Volvagia watched, his eyes taking in everything around them. He stood, perched on Eon's shoulder, taking the point as the others followed behind. Volvagia tried not to think of why Eon was point, and what Impa cradled in her strong arms. So instead, he looked forward, intent on making sure nothing else would happen to the boy who saved his life and took it at as well.
"Yo, Vol-chan. See anything yet?"
The boy, Eon, was unusually subdued. His voice was quiet, and his eyes had no sparkle like before. His gaze was set only ahead, also trying to ignore the form behind them.
Volvagia shook his head, a small chirp echoing from the back of his throat. He knew Eon was worried the most of them all. When he'd finally found them again, a ways from where Link's battle occurred, Eon was near collapse, and the brother he held was barely breathing. He didn't say anything, though, only started tearing up his tunic sleeves to bind the wounds Link had sustained. Both Impa and Zelda had to forcefully pull him away, and he only stopped struggling when the Sheikah hit him lightly on the back of the neck, knocking him out.
Of course, it wasn't that no one else was worried. Zelda used her magic to heal him as soon as Eon was pulled away, but constant use and little sleep had drained the princess of what energies she had, and so only half of Link's wounds would heal. The princess herself was so exhausted that they had to wait till noon of the next day to leave, and by then, Link's condition had evened out, but wasn't any better. He still looked like death itself, and his breathing was as shallow as the night before.
So now, they continued towards the eastern forest, silence a constant companion to the downcast group. Eon refused to stand near Impa, never saying anything about her actions, but accusing her with his eyes. Zelda tried to make them get along, but in the end, could only stay by her guardian's side, her hand always resting on Link's shoulder.
Volvagia mewed softly, the tension in the air bothering him. They'd been traveling like this for two days, and there were at least another three before they even came close to Kokiri Forest. Could the Hylians really not kill each other till then?
"Volvagia..." the soft female voice made the dragon turn his head, his huge, intelligent eyes fixed upon her blue ones. It was strange for the princess to come to him, when another Hylian was there for her to speak with. Volvagia figured she was still anxious to approach Eon, after the fact she took Impa's side in the fight about Link. "Can we rest here for a bit? We haven't eaten since early morning, and it's already past noon. Plus, I wanted to see if I couldn't help Link some more..."
Eon turned to her then, his eyes slightly softer. Volvagia watched him from the corner of his eye. He trusted Eon would answer well for him. "That sounds fine. Vol-chan hasn't seen anything for the last hour, so..." He left it hanging, and Zelda smiled at him.
"Thank you!" There was real relief in her voice. Running back towards Impa and Link, Volvagia watched as she related the answer, and the Sheikah warrior set the young, unconscious boy down on the ground. He looked at Eon out of the corner of his eye.
"Eon...?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah, it's fine. We really needed to rest anyway. Brother needs rest, too."
Volvagia nodded, understanding. Even if the boy was unconscious, his body could still feel the effects of travel. If they didn't care for it well, he would be unhappy when he woke up.
And he would wake up. He had to.
But... He hadn't stirred in two days, and the wounds inflicted on him were severe. True, anyone other than Link would have died, no matter how much help was supplied to them. But how long could Link's body last after the constant strain he endured? Even the Hero had his limit.
Eon began walking then, drawing Volvagia from his reverie. And to Volvagia's surprise, he was walking towards the huddled group. The small dragon chirped lightly, and Eon smiled.
"What's wrong, Vol-chan? Can't sit with our friends?"
Impa looked up at him at that, and for a moment Volvagia was worried they'd fight again. But Eon only smiled, and Impa nodded. And just as suddenly the tension in the air disappeared.
"Shall we eat, then?" Zelda's lilting voice broke the silence, and Eon nodded. Volvagia chirped, pleased.
"Yeah, please, I'm starved. Vol-chan here is too. Isn't that right, Vol-chan?"
His response was a very emphatic chirp.
Zelda smiled and scratched Volvagia under his chin. "How is it you know what he's saying, Eon? I only understand when he says a name, but even then, there's more behind it. How is it both you and Link can understand him?"
Eon shrugged, and Volvagia purred in laughter. Was he really so confusing to these Hylians?
"I dunno, really. I guess we just bonded or something. Carry him around with you for a while and talk to him and I'm sure you'll understand him too. Brother understands him well. Vol-chan says that ever since they met, they've been best friends." Volvagia chirped and Eon frowned. "Well, almost ever since."
Zelda giggled again, then held her hand out towards the dragon pup. "May I?"
Eon shrugged. "I dunno. It's up to Vol-chan."
The princess nodded, but kept her hand out. "Volvagia, would you mind sitting with me for lunch?"
Volvavia thought she'd never ask. Jumping from Eon's shoulder to the princess' without any warning, Volvagia purred against the girl's soft hair, still held back in a braid. His new carrier giggled as his hair tickled her neck, and the small dragon purred some more. He could easily understand why everyone liked the princess so much.
"So, shall we start? Zelda Hime...?" Impa smiled at the girl, and Volvagia stopped tickling her, understanding. He lay down, watching them from lidded eyes, content to observe them enjoy their meal. Impa passed the food out, just a mixture of some bread and berries they foraged on their trip, and Eon greedily accepted his. The Sheikah warrior made her opinion of him very clear when she smacked the boy upside the head, telling him he was eating too fast and to save some for others. Eon just stuck his tongue out at her and scurried back a ways, out of the warrior woman's reach. The princess only rolled her eyes and took her share of food over next to the sleeping Kokiri boy, where she knelt beside him and uncorked a flask. Since he was unconscious, all Zelda could do was to try and make Link drink some water and berry juice, while her food sat beside her, steadily growing colder. She was always the last to eat.
"Linku..." Volvagia found himself talking before he even realized it, his soft voice almost a whisper.
Zelda looked up from the boy's face, setting the container of water aside. "Is something wrong, Volvagia?"
He nodded, his eyes sad. "Linku..." He wished he could vocalize more; there was so much more he wanted to say. How he worried about his friend and the princess too. Link wasn't the only one who needed looking after.
The princess nodded, but resumed her nurturing. "I know. But I'm sure Saria will be able to help. And the Great Deku Tree as well, wouldn't you think? But for now, this is all we can do..." Volvagia inwardly sighed. If only she knew he was thinking of her, too...
"Is this what it was like for him, you think, when Zelda was unconscious?" Eon's question took her by surprise, and Zelda nearly splashed water into Link's face, her own cheeks red.
"W-what do you mean? Impa took care of me..." She hurriedly began to wipe the non-existent water away, a silent curse on her lips.
The Sheikah shook her head. "Not all the time. That boy was almost obsessive over you. He takes his duty seriously, you know, and protecting the royal family is always the first rule of thumb for any hero. Even if he says he's no longer a hero, he acts like one."
Zelda looked down at the boy, and Volvagia followed her gaze. Link was like a doll, his face expressionless and pale. There was no way of knowing whether he was in pain or not. Volvagia mewed softly, and Zelda brought her hand up, scratching him beneath his chin, not even realizing what she was doing. They stayed that way for some time, and the others hesitantly began eating.
"For some reason, I feel even worse now." Her voice was barely above a whisper and there was something in it Volvagia had never heard before. He blinked, trying to think of what it could be.
Eon had watched the princess for some time now, and thus was the only one to hear her soft whisper. His own question, however, brought the princess' to everyone else's attention. "Why's that, Zelda? You did nothing wrong."
Zelda "erked," her face flushing. Trying to hide it, she shook her head, some bangs coming loose and swishing across Volvagia's nose. "I don't know why, exactly. It's just...I feel useless. Because I'm the princess, everyone thinks they have to protect me..."
"You are the heir to the throne, Zelda Hime. Do not forget this. The boy knows this as well. Your place in this kingdom is important, as is your safety."
"...I know. I'm sorry." Picking the container up again, Zelda began to trickle water down Link's throat, her own food forgotten. Volvagia mewed in protest, but she didn't listen. When he realized she forgot he was there, Volvagia jumped from her shoulder, trying to find another place to stay.
"Yo, Vol-chan."
The dragon pup looked up at the sound of Eon's unusually soft voice. The boy was still sitting away from him, but was looking behind Volvagia into the trees.
"Can you go and get that faerie? She's been alone too long-it's not good for someone like her. She should be here with us."
Volvagia mewed softly in compliance, and turned around, working his way back into the trees behind him.
He found the faerie a ways in, sitting on a small plant, crying silently. She'd been this way since the fight, where she realized Link had purposely left her out of the battle. Volvagia didn't really understand rejection, but he could tell Navi was feeling rejection now. He tried to be silent and let her get her grief out, but a misstep brought the dragon into contact with a dead branch.
"Hello, Volvagia. How is everyone?" He blinked at her. She wasn't even looking at him. Knowing she would understand, he shrugged, his emotions easily readable to another of magical lineage. "Is that so? And Link-kun is still not any better..."
Volvagia closed his eyes and shook his head. "...Linku..."
The faerie picked up his sorrow right away, along with an image of the comatose Link and Volvagia's feelings of being unable to do anything. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Volvagia! I didn't mean to... I mean... I'm sorry. All of you are around him all the time, you see him and you're actually there with him. You're trying to help him get back to us. But me... I haven't done a thing. I saw him, and I...I've just been here, away from everyone and him, trying to ignore it. I don't have the right to feel so bad..." Her voice was choked.
Volvagia shook his head and made his way over to her. She had just as much a right to feel sorrow as they did. He sent that feeling out, praying it'd reach her. Her increased sobs told him she understood.
"It's just...just...he's never abandoned me before a fight! Not ever! Even fights I couldn't help him with. We've always been together, so I didn't notice it before, but... When he was hurt, I felt it! I'm ok physically, but inside..." she placed a small hand over her heart, her eyes still closed. The faerie glow surrounding her was almost gone. "It's like my heart hurts. And I don't even know who did this to him. I've never seen this Dark Link but..." she turned to Volvagia, her eyes wide, "there's no such thing as an evil Link-kun! I won't believe it! Even when Link-kun was depressed, when he didn't know there were reasons to live other than 'duty as the Hero of Time' he never felt as broken as he does now! And it won't go away!" She quieted, looking behind her, ignoring the dragon. "He went into that battle not thinking he was coming out... That's why he left me behind, I'm sure of it..."
Volvagia mewed, unable to say anything to help, his own gift of speech highly limited. And he couldn't find the will to go against her. He, too, found it hard to believe there could exist anything called Dark Link, but then again, he had also never seen the creature. But even then...how could anything want to hurt their friend so much? Link wasn't a violent boy; he didn't purposely cause pain in others. Even Volvagia forgave the Kokiri child, and Link killed him. So why did this Dark Link want to kill his counterpart so bad?
"This isn't fair to Link-kun. He's always being told-made-to fight, and it's the farthest thing from what he's ever wanted. And if this Dark Link wants to punish Link-kun because of things he's done in the past-things he was made to do-there's no need! Link-kun has continually hurt himself over them!" She placed a hand over her heart again. "When...when I felt that pain before, I could feel that, too. Link-kun... Link-kun has more regret than anyone his age should know exists. So hurting him now as punishment is meaningless."
Navi launched herself at Volvagia, hugging his snout, crying. "But the worst thing is he still cares about everyone! I felt that, too. He can't believe someone is bad, and he even has doubts about this Dark Link. Why does someone with a heart like his have to fight?!"
Trying to calm the faerie, Volvagia purred softly. He knew the reason why people like Link had to fight. Getting that reason through to Navi would be the hard part. He waited for her to calm, then sent his thought to her. Navi blinked, then nodded sadly.
"Because if they liked fighting, the battles would never end..." She calmed more as his words sank into her heart, and they stood on the forest floor, letting the afternoon pass by. Finally, Navi fluttered away, her face shining with her usual optimism, though still tinged with sadness.
"We should join the others before they start to worry. I've been really selfish lately. I'm sorry about that. But I've been thinking... If we don't help Link-kun now, who will? Sahasrahla said he can't have help with this battle, but...if we give him our belief now, won't that help him? And maybe if he knows how we feel, he won't damn himself so much. But then again, all of you knew that all the time... I was the one who didn't understand." Volvagia chirped in agreement. "I've been extremely selfish, actually. But I won't be anymore. When we finally get him back on his feet, and Saria's had a talk with him, I think I'll have one too. But mine will be an apology."
Volvagia nodded, glad Navi was finally back with them. The past two days were rather lonely without her around. Turning towards the camp, indicating he was ready to go, Volvagia waited for Navi to flutter over and rest on his back. Then together, they made their way back to camp, feeling brighter than they had in the past few days.
She set him down to rest beside her, done "feeding" him for now. Link still remained motionless, and his face was as placid and cool as the past few days. She bit her lip, trying not to let the sorrow she felt when she looked at him like this come to the surface. The stupid boy!
Eon, Impa, Volvagia and Navi were long since asleep, since Zelda, in a bought of stubbornness, refused to not be allowed to be on watch. Of the four asleep, however, she was sure they were everyone of them faking it. That thought alone made her puff her cheeks out in frustration, and she absently stroked Link's bangs. No one ever took her seriously. She was bound and determined to be of some use, so why wouldn't they let her?! It wasn't like she didn't have protection, anyway. She had her magic, and if push came to shove, she had a dagger hidden away behind her belt, where Link told her she could easily get to it, but it would not be easily seen by someone thinking she was easy prey.
The problem with the dagger was that she had almost no idea how to use it.
But no one else needed to know that! she continually told herself. As long as she looked like she could use it, then...
Sighing in frustration, Zelda slumped against the rock she was using as a support. She knew it, they all knew it...she was a failure. If anything did come at her during the night, there was nothing she could do to stop it. Tears of frustration welled in her eyes and she brushed them away violently, angry at herself. Crying. Again. All she was good at, it seemed, was crying. And politics, but what good would that do her here? Surveying the area around her, she only confirmed this thought. No, out here, her talents had no use.
The wind across the plain sounded like accusations to her, re-emphasizing her line of thought. Zelda huddled closer to herself, the leggings and tunic not holding out the chill well. She was so focused on her own thoughts she didn't even see the single, firefly-sized point of light hovering over her.
"...I'm such an idiot...making them bring me... I should have listened in the first place, and gone straight home." The wind echoed her comment.
'But Link would have been attacked whether you were there or not, and then what would happen?'
Zelda started at the voice, so used to the meaningless one of the wind, and instantly leaned over so she was protecting Link. The voice chuckled.
'See? You instinctively protect him. Maybe you knew something was going to happen?'
"Who are you...?" Now that her startlement was past, Zelda could focus more on what was happening. Obviously there was some kind of magic taking place here, but what kind? And that voice sounded familiar...
'My, we don't mince words, do we?' Then the voice laughed, and Zelda's muscles relaxed. She knew that laugh. The presence also recognized Zelda's realization. 'Yes, it's me. A wonder, though...'
The small firefly-light fluttered over in front of the princess and expanded, filling the area with a bright light. From that orb emerged the familiar form of Mikomi. When the light subsided, Zelda looked around to see if the others noticed, but they all really were asleep.
"No one sees me but you, I believe. I'm really sorry about scaring you, my princess, but I needed to make you stop thinking like that. You and him are exactly the same, sometimes."
"Mikomi...why? How? I mean...I thought you told Link you couldn't come here anymore..." That flash of light confirmed otherwise, however...
"That's what I thought. I honestly don't even know where I've been. I've just been floating around in some...void...unaware of any passage of time or where I was. But then I heard your voice, Zelda Hime-sama, and it pained me to hear you speak so little of yourself. I had to stop you from thinking like that. You're very strong, my dear. Much stronger than you give yourself credit for. It's upsetting that you think so little of yourself, when others are willing to die to protect you."
Zelda looked down, trying not to meet the woman's eyes, but instead meeting Link's closed ones. Turning her face quickly, she whispered, "I never asked them to..."
Mikomi nodded, crouching before the girl and lifting her chin. "No, but they would do it instinctively. ...And some unconsciously..." She looked at her son with a smile on her face, and Zelda followed the gaze, her expression confused.
"Mikomi...? I don't understand..."
The dead mother laughed, then patted the princess on the head. "I didn't think you would. I don't think either of you do, really."
"So, Mikomi...can you explain this void to me?" Zelda tried to change the subject, hoping the older woman would follow along. She did.
"Not really... I wonder if it's like that void Link described from his dreams... No, it's different, I can tell. This place is everywhere and nowhere at once. As though I was stuck between the three worlds..."
"Is that so..." Zelda looked down, trying to think of something to make sense of what Mikomi said. Had any of the books in the library mentioned something like that?
Zelda stopped thinking abruptly, though, when she felt Mikomi's gaze on her. Blushing, the princess shifted nervously, and Mikomi laughed.
"Do not worry, child. Some things just can't be explained. Please don't hurt yourself over it." She stood then, surveying the other sleeping forms, taking in Impa and Navi. She smiled at the faerie, who was curled up in the Sheikah woman's hair. But then her gaze found Volvagia and Eon.
"A dragon...?" Her eyes hardened slightly as they landed on Eon. "And that boy...? What's been going on since I last appeared?"
Zelda shifted uncomfortably, trying not to let the older woman notice but failing miserably. "Zelda Hime-sama? What is it?"
"Please, just call me Zelda. It's easier that way." Mikomi nodded, and Zelda shifted again. "Um...I guess you remember Eon from when he fought Link right after Dark Link disappeared..." Another nod. Zelda didn't miss the glint in Mikomi's eyes, either. But she kept on going. "And the dragon is Volvagia. He's a...friend...of Link's. From long ago..."
"Long ago...? What does that mean?"
"Back when...Ganondorf...was still around. In the other past... Link met Volvagia, and they became friends. But in the future that Link helped stop, the future Dark Link is from..." Zelda swallowed, unsure if she should continue. Mikomi noticed her hesitation, her eyes softening for the girl.
"...You don't have to tell me."
Zelda shook her head. "No, it's ok. I really have no reason to be bothered by it, and Link and Volvagia have put it aside. But I think you should probably know. It's just hard to find the right words." She paused, thinking, then began again, her voice soft. "In that future, Link met Volvagia again, but Ganondorf had control of the dragon's heart. Link...ended up killing him. And Eon...Eon's master, that is, brought Volvagia's spirit back, trying to use him against Link. To make Link break down from guilt."
Mikomi's eyes narrowed again. "Is that why I sensed so much pain from him...?"
Zelda blinked. What was Mikomi talking of? When had she felt that? "I'm not sure. He just...a few days ago we got in another fight with Dark Link. You'd want to ask Eon what happened...he was the only one to see the fight. He wouldn't let any of us help, even Impa. Maybe Dark Link said something to him. But I don't think Volvagia is any cause of pain to Link anymore."
"And this Eon boy? ...He looks familiar. Slightly, but familiar nonetheless."
"Eon is... About Eon..." Zelda was at a loss for words. Mikomi had no idea what or who Eon was! The last time she saw him was when he was trying to kill her Link. How could Zelda explain everything that happened since then?"
"Should I ask him myself?"
"NO!" Zelda was just as taken aback by her scream as Mikomi was. "I mean, no. It would be better not to let anyone know you're here. Anyone else, that is."
Mikomi said nothing, just sat and watched the princess. The pressure in the air rose as Zelda tried to find ways of explaining things to the distant mother. But how could she explain this? She'd seen the look in the older woman's eyes when she spotted Eon. She still thought of him as a threat to her beloved child. To be forced to accept that this other boy was also a beloved child...? Zelda decided to approach the subject from a broader angle.
"Mikomi... I was wondering. Did you ever have any other children?" The woman's face made Zelda look away, embarrassed and at a loss for words. That rarely ever happened. "I mean, does Link have any siblings he doesn't know about? Somewhere he could go when he's done being a hero?"
"No, no one. It was only Aylen, Link, and me. No one else."
"...I see. Not a one?"
Mikomi's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and she opened her mouth to answer when Zelda looked back at her, a false smile plastered on her face. The princess knew when she made mistakes, and this question was one of them. This would be the only chance for any kind of smoothing over.
"Ahah, never mind me. I'm just being a bit silly, is all. I should really be getting to bed now. Impa was right, I'm not suited for watch duty." She stood to wake the Sheikah, but never made it another step.
"Zelda." The princess stopped instinctively. Even though she never really knew her mother, she could understand that certain tone all mothers used to make their children listen. This was one of those tones. "Why do you ask about my family?"
"I...I was just worried about Link, is all. He's always so lonely and all-"
"The real reason, Zelda."
Defeated, the girl nodded, sitting down again, her back to Mikomi. "We...found out some things. From Sahasrahla. He told us that Link wasn't your only child..." She ignored Mikomi's intake of breath and rushed through the rest. "He said you were with child when you died, and the baby died with you. That's why I ask."
There was a long pause before Mikomi answered. "...Yes, I was. But I never thought anything of it when you asked me about my family. That child died before... I never allowed it to have a chance, I was so worried about the child I had in my arms." She paused, her face to the ground. "But why do you bring it up when I asked you of this Eon boy-" Her sentence was cut mid-word as she burst to her feet, Zelda a quick pace behind her.
"No, Mikomi, please don't go near him! I shouldn't have mentioned anything, but I...I was worried about him. He wanted to meet you so much, and he was asking Link about you..." The words wouldn't stop!
Mikomi had a dangerous expression on her face. "You're telling me that...that boy there...is my son? That this...child...I saw try to kill my baby is my son?!"
Zelda felt tears trickle down her cheeks, but she didn't have the ability to wipe them away. Holding Mikomi was hard enough. "Yes, and I'm sorry I mentioned it! You still hate him for trying to kill Link from before; I saw it in your eyes! And you're only confirming it now! But he's not that same boy; he's not! He was being controlled too! Ever since he died he was being controlled by an evil spirit; told that you left him behind and that he had no one! Being angry at him won't help, especially since he wants so much to make you love him like you loved the child you hoped for!" Out of breath, the princess leaned against the older woman's arm, no longer able to resist should Mikomi decide to keep going towards the sleeping child.
But those words made Mikomi stop. Slowly collapsing to the ground, bringing the princess with her, Mikomi stared out into space as Zelda huddled at her side. A few minutes passed before Zelda could speak again.
"I'm sorry, Mikomi. I didn't want to make you feel bad. Really, I didn't. But I guess I did. But please listen. I can explain him." She sat in a pained silence, waiting for Mikomi to make a move.
It seemed hours later, but finally the woman nodded. "Please. Tell me what happened."
So Zelda explained it all; how they found out who Eon was, the fight with Elah, Link waking Eon up, Eon's personality and honesty. Despite her doubts and feelings, Mikomi smiled at that last one.
"I always had the feeling my child would be that type of boy; he'd say his mind and to hell with you if you didn't agree. I guess my sixth sense was still working. I hadn't wasted it all on Link." She sobered a bit though. "So, he's that child. I still find it hard to believe, but from what I've heard I also find it hard not to. But this...feeling...that he'll attack Link again...it won't go away." She sighed, her eyes downcast. "You know, he's not completely wrong about me. I may as well have abandoned him. I'd given up on that child, just as I had on myself. I knew I would die, but I never spared a thought to him. If I'd tried...could I have saved him...?"
Zelda shook her head. "Please don't blame yourself. If you died, of course he would too. I know it's cruel, but you had a living, breathing baby before you. I can understand how Link would be your top priority, and I know Eon does too." She paused, a small, dry laugh escaping her throat. "As much as he always looks out for all of us, I think we are looking out for him just as much."
Mikomi looked at Zelda from the corner of her eye, and the princess blushed. Did the woman always have to look like she knew what you were thinking? Turning her face away, Zelda crept over to where Link was, lifting his head into her lap again. It was time to take the discussion away from Eon. Mikomi needed time to sort through her feelings.
"I should give him some more water. He doesn't drink very much at any one time, and I'm afraid that if I don't keep him hydrated enough, something terrible will happen... We can't really feed him very well, so..."
"You need to watch your own health as well, my dear. If that cold, hard bread is any indication..." She nodded to the untouched food by Zelda, and the girl blushed.
"I will. But first, I need to help Link..."
Mikomi nodded, staying where she was. Zelda was thankful for that. Maybe that way the ghost woman wouldn't notice her blushing.
"Tell me, how do you think of my son? Link, that is."
This time, unlike with her surprise from Eon, Zelda did spill water all over Link's face. She cried out slightly, using her sleeve to dab up the water, hoping none had gone up his nose or too much down his throat. Mikomi's infuriating laugh rang through their campsite.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I was just wondering, is all. Don't mind me." Her eyes said something else though.
"You...you didn't embarrass me. I...I just dropped the water, is all." Her cheeks were absolutely flaming.
"Yes, I'm sure." Translated from diplomatic speech into real speech, Mikomi meant that Zelda was lying out of her teeth. And the princess hated the fact that Mikomi was right. "So..."
"He's just my guardian, is all!" Zelda blurted out, then clapped her hands over her mouth. Where was all her diplomatic talent here? Why was she blurting things out like this?! But the words kept coming, and her hands lowered away from her mouth. "He's my friend, too, of course. I mean, we've known each other for a while now and he's always believed me and he was very nice to me always and he, he..." She blushed a bright red remembering his face when he'd said those three words to her after finding out she was Sheik. 'I missed you' meant so much to her then... She found herself staring at his pale, expressionless face, wishing he would smile for her, even if it was that sad smile he used then.
"You love him?"
That snapped Zelda's head up, her heart beating in her throat. "No! I mean...no, I don't...he's just my friend! And guardian. Just my friend and guardian, that's all."
The awful woman was laughing at her! "Ah, but isn't friendship a form of love too?"
Mikomi's question made Zelda stop, her mouth open to reply. That was true, wasn't it? To be honest, Zelda did care for Link. But she cared for everyone else around her too, in the same way. It...was the same way, wasn't it? Besides, Link never thought that way about anyone; he thought of everyone as good and worthy to be loved. So...people just returned those feelings naturally. That had to be the answer.
"I...guess it is. But you meant something else!" Mikomi's smile confirmed that much, and Zelda puffed out her cheeks in anger and embarrassment. "Link just...he cares about everyone around him, and we naturally return that feeling. It's not what you think. And besides...I'm just paying him back for helping me when I was in this condition..."
"I'll take your word, princess. But I don't think you quite understand yourself what I meant. There are many forms of love, and yet the forms we do know sometimes take strange shape around us." She stood then, and to Zelda's horror, made her way to Eon's side, where the ghost woman knelt. Before Zelda could say anything, Mikomi reached out a hand and lightly touched the boy's forehead, her head back, face to the sky and eyes closed. They stayed that way for what seemed forever, and then finally Mikomi took her fingers away, but not before patting the boy's bangs into place and caressing his cheek.
When she reached the princess, Mikomi looked down at the girl, her expression saddened yet also hopeful. "When I appeared here, I didn't know why. Now I do. I was brought back here so I could talk to you, and so I could meet Eon." She paused, her eyes closed. "It's a nice name, Eon. I hadn't even begun thinking of any names for him, which is funny. The moment I learned that I was with child for Link, I began frantically thinking of names. But with this boy, I didn't feel the need. I guess I may really have a sixth sense..."
"What did you do?"
"I looked at him. I looked at his heart and found out the truth of what you were saying. I found an answer to my questions, my doubts. There's a lot in there, really. Most of it hidden, some even from himself." She noticed Zelda's look and smiled. "I didn't doubt your word, my princess, but I needed to see for myself. I needed to quell my own misgivings about him. And now I have. But, I wonder...I don't know what's going to happen to me now. I thought for sure my time here on this earth was over. As I said, I've been nowhere since the last time you saw me. I wasn't in Heaven with Aylen, yet I wasn't in the Underworld either. And I feel I won't go to either place again this time. But I don't want to go back to that nothingness. Is it a punishment for breaking taboo? Or is it that there must be something left that I have to do, and I'm being kept in reserve until the time comes for me to do it...?"
The thought of Mikomi being punished because of love pained the young girl. "I'm sure you'll find happiness with your husband soon. Maybe this was the last thing you needed to do...?"
Mikomi shook her head, marring the princess' hopes. "No, I feel it. There is more I have to do. How much, I'm not sure, but definitely one more, important thing." She bowed to the girl then, and leaned down to trace her son's cheekbones. "I'm sorry to disturb you. I'll be leaving now. After I go, you may sleep. Don't worry, nothing shall come to harm you in the night." She backed away then, and began to fade into that firefly again. Zelda wanted to ask her to stay, but found her eyes were heavy and no sound came from her throat.
Mikomi's voice was as soft as the breeze that now passed quietly through the field, whispering of dreams, not guilt. "Please take care of him...no, of them both. But especially him. I know you'll do fine, my child, and you won't ever let any harm befall him. You're a good, strong girl."
Zelda wanted to argue with her, say she wasn't very good at protecting anyone and of all of them, she would probably let Link down, but her eyes closed before she could, and she fell asleep curled up beside her friend, her head on his shoulder.
LINK NO MIKO'S LITTLE CORNER OF TALKINGNESS
Such...a...long...boring...chapter... Nothing really happens! Exceeept Link/Zelda goodness. Yes, peoples, I have caved in. This will NOT be a Link/Zelda centric fic, but it will more than likely be there. Think of it like Wild Arms-there's a love plot...sorta...but it has no direct influence on the story itself. And that game kicks almighty assness. And does anyone else think that there's a slight Rurouni Kenshin feel to this...? I got that feeling rereading the beginning of this chapter.
Anywho, for those wondering what the HELL Zelda was talking about... In the manga (it always goes back to that, doesn't it? -_-x) after they beat Twinrova or whatever you wanna call those witches, Zelda explains how she became Shiek. Woo. It's actually pretty damn cool. And I have officially sworn more in this chapter/rant than in all the others combined (more than likely). Anywho, back to explanations! SPOILER WARNING FOR MANGA GOODNESS. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. (Sorry about all these spoiler things... I really shouldn't incorporate something like this in, since it bothers me sometimes when peoples use later episodes of anime or something without first warning that spoilers are ahead...) After Zelda tells all, there's this lovely page where they just look at each other. Top right panel, Link-kun's face, top left panel, Zelda's. In his panel, Link says very simply with a face I DIE FOR "I missed you" and Zelda's about to cry. Beneath that panel is a large one of Navi fluttering around both of them, and Link reaching out to hug (I think) Zelda. Link/Zelda fans rejoice! Buuuut, then, right before his hand touches hers, Ganondorf appears and encases her in crystal. Bastard. And that's where that scene where Zelda mentions those "three little words" was birthed from. SPOILER DONE.
Sooo...anyone still here? Hauu...I can't ever shut up. I had fun writing this chapter, but it took forever and a day. Sooooo many revisions. I hope it's to everyone's liking. Please tell me what you think. I know it's been a long haul, and it seems I'm never gonna get where I'm going, but this characterization stuff is needed, since this fiction is heavily character driven. At least I hope it is.
I would also like to thank Framling for 1) reading through this whole damn fic and NOT killing me and 2) for informing me that a colt is a baby horse while a filly is a female one. I never knew that. Thank you very much!
Well, that's all. Sorry for the long rant. Thank you all for putting up with me as much as you have. I bow to you all. *bow*
"Yo, Vol-chan. See anything yet?"
The boy, Eon, was unusually subdued. His voice was quiet, and his eyes had no sparkle like before. His gaze was set only ahead, also trying to ignore the form behind them.
Volvagia shook his head, a small chirp echoing from the back of his throat. He knew Eon was worried the most of them all. When he'd finally found them again, a ways from where Link's battle occurred, Eon was near collapse, and the brother he held was barely breathing. He didn't say anything, though, only started tearing up his tunic sleeves to bind the wounds Link had sustained. Both Impa and Zelda had to forcefully pull him away, and he only stopped struggling when the Sheikah hit him lightly on the back of the neck, knocking him out.
Of course, it wasn't that no one else was worried. Zelda used her magic to heal him as soon as Eon was pulled away, but constant use and little sleep had drained the princess of what energies she had, and so only half of Link's wounds would heal. The princess herself was so exhausted that they had to wait till noon of the next day to leave, and by then, Link's condition had evened out, but wasn't any better. He still looked like death itself, and his breathing was as shallow as the night before.
So now, they continued towards the eastern forest, silence a constant companion to the downcast group. Eon refused to stand near Impa, never saying anything about her actions, but accusing her with his eyes. Zelda tried to make them get along, but in the end, could only stay by her guardian's side, her hand always resting on Link's shoulder.
Volvagia mewed softly, the tension in the air bothering him. They'd been traveling like this for two days, and there were at least another three before they even came close to Kokiri Forest. Could the Hylians really not kill each other till then?
"Volvagia..." the soft female voice made the dragon turn his head, his huge, intelligent eyes fixed upon her blue ones. It was strange for the princess to come to him, when another Hylian was there for her to speak with. Volvagia figured she was still anxious to approach Eon, after the fact she took Impa's side in the fight about Link. "Can we rest here for a bit? We haven't eaten since early morning, and it's already past noon. Plus, I wanted to see if I couldn't help Link some more..."
Eon turned to her then, his eyes slightly softer. Volvagia watched him from the corner of his eye. He trusted Eon would answer well for him. "That sounds fine. Vol-chan hasn't seen anything for the last hour, so..." He left it hanging, and Zelda smiled at him.
"Thank you!" There was real relief in her voice. Running back towards Impa and Link, Volvagia watched as she related the answer, and the Sheikah warrior set the young, unconscious boy down on the ground. He looked at Eon out of the corner of his eye.
"Eon...?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah, it's fine. We really needed to rest anyway. Brother needs rest, too."
Volvagia nodded, understanding. Even if the boy was unconscious, his body could still feel the effects of travel. If they didn't care for it well, he would be unhappy when he woke up.
And he would wake up. He had to.
But... He hadn't stirred in two days, and the wounds inflicted on him were severe. True, anyone other than Link would have died, no matter how much help was supplied to them. But how long could Link's body last after the constant strain he endured? Even the Hero had his limit.
Eon began walking then, drawing Volvagia from his reverie. And to Volvagia's surprise, he was walking towards the huddled group. The small dragon chirped lightly, and Eon smiled.
"What's wrong, Vol-chan? Can't sit with our friends?"
Impa looked up at him at that, and for a moment Volvagia was worried they'd fight again. But Eon only smiled, and Impa nodded. And just as suddenly the tension in the air disappeared.
"Shall we eat, then?" Zelda's lilting voice broke the silence, and Eon nodded. Volvagia chirped, pleased.
"Yeah, please, I'm starved. Vol-chan here is too. Isn't that right, Vol-chan?"
His response was a very emphatic chirp.
Zelda smiled and scratched Volvagia under his chin. "How is it you know what he's saying, Eon? I only understand when he says a name, but even then, there's more behind it. How is it both you and Link can understand him?"
Eon shrugged, and Volvagia purred in laughter. Was he really so confusing to these Hylians?
"I dunno, really. I guess we just bonded or something. Carry him around with you for a while and talk to him and I'm sure you'll understand him too. Brother understands him well. Vol-chan says that ever since they met, they've been best friends." Volvagia chirped and Eon frowned. "Well, almost ever since."
Zelda giggled again, then held her hand out towards the dragon pup. "May I?"
Eon shrugged. "I dunno. It's up to Vol-chan."
The princess nodded, but kept her hand out. "Volvagia, would you mind sitting with me for lunch?"
Volvavia thought she'd never ask. Jumping from Eon's shoulder to the princess' without any warning, Volvagia purred against the girl's soft hair, still held back in a braid. His new carrier giggled as his hair tickled her neck, and the small dragon purred some more. He could easily understand why everyone liked the princess so much.
"So, shall we start? Zelda Hime...?" Impa smiled at the girl, and Volvagia stopped tickling her, understanding. He lay down, watching them from lidded eyes, content to observe them enjoy their meal. Impa passed the food out, just a mixture of some bread and berries they foraged on their trip, and Eon greedily accepted his. The Sheikah warrior made her opinion of him very clear when she smacked the boy upside the head, telling him he was eating too fast and to save some for others. Eon just stuck his tongue out at her and scurried back a ways, out of the warrior woman's reach. The princess only rolled her eyes and took her share of food over next to the sleeping Kokiri boy, where she knelt beside him and uncorked a flask. Since he was unconscious, all Zelda could do was to try and make Link drink some water and berry juice, while her food sat beside her, steadily growing colder. She was always the last to eat.
"Linku..." Volvagia found himself talking before he even realized it, his soft voice almost a whisper.
Zelda looked up from the boy's face, setting the container of water aside. "Is something wrong, Volvagia?"
He nodded, his eyes sad. "Linku..." He wished he could vocalize more; there was so much more he wanted to say. How he worried about his friend and the princess too. Link wasn't the only one who needed looking after.
The princess nodded, but resumed her nurturing. "I know. But I'm sure Saria will be able to help. And the Great Deku Tree as well, wouldn't you think? But for now, this is all we can do..." Volvagia inwardly sighed. If only she knew he was thinking of her, too...
"Is this what it was like for him, you think, when Zelda was unconscious?" Eon's question took her by surprise, and Zelda nearly splashed water into Link's face, her own cheeks red.
"W-what do you mean? Impa took care of me..." She hurriedly began to wipe the non-existent water away, a silent curse on her lips.
The Sheikah shook her head. "Not all the time. That boy was almost obsessive over you. He takes his duty seriously, you know, and protecting the royal family is always the first rule of thumb for any hero. Even if he says he's no longer a hero, he acts like one."
Zelda looked down at the boy, and Volvagia followed her gaze. Link was like a doll, his face expressionless and pale. There was no way of knowing whether he was in pain or not. Volvagia mewed softly, and Zelda brought her hand up, scratching him beneath his chin, not even realizing what she was doing. They stayed that way for some time, and the others hesitantly began eating.
"For some reason, I feel even worse now." Her voice was barely above a whisper and there was something in it Volvagia had never heard before. He blinked, trying to think of what it could be.
Eon had watched the princess for some time now, and thus was the only one to hear her soft whisper. His own question, however, brought the princess' to everyone else's attention. "Why's that, Zelda? You did nothing wrong."
Zelda "erked," her face flushing. Trying to hide it, she shook her head, some bangs coming loose and swishing across Volvagia's nose. "I don't know why, exactly. It's just...I feel useless. Because I'm the princess, everyone thinks they have to protect me..."
"You are the heir to the throne, Zelda Hime. Do not forget this. The boy knows this as well. Your place in this kingdom is important, as is your safety."
"...I know. I'm sorry." Picking the container up again, Zelda began to trickle water down Link's throat, her own food forgotten. Volvagia mewed in protest, but she didn't listen. When he realized she forgot he was there, Volvagia jumped from her shoulder, trying to find another place to stay.
"Yo, Vol-chan."
The dragon pup looked up at the sound of Eon's unusually soft voice. The boy was still sitting away from him, but was looking behind Volvagia into the trees.
"Can you go and get that faerie? She's been alone too long-it's not good for someone like her. She should be here with us."
Volvagia mewed softly in compliance, and turned around, working his way back into the trees behind him.
He found the faerie a ways in, sitting on a small plant, crying silently. She'd been this way since the fight, where she realized Link had purposely left her out of the battle. Volvagia didn't really understand rejection, but he could tell Navi was feeling rejection now. He tried to be silent and let her get her grief out, but a misstep brought the dragon into contact with a dead branch.
"Hello, Volvagia. How is everyone?" He blinked at her. She wasn't even looking at him. Knowing she would understand, he shrugged, his emotions easily readable to another of magical lineage. "Is that so? And Link-kun is still not any better..."
Volvagia closed his eyes and shook his head. "...Linku..."
The faerie picked up his sorrow right away, along with an image of the comatose Link and Volvagia's feelings of being unable to do anything. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Volvagia! I didn't mean to... I mean... I'm sorry. All of you are around him all the time, you see him and you're actually there with him. You're trying to help him get back to us. But me... I haven't done a thing. I saw him, and I...I've just been here, away from everyone and him, trying to ignore it. I don't have the right to feel so bad..." Her voice was choked.
Volvagia shook his head and made his way over to her. She had just as much a right to feel sorrow as they did. He sent that feeling out, praying it'd reach her. Her increased sobs told him she understood.
"It's just...just...he's never abandoned me before a fight! Not ever! Even fights I couldn't help him with. We've always been together, so I didn't notice it before, but... When he was hurt, I felt it! I'm ok physically, but inside..." she placed a small hand over her heart, her eyes still closed. The faerie glow surrounding her was almost gone. "It's like my heart hurts. And I don't even know who did this to him. I've never seen this Dark Link but..." she turned to Volvagia, her eyes wide, "there's no such thing as an evil Link-kun! I won't believe it! Even when Link-kun was depressed, when he didn't know there were reasons to live other than 'duty as the Hero of Time' he never felt as broken as he does now! And it won't go away!" She quieted, looking behind her, ignoring the dragon. "He went into that battle not thinking he was coming out... That's why he left me behind, I'm sure of it..."
Volvagia mewed, unable to say anything to help, his own gift of speech highly limited. And he couldn't find the will to go against her. He, too, found it hard to believe there could exist anything called Dark Link, but then again, he had also never seen the creature. But even then...how could anything want to hurt their friend so much? Link wasn't a violent boy; he didn't purposely cause pain in others. Even Volvagia forgave the Kokiri child, and Link killed him. So why did this Dark Link want to kill his counterpart so bad?
"This isn't fair to Link-kun. He's always being told-made-to fight, and it's the farthest thing from what he's ever wanted. And if this Dark Link wants to punish Link-kun because of things he's done in the past-things he was made to do-there's no need! Link-kun has continually hurt himself over them!" She placed a hand over her heart again. "When...when I felt that pain before, I could feel that, too. Link-kun... Link-kun has more regret than anyone his age should know exists. So hurting him now as punishment is meaningless."
Navi launched herself at Volvagia, hugging his snout, crying. "But the worst thing is he still cares about everyone! I felt that, too. He can't believe someone is bad, and he even has doubts about this Dark Link. Why does someone with a heart like his have to fight?!"
Trying to calm the faerie, Volvagia purred softly. He knew the reason why people like Link had to fight. Getting that reason through to Navi would be the hard part. He waited for her to calm, then sent his thought to her. Navi blinked, then nodded sadly.
"Because if they liked fighting, the battles would never end..." She calmed more as his words sank into her heart, and they stood on the forest floor, letting the afternoon pass by. Finally, Navi fluttered away, her face shining with her usual optimism, though still tinged with sadness.
"We should join the others before they start to worry. I've been really selfish lately. I'm sorry about that. But I've been thinking... If we don't help Link-kun now, who will? Sahasrahla said he can't have help with this battle, but...if we give him our belief now, won't that help him? And maybe if he knows how we feel, he won't damn himself so much. But then again, all of you knew that all the time... I was the one who didn't understand." Volvagia chirped in agreement. "I've been extremely selfish, actually. But I won't be anymore. When we finally get him back on his feet, and Saria's had a talk with him, I think I'll have one too. But mine will be an apology."
Volvagia nodded, glad Navi was finally back with them. The past two days were rather lonely without her around. Turning towards the camp, indicating he was ready to go, Volvagia waited for Navi to flutter over and rest on his back. Then together, they made their way back to camp, feeling brighter than they had in the past few days.
She set him down to rest beside her, done "feeding" him for now. Link still remained motionless, and his face was as placid and cool as the past few days. She bit her lip, trying not to let the sorrow she felt when she looked at him like this come to the surface. The stupid boy!
Eon, Impa, Volvagia and Navi were long since asleep, since Zelda, in a bought of stubbornness, refused to not be allowed to be on watch. Of the four asleep, however, she was sure they were everyone of them faking it. That thought alone made her puff her cheeks out in frustration, and she absently stroked Link's bangs. No one ever took her seriously. She was bound and determined to be of some use, so why wouldn't they let her?! It wasn't like she didn't have protection, anyway. She had her magic, and if push came to shove, she had a dagger hidden away behind her belt, where Link told her she could easily get to it, but it would not be easily seen by someone thinking she was easy prey.
The problem with the dagger was that she had almost no idea how to use it.
But no one else needed to know that! she continually told herself. As long as she looked like she could use it, then...
Sighing in frustration, Zelda slumped against the rock she was using as a support. She knew it, they all knew it...she was a failure. If anything did come at her during the night, there was nothing she could do to stop it. Tears of frustration welled in her eyes and she brushed them away violently, angry at herself. Crying. Again. All she was good at, it seemed, was crying. And politics, but what good would that do her here? Surveying the area around her, she only confirmed this thought. No, out here, her talents had no use.
The wind across the plain sounded like accusations to her, re-emphasizing her line of thought. Zelda huddled closer to herself, the leggings and tunic not holding out the chill well. She was so focused on her own thoughts she didn't even see the single, firefly-sized point of light hovering over her.
"...I'm such an idiot...making them bring me... I should have listened in the first place, and gone straight home." The wind echoed her comment.
'But Link would have been attacked whether you were there or not, and then what would happen?'
Zelda started at the voice, so used to the meaningless one of the wind, and instantly leaned over so she was protecting Link. The voice chuckled.
'See? You instinctively protect him. Maybe you knew something was going to happen?'
"Who are you...?" Now that her startlement was past, Zelda could focus more on what was happening. Obviously there was some kind of magic taking place here, but what kind? And that voice sounded familiar...
'My, we don't mince words, do we?' Then the voice laughed, and Zelda's muscles relaxed. She knew that laugh. The presence also recognized Zelda's realization. 'Yes, it's me. A wonder, though...'
The small firefly-light fluttered over in front of the princess and expanded, filling the area with a bright light. From that orb emerged the familiar form of Mikomi. When the light subsided, Zelda looked around to see if the others noticed, but they all really were asleep.
"No one sees me but you, I believe. I'm really sorry about scaring you, my princess, but I needed to make you stop thinking like that. You and him are exactly the same, sometimes."
"Mikomi...why? How? I mean...I thought you told Link you couldn't come here anymore..." That flash of light confirmed otherwise, however...
"That's what I thought. I honestly don't even know where I've been. I've just been floating around in some...void...unaware of any passage of time or where I was. But then I heard your voice, Zelda Hime-sama, and it pained me to hear you speak so little of yourself. I had to stop you from thinking like that. You're very strong, my dear. Much stronger than you give yourself credit for. It's upsetting that you think so little of yourself, when others are willing to die to protect you."
Zelda looked down, trying not to meet the woman's eyes, but instead meeting Link's closed ones. Turning her face quickly, she whispered, "I never asked them to..."
Mikomi nodded, crouching before the girl and lifting her chin. "No, but they would do it instinctively. ...And some unconsciously..." She looked at her son with a smile on her face, and Zelda followed the gaze, her expression confused.
"Mikomi...? I don't understand..."
The dead mother laughed, then patted the princess on the head. "I didn't think you would. I don't think either of you do, really."
"So, Mikomi...can you explain this void to me?" Zelda tried to change the subject, hoping the older woman would follow along. She did.
"Not really... I wonder if it's like that void Link described from his dreams... No, it's different, I can tell. This place is everywhere and nowhere at once. As though I was stuck between the three worlds..."
"Is that so..." Zelda looked down, trying to think of something to make sense of what Mikomi said. Had any of the books in the library mentioned something like that?
Zelda stopped thinking abruptly, though, when she felt Mikomi's gaze on her. Blushing, the princess shifted nervously, and Mikomi laughed.
"Do not worry, child. Some things just can't be explained. Please don't hurt yourself over it." She stood then, surveying the other sleeping forms, taking in Impa and Navi. She smiled at the faerie, who was curled up in the Sheikah woman's hair. But then her gaze found Volvagia and Eon.
"A dragon...?" Her eyes hardened slightly as they landed on Eon. "And that boy...? What's been going on since I last appeared?"
Zelda shifted uncomfortably, trying not to let the older woman notice but failing miserably. "Zelda Hime-sama? What is it?"
"Please, just call me Zelda. It's easier that way." Mikomi nodded, and Zelda shifted again. "Um...I guess you remember Eon from when he fought Link right after Dark Link disappeared..." Another nod. Zelda didn't miss the glint in Mikomi's eyes, either. But she kept on going. "And the dragon is Volvagia. He's a...friend...of Link's. From long ago..."
"Long ago...? What does that mean?"
"Back when...Ganondorf...was still around. In the other past... Link met Volvagia, and they became friends. But in the future that Link helped stop, the future Dark Link is from..." Zelda swallowed, unsure if she should continue. Mikomi noticed her hesitation, her eyes softening for the girl.
"...You don't have to tell me."
Zelda shook her head. "No, it's ok. I really have no reason to be bothered by it, and Link and Volvagia have put it aside. But I think you should probably know. It's just hard to find the right words." She paused, thinking, then began again, her voice soft. "In that future, Link met Volvagia again, but Ganondorf had control of the dragon's heart. Link...ended up killing him. And Eon...Eon's master, that is, brought Volvagia's spirit back, trying to use him against Link. To make Link break down from guilt."
Mikomi's eyes narrowed again. "Is that why I sensed so much pain from him...?"
Zelda blinked. What was Mikomi talking of? When had she felt that? "I'm not sure. He just...a few days ago we got in another fight with Dark Link. You'd want to ask Eon what happened...he was the only one to see the fight. He wouldn't let any of us help, even Impa. Maybe Dark Link said something to him. But I don't think Volvagia is any cause of pain to Link anymore."
"And this Eon boy? ...He looks familiar. Slightly, but familiar nonetheless."
"Eon is... About Eon..." Zelda was at a loss for words. Mikomi had no idea what or who Eon was! The last time she saw him was when he was trying to kill her Link. How could Zelda explain everything that happened since then?"
"Should I ask him myself?"
"NO!" Zelda was just as taken aback by her scream as Mikomi was. "I mean, no. It would be better not to let anyone know you're here. Anyone else, that is."
Mikomi said nothing, just sat and watched the princess. The pressure in the air rose as Zelda tried to find ways of explaining things to the distant mother. But how could she explain this? She'd seen the look in the older woman's eyes when she spotted Eon. She still thought of him as a threat to her beloved child. To be forced to accept that this other boy was also a beloved child...? Zelda decided to approach the subject from a broader angle.
"Mikomi... I was wondering. Did you ever have any other children?" The woman's face made Zelda look away, embarrassed and at a loss for words. That rarely ever happened. "I mean, does Link have any siblings he doesn't know about? Somewhere he could go when he's done being a hero?"
"No, no one. It was only Aylen, Link, and me. No one else."
"...I see. Not a one?"
Mikomi's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and she opened her mouth to answer when Zelda looked back at her, a false smile plastered on her face. The princess knew when she made mistakes, and this question was one of them. This would be the only chance for any kind of smoothing over.
"Ahah, never mind me. I'm just being a bit silly, is all. I should really be getting to bed now. Impa was right, I'm not suited for watch duty." She stood to wake the Sheikah, but never made it another step.
"Zelda." The princess stopped instinctively. Even though she never really knew her mother, she could understand that certain tone all mothers used to make their children listen. This was one of those tones. "Why do you ask about my family?"
"I...I was just worried about Link, is all. He's always so lonely and all-"
"The real reason, Zelda."
Defeated, the girl nodded, sitting down again, her back to Mikomi. "We...found out some things. From Sahasrahla. He told us that Link wasn't your only child..." She ignored Mikomi's intake of breath and rushed through the rest. "He said you were with child when you died, and the baby died with you. That's why I ask."
There was a long pause before Mikomi answered. "...Yes, I was. But I never thought anything of it when you asked me about my family. That child died before... I never allowed it to have a chance, I was so worried about the child I had in my arms." She paused, her face to the ground. "But why do you bring it up when I asked you of this Eon boy-" Her sentence was cut mid-word as she burst to her feet, Zelda a quick pace behind her.
"No, Mikomi, please don't go near him! I shouldn't have mentioned anything, but I...I was worried about him. He wanted to meet you so much, and he was asking Link about you..." The words wouldn't stop!
Mikomi had a dangerous expression on her face. "You're telling me that...that boy there...is my son? That this...child...I saw try to kill my baby is my son?!"
Zelda felt tears trickle down her cheeks, but she didn't have the ability to wipe them away. Holding Mikomi was hard enough. "Yes, and I'm sorry I mentioned it! You still hate him for trying to kill Link from before; I saw it in your eyes! And you're only confirming it now! But he's not that same boy; he's not! He was being controlled too! Ever since he died he was being controlled by an evil spirit; told that you left him behind and that he had no one! Being angry at him won't help, especially since he wants so much to make you love him like you loved the child you hoped for!" Out of breath, the princess leaned against the older woman's arm, no longer able to resist should Mikomi decide to keep going towards the sleeping child.
But those words made Mikomi stop. Slowly collapsing to the ground, bringing the princess with her, Mikomi stared out into space as Zelda huddled at her side. A few minutes passed before Zelda could speak again.
"I'm sorry, Mikomi. I didn't want to make you feel bad. Really, I didn't. But I guess I did. But please listen. I can explain him." She sat in a pained silence, waiting for Mikomi to make a move.
It seemed hours later, but finally the woman nodded. "Please. Tell me what happened."
So Zelda explained it all; how they found out who Eon was, the fight with Elah, Link waking Eon up, Eon's personality and honesty. Despite her doubts and feelings, Mikomi smiled at that last one.
"I always had the feeling my child would be that type of boy; he'd say his mind and to hell with you if you didn't agree. I guess my sixth sense was still working. I hadn't wasted it all on Link." She sobered a bit though. "So, he's that child. I still find it hard to believe, but from what I've heard I also find it hard not to. But this...feeling...that he'll attack Link again...it won't go away." She sighed, her eyes downcast. "You know, he's not completely wrong about me. I may as well have abandoned him. I'd given up on that child, just as I had on myself. I knew I would die, but I never spared a thought to him. If I'd tried...could I have saved him...?"
Zelda shook her head. "Please don't blame yourself. If you died, of course he would too. I know it's cruel, but you had a living, breathing baby before you. I can understand how Link would be your top priority, and I know Eon does too." She paused, a small, dry laugh escaping her throat. "As much as he always looks out for all of us, I think we are looking out for him just as much."
Mikomi looked at Zelda from the corner of her eye, and the princess blushed. Did the woman always have to look like she knew what you were thinking? Turning her face away, Zelda crept over to where Link was, lifting his head into her lap again. It was time to take the discussion away from Eon. Mikomi needed time to sort through her feelings.
"I should give him some more water. He doesn't drink very much at any one time, and I'm afraid that if I don't keep him hydrated enough, something terrible will happen... We can't really feed him very well, so..."
"You need to watch your own health as well, my dear. If that cold, hard bread is any indication..." She nodded to the untouched food by Zelda, and the girl blushed.
"I will. But first, I need to help Link..."
Mikomi nodded, staying where she was. Zelda was thankful for that. Maybe that way the ghost woman wouldn't notice her blushing.
"Tell me, how do you think of my son? Link, that is."
This time, unlike with her surprise from Eon, Zelda did spill water all over Link's face. She cried out slightly, using her sleeve to dab up the water, hoping none had gone up his nose or too much down his throat. Mikomi's infuriating laugh rang through their campsite.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I was just wondering, is all. Don't mind me." Her eyes said something else though.
"You...you didn't embarrass me. I...I just dropped the water, is all." Her cheeks were absolutely flaming.
"Yes, I'm sure." Translated from diplomatic speech into real speech, Mikomi meant that Zelda was lying out of her teeth. And the princess hated the fact that Mikomi was right. "So..."
"He's just my guardian, is all!" Zelda blurted out, then clapped her hands over her mouth. Where was all her diplomatic talent here? Why was she blurting things out like this?! But the words kept coming, and her hands lowered away from her mouth. "He's my friend, too, of course. I mean, we've known each other for a while now and he's always believed me and he was very nice to me always and he, he..." She blushed a bright red remembering his face when he'd said those three words to her after finding out she was Sheik. 'I missed you' meant so much to her then... She found herself staring at his pale, expressionless face, wishing he would smile for her, even if it was that sad smile he used then.
"You love him?"
That snapped Zelda's head up, her heart beating in her throat. "No! I mean...no, I don't...he's just my friend! And guardian. Just my friend and guardian, that's all."
The awful woman was laughing at her! "Ah, but isn't friendship a form of love too?"
Mikomi's question made Zelda stop, her mouth open to reply. That was true, wasn't it? To be honest, Zelda did care for Link. But she cared for everyone else around her too, in the same way. It...was the same way, wasn't it? Besides, Link never thought that way about anyone; he thought of everyone as good and worthy to be loved. So...people just returned those feelings naturally. That had to be the answer.
"I...guess it is. But you meant something else!" Mikomi's smile confirmed that much, and Zelda puffed out her cheeks in anger and embarrassment. "Link just...he cares about everyone around him, and we naturally return that feeling. It's not what you think. And besides...I'm just paying him back for helping me when I was in this condition..."
"I'll take your word, princess. But I don't think you quite understand yourself what I meant. There are many forms of love, and yet the forms we do know sometimes take strange shape around us." She stood then, and to Zelda's horror, made her way to Eon's side, where the ghost woman knelt. Before Zelda could say anything, Mikomi reached out a hand and lightly touched the boy's forehead, her head back, face to the sky and eyes closed. They stayed that way for what seemed forever, and then finally Mikomi took her fingers away, but not before patting the boy's bangs into place and caressing his cheek.
When she reached the princess, Mikomi looked down at the girl, her expression saddened yet also hopeful. "When I appeared here, I didn't know why. Now I do. I was brought back here so I could talk to you, and so I could meet Eon." She paused, her eyes closed. "It's a nice name, Eon. I hadn't even begun thinking of any names for him, which is funny. The moment I learned that I was with child for Link, I began frantically thinking of names. But with this boy, I didn't feel the need. I guess I may really have a sixth sense..."
"What did you do?"
"I looked at him. I looked at his heart and found out the truth of what you were saying. I found an answer to my questions, my doubts. There's a lot in there, really. Most of it hidden, some even from himself." She noticed Zelda's look and smiled. "I didn't doubt your word, my princess, but I needed to see for myself. I needed to quell my own misgivings about him. And now I have. But, I wonder...I don't know what's going to happen to me now. I thought for sure my time here on this earth was over. As I said, I've been nowhere since the last time you saw me. I wasn't in Heaven with Aylen, yet I wasn't in the Underworld either. And I feel I won't go to either place again this time. But I don't want to go back to that nothingness. Is it a punishment for breaking taboo? Or is it that there must be something left that I have to do, and I'm being kept in reserve until the time comes for me to do it...?"
The thought of Mikomi being punished because of love pained the young girl. "I'm sure you'll find happiness with your husband soon. Maybe this was the last thing you needed to do...?"
Mikomi shook her head, marring the princess' hopes. "No, I feel it. There is more I have to do. How much, I'm not sure, but definitely one more, important thing." She bowed to the girl then, and leaned down to trace her son's cheekbones. "I'm sorry to disturb you. I'll be leaving now. After I go, you may sleep. Don't worry, nothing shall come to harm you in the night." She backed away then, and began to fade into that firefly again. Zelda wanted to ask her to stay, but found her eyes were heavy and no sound came from her throat.
Mikomi's voice was as soft as the breeze that now passed quietly through the field, whispering of dreams, not guilt. "Please take care of him...no, of them both. But especially him. I know you'll do fine, my child, and you won't ever let any harm befall him. You're a good, strong girl."
Zelda wanted to argue with her, say she wasn't very good at protecting anyone and of all of them, she would probably let Link down, but her eyes closed before she could, and she fell asleep curled up beside her friend, her head on his shoulder.
LINK NO MIKO'S LITTLE CORNER OF TALKINGNESS
Such...a...long...boring...chapter... Nothing really happens! Exceeept Link/Zelda goodness. Yes, peoples, I have caved in. This will NOT be a Link/Zelda centric fic, but it will more than likely be there. Think of it like Wild Arms-there's a love plot...sorta...but it has no direct influence on the story itself. And that game kicks almighty assness. And does anyone else think that there's a slight Rurouni Kenshin feel to this...? I got that feeling rereading the beginning of this chapter.
Anywho, for those wondering what the HELL Zelda was talking about... In the manga (it always goes back to that, doesn't it? -_-x) after they beat Twinrova or whatever you wanna call those witches, Zelda explains how she became Shiek. Woo. It's actually pretty damn cool. And I have officially sworn more in this chapter/rant than in all the others combined (more than likely). Anywho, back to explanations! SPOILER WARNING FOR MANGA GOODNESS. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. (Sorry about all these spoiler things... I really shouldn't incorporate something like this in, since it bothers me sometimes when peoples use later episodes of anime or something without first warning that spoilers are ahead...) After Zelda tells all, there's this lovely page where they just look at each other. Top right panel, Link-kun's face, top left panel, Zelda's. In his panel, Link says very simply with a face I DIE FOR "I missed you" and Zelda's about to cry. Beneath that panel is a large one of Navi fluttering around both of them, and Link reaching out to hug (I think) Zelda. Link/Zelda fans rejoice! Buuuut, then, right before his hand touches hers, Ganondorf appears and encases her in crystal. Bastard. And that's where that scene where Zelda mentions those "three little words" was birthed from. SPOILER DONE.
Sooo...anyone still here? Hauu...I can't ever shut up. I had fun writing this chapter, but it took forever and a day. Sooooo many revisions. I hope it's to everyone's liking. Please tell me what you think. I know it's been a long haul, and it seems I'm never gonna get where I'm going, but this characterization stuff is needed, since this fiction is heavily character driven. At least I hope it is.
I would also like to thank Framling for 1) reading through this whole damn fic and NOT killing me and 2) for informing me that a colt is a baby horse while a filly is a female one. I never knew that. Thank you very much!
Well, that's all. Sorry for the long rant. Thank you all for putting up with me as much as you have. I bow to you all. *bow*
