Hearts Contained

Chapter 1: The Last Glimmer of Hope

(Author's Note)

Greetings and salutations readers. I am ArtemusAensland, and this is something I've been mulling over for a year now and finally decided to act on it.

I used to write a lot. Various short stories that I did for fun. Though in the past years I stopped completely for no discernable reason. Since I recently rediscovered my love for The Legend of Zelda series, I've decided to try my hand at prose again.

So please review and offer all the criticisms you can. I'd love to get better as a writer with your help.

There's a more indepth and personal authors note in my profile so please check it if you like this

Also while the story is "Romance/Adventure" this first chapter is more "Hurt/Comfort/Friendship"

NOW without any further blabbing and blorking, legal stuff and then the show.

The writer known as ArtemusAensland does not own nor claim to own the IP known as The Legend of Zelda or anything related to it. It is owned by Nintendo. He does not receive profit by publishing this work of fanfiction.


The sun was setting as Ilia, the young woman of Ordon, sat in thought at the Ordon Spring. It had been several weeks since the nightmare of Twilight descended on Hyrule. Most people were overjoyed and returned to their daily lives with renewed vigor and love of life and light. All, except one…

Ilia's best friend since childhood: Link.

Link was the one who beat back the Twilight as the Hero Chosen by the Gods. His first day back in Ordon after the crisis passed, he told her, the village children, and a few adults of his adventures. Dungeon crawling, puzzle solving, meeting the princess, becoming a wolf of all things! The stories he told stretched the boundaries of imagination and comprehension. Not to mention the danger and evil creatures that he defeated. Starting at rats and bats, and ending with his slayings of dragons, humongous skeleton beasts, and two powerful kings of evil. The young man recounted his journeys with an air of humbleness, as he never forgot to credit those that helped him: The Princess, the Zoras, Telma and the Resistance, those at Kakariko, the Yetis, the Ooccoo, and… Midna.

Ilia picked up on something no one else did when he mentioned the Twilight Princess. Not an easy feat as the young man was good at concealing emotions, but to her it was clear as day. The trembling in his voice, his break of eye contact, the pooling near his eyes… Midna was the first ally he had on his mission. Although they started slightly resistant towards each other with the lad's confusion and the imp's attitude, they quickly became trusted and close partners. Ilia knew that her departure and breaking of the Mirror of Twilight broke his heart, even though he never said it.

When Link returned to work on the ranch, Ilia noticed that something changed in him. He would leave his house, go to work, and then return to his home. He never talked to anyone he ran into on the way. He rarely looked up from his feet. He stopped talking to the kids, stopped helping the adults outside of work, and stopped riding Epona for fun. He just… stopped being who he was. He never answered his door when anyone came to him. Even Colin, who looked to Link like an older brother or father, couldn't get through.

She decided enough was enough, and made her way to Link's house at the edge of town. Upon climbing the ladder, she knocked a bit more forcefully than usual.

"Link, it's Ilia, are you there?" She asked. No response.

"Link I need to talk. Link?" Still nothing.

"If you still say nothing I'm coming in there, you stubborn mule!"

Yet, again nothing. Sighing in exasperation, she jiggled at the door knob, surprised to find it unlocked. She stormed in. Not seeing him anywhere, she spun around, looked up and saw him sitting at the windowsill staring out at the sunset. "There you are you…" She climbed the ladder to face the recent recluse. "Link, we have to talk about your attitude as of late!"

"…go home, Ilia." He said with almost a whisper. Not turning to face the young woman.

"No, Link, I'm sick of you not being you! You're pushing people away! You're not yourself, and I…"

"Ilia!" He yelled as he faced her. And she saw it. His eyes were almost completely red. Streams of tears seemed tattooed on his face. "…please" He whimpered out. "…leave me alone."

"Goddesses, Link…" Her expression softened immediately. She saw something the hordes of evil would've killed to see. The Hero was defeated. Not by the blade of a sword, but by the shards of a broken heart. Ilia came closer to Link and laid her hand upon his cheek. "Link… you can't keep living like this."

He looked down and away from her. "…who said I wanted to keep living?"

"Don't you ever say that! Not you!" She embraced her hero hugging his head to her chest. The human contact was enough. Link wrapped his arms around her as the floodgates burst open. He buried his head in her chest as he let out his wailing cries. Ilia couldn't hold back either as her tears began to fall. In between his moaning sobs he'd pound the side of his fist against the edge of the windowsill, as if he wanted to inflict the most amount of pain on himself.

"Why, Ilia?" he managed to choke out. "Gods damn it, why?! Why did she do it? Why did she break it and leave me!?"

"I can't say, Link." She whispered out. "I'm so, so sorry."

"I loved her! She made me feel more important than any Spirit or Goddess could ever… Oh, Gods, I feel empty! Physically empty, hollow… vacant… I…"

"Shhh… I know, Link, I know. Let it all out…" She ran her fingers through Link's hair, trying anything to give her friend some comfort in his darkest hour.

He looked on his hand where his Triforce mark would show. He yelled out and slammed the fist against the windowsill again. "Triforce of Courage… that's a laugh. She was my… courage. She was my spirit… Goddesses, she was my light." He choked out an empty chuckle at the irony of that statement.

Ilia kissed the top of his head. "I know. Every time you spoke of her it was with the utmost admiration. You and she saved everyone… and everything." The two Ordonians stayed in their embrace for minutes until Link's sobs subsided.

"What can I do, Ilia? I can't go on without her… I…"

She closed her eyes as tears began to form. "I don't know, Link. I just don't know…" She looked at him as he looked back. "Are you absolutely sure that Mirror thing was the only way? It can't be fixed?"

"It's not like before. It went to dust… and even then it was her magic that reformed it…" Despair again claimed his voice.

"There's nothing? No other way to go between worlds?"

"…not to my knowledge, no."

She thought for a few seconds. "Not to your knowledge… maybe… but what about to someone else's knowledge?"

Link pulled away to properly converse with his friend. "What are you saying?" He asked, cleaning his face with his wrist wrap.

"You said that the Princess possesses the Triforce of Knowledge?"

"Triforce of Wisdom, but yeah." He corrected.

"Well… maybe she knows of a way. According to you, she does know a lot about magic and how to use it…"

"Yeah, maybe…" He said with a small glimmer of hope in his eye. "But I don't know. She would've said something earlier… and she's probably busy at the castle after all this…"

"Link, listen to me." Ilia interrupted the hero's thoughts and gently cupped her hands on his face. "If there's one thing you taught me during all the Twilight craziness it's that every last piece of hope you find is worth holding on to. I never gave up on you… and you shouldn't ever give up hope on her."

Link did something he hadn't done in what felt like a long time. He smiled. He kissed Ilia on the cheek and hugged her tight. "Thank you. Thank you. Ilia." She smiled brightly as she returned the hug.

^^^^^(The Next Morning)^^^^^

"You all set?" Ilia asked as Link got up on Epona.

"Yeah, more or less. Most of the stuff I got on my journey's with Zelda at the castle."

Ilia chuckled. "Really? Never thought you'd need any of them?"

"Ha! I don't think I need exploding arrows to help herd goats."

"I'm glad you're back in green again. It suits you" Ilia said. She picked up his Hylian shield and held it out for him to take. "The monsters are gone, but if worse comes to worse you should protect yourself."

He leaned down to pick up the shield, and gave a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you, Ilia. For everything."

She smiled. "Don't push Epona too hard. And promise me you'll be careful."

"When am I not?" He laughed as he began to ride off.

Watching the young man follow his heart into the distance she had one thought replay in her mind. "Please find her, Link. Please… find her."

^^^^^(Hyrule Castle)^^^^^

To say that Zelda was exhausted was an understatement. Not only was the castle damaged during the final battle with Ganondorf, but he killed her advisors and other trusted staff before Link and Midna could get to him. Leaving her to oversee her country, the palace reconstruction, and many other things all by herself. She was more than capable in her mind and spirit to handle these responsibility, but her body was still tired after all the events. Finally, a few days prior, she appointed an architect to oversee the reconstruction, and appointed someone in the court to address the problems the people brought forth as she rested.

Although, the most aggravating thing were those dreaded letters. Shortly after what was now called the Twilight Crisis ended, she received letters from the princes of neighboring kingdoms. Labrynna, Holodrum, Arceus, Korodai, Malaeth, and many others requested her hand in marriage. Something she dreaded growing up. When she was younger her mother and father told her she would be married to a prince from another kingdom. While that excited her younger self, as she grew older, she detested the thought of being with someone who only saw her for political gain. After her parents died, however, she knew she would have to eventually, to become a full Queen. Though now it was plainly obvious these cretins were seeking her hand at a time of supposed weakness, with the kingdom recovering. She briefly mused to change the rules. After all, she was still Absolute Ruler of Hyrule as the Crown Princess. But now, those thoughts were clouded in sleep.

While the sleep that lasted more than 10 hours did help, she did not want to get up and do anything. For the first time in her life… she allowed herself to sleep in. Until there was a knock at the door.

"Ugh, sorry, but your princess is in another castle." She moaned out.

"I hope so, because it looks like flying Bullbo's went through this one!" A familiar voice said. Zelda shot up.

"Link? Hold on one second." She got up off the bed and closed her eyes as a light enshrouded her. Her night-gown transformed into her traditional royal clothes. Finished, she went to the door and opened it. "Hello, Link." She greeted.

"Hello, Princess." Link replied as the two hugged.

"Please, there's no need for formalities between us." The hug broke, but she still held his hands. "Where have you been these past weeks? I could've used some muscle in the rebuilding effort."

He looked away slightly. "That's… kind of what I'm here for."

She looked slightly confused, but smiled nonetheless. "Do come in. I have some tea if you're interested."

"Just water is fine." He said as she walked to a part of the room that had a small kitchenette. Link obviously knew her room wasn't the one where they first met, but he didn't think her quarters would be so… huge. He though it was bigger than his house. Her bed was large with a curtain around it. There was a small kitchenette where she was preparing tea, there was a round table with four chairs a few feet across from her bed, and there was a desk with stationary on the other side of the room.

He saw her returning with the tea and water so he sat at the table. "So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Zelda asked.

Link took a drink, but didn't return eye contact. "Zelda… I must be honest. I haven't been well at all since… that day." He didn't elaborate on "that day," but she knew what day he was referring to. "I've felt… completely hollow… empty. Like I've been opened up and my soul's been scooped out of me."

"Midna…" Zelda said softly, before sitting right next to the hero. "You love her."

Link felt tears well up in his eyes. He nodded.

"Link… oh Link, you poor boy." She wiped the tears away with her gloved hand. "So young and completely enveloped by love, and the pain of the heartache it can bring…"

Link grabbed the Princess' hand. "This is a longshot… but do you know of anything? Anything that can bring me to her? Anything that will allow me just to see her or talk to her?" Tears began falling again. "I can't live without her. I know people say that about everyone… but I literally can't. I can feel the emptiness inside me eating away at everything. I'm losing myself to my despair! Please! Please, I…" He looked at Zelda, and saw her mood darken. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him close as he began to cry audibly.

"I'm sorry, Link." Zelda lamented, beginning to cry herself. "I am so sorry. There's nothing I can think of. The only way into that land is the Mirror of Twilight…" Link gave into his sorrow and let out his anguished sobs, shaking into his sadness as he felt his soul disappear into a well of hopelessness.

Zelda nuzzled the top of his head and stroked his hair. Between her own tears she hummed a gentle lullaby her mother taught her. Whenever thunderstorms or imaginary monsters in the darkness scared her as a child, her mother's voice and gentle loving arms would alleviate all young fears. She knew for Link, though, it would be fruitless.

This was it. The end of the hero. Like a poison dart, the sorrow and grief in his heart will grow and grow and, one day it will consume him.

Unless…

She had no idea where the thought came from, but she then remembered one obscure legend from the era of the Hero of Time. When Link began to calm down from his shuddering sobs, she spoke. "Link, follow me."

"W-wha…" Before he could think of what was happening she took his hand and lead them to her desk. There were two inkwells on the desk and she turned one clockwise. A nearby bookshelf shifted into the wall revealing a spiral staircase. As the descended the hidden stairs, Zelda snapped her fingers and light came from her hand. When they reached the bottom, Link finally spoke. "Where are we, Zelda?"

"The Forgotten Archive." She said as her light shone brighter, exposing the contents of the room. The air was dusty. There were several bookshelves covered in cobwebs. On the ground were old armors, weapons, and artifacts. "This was a place that served as a shelter when I was younger. After I grew up, it was left alone and forgotten." On her free hand, she materialized a small flame on her finger to burn away the thick cobwebs from a bookshelf. "Stored here are remnants of kingdoms past… these are the written records of the history of Hyrule and my family. And if we're lucky…" She ran her fingers across the spines of several books stopping at a book bound in green. "Here it is! I read this once as a child. 'Legends of Time.'"

"What's it say?" Link asked.

"This must've been buried in my mind." Zelda flipped through several pages and read aloud. "'On the edge of the kingdom's reach lies a Temple in a Tomb. Rested in there, is the Magic Mirror. If darkness falls on the sacred realm, use it to reach what needs to be purified.' There is a place that matches this description." She closed the book and turned to Link. "On the very edge of Hyrule's boundaries at the east is a temple disguised as a tomb. There is a Magic Mirror there."

Link's ears perked up upon hearing the word "mirror." "What kind of Magic Mirror?"

"If a being of evil lays its hands upon the Triforce, the Golden Land will be corrupted into a world of Darkness. The Six Sages from the time of the Hero of Time created it as a contingency plan if he failed as a way to enter the Dark World." Zelda ascended the staircase with the book, and with Link not far behind. "It's meant to hone in on worlds darker than our own. Luckily for us, the Hero of Time was successful, and thus it was not needed. And with Ganondorf dead, the Dark World should have returned to being the Sacred Realm."

"And you think this Mirror can transport me to the Twilight Realm?" Link asked with renewed hope and light in his voice. The two made it back to her room.

Zelda stopped and put her hand on his shoulder. "That's the thing, Link. I'm not sure. The Mirror exists I know this, but I don't know if it'll transport you there or not. It could, but it could transport you some place dark and evil, or not work at all, or even kill you!" She looked deep into his eyes with pure concern. "You must understand this before you and Epona go galloping off."

"Oh, I understand it, all right…" He said with determination. "I understand that this is the last chance to reunite with the only person in my life that can make me happy. The only person that can bring me back from this pit inside me." He clenched his fist tight as his Triforce mark began to glow. "Even if I get thrown into the pit of demise itself, I'll crawl right out of it to see her again!" He then marched to the door.

"Link," Zelda said as she ran next to him and grabbed his arm. "Rest. Head off tomorrow. You've had an emotional day and look completely exhausted."

Link sighed. Despite his enthusiastic burst, he had to admit it was hard to keep his eyes open. He looked out the window to the balcony and saw the sun beginning to set. He sighed in exasperation. "You're right… It's getting harder to think…"

Zelda giggled. "There's a vacant guest room next door. Feel free to rest as long as you need."

Link smirked as he opened the door to the hallway. "Do I get a tea cozy and secret staircase in my room?"

"Get some sleep, hero." She said with playful feigned annoyance, giving him one last smile before he closed the door.

Zelda sighed as she sat down on her bed. Her royal garb glowed bright as it magically turned back into her white nightgown adorned with royal embroidery and a Triforce symbol across her chest tying it all together.

Again from the back of her mind, she felt… apprehension. Similar to the days before Zant's invasion. She was inactive on those gut feelings before. This time she took them to heart. She had no doubt Link would find the Mirror. He would find a way to Midna even if he had to fight through the entire pantheon of Gods themselves. But what would he bring back? Something was out there, she could feel it. Her guards and knights were still recovering. Despite their best efforts, they were in no condition to fight evil.

She then recalled a rumor, of a wandering warrior, and hatched a plan of her own as she sat at her desk to write a letter for carrier pigeon, and bringing out her father's old red book of secret contacts.

^^^^^(The Next Morning)^^^^^

The drawbridge opened, and from the darkness inside the castle stepped out The Hero Chosen by the Gods. Zelda kept Link's weapons safe after their journey ended. With no Midna, for now, to keep his inventory in a shadow pocket, Link took only his bow, quiver, a bomb bag, his lantern, and two bottles one with red chu jelly, the other with yellow. His bow and quiver rested on his back behind his shield, while the others were jerry rigged to his belt. He lifted his horse whistle and called his trusted Epona to him.

"Link…" He heard from behind him. He turned and saw Zelda holding something in her hands. "I want you to have this." She handed him a sheathed sword. "This was my father's. Now, it'll serve you." Link drew the sword from the hilt and examined it. It was like Zelda's, only wider and a bit stronger. Not as strong as the Master Sword, but possibly on par with the Ordon blade.

"Thank you, Zelda. I'll return it in one piece." He smiled as he sheathed the blade and strapped it to his back behind the bow.

The Princess leaned in and gave him a short sweet kiss. "I wish you luck, my dear friend, but something tells me you do not need it."

He continued a warm smile as he climbed the saddle, and rode off to the east. Determination was set in his gaze, but his mind was a total thunderstorm. So many emotions raged inside the young man's heart and soul. Fear, apprehension, and sorrow were at total war with hope, courage and resolve. But above all that was love. He loved his two best friends, Ilia and Zelda. They were lights in his darkest hour. When he was down, they picked him up, and showed him the path to find his heart. Above all else, he loved Midna. The imp that showed him an entire universe outside his ranch. It mattered not if she was imp, Twili, Princess… he loved Midna. The woman behind the titles. The woman who fought by his side. The woman who helped show him the man inside the boy. The woman who without her, all of Hyrule and Twilight would be lost. Link may be called The Hero, but that title, to him, also belonged to her.

As she watched the green garbed man ride after his heart into the horizon, Zelda closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer as a single tear traveled down her right cheek.

Farore, watch over your chosen champion. Guide him to his other soul. Nayru, grant them love, so they may find peace and happiness with each other. Din, grant him strength to face his coming challenges. Please, may you all be with him…

Zelda turned to a nearby guard. "I'm heading to my quarters to rest. Send word that I shall not be disturbed until I leave at my own accord."

"Right away, your highness." The guard answered as she went to spread the Princess' word through the castle. Zelda headed right away to her room. Rest, however, was the furthest thing from her mind.

^^^^^End Chapter 1^^^^^

Oh Yes,

I do feel sad.

And I am glad to see a shadow

Here on a path.

- Omnium Gatherum "Everfields" (New World Shadows, 2011)


AUTHORS CLOSING NOTE.

That line "pit of demise" was me trying to think of a Hylian synonym for "Hell." I also want to end with a song quote in ALL my writings because music is the most important thing to me and those songs are what plays in my head over and over when I write. So with that being said, I hope people who read this like it and offer their thoughts. It was a tough to write and more emotional than I thought, so please review. I need your help to get better.

Oh and let me know if I bone the continuity from the games!