Starlighter: Okay here we go again….ready? YAY!!!!
To the King and the saving of both lands
The sun began to rise, the light colors of the earth's atmoshpere spreading across the sky for all to marvel. Malon quietly crept out of Link's tent making sure no one was awake and slipped into her own tent. There she found Fiory, his head was rested on his chest, his eyes closed, he had fallen asleep waiting for her. She smiled and gently nudged him. His eyes fluttered open and he took a deep breath and stretched his arms high over his head. He scratched the back of his neck and rolled his head around. Satisfied to be fully awake now he raised his own eyes to meet hers.
"I see your back in disguise. You better be more careful, if I noticed you left the tent who knows who else. They may think that it's a conspiracy and attack you in secret, I'd have no word of you." she lowered her gaze knowing there was some truth to his words yet knowing also that there was something more behind them. Gathering her courage she sighed and spoke her mind, "And don't you think that they would think that you are in this conspiracy if out of all of them you are the only one to speak to me? Tell me Fiory, this protection you offer me is putting your respect and honor in jeapordy…why do you do it? You have nothing to gain." He took a deep breath and onto her eyes he smiled. "You've known, all along, since I first offered my heart on a platter." His hands reached for hers. "All I have to gain is your love, if even your sympathy for a friendship. My dark desires pray for Link's untimely death and your falling into my arms and yet I put them at bay for I know your happiness lies at his side. Your friendship is all I ask, your safety my top prioreity for even though you can never be mine, at least you will be alive and safe at his side."
She broke their stare looking elsewhere. She couldn't bare for him to feel the way he did yet what could she possibly do? She could not part in two….nor would she want to for her whole heart was Link's. Friendship the love of a brother towards him was all she could offer. She nodded and backed her hands away. "You should leave before suspicion clouds the soldiers and steers them off the course of this mission." He nodded and left without another word.
A few hours later the men began to wake steadily stepping out onto the fresh air of the morning. Some went out to hunt while the others gathered wood for fire. Sleepy and tired they fulfilled their morning duties until the time came and Link gathered them all. " Men, here we are at Norlin Bridge, the trial lies ahead in our crossing from here to the southern border. I will not lie and tell you that we will all make it to the other side, truth is I may not make it to the other side. But we have to save this land for the future of you all." He overlooked the crowd of scared and valiant soldiers and sighed. "May the Goddessess be with us all, but with those who'm will not see but the bright lights of the sacred realms of death I salut you for your strength perseverance and devotion to your people, to your Kingdom, to your loved ones, to your family and to all."
The soldiers cheered and saluted their prince in making them feel welcome and ready to embrace death with open arms should it come. With that they saddled their horses and rode out far into the forest, towards the southern border of Noreyes.
--------SOME TIME LATER, CROSSING NORLIN BRIDGE------
The crossing of the bridge was quiet…too quiet. Fog began to settle in and the soldiers were left blind and oblivious to their surroundings, Link feared an attack from Hyrule knowing they were vulnerable and that they had the advantage of attacking them on the bridge. Their horses hooves echoed atop the great construction that was Norlin bridge, tall statues of fierce warriors decorated the high pillars that held the bridge above the river. Large artfully decorated swords stood on each end of the bridge as a sign of some sort of commemoration. Link looked about and immediately felt as though the bridge stood amidst a great battlefield that happened long ago. "I wonder what the history of this bridge is? The statues make it feel more like a tomb….a resting place of some sort more than an ordinary crossing bridge." All eyes were on Fiory as he was the only one to speak for a long time. One soldier to his left cleared his throat and the eyes of the weary men fell upon him.
"This is one of the most important bridges of Noreyes, its history is one of the most famous all around the Kingdom. It was built as a compromise between the Southern border of Noreyes and the Central Kingdom. Before during the age when all the world was at war the current King at the time, King Daedaphylus stood with his whole kingdom aiding Hyrule. But then, when one of the highest ranked generals saw all the power at stake he gathered his army at the southern border and decided against King Daedaphylus. He thought that in conquering the King he'd conquer the Kingdom of Noreyes and in so he'd fight the other kingdoms gain their power and rule the world. Amidst the big war, a small war raged in this exact spot. Soldiers fell to their doom in the river right below us from trying to cross to the other side. Others their bodies were thrown into the river…when the war came to an end King Daedaphylus had won and had ordered his general to be arrested….he was never found. Years later rumors came of him being still with life and settled in another kingdom but without evidence no one believed in the rumors and had given him as dead.
"And so the King had this bridge erected and vowed to uphold the honor of the battles that fortook in this place. It would always serve as a commemoration to those poor souls who met their death in the crossing, poor innocents who only did what they were told…" The men bowed their heads in respect and an eerie silence ensued. Link's ears perked up at the sound of nothingness. He gestured to Fiory that something was not quite right. No sooner had Link looked upon his comrade and arrow whizzed by his right cheek, slitting flesh only lightly, but its sharp and deadly point met with non other but Fiory's shoulder throwing him off his horse. "Damn!" Link turned his horse about as more arrows began to fall upon them like rain. "COVER!!!!" They dismounted their horses and took their packs with great speed.With a slap to their horses' behind they sent their horses to the other side of the bridge and back to Noreyes. They then took to their shields and like a steel dome they prepared to move as one across the bridge yet no sooner had they raised their shields had a bright light emanated from the tips of each sword that stood at the ends of the bridge. The light set out like a wave from each end and protected the soldiers on the bridge. Arrows fell like dry leaves against the forcefield and as the men stood in awe at their savior a ghost like figure appeared in front of Link. "This bridge was erected in the hopes that no more battles would wreak havoc across our lands. I, King Daedaphylus, grant your army with my protection as long as you stand on this bridge no harm shall come to any who stand with you." Link narrowed his eyes at the figure unsure of whether to trust it, yet it had indeed protected them and so he had no choice, yet the question still remained. " Why do you protect us and not them?" The figure smiled and began to evaporate before his eyes, "Your heart can tell no lies to the dead, no barrier can protect your mind from the eyes of those who are damned to walk this plane amongst the living, I see your intentions are pure and solid in the hopes to end this pointless battle. May you not fall into my fate and may you rise to the realms only your time has truly come."
No trace of the figure was left, the arrows had stopped falling, the soldiers now aware that their attempts were futile so long as they did not leave their field. Link too was aware of this notion and had to think hard, though, to succeed in his mission he had to leave the protection of the bridge. A small nudge came to his side and as he stared down he saw the eyes of his beloved, eyes filled with worry and anxiety, he followed them to the site where Fiory lay, the arrow that had struck still in his body. Link sighed and walked towards Fiory, he kneeled before him and moved his head aside to feel for a pulse. "His pulse is weak…even if we care for him there's not much we could do for him Raliff." Raliff's eyes opened wide with shock at Link's cold words. Without looking at her twice Link stood and walked away from Fiory. In his heart he knew that what he said was cold, brutal, and unkind in any way yet it was the truth…or a form of the truth. He jealousy knew no bounds…for Link knew that if he tried, Fiory's life could be spared….there was a slight chance for his survival although slim…yet he knew that if Fiory survived…there would always be that chance that he could take Malon's heart away from him….he decided to ignore his conscience and keep his mind on his mission…though not the best decision…
"Gibert, aim your bow between those two trees and fire an arrow." Gibert nodded and did as was told yet the arrow failed and fell limp against the field. It seemed that as it served protection against attack it also served as protection from attacking others, this was yet another set back, as they could neither leave the bridge nor attack from it. His eyes followed the failing arrows' resting place along the side of the bridge to where the swords rose above the bridge.There at the very edge of the bridge where it connected stone and earth he noticed a fallen stone from the sword laying between the edge, a small spark of light emanating from it. He ran towards discarding that the eyes of his men followed him intently, he lifted the stone that was no bigger than his foot and examined it closely. "The King said that while I stood on the bridge those who stood with me would be protected. What if I never leave the bridge?" His men began to murmur in confusion amongst them for they neither understood their leader nor followed him in his train of thought.
"Yes, I do think this could work…Gibert follow me." Gibert followed his leader to the edge of the bridge. Link dropped the stone on the path before the bridge and put his foot ontop of it before moving his other foot from the bridge. A small forcefield rose from the stone and covered Link entirely. "Gibert I want you to shoot an arrow at me, do it quickly….we havn't much time before they notice the shield is no longer protecting the rest." Gibert raised his bow, hands trembling, and aimed at Link. The arrow whizzed through the air and fell limb against the shield of light. Link smiled and nodded to himself. "Come Gibert, stand by my side." Gibert followed and soon as he stood at Link's side the shield grew and covered Gibert with a bright azure light matching Link's. Link nodded once more and gave the sign for all to follow in Giber'ts example while he pulled a small rope from his pack and tied the stone to the bottom of his foot.
They moved out making rows behind their leader for protection knowing that if they fell out of rank the light of the shield would fall and leave them vulnerable. Still they were on their guard knowing that their enemy could not come from behind only the front. With courage they marched together waiting for an attack amidst unknown grounds….only waiting for the inevitable attack.
Raliff moved close to Link but as soon as she stood with him side by side she began to search with her eyes frantically for Fiory who should have been, at Link's orders, picked up and carried on a medical mat. He turned to her and pulled her aside knowing full well who she searched for. "He got hit….he was the first down Malon…" She shook her head in denial and pulled away from Link. "Look, there's nothing I could do….we were attacked immediately…tell me what could I have done to protect him." She continued stepping away from him and signaled with her hand to her heart. He stared for a moment trying to comprehend her signs and when he caught on tears developed on the side of his face…."Malon I love you….of course I would have done more for you….th-there's no denying it…." She turned and ran in the direction of the bridge and as he tried to run after her the inevitable occurred.
"All around me the trees stood closely together blocking out any sunlight that could have been seen . It felt like an endless night with horrors beyond your wildest imagination. My heavy breathing seemed to echo across the dark forest. Behind me the agonizing screams of soldiers played over and over in my head. You could hear as swords slashed and teared through their flesh how arrows pierced their bodies and dropped them so heavy and ruthlessly on the ground. Had the shield failed? Was Link's plan not as effective as he thought it would be? As I looked back there they lay, eyes fixed on me,eyes that showed pain and the light of their lives fading and dimming into the darkness of death. I felt like a coward running away, I felt even worse for leaving Link, my only love. But something inside, something urged me to go back for Fiory….he was still alive. As soon as I had Fiory I'd come back…I'd come back for him."
"I stood there and watched her run away from me…I realized then that what I had feared about Fiory, simply be letting the fear of her choosing him over me ultimately led to her choosing him over me…I had let my guard down and now my soldiers had gone too far ahead. They all stopped and waited to me to follow yet there I stood, watching in silence where she had once stood…breathless….my heart had been torn from my chest…..watching that fiery red head run away…..run away from me…Then came the pain after the shock…but wait…it is not heartache….my-"
Link's foot had been shot by an arrow right where the rope held tightly to the stone that protected them all. Immediately the seemingly heavenly glow that had covered the soldiers faded and they were left vulnerable. Link kneeled in pain at his foot that still held the arrow erected. Biting his lower lip he proceded to pull the arrow out. Unable to withold that pain he let out a blood curdling scream as the metal that was buried beneath his flesh tore its way out. All around him swords clashed against armor and shields in the background. Men screaming as their lives were torn away by the steel and blade of their enemies. Link tore from his tunic beneath his armor and tied it around his bleeding foot. This would not stop him from standing strong, back to back with his allies countering their enemies feeble attacks against them. While his allies struck their enemies without fear or remorse, Link, in a desperate attempt to save their lives would roughly knock them back with his shield and hit the side of their heads with the hilt of his sword. But many a soldier had too much perseverance, therefore leading to their untimely death at the end of Link's guilty sword.
"GIBERT!! We must try to move forward as one! If we stay in this spot we will not survive to see the King of Hyrule!" The soldier Link was talking to nodded and signaled for the rest to begin moving forward deeper into the forest. They continued countering attacks as they marched to their destination but were quickly cut off when more soldiers were seen ahead forming a baricade between them and the path to the King. Gibert looked to Link for a plan and noticed a slight note of panic in his eyes. Link's weary eyes searched for an answer amidst the battlefield and ignited at the sight not too far ahead. The soldiers of Hyrule that had been fighting them ceased their attacks noticing their goal ahead and ran swiftly towards the baricade of their comrades. Link inwardly smiled as they had left the path clear.
Now he stood with the few still true to him before him and the Hyrulian soldiers before them. He caught eye contact with Gibert and pointed in the direction were there gleaming in the darkness like a phosphorant rock lay the stone of Norlin Bridge. Under the cover of his men he moved swiftly with the others in close proximity.The Hyrulian soldiers in their occupance of creating a stronger barricade with their new addition of men had not noticed their leave. And so with a strand of luck hanging on them they hoped they would have the element of surprise on their side.
She stopped as well as her heart when she heard a soft grunt not too far from her. Following the sound she made it to Fiory who held his hand high towards the sky hoping to be found by an ally. Malon quickly made her way to him and knelt beside him. "Fiory…I'm here, I'm here, it's me Malon." Fiory opened his eyes, those eyes that met the beautiful azure orbs of the one his heart belonged to. He reached up to touch her face and ended up removing her mask letting the long strands of her red hair fall about his face. He smiled, what a sight to behold, he frowned noticing her tears and tried to sit up on his own but found that he could not. "Help me…sit up will you?" his voice came out soft but raspy, the arrow had somehow fallen upon him at an angle and seemed to have aimed at his heart. She helped him sit up but caused him pain as her hand brushed the arrow.
She winced and quickly let go. With his left hand he ripped at his sleeve and revealed more of the arrow as well as his flesh. "Malon….I'm going to have to ask you to pull the arrow out, I cannot do it on my own or else I'd do it." Malon nodded and prepared herself closing her hands tightly around the arrow. He nodded as she looked for his asurance. With a deep breath and no warning she pulled at the arrow with all her might. He screamed loudly in pain as the arrow came out and blood followed. With the torn piece of his sleeve he tied it around his shoulder and put his hand on Malon's shaking hand. "Don't worry, the worst is over." He smiled weakly. "Now we have to get to the others, help me up please."
Her silence stung at his heart as she only nodded and held her arm out for him to take. With her head down all he could look at was the side of her head and the strands of her hair covering her face. Still hoping to at least have a glance of her beautiful features he noticed an archer aiming for them.
His heartbeat loudly in his head, it all seemed to happen as though time were stopping. He reached around her and pushed her towards safety and as the archer backed his hand pulling back on the bow string for his arrow to hit true, Fiory waited and waited. Malon looked up towards Fiory in confusion just as he had inclined his head towards her, smiling, his eyes whispering 'I love you'. Then it came, the darkness, the arrow had struck, and he fell limp into her open arms.
Reality came like a sudden wave to a beaten rock. He lay in her arms softly being cradled as her tears fell on his face. "I-I no Fiory you can't, you can't, I came to save you….no…." He smiled weakly and as he tried to speak blood overflowed his mouth and he began to cough harshly, blood spilling out of his mouth. "Fiory-" "No….no…..I knew that I'd save you…hehe, I knew, that….one day my death would not be for war or for a King but for love. I knew……and I'm glad it was for you." He reached to touch her face and gently moved his hand to the back of her neck pulling her nearer to him. His lips caressed hers and she didn't refuse, she let him kiss her, his taste marred with the taste of blood. The kiss was gentle and loving, but at the same time harsh and bitter by the reminder of his fading life. He let go and with one last glance at her saddened face he closed his eyes….for the last time.
Now a corpse in her arms she gasped and panicked. Her breathing quick and harsh. Looking to her surroundings and then to the sky she cried out, a pitiful and pained cry, that could break even the coldest of hearts.
In the distance Link heard her cry, and knew it was her, and knew he was dead. Almost as a reaction he began to go in her direction when Gibert intervened and pulled him back. "My liege now is not the time, we must get through." Link nodded and continued. He rolled swiftly behind a tree for cover and nodded to his men behind him to follow. He looked around the tree carefully and there not too far from him lay the stone from the bridge. He rolled once more towards the stone and looked up at the men, the single row of men he left as a diversion for the men building their barricade. They stood valiantly awaiting the signal of another one of his men standing not too far from them, hidden, under the cover of the heavy forest. He lifted the stone and again tied it around his other foot. This time he would make sure to protect that side and not let the events of earlier repeat themselves. He signaled towards Gibert who in turn signaled on to the rest, like a chain he saw the message pass on until it reached his brave row of men holding their shields high. Slowly they began to back away from the barricade, slowly and carefully towards their prince.
Under the cover of the azure light Link moved towards his men and called them forth. The men that were in hiding came out and stood side by side towards the other in front. One by one they fell under the cover of protection and they once again marched valiantly aside their leader. Link gave the order and each pulled their shield in front of them, their spears held high and tight, ready to strike. Link looked from side to side, nodding in readyneess to each of his men, and with a swift shift of his left foot the stone fell from under his foot. The Hylian soldiers fell into confidence and ordered a charege. Arrows flew upon the Noreyen battallion but Link too quick shifted his foot again and activated the shield. The arrows once again fell powerless but the charge continued.
Once the arrows dissipated Link dissactivated the shield and the charge of men hit their shields with force. Link held onto his shield tight and looked into the eyes of the men that struck his shield with such force and knew that there was no other way…he had to get through. "NOW!!!!" Link's voice echoed amongst his men and the archers in the back pointed towards the skies and let their arrows fly true. Striking the men all the way at the back and confusing the ones in front of them they let their guards down. Link once again called out and together, as one, they pushed with all their might causing the soldiers in front of them to stagger back. Taking advantage of this break in their strength Link charged his spear forward and stabbed the soldier right through the heart. His men followed suit and row by row the barricade winded down to less and less men.
They all fell, mercilessly at the point of his spear or his sword. He cried out war cries in both pain and rage. Blood poured out of his fallen enemies like rain from the skies…this was a storm, a storm of blood as the rain, the cries of death as the thunder, and the coldness of his eyes as he stared down the fallen as the spine chilling wind. Many joined the dead, many, and few were their reapers. Blood splattered all over him and stained his clothing, his face holding an exploding expression of rage, fire seemed to eminate from the core of his eyes despite the cold that they produced among the rest. He could feel blood on his face, as well as on his hands,his thoughts cried out that he had spilled innocent blood at the cost of his father's evil will. Few soldiers now stood in his way and he held out the point of his sword in their direction.
Their body language screamed out fear as he came closer and closer. "Enough blood has been spilt on the account of a stupid King, mind you not the King of Hyrule. Still, you will lead me to the King of Hyrule, no more fighting, no more, we mean no harm. I only wish to speak to your King." The hylian soldiers nodded and made to lead the way. "Wait" The trembling soldier turned to face him and waited his command. "Many men lie here….send men to come for them." Link's voice was like thunder in the poor soldier's ears and nodding fiercly he managed a small "Yes sir" before he turned once more and continued to lead the way to the King.
With one last look in the direction of the bridge he sighed and looked at his hands. What had he done? He knew that there was no other way of going through to the King…or was there? Malon had run towards the arms of another man….she had left him…what next? He would face the bidder of his father's malicious biddings…the sorcerer, get the King out of the trance and then….he didn't know…go to war against his father? With what army? The Osirian army was at his father's command along with the Noreyen army…those loyal to him would remain with him…but who where they? The few that stood with him now? Would the Hyrulian army even stand a chance against the Noreyen and Osirian army? Assuming that the hope of victory would be victorious then what? He'd be the new Osirian King, would Malon be with him? Would she be his Queen? Too many questions to be answered, he'd decided that the Goddesses would determing his fate…as they'd done so long ago….right now…his goal was the King.
Malon still whimpered cradling Fiory in her arms. "No, you can't….why….it's all my fault…if I hadn't….no….I can't blame myself…no…things happen for a reason…I have to-I have to get him someplace safe…oh…Fiory! Fiory! My friend….when the world seemed dead to me you were there…when my love was far away and unbeknownst to my pain you were there…you are a friend I can't lose!! NO!! Please…please…" Her tears poured over his face. Some landed on his eyelids creating the effect of him crying, others landed on his parted lips letting the dried blood stream away. Malon sniffed and held him up, she pulled out the arrow that had hit directly at his heart. More blood flowed from his open wound…."The blood from you heart flows as an open wound that I created…by not being able to love you the way you deserved…for that I am sorry my friend…my beloved friend…I can only hope that the Goddesses hold you in a high pedestal for you great and valiant heart that suffered more than it should have…over me. For your courage to do what was right…for your purity to save a poor ranch girl whose value grew greater only because a prince loved her…If I could…." She neared her face to his and touched his lips once more with hers…..more tears streamed from her eyes and onto his. She parted with him and took a deep breath…"If I could but with one kiss bring you back….I'd give it to you….but I have…and nothing has happened…you still lie dormant….for all eternity!" Her hands marred with blood wiped at her face to clear her rosy cheeks of tears. But all she did was smear blood on her face which caused her to shriek and sob once more. "Fiory…."
She took another deep breath and looked up when she felt a soft nudge at her head. There she stood, the one that would never turn her back on her, Epona. Malon smiled and ran her hand through the horses' soft mane. "Epona…my friend…help me take this soldier back to Noreyes…can you do that by yourself? I…have to go back….I have to go back to Link. Please take Fiory back to the Kingdom." Epona moved her head as in agreeing to do the task asked of her and laid down for Malon to put the body on her back. Malon gently laid Fiory over Epona's back and squeezed his hand once more before letting go. "Take care of him Epona…" Epona nudged her face once more and turned to go back to Noreyes. Malon stood there watching her retreat until Epona was no longer in sight. Gather her wits she knew what was ahead of her….a real battle, Link, and the rest of her life…that would take on yet another new course. Turning in the direction that she had taken earlier side by side with Link she ran, ran like the wind in hopes that Link was still alive.
"How much longer is it to the King?" Link asked the soldier, "It is aproximately a days walk, hours only on horseback…but there is not enough horses for your men and mine sir…so we have to walk….a day's journey." Link eyes the soldier suspicously not knowing wether to trust him fully or not. Sill glancing back every once in a while for any trace of Malon Link continued having no other choice than to follow the soldier blindly. 'Malon…could that cry have been of your death??? NO…I cannot think like that…she's alive…Fiory must be…' "Why have we stopped?" He asked the soldier. "Kolms, someone is following us….above! In the trees!" Link turned to the other soldier who had spoken to their guide,Kolms, "Be about your wits! He is skilled."
Link looked to the trees only to see a flash of white blur before his eyes. He turned to the hyrulian soldiers in front of him and spoke sharply, "Should we be attacked by our friend of friends I need to know one thing and fast. Will you stand with me to survive?" They looked to each other not knowing what to answer. "Will you stand with me!!??" They nodded vigorously, the battle scene before serving as their reference that he would protect them being at his side and so with full confidence he shuffled the stone that was still tied to his foot and put his foot ontop of it, the azure light covered them all and there they stood…waiting for and attack.
Out of nowhere, the blur of white landed in front of Link, and rose slowly to meet Link's eyes. There, clad in blue and white, with a red insignia of an eye stood Shiek. Link removed his foot from the stone and the shield fell. The Hyrulians behind murmured "A Shieka" as the others stared on in confusion. "I have come to join you Link. You know as well as I do that the tides of battle await in your future. You will need help to bring it down. I am here to help, and do not turn my help away for I will only follow you and you also know that my determination knows no bounds." Link gave Shiek a crooked smile and nodded. "I wouldn't have turned your help away anyhow, I would have only vowed to protect you." Shiek smiled, "As always, where is she?" Link looked down…he knew of whom Shiek spoke of…"She…isn't here…I'm-" Shiek held up a hand to hush Link, having some idea as to what the answer might have been. "No need to elaborate…I understand your pain…we shall talk later my friend."
Link turned to Kolms and nodded to continue leading the way. Night befell the soldiers and they set up camp near a stream. Under the stars they spoke of other things, choosing to ignore the events of the day…knowing that it would not help to remenisce, and so they spoke like friends of old, of their homes and families like brothers in arms. Link made his way to Shiek and pointed towards the stream not too far from their camp. Shiek stood and followed Link, a bit of privacy would be needed, and the bright fire of the camp that held warm the rest of the men would not serve as a private place to speak of the heart.
Now behind the cover of the trees and the sound of their voices under the cover of the stream, they would speak, speak and share all that has occurred. Link smiled at his friends disguise and poked at the mask. "You know, eventually they'll find that it's you under that disguise and your father will ban you from ever using it again." Zelda smiled and removed her mask revealing her beautiful features. Her blonde hair bounced as she removed the head gear and shined like pale gold under the moonlight. Link had never seen her in this light, he felt a small surge of heat rise to his face but it quickly faded as the expression on his friend's face was that of angst and sadness. "Link…the sorcerer has my father in too deep a control…I have tried using all the magic at my disposal and yet nothing has helped….I cannot reach him. His eyes show but the shadow of what he once was…the shadow…" Tears rolled down her pale cheecks, her tears like pearls rolling down silk. "Then…the man that stole my heart…General Wufei…" Her hand touched her heart, "in trying to do away the sorcerer was charged with conspiracy against the crown and trying to woo the princess for controll….Link….he was beheaded…and I-I was forced to watch."
Then her eyes went from a pool of deep blue to a bright sparkling mauve ignited with fire, "It was all that sorcerer's doing…I want my revenge…I will not let him take my father along with Wufei…I can't." Link nodded and held his arms out to her, taking the chance and knowing that comfort was what she needed she took to his embrace more than kindly and sobbed away her rage and her sadness. Link held her gently stroking her back. "Zelda…I promise that we will get them…we will bring them both down just like we did Ganondorf." His voice was gentle yet fierce with the promise of help. He could only feel Zelda nodding in his chest and holding tight. "Don't worry Z," Zelda let out a small chuckle at the use of such a childish nickname, "We will do away with all the evil that plagues this world." Zelda pulled apart enough to look up into his face and smiled amidst her tear stained face. "Link, do you remember when you promised the exact same thing? Only that it was against one tyrant…this time…" Link furrowed his eyesbrows while wiping her tears with his thumbs, "It hasn't changed. The Tyrant is my father, the sorcerer and his army are only minions. Just like Ganon's minions. It hasn't changed, I promised that I would protect you and Hyrule, because despite where I was born, I was raised in Hyrule, that makes me a Hylian. That makes me the protector of my country, it's people, including my loved ones." Zelda sniffed and nodded. "Yes, to protect our country, our world is our duty…yes. I trust you with my life, and, I must tell you…that if it comes to it, I want it to be you to end my father's pain…Link." Link backed his head awestruck at her words but he understood. That if the sorcerer's control was too great, he would have to slay the King. He nodded and kissed her forehead, "I will, I promise." More pearls fell down her face and she fell back into his embrace. There they stood, like two soulmates under the moonlight, holding each other, ready to brace themselves for what was to come.
----------------------WITH MALON-----------------------------------------------------------------
She made her way to where soldies were carrying bodies down a trail. Most of them wore hyrulian armor, she made to follow in secret but a spotter howled across to the other men and her presence was no secret. An archer pointed in her direction and let loose his arrow, striking at her arm. She bit her lower lip and held her pain inside, her mask hiding her identitiy she held her spare hand up in surrender. One of the soldiers made his way towards her and held a torch to her face, "We are not far from our camp….who are you? Speak swiftly before I give the command to end your life!" Malon, unsure of what to do pointed to the ground where she wrote I am with the soldiers that crossed the bridge, my name is Raliff, I am mute. The soldier lowered his torch to read and laughed out loud, a cruel and cold kind of laughter that seemed to scatter across the forest.
Malon cringed at the sound but stood her ground clutching at her wounder arm. "We shall see if it is who you truly are…Take him boys!" Two men came to her sides and pointed with their spears at her back to make her move forward. They continued on the trail until they came to a small area with a large fire in the center. Many men sat around laughing and sharing a drink. Malon took in the sight searching for Link. Stopping to take out quill and a parchment of paper from her sack she suddenly felt a sharp pain as the spear that was at her back stabbed her lightly to keep moving. As they entered the camp the other soldiers looked up and Gibert stood the sight of Malon. "Raliff! Where did you go? We thought you had deserted." Malon shook her head and wrote on her parchment Fiory's name as well as his fate. "Raliff…we knew that he had…why…is that why you went back? Where is his body?" Malon wrote again that Epona had taken him to Noreyes and that he would be alright.
Gibert nodded, "Well, you might want to report to Link. He went that way, towards a small stream. It's not far just keep going straight." Malon nodded and began going in the direction that Gibert had pointed to when a spear blocked her path. The soldier from earlier was at the other end of the spear and a nasty smile was plastered on his face. "Why don't you wait here…he should be back soon. I still don't trust you…there's something just not right about you…" Malon shook her head vigorously in hopes that he would let her go but someone else stepped in, "Just let him go you, he needs to tell Link about a soldier of our anyway…as well as any other news that he might withold." The soldier laughed again in that cruel way and spit beside him, "I thought he was mute!" Gibert snorted at the soldier's stupidity and walked even closer. "He's got the parchment…don't be defiant now…I don't think you are in much of a position to be so anyhow." The soldier gave Gibert a nasty glare and set down his spear clearing his path for Malon. She nodded in Gibert's direction as a way to thank him and followed suit towards Link.
"So tell me…what happened to Malon…she didn't-" Link shook his head before Zelda finished that sentence. "No…she…when we were crossing the bridge one of our men went down…a man that rivals me…and my love for her. A man that in order to end this rivalry I left for dead. She thought otherwise, and brought me into realization that what I had done was beyond cruel. She made me think…what if it would have been her? So when she left to go after him…I let her go. But now I think that I let her go to much more than to just save him…but to be with him." Zelda cocked her head to the side and touched his shoulder gently causing him to remove his eyes from the stream and into her eyes. "Sometimes I think that a long journey you cross just to be with someone actually leads you to another. Perhaps her path led her to him…and not you." Link refused to meet her eyes after her comment.
"That can't be true…she loves me, I know it, she just…-" Zelda put her hand on his cheeck to make him face her, "No Link, if that were true, she would have stayed by your side…" Link shook his head, "Then why would she have come all this way, to battle by my side, if not for me?" Zelda sighed, "He was with you…he was by your side, he came as well." Link could not get her words out his head…were they true? Was Malon actually there to be with Fiory? No, they couldn't be! "If that's true, then who am I supposed to be with? Who the hell did I cross all this way for!?" Zelda touched his face gently and turned his face to look into her eyes once more. "I am not sure Link, I am not. I thought that I had my true love with Wufei and now…." Tear streamed down her face once more and he put his hands over hers gently making his way to cup her face.
Something twinkled in her eyes that he hadn't noticed before, something lured him to her lips that hadn't before. He closed the space between them and rested his forehead on hers. "Don't cry Zelda, I'm here. Don't cry, perhaps we were both really meant-" Zelda looked into his eyes and closing her eyes she whisphered to his lips "Eachother" no sooner had the words escaped her mouth did their lips meet in an exciting jolt of passion that coursed through their bodies. Neither had felt what they felt at this moment, what seemed to be forbidden fruit, a taste of what might have been but never truly had been. Her hands caressed his face while his held tight to her small shoulders then slowly tangling in her silky hair to the small of her back.
And….from not too far away, two eyes, two azure orbs, watched the scene in complete and utter horror. The pain that coursed from her heart to her brain was similar to that of loosing Fiory all over again, only a thousand times worse, a thousand time bloodier, a thousand times more heart wrenching, a thousand time more terrible. Backing away her foot cracked a twig and it made the two ahead look her way. Link's face fell and went as pale as the moon while Zelda's held a shame and disgrace that it never beheld before. They separated immediately yet unable to utter a single word. Malon's breathing was heavy, raspy, and painfully audible. Tears threatened to escape yet she held them in. So this was it…while I went and tried to save a friend this was what Link turned to…passion at the lips of another…while my end at the lips of another was bitter, tragic, and a stab to an already broken heart…perhaps Fiory was the one love that I let get away…that I let death take… She turned and ran, ran to the camp and stole a horse, mounted and galloped towards the bridge. Galloped fast and hard, not looking back, not glancing back, towards Noreyes, towards Fiory. Into the night, into the darkness of the forest, and into the arms of the Kingdom that had once saved her from Link.
Link had ran after her, Zelda had been left behind. Link had ran fast and hard, despite his wounded foot, he chose to ignore that small pain which in no way compared to the pain he had cuased both Malon and himself. He had let his jealousy once again dominate him, and he had used Zelda, used her to compinsate for whatever it was that had happened between Malon and Fiory. There was no excuse, no excuse for his rash and stupid actions. None, he had now hurt three people, his friend, his love, and himself. Still he ran, though he knew that as fast as a horse he could never go.
He ran until he tripped and landed on his wounded foot. A pulse of pain reached his brain and he howled out in pain, both physical and of the heart. He howled, like a wolf who had lost his lifelong mate. He howled, so loud, that the winds carried his pain to the ears of the horse which carried Malon and scared the animal to halt. Kicking up his front legs he caused Malon to fall from his back and land harshly in the midst of the Norling Bridge. The pain that she should have felt was numbed by the pain in her heart. Looking up to the sky tears finally spilled onto the stone that made the bridge. Feeling with her hands the soft white stone her mind took her back to the moments before when Fiory's life had faded in this very place. More tears spilled, sobs escaped her covered face.
She sat up, defeated, clenched her fists and screamed to the heavens once more, just like before. "WWWWWWHHHHHHYYYYYYYYY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!" She tore at her mask and revealed her tear struck face. "WWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYY?!?!?!?!?!?!?! GODDESSES!!! WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS!!!! HAVE I NOT HAD ENOUGH???? HAVE I NOT HAD ENOUGH WITH THE LOSS OF A FRIEND AND NOW I MUST LOOSE THE ONLY ONE I HAVE EVER TRULY LOVED???? AGAIN????I am weary of all this suffering, I am weary of all this pain, I am weary of all that I have been through. I lost my home, I lost those I love, and I ask you know why?? What is it that I have done to make you hate me so as to make me live a hell on earth? What have I done? Do I not deserve at least the rest of my life in happiness?? You are cruel….first you make me believe that all my dreams have come true. You make me believe them more than once…and now you rip them to shreds one by one!! WELL I HOLD YOU NOT MY ALLIEGENCE!!! IF THIS IS HELL THEN WHAT HAVE I TO FEAR IF I WERE TO COMMIT THE SIN OF TAKING MY LIFE!! I HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR BECAUSE I AM SURE THAT EVEN THE DEVIL WOULD HAVE PITY ON ME, MORE SO THAN YOU!!" She stiffled and struggled to stand but at last she did. She walked to the edge of the bridge, the edge that led not to a trail but at her ends at the arms of the deep waters below. "I am a fallen soldier of love, this war that is raged has taken its toll and finally slashed its last at my heart…I am…I yield to death's embrace." Extending her arms as if to fly, the tips of her feet already in midair, she let herself go. At feeling the rush of air push against her she felt the release of life's deathly grips on her soul. With her eyes closed, she saw the light, the light that all saw before they passed on.
Starlighter: SO???? WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT??? hahahah wait and seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! You HAVE to thank me this was one of the LONGEST chapters I have done!! woo hoo, a bit of a make up for all the time I took, it is rewarding!!! NO??? well you-
LINK: That is so tragic…why? Why did she do it?? I love her!!
Starlighter: Oh get over it! It's just a story….where's Sesshy???
LINK: I'll be taking his place from now on…hehe, yup, me the Hero of Time!!
Starlighter: OK!! YAY!!! WOO HOO!!! My knight in shining armor!! WOO HOO!! Ok REMEMBER !!!! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!
LINK: Yup, do as she says, or ELSE!!