Author's note: This won't be as angsty of a chapter. Just a warning.
Link and Blue were looking at the Four Sword as the two of us pulled apart. Red grinned at me for a few seconds, before his grin suddenly faded to a look of astonishment. He was now staring behind me, then, suddenly, dropped into a kneeling position.
"Princess Zelda!" he cried in shock. I turned around slowly and fell to my knees as well. For there stood the most beautiful girl that I'd ever seen.
I had distant memories, as if from a dream, of her. She'd once been such a little thing! I could see the two of us sitting together in a tree, walking together through a field, playing children's games in the halls of the beautiful Southern Castle, which was her own residence. She used to wear a bow, as big as her head was and bright red, that I'd recognized her by. She always wore pink, a perfect contrast to the bright red bow and her reddish-blonde hair. Her laughter was frequent and musical, and I remember how bright her smile would always be. Were these Green's memories? They had to be. I had no memories of my own save those of the quest. Lucky Green, I realized.
However, now, I could make my own memories of the beautiful princess. For indeed, that was what she was.
Gone was the big, bulky, badly color-coordinated bow. Now, resting on her beautiful, reddish-blonde hair that had lightened with her age was a golden tiara the color of the sun. I could tell that it was pure gold with a single tear-shaped emerald at her forehead. Also gone was the chunky pink dress that she had used to wear. Now, she was wearing a pale pink dress with a small area of blue over her stomach. A bright golden belt with the symbol of the Triforce hanging from a shield-shaped charm hung round her waist. But her face was what got me. It was the sort of face that would cause nations to go to war over: beautiful yet wise. Her deep grey eyes seemed all-knowing, but had a kindness to them as well. All-knowing but all-caring would be how I would describe her later.
But it was her aura that truly floored me. She radiated a feeling of wisdom beyond her years that would keep her enemies thinking. This wasn't the sort of person one wanted to anger. She could probably think of (or have others think for her) of a thousand ways to kill you if you gave her the chance. Yet at the same time, she seemed to be a gentle person. One who wouldn't want to kill you. I could also sense power, power to order your head off or to knight you. Power to contend with that of Gufuu himself. Why had she allowed herself to be kidnapped?
Because it's her duty…
Instantly, it hit me why the princess has been kidnapped as much as she has been. What if she's let these things happen? What if it's her duty to let Hyrule to become endangered, so that evil will come out into the open? What if Din, Farore, and Nayru have instructed the princess to let these things happen, so that a hero shall rise and defeat evil for another generation? It's the most logical conclusion that I can think of. Zelda takes on a whole new meaning in my eyes. She's the willing sacrifice. She's the one who puts the needs of the kingdom ahead of her own needs. She's the true heroine of Hyrule.
"Guys, what's going-oh! Princess!" Green cries. She smiles when she sees him for a moment before suddenly flinging herself into his arms with a cry of joy.
"I'm so glad that you're okay!" they say at the same time. Red, Blue and I exchange a look of surprise. So that was why I had these memories, why Green worked so hard to save the maidens and the knights, then the princess. He wasn't doing it for Hyrule, he was doing it for his dear friend, Zelda! Red was now smiling, Blue had his mouth slightly open, and I just nodded, then, realizing that I was actually very pleased, I allowed my physical barrier to be broken down and let a smile break onto my face.
After a few minutes of Green and Zelda exchanging hugs, she turned to the three of us, who had all knelt. Instantly, a cooler expression crossed her face, though she was still smiling.
"Rise," she ordered. "You have just saved Hyrule. There will be no need to kneel to royalty from now on." With that, she crossed over to Red. He blushed when she looked at him with her piercing gaze.
"You are Red, are you now?" she asked, offering her hand. "The emotional, cheerful wielder of fire and ice. Pleased to meet you." He shook her hand, looking rather pleased when she smiled.
"And you are Blue!" she declared, going over to Blue, her bright eyes meeting his own blue ones. "Fierce hammer-bearer. Delighted to make your acquaintance."
"Very formal, Princess," he replied, shaking her hand. "You have a rather strong grip," he noted a minute later. She smiled softly and turned away from him.
"And you," she said finally, walking over to me, "Are Vio." She said nothing more for a moment before finally saying, "Archer who aims only once, because he knows that he won't miss." My heart was now in my throat. Goddesses, she was the most beautiful creature that I'd ever seen. Finally, I realized that she was waiting for an answer.
"True, Zelda. I suppose that I am rather arrogant, but you speak the truth," I managed to say, my voice unfaltering. I realized that I'd said something wrong when Red clapped his hands over his mouth and Blue gasped.
"Vio!" Green cried. "You just referred to her by her first name! No one does that!"
"Hush," Zelda replied, waving a hand at Green. "Be silent. Worry not. I'd rather be called Zelda anyways. That goes for all of you." With that, I finally managed to take her delicate, gloved hand in mine and shake it softly.
"You're different," she noted, only softly enough so that I could hear.
"I know," I replied.
She let go of my hand gently, and I felt my heart throbbing, hoping she wouldn't hear. I'd had a crush on Elne, but I realized that this was totally different. This was true love.
And the way she'd smiled at me…
"Come, heroes," she ordered, her eyes flashing. "You must come with me to the castle." She smiled at all of us equally, but to me, it felt totally different. I knew that I was a goner, wondering if the others felt the same way.
Heh,Vio's love-struck! Came a voice inside of my head.
Shadow? I thought, incredulous.
Of course, replied the voice. You need your best friend, if only in your head. And I promise, I'll be here for you as long as you need me.
Good to know, I replied mentally.
So Shadow wasn't totally gone. I felt a smile creep onto my face.