Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Legend of Zelda, with the exception of this storyline.
Author's note: Alas, the end has come! This is the final chapter ;-;. Thank you so much,StarKiss, '.',and Embyr-75! I'm glad to see I have a few fans who kept reading ^-^. '.', I appreciate you pointing out all my mistakes. I've worked this story over a bunch of times, but after a while I can't see the words quite clearly x.x. StarKiss, thanks so much for pointing that out! I hate to repeat words, and pointing those out really helps. Also, I'm deeply honored by your compliment ^-^. And Embyr, thank you so much for reading! You're quite the writer yourself, and I look forward to reading more from you!
Before I start, I'll summarize a bit and explain. I know that this fic must be really confusing x.x. I think some cause for concern was the Zelda/Sheik connection.Since this is a year after Ocarina of Time, Zelda buried Sheik in the back of her mind. Her feelings for Link awakened that part of her mind and gave it life, having him appear to her in visions, etc. She finally relented, giving her body over to Sheik, who is basically a split-personality of Zelda's. When he took control, Zelda retreated so as not to interfere, merely watching as an observer in her own mind. Now, Sheik, with his control restored, went to the Forest Temple in the Forbidden Forest to speak with Saria and get that jewel from her. The jewel is actually Link's memories of the future, which Zelda had taken from his mind before he was sent back into the past. With Link's memories, Sheik then headed into the past.
Hope I didn't give away too much! I better just be quiet and let you guys finish the fic now ^.~. And now, the final chapter of "Through the Looking Glass"!
Sheik opened his eyes slowly; well aware that Zelda's curiosity had kept her at bay the entire time since his impromptu meeting with Saria. Crimson eyes gazed around at new, or rather old, surroundings. He was still inside the Temple of Time, but the inside of the temple had changed dramatically. The temple was no more mere ruins, no more a shadow of its former glory. Instead, the temple was in its prime as it had been eight years ago. Tapestries hung in dazzling magnificence, stained glass windows poured forth light in an array of colors, and clean-cut stones were smooth to the touch.
The shrouded figure had made it back to the past, back to the time where he could do the most good. In fact, he had arrived minutes before the event he had to intercept was to occur. He strode swiftly towards the entrance of the temple before breaking emerging into the clean, open air of a Hyrule before it was corrupted. Crouching, he broke into a swift run away from the temple. H cared not for the beautiful scenery or the lush vegetation He had to reach Link before the child would sneak into the castle, before he would ever meet with the princess and set out on his quest.
He raced out into Hyrule Market, his movements unseen by the unsuspecting villagers. The people were dancing and shouting, standing and bartering. None of these attractions caught his eye as the Sheikah knight ran on his way. Sheik dashed up the path towards the castle, his grim eyes set on the landscape ahead of him. If he did what he came to do, it would mean the end of his existence.
He tried to push the thought from his mind, but it came back. By returning the memories of the future to Link, he would have all the knowledge of things to come, enough of which to convince the king to awaken the ancient Sages and cast Ganondorf into the dark realm. If those desired results occurred, then there would be no reason for Zelda to go into hiding, donning the mask of Sheik for seven long years. And if she did not do that…. Sheik focused on the task at hand.
The traveler from the future rounded the bend in the past without hesitation. A guard stood by the gate, his back turned to the rushing traveler. Wasting not a moment, Sheik leapt into the air, landing on the guard's shoulders before leaping up and vaulting over the top of the gate. He landed in a crouch, ignoring the bewildered guard and sprinted up a hill and into the vast yard before Hyrule Castle.
Wary watchmen saw not the rushing form of the Sheikah, feeling only the slightest breeze of the being's passage. He remembered what would happen in minutes, or rather, Zelda remembered. Link had braved the castle guards and infiltrated the castle, creeping through the courtyard before meeting the princess herself. It was there that Zelda would lay the beginnings of a mighty quest upon Link's young shoulders.
The green crystal within Sheik's clothes pulsated with light, leading the Sheikah to its master. He followed the small stream as it wrapped around the castle and saw, up ahead, a young Link climbing atop a stone. The child was preparing to leap into an alcove and sneak into the castle via a drain. The rushed Sheikah could spare no time for useless theatrics, no time for flashy entrances.
"Link, Kokiri child of the Great Deku Tree!"
The child spun around, crouching as his clear blue eyes watched the strange figure approach. He dared not draw his sword; the noble Hylians were not his enemy. But in truth, he was not sure if the figure that approached him was Hylian... or if it was something else.
Sheik slowed his run to a walk as he approached the child who still remained on the stone. "Fear not, Link. I am a close friend whom you have yet to meet. I have brought you something that you have lost."
The forest boy hopped off the rock, watching the stranger carefully. He spoke slowly, his voice soft yet stern, backed by courage and strength. "You are not a guard…"
Oh, that voice… within the far reaches of his mind, the voice reached Zelda and stirred her. Sheik kept her consciousness submerges as he spoke. "No… I am a Sheikah, friend to the royal family of Hyrule… I came to deliver a precious item to you… an item that you have lost."
"I have lost nothing…"
"You have lost it, yet know naught of what you have lost."
"Why are you talking in riddles?"
"You have lost it, yet know naught of what you have lost."
"Why are you talking in riddles?"
Silently, the mysterious Sheikah withdrew the glimmering green crystal from his clothes. The small jewel hummed with life, it's inner light dazzlingly bright this close to its owner.
Link, feeling the familiarity of the jewel, slowly came closer. The forest boy stood before Sheik, tilting his head as he gazed at the crystal, his curiosity arisen. "…What is this glowing stone…?"
Behind the ragged edge of his clothe garment, Sheik smiled. "It is a crystal, Link. And it is yours."
"How do I know this isn't a trick…?"
"Look into your heart, my friend. If you feel you can trust me, take the crystal and remember. If you do not trust me, than I have failed in my mission."
Link pondered a moment and gently touched the crystal. The green glow flashed and swept up his arm, dancing around the startled boy's body. He stumbled backwards as the glow swept into his chest before dispersing over his body. He stood there, dazed, as forgotten memories swept into his mind. In a few moments, the boy looked back at Sheik and blinked several times.
"Sheik… Zelda…? What…"
The figure knelt before the child. "Do not ask questions, Link. I am correcting a mistake. Inside the castle you will find a worried little girl in need of the information you contain. Tell her all you know, to prevent the future you saw from ever occurring."
"Prevent…but…but why?"
Sheik stood, his eyes smiling sadly at Link. He could already feel the effects of his interference. "Go to her, Link. Stay by her side. She needs you. And you need her. Live the life that was stolen from you, Link." With that, the last of the Sheikah turned away. "Saria sends her regards."
The forest child watched helplessly as one of his closest friends walked off. He did not know why Sheik had come to the past, why Zelda wished him to stay with her. Link couldn't bare to look away.
And so Link, the Hero of Time, watched as his beloved and sacred friend Sheik faded into the mists of a time… a time that would never be.
~Farewell, Link. Give Zelda the strength she needs. Live the life that you two deserve….~