Waiting

Chapter 4

Ilia had not left her house in three days, opting to spend most of her time in bed. She had hardly said a word to her father since he had brought her home, and she knew his concern for her has growing, but she didn't see any reason to care. Her life had become even drearier since that day at the spring. The usual vibrant, colors of the world had been replaced with different shades of grey, and the usual noises of the children playing and the sounds of the local animals had disappeared. A lot of tension had been created around the village once they heard about her "breakdown." Every now and then villagers would glace up anxiously up to her window, only to see her sitting on the windowsill, her mindless gaze focused up the entrance to town. Colin had tried to visit her but she ignored him and maintained her sights to the distance.

The night sky was coated in dark clouds that veiled the stars. The only light illuminating Ordon Village was the gloomy rays of the moon as the clouds parted. Ilia was still seated at her window staring out to the village gate, waiting. The crisp night air gently touched her face, keeping her focused. Her whole life he had been there with her. Looking out for her and being her closest friend. Even during the dark times, when her memories where shrouded and she had forgotten who she was, it was her memories of Link that had brought her identity back. But since Link had left her uncertainty had began creeping in, and from that uncertainty came despair. Despair at the thought of Link not coming home. And that she had no idea of how she would manage without him. Ilia had tried all her life to convince everyone that she was strong, that she didn't need other people to survive. And in a way she was right. She didn't need other people to survive, just Link. because....Link wasn't like other people. With him, she could bear through anything. But there was something out there that was more important to Link. Then before her eyes flashed her saddest memory, the day he left. Link riding atop Epona, and herself left watching them helplessly as they slowly disappeared into the distance, until she was left gazing into the empty forest.

"Please come home Link." she whispered into the breeze somehow hoping that it would carry the message to him

It wasn't long before she feel asleep on the windowsill, hoping to see his face in her dreams.

The morning fragrances of the forest melded together and wafted into Ilia's room, slowly stirring her. To her surprise she awoke in her bed. The dark clouds of the previous night seemed to have lifted as Ilia noticed the sun's beam illuminating the room. It was then Ilia noticed the figure seated in the windowsill. But her eyes had not yet ajusted to the light and she could see only a silluette. Ilia's eyes began to focus as the person stood to face her. it was then Ilia found herself staring at the face, with a pair of deep, blue eyes.

Upon leaving the Twilight Realm Link had wasted no time, rushing out of the garden with a simple wave of good-bye towards the princess and galloping Epona through the cobble stone streets of Castle town and out into Hyrule field. Link and Epona ran all through the day. The hot afternoon sun beat down on them, but Link only urged his steed onward. Epona, feeling her master's new-found determination, refused to stop for water or food.

The moon was at its highest point when the two reached Ordon Spring. Link dismounted clumsily, knowing that his horse too was weary from the days travels, thanked Epona with a stroke of her mane and signaled to her that she was free to rest at the spring until called. Epona tossed her head in thanks and trotted over too the pool to drink. Link however continued onwards, towards town.

Even in the silence of the night, Ordon Village was still welcoming to Link. The soft moon light danced on the slow moving creek as the water flowed through to the lake. The slightest breeze blew from behind him, inviting him further into town. Link had felt nothing so homely since starting his quest. And it felt good to have his life return to some form of normality.

Link made his way through town until he was standing outside Illa's house. Link looked up to her window and saw only darkness, so he paused to think.

"Should I wake her?" Link thought silently "or should I wait until morning?"

"Go to her." Midna's echoed echoed in his ear.

Without another moments hesitaition Link made his way inside.

Link carefully made his way through the house pausing frequently to listen for the heavy snoring of Bo. Link then gradually made his way up the stairs, being careful not to make any noise. Once Link was finally up the stairs he saw Ilia's bedroom, the door slightly ajar. He inched the door forward and slipped inside.

It was then Link saw a shadow slumped on the windowil. As Link crossed the room his heart began to beat rapidly, every step made it beat faster and faster although it felt like an eternity to close the distance between them. Until he was beside the sleeping form, kneeling down to see their face. Her smooth skin was bathed in the moonlight making it white as marble.

She was beautiful.

Why had he left Ordon when what he was searching for had been by his side his whole life.

Link gently lifted Ilia and craddled her in his arms as he began to carry her towards her bed. As he quietly made his way across the room, Ilia began to murmor softly

"Link..." she whispered faintly

Link thought that he had woke her but relaxed as she soon drifted back into her dreams.

After Link had lain her to bed he crossed the room once more to seat himself on the windowsill. He soon found himself thinking about all he had done in the past months. His life had been changed permidantly. He was no longer the simple stable hand he used to be, but was now a warrior who had fought countless battles and defeated the Evil King himself. He had changed. and Link wondered whether Ilia would still recognise him. He turned back to Ilia and watched the steady rise and fall of her breathing.

Link spent the night on the windowsill, trying to figure out what he would say to her in the morning, but more importantly, what she would say to him.

The sun rose over the trees of Ordon forest and still Link sat at the window, waiting.

He glanced back toward the bed and saw her. wide eyed and staring at him. Her face was pale. paler than usual, and he eyes where red and puffy. But it was her. She hesitantly stood, as if she was unsure whether he was real or not, and continued to stare. Link too stood slowly and for a long moment held her gaze.

"Ilia, I...."

But before he could finish she was there with her arm around him, her head burried in his chest, sobbing uncontrolably.

Tears of joy ran down Ilia's cheeks as she held him. He relentless despair being replaced by unfathomable joy.

Once Ilia regained control of herself, she parted from him slightly and look up at the young man once again.

"What made you come back?"

"You did." Link said softly

Ilia pressed her lips against his. Finally doing what they had waited far to long to do.