Finally, chapter 6...
Legend of Zelda © Nintendo
Chapter 6
Link stood outside the police precinct, staring at the solid oak doors. He drew in a large breath, and exhaled it slowly. This was it. After the mayor's ceremony, he realized that the surveillance of ATI really wasn't working. He had probably been seen, and a new president had joined without Link even knowing about it. As much as Link hated to admit failure, he knew he could not continue without endangering himself and those he knew. He would have to report his lack of evidence, and ask for reassignment.
Steeling himself, he marched up the steps and pushed through the doors. Nodding to the guard by the entrance, He walked down the corridor, past the front partitions of glass where office assistants typed up reports. He was already rehearsing his speech in his mind. Mr. Nicholson, concerning my assignment… I know that you assigned me to watch ATI, but I fear that I have failed to do the job properly, and I-
Link stared at the name on the door. Ralph Nicholson. Link raised his hand to knock, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around, surprised to find the chief of police behind him. He carried a bag of fast food in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
"Hey Link!" he said, "Just stepped out to get some lunch. Come on in and we can talk." Shifting the bag into his other hand, he opened the door. Link followed. The chief set the food on the table and turned back to Link. Link was about to speak, but Nicholson began first.
"I don't know what you wanted to talk to me about," he said, a twinkle in his eye, "But I've got some good news for you first." Link nodded, partly relieved. News of his failure could wait. Nicholson cleared his throat and continued. "I heard from the mayor that you talked to him the other day, at the charity buffet." Link raised his eyebrows, surprised. The chief chuckled. "Seems you've made quite an impression on him. So much, in fact, that he requested you as a bodyguard for his daughter. I told him I'd have to ask you first."
Link froze. That was so out of the blue that he hardly knew what to think. The mayor had only met him once, and now he wanted Link to guard probably the most important person in his life? And that person was a child. It would be like… babysitting. Although totally fearless in most situations, Link felt horrified at the thought of having to be around a child.
Link's mouth went dry, and he tried to swallow. "I, uh," he struggled to think of an excuse, "don't think it would be right, sir."
The chief looked carefully at Link. "If you don't want to, it's fine, but I think it would be a great opportunity!" He gazed off into space. "Imagine, being trusted by the leader of our city, and at so young an age, too!" He shook his head, and looked back at Link. "Don't say no just because you're afraid of kids Link. I'll think you'd do great!" Link lowered his head, ashamed that the chief had guessed so easily at his fear. Nicholson put a hand on Link's shoulder, his voice softening. "Link, I'm worried about you. This surveillance of ATI is taking a toll on your heath, and they're too slick to slip up." He met Link's eye. "I know you don't like to admit defeat, and I think guarding the mayor's daughter would be a perfect break for you. I mean, you're gentle, and great with animals, so why not kids? What do you say, Link?"
Link thought hard. Little did he know that his answer would so greatly impact future events. He gave a small nod. "Alright, chief, I'll do it."
Nicholson grinned. "Somehow I thought you would say that. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Link looked at the door. "Oh, nothing important," he said.
Link stood in the foyer of the mayor's home. He glanced at his motorcycle, parked in the street behind him. It was a sleek machine, painted white, green and gold; official police colors. Link looked at the door, took a deep breath, exhaled it, and walked up the steps.
As the doors closed behind him, he stood blinking at the sudden change in light. When his eyes adjusted to the darker interior, he looked around to see… no one. Link began to grow nervous. Maybe he should have knocked first… He glanced around the room to settle his nerves. The foyer was a large square room, with high a high ceiling and white marbled tile on the floor. The walls to the right and left of Link were covered with artwork, much of which Link had seen on his last visit. Across the room was a large stairway with an ornate banister. And at the top stood the mayor.
Link stiffened with surprise and saluted out of habit. The mayor descended the stairs, waving a hand to stop his formality. "Ah, Link, I'm glad you're here," he said, glancing around distractedly, "You haven't seen my daughter around anywhere, by any chance?"
"No sir," Link responded, casting his gaze around the room, just in case. Great, Link thought, a bit sarcastically, I haven't even met my charge and I've already lost her?
The mayor's eyes finally settled on a potted plant by the wall. "There you are, Emily!" he said suddenly. Briskly walking to the plant, he pulled his daughter out from behind it, as if by magic.
Link raised his eyebrows in surprise. Had the girl been watching him the entire time?
The mayor pulled Emily over to Link. She had fair skin, light blonde hair, and large blue eyes. Link realized with surprise that she could pass for his younger sister. "Here we are," the mayor said, smiling pleasantly. Link decided that the smile was to diffuse tense situations, and not especially telling of the mayor's emotional state.
The mayor kneeled down and looked Emily in the eye. "Now, Emily, darling, this is Mr. Karlsen, and he's going to look after you while daddy's away. Don't run off on him, hmm?" The mayor straightened, brushing invisible dust off his suit.
He turned to Link. "Thank you so much for agreeing to look after my daughter on such short notice. She's usually much more outgoing than this. This is not like her at all."
He glanced at Emily, who was waiting slightly behind him, staring at Link with large eyes. Link found it slightly unnerving. "I'd love to find out what was wrong, but-" he glanced at his watch, "Oh, bother, I'm going to be late!"
He bent down and gave Emily a kiss on the head, then hurried to the door. "Be a good girl, Emily," he called back, "And maybe Mr. Karlsen will get you an ice cream!" And then he was gone, the door closing with a dull thud behind him.
There was silence. Link swallowed. He would normally be incredibly nervous, but being around someone more reticent than him sparked his courage. He knelt down in front of Emily and put his hand forward. "Hey, Emily," he said in his friendliest voice, "Nice to meet you. You can call me Link."
Slowly Emily took his hand and shook it. She looked him in the eye for a few moments, and then smiled. "All right, um… Link, you seem like a nice person. I believe I can trust you." She let go of his hand.
Link stood up. What a strange thing to say. "That's good," Link was curious. "Why would you say something like that?"
She fidgeted. "Daddy says that my family is descended from a line of sages, and I think I have some of that talent. Daddy doesn't believe me, though. I was worried about you because of this one man that daddy's been talking to… I feel like he's dangerous."
Link was intrigued. The story seemed highly fantastical, but it never hurt to indulge children in their fantasies. "Who is this man? Anyone that I'd know?"
She nodded. "Maybe. I think he's new in town. He's really tall, and he's got dark skin. He talks with daddy a lot, and I always get the shivers whenever he's around, like he's got something bad planned. I think his name's Ganon-something…mire… um…"
Link almost gasped. Could it be? "Ganondorf Dragmire?"
Emily nodded. "Yep, that's his name."
Link thought hard. Ganondorf was talking to the mayor? Maybe nothing out of the ordinary, but… Looking into the buisnessman's eyes gave Link cold chills up and down his spine. Not to mention his suspicious involvement with ATI. And if Emily got the same feeling from him…. "Do you… know what they talk about?" Link asked.
"No. I always hide when he comes around. He was here just before you. That's why I was hiding."
A plan began to form in Link's head. "Emily, how'd you like to be a special operations police officer?"
Emily looked overjoyed. "Oh, can I?"
Link swallowed his guilt. "Yes, but nothing official. Top secret and all that. I have your first assignment. The next time this Ganondorf comes around, you hide and listen to what he talks about, and then tell me. It's very important, think you can handle it?"
Emily smiled brightly. All children love excitement and secrecy, how could she resist? "Sir, yes, sir!" she saluted.
Link smiled. "Good, and remember, not a word of this to anyone. Now, how about we go get some ice cream?"
Link felt bad about tricking Emily like this, even though he had just met her. However, if Ganondorf really was on the up and up, what could it hurt? It was all just fun and games. And if he wasn't… well, hopefully that the ends would justify the means…