Chapter 12: Suffering

" I—must do something…"

Link struggled to get to his feet. The pain flowing throughout his body was unbearable. His muscles were too weak, and his throbbing head had just gotten worse. Princess Zelda was in trouble and he was lying down doing nothing about it. She needed his help, but was he really in well enough shape to be the hero she needs?

" Link…" Malon spoke softly, feeling her body tighten when she noticed how much pain he really was in. She wanted to help him, but something prevented her. She stood in her spot, watching him swing his brown boots to the floor. " You need to rest."

" I'm fine, Mal." He spoke sternly, taking a deep breath now that he was in an up right position.

" But your injuries—"

"—Are fine." He cut her off.

" I'm only worried about your safety," Malon continued speaking softly.

" Malon, Zelda is in trouble!" He shouted causing her to jumped in surprise. She heard the hurt in his voice, how angry he really was. " I'm not going to sit here and do nothing! I have to help."

His striking tired eyes fell upon hers. She stood, dumbfounded, her mouth slightly hanging open, her heart beating rapidly. She was only worried about him, yet he gets angry with her. He yells at her, making her believe that everything was her fault. Malon admits that she's concerned about the princess, knowing that Takara won't hold back. When Link's life is in jeopardy, everything else in her mind vanishes, causing her to only think of him.

Malon lowered her head, refusing to look at Link any longer. Anju stood in the corner, away from the two, watching—feeling sorry for Malon and hating herself for witnessing everything. Malon tried hard to hold back her tears, and swiftly walked to the door, without a single word. She felt Link's eyes watching her every move, with the same frustrated and yet exhausted look upon his face.

" I'll let you do whatever you want then," Malon managed to say, before stepping out of the room. She spoke with much anguish. " I'm going home."

Link's eyes widened when he saw her leaving. " Malon…" She refused to reply. She stepped out of the room, and her footsteps were heard walking down the stairs to the front door. " Wait, Malon!"

Anju watched in surprise as Link kicked the stool out of his way and literally jumped to his feet. He forced the pain behind him, taking a small step forward, hoping to chase after her. He knew his plan had failed, when his leg didn't corporate as he fell down to the floor on his face.

Anju ran to the wounded hero's aid, but he harshly pushed her away. He sighed deeply, pulling himself to his knees and relaxing his back up against the bed. Anju didn't know what to do, so quickly left the Hylian by himself.

" What have I done?" Link questioned himself.

He rubbed his lightly bruised knees and examined the cuts and injuries on his body. He was in pretty bad shape, and knew that there was no way he could help the princess in time. He had no strength or energy to do so. Malon was right; he was weak and needed to rest.

Link quickly thought of a way to heal himself, but the only thing that came to mind was visiting the Great Fairy. She had enough power to restore him to his original state, so he could help Zelda and hopefully apologize to Malon about what he had said.

With an idea in mind, Link leaned over grabbing the blue Ocarina near his Master Sword and the broken Hylian shield. He brought the special and powerful instrument to his lips, and slowly began to play.

" Princess Zelda!" A royal guard had called from the front door of her bedroom.

Zelda miserably looked out at Kakariko in the distance. She saw the horrible flames from the fires rise above the trees and the black smoke cover the blue clear skies. She knew that people had died and many more were homeless. She feared that Impa had fallen into the same trap as Nabooru and was now another missing Sage. Takara was here, but she was useless without Link.

" Princess Zelda, we must flee! Come with me."

" I will not go anywhere without Impa," Zelda informed standing tall in her spot by the window.

The guard hesitated for a bit, then sighed. " But I must protect you, under the King's orders."

" Well you can protect me from where you're standing. I am not leaving."

" Takara has breached the castle walls. She's out to get you, milady."

Zelda remained quiet as she tightly closed her eyes. She knew this was going to happen. There was no way to prevent it. Anywhere she went, Takara would find her. Hiding was not going to help, but prove that she was a coward. She was going to stand tall, and let Takara come to her. Unless Link miraculously comes to the rescue, then it was fate that Takara and her finally met at this point.

She knew now that her father was dead….

Princess Zelda…the Princess of all Hyrule….

Zelda opened her eyes and turned around to find that her so-called guard's lifeless body now laid on the ground. She looked around her room, it was quiet, and her door somehow had opened. She felt alone, but knew another presence was nearby.

" Takara, we finally meet," Zelda spoke boldly, but Takara heard the fear within her.

" Princess Zelda," Takara appeared hovering two feet away from her. A smile was formed in her lips, her arms were crossed, an evil glare developed in her visible eye. " You're time has finally come…"

2 Days Later

Talon nervously tossed and turned within his bed. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his face turned bright red from the sudden heat that appeared within the room. He bit his lip vigorously, causing it to lightly bruise.

" Malon!"

The name escaped his lips as he quickly sat up, panting and wiping his sweaty forehead. He breathed heavy and looked around the dark empty bedroom. It was dark out; the moon shined brightly into the only window located on the right hand wall. He listened to the light commotion from downstairs. With a light sigh, Talon laid his head back down on the pillow.

Malon had gotten back from Kakariko Village this morning. He was relieved that she was back safe and sound, but her mood had completely changed. She was miserable, and didn't talk as much as she use to. He almost had a heart attack when she mentioned that Takara attacked Kakariko Village while she was there. He didn't picture her being alive. After she described how Link turned out, he felt sorry for the young lad, and his daughter. They apparently had gotten into a fight, from what he had learned, and now she thinks that he doesn't care about her anymore.

Ever since Malon explained her story, Talon had nightmares that Malon had run away and never returned, or was kidnapped by Takara. It was because she was depressed, that gave him these dreams. He wanted Malon to be happy, but after Link broke her heart, he felt useless to help her.

" Talon? You awake?" Ingo's voice was heard from the other side of the door.

" Come in," Talon weakly replied.

" You feeling better?" Ingo stepped into the room and carrying some light food and a glass of milk over to his nightstand next to the bed. " I heard you call Malon's name."

" I had another dream about her," Talon confessed, covering himself with the covers after feeling the cool draft that entered the room. " Is she okay?'

Ingo shrugged, " I don't know. She's been in her room ever since she has gotten back. Whatever that blasted Link did, it hurt her bad."

Talon sighed deeply, rubbing his throbbing eyes as he began to cough. His condition hasn't gotten better. " I'm desperate."

Ingo placed the food down and crossed his arms. " Talon, you can't always be there to protect her. She can take care of herself. You have to let her go through these things. She's moving on in life."

" Ingo, please don't start." Talon complained, taking a sip of his Lon Lon Milk. " I just want the best for her."

" Let her find what she wants herself."

" She wants Link," Talon answered, steadily.

Ingo raised his eyebrows in shock. A smile crept in his lips. " Wow, you finally found out."

" Found out what?" Talon groaned sitting the drink back down and lying his head on the pillow.

" Your daughter is in love with that man, but obviously from the way he's treating her, he doesn't love her."

" But Durnal, he's their son. Something happens because they have a son together."

Ingo shook his head. " Talon, he came from the future, remember?" Talon nodded. " We're in the present, technically the past for him. Malon and Link can change the way the future turns out. They can make it, so that Durnal was never even born…"

Talon thought about Ingo's statement, afraid to admit that the old man was right. Malon and Link supposedly have a kid, but they could change the way the future turns out. If they continue to not speak to each other, then Durnal wouldn't exist.

" It won't happen," Talon replied. Ingo was quite surprised by Talon's actions. " I want my daughter to be happy. Link's not going to throw her happiness away."

" Mother, are you okay?"

Malon nodded refusing eye contact with Durnal who sat on her bed, watching her patiently. Malon was exhausted and depressed. She hasn't slept ever since she first reached Kakariko Village to deliver milk. She couldn't fall asleep either, now knowing that Takara is free and that Link was injured.

Malon briefly closed her eyes imagining what Link was doing right now. She pictured him alone, sitting in Anju's room still in pain. Then again, he was determined to help princess Zelda. He was probably out heading toward Hyrule Castle, struggling hard to be the hero that everyone wanted him to be. Either way, she felt bad about leaving him. She should have helped him out, even after the way he treated her.

Durnal watched Malon closely, seeing the hurt on her face, how her body language expressed how upset and moody she was. Durnal didn't want to leave; he wanted to stay with her. It had been over a week since he last saw her, and he wanted to know more about her life, before he had came into it.

Durnal shifted on the bed, instead of sitting Indian Style, he laid down on his stomach, facing the window sill where Malon sat. He frowned, showing no positive emotion within him. Seeing Malon in a terrible mood, made him feel the same way. The entire house felt like it was falling apart. Talon was sick, Ingo was actually working for once and Malon just wasn't being herself.

" Zora's Domain." Surprisingly had escaped Durnal's lips, as his gaze continued on Malon.

This had caught Malon's attention, as she turned her head to her future son, lying on the bed. " Excuse me?"

" Zora's Domain." He repeated.

Malon sighed, too weary to ask questions, but there was one thing she desperately wanted to know. " Did I ever tell you about a fight that Link and me had gotten into?"

Durnal shook his head, " Not that I know of."

" Did I ever tell you when I made the first move?"

" No."

" Did he ever tell you anything?" She asked softly.

Durnal was quiet for a moment, as he began to fiddle with his fingers. Malon waited patiently, wanting to know if Link had told Durnal anything that she wouldn't find out. She wanted to know the truth about his feelings, because the thought was killing her. She wanted to know, everything.

" He said something like…" Durnal paused looking back up at his mother, a blank look appeared across his face. " He was afraid to admit how he truly felt. If it wasn't for him almost losing you then he probably would never of confessed, does it make sense?"

Malon shook her head, not really understanding what Durnal was trying to explain to her. A lot of things came across her mind, but none that would be correct. At least she had found out that Link was afraid to admit how he felt, but the remaining question was—when did these feelings develop within him? She would only be able to find the answer from him, by asking him personally.

" I'm sorry Durnal," Malon apologized, as she stood from the windowsill walking over to the bed. Durnal sat up confused at why she had apologized to him. Malon took a seat next to him and lovingly welcomed him into her arms. " I've been too worked up with other things that I didn't pay much attention to you. I'm sorry if you felt like you weren't wanted. You're very special to me."

Durnal sat on her lap, resting his head against her chest, wrapping his arms around her. She held onto him tightly, rubbing her cheek gently within his hair, beginning to stroke her hand up and down his back. This was the affection she wanted from Link. She dreamt of being held in his arms, being safe when he was near by. She wanted his love.

" I love you Durnal," Malon kissed the top of his head before resting her head on top of his.

" I love you too," Durnal exclaimed happily with a big heartfelt grin on his face.

Moments later, Durnal's frown vanished from his face. It felt like an awkward moment of silence, even the horses and cuccos were quiet. The feeling that came over him was new and strange. He felt something heading their way, like danger. Takara.

Malon didn't seem to notice this strange movement in the air, but when Durnal hastily pulled away from her and ran up to the window, she knew something was wrong. As Malon stood to her feet, she noticed the purple smog that entered the room from underneath the door. She gasped, feeling her heart beat violently against her chest. Running over to Durnal, Malon grabbed his arms, keeping the young boy close to her, as the smoke engulfed the room.

The door quickly swung open, almost knocking itself off the hinges. Malon and Durnal covered their eyes, from the density of the smoke, as Takara glided her way into the room, her boots just inches off of the ground. She held the same usual wicked smile on her face, her long hair dangled behind her, and still covered her left eye.

When Durnal caught a good glimpse of her, he remembered the painful memories back at home. Takara hasn't changed over the years, but the only difference was her hair. He remembered it being shorter, but had forgot where. Even seeing the evil witches face, didn't help him remember what he was supposed to explain to Link. Seeing the necklace, gave him a small idea that what he had to tell Link was about the jewelry.

" Sorry I came without calling first, I usually like to come in surprise." Takara's grin widened, as she lowered herself to the ground.

" Why are you here?" Malon questioned, her fear clearly shown on her face. Her grip on Durnal's shoulders tightened.

" It's not really that hard to find out." Takara turned her attention to Durnal and lifted her head. " I came for him."

Durnal swallowed when he noticed the glare shown in her eyes. He already had to deal with Takara in the future, now even in the past he had to worry.

" You're not taking him," Malon explained courageously. " I will not let you."

" Hmmm," Takara rubbed her pale chin beginning to think. " Durnal must be your son."

" How do you know?"

Takara chuckled. " I'm not stupid. Anyway, if you're not going to go easy then I'll just do to you what I did that pathetic Ingo and Talon."

Malon's eyes widened, as anger developed within her. " What did you do to them?"

" Nothing, they're perfectly fine, just unconscious," Takara grinned.

Durnal pulled away from Malon, knowing that there wasn't going to be a way for her to protect him. If he just agreed to go with Takara, then maybe Malon would be safe. He didn't want to see his parents protect him in a way that they would get seriously injured or even killed. Besides, if Malon died, then he wouldn't exist.

" If I go with you, then will you make sure she is unharmed?" Durnal questioned the witch, thinking of a plan.

" Fine!" Takara spat, it was too easy….

" Durnal! No!" Malon grabbed his arms, but Durnal calmly pulled away.

" It's okay. I'll be fine, she can't hurt me."

" What?" Malon asked, softly.

" She can't hurt me. The love from you and father is protecting me. If I'm injured to the point where I'd die, then I'll be transported back to my time period."

" Durnal…." She didn't know what to say.

Durnal kissed her cheek and walked over to the impatient witch. She devilishly grinned and grabbed tightly onto Durnal's shoulder pulling him closer to her. Durnal flinched thinking that the plan would have worked, but when he noticed Takara lifting her hand up toward Malon, he knew that they had been tricked.

" No!"

" Say good-bye…"

" Mother!"

Malon's eyes widened as a purple beam formed on the palm of Takara's hand. Before she could react to anything, the beam was fired.

A/N:

Don't really have much to say, except sorry for all of the mistakes that were made in the last chapter. I didn't really notice them until after I summited it, and it was too late by then. I hope that this chapter has fewer errors, and I'd like to say that we are getting closer to the end of the story. Yes, I'm sorry, just a few more chapters. The next chapter will be shorter than others and does have a part that some of you will enjoy. That's all I'm going to say.

Liz0888: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked the battle scene, there wasn't much action so I had to add it in there. Trust me, more action is on the way! Yes, sorry about Darien, he was thought only a sub-character. I'm glad you enjoyed the Link-Malon part in Anju's room, I need to do more of them together, when they're alone.

harrypotterfan: Thanks for your reviews

Mandy: Thanks for the review and pointing out where it was confusing. I will admit it wasn't the best chapter out there, but o well. I hope I didn't disapoint you too much.

NoOnSh: I think that would be a good name, I'm thinking about changing mine as well. Thanks for the review, even though you're not signed on like usual, I'm glad you still reviewed. Dedicated reveiwer!

Until Next Time!