Hello all! I'm finally all moved and stuff. Unfortunately, I have yet to get a house. So updates will not be coming very frequently, although I promise they will come! For instance, here's one now!

Chapter 8

(Raging Fever)

Zelda's eyelids fluttered open slowly. She noticed Link was not present. This wasn't good. She ran outside, bursting through the door. She was thankfully dressed as she had slept in her clothes. Sheik was visible, shouting orders to the other pirates and moving around. She reported to him without being told. Link was nowhere to be seen. Sheik sent her to do her regular chores, which seemed to be mopping and washing dishes.

It was many hours before she finished. She was a hard worker. She threw her hair back behind her head and ran to the front of the ship. The strong breeze lifted her spirits. She grabbed a rope and leaned over the side of the railing. She let her eyes close as the salty scent of the ocean surrounded her. The sun was steadily lowering. She had slept late, and worked far into the afternoon.

Link leaned against a mast in the shadows, watching Zelda's figure glow in the orange sun's light. The blend of the red hues reflecting off of the waves seemed to calm everyone. Her hair billowed out behind her, flying about her shoulders. Her new boots fit her well. She smiled, making Link catch his breath and unconsciously clutch his chest. He swallowed hard, knowing he couldn't handle it.

Sheik walked over to his captain. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked. The sunset at sea did not compare to any other of nature's wonders.

Link continued to watch Zelda, although it hurt his heart. No one would ever know by looking at him. "Yes…beautiful." He said softly.

Sheik smiled. At least the captain's moods still improved by watching the sea. Before he had a chance to reply to his superior, Link was gone.

Zelda turned around. Only a glimmer of light still danced on the waves as the sun quickly sank into the sea. After dinner, she made her way into the captain's room. She had almost lain down, once again in her clothes, when something caught her eye. She saw the trunk the captain had taken the nightgown from was open. Glancing behind her, she hesitantly approached and knelt beside it. She lifted a few more clothing articles out of it. She felt something hard and pulled out two wooden toy swords. She laughed lightly. Next she pulled out a locket, which was empty, a few old pieces of jewelry, and finally, an old picture frame and a small book. She blew the dust off the glass and squinted. A figure began to become clearer.

Upon closer inspection, she could barely establish the fact that it was a person…she sighed, and put everything back except the book. It was a worn, leather-bound journal. She began to flip through, her curiosity getting the best of her. She stopped on a page, muttering to herself. At least she would have something to read. She was quite surprised how thick the small book was. She sat on her bed and began to indulge herself…

January 5th, Year 1

I picked up a nice plate today. It was studded with jewels and had a very nice shine to it. I wonder when those wedding ships will learn to stay off these seas. It doesn't matter. I will teach them to stay off. I try, but it hurts…

Zelda felt her conscience begin to prod her. It was the captain's journal. She pushed the guilt down and opened the diary to another page.

March 17th, Year 1

There's a strange breeze blowing today. I wonder where I should steer us. I have no idea. I still see you…can you see me? I wonder…I will make you proud, I'll keep my vows. I'll keep my promise. I'll never let go…

Zelda snapped out of her trance to hear a harsh breathing. She looked up from the book to see the captain glaring at her, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. Zelda gulped down a small lump in her throat.

"What do you think you're doing?" his voice was strangely quiet.

"This isn't what it looks like." She tried in vain to find some way of justifying herself.

"What?" He noticed her shaky hands holding his journal. His eyes flashed, and he lunged forward, roughly yanking it out of her hands. He was overwhelmed. He closed his eyes, turning away from her frightened expression.

"I didn't read much of it…" she stammered, before shutting her mouth.

"Get out." he whispered, clutching the journal close to his heart, hearing his rapid pulse pounding in his head.

"What did you say?" she mumbled faintly. She had a feeling it wasn't good. She was so nervous; her whole body was noticeably shaking now.

"Get out!" he screamed through clenched teeth, throwing whatever was near at her. "Get out now!" She dodged a crystal platter, which promptly shattered on the wall.

Zelda threw open the door and ran to the opposite side of the ship. She didn't dare to go close to his room the rest of the night. This continued for a few days. The captain barely spoke at all and was rarely seen. Zelda stayed close to Sheik. She finally ventured up the courage to ask about the journal. Sheik turned towards her, pulling a rope, heaving a bit.

"Journal? What journal?" he asked.

Zelda sighed inwardly. "The journal in the captain's room." It was a good thing she had decided to help him pull the rope because at that moment he dropped it in shock. She grunted, holding it with all her strength. Sheik quickly recovered and grabbed the rope again. He was silent for a moment, before talking in a hushed tone.

"It's a penalty of death to read his journal. What did you read?" He was surprised Zelda was still alive. Suddenly, a ray of sunshine enveloped her. Sheik blinked a few times. No…he looked at her. Now that's it…he knew.

"I only read two entries. Something about a plate and wind," she stammered. She shrugged awkwardly. "It seemed like he was writing to someone."

Sheik was quiet again. He looked out to sea pensively and frowned as if sensing some impending doom.

Days passed as Zelda continued to avoid Link, bunking with Sheik and the other pirates, who now seemed to accept her. She looked upon all of them with a surprising faint sense of fondness beginning to stir in her heart.

Days flew by, each just as slow and routine as the next. Yet, recently, something seemed just out of order, like an orange in a barrel of apples. She couldn't figure it out, but there was a palpable feeling of tension in the air, and it bothered her. Everywhere she turned, she heard grumbles, curses, and angry tones. She was just minding her own business, mopping as usual, when she noticed Kinru and Dondollo. Usually, these two were best friends…she stopped mopping. Everyone seemed so antsy and nervous.

"I tell you, you're asking for a gutting, mate!" Dondollo burst out, glaring daggers at Kinru.

"You just try it, you white-finned hagfish!" Kinru spat angrily. Zelda gaped. What was going on? She stepped forward.

"Hey, what's going on here?" she asked.

"He stole my rum! My personal stash under my bunk!" Dondollo fumed.

"Nonsense! I never touched it!" Kinru unwrapped a rope, squeezing it in anger.

Zelda was bewildered. What was going on? They were arguing like children over a toy. Before she could say anything, Dondollo lunged towards Kinru, his body mass knocking the air out of his opponent, and threw him to the ground.

Though Dondollo had the brute strength, Kinru had the smarts. He quickly tied the rope around his foe's neck. Dondollo thrashed, desperate to get the rope off. Sheik appeared out of nowhere, ripping the two apart from each other and thrusting himself in between them. "Are you two daft? You know the captain's penalty for brawling! Would you two start behaving like pirates!" he yelled.

Zelda put her hand timidly on Sheik's shoulder. He shook it off immediately. "Don't touch me! And get back to your mopping!" he shouted. Zelda drew back with a hurt expression. Sheik had never taken that tone with her before. She cocked her head, suddenly realizing what was different. There was no wind. There hadn't been for days. Not even a breeze fluttered the masts.

"Sheik, what's going on?" she asked. Before he could reply, Garian appeared behind him, and lunged. Sheik countered, and a large scuffle began. Dondollo, Sheik, Garian, and Kinru were all in a pile; each one biting, cursing, punching, and kicking his way through.

From the shadows of the ship, Link watched. He sighed inwardly. He had been expecting this to happen. The madness had come…He reached into his pocket and fished out his trusty flute. He lifted it to his lips, and began to play a haunting melody. He closed his eyes and let the lilting notes carry through the night.

Little did Link know, at the exact same moment he began to play the flute; Zelda, out of pure desperation to make the fighting stop, began to sing. One by one, all of the pirates halted what they were doing. Not one of them dared to move for fear of breaking the spell. It seemed both of them were in perfect harmony, Link's flute carrying the soft, sweet melody, and Zelda's harmonious crooning melded as one.

"She's a siren," Sheik breathed, as all activity ceased and the pirates seemed to go into a trance.

"When you're lost, and feel like you're falling, never give up, I'll show you the way, I'll be right here, waiting each day. Never forget, always remember, never forget, your heart knows the way, never forget, and I will find you, never forget my love…"

She began to repeat it, soothing all the pirates. Sheik felt as if he might just melt right there. How could such a young thing have a voice like that? The night seemed almost like a black hole, that swallowed all reality except her voice and Link's song.

Zelda and Link both had their eyes closed. Somehow, they were almost right next to each other. Link's flute seemed to search out the perfect notes, his fingers moving as if he had played it countless times.

Zelda's voice held out the last note, ending all too soon. The stars seemed to pierce the night, shining for all they were worth. Then, as if by magic, a gentle breeze began to stir the sails.

Sheik walked over to the two as if in a trance, still hardly daring to breathe, much less speak.

Link was the first to open his eyes. He had heard her…she was…magnificent. Her voice was unsurpassed. He gulped a bit, surprised at his thoughts and emotions. For just a moment, he was overwhelmed with a desire to turn towards Zelda. He wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to never let her go. As quick as it came, it was gone.

Zelda soon also opened her eyes. She had gotten far too carried away…she noticed Link in front of her. He stared at her for a moment, before turning to his crew.

"We have wind! The fever is gone!" he shouted. Everyone cheered. Zelda turned to Sheik, questioning him with her eyes.

"Cabin fever." Sheik stated. "Sorry about the yelling. Tempers get short when the wind stops and cabin fever arrives."

"Cabin fever?" she asked lamely. She was bewildered. Sheik smiled in a knowing manner.

"It's over now." The breeze waved a few locks of his bright blonde hair about his gentle red eyes. "Like the captain said, we've got wind."

Zelda cocked her head for a moment; his red eyes were so…strange. As Sheik noticed what she was looking at, he turned away. "I know…unnatural, aren't they? It doesn't bother me though." Everyone began to look lively. Zelda served Link his dinner, as usual, except for the fact that she did not look at him. She ran outside after getting a bite to eat herself. The stars were shining so brightly that Zelda had to blink back tears because of the beauty.

The ship cut neatly through the water. There was no sound of water rippling, all was silent. The night was still, and there was no one else on deck. No one, that is, but Link. He walked casually over to Zelda. His voice resounded through the night air. "Your singing isn't too bad." He blandly stated. He wasn't sure if he should be talking to her anyway.

"Would it kill you to compliment someone sincerely?" she asked, as a bit of annoyance rolled off of her tongue.

"Possibly, yes." Link stated, his large blue orbs sparkling with a very rare sign of playfulness.

"Nevermind." Zelda muttered, unamused.

"I came to tell you that you can sleep in my quarters again." He was silent for a moment. "Unless you have a death wish, I would advise against looking through my things again." He began to walk away.

"Wait! Captain!" Zelda cried out. Link stopped, and looked over his shoulder. "Thank you." She even gave him a gentle smile, her pearly teeth shimmering in the cold night air. Link almost smiled in return, but caught himself and returned to his cabin. Zelda decided to relax. She let the breeze lift her spirits. It was times like these…they almost made being a captive at sea worth it. Almost.

Link lay down on his bed, burying his head in his arms. He looked at his ring, and clenched it in his hand. Never take it off…words began to encircle his mind. Promise me…Memories began to unearth themselves. He shook his head, pushing them back down. Should he remain on course? He would pass…could he go there? What about Sheik? Should he? He drifted into a deep, dark sleep.

Zelda came into his room later that night, tiptoeing to her bed, and falling asleep instantly.

Oh…all of you thank you for your compliments so much…they really keep me going! I hope you liked this long chapter…took forever to type it. I will try to update soon…but I can't do reader replies, I've heard they are taking stories down for that…I'll find out more…can anyone tell me if this is true or not?