Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Majora's War - Confusion and Scars

-Qin Royal Palace-

Zelda rose early. Sarah's warmth was comforting despite the snoring and clinging, and sleep called to her, but she had pressing matters to attend to. It was work she did not need to oversee, yet still oversight was one she wanted. She had made promises to her allies, and wanted to see it through personally. With multiple scenarios already making room in her mind, she washed her face, dressed, and left her room. The guard closed the door behind her.

Zelda stopped. The guards adjusted themselves nervously. Link sat in the crook of her door, with his head leaning back against the post, his spear on his shoulder, his eyes closed, and his chest rising. He snored.

Zelda stared. An eye twitched in annoyance. Had he not slept in his room at all last night? He belonged in his room! What was he doing sleeping outside her room like some lover with no sense and all heart and yearning! What was he, a lost puppy?!

Zelda stomped. Link mumbled and turned his head, only to return to slumber.

Zelda swatted at his shoulder. Link swatted back, fighting her off, and mumbled, "**** off!" The guards snickered quietly.

Zelda breathed in and out, prayed for patience, and slapped him. Not hard enough to hurt, but definietely got his attention. Link snapped his eyes open, recoiled away, and after a moment realized who he was seeing. "Oh! H-hey!"

"What. Are. You. Doing?!" Zelda hissed.

"Sleeping."

"In my hall?!"

"Yeah."

"Why are you sleeping in my hall? Why aren't you in your bed!?"

"I gave it to Soli."

Zelda sighed. She rubbed his temples. Already the day had just started and people were testing her patience. "It is honorable that you give up your bed for her, but you could have just asked for another. Did you go to sleep here right after talking with me?!"

"Well, yeah." Link rose. He patted himself down. "Zelda, sleeping in a bed is as good as not for me. I am used to sleeping in the field just fine. I slept against your door... because that to me is as good as any bed."

Zelda looked back at him, and for a moment felt foolish. He was a soldier in her army. He spent all of his time outdoors or in tents. As a slave he slept in the dirt. When they went to the Majora he slept in hay. When they went to see the Mitagi he slept on the cold stone floor. He was not one who looked for beds. He was one who slept wherever he was when he got the urge to sleep.

Then she remembered he had slept against the frame of her door.

"You are in my palace!" Zelda exclaimed. "Go find a bed!"

"-but-"

"Go!" Zelda stomped. Grabbed his arm, turned him around, shoved him, and stomped directly behind his feet. "If you insist on sleeping wherever, I will decide for you, and send you there myself!"

"I don't need a princess-sitter!" Link argued, trying not to get stomped on as he hurried.

"Clearly you do!" She barked.

"But I'm not tired anymore!"

As soon as they turned the corner, the guards looked between each other, and released guffaws they had been holding.

Zelda marched Link to his room, with his guidance towards its direction, shoved the door open, and dragged him in by his long ears. She motioned to the bed, "There! It is empty! Use it!"

"Empty?" Link wondered outloud. He rubbed his soar ears and looked at the bed in concern. The last he had seen Solitare was here. "Where'd she go?"