He was right, about him haunting my dreams. I see him when i close my eyes, i toss and turn every night, unable to get any rest. I wake to my body drenched in sweat, my heart racing, and my chest heaving as i pant heavily. I find it somewhat funny though, as the nightmares i have aren't what he was expecting. I cry out for him over and again as our bodies mingle, the dreams so vivid i wake expecting to find him teasing me with those wicked kisses. I miss him, despite the fact that his last few words were right. I understand he abused me, ruined me to some degree, but in the end i made a friend unlike any other. The only part of my dreams that leads to the nightmare is watching as the light goes out in his eyes over and over, feeling the surprising amount of warmth he had slowly fade away. I watch the memory of me skewering him, his blood running down my sword and coating my hand, covering my chest as i hold him close and feel his heartbeat slow to a mere stutter before finally stopping. The peaceful look on his face as his last breath left him haunts me the most, the last of his tears streaming down as his first smile fell away.
I fought my way through the rest of the water temple, enjoying the silence from Navi for a while. I did worry about her but it simply was not the time to hear her going on about something she just wouldn't have understood. After continuing on to save Hyrule and princess Zelda i chose to refuse her offer to return me to my childhood, believing it would be odd to remember everything and have no one to tell it to. That, and i wished and hoped that by some miracle i would see Dark again. Those hopes have all but faded by now, and i have decided to reside with Malon and her father, helping around the farm while i work on making a place of my own. I simply could not go back to living in that small house in the Kokiri forest nor could i indulge in living in the castle with Zelda. Thankfully, the work here keeeps my mind at ease, allowing me to drift off as i listened to Malon hum her tune while i fed the cows. I watch birds flutter by, chirping away happily as a breeze rolls in, sending them off to some unknown direction. I sometimes think what it would be like to fly, and wonder if i will ever get to experience it. A nudge from Malon brings me back to reality, the sweetest smile on her face as she giggles at me.
"Link, you're always off in la la land, why not come back to Hylia and help me finish these chores so we can have some fun?" She laughs, another of those wonderful smiles of hers just beaming. "Keep this up and i'll go back to calling you fairy boy." she teases, sticking her tongue out at me in the end.
Fairy boy huh? Navi had left just days after our adventure had come to a close. I almost miss the sound of her voice shouting at me from every which direction, i must learn the fairy secret to where all their energy comes from. If i could zip around half that fast these chores would have been long since finished, then again, zoning off isn't helping much with my productivity. I quickly get back to work as memories begin to flood me again, it's almost to the point of wanting to forget it all. Sometimes i swear i can see the shadows moving out of the corner of my eye, as if they are watching me, but perhaps that's just me getting my hopes up again. I'm off to the corral to water the horses, enjoying the sight of them galloping around and whineying with glee as they chase one another. Even Epona is having a blast, though she easily outruns all the others. I can't help but smile at the young philly's vigorous spirit, always so full of life. Tomorrow i will be helping Talon with a few finishing touches to my new home we have been building just inside the cover of the woods. He was a little skeptical building a house out there, but i'm still a Kokiri at heart and the woods will always feel more like home.
I consider myself lucky to have such good friends that are so willing to help me out like this. Talon is even going so far as to build a small stable for Epona right next to the house so i can keep her with me. I wasn't too fond of the idea of leaving her behind but i couldn't have just left her out in the elements either. Her stable is closed off entirely so the rain, nor the cold, can get in to her and there's a second stall in case i were to have any guests over. I'm sure that was his way of saying he or Malon will be stopping by for regular visits. The house itself is almost finished, a few windows have been put in and the shutters for them have been made, they simply need to be placed. We even made some basic furniture to put in so i wouldn't have to blow all my rupees buying all new furniture to fill the place, which is nice because that stuff doesn't come cheap. By tomorrow's end i should be all set to move into my new home so i will be spending this evening packing my things, as i am sure it will be yet another restless night. For now though, my chores have been finished and Malon is waving me in for dinner. I wonder what tale she will ask me to tell tonight, more than likely her favorite. The perilous fight between me and the great Ganondorf as i save the princess and Hyrule itself from an unending darkness. She always makes it sound so much more than what it was, a mere bloodbath with me at the center, filled with rage. I refrain from telling too much of Dark and his involvement, that he was the reason i came blade to blade with Ganon and tore him to utter shreds. Even Zelda seemed taken aback at the scene, seeing a side of the Hero she never thought she would.
"Ah isn't my daughter wonderful, you do make the best cook my dear." Talon mused, a huge grin spreading across his face as Malon served him his plate. "Let's see here, grilled cucco with mashed potatoes and seasoned carrots. Looks delicious darling!" and with that, Talon proceeded to stuff his face.
"Father, you forgot to thank the godesses. Oh what am i to do with you?" she chuckled as she handed me my own plate, "Are you ok Link? I know you usually space off but not when food is right in front of you." her head tilting slightly to the right, a look of worry filling her face.
"Hm? Oh yes im fine, i'm sorry. I simply have a lot running through my mind today, nothing to worry yourself over at all." i smile, hoping to ease her concern. I hate to see her unhappy, Malon just isn't Malon without a sweet smile on her face. With that she returns my smile and walks off to serve her own plate, thanking the godesses for her meal before eating alongside her father. Dinner was surprisingly quiet tonight, usually i told one of my heroic tales, bringing smiles to both their faces, but tonight i wasn't all there. I ate my meal out of respect, not really aware of myself all the while, and dismissed myself for the evening when i was finished, cleaning my mess before i left. I could just imagine the worried expression crossing Malon's face yet again but was too out of it to care at the time being. I plopped down on my bed, my room residing underneath the staircase that led to their rooms just above. They always asked if i needed a light in my room, but i always told them no, that the dark didn't bother me. It was as close as i could get to him, surrounding myself with lifeless shadows as i rested at night. Somehow though, i felt different tonight, as if i was surrounded by some presence. Again i left it to my heart reaching out for any bit of hope and closed my eyes, sleep taking over me.
"Hello hero, i see you've been thinking of me." a familiar voice rang out, "How sweet, and here i was thinking you would have rather forgoten about me altogether." I look around but see no one. This is so unlike the other dreams, no water, no dead tree, the blood didn't soak me this time. Generaly his body would now be in my arms by now, limp and lifeless, but he's not here. "Don't concern yourself with finiding me, as i have already found you. I've been watching over you for some time now, waiting for an opportune moment. I do believe i shall reveal myself to you soon. That is, of course, if you're up for a little fun? Don't worry hero, you'll have what you desire soon." he spoke, and with that i shot up, eyes wide in disbelief. Dark? No that couldn't be, it was just a dream, i'm imagining things again. I grasp at my sheets tightly, trying to get a grip on myself. It wasn't real, it was just a dream, he's gone. No matter how many times i might say it, my heart still won't slow its pace. It's racing furiously, as if it were to burst out of my chest at any moment. I curl up, holding onto my kness, lost in my own thoughts. It sounded like he was really there, just beyond my reach. I could almost feel his warmth surrounding me, as if he were hugging me close. Oh, how i wish. I lie down once more, willing myself to dream that dream again, to hear him and feel him once more.
The dream never comes, and i soon hear Malon walking across the hall to wake her father. That man can sleep through just about anything, but Malon knows the trick. Soon the sound of a cucco rings loud and clear through the house, Talon's startled yells shortly following suit. I get myself ready, today being a big day for me. It is the day we finish my new home and i begin my new life all my own. I'm a little nervous to be honest, funny hearing that from the man that stood up to countless foes and battled a rutheless evil. You'd think i would fear nothing at this point but i suppose everyone has their moments. I leave my small room, nearly bumping into Malon as she walks by. I apologize, her face lighting up with laughter as she points at my bed head. Yes, yes, very funny. She knows good and well i'm not much of a morning person. As she hurries of to fix breakfast me and Talon sit down to discuss the final pieces of the project and how we will work everything. We settle everything by the time our food is ready, scrambled eggs and some sausage with the usual glass of milk. This time i dig in readily, knowing i'll need all my energy for today's list of events. As soon as we finish our meals i am off to complete a few chores for Malon and saddle up Epona, her excitement evident. Poor girl hasn't left the ranch in some time and is just itching to run across Hyrule Field once more. Our last travels to the house were with towing horses, bringing our supplies with us, Epona never got the chance to go. This will be her first time seeing her new stall, i bet she will like it as i added a personal touch to it for her.
Before long me and Talon are off, his horse falling shortly behind the always eager Epona. The field looks beautiful as usual, even when the world was taken by the evil king this place had a certain tranquility, at least during the day. Many different flowers blossomed across the vast expanse of green hills and shallow valleys. The sun danced atop the river that gently flowed from Zora's Domain, now entirely thawed from its previous dilemma. Ruto has since found another Zora to wed, a prince from the oceans themselves. I am happy for her, and relieved on my own end. Don't get me wrong, she grew up to be a lovely Zora lady, but i just didn't feel for her in that way by any means. The forest was coming up quickly, the trees so inviting as their shadows danced with the wind. I could smell the pine in the air, such a lovely scent. Soon that tranquility would once again by my home, the quiet peace that the woods seemed to bring. Of course, it wasn't always so peaceful, at times nature had its rude awakenings. I remember this one time, in the kokiri forest, i woke to bugs crawling all over me, some even managing to find their way up my tunic. I later came to find that Mido had placed sweetened tree sap on my sheets to attract them. Saria was the one to snap at him after all the laughter had died down. Now that the monsters had vanished though the woods were no longer considered a highly dangerous place. Of course some of the local creatures could be harmful, but for the most part even they left people be.
Not long after entering the woods a clearing forms, showing my little house still standing proud despite not being quite finished. We lead our horses to the stalls, walking them in and setting them up inside to rest and enjoy themselves while we work. I'm happy to find Epona taking to her new home instantly, looking back at me with eyes that seem to smile. I go ahead of Talon, walking into the little two story house we've worked so hard to build. It was a simple cottage of sorts, a living room ahead that opened into the dining room. The kitchen was small but well organised, and the bedrooms were upstairs, one spare for any guests that chose to stay. Some chairs had already been brought in and the bed was put together in my room as it would have been too difficult to carry it up the stairs. I was in the process of building a medium sized wardrobe and had a few planks for shelving that i would add shortly after settling in. The sink in the kitchen as well as a countertop and a few cupboards were already in place. Talon offered me an old dining table they had put away in storage. It was a bit worn but would work well nonetheless. All in all things were coming together rather nicely, and only within a few shorts month no less. Talon stepeed in as i walked upstairs, catching the two window shutters he tossed to me. i was to put these up and finish with my wardrobe while he finished adding another counter top and some more cabinets to the kitchen. A place to set a stove was set but seeing as those were rather expensive and neither of us knew how to make a proper one i told Talon i would just hold off on that until i had the rupees to get one myself. He had already done so much for me i couldn't ask him to offer any more.
we had everything set up and good to go by the time the sun had begun to fall, filling the sky with wondrous shades of pink, orange, and purple. I shook Talon's hand and waved him goodbye as he left, attempting to get home before his supper got cold. I promised him that i would drop by shortly to see him and Malon since we weren't expecting it to take so long to finish up. He was kind enough to have brought some simple foods over and even a couple of cuccos of which he left in the spare stall after leaving. I had other plans for the evening meal though. Just behind my cottage was a decent sized stream of which some of the local fish frequently swam through on their way to lake Hylia, and i had my fishing pole ready. Nothing beats a relaxing moment by the water, fishing to my hearts content, though tonight i would have to make it kind of quick as the sun was soon to set. I caught myself a couple of small fries in a matter of minutes and went back home, setting up a camp fire out back to cook them with. It was a great way to break in my new life, and after my meal i went inside to curl up in bed, this time falling asleep with ease.
"Finally, you found some peace. i have to say it seemed a bit stuffy in that other house, and those people. Well i'll just be polite and say they weren't my type, though that girl seemed to have quite a thing for you." Dark spoke, his voice seeming off into the distance. I look around to find nothing yet again, another dream it seems. I feel something brush against my shoulder but turn to find nothing there. A tug of my hair, a bump in the leg, poked in the back.
"Quit teasing me Dark, that's not nice." i mumble.
"Oh but being a tease is so much fun Link, especialy with you." Dark chuckles and i feel something grab my wrist. I look down, still feeling the sentation, but see nothing there, though my wrist seems shrowded in the very shadows that surround me in this place. "Come on Link, i know you're a bright one. You can figure this out i'm sure. Find me and i'll be yours." he jests. Be mine? That seems an odd thing for him to say, i thought it was..."Usually the other way around?" he cuts me off mid thought, "Why yes, you were mine for some time, but remember how you took me near the end, making me all your own for a moment? I decided i liked that, and am rather in the mood for it again."
"So you know what i'm thinking, you find me in my dreams. You say you have been watching over me for some time, knowing where i have been." I think aloud.
"Yes go on, you're getting close. So very close, now whose being the tease?" He questions, and i feel his smirk spread across my own face.
"You've been with me this whole time haven't you?" i ask.
"Well i am your shadow after all, created from a piece of yourself some time ago. It only makes sense that i would return to you after my death." he smiles, appearing before my eyes. "Wake up Link."
"But...if i wake up, you'll just be gone again. Haven't i lost you enough times already?" i ask, strain showing in my voice.
"You won't lose me Link, by all rights i never left your side. I was there, living beside you, as your shadow once more." he smiled, and with that the dream began to fade away. I didn't want to open my eyes just to find myself alone again. Imagine my surprise though, as a warm pair of lips met my own and i looked up to find Dark kneeling before me. "Hello hero, did you miss me?" he chuckled. I jolted up to hug him, a motion that seemed to startle him momentarily. I couldn't believe it, he was actually here, i was holding him in my very arms! I continued to hold him through the night, despite the millions of questions flitting through my mind. I would ask him all i wanted in the morning, but for now i just wanted to sleep in peace and never let him go.