Link forced his way out of the forest, squinting against the fading sunlight. His eyes had adjusted to the dimness inside the eerily silent woods, and even the faint light of the sunset was painful.
He looked back at the path sliced into the woods, where Firebrand and Sera were pushing their way out. The path had apparently been cut only a couple days before, but the vegetation had grown back with startling speed.
Zelda followed a moment later, looking quite uncomfortable in Sera's clothing. "How do you even walk in these things?" she complained. "It's too tight where it should be loose, and too loose where it should be tight!"
"Oh, you get used to them," Sera said, grinning wickedly. She was thoroughly enjoying tormenting the princess. "Watch out for fleas, though. They like to hang out in the crotch."
Zelda's screams drowned out any rebuke Link might have made. Which he didn't, because he was too busy hiding a smile.
Firebrand glanced back at Zelda. Once again, he found himself wondering what it must be like for her. To watch her kingdom burn right in front of her…it must be unbearable.
Firebrand knew the feeling. To watch, helpless, as everything you knew and loved burned until nothing remained but cold, scorched earth.
The fire called him, spoke gently to him. It wanted to play, to embrace him in its heat. But Firebrand knew better. It was devious and sly, and would consume him if given the slightest chance
Trudging along, Firebrand forced his mind back to the here and now. The sun had dipped beneath the horizon, plunging the land into darkness. Firebrand looked up into the stars, the only place where he could hope to find companionship. They burned like he did, forming a network of sparks in the blackness of the night.
He sighed. One could say he had found companionship with Link and Sera. But, like all his friendships, it wouldn't last. As soon as they found out his secret, they would turn on him, just like everyone else in the past.
Firebrand closed his mind to the memories that tried to surface. Some got through anyway.
Don't burn me.
Get out of here, flamer.
They should make you burn.
The insults changed, but the final word was always the same. That final, hated word.
Monster.
Monster.
Monster.
Every time he would try to convince himself that this time would be different. These ones would understand. But they never did.
They should burn. All of them!
No! Firebrand thought, forcing the fire down. I am the master here! I've had enough of burning!
"Firebrand?"
Firebrand opened his eyes. He'd been standing there with his eyes closed, warring emotions on his face. Hate, remorse, pain…It probably looked quite odd.
Link was looking at him with something that could be described as concern. But it was a lie. They all lied. Their concern, their friendship, all of it was false. How could it be true, when they turned against him at the drop of a hat.
They would burn. They would all burn.
No! I am in control! Not you!
With an immense effort of will, Firebrand managed to seize control of his rebellious mind.
Now Zelda was there, Triforce of Wisdom shining on her outstretched hand. She held it out to him, eyes closed in concentration. "I sense conflict within you," she said slowly.
Firebrand gently pushed her hand away. "I'm fine. Really. I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine."
Zelda's blue eyes stared into his. She had dropped her disguise until they actually met someone, mostly because it "itched like crazy."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Firebrand almost told her. Almost. But he didn't trust her. He didn't trust anyone.
Link dropped his pack and started to erect the tent, making camp for the night. "Do you want a tent?" he asked.
Firebrand waved a hand. "No thanks. I like to sleep under the stars."
Link shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Zelda directed one last, concerned look at him before ducking into her tent. For some reason, that look made Firebrand's heart ache.
He unrolled a blanket, laying it over the grassy field. The stars sang to him in their ethereal, just-heard song. Firebrand sighed. He knew he wouldn't sleep tonight.
Firebrand wasn't the only one fro whom sleep was proving elusive. Link tossed and turned in his tent, trying to find a comfortable position. His mind was wide awake, thinking about…everything.
Why me?he thought dismally. The princess had his heart, but didn't even seem to notice. Instead, she seemed to have immediately taken to Firebrand. Goddesses knew why.
Leave it alone, Link, he told himself.It's not meant to be.
He agreed with this wholeheartedly. How could he ever love a princess, anyway?
How could a princess ever love him?
Link turned over again. He'd never allowed himself to get close to anyone. Emotions just got in the way. Up till now, he'd been able to control them, to lock them away where they couldn't do any harm.
But not anymore. Now his emotions swirled in an unstoppable tide, forcing him to do all sorts of ridiculous stuff. Like fall in love with a princess.
Link sighed. He just couldn't get past that, could he? He was in love with a princess. He'd never loved anyone before, and the feeling was altogether new to him. And not entirely unwelcome, either. But he could do without the emotional stress.
Link laid on his back, trying with all his might to sleep. And then there was Sera.
The moment he'd met her, she'd made an impression on him. Her fiery personality, her stunning looks and obvious intelligence would make an impression on every man.
But the main thing that drew Link's attention when he'd met her was her inner strength. She'd pursued him with a dogged persistence that he rarely saw. When he tried to send her away, she stubbornly refused.
Yet, above all else, was the look she gave the thief that almost killed her so long ago. She knew she was about to die, yet her eyes still blazed with defiance.
"Dammit," Link muttered, shaking his mind free of those thoughts. A painful relationship was the last thing he needed.
He poked his head out of his tent, thinking he would go for a walk to clear his mind. Firebrand had got a fire going, he noticed. The tall man was staring into the flames, his mind obviously far away.
Link watched, momentarily transfixed. The haunted look in Firebrand's eyes…it scared him. As he'd done several times over the last few days, Link wondered what Firebrand's past was like. He had originally thought he was in Thieves' Domain because of bad luck, but upon seeing that expression, he wasn't so sure.
Link ducked back in the tent, resolving to keep an eye on Firebrand. Sure, he was his friend, but he didn't know enough about him.
After all, it didn't pay to trust people you didn't know much about.
Woohoo! Black pit of angst! I didn't actually expect throwing the story this way, though. It just kinda happened. And yes, Firebrand is my favourite character.