A/N:
Hola, tis I, once again. Since the coming of summer my updates have been rather slow, but I'm doing my best. After watching Sleeping Beauty last night I was inspired to continue this fic. Writer's block is so frustrating. :P Hope you enjoy it, as always. Reviews are also appreciated. (nudge nudge wink wink)
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda. I'm SO sick of writing this. It's so redundant. :P:P:P
Farewells
Within the confines of the Lost Woods, Triana the Great Fairy studied dusty manuscripts and grimoires while simultaneously tutoring three rambunctious sprites in the art of fairy-craft, in hopes that one day they, too, might become fellow Great Fairies of Hyrule. For now, though, Triana simply attempted to keep the sprites from causing havoc in general.
The Great Fairy sighed loudly as Tael continued to chase his sister Tatl about the vicinity. Navi fluttered nearby, giggling in Triana's pointed ear as she watched the pair's antics. Link was also sitting across the room, his nose in a massive tome, displaying that he cared little for what was occurring at the moment.
Finally frustrated by her students lack of interest, Triana scolded the sprites, her voice dripping with annoyance. "Tael! Tatl! Desist this instant!" The two sprites stopped in midair and hovered, silently, at Triana's command. The Great Fairy approached her students and placing her hands on her hips, she added, "Your lack of interest in your studies and in preserving my time is wholly vexing to me. I tire of it." Frowning, Triana fell silent, waiting for her students' replies.
Tatl spoke first. "Oh, Miss Triana, it wasn't my fault! Tael threatened to put itchy-leaf powder down my dress! And he would have, too, if I hadn't flown away! Please, don't punish me -."
"You're such a liar, Tatl!" Tael yelled at his sister. "I did not say anything of the sort! You just wouldn't give me back my quill that I was using to finish Miss Triana's assignment!"
Triana held up a hand for peace. "Calm down, calm down. There is no use for bickering. No harm has been done." Eyeing the sprites narrowly, she added, "Go back and finish up your assignments. I will deal with this later."
"Yes, Miss Triana."
Turning away from Tael and Tatl, who happened to be whispering fiercely to each other, Triana noticed Zelda in the hallway, waiting patiently. With an exasperated smile, she said, "Come in, Zelda. What brings you here, today? I thought you would be studying with Saria on this fine day."
The young girl walked inside with a smile and lifted up a ball of fur toward Triana. "Look!" she cried happily, "It's a kitten! Saria said I could keep her."
And, indeed, the once simple ball of fur mewed rather piteously at her mistress's ministrations. Triana stroked the tabby's soft, orange coat and replied, "A kitten? Where did you get her? She's very pretty."
Zelda set the kitten down upon the ground and watched as she tentatively explored her surroundings. "Mellie's cat just had a litter of twelve a month ago, and she wanted to give away as many as she could." Zelda petted the kitten, who now had her claws latched to the hem of her dress. Link, finally noticing the arrival of the little animal, put down his book and joined Triana and Zelda across the room.
Now petting the feline also, Link asked, "Saria is actually going to allow you to keep it?"
"It's not an 'it', Link; she's a girl, and her name is Fluffy," Zelda replied sternly.
Link frowned, his tan brow creased and his blonde eyebrows furrowed. "Fluffy? Zelda, that's a horrid name. Why would you name it that?"
The little girl swooped the kitten up into her arms and squeezed her against her body. Disregarding the kitten's mewing, Zelda cried, "She's not an 'IT', she's a 'SHE', Link! And Fluffy is a good name!"
Scowling, Link snapped, "Fine, be difficult. I was only trying to help." With a huff, he left both Triana and Zelda, not to mention the kitten, to their own devices. His figure quickly disappeared down the hallway before anyone spoke.
"Well, I like the name, Zelda," Triana said quietly, sitting next to the young girl and untangling the kitten from the girl's arms. Petting the orange tabby, causing her to purr, she continued. "Don't mind Link, either. He's in a strange mood today."
Zelda frowned. "He didn't have to be so rude."
"No, he didn't." Triana sighed as the kitten, a.k.a. Fluffy, rolled around and reached for her fingers with her tiny claws. "Boys will be boys, I suppose. He is thirteen years of age. Remember that, too, Zelda."
"Well, I'm ten, and I have better sense than to act like him!"
Triana laughed softly. "Yes, I suppose you're right." Switching her gaze from Fluffy to Zelda, she added, "He does love you, no matter how he acts. And I know that you love him, too."
Zelda only scowled.
When the sun began to set, coloring the sky a magnificent crimson and saffron, Triana took Zelda back to the Kokiri Forest, kitten in hand. The poor animal was exhausted and slept unmoving in Zelda's arms. When they reached Saria's house, Triana took her leave.
"I will see you tomorrow, my dear," she said while kissing Zelda's cheek.
"Goodnight, Auntie Tri." With that, the little girl turned and bounded into the house, jostling the little kitten into mewling once again. Once inside, Zelda set Fluffy gently onto her bed and then waited in the kitchen as Saria finished cooking supper.
Link sat across from her and was unusually silent. Typically having a story to tell or a prank to pull on Zelda, the boy was strangely distant and quiet. His brow was furrowed in thought as he tapped his fingers against his thigh, as if agitated.
Zelda poked him lightly. "What's wrong with you, Link? You're as boring as a tree stump tonight."
Link eyed her but didn't deem a reply. Shrugging, Zelda did not attempt to ask him again, although she was silently worried about him. The air in the cottage seemed stifling after a time, and the young girl felt a drop of sweat running down her back slowly. No one was speaking, not even Saria, who was always cheery despite being soft-spoken.
Finally enduring enough, Zelda cried, "What is wrong? Everyone is so very stone-like! What is going on?" She narrowed her blue eyes suspiciously.
Saria clanged the ladle against the pot accidentally; the sound seemed unusually loud and obtrusive. Setting the utensil down slowly, Saria said softly, "Link, you must tell her."
Zelda's eyes widened. "Tell me what?" she demanded, "What is going on!" She swiveled her gaze to Link and scowled. "Tell me, Link! What's happening?"
The young man closed his eyes, and then opened them, not once looking directly at Zelda. "I'm leaving," he whispered.
"Leaving? What do you mean? Leaving the forest? I don't understand! I -."
His blue eyes focused finally on Zelda; her mouth clamped shut at the emotions swirling within them. "I'm leaving the forest at dawn, Zelda. I'm going to the city with Triana to learn swordsmanship. I won't be coming back."
Her head swirled; her body felt numb with shock. Clenching her fists at a sudden surge of anger, she cried, "Why? Why do you want to go there, Link!" Desperate, now: "You can't leave me!" Tears spilled down her face, wetting her dress.
"Zelda, my dear, this is a wonderful opportunity for Link. Be happy for him -."
"No! No! Please don't leave, Link!" Sobbing uncontrollably now, she looked up at Link through a haze of tears.
And all she could see was his blank, azure eyes.
She fled the room. Falling upon her bed, she wept into her arms, not even noticing Fluffy's attempts to comfort her mistress by purring and kneading her back with her claws. Zelda disregarded Saria when she tried to console her. She refused to eat any supper. As the moon rose into the sky, Zelda continued to see Link's uncaring eyes and felt her heart would break.
The sun had barely risen in the cerulean sky when Triana (although she was returning) and Link began saying their goodbyes to the forest folk. As the Kokiri thumped and hugged the young man, encouraging him in his decision, Zelda stood away, her face a mask of hurt.
Eventually after doing his rounds of goodbyes and hugging Saria closely, Link approached Zelda cautiously, his face also masked. "Farewell, Zelda," he said quietly, holding out his hand.
The young girl eyed the hand with a scowl and eventually swatted it away. "Good riddens," she whispered fiercely. "I'm glad you're not coming back."
Link nodded, his face tight with hurt. Turning around, he went to Triana, and they mounted separate ponies. The Kokiri cried their farewells and waved goodbye to the two figures. Zelda simply crossed her arms and did nothing. Saria did not attempt to change her attitude.
As she stared at the ground instead, Zelda felt the tears returning to her eyes. She could not truly believe that he would leave. Although Link had always teased and bullied her, he would forever have a special place in her heart as her closest friend and even, she admitted silently, her hero. As hot tears spilled from her eyes, she noticed Fluffy at her feet, mewing quietly.
Sudden realization at her behavior came to her as she watched the kitten bat at her shoe strings. Scooping up the feline, Zelda sprinted after the retreating figures, who were so close to leaving the forest forever. Her breath came in quick gasps and sweat dotted her brow. Fluffy tried to scramble away but was kept in a tight grip. Her arms and legs pumping, Zelda ran as she had never run before.
Reaching the bridge to the field of Hyrule, Zelda had finally caught up with Link and Triana. They turned in their saddles as they heard the bridge wobble behind them.
"Link," Zelda gasped, "please…please…wait…"
Link was instantly off his pony and in front of Zelda, perplexed at her behavior. "What is it, Zelda?" he asked gently.
Looking up into his eyes, she held up Fluffy with trembling arms. The kitten mewled in protestation. "What," she breathed, "should I name her?"
Link frowned for an instant before smiling sadly. "Name her whatever you think is best, Zelda."
"No! Link, tell me! What should be her name?"
Stroking the kitten lightly, he was silent for a few moments while Zelda continued to catch her breath. His voice was soft as he answered. "Linna."
"What?"
"Linna." He colored slightly. "It means 'hope' in Ancient Kokiri."
Zelda blinked and then looked to the kitten in her hands. "I like that," she whispered.
Silence abounded for a few moments as the pair struggled for words. Finally, Link spoke. "I'll miss you, Zelda. Please, believe me."
"Will you truly not be coming back?" Her eyes were pleading as she clutched the newly named Linna to her chest.
Link's eyes softened. "Someday, I will return. I promise."
"But I will miss you so, Link. I do not want to see you leave."
A whisper: "Farewell, Zelda." He then leaned toward the young girl and gave her a tentative kiss on her flushed cheek. Her flush deepened.
Rubbing the spot on her cheek in disbelief, she replied quietly, "Goodbye, Link. Please come home soon."
As Zelda watched Link turn and mount his pony once again, she felt the tears flow down her cheeks. But she would not leave until his figure had disappeared. By the time he was but a distant shadow, Zelda wept brokenly as she walked slowly back to her home.
Somehow, deep inside, she knew it would never be the same.
Wowzeroonie, how was that? I also must say that I have a certain penchant for felines, and I couldn't help myself in this chapter. (heh) So please don't throw things at me if you don't like cats. Which I found very sad, if that is the case for you. Ah, well…
To the Reviewers who deserve baskets of kudos covered in rainbow sprinkles XD:
Azure Raelin: I don't know if I've ever been threatened to write another chapter else harm will come to me. OO Lol I'll take it as a compliment. XD Good thing you don't know where I live…
LostReyn: Yes, maybe Navi did a bit of foreshadowing? (huhhuh) I couldn't very well have two little kids in a fic and not have them beating each other up. XD Thank you for the compliments, as always!
kat-SageOfWisdom-princessZel: Thanks so much! I've always loved Sleeping Beauty, especially when I was little. I couldn't resist using it with LOZ. XD
magnum326: I guess it is kinda like The Carnival. Oops. OO Lol XD
ZeldaChik63: I'm so glad it's summer, too! I was about to keel over from all of the finals I had to take. :P I couldn't help but having some fighting in the chapter. Although I don't have a brother, it does remind me of my sister and me. We used to fight all of the time…heck, we still do. XD
Story Weaver1: I guess it was pretty cute. In a bratty kind of way. ;)
Lost Soul 01: I definitely have a love for love-hate relationships, have you noticed? Lol And I hope this fic won't completely mirror the Disney version b/c that would be boring (and so uncreative of me). I don't know if I do everything perfectly (so much to improve upon…), but thank you for the compliment! I love your reviews, Lost Soul 01. You're so nice. : )
nightwanderer: I had to have Zelda beat up Link. Girls over boys! (lol) Thank you for reviewing, as always! :)
PIRO the unforgiven one: Navi is extremely irritating. So I thought I should have her just as annoying in this fic! XD Couldn't help myself.
Jewel of the Wolves: The chapter reminded a lot of me and my sister. Lol We fought all of the time but not as physically since we're both girls. XD Not to say there wasn't any hitting involved! Lol Thanks for the review! =D
anyone: Thanks so much! =)
ayachan21: Navi was just being stupid, as always. Lol Thanks for the review!
lucibell: I'm looking forward to the fluff, too. XD I really need help…Lol
Perfect Soldier 01: Thanks so much! I really didn't want to spend too much time when they were little b/c that would get boring… XD Thank you for the compliments, too. I feel so special now. :D
Hikari no Purinsesu: I'm glad that despite not having a comp that you're still reviewing! XD Thank you for your support, as always! :)
aslan-chic: Truth be told, I don't really have very much experience with kids. I think it all comes from my own memories of being little. My sister and I fought all of the time… Lol XD
Midnight Starfire: It sucks that you're life is hectic what with it being summer now. :( But I'm glad you managed to still review. XD Lol Truthfully, I have no idea where I'm going with this fic. OO Oh well, hopefully an idea will come to me soon. Thank you again for your support! :D
jade04: Thanks! Hopefully each chapter will keep getting better. :)
Fun Fact: Here's something random for you guys: you know what manga is, right? Well, did you know manga also means shirt sleeve in Spanish? Told ya it was random. XD
Dumb Question of the Day: Does everyone think that Farthnelda is a hilarious name? My best friend burst out laughing when she read it. Lol
Now for a really, REALLY dumb question: What does BTW mean? It can't mean between! ARGH I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT! Please help out an idiot, will you? Oo