Disclaimer: I will not, do not, will never (Unfortunately) have a hand in or own Zelda and all the wonderful things that go with.
Pairing: LinkxPipit
A/N: I apologize for the lateness of this update as it was not my intention of taking this long… But be warned all college transfer students, the admissions office is something to be feared! Do not walk in unprepared (i.e. have many sources of comfort and expect shit to hit fans… le sigh) and be ready! I warn thee, I warn thee… I suppose you all can gather what happened… ;( Anyway, here is the next installment, and as before, any errors please notify me so I can change them ASAP.
Chapter 2
They have their exists and entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts
{3rd Person- Skyloft}
The night air was filled with laughs and gleeful shouts as fires roared and food cooked. The days Wing Ceremony had been quick and glorious, with the winner now sitting with his knight peers.
"You should have seen those two! They were so competitive I was afraid one would knock the other of his Loftwing!" One knight shouted, much to the glee of the other knights surrounding him.
"It wasn't that bad." Pipit put in, but he was just hushed so the knight could finish his story. Smiling Pipit shook his head and turned back to his conversation with the one person that was sitting at the table and not a knight.
"Let them have their fun. You know it's harmless." Zelda smirked as the knight reached the climax of his story, shouting the verdict as if it were new and unheard.
"I do, but it's getting old hearing how it was a death match. It was nothing of the sort."
Zelda smiled. "That's our Pipit, to good and nice to be mean." Frowning at the remark he went to speak but Zelda held up her hand. "If you don't want to hear it, let's move. Then you won't have to listen. Besides, I' sure you mother will want to spend some time with you tonight."
"But what about the festival?" Pipit asked, resisting Zelda as she attempted to pull him away from the table.
"Oh whatever. These people are so wrapped up I stories and pumpkin mead they won't even notice."
Allowing Zelda to drag him away he gave a final glance and had to admit, nobody had really noticed his departure.
"See? Isn't this better? More room to breathe." Zelda inhaled, sighing out the air with happiness. "Not as stale either."
"Whatever." Sliding his hand away from Zelda Pipit moved past her toward the small river. Moving to sit by the bridge he ignored the wet sand and plopped down.
Following, Zelda chose a grassier place by the bridge and joined her friend. "What's wrong?" Staring at her friend she could help but notice the faraway look that had taken over his face since the ceremony. "I thought you'd be happy to win today."
"I am." Feeling the cold wetness under him, Pipit grimaced and wondered if he should have sat so close to the river. "It's just… It feels like I have a bigger responsibility now, you know?"
"Hn. Well, I think that's a bit silly." Looking up Zelda focused on the stars for a moment before continuing. "I mean, just because you're a knight now doesn't mean people will be treating you completely differently. Sure, you have a job to protect, but people know who you are. They're not expecting you to be different."
Nodding Pipit picked up a rock and tossed it at the river. "I wasn't really thinking of it that way." Picking up another rock he glared at it as he tried to figure out what he was feeling. "It's like, I have someone else to answer to now, someone I don't know but I do. It's…complicated."
Staring hard at her friend Zelda opened her mouth, but stopped. How could she ask this? "Have you… Heard something recently? Like a voice that you just can't understand?"
"It's not a voice so much as a pressure. As if I'm about to walk into a big test but I don't even know what it is."
Looking away Zelda fixed her eyes back on the stars. "It kinda feels like that for me too right now. There something else out there. But it doesn't feel like pressure as much as… like something I've been waiting to happen is almost here."
"Do you ever wonder what happens to the water that falls from our island?"
Startled by the change in subject Zelda twisted to look Pipit in the face. "What?"
"Like," he motioned toward the waterfall at the edge of the island, "the water flows over the edge, but we don't know where it goes. It just falls through he clouds. Where does it end up?"
Frowning Zelda watched her friends face as it again gained the faraway look. "You think about the surface?"
"Recently, yeah. I mean, there are questions that I didn't even realize I should ask. We always hear about how the world below id probably a barren wasteland, destroyed in the fight between Hylia and her enemy, but we don't really know do we." Flinging another rock, Pipit then sat back against the bridge and moved his hands to his lap.
"I think that it's a beautiful world down there." Zelda said quietly, looking away from her friends and focusing on the emerging fireflies.
Pipit watched his friend, trying to make her look back at him. "Why?" He finally asked.
"Why would the Goddess leave so many references to a world below and not let us return? The songs and texts make it sound as if one day we will go back and face what she could not destroy."
Frowning Pipit stood and leaned over his friend. "You think we're going to go back?" He whispered, unsure of why he felt like this question was the one that needed asking.
Taking a deep breath Zelda looked up into her friends eyes. "Yes. And… Maybe soon. Both you and I feel the pull, so who's to say it's not a sign."
Straightening Pipit backed away and glared at the ground between them. "But it makes no sense. Why now? We're regular elves so why bother pulling us in on something this big?"
"Fate often does not make sense. She has her own machinations and rarely allows mortals know her designs."
Jerking his head to meet Zelda's eyes Pipit searched his friends face. "That doesn't sound like you Zelda."
"I don't feel like me." She admitted, closing her eyes as if to sleep. "But then again, maybe that's also fate."
"I don't believe that."
Giving a small laugh Zelda opened her eyes and Pipit realized that he was not looking at a person he knew. "You do believe it. That's what's scaring you. I'm not afraid so the pressure does not bother me as it does you."
Sitting back Pipit tried to understand who he was talking to. "Zelda?"
Shaking her head Zelda sighed in resignation. "You know what? Never mind." Standing she brushed her dress off and began to walk back to the crowd. "Bedsides" she said, stopping for a moment, "tonight is about you, so why don't you enjoy it?" She finished and continued to leave.
Moving to call after her Pipit stopped the words and let her leave, unsure of what he was supposed to do right then. The pressure that had been forming around him seemed to get tighter after their talk leaving him uncomfortable just standing by the river. Coming to a decision he shoved the conversation from his mind and went to find his mother.
***000***
"Goodness, look at that gloomy face! You would think he'd look happier about today." Mallara remarked as her son came trudging toward her, face clouded in thought.
"Hn? Oh, just thinking." He responded as he took the seat next to her.
"Hopefully not about me, your face was a storm cloud." Taking her sons hand she peered at his face. "Is there something you need to talk about?"
Flushing from embarrassment Pipit forced himself to not pull his hand away and tried to summon a smile. "I'm fine, just tired. It's been a long day." Managing a truer smile he relaxed as his mother's grip lightened. "I just wanted to see you before I went to bed."
Face lighting up his mother released him completely and clapped her hands. "Oh, how sweet. But you don't need to be thinking of me dear, this is your day." Shifting in her seat his mother reached for something sitting a little behind her. "In fact I got you something. It's not much but I thought you might want it." Presenting the object she smiled and waited.
Warring with frustration and love Pipit took the shield from his mother and inspected it. She shouldn't have spent the money, they didn't have enough of that he was sure, but the love in the gift was enough to keep him quiet about the subject. "Thank you, it's perfect."
"Oh good, you like it. I knew you'd want something practical so I asked around town to see what a new knight would need. A shield was the most common answer so that's what I got." Beaming at her son Mallara watched as he fitting the shield on his arm, testing the weight.
It was just a small wooden shield but it was all he really needed right now. Other knight had managed to talk to Gonzo and get their shields reinforced or even drop enough money in the market for an iron shield but that was usually for show. With only Keese and Chus being the only real enemy besides trouble makers a wooden shield would handle anything for the most part. If it wore down he could just get it repaired.
"Thanks." Giving his mother a brief hug Pipit stood with his new shield and began his trek home. His mother looked happy enough with her friends and it wasn't a lie, he was tired. Just more worried than tired but he pushed that thought away and focused on what Zelda had said earlier. Nobody expects too much so he shouldn't worry. He only hoped that was true.
***000***
{1st Person-Link}
The air was cool around us as we made our way through the darkening forest, Fren up front and me covering rear. I figured I could hear anything behind and see anything up front and would know if anything targeted the glowing torch or who carried it. We had walked in silence most of the way, afraid of anything hearing whispered word and deciding they should look. It had been a straining few hours, but now that the village was close I could feel both Fren and myself relaxing.
Soon this nightmare would be over and I could go out on patrol with someone who knew what they were doing tomorrow morning and forget this escapade ever happened. Maybe. The words of the guardian kept floating in my head but ignored them fiercely. They were confusing at best and distracting at worst.
Seeing the light halt I stopped, wondering what Fren had heard that I didn't. "Is that- The sound of the village?" he asked quietly, turning his head to hear better.
Pausing to listen I strained my ears to hear any sound other than the usual sounds of the forest. Beside me a cricket whirred and I could feel my eye beginning to flinch. But under the sound of bugs and birds I heard a distinct sound of clinking, something I was sure sounded like the hammer of a blacksmith.
Coming close to Fren I nodded at him, loath to talk even this close to home and we began moving again. His pace was faster and I almost laughed at his eagerness to return to the safety of the walls. Home. Thank the Goddess. A sudden sharp wind hit me and I shivered. It seemed a snow really was on the way as the old healer had said. Seems I would have to start wearing thicker clothes and a cloak.
"Look." Fren said, interrupting thought. I started to tell him to be quiet but then I saw what he was gesturing to. The village clearing had opened up in front of us and I hadn't seen such a welcome sight.
"We made it. Come on." Taking the torch and walked ahead to the gates, looking for the gate guard who would let us in.
"Link! You made it! We were starting to worry you had gotten lost." The guard called, rushing to open the gate.
"Long story." I called back not wanting to start trouble. If they knew how useless Fren had been they would never let him live peacefully. I had come to the conclusion on the way and knew I would need to talk to whoever had let Fren's lack of abilities slip past them. It could have cost lives, especially if he'd been sent out with someone less experienced.
"Your face says so." The guard greeted one we made it through the gate.
"Don't worry about it. Oh, do you know who was in charge of making the lists this week?" I asked glancing back at Fren who was looking around as if uncertain what to do next.
"This week? Oh, I think it was a guy named Mido. Not sure but that's what comes to mind." The guard shrugged and went to take the torch from Fren. "You okay?" He asked the elf having got a good look at Fren.
"Yeah."
"Fren, you go ahead and drop your stuff back off, I've got to go talk to someone." Fixing him with a stare I hoped he understood what I was attempting to say. Comprehension dawned on his face and he nodded quickly, taking my pack and his and set of for our rooms.
Leaving the entrance area I made my way toward the soldiers building hoping that it wouldn't be as bad a meeting as I figured it would be.
***000***
"Look, all I'm saying is we could have been in serious danger!" I growled, trying to keep my hands close to my sides and away from the neck sitting in front of me.
"I fail to see where there's a problem. You handled it just fine by the looks of it so stop your whining." The elf attached to the neck in front of me, Mido, responded with a huff. So far he'd said that it had nothing to do with him that Fren was inexperienced even though he'd been assigned to make the lists.
Breathing in and counting to ten I began again. "Look, as lucky as we were to come out of that alive it's possible we wouldn't have, very possible. I was sent out with a liability. It can't happen again."
"Whatever. Look, I'm busy, so why don't you go do whatever and leave me be."
That was not asking. Not. "If this happens again I hope you know that it will be on your head." Stalking from the room I ignored his calls to return. No way would I walk back into that den of stupidity.
"Link, wow, you look so happy." I heard from my left. Glaring at the voice I ignored the person, walking past them in an attempt to reach my room. "No, seriously, you look wicked mad." Rolling my eyes at the explanation I stopped in front of my door.
"Something you need, Kido?" I asked, hand resting on the handle to my room. Sanity was waiting on the other side of the door, I knew it.
"Seemed like you and my cousin were having some issues. What'd you do?"
Me? Oh Goddess damned. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with. He just suggested that I get some rest."
"Huh. Sounds like good advice. Heard he was gonna send you back out to the far reaches, more towards the North Woods." Leaning forward Kido smirked. "Hear that's a dangerous place. You probably will need some rest."
Scowling, I refused to answer. Shoving the door open I slammed it shut before I heard anything else that made blood boil. The North Woods would be teaming with Bokoblins and with the sighting coming closer to the village there was no need to send anyone out that far.
Throwing myself down on my bed I seethed at the injustice, but then it was just like Mido to pull a stunt like that. No matter what I did he had to be right above me, telling me what had to be done even though he'd never really been out of the village walls. Little prick.
"Link?"
Growling I turned and threw a pillow at the door. "What?"
"It's me, Saria. Can I come in?" Not waiting for an answer my friend opened the door and slipped in. Picking up the pillow she sat down beside me and stared at me over the fluffy object. "I thought I heard you with Mido. Guess I was right."
Letting out a breath I sat up and leaned against the wall. "Who else is a major idiot? Yeah, it was Mido."
"He's not always and idiot." She defended, laying the pillow down in her lap and fluffing it.
"Yes he is. He just likes you." Snatching the pillow from her I flung it to the end of the bed. No way would she defend him at a time like this.
"What did he do?"
"Oh, nothing much, just tried to get me and someone else killed today. Just a minor issue really." Folding my arms I waited for her to argue against my words. A year ago Saria went from being my best friend to my best friend who happened to enjoy the company of my worst enemy.
"It probably wasn't that bad…" She trailed off, wincing under the glare I sent her.
"So sending someone who's never been on patrol into the wood during the most dangerous time of the year with only one partner isn't a bad idea? Could have fooled me." I snapped, suddenly wishing Saria hadn't invaded my room.
Saria frowned, staying silent as I waited for her to answer my challenge. "Alright so maybe it wasn't such a great idea, but it could have been a mistake."
"Yeah, and I'm a princess. We had to stay at the Sacred Temple for most of the day, just trying to find a way back without getting killed."
Throwing her hands up Saria gave up. "Okay, bone head move, but you've been in the woods before right? It's not like you can't handle yourself out there."
Looking away I didn't respond seeing that she didn't understand. By myself? I could probably make my way back without an encounter. With a person who under the best circumstances was panicked and liable to run off at the sight of a monster? I'd first have to kill the creature, evade others that heard the fighting and instead of laying low and picking them off one by one, search for a panicked individual that would be drawing the attention of every enemy in the area. After finding them I'd be lucky to not have a hoard at my back. By then it would be too dangerous to lead them back to the village.
"Never mind." She sighed. "So did you have fun at the temple? It would be interesting to look around without everyone else there."
"Only to the store room and back." Squirming under her gaze I felt as if I was lying, but I just couldn't tell her about my meeting with the Guardian. Somehow it seemed too special, too exclusive to be spoken of.
"Oh, sounds kind of boring. I would have looked around more." She answered; face brightening at the change of topic. I thought about redirecting back but decided otherwise. She wouldn't listen anyway. "Who'd you go with anyway?"
"A food gatherer, Fren. Nice enough but a coward." Giving her a sidelong glance I saw her flinch before continuing. "I need to replace two torches that we took. Probably soon if Kido was right. I'm supposed to patrol the North Woods."
"Oh… Who are you going with?"
"I don't know. Didn't feel like asking at the time." I muttered, sinking back down on my bed. Seemed like we couldn't avoid the topic no matter how hard we wanted to.
Shrugging Saria stood up and moved the pillow. "Well, you'll be having an early morning and you've already had a busy day. I'll leave you be." Walking away she slipped out the door and shut it behind her, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind.
Pulling my boots off I threw them beside my bed before pulling the covers up. This day, whether it wanted to be or not, was over in my opinion.
***000***
{1st Person- Pipit}
The sun was just beginning to rise as I started my new just of patrolling the skies. Tugging at the new knight's tunic I hoped it looked good enough for work.
"Hey!" Turning to face the voice I waited for Zelda to approach, her eyes bright despite the earliness of the morning. "I figured I'd see you off this morning, keep you company."
"Thanks, but I have to be paying attention today so…" giving her a smile I hoped she would be too upset at the brushing off.
"Nonsense, father said I could so I will. Besides, Karane is still in class and I have no one to fly with." Grabbing my arm she walked with me toward a jump point. "Just think of it as watching a flier practice. You'll be around if I mess up."
Giving her a look I paused so she would stop and notice. "You are one of the better civilian fliers we have; I highly doubt anything could go wrong."
Huffing Zelda placed her hands on her hips and leaned toward me. "And just because you said nothing will go wrong, something bad is going to happen; henceforth you have to fly with me this morning."
"I don't think it works like that." I mused as I began walking toward the edge. After all who believed in that superstition? Apparently Zelda did, because she continued to glare at me even though I had stopped fighting her. It was almost funny how her face scrunched up when she got angry.
"Just you wait; a freak storm, accident, or lightning bolt will prove you otherwise." She snipped, marching past me to the platform.
Extending my arm I smirked before giving her a little push. "Ladies first. At least I'm not pushing you over the edge." I reminded her, stepping back so she could launch correctly. Waving me off she sprinted towards the edge before flinging herself off. A sharp whistle sounded and she was up in the air waiting for me. Following her I launched and called my own Loftwing, flying up to hover close to Zelda.
"Well, let's fly shall we?" Leaning against her Loftwing Zelda gave it a little nudge and she was off into the sky.
"Well if it's my job to watch her today…" I muttered to my own Loftwing which gave a squawk. "Well you heard me, after her." My Lofting needed no ore encouragement and took off after Zelda's blue bird. Coming up beside her I laughed at her scandalized face. "My bird is faster, you know that." I called felling amused as she made a face.
"Just because you're bird is faster doesn't mean he can keep up with us!" She shouted back, putting herself into a dive.
Rolling my eyes at the stunt I followed her down until we were brushing the clouds. "We shouldn't be down here." I called over the wind feeling nervous from being so close to the cloud barrier.
"Why? You think something might go wrong?" She smirked before pulling her bird back up into the sky. "And I didn't think you believed that anything was going to happen."
Pulling up into an ascent I ignored her comment and shot past her, hoping she would follow. A few second later she was on my heels, not looking at me but higher up. "You still haven't answered my question." She shouted as she leveled off beside me, allowing a smile through her mask of indifference.
"Do I need to?" It was just common sense to stay away from the cloud barrier as there would be no rescue from a knight if you fell that close. No Loftwing would fly through barrier, and the only people who had seen below us those that never returned. It was well known that is something fell through there was no retrieving it.
"Well," She mused, pulling my from my thought, "it would allow me to say I told you so."
Flicking my gaze over to her the words that where in my mouth stopped as I felt something shift in the wind. "You feel that?" I asked, previous conversation forgotten. At her sudden stillness I knew she had as well. Adjusting my grip I flew close enough to talk easily. "I say we head back to the island and land. It feels like a storms coming."
Nodding Zelda redirected her bird back toward the island. "Guess I should watch what I say next time, huh?" She asked, blue eyes fixed on our destination.
"I told you so."
Flicking me an annoyed look she opened her mouth as the winds rose. Lowering myself down I glanced around and tried to spot the storm clouds that would herald such a gust but the sky held no telltale darkness.
"This isn't normal." Mirroring my thoughts Zelda pushed her Loftwing to move faster and I did the same. Soon we were rapidly rising but it felt as if the winds were following, spinning around us as if to spawn a twister. "We need to separate!" She called over the howling around us. "We're getting to close!" Nodding I shifted my course a little right to give us more room.
As if us separating was the queue the wind whipped around us and it took me a second to realize it had indeed spawned a twister, one that both of us seemed to be aiming for. "Turn back around!" I shouted, reining my bird back, but Zelda shot forward. "Hey!" But it was too late, her Loftwing twisted in the air and unseated it's rider before it was tossed in a daze toward the sky.
I felt panic hit my chest as Zelda began to fall, mind blank of all thought and sound. Without thinking I pushed my bird into a dive, ignoring the still present twister as the words never retrieved seemed to echo in the spaces my thoughts were supposed to be. I gained on her, close enough to see her frightened face before my own bird bucked beneath me sending me to join Zelda as we fell towards the clouds. I thought I heard a scream before everything faded.
***000***
I felt soft blankets folded around me but I still ached for some unknown reason. Shifting to my side I felt a stab of pain that made me hiss as I moved back to my previous position. Note, rolling over does not feel good.
"Are you awake?" A voice rumbled from somewhere above causing my muscles to tense painfully. The only people that should be in the house was me and my mother yet the voice was distinctly male. Opening my eyes I found a blurry shape hovering above me to the right. Blinking I forced down the idea of someone breaking in as I saw a figure that had to be my mother. Squinting I forced my eyes to work on clearing so I could see.
"You may have a little trouble focusing, for that I'm sorry. Your rescue was less than easy and I'm afraid you're a little worse for the wear." Rescue?
Finally the blinders lifted and I saw that it was the headmaster sitting by my bed on a chair from the table. My mother was hovering near his shoulder, hands clasped and eyes round with worry. "What happened?" My tongue felt heavy but the words still came out clear.
"Something caused a twister to form in front of you and Zelda while you were flying. You were both knocked from your Loftwings." Gaepora explained shifting in the too small seat.
Right, the twister. But I had only gotten too close because- "Zelda." I finished aloud. "Where is she? Why are you with me instead of her?" Sitting up I ignored the aching and waited for a response but there didn't seem to be one. "We both fell, so someone had to go after her, right?" I pressed feeling fear bubble in my veins. No knight would leave a helpless girl to fall.
"She fell too fast. The knights tried but she fell through the clouds." My mother finally supplied, moving to place her hand on the headmasters shoulder. Disbelieving I looked to the headmaster for hope, but found his eyes averted, face stony.
"But we were so close together, how could she fall through?" My mind felt numb. Zelda had fallen through the clouds.
Another silence descended on the room, tense and horrible all at once. "May I have a few moments with your son?" The headmaster finally asked, returning his attention to the room.
Gripping her hands tight my mother nodded before heading for the door. "I'll be close, so don't worry." She said looking at me. Nodding I watched her leave the house with a feeling that the pressure was returning. Somehow it had fallen away in the shock but had come back in full force making my skin crawl.
Looking to the Headmaster I felt the need for him to talk, to fill the heavy silence as if to drive away the unbearable weight. "You were with her when…" He stopped, biting his lip.
"She fell." My voice cracked, unable to believe the words even though I had seen the descent.
"Yes." The Headmaster said quietly. "When she fell. Did… Did it feel normal to you? The sudden wind?"
"No." Was the first word out of my mouth, as if I knew what he would ask. "It came from nowhere. The drafts were wrong, and there were no storm clouds. I should have felt a more gradual change. I know when the wind shifts." It was easier to think about it that way, as if it were something to be analyzed. It wasn't me it happened to; it had to be someone else.
"I see. Do you think it could have been avoided?" he asked, eyes glittering brighter as he asked.
Closing my eyes I thought back. "No, I don't think so." How could we? "We tried." It had just sprang from the air as if called, following us until it landed nearly on top of us.
Nodding the headmaster stood. "Thank you. You help my mind. I feared she was being reckless and had endangered both of your lives." I stared at the elf before I understood what he had been asking for. He didn't want to have every memory tarnished from the thought of a careless action. He wanted to remember his daughter as strong, not someone who would place her safety and the safety of other people at risk for a joke.
It hit hard, the moment I realized he was asking for a good memory. A memory. That's all she was now, a sweet memory. "She really is gone." It didn't sound like my voice. It was much too far away, as if from the other side of a bridge on a windy day. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked to see tears forming in his eyes.
"Yes."
With that he walked wearily to the door and left. An uncomfortable silence echoed throughout the house leaving a chill that seemed to settle on the very air around me. My best friend was now gone, and I didn't save her. I failed. So much for being a knight.
"Pipit?" My mother was back but I just couldn't muster up the energy to greet her. Falling back down on the bed I ignored the pain that raced across my skin and turned to face the wall. Nothing was ever going to be the same.
***000***
[3rd Person- Surface}
Link, from the moment he woke, knew the day was doomed to be as bad as the last. He wasn't sure how he knew, or even why, but it was a feeling stronger than if someone had outright told him.
And he had been right. He was two hours into his patrol when the sky opened up and began to pelt him with large white flakes that melted against his skin and turned his ears blue. His partner, an experienced forester by the name of Gwin, seemed as impressed as Link as he huffed and drew his cloak tighter around his face.
"Goddess damned weather. As if we needed another obstacle." He muttered as Link stumbled over a hidden root. Silently agreeing Link righted himself before he started again. "Now we'll leave wonderful tracks for our ickle friendlies to follow. Perfect."
"Not like we have any other options." Link mused as he shook the accumulating snow from his head and shoulders. While the snow created a beautiful scene it was hard to enjoy while cold, wet, and still having hours to go.
"And we get to do it tomorrow too." Gwin growled, shoving a branch out his path. "I can't wait for the day of the festival. What is it, two days away?"
"Three, I think. Been a little too busy to keep track." Link responded. "Besides, we still have two days of snow to get through."
"Right, remind me again why don't you?" Smiling at his partners grousing Link still couldn't find it in him to hate the day completely. Sure he was covered in snow and uncomfortable, but at least he had a better companion today. Looking back he saw his partner stumble, causing the elf to start cussing.
Amused Link just shook his head, dislodging more snow to fall from his cloak. "Keep fussing and you will have something worse to worry about." He reminded the sputtering elf.
Fixing a glare on his partners back Gwin made a quick rude gesture before following the smaller elf further into the forest. "So how'd you get stuck with the far reaches with me on this glorious day? Usually they struggle to fit someone in."
Frowning Link tried to think of how to phrase his particular situation. "I was voluntold by the wonderful overseer that has control of the schedule until a few days after the festival." He explained.
"Well isn't that how it goes. Little minions have no clue what it's like out here." Gwin smirked and flung an arm over Links shoulders.
Playfully shrugging the arm off Link returned the pseudo smile. "Yeah, but I'd replace minion with idiot."
***000***
A few more hours in the cold wonderland left Link feeling much less charitable about his opinion of the day. Two skirmishes later Link was started to feel the drain on his energy as he tried in vain to keep warm. Gwin too was feeling the effects and had stopped talking soon after the first fight, focusing more on his frozen fingers then making small talk.
Coming to a halt Link stared hard at the space in front of him as he saw movement that wasn't with the wind. "Is that what I think that is?" He asked his partner in a low voice.
"If you think it looks like a large group of Bokoblins then I'd say yes." Gwin responded, face clouded with a mixture of revulsion and interest. "And they look a little preoccupied." Nodding in agreement Link crouched lower to the ground and moved forward. "And just what do you think you're doing?" Gwin hissed, falling behind his companion.
"As stupid as a Bokoblin is, they never stand out this obviously. They don't even have a watchman. Whatever has their interest much be something." Link slipped under a vine as he continued to move toward the huddle.
"Oh, brilliant. Something. Of course it's something you moron, why else would they be standing there?"
Rolling his eyes Link refused to comment as they closed in on the group of Bokoblins. Peering through the bushes separating him from six different swords Link craned his head to the side to see past the huddle of bodies. He caught a glimpse of gold that made his heart run ice. Whipping his head around to look at his companion he saw the recognition dawn on Gwins face. It wasn't a something so much as a someone.
Without a word Gwin unstrapped his bow and laid his quiver of arrows on the ground beside him. Following his example Link unhooked his shield and carefully unsheathed his sword, grateful that he had the forethought to have his blade re-enchanted by the fairies to make sure it would not stick in its sheath due to the ice. Making sure his grip was right Link shifted until he felt ready. Nodding to Gwin he moved into a ready stance.
Knocking an arrow, Gwin took aim at the closest of targets. He paused a moment before letting it fly, killing the Bokoblin before it hit the ground. Startled its companions swung their heads wildly around, trying to pinpoint the source of the arrow. Taking aim again Gwin let another arrow fly. That one they saw, but it still found its mark in one unlucky heart. "Now would be good." Gwin muttered to his companion as he knocked another arrow and aimed at the approaching group.
"Just don't hit me." Link warned before launching through the brush to swipe at his first enemy. The blow landed on a shoulder, but stunned the creature long enough for an arrow to find its way into his chest. "Three down." Link growled as he was forced to circle the remaining three. From this angle he got a better look at the person, relieved to see none of the telltale red staining the snow that signaled a useless rescue. Another arrow came flying from the brush, but this time it failed to kill, landing in the soft flesh of the side.
Realizing they had two targets, the Bokoblin shrieked in anger before two launched at Link and the third headed for the brush. Trusting his companion would be able to handle himself Link focused on parrying the blows that rained down, taking the occasional swipe of his own. Soon both he and the Bokoblin were wet with blood, though Link felt satisfaction at the fact they sported more injuries than he.
A victorious shout from the forest told him the fate of the other attacker, so Link settled into defense until Gwin appeared to take one of his opponents. A gash was on the older elf's arm, and he sported a slight limp but there was little blood and he seemed to move well enough for the injuries. "Come to take a dance partner?" Link called, blocking a blow aimed for his head.
"You want me to? You look like your doing so well." Huffed Gwin as he came up behind the monsters. With a quick slice at the surprised creatures neck from Gwin and a sharp thrust from Link both Bokoblin fell to the snow with little ceremony. After a second of making sure all the enemies were dead both Gwin and Link moved to check on the fallen person.
"It's a girl." Gwin muttered, rolling her over to lie on her back.
"And not dressed to be out here in the snow." Link added, shaking his head at the thin dress the girl was wearing. Pulling his blood stained cloak off Link saw Gwin moving to do the same but then he paused.
"Look at her skin." He murmured, holding up a small hand to show the honey color. "I've never seen skin so dark." Frowning Link noted her face was the same color, but he too had never seen such a color.
"Doesn't matter right now." Link said pushing the matter aside. "We have to get back to the village now. If the Bokoblin didn't kill her the snow sure would have. Come on." Lifting her up carefully he wrapped her in his cloak before handing her to Gwin to do the same. As soon as his hands were free Link set to cleaning his blade and replacing it to its sheath.
"We'll take turns carrying her." Having wrapped the girl in two cloaks Link reached out to take her. "I'll go first since I don't have a leg injury. You go collect your weapons." Shifting his grip on the girl Link followed his partner into the brush were just moments before they had waited. "Goddess willing we'll be able to get away from here before more monsters are attracted by the smell of blood."
"And what if they scent us?" Gwin asked gesturing to the blood stains that now marked where blades had fallen.
"We best get moving then."
***000***
It was a long trek back, having to carry the still unconscious female with them as they navigated through the snow. Trading off helped ease the burden but soon both foresters were feeling the effects of fatigue on their muscles from carrying more than just weapons.
"At least I killed more than you." Gwin huffed a laugh as he shifted the dead weight of the girl around.
"Only because you have a bow." Link replied, holding a branch back to the weighed down elf could pass. They still had a mile or so to go, meaning another forty minutes in the snow.
"You should learn how to use one." Stopping Gwin tried to catch his breath but struggled. Wordlessly Link took the girl from the tired elf and situated her until she was set. "You didn't have to." Gwin fussed, but Link could see the color returning to his face.
"I know how to use a bow." Link decided to reply, ignoring the other comment. "I just figured since you had one I'd not need it."
"That's not what I hear. Mostly everybody says you travel without a bow." Considering the subtle question Link shrugged as best he could while being weighed down.
"I just prefer my sword. Sure a bow is useful in situations like today, but if I had been alone the bow would have been only a little help. By the second shot I'd be throwing it down and having to pull my sword. Four against one is bad odds." Link reasoned as he followed behind Gwin.
Link heard him snort. "And charging in sword drawn would have gone better?"
"Maybe not old elf. But either way, dead is dead." Link saw his companion twitch at the word old, but the other elf held his peace until Link had finished.
"Old am I? Well that's so nice coming from a youth like you. Say now, who was it that racked up a better score today?" Gwin pointed out, voice sweet.
"But who fought two at once?" Link countered, forcing his mind to focus on the conversation and not the weight in his arms.
"I don't know, I'm old and we forget things like that." Smirking Link let the matter drop. Tired silence stretched between the two before Gwin sighed. "You know, as troublesome as the snow is, it does make the world a little brighter."
It was true, for places that normally held shadows seemed to glimmer a little more, and what little light that was left was magnified by the whiteness. "Hn." Link responded, not feeling like breaking the sudden silence that had fallen over the snow.
The emptiness went on for a while until Link almost wondered if he and Gwin were merely sleep walking and not actually wading through the snow. The heaviness in his arms spoke otherwise, forcing Link to look down at his charge.
She was smaller, but then again she was female, and her hair seemed almost too bright a gold to be normal. Her skin was a most perplexing color of freshly cooked biscuits, a pale brown color. Even her clothes seemed foreign, too light to be out in winter, but yet here she was out in the snow. But how did she get that far out into the snow in such garments?
"I see your thinking about our little mystery as well." Gwin spoke as they trudged, nearing home with every step. "We're almost to the village and we have no explanation to give as to why we have her with us. She looks like us but doesn't. She's not one of us. How do you know that she's not an enemy? Think about it. The Bokoblin hadn't touched her when we arrived. When have they ever waited to kill?"
Glancing back down at the girl in his arms he tried to image her sided with the enemy. "I wasn't really thinking that." Link muttered, cocking his head as he stared at her. "I was more thinking about why she was I the middle of the woods underdressed and why she'd so dark. Her hair is so bright too."
Scoffing Gwin wondered if the boy had lost his mind. "You fancy her." He surmised.
"No, not really. Just curious."
"Right, and I'm a Great Fairy. Either way, we're home." Pushing out of the forest Link and Gwin shuffled through the snow to the gates baring them.
"Whatcha got there?" Asked a guard as the duo stepped through the opening gate.
"Someone that has more luck than they know. Bokoblins had her." Gwin explained shortly. "So what do we do with her?" He directed at Link.
"Well," Link pondered before shrugging "the healer would be best I suppose. You and I need to see her as well, seeing as how we need patching."
"Well who only brought one red potion?" Gwin asked as the two set off down the path. The snow had been trampled so the going was much easier, at least until the snow froze in the night and made the paths slippery.
"At least I had one." Arms sore Link kept telling himself that he'd made it and was close to dropping the girl off into someone else's hands. As the healers home came in sight Link felt relief flood him. "Open the door will you?" He asked Gwin, unable to get a hold of the handle with his load. As soon as the door was open Link stepped inside into the warmth, sighing in relief as the cold air was closed out with the shutting of the door.
"Oh my, Link, Gwin, looks like you ran into trouble. And who's this?" The healer asked eyeing the bundle in Link's arms.
"Someone we found in the woods. She hasn't woken up yet so we don't know who she is." Gwin supplied as Link lowered the girl onto a bed.
Coming to look her over the healer started her work. "Odd look to her." She noted as she took a small wrist into her grip. "Pulse is fine, but she feels a mite cold. How far out were you?"
"Out to the far reaches at the beginning of the North Woods." Link answered as he settled into a chair by the fire.
Tutting the healer moved to one of her shelves and pulled down a few bottles. "You two boys know the drill. Wash thoroughly then heal it." Passing the two a bottle each she returned to the girl with another bottle. "I'd say it's shock, not helped by the cold."
Removing his top layer Link tossed the wet clothes in front of the fire and uncorked the bottle. Soaking the rag in the potion he began to clean the dirt and dried blood from his wounds. "You will be able to do something, won't you?" he asked, wincing as the liquid stung at his cuts.
"Oh certainly. She just needs a warm fire and time. You boys did everything you could, and did it right." Fluffing the pillows the healer then poured a little of the bottles contents into a glass. "Help me with this a moment would you?"
Abandoning his rag Link moved to help the healer sit the unconscious girl up. "Now hold her still while I give her this." The healer instructed before opening the girl's mouth and pouring the potion in slowly. Despite her carefulness more than half of the potion ended up everywhere but inside the girl. "And that's why I prepare more than I need." She explained as they set the girl back down on the bed.
"Never doubted you." Gwin replied as he finished tending his own wounds. "I'm going to go report this to the village elders as I'm sure they'll want to know. They may also be able to find out where she hails from." Link nodded as he resumed his work, hissing lightly his skin prickled at the touch of the rag.
"Now let me see that." The healer snatched the rag away and began scrubbing at the wounds. Yelping Link pulled back but she persisted. "If you don't clean them right they can get infected, and then where will you be? In bed beside your new friend."
"Alright, alright." He yielded, flinching as she began scrubbing again. I took a little to get the wounds cleaned enough to the healer's standards, and soon she had him clenching his teeth together to keep crying out.
"You foresters are all the same. Stoic when you receive the injury, yelling when I heal it." She remarked, wiping away the blood that had started to flow from one wound. "There, clear blood. Now we can heal you up." Removing the cork on a red potion she handed it to Link then made herself busy with her shelves. "I'll need to restock soon." She muttered, taking stock of her potions.
Link shook his head at the elf's antics then gulped the red potion down. Shuddering at the bitterness he felt the heat build around his wounds. Slowly the skin began to knit itself together, leaving only pink skin that puckered into a small scar. Many of the little marks were littered all over his body but he'd stopped noticing them after a while.
"Well you're looking much more fit. Feel like sticking around to help an old elf?" The healer asked, pulling down potions from her shelf. At Link's nod she motioned for him to go to her desk. "In there is an ink pot and a quill. I'll need you to write down some numbers."
Going to the small desk Link extracted the items and began to work.
***000***
{1st Person-Zelda}
It was a scratching sound that greeted me as I woke up. It was comforting, being around my father as he worked so diligently. Question was, why did I fall asleep in his study. Opening my eyes I felt panic slam into me when I realized I was not in my father's study. All at once smells assaulted my nose, none familiar, and cold seeped in around my blankets making me shiver. I had never felt such cold.
Calming my breathing I listened for any clue as to where I was, and soon I heard quiet voices discussing something. Slowly turning my head toward the sound I was greeted with the sight of an old female elf speaking to a younger male elf, the latter being the one who was writing. Neither I recognized. Gasping slightly I panicked as they both looked my way. Closing my eyes I tried to pretend I was still asleep but I knew that it was too late.
I heard the scraping of chair legs and then footsteps. "She's awake." A heavier male voice spoke, no longer keeping as quiet.
"I see that." Marveling at the heavy accents I strained to understand all the words. "Dear, if you wouldn't mind opening your eyes for me." The female voice asked. I tensed before dropping my ruse and opened my eyes. "There we are."
The two elves stood close to the bed, as if waiting for permission to come closer. "Where am I?" I croaked, my throat feeling rough.
Exchanging a look the two seemed to communicate silently before the female stepped closer. "You're in our village dearie, the village of Faron Woods. I'm the healer, Imara and this is Link. He found you in the woods." She explained with her heavy accent, gesturing to the other elf whom I gathered to be Link.
Frowning at her words I shuffled through my memories, hoping to find a clue as to why I was here and not comfortable in my room. I had been flying with Pipit when-"I fell." Stark, simple, and utterly terrifying. And I was found in the woods. Faron woods? "You mean, I'm on the surface?" I asked, mind overloading with the knowledge of where I was, and how. I should have been splattered on the ground, not resting in a bed.
"The surface? My dear are you alright?" The motherly voice cut into my thoughts, forcing my eyes to focus back on the two elves. The woman had gone very still while the boy had gone to frowning.
"You're not from here, are you?" He asked, eyes darting over my figure.
"Where is here?" Somehow I felt like I had said too much. Reaching up I began to twist my hair between my fingers.
"I see." The woman spoke, her grip finding the arm of the young elf beside her. "It is nearly midwinter. You understand." She seemed to be directing her thoughts to the boy but her eyes stayed on me.
Glancing at him I hoped his face would hold more clues but he had gone pale, eyes glittering with knowledge of something that I found myself fearing. "We must inform the elders. This is… it's…" He floundered.
"I fear it feels early." The woman said, earning a sharp glance from her friend.
"Early?" His voice was harsh as his eyes returned to me. He stared at me until I wondered if he'd fallen into a trance.
Tired of the silence I cast around for something to say mind numb and unable to comprehend. "Look, I'm here by mistake. A wind storm knocked me from my Loftwing and I fell. I don't know how I'm even alive. Please." Beseeching I held my hands up, praying they knew what to do. This must have happened before even if we in the sky didn't know about it.
"No one has ever penetrated the cloud barrier in all records we have in this place. The only place it is mentioned is the prophecy speaking of the return of the Goddess with her chosen." Giving me a knowing look the woman turned to the elf Link. "Go, bring the elders." Nodding he finally pulled his eyes away from me and gathered a few things from the corner. My heart skipped as I realized they were weapons, and not the type one practiced with.
"I'm sorry for the hastiness of our actions but you must understand what this means to us." Startled I looked back at the woman. Imara.
"I don't understand."
Giving me a sad smile she moved her chair closer to my bed. "Well, I had best tell you what you are in for, sky child."
Frowning I moved to get more comfortable. "My name is Zelda."
"Well, Zelda, we have spoken of your arrival for years. You are the one that will rid us of the darkness that plagues our world."
-000
Well, that's it for chapter two. Things are starting to fall into place and I keep getting wild ideas. Oh well. But yes, I did involve characters for OOT, as I have (hopeful) plans for fanfics in the future. May I make it that far!
To DanaeMariSkywalker: Thank you for the review, and being the first one! It's always nice to find the first review. I'm glad you enjoyed and I hope this chapter holds up to expectations!
To karmamaa: I enjoyed your review, and was glad you told me how you felt. I'm sorry that the switching bothered you and I plan on now trying to keep it to a minimum although I cannot promise it being gone. I will take what you suggested though and use it in other works when I have the chance. Much thanks!
To BoredomIsAnUnderstatement: I'm glad I wasn't the only one perturbed by Zelda's hair and temperament! And of course Pipit will become more important, it is an LxP work, lol. Making out is a little blunt and I feel if that is to happen it would take some time, but that doesn't rule out the possibilities…
To Hummingbird-95: Thank you for the interest! I plan on updating a little faster than this so long as life permits… Sigh…
To Namikaze Artemis: Lol, sorry for the single chapter! I have more planned, promise, I just hope it comes out the way it should!
To all the others that either Faved or set Watch, I appreciate the silent support, you guys matter too!
On other matters: I'm still working on pinning down the characters to what I feel they should be. I keep thinking 'oh, how would they respond to this?...' And other such things.
Spoiler! DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T COMPLETED SS!
Zelda: She's now showing the sign of Hylia's conscious taking over/remembering things. With making her more like TP Zelda I felt it fit to have her take on more of the Goddess' persona than the (slightly ditsy) persona of SS.
Link: He has to have more back bone then he does in the game, just lying down and taking all the crap he has to deal with isn't my thought. I hope to flesh out his character as a more flawed and stronger person then he is in previous games. Sure, he's a hero, but he's a normal guy (somewhat) with normal fears/limits.
Pipit: He struck me as the kind to do something no matter the difficulty so long as it's right. If he has to think about it though he starts to see flaws… A complex character that I have the most issue pinning down but I enjoy the challenge and hope to soon have a fully fleshed out character!
The Headmaster Gaepora: Holy hell in the game he seemed way to calm for someone who just lost his daughter, even if he knew what was going on. I bet any parent who seemed to care would worry way more than he does in the game! I wanted more emotion, more feeling and I hope to move toward that.
Mallara: She strikes me as the mom who loves her son, but doesn't know how to be a good mom. She's taking food money and using it for cleaning when she obviously has no job? Kind of irresponsible. But she obviously cares since she always asks for you to say hi to Pipit in the game if you see him, and tries to take care of you. (Slightly creeper ish but still… Lol!)
(Around 10,000 words, I should shut up now, lol!)