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To say Link was a little nervous would be an understatement. Yes, he’d been relaxed about it all, but that was mostly because he… um… had forgotten about it? And now it was staring him in the face after a very short journey on the quiet Forest line early this morning, he wasn’t sure he was entirely ready.
Last week, he received his graduation certificate at Hyrule University, completing his course in mechanical engineering, first class honours. Better yet, he’d already secured a master’s specialising in train engines, which he’d complete whilst on an apprenticeship with the Royal Hyrule Train Company. It was a prized apprenticeship, one that many sought after, mainly because of the chance to graduate as a Royal Engineer. Link was still somewhat reeling from processing he’d even been accepted, barely a month ago, and now it was his first day. Already!
He swallowed, took a deep breath, and entered the train office at Castle Town, where the headquarters were. Today, he was to receive his instructions for his first few weeks on the job. What he liked about the apprenticeship was the ability to rotate through the roles. It was encouraged to both work on actual engineering inside trains, as well on the train service, in order to gain a true understanding of the system, its flaws and thus devise the optimal solution.
Yes, he’d memorised that from the acceptance letter. No, he wasn’t totally besotted with it.
Link had already had a year’s worth of exposure on the tracks, with his mentor Alfonzo, the train enthusiast from Adoba Village that had allowed Link to shadow him on the job for a year as evidence of commitment and enthusiasm. Yes, he was ready. Ready and rearing to go!
He walked up the reception, trying to swallow and wet his dry throat, about to voice who he was, but that didn’t end up happening. He spotted Operator Niko and changed course to meet him.
The elderly man had a smile on his lips as he stumped the cane down with each step. Link was suddenly reassured- this was the man who’d done his interview! Whew, this was going to be easier than he thought. “Ah! Link! It’s your first day today? Wonderful to have another talented student to officially join!”
His cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”
“Right, I’m sure you’re wondering what you’re going to be doing so let’s have a look at the rota…” with a gnarled hand, Niko slowly fisted the slate off his waist, and started to curse at the device. “Back in my day it was all pen and paper. Mind you not that the fingers could handle a pen anymore. Ah, old age. No one warns you of these things.”
Link stumbled for something to say. What was there to say? Why was he so nervous? “Don’t worry lad, we’ll get you set up in no time, remind me if I forget- I need to give you a slate for your studies plus work… I’ve just got to find the rota first… stupid email. How do you search for things again… right. It’s that magnifying glass.”
Link nodded, then realised Niko wasn’t looking at him, so he wouldn’t see. “Yes.” Spirits. Did everything always feel this awkward on your first day?
“Okay! So you’ve been placed as a driver for the next month. The idea is to experience what running a train is like in practice. You’ll have a session with Officer Alzonfo in about…” He checked his watch, “30 minutes. He’ll teach you everything you need and then you’ll be in safety simulations, have a check up to ensure you’re fit, and then tomorrow you’ll hit the rails with your mentor…” Niko flicked the page, “Oh.”
He shuffled closer, “Lad, you’ve been placed with Staven as your mentor. He’s… not… particularly keen on teaching. But if he doesn’t show up, or if you’re confused, you come find me okay? I’ll try my best to sort it out for you. I’m not sure why he’s still on the programme but… something about portfolios something something probably.”
Link nodded again, this time even more frightened.They couldn’t expect him to go handle trains with just one day training right? Okay, so technically he’d shadowed a driver for a year BUT- this was something else!
And yeah, he'd gone inside the engine room once to see the installation of an engine he’d helped design for his final year research project but… Niko must have seen how tense he suddenly became and he stepped closer, a hand resting on Link’s wrist. “Don’t worry Link, in two months you’ll be in engineering proper, and I hope you’ll have some rejuvenating ideas after your time on the tracks!”
For what felt like the millionth time, he nodded. And he could only hope it would all work out.
4:15 am the next day, freshly trained in the mechanics of automated train operation, as well as the back up emergency controls and general safety netting, Link tilted back and forth, trying to stave off the innate need to just close his eyes whilst he waited for Staven to show up.
His slate lit up with an incoming call, and he answered.
“This Link?”
“Yes?”
“Right this is Staven. Various issues have happened this AM, I’ve got to cover the Central Hyrule line. Alfonzo reassured me you’d shadowed him for a year, so you’d be fine handling a train on the quieter Forest line. Okay?”
“What– you mean without supervision?”
“Look we have CCTV everywhere and the train operators in TOS will control everything, just make sure people mind the gap and don’t knock into each other too much at peak.”
TOS? Oh- Tower of Spirits. “But-”
“You won’t let me down now will you? You’ll be fine. Call me if anything goes wrong. Going into the Tower now, I’ll talk to you soon. Bye now.”
Um. Okay, so, that was that. Link was trying very hard not to panic, his fingers shaking as he opened up his contacts, hovering over Niko’s name. He had about 5 minutes before the train he was scheduled to drive (supervised!) on was supposed to leave. Would that be enough time to find a replacement? He didn’t want to be that guy who cancelled trains. He knew how frustrating that was as a commuter.
Before he could press the button, a heavily bundled person, with a huge burgundy coat, and a beige hat and matching scarf wrapped around their face, with blonde hair sticking out in front, bumped into him. “Oh! Look, would you please just step aside! Some of us have places to be! You’re literally in the middle of a narrow corridor, at least move to the wall if you want to be an obstacle!”
What? “Um. I’m… sorry?”
Whoever it was pushed the top of the hat slightly higher, so he could now make out a pair of blue eyes as deep as the ocean stretching beyond Aboda. He was momentarily startled, and he felt himself start to flush red. It was a girl. A… a very pretty one at that. She scrutinised his uniform, sticking an arm out and gesturing to the silent train on the left. “Are you the driver of this train?”
“Um.” That was a hard question. Was he?
“Well if you’re not, who is? It’s supposed to leave in three minutes. Normally, the doors are already open. And we leave on the dot. I cannot be delayed.”
She heaved right up close to him, and he leaned backwards reflexively, “I simply cannot! Do you understand? So who's driving it? Where are they? When are we going to leave?”
“Ma’am-”
She leaned closer still and Link wondered how much further back he could go (side note: she smelt nice). “Do not ma’am me! They only ma’am you when something’s wrong! I can’t be late! I need to change over at -” She suddenly stopped. “Wait, you're a stranger. I shouldn’t tell you all of this. But you’re in a Royal Hyrule uniform. Can you help or not? Should I go to the help desk? Is there a help desk? Is it even open at this Goddess-forsaken hour?”
Why was she ranting at him so much? He was having a bad time too! “It’s my first day!” He blurted out. “It’s my first day and I was supposed to be under supervision for this service, but apparently my supervisor is busy on another line and asked me to do it alone, and okay, fine, I have some experience with driving trains but I’ve never done it alone and I don’t want to let everyone down but –” He took a breath.
She blinked, and then whisked back to her original position, out of his personal space. “Oh. I realise I might have come across a little strongly.”
“Just a bit.”
“I’m sorry.” She held her hand out, “My name is Zelda. I am… somewhat preoccupied with leaving as early as possible before um, well, to reach my destination faster because uh, interconnections, and there are fewer trains on the other side...”
He wanted to raise an eyebrow. He decided not to, seeing as they were off to a fresh start. “I’m Link. Recent mechanical engineering graduate, new apprentice of the Royal Hyrule Train Company. Nice to meet you, Zelda.”
A smile broke out on her face, half incredulous. (She really was quite cute.) “Really?”
He laughed. “Really. It was a good wake up call for sure.” A smattering of chuckles broke out between them, before a somewhat awkward silence descended. The clock ganged at half-past, and suddenly, Zelda jolted.
“Oh no. Link, I really need your help. I realise you might not be the most experienced but I really- it is imperative I leave as soon as-”
“PRINCESS. PRINCESS IS THAT YOU?”
She became ramrod straight, panic flaring across her face, before she shoved him towards the front of the train. “Oops. I apologise in advance but we really need to go! Can you drive? Safely-ish?”
“Um yes? Sort of-” No hang on what was he agreeing too? Just because of a pretty girl? He needed to call Niko! “No-wait-Zelda-”
“Link, if you must know, I’m the Princess and I’m currently running away! I can’t have them catch me!”
He only had the capacity to stare in shock. He thought that name was familiar. Damn him and his memory!
“Don’t- look- there’s no time! Once you start driving-” she directed him to open up the train carriage door, and then enter the driver’s seating area with another key. He stumbled through the steps, and all of a sudden he was in the driver’s seat, Zelda next to him and she was flicking on the light button. “Zelda I can’t in good consciousness-”
“Link. We’ll do it together. I watched a lot of Hy-tube videos. It’s all good. Also, don’t worry about anyone finding out you’ve gone rogue. I’ll provide a very good excuse: I ordered you. There.”
He started at the engine start up, before her hand found his. “I’m really sorry. But this is important, I promise. I’m not going rogue for no reason. And those at the castle just don’t understand. I’ll explain more on the way. Will you please help me?”
Well frankly, he didn’t understand either, but whilst he wasn’t sure what was going on, he understood her desperation, and somehow, he trusted her enough to know she wouldn’t be doing this for no reason. Something about how upfront she was made him think she wasn’t one to lie.
“Okay, look. We’re going to call my boss first. And if he gives us the all clear, then we’ll go. Whoever it is chasing you can’t get in here. And they won’t be able to get on board the train because”- he reached over and locked the doors shut- “there.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Niko seemed happy enough to let him go, it was early enough that there shouldn't be much trouble, and he believed Link had sufficient experience to do it. If they didn’t get the line up and running, there would be backlogs, which meant everything else would be delayed. And then the complaints would shuffle in, and that wasn’t something anyone wanted to deal with. So, whilst Niko tried to find someone, Link would run the service independently, with a promise to phone in at any slight indication things were going wrong.
They completed the mandatory safety checks together, with Niko just about managing to video call, (Zelda ducked underneath the chair) before Link settled back into the driver’s seat and then they headed off.
Zelda was very excited to be in the driver’s carriage. She leaned out of the windows, hat and scarf off and golden hair flowing in the breeze as he ramped the speed up. He was nervous about keeping on top of all the signs, but she was a major help, acting as his partner in deciphering them and implementing them accordingly.
By the time they reached the first junction, Link was considerably more relaxed, the motion controls coming more easily, the gear changes simple enough to do, and he eased into the routine he had watched Alfonso do for all of his train journeys.
She swung back down into her seat, abuzz. He figured now was as good a time as any to ask what she was escaping from. “So, ready to tell me why you’re sneaking off?”
She sobered, “Right. I do owe you an explanation. Firstly, I really am quite sorry for my outburst Link, but it is justified. I… I-I well it’s actually a long story. My ancestor, from aeons ago… Do you know the story of the Princess who became a ghost?”
Uh… he um… he now really regretted not paying attention in history class. “Not exactly.”
“Well, long story short, there was an evil chancellor, he stole her body to reincarnate an evil demon inside it, and he broke up the train tracks that covered this land. That Princess traversed across the land with a boy in green, as they sought to restore the tracks and rebuild the prison the demon was put in, and reclaim her body. In the end, they succeeded, and the demon has been sealed since.”
“Wow. That is some… trip. I remember being told it as a fairytale when I was a boy.”
“Yes well… Legends are based on real life events. I suppose no one really wants to believe in them because the implications are pretty dire. We’ve got records of this, weapons that Hero used that are still in the castle’s armoury. So… it really did happen. And it’s my responsibility as the current Princess to make sure the spirit tracks are maintained. If they vanish again then- well. Suffice to say, I do not… want to risk losing my body. So I must check them, and ensure everything is still intact.”
Link wondered if that was all there was to it. Was she really running away for a historical trip on the tracks? When did these events with the past princess even happen? Surely it had been a long time… Maybe there was more to it but she didn’t want to share…
He was distracted when she pulled out a map, when they came to a red stop light. “Look here, Link. We have restructured the train system in the electrical revolution where we converted to electrical trains and modernised the entire system. Half of the tracks we no longer use.” She fingered several faded lines up to a… tree? And another to a place deep in the forest.
He stared in shock. “Wait so there are more tracks than what we have? More stations?”
“Yes! Theoretically anyway.”
His mind whirled, “but… but those aren’t electrified. How are you gonna reach them?”
“Right again. I need to hire a steam, or indeed, a renewable-energy powered locomotive, and travel to those areas.”
Oh! Renewable trains! He’d been working on a prototype for that for a while now. It was what his master’s project had focused on, actually. He’d constructed the electromagnetic power source, and the wiring inside, just the shell of the train was needed to outfit the whole thing. But he couldn’t exactly impose on her, not when she was only taking a train that he happened to be driving. Not to mention he’d just started his apprenticeship so there was no way he could go with her… still he was curious. “Where do you think you’ll get one?”
“I… I don’t know yet. I hope there’ll be someone who can help in Aboda. The best train engineers live there.”
Oh…? “Do you think you’ll be able to drive alone?”
She shuffled. “I um. I may have assumed I’d find a driver too.”
She… really wasn’t prepared. “That’s a lot of maybes, Zelda.”
“There’s only so much planning one can do! Not when you’re under supervision 24/7 and this isn’t a permitted venture!”
Actually, there was the one thing that still didn’t make sense to him… “But this is a good thing, no? Why are you running away to do it? Surely it’d be easier to do if the castle organises it?” That way she’d also have a credited royal engineer to hand, plus a train, and it would make life considerably easier.
A sharp frown emerged, and she huffed. “You’d think so! But no. Apparently this would be unnecessary, and a waste of time as well as resources. But I’m funding it using my own money. I do work, you know. I worked in Castle Town’s Central Library for months to save up! As for time, well, I’m leaving at the most convenient time. Everything is set up for my coronation, Hyrule is stable and steady, we’re in the ends of the spring recess so technically most people are on holiday for the next two months anyway…”
He cleared his throat. “Well, I can at least help with the first thing. I’ve got a train… somewhat ready that will work on those tracks… if they do exist. But I’m not sure how I can help with the driver situation though. I’ve only just started out so I-I am not exactly qualified as a Royal Engineer and I am not entirely sure how my leave w-works…” he stammered, suddenly backtracking, “that’s not to say you even want me to do it- I- it just felt right to offer…”
A light sparked in her eye. “Aw. Thank you very much Link. But you’ve only just started your apprenticeship. You are very kind for offering, but your studies take priority! I’ll find someone… hopefully. There might be a retired engineer…”
He glanced at her through the side mirror. It didn’t sound like she had much organised for this venture, which didn’t entirely seem her fault. “Still… I’d like to help.”
They were almost upon Whittleton, and Link started to slow the train down, notching down a gear, one at a time. He eased into the station and they hopped off. It would be a five minute break here to allow everyone to transit and settle any goods in, before they headed on their way down to Aboda. This was the quieter end of the line, and it was ridiculously early, so Link wasn’t surprised when only three people aside from Zelda and him popped out.
Zelda gaped at the woodland houses. He chuckled. “I’m going to guess you haven’t visited?”
“No? This is like one of those secret stations hidden on a line. I’ve”- she stumbled on the first step down from the platform in her haste, and he scrambled to grip her hand and stop her from falling, “-ah-thanks Link. Well I was saying I’ve never… gone… on a public train before. I’ve always travelled with the Royal Engineers, in trains that go to one destination only.”
He tried to not look too surprised. But never? Although perhaps it made sense from a security perspective. Still… “Have you never snuck out before?”
She shrugged. “Well no. There was never any reason to. Most of my diplomatic meetings take place in Hyrule Castle because it’s typically easier for everyone to commute there. I’ve only gone to Aboda once in the summer as a holiday before-”
Her voice caught, and her gaze shifted off him and latched onto one of the villagers instead. “Well Link, I must ask about the Hyrulean Forest… I imagine these people would best know the details of what might await. We’ve only got a few more minutes right?”
What was that about? He checked his watch. “Four.”
“Okay! I’ll see you a bit?”
Was… did she not want him to come with? He was rooted to the spot, the words of offering help dying on his tongue as she speed walked away, and he slowly backpedalled into the train, letting the door to the driver’s section shut behind him.
Just what had happened to him? He was starting out on his apprenticeship! He had big things to focus on! He was driving a train alone! Why did he care so much about this girl he met a whole twenty minutes ago? Hell, he’d even been half minded to accompany her on this journey.
Shaking his head he refocussed. Fine. He could freely admit Zelda intrigued him, and he wanted to help her. Okay maybe because he had a small crush. Who wouldn’t? And her story, her answers, her silences all captivated him. But there was a line as to where that help could extend to, she’d drawn it, and he wouldn’t cross it.
So, he remained silent as a knock resounded on his door and he opened it to see her slightly breathless, a journal of sorts clasped to her chest. “I didn’t actually know if I should sit with you or-”
He shrugged. “Whatever you want. We’re setting off though, so strap in if you’re gonna stay here.”
He wouldn’t let himself get distracted again.
They pulled into Aboda Village with relatively few passengers. Some people had clearly set out early on the train to maximise their holiday. Aboda was busy this time of year, the beaches crowded, the shouts of children screaming echoed through, even reaching the train station.
They hadn’t talked much on the way back, Zelda lost to her journal, and he focussed on actually driving the train. He was left to stew in his thoughts. He wondered if he’d ruined it all. Maybe he’d misinterpreted something, but it was too late to say anything, as he clamped on the brakes, and eased the train into Aboda station.
“Well here we are ma’am.”
“You don’t have to be so formal,” she punched his shoulder. Oof. That hurt more than he was willing to say. But it was good to know he hadn’t majorly offended her somehow. Maybe she had just wanted some privacy as she asked questions? Or she didn’t want to force him to follow? And he technically hadn’t said anything either at the time, nerves fried. It was a relief to know he’d just been overreacting.
“I was just joking Zelda!”
“Well it’ll teach you to not do it again. I’ll hopefully see you at some point? Who knows you may be driving one of the main trains I’ll come across!”
He smiled. “Well, if you ever need my train, just… let me know?”
She pulled her phone out. “Will do! But maybe we should exchange numbers anyway? For uh… for just keeping in contact?”
His smile grew as he thumbed his number in. “Good luck, Zelda.”
“You too!”
Link slumped back into Aboda, finally exiting the last train he was responsible for, at 16:30 pm. That was the start of the peak time, evening wise, and the new driver would take over from there and carry on until midnight.
Wow, what a first day. He slipped out of the carriage, performed the final safety checks, made sure no one was hiding inside, before he remotely transported the train into the depot just north of Aboda where it would undergo night maintenance. Another fresh train was pulled out, with the driver entering shortly afterwards.
Link signed off with Niko, before finally walking down the sand-filled path to his small flat on the western edge of town. Spirits above he was so ready for a nap.
In fact, he was already half-asleep, and so missed the bundle of blonde hair knocking into him the second time that day. At least he knew who it was this time around. “Zelda?”
“Oh fancy seeing you here again!”
He raised an eyebrow.
“What? I was just taking the day to um, explore the beach.” She held up a beach umbrella, and a bottle of sun lotion. “It’s a really nice day out!”
“So… you’ve explored the beach for…” He made a show of checking his watch, “8 hours?”
Her forced smile disappeared. “I don’t really know where to begin. I tried looking for an engineering club I read about on Hyrule Net, but I don’t think it exists. I was mistaken for thinking there would be plenty of train drivers with… appropriate trains, not to mention ones I could… trust to bring me on a journey.”
A sigh escaped him. He didn’t really know what to say. “Well, it’ll be peak time soon so you’ll get lots of trains going back to the castle… Have you eaten anything? If you want- I mean- I know a few good restaurants in town and we could eat something before you head off?”
“You know, that does sound nice. I could really do with a fish and chips. I had that once as a child here and nothing ever reached that same standard.”
Laughing, he started off towards the centre of town, “that’s the one good thing about living in a seaside town: endless fish and chips.”
They ended up by the beach, shoes off, feet in the sand with greasy fingers from their meal. Zelda had long since abandoned her disguise, hair flowing around them, her laughter chiming in the soft breeze. Conversation flowed freely between them, over what they’d studied, to their favourite colours. The sun was slowly setting, behind them, when Link’s slate started to ring.
It was Staven.
Link swallowed down the last chip, before answering. “You alive yeah? Nothing drastic happened I should know about?”
Frowning slightly, Link replied, “uh, no.”
“Well make sure you send a report next time. It’s been four hours since you clocked off, why isn’t the report in my inbox already? And you’re on the same schedule for tomorrow by the way. I won’t be babying you.”
“I’ll um- I’ll just do it now-”
“Right-o. Report, and then bed. Goodnight Link.”
The slate went dark just as quickly as it’d come on.
“Well, he’s a right prick.”
Link choked.
“What? Seriously! It’s your first day and you ran a whole service solo. He should be grateful! Not patronising! This is your time off! You’re allowed to do what you want! Not to mention, I bet you had no idea you even had to do a report. Or even, what’s supposed to go in it!”
He stared stupefied. “You got it bang on the head.”
“All universities are the same. Politics was just like that. Check your intro email, hopefully it has some details. If not just say it all went well.”
They had a search on his slate for one, found a blank template for report and filled one in, submitting it to Staven. Link had a realisation whilst they were typing together though.
“Hey, Zelda?”
“Hm?”
“This is my free time, right?”
“Yep. Make sure they don’t impinge too much on it! You’re working now so you’re guaranteed time off at the end of the day. I wish this applied to being a Princess, but alas.”
He shuffled a little, scrunched his hands together. “So… I mean, if you want, we could… we could go to those stations? Those tracks? Just outside my shift time. I don’t… I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to go. I just sort of need to finish building the train but…” he hadn’t had the courage to look at her until that point.
“You’d… really do that?”
He was sincere when he nodded. “This way, I’ll come pick you up from the castle, and we can do a bit at a time. This way, your council won’t be too upset with you. And it’ll give us both guaranteed time off. Plus… you’ll do what you dreamed of doing.”
A smile as bright as the sun lit up on her face. “Awesome! Okay. Okay we can really do it Link!” She reached for his hand and squeezed excitedly, and his heart thumped doubly hard. And then realisation dawned on her face and she whipped her gaze back to the coast line. “Wait. What time is it?”
Oh. Oh no. “… uh, 7:34? Oh Goddess! The next train is in 3 minutes and after that it’s a 30 min wait. Put your shoes on, quick!”
A mad dash to the station, promises of texts later when she’s reached home, and plans for to meet tomorrow were hurriedly organised as the train departed and Link finally made his way home.
That wasn’t at all how he’d expected his first day to go. And yet, he couldn’t be more excited. He stumbled into his apartment and headed straight for the fridge, the run making him ravenous for some ice cream. After that, it was going to be a 5 minute shower and sleep. He set the alarm two hours early so he could start constructing the train before his shift started, shoved two spoonfuls of ice cream in before rushing to the shower.
Despite his fatigue, a smile broke out on his lips as a message from Zelda pinged in- the train was a fast track to Castle Town so it would be there in twenty instead of the usual 30 minutes.
Tomorrow… was the dawn of a new adventure.