a/n: It was really random, him deciding he liked her...I'm disappointed in myself. sighs I really am getting rusty at this. In addition to that, earlier I mentioned people knew him as the hero of time...but by following the sequence of events in Ocarina, there's no way this is possible...man...guess it's bash-xifa's-stories day... Oh well. I'll just keep pushing towards the finish so I can say goodbye to this story and never look back XD Hope you all are liking it, at least. Maybe I can pull it back together or whatever. Wish me luck, I'll need it!
Chapter IX: Reverie
Suddenly I was in the Lost Woods again. I blinked, shocked, but sure enough, there I was. The spirits of the woods danced in front of me, and I could hear the cheerful hum of Saria's ocarina singing her song. I looked down at myself, but I was still Link...still the same Link I was in Labrynna. What had just happened?
"Welcome back, Grasshopper," Malon smiled. Malon? What was Malon doing in the Lost Woods?
"Why are you here, Malon?" I asked, more than a little confused.
"To welcome you back, silly," she laughed. I was still staring at her.
"So...how did you know I'd be back?" I inquired, playing along like I actually knew what I was talking about, when in all actuality, I still had no idea why I was here, much less Malon
"Because you're here," she answered, and I sighed. Sometimes it's impossible to get anything out of her.
"Link!" Saria darted up to me. "Are you okay? I heard you calling for me from wherever you were...why are you back? Did you finish your quest?"
"I think I failed it," I said simply, looking down at her. "I don't know why I'm back. I don't know how Malon got here either."
"Malon? Who's Malon?" Saria frowned.
"She's standing right here," I gestured to Malon.
"Link, are you okay?" Saria asked quietly. "There's nobody there."
"Who are you talking to, Grasshopper?" Malon giggled. "Are you trying to freak me out?"
Just when I thought things wouldn't get crazier, Sheik appeared.
"What the heck are you doing here in that outfit!" I demanded from Zelda, determined to find the source of all this nonsense.
"I'm here to teach you a new melody," she said, pulling out her harp. She began playing a haunting tune, one that didn't make me feel safe at all...all while Malon and Saria were still chattering away, and then I looked behind me to see a younger version of myself standing there. The young Link, the one who didn't know the truth. Or did he? I didn't even know anymore!
"Link?"
I looked to the source of the quiet voice to see Reona. I closed my eyes, fighting off a wave of nausea.
"This is all a dream," I stated aloud, wondering how I hadn't recognized it sooner.
All the people in the dream except me froze. A black fog surrounded the area, and an old man wearing a solid white, hooded robe walked in.
"And so you are right, traveler from another world," his deep voice said. I frowned at the figure.
"Who are you, and what business do you have presenting me with these illusions?"
"I am the High Elder," the man said, and I felt a bit of hatred rise within me. "I am highly suggesting you withdraw from your quest and leave Labrynna immediately."
"Who are you to say?" I scoffed, not really caring.
"In Labrynna, we pay for opinion crimes," he said simply. "Our world is perfect. However, it's about to change for one girl."
"Who?" I asked, even though in my heart I already knew.
"You know who," he smiled. "Reona Lateralus, that's who. You mentioned The Words, and just at the mention, they began in her mind. They gave me a direct portal into her thoughts that night, until she was finally able to pull herself together. You gave me the information I needed to convict her of another crime."
I stopped breathing, but it didn't matter since this was only a dream version of myself.
"Thank you, Link. Now please return home before I have to convict you of laws you're not bound to as well," he said. "Awake!"
Bright light flooded my eyes.
