Hello all!
Just a quick note! I wanted to say a quick thank you to all of you who have added this to your alerts/fav story lists! And a huge thank you to the reviews as well! I am having a blast writing this and I am thrilled so many of you seem to be enjoying the story as well! ^_^
Well that's all for now! Without further interruptions here's the next chapter! ^_^
All but three of the meddlesome spiders had been killed and it was nothing for Link to quickly dispatch the remaining Larvae. The lashing vines Saria had summoned burrowed back into the ground and he was finally able to see the two of them. Zelda lay at Saria's feet; her eyes closed and looked for all the world to be enjoying a pleasant nap. Breathing a heavy sigh Saria fell to her knees beside the Princess. She looked up when he drew nearer, he was afraid to ask though what was wrong with Zelda. The Princess had yet to stir but he was reassured by the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
"She exhausted herself magically." Saria offered in way of explanation, seeming to read Link's mind.
"She...what?"
"Casting magic is tiring on the body and mind. Eventually you succumb to it." Saria gently brushed back a lock of Zelda's hair. "We were doing fine until she had to switch to using Nayru's Love to keep us from being overwhelmed by the Gohma Larvae."
Link remained silent, he was inwardly glad that Zelda was alright. He couldn't explain it but he felt such a strong connection to her. It had started ever since he saw her on the Field surrounded by the Bulblins. Forcing himself to look away from the Princess he gaze swept over the meadow. It was littered with dead Gohmas and severed Gohma larvae limbs as well as charred bits. Not exactly a pretty sight. The center of the meadow was still dominated by the dead Deku tree; the deku sprout at its base still looked to be asleep. Eden seemed to be gone which all things considering was probably a good thing. Zelda didn't look to be waking up anytime soon, Saria looked ready to join her and if he were honest he could use a bit of downtime himself.
"You should take the Princess back to the village." Saria stood and brushed her shorts off. She started towards the Sprout before looking over her shoulder at Link. "Stay with her until she wakes. I probably don't need to state the obvious but she is very vulnerable right now while she is recovering."
"What about you?" He made no move to pick the Princess up; leaving her for the moment to sleep in the grass he followed Saria. "What are you planning?"
"Agahnim said he had done what couldn't be done...that he corrupted the Deku Sprout. I have..." Saria paused, as if searching for the correct words. "I need to know if it can be reversed. Take her back Link. There is nothing more to be done here."
He thought back to the man who'd started this whole mess. "And what if he comes back Saria? I can't just leave you here alone. You look ready to fall over yourself."
"I'll be fine Link. Despite appearances I know my limits and trust me when I say I am nowhere near falling over."
Link wanted to argue but Saria was making it very clear that she wasn't going to change her mind. He watched the smaller girl a bit longer before turning back to the sleeping Princess. She still hadn't stirred which made Link wonder just how badly had she run herself down. Dipping down he easily lifted her in his arms, cradling her against his chest he started back towards the Kokiri's village. He spared Saria one more look before stepping out of the meadow. She was kneeling in front of the sprout, her back to him with her arms outstretched. From where he stood he couldn't see much more than that. Zelda shifted in his arms with a sigh, reminding him what he was supposed to be doing. He still didn't feel right about leaving Saria alone in the meadow though. Sure the spiders were gone but that wouldn't stop more from coming and with her occupied with the Deku Sprout she was an easy target.
"I'll watch her."
Link jumped, Mido had somehow managed to sneak up on him. Proving just how badly he needed to rest as well. He looked down at the red-haired boy. For once Mido seemed more subdued. His usual attitude was completely missing and after a few moments Link could see why. The whole time Mido's eyes were trained on Saria; concern for the girl was painted clearly in his face and in his entire demeanor.
Link nodded once than watched Mido weave his way around the scattered dead spiders to Saria's side. With one final look at the pair he felt a smile touch his lips as he stared at them. Mido's protectiveness tugged at something deep within Link, reminding him of something or perhaps someone. A slight headache formed but this time he wasn't sure if it was from exhaustion or well, something else. Too tired to really care he left the two with the Deku Sprout and carried Zelda back to Saria's home.
She was still asleep when Link kicked the door open and crossed the threshold. Walking over to Saria's bed he figured it would do until he was able to unpack Zelda's bedroll. Only problem was when he tried to lay her down Zelda's arms suddenly locked around his neck. Unable to dislodge her hold an unfamiliar knot settled in the pit of his stomach. What should he do? He again attempted to lay her down. Making a small mewl of displeasure she cuddled closer into his embrace, her hold tightening until she was gripping the collar of his tunic tightly in her fists.
So ok, she obviously didn't want him to let her go. Under normal circumstances he would be thrilled that a girl was so attached to him but...this was the Princess. Maybe it was just instinct? He just wasn't sure. But since he couldn't put her down what should he do? She was sleeping; last he checked sleeping upright wasn't exactly comfortable. His eyes slid back over to the bed. Should he lay down with her? No, that would really be unacceptable and well it would raise way too many questions that he really didn't want to even consider at the moment. He sighed and settled for sitting on Saria's bed, his back propped against the wall and with Zelda settled comfortably on his lap with her head on his shoulder.
He sat stiffly for the first little while, trying to ignore the sleeping Princess in his arms. Sighing he looked down at her. He knew it was so cliche but she looked so peaceful sleeping in his arms. He also couldn't help but like the way she was cuddled up against him. It was like she instinctively knew she was completely safe in his arms. She hadn't allowed him to put her down, had actually snuggled closer to discourage it. Feeling a bit warm he shifted uncomfortably and decided maybe he should try and think of something else. In his arms Zelda sighed and nuzzled his throat. Yep, he thought uncomfortably, that soooo doesn't help.
A bit awkwardly he shifted Zelda in his arms, trying to get her to stop cuddling but failed miserably when she protested in her sleep and just shifted closer. Giving up he decided the ceiling of Saria's little tree-stump home was incredibly interesting. Staring at the tree-rings he felt his eyelids droop a little. With a jolt he forced himself to sit more upright. Oh no, he could NOT fall asleep! Not with Zelda curled up in his lap. It was a losing battle though and he was soon snoring softly.
"Link? Link wake up."
Mumbling in his sleep Link tried to turn away from the intruding voice but found himself curiously pinned in place.
"Come on Link. We've slept enough."
Link did not agree with this comment. In fact he definitely disagreed and said as much as he pushed at whatever was pinning him.
"Stop that Link; it's not me who's the problem here."
"Eh?" He slowly opened his eyes. Zelda stared back at him, her violet eyes wide with shock. She still sat on his lap but now he was the one holding her. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, keeping her trapped against his chest. "Oh! Sorry." He dropped his arms to his side, letting Zelda slide over so that she was sitting beside him instead of on top of him.
She gave him a sidelong glance, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Why was I sleeping in your lap?"
Link held up both hands in defense. "Hey, I tried to put you down but you wouldn't let go of me."
"I..." Her breath caught and her eyes dropped to her lap. "S-sorry."
Link dismissed it with a shrug. "Apparently I got even by not letting you go in my sleep."
Zelda laughed softly before she realized that Saria wasn't there with them. "Where's Saria?"
"I..." Link took a fleeting look around Saria's small home. She was right, Saria wasn't there. "She...must still be in the Deku Tree's meadow."
This seemed to be enough of an explanation for Zelda. She simply nodded and went back to staring at her lap. "So...I guess you realize now why I can't go back to the castle."
Ah yes, he thought remembering the man who could easily be mistaken for a priest dressed in red robes that had covered him from head to toe leaving only his hands and a small portion of his face visible. "He's what, the King's advisor?"
Zelda slowly nodded. "Yes...he just suddenly appeared out of nowhere when my Father's last advisor mysteriously died."
"Did Agahnim kill him?"
"I am not sure." Zelda answered carefully. "Perhaps, it can't be proven in any case."
"Why is he after you?"
Zelda swallowed, bunching the fabric of her skirt in her hands. "I...suspect it's to use me to find the Triforce but...I am not completely certain of that."
"No?"
Slowly she shook her head. "I can't explain it. It's...just a gut feeling I have."
"Is it something this guy you are looking for can answer?"
Zelda smiled ruefully. "I...I am not sure Link. Nothing is going the way I had planned and its turning into quite a mess."
Link laughed. "That's quite an understatement there Princess."
She fell silent at that and Link didn't try to continue the conversation. After a moment she finally spoke. "I should thank you for helping us in the Deku Tree's Meadow. I...wasn't able to see much beyond our small circle but since I am alive it must mean you fought bravely to overcome so many."
He shrugged in response unwilling to offer her more of an explanation. His mind had instantly gone back to how he'd evened the odds with the spiders. He'd used magic of all things. Exactly how had he done that? He'd never been able to use magic before. He'd also had one of his visions while fighting. This was starting to get real dangerous if his episodes were happening at such crucial times. He'd been lucky to pull out of it before he'd managed to get himself killed. Would he be just as lucky the next time if it happened again?
He buried the thought, unwilling to look at it more closely. Everything that was happening to him was making him question everything he knew and he couldn't exactly say he liked it. Stretching he stood up and rubbed the kinks out of his back. "Well what do you want to do now Princess? You said yourself you won't go back to the castle."
"Agahnim is after the Spiritual stones. I need to stop him from gaining the other two."
"Right, spiritual stones." He thought for a minute. "There are three then? What do they do?"
Zelda sighed. "They're...important. I really can't say too much more. Just that the Zora's hold the Spiritual stone of Water and the Goron's have Fire."
"Zora's Domain is closer. I suppose you'll want to go after the Zora's Sapphire next?"
Link turned to Zelda only to find her staring at him in surprise. "How-how did you know that is what the Zora's call the stone?"
"Huh?"
"The Zora's Sapphire isn't something that is just bandied about. How'd you know about it?"
He could only blink at her. He had no idea how he'd come by that knowledge. "I...must have heard it from a traveller passing through at the Ranch."
She seemed to accept this answer and went back to Link's original question. "Yes, I plan to go there next. I have to warn Princess Ruto and the Zora King."
"You'll need an escort then." Link added nonchalantly.
"Yes, you are right." Zelda paused, hesitating to ask but doing it anyways. "Will you escort me Link?"
He thought about his weird episodes he'd been having, of how he was plagued with headaches since meeting her. It would be a simple manner to just walk away. He was really only required to get her back to Lon Lon Ranch. That was their original agreement. But as he looked at her he knew he couldn't do that. There was something about her that wouldn't allow him to walk away. He thought back to how she had clung to him in her sleep. She had no one else to turn to; no one else to protect her. A part of him rebelled at the idea; why did he have to be the one to help her? Why couldn't someone else do it? Like so many other thoughts he pushed those aside as well.
"Yes, but on one condition. We need to go back to Lon Lon so I can equip myself better."
"And to let your step-sister know you'll be gone longer than expected?"
Link flinched at just the thought of explaining to Malon this trip was going to be a bit longer. "Ya...something like that."
