Nintendo created all the characters and places and stuff. I just made the story up. The cover was done by Zeliga of DeviantART.
Chapter twenty one - Limits and Tantrums
Link sparred with Daisy, his sons tired of getting wounded by her blade. Emily gave Clyde a hard slap on the leg as he jerked it while she was trying to bind it in bandages.
"Ow!" Clyde whined holding his leg in his arms, Emily rolled her eyes
"That was a warning. Stop moving!" Emily growled rethreading her needle
"Sisters. Pah!" Clyde sighed leaning back in his seat only to find a dagger staring at him in the face a few seconds later
"I will use this." Emily muttered
"Emily. Down." Link spoke without even glancing in their direction; Daisy pushed against his sword with full force, she liked nothing better than to challenge the King, his experience made him a challenge and his strength and stamina with a blade rivalled her own. The King was fair and never made her play fair; if he got hurt, he got hurt as with her, but even if she broke all the rules of their battles, she never broke the rules of friendly combat; no fatal injuries and surrender is just.
Link raised his shield above his head as Daisy preformed the perfect Helm Splitter, a move that aimed for the head and back; he pushed his shield up to knock her off balance and into a roll before knocking her in the back with a hilt; he ended the fight by bringing his blade to her neck. Daisy nodded and took Link's hand to pull up
Did you see my Helm Splitter? I have it perfect now! Daisy signed sheathing her sword and dropping her shield
It was perfect. You need to focus on your shield bashes though; they are easily broken. Link signed back, Daisy panted
If I push much more I'll break my wrist. You're too strong! Sorry. I suggest you try a different technique, you can still protect yourself by somewhat breaking the rule on the shield bash. However, brace your legs to move back a few steps when the shield is hit.
"Link!" a shout came from the doorway, Link turned to see Ralph standing there; Ralph had been asked on request to teach Gustaf's great grandson how to fight; Link would have gone but he decided to give the chance to Ralph as for years, the man seemed intent on bringing his sword skills up. Link could not put his finger on why.
"Hey, Ralph. You back?" Link spoke as Daisy ran to her father
Hi, Daisy. Has Link been looking after you well? Ralph signed, Daisy nodded
He's been teaching me sword skill! Daisy signed pumping her arms; Ralph glanced up at Link with a raised eyebrow
And he's the best teacher for it. Link's had his fair share of battles. Ralph signed back, making sure Link saw every movement of his hands
"How's Peony with the baby?" Link asked coming to Ralph's side, Daisy came away and walked to Clyde, if Emily could not get him to be still, she would.
"She's in a bad mood today." Ralph sighed walking with Link into the corridors
"It's a women thing. Duck." Link smirked pressing a hand on the back of Ralph's head as Emily's dagger flew past and struck a portrait of the council, stabbing Simon's forehead. Link let out a chuckle
"She has your aim." Ralph breathed "Is it safe?"
"Emily's a good kid. But Simon won't let me teach her combat. So I taught her how to heal instead." Link sighed "She's getting better."
"Getting better at hurting or healing?" Ralph joked, spotting the dagger's location
"Well, hurting him, healing us." Link sniggered removing the dagger "She has a powerful throw; that one went right through."
"She's not going to be an assassin in princess clothing, is she?" Ralph gulped "She's part of you and you can make someone wet themselves when you creep around."
"I can't throw a knife well, I went straight to swords. That's her own doing." Link coughed
Ralph stared at the ground, Link's ears twitched annoyingly
"Do you dream, Link?" Ralph asked, Link gawked in surprise at the question
"Sometimes. Why?" Link asked his fingers twitching on the hilt of his sword
Ralph whispered looking around constantly "I think Dark might strike again soon."
"What makes you so sure?" Link hissed almost pinning Ralph against the wall "He nearly killed me once and I haven't heard from him for three years!"
"I keep having a recurring dream that-" Ralph stammered "You died to a snake."
Link stepped back and dropped Emily's dagger, he remembered Dark's nightmare, snakes the size of houses were in his own mind
"Dark wouldn't be pulling the strings this time." Ralph mumbled, Link swallowed hard, no amount of protection of the guards would stop Dark at all, not even Daku could stop him.
Ralph looked at Link as if he were a stranger; he had gone pale and was staring at his right hand, where the remainder of the snake bite was. Link was frightened. But not for himself. Ralph could see it in him, Link would get timid, go quiet and his actions would be lost. Link shut his eyes and lifted his head up in thought
"So be it." Link mumbled eventually before walking without making a sound around the corner. Ralph chewed his lip and turned to face the room they had come from. Emily stood in the doorway, her face pale and her body almost a statue compared to normal. Ralph crossed his fingers; Emily was the one closest to Link, almost like a sidekick, she would attack anyone (Simon) who got on Link's nerves. She was also a cunning prankster with the cunning of her mother. She also had the keenest hearing among her siblings, thankfully, no mind reading powers like the boys, but she had the hearing and she could hear everything like Link, which was going to result in him getting a punch in the face.
"Don't hurt me." Ralph whined lifting his hands up in surrender
Link held onto a flag pole at the top of the highest tower for balance, his kingdom was being showered in black raindrops; thunder rumbled the sky and lightning hacked away at the clouds. He could hear Midna tucking Emily into bed, he had barely spoken to his wife all day but Link wanted to be withdrawn, he wanted no one else but him and Dark in their final fight. He would make it their final fight.
He leaned against the flag pole and crossed his legs, his hands fell down by his sides and his breathing slowed down as if he were asleep. His own heartbeat kept him company as he fell into his trance; viewing his past like it were a film. He wanted Rinku more than ever now. He wanted his grandfather to stand by him in battle as a friend and family member, but that was impossible. The reigns had been handed to him; he had to finish this alone. Rinku could not have given him this future? Why would he? Link's head began to fall forward. Did he not love and appreciate him for healing him from his birth? Why would Rinku give him a foe that would torture and play in spite and lust for blood? Was he merely a pawn? Why could he not have given this future to his father? Why did he skip the generations? Had his life not been dangerous and deadly enough without his contribution?
Link nearly lost his balance as more anger filled him. What good was he to him anyway? All he did was bring Dark and trouble! Perhaps if he had died that day like his parents than this future may not have happened! Why did he always forgive and forget?! Why did he give everyone a second chance?! Why was he chosen by the goddesses to be so gentle?! Rinku could slip under his skin and use it! Who was really the evil one?! Link's eyes shone golden as he stepped out of the safety of the flag pole and leaned over. His weight forced gravity to push him down. Link blinked hard and sent his Clawshot to grasp onto the flagpole just as he slipped off the edge. Link shot the other to a nearby balcony and swung forward allowing the first to come away. He sighed and opened the doors of the balcony before dropping on the bed; he lay on his stomach, sleep welcoming his anger with cool dreams for temporary resistance.
Midna wandered in later that night to find him sleeping, she could feel his anger in the room
"Link, sweetheart?" Midna mumbled sitting next to him, Link turned over to ignore her; he was awake. And in a very bad mood. "Honey, tell me."
Link said nothing
Midna felt sick, when Link closed in that meant something was really wrong and he was keeping his anger in for fear he may do something hurtful to someone. She took his hand put he pulled his away, shutting her out completely.
"Link, tell me what's wrong." Midna begged
"Nothing." Link spoke, his voice low and full of anger, Midna raised an eyebrow, she could swear the was a littler version of him that did the same
"You don't close in like this if there wasn't. Honey, I'm not letting you suffer alone." Midna moaned placing a hand on the back of his head, rubbing his hair through her fingers. Link had built his walls up and Daku was on high alert. She would not find out anything this way.
"You wouldn't let me." Link turned to face her, his big blue eyes were filled with red hot anger, glazed with salty silent tears, he opened his mouth but no words came out.
Midna leaned down to kiss him on the lips "Tell me, Link. Please let me help you."
"Ralph told me he's had a dream of where a snake will kill me. He's back, Midna, and I don't want you or the kids to get hurt." Link sighed, his defences crumbling away into dust
"You've trained them well. They can defend themselves and you know I can." Midna whispered putting a hand on his cheek to wipe a tear away "I worry about you, Link. You've got so much stress on your shoulders, yet none of it is from your royal duties."
"But, Midna. I've been having the same nightmare for months." Link sniffed the tears now water-falling down his cheeks; Midna rubbed his shoulders as he sat up. "I am going to die for real and leave you behind."
Midna turned cold in his arms. Her heartbeat increased and fear grasped her in its claws.
"Rinku wouldn't want this, he wouldn't let this!" Midna cried,
Something in Link snapped, his face went bright red and his fist made contact with the nearest wall, making a huge crack leap up it. Midna jumped up, she sent a silent prayer to Daku, hoping that his strength would stop Link.
Midna searched the inside of her mind for answers Link had never once shouted at the children; he never had to raise his voice for them to obey him. Link normally cried when he got angry, meaning anger would only be referring to a single shout or roar, but he had never lashed out during their marriage.
"He used me!" Link shouted pushing over the wardrobe with the strength of two so it broke
"Link, stop!" Midna shouted as Link smashed the glass in the balcony doors and ripped the curtains from the poles
"He put me up to this fight! He trained me for it! And he's going to let me die for it!" Link roared punching the wall again so another crack formed
"He didn't! It was for Ganondorf's sake you learned it!" Midna shouted as Link tipped over the desk before giving it a strong kick that broke it; Midna stood her ground as Link marched over to the bed and seized a leg; yet her ground shook as he pulled it off the ground onto its side before snapping the leg off and throwing it across the room; Midna ducked as the bed fell over on its side "Link! Stop!" Midna shrieked as he gave the chest of draws a kick sending it across the room with a thump, Midna put her hands on his arm but he pushed her away with a slap from the back of his hand, sending her crashing into the bed; Ralph burst in at that point with an odd bruise over his right eye from a small fist.
"Midna!" Ralph gasped taking her arm and pulling her up to her feet, her left eye and cheek were bruised
"I'm alright, Ralph. Do something about Link!" Midna wailed as Peony ran down the corridor, Ralph climbed over the bed to find Link looking like a monster on the other side, his fists bloody, his clothes slightly torn and his breathing rough and fast. Ralph drew his sword and saw Link's eyes turn small. Link let out a hiss through his teeth and seized a broken lamp that was around his feet
"Enough, Link. Calm down." Ralph spoke, trying not to raise his voice as Link lifted the lamp up to throw it, Ralph did not see Link in him, the man that stood before him looked like Link certainly, but the man was frightened, angry and felt lost, something he despised in himself. Link raised his arm higher. Ralph braced himself for the pain of the throw yet Link stayed put. He recognised this strange technique. It was one Link executed himself daily. Link began to pant as his mind caught up with his actions, he dropped the lamp and fell forward, Ralph dropped his sword and caught him before his knees hit the floor.
"There was years of anger in that little brain of his. Why don't you just divorce and be done with him?" Simon asked as Midna removed the icepack from her eye, Link's hand was harder than it was meant to be
"Because he's my husband. He needed to vent it out somehow." Midna sighed, she was pretty sure she was going to trash her office soon if Simon kept talking. "It wasn't his fault."
"Never is, is it?" Simon scoffed placing a hand on the desk
"Simon, you could not even begin to understand how much a threat Dark is to Link. He has killed him more times than he can remember and each time he's stronger. Link is frightened, not just for himself, but for us too." Minda snapped bashing her fist onto Simon's hand
"Then how is he still alive?" Simon asked rubbing his hand
"A pair of strong souls. Good souls. One takes the pain and the other heals. Now get out before Emily hears you." Midna snarled
"He destroyed the room, hit you and now is spending his days in solitude in the cells. Face it, little farm boy lost his temper and now we are all suffering for it. Besides, what could Emily do to me that could be even considered a threat." Simon sighed throwing his arms in the air.
"What was that?" Emily questioned tapping her foot
Midna stood up from her desk and marched away, her heart open and accepting. She imagined a normal wife would not accept such behaviour but Link was a good man. The explanation was simple; Link was stressed and the anger had collected over years and years of bad luck and he had broke at the mention of Rinku's name.
Midna kicked open the door of the cells. Ever since Link's rule, many had been empty for some time, gathering dust and spider webs. But inside one dusty room was a man.
The door was slightly ajar and swinging with the gust of the strong wind blowing from it. Hiding in the dark, in tattered, worn clothes, was her husband.
Midna brought a hand to her face as a pair of tired blue eyes stared at her, full of sadness and regret, so much so, they retreated further into the darkness. Midna strained her eyes to see him, his feet were lost of their boots and dirty from the floor, his trousers were ripped and covered in dry blood, his shirt was just as ripped, showing parts of his chest and left shoulder, his hair was covered in a thin line of dust and his chin held stubble of a browny-blond beard. He was thin and his heart was closed to aid, not even the wind would leave him be.
Midna lowered her head, Ralph had taken him to the doctor when he had been unconscious but upon waking, Link had vanished without a trace. It had taken Emily to hunt high and low for him, she had found him days ago in the cells but no matter how much she spoke through the locked door, Link refused to answer.
"Link, sweetheart, please," Midna whispered holding a hand out to touch Link's ankle but he jerked into the corner as if afraid of her "don't do this."
"Stay away from me. I'll hurt you again." Link grunted in a voice unlike his own, Midna sighed; he must have closed off Daku from helping him too.
"You won't." Midna mumbled "I'm not letting you suffer alone."
Link looked at her as she held out her hand, debating. He had used that phrase to many and he was determined to keep his promises. Perhaps Midna was the same.
He took her hand and rubbed the back of it with his thumb.