Title: Between the Realms

Author: HermioneSparta

Rating: M

Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong to Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka and Nintendo.

Summary: Outtakes from the "Their Bond" series.

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The Passage of Time

Lotus Jewel, Chapter Seven (Interlude)

I don't remember the rest of the battle. Nabooru, Link, the soldiers…they all tell me magic was my greatest weapon. I was enraged, consumed by fury and grief. I never would have killed so many otherwise.

Zelda had vanished. With that demon.

I try not to think about it. It's too…too painful. I don't care that his army was decimated. I don't care that we had a "success", and will have a few months' respite.

I just want her to wake up.

I'm sitting here - again. By her bed. My hands hold hers, feeling their cool temperature.

It's not supposed to be this way! By the Gods and Goddesses, it's NOT! Children are not meant to fight. I argue with the King daily about this.

Unfortunately…there is no other option. Ganondorf has targeted them. They either must fight, or die.

I blink back hot, bitter tears. I'm so damned tired ofcrying! It solves NOTHING.

"Maderone Impa?"

I wipe my eyes and turn to the healer. No, not a healer, a nurse. Swallowing my anger- why can't they leave me alone?- I nod.

"Yes?"

"We need to check her wounds."

I nod again and step away from the bed. My nails dig into my fists, pushing into scars I've made from the very same action day after day. Many times a day, in fact.

They had barred me from the room when I first arrived. Reyel and Nabooru had helped them, the traitors.

I'm trying not to think about that either. Why I had not been allowed in until the initial assessments and triage had been completed, until she was bandaged and dressed.

I'd hoped it wasn't that bad…

And then I'd seen her lying there, felt her stillness, and understood. I didn't like it, but…I understood it.

She had retreated. The healers said it was a restorative sleep, similar to a comatose state.

They were wrong.

Zelda had hidden within herself, so far from everyone that even the bond did not register her presence. Her life force, yes, her existence. But not her presence.

It was terrifying.

The door closes, taking me from my thoughts. I sit beside her again, my hands taking hers.

Warmth.

Startled, half-afraid, I turn inward again.

Fleeting, but…there.

Whatever the nurse had done, my Charge had felt it. Had responded.

I'm too tired to be jealous or relieved. I just…want her to wake up...

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AN: These outtakes may not be in chronological/chapter order as time goes on. I write them during edits or from random inspiration.