A Link Between Them
Chapter 1- The Lost Woods Labyrinth
Young Hylian hero Link and young and beautiful Princess Zelda frolicked around the Lost Woods, fully enjoying themselves. Since they met because of the incident of the Ocarina of Time, they became fast friends. Link was secretly in love with the princess but didn't dare let her know.
As they walked around among the tall oaks, Link stared up at the tree covered sky and watched the little birds darting in and out. He felt like he was on an island, far away from anyone who might irritate him. It was just him and his girl.
Zelda also felt the same way. She really enjoyed getting out of the castle once in a while and spending time with her good friend. She felt like nothing in the world could dampen her spirits - even when it started to rain.
It started out as just a drizzle but then multiplied into torrents of rain. "We have to take shelter some where!" Link called over the pouring rain. He grabbed hold of the princess and ducked into a small cave with her. "You alright?" he asked her, pushing a strand of his soggy hair out of his face.
Zelda shivered. She was wet from head to toe and wearing a soggy dress and having wet hair added to the chill. "Yes," she replied weakly.
Link removed his waterlogged sword sheath and dropped it beside him. Then he walked over to the shivering princess, sat down next to her, and wrapped his arm around her. "I'm sorry I don't have a towel. But I'll keep you warm as best as I can." He stared into her pitiful looking face with a cheery smile. "The rain will let up and then I'll take you back to the castle."
Young Zelda scooted over closer to Link and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Thanks. What time is it?"
"I don't know," Link replied, staring out the entrance of the cave. "I think it's getting dark."
Zelda felt shivers creep up her spine. "Great. If the rain doesn't stop, we'll have to spend the night here. And my father will be worried. And who knows what kind of creatures come out at night." She wrapped her arm around the back of Link and squeezed him.
"Don't be scared," Link comforted, reaching for his sword. "I'll protect you." He looked down at the soggy dress she wore and noticed how it clung to her. "You don't have anything else you could wear, do you?"
She shook her head. "No, I didn't think of bringing extra clothes or a cloak or anything." She shivered again. "It sure would speed up the drying process if I could get out of this awful dress."
Link removed the green hat from his head, ringed the water out, and wiped Zelda's damp face with it. "If I had pants under this stupid tunic and could ring my tunic out and give it to you. But I don't."
Zelda removed the brown vest she had been wearing over her pink dress and placed it on the ground. Then she lay herself down and rested her head on it. Seeing her do that gave Link and idea.
He excused himself and ducked out of the cave into the pouring rain and swirling winds. Zelda looked at him curiously but said nothing.
Five minutes had elapsed before Link returned. He had and buddle of soaking leaves and moss in his arms. He laid it on the cave floor and smoothed it out. "There. Get on it, it will be more comfortable." After Zelda rolled onto it, he stepped back and smiled. "I don't think we'll have to stay overnight. But if we do we better be prepared."
"Thank you," Zelda said softly. "But if we do stay overnight where will you sleep?"
"I'll get some more leaves later," he replied, sitting down next to her. "Right now can we talk?"
Zelda looked up at him. "Sure. What about?"
Link sighed. "The Ocarina of Time incident. I hope you don't mind reliving your childhood."
Zelda sat up abruptly. "Of course I don't! I didn't get to enjoy my childhood when you were asleep for seven years! I lived in fear! And then I disguised myself as Sheik! You weren't there to play with me! So of course I don't mind. Even though we are stuck in a cave." She smirked at him and wicked. "Best Friend."
Link blushed. "Well I'm glad I can live my childhood with you, Princess Zelda," he told her confidently. He then placed his hand on her damp golden hair and stroked it gently. "You rest. I'll wake you when the rain stops."
Zelda shut her eyes and listened to the rain splashing down on the grassy terrain outside the crowded rock cave. The sound lulled her to sleep as she lay on the soggy leaves.
* * *
When Zelda awoke she found that her dress had dried up a little but was stiff and the pink was starting to fade. She was confused as to how long she had slept and where Link was. She rolled around on her other side to search the cave for Link. What she saw made her jump. Lying not too far away from her, on another stack of leaves, was Link. His green hat was under his head and his tunic looked like a nightgown because his belt was removed. His eyes were shut tight and his hands were clasped together on top of his chest. Zelda could hear him breathing through his nose. After she had stared at him long enough, wondering, she sat up and gently shook him. He woke up abruptly with a soft, "Huh?" He sat up, shook his sleepy head, and gazed at Zelda. Boy was she a sight! Her short, once golden hair was now dirty blonde and had leaves sticking out of it. Her face was dirty and her dress still clung to her.
Seeing how Link was staring at her, Zelda quickly picked up her brown vest and slipped it on.
Link shook his head and yawned. "Why are you awake? It's passed midnight," he said, lying back down.
Princess Zelda's eyes drew big. "Midnight? We-we're staying over night?"
"Yeah," the boy replied, pointing out to the cave entrance. "The rain hasn't stop. If we try to search for a way out of the Lost Woods we'll be lost for sure."
Zelda's brows drooped. "Oh," she said, dismayed. She lay back down slowly and closed her eyes. "It sure is cold," she said pitifully. She folded her arms over her chest and began to quiver.
Link opened his eyes and watched the princess curiously. "I'm sorry I don't have a blanket. You could cover yourself with leaves."
Zelda tried his suggestion but the damp leaves seemed to make her even colder. She quickly shoved the leaves off of her body and curled up to conserve heat.
Link couldn't stand watching her shiver. He was covered in goose bumps, but he could stand it. He could tell that Zelda had never spent a night in the wilderness before. He had an idea but was afraid that she would take it the wrong way. He watched her struggle to fall asleep for another minute before he finally said, "I...could help you stay warm."
Zelda opened her eyes and looked curiously at her friend. "You could? How?" she asked, straightening herself out.
Link began to feel nervous. "Um.....body heat," he replied quietly. "It's just so cold here that we might freeze! I'm sorry for that stupid idea."
She looked thoughtful for a while before she replied, "We could try." She slowly scooted herself over the damp leaves until she was about a few inches away from her friend. She had never been so close to him before, except to hug him, but never when lying down. She suddenly felt really nervous and awkward and had half a mind to quickly back away. But then an icy blast of wind blew in and nipped at them so she quickly grabbed Link and squeezed him. When the wind had dissipated she slowly looked up at Link nervously, still clinging to him.
"Heh, well, this is awkward," Link said, nervously wrapping his arms around Zelda. "But at least you're warmer now. So try to get some sleep."
Zelda shut her eyes but then quickly opened them. "Link, I'm scared," she said softly, tightening her grip on the boy. "What if a monster comes here?"
Link smiled down at his friend. "Don't worry. Look." He gestured to a small fire lit in front of the entrance to the cave. "Monsters won't come near us when there's a fire going. Don't worry."
Zelda rubbed her cheek against Link's chest as if trying to comfort herself. "Alright, I'll sleep. But what will Impa think?"
The boy looked at her curiously. "What do you mean? Do you think Impa will find us?" He took Zelda's hand gently in his.
"Well, we left Impa in the Kokiri village and told her we would only be gone an hour or two. She's bound to be looking for us by now," Zelda answered him.
"Possibly. Or she could be staying in some Kokiri's house cuz she cares too much about her hair getting wet," Link said, chuckling.
"Hey!" Zelda snapped. "That isn't funny! Impa's been like a mother to me! She wouldn't abandon me just because of her hair!" She quickly jerked her hand away from Link.
The little boy felt penitent as he looked down at Zelda's offended little face. "You're right, and I am sorry," he told her, tenderly taking her delicate hand in his. "She probably will search for us. And if she finds us we have a logical explanation to give her."
Zelda's nerves calmed down and she attempted to sleep. What seemed like seven nights went by but she couldn't drive herself to sleep. Link appeared to have fallen asleep a long time ago, and was oddly talking in his sleep. He said things such as, "I love Zelda," and "Zelda is beautiful," and "Zelda's my best friend." All these things made the young princess blush. But Link also said some others things too like, "My plunger needs waxing," and "Step away from my deku nuts. I collected them." Zelda longed to know what Link's dreams were about. Especially when he started to pucker his lips and make kissy noises.
"He better NOT be dreaming about some other girl," Zelda thought.