost Woods was covered in perpetual fog, and if you went the wrong way, the fog would cover you, and send you out the forest. Given how in the olden days, getting lost in the woods meant turning into a Stalfos, this was a much better fate. Link was sure that Zelda knew the way, being royal and having knowing Hyrule's secrets

It was noon before Link and Zelda reached another fork in the road, heading north this time away from the Crenel Peak. Zelda didn't ask Link for directions, just knowingly turning left. Link silently complied and followed. Seeing the wooden horse head in the distance, the sign of a stable, Link rode up to Zelda's side, keeping his eyes on his destination. "Princess, we'll make a stop there to rest our horses and ourselves."

Zelda, not wanting to stop, questioned the knight as they crossed the Thims Bridge. "For how long?"

"Maybe an hour or two, Princess. The horses are not used to long travels yet."

"Then maybe they should." Zelda spurred her steed on, not caring for Link's advice. Undeterred, Link kept up, silently heated by the princess' lack of care for her horse. He didn't know what her problem was, but his father and the Sheikah woman he met yesterday did warn him the heir to Hyrule was a handful. More like three handfuls.

It was close to the fourteenth hour that the Princess of Hyrule and her companion arrived at the Woodland Stable. As she implied earlier, she had no intentions of stopping, so it surprised her when Link showed up again in her sight, this time holding the bridle of Gaepora. Zelda tried wrestling Link's grip away, but he held on, determined to defy her. "Unhand my horse!"

"No."

"You would defy a direct order from me, the Princess of Hyrule?!" Zelda made sure to make that clear to everyone at the stable, which gained the crowd she wanted. Meanwhile, Link got off Epona, still gripping Gaepora's bridle, and forcibly lead both horses in his direction. Zelda was appalled by her horse's willingness that she did nothing but burn her gaze into Link's own eyes. He stopped them at a wooden stable, tossing hay into the nearby troughs. Angered, Zelda got off her horse and decided to continue the journey on foot.

"Princess, just where do you think you are going?" Lucky her, Link had caught back up to her. She whirled around, facing the older and unnoticeably taller male. "I'm going to the Lost Woods."

"On foot?"

"On foot! I don't need you, you...treasonous boy! Once we return to the castle, I'll make sure it is noted you disobeyed me! So stay here! I have no use for you anymore." Zelda turned again, this time held back by Link holding her arm. Now had she been a normal, weak, submissive girl, she would be deathly afraid of Link's furious expression, but no, she matched it quickly.