Chapter 8
~ "They can't hear you...." you're too late, you can't stop it.... "they can't hear you Zelda...." too late... "old debt....can't hear you Zelda...." too late, too late.... "time you learn....they can't hear you Zelda...." too late.... "can't hear you...." too late.... "time you learn...can't hear you...." "No!"~
"No!" Zelda sprung upright from her bed and grasped the sheets. Looking around, she realized it had only been a nightmare. The early morning light streaming through her window told her that it was almost time to get up anyway. "What a horrible dream. I wish they would go away."
Ever since the incident, Zelda had been having nightmares about it. It wasn't surprising to her, but she blamed herself. She wasn't sure why, but it made the incident more sensible when she told herself it was her fault. She didn't believe it, however.
Rising from her bed, Zelda put a hand on her forehead and thought about the day's events. Today was going to be a very important day, the king's return would be announced and celebrated immediately.
Zelda knocked on Link's door twice before entering.
"Link, get up. We have to prepare ourselves for today's events." Zelda went to the curtains and opened them, then turned to pull Link out of bed, only he wasn't there. ((Dammit,)) she thought to herself.
Walking down the corridors of the castle, thinking Link had fled, Zelda was quite shocked when he jumped down in front of her from what looked like the ceiling. She jumped back and put her hand over her chest in a futile attempt to slow her rapidly beating heart. Link grinned. Sometimes he liked being able to hide among the shadows.
"How did you do that? Where- I thought you were..."
"Calm down Zelda. I woke up early and went to go chat with your daddy," he said in a somewhat amused tone. Zelda gazed at him fiercely.
"You what?"
"We had a nice little chat. I think he likes me." Zelda continued to stare at him with a dumbfounded look on her face. "Aw, come on, he's a nice guy."
"Ok, just, don't do that again without my presence." Link's eyes narrowed just slightly and he pursed his lips, crossing his arms across his chest.
"You still don't trust me. Oh well, I don't blame you." That was the precise moment Zelda noticed Link had the Master Sword, in its scabbard, strapped to his back. "Well, your father has requested your presence in the throne room." Link decided then that here, in the palace, was not the place to be. Zelda's next words shocked him.
"If you leave here with the Master Sword, I will go after you." Link looked at her but said nothing. "It won't be long before my father's return celebration commences, so I suggest you stick around until after that." Zelda then swept past him and headed toward the throne room.
He debated whether he should do as Zelda said, or forget about her and leave. Where would he go? He didn't think he would be able to stay in Hyrule, he had made too much of a mess. He had practically ruined every relationship he had ever had with anyone. That left only one place he could turn to, and he knew no matter what happened, that place would always welcome him.
Link decided he would stay until after the celebration, though he was positive Zelda didn't expect him to attend. No, public appearances would not go over well considering the severity of his...condition. ((Screw it.))
Zelda entered the throne room and walked down the isle to her father, thinking how right it looked with him sitting in the throne. She was so happy he had finally returned to her.
"You wanted to see me, Father?" The king looked at his daughter with warmth in his eyes.
"Yes Zelda. I have a few matters to discuss with you regarding leadership. I understand you have done an exemplary job, from what I hear and what I see. I could not be more proud of you." Zelda smiled and bowed her head slightly as a blush crept across her face.
"Thank you so much Father."
"Now that I have returned, you will be able to step down as ruler and begin traditional studies, eh, being the teenager you are. You have learned a lot as leader and dictator, but I want you to continue from now on as a student like the rest your age." Zelda looked at him slightly shocked, and if she admitted it, slightly disappointed. What did she expect anyway? Though she thought about her father's return quite often, she failed to think about what would happen when he *did* return.
Oh well, it seemed appropriate in any case. She really didn't think she needed schooling, however, given the circumstances of this life and, not to mention, the life before. She would not argue with her father. It was not the way for a princess to behave.
She simply curtseyed and mumbled a barely audible "thanks" and proceeded to leave.
"Hold on just a minute, young lady," her father said. "There is one thing more." "Yes?"
"This maid," he said pointing to the girl standing beside him that Zelda hadn't noticed earlier, "was among the caravan from Erryl, correct?"
"Yes, Father, she was. I had her cleaned and clothed properly."
"I see. Well, since she has had the experience of caring for the young in her caravan, I have appointed her as your new caretaker. I know Impa has other duties to attend to, so I see this as a reasonable compromise." Zelda's jaw dropped and she opened her mouth about to protest, but the king held up his large hand. Tirkka, the maid, was equally astonished.
"Please do not argue with me Daughter, this is what I wish."
"Very well, Father. Come along, Tirkka." With that, Zelda and Tirkka left the throne room and headed to Zelda's chambers so she could give the maid proper instructions. ((Odd,)) she thought to herself. ((Me giving my new caretaker instructions on how to take care of me. Ridiculous.)) Zelda had it in her mind right there and then that she would not befriend the maid, but give her due respect. No one could replace Impa. Not ever.
Later that evening, the streets of New Castle Town were filled to the brim with villagers and visitors from all over the country to celebrate the king's return. In the center of the market, there was a large podium on which Princess Zelda and her father sat. A hooded figure wove through the masses of people the far end of the city, looking for the young man that had recently passed this way. Spotting the green hood, the stranger followed the man into the Temple of Time.
Link kneeled before the Spiritual Stones, the only things between himself and the Door of Time. ((Maybe if I went back,)) he thought. ((No. There's no way. It wouldn't work. He'd still be in my body.)) Link closed his eyes and let his mind go blank, seeking any sort of peace for just a few moments. He realized that here, in the temple, everything else in the world outside didn't matter. While he was in here he could feel the goodness surround him, and hope, it seemed, wasn't too far from his reach.
Link stood and opened his eyes, a look of new confidence on his face as he vowed to himself that he would not run from here until he found a solution. And by the Goddesses, he would find one. He was about to turn when the presence of another inside the temple halted him.
"I suggest you stay where you are if you do not want to lose your head," he warned without turning. By now the figure wasn't too far away from him. It breathed. In an instant, Link's sword was drawn and pointing dangerously close to the face of the hooded creature. His eyes held a look of surprise when he realized who it was.
"What are you doing here? I might have hurt you."
"I am sorry I startled you, Link. There is something we must discuss," Karyn said as she pulled the hood away from her face and Link lowered his sword to put it back in its scabbard. "I can help you."
Link looked at her with warning eyes. She couldn't know...
"Help me with what?" he asked as he turned to look at the stones.
"There's something I have to tell you."
"Why do you have to tell me anything?"
"I know about..everything. When you left, I found Malon in the stables and she told me. I know she promised you she wouldn't, but she was so hurt. It just-" Link's head whipped around so fast it made Karyn stumble backwards. Grabbing her arms so she wouldn't fall, he brought his face close to hers stared deeply into her eyes. She was very afraid at the moment, and wasn't sure if this was a good idea after all.
"Please, I think I can help you," she said with obvious fear in her voice. After what seemed like forever, Link breathed out one word.
"How?"
Karyn relaxed immediately and he let go of her arms. "I have a little secret of my own, Link. Not even my family knows about this."
"I understand." Moving to the steps before the alter, Karyn sat and motioned for Link to do the same.
"I was there," she said almost in a whisper. "I remember. I remember everything." Her eyes got a far off look in them. Link was confused.
"You remember what, exactly?"
"I was there, Hero of Time. I remember what you did for Hyrule, I remember what became of it, and I remember Ganondorf vividly," she shuddered at the thought of the evil Gerudo king. Link said nothing.
"I suppose you're wondering how that is possible, when no one besides you, the princess, and the sages were meant to remember. Well I am no sage, but I was also meant to remember." Link didn't have to ask. She would tell him everything.
"This is both your destiny as it is mine. I understand that now. It is my destiny to save you, Link." "Please get on with it." He didn't mean to be so harsh, but the prospect of finally having this demon out of his body was all too exciting. He was no where near prepared for what Karyn said next.
"I am your aunt Link, and because of that, we have kindred spirits. I believe that somehow, because of this, you can be saved." Link stared at her for an endless moment.
"No. There is no good way for this to end. I'm positive of that." It was Karyn's turn to be speechless. She didn't know how he would react to her words, but this was *definitely* not what she expected.
Link got up and headed for the door, leaving Karyn sitting on the altar steps. As he pulled it open, he turned to her. "Oh, you shouldn't have said you were my aunt, I know you're not. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it will go wrong in some way and I can't bear the thought of destroying yet another person's life. Especially a life I care about."
He was gone, maybe never to be seen again. Karyn sat there in silence, a bit disappointed. She'd lied about remembering. She didn't remember. She only wanted to make Link believe in her, to convince him that it was her who could save him. Telling him she was his aunt was a big mistake. She had her suspicions that he knew she was lying already, but that was the clincher for him. She didn't want him to die inside; she wanted him to be the happy boy she remembered so long ago. She was willing to do whatever it took to get him free again.
Karyn's thoughts did not go unheard, and five great bursts of light appeared before her in the temple, making her shriek in surprise.
***************
Zelda sat next to her father and watched as the people of Hyrule danced and laughed amongst themselves. She had come to the conclusion that Link, whatever was *really* wrong with him, would be a threat to her family and possibly to Hyrule. He was unstable, and she realized that having the job of Hero of Time might do that to a person. She didn't hate him, but she did pity him. It was up to her now to get the Master Sword back safely, and to keep Hyrule protected regardless of what her father instructed her to do.
She wanted this whole thing resolved as neatly and quietly as possible. It was selfish, yes, but she would do it to protect the people she cared about, and to protect herself.
The sudden cheering of the crowd as her father stood brought Zelda out of her thoughts. It was almost time for the king to make his speech, and then there would be more dancing and feasting. Zelda took a deep breath and hoped that Link, wherever he was, wasn't going to make a mess out of this night.
**************
Link hadn't gone far. Once he left the temple, memories started to flood back into his brain and he could feel Dark Link stirring within. Maybe he should reconsider what Karyn was offering....but what was she offering, exactly? He didn't understand how she could've helped. How could she possibly understand what exactly was going on inside his body? Maybe she knew more than he gave her credit for, maybe she had figured something out that he hadn't.
...don't count on it....
The sudden shriek that came from inside the temple had Link running for the door.
"What's happening in here?!" he yelled as he raced inside, coming to a screeching halt when he noticed the five sages that now stood before him. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"We were under strict orders to remain in our provinces so we may protect them," Saria said as she stepped forward to examine Link.
"But now that the king has returned and you are here, we figured we could chance leaving," Nabooru finished.
"Who were you protecting your people from? Me?"
"Yes, Link. We were under Zelda's orders. We know what happened that night," Saria said sadly. Nabooru placed a hand on her shoulder as a sign of comfort.
"There's a surprise," Link said bitterly. "I suppose you know everything, then. About me."
"We do now, for certain. We know what goes on in the temple at all times. We can feel it also, and we felt a strange presence within you." Darunia stepped forward slightly and looked down in what seemed like apprehension. "It...it is good to see you again though, brother Link."
Link nodded and Darunia came forward to embrace him, but instead stopped short and offered his hand. Link shook it with understanding and a bit of guilt.
"Link," Impa stepped out from behind Darunia. "Karyn has offered herself as a sacrifice to us, in order to help you. It would be well that you accept it." Karyn stood behind all of the sages, but Link could see her face. He stared at her for a long while, gritting his teeth. Finally, he turned to Impa.
"Fine, I accept."
~ "They can't hear you...." you're too late, you can't stop it.... "they can't hear you Zelda...." too late... "old debt....can't hear you Zelda...." too late, too late.... "time you learn....they can't hear you Zelda...." too late.... "can't hear you...." too late.... "time you learn...can't hear you...." "No!"~
"No!" Zelda sprung upright from her bed and grasped the sheets. Looking around, she realized it had only been a nightmare. The early morning light streaming through her window told her that it was almost time to get up anyway. "What a horrible dream. I wish they would go away."
Ever since the incident, Zelda had been having nightmares about it. It wasn't surprising to her, but she blamed herself. She wasn't sure why, but it made the incident more sensible when she told herself it was her fault. She didn't believe it, however.
Rising from her bed, Zelda put a hand on her forehead and thought about the day's events. Today was going to be a very important day, the king's return would be announced and celebrated immediately.
Zelda knocked on Link's door twice before entering.
"Link, get up. We have to prepare ourselves for today's events." Zelda went to the curtains and opened them, then turned to pull Link out of bed, only he wasn't there. ((Dammit,)) she thought to herself.
Walking down the corridors of the castle, thinking Link had fled, Zelda was quite shocked when he jumped down in front of her from what looked like the ceiling. She jumped back and put her hand over her chest in a futile attempt to slow her rapidly beating heart. Link grinned. Sometimes he liked being able to hide among the shadows.
"How did you do that? Where- I thought you were..."
"Calm down Zelda. I woke up early and went to go chat with your daddy," he said in a somewhat amused tone. Zelda gazed at him fiercely.
"You what?"
"We had a nice little chat. I think he likes me." Zelda continued to stare at him with a dumbfounded look on her face. "Aw, come on, he's a nice guy."
"Ok, just, don't do that again without my presence." Link's eyes narrowed just slightly and he pursed his lips, crossing his arms across his chest.
"You still don't trust me. Oh well, I don't blame you." That was the precise moment Zelda noticed Link had the Master Sword, in its scabbard, strapped to his back. "Well, your father has requested your presence in the throne room." Link decided then that here, in the palace, was not the place to be. Zelda's next words shocked him.
"If you leave here with the Master Sword, I will go after you." Link looked at her but said nothing. "It won't be long before my father's return celebration commences, so I suggest you stick around until after that." Zelda then swept past him and headed toward the throne room.
He debated whether he should do as Zelda said, or forget about her and leave. Where would he go? He didn't think he would be able to stay in Hyrule, he had made too much of a mess. He had practically ruined every relationship he had ever had with anyone. That left only one place he could turn to, and he knew no matter what happened, that place would always welcome him.
Link decided he would stay until after the celebration, though he was positive Zelda didn't expect him to attend. No, public appearances would not go over well considering the severity of his...condition. ((Screw it.))
Zelda entered the throne room and walked down the isle to her father, thinking how right it looked with him sitting in the throne. She was so happy he had finally returned to her.
"You wanted to see me, Father?" The king looked at his daughter with warmth in his eyes.
"Yes Zelda. I have a few matters to discuss with you regarding leadership. I understand you have done an exemplary job, from what I hear and what I see. I could not be more proud of you." Zelda smiled and bowed her head slightly as a blush crept across her face.
"Thank you so much Father."
"Now that I have returned, you will be able to step down as ruler and begin traditional studies, eh, being the teenager you are. You have learned a lot as leader and dictator, but I want you to continue from now on as a student like the rest your age." Zelda looked at him slightly shocked, and if she admitted it, slightly disappointed. What did she expect anyway? Though she thought about her father's return quite often, she failed to think about what would happen when he *did* return.
Oh well, it seemed appropriate in any case. She really didn't think she needed schooling, however, given the circumstances of this life and, not to mention, the life before. She would not argue with her father. It was not the way for a princess to behave.
She simply curtseyed and mumbled a barely audible "thanks" and proceeded to leave.
"Hold on just a minute, young lady," her father said. "There is one thing more." "Yes?"
"This maid," he said pointing to the girl standing beside him that Zelda hadn't noticed earlier, "was among the caravan from Erryl, correct?"
"Yes, Father, she was. I had her cleaned and clothed properly."
"I see. Well, since she has had the experience of caring for the young in her caravan, I have appointed her as your new caretaker. I know Impa has other duties to attend to, so I see this as a reasonable compromise." Zelda's jaw dropped and she opened her mouth about to protest, but the king held up his large hand. Tirkka, the maid, was equally astonished.
"Please do not argue with me Daughter, this is what I wish."
"Very well, Father. Come along, Tirkka." With that, Zelda and Tirkka left the throne room and headed to Zelda's chambers so she could give the maid proper instructions. ((Odd,)) she thought to herself. ((Me giving my new caretaker instructions on how to take care of me. Ridiculous.)) Zelda had it in her mind right there and then that she would not befriend the maid, but give her due respect. No one could replace Impa. Not ever.
Later that evening, the streets of New Castle Town were filled to the brim with villagers and visitors from all over the country to celebrate the king's return. In the center of the market, there was a large podium on which Princess Zelda and her father sat. A hooded figure wove through the masses of people the far end of the city, looking for the young man that had recently passed this way. Spotting the green hood, the stranger followed the man into the Temple of Time.
Link kneeled before the Spiritual Stones, the only things between himself and the Door of Time. ((Maybe if I went back,)) he thought. ((No. There's no way. It wouldn't work. He'd still be in my body.)) Link closed his eyes and let his mind go blank, seeking any sort of peace for just a few moments. He realized that here, in the temple, everything else in the world outside didn't matter. While he was in here he could feel the goodness surround him, and hope, it seemed, wasn't too far from his reach.
Link stood and opened his eyes, a look of new confidence on his face as he vowed to himself that he would not run from here until he found a solution. And by the Goddesses, he would find one. He was about to turn when the presence of another inside the temple halted him.
"I suggest you stay where you are if you do not want to lose your head," he warned without turning. By now the figure wasn't too far away from him. It breathed. In an instant, Link's sword was drawn and pointing dangerously close to the face of the hooded creature. His eyes held a look of surprise when he realized who it was.
"What are you doing here? I might have hurt you."
"I am sorry I startled you, Link. There is something we must discuss," Karyn said as she pulled the hood away from her face and Link lowered his sword to put it back in its scabbard. "I can help you."
Link looked at her with warning eyes. She couldn't know...
"Help me with what?" he asked as he turned to look at the stones.
"There's something I have to tell you."
"Why do you have to tell me anything?"
"I know about..everything. When you left, I found Malon in the stables and she told me. I know she promised you she wouldn't, but she was so hurt. It just-" Link's head whipped around so fast it made Karyn stumble backwards. Grabbing her arms so she wouldn't fall, he brought his face close to hers stared deeply into her eyes. She was very afraid at the moment, and wasn't sure if this was a good idea after all.
"Please, I think I can help you," she said with obvious fear in her voice. After what seemed like forever, Link breathed out one word.
"How?"
Karyn relaxed immediately and he let go of her arms. "I have a little secret of my own, Link. Not even my family knows about this."
"I understand." Moving to the steps before the alter, Karyn sat and motioned for Link to do the same.
"I was there," she said almost in a whisper. "I remember. I remember everything." Her eyes got a far off look in them. Link was confused.
"You remember what, exactly?"
"I was there, Hero of Time. I remember what you did for Hyrule, I remember what became of it, and I remember Ganondorf vividly," she shuddered at the thought of the evil Gerudo king. Link said nothing.
"I suppose you're wondering how that is possible, when no one besides you, the princess, and the sages were meant to remember. Well I am no sage, but I was also meant to remember." Link didn't have to ask. She would tell him everything.
"This is both your destiny as it is mine. I understand that now. It is my destiny to save you, Link." "Please get on with it." He didn't mean to be so harsh, but the prospect of finally having this demon out of his body was all too exciting. He was no where near prepared for what Karyn said next.
"I am your aunt Link, and because of that, we have kindred spirits. I believe that somehow, because of this, you can be saved." Link stared at her for an endless moment.
"No. There is no good way for this to end. I'm positive of that." It was Karyn's turn to be speechless. She didn't know how he would react to her words, but this was *definitely* not what she expected.
Link got up and headed for the door, leaving Karyn sitting on the altar steps. As he pulled it open, he turned to her. "Oh, you shouldn't have said you were my aunt, I know you're not. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it will go wrong in some way and I can't bear the thought of destroying yet another person's life. Especially a life I care about."
He was gone, maybe never to be seen again. Karyn sat there in silence, a bit disappointed. She'd lied about remembering. She didn't remember. She only wanted to make Link believe in her, to convince him that it was her who could save him. Telling him she was his aunt was a big mistake. She had her suspicions that he knew she was lying already, but that was the clincher for him. She didn't want him to die inside; she wanted him to be the happy boy she remembered so long ago. She was willing to do whatever it took to get him free again.
Karyn's thoughts did not go unheard, and five great bursts of light appeared before her in the temple, making her shriek in surprise.
***************
Zelda sat next to her father and watched as the people of Hyrule danced and laughed amongst themselves. She had come to the conclusion that Link, whatever was *really* wrong with him, would be a threat to her family and possibly to Hyrule. He was unstable, and she realized that having the job of Hero of Time might do that to a person. She didn't hate him, but she did pity him. It was up to her now to get the Master Sword back safely, and to keep Hyrule protected regardless of what her father instructed her to do.
She wanted this whole thing resolved as neatly and quietly as possible. It was selfish, yes, but she would do it to protect the people she cared about, and to protect herself.
The sudden cheering of the crowd as her father stood brought Zelda out of her thoughts. It was almost time for the king to make his speech, and then there would be more dancing and feasting. Zelda took a deep breath and hoped that Link, wherever he was, wasn't going to make a mess out of this night.
**************
Link hadn't gone far. Once he left the temple, memories started to flood back into his brain and he could feel Dark Link stirring within. Maybe he should reconsider what Karyn was offering....but what was she offering, exactly? He didn't understand how she could've helped. How could she possibly understand what exactly was going on inside his body? Maybe she knew more than he gave her credit for, maybe she had figured something out that he hadn't.
...don't count on it....
The sudden shriek that came from inside the temple had Link running for the door.
"What's happening in here?!" he yelled as he raced inside, coming to a screeching halt when he noticed the five sages that now stood before him. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"We were under strict orders to remain in our provinces so we may protect them," Saria said as she stepped forward to examine Link.
"But now that the king has returned and you are here, we figured we could chance leaving," Nabooru finished.
"Who were you protecting your people from? Me?"
"Yes, Link. We were under Zelda's orders. We know what happened that night," Saria said sadly. Nabooru placed a hand on her shoulder as a sign of comfort.
"There's a surprise," Link said bitterly. "I suppose you know everything, then. About me."
"We do now, for certain. We know what goes on in the temple at all times. We can feel it also, and we felt a strange presence within you." Darunia stepped forward slightly and looked down in what seemed like apprehension. "It...it is good to see you again though, brother Link."
Link nodded and Darunia came forward to embrace him, but instead stopped short and offered his hand. Link shook it with understanding and a bit of guilt.
"Link," Impa stepped out from behind Darunia. "Karyn has offered herself as a sacrifice to us, in order to help you. It would be well that you accept it." Karyn stood behind all of the sages, but Link could see her face. He stared at her for a long while, gritting his teeth. Finally, he turned to Impa.
"Fine, I accept."