Chapter G
Fading Hope
The pair pounded on the door of the Stockpot Inn, Sheik supporting Link, his leg refusing to bear weight. Kafei, its safe now, please, let us in. They stood there, soaking wet. The rain was coming down hard now, slicking their hair flat and washing mud from their clothes.
Kafei opened the door, his son Keaton right behind him brandishing a kitchen knife.
Oh my gods, Link! the old friend of the Hero of Time said as he took the princes arm over his shoulder and helped Sheik get him inside.
The pair painstakingly got the young man up to their room, Sheik swiftly helped Link strip off his soaking tunic along with his gear and got the wounded Hylian seated on the bed. Seeing what had happened Anju ran and got the first aid kit and met them upstairs, Keaton brought some towels as his sister attended to Link's clothes. As Anju began addressing the wound Sheik came right up behind her and spoke.
"Do you have a needle and thick thread?"
"y - yes" Anju stammered.
"Bring it, this wound will not close on its own."
"We have a town doctor."
"It's okay" winced Link as the Sheikah began to clean the wound "Sheik and I know how to handle ourselves." he said with a pained breath.
Anju looked over the young man, realizing just how many scars marked his body, including one at the center of his chest. She silently got up and retrieved the requested items, handing them over with hesitation.
Sheik sterilized the needle over the candle on the table. "Ready for this?"
"Am I ever." he said flatly, holding his leg, blood still slowly oozing from the gaping wound.
As the procedure progressed Anju and her daughter had to leave the room, the sight too much to take as Link bit back the pain, gripping the bed, teeth bared and eyes clenched. Sheik carefully and skillfully closed the wound, concern in the red eyes forming as they realized just how deep the jagged gash went. Stitches would hold the skin together allowing for the blood to clot and for the gap to heal but nothing could be done for the damage that stemmed deeper.
The task complete Sheik wrapped Link's arm and shoulder and then dressed his freshly sewn leg, red slightly seeping into the bandages.
Together Sheik and Kafei helped the Hylian move to the clean adjacent bed as Keaton stripped the bloodied sheets from where the wounded warrior had just been sitting.
As Link wearily dried his hair with a towel the Sheikah quickly addressed their own wounds and then made way to the door I am going to be sure our friends are safe and escort them back here, no telling if there are more threats laying in wait.
As Sheik left, Link laid back and allowed his head to drop to the pillow, he passed out almost immediately, mind and body thoroughly beyond exhaustion.
Link awoke late the next day to find a basket of pastries and sweets on a stool alongside the bed. As he laid there still and quiet he could hear the Skull Kids voice in the other room, despite being a smaller space the group had relocated so as not to disturb him... that is aside from Navi who sat quietly on the headboard, remaining silently at his side as she always has since the death of The Hero of Time.
Link's leg hurt fiercely, his body ached, and his stomach was angry for food but the young man simply did not feel up to eating. He rolled over to face the wall and went back to sleep.
As night fell Link was roused awake by someone shaking him, their hand on his unwounded shoulder Come on now, you have slept enough, time to get something in your gut. came a young mans voice When I went down the cliff at Ikana I was hurt pretty bad, and was pretty mad at myself for letting it happen. I all got all pissed off and depressed and just wanted to sleep and did not want to eat. he moved the obviously untouched pastries and set down a bowl of thick soup Eat it while its hot, it will warm you up from the inside. Keaton sat down at the table and began to consume one of the berry tarts from the basket Your Sheikah friend is off trying to explain to the Mayor just what the hell went on last night. he said between mouthfuls.
Link sat up, haunted confusion in his voice how do you know what a Sheikah is?Meh, I dabbled in their history a bit, Pamela and her father up in Ikana uncovered information about a clan of red eyed people. I would go to help them, hence my story of how I got hurt. Thing is their research hit a dead end and after time I lost interest. he leaned back in the chair Sure is interesting to see another red eyed person though, they from your town?
Sheik is, the last of the Sheikah in my kingdom. he half lied, not wanting to explain the mask.
Oh a kingdom, how fancy, our town must seem like hicksville compared to where you are fromKeaton, calling Clock Town hicksville, we have a perfectly nice town. came Kafei's voice as he came into the room with Link's boots warm and dry from a day in the sun.
Yeah I know pop, but imagine, a castle and all that neat castle is rubble Link said flatly, ignoring the mans startled expression he continued Kafei, before we fought the monsters you saw last night we faced their master, and completely failed, I very nearly died. This man has taken over my kingdom, burned my castle to the ground, his minions have killed those dear to me and the huge fiery monster he keeps as a pet killed my father. the boys eyes were grim As it stands I am a prince without a kingdom, right now I should be leading my country as King in my feathers stead... but last night showed me I cannot take back what is rightfully mine.
The father and son sat in shock at his words, much caught them off guard, including the part about him being a prince.
After a great pause Kafei spoke Link, when your father was here I was facing such turmoil as the love of my life was slipping through my fingers and the world was crashing all around me. But your dad, man, he was just something else. I could sense he was unsure of himself but he persevered with such courage nonetheless. In the end he helped me regain what I had lost and saved our land form an impending apocalypse, and he was just a boy.
The following silence was awkward Keaton said getting up I have a girlfriend to go reassure that the end of the world is not happening because of last night.
I should go too, I have good standings with the Mayor, I should make sure Sheik is not being given a hard time. From what you told me just now it sounds like you folks have more than enough trouble to contend with without our Mayor making a fuss. he put a hand on Keatons shoulder as they turned to leave.
Eat your soup. said Keaton, waving a hand up over his head as he left.
Link stared at the bowl, the conflict of emotions within his heart and mind made him not want to eat. His self doubt, his fear of death and failure, everything was now mixed with encouragement and longing seeing Keaton and Kafei together made the young man once known as Chirin wonder what it would have been like if his father were still alive.
The wounded warrior reached for the dish and downed a mouthful, it certainly was good soup. Despite still not feeling like eating the young man forced himself to, he needed to recover quickly so he could return to Hyrule.
A few days of healing later Link felt well enough to venture out onto the second floor balcony. His gait hindered by a heavy limp the prince used the walls for support as he made his way outside, very much wishing he had a crutch.
As the Hylian looked out over the town Keaton joined him, the young indigo haired man noted how Link was standing, bearing no weight on his one leg.
What you need is a Chateau Romani. piped Keaton.
And that would be...A good strong milk.
Link sneered The strong stuff does not agree with it has healing properties, and just plain makes you feel good I have a job at the Milk Bar so I can get them at an employee discount.
Link could tell from his tone that the young man tends to indulge in the brew. That stuff has too much magic in it it makes those already keen with magic feel weird. the prince retorted.
Look, do you want to get back on both feet and get back to save your kingdom or what?
Link sighed half frustrated.
The milk did in fact do the trick, his strong inherent magic enhanced the healing power of the milk; after sleeping off the strong side affects over night the prince awoke to find his leg scarred over. He stood up to test the results, his muscles were still a bit stiff causing him to limp slightly. Frowning Link hoped this would improve with time, that some healing was left be done and that his muscles had not permanently scarred over in this condition, but overall it was a drastic improvement.
Later that same day the group sounded off their goodbyes and made their way back to Hyrule, four glowing orbs is tow soaring along just above Kaepora.
At the end of the day-long walk through the pass Link was the first to emerge into the fresh night air
He was met with a sickening sight.
The woods had been burned.
I should have seen this coming! shouted the prince, making his way to the Kokiri Forrest.
The four orbs of light scattered in different directions overhead.
Where are they going!? Exclaimed Navi.
I dont know, but if we dont know then Dragmire does not know and that is all I care concerning that right now. said Link, his pace quickening, his fear for the Children of the Forest growing. As Link ran, his recently healed leg buckled causing him to tumble into the ash laden ground. Damn it. he swore pulling himself back up, realizing just how tense the muscles were, again wondering if this hindrance was permanent as he continued with a heavy limp.
As the Lost Woods ended his heart sank, suspicions correct, the devastation had indeed reached this far.
shouted Link, Sheik checked what remained of the houses, no one was to be found.
trailed off Navis concerned voice.
Come on we need to see if the young Deku Tree survived the princes voice sounded hopeless, he was afraid to even look.
came the raspy voice of the grown sprout as the prince rounded the corner, his boots kicking up ashes. The Deku Tree was alive but in poor shape, its trunk was black with soot from a surrounding fire and scorch marks marred deep into the bark from a straightforward attack. As the young Hylian approached the tree its mouth opened, as it did the prince was struck with relief, the frightened faces of the Kokiri greeted him from inside.
hollered Saria as she ran to hug him That man told us you were dead! she cried.
The prince stayed with the Kokiri as Sheik went to investigate just how deeply the damage strayed into the Lost Woods, the Sheikah returned to report that the hidden nature of the Sacred Meadow had spared the area of Dragmires fury, and likewise the Forest Temple had been spared as well.
And our camp? asked Link tentatively, wondering if their few precious belongings stashed away in the Sacred Meadow were now mere casualties.
Still intact. The Sheikah reassured.
Link and Sheik scouted the temple for danger, exterminating much along the way. Satisfied the place was now safe Link led the forest refuges inside.
You should be safe here, but we should dismantle our camp and leave. said the prince to Saria I have no idea how Dragmire learned of the passage to Termina, for all I know something could be watching as we speak." he knelt down and put his hands on her shoulders "Danger follows me everywhere and no harm can come to the Sage of Forest. he said regarding just how dearly The Hero of Time had held her as a friend.
As the group set foot in the Sacred Meadow Navi asked Where do we go now the woods were our best place to should check on the Zora. said the prince, worried considering they had been there so recently. While Link led the way back through to the desecrated Lost Woods the owl flew off way ahead of them and then out of sight.
As they reached Zoras Domain it was, to everyones relief, unchanged. Sheik stayed in the royal chamber to fill Ruto in on everything they had learned and been through, leaving it to her to find a way to spread the news. While they spoke Link made his way out the back and to the Ice Cavern.
As the prince suspected the owl could be found just outside of where Link had used the ocarina to open the wall. Yubreit was still there, laying against the secret opening.
Well should we try it?
The owl whoed softly. Link played The Song of Healing
Nothing happened. The prince sighed, he was surprised it did not work, and yet also not surprised considering how their luck had been.
Why didnt it work. he said, playing the tune once more It should work maybe
Maybe it is because the Fire Demon is too strong. came Sheiks voice The curse is supposed to lift when the one who cast it dies well the Light Guardians were still cursed when we found them, it must be because their demon had been cast into a mask, it never really died so the curse lingered. Kaepora cannot be helped with the Song of Healing, he can only be cured by killing the Fire Demon...
"And we still have no idea how to go about doing that. said Link looking at his hands, recounting the two failures they already had against the beast of flames.
Yubreit sat up suddenly, the dragons voice rumbled within its throat. Link drew the Master Sword from its sheath, prepared to fight but then stood perplexed as the dragon clawed the wall.
Kaepora screeched and began to pace back and forth wildly.
A hint of panic racing through him Link fumbled to get the ocarina to his lips, with the Song of Soaring the wall opened
The Wolfose within was sprawled out on the ground, quiet and still.
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Author's notes
i"I cannot take back what is brightfully mine/b."/i
There's that Triforce of Power talking again, Hero of Time Link would not have said that, seems kingship matters a bit more to Chirin-Link... but that's okay, his sense of power is level-headed, he's no tyrant.
Pink fairies: I dunno about you folks but to me for me one day I began to believe that when they save you THEY DIEEEEEE
I only use them in the stead of a game over, Link hits the ground, the fairy saves him, I never use them when the heart meter is beeping... and that is how I also use them in my fanfic... I mean if the poor thing is gonna die to save you you'd best be dying and not able to heal on your own... that is why Link does not just use one to speed his recovery.
Jeeze I did a lot with this chapter, again, like a previous chapter, I feel like I should have split it but I lack time to flesh out both halves if I did. Still I feel like the development with that happened in the woods and ice cavern will mean readers will kind of forget about the first half/not comment on the first half...
BTW I have a plot twist coming up in the next chapter which I am SO looking forward to seeing what people think!
