Alright, here's the new chapter! Sorry it's taken so long. But I finally finished it and I'm happy with the result! I think you will be, too. ;) And I promise the next update won't take as long!
Zeph the Mage: lol Thanks so much! And thanks for reviewing!
Kiba Wolf: Link is glad you think his jokes are funny. Lol thanks for the review!
Accelerate: Mr. Town Drunk/Pirate maybe is a good label for Maxi, haha! Thanks for your review!
Legend of Zelda 4 Life: Haha, a rapist ghost! These days, you never know. 8D Thanks for reviewing!
La Principessa: Yum, thanks! And thank you for the review!
And thanks to kk44, Andor1, oemgarulesall, GreenTriforceLuvr, KakaNarufangirl111, and TwilightQueenMidna for your reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda
Rated T for violence, torture, and sensuality
"It is astonishing how little one feels alone when one loves." – John Bulwer
CH. 21
Once they arrived back at the castle, the sun starting to set, Ricky left to his work, thanking them again for letting him come. Link and Zelda went in silence to the castle and began following the route to their rooms. A few people scurried by, windows letting in orange light.
Zelda tucked her hair behind one ear, chewing her lip. She felt tense inside, her face hot. She glanced at Link to see him looking at the far wall, his face a mix of anger, hurt, and confusion, his bottom lip sticking out nearly in a pout. She hated to see the hurt in his dark blue eyes. The memory of Ricky's hand overlapping her own, of his face close enough to feel his breath, was still vivid in her mind. She felt a surge of guilt. A surge of guilt for allowing anything, whether in her control or not, to hurt Link.
Once they arrived in the long hall their rooms were in, Zelda stopped, softly taking hold of Link's arm to stop him, too. The hall way empty, silent, and she found her voice seemed alarmingly loud when she said his name.
He turned to face her, a guarded expression coming up to try and hide his emotions. "What?"
She let go of his arm, glancing down uncomfortably. "About Ricky . . . I'm sorry. I don't know why he did what he did, and I shouldn't have let him. But I was so shocked, I couldn't react. I know you're mad-"
"Zelda." His voice was soft as he put a finger under her chin and lifted her face up. His eyes were sincere. "I'm not mad at you. I could never be mad at you. I'm sorry, too. I should have told him that we . . . I was shocked, too."
She smiled. "I love you, Link."
"I love you."
The sound of quick footsteps caused them to turn, Impa walking up. "I'm sorry, Zelda, but your father wants to talk with you about preparations for the private ball."
Zelda moaned. "This is a long talk session, isn't it? One where he'll remind me of my duties as a princess."
Impa's mouth twisted into a smile. "You know he feels like he must do that every so often."
"I guess." She turned to the hero. "This may take awhile. Go amuse yourself."
He grinned. "I will. Have fun."
"Sure, right."
Link headed onto the battlements, the wind much cooler now and the sky a thick orange. He could hear the noises of guards and other castle residents in the courtyard below. He saw Touchstone slumped on the battlements, looking over the side. Where the sun shone on the edges of his armor was a blinding orange line.
"Hi," Link said, walking up.
Touchstone glanced down at him and nodded. Then he looked back at the activity below.
"So . . ." Link paused, "what are you doing? Aren't you usually yelling at your army right now?"
"Yes, but they relayed information in from Kakariko Village. Apparently some villagers think they saw a poe in the woods." He sighed in exasperations. "My men asked me to check it out to prove they're point."
"Are you going to?"
"I don't know."
Link stood up straight, smiling. "How about I go check it out? I'll tell you if I find anything."
"Sounds good." He gave a rouge smirk. "Sometimes, Link, you aren't too bad."
"Thanks. I'll see you around."
Link grabbed his sword and strapped it to his back, just in case, before leaving the castle. He was glad that Kakariko was within walking distance; he didn't want to go into the stables. He also kept a lookout for Malon and was glad that she wasn't around. When he at last reached the woods, the sun was halfway below the horizon, and the stillness of the near-twilight was barely perceptible. The earthy scent of the woods was strong, the thick trees had roots crawling over the soil and ferns clogged together in groups. The countless branches far above Link's head spider webbed across each other in a labyrinth that blocked out direct light. The scene instantly put Link on edge as he walked slowly through the woods, Navi close by.
"I don't like this," the fairy whispered, her wings trembling. "It's kind of spooky."
"Navi, relax, it's not even night," Link stated, hoping also to put himself at ease.
The quiet was thick and heavy, a fog settling around the increasingly dark woods. Link thought his breath sounded loud, and every crunch of a twig or rustle of a fern rang in his pointed ears.
"It's not here, let's go back," Navi said.
Link rolled his blue eyes and was about to respond when they heard a light thud ahead. They both stopped, Navi hovering closer to the Hylian.
Link drew his sword, holding it up as the light darkened further. "Okay, poe, where are you?"
There was a rustle a few feet away and he turned to it. Adrenaline pumping, he shot forward, somersaulted through the brush, and came up on his knees with his sword pointing forward.
And came face to face with a wolf.
Link slowly lowered his sword, eyes widening. The wolf was enormous, far bigger than any he'd ever seen. If he was standing, the wolf's head would be even with his chest. It was a deep charcoal gray, nearly black, with thick fur and shining eyes.
The wolf growled, crouching low.
Link dropped his sword, holding up his hands. "Easy, I won't hurt you."
The wolf stopped growling and sat back, cocking its head to the side.
Link smiled. "Good. Good puppy."
With a deep, raspy snarl the wolf said, "I'm not a puppy, human."
"Eek!" Navi screamed, darting behind the Hylian.
Link fell back on his bottom, mouth hanging open as shock filled his face.
The wolf laughed. "That look is worth it every time. I'll give you credit for not screaming, though. You must be braver than most."
Link was frozen, rooted to the cool earth under him.
"Although," the wolf continued, "that was a high-pitched scream coming from you firefly."
Navi darted in front of the animal indignantly. "I am not a bug! I'm a fairy."
With a quick snap the wolf caught her in his mouth, grinning darkly.
"Hey!" Link shouted, coming alive again. "Spit her out!"
Rolling his eyes, the wolf opened his mouth and Navi shot from it, hiding behind Link again.
"How can you talk?" Link asked, leaning forward.
"My whole pack can talk," the wolf replied. "We usually stay clear of humans, so you wouldn't know."
Link raised an eyebrow. "Your pack?"
The wolf seemed to sit up straighter, raising his head proudly. "I am the King of Wolves."
Link's face dissolved into fascination. "Wow. How come we've never seen you? Why don't you come into Hyrule?"
The wolf gave a half-snarl, his shadow black under him. "We have no reason to be a part of Hyrule's affairs. Besides, there are certain . . . viewpoints . . . of ours that would conflict." Changing the subject, he said, "I assume you're looking for the poes?"
"Poes? There's more than one?"
He nodded. "There's been a few in these woods. We've killed some. I don't know where they're from but I don't like it."
"They're at Hyrule Castle, too." Link held out his hand. "I'm Link, by the way."
The wolf, seeming amused, stuck his paw in it and they shook.
Dropping his hand, Link frowned. "Um . . . I didn't get your name."
The wolf stretched, flicking his tails. "I didn't give it. My name's not important."
The Hylian crossed his arms. "That's not fair. I gave you my name."
"He did," Navi agreed.
The wolf sat straight, looking away proudly. "No."
"C'mon."
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Please, please, please?"
With a snarl the wolf said quickly, "Fine, it's Roofy."
There was a beat of silence, then Link and Navi burst out laughing.
"Roofy?!" Link gasped. "What a fearless King of the Wolves name!"
Roofy watched with narrowed eyes as the two laughed, the fairy rolling around on the dirt and Link with his eyes closed and head back.
"Alright!" Roofy roared. "Don't forget I can bite you if I want!"
Link looked at him, eyes glassy. "Oh, of course, Roofy."
"Now beat it," the wolf snapped. "I have to get back."
Navi flew up. "We do, too, Link. Zelda will be worried."
The Hylian stood, sheathing his sword and dusting off his pants. "Good point. Well, it was very nice to meet you, Roofy, I hope to see you again."
"I can't say the same," Roofy grumbled. "But be careful leaving. The woods are dangerous."
With a salute Link took off.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Deciding it would be faster to take the back way to the castle, Link sprinted across the beach, flinging up sand as the white waves crashed beside him. He could smell the salt of the sea, the sky purple and blue with the fading sun. The castle towered above the land, almost completely in shadow.
Link had just started across the beach when he looked out to the ocean and abruptly stopped. Coming into the shore, large and proud, was the Maxi.
A smile broke across Link's face. "Maxi's here! Navi, go get Zelda!"
The fairy darted off.
"Maxi!" Link shouted.
The tan pirate captain was hanging over the edge of his ship, his blonde hair and red scarf blowing in the wind. His brown eyes were sparkling with the energy he always possessed, and the moonlight and dying sunlight accented his muscles. "Hey there, Link!"
Link did a quick calaculation in his head. He and Zelda were fourteen, so that made Maxi . . . twenty?! That crazy pirate was getting old! Though, one would have never guessed it judging by the youthful energy painted all over Maxi's dark face.
Zelda suddenly appeared, having teleported. The moonlight shone off her blonde hair as it rippled in the breeze. She and Link exchanged smiles, then ran toward the ocean.
"Zelda!" Maxi waved.
"Maxi!" she called back.
The Hylians splashed into the water, cold around their knees. It was a mix of purple and blue, reflecting the sky. The ship evidently taking too long, Maxi dove gracefully off and splashed into the ocean.
The captain emerged dramatically, shaking the water his hair, his scarf clinging to his bare chest and nunchuks clinking together against his hips. He pulled them both into a wet hug.
"My favorite Hylians!" Maxi grinned. "What have you been up to?" He held them at arms length, both smiling with water running down their faces. "Hey, Link, you look taller! It's about time."
Link playfully shoved him. "Excuse me, you're no longer a teenager."
The pirate passed a hand over his brow. "Alas, it is sad indeed. But Maxi still has glory days ahead of him." He looked to Zelda. "Your Highness, you're more beautiful every day."
She smiled. "It's great to see you!"
"So," Maxi crossed his strong arms, grinning with a spark in his brown eyes. "What's been going on?"
"It's actually a good thing you showed up now," Link told him. "We've uncovered a bit of trouble."
I updated my profile and listed a few other places on the web where you can find me, if you're interested. I don't have anything Zelda up yet on YouTube or DeviantArt, but I'll tell whenever I do!
Please review!