Hey, Lex here. This is my first story! Well, I'm considering it my first story, since this is the first time I've gotten past three chapters. I'd really appreciate feedback, so long as it's at least constructive. I really hope you enjoy, either way.


(Link's POV)

"I think I want to stay here for the rest of my life, protecting the Triforce and the Master Sword. Link... what will you do?"

Time stopped for me then. Nothing could make me happier than spending my life on the surface with Zelda, my childhood friend whom I'd defeated darkness itself for. To think she was the reincarnation of Hylia, the great goddess... I'd do everything in my power to protect her. I was so wrapped up in these thoughts that I didn't realize our Loftwings had returned to Skyloft without us, as they seemed to realize we weren't coming back. From that day, everything would change, but for the better. Groose returned home, old Impa was gone... it was just us.

With the help of my sailcloth, I got us both back down from the statue of the goddess safely and into the temple. Demise wouldn't be rising again anytime soon. However, something unexpected would happen in less time than anticipated.

Years passed complacently. Zelda and I grew into adults together. We became closer, as she admitted she'd wanted to be more than my childhood friend for a while. All was peaceful during those years. We enjoyed our time together, but it felt like we were... waiting. Waiting for something to happen. It certainly happened.

One night, as I was doing a few chores outside the temple, I noticed an odd figure on the ground not far from the entrance. It didn't look human, but it was certainly alive... I approached the creature with caution, unsure of what I was getting myself into. As I drew nearer, I could hear soft whimpering that sounded like it was coming from a girl, likely about the same age as Zelda and I were by then.

"Hey, hey..." I tried calling out to her. She stiffened and tried to crawl away, but she collapsed only a few paces away.

"There's nothing to be afraid of..." I murmured as I got close again. I crouched near what I assumed what her dark-haired head, and she looked up at me. I couldn't help but think she was beautiful, terrified as she was... she had a face naturally shaped for beauty.

"D-Don't..." she cried, withdrawing away from me.

"I won't hurt you. I want to help. Will you let me take you to safety?"

She seemed to actually think about this for a moment. "No more m-monsters... Please, get me away from them..." she whimpered, pulling herself up into a sitting position. I held a hand out to her, and she eyed it almost suspiciously before shakily placing her own in my palm. I helped her up and offered an arm for support as we walked back into the temple.

Zelda was curious about the woman, but she kept her distance for the stranger's sake. The poor girl was still terrified and had no idea where she was. I gave her a warm meal and let her have my bed for the night, knowing Zelda would likely let me share hers. She ate like she'd never eaten before and was out like a light.

"Any idea who she is?" Zelda asked once we were relaxing for the night and the strange girl had fallen asleep.

"Not a clue. She's obviously fallen victim to monster attacks, though I'm not sure where she came from in her condition. Faron isn't a volatile place anymore, and it hasn't been for years."

"Maybe she'll open up to us, in time..."

"I hope so," I agreed. "Something about her makes me want to help her."

"Poor thing... I wonder if she's ever really had a home?"

"Perhaps we can ask her tomorrow. Get some rest, my goddess."

It was a name I'd taken to calling Zelda immediately after we started living here. She hated it at first, but eventually she stopped caring so much when I called her my goddess. She just giggled at me and snuggled up close for the night.

About three hours into the night, I was woken by shouting.

I jumped out of bed and drew the sword I'd made with my free time, worried something had gotten into the temple. I stalked around, looking for the source, until I came across the strange girl I'd found hours earlier. She was writing like thorns had grown around her heart and crying out in her sleep. I sheathed my sword and shook her shoulder lightly to wake her. She flailed her arms, almost hitting me, but as soon as she realized it was only me, she hunched over and started to sob.

"Hey, don't cry..." I tried, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into me and cried until she was reduced to small shudders. Zelda had roused and come to investigate by then as well, and she knelt in front of the girl.

"We'll keep you safe," she cooed, placing a hand on the stranger's knee and rubbing tiny circles. "May I ask what your name is?"

After a few moments of trying to control her breathing, she whispered, "Aishou."

"Aishou... that's quite the unusual name. My name is Zelda. This is Link."

Aishou watched Zelda as she introduced me, as if trying to read her expression. She seemed to decide that Zelda was worthy of her trust, and she relaxed a little.

"I-I think I'm ready to sleep again..." she said in a tiny voice.

"Okay..." I shifted away from her and off the bed to let her lie back down. She looked fragile how she was, half-starved and scared to death. I felt something almost... paternal for her. I wanted to nurse her back to health.

After the first nightmare, she slept through the night, if fitfully. The nights continued this way, but slowly, as we earned more of her trust and as she regained her health, they diminished, and eventually they were a monthly occurrence. Aishou often spent her days helping Zelda with cooking and gardening, and she'd taken up prayer to the goddess statue. It took a very long time, but we got her to smile. She did seem somewhat sad when she saw how happy Zelda and I were together, but we realized this and tried to keep our alone time to when we were truly alone. She never said a word about it, but we could tell she appreciated it. Before long, she'd become fiercely protective of Zelda.

One night, while we were sat around a fire, she got to talking about her dreams.

"My dreams are prophetic... they tell me what the future of the world will look like if it continues on its current path."

"Why have the nightmares lessened, then?" Zelda asked. "The world, as far as I can sense, hasn't changed its course much in the past year..."

Aishou got quiet, then. "I don't know," she murmured. "Perhaps there are things you can't sense that have been happening."

"Unlikely," Zelda argued. "I am Hylia's reincarnation, after all."

"Then... I don't know." She nervously excused herself then, deciding she was tired and was ready for bed. Zelda and I gave her questioning looks, but before either of us could speak, she was gone.