Unexpected Guests
The new castle was finished.
It had taken only a few months, less than half of a year, to complete this seemingly monumental task. There were new designs to the architecture that helped simplify the process. With this milestone passed, it was time to prepare for Princess Zelda's Ball. Whenever the new Western Castle's completion was brought up in conversation, it was quickly followed by talk of the Ball. The entire kingdom was invited. It was going to be a night to remember for sure.
Marickiya had settled into the loft of Link's house very comfortably. Link enjoyed her company and they easily got along. She had kept her promise of finding a job in the town. Link had talked with Sally and asked if she needed any help around her tavern. At first she became excited telling him of all the help she needed and how she would love to have someone work with her during the busier times of the day. When he said he was delighted to hear that and his friend needed some work to get back on her feet, she became less enthusiastic. Still, she kept to her word and gave Marickiya a job. It wasn't much, but just enough to support her self. It was all she needed. Despite Sally being a bit peeved that it wasn't Link who was her helping hand, the two of them became quick friends. They gossiped with each other about different things they'd hear, laughing and poking fun. Link was happy to see the both of them together a lot.
After both having full days of work, they would hang around the village until dark, sometimes Sally would even tag along. He hadn't learned much about her since her arrival, apart from what she confided when they first met. He could only guess at what her life might have been like living among the group of thieves to the west. She made it seem like she did not like to talk about herself, or have others feeling sorry for her.
Marickiya was rarely questioned about her darker skin, though there were plenty of whispers. She was either very good at ignoring all the chatter around her, she just didn't care. Once people became used to her being around, though, the topic was rarely brought up. It was clear to the townsfolk that she was not a danger to them. He could tell that she was appreciative of the gradual acceptance. The longer she was there, she became more and more lively. She at least opened up to show her happiness.
It was Link's last day at the job site for clean up, and he started it like any other. He stopped by Sally's bar first. Only this time he had a mission.
"Hey, Sally," he said as he dropped his knapsack on the floor by his stool.
"What's new, hero?" she asked. She pulled out a mug and began to fill it with his favorite drink.
"Oh, you know. The new Castle has been built and now there's supposed to be this huge party. Everyone's talking about it," he replied with a smirk. She caught on pretty quickly.
"Oh? So, now you've come here to ask me to accompany you the Princess' Ball?" She said with a sly smirk. Link stuttered for something to say, but she kept going. "I thought you would ask that farm girl to go with you." He lost his train of thought.
He actually had asked her. She told him she would be too busy catering the event to actually qualify as a decent date. She told him to go and have fun on her behalf. He didn't think Sally would like it if he told her that, though. She eyed him and continued her work as Link sat there trying put words back on his tongue.
"Well, I was going to suggest you join Marickiya and I..." She flashed her eyes up at him then back to her dishes she had been drying and he suddenly felt like he was treading some dangerous waters. Before he got the chance to start any manner of back peddling, she laughed. He got the feeling she was getting a kick out of making him uncomfortable.
"Link," she said after her chuckling, "I'd like to go with you guys, but I'm going out of town to visit my father."
"Oh," he said a little glumly. She looked sympathetic.
"I'm really sorry," she started to say. He shook his head and smiled back at her.
"No, no. Don't worry about it."
He left after tipping his usual and went straight to the Market. He and Epona, both, were a bit disappointed to find Malon was missing from her usual post. At least he'd get to see her tonight.
It was a relatively quiet day at work. The clean up was going by pretty quickly and when it was all finished, it was the last time to say good bye.
"It's been great working with all of you!" Tarro shouted out to the crowd of workers. "Look what we've finished together!" He gestured to the grand stronghold behind him and there was a roar of approval. Everyone was smiling and cheering vociferously. "I hope to see all of you again, here at the Ball. Make sure you clean up though. We wouldn't want a bunch of sweaty men stinking up the place." A ripple of laughter wound around the surrounding people. "Now, get on with you," it was the last dismissal and everyone was feeling very accomplished.
Link was making his way through the market towards the stables. He slowed a bit to eye the plethora of stalls covered in goods that lined the streets. There was always something new to catch his eye. He came upon a busier one that was crowded with women of all ages. The large stall held an amazing assortment of ball gowns. Though he felt slightly out of place among the women, he started to peek at all the different styles. He guessed he'd be seeing a lot of these dresses at Zelda's Ball. None of them truly caught his eye; they were nice, to be fair, and he didn't really have too many preferences in female clothing, but he just couldn't find one that stuck out.
Walking along the rows of folded finery, he noticed there was one dress upon a mannequin that every girl there eyed with envy as they passed it. Why did they merely pass it? It was completely perfect. It was a deep blue but the color popped brightly at the same time. The sleeves hung low and were held together by an intricate broach. Where the cloth was bunched by the pendant, the rest of the fabric hung in two flowing strands. A corset, something relatively new in fashion, lay at the waist and turned into a sort of apron with a design incorporating the Triforce adorned on the front. The skirt fell all the way to the floor. It was stunning. As he approached, he saw why no one was attempting to purchase the dress. It was well over twice as much as any other dress on display and they weren't exactly budget friendly either. He lingered on it for a second longer before he making his to his horse.
Marickiya was already at the house when he arrived. She was laying down on her pallet in the loft. She sat up for a second, saw it was he who had entered, then laid back down. For some reason, this made him smile.
"Expecting someone else?" She asked as he dropped his things by the door.
"Nope." She stated simply. He laughed lightly to himself.
He made his way up the stairs and stopped before they became part of the loft. She was laying down and had a book she must have pulled from one of the shelves in the house propped on her stomach. Her feet kicked gently in the air as she poured over the tome's contents. When she noticed he was standing at the top of the stairs watching her, she turned her head to him with an amused look.
"Can I help you?" She said, a bit bemused by his odd behavior. Link was just thinking about how she had never mentioned how eager she was to go to the ball. She only talked about it with Sally. Perhaps it was just a girl thing.
"I was just wondering what you'll be wearing to the ball in a few days." He said it casually. Maybe he could get her to talk to him like she did with Sally. What he did not expect was a scoff from her as she put her nose back to her book.
"Nothing." Link blinked a couple times. Did she have nothing to wear, or was she not planning on going? She seemed a little sour, so he thought he'd poke at her.
"That's sure to cause a riot, wearing nothing to a ball." Her book snapped closed and she dropped it onto her stomach. Then she gave him an indignant look.
"I bought new clothes, but nothing formal." She picked up the book and riffled through its pages to relocate her place. "Besides, I don't do dresses."
"Would you like to go shopping?" Her ears perked a little, but then he said, "I passed a place in the Market earlier-"
"I definitely would not be able to afford anything from there." She attempted to go back to her book, apparently done with the matter. The fact that she knew exactly the place to which he was referring meant she had stopped by there at some point. He was having a hard time believing she 'didn't do dresses'. She just couldn't pay for it and elected to forego the whole thing. Admittedly, they were pretty pricey for fancy pieces of fabric, but he wasn't about to go to the party without her.
"Nonsense. I'll help out."
"... What?"
...
It was more crowded than when he left it earlier. Mari, though she had to push through the people constantly, didn't seem to mind. There was a glint in her eyes that told him she was actually pretty excited to be there. They came upon the stall where the dresses were and Link followed behind Marickiya as she expected the different styles. He wondered if she would like the blue dress he liked from earlier that was still on display. He had half a mind to so, but as she neared the mannequin display, he watched as her eyes flickered over the blue fabric and moved on quickly.
"How about this one?" She picked up the corner of some off-pink fabric, not even bothering to unfold it. She was trying to appear disinterested. He eyed it.
"I don't think that's you, but you should choose whatever you want. Don't forget I'm helping you pay." They kept looking. Back and forth through the racks, there was nothing that really caught her eye. Link decided to step in a little when they had passed the blue dress for the third time.
"What about this one?" She didn't even spare it a glance, but she knew what he was talking about.
"No." was all she had to say. He rolled his eyes.
"You haven't looked at it since we got here." He paused. "Don't you like it at all?" She looked up and bit her lip.
"Maybe," he motioned for her to inspect it closer. She reached out and felt the fabric between her fingers. Her eyes shone as the preety blue cloth was reflected in them. She really did want it. He was a bit exasperated that she was being so difficult.
"Do you want this one?" She shook her head vigorously.
"I don't have enough for it. Not even to cover half." She looked a bit irate when he began calling for the man manning the stall. "What are you doing?"
"You know, I do remember saying that I was going to help you," he stated. She gave him a dangerous look that kind of surprised him.
"Link, I don't want you to spend that much on me," she said quietly. He shook his head.
"Well, I already know you like it. So, I'm buying this dress whether you help me or not." She had no other words for him, but her mouth hung slightly open as her face turned a shade of red. She was at a loss. The flattered business man came running after finishing a sale on the other end of his station.
"How may I help you, sir?!"
"I'd like to purchase this one please," Link was ignoring her steaming behind him. The vendor looked ecstatic, almost relieved, when Link gestured at the blue dress. When Link took out his rupee bag, the man began taking the dress down and packaging it. Before he could fish out all the money from within, though, Mari had slapped down everything she had onto the counter. She eyed Link wearily, daring him to oppose her. He didn't. He covered the rest and they left the vendor as people watched them walk away, resentfully. Mari retained her red face all the way back to their horses.
"You didn't need to do that." She said quietly as they trotted back to Kakariko.
"I know," was all he replied with.
The next day, there was a royal messenger that arrived at the village. His message was this:
"To everyone, for everyone is invited for this special occasion. Tomorrow nights' festivities will begin promptly when the sun goes down and will continue until it comes back up again. Bring your best faces and friends for the celebration of life and living at the Western Castle banquet hall. Thank you for your time and I hope to see you all there."
The excitement was beginning to crescendo and soon, it was time to get ready for the Ball. Sally had closed her bar and, out of decency, allowed Mari to ready herself for the night at her place. Link got ready at his own house. He had received official Hyrule Knights' clothing when the messenger had visited the town and was just now checking them out. He let out a low whistle.
"Nice," he muttered as he ran his fingers over the expensive fabric and intricate designs. He wondered who had tailored his new outfit. They knew him well, apparently. The new tunic was his color green with golden borders. There was an optional brown, lightweight cape with more golden tassels. It had a hood, but he preferred his original green cap. It also came with new, clean laced up boots that he knew was going to take some time getting into.
The clothes were easy enough to get into, but his boots proved him right. After a good while of struggling, he was ready to go. The last of his effects, a lightweight thin sword that felt weird in his hands, was strapped on and he headed outside to meet up with Marickiya. He made his way to the back of the inn where the entrance to Sally's house resided when he didn't see her outside. He knocked on the door.
"We're not done yet," came a hurried reply. He heard some mumbling and then Sally responded, "Nonsense! It won't be that much longer." Link sighed and leaned against the wall.
After a few uneventful minutes, Link decided to inspect his new sword. He unsheathed it and stared down the length of the blade. He instantly disliked it. It was a beautiful sword, but it definitely wasn't the Master sword. He had half a mind to bring his own Gilded Sword he had acquired in the land of Termina. He figured, though, that carrying any kind of weaponry that people brought to events such as these were purely for decoration. It wasn't unheard of, for sure, but for someone like him, the concept didn't make any sense at all. It was stupid. If they were to get into any fight, he had the impression that this slab of steel wouldn't protect him or anyone else for that matter. Unconsciously, he began to swing the sword at an invisible enemy. He swung around in graceful arcs, stabbing and parrying, in a would-be deadly dance. He felt sloppy, the blade was unbalanced. This irritated him and he became more determined to perform his moves perfectly, flawlessly. He was lost in non-existent combat…
"Impressive."
He stabbed at the air and held the position, blinking and turned his head to the source of the voice. Marickiya was standing in her glorious deep blue dress looking on with admiration. Sally was standing just inside the doorway looking like she was awaiting some sort of praise. Link straightened up and walked over to them, taking in Marickiya's outfit. Sally had given her some accessories to match her dress. Then he noticed her shorn hair. It wasn't as choppy as it had been. Marickiya blushed a deep crimson.
"Sally… trimmed my hair for me. To make it even." She looked away.
"It looks good," her blushed diminished and all that was left was a very forlorn expression. He was more than a little puzzled by her reaction.
"You guys better get going," Sally said from the door, "The sun will start setting soon."
"I thought you were heading out of town, Sally." Link sheathed
"I am. The roads are going to be super clear with everyone heading to the Market." Link laughed at the look of smugness on her face for her ingenuity.
Sally had already finished packing for her trip and accompanied the two party goers to the stables. Link and Marickiya hopped up onto Epona and her own horse, and Sally hopped up into the front seat of her tiny carriage she had rented for her trip. All smiles and waves, they said their farewells when they parted outside of the village.
"See you guys in a few weeks!"
0000
Everything was ornately decorated for the ball. Even though the event was about something that would otherwise be a very sad ordeal, everything was brightly lit and cheerful. It was less like a funeral, and much more resembled a celebration. Marickiya made mention that she liked the idea of a celebration of life and freedom. The people, though clearly sad about losing their princess, were definitely happy about having had her as their monarch. There were depictions of her on giant canvases. Candles were lit everywhere in memorial.
They made their way carefully to the new castle's gates. They were elaborately intricate and were definitely succeeding in pulling everyone's attention to them. They crossed the marble-inlaid gates and followed the lined crowd slowly up a path to the ball room where the event would be held. The stone path was rimmed with dim lanterns that bore the sacred Triforce in honor of the Royal Family.
They entered the great hall and it was even more beautiful than outside. Massive golden curtains hung in luxuriously arranged folds over the giant windows. There was a circular table in the center of the room that was completely covered in flowers, a portrait of Zelda amidst the blossoms. The entire room was lit with an impossible amount of torches and candles and the light rebounded off anything reflective. Link and Mari were speechless as they gazed around.
"Fairy Boy!" An excited voice wafted towards them. A beaming face of Malon, the owner of the voice, came into view wearing a pretty pink gown.
"Malon!" Link replied excitedly. "I thought you said you were too busy to join us!" Marickiya noted the change in Link's countenance. His smile had an extra warmth and she caught on quickly. She couldn't help but smile to herself. As they exchanged pleasantries and she waited to be introduced, her gaze swept the room for the moment. Something caught her eye during her inspection and she locked on. A silent, yet intense staring contest was going on between her and another attendee of the ball.
"Malon, I want you to meet Marickiya. She grudgingly pulled her eyes away and turned to flash a smile at the red headed girl she was being introduced to.
Malon looked to be sizing her up, like one would a tasty looking meal.
"It's nice to meet you, Malon," she said, smiling as brightly as possibly. Then, her lips formed a most mischievous grin. "Link speaks very highly of you." The Hylian began to look between the two girls before him, his high spirits dropping from him. Marickiya wanted to laugh at the sweat forming upon his brow.
"Really?" Malon's scrutinizing leer roving over to Link. "Well, what else does he say?" Marickiya did laugh at that.
"I'll let Link tell you how sweet he thinks you are," she turned to leave, "You two have fun now!" She waved and left a timid Link with a delighted farm girl.
She slowly and discreetly made her way across the room. She spotted her target and sidled up next to them. Though she was sure she wasn't as sneaky as she could have been, the man made no motion to signify he had noticed her presence.
"Well, you look awfully lonesome over here," she said to him from the side of her mouth. He didn't look to her, just continued to stare across the room, passively. She took in his form at this closer range. He had long silver hair that was braided into a bun on the back of his head, though a portion of it was pinned in front of part of his face which she found a bit odd. He had a very tall, poised posture, and dark-colored cape that hung off of one shoulder revealing his knight-like tunic and armor.
"On the contrary, there's a lovely young woman here keeping me company," he glanced at her and she saw a small, sly grin upon the corner of his lips. She raised her eyebrow at this.
"So you're that kind of guy." He retained his lopsided grin.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," he said coyly. She pushed away from the wall she was leaning against in a mock huff and place her hands on her hips.
"I caught you staring. Admit it." She demanded and mimicked his sly smile. It was his turn to raise his eye brows. Then in a fluid motion, he pushed his cape aside and gave a polite bow. He extended his hand in an offering and she took it, albeit a bit guardedly.
"A thousand apologies miss…" He prompted her for an introduction. He hadn't even given her his name yet. Her grin was back in place.
"Oh, you won't be getting my name that easily."
"Really? Well then, how about a dance to begin earning it?" They walked, him leading her by her hand he took, towards where the other couples were dancing.
Marickiya hadn't really had any experience in the area of dancing. She was mostly trained in combat at the Gerudo Fortress. The man didn't seem to mind. He led her to sway and dip carefully with the changes in flow of the music. They danced through most of the fast paced sets of songs, until she was out of breath, but smiling widely. She decided she like dancing quite a lot.
"You're amazing," she said to him. "Do you dance often?" The last upbeat number had ended, and the musicians were quick to start winding down to a slower piece.
"Not too often," he said quietly. The couples all around them were pulling each other closer for the next dance. Before Marickiya could even think to pull away from the stranger who had asked for her hand, he had placed his upon her waist and was coming closer to her.
She froze up. Her back was rigid, uncomfortable with the contact. Her gaze was swift in searching for a way out, maybe even to spot Link. The man, however, seemed to sense her uneasiness and backed away, leaving a much more suitable gap between them. Then they were sweeping smoothly among the floor of paired guests.
"Perhaps I should offer my name first." She looked up at him, searching for ill intent, but finding none. "My name is Vaati," he gazed back at her. Her momentary anxiety abandoned, she studied his face. It was soft looking and pale. Alluring even. She smacked herself for that last thought. She wasn't about to be lured into anything. She wasn't stupid. But as she was busy scolding herself, she found she was unintentionally fixated upon his irises. They were the deepest red in color. Blood red, if she had to compare. He simply stared back, though she could see he was a bit unsettled. She tore her eyes away abashedly.
"I'm sorry, I was just…" 'Mesmerized by your eye,' seemed too weird. She was already being weird, she grumbled to herself. "You're eyes," she started off. His face took on a mask of understanding.
"As you may have guessed, I'm not from this country." He stated. No hint of reproach come from him. He was helping her out of her awkwardness. Now she was the one sweating, she laughed internally.
"Where are you from then?" She tried wiping away her embarrassment. He looked upwards like he was thinking. She thought that if his hands weren't holding hers, he'd be stroking his chin as well.
"I'm not really from anywhere. I live by the road. I go wherever it goes." He was quiet for a moment. "I cannot say I would call any one place a 'home'." They continued their waltz, Marickiya becoming more adept at the steps and no longer tripping up.
"You're like me then." She said as she watched her feet and matched them with Vaati's.
"You have traveled?" He asked.
"Not exactly. I just don't have a place to call my home." Her words were poignant, bitter. She felt the hand on her waist twitch.
"I apologize. It was not my intention to bring up painful memories." She shook her head, both to clear it and as a response.
"No, no, don't worry about it." Vaati surprised her by swinging her outwards and then back into his embrace. She smiled a little breathlessly. "I suppose I should give you my name, now."
"That would be nice." He needled. She clucked at his impatience, then smiled again.
"I'm Marickiya." She said.
"That is an interesting name." He mused.
"Thank you, I think." She chuckled.
The music was finishing its final flourish. As the last notes were ending, Vaati took a bow while Mari curtsied, emulating all the other exchanges taking place around them, and still held her hand as they paid their courtesies. Vaati unconsciously squeezed slightly which caused Marickiya to look up at him in question. He wasn't paying attention to her, his gaze was firmly fixed upwards for a moment before he realized that his dancing partner was looking at him curiously.
"I am afraid I must take my leave here," he tightened his grip on her hand a bit and pulled her close to him. She gasped at his forwardness but quieted as he began to whisper in her ear. "You should find somewhere far from here to stay tonight. It is no longer safe," then he pulled back quickly as if it had never happened. She stared agape at him. Then as a last gesture, he kissed her hand. "It has been a pleasure to meet you, Marickiya."
"Same to you," was all she managed through her stupor. She was vaguely aware of a commotion behind her and turned. Link was waving her down.
"Marickiya," he caught up to her, Malon was no where to be seen. "What were you doing?" He noticed the blank look on her face and open mouth.
"Oh, I was just," she turned back to face Vaati, but he had vanished. She looked around the tops of the crowds' heads, but could not find the fair-headed young man with whom she had just shared a dance.
"Just what?" Link quarried as she stared off. She brought her gaze back to her green clad friend.
"Nothing," she said. "Where's Malon?"
"She was called away by her father," he said a little dejectedly.
"Sounds like you two were having fun." She said, briefly ignoring the suspicious disappearance of Vaati.
Before he could get in any kind of retort, there was disturbance by the stage where the band had been playing. There was a bright flash of light and people were screaming and scrambling to clear the area. Link placed a protective hand on her shoulder.
When everything had settled, the light left behind five differently shaped figures, and Link recognized all of them. Everything was quiet. Then…
"Everyone must leave this place immediately," the regal woman in the middle of the group of newcomers announced. "Hyrule is no longer safe!"
And right on queue, the entire building began rumbling. More screaming erupted but everyone seemed to get the message as they began piling towards the exits. Link headed in the opposite direction though, which caused Marickiya to stumble a bit before going after him. He approached the people who had appeared from the lights and began speaking with them.
"Impa, what is happening?" She glared down at him from the elevated stage, her face stony with a hint of fear. That said to him bad things were happening. Very bad things...
"We must reconvene outside the castle. I will explain there." They all began to hurry outside.
"Link!" came a small voice and he turned to find his young friend-
"Saria," he slowed to meet her as she ran up. He was mildly surprised to find that she jumped right into his arms. "I can touch you. You're all really here?" He looked around expectantly at the other Sages and they responded with grim expressions. Uh oh.
"Link," Marickiya kept apace with the group despite her flowing gowns' interference, "What's going on?"
"Nothing good," he gestured around at the strange group that they followed. "These are some of my greatest friends. This is Saria," he hefted the small girl in his arms, then began to point in turn, "And that's Impa, Ruto, Darunia, and Nabooru." She tripped at the last name.
"Nabooru?" her eyes trained on the Gerudo chief instantly who smiled and waved back.
"Hey girly, it's been awhile," the second in command of the Gerudo smiled a bit sheepishly. Having been missing for seven years to show up on the scene so suddenly, she knew it was probably overwhelming for the girl. "We'll have to catch up later, though."
"O-of course," was all she could manage to respond with. She shook her head to focus. Everything was happening too quickly, but the only thing that pervaded her thoughts most was Vaati's strange warning. 'Could he, somehow, be a part of this?' she wondered. She also thought she should mention him to Link, but cast it aside for later. The rumbling that had started before was reaching a glass-shattering crescendo.
Suddenly, an explosion blew up a rather large portion of the ceiling and into parts of the castle. They picked up the pace.
Once outside, they could see the real damage of the blast. Half of the castle supports were ablaze. It was only a matter of time before they brought the whole thing down.
"Alright, Impa, time to start explaining," Link said nervously, "What's making all those explosions?" She turned to him; a grave expression took on her already solemn features.
"What we discussed upon your return has finally happened."
Link wasn't caught completely off-guard by this statement. He thought he would have more time than what he had been given.
Just then, another scream rent the air. Only it hadn't come from the fleeing group of people behind them, it came from the burning castle.
"There are still people inside," Link said, horrified, "I'm going back," he put Saria down and made to sprint off.
"I'm coming, too," Marickiya had pulled a small dagger from beneath her skirt as Link looked back.
"Marickiya, no!" he demanded. She looked up from her hands as she held several folds of her skirt and the dagger poised above them.
"What?" she said a bit startled.
"Do not cut up that dress," he said and she looked incredulous.
"What? How do you expect-" he cut her off.
"I don't care, tie it up or something," his irate voice trailed off as he made towards the burning wreckage of a castle, leaving the girl grumbling.
0000
"Hello?" Link called out as he swept the hallways. He made a point to peek in every possible door. His search yielded no occupants. The smoke was starting to set in rather thickly.
"Hello?!" Link yelled again, and as he did so, he heard a muffled hacking cough. He did a double check of the rooms but was still finding nothing. He pulled his cape over his mouth to keep from breathing in anymore cinders when a part of the floor came free and a head popped up from under. They looked around and spotted Link.
"Sheik," Link said, surprised. The man had a large gash on his head from which blood poured freely causing his left eye to squint. He couldn't wipe it for his hands held a bundle protectively. Link pulled the trap door up so that the Sheikah could climb all the way out.
"There's no time", he said hoarsely, indicating that he had been the one Link had heard cough. "Where's the way out?" he asked. As he did so, he began to list heavily to the side. Link caught him and put his free arm around his shoulders.
"This way," he led him the way he had come. "Is there anyone else in the castle? I heard a scream earlier." Sheik shook his head.
"There isn't anymore." Link became somber, understanding his meaning, and began to lead the Sheikah towards the exit.
Then another explosion erupted next to them and they were sent flying. Once it had cleared enough for Link to see again, he located Sheik as quick as he could. He was several feet from him, blasted back by the eruption. He still held onto the bundle close to himself, protecting it from the flame and smoke.
"Sheik!" Link called as he ran forward. As he got closer, he could see the Sheikah's legs were a bloody mess. Some shrapnel had either blown through or still stuck out in some places. He wouldn't be walking on his own anytime soon. "Come on," he said attempting to lift him up.
"Link, stop," he said forcefully yet quietly. Link frowned.
"You've got to come on. The castle's going to collapse," he tried egging him on again, but the downed man just pushed his helping hands away.
"Link, you have to leave, now." Link wasn't about to let him die, but then he gave him a pained expression. "Please," he held out his bundle of cloth to the Hylian, "Take this and leave. Please…" He would never have taken Sheik to be the begging sort.
Link hesitantly took the bundle. As he brought it closer, he felt it wriggle against him. He raised his eyebrows and looked back to the Sheikah.
"Sheik," he was starting to feel a little fuzzy from his intake of smoke, but he held gazes with the desperate man.
"I won't last," he said. "Go, now!" Link backed up as his instinct kicked in. The last he saw of the Sheikah before a chunk of the burning ceiling caved in on him was a sad smile on his lips. Then he was gone.
There were no more people to find in the castle as Sheik had said so he made his way back outside as he had intended. He met Marickiya at the entrance.
"Did you find anyone?" she asked in a breathy, shaky voice as she eyed the bundle inquisitively. Link looked down.
"I did, but we got separated. He didn't make it," he felt his voice catch as his heart went out to the man.
They hurried back to the Sage's place where they had left them. They had been herding people out of the way of the crumpling wreckage of the castle and keeping others back from rushing in as Link and Marickiya had.
"There you are!" Saria ran up to Link with tears in her eyes. "Don't scare us like that," she said in frustration.
"Sorry," he looked distant and she immediately let up.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Link looked away.
"It's nothing," he said and she understood. She didn't pester him about it as she noticed the bundle in his arms.
"What's that?" Everyone's attention was brought to the cloths in Link's arms. In reply, Link began to remove the covers. The squirming he noticed before became more pronounced and right as he was removing the last piece, a faint crying could be heard.
In his arms, he held an infant child. All eyes were drawn to the baby and everything seemed to become too quiet. Link began to explain.
"I found Sheik. He was already injured. He gave me this child and told me to run. Then the-" his voice caught and he couldn't continue, but everyone knew what his next words would have been. Interestingly, Impa had a nameless expression as she stared at the child closely. Link didn't think too much of it.
Just then, a final cacophony of thunderous detonations sounded throughout the night. The castle began to fall in on itself. Link especially felt the twinge of anguish as he had helped to rebuild this new sentiment to the Royal Family and had been a beacon of hope for all of Hyrule. They watched in grave silence as the orange flames danced in the reflections of their eyes.
Just before the last of the blasts discharged, they all heard what they had been fearing the most. A slow dangerous laugh zipped through the air and straight to their ears, causing prickly chills to creep up their backs. Link fell to his knees, making sure to keep a secure grip on the crying child in his arms.
"He has returned," Impa said through gritted teeth. "Link," she called to the Hero of Time. He still sat on the ground, uncomprehending. Marickiya went over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Link," he looked up into her face and she cringed from the anger and pain that flashed through his features. She knelt down beside him, showing him she was there for him. He looked at her and she nodded encouragingly.
"You should leave Link. Get as far from here as possible," Link and Marickiya both looked up at the woman.
"She's right, Link." Marickiya agreed. "We need to get somewhere safe," she said, echoing the words of the enigmatic Vaati.
"I will head to my village and round up the people there to Lon Lon. We will protect everyone there," she looked around at the other Sage's who all nodded back affirmatively then looked to Link. "You should head to the forest. He will be after you the most. We need to keep you safe."
"Alright, I'll head to the forest with Marickiya." He paused in mid step as if he were about to start towards the stables. "What of this child? Should you take them?" Link asked. Impa looked down on the baby with her strange expression again.
"No, take her with you to the forest. Ask the Great Deku Tree's successor if he will look after her for awhile... As a favor to me." This request caught Link a bit off guard, though not as much Impa referring to the baby as 'her'. He nodded then turned to his new traveling companion.
"Come, let's get to our horses. We've got a long ride and night ahead of us."