Fortitude - Chapter 16

Xxx 16 xxX

Slowly I roamed the massive library, scanning a particular section of books with growing disappointment. My guards stood near the end of the aisle, watching my every move.

Having so far failed to find a more discreet way to leave the castle, I sought other ways to make myself useful. I spent much of my solitary time researching my visions in the library, trying to find some clue as to what the necromancer had done to Link — or tried to do.

With every completed volume, however, I grew more certain I would not find the answers. The books I gathered contained lengthy descriptions of religious ceremonies conducted only in praise of the gods. I needed books on dark, forbidden magic, but the castle library did not house such vile material. Impa had collected many volumes over the years, but she kept those locked in the Shadow Temple, away from abusive hands and sinister minds.

Finally I plucked a title from the shelf and returned to the lounge area. I sank into my chair with a half hearted sigh, skimming a few pages until my eyes strayed toward the plush red sofa by the grand fireplace. I studied it with a tug of sadness, letting my thoughts drift into the past. Link and I had spent countless evenings together in the library, many of them on that very sofa.

Our meetings began when we were children, shortly after we ended the Imprisoning War and turned back time. Having grown up in the Kokiri Forest, Link's education had been limited. Very few reading materials could be found among the Kokiri, and they contained mostly fictional content for storytelling. Link had always enjoyed reading, but he was ashamed to discover he could not understand many volumes in the castle library. He had been eleven years then, burdened with little more than expanding his education.

In a way, I became his first tutor. We had spent hours reading a variety of books together, fictional as well as educational. We studied literature, history, philosophy, and even other languages. I sometimes read to him in silly voices, imitating people we knew, and we would laugh until our sides ached.

Despite our frequent silliness, Link absorbed our lessons with keen interest. As the months passed, however, he sometimes grew restless and sought adventure beyond Hyrule's borders. But each time he borrowed a book or two for the road, always with the promise of returning them. I held onto those promises, trusting I would see him again, and he never disappointed me.

As the years passed, our meetings became few and far between until they stopped altogether. Link's fading wanderlust pushed him to enlist in the military, where he soon became an apprentice to Captain Shayne and a pupil to Lord Kinsley. My own life changed as well, especially when I began my public courtship with Ashton. For the next two years, Link and I saw very little of each other, and our familiarity had all but diminished.

In the months following the Tar Alemian War, the time when Link and I rekindled our friendship, we found ourselves returning to the library — always in secret. I reserved it for my own private use three evenings per week, supposedly to study Vandelian culture. There I would wait for Link to come through a hidden door from the servants' corridor — something we had discovered as children.

We rarely bothered with books those evenings. Rather, we played chess or talked by the fire, sharing our most personal thoughts and ideas. We drew great comfort in each other, forgetting the loneliness of our everyday lives. Inevitably, our friendship soon deepened into something far stronger, though neither of us dared to speak of our feelings. Any sort of romance between us was strictly forbidden — our innocent meetings were scandalous enough. But then, one day, Link's self-restraint finally gave way.

It happened mere weeks before my sixteenth birthday. Preparations for my celebration had already begun, as had the plans for my wedding. A Vandelian courier had arrived earlier that day to announce Ashton and his family's coming arrival — a subject I had refused to discuss with Link. He had reluctantly obliged, wanting to avoid another argument. So we browsed the library, making seldom, strained conversation until I could stand it no longer.

"You know," I told him, idly brushing the books' worn spines, "I used to tell myself I could change him. I held on to the small hope that I could make him a better man... and it helped me keep my resolve."

Link had listened in silence, no doubt biting back his response.

"But those thoughts don't inspire me anymore," I added sadly. "Even if I could make a better man of him, even if the entire Regaldi family accepted me as their own, I would never be happy. I would still long for my homeland… my people…"

Slowly I turned to meet Link's gentle, conflicted gaze, my voice falling to a whisper. "...for those I love."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, unfounded though it was. Then, without a word, he reached for my cheek and brought his face to mine.

It was a tender but tentative first kiss, inhibited by his lingering uncertainty. Link broke away just seconds later, stunned by his impulsiveness. He might have finished his stammered apology — had I not grabbed his face and fervently kissed him back.

The memory made a rose-tinted scene, but at the time it had frightened me. Our affections were strictly forbidden in more ways than one, and I feared that kiss would ruin our beautiful friendship. In my panic I had broken our kiss, choked out an apology, and fled the library, knowing he could not follow.

I made a special effort to avoid Link in the days that followed, neglecting our library meetings and blocking his telepathic inquiries. I handled the situation terribly, but I dreaded our awkward confrontation, and the inevitable conclusion of our friendship.

But Link did not turn away to nurse his bruised feelings. Rather, he pursued me with something entirely different in mind.

One night I woke to a strange scuffling sound outside my balcony doors and went to investigate, stunned to find none other than Link climbing over the rail. Terrified that he would fall or be seen, I rushed to help him onto his feet and into my bedchamber, out of sight. There our belated confrontation finally began.

Immediately Link started a rambling, heartfelt confession of love for me, ending with a nervous request of courtship — in secret, of course. He assured me he expected nothing in return; he simply wanted the chance to express his feelings. Above all, he wanted me to experience a normal relationship — one built on mutual love and respect — before I condemned myself to a marriage with Ashton.

"You are the kindest, most intelligent, most... beautiful person I have ever known," he told me, his trembling hands holding mine. "You deserve a man who appreciates everything you are, a man who can love you... the way you deserve to be loved. I want to be that man, if only for a little while... if you'll have me…"

I nearly threw myself into his arms, but my ever present caution gave me pause. Courting in secret meant putting everything at risk — our reputations, Link's career… possibly even his life. I knew it would bring inevitable heartache, and I had no desire to hurt him.

Yet I could not find the will to refuse him. Instead I reached for his face and wordlessly kissed him, just as he had in the library. Only when we parted for breath did I softly agree to court him. I had spoken in the smallest whisper, fearing the walls themselves might expose us…

"Ahem."

I started when a guard suddenly coughed into his elbow, shattering my reverie. I sighed and rubbed my forehead, pushing away my sadness as I focused on the book before me.

This is pointless. I won't find anything here.

My hand moved to close the book, then paused when one particular passage caught my attention. Curiously I smoothed its weathered page, combing through each paragraph with growing excitement.

This… This could work…

My heart began to race as an idea formed in my mind.

I would have to present it very strategically, but maybe, just maybe…

Barely remembering to keep a calm demeanor, I rose from my chair and casually left the library, still clutching the book which — I hoped — held my key to an audience with Nabooru.

xxxxxxx

"ZELDA!"

He collapsed against the altar, his strength utterly spent as he wept for me. The necromancer laughed as he reached into his cloak, retrieving a dagger. I watched him slowly remove the sheath, exposing its blackened blade.

"At last, oh mighty Hero of Time… you are broken…"

Then he pressed the blade to Link's flesh, cutting near his shoulder. Weakly Link cried out, struggling against his chains while the blade dragged across his heart.

"That's right," the necromancer sneered, lifting the blood-stained dagger. "Let the darkness fill every crevice of your mind." He grabbed a fistful of Link's hair and bent down to whisper in his ear. "You failed her… You killed her."

Link's eyes snapped open, focusing on the necromancer with startling clarity. A smoldering fury burned in his gaze, and suddenly a brilliant light shone from the back of his left hand. The necromancer stumbled back with a cry, dropping the dagger as he shielded his eyes.

I watched in amazement as Link then pulled on his chains with all the strength he could muster. His muscles coiled and strained as blood seeped from his shackles, but still he fought to break them, parting his clenched teeth to release a hoarse, pained cry…

A metallic clang filled the chamber as his now severed chains fell against the altar.

"No… Impossible!"

The necromancer lunged toward his prisoner, his clawed hand summoning a blast of magic, but Link sat up in time to snatch him by the throat. Their eyes locked for one brief, profound moment before Link summoned his own magic and flung him across the room. He crashed against the far wall and collided with a blazing torch. He screamed and thrashed against the floor, engulfed in flames and crackling energy of Link's magic.

Link did not bother to finish him.

Instead he severed the chains at his feet, then dropped down from the altar and fled the room. My disembodied awareness pursued him, watching him sprint down a dark corridor and blast an iron door clean off its hinges. From there he tore through the darkness, past the very prison cell he had occupied. Blood-chilling screams erupted from all sides, but Link never lost a step. The Triforce of Courage shone brightly from his hand, illuminating his determined face.

He forced his way into another corridor, and the walls and floor slowly merged into a rougher, circular formation — a deep and narrow cave. Tirelessly Link ran toward the distant glow of daylight...

He burst from the shadows and skidded to a halt, his bloody bare feet stopping mere inches from the edge of a cliff. A vast and seemingly bottomless chasm lay before him, trapping him there in the ledge. One slip and he would surely fall to his death…

But Link did not hesitate. Immediately he hoisted himself up onto the jagged wall behind him, using its cracks and protrusions to climb. Not once did he pause to rest or catch his breath, and within moments he had reached the top. A rocky terrain stretched before him, and further ahead lay a lifeless sea of sand.

The Haunted Wasteland.

Link fled toward it without hesitation, channeling his impossible stamina from the Triforce itself. The rocky terrain faded beyond the horizon as he tore through the wind and sand, forcing his way up a dune and down the other side.

There the Triforce's glow began to fade, and within moments the power subsided, resuming its dormant state deep within him. Link's exhausted body slumped forward, stumbling a few more steps before he finally collapsed into the sand.

I tore my eyes from his still form, spying three dark shapes amidst the golden hills. They quickened their pace directly toward Link, having sighted him on the dune before he fell.

His rescue had been nothing short of a miracle.

Then a strange sensation swept through me, and I found myself flying back toward the chasm. Some unknown force flung me deep into the prison cave until the light was swallowed by darkness —

TAP. TAP. TAP.

I sat up with a gasp, turning toward the balcony doors where a loud tapping had woken me. Quickly I whipped the curtain aside, stunned to find an unusually large owl peering back at me.

Kaepora…

He was another Sage of Hyrule — the Sage of Light. Unable to assume bodily form in the physical world, he often visited Hyrule as a great owl named Kaepora Gaebora. Only in the Sacred Realm, in the Temple of Light, could he assume a spiritual form of his true self, a Hylian lord named Rauru.

Seeing he had managed to wake me, Kaepora then turned and left the balcony.

Wait! I unlocked the doors and flung them open, just as he took off into the night.

But why...?

Something on the balcony drew my attention downward, and I froze with a small gasp. For there, just a few steps away, lay the Ocarina of Time.

I dropped to my knees to retrieve it, breathing a short, relieved laugh. Link had returned it just as he promised, which meant he was safe. And, if all went well, our soldiers were free.

"Thank you,"I whispered, clutching the Ocarina to my chest. "Thank you…"

With the instrument in my grasp, I could finally reach the Desert Colossus. But speaking to Nabooru would no longer be enough, not after my latest vision. I had witnessed Link's incredible escape, and I knew where the necromancer had imprisoned him. The cave's location had been seared in my memory, and I was anxious to reach it. Link had struck down the necromancer, but I refused to believe he was dead. I had to confirm it myself.

I must see his rotting corpse with my own eyes.

xxxxxxx

"…I think this is an excellent idea, my Lord. The Devota Desh'iriai has not been performed by a monarch for generations. The Goddesses will surely be pleased."

Silently I stood beside Lady Renae, listening as she carefully explained my proposal to Ashton.

The Devota Desh'iriai, or the Devotion to the Holy Sisters, involved three complete days of reflection, prayer, and fasting. It also required complete isolation. For these reasons, I hoped to perform the Devotion in the Temple of Time, as it made the perfect pretense for my true mission — to visit Nabooru, find the answers I needed, and return to the Temple, all without Ashton's awareness.

I had only one obstacle.

Ashton sat behind his desk, his suspicious eyes moving from me to Renae as he listened to her enthusiastic explanation.

"Let me see if I understand this correctly," he said once she had finished. "Zelda wishes to spend three days alone in the Temple, without food and drink, so she can pray?"

I braced myself for his rejection, but Renae did not weaken.

"My Lord, this ceremony is a gesture of sacrifice to the Goddesses. It may weaken the body somewhat, but, if done with sincerity, it will strengthen the spirit. I believe this experience would help Lady Zelda, considering everything that's happened…"

I lowered my gaze, remembering my role as a grieving widow. Ashton considered her words, studying me as he thoughtfully stroked his chin.

"I'm afraid I cannot allow my future bride to go three entire days without nourishment — it's unhealthy and absurd.

"However," he added, causing me to lift my gaze, "some think me indifferent to the religious traditions of Hyrule, which is entirely false. Our kingdoms do indeed hold… different beliefs, but I have no wish to suppress that element of Hyrule's culture."

As long as it doesn't interfere with your agenda, I growled inwardly.

"So, as an expression of my good will, I shall grant you a compromise — one day and one night in the Temple. One, not three. I'm sure you can divide the hours of the day between your gods."

"Goddesses," I corrected him, irked by his irreverent tone. "This prayer is for the divine Sisters, the arch-goddesses. They each receive their own day of honor. If you care about our culture, you should know that much."

Renae glanced at me, and immediately I regretted my words. This is no time to quibble with him!

Ashton narrowed his eyes, and nervously I waited, fearing I had ruined my opportunity.

"In that case you'll have to pray thrice as hard for each of them," he smirked. "Let's hope these sisters have learned to share."

He laughed at his joke, but Renae and I waited in silence.

"One day, and one night, Zelda," he repeated, his tone darkening as the mirth left his face. "Take it or leave it."

"Fine," I said calmly. "I accept."

"I will have guards posted around the Temple at all times. Felix will make the arrangements."

"Post as many guards as you like. All I ask is to be alone and undisturbed in the Temple."

"You will have your prayer time, Zelda, don't worry," Ashton replied in a condescending tone. Then he paused, regarding me with a thoughtful smile. "Well, I do believe this is our first mutual compromise since I arrived. Tonight we shall celebrate this step forward in our relationship."

I struggled to hide my exasperation. Ashton found too many reasons to wine and dine with the court.

"It's a shame you'll be wearing black," he murmured, eyeing my gown closely. "I'll expect something more... impressive than your current gown."

I said nothing, which Ashton understood as my consent.

"You're dismissed," he then said with a flick of his hand.

Renae gave a quick, courteous bow, but I simply turned for the door, eager to leave before he changed his mind. Elation lifted my spirits — the day could not pass quickly enough.

xxxxxxx

I rose before dawn the next morning, eager to use every moment of Ashton's compromise. Renae had offered to escort me to the Temple of Time, and I welcomed her company, though not without a stab of guilt. She seemed so proud of my decision to perform the Devota Desh'iriai, and I hated to deceive her.

Once the Temple's magnificent structure came into view, however, my guilt faded with a rush of certainty. I knew the Goddesses had guided me to this point, and they would forgive my deception.

When Hyrule is restored and Link is well again, I will perform a true Devota Desh'iriai.

As we approached the Temple doors on foot, Renae turned to address Felix and the many guards assigned to me.

"Take your positions, but do not step beyond these doors. It is crucial that her Majesty remains in total isolation, free from all distractions. Am I understood?"

The guards muttered their consent, though Felix merely frowned.

Satisfied, Renae then turned to me with another proud smile. "Until tomorrow morning, Lady Zelda. May the Holy Sisters bestow their blessings and rejuvenate your spirit."

I returned her smile. "Thank you, Renae. I wouldn't be here without your support."

Then I strode inside the Temple, letting the guards close the heavy doors behind me. A welcoming silence greeted me, broken only by enchanted torches which brightened with my every step.

Unwilling to waste another moment, I lifted my hand to seal the heavy doors with a barrier. I doubted the guards would disturb me, but every precaution helped. Then quickly I lifted my black skirt to detach a small pouch I had bound to my thigh. The Devotion required the absence of all earthly materials, so I'd been forced to bring the Ocarina in secret.

Softly I played the sad, rich notes of the "Requiem of Spirit" and vanished with a flash of light.

Seconds later I reappeared in the darkness and swirling sands of the Desert Colossus. The wind whistled past my ears, and I shielded my eyes to observe my surroundings. An ocean of sand stretched to my left, broken by distant canyon walls. To my right rose the great Spirit Temple, headquarters of Nabooru, Queen of the Gerudo and Sage of Spirit.

I hurried toward the Temple entrance, which stood below the Gerudo Goddess of the Sands — an enormous sculpture adorning the Temple façade. Impressive but imposing, she sat with upturned hands, ready to strike those who dared to enter the sacred Temple.

Hurriedly I trudged through the sand, holding my hood shut as my cloak whipped about. My boots soon touched solid rock, and I dashed up a few stairs into the Temple's dark entranceway.

Inside I found a few torches had been lit, and near them stood a single black horse, tied to a nearby statue. My spirits soared — only Nabooru would have entered the Temple alone. Quickly I grabbed a torch and summoned a flame as I proceeded into the dark, massive chamber.

Ancient carvings covered the walls from floor to ceiling, rising high above my head. Tall, menacing statues of serpents stood on either side of the stairway, casting dramatic shadows against the stone floor. Each bore prophesies about the Imprisoning War — prophesies Link had already fulfilled.

Cautiously I entered a wide corridor, peering through the darkness for Nabooru's meditation room. I prayed I would find her there; searching the entire Temple would take a great deal of time...

Much to my relief, I rounded a corner to find the red glow of firelight at the far end of the corridor. I extinguished my torch and rushed toward it, slowing my pace as I reached the doorway. There I paused, momentarily awed by the sight before me.

Countless candles had been placed around the room, bathing its dark stone walls in a calm, soothing light. The sweet aroma of incense filled my nose, quieting my thoughts and easing my stance.

A young woman sat cross-legged at the center of the room, deep in meditation. Her long, flaming red hair flowed down her back, free from the high tail she usually wore. Her sun-tanned skin, barely covered from the waist up, seemed to glow the candlelight.

"Nabooru?" I spoke softly, unsure how to interrupt her.

The woman started, then jumped to her feet and whirled around, assuming a defensive stance. Her golden eyes widened at the sight of me, and slowly she lowered her arms.

"Either I need to lighten the incense," she said, her face softening with a smile, "or you're really Zelda Harkinian."