Chapter 16

The wind wasn't as harsh in the mountains for some reason. Zelda was grateful for that as she walked with Darunia along a trail. She and Darunia had split up from Nabooru and the other Gorons to search for the scabbard if Hiroshi.

Darunia walked behind Zelda, his eyes searching for any source of danger. He remembered what Link had told him before they had split up…

FLASHBACK

"Darunia?" Link's voice was husky as he spoke.

Darunia turned to face him, and realized his breathing was heavier than it should be.

"Brother? What's wrong?" He stepped forward, but Link rushed towards him.

"Please," Link grabbed Darunia's shoulders, "promise me you'll stay by Zelda's side. Don't let her out of your sight. Promise me."

Darunia looked at Link's worried eyes and nodded.

"Anything Brother."

Link's breathing returned to normal, and he offered a lopsided smile.

"Thank you."

END OF FLASHBACK

"Princess Zelda, when should we stop to rest?" Darunia asked suddenly.

"I'm not tired, are you?" She turned her head slightly.

"No I'm fine."

Darunia towered over her, even though he stood behind her and a few feet away. He chuckled suddenly just looking down at her.

"What?" Zelda asked, turning to face him, a smile playing on her lips.

"Nothing Princess Zelda."

"Darunia," she rolled her eyes, "please call me Zelda."

Darunia smiled and nodded towards her.

"Alright then, Zelda."

Satisfied, she turned back around and continued walking up the dirt trail. Her feet didn't ache as much because she was wearing boots. If she had on heels, she would be dying.

"Darunia, I wanted to ask you about Link."

"Link?"

"Your son."

Darunia's face grew grim when she said the word 'son'. He was still angry about his son's death, and about the fact that he couldn't protect him.

He had seen his son's death, and had been a second too late to save him.

"What about him?"

"I wanted to ask how he died…if that's alright with you."

Darunia took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He could almost see himself at Death Mountain again, battling the Gerudos.

"Link was impaled by one of the Gerudos' spears. I was making my way to his side to save him when he was stabbed. If I had been there a second earlier, he would still be alive."

Zelda wiped her tears away before turning back around to face him.

"I'm so sorry. I wish that there was another way that we could stop Devika from taking over."

"Zelda," Darunia quickened his pace to walk beside her, "you are a good leader. You will make a great queen some day."

"Sure I will. I can't even pull myself together to be away from Link for a week. I'm a mess, a crying mess."

Darunia put an arm around her shoulders, his giant hand gripping her arm gently.

"You aren't a mess. If you were a mess, you would have gone after Link and begged him not to leave. But you didn't. You're here and in a week you'll be with him again. Until then, I'm here for you."

Zelda smiled up at Darunia.

"Thank you Darunia. I'm so glad you're here."

"So am I."

That's when Zelda suddenly felt the burning sensation once again. Her whole body trembled, and Darunia looked at her with concern.

"Zelda?" He asked her.

"I'm just…don't worry." She breathed, her knees buckling.

Darunia kneeled down, his arm still around her shoulders. He looked down at her face, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Zelda, can you hear me?"

"I'm fine Darunia. My body is just going through withdrawal." She explained.

Darunia was about to question her further when he heard a horse in the distance. He laid Zelda down gently and got to his feet, ready to give his life for the young woman.

However when Darunia saw Epona trotting towards him, he smiled.

"Zelda, the messenger is here." He announced loudly.

"Kou?" She asked, slowly sitting up.

"Princess, are you alright?" Kou asked, climbing down from the saddle.

"I'm fine Kou. What news do you have?"

"Link told me to tell you that he is heading to Pinnacle Rock today with a few of the Kokiri to begin the search."

Zelda got to her feet and stood beside Darunia.

"Is that all?"

"No, Link gave me this to give to you." Kou brought a paper from his pocket, and handed it to her.

"Kou, tell Link that we have begun our search as well, and that we're fine." Darunia told the boy.

"I will."

Zelda, meanwhile, unfolded the paper and ready Link's message:

Zelda –

I can't sleep without you by my side. I miss you, and I pray to the Goddesses that you are safe and that you find the sacred item. I love you.

Link

"Kou," Zelda scribbled a reply on the same paper and handed it back to him, "give this to Link as well."

Kou nodded and shoved the paper back into his pocket.

"Is that all?" He asked.

"Yes. Have a safe trip back Kou." Zelda smiled, and watch Kou get back up onto the saddle and ride off.

"Are you alright to keep going?" Darunia asked Zelda once they could no longer hear Epona's hoof beats.

"I'm fine. Really."

Zelda straightened out Link's tunic and continued up the trail. She quickly gained more respect for Link, as she realized that carrying all of the weapons long distances took work.

The trail suddenly became narrow, and Zelda turned to Darunia.

"Just be careful up here." She warned, pointing to the narrow trail.

Darunia nodded, and watched as she carefully stepped around the bend. She kept close to the mountain, and seldom looked up from the ground.

He was just about to suggest finding an alternative route when Zelda lost her balance, and wobbled towards the edge.

Darunia grabbed Zelda before she could fall, and began rolling down the mountain. He held the woman's body close to his, protecting her from the ground.

When they reached the bottom, Darunia had a headache. He groaned, holding his spikes.

"Darunia, are you alright?" Zelda asked quietly, holding the bump on her forehead.

"Fine. You?"

"I'm alright."

Darunia went to stand up when the ground beneath him began to shake. Zelda let out a small shriek as the two fell through the ground and landed with an enormous thud.

Saria was exhausted by the time they reached shore. It had been a long day of fighting, and they had only killed two of the sea snakes. There were many more to go.

She collapsed onto the sand, breathing heavily.

Link was quick to pick the girl's body up, and carry her back to the campsite where the Kokiri continued their watches.

"Link?" Saria looked up at Link's face, and shuddered when she saw his lifeless eyes.

"Yeah Saria?"

"Your mask."

"Oh, sorry."

He set Saria down on her feet, and turned around to pull the mask off. A small cry of pain escaped as the flesh was torn away. Saria reached out to him, but he turned back to her.

"I'm fine Saria." He smiled.

"Is it alright if I go to sleep? I'm really tired." She yawned, proving her point.

"Of course. Get a good night's sleep."

He watched Saria drag herself over to her mat, and flop down on it. She fell asleep almost immediately.

Link sighed with relief. None of the Kokiri had been harmed or killed, at least for now.

The sound of Epona whinnying brought Link from his gratitude, and turned to see her galloping down the beach.

Kou stopped her a little ways away from the camp, and hurried over to Link.

"Darunia told me to tell you that they have begun their search too. And Princess Zelda," Kou handed him the paper, "gave me this."

"How is she Kou?" Link asked softly.

"She was lying on the ground when I got there." Kou watched Link's eyes go wide with horror. "But then she got up…but she looked weak."

"Withdrawal." Link whispered to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing. Go to sleep for awhile Kou, and I'll give you the message in a few hours."

Kou nodded, and walked towards the camp.

Link opened the paper and read Zelda's message beneath his own:

Link –

I love you too. I pray that you are safe, and I hope that everything is alright with the Kokiri. Tell Saria hello for me.

Zelda