XXXIII: Nobody Will See

Before the Calamity

Link's POV:

The ride from Sanidin Park to the Castle was not far, however it felt painfully long. Zelda grew silent very early in the ride. I could only assume she was feeling overwhelmed by the pressure that was on her. After all, tomorrow was her final chance. I truly had no idea what would happen if she didn't find it there.

As we approached the castle, Zelda didn't say anything to the guards. We passed through the gate and into castle town, only to be burdened with more silence. No citizens said anything, no royal guards made a peep. I had no idea how that affected her- everybody must have been ashamed of their princess. I felt miserable knowing that was what she was fighting, and I felt even worse knowing there was nothing I could do to help her. I almost wanted to yell at everyone to stop looking at her.

We hastily passed through Castle Town, leaving our horses with the Royal Stable Hands and entering through the gate to the castle. Zelda moved quickly, her body slumped over shamefully. I thought of holding her hand to comfort her, but I didn't want to risk someone seeing us and getting us in trouble. I followed right behind her, a hood pulled over my head. It was almost as if we were trying not to be spotted, though we had nothing to hide.

We entered the castle through a side passage, traveling down a spiral staircase into the hallway. I wasn't sure where she wanted to go and when she wanted me to leave, but she headed towards the guards' chambers. I followed behind her, not asking any questions. Two guards passed us and gave Zelda disapproving looks. I clenched my fists watching that, infuriated at their audacity. I followed them with my eyes as they walked passed us. One turned his head as he passed, looking back at Zelda. I didn't even think, but I spun around and reached for the sword on my back, puffing angrily. The guard immediately turned around and kept walking. Zelda stopped at my sudden movement.

"What's wrong?" she asked, oblivious to the situation.

"Nothing," I replied quietly. I motioned for us to continue walking.

We finally reached the guards chamber, but Zelda didn't stop walking. I was then very confused on where we were going. We walked for a moment longer before turning the corner into a hallway where there were no people. It was nearly dusk, so most people in the Castle were asleep. However, there were still some people roaming about.

Zelda grabbed my tunic and pulled me into her. We were pressed up in a corner, and I suddenly got scared that we would be caught. I looked to my left and right, but nobody was there, so I gave in and hugged her back. It was faint, but I could hear her crying.

"They must hate me," Zelda whispered, her voice quivering. I gently grabbed the back of her head, pulling her close into me. 

"They can't hate you," I whispered. "They need you. You're their light."

 "I just-" she began. "I just w-wish I could st-stop thinking about it." Her cries calmed gradually as I noticed her body shook less violently with time. Her tears soaked my tunic, but I didn't care. I just wanted to be there with her.

"I need to be distracted," Zelda said, her face still wet from tears. She pulled away and looked up at me.

"We shouldn't..." I said. "Not here."

"Nobody is going to see," she pleaded. It was hard to say no to her in the state she was. Her glossy eyes begged me to let her feel something other than pain and defeat.

She slowly went up on her tip toes and looked up at my eyes, at my lips, and at my eyes again. I didn't want to stop her, so I looked at her lips until she pressed hers against mine.