It's been too long. Writer's block, marching band, and the start of school. At the same time I could have figured out how to get myself to write this out but I don't try to force myself. School is in high gear and I really do have a busy schedule this time around. I won't go into details but don't be surprised if I go on a hiatus again. Thank you so so much for reading. This story really is close to my heart.
And enjoy!
"If we go straight through the beach we can get there faster."
"Midna, we left Epona up on the bridge, remember?"
The imp crossed her arms, "I know, but I don't want to get shot out of a canon!"
Link rolled his eyes and shoved a gauntlet over his hand, covering up the Triforce birthmark he bore. We were behind a rise of land, stealing glances back toward the large canon in the middle of the lake. Passed it, a beach reached out into the fields of Hyrule. The two companions had been bickering for awhile, stretching the morning hours into afternoon.
These people certainly aren't ones for compromising, huh?
I sighed and rolled my eyes, turning my head to Creota who was perched on my shoulder. She meowed and I frowned, flicking back to the argument that was getting progressively intense. "Hey, guys?"
"What?!" Midna and Link snapped in unison.
Grimacing, I stuttered, "Uh...C-can we just get a move on already?"
Midna went to start again but I cut her off.
"If everything is finally like I remember, Link needs Epona, so please, let it go."
"Fine," she scowled and slipped back into shadow.
We took the floating wooden platforms to the canon. Along the way my foot caught between logs and I stumbled into Link. He spun and caught me before I fell, but my foot still skimmed water. At first the shock threw me into a blur, his face creeping into clarity, red flooding his pale cheeks. Suddenly the claws gripping my shirt were urgent and I tore away onto the next platform to prod the kitten from my shoulder to my hand.
The bright pink of his face faded and he leapt ahead again to the canon. Its multicolored roof reached into the sky, in front of the opening stood a hunched over man whose bottom lip hung out. He had a beer belly, emphasized by a horrid hot pink crop top.
I tried to avert my eyes, but when Link called for his attention and he began speaking in a squeaky voice, I couldn't take my eyes off his dark circles and sunken skin. If I didn't know any better from the game, I would've assumed he was having a stroke by how lopsided his face was.
"One hundred rupees?!" Link crossed his arms, "I'm not looking for a thrill, I just want to get up there."
The man let out a high pitched chuckle, "You must be the two that jumped last night," he shook his head, stuffing his hands into his baggy pockets. "Look, if you're wanting for the cheap way out, why don't you take the afternoon and climb up there for free."
"Link, I think we should just-"
"I'm not taking the long way and I'm not going to pay full price. Fifty rupees." Link reached into his pouch and drew out a small purple rupee, a gem the size of my thumb.
No way is that gonna work.
The man rolled his eyes, "Fine, we barely get any business anymore anyway." He moved aside to an odd box, decorated with various colors and odd creatures. Putting his weight into a lever at the side he spun it until the hatch of the canon popped open.
What?!
Inside it was musky and wet. I scrunched up my nose, shaking off a headache creeping into my skull. Link and I held onto each other tightly, Creota safely in his hand. The hatch shut, pitching us into complete darkness. Trying to brace for impact ended up being futile, the force of getting launched erupting a scream out of my lungs. Before I could regain any grasp on my position, we were a mess of limbs stumbling onto a wood platform and into a pile of hay.
An arm slid out from underneath my back and as I rolled over I found Link picking out straw from his hair. I sat up, desperately trying to do double the work dusting myself off with one hand. When I was looking away something tugged at my scalp and I flinched backwards. Pinched between two fingers a piece of hay sprouted out of a gloved hand.
I stood up and untangled the rest myself, trying to move my face out of his line of sight. My heart thumped in my chest, racing with my lungs to see who could accelerate faster. Why was I so anxious? Link got up beside me and my breath stopped.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, let's go."
Link handed me Creota who was covered in little bits of hay. I guided her to my shoulder and sighed, turning to a building two stories tall. One corridor lead straight through to the bridge but as we passed through, a room of chickens clucked and cooed at us. A man, sat on a stool in the corner, slept soundlessly. Crouching down, I went to pat one on its wings only for it to shriek and run away.
When I got up, Link was already headed out and I ran after him. Before I could get all the way out, a whistle and the clip of hooves echoed. I stepped through to see him mounting Epona. It was even more difficult to climb onto the mare's saddle than the first time, although Link tried his best to hold my weight. After a few failed attempts, throwing my one arm around all over the place, I finally found the right hold and pulled up. He didn't waste anymore time than I did and urged the horse southward down the bridge.
In the sunlight, the light grey stone looked like a mattress underneath us. Out, below, a world like dreams surrounding this bed. The water shimmered in the morning glare, but before I could breathe in its full beauty; we went below the bridge's grand colossal arch, and the lake disappeared from view.
I held onto Link's torso tightly, basking in the silence between us, scared that if I loosened my grip I would fall and be forgotten.
I finished it. Tonight, when you're alone I can give it to you.
"What is it?" I asked softly.
Link cast a look at me, meeting my eyes briefly before tearing away as we banked a turn.
"Sorry..."
A necklace, the rest is a surprise.
"You have time to explain it to me now," I grumbled.
Maybe but it'd be easier without lover boy over here listening in.
"Hey, Maizy, can you be quiet for a bit?" Link slowed Epona, trotting through an underpass of rock.
Oh rude, I take back lover boy.
My arm loosened and I muttered back, "Yeah, sorry," as a grouping of trees shaded us from the sun. Sighing, I resigned myself to counting animals and listening to Vox's comments. When the trees broke, the castle appeared over the horizon accompanied by a smell of smoke on the air. Dark plumes reached up passed the walls.
We slowed to a stop in front of the same bridge we'd left from last night. The guards cautiously let us through at the gate and we stumbled into the streets. Houses lined down the street, black and oozing ash that piled in the road. "What happened here?" I muttered.
Link swung left and I clambered after him, "It was probably that lightning you summoned. It started a fire."
I glanced back into the crowd of bystanders, some gazing up at the smoke, others rushing by. Faces flickered in and out like embers flashing and cooling. Destrian's eyes seemed to appear above unfamiliar cheeks in every corner. My feet floated closely behind Link's, dancing along the line between falling into him and running.
We came up to the bar, slipping in passed a distressed woman and being enveloped by the sounds of shouting and smells of sweat. A young man was behind the counter, yelling to person after person that there were no more rooms available. "Try down the street."
"Down the street is full!" Men cried.
At the end of the bar a white haired girl slept with a bottle of beer still clutched in her grasp. She didn't stir much as an ornately dressed man bumped into her.
Link planted himself at the side of the bar, setting his palms against the counter. The young man turned his head to him, eyes wide. They exchanged a few words I couldn't hear from where I stood and then the young man disappeared through a back door. When he came out, he gestured to us with a wave, Link passing on the message to me with an ushering hand.
Passing through the bar counter to the back, we entered a small room with shelves full of food and alcohol. Sitting at a table writing on a piece of paper by the light streaming in through the window was Telma, eyebrows drawn. She looked up sharply and ran to us, throwing her arms around our shoulders.
"You're alive, thank the goddesses," she squeezed us tighter, burying us in her strong scent of old perfume. Backing way, she held us at arms length, "By the goddesses you're alive. But where's...oh what did you say her name was?"
"Ilia?" Link croaked.
Telma nodded warily, "Yes, is she okay?"
Link opened his mouth to speak, but nothing slipped from their lips. He averted his eyes, clenching his jaw until he finally looked back and spoke slowly, "She...she didn't make it…"
Her face fell, "Oh...oh, darling I'm so sorry."
The room quieted except for Link, "I'm not here to see another person die. The Zora boy, Ralis, you told me you would have something set up by today."
She nodded, "Yes, we have to stop by for the wagon and then we can leave. I talked to a young woman earlier who also agreed to help so we'll be ready when you are."
"I'm ready, let's go before we lose him."
Telma smirked and lead us to the counter where the crowd still stood, different faces mixed in. "We have one free room, the highest bidder gets it!"
A flurry of hungry fingers clambered at their wallets, counting rupees then shouting how much they would offer. Telma winked at the counter boy and reached out to tap on the white haired girl's shoulder, startling her awake. The girl rubbed her head then found our faces all staring back at her.
"This is Salato, daughter of the local fortune teller. She's been traveling around recently and knows how to use a sword." Telma took away the glass of beer in her hand and nodded to Link and I, "We're about to head out so I suggest you sober up."
Salato's brown eyes scanned us over.
My daughter had snowy hair like hers.
They caught on me for a moment, sticking on the small kitten perched at my shoulder then gliding across my neck and a chill ran down my spine. I shivered, drawing a glance from Link. The discomfort didn't get much attention, however, as we all parted for separate tasks. Salato and Telma went to fetch the coachman and wagon while Link and I took to Ralis, picking him up from the bed he'd lied in. I opened the door for him but stopped as I heard a small sniffle.
"Link?"
He slid passed into the hallway, "What?"
"Are you okay?" His expression was stoic. I almost retracted my question before he responded saying that he was fine and I shouldn't worry about him. Something in his words curled my fingers into fists, but I brushed it off as we headed for the East Gate.
The attention that had passed me by on the street came crashing back on our walk there. First their eyes would run over the Zora, then jump to me and widen at the air where my arm was supposed to be. I hugged Link's right side, hiding it behind him, but nonetheless they watched.
We pushed through the East Gate and into the field where Telma sat waiting in front of a wagon, Salato on horseback a few paces away from her. Link turned to me, "Hey, why don't you ride in the wagon? It'll be easier for both of us." I looked from person to person, then reluctantly nodded and watched him hand off Ralis.
Telma crawled into the wagon and laid the Zora down on the front seat, getting the rest of the way after him. The clip of hooves grew louder until Link was next to me atop Epona. He looked down at me, "You good?"
"I'm fine."
I left him and climbed into the wagon, sitting at the back and trying to brush off Telma's eyes that followed me. A pungent smell of fish clashed with her perfume.
"We good to go?" Link shouted.
Telma gave a thumbs up and the wheels began turning underneath us, shaking with every divot in the earth. Curtains on either side parted to reveal Link and Salato trotting slowly. The girl rode a dark brown horse that matched her eyes, a warm brown I wanted to wrap myself in.
But Epona looked gorgeous in the sun I came to realize. Her white mane draped gracefully to one side that shifted with every turn. But the more I watched, the more I couldn't take my eyes off Link. Every arrow loosed passed trees I found myself counting, every glance back at us. My blood froze at the thought of the loss of his smile but I couldn't help letting it bubble and boil tracing his figure along the horizon.
"What happened to your arm?"
I straightened and tore my gaze away, "Oh, uh…" shaking my head, I pat the cat in my lap, "Destrian uh. We found him and uh...I guess it didn't turn out like we wanted."
She reached over and laid a hand on my arm, "I heard bits and pieces about that dragon thing. You must have been terrified, it's okay."
"I'm fine…"
Sitting back, she sighed, "It's been so bleak recently. All of these monsters roaming the fields, less people have been traveling. I haven't heard a single thing about Ordon in at least a year." Her gaze looked back out the window and caught on Link who struck another bokoblin with an arrow, then she smiled somberly, "You seem to be pretty friendly with Link."
I suddenly found myself restless and shifted in my seat, "He hates me."
A laugh cut through the air between us and drew Link and Salato's eyes. She gave them a wave and shut the curtain on Link's side. "You worry him too much if anything."
"He doesn't like talking to me."
"Men hate talking about their feelings. Just talk about something else," Telma shrugged, "But what do I know? I still can't find a man."
I pulled back the curtain and sighed, catching a glimpse of Link wiping sweat from his brow. He looked my way and I shut it, pulling back flustered. Her smirk told me everything, that my face was hot because I was blushing not because the wagon was stuffy. As the wheels turned on, I thought about him more than I thought I cared enough to.
A few moments later Telma spoke up again, "I was just joking with you, if you don't like him that's quite alright."
My younger years spent glowering at the hero stumbled back in like a lost child. I'd gotten over those little crushes long ago because I knew he wasn't real. Perhaps it hadn't hit me that this was Link, the one I had known for so long behind a screen. Maybe it was better that way. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I recounted every little look he gave me and found that I cherished them.
"I don't know," I whispered.
She smiled lightly and smoothed out Ralis' forehead, "Take it slow."
The sky turned from bright blue to orange, filtering onto the floor through the curtains. We stopped for a break halfway there, taking wary sips of water while eyeing each other carefully.
As we continued, a silence draped over us like a blanket. Creota slept in my lap, a little purr rumbling from her belly. As the town came into view I let out a sigh, curling my fingers around the curtain and lifting it back.
Epona galloped close, avoiding a cliff side then swinging back out. As the run down houses peeked through rock, the wagon slowed to a crawl. When the wheels stopped, Telma jumped out and carried Ralis quickly to the pueblo building. I climbed out beside Link as Salato came up from behind. She pushed herself between us, sheathing her bloody sword.
"So how was it?" I pat Epona's nose, admiring silently the depth of her eyes.
Salato responded, "Easy enough," she dusted off her pants, "I didn't help much though. Link's aim is spot on."
Link shrugged, "It's fine."
I twisted my lips at his lackluster response, holding back concern. "Link I need to talk to you."
"Yeah, what?"
"Alone," I pleaded.
Salato raised her brow.
"We need to check in with Renado and Telma first." Link insisted then lead Epona off into town. Salato rolled her eyes and left for the building, leaving me alone and flustered. I glanced back at the coachman frowning, then ran off to Link.
He was tying off the horse's reins to the inn fence when I walked up to him. Hesitantly, I curled my toes around the rocks at my feet and tapped his shoulder. As he turned, my heart leapt.
"I told you-"
"I know," I stopped him, "We just, we need to talk about what happened yesterday. Like, so we can understand each other and-"
"I know, I know…"
"So-"
"Mm?"
Everything that happened while he laid unconscious on that bed caught in my throat, a chunk of food in my windpipe. I cleared it with a quivering breath then continued, "You were badly hurt and there was no other way to save you…" Staring down, I paused, but the memory of Vox's words filled my head like a battle cry.
Look up Maizy, look up!
I met Link's eyes, "We're connected by my blood. I was panicking and I didn't know what to do and Vox said he knew something so I just did it. Now everytime I use my magic it hurts you. You were dying, I'm sorry, I just...I mean what would I...what would I do without you?"
A light breeze rolled tumbleweeds across the dirt, rustling shrubbery and shaking a broken wind chime. My hair flicked into my mouth but I didn't wipe it away. He sighed, touching the stitches in his tunic where his scar lied underneath, "It's okay. Maizy, it's okay."
"It's not okay, I let Ilia die for nothing."
"It wasn't your fault," his eyebrows drew together, "That Vinderendetta was too much for us."
I shook my head, tears falling down my cheeks, "No, she didn't want to fight. Once she recognized Vox through my magic she stopped attacking. Don't blame her, please, she was being forced to."
Link crossed his arms, "Okay, then someone else was behind it, maybe someone's controlling them, probably Zant, either way, it wasn't your fault, Maizy, it wasn't."
"But I watched and I did nothing, if I had done something sooner then maybe she would've noticed. Ilia wouldn't have died, I-"
"Stop it!" he snapped, "Stop saying her name," his eyes welled up with tears and he desperately tried to wipe them away, "I can't blame you for what happened, so please just stop."
"Why not?"
"Because!" he threw up his hands, "because...I don't want to be mad at you. I'm not going to make the same mistake twice, I'm not letting you go. Ilia's in a better place now where she remembers everything, and that's all I could ask for right now. I'm trying to make sense of all of this so please stop."
I stared down at our feet again, mesmerized by the proximity of our toes, so close together. Link placed his hands on my shoulders.
"Maize, look at me." His eyes were soft, a blue from a summer day. Then, a smile bloomed from his lips, pained, but beautiful, "I learned the hard way that if you get caught up on all the negatives, you'll never make it very far. Back when I was in the Forest Temple, I almost gave up, but Midna reminded me that if I didn't keep going, no one would smile again. I held onto that, whether she knew it or not she does now."
Tears flooded my eyes, pouring over in waterfalls. I tried to wipe them away, but more came to replace them. A pair of arms wrapped around me, squishing me into his chest. Creota crawled from my shoulder to his, headbutting our necks. Link smelled like sweat, but his warmth melted my anxiety and finally, my muscles relaxed.
I backed up but he held me still at arms length, one hand on my shoulder, the other on my stump. Frowning, he let go, "I have to go tell the kids. Do you want to come?"
"No...no I shouldn't be there. Besides, Vox needs to talk to me."
Link nodded slowly, then, lifting up the kitten from his shoulder, he handed her to me. My breath shuddered as I watched him go down the dirt street, hair ruffling in the breeze.
You feeling better?
"Yeah."
Alright, head into the inn, I have it ready.
Epona snorted beside me and I gave her a pat before heading inside. The moment I shut the door behind me, a blinding blue light sparked in the middle of the room.
It's called a leiyn, every Vinderendetta gets one when they turn twenty. We use it to store magic, thus we can use more magic at once if we choose to. If you do this, it won't disrupt the fragments of your blood still in Link's body. Just charge it slowly.
The light concentrated into a small sapphire crystal that pulsated like a star. A golden chain flicked out of it gently as it began to lower to the ground. I ran and clamped my fingers over it.
Shrunk down to human size. That's what took the most effort. Along with having to sculpt the chain which I molded from your blood.
Reeling slightly, I unhooked the clasp and connected it behind my neck, letting it dangle. It fell down just above my chest, still glowing, but fading the longer I let it sit. Celincia's image filled my head suddenly, and I bit my lip, "So, all of this is a translation?"
Yes, it's when we take over another living body. At the start we translate much of the basics which are linked to our own soul. You can go as far as controlling the other's, but you can also stop at any time by finishing the bond between the two. The longer you take, the more the other soul gets used to the Vinderendetta and figures out how to control it. That helps the bond for us, but probably not for Zant.
"Zant is making them translate?"
Oh I don't know, but if he did he would need them to get as much done as fast as they could and he can't control what they do once they're in the body. But if the monster can control the magic, then it doesn't matter what the Vinderendetta thinks, they can't do anything anymore.
I held the leiyn in my palm, focusing a small stream of energy from my chest to the crystal. It glew, shooting out beams between my fingers. Creota jumped down from my shoulder and stretched, yawning.
And you can keep her in there from now on. Creota houses the soul of my daughter. She died when the other Vinderendetta found me and killed everything I had. My brother had left for your world with the others. The real reason I stayed was well, I had a wife and a child. They didn't know about us, just that I was gone.
"I'm sorry."
He paused, then continued, It's alright.
The door swung open behind me and Renado walked through with Ralis in his arms. As he moved aside, Link came into sight holding open the door.
"If you had wasted anymore time then I'm afraid I might not have been able to save him, but he'll be okay." Renado stopped to bow slightly to Link then headed up the stairs.
I let go of my Leiyn and felt a solemn smile grow on my lips. Link let go of the door and came up to me. "They didn't take it very well," he crossed his arms, "You wouldn't mind if I spent the night with them, right?"
Creota made loops around his leg and he picked her up, patting her head. I sighed, "No, of course not. I'll see you in the morning?"
"The sun only just went down, there's still dinner and-"
"Well wouldn't Midna want some time out of your shadow?" I muttered, "I understand, Link, but...They need you, without me, they need to feel like they're home."
Slowly, he began nodding, then closed the gap between us as he grabbed my leiyn in his fingertips. A scowl overtook him, "What's this?"
"I'll explain tomorrow when we're out on the road, just go."
He released it, "I'll bring you some dinner."
I nodded and he slipped into the road. Hesitantly, I opened the door to the porch. Telma stood outside leaning against the wall. As she noticed me, she smiled, "Looks like everything turned out fine."
"Mhm…"
A cool breeze chilled the evening air, the heat of day nothing but a lost memory. She sighed, "Those poor kids though. Almost made me cry with them."
"Are you going to head back tonight?"
She shook her head, "We paid the coachman for a one day stop, then morning ride back. Besides, I need to talk to Renado."
"I'm sure he'll be out soon."
"You stay safe, Maizy. Link needs you." She winked and pushed herself off of the wall, jogging off to the cement building.
A few stars poked out of the night sky, twinkling like little crystals. I held mine up to them, illuminating it against their glow. A million whispers came back to me, filling my ears with pleadings of hope.
