The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Novelization

Link drifted through the day in a daze. After leaving Lake Hylia, he made his way into the highlands, where Epona waited. The mare whinnied softly when she saw him and trotted forward. Yet even she seemed to sense that something was wrong. She nudged him gently with her muzzle, trying to comfort him, but he barely reacted. Without a word, he mounted her and set off toward Castle Town. No matter how hard he tried, Link could not erase the image of Ilia’s lifeless body from his mind. The terrible lust that had overtaken him still lingered deep within, filling him with shame. Doubt gnawed at him. He needed to know he was doing the right thing. The Fused Shadows were no longer just his destiny. They were his living nightmare. When Link reached Castle Town, he tied Epona to a tree near the drawbridge and fed her a carrot. He slipped into the city while the guard was distracted searching a young couple’s bags. The streets were bustling. Townsfolk hurried back and forth, trying to finish their evening chores before sunset. Near the square’s flowing fountain, a troupe of performers played cheerful music, but the atmosphere was anything but lighthearted. What remained of the Hyrulean military patrolled the streets. The Twilight shroud was gone, yet its shadow still weighed heavily over the town. Moving slowly through the crowd, Link kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Somewhere nearby, an irate Hylian woman shouted at a confused soldier, but her voice blended into the rest. It was all too much. He had once imagined the city as a place of wonder. Instead, it felt suffocating. Trailing a squad of soldiers, Link turned down a side road and arrived at Telma’s bar. He stood there for a moment, staring at the door. What would Ilia think when she saw him again? So much had changed since the last time they embraced. With a nervous breath, he reached forward and stepped inside. “That is a Zora child! This is beyond my expertise. I am sorry, I cannot help you,” a gruff voice declared. A short, elderly gentleman brushed past Link in the entryway and peered up at him with a displeased grunt. Adjusting his comically large spectacles, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him. Link glanced after him sourly. “Doctor Borville, wait!” a familiar voice called out behind him. “If this boy doesn’t receive treatment, he’ll…” Link turned with a gasp. Ilia stood there, her face heavy with despair. The lively spark that once danced in her eyes was gone. She looked straight past him toward the door, as though he were a stranger. Then, to his dismay, she turned away without a word. Link opened his mouth to speak, but the words died in his throat. Ilia…? She sank down beside the ailing Prince Ralis, burying her face in her hands. The bartender stepped out from behind the bar and shook her head slowly. “Well, this isn’t good,” she said. “A human physician won’t do, huh?” Ilia broke down sobbing. Her cries left Link frozen with guilt. He wanted to comfort her, but he could not bring himself to move. Do something! Anything! The bartender’s eyes widened with realization. “That old coot just reminded me of something, honey! There’s a shaman in Kakariko Village who has tended to Gorons and Zora.” Ilia straightened immediately. “There is? Then we have to take him there!” “Inadvisable! Too dangerous!” All eyes turned toward the back of the tavern. Four soldiers stood in a line, wearing metal armour. Their armet helmets concealed their faces. The one bearing a sergeant’s insignia on his pauldron approached Ilia and the bartender. “The road to Kakariko Village is dangerous, Telma. We cannot allow you to travel alone,” he said. “Allow us escort you there.” The soldiers voiced their approval, drawing a few curious looks from the other patrons. Ilia beamed with gratitude, and a smile tugged at Telma’s lips as she thanked the soldiers one by one. Link stepped forward. He had given Queen Rutela his word that he would save her son, and he would keep it. Ilia and Ralis were counting on him. “Let me help!” The group turned toward the green-clad youth before them. Surprise flickered across their faces as they stared at him. An awkward silence lingered until Telma cleared her throat. “Well, the more the merrier, I suppose,” she said with a shrug. The sergeant raised his visor, revealing a weathered, middle-aged face. A bushy brown mustache covered his upper lip, and a long scar ran from beneath his left eye to his chin. He carried himself with the quiet confidence of a long-serving soldier. “You look like you’ve seen some action, kid,” he said. “I have.” “I normally wouldn’t ask for help from a wandering blade, but we’re stretched thin. Four men won’t be enough to cross Hyrule Field safely. How good are you with that sword?” “Better than most.” The sergeant nodded. “If you’re willing to put your life on the line, I won’t stop you. Meet us at the western gate in an hour.” He made for the exit. His men followed, but one of them paused and extended his hand to Link. They shook, and the soldier lifted his visor. Unlike the sergeant, he was quite young. Freckles dotted his cheeks beneath narrow eyes, and his black hair was cut short. “Jock. Corporal.” “Link.” “You’ve got guts. I’d stay and chat, but I should get ready to move out. See you soon, Link.” The corporal closed the door behind him, and the bar fell silent. Link looked at Ilia uneasily, unsure what to say. The silence stretched on until Telma stepped in once more. “Get ready to go, honey,” she said. Ilia nodded and disappeared into the back room behind the bar. Link started to follow her, then hesitated and stopped. He did not know what to do. Noticing his distraught expression, Telma approached him. “You know that girl, don’t you?” she asked quietly. “I… We used to be close,” Link whispered. “What happened to her?” “I wish I could tell you. It’s a real shame. She can’t even remember her own name right now.” Link’s heart crawled into his throat, his breathing turning shallow. This could not be happening. If he had been there for Ilia like he promised, she would have been okay. He stared at the floor, fighting back tears. This is all my fault… “Bless her heart,” Telma said as she glanced at Ralis. “She found this poor boy collapsed on the road and did everything she could to save him. There’s more courage in that girl than in all the soldiers of Hyrule, that’s for sure!” Link stared solemnly at Prince Ralis, unable to find the words. Sensing he needed to be alone, Telma quietly stepped outside to hitch the wagons. The tavern fell silent. Link clenched his jaw until it ached. Then, with a roar of rage, he drove his fist into the bar. The impact rattled the mugs resting upon it. Damn my life!  Why did everyone close to him have to suffer? No matter how fiercely he fought, no matter how desperately he tried to shield them, he could never keep them safe from his destiny. The last of Link’s anger slipped away, replaced by a crushing sense of despair. He collapsed into a chair and covered his face with trembling hands. The silence was broken only by the sound of his quiet sniffles. * For the next hour, Link sat in the corner of Telma’s bar, lost in his grief. When it was time to leave, he helped Telma load Ralis into the wagon. He could not bring himself to look at Ilia. It hurt too much. Link was quiet the entire trip to the western gate. When they crossed the drawbridge, he untied Epona and climbed into the saddle. He exhaled shakily and turned back, finding the strength to look into Telma’s wagon. Ilia sat beside Ralis, gently stroking his wrist as she watched over him. It was the same thing she used to do whenever Link was sick. That same compassion remained, even through her amnesia. Part of her was still there, and that gave him hope. Ilia noticed Link staring at her and blushed faintly. She averted her gaze for a moment before looking up and leaning out of the wagon. “Thank you so much for your help. May I ask your name?” “Link,” he managed, his voice hoarse from withheld tears. “Link…” Ilia let his name sit on her tongue for a moment. “That sounds familiar. It’s a great name. I’ll never forget your kindness.” I can’t do this… Link nodded weakly and turned away. The soldiers had arrived and were gathered with Telma up ahead, studying a map. He joined them, hoping the planning would distract him. “Recon has been less than reliable,” the sergeant named Torgaz said. “From what I’ve gathered, the roads near Lake Hylia are the most heavily patrolled.” “Then what are our options?” Telma asked. The sergeant tapped the Eldin Plains on the map. “Normally, it would be as simple as crossing the bridge just east of town, but it was destroyed during the siege.” Jock leaned over the map. “Then we go into the highlands. Take the Eldin Bridge. It’s not the shortest route, but it could be the safest.” “No, that won’t work. The Eldin Bridge has been taken out by monsters,” Link said. The private named Belliard glanced at Torgaz. “That’s…not good.” “And we can’t go south due to rockslides.” Torgaz studied the map for a moment before shaking his head. “We don’t have a choice. Our only option is the western road over Lake Hylia.” “We’ll make it work, Sergeant,” Private Naroh assured him. Link’s jaw tightened. That was the last thing he wanted. The journey to Kakariko Village was perilous enough without running into endless waves of monsters. The only silver lining was that he knew the southern fields well, especially where the monsters patrolled. Hopefully, that would be enough. “The boy doesn’t have much time. We need to move,” Link said. Torgaz nodded and turned to his men. “Agreed. Everyone ready?” “Yes, Sergeant!” With that, the soldiers mounted their horses. Link paused for a moment and looked up, letting the cool evening air brush his face. He was more afraid than he had ever been in his life. It was going to be a long night. Steadying his emotions, Link glanced toward Telma’s wagon. His expression hardened. He would not let the monsters harm Ilia. They would reach Kakariko Village safely, no matter what. “Hey, are you alright?” Jock asked. Link turned with a quiet nod and led Epona to the front of the convoy. Ilia leaned out of the wagon and smiled warmly, her eyes meeting his. “Thank you for this!” “Little lady, I suggest you save your thanks until we’re safe in Kakariko,” Telma advised. Link looked at Torgaz. “I’ll lead the way.” “Alright, kid. We’ll be right behind you.” “Stay close to us, ma’am,” Jock told Telma, lowering his visor over his eyes. Link flicked Epona’s reins, and she bucked once before surging into a full gallop. Telma and the soldiers followed close behind…