diary;

[sealedsun]

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒

After meeting with the Champions, I left to research the ancient technology, but nothing of note came of my research.

The return of Ganon looms—a dark force taunting us from afar. I must learn all I can about the relics so we can stop him.

If the fortune-teller's prophecy is to be believed, there isn't much time left...

Ah, but turning over these thoughts in my head puts me ill at ease. I suppose I should turn in for the night.

P.S. Tomorrow my father is assigning HIM as my appointed knight...

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝓌𝑜

I set out for Goron City today to make some adjustments to Divine Beast Vah Rudania.

I still recall feeling his eyes on me as I walked ahead. The feeling stayed with me so long, I grew anxious and weary.

It is the same feeling I've felt before in his company... And still, not a word passes his lips.

I never know what he's thinking! It makes my imagination run wild, guessing at what he is thinking but will not say.

What does the boy chosen by the sword that seals the darkness think of me? Will I ever truly know?

Then, I suppose it's simple. A daughter of Hyrule's royal family yet unable to use sealing magic... He must despise me.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑒𝑒

I said something awful to him today...

My research was going nowhere. I was feeling depressed, and I had told him repeatedly not to accompany me.

But he did anyway, as he always does, and so I yelled at him without restraint.

He seemed confused by my anger. I feel terribly guilty...and that guilt only makes me more agitated than I was before.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓇

I am unsure how to put today's events into words. Words so often evade me lately, and now more than ever.

He saved me. Without a thought for his own life, he protected me from the ruthless blades of the Yiga Clan.

Though I've been cold to him all this time...taking my selfish and childish anger out on him at every turn...

Still, he was there for me. I won't ever forget that. Tomorrow, I shall apologize for all that has transpired between us.

And then...I will try talking to him. To Link. It's worth a shot.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝓋𝑒

Bit by bit, I've gotten Link to open up to me. It turns out he's quite a glutton. He can't resist a delicious meal!

When I finally got around to asking why he's so quiet all the time, I could tell it was difficult for him to say. But he did.

With so much at stake, and so many eyes upon him, he feels it necessary to stay strong and to silently bear any burden.

A feeling I know all too well... For him, it has caused him to stop outwardly expressing his thoughts and feelings.

I always believed him to be simply a gifted person who had never faced a day of hardship. How wrong I was...

Everyone has struggles that go unseen by the world... I was so absorbed with my own problems, I failed to see his.

I wish to talk with him more and to see what lies beneath those calm waters, to hear him speak freely and openly...

And perhaps I, too, will be able to bare my soul to him and share the demons that have plagued me all these years.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓍

Father scolded me again today. He told me I am to have nothing more to do with researching ancient technology.

He insisted that I focus instead on training that will help me awaken my sealing magic.

I was so frustrated and ashamed I could not even speak. I've been training since I was a child, and yet...

Mother passed the year before my training was to begin. In losing her, I lost not just a mother, but a teacher.

Mother used to smile and tell me, "Zelda, my love, all will be well in the end. You can do anything."

But she was wrong. No matter how I try or how much time passes...the sealing power that is my birthright evades me.

Tomorrow I journey with Link to the Spring of Power to train. But this, too, will end in failure. Such is my curse.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃

I had a dream last night... In a place consumed by darkness, a lone woman gazed at me, haloed by blinding light.

I sensed she was...not of this world. I don't know if she was a fairy or a goddess, but she was beautiful.

Her lips spoke urgently, but her voice did not reach me. Would I have heard her if my power was awoken?

Or was my dream simply a manifestation of my fears? I am sure I will know the answer soon, whether I wish to or not...

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉

I turned 17 today. That means this is the day I will finally be allowed to train at the Spring of Wisdom.

When Link arrives, we will set out for Mount Lanayru. The other Champions will accompany us there.

I have not seen my father since he last scolded me. Things are too strained now... I will meet with him when I return.

...

Actually...I've had a horrible feeling ever since that weird dream. No one would believe a failure of a princess, but...

Right now, for no particular reason, I am filled with a strange and terrible certainty that something awful is about to happen.

Comments

rhoam's journal

[sealedsun]

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒

Today, as the sun rose and a new day was born, my daughter, too, joined this sweet world.

In keeping with the traditions of the royal family, I have decided to name her...Zelda.

I am not a man accustomed to frivolous musings, but now seems as good a time as any to begin my royal memorandum.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝓌𝑜

Reports keep arriving regarding the excavation of relics. The fortune teller's predictions seem to be coming true.

Calamity Ganon was not a figure of fable, or even a legend. He actually existed in our great land of Hyrule.

We must investigate all the relics, learn as much as we can. But understanding the Divine Beasts alone will take time...

Zelda's eyes lit up like a wildfire when I told her about the relics... I must admit, she has a knack for research.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑒𝑒

My queen has left this world. Her death was so sudden and unexpected, I awaken most nights unsure if she is really gone.

Zelda never cried, never faltered. Not even during the royal funeral or later when she and I were alone with our grief.

I must assume her strength is a result of us repeatedly informing her of her duty to be a valiant and steady princess.

For a child of merely six years of age, her conduct was truly that of a born leader. Her strength gives me hope.

From now on, I must raise her all alone... Now, only I remain to prepare her for her difficult future as princess of Hyrule.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓇

Zelda finally reported back after her visit to the fountain. It seems her sacred sealing power has still yet to awaken.

It has been a year and three months since her mother passed. Perhaps she is held back by heartache too deep to heal.

If the Ganon prophecy wasn't looming over our heads, I would tell her to take her time... To wait until she is ready.

But our situation is dire and leaves no room for weakness—even on behalf of my beloved daughter.

My heart breaks for Zelda, but I must act as a king, not a father. I must order her to train relentlessly at the fountain.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝓋𝑒

I was told Zelda went off to research ancient technology, so I had no choice but to confront her about it.

She claims she was simply using her day off from training to indulge in a bit of research, but still I scolded her.

She won't get it through her head... Forcing me to tell her the same thing I have been repeating ad nauseam.

The reason her sacred powers still won't awaken is because she's spending all her efforts playing at being a scholar!

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓍

In truth, I understand Zelda's feelings. Painfully so. She lost her mother, her teacher, before she could learn from her.

Ten pointless years of self-training, without so much as a book or note to help her find her way...

Those in the castle talk behind her back. And I, her only family, scold her for her shortcomings.

No wonder she wishes to hide away in her beloved relic research. I'd love nothing more than to console her...

But I must stay strong. She MUST fulfill her duty, just as we all must. Even if she comes to despise me.

𝓅𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃

I have been told my Zelda went to the Spring of Wisdom...

This will likely be her last chance. If she is unable to awaken her power at Lanayru, all hope is truly lost.

If she comes back without success, then I shall speak kindly with her. Scolding is pointless now.

I forced 10 years of training on her... and after all that, it seems her power will stubbornly awaken some other way.

Perhaps I should encourage her to keep researching her beloved relics. They may just lead her to answers I can't provide.

For now, I sit anxiously, more a father than a king in this moment. I sit and await my daughter's return.