AN: So here we are at the second chapter. I have to say, I'm a little overwhelmed by the response I got for the first. So many people followed it, I'm kind of amazed! Thank you all so much, your support means the world. Also, thanks to those of you who favourited, and all of you who simply read! Now, big thanks to silverheartlugia2000, pennumbra, SunnyStormCloud, NoSignalBlueScreen, Twilight16, The Reader, ThePredicate and Blaaargy for being the first people to review this story! Thank you so much.
To Twilight16: I'm glad you're enjoying it, I hope to keep updates as regular as possible.
To The Reader:Thank you so much for such kind words, your review really made me smile. I think a lot of people are wondering just what has got into our beloved Hero, but I guess you'll just have to read on to find out!
ToBlaaargy: I tried hard with that suspense, I'm happy you liked it. Here's your update!
Now that thanks are done (and thank you all so very much), on with the second chapter. Enjoy!
Two:
'Oh-!' Zelda could not help the startled exclamation that felt from her lips and, soft as it was it drew a twitch from Link who bared his teeth in a warning growl. She was too bewildered to avert her gaze once more, despite the sound. Did he not recognise her? How long had he been living here in this cave, alone, in the dark? Why was he even a there as a wolf in the first place?
'You Highness- Your Highness!' Behind her Rusl's restraint snapped as Link's growling rose slightly in volume, his fearsome white teeth glistening in the lantern light. There came the sound of movement before a hand grasped Zelda's shoulder, jolting her where she sat. Though he had obviously meant to pull her back Rusl's hand instead pitched her forward slightly, so that for a split-second her fingertips brushed coarse, warm fur. There was a sharp snarl before Link's jaws were closing around her forearm.
Both Rusl and Zelda froze, Zelda cringing as she anticipated the pain that was undoubtedly about to sear through the limb, but when nothing happened she smoothed her expression slowly, looking warily down at her arm. It was indeed held fast between those two rows of exceedingly sharp teeth, but said teeth were merely resting lightly against her skin instead of having bitten into it. Should she wish to keep her arm she would not be able to move, but as it was it was still entirely intact.
'Your Highness, are you all right?' Rusl managed to whisper after a moment, his hand still resting on her shoulder, and Zelda managed to nod, her gaze fixed on Link's.
This made no sense. Why was Link in this form? Why was he attacking her soldiers? Had he been a wolf for so long that he had forgotten himself? There were just too many questions whirling in her mind. Somehow she doubted she would receive any answers from the wolf before her. Or at least not any time soon.
'I am fine,' Zelda said, finding herself a little breathless as her heart fluttered against her ribs. 'I am unharmed.' She could not help a slight pained sigh as she continued to stare into the fierce blue eyes across from her. 'You poor thing,' she murmured to their owner, feeling him shift slightly as if in response to her words. 'What has happened to you? Do you not recognise me?'
'You Highness do you- do you know this creature?' Rusl sounded shocked, but Zelda had no explanation to offer. How was she supposed to tell him that the beast causing him and his own was none other than the young man they had raised? How could she possibly explain that the wolf was, in fact, Link?
'I am Zelda,' Zelda said softly, watching his ears flick in response to her voice as she addressed him, leaning forward just slightly. She could not believe she had been so blind before. The silver band in his left ear, the broken shackle on one foreleg, how had she not recognised him sooner?
'Do you remember me? It has been some time, but do you recall the battles we fought? You fought so bravely; you saved this kingdom. Do you recognise me, Link?' She was talking softly enough that she hoped Rusl would not be able to make out the words, but she had little doubt Link's sensitive ears would hear.
They flicked a few more times as she spoke before he suddenly gave a small whine, releasing her arm as he sank into a low crouch, ears pinned back against his skull. Pulling her arm to her chest Zelda rubbed it gently, her eyes never leaving Link's, though after a moment he lowered his head as well, looking away as he whimpered again. There was suddenly a profound air of despair around him; he looked a very picture of dejection. If he had, perhaps, returned to his senses then Zelda supposed it was to be expected.
'Poor thing,' Zelda whispered again, still rubbing her arm as she quelled the desire to reach out and stroke his warm fur, aware that she would be greatly overstepping her boundaries. Instead she turned to look at Rusl over her shoulder. 'We cannot kill this beast,' she said, firmly, wondering what possible explanation she could give the swordsman.
'All due respect, Your Highness, but it's killed. It killed one of your own soldiers, and who knows when it might do so again,' Rusl argued, stepping back slightly. Watching his knuckles whiten as he tightened his grip on his sword Zelda rose, trying to do so slowly enough as to not provoke Link but quickly enough to maintain an air of authority.
Drawing herself up she fixed Rusl with her own stern look, one she had perfected during the time her kingdom had been wrested from her. 'You will not kill this beast, sir,' she said firmly with every ounce of authority she could muster. 'I will not allow it.'
'Your Highness-' Rusl began to protest before halting, narrowing his eyes just slightly before dropping her a displeased bow. 'Of course, Your Highness.' Zelda could sense he desired an explanation, no doubt he deserved one after all this, but currently she did not have one to give. She would have to ponder it, at least for a little while.
'What will you do with it, then?' Rusl asked after a moment, displeasure clear in his voice.
'I do not know,' Zelda replied truthfully, turning back to Link who was still crouching silently at the edge of the pool of light. 'Will you accompany us back to the forest?' Lifting his head a little Link regarded her silently before backing away slightly. They stared at each other for a moment before he turned abruptly, vanishing back into the shadows in a heartbeat. For a moment she listened to the soft, receding footfalls before she stifled a heavy sigh. Should she take that as a refusal? Would he perhaps return at some point?
'There's your answer, Your Highness,' Rusl said, something like gloating now tinging his tone. 'Maybe it was a tamed beast once, but it isn't anymore. It's dangerous here. We should leave.'
'Yes, I suppose you are right,' Zelda conceded after a moment, unable to help the bitter taste of disappointment that caught on her tongue with the words. Was this really all the answer she would receive after the months of worry? If it was there was very little she could do about it. It was, after all, Link's choice.
Without another word Zelda turned away, indicating for Rusl to lead on. The journey back out of the cave was silent, their breaths and footfalls the only sounds, though Zelda did pause as they once more passed the fallen form of the soldier, Dethan. Seeming to guess the train of her thoughts Rusl handed her his lantern before stooping to pick the body up, which he then carried all the way to the mouth of the cave without a word, despite clearly staggering a little under its weight.
Wanting to thank him but not entirely sure how to Zelda simply followed, finding all of her uninjured soldiers converging on the cave just as she reached the entrance. The next minute or so was spent with the group of armour-clad figures fussing over both about her and their fallen comrade, before their thoughts turned to the mysterious beast still residing within the cave. Their voices rose as they demanded justice for Dethan, demanded an opportunity to protect the residents of Ordon, demanded a chance to show they could deal with a single beast.
Finding herself suddenly having to defend a crazed monster that had killed one of her soldiers Zelda had to think quickly, wondering just how exactly she was going to save Link from this mess. She was midway through proclaiming that the beast was injured, perhaps badly enough that it would succumb to said injuries, when a sudden stir passed through the soldiers who were stood facing the cave mouth.
Unsure of what had caused the sudden restlessness among her soldiers Zelda turned, just in time to see Link exiting the cave at a hesitant pace. His ears were flattened against his skull, his tail tucked between his legs. He would have looked completely harmless, a steady stream of soft whimpering noises leaving him as he limped just a little closer, had his muzzle not been stained red. Had Dethan not been lying slain nearby. But now that they were in the light Zelda could see the extent of the damage Rusl had dealt; a long gash down Link's right side, glistening an angry bright red, the fur around it matted with slowly drying blood. Though the wound was indeed grisly, but the thing that caught Zelda's attention most was the object he had clenched between his teeth.
The Master Sword, sheathed and looking like it had not been touched in some time. Depending on how long he had been a wolf this was most likely the case. Looking between the soldiers Link halted, shifting restlessly as his fierce eyes found Zelda's own, gaze steady despite his obvious agitation.
There came suddenly from all around her the sound of swords being drawn. Link's whines changed to growls in response. Stepping forward Zelda spun to face her soldiers, raising her hands in a placating manner as she held one towards the soldiers, one towards Link.
'Hold your fire,' she said, keeping her voice calm despite the fact that her heartbeat had suddenly picked up, thudding violently beneath her skin. Without waiting for a response she turned back to Link, whose ears were now erect, teeth bared around the sheath of the Master Sword. Taking a hesitant step towards him she paused, waiting for his reaction. When the warning sounds died down a little she took another step, then another, until she knelt before him. There were a few soft noises of protest behind her, the sound of armour shifting, which prompted her to look over her shoulder at the soldiers. They were all watching intently, but apparently they knew that any sudden moves could cost Zelda her life if they startled the wolf stood barely half a metre in front of her.
'He will not harm me,' Zelda informed them, meeting each pair of glittering eyes beneath their helmets in turn. 'Do not fear.' Facing Link once more she smiled gently, sadly. He had stopped growling altogether now, though his lithe frame was still tense beneath the fur. 'Do not fear,' she repeated, addressing him this time. 'Link, what has happened to you?' Lowering his head Link refused to meet her eye, which was so human a gesture as to assure her that he had not lost all sense of himself. He obviously understood human speech still, though why he remained in such a form was a mystery to her.
'Why do you remain in this form?' Zelda murmured, again quelling the urge to reach out, to stroke him. He looked so sad that she desperately wanted to comfort him. 'Will you not turn back? Everyone is worried for you, Link.' He glanced at her briefly, whining softly, before he dropped the Master Sword at her knees, backing away a step as his whole body hummed with tension.
'Wait-' Zelda tried to recall him but he had whirled, vanishing back into the cave before she could get the words out. Not that she was even entirely sure as to what she would have said.
Closing her eyes briefly Zelda took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she cast aside the sudden heaviness weighing on her heart. Knowing she had received her answer she took Master Sword into her hands and stood, for a moment staring into the shadows of the cave before she turned back to her soldiers.
'We have suffered a great loss today, and it will weigh heavily upon us all, but you must let go of your desire for revenge. What good will come of punishing a beast for simply following its nature? There was no cruel intent behind this, only a threatened creature fighting for survival. It is unfortunate, but we must tend to our fallen comrade first. Please, sheathe your swords.' Zelda stared at them all calmly, meeting their eyes steadily as she waited for their response. It felt cruel, both to deny her soldiers a chance to avenge their companion and to address Link in such a way, but she had little choice.
After a moment or two of pregnant silence they obeyed, sheathing their weapons, flocking around Dethan as they discussed in low voices what to do. Zelda hoped they did not resent her for this, though she supposed it would be understandable if they did. Trying to ignore the worry she turned her attention to Rusl who was hanging back, a shadow of suspicion in his eyes.
'I am sorry for all the trouble this has caused,' she said as she approached him, still clasping the Master Sword to her chest. She would have to return it to its resting place at some point. 'But do not fear; the beast will not harm you or any of your fellow villagers.' Rusl narrowed his eyes slightly, looking pointedly at Dethan's prone form over her shoulder.
'Forgive me, but it doesn't seem that way, Your Highness,' he said as he once more looked at her.
'I know,' Zelda said, softening her tone as she beseeched him with her eyes. 'But you must believe me. He will not harm you, so long as you do not disturb him.'
'Your Highness, that beast…' Trailing off Rusl rubbed a hand against his chin. 'That sword. It's the one Link had, isn't it?' Looking down at the weapon in her hands Zelda considered telling him the truth, realising that somehow she could not bear to. How would he react to knowing that his student, someone he had seen grow up, was the beast that had just killed a man?
'It is,' Zelda replied after a moment. 'I do not understand how it came to this place, but perhaps it is a sign as to Link's whereabouts.'
'Maybe,' Rusl conceded, shaking his head slightly. 'I just hope he's okay.'
'You and I both,' Zelda said, still trying in vain to ignore the heaviness in her chest. When she glanced over her shoulder she found her soldiers beginning to move, organising themselves. It was time for them to leave. They had lost a soldier, yet despite this Zelda was pronouncing the beast that had caused their loss as harmless. She sincerely hoped they would not resent her for this. Hopefully they understood. There was no point in pursuing a creature that was, for all intents and purposes, simply acting as its nature dictated.
It was still, however, with a heavy sense of sorrow that Zelda returned to the village, to find that Uli and some of the other villagers had tended to the injured soldiers. Unable to express her gratitude or her regret adequately Zelda simply settled for heartfelt thanks, alongside assurances that Ordon would be safe. All of the injured were able to ride so Zelda exchanged brief farewells with the villagers, reiterating her thanks, before leading their dejected procession back through the forest, back to Hyrule Castle.
There was little Zelda could do, she was painfully aware of it, but still she felt as though she were betraying Link somehow. The knowledge that she had left him behind in such a state did not sit well within her, but what was she to do? As much as she wanted to help him, and there was little doubt he needed help, she still had a country to care for as well as her duties as its princess to uphold. There was no time for anything else. The good of the many came before the good of the one, no matter how much it hurt or how unfair it seemed. Link deserved so, so much more, but she could not give it to him. She could not even spare the time to think of him, so preoccupied was she with the process of healing Hyrule. It was only as she lay awake in the dead of night that she allowed herself to feel the sorrow, the agony her decision had left her with.
A week passed without event, Zelda's thoughts consumed by her country and by Link, until one morning she was woken by a great clamour coming from the castle gardens. By the time she reached the source of the commotion panic had begun spreading out through the workers to the soldiers on duty. The gardens were busy, noisy, full of people all talking at once as they tried to discern what exactly was happening. It took a number of attempts, but Zelda finally managed to draw an answer from one white-faced, trembling maid.
There was a wolf roaming the gardens.
Several of the soldiers Zelda spoke to reported seeing such a creature before, wandering the streets of the city in the dead of night during the time her throne had been usurped. The thought made Zelda smile a little, as she knew exactly who the wolf was. She had little doubt it would have been Midna's idea to roam the city, scaring civilians left and right, but she was somewhat surprised that Link had endorsed such a thing. Sometimes she had to wonder if the Twilight Princess had been a good or bad influence on the young man.
She did not spend long dwelling on it, however much amusement it brought her, as she set about searching for the elusive wolf. Dodging servants and soldiers alike she began trawling the gardens, recalling all the damage that had been done to them as she did. They were still somewhat in disarray as she had focused more energies on aiding the city, alongside its citizens, so as of yet had had no time to do any more than remove the signs that monsters had at any one time inhabited it.
All the same it was better than nothing, especially as it meant navigation was easier as she searched for the wolf causing such a panic.
It was as she moved away from the bustle of the front gardens, where most who had heard the news were loitering, that Zelda caught sight of a swiftly moving shape some way ahead of her.
Glancing about she took a breath, lifting a hand to cup her mouth. 'Link-' She paused before raising her voice as she tried again. 'Link!' Her voice echoed back at her as she stared in the direction he had vanished to, waiting quietly. Her patience was rewarded as, a moment later, he reappeared, padding slowly towards her. He still had a pronounced limp; as he approached Zelda saw the deep red wound still etched upon his side, looking as though it had only grown worse in the week since she had seen him last. Just like the last time she had seen him he, again, had a sword clasped between his teeth, only this time it was Zelda's instead of his own. She had left it in the cave where they had met, completely by accident, and now it seemed that her brief moment of forgetfulness was paying off.
She had not been able to go to him, yet here he was coming to her instead. Seemingly of his own accord, as well.
Remaining silent until he was not three feet before her Zelda knelt, regarding him calmly with just a little concern. Now that he was closer she could see the extent to which his injury had worsened. It did not look good. He stared back at her seriously, seemingly alert despite the wound's apparent festering, before lowering his head to place her sword on the ground lightly.
'Thank you for returning this to me,' Zelda said, reaching out to grasp the handle lightly. If she were to be completely honest she had not missed it as it brought back memories of the time she had been possessed, her body used to attack Link brutally, without mercy.
Setting the sword down beside her Zelda regarded him seriously, letting her eyes drift onto the laceration on his side. It really did look terrible.
'Are you going to leave again?' She asked quietly, watching his ears flatten slightly at her words. 'Or will you stay?' His answer was to take a step back, but even as he set his foot on the ground his leg gave out slightly, sending him staggering. Whining softly in apparent pain he regained his balance swiftly, craning his head to look round at his injury.
'Stay here, Link,' Zelda said, perhaps a little impulsively as she was unable to completely mask the slight plead in her voice. He turned back to her, managing to back up another step without staggering again. 'I will not ask you to stay for long,' Zelda continued, sensing his reluctance. 'But please, let me tend to your wound. You may not wish to be human right now, or perhaps at all, but I will not let you die. That wound is infected, and if left untended may well cause your death. Please, Link, let me help you.'
For a moment he was unresponsive, staring at her steadily, before he sat down with a sound almost akin to a sigh. His tail thumped once or twice against the ground as Zelda smiled, stifling a relieved sigh as she took this as a sign of his acceptance.
'Thank you,' she said softly, earning herself a quiet whine in reply. They sat in silence for a minute or so, listening to the undulating sounds of the panic elsewhere in the gardens, until Zelda rose to her feet. Picking up her sword and holding it lightly between her fingers she looked to Link.
'You have caused quite a commotion,' she said wryly, glad that no one had stumbled across their corner of the garden yet. 'I feel it would be best for you to remain unseen. This way.' Setting off across the lawn Zelda glanced back to check he was, in fact, following, and though he remained motionless for a moment he limped after her as she drew further away. He caught up quickly, hobbling along at her side, never at any one time moving closer to her than around a metre.
Zelda was unsure as to how well he recalled the castle's layout as she led him through several hidden passageways known only to a few select individuals, but he did not seem particularly curious about them as he followed.
Perhaps his injury was distracting him.
Now that he was walking close by Zelda noticed every wince, every slight flinch when he put any weight on the leg the wound bordered. She could not help but admire his tenacity, though she had little doubt it was a trait that most likely caused him more grief than was necessary.
Despite the pain he was obviously in he kept pace with her easily, and she could not help but think of what a strange sight they would make to an outsider. The princess of Hyrule stealing through the castle halls with an injured wolf at her side. It was almost laughable.
They reached her chambers without a hitch, although Link all but collapsed in the centre of the room once Zelda had shut the door carefully. When she turned he was sprawled on the rug she had acquired not long after reclaiming her position as princess, sides rising and falling rapidly with laboured breaths. Upon being confined to her chambers like a prisoner Zelda had realised just how cold and bare the room actually was. Prior to Ganondorf's coup she had never spent much time in the room, beyond sleeping or getting dressed in the mornings, but once Ganondorf had been slain she had resolved to rectify the room's gloomy, desolate appearance. Now it seemed more homely, but bad memories still lingered, meaning she still could not bear to spend too long in its confines.
Pausing at the door Zelda observed Link for a moment as he lay in pained silence. After a moment she shook her head slightly, unable to help scolding the wolf gently as moved to his side, kneeling beside him.
'Why must you go to such lengths?' She asked, laying a hand gently on his warm side. He did not respond, neither to her voice nor her touch, and she was unsure whether to take that as a good or bad sign. He seemed much more in control of himself than he had the week prior, but perhaps he was simply too exhausted to try fending her off.
Seizing the opportunity Zelda inspected the wound more closely, grimacing as she realised the extent of the damage. How he was still upright and running around was a mystery to her, but she supposed that if anyone was going to be so dangerously resilient it would be Link, the blue-eyed beast, saviour of Hyrule and the Twilight Realm. And he certainly did not appear to be in good or even reasonable health any more, sprawled on her rug as he was.
'Why must you push yourself so?' Zelda murmured, stroking his side softly. It was strange, but somehow the situation felt oddly intimate as she ran her fingers gently across his coarse fur. Perhaps it was because when she had been with him when he was human he had never shown weakness. He had always forged on, blade aloft, eyes alight, without ever stopping or backing down. The personification of courage. Yet now here he was, completely vulnerable before her as his sides heaved with sickness, fatigue, barely able to move.
'What good will come of this?' Zelda whispered softly, gripping his fur lightly as a deep, heavy pain gripped her heart. How had it come to this? Bowing her head Zelda took a deep breath, calming herself before the sorrow could even be realised.
At her words Link lifted his head slightly, whining softly as he met her eyes. She did not know whether to take that as an apology of sorts, but she smiled gently all the same. For now she would be the strong one. Goddesses knew Link deserved peace, rest. He did not need to be burdened with anything else.
Shaking her head at them both Zelda rose to her feet, pacing around the room in search of the various items she would need to tend Link's wound. Luckily they could all be found in various cupboards and drawers, meaning there was no need for her to leave the room. Most days it felt like a prison. Now it was a haven, hidden from prying eyes.
Once she had collected all the necessary items she returned to his side, murmuring reassuringly to him as she set about tending his wound. He did not respond, but gradually his frantic breaths slowed and some of the tension ebbed from his body. Noticing the changes as she worked Zelda could not help but hope that her ministrations were setting him on a path where he could begin taking steps to healing.
What did you think? I feel like the last sentence of this chapter would be more at the end of the final chapter, but who knows? I hope you enjoyed this second chapter of Steps to Healing, see you next week!