Chapter 2 - To Capture A Princess

Zelda sat alone in her room, lost in thought. The wind was whistling across the chimney of the fireplace, and the snow had completely covered the glass panes of her windows. The fire was dying, its dim light casting long shadows across the room. It was growing colder, and Zelda was able to see her breath, but she didn't think about it. She was too preocupied with what Lulu had told her. Should she give up the throne? Would that be best for her and Link? She wasn't sure. What would her father think? Who could possibly take her place as heir? There was just too many questions.

Zelda rose from her sofa and crossed to the fireplace to put more logs on the fire. As the flames grew once again, it reminded her of when she had gone to the Death Mountain Crater. She had been disguised then as Sheik, a guise she had made to avoid the watchful eye of Gannondorf. At that time, she felt free, without the pressures of royalty, though the weight of the world was on her and Link's shoulders. She longed to be like Link. She longed for the days when she could explore Hyrule without being referred to as `Your Highness'. “Perhaps I should relinquish the throne,” Zelda said quietly, “It would be easier,” she told herself, but then she shook her head, “No, that would not be right. It is my duty and destiny. I have no right to quit because it would be too hard.”

A sudden movement off to right brought her attention. She glanced around, but saw nothing. She turned back to the fire and sighed. Must be a shadow moving in the flame, she thought to herself. She climbed into bed with Lulu's words still in her head. What would she do?

The next morning, Zelda awoke to a scream, followed by a crash. She jumped out of bed, wrapped her robe around her shoulder's and stepped into her slippers. Racing across her room, she threw open the door.

There was Lyla, huddled on the floor, staring fearfully at something. “What's wrong,” Zelda asked, looking around, panicked. Lyla just pointed behind Zelda's back, and Zelda followed the girl's finger. Sitting on the sill of a window was a small, black crow. Zelda sighed heavily. “I thought it was something important,” she mumbled. “It's just a crow,” Zelda reassured the frighten girl.

“It tried to attack me!” Lyla exclaimed. “I was going into your room, and it fluttered out of nowhere and attacked me!”

Zelda opened the window and shooed the bird outside. “I suppose they can be a bit frightening,” she said, then helped Lyla pick up the tray of food she had dropped.

“Your highness, you really don't have to,” Lyla protested.

“I want to,” Zelda answered, picking up a piece of bread.

“Thank you,” Lyla said gratefully when they had finished.

“Just be sure to not drop it on your way back to the kitchen,” Zelda smiled as the girl walked away. Zelda went back into her room to restart the fire and wait for breakfast. She laughed quietly to herself at how scared Lyla was of a little crow. Wait a minute, Zelda thought, what's a crow doing here? They had migrated months ago. And how did it get in? The windows all would have been closed to keep the chill out. It all seemed very strange.

“I'm sorry,” Lulu apologized, her face showing a worried look, “I think that it might have been my fault.”

Zelda had come to speak with Lulu after she had eaten breakfast, which Lyla had brought back from the kitchen without incident. When she had entered, she had found Lulu looking through a book, though Zelda couldn't understand a word of it.

“Just a spell book,” Lulu explained before putting it away. Zelda explained what had happened, and Lulu seemed to grow concerned each passing moment.

“I think I have an answer,” she said again. “You see, the sun is shining, so I opened a window because it's so stuffy in here. I left it opened, and the bird must have flown in.”

“But where did it come from,” Zelda asked.

“Where is this Link you were telling me about?” she asked, ignoring the question, something Zelda noticed with more then a passing interest.

“He's away, working in Zora's domain.”

“What a shame, I was hoping to meet him when I got here.”

“He should be back soon. The snow has already started to melt, so he should be able to leave within a day or so.”

“Good,” Lulu smiled. “Speaking of which, did you think about what I told you?”

Zelda sat silently for a moment, thinking once again about it, then nodded and spoke, “I have decided to follow duty. I will not abandon my family's legacy.”

Lulu's face showed a smile, but Zelda thought she saw a spark of irritation in her eyes. It was there for a moment, then gone, but Zelda couldn't dismiss it. This was too strange.

“Good, I am glad to see that you have made a descision. I must apologize, though, for my forwardness yesterday. It really was not my place to say such things.”

“It doesn't matter,” Zelda answered, “You put things in perspective for me.”

“I am glad I was able to help.”

Zelda stood up to leave, and smiled at her cousin. Although she seemed to be genuinly concerned with her well being, Zelda couldn't help but feel a strange feeling in her stomach. Something just didn't seem right about the whole thing. Zelda went out of the room, only after being asked by Lulu to close the door on the way out. Zelda decided to see Steiner, hoping that he had received a message about Link.

Steiner's answer had brought disappointment once again, and Zelda sighed heavily as she returned to her room. On the way, she passed Lulu's room, and heard Lulu speaking out loud. Zelda smiled, thinking it to be a spell, and she peeked into the room, curious about what her cousin could be casting. Inside, she saw her Lulu at the window, speaking to a crow.

“And if you ever get caught like that again, I will wring your neck, do you understand?” she chastised the bird. Her fists were clenched tightly to her side, so tight that her knuckles were white. “I have gone to great lengths to claim this throne, but that stupid girl is making things difficult. If she will not leave on her own, I must make sure she leaves, permanently. Fly to that wretched man and tell him that he is to strike tonight. If he refuses me, then his love will die. Now go, and do not fail me.”

The bird fluttered off, and Lulu turned around and sat down on the sofa. “Things are coming together nicely,” she smirked to herself. “The only problem is this Link. If what they say is true, then he must be dealt with immediately. I can not allow him to interfere.”

Zelda had heard enough. Her eyes widened with shock as she snuck back to her room. She had to get away, Link's life hung in the balance. Lulu was not the person she used to be. A conspiracy to get rid of Zelda was being concocted in the woman's mind, and Zelda was in danger of losing everything. She had to make preperations. If she ran, then they would kill Link for sure, and if she stayed, this man would kill her tonight. Perhaps this would be the time to take on her alter ego again. Zelda would be powerless against a trained assasin, at least she guessed he was, but Sheik could handle herself nicely. Zelda smiled grimly, knowing what had to be done.

Link awoke with a start. The chill that had filled him was gone, and he felt warm again. He glanced around, thinking that his frozen misadveture was simply a dream, but upon inspecting his surroundings, he realzed that was not the case. He was lying on a small wooden cot, a thick blanket was wrapped around him. The room was dark, but by the light of the small fire in the middle, Link could make out the the furnishings of a small, wooden hut. It had a thatched roof, and from the ceiling hung all kinds of herbs and spices. Their fragrance hung in the air, and seemed rather stifeling at first, but Link quickly got used to it. A large table stood across from the bed. Books and papers were strewn across it, and even more papers were on the floor. A cauldron sat on the stove, and a mortar next to it. Link climbed out of the cot and placed his feet on the floor. He saw his boots were gone, but after looking for them, he found them under the cot. A make-shift nightstand was at the head of the cot, and Link looked through a stack of things there. Suddenly, he came across a familiar book. On the leather bound cover was a single tear drop.

“The Sad Story,” Link read off the cover. The short title sounded faniliar, but he couldn't think of where-Wait a minute! Link thought to himself. I know this book; but, didn't I give this too-

Before he could finish his thought, the door to the hut burst open. A cold flurry of snow and wind flew in, blowing a figure inside and nearly knocking it over. It wore a heavy cloak and hood, with a steeple-point hat on top, and strapped onto the figure's back was a crooked and ragged ended broom. The figure fought to shut the door, and when it had finally succeeded, started muttering to itself. Link cleared his throat, and the figure stopped and turned around.

“Oh, you're awake,” it said. The voice sounded so familiar to Link, but just couldn't picture who it belonged to. The figure pulled off her hood, revealing her face. Link jumped with surprise when he saw who it was. Before him stood Maple the witch.

She still had her youthful face, with a dark rouge on her angular cheeks and nose, and a dark eye shadow that almost matched her green eyes. Her black hair still had its green tint, but was longer then the last time Link had seen her. She glared at him, then walked towards him.

“Are you just stupid?” she growled at him. “What kind of idiot goes out in a blizzard like that?” At this, she started poking him in the chest, “It's a good thing I was out there or you would have died.” Link chuckled to himself when he heard that. That makes you an idiot too, was all he wanted to say to her, but he kept his mouth shut. He knew how tempramental the young witch was, and how she'd probably throw him out for saying something like that.

“Well, thank you for saving me,” Link said gratefully.

“You're welcome,” she said quietly, almost sounding disappointed. Now I can't yell at him, she thought to herself, he's being polite. She walked over to the cluttered table and placed a bag that had been in her hand on the rough wood. As she started taking out different jars and bottles, she stopped, then turned around and looked suspiciously at Link.

“Say, don't I know you?” she asked. She started walking around him, inspecting him. “Yeah, I do know know you,” she nodded. “But from where? With the shape of the hat, and those ridiculous clothes, you'd think I wouldn't forget your name, but I know I've seen you before.” Suddenly, she snapped her fingers and her eyes brightened.

“I know, I met you in Labrynna!” Then her face grew dark, and there was an angry glint her eyes. She spoke with a quiet, deadly tone in her voice, “You're that wretched little brat who kept knocking me off my broom and stealing my stuff.”

Link stood speechless. He had hoped she had forgotten about that, because part of what she said was true. He did run into her while she was flying on her broom, but it had always been her own fault, and the only reason he ever took anything that belonged to her was because he scooped up everything he could before she took it from him. That's not to that say he didn't feel good when he walked away from their little confrontations, at least, when he left with more things then he had started with.

Before Link could react, Maple swung her broom around smacked him on the side of his head. It didn't hurt, but it still sent him sprawling to the ground. He rubbed the side of his face where the broom had hit and got to his feet. He was met with another whack, this time on top of his head, then another, and another.

“Steal my things and get me in trouble will ya!?” she said as she hit him again.

“Ow! Will you-Ow! Cut it-Ow! Out?” Link said, wincing with each hit. Finally, he had enough and caught the broom on its next downswing. He gripped it tightly, then spun around and pulled it right out of Maple's hands.

“Oh, now you're stealing my broom, too?” Maple said, her face turning red with anger.

“No,” Link said, getting frustrated. “I would just like to speak without getting hit with a broom, if you don't mind?”

“Well, what could you possibly want to talk about? What valuables I have so you can steal them as well?”

“No,” Link shot back, “I was wondering what you're doing here in Hyrule.”

Suddenly, Maple's face dropped. She looked down at the floor, a sad look on her face. “Well, Grandmother Syrup, she…well she, croaked.”

Link felt a wave of sadness sweep over him. Syrup had always been strange, if not scary, but she was also very kind, helping Link when she could, so the thought her dying was painful.

“I'm so sorry,” Link consoled the depressed witch, “I know what it's like to lose a loved one.”

“I said she croaked, not died,” Maple snapped, acting like Link should have known better. “She's got a frog in her throat!”

“You mean she has a sore throat?” Link asked, though with this strange pair, Link had a good feeling that that was not the case.

“No, she lost a contest with a witch named Ursula, and now when she speaks, she sounds like a frog! It's so horrible!” And with that, the young witch burst into tears. Link wasn't sure about whether he should consol the girl or laugh. Although it was positively ridiculous, Link couldn't help but believe her.

“That doesn't explain why you're here,” Link said as he patted her on the back.

Maple wipped her eyes, then looked up at him. “I came her to find a reversal, you know, a cure. I heard there was a woman who lived around here that made potions and stuff, so I came to see her. But when I went to her house, there was a sign that said she was gone for the winter. So now, I'm trying to find a cure while I wait for her to get back.”

Link thought for a moment about where she could get help in looking for a cure, when he remembered that he had to get back to the castle. Perhaps there were some materials there she could use.

“Tell you what,” Link said, trying to cheer her up, “You help me get back to Hyrule castle and I'll get you into the castle library. There's bound to be something there you can use.”

Maple looked at him, her eyes practically shining. “Would you really do that for me?”

Link nodded his head, causing the girl to squeal with excitement. “Thank you so much,” she kept saying as she prepared to leave. Link gathered his things together and went outside. Maple came out a moment later, broom in hand, and locked the door. Link stopped when he saw her stick a key into the wooden door of the hut, but then realised that this was Maple who lived here.

Maple sat side-saddle at the front of her broom, then patted the back, looking at Link. Link stared at her, then realized what she meant. Link had never been a fan of flying, but he was in a hurry. He hopped onto the back, and as soon as he did, the broom lifted off the ground and flew high into the air. As they flew, Link couldn't help but ask a question.

“So, what were you doing out in that storm?”

“I was collecting pure snow from the air, before it touched the ground. Pure water is a great catalyst.”

“Oh,” Link said, not really understanding what she meant.

“What about you?” she asked in return.

“I was trying to get to the castle from Zora's domain, but the storm caught me by surprise.”

“I always thought you were dense,” Maple mumbled.

“What?” Link called, the whistling winds making hearing difficult.

“Nothing,” she answered.

The two flew on, soaring over Lake Hylia, its waters frozen with the winter chill. The snow sat on top of it, so it looked like a huge white plane, rather then the largest body of water in Hyrule. Link gripped onto the broom, suddenly realizing just how high up they were. After awhile, though, he relaxed a bit, and was able to enjoy the sights of the white Hyrule Field. Soon, Hyrule Castle could be seen in the distance, though Link had no idea that trouble was brewing within its walls.

Zelda ran a brush through her golden hair, thinking about her plan. She would change over to Sheik at dusk, then hide in the dark until her assailant came, thinking she was asleep. After that, she would hide in the shadows and await her would be murderer. When he made an appearance, she would attack and capture him. It was a good plan, but she was still frightened. Never had she so blatantly attacked like this; though, she couldn't help but feel a certain excitement about the whole thing. Now was her time, now was the time to show that she could take care of herself. She only wished Link could be there to see it. Zelda could only hope that he was still alive.

Suddenly, she realized that she had told Lulu exactly where he was. She could order that he die first! Zelda rushed to see Steiner once again, hoping for good news. As she did, Lulu met her in the hall.

“Hello, where are you running off to?”

“I was going to see Captain Steiner,” Zelda stuttered, trying to find a way to hide her knowledge. “I was hoping to see him about…about when Link was getting back. I heard a rumor that he and some other soldiers were going to Death Mountain to make sure the Gorons were alright,” she lied.

“How appropriate,” she heard Lulu mutter. “What a shame,” she added quickly, “I think he's avoiding me,” she chuckled. “Well, see you tomorrow,” she said cheerfully, “I'm doing some studying, so I'll be holed up in my room for the night.” And with that, she went down the hall and into her room. Zelda shivered as she walked past, then continued on down the hall.

When she reached the guard barracks, she went searching for Captain Steiner. He was looking at a group of maps on his wall and seemed deep in thought, so Zelda quietly knocked on his desk. He turned around, a confused look on his face, but when he saw Zelda, he regained his usual look of discipline.

“Your highness,” he said, bowing. “I'm sorry, I mean, your Majesty.”

“What?” Zelda asked.

“That's right, you don't know,” he explained, “Your father has left for the distant country of Holodrum, and won't be back for a while. So, you are now Queen Zelda, at least until he gets back.”

“Why wasn't I told,” Zelda asked, her voice sounding slightly panicked.

“I was actually coming to see you and inform you. Your father would have come, but the meeting was last minute; something about a big tree. Anyway, he left you in charge.”

Zelda stood flabbergasted. Although she now had nothing to worry about tonight, since guards would probably be posted around her bedroom door, but she had been looking forward to her little adventure, and now it was ruined, unless…

“Captain Steiner,” she said suddenly, “You are to follow all of my instructions and orders to the letter, correct?”

“Indeed, your majesty,” he answered, saluting her.

“Well, then, do not inform anyone else of the change, not even my guest. Also, do not place any kind of guard around me. I want everything to remain as normal as possible, understand?”

“Yes, your majesty,” Steiner answered, bowing again. Zelda could tell that he wasn't thrilled with the idea, but knew that he would listen to her.

She nodded, then walked back out the door. She turned and looked back in, “Oh, and if you receive any news about Link, I want to be informed immediately.” Then she thought about it, “But not if it's after dark.” With that, she left the barracks and returned to her bedroom..

The sun started to set over the field, its orange rays reflecting off the white snow, which had been slowly melting all day. Zelda stared out, pondering the things that could happen tonight. This could very well be my last sunset, she thought to herself. But then, it could also be the last sunset for my assasin as well.

The hours passed slowly. Zelda didn't feel very hungry, and spent the time as Sheik, practicing fighting, so as to be prepared. It had been a while since she had fought, but she still felt confident enough in her abilities.

Around midnight, her attacker had still not shown, so she threw another log on the fire to brighten it, and returned to her hiding place. She had cleverly hidden herself in the shadow cast by the wardrobe that stood in the corner next to her bed. Having moved it over to the side, she pulled it forward, and after much tugging and rearanging of the other furniture had managed to position a perfect hiding place, sheltered by the bedside stand, wall and wardrobe. In all her moving around, she didn't realize that she was being watched, that she had been watched since she returned from seeing Steiner. Her assasin had been waiting.

Link dropped off of Maple's broom, sighing heavily. “Don't sigh like that,” Maple ordered, “I got you here, didn't I?”

“Yeah, but it's midnight. We could have gotten here sooner if you didn't stop every thirteen minutes to pick herbs.”

“I'm sorry,” Maple answered exasperated, “But if I'm going to cure grandma, then I'm going to to need ingredients.”

Link just rolled his eyes and walked quietly across the snow covered garden. Maple put her broom on her back and followed behind. Link showed her to the library, and, after explaining the situation to a librarian, he left maple in her capable hands. He immediately went to seek out Zelda. As he approached her door, he stopped, thinking her to be asleep. Perhaps I should surprise her, he thought, maybe bring her breakfast tomorrow or something. He decided on that, then started back down the hall, when he thought he heard voices behind Zelda's door.

Sheik saw the shadows shift and form into a man. He stepped out of the very wall itself, emerging from the shadows cast by the fire. At first, he seemed to be nothing more the a black figure, a sillohuette, but then colors appeared and gave the form life.

There stood a tall man, a strong, sleek build. His pale face was outlined by his long, wavy, raven-black hair. A red cloak was on his shoulders, and a red cape was wrapped around his mouth and shoulders, then fell down to his calves. The ends were tattered and torn, and looked like flames. His shirt and pants were pitch black, and on his feet were metallic, golden boots. On his left hand was a claw that was the same coloring as the boots, the fingertips sharp and threatening. Despite his threatening appearance, Sheik could see that deep in his dark red eyes there was a certain sorrow. It hurt to look at them, even though he wasn't looking directly at her.

He stepped around the room, looking under the bed, around the fireplace, everywhere but the wardrobe. Suddnely, he approached the wardrobe, a determined looked on his face. Sheik prepared her dagger to strike, but then he opened the wardrobe instead, moved around the clothes, then shut it again. He turned around, and Sheik saw her chance to strike.

She jumped out from behind the wardrobe and brought the dagger up, stopping it just against his neck. “Give me one reason not kill you,” she said quietly, her voice sounding very much like a man's. She had done that magically, to hide her identity. Not even Link knew it was her the first time she introduced herself as Sheik. The man didn't even jump, instead standing there quietly. Something was wrong, Sheik thought, he's too calm.

She found out why a moment later why. Her feet were pulled out from beneath her, and she fell to the floor. The man pulled free and sprung nimbly to the other end of the room. Sheik fell backwards, but got her hand under her and was able to spring back forward. The two faced each other, and once again, Zelda found it hard to look the man in the eyes.

“Now, your majesty, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, but either way, you will come with me.”

Sheik gasped. How did he know it was me? There's no way he could have know, unless he had watched her, and knew that she was disguised. That would also explain why he wasn't startled by her surprise attack. Sheik stood there, then brought up her dagger, understanding how dangerous a man he was.

“I was afraid of that,” the man said, his voice sounding sad. He drew a thin epee from his belt, then stood ready to attack.

Neither one moved, each waiting for the other to shift. Sheik then thought about the throwing daggers she kept on her belt. She could probably grab them and throw them before he reached her, so, still looking at him, she reached down as quick as a flash, and threw them at her attacker. They sailed through the air at an almost blinding speed, but before they were even close to the man, he simply sank into the floor. Zelda's eyes widened when she saw him drop, but saw nothing but the long shadows cast by the fireplace where he had been standing. She knew that she shouldn't let her guard down, but it seemed that he was gone, at least for the moment.

The door to her room suddenly burst open. Sheik swung around with her dagger ready, but stopped when she saw Link standing in the doorway. He looked shocked at seeing Zelda as Sheik, but Zelda felt relieved to see him, alive and well. All she wanted, more then anything was to go to him and tell him everything. As they went to each other, a golden claw rose out of the floor and grabbed Link's ankle. Link was jerked down, and melted into the floor the same way the assasin had. Zelda cried out, reaching for her disappearing love's hand, but she was too late. The floor swallowed him up, like a pool of quicksand. Zelda knelt on the floor, completely stunned by what had happened. Suddenly, the man reappeared, a grim look on his face. Zelda noticed that the man no longer had a cape, then saw where it had gone. Behind him, lying bound and gagged on the floor was Link. He was completely bound by the shiny red fabric, from his ankles to the bridge of his nose. Link tried to move, but it held tight. The man looked down at his prisoner, then back at Zelda.

“Now, Zelda,” the man said, his voice seeming irritated, “I don't like to use hostages, but I will. If you do not come with me, your friend here will die a very slow and agonizing death. That cape is bound so tight, his blood flow is being slowed. He also cannot breath enough to overcome the slowing blood flow. If you do not wish to watch him suffocate, I suggest you do as I say and come with me.”

Sheik stood there, knowing what she had to do, even though the cost would be great. Link looked up at her, his eyes sad, and he did his best to shake his head, but found that impossible. If he could speak, though, Zelda knew that Link would say not to worry about him, but Zelda knew that she couldn't. She loved him, and could not bear to know that she was alive because her true love died by her own choice. She pulled off the bindings around her head, allowing her hair to cascade down and revealing her face, then nodded sadly.

“I will go with you,” she said quietly, but then asked accusatorily, “But how do I know that you'll keep your word?”

The man waved his hand slightly, and the cape fell away from Link's face, though it still bound the rest of him. He coughed as he breathed in fresh air, then looked at Zelda.

“Don't do it,” he practically screamed, tears forming in his eyes. “Don't do it,” he said again. “I love you. I won't let you die for me! I can't live without you!”

Zelda couldn't help but smile as she walked over to her trapped love. She knelt down, and kissed him on the lips one final time, then whispered quietly in his ear, “I'll love you forever, my hero.” She stood again, and walked over to the man and nodded. Link's struggled to get free as he watched the two walk into the shadows on the wall. A moment later, the cape binding him disappeared into a red whisp of smoke, and he lay there for a moment, staring into space, hopelessness and despair creeping over him. She loved him, but he was powerless to protect her. Now she was gone, gone forever. Tears were streaming down his face as he stood, then he ran to the wall where they disappeared, and punched the wall again and again until his knuckles began to bleed. His despair and rage played out, he sank once again to the floor, sobbing quietly.

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