Children Of Destiny
By
Revised
First off I'd like to say 'thank you' to Lotrangelle (or what ever your name is now!) for her support and ideas, so THANK YOU! Oh and 'Kirby Kid' that big ball of pink cuteness (sorry, I had to say it!) And Bexi, my bessie mate in the whole wide world and the rest of you who reviewed and my loyal fans Lady Rajah, Kokiri 85 and Midnight Fire.
Heelloo, here's the chappie you've all been waiting for! Sorry it's a little later than promised but I'll been bogged down with college work, I've had some very scary, 3-hour straight, exams !! Ah, they weren't that scary, I was late for one of them .. and daydream too much in another ........ can't wait for the results! ;
WARNING: This is a bit long (and when I say a bit I mean a LOT!) and overdue but I had soooooooo many new ideas! A/N
DISCLAIMER: I, Queen of the fucking Universe, do not own the 'Labyrinth'. It has no power over me! Oh and Japheth DOESN'T look like David Bowie and forget the makeup, no offence, but my Japheth is ... I start drooling 'Homer' style. Oh, and I sorta nicked a scene from 'Lord of the Rings' the movie, you'll know when you read, I wont spoil it for you!
The Truth About Goblins
Forget all the thing's you think you know about them. My goblins are a little different. In description they are creatures about 2/3 of a man's average height. All of them have rounded noses rather than the stereotyped pointed noses. Their faces are generally rounded too with rosy cheeks and the occasionally wart, warts are seen as good luck or signs of wisdom rather than ugliness among these creatures. They're kinda like hobbits only their not as cute and a little horrid to say the least. Their beady eyes are the pinnacle of mischief, in those eyes all their tomfoolery radiates. These creatures are very cunning and sly, and make good thieves. But despite their reputation as stupid thieving animals, they are very smart that's why they like to keep this reputation as 'stupid', it mean's that they are ignored in external matter's of great importance so their lives aren't tampered with and they carry on living in 'splendid isolation'. Also, they love the of look of shock on someone's face when they outwit them. They can be viscous if their way of life is under threat and normally hide behind their magical tricks to protect themselves. They are fun loving creatures than 'hell raisers', though their idea of fun can differ from many other culture, but still. They hardly ever leave their villages to quest; if any of them were to they would thought of as dumb, stupid or very brave (mainly stupid). All adventurers are welcome if they don't get pushy, if so, expect a hell wagon. Despite their evil nature, their intentions are good, well, half the time anyway.
The warm vibrant orange evening air stretched across the mellow sky. The heavens became a pallet of pastel pink shades on the horizon as the blue mixed with a rainbow of purples. The faint stars glistened through the sheet of rainbow colours. The vivacious energetic atmosphere around the pine filled hillside buzzed with victorious rejoice. A grand majestic sand rock building stood partly hidden away behind a substantial amount of dark Ivy, it crept along the tall mighty wall and the red clay rooftops. Small delicate purple heart-shaped flowers blossomed in the cracks of the robust walls. The towers were low and mostly crumbled away due to lack of use over these past centuries. The massive black iron pine drawbridge was guarded at the posts by the two huge grotesque granite goblin statures, possibly Amos, but no one had seen them move in decades, their hideous faces had become worn down over time. Around the castle like structure was a large town filled with smallish, squatted, pointed Tudor houses by a scratched yellow dust road. The towns streets and over grown surrounding gardens twisted and turned, curved and encircled like an ancient puzzle maze. Only those who had conquered it before knew the way or those the Great Goblin King, Japheth himself, had invited to his royal court. This proud King was rumoured to be a young human. He was believed to be sharp witted and cunning, and protected his fair land from all harm by isolation and superior magical trickery.
Behind the immense castle the unkempt hedgerow garden mazes stretched out into the evergreen woodland with wild flowers and violets budding in the tall grasses, but these gardens were more for fun than defence. The courtyard on the other hand was a well kept garden with a mixture of enchanted roses that bloomed in all seasons to gather the particular attention of a 'special other'. Tall decorated pillars stood around the castle's walls of the yard. The engraving on each consisted of horrid images of foul creatures and fanged beasts and each pillar was laced with sneaking vines.
Deep within the bawls of the structure roaring deep hearty laughter sprung, old folklore tales and joyous songs played by harmonious flutes, the clang of smashing cups and chiming of dinnertime cutlery shattered the silence of the dark wood. The great festivities echoed up and along the winding chambers and around the old forgotten rooms. All of this noise came from the one room, the banquet hall. Inside this warm room were four long rows of tables and benches, (Like Harry Potter if that helps) seated along each were Lizardfos, Dinalfos, packs of wolves and most of all sly sneaky Goblins. The appeared to look like an old chapel, re-vamped by it's new owner. Mounted on the wall were flags of their proud country and trophies such as the weapons of former enemies also sheep and buffalo skins. A mixture of brightly coloured flags hung low from the dark wooden rafters of the ceiling along with iron chandlers lit up with ruby-red wax candles. A band of musicians played their playful colourful tunes in the red bay to the responding singing crowd as some of the goblins danced. The serving girls, (Goblins of course, kinda chubby, small and yet happy girls) walked around with plates piled high with food such as roast hog, new mint potatoes, buttered carrot, bacon, cherry pies, lemon cuccos and other delights. Also with tin jugs of Ale and refilled the mugs of the feasting mob from time to time. The rabble of brutes bantered and teased each other; a party for the mental aged of 5, almost everyone in the whole room was 'smashed' and if you weren't it was a bloody miracle.
The fifth table was laid along side the back wall on a silken red carpet and mounted behind were three tall narrow windows to the outside world. This table was decorated with iron cast candlesticks and a flowery centrepiece, mainly ivy and purple and white flower from the garden. Seated on it the table where snooty yet very rude Goblins in lively robes. Sat in the middle of the table was the King, Japheth.
He didn't wear a crown; he didn't feel they were necessary to his throne. He was a tall slim man, dressed solely in black from cuff to collar. His outfit was trimmed with gold thread and ruby buttons. His skin was a touch paler than normal but still had its peachy tint. His flat straight seek platinum hair fell over his face with his alluring jade eyes showing through. He was a human, about in his 20's and a very handsome and enchanting. He had an air of sophistication. This man had his fair share of doomed love affairs with human and Elven girls, all had ended in disaster. He was told he was too possessive and extremely jealous, but that was his awful nature. He was terribly unlucky when it came to matters of the heart since all his women said he hadn't got one, but just maybe this time...
He took a small sip from the jewel studded sliver chalice in his hands and turned to looked over at his guest of honour, Zenia on his right hand side. She was sitting there in her black leather and creased short red V-neck blouse, her legs kicked up on the table, teasing the new blonde kid,
-So this was the so-called Great Protector of Hyrule.-
He was quieter than he had expected.
Link, the newcomer, by this point had heard all their tales of great victory, triumph and the just plain weird. Such as one was the tale of Tollog the Dwarf (I'm not saying dwarfs are evil), who slaughtered the once great cave troll, Arkron, in a stupendous battle in the heart of the mountains. This was one of their more gruesome of all tales but far popular than the rest. But all their stories were old, just memories of their once youthful childhood and so they all turned to him to tell his strange and wonderful stories. To him they were aged and tired but he was surprised at how many of them hadn't heard the tale of the fall of the Evil King. Of course they all knew he was destroyed by Link's hand but not exactly how, since none of his minions there lived to tell the tale. As they listened some even jested at his stubbornness to die near the end, apparently it that was him all over. By the end of the story most of them dumbfounded and gaped in disbelief, some believed whole heartily and grinned with a twinkle in their eye, some wavered and kept quiet about their own opinions, others even denied it happen that way and the boy was making up tall tales. The thought that a young boy like him taking Ganon's life was beyond them. Zenia wasn't really disrupted by the tale despite it being about her father gory demise, in fact she had a pleasant, yet cocky, smile. She seemed almost thankful and pleased. There were many characteristics that Zenia shared with her sinister predecessor, the Dark Lord. But because of her dying thirst for a vigorous life she chose to savour it rather than squander it on pitiless greed. She wanted it all in some respects, she wanted a full life and to die young rather than rot in her death nest. She saw that what she was doing now as her last journey in this world before passing on, her last 'gift' to the people. Because of her bad bloodline she was hated and judged by most, while others such as evil praised her, but the mistakes of her 'father' left a bad taste in her mouth. She didn't see her father with much pride. To her he was a worthless pitiless fool with too high standards. His leadership was crude and decaying, no one trusted him, they only feared or loathed him. He believed this as a superior method of gaining power but she'd prefer to trust her fellow 'men' than to crush him, this way she wouldn't be found with a knife in her back. With trust came the real power, honour and pride. He had tried to mould her in his image but didn't fully succeed; though partly she did succumb to his wishes.
She sat humming a song in her seat flicking her long red hair and wrapping it around her slender fingers. The worries of the world and others didn't bother her at all; this was one of her father's dreadful inflictions. Her own happiness was all she really cared for.
Zenia took another drink from her silver cup and looked over at Japheth, she could feel his keen stare. She felt she needed to say something rather than let him think she hadn't notice. She knew his deep dark desires but his need to tie her down stopped her from perusing him. She thought that general open conservation may put a stop to his piecing stare.
"I'd like to thank you for letting us stay with you, we don't mean to cause too much trouble."
"It's no trouble at all." -Not for you.- She beamed at him at with her usually cocky smile. He turned away smiling to himself.
A smallish goblin waddled over to them in a red tunic, yellow robes and gold scull cap with an extremely warm round face, big floppy ears and kinder eyes than the rest of the babbling mob. He had a long flowing white beard that touched the ground and his moustache too. His name was Riccoff. He took off the small round spectacles from the end of his large nose and tucked his hands behind his robe.
He approached Japheth and smiled at his company.
"I see we're all settled, aren't we?" He said humbly and looked at Zenia.
"Yeah." She replied raising the cup in her hand.
"How about you, are you feeling a little better?" He said to Link. Link still kept his head down in shame, he was miles away and at this moment, he wished he was. Zenia glared at him and nudged him hard in his injured ribs with her elbow. He shot up quickly.
"Oww. Oh, as good as can be expected." Link uttered.
"Good, good. And you two?" He looked further on to the Lizardfo and Dinalfo, they just grunted through the beer mugs. Japheth turned his adviser.
"Have you made the necessary preparations?"
"Ah yes. The real reason why I'm here is that I came to tell you that your guests horses are have been fed and stabled ready for tomorrows little adventure in the big wide world," Zenia rolled her eyes, Riccoff, like all goblins saw quests as child's games. "But we did have a problem with wild red mare." Link stood up and felt himself rock a bit, he was either losing his footing or the room was moving a little.
"Oh sorry, that would be my horse, is she fine now?"
"Oh of course, she tired herself to sleep with no worries ... well except a few of us goblin may have bruise's from her powerful kicks, but all that means she'll need to be fed an awful lot in morning because she had no supper tonight." He stopped to inhale and brimmed a smile. "Now if you excuse me I'll have your rooms ready in a mo."
Link sat back down as the small creature took its time down each gigantic steps. Link had grown to like him while on his stay here, he didn't have any hidden genders; he was a very open character. He was smaller than the rest and was covered in more warts and his walk was a bit funny too but an all round caring person. He wish Zelda and the rest could see him, they would probably understand that not all evil is, well evil. His raging thoughts resumed and he started to feel a little bit queasy. He tried to shake it in off.
He couldn't help but noticed he was out of place sitting there with these people, he felt their awkward frowns and the cynical eyes burn. He didn't seem to be welcome wherever he walked in these times. But the part that disrupted him the most was the people back home, the ones he had saved time and time again over the years would now never accept him. He had broken their trust within the space a couple of hours in one morning, in front of them all.
He looked down at his plate of food. He wasn't really in the mood to eat anymore, seeing food now made his stomach turn, he had already eaten a lot of red meat and sweet potatoes plus other savoury vegetables but the plate never became empty, he never thought that it be possible that he couldn't empty his own plate. His uneasy hand picked up the old tarnished brass beer mug, it was the same with this, despite how much he drank the mug was bottomless, little did he know the servant girls were filling it up when ever he turned around to talk someone, their way of encouraging him. He wasn't much of a drinker really, he loved his food more but he promised one pint under pressure by Zenia and her friends. He slowly noticed his perception slip as everything began to sway. He stared at the bottom of the mug through the clear brown liquid, trying to focus on the glass bottom but it hard to keep the mug straight. His head swam so much that his eyes never rested; he didn't like this feeling much. This was his second time in two nights.
He was starting to forget why he was so grumpy in the first place, but then the unpleasant memories would return and he'd loathe himself even more. If he hadn't wasted time fighting with Damien, Zelda wouldn't have been hurt, and it was his entire fault. To drown the sorrows once again he threw back his head, mug and all, and took several more large gulps; some Ale trickled down his throat. He felt himself sway in the seat uncontrollably, but he was still okay.
Serros by this point was over the mark. He was well known to his comrades as the first one to 'lose it' and make an ass of himself, as if he didn't when he so sober. He sat to the right of Link, guzzling cheap ale. He slammed the brass mug on the table and took a big gasp of air. He slowly eerily turned to Link and stared peculiarly at his Elven brethren and said what could be said to be the most disturbing and peculiar thing spoken that evening.
"You'rre a foxx."
Link eyes shot wide open and he grew a little red; it had to be the ale talking. Reffra spat out his drink across his food and burst into deep roaring laughter. It amazed even him how their forefathers were one and the same.
"What?" Zenia inquired.
"Well they arre!"
Zenia lent forward over the table and looked down at Reffra sitting at he far end.
How-much-as-he-been-drinking? She mouthed to him; the beast shrugged his shoulders and raised his brow of yellow horns.
"But they'sss ARE!"
"They?" Zenia scuffed.
"I mean look at him! He hass thosse foxx like eyesss." His green slim finger almost touched the space between his eyes. Link started to ease backwards away from him in somewhat horror. They all turned and looked him; Link started to think his crypt would have been a more comforting and soothing place. But Serros was sort of right.
"And thossse pointed earss like foxxess have!" He flicked the golden hoop earring with his scaly claw.
"Ouch, stop that!" Link snapped. He started to ease off his seat almost onto Zenia's lap. He felt his back hit Zenia's arm as she slipped it around his waist.
"Well hello handsome." She giggled into his ear.
Zenia, slowly feeling the affect of alcohol also, now started flirting with him to Japheth's fury. Link tried to ignore it and push her away so she teased him about his mushy feeling towards "Zelly". After a while of the nagging mockery he had finally heard enough and got up to leave, not speaking a word to anyone with pride and dignity, no-one could take away from him. As he got up to leave and started towards the door Serros's swished his scaly sea-green tail across the floor and Link felt his face hit the floorboards with a blunt blow. He picked himself up listening to Serros's And Reffra's horse laughter and glared at them with a look of despise.
"The Grrreat Prrotector can't handle hisss drink." Hissed Serros.
Link just staggered off to the door and slammed it behind him.
The pattering of hoofs echoed into the late afternoon. The radiant white mare flew along the dusty road, kicking up the red soil under it heavy hoofs evading the overgrowing branches and roots stretching across it's path. Its glossy coat glowed in the wind. The painted sky looming overhead as the pale colours danced in the air above. Crouched on the mare's back she sat holding on for her dear life. Her mind made creepy faces out of the shadowy wood as her white companion galloped. She pulled harshly on the reins and the horse reared violently as they entered a dense thicket of the entangled woodland. She looked at it lost from the horses back at the entwined veins of wood and leaves. As she looked she noticed the living wood move, getting thicker and tighter. She turned back and saw the road close up behind her. The snaking branches slivered out and stretched inwards. The weaving vengeful arms meandered in a deadly dance. The roots began to burst open through the red soil and roam towards the horse's hoofs. The growing creeping branches now surrounded her and tightened the lethal circle. Zelda groaned, she had heard stories about this wood, enchanted by the Goblin King, Japheth, to protect against meddling intruders. She demounted Quintis and patted the creamy white horse on the head. She pulled the hefty bag off the horse's back and pulled it of her shouders. She closed her eyes and shut the outside world and creaking sound of the expanding forest. She soon became immersed by the darkness and collected her calm. She stood as if she was waiting, to be rescued? Or for the answer to come her in her moment of need. She tried to focus her energies, awaken her magical power. The closing arms of the weeds began cutting out all light over the world above her. She conjured a gentle unnatural wind that blew up around her with supernatural sparks. Her clothes ruffled and her hair started to fan out In the breeze. She gathered a pure aura and lifted up her arched arms slowly forming a mass in her hands with the surging force flowing through her. The stretching arms over the wood enclosed further inwards. The horse started to go berserk and stomped the ground. The energies ceased. She opened her eyes and released it; a powerful blue ray of hope, drove back the branches and shattered the wood of the nearby opening of the city. She grabbed the reins of Quintis and pulled her through the open gateway, being raced by the revengeful horned arms.
The stern door creaked gently open to an almost empty room. Link could faintly hear the grand festivities down the winding corridors but he wasn't willing to join in anymore. He humbly ambled into the somewhat moving room and threw his heavy robe across the floor and collapsed his tired body into the chair. The chair itself was made of rough piece of twisted driftwood, only roughly crafted with soft velvet draped down the back but it was not without it subtle charm. He accidentally kicked his worn old bag at his feet. He lent over and began to rummage through his sack on the floor near the oak chair. The soft yellow room made of sand rock was huge and very welcoming, similarly decorated like the hall below with a large bed covered several different types of furs and a loose cotton sheet, he had slept on it the night before and had found it incredibly comfortable. The blazing fire in the bare rock hearth warmed the whole room and provided some light, a number of large red wax candles were placed in the indented hollows in the walls around the room for a relaxing feeling, but still parts of the room remained shrouded in shadows, the scorching waves of the fire cast shadows on the walls. He pulled out of the bag a round bumpy glass bottle, inside he could see the distorted shape of a deep red berry juice settled inside. He pulled hard on the cork stopper and brought the opening to his lips and knocked back the whole contents of the bottle. He felt the ice-cold fluid trickling down the back of his throat, only leaving a drop on his lips. He quickly wiped it off with his one free hand. He slouched back in the chair and stared blindly at the ceiling; waiting. He could feel the potion working, streaming through his veins, his blood, slowly relieving and calming his entire body. He didn't feel sick anymore and his blurry vision became crystal again as his eyes focussed on the darken ceiling. His relief was short lived though and followed quickly by a small sharp pain to the head. But that pain too soon subsided after the relaxing motion spread through his upper body. He shook his head to wear off his dreamy state. He stared at the empty bottle in his hand. What would he do without this? (All the drinking and none of the fuss, Link should sell this to us students!! What would you do for the instant cure of 'drunkenness' and 'hangover'?!)
A skinny, petit, creature leapt over the high Ivy encrusted wall into the castle gardens. She stood up slowly, eyeing the area for any signs or sounds of vicious goblin guards. The looming dark woodland was silent to her relief. The smooth grasses nestled halfway up her shins where she stood perfectly still, the wild flowers lay crushed beneath her hefty boots. Once she was sure she was finally safe, she heaved a heavy sigh and lent against the rough bark of a beefy pine next to her to tried and catch her breathe back. Her head was hot and her cheek were red from running. She pulled off the hat off her head and her sleek blonde hair fell out halfway down her back. She pushed back her new fine chucky fringe with her one free hand and closed her eyes briefly. She knew this was worth it, just to see him again. She looked up over at the towering scruffy green hedges and the only entrance she could see was a couple yards right. She decided she had two opinions, the slow way; trying to navigate herself through the maze or the quick way; she'd climb over the top. She could see the castle from where she was so it was no real decision. The one problem was climbing a hedge is very difficult and painful. She looked about the area to see anything to decrease her plight. She saw a gap between the tree and the Ivy wall. She had a plan. She crouched into the space and pressed her back on the tree trunk and her feet against the wall and shimmed up into branches. As soon as she had successfully climbed into the branches her foot slipped on some wet moss and the rotten wood gave way. She nursed the pain in her back at the base of her spine. The slow and hard way it was.
He tore off the cotton shirt drowned in ale and gravy stains and threw it in the corner with the robe followed by his baggy boots with his old socks peeking out of the top. He slipped on a crisp clean shirt from his bag but didn't button it up so he showed his masculine physique and upper torso, also the white bandages wrapped around the wound Damien inflicted earlier. He steadily pulled himself up off the seat and paced around the not really knowing where he was going or what he was doing, too consumed with harassing thoughts. The harsh cold granite slabs froze his bare feet as they touched the floor, with each footfall, a slight ting of pain. He soon noticed a relief when his feet graced on something fuzzy and warm. He looked down at his feet to see a plush white fur rug wrapped around his toes in front of the warm fireplace. He decided to comfortably sit on it and he stared deeply into the flickering flames, after about 5 minutes he started to feel a strain in his back so he lay down in front of the blazing fire. He stared up at the darkened ceiling and watched the dancing shadows the fire threw, he found it odd nowadays to see a ceiling, he was so use to the starry heavens being his roof, listening to the nightlife. He could picture it all; he could hear Epona grazing behind him and her hot breath crawling along the floor, the faint cuing of tawny owls. The moist dewdrops cooling his body as he lay with his back flat on the grass. It wasn't an easy life for him, but accepted it, but he did wish that sometimes he were someone else.
The only other thoughts running through his head that caused him to drift off the subject of his hard life was of his evil deed in the chapel, earlier that day. He groaned, it haunted him.
-It had to be done.- He told himself over and over until the words lost all meaning.
His conscious was killing him slowly from the inside. He closed his eyes and tried to relax, maybe even sleep. It was only now he noticed the draft as the cool air hit his chest while the fire scorched the other half.
The door to his balcony was open, covered only by a fine curtain. Through the blown open gap in the cloth he could see the dazzling sky outside. He pulled up his weary body and strolled over. He pulled back the muslin and stood in the refreshing serene breeze. He walked out onto the long platform; it seemed to stretch out some way in both directions, a joint balcony to other rooms. There were lit iron barred torch holders along the vast open corridor. He walked a little way down and lent on the banister railing. He gazed across the large forest of soaring dark emerald ferns and barbed pines. The sky shimmered with vivid colours, on the whispers of the wind the nightly call of cricket's rattled the air.
The blazing burnt orange sky sparkled through the think ferns. The cuing of local birds slowly died as they nestled. Roaming yellow clouds seemed to dash across the sky in the turbulent highwind. The sun's broken scarlet glare shone through the great expanse of woodland, as it's huge body began to set. A bulky lavish branch lapped on to the balcony near his arm, he could feel the needle sorely pressing into his skin. The smell of the pine infected the air. He started to wonder where shewas, at that moment in time. He smiled at her tender memory, her enchanting looks. He was a complete fool to fall for her. He sighed quietly. The glare of the sun highlighted the strong line of his jaw, the perfect curve of his nose, the full shape of his lips. His expression was forlorn and a little saddened as more troubling thought's arose as the reality of his 'love' situation set in. He could never make her his, she was the princess after all and he was a ... street rat, as Damien would put it. Though he knew he could make her happy, only someone of royal blood, a title, could have her hand. He began to think about him and filled with burning hatred and pain. At the chapel when he saw him again he remember the excruciating pain in his heart, the same he felt in the crypt but less intense. Also he could virtually taste his own bitter sweet blood that filled in his mouth moments before death. He could almost taste it even now. But the one thing that pained him the most now was ... was he right?
- ...... Are we just ... friends? ...... We must be.-
He gradually remembered that tender kiss; they're first kiss. Even just for that one night, her heart was sincerely his. He recalled the words she whispered to him earlier 'not my husband yet', he began to smile and blush, numbing the pain. He was such a foolish romantic young man, he knew it. He wanted to take her away and marry her, spend the rest of his long days with her, keep her, forever.
He heard his door boom open and snapped around. Through the fine curtain came Japheth. He looked out onto the balcony for him. Once he spotted his pray he moved towards him.
"You seemed pretty distant down stairs." He said in a half menacing and half sympathised tone. Link turned back around and stared over the balcony edge again.
"I suppose you could say that." He muttered and hoped he would leave. Japheth sniggered and walked over to him, placing his hand on the railing.
"Bad day?"
"Well it wasn't a good one." He wasn't trying to be cocky just blunt. Link paused, he would of left it at that but Japheth looked him to continue, "it's a mixture of problems ... your hospitality is fine but I just feel a little awkward here."
"That's understandable, the last three days have been rough, she can't expect you to be comfortable with this situation immediately." There was a awkward pause. "Eh, at least you can keep your sword in your sheath now." Link smiled a little but it quickly faded. After another distance paused he mumble again.
"My sword is my only true friend." Japheth looked at him a little amazed but not so surprised, it kind of made a lot of sense.
"Sad." He remarked hesitantly now staring off into the wood. Link looked up.
"Why?" His sword was a huge part of his life sad wasn't a word he would of chosen. Japheth looked at him.
"Surely you have friends back home." Link looked back down.
"Hmm, not anymore," he mumbled "not now.............................................. I should sleep, tomorrow will be harder. Zenia's kinda hard to live after the repercussion of finishing the kegs kicks in." Though he couldn't see it he felt Japheth's punishing stare and thought it be wise to make amends "...... she's okay really, but a bit, no, very arrogant."
There was a long eerie pause. -backfired- He didn't look up just in case.
"... She likes you, ... you know." His tone seemed a little sadden, unlike him. Only now Link released why he came here to talk. Japheth's love struck heart sought similar company Link figured, so he gave him the words he wanted hear, and the truth. At least one of them could be happy.
"... I understand that ...... but I don't share those same feelings ... for her."
"Eh, good." Link looked up at him again. -Just as I thought-
"I guess it's kinda obvious who you like." Japheth wiped the smile off his face and glared back.
"Look, you don't tell her, I can handle this myself."
"I didn't say would I tell her. Why don't you come with us? ... "
"I can't." His voice began almost stern, "I have my part to play in this. I have to wait for Sir Ganondorf Dragmire, and make a bargain with the devil. Remember?" (And yes that is his REAL name.)
They both became quiet again. Link hated Ganon's rotten guts more than Damien's. Japheth wasn't too keen on him neither he had also loathed him for what he stood for. Ganondorf craved world domination but all he wanted was to keep his Kingdom sacred, away from all that. Japheth sighed, he didn't want to think about this, and hopefully he didn't have to put his world in jeopardy. He tried to change the subject.
"What were you thinking about before? The princess of destiny again?" Links responded with a low hum. "I see. Well don't worry, too much." At this point Japheth thought he cover up the purpose of this talk with friendly, yet useless, advise. "... Things should straighten out." Link didn't answer and drifted deeper in thought, in fact he started to forget Japheth was there. "Don't feel like talking any more, eh?"He started to retreat off the balcony. He stopped at the door. He looked back, feeling a little pity for him but then he finally left. Link drifted into more thought and resume his 'want if' childish daydream. His tall slender figure remained leaning on the railing, he didn't move at all, not even to the chilling wind.
Once he was sure he was gone he pulled out of one of his trouser pockets a small brown fairy ocarina. He looked over it in his hands, at the carved markings Saria had drawn. All he needed now was a tune to soothe his trouble soul. All of them, every song he'd learned, ran through his head and the perfect one came to mind. He gently placed the instrument to his lips and from it played the comforting note, a tune all too familiar to him and to 'her'. It was her old lullaby.
Meanwhile back in the maze.
Zelda was lost. She had just about given up altogether on ever leaving this stupid maze alive. She could feel, and almost hear the tall walls mocking her, she was sure they moved around to tease her. So far she had run into eight dead-ends, two Amos's she believed were statues at first, five collapsed trees in her path, one Keaton also as lost as her and no help and a goddesses forsaken sleepy dried up fountain in the middle of the maze, she had counted everything. She bent over panting with her hands on her knees and a broken broad sword in her right hand. She fell to the floor in disarray. The only thing she had gained so far was scratched on her hands from trying to climb the hedgerows in a temper and a broken sword because the Amos. She sat on the floor trying to remind herself why she was doing this, the small throbbing pain in her legs slowly disappeared as she sat there. The thought of seeing him again was the only thing driving her now, and to smite the maze too. She felt so completely hopeless she wanted to cry. She hugged her knees and tried to think of a way out, but the puzzling question was what was she going to do after she got out and found him, she couldn't pop up and acted like nothing had happened. She needed to think.
A faint murmur blew in her direction, A smooth whistling sound that emerged into a tune very fond to her heart. She ignored it at first, she didn't wanted to know, too business wallowing in self pity to take notice. But the melody grew stronger and she soon she realised what it was. She was deeply touched, he still remember it after all these years. Her spirits began to rise again as she sat on the warm ground in ore of his heart-felt music, she giggled to herself and turned to see what direction it came from. She got to her feet and her eyes sparkled with hope again. She noticed herself becoming calm and restful as she began to happily hum the tune to herself. She could of stayed there now for ever listening to him and not worry about this Goddesses forsaken maze, but she realise now would be the time to get out before she put herself to sleep.
He abruptly stopped playing. This wasn't working for him. His troubles still remained and trying to forget them made them stronger, playing the tune made his heartache more. He gave out a low groan, he knew of only one person who felt the same loneliness as him and maybe he should see her. He left the balcony in search for her.
"Why can't I see my own daughter?!" King Harkinian boomed.
His deep voice seemed to echo along the harsh marble walls of the palace. The corridor, where he stood, was filled with panels of orange light cascading from the tall glass windows behind him. He stood proudly outside the large dark oak doors of Zelda's locked bedroom. He had dressed down a bit from his rich royal garments into a pair white tights, a shirt and a navy blue tunic. His precious and only daughter had failed to turn up and accompany him to dinner this afternoon, and after day's stirring events, he was gravely worried for her. She was all he had left since her mother's passing. Impa stood in front the doorway, she remained motionless. Her burning red eyes yielded to no one. She wasn't giving up, not even to the King himself. He only stood a couple of inches high than her and tried to use this towering feeling to intimidate her since his authority never worked.
"I'm sorry your highness but she wants to left alone." Impa's tone was stern and abrasive.
"I don't believe this," He mumbled, he brought his hand to his forehead and crumpled the wrinkles on his face with his hand "You do your job to well" then brought them back down. "Well, is there something wrong with her?" He requested.
Impa wasn't quite sure how answer this question at first. 'Yes' would of meant he would of had a good reason to go in and comfort her, 'no' would mean she would have no reason to hide from him. But she knew how to keep people in the dark.
"Her personal problems are none of your concern."
"None of my concern?" He inquired with in twitch in his left eye.
"I believe that's what I said. Now, be off with you, your daughter's not about to keel over and die by sunrise from sitting in her room and I'm sure you have more pressing matters to attend to such as dinner."
Before he could answer her again with another order to move or "you're fired", a distracted servant girl stepped out of the of the princess's room with an empty plate with food scratchin's on it. She jumped back when she saw them both, she seemed to be quite shocked to see him still standing there. The girl was slim with long fine brown hair, she wore a light blue dress with a shirt underneath and a rope belt. She looked the king straight in his eyes, she had worked there as palace staff for all the lords and ladies for over two years and had never really seen him. She was one of Zelda's personal maid's, Rika, the princess had shared all of her dark secrets with her and they had grown to be more friends than just acquaintances. She had stayed inside and had been instructed by Impa to eat Zelda's food, she had no qualms about it, she trust what trouble Zelda had gotten herself into now she knew what she doing. The King noticed the empty plate and assume his daughter had eaten. He turned back to Impa.
"Now can I see my own daughter?" He growled, eye twitched again. Impa stood her ground.
"I'm afraid not." She put coldly. The cynical banters came back and forth between them. The girl Rika, in middle, was like watching the two go head to head in a tennis match, she feared her head would fall off or explode from the shouting. Each were as stubborn as the other and their voices rose and rose. She was the only one that could see the vicious cycle, so she daringly stepped forward with a brave face and tugged at King Harkiniarn arm. He stopped and faced her crossly.
"Well, what is it!?" He boomed.
She lent over to whisper and pulled him down was he cowered down to her level in order for his ear to meet her mouth. She mumbled something to him, not even the puzzled and intrigued Impa could hear. He quickly stood up and clear his throat. Impa saw his face grow quite red with embarrassment.
"W-well ladies I best be leaving, give Zelda my well wishes." He quickly paced off down the corridors. Impa watched in astonishment as he disappeared around the corner.
"What did you say?" She uttered bluntly staring openly down the now empty corridor, Rika faced the same way with an evil smile.
"She has women's problem. But of course he doesn't know she hasn't" The girl turned to face her with clever smirk and left calmly, leaving Impa stunned then giggling to herself, guarding an empty room.
Okay, I suggest you take a breather, get a cold Pepsi from the kitchen or whatever, you're only half way through!!! ................................. Back? Okay, let get started again ... A/N
The stables were icy cold but still a little warmer than out there in the yard. The sun had set almost an hour ago, the sky started to turn navy and a variety of blues. The sounds from the banquet hall became quieter and almost silent from where he was standing now. The torches to the left of him in the stables left burn marks on the walls and the flames provided only a little warmth as he walked by them. Link strolled along side these barely warm torches, his bare feet crushing the hay strewed across the cobble flooring. He felt the same cold pain in his feet as before but he didn't stop walking. His hand graced along the stressed painted white wood as he walked. He could hear the light neighing and deep breathing the tamed beasts in their cramped homes. He stopped when at last he came to a beast all too familiar to him. She lay on the floor, her legs tucked under her red weighty body. She seemed almost a sleep and comfortable in there. He saw the cracked panelling at the back and assume this was were she threw temper-tantrum earlier that evening. As soon as she smelt her owner's presence she opened her tired eyes and stood up on all fours, jadedly. She shook her platinum white mane and trotted towards him, the clap of her hoof awoke the black stallion next door but he soon dozed off again with a harsh puff.
"There's a good girl." He whispered.
She lent her head over the wooden barrier to try and comfort him and to seemingly asked for his petting. Link grabbed a wooden hand brush from a nearby hook and slipped the leather strap over his hand. He began stroking down her neck, over her shoulders, smoothing down the fur. The rough crackling of the bristles scratched her dull coat turning it glossy when he brushed. He did sometimes prefer being alone, he was used to having no other company. Epona in her way was an exception, she didn't ask stupid question like 'are you okay?', though, sometimes he wished he did have someone close to him such as Zelda, he had grown fond of her over time. He regarded his feeling towards her as he would family but there was always something more, he couldn't explain it at first but it soon became plainly obvious, to himself and others as his visits became more frequent. He continued petting his pet friend.
"There you go, like that?" She exhaled a puff a hot air, he chuckled. "That's a yes then." He carried on brushing in near silence. "........ you seem to have the easy life, hmm m'lady?" She looked up at him and shook her head in protest. "Hmm, Probably not then, having to lumber me on your back, must be tiring!!" He teased and brushed her some more. He thought he saw a small nod and flick of her eyes to see if he saw "So, am I heavy?" He inquired. She didn't move, just stared at him with yes written her eyes. "Humph, well you have it easier than these ones in here," The black horse opened his eyes at looked up him with a little angry through the wooden panel and then tried to sleep again despite the rack he causing, "I mean you have no reins, no whip and the world is your stable ... kinda like me." He murmured.
He carried on petting her as far as he could reach with out stretching too far. She was enjoying his attention. Only he had the touch to tame her, no one could break her spirit and he proud about of that in a way. He didn't see her as his property but as an old friend, his old friend Epona. His smile slowly faded as his petting continued.
"Tough times isn't it though?" She merely responded by glancing her eyes up then back down. "Wonder what everyone's doing ........... I bet you miss home too, don't you? ............ I miss ... having my life back ... I miss everyone too, especially ...." He paused for sometime. "... things haven't been right recently ... I wish there was an easier way to do what I'm doing ..." He closed his eyes and stopped for a while. Epona look up at him waiting for him to continue brushing her and nudged his arm with her head and neighed. He opened his eyes slowly and smiled at her and continued brushing.
He began to think again those nagging emotions again, brushing partly aside his guilt. Seeing her today meant that all his thoughts were consumed by her, that was the way it always was with him every time they met. It was only after all these years he'd realised she had become his air, he couldn't breathe without her anymore. He could of dealt with them beginning friends to begin with, when they were kids but, ... his hunger for her in later years grew rapidly. First for her angelic presence, then for her touch, her kiss, but still he wanted more, to express ... the ultimate expression of love, but she could never be allowed to love him in return. His dreams now haunted him, they had become explicit these past nights, touching her, kissing her, the pleasures of her flesh, it was wrong but he desired her so, self control was slowly slipping.
Zelda stood gazing at him in relief for a while at the doorway with a faint smile. Her watchful blue stare stayed fixed on him, and him alone. She eyed his masculine image. She saw he was distracted and she began to get cold feet about meeting him like this, but quickly expelled this motion.
She had found her way out of the ensnaring maze with his help but she also had to cut down all nature in path to achieve her freedom. Once freed she'd skulked around in the servants quarters avoiding light and goblin company. She would of made a dash for the inner castle until she saw him walking alone into the stables from the shadows and followed him.
He couldn't hear the light patter of her steps as she crept up behind. She was Sheik again, her mannerism, her silent steps, her stare. Like the way Sheik followed him from the shadows, watching him from the darkness in deep admiration and devotion. Her hair remained down with her clumped fine fringe tattered over her eyes, the bag swung over her shoulder, the broken sword clutched in her right hand. Her eyes glanced over him, he hadn't even noticed her approach yet, her face was stony and had a sinister intent. She raised the blade in her hand. The horses never stirred.
He pulled his hand away from Epona and let it fall to his side, he dropped the brush off his hand absent-mindedly. He began wishing selfishly she was there with him, the reminder of his dream brought a bashful smile to his lips. He was about to bent down to pick up the brush but he soon felt the painful taste of the bitter cold steal brush, and rest, against his throat as another slender slim arm hugged around his waist with a strong grip. He froze. He thought he felt her fingers move across his skin under his shirt which caused him to gasp, her hands were like ice. He felt her warm body press against his and her hair tickle his ears. She placed her chin on his shoulder, and she tried to catch a glimpse of his eyes.
"The hero of time caught off guard?" He knew that voice. "You are going soft." She held the jagged broken stub of her broad sword up against his Adam's apple. (LOTR scene)
"Zeld-" He felt the blade push hard against his neck as he tried to move around.
Not a word was spoken between the two at first, only their breathing could be heard. She seemed to settle herself comfortably with her right leg over top his and her arm wrapped around him preventing a quick escape. She was being to enjoy having him at her mercy.
"Hello Link." She said it almost calmly, chirpy, into his ear.
He didn't say anything back immediately. He had a shaky smile across his face, this wasn't exactly what he meant when he wished to see her. With her blade to his throat it was hard to think straight. He heard her smirk into his ear, she was only playing games with him. He closed his eyes and smiled.
"Are you going to kill me then?" He jested calmly.
"Hmm, I don't know, I haven't decided yet." He slowly move his left hand to her wrist.
"Do I get any last words princess?"
"Words? Wouldn't you much prefer something else?"
"What is it you have in mind?" He snatched at her arm immediately. The quick movement shocked Epona, she shrieked and stomped backwards, and awaking all the horses and they all followed suit. He stretched out Zelda's hand with the blade as far he could, which brought them face to face, and then brought the blade to her own throat, both of their hands clasped around the handle. She bent over backwards a little with Link's hand stopping her plummeting to the floor. There noses touched. At first she was shocked but then grinned as she saw his kind expression. He didn't feel entirely comfortable with the way this situation looked and also very tempted. It was nice to see her again but she really shouldn't be there. She had no idea what trouble she getting herself involved in now. He knew the reason why she was there though, the truth, though he hoped it was for something more.
He quickly looked around at the shaken beasts and then whispered in her ear.
"It's too dangerous to be here."
-Caring, as usual- "It's my choice to be here, I do as I wish-- "
"That's not what I meant, these horse's would of startled someone, we should leave."
"Where?"
The small old worn wooden door to the courtyard covered in lime moss slammed open on it's creaky rusted hinges as Link raced through with Zelda behind him. He forced the rigid door tightly shut behind them with a boom. He turned the twisted iron ring to seal them off from any intruders and swung the wooden beam across onto the holders. He turned around to Zelda who had a self-satisfied smile, the passing wind played with her hair, her long fringe also tangled in the breeze.
"I guess you don't want anyone to disturb us do you?"
"I guess so." He beamed back before moving his eyes way quickly.
Even now she could still see that there was something edgy about him, even through his seemly convincing acting she could still sense that there was something troubling him and as a friend she was determined to help.
The sandy brick open passage way around the garden was lit dimly with torches on the walls where the doorways stood. There were dark wooden beam rafters over head with loose vine roofs. The ivy vine crept up the wall from the pillar and rafters, and framed the dark windows. The lively garden itself was huge, almost as big as the banquet hall inside. It was overflowing with rose bushes with prickled thorns, silver birch saplings, and an old willow that stood proudly in the centre. It was like a beautiful corner of a wood. The open night sky studded with thousands upon thousands of pure diamonds blazed brightly above them. The moonlight's perfect glow outlined everything in the garden with a crisp silver gleam. The vivid garden had turned from hysterical colours to shades of dark greys and greens.
He casually strolled past her onto the wet freshly cut grass to the enchanted rose bushes and touched their silken petals, it wasn't until then Zelda noticed their harmonious beauty, she became instantly drawn.
"Oh, what beautiful roses." She whispered soundly under her breath.
"Yes they're for someone special." He said in a daze. He had meant Zenia since this was Japheth's grand garden but from the pleasing smile on Zelda lips he knew she assume her. He looked up at open sky dazzling with awesome stars and the wind blew the darkened clouds swiftly across the sky, there was a storm brewing tonight. The twilight sky was an all too familiar sight to him, every time he looked up it he fell trapped in it's spell, the stars were his nightly companions and he believed held the keys to his destiny. The huge low moon as it rose into the heavens cast a perfect outline of his lean body. His blonde hair shimmered in the moonlight as it laced over his bright eyes. He wasn't quite sure how he was going to handle these circumstances. She was here with him at last but he couldn't find the words to talk her. Normally he could tell her everything but this was different, this wasn't something she would readily understand, his actions back there, in the chapel were just not simple to explain. She stopped smiling and approached him with a mournful look. The question at hand was plain on their faces.
"Link, we need to talk." He looked at her through the corners of his eyes. He dreaded this. He slowly walked over to her.
"Go on then."
"That letter you gave me at the chapel ... I read, but ... it didn't make sense." He seemed to act a bit pre-occupied with thought, she wasn't sure if he was listening, but he was.
"What do you mean?" He said hesitantly.
"The meaning, the context, it didn't make any sense. How could releasing that man help any of us or bring peace." She started walking in circles around, pacing, the usual when she angry or confused ".... It's our duty to protect the people. Link, I want you to explain why? Why did you--" He became a little discouraged and pulled away from her a little.
"It was to only serve as a warning ... is that the only reason why you're here? ... Because of the letter? ...... Humph, business as usually." He muttered. She didn't answer. He turned his back on her and started to retreat back further into the gardens.
"Link, I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that." He didn't stop. "... Link."
She bowed her head, swallowed her pride and then she chased after him across the grass.
She slipped arms around his waist, he stopped in his tracks. "No Link, that letter isn't the only reason I'm here. I want you to confide in me. I can see you're troubled." She made butterflies rise inside, his self-control slipping further away. She rest her head on his shoulder blade and began to talk more softly. "Back there, at the chapel, you ... worried me. It was lovely to see you back but you weren't yourself. I thought you probably were... " He closed his eyes and sighed.
"Brainwashed." He turned to faced her.
"Er, yes."
"I don't believe I am ... it's hard to explain."
"Try me."
He walked further into the welcoming garden to a soft place on the grass under the weeping willow. The willow's long arms meandered over head as the fine thin green leaves hung loose from the limp kindling. He pushed back the leafy curtains and sat down near the roots. She followed him inside the almost sheltered area of willows twisted branches and sat right next to him, gazing intensely at his eyes. He started running his fingers through his hair, changing appearance subtly, making himself more attractive with each turn.
"Trust me when I say this princess, Ganon wasn't the real reason we opened the sacred realm and broke the seal. It was something more than that, something more important ... well, the beginning of something important, something that could change our world for the better."
He quickly glanced up to see her puzzled expression.
"Something more important, how so?"
"The quest I'm about to embark on will be my last. After this Hyrule should obtain true peace. There are many compilations and risks to be taken but the end should justify the means."
"But what did the temple of time or the sacred realm have to do with it?" He thought hard about this.
".... Did you see the flower, Zelda? The one Zenia had in her hand the glowing red rose, the one she brought back from the sacred realm before we left?"
"Yes, I did."
"Well that was what we were there to achieve." He said solemnly
"All that for a flower?" She seemed to grow a little angry. "Link you can't be serious! All hell will break lose and for what, a flower?! Link ..."
"Zelda, you don't understand, but that rose has special properties." She looked at him with another puzzled expression. He looked back at the stars in the heavens and continued his story. "It was Din's rose, The goddess of power, it's very special princess and invaluable. It possesses certain powers .Along with two other sister flower's, the other flowers of the Goddesses, they can take us one step closer unlocking a better future for us all, the prophesied golden age. There are several more steps beyond that, involving primly the legendary True Force as the final step to harmony ... that's ... all I know ... so far. The rest we'll play by ear. The hunt for the other flowers starts tomorrow."
"The true force ..." She mumbled. "Did that Zenia tell you this?"
"......... no." He briefly remembered an image of something, someone or ...
"Who?" The pictures in his head became stronger, closer, more intense but still unclear. He squeezed his eyes to block the light and keep the image but lost it quickly.
"... I know it sounds stupid but ... I don't know exactly, some- someone else ..." The figures became clearer and a breathe away, his memory became un-ignorable and the pieces of forgotten memory fitted into place. No memory like before, the first image was Damien, glowering over his easy victory and then the scenery changed, pain dissipated ".............. I remember seeing them."
"Them? Who are 'them'? Link ......... Link?" He mind started to drifted, looking for answers and he began to slip from reality into his own comforting memories as they vastly grew, not even the princesses calling could snap him out of it. A faint soothing smile lit up his face.
".... I remember now..... I was content, at ease, .... but I .... I wasn't suppose to 'be there' ...... They told me ... they told me every thing, my destiny, my future, everything, but .... I can't remember .. it .. all .............. It was only when Zenia mentioned the true force .. and the rose .. I remembered about them ..... and all the legends that followed them ..." He spoke more softly now. She tried to understand what he was saying. He seemed to slip into a dream state. She could see his eyes stayed fixed on the floor partly shut, rolling a blade of grass between his fingers. Could he be possibly talking about ...
She remembered that the true force (from old fables) was a force stronger than the other pieces but the purpose was never defined. It was reckoned that this piece, the redundant piece, could possibly bring peace. But what she had heard was that when the power of the true force was awakened it would spell the day that the children of destiny would play out their fate, but the old tales never explained how this would happen. They were extremely vague or parts of the tales were missing. She had heard all these ancient fables and the great legends that were attached to the myth of the true force herself, but she had thought them all as fairytales. (If you're asking yourself, "True force? This girls' off her rocker!" Then take looooong look at either Links' shield or Zelda dress, which you look at doesn't matter. You'll see (in order from top to bottom) the Tri force, a red bird, and a golden triangle on it's point and 'what's that?' You say? Ta da, the 'True Force'. Oh, Link's story is vague or weak for reason, if he said too much he'd give the plot away to you guy and I don't want that!)
Link stopped talking. Instead he gazed at the blades of grass dancing in the breeze.
"I understand." She whispered to him and questioned him out more. She rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him, shielded his nude skin from the wind.
She sat thinking for a while as did Link, the passing wind chilled her as she started to try and make sense of this whole situation. If the legends was true, then this would be good for her people ... but, that 'Zenia' must of had hidden agendas and now she wanted to know what they were. But the one thing, the most prominent thing on her mind now, was having him by her side. It had been so long since she had experienced his sweet company and she had sorely missed him, and all his quirky traits. Her life had been almost empty without her dear best friend to brighten the doorway with his pleasant smile when he walked in a room. She kept finding herself staring at him hoping he would show his secret smile for her again, but her wandering eyes annoyed her. She shuffled her body around so they came back to back and she sat there with her knees bent a little. She could feel the wet grass beneath but chose to ignore the uncomfortable damp. She stretched out her hands along the thin blades of wet grass, the moist dew brushing through her fingers. He slowly woke up from his daydream as he felt her warm body press against his as she settled in. The tense atmosphere gradually lifted as the both of them began relax a little in each others company, Zelda was still a bit worried and was a little unsure but her trust in him blinded her. Link smiled softly and tried to look briefly over his shoulder at her but to no avail. His eyes soon strayed down her slender arm to her hand. He softly, timidly, reached out with his hand and cupped his over hers. As she felt his loving touch and she gently smiled and looked down. His fingers moved across her small hand and delicate fingers. His warm caress reminded her that things would always be this way.
"Will we always be friends, right?" She murmured in a soft dazed tone.
"I wish it was that easy." He mumbled referring to his troubling emotions.
"Pardon?" He paused.
"Nothing."
"Well? what are you saying? were not friends." She teased. He laughed softly to himself.
"Hmm, 'friend'" he glanced up the stars, "I guess I can do friend, but I was kinda hoping ..." He grinned shyly, he couldn't finish his sentence without making as ass of himself so he mouthed lovers instead. She smirked, she couldn't see but she knew.
She slowly drifted back to a bitter taunting reality. The droning worries of the contemporary dangers over the present situation returned to haunt her.
"You understand he'll reek havoc on more people don't you."
"Yes," he said dauntingly, he turned around to face and give some reassurance, "but he has the finally piece of the Tri-force, for peace we need it back, even by force if necessary. Don't worry, he's not stupid to attack Hyrule as soon as he escape's, he'd be weak and crushed. That'll give us time to take the tri force back ..." Even he had doubt on what he was saying.
She pulled her head down and squeezed her eyes tightly, hiding her tears from him. She didn't want to relive that torture again. She recollected her authority, her eyes still close head low.
"Promise me he wont hurt anyone ..."His heart jumped in his throat, he couldn't.
He lift up her chin caressed her fair skin with his shaky fingers as he move them over her lips. She wouldn't open her eyes for him for his touch.
"I ... can't ..." He painfully whispered and pushed her delicate fringe back behind her ears. "Sorry ..."
He examined her face, her every detail, wanting to comfort her. As he watched her he soon felt a tickling erg well up in stomach that needed its instant gratification. Before he realised his own bold actions he pressed his lips firmly on hers as his hand rest on the nape of her neck. The shock of his brash actions awoke her from her nightmare. At first her eyes widen with shock until she relaxed gently into the kiss. He pulled away briefly, making passing eye contact before continuing his venture, pursuing to push open her lips; deepen their kiss. She didn't fight him, she let him. With her eyes partly closed, she reached out to touch him, her hand rest on his neck. His hands began to move along her back and down over her shoulders to her chest. This singular moment in time seemed to last an era for them both. She began to succumb his ergs and slide her hand down underneath his cotton white shirt and stroke his bare skin beneath, she moved her finger down slowly cross the soft skin until she felt the tops of his trousers. She knew what she wanted, she tried the move the fabric, he pulled away harshly. He looked down at her hand still rested there and grabbed it, she laced their fingers together.
He believe if he allowed her to continue anymore he would lose it and they both end up 'doing' something they would regret. But as his curiosity pulled him back to gaze in her eyes as he found her smiling back at him, picture of innocence. As a skilled warrior he could fight almost anything but temptation was something completely different. He lent forward to deliver another kiss, as a crack of stupendous thunder cracked, ripped open the sky and the blissful heavens crashed down. Not even the weak coverings of the branches stopped the flush of water as it raced to the ground and saturate the couple underneath.
Link gave out weak laugh as his soaked white shirt clung to his skin, the icy water trickled down his nose. Something like this always happened when ever he found a pure moment alone with her. She looked up that the darken clouds through the wetness as a fork lightening flashed above them. The winds blew past them, she began the shiver.
"We should find shelter before we catch our death out here."
He looked at her smiling, he knew a place.
The open warm orange fire still blazed brightly in the hearth of the large cosy room. The shadows it cast from the roaring yellow flickering flames were much stronger and darker now the sun had set. The only sound in the room to be heard was the crackling of the fire and the crickets outside in the pine trees. The bright glowing chucky ruby red candles had almost burned half way and the oozing melted wax spread out into weird and wonderful pattern in the hallows on the wall. The room was pretty much how he had left it, nothing had changed. Zelda stood and eyed the room cautiously, hugging her arms the whole time. He left his wet foot prints on the cold floor as he walked by her a little, the clothes sticking on his sides as he walked didn't bother him much, he was used to get caught in the rain. He turned around and notice the sorry state she was in. She stood in the cold doorway, kicking the back of heels to stop the jabbering icy pain numbing her toes and feet, her arms hugged her whole body as she stood there shivering. Her lips had turned blue as they trembled with cold. Her beautiful sleek honey blonde hair, now a dirty blonde, fell flat down her back, her wet fringe clung to the sides of her face. He sniggered a little at her, what a pitiful creature, she was so pure breed. He shivered a bit also from the cold but he was use to this.
"What are you smiling at?" She snapped, he chuckled a little hard, a little more openly. She snapped her head around so not to look at him, how dare he laugh, this made him laugh hard.
"You should probably sit by the fire to dry off, I'll go and get us some towels. Make yourself at home." He couldn't speak without laughing at her.
"Well, I see you have." She spoke with a harsh tone and glanced at the pile of laundry, from earlier that evening, thrown untidily in the corner of the room. He rolled his eyes. He grabbed her hand and pulled her heavy body and dragged her weary feet further in the room to the warmth of the fire. She stood and stared at its dancing flames and began to feel a little better, but no drier and still cold.
"Right, while I'm gone don't answer the door to no-one, remember; you're not suppose to be here. I'll knock on the door twice if it's me okay?"
"Okay. Twice." She stuttered.
Link smiled at her and strolled away leisurely to the open door. He stepped back out into the corridor. He checked the barely lit corridor for signs of 'goblin life', but looked back at her for one last time leaving her alone inside the warmth of the room.
He pulled the old sturdy pine door shut with black iron handle. It eased shut with a few creaks from the black hinges. He could partly hear the playful music and gossiping from the main hall down stairs. He shut out these sound and his daydreams returned and 'what if' thoughts. It was nice to see her again on equal footing like this rather than that uncomfortable situation in the chapel, though back there she was very pretty, no, she was beautiful. He dwelled on those thoughts a few moments, that felt like eternity for him, as he thought his hand never felt the pull ring on the door. He stood alone in complete silence with only his thoughts. The water dripping from his hair gliding down his cheeks to his chin and splashing on the floor. A guilt crept on him as he daydreamed.
-What would I of done ... if the rain hadn't of come, would I of ... taken advantage ...-
The guilt began to grow stronger but so did the temptation and desires also; a fierce cycle, slowly losing his grip on self control as craved her again. He tried to dismiss those feelings but they wouldn't shake off. He knew the answer to his dark question; yes. He would.
-Okay boyo, relax, forget it, she's just your 'friend' .........-
The word 'friend' was the only thing now stopping him pursuing.
"Are you ok sir?"
A shot of adrenalin coursed through his veins, he snapped around in the direction the voice. The voice had took him completely by surprise. It came from a small goblin girl, a little chubby, small. She had bright green eyes and ash blonde bushy pigtails. She wore a brown dress and pinafore. She was holding a mass of white bed sheets cradled in her arms, all of them rested under her chin. She stood a fair bit off down the corridor looking at him .
"Er."
"Are you okay sir?" She seemed to squirt and seemed a bit scared of him at first. "You look .. cold."
"Yeah, ... yeah." He scratched back of his head. "I'm okay." He paused for a moment to collect his bearings again "... are you one of the chamber maids for around here?"
"Aye, I am, Why do you ask?" He walked over the small goblin girl and found the top of her head only an inch high than his waist.
"I need some er towels."
"Arr, I see." She said, it was only then she noticed the wet clothing "Caught in that storm? Or did you bath fully clothed!" She joked.
"D' storm." She giggled waddled around in the opposite direction and started to walk off. She looked back at him. "Follow me." He did, casually. As they walked she started casual conservation to break unwanted silence. "There's a storage cupboard down here, ya can't see it though, it's just for us ladies, the maids, to use. But if you need anything else for the night ya'll know where to come now. So you're the 'Great Protector' I should imagine, your the only human lookin' male around, except his 'almighty' of course. I'm sure you see all of the great things out there, I would love to leave but I would thought of as strange yo know, though I would love to see the world before my grave. My ma left once, told that it's a dangerous yet beautiful place but she didn't go far, only to Hyrule market and back, on business of course, nothing more, nothing strange like questing ... Arr here we are."
She turned to face the wall to the left on her. Link stared at it bewildered, all he could see was bare sandy brick, there was nothing there. There had to be some magical trickery. He watched in amazement as the small girl vanished through the solid wall to nowhere. He was right, there was nothing there, only the elusion of a sturdy wall. He heard a soft thud as she dropped the sheets on the floor inside, he heard her mumble something like there they are while he waited in the freezing cold corridorShe came wandering out with two crisp white clean woollen towels. She passed them to him and gave him a little nod.
"Thanks."
"It's a pleasure sir."
The pine door to the cosy room crept open quietly on it's old hinges as Link skulked in staring at the heavy soft towels in his large course hands. He gradually looked up to talk to Zelda.
"Zel, I got us some--"
He couldn't force the rest of the words out of his throat, he almost choked on them with a hard gulp. He stared in awe at her nude flesh as she stood in front the blazing orange fire near the drift wood chair. Her 'exposed' back turned to him as she pulled the soaking white shirt over her head. Her somewhat dry golden tousles fell down the slender curves of her back, the cast fire cast a shady outline of her breast. He quickly averted his eyes.
"Ah-um."
She immediately filled with hot flushes, he was back already. She quickly snatched the brown velvet sheet covering the chair and wrapped it around her before turning around to face him. From the look on her face she seemed a bit peeved.
"You said you'd knock!" She hissed
"Err sorry." He blushed. From the flames in his cheeks his hidden arousal was oblivious to her. Her expression soften.
"Never mind." She whispered. She turned around and faced the furious heat of the fire and knelt down on the plush white rugged still gripping the shimmering velvet over her shoulders. The fine velvet felt smooth against her skin. She was warmer now, the cold never bothered her anymore. Link still shivered though, the wet shirt still clung to his skin and caused irritation. He pulled the almost transparent shirt off and rubbed his arms gently with towels. He scuffed up his hair also with it and then shook his head. He came over and sat next to her in front the fire.
"Sorry." He muttered.
DELETED SCENE
The storm raged on, as the night fell into compete darkness around the castle. She lay beautifully cradled in his strong arms half awake listening to the almost silent patter of the rain droplets and cracks of rolling thunder. She could gently heard his breathing and his chest slowly rose and fell beneath her head, his hand rested firmly on her shoulder. He seemed so peaceful and so innocent as he slept. She kissed his skin tenderly and smiled lovingly before closing her eyes, for the first time in months she'd sleep content.
A/N There was a lemon but I deleted it because I wanted this go in the PG13 section. Sorry.