The day was overcast with a threat of rain. Small Zora children giggled and jumped off the waterfall into the brisk water below. High up on the earthy overcrop, a lone almost-man sat upon his glided throne looking over his kingdom. A fine kingdom it was. Out of his eye he saw two guests approaching, one girl and one man. He sighed.
Prince Rahls face was expressionless as I told him what I was seeking. His posture was rigid and his eyes stony, glaring at Luna and I. I had imagined that he wouldn't take this lightly, but his reaction still hammered my hope. I finished my request and looked at him expectantly.
He ran a hand over his chair and said thoughtfully, "I had a feeling this is what you were seeking when you showed up at my door. Especially when you showed up without Midna."
"As an old friend, I beg you to show me the way." I replied respectfully, trying to keep my emotions hidden.
"Hero. You know not of what you ask." Rahls said coldly. He adjusted his jeweled crown.
"I do. Rahls please. You can't even begin to comprehend how much this means to me. I know the risks, but I also see the possible gain. And I'm willing to take the chance. Please." I begged. Luna grabbed my hand and looked at me with supportive eyes. If I couldn't get the locket...I didn't know what I would do. Go back to Ordan? No, that would drive me insane. Useless hours of wondering what could have been, and never finding out the true answer. I needed this.
The prince rubbed his forehead. "You ask too much." He spoke firmly, though he seemed a little uncertain.
Luna stepped forward. "In case you forgot Prince, this boy saved your butt. In fact, he saved the whole lot of Hyrule. Don't you think you could spare him one little favor?" Luna asked, placing her hands on her small hips. Her bottom lip jutted out they way it always did when she was angry.
I adjusted my shirt nervously, waiting for the Prince's answer. Luna's approach wasn't exactly polite...
"One little favor? This is the treasure of our race!" He snipped, clearly frustrated.
"You wouldn't have a race if it wasn't for him!" She shouted, jabbing a finger in my direction.
"Luna..." I warned quietly. She regarded me with an exasperated expression.
Rahls sighed heavily and placed his head in his hands. "Fine. I will show you the way. But Link, do not say I didn't warn you." With a final concerned look, he stood reluctantly and snapped his fingers. A servant rushed forward, took a knee, and presented a large rounded key.
The prince took the key gingerly and walked over to a large wooden door. It was concealed behind a drape of ivy, and stretched from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. Twisting the key with a loud clank, the door creaked open.
He gestured for us to follow. We walked quickly, as he ushered us inside.
With a final look around, to see if anyone had seen, the prince closed the door behind us, engulfing us in darkness. He lit a torch on the wall, and took the lead.
I followed eagerly, though nerves racked my body. The passageway smelled musty, and as we traveled farther, I felt a prickle along my spine. Water dripped quietly in the background, and the sound of our footsteps echoed loudly. Luna and I walked silently, with Prince Rahls a few yards in front of us.
As we walked the light grew dimmer, and the temperature grew colder. The prince's posture conveyed frustration and slight nerves. . .he seemed to jump at every sound. My heart beat sped.
Luna broke the silence first and whispered, "How are you doing?" She looked a little concerned.
"Nervous." I replied, my eyes straining to see what lied at the end of the of the tunnel.
"It's gonna be okay, Link." she said, squeezing my hand. "Everything will work out in the end."
We walked for a while. The light was slowly getting dimmer, as we proceeded farther and farther. I was feeling uneasy, but I kept telling myself that I was walking to Midna.
"Luna," I said quietly, "You're my best friend." I glanced over at her. She looked determined, with her bow slung across her back and her knife by her side. At my words, she smiled and peered up at me.
"And you're mine." She grinned, though it looked a little forced. I wondered at that for a moment, but put it to the back of my mind. I had bigger things to worry about.
We walked for what seemed like miles until finally, I saw a golden light at the end. Luna's breathing sped, as did my own, as we grew closer and closer.
We finally came upon a circular room with sunlight shining through from a high skylight. There was a patch of grass in the middle, and in the center was a stone basin. Water trickled quietly from a fountain along the walls. Rahls stopped walking.
"This is as far as I'll go. You're on your own." With a nod, he turning and strode back the way we came. I stared at the stone basin.
"Rahls." I said.
He stopped and glanced over his shoulder.
"Thank you."
"Thank me when you have what you seek, Hero. The locket enjoys bewitching men and leaving them with nothing. May the goddess be with you." He resumed walking briskly away.
"And also with you." I murmured. The locket was quite like the mirror it seemed, in the way of corrupting those it came in contact with. But is used correctly, could be the greatest device.
"Go on Link." Luna pushed me in the small of my back, sending me forward. I walked gingerly toward the granite basin, my eyes straining to see what lay inside. Looking back at Luna one more time, I stepped up to where the necklace lay.
Ahh...there it was. A beautiful golden locket lay in the center. It was glittering with a dark sparkle, drawing me closer. Without realizing it, I scooped the necklace up and gazed at it wonderingly. My whole future was contained in this little locket. It was so wonderful...so precious. I went to open it.
Stop. Think. I needed to focus. I couldn't open it until I had a single wish in my mind. Okay...okay try to form a coherent thought. I needed to phrase this exactly right, or. . . it could end just like that poor twili girl.
I passed the locket from hand to hand, admiring its beauty. It really wasn't anything special. Just a plain solid gold locket with a small inscription. Surprisingly enough though, I felt as though I was holding the most precious thing in the world. I held the necklace up close, attempting to decipher the minuscule engraving. I screwed my eyes shut tightly, and when I was positive I had the wish clear in my mind, I opened the locket.
Warmth that started at my toes spread throughout my body and when I opened my eyes, there she was.
There was the only girl that could ever mean so much to me. There she was! Any doubt that I had been feeling was gone, and was replaced by overflowing love. I never thought it would happen to me. . . I had always been so closed off. But somehow this girl, the only girl, made me into so much more.
There she stood, looking startled, but so obviously joyful. Her orange eyes glistened and her wild hair fell down to her slender waist. I reached up a warm hand and brushed her fiery hair away from her face. So perfect.
"Link?" She whispered. Complete shock was written all over her face and she mindlessly reached a hand up to touch my face. My skin burned under her touch.
"I don't think I've seen you look so surprised." I teased, my fingers trailing up her arm. Midna was so dear to me.
"Oh you great stupid beast!" She laughed, hitting my chest.
Smiling, I grabbed her hands and leaned forward, finally kissing her. She responded and kissed me back, grinning into my lips. My arms snaked around her waist and I lifted her up, spinning her around in joyful triumph without breaking our kiss. Suddenly we were laughing, our foreheads pressed together.
"I've missed you so much." I murmured, showering her in kisses.
Still grinning from ear to ear she said, "How did you- how am I...? Oh who cares!" She pressed her lips hard on mine, and my mind swam incoherently, she was everywhere. She was everything.
My pride hummed a deep joy in my chest. I had set out on a quest and I had won. I held the prize in my arms, and she was perfect.
But breaking through this moment of perfect joy, I could feel something was wrong. My figure shuddered slightly as a prickle danced up my spine. I could see that Midna felt it as well. She pulled away and glanced over my shoulder, her face contorting into a snarl.
Suddenly, the sound of a bow being strung reached my ears. Bewildered, I pushed Midna behind me as fast as possible, and my eyes searched for the source.
There she stood, in the entrance of the circular room, bow strung, pointing directly at me. Luna.
"Luna." I said slowly, keeping Midna safely behind me. "What are you doing?"
"Who is she?" Midna whispered from behind me, peering over my shoulder. "And you don't need to protect me!" She protested, but I stayed in front of her. Not taking any chances here.
Luna raised the bow and took aim. From behind her, a dark cloaked man came forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. Midna growled behind me.
"Luna!" I shouted. Her expression remained blank, but from knowing her so well I could feel a rage burning behind the calm.
The strange man bent down to Luna's short height and breathed into her ear, "Shoot."
With a tear on her cheek, she released the arrow.
I felt a burn in my side, and glancing down, I saw it protruding from my side. There was no pain, only shock. I fell to my knees, and my vision was blurring.
"LINK!" I heard Midna scream. It seemed so far away. Everything was getting dark. . .I was on the ground. Why would Luna shoot me? My friend. . .my Luna. Looking up I saw the skylight. I saw Midna launch herself at the small archer. I wanted to tell her to stop, or to run, but I couldn't find the strength. There was blood everywhere.
"You bitch!" Midna threw Luna on the ground, but soon I heard her own piercing cry. The man had shot her as well. I wanted to yell, to run, to save her, to do something! It was as if my whole body had shut down. Blackness...Midna was calling my name. I tried to respond.
My eyes were losing sight. It was only blurs...and a dark man above me. I went under.
ello my lovelies!
Sorry for the late update!
Just when you thought it was ending...
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