4

Memories

"I had that dream again.", Link said, looking into the eyes of his most well trusted friend, who had met with him on request that afternoon in the café off the main town plaza.

It was about lunch time now, crowds of people flooded the busy streets, shopping, doing errands, grabbing a bite to eat. Nevertheless, it was the busiest time of day in the market, making privacy hard to come by.

The pretty redhead, just three years his junior, sighed, brushing a hand through her long, red hair.

"I give up.", she stated. "We have tried every remedy there is to getting rid of reoccurring dreams and you are still having them. I don't know what to do."

"It must mean something then.", Link said thoughtfully. "That's the only reason it would keep coming back, right?"

"Link, I think your taking it a little too seriously.", said Cremia, pouring some sugar into the tea before her. "It could always be stress induced."

Link crossed his arms, eyeing her with annoyance. Cremia read too many books. Over the years she had made a hobby of learning new things. It went from Philosophy to science ,to religion, and anything else you could think of. You name it, she knew it. And she was best at diagnosing what was wrong with someone, always having an answer for whatever.

"What stress can I possibly have?" , he asked sourly.

"Well, anyone can have stress.", she said, as in a matter of fact kind of way. "Plus, you were trying to get a job, now your living in a new place, and you just found out that Jesamay is moving away."

"No.", he said, dismissing her theory. "Your wrong. You've never had a dream as real as the one's I've experienced. It's not just stress."

"They're just dreams.", she argued.

"That's not what you said when Zelda confided in you. With her visions.", he said defensively.

Cremia shifted uncomfortably. "That was different.", she said. "Those were visions of the past. Things that actually happened."

"You didn't know that for sure.", he said, making a point. "And what if this is going to happen?… What if Leila is in danger?"

"Link. It can't possibly come true. Think of the other two people in your dream. How in the world could it happen?"

"I don't know.", said Link, crossing his arms. "I just have a really bad feeling about it. Something bad is going to happen soon."

"How do you figure?", she asked.

"Cremia…", he started. "I just know."

"Is there something your not telling me?", she asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes at him.

Yes, there was something he wasn't telling her. Something he never had told anyone.

And never planned to.

"No.", he lied, looking away.

"You always look away when you lying.", she challenged. "What?"

He loathed the way she could read him like a book. And in her case, reading a book, was all too easy.

"Nothing." Link could feel her stare bearing down on him.

"Yes, there is."

"No there isn't"

"Tell me.", Cremia said sternly.

Link had just about had it. She was acting like an annoying little sister. The combination of anxiety and their argument was raising his temper all too quickly.

He stood up, almost knocking over the table. "Look, all I know is that I've had this dream even before I could recognize Leila!", he yelled, earning stares from passer bys and fellow café goers.

Cremia stared up at him with a shocked expression. "What?"

Link gathered himself back up, sitting quietly down in his chair.

Well, he finally did it. He finally told her. There was no turning back. The cat was out of the bag. Even if he wanted to grab that cat and stuff right back where it was.

"Don't worry about it.", he said dismissively. "It's nothing."

"No Link.", she said sweetly, slowly turning into sour just a second later. "Do tell me, because this is definitely something."

Link sighed. There was no way to get away from Cremia's ambition once she knows the tiniest bit of information.

"I've… I've had this dream longer than you think.", he said, having trouble telling speaking of it.

"How long?"

Link shrugged his shoulders, making Cremia very agitated.

With one quick swipe, Link was leaning over the table by the scruff of his shirt, which Cremia had grabbed to drag him near her, making her one scary, little woman.

"I know you know the answer to that.", she said, staring him straight in the eye.

Link gulped. Cremia hadn't exactly been as much as a pushover she was five years ago.

"I had it….", Link struggled with his words. "before she was even born. A week exactly."

Cremia let him go, making him slide back in his chair with a thump.

"So let me get this straight.", she started, biting her lip. "You've had these dreams long before you even knew who the girl was?"

He nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me this?" Her voice was high, unlike her normal tone. It made Link wince. She wasn't going to let him live this one down.

"Because Cremia.", he started. "I thought I was being paranoid, myself. That was, until I realized that the little girl I was watching grow older was becoming more and more like the one in my dreams. Then I began to tell you about it. I was sure it meant something after that."

She crossed her arms, deep in thought. "Well this can't be very good.", she stated. "but even still, Zelda and Marth. It just can't be. "

"I don't know." Link shrugged his shoulders.

"Perhaps it's an omen.", she mused. "Maybe we should try and interpret it. We should go see someone."

"No.", Link said sternly, surprising Cremia with his quick reply. "We can't tell anyone."

"And why's that?", she asked. "It's the only way to get some help."

"Cremia.", Link whispered harshly. "If it were to get out, half of Hyrule would call me crazy."

"We must.", she argued. "I cannot help at the very least. I know nothing of this nature."

"Please.", Link said weakly, taking her hand. "All I need right now is your support. I trust you not to speak a word to anyone. Can you do that?"

Cremia sighed heavily, nodding in agreement. "Okay. That I can do."

Link smiled warmly, taking back his hand. "Thank you."

"But Link. If something bad is to come up, we must understand it beforehand.", pointed Cremia.

"How can we do that without telling anyone?", he inquired.

Cremia rolled her eyes, pointing across the street.

Link looked over to where she was pointing. Across the street was a very old, very dated, library, standing a few stories tall. He stared stupidly at it.

"You obviously don't do much reading do you Link?", Cremia sighed, "There are many books in there that could help us."

"Okay then.", Link said, getting up again. "Let's go."

"I can't.", Cremia replied, looking up at him.

"Why not?"

"Romani and I are traveling to the ranch this week to check up on it. ", she explained. "I won't be back till next weekend and I must be going to pack soon. Same time next week?"

Link heaved a heavy sigh. It wasn't the best way to go, but it was his only choice.

"Alright.", he agreed. "Same time next week."

"Whatcha thinking about?"

Link tore his gaze from the fire and over to Leila, who was sprawled out, on her stomach, on the rug before him. Her long blonde hair was laid along her back; a sight only to see when she was about to go to bed or late at nights. Otherwise, her hair would be up in a wild bun with two strands falling down the sides of her face.

She stared up at him, blue-violet eyes bright with curiosity.

What had he been thinking before she interrupted his trance-like state?

He had been thinking of her. Thinking of what he was going to do about his situation. Or if there was a situation in the first place. Was he worrying too much? Was it just a nightmare?

"Nothing.", he lied. "Just resting."

"Resting doesn't take awfully as much glaring as you have done.", she pointed out. "You have been staring at the fire with such an expression that is anything but rest."

He was awed by the way this five year old could speak. It was as if he were talking to an adult. She was awfully nosey too.

"Where did you learn such speaking skills?", Link wanted to know.

She shrugged, smiling sweetly. "Naturally?"

Impa had even been impressed by her speech. Leila must read a lot. That's the only explanation he could find. And yet, he found it with dread. Not another 'know it all' Cremia.

"Aren't you supposed to be in bed?", he asked, motioning towards a clock, placed above the fireplace. "It's nearly midnight."

"Father never said anything about a bedtime.", Leila said passively. "So I won't assume one."

Link laughed lightly. "You know, your going to be one smart girl when you grow up, you little sneak."

They sat there for a few moments in silence.

"Link?', Leila started. "Is something bothering you?"

Link furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "No.", he replied. "Why."

"You are not acting the same.", she said, looking at him with a sad expression. "Something is wrong."

Link shook his head. "Nothing is wrong Leila. I am just fine."

"Well-"

Leila stopped, looking behind her, through the open door of the room to the hallway. She sensed something. Perhaps Link's ears weren't as sharp as they used to be, for he was thoroughly confused at what she was looking for.

"What is it?", he asked, trying to figure out what she was hearing.

"Shh!", she hissed, shushing him, leaving him surprised by her aggressive tone.

They sat there for a moment in silence. Then there were sounds of the patter of little paws running down the hall.

Seconds later, Winnie came running through the door, barking like she had never before, of course, right at Link.

Leila turned her head, following an unseen presence with her eyes, stopping at Link, seemingly staring at him. He wondered what she was looking at.

Out of nowhere, she began to have a fit that made Link nearly jump six feet up.

"Get out!", she screamed in a shrill voice. "Get out, get out, get out!"

Along with the dog, and Leila's screaming, a lot of noise was being made, threatening to wake up sleeping residents nearby.

Quickly, a confused Link left the room , hoping that his departure would stop the racket.

Walking down the hallway, he stopped, being called by Leila.

"Link wait!", she called, catching up to him. "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean you."

Link blinked. "Then who were you yelling at?"

Leila bit her lip, glancing to the side, and back up at him. "um…The dog.", she answered quickly.

Link raised an eyebrow. "Well, I think we should be heading to bed if it makes you so upset."

The little girl's eyes darted over to the open door of the castle's library, and back to him again. She nodded. "That… is a very good idea. I am feeling very tired."

"Need a lift?", Link asked, extending his arms to her.

She took the offer gladly, being swept up into Link's arms and carried all the way to her room.

"Goodnight, princess.", he said, tucking her beneath the covers.

She mumbled a goodnight, burying her head into the pillows, too tried to respond fully.

With that, Link walked down the hall to his own room to retire for the night.

He plopped down on his bed, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.

That dream. If only Cremia could experience it for herself. She'd understand then.

What am I thinking, Link thought. I don't even understand it. I haven't the slightest idea what it means.

Leila, falling into who knows what? Marth, pushing her into it. And Zelda…

Zelda.

Goddesses if only he knew.

His heart began to ache, thinking of the blonde haired beauty that now only existed in his memories.

Don't do this to yourself, Link thought. It's just going to get you down.

But he couldn't help it. Memories of them instantly filled his mind.

"Are you alright?", he asked worriedly, catching the young woman in his arms.

Zelda caught her breath and glared at him.

"You Idiot!", she exploded. "What were you thinking! I told you to be quiet! If we were caught, you probably would've been beheaded!"

He grinned. "But we didn't. And it was your idea in the first place."

She sighed. "Yeah, well it was stupid!"

"But it was fun wasn't it?", he laughed.

She glared at him for a second then burst out laughing. "Yeah it was."

"You should've seen your face when I dropped that doll…", he said, grinning widely. "You looked terrified."

"Yeah, well you should've seen yours!" , Zelda retorted.

They laughed for a long while.

After a bit, they had laid down now, and she was still in his arms. She didn't seem to mind though, beginning to fall asleep.

Goddesses, she smelt good. And she was beautiful. So, so beautiful...

..."…Link…. Let's stay here forever." , Zelda spoke. "I mean… it's so perfect here. Nothing seems it would go wrong here."

"But Zel, we can't. There isn't any food, shelter, or really anything. I just went here as a hang out spot to get away from the world.", he said.

"Exactly!", exclaimed Zelda. "We won't have to deal with anything. This would be our world. You and me."

He wanted to. To stay with her forever and let no one else interfere.

He sighed. "Whatever makes you happy, Zel."

She kissed him on the cheek, making his heart jump just a tat.

"Link, do you think… how long do you think we will last?", she wanted to know.

Forever.

"Only time can tell, Zel.", he said, then added. "I would like to stay with you forever. No other girl has made me as happy to be with than you., but things do come up."

"Do you think we love each other enough to be wed?", she asked, more bold this time. She held herself up with her arms to look directly in his eyes.

Oh, her eyes.

"If I asked you to marry me… would you?", he asked back, playfully.

Zelda held a finger to her chin teasingly. "Hmmm…." Her eyes looked up to the sky as if in deep thought.

He grinned, but something made him want to ask something more. Something he felt so right about. Something he was sure she wouldn't decline to.

"Zelda, will you marry me?" , he asked.

She stared at him with wide eyes. His stomach felt as if it had dropped. Was it the wrong time to ask? Was this a mistake?

Her expression slowly turned into joy.

"…Yes, Link…. I will marry you!", she said excited.

A big smile crept across his face.

No words could explain what he felt. He'd done it. And she had said yes!

He pulled her toward him, wanting to embrace her and never let go. This was the happiest day of his life!...

..."Shhh.", Zelda hushed, shaking her head. "It is alright. I finally got what I was living for… I finally found you. That was all I needed."

"No.", he said shaking his head. "No, it's not."

"I'm happy now that I know that someone does love me.", she said, lifting her head up just to meet his lips. "I can go a happy, married woman."

He broke down. His eyes poured out tears of sorrow. He knew, deep down, that she wasn't going to live.

"No Zelda.", he managed to say between sobs. "Your going to make it. I love you. Just keep holding on."

He felt helpless. There was nothing he could do. It was the worst feeling in the world.

Zelda smiled again, a sort of dazed smile, and then she began to sing, making his heart crumble even more.

Where did I go right. How did I get you? How come all this blue sky is around me, and you found me…

Link shook his head sadly. Why did such a horrible thing have to happen to them?

It was, he felt, his fault. If only he had watched Marth more closely. If he had just fully killed him right then and there, Zelda would be alive today.

The only thing he had now was his memories… and the ocarina.

He turned on his side, reaching into the bedside table, finding the instrument he had so delicately placed there.

He stared at it, it's blue shell as radiant as the day he got it. Such a beautiful thing.

Just like her.

He remembered the first time he saw that instrument. It was when she taught him that song.

"Link?", Zelda inquired. "Do you know how to play the ocarina?"

The two sat deep in the woods. It was their hideout from the rest of the world. No one else could find them there. Only he could navigate these woods.

"Yeah.", he said, leaning back on a large rock.

Zelda, who was sitting on a patch of soft grass, pulled out something from her dress pocket.

"Woah.", he exclaimed. "Where'd you get that?"

"It was passed down.", she said bluntly. "Do you have one yourself?"

"Yeah.", he said, pulling out his dull, old looking one. "I can play a song if you like. Saria taught it to me."

Zelda's expression went from excited to sad. "Oh,", she said. "The forest girl, right?"

He knew exactly what she was thinking. "She's just a friend.", he assured. "Nothing more."

Zelda seemed quite embarrassed to be found out. Coughing lightly, she spoke once again. "Well, do show me."

At that, he began to play, Saria's song, swaying with the lively beat of the cheerful melody. The air around them suddenly began to feel as it were a part of the music, engulfing the children with the sound.

When he was finished, Zelda let out a squeak of enjoyment and clapped her hands. "That was wonderful Link.", she said happily. "You will have to teach me that."

"Well,", he said , motioning to her instrument. "Your turn."

"Oh.", she said, looking ashamed. "Mine cannot compare to yours."

"I want to hear it anyway.", he said, urging her to play. "Then we can teach each other our songs."

She smiled softly. "Alright.", she said. "If it makes you happy."

Link opened his eyes, fiddling with the blue ocarina.

He sighed, wondering how long he loved her even before he knew.

He thought of the melody she had taught him that day. The notes were well know to him. A soft but sweet sound, as of a lullaby. Zelda's Lullaby.

He took to blue instrument to his lips, playing the relaxing song. All the while, imagining the face of a woman he still loved.

ok, been very busy lately... im not sure if ill update next week cuz its spring beak n im doing a lot. sry X(

please review!

ps. i hope this edit thing isn't ruining my story...plz tell me if u see retarded mistakes. lol thanx!