Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda or anything that relates to it, except for this story.
A/N: It makes me really happy to see how many reviews I've received for this story! I'm also glad that so many people like my work. I'm really trying to make the story as good and exciting as possible, which isn't always easy.
This chapter might surprise you, since I'm trying something completely different. I told a few people about it to hear their opinions, and since they obviously liked it, I decided to give it a shot.
*The following text is about some of your opinions I read in the reviews.* You can scroll down the page and read the chapter instead, but I'll just say something about some of the things I read. I will respond to the long, critical review from Selah Lahai Roi (and since I wasn't able to send an e-mail, this is the only way, I think). I didn't take any of it as a flame, in fact, I enjoyed reading it. It was good that you had so much criticism to give me, and that way, I can improve my work and get better at writing.
(1) and (2): The language errors depends on that English isn't my native language. I'm sorry if you found any spelling errors and if the text seemed confusing. I do reread every chapter a few times, and I do use the language checking thing in Word as well. But sometimes I can find spelling errors afterwards anyway. I am really sorry if the spelling and the language is bad. It isn't always easy, so bear with me.
(3): I do know it may seem confusing, but I assure you I'm doing my best. Calling Zelda "him" when she's disguised as Sheik is simply the way I chose to do it, and the way I prefer to do it. Some people think that Zelda and her alter ego are two different persons. I don't think they are, but I chose to write like that anyway. And the part with the kiss as they were wrestling: I think you realize that I thought about that, too. Since I wrote that I would call Zelda "him" when she was in disguise, I also thought that it would be pretty clear that Link was trying to kiss Zelda, and not a boy. Sheik is, after all, still Zelda.
(4): Me too, actually. But unfortunately, I can't give you a straight answer to your question. I have absolutely no idea about how this story will turn out. I have to say, though, that if those things are disturbing or seem too mushy to you, I would suggest that you shouldn't read this story if you didn't like the last chapter. The story might contain more of those things. I'm not quite sure yet.
(5): Yes, a lot of people call Zelda's father "King Harkinian". Harkinian is Zelda's last name, I think… So I prefer calling her father that, too. It's simply because I have no clue of what his real name is. And yes, I have heard about the Book of Mudora, though I don't know what it is. I don't know how I should respond to that question either. If you're wondering about something, please send an e-mail.
**I don't know if it seems necessary to you, but I decided to change the rating of this story to PG-13, since this chapter contains mild violence and bad language.**
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Chapter fourteen: The traces of love can never disappear
2 years later, in Impa's house, Kakariko
Link's POV
"Link, wake up."
"What?" I groaned and slowly opened my eyes. My vision was blurred, perhaps because I just couldn't sleep the previous night. I felt a slight irritation at the person at my bedside, who was trying to wake me up. The person was Zelda. She wasn't in her Sheik disguise today, and her hair looked silky and smooth in the sunlight that shone in through the window.
"What's the time? I need to sleep", I grunted and attempted to turn my back to her and go back to sleep, but she grabbed my shoulder, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
"What was that?" I asked, confused.
"Happy birthday."
"Wh… oh! I had completely forgotten about that…" I cursed myself. This was one of the most important days of my life, the day I would turn seventeen. How could I have forgotten about it?
"You better not tell Impa about that", Zelda chuckled. "She has a big surprise for you, I think."
"Really? That's-" I yawned. "Can I sleep for an hour or so first?"
"No, you can't sleep all day", she said, leaving the room. "It's half past eight already", she informed me from the kitchen.
"I'm coming…" I said, shivering at the feeling of my bare feet against the cold wooden floor. It was in the end of March, soon April, but it was cold as in the middle of the winter whatsoever. I hurried to put some clothes on, throwing a quick glance in the mirror that hung on the wall. I stopped dead in my tracks, examining the young man that stood before me. Somehow, he wasn't the boy I once knew. He had matured, both mentally and physically, yet he seemed like a child still. I looked at him, meeting his deep, blue eyes and thinking of what I saw in them. Courage. Naïveness. I didn't know whether I liked that young man or not. Did I like what he had become?
I stood there for a couple of minutes, taking a step towards the mirror and looking at my own face closely. I recalled that Zelda once had called my blue eyes beautiful. I didn't know if they were or not. My blonde hair was somewhat tousled and shaggy, so I combed it with my fingers before putting my usual green hat on. That piece of fabric was also a piece of me, and I didn't feel complete without it. As I gazed at my own appearance, I could also remember that someone had called me handsome as well. Am I handsome? I thought. How can I know? I barely know anything anymore…
With a slight shrug, I left the room. Impa and Zelda were waiting, so they could reveal the great surprise for me. "Okay, come on, now tell me", I said with a smile.
"Well, we do know what you want, more than anything, right now", Impa said, and she was also smiling.
I nodded. "Happy birthday, Link, Hylian soldier."
"What?"
"Since you're so skilled with a sword already, despite your young age, I spoke to the King and he agreed to let you have a place in the Army. Being a soldier is the lowest position, but you can – and I'm certain you will – advance when you're getting better. Besides, you're going to do what you want: fight for Hyrule, if it comes to that."
"I can't believe it", I said, unable to hide my happiness and enthusiasm. "It's just great! Thank you… both of you."
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The day after I had turned seventeen, however, something happened that somewhat destroyed my happiness. Esthe, the woman who had adopted Impa's younger sister Ryla when she was a baby, passed away and that left Ryla inconsolable. The grief after Esthe's passing inflicted upon as all, but Zelda and I – who had had a strong relationship for some years now, didn't know what to do nor feel. I knew I had to leave Zelda and move to the Castle soon, where I'd do what I had always dreamt to do. I wasn't sure what Zelda felt, sometimes I wasn't even sure which feelings she had for me. Did I mean as much to her as she did to me?
She had grown up into a strong and beautiful young woman and I really didn't want to leave her. Should I let my dreams and fantasies guide me and abandon my love? I think those thoughts, along with a lot of other things, were the reasons when Zelda and I had our first real quarrel ever. It was the night before I would leave Kakariko, the house I considered to be my home and the people I considered being my family.
Zelda and I were alone. Impa was over at the Shakin house, discussing important matters with her sister. Ryla had had a hard time deciding about whether there would be a funeral or not and a lot of similar things. She had really loved Esthe as though she was her real mother, and losing her was perhaps the hardest thing she had ever been through.
Afterwards, I really regretted what I did to Zelda that night, but everyone knows it's easy to be wise after the events. We were sitting in the living room, snuggled up closely in one of the comfortable sofas, talking and laughing. Zelda suddenly changed the subject and asked me: "So, how do you feel about your new job? I can tell this is really what you want."
"It really is", I agreed. "Getting that job is what I've dreamt of for a few years now, actually. I want to do something with my life, Zelda. I want to be famous, I want people to like me, and I want to do what I like…"
"I think you'll succeed with all those things", she sighed. I could hear something strange and unknown in her voice…
"Maybe I will. But what are you feeling? You seem a little down."
"Well, to be honest, I'm feeling sad that you're leaving", she admitted. "You'll live in the Castle with my Father and brother, and you'll be famous and well liked and have a wonderful life…"
I frowned. "What's your point, exactly?"
Zelda sighed irritatingly. "My point is that you'll get everything you want! You'll get everything I would want to have in my life! Don't you understand? I was the Princess once, and I loathed my life back then, but that was ages ago! Now I'm starting to think that maybe I was wrong… what do I have to live for now? You're going to leave me, and I haven't any friends, except for you. I can't even be the one I was born to be! True, I don't want the title 'princess', or at least I don't think I want to, but if I can't even be the girl I was born to be, then what is left? Hiding for the rest of my life, not letting anyone see who I truly am? Linger in this old house when you're out there, getting everything you want, being the one who saves Hyrule, marrying a beautiful woman and having children… being perfectly happy…"
"Zelda, now listen to me", I said icily and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at me. My grip was a little bit harder than I had expected it to be. Zelda flinched, but looked at me whatsoever. "Don't you understand?" I said to her. "I'll never end up marrying a woman if it's not you. Have I made myself clear?"
"And I'm supposed to believe that?" she said scornfully. "I had a dream once, Link. In that dream, I loved you and you loved me, and we were just happy together. But when I woke up the next morning, I realized that it's what it was and still is! A dream! Some silly fantasies that we thought would come true!"
I couldn't believe what she said. Did she really mean it? "Do you really mean that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. I would never show her how much her words hurt. Never. But they hurt so damn much. "Are you trying to tell me that you never had any feelings for me? That you never loved me? That our relationship has been in vain?" I nearly yelled at her, and I winced at the sound of my own voice. She glared at me. I had never seen her like this before. What had caused this? How did we end up like this?
"Yes, I think that's what I'm trying to say."
Something burst inside me, like a thread that had been cut off somewhere inside my body. Something had cut off my connection and feelings for this girl, and I felt that she meant nothing to me anymore. I wanted to tell her what I felt, that this whole thing was over and done with, but no words came from my throat. I fought to say something to her, get her to shut up, but I couldn't do anything.
"Maybe it would have been better for both of us if you've stayed in your bloody castle instead of running away!" I yelled at her.
Zelda got to her feet, staring down at me, and said in an utterly hostile voice: "What did you say?"
"If you've stayed in that bloody castle instead of running away", I repeated slowly, making sure to emphasize every word. "That way, I'd never have met you!"
"Perhaps it would have been better that way! But now, we can't change it! Once I thought I had feelings for you, but I was damn wrong! I thought I knew you and I trusted you! I trusted you… but you're probably the most stuck-up, self-absorbed jerk and the biggest asshole I've ever met! I'm glad this is the last time I'll see you!"
Does she really mean that? I thought. No, it's impossible… I stood up as well, but she didn't flinch, though I was so much taller than her. I attempted to grip her arm, but she was faster than me and backed out of the way. I took some steps forwards and slapped her. Don't blame me for doing it! By the time, I wasn't myself. I guess I was what you're calling 'blinded with fury'. I couldn't believe that Zelda said those things to me, and as I couldn't find out something to say, I used force instead.
When I hit the girl I loved, something strange happened. I don't know which words I should use to explain it. A power I had never felt before appeared between us. As my hand made contact with her skin, it felt as though I had given her a powerful shock, and afterwards, my hand would ache occasionally, reminding me of that day.
Zelda's eyes, the eyes that used to be filled of happiness and love as she looked at me, were now filled with rage. She growled something inaudible and struck me just as I had done to her. I felt my left cheek burn with pain, but also something more, something different… Zelda stared in shock at her hand, and I realized that she felt the same as I had done. I felt as though she had given me an electric shock, and right then, I knew something important had happened. I had no idea of what it could be. But then, I didn't know They were watching, and that They saw everything.
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Everyone knows that the Goddesses have a will of Their own. They are watching and guiding the people of the country Hyrule, and if something bad has happened, They might decide to change it and turn it into something good instead.
The people in Hyrule believe very strong in the power of the Goddesses. Some of them still think that They have powers such as changing the seasons and the setting and rising of the sun and moon, but also the destiny of mankind. Even the Goddesses have people They are feeling something special for. These Hylians might have had a hard life, and the Goddesses can decide to give him or her the comfort they need. Some of the chosen ones are people with supernatural powers, which the Mighty ones decided to give them when they were born.
The Triforce, they ancient golden triangles of the Goddesses, was kept deep inside the Sacred Realm. No one could ever see it or touch it, except the Goddesses, but They would choose three people who would carry one of the Triforce pieces within their very souls. The same year as they turned seventeen, they would get a mark on the back of their hands, and then they would fully understand the gift they had been given.
Courage, Wisdom and Power. Those were the three Triforce pieces, and each one of them had certain powers. The people who got a piece of the Triforce would be special, and they would stand closer to the Goddesses than everyone else. They were the links between the Heavens and the mortal world.
Only one of the three chosen ones knew about the rare gift. She'd had the Triforce of Power for several years, and it had inflicted much power, but also very much pain. She had no idea how to handle her special gift, given to her from Them, and therefore, she would become a completely different person as she had the Power in her hand.
The two other chosen ones had no idea of who they were, but in a short time, they would also learn about their own fate. The Mighty ones would teach them, and Their chosen children would look at their life from a different point of view afterwards.
In a short time, they would know. But they were already beginning to realize it…
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Hyrule Castle, in the stables
Link's POV
Why was that bruise on my cheek still left? And why was that strange mark on my hand aching so often? It was the mark I got the day I argued with Zelda… Lately, it had begun looking like a triangle. Three triangles, actually, and they formed a pattern of one big triangle. The lower left triangle was a little bit darker than the two others… And the mark didn't look like a usual birthmark at all! The sides of the triangles were perfectly straight and uniform, it was almost like it was meant to be there… But it didn't make sense at all.
I leaned my head against Epona's soft fur, patting her neck gently. Sometimes it felt so good to talk to her. Somehow, I could tell the horse things I didn't want to tell anyone else. It felt as though she could understand me in a way no one else could.
"You know, Epona, I'm really sorry for what I did to Zelda", I whispered to the horse. It had been a week since I left Kakariko, a pretty busy and proving week for me, and sometimes I didn't know whether I liked my new life or not. "I just don't know what to do… and there's no way for me to apologize to her."
"Link! There you are, I was looking for you!" It was Navi. She floated through the air and settled herself down on Epona's back. Epona was used to Navi and she liked her, so she didn't mind at all. "Why are you always in here all by yourself?" Navi asked.
"I don't know", I admitted. "Sometimes I don't know what I really want to do. This life isn't as I imagined it at all. And I can't stop thinking of what I did to Zelda. I'm feeling really guilty, Navi."
"Well, I don't know what to tell you, either", the little fairy sighed. "If you tried to apologize-"
"I can't apologize. It's impossible, because Zelda probably hates me!" I interrupted her, slowly sitting down into the rough hay, leaning my back against the stable wall. Navi didn't say anything. "I'm sorry for interrupting you, Navi, I didn't mean it", I said quietly. "Sometimes I wonder what's happened to me…"
"It's all right, Link", she said softly. "Life isn't always easy. I'm sure you'll feel better soon. Everyone has their bad days, you know."
"Yeah, I know." After some minutes of silence, I decided to tell her about what had been troubling me since I left my former home. "Navi? Look at this."
I pulled my left gauntlet off and showed her the strange mark on the back of my hand. She winced as she saw it. "Link! How long has that been on your hand?"
"I think I got it the night before I left Kakariko. It was the same night as…" My voice faded and I finished the sentence in an inaudible tone. "Do you know what it is?" I asked her.
"Yes, I do", she said. "That is the Triforce, the symbol of Hyrule. Have you never seen it before?"
"I don't think so. Or maybe I have. But I've never thought of what it was."
"But why would it be on your hand?" Navi asked thoughtfully. I shrugged. "I still have this bruise on my cheek, too", I said. "And this Triforce mark is really painful sometimes."
"They have to be there for a reason", the small fairy said. "Maybe you will find out, when the time comes."
"I need something to do, so I can keep my mind off those things", I said. "What about a grooming, Epona?"
Navi and I were talking while I brushed Epona's auburn fur, but suddenly the fairy fell silent. I was combing Epona's soft tail and didn't notice the person who had shown up. He had been standing there for a couple of minutes before I noticed him. I had not seen him in two long years, but he looked pretty much the same. His bluish hair was a little bit longer, pulled back by a small, golden crown. His dark blue eyes were watching my work. He leaned against the wall of Epona's stall, and he didn't seem to notice that his long, midnight blue mantle touched the dirty stable floor.
"I heard that you were in the Army now, but I haven't seen you until now", he said, smiling politely.
"Marth? I mean, Your Highness?" I asked.
"I thought you would remember me. I do remember you, actually. You're Link, friend of Impa's nephew Sheik, aren't you?"
"That's right", I smiled. "I think you know, Your Highness, that the soldiers are busy six days a week. We're always practicing or learning new things. It's pretty dull sometimes, actually."
I always felt uncomfortable when I was supposed to call people their titles, for instance 'Your Highness' or simply 'Sir'. It didn't feel right. It was just unnatural, and I couldn't understand how the nobles could stand it. If people would call me 'Sir', I would go crazy. But on the other hand, that would most likely never happen.
"I know that", Marth told me. "I'm not outside the Castle walls much. My wounds never healed completely after the murder attempt two years ago, and there are a lot of things I can't do anymore. Like riding a horse or fencing with a sword, for instance. The doctor says it would be too risky…"
"That's a shame, Your Highness", I said, pretending to be very busy brushing Epona's tail over again. I felt very uncomfortable and I didn't know what to say nor do in the Prince's presence.
"But today, however, I left the Castle to look for you", Marth said. "I really want to talk to you."
"Um… really? I mean, sure, Your Highness."
"Please, stop calling me that", Marth said with a chuckle.
"All right… Marth. So what did you want to talk to me about?"
Marth and I were equals in length, and he looked straight into my eyes when he said: "I want to ask you a few questions… about Sheik."
"Oh… well, yeah, go ahead", I said nervously. I could recall that Zelda had told me that Marth knew that Sheik was the same person as the Princess, but did he really know? What would I respond if he asked me?
"I'm certain that you know Sheik very well, am I right?" His eyes peered right through me, through my very mind.
"Yes."
"In that case, would you please tell me who this Sheik is? And I mean who he really is."
What would I answer? What would happen if I told Marth about Zelda? I couldn't let her down… could I? But did I care if I betrayed her or not? She was most certainly not my friend anymore. So would it matter what I said? But what if Zelda found out that I had let her down? She would most likely not like me more if she did!
"I want an answer, Link. It's an order. And tell me the truth."
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A/N: I think that was sort of a cliffhanger! I'm thinking of ending this story soon, maybe already after a few more chapters. I've been writing this for a while now, and I'm afraid that the story might get very bad if I continue with it. But in the last chapters, I thought about adding Roy from Super Smash Bros. Melee as Link's best friend at the Castle. What do you think? Tell me in your reviews! I'll also write more about other people like Impa, Ryla and Malon, I think (if you think it would be bad to add Roy as well, since Marth's in this story already, it's just because I like them both so much!) ^_^
If this story would end unexpectedly, I'm considering writing a second part of it. With adding the Triforce thing (which probably will become very important later) I think that it maybe would be better if I wrote about that in a second part. More about it in the last chapter. That's it for now! Please review!
..::Hylian Heroine::..