Before the Wild

To Mount Lanayru

?

It was dark. All Zelda could see was pitch black darkness. It was so dark in this void she couldn't even see her golden hair. Confused as to how she got here, Zelda began to panic. "Hello? Is anyone there? Helio?"

Suddenly, a bright light broke against the darkness a few yards away from Zelda. Desiring to be out the dark void, Zelda walked over to the light. As she got closer, she could see that the light was not just so, but it was a woman surrounded by the illuminating particles. She was quite beautiful, and as she came closer, Zelda could see some resemblances between her and the woman. Blond hair, white skin, white dresses, but the woman had blue eyes instead of green. While she was not much older than Zelda, there was wisdom in her years Zelda hadn't possessed yet.

Zelda stood a few feet away, nervous as the woman faced Zelda with some scrutiny. Taking a breath, Zelda was about to speak, but the woman beat her to it. Her mouth began to move, but no words came out. Zelda frowned, confused as she couldn't hear the woman. "Umm, I cannot hear what you are saying."

The woman either didn't hear or understand her, as she spoke more urgently than before. But Zelda never got the chance to repeat her statement. She was suddenly yanked by some force away from the woman. As the darkness swallowed her, Zelda believed she finally heard one word, though she passed it off as the sound of her screams mixed with the air.

"Love."

.........

Day 12, Hyrule Ridge, Zelda

It was Link who suggested that they pause their travel to the Necluda region to take a sunrise carefree stroll around the ridge. Zelda complied without argument, as it was her idea to not head directly to the same region after leaving Akkala, instead planning to circle around the backside of the castle to their present location, and a quiet, fun ride with Link was the remedy to her increasing stress.

Tomorrow was her 17th birthday, and it will be on that day she will make her way up Mount Lanayru. Today they would head to Kakariko Village, where they will stay the night, and head to the mountain the next morning. But for now, she was going to enjoy the ride.

The pair are riding up to the Sanidin Park near Safala Hill, the only sounds they could hear are the early morning sounds of the plains and the hooves of their horses against the rich soil and the crunching grass. The princess rode comfortably, and as she stared at their destination, she began to think about how her attitude towards her own horse had changed.

............

It was at the gate to the castle that Zelda and Impa met with her father, Sir Ordon, and a boy her age. The older males were speaking to each other, while the boy tended to both the horses, giving each an apple and watching the chew it. He had on the weirdest green tunic, with brown shorts and leather boots underneath it. A cap wavered in the wind at the top of his light brown hair, sparking the vague memory of a young boy climbing her tower to hear her sing. Zelda pushed those thoughts away. She was not that girl anymore.

"Ah, Lady Impa. Princess." Her father had been first to spot them, welcoming the duo. Sir Ordon and his son stayed in their positions while the king walked to the women.

"Father."

"I take it you are prepared?"

"As I'll ever be." Rhoam led them over to Zelda's horse, a white stallion white with a thin golden mane. She noticed that it was not outfitted with the royal gear, but with a simple bridle and saddle. She turned to her father to address it. "Where is the rest of the royal gear?"