-Zelda-

I got off the plane and made my way to get my suitcase. The airport in Termina was smaller than the one back in Hyrule so I wasn't too worried about time, although I just wanted to get out. I would have to take a bus to even get to my town, and from there I'd just walk to my house. What ever happened to my vehicle I'll never know. I had one before I left. At least I thought. I couldn't truly remember though.

I stepped outside of the airport and was met with the awful stickiness of the air and dry look of the ground. The city was about two hours from my town, which became more and more deserted. I wondered why my parents even stayed there. But really, they didn't. They traveled everywhere and only ever came back for my grandparents. Now that they were gone, would there be any reason for me to ever return here?

Now that they're gone.

That's right. They're gone. There's no one waiting for me here. No reunion. No home-coming like I envisioned. I knew I'd eventually return to Termina, even if it was just temporary. Because no matter how terrible it is, no matter how many horrible memories there are of my home country, it was home. And there were just as many good memories as a child, too. But no matter what, it was home. That was something I couldn't just walk away from forever. No. I'd always have a tie to this land.

The bus stop was empty. I was glad. I wasn't willing to look at another human being. Of course they were in the airport, but no one questioned my numbness there. In fact, the airport was the most comforting place. No one cared where I came from, no one cared where I was headed.

When the bus arrived, I hauled my relatively small suitcase up with me and paid the driver. I found my seat on the near empty bus. The driver put the bus in drive and headed south. I leaned my head up against the window, watching as the barren city land slowly turned into barren waste land. The closer we got to home, the more I wanted to throw up. I recognized the fields, the lack of vegetation, everything. It must have been a bad year for the farmers here. There seemed to have been no rain for months.

I wondered where Link was. I wondered what happened when he woke up and I was gone. Would he look for me? I wasn't even sure what time it was back in Wellington. Would he be eating breakfast or dinner next? Who knew?

I hoped he knew it wasn't personal, my leaving. I hoped he knew that I loved him. I would have stayed with him if I could. But this was too much to be away from. I could only hide in Wellington for so long before I had to come back. Surely he would understand that, if he knew.

Finally the sign pops up and I realized we were close. I leaned up and hugged my messenger bag to my stomach.

The bus pulled to a stop at the only bench near the road in town.

I was really back.

The whole thing felt surreal.

I got up and walked to the front of the bus, the few people on the bus looking at me as if I were on the walkway to my death. And maybe I was.

The bus driver looked at me, eyeing me as if he were worried.

"You sure this is your stop, little lady?" He asked, his accent sounding familiar.

"Yes" I nodded. "Thank you."

"Good luck, ma'am." He replied. I got off the bus and turned around as it drove away, catching the glimpse of an old woman watching me out the window.

I turned on my heel, pulling my suitcase, and started to walk down the side walk to my grandparents house before coming to a harsh stop.

Wait. Why am I headed there? They're not even home to greet me. There's no one here.

I looked up, trying to think of where to go.

I guess I'll go home.

I walked along the gravel or dirt roads, thinking of all the times I had done this before. While the other kids were in school I would roam the outdoors until they got out. Then I'd hole up in my house and not come out until after they were all inside. And rarely did I come out even then.

I passed run down house after house. Much of the area still hadn't been cleaned up after the deadly tornado that ripped through years ago. There was no real purpose to picking up since it would all be destroyed again when the next summer storm rolled through. It made sense, really.

Before I could make myself go back to my house, I took a detour down another old road. One I hadn't walked down since I was nine years old.

I looked at the old sign that was broken and rotting.

City Cemetery.

I walked through the rows and rows of graves, finally stopping above two.

In loving memory

Zelena and Daphnes Nohansen

Mother, Father, and Friend

I stared at the tombstone, looking fairly new compared to the others around here. No flowers had been placed on them. The old ones were probably blown off in another Goddess forsaken storm.

Falling to my knees, I ran my fingers over the concrete slab that was the last of their existence. My precious parents.

I looked behind me, realizing my grandparents would probably be buried right around here too. I wondered where the service would even be at. Which reminded me, I had about a thousand things I needed to take care of. Death taxes, investments of theirs, their will, all of those things one gets to deal with after death.

I stood up and decided to pay a visit to Memorial Funeral Home. It's the only funeral home in town. They buried my parents, I figured they would burry my grandparents too.

The funeral home was only a little further down from the cemetery.

Picking up my suitcase, I headed down the road.

I opened up the door and stepped inside the dark building that was the funeral home. The smell was enough to make one pass out. It always smelled terrible.

"Hello, can I help you?" A woman asked.

"Umm, I'm here about my grandparents. I received a call from here about them. Do you know who I'd need to talk to?"

The woman's fake happy expression left and was replaced with one of more sincerity.

"You're the Nohansen girl, correct?"

"Yes," I answered.

"I'm Nabooru," she smiled kindly. "One moment please." She stepped through some back door and returned after a while with a man who I recognized from years ago, at my parents funerals.

"Miss Nohansen," he greeted, holding out his hand.

I didn't say anything but shook his hand.

"We are terribly sorry for your loss," he expressed. Used to, when I was younger, I wanted to spit on someone for saying that. They weren't really sorry but they didn't know what else to say to me so they just said the numb phrase.

But looking at this man now, older, sadder, more fatigue, I realized he probably had seen great loss in his line of work. How many times a day or a week did he have to say the phrase "I'm terribly sorry for your loss?" He had seen person after person come in here with loss. Maybe he really was sorry it happened, who knew?

"Thank you," I nearly whispered. I wasn't sure of what else to say, despite having tons of questions.

"Please, have seat with us for a moment," he gestured to a small area with a couch and two chairs, with a small table sitting in the middle of it. I assumed it was for the purpose of talking to people about what to do now after their loved ones are gone. I got to skip this step with my parents, because my grandparents were here to make the plans for me since I was the only one they left behind. But now it's just me.

I sit in the chair and he and the woman who greeted me sit in the one across from me. I read the name tag on his chest that said "Rauru."

"I hear you've been studying abroad," he commented.

"Yes," I nod. "In Hyrule."

"Ahh, such rich history in the place. I once lived in Hyrule. Many of my ancestors did."

"I like living there," I stated, monotonous. I tried to hold the tears back.

"I can imagine. I'm sorry you had to return home on such sad grounds." When his eyes met mine, I was taken aback. This man didn't know me at all, unless he remembered me from seven years ago. Mostly everyone in my town knew each other, because we were so small. But Rauru was hardly ever seen outside the doors of the funeral home. But he looked genuinely concerned for me, when he looked at me. He seemed truly sad. Or maybe at this point he was just good at faking it.

I only nodded in response, again not really having anything to say. But soon my curiousity couldn't be contained anymore and I needed answers.

"How did it happen? Their deaths, I mean?" I finally asked.

Nabooru and Rauro looked at each other, determining how to tell me, I imagined.

"Your grandmother had been sick, according to your neighbor," Nabooru started. I held my breath as I waited for the rest of the story. I already knew where it was going. Phase one. The news. The arrow into my side, not enough to kill me but enough to wound me.

"We aren't certain of any details but apparently it happened very quickly."

Phase two, the analysis of the wound. The knowledge that there would be no saving this one.

"Soon she passed, and your grandfather followed shortly."

Phase three. The death blow.

"I see," I answered, only by the grace of the Hylia keeping my composure. I had to stay together just long enough to find out what happened. Then I could fall apart.

"Who found them?" I asked.

"Your neighbor. He noticed there hadn't been a lot of activity. He knew your grandmother had been sick so he went over to check on them. That was when we got the call."

"And the service?"

"That was why we needed you here. You're the last member of the Nohansen family, therefore it is within your decision on what to do about a service. I don't want to have to put this responsibility on you, Zelda. That is why if you choose not to, it will be alright."

"I want to see them," I state. Rauru and Nabooru glance at each other in uncertainty.

"I need to see them." I state again with more definition in my voice. But Rauru immediately cut in.

"Zelda, I don't know that right now-,"

"Let her see them," Nabooru interrupted. "It's her family, she has the right to see them."

"I just don't know if that is the best thing for her right now considering she has so much on her plate, she's still a child."

"But she's their child."

Rauru stopped studied me. My firm gaze never wavered.

"Alright."

We got up and let Rauru lead the way. I decided to hang back and walk alongside Nabooru because for some reason I felt that she was truly on my side. As we walked through hallways and through various rooms, I felt Nabooru's hand lightly on my shoulder, as if protecting me from whatever may be around.

When we reached the end of our journey through the labyrinth of doors and hallways, Rauru told me to wait where I was. He questioningly looked at Nabooru to see if she would follow but she declined.

"I'm with her," she answered.

Rauru disappeared and then soon emerged from a door.

"Right this way."

I felt my stomach tighten and my heart pound. But I had to do this. I had to see them for myself.

I entered a room that was cold and relatively dark. I glanced around to be more aware of my surroundings. But then I caught it.

In the center of the room, two tables on wheels stood about waist high, covered in elegant sheets. I walked over to them and gazed upon the bodies of my grandparents. One would have thought that I couldn't handle it. That I would sink into my catatonic state and go mad with grief and fear. But instead I didn't feel that. Really, I felt nothing. They looked asleep. Peaceful, sad, and asleep.

I stared down, eyes not wavering. I didn't even know Nabooru had followed me in.

"Would you like to be alone for a moment?" She asked.

"Yes, please. If that's alright," I answered calmly.

"I'll be right outside," she answered. Must be a slow death season.

I heard the door shut behind me and I knew I was truly alone with them. I also knew they couldn't hear me at all, but I spoke anyway. Just because I felt like it. It was the first time I'd spoken in real words since I left Hyrule.

"I know I didn't call you as much as I said I would."

I expected my grandmother to look up and scold me for it. But obviously she didn't.

"I meant to, honestly. Things just got so busy there. It was really the first time I'd ever really been busy. You would have been proud of me. I made friends. Well, the ones I told you about. Agitha, Komali, Saria, Malon...and Link. He was probably my best friend in Wellington." I paused, tears finally coming.

"You know, I never really got to talk to you all about that. I think maybe I really liked Link. I haven't ever liked a guy before. I wish you all could have met him. But he's back in Wellington. Maybe it's good that you escaped this time of my life though, before we had to get into the world of dating," I slightly laughed, thinking about all the things that my grandfather would have said about it.

"You would really like Link though. He's really nice. His grandmother raised him, too. We found out that we were even taught the same lullaby when we were little, the song about the storms, you know? And it was even raining at the time so it was cool. I bet you all would have been friends."

"And then later, we could all show you around Wellington and you could try some of Agitha's famous cookies. Her soup was never as good as yours though, Grandmother. You'd like her a lot though, too."

The tears were beginning to spill more heavily.

"But I'm sure Hylia will let you see from up there. She'll let you see where I end up going and what I end up doing. I don't even know what I want to do. I never got to ask you both. When I discovered the hundreds of other fields of work at Blair Cavington, it made me nervous because I can't pick just one thing to study. But I'll figure it out eventually."

I reached down and touched both of their cold hands.

"I'll miss you both so much."

A tear slid down my cheek and landed on my grandmother's face. But I didn't wipe it off. I wanted it to seep into her skin. I wanted a part of me to forever be buried with her. Because part of my soul forever would be, too.

"I'll never find better guardians than you two. I'll never be able to express how much joy you brought me in a joyless world. I'll never be able to tell you the impact you both had in my life. Or how much I thank you for saving me on multiple occasions. When I had no one else to turn to, I had the both of you. When there was no one left to love me, you two did. There might not be anyone left now, but I don't want you to worry. I'll be fine on my own at this point. You both made me strong. You made me ready to get back into the world even when I'm on my own. I'm only sad I didn't get to spend the last year here with you. I wish I could relive my precious days with you over and over. I'm sorry if I let my parents' deaths taint my time with you. I never meant to. I always loved you and knew you loved me. I loved every moment I spent with you both. I hope you know that. Please know that..."

I couldn't finish any sentences anymore because I was crying to hard. When I would cry this hard as a child, mourning the death of my parents, my grandmother would always wipe my cheeks and say, "Fear not, my dear. Strength doesn't leave with your tears, you can cry all you want. I'll be right here to dry them off. Don't worry."

I tried to imagine her saying that now, but it didn't really work. Instead, I felt emptier and more alone than before.

"I have to go, now," I ended, squeezing their hands.

"I'll see you all again soon. I love you," I sobbed. "I love you."

When I exited the room, I saw the back of Nabooru. When I turned around, I saw that she had been crying. Was it possible that she could hear me?

"Thank you," I said calmly as I wiped my sleeve across my cheek.

"You're welcome," she nodded, quickly holding back any sign of emotion.

Days passed. I decided not to have any sort of a major funeral. Just a simple ceremony.

I stood outside beside the two caskets. They sky was covered in an overcast sky, something like Hyrule's sky would have. A few of my grandparents' friends came. It was the same ole same ole. People telling me they were here for me. People offering to take care of me, to be my grandparents. But they wouldn't be. No one would be. And while I truly believed that these people meant it, I didn't want their help. I hadn't seen them in over a year. Some of them had no idea where I'd gone. They didn't know what I left behind. They didn't know me anymore. I didn't know me anymore. No one knew me anymore.

I watched the caskets be lowered into the ground. The few people that came had already left. I stood alone with the sextons. They tipped their hats to me. After they were done, I stood alone, staring at the ground.

A small drizzle began but I didn't move.

Hours passed and I finally made my way back to my house. There was no one there but I'd been staying in it anyway. No one would question me about the death tax or how to pay for the house anymore or things like that for a while. I intended to fix them upon getting here but something stopped me. For some reason I couldn't bring myself to discuss it all just yet.

A few more days passed and I stayed inside. I had, for some reason, gone mute. I hadn't talked since the day of my grandparents funerals. I ate only whatever canned food was still in the house, not that I had much of an appetite. My messenger bag still contained cornflakes all the way from Hyrule. I couldn't eat them though. They were too special.

To my dismay, I quickly reverted back to my old self. My child self that hid in the dark in turmoil. I drew the shades, I never turned the lights on, I stayed bundled up with my hood over my face, scarcely even moving from the chair in my old room. Day in and day out, I stayed put. I slept most of the day, my only escape from the harsh reality. Yet, everyday I still felt tired.

A few times a week I'd hear a knock on the door. Occasionally I'd see the shadow of someone standing outside. But I never answered the door. It didn't matter. I didn't want the food. I didn't want the condolences.

I wasn't sure how long it had been since I arrived back home but I didn't really care. I wasn't sure when I'd emerge from home. I wasn't sure about anything but I had no energy to think about any of it. I constantly felt drained.

One day, I heard a knock on the door. Of course I didn't answer it. But instead of waiting at the door for me, I saw the shadow of a person leave something at the door and then walk away. I waited until they were gone for sure and then I crept to the door. I looked out the window to see a small envelope stuck in the threshold of the door. Quickly snatching it up before anyone across the street saw me, I pulled the envelope inside and sat in the floor against the door to read it. I respect people who leave notes.

I immediately recognized the handwriting, but I couldn't make out who it was from.

Zelda,

I understand you aren't willing to communicate with anyone right now. And rightfully so. But whenever you are ready, I will be at my house waiting for you. I have some information I think you are privy to regarding the death of your grandparents and the events that must now follow. I'll be waiting for you.

-Henya

Henya. I'd forgotten about her. She was the librarian of the smallest library in the world here. I spent hours upon hours in the library when my grandparents would tell me to get up and get my head out of books. I usually just ended up back inside of a book, just in a different setting. Henya always liked me because I read every book in the library. It was a goal I set not long after my mom and dad died. She was the closest thing to a friend I had in town.

Interesting.

I got up and decided to make my canned meal for the day.

I whittled my fork through my peas and wondered about Link. Where was he now? Would he be in his dorm or with Agitha? I wondered what her special for lunch was today. I wondered how Komali did in his last race. I wondered if they had finally reverted back to the time period pre-Zelda arrival.

I got up and looked out the window. The sun was out. Gross. But Henya wanted me to go to her house and I thought it rude if I just ignored her invitation. She was the only person left that I truly didn't want to offend.

I put on my shoes and braced the outdoors. The minute I stepped outside I felt like the entire world was watching me. I felt like the neighbors had been waiting in their windows, watching for the day I finally emerged.

But no one came. Nothing happened. Which I was grateful for.

Walking down the street toward Henya's, I took in the air. It was sticky, as usual. I was winded before I even got to the end of the street, surprisingly. I used to run around Wellington at full speed, but now I was tired already. Oh well.

Henya's house wasn't far from the library which was in the center of town, the only paved road in the whole place besides the highway leading here.

Yet, I didn't end up there. My feet carried me elsewhere. They lead me down a gravel road that went on for about two miles. They kept walking. Because something was calling me elsewhere.

When I reached the end of the gravel road that had at some point turned into dirt and then some point turned into grass, I stopped dead in my tracks.

I hadn't stepped foot on this terrain in over five years.

My home. My original home. Not my town, not my grandparents home. My home. My parents' home.

Or what was left of it.

The white siding and wood laid in a giant heap, scattered all about the field. The only thing left was the foundation of the house and all the debris that surrounded it. Broken glass and bits and pieces of what was once my house sat, untouched since the fatal day.

I approached it with caution, for some reason. It were as if I thought something would come out at me as I approached it. Or something would come from inside of me. If I was able to relive the horrible scene all the way in Hyrule who knew what I could relive here.

The layout of the house was still the same. And the cellar was still there. But they never made it to the cellar. They never made it there because of me.

I walked around what was once the living room. The stairs were still in tact but only half way up. There used to be more things lying about but I supposed the other storms over the years had carried them off. And now they lie who knows where.

Now I lie who knows where.

I had knelt down in what was once my living room. In the exact place I laid on that day. In the exact same position. In the exact same manner. With the exact same intent.

I wish that storm would have carried me too. I wish it would have carried me the day it ripped through here and taken me far far away. I wish it had taken me instead of my parents. I wish I wouldn't have been outside so they wouldn't have had to come find me. I wish I would have been smarter. I wish I would have died with them. I wish they never had me, so that they wouldn't be dead. I wish I hadn't woken up to see their bodies. I wish the storm had taken my eyesight too. I wish they hadn't died protecting me.

I wish I went ahead and died too. I wish I had died a long time ago.

It's calling me.

Storms were coming. And now they are upon me. But they're calling me. They want me to go with them. It was me the storm tried to take in the beginning but my parents saved me. It was me the storm wanted after they died but my grandparents protected me. And it's me the storm wants now. It's me the storm wants to carry, far far away. And I'll let it. I want it to take me. I want it to finally take me. Take me to them. Take me to wherever it took my parents. Wherever my grandparents now are. That's all I've ever wanted. So take me too. Take me with you. I'm still searching for home. They're home. Take me home.

Dying isn't as scary as people make it sound. I'm not scared. I'm scared without them. They're not here because of me. It was my fault. I deserved to be lost in the storm. So take me. I want to be with them. I'm scared to go on alone. But I won't be. Let me join them. Take me. Take me. Take me.

I can hear them calling.

"Zelda!"

They're calling me.

"Zelda!"

Let me go to them.

"ZELDA!"

And soon, they were upon me.

A/N: I meant to get this out way earlier tonight but time got away from me! Anywho I know there are some mistakes in here, I found them but was unfortunately unable to get them fixed due to technical difficulties so...I had to upload as is. But I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Please feel free, as always, to leave me any reviews or questions! Thank you guys so much for putting up with all my mishaps.

P.S. I know this town sounds crazy unreal and sad...but trust me, places like this exist. I know because I lived in one. Thankfully I'm in a town that is at least big enough to have a Walmart, now. But around here, everything is dirt and the counties are too poor to afford paved roads. So if you don't believe places like this still exist...trust me, they do! That's where I got the inspiration. So anywho, hope you enjoy and as always, thank you :)