When Link joined everyone at the table, there was a suspicious red mark on Eon's face about the size of Zelda's hand, and the princess herself was just a bit red. Link raised an eyebrow in concern, but she only blushed harder and shook her head no. Not able to hold back a smile, Link took a seat beside his silent brother, then turned to Impa.
"Impa, I heard you yell earlier. Did I miss something...?"
The Sheikah's face darkened slightly and Link suddenly wanted to retract his question. But instead of yelling like he thought, the Sheikah only shrugged.
"It was nothing to worry about. Go eat something."
Link nodded and slid off his chair, going towards the kitchen. "In here?" He pointed. Impa nodded, and Link disappeared for a few minutes, only to return with some leftover meat from the other day and some day-old bread. Taking his seat again, the small boy set the foodstuffs on the table and picked a small piece of meat, taking a small bite while everyone looked on.
"...What?"
Zelda smirked but grabbed a piece of bread. "Nothing."
The small Hero's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Instead, he took a large bite from his food, over exaggerating his chewing. Navi giggled from her spot over with Eon, but Link ignored her.
"So, what now?" Eon's question made Link stop chewing and look over.
"Wutduyameen?" Link blushed as he asked the question, his mouth full. Impa smiled.
"You should learn some manners if you are going to be travelling with a princess, boy. Actually, you should know your manners no matter what."
Link glared, but swallowed, saying nothing. Impa smirked. Turning back to Eon, pointedly ignoring Impa's remark, Link asked again.
"What do you mean?"
Eon leaned back in the chair, the front legs slightly off the ground, and placed his hands behind his head. "I mean, where do we go from here? You're gonna chase that other Link, right? So, what about me and Vol-chan here?" As if on cue, the small dragon chirped from his place in Eon's lap. The boy smiled and reached a hand down, petting the dragon under his chin. Impa stood, her arms folded over her chest, one eyebrow raised.
"Vol-chan?"
Eon nodded. "Yeah, Vol-chan. Volvagia sounds like such a dark name, and 'sides, it's way too long. Brother over here can call him that cumbersome name if he wants to. Vol-chan likes it when I call him this, don'cha?"
Volvagia mewed and purred some more, but closed his eyes and fell asleep after a few minutes.
Link smiled and shook his head. It seemed like nothing could keep Eon or Volvagia down. Leaning back, his expression thoughtful, Link nodded and answered Eon's question. "Yeah, I'm going to follow him. I want to know why he's so angry. And I want to find a way to maybe help him if I can."
Sahasrahla nodded from his place across from Link. "That seems wise. But how will you confront him, when you know as soon as he sees you, he'll attack?"
The Hero ducked his head, smiling shyly. "I'll think of that when the time comes, I suppose." Looking up at the ceiling, Link frowned slightly. "But I want to go and talk to Saria and the Great Deku Tree first. Saria knew something was happening, she could feel it. So maybe she can help me."
"That seems wise, child."
"And what about us?" Eon piped up from his space, the chair legs hitting the ground as he suddenly leaned forward, his gaze intent. Volvagia's eyes popped open as he fell to the floor. "Me and Vol-chan here aren't going to be left behind! I'm not staying here!" His brows drew together, though, and he looked to the elder. "I...can...leave here, can't I? What Elah said was a lie, right? About me not being able to leave?"
Sahasrahla shook his head. "No, she told the truth. However," he cut the boy off, one hand raised, "that was while she was alive. Without her powers to hold you, I don't see why you couldn't just leave." The elder leaned back slightly, his eyes distant. "However, it might be better if you stayed here. You have your own magic now, and it's similar to hers. You could become the guardian of this land."
Eon snorted. "Sorry, old man, but there's no way I'd stay here! Not when I can go out adventuring like Brother here!" He jerked his head towards Link, who blushed slightly.
"It's not so great, you know..."
"Liar. You love every minute of it."
"Tch." Link pointedly ignored Eon then, turning to Zelda instead. "When I go after...myself...will you go back to the castle with Impa? I think, since we've found out what's wrong, you don't need to be out in the world anymore." He regretted his phrasing as soon as Zelda's face darkened in anger.
"I'm not a doll! I can help too!"
"How? Not to be rude, but you have no training in combat skills..."
"I helped you before, remember?!"
Link spluttered. "You were Sheik then!"
During the previous conversations, Volvagia was making his way-painfully-up Eon's leg, finally depositing himself back in the boy's lap with an indignant frown. Eon smiled shyly, his cheeks red from embarrassment. However, as Link and Zelda's discussion heated up, both Eon and Volvagia watched the two leaning forward in their chairs, yelling. Their expressions were amused.
Zelda's eyes were hard agates as she stared Link down. "I can do anything Sheik could do!"
Link stared right back, his own face set in determination. "Sheik was a man!"
Eon and Volvagia's eyes widened in surprise, and they froze in their places. Leaning down towards Volvagia, Eon whispered, "Do we even wanna know what's going on anymore...?" The dragon shook his head.
Zelda bit back a cry, her expression hardening. "So, only guys can help you?! Because I'm a girl I'm useless?"
Link shook his head, not sure what to say, his anger disappearing in an instant. "It's not that, Zelda, it's just you're not as strong or as agile or..."
Zelda "hmphed" and sat back in her chair, the back legs scraping the floor as she slid the piece of furniture back. Standing rather abruptly, she glared at Link, then turned and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her to accent her departure. Impa walked up behind the gaping Hero, placing her hands on his shoulders hard enough to make him grunt.
"I think you owe the princess an apology, boy."
Link looked up at the taller woman, his head craned over the back of the chair. "What?! You can't honestly agree with her?! She'll get hurt!"
"I know that. I agree that she should return to the castle. There are things she should attend to, and she's been away for a long time. Who knows what sort of stories have spread about the attack and where she's been. However," her gaze pierced his, "you were harsh. If you worry for her safety, just tell her that. You don't need to make up excuses."
Link blushed and looked down at the table. "I wasn't making excuses..."
Impa's grip tightened on his shoulders and he winced. Eon watched, amused. Muttering to himself, Link finally nodded and slid the chair back, Impa releasing him and moving to the side. As he slid off the chair, Link took a quick look at Eon, who grinned evilly and waved.
"Have fun!"
"Linku!" Volvagia cheered.
Shaking his head in exasperation and muttering, Link made his way to the door. His small hands were barely on the handle when he suddenly turned, ran back to the table, grabbed Navi, and returned to the door, opening and closing it before anyone could question what was going on.
Outside, the small faerie struggled in Link's hands, vainly trying to make him release his death grip. Finally tired of not getting through to him, she made him release her the only way she could think of.
She bit him.
Yelping in surprise, Link dropped Navi, who instantly fluttered up to his hair and pulled on his bangs, making the boy wince and tears form in his eyes.
"Stupid Link-kun! You could have squashed me!"
"Owowow I'm sorry owowow! Please Navi, stopoowww!" The faerie let him go when she felt he'd had enough, and Link instantly dropped to the ground, covering his forehead with his arms and making himself into a tiny ball, shivering slightly. Navi giggled.
"Link-kun, you look just like a Goron! Teehee!"
Link's answer startled her. Nearly jumping on her, Link dashed from his crouched position, the force of his voice making her flutter back slightly. "Don't 'teehee' me! That hurt you know!" Navi bit her bottom lip, scared. She could have sworn Link had fangs just then...
Sighing, Link placed his pointer finger and middle finger against his forehead, looking at the ground. "Sorry. But I need your help, and I didn't want Eon laughing at me anymore."
"You don't have to worry about that, Link-kun. He'd laugh at you without you being there."
Link's look made her giggle even more. "You didn't have to say it like that."
"I know." She fluttered over to him and nestled in his hair, since his hat was still on the bed. "So, what did Link-kun need Navi's help for?"
He tried to see her through his flop of hair but gave up. "I need to know how to apologize to Zelda." Navi giggled. "Navi-chan! This is serious! The only girl I've ever really known is Saria, and she acts completely different than Zelda. So you gotta help me!"
"Why me?"
Link spluttered. Wasn't it obvious? "'Cause you're a girl!"
Navi fluttered in front of his eyes, doing small flips. "Link-kun thinks of Navi like a girl?"
His eyebrow raised in questioning, Link nodded. "Well, aren't you?"
Her flips signified a nod. "Yes, of course. But most people think of us more as orbs of light than anything else."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, Link-kun. I'll help you." He smiled and nodded, and she fluttered into his hair again as he made his way through Sahasrahla's gardens, looking for the princess.
"Well, the first thing you need to do is to say you're sorry about the Sheik comment. That was a really low blow."
Link nodded. "I know, I know. But it's still true..."
Navi tapped his head. "How can you say that? She's helped a lot in these past few battles! She healed you and Eon, and even Volvagia. I'm surprised she managed to stay awake and watch over you three."
The Hylian blinked, then reached up and cupped Navi in his hand, bringing her level with his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"When Link-kun and Eon were asleep after the battle with Elah, she watched over you, making sure you didn't get sick. But using magic the way she did, she must be drained of almost all her energy. I'm surprised she didn't pass out..."
Link closed his eyes, guilt washing through him. Zelda helped more than he could ever hope, and he'd only belittled her. And now she was out here alone, sad, and probably about to collapse from sheer exhaustion.
"I need to find her. I have a lot to make up for."
Navi nodded, then climbed back onto his head, where she settled down, explaining the rest of what he would need to do to pacify the young princess of Hyrule.
Zelda sat on a log, not sure how far she was from Sahasrahla's hut, and not caring. Holding back tears, she scrubbed her face. She'd been such a child! There was no reason for her to erupt at Link like that, not really. He was only telling the truth, as painful as that was. And she also knew that she was at her body's limit-sheer exhaustion played more of a role in her outburst than actual feelings.
Because princesses did not lose their tempers like that. So, it must have been the stress of near exhaustion.
Zelda sighed and kicked her feet in the dirt. That was a lie, and she knew it. She'd lost her temper, not because of exhaustion or anything physical, but because Link had basically said he didn't need her. She may be a Sage, she may be a princess, but when it came to actually doing anything productive to help one of her very few friends, she was useless. Feeling tears welling in her eyes again, Zelda hiccuped and scrubbed at her face with the back of her hand, trying to dry her red eyes.
"...Zelda?"
Her head snapped up at the familiar voice, and she inwardly cursed that she hadn't been paying enough attention to her surroundings. Link stepped closer, hesitantly, slightly bent forward, trying to see her face while she was looking at the ground. Hurriedly trying to choose between being fickle and being a princess, she compromised and used a little of both.
Turning so she wasn't even facing his direction, Zelda took a deep breath, then nodded. "Yes?" Her voice was clear and precise, not even hinting that she may have been crying.
She could hear Link shuffling closer, but he stopped a few feet from her. Zelda almost giggled as she heard his foot kick at the ground in a vain attempt to make himself less nervous.
"Um, Zelda, about before... I'm..." Zelda strained her ears when she heard a small whisper. Was someone else there...? "I'm sorry for what I said. About Sheik..."
Turning her head slightly so she could see him out of the corner of her eye, she asked, "Is that all?"
She almost did giggle when she saw him blush. Again she heard that whisper though, and watched him closely. He seemed to be trying to look up into his hair.
Ah, Navi. It figures she would come with him. I should have realized it right away.
Link shuffled his feet a bit more, not looking at her. Her neck was beginning to bother her though, so she took this chance to turn around and completely face him, her back straight as she watched him stammer over his words like a child caught red-handed.
"Yeah, um...about those other things too. I'm sorry I said you weren't skilled in sword arts, even if you aren't," her eyes narrowed and Link flinched. Wondering why, since he couldn't see her, she noticed some of his hair being yanked from his forehead, the skin being pulled slightly. Ah, Navi again. "I mean, I'm sorry I said those things. You're useful in lots of other ways, like..." His eyes darted each and every way as he tried to think of something to say, and Zelda's forgiving mood was slowly deteriorating. "Like your visions and premonitions. Without those we might never have saved Hyrule. And your healing powers." Now he looked up at her, and when he noticed her looking back, he blushed. "Thank you, for staying by my side while I was injured. You could have made yourself sick, but you chose to help us instead. You help more than you think you do, Zelda." His face was completely honest, his words true, not only said to make her feel better.
The princess of Hyrule only ever showed her true feelings in front of three people. She never cried, laughed or made any show of true, pure emotion before anyone but those three. The first was her father, someone she loved more than anything in the world. The second was Impa, the only woman she'd ever really known all her life, who was both a guardian and a mother figure.
And the third was Link.
She'd shown him her feelings when he was the only other beside Impa to believe her premonitions about Ganondorf, and she'd laughed with him and confessed her fears. She showed her emotions again, seven years later, when they'd finally been reunited, and she'd cried with relief and love. Because he was her dearest friend.
And he said he'd missed her.
She knew now that Link must be wondering what she was thinking, because her eyes were cloudy and moist, and her lips trembled as she bit them, trying to force back the cries she could feel in her throat. He took a tentative step forward, one hand outstretched, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to look at him. When her eyes began to burn because of the unshed tears, she turned around, her back to him.
Trying very hard to steady her voice, Zelda breathed out: "Thank you, Link."
She felt something next to her and vaguely noticed that he was sitting beside her, his hands to the sides and his face titled up.
"You know, in the Kokiri Forest, you can't really ever see the stars very well unless you know of a really good place to sit. When I was younger I found the perfect spot, but it's kinda hard to get to. It involves a lot of climbing and hard work, but it's worth it. Did you ever look at the stars when you had free time?"
Zelda shook her head. "I've never had free time..." She didn't understand where he was going with this.
Link shook his head regretfully. "Really? Well, then I guess we'll just have to make you some free time, won't we? But you gotta be in good shape to go to this spot, and you only have about a week to do it in. But I'm sure Zelda will be ok, since she's already very strong."
Realization of what he was saying made her eyes widen, allowing the tears to flow freely down her cheeks. She turned to him, ready to say something, but he held up a finger.
"But after that, I'm afraid we'll have to part again. You're needed in the palace, and I don't know where I'm going yet. Plus, it'll be dangerous. And even though you're strong, and you can take care of yourself and help, I'd worry about you and rely on you, and put you in danger. And the last thing I want to do is put one of my best friends in danger for my sake."
Zelda bit her lip again, not able to say anything. Link looked at her, his smile sad.
"Hey, I keep making girls cry. It doesn't suit you. Princesses should be firm and steady, and never show any weakness. But, above that, friends should never want to look like they're at the end of their rope to other friends, because then I'll be sad. So please stop crying?"
The young girl collapsed against his chest, clinging to his sleeves and crying. Link patted the back of her head gently, and Navi landed on her shoulder, making soothing noises. They stayed like that until her cries died down and her shoulders stopped heaving, and finally her breathing slowed to that of someone asleep. Standing as carefully as he could, Link gently picked the small girl up in his arms, carrying her the way he'd done for so many weeks. Navi fluttered by, her glow bright.
"I have to admit it, Link-kun; I think that's the best apology I've ever heard..."
He entered the small house to hear Impa and Eon deep in conversation.
"What's with this 'Brother' thing suddenly?"
Eon shrugged. "Why not? He is my brother, you know."
"I'm aware of this. It just seems so...formal. And you weren't calling him that before. Why the change of heart?"
Link stood in the doorway, wondering where the voices were coming from. There was no one at the table, so, where? Movement in the room beyond made Link arch an eyebrow. In the kitchen? Why?
Eon walked in front of his view, still not aware his brother was there. "I dunno..." His tone was somber, unlike the normal, happy boy he usually showed the world. "It felt...wrong...not to. I mean, I don't really know him; what kind of guy he is, what things he likes or anything, but I didn't feel normal not calling him that. I had this weird dream when I was still passed out after the fight..." He trailed off, his ear twitching. Link "erked," knowing he'd been found spying. Hastily moving across the room, he almost made it into the corridor before Eon shouted. "Yo! What do you think you're doing, listening in on other's conversations?!"
Link darted into the corridor. "Sorry, busy! Gotta take Zelda to her room!" Eon's answering shout was drowned out by the sound of Link's pounding feet and the slamming of the door to her room.
Inside, Link leaned against the door, panting. Eon was scary sometimes. Laying the princess on her bed, Link pondered his newfound relation.
No matter how he tried to understand him, Eon was still a mystery. He could be happy and cheerful one minute, then a powerful warrior the next. His eyes could change so drastically... And Link never knew what would tip the boy, or how to act around him. Should he make jokes all the time, or would Eon feel offended? Link wasn't the type of boy who usually joked around; he was far too serious for his own good, Eon was right about that. So, what?
"He's a lot like you, Link-kun," Navi's quiet voice came from the bed, where she sat. Link looked down, questioning. "He's hard to follow, just like Link-kun. His moods change quickly, and he's a good fighter. Both of your eyes are very different when you fight." Link felt his stomach drop. These were the same things he was just thinking of... Navi continued, oblivious to his discomfort. "Link-kun is very serious, though, and doesn't take to teasing very well." Link blushed. "But Eon likes to joke, likes to tease. Maybe it's because he's lonely, and is trying to hide that fact." Now she began to hover, flying lazily around Link. "Link-kun and Eon are truly very much alike."
Link was about to answer when the door creaked open, Impa's shadow falling on the startled boy.
"I believe your presence in this room is no longer required, boy. You're pushing things."
Link nodded and rushed from the room. Impa had been angry at him before for being close to Zelda, but he couldn't understand what she was afraid of. They were just friends. He mentioned this to Navi once they were inside the room he now shared with Eon.
"I don't understand why Impa gets so jumpy when I'm with Zelda. Is she worried about her safety?"
Navi stifled a giggle. "You could say that."
Link looked at her, his expression full of innocent ignorance. "But she has to know I wouldn't let anything happen to her..."
The faerie started. "You really don't know?"
"Know what?"
Deciding that he was more fun innocent, Navi shook her head. "She just doesn't trust you to protect her, I guess." She prayed he'd buy the lie.
Link frowned. "After all the battles I've fought, I can't believe she doesn't trust me..."
Navi couldn't help it, and broke out in giggles. No matter how hard Link tried, he couldn't make her stop or get her to tell him what was so funny. Finally fed up with her, Link jumped into bed, threw the covers over himself, and fell asleep.
LINK NO MIKO'S LITTLE CORNER OF TALKINGNESS
Keh, long time no see, ne? Hehe, this chapter is just fun, really. I wrote some Link/Zelda in the previous chapter and had an urge. I also realized that I've written some before as well, just not as obvious. Darn that FY barging in, darn it! And if anyone notices, Navi speaks in third person a bit. She does this in the manga, and I actually speak this way sometimes (Link no Miko blah blah), so I decided it was cute and kept it. ^-^x
Anywho, I was gonna talk about names in this corner. Like, where Eon, Elah and stuff came from. First, let's go to my baby, Eon. His name, for those that care, is pronounced "Eh-ahn" not "ee-on." However, if you're stubborn like me and are like "I pronounced it this way first, screw you author!" then this does not apply to you. ^-^x
Second is Elah. There's a story behind this. Oneesan and I were talking with Onisan and he typed Oneesan's name wrong. He liked the typo and says "Onechan, use that name in a ficcie of yours!" (he doesn't remember this, by the way...-_-x) Oneesan agreed, and said I should use it for the evil lady in this fic. She's like "She's evil, I'm evil, why not?" So, hence Elah. Can you guess Oneesan's real name from this typo?
Also, it came to my attention that people are thinking Dark Link is Shadow Link. This is wrong, I'm sorry to say. Dark Link looks like adult Link, that's it. There is no physical darkness about him. I'm sorry if that screwed people up, but if I meant Shadow, I would have said. I never mentioned he looked like a shadow, so I'm not sure why people associated him with that great, great Adventure of Link boss, who was gypped in OoT. *grumble* Shadow Link and Dark Link are two separate things to me. And I am aware of the paradoxes this creates, as well as Vol-chan being here, but I figure, if Nintendo was allowed to get away with it, why can't I? All discrepancies are accounted for, except some...-_-x *see below*
I want to mention a grievous error I made in the previous chapter. I mention that they make it back to Sahasrahla's house before dark. Well, they were outside his house for that fight, and I...kinda forgot. I'm a bad author. However, everything in this chapter is fine. Link-kun wakes up later at night and meets everyone. Since their day was hectic, they're sleeping schedules are a bit off, so everyone's awake at such a late hour. Sorry for the mistake.
Also, Onisan wants everyone to know he made a text Link-kun for meee! I shall try to recreate it here. *after the fact* Dammit! When I uploaded this, the piccie was all screwy, so you can't see it! *cries*
Damn text files...-_-x Oh yeah! And The Unseen Darkness is now over 100 hundred pages, book format, size 10 font. Yay! And, even bigger news!
ONEESAN GOT A GAMECUBE!!!!!!!! So that means this little priestess can go out and preorder her Zelda game, yes indeed she can. *giggles in girlish glee*
"Impa, I heard you yell earlier. Did I miss something...?"
The Sheikah's face darkened slightly and Link suddenly wanted to retract his question. But instead of yelling like he thought, the Sheikah only shrugged.
"It was nothing to worry about. Go eat something."
Link nodded and slid off his chair, going towards the kitchen. "In here?" He pointed. Impa nodded, and Link disappeared for a few minutes, only to return with some leftover meat from the other day and some day-old bread. Taking his seat again, the small boy set the foodstuffs on the table and picked a small piece of meat, taking a small bite while everyone looked on.
"...What?"
Zelda smirked but grabbed a piece of bread. "Nothing."
The small Hero's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Instead, he took a large bite from his food, over exaggerating his chewing. Navi giggled from her spot over with Eon, but Link ignored her.
"So, what now?" Eon's question made Link stop chewing and look over.
"Wutduyameen?" Link blushed as he asked the question, his mouth full. Impa smiled.
"You should learn some manners if you are going to be travelling with a princess, boy. Actually, you should know your manners no matter what."
Link glared, but swallowed, saying nothing. Impa smirked. Turning back to Eon, pointedly ignoring Impa's remark, Link asked again.
"What do you mean?"
Eon leaned back in the chair, the front legs slightly off the ground, and placed his hands behind his head. "I mean, where do we go from here? You're gonna chase that other Link, right? So, what about me and Vol-chan here?" As if on cue, the small dragon chirped from his place in Eon's lap. The boy smiled and reached a hand down, petting the dragon under his chin. Impa stood, her arms folded over her chest, one eyebrow raised.
"Vol-chan?"
Eon nodded. "Yeah, Vol-chan. Volvagia sounds like such a dark name, and 'sides, it's way too long. Brother over here can call him that cumbersome name if he wants to. Vol-chan likes it when I call him this, don'cha?"
Volvagia mewed and purred some more, but closed his eyes and fell asleep after a few minutes.
Link smiled and shook his head. It seemed like nothing could keep Eon or Volvagia down. Leaning back, his expression thoughtful, Link nodded and answered Eon's question. "Yeah, I'm going to follow him. I want to know why he's so angry. And I want to find a way to maybe help him if I can."
Sahasrahla nodded from his place across from Link. "That seems wise. But how will you confront him, when you know as soon as he sees you, he'll attack?"
The Hero ducked his head, smiling shyly. "I'll think of that when the time comes, I suppose." Looking up at the ceiling, Link frowned slightly. "But I want to go and talk to Saria and the Great Deku Tree first. Saria knew something was happening, she could feel it. So maybe she can help me."
"That seems wise, child."
"And what about us?" Eon piped up from his space, the chair legs hitting the ground as he suddenly leaned forward, his gaze intent. Volvagia's eyes popped open as he fell to the floor. "Me and Vol-chan here aren't going to be left behind! I'm not staying here!" His brows drew together, though, and he looked to the elder. "I...can...leave here, can't I? What Elah said was a lie, right? About me not being able to leave?"
Sahasrahla shook his head. "No, she told the truth. However," he cut the boy off, one hand raised, "that was while she was alive. Without her powers to hold you, I don't see why you couldn't just leave." The elder leaned back slightly, his eyes distant. "However, it might be better if you stayed here. You have your own magic now, and it's similar to hers. You could become the guardian of this land."
Eon snorted. "Sorry, old man, but there's no way I'd stay here! Not when I can go out adventuring like Brother here!" He jerked his head towards Link, who blushed slightly.
"It's not so great, you know..."
"Liar. You love every minute of it."
"Tch." Link pointedly ignored Eon then, turning to Zelda instead. "When I go after...myself...will you go back to the castle with Impa? I think, since we've found out what's wrong, you don't need to be out in the world anymore." He regretted his phrasing as soon as Zelda's face darkened in anger.
"I'm not a doll! I can help too!"
"How? Not to be rude, but you have no training in combat skills..."
"I helped you before, remember?!"
Link spluttered. "You were Sheik then!"
During the previous conversations, Volvagia was making his way-painfully-up Eon's leg, finally depositing himself back in the boy's lap with an indignant frown. Eon smiled shyly, his cheeks red from embarrassment. However, as Link and Zelda's discussion heated up, both Eon and Volvagia watched the two leaning forward in their chairs, yelling. Their expressions were amused.
Zelda's eyes were hard agates as she stared Link down. "I can do anything Sheik could do!"
Link stared right back, his own face set in determination. "Sheik was a man!"
Eon and Volvagia's eyes widened in surprise, and they froze in their places. Leaning down towards Volvagia, Eon whispered, "Do we even wanna know what's going on anymore...?" The dragon shook his head.
Zelda bit back a cry, her expression hardening. "So, only guys can help you?! Because I'm a girl I'm useless?"
Link shook his head, not sure what to say, his anger disappearing in an instant. "It's not that, Zelda, it's just you're not as strong or as agile or..."
Zelda "hmphed" and sat back in her chair, the back legs scraping the floor as she slid the piece of furniture back. Standing rather abruptly, she glared at Link, then turned and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her to accent her departure. Impa walked up behind the gaping Hero, placing her hands on his shoulders hard enough to make him grunt.
"I think you owe the princess an apology, boy."
Link looked up at the taller woman, his head craned over the back of the chair. "What?! You can't honestly agree with her?! She'll get hurt!"
"I know that. I agree that she should return to the castle. There are things she should attend to, and she's been away for a long time. Who knows what sort of stories have spread about the attack and where she's been. However," her gaze pierced his, "you were harsh. If you worry for her safety, just tell her that. You don't need to make up excuses."
Link blushed and looked down at the table. "I wasn't making excuses..."
Impa's grip tightened on his shoulders and he winced. Eon watched, amused. Muttering to himself, Link finally nodded and slid the chair back, Impa releasing him and moving to the side. As he slid off the chair, Link took a quick look at Eon, who grinned evilly and waved.
"Have fun!"
"Linku!" Volvagia cheered.
Shaking his head in exasperation and muttering, Link made his way to the door. His small hands were barely on the handle when he suddenly turned, ran back to the table, grabbed Navi, and returned to the door, opening and closing it before anyone could question what was going on.
Outside, the small faerie struggled in Link's hands, vainly trying to make him release his death grip. Finally tired of not getting through to him, she made him release her the only way she could think of.
She bit him.
Yelping in surprise, Link dropped Navi, who instantly fluttered up to his hair and pulled on his bangs, making the boy wince and tears form in his eyes.
"Stupid Link-kun! You could have squashed me!"
"Owowow I'm sorry owowow! Please Navi, stopoowww!" The faerie let him go when she felt he'd had enough, and Link instantly dropped to the ground, covering his forehead with his arms and making himself into a tiny ball, shivering slightly. Navi giggled.
"Link-kun, you look just like a Goron! Teehee!"
Link's answer startled her. Nearly jumping on her, Link dashed from his crouched position, the force of his voice making her flutter back slightly. "Don't 'teehee' me! That hurt you know!" Navi bit her bottom lip, scared. She could have sworn Link had fangs just then...
Sighing, Link placed his pointer finger and middle finger against his forehead, looking at the ground. "Sorry. But I need your help, and I didn't want Eon laughing at me anymore."
"You don't have to worry about that, Link-kun. He'd laugh at you without you being there."
Link's look made her giggle even more. "You didn't have to say it like that."
"I know." She fluttered over to him and nestled in his hair, since his hat was still on the bed. "So, what did Link-kun need Navi's help for?"
He tried to see her through his flop of hair but gave up. "I need to know how to apologize to Zelda." Navi giggled. "Navi-chan! This is serious! The only girl I've ever really known is Saria, and she acts completely different than Zelda. So you gotta help me!"
"Why me?"
Link spluttered. Wasn't it obvious? "'Cause you're a girl!"
Navi fluttered in front of his eyes, doing small flips. "Link-kun thinks of Navi like a girl?"
His eyebrow raised in questioning, Link nodded. "Well, aren't you?"
Her flips signified a nod. "Yes, of course. But most people think of us more as orbs of light than anything else."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, Link-kun. I'll help you." He smiled and nodded, and she fluttered into his hair again as he made his way through Sahasrahla's gardens, looking for the princess.
"Well, the first thing you need to do is to say you're sorry about the Sheik comment. That was a really low blow."
Link nodded. "I know, I know. But it's still true..."
Navi tapped his head. "How can you say that? She's helped a lot in these past few battles! She healed you and Eon, and even Volvagia. I'm surprised she managed to stay awake and watch over you three."
The Hylian blinked, then reached up and cupped Navi in his hand, bringing her level with his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"When Link-kun and Eon were asleep after the battle with Elah, she watched over you, making sure you didn't get sick. But using magic the way she did, she must be drained of almost all her energy. I'm surprised she didn't pass out..."
Link closed his eyes, guilt washing through him. Zelda helped more than he could ever hope, and he'd only belittled her. And now she was out here alone, sad, and probably about to collapse from sheer exhaustion.
"I need to find her. I have a lot to make up for."
Navi nodded, then climbed back onto his head, where she settled down, explaining the rest of what he would need to do to pacify the young princess of Hyrule.
Zelda sat on a log, not sure how far she was from Sahasrahla's hut, and not caring. Holding back tears, she scrubbed her face. She'd been such a child! There was no reason for her to erupt at Link like that, not really. He was only telling the truth, as painful as that was. And she also knew that she was at her body's limit-sheer exhaustion played more of a role in her outburst than actual feelings.
Because princesses did not lose their tempers like that. So, it must have been the stress of near exhaustion.
Zelda sighed and kicked her feet in the dirt. That was a lie, and she knew it. She'd lost her temper, not because of exhaustion or anything physical, but because Link had basically said he didn't need her. She may be a Sage, she may be a princess, but when it came to actually doing anything productive to help one of her very few friends, she was useless. Feeling tears welling in her eyes again, Zelda hiccuped and scrubbed at her face with the back of her hand, trying to dry her red eyes.
"...Zelda?"
Her head snapped up at the familiar voice, and she inwardly cursed that she hadn't been paying enough attention to her surroundings. Link stepped closer, hesitantly, slightly bent forward, trying to see her face while she was looking at the ground. Hurriedly trying to choose between being fickle and being a princess, she compromised and used a little of both.
Turning so she wasn't even facing his direction, Zelda took a deep breath, then nodded. "Yes?" Her voice was clear and precise, not even hinting that she may have been crying.
She could hear Link shuffling closer, but he stopped a few feet from her. Zelda almost giggled as she heard his foot kick at the ground in a vain attempt to make himself less nervous.
"Um, Zelda, about before... I'm..." Zelda strained her ears when she heard a small whisper. Was someone else there...? "I'm sorry for what I said. About Sheik..."
Turning her head slightly so she could see him out of the corner of her eye, she asked, "Is that all?"
She almost did giggle when she saw him blush. Again she heard that whisper though, and watched him closely. He seemed to be trying to look up into his hair.
Ah, Navi. It figures she would come with him. I should have realized it right away.
Link shuffled his feet a bit more, not looking at her. Her neck was beginning to bother her though, so she took this chance to turn around and completely face him, her back straight as she watched him stammer over his words like a child caught red-handed.
"Yeah, um...about those other things too. I'm sorry I said you weren't skilled in sword arts, even if you aren't," her eyes narrowed and Link flinched. Wondering why, since he couldn't see her, she noticed some of his hair being yanked from his forehead, the skin being pulled slightly. Ah, Navi again. "I mean, I'm sorry I said those things. You're useful in lots of other ways, like..." His eyes darted each and every way as he tried to think of something to say, and Zelda's forgiving mood was slowly deteriorating. "Like your visions and premonitions. Without those we might never have saved Hyrule. And your healing powers." Now he looked up at her, and when he noticed her looking back, he blushed. "Thank you, for staying by my side while I was injured. You could have made yourself sick, but you chose to help us instead. You help more than you think you do, Zelda." His face was completely honest, his words true, not only said to make her feel better.
The princess of Hyrule only ever showed her true feelings in front of three people. She never cried, laughed or made any show of true, pure emotion before anyone but those three. The first was her father, someone she loved more than anything in the world. The second was Impa, the only woman she'd ever really known all her life, who was both a guardian and a mother figure.
And the third was Link.
She'd shown him her feelings when he was the only other beside Impa to believe her premonitions about Ganondorf, and she'd laughed with him and confessed her fears. She showed her emotions again, seven years later, when they'd finally been reunited, and she'd cried with relief and love. Because he was her dearest friend.
And he said he'd missed her.
She knew now that Link must be wondering what she was thinking, because her eyes were cloudy and moist, and her lips trembled as she bit them, trying to force back the cries she could feel in her throat. He took a tentative step forward, one hand outstretched, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to look at him. When her eyes began to burn because of the unshed tears, she turned around, her back to him.
Trying very hard to steady her voice, Zelda breathed out: "Thank you, Link."
She felt something next to her and vaguely noticed that he was sitting beside her, his hands to the sides and his face titled up.
"You know, in the Kokiri Forest, you can't really ever see the stars very well unless you know of a really good place to sit. When I was younger I found the perfect spot, but it's kinda hard to get to. It involves a lot of climbing and hard work, but it's worth it. Did you ever look at the stars when you had free time?"
Zelda shook her head. "I've never had free time..." She didn't understand where he was going with this.
Link shook his head regretfully. "Really? Well, then I guess we'll just have to make you some free time, won't we? But you gotta be in good shape to go to this spot, and you only have about a week to do it in. But I'm sure Zelda will be ok, since she's already very strong."
Realization of what he was saying made her eyes widen, allowing the tears to flow freely down her cheeks. She turned to him, ready to say something, but he held up a finger.
"But after that, I'm afraid we'll have to part again. You're needed in the palace, and I don't know where I'm going yet. Plus, it'll be dangerous. And even though you're strong, and you can take care of yourself and help, I'd worry about you and rely on you, and put you in danger. And the last thing I want to do is put one of my best friends in danger for my sake."
Zelda bit her lip again, not able to say anything. Link looked at her, his smile sad.
"Hey, I keep making girls cry. It doesn't suit you. Princesses should be firm and steady, and never show any weakness. But, above that, friends should never want to look like they're at the end of their rope to other friends, because then I'll be sad. So please stop crying?"
The young girl collapsed against his chest, clinging to his sleeves and crying. Link patted the back of her head gently, and Navi landed on her shoulder, making soothing noises. They stayed like that until her cries died down and her shoulders stopped heaving, and finally her breathing slowed to that of someone asleep. Standing as carefully as he could, Link gently picked the small girl up in his arms, carrying her the way he'd done for so many weeks. Navi fluttered by, her glow bright.
"I have to admit it, Link-kun; I think that's the best apology I've ever heard..."
He entered the small house to hear Impa and Eon deep in conversation.
"What's with this 'Brother' thing suddenly?"
Eon shrugged. "Why not? He is my brother, you know."
"I'm aware of this. It just seems so...formal. And you weren't calling him that before. Why the change of heart?"
Link stood in the doorway, wondering where the voices were coming from. There was no one at the table, so, where? Movement in the room beyond made Link arch an eyebrow. In the kitchen? Why?
Eon walked in front of his view, still not aware his brother was there. "I dunno..." His tone was somber, unlike the normal, happy boy he usually showed the world. "It felt...wrong...not to. I mean, I don't really know him; what kind of guy he is, what things he likes or anything, but I didn't feel normal not calling him that. I had this weird dream when I was still passed out after the fight..." He trailed off, his ear twitching. Link "erked," knowing he'd been found spying. Hastily moving across the room, he almost made it into the corridor before Eon shouted. "Yo! What do you think you're doing, listening in on other's conversations?!"
Link darted into the corridor. "Sorry, busy! Gotta take Zelda to her room!" Eon's answering shout was drowned out by the sound of Link's pounding feet and the slamming of the door to her room.
Inside, Link leaned against the door, panting. Eon was scary sometimes. Laying the princess on her bed, Link pondered his newfound relation.
No matter how he tried to understand him, Eon was still a mystery. He could be happy and cheerful one minute, then a powerful warrior the next. His eyes could change so drastically... And Link never knew what would tip the boy, or how to act around him. Should he make jokes all the time, or would Eon feel offended? Link wasn't the type of boy who usually joked around; he was far too serious for his own good, Eon was right about that. So, what?
"He's a lot like you, Link-kun," Navi's quiet voice came from the bed, where she sat. Link looked down, questioning. "He's hard to follow, just like Link-kun. His moods change quickly, and he's a good fighter. Both of your eyes are very different when you fight." Link felt his stomach drop. These were the same things he was just thinking of... Navi continued, oblivious to his discomfort. "Link-kun is very serious, though, and doesn't take to teasing very well." Link blushed. "But Eon likes to joke, likes to tease. Maybe it's because he's lonely, and is trying to hide that fact." Now she began to hover, flying lazily around Link. "Link-kun and Eon are truly very much alike."
Link was about to answer when the door creaked open, Impa's shadow falling on the startled boy.
"I believe your presence in this room is no longer required, boy. You're pushing things."
Link nodded and rushed from the room. Impa had been angry at him before for being close to Zelda, but he couldn't understand what she was afraid of. They were just friends. He mentioned this to Navi once they were inside the room he now shared with Eon.
"I don't understand why Impa gets so jumpy when I'm with Zelda. Is she worried about her safety?"
Navi stifled a giggle. "You could say that."
Link looked at her, his expression full of innocent ignorance. "But she has to know I wouldn't let anything happen to her..."
The faerie started. "You really don't know?"
"Know what?"
Deciding that he was more fun innocent, Navi shook her head. "She just doesn't trust you to protect her, I guess." She prayed he'd buy the lie.
Link frowned. "After all the battles I've fought, I can't believe she doesn't trust me..."
Navi couldn't help it, and broke out in giggles. No matter how hard Link tried, he couldn't make her stop or get her to tell him what was so funny. Finally fed up with her, Link jumped into bed, threw the covers over himself, and fell asleep.
LINK NO MIKO'S LITTLE CORNER OF TALKINGNESS
Keh, long time no see, ne? Hehe, this chapter is just fun, really. I wrote some Link/Zelda in the previous chapter and had an urge. I also realized that I've written some before as well, just not as obvious. Darn that FY barging in, darn it! And if anyone notices, Navi speaks in third person a bit. She does this in the manga, and I actually speak this way sometimes (Link no Miko blah blah), so I decided it was cute and kept it. ^-^x
Anywho, I was gonna talk about names in this corner. Like, where Eon, Elah and stuff came from. First, let's go to my baby, Eon. His name, for those that care, is pronounced "Eh-ahn" not "ee-on." However, if you're stubborn like me and are like "I pronounced it this way first, screw you author!" then this does not apply to you. ^-^x
Second is Elah. There's a story behind this. Oneesan and I were talking with Onisan and he typed Oneesan's name wrong. He liked the typo and says "Onechan, use that name in a ficcie of yours!" (he doesn't remember this, by the way...-_-x) Oneesan agreed, and said I should use it for the evil lady in this fic. She's like "She's evil, I'm evil, why not?" So, hence Elah. Can you guess Oneesan's real name from this typo?
Also, it came to my attention that people are thinking Dark Link is Shadow Link. This is wrong, I'm sorry to say. Dark Link looks like adult Link, that's it. There is no physical darkness about him. I'm sorry if that screwed people up, but if I meant Shadow, I would have said. I never mentioned he looked like a shadow, so I'm not sure why people associated him with that great, great Adventure of Link boss, who was gypped in OoT. *grumble* Shadow Link and Dark Link are two separate things to me. And I am aware of the paradoxes this creates, as well as Vol-chan being here, but I figure, if Nintendo was allowed to get away with it, why can't I? All discrepancies are accounted for, except some...-_-x *see below*
I want to mention a grievous error I made in the previous chapter. I mention that they make it back to Sahasrahla's house before dark. Well, they were outside his house for that fight, and I...kinda forgot. I'm a bad author. However, everything in this chapter is fine. Link-kun wakes up later at night and meets everyone. Since their day was hectic, they're sleeping schedules are a bit off, so everyone's awake at such a late hour. Sorry for the mistake.
Also, Onisan wants everyone to know he made a text Link-kun for meee! I shall try to recreate it here. *after the fact* Dammit! When I uploaded this, the piccie was all screwy, so you can't see it! *cries*
Damn text files...-_-x Oh yeah! And The Unseen Darkness is now over 100 hundred pages, book format, size 10 font. Yay! And, even bigger news!
ONEESAN GOT A GAMECUBE!!!!!!!! So that means this little priestess can go out and preorder her Zelda game, yes indeed she can. *giggles in girlish glee*
