Altered States

Altered States

A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction

By OJR

Epilogue

The churchyard was peaceful as the early evening sun bathed it in a warm glow. Some in the gathered congregation were silent, some were in tears, but all had come to pay their respects to the reluctant hero. Some, mainly relatives and close friends, wondered if the sacrifice was too great, but the thoughts were brushed aside in the realisation that if the demon had won, the world would have been doomed. The silence was deafening as the vicar began the service. The body in the coffin had been wonderfully made up, and the fallen Jamie was resplendent in a suit, a peaceful smile still on his face. His family had prayed for the doctors to save him, but he was too far-gone, his will to live channelled into his final, noble act. He'd known that it was a one way ticket, but, he would have reflected, had he been alive, "Everyone dies, but how many get to do it saving the world?"

The casket was lowered slowly into the grave, a solemn, private moment. Many tears fell that day, and they weren't going to be the last. It was small consolation that there had been no other way. Only family and a few close friends were there to see the box lowered down. The pallbearers were stony faced now, as they had been while they were carrying the coffin. Each one was a good friend, and each one felt the pain. But most of all were the family. Irene and her remaining children hadn't really stopped crying since they saw him slip away on that field. His dad had to be a bastion of strength during this time. Jamie, again if he'd still been alive, would have missed his compatriots' presence there. But once the travellers from Hyrule stepped through the swirling gate, it was sealed forever. The last that anyone heard of them was a lilting melody and a hastily delivered psychic message from Zelda.

"I hope he's all right…"

They'd never know that he'd not made it. Neither would many others, for the police could find no murder weapon and no trace of the murderer, as he'd been evaporated just before they got there. No one knew of his sacrifice, and no one ever would.

Authors note: That was going to be the original ending to the story. I'll write the acknowledgements in a week so hurry up and review if you want to get a mention.