Inspiration: Tentalus from Skyward Sword, and all water battles in general.
Original Shout Outs: Vaati, Iupku, Fiethel.
New Shout Out: TheSpiritMaiden, thanks for reading new reader, and thank you for the compliment.
Author Note: Reedited 3/24/13- This chapter has been reedited to include Saria's POV. This was originally 5,777 words, now it's over 10,600, I hope those of you who read it before enjoy the added content. And for those of you reading it for the first time I hope you enjoy it as well.~ZR~.
Chapter 20
Saria POV: Lake Hylia
I knew I shouldn't have been, but I was eagerly anticipating Link's return.
How had that conversation gone? I wondered. Would the princess really give up the man she loved for someone else?
I was sitting in the kitchen pondering over these things with Cujo sitting across from me staring at me. I knew he meant well and was pretty jaded with life, but his earlier actions could have killed Link. Who puts a bomb in someone's home and doesn't ask questions?
Only Cujo, I thought.
Even still, I wasn't going to hold it against him. If Link could overlook it and see that there was something more going on, so could I. He was probably put up to doing it anyway. Shortly after, I cut my gaze from him and introspected on all the recent events happening at once. There was Zant, the explosion in Hyrule, the twilight, my own issues, and the safety of the kingdom. That was a lot to ingest, and there was no telling what else would come up before this was all over. The scientist was down in his laboratory working hard at deciphering the crystal Link brought him. It looked just like mine, but I had no idea what the use was for. It could have been anything. I just hoped we would find out something soon.
I hope it will all be worth it in the end, I thought, looking out the window once more, thinking I saw a glimpse of Link's white tunic.
No such luck, unfortunately.
I grinned at the thought of Link wearing white. He looked very handsome when he came to drop Cujo off. I could see why Zelda wanted that as their wedding color. He looked dashing in it. I was hoping at the time he had some good news, but I should have known that my inquiry was too soon. I was trying to stay positive, but there was a conjuring of doubt festering inside me. Zelda was not going to let a man she's been in love with for eight years go easily, and to be quite honest, I couldn't say I blamed her.
What if it were me? I wondered all of a sudden. Would I be so easy to let a wonderful man like Link go? Would I be able to forget all the wonderful times we had together?
I already knew the answers to those questions. I wouldn't be able to let him go. I wouldn't be able to forget. I wasn't able to forget when I was doing my duty in the Sacred Realm. I loved Link and I wanted to be his wife more than anything in the world, but I was sure Zelda felt the same way. After yesterday, with Link coming to rescue me, and putting his life on the line to help me, I knew there was no one that would ever take his place in my heart. I was certain Zelda had these same feelings and aspirations. I looked down, feeling slightly guilty for coming in and altering her expectations with Link the way I did.
It's such a complicated mess now, I thought, getting up from the table and standing next to the window, everything is so big and small at the same time.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, hoping that Link would return before dusk. I was worried for his safety, even though I knew he was more than capable of defending himself. There was so much going on in the world that I wanted him to have at least one safe haven, and that was this laboratory. If he could make it to this laboratory, I knew he would be safe.
Just be okay out there, I thought.
I took in a deep breath and looked over at the lake to see that the sun was starting to set.
It was getting late.
I better get Cujo home, I thought, the roads should be pretty clear for passage, and I'm sure no one will notice us.
I turned and looked at the bald eccentric with a concerned expression. Cujo took it the wrong way.
"You're mad at me, aren't you?" he asked.
I smiled at his inquiry and shook my head.
I wonder what it's like living a day in his shoes, I thought.
"No," I replied, "I just need to get you home."
He looked slightly upset when I said that to him.
"I don't want to go back to the village," he whined, "I want to stay with you. It's no fun when you aren't there. There's no pretty women to look at."
I held in a chuckle at his childish mentality.
He's still a man, I thought.
"Oh Cujo," I said, shaking my head, "that's very sweet, but I'm afraid you're going to have to. You can't stay here, it's too dangerous for you."
I found it ironic that I considered this place a safe haven for Link, but a danger zone for Cujo.
It is what it is, I thought, simplifying my introspection.
"But Saria-" he tried to protest.
I held up my hand.
"No 'buts,'" I interrupted, like a mother chastising her child, "we're going, you've done enough for one day."
Cujo quickly shut his mouth and looked sullen. I didn't want him thinking I didn't care about him. In all honesty, besides Link and gramps, he was the only friend I had when I lived in Kakariko Village. I appreciated him always coming to my defense when others tried to attack me.
The least I can do is make sure he returns safely, I thought.
"Look," I said, coming up to him and grabbing hold of his hand, "it's not that I don't want you here. I just want you to be safe. Can you try and see it that way?"
Cujo was looking at the ground, but then he reluctantly nodded.
"I get it," he said in a flat voice.
I grinned and went past him to the hall. Three doors down, the scientist was inside observing the crystal Link brought him. The door was closed, but there were several different castings of light that could be seen from the top and bottom scaffolding.
What's he doing in there? I wondered.
"Doctor," I called to get his attention, "I'm going to take Cujo home."
The light abated for a moment and the doctor replied back. "You want to walk him by yourself?"
When I heard the inflection in his voice I understood his concern.
"I'll be okay," I reassured, "I'll take the back roads."
There was a pause on the other side.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait for master Link?" he asked.
I had a feeling he was going to suggest that.
I know how to walk, I thought.
"I'll be fine," I said, "I'll only be gone a couple hours."
I heard the doctor sigh.
"Alright," he said, "if you're sure."
I grinned at his concern.
"I'm sure," I replied.
There was another brief silence.
"Hurry child," he said, "leave before dusk settles in.
I nodded.
"We're leaving right now," I replied.
With that, I headed back down the hall to the kitchen. When I caught sight of Cujo, I raised my eyebrows surprised.
"What in the-?" I cut myself short.
Cujo was on the table in a one handed hand stand and juggling three beakers with his other free hand. Even though he nearly shocked the life out of me with his actions, I had to admit, I was impressed.
He's quite limber for being so strange, I thought, I expected him to be more... catatonic.
"What do you think?" he asked. "Am I good enough to join the circus?"
I raised my eyebrows and put my hands on my hips.
The circus? I wondered,
"Uh sure," I said, seeing the immediate danger he put himself under, "it's a wonderful trick, but could you please get down. You're going to give me a heart attack."
After I said that, Cujo immediately stopped juggling with his free hand, dropping all three beakers, and jumped off the table. The breaking of the glass was a startling sound, and he unfortunately landed on his behind instead of his feet. However, he didn't injure himself because his fall zone was away from the glass on the floor.
"Ow," he moaned in pain.
"Are you alright?" I asked, immediately tending to him.
The bald eccentric shook his head, as if trying to ward off dizziness and nodded.
"I'm fine," he said.
My concern quickly turned to chastisement.
"You could have seriously hurt yourself!" I reprimanded. "What if you had landed in the broken glass?" I pointed to the floor. "And look at the mess you made! The doctor is going to be so upset when he finds out."
Cujo looked at me with pleading eyes. "I'm sorry."
I sighed and shook my head, but I couldn't help but grin.
"You really are reckless, aren't you?" I asked.
Kind of like someone else I know, I pondered, thinking of Link.
Cujo didn't reply.
"I just wanted to impress you so you could put in a good word for me to join the circus," he said.
I looked at him puzzled.
What is he talking about? I thought.
"The circus?" I inquired aloud this time.
Cujo looked irritated just then.
"Yes, the circus!" he said in a slightly raised voice. "That blonde jerk told me you joined the circus, and I wanted to join with you!"
I sighed, having no idea what he was talking about.
Why would Link tell Cujo I joined the circus? I thought, but my inquiry was short lived when I heard the doctor's footsteps scuttle down the hall. Oh no.
When the doctor appeared, his eyes widened in disbelief. "What happened?" he demanded of the mess.
I didn't know how to answer. This was the work of Cujo after all.
"Uh..." I trailed.
The doctor didn't wait for my answer.
"Get him out of here," he said.
I stroked the back of my neck at his tone.
"I'll clean up the mess," I offered.
The doctor raised his hand to stop me.
"Don't worry about the mess," he said, "just get him out of here!"
I sighed, then stood up. I offered Cujo my hand and he looked at the doctor fearfully.
"I'm sorry-" Cujo tried.
"Take him home Saria!" the doctor interrupted, but then directed his attention to Cujo. "You'll find I'm not as nice as master Link. If you blow up my house, you'll go with it!"
Oh boy, I thought, feeling my eyes widen.
I had never seen the scientist so upset.
Cujo cringed at his words, and I knew I had to hurry to get him out of there.
"That's fine," Cujo said in a high strung voice, "I need to feed my dead bird anyway!"
I closed my eyes and sighed.
What is he talking about? I thought.
"We're leaving right now," I reassured, and hurried Cujo to the front door.
Once we were outside, Cujo apologized again. I fanned it off and told him not to worry about it. There was too much going in the world to worry about broken beakers.
Too much.
My eyes narrowed at the event horizon as the sun kept setting.
Hurry back Link, I thought.
~SSS~
We arrived at Kakariko Village in an hour, after I settled Cujo into his home, I kept myself hooded and went to see gramps. I hadn't seen him in weeks and I was worried about him. His overall health was a major reason for my concern, but I was also worried about how he was getting along financially. I wasn't sure if the villagers retaliation had subsided or not, and I didn't want him to be a victim of that. Even still, I knew I couldn't linger, there was simply no time for that. I had to keep my visit short.
I'll be brief, I told myself.
I hurried up the stairs, thankful for the cover of night, and opened the door to the shop I used to work in. I walked inside and saw gramps getting ready to close. He was trying to carry a large looking box to the back, and I immediately intervened.
He'll hurt his back, I thought, coming up to him in a hurry.
"Let me," I said, taking the small crate for him.
He was startled at seeing me at first, but when he recognized my face his fear melted into relief.
"Saria my lass!" he said surprised.
I smiled at him and put the crate in the back storage room. After I wiped my hands, I came up to him and gave him a warm hug.
"I've missed you," I whispered in his ear.
He closed his eyes and hugged me back.
"I've missed you too my dear," he said, and got a little choked up, "I'm so glad those vultures didn't eat you. When I heard you had been jailed, I went to see you immediately, but when I got there they said you were transferred out. I thought they killed you."
I looked at him seriously for a moment, not realizing how convoluted the past few weeks had become.
He has no idea what's been going on, I thought.
"They haven't killed me yet gramps," I joked with a smile, "and I don't plan on it any time soon."
Gramps tried to smile when I said that.
"You're so resilient my child," he said, "I'm so glad you aren't hurt."
I squeezed his hand after he said that and went to go lock the shop door.
"I think you've had enough visitors for one night," I said, "you look like you need some rest."
My old friend sighed and nodded.
"I do indeed my dear," he said, "I've been busier than ever."
I raised my eyebrows, surprised, but relieved to hear that.
Well, at least he's not struggling financially, I thought.
"Do you have anyone to come and help you?" I asked.
Gramps went and sat down in a chair and tried to relax.
"Yes," he said, "a nice young medical student named Ralph. He's finishing his residency with the royal medic team. He volunteered to help me when he saw me selling goods in Castle Town Square a few weeks ago."
I nodded in approval.
"Wonderful," I said, "is he a nice young man?"
Gramps grinned at me.
"He is a nice young man, he's about twenty-six years old," he stated, "and he's quite handsome too," he added, giving me a knowing stare.
I looked down at my hands and blushed when he said that.
"Gramps..." I trailed.
"I'm just saying Saria," he went on, "he's a nice catch, well educated, has a decent family, and will make an exceptional wage when he finishes his schooling. He would be perfect for you. I told him all about you, he said he would love to meet you."
I didn't reply to any of what he said.
Gramps really knows how to push the envelope, doesn't he? I thought.
"I... I don't know him gramps," was all I said in reply.
He frowned at me.
"That's what courting is for Saria my lass," he said, "I would like to introduce you to him. I'll bet once he sees you, his heart will stop. You are exquisitely beautiful my dear."
I sighed and looked away.
"I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to manage that," I said, and looked down at my fingers nervously, "you see... I'm in love with someone else."
Gramps was quiet for a moment when he heard me say that. I didn't look at him, I knew he had a disapproving gaze. I didn't have to say, he knew I was talking about Link.
Please gramps, I thought, don't make this harder than it already is.
There was a brief silence between us.
"It's..." he trailed, breaking the quiet, "it's that knight, isn't it?"
I got up and walked across the room so I wouldn't see his face when I answered.
"Yes," I said quietly.
I heard him sigh in disapproval.
"Saria-" he tried.
It was then I turned back around to face him.
"We're going to get married," I interrupted.
Gramps looked at me shocked.
"What?" he said in disbelief.
I twiddled with my hands.
"He asked me to marry him this morning," I explained, "we're in love gramps."
He sighed and ran a hand over his face.
"Saria..." he trailed, "you wonderful foolish girl."
I bit my lower lip understanding his frustration.
"I need your approval," I said, "I need you to be okay with this."
He sat back in his chair and narrowed his eyes at me.
"Why should I?" he asked. "Do you feel guilty for stealing an engaged man away from another woman?"
I swallowed hard, hating that he was putting it that way.
"It's more than that," I said.
"How is it more than that?" he demanded. "It is what it is Saria."
I didn't reply to him right away, which made him give me a once over and eye my belly.
"Are you... with child?" he asked. "Is that why he's so apt to marry you?"
I looked at him stunned and was insulted.
"No!" I said slightly upset. "Gramps-"
"Then I don't understand Saria," he interrupted, "why are you willing to go the distance with someone you hardly know?"
I shook my head.
"That's the thing, I do know him," I tried to reason. "He's someone I knew once long ago when I was a child. He was my best friend, and he helped me get my memories back. I know who I am now gramps, and it's all thanks to Link."
He just stared at me for a moment.
"You only made his acquaintance a few months ago," he stated.
I shook my head again.
"I knew him when I lived in the forest," I said, and for some odd reason tears filled my eyes, "we used to play together in the Sacred Forest Meadow. I used to cook him breakfast, and play in the fields, and tell him stories, and sing with him on my ocarina-" I stopped myself when I got a little choked up. "I know him gramps, and he loves me. He really does, he wouldn't have gone to jail and risked his life to help me if he didn't."
Gramps was looking at me surprised, and raised his brows when he saw my reaction.
"You're crying," he said softly.
I nodded at the obvious and felt a little foolish.
"I know," I sniffled, "I'm silly."
He took in a deep sigh and grinned at me.
"You..." he said, "you really do love him, don't you?"
I looked at him surprised at the acknowledgement and smiled, wiping the tears from my cheeks.
"He's really a kind fellow," I said, "he's a killjoy at times, but a kind fellow nonetheless." I hurried back over to gramps's chair, and went to my knees to rest my hands on his lap. "Oh gramps, you'll love him once you get to know him. He's so chivalrous and kind." I looked away for a moment and blushed. "Isn't he the most beautiful man you've ever seen?"
Gramps raised an eyebrow at my inquiry.
"He's very good looking my dear," he said, "but you wouldn't let a consideration like that sway you unduly, would you?"
I shook my head no.
"I don't love him because of that," I said, "but I don't discount that either. He's very easy on the eyes."
My old friend smiled at me, and even laughed when I said that.
"Well," he said with a minor shrug, "there isn't very much for me to say, is there Saria my dear? If he is what you really want, then I have no choice but to wholeheartedly support you."
I smiled and gave him a big hug after his utterance.
"Thank you," I whispered in his ear, "you don't know what that means coming from you."
He sighed and hugged me back.
"It means... I want what's best for you," he stated, "even if I do have my doubts."
I grinned at him saying that.
"I'm sure you do," I replied.
He sighed and decided to change the subject onto a more positive note.
"Are you two going to have children?" he asked all of a sudden.
I blushed at the question and looked down.
I find this question kind of ironic since he asked previously was I pregnant, I thought.
"He says he wants ten," I replied with a mischievous look, "can you imagine gramps? Me with ten kids?"
He chuckled when I said that.
"I could," he said, "and they would all be spitfires just like you."
I laughed softly at that and looked at him seriously for a moment.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He raised his eyebrows slightly.
"For what?" he asked.
"For not chastising me anymore," I replied, "I needed your approval, you're like a grandfather to me and what you say doesn't go without merit."
Gramps squeezed my hand after hearing that.
"Saria my lass," he started, "you were the granddaughter I never had, if my sons were still alive I would have wished for a granddaughter just like you."
I got choked up a little and bit my lower lip at hearing that. I hugged him again.
"I feel the same way," I said, "thank you."
Gramps hugged me a little tighter, then released me.
"You better get going," he told me, "I know you took quite a risk coming here to see me."
I nodded, knowing he was right.
"I'll visit you soon," I said, wiping my eyes with the back of my palms, "I promise."
With that, I left the shop and headed back to Lake Hylia. I wanted to be there when Link arrived. I was eager to know how his conversation went.
Maybe, I thought, feeling a little hopeful, just maybe things are starting to look up.
~SSS~
Link's POV: Three Hours Later
I headed back to Lake Hylia at dusk. I had been idling on Hyrule Field for the past few hours in a semi daze, thinking the entire time about what Zelda had said to me. It seemed so illogical, but logical at the same time. If what she said was true, then there was no other way to defeat Zant. However, she could have been low balling me into believing that for the sake of forcing marriage on me. I never realized Zelda could be so cunning, but then again she was her father's daughter, and the royal family didn't have the shiniest history in the world. However, I wasn't exactly a saint either. I strung her along for eight years in courtship, asked her to marry me, and then decided to drop her at the slightest provocation of another woman... the woman I loved. Zelda had a right to be a little bitter, but I also had a right to some truth. She could have told me about Saria and hoped for the best, but she chose to keep her identity a secret, and now...
She's not going to reprieve you Saria, I thought, so, what do I do now?
I arrived back at the laboratory an hour later. I paused before I went up the porch steps to the front door. This was not going to be easy for anyone to hear.
I have to relay this news delicately, I thought.
I took in a deep troubled breath, then finally knocked on the door. The old man answered immediately. He saw my sullen expression and already knew I harbored bad news, even still he inquired anyway.
"What's happened?" he asked.
I shook my head, not really wanting to discuss the matter. All it did was upset me.
"Nothing I want to talk about," I replied honestly.
I moved past him into the living room and undid my cloak. I looked around and saw no sign of Saria or Cujo.
"Where are the others?" I asked puzzled, turning to look at the old man.
The scientist raised a brow at my inquiry.
"Saria escorted Cujo home," he replied. "He said something about needing to feed his dead bird."
I narrowed my eyes slightly when he said that.
"His dead bird?" I inquired, making sure I heard right.
The elderly man shook his head.
"That's what he said," he replied shaking his head, then added, "I don't understand that fellow."
No one understands Cujo, I thought in honesty, he's nuts.
"Just what did you need him for again?" the old man asked me.
I shook my head.
"Nothing really," I replied, "I got all my answers from him this morning. I just wanted to make sure he was safe."
The old man raised his eyebrows.
"Don't they have jails for that?" he asked.
I smirked at him and nodded.
"In all sincerity," I said, "Cujo really is harmless. It was just some horrible people trying to take advantage of him due to his mental state."
Horrible people, I repeated in my mind.
The old man merely nodded.
"I see," he replied, but then shook his head.
I looked out the window at the darkened sky a little concerned.
"When did they leave?" I asked, retracting the subject.
"About three hours ago," the old man replied.
I didn't like the sound of that.
Where is she? I wondered. It doesn't take that long to get to Kakariko Village.
"Why did she go alone?" I asked.
The doctor shrugged.
"You know how stubborn that girl is," he said, "however, I wouldn't worry, Saria will be back soon."
I sighed, wishing I felt more sure about that. With everything going on, the only way I felt secure about her absence was knowing she was with the doctor, the bazaar owner, or myself. I didn't trust anyone else, the royal family included. I wanted to see her through this whole situation delicately.
She deserves to be treated with respect, I thought, she doesn't deserve what she's been given.
I sat down at the table and ran both my hands over my face in slight frustration. The old man saw my action and pulled up a chair to sit next to me.
"You're sure there's nothing you want to unload son?" he asked me again, seeing the expression on my face. "The least I can do is listen."
I took in a deep breath and raised an eyebrow, not sure I wanted to talk about what happened today just yet.
How do you explain a complicated mess? I wondered.
"How did Zelda explain her reasoning?" the doctor went on.
I scoffed to myself.
That conniving... I trailed my thoughts, wanting to curse her, but realized it would do no good.
"It didn't matter what her reasons were," I replied, wishing I had another answer, "she said no."
The old man nodded and sighed.
"I figured as much," he replied.
I shook my head in dismay.
"I don't understand it," I said quietly more to myself than to him.
The old man scratched his chin.
"Some things are better left not understood," he replied, trying to be comforting, it wasn't really working.
I just nodded.
"I hate that I have to tell Saria this," I said, detracting the subject.
The old man grinned at me.
"Believe me, she was expecting this outcome," he said divulged, "she knew Zelda would never let you go so easily."
That's because she's a selfish dictator, I thought, letting my bitterness get the better of me for a moment. A selfish dictator who I might have to marry to save the woman I want.
"I'm at a loss doctor," I said, shaking my head, "I don't know what to do."
The old man looked at me with open remorse.
"At least you and Saria have each other right now," he said, trying to find some solace.
I nodded, but didn't find any real conviction with that.
"Yeah," I said, not really hearing him.
There was a brief silence before the old man reached over and touched my shoulder.
"I have some interesting analysis on that crystal you gave me earlier," he said, changing the subject.
My mood perked when I heard that.
I almost forgot about that, I thought.
"What did you find out?" I asked.
The old man cleared his throat and stood up.
"Well," he began, "the crystal is made from twilight energy. Its primary function is to work as an oscillator, or wave gradient. It concentrates certain energy forms to specific locations."
I looked at the old man surprised, but puzzled.
"What?" I asked, making sure I heard him right.
The old man nodded.
"You mean concentrated twilight is pooling to that device?" I asked for clarity.
The old man nodded again.
"There's a specific wave form this device works on," he said to me, "it's pulling twilight energy from that dimension to this one."
I looked at him with raised brows.
"I found that device in my bedroom," I divulged.
The old man narrowed his eyes for a moment when I revealed that.
"Your bedroom?" he repeated puzzled.
"Yes," I replied, "and as I said before every time I hold it, I feel a surge of power flow through me. It's very strange."
The old man looked at me with uncertainty for a moment.
"You get stronger after each contact?" he asked.
I shrugged, not really knowing for sure.
"I suppose so," I replied, "I really don't know."
The old man shook his head.
"Who would put something so dangerous in your room?" he asked me.
I scoffed and gave him an obvious look.
"Zelda," I replied simply, "or at least it could have been her."
The old man raised his eyebrows.
"I see," he replied.
"She came to my bedroom last night trying to proposition me," I divulged. "While I was gone I think that's when she left it."
The old man looked at me confused.
"She propositioned you last night?" he asked perplexed.
I merely nodded.
"But... didn't you stay here?" he asked, clearly flummoxed.
I forgot, he didn't know the circumstances to my coming to the laboratory the previous night.
"Don't worry about the details," I stated, realizing it would be far less confusing if I just left the subject alone, "just know she is probably the culprit."
The old man raised his eyebrows and sighed.
"Okay," he said, shaking his head, "I still don't understand why such a potentially deadly implement was left in a residential area."
I don't either, I thought, unless...
I looked away from the old man uncertainly, but gave my own personal view anyway.
"I think the royal family was trying to gauge how much energy my body could absorb," I said theoretically.
The old man still looked at me confused.
"Why?" he asked, still wanting a reasonable rationale.
I took in a deep breath.
"I transform when I cross into the Twilight Realm," I confessed. "I turn into a wolf. I think the royal family was trying to see how small exposures of twilight energy would affect my overall physical health."
The old man looked at me surprised and nodded plausibly at my explanation, but then a troubled expression came across his face.
"My only problem is, they have no idea how such experimentations could affect the time continuum between the Twilight Realm and Hyrule," the old man said worrisome. "Twilight energy should never be taken lightly. Dr. Dirac warned the king of this years ago. It seems the king didn't follow his advice."
I sighed.
When does the king follow anyone's advice? I thought of Daphnes' stubbornness.
"What do you think could happen?" I asked.
The old man shook his head.
"It's quite possible that a portal can be developed from such caustic use of that energy," he said in passing.
My eyes widened when he said that.
Wait a minute... I thought.
"What?" I asked surprised.
The old man's eyes widened as well when he had the same sudden realization I just had.
"It could possibly cause inter-dimensional distortions!" he said with growing panic.
I looked away from him and swallowed hard.
That could create portals all over Hyrule! I thought. That's exactly what Zant wants!
"How many of those devices are in circulation?" the old man asked me suddenly.
I shook my head.
"I have no idea," I replied, but just then another thought came to my mind, "what about Saria's implant?"
The old man's eyes widened.
"That-that crystal is based off twilight technology," he stammered nervously, "it's quite possible all this time twilight energy was being filtered into this world using Saria's body."
I looked at the old man shocked.
"What?" I demanded, feeling my breath get caught in my throat.
The old man looked away from me concerned.
"Where the hell did you get those things to begin with?" I demanded, detracting the subject. "I thought you developed that device with Dr. Dirac?"
The old man quickly scratched his forehead as he thought.
"Dr. Dirac reestablished the frequency that already lay dormant within the device," he explained. "He then reconfigured it with another fixation and caused a slight diffraction. The actual orifice was provided to us by the royal family."
I couldn't believe it.
Daphnes and his damn secrets! I thought. I knew one day it would implode on him, I just didn't think it would be literally!
"You guys were experimenting with a foreign object without knowing the implications?" I demanded. "And you didn't think they would have any crazy adverse effects?"
The old man sighed.
"We were so excited to practice on such an advanced technology," he admitted, "we didn't think about the long term ramifications."
Great, I thought with open sarcasm, this is just priceless.
I swallowed hard and shook my head, but then had another sobering concern.
"What could possibly happen to Saria?" I asked, detracting the subject.
The old man looked away from me for a moment, he didn't answer.
That can't be a good sign. I thought.
"Doctor?" I pressed impatiently.
The doctor sighed.
"She could possibly be ripped to shreds if there was a massive portal shift," he said finally. "That is only if her body has enough composited twilight energy."
I ran a hand through my hair in disbelief.
That implant is under her goddamn skin, I thought upset, how will she not have composited energy stored?
I looked at the old man dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.
"This can't be happening," I heard myself whisper.
The old man merely nodded.
"It's a possibility," he said, then added, "I'm sorry."
I thought back to what Saria had told me.
"Zant's been working nonstop on some crazy project regarding the time shift stones..." her voice echoed through my mind, "...Be on the lookout during the engagement party."
"He's got to be using these crystals to try and pour twilight all over Hyrule," I said quietly, "even the one in Saria's body. He's going to wait until there is enough resonance and strike within a few days."
The old man looked at me in alarm.
"How do you know this?" he asked me.
I shook my head.
"I don't," I said honestly, "it's a hunch I have."
The old man sighed.
"That's one hell of a hunch," he said. "I hope you're wrong, because if you aren't Hylia help us all."
Hylia help us all indeed, I thought.
I got up from the table and went to look out the window. I was beginning to feel the weight of all these pressing matters. There was so much going on and so little time.
If it's not one thing it's another, I thought, closing my eyes.
I stared out the window and got more worried about Saria's absence as the darkness progressed.
Where are you Saria? I thought.
"Do these crystals react off each other to create portals?" I asked the old man, trying to stay focused and not worry.
The old man shook his head.
"I don't know," he said honestly, "that's a question for the royal family."
Great, I thought sarcastically, those are the last people I want to talk to.
"I don't think the princess and I are on speaking terms at the moment," I replied with a deep sigh.
The old man merely looked at me.
"You need to put your pride aside, and alert them to the very real danger now upon us," he divulged.
I hated to admit it, but the old man was right. I needed reason and logic, not emotion and irrationality.
"I'll speak with them tomorrow," I muttered to myself.
That is something to look forward to, I thought and raised my eyebrows.
A moment later, I finally saw Saria walking up over the grassy expanse. I sighed in relief when I realized she was okay. When she caught me staring at her through the window, she smiled and waved. I grinned and waved back at her.
She could brighten anyone's day, I thought of her sunny disposition.
However, when Saria was near the porch something strange happened. A bright light appeared over Lake Hylia causing a blinding white flash to demarcate across the sky. I held up my hands to cover my eyes and lost sight of Saria's whereabouts in the flash. When I realized I couldn't see her any longer, I hurried to the door and went outside.
"Saria!" I called out to her in alarm.
The light dissipated a few moments later and a fractal space suspended above Lake Hylia was left behind.
What the hell is that? I thought, looking up at the strange spatial distortion.
Saria was lying on the ground as if she had been knocked down. She sat up slowly and shook her head.
"What was that?" I heard her say.
When Saria saw the fractal suspension her eyes widened in puzzlement.
"What is that?" she asked with a little fright in her voice.
I hurried to her.
In the meantime, a shadow beast dropped from the sequenced space into the water below. The beast went through a strange mid-aerial transformation before it hit the surface. The kyphosis on its back stretched and elongated into a tentacle with suction cups and pincers. It hit the water with a loud splash. When I saw that, I doubled my power walk to a sprint. I was almost to Saria, when the new tentacle cladding beast whipped its vestige out of the water and wrapped it around Saria's ankle.
"Ah!" she cried out in fear.
It began pulling her down to the shoreline to the water.
"Saria!" I said in alarm.
I quickly jumped for her and grabbed her hand, she latched onto me immediately. She looked at me with great fear in her eyes.
"Just hold on to me!" I ordered trying to get a hold of something on the shoreline: a boulder, a rock, a something.
We were being dragged rapidly to the water's edge. I looked around, mercilessly cursing myself for leaving my sword in the laboratory.
Damn it! I thought. Damn it! Goddamn it!
I quickly turned my attention to the old man in the window and signaled for some help. His eyes widened immediately and he nodded his understanding of my gesture. I turned back to Saria, she was hanging onto me for dear life.
"Link!" she said fearfully. "Don't let me go!"
It was much different language than from our last near death experience.
She's learning, I thought, trying to stay calm.
"I won't!" I called back to her.
I looked over my shoulder again when I saw the old man open the door and hurry outside with my sword and my satchel. He quickly threw the items in my vicinity. I caught my sword with my free hand by the blade, and unintentionally sliced at my wrist.
"Ah!" I groaned in pain.
I turned back to Saria and we quickly approached the water.
"I have to let go of you once we get undertow!" I explained. "As soon as I cut that tentacle, you swim for the surface!"
Saria nodded quickly, stating she understood.
"Alright!" she called out over the loudness of the splashing.
The creature continued to grapple at Saria's leg until we were both submerged underwater. I immediately let go of Saria's hand and gripped my sword. I swam over to the shadow beast's back where the tentacle protruded, and cut fiercely at its core. Muddled screeches of pain precluded the sound barrier, as the water turned purplish black with blood. I tried to saw quickly, while Saria was manually trying to release herself from the monsters suction on the tentacle was proving harder to break free of. My lungs began to burn from a lack of air. I sawed faster, and once the vestige was completely removed I signaled for Saria to swim to the surface.
"Go! Now!" I called out against the nautical resistance.
Saria swam as fast as she could and broke water a few moments later. I immediately followed after her, but found I was not as fortunate as she was in reaching the surface. The shadow beast had regenerated its tentacle and found a new captive, me.
Oh crap, I thought.
I quickly applied the same technique to saving myself as I did to Saria. I sawed and cut, until the liquefaction become so dark and bloody I nearly vomited from disgust. I was starting to lose consciousness due to the lack of oxygen to my brain, and my lungs were burning so badly, it was as if I had a punctured lung.
I just need a little more time lungs, I told myself, finding the burning sensation almost unbearable.
A moment later, I heard a muddled splash and I saw Saria quickly swimming to my aid. She had a knife in her grip and began cutting at the tentacle the same as I. We finally cut through the last bit of flesh and then quickly swam to the surface. Saria immediately came and helped me to the shoreline when she saw I was struggling with my breathing. I coughed and vomited water for the next few minutes.
That was close, I thought, how in the hell did that thing get here?
Saria was helping me by ensuring my head didn't fall to my chest and decrease my work of breathing. I turned to see if the shadow beast was going to come around for another assault, but I saw nothing displace the surface.
Is it gone? I wondered.
A moment later, there was a loud and immediate explosion from underneath the water. Saria involuntarily jumped into my arms from the abrupt sound. My eyes widened in surprise.
That damn thing was going to get us one way or another, I thought, realizing how close to death we really were.
I held Saria tight just then, grateful she was okay. I smirked at her pretty face, when I saw her bangs plastered onto her forehead. She looked like she had no eyes for a moment, but my smirk quickly faded when I looked up and saw an unexpected visitor terrorizing the shoreline.
What in the...? I thought.
Saria stroked her wet bangs from her face, and looked perplexed at my expression. She then turned to see what had captured my attention. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh my goddess," I heard her whisper.
Zant was standing on the shoreline with the scientist in his capture. He used the tentacled shadow beast as a distraction for his teleportation.
I immediately let Saria go and stood up.
My heart began to pound rapidly in my chest.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded quietly, knowing I had to be careful if I wanted to save the old man's life.
"Well, well, well," Zant began looking around, "so this is Lake Hylia. It's very beautiful."
Saria stood up soon after me and took in a deep labored breath.
"Oh no," she whispered of the old man's plight.
The old man looked stoic in Zant's grip.
I looked to the old man and then to Zant.
"Let him go," I said to Zant quietly, "he has nothing to do with our business."
Zant looked at me and smiled wickedly.
"Oh, but he does," he whispered to me, "he was the assistant to that bastard Dirac. I could never forget such a willing disciple."
I swallowed hard and took a step toward Zant.
"If it's a fight you want-" I started.
"No, no," Zant interrupted, "I don't want to fight. I still remember what you did to me last time. You ran away."
I saw Saria walk up behind me in my periphery, but I stopped her advance.
"I won't run away this time," I promised, "just let the old man go."
Saria's eyes grew wide.
Zant looked from her to me and raised his blade to the old man's throat.
"How do I know I can trust you?" Zant asked me.
My eyes were fixated on that blade.
He's going to kill him, I thought.
"You have my word as a knight," I replied.
Zant immediately started laughing.
"What do such silly notions like your being a knight mean to me?" Zant asked me rhetorically.
I kept my eyes fixed on his blade.
"You think your honor's going to save you?" Zant went on. "You think your honor's going to save him?"
I felt my heart accelerate when I realized he was going to try and kill the old man.
"It might," I said, trying to buy some time.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Saria getting a tight grip on a blade she had secured in her pants.
Just give her enough time to throw accurately, I thought.
"Don't worry about me," the old man said bravely, "I've lived long enough, go save yourselves and the royal family."
Zant smirked. "You see," he began, "he doesn't think you can save him either."
I took a step toward Zant.
"Easy there," Zant replied pressing the blade closer to the old man's throat, "we wouldn't want any accidents would we?"
Saria was looking at Zant focused.
I had my fingers behind my back. I was going to initiate a countdown with my fingers.
The old man's expression didn't change.
"He can't stay out of the portal too long," the old man divulged boldly, "the twilight energy right now is only composited, he can only last in Hyrule for a few more minutes."
"Shut up!" Zant snapped angrily. "I should cut your damn throat right now!"
I saw this as the opportunity.
"Don't do this Zant," I said, counting down from three.
Zant rolled his eyes.
"You know your whole 'white knight heroics thing' is really annoying," Zant said to me, "you keep insisting that rules and paradigms are the great equalizer."
I counted down to two.
"I know why you're angry," I said, trying to negotiate, "but this isn't the way to do it."
Zant scoffed.
"Right," he said with open sarcasm, "I suppose you want me to call the royal family for tea, and say let's discuss our feelings in a calm manner."
I took in a deep breath.
"No Zant," I said, counting down to one, "that's not what I'm saying at all."
Do it, I thought.
As if on cue, Saria quickly flung the dagger at Zant's right hand, but he parried the attack as if expecting it. Zant narrowed his eyes at her.
"You think that you can trick me?" he asked rhetorically. "I live for trickery bitch!"
Saria froze when she saw she missed.
"You see, now the old man has to die," Zant said quietly, and shook his head, "and it's all your fault dark maiden."
Zant then pressed the blade back to the old man's neck and cut his throat.
Dear Hylia, I thought.
"No!" Saria screamed, immediately running to the old man as he slumped to the ground, blood was pouring from his neck.
I looked at Zant shocked, he merely stared back.
"You bastard!" I snapped.
"That's how I leave a fight sir knight," Zant said to me with growing menace, "you tell Daphnes I will have his head in one week."
With that, Zant teleported away.
Next time you come here, it's going to be you and me, I thought as a promise.
I immediately turned my attention to the old man. Saria was cradling him and applying pressure to the wound.
"Go in the house and get a blue potion!" Saria ordered to me in a trembling voice. "Now!"
I nodded and hurried back to the laboratory and burst through the door. I headed down the adjacent hall to the parlor. I picked up several bottles of blue potion and then hurried back outside. Saria turned to look at me as I approached. I quickly tossed her a blue potion in a minute decision. Saria caught it with her free hand and immediately popped the cork. She then began funneling the fluid down the old man's throat. She sat him up when she saw the wound beginning to close. I hurried back to the shoreline with more towels. Saria immediately took them and pressed them against the old man's neck.
"Come on," I heard her whisper in a trembling voice, "give me a sign."
I glanced at her reflectively for a moment, having a moment of deja vu.
I know just how you feel Saria, I thought, remembering I was just as terrified of losing her when she got poisoned.
After several minutes, the old man finally opened his eyes. When Saria saw that she burst into tears and hugged him tight.
"Oh thank the goddess!" she said happily. "I thought you were a goner!"
The old man smiled at her weakly.
"There's still some fight in these old bones," he rasped to her.
Saria smiled through her tears.
"What are you talking about?" Saria joked, wiping her cheeks. "You still have another hundred years left."
The old man smiled at her trying to comfort him.
"Of course my dear," he said weakly, "of course. I plan on out living you."
I took in a collective sigh of relief when I saw him come to, and have a near complete closure of his wound.
Thank the goddess, I thought.
Saria immediately hugged him closer to her. I watched the two of them for a moment.
It would've been like losing a father, I thought. For a while, he and the bazaar owner was all she had.
Saria stroked his thinning hair and cradled him tightly before releasing him to try and pick him up. When I saw that, I immediately stopped her.
"Here, let me," I said, putting a hand on Saria's shoulder.
She turned and looked at me, but then moved out of the way. I picked the old man up and brought him to his bedroom inside the laboratory. Saria didn't leave his side. Seeing she wanted to take care of him, I went back to the living room and waited for her at the kitchen table. Saria gave the old man more blue potion and waited for his blood pressure to elevate before watching him safely go to sleep. When he was stable, she closed his room door, and joined me in the living room. Saria wiped her eyes with the back of her hands, and only realized then she was still soaking wet. Shaking her head at her resolve she came and sat down at the table across from me.
"How is he?" I asked.
She nodded.
"He's better," she sniffled, "he needs some rest, that was a pretty bad cut."
That crazy bastard could have killed him, I thought angrily, that crazy bastard tried to kill him.
I sighed and nodded.
There was a brief silence that fell upon us.
"Are you okay?" I asked her.
Saria merely nodded.
"I'm alive," she said, looking at her hands, "thanks to you again."
I reflected on how true that statement was.
Yes, you are alive, I thought, and it's going to stay that way.
I reached over and took her hand in mine. Saria squeezed my hand back, but then pulled from my grip.
"What did... what did she say?" she asked me, without looking at me.
I sighed, not wanting to discuss this, but I knew I was going to have to face this sooner or later. I stared at her for a moment, not wanting to tell her the truth.
If I tell her what happened today, she's going to lose hope, I thought.
I looked away from her just then.
"I didn't ask her yet," I lied.
Saria glanced up at me and stared at me with narrowed eyes for a moment. I knew she didn't believe me. After a few moments of studying my face, she grinned at me.
"You're such a liar," she half-joked.
I ran a hand through my wet hair uncomfortably.
"It's true," I continued looking away from her face.
Saria's grin never went away.
"You know how I can tell when you lie," she stated to me.
I raised my eyebrows at her.
"How?" I asked.
Her grin broadened to a smile.
"Your nose twitches slightly," she replied.
Inadvertently, I went to touch my nose, and that's when she tricked me.
"Gotcha!" she exclaimed suddenly. "Your nose doesn't twitch. I just said that to see how you'd react. Now I know you lied."
I widened my eyes at her irritably. I was not in any mood to be tricked, but I couldn't help but grin at her good nature and perceptiveness.
She knows me too well, I thought.
I took in a deep breath.
"Okay, you're right, I did speak with her," I said finally.
Saria bit her lower lip and looked at me with expectance.
"And?" she asked, her voice already had a hint of knowing in it.
I paused for a moment and sighed.
"And… she said no," I muttered disappointed.
Saria didn't say anything for a moment. She sat back in her chair and just nodded.
"I figured as much," she said to herself.
I sat back myself, wishing I had a better answer to that question.
"Saria-" I started.
"Please Link," she interrupted softly, running her fingers through her wet hair, "it's okay, I was expecting this."
I fidgeted with the salt shaker on the table upset.
"I wasn't," I said absently.
Saria just stared at me for a moment and gave me a half smile.
"Yes, you were," she perceived, "you were just too hopeful, like me."
I grunted and continued to rotate the salt shaker between my fingers.
I didn't reply.
"I went to speak to gramps today when I dropped Cujo off," she said.
I looked up at her just then.
"Did you?" I asked. "How is he?"
She nodded.
"He's doing okay," she said and paused, then added, "I told him you asked me to marry you."
I looked at her surprised.
"You did?" I inquired.
She nodded again and blushed.
"I..." she trailed, "I probably should have waited."
I felt my eyes narrow just then.
"Are you giving up?" I demanded with a slightly raised voice.
Saria looked at me surprised.
"No," she said, "but I'm trying to be realistic."
She was starting to piss me off.
"The realism is you're going to be my wife!" I said upset. "I love-" I caught myself.
Saria looked at me with widened eyes.
I swallowed hard and looked away from her.
"That selfish witch..." I muttered to myself.
Saria looked at me confused.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing!" I said fanning her off harshly.
We fell silent after that. Saria saw my upset mood and tried to cheer me up. However, what she brought up was not what I wanted to discuss.
"Link, you're going to be a great king," she encouraged, "the people love you. You'll be equitable, and easy going. Zelda will be-" she stopped herself when she realized what she was going to say.
I closed my eyes, not wanting to discuss this any further. I didn't say anything. I squeezed the salt shaker in my grip hoping it would break. I was just that upset.
Saria let it go, I thought.
Instead of leaving the subject alone, Saria chuckled and went on.
"I never would have imagined you, the guy who peed in Mido's pumpkin patch, as the future king of Hyrule," she said softly, shaking her head.
I raised my eyebrows and sighed.
Neither would I, I thought.
I turned from looking at her. I knew she was trying to comfort me, but it wasn't working.
"I don't want to talk about this anymore," I said lowly, wanting to change the subject, "leave it alone, okay."
"Link-" she tried.
"Drop it Saria!" I snapped slamming the salt shaker on the table. "I mean it!"
Saria looked at me surprised at the blunt reaction. She bit her lower lip and didn't pursue the subject any further.
"Okay, you win," she said quietly, sitting back in her chair, "sorry."
I didn't want to take my anger out on her. She didn't deserve that. I ran my hands through my hair frustratingly again and got up. I went to go look out the window, not caring that my clothes were sodden and sticking to me.
This is just too much, I thought. How did everything spiral out of control?
Saria stared after me for a moment, then came and stood next to me by the window.
"Let's talk about something else," Saria suggested, breaking the silence and looking at the star lit horizon. "There are more important things to consider than our feelings for each other at the moment. We have to think about what just happened, and the safety of Hyrule."
I hated to admit it, but she was right. The confrontation with Zant just spearheaded the significance of protecting the country over the personal matters of two simple people.
My wants have to wait, I thought.
I just nodded.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked me.
I shook my head, and took in a deep breath.
"I have to talk to his majesty," I said simply.
Saria nodded.
"That's a start," she said, "they need an evacuation plan for the citizens if things get too untoward."
I glanced over at her, admiring her perceptive nature.
"That's true," I replied.
We fell silent for a moment looking at the horizon.
"How did things get so complicated Sar?" I asked her all of a sudden.
Saria chuckled and raised her eyebrows.
"I think they've always been complicated Link," she said honestly, "we're just two small people in a very big world."
I grinned at her.
"That's just like you to say something like that," I said to her.
She grinned back.
"And it's just like you to be too serious for your own good," she replied, "lighten up Mr. Killjoy."
My grin turned to a smile.
"I'll try," I said.
She raised an eyebrow at me and gave me a stern look.
"Try harder," she said.
I stared deeply into her eyes and thought about what she was telling me.
"Okay," I replied.
I turned to look back out the window.
Saria looked as well.
"I don't want you anywhere near the castle next week," I said, changing the subject.
Saria looked at me surprised.
"What?" she asked confused. "You might need my help."
I shook my head.
"No," I said firmly, "I won't risk you getting hurt."
Saria rolled her eyes and looked away.
"Link-" she tried.
"I said no," I interrupted.
I didn't care if she was upset. I couldn't live with myself knowing she was putting her life on the line for people who hated her.
"Link-" she tried to protest again.
I took her by the shoulders.
"Promise me," I interrupted.
She didn't answer immediately.
I raised my eyebrows.
"Promise me," I repeated more firmly.
Saria only nodded. She wouldn't look at me.
I lifted her chin to face me.
"I'm not going to let you gamble with your life anymore," I said, "you're too important to me."
Saria stared into my eyes and I saw her throat tighten.
"But I could help you," she said with quiet defiance.
I took in a deep breath at her stubbornness.
"If you want to help me, you could just stay alive," I said to her. "I just need you to stay alive."
Saria nodded again.
"Okay," she replied.
I then took her in my arms and gave her a tight secure hug. It was only then that I realized we were both still soaking wet. Saria drew back and shrugged.
"We better change before we catch cold," she suggested.
"Yeah," I agreed.
Saria released herself from me, and I stared after her thinking about what just happened and all that needed to be done.
I've got to stop Zant, I thought with a sigh, but before I do that I have to speak to Daphnes.
I turned back around and looked at the starlit sky once more.
I need to speak with the king tomorrow, I thought, but the question is, will he be honest with me?
Please write a review and tell me what you think. Chapter 21 is coming soon!