See chapter one for disclaimer.
Of Wind and Forest
When Link and Talim returned to the camps both were soaked to the bone. The rain, much to Talim's delight, didn't stop. Though it was very late in the evening, people of the Wind Tribe could be seen scrambling around their tents, still trying to close the roofs. Through the power of the Wind Deity and through no small trouble on their own the two made it back to Talim's tent unseen.
Lighting a candle Talim saw her sparrow Alun sitting on his perch, sleeping. His perch was set next to the entrance so that he could come and go as he pleased. Though there was a rainfall it was still warm inside the tent. At this time of year even if it did rain naturally it would still be warm.
When Link looked at Talim inside away from the rain he noticed something different. Although her clothes could hardly be called loose before, now they left absolutely nothing to Link's imagination. That wasn't the only thing that caught his attention, her hair clung to her body more closely than her clothes. Drops of water were glistening of her skin, shining in the dim candle light. His breath caught in his throat, his heart beat became faster. Then Talim did something that he never expected, she started to undress.
"What do you think you're doing?" Link stuttered, turning to face the tent walls as Talim began to remove her top.
"Huh," something in his voice caught her attention and she wondered why he suddenly got so nervous, "you don't expect me to say in these wet things do you?"
"No," Link's voice said suddenly smaller, "I just expected you to tell me."
"Why?" Talim asked, her voice seemed almost sarcastically innocent to him. "I'm just changing my clothes, there's no reason to get so worked up about it." Link didn't answer her then, he just sat in the corner of the tent. Then groping around the floor he found his blanket and covered his head. Try as she might Talim just couldn't understand why Link was acting so weird and this wasn't the first time. Maybe there was something about her that he found disgusting. They didn't look that similar and she didn't have pointed ears like him. Was he just being nice because of gratitude? Did he really find her that ugly?
Talim stood there, half naked, wondering why the thought made her feel so empty. She decided to ask him what made him so nervous sometimes. Not in a day, not in a minute, right now. Moving over to him, she placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned closer to him.
"Link," was it his imagination or did her voice always have that sultry whisper? "Is something wrong with me?" Had Link not been aware of the situation he might have turned to look at her. "Why won't you look at me?"
He couldn't stay quiet, but he knew that whatever he said would just make things worse. Link had been caught in many no win situations in his life. Suddenly he wished for those times again, when he would just worry about his life. He remembered the one time that he had walked in on Malon when she was changing clothes, he remembered how she had screamed so loud that she could be heard as far as the Gerudo Valley. Gathering his courage Link decided he would give it a try.
"I think it's because," he stuttered, Talim was still leaning on him her scent filling his nostrils, "people in my world don't do that."
"Change clothes?" Silently Link damned the cultural barrier that seemed pervade his existence lately.
"Well in my world the only time a man and woman change clothes in front of each other is when they are..." he searched for the right word, "involved." He hoped that his explanation was good enough.
"Aren't we involved?" Somehow his meaning and her meaning differed slightly, Link was certain of it.
"Talim," Link needed to try a new approach, "what is your people's custom on changing clothes?"
"Custom?" He needed a different angle.
"For example, would you undress in front of a total stranger?" Though he didn't see it he could feel her face turn a bright shade of red. As far as he was concerned it was progress. "I know I'm not a stranger, but I get the same feeling you have now when you do things like that."
"I guess I understand." Link could sense a sadness in those words, did she think that he was covering up for something?
"I don't think your ugly," Link blurted out, "in fact I think your very beautiful." he screamed at himself in his mind. Why was he still talking? Link had put his foot in his mouth many times before, this time felt very different. His voice seemed to act independent of his will.
"Link," Talim was surprised by Link many times that night. He had asked her what she wanted. Link had made it rain just for her. Then there was the incident when he first woke up. She was surprised by his behavior when they had returned. She was also undeniably surprised when called her beautiful just a second ago, but what surprised her the most was when he tensed up after he had said so. Talim squeezed his shoulder to assure him that it was okay. "Thank you." saying that she kissed his cheek lightly.
Had Talim looked at him she would have seen his whole body go rigid. There were too many conflicting emotions for him to sort out. He did think that Talim was beautiful, but he didn't want to become attached to her. He had planned on leaving as soon as he healed, the last thing he wanted was to involved this girl any more than she had been. Slowly but surely things were becoming too complicated for the youth and he decided he would give it some thought in the morning. Removing his soaked tunic Link laid down to sleep hoping that the morning would bring clarity.
Talim could not believe what she had done, had she actually kissed him? What was more was that he didn't try to fight her. He didn't try anything, just accepted it. She wondered if it changed things between them. She was glad that he didn't think she was ugly. What would happen in the morning? She sighed in frustration, there were too many emotions cycling though her. Changing into her sleeping clothes and flopping down on her bedroll Talim prayed for a quick dreamless sleep, she would have to sort things out in the morning.
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When Talim opened her eyes she and Link were standing on a hill. Link's injuries seemed completely healed. He wore all his clothes and his sword and shield at his back. The winds were blowing between them, seeming to Talim to form an invisible barrier. It was a clear and beautiful day.
"Talim," Link spoke, his voice tainted with sadness, "thank you for all you've done, I won't forget you."
"What do you mean?" Talim's voice quivered. This wasn't what was supposed to happen, she and Link were supposes to leave together. "Link take me with you."
"It's too dangerous." He said as he walked away. He didn't make it past that hill as the people of her Tribe all found him and rushed him. They screamed out things like "Monster!" or "Demon!" Each one beating him down with a staff or their bare hands. She wanted Link to fight back or try to ward them off, but he just took it. Panicked she ran to his side, only no matter how long or hard she ran she could not catch up to him.
Then the next thing Talim saw was Link standing on a platform, a rope tied around his neck. Talim tried to scream then, but she could not make a sound. Tears streamed down her face unchecked as soundless screams ushered forth. Then the platform beneath him disappeared
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When Talim awoke she found her face covered in sweat. No it wasn't sweat. Bringing her hands up to her eyes, she realized it was her tears. Somewhere in the state of half asleep and half awake she panicked. Was is really a dream? Crawling over to his corner, Talim decided to find out. The sigh of relief that she breathed upon seeing the even rise and fall of his chest turned into a choked sob as she tried to wake him up.
Link hadn't been expecting to get up for a second time that night, but any kind of grogginess he felt then was quickly replaced by concern when he looked into Talim's fear stricken, tear stained eyes. Without thinking twice Link grabbed Talim's back and brought her into a tight embrace. Concern hid the fear that he himself felt.
"Link," she asked, wondering where his strength suddenly came from. Talim's fear quickly melted away when she herself melted into his arms. Tears of fear quickly became tears of relief. "I thought you died."
"It's alright," Link said as he ran his fingers through her hair, "everything's fine." Link held in a shudder as he tried not to recall the nightmare that he himself had. There were times when he hated being the strong one. He had been all his life, but this was different. Talim was a young girl, younger than himself and with an impossible burden upon her as well. For her he could be strong.
"Link," she said again as if to confirm that he was really there, "don't leave me please?" She had no idea how warm his arms could be, even after so much time recovering he was still so strong.
"Talim," Link felt his mouth once again move of it's own volition, but this time he was glad it did, "do you want to come with me, When I leave?"
"You have to ask?" She squeezed tighter into that embrace, saying "you're so warm." before she drifted back to sleep where she was.
"My my," Link didn't know what to do. He couldn't move, but at the same time he didn't want to. He wondered what that strange girl was doing to him as he leaned back to sleep himself.
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Talim's sleep this time was dreamless, guarded by her injured protector. She didn't wake up until some time after sunrise. She didn't remember much of what happened after she found herself in Link's arms, only that they would go off in search of the Soul Edge together. When she woke up Link was still asleep, his arms still encompassing her. She knew that she would be in trouble for not helping with breakfast, she would probably have to carry the weights all day as a result.
Her clothes still soaked from the night before, Talim decided to wear something different. Now she wore a pink shirt that had a white floral pattern and red trim around her short sleeves, she wore a white vest with a pink trim over it. A broach holding the vest in place. Around her neck she wore a red choker and pendant that was much smaller than her others. A pair of crimson shorts covered her lower anatomy. On her feet were a pair of sandals that had what seemed to be a pink skirt around the ankle, he calves were wrapped in a kind of tape that was the same color as her shorts. Allowing some time for vanity Talim changed her hair so that most of it was hidden under a crimson cap with two pink tassels underneath a white ornament on each side.
Satisfied with her appearance Talim ran to meet her parents who were in charge of her training. She needed to make sure that they didn't come looking for her, lest they search her tent and find Link. Hopefully if things went well within the next few days she would be able to introduce him to her people.
However no sooner had Talim left than her parents Sanput and Lidi entered her tent in search of her. Link did not go unnoticed. Being a somewhat over protective father Sanput had not wanted his daughter to move into her own tent, he had thought that after a few weeks she would tire of having to put together and take apart her tent alone every time they moved on. At first he was outraged at the idea of a man in her tent, then that outrage turned to horror when he realized the uniqueness of this individual.
Normally Sanput was a wise and reasonable man, however the sight of man half naked in his daughter's tent drove him over the edge as he wrapped his hands around the man's neck and started to strangle the life out of him.
When Link felt the unfamiliar hands trying to end his life his first reaction was to fight. With a speed born of instinct he punched the attacker in the temple, jarring his hands free from Link's throat. When the stranger recovered from the attack he and Link had locked their hands and were grappling each other. Behind them a woman could be heard screaming, no doubt alarming the rest of the tribe to his presence. In no time the tent was filled with men from the village, each pinning Link to the ground and tying his arms behind his back. Link knew his first instincts were true then, these people, much like the one's in his world feared the unknown.
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Talim never made it to the fields that day, halfway there she had heard from one of the others that a demon was captured somewhere on her side of the camps. Talim was of course worried about this. Without a second of hesitation she ran back to her tent. Finding it empty did nothing to dispel her fears. Talim continued her frantic search of the camps until she found him bound and blindfolded at a platform that had been erected for a coming festival.
The platform was a good ten feet of the ground and constructed of a hard wood that the tribe had traded for a few months back. All this was inconsequential to Talim as she saw a rope being lowered around his neck. She felt the painful flash of dei javu as the memories of her dream came crashing back to her. There were too many similarities, the noose, Link not fighting back.
"This isn't a dream," she whispered to herself as she broke through the crowds trying desperately to make it in time. Each on of her people was chanting and yelling wildly for the young man's death, when they looked at him they did not see the gentle eyes that Talim saw, they saw the ears of a freak, a monster. Just that one insignificant difference was enough for them to brand him a demon of evil. Talim thought of it as she reached the platform. The noose was being tightened around his neck.
None of them knew how gentle he was, none knew of the dangers he faced simply to get to this world. They didn't see the boy that cried out to his family in his sleep. They, not a single one of them, felt about him as she did. Breaking through the guards that were posted at the latter, Talim climbed her way to her friend. Then for all of her people to see, she threw her body on top of his.
Link didn't know much of what was happening, he felt the noose being placed around his neck, then much later instead of feeling his neck snap like he had waited for he felt a familiar warmth and scent encompass him. The scent of the grass, Talim's sent. Link had felt her shivering arms around his body. Then his world was filled with light as she removed the blindfold.
"Are you all right?" She whispered to him, a gentle nod was his reply. "Father," he said loudly turning to her father, "what is the meaning of this?" Link saw her eyes as she spoke, they were like a seething squall behind a calm exterior. The man that she addressed as her father was a much older man in his late forties as far a Link could guess. He wore tanned leathers of simple design and color. His hair, which had flecks of the same color that Talim had were, was mostly a steely gray. His eyes were an even colder blue, or rather his eye was, for over his left was a black patch. His body was well built from the life time that he spent traveling the plains with his tribe. If Link was certain of anything it was that this man was a warrior.
However even as he felt awed by the man's power and presence, he despised him more than anything. This was the man who had decided Talim's fate without even the slightest thought as to what she wanted. This was the man who, for the good of his people, deprived Talim of a childhood. Link felt the fire of hatred burn at the knowledge of what this man had done, but try as he might he could not extinguish it. Sanput wasn't a stupid man, with him on the platform was three guards armed with spears.
"I'll ask again Father," Talim said keeping her cool, "what is the meaning of this."
"I should as the same question of you daughter," he spoke evenly in his gravelly voice, "why was this creature in your tent?"
"Link is a sign from the Wind Deity," Talim's voice could be heard, by Link, to begin breaking down, "he hasn't come to harm us."
"You have been deceived daughter," he stated it matter of fact, "this creature is nothing of the sort. Now answer my question, what was he doing in your tent?"
"He was injured," Link knew that Talim was a strong girl, but faced with what she viewed as her law for the past fifteen years, she was beginning to waiver. "I was trying to save him."
"Talim," He looked into her eyes with a piercing stare, "he will kill you."
"You don't even know him," she now screamed, all sense of calm gone as her father approached her, "you just don't want me to leave. You want me to stay with the tribe while the world is destroyed. You don't care what happens to-" Talim could not finish her sentence, not with the stinging pain that her father had brought upon her face.
When Link tried to move to her aid he found his stomach getting better acquainted with the butt end of a spear, causing him to kneel down in pain.
"Do you see how he has turned you against us?" Had Link the capabilities he would have killed the man where he stood, for he never wavered even after what he had just done. "You are destined to be the greatest of all the priests and priestesses ever, you can't let such rabble as him stop you."
"What about what I want," Talim said still clutching her throbbing cheek.
"That doesn't matter." He still spoke evenly.
"Shut up!" Link breathed heavily as he rose again to his feet, "You talk about destiny and fate like that's all there is to life, but you're wrong." As he spoke memories of those that had once depended on him the 'Hero of Time' burst forth. "The needs of your tribe and the needs of your future are all important but, you put the needs of everyone else over that of your own daughter every time. What right do you have to be called her father?" As Link spoke the composed man made his way to him.
"You are only a child yourself," he spoke with an air of superiority, "what do you know of destiny and the world."
"More than you ever will." When he last spoke Sanput grabbed him by his collar and brought the youth up to meet his steely gaze. Even feeling his strength ebbing, even feeling the air escape his lungs, Link did not waiver, looking at Talim he knew his purpose. "I know what it's like to loose a family without ever knowing them, if you're not careful you'll know the same." Taking this to be some kind of threat Sanput used his free hand and punched Link in the still healing ribs. Despite the pain, despite the urge to just give up, he pressed on.
"Bastard," his calm finally broken Link allowed himself a small smirk, "what does a demon like you know about family?" His voice broke in a yell. "I have given up everything for my family, my people, I see that every time I look in a mirror. I gave up even my eye for-"
"I gave up my life," Link said evenly staring into the steel, "because of a threat that is so far away yet so dangerous I gave up my life, my family, everything. I can never go back, because of my destiny." The last word spat out like bitter medicine.
"Link." Talim whispered, still clutching at her cheek.
"The Evil Seed." Sanput let go of Link's collar, allowing him to land on the ground. "The evil that Talim felt on the winds seven years ago."
"That is why I'm here," Link spoke, standing tall.
"How can I believe you?"
"Look in your daughter's eyes."
"Talim," Sanput called her over reaching his hand out to her. When Sanput looked in those eyes for the first time in a long time he saw something. Strength. This was not the little girl who had called out to her father when the sky thundered. Determination. The will of a soul who wanted to save those she cared about. Love. Something he had not seen in a long time.
"Father," Talim whispered as she looked into his softening features.
"You'll go no matter what, won't you?" She nodded her affirmation. "Even knowing the risks?" Again she nodded. "Even knowing the sacrifice?" Another silent nod. "Then go," he whispered for her ears only, "remember that your parents love you very much."
"I will father," she whispered back.
"Protect my daughter." Sanput commanded Link, not looking at him. "You'll be all she has." Link remained silent.
Within the hour they had left the people of the Wind Tribe. Talim had packed some scant belongings and some bandages in case they needed them. Link felt the familiar weight of the Master Sword and his Hylian shield on his back. There was no grand celebration or a send off of any kind. Talim said her good byes to her parents and grandmother and that was all. However, before they left Talim freed her sparrow Alun, saying that he deserved to travel the winds freely.
Link was kept unaware of one thing though. No matter who and no matter for what reason when a member of the Wind Tribe left, they were never allowed back. It was in this way that Talim had become even more like him, for to her people she was also dead.
-To Be Continued
I got nothing to say this time. Nothing at all, anyway how am I doing?
Ryuhiko@hotmail.com
Of Wind and Forest
When Link and Talim returned to the camps both were soaked to the bone. The rain, much to Talim's delight, didn't stop. Though it was very late in the evening, people of the Wind Tribe could be seen scrambling around their tents, still trying to close the roofs. Through the power of the Wind Deity and through no small trouble on their own the two made it back to Talim's tent unseen.
Lighting a candle Talim saw her sparrow Alun sitting on his perch, sleeping. His perch was set next to the entrance so that he could come and go as he pleased. Though there was a rainfall it was still warm inside the tent. At this time of year even if it did rain naturally it would still be warm.
When Link looked at Talim inside away from the rain he noticed something different. Although her clothes could hardly be called loose before, now they left absolutely nothing to Link's imagination. That wasn't the only thing that caught his attention, her hair clung to her body more closely than her clothes. Drops of water were glistening of her skin, shining in the dim candle light. His breath caught in his throat, his heart beat became faster. Then Talim did something that he never expected, she started to undress.
"What do you think you're doing?" Link stuttered, turning to face the tent walls as Talim began to remove her top.
"Huh," something in his voice caught her attention and she wondered why he suddenly got so nervous, "you don't expect me to say in these wet things do you?"
"No," Link's voice said suddenly smaller, "I just expected you to tell me."
"Why?" Talim asked, her voice seemed almost sarcastically innocent to him. "I'm just changing my clothes, there's no reason to get so worked up about it." Link didn't answer her then, he just sat in the corner of the tent. Then groping around the floor he found his blanket and covered his head. Try as she might Talim just couldn't understand why Link was acting so weird and this wasn't the first time. Maybe there was something about her that he found disgusting. They didn't look that similar and she didn't have pointed ears like him. Was he just being nice because of gratitude? Did he really find her that ugly?
Talim stood there, half naked, wondering why the thought made her feel so empty. She decided to ask him what made him so nervous sometimes. Not in a day, not in a minute, right now. Moving over to him, she placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned closer to him.
"Link," was it his imagination or did her voice always have that sultry whisper? "Is something wrong with me?" Had Link not been aware of the situation he might have turned to look at her. "Why won't you look at me?"
He couldn't stay quiet, but he knew that whatever he said would just make things worse. Link had been caught in many no win situations in his life. Suddenly he wished for those times again, when he would just worry about his life. He remembered the one time that he had walked in on Malon when she was changing clothes, he remembered how she had screamed so loud that she could be heard as far as the Gerudo Valley. Gathering his courage Link decided he would give it a try.
"I think it's because," he stuttered, Talim was still leaning on him her scent filling his nostrils, "people in my world don't do that."
"Change clothes?" Silently Link damned the cultural barrier that seemed pervade his existence lately.
"Well in my world the only time a man and woman change clothes in front of each other is when they are..." he searched for the right word, "involved." He hoped that his explanation was good enough.
"Aren't we involved?" Somehow his meaning and her meaning differed slightly, Link was certain of it.
"Talim," Link needed to try a new approach, "what is your people's custom on changing clothes?"
"Custom?" He needed a different angle.
"For example, would you undress in front of a total stranger?" Though he didn't see it he could feel her face turn a bright shade of red. As far as he was concerned it was progress. "I know I'm not a stranger, but I get the same feeling you have now when you do things like that."
"I guess I understand." Link could sense a sadness in those words, did she think that he was covering up for something?
"I don't think your ugly," Link blurted out, "in fact I think your very beautiful." he screamed at himself in his mind. Why was he still talking? Link had put his foot in his mouth many times before, this time felt very different. His voice seemed to act independent of his will.
"Link," Talim was surprised by Link many times that night. He had asked her what she wanted. Link had made it rain just for her. Then there was the incident when he first woke up. She was surprised by his behavior when they had returned. She was also undeniably surprised when called her beautiful just a second ago, but what surprised her the most was when he tensed up after he had said so. Talim squeezed his shoulder to assure him that it was okay. "Thank you." saying that she kissed his cheek lightly.
Had Talim looked at him she would have seen his whole body go rigid. There were too many conflicting emotions for him to sort out. He did think that Talim was beautiful, but he didn't want to become attached to her. He had planned on leaving as soon as he healed, the last thing he wanted was to involved this girl any more than she had been. Slowly but surely things were becoming too complicated for the youth and he decided he would give it some thought in the morning. Removing his soaked tunic Link laid down to sleep hoping that the morning would bring clarity.
Talim could not believe what she had done, had she actually kissed him? What was more was that he didn't try to fight her. He didn't try anything, just accepted it. She wondered if it changed things between them. She was glad that he didn't think she was ugly. What would happen in the morning? She sighed in frustration, there were too many emotions cycling though her. Changing into her sleeping clothes and flopping down on her bedroll Talim prayed for a quick dreamless sleep, she would have to sort things out in the morning.
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When Talim opened her eyes she and Link were standing on a hill. Link's injuries seemed completely healed. He wore all his clothes and his sword and shield at his back. The winds were blowing between them, seeming to Talim to form an invisible barrier. It was a clear and beautiful day.
"Talim," Link spoke, his voice tainted with sadness, "thank you for all you've done, I won't forget you."
"What do you mean?" Talim's voice quivered. This wasn't what was supposed to happen, she and Link were supposes to leave together. "Link take me with you."
"It's too dangerous." He said as he walked away. He didn't make it past that hill as the people of her Tribe all found him and rushed him. They screamed out things like "Monster!" or "Demon!" Each one beating him down with a staff or their bare hands. She wanted Link to fight back or try to ward them off, but he just took it. Panicked she ran to his side, only no matter how long or hard she ran she could not catch up to him.
Then the next thing Talim saw was Link standing on a platform, a rope tied around his neck. Talim tried to scream then, but she could not make a sound. Tears streamed down her face unchecked as soundless screams ushered forth. Then the platform beneath him disappeared
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When Talim awoke she found her face covered in sweat. No it wasn't sweat. Bringing her hands up to her eyes, she realized it was her tears. Somewhere in the state of half asleep and half awake she panicked. Was is really a dream? Crawling over to his corner, Talim decided to find out. The sigh of relief that she breathed upon seeing the even rise and fall of his chest turned into a choked sob as she tried to wake him up.
Link hadn't been expecting to get up for a second time that night, but any kind of grogginess he felt then was quickly replaced by concern when he looked into Talim's fear stricken, tear stained eyes. Without thinking twice Link grabbed Talim's back and brought her into a tight embrace. Concern hid the fear that he himself felt.
"Link," she asked, wondering where his strength suddenly came from. Talim's fear quickly melted away when she herself melted into his arms. Tears of fear quickly became tears of relief. "I thought you died."
"It's alright," Link said as he ran his fingers through her hair, "everything's fine." Link held in a shudder as he tried not to recall the nightmare that he himself had. There were times when he hated being the strong one. He had been all his life, but this was different. Talim was a young girl, younger than himself and with an impossible burden upon her as well. For her he could be strong.
"Link," she said again as if to confirm that he was really there, "don't leave me please?" She had no idea how warm his arms could be, even after so much time recovering he was still so strong.
"Talim," Link felt his mouth once again move of it's own volition, but this time he was glad it did, "do you want to come with me, When I leave?"
"You have to ask?" She squeezed tighter into that embrace, saying "you're so warm." before she drifted back to sleep where she was.
"My my," Link didn't know what to do. He couldn't move, but at the same time he didn't want to. He wondered what that strange girl was doing to him as he leaned back to sleep himself.
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Talim's sleep this time was dreamless, guarded by her injured protector. She didn't wake up until some time after sunrise. She didn't remember much of what happened after she found herself in Link's arms, only that they would go off in search of the Soul Edge together. When she woke up Link was still asleep, his arms still encompassing her. She knew that she would be in trouble for not helping with breakfast, she would probably have to carry the weights all day as a result.
Her clothes still soaked from the night before, Talim decided to wear something different. Now she wore a pink shirt that had a white floral pattern and red trim around her short sleeves, she wore a white vest with a pink trim over it. A broach holding the vest in place. Around her neck she wore a red choker and pendant that was much smaller than her others. A pair of crimson shorts covered her lower anatomy. On her feet were a pair of sandals that had what seemed to be a pink skirt around the ankle, he calves were wrapped in a kind of tape that was the same color as her shorts. Allowing some time for vanity Talim changed her hair so that most of it was hidden under a crimson cap with two pink tassels underneath a white ornament on each side.
Satisfied with her appearance Talim ran to meet her parents who were in charge of her training. She needed to make sure that they didn't come looking for her, lest they search her tent and find Link. Hopefully if things went well within the next few days she would be able to introduce him to her people.
However no sooner had Talim left than her parents Sanput and Lidi entered her tent in search of her. Link did not go unnoticed. Being a somewhat over protective father Sanput had not wanted his daughter to move into her own tent, he had thought that after a few weeks she would tire of having to put together and take apart her tent alone every time they moved on. At first he was outraged at the idea of a man in her tent, then that outrage turned to horror when he realized the uniqueness of this individual.
Normally Sanput was a wise and reasonable man, however the sight of man half naked in his daughter's tent drove him over the edge as he wrapped his hands around the man's neck and started to strangle the life out of him.
When Link felt the unfamiliar hands trying to end his life his first reaction was to fight. With a speed born of instinct he punched the attacker in the temple, jarring his hands free from Link's throat. When the stranger recovered from the attack he and Link had locked their hands and were grappling each other. Behind them a woman could be heard screaming, no doubt alarming the rest of the tribe to his presence. In no time the tent was filled with men from the village, each pinning Link to the ground and tying his arms behind his back. Link knew his first instincts were true then, these people, much like the one's in his world feared the unknown.
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Talim never made it to the fields that day, halfway there she had heard from one of the others that a demon was captured somewhere on her side of the camps. Talim was of course worried about this. Without a second of hesitation she ran back to her tent. Finding it empty did nothing to dispel her fears. Talim continued her frantic search of the camps until she found him bound and blindfolded at a platform that had been erected for a coming festival.
The platform was a good ten feet of the ground and constructed of a hard wood that the tribe had traded for a few months back. All this was inconsequential to Talim as she saw a rope being lowered around his neck. She felt the painful flash of dei javu as the memories of her dream came crashing back to her. There were too many similarities, the noose, Link not fighting back.
"This isn't a dream," she whispered to herself as she broke through the crowds trying desperately to make it in time. Each on of her people was chanting and yelling wildly for the young man's death, when they looked at him they did not see the gentle eyes that Talim saw, they saw the ears of a freak, a monster. Just that one insignificant difference was enough for them to brand him a demon of evil. Talim thought of it as she reached the platform. The noose was being tightened around his neck.
None of them knew how gentle he was, none knew of the dangers he faced simply to get to this world. They didn't see the boy that cried out to his family in his sleep. They, not a single one of them, felt about him as she did. Breaking through the guards that were posted at the latter, Talim climbed her way to her friend. Then for all of her people to see, she threw her body on top of his.
Link didn't know much of what was happening, he felt the noose being placed around his neck, then much later instead of feeling his neck snap like he had waited for he felt a familiar warmth and scent encompass him. The scent of the grass, Talim's sent. Link had felt her shivering arms around his body. Then his world was filled with light as she removed the blindfold.
"Are you all right?" She whispered to him, a gentle nod was his reply. "Father," he said loudly turning to her father, "what is the meaning of this?" Link saw her eyes as she spoke, they were like a seething squall behind a calm exterior. The man that she addressed as her father was a much older man in his late forties as far a Link could guess. He wore tanned leathers of simple design and color. His hair, which had flecks of the same color that Talim had were, was mostly a steely gray. His eyes were an even colder blue, or rather his eye was, for over his left was a black patch. His body was well built from the life time that he spent traveling the plains with his tribe. If Link was certain of anything it was that this man was a warrior.
However even as he felt awed by the man's power and presence, he despised him more than anything. This was the man who had decided Talim's fate without even the slightest thought as to what she wanted. This was the man who, for the good of his people, deprived Talim of a childhood. Link felt the fire of hatred burn at the knowledge of what this man had done, but try as he might he could not extinguish it. Sanput wasn't a stupid man, with him on the platform was three guards armed with spears.
"I'll ask again Father," Talim said keeping her cool, "what is the meaning of this."
"I should as the same question of you daughter," he spoke evenly in his gravelly voice, "why was this creature in your tent?"
"Link is a sign from the Wind Deity," Talim's voice could be heard, by Link, to begin breaking down, "he hasn't come to harm us."
"You have been deceived daughter," he stated it matter of fact, "this creature is nothing of the sort. Now answer my question, what was he doing in your tent?"
"He was injured," Link knew that Talim was a strong girl, but faced with what she viewed as her law for the past fifteen years, she was beginning to waiver. "I was trying to save him."
"Talim," He looked into her eyes with a piercing stare, "he will kill you."
"You don't even know him," she now screamed, all sense of calm gone as her father approached her, "you just don't want me to leave. You want me to stay with the tribe while the world is destroyed. You don't care what happens to-" Talim could not finish her sentence, not with the stinging pain that her father had brought upon her face.
When Link tried to move to her aid he found his stomach getting better acquainted with the butt end of a spear, causing him to kneel down in pain.
"Do you see how he has turned you against us?" Had Link the capabilities he would have killed the man where he stood, for he never wavered even after what he had just done. "You are destined to be the greatest of all the priests and priestesses ever, you can't let such rabble as him stop you."
"What about what I want," Talim said still clutching her throbbing cheek.
"That doesn't matter." He still spoke evenly.
"Shut up!" Link breathed heavily as he rose again to his feet, "You talk about destiny and fate like that's all there is to life, but you're wrong." As he spoke memories of those that had once depended on him the 'Hero of Time' burst forth. "The needs of your tribe and the needs of your future are all important but, you put the needs of everyone else over that of your own daughter every time. What right do you have to be called her father?" As Link spoke the composed man made his way to him.
"You are only a child yourself," he spoke with an air of superiority, "what do you know of destiny and the world."
"More than you ever will." When he last spoke Sanput grabbed him by his collar and brought the youth up to meet his steely gaze. Even feeling his strength ebbing, even feeling the air escape his lungs, Link did not waiver, looking at Talim he knew his purpose. "I know what it's like to loose a family without ever knowing them, if you're not careful you'll know the same." Taking this to be some kind of threat Sanput used his free hand and punched Link in the still healing ribs. Despite the pain, despite the urge to just give up, he pressed on.
"Bastard," his calm finally broken Link allowed himself a small smirk, "what does a demon like you know about family?" His voice broke in a yell. "I have given up everything for my family, my people, I see that every time I look in a mirror. I gave up even my eye for-"
"I gave up my life," Link said evenly staring into the steel, "because of a threat that is so far away yet so dangerous I gave up my life, my family, everything. I can never go back, because of my destiny." The last word spat out like bitter medicine.
"Link." Talim whispered, still clutching at her cheek.
"The Evil Seed." Sanput let go of Link's collar, allowing him to land on the ground. "The evil that Talim felt on the winds seven years ago."
"That is why I'm here," Link spoke, standing tall.
"How can I believe you?"
"Look in your daughter's eyes."
"Talim," Sanput called her over reaching his hand out to her. When Sanput looked in those eyes for the first time in a long time he saw something. Strength. This was not the little girl who had called out to her father when the sky thundered. Determination. The will of a soul who wanted to save those she cared about. Love. Something he had not seen in a long time.
"Father," Talim whispered as she looked into his softening features.
"You'll go no matter what, won't you?" She nodded her affirmation. "Even knowing the risks?" Again she nodded. "Even knowing the sacrifice?" Another silent nod. "Then go," he whispered for her ears only, "remember that your parents love you very much."
"I will father," she whispered back.
"Protect my daughter." Sanput commanded Link, not looking at him. "You'll be all she has." Link remained silent.
Within the hour they had left the people of the Wind Tribe. Talim had packed some scant belongings and some bandages in case they needed them. Link felt the familiar weight of the Master Sword and his Hylian shield on his back. There was no grand celebration or a send off of any kind. Talim said her good byes to her parents and grandmother and that was all. However, before they left Talim freed her sparrow Alun, saying that he deserved to travel the winds freely.
Link was kept unaware of one thing though. No matter who and no matter for what reason when a member of the Wind Tribe left, they were never allowed back. It was in this way that Talim had become even more like him, for to her people she was also dead.
-To Be Continued
I got nothing to say this time. Nothing at all, anyway how am I doing?
Ryuhiko@hotmail.com