My name is Zelda.
Queen Zelda.
Being a queen is something most young girls dream of. I myself did, as a young girl.
But this is hardly like anything I envisioned.
I'm only 16.
When I was about 15, that's when everything started. A man named Ganondorf took over the Smash Kingdom, he killed Princess Peach, and imprisoned the resident hero, Mario. He made himself king. He forced the citizens into labor, and taxed them heavily, until all they had left were the clothes on their backs and a few crumbs of food.
Despite these hard times, I had a beacon of happiness. My betrothed, Link, and I were to be married soon. I loved him with all my heart, and I longed for the days to pass quicker, so that we may finally be united in mind, body, and soul.
But then, a fortnight before the wedding, castle officials came into our house. They took my photo, and wrote down my information, just as many other officials did for all other unmarried girls.
Not knowing the purpose of the census, I brushed it off. But a week after, I was deep into wedding preparations, when more officials came.
They said I had been chosen to marry the king, because of my youth and beauty.
A great honor, they said.
A life of luxury, they said.
Yet I refused. But the King would have no one else, and they threatened to harm my family, should I refuse further.
I arrived at the castle in tears. Handmaidens came and escorted me to my room. They washed and dressed me in a elaborate white dress and gorgeous gold jewelry.
But I hated it.
I'd rather marry my true love in a gown of rags while wearing a ring of twine, than marry a cruel tyrant in the most beautiful clothes money could buy. I was walked down the altar by a some unknown guard, and I shakily agreed to love my husband in sickness and health, for better or worse, rich or poor, for as long as I lived.
I was lying.
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After all these years, I've given up hope of anyone overthrowing Ganondorf. We rarely speak. All I am to him is a trophy, a beauty to carry on his arm.
"Your Majesty." A guard says, standing at attention in the doorway. "The King has commanded I tell you that you are to join him in the tax collection today." His face is passive, emotionless, but his eyes betray his worry.
"So be it." I murmur, as handmaidens come swarming, dressing me a royal purple dress with gold trim and wide draping sleeves. Purple is the hardest color of fabric to obtain, because the dye is so rare. Just another way to show off the royal treasury's contents. They pin heavy earrings on me, solid gold no doubt, as well as a weighty necklace. And to my surprise, a gorgeous golden circlet adorned with gems.
"The King had it commissioned 'specially for you, milady." One of the handmaidens says as she helps adjust the heavy gold.
But I am not fooled. King Ganondorf does not care for me. He commissions beautiful, extravagant jewelry and dresses for me so that the people may see how wealthy and powerful he is, and I must walk meekly at his side, to protect those I love.
I walk out, escorted by a guard, the same one that delivered Ganondorf's message to me,all the way to the doors of the needlessly extravagant palace. My husband is waiting there for me. His eyes rake over me and escorts.
"You are dismissed Marth." He rumbles in a low voice. Yes, he knows the guards by name. Only so that he can more easily punish them if they step out of line. I can tell he sees the same worry in Marth's eyes as I did, and I know I will not see him in my wing if the castle again.
My husband is not unattractive, but his cruelty would drive away any person worth keeping.
We exit the palace with an entourage of guards, and another few guards supporting a large casket that people would drop taxes into.
First we walk through the more high class area. The citizens line up respectfully at the sidewalks, while we walk right in the center if the road.
No one is permitted to drive on Tax Day. People leave sidelines to drop money in the casket. I spot Link's parents, my almost in-laws, Luigi and Rosalina, and even after five years, I choke back tears. Slowly the houses get shabbier and the people more grimy and unkempt.
"You bloody coward! You call yourself a queen?!" A woman breaks free of the crowd, screaming. She is dressed in too-small clothes and her face is streaked with dirt, but she has shiny golden hair that hangs in ponytail.
In a different life, she would have been very beautiful. Maybe in a different life, we both could have been happy.
"Ike, silence her." Ganondorf commands. Ike, my husband's favorite guard, lazily flings a dagger at the girl, barely even glancing at her. She is so startled that she forgets to move, and the dagger impales her throat.
She was dead before she hit the floor.
The rest of the trip is uneventful. Ike escorts me back to my room once we reach the palace.
I am never without escorts.
"Don't worry milady." Ike whispers. I'm startled by his deep voice. "Tomorrow it will be over."
"What?" I ask in a disbelieving voice. What will be over? My imprisonment? Ganondorf's reign? My life?
"It would advisable to stay in your room tomorrow, milady." Ike bows, and dismisses himself before I can voice my concerns.
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I don't stay in my room. I request to join the King in his court, which is accepted. I sit on my jeweled throne, and feel Ike's disapproving eyes burrow into my back as I watch young men be interviewed about becoming guards. A young man comes up, with scruffy, dirty blond hair. He looks up, and I barely conceal a gasp as I spot his cerulean eyes and mischievous smirk.
Even after five long years, I didn't forget that face.
I never could.
Link.
He walks up and bows to us, then as he straightens himself up, he launches a dagger at the King. At the same time, Ike, Marth, and several others guards fling their knives. I even spot the master tactician, Robin, with one of his own.
I am so preoccupied with watching the knives fly, flipping end over end, light reflecting off the blades, that I only when I feel a throb in my side do I realize that I've been struck. I touch my right side and my hand comes away red. Immediately I start feeling dizzy and slump down in my throne.
Shapes swim around in front of my eyes, blurry and out of focus. Then that voice. The voice of my true love.
"Zelda! Zelda please!" Link's desperate voice cries. I hear them yelling for a doctor, but I know it's too late.
"Link." I whisper, reaching up and touching his face with my bloody hand.
He turns to face me, eyes full of tears. "Hang on Zelda, you'll be-"
"Link." I repeated, my voice hoarse. "It's too late."
"No." He croaked. "We can still save-"
I silence him with a kiss.
My last kiss.
And then I am no more for this world.
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Dedicated to Paradigm of Writing, Inuyasha Armin Scarlet, and MahNati. You guys are my inspirations. *thumbs up*
(I suck at writing no need to mention the plot holes shhhhhh.)