Chapter 8: Quite the Shock

They didn't spend too long in Goron City once the princess had finished taking notes on Vah Rudania. In fact, they had left later in the evening, as it was dangerous to stay in the city's heat while sleeping. So they rode late into the night (hiked, if you include the long walk to the stable), until the moon was at its highest, when they stopped for rest.

Link set up camp while Zelda wrote in one of her notebooks. He dared not to look over her shoulder, despite the momentary curiosity that came over him.

No. He scolded himself. It is childish to wish to eavesdrop on someone's private thoughts. For all I know, it's her diary!

He grabbed an apple from the food supplies and cooked it over the fire as the princess continued writing. He had realized that the princess could care less about what he was eating- or how quickly- but he still decided to do it in moderation. The last time he had had a nice big meal was probably before the Champions' Ceremony, as back then he was not easily recognized.

Though the cooks and chefs probably recognized him. He had hung around the kitchens quite often in his younger years at the castle. Fortunately, they seemed fond enough of him to keep those stories quiet.

Or at least he hoped. And for those chefs to know… that side of him… He hoped that they weren't concerned about Hyrule because that same boy was what its fate was relying on.

The princess had laid down and fallen asleep. At least, as far as Link could tell. It was hard when he was so tired all the time.

But when he fell asleep… he shook his head. He didn't want to think about that. He had to be blank. Emotionless. A Hero should not be fazed by such trivial things.

Not only that, but he was supposed to be keeping watch. There were dark things approaching, he could tell. And even with that darkness, it had never been safe to sleep alone beneath the stars without a lookout.

So he watched. He waited for dawn to grace them once again. He waited with anxiety, because he knew that with every dawn and dusk, the day to meet his fate was coming.

He didn't want to fail. Failure was his greatest fear. But he had a feeling that they… that they wouldn't succeed. And that it would all be because of him.

"Master Link…" Fi's voice chimed.

Link drew the sword and shoved it into the ground beside him.

"What is it, Fi?" Link asked as softly as possible. Despite being able to communicate with Fi through thoughts, it was much simpler to speak to her. Especially when he felt he couldn't speak with anyone else.

"You should rest as soon as possible." Fi replied. "Your sleep levels have declined quite dramatically since the Champions' Ceremony, despite being low to begin with. If you do not rest, then the cover that you desire would be at greater risk of falling."

"I'll rest at the castle." Link whispered. "Right now it is important for me to be awake."

"Master, I believe that you should report your sleep complications to Lady Impa. She will be able to find some sort of remedy."

"A remedy is not necessary." Link said calmly. "I am simply choosing not to sleep."

A pause. "You choose not to sleep because of your complications." Fi finally replied. "Perhaps some therapy-"

"And why would I talk to someone about it?" Link asked softly, but couldn't prevent the edge of anger in his voice. "That would most definitely make it worse."

"There are other kinds of therapy, although actually sharing your fears is the best, according to my calculations." Fi replied emotionlessly. "Therapy could also include caring for or petting animals, which, according to experiments done on the subject, is proven to decrease anxiety and stress."

Can it cure uselessness? Link thought bitterly.

"I heard that." Fi replied. "And no. Studies have not shown 'Pet Therapy,' as it has been dubbed, to cure uselessness. However, no one is useless."

"That's a funny joke, Fi." Link said, voice lacking any humor.

"I am incapable of this 'humor' you speak of." Fi said. "However, if you would like, I could program it into my system if it could somehow 'lift your spirits.'"

"Hmm." Link hummed. "Well, I suppose my spirits-" He broke into a yawn before he could finish.

"Master Link, I will wake you before dawn if you'd like, as well as if any dangerous aura approaches. I recommend that you get some sleep before you 'break down.'" Fi said. "Combining your bottled up emotions and thoughts with lack of sleep could prove disastrous."

Link shrugged. "And what are the odds of these disastrous consequences?"

"According to my calculations, exactly 3.14%, if research is accurate-" Fi replied.

"Well, then I should be fine." Link said calmly.

"-Of not happening." Fi finished.

Another pause. The sound of restless crickets were the only noise. "Well then," Link said. "Considering all of my bad luck, then I'll probably be fine. The more bad luck, the better odds of the good, right?"

If the Master Sword could sigh, then that's what Fi would be doing right now. Instead, she settled for a breathy chime.

Then Fi got an idea.

"I apologize, Master Link." Fi said.

"For what?" Link asked.

"This." A bolt of energy shot out of the blade and into Link.

"Oh." Link said dizzily before collapsing onto the ground, unconscious.

"I wish you a dreamless sleep, Master Link." Fi said softly. "Fortunately, this will cause no damage to you, and you will be completely fine other than, perhaps, the slightest bit of… shock, if you will."

Zelda woke several hours before dawn. She yawned, stretched, and looked around.

Only to see the knight sleeping on the hard ground by the long distinguished campfire. Zelda was surprised to admit she had never seen him do such a thing.

Unlike his blank gaze in wakefulness, his lids were pressed together in pain, his brow furrowed. He mumbled something incoherantly, but Zelda thought she caught two words, though it was difficult to tell.

"Please... no..." Very quiet, very hoarse. Maybe not the actual words, and Zelda was halfway across the camp anyway.

Please no what? Zelda thought. Perhaps a nightmare?

The princess shook her head. That wasn't important. Honestly, it was probably something completely random like "Give me… some cake." Who knows?

This knight seemed to do everything better than her. He destroyed one of the only links (hah, ironic) to the next step in guardian technology.

An alert came on the Sheikah slate, causing Zelda to pull it out and check.

Purah had added something to the Quests.

"'Shrine discovered at the Ancient Columns.'" Zelda read quietly. "'If you are nice, then maybe your knight will… take you there.'"

Well, the last thing Zelda wanted right now was to go anywhere with that knight. He had destroyed the only fragment of growth in guardian research, and he already followed her everywhere. There was nothing dangerous out here! Nothing at all for ten thousand years, right?

She would be fine on her own.

So Zelda rolled up her mat, placed it and her few bags on Storm's back, and bolted. Hopefully no one will recognize a rogue princess at this hour. I'd rather not have my father hear of this.

But that knight will probably tattle on me like an obnoxious four year old anyway. Zelda hesitated slightly and glanced back at the camp.

He is just following orders… Zelda thought. Perhaps I shouldn't leave him like this…

Zelda shook her head. He'd be fine. Zelda needed a break from having someone watching her constantly. And he'd probably be waking up in an hour or so anyway, considering that he was usually awake before her.

Zelda kicked Storm into a gallop, holding fast. I need to get a head start, at least. If I ride through the nights, I should be far ahead of him if he comes looking.

With one last glance at the Master Sword, which was glowing with a faint blue light, Zelda turned and went off into the distance.

This is the best way for me to make it up. Perhaps with the help of the shrines and the guardians, Hyrule won't fall into ruin.

Please, Zelda pleaded as she rode. Let me do something to help. Allow me to succeed like the champions.

I'll do anything you wish, give you anything you want. If you taking my life will save Hyrule, I'll do it willingly.

Ironic that she thinks guardian technology is going to save Hyrule, don't you think?

So, we see a bit more of Link's inner demons, as well as a few of Zelda's. I think I might have to put in her POV in a bit more often.

So, if you can tell, the next chapter will probably include the "Resentment" memory. At least, that's what I think it is. Who's POV should I use? Link's? Or Zelda's? I could use some help with that.

Tell me what I should add to this chapter! It's one of my favorites so far, but I still think its too short. It's like, a page less than the last three chapters! A whole page!

REPLIES! YAY!

Lord Halcyon: Thank you! I might think about doing that. Maybe I could end this before that part, and then create two shorter stories about split outcomes. Thank you! I really do like it when people tell me they like my work! I might have to start updating slower, because I might start falling behind on the other things I need to get done, but you never know! I've updated this every day so far- I want to see how long I can keep it going!

SmokeyMirrors: Welcome back! I think this chapter might have answered a few of your questions! Or maybe it gave you more! Hmm, Zelda. Well, I think this is going back to square one. But maybe it isn't! Will I change the memory up a bit? Make it even worse? Or make it so that Zelda and Link become friends? Well, only one way to find out about that. Link disguised as a girl... well, I can't tell you if I'm planning that or not, but let's just say that it'll be... interesting. When Zelda pointed out that his voice wasn't high pitched and squeaky, I meant like, really high pitched. Like, helium balloon style. I think that his voice is probably in the middle range- so if he was disguised as a girl, he could probably make it higher to sound more convincing. Random thoughts are the reason this story is a thing!

SmokeyMirrors (2.0): Hmm... well, this chapter may have told you a bit about his trials. There will be a few more hints in the next chapter, so you have something to look forward to. Greatest fears in the Lost Woods? Good idea! I'll certainly be taking account of your ideas when I write about that part. And yes, I will most definitely do whatever I can to shock you (hah, get it? Because Fi's pun... hah... okay, I'll go away now.)!

Thank you, replies people! Farewell! Until next time!