Chapter 7: Conquering Hyrule Castle

Zelda's Point of View

Link had stayed awake for about an hour, before falling asleep. He hadn't woken up, but he had no more episodes with his heart stopping. Robbie and Purah are still trying to figure out what happened to him.

"Princess?" Robbie asked, trying to get my attention.

"Yes?" I replied.

"I believe this is dark magic that we're dealing with. The Twili, magical beings that live in the Twilight Realm, would know more about this magic, and how to help Link," Robbie said.

"Great! So, how do we find them?" I asked.

"We access the Twilight Realm by using the Mirror of Twilight! There's only one problem," Robbie said.

My fear started to rise, what if the mirror was broken? What if then we couldn't save Link? What if Link dies? I'll never forgive myself! I pushed those thoughts aside and said: "and what is that?"

"The mirror is in Hyrule Castle. I know it's not damaged because I placed it in an extremely protective box, and stashed it under your bed Princess!" He said, puffing his chest up proudly.

I gulped. I haven't been to the castle since Link had saved me. He had asked if I wanted to go back, I had said no, that I wasn't ready. Am I ready? "I'm not ready to go back."

Robbie sighed. "Princess, if you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting the rest of your life," he said.

"Fine! I'm ready!" I said.

...

On the way to the castle, Robbie asked me something unexpected. "Do you like the new Link?"

I froze. What did he mean, the new Link? "What do you mean?"

"You know he's not the same." Robbie replied.

Robbie was right, Link wasn't the same as he was 100 years ago, it was clear he's different now. "Yes, I can't change that he changed over the course of his long slumber. But sometimes I think...t-that the Link I knew really did die on that dreadful day." I replied, tears starting to form in my eyes.

We were now at the gate to Hyrule Castle, I was about to open the gate when Robbie stopped me. "Is that why you don't want to go back to the castle?" he asked.

"That memory...it haunts me...it will for the rest of my life. Link died that day, a-and I wasn't strong enough to save him!" I cried, tears streaming down my face.

Robbie sighed. "Zelda, it doesn't...scratch that. Let me try that again. You didn't create the calamity, you did not purposely order Link to kill himself while protecting you...but I was a failure. I could've awakened my power earlier–"

I AM A FAILURE!" I interjected. "NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED IF! If I a-awakened m-my pow..." I didn't finish the sentence because I broke down crying.

Robbie put a hand on my shoulder. "Zelda, it's not your fault, it's not your fault that the Goddess Hylia chose this date for us."

What Robbie was saying was true. I wasn't a failure, I knew that, my friends knew that, Link knew that, but did Hyrule know that?

"Are you ready to go in?" Robbie asked.

"Yes, let's go," I replied, feeling determined.

...

Now heading to my room, memories started flooding my mind. It was almost like I had never left this place. My home still looked so familiar despite it being in its ruined state. I felt a sense of longing as I approached my room. A pain and bang brought me out of my thoughts. I had run into a door. It's a bit embarrassing that Robbie saw that. Especially since I'm a Princess.

I walked into my room, and immediately I was shocked. It wasn't much of a room anymore. The bed was snapped in half, the desk was smashed, there were cobwebs everywhere. The only thing that was really left was a diary that had been left open. It wasn't mine, it was Link's. I was confused. Why was his diary in my room? Robbie started looking for the box.

I opened the wardrobe expecting to find nothing wearable, but I found a shimmering white and gold dress, it had the Triforce on it and it was beautiful. It was just like my Royal Gown, except it was white at the top and going down it changed to gold.

"Ah ha!" Robbie exclaimed.

I spun around to see him holding a blue box.

"Found it! Let's go," Robbie said.

"Wait!" I cried.

I looked around for a box that I could put the dress in. Robbie just looked at me. I found a box, opened it and to my surprise, there was a little guardian in it. It woke up and jumped out of the box. I didn't care about it, so long as it wasn't trying to kill us. I stuffed the dress, tiara, shoes, and jewellery in the box. Just as I was about to close the box, I found a note.

Dear Zelda,

This dress is your Christmas Present! To celebrate our first Christmas together. I made this during my travels, I hope you like it!

Love

Link

Tears ran down my face, Link made this beautiful dress. He couldn't be gone, I won't allow it. I grabbed the box and said: "let's go!"

Back at the Tech Lab, Robbie and I burst through the door.

"We are here!" Robbie cried before unwrapping the mirror. It was too beautiful to describe.

The mirror itself was black and it had white markings with a Triforce in the centre of rings and markings.

Robbie and I jumped in the mirror and headed to the Twilight Realm.

...

Upon entering the realm, the guards of the realm spotted us. "Freeze!"

"Oh, cut it out and just take us to your leader!" Robbie said.

The guards took us to their leader. She was sitting on her throne, the guards pushed us down to our knees. "Your highness, these intruders were spotted."

"Speak!" The lady said.

"I am Zelda, we are in need of a Twili Scientist, please if you could aid us that would be great," I said.

"And in return?" She asked.

"I will let you speak that out with our leader," I said.

The Queen cocked an eyebrow. "Hyrule has not had a leader in over a century."

"Yes, well, they have one now," I said. Was the Queen really being this difficult to deal with?

"That's all I needed to hear. Guards! Tell my Royal Advisor to clear my schedule for the next week! I am leaving for Hyrule!" She said, getting up from her throne.

"I am Midna. And you are?" Midna asked.

"I am Zelda, like I said, and this is Robbie, a Sheikah Scientist," I introduced. "Nice to meet you," Midna said.

"You too," I replied. Midna opened the portal and motioned for us to follow.

Upon arriving back at the Tech Lab, Purah made us tea and introduced herself to Midna.

"May I meet the Princess?" Midna asked.

I wondered why she knew there was a Princess. I said ruler, I wasn't specific.

"Sure," I said. "Let me get her."

I went up to my room, opened the box, put the gown on and put the jewellery on. I looked beautiful.

I headed outside and everyone gasped.

"I knew it was you," Midna said. "But I wanted you to show me."

"Zelda! Who made that?" Purah asked.

"Link! Isn't it beautiful?" I exclaimed.

"Fit for a Princess," Midna said.

"Now! Down to business! Midna, Link is over here," I said.

I had told Midna what had happened before I revealed my true identity. I carefully unwrapped Link's bandage on his arm and gasped in horror. His arm was completely different! He had weird bangles symbols on his arm, long nails, more like claws, and it was glowing and eerie green, and not to mention, it was grey! I couldn't look at it any longer, so I decided to look at Link's face instead. When I did, I saw big blue eyes looking at me. He was awake! I panicked, he didn't know what was going on, and would probably freak out. Sure enough, he did.

"Gah! What happened to my arm? And who are you?" Link asked, starting to panic. He only settled when he saw me. "You're wearing the dress."

"Yes, thank you, Link. I've been wanting to tell you this, but I haven't had the guts to do it," I started. I couldn't believe I was doing this, I was confessing! I took a deep breath and said: "I LOVE YOU!"

"Aww," said everyone, except Link and Midna.

"Shut up! You're ruining the moment," Midna snapped.

"I love you too Zelda," Link said.

"Hey, guys, I don't wanna ruin the moment, but I don't wanna be here for a century, so can we try and solve this mystery?" Midna asked.

"Y-yes!" I blurted out.