You'll be glad to hear that Nighttime Activities part 7, entitled "Equals to..." is already halfway through done, meaning that you should get it sometime this week. If I get off the job early enough.
The first cut in this chapter is a flashback, and it is not in italics because I hate italics for more than a few words at a time, nevermind a whole section of a chapter. But it doesn't matter whether it's in italics or not. You would have figured it out.
Okay, this time I'm serious:
Warning: Sexual themes.
Enjoy!
Hylian Kings
By CM
Fifth Chapter: The Pond
Rain pattered on the thick glass window, covering it with a wet sheet that blurred everything and sent dancing shadows on the cold stone floor of her room. It didn't matter to her in that instant. It was late, almost time for what Ganondorf called supper, which was little more than a couple of carrots and a tiny slab of lean meat. She never complained, eating everything up, for her sake and because she knew her people died of hunger on the streets. She would not complain, because there would be no use to leaving it there. The citizen wouldn't get access to it in the first place.
After supper was taken away, the platter always empty, she was left to her own devices until the next morning. Well, not quite. She was locked inside the third floor corridor, alone to explore. But she knew the third floor corridor too well already.
It looked as eerie as her room. Same humid grey walls, same cold dim light, same echoing silence. Even the tapestries, which had once been vivid and lively, looked dead and tattered, never restored in the past seven years.
Every time her shoes clopped with an echo on the floor, she felt like a gargoyle would step inside and tell her to be quiet. It was an uncomfortable feeling, and also the reason she hardly, if ever, ambled out of her chambers.
Ganondorf had never tried to get rid of her childish fears.
But today, she was different. Today, she waited, outside her rooms, for the maid to open the doors at the end of this corridor and step in cautiously with her meal.
She'd greet the maid out here, instead of inside her chambers.
It wasn't long before the sound of a door coming unlocked at the end of the hallway, and Zelda's eyes quickly darted to her bedroom door behind her, taking a deep breath. She wasn't happy of what she was going to do. The maid would surely die, if not by her hands, then when she was discovered.
All was silent. Somewhere from the window at the other end of the hall, lightning flashed. There was a long pause. Zelda's heart was thrumming so loud in her ears she did not hear the thunder growl.
The maid… had been replaced by a Gerudo guard. The woman glared at Zelda scornfully, but also her eyes were full of amusement. Zelda's voice was weak and un-practiced. Her womanly tone was betrayed by a child's worry.
"Where has my maid gone?"
There was lightning. There was thunder. The Gerudo guard glared at Zelda from within the thick layers of face paint she wore. Her eyes were thickly lined with black paint. She said, with disdain, "She's on the deathbed. Some diseased animal bit her. Where does she put this?" She asked, impatient to get back to whatever it was Gerudo guards did.
Zelda took a deep breath, lifting a finger to indicate her bedroom door. Apparently disgusted by the princess' silence, the guard quickly moved towards the door, pushing it wider open with an elbow and stepping inside, to place the tray on the first flat surface she'd find, and get out of the famed third floor corridor.
The princess gazed at the Gerudo guard's back quietly, and reached for her bedroom doorknob. She pulled the door tightly closed. A sudden quiet inside her chambers indicated that the Gerudo had heard the movement. Zelda turned the lever to lock the door even as the Gerudo threw herself against the enforced panel. From within, cusses, screams and frustrated cries resounded. The princess ignored them. With shaky hands, she picked up the bundle of cloth she had placed by the door, and that the guard hadn't noticed. Slipping the hooded cape over her shoulders, she tried not to shudder as the wind howled against the trembling window and lightning flashed again.
Inside the room, the guard sounded like a tortured, furious animal, beating at the door with rage and rising panic.
Zelda left the hallway, closing the door behind her and locking it. Now, all was silent. Even the guard's cries had been blocked in. Before her, the grim looking, old hallways did not greet her. She took the servants' old stairwell, a part of the building that no one had ventured in for ages, if she judged from the broken windows, cold air and silence, and while it seemed like the most frightening place in the world, she preferred it to any bad encounters.
"… And the man danced… Dance, dance, dance, the man…" She shakily sang, on the border of speech and whisper, a childhood song ricocheting on the dull walls of a dark, empty stairwell as she cautiously made her way down, feeling every instant as though a shadow wanted to grab her from behind.
A rat scurried by her feet, and she had to swallow back a surprised scream, even as lightning illuminated the walls, casting frightening shadows in the corners.
She was down in no time, running until she was breathless, her heart in her throat, and stumbled out into the rainy courtyard, where instantly she was drenched. It was like a dream. The humid, cold air filled her lungs and the vaporous, grey tinged world had never seemed so vast.
She hurried by the outer guard tower, inside which the Gerudo were too busy trying to keep warm by the fire to hear her pattering footsteps. The gate had long been broken and never repaired. No one had been foolhardy enough to challenge the great lord Ganondorf.
It was with sudden fear that Zelda turned around to look at her age old castle. It looked eerie and quiet and ominous. It was no longer her home.
Zelda did not bother to be happy with the fact that Ganondorf hadn't planned on her escape and enforced the protection. Pushing herself down the desolate streets, she disappeared into the world.
Present…
It was early evening. The sun was low on the horizon, colouring the sky with a light pink hue to slowly cover the light blue. Delicious smells of cooked meat and vegetable soup wafted through the air, embalming the woods, which glowed with a soft gold. The three men sat, enjoying a glass of homemade berry wine before supper.
Mikau chugged some down, then slamming the mug on the wooden table of the outdoor kitchen with neither anger nor frustration, but he seemed still a bit annoyed. He stared at Link as the young man held his mug with two hands, dazed.
"What you're saying is… this woman knows ya, and ya know 'er?"
"Mikau, be nice to her. She's… well, important back home."
Mikau snorted.
"Oh, now home is out there, huh?"
Darmani hit Mikau with enough strength to make him topple over.
"Let him be."
"Hmph."
Darmani turned to Link and sighed, a long, loud sound. He motioned to the cottage, inviting Link to check on their guest. Link stood, weakly smiling. He was still a bit shocked that she'd appear so suddenly.
He'd brought in the cottage a tub of water for her to cleanse in, with soap root to wash the grime out of her hair, and had told her to take some of his clothes for change.
While she bathed, no one was allowed in, and Link made sure to knock on the front door before coming in. She was nowhere in sight, and the water in the tub had cooled down. Sunlight came through the windows almost horizontally. He knew Mikau and Darmani, on the side of the Shack, couldn't see inside, and thus hadn't bothered closing the shutters. He risked a look up the stairs.
"Um, may I come up?" He carefully asked.
He got his answer when she leaned over the railing to look down at him, her dark gold hair in wet tendrils around her face. She was smiling.
And the shirt she'd borrowed gaped in a very interesting way. To Link's relief—and minor disappointment—, it did not last too long. She motioned for him to come up, and he complied.
"I found a small shirt. I would bet it was one of your old ones. There is no way you would still fit in it. It is still fairly large, but I don't think bodices are common in a man's house. Unless they aren't his," she added with a grin that made him catch his breath.
He smiled. "Women don't usually drop by, if that can answer your suspicions."
She raised a brow. "Ah. Well, I suppose there must be a first time to everything, am I wrong?"
"I suppose you're not. It's true you're the first woman to sleep in my bed." He shot her a roguish grin, and her eyes widened.
"Link!"
Her heart beat faster, and her cheeks became red.
When had Link . . . How could it be that the little boy, the cheerful apprentice, had turned to such a handsome, engaging young man? And who smelled so good on top of it?
She had to calm her breathing. She took in her surroundings, the sturdy bed, with rough woollen covers that had been softened from use—let's not get into that!—, the custom built cupboard, with unfinished carvings on the doors, the polished floors, where he'd most likely walked in nothing but a pair of sleeping trousers—
She preferred to stop thinking.
When Link spoke again, she jumped, flustered. She smiled weakly at him, though he wasn't looking at her anymore, choosing to keep his eyes on the floorboards.
"Uh, we'll be having dinner soon…" He muttered.
Zelda smiled.
"Thank you."
Finally, Link looked up again. He had to double take, and refrain from reddening. He had done an effort not to examine her in too great detail—just in case—but it was stronger than him.
Princess Zelda had grown to become a beautiful young woman. Her hair had become a dark blonde colour, and her eyes had gained depth. As for her body, well, she'd gained curves...That, he'd determined. His trousers fit her well, but her slightly larger hips were a bit tighter in them, and thus were covered in a… very nice way. His clean shirt, to replace her ragged bodice, had a collar line that plunged much lower than he'd thought. He wouldn't complain, of course. The clothes, overall, were a bit larger than what would have best fit her, but they suited her well. Very well.
She was barefoot, but he knew he'd find a solution soon enough.
A clean, fresh scent came from her now that she was clean, and it was with the nice mix of the forest onto her skin coming to his nose that Link outstretched his arm. She gracefully took it and smiled.
On a common accord, they'd chosen not to get into deep conversations on the way the outside world was going.
That's how they perceived it. The outside world was out there, and they were here, safe, in their little world where all was right.
Mikau was grumbling under his breath and Darmani yawned, looking at Link and Zelda lying under the stars, out in the large grass field. They were side-by-side, from what Darmani could see, but otherwise, the tall grass hid them from view.
Mikau's inaudible muttering made him turn to look at him. In the lantern's light, Mikau's look was glum.
"What?" Darmani roughly asked, taking a long swig of his stronger homemade drinks.
"Look at 'em," Mikau mumbled, cheek pressed against his fist, connecting elbow on the wooden table. Darmani's head turned back so he could glance at the two childhood friends, then back at Mikau.
"What?" He repeated.
"It's so damned obvious what's going on," Mikau grumbled in annoyance.
"What're you talking 'bout?" Darmani asked, finding Mikau's depressed look unnerving.
"Think'f it," Mikau said, finally taking his eyes off the form of the two young people lying almost out of eyesight and definitely out of earshot, "it's obvious. A guy, a girl. You do the thinking."
"There's a sign and a heart missing," Darmani commented, taking another swill.
"Y'know what I'm meaning," Mikau said. "Nothing's ever gonna be th'same. They'll fall in love, if it ain't already done."
"Surprising you'd still believe in love," Darmani muttered. Mikau shot him an evil eyed glare.
"Mind your own goddamn business. Just because I've been living in the woods with a veteran and a kid doesn't mean I don't remember what love's like."
He sighed and looked back at the place where Link and Zelda were supposed to be lying, but now that darkness had fallen, he couldn't discern them anymore. "And that's love."
Darmani said nothing, listening to the crickets surrounding them. A few bugs came to their lantern, but he didn't chase them away.
"I knew som'day," Mikau went on, "som'day the kid would leave us and follow some girl around."
"She looks a good one."
"Yeah, that might be all she's got," Mikau mumbled.
"Stop fussin'," Darmani gruffly ordered, "you're messin' with my nerves."
Mikau said nothing, then raised his mug in the invisible couple's direction, then bringing the rim to his lips. Darmani quietly imitated him.
Zelda felt Link radiating warmth beside her. They carefully weren't touching. Both their gazes were turned up towards the vast dark heavens, where a myriad of small diamonds winked down at them.
She felt a fresh breeze caress her, and it took with it all her troubles far, far away. She felt the grass tickling her cheeks, and her hair was splayed on the ground and she was at peace.
The stars were beautiful tonight. She'd never had the occasion to notice before. She said so out loud. Link turned to look at her, before gazing back at the stars, frowning.
"Why not?" He asked, and she smiled weakly.
"Light didn't often come to me like it is right now."
"It's pretty dark out," he said.
She shook her head in the grass, and he glanced at her. "No," she said, "No, it's the brightest night that ever was."
He said nothing.
"Link?"
"Yes?"
"You must have been happy out here, in the woods, free of worries. Did you see the outside world?"
He hesitated before answering. "I don't think I should."
She paused before asking, "Why didn't you come back if you were alive all this time?"
Link chose not to answer.
"Link, please."
Hearing her beg softly made him turn to look at her, and finally say, "I put it behind me, where it belongs."
"I belong behind you then?"
He sat up quickly and looked down at her as she lay in the grass, looking at him accusingly. "No! No, you don't! … Zelda, you never left my thoughts!"
"And you mine," she whispered, reaching up to touch the front of his shirt, barely brushing it with the tip of her fingers. She didn't notice him go still. "My closest friend. Link. I missed you."
He tried not to look too earnest. "I missed you too, Zelda."
And the Goddesses knew how much. They knew how she haunted his dreams, his every waking moment.
And his life, now.
He took her hand in his gently, and smiled at her, almost mischievously.
"Zelda, I want you to see something."
She frowned in curiosity. "See what?"
"Something," he simply cryptically repeated, brushing himself off as he stood. His eyes turned to where Mikau and Darmani sat, but they'd disappeared into the Shack.
"It's getting late, are you sure—" She started but her hushed her with a finger against her lips. It wasn't the symbolic that stopped her, but rather the concept that his finger touched her and that the simple touch made fire radiate from her lips to the rest of her body. He didn't seem aware of this, however. His intentions seemed to lie elsewhere.
"Follow me," he whispered, though there was no one but the night to overhear them. Under the starlight, he reached for her hand and gently pulled her behind him. She felt like ten year-old Zelda tagging along with twelve year-old Link on one of their knight and princess adventures. Her eyes welled with tears.
Having been with him only a few hours, she already felt that if he left she'd die again. He'd always held a great part of her heart, and now his simple hold on her hand gave her the impression she'd stumble without him to guide her like he used to.
She was nothing without him. As though he knew it, he was being kind, slow, understanding and actually held her hand as he did now to show her the way.
They walked in the dark woods for a few minutes, before Link turned around suddenly, blocking her view ahead.
"Close your eyes," he ordered. She complied slowly, but her eyelids forced the water out of her eyes, making tears slide down her cheek and shine in the pale moonlight. Link frowned worriedly.
"You're crying," he whispered, reaching out to wipe the tears. "Zelda? Are you alright?"
His concern only made her tear more, but a wobbly smile also appeared on her face. Her voice was shaky, a breath, because she knew any words louder than a whisper would be uncontrollable, "I'm happier than I've been in so long, Link."
He blinked, wondering how it was possible to cry and be happy, but she seemed so sincerely happy that he ended up smiling as well.
"Well then, close your eyes again."
This time, she complied, and a genuine smile brightened her face. To make sure she didn't peek, Link came up behind her and put his hands to cover her eyes. Slowly, he made her move forward.
Before them was a pond, a small waterfall that shone in the bright moonlight it caught. The water itself looked like liquid silver in the night. The trees made a high leafy dome over the pool.
All around them, a thousand fireflies hovered silently, slowly gliding over the air. Their soft light reflected in the water as they slid against its surface.
Zelda's skin glowed with a pale light, and her hair was highlighted in white gold. He removed his hands from her eyes, stepped away and took a brief second to admire her in the moonlight before saying, "Open your eyes."
She slowly obeyed, and immediately, her eyes widened like a child in front of something wondrous. More tears slipped down her cheeks and her lower lip, having fallen as she'd gasped, was trembling. She brought a pale hand to her face. Her other hand slowly came up to try to grasp, weakly, a firefly that passed by, but it escaped through her widely spread fingers. Without a word, she turned to look at him.
"Well?" He breathed questioningly.
"It's…" She didn't finish her sentence, trying to catch her breath. She turned her wet eyes to the small bright waterfall.
"This water is warm," he said, eyes fixed on her.
Her gaze came back to rest on him. And her lips stretched into a thin, teary smile.
"Show me."
Outstretching his hand, accepting her offer, he waited for her to slip her smaller white hand into his dark one. Their fingers intertwined together, he guided her to the edge of the pool, eyes boring in hers.
"One step at a time…" He told her, jumping into the knee high water and looking up at his princess, waiting for her to come down.
She did, holding onto his arms and letting him lower her to his level. She could feel his skin rippling under her fingers. The water seeped through her borrowed trousers, coming to her knees, and the sand at the bottom of the pool slipped between her toes pleasantly.
With barely a heave, Link hoisted her up again, not once losing her gaze, and brought her to the middle of the pond, where the moonlit water came to his waist. She could see that his clothes were soaking up, but he apparently didn't notice.
Looking down at him, she smiled, nodding her authorization for him to let her into the water as well.
"Heal me."
He smiled softly, letting her slowly into the water so she could get used to the feeling. When finally she was touching the bottom of the pool, he loosened his hold on her, but did not relent it completely.
They stood there, unsure for the first time. Fireflies glowed all around them.
His hand came to touch her face finally.
And they knew.
Her last coherent words to him that night.
"Love me, Link."
He complied. Ever at her service.
You didn't think that was bad? Heh. Wait til the next chapter.
AND NO, THERE WILL BE NO LEMON. Geez, people.
Though if it amuses you, you can write a supplement lemon and send it to my email address. It's sure to amuse me, too. X) Zelink 4 Eva.
Reviews, anyone?
Love,
CM