Our Only Hope and Chance
Chapter 2
Zelda's hands were wrapped around Link's stomach as they continued to ride. Days had passed and not once had they stopped. Never before had she been so tired, so hungry, so sore, and so alone. Although she had Link beside her, it seemed as though they were the only two people left in all of the lands. Her tears had stopped, finally, for she had run dry of them. She rested her head on Link's back and breathed in. "Link?" she whispered, her voice cracked and no more than a broken whisper.
"Yes, Princess?"
"Where are we heading?" she asked. Zelda wanted her slap herself then. There was no way that the hero knew where they were going. "No, do not answer that. I am sorry." She felt Link nod and she brought herself closer to his body when Epona began to gain a burst of energy from an unknown source. Normally, if such horrid happening had not recently occurred, she would say to him, 'Link, if we don't pause for a rest, you will wear that poor horse into the ground.' But destruction of her kingdom had happened and there was no force that could make her heart feel light, and not the heavy weight inside her chest.
She looked up at the unknown and strangely forlorn land they now traveled. Grey. That was all she saw. It was in the sky, the rocky landscapes; it even seemed to tint the green forests that stood sadly in the distance. "Link?" she asked again.
"Yes?"
"Please… we must stop."
Link glanced over his shoulder to the princess that clung hopelessly to him. "We can't. Soldiers might be following us. And-"
"No! No one is following us! You know that as well as I. Link… if we do not stop then we will be forced to walk to survive. Epona. That poor horse of yours is barely alive. She has been running for days without food or water! It is a miracle that she is still alive. It is a miracle that we are alive!"
Link slowed his horse to a stop and dismounted his horse, leaving Zelda on top of the mare. He looked up at her and gave her his hand. "Then come on." Zelda reluctantly did as told and grabbed his hand, jumping down off the horse.
When her feet touched the ground, she fell in pain. Zelda bit her tongue and was hoisted up again by Link. She leaned on his muscular body and winced when her body screamed in protest. She let out a groan when Link began to walk on ahead. Zelda looked at his horse and closed her eyes suddenly from the disgusting sight. That poor horse… Its bones showed clearly through its skin that clung dangerously close to its body. Link was planning on leaving Epona here… to die. But, she supposed, it would save their already heartbroken core from any more damage. Zelda walked slowly to the horse, barring her teeth at the pain that spread like fire through her body, and rubbed Epona's boney side.
"Zelda!" Link called from further on. He was facing her now and she noticed his state as well. He was no better than the horse… But at least his muscle gave him some size. Around his mouth was unshaven and his eyes were those of an elderly man who had seen many sights and had experienced great trials. But, that was Link. His attitude, thankfully, had not changed, promising that he was not sickened.
Zelda began to walk slowly to him, ignoring her pain that seared through her aching body. When beside him, Link grabbed her by the waist with his one arm and they began to walk together. The hero and the princess.
"Do you think… that we will…" she began, trailing off near the end, unable to finish her words.
Link gripped her harder, showing that he was not to give up hope anytime soon. Pushing her onward, she sighed. Link across the fields to a mountain range that stood in the distance. There was probably a cave they could reside in there. Maybe they could even stay there for awhile. Until they regained their strength, that is. Right at that time, it seemed their only hope.
They did not get far before Zelda collapsed from exhaustion. Link handed her a small flask and allowed her to drink the remaining amount of water. She took it gratefully and clenched her stomach. It groaned for food and she bent over. Looking up to Link, she saw him take out his bow and arrow. "Wh-what are you doing?" she croaked.
The hero looked down at her. "Hunting. We can't survive much longer without food. I have run out. I don't even have a crumb. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Zelda looked at him, confusion evident on her face. "Where are you to hunt? There isn't a single forest near here and this land is dry and barren. Why would an animal be about?"
He closed his eyes and opened them again. His eyes told Zelda exactly what he wanted. Not a single word need be said. When Zelda nodded he knelt down on the ground and placed his bow beside him. She closed her eyes and murmured something softly under her breath. Some type of ancient spell. It was an animal spell long forgotten by all people, until she was taught it by a friend.
Her teacher was Midna, Crown Princess of the Twilight. Before the girl left for her home she had taken Zelda where they could be alone. Midna had taught Zelda the spell, incase Link ever wanted to become a wolf once more.
'Zelda,' Midna said sadly. 'I know… that this is not the best time to interrupt you… but, Link… Here." She held out her hand taking Zelda's in hers. A dark magic flowed from her hand to Zelda's. It twisted around her body like a coiling snake. It sent chills up her spine. After Midna was done, she looked up to Zelda. 'That was so Link can become a wolf once again if he wishes. But I warn you, Princess, it takes much strain and effort.'
'How can one learn a spell without being taught it?' Zelda had asked her.
"Our magic isn't a lesson; it is a way of being. The magic of the Twilight flows inside my veins. The Twili are born with it and we are inseparable. I guess… it is kind of like your Triforce. But not really, 'cause the Triforce isn't exactly in all of your people. And-"
'Midna, do you even know the meaning of the Triforce?' Zelda asked with a laugh.
'Yeah, I do. It was created by the Goddesses that created Hyrule and the Triforce is actually a remnant of their power. Why?'
Zelda opened her mouth to reply but closed it, not wanting to confuse the Twilight Princes. She smiled instead. 'I wish you best of wishes as ruler of the Twili.'
Midna smiled in return and gave a quick curtsey. Zelda held back a grin for the tomboyish princess was curtseying. 'What an honor it is to have the Princess of Light give her wishes to the Princess of Twilight,' Midna teased. Both girls fell silent for a moment before Midna began to speak once more. 'To use that power… just… well, I don't exactly know how to explain it, but I guess you should use your, um, heart? Yeah, that is it. Well, I better be on my way. I'll warp you and Link to the Mirror Chamber. And, goodbye I suppose.'
Zelda smiled, remembering her old friend. But she had left them and destroyed the passage between the two worlds. She shook her head. Just another painful memory. Looking back at Link, she placed her hand on his, the Triforce flashing wildly. A light flashed and the hero lay on the ground as a wolf. He was frightened by the light and his ears rested forward on his head showing his surprise. Letting out a growl, he knew he was a wolf once again. Zelda patted him on the head and watched him run away.
Link continued to run. It could take him a day to find food, but as long as he did he'd be fine. At least a bird would do. Then a flash of brown caught his eye. A deer. The chances of seeing one on such a barren landscape was quite rare, but it was a gift, he assumed. So Link narrowed his eyes and chased it across the dusty field. The animal was fast. But he was faster. Jumping in front of it he let out a growl and the deer turned away. Link snapped at its leg, just barely making contact. It continued running, but its pace was definitely slowed from the wound. Link leapt again, raking his claws down the deer's back. It fell to the ground and he bit its neck for an ending kill.
Link stared at the meat. He was a wolf now so hunger flooded him and he wanted to eat the deer right then and there. He shook his head and slid under the deer, preparing for a hike back to Zelda. Link almost fell once or twice, for the animal's deadweight and his weakness did not do any good for him.
When he reached Zelda, she stared at him disbelievingly. She, too, knew that he was so lucky. When he dropped the deer in front of him, she turned away to keep for getting sick. Link's bloody muzzle rested on her skirt and she looked down at him. "Thank you," she murmured. Placing her hands on his paws she prepared herself for another dramatic withdrawal of her energy and magic. Once she was done, and Link was his former self, she lay on the ground and closed her eyes. Letting out a yawn, the hero snorted. "What?" she asked, opening an eye.
"Nothing. You rest. I'll start a fire and cook the meat." He paused for a moment and added, "You might not want to watch." Zelda turned away and Link began to skin and gut the deer.
The sky was dark by the time firewood had been gathered, the meat cooked, and both travelers done eating. They had argued whether or not they should rest in their same spot for the night or continue onwards until they found a resting place such as a cave. But, with their current state, it seemed better if they just stayed where they were for the night. Link insisted on keeping watch while Zelda slept although the princess seemed even more reluctant.
Zelda's thoughts were dark that night, but how could they not? The current events replayed in her mind, over and over. Forever repeating. But how could an enemy be so powerful that it can destroy the entire land of Hyrule? Zelda paused her thoughts for a moment. She had to blame the architects of the castle as well. Although it was mostly the enemy.
The enemy bore no insignia showing who they were and where they were from. Thick armor shrouded their bodies, letting no physical appearance show through. Just plain coats of armor with long swords, knives, and bows. Simple and plain. But maybe the enemy planned it to be that way, to be concealed.
Zelda began to wonder if the enemy expected such an easy win. Link had begun to help train the guards and soldiers of Hyrule, resulting in powerful fighters that brought fear and joy to many. Before she had met Link, before the Twilight had shrouded over her land, not a single man could stand up to a weakened animal even. It was pathetic, actually.
Eventually, despite the overflow of unanswered questions and beliefs, Zelda slowly drifted into subconsciousness.
She began feeling a sharp jut in her arm. Zelda blinked twice. Light shot into her eyes and she winced. She wondered if it was already morning. Her sight of Link looming above her answered it. He poked her again and she rolled onto her back. Sitting up, she looked at the hero. "Are we leaving?"
Link nodded.
"My sleep was not full… It felt like a few minutes…"
"Probably because we haven't slept in days."
Zelda agreed to that. She stood and stretched. She flinched when her stiff and sore muscles screamed in pain. Zelda looked back at Link who was holding some meat out to her.
"Hurry up and eat, Prin- Zelda, I mean. We have to go." When Zelda took the food he looked at the mountains. "I was thinking that we should head there. There are probably caves. And animals to hunt, too. Maybe there might even be a tribe of some sorts. But the chances of taking us in are most likely low right now. We look like two bandits." He stretched upwards before pointing to the mountains. "It looks like there might be a valley there. The landscape sort of slops there from all sides."
~*~*~*~*~
They walked along the open plains together, side-by-side. Occasionally they paused for a little break. Link, luckily, had found a stream during his hunt and took Zelda back there to drink. He also filled up his flask until it could not hold anymore water. Then they set out again.
Zelda had asked Link if he thought it ever rained on the forlorn land. He guessed that it had not seen rain for many, many days or even months. Rain would be good, of course. It was a wonder the forest still was green.
They had found caves. Along with mountain loins and bears for food. But they had no firewood as they traveled. So they began to scavenge up all of the flammable material. Zelda even used some of her dress. She used her Din's Fire to start the fire, although she didn't have the will to make it. But in the end she did. Even if she did not side with the Goddesses, she sided with her survival that ensured that she somewhat sided with the Goddesses.
Several days had passed and they still were traveling the mountains. Link's goal was to reach the valley that he believed to be not so far away. But sight can be a fooling sense.
Zelda was in awe when they first reached the valley, finally. Green grass, forests, and even houses were visible. She was not sure whether to begin jumping with joy or to stay right at the weakened hero's side. Zelda grabbed hold of Link's arm and pulled him down the mountain side to the small village that rested below them.
"Zelda," Link said to the overly anxious girl. "Zelda. Zelda! Stop! We don't know who these people are and-"
Zelda turned around angrily. "This village is in peace. Isn't that obvious? Now. Come. On." She pulled him again and Link rolled his eyes. They both ran as fast as their horrid states could allow them and eventually reached the bottom of the hill and the outskirt of the village. Both of them were panting heavily with their hands on their knees.
"Zelda, please, please don't do that again."
Zelda replied with a smile and began heading to the village. It felt as if her strength had been fully revived. Or she was just running on anxiety. When she stepped foot into the village she felt as if her heart had skipped a beat. Zelda fell to the ground and placed her head on her hands.
"Zelda!" Link called, running to her side. When he too reached the beginning of the village, he fell to the ground. His body was suddenly weakened by an unknown force. "Are you okay?" he managed to ask her.
She slowly nodded and looked up when two feet appeared before her. A man stood there. He wore thickly padded clothing which seemed to be a weak armor substitute. Cloth binding were wrapped around his chest, arms, and thighs. He looked at both Link and Zelda and grinned.
Link attempted to move his hand to his blade but he felt no strength to do so. "Who are you?" he croaked.
"Better question. Who are you? You are trespassing. You are prisoners." He folded his arms across his chest and glared down at them. When he noticed Link trying to stand, he let out a small chuckle. "That energetic field you felt when you entered her drained you energy. Now, are you going to answer me?"
Link said nothing. Zelda said nothing. Both of their states allowed them to say nothing. Luckily, the man had noticed that. He rolled his eyes and yanked both of them up to their feet.
"Come with me," he said simply. He dragged them through the village that was surprisingly empty. The man brought them to a small house at the far end and pushed them inside. "Master," he called out into surprising darkness. "I have guests."
"You may leave," replied a voice from in the shadows.
The man nodded and dropped the princess and hero to the ground. He slammed the door shut behind him, shutting out the light as well.
~*~*~*~*~
AH! I am so very sorry I haven't updated in a long time. I have been really, really busy… And why I ended the chapter here, I don't know. I tried writing more but it just didn't turn out well. So, anyways I hope you enjoyed. And comments and advice are always welcome. Thanks. ~Rosie