Chapter 11
His mind reeling with questions, Link played the familiar tune on his ocarina, eager to hear from his friend and one of the seven sages, Saria. As he blew the last note, at once he was connected with her and, to his surprise, she was aware of everything that had transpired. He supposed he should have anticipated this as the sages are knowledgeable of all that occurs in Hyrule and with each other, but it still took him aback. Saria withheld her sympathies for the moment, resigning herself to patiently answering his burning questions with the hope that this would reveal some insight as to how to liberate Zelda from her illusions.
"Saria, there is one thing I still don't understand," he paused, carefully contemplating how to phrase his query. "The Triforce of Courage dispelled the illusions Wade attempted to shroud me in. How did Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom fail to do the same for her? I did not think it would be possible for the one who bears wisdom to be so easily deceived."
Saria responded in stride.
"This potion is more complex than we ever could have imagined. Instead of simply forging a new love, it plays on one's already existent emotions and desires. Meaning that the love Zelda has for you is genuine, but the potion does not distinguish platonic love from romantic love. It just skews and heightens emotions that already exist."
He quickly fought the anguish that stirred in him at the reminder of the platonic nature of his relationship with Zelda and her current plight. The subsequent question that commandeered his mind was a strangely welcome relief.
"But what about Per-" he paused, catching his error, "I mean Wade? Zelda didn't hold any affection for him, romantic or otherwise, prior to consuming the potion. How did the Triforce fail to expose his deception?"
Although their communication was telepathic, Link could have sworn he sensed Saria sigh heavily.
"That's what I mean, Link. The potion is not strictly a love potion like we initially believed, and probably shouldn't even be labeled as such. It fixates on one's desires, which in Zelda's case was for a relationship. This desire was magnified to a degree to where she was captivated by the first man she saw. Wade's death did not quell her desire that, due to the potion, remains misplaced in him."
"Then what will?" Link persisted, feeling his frustration growing.
He was grateful that this telepathic avenue of communication veiled his coarse tone that otherwise would have been evident. Yet, despite the appearance, his exasperation was directed at himself. How could he have allowed any of this to happen? If he hadn't cast his convictions aside and entered into a courtship with Zelda, he would have been better prepared to prevent her illusion from progressing to this level. While he could speculate all he wanted as to why Zelda's Triforce failed to provide her the discernment she needed, he had no excuse as to why he neglected to maintain a firm grasp of the courage and determination he needed to pursue his destiny before him.
"Link," Saria's sudden reply displaced his thoughts, "I don't know, but I will consult with the sages, and between all of us, I'm sure we will discover a solution!"
The despair that threatened to consume him at the realization that the sages were as mystified as him was overcome by a sudden notion that presented itself. At once, he knew exactly how he could liberate Zelda from her illusions, and he wondered why it only now occurred to him.
The only thing that prevented Zelda from remaining forlorn was her desire to arrest and try Link for his transgressions. How could the man, who was once her dearest friend, commit such an abhorrent act of betrayal against her? Her thoughts shifted to Impa, who visited her shortly after Percival's murder. Impa represented somewhat of a mother figure to her in lieu of her mother's early demise, so she eagerly granted her request for an audience, craving her maternal comfort. Nothing could have surprised her more than when Impa abruptly ended their embrace, the sympathy all but vanishing from her gaze as she vehemently implored her to reconsider her response to Link. Zelda's shock gave way to a rage that would have prompted her to immediately imprison her had she not had the decency to bow in apology. As she ordered the royal guards stationed at the doorway to escort Impa out, she momentarily wondered why those she trusted the most seemed to be forsaking her in rapid succession.
Seeking her father and finding him confined to bed with a debilitating illness, she assumed command of the royal army and dispatched soldiers throughout Hyrule to locate Link. She knew he traversed other lands as well, but she could sense, possibly through her Triforce, that he remained within Hylian borders. She would not rest until she had him in shackles before her. Her thoughts were interrupted by a soldier who abruptly entered her chambers and hastily bowed before addressing her.
"Your Highness," he breathlessly relayed, "Link says he will surrender himself on one condition."
As he divulged the condition to her, she felt her face contort in puzzlement.
"You're certain that was his only demand?" she confirmed, scarcely believing he would surrender himself so easily.
The certainty in the guard's eyes was enough to reassure her as he nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."
"I see…" she trailed, contemplating.
Perhaps detaining Link and avenging Percival's murder would be much easier than she originally thought. All she had to do was oblige his request and compel him to lower his guard, and now she knew how she would accomplish this.
Hearing the commotion outside his room at the castle town inn, Link hastily packed his belongings, carefully wrapping and stashing one item within his boot. He could overhear the soldiers interrogating the inn staff, so he knew he had little time remaining before he was discovered. Removing his hookshot, he straddled the windowsill, getting the roof in his sight before he activated the trigger. The hook latched onto the decking before recoiling and smoothly pulling him atop the inn.
"There he is!" a voice Link identified as belonging to one of the guards who trained with him cried out. "He's on the roof!"
Ascending higher, he perched himself so that he had a view of the town perimeter. He could see several guards positioning themselves around the inn, and he realized the archers he knew were hiding nearby would be instructed to snipe if the guards failed to detain him. While he could easily utilize the various tunes he knew on the ocarina to transport himself to safety, he knew the easiest way to gain an audience with Zelda would be through capture. He just had to ensure that he wouldn't be duped in the process of surrendering.
"Surrender yourself at once!" the guard who addressed him moments ago demanded.
Link carefully considered his words before relaying his response.
"I am more than capable of evading capture as I'm sure you realize. However, I will surrender myself provided Her Royal Highness grants me a private audience here in town."
The guard scoffed. "That is an outrageous request given the nature of-"
"That is my condition," he firmly asserted. "Report back to me once you have her response."
An irritation briefly crossed over the guard's face, which Link surmised was due to the stern manner he addressed the guard in despite no longer having the authority his former role as co-captain of the guard provided. He could see the guards deliberating momentarily before one of them eventually separated from the group and hustled in the direction of the castle. Shifting so he was lying prone in case of a sniping attempt, he resolved to wait, finding each minute that passed steadily sapped the confidence he previously possessed. The success of his plan depended upon one item, and if he failed he did not know what would become of Zelda or worse yet, Hyrule.
"Are you sure about this, Your Highness?" the captain of the guard asked as they entered the castle town. "These actions seem uncharacteristic of the man I trained with and…" he trailed uneasily at her incensed gaze.
"If you wish to retain your position then you would be wise to follow your orders," she responded in a callous tone that just yesterday would have felt foreign to her.
Yet everything that transpired in her life before the death of Percival felt like it occurred ages ago, and her life now was assuming a divergent path she felt helpless to turn from. The pain of losing her beloved was too great, and although her initial reaction inspired by her royal upbringing was to compartmentalize these emotions as one would contain a wound with pressure, she found that she could not. The anguish, disbelief and horror manifested into a rage that was the only thing that spurred her on.
"F-forgive me, Your Highness," he stammered, displacing her thoughts. "Are you sure you should be meeting alone with him then?"
Since learning of Link's demand, Zelda was preoccupied with trying to comprehend his motives. She knew him well enough to recognize that he would not surrender without some scheme in mind, and it bothered her even more that her Triforce of Wisdom remained so frustratingly silent. She noticed it glowing at times, as if it was trying to forewarn her of something, yet her ability to discern the message felt clouded. It momentarily occurred to her that she was being drastically deceived, perhaps by her grief or some other source she couldn't identify, but the notion failed to take root in place of her indignation. Turning her attention back to the captain of the guard, she solemnly shook her head.
"I understand your concern, but I am certain that whatever he is planning does not include harm to me."
"But-" he protested, stopping as she shot him a stern glance.
"Just prepare your men to detain him. I will request that he disarm himself before I enter, so do not delay once I give the signal."
The captain of the guard humbly bowed, though she did not miss the resigned formality in his tone. "As it pleases you, Your Highness."
The happenings in the castle town caused a large crowd to congregate around the inn, which the guards summoned reinforcements to address. The spectators were now relocated well away, but Link occasionally noticed a few gawking at him, the realization of which caused his face to burn with shame. Seeing the innocent bystanders stirred further doubt in Link, prompting him to wonder if it would have been better to attempt to breach the castle defenses and catch Zelda off guard. He initially decided against that course of action, reasoning that there was a high likelihood he wouldn't even be able to gain access to the castle, let alone Zelda, with the increased security. It was when he noticed Zelda approaching on horseback in the company of several heavily armed guards that he dismissed his doubts and resolved to proceed with his plan.
Observing as Zelda dismounted and softly spoke with the guards stationed at the inn doorway, he desperately tried but was unable to discern their words. Seeing that she entered the inn with two soldiers at her side, he remained prone on the roof, hoping she was not intent on engaging him in combat. He was desperate to dispel her illusion, but he did not wish to harm others in the process. Moments later, she appeared in the window, gazing up at him with a contemptuous scowl. Despite her visible animosity, he could tell she was exercising considerable restraint, the realization of which sent a chill down his spine.
"If you wish to speak with me then lay down your weapons. Throw them and your belongings to the ground below," she instructed, prompting him to glance at the vacant space below the inn that the soldiers prepared for him.
Her request did not come as a surprise, but he still felt hesitant to do so in lieu of the rage she seemed to think he was unaware of.
"Not before you dismiss the guards you brought into the inn with you."
Although her expression remained impassive, a learned response from all of her years of training in royal conduct and etiquette, their close friendship enabled him to glimpse the indignation in her eyes that would have eluded most.
"You are in no position to make demands," she coldly stated.
"Zelda," Link quickly interjected, "you know as well as I do that if I was truly guilty of any wrongdoing that you would have been unable to stop me from fleeing Hyrule."
Her expression softened and she appeared to consider his words for a moment before her fury resurfaced. After speaking with Saria, it initially puzzled him why the sages' attempts to intervene at the onset of her enchantment with Wade failed. Now he could see that the potion not only produced an irrational obsession with Wade, but also deafened her to the protests of those around her. After agreeing with her to disarm himself once she dismissed her guards, he carefully dropped his belongings, watching as the guards immediately descended upon and removed them out of sight. If he was correct and his plan worked, he would have no need for any of those items, aside from one. Descending from the roof, he swung himself inside the window, greeted by Zelda who crossed her arms guardedly.
"So what is it that you wish to tell me?" she asked in a surprisingly collected tone given her demeanor moments ago.
"I actually want to show you something," he spoke as he knelt and reached inside his boot, producing the item he wrapped earlier.
What occurred next took Link completely by surprise as Zelda seized upon his vulnerability to briskly approach the window, tossing what appeared to be a handkerchief out. Moments later, several guards flooded the room, overwhelming Link. In the scuffle that ensued, he lost his grasp on the item, unable to glimpse it at all as it slid across the floor out of sight. Before he could plead with Zelda, his mouth was gagged, muffling his protests. It wasn't his safety he cared about, but rather the imperativeness that she gaze upon the article. The position he found himself in bore an uncanny resemblance to their reunion upon his return to Hyrule as he sought to salvage her from the intruder. Yet, as he met her gaze this time, the tender glance of infatuation she favored him with then was absent as she beheld him with a callous indifference. It was his last clear memory before being rendered unconscious.
Although she feigned disinterest in the item Link attempted to show her, instructing the soldiers to secure it in the barracks until his trial, her curiosity would not relent. What was so important for her to see that he was so compliant in disarming and surrendering himself? Hastening to the barracks, she waited for the nearby patrol to pass before she entered. She scanned the various weapons and armor haphazardly strewn around the room before finally locating the wrapped parcel in the corner. As she pried the ragged cloth away, her puzzlement grew as she found herself gazing upon a decorative lens, bearing the Sheikah symbol. She at once recalled Impa informing her of a Sheikah-crafted lens containing magical properties which allowed one to see beyond an illusion.
Is this that lens? She wondered, finding herself drawn to it for reasons that eluded her at the moment.
Bringing the lens to eye level for closer examination, she peered through it. At first there did not appear to be any distinction between the images her eyes produced versus that of the lens, however, a closer glimpse revealed otherwise. Although she wasn't certain of it, Zelda could have sworn her surroundings appeared slightly more luminous when viewed from the lens. She at first dismissed the notion, before suddenly catching her Triforce glowing faintly out of her peripheral vision. Turning her gaze to behold the triangular engraving on her hand, it at once shone so radiantly she immediately glanced away, yet was unable to prevent it from searing her vision, leaving her momentarily blinded. As her surroundings gradually reappeared, she noticed the light emitted by the Triforce of Wisdom converged with the lens she now remembered was called the Lens of Truth. This beam of light at once contracted until her Triforce of Wisdom appeared to absorb it, the glow fading until the emblem once again matched her complexion.
In an instant, the perplexing force which clouded her communion with her Triforce subsided, causing the bleakness which consumed and burdened her spirit to lift. The rage which moments ago commandeered her mind, settled, replaced by a knowledge of all that had transpired. Instinctively closing her eyes, she recalled being in the captivity of the intruder, her Triforce now drawing her attention to the inflection in his voice which she at once identified as Percival, no…Wade. She recalled fighting him with every fiber of her being, but still unsuccessfully preventing him from forcefully administering, what at the time, was an unknown substance to her.
Absorbing the magnitude of these events, she found herself simultaneously overwhelmed by disbelief and horror as her thoughts shifted to Link. How could she have been so easily deceived, and how could she subsequently have been seduced by a rage that compelled her to renounce and take up arms against those she loved? She remained mystified, but what she did know was that she had to immediately rectify the situation. Refusing to waste another moment, she hastened to the dungeon.
As he once again became cognizant, Link found himself in the dungeon with Reeve, who slumped against the stone floor, violently trembling and muttering unintelligible words Link could not discern. Likely due to his condition, Reeve was not confined to the wall in the manner Link was. Futilely struggling against his shackles, Link found himself disconcerted that the potion still imprisoned Reeve in the same manner as Zelda. After several moments, he begrudgingly ceased his efforts to escape his constraints, startled by the imminent despair that quickly presented itself at this resignation. He refused to believe that he was helpless to aid Zelda in some way, yet he couldn't currently fathom another course of action.
Sighting a rusted nail near his foot, he struggled to draw it closer, hoping he could somehow propel it toward his hands and utilize it to pick the lock on one of his shackles. He realized it was an impractical plan, but he had to try something. Managing to stabilize the nail on his boot, he was about to launch it into the air when he heard footsteps urgently approaching. Quickly ceasing his efforts, he craned his neck as best as he could so he could see the doorway, alarmed to find himself gazing upon Zelda. It wasn't her presence itself that alarmed him but rather her somber demeanor. She met his gaze, her eyes glistening with repentant tears, as she approached him. Quickly fidgeting with the lock, she managed to free him from his shackles, reaching for his arms as they fell limply to his side.
"Link…" she trailed, her voice trembling as she fought to muffle the sobs that started to rack her body.
Ignoring his strained muscles which ached in protest, he drew her into an embrace, hoping to ease the need for words which he knew would come arduously for both of them. As her sobs ceased and she regained her composure, she drew back, retaining a grip on his forearm as she did. Her somber demeanor was replaced by an anxiety that likewise made Link apprehensive.
"Link, the guards stationed outside the cell informed me that Reeve has occasionally been coherent enough to be overheard muttering about someone matching Malon's description. I don't wish to alarm you needlessly, but I am concerned for her."
Recalling at once Malon's mysterious absence from the ranch, a foreboding that felt like someone pierced him with an icy dagger overcame him. Zelda, who was obviously aware of his intentions, immediately escorted him to reclaim his belongings and the Lens of Truth. She insisted on accompanying him, which he surprisingly found himself grateful for despite all that remained unresolved between them.
As they entered the ranch, the usual chatter of the horses and cows in the barn did little to appease the disconcertion that rose within Link. Zelda seemed to sense something was amiss too as they simultaneously approached the house, stepping foot inside. Aghast, Link scanned the interior which was in complete disarray as the cuccos appeared to have been neglected over the last two days, pecking at an unattended bag of feed strewn across the floor they must have managed to open in desperation. The characteristic aroma of Malon's cooking he came to expect the moment he entered their abode was diluted by the stench of cucco waste, causing both Link and Zelda to gag and fight the nausea that rose in their throats. Hearing the floorboards creak above them, they ascended the stairs leading to Malon's room before softly knocking on the door. As the door cracked open, they were granted entry by a similarly disheveled Talon whose eyes widened in surprise momentarily before resigning once again to the sunken hollowness only despair can bring.
He muttered a distant and nearly incomprehensible greeting to them before glancing behind him to Malon, who was in a similar state as Reeve, hugging her knees to her chest and trembling unceasingly. Approaching her, Link removed the Lens of Truth from his belongings, drawing Talon's attention.
"What is that you got there?" he demanded in a tone that contained no trace of the cordiality present in all of their usual interactions.
Zelda compassionately regarded Talon, which appeared to disarm him. "We don't have time to explain, but we believe this will help Malon."
Bringing the lens to Malon's eye level, Link lowered himself next to her on the bed so that he could be certain she peered into it. After many moments, he turned to Zelda questioningly who appeared just as perplexed as him.
"Are you certain all you did was gaze through it?" he inquired, noting her answer in her resolute nod. Feeling his frustration rising, he exasperatingly gripped the lens. "Then I don't understand why she remains captive in the illusion!"
"Illusion?" Talon piped in, which they both ignored.
Zelda paced as she contemplated for many moments before responding. "Is it possible that the vision she sees is not an illusion after all?"
Link almost dismissed the notion before recalling the statements Wade made before his death regarding a foresight potion that granted futuristic visions. It seemed absurd at the time, but now Link found himself embracing the possibility, out of lack of any other plausible theory more than anything else.
"If that's true then how are we supposed to combat this?" he inquired, failing to hide the exasperation that emerged in his tone.
"I wonder…" she paused, mulling something over until the desperation that must have been present on his face compelled her to speak her thoughts aloud. "Well, wisdom alone was not enough to dispel my illusion, and truth won't shed any light on an already authentic vision, so it makes me wonder if a lack of resolve to face this vision is what keeps one confined in it."
He noticed her glancing at him thoughtfully as she spoke, and he followed her gaze to the Triforce of Courage. "You mean…but how?"
She shook her head somberly. "I wish I had the answer, Link, but unfortunately my Triforce does not grant me wisdom into how to utilize yours."
Reminded that his Triforce of Courage granted him freedom from his illusion, he reasoned it was also possible that it could allow him to enter and free another from their vision. It was worth a try. After Zelda and Talon cleared the room so he could concentrate, Link knelt next to Malon before summoning the power from his Triforce of Courage, which glowed radiantly as Malon's vision manifested before him. Link found it identical to the illusion he briefly glimpsed before dispatching Wade in the castle.
Gazing upon the desolate environment a second time, he felt an eerie familiarity about his surroundings, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt he was standing within what remained of Lon Lon Ranch in this bleak vision. The vision portrayed mass destruction in place of where the humble ranch home and barn once stood, both of which were now barely recognizable debris. The horror and dismay which threatened to seize him quelled as he noticed Malon slumped on the sodden ground near where the ranch home once stood. She did not appear to notice him yet as she sat silently weeping, a sight Link found even worse than Zelda's uninhibited sobbing after Wade's death. It was as if the vision, over these last few days, sapped all of her willpower so that she was resigned to this state of immense grief. Link instinctively reached for her shoulder in a feeble gesture of comfort, pausing only because he feared startling her.
"Malon," he softly spoke, raising his voice when she didn't respond. "Malon!"
Every muscle in her body seemed to freeze before she gradually raised her downcast head. Her face, washed blank with puzzlement, finally acknowledged him in her widened cerulean eyes.
"L-Link?" she stammered, suppressing a sob.
Drawing closer, he offered his hand, which she appeared to disbelievingly accept as she steadily arose to her feet with his assistance. She made no effort to remove the mud now caked on her legs and dress, her gaze still fixated on their desolate surroundings.
"I don't understand, Link," she spoke, peering at him as if she still didn't believe it was possible he was standing before her. "I thought I was alone…"
As he explained the events of the last few days to her, she stood transfixed, her expression shifting from horror, disbelief and determination the moment he mentioned the vision.
"But surely there is something we can do!" she insisted. "I refuse to believe that we are helpless to prevent this!"
Contemplating a moment, Link had a sudden notion that the key to freeing her would be inspiring the resoluteness he had grown to love in her. The resoluteness that compelled her to remain at the ranch during Ganondorf's reign to prevent Ingo from mistreating the horses as he surely would have during her absence. Waiting until she gazed upon him, he empathically nodded.
"Sometimes we don't have a choice, but I don't believe that means we're helpless."
She eyed him incredulously. "What do you mean? That doesn't even make sense."
Despite her apprehension, he continued undeterred. "I don't believe that any of this will occur during our lifetime, but perhaps we can help prepare those who will face this."
"But…how would we do that?" she trailed, glancing somberly at their bleak surroundings.
He remained silent until she turned again to glance at him, her eyes widening in surprise as he broke out into a half-grin.
"I don't know yet, but this is something I expect we can figure out together."
He instinctively reached for her hands which she eventually extended. While he could see that her mind still remained in turmoil, he could tell by her softened expression that she appeared resolved for the moment. Glancing at their clasped hands, the Triforce of Courage irradiated to a degree that made them instinctively close their eyes as the desolate vision faded and they reappeared in modern time. Although Malon was noticeably relieved to see her home restored, she staggered back onto her bed. He quickly acted to catch her, managing to grip her forearm, but she wearily shook her head.
"I-I'm sorry, Link. I'm just so…just so tired all of sudden," she sleepily murmured as she reclined on the bed.
It only made sense that the ordeal would leave her exhausted as the vision left her incoherent rather than asleep, and gazing upon her as she peacefully slumbered, he considered the heartache and peril she endured at the hands of his oblivion and sheer lack of willpower. He knew that the kindness and compassion he loved about her would compel her to absolve him of any responsibility for the harrowing ordeal she experienced, but he could not so easily exonerate himself. In fact, he wasn't sure that he ever would. Being the Hero of Time was more than simply a role he must fill; it was a conviction, the realization of which prevented him from embracing the aspects and pleasures of life others were free to enjoy. If he couldn't even trust himself to uphold his convictions, then there was nothing preventing an event like this from reoccurring and once again plaguing those he cared about. With that, he knew he must depart Hyrule.
Briskly arising at this realization, he paused and cast another glance at Malon, noting the serenity reflected on her face now that she was free from the vision. Time, in that moment, seemed to slow, as if his mind mentally snapped a photograph of her, a keepsake to strengthen him should his resolve to steer clear of Hyrule ever waver. It wasn't easy to leave even when it was the only option available, and it bothered him that they didn't have the opportunity to resolve matters between them, but perhaps it was for the best. Perhaps his leaving would help her realize that their paths were never meant to coincide beyond a brief reunion every now and then. Yet, although she didn't know of or understand the role he had in securing the safety of Hyrule, he knew she deserved some explanation for his hasty departure. Eyeing a quill and paper on the desk across the room, he approached and scribbled a note to her, hoping she would understand. Then, ambling his way downstairs, he informed Zelda and Talon of her recovery, seizing upon their distraction to hitch his belongings to Epona and urge her into a gallop as he aimlessly fled Hyrule.
A/N: Thank you all for your patience. I'm still experiencing writer's block, but I finally felt satisfied enough to upload some content. Also, I probably should have clarified this before, but this fic is not strictly adhering to any of the timelines as I did not have knowledge of those when I started this fic years ago. Based on the knowledge of the series I have now, I'd say it is closest to the child timeline with the exception of the sages and Zelda still retaining their memories/roles and the three bearers of the Triforce still possessing their respective Triforce pieces. I know it doesn't really make a lot of sense, but that's the best I've got! :)
As for this chapter, for those of you who have played Breath of the Wild, how many of you have stumbled upon the Ranch Ruins? Once I did, I knew I couldn't leave that out of this story once I knew the direction I was going with it despite the different theories out there regarding the ruins. Anyway, I have one more chapter planned for this fic, so stay tuned! Thank you to Ari for offering some much needed support and encouragement as well as Niki Bogwater and ultragreenyellow56!