Part 10: Longing for Memories
Link is brought back to the present, realizing now the complexity of the situation.
"My brother has Zelda." Link says.
"Why does he hate you?" Nabooru asked.
"It is a long story… I will tell you later after I free Zelda." Link says with a determined look on his face.
"Do you know where he went?" Nabooru questioned.
"No I have to figure that out…" said Link. "But I think I know who might…"
"Who?" asked the Gerudo Queen.
"Saria." Link said.
"The Kokiri girl?" the Queen questioned.
"Yes, when we lived there she liked him, and then he left. She probably still loves him; he might have told her where he went." Link told her.
"I am coming with you." said Nabooru.
"But…" Link started.
"No buts, you lost your memory coming here. I do not want anything to happen to you before you find Zelda and bring her back safely." she told Link.
"I guess I could use the company." Link says, his face flush with embarrassment.
"Then it is settled. We will leave tomorrow. You need to rest up after you trek through the desert."
As he spends the day recuperating, he thinks about the memories he regained. He had a brother and the Gerudo Queen loved him, but will not act on those feelings since he loves Zelda. But he can tell from the way she acts that she would do anything for him. He looks in his pack again, picking up the photo of Zelda. He looks at the photo, hoping that his memories would come back by looking at the photo, but nothing happens. As he stares at the photo, Nabooru comes inside the tent and sits next to him.
"If only I could remember her…" Link says sadly.
"Your memory will return back with time." said Nabooru reassuringly.
"But what if I go rescue her and save her and I have no recollection of her. If I save her, she will want to continue with the marriage, but how can I explain to her that I do not remember any of the time we shared." Link says despairingly.
"I know that your heart remembers her even if you cannot." Nabooru said.
"What do you mean?" Link asks confused.
She puts her hand to his heart.
"This is why; your heart hammers whenever anyone mentions Zelda. I could feel it when I entered the room. Your feelings are still there, you just need to see her and you will remember."
Link stares into her eyes. Through her hand on his heart, he can heel her heart hammering just being near him.
"Nabooru…" Link started to say.
"What?" she asks as she leaned closer to hear what he has to say.
He starts leaning toward her, "I want to tell you that you are very important to me."
They are face to face, just inches between them. He can see in her eyes conflict. She wants to kiss him, but knows his heart belongs to another. He then touches her face and pulls his in for a kiss. He feels her go stiff with shock, then melts into the feeling, passionately kissing him. She suddenly breaks away, leaving them both breathless.
"We cannot do this…" she gasps while trying to get her breath back.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.
"Yes, you love Zelda, kissing me is wrong, because once you get your memories back you will be ashamed you did so, and I would be ashamed I let it happen, even if I do have feelings for you." said Nabooru, steadying her breath.
He admires her sense of honor. He puts his hands her shoulders.
"I am sorry."
"We need to get you your memories back. Hopefully we do not have to go to the Zora's." Nabooru said.
"Why? Asked Link confused.
"Well… you took an engagement ring from a Zora when you were younger."
"I am engaged to two women?" Link asked thoroughly confused.
"Princess Ruto is not really engaged to you, though if she found out you lost your memory, she would be all over you, trying to convince you that she is your fiancée."
"Oh…" said Link.
"Hopefully we do not have to go there." She says as she gets up. "You need some sleep. I will let you rest."
"I will see you in the morning." Link says.
"See you in the morning." She says as she leaves the tent.
Link leans back on the bed with the picture still in his hands. He then hears a crinkle of something as he lies down. He reaches under the pillow and finds a picture. Apparently the Queen gave him her room. This picture is of Link and the queen, except her garb was different. This must have been when she was a princess, he thought. In this picture they were in front of the desert palace, with an oasis off to the left in the picture. Link was smiling, and Nabooru looked like she was trying to seduce him, with her head resting on her arms on his shoulder. He compares the two photos. Link does look in love with Zelda. He sighs, thinking of how his memory loss is a major pain in the ass. Link thinks it might be best to leave right now, so that she does not torture herself by going with him. But he knows he could use some sleep. He drifts off to sleep thinking of the chaos of the day…