Death By Princess {Complete}

CH 34

Zelda walks back to the base. She is looking over her shoulder towards where her and Eli met.

"There you are," says Gannondorf startling her. "For Goddess's shake, do you really think now is the time to go exploring?"

"I wasn't exploring. I needed a moment alone."

"Well, get your things together. We mustn't delay any long."

She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not ready to go yet. My daughter was just killed," she says holding in her sobs. "I'm not leaving until I make a memorial. For her. Here in this spot."

Gannondorf watches her as her eyes drift to where they found their daughter, the snow painted a rusty red, a metallic smell still lingering in the air.

"If you want to go on without me, that's fine," says Zelda.

He sighs. "You're right. But she's not just your daughter. A marking should be made in honor of the princess of Hyrule. Something small will do for now but at least it's something until we return with a more appropriate monument."

He draws Zelda in and kisses her forehead. She winces and thinks of digging her nails in his eyes but suppresses any response.

"Men," he says clapping his hands. "Quick change of plans. We are not leaving until we mark the spot Elule was... until we mark it," says Gannondorf choking up yet again. It isn't something he is able to say yet: that his daughter was killed. "Once that is done, we will say the Goddess's pray of the departed then make our way back to the castle."

The men start bustling about as they change gears. That wasn't the response that Zelda was hoping for. It would have made this a lot easier if Gannondorf agreed to go on ahead without her. She can't push it either, otherwise she might raise suspicions. Now her departure will be up to timing and luck.

She walks up to a horse slowly, looking around as she does. She nonchalantly pats the horses head.

This could be my chance...

She can hardly believe she will soon be on the outs. All she got to do is mantle this horse and hope no one seeS her.

"Excuse me, your highness."

She continues to smooth the horse. "Yes?" she says steadying her voice.

"Without being a bother, why on Earth are you not wearing a jacket? You must be freezing."

"You're right," she says. "I got overwhelmed with all the grief and commotion but I should have something else on. I can't chance getting sick."

"I'll get on that right away," he says turning around.

"Actually," says Zelda, "I would love a cup of tea and a biscuit. If that isn't too much trouble."

He bows his head. "Not at all."

Zelda watches him as he rounds the corner to the base and heads towards the entrance.

No time to waste.

She jumps aboard the horse, kicks her legs, and gallops away without daring to look back. She sees a plume of smoke in the distance and hightails it in that direction.

She is relieved to find Eli still there, huddled behind a giant rock still wrapped in her cloak.

"You're here," he says smiling. "You came back for me."

"Yes but we have no time to waste." There is a good chance someone heard the horse when she left and it won't take long until they realize she and a horse are missing. She puts her hand out to help Eli up. She sits him in front of her and puts his cloak around the both of them.

"You're not going to put the fire out first?" he says.

"No. It will burn out on it's own."

"But people might think someone is here."

She smiles. "Exactly."

"Well, where are we going Queen, uh--"

"You can call me Zelda. I don't deserve for you to call me mother though I would love you too," she says. "We are going to Hyrule. Back to the castle."

She veers the horse off the path through a wooded area nearby. She hopes that they don't get lost, but the harder it is to find them, the better chance that have of making it.