Among the Ashes

From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight

And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be

If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
Then we'd see the day when nobody died
~Nickelback “If Everyone Cared”


Chapter 4
The Town of Bellek


“I really didn’t think you had it in you,” Link laughed in amusement, but pride shown through his eyes. “Once they ran into this bog I thought you’d just let them go.”

“You don’t know me very well, then, do you?” Zelda replied defiantly, marching alongside him with all the dignity she could muster despite the fact that she was plastered with mud from head to toe. “They were thieves; I couldn’t just let them get away. Besides, you were all tied up at the moment, who else was going to go in there after them?”

“Hey,” Link replied defensively, “there were about fifty tektites in that nest we ran into. I had my hands full.”

“Fifty? More like fifteen,” she quipped, her eyes sparkling.

“Alright, maybe there were only twenty or thirty,” Link relented, “but you only had three buffoons to deal with.”

“Three heavily armed buffoons. Besides, who told you to wander through a spider nest anyway? You got a pretty nasty bite out of the deal, Mr. Hero,” Zelda said.

“It was worth it,” Link brushed it off, “I’ll never forget the sight of you falling head first into that mud pot.” He laughed boisterously.

“Oh, you thought that was funny, did you?” Zelda with mock annoyance as Link continued to roll with laughter.

“It sure wa-“

Splat.

Link’s laughter stopped abruptly. He stood frozen for a moment, then slowly reached up to wipe the mud off of his face before opening his eyes.

“Now that was funny!” Zelda giggled, an innocent look on her face though her eyes were now dancing playfully, as though daring him to retaliate.

“Throwing mud is funny?” Link asked, with feigned anger.

“Sure is,” Zelda taunted, “especially when you don’t even have to get your hands dirty.” With the wave of her arm half a dozen balls of mud rose up from the mucky ground beneath them, swirling in the air menacingly.

Link bent down to acquire his own artillery but before he could stand back up Zelda pelted him with six simultaneous blasts which sent him splashing down into a muddy puddle. He stood up slowly, mud running down his face, dripping from his hair and hanging heavily from his clothes. Zelda could barely keep her footing through her pearls of laughter.

“You’ve asked for it now!” Link called out, unable to contain his laughter as well.

“Bring it on!” Zelda taunted him. Link scooped down and caught a handful of mud, throwing it at her, just as she sent another one hurtling at him. In an instant they were in furious battle, each one laughing so hard they could barely take aim.

After a while Link gave up, obviously unable to contend with her seemingly self-creating mud missiles, and dove at her. She shrieked and dodged him, but he continued to give chase until finally he cornered her and grabbed her. Zelda was still screaming and laughing as he held her.

“Let me go!” she giggled.

“Nope,” he replied forcefully, still holding her close. “Not without a kiss.”

“No, you’re all muddy,” she grinned, wiping a smudge of dirt from his cheek.

“Whose fault is that?” he retorted. “Besides, you are too.”

“Whose fault is that?” she asked as she put her arm around his neck, drawing him into a kiss.

“Not mine,” he said, flashing her a playful smile before kissing her again, but they suddenly lost their footing in the slimy mire and both toppled over with a splash. For a moment they sat in the mud in shock and then they both began to laugh once more.

“M’Lady,” Link got to his feet and bowed, offering Zelda his hand and helping her up.

“Thank you, Sir,” she smiled demurely. “What a gentleman. You’re becoming more princely everyday.”

“Oh, don’t say that!” Link laughed. “I don’t know though… What would your father say if he could see you now, my princess?”

“I really don’t want to know,” Zelda replied with a shrug and a grin.

The two made their way out of the bog, finally coming onto dry ground and making their way to a nearby stream. Now caked in dried mud and utterly filthy they were both in need of help.

After the mud had been washed from their hair and scrubbed from their skin they sat down in the sunshine. Link looked over at Zelda as she gracefully began combing through her hair. He couldn’t help but stare. Every time he looked at her he was struck with the sheer disbelief that she was his. In some ways he felt he was married to a completely different woman now than the one he had wed that summer’s day nearly two years previous. Years of ill-treatment, solitude and unhappiness had left Zelda with a thick cloak of apprehension and self doubt. Her spirit had been trampled for so long that it took time for her to truly come out of her shell. As the months passed, however, her guard was dropping. She felt comfortable with Link in every way and her true personality was shining through. She was becoming what Link had always seen and loved deep down inside of her.

After their marriage they had left Hyrule and they had never looked back. Link had taken her far south, to the shores of the sea just as he had promised her he would.

To Zelda it was almost too good to be true. For a while she had been certain she would wake up and find it had all been a dream. Slowly, though she realized that it was real. She was free, and in freedom with Link by her side she had finally let go of the pain in her past. Every day she awoke happier than the day before and every day Link loved her more.

“What is it?” Zelda asked, looking up to find Link gazing at her.

“Nothing,” he smiled, simply entranced by her beauty. He felt suddenly inadequate, a feeling it seemed he was in constant battle with. “Is this what you wanted?”

“You threw mud too,” Zelda pointed out.

“No,” he said, sitting down beside her. “Is this what you wanted? Is this what you thought it would be like with me? Are you happy?”

Zelda looked at him in silence for a moment, and then she took his face in her hands. “I’ve never been happier in my life,” she replied. “Mud and all.”

Her eyes told him she was sincere and he couldn’t help but find comfort in them.

They made their way over the grassy road, soaking wet once more, but clean. Still, it was late February and even though they were still south of Hyrule, and thus in an even more temperate climate, the breeze made Zelda shiver. Link put his arm around her as they walked.

“That still wasn’t fair, you know,” Link said pointedly.

“What?” Zelda asked.

“You don’t fight fair,” Link reiterated.

“I don’t fight fair?” Zelda exclaimed. “What about you, picking on a poor helpless young woman?”

“You, helpless?” Link raised his eyebrows. “I don’t know about that.”

“You’re just mad because you know you’ll never win,” Zelda teased flirtatiously.

“I already won,” Link held her once more, picking up where they left off in the bog, kissing each other with growing fervor. Suddenly, however, Zelda let go of him, her expression troubled. “What is it?” Link asked.

“Something’s wrong,” Zelda replied, turning away from him. “Link, look!” she shouted, pointing at the sky.

Link looked up and saw a pillar of smoke billowing up into the clouds. Without a word the two took off across the trail. They made their way back to the knoll where they had left Link’s sorrel mare, Epona and Zelda’s white Mare, Rema. They quickly mounted and rode off towards the sign of trouble. They could see that the black smoke was rising from a small village, and as they wound their way towards the smoke they ran into a mass of fleeing people, all screaming and crying and roaring with panic. Pushing their way against the grain they came upon a house, isolated and set away from the main road, completely engulfed in flames. A masked and cloaked figure stood in front of the scene, flashing his blades menacingly and bearing down upon a man lying wounded on the ground before him.

Wordlessly Zelda and Link dismounted and leapt into action. Link drew his sword and with a loud cry threw himself at the retreating villain. The masked man turned instantly, flying at Link with catlike agility. The two locked into a ferocious battle, blades flashing so intently that the masked one didn’t realize Zelda was behind him until she vanished and then reappeared instantly behind him. She landed a swift kick beneath his feet, sending him sprawling to the ground in a stupor. His blade clattered to the ground even as Zelda leapt at him once more, catching him with a few well placed consecutive blows, grabbed his wrist, twisting his arm behind his back with one hand and wrapping her other arm around his neck, holding him in place.

Link recovered the wayward blade, turning on the swordsman with a look of contempt. For a moment it seemed he was beaten, and Zelda was certain she had attained victory, but before she knew what had hit her, the man finagled his way out of her grip, turning on her. Zelda dodged his blow, and for a moment the two exchanged a series of kicks and punches, long, silver blades flashing through the air, each moving as fluid as though they were made of water. Caught off guard the masked man finally caught Zelda in the stomach with a heavy blow and she was sent to the ground. She lay there for a moment in shock, unable to breathe. Link rushed to her side, dropping his enemy’s sword. Link lifted Zelda who sat for a moment gasping for air. When Link looked up the masked man, and his sword, were gone.

“Go-“ Zelda wheezed, her stomach throbbing with blinding pain. “I’m-fine,” She clutched her stomach, continuing to struggle to catch her breath.

Reluctantly Link stood up, not knowing which way to turn. He ran down the path, searching everywhere, but there was no sign of his opponent. Eventually Link was forced to return to Zelda’s side empty handed.

By the time he returned the scene had quieted from raging chaos to a solemn silence. The burning house had been reduced to cinders and a few men were splashing water on the residual flames. Zelda was seated now, a few of the women villagers were watching over her.

“No sign of him,” Link said simply. “He’s gone. Are you okay?” He knelt down beside Zelda, pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes, revealing a small cut across her forehead where it seemed a sword had grazed her skin. Seeing this he looked at her with deepening concern.

“I’m all right,” she replied somberly, wiping the blood away and wincing.

“What happened here?” Link asked, turning to the crowd.

“I don’t understand it. That madman came out of nowhere,” a burly, bearded man stepped forward. He was holding a bloody rag against his arm and had a cut on one leg and a small trickle of blood on the side of his head and Link recognized him as the wounded man they had drawn the masked swordsman away from. “Astrid was always kind of a hermit; kept to himself, never bothered anyone. I heard a commotion outside and came out to see what was wrong. I heard shouting. Astrid was yelling at the man that he didn’t have what he looking for, but that man wouldn’t give up. I grabbed my knife and hurried over to the house but as I got closer I could see the house start to shake. Something inside made a terrible sound, like a wild beast. Then there was a flash and an explosion and suddenly the whole thing went up in flames. Something big came crashing up out of the roof.”

“What was it?” Link asked.

“Well by then the flames were so high that I really can’t tell you what it was. It was big, though. So big it nearly took the entire roof of the house.

“I rushed my family out the door and led them away from the trouble. By this point everyone else seemed to be doing the same. I got my family on their way then I turned back in time to see the man in the mask emerging from the flames. I yelled at him to stop, but he didn’t, so I attacked. He dodged me- he moved so quickly it didn’t seem human. Then he shot at me so quickly I didn’t even have time to react. He threw something at me- tiny little sharp things, so small I couldn’t even see them. The next thing I knew I was on the ground, frozen. I could see him coming up on me, his swords raised over me, and then you two came,” the man ended, looking at Link and Zelda gratefully.

“Who was it?” Link asked. “Who did this?”

“Never seen him or anyone like him before in my life,” the man shook his head. “I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt Astrid. It just doesn’t make sense.”

“I’m just sorry we couldn’t stop him,” Zelda said remorsefully.

“You did more than anyone else,” a nearby woman said with a slightly guilty look in her eyes. “Bern, you were the only one who even tried to help.”

Bern, the large bearded man, shrugged it off, “I did what I could, but it all happened so quickly that I don’t think there’s anything anyone could have done. These two are the real heroes,” he looked at Link and Zelda with gratitude. “You saved my life.”

Link and Zelda too brushed off the praise.

“You’re hurt,” Bern said suddenly, noticing Zelda’s cut.

“No, I’m fine,” Zelda brushed away the fresh dribble of blood and tried to look collected. “You’re the one I’m worried about.”

“Don’t you worry about me,” Bern said. “You come with me and my wife will fix us both up. No, I insist,” he said firmly as Zelda started to protest.

“Thank you,” Link said. He took Zelda’s arm and pulled her up gently and they followed Bern back to his home.

After a few hours the town had settled down. It had shaken them all immensely to hear what had happened to Astrid. Eventually, though, the streets began to quiet and the now somber people made their way back to their homes. It was calm now, but a tense calm: the uneasy stillness that followed a tragedy. No one wanted to dwell on it, but the fear and sadness lingered below the surface of every thought.

Bern’s wife, Ellie, had been frantic when she had learned what had happened to her husband, but her gratitude for Link and Zelda was unending. After a stream of thanks and many tears and embraces she had readily taken them in, eager to repay their kindness.

“That was quite a close call,” Ellie remarked as she wiped Zelda’s forehead with a wet cloth. Ann, their twelve year old daughter sat nearby, watching her mother while Cale, their seven year old son, sat in the corner beside Link inspecting Link’s bow with fascination. “You’re lucky it just nicked you.”

“He almost cut your head off!” Cale looked up at Zelda and exclaimed with terrified excitement.

“Cale!” Ellie shot her son a warning look.

“You’re disgusting,” Ann replied with an air of dignity.

“I can’t thank you two enough,” Ellie commented. “Not many people would be brave enough to do what you did, let alone perfect strangers. I owe you everything, and I don’t even know your names. The funny thing is I feel like I know you- like I’ve seen you somewhere before. What is your name, dear?” she asked Zelda.

“My name?” Zelda looked slightly nervous for a moment but quickly recovered and replied confidently, “Sophie. And my husband’s name is Humphrey.”

Ellie smiled and went back to dabbing at Zelda’s forehead, luckily missing the face Link pulled from the corner of the room which made Zelda stifle a giggle.

“Well, I thank you, Sophie and Humphrey,” she said. “I still feel like I’ve seen you before…” she muttered mostly to herself. She finished cleaning Zelda’s cut and moved onto check on the food. “Everyone take a seat and I’ll get supper served.”

Link and Zelda obeyed, each drawing up a chair, Bern, Cale and Ann following close behind.

“You have weird names,” Cale commented lightly as he pushed his chair closer to Link’s, sitting down beside him and looking up at Link with admiration.

“Cale,” Ellie scolded as she removed a kettle from the fireplace.

“You’re being rude. You shouldn’t say stuff like that,” Ann remarked knowingly and Cale stuck out his tongue at his sister in reply.

“What I think my son means is that those are unusual names, but, then again you said you aren’t from around here?”

“No, we’re actually from Hyrule,” Link commented.

“Hyrule?” Ellie asked, a hint of tension in her voice. “We don’t get many travelers all the way from the capital in our humble little province.”

“We get more than we used to,” Bern said bitterly.

“You’ve met others from Hyrule?” Link asked curiously.

“Oh, yes,” Ellie said resentfully. “Hylian soldiers have been swarming over these parts like locusts lately.”

“Soldiers?” Zelda tried to ask conversationally as she drew up a chair to the table. “What are Hylian Soldiers doing here in Bellek?”

“They started appearing a while back and more keep coming all the time. They ride through now and then, throw their weight around and act as though they own the place,” Ellie scathed. “Last we heard they were demanding we pay taxes to the King to employ their protection. Let me tell you, we never needed protection from anything out here until they started showing up. What we need is protection from them.”

“But, Bellek has always been a peaceful province of Hyrule,” Zelda said with a furrowed brow. “We’ve always been on good terms with your people, allowing you your sovereignty and valuing your alliance. Your farms feed half of Hyrule; there are times that without you our market would be almost bare. Why would the King sanction soldiers keeping a presence in Bellek?”

“How long has it been since you’ve been in Hyrule?” Bern asked skeptically.

“Not for over a year now,” Link replied.

“A lot has changed since then,” Bern shook his head. “There’s trouble all over. Always has been, always will be. Usually the problems of the north don’t bother us much. We’re such a small, distant province of Hyrule that we’re usually just left alone and almost forgotten. These soldiers are just the first sign that it’s finally reaching us here. We’ve always counted on our friendship with the Royals in the past but now it seems we may have to stand on our own.”

Link and Zelda exchanged a concerned glance, trying not to look conspicuous.

“I never thought we’d have problems like this here in Bellek,” he sighed sadly. “I suppose that was a fool’s wish, though.”

“Hope isn’t foolish,” Ellie said simply. “This all started when the Hylian Princess left, remember?”

Zelda felt her stomach drop to the floor and felt suddenly pale.

“Where did she go?” Ann asked, perking up at the mention of the princess.

“She went rogue a while back, you know; married a commoner and ran off just like that,” Ellie shook her head, dishing hot stew into Link’s bowl.

“How romantic,” Ann sighed dreamily.

“She hasn’t been seen in Hyrule for over a year,” Ellie went on. “Rumor has it that the King took her departure very hard. She was his only child and the heir to the throne. Now, no one even knows where she is.”

Zelda was not happy to hear this, though it came as no surprise. To have assumed that her father would have accepted her decision graciously and with dignity would have been foolish on her part.

“You saw the Princess once, didn’t you, mama?” Ann exclaimed.

“That was years ago, dear,” Ellie replied offhandedly, though she cast Zelda a curious glance. “Bern and I travel to the Hyrule Market now and then. Our farm is small but we do well enough, and Hyrule Market always brings in a good profit. I saw the princess playing in the market once. She was only a little girl then, even smaller than you are now, Ann.”

”You two are from Hyrule,” Ann said keenly. “Have you ever seen the Princess?”

“I’ve seen her before,” Zelda replied, trying not to look cornered.

“Do you know her?” Ann went on with wide eyes.

Link looked slightly uncomfortable but Zelda shook her head, “I know of her,” she replied, “but I don’t think she exists anymore,” she added under her breath.

Bern and Ellie looked slightly bewildered and didn’t seem to know what to say.

“Why,” Ann looked worried, “What happened to her?”

“I’m sorry,” Zelda tried to brush it aside though she felt very foolish. “I don’t know why I said that.”

With that the table sank into an awkward silence which Zelda tried to break. “Supper tastes wonderful, Ma’am,” she said with a smile and took a hearty bite.

“Well, aren’t you kind, dear,” Ellie brightened up at the compliment. “I’m sure you two are famished, eat up! It’s the least we can do for you.”

As they moved onto more comfortable topics and Zelda and Link were delighted to have found such a kind and hospitable home. Zelda had never experienced a meal quite like it before. With Link beside her, the laugher of the children and the charming conversation of Ellie and Bern it was like being part of a family: a real family.

“Will you show me how to shoot that bow and arrow now, Humphrey, please?” Cale asked as they finished eating. He looked up at Link with pleading, orb-like eyes, and Link couldn’t help but laugh.

“If it’s all right with your father,” Link replied.

“Let’s go,” Bern said with a smile.

Cale whooped and leapt into the air, positively dancing out the door, Link right behind him.

“You be careful!” Ellie shouted after them, chasing them to the doorway, “We still don’t know if it’s safe!”

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Bern called back.

“We’ll be safe, Mama,” Cale called. “We have Humphrey!”

Ellie shook her head and came back inside, looking slightly anxious.

“Your husband is very handsome,” Ann said quietly with blushing cheeks to Zelda as they carried dishes from the table to the small kitchen.

“I know,” Zelda replied with a smile. “I’m very lucky.”

“I want to be married someday,” Ann said with a twinkle in her eye, “to someone strong and brave and handsome like him,” she sighed once more and Zelda couldn’t help but smile at her genuine innocence.

“A pretty girl like you,” Zelda said, “you’re sure to find your prince.”

A few moments later Zelda excused herself, leaving Ann in glowing rapture and walking about with a dreamy gaze on her face. Zelda went out the back door, standing against the fence, staring up into the night, lost in her own thoughts.

Link found her there some time later. Cale’s mother had finally insisted that her son come in out of the night and let Link have some rest.

“Humphrey?” Link asked in amused bewilderment. Zelda turned toward him and smiled. “Do I look like a Humphrey?”

“It’s all I could come up with,” she shrugged amicably.

“Why did you lie?” Link asked.

“We’re so close to home now, and you know what people do when they find out. Suddenly it doesn’t matter who I am because I’m Zelda- the Princess. I can’t stand it. I just want to be a person. You saw how Ann reacted simply to the idea of Princess Zelda. But, then again, Cale seems to revere you just as much even without knowing who you really are, Humphrey,” Zelda beamed at Link and he couldn’t help but smile.

“I’d like a girl and a boy,” Zelda mused.

“A girl and a boy what?”

“What do you mean ‘a girl and a boy what’?” Zelda laughed and pushed Link playfully. “You know what I mean. A girl and a boy.”

“Oh,” Link replied as thought just catching on. “I would too,” he said, putting his arm around her. “Someday.”

“Do you think what they said is true?” Zelda asked the inevitable question.

“That you married a worthless commoner who took you away from Hyrule?” Link asked glumly.

“You’re doing it again,” Zelda said pointedly. “Beside, that’s nonsense. There’s nothing common about you at all. Still, it’s been almost two years now… we’ve been away for so long with no news from home at all. Could it really be as bad as they said?”

“Say what you will about your father, in some twisted way he cares about you,” Link said. “I know he wasn’t happy to see you go. Who knows what he’s let happen in your absence.”

“I made the right choice,” Zelda replied, holding Link close. “When left I had to accept the fact that his fate was his own and out of my hands.”

Link held her, the maturity and strength of her answer hitting him hard.

“What were you doing out here all alone, anyway?” he asked after a moment.

“Just thinking,” Zelda replied quietly with a sigh. “I just wish-“

“There’s nothing we could have done,” Link said simply, finishing her thought. “We did all we could. You can’t save everyone. It’s taken me a long time to finally understand that and even longer to accept it. At some point, though, you just have to, or you’ll drive yourself mad.”

“I wish I could think that way,” Zelda replied genuinely, “but why did that man have die? He did nothing wrong.”

“I don’t know. Sometimes there just isn’t an answer,” Link held her closer.

“It isn’t fair,” Zelda protested. “If only I had-“

“Hey, you’re doing it again,” Link echoed her.

“I’m sorry,” Zelda replied.

“You aren’t all powerful. You did all you could. No one can ask for anything more than that,” Link leaned down and kissed her gently then quickly let her go as a fit of giggles filled the air. Link and Zelda looked over to the window through which two little faces were peering. Cale was grimacing and Ann was once again swept away in visions of romance.

“Get away from there you two!” Ellie called, shooing her children away from the window, though Link and Zelda were both laughing now.

“Hey, Mister Humphrey!” Cale came bounding out the door a moment later. “Come inside! Besides, Mama says it’s cold outside and you’ll get sick out there.”

Link and Zelda smiled and started to make their way into the house. They were halfway across the threshold, following Cale into the kitchen when they heard a knock at the front door. They could hear Bern’s heavy steps moving across the floor followed by the sound of the door opening with a harsh boom.

Cale heard the noise and started to run towards the front room but Link grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

“What-“ Cale started to ask but Link quickly shook his head and put a finger to his lips. Thinking it a great game, Cale smiled and put a finger to his lips too, falling silent.

“We heard there were two strangers in town today,” a deep, heavy voice boomed, “a man and woman, possibly Hylians, both armed and dangerous. We are searching for them and have reason to believe they are still here in Bellek. Have you seen them?”

“What’s the big idea, here?” Ellie’s furious voice broke out. “You can’t just break down our door and trespass on our property like this!”

“Under the authority of the King of Hyrule I believe we can,” the man shot back. “We have reason to believe that two wanted fugitives passed through town today and were last seen in this area, so I have the right to do anything I must to find them. Now, I will ask you again, have you seen them?”

At this Link and Zelda exchanged a bewildered glance. Link instinctively stepped in front of her and listened more intently to the conversation in the next room.

“We saw them,” Bern replied calmly, “Astrid, the old gentleman on the west side of town, was attacked this afternoon and murdered. Those two strangers appeared and tried to help. It was too late to save Astrid but they did save me. We thanked them for their assistance and then they left just before sunset, heading south. We haven’t seen them since.”

“A fine story,” the voice replied sarcastically, “but we have a job to do here. We’re going to have to search the premises.”

“If you ‘keepers of the peace’ wish to do your jobs you should start by searching for Astrid’s murderer, not the two poor travelers who happened by and tried to help!” Bern’s voice rose swiftly with anger and frustration.

“The King has no interest in the death of an old peasant farmer,” the soldier replied. “Now, you will let us through or we will come in by force.”

“Now, you listen here,” Ellie growled, boiling with rage. “I don’t care which King you thugs serve under or what your ridiculous orders are. This is my home and you will not pass through my door!”

“Take her,” the voice said firmly. There was scuffling heard in the next room and suddenly Ann could be heard crying and screaming in fear.

“You let her go!” Ellie shrieked frantically.

“Cooperate and she will come to no harm,” the soldier replied. “You two, hold them and you three come with me. Search every room for any sign of them.”

If it had just been Link he would have risked himself in an instant, but he would not risk Ann as well as Zelda and Cale. In an instant he picked up Cale, grabbed Zelda and rushed them out the back door, shutting it silently behind him.

“What are you doing?” Zelda whispered in horror. “We can’t just hide!”

“Do you want them to find you, and him too?” Link asked rushing them into the darkness of Bern’s fields. They dove into the cover of the corn stalks, Link urging them forward until they were completely obscured by the foliage and the darkness. Once he was sure they were safe Link stopped and passed Cale into Zelda’s arms.

Cale began whimpering in fear but Link whispered to him, “I need you stay here and be brave, I’m going back to help your family. Can you do that?”

Cale nodded with wide, terrified eyes.

“Link,” Zelda whispered desperately, “be careful.”

Link nodded silently and slowly made his way back towards the house. Cale clung to Zelda’s neck and buried his face on her shoulder as they both waited breathlessly in the dark.

Link could hear rummaging and crashing inside the house as he drew near. He pulled out his sword and crept closer. The back door flew open and Link threw himself to the ground, flattening himself and lying utterly still, shrouding himself among the stalks. Through the leaves he could make out a figure standing in the doorway, holding Ann by the forearm in a harsh grip with his sword drawn. Link cursed him silently. He couldn’t make a move until he was certain that Ann would not be endangered by it.

“Search it!” Link heard the man shout. In response two other men began making their way towards the corn field, peering about and starring down the rows, here and there pulling back stalks but not penetrating very far. At one point Link saw a pair of boots pass by the row in front of him and he held his breath until they moved on.

After what seemed an eternity later he heard one of the men shout back to the house, “There’s no one here!”

“Come on,” the soldier growled from the doorway, stomping back into the house. Link waited for the other two to follow and for the door to slam. Then he crept up to the house, peering into the window cautiously.

“Take her back,” the man spat, letting Ann loose. Ann flew into her mother’s arms and both began to sob. Bern glared at the men, his fists balled.

“Get out,” Bern hissed.

“We know they were here,” the soldier said threateningly, “and if we catch you harboring them your whole family will pay the consequence.”

“Get out!” Bern bellowed.

The soldiers sneered but turned and strode for the door, a few of them randomly smashing things as they went. At last the front door slammed shut and Bern sighed in fury and for a few moments the house was silent but for Ann’s slowly waning sobs.

“Where’s my baby?” Ellie asked suddenly, her head flying up. “Cale!” she cried.

Link opened the door and Bern and Ellie turned frantically.

“Where is my son?” Bern burst.

“Don’t worry, he’s safe,” Link said quickly. “He’s with Zelda, hiding. I’ll go get them.”

Link ran out the door, Bern right behind him.

“Zelda,” Link began to call in a hushed whisper so as not to frighten them.

Zelda heard his voice and got to her feet, still holding Cale’s trembling little body. Zelda made her way towards the sound of Link’s voice, and when they finally came together Cale sprung into his Father’s arms.

“Are you all right?” Bern asked in a hushed voice.

Cale seemed unable to speak but nodded vigorously. Link and Zelda sheepishly followed Bern back to his house, watching silently as Ellie rushed at them at the back door, gathering her son in her arms with a gushing of fresh tears. Bern shut and locked the door and when Ellie finally began to calm down every pair of eyes began to fall on Link and Zelda.

“Why are they looking for you?” Bern asked. He was not angry but looked apprehensive.

“I do not know,” Zelda replied sincerely. “Was it- was it really…” she trailed off, looking at Link.

“They were Hylian soldiers,” Link replied darkly. He had seen them clearly. He would know them anywhere.

“What do they want with you?” Ellie asked again.

Zelda’s mind was racing. There was no doubt in her mind that the soldiers had not been sent to find her for any amiable purpose. She had no idea why such men would come looking for her with such violent adamancy. She could barely fathom it.

“You called her Zelda,” Bern said calmly but pointedly.

Link and Zelda’s heads both shot up. They exchanged a furtive glance, both looking very awkward suddenly.

“Zelda?” Ellie asked in disbelief. “You said your name was Sophie.”

“I-“ Zelda stammered, but she knew it was no use. “I lied,” she said quietly.

“Zelda….” Ellie asked with a furrowed brow. “You can’t be…”

Zelda sighed in defeat. “I am Zelda, the Princess of Hyrule.”

“You?” Ellie gasped half in realization half in disbelief. “You’re the Princess?”

“You’re the Princess?” Ann cried, staring at the paper, her tear stained eyes lighting up.

Now the entire room was now staring at Zelda, most expressions filled with surprise, confusion, even a little fear.

This was exactly why she had lied. She hated that look in people’s eyes: the look that stripped all humanity from her and instantly turned her into a title.

“I’m sorry I lied to you,“ Zelda said adamantly. “I had no idea that those men were looking for me. I never wanted to cause you any trouble.”

“You’re Princess Zelda?” Ann exclaimed once more.

“Do you live in a castle?” Cale shot out.

“Do you have a crown?” Ann asked.

“How many knights do you have?” Cale went on.

Zelda looked down at them, not sure how to respond. She couldn’t get over the look in Bern and Ellie’s eyes: how differently they looked at her now that they knew.

“Why didn’t you tell us, Your Majesty,” Ellie asked in a hushed voice.

“Please,” Zelda begged, “you don’t have to call me that. I’m just Zelda.”

“What’s your real name then?” Cale asked Link with a bright smile.

“Link,” he replied simply.

“Oh,” Cale replied excitedly.

“Are you a prince?” Ann asked in adulation.

“Do you live in a castle?” Cale couldn’t help but ask.

“Kids, hush!” Bern ordered.

“I’m so sorry about all of this,” Zelda said hurriedly.

“I think it would be best if you left,” Bern said evenly. ”Immediately.”

“Bern,” Ellie gasped. “They saved you’re your life, you can’t just-”

“I know, and I will be forever grateful for that, but they can’t stay here,” Bern replied.

“We’ll go,” Zelda said ashamedly. “We never meant to put your family in danger.”

“Bern,” Ellie gasped with pleading eyes.

“You two aren’t safe here,” Bern clarified. “Those men are ruthless and brutal. They’re the ones who have been terrorizing out village. If they’re looking for you, you are in trouble. They know you’re here. You have to go, for your own sakes.”

Link nodded.

“Why are they looking for you?” Bern asked once more.

“I don’t know,” Zelda shook her head, still in disbelief. “They said my father sent them… why would he do that?”

“You know how I feel about your father,” Link said quietly, “but I can’t imagine he would be a part of this. He may want to send the brute squad after me, but not you.”

“Like I said before, there has been a lot of talk of unrest up North,” Bern commented. “There have even been rumors of the King’s health failing. I don’t know how much control he has over Hyrule anymore.”

Zelda felt a knot tightening in her stomach, guilty for having left her Kingdom to fall into shambles and the idea that her father’s poor health could be because of her.

“We have to go back,” she told Link firmly. “We have to find out what’s happening there and we have to stop it.”

“You’re right,” Link replied simply. “We should leave now, while it’s still dark.”

“We’ll go,” Zelda said to Bern and Ellie. “We won’t put you in danger any longer. Thank you for your hospitality and for your help tonight.” Without hesitation Zelda and Link turned to leave.

“Wait!” Ellie cried, rushing back into the kitchen. “Take these!” Ellie came back carrying food and supplies. Link and Zelda gratefully accepted them.

“Mr. Link,” Cale said with tears in his eyes. “You can’t go yet.”

“I have to, Cale. You stay here and help your mother and father,” Link said. “You keep this for me,” Link said, handing him his bow.

“Really?” Cale cried eagerly, clutching it to him with a grip so tight there would be no taking it back from him. “Can I?”

Link tousled his hair and Cale hugged him around the knees.

“It was an honor to be able to help you, Your Highness,” Ellie said and Zelda couldn’t help but feel slightly uncomfortable. It had been a long time since she had been treated like the royalty she was, and she realized now more than ever how much she hadn’t missed it. Still, she was touched by Ellie’s loyalty.

“We will get this sorted out,” Zelda promised. “I won’t let your village continue to suffer like this. You have my word.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Bern replied.

The family watched with bated breath as Link and Zelda stole out into the night. As silent as Sheikah they mounted their steeds and tore out of Bellek, back north towards Hyrule.

******