I'm Falling

III. Poison

Link woke from a deep sleep. His body was sore, but was no longer searing in pain like it once had. The wounds on his shoulder and thigh still burned, but it was bearable. He felt a small, gentle touch on top of his resting hand. He opened his eyes. The bright shimmer of his chambers was blinding. He rolled his head to the side and sighed. Rhoam stared up at him with wide, worried eyes. Link gave him a weak smile and looked down at the small hand on his.

"Hi, daddy," Rhoam whispered. His eyes were watery and he sniffled.

"Have you been waiting for me to wake up?" Link asked. He moved his hand to comb through the boy's dirty blonde hair.

Rhoam nodded. "Mommy said I could wait here if I were quiet."

"You sweet boy, you don't have to worry about me."

"Are you okay, daddy?" Rhoam sniffled.

Link sighed and patted Zelda's side of the bed, beckoning the boy to climb in. Rhoam obliged and crawled in beside his exhausted father. Link wrapped his arm around him.

"I'm fine. It's my job to worry about you, you know."

"Mommy said she was doing something important."

Link furrowed his brows. "I wonder what."

"She was crying earlier. Did I make her mad, daddy?" Rhoam frowned and snuggled close to Link's side.

"Of course not. She's just worried. She loves you, and so do I."

"I love you too."

"Take a nap with me, son."

"Okay."

Link fell back asleep, Rhoam curled into his side. He woke again when he heard the door creak open. Zelda's slender form slipped through the small opening. She quickly shut it again, the light from the setting sun giving the gold lacing on the door a bright shimmer. She sighed, her heels clicking against the marble. Link watched her with half-slit eyes.

"Hello, my dear," he said softly. Zelda startled and turned around. Link gave her a weak smirk.

"Have you rested well today?" she asked. She sat beside him at the edge of the bed.

"I'm well-rested. My wounds are healing fine," he responded. He reached for her hand and held it.

"Good." Zelda bit her lip. She looked to Rhoam's sleeping form.

"What is it? How's the investigation?"

Zelda frowned. "The Yiga forged a letter of entrance when they disguised themselves as Sheikah. They used my signature, which apparently no one here quite knows yet. The guards didn't question the forgery, and let them in without question. The security and precautions here are not well-functioning yet due to our newness. The Yiga knew that and used it to their advantage. All visits to the castle have been shut down, unless we personally know them. Riju is also taking precaution, and visitors are not allowed into Gerudo Town until we properly identify the threat levels."

"Someone told them where I was." Link exhaled. His brain was on overload. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but his mind was making great strides in assuming things for him.

"Did you tell anyone you were going to the courtyard?"

"No. I ate breakfast with Rhoam and then we went to practice sword fighting alone. I didn't speak to anyone that morning besides you."

Zelda stiffened. "Do you think-"

"They have an informant here? It's possible."

"Oh, Link…" She sighed and covered her teary eyes. "I-I wish we hadn't done this!"

Link's heard hardened. He didn't know what to say to make her feel better. He wasn't well accustomed to being king, and oftentimes wished for a quiet life in Hateno with his family. He couldn't blame her for second-questioning their decision to reinstate the throne. She was royalty, but she had a choice. She had chosen to follow her father in leading a kingdom when she didn't have to. Link frowned.

"We'll figure it out. We have friends and allies supporting us. Hyrule wouldn't be a kingdom without you," Link said. He sighed, wishing he would have came up with something better.

"I know, but sometimes I think our life in Hateno was so much simpler. At least there I never had to worry about my husband and son getting hurt."

"Zelda, your father would be so proud of you for doing this. No throne comes without adversaries."

"I still feel his presence. I pray to the Goddess that we will be protected and blessed." Zelda reached over and brushed Rhoam's cheek. "I-I don't want him-"

"I know," Link said, finishing her sentence. "I don't either. He'll sleep with us until this is figured out."

"Right." Zelda nodded. "I want him to stay with you during the day. You're better equipped to protect him than I am."

"Perhaps." Link shrugged. "But I wouldn't underestimate the power of a loving mother."

"Maybe." Zelda looked down. "I'm so worried. Riju tells me we're great leaders. She also offered the assistance of the Gerudo should anything happen. But I don't want them fighting our battles for us."

"They wouldn't," Link reassured. "We're allies. We help each other. Chances are they're planning to attack the Gerudo as well. We should all prepare for anything."

"You're right. Riju voiced the same concerns." Zelda bit her lip again.

Link exhaled. He grabbed a glass of water off his bedside table and sipped it.

"Zelda, rest now. You've had a long day, I'm sure."

Zelda sighed. She placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you. Please don't get hurt like that again. I've seen you die in my arms, I-I can't cope seeing you like this. It takes me back to those times."

"I'll be fine. I'm going to start rigorous training again once I'm well. The Yiga can face me, but I won't let those cowards near you or our son."

Link recovered and began training again. He practiced in the courtyard, Rhoam quietly admiring his father's talents from the base of the fountain. Link pushed himself until his muscles ached and the newly formed scars on his shoulder and thigh burned with strain. He wouldn't allow himself to get hurt like that again, to put his son in danger again through his faltering, or worry his wife sick. Zelda was working hard to bring the kingdom to a stable prosperity, and he would do everything in his power to support her.

Zelda joined them in the garden one spring afternoon. She was dressed in her blue and white royal dress, and a tiara that sparkled in the sunshine. Link stopped to admire her beauty. Despite her struggles and worries, she had a stride of class and confidence. She was gentle and kind, but had the strength to fight anything that she deemed a threat. Link watched her with a light blush on his cheeks as she began to coddle their son.

After a moment, she walked up to Link. Her brow furrowed. Link sheathed the Master Sword.

"I've received word from Riju." She shook her head, worry on her features. "Gerudo Town was attacked by the Yiga last night. They were after her, but her guard, Barta, defeated them. She is wounded, but will be fine. Riju's requested that we see her in Gerudo for a meeting."

Link nodded. "Of course. Let's pack our things and leave as soon as possible."

After a few days of travel they arrived to the Gerudo Desert. They decided to meet at Kara Kara Bazaar, for Link and Rhoam wouldn't be allowed in the walls of Gerudo Town. It was sweltering, but the lake at the center of the Bazaar gave some relief from the brutal sun. Rhoam wiped his eyes and whined.

"Mommy, it's so hot!" he pouted in Link's arms.

Zelda chuckled. She pulled a small bottle of cooling elixir from her pouch. "Here, drink this and you'll feel better."

Rhoam drank the elixir while they waited for Riju's arrival at the Bazaar. They were greeted by the few residents and patrons, who were all surprised at their presence in such a sparse place.

"Queen Zelda, King Link, and Prince Rhoam," a Gerudo guard said. "We're honored to have you here. Chief Riju has arrived, if you'll come with me."

They followed the Gerudo into the small inn. Riju smiled bright when she laid eyes on the small boy. Rhoam ran into her arms with an excited step.

"My sweet little Rhoam!" she exclaimed as she hugged him. "Have you been a good boy for your parents?"

"Yes, Auntie Riju." He smiled up at her.

"I have a surprise for you!" Riju pulled out a stuffed sand seal plush and handed it to the boy.

Rhoam grabbed it and squeezed it in his arms. "It's so cool! Thank you, Auntie Riju!"

Riju smiled. "I'm glad you like it. Let me borrow your mommy and daddy for a moment okay?"

"We came as soon as we heard," Zelda said. "We'll send whatever aid you need, just tell us what it is."

"We're fine at the moment. I think what's most important is that we're open with our information." Riju took a seat at the table in the inn. Link and Zelda followed.

"They took on the disguise of Hylian and Sheikah women. There were three of them. They said they were sent by the King and Queen of Hyrule, which was an obvious lie. Despite this, the guards didn't think anything of it, and sent them straight to me. They didn't know we're such close friends, which proved to be their downfall. We fought them, but they were tough."

Link nodded. "It seems disguises are their current method of attack. But, I can't seem to think they'll keep this up forever. They must know we're on to their tactics. They may switch to something else soon."

"You're right," Riju said. She pulled a small, purple bottle from her pouch. "I think they're starting to plan something else. This has something to do with it. We found this on the group's leader."

Zelda studied the bottle. "It looks like monster extract."

"Yes, it does at first glance. Our researcher thought that as well. But, while it's monster extract, it's far more potent than the usual blend. We found traces of lynel guts and malice."

Link frowned. "Malice?"

"Yes. The Yiga must have been extracting liquid malice from what remained after the Calamity. It's all gone now, but they must've have collected some of it before it disappeared completely. This bottle contains an extremely potent poison."

"Oh, my." Zelda covered her mouth. "How do you think they were going to use it?"

"We're still conducting research on it. We'll give you a sample so your researchers can do cross-examinations as well. So far we've found that it has no odor or taste. When dripped into a cup of water it dissolves. Someone wouldn't know they were ingesting it."

"Are you yet aware of any symptoms related to this?" Zelda asked. She had a pen and paper out and was taking extremely detailed notes. She looked up with furrowed brows.

"Not yet. I'd advise you both to take extreme caution. I'm currently not eating anything I haven't prepared myself from my own supplies. I keep Barta close, as well as you both, but everyone else I'm wary of." Riju fiddled with her jewelry and sighed.

"You're right." Link shook his head. "We believe the Yiga had an informant within our walls, but we have not yet proven it. For the time being, Rhoam remains by our sides at all times of the day."

"I don't blame you. This is more serious than I could've imagined. I can't speak for you both, but I took the peace after the Calamity for granted. It seems there will always be a new battle to fight." Riju frowned.

Rhoam toddled in the room, the sand seal plush held tight in his arms. Link turned around.

"Rhoam, we're having an important talk with Auntie Riju right now," he said gently. "Return to the front and we'll come get you when we're done."

"Daddy…" Rhoam sniffled. He stood at his spot in the doorway for moment, then broke out into a loud cry. "Daddy!" he shouted through his heavy tears.

Zelda bolted out of her seat and onto her knees in front of him. The speed at which she moved put Link on edge and he stiffened. He knew Rhoam well, but Zelda was always a step ahead of him. She had a strong maternal instinct, a unique bond with her son from before he was born. She wiped his tears.

"What's wrong?" She asked, panic in her voice. "Tell mommy what's wrong."

Rhoam continued to sob, his breath hitching with each new cry. Zelda placed her palm on his forehead and winced.

"He's burning," she said frantically.

"Is he overheated?" Riju asked. She walked over to them. Link followed.

"He shouldn't be," he said. "We gave him a cooling elixir not long ago."

Riju touched Rhoam's arm. She bit her lip. "That's not warmth from desert overheating. That's an extreme fever."

Zelda picked Rhoam up and held him tight in her arms. She was near tears. "W-What do we do?"

"We need to get that fever down. We should take him to the Northern Icehouse. It should help cool him down. I'll get the messenger here to send my healer there. We should get going right away."

Zelda placed Rhoam into Link's arms as they set out through the rough desert. Link's legs wobbled as they trudged towards the Ice House. He had the strength to carry his son with ease, but his worry put the falter in his step. Perhaps it's a normal illness, Link thought. It happens to children all the time. But he still worried. What if it was something more? He couldn't rid himself of the thought of falling into an abyss, far from his family and friends. As he fell in his mind, he was defenseless as he heard the pleas of everyone around him. He clutched his son to his chest, the Master Sword beating against his back.