Chapter 23

The Sad Truth

"Oh good! He's waking up.", exclaimed Cremia, who was sitting in a chair, next to Link's bed. Romani and Jesamay, the other two, who were permitted to be in the room, looked up from their seats.

"What happened?", Link asked groggily as he rubbed he back of his head. Slowly he sat up, observing his surroundings.

"You took quite a nasty hit there.", explained Romani, moving close to the bed, followed by Jesamay. Link felt the large bump on the back of his head wearily.

"No kidding.", he said. Looking at the group around him, he noticed Zelda was not there. "Where is Zel?"

All of them stared to the ground with glum expressions. Jesamay came forward, taking a deep breath. "She's been kidnapped."

"What?!", Link choked. "Who? Where did they go!?" Forgetting his bad headache, he jumped out of bed.

Jesamay pushed him back to sit down. "I'm afraid Toby was not who you thought he was. Evidently, he is the prince Marth, coming to capture back Zelda."

Link's hands formed tight fists at his side. His expression had quickly turned from confused to furious. "Where is he?", he asked gravely.

Jesamay kept a firm grip on his shoulder. "Now, we can't jump into things. We have to think this out. There are some things you should know before going to Hyrule.", she said seriously.

"Like what?", Link said irritated. He needed to leave now. There was no time to sit and learn something here. He needed to get to her now.

Cremia spoke up now. "There are some things you don't know about Zelda. Some things you don't even know about yourself. Some things she didn't get to tell you yet.", she explained.

Romani, who was new to the news just minutes before Link woke up, stepped forward to tell the story. "You see. Zelda…. Well…let's say, you knew her longer than you think."

"What are you talking about?", Link asked, calming down a bit. Cremia sat down beside him, pulling out a bottle of pink liquid.

"Back when you were a kid, you and Zelda had been good friends. For some reason someone didn't like that. So one night, you went to a ball.", Cremia said. "Zelda had told me that she was receiving memories of the past. That is were it stopped." She nodded towards Jesamay.

"I worked at the castle at that time.", said Jesamay. "I was a servant. What happened that night was to never be remembered. After your escape, the king had ordered that all the guests that had seen you two, must forget also. He even went to Termina to make sure they didn't remember you either. You were to be flushed out of all the minds of townsfolk that had ever seen you. You were to never exist."

Taking it all in, Link sat in silence for a moment. "But why would they go through so much trouble to get rid of me?" Jesamay leaned against the wall, thinking of what she should say.

"You and Zelda were such close friends that the king and prince feared you two would fall in love. And that's exactly what happened. It caused commotion that night at the ball and you were to be executed. Luckily, you escaped, but without ever having memory of the princess. The next day, you were just an ordinary forest boy, looking for adventure."

"No.", Link said, shaking his head. "This couldn't have happened. It's impossible."

"No. It's actually very true.", said Cremia. "It all happened when you were just twelve years of age."

"You tell me Zelda knew about this. She had been seeing this for a while now. Why wouldn't she have told me?", he asked. A pang of hurt coursed through his chest.

"She didn't want to tell anyone.", assured Cremia. "She thought she was going crazy. I was the only one who knew."

Link leaned forward taking his head in his hands. "I would've believed her. She could've trusted me."

Romani jumped in now saying, "Come on Link. Wouldn't you have thought it to be a little farfetched? I mean, telling someone that they really did know you before you met? That's very hard to explain to someone." Cremia fiddled with the bottle in her hand.

"That's why I have made an antidote. Zelda was going to, but she believed the past was over with and bothering to know it would bring no good. Just in case, I made this.", said Cremia , lifting up the glass to Link's face.

"Knowing the truth is very important here.", said Jesamay. "And with this, you will gain all of your memory back. Remember, there was a good reason for loosing your memory. You may not understand now, but I'm sure you'll learn."

Link looked at her, trying to find a familiarity. "Do I know you?", Link asked, now realizing that this person, who knew so much about him, was someone he never met before.

Jesamay smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Sort of.", she answered. "Now drink. You must hurry." Jesamay descended to the door of the clinic. "Farewell and good luck on your rescue." With that, she was gone.

Link turned to Cremia. "Do you-?"

"Never mind that.", Cremia said, handing him the potion. "Drink it, get your memory back, and be on your way." Link nodded, still somewhat confused, and lifted the bottle to his lips, drinking all of the potion.

At once, Link's body flew back on the bed, engaging in a series of violent convulsions. The two redheaded sisters looked at each other in horrified expressions. Each took hold of his arms, restraining him from falling off the bed.

"Is this supposed to happen?", yelled Romani, struggling to keep Link still.

"Uh… I don't know!", cried Cremia, afraid he was having a seizure. "Zelda didn't mention any side affects."

Suddenly, Link's body stiffened to a halt, and collapsed on the bed. Romani let out a squeak, putting her hands to her mouth.

"You killed him!"

Darkness…

Link stood in an infinity of empty, black space. There was nothing around but himself.

Suddenly, he was hit with a blast of wind, followed by fragments of previous experiences flying past him like nothing he had ever seen before.

As the images flew by, he took in every single moment that flashed before him. His thoughts had abruptly been thrown into an array of emotions, senses, and new memories he had never experienced before.

He saw himself venturing from the forest and into the castle. Some force pulled him to meet the princess. Coming up to meet her for the first time. How surprised she looked to see that a forest boy was in her courtyard.

He saw themselves spending many hours together. Laughing and just being kids. He felt the sensation of having a crush. He saw various times when they would talk. Talk about a missing friend. About the future. About anything.

He saw himself looking for his lost fairy. His last visit with Saria, and the promise he made an eleven year old girl that he would be back in time for her birthday.

He saw himself a hero after saving a town from an evil power, and the ongoing voyage to find Navi. And then he did, just in time. He found her deep in the lost woods.

He saw himself racing home to see Zelda again. And when he did get back to her, he wished her a happy birthday as they sat in the garden. He could see his younger self blushing slightly when he saw Zelda's excitement over his gift.

Link was relieved to see that the memories that flooded his mind were slowing to a normal speed. He watched carefully as he saw himself enter a large ballroom.

Many eyes were upon him, but minutes later none of it mattered, for to the left of the room, Zelda entered. She sparkled with beauty as she descended past the prince and asked Link if he would dance.

Together they did, and when the dance was over, she lead him to the balcony to converse, and then maybe more. Because as he viewed this lost memory, he saw their lips meet for just a moment.

Suddenly, with much confusion, Link was thrown into the scene before him, in the body of his younger self, and was no longer watching this playback, but role playing as the main character.

Two guards grabbed his arms and twisted them behind his back painfully. With a grunt he fell to the ground, hearing Zelda cry out .

"You have been watched carefully boy.", said the prince. "And your actions displease us all very much." Link couldn't believe this kid. He was the same age and still thought he was better than him.

With one swift move, the prince took a hit at Link with a closed fist. Link sucked it up. He wouldn't give this brat the satisfaction of his pain.

"Stop!", he heard Zelda yell. "Why are you doing this?"

The king was replying to her question, but Link didn't take the time to listen. His attention was on Marth. Zelda had warned him about this guy. She told him what a spoiled child he was, and how he'd do anything to get what he wanted.

The prince spoke again, saying, "For force upon the princess, I, Marth, sentence you to death by my hand.", he said, then turning to the guards. "I have spoken."

What? He was going to kill him. How could the king allow that? Was he letting some twelve year old boss him around? Link couldn't believe this nonsense.

He looked up to Zelda, knowing as it might be his last time. Tears filled her eyes, and it looked as she was about to collapse. "No! You cannot!", she screamed. "This is not your kingdom. I object to these matters." She glanced his way for but a second and struggled to get from the guards grasp.

Marth turned on his heal and walked towards Zelda, whispering something in her ear. Link's blood boiled as he thought of ways to torture the little monster. He saw Zelda's eyes widened as she turned to her father, looking desperate.

"Please father. Don't do this. Link was at no fault.", she pleaded, still being held back by the two men. The king had ordered this? But why? The king never showed unpleasantness to Link before.

Link focused back on the prince, who was now tearing off the moon's tear he had given to her that day. Absentmindedly, his fist clenched, wanting to drive them into Marth's ugly, little face. Zelda struggled to take back the necklace.

Playfully, Marth dangled the necklace before her face, taunting her with it. Unexpectedly, he let go of the hanging string, letting the teardrop necklace crash to the floor. Link couldn't believe his eyes.

Marth, the king, and the guards who were holding Zelda, left her there to cower in her own misery. Link wished to run to her and make everything all better, but upon the king's departure, he was harshly dragged away.

Zelda yelled out to him with a cracked voice. He could see her about to get up and run, but now she was held back by a young servant girl. Not able to find his voice, he watched as she disappeared, and he was taken to the dungeons.

After being thrown, rather rudely, into a room of rock walls, he sat with his head leaning back against the wall, awaiting his fate. He cursed himself for being so dumb and kissing her right there when he knew the king was watching.

His anger grew, thinking of what was to be. With pent-up rage, he slammed his fist into the sharp, rocky wall, without a care to the pain that followed. This is not the end, he thought, thinking up ways to fight back at his execution.

Just then, he heard the creaking of the dungeon door before him. Ready to stand his ground, Link rose from the floor, engaging in fighting position. He watched carefully as the door slowly opened, waiting for the right time to attack.

A snow white hand appeared, pushing the door opened, revealing a young servant girl. Link's muscles relaxed, looking at her with confusion.

"Who are you?", he asked, baffled that such a girl could sneak down to the dungeons unnoticed.

"I am Jesamay.", replied the girl. "I work for the princess, and have come to set you free."

Link stood up strait, not exactly knowing what to say. "Um… thanks?" He walked to the door, feeling slightly awkward.

"No need to be thanking me.", she said. "But you must do something instead."

Link laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, you see, I'm sort of with Zelda."

Jesamay rolled her eyes, ready to laugh. "I didn't mean that, stupid. I meant that you have to leave this place and never return."

"What!?", Link exclaimed. "No way! Zelda needs a friend right now. She can't handle things by herself."

Jesamay huffed, crossing her arms, and eyeing him with a frown. "Do you want me to leave you here to die?"

Link stood up straight, but realized she was the same height. He backed up, leaning against the wall. "Why do I have to leave?", he asked.

"Because", Jesamay started. "It wouldn't do any good if you stayed here. Think about it. How can you go against the King and Prince Marth. It would be better if you just left."

"But what about Zel?", he asked, feeling rather small at the moment.

"She wouldn't remember you.", Jesamay answered sadly, looking away.

"What?", Link asked, puzzled to what she was saying. "What do you mean, she wouldn't remember me?"

"She has drank something to remove these horrible memories. If you were to be executed, she would only see you as a foolish criminal.", explained Jesamay. "You are no longer an existence in her life."

"What? But how?", Link asked, not wanting to believe his ears. "Why would she drink it? I know she wouldn't want to."

"That is why she wasn't informed about it.", Jesamay answered. "It was slipped into her water glass. She believed it was medicine to calm her nerves. I'm sorry."

Link looked to the ground. His fists were so tight that it drew blood. The reality of never being able to see her again was hitting him hard. It felt as if he were being stabbed with a thousand, tiny knives.

Why did this have to happen to him. They could've been something someday, and with the luck he had, it was never going to happen. He sighed, giving up his dream to be with her and said, "Fine, I'll leave."

Jesamay placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "I can't imagine how hard it is for you to do this, but I'm glad that you understand. Things could never be."

Her words dug into him, painfully making him realize that she was right. How in the world could he, Link, compare to what Marth was. Marth was the one who was to take place of the new king. Link prayed that Zelda could one day be happy, even if it didn't involve him.

"Let's go.", said Jesamay, taking him through the passageways, and out of the castle. They walked in silence until they got to the edge of the forest.

"I must take my leave now.", said Jesamay. "There is one thing I want to give you before you go." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a bottle of purple liquid, and placing it in his hand.

"This is the potion Zelda had drank. I thought it would only be generous if I gave half to you too.", she explained.

"Thanks.", Link said, half heartedly.

"It is only fair.", she said. "It will end your suffering. I promise you that. It is better than living a life of banishment. I hope it helps."

"Me too.", he said, looking towards the castle. He could see candlelight from Zelda's room. It pained him to look any longer.

"So I guess this is it.", he said. "I suppose I should thank you for saving my life."

"Don't waste your thanks on me.", said Jesamay. " The Goddesses know I don't deserve that much."

"So, do I forget you too?", he asked, not sure of what he was in for.

"Yes.", she replied. "Sadly, you forget all that has to do with everything relating to Zelda."

"Is there a chance we shall meet again?", Link asked, trying to not feel so hopeless. "Or anyone for that matter."

"Yes, there is a chance.", Jesamay assured. "Now off you go." She gave him a weak smile and turned him towards the woods.

"Goodbye.", he said, walking away, disappearing in to the night.

Link arrived home about an hour later. It was dark, and the only light he could see was coming from his tree house.

When he climbed up his ladder and walked inside, he found it was Navi, fluttering around happily. Least to say, he was not in the mood.

"Welcome home!", she chirped.

Link flopped back on his bed, frowning at the fairy. "Where have you been? I search Hyrule and the lost woods for you and once I do, you disappear again."

"Well I was just…catching up on a few things.", she said, turning blue. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing.", he snapped. "Can you just give me a while alone?"

"Sure.", she said happily. "Goodnight handsome!" With that, she whizzed out of the house and into the forest.

Link wondered to himself why he had gone to find her in the first place. She acted so differently around him now that it annoyed him. And why was she in such a good mood?

Sighing, he took out the potion from his pocket and studied it. His mind whirled of memories of Zelda. He had made such good friends with her, possibly more, and it was funny how fast it would all end.

What if she didn't drink it, he thought. Maybe there was still some hope that she knew him and was awake in her room, wishing for him to be okay. No, it was true, she had long forgot of the boy with blue eyes and shaggy blonde hair who cared so much for her.

He closed his eyes, imagining how the night went down. How wonderful his lips felt against hers. How much courage it took to even push himself to do it. Possibly she enjoyed it too. And then, the look in her eyes when she saw him taken by the guards.

A tear had streaked down his face. He raised a hand to his cheek to make sure it was real. Link had never cried before. In the saddest of times, he would be the one to stand up strong.

He stifled a laugh at his weakness. Boy, if Mido could see him now. Crying over a girl. He wouldn't let me see the end of it, he thought.

Gathering up himself, he lifted the bottle to his mouth. Jesamay was right. This was the only way. There was no future for him and Zelda anyway. Even if they were to keep their friendship.

"Goodbye Zel.", he whispered, taking the bottle to his lips and drinking every last drop.

Instantly he felt himself growing weak and tired. He started to sweat, his body feeling feverish. He fell back onto the bed, his eyelids becoming heavy.

This is it, he thought. No more talks on the felids, or lazy days in the courtyard. Just a normal kid.

His muscles relaxed fully, as he welcomed sleep onto himself. He was no longer conscious of the princess, her castle, and their friendship.

OMG.. yay! i passed 300 reviews! Thanx guys..i love ya all! :) you don't know how happy i am. :D

ArizonaGoddess89: Oh that sux. Sry you didn't get the update info… hope you get this one though. :)…of course imma finish this. I love this story too much to abandon it…. Ew Zel n gannon…lol…well neway. Merry Christmas to u too!Silver-Sanity: thanx! Oh never…I wouldn't be that mean. : ) ….or would I? ;) jp.. No more rapeHikashi Suzuki: lol…thanx : )

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