Chapter Twenty-One: Bonding Time

Groaning, I got up from bed, the covers falling just below my waist. I yawned, looking around the room. "Huh? Where is everyone?" No one was in sight. Did I sleep in that late?

I suppose so. Getting up, I made my bed and changed my clothes. Walking downstairs, I looked around searching for any signs of life. Again, no one was around. The house was far too quiet for my preference. "Maybe they're outside?" I had to go and check.

Poking my head out the window, I looked around and saw no signs of anyone. They were all gone. "What the heck?"

"Psst," someone hissed in my ear. I screamed and jumped back, raising my hands in defense.

"Damn it!" Sheik hollered, covering his ears with his hands. "That's way too loud!"

Huffing, I pointed a finger accusingly in his direction. "Sheik, what in Nayru's name was that for?!" I crossed my arms over my chest, glowering. However, it was then that I noticed something intriguing… Sheik had untied his hair. "Oh!" My eyebrows shot up.

He eyed me suspiciously, "Zelda, what—Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"

"So silky," I mumbled, running my fingers through a section of his hair. He quickly pushed me away. I pouted. "Sheik, you're so mean!"

"Clearly, you're not a morning person," he grumbled, looking away.

I rolled my eyes. "Where is everyone else?"

Sheik blinked and looked away. "I'm not sure," he confessed with a bellowed laugh.

"Uh!" I hung my head in shame. "You're hopeless."

He ignored my comment. "Zelda, go upstairs and get changed into your bathing suit because we're going out."

"Why?" I rebutted.

Grinning, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I've barely spent any time with you this summer. I want to get to know you better."

"Sure." I shrugged, pushing his arm off mine. "I'll be back in a minute."

Half an hour later, we arrived at the beach in Nabooru's car. I decided to ignore my undying curiosity of where Sheik managed to get the keys—Nabooru rarely let anyone else drive her car—and climbed out. Sheik followed behind carrying our stuff.

"Zelda, where would you like to set down our stuff?" He asked, not noticing a small group of teenagers eyeing him approvingly.

I huffed and shrugged, "Wherever."

He looked confused and asked, concerned, "Zelda, is something wrong?"

"Yes." I mumbled, noticing more girls staring. A couple even glowered my way.

Big whoop, I thought, trying to ignore the looks of jealously and hate thrust upon me.

"How about we go down a bit more?" He suggested, already moving forward. I stumbled past him and stopped a good distance away from the creepy and scary feminine onlookers.

"Here!" I decided and plunked my rear down in the sand. He watched, confused, but set our stuff down anyway. I thanked him and started to unpack the towels, food and water. He helped and soon we were making our way towards the water… with Sheik holding me over his shoulder like a sac of potatoes.

"Sheik!"

So far, we had gone swimming, play Frisbee and talk. Right now, it was around lunch, and we were both starving. Instead of eating the bit of food we packed from the cottage, we decided to buy something from the nearest vendor. Sheik and I both chipped in equal amounts, and I went up to the vendor to order our food. Luckily, there wasn't too long of a line-up, and soon enough, I was ordering our food.

"Two hotdogs, two orders of fries and one ginger ale, please," I informed the cashier and paid for the food. While he went off to prepare the food, I stuffed the change in my pocket and stared towards the ceiling.

"Hello, gorgeous."

"Huh?" I turned around and saw three boys standing behind me, who looked to be my age. All of them were wearing swim trunks with white shirts. Their hair was somewhat wet, which told me they had recently gone swimming.

"Um, are you talking to me?" I pointed to myself, dumbfounded. Why were they calling me gorgeous? It made no sense.

"Didn't you hear me, beautiful?" The assumed leader bent down to reach my height. He had emerald eyes and a messy top of brown hair. I crinkled my nose.

"I-I heard you." I stuttered, looking away.

"Mmm... That's good." He spoke huskily. I gulped and felt myself begin to tremble.

"Sebastian, don't scare her off," another one chastised. He had shoulder length blonde hair and light blue eyes. His skin was tanned, similar to that of Sheik's. "My name is Neil." He said and offered a hand. Politely I shook it, scanning the crowds for any signs of Sheik.

"Nice to meet you," I mumbled.

"And I'm Ryan." The final one spoke, smiling largely. He had bright, flaming red hair and bright blue eyes. "What's your name?" His face was a bit too close for comfort. Actually, I didn't feel comfortable at all having these three people around. More than anything, I wanted Sheik to return and keep me company.

"Zelda," I said and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Zelda?" repeated Sebastian. "You mean, like the Princess of Legends?" I nodded. "Well, that suits you. After all, you do look like one."

My cheeks turned bright red. I stammered and thanked him, not used to such complements. Then, when I thought it couldn't get any worse, Neil grabbed my hand. Briskly, I pulled my hand out of his reach and moved away.

"Oh, burn!" Both boys laughed, exchanging high fives. Neil looked annoyed and had steam emerging from his ears.

"What's the heck is going on here?!"

"Sheik!" I cried in relief and rushed towards him. "Thank goodness you're here," I whispered and hugged him tightly.

"Zelda, you get the food. I'll deal with these idiots." Sheik told me.

I nodded and walked back to the vendor, who was watching the scene with obvious interest. I took the food from his hands, and moved to the side allowing the next person to place their order.

"What do you think you're doing?" Sheik snarled, poking Sebastian right in the chest.

"N-nothing!" he squawked, scared. Sweat was pouring down from his forehead, and neither Neil nor Ryan looked any better.

"Good!" Sheik snarled, "Because it better be nothing!"

Sebastian suddenly developed a bit of confidence and sneered, "And what'll you do about it, long haired freak!"

Sheik's right eye twitched, "You idiot! If you want to know what I'll do, I'll tell you!" He reached out and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. He was lifting the boy in the air!

Sebastian actually looked scared. "Um…"

"Now hear this sissy boy, I'm going to pound you so hard you'll experience a whole new kind of pain! You'll be begging and screaming for me to stop since this will be brutal!"

I grimaced. It's just like Damian and Jill, I realized, feeling my heart pound inside my chest.

Exhaling loudly I yelled, "Stop!"

Sheik and Sebastian glanced towards me and the others took that as the opportunity to run.

"Hmm, some friends," Sheik laughed. "When you're in trouble, they run away."

Sebastian opened his mouth ready to respond but I interrupted. "No more, Sheik!"

Sheik eyed me for a minute before sighing and releasing his grip on the boy. Sebastian fell to the ground with a plunk, and took off a second later. I stared to his retreating figure and suppressed a snort. "Let's get to eating," I said with a laugh. "I don't know about you, but I am hungry!"

"For sure!" he roared, his smile returning. And with that, we returned to our spot and started to eat. We talked and chatted happily until we finished. Afterwards, Sheik sighed in contentment and sprawled backwards, his arms and legs stretched out. "That was good," he muttered, rubbing his full stomach.

I giggled, "Sheik, thank you." I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Not just for the food, but for helping me deal with those boys."

He sat up. "Zel, you should know by now that I'd help you." He continued. "You're my friend—no, you're like my sister, and I'd do anything to help you. I care for you, and don't want losers like those guys back there messing with you."

"Sheik," I murmured, a blush staining my cheeks.

Sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck. "You've made Link so happy. Because of that, you're one of the gang. We've got your back now, and won't let you go anywhere."

"Sheik…" My eyes watered over, and I scooted closer towards him. "That's so sweet."

"Hey!" He raised his arms in protest, backing away. "No water works, please? I don't deal well with tears."

I sniffled and started to laugh. "You're so weird."

"Oh, and you're not?" He teased. Immediately, my laughter seized and my eyes narrowed. Quickly, I reached for a wrapper, crumpled it in my hand and tossed it at him. It hit him square in the face.

"There," I retorted, smiling.

"Oh, Zel, you're about to get it now!" He shot up like a rocket and looked ready to pounce. Eyes wide, I darted up and started to dash away. "Get back here!" He cried, chasing after me.

"Never!" I giggled and started to run faster. "You'll have to catch me first."

"With pleasure!" He cried before jumping atop me.

A little while later after Sheik caught me, we returned to our spot and relaxed. Time seemed to standstill as we continued to have a wonderful day. Soon enough, I found myself watching as other people played in the water and frolicked along the sandy beach. Sheik was lying next to me on his stomach, snoring.

People who passed, stared and eyed him. It was funny and I couldn't help but laugh. Still though, I didn't bother to wake him. He looked tired and a nap seemed like a good idea.

"Zelda, was it?" Startled, I looked up and locked eyes with a girl… it was Malon. My jaw dropped. "Can we talk?" She asked shyly.

Unsure of what to do, I just continued to stare.

"I know this is kind of awkward," she said. "But I really do want to talk with you."

"Um," I rubbed the back of my neck, "Sure." I slowly got up. "W-where… do you want to talk?"

"Somewhere private," she spoke.

"Right." I nodded dumbly and began to follow behind her. Cautiously, I looked behind me and saw that Sheik was still fast asleep. I rolled my eyes, "Silly Sheik."

Malon and I walked in silence along the watery shores, journeying to a far more secluded area. We passed by other people and the boardwalk and soon found ourselves near a quiet cove. There a cave not too far away and a semi-dilapidated outdoor fire pit.

"So Malon, what do you want to talk about?" I stared out towards the lake. It looked to be as still as glass even though it was already mid-afternoon.

"It's about Link," she spoke, moving closer. "I want to tell you about how sorry I am."

"Hmm?" I gazed towards her curiously, blinking. "Go on."

"Can we sit?"

I nodded and sat down on the sandy ground. We were now facing the direction of the water, gazing out towards the island that was sitting in the center of it. Barely, if I squinted, I could see a few people walking along that island's small sandy shore.

"See, what I did to him was bad." Bad? It was more than bad, Malon. It was awful. "I feel terrible about what I did to Link. He didn't deserve it." She frowned and leaned forward, sniffling. Was she crying?

"I loved being with Link. He was such a wonderful boyfriend. So sweet and caring, willing to do anything to help me… and then I had to go and ruin everything." She sighed and shut her eyes. I continued to stare, not choosing to say anything—she still had more to say.

"I don't know why I did that, but still… I now realize just how stupid of a mistake it was. I tried to apologize, but he never forgave me." More sniffles came and tears started to pour down from her face like a waterfall.

I cleared my throat. "Malon, about what happened—"

"You want to tell me that I made a mistake too, huh?" She whimpered.

"No, that's not the case." I said, standing. "Malon, please, let me explain myself."

"Okay." She hiccuped.

"Huh?" I was taken back by how quickly she agreed.

"Go on," she urged, shaking her head. "Say what you want to say. After all, that's what you want." She was staring down towards the ground, her face titled downwards, allowing her tears to drop down onto the sand. I could see a few spots of sand were darker than others meaning they had gotten wet.

By her tears, I thought, frowning.

"Malon, thank you... I don't want to criticize you or make you feel any worse than how you're feeling right now."

Her head shot up and we locked gazes. I smiled, staring towards her, and she gazed at me through her teary stained eyes, sniffling as she wiped away some fresh tears.

"While I won't say what you did was good, I won't say what you did was bad either."

"I-I don't understand," she stuttered. "What do you mean by that, Zelda?"

"I don't really know myself," I said, crouching down to reach her height. "I'm a little lost about what to say too, but I'm just going to try my hardest to say what I feel needs to be said." She hiccuped and sniffled some more. I continued. "Malon, we all make mistakes. That's what makes us Hylian."

"Even so, the mistakes we make end up ruining everything!" She cried. I could see her entire body was trembling. It was evident that she was struggling.

"Malon, while that might be true, the mistakes we make end up leading us down another path."

"Zelda?" I smiled and reached down to wipe away a tear.

"I believe that the three goddesses each have something special planned for us," I whispered. "You know each one created us with love and individuality. They also created various outcomes of our life, and know what will happen to us before we know it ourselves."

"What lies," she sneered. "Like those goddesses actually exist."

Laughing nervously, I tugged at my shirt's collar. "You may think that way, Malon, but I don't." I looked away from her and gazed towards the water. "Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinions about the goddesses. Some believe and some don't, that's what everyone so unique." I smiled. "So, if you don't believe in them, that's fine—"

"Zelda, um, what's the point of this?" She asked interrupting me.

I blushed and coughed. "I'll get to the point." She smiled meekly and nodded. I gulped. "Anyway to wrap this up, I'm sorry to know that you feel bad about what happened, but you must know that nothing can change the past. What happened has happened."

"I know," she grumbled under her breath.

I suppressed the urge to sigh. "There isn't much I can do, Malon. You've apologized to Link, and it's up to him to determine whether or not to forgive you." I shook my head. "I won't say anything to Link about this little conversation we've had. We'll keep it a secret between us."

She hiccuped. "That sounds good."

Meekly, I smiled. "I can give you a bit of advice if you want." She looked up, hopeful. I opened my mouth and said, "Malon, remember we're still young. Right now, we will make a lot of mistakes, but as we get older, we learn from them." I really hoped she was listening. "Malon, try not to dwell so much on what you did in the past. Rather, use it as a guide to prevent this from happening again. Learn from your previous mishaps."

"So that it won't happen again," she finished.

"Exactly," I clicked my tongue. "You've got it."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. I watched as she gazed out towards the water, her hair clinging to her wet face. "You know, Zelda… you're perfect for him."

"Hmm?" I was lost. "Malon, I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Its nothing," she spoke quietly, rising. "Forget about it."

"Oh?" I was surprised, but let the topic drop. "Sure then."

It was then quiet between us, neither one of us said a word, until, "Zelda?"

"Yes Malon?" I looked up.

She looked down and smiled. "Thank you."

Blushing, I fiddled with my palms. "You're welcome, Malon." I didn't know if Malon would take my advice or not, but it sure felt good to have talked to her today.