A Link to the Heart Chapter 28
Trees rustled as a cold wind blew over the forest, making boughs creak and groan like they were talking to each other. The sky above was a blank slate of grey, dull and unimpressive when glimpsed through the swaying branches. Below the canopy the forest floor skittered with small animals and insects, going about their lives undisturbed by the affairs of men. Yet in the shadowy gloom older and fouler things lurked, their dark eyes ever watchful for prey incautious enough to cross their path. The Lost Woods were not safe, they had never been safe and only the brave or the foolish would dare venture into its heart.
It was not clear which Link was as he trudged along, his boots crushing twigs and dropped seeds underfoot. His sword was in one hand, a sign that he had been fighting something horrid in the depths of the forest. Over one shoulder he bore a large sack, that clinked and rattled as he walked. The bag was glowing with a soft pink aura, leaking through the stoppers of the jars he was carrying. Within those jars were Lesser Fairies, harvested from a secret fountain Link had found long before. He was alone but not troubled, he knew these woods well enough to sense danger approaching and currently heard no signs of a wandering monster anywhere near him. He had ventured into the heart of the forest alone, knowing none of the refugees had the skills to survive in those perilous haunts. But now he was almost at the edge of the woods, returning to the clearing where the refugees had taken up residence.
Ahead Link heard the sounds of voices and chopping wood, men and women carving out a new life for themselves in this most dangerous of environments. Link had to admit he was impressed by these people's energy and imagination, the way they applied themselves to the task. Strange, for weeks they had been useless baggage, sitting around and moaning endlessly. At castle town they had been left with nothing to do and no way to improve their lot. Yet here in the woods they had challenges and problems to overcome, a chance to build a new home for themselves and create a better life. It was inspiring the way they had set aside their grumbling and applied themselves, working together to make their new home their own. Perhaps it was the pressing deadline of winter that had made the difference. Already cool winds hinted that autumn was near and all too soon winter would sweep over the land. All the people of Hyrule were accustomed to living off the land, they knew well how cold and merciless winter snows could be and that if they were not ready they would freeze and starve.
Link kept walking and soon he saw small groups of men and women harvesting the forest. Teams of people were gathering up nuts and berries and filling cloth slings with the bounty of nature. Already their slings were overflowing and more was being gathered every hour. Link had shown them how to find edible mosses and clean streams of water. Fruit and tubers had been collected, thick sap tapped to brew syrups and nectar drained from long-stemmed flowers. A team of hunters had even brought down a deer, a proud achievement for the young lad who had let loose the arrow. Yes, the people were learning quickly and soon would be able to survive on their own. There was no denying Link's job was nearly done.
Link suddenly found himself stepping out into daylight as he entered the clearing. He saw Ingo spy him and come racing over, calling, "Did you get them?!"
Link shrugged off his sack and handed it over saying, "Enough Lesser Fairies to last for months. Make sure to keep them secure."
Ingo opened the sack and gazed within, counting jars as he said, "Could you make another run?"
"No," Link refused, "Reaching the Forest Temple was hard enough once, I wouldn't want to risk it again. I was lucky; I only had to fight off a couple of Stalfos and a Moblin to reach the fountain. I may not get off so easily next time."
Suddenly another voice called out, "Only you would consider Stalfos and Moblins Easy!"
Link turned and saw Tarren and Jortan approaching, the Knights walking confidently towards him. They had been working hard to prepare the camp, lending their guidance and strong arms to the work. Link was pleased with their efforts, the trio had given these people a good start and soon this settlement would be a true village.
Tarren drew up before him and remarked, "I see you got them."
Link sheathed his sword as he affirmed, "I managed."
Ingo sniffed, "I still don't see why I couldn't have come. Once you're gone we may need to return to the Fountain."
Yet Link admonished, "These woods are treacherous, the paths shift and change as they will. It's too easy to lose your way and wander aimlessly. If you're lucky they'd only dump you back where you started, if you're not you wander forever until you die and become a Stalfos. Sometimes the trees even reveal paths to impossible places and other worlds, portals that appear from nowhere and can never be found again after you depart."
Ingo shuddered as he muttered, "I'll remind everybody not to wander too far from the village."
"And never travel alone," Tarren added, "That's essential."
Ingo accepted this then departed, carrying the sack away. They watched him leave then Jortan asked, "So, are we done?"
Tarren agreed, "We've got them off to a good start. They seem to be able to survive in the perimeter of the wood and understand not to wander too far inside. Food's coming in and we impressed on them the importance of guarding their stores. The last thing they need is a thief flinching their stocks."
Link took one last look across the village. Under the Knight's guidance the clearing had been greatly expanded over the last few days. Heavy axes had felled nearby trees to create more room and teams of grumbling men had dug up the roots, never a quick or easy task at the best of time. Tents had been erected and plans drawn up to fashion logpile houses before winter dawned. The abandoned houses of the Kokiri had been a source of contention but the Knights had put their foot down and decreed the homes would go to the oldest refugees and babes-in-arms. Few had wanted to argue with Knights bearing swords so the matter had been dropped. Food stores had been marked out and woodpiles erected, small and unimpressive so far, but in a few months they would be filled to the brim.
"They can manage without us," Link reluctantly agreed, "We should leave."
Jortan smiled as he said, "Let's get moving, quickly."
"Eager to be off?" Tarren enquired.
"Sure am," Jortan replied merrily, "That brunette's getting ideas, she's started hinting about making us a home. I usually aim to be gone long before a girl starts to dream of weddings."
Link sighed, "I suppose we should make our goodbyes."
"No thanks," Jortan scoffed, "I'm going to slip out before anybody notices I'm going. I don't like it when the girls cry and shout and throw things at my back."
Tarren muttered under his breath, "Or tar and feather you…"
Link shook his head, "I can't leave without saying goodbye. I'm going to speak to Malon before we head back to war."
The trio started walking through the camp and Tarren asked, "About that, how are we to get back? The King didn't seem very keen to have you return. From what you said, he'd prefer it if you never darkened his door again."
Link only shrugged, "We will join the ranks and fight as humble Knights. Battle will lead us to Twinrova, I will slay them and then with the recognition of the nation I will marry Princess Zelda."
"Haha," Jortan scoffed then exclaimed, "Oh wait… you're serious."
Link sighed, "It's fated, Zelda told me so herself. All we have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and we'll get to our destination."
Tarren frowned, "Coming from anyone else I'd take that as madness, but you make it sound inevitable. Like you skipped to the end of the book and read the last page first."
Link didn't reply as he spied a flash of red hair and said, "Give me a moment alone."
Malon was busy hanging wet rags on a string-line hoisted between two trees. She looked quiet but determined, as if she was keeping a firm face to avoid admitting how sad she was. Link approached slowly, dreading the coming conversation. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but he had done so anyway. He couldn't pretend it wasn't his fault; he should have been firmer at the outset, made it clear they weren't meant for each other. He let her dream of fanciful things when he'd known they were impossible. His heart felt like a shard of ice had settled in his chest as he called, "Malon…"
Malon slowly finished hanging a rag then turned and quietly said, "Link, you're leaving."
Link's throat grew tight as a thousand answers battled to be spoken but all that came out was a pathetic, "I am."
Malon's face was unwavering but her eyes were moist as she whispered, "I wish you good fortune in the wars to come."
Link lamely said, "You should be safe here, the Gerudo won't dare enter the Lost Woods."
Malon's voice was leaden as the grave as she uttered, "You have fulfilled your vow to my father, you have no reason to remain anymore."
Link's heart clenched like a closed fist as he saw the tears she was holding back and he asserted, "I never meant to hurt you…"
"Hush," Malon cut him off, "We were never meant to be, I see that now. I should never have tried to come between you and Zelda. You are a Hero and in the tales Heroes always end up marrying a Princess… not a common farm girl."
The corners of Link's eyes prickled as her words washed over him. He wished she was shouting and throwing things, it would be less painful than this. He lowered his eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."
Yet Malon took his hand and reassured him, "You have nothing to feel sorry for. You were meant for greater things, a nobler future than I could offer. You were born to save Hyrule, just like all those other Links. Promise me you won't look back, go and live the life you were supposed to live."
Link looked up and said, "I hope you find someone who can offer you all…" He cut off his sentence as he saw the pain in her eyes and knew he'd just said the worst possible thing. Then he had a sudden flashback to Zelda's revelation of Malon's fate. Dying in childbirth as she tried to bring the third or fourth child of a common deserter into the world. He couldn't tell her that, he could never speak such sorrow to another. Instead he hastily uttered, "Just promise me you'll be happy. Promise me that you'll sing again someday. I couldn't bear the thought of the world without your songs."
Malon's jaw trembled slightly and her voice quivered as she let go his hand and avowed, "I promise. Now go Link, leave and be a Hero and don't look back."
Link hastily turned about and marched away, knowing if he looked back he'd see her crying. He refused to shame her any more as he left the clearing, taking the two Knights with him. His heart was a stone in his chest and the world seemed drained of colour but he kept putting one foot in front of the other as they moved through the fallen tree trunk and across the bridge. Link walked to the outskirts of the woods without a glance backwards, putting this sorrowful chapter of his life behind him. He knew he would not be returning and he had to close his heart to the past. Only the future could concern him now.
Outside the woods a pair of young boys were watching over the horses. The steeds had refused point-blank to enter the woods and so they had remained outside. In silence the Knights saddled their horses and fitted bridles and then they mounted. Link waved the boys back to the village and then spurred Epona away, putting his back to the woods and his face to the next chapter of his life. War awaited him and he expected in a few weeks he would be in the thick of battle once more, fighting for Hyrule and its people.
He would prove more right than he knew, for battle was indeed coming. Yet it was not weeks away but hours. Unknown to Link mystical eyes were upon him and hateful riders were on his tail. His enemies were not so far away as he supposed and their thirst for vengeance would not be slaked until they carved out his heart.
