Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda or FFIX characters. But they pwn me.
~Chapter Two: A Hero Flounders~
Link felt like only one thing in the world could make him feel happier; he was certainly feeling better about himself. He would finally tell Zelda how he felt. He walked across the drawbridge just as the sun was setting, and he felt like the start of a good era for him was just beginning to happen. He came into the field just before the castle, generally enjoying the sight. Of course, that was before he got underneath Zelda's window. He heard a few moans, and his new mood evaporated away into a mist, before disappearing completely. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe it wasn't Zelda and Zidane. No, it wouldn't be that. But as he felt his paranoia heighten, he decided to get a better look.
He stepped back, and bumped into a tree. (Perfect,) he thought, (just the thing I need to confirm my fears. Lovely,) he continued in his mind, the sarcasm burning in his head. He turned around, and grabbed one of the lower branches. He hoisted himself up, and looked for the next one. Soon enough, was equal in height with the balcony, and he felt his heart drop down to the ground. There she was, her back to him, wildly kissing Zidane. Link couldn't help but notice the disgusting smacking noises. Each one a reminder of how he had failed. A quiet, "Oh, Zidane." escaped her lips, as they continued.
He tugged at the seams on her shirt, and soon enough, he had it off. Link couldn't believe what he was seeing. Zelda, PRINCESS ZELDA, was, should his fears be valid, about to have sex. With someone she hadn't known for more than a month, and before he had even proposed. He couldn't believe it; this foreign prince had come and taken everything he had ever wanted, everything he had tried to obtain, with years of toil, and devoted caring, and this prince had come and trashed it in a month. He had always thought that somehow, some way, he would be Zelda's first; he wanted to make it a special occasion for her, but this prince was turning it into nothing more than a little amusement for himself. A minute or two more, and it was more than he could take. Quietly extricating himself from the tree, he headed inside the castle. If only he had stayed for one more minute. To see the woman turn around. To see that she wasn't Zelda.
The next morning, Link woke, instantly entangled in his thoughts. It was still dark outside, but he didn't notice. (I can't believe it. where did I go wrong.? No, it's not a where, it's a when. When I didn't tell her how I felt. When I was afraid. Every last moment that I've cared about her, I neglected telling her. I deserve this. But it hurts, more so than before. I don't want to deal with this. I can't. I'll lose myself. There's only one way out of this. Not like Zelda will care.)
To those it may concern,
Don't try to find me. I'll be gone. Don't expect me to come back. I won't be able to. Zelda; I never told you how I felt. I honestly, deeply love you. I never told you, I was always afraid of what rejection could mean. I didn't want to take the chance. Now I see that by not telling you, I got the worst rejection I could have had. After last night, and what happened between you and Zidane, I can't stay here. I still can't believe that you gave one of your most precious things away to the first man to successfully court you, but then again, that's not for me to decide. My only wish is that you two get married, should a child be on the way.
Zidane. If you don't take complete, and full care of Zelda, then by the Goddesses, may your spirit burn in eternal hell fire.
Saria. I'm sorry, but right now, it hurts too much. I can't take it. Goodbye.
Malon. Thanks for the advice. If only I could have used it. Goodbye to you, too.
Don't bother trying to find me. I'm going to go somewhere quiet, and secluded, and finish it. All I ask is for a small headstone in the Kakariko graveyard, with just my name. Maybe legends will remember my deeds, but I don't need them to remember my name.
Goodbye,
Link
As soon as he finished writing the letter, he packed his gear, and was off. He decided to head for the Lost Woods. What better place to do it at? No one would find him. It would be better to fade away like this; leave no trace. After a few hours of walking, he was deep enough in the woods that he doubted he could get out if he wanted. He pulled out a small dagger, and looked at it for a moment. After what seemed like an eternity of pondering his existence, he held it up to his neck. By now, his hand was shaking madly. Tears were starting to work their way out of his eyes. He clenched his jaw, and shut his eyes tight, to do the deed and be done with it. He tensed his arm, and. he couldn't do it. Taking a deep breath, he dropped the knife. Link couldn't do it; his will to live was far greater than his want to end the pain. Looking down, he noticed the knife, and put it away. He had to get back to the castle; it was still possible for him to settle things with Zelda. Turning around quickly, he took a step forward, but felt his foot catch on something. A root, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, had caught his foot, and now he was tumbling forward. At first annoyed as he stumbled, he noticed one thing. A large rock. Right in front of his face. Then everything went black.
"Um. Hello?" asked the blonde, as she stepped into the ranch. After looking around for a little while, she spied the person she was looking for. Hurrying over to her, she greeted Malon.
"Hello, Malon. How're you doing today?"
"Better than yesterday. Ugh, I've never actually gone drinking before. Don't think I'll be doing it any time soon, either." she said, obviously referring to the horrible hangover she had had the day before.
"I know its kind of early and all, I left at 7 o' clock, but I really wanted to talk to you, and I couldn't yesterday."
"I understand completely. So, have you talked to Link?" she said, unable to hide the anticipation in her voice.
"No, not since he came to talk to you about that night. When I started to feel better, I decided to go for a ride out to Lake Hylia, and I haven't seen him since."
"Oh." Malon said, once again unable to mask the emotion, as the depressed tone carried to Zelda's ears.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, he had something important to tell you, and I kind of gave him some advice on the matter." At this, Zelda was interested; the subject involved her, Link, and something she didn't yet know about. Her inner curiosity got to her long before her brain had a chance to reason.
"What did he say? Oh, please tell me, I'll still act like I don't know when he tells me!" said Zelda urgently. By now, she was dying to know.
"Well. I really don't know if I'm at liberty to divulge that information," Malon said formally, "but what's a bit of gossip between two friends, eh?" she continued.
"Then TELL me!!!"
"Oh, hold your horses! Now, you can't let Link have the slightest idea that you know this, okay? Or he'll kill me. Seriously, he will. With an axe, and-"
"Enough! Tell me already!"
"Alright, alright, sheesh. K, are you ready?" to this, Zelda nodded earnestly, "Okay. He's totally in love with you!" Malon squealed. Zelda's jaw dropped, and she looked stunned.
"He- What? He's. in love with. me? But. Oh, Din."
By now, Malon's own excitement had faded. "Zelda, hun, is something wrong? Oh, great, me and my big mouth."
"No, no, its not that. Its not like its bad news, either, but. I just never noticed. Din, how could I be so stupid? So cruel? How he must have felt this last month. No wonder he took care of me the other night. he even washed the puke out of my hair. and. and I kissed him. but he said that Zidane came in. why would he do that?"
"Because he truly, honestly cares about you. I'm sure you know how happy you've been this last month, or at least the way you've been acting. He didn't want to spoil that- he's already put your needs far beyond his own. Now, honestly, how do you feel about him?"
"I. I don't know. I mean, Zidane."
"Zelda, about him. I know this may not be what you want to hear, but in light of new circumstances, I think you should know. The other night, when Zidane turned away from you while you puked your brains out, and Link left to take care of you, he tried to seduce me. Luckily, by the time Link got back, he had only gotten my shirt off. I really didn't mean to, I mean, you know how drunk I was, and-"
"He did WHAT? Malon, I don't blame you, but he. Din, what did I ever see in him? He was just another pretty face. I was happy because I always had Link around. I've just been too blind to see it. But. Din, I've got to go talk to Link. Look, I know I shouldn't, but I've got to tell him I know now. I'm sorry Malon, but I've got to go," she said hurriedly, all while mounting her horse.
"Goodbye. Princes."
"Hello? Link?" said the princess, as she pushed the thick, wooden door open. Noticing the bed was made, and there was no sleeping sack of Link in it, she was about to leave, when a single, white piece of paper caught her eye. She picked it up, and read it over once, twice, three times before its meaning finally got to her. Link was going to kill himself. She felt her heart quicken, as adrenaline pumped, and bile rose to the back of her throat. Just the thought of Link killing himself, because of some stupid mistake she had made was sickening. In a panic, she ran to the only person she could think of. Impa.
Impa had just stepped out of her room, cleaned for the morning, and ready to start her training for the day, when a bawling, blur of blonde hair and distraught girl slammed into her. Her instant reaction was to wrap her arms around the girl.
"Zelda, honey, what's wrong?" said the older woman, in a soothing motherly tone.
"L-L-Link is. Link is g-g-going to." was all she was able to get out, before breaking down into another fit of sobs. Finally, she weakly offered the note to Impa. Impa scanned it over, and she instantly knew what was going on. Zelda was feeling guilty because of what Link was going to, or might have possibly already done, plus, he had confessed his feelings in this letter.
"It'll be alright, honey, everything will be ok. Now, give me a few minutes, and I'll round up a search party. I know how you must be feeling; you can go lay down for a while, I'll make sure no one bugs you," she said. She had noticed some of the other details in the letter, but right now, she didn't have time to deal with it. She left the room, and in under 10 minutes, a good deal of the guards around the castle were assembled into search parties. In under 20, they were all on their way. She wanted to talk to Zelda, but thought that the present wasn't the best time to do that. However, a certain Prince didn't hold the same ideas, as he went to the princess' room.
"I've been instructed to let no one in, sir," said the guard at Zelda's door.
"I'm courting the princess. I need to see her."
"Sir, I've been instructed to let NO ONE in."
"Do you wish to keep your job? Let me in." Reluctantly, the guard stepped out of the way. The prince made his way into the room, and wrapped an arm around Zelda in an effort to console her, but she immediately backed away, as if his touch was burning her.
"What do YOU want?"
"Zelda, dearest, I care about you. I heard you were distraught about that peasant boy getting worked up because you loved me instead of him, and I wanted to come give you some comfort. Really, now, you're not losing much."
"You.," she said, disgust dripping from her voice, "you. I don't love you. I don't know what I saw in you. You're a disgusting pig. I heard what you did to Malon. For that alone, I'd like to see you hang, but you do it when I needed help the most, when the only person who really does care about me came and offered his time. He is so much more than you can ever hope to be."
"Now, Zelda, you know you don't mean that. He is a peasant, and I am a prince, after all," he said, annoyed that she would even dare to compare him to someone of lesser status than him.
"No. He is a man, and you are not."
"What kind of man kills himself?" At this, Zelda was speechless. Her mind was whirring, but her mouth couldn't move. Suddenly, she thought back to the letter. What had been said in it. ".After last night, and what happened between you and Zidane, I can't stay here. I still can't believe that you gave one of your most precious things away to the first man to successfully court you, but then again, that's not for me to decide. My only wish is that you two get married, should a child be on the way." (A child.) she thought, (but that would mean sex. but. I didn't. I was at Lake Hylia. then why would he. unless. he saw something. Zidane and someone who looked like me.) suddenly, a flash went through her mind. (ZIDANE!!! HE DID THIS!!!)
"YOU!!! YOU DID THIS!!! GUARDS!!!" and no sooner were the words out of her mouth, than the room was flooded. "Arrest this man immediately!" Suddenly, a look of fear crept into Zidane's eyes. Before giving it a second thought, he rushed to the window, and jumped through the glass.
"You know, Zidane, running just makes your situation worse," said the princess calmly, "and you really should stop wearing that cape," she finished, as the prince finally stopped struggling. The cape that always followed him was now caught on the jagged edges of the broken pane of glass, and in a matter of seconds, the guards were hoisting him up and away.
Author's Note: Yeah, I know I said I would update regularly, but I've been kinda busy lately, what with getting ready for school and all. This chapter is only about half of the last one, but I think its got a bit more action to it. As always, R&R.
~Chapter Two: A Hero Flounders~
Link felt like only one thing in the world could make him feel happier; he was certainly feeling better about himself. He would finally tell Zelda how he felt. He walked across the drawbridge just as the sun was setting, and he felt like the start of a good era for him was just beginning to happen. He came into the field just before the castle, generally enjoying the sight. Of course, that was before he got underneath Zelda's window. He heard a few moans, and his new mood evaporated away into a mist, before disappearing completely. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe it wasn't Zelda and Zidane. No, it wouldn't be that. But as he felt his paranoia heighten, he decided to get a better look.
He stepped back, and bumped into a tree. (Perfect,) he thought, (just the thing I need to confirm my fears. Lovely,) he continued in his mind, the sarcasm burning in his head. He turned around, and grabbed one of the lower branches. He hoisted himself up, and looked for the next one. Soon enough, was equal in height with the balcony, and he felt his heart drop down to the ground. There she was, her back to him, wildly kissing Zidane. Link couldn't help but notice the disgusting smacking noises. Each one a reminder of how he had failed. A quiet, "Oh, Zidane." escaped her lips, as they continued.
He tugged at the seams on her shirt, and soon enough, he had it off. Link couldn't believe what he was seeing. Zelda, PRINCESS ZELDA, was, should his fears be valid, about to have sex. With someone she hadn't known for more than a month, and before he had even proposed. He couldn't believe it; this foreign prince had come and taken everything he had ever wanted, everything he had tried to obtain, with years of toil, and devoted caring, and this prince had come and trashed it in a month. He had always thought that somehow, some way, he would be Zelda's first; he wanted to make it a special occasion for her, but this prince was turning it into nothing more than a little amusement for himself. A minute or two more, and it was more than he could take. Quietly extricating himself from the tree, he headed inside the castle. If only he had stayed for one more minute. To see the woman turn around. To see that she wasn't Zelda.
The next morning, Link woke, instantly entangled in his thoughts. It was still dark outside, but he didn't notice. (I can't believe it. where did I go wrong.? No, it's not a where, it's a when. When I didn't tell her how I felt. When I was afraid. Every last moment that I've cared about her, I neglected telling her. I deserve this. But it hurts, more so than before. I don't want to deal with this. I can't. I'll lose myself. There's only one way out of this. Not like Zelda will care.)
To those it may concern,
Don't try to find me. I'll be gone. Don't expect me to come back. I won't be able to. Zelda; I never told you how I felt. I honestly, deeply love you. I never told you, I was always afraid of what rejection could mean. I didn't want to take the chance. Now I see that by not telling you, I got the worst rejection I could have had. After last night, and what happened between you and Zidane, I can't stay here. I still can't believe that you gave one of your most precious things away to the first man to successfully court you, but then again, that's not for me to decide. My only wish is that you two get married, should a child be on the way.
Zidane. If you don't take complete, and full care of Zelda, then by the Goddesses, may your spirit burn in eternal hell fire.
Saria. I'm sorry, but right now, it hurts too much. I can't take it. Goodbye.
Malon. Thanks for the advice. If only I could have used it. Goodbye to you, too.
Don't bother trying to find me. I'm going to go somewhere quiet, and secluded, and finish it. All I ask is for a small headstone in the Kakariko graveyard, with just my name. Maybe legends will remember my deeds, but I don't need them to remember my name.
Goodbye,
Link
As soon as he finished writing the letter, he packed his gear, and was off. He decided to head for the Lost Woods. What better place to do it at? No one would find him. It would be better to fade away like this; leave no trace. After a few hours of walking, he was deep enough in the woods that he doubted he could get out if he wanted. He pulled out a small dagger, and looked at it for a moment. After what seemed like an eternity of pondering his existence, he held it up to his neck. By now, his hand was shaking madly. Tears were starting to work their way out of his eyes. He clenched his jaw, and shut his eyes tight, to do the deed and be done with it. He tensed his arm, and. he couldn't do it. Taking a deep breath, he dropped the knife. Link couldn't do it; his will to live was far greater than his want to end the pain. Looking down, he noticed the knife, and put it away. He had to get back to the castle; it was still possible for him to settle things with Zelda. Turning around quickly, he took a step forward, but felt his foot catch on something. A root, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, had caught his foot, and now he was tumbling forward. At first annoyed as he stumbled, he noticed one thing. A large rock. Right in front of his face. Then everything went black.
"Um. Hello?" asked the blonde, as she stepped into the ranch. After looking around for a little while, she spied the person she was looking for. Hurrying over to her, she greeted Malon.
"Hello, Malon. How're you doing today?"
"Better than yesterday. Ugh, I've never actually gone drinking before. Don't think I'll be doing it any time soon, either." she said, obviously referring to the horrible hangover she had had the day before.
"I know its kind of early and all, I left at 7 o' clock, but I really wanted to talk to you, and I couldn't yesterday."
"I understand completely. So, have you talked to Link?" she said, unable to hide the anticipation in her voice.
"No, not since he came to talk to you about that night. When I started to feel better, I decided to go for a ride out to Lake Hylia, and I haven't seen him since."
"Oh." Malon said, once again unable to mask the emotion, as the depressed tone carried to Zelda's ears.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, he had something important to tell you, and I kind of gave him some advice on the matter." At this, Zelda was interested; the subject involved her, Link, and something she didn't yet know about. Her inner curiosity got to her long before her brain had a chance to reason.
"What did he say? Oh, please tell me, I'll still act like I don't know when he tells me!" said Zelda urgently. By now, she was dying to know.
"Well. I really don't know if I'm at liberty to divulge that information," Malon said formally, "but what's a bit of gossip between two friends, eh?" she continued.
"Then TELL me!!!"
"Oh, hold your horses! Now, you can't let Link have the slightest idea that you know this, okay? Or he'll kill me. Seriously, he will. With an axe, and-"
"Enough! Tell me already!"
"Alright, alright, sheesh. K, are you ready?" to this, Zelda nodded earnestly, "Okay. He's totally in love with you!" Malon squealed. Zelda's jaw dropped, and she looked stunned.
"He- What? He's. in love with. me? But. Oh, Din."
By now, Malon's own excitement had faded. "Zelda, hun, is something wrong? Oh, great, me and my big mouth."
"No, no, its not that. Its not like its bad news, either, but. I just never noticed. Din, how could I be so stupid? So cruel? How he must have felt this last month. No wonder he took care of me the other night. he even washed the puke out of my hair. and. and I kissed him. but he said that Zidane came in. why would he do that?"
"Because he truly, honestly cares about you. I'm sure you know how happy you've been this last month, or at least the way you've been acting. He didn't want to spoil that- he's already put your needs far beyond his own. Now, honestly, how do you feel about him?"
"I. I don't know. I mean, Zidane."
"Zelda, about him. I know this may not be what you want to hear, but in light of new circumstances, I think you should know. The other night, when Zidane turned away from you while you puked your brains out, and Link left to take care of you, he tried to seduce me. Luckily, by the time Link got back, he had only gotten my shirt off. I really didn't mean to, I mean, you know how drunk I was, and-"
"He did WHAT? Malon, I don't blame you, but he. Din, what did I ever see in him? He was just another pretty face. I was happy because I always had Link around. I've just been too blind to see it. But. Din, I've got to go talk to Link. Look, I know I shouldn't, but I've got to tell him I know now. I'm sorry Malon, but I've got to go," she said hurriedly, all while mounting her horse.
"Goodbye. Princes."
"Hello? Link?" said the princess, as she pushed the thick, wooden door open. Noticing the bed was made, and there was no sleeping sack of Link in it, she was about to leave, when a single, white piece of paper caught her eye. She picked it up, and read it over once, twice, three times before its meaning finally got to her. Link was going to kill himself. She felt her heart quicken, as adrenaline pumped, and bile rose to the back of her throat. Just the thought of Link killing himself, because of some stupid mistake she had made was sickening. In a panic, she ran to the only person she could think of. Impa.
Impa had just stepped out of her room, cleaned for the morning, and ready to start her training for the day, when a bawling, blur of blonde hair and distraught girl slammed into her. Her instant reaction was to wrap her arms around the girl.
"Zelda, honey, what's wrong?" said the older woman, in a soothing motherly tone.
"L-L-Link is. Link is g-g-going to." was all she was able to get out, before breaking down into another fit of sobs. Finally, she weakly offered the note to Impa. Impa scanned it over, and she instantly knew what was going on. Zelda was feeling guilty because of what Link was going to, or might have possibly already done, plus, he had confessed his feelings in this letter.
"It'll be alright, honey, everything will be ok. Now, give me a few minutes, and I'll round up a search party. I know how you must be feeling; you can go lay down for a while, I'll make sure no one bugs you," she said. She had noticed some of the other details in the letter, but right now, she didn't have time to deal with it. She left the room, and in under 10 minutes, a good deal of the guards around the castle were assembled into search parties. In under 20, they were all on their way. She wanted to talk to Zelda, but thought that the present wasn't the best time to do that. However, a certain Prince didn't hold the same ideas, as he went to the princess' room.
"I've been instructed to let no one in, sir," said the guard at Zelda's door.
"I'm courting the princess. I need to see her."
"Sir, I've been instructed to let NO ONE in."
"Do you wish to keep your job? Let me in." Reluctantly, the guard stepped out of the way. The prince made his way into the room, and wrapped an arm around Zelda in an effort to console her, but she immediately backed away, as if his touch was burning her.
"What do YOU want?"
"Zelda, dearest, I care about you. I heard you were distraught about that peasant boy getting worked up because you loved me instead of him, and I wanted to come give you some comfort. Really, now, you're not losing much."
"You.," she said, disgust dripping from her voice, "you. I don't love you. I don't know what I saw in you. You're a disgusting pig. I heard what you did to Malon. For that alone, I'd like to see you hang, but you do it when I needed help the most, when the only person who really does care about me came and offered his time. He is so much more than you can ever hope to be."
"Now, Zelda, you know you don't mean that. He is a peasant, and I am a prince, after all," he said, annoyed that she would even dare to compare him to someone of lesser status than him.
"No. He is a man, and you are not."
"What kind of man kills himself?" At this, Zelda was speechless. Her mind was whirring, but her mouth couldn't move. Suddenly, she thought back to the letter. What had been said in it. ".After last night, and what happened between you and Zidane, I can't stay here. I still can't believe that you gave one of your most precious things away to the first man to successfully court you, but then again, that's not for me to decide. My only wish is that you two get married, should a child be on the way." (A child.) she thought, (but that would mean sex. but. I didn't. I was at Lake Hylia. then why would he. unless. he saw something. Zidane and someone who looked like me.) suddenly, a flash went through her mind. (ZIDANE!!! HE DID THIS!!!)
"YOU!!! YOU DID THIS!!! GUARDS!!!" and no sooner were the words out of her mouth, than the room was flooded. "Arrest this man immediately!" Suddenly, a look of fear crept into Zidane's eyes. Before giving it a second thought, he rushed to the window, and jumped through the glass.
"You know, Zidane, running just makes your situation worse," said the princess calmly, "and you really should stop wearing that cape," she finished, as the prince finally stopped struggling. The cape that always followed him was now caught on the jagged edges of the broken pane of glass, and in a matter of seconds, the guards were hoisting him up and away.
Author's Note: Yeah, I know I said I would update regularly, but I've been kinda busy lately, what with getting ready for school and all. This chapter is only about half of the last one, but I think its got a bit more action to it. As always, R&R.