"So Link," Zelda asked as they rode, "Any new ideas on who could be
behind this?"
"I still haven't got a clue," he replied. "No, no, that's not right. Yes, I do have a clue. Look, Zelda, this will sound completely crazy, but.."
"Yes?" Zelda felt a pang of guilt that Link was willing to share his ideas whilst she lied about mysterious starlights.
He took a deep breath. "Last night, I had a dream. Rauru came to speak to me in my sleep."
"Rauru?" She asked.
"I don't get it either."
"Hmm. Well, did you ask him about the Tektites?"
"I asked if they were linked to the Moblins, and all he said was: 'It's possible; it's probable. But I'll tell you one thing, it's not Ganon.' Zelda, what does that mean?"
The princess thought for a second. "Well, I don't know, but maybe he's saying.Ganon didn't send them?"
Link smacked his head. "Of course!" He smiled at Zelda. "Congratulations, princess, you have cracked Rauru's code." He paused. "Wonder why he mentioned Ganon?"
"It's a mystery to me," Zelda said.
"Mmm. So, have you been to Lake Hylia before?"
"Yes," Zelda said. "Of course."
"No, I mean, have you BEEN there? Ever dove as deep as you can into the lake? Made up tunes on the spot for the scarecrows? Gone fishing until way, way, past your bedtime?" He was grinning mischievously.
She couldn't help but smile, too. "Can't say I've done that."
"Then you will have to," he said in a final manner.
"Can't wait," she told him. "I've always had an unreasonably early bedtime." This brought a laugh out of Link.
"And you should meet the lab guy. He's, well, he's freaky," Link said bluntly. "He likes to eat.."
"What?"
"Frog.eyeballs," the hero finished.
Zelda nearly gagged before she burst out laughing. "Ew!" The princess exclaimed.
"I know!" Link agreed.
"So what is it about these scarecrows?" Zelda wondered. "They like.music?"
"Ok, it sounds weird," Link began, "but if you play or sing them a song, they start to dance around and call you 'baby' a lot. But they're cool guys."
"Link, you are the only person I know who can make friends with scarecrows," Zelda shook her head.
"It's a gift," Link said fake-modestly.
And so it went like that for the rest of the light day. This kind of conversation was a welcome change from the near-arguments of the last time they were on horses going somewhere. Pretty soon night fell. They kept going for a couple hours after dark, but before long they stopped for the night.
Of course, neither one was in the least bit tired. They had slept until almost 14:00 that day, after all. So instead of trying to sleep, Link got a bonfire going, and they ate dinner portions of the delicious Gerudo food. They didn't tend to the fire, and after it burned out, they didn't bother to relight it. Instead they lay on opposite sides of the firepit and stared into the stars.
"Look, Link," Zelda said. "That's your constellation!"
Link sat up. "I have a constellation?"
"Yep! The castle historians and astronomers both thought that you deserved one, so that cluster of stars over there became it. That's how they do things, you know, find the stars and then decide what they look like." Link chuckled. "And right next to you is Epona-she does look kind of like a horse.." The real Epona, resting nearby, snorted. "They thought you should have one too," Zelda adressed the animal.
"What's it like to live in the palace?" Link asked, lying back down.
"It's all right. It's definitely better, now that I'm older. When I was twelve and thirteen, my life was an endless schedule of lessons-besides usual things, you know, like arithemtic, there was protocol, dancing, etiquette. But I did like the diplomacy. Anyway, I'm finished with all that, and now that I've proven I can fend for myself I don't really have to learn anything else." She paused. "I'm sorry, am I rambling?"
"No, I don't mind. It's fascinating. Besides, you already know my story."
"That's right," Zelda said. "Well. Of course, there are always banquets and receptions and visiting delegates to fill my days with, and they always want to meet the princess who will be queen of Calatia."
"You're going to be queen of Calatia?"
"Yeah, didn't you know? I'm engaged to Prince Harlan. He's my oldest friend," she added as a sort of afterthought.
Link was quiet for a moment. "Do you love him?"
"What?"
He sat up. "Harlan. Do you love him?"
"He's like a brother to me.." She trailed off. But no, she was not in love with him. Was that the question Link was asking? Why did he want to know? She gave him the benefit of the doubt and said, "But, love him like a husband, I don't. But I don't mind marrying him, because there are worse people I could be stuck with."
"I understand," Link said lying down again. They were silent for a little bit, each to their own thoughts, and then:
"Link, I've been meaning to ask you."
"Yeah?"
"The battle today, or was it yesterday.was that what it was like? Going to the temples, and banishing monsters, and that period of time?"
"No." Link paused. "It was worse."
"Worse than that?"
"Those were.very difficult times."
"Tell me?"
"Yes, all right. I guess I should tell someone." He took a deep breath. "It wasn't the difficulty of what I was doing. I do hold the Triforce of Courage, after all. It was the utter hopelessness, the numb feeling that had taken the entire land over, and was tearing it apart.. The people had totally given up their happiness, Zelda. They didn't even bother to talk of the time before anymore. It was like hope was taboo."
"They were like that," she said gently. "But then.you came. And you gave hope to a people that had none."
"Yeah. After I banished the demon from the Forest Temple, all the Kokiri, my old friends, who couldn't even leave their homes, were playing in the streets, laughing and talking like it was seven years ago. And the Deku Tree Sprout was always so happy! He had faith in me. He had hope, and his hope rested on me. It was pressure, certainly, but.it was nice. I really took it as a kid. Being a Hylian meant I had no fairy for ten years of my life, and the others in the village really thought that was wrong. Except Saria."
"She stood by you?"
He made a hand gesture, he and Saria's sort of secret handshake, which she couldn't see because of the dark. "Always. But Mido was determined to make my life miserable. And even though he really apologized, and I have no longer any anger towards him, it still hurt when I was a kid."
"That's awful." Zelda didn't mind that he was basically putting it all on the table here. She did her best to be sympathetic, and to listen, because she knew what he really needed was an ear to do just that.
"So what happened to you? When Ganondorf took over?" Link said, abruptly changing the subject.
"I fled. You saw me and Impa, remember? Well, we hid out for a while, in Calatia with their royal family. My father felt awful about it the whole time because he thought he should have actually been in Hyrule instead of directing troops from Calatia. While we were there, Impa taught me about the ways of the Sheikah, since she figured I'd need the training then more than ever. After I was proficient, and even skilled, Impa gave me the costume that she wore when she was my age. I have no idea why she kept it so long. But I would go out and practice in the night. We lived like that for five or six years, depending on the Calatians for everything. It was in those days that my father and Harlan's mother struck up the deal for us to be married." She paused, then went on. "After a long time, Impa felt the call of the Sages and went to Kakariko to protect the Shadow Temple, and after she and Harlan had helped me escape, I traveled Hyrule as Sheik, the survivor of the Sheikahs. And then, I felt I had to return to the Temple of Time, and that was the day you landed. The rest is history."
"Yeah." He thought for a moment. "And now we're here, trying to destroy something we can't understand, or fight, or even see."
"Maybe we can see it.." Zelda said slowly.
"You got something on this?"
"Look. I wanted to come to Lake Hylia, not because of anything.well.psychic. Last night, I saw this weird glimmer of light in the sky. I know it wasn't a star, and there aren't supposed to be any comets showing up for at least thirty years. It looked too close to be heavenly anyway." She paused. "And it was in the southwestern sky."
"Right over Lake Hylia," Link finished.
"That's right. I thought you'd think I was crazy if I told you."
"Nah, I don't think anything's crazy anymore. Well, if you see it again, then tell me."
And that was it. Zelda had thought he might be mad that she lied, but Link didn't care at all about her deceit.
"What do you think it could have been?" He asked, shaking her out of her thoughts.
"I don't have any idea. Something magical?"
"Hmm." There was more silence for many moments, though it was comfortable, before Link said completely randomly: "So where did you get the name Sheik from? That can't possibly be authentic. It's like calling Ruto 'Zor'."
Zelda chuckled. "No, it isn't authentic. Someone I ran into once on the street asked me my name, and I hadn't come up with one previously, so I was starting to say 'Sheikah' when I remembered his question and stopped short. Thus, 'Sheik' was born. And it stuck."
Link laughed. "And people didn't know enough to realize that it wasn't real?"
"Yeah, it's a dead culture, you know, and there aren't any records anywhere. Except Impa, who has all the wisdom of the Sheikah in her heart."
"Is she really the last one?"
"You bet. But something about Impa.I don't think the Sheikah were entirely human.."
"And that means.."
"Impa may or may not be immortal. I don't know, but it's definitely in the cards."
"Wow. You think you know your friends.."
This brought a laugh out of Zelda. "Seriously."
"So then what's the deal with Rauru?" Link asked.
"Well, he's got spells. That's different. And they're all from ancient times, when magic was more powerful. He's actually completely unnatural, when you come right down to it."
"Yeah, but we knew that already," Link joked.
"Oh, be nice," Zelda said, even though she was grinning.
"So then, if there's a sage for each race from Hyrule, where do you come in?"
"Heck, I don't even understand that. I'm definitely a Hylian, so it's not like I'm a seventh race or something. Of course, supposedly there's some of the goddesses' own blood in the royal family, but that shouldn't make too much difference."
"And where do I come in? I'm not a sage.."
"No, you're not. You're one of a kind. I don't know.the way the castle historians make it sound, you're the one who does the work of the sages. The chosen one, I guess."
"I like the sound of 'the chosen one'," Link said thoughtfully. "Well. If there's another battle tomorrow when we get to Lake Hylia, I, for one, want to be well rested."
"I guess you have a point. Good night then, though I doubt I'll get too much sleep."
"Me neither. But rest is good anyway. Good night, Zelda. Have a great dream of the stars."
"What?"
Link chuckled. "The Gerudo say that."
"It's nice."
"Yeah, I like it. Good night."
"Good night."
Zelda was right; she didn't get to sleep for quite some time, but when she did, she slept soundly. Link took even longer to fall asleep, but he didn't mind. He couldn't think of a more relaxing situation than the one he currently found himself in; under the stars in a vast field, all alone but for your horses and your friend. He liked to listen to her breathing. It was calming, somehow. Link, feeling somewhat philosophical, considered that perhaps it was because no one had ever been there before. He'd never had time to rest like this before, and he had to admit, he did greatly prefer talking to Zelda over, well, talking to Navi. Link chuckled into the darkness at his thought. Finally, well into the night, he dropped off to sleep.
"I still haven't got a clue," he replied. "No, no, that's not right. Yes, I do have a clue. Look, Zelda, this will sound completely crazy, but.."
"Yes?" Zelda felt a pang of guilt that Link was willing to share his ideas whilst she lied about mysterious starlights.
He took a deep breath. "Last night, I had a dream. Rauru came to speak to me in my sleep."
"Rauru?" She asked.
"I don't get it either."
"Hmm. Well, did you ask him about the Tektites?"
"I asked if they were linked to the Moblins, and all he said was: 'It's possible; it's probable. But I'll tell you one thing, it's not Ganon.' Zelda, what does that mean?"
The princess thought for a second. "Well, I don't know, but maybe he's saying.Ganon didn't send them?"
Link smacked his head. "Of course!" He smiled at Zelda. "Congratulations, princess, you have cracked Rauru's code." He paused. "Wonder why he mentioned Ganon?"
"It's a mystery to me," Zelda said.
"Mmm. So, have you been to Lake Hylia before?"
"Yes," Zelda said. "Of course."
"No, I mean, have you BEEN there? Ever dove as deep as you can into the lake? Made up tunes on the spot for the scarecrows? Gone fishing until way, way, past your bedtime?" He was grinning mischievously.
She couldn't help but smile, too. "Can't say I've done that."
"Then you will have to," he said in a final manner.
"Can't wait," she told him. "I've always had an unreasonably early bedtime." This brought a laugh out of Link.
"And you should meet the lab guy. He's, well, he's freaky," Link said bluntly. "He likes to eat.."
"What?"
"Frog.eyeballs," the hero finished.
Zelda nearly gagged before she burst out laughing. "Ew!" The princess exclaimed.
"I know!" Link agreed.
"So what is it about these scarecrows?" Zelda wondered. "They like.music?"
"Ok, it sounds weird," Link began, "but if you play or sing them a song, they start to dance around and call you 'baby' a lot. But they're cool guys."
"Link, you are the only person I know who can make friends with scarecrows," Zelda shook her head.
"It's a gift," Link said fake-modestly.
And so it went like that for the rest of the light day. This kind of conversation was a welcome change from the near-arguments of the last time they were on horses going somewhere. Pretty soon night fell. They kept going for a couple hours after dark, but before long they stopped for the night.
Of course, neither one was in the least bit tired. They had slept until almost 14:00 that day, after all. So instead of trying to sleep, Link got a bonfire going, and they ate dinner portions of the delicious Gerudo food. They didn't tend to the fire, and after it burned out, they didn't bother to relight it. Instead they lay on opposite sides of the firepit and stared into the stars.
"Look, Link," Zelda said. "That's your constellation!"
Link sat up. "I have a constellation?"
"Yep! The castle historians and astronomers both thought that you deserved one, so that cluster of stars over there became it. That's how they do things, you know, find the stars and then decide what they look like." Link chuckled. "And right next to you is Epona-she does look kind of like a horse.." The real Epona, resting nearby, snorted. "They thought you should have one too," Zelda adressed the animal.
"What's it like to live in the palace?" Link asked, lying back down.
"It's all right. It's definitely better, now that I'm older. When I was twelve and thirteen, my life was an endless schedule of lessons-besides usual things, you know, like arithemtic, there was protocol, dancing, etiquette. But I did like the diplomacy. Anyway, I'm finished with all that, and now that I've proven I can fend for myself I don't really have to learn anything else." She paused. "I'm sorry, am I rambling?"
"No, I don't mind. It's fascinating. Besides, you already know my story."
"That's right," Zelda said. "Well. Of course, there are always banquets and receptions and visiting delegates to fill my days with, and they always want to meet the princess who will be queen of Calatia."
"You're going to be queen of Calatia?"
"Yeah, didn't you know? I'm engaged to Prince Harlan. He's my oldest friend," she added as a sort of afterthought.
Link was quiet for a moment. "Do you love him?"
"What?"
He sat up. "Harlan. Do you love him?"
"He's like a brother to me.." She trailed off. But no, she was not in love with him. Was that the question Link was asking? Why did he want to know? She gave him the benefit of the doubt and said, "But, love him like a husband, I don't. But I don't mind marrying him, because there are worse people I could be stuck with."
"I understand," Link said lying down again. They were silent for a little bit, each to their own thoughts, and then:
"Link, I've been meaning to ask you."
"Yeah?"
"The battle today, or was it yesterday.was that what it was like? Going to the temples, and banishing monsters, and that period of time?"
"No." Link paused. "It was worse."
"Worse than that?"
"Those were.very difficult times."
"Tell me?"
"Yes, all right. I guess I should tell someone." He took a deep breath. "It wasn't the difficulty of what I was doing. I do hold the Triforce of Courage, after all. It was the utter hopelessness, the numb feeling that had taken the entire land over, and was tearing it apart.. The people had totally given up their happiness, Zelda. They didn't even bother to talk of the time before anymore. It was like hope was taboo."
"They were like that," she said gently. "But then.you came. And you gave hope to a people that had none."
"Yeah. After I banished the demon from the Forest Temple, all the Kokiri, my old friends, who couldn't even leave their homes, were playing in the streets, laughing and talking like it was seven years ago. And the Deku Tree Sprout was always so happy! He had faith in me. He had hope, and his hope rested on me. It was pressure, certainly, but.it was nice. I really took it as a kid. Being a Hylian meant I had no fairy for ten years of my life, and the others in the village really thought that was wrong. Except Saria."
"She stood by you?"
He made a hand gesture, he and Saria's sort of secret handshake, which she couldn't see because of the dark. "Always. But Mido was determined to make my life miserable. And even though he really apologized, and I have no longer any anger towards him, it still hurt when I was a kid."
"That's awful." Zelda didn't mind that he was basically putting it all on the table here. She did her best to be sympathetic, and to listen, because she knew what he really needed was an ear to do just that.
"So what happened to you? When Ganondorf took over?" Link said, abruptly changing the subject.
"I fled. You saw me and Impa, remember? Well, we hid out for a while, in Calatia with their royal family. My father felt awful about it the whole time because he thought he should have actually been in Hyrule instead of directing troops from Calatia. While we were there, Impa taught me about the ways of the Sheikah, since she figured I'd need the training then more than ever. After I was proficient, and even skilled, Impa gave me the costume that she wore when she was my age. I have no idea why she kept it so long. But I would go out and practice in the night. We lived like that for five or six years, depending on the Calatians for everything. It was in those days that my father and Harlan's mother struck up the deal for us to be married." She paused, then went on. "After a long time, Impa felt the call of the Sages and went to Kakariko to protect the Shadow Temple, and after she and Harlan had helped me escape, I traveled Hyrule as Sheik, the survivor of the Sheikahs. And then, I felt I had to return to the Temple of Time, and that was the day you landed. The rest is history."
"Yeah." He thought for a moment. "And now we're here, trying to destroy something we can't understand, or fight, or even see."
"Maybe we can see it.." Zelda said slowly.
"You got something on this?"
"Look. I wanted to come to Lake Hylia, not because of anything.well.psychic. Last night, I saw this weird glimmer of light in the sky. I know it wasn't a star, and there aren't supposed to be any comets showing up for at least thirty years. It looked too close to be heavenly anyway." She paused. "And it was in the southwestern sky."
"Right over Lake Hylia," Link finished.
"That's right. I thought you'd think I was crazy if I told you."
"Nah, I don't think anything's crazy anymore. Well, if you see it again, then tell me."
And that was it. Zelda had thought he might be mad that she lied, but Link didn't care at all about her deceit.
"What do you think it could have been?" He asked, shaking her out of her thoughts.
"I don't have any idea. Something magical?"
"Hmm." There was more silence for many moments, though it was comfortable, before Link said completely randomly: "So where did you get the name Sheik from? That can't possibly be authentic. It's like calling Ruto 'Zor'."
Zelda chuckled. "No, it isn't authentic. Someone I ran into once on the street asked me my name, and I hadn't come up with one previously, so I was starting to say 'Sheikah' when I remembered his question and stopped short. Thus, 'Sheik' was born. And it stuck."
Link laughed. "And people didn't know enough to realize that it wasn't real?"
"Yeah, it's a dead culture, you know, and there aren't any records anywhere. Except Impa, who has all the wisdom of the Sheikah in her heart."
"Is she really the last one?"
"You bet. But something about Impa.I don't think the Sheikah were entirely human.."
"And that means.."
"Impa may or may not be immortal. I don't know, but it's definitely in the cards."
"Wow. You think you know your friends.."
This brought a laugh out of Zelda. "Seriously."
"So then what's the deal with Rauru?" Link asked.
"Well, he's got spells. That's different. And they're all from ancient times, when magic was more powerful. He's actually completely unnatural, when you come right down to it."
"Yeah, but we knew that already," Link joked.
"Oh, be nice," Zelda said, even though she was grinning.
"So then, if there's a sage for each race from Hyrule, where do you come in?"
"Heck, I don't even understand that. I'm definitely a Hylian, so it's not like I'm a seventh race or something. Of course, supposedly there's some of the goddesses' own blood in the royal family, but that shouldn't make too much difference."
"And where do I come in? I'm not a sage.."
"No, you're not. You're one of a kind. I don't know.the way the castle historians make it sound, you're the one who does the work of the sages. The chosen one, I guess."
"I like the sound of 'the chosen one'," Link said thoughtfully. "Well. If there's another battle tomorrow when we get to Lake Hylia, I, for one, want to be well rested."
"I guess you have a point. Good night then, though I doubt I'll get too much sleep."
"Me neither. But rest is good anyway. Good night, Zelda. Have a great dream of the stars."
"What?"
Link chuckled. "The Gerudo say that."
"It's nice."
"Yeah, I like it. Good night."
"Good night."
Zelda was right; she didn't get to sleep for quite some time, but when she did, she slept soundly. Link took even longer to fall asleep, but he didn't mind. He couldn't think of a more relaxing situation than the one he currently found himself in; under the stars in a vast field, all alone but for your horses and your friend. He liked to listen to her breathing. It was calming, somehow. Link, feeling somewhat philosophical, considered that perhaps it was because no one had ever been there before. He'd never had time to rest like this before, and he had to admit, he did greatly prefer talking to Zelda over, well, talking to Navi. Link chuckled into the darkness at his thought. Finally, well into the night, he dropped off to sleep.