Chapter 24
"So Chizan here doesn't believe that magic is a good thing."
Tyron's chuckle floated into Link's mind as he tried to stay awake. He was lying back against a rock, the lazy warmth of the setting sun stroking his face. Zelda was resting against his shoulder, breathing softly and idly pulling at the grass. Her presence was like a balm and, despite the seriousness of their trip, he felt content. It was enough to almost let him drift away into slumber again; in fact, if his soul departed right now he thought he would be the happiest man ever to have embraced death.
Yes, you do that. But I'll stay behind if it's fine with you.
Link let his heavy eyes drift open. They had been travelling now for two days, on horseback and on foot. Their rides were all Freelander bred, sturdy and strong, but the Hero of Time still missed his Epona. He had been relieved when Fran had told him that the horse was safe and sound back in Lon Lon Village. He had a lot to be grateful to the hunter for. Fran had done more than for Link than he deserved. The man's integrity was obvious, seeing as he'd put so much a line for a friendship that had developed over such a short time. A true hero.
Light faded, and the puffy clouds were tinted orange. They had camped for the night in this forest, the breeze playing with the leaves of the tall trees. Freelander country was a strange and beautiful place. One minute they would be traversing through the hot, dusty plain of Narik's Rock and the next they would come upon a lush, watered forest teeming with wildlife.
He looked around at his friends. Fran was sitting by a tree, Tessa curled in sleep at his feet as leaves swirled around her, making her nose twitch. The hunter, his daughter and the Imp had joined them on their trek, but only until they came to the next seaport. There, they would then head back to Hyrule, Fran needing to tend to his lagging trade. The trio had originally planned to head south on their own and find a ship there, but the Wise One had insisted that they join with Link's party. She had stubbornly persisted, claiming that it was of great importance.
Ah. But what makes her so certain?
Something nagged at the back of Link's mind. He did not think that there would be very many ships heading to Hyrule from any Freelander port. Judging by the tight lines on Fran's face, Link realised that his friend knew that as well.
Zayna sat cross legged on the ground, busy sharpening her sword. The rhythmic echo was the only sound reverberating in the clearing. Her expression was blank as she hid her thoughts. She was still his apprentice and he hoped that there would be plenty of opportunity to train her during their journey. His original plan had been to train a new Hero, so that he could fade into obscurity. Now, everything had changed. Zelda needed him, needed her hero. But he saw no harm in equipping Zayna with all that he knew. The world was big enough for two heroes. He only hoped that she would make it through her ordeal alive.
The Viceroy Ren had declined to join them. There had been hot words between him and the Queen, though Link had not caught the gist of the argument. All that he did know was that later, Zelda had tried to convince the Viceroy to lead an assault against Cyle's trade caravan, her plan to attack the King's economic source still fresh in her mind. Ren had refused that too, claiming that the war was over and that Zelda should reclaim her throne on her own. The Queen had glared at him furiously, but had said nothing. In the end, the Freelander King had intervened, claiming that there would be time to discuss that later as soon as they had returned from curing the Key.
Tyron was sat beside Chizan as the Prince spent most of his time giving either Link or Chitz meaningful looks. The Old Man of Hyrule Castle was looking at the Hero now, an expectant light in his eyes.
"What do you think about that, Link?"
Link straightened his back, stretching out the stiffness. He fixed his gaze on the Freelander. "I think he's absolutely right."
Tyron flinched in surprise. Zayna looked up and Zelda stirred beside him. The Prince eyed him, a disbelieving expression on his face. Only Fran was unmoved, watching the unfolding conversation impassively.
"Is that so?" Chizan asked.
The Hero smiled, trying to melt the barrier of ice that had grown between them. There was no reason for him to be enemies with this man. In fact, in different circumstances they would probably have been friends.
Easy for you to say. You got the girl and he didn't.
"Yes. Those that created and harnessed it did not do it for noble purposes. No matter how much we may try and purify it, at the end of the day it was a power used by people with dark intentions."
Sounds like my kind of party.
Zelda lifted herself from his side and lightly brushed off some grass from her tunic. She held him with narrowed eyes. "You've never mentioned this before."
He turned to her, an easy smile crossing his face. "I didn't know about it before. I had a lot of time to read in the desert."
She watched him, not giving a response. He felt a twinge of disquiet in his heart. He wondered what other differences – philosophical or otherwise – would occur between them. It was impossible to tell, unless they spent a considerable amount of time together, eating, breathing and tasting life together. He knew that every person was unique, a never to be repeated bubble of light that graced the world for a short period of time and knew it was useless to mould another person to 'his' standards. Link still felt confident though, felt that there would only be minor differences between and they could iron those out through mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance.
My, my, my, aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves? You haven't even asked for her hand yet.
Tyron's voice broke through his musings. "Surely magic itself is neutral. Its morality depends on the user."
Link shrugged. "If we were meant to have magic, it would have been handed to us, like we get water from the sky and food from plants and animals."
Chizan's mouth tightened in a small smile. Their gazes locked. Finally they had a connection, something in common.
Something more than wanting the same woman?
"Hmm," said Zelda with a sigh. The tone in her voice indicated that she had had enough of that subject. "Speaking of food, what are we eating tonight?"
Fran's voice piped up. "Do not worry, Milady. Leave that to this old hunter," he stroked his bow with a smile. "I'll bag us some nice meat for the night."
Zelda turned to him with a playful frown. "In the dark?"
He winked, his smile getting wider. "Just watch me, Your Highness."
The Queen grinned as the tension eased. "I think I will," she said, her voice tinkling with amusement. "I'm going to take you to task if you don't back up your claim though. I'm ravenous."
The hunter gave a mock gasp. "Well, if worst comes to the worst, we can always eat Chitz."
The Imp, who had been scurrying around some nearby rocks, looked up at the sound of his name. All eyes turned to him and, seeing the startled look on his face, they all burst out in light laughter.
Chitz scowled. "Haha…is this your doing, Freelander?" he said, marching up to the Prince. "Did your gaze fall on me realising that no Freelander woman could be as beautiful as an Imp? Haha."
Link and Zelda exchanged glances, concerned that the easy atmosphere would melt.
Chizan merely chuckled. "I assure that is the last thing I think when I look at you."
The Queen stood, satisfied that all was well and motioned to the Hero with her hand. "Let's go for a walk."
"Don't go too far," Fran warned.
"We won't."
They strolled to the edge of the clearing, close enough so that they could be seen by the others, but far enough away so that their voices would not carry. Link felt the heat of Chizan's gaze on his neck, but ignored it. Small animals jolted out of their path and the soft twitter of birdsong faded away as night fell. Zelda reached up to trace her finger along the line of one branch, her face pensive, seemingly lost in her thoughts.
The Hero waited patiently.
"It's too overwhelming, Link," she said softly. "The task before us. Curing Zayna, taking Hyrule back. They want us to slay a dragon! A dragon!" She laughed quietly, shaking her head. "Sometimes I feel so…small. So insignificant."
It wasn't quite he was expecting her to talk about. He looked up, watched as the stars began to appear from behind their veils. "It's going to be a beautiful night."
She followed his gaze with a sad smile. "Yes, it is."
His eyes dropped to her face, and stayed there, planted. He knew from the slight twitch in her cheek that it unnerved her.
She loves it really.
"And it's going to be a beautiful day. And the next day after that. And after that too." The words gushed out, the passion behind them genuine. "Because you'll be there to make sure it is. Because you're the Princess of Destiny. You're meant to be in this situation because you're the only one who can truly handle it."
Zelda chuckled, letting her gaze drop. "Still think the world revolves around me, do you?"
"My world revolves around you."
He'd said the words without thinking, but he meant them. Her mouth opened, as if she was going to say something, but it turned into a smile instead. Emotions fought on her face, amusement and pain. It looked like she didn't know whether to laugh or cry – laugh at the silly childishness of his words, or cry at the strength of feeling behind them.
"What happens when it's time for you to leave me again, Link?"
The Hero blinked. "I'm not going to. I thought we'd established that."
Zelda sighed. "You will." She held up a hand to stop his protest. "When another threat comes calling, you'll be off. It's your nature. It's what you were meant to do. You couldn't stop yourself anymore than I could give up my throne."
"I won't leave you," he said. The Hero of Time bowed his head slightly. "I am your Knight. No matter what, I am the Queen's Knight."
Tears shimmered in her eyes and he saw something relax in her face.
"I can't see the end Link," she said. "I can't see how this is all going to turn out. Zayna, Cyle, Hyrule – it just seems as though it's going to get worse before it gets any better. And even if we do succeed, what sort of world will we have left." She paused, rolling a stone under her boot. "What sort of people will we be?"
"Don't think. Just do."
Do you think of these nuggets of sagely wisdom when I'm not around?
Zelda sighed. "You don't talk to me anymore."
Link frowned, puzzled. He waited for her to continue.
"You don't tell me anything. What you're thinking, what you're feeling. At least not as much as you used to." She looked at him. "I liked when you did that."
The Hero shrugged, feeling uncomfortable. He supposed she was right. Apart from his feelings about Zelda herself, he always did talk to her about everything else.
Hey, let me speak. She'll love what I have to say.
Her eyes widened, fear dancing in them. "Don't you trust me?"
Link straightened as if an arrow had struck him. "Of course I do!"
"Then…?"
"It's just…" The discomfort made him shift from one foot to the other. "I guess being away from people for so long has made me a little…anti-social."
Zelda looked down and gave a small nod. She stayed silent, pondering over his words.
She hesitated, before saying, "What did you mean before? About me saving you…?"
"I see something!" Link jerked his head back towards the worried tone in his apprentice's voice.
The Hero and the Queen rushed back to the clearing. Zayna was scanning the darkness in between the trees, her eyes darting this way and that. Silence fell and they all peered, searching.
"Where?" Zelda asked, her voice quiet.
Link caught a flicker of movement, something dark that was flowing like black water. A hint of red flashed. The Hero's heart caught in his chest, thinking the Demon Riders had returned and found them.
There was a hiss.
The Prince and the Hero locked gazes once more. "I hear it too," said Chizan.
They were all standing now, Zayna flipping her sword into her hand, Fran reaching for his bow. Link, Zelda and Chizan drew their weapons simultaneously.
Tessa awoke, sitting up blinking. She looked up at her father, a confused expression etched on her face. Fran looked back and put a finger to his mouth. His daughter stood, throwing a hopeful glance in Link's direction.
They were hushed, the only noise their breathing and the faint rustle of their footsteps on the leaf-strewn ground.
Link slowly looked left and right, trying to find their prey. His fingers flexed against the hilt of his sword. Who even knew they were here? Who knew where they were going?
They all whirled as a blur burst out from the undergrowth. Three Freelanders lunged at them, trying to grab at their supplies. Fran loosed an arrow, taking one down in the leg, as Chizan grabbed another one, pinning him with a glare. The other one fled into the trees.
"Mine!" Link cried, and he followed the fleeing Freelander in.
*
Lorfor did not know why he had decided to follow the monks. His wife and children would have chastised him, laughing at his foolishness. Lorfor the Adventurer? No, never. Just imagining the smiles on his faces brought warmth back into his heart. Of course, his wife and children were long gone now. All he had left was his little shop in Lon Lon. And now he'd given that up too. Maybe he was as foolish as his ghosts thought he was.
What good was his shop and his little home without the glow of friendship, without the light that brought smiles to a man's face? Fran was too long gone now and he had to find out what had happened. He had to know whether his friend still lived or if he had been left lying in a ditch somewhere, his daughter mourning him. He had to know if only for his own sanity.
Yet, he had no idea where his old hunting partner had gone. All he remembered from Fran's whirlwind visit was that he had muttered something about riding out to a port. Lorfor had caught the name too; it was the setting off point of the Royal Galleon.
Chiding himself for taking on such an obviously ridiculous quest, Lorfor had gathered all his savings and plenty of supplies before riding out. He had given his town one long, wistful look, but the haunted expressions on his fellow villagers' faces and the charred remains of the myriad fires of hate that had blazed throughout the nights had disturbed him and he felt relieved that he was leaving.
It was while he was departing that he had spied the cart and three horses of the strange monks. Seeing that they were headed in the general direction of the port, he had decided to follow them at a discreet distance. They rode at a furious pace, making Lorfor's lungs burn for air as he tried to keep up. Sometimes he wondered if they really did know of his presence and they were playing with him, seeing how persistent he would be. They even travelled through the night, catching only a few hours of sleep.
All this did though was to pique Lorfor's curiosity even further. The chase was hard going, especially for someone of his age, but they had awakened within him a sense of wonder that he had not felt since he had been a child exploring new and unique things in the world, like a multi-coloured beetle or a strange looking tree. It had refreshed his mind, given him something to aim for. Silently, he thanked the monks, though inwardly he cautioned himself, hoping that there was nothing malevolent in their intentions.
And then they were gone.
Lorfor's eyes tracked the horizon, searching for any sign of the travellers. He was still in Hyrule Field, though far away from any settlement. The port wasn't too far away and if he could not find his quarry, he would turn in that direction. Disappointment nudged him though. As much as he wanted to find Fran, he wanted to know about these monks more. Where had they come from, where were they going and, more importantly, what were they transporting?
Hyrule Field was silent and empty, the only movement the tug of the breeze on the grass. How could they have disappeared so quickly? He had been watching them carefully, leading his horse from one point of cover to another, from a boulder to a tall tree to anything that would hide his presence. He'd looked away for a brief moment, long enough for him to take a sip from his water pouch and when he returned to the hunt they had seemingly vanished. Lorfor pulled on the reins of his horse, letting it trot in a circle as he pursed his lips in frustration.
He shivered, unnerved by the event. He felt a little lonely too. Though he had not shared in their company, just the proximity of other people had comforted him, despite the fact that they were far from the most friendly of folk.
Lorfor rode on slowly, this time his eyes looking for a good place to camp for the night. The air was starting to chill and he wrapped his cloak tighter around himself. Time passed, and he reached back for a crust of hardened bread and crumbling cheese. As he chewed, he realised that there would be no shelter to be found this night. It did not bother him too much; he was in that stage of his life where sleep no longer mattered that much to him. Besides, he would be at the port by dawn if he continued riding. Hopefully, he could ask around there, see if anyone knew of Fran. It was a slim chance, he knew, but he had to try.
He saw a movement ahead of him and, his hopes rising, spurred his ride onwards. Lorfor frowned as the scene revealed itself to him. A little Kokiri girl, clad in her usual green, lay trapped under a fallen boulder. Her head towards him wordlessly, her eyes pleading. The old man sprang from his horse, finding energy that was beyond his many years. A thought reared in his head – what was a Kokiri girl doing so far away from the Lost Woods?
He ran, then slid until he was on his knees beside the child. He coughed as the dust rose from his movements. "Are you hurt?" he asked, panicked, though he knew the question was unnecessary. When he got no reply, he added, "Can you speak?"
She gazed at him; her eyes wide with a sheen of innocence that made Lorfor swallow his tears down. Her brown hair was streaked with sweat and dirt lined her face. She reminded him of one of his daughters.
He measured the boulder with his eyes and cursed himself for his lack of strength. Still, he had to try. Gritting his teeth, he pushed against it, his limbs screaming in protest. He collapsed to the ground, panting, his arms tingling. The girl had made no sound and Lorfor began to frown.
The old man shuffled towards her as something tingled at the back of his mind. A warning. She was still regarding him with that expression of wonder. Tentatively, he reached forward, trying to touch her face. There was still no reaction as his hand drew closer. Lorfor chewed his teeth, puzzled.
His fingers moved to stroke her cheek and she shimmered and faded away.
He did not have to hear them to know that they were there. He spun around, fully expecting their presence. Sure enough, the monks had surrounded him and he cursed himself for letting his guard down so easily. Kokiris can't leave their village! Their expressions were stony and their stares hard. Then one of them reached forward towards him.
*
Link tore through the forest, clawed branches scratching at his face, as he inhaled the grassy smell of leaves in bloom. He could see the faint figure of the scrambling Freelander ahead of him, watery moonlight illuminating his path. Straining his leg muscles, he hissed, not wanting to fail. He sucked in air with each leap as his lungs and throat felt like they had been stripped raw. He cursed as more branches struck and ancient roots threatened to trip him.
Cut them away!
Link swung his sword, hearing the satisfying snap of tree limbs breaking. His path clearer now, he sped forward and gained on his prey. The Hero growled, frustrated that he'd let them get so close to Zelda without him realising. If they'd touched her, he would have made them pay dearly.
Make them pay anyway!
There. The Freelander had stepped into another clearing. Moonlight bathed him, marking him out clearly. Fretfully, he paused, glancing back in the Hero's direction.
His mistake.
Link dived, small boulders catching at his knees and drove into the man's legs. The Freelander gave a surprised grunt and they rolled to the ground entwined. Using his own legs as a springboard, Link kipped-up twirling around to face the would-be thief. The man stepped back, snarling as he freed a curved dagger from his belt.
Let me deal with this. I can finish it quickly.
They circled one another, Link testing the air with warning swipes, while the thief tossed his weapon from one hand to another. Their eyes were locked, waiting for the slightest hint of an attack.
Let me have control.
"Before I end our little game," Link said between breaths. "Tell me who sent you and what you want."
Let me have control.
"Hylian scum," the Freelander spat. "Did you think the scars of our war would fade so quickly?"
Obviously, the man did not know who Link was. His anger was understandable though.
It doesn't matter. He was going to hurt Zelda!
The Freelander thrust his dagger, uttering incomprehensible curses. Link parried easily. He felt calm, confident that he would prevail.
Carried along by the momentum of his strike, the man's other arm came forward. The Hero saw the flash of metal. Too late.
Another dagger sprung out of the Freelander's sleeve, cutting Link with a thin slit on his chest. Anger bubbled in his heart and he jumped back.
The thief connected with a kick that cracked the Hero's wrist, letting his sword fly. Link howled in fury, letting the emotion engulf him.
Let me –
"- have control!" The voice didn't sound like his. It was guttural, feral even.
Link leapt. The Freelander stepped back, surprised at the ferocity of the tactic. The thief flung his daggers up in defence, but it wasn't enough. The Hero of Time grabbed both of the man's wrists in a vicious grip. The force pushed them to the ground again, and they rolled. Link sprung up and with two quick punches, disarmed the thief. A final punch put the man flat on his back.
The Hero of Time towered over his fallen foe, grinning. He lifted one foot and, after a tense pause, brought it down on the man's right wrist. A snap, a shriek. Link left him cradling his hand as he retrieved his sword.
The man whimpered, looking up at his assailant. "Have mercy," he croaked.
Link raised his sword.
*
Zelda followed the trail of destruction in search of the Hero. The broken branches and crushed grass were enough to tell her where to go. Obviously, Link was being far from subtle this night. She grinned inwardly, stroking the pale green scarf she had hung around her belt. Deciding to follow Link's lead in blatantly obvious statements, Zelda had hoped to give the scarf to her Hero this night as a gift. A memento, so that he would always remember her if he did have to leave one day. It was a silly gesture she knew, and would probably be frowned upon in Hylian society, but she felt particularly daring tonight.
She sighed, letting this words tingle her heart. The Queen's Knight. She had to chuckle at that, but again the sincerity behind them and melted her cynicism. It was sweet and she wondered if he was capable of anything other than that. He was just being himself, she guessed, and she was grateful. She didn't want Link any other way than the way he was now. Sweet, honourable and kind. Her Knight.
The Queen brought the scarf up to her face as she lost herself in her thoughts. She did not hear the sound, the rhythmic, squelching chopping.
Zelda blinked, puzzled. Something told her that she should stay out of sight. Her back to a thin tree, she peered into the clearing before her. There was a slow flicker of movement, like something going up and down. Straining her neck, her forehead creased as she strove to see more clearly.
Her eyes widened. "Link..?" she whispered.
He had not heard her; indeed the look of dreamy content on his face told her that he was blind to all going on around him. The Freelander lay at his feet, his lifeless eyes staring into the sky. The man's body jerked each time Link's blood soaked sword plunged home. Up, down, up, down, up, down.
Horror numbed her. Zelda's mouth opened and closed, words escaping her as her mind crystallised, stopping her from thinking and reflecting. She almost stumbled over something and she jerked an arm out to keep her balance. She tensed, her temples pounding, hoping, praying that he had not heard the noise. She let out a small breath once she saw that he was still engrossed in his slaughter.
Spinning around, she ran back to the camp, hot tears washing over her agonised face.
The pale green scarf fluttered to the ground, forgotten.