Legends 20
Saria resisted the urge to punch Sheik between the shoulder blades, lest she undo all her hard work to patch him up in the first place. It wasn't that Sheik was being particularly rude or mean, but that he wouldn't listen to her concern for him. Again, she tried in vain to convince him to hear her out.
"You really, really shouldn't be moving. Your injuries have only sealed over. You haven't given them the proper rest they need to heal! Link even called over Epona to carry you." Link himself had taken advantage of the horse, sitting with both legs on one side to prevent stretching his side wound. Sheik scoffed.
"We're only an hour away from Castle Town. I can walk the rest of the way just fine. Epona can't carry all three of us, not without someone being in pain, so we won't get there any faster. If I can walk, then I'm walking." Saria glared at his back and debated pushing him over out of frustration. If he was further injured he might just get on the horse. Then again, Sheik was fast, injured or not. Saria did not want to end up with a few bruises as well. Instead, she fell back on the power of numbers.
"Link! Do something!"
There was a long sigh before Link decided to join Saria's side of the argument. "Saria's right. Your back and chest look like they've been slammed a few times with a hammer. Not to mention you have a broken rib. What about your knee? Saria said you sprained it."
"We've been travelling for a day and half, and only now you decide to have an opinion?" Sheik continued to look ahead as he spoke, as if his mind were somewhere else. "You haven't said anything about Saria's twisted ankle."
Saria interjected before Link could have a chance to defend his previous silence on the matter. "That's because I only twisted it! It got better before we even left the temple courtyard! You have a rib bone sticking out of your chest!" Again Sheik scoffed, as if the injury was an everyday occurrence. The sound was quickly becoming irksome. Link spoke up.
"I still agree with her. I haven't said anything because I knew there was no point. I know you enough to know you're too stubborn to listen to me. How do you expect me to learn from you if you can't even take care of yourself?"
Sheik halted and snapped to look up at Link. Sensing the lack of movement Epona stopped as well. It appeared as though Link had hit a nerve. "As nice as Saria's first aid treatment was, it would be nice to have a professional look at it. I'm not spending my time resting in the woods waiting for infection to set in. Last of all Epona hates me, I can't even approach the damn thing without her trying to take a bite out of me. So I'll walk. I am more than capable of taking care of myself. I've been through worse." Not waiting for any sort of reply Sheik resumed his brisk walking pace. The others fell in line soon after.
"Sheik you don't-" Saria moved to place a hand on the boy's elbow, but it was batted away.
"Don't bother." Sheik's cold interruption was enough to silence all of Saria's attempts to speak. She followed behind him, hands to herself. This only brought about the Hero's remarks.
"There's no need for that. She's only trying to help. If you're going to be cruel it should be toward me. Do you always try to bite the hand that tries to help you?"
"Do you always ask such obnoxious questions? What's my health matter to you anyway? I got you the sword, that's all you wanted from me. You've detested my presence from the beginning. If I dropped dead you'd rejoice not having to put up with me. Realistically you barely know me. I am a stranger to you, and should be treated as such. I advise you look after yourselves. I can take care of my own problems."
"Sheik!" Saria's appalled tone was enough to stop Sheik in his tracks, which in turn forced the group to stop. He gave her an odd look, only half turned to look at her. "How dare you!"
"Excuse me?" Sheik sounded incredulous.
"First of all, how dare you assume we'd ever let a stranger suffer! Secondly, how dare you assume that we are not friends!"
"E-excuse me?" The wind had been taken from his sails. Sheik looked more than lost. It took everything in him for Link to keep from snickering. Sheik was in for it now, he had offended Saria.
"What do you mean excuse me? Huh? After all the three of us have been through you'd say we're still strangers? Is that what I am? A stranger? So you'd just leave me to suffer?"
Sheik fully turned to face the angered sage, hands up defensively. "No, that's not-"
"Link and I would have helped you! Even when you're being such a… such a dick!" Link raised an eyebrow at her. It was very unlike her to cuss, even if it was true. "Would you really just leave us to die on the side of the road?"
"That's not what I meant!" Sheik spared Link a glance, half hoping for a little help, only to find him smiling back manically. "You're enjoying this aren't you?"
"It's nice to see you out of your element." He chided. Saria's insistent yelling drew Sheik back to the issue at hand. He could feel the sweat on his neck, but he wasn't sure if it was from the heat or not.
"Then what do you mean then?"
"I um…" Sheik resisted the urge to pick at his collar. "…I don't know." Saria's hands rested on her hips and he knew that hadn't been the right thing to say. How was it that such a small girl could evoke such fear?
"You don't know. Then why did you say it?" No response from the tense male. "You don't think we're friends?" Saria dropped from angry to genuinely upset and Sheik found himself in a very tight spot.
"I-I don't know."
"You don't know?" She poked his chest with each word, avoiding the broken rib. Sheik flinched, but it was more so from her tone. He couldn't deal with this, he didn't know how. "How can you not know? Is there no feeling toward us, even after all that time?"
"Well, I…" Sheik straightened his jaw as she tried to find words. Saria poked him again, this time harder. Sheik hissed under his breath.
"Well what!?"
"I've never had a friend before." The reply was quiet, but not low enough for it to go unheard by the other two. "So I wouldn't know."
Saria's arm dropped to her side as she observed Sheik's stiff demeanour. "Ever?" He shook his head. "Not even a childhood friend?" Sheik repeated his previous action. "A pet? Anything?" There was no way the boy could have grown up alone. No one was ever truly alone.
"I had a pet once, for a about a week."
"What happened to it?" Link asked. He had fallen silent for a while now, Sheik had almost forgotten how close to Epona he was. He took a precautionary step away.
"It got run over by a, um, cart." Under their gazes, Sheik shifted from foot to foot. "I don't need your pity."
"So not only were you orphaned, but you grew up without friends too?" Surprisingly it was Link who continued to speak, not Saria. She seemed to be in a state of mild shock. His words were gentle, and for once his eyes held nothing of the negative sort when they connected with Sheik's. It made him uncomfortable. "That sounds like a lonely life."
"You say that like it's terrible, but it's not like I'm incapable. I can handle myself, I keep myself entertained. It's not that bad, I don't mind it." The looks they were giving him told him they weren't buying it. At all. "Can we just go?"
"Only when you admit we're all friends." Link replied.
"You can barely tolerate me. Even I know that isn't what a friend is." He gave the Hero a flat look, but it did nothing to deter him.
"And now I know why. That doesn't mean we can't try to be friends." Link gave him a true smile, to which Sheik scoffed. He turned from the two, braid flicking as he moved forward.
"You act if you're doing me a charity. Fine. I guess we're friends. Satisfied? Happy you've done your good deed for the day?"
"Whatever you say Sheik." Link flicked at Epona's reigns and the horse trotted forward. He had spoken with an air of amusement. Saria followed suit, a small smile on her face.
The rest of the trip was spent in companionable silence. Only when they passed through the gates to Castle Town did anyone speak.
"So what now?" Saria peered at the limping Sheik. He kept pushing forward through the busy streets. Link dismounted Epona, letting her turn back towards the fields. She was an intelligent horse. He followed behind Saria as they walked the streets.
"Well we definitely need a bit of rest, but I'd really like to get to training. Link waved to a few merchants as he passed by. It wasn't a long trip the castle, but it'd take a while to navigate the busy streets near the market.
"For once I agree with you." Sheik smirked at him devilishly. He took it as a sign that his mentor was feeling better.
"Link!" A small blue ball collided with Link's face, clinging to his hair. "Link! Thank the Goddesses you're back!" Sheik eyed the ball with a critical eye.
"A fairy? I was under the impression that most of them were extinct." Said fairy looked to Sheik, stopped a moment, then bolted toward him.
"But you're-" The fairy was cut off by Saria.
"Navi what's wrong?" The sage shook her head minutely, a sign to drop the subject of Sheik. "Is it something at the castle?" As clingy as the glowing orb could be, she never acted like this when Link returned. If anything, she usually got mad about being left behind.
Navi shook before talking. "It's Shade. Ever since you left for the Master Sword he's been spotted several times. He even terrorizes the soldiers. They've been quitting like crazy. Twenty of them left yesterday! I didn't know what to do! You told me to stay and keep an eye on things, but if I left to tell you what was going on something might have happened and-!"
"Navi, calm down. It's alright. I don't blame you for staying." Link forged forward, intent on getting to the castle. Saria and Sheik remained close behind. Navi settle into his hat. "Did he go near the castle at all? Has he killed anyone? Is Enya alright?"
"Not that I know of. Enya's fine. No one's died. The elite guard and Kaepora are always at her side."
Sheik's hand shot out, grabbing his tunic and pulling the Hero to a stop. "Wait. Do you feel that?"
They had come to the town's main square. A fountain that usually attracted people was bare, accompanied only by the nearby flowers and bushes. The entire square was devoid of anyone. The bustling of the streets behind them carried on, but no one seemed to want to enter the square. And then he felt it, a sickening feeling. Much like being swallowed by dark water. The mark of his shoulder felt as though it were freezing.
"Yes. I do."
"Colour me impressed." The familiar voice, so much like his own, sent a chill down his spine. "I didn't think you'd actually find that blasted sword. How did you find it?" Out of the fountain's shadow Shade materialized. A cocky grin in it's usual place.
"He really does resemble you, doesn't he?" Shade's crimson eyes flitted to Sheik. His grin grew wider before he laughed.
"Well, isn't this precious?" He was beside Sheik in a flash. Saria jumped away, Link and Sheik armed themselves. Before Sheik could retaliate Shade had him by the wrists and twisted him to face Link. A blade was pressed against Sheik's throat. "Absolutely precious. Steel yourself Hero, you might hurt your little friend." Link lowered the Master Sword, having seemingly drawn it for no reason.
"Was that a short joke!?" Sheik went ignored as Shade tightened his grip on him. With lowered tones he address Sheik alone.
"Isn't that right, Fireball?"
"Release me!" Sheik struggled, but could do little without the blade digging into his neck. Besides, he barely had the strength. "I don't know what you're referring to!" Shade only laughed at him.
"Let him go Shade. This is between us."
"Is it now? What if I had come for little Enya, hm? You are so pretentious. How I failed to notice the little tyke earlier is beyond me."
"You leave her out of this! She doesn't even have the Triforce. She's only five, she's harmless!" Link stepped forward, but Shade only pulled the blade closer to Sheik's throat, drawing blood. "Don't. He has nothing to do with this."
"Oh, really now? I know the girl is harmless and I know where the Triforce of Wisdom is." Sheik received a small, invisible squeeze. "As for him, Sheik is it? I know that your little boyfriend here is teaching you to fight, is helping you. Give me one good reason why I should spare him."
Link sheathed the Master Sword, not once breaking eye contact with his doppelgänger. His hand remained near the hilt. "You know damn well why."
"Because you love him?" Came the tease. Link only frowned. "Come on now, you're no fun. What's the point in avoiding it, or are you still in denial?"
"Let him go. I'm dead in two weeks anyway. What harm can any of us do in that short amount of time?" There was resignation in his voice.
Shade's devious grin grew into a triumphant smile. "There was that so-" His words were cut short as Shade let out a scream of pain. The Hero had drawn the sword and let it fly, all within a second. The sword had torn through the Interloper's left shoulder. With what little slack Shade gave him, Sheik slinked away. The Master Sword clattered against the stone ground.
"Well, that wasn't very smart." Growled Shade, his voice dark. He straightened his posture, but he was clearly in pain. "You're weaponless."
Sheik made to attack but was too slow. Before he could even ready his stance Shade was before him. A pale hand collided with the boy's chest, sending waves of searing pain through it, only to be followed by the pain of striking the ground. Sheik could barely muster a pitiful whimper. Already blood seeped from his chest.
"Sheik!" Saria and Navi rushed to his aid. Shade ignored them, stepping between the Hero and the Master Sword instead.
"Tsk. Tsk. Such disregard for a weapon made by the Goddess herself. You should be hung for blasphemy." There was barely contained anger simmering beneath Shade's usual cocky tones. Though surprised, Link shrugged it off to being injured. "And look, you even got Fireball the Second injured as well.
"I do wonder how Mio is, don't you? If she's doing well, or if she's out on a mission. Or maybe she has one of those new games that confuse you so much. I wonder if she's sick or injured. Maybe she's dead. What do you think, Link? Maybe I should go check up on her after I'm done dealing with you."
"She left and has nothing to do with anything." Shade surged forward, slashing at the Hero who barely managed to dodge. Seeing an opening Link seized Shade by the collar and his left wrist with his other free hand, ceasing Shade's blade from making contact. Still, Shade remained seething, hissing as he spoke.
"Do you wonder if she misses you? All alone in that apartment she must. Do you wonder if she hates you? Oh, after all that harshness I'm sure she does." Like smoke Shade slipped through Link's hands and reformed behind him. Metal tore through Link's shoulder, slicing through the death mark Shade had given him. Link cried out but did not crumple. He spun about and went on the defensive.
"Stay out of my head."
"Oh, but it's so entertaining. You're one big ball of indecisiveness. Do you care or are you angry? You can't make up your mind. Besides, why would you care for someone when they care for nothing?" Shade's sword dissipated. Grinning once more he seemed to have gotten over the pain. "I'll be back for you. You know when." Then he was gone, sunken into the shadows.
"Link!" Navi floated over, concern evident in her voice. "Your shoulder…" He brushed her off and spoke breathlessly.
"I'll be fine. What about Sheik?" Shade had been right about quite a few things, one being that it was his fault that Sheik got injured. Shade just might have let him go had he obliged to whatever sick game he had planned. Saria was working diligently, but he'd never seen Sheik in enough pain to stop him from moving. "Navi, go fetch some guards. We need to move him before we attract a crowd." The fairy flew off without a word.
"I've stopped the bleeding." Saria stated quietly "Shade had reopened the old wound. But he shouldn't have been moving around in his previous condition, let alone being hit like that. If his rib wasn't completely broken before, it is now. There might be multiples. I can barely touch him without him crying out in pain. Not to mention if a bone fragment managed to pierce his lung. His breathing is poor."
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here. I can hear you, you know." Sheik's voice rattled as he spoke, but his speech was steady.
"Sheik, don't waste your energy."
"Don't tell me what to do, Hero. Not until you tell me what you meant by two weeks." Even if Link could have answered, he wouldn't have. The guards Navi had sent for came running with a stretcher and quickly proceeded to get Sheik to the castle. Before he could follow them, Saria stepped in his way. He looked down at her fearful expression, then her blood soaked hands.
"You need to be looked at too. When we get to the castle I'll wash this off and have a look at you. All the doctors in the castle will be focused on Sheik."
"I'll be fine." He couldn't risk her finding the mark. It was his burden to bare, not hers. "There's no need to bother with me." Which was a lie. Link could already feel the fatigue of blood loss.
"Please, Link." Saria latched onto his tunic, her knuckles white with the strain. "Please. I'm already worried about Sheik. He's out of my range of help, but I can help you. Please." When he didn't give in immediately the tears started. "Please."
After a moment more of hesitation Link gave in. "Alright."
Tentatively Saria entered Sheik's room. The doctor's had cleared out an hour ago or so. Saria had debated putting off seeing him until tomorrow, but she had urgent news that he deserved to know. She found him sitting up in bed, sheets pulled up to his waist and shirtless. Bandages both white and red covered his chest. His hands were bandaged as well, no doubt scraped during his fall. His deep blond hair was loose, hanging just past his shoulders. Steady red eyes glared at his hands. She might figure him attractive if she didn't know it was all a ruse.
"Sheik." It was enough to snap him out of his reverie and to call his attention to her. "How are you feeling?"
He gestured to his bandages wrapped tightly around his chest, then to the clutter of empty bottles on his nightstand. Little droplets of bright red liquid still clung to the bottom. "How do you think? They say I have to be on bed rest for a week. Let me guess, 'I told you so'?"
"No we don't have time, for bed rest or I-Told-You-Sos. Link doesn't have that time. He has a death mark. He only has two weeks left." Sheik remained silent and calm, but Saria didn't miss the small change in his posture, which had sunken a little. "We have to find a way to break it."
"I'm sorry. I was under the impression that there weren't any counter methods." Saria's sorrowful frown confirmed Sheik's statement.
"I know, but he hasn't given up. Not yet. He wants to avenge the royal family. He wants to at least bring down Shade. Can you help him? Really help him?"
"Yes. I can. But he has to listen, not just pretend to."
"He will." Saria observed him a moment. "Why the disguise? I know you aren't who you really are. Previous Zeldas have used the guise of Sheik before. You aren't fooling me."
Sheik gave her a rueful smile. "I always figured you were too suspicious. That you knew something I didn't. It's because I knew he wouldn't hold back against Sheik. He'd actually fight me."
"So, you are female." It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"…Are you Mio, his past mentor?"
"…Yes, but you can't tell him. I might tell him one day. Or not. Whichever is most convenient."
"So long as you help my lips are sealed."
"I promise to."
Saria left, locking and shutting the door behind her. It was well into the night now, so Sheik expected no visitors. For the first time in forever she let the guise drop. Lucky for her, the bandages were tight. Mio's actual body was smaller than Sheik's. She'd have to tighten the bandages in a bit though, if they became much looser.
Two weeks. In two weeks Link was set to die. She didn't know what upset her more: The fact that he was going to die, or the fact that his death upset her. Only today did he admit to being her friend. Sheik wasn't an act. She only lied about three things: Her name, her gender and her pet. It had been run over by a car, but a cart was close enough, right?
There was nothing she could do about it, she realized. Except help him fulfill his last request. To help him kill Shade and stop him from killing anyone else. She had to admit, the Hero had come a long way. He could actually put up a fight now. He even managed the temple with minimal help.
What would she do after he was gone? Well, there was always home… And there it was. That nagging feeling to stay. To stay and protect Hyrule. It had been there when she had returned home before.
It didn't take long either, for Hiver to come barging in, ranting about her 'abandoning' Link. That's when he told her the truth. That she wasn't half elven, like he had her believe for years, but half Hylian. Which in her opinion still explained the ears. He had taught her the guise of Sheik and three spells. Nayru's Love, Farore's Wind and Din's Fire. Though the fire one was a tad bit difficult. He had taught her the basics of Hyrule, enough to get her by. Then back to Hyrule she went, attempt number two.
Hyrule wasn't so bad really. Until now that was. She shouldn't have gotten attached. She was an assassin, she knew better than to care. But the thought of Link's death left a bitter taste in her mouth. She'd do all she could for him, and help bring down that silver haired prick.