Death By Princess {Complete}

CH 36

Zelda awakes but still in a dream-like state, she recalls what happened before she fell asleep before she opens her eyes.

I was with Link and Eli... but why? I haven't seen Link since he left Hyrule. Gannondorf is going to get his hands on him but what does this have to do with me? Why am I here?

She inhales deeply. One breath.

Is it true? Did I really watch Elule take her last breath? I can't be true. I can't be.

Elule's agonizing scream comes from the depths of her memory. She opens her eyes wide and sits up straight. She uses the back of her hand to wipe away the sweat and tears. Her head throbbed too. How long has she been crying?

"You must have been having a nightmare," says Link who is now sitting across from her, Eli sleeping on his lap.

"You... who's riding?"

"Lillian. I needed a break to rest."

"How long have I been asleep?"

He smiles. "About five hours."

"Oh, dear," she murmurs.

"It's alright. I think you could have used the rest."

She scoffs.

Link slowly moves Eli aside and kneels down.

"Zelda. I know something awful happened earlier. You don't have to talk about it but I'm here to help make things right."

Zelda pauses a moment as she determines what emotions are  bubbling up. Sadness? Vengeance? Love? All oft that above, perhaps. She wraps her arms around Link's neck and sobs into chest. Link closes the distance between them and when their bodies come into contact, he knows exactly why Zelda is so distraught. It is what he feared and so much worse. Zelda draws back when her tears subside.

"What's our plan of action?" says Link.

"We face Gannondorf head on. We should be able to sneak into the castle to equip what we need. And as for Eli and Lillian... we will find them shelter in the castle."

The carriage stops and then Lillian opens the door.

"There is no way you guys are going to fight on your own. I can help."

Link and Zelda look at one another then back at Lillian.

"We appreciate the offer but this is what Zelda and I are meant to do. Besides, you will be helping by staying with Eli. He cannot be on his own. He is safest with you."

She folds her arms into a pout and looks away. Link knows that means she is unhappy but will to follow orders anyways.

"Thank you, Lillian."

"The castle is just up ahead," says Lillian. "Best for you to drive, Zelda. I won't be getting very far."

"Neither will I without raising some suspicions. Unless..."

Zelda looks behind the seat and finds several pieces to the guard's attire. She reaches back and pulls it into her lap. "Perfect."

***

 Zelda slows the horse to a slow canter as she crosses the bridge located on the rear of the castle.

"Good evening," says the guard patrolling the bridge.

"Good evening," says Zelda lowering her tone and keeping her head down as much as possible. "I have the prisoners in the back."

"Very well," he says looking into the carriage and then eyes the disguised Zelda. "You're entering from the rear?"

Typically all royal guards and knights are permitted to only use the front entrance when leaving and returning form missions. Because of which, that location is highly congested with people which is what Zelda wants to avoid at this point.

"Correct. Orders from the king himself. He wants to put these three directly into the prison. No need for them to be gawking at the castle."

The guard nods, "fair enough", and proceeds to open the door.

Idiot. It's quicker to get to the cells from the front location. Who exactly do we have aiding in ruling this kingdom?

"Hold on a second." Zelda stops dead in her tracks, her chest getting tight. "Gannondorf arrived just a little while ago and I must say, he is in a fowl mood if I ever did see one. If you're going to be a studious guard at all, now would be the time. Just a warning."

Zelda just gives him a quick nod and boards the horse when she feels that it's safe and opens the carriage doors.

"Follow me," she says not ready to drop the act. Lillian and Link, who is carrying Eli, follow Zelda down several flights of stairs that lead to a door. Zelda opens the door revealing a dark and cold cellar. It's large and smells of dampness and mold and to everyone's surprise, there are a lot of people. People shackled to the wall, people who look emaciated, and children. Lillian and Link look at one another, astonished that Hyrule had gotten to this point since they left. Zelda can feel their thoughts but she keeps looking ahead. she wouldn't be able to look them in the eyes now anyways for she bears too much shame in the state that Hyrule is currently in.

Their presence caused the prisoners to stir as they begin to moan and stick their hands out begging for food. Eli wakes up as well.

"Dad?"

"Best not too look," he  says holding Eli's head down.

They continue to follow Zelda to the very last cell, which is vacant.

"This way you get some privacy," says Zelda softly as she opens the cell door and hands the key to Lillian. "Lillian I cannot foresee any reason for you to need to leave here until we give you clear but just to be safe."

Lillian snatches the key from her. "Whatever you say," she says drily.

Link places Eli on the bed, though it isn't much of a bed. More like a plank of food with a thin blanket and pillow.

"Where am I?" says Eli.

"We are in Hyrule castle, son. Dad and Zelda... have some work to do. Lillian will protect you but I promise you won't be here long."

He shivers. "It's so cold here."

Zelda takes off her cloak again and drapes it around her son.

"Will I ever see you again?" says Eli.

Zelda forces an enthusiastic smile. "You absolutely will." She isn't positive of that statement however. Who knows what Gannondorf will do to her. She never did care what Gannondorf did to her but this time is different. She has something much more precious to protect. And something much more precious to avenge. More precious than royal status and all of Hyrule.

Link takes of his cloak and passes it to Lillian before Zelda closes and locks the doors.

"Keep your head down and pay no attention to the prisoners," says Zelda.

"Link," says Lillian, her fingers clutching the grate in the cell door.

"Don't worry," he says putting his hands up to reach hers, their finger tips grazing. "It won't be long and this will be all over. Then we can finally go home."

That's exactly what I'm afraid of, Lillian thinks as she  watches the Queen and her knight leave to the save the kingdom together.