Chapter Twelve
Drowning
Torino led the trio out of Darunia's chambers and back down the hallway, the stone door remaining open as they left. Torino smiled.
"Big Brother usually keeps the door open. He prefers to be there for all who wish to see him," he provided, politely. His manner was jovial and he seemed all too pleased with the simple task of leading them to their room, and Link found himself admiring the small Goron already. Link nodded, nervously recalling the encounter that he'd just had with the Goron chief. He figured they probably left the door open because few ever wanted to see him. He remained silent as they continued up a set of stairs and onto one of the heightened layers of the city. Link glanced down and noted that the top of the huge tri-faced statue rose even above the second level.
They turned a corner, finding themselves in a long, winding tunnel that looped around, curving into a wide, open room. Large, leather seats rested around a circular, open flame, the tongues of the fire lashing up from the hearth and heating the room. Furred hammocks hung from the corners of the room and folding screens, shining like dragon scales, were set up around tubs of water for privacy. Torino stepped aside, allowing them a better view of the room.
"No doors, so we made screens. Funny how Hylians need to be alone when they bathe." He bowed, his forehead almost touching the ground. "If you have need of me, I live two burrows to the right upon exiting." He offered, his voice still happy but reeking with subordination. Link winced.
"Thanks, Torino," he said. Sheik reached into a pouch at his waist and pulled forth a rounded, blue stone. He held it against his thumb, flicking it towards Torino in a slow arc. Torino grinned and accepted the stone, bowing again in appreciation. He turned, leaving the room and disappearing down the hall.
Sheik sighed, falling onto one of the seats in a crumpled heap.
"I'm exhausted." His smooth, calm voice sounded awkward revealing a weakness. Malon took a shaky breath, running a hand through her hair and Link bowed his head, unable to speak.
"Is Impa all right?" Malon wondered aloud, sounding concerned. Link kept his gaze turned to the floor, motionless. He didn't want to talk about this. He wanted it to go away. Every last conflict and problem in Hyrule, just to vanish without a trace … why couldn't Sheik or Malon do that for him?
"She'll be fine." Sheik insisted, his voice confident. "My people don't give up when they have unfinished business. Impa owes her life to Reyna and her children. She won't die yet."
"Oh, give it a rest!" Link shouted, suddenly, in irritation. Malon jumped, but Sheik's expression remained placid, undecipherable. "Anything for the heir, right? Our walls are strong, as the Gorons say! And Impa can't die until the princess and I are safe. Simply because of my title!" His eyes were still downcast and his fists clenched at his sides. He saw Malon's feet take a step towards him and he stepped back, avoiding her touch.
"I am not the king! I can't be. I know nothing of diplomacy. I'm ignorant of the world outside the forest." His voice softened a touch, his eyes drooping at the corners. "And I'm weak. But all these people risk their lives to protect me because I'm a Dragonclaw."
Malon stared, shocked, and Sheik remained silent, seemingly unaffected by Link's outburst.
"I am no king, so stop treating me like one," Link spat through his teeth. "I will not endanger any more people." His hands were clenched in fists at his side and he trembled with an unhindered anger. Sheik did not rise. He did not comfort Link or strike him down. Instead, he simply nodded, his arms folded across his chest.
"So you renounce your lineage?" Sheik asked, expressionless. Link drew in a sharp breath, momentarily stunned by Sheik's suggestion. He hadn't meant it that way; his name was the only familiar thing in this strange world. He couldn't possibly reject it.
"If you do not wish to be King, then you can walk away. All we ask is that you honour your mother and help save your people, and your sister."
Link grimaced, taking another step backwards, towards the door.
"It's not fair …" Malon protested, reaching for Link's shoulder. "Link, listen …" Her hand rested against him and she felt his muscles tense up. 'Like a stubborn mule,' she mused. She wrapped her arm around him and pulled him into an awkward embrace, patting soothingly at his back. Her eyes met Sheik's and he looked away, sighing, and she smiled when Link seemed to melt a bit against her touch.
"You don't have to be afraid. Darunia seemed pretty confident with the city's defenses," she whispered, her voice soft. Link pulled away instantly, his body tensing once more as he shook his head.
"'Our walls are strong' is a Goron expression. It means that every Goron in the city will defend us with their lives. It's not a proclamation of strength, but of loyalty." His blue eyes were sad and he turned away. "I'm going for a walk." Malon didn't move to stop him and she watched him leave. She turned to Sheik, shrugging weakly.
"I can't tell who's more intelligent between us," she said, lightly. "That tree must've put a lot of effort into preparing Link as much as possible. It taught him well." She didn't sound entirely convinced and took a seat across from Sheik, warming herself by the fire.
"The Great Deku Tree's roots run deep with his wisdom," Sheik admitted, quietly.
"But was it enough? Look at him!" She gestured towards the tunnel. "This is too much for him. He'd never seen anything worse than a scratched knee before he left the forest. He's overwhelmed." She sighed, rubbing at her eyes. "I don't even know him," she mumbled, "but …"
"It's funny how jeopardy brings people together," Sheik mused, lightly. Malon met his gaze for a brief moment before looking to the side, deep in thought.
"I want to know more about his home," she said, her eyes falling imploringly on Sheik's face. The corner of his mouth quirked upwards in a barely-concealed smirk.
"Then might I suggest you ask him?"
Link lost himself in the looping hallways and layers of the cavernous city quite easily. It was only a few minutes before he really had no idea where he was, and he'd achieved exactly what he'd hoped for. His plan was to get himself so hopelessly lost that on the way back, he'd be so distracted with finding his way that he wouldn't be able to think of anything else. He kept walking, however, still not satisfied that it would take him long enough to get back to his room. He wanted to be physically exhausted when he returned, so all he'd be able to do would be to collapse onto his bed and sleep the night away. He turned a corner and saw a sloping hall leading upwards, and he took it without hesitation. The climb would help tire him out.
He felt each step take him forward and the impact shoot up his leg and rock through his body. Every moment a new memory tormented him, the steps he took accenting the pounding effect that they had.
Step. Flames.
Step. Death.
Step. Ganondorf.
He continued to climb, ignoring the pain and trekking forward. Soon he would be too tired to even think, let alone remember. A gust of wind howled from somewhere above him and he turned a weary gaze upwards to see the rock walls give way to a cold, starry sky. The wind rang against the mouth of the entrance, singing back at him like a siren. The breeze blew towards him and it was surprisingly warm. He choked on the gust and stumbled forward, coming out onto the mountainside. He gasped, his eyes widening at what lay before him. He sat on a ledge that rested on the summit of Death Mountain, hazy heat waves radiating from its open cone. Turning towards the west, wisps of smoke rose up from the hillside, the charred remains of Kakariko village settling into the night. The deep blue sky served as a contrast, balancing out the heat that surrounded him. It was as if the earth had been set aflame and the sky was a cool, wet blanket attempting to quell the fires. He turned his gaze upwards and drank it in, allowing it to quench his thirst and wash away his sorrows. He began to lose himself in his thoughts, only wishing that it would wash him away, too …
"Don't dive in."
He jumped, opening his eyes and turning to see Malon standing behind him. Her expression was melancholy and she fidgeted with her hands as she approached him. He imagined that she'd come to seek solitude just as he had, but he began to think otherwise when he saw the determined glint in her eyes and the wave of empathy radiating from her.
"Excuse me?" He asked, trying to decipher her intentions.
"Don't dive in. You'll drown." She nodded upwards, referring to the sky. "The heavens are reserved for the goddesses, and losing yourself in them could be deadly. Even a Dragonclaw couldn't handle it."
Link cast his eyes away, bitterly considering the name he'd once held so dear.
"Link," Malon spoke, tenderly, "What changed? You knew nothing and yet you set out on your own, in a land you know nothing about, to save a girl you never met. If anything, you should be more confident, now, and not less!" He shot her a look, his eyes filled with a mixture of disbelief and horror.
"More confident?" He demanded, throwing an arm towards the smouldering city below. Malon glanced sadly in its direction, but went on.
"Now you have purpose. She isn't just some girl; she's your sister! You're not as lost as you're seeing more of Hyrule each day. And now you have strong allies to help you. Sheik, Darunia …"
"You didn't say Impa. Because you know she might be dead?"
She ignored his interruption, approaching him. Her brow was furrowed and her expression stubborn.
"Scrub spit, Link! And you have me. I know I'm not skilled, but I won't leave your side and I'll give you every shred of strength I can spare and then some." Her words hit him hard and he found himself staring at her, looking into her deep, blue eyes. They were much like the sky, but would it be safe for him to dive in, there? Reality crashed down him as he saw all the pain flowing in them. Malon had lost everything in one evening, but she kept going. Why? For the country? For him?
"Because I have faith in you," she answered, reaching for his hand and giving it a squeeze. Link felt his shoulders sag and he held on, jumping in. He didn't care if they were dangerous; her eyes were a calming pool mixed with her sorrow. He could take it on. And she was right – he did have more power, now.
And then he knew. He was swimming, staying above the surface but just barely. Cool water entered his mouth and he gulped it back, struggling to speak.
"It's a lot easier when you don't realize how powerful your enemy is," he said between mouthfuls of water. She opened her mouth to reply, obviously expecting that comment, but he interrupted her, going on. "It's a lot easier trying to make a name for yourself then living up to the name you're given." The level was rising. It was getting harder to stay above the surface. He wouldn't lose! She wouldn't let him! Not in her eyes …
She blinked, stunning him momentarily, and Link sighed, heavily. She took another step towards him, placing her other hand on his arm.
"No one should ever be ashamed of who they are …" She saw him try to protest and she shook her head, silencing him. "And it's good that you're not. But no one should ever feel intimidated by who they are, either. Your name is Link Dragonclaw. You were born to the royal family of Hyrule and, by blood, you are the King of your people. Your ancestors had great powers and were favoured by the goddesses." She watched Link wince as she went on, his expression growing more and more tense with each word. He felt himself losing his breath, falling below the tide. He was drowning. He struggled but there was nothing he could do.
"But that's not who you are as a spirit, Link. And that's now how I look at you. Rather," she grinned, "I see Link Forest Boy. Astoundingly brave, resourceful, and intelligent. You're naïve, but that's okay. You see the world with a wide-eyed admiration that even I can't capture. I've never been here before, either, but you've only grown up in one place and you're comparing everything to it. You're strong. That's who I see, and that's who I'm loyal to." Her grin turned soft and the waves in her eyes subsided. Link gasped for breath, floating in the calm pools. No tide tugged at his legs, pulling him under. No waves crashed over his head. Just a gentle, placid pool.
"Dragonclaw is a grand name and you are truly worthy of it … but if you don't feel that way, then drop it."
While she spoke, Link hadheld her hand appreciatively, but as she made the suggestion of abandoning his name he tensed up, shocked and horrified. She hastily explained.
"Not forever, but until you're comfortable. Just be 'Link' and nothing else. Then, when you're ready … it may be tomorrow, it may be never, but it won't matter." Her voice was still gentle but he didn't meet her gaze, staring blankly down at the valley. She reached up and softly took his chin in her palm, turning it towards her, and he was back in the pool, floating blissfully. "It's just 'Link' that I like, anyway."
He was silent for a long moment before his hand slipped from hers. He straightened, adjusting his tunic, and looked at her.
"Dragonclaw is the only identity I've ever known. But I want to be me, and not my name. I'll … put it aside," he said, and Malon nodded understandingly. He took both her hands in his grip once more, squeezing firmly, and staring deep into her eyes. "But don't ever let me forget that it's always waiting for me. Please."
Malon grinned, sighing in relief, and she nodded once more, eagerly. Link shrugged, a slow smile creeping across his lips, and he let go of her hands to brush a strand of hair from his brow.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Anytime, Link. You ready to head back in?" She asked. He took a deep breath, letting the warm air sink down to his toes. He allowed his eyes to wander over the countryside, taking in the miniaturized details. Rocky peaks came up around him and the wind fluttered his tunic and his hood.
"I'm going to see it all, Malon. Follow my heart and let it take me away. But first … the princess." As he spoke, her brow was furrowed in a contemplative manner, and she considered him, sizing him up much in the same way that Darunia had.
"Are you still afraid?" She asked. Link's expression went stern and he nodded.
"Yes. I am. I'm afraid for all the people who might get hurt because of me. I'm afraid for you. And I'm still afraid for me. But I'll do everything in my power to prevent anymore people from getting hurt," he said, his voice intense. Malon bit her lip, holding back a grimace.
"You're dreadfully naïve, Link," she accused.
"No, I'm an idealist. There's a difference." He smiled, very comfortably, now, floating in that pool. But he wanted more. "I'm ready to head back in, now," he said, and he reached around her, pulling her into a hug. She returned the gesture, smiling as she pulled away, and she headed back towards the entrance. Link watched her for a moment before following. He'd changed his mind. Her eyes weren't like the sky at all. They weren't dangerous. She didn't know it, but it had been his choice. He'd drowned in them because he'd wanted to.
He smiled. He hoped to never resurface.