Hero by Heart

Chapter 16

When it was nearly time to meet for dinner, Link was just heading out of the inn when he was stopped by a Zora.
      She had pale violet scales, a color he had never seen on any Zora before. Her stance, her armor and the Zora Spear in her hand all told him she was part of the Guard.
     Link was sure he had not met her before, which was strange, considering he had been around the Domain multiple times since his resurrection. He had come across so many Zora that he thought he had known them all, at least in appearance.
     This particular woman stood out so much he was certain he would have remembered her.
     For a moment he felt nothing but confusion at her excited grin, but slowly something started to dawn on him, like an itch at the back of his brain.
     'Heya!' She called out, waving cheerfully. 'I'm Gaddison.'
  Link greeted her with a smile. 'Did I know you?' He asked. 'Before?'
     Her grin grew wider still, her eyes sparkling. 'You remember? I was told you wouldn't.'
     He shrugged halfheartedly. 'Not exactly. It's just a feeling.' He chuckled. 'I can't really explain.'
     She waved it away. 'No worries. I'm sure you'll know everything that matters, eventually.' She stepped closer, pointing with her spear. 'I'm supposed to show you where your dinner will be tonight.' She beamed at him. 'I'm your escort.'
     Once they set off, Gaddison kept glancing at him from the corner of her eye. 'You know,' she started after a few steps, 'we were actually quite good friends back in the day. When you were younger you used to come here and play with us.' A dreamy look appeared on her face. 'Do you remember the Big Bad Bazz Brigade?'
     Link laughed. He had heard it mentioned before, but never thought much of it, other than that it sounded like the kind of thing invented by kids.
     'We still consider you a member, just so you know.' She bumped his shoulder. 'You actually taught us how to fight. We are now all part of the Guard and that is because of you. So thank you for that by the way.' She smiled at him again, just as they stepped onto the East Bridge out of the Domain.
     Link smiled back at her, but forgot whatever he was about to say when he spotted princess Zelda standing a little up ahead.
     She looked gorgeous in the evening light. Her hair flowed down her back like a golden waterfall, reflecting the sunlight. She was now wearing a simple but elegant dress in the Royal blue colors. Even from this distance Link could see how her eyes seemed to shine on their own, full of excitement and joy.
     He looked at the broad grin on her face and the way her hands moved as she talked to the person next to her.
     It was another Zora, whom he recognized as Rivan, who usually guarded the entrance to the Domain.
A burning stab of jealousy flashed through him at the laughter they shared. He could not yet hear what they were discussing, but it seemed an intimate, amusing conversation.
     'Ah,' Gaddison said as she followed his gaze, 'Rivan was so excited when he learned the princess was back. He insisted on being the one to accompany her today.' She chuckled, obviously not aware of Link's discomfort.
     When they drew closer, the pair looked up at them and fell silent. The smile on Zelda's face wavered a little and then returned, a little less bright than before.
     It pained Link to see her react so coolly to his presence, but he couldn't blame her. He would try to make it easier on her and keep his distance, at least for tonight.
Now that their small party was complete, Rivan and Gaddison led the way over the bridge and onto a path up the mountain.
Zelda and the two Zora soon engaged in a conversation again, about the childhood friendship the two guards had shared with Sidon.
Link couldn't help but feel left out, as they discussed events he did not remember. He couldn't think of anything to add to the conversation, so he hung back a little, quietly listening and taking in the surroundings.
When they laughed about the day Rivan attempted to ask Zelda out his mood soured even further. There was a persistent clenching of his gut, his instincts shouting at him to punch the man in the face. It didn't make any sense. He had always gotten along fine with him.
Link blamed it on the strained situation between him and Zelda. He just hated how she was laughing with other people, when she could still barely stand to look at him. That was why his chest felt so tight and his jaw kept clenching of its own accord.
     Finally they started climbing a set of stairs along the wall of the great dam that towered over them. It was too narrow for more than one at a time, so they were forced to cease their conversation.
     In the silence Link watched the Domain grow smaller beside them, not regretting it in the slightest.
     When they eventually reached the top of the stairs, the two guards halted and gestured for them to walk on.
     There was one broad pier leading onto the lake, where now stood a table set for an elaborate meal. The king and Sidon were already there, both getting to their feet to greet them with broad smiles.
     As Link and Zelda walked closer, he noticed how she kept a good distance between them, and refused to meet his eyes.
He greeted the Zora men with a forced smile and tried not to show the way his heart had dropped.
They all turned to the table, where a place was set for the king along one whole side of it. Sidon had been sitting across from him, at the far end. On his left were two empty places.
At Sidon's gesture of invitation Link walked to the closest chair at the end of the table. He simply assumed Zelda would be the center of attention tonight.
To his surprise, however, she had extended her hand towards the same spot, so that their fingers met. Just as quickly she retracted it, as if she had burned herself.
Link quickly stepped back and gestured her to choose first, trying to suppress the piercing of his heart.
Zelda didn't meet his eyes as she offered a tight smile in thanks and took the seat, leaving Link to take the spot in the middle, next to Sidon.
When he stepped towards it, he caught the Zora's eyes. Sidon looked confused, a frown on his face, as he watched the little scene unfold. He did not comment, however, and soon showed his characteristic grin again.
Link tried to smile again, then swallowed hard. Pushing his feelings as far away as they could go, he turned to the king, who was formally welcoming them to dinner.