And here is the third part of my little Dark Link series and it's the last part of it.
And, as promised, this one is much more light-hearted ;).
And I agree with you PokemonTrainer12.
I can only imagine how much the Majora's Mask Link must have suffered after his adventures in Termina...
A friend like you
Several days had passed and Link recovered slowly but surely from the terrible wounds, which he had gotten in the water temple.
Malon, Talon and Ingo had taken good care of him during these days.
They had ensured that his wounds were always clean and well patched up, had ensured that he ate and drank enough and Link felt much better by now.
Still, it could be seen that he hadn't gotten much sleep these days, because often he didn't seem to be present when someone spoke to him and whenever he heard a noise outside, he winced and the naked fear sparkled in his blue eyes.
They all knew that he was suffering from cruel nightmares at night and it seemed as if these nightmares continued to haunt him, because sometimes Link stared into a corner of the room and whenever he did so, his body began to tremble terribly. And he also avoided looking at all the things that reflected him, because it seemed as if he was even afraid of his own reflection...
In all this time, Navi didn't leave him for a second and whenever she could see fear in Link's bright blue eyes, she calmed him down as good as she could and assured him that nothing and no one was with them in the room. But the hero told her nothing about the things he thought he could see, or what terrible things hunted him in his nightmares.
And if Navi was honest, she didn't want to know about it.
The only thing she was interested in was that Link was getting better and she wanted to see him laugh again and not so depressed and frightened as he was at the moment. It broke her heart to see him suffering so much and not be able to do anything about it. Even Malon had not managed to change his condition.
But Navi wouldn't leave anything untried to bring a little smile to his face and she knew that Malon was trying the same, because she could see how much she was suffering herself to see Link in this bad state.
Today, Navi swore, she would give Link his smile back!
And she would start with this right away.
After all, she wouldn't be his friend if she didn't leave anything untried to change his condition at least a bit and so she set her plan to work. She flew over to the bed where the hero lay and slept...well, not really slept. He had his eyes closed and was dozing a little, but he didn't really sleep.
Why, Navi didn't know, but she didn't like it that Link was afraid of falling asleep.
"If you think that I leave you lying in this bed for one more day, then you thought wrong. Come on, lazybones. Get out of the bed!"
Yes, that was the Navi which he knew since seven years...
Link didn't answer and didn't move though.
He didn't even open his eyes and that was something which could drive Navi mad. If there was something she hated, then it was to be ignored!
But on the other hand, she knew how she could change this behavior of his...
She flew over to Link's head and pulled at his ear, which didn't make the hero get up, but he muttered something to himself and he carefully pushed Navi away with his hand and pulled the blanket over his head.
Oh yes, that was really the behavior of a hero...
"You're worse than a little child. And someone like you really wants to be a hero? Don't make me laugh!"
A grumble was heard under the covers.
Something that made Navi grin.
"Leave me alone..." Link muttered underneath the blanket.
"Oh, what is that? It can talk."
Navi could practically feel how Link rolled his eyes, but he didn't say anything and didn't move anymore and for him the "conversation" seemed to be finished now, but for Navi it wasn't. Oh no. She hadn't even begun yet...
She let her gaze wander over his body, until her eyes stopped at his feet, which peered out from under the blanket and which were a perfect target for further teasing. Without thinking about it, she flew to said body parts and she brushed her wingtips over his soles, which made her friend grumble once again and Link pulled his feet quickly under the covers to protect them from further "attacks". He heard his cheeky fairy giggle and shook his head slightly, but he couldn't help but smile at her attempts to get him out of the bed.
Before the situation escalated, Malon, who knocked at the door and then stepped into the room, saved him.
"What's going on here?" he heard her ask and Navi giggled again and of course she told her of his "un-hero-like behavior" and that he behaved more like a little child than the great hero of Hyrule.
"Aww come on, Navi. Don't be so hard to him. It is nice if he leaves his inner child out of himself every now and then. Am I right Link?"
The smile on his lips broadened and he nodded silently with his head, which no one could see, as his head was still hidden under the blanket.
"What did you do to him Navi?"
"I just wanted him to get up and get some fresh air. He has been lying around in bed for three days. He should get up now."
Malon looked over at Link and a small smile spread over her face.
"Maybe your little fairy is right and you should really get up. Today is a beautiful day. Come to the paddock, sit down there and enjoy the beautiful weather. This will do you good. Your wounds heal very well, your fever is gone and you have to move a bit. And besides, Epona misses you. She'll be happy if you spend a little time with her and when she can be close to you."
With her words, Malon seemed to have hit the bull's eye, for Link moved under the covers and pulled them off his head. He gave the young farm girl such a beautiful smile, that her knees became like pudding and before he could see the soft blush on her cheeks, she turned her face away from him, pretending to put his clothes over the chair that stood in the room and which she had washed for him the evening, when he had been lying unconscious in bed.
"I really appreciate what you, your father and Ingo did for me."
A soft smile spread across Malon's face and when she was sure that her face was no longer under fire, she turned to him and looked at him, still smiling.
"That was nothing Link, really."
She stepped to his side and helped him to sit up in the bed.
As he took her hand carefully into his, her cheeks glowed red within seconds, which made not only him grin, but also Navi. But his look quickly became serious again and he squeezed her hand lightly.
"I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't helped me. Probably I would have died. I can't thank you enough for what you have done. You've saved my life."
"No Link. Your fairy has saved your life..."
The Hylian twitched slightly as Malon said these words and when memories flooded through his mind.
Terrible memories...
"She told me what happened and how you got all these terrible wounds. She has saved your life."
"How would it be if we agreed that we saved him all and that he owes us something from now on?" Navi tried to lighten the situation again, as she saw that Link had problems with the whole conversation. And she even managed to defuse the situation, for a small smile spread over his face again and Malon smiled too, squeezed his hand lightly, before pulling back from him; still with fire red cheeks.
"I've got you fresh clothes. Basil gave me one of his old shirts and an old trouser which you can wear, because I don't think your own clothes are appropriate. They narrow you in and only unnecessarily irritate your wounds. When you're done, come down. We then go together to the horse-paddock. Epona is already waiting for you there..."
And then she left the room and left Link and Navi alone...
Ten minutes later, Link stood outside the house and Malon was back by his side and she supported him. The wounds still weakened him and his muscles ached painfully and since he had only been lying in bed for three days, he had problems walking in the beginning, but it didn't take long until he could walk better and Malon could release his arms (even if she did it very reluctantly).
As they entered the paddock, Epona came to them immediately and she pressed her nostrils cautiously against Link's neck, which made him giggle as the horse's hair tickled his skin. He gently stroked her neck and closed his eyes.
"Oh, Epona. I also have to thank you. You brought me here."
She snorted as an answer, lowered her head and pushed her nostrils against his waist, which made him and also Malon laugh.
"I think she noticed that I hid a few sugar cubes in your pocket."
A soft laugh broke loose from Link's throat and he reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out three sugar cubes, which he gave his mare. To thank him, she pressed her nostrils against his head, nibbling carefully on his blond hair, which made Navi and Malon laugh because it looked just too funny.
"I've missed you too, my girl," he laughed and he gently pressed the head of the mare away from his and stroked his hair out of his face.
"I think she wants you to go out for a ride with her," Malon said.
Link's gaze became a little sad and he stroked her muscular neck lovingly.
"I would love to go out for a ride with you, but I can't do that yet. I am sorry…"
He let his fingers glide through her white mane and with the other hand he scratched the spot on the side of her neck.
"But as soon as I'm better, we'll make a long ride through Hyrule Field, I promise you, and as long as we're here you can play with the other horses."
As if she understood him (and sometimes Link believed that she really could) she whinnied before turning back and trotting back to the other horses. Link looked at her, smiling, before he turned around and went to the small covered place to put himself in the shade. Malon took a seat beside him, and Navi sat comfortably on his shoulder and silently they watched her for a while as Epona played with the other horses that were on the pasture.
"It's so beautiful here..." he whispered softly, but Malon and Navi had heard it.
The young farm girl gently touched his hand as she could see a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"You miss your home, don't you?" she asked and he could hear slight worry in her voice.
Link nodded with his head and sighed.
"It's been a long time since I was in Kokiri Forest. When I returned months ago, none of them recognized me. How should they? Kokiris don't grow and never grow older. I, on the other hand, have grown older. I've changed so much that none of them recognized me...not even Mido..."
"Mido?"
Again, a small smile spread across Link's face, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"When I was a child, he always annoyed me and sometimes also hurt me with his words. I had been an outsider at that time, since I was the only one who didn't have an own fairy."
"But you have Navi?"
"I came to him much later. The Great Deku Tree sent me to him when he was about to start his journey. Before that I lived in the lost woods. But do you know what Malon?"
"No, what?"
The little fairy grinned and she sat down on Link's head.
"Better late than never. I'm very glad I got to know this thickhead here."
"Hey! Who do you call a thickhead here? "
"Well, you."
Link felt her grin practically on his body and a growl left his throat.
"Wouldn't you sit on my head..."
"Then what? What would you do then?"
"You don't want to know that."
"Uhhh, now I got scared."
The hero rolled with his eyes, but couldn't get rid of that small grin anymore when he heard Malon giggle beside him, who watched him and Navi silently and amused at the same time.
"You have to see her when we are together in a temple. I only say one thing: Forest Temple."
"So what? I didn't do anything to you."
"You didn't want to stop telling me I should be quiet."
"If you walk through the temple like a Dodongo!"
"Not true! I was as quiet as I could!"
"If this is your truth, then Ganondorf is a woman from now on!"
Malon couldn't stop giggling as she looked at them.
And finally, Link's lips twitched up into a wide smile, which also reached his eyes. It was just so nice to see him smile again and being so happy and cheerful. And just in that moment she also noticed how much she had missed his smile...
Finally the Link was back, which she had met seven years ago.
In the last three days, he had been like a stranger to her, especially when he had awakened from a nightmare at night, screaming loudly then. But even now she could still see in his eyes that he couldn't let himself fall completely. There still was something that bothered him and that wouldn't let him rest. He hadn't talked about his nightmares that haunted him every night and she knew he was suffering badly from it.
And she just couldn't stand it anymore!
She wanted him to laugh again and that he would be happy again.
And she would make sure that she got back this Link.
And Navi had already made the start...
"Link?"
Malon's voice tore the hero out of his "quarrels" with his fairy and when he turned his head and looked at her, the grin disappeared from his lips as he noticed Malon's stern gaze.
"Malon? What is wrong?"
"We have to talk about it," she said and she looked deeply into his eyes during her words.
"Talk about what?"
"About your nightmares. You haven't slept properly for days and if you sleep, then not for long. We all hear your screams in the middle of the night and we've all seen how much you suffer from these nightmares. It's time for you to talk about it. You can't deal with that all alone, because if you do so, it will get worse and worse and one day it will destroy you completely. None of us wants that. And I also know it won't be easy for you but please...talk about this Link..."
Her words made him shudder and he wanted to look away from her, but he didn't do it. He wanted to show strength and looked firmly into her eyes. Even Navi had become quiet. The cheerful mood had disappeared within a few seconds and had given away to the seriousness of life once again, but Malon was right with the words that had just left her lips. Link couldn't deal with it all alone. He had to tell someone his problems, had to talk about them and try to process it. Even if it wouldn't be easy for him, he knew Malon was right and it was time to open himself to her and also to Navi. She was his friend, just like Navi was and who if not his friends would listen to him and help him?
A sigh left the young hero's lips and his gaze went back to the horses. Shortly he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then he began to tell her everything.
He told Malon everything that had happened in the water temple, told her about the terrible fight against his shadowy clone, told her about all the terrible wounds he had gotten during the battle, told her about Navi and how brave she had been when she had fought against that monster to save his life. He also told her about Ruto and how she had fought with him bravely against the demon of the water temple and how they had defeated him and how he had then been taken to the Lon Lon Ranch by Epona.
He paused for a moment, for what he would tell Malon and Navi now was not easy for him, since this had been tormenting his soul for days and robbed him of his sleep, but he had to talk about it. This was the only way to deal with it and to process it, so he took a deep breath again, before he began to tell his two friends about the terrible things he could see every night and which tortured him every night in the most dreadful way they could imagine.
When he had finished, there was silence between them and no one dared to break this silence. Too dark had been his words and neither Navi nor Malon found the right words they could now address to the boy.
Link kept looking away from them to hide the tears that had gathered in his eyes during his narration, for he was ashamed of his weakness. But no matter how much he fought against it, he couldn't do anything about his feelings. They were stronger than him and they just ran over him like a herd of wild horses and so he held his face away from the two, hiding his tears from them.
He winced as a hand was put on his, but he didn't dare to turn his head to Malon. He could feel her worried look practically in the back of his neck and that made it even worse for him.
"Link, please...look at me."
He squeezed his eyes shut, tried to suppress a sob and shook his head silently. He felt how the young woman moved closer to him and then he felt a hand on his chin and his head was gently turned to her. He allowed her to turn his head around, but kept his eyes closed. In this situation, he didn't want to look at Navi or Malon...
"Please Link...open your eyes," she said softly to him and after some moments of hesitation the hero opened his eyes a bit and looked at her.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of. If you want to cry then cry. None of us would blame you. It was very courageous of you to tell us all of this and we will do everything we can to help you."
Link wiped the tears from his eyes with his sleeve and gave the farm girl a small, if still sad smile.
"Thank you Malon. And you were right. I feel a bit better after I told you both what has been tormenting me for days."
Malon returned his smile and before Link could react, she had pulled him against her side and stroked him gently through his blond hair.
"We will do everything to make things better for you and soon you will be able to sleep without nightmares."
Navi flew up to him and she sat down onto his shoulder again and gently stroked his cheek with her wing, which broadened his smile.
"It's best to start right now," she said and her words aroused Link's and Malon's attention because they both looked at her expectantly.
"So? And how do you want to do that?" Link wanted to know and in his voice a slight hint of challenge was heard and a small, weak grin spread across his face.
"Quite simply: You have to learn to ridicule the things that torment you at night."
The hero raised an eyebrow and looked skeptically at his fairy.
"And you think that will help me?"
"Of course. I think it's the best thing if we start with this right now. You told us that you see your dark self every night, right?"
Link nodded silently with his head and a shudder passed through his body.
"So first you have to stop being afraid of him."
"This is easier said than done Navi."
"These are only dreams Link and there are people who can influence their dreams only by their will. I'm sure you can do that as well with some practice. So the next time he appears in your dreams, draw him into the ridiculousness. Make sure that he is only in underwear or something like that. Main thing is make him look as stupid as you can and you will see: In no time you will have the upper hand in this fight. You've defeated him before. You can do it a second time."
"Navi is right. If you manage to get control of your dreams, then you can defeat him and soon he will disappear."
"And if I can't do that?"
"You can do it! You've done so many crazy things already. You fought against so many terrible monsters. Even a dragon you defeated. You won't be afraid of your own shadow now, will you?"
"Well, he's not really my shadow..."
"It does not matter what he is. He's an idiot, and you'll kick his crown jewels a second time if you have to!"
And it was exactly these words that made Link laugh loudly and heartily after days and also Malon joined in his laughter when she just imagined this "fight".
Navi grinned as she looked at the two of them and how they had to cling to each other, laughing, not to fall from the wooden bench on which they sat. This was a sight that warmed her heart to the core and she enjoyed to see Link laughing so freely. She had missed this sight so much and she didn't want this moment to be over so quickly, so she kept talking to make her two friends laugh even harder.
"Oh yeah, you're gonna give him a fight he will never forget and when you are done with that, you'll wrap him up nicely, preferably with a nice looking loop on his head and then you'll send him to Ganondorf to show him what awaits him when he will meet you."
These pictures would probably never get out of his head ever again...
"Oh God, Navi, please...stop!" he laughed and he had to clutch his stomach with his arms already.
Even Malon wiped the first tears of laughter from her own eyes.
The little fairy's grin broadened and she flew from his shoulder and looked directly into his face as she addressed the next words to him.
"I know one more thing you could do to him. Something that works also on you."
She waited patiently until Link and Malon had calmed down again.
The laughter of the two died down and they had to wipe mirthful tears from their eyes before they gave Navi curious looks. At least Malon looked at her curiously. Link, on the other hand, looked skeptical, as he knew this tone in her voice too well and which never meant anything good...
"What do you mean Navi? Something that works on me too?"
The little fairy giggled.
A gleeful giggle...
"If he is your exact copy, then this method would have to work excellently on him."
"Come on Navi, stop the teasing and tell us already!"
"Okay, fine. How about that: If you catch him you tie him up and then you give him a good tickle. Until he begs for mercy! After all this always works on you very well, doesn't it?"
Malon laughed instantly again and also Navi joined in her laughter.
The only one who didn't laugh was Link himself.
His head looked like a tomato now and he clasped both hands over his face, as images popped up inside his head, which he had never wanted to see and he was sure that these images would be burned into his memory forever.
"Navi!" he growled and he glared at her through his fingers, but his dark gaze missed its effect, for his fairy just laughed and she sat back on his shoulder.
"What? I just said the truth."
She flew to Malon and looked at the farm girl's face, grinning.
"I tickled him months ago when he broke through the ground in the forest temple and got tangled in some tendrils. You should have been there. I am sure the whole temple has heard his laughter."
"Not true! Don't listen to her Malon! These are all lies!"
Malon just laughed and looked at him, grinning and Navi also flew back to him, hovering just in front of his face so he had to look at her.
"Lies? Really Link? Shall I do it again? Then Malon will see that these are no lies at all and that you are one veeeeery ticklish hero..."
The boy instantly wrapped his arms around his upper body and growled at her.
"Don't even think about it! I'm still seriously injured!"
Now he was just exaggerating it…
"As if that would stop me..."
"Navi!"
The cheeky fairy giggled and she sat back on his shoulder, brushing her wing over the side of his neck, which now made him giggle and he scrunched his shoulders up and tried to protect his neck.
"I'm just teasing you Link," she whispered in his ear and that made him giggle a bit more.
"Of course, I'll wait until you feel better and when the time has come, you can be sure that you will not be able to stop laughing for a long, very long time and I'm sure Malon will help me, right?"
The farm girl giggled and nodded her head and Link buried his face again in his hands and muttered something into his not existing beard.
"Just you wait Link. This will be a lot of fun..."
He peeked through his fingers again, glaring at her and before Navi knew what was happening, Link had grabbed her gently with his hand and used the other to tickle her small body with his forefinger, relishing in the cute laughter he got as a response.
"How about I start practicing now? After all I need to be in a good condition when I face my "Shadow" once again, right Navi?"
Yes, there were times when he would like to send his fairy to Ganondorf, but he was sure that not even the great king of evil would be able to stand it with her for too long.
This thought made him grin and he kept on tickling his little friend and he would only stop once she would start begging him for mercy. After all she was as merciless as he was right now when it came to tickling him (and she tickled him way too often for his taste), so it was only fair if she got a taste of her own medicine now...
Navi could be a little monster if she wanted to, but he had closed this little monster into his heart in all this time and he didn't want to miss her in his life anymore, because she brought joy and happiness to him; even in the darkest hours of his life.
Just as she had done it again today.
And for this he was eternally grateful, for she gave him a good reason to keep fighting and bring peace back to this country.
Just as Navi gave him peace when he needed it.
Because that's exactly what friends were there for...
The End
Author's Note:
Yes I said that this is the last part of my series and this is, more or less, true, but I have written a little extra chapter for this story, since a few people on my dA wished for a silly tickle story with Dark Link (which was a nice, little challenge for me to write). If anyone has interest in reading this, please let me know and I will also upload this here too (I am still pretty shy to upload these kind of stories here, that's why I ask). But for now thank you for reading my little series and I hoped you liked it :).