Chapter Eleven: Explanations

I kept my head on Link's shoulder, enjoying the feelings of security and warmth I felt from his embrace. I sighed in contentment, sniffling a little.

"Zelda, you feeling any better now?" He asked, his head now leaning against mine.

I nodded, "Y-yeah." I grimaced. My voice sounded awful.

Much to my chagrin, Link laughed. "That's good." His grip on my waist tightened. "I was beginning to get really worried." Reluctantly I withdrew myself from his embrace and studied him. His clear blue eyes were locked on my form, eyeing me intently. Blushing light pink, I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away.

"Zelda, if anything happened, you can tell me." He said seriously. "I won't bite. I promise."

I giggled, though it didn't do much to soothe the wounds that Jill's previous words had done. I bit my bottom lip, contemplating the decision for a moment. While Link was kind enough and sounded sincere, he was quite the prick to my rear. Always demanding answers and never letting the subject of my bandages leave the air. In some aspects, it was annoying, but in some ways, it was quite kind.

Maybe I should tell him, I thought, my stomach churning suddenly.

"Zelda, if you don't want to… I understand."

I shook my head, trying to regain some strength. "No more running." I whispered to myself.

"Hmm?" he eyed me curiously. "Did you say something?"

I looked up, meeting his gaze. Staring into his eyes for a moment, I gulped and adjusted my stance. "I'll talk; if we go somewhere quiet." Not surprisingly, his eyes softened and a small smile lit up his face.

"That sounds like a plan. I know just the place." He reached for my hand and entwined it with his. Leading me in the opposite direction, we were moving away from the crowds of people and to a far more secluded area. All the way through the walk, I kept my gaze downcast, a bit scared by what I knew would be transpiring soon.

Soon, he'll know the truth… all of it.

I don't know what would be scarier: his reaction to my tales or his reaction to the first sight of my bandages. I heaved a sigh. Regardless, this event would not end well.

"Well, here we have it." Link said, releasing my hand, "our own little private place to talk." I blinked, and looked around. There was nothing but sand and no one was around for miles. We weren't too close to the water, but it was still within quick running distance. Looking straight, I stared out to the water, noticing few seagulls lining the shoreline scouring for any forms of food.

"This is certainly… private." I struggled to complement the area. Right now, my heart was pounding rapidly inside my chest and my face was bright red. I was scared and Link probably knew it.

"Zelda, just take a deep breath, okay? You can start whenever you're ready." He laid both hands onto my shoulders, attempting to steady me. Breathing in and out, I ushered out a small reply before feeling my legs beginning to shake.

"I-I want to sit." I announced before plopping myself onto the ground. Link followed suite, making sure to keep one arm wrapped around my shoulders. "Thanks." I heaved a breath and leaned my head against his. He nodded, merely pulling me closer.

I opened my mouth, then noticing how dry and chapped my lips were. Oh well. What I was about to say was much more important than dry lips. Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. "Link about what happened today."

He watched, curious. "Yes?"

Butterflies fluttered inside my stomach. I could handle this, I reminded myself. Link will not think any less of me after this confession. I bit my tongue for a moment, trying to formulate a proper and coherent response. "This is so hard." I shut my eyes and leaned my head back down against his shoulder. Link smiled sweetly and patted my side.

"Whenever you're ready, Zelda… take all the time you need."

I looked up and met his gaze. Tears lined my eyes. "Thanks," I mouthed and tried again. Here goes nothing. "The reason why I was crying," I centered my gaze on the water ahead of us, "was because of what happened between Nabooru, Saria, I and some other girl."

"And who was this other girl?" His tone sounded highly commanding. For a moment it almost frightened me, yet in the same time, it made me feel safe.

"Jill Harris," I whispered, "a girl who attends my school. She's a cheerleader who enjoys bullying people."

Link's grip around my side tightened. "Does she bully you?"

I looked down, ashamed. "Yes."

"…"

Link said nothing. He kept quiet, not looking my way. I sniffled, biting down on the insides of my cheeks. "Link, she said a few things about me in front of Saria and N-Nabooru that I don't wish to repeat. Is that okay with you?"

Link nodded solemnly. "That's fine. I respect your decision Zelda." He sounded so upset, so hurt. I suppose it was because he wasn't expecting that previous bit of information. I hissed with displeasure. Jill Harris was such a prick and an annoying thorn to my side. So many times, I wished I could have stood up to her and said what I've always wanted to say to her; but that could never happen. She's far too strong – both socially and physically – that if I ever tried to lay a hand on her, Damian, the rest of the football players and cheerleaders would be on my back within minutes.

Life really does suck in some departments, I thought, my brows lowering.

"Zelda," Link said suddenly, catching my attention.

"Um, yes?"

"Is Jill the reason you cover your arms with bandages?" That question hit a nerve. "I just want to know." He continued, not seeming to notice my discomfort. "Because if that's the reason, why haven't you told your mother about what's been happening?"

I forced out a laugh. "How could I tell my mother?" I repeated, flabbergasted. "She's just—no, she's more to blame for these injuries than Jill or any of her other friends."

Link's eyes widened the size of dinner plates. "What?" His head whipped around so fast, I almost thought he might have gotten a mild form of whiplash. "What did you just say?!"

I sucked in a breath, fearful of having to repeat myself. This conversation was not something I was enjoying, though I knew it would occur at some point. Keeping my head on Link's shoulder, I decided to explain again. "My mother is not like other mothers, Link. She finds it amusing in hurting and… calling me names." The memories were beginning to emerge. All those fateful names she has ever sprouted my way began to repeat themselves inside my mind. Slut, whore, baby, dumb child, ignorant fool; all of them were whirling around my head so quickly it made me want to hurl.

"…" I shut my eyes, feeling a single tear roll down from the edges of my eye. Damn, I thought, beginning to tremble, damn it all.

Link balled his free hand into a fist. "Zelda, I want to see them."

I looked up, startled. "See what?" I repeated, confused.

"Your bandaged arms," he said simply.

I sucked in a breath. "You mean that you want to see my arms without the bandages?"

"Yes." He grunted thickly.

My breathing then turned shallow. Link, who seemed to have anticipated this, suddenly pulled me towards his chest, his arms enveloping my small frame. "Zelda, I want to help you," he started. "But the only way I can help you is if you help me. Let me see those uncovered arms; I want to see the extent of what you've been through." He placed his head atop mine, keeping a firm, supporting grip on me. I relaxed in his hold never having felt more secure.

A minute later, I replied, "Okay."

He smiled faintly and slowly withdrew his tight hold, "Whenever you're ready."

I nodded and adjusted myself in his arms. Preparing to remove my sweater, I cast one long glance towards the water and shut my eyes before throwing off the sweater. I had no clue where it went, but that did not matter, all that mattered was that I removed these bandages before I begin to reconsider it all. Cheeks turning red, I hastily unzipped my light jacket and cast it aside; now my arms were bare – minus a light red shirt.

I could feel Link's burning gaze on my arms as I set above to remove the first set of bandages. When I had finished with the left arm, I moved onto the right, finishing off quicker than before.

Whoosh!

The freshly wrapped bandages fell into my lap where I refused to look at them. I believed that if I didn't look down, that I would be fine. That had become my living mantra for the next few moments, as I awaited Link's reaction.

For a while, it was completely silent, neither Link nor I said anything to each other. I merely continued to stare out towards the calming water, sensing Link's eyes roaming up and down my arms. Occasionally, his fingers would slide down a few bruises, touching them gently, almost lovingly. It made my heart flutter, though I would never admit it aloud.

"Zelda," he whispered, "do—do they hurt?"

I titled my head up and met his eyes. Staring into those warm orbs, I shook my head. "Not anymore."

He exhaled a sigh of relief. "That's good." I felt his hold on my waist tighten again. I smiled secretly.

"If you don't mind me asking, how exactly did you get these injuries?" He was taking this much better than I had originally anticipated. I was expecting him to push me to the sand and yell out questions in a furious, angered voice.

But that's not Link, I reminded myself. That's just a figment of my imagination.

"… You really want to know?" I said quietly. "How I got each one?"

"Of course," he barked a bit loudly.

I chuckled. There was no point in arguing with him anymore. He already knew that I was being bullied at school and that my mom injured me from time to time. He had seen my arms and saw me crying. There was nothing else left to hide from him.

"It'll take a bit of time to explain." I leaned back, fully emerging myself in the warmth his body offered.

"We've got time." He said, trying to calm himself down, "all the time in the world."

I opened my mouth. Here goes nothing. "I got them all from…" I explained everything in further detail. From the type of bullying I underwent to the torment, mother and her various boyfriends unleashed on me both physically and verbally. Link sat there quietly throughout the entire time, allowing me to finish without one interruption. "And that's it." I had finally finished telling him everything. Hopefully, no stones were left unturned.

Link clicked his tongue. "Zelda," it sounded like he was hissing. I felt a bit afraid, but that feeling subsided within milliseconds from knowing the obvious truth: Link would never hurt me. "I'm… I'm so sorry."

I blinked, dumbstruck. "Link, why are you apologizing?"

He placed his head atop mine, his thumb stroking my arms that were touching his arms. "Because of all you've had to endure." He whispered in my ear. "You shouldn't have to suffer like this, Zelda. You don't deserve any of this."

"Link, I—" I was silenced upon feeling his lips graze mine. The feeling was so brief and sudden that it caught me off guard. By the time he pulled back, I was lightheaded and felt tingly all over.

"Link…" I breathed and snuggled closer towards him.

"Zelda…" He kept his hold on me, yet allowed me to move in the embrace. "I'm sorry." He whispered again, this time, his fingers running through my hair. "You deserve so much better. I promise that I'll help you attain the happiness you rightfully deserve."

The happiness… that I rightfully deserve?

Tears immediately lined my eyes. I sniffled, my face now buried deeply into his neck.

Link, thank you…