Title – Rain
Chapter 7 – Give an inch, lose a mile.
Rating - M (adult themes)
AN – Been trying to keep some sort of pace up. Sorry if the updates are slow, but i'm trying. Thank you again to all those watching, faving this story, or faving me. Means a lot! /bow
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Legends of Zelda.
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Link helped Leena hobble into the Fairy Fountain. He didn't trust Darunia to stay immobile for long, so he hadn't waited. Every step he took she winced or cringed fighting the pain of her damaged foot. He had carried her as much as he could, but anything caused her pain and she insisted hopping about was the least painful.
The place was angelic, the magical lights keeping the place visible in the dim light. He could see the raised dais where the great fairy was sleeping. She would wake up shortly, he mused as they got closer. Leena held on to him tighter when the pain increased. That much he could tell when her hand clinging to his tunic pulled roughly. She was truly gifted by the goddesses to put up with such pain.
He sat her down on the Triforce emblem pulling his Orcarina free, but she interrupted him. He stopped as she sang, her voice trembling from her pain, but the familiar lullaby falling from her lips like water. She had a pretty singing voice, why she was using it now though left him confused. She had an ocarina why not use it?
He looked down at her hands that were still trembling as she tried to hold herself up. She must have been in too much pain to handle her ocarina and far too impatient for him to use his. How her singing would bring about the fairy he wasn't sure, but it did. Her giggling echoed off the walls as she floated into the air growing before their eyes.
"Well well well, it's been so long since someone called me for a personal visit." The Great Fairy giggled. Link blinked curious as to why the fairy was speaking differently.
"Help me please." Leena whined, her arms trembling wildly as she fought to sit up. Link watched as she collapsed the fairy swooping down to catch her head from cracking on the dais. He watched curiously as the fairy looked over her body frowning.
"Hm, whats this one been up to? Broken ankle, fractured arms, pulled muscles everywhere, and a concussion. Tsk tsk." The fairy chuckled as she turned her floating body downwards. She planted a soft kiss on Leena's forehead gently resting her head on the dais as she floated back. He saw a small sparkle of healing light. Leena's eyes fluttered shut as her body accepted the magic.
The Fairy's large eyes turned to Link her work done. "How odd... there are two of you." She commented a hand coming up to her mouth as she seemed lost in thought. He nodded, "She's come to save Hyrule, she is chasing after Magaron. He tried to use the Triforce in their world to grant himself a wish."
The Great Fairy glared at Link, though he was positive her anger wasn't at him. "Silence. Take the girl and run. You have no idea what danger you are in. Pray for divine assistance. You will need it Hero." He wanted to ask more, but the fairy twirled into the air shrinking to nothing once more. Dreading her sudden depart after such an unusual entrance he picked up Leena with less care knowing she had been healed.
Turning towards the entrance he waited a moment to see if something would barge in. He wasn't ready for another fight just yet. She groaned in his arms her tired eyes looking up at him. "Mi'Lord..."
"Shhh." He urged her squinting into the darkness. Would Darunia appear and attack them once more? Could he heal so soon? How powerful was the thing controlling him? So many questions ran through his mind as his took a tentative step forward. If even the Great Fairies feared this man how would he defeat him?
The farther he paced from the fountain the darker it got. It had never bothered him before when he had to pass through the darkness between the outside and the cave. He felt Leena's small hand clutch at his tunic. "Mi'Lord fear not I am with you."
He nodded to her not the least bit reassured. She had seem to loose herself again. Feeling the ground turn to rough rock he knew he was beyond the safety of the fountain. Clutching her closer still he took a gulp feeling his infinite bravery urge him on. Even if Darunia reached out of the darkness to take them he would face it. It was what he did, why he was the Hero.
"Leena, if I need you to fight can you?" He felt her grip loosen and knew instantly it was not the right question to ask her. She wiggled out of his grip and effortlessly stood by his side. He turned to her seeing her in the fading reflections of the fairy fountain light and frowned. Her face was set into a grimace and while her eyes were not filled with insanity she looked hardened.
"Not a problem Mi'Lord." She whispered looking into the shadows darkly. He nodded saddened that while she was aware, she was still lost in her mind. Perhaps she would be of no use to him. She had done little good during the fight with Darunia. She had saved him twice, but she took more damage then anything else. No doubt were she anyone else she would have been dead.
Nodding together they walked into the tunnel. He felt the darkness stretch on though perhaps it was his dread that made it longer. Leena by his side offered him no comfort though he no longer feared she would run him through. "Mi'Lord... would you like that I hold your hand?" Her words sounded tense and strained. He wondered more about their relationship.
"If it pleases you." He answered back not wanting to fight with her. He would rather her keep her illusion going then have to stop in the darkness.
"You know it does not. I am at your behest." He ignored the comment hoping that that would be enough to satisfy her memory. She stayed silent still following him. He could see the light of the moon welcoming him towards the exit. To this he smiled thinking of where he could take them to safely. Ruto was still in the village. That he would have to correct in due time, but for now he hoped the runes would keep her safe.
"Do you know a safe place?" He muttered softly hoping no one was listening in. Ganon had always had a habit of being step ahead, he hoped Magaron was not as lucky. She nodded leaning in. He could feel puffs of her breath in his ear as she whispered. "My home you fool." He closed his eyes to fight the urge to argue with her. How she could flip flop so quickly he didn't understand. Nor was he sure she still thought he was her Lord.
"Lead the way then." He insisted pointing to Epona who stood waiting patiently for them. He watched her mount his horse without care turning her empty eyes on him. He felt like Zelda was looking down at him as though he were a peasant. Her eyes were aware, but unfeeling as she flicked her head indicting he should mount.
He mounted with a grunt. He savored the feeling of his strong arms encircling her small form. It was a delicious sensation he had not bothered to feel before. Not that he had ever had a woman wrapped in his arms as much as her. She was worse then Zelda, fainting and hurting herself like she thought she was invincible. He liked it. He was always was proud of protecting things. His friends, Saria, even Leena. Thought not her personally, just the constant supervision was nice. It gave him real purpose. Protecting Zelda after Ganon was just show.
He was surprised by her sudden shout urging Epona on. The jerk startled him leaving him to wrap his arms around her tighter. Suddenly the prospect of only have her small body to hang on to for the ride worried him.
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At a gallop several days later Link had fallen into a habit of supporting Leena's posture as she rode Epona lazily down the river. He had taken to discreetly leaning in to smell her hair never so close to a woman to do so before. Though he admitted to himself he had taken many liberties Leena offered him. She was unlike any woman he had met. When they would rest to eat she would drink from her water flask before throwing it to him for a drink. When he traveled with Zelda she brought cups.
When Leena stopped to bathe he would watch her inky Zoran form naked in the river. She was exactly like her pale self, save tinted blue. He would often lick his lips itching to make advances suited only for the marriage bed. She would catch him watching too and seemed not to care. This only encouraged his viewing. Though she showed no such interest in him and his baths.
He attempted to get her to rest on the slow trip to their destination, but she would have none of it. He could see even her constant call on her power slipping. Her limbs did not respond as quickly. Her eyes were always blood shot and often she broke out into cold sweats. He even recalled waking her up as she attempted to steer Epona into the river. She even had supported him when he had fallen asleep on her in the middle of the night. He was startled by Epona's tireless pace and he would be sure to ask Malon about it later.
Despite the taxing situation and Leena's distracted insomnia he learned a great many things. Leena had a sister who she thought the world of. She also had a Lord and Master who thought the world of her and for whatever reason she was in debt to. Though he knew how much from her sleep deprived rambles she had not personally told him so or why.
She had also told him her Kingdom was currently locked in a war over who should be the reigning monarch. Her Lord was staking claim as the only living male heir while his reigning Aunt fought to keep the throne against inheritance claims. She had informed him that said Aunt had been nice until she had fallen under Magaron's control. Thus defeating him would solve her problem and end the war. Or one of the nobles had to die, and even then she was still faced with Magaron's plans.
He was detailing his adventures in Termina when they finally entered Lake Hyrule's domain. "Home sweet home." She sighed. He tightened his grip her as he felt her tilt to the right. He didn't want her to fall off the horse.
"You live in Lake Hyrule? Where?" He questioned as slipped off Epona and reached up to help her down. In protest she slipped off the other side. He blinked at the empty air for a moment. If they were 'safe' by her standards, why was she still being insistent to stand alone. Everyone woman he had traveled with save Impa willing accepted his assistance dismounting. Impa did not accept his help out of pride, with Leena it was out of defiance. That much he was certain as she began to unsaddle Epona.
He took off a bag himself quickly rounding his mount to glare at Leena. "Are you going to answer me?" She shook her head toss the bag over her shoulder as she headed for the water. He looked about for a moment at the mad scientist's lab curious as to why they did not just stay there. Where was she taking them? "Just a second." He insisted looking into his pouch for his Zoran tunic. He couldn't follow her into the water without it. She turned around her eyes blank and critical as she stared at him. He ignored her stare, pulling off his tunic. It was a quick enough change as he swapped his cap as well. He felt the small magic over take him that would keep him safe and alive under water.
Nodding to her he followed her. The silence was annoying as the birds chirped at them over head. As their boots shifted about in the grass he wondered why she was so silent now. She had called the lake home several times over their travel and it left him wondering where at the lake was home. He hadn't approached the subject worried about her fragile state of mind from the exhaustion. Her feet sloshing into the water brought him to attention as he realized he had to start swimming.
He was surprised even more as they descended, instead of just swimming across to somewhere. He followed her retreating figure as it changed colors in the water. He had asked her several times why she turned into a Zoran in water, but she never answered him. Often going into fits of silent and in one case attempted to hit him with her shield in her rage.
Walking to the bottom of the lack bed they finally reached the base of the water temple. Watching expectantly, she raised her hand that began to glow with a blue hue. The gate popped open with a groan the gem he often struck with his bow and arrows changing colors. She signaled with her head to the open gaping hole. Nodding he followed her in ready to fight anything that might be waiting inside.
She climbed up the ledge her eyes gleaming for the first time with happiness. Lifting his own body out of the water he watched her dashed forward to the open tunnel. She stopped sharply her head looking about wildly. He frowned so this was her home? He wondered what it looked like in her world. "Figures." She grumbled throwing the saddle bag down to the bricks. He opened his mouth to question her, but she dropped to the floor putting her head on the leather bag. He watched her eyes slip shut and knew that she was out cold.
With a sigh he paced over to her sitting down beside her. He could hear the faint drips of water in the distances of the abandoned temple. He could even hear the rattling and hissing of the monsters that had taken up residence there. Glancing down at her fishy features he was startled at how old she looked. Her eyes were swollen from her exhaustion a permanent frown marring her features. Her inky black hair poked out of her cap.
No doubt she was uncomfortable, but she must have just given up. She must have been expecting so much more to have made the relentlessly trip worth it. And how Epona had run with as much determination he wondered if perhaps she had used her powers on Epona. The Fairy had spoken of divine assistance, but the goddesses had never helped him before why should they now? He had only used their forgotten tools and toys to keep the world safe. Why would they dare intervene now?
Shifting against the stone floor some he closed his eyes pressing his hands together. If couldn't hurt to pray to them now? At most they would do nothing which is what they had always done. With his thigh pressed against one of her shoulders he concentrated in pray keeping his ears open for any attacks though he was safe from Darunia he was sure. No matter the Sage's health Darunia had never been able to enter the water temple, the water and the sacred grounds were too much for even his body to handle. She had picked their hiding spot well. Perhaps he would be able to contact the other sages now.
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Leena slept for three days straight which startled Link. He had come and gone several times to eat, sleep, and hunt. Each time he left worrying for her safety and would find on his return she had not moved. He had been surprised originally to watch her dry out and change back. And over that time he admired the color as it returned to her face, the health tan signaling she was well.
He did occasionally move her knowing her body would protest the stillness for so long. He took those quiet moments to run his hands down her legs bending each leg carefully making sure the muscles were used. He did the same for her arms surprised at how limber she was in her sleep compared to her strict form while awake. He could do nothing to save her back and hips without compromising his sense of propriety, but he tried.
It had been another moment of embarrassment as he man handled her body out of her tunic. He peeled off the layers of her chain mail hoping that it would be an improvement in her sleep without the weight. It was an improvement for her no doubt, but left him testing his resolve of a gentleman. He could see her often hidden form more clearly. He found his time checking on her separated by greater times spans if only to save his sanity and dignity.
In the middle of the night when he was laying with his back to the wall next to her ready to nod off to sleep himself she sat up suddenly. She looked about wildly her hands snapping to her neck already massaging the stiff muscles. "Good Evening." he muttered with a yawn. She nodded to him looking beyond the tunnel where she had crashed.
"This isn't my home." She sighed softly.
"I figured that when you didn't get to far from the door." He reached a hand over to help her work the kinks out of her neck. It was more out of habit his hands already accustomed to touching her. The habit was reenforced from when he had traveled with Zelda, she had asked this of him many times. Her hands slipped off her neck as she worked other parts of her body. With his free hand he urged her to move her back to him.
"If you could see my home you would know this was a severe disappointment. How dare your people let the Water Temple fall into disservice. The Goddesses must be angry with you." She snipped turning away as he put both hands to work on her shoulders and neck.
"Don't blame me. Blame the Zora's Domain. They are the ones who were suppose to protect this place." He added already waking up more from the pleasure of touching her body then actual movement. She really was very unladylike and he loved it.
Slapping his hands away she stood up. "Enough, the waters will heal the rest of me. I will be fine." She added as she suddenly pushed her pants down. He was faced with a prominent view of her round rear. He scoffed shuffling back as she continued to take her clothing off. "Spare me act I know you are a pervert Hero. Gawk all you like this will never be yours." She spat tossing her tunic off without a care as she dived off the edge.
He stared blankly at the small wave in the water her jump had caused. She splashed back up moments later a blue Zoran once more. She started at him with her vast black eyes leering. "Well come on now. I will make a place for you to sleep, the tunnel up there just won't do. Then I will go pray."
"This temple had been ruins for a long time. I went in and out of this whole place a while back there is no place to pray. Nothing but monsters everywhere." He grumbled grabbing the saddle bags and her fallen clothing. Now she was treating him like Zelda sometimes did. Nothing more then a pack mule to carry about her things.
"You lie. The sacred tree is gone?" She whined turning her head about as her ran her hands through her hair. She looked as though she were about to cry.
He shook his head, "The only tree in this place is in an evil room. Bad spirits haunt that room and attempt to kill anyone who goes in there." Not that his evil counter part had succeeded. A fact he was proud about. How often did people say they could face themselves and survive both physically and mentally.
"Your Goddesses have spurned you. Of course evil spirits lingering in that holy place when the faithful have fled. Take me to that room this instant." She sneered as though it were his fault for all that had happened to the temple. He sighed making sure all the packs and weapons were secure. He wouldn't have to worry about his iron boots to weigh him down with all this extra weight.
"But of course your majesty." He mocked. He didn't fail to notice the look of surprise on her face, but it passed quickly as she caught he was insulting her. She shook her head rolling her eyes as she swam back to give him room to join her. He almost wished he hadn't let her rest as arrogant as she was suddenly being.