It was so warm. She could have been anywhere in the world, and it wouldn't have mattered because his arms were around her, because he was this close to her. Her eyes slitted open drowsily at the distant cry of a cuckoo. Link's face was only inches from her own, both of their heads tucked beneath the covers. He looked so peaceful in sleep, like years of battle and hardship were lifted from him - making him look like the boy who was about the same age as her. She watched him, not daring to move, for fear of waking him. He was so good - so undeniably, amazingly good in his soul. He was her best friend. She couldn't believe he wanted to be with her. And she knew deep in her heart that she could never deserve him like this - not with her cracked spirit and lurking darkness that tinged her thoughts with it's creeping shadows. She wished she could live in that moment forever, their gentle breaths intermingling between them, their arms and legs in a comfortable tangle. He was there with her alone, in what would be her home once all of this was over - her heart gave a sharp twist - if this ever ended.
A sharp wrap at the front door startled them both, and Link's eyes shot open. He blinked a few times, his arm stiffening protectively around her. Kali laughed softly, "It's just the door, not invaders."
Link furrowed his brow at her, as if slowly understanding where they were through the haze of sleep, and then grinned lazily at her. His fingers dug into her ribs and she twitched in his grip, stifling laughter, "Well you can never be too careful."
Then he swept the covers from over them and rolled out of the tiny bed so that she could also rise. As he stretched, there was another series of knocks and Kali rushed to pull on an old threadbear robe that hung in the old armoire before rushing to the door.
With her brow furrowed, puzzling over who would visit this early in the morning, she opened the door. She wasn't capable of much more than a yelp as arms were thrown across her neck, the sudden weight of it nearly sending her toppling over. The arms tightened into a death grip as her assailant cried out, "They told me you were here but I could scarcely believe it! I'm so glad you're alright! Oh I can't believe you're okay!"
Kali blinked and managed to choke out a single question beneath the crushing bear hug around her neck, "Anju?"
The red head pulled back, and there were tears of joy lighting up her blue eyes. "I missed you my friend. I worried that something horrible happened to you." Anju continued, gripping Kali's hands now so hard her fingers hurt a little.
Kali felt the prick of tears in her own eyes as an ache spread in her heart. She had missed her friend in the midst of losing so much. She pulled Anju into a hug of her own and laughed happily, "I'm alright. I'm so glad you got your home back."
"Your home too!" Anju replied with a tight squeeze, "Ever since you decided at the winter festival to give life here a real effort."
Kali heard the creaking of her bedroom door, and they both pulled from their embrace to observe Link emerging to see what all the noise was. He had already pulled on his boots, his gauntlets, his hat, and belt - perhaps assuming it could have been Zelda or Kiden.
"Oh Link!" Anju cried out and rushed to embrace him as well.
Something struck Kali as very strange just then. Not that Anju was there, or that she and Link were friends, not that she and Kali were friends - but it was that Kali didn't remember how they became friends. Anju had just mentioned the winter festival but...she couldn't recall anything about it. It sent unexpected waves of panic and guilt rolling through her like nausea as she desperately tried to remember something that important but….there was nothing but a yawning gap of nothingness in her mind.
She felt eyes on her, and glanced up to see Link studying what must have been plain on her face over Anju's shoulder as he returned her hug. Kali quickly struggled to recover herself and put on her most convincing smile as Anju turned back to her. She was going on about helping clean up the house and all of them having breakfast together as she crossed to the front door where a huge basket of fresh white eggs, bread, cheese, and butter waited. Kali didn't miss the significant look Anju shot her way after eyeing Link in her home this early in the morning, appearing from her bedroom. Her friend even gave her an appraising lift of her eyebrows. Kali's cheeks warmed as she coughed awkwardly and muttered something vague about getting changed.
By the time she returned fully clothed in her usual tunic and pants, Link had started a fire and Anju had set up the table with everything but the eggs, which she had cooking in a cast iron pan she found over the flames. They sizzled pleasantly as Kali took a seat. Anju was telling them both about how the villagers had been working practically all night to repair things. She also informed them both of a celebration everyone was going to have that night as a kind of a homecoming event.
"There has just been so much sorrow lately. Our people will take any reason we can to celebrate something. To bring life back to this village. Especially after Lady Impa's passing." Anju explained as she slipped eggs onto each of their plates.
Link appeared to be subtly monitoring Kali's emotional state as he gnawed on the heel of the thick bread Anju provided. But she was alright for now, mostly just puzzled by her confusion earlier. Though the mention of Impa's passing tugged a now familiar pain forward in her chest. She tried to convince herself that she wasn't worried about the gaps in her memory for things so important to her, but it was no use. It did worry her. Anju was her first friend from Kakariko that wasn't Impa or Link, the first villager to not mind her strangeness.
"It sounds like a good time," Kali said, trying to sound cheery. Anju seemed convinced, but there was no fooling Link. It was like he had a sixth sense when it came to her.
After breakfast they all began to clean together, and the second Anju left the house to sweep the stoop Link spoke up. "What's the matter?"
Kali pressed her lips together as she wiped off the dinner table, and she did not answer. She felt even a little embarrassed that her stupid brain couldn't remember the things she desperately wanted to hold onto. She paused as his hand stroked her back soothingly. At that, she sighed, "Remember how I told you before that my lost memories were like lost connections in things?"
Link nodded, and she met his eyes revealing the hint of the panic she felt earlier in them, "I don't remember meeting Anju. She said something about a winter festival. I don't remember it. I know we are good friends, and the feeling is still there but...I don't remember how it happened."
His hand continued to draw calming lines down her back, but his expression tightened with concern. She leaned into his touch until he was holding her again, his mouth pressed into the top of her head, his breath warming her hair. She didn't expect him to say anything. There wasn't anything either of them could do about it, but even so, when she pulled away to continue dusting she could see him trying to work up some kind of solution. His eyes were pensive as he became lost in his own thoughts. Anju stepped back into the house and they all continued to clean as if the conversation hadn't happened.
By the afternoon, the house was practically like new and Anju was fantasizing about all the cute ways Kali could decorate it. She could plant a garden to grow her own food, she could grow herbs in the window, or flowers in the front. She could create paintings and hang them, or tapestries. The list went on and on. Eventually, they moved into Impa's room and they were all much quieter at the silent power of the place. It was a very plain room, but there were hints of her teacher in places if once knew what to look for. Tiny knives were hidden in odd spots, neat notes taken in a journal on her desk, her large bed neatly tucked. What surprised them all though, was her armoire. It was loaded with training clothes, as well as fine gowns and clothing that very clearly did not belong to Impa. Kali raised a brow at a soft blue gown with silvery, snowflake embroidery when Anju grinned, "Remember? That's the gown you wore to the winter festival. Oh you were so lovely in it! Everyone was so surprised to see you wearing something other than those threadbear clothes."
Kali's fingers swept over the soft fabric as she nodded absently along with Anju's reminiscing. She was suddenly very sure that these gowns had once belonged to Princess Zelda, and that's why Impa held onto them. Perhaps some maternal instinct that was unable to let go of the old things, thinking maybe someone else might use them another time. Turned out she was right, Kali supposed.
The neat rows of gowns quickly turned Anju's attention to what Kali would wear to the celebration that night.
"Does it matter?" Kali asked, sounding a little more amused now.
Anju looked aghast, her hand at her chest as if she were clutching at invisible pearls. "Of course it matters! You helped save this village! The princess will be there!"
Kali somehow knew it would be a losing battle to try and argue with her friend as her quick hands sifted deftly through the gowns. "What about this black one?" Anju suggested, tugging at some shimmering black fabric.
"No." Kali answered immediately, her voice harder than she meant it to sound.
Both Link and Anju paused to glance at her, appearing both concerned and surprised. "I'm really tired of wearing black dresses." Kali elaborated, heat flooding her cheeks.
Link peeked over both of their shoulders after some time, and reached down to pull out a gown so pale yellow it was nearly white, but just golden enough to stand out. It was a sleeveless, flowing thing with a scooping neckline, and cinched at her waist, just above her hips. The back dove down to the small of her back with pale pink ribbons that acted to tighten across the gap. The rest was all airy, delicate fabric that would be ideal for the warm weather and easy to dance in. "What about this one?" Link suggested carefully, his eyes seeming to focus on the dress and yet not, like he was drifting into a daydream.
She got the distinct feeling he was imagining her in the garment, and she blushed, fighting back a shy smile. Anju seemed to pick up on it too and took the dress into her hands, holding it out for observation.
"It's very pretty, but awfully plain." she commented thoughtfully, and then draped it over her arm so she could stroke her chin.
Suddenly she snapped her fingers and glanced at the dress for confirmation of whatever idea just struck her, "I've got just the thing." A wide, eager grin spread over Anju's pretty face as her eyes found Kali.
It turned out, the villagers of Kakariko village worked extremely fast. No doubt, they were beyond ready for their home to return to the swing of their usual routines. Aside from any major construction that needed done, the village was practically normal again. Windows and doors had been repaired, the scorched bits of their homes patched, family's were brought back together. More than that, they strung up paper lanterns in the dimming light of the setting sun over the mountains. Small round lanterns, large rectangular ones dotted the trees, the tables that had been arranged for the celebration that was about to ensue. Piles of flowers were used to decorate the tables, strings of them braided together to line houses, adorn the trees. Link and Kali had agreed to meet again at the celebration while he assisted with the repairs of the village. She fidgeted with the airy fabric of her skirts as she, accompanied with Anju left the house.
Anju hissed at her fussing and waved at her hands, "Are you really that nervous?"
"I mean. I'm always nervous about events like these." Kali answered sheepishly.
Anju only shook her head, "You'll face down an army of monsters, play spy against the most evil man in the kingdom right now, but a party makes you nervous?"
"Nervous and excited, all at once." Kali admitted.
"Well you look lovely. Link is going to be stunned." Anju said reassuringly.
Even Kali had to admit, she did look lovely. Not in the glamorous, regal way as she remembered herself in the spring ball. Not in the quiet, reserved way she'd been in all of those day gowns during her training with Princess Zelda. But in a way that she was free to be herself. Anju kept to her promise and did indeed have just the thing to add to the cream yellow dress. She had sewn flowers of palest pink and white into the tops of the shoulders, at the sides of her hips, and clustered heavily at the hem of the skirts only to rise up in a lessening cascade of beautiful blooms and petals. It was incredible how quickly Anju had altered the gown and when it fit onto Kali while she got dressed earlier, she distantly wondered if her friend had help sewing the flowers. Anju had left Kali's blonde hair mostly down in her preferred wild waviness, while braiding more flowers just around her ears. Her golden triforce necklace glinted in the dim light between her exposed collarbones. Her dress was light, easy to move around in, she could even run in it probably. Her hair was down and it felt good to feel the familiar brush of it down her exposed back, the gentle breeze that sent strands drifting back. She felt beautiful. She felt free. So unlike the backless black dresses, and tight twists in her hair while being a spy. She felt like she fit into her own skin again.
Earlier, Anju had suggested pinching her cheeks to bring some color into them but Kali assured her that wouldn't be necessary. After her friend's comment about Link being stunned by her appearance, Kali had proved her point as her face reddened. The reedy sound of wooden flutes, and the ring of fiddles being played could be heard from the house and only increased in volume as they descended the stairs towards the center of the village where everyone gathered. The sounds of raucous laughter, happy conversation, and music overwhelmed her. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she couldn't stop the pull of the grin at her lips. Her eyes scanned the crowd as people greeted her, congratulated her, welcomed her back, some even apologized to her. She responded absentmindedly but not unkindly - she hadn't found who she was really looking for.
He looked as if he were waiting for her as he leaned against the single tree, his arms crossed over his chest as his blue eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on her. The way his eyes lit up in the dim as he took in her appearance made her fidget nervously, her chin dipping. She registered an amused giggle from Anju at her side. Link's arms fell to his side and he approached her, looking all the world like a man captivated by a siren's song. His gaze admiring, and entranced all at once. Then he was before her, and she was twisting her fingers as she glanced up at him through her lashes. He just stood there, and the music began to fade. Or maybe the loud galloping of her heart was only drowning the other sounds out, she couldn't tell.
Perhaps she was overdressed for the occasion. He was only wearing what he normally did, the same tunic and off white underclothes, gauntlets, boots, his hat. Perhaps what she interpreted as stunned amazement was actually just stunned horror that she would show up to this event in such finery. She felt like she was going to sink into the earth and be swallowed by it. Her cheeks burned. She opened her mouth to speak, to ask him if she should go change, but her chin was caught between his fingers. He tilted her head up to fully face his gaze, and her head was captured as his fingers slipped up to cup her neck. Then she was pulled into a kiss, his lips were so warm, so soft. Everything else began to melt away, the world around them slowed, and no other words were needed between them. Her hands reached up to cup his face, pulling his lips more firmly to her own. She could feel him smile against her lips. He liked how she looked. If the intensity of his kiss was any indication, he liked it a lot. The swimming daze of her trance was broken at a series of sharp whistles and hoots and hollers that erupted around them. At those sounds, Kali jerked her head back and glanced around them. It was mostly the men that called out to them, grinning approvingly at Link, at her. Some of the women couldn't help their open excitement for them. Their expressions weren't hostile, or mocking but good natured. Her cheeks burned hot all the same. She blushed so furiously that she tucked her face into her palms and pressed her face firmly into Link's chest - an abysmal attempt at hiding from the jeering villagers. But anyone with eyes could see her cherry red cheeks lifted in an embarrassed, but blissful smile.
She felt Link's chuckle rumble against her, and he whispered into her ear, "Get ready."
She was about to ask him to get ready for what, but then she felt one hand slip around her waist while the other took hold of her hand and she yelped as she was spun. Link had whirled her into the thick of the dancing crowd, into the music that still blared around them. She couldn't help how her head threw back in a roaring laugh, how she clung to him as if he were her lifeline as they danced together. It was the first real glimpse of the future that they could have, full of the joy that swelled so fiercely in her chest, her entire body that it threatened to burst her into a thousand joyful pieces. She twirled and stepped in time with Link, not caring if the steps were wrong or if her movement didn't follow exactly what everyone was doing. She barely registered anyone but Link before her, his hands on her waist, her shoulders, her back, gripping her hands as if he never wanted to let her from his sight again.
She wasn't sure how long it went on, how many people whooped at them together, how many dances they participated in, or how many times they snuck quick pecks on each other's cheeks or lips in the midst of it all. But by the time the music slowed, they were both breathless and practically glowing with their affection for one another. Her cheeks ached from how much she'd smiled, how often he'd made her laugh, and her whole body throbbed with her rapid pulse as they settled into a slow, lilting rhythm with the easy sounds of the fiddles and flutes. She rested her head on Link's shoulder, her face turned into his neck as he held firmly to her back. He gripped one of her hands with the other hand and led her through the steady steps as he placed his cheek on the top of her head. She could hear his heart beating. Even once his breaths were an easy rhythm again, it pounded so hard that she could feel it against her skin. She closed her eyes and breathed in the metal and woodsmoke smell of him, and let herself be calmed by the rhythm of his heart. She wished for the second time that day that they could be frozen in that moment for all of eternity. She felt at home with his arms around her, stroking her skin, squeezing her hand. The sound of his laughter was her sanctuary from all of the awful things that had happened to them both. The brightness of his smile was the light of her life. Being with him, being his friend, loving him felt as easy and as natural as each breath she took.
The ease of which the thought came to her startled her slightly. Is that what this was? Not just intense, undeniable affection for Link, but could it actually, truly be love that she felt for him?
She drew back slightly to analyze his face, and he was gazing into her eyes with such an intensity that it drew the breath from her lungs. Her heart raced as she realized the truth of it as she watched him. She put her life at risk for him, she wanted nothing more than for him to be happy and safe no matter what, she loved the easy way they teased each other, played with each other, she would do anything for his sake, she would even die if it meant he could go on living. She'd never felt this intense heat, this white hot, searing feeling that erupted from her heart and sent waves of emotion through every fiber of her being as she looked upon him. She vaguely registered that they'd stopped dancing. She realized that the intensity of his gaze was a mirror of her own feelings. She felt like her heart was about to burst in her chest right then and there as she got lost in the depths of his blue eyes, was swallowed up by them. There was so much in his expression that she wasn't sure she could read it all. Affection, joy, protectiveness, and a deep yearning that she felt twist in her own gut.
"What are you thinking?" Link asked, his voice low, pitched deep with both curiosity and desire.
Kali blinked, attempting to arrange her thoughts into cohesive sentences. There was only one thing on her mind. A confession to him, an admission of how deep her feelings for him ran. She opened her mouth, unsure of what exactly was about to come out or how she was going to verbalize her love for him.
Then, both of them whipped their head to the side, registering the hard pounding of hooves against grass. The sound must have startled the musicians because their easy melody halted on a sour screeching note that had everyone turning their attention to the approaching noise. Kali and Link met each other's increasingly concerned stares for only a moment before they rushed to the front of the crowd, towards the noise, never letting go of each other's hands.
When they parted through the crowd of villagers, she saw that Princess Zelda and Kiden were already there to meet what was coming, side by side. At first, relief swept through Kali when she spotted the royal blue flags of Hyrule's soldiers approaching, but that relief was quickly dashed at the tight expression on Zelda's face. They were not expected, and something churned in Kali's gut that told her they weren't there for the celebration. It was practically a herd of soldiers that approached, and she felt Link's grip tighten on her hand as they all watched the lead soldier jump down from his horse. He hurriedly approached Zelda and gave a tight salute, his face dripping with sweat, no doubt from how hard they rode their horses. They must have been riding for a long time.
"At ease," Zelda said evenly, but Kali couldn't help but notice how the princess's hands were tightened into clenched fists. "Report." she commanded.
The soldier relaxed only slightly. He looked exhausted. "Your majesty, the sorcerer's army has been spotted by our scouts. It is quickly approaching from the west."
Zelda's shoulders tensed, and she squared them, as if preparing to take a strike from an opponent. Her eyes sharpened as she asked, "Their numbers?"
The soldier shifted uncomfortably, as if he didn't want to answer. In the end, his loyalty to his princess relented, "I don't understand it princess. But it's almost as if there are more of them than before, nearly doubled in size."
Kali felt her heart sink so hard and fast she feared it would drag her with it into the depths of the earth beneath her feet. She didn't think Pallas would resort to this, it took up too much of his energy. Zelda eyed Kali from the corner of her eye, as if sensing her shock. "Is this possible?" the princess asked tensely.
Kali's fingers clutched to Link's hand as she closed her eyes tight against the reality that was quickly crashing down upon them. "It is. He is able to summon more monsters with his sorcery, but at the rate he's done this….I didn't think he would do something like this. It makes him too weak. He must be desperate, and really, really angry."
Zelda turned back to the soldier, "Do they appear to have the intent to attack?"
The soldier watched Kali with caution, as if he wasn't sure she should be privy to this information but he nodded once. That nod sent every good feeling she'd experienced since returning spiraling away from her. She felt like she was going to be sick at the implication of the news. But the soldier went on, "They will be upon us in less than a day at the rate they travel."
She saw only the slightest dip of Zelda's shoulders, and that was all the confirmation she needed. Pallas was willing to overwhelm them all with sheer numbers instead of his devastating power if it meant he would win this war, and that dip showed Kali that Hyrule did not have the numbers to stand a chance. But Zelda's voice rang out over the vast army that appeared to have already showed up to Kakariko Village, "Set up camp, prepare the weapons, eat and rest well! Prepare for battle upon the morrow!"
The princess turned from the soldiers as they began to carry out her orders, and her eyes were upon both she and Link. She almost looked sympathetic for them both as she spoke the soft works that already sent fractures through Kali's heart, "Both of you as well. Prepare yourselves. We are out of time."
Author's note: I'm back from my trip! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I was really struggling to get back into the routine of writing in the mornings. But I managed to get us back on track again.
I can't let everyone be happy for too long! I have a lot yet in store, and I hope you all will enjoy what I have in mind for the story.
I also made a spotify playlist for this fic (cause I was bored on the plane to and from New Orleans), and the link to it can be found on my profile :) Let me know if there are any songs that you think should be added!
If it doesn't work please let me know. You can also find it by searching "Pieces of Time" on spotify playlists and you will see my name on it.