Thanks to: lvmj (I'm sorry I killed Saria off, but to make great angst, you kinda hafta have somebody die. Well maybe not, but that's my POV.) and T-Bone (I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! At least you still love my story!)
Caranril: Hm, for the first time ever, I think, I have nothing to say.
Legolas: This won't be the last, hopefully.
Caranril: ...By the way, "Mirwen" is pronounced mere-wen, not myrrh-wen.
The Dark Before The Dawn - Chapter 12: Mirwen
Link stared at Impa for a second, his face impassive, then he slowly sank onto the bed, his countenance falling as he sat.
"Dead? How?" he whispered.
Impa sat next to him, avoiding Zelda's sleeping form. "She was in the Forest Temple when it was attacked. She didn't have a chance."
"I-I don't understand!" Link put his head in his hands. "Why didn't anyone else die? Why Saria? The only one who really mattered?"
"Now, Link, all of us mattered, but, not to be cruel, Saria wasn't as...busy as the rest of us. Nabooru, Ruto, Darunia, and I all are guardians of cities, whereas the Kokiri are protected by the Deku Sapling. Saria spent nearly all her time in the Forest Temple."
"Nearly all her time?" Link glanced up from his hands, his eyes red from unshed tears.
Impa pursed her lips. "Do you recall the letter I left?"
"Yeah. You said that you'd heard of something here that might help us," Link said quietly, his voice muffled by his hands.
"I haven't found...it yet, but with your help we might find it sooner. Apparently, Saria was in charge of this power, and now, with Saria gone, I wonder if we'll find it. Will you help?"
"As of the moment..." Link stood abruptly, "...no. I...I need some time." He left his house and slid down the ladder, running through the Kokiri village quickly so as not to be questioned, as the tears had leaked from his eyes and were now coursing down his cheeks. He climbed the vines that led to the Lost Woods entrance and, without a second thought, plunged into the dark forest.
He ran blindly, instinct guiding his path from the ways of the lost. He stumbled into a clearing where a field of daisies had taken advantage of the tree-free area. He fell to his knees amongst the flowers, lifted his head, and cried out to the air, a cry of agony and frustration. He hung his head and let his tears fall into the flowers. He reached down and brushed the tears hanging from the petals like dew, then plucked the flowers. He brushed them against his cheek and recalled how this field was Saria's favourite place, besides the courtyard at the entrance to the Forest Temple. She didn't bother him as much to braid her hair as the other Kokiri girls did, but because she was so important to him, whenever he did braid her green locks, he laced it with these flowers.
Link stood and walked from the field, letting memories of Saria flow through his mind. He didn't even see the path ahead of him, his feet unconsciously taking him through brush, a gate, a maze, and suddenly stopping at a long stairwell. He climbed the stairs slowly, eventually reaching a long stretch of trees that led to the Forest Temple courtyard. Link knelt at the warp platform, which had somehow been unscathed, and gently lay the daisies in the centre.
His tears forming again, Link pulled the Ocarina of Time from his belt. He closed his eyes, and his fingers stumbled through the notes of Saria's Song, but as he drifted into the powerful notes, he played faster and faster. His fury surpassed the abilities of his fingers, and he simply stopped playing. The walls of the forest echoed the raging tune, then instead of fading into the wind, the song slowed to its rightful tempo and continued to play. A light filled Link's eyelids, which he opened in surprise. A green light was emanating from the platform, and slowly, just liked he'd seen her in the Chamber of Sages, Saria rose through the stone. She was still for a moment, then her green eyes met Link's blue ones. He felt tears well up in his eyes again, a mixture of sadness and delight.
"Hello, Link," Saria said calmly.
"Saria..." Link tried to reflect her tranquility, but his voice cracked dangerously. "Why?"
"I couldn't help it, Link," she answered sadly. "There's more important things than I in this world. The biggest of all is that you survive this ordeal. Who will protect this land when you have gone?"
"Whatever protected it before me?"
"The Sheikah, when they were plentiful."
"Saria...I..."
"I know, Link," Saria smiled. "At least you came to see me. I'm afraid that I won't be able to help you for much longer. I was able to hold onto this earth long enough to leave you with instructions, but I must flee to the goddesses. They beckon the dead, and I can't resist."
Link reached out for her, only to grasp thin air.
"I'm sorry, I am but a spectre. I have been the guardian of a person who has uncontrollable powers. I am a mentor, believe it or not, and I leave my pupil in your charge. Beware, keep her emotions tamed, for strong feelings are the doom of any careless beings."
"What?" Link asked in surprise. "Saria wait!"
"Good bye Link." She flashed him a smile as she sank into the stone. The light throbbed, hummed, and a curled-up figure appeared on the platform, apparently asleep.
Link stared at the sleeping girl, surprised that she seemed to be like a normal person. Was she seriously the subject that Impa had heard of and Saria had warned about? She had a simple look to her, long brown hair, tan hides as clothes, Kokiri-like boots, and rather pale skin. Perhaps about sixteen years old. She stirred, opened her eyes, then looked up at Link with startled hazel orbs.
"Who are you?" she almost sounded panicked. "You are not Kokiri!"
"Actually, I am." Link held out his hand, but she scooted back. She gave him a look of disbelief.
"The Kokiri are child-sized," she added suspiciously.
"Oh, that. Well, since I was an infant, I've lived with the Kokiri. When I was ten, I was called to save the land of Hyrule as the Hero of Time. After I saved the kingdom, I left for another town and saved the world. I guess I was found unconscious and have been for ten years, though as each days passes I begin to doubt the truth in that."
The girl didn't seem swayed. She slowly stood and encircled Link.
"Saria was my best friend, and when she became a Sage, I hardly ever saw her. I was...upset to return and find that she had died."
The girl stopped. "Mistress was your childhood friend?"
"Yes, if you're referring to Saria."
"She found me, took me in. I had been hiding in the Lost Woods, hiding from those people who wanted to use me and my... talents."
"Do you know who they were?" Link asked curiously.
She shook her head. "I was in my room, which was where I basically lived. I overheard my parents' conversations on how to get rid of me, for I was an embarrassment and a hazard. One day, they were visited by a pale man who claimed to want to 'employ the gifts that your daughter has been endowed and give her a new life'. After the clunk of a bag of rupees on the table, I quickly translated this to 'buy this burden off of you and use her powers to my own evil ends'. I had been entertaining escape for a long time, but this was it. I knew my parents would accept the money, and probably move to Clock Town like they'd always dreamed but were afraid to bring me into public. Saria taught me a lot about myself and others, and even some about meditating to control my powers. I still have problems when I'm...emotional."
"I'm sorry you've suffered so much," Link said empathically. This time when he held out his hand, it was in greeting. "My name is Link."
She hesitated, then accepted his shake. "Mirwen. It means 'jeweled maiden'. Obviously my parents didn't know that they would one day regret the day I was born."
Link ignored this remark. "It's nice to meet you Mirwen."
"Thank you...Master."
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The walk back to the village was rather silent, though Link occasionally asked questions, Mirwen would respond rather insipidly and always end with "Master".
"So how old are you?" Link tried as they entered the village, hoping this simple question could be answered.
"I'm not sure, Master," she replied flatly.
Link sighed. He was wrong again. As they approached his house, he noticed two figures talking quietly that stood several feet taller than the Kokiri. Impa nodded towards him, and the other tight suit-clad figure turned. For a split second, Link almost didn't recognize him, for the typical wraps he wore around his hair and face were gone. Sheik nodded his head in greeting.
"Why are you in this form?" Link asked.
"I woke up, but had lost all control of my stomach. Impa couldn't get me to swallow some fruit, so she advised I stay Sheik until we can find a fairy."
"Your wounds don't carry over between forms?" Link asked in surprise.
Sheik shook his blond head. "No, for they are almost two entirely different people. Our sex differs, for one thing. And...this might disturb you, but in this form, my feminine mind is sort of in a dream-like state. I, or perhaps she holds the actions, but the emotions in this state are those of a male Sheikah."
"Uh..." Link didn't know what to make of this.
"For example," Impa interjected, "Zelda's attracted to you, but Sheik most definitely is not. They are the same person, just a basic version of both sexes: Zelda is a female Sheik and Sheik is a male Zelda."
"Impa..." Sheik glared at his guardian. "I don't necessarily mind now, but I will be angry for that first comment later."
Impa smirked. "I'm so scared."
Sheik opened his mouth to comment, but shut it wisely. Impa may be older, but she was definitely none the worse for wear. Plus, she knew much more about combat and magic than he did. But not more magic than Zelda...
Link shook his head. "I guess it makes some sense. I'd have to think about it some more."
Sheik nodded his head towards a point behind Link. "Who's that?"
Mirwen had stopped several feet back and was staring wide-eyed at Sheik.
"Oh, well she's what Impa had been looking for when she left Kakariko. She had been tutored by Saria before she...Saria left her in my charge. Mirwen?"
Mirwen nervously drew closer. "Yes, Master?"
Link sighed. "Stop calling me 'master'!"
"Of course, Master," she said absently, still staring at Sheik.
Sheik chuckled at Link's exasperation. He extended his hand to Mirwen. "Hello, Mirwen. I am called Sheik."
Mirwen took his hand, her eyes never leaving his ruby ones. She was silent, even more so than she had been around her "master". She bowed her head reverently, then ducked behind Link shyly.
"I have no idea what's wrong with her," Link mouthed silently. Sheik simply nodded his head in response.
"We got what we came for, apparently," Sheik commented. "Should we continue?"
"We should get you a fairy first," Link said seriously.
Sheik shook his head. "I'm fine in this form. I have this terrible feeling that we're running out of time."
Link paused and searched himself, finding that in the back of his mind was the same awful feeling that imminent doom was at hand.
"You're right," he shuddered. "But shouldn't we get one, just in case this form is wounded and you have to switch...?"
Sheik raised his hand. "I'll be fine, trust me."
"Okay," Link said reluctantly, shrugging on his pack from Epona's saddle, just in case they lost her again. "But sometimes, I really don't trust your judgment."
"Oh? And I'm supposed to trust yours?" Sheik lifted a brow. "As I recall, your decision to flirt and party the other night was a bad one."
Link flushed at the memory. "Uh...we should get going." He thanked Impa as he passed and led Epona along. Mirwen had accepted his offer of the saddle and was brooding from up high.
It took some convincing to get Epona to cross through the tunnel, but Link and Sheik together had managed to push her into it. Once outside in the morning sun, she sauntered behind him as he walked next to Sheik and quietly discussed the addition to their group.
"I have no idea what kind of power she possess, but it was enough for her parents to disown her and Jeric-at least I think it was Jeric- to want to enslave her," Link whispered.
"We may find out soon enough," Sheik whispered back. "How far away do you imagine these caverns are?"
"I have no idea," Link admitted. "I was sort of in a hurry trying to outrun a storm. I believe they're west, for I passed near the desert, and I eventually came upon the remains of Lon Lon Ranch."
"So west it is." Sheik fell silent. Link joined his quiescence, wondering at Mirwen's servitude-like behaviour. She certainly didn't seem like a person who held uncontrollable powers, except for when she spoke of her parents and their lack of love for her. Link was impassive about this, for he never knew his parents. He had hoped the Great Deku Tree would have revealed the information to him at the appropriate age, but the Deku Tree had never lived to that point in his life. The Deku Sapling might know, but that was doubtful.
They traveled the entire day, taking advantage of the daylight that mocked the storm of the day before. Mirwen didn't speak to either of the men, and they didn't speak to her. This seemed to be a mutual desire. Sheik suggested they set up camp well before the sun set in order to account for any problems. Plus, he had noticed a pack of long-legged animals that were apparently good eating. His eyes sparkled with adventure as he fashioned a spear and slung a rope over his shoulder.
"I shouldn't be gone too long," he said cheerfully. "Uh, enjoy yourself." He glanced at Mirwen, who was sliding from Epona's saddle, eyes downcast. Link sighed and waved for Sheik to be getting along already. A meal of hot meat sounded like ambrosia to Link after eating dried fruit and meat for two meals.
While Link set up a canvas tent provided by Nabooru, Mirwen stacked firewood from debris leftover from the storm. Sweating from his struggle with the last peg, Link sat in the shade of the tent and watched his "pupil".
"I think that's enough firewood," Link commented, eyeing the pile that was now half his own height. Mirwen dropped one last piece on the top and sat down next to it, several feet away from Link. He found himself feeling self-conscious, knowing he should say something, but his mind was drawing a blank.
"Ahem, so," he attempted, "I'm wondering why you still call me 'master'."
Mirwen glanced at him, then looked down. "Because you are."
Link sighed. "Did you act like this around Saria? Because I find it hard to believe that she would let you call her 'master'. Or 'mistress'. Or whatever."
"Well," Mirwen responded slowly, "Saria was a girl. She was open and easy to talk to. And I wasn't afraid of her."
"Are you afraid of me?"
Mirwen snorted, a reaction that startle Link. "Of course not. What with the things I can do...No, it's just that..."
Link, sufficiently cooled off, scooted across from Mirwen. "Keep going."
"Well, the only men I've ever been across have been my father and the doctor, and neither were kind to me."
"I'm sorry," Link said sincerely, realizing now why she shied away from him and Sheik.
"I was just some pest that needed to be treated but was found to be untreatable," she continued bitterly. "I was kept locked up for so long...I never knew what grass felt like before I ran away." To emphasize, she ran her fingers through the green surrounding her.
"I want you to know that you don't need to be afraid of me, and don't deny that you aren't, because it's an emotion different than fear. I'm good at reading people, believe me. Except for Sheik... Anyway, you can talk to me just as easily as you would with Saria. Well, almost as easily. The only thing I really understand about girls is that they like their hair braided, but that's beside the point. What I'm offering is not to train you, but...friendship. I'd like to be your friend."
Mirwen took his outstretched hand. "F-friends?"
Link nodded. "Sure. And Sheik will be too."
"Sheik..." Mirwen fell silent. She seemed to be deciding something. "Um, what exactly is he?"
"You've never heard of the Sheikah?"
Mirwen shook her head.
"Oh, of course not. Well, as far as it's known, Sheik and Impa are the last of the race of Shadow People, except for where we're going. I suspect that these people are an ancient tributary of the Sheikah who never surfaced. I also suspect that the man who tried to buy you from your parents was Jeric, the man who lied to me about Meltose."
From that point, Link let his words flow in the stories from Meltose's chaining to spending the night at Impa's house. Mirwen's eyes grew wider with each radical fact that Link pointed out, looking very much like a child being told a fairytale. When he finished, Link sat back and observed her reaction with satisfaction.
"The Hero of Time?" she said in wonder. "Does that mean you're a Hero in Time or that you're the only Hero in our time?"
"Uh, I'm not sure, because I don't know whether or not there have been previous Heros of Time," Link admitted. "But I do my duty whenever I can."
"So Meltose wants to kill you and Princess Zelda?" Mirwen asked. "And you're comfortable with that?"
"Well, I guess I'm just used to it," Link chuckled. "I've had a lot of experience with...bad guys." He stiffened as he felt Sheik's presence not too far away. "Uh oh. We were supposed to have a roaring fire by now." He stood quickly and began arranging the wood. He sighed when he realized that they didn't have flint or matches.
"Guess we'll have to do it the hard way," he muttered, rubbing two sticks together with ferocity. His strong arms heated the wood quickly, but the sparks were quite pitiful. He sighed again and shook his cramping arms.
"Sheik's gonna kill me."
"No he won't," Mirwen said firmly. "Try again."
Link looked at her curiously for a moment, then set to work. He rubbed again, watching Mirwen out of the corner of his eye. Her eyes were closed and her eyebrows knit together in concentration. Link glanced at his work, noticed a slight spark, then threw himself back with a yell as a roaring fire singed his bangs and nose hairs. He stared at the wild fire, then at Mirwen, who had her hands outstretched towards it, like she was warming them, but her face was contorted with focus. Link watched the flames sink from outrageous to typical, campfire-size. Mirwen lowered her hands and opened her eyes to meet Link's startled expression.
"How'd you do that?" Link gasped.
"Um, well, that's what my, um, powers are, but not really," she blushed.
"Go on."
"I can control elements of nature, such as fire, but I'm not very good at it. Depending on my emotions, they're usually out of control. That was my first try without Saria's instruction."
"Well good job, I'd say," Link said, eyeing his burnt hair. "Why didn't you just set flame to the wood and spare me the trouble?"
Mirwen looked at her feet. "I can't form the element, only manipulate it."
"Oh, so like, if I was to..." Link drew his sword and pressed the flame gem. Mirwen stared at the weapon in awe. "Could you do something with this?"
Mirwen looked from the sword to him and back again.
"Well, since I'm apparently your 'master', here's a training session," Link said with a wink. Mirwen smiled, then closed her eyes. Link watched the flames on Beleguial dance, then stop, almost as if they were placed on pause. They stretched and grew, warping strangely, then formed into a phoenix perched on the end of his sword. Then they suddenly shrank to normal flames, which Link extinguished. He sheathed his sword and smiled at Mirwen, who was sweating slightly and looking very pleased with herself.
"Great job," Link said in surprise.
"Thanks," Mirwen said happily. She suddenly shivered as the sun sank and a chill swept through the camp. Link shivered as well despite himself.
"Um, what about the dead?" Mirwen asked nervously.
"They hate fire more than they hate the light." Sheik strutted into camp, bearing the carcass of one of the creatures he had been hunting. "Din's specialty is fire, whereas light isn't really a specialty of any of the goddesses. Therefore, fire's more potent."
Link had fashioned a spit out of pieces of debris and placed them over the fire. Sheik slid the animal onto the spit and took charge of the cooking.
"I saw your pyrotechnic display," Sheik said to Mirwen, who seemed almost terrified of Sheik. "Very impressive."
"Th-thank you," she said quietly.
Link eyed her suspiciously, noting the significant change in her attitude. While Sheik busied himself with dinner, Link took Mirwen by her elbow slightly away from the fire.
"Okay, 'fess up," Link ordered, his arms crossed.
"What?" Mirwen stared at him innocently.
"You were just fine around me a minute ago, and now that Sheik's here, you act like you haven't been around men again. You can't use that excuse this time."
"I..." Mirwen avoided his eyes. "There's something about...I just...I don't know."
Link stared at her blush and realization dawned on him. "You like him," he said in surprise.
Mirwen glanced up, startled, then blushed even deeper. "How could you tell?"
"I told you I was good at reading people."
"Oh, yeah."
Link gestured for her to go, then found himself avoiding the fire himself. He stared at the sliver of moon that was peeping above the horizon. He found it odd that Mirwen liked Sheik, because he was also Zelda. But then, he had said that Zelda felt different things than he did and vice versa. It was still odd...because he liked Zelda.
Wait, where did that thought come from? Link berated himself. Our relationship is strictly professional...isn't it? A strange feeling entered his gut as he thought about her blond hair running through his fingers. She had enjoyed him braiding her hair, and now that he thought about it, he had liked it too. Link began getting confused, because the more he thought about, the more he noticed that they weren't ever professional to one another, unless other people were watching. And now Mirwen was talking animatedly with Sheik, who was also Zelda. Should he be jealous of Mirwen because she was demanding his attentions, or not because it was Sheik and not Zelda? Link shook his head of all the ideas floating about. It was just odd...
"Link!" Mirwen exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me that Sheik was a magic-wielder too?"
"I did," Link said. "I think..."
"You talked about Princess Zelda, but you didn't mention anything about Sheik," Mirwen said accusingly. "Didn't you know?"
"Of course I did." Link sat across from Sheik, who stared at him as if to say "you didn't tell her?"
"Oh, well, it seems to me that Sheik's been more helpful to me in two minutes than you have all day," Mirwen giggled uncharacteristically.
Link stared at her in surprise. "Well, that's not true. I helped you out a little by giving you practice."
"The best trainer is always the one who has trained themself," Mirwen said automatically.
"So you're saying I'm worthless," Link said, pretending to be hurt.
Sheik chuckled. "That's what I've been trying to tell you all along, Hero."
"You want to take this outside, Prince-?" Link almost said "Princess", but the mood Mirwen was in was too good for him to spoil by revealing Sheik's true identity.
"Bring it on, fairy boy," Sheik grinned, leaving the spit to Mirwen, who laughed as he and Link approached each other in exaggerated defensive stances. Link drew his sword and struck at Sheik clumsily, who with equal clumsiness dodged it and kicked at Link's legs. Link cried out, and lifted one leg and pretended to teeter on the other. Sheik took the "opportunity" to disarm him and kicked Beleguial out of his reach. Link retaliated by taking a swing at the Sheikah. Sheik flew backwards from the air blow and landed like a cat ready to pounce. Link charged at him, but Sheik leapt into Link's stomach, grabbing his waist and running with him. Sheik dropped Link quickly but carefully to the ground and placed a knee upon his chest, while the other hovered dangerously above his crotch.
Link threw his hands up. "I surrender!" Sheik lost his balance with laughter as he recalled the cowardly bully, his knee narrowly missing Link's "family jewels".
"Hey, watch it!" Link gasped through his laughter. This made Sheik laugh even harder as he realized the close call. Mirwen was laughing as well, finding it difficult to turn the heavy spit as her arms shook.
As they calmed down, Link stared at Sheik, who was lying next to him and wiping his tearing eyes. He tried to picture Zelda through the head wraps and ruby eyes, and though he knew she was there, he knew that she wouldn't be caring about the situation at the moment. Right now, they were two guys horsing around.
Link sat up with Sheik. "How are you doing?" he asked quietly.
"I'm fine, why?" Sheik asked.
"No, I mean, how's Zelda doing?"
"Oh." Sheik stared back at Link. "Well, um, I don't know. It's technically a different body, you know."
"Right," Link forced a smile. "Well I'm hungry, how about you?" He stood and offered his hand to Sheik, who ignored it and flipped himself up. They returned to the campfire and divided up the tender meat, which, as Link had thought earlier, was ambrosia. They ate until their stomachs couldn't bear anymore, then they all lied back and stared at the stars while Sheik pulled out his harp and played a pleasant melody. Link listened as he quietly sang with his plucking in a tongue he didn't understand, probably Sheikah. A sigh came from Mirwen, and Link noticed that she was asleep. Link sat up, making Sheik stop his playing.
"Keep playing," Link whispered as he bent over to pick Mirwen up. He carried her inside the tent and lay a blanket over her. She smiled, muttered Sheik's name, and continued to sleep. Link left the tent, slowly scratching the back of his head. He sat next to Sheik, who continued to play, but had his attention on Link.
"Something's bothering you," he said matter-of-factly.
"Can't hide anything from you, huh?" Link tried to smile.
Sheik sat up to give him his attention, charming his harp to continue playing the Song of Time. He set the harp down and placed his hands in his lap.
"Okay, talk," Sheik ordered.
"I'm...I'm worried about Zelda," Link lied, impressed by his ability to do that in front of Sheik. Perhaps it wasn't completely a lie...
"Oh, of course," Sheik said. "If you want..." He made to perform the signals and words for the transformation.
"Uh, are you sure you should be doing that?" Link asked nervously.
"I'll be fine," Sheik smiled. "I've eaten food and regained my strength, so I'll probably just be kind of groggy. I do have a head injury after all."
Link nodded, and watched as Sheik transformed into Zelda. This was exactly what he wanted Sheik to do, for he really needed to talk to Zelda. Her blue eyes met his in question, though they were slightly hazy.
"What's bothering you, Link?" she asked quietly.
"It's Mirwen," he answered bluntly. She waited for him to continue.
"She...has feelings for Sheik."
Zelda's eyes went wide. "I didn't notice that!"
"You probably would now that you're female again," Link commented.
"So what's the problem?"
"I-" Link hadn't expected to explain why it was bothering him. "Well, you're actually a girl. Isn't that weird?"
"But I'm technically a guy, too. Is it possible for me as Sheik to be attracted to girls? Sure."
Link stared back at her. "So it doesn't bother you?"
Zelda gently touched the side of her head. "No. I've had eleven years to get used to being male."
"Oh." Link stared past Zelda and at the fire. Zelda gave him a look of knowing and scooted closer to him.
"But that's not what's really bothering you, is it?" she said.
Link looked at her, startled. "What are you talking about?"
"You just told me that I would notice now that I'm female again, and now that I think about it, you were acting strange when I was Sheik, too."
"I'm...fine." Link looked away. Zelda frowned. She scooted closer, moving his legs so she could be right in his face. Her hand turned his chin so that his eyes met hers. He stared back at her.
"What is it?" she whispered. "Yesterday, you said that I was one of the people who suffered from your absence, and right now this is quite like that. Please visit me here in Hyrule."
Link swallowed hard. "Zelda..." he whispered.
"Go ahead," she said quietly, releasing his chin, her face inches from his. Both their eyes were half-lidded, and Link found himself irresistibly drawn closer. His hands ached to touch her golden hair, but the voice in the back of his mind told him that their relationship was supposed to be professional. He suppressed the voice and reached his hand for the blond locks. They were tangled, but that was solved as he ran his fingers through. His other hand reached up, but she hissed into his face as the pains from her wound returned. Link pulled away, turning her head to examine the wound.
"You're bleeding again," he said huskily. He found his pack and pulled out fresh bandages, discarding the old ones in the fire and dabbing at the fresh blood. Zelda stared at his face with every move he made, until he finished. He met her eyes, which were drooping with fatigue. Link made her lie down slowly and covered her with a blanket, then he lay down next to her, using his pack as a pillow. She abandoned her own pillow and placed her head on his chest. Link's gut twinged at the sensation of her lying against him, and the feeling grew as she wiggled her head into a settled position. Her steady breathing signaled her sleep, and Link sighed contentedly before dropping off himself.
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Caranril: (sighs) Aw, they're sooooo cute!
Legolas: About time Link got the girl!
Caranril: I know! And the best part about writing my own Legend of Zelda fic is that I can make all the things that should happen, happen.
Legolas: Well no one else can write your own fic...
Caranril: Hm, that's true. And man, I wish I had Mirwen's power's, 'cause she can make her own fireworks!
Legolas: I knew there had to be a reason for that part.
Caranril: (chortles like mice of Cinderella) Ooh! Fire! Oooooooooh! Pretty fire!
Legolas: O.o Okay, I'm officially scared, so please review.