I never thought I'd be back here so soon… but since I had the ideas to at least three different stories, I picked one, and it soon turned into this story. It's different compared to Lost and Found, and I hope it's not very similar to something that has been done before.

The major differences between this story and Lost and Found are that this story is written completely from Zelda's point of view, and that it's written in the present tense. If you review, please let me know what you think.

I'll keep writing this story for as long as I can. I'll try to finish it. I think it will be about 10 chapters long, maybe more, maybe less.

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim, the Legend of Zelda. It is property of Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo. The title of the story is taken from the song The Sound of Silence, by Simon & Garfunkel, which I do not own.

The Sound of Silence

Prologue

"Are you comfortable, Zelda?"

I nod affirmatively. I'm comfortable. The thick sheets are pulled up to my chest, Impa has lit a fire in the fireplace and the room is warm.

"Are you sure? Maybe I should close the window. It's cold tonight." Her eyes are concerned, concerned about me, and she pulls the comforter up to my chin, then goes to close the window. I shake the sheets off my body and reach for my small writing pad, and the delicate pen I always use.

You see, I cannot talk. I have been a mute ever since I was born. Nobody knows why I cannot speak. I'm a clever girl, Impa says, but yet intelligent, I can't pronounce words.

Impa, I write, and my handwriting is flowing. You shouldn't care so much. I can take care of myself.

Before I show the text to her, I already know what she will say. "But what if anything happened? You wouldn't be able to shout for help!"

She sleeps in the chamber next to mine. I guess you could call her my nursemaid. I am 17 years old this year and the Princess of Hyrule, yet I have a nursemaid. Ridiculous. That's what my life is. Why am I even here, in a canopy bed with crimson, silken sheets and a pillow with the Triforce emblem? What am I doing here? I will never be able to descend the Hylian throne. My father knows this, so does everyone, and yet they don't mention it. Yet I'm all alone…

Impa has seen my writing. "Oh no, dear, don't try that again!" she exclaims. "What would I do if anything happened to you? I would never forgive myself!"

Give me a chance, I write. Please, Impa, give me a chance.

Her gaze is worried, and a crease has appeared between her thin eyebrows. The light from the fire makes her silver hair shine. For a second, her eyes lock with mine. Then she slowly shakes her head. "No", she whispers, and kisses my forehead briefly, "I couldn't do that, Zelda. I'm sorry, but I couldn't. What would your father say?" She sinks down on the bed, and adjusts the sheets.

I don't care what he says. I'm never allowed to do anything.

Glancing at my handwriting, rushed now, she sighs. "I know that, dear. I know… but there's nothing I can do."

She rises, and I lean back onto the pillow with a heavy sigh. I watch her close the door to my bedroom quietly. Closing my eyes, I find I'm not tired at all. When I open my eyes again, I see that the curtains aren't drawn, and I can see the dark sky through the window. This is an overcast night, and the stars are all covered behind thick wisps of cloud.

I close my eyes again. My hands curl into fists on the sheet. I'm frustrated, but I can't let my anger and sorrow out. I want to scream, but I know not a single sound will erupt from my throat, no matter how hard I try.