Saplings Planted Close Together

"Your Majesty, do you really think it wise to appoint such a young child as your daughter's bodyguard?" The king and his advisor walked down the quiet hall, passing by old portraits and tapestries which depicted the history of the royal family.
"Pothos, I believe it was the wisest decision I have ever made. That boy will not fail us."
"But Sire, there are many older warriors who are much more experienced."
"Ah, but they can only guard my daughter from physical harm. Pothos, there are certain things a child will only say to a trusted friend. They do not always feel as though an adult could understand them. And they are right. A child can see the true nature of a person where adults see only that person's wealth and finery. Zelda will need someone her own age to confide in when she feels I could not possibly understand. That boy is a very obedient listener, and he never speaks except to say something important. I feel he will be a good companion for my daughter. And as to Zelda's physical safety, he has a natural skill with the sword; I suspect the rumors of his heritage are true."
"The rumors that he is a descendant of the Hero?"
"Yes. And I fear he will someday be forced to live up to that Legacy. I sense that, some years from now, the ancient darkness spoken of in legend will reawaken." They turned a corner and walked out into the courtyard. Zelda and her young lady-in-waiting, Angela, sat on a bench practicing embroidery. Not far away, Link, the boy to be appointed as Zelda's bodyguard, was sparring with Koren, the Guard Captain's son. "These four children will each have an important role to play in shaping the future of this land, Pothos. Remember that always."
"Yes, your Majesty."

Link had arrived three years earlier on an old horse which had been pulling a disheveled wooden cart. The three-year-old boy had been able to remember only his name and the fire. He had only a few possessions in the cart; a family portrait, an old green hat, and four scorched books. Link had shown up near the edge of town and his horse had pulled the little cart all the way to the Castle.
"Where are your parents little boy?" people had asked. He answered with silence, blinked, and then said simply;
"Ashes look like snow, but fire is so hot."
The king took him in and had him trained to be Zelda's bodyguard.
"Now, Zelda; this is Link. He is going to protect you from now on. He will be with you everywhere to keep you safe. He doesn't talk much, but he listens well. And when he does speak, it's to say something important, so you should listen to him. Do you understand?"
"Yes, father."

Link slept on a little cot in the corner of Zelda's bedroom. He stood outside the door when Zelda was in the bathroom. If anything ever happened to Zelda, he would be right there to stop it. He was officially made Zelda's bodyguard when they were only 6. Not one week later, Zelda was getting ready to take a bath, and Link was standing just outside. He heard a shriek and spun around, bursting in through the unlocked door, as he'd been told to do. Zelda cowered behind the towel rack,
"There's a spider in the tub!" she cried, pointing. Link stomped on the fuzzy critter and washed it down the drain.
"The spider is gone, Princess. You can bathe safely." Link bowed and left, closing the door behind him.
"That boy,'' Zelda thought, "Is the bravest person I've ever met."



"Majesty?"
"Yes, Pothos?"
"Zelda and this boy, Link…" Pothos hesitated.
"You are still wondering if I made the right decision."
"Well… yes. They are young now, but Sire, when they are older, are you not concerned that-"
"That they might fall in love? Yes Pothos, I have considered it. In fact, I plan on it. Two saplings planted close together will often grow to have their roots and branches intertwined. If one is damaged, the other holds it up, and they continue to support each other, even when both are damaged beyond repair. I'm sure you've seen the two dead trees in the courtyard. They still make a beautiful archway, though they will never sprout new leaves. The only reason they haven't fallen over is their shared support in that arch of branches."
"Then, you consider Link your heir?"
"Oh, no. I doubt he would ever take the throne willingly. I believe he and my daughter will grow to understand each other perfectly, and that he will never leave her side unless forced to by circumstance. I believe that he always will do what is best for my daughter. If she needed him to be a king, he would take the throne."
"But what if having them constantly together causes them to grow apart? They may end up hating each other."
"I suppose they will have their moments. But Link is already quite dedicated to his job as Zelda's protector. Even if he dislikes Zelda when they are older, I feel he will still do all he can to keep her safe."

Hyrule was in a time of peace and prosperity. The neighboring kingdoms all supported each other and the trade system between them was highly effective. within the castle, every day was much the same. Link always awoke before the Princess. Zelda insisted on being allowed independency even at that early age. she dressed herself, bathed herself; but she let Angela or another servant do her hair. Every morning, Link and Zelda walked down to breakfast, Zelda sat by her father while Pothos listed the day's schedule. Link stood behind Zelda's chair and ate; also listening to Pothos recite the schedule. After breakfast, Zelda would go to the library and pick a book or two to read. When she had chosen the book she wanted, she and Link walked to the southern courtyard, where the guards practiced their fighting skills. Link would train, and Zelda would read.
Next came lessons. Technically, they were Zelda's lessons, but Link listened quite intently while the tutor lectured. He picked up on many important details, and helped
Zelda with her studies sometimes. He also learned how to sew and do embroidery; which he occasionally did in the afternoon during their free time. He stabbed himself with the needle on multiple occasions, which he found quite frustrating. Zelda found it amusing to watch a boy try to cross stitch a picture, but she helped him out when he had difficulties.
Between lessons and free time was lunch. After free time was more lessons. Occasionally the rulers of each kingdom in Hyrule would hold meetings which Link and Zelda were required to attend, as it would teach them how to deal with politics later in life. Darius and Rueben were the leaders of the Gorons and Zoras. Mutoh and Orpheus ruled over the kingdoms of Holodrum and Labrynna. Besides these leaders, there were also many noblemen and well-respected people from various towns and villages across Hyrule.
Zelda didn't like Orpheus. She wasn't sure why exactly. She just didn't like him.
"He's so... Pompous. Don't you think? I read that word in my book yesterday. It means he considers himself to be above other people. I don't like his son, Prince Donovitch either. All he does is brag. I really don't think an eight year old prince could ever do the things Prince Donovitch says he's done. What do you think?" Link thoughtfully gazed out the window for a few moments.
"Prince Donovitch is a fool who wants attention. King Orpheus though... he's no fool. He's clever, but he wants something. The way he speaks; it reminds me of spider webs.
Pretty, but dangerous if you're a fly."
"Do you think the other leaders are flies?"
"Not the other Kings. Maybe the Noblemen."
Since most of the leaders attending these meetings at the castle had to travel along way to get there, they were allowed to stay all week. King Orpheus always stayed for at least a few days which meant that Zelda had to deal with Prince Donovitch the whole time. He simply wouldn't leave her alone. Year after year, every time there was a meeting held in the castle, Prince Donovitch would pester Zelda from breakfast time till sunset. Link wished there was something he could do, but he wasn't supposed to use his weapons unless Zelda was actually in danger of being hurt. He didn't want to accidentally say anything he might regret either. So he just stood aside, hidden in the shadows, ready to comfort Zelda when she was finally able to escape to her room.