So here's the next chapter, however I shall warn you now; This chapter contains things that some people may find distressing or even offensive, and I do NOT support any of the events that happen!
Hope you enjoy!
Fear was streaming through Link's body, every little sound making him flinch.
A crowd of now forty nine people trailing behind him – a royal soldier had died after falling prey to a golden Skulltula- each and every one of them shaken from the experience.
They had headed west from Castle town towards Kakariko village, as far away from Gerudo as they could get.
Sun was just setting as they arrived there, many children whining from the long walk.
"Impa has arranged that we stay here overnight. Choose any house you like." A guard announced.
The cluster of people separated into odd directions.
"We will meet at this point before dawn." The soldier continued.
Link shuffled along the dusty path towards a house he knew all too well. An elderly potion maker named Connie often let him sleep there if he was nearby.
He knocked twice before entering part of the usual routine.
She was sat at her desk writing down ingredients and tusking every so often.
"Link," she laughed, "what brings you back here so soon?" she turned to face him, small smile on her face.
"Just a small task, that's all." He said quietly.
"Well you know where everything is." She turned back to her work.
"Thank you." He headed towards the spare bedroom.
He spread out widely on the bed, thoughts taking over.
What the hell was going on? Everything was moving too fast, he had been given too much responsibility! But hadn't he volunteered himself...? What about Zelda? What would happen once Ganondorf figured out what was going on? What if he caught them in the act? Surely they would be killed-?
No! He wouldn't allow that to happen.
He curled into a foetal position, locking his eyes shut.
III
All Zelda could do was wait.
In fact she waited for hours, eyes glued on the large doors.
When she heard the door open she instantly began to tremble, finger nails piercing through the leather arms on the chair.
She could hear his footsteps approaching. Her heart began to beat at an unnatural pace, stopping slightly when his figure emerged.
His dark eyes glared at her; however they didn't look 'angry'.
"You're finally home." Her voice echoed off of the walls.
"I had a few things to sort out." He growled.
"And that included killing ten of my servants?" she raised a challenging eyebrow, "well, as long as it's all sorted now."
"Soon." He sat down next to her, "where is everyone?"
Her body stiffened as he turned to question her.
"What do you mean?" she said quietly.
"When I came over the bridge there was no one in sight." He gave her a sideways glance.
"Well it is pretty late-."
"Don't lie Zelda..." he sighed.
"But I'm not-."
He clasped her wrist sharply, a flinch arising from her face.
"Tell me the truth Zelda!" his eyes widened as his voice rose.
"I promise I am not lying!" she cried.
There was silence for a moment before he stood, hand still gripping her wrist.
"Where are you taking me?" she demanded.
"You will know soon enough." He smirked.
They both entered a small and compact room – the same used for the servants headquarters -.
"Now that no one is around I can do whatever I want."
He grinned, pinning her roughly against the wall.
His hot breath tickled uncomfortably on her neck, his hands roamed over her body making her squirm.
"Please stop..."she whispered sadly into his ear.
"No." He said boldly.
"Please... don't do this to me anymore. I don't want this..." she wept.
"I don't care what you want, princess."
I don't care what you want...
I don't care...
The words echoed through her head, never ending.
III
Link woke with a start, a loud banging on his door.
"Link! Open up!" Connie shrieked from the other side of the door.
He clambered towards the door, opening it widely.
"What's wrong?" he yawned.
"I've got a letter for you." She handed him the smooth paper.
He read it quickly, eyes widening with each word.
Dear Link,
Things seam to be going worse than we had planned. Ganondorf returned late last night, however he seams to believe anything we tell him at the moment. Zelda is coping but it is not easy, yet do not return! You have a duty to get these people as far from Hyrule as possible. Once that task is done, then you may return back here.
Zelda is counting on you. Please hurry and be safe,
Impa.
He sighed, the realisation hitting him like a brick. He had never felt so conflicted before.
"Link...?" Connie whispered.
"I have to get going." He grabbed his sword and placed it inside its sheath, "thank you for your hospitality." He rushed passed her, putting 120 rupees on the kitchen counter.
Outside everyone was gathered, worry plastered on their faces.
"Are we leaving?" a small boy asked curiously.
"Yes-."
"Where are we going?"
"Out through Kokiri forest, into the lost woods, then out through there." Link called.
He placed his sheath over his shoulder, waving an arm, indicating for the people to follow.
III
Zelda's whole body shook from the experience she had just lived. Her long hair was matted to her wet cheeks, eyes solid shut.
How could she continuously let him do this to her? It enraged her, clenching her fists she tried to hold it all back.
Bile rose up inside her throat, she covered her mouth sharply.
Every muscle below her waist ached, both eyes smothered with plump coloured bruises, lips covered in her blood.
She wondered where Link was. Already she missed him.
As she sat up pain circled around inside her stomach. Why was all this happening to her?
She felt disgusted; no longer could she hold it back.
Zelda shot off from the bed, scrambling down the hall until she found the bathroom.
Loudly she retched up blood, silently she sobbed to herself.
The sound of footsteps caught her attention, slowly she turned her head.
Impa stood there, eyes showing distress and worry. She stepped forward and crouched beside the girl.
"Zelda, you need to bring Link back! This can't go on anymore!"
"No... First he must save... the people." She whispered in small gasps.
"But this is too much-."
"No." Zelda attempted to stand but her knees buckled forcing her to the ground.
"M'am!"
"Keep your voice down!" she hissed, "I'm okay."
Impa looked down towards the floor where Zelda now sat in a pool of her own blood,
"Why are you bleeding so much?"
"Oh... this always happens." Zelda smiled weakly, "It's for the best."
A light slowly flickered inside of the sheikh's head.
"Oh Zelda...there was a baby?" Impa whispered sadly.
"Well it's gone now..." she whined.
"This isn't healthy! Come on," Impa pulled the girl up, looking at her dirty clothes, "let's get you cleaned up."
III
Wind and rain bombarded the group of survivors, pulling smaller people from their feet.
Kokiri forest was still far in the distance, at least two days away.
Link had never noticed how far he usually walked.
The sun was just starting to rise and many had grown frustrated with the weather.
"Can we please stop somewhere?" a royal guard asked quietly.
Link nodded, pointing off towards an open cave near the hillside.
"We'll stay here!" one guard shouted over the storm.
Once inside the cave everyone focused around a small one of the women had started.
Link sat away from the crowd, closer to the exit. He didn't like staying around large crowds for too long and appreciated the small part of the day when he could be alone.
III
She sat with the rest of the survivors, a small fire keeping her warm.
"I never noticed how quiet Link was." A guard spoke quietly.
"He always seamed so energetic." And elderly man sighed
She looked towards the boy, his soaked blond hair flat against his neck.
She stood and went over to him, sitting down hesitantly next to him. He looked her over slowly, starting from her mid length auburn hair all the way to her perky figure.
She blushed before speaking,
"Why are you all alone?"
She waited for his answer, a small smile surfacing on his lips.
"I don't like been around large groups for too long." He admitted.
"I can leave if-."
"No, that's okay."
There was a comfortable silence before he spoke,
"What's your name? If I can ask...?"
She giggled, "I'm Malon, it's nice to meet you!" she held out her hand.
He shook it willingly, "I'm Link."
"I know, everyone's always talking about you."
"Really?" he raised a brow.
"Yep! Especially after you agreed to lead us out of Hyrule!"
"Don't mention it." He sighed, "Hey, I hope you don't mind me asking but, don't I know you from somewhere?"
She laughed cheerfully, "My dad owns Lon Lon Ranch."
"That explains it." He laughed along with her.
She frowned slightly, "You seam...sad." she moved closer so that she could see his face better.
"I think I'm going to sleep, you should get some too. We have a long day tomorrow." He stood to leave.
"Okay, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
She headed back towards the crowd of people, listening absently to their chatter.
Too mean? Please tell me what you think!