So this is the last chapter i shall be writing for this little fic. I found this certain chapter rather challenging to write.
Zelda lay emotionless in her large bed, covers pulled up to her chin, a box of clean tissues at her side.
Her throat continued to burn; it had for days now but she hadn't done anything about it, nor had she told Impa. She didn't want the sheikah worrying.
She could hear Ganondorf shouting, in one of his rages, at a servant downstairs and for the first time, she didn't care. She was in too much pain to even breathe. She just wanted to give up, surely Castle town would be safe by now, and it had been over two weeks.
She could hear the large footsteps of Ganondorf as he made his way towards her room. When he entered his face was seething with anger.
"You Liar!" he walked over to her and pulled the sheets from her body, "where are the towns people?"
"They went with Link, they should be safe by now." She smiled slightly.
He grabbed a tuft of her hair, jerking her head forward.
"Tell me where they are!"
"Now why would I do that?" her face was completely emotionless.
"You will pay, I promise you that."
He hit her straight in the face breaking her half healed nose.
"Ah!" she bellowed.
"You stupid woman!" he spat, "did you think you could stop ne?" he laughed, kicking her in the ribs.
She coughed up large splatters of blood, the burning from her throat moving to her chest.
Zelda clutched tightly at the cloth covering her breast bone. As the air continued to leave her lungs her vision began to turn black.
"T-That's ... where you ... are wrong!" she gasped, "L-L-L-"
He cackled, highly amused.
"L-Link ... Link-!"
"Call for him all you want, he's not coming back. I'll make sure of it." Ganondorf stepped slightly on her left rib.
She finally blacked out from the pain.
III
The lost woods were an actual nightmare. They had become lost on several occasions, taking secret exits into Goron city or even back to Kokiri, therefore having to start again.
Eventually Link had decided to listen to Navi's ideas. She had been yelling his name for hours, pushing him into submission.
"Hey, listen-!"
"What is it?" Link had glared towards the fairy.
"Look!" Navi flew over to one of the four exits.
"We've been through this one already!"
"Have you?"
Link shrugged, following the fairy's advice.
No one knew what was beyond the lost woods; no one here had ever left the 'safety' of Hyrule. Not even Link.
Sun pierced through Link's half closed eyelids, making him wince from the intensity.
"Oh my..." Malon gasped from beside him.
"What is it? Are we back in kokiri?" a man shouted from behind them.
"No, better!" Malon laughed.
Link opened his eyes, both of them widening in amazement.
The sky was the first thing he could register; a bright purple horizon shone above them, electrified with luminous stars only the outlines were visible, three large mountains blocked the rest of the suns glow from their faces. Tree's and other plants flooded the land, small streams running randomly around the sides.
"We're free... were free!" the crowd shouted with joy.
"Where is this place?" Malon asked.
"I've heard about it! It's apparently a Haven, or a purgatory, left by the three goddesses – Nayru, Din, and Farore – for all those who seek peace. The burning sun signifies Din, the plants and wildlife around us signifies Farore, and the wisdom that this land holds signifies Nayru. I always thought it was just an ancient legend." A royal guard shouted.
"Wow... this is really something!" an elderly woman laughed.
"But what if someone follows us?" Malon announced.
Link thought about it before bringing out a bomb from his bomb bag. He placed it in front of the narrow entrance. As the bomb exploded rocks and rubble submerged the only way out; the only way in.
"There!" Link smiled, "now, shall we begin?"
III
As the towns people began to rebuild their houses Link began to think things over.
His task was now complete and Castle town was now safe, but what about Zelda? He had received her letter a few days ago before they had left Kokiri,
"Dear Link,
I'm happy to know that you are safe! Don't feel rushed to come back straight away, relax for a while. I will be fine.
Please reply if you can, Zelda."
But he couldn't stop thinking about her!
But how would he get to her? He had foolishly blocked the exit.
He sighed, faintly annoyed with himself.
Suddenly a sharp pain flashed through his left hand, his Hyrulian crest mark glowing a faint yellow.
What could be happening now?
The pain quickly became worse, throbbing with excruciating spasms. His knees buckled sending him to the floor, body curled into a rigid mess.
Croaked cries escaped from his mouth. His sight fully blackened as he passed out.
III
He opened his eyes groggily, his vision slightly blurred. Grass tickled under his nose making it wrinkle. He had always hated that feeling.
Where was he?
Lifting his head he scanned the location he was in. Grass, grass and- Hyrule castle! His eyes widened as he attempted to hold back a startled scream. He settled instead for a choked gasp.
How did he get here? The last he knew he was with the towns people helping to build their homes.
All he could remember was that the mark on his left hand had begun to glow.
He looked down at his hand; he Hyrulian crest was freshly singed into his skin. Link winced just looking at it.
Castle town was a mere hour away, Kokiri was now a two day walk.
Which way should he go? The people were safe now, right? He had promised himself that he would return for her.
For Zelda.
He nodded his head, of course he would return for her! What was he thinking?
He began to march towards the castle...
After about fifteen minutes of walking he came towards a small hill. Another hew minutes later he had reached the other side, however only to be pulled backwards by his arm, a pair of large hands grasped around it.
"Got you!" the nasally voice laughed
Link turned his head, heart racing from the sudden contact.
Behind him stood a group of twelve Gerudo guards, far too many for him to take on alone.
He knew it had been a risk coming back here, and maybe he had even become cocky about it.
They dragged him backwards until he was face to face with the largest guard.
"You're coming with us," he laughed, "boy; we're in for a treat tonight!" he announced as the rest of them cheered.
III
They arrived in Castle town not long after, pulling him roughly through the deserted streets.
"Where are you taking me?" Link croaked.
"Ganondorf has been awaiting your arrival, messed that blond up pretty well if you ask me-"
"Where is Zelda? What has he done to her?"
"I'd worry more about yourself if I were you." The guard spat.
They entered the castle cautiously, once inside throwing Link forwards, all afraid for their own lives.
Ganondorf sat there, anger painted thickly upon his features. An evil smile crept onto his lips as he saw the look of both confusion and fear on Link's face.
Link was pushed down onto his knees, bowing his head slightly.
"Ah, Link!" Ganondorf roared, "How are you? What have you been up to? A few tasks? Hanging with friends? Guiding Castle town towards a safe Haven?" he watched Link's expression closely.
Link lifted his eyes from the floor and glared into Ganondorf's.
"Where's Zelda?" he demanded.
Ganondorf curled his lip, "She's been taken care of-"
"Where is she?" he rose slightly from the floor.
Ganondorf also stood and stalked over to Link, towering over the small boy.
"You will see her soon enough!" he laughed, "Take him, proceed with the plans!"
"Sir!" the guards pulled Link away.
You will see her soon enough?
III
Zelda sat in her room, tissue attached to her face as she continued to cough. Breathing had become so much harder for her, causing sharp pains whenever she inhaled.
She could hear the chatter outside her door. It opened slowly, a small guard entering.
"M'am you are needed!" he extended his arm to lead her there.
She smiled slightly taking his hand,
"You are the most polite guard I have seen around her in a while." She followed him down the hall.
"Thank you." He replied.
Both she and the guard entered the quarters beneath the castle, confusion flooded Zelda.
"Where are we going?" she asked quietly, not meaning for the guard to hear.
"Your friend has arrived." He said as they entered a small room, the door closing behind them.
"Friend-?"
She gasped.
"L-Link-"
"Princess you are here!" Ganondorf laughed, "This here is what happens when you disobey me. I hope you learn your lesson-"
A shrill scream broke out from her lungs. She fell to her knees, what she was seeing was just too hard to bear.
Link was sat in a wooden chair, both arms and legs tied with rope. His nose, eyes and lip were bleeding and faint bruises were beginning to appear on the surface of his skin. His shoulder and arm seamed to be set into an awkward position, most likely broken.
"Zelda?" he spun his head in every direction, unable to see her.
"What have you done to him?" she cried.
"He's temporarily blind." Ganondorf growled.
"Don't cry Zelda, I'm fine-"
"Again!" Ganondorf signalled to a nearby guard.
The guard grabbed a blunt blade and proceeded to drag it along Link's open torso.
The boy winced as blood was finally drawn, small cries leaving his lips.
"Please stop..." Zelda whispered, tears streaming down her face.
The blade continued to leave red slashes over Link's slightly tanned skin.
Zelda didn't want this. Out of everything that had happened Link's safety was the one thing she had wanted to ensure.
Ganondorf grinned as he saw the look of pure terror displayed on Zelda's face.
"Stop! Stop this at once!" Zelda screamed standing up and running towards the boy.
"Now..."
Blood, lots of blood. On the floor, on her clothes, dress and face. Her eyes widened with disbelief.
How was this happening? Why was this happening?
"NO!" she dropped to the floor, mouth widely ajar.
"ARGH!" Link yelled out in pain.
He sat there, still bound to the chair, cuts and bruises scarring his body, but worst of all two long blades were rammed through his torso, exiting at the other side.
He started to pant, desperate for air due to his punctured lung. Blood poured from his mouth and wounds.
"Link."
He replied with a choked cough and a panicked gasp as his air supply became limited.
Zelda shook with fury. She would not let this go on.
Heftily she pulled out a thin piece of wood from the inside of her dress, a sharp slice of metal carved into the edge.
A light arrow.
Ganondorf had his back turned to her, totally oblivious-.
"You think you can get me so easily?" he laughed, mockingly.
"Yes actually, I do." She clicked her fingers swiftly.
Impa appeared immediately, Link's master sword in her hands.
"Now!"
Impa charged towards Ganondorf, barely a blur.
"Ha!" he spun around, "You think that's going to stop me?"
He knocked Impa in the face as she neared him, throwing her to the ground.
Zelda ran towards him, colliding with his body.
"Got ya'." He pinned her against the wall roughly.
He placed one hand over the two or her wrists which were hung above her head, the other on the top half of her thigh.
His hand began to move further upwards.
Her eyes widened as she began to thrash her legs.
"Stop! Not here!" she screamed.
She could feel his fingers nearing her under garments, the sensation sending a horrified chill down her spine.
Impa rose from the floor at lightning speed, impaling his back with Link's sword. The master sword.
Ganondorf roared, his eyes bulging.
Zelda quickly brought the light arrow forward, stabbing it through his heart.
"NO!" Ganondorf shrieked as he died, turning into s foggy dust.
Zelda sat there, heart racing faster than ever.
Link!
"Take care of these idiots." She pointed to the guards, "and get help!"
She crawled over to him, untying all of the rope sending his body forward. She caught his limp figure gently in her grasp, placing him steadily on the floor.
III
The air was slowly leaving is lungs, his mind closing down.
Unbearable pain was circling throughout his body, every time he inhaled the blades moved deeper into his skin.
"Link! Link!" he could hear her yelling his name, getting closer with each second.
Princess ... I'm okay! He wanted to tell her so badly.
"Z-Zel-." He settled for that instead.
He could feel her beside him, knelt at his side.
"Link! Don't speak, Impa has gone to get help." She cried.
"Princess, I-I-"
"Sh!" she placed a shaky finger over his lips.
"Love you..." he whispered.
She gasped, a large smile blossoming onto her face, tears running faster.
"I love you too." She placed her cheek on his.
"I... am going ... to die... right?" his eyes met with hers, slightly sad.
"...No." she sighed.
"But...But-"
He stopped when he felt her lips interlock with his.
The taste of blood filled both of their mouths, he forced his hand to move, placing it onto her cheek, caressing her close.
Both their lips puckered from the touch, a quiet moan escaping Zelda's mouth.
Zelda needed this – Heck she wanted this more than anything right now! Been able to kiss the person you love, kissing a person willingly.
Link's wounds were terrible, going all the way through his torso. His eyes were closed but she knew that he wouldn't be able to see her anyway.
Poor Link. All of this was her fault. He was just trying to help yet in the end he always gets punished.
His wound was oozing a dark red blood; a large pool lay beneath them both, spoiling their clothes.
His tongue traced the edge of her lip, asking for permission. She opened her mouth willingly, welcoming him inside.
Link let out a large moan; this was all he had ever wanted. The feel of her hair intertwined with his fingers, her mouth connected to his, the way her chest moved in a slow and weak sync with his.
Slowly, she pulled away from his lips, analysing his features closely.
Link's face was relaxed and glowing a sickly grey. It was almost time.
His breathe began to hitch, his eyes widening slightly.
"I-In can't... breathe." He whispered.
"Don't speak Link! Impa will be here soon." She stroked his soft cheek.
"Will you do...something for me...?" he coughed.
"Anything!" tears began to spill.
"Play me... a song."
"Song? But I don't have my-"
"Here..."
He passed her his blooded Ocarina.
"You kept this after all this time?"
She took the blue Ocarina from his hands and began to play Epona's song, she had learnt it just for him.
After the song had finished Zelda noticed a bright glow coming from his pouch. She opened it up to find a small fairy.
Navi flew out of his pouch, blue glow bright.
She fluttered around Link's head as Zelda proceeded to repeat the song.
Link smiled... he had always liked this song, but-
Zelda looked so sad, it broke his heart.
He reached upwards with his hand and placed it onto the side of her face. Link stroked her soft skin slowly, smiling up to her.
His vision was becoming blurred, chest throbbing with pain. Breathing was a struggle but he didn't want to leave yet. He didn't want to leave her.
His eyes started to close slowly, trying to rest from the drama.
The darkness took over... it was nice here.
Navi fluttered close to his face, she understood.
"Hey! Link!" she tickled under his nose with her wings. He had always hated that.
His hand dropped from her face, landing on the floor beside him.
Zelda's eyes flashed wide, she looked down towards him.
"Link?" she lowered herself down, "Link!" she screamed.
"No, please don't leave me... please." She begged, crying.
"NO!" she collapsed next to him.
Please don't cry princess...I'm still here. I always will be! I promise... that one day we will meet again...soon.
III
She could feel it coming through her chest, the cries, the illness, the sorrow.
It still surprised her when the large amount of blood surfaced from her throat. An uncontrollable coughing fit took over her body causing her to bend into a rigid foetal position.
She knew her time had come, it had been near for a while now, and she had done well to avoid the consequences this long.
She lay next to Link, her head placed on his chest. She closed her eyes, relaxing against his body.
She could hear footsteps in the distance, Impa's voice sounded impatient.
"M'am!" the voice became louder.
She could feel Impa's hands on her shoulders.
"Did you bring him here?" she whispered.
"...Yes." Impa nodded.
"How?"
"The crest mark-"
Zelda broke into further hysterics.
"Please... leave me here... with him." She cried.
"But m'am-"
"Please..."
Impa nodded, slightly frustrated, "If it's what you wish." She stepped backwards.
Zelda closed her eyes, reminiscing this moment. Darkness taking over.
This was peaceful, she liked this.
She was finally with him.
Finally.
I suddenly feel rather depressed, a bit cheesy? Bad ending? Please review and tell me what you think!