Inspiration: Paying it forward, sins of the father, and the "Tree of Life," album by Audiomachine for the 2020 reedit.
Author Note: Sorry for the wait. Reuploaded 10/11/2020.
Word Count: 13,116
Chapter 33
The fringes of the Gerudo Desert, Elbourne
It was hot.
No.
It was beyond hot.
It was unbearable.
The dragon pits had nothing on the scorching heat of this desert. It had been three days since I returned to Hyrule. A three day return, that frankly, I didn't understand. I was supposed to go to Ghirahim's lair. I was supposed to enter another realm. Why in the hell did I end up back in Hyrule? The goddess said one point was supposed to lead back to an equal opposing point. Why wasn't that the case? Where was farm boy? Where was Zelda? What was going on with these time shifts? I had no answers. If anything happened to the queen I would never forgive myself. If Ghirahim killed Zelda, there wasn't a sage in this world that could keep me from seeking revenge. I couldn't let it be this way. I couldn't let it end like this. After knowing what our last encounter was like. After seeing the fear in Zelda's eyes… I had to see her again. I had to make things right. Every thought in these last three days were racked with guilt. My anger and pride got the best of me. I wonder if Zelda would truly forgive me. The last person in the world I would ever want to hurt was Zelda. What came over me? Why did I give in to such darkness? Why was I willing to throw everything away in a moment of anger?
What are you Elbourne? I wondered for the hundredth time.
This thermogenic isolation made me think of a long standing question I had: who was truly my father? I had known for quite some time that Xavier wasn't my biological father. He told me so in a moment of anger. My mother wasn't spared any humiliation that day. I would never forgive his dishonor towards her. With that disclosure, I began to think my real father was my uncle Rowen. He and Xavier looked exactly alike, and he cared deeply for my mother. There were rumors he was in love with her. I also took into consideration our Roostian features –all three of us had them. So, it made the most sense to me that Rowen was possibly my real father. However, even with that I wasn't so sure. There was… something decidedly wrong with me. I had always known. I just never wanted to face it. There was this lingering darkness in my heart –a propensity for cruelty. I didn't understand why, but it was always there. I sincerely believed that knowing who my real father was would dispel the mystery. I had to know who he was. I had to find out who I truly am. I would always be a son of Dragon Roost. Dragon Roost was my country. Dragon Roost was in my blood. I would die for Dragon Roost. However, there was an inquisitiveness of deceit running through my veins, and I needed to know who it belonged to. Who was my father? Why was my mother so terrified about talking about him? Why did she shut down every time I asked her about my lineage? I needed to know, but I would do so after I found Zelda.
My thoughts were keeping me lucid, but I couldn't determine for how long. The sweltering sun scorched the planes during the day, while the frigid breezes produced an icy dew in the moonlight at night. I was starting to lose sense of the diurnal and nocturnal phasing of the times. That had to be because of my lack of food and the little bit of water left sustaining me. I counted three days of phase shifts, but there could have been more. I remember reading about men who died of mirages in the desert due to their eyes playing tricks on them. Were my eyes playing tricks on me? Was I seeing things that weren't really there? I didn't see anything out of the ordinary yet. There was no readily available vegetation, but as soon as I came across some succulents, I would harvest them. There were no oases in the distance. There was nothing for miles except sand and dunes. I was a sitting tektite. I gazed out at the oscillating horizon, remembering my starting point was the Arbiter's Grounds. I planned for my first journey through this desert meticulously. This impromptu adventure left me lacking in what I needed to survive. It was too late for me to turn back around and scavenge the grounds. That would have been three days wasted. I was going to have to forge forward.
Even with my resolve, I had to stop for a moment and disengage my axe. It was becoming too heavy for my back. That was when I knew I was getting weak. My axe was never too heavy for me to carry. This would have been an embarrassment back home. However, I couldn't deny what I was feeling out here alone in this wilderness. I closed my eyes for a moment and got down on my knees. The sand underneath my skin felt like fire pellets, but that sensation wasn't enough to get me to stand up. I was simply too tired. If I could just close my eyes for a few moments, I would be okay. If I kept my mind focused on Zelda, perhaps I could get through this. I needed to find her. I needed to make things right with her. I didn't want her last thoughts of me to be a maddening attempted rapist. That wasn't who I was. That wasn't what I was going to allow myself to be remembered as.
I will find you my queen. I swear.
I placed my axe on the sand and laid my traveling bag on top of it. I rested my head where my sundries would normally be. Even the heated leather was cooler than the sand beneath it. I closed my eyes again and tried to rest. However, sleep escaped me when I realized I had company. There were a couple of vultures cawing and gliding in the sky. That was a foreboding sight. The cawing bastards were waiting for me to die. Even they could see it.
"Wonderful," I muttered sarcastically, then realized I had to get up.
I groaned when I attempted to get on my feet. Even with a gust of might I couldn't bring myself to stand. I was exhausted. I hadn't slept in at least three days. I glanced up at the birds gliding ever closer, and then I couldn't help but smile at the irony. A known huntsman such as I was now the hunted. Such is life –a fitting end for the tales of the great dragon prince. I chuckled when I thought about my title.
The great dragon prince...
I was a bastard posing as a prince, but boy, did I enjoy the illusion for the last twenty-seven years. I almost had that crown as king too. I would have driven in a new age for Dragon Roost just like Xavier. The blacksmiths and engineers thought they were forgers now. They had no idea. They had no idea. They should have seen what I had in store for the kingdom when I became its king. It would have been too glorious for words. However, it seemed now I was going to die without ever getting an opportunity to make Dragon Roost glorious. Perhaps Xavier should have rethought his stance on having another child with my mother, but then again, I was certain there were plenty of bastards out there with his blood in their veins. It would be a blood bath when Xavier died. The regents, the counselors, the generals –all of them would want a piece of Dragon Roost. The only person who could peacefully retain power was me. Technically, I was the legal heir. The people had no idea that I too was a bastard. However, I am now about to die. I turned on my back just then as the sky and the birds coming closer began to look hazy.
"I suppose delirium is now setting in. This must be what they call 'death's door'."
I closed my eyes once more, now excepting my fate. I had no more strength left. I opened my eyes one last time to gauge the birds. I wanted to know when exactly they were going to start swooping down to feast on my flesh. It would probably start in any moment. Even so, I believed my acute psychosis hit a fever pitch, because suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a hooded individual riding a horse quickly galloped over to where I was. My eyes widened slightly. Was this a mirage? Was this the madness men experienced before they die? If this person was real, how was this even possible? Most horses couldn't withstand the heat of this desert. It seemed I needed a further education on the species, because the person stopped, dismounted, and hurried over to me quickly. My sight was still hazy at this point, but I did take note that this person was a woman, and she had sky blue eyes. The bluest eyes I had ever seen. The rest of her face was a blur.
"Your highness!" she said to me quietly as if she recognized me. "Your highness, are you alright?"
I gazed at her puzzled.
"How do you know who I am?" I managed to rasp.
She didn't answer me and helped me to my feet.
"Never mind that. I need to get you to some shelter. You look like you were about to die."
She had never been more right. I tried to help myself up as much as I could. I didn't want to be dead weight for her. She was a slender woman. There was no way she could handle all my composition. With my arm around her shoulders, the young woman guided me to her horse and helped me mount. She then went back to gather my axe and satchel. When she returned, she mounted also and veered her horse in the opposite direction. We galloped quickly away. I inadvertently leaned in and on the poor woman while she rode, but she didn't object.
"Just hold on your highness," she kept reassuring. "Please, just hold on."
I heard what she was saying, but I couldn't properly follow her commands. My eyes drooped until they couldn't stay open any longer. As the ride continued, the full weight of my body went forward onto this poor woman attempting to help me. I was trying to keep my balance, but it was useless. We continued to ride, until I effectively passed out. Everything from then on went black.
~SSS~
Later that same night on the outskirts of the forest
When I opened my eyes, I blinked several times before anything came into focus. I ran a hand over my face as a tangible check. I wasn't dreaming. A subtle throbbing at the back of my head reminded me that I was Roostian –I was still alive. I was grateful the pain was nothing more. I then stroked a hand through my hair and looked around. I didn't recognize where I was. This residence resembled an insulated shelter. These were prominent back in the days of the Great War. Soldiers built lodgings like these when they needed accommodations quickly. This residence heavily resembled that.
I was lying on a bokoblin skinned bed. It was a full sized bed considering the dimensions of the room. I was covered with a blue linen blanket. The ceiling, that made the breadth of the interior, was pure stone. It was tall enough for me to stand up in when I eventually did so, but it was low for a home. It was nothing like the grand halls of Hyrule Castle or Dragon Roost. I suppose that was the point, it wasn't supposed to be. There was also sprouting vegetation along the center of the rock. Moss and water were embedded in the limestone. The structure actually looked like it was carved out of rock itself. It was elongated and hollowed out. The integrity behind its tenets were masterful. There were rugs all along the narrow walkway to cover the cold ground. There was a fireplace with a hearth built in at the left interior wall. A stone table, two wooden chairs, two small wooden cabinets, and a small painting off on the far wall established the simple furnishings. It was very clean, even though it was very humble. The woman who lived here wasn't home right now, but it was apparent she took pride in her place of dwelling. More than anything else, her home was a peasant's sanctuary.
A simple place for peace. I can appreciate such a life now.
My thoughts became secondary when at the hearth I saw a small cauldron cooking a stew. Immediately, I sniffed the wonderful aroma of sage, herbs, and vegetables. It smelled incredible. Peasant food often was, though it wasn't food I ate often. Even so, I wasn't going to denigrate this kindhearted person for saving my life. She obviously lived in extreme poverty, but she was making the best of her austere life. She no doubt put me up at extensive expense to herself. I looked to the small table next to the bed and saw the remnants of what looked like a blue chu jelly potion. That concoction was very expensive for a person with substantial means. I could only imagine what it cost a person of little means. I still remember how stressed my servant Fortunado was when he was trying to save money to buy his mother blue chu jelly when she was ill. I had never seen him so stressed.
In any such case, when the woman returned my first order of business was to thank her. I would be dead if she hadn't found me. Her absence did make me wonder where she was, probably gathering more food. I glanced out the lone front window and saw that it was already nightfall. I hoped she returned soon. Animals were their most perceptive at night. Until then, I got out of the bed and saw that my cloak and ruffled shirt had been removed. I was simply in my under shorts and pants. I was grateful not to be completely in the nude. I was naturally cautious, but I didn't want to appear paranoid either. I got up slowly and walked over to the window to look out of it. The moon was bright and full. A complete contrast to what the state of the world was in right now. Ghirahim was on the prowl, and sooner or later, he was going to rear his demonic head. I needed to be ready. For now, the immediate woods were quiet, just the flickering of fireflies and humming birds. Afterwards, I turned and looked at the hearth where the stew was cooking away. The sight of it made my sense of hunger return. With the way I was feeling right now, I could probably eat the entire pot. I rationalized whether I should wait for the woman caring for me or not.
She's not going to want to eat that all for herself.
It was then I made a quick decision. There were two bowls sitting on the table. I grabbed one and took it upon myself to ladle in a heaping bowl of stew. Afterwards, I sat back down at the table and quickly satiated my famished stomach. The first bite was delicious. It tasted of potatoes, buttered rue, sage, carrots and celery. It was sensational, but not as sensational as the second, third, and fourth bites. I finished the bowl quickly. I probably shouldn't have, but I ladled another portion. I nearly consumed it as quickly as the first. However, as I was still eating, the door to the residence abruptly opened. Startled, I stopped eating and stood up from the table. There was an immediate silence when the woman entered. She simply stared at me. She didn't appear startled at all. Though, her appearance caught me by surprise. She was wearing a bear hooded mask and a bearskin pullover. She also had a spear in her hand, along with two flasks full of water. She looked like a native horticulturalist. Perhaps she was a descendant form one of the local forest tribes. Half of her face was showing from under her mask. I could see she was smiling at me for some odd reason. She then placed her spear against the wall next to the door and set both flasks on the table.
"Good," she said quietly, "you're awake. I was starting to worry."
I looked at her taken aback. She was very nonchalant.
"Yes I am," I replied, but offered nothing else.
Her smile widened when she saw I was looking at her with open suspicion. I noticed she had perfect white teeth, probably from charcoal use. I noticed a bowl of it next to a basin by the farthest wall from the bed. She then went and took off the bearskin pullover. And, I was surprised what she had on underneath. She seemed very unabashed by her secondary wears, which was admittedly next to nothing. She was wearing a black leather bustier and pair of matching leather shorts. Leather was not easy to obtain, but I understood her choice of wearing it for its durability. Admittedly, I did give her a long once over. Her physique was perfect. I had never seen a more physically fit woman. There was very little fat on her body. It was no wonder she wanted to show it off. Her skin was the color of caramel and without a blemish. Her back was facing me when she took off her mask. Her straight platinum black hair hung all the way down to her tapered waist. She ran her hands through her tresses and guided them over to one shoulder. That was when I had to rebut my flawless skin acknowledgment. When I looked closer, her back was covered in old scars. They looked like old scars from a whip. I was taken aback just then, realizing she reminded me of someone I once knew. Someone I was once very intimately acquainted with.
There was a brief silence between us until she spoke up again.
"Are you going to just stand there staring at me?"
I didn't let my guard down.
"Who are you?"
She scoffed and paused for a long moment.
"You still don't recognize me?" she whispered.
There was something in her voice that alerted me. However, I took a step back and said nothing in reply. At my silence she turned around. With her full disclosure, my eyes widened. There was no denying that perfect face, those beautiful eyes, and that beautiful brown skin. She was the impeccable look-a-like to the Queen of Hyrule. The woman who had to live her life in the shadows in order to survive.
"Mystere!" I whisered shocked.
She was that someone I once knew.
Mystere just stared at me, but then smiled when I finally recognized who she was.
"It's about time. How could you forget such a dear friend?"
Her question was a valid one. How could I forget her? She, for so many reasons, was why I went to the Red Lantern District so often. I gave her a quick once over.
"I can't believe it's you," I said honestly. "How in the world did you find me?"
Mystere walked past me and went over to the hearth to stir the remnants of the stew.
"I saw a person was in trouble and went to help," she said simply. "You should be grateful I was scavenging that day."
I didn't know what to tell her, except she was right.
"I am. I owe you my life."
She grinned at the fire before turning her head to look at me. Her eyes couldn't look anymore mystical with the luminescence behind her magnifying them. They were the eyes that belonged to a fair skinned blonde. With her dark hair and dark skin, she looked truly exotic. It was like a piece of the bright blue sky was siphoned from the heavens and placed into her irises. That, and she was strikingly beautiful. Her beauty was a mystery because she looked just like Zelda... just like her. I still couldn't get over her uncanny resemblance even now. Even after knowing her all these years. She was simply stunning.
"I wouldn't go that far. Just think of it as a long overdue debt repaid."
I narrowed my eyes slightly when I tried to recall what she was talking about.
What debt?
However, after a few moments, it came to me. I knew exactly what she was talking about. The incident was about eleven years ago when I first met her at the Red Lantern District. Zelda had just recently pushed me away, telling me she didn't want to see me the way she used to. I couldn't lie, my heart was broken hearing those words come from her. I wanted to forget Zelda. I wanted to forget everything. So, I found myself sleeping with girls I didn't know. Having sex with women I didn't care about. I just wanted to hear someone say they wanted me.
In the case of Mystere, we were both sixteen at the time. I came to the Red Lantern District out of rebellion, while Mystere was brought there by force. I remember her always wearing a mask, which I thought was odd. I noticed the scars on her back as she walked by. She was forced to wear a low tiered garment at her back that always showed them off. It was a humiliation display. I wondered what she had done to deserve such treatment. I remember watching her from another maiden's window. I hadn't seen her before, and I inquired the head madam about her.
The woman who claimed ownership over all the girls in the Red Lantern District was the Lady of the House of Rue Morgue. She was a deplorable creature as far as personalities went. Admittedly, I couldn't stand her because she had a propensity for cruelty like me, but she was great in bed. In any such case, I asked her about Mystere and arranged to meet with her. Lady Rue Morgue at first protested, but I made myself clear about wanting to meet the mysterious beauty. I had a way in convincing infatuated women. Rue Morgue was infatuated with me. There were no more objections.
At the appointed time, when Mystere unmasked herself, I suddenly understood why she was the object of Lady Rue Morgue's displeasure. It was because she resembled the Queen of Hyrule. Lady Rue Morgue despised Zelda –I mean she hated her with a passion. I believe poor Mystere received the brunt of her jealous frustration because she reminded Lady Rue Morgue of her biggest rival. I remember our first sexual encounter like it was yesterday. Mystere was terrified because she knew I was royalty and that I was often a guest of Lady Rue Morgue. Naturally, she thought I was going to treat her the way the lady of the district did. However, she soon found out that wasn't my intention at all. I wanted her to be comfortable with me. I remember everything about that night, even the conversation.
"Shall we sit down?" I asked her.
Mystere was staring at me nervously. She wouldn't even look me in the eyes. Still, she nodded and sat timidly at the edge of the bed. I remember studying her for a moment before I sat down myself. She sincerely looked frightened.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded, but still wouldn't look at me. Her lack of response led me to another question.
"Are you mute?"
Mystere then looked at me surprised.
"I beg your pardon?" she asked finally.
My question was answered, but I repeated myself anyway.
"I asked if you were mute."
She shook her head.
"No," she whispered. "No, I can speak."
I stared into her eyes. They were incredible.
"Then why do you find it so hard to answer?"
Her nervousness never went away.
"Most men don't want to talk to me."
That was a feasible answer.
"Well, I'm not most men," I reassured her.
She stared at me taken aback.
"I know that. You're a prince, aren't you?"
I nodded.
"I am."
Her eyes searched my face.
"Why would you want to sleep with a girl like me?"
It was an honest, if not, naïve question.
"Because I paid for the services already."
Mystere's eyes widened even more.
"Oh… I see."
I gave her a quick once over. I suppose that response was unnecessarily crass.
"And… because you're the most beautiful girl in the district," I added.
My words made her blush. It was faint against her caramel skin, but it was there.
"Really?"
I nodded.
"Really."
She was quiet for a moment.
"No one's ever called me beautiful before," she whispered.
I had a hard time believing that.
"That can't be true. Have you looked in a mirror?"
She actually giggled.
"That's very kind."
I had no qualms.
"It's very true. You're one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen."
Mystere blushed more and her smile widened. She had a beautiful smile.
"Oh… thank you."
I looked her over and went on.
"Where are you from?"
She paused for a moment.
"I used to live on a remote farm with my mother. She is Gerudo, my father was Hylian. I never knew him. I'm not really from anywhere except near the outskirts the Gerudo Desert."
It was no wonder she was a victim of exploitation. She was the perfect target: a young beautiful girl with no real protection.
"I see."
There was a silence between us after that exchange. I sensed she was not used to doing anything like this. Judging from the interests shown in her, she probably was more of a recent arrival –maybe even in the last few weeks of me starting to come there. The hope in her eyes wasn't completely diminished yet. That was when I made my proposition to her.
"I tell you what, we won't do anything until you're completely comfortable and ready. Is that fair?"
She looked at me taken aback. She was hardly expecting to hear that.
"Are you serious?"
I nodded.
"As a sword fight."
Her eyes searched my face.
"But why?"
I shrugged.
"I see no need to rush this. It's like dragon riding, you simply take your time."
She giggled at my reply and bit her lower lip. My goddess, she looked so much like Zelda.
"I… I didn't expect you to be so cordial," she admitted. "I heard rumors you were… well, that you were mean. Not from any of the girls here, but from your dealings with other people."
I didn't dispel that either.
"I'm only 'mean' when I have to be."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"I hope I didn't offend you."
I shook my head.
"There was no offense taken."
Mystere's surprise never went away.
"Alright then," she said finally, "it's a deal."
I grinned, then went to change the subject.
"Perfect. Do you like jokes?"
She raised a brow.
"Jokes?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
She studied me for a moment.
"I love jokes."
I thought it would be an appropriate ice breaker.
"Fantastic, because I have just the one for you." I shifted right to it. "How do you get a squirrel to like you?"
Mystered looked at me thoughtfully.
"This is a joke?"
Her tone said it all.
I nodded.
"Yes."
Mystere then got quiet for a moment.
"Offer it an acorn?"
I shook my head.
"Almost. You have to act like a 'nut'."
She stared at me for a moment before she burst out laughing.
"Is that it?"
I nodded.
She laughed more.
"Forgive me your highness, but that was a rather silly joke."
I grinned.
"Then why did you laugh so hard?"
She shrugged.
"I don't know. It was too silly for me not to laugh."
Her point was well taken.
I continued.
"Would you like to hear another?"
She nodded.
"I would love to hear another."
I cleared my throat.
"Why don't dragon eggs tell jokes?"
She raised a brow.
"Not sure."
I prepped her for the jest.
"They would 'crack' each other up."
Mystere's response was delayed again, but eventually she started chuckling.
"That was equally as bad."
I shrugged.
"I at times find them humorous," I admitted.
She shook her head.
"Your highness, where in the world did you hear these terrible jokes?"
I looked away from her for a moment.
"I heard my father tell them to my nephew when he was entertaining him," I disclosed, I probably shouldn't have, but I let the filter slip for a moment. "I thought they were pretty terrible too."
Hearing that made her laugh more.
"And yet you repeat them?" she accused.
I raised my hands in surrender.
"I have no rebuttal."
Mystere kept chuckling until she got quiet again. I stared into her eyes and was glad to see she was calming down. I didn't want her to be scared of me, especially since she had the face of an angel. She had the face of perfection. She had the face of the girl I loved.
"Would you like to hear another joke?"
She nodded.
"Yes please."
And so it went.
I told her jokes for the next hour and she laughed at all of them. I remember even then, she didn't belong there because her innocence was shining through. She wasn't a whore, nor did she have a whore's mindset. She was just a scared girl that got caught up in an ugly world somehow. However, after my last joke we were silent for a long time. I think she knew then, that paying the piper was nigh. However, I believe at that point she wanted to. It was evident in her eyes. She didn't look frightened anymore. She looked intrigued, even eager. That was when she slowly shimmied herself over to me on the bed. She stared into my eyes as she reached up hesitantly and caressed my cheek without a provocation.
"You're not like the others your highness," she whispered.
I knew exactly what she meant.
"I never intended to be," I whispered back, "and call me Elly."
Mystere's eyes widened slightly at my request.
"Is that a play name you gave yourself?"
I knew I couldn't be completely honest regarding its inception.
"Something like that."
She then reached up and kissed me. She seemed timid when she kissed me, like she didn't know how she was supposed to. That was when I took over. I remember kissing her back and guiding her through all her nervousness. It was the same way Zelda guided me, and all I could think of after that moment was Zelda. I knew it wasn't fair to Mystere, but it was the truth. That was probably why I was so tender with her when I made love to her that night. I wasn't selfish. I wasn't just there to please myself. I wanted to please her too. I wanted to hear her moan and writhe and beg me for it, because it was like Zelda begging me for it. I loved seeing her grip the sheets and move her pelvis with mine. I loved filling her up. I loved everything about that night. However, I remember her turning her head away right before we orgasmed and starting to cry. I had no idea what was wrong. I thought she was enjoying herself, so I questioned her.
"What's the matter?"
She immediately shook her head.
"It's nothing wrong." She wiped her tears from her eyes. "I just didn't know sex could feel like this. It always just hurt and was rough. I'm used to guys just fucking me. They never made me feel like this."
I wasn't exactly surprised at her disclosure. It was a brothel. Brothels were a cornucopia of selfish desires. However, I wasn't expecting this disclosure either.
"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it."
I expected her to calm down, but unexpectedly she cried more. I was surprised at this. I stopped for a moment and took hold of her in my arms. This was unexpected. I let her cry for as long as she needed to. When calmed down, she apologized.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
I stroked her hair.
"Don't be sorry," I whispered back.
She wrapped her arms around my waist.
"I just miss my family."
I wasn't surprised hearing her say this. This was an awful life to live.
"Your mother?"
She nodded.
"My mother and brother," she divulged. "They don't know where I am. I was kidnapped and brought here."
I figured that was what happened to her.
"Is there any way you can buy your freedom?"
She shook her head and more tears filled her eyes.
"The madam hates me," she whispered terrified. "When I begged her to listen to me, she had me whipped."
That was cruel, even for me.
"I wager that wasn't the only reason she had you whipped," I said knowingly.
Mystere didn't bother to ask me what I meant.
"She's horrible Elly!" she sobbed. "Horrible!"
I couldn't lie, my heart went out to her. Hearing that was tough to take. When she got ahold of her emotions, I pulled her back so I could look her in the eyes. Her sky blue irises were searching my face.
"I want you to listen to me. The madam is never going to treat you that way again, I promise."
She stared at me surprised.
"What do you mean?"
I ran my forefinger over her lips.
"Don't you worry about that. I'll handle it. Then one day I want you to get the hell out of this place. You don't belong here."
Mystered was completely stunned.
"You would do that?"
I stared into her eyes and an overwhelming feeling of desire came over me again. I started to see the girl I loved again. I started seeing the Queen of Hyrule.
I nodded.
"Anything, I would do anything for you… Zelda."
I knew I slipped up, but I didn't give her a chance to correct me as I leaned in and kissed her at that moment. I kissed her deeply, until we went right back to where we once were. And, we had sex... a lot that night. I couldn't get enough of her. There was no other way to describe it. The next day, I started making good on my promise. I wanted to protect her. I wanted her to be safe. So, I spoke with Lady Rue Morgue regarding her treatment of Mystere. The madam was perturbed because I was interfering with her business. I informed her of how I could bring her more business if she did me this favor. A quid pro quo. I asked for Mystere to act as a decoy madam and that she have the highest till of any of the girls there. I wanted it to be impossible for anyone to touch her but me. Lady Rue Morgue was not pleased with my request.
I then made myself more clear when I told her a cryptic story about a man being burned alive by dragon fire for teasing a dragon. A person could feel for a full thirty seconds before they died. She stared at me stunned because my threat wasn't exactly veiled. I told her by the time I visited again I wanted Mystere acting as the new madam. Lady Rue Morgue had no choice but to reluctantly agree. I never told Mystere my method for getting her out of that hellhole, but it saved her life. That was all I cared about. Admittedly, it worked to my advantage too. I was the only one who ever really had access to her then. But at that point, we rarely had sex. I considered her my ally and friend more than my lover. I had an odd air of respect for her that I didn't have for other girls. I didn't want to taint that any longer.
Even so, that seemed like so long ago. And… with the way Mystere was staring at me right now, she must have been recollecting on the past too. That favor I had done for her all those years ago was the repayment she was speaking on.
"I see," was all I said finally.
She stared me in the eyes. She then reached up and caressed my cheek.
"Did you like what I made for you to eat?"
I nodded.
"I did, it was very good. Thank you."
She was pleased with my response.
"It's good to see you again."
I nodded, not being able to get over the beauty of her Gerudo side. Her brown skin was luxurious in the light of the fire.
"Likewise."
Mystere grinned, then sat down at the small table.
"What were you doing in the middle of the desert? That was incredibly dangerous."
The explanation would have been too long winded. I sat back down myself.
"It's a long story. I don't think you'd be interested."
She rested her face in her palm.
"Try me."
I shook my head.
"Trust me." I wished I hadn't given her a cue. "You don't want to know. It's political and right now I hate politics."
Mystere chuckled.
"You and me both," she teased.
I glanced over at her and smirked. I loved how confident and sexy she was now. She wasn't that scared little girl I helped anymore. I decided to change the subject.
"What about you?" I looked around the small lodging. "What have you been up to? Have you left the district completely?"
She raised a brow.
"I left the district years ago," she divulged. "That life wasn't for me, I was just there until I found out more information on my brother, but when he died I saw no need to be there any longer."
I looked at her surprised.
"Your brother died?"
Mystere paused for a long time before nodding.
"Yes," she said just above a whisper. "He was living in the mountains when he was ambushed I was told. I just..."
Mystere cut herself off and looked away for a moment, finding the memory too painful. I immediately wished I hadn't brought up the subject and covered her hand with mine.
"I'm sorry... I had no idea."
She swallowed hard and batted her eyes of her tears. She took in a deep sigh and ran a hand through her hair.
"It's okay, you couldn't have known," she whispered. "I don't really talk about it, but I miss him. I heard he has a family with children I've never seen. Nephews and a niece I don't know."
I was taken aback by that revelation and hated that for her.
"I'm sure he knew how much you loved him."
Mystere avoided my eyes.
"I'm not so sure of that. I hadn't spoken to him in so long before I found out. He had to lay low because people were after him. I wish I could have told him."
I caressed my thumb over her palm.
"Don't do that to yourself. You'll go mad. You can never do 'would bes', 'maybes', or 'ifs'. You'll only find yourself going in circles."
More tears filled her eyes.
"I suppose so."
There was a brief silence that followed. I squeezed her hand, hoping to give her some comfort.
"If you miss your family so much why don't you go to see them? You have a right to see your brother's children."
Mystere pursed her lips together.
"You know that's impossible. It's been years and what would I look like going to visit out of the blue? His wife has no idea I even exist."
I shrugged.
"There have been stranger family reunions," I half-joked. "Besides, it would be good for you. You just said you missed them."
Mystere sighed.
"That's true, but I would need to find out where they are before I do."
I grinned at her.
"Start searching sooner rather than later. You don't want to live with regrets."
She glanced back my way and smiled.
"You're right."
There was a brief silence between us before she leaned in on the table and spoke up once more.
"So have I passed the test? Are you going to tell me why you were in the desert now?"
I raised a brow at her insistence, but I could understand why she was so curious. It wasn't every day I was seen Hyrule. And, it wasn't every day I was seen in Gerudo Desert, let alone half dead. Besides that, she found me when I was at a low point mentally. I wasn't proud of some of the decisions that led me to that moment.
I tried to circumvent.
"I told you, you wouldn't be interested."
Mystere wasn't going to be baited again.
"I just developed a sudden desire and change of heart. Stop trying to be evasive Elbourne. I want to know."
I sat back in the chair and took in a deep sigh, realizing this time around I wasn't going to be able to be so prevaricating with her. I stared at her for a long moment before running my hands over my face and resting my elbows on her table. I suppose I did owe her some kind of explanation considering she took care of me at her own risk. It wouldn't be fair to keep her in the dark when I would rightfully be dead without her help. I just couldn't disclose everything to her.
"Alright, since you're so insistent, I'll tell you."
She simply nodded and raised her brows, waiting for me to go on.
"I..." I attempted to be careful, "I was on an excursion, and during that excursion I came in contact with a young lady who I have a rich history with. Needless to say, things are complicated between us. We got separated in the recent past, and I went looking for her. The result of that was me losing sight of her completely."
Mystere gave me an offhanded stare.
"Then how did you end up in the desert? Where in the world would you get separated where you would end up there?"
She was a lot more perceptive than I gave her credit for.
"Would you believe me if I told you I was transported there?"
She raised a brow and groaned.
"No, but I have a feeling you expect me to believe that anyway."
I grinned at her.
"I do."
She rolled her eyes and smirked.
"How appropriate dragon prince," she said sarcastically.
Her inflection made me chuckle and I reached over and caressed her perfect cheek when we got silent again.
"Enough about me." I changed the subject. "Why aren't you married and settled now? Why are you living your life alone like this?"
Mystere looked down and seemed uncomfortable with the sudden segue of questions.
"It's better for me this way."
I knew there was more to it than that.
"Is it?"
She nodded and didn't bother to clarify.
"I don't think so," I said. "You seem very sad."
She pursed her lips together again and shrugged as if her notions were to no avail.
"No one... no one wants to marry a whore Elbourne."
She avoided looking at me. I narrowed my eyes slightly at her utterance.
"You're not a whore anymore Mystere."
Mystere shook her head.
"I was a brothel girl for years. No respectable man wants a woman who... who has been that tainted."
I scoffed in minor disbelief.
"Mystere you were forced to have sex with men," I reiterated. "Forced. Anyone decent man with a brain will understand that if you explain it to them. That hardly classifies you as a whore anymore."
She stroked her hair behind her ear.
"Sex is sex. No one is going to care if it was forced," she countered. "It doesn't matter, the stigma is there."
Semantics didn't dispel my point. I wasn't going to let her do this to herself.
"No one knows you," I rebutted. "I'm sure if you moved to a province in Dragon Roost or Hyrule you could start a new life. The district does not have to be your stigma. Besides, with you living in solitude like this you're hurting no one but yourself. You have no family, no loved ones, no friends. Why are you doing this to yourself?"
She seemed surprised that I was so adamant about the matter. It was probably a subject she didn't like to think about.
"I... I don't know. Maybe I feel like I don't deserve to be loved."
She wasn't aware of this, but she was frustrating me.
"What kind of nonsense-?" I cut myself short. "Why? Because you made mistakes? Because you have a past? Everyone deserves to be loved Mystere. Everyone. Don't discount yourself from that."
Mystere shook her head, then stood up from the table.
"I wouldn't expect you to understand because everything comes easy to you. You're a prince. You have money, power, and the adoration of thousands of women. How could you even begin to understand when you can have any woman you-"
I stood up just then to interrupt her. I knew what she was going to say, and she couldn't have been more wrong.
"Don't finish that."
She looked at me surprised, but then narrowed her eyes in defiance.
"You know what I'm saying has-"
"You want to know why I was really in the damn desert Mystere?" I interrupted again angrily all of a sudden. "You want to know why I was lost in translation and nearly left for dead? Because I was rejected! Because I betrayed someone's trust nearly to a point of nearly no return! Because I wasn't the man she loved! I loved her and she didn't love me back! So don't tell me 'every woman wants me' Mystere when that couldn't be further from the truth!"
She stared at me stunned for a moment, temporarily rendered speechless. I turned away from her and closed my eyes, not wanting to rehash how much I wanted Zelda and how much she didn't want me. I was sick of recalling that kind of rejection. I was sick of the runaround. I was sick of it all. Even so, there was a long uncomfortable silence between us before Mystere came up behind me and hesitantly wrapped her arms around my waist. She attempted to comfort me.
"Are you alright?"
I pursed my lips together and nodded. I didn't utter a reply.
"It seems I spoke to soon," she whispered against my back. "I was assuming, I'm sorry."
I took in a deep sigh and wished for closure. I could see none where Zelda was concerned. I wanted her more than life itself, but I knew it was useless. I wasn't what she wanted. She wanted Link.
"It doesn't matter," I whispered. "She doesn't love me."
There was another silence between us. One where Mystere's hold tightened around my waist.
"This may not mean much to you, but if it's any consolation, I... I love you."
I closed my eyes at her disclosure. This wasn't what either of us needed. I didn't want to put one fire out only to stoke another. I shook my head.
"Mystere..."
She went on anyway.
"I know I'm not the queen," she perceived, it was obvious who I was speaking on, "and no woman will ever compare to her, but I love you anyway."
I was silent for a long time before I turned around to face her just then. When her eyes met mine, she was looking up at me defiantly. She probably knew what I was going to say.
"Mystere-"
"You can't take my feelings away from me. I'm in love with you, and I've been in love with you for years. You've protected me when I was at my lowest point. No one had done that for me before... no one. I haven't had the courage to tell you because I was just another face... just another brothel girl, but that's how I truly feel Elbourne."
She was looking at me determined, daring me to tell her otherwise. Her bottom lip trembled a little bit. I stared into her eyes. I never thought my actions would facilitate her actually falling in love with me. I thought of myself as merely helping a friend. This situation felt so familiar. I had said and done the same things with Zelda in the past, probably even more so. So, there was no way I was going to tell Mystere she didn't have a right to feel what she felt. Instead, I reached up and caressed her cheek when I saw her eyes fill with tears again. I hugged her close. I didn't want her crying over me.
She hugged me back tight.
"It's been so long," she whispered into my chest. "I haven't held you like this in so long Elbourne."
I lifted her chin up so I could look into her eyes.
"Mystere..."
I was not sure what I could say to her.
She grinned and bit her lower lip.
"My real name is Daphnie," she revealed. "I don't think I've told you that before."
I shook my head and smiled at her.
"You haven't and it's beautiful."
She swallowed hard and more tears filled her eyes. She reached up and stroked her forefinger over my lips.
"Can't you just pretend?" she whispered suddenly. "Can't you just pretend I'm your Zelda for one night?"
My eyes widened a little at her request. I thought of all the times I was someone else's 'Link', whether it was with Zelda or Midna. I was never just me. I was never just Elbourne. After my brief contemplation, I shook my head. I didn't want that for her.
"No, I don't want you to be Zelda."
She seemed a little disheartened and assumed I was rejecting her because of my utterance.
"Oh," was all she said in reply.
She avoided my eyes for a moment, but then I tilted her chin up again so she wouldn't look away.
"I want you to be you. Just you, as you are. I want Daphnie tonight."
~SKIP~
She stared at me surprised, but before she could say anything, I leaned in and kissed her passionately on her perfect mouth. She didn't hesitate to kiss me back. Her fingers ran through my hair and she kissed me deeper when she opened her mouth. Before I knew it, I had her in my arms and over on the bed on the far side of the room. I laid her down gently and got on top of her. This was familiar… this was so familiar. She pulled back and looked into my eyes. Hers seemed like they were glowing in the dim light. They were beautiful.
"Doesn't this feel like old times?" she whispered.
I nodded.
"It does," I whispered back.
I leaned in and kissed her again, while she draped her arms around me. I kissed her deeper when I undid the strings of her bustier. I ran my hands over her perfect small breasts. She wasn't as voluptuous as Zelda, but she didn't need to be. Everything on her was as it should have been. I started kissing her neck, remembering she had this sensitive spot near her collar bone. She always got wet when I kissed her there. Daphnie moaned softly when I touched landing. I went from her spot to her perky breasts and sucked on one nipple gently before going to the other. The second one I sucked on like a son needing his mother's milk. She moaned louder and I slid my hand between her legs in response. She clenched her thighs around my palm when I massaged her her clothed cleft. I knew what she was feeling because I was feeling it too. I wanted those shorts off, so I wasted no time untying the strings holding them up. She slid out of them eagerly. She wasn't at all like that scared girl I remembered. She was confident now. She knew how sexy she was. She knew how beautiful she was. She wasn't afraid of me at all when I looked over her naked body. She was gorgeous. She was perfection, even with the imperfections on her back.
I paused for a moment to look in her eyes.
"I didn't realize I missed you this much."
She caressed my cheek.
"I know the feeling."
I continued my exploration and may have surprised her with how unusual I was being about sniffing her skin as I kissed each pocket of flesh on my descent. She smelled like menthol oil and deku roots. Those were two herbs indigenous to the area for purification and bathing. Maybe that was where she went off to earlier. Maybe she went to go bathe in the waterfalls nearby so she could be perfect for me. She smelled so good. I found myself getting more aroused just taking in her essence. I spread her legs apart and wrapped them around my body as I kissed her belly button. She kept moaning and staring down at me. I wanted to please her so badly. I wanted her to scream and writhe the way she used to when we made love in the past. Her plush velvety triangle was soft against my skin. It got more and more moist with each tease at her navel. I knew what she was anticipating. I knew what she wanted, but I wasn't going to give it to her yet… not yet. I stared up into her eager blue eyes and saw the pleading there.
"You are so beautiful."
"And you are such a tease."
I smirked.
"I know."
Her expression got slightly desperate.
"Please… please don't make me wait much longer," she begged. "I want you Elly."
I loved the begging.
"How much?"
She winced.
"You know how much."
I wasn't going to yield.
"Tell me," I reiterated.
She bit her lower lip.
"So much... so, so, so much. I want you like no one else."
I nodded.
"That's right, like no one else baby. Say it again."
She moved her pelvis against my body.
"I want you like no one else Elly," she whimpered. "Please take me before I lose it."
Daphnie was percolating like a fountain now. She needed to say nothing else. I furtively licked her pelvis, before I ventured a little lower and sloshed my tongue over her throbbing labia. She tasted so good... salty and sweet at the same time. She jolted and I had to keep her steady by holding onto her legs.
"Ah!" she yelped in pleasure. "Oh my goddess!"
I gripped her thighs tight when I went in for a few more kisses. She wasn't expecting me to do this, but she deserved a little tongue action. She saved my damn life. And when I pulled away I undid my pants, preparing to give her what she really wanted. Daphnie was still trying to collect herself from just a few moments ago. She stared into my eyes shocked when I spread her legs apart again. Her eyes were searching my face.
"You've… you've never done that before," she whispered, slightly embarrassed. "Why did you do that?"
I raised a brow.
"You didn't like it?" I asked.
She quickly shook her head.
"I never said that," she added immediately. "I… I was just surprised, that's all."
I licked my lips.
"Maybe I can surprise you again," I whispered. "I have a lot of surprises for you Daphnie."
I could see the red color burn her cheeks. I was glad I could still get a reaction like that from her. With that, I went in. She received me eagerly, but she still arched her neck like it was the first time. I couldn't lie, I loved when she did that shit. I loved that she was showing how into this she was. She was moaning in pleasure with each thrust. Her eyes were closed and she was just into it. I then laid down on top of her so I could feel her skin next to mine. Her firm body was so perfect. She finally opened her eyes again and stared into mine. It was an intimate gaze –as intimate as me being inside her. She reached up and kissed me because she knew we were going to culminate soon. She was already so wet when I went deeper, but soon I felt another gush. I knew then she came. She whimpered against my lips and closed her eyes. Admittedly, I didn't orgasm with her, not because I didn't want to, but because I wanted to keep going if she were up for it the rest of the night. However, I wasn't so sure because Daphnie was breathing hard and looked spent as she stared at me.
She grinned.
~DONE~
"That was amazing."
I agreed.
"It was."
Daphnie looked away for a moment.
"I'm sorry if I was acting a little prudish," she apologized. "I… I just wasn't expecting you to be so… unpredictable tonight."
I smirked.
"Unpredictable can be good."
I assumed she didn't want me to misunderstand.
"Unpredictable is good," she reassured, "I like unpredictable."
I snickered and stroked my hand through her hair. Then, my smile faded.
"But all joking aside," I started, "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my life Daphnie."
Her smile suddenly faded too.
"I would do it again a hundred-fold Elly. I swear. I love you so much."
My eyes searched her face.
"I know."
I leaned in and kissed her again. She was receptive, but I could tell in the immediacy she wasn't ready to have another go, so I just held her. I thought back to my promise to Zelda about not sleeping with another woman... it seemed I reneged on that notion. I guess I would have to try again, but I wasn't sure it would be worth the effort. Zelda seemed to have eyes just for one man… fucking Link. Daphnie and I repositioned where she snuggled in my arms. She looked so happy.
"I'm so glad you're here with me. You have no idea how often I dreamt about you."
I kissed her forehead.
"Have you?"
She nodded.
"I have," she went on. "You were my knight in shining armor. You were the one person who made me smile when I felt low."
I knew she was being honest.
"I'm glad I could bring you some solace."
Daphnie closed her eyes.
"Tell me about Dragon Roost," she whispered all of a sudden. "You never told me about your home."
I started massaging her scalp.
"What do you want to know?"
She paused for a moment.
"Tell me about the dragons. How does it feel to ride a dragon?"
I smirked.
"You just did," I joked.
She blushed.
"Elly…"
I snickered, then answered her question.
"Alright, you win," I digressed. "Riding a dragon is unlike anything in the world. You feel like you're flying."
She sounded intrigued.
"Really?"
I nodded.
"Really."
"Is it true that there are different types?" she went on.
I nodded.
"There are four types actually. They are known as saurians, but the colors are red, blue, white and black. Each color has their own classification."
Daphnie bit her lower lip.
"I've never seen a dragon before."
I shrugged.
"Most people haven't," I reiterated, "but I've been trying to rectify that."
"What a fascinating place Dragon Roost must be."
I nodded.
"It is. It's unlike any place in the world, even over Hyrule in my humble opinion."
She grinned.
"I think you have a bit of a bias good sir."
"Just a bit."
She rested her chin on my chest.
"I'm going to have to visit there one day," she said absently. "I can't believe in all the time that I've been free I haven't visited Dragon Roost."
I stroked her hair.
"You should visit. You would love it. Every citizen has a dragon."
She raised her brows.
"Really?"
I nodded.
"My... my father made sure of that."
Daphnie was quiet for a moment. She caught the blip in my voice.
"What's the matter?"
I shook my head.
"Nothing."
Her eyes searched my face before she nestled next to me again.
"Will… will you take me on a dragon ride one day?" she whispered.
I paused for a long moment. After what she did for me, that was a very small request.
"All you have to do is name the day," I whispered back.
Daphnie lifted her head and looked at me surprised.
"Do you mean that?"
I nodded.
"When the world isn't so crazy, I promise I will take you on a dragon ride," I swore.
She smiled and she couldn't have looked more beautiful in that moment.
"Oh thank you!" she said excitedly. "I have always wanted to ride a dragon!"
I chuckled at her enthusiasm, and she went back to snuggling up against me.
"You're so wonderful Elbourne. I… I love you."
I could hear the honesty in her voice. I wish I could say it back with the same honesty, because in a way I did love her. But, I knew this was coming from a deeper place. I knew what she meant when she said she was in love with me. A prince rescuing a girl from a dark place. What woman wouldn't fall in love with that? I held her tight, but then rotated us again so that she was back underneath me. Daphnie knew what was coming. That was probably why she had a sudden mischievous look in her eyes.
"What's this?" she teased. "Another dragon riding lesson?"
I smirked.
"Something like that."
I then reached down and kissed her. I got hard again immediately and I could tell she was ready for me again too. So, I spent the rest of the night showing her just how much I meant what I said earlier. How much I wanted to create that old magic we once had. How much I just wanted her.
~SSS~
A revelation:
"Elbourne..."
I stirred, but didn't open my eyes.
"Elbourne..."
I thought it was a faint echo on the wind. I still didn't reply.
"Elbourne..."
The voice called again, and this time, I did open my eyes. I looked around and saw that I was in the same stone residence with Daphnie. She was sound asleep beside me. Her eyes were closed. Her breathing was controlled. The linens were covering her naked body. She looked undisturbed. I then listened again, but this time heard nothing. Something was amiss about all this. I needed to investigate.
I glanced over at Daphnie again before getting out of bed and putting my pants back on. I made sure to keep quiet. I didn't want her following me if there was danger. Afterwards, I walked over to the window and peered out. Nothing seemed out of place. If there was an intruder lurking about, I was going to make sure he or she never came back. I went and got my axe by the hearth, then checked on Daphnie again before heading outside.
The immediate woods appeared undisturbed. The moonlight cast shadows onto the land as it always did, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. At least, nothing looked to be out of the ordinary. I gripped my axe tight and slowly started walking into the main woods. Suddenly, something strange happened to the landscape. The typography terraformed into something similar to the Twilight Realm. The trees abruptly appeared with bark as dark as night. The leaves were as white as the moonlight. And the flowers began to resemble little vortexes like the bioluminescent flowers found in the Twilight Realm. It was very odd.
"What is going on?"
I stopped in my tracks and listened for a moment. I heard nothing in the immediacy, but then that same voice called out to me again.
"Elbourne..."
I froze and felt a rare chill run down my back, not from fear, but from something far worse, from foreboding. Foreboding was a precursor to a premonition, and premonitions often meant trouble. Who was calling to me? What did they want? I turned to find no one behind me, then faced forward once more to find the woodlands changed for a second time. The light now casting from the sky was red. Blood red. Like a blood moon. The light saturated every surface of the ground. It was as if the forest had been hyperpigmented in rubicund. The voice called out to me again.
"Elbourne..."
It sounded from right in front of me now. Suddenly, there was a demarcation in the trees, making a pathway appear. A faint figure started walking down it from far away. The creature appeared male and very tall –taller than me– with platinum white skin, black eyes and purple shadowing. He was wearing a skin tight white bodysuit. I knew who this creature was immediately. It was Ghirahim. How in the world did he have access to my dreams? How in the world could he call out to me? Was he here in Hyrule? Had he finally found the key to traverse both worlds? Why was he trying to contact me? I was about to find out.
His movement was quick. He seemed to be floating above the surface.
"Elbourne..."
I tensed up, but stood my guard.
"What do you want?"
The demon gave me a long once over, as he danced about. He was an eccentric creature.
"My, how you've grown..." he said with a smirk.
I wasn't in the mood for games.
"What do you want?" I demanded again.
The demon seemed more astute to my provocation.
"What do I want? What do I want? What do I want? What... do... I... want?" He pretended to think about the question before he addressed me again. "I'll tell you... I want you."
My eyes widened. Those were words I was dreading the most. That validated everything everyone ever told me. Link, Zelda, Hylia –they were all right.
"What do you want with me?" I asked anyway.
The monster grunted and stopped pirouetting. He then came towards me and started circling around me. He spoke up.
"Yes Elbourne, I want you. You're very important to my plans."
I had no desire to be a part of anything.
"What plans?"
His smirk widened.
"My plans to take over Hyrule. My plans for your destiny."
I shook my head.
"You're an encroacher and a liar. I'm going to kill you for your treachery."
Ghirahim narrowed his eyes and laughed at me.
"You won't be killing anybody," he whispered with an eerie kind of confidence, "especially since I'm the person who helped create your existence."
I stared at him stunned.
"What do you mean?"
He just smiled at me.
"You know what I mean Elbourne," he replied. "You know whose blood flows in your veins."
I froze and almost stopped breathing.
"You spoke of family reunions to your little friend. Well, here you are with one of your own, one you didn't expect."
I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. I thought Ghirahim simply wanted me because he cast a spell on me. Never did I imagine that I was his s… I couldn't conceive it.
"No," I whispered.
He nodded.
"Yes."
I took a step back.
"No."
This time he laughed.
"Oh yes."
I dropped my axe and fell down onto my knees.
"You can't be..." I said, finding it hard to breath, "you aren't my..."
The demon only raised a brow.
"Father?" he finished for me.
My eyes widened more. I stared down at the earth like I was going to vomit. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't.
"No."
Ghirahim laughed more. My disbelief humored him. I closed my eyes and pounded on the ground.
"No!" I screamed this time. "No! No! No! Nooooo! Goddamn it no!"
Ghirahim's laughter filled the air. There was nothing I could do to stop it... not a thing. My whole life was nothing but a lie. The truth had been revealed. My lineage was no longer a mystery. I was… I was this monster's son.
I was the son of Ghirahim.
~SSS~
I woke up breathing hard.
"No!" I whispered in disbelief.
Daphnie who had been asleep next to me woke up as well. She heard how startled I sounded. She immediately tended to me.
"What is it? What's the matter?"
I turned and looked at her mortified. Afterwards, I got up without giving her an explanation. I couldn't bear the thought of her knowing who or what I really was. Even so, Daphnie's concern only deepened.
"Elbourne... what's the matter?"
I shook my head and ran a hand through my tresses. I stared at her without really seeing her. I didn't know what to tell her.
"I have to get out of here," I whispered more to myself than to her. I quickly went to get my things and got dressed.
Daphnie sat up watching me confused.
"Elbourne, what's going on?"
I shook my head and still didn't answer her. Daphnie then got up and wrapped the linen around herself before she approached me. When she touched my shoulder, I turned and took a couple steps back.
"Don't touch me," I whispered terrified.
Daphnie stared at me stunned and drew her hand back.
"What is it? What's going on with you? Elbourne tell me please."
I shook my head again and closed my eyes. I wouldn't even know where to begin regarding an explanation. She had no idea who she was sleeping next to.
"I'm not who you think I am," I said finally.
She didn't understand.
"That's why you need to tell me. I want to know what's bothering you."
I opened my eyes and stared at her for a long time before her visage became blurred.
I'm a monster Daphnie. Really and truly a monster.
I put my cape back on, then went to grab my bag and axe. I was about to head out the door, when Daphnie was finally able to stop me.
"Elbourne wait!" she nearly shouted.
I closed my eyes at her tone, then turned around to look at her. She was staring at me with tears in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away to appear strong.
"You can't just leave like this," she said with a broken voice. "You can't be this cruel and leave without giving me some kind of explanation. You owe me at least that."
Daphnie was right and I lost sight of that. I felt terrible for making her feel as though she were the reason I was leaving. That couldn't have been further from the truth. I wish I hadn't brought my complicated situation to her simple life. I owed her an explanation. Afterwards, I placed my bag and axe back down and went over to her. At my approach she sat back down back. I kneeled down in front of her and caressed her cheek. I couldn't thank her enough for all she had done for me.
"I'm sorry for my behavior just now," I apologized. "I promise you my decision to leave has nothing to do with you. You are wonderful Daphnie. I want you to always remember that. I'll never forget your kindness."
She reached up and stroked my face.
"But I don't understand why you have to go. I don't even know why you're so scared."
I wish I could tell her.
"I'm leaving because it's too dangerous for me to be here with you. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Daphnie looked down and more tears filled her eyes. She realized I was really saying goodbye.
"I don't want you to go."
I ran my hand through her perfect hair and shook my head.
"I have to, but if you ever need anything you come and find me in Dragon Roost, I mean that."
She swallowed hard and looked away.
"Why can't you just stay with me?" she deflected. "I don't have much, but I'll share it with you freely."
I took her hand in mine and squeezed it gently.
"I appreciate that, and I thank you for it, but... you have no idea who I really am."
She looked at me surprised when I said that.
"I don't care who you really are. All I know is I love you Elly."
Her words were getting to me.
"I love you too," I said in comfort to her. "You deserve the world Mystere."
She wiped her tears from her cheek and attempted to smile just then.
"It's Daphnie," she corrected.
I returned her smile.
"Sorry."
She was still looking down at her hands when I reached over, lifted her chin, and kissed her. It was long and sweet so she would have something to remember me by, but I could tell it would never be enough. Maybe if I had met her before Zelda. Maybe if I wasn't the son of the demon lord. Maybe if life dealt me a different hand I could be what she wanted. When I pulled away I stroked her cheek again.
"I have to go."
She was avoiding my eyes now.
"I know."
I squeezed her hand affectionately.
"Remember, if you need anything, anything... come to me. Even if it means helping you see your nephews and your niece, I'll do it."
Daphnie simply nodded without looking at me.
I then stood up, knowing I couldn't put her life in danger any longer. If Ghirahim was after me, he would be willing to kill anyone to get me. I wasn't going to allow him to hurt her. I headed for the door and was about to exit when I noticed the painting she had of herself and two other people hanging on the farthest wall. I thought nothing of it at first, but upon closer inspection I realized I knew who the man in the picture was. I turned and looked at her surprised.
"Who is this man?"
She paused for a moment.
"The man in the picture was my brother. The woman in the middle was my mother."
Was... they're both dead.
I walked back over to her and knelt down in front of her again.
"Your brother was a soldier in the Hylian army, right?"
She didn't answer right away.
"Yes."
I knew this was hard for her, but I pressed her anyway.
"Was his name Bastion Belmonte?"
She grunted a little at the inquiry.
"He called himself that."
I thought that was odd to say.
"What do you mean?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Why do you care?" she snapped suddenly. "He's dead!"
I saw the pain in her eyes and regretted bringing up the subject.
"I'm sorry."
Daphnie finally let out a sob.
"Just go," she whispered, "please, just leave."
I stared at her for just a moment, and in a way, I wish I could take her with me. But I knew it would be too dangerous. I stood again.
"You take care of yourself."
She rolled her eyes and looked away as if my words had no real meaning to her. They probably didn't.
"Sure."
With that, I had to take my leave. Every second I was with her, was a second her life was in danger. I left her small shelter and headed into the forest. After about several yards, I turned and looked at her small home again. I found she was staring after me from her window. Her bright blue eyes were apparent even now. When she caught my gaze she turned from looking at me and disappeared back into her home. I, in turn, stopped procrastinating and continued with my walk. I had a lot of ground to cover. I needed to get back to the Arbiter's Grounds.
The next chapter will be up soon.