Here we go again...I don't own Zelda...beware the monkey...Oh, and I don't
know the Sheikah language (is there one?). If there is one, forgive my
inaccurateness.
**
Ch. 18: A Child No More
The plate lay empty, the glass half full with water. Airaen sat back on the soft chair, finished with her meal of bread and cheese that she had shared with Zelda, who sat curled up on the chair across the table, looking at Airaen over her glass of wine. The room they sat in was small and secluded, lying directly to the right of the kitchen; Zelda liked it for its warm fire and solitude, free of prying eyes and slippery ears. After a long silence, Zelda, feeling slightly uncomfortable, asked, "So...um, how are you feeling?"
Airaen shrugged, thought: Should I tell her now? She looked up at Zelda, noticed the concerned, fearful look in her gaze, thought: Hmm...maybe not. She smiled, asked, "I feel a bit better, I guess. You?" Zelda nodded and took a final sip of wine, then set it down on the table between them. The fire crackled, startling both of them. Presently, Airaen said, "So, the Castle, huh? I guess it was a long journey?" Zelda nodded.
Another awkward pause.
Gathering enough courage, Airaen asked, "My name...it's...it's a Sheikah name, isn't it?"
Zelda, startled, looked at her, then replied, "Yes...but, how did you...?"
Airaen shrugged. "I heard it from a friend of mine," she said apathetically. Zelda narrowed her eyes.
"From whom?" she asked.
Airaen giggled. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she said amid her laughter. Zelda frowned and stared at her. Waving her arms in front of her in defeat, she said, "All right, all right! It was Kaisha!"
Zelda raised an eyebrow. "Kaisha? Who is that?" she asked.
Airaen laughed. "I told you...you wouldn't believe me. She's a relative..." she said with a slight grin; she loved games. Zelda stared at her questioningly. "Ok, ok, you win, you win! She's my grandmother, silly. And, oh, not your mother, I know..."
Zelda cocked her head to one side. It annoyed Airaen that she wouldn't guess it, thought: She is so slow...
Presently, Zelda said slowly, "You mean Link's...?" Airaen rolled her eyes, then nodded. Zelda put her hand to her mouth. Airaen giggled again. "But, how could you have talked to her? She passed away when Link was just an infant!" she cried.
"I just was able to talk to her. Besides, I want to know what my name means, anyway," Airaen said with a dismissive air.
Zelda was still staring at her in disbelief, thought: She was closer to Death than even I thought. Still waiting for her answer, Airaen leaned forward for her glass on the table. She grasped the glass with her bandaged hand, then winced as a sharp pain shot through the back of her hand as she gripped. Wringing her hand, she grasped the glass with her left hand, finished the water, replaced the glass, and sat back, massaging her hand absentmindedly. "Well?" she asked. "What does my name mean?"
Zelda laughed quietly. "You are an inquisitive one, aren't you?" she said with another laugh. Airaen held her gaze, her face eager. Smiling, she said, "It means 'sunset' in Sheikah."
"You know the language?" Airaen asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zelda shrugged, then answered, "When I was little, Impa, my guardian, thought she should tell me some of the language, since..."
She stopped.
Airaen leaned forward. "You're a little bit of a Sheikah yourself, aren't you?" she asked. Zelda blushed and stared down at her hands. "You are. I thought so...your mother...?" she said. Zelda nodded, looking up slowly at her child.
"My mother was a little bit of a Sheikah...about three quarters, or so," she answered. "She...died when I was three."
Airaen crossed her legs Indian-style on the chair and leaned forward, placing her chin in her hands. "That would make me a little Sheikah, too, then," she said calmly. Zelda nodded. "So," Airaen continued, "'sunset,' huh? Why that name?"
Zelda shrugged, then said, "I guess I just liked the sound of it, is all. When you were born, your eyes reminded me of a sunset. And 'airaen' was one of my favorite Sheikah words." She smiled.
Airaen sat back, thought: When I was born...
"Tell me," Airaen said after a pause, "why did my father not go back to his own time after his fight with Ganon? What made him stay? It wasn't fame...I know he hates any sort of attention." All mirth was gone in her eyes; Zelda could see she was absolutely serious.
Zelda looked down at her hands as she remembered Link taking the ocarina from her lips, letting the ocarina drop to the ground...her heart had beat so fast when he kissed her! "You're blushing," Airaen remarked.
"What?" Zelda said, looking up. Airaen's eyes stared back at her with a piercing stare, but the ghost of a grin was playing around the edges of her mouth.
"You're blushing," she repeated in a serious tone. "For love, then, above all else? You two sacrificed all for love?" Her voice never quavered, but remained steady and calm as if it were a trivial matter; however, her eyes flashed suddenly with a hidden emotion, but what it was, Zelda was unable to tell.
Zelda could feel her blush deepening, but nodded. "Link didn't...didn't want to go back, and I let him stay."
"And you never married," Airaen finished for her in a casual tone. "My father never liked attention. It makes sense." She motioned for her mother to continue. "What happened after you decided to remain here in this time?"
Zelda sat back as the memories flowed through her mind. "We got rid of everything that even remotely smelled of Ganon after that. Then the word spread, and those who had escaped to Kakariko Village began to return to rebuild the Market...the lava pit below Ganon's Castle simply disappeared without an explanation, leaving simple, flat, barren ground below it, and the remains of my father's castle just...appeared out of nowhere. It was amazing. The Castle was easily rebuilt, but getting it back to its former glory is still underway." She paused, but Airaen's steady gaze forced her to continue. "Then, of course, there were parties all day and night; Link and I went to a few..."
Airaen giggled involuntarily, placing her bandaged hand over her mouth as she laughed. Zelda raised a questioning eyebrow. "I'm sorry," Airaen said as her fit began to wear down. "It's just that it's rather funny to think of you two..." her voice cut off as another wave of giggles claimed its hold on her, leaving Zelda confused.
"What are you talking...about..." her eyes widened as realization wafted over her. Shocked, she nearly jumped up, but instead leaned forward. "Don't tell me," she continued, her blue eyes flashing, "that Link told you anything...in detail...did he?" Her voice betrayed uncertainty.
"Well, it's not like he told me who you were, or anything...but, come on! The Temple of Time? Could you two have at least picked a better...spot...to do that?!" Airaen replied, breaking out into giggles again.
Zelda waved her hand in front of her in exasperation. "It's not like we...had a choice...we were...a little drunk...and...well..." she trailed off, her blush deepening.
Airaen threw her head back and laughed, holding her sides. "I...I was bred..." she stuttered amid laughter, "in...in a Temple, when you two were drunk! Ha, let me guess, I was born in a wagon after that?"
There was a long silence. "Something like that," Zelda muttered, narrowing her eyes.
Airaen fell silent, an amused look playing across her face. "How did you avoid anyone noticing that you were pregnant?" she asked, her voice calm again.
Zelda smiled as she remembered. "Well," she said after a slight pause, "we stayed around the Castle for a few months until I started to...show...a little bit, so Link decided we should leave for a while so as to not attract unwanted...attention. We said we were going on a political trip around Hyrule to check on a few things, then left on Epona."
"You traveled around pregnant like that for months?" Airaen asked, a little shocked. "Believe me, I've seen horses pregnant, and I can tell it's not that easy."
Zelda laughed. "It was rather difficult...we basically had to provide enough food for three...you're always hungry when you're pregnant. Anyway, you could say that we had a bit of a 'vacation.' We visited Zora's Domain and Death Mountain and Sidar and such, even Gerudo Valley, for the first few months. Then I really couldn't travel as well anymore."
Unable to contain her excitement, Airaen leaned forward, and asked quickly, "Then what happened? Father never told me about my birth or anything."
Zelda raised an eyebrow. "What did he tell you?" she asked.
Airaen sighed, but grinned. "He told me that my mother died in childbirth. I never truly believed him...he's such a terrible liar. And how I never connected it with you is beyond me. Honestly, father's frequent visits, each a little longer than the last, and how he never took me along? Seriously, I must have been pretty dense," she said with an embarrassed air. "I still remember when you visited us when I was seven, I think...it was awkward, I remember. Ha, I didn't trust you at all." Zelda smiled slightly. "Well?" Airaen said after a pause.
"You're really curious about this, aren't you?" Zelda asked, her eyes sparkling. Airaen nodded. Shrugging, Zelda continued: "After finishing with Lake Hylia, we decided to go back to Lon Lon Ranch for the rest of our 'trip.' On the way there, my water broke." She laughed. "I'll never forget that look your father gave me when that happened! He looked ready to faint; he was so frightened. I guess I was scared, too. We were a few days away from the Ranch, and too far away from the Lake...it was a little dangerous without a midwife." She grimaced at the memory.
"What did you do?" Airaen asked, unable to contain her excitement.
Zelda laughed quietly. "Well, we found the nearest tree I could rest against and I gave birth to you right at sunset. Link spent a fair amount of time running around in circles while I was cursing his name, but we managed it somehow...you were quite a cute little baby, though. Then, Link put you and me on Epona and led the way to the Ranch. I slept most of the way, and you with me. When we got there, Malon and her father took us in and helped us out a great deal. I was a bit young for it...eighteen, you know."
"And then the goddesses came," Airaen said quietly.
Zelda stared at her hands, but continued on. "Yes." Her voice grew slightly hoarse. "And Gate as well. Yes, Airaen, he was there, too. They came late one night when everyone else was asleep and told Link and I that Ganon had escaped again. Link wanted to...go and finish him, but Nayru told us that Ganon could not be found. To this day I don't know what that meant...and then they told us how important you were...how your destiny would shape all of Hyrule. They told us to make you the Bearer for our Triforce pieces as a secret move against Ganon; we...agreed with them. We didn't...know what that meant doing to you...or else we would never have..."
Airaen looked down at her bandaged hand, frowning at it, then clenched it, wincing at the sharp pain that seared her hand. "Then what?" she asked quietly, not looking up.
"I...couldn't take you back with me. It would be too much of a danger for you. I certainly couldn't protect you. Link was your best hope, so we decided to keep you hidden on the Ranch, with Gate watching over you every so often." Airaen noted how rehearsed her words seemed now, as if she had repeated it to herself over and over for years; she suddenly felt a wave of pity towards her, but shrugged off the threat of tears. "We trusted Malon, too, to watch you," Zelda was saying, bringing Airaen back to reality. "And you had your father with you as well. We had to wait until you were old enough to survive without me breastfeeding you, of course. About a year, I guess you could say was how long I got to spend with you..." Zelda grimaced, forcing back tears. "You had a lot of people caring for you. You certainly didn't need me." A stray tear fell down her cheek, and she brushed it away, almost angry at it.
Airaen narrowed her eyes, then sat back. Her new awareness digested this new information, while her emotions raged war inside her. Fighting the urge to cry out in protest at this last statement from her mother, she bit the inside of her lip and remained silent, thought: Sunset...goddess...Bearer...and a broken sword...what is the connection? Her heart screamed out in agony, but her mind...the new awareness she had acquired just recently analyzed it, found it interesting, almost mocking this sudden surge of emotion. In a time frame of ten seconds, she had felt hundreds of emotions wave across her, but went on unnoticed by her mother. She continued to process key events, connecting it with the visions she had experienced on her journey, but knew she was missing something important; it was the very key to bringing it all together as a whole. Silently, she cursed at this lack of information, felt the threat of tears again, thought, Stop being so childish.
She suddenly felt stretched out, old, and tired beyond exhaustion. Silently, Zelda noticed something in her daughter, a change of some sort in her face and her very demeanor in the way her eyes seemed to analyze everything about her in a never-ending flow of data. She felt the sudden urge to reach out to her, but remained still and watchful.
Leaning her back against the chair, Airaen asked, "And you told no one of this? No one at all?" Zelda shook her head, feeling as though she was being interrogated. Airaen smiled, immediately thought, Ah, here's something interesting. "Good. Let's keep it that way."
"What? Why?" Zelda asked, startled.
Airaen sighed, thought: She is slow. "Think about it for a second. You stand in a rather difficult position: you hold a very shaky peace with your subjects. It's an obvious and natural thing: you were captured, gone for weeks while they were left to fend for themselves at the brink of war, and now, mysteriously, return with a rabble of men from a far off country." Zelda narrowed her eyes as she considered it, then nodded. "Enemy arrivals," Airaen continued, "are hard to swallow for people; the return of a hated one such as Ganon is enough to send that hatred to a boil." She paused, then said, "My arrival doesn't help us either."
"You? What does that have to do with anything? You're not making any sense," Zelda protested.
She is so dense, Airaen thought. "Idiot, think! A bastard child, heir to the throne? That will not sit well with any of them at all, even a child of Link and Zelda. It represents an unbalance in political power and reveals cowardice in you and Link in the fact that you revealed nothing of your relationship. Also, you were captured by a man believed to be destroyed, and then you were saved mysteriously by a young girl? And then that same young girl goes and fights Ganon as his equal, then defeating him? Your people are not blind, loyal fools, mother." She was shocked at how easily the word had come to her lips, then saw the tremor run through Zelda at the title; another wave of pity came, but she calmed it, then continued on as if nothing had happened. "They will see this as your weakness, as well as Link's...Link, who is supposed to be the great Hero of Time, allows a child to fight for him! I would laugh at it, too." I'll have to tell Roh as well about this, she thought. An odd sensation tugged at her heart when she thought of the boy, and she wondered at it.
Zelda's eyes widened; she nodded, then thought, I am practicing this blind ignorance by obeying her. "And you thought of all this just now? In mere minutes?" Airaen nodded with a slight, triumphant grin. "You bested me at something I should always be good at, child."
Airaen flinched. I am not a child anymore, she thought with a sudden feeling of loss, then chided herself for it. "Forgive me, but you were too slow in seeing it. And I'm sure you were too busy with preparations to tell anyone about who I was?" she asked.
"I actually never even thought of it until just now...I was just a little preoccupied," Zelda answered, frowning at Airaen, who held her steady gaze, and thought: Where is the haughty child that burst into the Castle? Where is the child that whistled and sang in the garden? Where is the infant I held in my arms?
She searched Airaen's face, but only found a hardened, purple-eyed stare. "It's getting late," Airaen said quietly, admitting her exhaustion.
"It's nearly two in the morning, I think. You should...rest a bit more," Zelda said slowly. Stretching, she stood, gathered the two dishes and glasses, and moved quietly to the kitchen, leaving Airaen to her thoughts. Ah, Airaen thought, there will be rumors upon rumors about me soon...
Zelda came back, maneuvering quietly until she stood in front of Airaen's chair. Airaen, torn back suddenly from her thoughts, looked up at her mother as if for the first time, noticed the circles under her eyes, the hidden sorrow in her blue eyes; she felt her heart cry out for this woman she barely knew. "I want you to get some rest, too," Airaen said, sensing a slight childish and pleading tone in her words. Zelda laughed, then bent down and lifted her child up on her feet. Muscles aching, doubled now from sitting for so long, Airaen couldn't help but gasp in slight pain, and leaned against Zelda. Supporting her, Zelda escorted her daughter out of the room, shutting the door with her foot. Airaen yawned involuntarily, which made Zelda laugh quietly. Slowly, but surely, they managed to make their way out of the kitchen to the hallway, banking a left.
Moonlight spilled in through the windows, casting an eerie, blue glow on the ground that seeped into the walls, making the hallway look surreal. Airaen wondered at it, her awareness drinking in every ray of light even as each new step brought pain through her body. Gritting her teeth, she moved on.
Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs. Looking up, they saw it was drenched in darkness. "Stairs," Airaen whispered, "how I love thee." Motioning for Zelda to move to the right, she gripped at the wall, bit her lip, and moved her foot shakily up to the first step, then put her foot down on the ground again in defeat. "I can't do it. Do you have a spare room downstairs?"
"Nonsense," Zelda said with a shrug, then, bending down, lifted her up as if she were a little girl, gritting her teeth, and began to climb the stairs.
Surprised, Airaen said, "What...what do you think you're doing? Put me down! I can make it! Hey, I said put me down!"
Breathing hard, Zelda grinned, said, "Oh...you're not that...heavy...trust me, I'm...fine." Though Airaen protested, Zelda refused to put her down until they reached the top. Legs shaking, she put her down, then sank to her knees, laughing a little.
Shaking slightly with anger, Airaen leaned against the wall and hissed, "You idiot! You could've fallen backwards or twisted your ankle or something! What were you thinking?! You could have gotten seriously injured..." She stopped as she realized what she was saying, then turned crimson as she noticed Zelda's warm and knowing smile. Stuttering slightly, she said, "Well, I can...I can take care of myself." She turned to leave, but her knees gave out again and she fell with an ungraceful slump on her butt. Zelda nearly cried from laughter. Turning, Airaen made to say something, but broke out in laughter as well. As she giggled, Zelda thought, Here she is...here's the girl I saw before!
Presently, as they giggled, a door opened with a creak, and Link poked his head out. "What's going on here?" he asked, then started when he saw Airaen. "Airaen! Bless it all, you're awake!" he cried as he ran to her, pulling her up and hugging her tight. She winced slightly, but returned the hug as she buried her face in his chest, her awareness marveling at the sudden emotion. "What are you two doing up, anyway?" he asked as he pulled away to help Zelda up.
"We were hungry," Zelda said.
"And you've been sleeping the whole time. I didn't even know you were in my room," Airaen added, then yawned again, thought, I can't understand how tired I am...
Link shrugged, then replied, "Well, come on, let's get you two to bed, then. I've made a nice spot on the floor, Zelda, for us." Airaen tried to hobble towards the door, when Link came up behind her and gathered her into his arms. "No, you don't...there'll be know 'I can do anything' from you tonight," he said as Airaen protested, then gave up, too tired to go on as a fresh wave of unwanted fatigue came over her.
Deciding it best not to deny her exhaustion, she let the fatigue wash over her body, relaxing her muscles. Her eyelids felt heavy as sleep quickly began to take her. She was barely aware of her parents talking about something...she heard her name mentioned. As she fell asleep, she thought, This is my family...my...family...
"Is she asleep?" Zelda asked as she glanced at Airaen.
Link chuckled. "I guess so. She's like that...always coming and going as she pleases," he said with a grin as he gazed down at her. Clutching her more securely, he made his way towards the door, Zelda following behind. As he stepped into the room, he was greeted by Gate, who nearly flew into his face.
"Ah, you found her, then," the fairy said apologetically. "I was getting a little worried when I came back and found her gone. And a fine job you did watching her, Sir Link."
"Is that sarcasm I smell on your breath, Gate?" Link asked, a smile betraying him. Zelda laughed as she shut the door behind her.
Startled at her sudden entrance, Gate moved towards her, said, "Ah, and there you are, my Lady. I'm so sorry Airaen walked off like that."
Zelda dismissed it. "It's ok...she and I had...a nice talk together over a late-night dinner," she said with a smile.
Link raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. "Oh?" Gate asked, trying to hide his surprise. "What did you talk about, if I may be so bold?"
"Some interesting things...she's very intuitive for someone her age," she replied as she watched Link walk over and place Airaen in the bed, tuck her in, then kiss her forehead.
"What did you tell her?" Link asked, eagerness clear in his voice as he turned and walked a bit towards Zelda.
"Just some things she wanted to know...and you, love, neglected to mention that you told her some very...private matters regarding us and a certain Temple? Hm?" she said, glaring at him.
Link's eyes widened as he blushed. "She...she told you that...I said that?" he stammered.
Zelda crossed her arms. "What exactly did you tell her, Link?" Gate was trying his hardest not to laugh; he had heard the story before.
Link took a step backward. "Um...I, uh...well, you see...um..." he stammered, perspiration breaking out on his forehead. Zelda advanced towards him. "Well, she...asked me about her mother and all, and wanted to know about where babies come from at the same time...she was six! Kids are very curious at that age!"
Zelda was shaking with rage as she hissed, "Six?! She was six years old when you told her that?!"
Gate was trembling with laughter, thought: Oh, he's done it now.
Link took another step back. "What did you tell her, exactly, Link?!" Zelda yelled.
"Well, I told her I got drunk at one of the parties and uh...banged a girl I had fallen in love with in the Temple of Time?"
"YOU SAID WHAT?!?"
Gate was roaring with laughter.
Link, sweating now, stammered, "I...I panicked! I didn't know what to tell her! You knew I was forbidden to say anything!" Zelda took another threatening step towards him. Link threw his hands in front of him for protection, then said quickly, "Now...now, Zelda, calm down...it's not like she really bought the idea anyway...she mostly laughed through the whole thing anyway!"
"I don't care! That was completely inappropriate!!" Zelda cried.
Airaen stirred, mumbled something and then turned over on her side, her back facing them. "Sh...you're going to wake her up," Link hissed.
"And then what did you tell her, Link?" Zelda asked, acting as if she hadn't heard anything, her voice dripping with scorn.
"Well, I told her that her 'mother' died in childbirth...and that was it," he said quietly.
Zelda narrowed her eyes at him. "You swear you never gave any...detail?" she asked. Link nodded.
After a long pause, Gate broke in, "You know, Link, Airaen never really bought your story. I heard her talking to Epona one afternoon when I was watching her. She said you've always been a terrible liar. She even doubted that her mother was dead, but decided to stick the story because she said she knew it was a cover-up for something." Link stared at Gate in shock while Zelda, her episode of rage over, smiled. Gate laughed. "You really are a terrible liar," he said amid his chuckles.
"It's true," Zelda agreed.
Utterly defeated, Link grinned, then grabbed Zelda, drawing her into an embrace, kissing her passionately. "The Temple of Time, eh?" he said with a smile. Zelda rolled her eyes, but grinned.
"Let's go to bed, love. I'm really tired," she whispered in his ear. Nodding, Link drew her up into his arms, making Zelda laugh girlishly; then, he carried her around the bed to the makeshift bed he had made on the floor and laid her down. As Link stood up to stretch, he said, "Where are you going, Gate?"
Gate stopped just outside the window he had just opened and turned back to Link. Zelda propped herself up on one arm and gazed at the fairy. "You three need some time alone," he said, then flew away.
Puzzled, Link shrugged, shut the window, then lay down next to Zelda. "He'll find his way in if he wants to," he said to Zelda as he pulled the covers up over them, then wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. Moonlight streamed in through the window, splashing on their faces. Smiling, Zelda turned to face him. Link placed his chin on her head, his head still on the pillow, and drew her closer to him.
For the first time in weeks, Zelda slept soundly.
*%*%*
Hmm...well, I wasn't trying to make this funny...not that it is...*sigh* Well, there's ch. 18 for you! I hope you enjoyed it...YES, MY FRIENDS...THE CHAPTERS ARE LONGER! YES! "Porinky, Porinky, not gonna tell!" Woah...odd tangent (that's from a commercial in Japan...read Ceres: Celestial Legend by Yu Watase (it's in volume two)). Ok, then! Until next chapter! And Ganon isn't through with our heroine just yet, you'll see! YOU'LL ALL SEE!
**
Ch. 18: A Child No More
The plate lay empty, the glass half full with water. Airaen sat back on the soft chair, finished with her meal of bread and cheese that she had shared with Zelda, who sat curled up on the chair across the table, looking at Airaen over her glass of wine. The room they sat in was small and secluded, lying directly to the right of the kitchen; Zelda liked it for its warm fire and solitude, free of prying eyes and slippery ears. After a long silence, Zelda, feeling slightly uncomfortable, asked, "So...um, how are you feeling?"
Airaen shrugged, thought: Should I tell her now? She looked up at Zelda, noticed the concerned, fearful look in her gaze, thought: Hmm...maybe not. She smiled, asked, "I feel a bit better, I guess. You?" Zelda nodded and took a final sip of wine, then set it down on the table between them. The fire crackled, startling both of them. Presently, Airaen said, "So, the Castle, huh? I guess it was a long journey?" Zelda nodded.
Another awkward pause.
Gathering enough courage, Airaen asked, "My name...it's...it's a Sheikah name, isn't it?"
Zelda, startled, looked at her, then replied, "Yes...but, how did you...?"
Airaen shrugged. "I heard it from a friend of mine," she said apathetically. Zelda narrowed her eyes.
"From whom?" she asked.
Airaen giggled. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she said amid her laughter. Zelda frowned and stared at her. Waving her arms in front of her in defeat, she said, "All right, all right! It was Kaisha!"
Zelda raised an eyebrow. "Kaisha? Who is that?" she asked.
Airaen laughed. "I told you...you wouldn't believe me. She's a relative..." she said with a slight grin; she loved games. Zelda stared at her questioningly. "Ok, ok, you win, you win! She's my grandmother, silly. And, oh, not your mother, I know..."
Zelda cocked her head to one side. It annoyed Airaen that she wouldn't guess it, thought: She is so slow...
Presently, Zelda said slowly, "You mean Link's...?" Airaen rolled her eyes, then nodded. Zelda put her hand to her mouth. Airaen giggled again. "But, how could you have talked to her? She passed away when Link was just an infant!" she cried.
"I just was able to talk to her. Besides, I want to know what my name means, anyway," Airaen said with a dismissive air.
Zelda was still staring at her in disbelief, thought: She was closer to Death than even I thought. Still waiting for her answer, Airaen leaned forward for her glass on the table. She grasped the glass with her bandaged hand, then winced as a sharp pain shot through the back of her hand as she gripped. Wringing her hand, she grasped the glass with her left hand, finished the water, replaced the glass, and sat back, massaging her hand absentmindedly. "Well?" she asked. "What does my name mean?"
Zelda laughed quietly. "You are an inquisitive one, aren't you?" she said with another laugh. Airaen held her gaze, her face eager. Smiling, she said, "It means 'sunset' in Sheikah."
"You know the language?" Airaen asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zelda shrugged, then answered, "When I was little, Impa, my guardian, thought she should tell me some of the language, since..."
She stopped.
Airaen leaned forward. "You're a little bit of a Sheikah yourself, aren't you?" she asked. Zelda blushed and stared down at her hands. "You are. I thought so...your mother...?" she said. Zelda nodded, looking up slowly at her child.
"My mother was a little bit of a Sheikah...about three quarters, or so," she answered. "She...died when I was three."
Airaen crossed her legs Indian-style on the chair and leaned forward, placing her chin in her hands. "That would make me a little Sheikah, too, then," she said calmly. Zelda nodded. "So," Airaen continued, "'sunset,' huh? Why that name?"
Zelda shrugged, then said, "I guess I just liked the sound of it, is all. When you were born, your eyes reminded me of a sunset. And 'airaen' was one of my favorite Sheikah words." She smiled.
Airaen sat back, thought: When I was born...
"Tell me," Airaen said after a pause, "why did my father not go back to his own time after his fight with Ganon? What made him stay? It wasn't fame...I know he hates any sort of attention." All mirth was gone in her eyes; Zelda could see she was absolutely serious.
Zelda looked down at her hands as she remembered Link taking the ocarina from her lips, letting the ocarina drop to the ground...her heart had beat so fast when he kissed her! "You're blushing," Airaen remarked.
"What?" Zelda said, looking up. Airaen's eyes stared back at her with a piercing stare, but the ghost of a grin was playing around the edges of her mouth.
"You're blushing," she repeated in a serious tone. "For love, then, above all else? You two sacrificed all for love?" Her voice never quavered, but remained steady and calm as if it were a trivial matter; however, her eyes flashed suddenly with a hidden emotion, but what it was, Zelda was unable to tell.
Zelda could feel her blush deepening, but nodded. "Link didn't...didn't want to go back, and I let him stay."
"And you never married," Airaen finished for her in a casual tone. "My father never liked attention. It makes sense." She motioned for her mother to continue. "What happened after you decided to remain here in this time?"
Zelda sat back as the memories flowed through her mind. "We got rid of everything that even remotely smelled of Ganon after that. Then the word spread, and those who had escaped to Kakariko Village began to return to rebuild the Market...the lava pit below Ganon's Castle simply disappeared without an explanation, leaving simple, flat, barren ground below it, and the remains of my father's castle just...appeared out of nowhere. It was amazing. The Castle was easily rebuilt, but getting it back to its former glory is still underway." She paused, but Airaen's steady gaze forced her to continue. "Then, of course, there were parties all day and night; Link and I went to a few..."
Airaen giggled involuntarily, placing her bandaged hand over her mouth as she laughed. Zelda raised a questioning eyebrow. "I'm sorry," Airaen said as her fit began to wear down. "It's just that it's rather funny to think of you two..." her voice cut off as another wave of giggles claimed its hold on her, leaving Zelda confused.
"What are you talking...about..." her eyes widened as realization wafted over her. Shocked, she nearly jumped up, but instead leaned forward. "Don't tell me," she continued, her blue eyes flashing, "that Link told you anything...in detail...did he?" Her voice betrayed uncertainty.
"Well, it's not like he told me who you were, or anything...but, come on! The Temple of Time? Could you two have at least picked a better...spot...to do that?!" Airaen replied, breaking out into giggles again.
Zelda waved her hand in front of her in exasperation. "It's not like we...had a choice...we were...a little drunk...and...well..." she trailed off, her blush deepening.
Airaen threw her head back and laughed, holding her sides. "I...I was bred..." she stuttered amid laughter, "in...in a Temple, when you two were drunk! Ha, let me guess, I was born in a wagon after that?"
There was a long silence. "Something like that," Zelda muttered, narrowing her eyes.
Airaen fell silent, an amused look playing across her face. "How did you avoid anyone noticing that you were pregnant?" she asked, her voice calm again.
Zelda smiled as she remembered. "Well," she said after a slight pause, "we stayed around the Castle for a few months until I started to...show...a little bit, so Link decided we should leave for a while so as to not attract unwanted...attention. We said we were going on a political trip around Hyrule to check on a few things, then left on Epona."
"You traveled around pregnant like that for months?" Airaen asked, a little shocked. "Believe me, I've seen horses pregnant, and I can tell it's not that easy."
Zelda laughed. "It was rather difficult...we basically had to provide enough food for three...you're always hungry when you're pregnant. Anyway, you could say that we had a bit of a 'vacation.' We visited Zora's Domain and Death Mountain and Sidar and such, even Gerudo Valley, for the first few months. Then I really couldn't travel as well anymore."
Unable to contain her excitement, Airaen leaned forward, and asked quickly, "Then what happened? Father never told me about my birth or anything."
Zelda raised an eyebrow. "What did he tell you?" she asked.
Airaen sighed, but grinned. "He told me that my mother died in childbirth. I never truly believed him...he's such a terrible liar. And how I never connected it with you is beyond me. Honestly, father's frequent visits, each a little longer than the last, and how he never took me along? Seriously, I must have been pretty dense," she said with an embarrassed air. "I still remember when you visited us when I was seven, I think...it was awkward, I remember. Ha, I didn't trust you at all." Zelda smiled slightly. "Well?" Airaen said after a pause.
"You're really curious about this, aren't you?" Zelda asked, her eyes sparkling. Airaen nodded. Shrugging, Zelda continued: "After finishing with Lake Hylia, we decided to go back to Lon Lon Ranch for the rest of our 'trip.' On the way there, my water broke." She laughed. "I'll never forget that look your father gave me when that happened! He looked ready to faint; he was so frightened. I guess I was scared, too. We were a few days away from the Ranch, and too far away from the Lake...it was a little dangerous without a midwife." She grimaced at the memory.
"What did you do?" Airaen asked, unable to contain her excitement.
Zelda laughed quietly. "Well, we found the nearest tree I could rest against and I gave birth to you right at sunset. Link spent a fair amount of time running around in circles while I was cursing his name, but we managed it somehow...you were quite a cute little baby, though. Then, Link put you and me on Epona and led the way to the Ranch. I slept most of the way, and you with me. When we got there, Malon and her father took us in and helped us out a great deal. I was a bit young for it...eighteen, you know."
"And then the goddesses came," Airaen said quietly.
Zelda stared at her hands, but continued on. "Yes." Her voice grew slightly hoarse. "And Gate as well. Yes, Airaen, he was there, too. They came late one night when everyone else was asleep and told Link and I that Ganon had escaped again. Link wanted to...go and finish him, but Nayru told us that Ganon could not be found. To this day I don't know what that meant...and then they told us how important you were...how your destiny would shape all of Hyrule. They told us to make you the Bearer for our Triforce pieces as a secret move against Ganon; we...agreed with them. We didn't...know what that meant doing to you...or else we would never have..."
Airaen looked down at her bandaged hand, frowning at it, then clenched it, wincing at the sharp pain that seared her hand. "Then what?" she asked quietly, not looking up.
"I...couldn't take you back with me. It would be too much of a danger for you. I certainly couldn't protect you. Link was your best hope, so we decided to keep you hidden on the Ranch, with Gate watching over you every so often." Airaen noted how rehearsed her words seemed now, as if she had repeated it to herself over and over for years; she suddenly felt a wave of pity towards her, but shrugged off the threat of tears. "We trusted Malon, too, to watch you," Zelda was saying, bringing Airaen back to reality. "And you had your father with you as well. We had to wait until you were old enough to survive without me breastfeeding you, of course. About a year, I guess you could say was how long I got to spend with you..." Zelda grimaced, forcing back tears. "You had a lot of people caring for you. You certainly didn't need me." A stray tear fell down her cheek, and she brushed it away, almost angry at it.
Airaen narrowed her eyes, then sat back. Her new awareness digested this new information, while her emotions raged war inside her. Fighting the urge to cry out in protest at this last statement from her mother, she bit the inside of her lip and remained silent, thought: Sunset...goddess...Bearer...and a broken sword...what is the connection? Her heart screamed out in agony, but her mind...the new awareness she had acquired just recently analyzed it, found it interesting, almost mocking this sudden surge of emotion. In a time frame of ten seconds, she had felt hundreds of emotions wave across her, but went on unnoticed by her mother. She continued to process key events, connecting it with the visions she had experienced on her journey, but knew she was missing something important; it was the very key to bringing it all together as a whole. Silently, she cursed at this lack of information, felt the threat of tears again, thought, Stop being so childish.
She suddenly felt stretched out, old, and tired beyond exhaustion. Silently, Zelda noticed something in her daughter, a change of some sort in her face and her very demeanor in the way her eyes seemed to analyze everything about her in a never-ending flow of data. She felt the sudden urge to reach out to her, but remained still and watchful.
Leaning her back against the chair, Airaen asked, "And you told no one of this? No one at all?" Zelda shook her head, feeling as though she was being interrogated. Airaen smiled, immediately thought, Ah, here's something interesting. "Good. Let's keep it that way."
"What? Why?" Zelda asked, startled.
Airaen sighed, thought: She is slow. "Think about it for a second. You stand in a rather difficult position: you hold a very shaky peace with your subjects. It's an obvious and natural thing: you were captured, gone for weeks while they were left to fend for themselves at the brink of war, and now, mysteriously, return with a rabble of men from a far off country." Zelda narrowed her eyes as she considered it, then nodded. "Enemy arrivals," Airaen continued, "are hard to swallow for people; the return of a hated one such as Ganon is enough to send that hatred to a boil." She paused, then said, "My arrival doesn't help us either."
"You? What does that have to do with anything? You're not making any sense," Zelda protested.
She is so dense, Airaen thought. "Idiot, think! A bastard child, heir to the throne? That will not sit well with any of them at all, even a child of Link and Zelda. It represents an unbalance in political power and reveals cowardice in you and Link in the fact that you revealed nothing of your relationship. Also, you were captured by a man believed to be destroyed, and then you were saved mysteriously by a young girl? And then that same young girl goes and fights Ganon as his equal, then defeating him? Your people are not blind, loyal fools, mother." She was shocked at how easily the word had come to her lips, then saw the tremor run through Zelda at the title; another wave of pity came, but she calmed it, then continued on as if nothing had happened. "They will see this as your weakness, as well as Link's...Link, who is supposed to be the great Hero of Time, allows a child to fight for him! I would laugh at it, too." I'll have to tell Roh as well about this, she thought. An odd sensation tugged at her heart when she thought of the boy, and she wondered at it.
Zelda's eyes widened; she nodded, then thought, I am practicing this blind ignorance by obeying her. "And you thought of all this just now? In mere minutes?" Airaen nodded with a slight, triumphant grin. "You bested me at something I should always be good at, child."
Airaen flinched. I am not a child anymore, she thought with a sudden feeling of loss, then chided herself for it. "Forgive me, but you were too slow in seeing it. And I'm sure you were too busy with preparations to tell anyone about who I was?" she asked.
"I actually never even thought of it until just now...I was just a little preoccupied," Zelda answered, frowning at Airaen, who held her steady gaze, and thought: Where is the haughty child that burst into the Castle? Where is the child that whistled and sang in the garden? Where is the infant I held in my arms?
She searched Airaen's face, but only found a hardened, purple-eyed stare. "It's getting late," Airaen said quietly, admitting her exhaustion.
"It's nearly two in the morning, I think. You should...rest a bit more," Zelda said slowly. Stretching, she stood, gathered the two dishes and glasses, and moved quietly to the kitchen, leaving Airaen to her thoughts. Ah, Airaen thought, there will be rumors upon rumors about me soon...
Zelda came back, maneuvering quietly until she stood in front of Airaen's chair. Airaen, torn back suddenly from her thoughts, looked up at her mother as if for the first time, noticed the circles under her eyes, the hidden sorrow in her blue eyes; she felt her heart cry out for this woman she barely knew. "I want you to get some rest, too," Airaen said, sensing a slight childish and pleading tone in her words. Zelda laughed, then bent down and lifted her child up on her feet. Muscles aching, doubled now from sitting for so long, Airaen couldn't help but gasp in slight pain, and leaned against Zelda. Supporting her, Zelda escorted her daughter out of the room, shutting the door with her foot. Airaen yawned involuntarily, which made Zelda laugh quietly. Slowly, but surely, they managed to make their way out of the kitchen to the hallway, banking a left.
Moonlight spilled in through the windows, casting an eerie, blue glow on the ground that seeped into the walls, making the hallway look surreal. Airaen wondered at it, her awareness drinking in every ray of light even as each new step brought pain through her body. Gritting her teeth, she moved on.
Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs. Looking up, they saw it was drenched in darkness. "Stairs," Airaen whispered, "how I love thee." Motioning for Zelda to move to the right, she gripped at the wall, bit her lip, and moved her foot shakily up to the first step, then put her foot down on the ground again in defeat. "I can't do it. Do you have a spare room downstairs?"
"Nonsense," Zelda said with a shrug, then, bending down, lifted her up as if she were a little girl, gritting her teeth, and began to climb the stairs.
Surprised, Airaen said, "What...what do you think you're doing? Put me down! I can make it! Hey, I said put me down!"
Breathing hard, Zelda grinned, said, "Oh...you're not that...heavy...trust me, I'm...fine." Though Airaen protested, Zelda refused to put her down until they reached the top. Legs shaking, she put her down, then sank to her knees, laughing a little.
Shaking slightly with anger, Airaen leaned against the wall and hissed, "You idiot! You could've fallen backwards or twisted your ankle or something! What were you thinking?! You could have gotten seriously injured..." She stopped as she realized what she was saying, then turned crimson as she noticed Zelda's warm and knowing smile. Stuttering slightly, she said, "Well, I can...I can take care of myself." She turned to leave, but her knees gave out again and she fell with an ungraceful slump on her butt. Zelda nearly cried from laughter. Turning, Airaen made to say something, but broke out in laughter as well. As she giggled, Zelda thought, Here she is...here's the girl I saw before!
Presently, as they giggled, a door opened with a creak, and Link poked his head out. "What's going on here?" he asked, then started when he saw Airaen. "Airaen! Bless it all, you're awake!" he cried as he ran to her, pulling her up and hugging her tight. She winced slightly, but returned the hug as she buried her face in his chest, her awareness marveling at the sudden emotion. "What are you two doing up, anyway?" he asked as he pulled away to help Zelda up.
"We were hungry," Zelda said.
"And you've been sleeping the whole time. I didn't even know you were in my room," Airaen added, then yawned again, thought, I can't understand how tired I am...
Link shrugged, then replied, "Well, come on, let's get you two to bed, then. I've made a nice spot on the floor, Zelda, for us." Airaen tried to hobble towards the door, when Link came up behind her and gathered her into his arms. "No, you don't...there'll be know 'I can do anything' from you tonight," he said as Airaen protested, then gave up, too tired to go on as a fresh wave of unwanted fatigue came over her.
Deciding it best not to deny her exhaustion, she let the fatigue wash over her body, relaxing her muscles. Her eyelids felt heavy as sleep quickly began to take her. She was barely aware of her parents talking about something...she heard her name mentioned. As she fell asleep, she thought, This is my family...my...family...
"Is she asleep?" Zelda asked as she glanced at Airaen.
Link chuckled. "I guess so. She's like that...always coming and going as she pleases," he said with a grin as he gazed down at her. Clutching her more securely, he made his way towards the door, Zelda following behind. As he stepped into the room, he was greeted by Gate, who nearly flew into his face.
"Ah, you found her, then," the fairy said apologetically. "I was getting a little worried when I came back and found her gone. And a fine job you did watching her, Sir Link."
"Is that sarcasm I smell on your breath, Gate?" Link asked, a smile betraying him. Zelda laughed as she shut the door behind her.
Startled at her sudden entrance, Gate moved towards her, said, "Ah, and there you are, my Lady. I'm so sorry Airaen walked off like that."
Zelda dismissed it. "It's ok...she and I had...a nice talk together over a late-night dinner," she said with a smile.
Link raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. "Oh?" Gate asked, trying to hide his surprise. "What did you talk about, if I may be so bold?"
"Some interesting things...she's very intuitive for someone her age," she replied as she watched Link walk over and place Airaen in the bed, tuck her in, then kiss her forehead.
"What did you tell her?" Link asked, eagerness clear in his voice as he turned and walked a bit towards Zelda.
"Just some things she wanted to know...and you, love, neglected to mention that you told her some very...private matters regarding us and a certain Temple? Hm?" she said, glaring at him.
Link's eyes widened as he blushed. "She...she told you that...I said that?" he stammered.
Zelda crossed her arms. "What exactly did you tell her, Link?" Gate was trying his hardest not to laugh; he had heard the story before.
Link took a step backward. "Um...I, uh...well, you see...um..." he stammered, perspiration breaking out on his forehead. Zelda advanced towards him. "Well, she...asked me about her mother and all, and wanted to know about where babies come from at the same time...she was six! Kids are very curious at that age!"
Zelda was shaking with rage as she hissed, "Six?! She was six years old when you told her that?!"
Gate was trembling with laughter, thought: Oh, he's done it now.
Link took another step back. "What did you tell her, exactly, Link?!" Zelda yelled.
"Well, I told her I got drunk at one of the parties and uh...banged a girl I had fallen in love with in the Temple of Time?"
"YOU SAID WHAT?!?"
Gate was roaring with laughter.
Link, sweating now, stammered, "I...I panicked! I didn't know what to tell her! You knew I was forbidden to say anything!" Zelda took another threatening step towards him. Link threw his hands in front of him for protection, then said quickly, "Now...now, Zelda, calm down...it's not like she really bought the idea anyway...she mostly laughed through the whole thing anyway!"
"I don't care! That was completely inappropriate!!" Zelda cried.
Airaen stirred, mumbled something and then turned over on her side, her back facing them. "Sh...you're going to wake her up," Link hissed.
"And then what did you tell her, Link?" Zelda asked, acting as if she hadn't heard anything, her voice dripping with scorn.
"Well, I told her that her 'mother' died in childbirth...and that was it," he said quietly.
Zelda narrowed her eyes at him. "You swear you never gave any...detail?" she asked. Link nodded.
After a long pause, Gate broke in, "You know, Link, Airaen never really bought your story. I heard her talking to Epona one afternoon when I was watching her. She said you've always been a terrible liar. She even doubted that her mother was dead, but decided to stick the story because she said she knew it was a cover-up for something." Link stared at Gate in shock while Zelda, her episode of rage over, smiled. Gate laughed. "You really are a terrible liar," he said amid his chuckles.
"It's true," Zelda agreed.
Utterly defeated, Link grinned, then grabbed Zelda, drawing her into an embrace, kissing her passionately. "The Temple of Time, eh?" he said with a smile. Zelda rolled her eyes, but grinned.
"Let's go to bed, love. I'm really tired," she whispered in his ear. Nodding, Link drew her up into his arms, making Zelda laugh girlishly; then, he carried her around the bed to the makeshift bed he had made on the floor and laid her down. As Link stood up to stretch, he said, "Where are you going, Gate?"
Gate stopped just outside the window he had just opened and turned back to Link. Zelda propped herself up on one arm and gazed at the fairy. "You three need some time alone," he said, then flew away.
Puzzled, Link shrugged, shut the window, then lay down next to Zelda. "He'll find his way in if he wants to," he said to Zelda as he pulled the covers up over them, then wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. Moonlight streamed in through the window, splashing on their faces. Smiling, Zelda turned to face him. Link placed his chin on her head, his head still on the pillow, and drew her closer to him.
For the first time in weeks, Zelda slept soundly.
*%*%*
Hmm...well, I wasn't trying to make this funny...not that it is...*sigh* Well, there's ch. 18 for you! I hope you enjoyed it...YES, MY FRIENDS...THE CHAPTERS ARE LONGER! YES! "Porinky, Porinky, not gonna tell!" Woah...odd tangent (that's from a commercial in Japan...read Ceres: Celestial Legend by Yu Watase (it's in volume two)). Ok, then! Until next chapter! And Ganon isn't through with our heroine just yet, you'll see! YOU'LL ALL SEE!