Caranril: OMG! I'm so sorry you guys! You've been waiting somethin' like three weeks for me to update, and I promised I'd do it every week. I have legitimate excuses though.

Legolas: Depends on your definition of "legitimate".

Caranril: (glares) Don't mess with the sickly, Elfy.

Legolas: Who're you callin' Elfy?

Caranril: Anyway, after I got back from Ashland, I was bedridden with a fever, then the past two weeks I've had play performances and rehearsals, and weekends are basically my only times to get online. So sorry.

Legolas: But today's Monday.

Caranril: I know. I was puking all night last night.

Legolas: Ooooookaaaaaaay.

Caranril: I'm skipping my classes today so I can regain my strength and, unlikely, stay healthy til next winter.

Thanks to: T-bone (whew, having a faithful reader sure is gratifying!), lvmj (just curious, what do those four letters stand for? ;D), and Tizami (what are you talkin' about? I always miss my readers when they don't review! I've hidden the confetti and rope from Legolas. Still crafting a plan to use them.)

Caranril: Enjoy the long-awaited (I think) chappie!

The Dark Before The Dawn - Chapter 16: Discoveries

The purple-haired maiden was still young for her people, but her face held many woes that shouldn't have been borne by anyone her age. Betrayed by her father, running from his hunters, she knew she wouldn't get very far. War raged all about her, but no one payed attention to the swollen-bellied girl who stumbled through the iron-clad warriors. His hunters were very good; they could smell her blood amidst the blood of elves and Sheikah. She only had a flesh wound on her leg, but it was enough to slow her down slightly. They would find her quickly.

Her thoughts turned to the forest. The battle stayed far away, for anyone who entered that forest was lost forever as wandering dead. The Lost Woods might be her only chance of survival. And she had heard rumours of the power that protected the forest. The power might not let her remain in the forest, but maybe it would take pity upon her unborn child, a child that had not partaken in the evil deeds of her own race.

She fell to her knees as several arrows zipped by and embedded themselves in the grass. She turned to see that the hunters were getting close, and now that she had broken from the heat of the battle and was in the wide open, she would be an easy target. She tried to run, but with her leg and the restless child in her womb, she couldn't make good use of her efforts. Another sped by, tearing a neat slice in the shoulder of her lavender suit. She could see the entrance to the forest. Just a few more feet, and she would be safe from their arrows.

She gasped and turned as she heard galloping hooves. The leader of the hunters, a man who had wanted her for himself before she had found her husband, was on horseback, and now she would never make it. Her hands rested on her stomach and she promised her child that she would keep it safe.

The hoof beats drew closer...the forest tunnel drew closer...soldiers had seen the small band of hunters and were now engaging them in battle...a few more steps...

She cried out as a dagger pierced her shoulder from behind. The horseman had stopped, but his blade had not. She fell into the tunnel away from her pursuers, safe, but mortally wounded. She could feel her heart beating anxiously against the blade, sawing at the sharp edge. She choked back a cry as a spasm of pain ran through her. The child stirred, sensing the danger its own life was in.

"I will not let you die, child of my only love," she whispered hoarsely. Unable to pull the dagger from her shoulder, she stumbled on, desperate to find the forest guardian. She didn't know her way through the forest, but faith and a strange force guided her to a large grotto with a single, enormous tree in the centre. She fell to her knees, her life force completely spent. Her heart was slowing, her mind fading, but she exerted her will to stay alive as she crawled to the foot of the tree and collapsed on her side.

"Why hast thou come all this way, child?"

She wasn't sure if the tree had spoken or not, but in her current state she couldn't decide for sure.

"I...I need a place for my child to stay...to stay while I'm...gone..."

The Great Deku Tree saw her life slipping away. "I shall raise the child myself. Thou shalt be honored, young Sheikah, for thy valiance. For I see in this child a great destiny that will one day arise to protect this land. Thy son...what will his name be?"

Her unseeing eyes stared ahead. Her mouth ever-so-slightly twitched into a smile. "Son..." she whispered. "Our son, Eiric...our son..." she spoke his name with her last breath, "...Link..."

Link sat up, deeply upset. He had had dreams before, but this one had been so real, so close to him, more like a vision rather than a dream. And he felt for sure it was a vision. Perhaps the Deku Sapling had given it to him, but then why didn't it happen before? Something had triggered his need for this vision, something within these caverns.

After defeating the Dreamweaver, the three of them had decided a quick rest would the best for all. He was surprised he'd even fallen asleep, because his thoughts were very disturbed. He couldn't stop thinking about the things the Dreamweaver had said about him, or about the Sheikah who had come here to commit suicide, or about Sheik's revealing of his true identity to Mirwen.

It was dark, but Link could see well enough that he wasn't the only one up. Huddled in a corner as far away from the group as she dared, was Zelda. She had abandoned her Sheik form, for it was too painful for her to look at Mirwen. Even still, she seemed very uneasy, almost frightened.

"Zelda? Are you okay?" Link asked tentatively.

She jumped. "Wha? Oh." She composed herself, then noticed that he was ill at-ease too. "How about you?"

"I...don't know." He sat down, not too far away, but close enough to see her face. "I just had a...dream...about my mother. When she died."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"No, you see, it's more than that. It's not a memory, because I didn't witness it. In fact, I think I was born after she died. The Great Deku Tree..." Link choked up as the dream came back clearly. "He said she would be rewarded for her efforts. Said that I was going have a great destiny in this land. Said...he'd raise me himself!" Link lost control of his voice and silently sobbed into his hands. Zelda was at a loss: she'd never seen Link like this before. She'd seen him upset, but he was having a breakdown. She gingerly placed her hand on his back for comfort, and feeling his trembling body began to slowly rub his back in circles. His constant shaking slowly stopped and his breath came in ragged, quaking gasps. As his breathing regulated, he began to rock back and forth slowly. Then he was still. Zelda left her hand on his back to let him know she was still there.

Link lifted his head slowly. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he wiped his tears away.

"No, it's okay. I understand that you have held this pain away all your life and not even realized it." Zelda gently rubbed his back some more. "It's just that...I've never seen you like this."

"I've never even been like this," Link admitted. "I don't even think I've ever cried before. Well, I did in my dream, but..."

"Your dream?" Zelda removed her hand. "D-do you mind me asking what you dreamt about?"

"My parents. I dreamt of seeing them, touching them, but I knew it wasn't real." Link struggled with something internally, then met Zelda's eyes. "What did you dream about?"

"Well...um, I," Zelda hesitated, "I dreamt I lived in a city full of Sheikah. With old and young everywhere."

"Did you change into this form while in your dream? Because you were Sheik when you went in."

"Um, yes, I was...confused."

Link waited, but it didn't seem Zelda was going to reveal any more to him.

"Oh." Link looked down at his hands.

Zelda turned away, ashamed that she had even allowed herself to dream the things she had. That's why it was odd to be sitting right next to him, because in her dream, he had loved her. Now, in reality, she wasn't so sure.

Link, Zelda, and Mirwen left the freed Sheikah to their own devices, for it was up to them whether or not they wanted to continue living in these perilous times. However, the youngest of eight wanted to go with them. He offered to lead them where they needed to go, so long as the caverns hadn't changed too much in six years. He was a bright fellow who looked to be around the age of thirteen. His name was Thalion, and he apparently learned some of the language of the top-worlders, which was forbidden. Which seemed odd to Link, as both Genicca and Jeric had spoken to him in his own language. He wore a light blue body suit with a loincloth-like dark blue fabric around his waist. He had discarded his Sheikah boots, which he had outgrown while entranced by the Dreamweaver. The legs of his suit were shorter than they should have been, but this didn't seem to bother Thalion as he ran back and forth energetically. Six years of immobility were catching up to him.

"Thalion," Link said sternly, "Where next?"

Thalion paused a moment to study the three passages that stood before them.

"Depends. Where you wanna go?"

Link looked at Zelda, who shrugged. "Where do these lead? Go?" Link added when confusion passed over Thalion's pale expression. His untended mane of black hair bobbed in the direction of each passage as he spoke.

"Home...Krityache...minnanos."

"What's minnanos?"

"Um...place where...trade?...um, sell?...um, lotsa people?"

"Like a market?"

Thalion shrugged. "Sure."

"What's Krity-krity...the middle one again?"

"Krityache...um...where worship we Lord Meltose."

"That's it," Zelda whispered.

"Thalion, take us to Krityache."

Thalion proceeded all too eagerly, thinking nothing of their decision, nor did he notice the glances among the three top-worlders. He was eager to share his culture with these strangers, but he didn't realize they weren't there to sight-see.

As they journeyed through the seemingly endless passage, Thalion had taken a liking to Mirwen. Their conversation was intelligible, at best, but they both were clearly enjoying it. Thalion most of all, for Link observed the behaviour change when he held Mirwen's attention.

"I do believe our new friend has a crush," Link whispered to Zelda. She hid her smile as she glanced at the pair. Mirwen hadn't seem to notice his attitude, but she did notice Link and Zelda watching them. She met Link's eyes but refused Zelda's. She gave Link a wink, proving she indeed knew of Thalion's adoration and wasn't going to destroy his hopes. Link smiled as he turned away, but Zelda's expression was sad.

"What is it?" Link felt he knew the answer.

"I've lost a friend by revealing my identity. That's exactly what I didn't want to happen. Oh, Link! It's as bad as leading a double life! And I can appear war-hardened and emotionless, but inside I'm pained. I'm just grateful you haven't changed with your knowledge of the two 'whos' that I am."

Link tried to smile, but he felt pained inside too. Zelda could see that in his eyes and averted her own, afraid of what that pain meant. Link surprised himself and Zelda when his right hand reached over a few inches and grasped her left hand. Her hand stiffened at the gesture, but as he squeezed it reassuringly, she relaxed in the grip and conformed her hand to his. This simple action had been all she needed, and as she sighed inwardly in contentment, she felt very sure of her feelings for Link for the first time.

Besides the tunnels and strange rooms with the Eye of Truth, Carakrauko, and the Dreamweaver, the trio had yet to see any signs of life and civilization in the caverns, and Link nearly doubted any life at all. But Thalion, the other missing Sheikah, and the fact that Jeric and Genicca lived here were Link's only clues to the existence of the Dark Sheikah. None of them were prepared for Krityache. Thalion seemed like it was normal enough as he continued down the path, but Link, Zelda, and Mirwen stood at the top of the downhill path with mouths agape.

Cliff walls extended up from all sides, but a natural roof was lacking, revealing that night had fallen. The stars lit the layout to a point where the lamps holding flames to light the way were nearly pointless. The packed dirt didn't stir any dust as Thalion's bare feet padded down the path. In the eery blue light, Link could clearly make out a large building. It was much larger than Hyrule castle and definitely older. It was half-carved into the cliff walls, but the front half had been built with the stone and limestone indigenous to the cliffs. There were many people in the courtyard of the temple, where a large fountain erupted a liquid that appeared black. The most awesome sight was the enormous statue gracing the entrance to the temple. As tall as the surrounding cliffs, the head was bowed as if it was watching the activities below. The figure was decidedly masculine, wearing long robes that formed steps into the temple. He held a large clock in his right hand, a clock that functioned, and in his right hand he wielded a long sword. A sword that looked strangely familiar to Link...

"Come! Come! Quick!" sang Thalion. He grabbed Mirwen's hand and pulled her forward. Link tightened his grip on Zelda's hand and stepped down. Hopefully strangers wouldn't stir up too much trouble in a holy temple.

"This Krityache, place we Sheikah worship Lord Meltose. See stone Lord Meltose?" Thalion pointed to the statue looming before them. "That almost five thousand years ago! It the greatest thing made by Sheikah of past. This fountain...don't drink water. It used for...um, tribute."

Thalion continued to chatter, mostly to Mirwen, while Link studied the statue as they drew near. The sword was really bugging him now, and he couldn't quite place the reason why. If he could get a better view...

"Thalion," he said suddenly, "can we see the statue better?"

"Maybe, from top," Thalion said doubtfully, pointing to cliff face across from the statue. "But adults never let me go there. I was too little."

Link nodded. "You continue," Link whispered to Zelda, releasing her hand. She stared at him for a moment, then nodded.

"Be careful. We don't know how they'll react to us."

"You should change into Sheik and see how they'll react to you," Link teased.

"Sh!" Zelda swung at him, but Link was too quick for her. He chuckled to himself as he headed straight for the cliffs. If he had to, he'd climb them. He had to find out why the sword was bothering him. He also had a distinct feeling he wouldn't like it.

Link jumped and turned quickly as a trumpeting swelled behind him. The sound was so enormous that his teeth chattered and his ears throbbed. It had come from the temple, and now every Sheikah in the courtyard was walking towards the statue; many more were filing in through the numerous paths that led to the temple grounds. Link turned against the flow, startled to see each head downcast as if in sorrow or mourning. One younger Sheikah glanced up to meet Link's eyes, and after a flicker of curiosity, looked to the ground once more. None of the Sheikah were watching where they were going, and Link spent most of his time avoiding collisions, so he didn't notice how close he was to his goal until his was facing the eroded staircase. The stairs were void of any life, and Link had a feeling there was good reason, for the stone was crumbling beneath his feet.

The climb was treacherous, and he had nearly slid all the way back down twice, but when he reached the top he felt that it had been worth it. From a large observation point a few feet from the top of the cliffs, Link could see the entire temple, statue, and grounds, which were now filled with Sheikah. There was activity going on below, but he altered his focus to the statue. His eyes landed on the sword, and in those few seconds, his suspicions were confirmed: the statue of Meltose was wielding the Master Sword.

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Caranril: I feel bad for Link. He never knew his parents, and there's so much magic and shadow shielding them from him. Pauvre Link!

Legolas: You shouldn't feel bad. He's a brave man who needs to put his past behind him.

Caranril: Or his behind in the past?

Legolas: What?

Caranril: Never mind.

Legolas: That's what I thought. Please review!