Feeling long winded

[regnant_zelda]

[Waking is much like dreaming.

[Consciousness is a deep fog of sounds and shadowy images. It is made of the faces she has seen, yesterday and tomorrow; the smell of battles won and lost; the ghost of tears on her cheeks or lips on her mouth.

["Brother! No!" " ...my hour of need..." "I've been waiting for you..." "...you are a true hero!" "Our

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[gdmnwindwaker]

[There is a princess in this castle.

A while ago, Link learned that Hyrule Field had a ranch and that was about it. Other than paths branching off to other places, of course. No oceans around. Just this area.

For a kid who sailed the ocean and visited various islands, this area was too small. Before setting out to visit the other places, however, he let his curiosity get the best of him and decided to visit the castle. Upon entering, everything seems eerie and dead and quiet. It made him feel like some dirty intruder or something. That got him tiptoeing around some areas, just so that he wouldn't disturb anything. Disturb nothing would be more accurate, since there literally wasn't anything to note here.

Until he got to the throne room. Hello, he didn't expect this. He kind of freezes, just outside the entrance, trying to be sneaky and peek in.]

[regnant_zelda]

[A flash of green is the only thing that can shift her out of the fog and let her lift her head. Her hair (which she feels is uncomfortably loose) falls into her face and obscures the image. She wonders if she should bother to move it. But her curiosity overwhelms her listlessness, and with effort she lifts her bare hand to move hair out of her face. It's a young boy--one she recognizes.

[She thinks.

[Zelda continues to stare at him, not sure what she's waiting for.]

[gdmnwindwaker]

[Oh, she saw him. She's looking right at him, even. She hasn't said anything yet, but still.

He blinks and stares back, not quite sure what to do next. It seemed pretty stupid to just stand there and stare or to just walk away after she saw him. That just seemed... really wrong. His grandmother would be ashamed. (Just because he was away from her, doesn't mean he would forget what she taught him.)

So, with that, he peeks out a little more and waves in greeting. (Or should he be bowing? She looked really important, after all.) Maybe she'd respond if he was more friendly?]

'Hoy.

[regnant_zelda]

[He came out and waved, and she frowns. Does this mean he knows her? She digs through her mind for the proper response, and is rewarded with a confusing jumble of bows to noblemen, dances with farmers, slow processions on carriages, hands shaking...]

Hello.

[Zelda shifts, almost to stand up, but then leans back slowly. Wondering vaguely if she does know him, she receives a clear picture--the Princess looks at him more intently, her eyes sharpening.]

You are Link.

[gdmnwindwaker]

[His eyes widen in surprise. She doesn't even ask it like a question, she just knows. Suddenly, it feels like things are a lot more serious. He debated not answering her and leaving, but decided against it. It wasn't like he had something to hide or anything, and she hadn't attacked him... yet.

Link gripped the sword and shield in his hands in determination as he stepped out from his 'hiding' place. Facing her clearly, he nods in response.]

Yeah, I am. [He says.] How did you know?

[regnant_zelda]

[He seems agitated... she thinks to herself. She isn't sure what she did wrong. Perhaps she should have waved.

[Her hands grip hard on her throne as he comes out with sword and shield. For once, she doesn't ponder over the familiarity of the weapons he holds. Zelda sits forward on her seat, ignoring his question.]

Do you mean to kill me?

[An inexplicable wave of sadness washes over her. It has come to this? she asks in some back corner of her mind. We were friends, once...]

[gdmnwindwaker]

[Kill her? Wasn't that supposed to be his question? He didn't know what to expect in this place, and he just couldn't be sure. He does, however, answer honestly. Maybe she'll do the same.]

No. I don't want to.

What about you?

[regnant_zelda]

[She laughs and sighs simultaneously.]

Even if my greatest wish was to see you dead, I do not think I could lift myself from [she hesitates for a splint second] my throne.

I wish you no harm.

[gdmnwindwaker]

You can't get up?

[That's... was that why he didn't see anything in the castle until he got to this room? That meant she really was stuck, didn't it? Then how did she live here all this time? Was she a spirit?

Questions flooding his head aside, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. She didn't look like she really meant to hurt him or anything. He put away his sword (but not the shield) and took a couple steps closer.]

Are you hurt?

[regnant_zelda]

[So he avoided killing her--but he didn't trust her. Why should he?]

No, I'm not hurt. I believe...[she paused for awhile, trying to wade through her thoughts]...that I have been asleep for a very long time. Now that I sit, I do not think I can rise I again.

[gdmnwindwaker]

Do you need help?

[regnant_zelda]

[Zelda chuckles a little, surprising herself. The fog clears up a little.] I'm afraid I would crush you.

[gdmnwindwaker]

[Hearing her chuckle actually comforts him a little. He puts away his shield and moves forward again, with one hand out.]

I can try to pull you, if you want. [She is a lot taller than him, though.] Or maybe I can bring somebody?

[regnant_zelda]

[She shakes her head, hoping to shake out the confusion.] Oh...no. I will see if I can stand. [With as little ceremony as possibly, she shifts and stands, turning slightly so that she may use the throne to balance herself. She feels strangely numb, but without the cacophony of sounds and movement Zelda feels steadier.]

Have you...been here...long? [Her need to concentrate standing and talking brings a dark blush to her face. She is like an infant.]

[gdmnwindwaker]

[He watches her carefully, just in case. If she falls, he'll be right there to try and catch her... or at least lessen the impact. It doesn't matter whether or not he'd be crushed. He's confident in his ability to take a few hits.]

No, not really, [he says in response to her question.] I don't know this place really well.

[regnant_zelda]

[She takes her hand from the throne, steadying herself.]

I can't remember whether I know it or not. I have not left this room since I came from the tower.