When You Need Me
By OracleVortex
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Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with the Legends of Zelda. I say that enough times that I should, tho…
Who likes Sheikness? I like Sheikness! Who likes Link? … Well, not me, but he's kind of necessary for the story and series… This is another one of my SheikxLink stories; so if you don't like guyguy stuff or yaoi, then don't read this. As usual, you have been warned.
This takes place, for once, based on the storyline when Sheik and Link meet, in OoT. I skipped the first three times, because I didn't want to write about those times. Oh well. No prologue folks, just chapters. Enjoy!
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Chapter One: The Ice Cave
Link huddled in the small alcove, knees brought up tightly against his chest. Numb fingers pulled the bow's string tautly, keeping a bat within a quivering sight line. Link let the arrow fly, teeth chattering as he dashed away. He had been in the ice cave for nearly four hours, but he had no protection against the freezing temperatures that he had found there. Zora's Domain was frozen solid, all signs of life now in a frigid death. Link supposed that he should have expected the temperatures, but he found that he really didn't care. He had things to do. He would get in, get the Iron Boots, and get out. That was that. If he lost a few fingers or toes because of it, then that was the price he had to pay. There were too many people waiting for him to go and defeat Ganon. He could waste no time.
Link came into the final room, and he briefly glanced at the sparkling star designs on the walls. There was nothing more there, except for a hole in the ground. It appeared to be filled with ice water. The Hylian stepped forward, and was greeted by the high howl of a wolfos. It rose from the ground, practically invisible in the snow. Link sliced at the beast, bringing up his shield as it retaliated with a swipe of one paw. They circled each other for a moment, until the wolfos decided to come in with a large swing. It spun around, and Link sliced down its back, causing him to die. Suddenly envious of the animal's fur, Link could feel the heat wafting off of the body, burning him whenever he was touched by the wolfos' blood. Both hot and cold, Link leaned heavily on the Master Sword, dizzy.
Sliding to the ground, he gave into the welcoming darkness of unconsciousness. There, at least, he wouldn't feel cold anymore.
A chest materialized, activated by the death of its guardian. A person also appeared in the chamber, although he was more concerned with the body of the fainted Hylian.
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Link drifted comfortably in a shadowy place; think half-formed thoughts and humming a song that he had learned so long ago. Saria had taught it to him. Saria…how far away she seemed…how small and distant…
"Link?"
The Hero of Time felt himself rising from the shadowy place, thoughts becoming clearer. Slowly he felt his limbs and his body respond to him. Ah. I'm waking up. Was I sleeping?
"Link, can you hear me?"
Link opened his eyes, and then reopened them to get rid of the blurriness. He was still in that blasted ice cave, though the nook he was resting in was warm. A crackling fire was lit before him, a figure on the opposite side of him.
"Sheik." Link said, recognizing the young man. They had met three times before; all on the agenda of learning warp songs. "What…what are you doing here?" His mind was sluggish, memory fuzzy. "I was…fighting?"
"You fainted; partly from being exposed to such subzero temperatures, partly from over-exhaustion." The red-eyed man examined him with a critical gaze. "When was the last time you had a good night of rest?"
"Don't remember…" Link said fuzzily, rubbing his eyes. "Too much to do."
"You need sleep."
"I need to help Hyrule." Link snapped back. "Fight Ganon, awaken the sages. Save Zelda."
"Zelda's fine. You know that."
Link blinked at him. "Right." He said. "Right – I don't know why I said that."
"You're fatigued; overreaching yourself."
"People depend on me!" Link exclaimed wearily. "I can't just stop!"
"You don't have to!" Sheik said sharply, throwing a package to Link's feet with aloud clang. "But if you continue on with as little rest and nutrition as you, you will run yourself ragged! You cannot save Hyrule in one week, nor should you try! What good can the Hero of Time do if he's dead?!"
"I will not die!" Link hissed. "Not by Ganon's hand or otherwise!"
"Well." Sheik said neutrally. "You're doing a good enough job yourself." He turned to leave the cavern. "I managed to save the princess, Ruto from under the ice. She awaits you at he temple in Lake Hylia. We will meet again, Link. Hopefully." He vanished from sight.
"Get out!" Link snarled, lying back against the wall. "I'm fine!" There was no reply and he didn't expect one. He nudged open the package with one foot. Inside were the Iron Boots, and a slip of paper. The paper read as such;
"Time passes, people move… Like a river's flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition… Young love will become deep affection… The clear water's surface reflects growth." There were six notes written on a musical bar. "The Serenade of Water; it will take you to the water temple."
Link ran a thumb over the gentle looping handwriting, and then brought out his Ocarina to memorize the tune.
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This story will have short chapters. There's not much that you can do with the little snippets of time that Sheik and Link have together in OoT.
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