Disclaimer: I own nothing but the original character of 'Zenzi', the rest is property of Nintendo; I make no profit from this it is merely for fun.
Rating: T for violence, language, suggestive content and vaguely sexual content later on.
This chapter has edited only to remove unimportant author notes, the actual content has been untouched.
Italics are Link's thoughts
+.+.+.+.+. Stands for passing time
Link:
The day was lazy; clouds rolled slowly over the cornflower blue sky, pale sunbeams flittered across the deep emerald green grass as the wind playfully blew across it. Link sighed and leaned back into the ground, soaking in the scents of the ranch; the hay and milk scent of younger more joyful days gone by.
True to her word Zelda had summoned Impa to send word to the Stone keepers to bring their respective rocks to the Ranch, where the Head Sage would take them so they might be used to open the door of Time. So now he lay there, basking in the warmth of the sun, his mind drifting away from Zelda and even Dark; wafting back to days of frolicking in the grasses with Epona by his side.
The sages were over somewhere away from him; discussing things that he didn't really care about, probably the stones or his engagement (hurl) to Zelda… whatever. He was calm; relaxed and glad because Darkness had left him alone ever since Farore had spoken to him the other day. No need for stress right now, everything he was aspiring for was about to fall right into his hands; he had the world at his feet in a way, not a care in the world for Zelda was stupid and had fallen for all his lies thus far.
Something nipped at his hair, and he glanced up to see two pairs of warm brown eyes staring down at him. He started for a moment, not recognizing the other mare who was not Epona…but then it clicked in his mind where he knew the other from, and he had to fight back tears.
"Hey Shadow…he'll be back soon okay?" Link whispered to the horse as she leaned her neck down to tug at his hair again. His hands reached above him so he might pet them, gaining confidence from their quiet loyalty and love. "I promise… not too much longer now."
The mares shook their heads and snorted, as if to say they believed him; before they turned tail and trotted away. Link was ever so glad that Malon remembered at least that Epona was his, that way he didn't need to try and pay for her and instead simply had to play her song to prove that she truly was his. He wouldn't know what he would do without his other best friend; she went through so much with him, was the one he talked to in times of need…
If he didn't have her, then his victory of gaining Dark would be bittersweet without her there to enjoy it with.
"!"
The familiar cry reached his ears and he flicked them back as footsteps hurried towards him. He shifted so that he was sitting in the grass, and patiently waited for his friend to reach him. Malon stopped a few feet away, a happy grin on her face.
"Lunch is ready Link! Princess Zelda says you'll head out afterwards." She told him, rocking back and forth on her heels with her hands clasped behind her back.
Link's spirits soared at that news. Just another meal, just another hour or more before he had his sacred blade back, and Dark was back in the world…he was so close now, so close to having him back! The grin over his features was one of happiness, he was surprised that it didn't cause Malon to cringe away because of the ill intent in it…but no, his lies held true and there was no hint of triumph on his face; only the lopsided grin that made so many females fall for him before.
"Thank you Malon, let's get going now okay? I'm real hungry." He told her as he stood to his feet. He brushed his tunic off and scuffed his boots against the ground before he looked at her with a cheeky expression. "Betcha I can beat you in a race!" he told her, before he took off in a run, forcing her to chase after him with a shout of surprise.
Soon…soon he would have his love back, he would be away from Zelda and her lies… soon he would be free of Hyrule even, and no one could stop him…
+.+.+.+.+.+.+
Lunch was a somber affair; the Sages were quiet and reserved, Zelda was chatty and Malon was excited to have the Princess in her home. Link knew what was wrong with his friends, they knew that he would be leaving soon, and though they didn't want to lose him, they knew it was for the best. Zelda would ruin him if he was forced to stay by her side, the best thing for him was to get Dark back and flee Hyrule, no matter how much they missed him.
He was sorry that he was leaving them; but in the end Dark and their future was more important to him. He had lived most of his life trying to make others happy, saving others…it was time that he focused on himself, and as selfish as it sounded sometimes a Hero just got tired of it and wanted a change. That change just happened to led down the path to Termina. He would fetch Dark, and he and Nabooru would gather their plans from the other time.
Then…it was just a matter of coordination as they fled Zelda, fled Hyrule and fled the chains of fate that bound them there.
Finally it was over; and the hugs that he gave his good friends (plus Ruto) before he left for the Temple of Time, were filled to the brim with emotion that couldn't be spoken out loud for fear of Zelda and Impa hearing. They all wanted to speak, to give encouragement and confidence; but with the ever lurking Harpy near they dared not do anything but let their emotions slowly seep out of them like a thick fog that enveloped Link and made him year for the comfort and warmth of his lover all the more.
He could hardly sit still in the carriage on the way there, his eyes were constantly flickering around as if expecting an attack from nowhere, Zelda to cackle like Koume and Kotake; telling him that his plan had failed and that he would never again see his lover.
Nothing like that happened though, she was unaware and he was blissfully thanking Naryu that she had allowed him to fool her bearer… for what else could be stopping Zelda from figuring it out? She was Wisdom given form! She should have realized his plan, but she didn't. Was this Naryu's doing; or was Zelda turning down a dark path as Ganondorf had done, only instead of exploiting and abusing, was she corrupt and ignoring her? Whatever the reason Link was glad for it, because it was the only thing allowing him to be back with Dark; whether it be the Goddesses or Zelda's own withering soul…he thanked it.
As it was, as the Temple of Time's doors loomed before him, he was thanking Farore for her courage, for he feared that it was the only thing keeping him standing. So close…so close! Close to freeing Dark from his soul and giving him life again! His knees were shaky and his breathing was trying to match pace with his racing heart, he couldn't allow it though! Couldn't allow Zelda to realize how emotional he was…she might finally realize something was up and he didn't want to ruin it… not now, not when he was so close.
"Are you ready Link?"
Her voice cut through his thoughts and helped him to calm slightly, the annoying false tones reminded him of where he was and what was about to take place…he had to stay calm and keep up his act!
"I am." He replied with, somehow managing to get a semi-stoic look on his face as he stepped forward to push open the large doors of the temple.
"Rauru is weary of us; he warns that no matter the circumstance there is to be no more violence within his temple." Impa's deep and slow voice informed them; eyes flickering to Link as if daring him to remember something.
He did 'remember' what she spoke of; for Zelda had tried to make him think Dark had killed Sheik instead of her. Bah! Fools the both of them! Thinking that their mere magic could overpower love in its truest and rawest form! How stupid of them to think that they could just order around one of the chosen ones; one who had the blessing of his Goddess to be with his love!
Link stopped his thoughts there and nodded his head mechanically at Impa. "Yes yes, there will be no violence here today." He whispered, mind not on the females at all but instead trying to keep Darkness from once more claiming his mind; he could feel it trying to creep back in, and he was determined to keep it away…
He might have been able to kill Zelda back on the balcony before; but here, with Impa and naught to harm them with but his own magic and hands! He couldn't take them on, nor did he want to… he just wanted to be away from them for goodness sake! No, he was no murderer of innocents and humans; monsters and evil was what his hands were stained with, nothing more.
-But…Zelda isn't innocent…-
A voice echoed through his mind; low and velvety as if to seduce his thoughts away and purge them into oblivion.
-She has killed; in cold blood the arrow meant for your mate was shot through his sister dear instead. How now, how now is that not murder? Taint upon the light of pure, poison of the innocence and defiler of the chaste? She who is so divine, the image of beauty and daughter of Naryu? See through the mask and unearth the claws within; show true her wicked intentions and bear her soul for all to see! Spill her blackened blood, mar her porcelain skin white with scars; drain the light from her eyes and use it to birth once more the flame of your heart, the embers of your passion and the blaze of your lust!-
The offer was tempting, oh so tempting it was! Submit to darkness and let it take over; not feel until he could feel Dark within his arms once more… but still, he could not. No, he would not stoop to her level, he would not give into temptation and take the easy way out! He was stronger, he had his light in Farore and his guardian faerie who was waiting for him at the forest. He had his darkness, his shadow, in Dark; he had balance and he would not allow anything more to screw it over!
"Good good. Shall we now?"
Nodding once more to Zelda, Link followed them inside; mind still pushing back Darkness, but finding it more submissive than usual. That didn't matter to him; only that it was leaving his mind alone and he could concentrate… in just a manner of minutes! Just a matter of minutes and he would have Dark back… back back back and never to be gone again! Never doomed to wake another morn without his arms entwined with the Hylians, cursed to spend his every night with him (with entwined bodies or not).
Link could hardly think straight as Zelda played the song of time that would activate the stones; his mind was full of touches (the feel of those hands along his thighs that dripped with sweet oasis water), kisses (the warmth of his lips and the surprise flashing across them at their first kiss), tastes (the addictive flavor that was his lover, taunting him with every memory), last goodbyes and millions of other things that had his attention firmly in its grasp and refused to let go.
Just as he could never let Dark go.
A deep churning noise brought him from his thoughts long enough for him to realize that the Door of Time was opening; there just within that next room, buried within its pedestal lay the key to his sanity. How his feet managed their steady pace of walking and not bolting faster than a cucco after flesh he wasn't sure; he would have thought that the rapid beating of his heart was the pace at which everything he did was running at that same rate.
Zelda and Impa were silent as Link walked forward, as if in a trance, to stand before the Master Sword. His eyes glazed over and emptied of thought, of life and of soul as his hands trembling reached for the hilt. A surge of warmth; of magic and comfort ran through him, followed by the regular power that the blade held. Oh; to hold it once more, even if just to touch it.
He could feel the energy from it in his very soul; how he trembled to his core! His knees weak and shaky, the preparation for the soul splitting act to be preformed making him light headed and dizzy.
He tightened his grip on the blade; and it one swift jerk of his wrists…the blade slid free… and pain of the rawest pleasure shot through his entire being.
He fell to a knee, tears pricked his eyes but easily blamed upon pain instead of the great joy swarming his heart. He could feel it; the darker side of him; the lusty thoughts, the anger and jealousy…they were gone. And somewhere, far away within the walls of Gerudo Fortress… he knew, he knew that Dark had been sparked back to life.
He resisted the chuckle that wanted to spill from his lips; he had done it. Even if he didn't yet have Dark back yet; he was in the world, and that was good enough…for now. Link still wanted his lover back; and back he would have him…he just needed time to get to him.
After a moment or two of gathering his bearings, he shakily stood to his feet; the legendary blade loosely held in his hand. He reached with his other to run it through his bangs, a smile on his face at his luck; the Goddesses were truly on his side… Zelda stood naught a chance of having him!
Speaking of Zelda…
Link cast his glance around; finally spotting Impa knelt over the fallen body of Zelda, who was not only curled into herself in pain…
She was a woman now.
She appeared as she did before time was reversed; with her long golden hair, porcelain skin and flawless complexion. Her hips and breasts had grown; her figure was there and she was quite taller.
He was confused; why was she an adult again?Glancing down he found that he, too, was back in his other form; taller with slight muscle, lean body and famous green tunic. Why had this happened? Why were they older? Not that he minded really, for he would rather not be scarce out of childhood when he met Dark again… such a reunion was not for childish bodies.
Impa noticed him look between he and Zelda; and offered an explanation. "You and Zelda, as is obvious, have reverted to the ages you were from the time that never was. My only guess is that when you drew the Master Sword the time lines blurred and merged once more, reverting you to what your 'true' age is- that of the other time."
Link blinked slowly and nodded; not really caring but being happy that he was able to have his body back…it felt strange to be fourteen, not yet the height he was at seventeen, not the body he had nor wanted…all it meant to him right now was a clean conscience and not feeling dirty or tainted from his plans of when he would next see Dark.
"What happened to Zelda?" he asked, not caring but figuring the Link that would have loved Zelda had Sheik not dropped Dark on him at the lake so short a time ago, would have asked that.
Impa frowned and gathered the limp Princess in her arms, starting to walk out of the Master Sword holding room. Link slung his blade back in its sheath that he had put across his back and followed after her, already planning on how he could somehow get to Dark and flee from Zelda's hellish claws.
"…I am not sure, it is best we take her back to her room and allow her her rest."
Link nodded and trudged after Impa, his mind the furthest from Zelda it had ever been before.
+.+.+.+.+.+.+
It was hours later when Zelda finally stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open and a groan slipping past lips. Link moved from the window looking over the castle, to her side as would be expected of him. Impa had had to leave to tend to a scuffle that had arisen while they were at the ranch, asking Link to watch over her… Darkness hadn't tried to convince him to kill her, so he figured that either Farore had scared it off…
Or it had gone after Dark already…
He could forget about that for now though; Dark was of the shadow and as such was used to the darker side of life, he was fully confident in the other males abilities to defend himself. Dark was a fighter, he was strong and dependant; there was that dangerous edge to him that seemed to ward off lesser enemies and intimidate. the more strong ones. Yes; Dark could hold his own against Darkness, the very least until Link got there and held him in his arms once more.
"Link..You're all grown up…"
A jolt of pain flashed through Link's heart at Zelda's words; so reminded of Navi he was.
He nodded and gently held Zelda's hand as she looked up to him, hunger (and not in a food sense of the word) was flickering through her violet hues. "I…missed this side of you."
Link sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, making it look like he was just worried about her. "I missed you as well-" HA! That was a lie! Brutal and honest lieeeeeee~ Oh sweet poison spoken from his lips! "How are you feeling?"
She shifted and raised a hand to him, beckoning him closer. "I feel tired; and almost like…something's, missing. But aside from that; you are here, we are grown and now we can get married all the more faster…it is truly a miracle my love."
Link made sure to keep the look of fear and disgust from his face…so close, so close to getting Dark back! He just had to get to the desert, get to the desert and then he would have his shadow back…the though near made him moan/whine with impatience, but he held it back…
Zelda would not win; she would not know how much she had taken from him!
"Yes…a miracle…you seem fine; perhaps…we could still go to the Lake tomorrow? I haven't been there in so long…. And never with you." He whispered, 'sweetly'; scooting over to sit beside Zelda and resting his cheek on the top of her head.
He heard her gently sigh and shift so she was resting more comfortably against him. "That still sounds divine…so long as I can spend time with you I'd go anywhere's." She told him dreamily.
Link fought the urge to gag as she wrapped her arms around his waist, mentally cringing away from the touch and instead let his mind wander towards thoughts Dark… Not even a week without him and he was feeling as if it had been years (though…technically since they had gone back in time it had been years). He was anxious to see him; to make sure he was safe and well…he hoped that he remembered him.
"Link…I want you to stay here with me tonight..please? Keep me company through the night…we will be married soon enough, why not get used to it now?"
Link looked at her as if she had grown an extra head, but because her head was resting against his chest she missed it. Did he want to sleep beside her; hold her fragile body in his arms and act like he loved her? Hell no! But…was he going to? Of course. He had to, if he didn't she would doubt his 'love' and begin to question him. Now that Dark was free of the binds of their soul, Link had to be extra careful to make sure Zelda didn't become suspicious of anything.
So he held a hand to her hair and leaned back against the bed to pull her close to himself, shuffling his boots from his legs as he tried to get comfortable. "Of course~ Anything my Princess asks of me." he murmured gently in her ear, wincing at the girly giggle she gave off.
"Oh Link, you're so perfect…" she whispered, tilting her head up towards his…and in such a manner that he knew exactly what she was looking for.
Link hesitated for a moment, before the will to do whatever it took to see Dark again became too much and he succumbed to her wants…pressing his emotionless lips against her heartless cold ones.
Remember Dark…this is for you…