The Legend of Zelda: Prince of the Sea

Chapter Sixteen: Price

"The Goddesses have blessed us with a fine a day indeed, sir."

"Yes, Your Majesty, it would seem that spring has full control of the weather now. It doesn't quite get too warm like this in Noruidia, even in the summer."

"And why is that, I wonder?"

"Simple, my lady. It has everything to do with the ocean. It conditions the coast's weather to keep it wet and cool. Fog is a constant hindrance and there are many days where one can't see anything beyond the shore. To overcome such an obstacle, being a seafaring nation of course, Noruidian ingenuity has developed many tools and instruments to help us navigate the high seas... even if we cannot see where we're going."

Prince Vahylmor flashed the Hyrulean monarch a smile before continuing his gaze around the palace's gardens. There were gardeners hard at work, tending to flowerbeds, planting numerous seeds and bulbs and pruning the shrubberies. The ground had finally thawed enough so that planting could begin. The day was warm and sunny, well enough that the Queen Zelda had asked her royal dignitary to join her for a morning stroll. He had not seen the queen since their private lunch the previous day, which had been interrupted with the disturbing news that Sir Link had been slain. Accordingly, the prince had been more than surprised when the queen had suddenly asked to spend time with him so soon after such a tragic event. They had been slowly walking around for about a half hour already, talking about the weather and other such idle chat, and aside from the gardeners tending to their botanic wards the pair of royals were in reasonable privacy.

Zelda herself only managed to have a couple hours of sleep this morning, after having only returned to the castle shortly before daybreak following her midnight escape from the castle. She felt pretty tired but was this evident in her voice or composure? Of course not. The Queen of Hyrule was always looking her best, especially for her esteemed guests.

Even before the prince could voice his curiosity, Zelda spoke up in a gentle tone to say, "Prince Vahl, I'm sure that you can guess that I did not ask you to join me to discuss ocean fog and the seasonal weather."

The man chuckled and perked a brow at the queen, "I'm afraid, Your Majesty, that you are correct. While it pleases me to see you once again, I did not think that it would be so soon considering the recent tragedy that has befallen your kingdom. I would more than understand if myself and my fellows were not placed high on your list of priorities for the time being. I would not feel slighted in the very least. I understand that duty must be pursued viciously at times."

"I could not have said it better myself, sir," Zelda said gently, looking over at the prince and even had a serene smile upon her face. How well the queen could always mask her emotions. Even if her mind was currently filled with worries and questions, meanwhile exhaustion was constantly pecking at the backs of her eyes: she still looked immaculate.

Pausing with her walking, Vahlymor stopping as well, Zelda gently interlocked her fingers and looked around the gardens. It was no coincidence that they so happened to stop beside the very same bench Zelda had sat upon with the Hero of Time last night in her dream. She had planned to visit the bench now that she was awake. The queen gestured for the prince to join her and to take a seat. He did so after she sat down, as was royal custom. The pair remained in silence for a few minutes, quietly observing the hustle and bustle of activity around them. Zelda made sure that her castle's staff members were far too busy with keeping their respectful distances from the royal pair that any eavesdropping would be difficult to accomplish. After all, the best places to discuss some matters were actually the ones that were more public.

"Prince Vahl."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Your spar that you had against Sir Link..." Zelda began before pausing, the slightest of frowns found on her lips the only evidence of her continuous indecision.