While unconscious Link dreamed of Zelda. It surprised him because it hadn't happened since that first time. Just like before, he was fully aware of the fact that he was dreaming.
Unlike before, however, a vague outline of her appeared along with her voice. It blurred around the edges, so he couldn't really discern much. Accurate, really, since he didn't know what she looked like anymore. He readily accessed her image as a child, and imagined that, only more mature.
From what he could tell, she was slender, a few inches shorter than he, and had long hair.
"It's nice to see you again," he told Dream Zelda. "It's been a while."
"It has," she agreed. "Too long. I apologize for the delay. I was unable to come to you sooner."
"It's okay," he reassured her with a grin. At least his subconscious had made Dream Zelda polite.
Link sat down on the grass, and Dream Zelda followed suit, stretching her legs out in front of her and crossing them at the ankle.
"That was quite a battle you had, huh?"
"Terrible," he admitted, seeing no point in denying it. "I honestly thought I would lose there for a bit. If his phantom is that strong, I can't imagine what the real Ganondorf is like."
Dream Zelda remained silent for a moment. "He's worse than you can imagine," she told him softly. "I've watched him these past years, and every time, without fail, I'm always surprised at how callous and cold he is." She paused and then asserted, "Only the Hero of Time can defeat him."
"That's what everyone claims. I don't see how I can ever match his power, not when he has the Triforce of Power on his side."
Dream Zelda smiled. "Don't discredit yourself yet. As time goes on, you'll realize you have some tricks up your sleeve as well."
Link frowned. While said simply enough, that statement seemed to hold a meaning he was not yet privy to, an underlying message, a hint he couldn't decode.
They both lapsed into companionable silence. Link missed that most of all, the act of simply being together and enjoying the other's presence. Their relationship surpassed the need to talk, to verbally express emotions.
Link eventually broke the silence. "I discovered my true heritage. I'm Hylian, and not Kokiri." He explained what happened to Dream Zelda, and she listened carefully, not interrupting him until he finished.
"You always did suspect something was different about you. You did leave the Forest after all," she pointed out at last, thoughtful. "Surely it couldn't have some as a shock?"
"No," he admitted. "It just… changes everything."
"Why?" she challenged, and he imagined her cocking an eyebrow.
He struggled to put his emotions into words, the effort made even more difficult because he wasn't even sure how he felt. "Who was my mother?" he murmured at last. "Where did she come from? She loved me enough to take me to safety, and I'm guessing she gave her life to ensure that. The only reason the Deku Tree accepted me was because he supposedly saw my fate. Did he see me as the Hero of Time?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer any of those questions," she told him quietly. "However, what I do know is that none of the important attributes about you have changed. You're still left-handed, you still have a partner fairy, you're still kind and courageous. You're still Link, and the particularly knowledge about being Hylian doesn't change anything about who you are now."
Link digested that. "You're right." Maybe it wasn't as important as he thought. It didn't change Link himself.
"I'm always right," Dream Zelda teased, and he could practically hear her cheeky smile.
Link snorted. "Sure." Privately he agreed, however. She usually was right; in fact, he had never known her to be wrong.
"I wish I knew where you were," he said suddenly, yearning to see her.
"You can't," she told him sadly. "Me being hidden is the only thing protecting me from Ganondorf. He wants me captive, will stop at nothing in order to accomplish that in fact, and I can't risk it."
Why he was arguing with his subconscious was beyond him. "I could protect you." Even as he said the words, he knew them to be false. Ganondorf was too powerful at the moment for Link to do more than protect himself, let alone someone else. "I hope I can see you soon," he settled on instead.
"You will. I'll come back as soon as I can."
Link nodded, pretending to understand that. "Good."
"You know you're unconscious, right?"
Snorting with wryly amusement, Link admitted, "I'd be surprised if I weren't. Phantom Ganon kicked my ass."
"You were gravely injured. Your body is safe," Dream Zelda reassured him. "But you need to wake up now, so that you can be further tended to."
"Why?" Link stubbornly demurred. "The only place that seems normal is when I'm dreaming of you. I can't see you otherwise. I don't know if you're safe and unharmed. It kills me not knowing."
Dream Zelda was quiet for several heartbeats. "I know, and I'm sorry it has to be this way," she told him somberly, her sadness surrounding both of them like thick fog. "But you have to go back regardless. I promise I'll come back soon to see you."
"Back to agony and doubt," Link grumbled. "Sounds fabulous." He sighed in resignation. "Fine."
"I know things are bleak right now, but remember, there is light behind every shadow."
With those parting words, she vanished and Link woke with a start, feeling as if he were falling from some high platform. His arms flailed in order to catch himself, and upon touching something soft, he realized he was on a bed with a blanket covering him.
A figured loomed over him.
"Zelda?" he questioned in astonishment, his voice little more than a rasp. His heart pounded so hard it almost hurt.
The person leaned down further, and Link saw, to his great disappointment, that it was Sheik, looking as unflappable as ever. He placed a cool rag on Link's forehead, and stepped back.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Hero," he replied smoothly, "but I'm not your princess." He was quiet a moment and then admitted, so lowly Link strained to hear it, "I knew Zelda at one point."
Link shook his head to clear it. "You did?"
"Yes." The man seemed far away in thought. "Yes, but she's just a distant memory now." He almost sounded sad about that, but before Link could question him further, Sheik gave him a sharp look. "Lie back down. You're going to injure yourself further."
Knowing the man would speak no more of it, Link complied and allowed himself to be pushed back down. "How long have I been out?"
"Half a day," Sheik answered. "Nothing too alarming. You have a bit of infection, but nothing too serious. Your body is fighting it off well. In addition to several broken bones, you have several major burns that will be slow in healing. I've put a slave on them that should help."
Link nodded, accepting that. He knew his body to be well battered already without having to be told. "Did you bring me back here?" Unless mistaken, they were in one of the rooms at the inn in Kakariko.
"Yes, shortly after you lost consciousness."
Link found he was glad Sheik had done it. "Thank you."
Sheik snorted. "Don't go starting to trust me now, Hero. I will never be able to be completely honest with you."
Despite Sheik's grim words advising otherwise, how little Link knew of the man, and every rational thought arguing, a sliver of trust began to form, small but there nevertheless. Link's wounds had been thoroughly bathed and carefully bandaged. Sheik's actions contrasted greatly from the words he spoke; the actions spoke of the interest of Link's wellbeing, even if it was due to self-interest.
Sheik stood suddenly. "You must be hungry. I'll go see what's downstairs."
With that, he quickly strode out of the room.
Navi, who had been silent the whole time, stirred from her position beside him. "Link, are you okay?"
Link shifted, wincing as fire shot up his side, and scooped his tiny partner up in the palm of his hand, cradling her. "I'm okay," he reassured her.
She peered at him dubiously. "Are you sure? You look terrible."
He snorted at that. "Geez, thanks. I love you, too."
She affectionately nuzzled into his hand. "You know what I mean. I was really worried about you."
"I'm fine. It might be a few days before I'm back on my feet, but I'll be as good as new in no time." He laid his hand on his chest, and they rested like that.
"You need to take it easy until you heal completely," she chastised, and Link grunted noncommittally in response, knowing both of them were stubborn enough to argue for hours.
"I need to become stronger," Link stated, not so certain of his abilities anymore. "I stand no chance of defeating Ganondorf as I am now."
"You just need some training, is all."
"I may seek out a master to train me as soon as possible," Link mused, thinking of the man he had briefly studied under as a child. Link wondered if the man still lived, and if so, where to find him.
Navi was silent for a bit, before stating, "I talked to Sheik while you were unconscious."
"Oh?"
"… He seems familiar," Navi settled on, frowning. "But I would've remembered meeting someone like him before." She shook her head. "Regardless, he's very kind, even if abrasive in speech. He took care of you gently. The look on his face almost resembled fear, which was odd."
Link sighed. "Sheik is one big enigmatic contradiction, it seems. We may never truly know who he is. I'm grateful for his help nevertheless. I don't think he's attempting to lead us astray."
Navi agreed. Sheik then returned carrying a steaming bowl of broth, stemming the flow of conversation.
"Be careful," Sheik cautioned. "It's hot."
Wrapping the towel around the bowl, Sheik carefully transferred it to Link, who accepted it gratefully. He hadn't known how hungry he was until the aromatic smell wafted to his nose, tempting him, causing his stomach to rumble in agreement.
For a bit, Link focused on eating, enjoying the savory flavor as it burst on his taste buds. All the while, he tried to ignore Sheik as he brazenly studied Link. Eventually, the question Link strove to hold back broke free of his mouth.
"Why do you look at me like that?" Link asked slowly, somewhat abruptly.
Sheik cocked an eyebrow. "I don't understand what you're asking."
Link struggled to articulate it, as he failed to understand exactly what it looked like himself. "It's like… you stare at me as if you know me, like there's so much you want to say but can't."
Sheik's gaze locked him in place, seeming to look into Link's very soul and beyond. Link refused to squirm under such scrutiny. "Eat your food, Hero. You need to retain your strength," he said at last, glancing away.
Link grunted, not surprised with the man's response. He took a few more bites, before asking, "Why are you helping me? You've told me not to trust you, and yet you've never given me a reason not to."
"You shouldn't trust me," he asserted, almost annoyed. "I'm simply guiding you where you need to be. After all, a lot of people have a stake in your future success."
"It's more than that," Link mused thoughtfully, choosing his words with care. "What's your role in all of this? You're always three steps ahead of me. How? This lore and information is not exactly known to the public."
"I have my ways of gaining knowledge," he answered shortly, scowling. "All you need to focus on is the Sages, not me. I am of no importance."
Though Sheik claimed so, Link's gut told him otherwise, that this person would play a significant role in the upcoming battle with evil. It was obvious Sheik would not disclose his secrets easily, but Link was patient.
.
..
.
For the next week, Sheik saw to Link's needs, insisting he remain bedridden, despite Link's vehement protests. Every day, as if on a schedule, Sheik changed Link's bandages and made sure the wounds were healing correctly, applying slave if needed.
After that, Sheik disappeared, returning around dinnertime. In the meantime, Link spent his time reading books that had been provided for him, talking to Navi, or sleeping. The few times Link got out of bed, Fred would appeared, as if he were a bloodhound trained to hear Link's feet touching the floor. He always urged Link back into bed, and Link grudgingly complied, Navi's delighted laughter ringing in his ear. Link suspected Sheik had paid the man to watch over Link while he was away.
Whenever Link questioned Sheik about his whereabouts, Sheik brushed it away, saying he was 'investigating', but as to what he investigated, he kept to himself. Nevertheless, Link managed to wiggle a few details from Sheik if the man were in a decent mood. For instance, his permanent residence was here in Kakariko, though he spent little time there in favor of travelling. He was the same age of Link, though he looked a bit older. He had trained in the Sheikah way of martial arts since the age of twelve, the age in which all boys emerged into manhood.
During their time spent together, Link made several observations. Not even when sleeping did the Sheikah remove his clothing, not one article. Sheik preferred to be alone, and seemed to hate large groups of people; his shoulders pulled taut, nearly unnoticeable, and his eyes flickered like a trapped animal.
While Sheik was the master of a cool impenetrable façade, where he maintained a constant air of flippant composure, Link suspected Sheik looked over his shoulder every second, expecting something terrible and always aware and prepared.
On the eight day, Sheik strolled into the room around midmorning and chucked something at Link, who reflectively caught it. He frowned down at the leggings and tunic, which seemed to be a material similar to what Sheik wore but not as tight.
"Get dressed," Sheik commanded shortly. "You have a visitor downstairs." When Link made no move to rise, too stunned at someone calling upon him, Sheik rounded on him with a raised eyebrow. "Well, are you going to stay in bed all day?"
With that, Link scrambled out of bed, grateful for the opportunity, and began stripping unabashedly. Sheik hastily turned—to give Link some privacy. "Who's downstairs?" he asked curiously, pulling on the leggings.
"A man from whom you can learn a great deal."
While that told Link little, he shrugged the enigma aside, and hastened his hands. Pulling on his tunic, Link fastened a belt around his waist, and made to leave the room. Before he could, however, Sheik's voice stopped him.
"Hero, aren't you forgetting something?" he asked derisively. Upon Link's blank look, he pointed to the Master Sword, lying safely at the foot of the bed. "You should take it everywhere with you, even when (and especially when) you feel unthreatened. It will mean the difference between life and death."
Properly chastised, Link belted it on, the tips of his ears burning.
"The agents of the King of Evil lurk everywhere. Nowhere will be safe for you," Sheik warned gravely.
"I'll remember that," Link promised and descended the stairs, Sheik following a few paces behind, the Sheikah's steps light and nearly inaudible. Once in the bar, Sheik took the lead and steered Link to the backmost corner, where an elderly man sat nursing a drink.
"This," Sheik announced upon coming to a halt before the man, "is Link, the young man I told you about. Link, may I present to you one of the best swordsmen this side of Hyrule has ever seen, Master Cao."
The man swiveled in his chair, and Link, with a started, recognized the man who had once taught Link for a short period of time, the very man he planned to seek for further instruction. Link wondered if Sheik had somehow known…
The last seven years had gouged deep wrinkles into Cao's face, and he appeared frailer than what Link remembered, but his keen eyes were as sharp as ever, wasting no time in analyzing Link.
"We have already had the pleasure of meeting," Cao murmured, a sparkle twinkling in his eyes. It appeared he remembered Link as well. "Well met again," he directed towards Link, a hint of a grin curling his lips.
"Do you think you can do anything with him?" Sheik asked in an undertone, speaking as if Link were not even there. "It's imperative that he becomes a better swordsman, and time is of the essence, so the quicker the better."
Cao's answer was long in coming, and while waiting, Link felt like a piece of meat a butcher dissected.
"I'm not sure," Cao said at last. "Let us find out." He downed the rest of his drink in one gulp, and shoved to his feet, motioning with a flick of two fingers. "Come."
Wordlessly, Sheik and Link obediently followed the man outside and to the graveyard, to the very spot where Link practiced with the Master Sword previously. There, Cao obtained from the surrounding area two sticks and handed one to Link, who stared at it in confusion.
"Go easy on him," Sheik requested, almost amused. "He has just healed from some wounds, and it would not do well to have him bedridden again."
"I make no promises," Cao replied, and promptly attacked.
Link managed to raise his stick just in time to avoid a nice whack to the head, shocked at how quick the man moved. Surely, he hadn't been this agile the last time. Link had no time to contemplate that particular thought, however, as Cao whirled and struck out again. This time, Link failed to deflect the move, and the stick caught him on the outer thigh, nearly bringing him to his knees.
"Use your feet!" Cao cried, dancing away from Link's wild swipe.
Gritting his teeth, Link regained his bearings and, desperate not to look weak in front of these two men, he used every technique and idea that came to him, no matter how farfetched or foolish. No matter, he was unable to touch Cao, receiving an abundance of hits and blow in turn. Tomorrow, he would be covered in bruises.
Link feigned for Cao's left side, changed direction mid-attack, and instead thrust for the other side. Cao easily blocked and parried, jabbing Link in the stomach. Grunting in pain, Link threw himself back out of the way as the stick soared his way once more, feeling the wind from it as it sailed inches from his neck.
In the next instant, Cao whirled so quickly he moved in a blur, caught Link's stick with his own, and wrenched it from Link's grasp with an upward tug. It landed feet away with a dull thud.
"Dead," Cao stated with satisfaction, a fervent glint in his eyes.
Link bent forward, with his hands braced against his thighs, attempting to catch his breath. Cao lived up to the name of master; that was undeniable. Link stood no change against him, and he admitted that without bitterness or shame.
"There is hope indeed," Cao declared. "Your training begins tomorrow. Be here at dawn, and not a second later." With those firm instructions, he departed, not glancing back or breaking stride. Link watched until he disappeared from view before turning his attention to Sheik.
"…. I'm not really sure what just happened, over than having my ass handed to me," he confessed wryly.
Sheik inclined his head, and Link fell into step with him as they headed back to town. "Cao has agreed to train you in the art of the sword. You should consider yourself lucky. He has only done that for one other person," Sheik explained.
"You?" Link guessed.
Sheik snorted. "No. I was trained under a Sheikah, as fitting of one of my kind. We don't learn necessarily learn the traditional swordplay of Hylians. Our training differs in weapon, style and general consensus of proper etiquette in battle. It is an art not many know anymore."
"Teach it to me."
Sheik solemnly shook his head. "You are not yet ready," he said simply, and then continued with, "I am leaving town within the next week or so. While I'm away, you're welcome to stay at my home if you so wish, as I will have no need of it."
The generous offer astounded Link. The idea of Sheik, someone who valued being alone, sharing his personal space struck Link as unwanted and unlikely. Perhaps he judged the man wrongly.
Regardless, Link wasn't about to turn down the opportunity to see Sheik in a more intimate light; perhaps, that way, Link would be able to gain some more insight as to whom the man was on a deeper level, something he felt important since his knowledge sorely lacked.
"That is a very generous offer," Link said. "On that I would be glad to accept."
After returning to the inn in order to grab Link's few belongings there, Sheik led Link to where he dwelled, a modest home somewhat apart from the others in the village. The inside resembled the outside: unadorned and rather plain. It suited Sheik, however, whose personality wasn't bold in any manner but rather subdued and carefully controlled. Sheik placed Link in the spare bedroom. The small room consisted of a dresser with a basin of water and a bed. Simple and efficient.
"Thank you," Link told Sheik, who grunted in acknowledgement.
Once he settled down, Link paid a visit to Epona (Sheik had been keeping a loose eye on her while Link was otherwise indisposed). He found her grazing just outside of the town. Upon spotting him, Epona greeted him warmly, nuzzling her nose into his hand, as if it had been years since they had last seen one another. Her affection pleased Link, and he responded in kind, cooing at her warmly.
I've been worried about you, her eyes seemed to be saying when they met his.
He relieved her of the baggage she carried, and together, they settled down against one of the nearby trees, content to spend a few hours together. Navi had chosen to remain at Sheik's place, leaving the two of them alone. Link had never known one could miss a horse so much, but he had missed her.
Link occasionally spoke, telling Epona whatever came to mind, and her reactions—snorting, nodding her head, flicking her tail, always in the most appropriate places and times—convinced him she understood exactly what he said. She was, Link reflected, much smarter and much more than an average animal.
It was with a heavy heart that he left her that night. With the instructions of staying close and grazing, confident she would obey, he returned to Sheik's home, and they ate dinner together—a simple meal of roasted chicken and bread.
The initial awkwardness between the two men had dissipated, leaving a quiet comfort. Infrequent remarks travelled from one to the other, but for the most part, they were content to eat in muteness.
"You'll want to get plenty of sleep, since you have to be up early," Sheik advised, taking Link's bowl from him once finished.
Link thought that a fair recommendation, one that he attempted to heed to no avail. Once he laid down on the surprisingly comfortable bed, his mind refused to turn off, anxious for the next day and what it would bring. He finally caught some sleep a few hours before dawn, and woke tired. His eagerness, however, washed away any exhaustion, and he leapt from bed as soon as the pale rays flushed over the horizon.
Cao was waiting, standing as silent and motionless as a statue. Only when Link stopped before him did Cao finally stir, coming to life once more.
"Day one," he proclaimed, eyes gleaming. "Let the training begin."
.
..
.
Unlike before, Cao turned out to be relentless, demanding more than Link could give at times. He worked Link until a sheen of sweat covered his body, and his muscles quivered from the exertion. Even at that point, Cao pushed him harder, running him through a series of exercises meant to hone Link's technique and agility.
Link struggled.
Because he struggled, Link desired to become better, and he worked with a fervency he had never experienced before, pressing forward as if possessed by some entity. It was grueling working, and more often than not, he failed, but Link gritted his teeth and persisted. Progress was made, but at a much slower pace than he felt was appropriate, leading to much frustration and frequent curses.
The next few months were devoted to rigorous training. Up at dawn, and to bed at midnight, the hours in between filled with muscle strengthening, flexibility drills, and the history and care of blades.
When Link fell exhausted into bed at night, he often reflected back on the day and the slow progress achieved, and he knew the whole process—complete with blistered that burst and painfully bled, with limbs that felt boneless, with all the bruises that routinely covered his body—would be worth it… hopefully, if it didn't kill him first…