Making it short...I don't own Zelda...beware the monkey.
**
Ch. 17: Inbetween
Zelda was running to her daughter long before she noticed that Ganon's men were scattering in fear at the defeat of their leader. Some yelled out "to the desert! The desert, you fools!" As she pushed her way past them, running even before Link, she did not notice Riut grab two other companions and disappear into the shadows. "We will face them another time, boys," the captain said, hatred dripping on his words.
"Airaen!" she cried as she came upon Airaen's unconscious form, blood covering the girl's tunic, and a trail of blood behind her. She lay on her back, her head to one side, her right hand palm upwards towards the sky, eyes closed. Zelda fought back tears as she prayed her daughter was still living. She knelt and brushed the stray hair from her daughter's face, then moved Airaen's right hand. As she turned it over, her eyes widened in shock; a deep cut in the shape of the Triforce mark lay on the back of her hand. The wound was fresh, for it bled down the girl's hand, dripping down to the ground. Instinctively, Zelda ripped off a piece of cloth from the rag that had been her dress and wrapped it around the wound, securing it by tying it in place. Placing her cheek next to Airaen's mouth, as Impa had taught her long ago, she waited for breath...
Link came up behind her slowly, afraid. He placed a shaky hand on Zelda's shoulder, staring dumbfounded at Airaen. "She's still breathing!" The words drove home to him, filling his heart with more hope than he thought possible. Alive...my child lives...
He went around her to the other side of his child, kneeling down as Zelda had done. Airaen's bandaged hand caught his eye, and he reached to inspect it; Zelda caught his arm before he touched it. "Not yet...I don't want you to see that yet," she whispered to him. Though confused, he nodded, and then turned to the deep gash in the girl's side. He gritted his teeth as he saw it; where the energy had hit her had left a long gash that curved slightly inward, turning the flesh into nothing short of butchered meat. Link's rage rose as tears stung his eyes, thought: How can she still live after that?
Roh came up behind Zelda, then clenched his fist when he saw Airaen. "Goddess..." he swore, kicking the dirt in anger.
"She's still alive," Zelda repeated, her voice hoarse. "But...she needs care...or...." Her voice trailed off.
Roh kicked the ground again. "The path that leads back to our home is completely blocked off, thanks to that bastard of a coward...and there's no way we can get back to the path at all. Plus, the Fortress is so close to complete destruction thanks to her," he pointed to Airaen, "that there's no way we can get through it to the path in the mountains. And, we can't climb the mountains with the wounded as it is, nor with the horses...Ah, and it takes more than a good two weeks back to Sidar from here! Damn it all!" He kicked the ground again.
"How long does it take to get back to the Castle from here? A week?" Link asked.
"A little less than that, if we go directly," Zelda said, staring back at her daughter. Sighing, Link bent forward and gathered Airaen into his arms, swaying slightly as he stood.
"We don't have any tents at all...we...we wanted to travel light..." Roh whispered as he stared.
"We'll have to make the best of it, I guess," Link said. "Come on...get the rest of your wounded from out of here...we'll...bury the dead later."
He made his way over to where the others stood readying the horses, Zelda following. Roh made to follow, when something caught his eye; turning, he saw something gleaming and half-buried in the dirt. Curious, he walked towards it, bending down when he reached it. After brushing some of the dirt away, he saw that it was the hilt of the Master Sword. Not knowing what else to do, he took his traveling off and wrapped the broken sword, then carried it under his arm and made his way over to his own horse. Carefully, he hid the bundle under the saddle.
**
Very few men of Sidar had died: fifteen mounds were left near the Fortress in tribute to their deaths. The wounded were carried by their horses as the quiet company made their way out of the Valley, eager to leave it.
**
"How is she?" Zelda asked as she knelt next to Icarn, who was overlooking the girl's injuries.
Icarn raised an eyebrow. "Well," he said slowly as he finished wrapping a bandage around the gash in Airaen's side. "It's actually not as bad as I first thought when I saw it..." he continued. He sat back and stared at the stars.
The passage out of the Valley, past the bridge, may have taken a while, but it was apparent: all those present were more than happy to leave. Link had ridden on Perigan, holding Airaen, keeping her from falling off the horse. She had not even stirred.
"What can we do?" Zelda asked, sitting back as well.
"Well, the best we can do, M'Lady," he answered, his eyes closed, "is keep the girl nice an' comfy an' warm." He looked to the campfire next to them for emphasis, and then wrapped the blanket tighter around the child. "If you'll excuse me," he said after a pause, "but I've gotta go tend to the others..." He stood, bowed, and made his way over to the other wounded fighters.
Zelda brought her knees to her chin, thankful for the warm fire and the solitude. She turned her head slightly to watch Airaen sleep; the girl's head lay to one side, her mouth partly open. Zelda could hear her shallow breath and shivered inwardly, thought: You almost died...you...should...be dead...and still you live...
She sighed. Presently, Link came up behind her and sat down next to her, staring into the fire. They sat in silence, until Zelda asked, "Why didn't you interfere? Why wouldn't you let me?" Her voice was quiet and fearful.
Link never removed his eyes from the fire: "They...told me not to...when she was still an infant..."
Zelda glanced around quickly to make sure no one listened. Thankfully, they were still a bit away from the other campfires. "When...?"
Link leaned his head back, eyes closed. "When we...gave it to her...I asked them what they planned for her...they only said 'whatever happens, you two mustn't interfere.' I...only insisted we do as they had told us because I trusted them...I really...never expected...this." He sighed and lay back. Zelda leaned forward, crossing her legs; feeling uncomfortable, she traced her finger along the dirt, feeling like a lost little girl again.
"She'll live, you know," she said, staring ahead of her. "I don't know how, but she will..." Her voice trailed off. Why am I so fearful? she asked herself.
"How do you know she'll be the same, though?" Link asked. There was no answer, save for the crackle of the fire and the threat of tears.
**
She walked among the golden fields in the bright sunshine, feeling happier than she had ever felt before. Fairy-sprites, like those she had seen in Kokiri Forest, flew nonchalantly in the air, forming lazy patterns. She half-skipped then took off at a run, careening down the path she had found earlier as it sloped up a small hill. As she reached the top, she stopped to stare down at the scene below her. The field, similar to Hyrule Field, continued on forever, but a large, golden gate that stood slightly away from the foot of the hill cut the field in half. The gate stretched along horizontally, stretching out past her vision. Grinning happily, she sped down the hill, nearly tripping as she picked up speed. Laughing, she slid to a halt at the bottom of the hill and then turned to her right.
A larger path lay to the right that continued on until it reached the open door of the gate. Several people, each transparent as if made of steam, half-floated, half-walked along the path and into the gate. As she continued to watch these people continue on, she beheld a large tree way off to the very center of the field. She could see tiny children and adults running around it in a game of some sorts. Longing to join them, she moved off towards the gate. A voice that called her stopped her, and she turned to see a pink fairy floating towards her. "You cannot go that way," the fairy said, "Not yet."
Disappointed, she frowned, answered, "Why not?"
The fairy floated in front of her face and answered, "Because you haven't died yet."
She crossed her arms and sat down on the grass, the frown never leaving her face. "But...why?" she asked, looking up at the fairy, squinting in the sunshine. She could tell the fairy was getting agitated at her.
"Because they said so!" the fairy said, floating around angrily.
"The goddesses?" the child asked, grinning. "They don't want me dead yet, either, do they?" She giggled; she liked this game.
The fairy sighed. "How Gate put up with you I will never understand. But you don't remember your name, yet, do you?"
The child laughed. "No," she giggled, placing a hand over her mouth. "But when I do, I'll have to leave, won't I?" She lay back and giggled. "How I love this game!" The fairy sighed, thinking: Why do I have to be the one to watch her?
**
There were fifteen spare horses to go around, now master less. Gate, tired from flying everywhere, found it increasingly difficult to keep up with Perigan. He watched Airaen, still unconscious and leaning against her father's chest. Looking back, he saw Zelda on another horse, looking tired; she had not slept either. They had been riding now for two days without much improvement; the men were still quieter than usual, and all of them seemed to find some way to avoid Airaen's sleeping form. Gate had heard, or thought he heard, the whispers of "abomination" among the campsites at night, had seen, or thought he had seen, quick, fearful glances at her. He felt slightly angry towards them, but then thought, Who could blame them, after what we all saw her do?
Sighing, he flew onwards, catching up with Link.
**
"Nothing from her yet, huh?" Roh asked as he watched Icarn leave. He finished his meager meal of dried meat and water and stared across the fire at Zelda. It was the first time in the three days they had been traveling that he had come so close to her. She sighed and shook her head.
"Nothing," Zelda said, looking back over her shoulder at Airaen, who remained unconscious and still. "She's got a slight fever, I guess, but she's healing pretty quickly."
Roh glanced at Zelda again and could not help but say, "That fast...that really isn't normal." He bit his lip, cursing himself for saying it.
"No," Zelda replied, "it isn't." Wanting desperately to change the subject, she asked, "So, how's your father doing, Roh? I haven't seen him in a long time."
**
"Well, that was embarrassing and utterly unforgivable on my part," Zelda said as she lay down next to Link in the fading light of the dying fire.
Half groggily, he replied, "What is?"
She sighed as she wrapped the blanket around her, rubbing her temples as she lay back. "I just found out that Roh's father died nearly a week ago...I just asked Roh how his father was a few minutes ago...and that boy had to tell me..." Her voice trailed off as she remembered the hurt in his eyes. Damn it all, how can I be so stupid?
"Just go to sleep," Link said. Within a few minutes, he was asleep again.
But Zelda couldn't sleep. After nearly a half-hour of trying to go to sleep, she cursed softly and sat up, looking around. All the campfires had died out, leaving total blackness save for the light from the moon. Stretching, she stood and made her way over to where she had usual sat for the past three nights, unable to sleep.
Airaen was still in the same position she had been since Link had lain her down earlier. Zelda sat down next to her, staring off into the night, lost in thought, stroking the girl's cheek absentmindedly. "Still can't sleep, huh?" Zelda nearly screamed. Turning, she saw Gate floating just above her head, and she relaxed.
"Sorry if I scared you," the fairy said.
Zelda shook her head. "It's alright," she replied. Gate floated down closer to Zelda's face, casting an eerie, blue glow on the ground. "She's healing faster than she should," Zelda continued after a pause. "Why hasn't she woken up yet, Gate?"
"I don't know," the fairy replied. "Too much of a strain on both spirit and body, maybe? Who knows..."
"Link thinks she'll be...different...when she wakes up. What do you think?"
For a while, Gate didn't answer as he sought to find the right words. Presently, he said, "M'Lady, she was different the very day she was born...what makes you think this will make her any more the different than before?"
Zelda couldn't find an answer. The wind blew softly through the camp, silent as the night itself.
**
She sat with her back against the gate, sighing a little in frustration. Time and again she had tried to sneak past the gate; each time, her fairy guide had stopped her, always at the very last moment. "I want to join in the game!" she said aloud, hoping the fairy would hear her. Getting bored, she traced her finger along the dirt. There had been dancing and singing and feasting last night, and she had had to stay outside the closed gate, her face pressed against the bars as she watched them dance around the great tree. Though she did not fear hunger nor thirst, she longed to join in the feast.
She stood and brushed the dirt off her pants, then went off at a run to chase the ever-present fairy-sprites, forgetting her troubles at the moment and laughing.
**
"Halt, you! Show yourself!" Icarn cried, calling the company to a halt. A small group of armored soldiers were riding towards them. Icarn drew his sword, but Roh held him back. Quickly getting off his horse, he spread his arms wide.
"I hold no weapon," he said as the men came up in front of him, drawing their own sword. "Come, man," he continued, pointing to the man in front, "Who are you?"
The man sheathed his sword. "Karn of Hyrule Castle, Captain of the Guard...we've come in quest to rescue Lady Zelda, so if you would please stand aside..."
Having heard the name, Zelda rode forward. "Karn! I'm right here, Karn!" she cried. Karn nearly fell off his horse in shock, but instead gracefully landed on his feet and knelt before his Queen.
Rising, he said, "But...my Lady...how did...how did you...?"
Zelda laughed. "I was rescued, of course, silly. What I would like to know is how you actually were able to come with twenty of your men...I thought the Castle was overrun?"
Roh nearly fell over, then turned on his heel and said, "Overrun?! But, begging your pardon, Lady, why the hell are we making our way back there?!"
Zelda shrugged. "Hope, I guess," she said nonchalantly, waving the matter aside. Roh crossed his arms in disbelief, but remained silent.
One of the men from Karn's group whispered to his companion, "Well, mate, this was a waste of time...we could've been enjoying a nice beer right about now while we're helping some rebuilding in the Market, but, nooo...let's go on a wild goosechase. 'Infiltrate the Fortress' cap'n said. S'bloody shit, if you ask me."
**
The company, now with an extra twenty men, rode on until they came within the vicinity of the Castle, their going a little slow because of the wounded. Riding ahead, Karn drew out his war horn and blew a long, loud note. Almost instantly, the gate, now repaired, lowered with a loud clang to the ground as the company rode onwards into the Market. Stares and open mouths of shock from the villagers turned to loud, triumphant cheers as they saw Zelda and Link among the company. As they swarmed into the street, Karn, riding at the front, raised his hand, crying, "Make way! Make way for the Queen! Make way, you!"
Never really liking attention, Link hugged Airaen tightly to his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head as he rode forward. I hope you wake up soon, little one, he thought.
**
"We'll have to make a bit more room for all of them," Zelda was saying to a servant. A long bath and a change of clothes had made her feel a bit better, but nothing could hide her worry.
The servant bowed, said, "All the guestrooms have been properly cleaned out since the guards overtook those evil men of Ganondorf's, my Lady...and, as you had ordered, the young girl has been placed in your room, Lady."
"And has she woken up yet?" she asked as she looked out the window.
"No, Lady," the servant replied. "Sir Link has not left her side, either, my Lady. And the young lord from Sidar has not stopped asking about her condition."
Sighing, Zelda rubbed her temples. "That will be all. Thank you." The servant bowed and left the room. Not knowing what else to do, Zelda made her way upstairs again.
**
"Did you hear?" the old lady said to her companion. "Those men from Sidar, who are staying here, they said that that girl-child Sir Link was holding actually fought Ganondorf! They say she beat him!"
"That's not all I heard," the companion replied, putting a finger to her lips as she shifted her basket in one arm, squinting in the light from the setting sun. "They also said she was like a demon, or something of the like!" The other woman put a hand to her mouth. Other people, curious, gathered round the woman, eager to hear more. Feeling confident, she continued: "Yea, they said she used spells and the like, that she wasn't a child at all! They said she laughed like a demon in Ganondorf's own face! Those men said she had a gleam in her eye that looked like a demon straight from the Shadows!"
Frightened, a few of the men gathered made the sign to ward off demons. "You mean, like the Sheikah?" one of them asked.
"Aye, but more powerful than that! And to think that creature is staying in her Majesty's own room! It's horrifying!"
**
"Someone's talking about me," she said to the fairy as she kicked at a loose pebble. She was leaning against the gate again, boredom taking its hold.
"Oh?" the fairy replied. "And how do you know that?"
"Dunno," the girl replied, shrugging. "I just feel it." She giggled. The fairy sighed, thought, The sooner you remember your name, the sooner you can be out of my wings. The child sat down again, her back still to the gate. "Why don't you go help some dead person? I can handle myself just fine, you know," she said, looking up at the fairy.
Growling, the fairy retorted, "I might just do that!" Turning, the fairy flew off in a huff.
Grinning to herself, the child leaned back. "Alone at last!" she said to no one. Standing, she turned and leaned her face against the bars of the gate, looking beyond it sadly at the wonderful games being played out. Then something caught her eye: a figure, a woman, was making her way towards her. Upon further inspection, the child found that the woman had blonde hair and blue eyes. As the woman came closer, the child yelled out, "Hi there! You look like someone I think I know."
The woman smiled as she stood in front of the child, cocking her head to one side in amusement. "Hello, there, little one, and who might you be?" she asked. Her voice was sweet and motherly.
The child giggled. "I don't know. I can't remember my name yet, since I'm an 'inbetween'," she replied innocently. The woman smiled back, her blue eyes sparkling. "You're a mother, aren't you?" the child asked, grinning.
"Yes, how could you tell?" the woman replied with a smile.
The child shrugged. "You just look like a mother is all. What is your name?" she asked.
The woman sat down, to which the child did the same, never taking her eyes off her. "My name is Kaisha, a Hylian."
The child raised an eyebrow. "Kaisha, huh? Who was your child?"
Kaisha giggled. "My son, you ask? His name is Link." The child started, standing up in shock.
"I...I know that name! I...know Link!" she stammered, gazing down at Kaisha, who smiled at her knowingly.
"Do you, now? And how do you know him?" she asked innocently, her eyes full of wisdom.
"Because...because...he...he is..." she searched her memory, her heart pounding in her chest. "He is my father! Yes, Link is my father!" she yelled out.
Kaisha laughed happily. "So, I have a granddaughter, then! A pity I didn't know until now! And what is my granddaughter's name, child?" she asked, her blue eyes sparkling with inner wisdom.
The child opened and closed her mouth, searching her memories for something...a name...anything. "I don't...I can't...remember..."
Kaisha raised an eyebrow. "You don't?" she asked sweetly. "Well, what is your mother's name, then?"
The child narrowed her eyes, then looked at Kaisha. "She...she has blue eyes...and blonde hair..."
"My, my, she sounds like she has the same hair and eyes as my son...what is her name, child?"
The girl's eyes widened. "Zelda! My mother's name is Zelda! She's the Queen of Hyrule, and I'm her daughter! That...that makes me a princess, doesn't it, Kaisha?" she said happily. Kaisha nodded.
"Your name, child," Kaisha whispered, "What is your name? A grandmother ought to know her grandchild's name, should she not?" The child nodded, searching...she remembered sunlight glinting off a rooftop...a ranch...a castle...a sword...the sea...a Fortress...an evil face...and then...
"Airaen! My name is Airaen!" Airaen cried happily. Kaisha laughed and clapped her hands.
"That's a Sheikah name, little one," Kaisha replied with a smile.
Airaen smiled. "Of course it is...my mother named me, after all," she replied. She looked up and stretched. "I think I have to go now, Kaisha...I'm sorry. I would have liked to stay here a little longer to talk to you..." she said sadly.
Kaisha waved her off. "Go on home, Airaen! Your parents are worried sick about you." Nodding, Airaen turned to leave, when Kaisha said suddenly, "Oh! Airaen! Tell my son I said hello, would you please?"
Airaen nodded, then took off at a run back the way she came, running up the hill and disappearing from Kaisha's sight. "Well, I guess only a mother could do that, eh, Kaisha?" the fairy asked as she flew up behind Kaisha, who remained sitting.
Kaisha smiled. "I guess you're right about that one, Faila..."
**
Airaen slowly opened her eyes to darkness, then sat up, flinching a little at her soreness. As she stretched, she winced a little as a sharp pain hit her side; as she went to massage it, her hand ran over the bandage that lay under the silk nightgown she wore. Startled at both of these things, she looked around quickly to find an unfamiliar room with a stained- glass window off to the right. She now sat in a rather comfortable bed. Slightly confused, she pulled the covers off her, and then saw her bandaged right hand. Frowning, and a bit curious, she undid the bandage. As she took off the last of the bandage, her eyes widened in surprise: on the back of her right hand lay a healing scar in the shape of the Triforce mark. Fearful, she turned her hand over, relieved to find that the palm of her hand remained untouched.
"From an inbetween at the gate of Death to a scarred hand...what next?" she laughed softly, then replaced the bandage. Her stomach growled. Giggling, she thought, I guess watching all those feasts made me a little hungry! I wonder if there's a kitchen or something? Swinging her legs out over the edge of the bed, her feet touching the cold floor, she hoisted herself up, shocked at the strain it took on her body. Swaying a little, she looked up and saw the outline of a closed door. Smiling in triumph, she made her way shakily to the door, opened it, and stole out of the room.
A stone corridor met her outside the room. Looking to her left, she saw a flight of stairs leading down into darkness, thought: I'm sure there's a kitchen downstairs. Using the wall to steady herself, she made her way downstairs slowly. She was exhausted by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs.
There was a hallway to meet her this time, lined with stained-glass windows along the walls and large, oaken doors that stretched down along the right wall. As her gaze followed down the hallway, she saw a door slightly ajar to the right, a light streaming from it. Wanting to investigate, she moved laboriously over to the wall to her right and, using it as a crutch, slowly moved down the hallway until she reached the door. Squinting in the bright light, she pushed the door open and eased her way inside.
Grinning in triumph, she said, "Hey, I found the kitchen!" For kitchen it was. Her stomach growled again. She was just about to grab one of the pieces of bread to her left when she heard a door to her left open, and a small gasp. Startled, she stepped backwards; her knees, exhausted from the stairs, buckled beneath her and she fell with an unpleasant bump, sprawling her flat on her back. Putting a hand over her eyes, she said, "Ow, that I did not need right now."
"Airaen!" a familiar voice said. Taking her hand off, she squinted upward to see Zelda gazing down at her with a look of both shock and relief on her face. Before Airaen could say another word, Zelda was lifting her softly up by her arm, then steadied her. Feeling exhausted, Airaen leaned against Zelda, placing a shaky hand across her brow.
"I'm sorry," she whispered to Zelda, "I didn't mean to scare you...I was just a little hungry." Zelda laughed and hugged her.
"You're awake!" she said softly to her, her smile broadening.
"Yes, awake and hungry," Airaen replied, raising a questioning eyebrow. "And, um...where am I?" Zelda laughed and escorted her to a chair.
*%*%
OK! This story is getting along a lot faster than I hoped for! I never thought I could get this far! Well, I'm halfway done, and the chapters are longer! Yaaaay!
**
Ch. 17: Inbetween
Zelda was running to her daughter long before she noticed that Ganon's men were scattering in fear at the defeat of their leader. Some yelled out "to the desert! The desert, you fools!" As she pushed her way past them, running even before Link, she did not notice Riut grab two other companions and disappear into the shadows. "We will face them another time, boys," the captain said, hatred dripping on his words.
"Airaen!" she cried as she came upon Airaen's unconscious form, blood covering the girl's tunic, and a trail of blood behind her. She lay on her back, her head to one side, her right hand palm upwards towards the sky, eyes closed. Zelda fought back tears as she prayed her daughter was still living. She knelt and brushed the stray hair from her daughter's face, then moved Airaen's right hand. As she turned it over, her eyes widened in shock; a deep cut in the shape of the Triforce mark lay on the back of her hand. The wound was fresh, for it bled down the girl's hand, dripping down to the ground. Instinctively, Zelda ripped off a piece of cloth from the rag that had been her dress and wrapped it around the wound, securing it by tying it in place. Placing her cheek next to Airaen's mouth, as Impa had taught her long ago, she waited for breath...
Link came up behind her slowly, afraid. He placed a shaky hand on Zelda's shoulder, staring dumbfounded at Airaen. "She's still breathing!" The words drove home to him, filling his heart with more hope than he thought possible. Alive...my child lives...
He went around her to the other side of his child, kneeling down as Zelda had done. Airaen's bandaged hand caught his eye, and he reached to inspect it; Zelda caught his arm before he touched it. "Not yet...I don't want you to see that yet," she whispered to him. Though confused, he nodded, and then turned to the deep gash in the girl's side. He gritted his teeth as he saw it; where the energy had hit her had left a long gash that curved slightly inward, turning the flesh into nothing short of butchered meat. Link's rage rose as tears stung his eyes, thought: How can she still live after that?
Roh came up behind Zelda, then clenched his fist when he saw Airaen. "Goddess..." he swore, kicking the dirt in anger.
"She's still alive," Zelda repeated, her voice hoarse. "But...she needs care...or...." Her voice trailed off.
Roh kicked the ground again. "The path that leads back to our home is completely blocked off, thanks to that bastard of a coward...and there's no way we can get back to the path at all. Plus, the Fortress is so close to complete destruction thanks to her," he pointed to Airaen, "that there's no way we can get through it to the path in the mountains. And, we can't climb the mountains with the wounded as it is, nor with the horses...Ah, and it takes more than a good two weeks back to Sidar from here! Damn it all!" He kicked the ground again.
"How long does it take to get back to the Castle from here? A week?" Link asked.
"A little less than that, if we go directly," Zelda said, staring back at her daughter. Sighing, Link bent forward and gathered Airaen into his arms, swaying slightly as he stood.
"We don't have any tents at all...we...we wanted to travel light..." Roh whispered as he stared.
"We'll have to make the best of it, I guess," Link said. "Come on...get the rest of your wounded from out of here...we'll...bury the dead later."
He made his way over to where the others stood readying the horses, Zelda following. Roh made to follow, when something caught his eye; turning, he saw something gleaming and half-buried in the dirt. Curious, he walked towards it, bending down when he reached it. After brushing some of the dirt away, he saw that it was the hilt of the Master Sword. Not knowing what else to do, he took his traveling off and wrapped the broken sword, then carried it under his arm and made his way over to his own horse. Carefully, he hid the bundle under the saddle.
**
Very few men of Sidar had died: fifteen mounds were left near the Fortress in tribute to their deaths. The wounded were carried by their horses as the quiet company made their way out of the Valley, eager to leave it.
**
"How is she?" Zelda asked as she knelt next to Icarn, who was overlooking the girl's injuries.
Icarn raised an eyebrow. "Well," he said slowly as he finished wrapping a bandage around the gash in Airaen's side. "It's actually not as bad as I first thought when I saw it..." he continued. He sat back and stared at the stars.
The passage out of the Valley, past the bridge, may have taken a while, but it was apparent: all those present were more than happy to leave. Link had ridden on Perigan, holding Airaen, keeping her from falling off the horse. She had not even stirred.
"What can we do?" Zelda asked, sitting back as well.
"Well, the best we can do, M'Lady," he answered, his eyes closed, "is keep the girl nice an' comfy an' warm." He looked to the campfire next to them for emphasis, and then wrapped the blanket tighter around the child. "If you'll excuse me," he said after a pause, "but I've gotta go tend to the others..." He stood, bowed, and made his way over to the other wounded fighters.
Zelda brought her knees to her chin, thankful for the warm fire and the solitude. She turned her head slightly to watch Airaen sleep; the girl's head lay to one side, her mouth partly open. Zelda could hear her shallow breath and shivered inwardly, thought: You almost died...you...should...be dead...and still you live...
She sighed. Presently, Link came up behind her and sat down next to her, staring into the fire. They sat in silence, until Zelda asked, "Why didn't you interfere? Why wouldn't you let me?" Her voice was quiet and fearful.
Link never removed his eyes from the fire: "They...told me not to...when she was still an infant..."
Zelda glanced around quickly to make sure no one listened. Thankfully, they were still a bit away from the other campfires. "When...?"
Link leaned his head back, eyes closed. "When we...gave it to her...I asked them what they planned for her...they only said 'whatever happens, you two mustn't interfere.' I...only insisted we do as they had told us because I trusted them...I really...never expected...this." He sighed and lay back. Zelda leaned forward, crossing her legs; feeling uncomfortable, she traced her finger along the dirt, feeling like a lost little girl again.
"She'll live, you know," she said, staring ahead of her. "I don't know how, but she will..." Her voice trailed off. Why am I so fearful? she asked herself.
"How do you know she'll be the same, though?" Link asked. There was no answer, save for the crackle of the fire and the threat of tears.
**
She walked among the golden fields in the bright sunshine, feeling happier than she had ever felt before. Fairy-sprites, like those she had seen in Kokiri Forest, flew nonchalantly in the air, forming lazy patterns. She half-skipped then took off at a run, careening down the path she had found earlier as it sloped up a small hill. As she reached the top, she stopped to stare down at the scene below her. The field, similar to Hyrule Field, continued on forever, but a large, golden gate that stood slightly away from the foot of the hill cut the field in half. The gate stretched along horizontally, stretching out past her vision. Grinning happily, she sped down the hill, nearly tripping as she picked up speed. Laughing, she slid to a halt at the bottom of the hill and then turned to her right.
A larger path lay to the right that continued on until it reached the open door of the gate. Several people, each transparent as if made of steam, half-floated, half-walked along the path and into the gate. As she continued to watch these people continue on, she beheld a large tree way off to the very center of the field. She could see tiny children and adults running around it in a game of some sorts. Longing to join them, she moved off towards the gate. A voice that called her stopped her, and she turned to see a pink fairy floating towards her. "You cannot go that way," the fairy said, "Not yet."
Disappointed, she frowned, answered, "Why not?"
The fairy floated in front of her face and answered, "Because you haven't died yet."
She crossed her arms and sat down on the grass, the frown never leaving her face. "But...why?" she asked, looking up at the fairy, squinting in the sunshine. She could tell the fairy was getting agitated at her.
"Because they said so!" the fairy said, floating around angrily.
"The goddesses?" the child asked, grinning. "They don't want me dead yet, either, do they?" She giggled; she liked this game.
The fairy sighed. "How Gate put up with you I will never understand. But you don't remember your name, yet, do you?"
The child laughed. "No," she giggled, placing a hand over her mouth. "But when I do, I'll have to leave, won't I?" She lay back and giggled. "How I love this game!" The fairy sighed, thinking: Why do I have to be the one to watch her?
**
There were fifteen spare horses to go around, now master less. Gate, tired from flying everywhere, found it increasingly difficult to keep up with Perigan. He watched Airaen, still unconscious and leaning against her father's chest. Looking back, he saw Zelda on another horse, looking tired; she had not slept either. They had been riding now for two days without much improvement; the men were still quieter than usual, and all of them seemed to find some way to avoid Airaen's sleeping form. Gate had heard, or thought he heard, the whispers of "abomination" among the campsites at night, had seen, or thought he had seen, quick, fearful glances at her. He felt slightly angry towards them, but then thought, Who could blame them, after what we all saw her do?
Sighing, he flew onwards, catching up with Link.
**
"Nothing from her yet, huh?" Roh asked as he watched Icarn leave. He finished his meager meal of dried meat and water and stared across the fire at Zelda. It was the first time in the three days they had been traveling that he had come so close to her. She sighed and shook her head.
"Nothing," Zelda said, looking back over her shoulder at Airaen, who remained unconscious and still. "She's got a slight fever, I guess, but she's healing pretty quickly."
Roh glanced at Zelda again and could not help but say, "That fast...that really isn't normal." He bit his lip, cursing himself for saying it.
"No," Zelda replied, "it isn't." Wanting desperately to change the subject, she asked, "So, how's your father doing, Roh? I haven't seen him in a long time."
**
"Well, that was embarrassing and utterly unforgivable on my part," Zelda said as she lay down next to Link in the fading light of the dying fire.
Half groggily, he replied, "What is?"
She sighed as she wrapped the blanket around her, rubbing her temples as she lay back. "I just found out that Roh's father died nearly a week ago...I just asked Roh how his father was a few minutes ago...and that boy had to tell me..." Her voice trailed off as she remembered the hurt in his eyes. Damn it all, how can I be so stupid?
"Just go to sleep," Link said. Within a few minutes, he was asleep again.
But Zelda couldn't sleep. After nearly a half-hour of trying to go to sleep, she cursed softly and sat up, looking around. All the campfires had died out, leaving total blackness save for the light from the moon. Stretching, she stood and made her way over to where she had usual sat for the past three nights, unable to sleep.
Airaen was still in the same position she had been since Link had lain her down earlier. Zelda sat down next to her, staring off into the night, lost in thought, stroking the girl's cheek absentmindedly. "Still can't sleep, huh?" Zelda nearly screamed. Turning, she saw Gate floating just above her head, and she relaxed.
"Sorry if I scared you," the fairy said.
Zelda shook her head. "It's alright," she replied. Gate floated down closer to Zelda's face, casting an eerie, blue glow on the ground. "She's healing faster than she should," Zelda continued after a pause. "Why hasn't she woken up yet, Gate?"
"I don't know," the fairy replied. "Too much of a strain on both spirit and body, maybe? Who knows..."
"Link thinks she'll be...different...when she wakes up. What do you think?"
For a while, Gate didn't answer as he sought to find the right words. Presently, he said, "M'Lady, she was different the very day she was born...what makes you think this will make her any more the different than before?"
Zelda couldn't find an answer. The wind blew softly through the camp, silent as the night itself.
**
She sat with her back against the gate, sighing a little in frustration. Time and again she had tried to sneak past the gate; each time, her fairy guide had stopped her, always at the very last moment. "I want to join in the game!" she said aloud, hoping the fairy would hear her. Getting bored, she traced her finger along the dirt. There had been dancing and singing and feasting last night, and she had had to stay outside the closed gate, her face pressed against the bars as she watched them dance around the great tree. Though she did not fear hunger nor thirst, she longed to join in the feast.
She stood and brushed the dirt off her pants, then went off at a run to chase the ever-present fairy-sprites, forgetting her troubles at the moment and laughing.
**
"Halt, you! Show yourself!" Icarn cried, calling the company to a halt. A small group of armored soldiers were riding towards them. Icarn drew his sword, but Roh held him back. Quickly getting off his horse, he spread his arms wide.
"I hold no weapon," he said as the men came up in front of him, drawing their own sword. "Come, man," he continued, pointing to the man in front, "Who are you?"
The man sheathed his sword. "Karn of Hyrule Castle, Captain of the Guard...we've come in quest to rescue Lady Zelda, so if you would please stand aside..."
Having heard the name, Zelda rode forward. "Karn! I'm right here, Karn!" she cried. Karn nearly fell off his horse in shock, but instead gracefully landed on his feet and knelt before his Queen.
Rising, he said, "But...my Lady...how did...how did you...?"
Zelda laughed. "I was rescued, of course, silly. What I would like to know is how you actually were able to come with twenty of your men...I thought the Castle was overrun?"
Roh nearly fell over, then turned on his heel and said, "Overrun?! But, begging your pardon, Lady, why the hell are we making our way back there?!"
Zelda shrugged. "Hope, I guess," she said nonchalantly, waving the matter aside. Roh crossed his arms in disbelief, but remained silent.
One of the men from Karn's group whispered to his companion, "Well, mate, this was a waste of time...we could've been enjoying a nice beer right about now while we're helping some rebuilding in the Market, but, nooo...let's go on a wild goosechase. 'Infiltrate the Fortress' cap'n said. S'bloody shit, if you ask me."
**
The company, now with an extra twenty men, rode on until they came within the vicinity of the Castle, their going a little slow because of the wounded. Riding ahead, Karn drew out his war horn and blew a long, loud note. Almost instantly, the gate, now repaired, lowered with a loud clang to the ground as the company rode onwards into the Market. Stares and open mouths of shock from the villagers turned to loud, triumphant cheers as they saw Zelda and Link among the company. As they swarmed into the street, Karn, riding at the front, raised his hand, crying, "Make way! Make way for the Queen! Make way, you!"
Never really liking attention, Link hugged Airaen tightly to his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head as he rode forward. I hope you wake up soon, little one, he thought.
**
"We'll have to make a bit more room for all of them," Zelda was saying to a servant. A long bath and a change of clothes had made her feel a bit better, but nothing could hide her worry.
The servant bowed, said, "All the guestrooms have been properly cleaned out since the guards overtook those evil men of Ganondorf's, my Lady...and, as you had ordered, the young girl has been placed in your room, Lady."
"And has she woken up yet?" she asked as she looked out the window.
"No, Lady," the servant replied. "Sir Link has not left her side, either, my Lady. And the young lord from Sidar has not stopped asking about her condition."
Sighing, Zelda rubbed her temples. "That will be all. Thank you." The servant bowed and left the room. Not knowing what else to do, Zelda made her way upstairs again.
**
"Did you hear?" the old lady said to her companion. "Those men from Sidar, who are staying here, they said that that girl-child Sir Link was holding actually fought Ganondorf! They say she beat him!"
"That's not all I heard," the companion replied, putting a finger to her lips as she shifted her basket in one arm, squinting in the light from the setting sun. "They also said she was like a demon, or something of the like!" The other woman put a hand to her mouth. Other people, curious, gathered round the woman, eager to hear more. Feeling confident, she continued: "Yea, they said she used spells and the like, that she wasn't a child at all! They said she laughed like a demon in Ganondorf's own face! Those men said she had a gleam in her eye that looked like a demon straight from the Shadows!"
Frightened, a few of the men gathered made the sign to ward off demons. "You mean, like the Sheikah?" one of them asked.
"Aye, but more powerful than that! And to think that creature is staying in her Majesty's own room! It's horrifying!"
**
"Someone's talking about me," she said to the fairy as she kicked at a loose pebble. She was leaning against the gate again, boredom taking its hold.
"Oh?" the fairy replied. "And how do you know that?"
"Dunno," the girl replied, shrugging. "I just feel it." She giggled. The fairy sighed, thought, The sooner you remember your name, the sooner you can be out of my wings. The child sat down again, her back still to the gate. "Why don't you go help some dead person? I can handle myself just fine, you know," she said, looking up at the fairy.
Growling, the fairy retorted, "I might just do that!" Turning, the fairy flew off in a huff.
Grinning to herself, the child leaned back. "Alone at last!" she said to no one. Standing, she turned and leaned her face against the bars of the gate, looking beyond it sadly at the wonderful games being played out. Then something caught her eye: a figure, a woman, was making her way towards her. Upon further inspection, the child found that the woman had blonde hair and blue eyes. As the woman came closer, the child yelled out, "Hi there! You look like someone I think I know."
The woman smiled as she stood in front of the child, cocking her head to one side in amusement. "Hello, there, little one, and who might you be?" she asked. Her voice was sweet and motherly.
The child giggled. "I don't know. I can't remember my name yet, since I'm an 'inbetween'," she replied innocently. The woman smiled back, her blue eyes sparkling. "You're a mother, aren't you?" the child asked, grinning.
"Yes, how could you tell?" the woman replied with a smile.
The child shrugged. "You just look like a mother is all. What is your name?" she asked.
The woman sat down, to which the child did the same, never taking her eyes off her. "My name is Kaisha, a Hylian."
The child raised an eyebrow. "Kaisha, huh? Who was your child?"
Kaisha giggled. "My son, you ask? His name is Link." The child started, standing up in shock.
"I...I know that name! I...know Link!" she stammered, gazing down at Kaisha, who smiled at her knowingly.
"Do you, now? And how do you know him?" she asked innocently, her eyes full of wisdom.
"Because...because...he...he is..." she searched her memory, her heart pounding in her chest. "He is my father! Yes, Link is my father!" she yelled out.
Kaisha laughed happily. "So, I have a granddaughter, then! A pity I didn't know until now! And what is my granddaughter's name, child?" she asked, her blue eyes sparkling with inner wisdom.
The child opened and closed her mouth, searching her memories for something...a name...anything. "I don't...I can't...remember..."
Kaisha raised an eyebrow. "You don't?" she asked sweetly. "Well, what is your mother's name, then?"
The child narrowed her eyes, then looked at Kaisha. "She...she has blue eyes...and blonde hair..."
"My, my, she sounds like she has the same hair and eyes as my son...what is her name, child?"
The girl's eyes widened. "Zelda! My mother's name is Zelda! She's the Queen of Hyrule, and I'm her daughter! That...that makes me a princess, doesn't it, Kaisha?" she said happily. Kaisha nodded.
"Your name, child," Kaisha whispered, "What is your name? A grandmother ought to know her grandchild's name, should she not?" The child nodded, searching...she remembered sunlight glinting off a rooftop...a ranch...a castle...a sword...the sea...a Fortress...an evil face...and then...
"Airaen! My name is Airaen!" Airaen cried happily. Kaisha laughed and clapped her hands.
"That's a Sheikah name, little one," Kaisha replied with a smile.
Airaen smiled. "Of course it is...my mother named me, after all," she replied. She looked up and stretched. "I think I have to go now, Kaisha...I'm sorry. I would have liked to stay here a little longer to talk to you..." she said sadly.
Kaisha waved her off. "Go on home, Airaen! Your parents are worried sick about you." Nodding, Airaen turned to leave, when Kaisha said suddenly, "Oh! Airaen! Tell my son I said hello, would you please?"
Airaen nodded, then took off at a run back the way she came, running up the hill and disappearing from Kaisha's sight. "Well, I guess only a mother could do that, eh, Kaisha?" the fairy asked as she flew up behind Kaisha, who remained sitting.
Kaisha smiled. "I guess you're right about that one, Faila..."
**
Airaen slowly opened her eyes to darkness, then sat up, flinching a little at her soreness. As she stretched, she winced a little as a sharp pain hit her side; as she went to massage it, her hand ran over the bandage that lay under the silk nightgown she wore. Startled at both of these things, she looked around quickly to find an unfamiliar room with a stained- glass window off to the right. She now sat in a rather comfortable bed. Slightly confused, she pulled the covers off her, and then saw her bandaged right hand. Frowning, and a bit curious, she undid the bandage. As she took off the last of the bandage, her eyes widened in surprise: on the back of her right hand lay a healing scar in the shape of the Triforce mark. Fearful, she turned her hand over, relieved to find that the palm of her hand remained untouched.
"From an inbetween at the gate of Death to a scarred hand...what next?" she laughed softly, then replaced the bandage. Her stomach growled. Giggling, she thought, I guess watching all those feasts made me a little hungry! I wonder if there's a kitchen or something? Swinging her legs out over the edge of the bed, her feet touching the cold floor, she hoisted herself up, shocked at the strain it took on her body. Swaying a little, she looked up and saw the outline of a closed door. Smiling in triumph, she made her way shakily to the door, opened it, and stole out of the room.
A stone corridor met her outside the room. Looking to her left, she saw a flight of stairs leading down into darkness, thought: I'm sure there's a kitchen downstairs. Using the wall to steady herself, she made her way downstairs slowly. She was exhausted by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs.
There was a hallway to meet her this time, lined with stained-glass windows along the walls and large, oaken doors that stretched down along the right wall. As her gaze followed down the hallway, she saw a door slightly ajar to the right, a light streaming from it. Wanting to investigate, she moved laboriously over to the wall to her right and, using it as a crutch, slowly moved down the hallway until she reached the door. Squinting in the bright light, she pushed the door open and eased her way inside.
Grinning in triumph, she said, "Hey, I found the kitchen!" For kitchen it was. Her stomach growled again. She was just about to grab one of the pieces of bread to her left when she heard a door to her left open, and a small gasp. Startled, she stepped backwards; her knees, exhausted from the stairs, buckled beneath her and she fell with an unpleasant bump, sprawling her flat on her back. Putting a hand over her eyes, she said, "Ow, that I did not need right now."
"Airaen!" a familiar voice said. Taking her hand off, she squinted upward to see Zelda gazing down at her with a look of both shock and relief on her face. Before Airaen could say another word, Zelda was lifting her softly up by her arm, then steadied her. Feeling exhausted, Airaen leaned against Zelda, placing a shaky hand across her brow.
"I'm sorry," she whispered to Zelda, "I didn't mean to scare you...I was just a little hungry." Zelda laughed and hugged her.
"You're awake!" she said softly to her, her smile broadening.
"Yes, awake and hungry," Airaen replied, raising a questioning eyebrow. "And, um...where am I?" Zelda laughed and escorted her to a chair.
*%*%
OK! This story is getting along a lot faster than I hoped for! I never thought I could get this far! Well, I'm halfway done, and the chapters are longer! Yaaaay!