Opia: Hey everybody! New chapterness! I'm trying to update more now, since it's almost summer and all. Orb of Bannon has another chapter on the way and I'm also working on the next chapter for this one. If you haven't noticed I'm concentrating my energies on these two. Trying to do the others at this time will probably drive me insane, though I'm writing others I'm considering on eventually putting up.
Cari: But anyway...
Opia: Enjoy the chapter!
Cari: And just so you remember:
Din talking
Farore talking
Nayru talking
Also: uncentered italics are thoughts, not Nayru. (just clearing it up)
Ruto shivered, the already cool cave have become even colder during the night and even though the bright beams of the morning sun fell on her face the chill still lingered. The light blinded her as she blinked sleepily and she rolled onto her other side, clutching the blanket close to her.
Blanket?
The former Zora sat up; a slightly ratty but warm blanket was draped over her. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked around the cave, finding a wooden bowl filled with some sort of soup near her. Next to it was a plate with some bread and a cup filled with water. She wasn't very hungry, but the princess felt it would be rude not to eat some of it so she dipped the bread into the soup and munched away. It didn't taste too bad. When she had had her fill she took the cup and stood up, sipping at the surprisingly clear water. A cold breeze flew in through the cave entrance, making Ruto wrap the blanket tightly around her.
The cave was desolate, not a sign of her captor anywhere, nor any living thing really. Quietly Ruto walked out onto the very small ledge outside the cave. Clouds clung low to the mountains, hiding the ground from view. Out there only the wind could be heard with the lone cry of a solitary eagle soaring in the heavens. The sky was a deep, clear blue, with not a single cloud obscuring its expanse at that altitude. Ruto sighed, it was a beautiful sight, she only wished Link could be there to see it.
Something shifted at the corner of her vision and she turned to see Dark Link perched on a rocky outcrop, the wind tugging at his hair, robe, and feathers. He looked so majestic. Just sitting there staring off into space as if time and the world had no meaning.
What am I thinking? Ruto thought to herself, Of course time and the world has no meaning to him, time does not affect him and he couldn't less if the world went to hell. A heartless creature, that's all he is… a heartless—
She blinked in surprise as the girl realized Dark Link had noticed her presence. Their gazes locked. A few moments of silence passed. Ruto looked away and backed into the cave, her heart was racing.
He's a heartless creature… a cruel, unfeeling monster…
Throwing off the blanket and tossing it and the cup across the cave, the princess ran farther in and found a small nook, where she curled up with her knees close to her chest.
Heartless… monster… just a… heartless..., Tears formed in her eyes, Oh link! Please find me quickly!
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"NOOO!"
A young Link, about ten, beat his fists on the solid stone door. He had been at it for hours and his hands were raw and bleeding from the poundings.
"Let me out! Let me out! You can't keep me in here!"
Tears flowing down his cheeks, the boy slumped down onto the cold floor and hugged his knees close. The room was dim, the only light coming from a small window high above that was paned with thick glass. Strewn around him were swords, arrows, and other weapons and various targets and stands for practice. These items didn't interest him, he hated fighting, he couldn't understand why he was being treated this way. He thought Zelda was his friend. The soft glitter of the triangle on his hand caught his eye.
"This is all because of this stupid mark!" Link ferociously scratched at it, only causing the cuts on his hand to open more, "Everything would great if this was gone!"
Standing up, Link backed up and examined the door to his prison. High above his head the three sacred triangles were intricately carved into the stone. Power, Wisdom, Courage. As he stared at these symbols a feeling boiled inside of him. Using every last scrap of energy, the boy screeched at the top of his lungs.
"I hate you!"
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Silence… the room was completely silent… so silent it hurt Link's ears. He sat with his back against the wall, staring up at the light streaming in from the little window.
It had been a while since he had been locked up in this stone tomb. He felt it must have been a year, but he had lost count of the days long before. All he did was sit there, only moving to get the food that mysteriously appears while he's sleeping. The boy had given up trying to stay awake to see who brings this food, nothing came if he was awake.
Watching the dust motes glow in the sunlight he could almost feel his brain deteriorating. With a frustrated grunt he jumped up.
"I can't stand it anymore!"
Link rammed into the stone door; clawing, pounding, and just plain thrashing his body around in a desperate attempt to get free. When that didn't work he staggered back and grabbed a knife.
"You want me because of my triforce right!"
He hacked and slashed at the symbol etched into his skin. Soon the flesh of his hand was so torn the triangle was impossible to see, not to mention covered in blood. Link waved his maimed hand wildly at the door.
"Look! No mark! I'm not the boy you need!" he screamed at the stone, a red light in his eyes.
Silence returned to the chamber. No answer came from the solid doors, Link didn't really expect one. Swiftly, he turned and threw the knife. It imbedded itself into a target's soft wood. He blinked, that actually felt kinda good. Picking up a sword that lay beside him he attacked the target with all his rage. One by one the wooden targets fell as he made his way across the room.
Lashing out, the last one splintered and clattered to the floor. A wave of exhaustion fell over Link and he sank to the floor, letting go of the sword's bloodied handle. He surveyed the destruction around him, letting out a deep, sorrowful sigh. In the quiet that followed the boy's mind wandered to the only person who had ever cared about him. His vision blurred with tears.
"Saria… I'm sorry…."
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Link's eyes shot open. Light from the large open window filtered in through the thin glass. He sat up and shivered.
Have a good sleep?
"No," He said, his voice gravelly.
Not surprised.
It seems the curse is trying everything to affect you.
"Huh?" Link rubbed his eyes.
Apparently the curse has given up trying to directly change you, so it has resorted to causing you to dream of what were going to be your memories.
Link threw off the covers and got out of bed. He noticed the bed next to him was empty and already made, Malon had awakened a while ago.
"You going to tell me where Ruto is?"
Not right not.
Let's leave the ranch first.
Slowly he made the bed, he didn't want to be a rude guest.
"Where's Farore, she's been quiet," He said.
Busy.
She will not be with us for a while.
"Okay…."
A knock came from the door. It opened and Malon popped his head in. He smiled as he saw Link.
"Oh good, you're awake!"
"Yeah?" Link answered, picking up his gear.
"Breakfast's ready."
"I'll be right down."
Malon closed the door. Link listened as his footsteps disappeared down the stairs. He sighed.
"I wish all of this was a dream as well."
Don't we all…
Link secured the shield on his back and left the room. Malon looked up from setting the table as Link descended the stairs. The ranch boy's smile disappeared as he saw Link's traveling gear.
"I see you're leaving," He said, turning back to the table and getting the food, "How stupid of me, of course you're leaving… you have to. My father and Ingo will be back today…."
There was something strange in Malon's voice. Link sat down heavily in one of the chairs. Malon turned to him, smiling.
"It's funny. My father told me not to hang out with strange boys like you. Said you'd get me in trouble or hurt me someday…" he laughed half-heartedly, "I guess he was right, but I don't care. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't shown up at our doorstep," Carefully he scrapped some eggs onto Link's plate, "How many sausages would you like?"
Link looked at his plate, "Eggs? How do you get them from the cuccos?"
"Um… with a little difficulty, but cucco eggs are very nutritious…."
Malon turned away, rolling his sleeve down, but Link caught a glimpse of blood on his hand. Link grabbed it and carefully pushed back the fabric.
"No," Malon protested, but failed to escape from the hero's grip.
Link's eyes widened. Cuts crisscrossed the boy's arm. They weren't terribly bloody cuts, but the looked painful. Thin white lines covered most of his lower arm, small scars formed from frequent abuse.
"Malon," Link said.
The ranch boy pulled his arm from Link's grasp, "They're nothing, the cuccos just woke up while I was collecting eggs. I'm such a klutz, I have to be quieter."
"Heh, and I thought cuccos were mean to me," Link muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Malon asked, bandaging his arm.
"Nothing. I never realized how difficult working on this ranch could be."
"Oh, okay.."
Link smiled, "And two sausages would be great, thanks."
Malon smiled back, "Sure!"
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"I wish I could give you more for your journey," Malon handed Link a large pack full of food and drink, "but any more and Father will become suspicious."
Link took the pack and slung it over his shoulder, "Don't worry, this is plenty."
Malon's eyes wandered nervously to the entrance of the ranch and back to Link. Hesitating at first, he bolted down to the corral, yelling "I'll be right back!" over his shoulder. A few moments later he came back, leading a young stallion by the reigns. The horse was a dark gray, its black mane and tail well groomed. A lone white spot framed one of the horse's shining gold eyes.
Malon stroked its snout, "His name is Mikel. I've taken care of him ever since I found him out on the field with a broken leg. He can out run that wild demon Epona any day."
"Won't your father notice if he goes missing?" Link ran a hand down Mikel's neck, "He's such a beautiful horse."
"This boy's wild at heart, " Malon smiled, "I can always say he… jumped the fence."
Link laughed, "Of course!"
Suddenly the hero found himself in a tight embrace. Malon's head rested on his chest.
"You take care out there, "He whispered.
Now, Malon used to do this all the time when he left, but considering the circumstances… Link felt very awkward.
"Y-you know me," Link said, his typical response.
Malon let him go and backed away, blushing furiously. Smiling, he fled back into the safety of the ranch house.
I see the curse could not change that child's affections for you.
How cute!
"Yeah…," Link grumbled as he mounted Mikel, "'Cute'…."
Oh come on! You should be flattered!
Mikel started for the entrance to the ranch.
Oh… wait… I forgot… You're scared of love.
Her voice mocked him, but Link ignored her and rode on. The gates were open, probably by Malon earlier in the day. A weight seemed to plop down behind Link, Mikel grunted irritably but did nothing more about the sudden load.
Now, onward to save the one you love!
"The one I—?" Link blinked, "No! We're just friends!"
Sure you are, that's why you're blushing.
The blush that once was pretty well concealed grew darker.
That is enough Din.
Awww…
"S-so," Link cleared his throat, "Where's Ruto?"
In a mountain range past the desert.
"Past the–? Great…" He groaned, "How am I supposed to get passed the Gerudos? I'm sure they're the least happiest with me."
Leave that to us when we get there.
Suddenly, Link felt another presence appear.
I'm back.
Find anything?
Not really. The curse is keeping itself well hidden from detection, though from what I can tell it's stopped spreading.
Well that is good at least.
I'm still worried, we don't quite know the nature of this curse. We know it affects the peoples of Hyrule, but how many animals will it affect? Can it affect monsters? Plants? What if it can affect the land itself!
Her voice was becoming hysterical.
Farore, shut up! Jeeze, you're such a worrywart!
She has every right to be worried.
Pfft, whatever. Let's just get moving.
With a sharp kick to the ribs Mikel whinnied and bolted across the grass covered hills.
Opia: Now I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has ever reviewed!
Cari: -Passes out Legend of Zelda plushies-
Opia: And I have nothing else specific to say to anyone at the moment... well, except: Hey Psie! Haven't heard from you in a while! Love the new name by the way!
Cari: Review if you wish.