Link brushed the cinnamon colored hair away from his eyes, exhaling all his negative energy out. The sky had become noticeably darker from where he stood at the top of the stairs, still in Skyview Spring. He couldn't get over the fact that this was the second time he had been late for Zelda here. Doesn't he ever learn? He slowly hopped around, and descended the dusty stairs, every speck of dust reminding him of the time he had kept her waiting. He knew that she was already in Eldin, having used her strengths as Hylia to warp from province to province. He also knew that he would need to wait to morning to catch up with her, considering the heavy thought that Loftwing's never fly at night. He knew that she had the memories of her childhood, at least, and that when he next sees her, she's going to know who he is, for herself. Still, he felt he needed to be there before with her, as soon as possible. Now, it wasn't it about whether he thinks she can do it or not, he just wanted to catch up to her to apologize. To tell her she was right, he was wrong, and that he has faith in her. To have her know he believes in her, while she gets the last of her memory back. How is it fair that it was always this difficult? Why is it that he couldn't just fly there now, and be by her side? Why did he have to wait? No. Waiting is no longer an option. Not since last year. It's time to do.
"It's getting late." The boy told Zelda. "Do you want to take a break?"
"Now? No! There's no time to stop." She stubbornly persisted, her hands on her hips. "I need my memory back, as soon as possible."
"But, you'll be tired for the trip. I know I am."
"You're always tired." She frowned, and thought it over. She did want to be as conscious as possible when she got her memories back. "But, fine. I guess a little break wouldn't hurt. Not all night though, we have to go as soon as we can."
"Okay, okay." He smiled, took her dress out of the bag, and hung on the ledge to dry. "Here, it'll be dry by the time we get up. Do you want anything to eat before we sleep?"
"No, not really. Thanks anyways though." She lied on the ground, trying to settle in to the rocks and rubble of the earth. Eldin was not exactly the best habitable province she knew. They camped at the entrance and bottom of the igneous province, surrounded by mounds of lava. It was certainly a magnificent area, but not comfortable. The air felt excessive, and humid, making every breath a chore. Still, she knew sleeping here is not half as difficult as what they've been through before. She clasped her eyes shut, and tried to relax. With all that was going on, it wasn't easy to do so.
The fight kept flooding her mind. She felt so guilty, telling Link he didn't know anything about her. With her most of her memories back, she could tell how wrong she had been, and how he knew everything about the young girl. His words, the way they summed up her entire life, and the way she could hear the enduring passion lingering in his voice as he did it. He cared about her, and she turned him down, focused on what he did wrong. Her best friend told her he loved her! Yet, she didn't tell him how she felt back. Her response was something along the lines of, "and you kept that from me?" or "so?" It wasn't exactly the most romantic way to remember being told "I love you." But it's not like she didn't know. She knew well before he told her that he loved her, but she just waited for him to say it. She should've stepped in, like always, since she knew he was a shy kid. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe she wanted him to say it, to gather his Courage, and do it for himself. She shuffled, and let her problems sink, as she fell into sleep.
Link made his way out of the Temple, as fast as he could with his damaged leg. He knew what he must do, no matter how difficult it was going to be. If he wanted to get to Zelda, which he did, he was going to need to get there on foot. It was going to be painful, but it was completely worth it. She was completely worth it. His conscience constantly reminded him no one can help him on the Surface, and that he had no heart potions if he really needed it. No, it doesn't matter. I want to do this. He limped straight down the path, struggling to climb the ledges ahead of him, but didn`t stop. Down the pathway to the right, and a small jump off the log. He noticed the wasps nest was still hanging there, but didn`t have the time to sneak around. The buzzing increased as he ran by them and through the door to Faron Woods. He never understood why the bees didn't go through there, but he didn't complain. It was an easy way to get rid of the pests. Outside, he hobbled down the right-side staircase and around the Great Deku Tree. When he reached a large wall on the opposite side, he remembered he had to crawl through the crack at the bottom. Painfully, he kneeled, and squeezed through the hole, squealing at every step he pushed with his broken leg. On this side, he was halfway to the Sealed Temple and he went forward to down the few steps, and off another log. He was back where he first talked to Machi, in front of a small tree. It was kind of weird to the think of the innocent little guy as a Sage. He was always so fearful, and quiet. But on the day of the battle, he became strong and brave. Good for him. He skipped off the log he had one pushed off the ledge, and turned to right to a gorge. No…Not this again. It was another vine to climb on to. This time, with a broken leg, it was going to be a lot harder. No, I must do this. Zelda, remember? He nodded to himself, and sprung off his better foot, and grabbed a hold of the scraping plant. With agony overcoming the unlucky child, he clinched his eyes closed as he forced his legs to swing back and forth until he was close enough to the opposite ledge, and dove into the dirty and messy sod. Great. In a hurry, he pushed himself off the ground, and staggered left into the opening. In front of him was the place he had met Goron for the first time as well. He was so interested in the studies of the land and Hylia, that he probably never thought he would be a part of it. It must be amazing for him to feel included into his lives work, and dreams. Link went to the wall of vines, and gripped the branches in clutches of his hands. His steps matched at the bottom, with his weak leg struggling to keep hold without throbbing with pain. He paused and closed his eyes, picturing Zelda, the last time he saw her. She was crying. How could he give up so early? Seeing Zelda gave him a strange boost of hope and energy as he climbed the rest of the way, ignoring any distracting aches he would receive. Just like on his adventures. Finally in front of the Sealed Temple, he raced down the stairs and pushed through the doorway. Inside were the Sages and Impa, who ignored his being, focused on the Tree of Life. Was she explaining to them everything that's happened? "Impa?" He called, drawing attention to himself.
"Ah, Link. What are you doing here? I thought you had been with Zelda."
"No, I was l…late." He said, feeling embarrassed at the attention. He approached Impa, lowering his voice. "How do I get to Eldin from here?"
"On foot? You still haven't treated it yet. It will only get worse if you continue putting pressure on it."
"It doesn't matter; I just need to get to her now."
"Well then. If you must know, Eldin is behind this Temple, but there had never been a door that grants you entrance to the province. I could only suppose you go around from the Sealed Grounds. That would require finding a way up the wall that surrounds the Goddess Statue." She told him.
"How would I do that? It's huge!" He asked, frustrated with the impossible.
"You'll need to use all your strength to climb. That'll be especially hard with a broken leg, Link. It wouldn't be wise of you to go on without tending to it first."
"I know." He sighed, giving a short glance at his leg, which was held a little higher than his other. "Thank you, Impa." He took a deep breath, and limped out of the door. The Sealed Grounds remained intact, and thrived with a natural beauty it had lacked the last time he had been here. Above him, on the North-West end, was where he had to climb. Just like Impa told him, the wall towered over the Statue and seemed impossible to get over. For Zelda, he nodded again. Nearby, he flew into a geyser, which lifted him to the next level, a wooden platform. He circled to the end he needed to get over and stopped. This could kill me.
No. It doesn't matter; you're doing this for her. Just do it, coward. He forced himself. The boy took a hold of the grassy plain with both of his rugged gloves. His feet, flowing with no feeling flattened on the bottom, and to his surprise, it was a lot easier to climb. With every step, he could hear a crunching sound, but it didn't bother him. The thought that Zelda hated him at this moment kept him going, and he wanted to have her forgive him. He managed a few feet up the hill, tugging at the overgrown weeds without his leg sending messages to give up. Progress was going well, and he was a few blocks up before he knew it. He figured that if he could do this well, he could climb faster if he pushed harder. Speeding up, he had made a couple more miles without a slip up. Overconfident, his hand covered the tufts of grass instead of grabbing into the dirt like he was supposed to. The little mistake caused his broken foot to slide against the dirt, and drag him lower. No, not now!
As soon as he knew she had been in deep sleep, he crawled over to her.
Now child; our chance. The voice commanded. Do it. Kill her.
Obediently, the boy lifted his hands, and carefully wrapped his fingers around her throat. She whimpered in his grasp, having a nightmare. His eyes, in response, opened widely, noticing how beautiful she was when she slept. No. This is was you were made for. He resisted her, and focused on his duty. He pressured the fingers against her neck, waiting for her to stop squirming. Please don't wake up…. She screamed.
A/N Sorry for the wait! I've been kind of…well distracted. I hope you like this chapter, I tried writing it over and over again. I know where I'm going with this, but it's hard to get there. I have the main points and everything, but I don't know. It's hard. Sorry for venting…hope you like it! I love the reviews you've posted, please continue to make me smile :)