Chapter Two: Lake Hylia

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Disclaimer: Legends of Zelda is not mine. Nope.

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A ray of light gently deposited Link atop the island that was the Water Temple. As soon as he broke free from its hold, Link collapsed to the ground. A few feet in front of him, Sheik stood facing away from him. The Sheikah didn't notice.

"Link…you've really done it! Even as the water rises, the evil is gone from the lake! It's wonderful! Now the Zora's domain will eventually return to normal!" Sheik turned, smile visible in his eyes. "Link, you—" He spotted the Hylian, kneeling on the ground, hands over face. "Link…what's wrong?"

Link groaned, the sound muffled by his palms. Sheik was at Link's side immediately, forcing a look at his face. A normally clear complexion was tinged with gray and blue bloodshot eyes were bleary and sore. Link had an overall appearance of gauntness, though it was overlain with an obvious layer of bone-deep exhaustion.

"By the eye!! You're even worse than when I last saw you!" If there was a reply, it was forgotten when Link pitched over into Sheik's arms. For a second time, the Hero of Time wholly welcomed blissful oblivion.

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Link was floating in shadow again. It seemed like he was doing that an awful lot lately. He didn't bother with snippets of thought; he was too tired. All he wanted to do was float forever…safe and content. Link faintly knew that he ought to be doing something more meaningful and important, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what it was.

Oh well. It couldn't have been that important, then. If it were, then he would have remembered; maybe even gotten around to doing it. Right? Nothing to do but float and choke.

Choke? He was choking on water. No…some sort of herbal tea. Where the hell did he get herbal tea? He was rising again, leaving the shadowy place behind. "No." He scrambled to hold onto his dark nirvana, but he was being pulled away by something.

"Link?"

Ah. Not something…someone.

"Can you drink this? It'll help you feel better."

Someone was really insistent. And annoying. He didn't want any stupid tea. He wanted to go and wade about in his shadowy space some more.

"Stop frowning at me and drink it."

Go away! I'm not thirsty and I'm fine and-

Link opened one eye. "You."

"Yes, me." Sheik said, thrusting a cup under his nose. "Now, drink."

"No,"

Sheik sighed. "You've said only two words to me and neither are helpful. Either drink the tea, or you'll have to recover the old fashioned way; sleeping it off."

Link closed his eyes, grunting at the Sheikah. "Sleep." What was wrong with sleeping? Sheik had woken him up to tell him he could sleep? Stupid Shei-

Sheik. Sheik, the messenger of the Sages. The Sages. Triforce. Hyrule. … Ganon.

Link's eyes snapped open again, hands instantly taking the large steaming mug that Sheik was pulling away. "Give me that." His words came out all slurred. The Sheikah smiled his approval.

"Decided to change your mind?"

Link gulped the drink down, pushing his mind into working order.  "How long?" He asked brokenly. The inside of his mouth felt like velvet. "Unconscious?"

Sheik took the empty cup back, setting it on the table nearby. "Three days. The scientist of the lake graciously allowed me to treat you here." He gave Link a reproving look. "Your body's a mess, Link. Your faerie was about to give her life to save yours."

Link saw a glowing blue dot shimmering in the folds of his hat, on the table. Link's expression softened. "I'm sorry Navi." There was a smattering of ringing, but the glow stopped shivering.

"When can I get going?" Link asked.

"Going?" Sheik repeated, stunned. "What makes you think you're fit to be going anywhere? You're in no condition to-"

"I'm fine!" Link interrupted. "I am the Hero of Time, I'm-"

"Not invincible!" Sheik exclaimed, interrupting back.

"I don't think I'm invincible!"

"You sure act like it! Who do you think you are? Ganon?"

"Don't you even dare imply such a thing!" Link's eyes flared hotly. "I'm nothing like Ganon! Take that back!"

Sheik blinked at him. "I…apologize." He said slowly. "That wasn't what I meant. I was only referring to the fact that Ganon thinks he's invincible because he has the Triforce piece of Power. That is all, nothing more."

"I'm not!" Link repeated stubbornly. "Not like Ganon…never…"

"I know, but that's not…" Sheik sighed, passing a hand over his eyes. "Sorry… I shouldn't have said that. I'm just worried for you health, and you don't seem to care."

Link examined his hands quietly, tracing the lines on his palms with one finger. "…I didn't know that you were worried."

Sheik's brow furrowed. "Pardon? Ah-no, that's not… I meant that you don't seem to care about your health."

"Oh. I see."

There was nothing said for a long moment. Both pretended to be studying the room, avoiding the other's gaze.

Link shifted slightly. "When can I leave?"

"Link…" Sheik said in a tone of warning.

Link raised his hands in defense. "I'm only asking, honest!"

"You better be," Sheik sighed. "Three, maybe four days. It depends on how you're doing."

"Okay." Link touched Sheik's leg for a split second, and then folded his hands in his lap. "Can I have some more of that tea, then?"

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