III: A Journey to Begin All Journeys

Before the Calamity

Zelda returned into the castle that morning as she tried to evade the suspicious look of the guards who never saw her leave her bedroom. She retreated into her room and took off her shirt and pants that were spotted with dirt.

I hope they didn't notice this, Zelda thought as she picked small leaves off of her shirt. She looked around her room trying to find something to focus on other than what had aspired the night before. She glumly sat on her bed and began to ponder Link.

I wonder what he was thinking, she thought. Words always come so easy for me! It seems like it is easy for anyone in this town to talk, anyway. I wonder why it is so hard for him. Does he just choose not to or... does he just never think at all?!

The frustration of being in the unknown rattled her. She always liked knowing exactly what was going on... She loved being a scholar. Hence, she continued to research ancient technology such as the guardians.

Zelda knew that sometime soon she would have to depart for Goron city with Link. 

Better now than later, she thought. It was wise to avoid the night as much as one could. Ever since people from Kakariko Village defected to the side of Calamity Ganon centuries ago, the wild was frequently dangerous at night. After all, fighting a one-eyed evil with a vicious sickle or duplex bow was much easier in daylight.

♦

Link walked into the guard's chambers, visibly exhausted. He walked towards a hard bench that was against a wall and lay down on it. It was uncomfortable, but that was something Link could bear. As his eyes closed and he began to drift off to sleep, he was startled by another knight bursting through the doors. 

"Link," a fellow knight named Bradburn called. "The Princess requested your presence in the throne room."

Any common man would be annoyed, but Link's loyalty to the royal family blocked any such feelings from reaching him. He groggily lifted himself off the bench and grabbed his Master Sword that he had set down next to it. He looked down, brushed off his tunic, and left the chambers. 

Princess Zelda stood in the throne room rehearsing what she was going to say. She awaited him in her travel attire with her shoulders lifted high.

This was perfect! I demanded HIS presence, she thought. Very authoritative of me. He won't question my independence now!

Zelda looked Link directly in the eyes and walked towards him with confidence. 

"We will depart for Goron City immediately," she said. "I expect that you will-"

As she walked toward Link, a small step in the floor caught her off guard and she tripped over it. Zelda gasped as she held her hands out to brace herself. Before she hit the floor, Link quickly dropped down and caught her in his arms.

Gah! She thought. Of course, can I not just look independent FOR ONCE? I just want to be able to carry myself without him needing to make up for any and every mistake that I make!

Link looked in her eyes as if to ask if she was okay. As he helped her up, Zelda looked flustered. She didn't thank him, but instead just continued what she was talking about.

"As I was saying," she said as she lifted her head back up in false confidence, "I expect that you will be ready for departure in exactly 10 minutes."

It was bold of Zelda to expect so much of Link, considering she was late to his own knighting ceremony. Link said nothing as he turned around to return to the guard's chambers. There, he retrieved his things including his Hylian Shield.

He returned to Zelda quicker than she expected, which annoyed her. She nodded sarcastically at Link and turned to leave the throne room. Link watched her for a moment and then began to follow her. Zelda refused to look at Link as they walked to the royal stables without saying a word to each other. She made sure to be very careful as she walked down many flights of stairs so that Link would not come to her rescue again. 

As they approached the stables, Zelda sped up in order to saddle her own horse without Link trying to do it for her. After all, she had done it before. Once.

"You know," Zelda said. "It is always very important to notify your horse that you are there so it doesn't get spooked. If you need any horse advice, which I'm sure you will, I insist you ask-"

To her surprise, Zelda's white horse Storm squealed and scurried in its stall due to Zelda's arrival. Zelda stomped her foot in frustration and embarrassment. Why can't I do anything right in his presence? It's like being around him just reminds me of how I always fall short, Zelda thought in silent anguish.

On the other hand, Link walked up to Epona's stall and stroked her nose. Epona whinnied and expected an apple from Link. After seeing nothing in his hand, Epona huffed and turned away from Link. He patted her neck, but she still refused to look at him. Link left her stall and climbed a nearby tree. He picked the reddest apple from the top branch and dropped down to the ground to give it to Epona. She could smell the apple and she began to move from side to side in excitement. Link held out her hand an Epona took the apple from him in pure delight.

Zelda watched the interaction in destress, seeing that Link had a such great relationship with his horse while hers still spooked when she came close. She sighed and went to go grab her saddle, but it wasn't on its usual hook. Link had already saddled her horse.

"Link!" Zelda stammered. "I did not ask for your help! I know how to saddle my own horse!"

Link looked at her with no emotion in his face. His eyes went from his flawless saddling job to Zelda's angry expression. He didn't know what to do. In fact, he felt quite awkward. He didn't want her to be angry at him, but he was just doing his job! The pressure of trying to keep Zelda happy but needing to follow the King's orders began to build up inside of him. He said nothing.

Link offered to help Zelda onto her horse, but she refused his hands. He silently walked back to Epona and mounted her with ease. He looked over and saw Zelda silently struggling to get on Storm. After a few attempts, Zelda mounted Storm with little grace. Once both on their horses, Zelda and Link nudged their steeds onto the path through Castle Town. From there, they would begin their journey to Goron City.