The Light of Hope
Chapter 9
Disclaimer: No own LoZ. I would like to buy it though,so if it's for sell. . . Lol, like I have enough money!
A/N: Before y'all say it, yes, I know I'm evil for not updating for so long. Please, don't kill me- &runs away as swarms of angry readers attack& Jeez! Don't freak! I'm really sorry! It's been hectic w/ school cause I'm taking 2 AP classes, and lots of other hard ones, plus getting ready for the ACT growls angrily. But I will NOT stop writing this! I swear it on my life! So any way, enough of my blabbering. Enjoy!
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"Is something troubling you young one?"
Link was startled out of his musings, nearly jumping out of his skin when he turned to look at Farore. He gave her an annoyed look, seeing the gentle laughter in her emerald eyes. But then his expression turned serious as he turned to look at the slender girl he'd been spying on.
Zelda stood alone on the balcony overlooking a bay, golden head bowed. Her slim body was wrapped tightly in her cloak, her expression filled with pain and sadness.
After she had awoke, Link had explained all to her. The Princess had not disbelieved, but seemed strangely distant. Now she was deliberately distancing herself from him and the goddesses, alone with her thoughts.
"I don't understand," Link murmured softly. "Zelda seems so sad, so lost."
Farore nodded slowly. "That's because she is Link. You of all people should know that."
"But why?" Link inquired, his heart wrenching as he stared at Zelda, seeing the tear that made its way down her pale cheek.
The goddess stared at him for a long moment before turning her emerald gaze to the Princess. "Her guilt, combined with her losses, makes it so."
Link shook his head violently. "That can't be it! She knows what happened wasn't her fault; she knows it! We talked about it already Farore, and Zelda knows what happened to Hyrule wasn't her fault!"
"Does she really?"
That question stopped him cold. Had Zelda accepted what he had told her, or did she still carry the burdens for a choice she had made as a ten year old child? Had she forgiven herself, or did the Princess still condemn her actions? He knew the answer at once.
Yes, she did.
"It's my fault," Link gasped quietly. "She thinks its her fault, and I should have tried harder to convince her, I should have-"
"You did for her all that you could have," Farore said gently. "But Link, you must understand that only you can save her from this."
"But why me?" Link asked, never moving his eyes for the girl for whom he had risked so much, hurting to see her in such anguish. "Why?"
Farore's eyes were filled with pity. "Because you are all she has."
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"Little one, why do you delay?"
Zelda stirred, lifting her head to see Nayru, her patron goddess, standing in the entryway. The deity's eyes were bluer than any sky, any ocean, and filled with just as much mystery. The goddess stepped nearer, making no noise as she moved.
"Why do you ligner here when there is still much for you to do?"
For along time the Princess did not speak, simply returning Nayru's stare. Nayru's wise eyes said she already knew the answer, and Zelda knew that she must know, but spoke anyway.
"Because I no longer wish to be a burden to my people," the Princess replied softly, her slender shoulders hunching as she pulled her cloak more tightly about herself. "I no longer want to hurt them-I-" Her beautiful face twisted, and she began to sob, burying her face in her hands.
To her astonishment, Zelda found herself wrapped in the gentle yet strong embrace of Nayru. The goddess held the Princess as if she were a child, stroking the long golden strands of her hair, whispering soothing words.
"Oh my Princess, don't despair. You have been given a harder path to trod than most, but it was given to you because you are the only one who can fulfill its duties." Nayru lowered her head, resting her chin on the top of Zelda's golden head. "You must be strong, and to live for those who still care about you."
Zelda kept her eyes tightly shut, feeling safe and sheltered within Nayru's arms. She didn't want to be strong. She didn't want to trod a dangerous path filled with sorrow and despair. All she wanted to do was to live, was that too much to ask?
"Why me?" she whispered, not knowing that she echoed Link's words. "Why was this destiny given to me?"
Nayru sighed. "Child, every mortal asks that of us, every single day since the day they were given life. I'm afraid that there is no answer that I can give you."
"What if I don't want to do this anymore?" Zelda couldn't believe she was saying this, couldn't believe that she dared utter such a thing to the goddess who had just spared her life. "What if I choose not to do this?"
"Then that is your choice," Nayru replied calmly. "It is your life, not mine. But you know in your heart that you will never be free of the responsibilities of being a Princess. If you turn your back on them, you will regret it forever." The goddess pulled back slightly, staring deeply into Zelda's eyes. "And you know that he will never stop hunting you. He cares not if you no longer wish to fight. His hatred for you has become almost an obsession. Nothing will stop him from taking your life except the loss of his own." Her all seeing gaze searched Zelda's deeply. "What will you do, Zelda, last heir of the Hyrulian throne?"
The Princess lowered her blond head, ashamed of herself. Nayru was right. Ganondorf would stop at nothing to see her death, and the death of the young man she had bound to this struggle. If for anything, it was for Link that she had to be who she was, to follow a path that would cause her grief and pain, but she knew in her heart it was what she had to do.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze once more, salty tears spilling down her cheeks. "I will do what I must."
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"We will be sending you directly to the Temple of Light," Din was telling Link, her fierce golden eyes gleaming. "There you can receive the Flame of Light from Raru, and there will be little possibility of an encounter with Ganondorf."
Link nodded in understanding. "And from there we must go to the Forest Temple," he continued. "But what happens then?"
"You will have to face Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves, and King of Evil." Nayru's voice rang through the hall as she entered.
Yet it was not the goddess that had drawn Link's attention, but Zelda who followed in her wake.
He wasn't happy to see that she seemed the same as she had when last he had saw her. She still seemed more like a shell than a living person, her eyes haunted and grief stricken. She paused for a moment, glancing at him before moving slowly to stand at his side.
"We will do what we must," she whispered to him.
"That we will," he returned, surprising himself by capturing her slender fingers in his own. Zelda looked startled, but did not yank away, allowing him to grip her hand.
"We won't send you back empty handed though," Din continued, as if there had never been an interruption. "The Goddesses always arm their champions well." She paused, looking thoughtful, then shook back her fiery hair. "For you, both I grant the strength to stand strong before the onslaught of evil, the strength to go on when it seems all is lost." Din sighed. "The Triforce of Power belongs in more worthy hands, remember that. May the fires warm your hearts." The Goddess paused, as if to say something more, but remained silent.
Now it was Nayru who addressed the two Hylian youth, her voice low and quiet. "I will strengthen your wisdom, wisdom enough that it will help you sort out the truth from the lies, to unravel whatever puzzles may be thrown your way." She took Zelda gently into her arms once more. "May blue oceans find you child," she whispered in her ear.
Nayru stepped back to stand with her sisters, tears glistening in her eyes. The three goddesses closed their eyes in unison, the golden aura around them growing stronger. Zelda and Link were suddenly aware of everything melting away, a hazy golden mist creeping over their eyes and they next had the sensation of moving. Frightened at the unexpected movement, the Princess groped through the mist, finding Link's hand, feeling him grip hers tightly in response.
"Children of the Triforce, I have not forgotten you," came Farore's soft voice in their ears, her presence seeming to surround them. "I give you courage, courage to fight for the precious lives of this land, courage enough to defeat the King of Evil when the time comes." The goddess sighed deeply, and Zelda felt a gentle touch on her cheek. "Zelda, hope exists as long as there are people who believe in you. I grant that you might find that glorious light of hope again."
Link, who had listened in silence, was startled when his patron goddess spoke to him, her voice a low whispered in his ear. "You will help her find that light, my brave Hero of Time. Never, never think for an instant that hope is lost. Courage now, for the both of you. May green meadows call to you, children of the Triforce, until we meet again."
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"Link, Zelda, it is good that you have come."
The eyes of the two Hylians flew open at the unexpected voice. Raru, the great Sage of Light stood before them, his hands hidden in the long sleeves of his robes. He seemed ageless, unchanging as the goddesses themselves. Remembering their manners, they both bowed to Raru, who returned the gesture.
"It has been long," Link offered quietly. "I'm sorry I have not done as well as you had expected."
"On the contrary," the old man said softly. "You have done much better than I could have ever hoped for. And now, you must take the power of Light, the Light that shall help you defeat the Great Evil King."
The torch beside him glowed eerily, its golden flame steady and unwavering. With a side glance at Zelda, Link stepped forward to complete the ritual, her at his side.
"You have seen the Goddesses?" Raru's voice sounded wistful.
"Yes." Zelda's voice was quiet, reverent. "They were more than I could have ever imagined."
The old sage nodded. "So they are. It has been eons since they last paid me a visit. They are the only ones who can release a Sage from the service, and that only happens when the world ends." He hesitated, bettle black eyes gleaming. "I am afraid I cannot allow you to linger here much longer, but do not fear. Ganondorf has been detained for a time and shall not take up the chase until your mission is complete."
Because of Navi! Link's stomach twisted in guilt at the thought of his loyal fairy, but kept his face expressionless. "Then send us back. Every moment we delay gives him more time to resist."
Raru raised his eyebrow. "Still as impatient as ever Link." He inclined his head to Zelda. "My Lady, the Sages are ever at your service. May the Goddesses watch over you both."
"May they watch over us all," the Princess whispered in return as the Temple of Light faded away, as at last the two children of the Triforce returned to Hyrule.
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Short, yes I know. I'm sorry! I promise, I will write more. I know this is pathetic after such a long wait, but I've been so busy! Ah, in case you haven't noticed, I changed my name! Why? Simply because it was time for change! Mwahaha! (For those of you who are confused, my old name was nightwanderer. If you're curious as to where I got my new name, I shall explain in my bio.)