A/N: This is the first LoZ fic I ever wrote seriously. It actually was started about three years ago and has been finished on and off after having survived through three hiatuses and a serious consideration of scrapping. But I decided to give it another chance, and am actually quite pleased with the results. Rated PG-13 for violence and Link's surprisingly dirty mouth; warnings include angst, sadness, violence, Link/Zelda pairing (no citrus), and alternate realities. The timeline I'm basing things on is a quasi-alternate-reality of my own creation: I base most if not all of my Zelda fanfiction on the idea that all the deeds done and chronicled in the Zelda games (with the exception of the Wind Waker for obvious reasons) were the deeds of one brave young lad chosen by Destiny and the three Goddesses as the Hero of Time, the Legendary Hero. Oh. And I don't own Linky (more's the pity) or Zelda or any of the game's other characters. They are copyrighted to Miyamoto Shigeru-san and Nintendo, the lucky bastards. I own, however, sole copyright of each and every one of my original characters. Steal them and I will hunt you down and break your elbows. Remember: A vague threat is no one's friend.

-Act IV-

Convergence

20

Kitara paced anxiously, golden eyes flittering uneasily over toward the ring of flame occasionally, and wincing at the fight for survival inside.

Zelda sat calmly on the ground, eyes closed. A faint glow of palest blue surrounded her form, and it was clear she was in communion with the Sages who she represented. Finally, her clear eyes opened, and any traces of sadness had disappeared, replaced by calm, serene hope. "They're on their way," she reported to Kiron.

And then she collapsed. The general caught her and lowered his monarch gently to the ground, unable to help muttering, "A 'who' would have been nice."

Two orbs of glowing light; one deep green, one dark violet, floated down out of the sky and flickered into the shapes of Saria, Kokiri Sage of Forest, and Impa, Sheikah Sage of Shadow. The small girl ran over, her blue eyes clouding over with burning tears at the site of her best friend for so many years lying motionless on the ground. Impa moved to the Princess' side and laid one hand on her forehead. When she removed it, Zelda's eyes opened and she sat up, shaking her head. "You can help?" she asked of her former guardian.

Impa nodded. "Saria will repair the wound and call his soul back."

"She can do that?" chirped a tiny voice. Navi was sitting on Link's motionless shoulder and casting first Impa, and then Saria, a dubious glance.

Saria laughed through her tears, and gathered Navi into her hands, pulling the faerie close. "Do you really doubt me, Navi?"

"Well…no…of course not, Saria! It's just…kind of unbelievable," was the fae's explanation.

Saria couldn't help but laugh nervously. "To both of us. Rauru said he was sending me and I nearly had a heart attack." She turned to Impa. "What do I do?"

Impa shrugged. "I've had about as much experience at this as you have, girl," she answered gruffly. "But make sure you get him back."

It was less than reassuring. Saria sighed nervously and put one hand on Link's chest just over the wound. Come back to us, Link…we need you…we all do…

And silence descended once more.