A note from the Hime no Argh herself–
This will be the last update until after my break, during which I go home and find myself with no access to a computer. ^_^ It'll be a little over a week before you can expect to see an update again. I'm glad for the break, even with no-computer-access. I've been driving myself crazy this week with midterms and all sorts of crap, I'll be so glad when it's all over and I can relax a bit. College midterms are hard.
Anyway, this is an unusually long chapter, so hopefully it'll tide you over for a while. Thanks for reading, enjoy!
***
Chapter 16
Love Out of Time
"My mother and father...were Zelda and Link?" Zelda echoed dimly. "How can that be?"
"Link and Zelda are born every generation there is need for them," Saria said quietly. "They are born when evil threatens the peace of Hyrule. It is their duty, their fate, to destroy evil. Namely, Ganondorf.
"There is a balance in Hyrule," the sage continued, and Link and Zelda leaned forward to catch every word, aware that they were hearing more of the many mysteries that surrounded them. "It is created by the three goddesses and epitomed by three mortals–Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf. These mortals carry within them the essence of the goddesses and the balance that they create in the heavens, reflecting it in the mortal realm. Light and darkness, good and evil, are balanced between these entities.
"When peace reigns in the land, it is inevitable that Ganondorf will appear to destroy it. In times of evil and despair, it is the fate of Link and Zelda to bathe Hyrule in light and restore it to purity. This is the cycle that has existed since the dawn of time. You are not the first Link and Zelda, and you will not be the last."
"So what you're saying," Zelda demanded, "is that even if Link and I do end up destroying Ganondorf, he'll just be reborn and conquer Hyrule again? That even after our deaths, this cycle will go on and on?"
"Yes," Saria said calmly, though Zelda detected a hint of sorrow in the girl's voice. "It has always been so. It will always be so. So it was with your mother, for whom Link defeated Ganondorf, sealing him away in the void of the Sacred Realm. She who ruled in peace and prosperity for many, many years, until Ganondorf escaped the void and set the cycle in motion once again. She who died at the hand of the Black King. These are her memories that I share with you, so that you might better understand."
* * *
"Thus far Ganondorf's forces have conquered the Lake Hylia region, Gerudo Valley, and the Kokiri Village," reported General Valan, marking a careful X through each region on the large map tacked on the wall. The best and brightest of Zelda's kingdom, including the Queen herself, were seated around the table in the conference room–Zelda preferred that name to war room–discussing the crisis of Ganondorf's takeovers.
"South of Lon Lon Ranch, Hyrule Field is virtually no man's land," Valan continued, his taut voice and white-knuckled fists betraying his anger. As the commander of the armies of Hyrule, he was responsible for when, where, and how the troops went into battle. In recent battles their side had encountered enemy numbers greater than anything they'd anticipated, resulting in vast slaughters of their men. Valan felt these losses more than anyone, possibly excepting Zelda.
"As we all know, the recent massacres have left our forces greatly weakened." Valan's voice was hard, hiding the sorrow he felt for so many lost lives. "Ganondorf, on the other hand, has armies of monsters at his command. The Zora have recognized the crisis at last and agreed to join forces with us, while the Gorons are holding their own under Darunia's command, but we have a long, hard war ahead of us." Valan paused grimly. "And I am not sure we can win it."
"What course of action do you propose we take?" Zelda asked quietly.
Valan drew in a long breath. "Utilize the power of the sages. Command the elements against Ganondorf."
Zelda glanced around at the other conference attendees. Impa, Saria, Nabooru, and Rauru met her gazes calmly. Ruto and Darunia were with their people in the Zora Fountain and Goron City, but through the collective mental connection of the sages they could hear all that was said.
What do you think? Zelda inquired through their mental link.
We could use our powers against Ganondorf, Impa said slowly. Of course, we'd then risk destroying all of Hyrule, not to mention ourselves.
If we joined forces we would support each other and lower the risk to our own lives, Rauru pointed out. However, it's uncertain whether the land would be able to handle our combined powers.
On the other hand, Nabooru added, if we work alone we put our own lives on the line.
Yes, Zelda agreed grimly. As the Sage of Time, she knew better than anyone the abilities and limitations of the sages.
I could flood Lake Hylia, Ruto announced. Ganondorf's troops are setting up a camp on the shore.
Yes, and destroy a year's worth of crops in the process, Rauru said dryly.
If you have a better idea–
Enough, Zelda said firmly. We have enough to worry about without starting fights amongst ourselves.
There was a silence.
At last Saria said quietly, My powers are already at use guarding the Lost Woods from invasion. What Kokiri are left have fled to the sanctuary of the forest. I cannot compromise their safety.
From the Kokiri Village, Ganondorf will likely move his armies to Death Mountain, Darunia added. My powers are all but useless–I can't even protect my own domain without risking a volcanic eruption!
Valan and the other conference attendees were quiet throughout the mental exchange, waiting for the sages' decision. Zelda looked at Valan.
"Utilizing the sages is not a matter to be taken lightly," she said quietly. "Should the elements ever escape our control, the results could be catastrophic."
"Your Majesty, if the sages don't take action the results will be catastrophic!" Valan cried. "We are facing the destruction of our world as we know it! You must understand the seriousness of the situation!"
Zelda rose to her feet. "Calm yourself, General Valan," she ordered sharply, holding the man's gaze with her own until he looked away.
"No one understands the situation better than I," the Queen continued levelly. "However, there are some risks we simply cannot afford to take. The sages will discuss this matter further and decide on our course of action." She looked around at the others. "The meeting is adjourned. We will meet again tomorrow."
Valan rolled up his map and left, talking urgently with his second in command. The sages left together, excepting Zelda, who trailed behind as she thought.
I suppose I knew when Ganondorf escaped the void that this day would come. It is destiny, after all. The cycle must fulfill itself.
"Your Majesty?"
Zelda glanced to her right. A maid waited for her outside the conference room, sinking into a respectful curtsy at the Queen's attention.
"Master Link has returned," she said simply.
Zelda gasped. "He's come back? Is he well?"
"He looked well," the maid offered. "I spoke to him only briefly. He asked merely that I tell you of his return."
"Where is he?"
"In Your Majesty's chambers." The maid frowned. "I was not certain Your Majesty would approve, but he insisted."
"It is fine." The goddesses knew that the only place in this entire palace where she was granted any real privacy was her own chambers. How very like Link to realize that. "I will go to see him now. Thank you for your trouble."
"No trouble at all, Your Majesty," the maid assured her earnestly, curtsying once more.
Striding quickly through the halls of the palace, Zelda was distressed to realize that she felt quite apprehensive. She supposed it must be somewhat normal, considering that she hadn't seen Link in nearly six months. She'd had to say her farewells then, for Link was determined to find Ganondorf and put an end to the war, and not a day had gone by that she hadn't worried herself sick for him. She wondered if he had indeed found and destroyed Ganondorf, though it seemed unlikely considering the recent activity of the enemy forces.
It didn't matter. All that mattered was that Link was safe.
Outside the double doors leading to her chambers Zelda hesitated, her hand poised over a doorhandle. She touched the handle, then carefully turned it, opening one of the unlocked doors.
She slipped inside. It was late at night and no light shone save for the watery moonlight that trickled through the windows, casting a silver sheen upon the floor. The shadows in her rooms were impenetrable.
"Link?" she called softly.
The door closed behind her with an audible click, and Zelda was abruptly caught up in Link's arms.
She wondered if her sudden lightheadedness had anything to do with his almost painful embrace, or if his mere presence, his nearness, was what caused her head to swim and her knees to tremble weakly. Then his lips found hers and every thought was erased from her mind; she felt nothing but his arms around her and his desperate, passionate kiss.
The kiss seemed to go on forever, yet it was over in no time at all. Link kept an arm wrapped firmly around her waist, for which Zelda was grateful–without it her knees would undoubtedly give way. His blue eyes were soft as he examined her, his free hand sifting gently through her hair. Dizzily Zelda wondered if he realized he had kissed her for the first time in all the years they'd known each other, with no warning or preemptive.
"You're–you're rather affectionate today," she said breathlessly.
Link cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, gently. "Six months in the field will do that to a man," he said quietly when they parted.
"Did you find Ganondorf, then?" Zelda asked as calmly as she could manage.
"No," Link admitted ruefully, glancing away from her. "I found plenty of his monsters, but not him. The bastard's hiding himself. He'll wait until he has enough power, then make his move."
Zelda agreed. She examined Link warily, not liking the weariness in his eyes or his pallid face.
"You took care of yourself?" she asked worriedly. "No injuries?"
"Just a scratch on my shoulder," Link murmured.
Zelda wasn't appeased. In all the time she'd known him, she'd learned that Link tended to dramatically understate injuries. "Let me see the wound," she demanded, attempting to pull away, but Link held her tightly.
"It's nothing," he assured her, pressing his lips to her temple. "Just let me hold you for a while, okay?"
Zelda bit her lip. She wanted to, badly, only she knew what that might lead to. Why was he doing this? Why now, after so many years?
She pulled away, gently but firmly. "Sit on the bed," she ordered, "and remove your tunic. I just want to take a look."
"Can't wait to get my shirt off, eh?" he teased, obeying.
"Don't joke like that." Her heart was brimming with emotion–whether it was sorrow or gladness, she wasn't sure. She felt that if he kissed her again, she would shatter and die.
He looked at her and seemed to understand. "I'm sorry."
Zelda nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and sat down on the bed next to him. She unwrapped the makeshift bandage around his shoulder with fingers that shook, revealing a long, angry gash below his collarbone.
"This is a 'scratch' to you?" Zelda demanded.
He smiled sheepishly. "Well, it doesn't hurt much."
"That doesn't mean you can just forget about it," she chided. "I knew you wouldn't have taken care of this properly." She promptly turned on her heel and marched into her dressing room. "You just wait, I'll have it stitched in a moment."
"Stitched?" Link repeated, alarmed, as Zelda reappeared in the bedroom with a small chest in hand. "Are you sure that's necessary?"
"Oh, don't be such a child." Zelda set the chest down on the bed next to him and opened it to reveal rolls of linen bandages, healing solutions in corked vials, and surgical thread and needles. "You can take wounds like this without a blink, but start quaking at a few pricks of a needle?"
"You don't feel this kind of wound," Link protested as she deftly threaded a very slim needle. "You're distracted in the middle of battle–"
"You'd feel it if it remained open and became infected," Zelda said calmly, sitting on a stool before him. "Now hold still and be quiet."
Link obediently kept still and made no complaints while she stitched the gash on his shoulder with quick, deft strokes, his face pale and set. When she finished Zelda applied a solution to aid healing and prevent infection, then wrapped the wound anew in a fresh bandage. Done, she gathered her materials in her chest and closed it, then rose to put it away, but Link wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his face against her chest.
Zelda drew in a sharp breath. "Link..."
He kissed her breast, over her heart. "I can feel your heart beating," he murmured. "It's pounding like a drum."
She couldn't help but laugh a bit. "I'm not surprised."
He stroked the curve of her hip softly. "And you're shaking..."
Zelda was unable to make a reply to that. Link rose to his feet, gathering her in his arms, and kissed her forehead. "You're not afraid, are you?" he murmured against her skin.
Zelda swallowed. "A little. Only because I've never–I've never done this before."
Link abruptly pulled back to stare at her in astonishment. "That's not funny."
Zelda colored hotly. "Of course it isn't funny, it's the truth!"
"How is that possible?" he demanded. "Do you have any idea how many men in this kingdom are in love with you?"
Zelda shook her head. "They love the queen, not the woman," she said softly. "But you–you're the only one who has ever seen the true me, beyond a queen or a sage or anything else. Knowing this, how could I possibly give myself to anyone but you?"
Link brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingered at her cheek. "If you wanted me," he asked tentatively, "why didn't you just say something?"
Zelda's blush deepened. "I was never sure whether you felt the same way," she admitted. "Even if you did see me as a woman, maybe I was always just your friend, rather than your–"
"Love?" Link suggested boldly, pulling her closer. "I would have thought that was obvious." His voice pitched lower. "In my entire life I've only ever loved one woman."
"Link," Zelda said helplessly before his lips found hers.
"Can I...?" he whispered when they parted, kissing her temple.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes. "Yes."
* * *
Months passed in a blur. Ganondorf's forces continued to invade and conquer every region in Hyrule, moving farther and farther north. It was quite obvious what the Black King intended–he was leaving Hyrule Castle, Zelda, and Link for last. Only after he had all of Hyrule in his grasp would he dare attack his greatest opponents.
Three months before his child was to be born, Link returned to the war, leaving Zelda to await the birth. She knew she would probably never see him again. They were going to die soon, she and Link both, leaving the future of Hyrule to a new generation. In this way the cycle would fulfill itself and the wheel of destiny would spin anew. She accepted this quietly, determined to safely give birth to her child before her death.
A month before the anticipated date, Ganondorf's forces attacked Hyrule Castle and brought it to ruin. What remained of Zelda's kingdom, including the Queen herself, fled to Kakariko Village. She listened to her generals, approved battle plans, helped create new strategies. Each day brought news of loss and devastation. Her troops were being slaughtered by Ganondorf's merciless armies. They continued to fight, but Zelda knew it was in vain. Hyrule was falling, once again, into darkness.
One day, when Zelda rested in a tent against the heat and humidity, awaiting the birth that would surely come about any day now, Impa found her. The sage was stark white and visibly shaking. Looking at her, Zelda knew; still, it was a shock to hear it spoken aloud.
"Link is dead."
Zelda did not answer for several long moments. At last she croaked, her throat dry as dust, "When?"
Impa gave her a flask of water, from which she drank gratefully. "This morning. He encountered Ganondorf. The Black King slew him."
"The Triforce?" Zelda asked.
"In the hands of the goddesses."
Zelda smoothed her skirt with hands that shook. "How are you certain?"
"I felt it," Impa replied simply. "I am the Sage of Shadow, after all."
"Is he at rest?"
"Yes. I went to find his spirit as soon as I felt him fall. He was in Farore's arms. I took him to the land of the dead. He is at peace."
"Good." Zelda's eyes burned, but she could not weep. She stood shakily–Impa immediately grasped her arm to steady her. "I should like to pray for him. Take me to the shrine, if you–" She abruptly stopped.
"Zelda?" Impa demanded sharply, her eyes filled with concern.
"Pains," the Queen said faintly. "I feel sharp pains in my back."
Impa immediately released her and threw open the flap of the tent. "You," she called sharply to someone outside. "Run and get the midwife. Now." She turned on her heel and guided Zelda back to her chair, briskly and calmly. "I expected this. The shock has put you into labor. At least it isn't premature." The sage pressed a cool, dry hand to Zelda's forehead. "I know it is difficult, but you must try to put Link from your mind. You will have a much easier time with the labor. Grieve later, after you have given birth."
Zelda merely nodded. Impa's cautions were unnecessary. She knew well that nothing was more important than giving birth to a healthy child. Not even Link.
* * *
As expected, Zelda gave birth quickly and easily, after just ten hours of labor. They wrapped the infant in clean cloth and placed her into her mother's arms. She was a girl, with just the barest shadow of blond hair atop her head and large, inquisitive blue eyes.
Impa sat beside Zelda later as the infant sucked at her mother's breast. "What will you name her?" the sage inquired softly, stroking the girl's head with a gentleness that belied her fearsome visage.
Zelda was quiet for several long moments, gazing into the eyes of her daughter. "I leave that to you," she replied at last, glancing up.
Impa met Zelda's eyes, startled. "You mean...?"
"Yes." Zelda gently drew away from her daughter's hungry suckling, wrapping her tightly in her cloths. The infant began to cry as Zelda placed her in Impa's arms. "As soon as I am well enough, I am going after him."
Impa began, "I'll go–"
"By myself," Zelda added firmly.
"You'll die," Impa informed her flatly.
"Almost certainly," Zelda agreed, smiling at her daughter. "But I'll be with him. As for this one–" She stroked her daughter's cheek, and the infant grasped her finger in a surprisingly strong grip. "You must raise her to survive under Ganondorf's rule. She is to save Hyrule."
"Of course," Impa murmured. "I'll do all in my power to keep her safe."
"Until she meets her destiny," Zelda added softly. "From then on, the future is in her hands." The woman rose with some difficulty and tottered toward the tent flap.
"Her name will be Zelda," Impa said firmly, "after the greatest woman I have ever known."
The Queen nodded without speaking, and let the flap close behind her.
* * *
Zelda waited a month and a half until she had returned to full health. During that time she barely saw her daughter, knowing well that if she did, she would never be able to leave. Rumors spread through the village like wildfire; the villagers whispered that the resistance would soon surrender to Ganondorf. Zelda said nothing. She knew that once she was found gone, Valan and the others would likely give in, as the rumors suggested.
And Ganondorf will be king of Hyrule, she thought wearily. But there is no way to stop it. At least this way, I can have some measure of revenge.
So, when she had returned at last to the peak of health, Zelda dressed in breeches and shirt, mounted a horse, and rode from the village in the middle of the night. The goddesses were with her; dark clouds hid the moon and no one saw her make her quiet escape. Unhindered, she rode for the south.
The journey took well over two days. Zelda set a calm, unhurried pace, stopping to rest and water the horse often. It would not do to kill her only mount. When she encountered enemies she hid rather than engage them, or worked her magic to briefly freeze time, allowing her to pass with her foes none the wiser. She rode on.
At last she reached the desert, where Ganondorf resided amongst the Gerudo. His fortress was swarming with the Gerudo themselves and an untold number of monsters, but Zelda was unconcerned. The power needed to pass them safely was immeasurable, but she had been preparing for this moment her entire life.
She halted a safe distance from the fortress, dismounted, and, with a whisper of thanks, slapped the horse's rump to get him moving toward the north. She would need him no longer.
She walked to the fortress. She walked calmly, unafraid, to her death.
Sentries took notice of her and sounded the alarm; warriors raced to attack. Zelda halted in the midst of them and reached deep inside herself, calling forth the entity known only as the Sage of Time. The entity rose from the depths of her soul, gripping her in its power, its consciousness sliding over hers to take control. She opened her mouth, and the Sage of Time spoke in her voice.
"Heed me." Its power flowed through the fabric of space and time, gripping the threads of time in its iron grasp. "Henceforth time shall not pass for all here but Zelda and the Black King. In the name of the goddesses, I command it."
When the Sage of Time retreated into the depths of her body, Zelda found all around her halted. Weapons raised in the air but did not come down; faces froze in masks of rage. Even the flowing of the river far below in Gerudo Valley had stopped.
Nothing could stop her now. Carrying only a dagger on her belt, Zelda entered Ganondorf's fortress.
The Black King himself awaited her in the foyer. "I knew you would come after I killed him," he told her. "You want your revenge. And you prefer not to wait for death; you would rather come for it." A smile spread over his lips. "Do you ever think it strange how well we know each other?"
"If the threads of fate had spun differently, you, Link, and I may have been the best of friends," Zelda replied truthfully.
"Yes." Ganondorf reached behind him, gripping the hilt of a sword sheathed on his back. He drew the enormous, black blade with slow deliberation. "But now is not the time for 'what if's. I will give you what you have come for."
"You will never win," Zelda told him quietly. "My descendants will destroy you."
"As mine will destroy yours." He stepped toward her, baring his teeth in a grin. "The threads of fate will never break. You know as well as I that the cycle will go on. It must go on."
"That is why I hate the balance," Zelda confessed, focusing her energy for the attack. "It sows peace, but reaps bitterness. But I do not hate you."
"Nor I you," Ganondorf agreed, almost cheerfully. He stopped walking and smiled. "Go on. Attack me first for your satisfaction. Think of it as a parting gift–between friends."
"I thank you." Zelda closed her eyes, the power of the goddesses flooding through her veins. It filled her, welling inside of her until she thought she might burst. The Triforce mark burned on the back of her hands. She bit her lip against the pain, taking the power into her control, bending it to her will–preparing to thrust it from her very soul–
Then pain bit into her middle with a shock that made her stagger. Zelda fell to her knees as the pain seared through her body, white-hot and excruciating.
She opened her eyes to find the Black King's blade impaled through her middle.
"I thought you were to give me the first attack," she whispered, her voice already failing.
"I lied," Ganondorf hissed, his grinning face close to hers. "You hate the balance, Zelda? I adore it. It allows for evil in this world. The balance of the goddesses you love so much–it keeps evil alive." He yanked his sword from her body and Zelda slumped forward, a hand pressed to the gaping wound as if that alone could bind it. Blood spilled through her fingers to the floor.
Ganondorf gazed upon her, eyes alight with triumph. "So you die, Queen of Hyrule." He made a contemptuous noise and turned from her. "Go. Join your lover in the shadows. I wish you both well."
No. It was not over. It couldn't be–not like this. Goddesses, lend me strength, Zelda thought, struggling to raise herself to her knees. The pain overwhelmed her and she nearly fell forward again. Please, she thought desperately, tears coursing down her cheeks. Please, Link. Help me.
Her vision swam as consciousness threatened to leave her, and in a reverie, she saw Link. He knelt before her, smiling, and took her into his arms. Warmth and light filled her.
Zelda opened her eyes. She stood, filled with a strength that was not, could not be, her own. Ganondorf, sensing it, turned back. His eyes widened with shock and fear.
Is this what it feels like to be a goddess? Zelda wondered as she faced her greatest enemy for the last time. Or is this merely myself, the true self, hiding beneath this shell for so long?
"Who are you?" Ganondorf demanded, staring at her wide-eyed, his face twisted into a mask of hatred. "How dare you defy me? Go into death, you disgusting spirit!"
Zelda smiled, gathering this new, golden power. "I will not. I refuse to die until it is finished–entirely. Even if I must defy the goddesses themselves, I will not rest. Not until evil is banished from this world."
"You cursed fool," Ganondorf whispered. "You will destroy the balance."
"Yes," she said savagely, "I will destroy it! I will break the threads of fate!"
She unleashed the power in the form of blinding lances of light. Ganondorf screamed as the light pierced him, burning into his blackened heart. The light, warmth, and energy fled Zelda's body, leaving her nothing but an empty husk, and her soul, released at last, spiraled down into dark, soothing shadow.
It is done, Zelda told Impa wearily as the sage came to her. My last defiance of this lifetime. But Ganondorf lives yet.
You will have another chance, Impa said gently.
My daughter–
I have promised to care for her, Impa reminded her. It is time to let go, my dear. He is waiting for you.
At the end of the shadows was Link, a warm, golden presence she knew so well. Thank you, Zelda told Impa, one last time.
She went into her lover's arms.
* * *
To be continued.