@Flight Of A Fledgling@
By:GoldenSilence
ch.1-The Gorons
disclaimer: Miyamoto owns Zelda and Travis owns the song I'm using (well, duh.:))
-----------
A/N=Wow, how's that for a funky title? No, I did not just close my eyes and point to words in a dictionary, thanks for asking.:)If anyone has read the preequel to this, "A Fairytale In Reality" (which, I highly reccomend they do) they may remember that in the very last chapter, I briefly mentioned a bird taking flight..that signifies Malon's own freedom, of course. So, naturally, "The Fledgling" represents Malon. Just thought I might want to clear that up. (Us author's minds work in straaange ways, I'm tellin' ya.:;)) Everyone that has read the first preequel, please don't hesitate to review and tell me what you think! I really want this to be as good as the first one. Hopefully, you romantics out there don't mind the including of the action/adventure genre..'cause this story is definitely heading that way, starting the NEXT chapter. And as a warning, there will be other couples in this besides Malon/Link..*gasp.*
Oh yes, and I was wondering- is this the kind of stuff I could ever show someone else? I am an avid writer, but nervous about what other people (friends of mine and my english teacher) will think-I don't take harsh critisism well, and I'm afraid they would butcher this little ficcy.
Dedicated to: All you people out there that asked me for a sequel, you know who you are!! Your reviews really motivated me to continue with this quickly (I was going to take a week off, but what can I say, I got into this story too much.) Enjoy!!
---------
~And then this bird just flew away, she was never meant to stay. Oh to keep her caged would just delay the spring. You broke your word. Now that's a lie. We had a deal that you would try. Come on inside, girl, I think it's time. High time we drew the line. But then this bird just flew away. While I looked the other way.~~ (Travis)
*************
It was a joyous occasion. One could tell that even from the bitter beginnings of the wintery wind, itself. Energy seemed to be invested in everywhere and everything, helped by the heavy thud of the Goron's feet as they exerted themselves, the weight of their dancing causing even the normally stolid ground to tremor slightly.
Or the Goron's unique interpetation of dancing, anyway. In reality, it was really just stomping and shaking to a set of quaint drums and a fiddle. The vociferous noises the Gorons made, both with their stomping style of dancing and their equally loud way of talking, could not quite rival the noise booming forth from the drums-though they seemed to be trying to.
Somewhere admist the figures of the Gorons, Link and Malon were doing their own sort of dancing, though much akin to the Goron's own exuberant and flamboyant display of athletisism. Looking at their faces, it was clear to anyone with good eyesight that beyond the celebration the Gorons were doing, a more personal celebration was taking place between the two.
Link watched Malon dance beside him and to his eyes, it seemed as if her feet, unlike the Goron's, seemed hardly to touch the ground for more than a second, both them and her moved as if possessed of some strange maniac energy.
Malon, Link knew, loved music, whether it was the humming of a simple tune or the singing of a lullaby. He hadn't known her love of music extended to the dancing that accompanied it in addition, but it must have, because her every movement showed the style, notes, and tempo of the music that was playing; a performance in itself, each flick of her hand and turn and twist of her body was linked to the rthym of the beat.
Her head tipped back to the sky as she spun around, Malon's energy seemed inexhaustable and at last Link put up his hands in mock protest, pleading with her to slow down.
"Come on back to earth! You can't dance in the clouds forever, you know."
Malon laughed, her eyes sparkling as she spun away from him again and her hair whipping around her face as she turned. "And why not?" she yelled over the noise of the music.
"Because one mere mortal is going to end up hobbling on a cane as a result from trying to dance as you do," replied Link.
Malon just laughed more. "That's because the mere mortal is dancing with two left feet," she gently chided.
Link grinned. "The better to step on you with, my dear."
Malon, in response, put her feet right on top of his own. "Better?"
The silky strands of Link's hair briefly touched Malon's brow, tickling her skin as he leaned over until they were nose to nose. "Much."
*********
The Goron drummer, spotting the pair as they moved in closer to each other, whispered something to the Goron fiddling and on cue, the music changed from insanely fast and upbeat jig to a slow, haunting melody, the drum now being pounded ever so often in the background.
Malon made to move off of Link's feet, but he pulled her back to him. "Don't want you dancing away from me, now do I?"
"Silly," said Malon. "You just don't want them to start playing a song any faster than a funeral march again," she teased.
"Alright, I confess!" Link put his arms around her back, playing with the flower tucked behind one of her ears.
"So you admit that you fence far better than you dance," concluded Malon, her tone light hearted. Link obviously wasn't a bad dancer at all. On the contrary, he was quite a decent one-but decent did not compare to Malon's own quick feet and gestures.
Link put his finger to her lips. "Wait a minute, I never said exactly what I confessed."
"Well say it then," Malon demanded, putting her own arms around his neck.
"Oh, it's nothing important," Link exaggerated. "Only that I love you."
Strange how she had heard those words time and time again, yet they still brought a sense of joy. Not that Malon lived to hear Link say such, of that he really didn't need to. The way she and him both acted and the expressions on their faces when they were around each other said all that ever needed to be said.
Still, Malon spoke. "And I love you."
Unlike when she had first said those very words, no tenativeness came through in her voice. She was as sure of Link's affection as he was of hers.
Link had no answer, except to smile. And Malon smiled back as she moved to rest her head on his shoulder, the effect of all the numerous dances she had been apart of finally catching up with her as she began to feel slightly sleepy.
*********
Zelda was also at the Goron's celebratory dance in honor of both Volvagia's defeat one year's hence and the god that they believed resided within the very core of Death Mountain.
Funny how only a few short days had turned the tables, she mused. A few days ago, at her father's own much more stately imitation of the Goron's occasional feasts and parties, Zelda had been the one settled in Link's arms and Malon had been the one the observing them both, her face a sad and confused thing to look at, indeed. However, now it was Malon in Link's arms with Zelda forced to play the role of the onlooker.
No, not forced, Zelda thought, choosing to. And I chose not to love him as well, didn't I? she reminded herself.
But Zelda's wandering eyes that kept going to the couple showed only too lucidly that her heart had made a choice altogether seperate from her mind's.
You are NOT going back on your choice now-not after it's already been made and done with. It wouldn't be fitting for a queen to be so fickle-minded.
After all, how many sacrifices had Zelda made to stay within what was expected of a queen? Far too many, but it couldn't be helped. This was simply another sacrifice she would have to make.
Ridiculous. I'm watching her watching him.
Zelda turned away from the scene in front of her and studied her reflection in the glass she held.
*********
Malon's face would have shone just as brightly even if there had been none of the glow from the small, Goron-made bonfires to reflect on it, as would have Link's.
The celebration taking place between them was none other than the fact that in each other, they had found someone they felt comfortable around and that brought out the best in them. They were engaged and that was both scary and exciting, to realize that someone had so much control over you just by loving you and you had the same control over them by doing the same. Malon didn't like to wield that sort of power at all.
She glanced down at Link's feet, which were still covered with hers. "You sure this isn't hurting your feet? I'm no Goron, but still-Much as I enjoy dancing with you, I don't fancy carrying you piggyback down the aisle."
"Don't worry," said Link, stepping to and fro with Malon's feet atop his own. "You're my strength," he said, half joking and then suddenly turned serious. "And in being so, my only weakness. Malon..."
Malon knew instantly what Link was speaking of. Before their wedding, he had to go on a trip with the king-to try and talk some sense into a country whom, according to Link and the king, had none. Naturally, the country thought as highly of Hyrule as Hyrule did of it. Malon didn't want Link to go ever bit as much as he didn't want to, but they couldn't always be together.
Still..what if someone tried to kill him on his so called trip? She wasn't stupid. Just because Ganondorf was dead didn't mean his followers were.
"I'll be fine. Honestly, it's just one week you'll be gone," Malon spoke to Link with a reassurance she didn't feel. "How in Hyne's name do you think I managed all those years with Ingo, anyway?"
She smiled impishly. "I can assure you, it wasn't just on my wits."
"I can see that from the death grip you have on my shoulder," Link said with a wince.
Malon released the pressure of her hand on Link's shoulder-and the tension she felt on the inside.
Link tried to look like Malon's earlier statement had relieved him and failed miserably. Having banished Ganondorf lead to many allies-and an equal number of enemies. What would such enemies do to get to him, to get him out of the way? Kill Malon? Quite possibly.
Be alone and no one except you could get hurt. Attach to the world around you, to friends and loved ones, and you brought the same risks as were your own; the danger of life and death, down around their heads.
But just like Zelda, Link had made a choice. Though, unlike her, he had taken a chance with that choice-and at the same time, become vulnerable in the eyes of all those that sought to obliviate him once and for all.
Then Link put all thoughts and worries on hold, simply content to dance with Malon and hold her. Her face was the afterglow of his, as the firelight was of the sweat shining off of the Gorons. Both faces were direct opposition to the bleak, gray atmosphere of Hyrule, which was now readying itself for winter.
After dancing in silence for what seemed eternity, Malon broke the surrealness that possessed those moments; the fireflies and pixies that fluttered about entermingling in the night sky with the stars, all above the creatures dancing. Looking at Link's face, she asked a most simple question. "What are you thinking?"
Link raised an eyebrow as he steered her clear of one of the bonfires. "You really want to know?"
"Yes."
"That I wish you would marry me right here and now," he stated plainly.
Malon blushed. "And who would be the minister? Darunia?" she asked, pretending to be serious.
"Naturally, he would perform the ceremony. After which, we would jump across one of these bonfires for good luck."
"But bonfires don't symbolize good luck. They symbolize fertilit-" began Malon, then stopped, realizing what she had just said.
"That too," said Link. He looked emberassed. "Really it's just a superstition, anyway."
Malon grinned. "Well, just so you know, I wouldn't mind having some..someday."
"What's this? Making plans for children already?" broke in a voice at Malon and Link's side. Turning her head from where it was resting on Link's shoulder, Malon saw Darunia watching the both of them bemusedly, a huge, loopy type of smile on his face that made the other dancer's expressions appear sad by comparison. "Are you pregnant then? That is most joyous news!"
The Goron's hearty voice boomed , simultaneously making itself heard over the other voices, dancing, and the music. In that instant, the music ceased and several pairs of eyes (along with several pairs of ears) focused on Link, Malon, Darunia, and their little chat.
Instinctively, Zelda's hands trembled slightly and she tightened her hold on her glass to keep them from shaking any further. For one terrible moment, she held her breath.
"No, I'm not pregnant," Malon answered.
"She's engaged!" Link shouted happily, picking up a startled Malon and planting a kiss on her cheek. Zelda's terrible moment became prolonged.
It was then that a current of doubt ran through Link. What if it was safer for her not to marry him or love him? Shouldn't he at least give her the choice?
"That is, if you still want to. Do you?" he asked in a whisper, wanting to make sure her emotions were not alien to his own.
"On that matter, you shouldn't need convincing," whispered Malon back, giving him a kiss. And the doubt passed as quickly as it had come.
Malon still felt by Link's announcing of their engagement, never the less. The secrecy of their engagement had been an unsure thing; Malon had only not told anyone because she felt it was information she wanted to treasure and keep private-at least, for a short while. Plus, if the truth be told, Malon was afraid of how people would react. A peasant with a noble? Unheard of-and not approved of, either.
Darunia's and the other Goron's reactions put Malon's fears to rest. "Did you hear that? The hero of time is engaged to our songbird here!" shouted Darunia, and the other Gorons exulted at the news, clapping and stomping their hands and feet in appreciation.
Link already was holding Malon in the air as if he never intended to put her down, and was just as startled as she was when Darunia picked both of them up, crushing them in the very strong Goron hug Link had tried to avoid years ago as a child. Malon and Link caught each other's gaze and grinned sheepishly. They were both at peace and happy, but for one person's happiness, there is always one suffering.
And in Malon and Link's little world- the one that held only them-shutting out even the overjoyed Gorons now showering them with congratulations at the news, they realized and noticed nothing else except for each other.
Not even Zelda, standing on the fringe of the crowd surrounding Link and Malon. She smiled and gave a polite wave in their direction, pretending to look glad for them both.
Her face was as composed as anyone's; it didn't betray her true emotions, but her actions did.
Her grip on her glass tightened until that very same glass broke into a thousand glittering shards. Unable to stand it, Zelda left the Goron's celebration-but not running as Malon had done before. She would never run; she had made her choice.
You could have chosen differently. That could be you he's holding right now; you he's engaged to.
No! I have made my choice and will stand by it, no matter the consequences.
Instead, Zelda walked slowly and with the utmost of precision. Even when Malon and Link, the Gorons, and the bonfires were far from view, Zelda still just walked, never hastening her gait.
Only upon reaching Hyrule Castle and the gardens inside it did Zelda's carefully contrived mask crumple, showing the confused girl beneath. The girl, that unlike the queen she had become, possessed no need to hide anything. She wandered about in the garden, the maze within it nothing compared to the more conflicting emotions and thoughts that flooded Zelda's very being.
Sure, life is easy when you're beautiful, rich, and have every wish you ever make granted.
Except when you figure out that some desires cannot be fulfilled by even the most powerful of kings or potent of wizards.
When Zelda's eyelids closed at last as she lay on a stone bench, she prayed for a dreamless sleep, as devoid of feelings as she at that moment needed to rule herself to be. But it was not to happen, for when she fell asleep, it was to dream a dream that was not easily forgotten.
*********
And back at Death Mountain, Link and Malon; now covered in soot after the Goron's encouraging them to jump over the bonfires, were sitting side by side on the ground, their arms entertwined anew.
They complimented each other-and not just the way her fiery hair went against his own pale strands, but in the way that they talked and in the way they thought. Perhaps they didn't share the same views or possess the same personalities, but they understood each other.
More than Zelda understood herself.
----------
angst, angst, angst-hoooraaaayyy! (You start writing fluffy Harry Potter fanfics and it gets to ya)*Sees everyone's angry faces.* Ermm..I mean darn??
**runs off away from several things of rotten fruit.** Since I am a pyromaniac, flames will only be used to burn my ample supply of easy mac! And the plot comes into play soon, I promise..bwhahahaha.
By:GoldenSilence
ch.1-The Gorons
disclaimer: Miyamoto owns Zelda and Travis owns the song I'm using (well, duh.:))
-----------
A/N=Wow, how's that for a funky title? No, I did not just close my eyes and point to words in a dictionary, thanks for asking.:)If anyone has read the preequel to this, "A Fairytale In Reality" (which, I highly reccomend they do) they may remember that in the very last chapter, I briefly mentioned a bird taking flight..that signifies Malon's own freedom, of course. So, naturally, "The Fledgling" represents Malon. Just thought I might want to clear that up. (Us author's minds work in straaange ways, I'm tellin' ya.:;)) Everyone that has read the first preequel, please don't hesitate to review and tell me what you think! I really want this to be as good as the first one. Hopefully, you romantics out there don't mind the including of the action/adventure genre..'cause this story is definitely heading that way, starting the NEXT chapter. And as a warning, there will be other couples in this besides Malon/Link..*gasp.*
Oh yes, and I was wondering- is this the kind of stuff I could ever show someone else? I am an avid writer, but nervous about what other people (friends of mine and my english teacher) will think-I don't take harsh critisism well, and I'm afraid they would butcher this little ficcy.
Dedicated to: All you people out there that asked me for a sequel, you know who you are!! Your reviews really motivated me to continue with this quickly (I was going to take a week off, but what can I say, I got into this story too much.) Enjoy!!
---------
~And then this bird just flew away, she was never meant to stay. Oh to keep her caged would just delay the spring. You broke your word. Now that's a lie. We had a deal that you would try. Come on inside, girl, I think it's time. High time we drew the line. But then this bird just flew away. While I looked the other way.~~ (Travis)
*************
It was a joyous occasion. One could tell that even from the bitter beginnings of the wintery wind, itself. Energy seemed to be invested in everywhere and everything, helped by the heavy thud of the Goron's feet as they exerted themselves, the weight of their dancing causing even the normally stolid ground to tremor slightly.
Or the Goron's unique interpetation of dancing, anyway. In reality, it was really just stomping and shaking to a set of quaint drums and a fiddle. The vociferous noises the Gorons made, both with their stomping style of dancing and their equally loud way of talking, could not quite rival the noise booming forth from the drums-though they seemed to be trying to.
Somewhere admist the figures of the Gorons, Link and Malon were doing their own sort of dancing, though much akin to the Goron's own exuberant and flamboyant display of athletisism. Looking at their faces, it was clear to anyone with good eyesight that beyond the celebration the Gorons were doing, a more personal celebration was taking place between the two.
Link watched Malon dance beside him and to his eyes, it seemed as if her feet, unlike the Goron's, seemed hardly to touch the ground for more than a second, both them and her moved as if possessed of some strange maniac energy.
Malon, Link knew, loved music, whether it was the humming of a simple tune or the singing of a lullaby. He hadn't known her love of music extended to the dancing that accompanied it in addition, but it must have, because her every movement showed the style, notes, and tempo of the music that was playing; a performance in itself, each flick of her hand and turn and twist of her body was linked to the rthym of the beat.
Her head tipped back to the sky as she spun around, Malon's energy seemed inexhaustable and at last Link put up his hands in mock protest, pleading with her to slow down.
"Come on back to earth! You can't dance in the clouds forever, you know."
Malon laughed, her eyes sparkling as she spun away from him again and her hair whipping around her face as she turned. "And why not?" she yelled over the noise of the music.
"Because one mere mortal is going to end up hobbling on a cane as a result from trying to dance as you do," replied Link.
Malon just laughed more. "That's because the mere mortal is dancing with two left feet," she gently chided.
Link grinned. "The better to step on you with, my dear."
Malon, in response, put her feet right on top of his own. "Better?"
The silky strands of Link's hair briefly touched Malon's brow, tickling her skin as he leaned over until they were nose to nose. "Much."
*********
The Goron drummer, spotting the pair as they moved in closer to each other, whispered something to the Goron fiddling and on cue, the music changed from insanely fast and upbeat jig to a slow, haunting melody, the drum now being pounded ever so often in the background.
Malon made to move off of Link's feet, but he pulled her back to him. "Don't want you dancing away from me, now do I?"
"Silly," said Malon. "You just don't want them to start playing a song any faster than a funeral march again," she teased.
"Alright, I confess!" Link put his arms around her back, playing with the flower tucked behind one of her ears.
"So you admit that you fence far better than you dance," concluded Malon, her tone light hearted. Link obviously wasn't a bad dancer at all. On the contrary, he was quite a decent one-but decent did not compare to Malon's own quick feet and gestures.
Link put his finger to her lips. "Wait a minute, I never said exactly what I confessed."
"Well say it then," Malon demanded, putting her own arms around his neck.
"Oh, it's nothing important," Link exaggerated. "Only that I love you."
Strange how she had heard those words time and time again, yet they still brought a sense of joy. Not that Malon lived to hear Link say such, of that he really didn't need to. The way she and him both acted and the expressions on their faces when they were around each other said all that ever needed to be said.
Still, Malon spoke. "And I love you."
Unlike when she had first said those very words, no tenativeness came through in her voice. She was as sure of Link's affection as he was of hers.
Link had no answer, except to smile. And Malon smiled back as she moved to rest her head on his shoulder, the effect of all the numerous dances she had been apart of finally catching up with her as she began to feel slightly sleepy.
*********
Zelda was also at the Goron's celebratory dance in honor of both Volvagia's defeat one year's hence and the god that they believed resided within the very core of Death Mountain.
Funny how only a few short days had turned the tables, she mused. A few days ago, at her father's own much more stately imitation of the Goron's occasional feasts and parties, Zelda had been the one settled in Link's arms and Malon had been the one the observing them both, her face a sad and confused thing to look at, indeed. However, now it was Malon in Link's arms with Zelda forced to play the role of the onlooker.
No, not forced, Zelda thought, choosing to. And I chose not to love him as well, didn't I? she reminded herself.
But Zelda's wandering eyes that kept going to the couple showed only too lucidly that her heart had made a choice altogether seperate from her mind's.
You are NOT going back on your choice now-not after it's already been made and done with. It wouldn't be fitting for a queen to be so fickle-minded.
After all, how many sacrifices had Zelda made to stay within what was expected of a queen? Far too many, but it couldn't be helped. This was simply another sacrifice she would have to make.
Ridiculous. I'm watching her watching him.
Zelda turned away from the scene in front of her and studied her reflection in the glass she held.
*********
Malon's face would have shone just as brightly even if there had been none of the glow from the small, Goron-made bonfires to reflect on it, as would have Link's.
The celebration taking place between them was none other than the fact that in each other, they had found someone they felt comfortable around and that brought out the best in them. They were engaged and that was both scary and exciting, to realize that someone had so much control over you just by loving you and you had the same control over them by doing the same. Malon didn't like to wield that sort of power at all.
She glanced down at Link's feet, which were still covered with hers. "You sure this isn't hurting your feet? I'm no Goron, but still-Much as I enjoy dancing with you, I don't fancy carrying you piggyback down the aisle."
"Don't worry," said Link, stepping to and fro with Malon's feet atop his own. "You're my strength," he said, half joking and then suddenly turned serious. "And in being so, my only weakness. Malon..."
Malon knew instantly what Link was speaking of. Before their wedding, he had to go on a trip with the king-to try and talk some sense into a country whom, according to Link and the king, had none. Naturally, the country thought as highly of Hyrule as Hyrule did of it. Malon didn't want Link to go ever bit as much as he didn't want to, but they couldn't always be together.
Still..what if someone tried to kill him on his so called trip? She wasn't stupid. Just because Ganondorf was dead didn't mean his followers were.
"I'll be fine. Honestly, it's just one week you'll be gone," Malon spoke to Link with a reassurance she didn't feel. "How in Hyne's name do you think I managed all those years with Ingo, anyway?"
She smiled impishly. "I can assure you, it wasn't just on my wits."
"I can see that from the death grip you have on my shoulder," Link said with a wince.
Malon released the pressure of her hand on Link's shoulder-and the tension she felt on the inside.
Link tried to look like Malon's earlier statement had relieved him and failed miserably. Having banished Ganondorf lead to many allies-and an equal number of enemies. What would such enemies do to get to him, to get him out of the way? Kill Malon? Quite possibly.
Be alone and no one except you could get hurt. Attach to the world around you, to friends and loved ones, and you brought the same risks as were your own; the danger of life and death, down around their heads.
But just like Zelda, Link had made a choice. Though, unlike her, he had taken a chance with that choice-and at the same time, become vulnerable in the eyes of all those that sought to obliviate him once and for all.
Then Link put all thoughts and worries on hold, simply content to dance with Malon and hold her. Her face was the afterglow of his, as the firelight was of the sweat shining off of the Gorons. Both faces were direct opposition to the bleak, gray atmosphere of Hyrule, which was now readying itself for winter.
After dancing in silence for what seemed eternity, Malon broke the surrealness that possessed those moments; the fireflies and pixies that fluttered about entermingling in the night sky with the stars, all above the creatures dancing. Looking at Link's face, she asked a most simple question. "What are you thinking?"
Link raised an eyebrow as he steered her clear of one of the bonfires. "You really want to know?"
"Yes."
"That I wish you would marry me right here and now," he stated plainly.
Malon blushed. "And who would be the minister? Darunia?" she asked, pretending to be serious.
"Naturally, he would perform the ceremony. After which, we would jump across one of these bonfires for good luck."
"But bonfires don't symbolize good luck. They symbolize fertilit-" began Malon, then stopped, realizing what she had just said.
"That too," said Link. He looked emberassed. "Really it's just a superstition, anyway."
Malon grinned. "Well, just so you know, I wouldn't mind having some..someday."
"What's this? Making plans for children already?" broke in a voice at Malon and Link's side. Turning her head from where it was resting on Link's shoulder, Malon saw Darunia watching the both of them bemusedly, a huge, loopy type of smile on his face that made the other dancer's expressions appear sad by comparison. "Are you pregnant then? That is most joyous news!"
The Goron's hearty voice boomed , simultaneously making itself heard over the other voices, dancing, and the music. In that instant, the music ceased and several pairs of eyes (along with several pairs of ears) focused on Link, Malon, Darunia, and their little chat.
Instinctively, Zelda's hands trembled slightly and she tightened her hold on her glass to keep them from shaking any further. For one terrible moment, she held her breath.
"No, I'm not pregnant," Malon answered.
"She's engaged!" Link shouted happily, picking up a startled Malon and planting a kiss on her cheek. Zelda's terrible moment became prolonged.
It was then that a current of doubt ran through Link. What if it was safer for her not to marry him or love him? Shouldn't he at least give her the choice?
"That is, if you still want to. Do you?" he asked in a whisper, wanting to make sure her emotions were not alien to his own.
"On that matter, you shouldn't need convincing," whispered Malon back, giving him a kiss. And the doubt passed as quickly as it had come.
Malon still felt by Link's announcing of their engagement, never the less. The secrecy of their engagement had been an unsure thing; Malon had only not told anyone because she felt it was information she wanted to treasure and keep private-at least, for a short while. Plus, if the truth be told, Malon was afraid of how people would react. A peasant with a noble? Unheard of-and not approved of, either.
Darunia's and the other Goron's reactions put Malon's fears to rest. "Did you hear that? The hero of time is engaged to our songbird here!" shouted Darunia, and the other Gorons exulted at the news, clapping and stomping their hands and feet in appreciation.
Link already was holding Malon in the air as if he never intended to put her down, and was just as startled as she was when Darunia picked both of them up, crushing them in the very strong Goron hug Link had tried to avoid years ago as a child. Malon and Link caught each other's gaze and grinned sheepishly. They were both at peace and happy, but for one person's happiness, there is always one suffering.
And in Malon and Link's little world- the one that held only them-shutting out even the overjoyed Gorons now showering them with congratulations at the news, they realized and noticed nothing else except for each other.
Not even Zelda, standing on the fringe of the crowd surrounding Link and Malon. She smiled and gave a polite wave in their direction, pretending to look glad for them both.
Her face was as composed as anyone's; it didn't betray her true emotions, but her actions did.
Her grip on her glass tightened until that very same glass broke into a thousand glittering shards. Unable to stand it, Zelda left the Goron's celebration-but not running as Malon had done before. She would never run; she had made her choice.
You could have chosen differently. That could be you he's holding right now; you he's engaged to.
No! I have made my choice and will stand by it, no matter the consequences.
Instead, Zelda walked slowly and with the utmost of precision. Even when Malon and Link, the Gorons, and the bonfires were far from view, Zelda still just walked, never hastening her gait.
Only upon reaching Hyrule Castle and the gardens inside it did Zelda's carefully contrived mask crumple, showing the confused girl beneath. The girl, that unlike the queen she had become, possessed no need to hide anything. She wandered about in the garden, the maze within it nothing compared to the more conflicting emotions and thoughts that flooded Zelda's very being.
Sure, life is easy when you're beautiful, rich, and have every wish you ever make granted.
Except when you figure out that some desires cannot be fulfilled by even the most powerful of kings or potent of wizards.
When Zelda's eyelids closed at last as she lay on a stone bench, she prayed for a dreamless sleep, as devoid of feelings as she at that moment needed to rule herself to be. But it was not to happen, for when she fell asleep, it was to dream a dream that was not easily forgotten.
*********
And back at Death Mountain, Link and Malon; now covered in soot after the Goron's encouraging them to jump over the bonfires, were sitting side by side on the ground, their arms entertwined anew.
They complimented each other-and not just the way her fiery hair went against his own pale strands, but in the way that they talked and in the way they thought. Perhaps they didn't share the same views or possess the same personalities, but they understood each other.
More than Zelda understood herself.
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angst, angst, angst-hoooraaaayyy! (You start writing fluffy Harry Potter fanfics and it gets to ya)*Sees everyone's angry faces.* Ermm..I mean darn??
**runs off away from several things of rotten fruit.** Since I am a pyromaniac, flames will only be used to burn my ample supply of easy mac! And the plot comes into play soon, I promise..bwhahahaha.