The Light of Hope
Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda, but I would gladly buy it from whoever does! Lets see. . . (rummages in pockets) I have exactly ten cents, some lint, a gum wrapper, and a key. Don't think they'll sell it to me for this junk!
A/N: Okay guys, take a deep breath. I know last chapter was a real shocker, but calm down and read this. I was bombarded by your shocked replies, which is kinda what I was aiming for, but whatever. Forgive me for not writing for awhile, (dodges a tomato) hey! Sheesh, calm down, I've found my inspiration again! Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter! And, as usual, check my bio for the personal thank yous, and review!
Disbelief still coursed through Link as he stared at the spot where Navi had vanished, his numb brain still refusing to believe that she was really gone. She had always been so constant, always with him. It hurt terribly to admit that she was gone, his beloved friend. He blinked bitter tears from his eyes, his heart filled with sorrow. Whatever had happened, he knew that Ganondorf would return, though Navi would probably not.
Then with a sudden thrill of horror, he remembered Zelda. Link held his injured arm tightly against this body, gritting his teeth in pain as he slowly crawled across the sand to her, barely able to see in the thick darkness.
"Princess?"
There was no response. Link's heart began to plummet, but he forced himself to focus, inching closer to her. He reached Zelda's side, gently pulling her head into his lap. Her eyes were closed, face deathly pale. His eyes wandered down, seeing the scarlet blood that stained her white gown and felt his stomach contract. No, please no! He tenderly brushed back stands of gold from her cheek, feeling how cold she was. I've lost Navi, and now Zelda! No! No! I can't loose the only two people who've mattered to me!
"Zelda," he cried softly, tears slipping down his cheeks as he bent his head closer to her. "Oh please Zelda, wake up!" One of his tears splashed her cheek, but she gave no response, laying motionless and pale. "Oh Goddesses Zelda! Don't you dare leave me!" Link closed his eyes, resting his face against hers, feeling such an overwhelming sorrow rise within him, an emptiness that he had felt when he had left her before, but ever so much stronger.
"Goddesses, I beg of you, please do not take her from me," Link gasped, holding onto Zelda desperately. "Take me if you must, but please, spare Zelda."
He sobbed softly, images of the girl rushing through his mind. Their first meeting as ten year old children, their reunion after seven years, Zelda's smile as she watched him and Navi argue.
"Oh Link. Only the creatures of the earth take away from each other," a woman's soft voice whispered. "We would never take your precious Zelda away from you."
Startled, Link's head snapped up, and his jaw dropped. Kneeling beside him, her lovely face filled with sympathy, was- and there was no other word for her- a goddess. Her long hair was the same shade as Saria's her eyes a brilliant emerald color. Yet surrounding her was a soft golden glow, and it was this glow that enabled him to recognize her.
"Farore?" he whispered in stunned disbelief.
She smiled softly in confirmation, but there was a twinge of sadness there too. Farore glanced behind her, and Link followed her gaze. Standing there were two more goddesses. Both were stunningly beautiful, one red haired, the other blue. Shimmering around them was the same golden aura that lingered around Farore, distinguishing them as Din and Nayru. All three of them were taller than normal humans, Din being the tallest of the three.
"We know you well, Link," Farore continued as the other two goddesses joined her at his and Zelda's side. "Long have we watched your struggles and triumphs."
"Please," Link gasped, unaware of the tears that still streamed down his face. His strength was waning, and he was begining to feel desperate, not caring if he was hallucinating. "Please, don't let her die."
"Sleep," Farore breathed gently, touching his forehead.
A sudden warm sleepiness washed over him, and despite his best efforts, Link found himself welcoming it gladly. His last conscious thoughts were of Zelda, gripping her limp hand tightly in his good one.
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"Poor mortals," Nayru murmured quietly, her azure eyes glittering. "They suffer so much pain and heartache." Her gaze was riveted on the Princess, taking in her appearance with an expert eye.
Farore nodded, touching Link's sleeping face lightly. "Such is the price of mortality. My heart weeps for these two. They have suffered more burdens than anyone ever should have to."
Din had remained silent, but now spoke, shaking her red head. "True, but they can handle it, you know this as well as I do. They have power to stand up to anything."
The emerald haired goddess shook her head slightly. "The mortal spirit is a fragile thing. Who can say when that will heal?"
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The feel of a cool breeze ruffling his hair was Link's first firm grip on consciousness, and he seized it, forcing his eyes to open. He was laying in an impossibly soft bed, its bedding all soft shades of light green. All was quiet, and the light was low. He blinked, confused, then he heard a soft voice speaking to him.
"So, finally awake little mortal?"
Startled, Link turned his head to see Farore seated beside him, her emerald eyes warm and comforting. "It wasn't a dream," he murmured in disbelief, sitting up slowly, eyes fixed on the lovely goddess.
She laughed softly. "I suppose we gave you quite the shock. We have never descended to conscious mortals before, and I didn't stop to think what effect that might have on you."
Link found for the first time that the pain had completely vanished from his left arm. He griped his fingers tightly together, flexing his arm, feeling his former strength. Then his mind rushed back to his last moments before passing out.
"Zelda! My Lady, where is she?" He would have bolted from the bed if it had not been for the goddess's restraining arm pushing him gently down.
"Shh, relax or I shall have to put you back to sleep Link," Farore soothed, her quiet voice having a calming effect on him. "She is in Nayru's care, and I have not gone to check on her for I have been tending you."
"Sister." At that moment Din strode into the room, her fiery hair streaming out behind her like crimson streamers. She paused slightly, her penetrating eyes flickering over Link for a moment before returning to Farore. "Nayru wishes you and Link to come to her."
Farore sighed. "Very well, if you'll be patient Din." She touched Link's brow lightly, her emerald colored hair brushing his face. "Do you think you have the strength to stand little one?"
Slightly put off by being called 'little one', he nodded. Farore stepped back, giving him space to stand. Link threw back the covers, swinging his feet to the floor before rising slowly. He gave himself a moment to make sure his legs would support his weight, then looked up at the goddesses who were watching him with some amusement.
Din sighed impatiently, tossing her hair. "Now, if we are ready, let us go."
She lead the way, Link following and Farore bringing up the rear. Link glanced around the hall they were walking down. The walls were a golden sort of color, seeming to be real and not real at the same time, almost something like a dream. He saw a window, catching a glimpse of a sea outside. The cries of gulls floated through, bringing the smell of salty sea air.
"Where are we?" Link asked warily, for he knew of no sea that was close to Hyrule.
Farore laughed softly, and Din looked amused. "It is hard to explain, for your mind is bound by the restraints of mortality," Farore answered gently.
"What she means is where we are is beyond your understanding," Din chuckled, seeing Link's puzzled look. "We ourselves are far beyond anything that you can understand in your present state. I suppose to put it in simplest terms, this is what you would call the heavens."
"The heavens?" Link shook his head, feeling more confused by the moment. "I didn't know there was an ocean in the heavens."
Farore smiled. "It looks however we want it to," she said simply, laying a hand on his shoulder.
Din opened a door, ushering Link inside. His eyes caught sight of Nayru who had risen to greet them, but his gaze moved past her to Zelda who lay still in a huge bed. Her sapphire eyes were closed, her brow wrinkled, hinting that her dreams weren't simple and sweet. His throat tightened, and his hands balled into fists.
"This is my fault," he whispered. "I should have been there to protect her."
Nayru stared at him sternly, azure eyes reproving. "You must not blame yourself for this. Zelda's condition is not your fault. That blame belongs to the Evil King."
Din's golden eyes flashed. "That person who holds my Triforce. He is not worthy of it's power."
Farore put a comforting arm about Link's shoulders gently guiding him towards Zelda. He allowed her to, feeling himself pushed softly down onto the chair that Nayru had vacated. He stared at her for a long moment, feeling tears well up.
"So, she's alive then?" He glanced up at Nayru for confirmation.
The goddess nodded, her blue hair rippling. "By caring so deeply for her, you prevented her from dying long enough that we were able to save her." Nayru moved to stand behind his chair, her gaze lingering on Zelda. "We saved her from physical pain, but it is up to you to save her from an emotional death. The dark blade that Ganondorf turned on her was not only intended to kill her, but force to the surface all of her guilt and pain that she had kept hidden for so long."
Seeing the look in Link's eyes, Farore knelt so that her eyes were locked with his. "She has been carrying her load of pain far longer than has been good for her. Zelda has suffered far more than any average person, and her anguish is great. Only you can help free her from the chains that bind her."
Link swallowed, knowing that the goddesses knew his every thought, so he did not need to voice what he was feeling. Din sighed, joining Farore at his side. "You are the only person she has Hero of Time. Surely you must understand that only you can help her."
"It is not something that will come immediately, you must help her slowly, over time," Nayri said gently.
He nodded wordlessly, reaching for Zelda's pale hand. She made no response, as she was still recovering in a deep sleep. Link ran his tumb over her silky skin, so grateful that he had not lost her, that she was still with him.
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Princess Zelda. . . the hope of Hyrule. . .
'What a mockery!' Zelda screamed to the jeering voice. 'I have no hope! My hope is gone! I have failed my people time and time again! A symbol of hope when I have none!'
Her body was wracked with pain, pain that threatened to drag her down to some deep gulf of misery and darkness. She welcomed it, wanting any release from her pain and sorrow. 'Just fade. . .slip away. . .'
Hope of Hyrule. . .
'Let me be!' she raged at the taunting voice, seeing images of her failure race past her like ghosts, taunting her with sneering faces.
"Father, you must believe me!" A little golden haired girl held onto her fathers arm imploringly. "Ganondorf is an evil man and will destroy us all! I saw it in my dreams! Father, you have to believe me!"
The king chuckled, tousling Zelda's blond locks. "Nonsense Zelda. He is our ally. Stop believing in your silly dreams child."
'Only a week later, he died at Ganondorf's hand.' Zelda felt her heart ache; she had not been able to save her father. 'My fault. . .it was mine. . .'
You kingdom was in ruins. . . your people suffered because of your choices. . .
Her subjects, suffering at Ganondorf's hands. . . their faces haunted Zelda's mind. The people who had fled the town market. . . the people of Kakariko. . . the Gorons. . .the Zoras. . . the Gerudo. . . the Kokiri. . . An image of Malon the ranch girl, sobbing at the loss of her father from the farm, being forced to work for a cruel man.
'I made them suffer!' Zelda screamed at herself, gripping her head as she fell to her knees. 'They suffered because I hid for seven years! Because Ganondrof was looking for me! How could I let that happen to them?!'
You ruined Link's life; you dragged him into a mess that you created and could not clean up yourself. You robbed him of seven years, then sent him back to try and lead a normal life!
'Leave me alone!!!' Zelda shrieked, but the voice was relentless.
Perhaps the failure that hurts you the most Princess Zelda? You made him suffer, forced him to fight dangerous battles that should have been fought by you! An innocent young boy forced to do your bidding!
'How could I?' Zelda began to weep, crumpled on the ground in darkness. 'Oh Link! I made you endure all that! How could I?'
She was alone in darkness, nothing to shield her from the pain that savaged her relentlessly.
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"How long until she is better?" Link whispered, finding himself alone with Nayru. Din and Farore had melted away awhile ago, going to tend to who knew what.
"Not long," Nayru assured him serenely. She blinked, gazing at him. "You are worried about the friend who sacrificed herself for you, are you not?"
Link's hands gripped Zelda's bed sheets tightly. "Navi. . . she hid so much from me, and now she's gone."
"Those you love are never truly gone," the goddess chided him gently. "Perhaps you and Naviara shall meet again one day. Nothing can destroy a true friendship Link. Not even death." She smiled softly at him. "You did not know her secret, did you?"
He shook his head, running a distracted hand through his honey colored hair. "No. Navi shared little of herself with me. In a way, I suppose she was like the sibling I never had, or a mother. She was family to me, the same way the Kokiri are."
Nayru sighed, blinking her azure eyes. Her gaze drifted to Zelda, smoothing her sheets. "And what about this little one? This one that bears my Triforce? What are your feelings for her?"
Link felt his face flame, knowing that she already knew the answer, even though he did not. "Zelda is. . . dear to me too, but in a different way. I don't understand. . ." he trailed off awkwardly, then abruptly switched topics. "Nayru, tell me, why do you not simply stop Ganondorf? Surely you goddesses have the power to do that."
"We do," she confirmed, nodding slowly. "But I'm afraid that it is not our place to do such a thing. It would be breaking the laws we ourselves created. You must find a way to defeat him yourselves."
"He's so powerful," Link muttered. "I can't imagine that we'll ever be rid of him. It seems as if nothing can defeat him for long."
"There are powers stronger than those of good and evil," Nayru said quietly. "Their are forces at work that you do not understand. Ganondorf was chosen to cause chaos, just as you and Zelda were chosen to stop it."
"You mean destiny," Link stated quietly, his eyes on the Princess. On one occasion, he had heard Zelda referred to as the Princess of Destiny. 'Is it possible that she and I were truly chosen by Destiny to fight against evil?'
"Destiny. . . Certainly, there are such things, but understand, the choice is always yours. That is another thing with mortality; you are always free to choose your own actions Link. Ganondorf did not have to misuse the power he claimed, but he did. You did not have to fight evil, but you chose to. Zelda does not even have to be the Princess, yet she is." Nayru lifter her eyes, and Link understood for the firs time why her Triforce was that of wisdom. She seemed to know all, and have answers for everything. "Life is full of choices Link. Opportunities, and losses. Will you make the right choices I wonder?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be asking you," he replied. "Do you know what the outcome of this struggle will be?"
She smiled. "So inquisitive! Yes, we know young one, but you cannot know I'm afraid
"I knew you'd say that," Link muttered.
Farore's laughter suddenly rang out as she entered the room, Din trailing behind her. "I had almost forgotten how sarcastic mortals are," she said affectionately.
Link shook his head, deciding he wouldn't even try to understand the goddesses. Suddenly, another question sprang to his mind. He lifter his head, sapphire eyes aglow. "How did you know to save us?" he demanded softly. "How was it that you came and rescued us?"
It was Din who answered, her golden eyes glowing. "We hear the prayers of those in Hyrule," she answered simply. "We may not always answer the way people expect, but we do. In fact, what brought us to you was the prayer of your young ranch girl."
"Malon?" Link drew in his breath, offering the red headed tom boy a silent thank you of his own.
"It was the prayers of others in Hyrule that caused us to send you and Zelda to save Hyrule," Farore murmured. She touched his cheek lighly. "We do not choose our champions lightly, so understand that you have our blessings. Remember that Link."
A soft moan caused Link's head to snap around in time to see the slim girl's brilliant blue eyes to flutter open., eyes he had thought he'd never see open again. She stirred slowly, grimacing slightly. Zelda was awake.
"Link?" she murmured softly, a haunted glitter in her eyes. Then her gaze turned to the goddesses and her face paled. Her gaze was filled with wonder as she returned her eyes to Link's. "I think you have a lot of explaining to do," she whispered quietly.