Link...

Link!

Link groaned from hearing a voice.

"Where...where am I?" Link asked himself as he was slowly waking up. The air as soon as he inhaled had a peculiar smell to it, it reminded him of a forest only the smell was a little more fresh compared to the lost woods.

Link wake up

Link squeezed his eyes as he fought to wake up, who was calling him? All he knew was that the was soft and kind, giving him a sense that everything would be okay, he didn't know why but it sounded familiar and part of him immediately trusted the voice without hesitation. Sadly it was hard to open his eyes for be felt too tired, almost as if something was luring him back to sleep.

Please wake up, otherwise it'll be too late to stop him

It was then his eyes shot open the moment he realised what the voice meant- Ganondorf!

Link as he opened his eyes felt air enter his lungs the moment he gasped for air, it should have left him wincing at how sharp he took the deep breath and yet it didn't to his confusion.

Looking round Link saw nothing but green, they were no longer in a dark forest but in a strange one that was filled with light caused by the sun. His attention immediately went to the soft grass that was soft to the touch surprising him at where they were, it was no mystery that this place was flowing with magic. Did this mean that the trials had started? How much time did he waste sleeping and where was-

"Zelda!" Link cried as he tried to nudge the sleeping Sheikah awake but she hardly moved to his dismay, was she hurt from the fall? Worry continued to fill him until he checked her breathing in order to make sure that she was alive.

"Still alive... thank the Goddesses" Link sighed in relief. He bit his lip as he looked round to realise that they were in a clearing but he still wondered as to where they were.

"No use wondering, we have to get moving otherwise who knows what would happen if we linger here" Link said before noticing that Navi was not with them.

"Navi? Navi where are you?" He called out, but she was no where to be seen. Fear and worry filled him of not knowing if she was okay. Was she hurt somewhere? How could he have been so foolish to not notice sooner? Not having her near him left Link feeling cold and lonely, something that brought bitter memories of being by himself as he grew up. Hardly anyone was his friend and no fairy had ever approached him or wanted to stay with him. Only Saria did and now she was gone like everyone else. It left him feeling more vulnerable and unsettled and he hated it. He didn't want to go back to that time, he didn't want to be alone but how when it was inevitable? What if be didn't succeed? Would he be hated and branded as a failure? He could almost hear the jabs from some Kokiri who were mocking him about being Fairy less, to make it worse it had almost been a daily occurrence and... the pity looks from the other Kokiri left him swallowing thick bile as tears filled the child's eyes. Even now Link felt tears threatening to run down his face as the images took over his mind to the point the young male began to feel like he was being suffocated even though he was in an open clearing.

"Fairy less boy!" Came a teasing remark.

"Where's your fairy?" one jeered.

"Oh wait! You don't have one!" Laughter filled his ears causing him to cringe and place his hands over his ears in order to drown out the voices but it was in vain as tears ran down his face.

"Stop..." he choked on a sob as he pressed his hands over his ears. "Stop it… please" Link pleaded feebly almost feeling as he was reliving the years all over again.

"You'll never get a fairy" a voice he recognised as Mido entered his ears, the spiteful looks the Kokiri had almost broke Link during those years and yet he felt no comfort, the Great Deku Tree couldn't help and no one else would listen to his pain. Not to mention Saria could only do so much without suffering the consequences adding more sadness to Link.

"Why?" Mido asked bluntly "because you don't deserve one, you never belonged here so why don't you do us all a favour and leave" Mido's venomous words stabbed Link deeply to the point that he couldn't push the words away anymore. No... they were right, he didn't belong there. He hardly felt like he belonged in Hyrule's town where other Hylians lived, so where did he belong?

"Why did you even stay here freak? No fairy ever wants to be with you" Mido's comments left Link stunned at how Mido could even say such a thing, the voices soon started to fill his ears even as he slammed his eyes shut in order to not break drown once again.

"You couldn't even save the Great Deku Tree!" One voice snapped.

"You were too slow to stop the monster from killing him! You made this happen" A second voice added venomously. Link shook his head as he continued to push out the thoughts. They were wrong, it was already too late. The Great Tree even told him himself that he was dying... but what if he had arrived sooner? Would the Great Tree have survived?

"And just like with our guardian, you're allowing Hyrule to die! You didn't stop the evil and instead of trying again you are cowering!" One screamed in fury.

"Why the Goddesses chose you as the bearer of courage is a joke! You're a fraud! So go back to cowering and pretending that this isn't happening!" A voice hissed angrily as the voices got louder.

"Just forget and cower like you always do" a voice muttered. Link's hands slackened and released his ears as the voices continued to attack him relentlessly.

"You failed everyone, so why bother continuing?" A monotone voice asked as he went still, his hands were by his sides while his eyes were void of emotions. Tears continued to fall while the faces became dark and shadow like before becoming translucent as they went closer towards him. They were right weren't they? He had failed everyone, so what was the point in trying to continue when it was a losing battle?

Maybe it was better to forget... to just stay here. No one would find want to look for him anyways.

Just as he closed his eyes his ears immediately caught the sound of bells that almost sounded like wind chimes. Link's eyes shot open and saw nothing but white surrounding him and the area, soon he caught the sound of wings beating in the air to his right, a flash of light filled the area before a small girl with shoulder length hair appeared before him. Her eyes were brown and contained a curious but friendly look as he gazed at them. She wore a dark blue dress that went up to her knees while she wore dark blue, purple and white stones on the sides of her head almost as if the item was crown like. However what caught his attention was not just her appearance but also her smile as she beamed brightly at him in a cute child like manner. The child appeared almost as if she was seven while her hands were behind her back as she smiled, her mouth opened and she spoke only... no sound left her lips confusing Link who wanted to speak but like her he had no voice. Not troubled at the fact he couldn't hear her she placed her hands on his cheeks while smiling warmly surprising him at how she was with him. Did she know him?

After tilting her head and released a mute giggle she removed her hands causing him to immediately feel cold and sad, only she grabbed his hands and placed then to her cheeks which appeared warm enough to prove she was alive.

"Who are you?" Link wanted to ask but as she opened her mouth to speak no sound left her lips causing him to become upset at not being able to know what she was saying. He wanted to know who she was, why she felt familiar but as he noticed his hands on her cheek he was shocked to see that they were that of a child. Why did his hands, why was he a child? This didn't make any sense and it was scaring him deeply, only she didn't seem to worry at his reaction. Instead she closed her eyes and smiled at him but was not upset but looked as if she was happy to see him.

"Merry, merry child of the sun

Princess of Destiny and her star

Side by side

Never apart

Just like her hero and her child

Destined to be together no matter where they are"

Link blinked in shock as the song he remembered Zelda singing entered his ears. As he looked at the child she giggled mutely again before gazing at him with soft eyes. Eyes that left him transfixed without him knowing why. Did he know her? He must know who she was otherwise why would she be here? Why would she treat him like this? After all wasn't he a coward and a fake to the people?

"Child of the star

Burning bright

Never giving up hope

Even as the darkness calls

Like it's hero it always smiles

It brings hope

Just like her hero and her child

They will never leave each other, just like a talon"

"Child?" Link pondered as she spoke but he could not read her lips leaving him more sad. "Her hero and her child... is this a prophecy or something?" He asked himself mentally. Blinking she took one hand off of his and placed her own index finger to her lips almost as if she was thinking of something.

"Child of light, child of death who can put what was broken back together... what things will you intercept today?" Link froze from what he heard, just then something started to click in his mind.

He didn't know why but he was sure that he had heard this before, but where was the question. He was sure that no one had said that to him, he was sure but something felt wrong when he denied knowing it. He wasn't sure but some part of him was responding to the statement.

"Link I have to ask you something" a troubled voice entered his mind before the area changed into a place he didn't recognise. The sky was dark but the area had some light allowing him to see but the person could not be seen to his dismay. Who was speaking to him? Why was this happening to him? Had he done something to upset someone?

"Link, are you my ancestor?" The voice forced out but he could tell the person was troubled and feared what he would say. Only Link as he heard this felt confusion and shock, but some part of him wanted to cry not from sadness but from knowing who she was. From what she meant to him. Seeing this little girl before him who had an expectant look on her face, he immediately felt his heart weep with happiness as he spoke at the same time as he pictured the unidentified person in his mind.

"Yes" came the choked up voices of him and a male who sounded like him but the voice sounded a bit older, and like him sounded overjoyed as he spoke.

Just then everything vanished before his eyes shocking him deeply.

"Little Alice fell down a hole, little Alice lost her way and could only see darkness no matter where she looked, despite being in the right hole it was the wrong hole. How will Little Alice find her way out one would wonder?" said a cryptic voice

"Little...Alice?" Link blinked as he soon heard deafening silence, was this... a riddle?

Just then the sound wings attracted his attention causing him to look quickly, he gazed at the white bird who was flying longingly before memories of his earlier life returned. Mido who had wanted to apologise for how he acted with Link only he didn't recognise Link who stood as a teenager, Saria who was happy to see him even before the incident and meeting him at the Chamber of Sages, pride filled the Kokiri as she knew Link was safe and was doing his part to help. Navi who wanted to help him even when the odds seemed against them, no matter what she had always stood by his side. Zelda who despite having the world on her shoulders smiled at him even after everything had happened between them, even after the falling out between her and her sister she had suffered in silence and endured his anger. Something he now felt guilty for since she was already feeling alone and had to endure something he should have not done, a thing he was familiar with and now wished he could take back. Then… there was Maemi who smiled at him in her child form, Maemi who was in her Sheikah form. Even then she always tried to help despite what others would say, she cared and wanted him safe even if it meant putting herself at risk of being caught. She believed in him- they all did and it left him more guilty at how he was acting. Why was he wallowing and allowing the darkness to haunt him when they need him? Despite the problems they were facing, they took the time to help him so now… it was his turn to return the favour.

"Little Alice fell in a hole... but it was the wrong hole. Even though it was the right one, what could have caused this one would wonder? But try as one might, how can one tell if they are stuck in a hole?" a male voice asked in a cryptic voice, this time Link was sure that he knew those words. He just couldn't understand how he did, but he was sure that he knew. But he couldn't stay here and wonder. He had to move.

"I know I may not be good enough to stop him… but I can't give up, they need me to help stop him and I can't let them down. He may be tough to defeat but he's not a God, he's not invincible so why should I allow him to get the best of me?" Link smiled as he stood up, his knees clicked in protest but he cared not as he felt determination fill him to the point that the white space slowly vanished revealing the familiar green leaves of the forest and grass. Soon screams of pain filled his hears causing him to wince and place his hands to cover his ears as shadows fled from the green light that surrounded him. Link once he was sure it was over opened his eyes to see no one around except Zelda who was sleeping on the floor, Link soon sighed as he looked at her with guilty emotions welling up. He had to make up for this somehow. In the end he had failed to stop the evil one, he had approached him unprepared and blind sided by his anger to care or listen to Zelda's words. But now, his mind was more clearer than before. He wasn't alone and he had the support of everyone he knew, those who would gladly take a hit for him and would always try to cheer him up when he was down. That in itself was something he never wanted to ever take for granted.

Kneeling down he picked Zelda up and allowed her to rest in his arms, once her head was resting on the crook of his neck did he start to walk. Navi yes wasn't here with them but there had to be reason, this was not just some coincidence. Maybe it was to do with the test, a test that he and Zelda had to do alone. Not only that but they had to most likely understand why they had to take these tests.

"Arabelle" Link blinked just as he took a step forward "my name is Arabelle" came a shy voice that entered his ears, only this time he recognised the voice even though it was older and it brought a sad smile to his lips.

"Maemi… sorry for making you worry" Link smiled before spotting a red bird fly above him. "I'll make it up to you both I promise" he vowed with a smile knowing that she was waiting for him and he would honour his word. He would stop Ganondorf once and for all but the question was, how to do it?

Zelda soon stirred as she heard the sound of crackling, stretching she opened her eyes to see that her head was resting on a soft fabric which she recognised as Link's cloak. Blinking she sat up and moved her long ponytail which was tied into a long plait so it would stay in place as she moved.

"Where… are we?" Zelda mumbled before looking around to see Link sitting on a log, his eyes were towards the fire he had made while watching it mutely.

"Link where are we?" Zelda asked as she stood up, after brushing dirt off her clothes she went to sit down on the log but kept her distance. Seconds later Link snapped out of his musing and turned to look at her before noticing her sitting away slightly causing him to sigh softly.

"S…sorry" Zelda blinked in surprise from hearing his meek tone, she watched Link he looked away looking shy and vulnerable as he spoke "I… I went too far and took my anger out on you, I even made you upset when you were already hurting. It was wrong and I shouldn't have done that" Link admitted softly adding more to her shock.

"So… can we be friends?" he asked weakly causing her to slowly relax and smile at his attempt of removing the distance between them.

"Yeah… we can" Zelda's smile grew as she sat closer once he gestured to sit closer, as they sat side by side they looked at the fire with mixed emotions.

"Navi's not here" Link commented taking her by surprise.

"Why? Do you know where she went?" Zelda asked, he shook his head.

"I can only assume it is because the trial is for us to take only, that we have to figure out the paths for ourselves without any interference" Link commented causing her to nod.

"It makes sense" Zelda agreed as she looked at the fire softly.

"Link…" Zelda paused as sadness and guilt filled her.

"Sorry for what I did, it was never my intention to use you. Nor did I want you to get involved in my family affair" she added weakly, Link smiled faintly as he remained looking at the fire.

"It's okay" he replied softly. "I guess I also got carried away with everything" he admitted before Zelda placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No... no you didn't" Zelda shook her head slowly "you were searching for us and were also worried about Maemi's well being since you were with her during your journey, I ruined your chance of speaking to her properly and I would take responsibility for that. It wasn't right" she admitted with a sad look.

"Why did you do it then? Why did you act out like that?" He asked looking completely baffled, Zelda watched some of the fire reflected in his eyes giving them a captivating effect. Mentally shaking that thought away she gave him her full attention, it was then that the reasons flooded back to her dismay causing her to clench her left hand since the irony was that she had done what she had feared. Zelda then looked away with a guilty look surprising Link who remained neutral in order to show that he was listening.

"Ever since she told me she could time travel, instead of accepting and being happy for her I had gained this fear of losing her" Zelda admitted softly startling him for hearing her being insecure about something like this "but in the end... I allowed my fear to send her away take over. It was wrong but I had this feeling in my gut that she would leave and never come back to me, it's stupid though. I should have been happy for her just like she is happy about my powers. I should have just said that she could always come back, she would have like Impa believed and yet... I felt like the space between us as time went on grow wider and wider. It scared me that I couldn't stop it, but what could I do?" Zelda asked softly as she looked up at the sky with a pensive look.

"You could talk to her, be honest about your insecurities" Link smiled causing her to look from the corner of his eye. "I know there were numerous times I did, although I do admit I did a lot of talking but I didn't give her much time. I would have thought to be honest but... she looked so closed off that I hoped listening to me would help her open up. At time cases it did" Link added with a soft smile that had her smiling as well.

"You're right" she nodded. "Should I start or do you want to?" She asked warmly causing him to chuckle and look at the fire.

"Not tonight, it's been busy when you were asleep" he admitted "tomorrow for sure since I will most likely to be prepared" Link added before stretching as he yawned. Nodding Zelda leaned on her legs.

"I'll take the first watch" Zelda said.

"Don't worry, so far we're the only ones here" he smiled, hearing this left her completely surprised but she nodded and yawned.

"Very well, have a good evening Link" she said with a tired smile before handing him his cloak "it's only fair, don't worry I have a cloak of my own" she assured him as he looked at her with worry, however seeing her look allowed him to relax.

"Link, are you my ancestor?" Link tensed up from the question causing his hands to tighten on his lap, for sure he had heard those words before but who had asked him was a mystery.

"Again and again he fell down the well, always the same duty, always the same fate but the meetings were that of a stranger" Link blinked at what he heard, he didn't know why but he felt distraught and intense frustration flare within. In truth he did not knowing why the words were affecting him so much. "It only breaks the heart to know someone or something is close and yet not being able to recognise it, so close and yet so far. It tore Little Alice to shreds until she sent her memories away in order to hide her pain. What a terrible fate the three must hold, for a never ending curse that never ends... it is sad that death's blade cannot touch hate but only seal, for meddling has its consequences. But only time will tell..."

Link's brows furrowed in confusion from what the disembodied voice was talking about- death's blade? What kind of blade was this voice talking about?

However what bothered him was the words 'Little Alice'.

"Why can't I figure it out? Who is Little Alice?!" He cried as his head started to pound thanks to an incoming headache, unable to find out why he continued to wince in silence while his left hand remained on the side of his forehead. Looking at the fire weakly he stood up before going to his sleeping bag in order to get some sleep, only sleep proved to be difficult to his dismay as the words kept filling his mind. As a result only created questions that he had no answer to and yet some part of him knew, which in more ways than one had made him more frustrated.

As he closed his eyes his ears once again heard the sound of bells before the image of the small girl appeared before him, not once did she stop smiling and as she tried to speak there was no sound.

"Who are you? Why do I feel as if I know you?" Link pondered before feeling a soft presence lull him into a deep sleep.

Maemi frowned as she took her hand from the large circular mirror that stood to her right, her eyes were filled with sadness and worry from what she witnessed.

"No one said that it would be easy to travel in the Forgotten Woods, guilt and pain would always come in pairs" she said softly knowing that those who enter would be lost forever if they allow themselves to forget. A reason why she used the area to set up for the Trial of Courage. In order to help them see that despite their short comings they still could come back despite the guilt which would continue to fester. So far Maemi was feeling proud and yet worried for his mental state. That was until the Puppet Master interfered by bringing parts of the past that was linked to Link's life when he lived in Skyloft. Something she would have frowned deeply upon since Link's memories, a thing that happened every time he came back were either sealed away or wiped clean despite being a descendent of himself. Something she could laugh about- the irony of it all in a manner. And yet knowing he was and wasn't family almost left her brain having going into overload when she spoke to Impa, something that left the Sheikah almost chuckling at the expression Maemi was giving off.

Getting up from her chair she left the room after covering the mirror with a blanket for various reasons, she then crossed a few hallways that were silent due to it being past one in the morning and arrived at the door she would always visit for the past couple of months. Sensing he was awake she knocked politely before entering to see him sitting on the bed with his back leaning against the wall. His right knee was bent as his foot was planted on the mattress while his arm rested on his knee, as a result his black clothes were wrinkled from the position he was sitting in. Not that it bothered him the slightest as his eyes were this time filled with emotions but were hardly positive, to her that was a start in showing he was recovering even if he wasn't acknowledging her.

Maemi soon placed her shoes by the door to be polite and allowed the soft plush rug to caress her feet including her toes as she walked towards him. Once she was sitting on his bed, she moved herself so she was sitting beside him and placed her hands on her knees. Allowing her feet to dangle on the edge Maemi turned to look at him with a smile.

"Trouble sleeping?" She asked in a peppy tone before waiting to see what he would say or do next. To her surprise he sighed heavily before turning to look at her, his expression neutral as he kept his eyes on hers.

"You helped him?" Dark asked mentally as he still didn't speak put aloud, not that she minded since he needed time still. Hearing his words she frowned causing him to blink.

"The Puppet Master as you saw spoke to him, not that the Link of this time period would know who it was. I think he felt that Link was going to fail or something, regardless I was hoping to not interfere but his mind like yours is troubled" Maemi replied with a look that signalled she wasn't going to back off no matter how many times Dark remained silent. "Dark I am on both your sides, please don't assume the worst after all you have skeletons in your closet thanks to what happened to you during the lives you both went through" Maemi placed her hand on his other hand, feeling that it was cold made her sad.

"Shouldering the pain of all the lives you both lived won't do you any good. Remember I am here for you, that is what family does no matter what" she giggled as she smiled brightly at him, seeing her expression confused him at despite all the bad things that happened she was still smiling and trying to encourage him to do the same. Part of him envied that part of her that was positive and yet pride filled him, knowing that even though she was a descendent of his light side from years ago- a blood relative that not only survived trials that were put in front of her and her family, but had somehow found her way to him surprised him deeply. She continued to believe in him and cared without wanting anything in return... well except a smile and for him to find his voice. Something he found odd but he minded not. It didn't matter to her if she was his light side's descendent because to her Dark is a part of her ancestor making him her ancestor in the process. Hearing her acknowledge him had left him with mixed emotions but the happiness to his surprise outweighed the sadness and for once, he was not alone. Something he was overjoyed about. The positive emotions even now felt foreign to him given that he could always see, hear and feel what his light side was experiencing even though he never lived those events himself. Now the tables were evening out and he did not once want to trade these precious moments, not for anyone.

Smiling she held his hand still and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You should get some sleep, you won't get any better if you're exhausting yourself all the time. The Gerudo are planning a meeting in the hall tomorrow and the sages are also taking part, I think having someone who knows about past issues and what we can try to avoid would be beneficial don't you think Dark?" Maemi asked with a smile that had him wanting to as well, but alas it was hard to do so since he had never smiled before in any of his lives. But if she still believed in him, he was willing to give it a try… even if it did leave them cringing at the first attempts.