Chapter Three
Talim ran and ran, and kept running even when she was out of breath. It felt as if her heart were trying to break through her chest, and panicked. She had nowhere to go. Her village had been taken, and her family and friends along with it. Talim needed somewhere to go, someone to see, anything to calm her mind.
Why did they want me?
Finally as her muscles refused to go on, she collapsed to her knees, and prayed. Suddenly, Talim felt a gentle breeze. It seemed as if the wind were calling out to her, telling her to not stop and keep venturing on west. Without an ounce of energy within her, she crawled. Not because the wind told her to, but because she needed food, water, and shelter. Cursing herself for not being able to pack, Talim felt desperate.
Ganondorf. He had caused all this. He had caused pain to her family and herself. Swearing revenge within herself, she continued to move at a snail's pace for anything that can help her survive.
A rustle in the bushes.
Someone was there. Talim knew this was her chance at survival, knowing that whoever lurked in the bushes must have food, water, or anything. Like a slithering snake, she crept through the bushes without making a single noise, and suddenly hatred arose in her.
Talim perceived a boy who couldn't have been over sixteen who sat on a grey stone, apparently heating up some food over a fire he made. The boy wore a green tunic, cap to match, and had smooth, blonde hair, along with sky blue eyes. He wore a pair of brown gloves and brown boots to match, with white long sleeves emerging from his green tunic. Scratching her head, Talim wondered if he was human. Long, pointy ears become apparent. Seeing a sword and a shield attached to his back, she knew he was dangerous.
What aroused her hatred was the golden symbol engraved on his shield.
Three triangles, formed to make a larger one. He was one of them.
Oh how Talim wanted to scream. She wanted to kill him. No, killing wasn't enough. She wanted to slaughter him, and hope for an eternity of hell for him.
Talim drew her Syi Salika and Loka Luha, and prepared for confrontation. Like a silent assassin, she stayed in the shadows of the bush and edged her way to the boy in green. With every step Talim took, she felt her stomach throbbing with pain from Ganondorf's piercing blow. She knew she had to go on.
Five yards to go. He still had his back toward the creeping Shaman.
A short twig was all that separated the two warriors now. They were within breathing distance. In a flash, Talim put both arms around his neck, forcing him into a headlock, with Syi Salika poised around his neck.
"Where are they?" Talim wasn't going to be patient with an answer
"I don't have any idea what you're talking about missy," responded the boy, still having no idea of the appearance of his ambusher.
"Don't play stupid with me, you freak. Tell me where you guys are taking my family, and I might let you go."
The boy's mind raced furiously. Without hesitation, he pulled his right arm down in an attempt to draw out his sword, but Talim, being the quick warrior that she is, foiled his plan by grasping his wrist and bringing the other arm down. Now Talim had both of his arms behind his back.
"This isn't a joke. You think I'm joking? Tell me where they are; I don't have time for funny business."
What the hell? Thought the boy. About a second after his arms were taken down, he felt a drip of warmth trickling down his arm. Looking down, the boy realized that his arm was covered in blood.
I didn't feel a cut…unless…"Are-are you bleeding?" asked the hostage.
"What's it to you? You assholes were the ones that did this to me," replied Talim, sternly.
"Ok, I seriously don't know what you're talking about. All I know is that your wound seems serious. I have some medicine in my bag, and I'll help you if you just let me go."
"Right. Like I'm gonna fall for that one. What do you take me for, a sucker?"
The moment after Talim made her remark, her head began throbbing and felt woozy. She began seeing two of everything, and lost all her senses. Talim grunted in pain, trying keep her consciousness. Surely all her talk made her lightheaded, and instantly collapsed.
The beautiful sounds of a flute-like instrument had startled Talim as she awoke from her deep slumber. It was nighttime, and she felt well rested, but tried to recall what she was doing here. The place seemed familiar, and then it hit her. This is where she collapsed. She found herself lying down on a comfortable bedroll, wrapped tightly around her to keep her warm next to a soothing fire. Talim reached down her stomach, and instantly realized her wound was no longer there. As she tilted her head to the right, she saw a plate of appetizing chicken, broccoli, and rice, awaiting her. She felt so hungry. The boy had been leaning against a tree, eyes closed and peacefully playing his instrument.
"Good morning," said the boy, after realizing Talim's eyes were open, "or good night, I shouldsay. How are you feeling?"
"I…I'm feeling alright. Wh-Who are you?" Talim asked.
"I should ask you the same thing. After all, you ambushed me," chuckled the boy in green.
Talim stared into his eyes. She could sense purity in his heart, and he could be trusted.
"I'm Talim. I'm the Wind Shaman of a village far from here, known as the Wind Deity." Talim said with confidence.
"Talim, eh? Very beautiful name." The girl blushed to the ground.
"Well, my name is Link. I'm from Hyrule. Ever heard of it?"
Talim shook her head.
"Ha, didn't think so. It's…it's not part of this world. Hyrule is sealed away, but it is very beautiful." Link stared to the stars and sighed.
Talim thought for a moment, then spoke, "Can I ask you something, Link?"
"Go for it."
"What is the mark on your shield?" Talim referred to the triangles.
Link pulled out his shield and gazed into the center.
"In Hyrule, the lands are guided by three goddesses, each with their unique traits. The three goddess include the goddess of fire, known as Din, goddess of water, Naryu, and the goddess of the forest, Farore. Together, the three goddesses make up the Triforce, which is the name of the symbol," Talim looked on in interest. "Not only do each of these goddesses represent an element of the land, but also represent a human trait. Din is the Triforce of power, Naryu is the Triforce of Wisdom, and Farore is the Triforce of Courage."
Talim was amazed about the Triforce, but was even more amazed at how much Link opened up to her. She could sense kindness and gentleness within his heart.
"Recently, however," Link continued, "The Triforce was broken up. An evil villain of Hyrule had taken the Triforce. Unfortunately, he had no courage or wisdom, and only valued power, so he was only able to obtainthe Triforce of Power is within in. I was able to retain the Triforce of Courage, and Princess Zelda of Hyrule retained the Triforce of Wisdom, and," Link paused for a moment, "the villain known asGanondorf retained the Triforce of Power."
"Ganondorf!" screamed Talim, now rising from her bedroll.
"You know Ganondorf?" Link asked, puzzled.
"Do I? He's the reason I'm out here," Talim began weeping, thinking of her mother.
Link ran over to Talim and encircledhis arms around her waist.
"It's ok," Link whispered in her ear. "What happened, Talim?"
Talim told Link all about her encounter with Ganondorf, how her villagers were captured, and how she had nowhere to go. Link was most surprised when Talim told him that Ganondorf was after her, specifically.
"But, why you?" Link questioned, now scratching his head.
"I, I don't know," sniffed Talim. "I just want all this pain to go away…"
"I promise you Talim, we'll get your family back. That's my promise to you," Link told Talim, now just inches away from each other.
"Does this mean…" Talim hoped for the best.
"Yes. As long as we're after the same guy, we might as well stick together. Besides, it looks like you're a little short on supplies, missy," Link friendly flicked at her head.
"Hehe, yeah, thanks." Talim and Link now enjoyed a full embrace. For the first time in Talim's life, she felt safe. In Link's arms, she knew that nothing could hurt her through Link's muscular arms, and fell right asleep in his chest, mumbling the words, "I'm sorry."