Well I have left you in sapience for long enough, so on with the story

"Hello, Zelda," the familiar voice called from the edge of the huge living room. Zelda turned to face the owner.

"Hello, Rails," she spoke softly, wondering if she would ever get over the wonder of it.

Ralis had been to visit her every day for the last three weeks. He would wait until his mother was ready to go home in the late afternoon and then come on the pretense of seeing her home. Lulu wasted no time in telling Zelda that her son had never seen the need to escort her home before, but Zelda could tell from Lulu's voice that she was not at all upset.

"How are you today?"

"I'm fine," Zelda answered automatically as she always did, "How are you?"
"Fine." He said the words, and Zelda knew he was staring at her. She knew then, as she had before, that the attraction was purely physical.

This was not hard to figure out, as she couldn't have been a worse companion. She said little and never laughed or smiled. It wasn't that she was trying not to, but she had so little interest in other people that nothing really stuck her as amusing or worthy of her regard. In a way, she wanted to see Ralis give up. She did not even know what he looked like because she had never asked. She had no intention of getting involved with anyone, and knowing that he was happy to just sit and stare at her did nothing for her heart.

"I am ready now, Ralis." Lulu called from the next room.

"All right." As usual he sounded regretful. "Have a nice evening, Zelda."

"Thank you, Ralis. You do the same."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Here again was part of the routine. She would hear him walk across the floor, but he always paused. Zelda learned that if she turned her head away when his back was to her, he would take on final look at her and leave, but if she was still facing him, he took it as an invitation to talk to her again. Tonight she had her head turned, just as she'd done for the last two weeks. It was a relief to hear him move away and leave with his mother.

"Would it hurt you to talk to him a little, Zelda?" Malon asked as she entered the room just a few minutes later.

"It might not hurt me, but it would him. I'm not going to encourage him."

"Why not?"
"To what end, Malon?" Zelda sounded tired. "he's content to sit and stare at me, which means there's nothing deep about his attention."

Malon couldn't argue with her there. Ralis did like pretty girls, and Zelda was not a very fascination companion these days. However, he was a sweet boy and hand a strong love for Christ. Malon, new it would do little good to tell Zelda that he was shy around her and afraid of saying the wrong thing. Malon was certain that if he found the courage he could bring her sister out.

"How did you do on your mending?" Malon had come to lean over her. "I swear Zelda," she said with a laugh in her voice. "I'm just going to give you the dark colors. You must have pricked your finger. There's blood all over your white blouse and the button too."

"I knew I'd stabbed myself, but I sucked on my finger for a while and thought it had stopped." she sighed deeply. "This is the blouse that goes with the navy skirt you gave me."
"How did you know which blouse it was?" Malon said incredulously.

"It had a different feel to it, and see," she remarked, shifting the garment around. "The lace around the collar is very soft. The other one is scratchy."

"Well, I'll take it and work on it right now. If I can't get it out, Lulu can. That woman's a wonder."

"Malon," Zelda spoke when she began to move away. "You don't think Lulu has encouraged Ralis, do you?"

"I would say not, Zelda. She must know how you feel."

Malon didn't elaborate, but it was very clear to anyone with eyes that Zelda was not in love. If she had been, the very mention of Ralis's name would have brought color to her cheeks. Malon walked away wondering what Link had said about the blindness. The older woman didn't have it in her to ask.

Zelda didn't comment to Malon when she left either. Malon had said that Lulu knew how she felt. Zelda thought that nothing could be further form the truth. No one knew how she felt. How could she possibly let someone fall for her? It was like she had said to Sari months ago now, how much fun would it be to lead a blind wife around for the rest of your life? "No think you," was Zelda's reply to that. She didn't know how long Ralph's and Malon's patience would hold out, but at least she didn't feel humiliated in front of them.

In the midst of all these thoughts, Ralph's voice could be heard. He must have just come home from work.

"Something smells good," Zelda heard him say just before he entered the room.

"Hi," he called as he moved toward her. "How was your day?" he asked, dropping a kiss on her cheek.

"The same as usual."

"Meaning?" Ralph pressed her.

"Well, I sat here," Zelda recited in a dull voice. "I sewed a little. I sat some more. Ralis came to stare at me. That's about the end of it."

Ralph told himself to be patient, but it was not easy. His wife's sister had no interest in life at all. It was like her life had ended the same day her vision had. Was the blindness difficult? Yes. Was it upsetting? Undoubtedly. But it was not the end of the world. Did he wish it on himself? Absolutely not, but if it happened he would see the need to carry on and do so. The fact that Zelda had not done this; indeed, that she was willing to sit and let the world go by, infuriated Ralph. He thought fast in order to keep this thoughts constructive. Growing angry with her was not going to do a bit of good.

"I want you to help Malon with the dishes tonight, Zelda," he told her suddenly.

"The dishes?" she questioned, not having done them since she fell.

"Yes. I think it make sense if you wash and Malon and I dry. That way you can stand in one place and just hand things to us."

Zelda's mouth had gone very dry. That was her typical reaction ever time Ralph introduced her to something new. She didn't want to help in the house at all but know better than to admit that. Ralph would have given her a lecture. Indeed, Ralph was watching her mutinous expression right now and felt pleased that she was restraining herself.

"Come on," he said conversationally. "Let's head to the table. I think dinner is almost on."

Ralph stood and went ahead of her. Zelda fought down bitterness that she couldn't walk across the room so easily. She never talked unless someone was leading her, for it took all her concentration to remember where she was. Lately she was in the habit of asking God when it would all be over, but eh answer was so painful that she would only push it from her mind.

(&)

Zelda collapsed into the buggy and put a hand to her head. Malon knew she was completely spent but didn't comment. Zelda had been living in Hyrule for a month now, and this was their first trip into town. The younger woman had been terrified. They'd gone to the bank, to the general store, and had lunch at the hotel with Ralph, and even stopped at Pastor Henley's house. Taking everything in without complaint, Zelda had been very quiet the entire day, but Malon felt her trembling each time she took her arm.

Now they were in the buggy and headed home, and Malon knew that Zelda would fall asleep early tonight. She was sitting up, not laying back in fatigue, but one look at her face and Malon knew she was just barely holding on.

Help her Lord. Give her strength. It won't be like this forever if only she'll keep trying and committing herself to You. I can't do it for her, Lord. Just show her the way.

(&)

"I don't want you to be such a stranger," Ralph told Richard that very afternoon, but the younger man only shook his head.

"I can't do that to Zelda right now, Ralph. I can see how hard it is for her, and my presence is only going to make things worse. I can tell that she thinks everyone is staring at her."
"Well, many of them do," Ralph admitted, "but it's not in the pitying or negative way she imagines. She and Malon came into town to shop today. We went to lunch. I could tell she was terrified, but Malon plans to take her every week until she's more comfortable."

"She should enjoy that once she gets used to it."

"I hope so, but now we're off the subject. Why don't you come for dinner tonight?"

Richard began to shake his head, but Ralph put a hand up, his voice at its most persuasive.

"It's already after 4:30, so there's no need for you to go all the way home, and you don't have to stay long after we've eaten, but I know Malon would like to see you."

"All right, I'll come. When are you going to head home?"

"Around 5:00, but don't wait for me. Go on to the house and keep Zelda company. She needs to get out of herself."

"All right."

The men stood. "By the way, how are things going at the ranch?"
"Well. Maybe I'll have a chance to tell you about it tonight."

"All right. I'll see you at the house."

(&)

"I can't remember what color your eyes are," Zelda admitted shyly.

"Blue. Light blue."

Zelda nodded, a little amazed that she'd been bold enough to ask, but Richard had a very calming effect on her. He'd also kept Ralis away. When the younger man had seen him, he hadn't spoken to Zelda at all.

"Do you wear a hat, Richard?"

"Yes. A black cowboy hat."

"Felt?"

"Yes. Here," he lifted it off the seat beside him. "Feel it."

He pressed the hat into Zelda's hands, and she studied it through her fingertips. It was large and soft and smelled faintly of leather. Her fingers traced the braided hat band and told her why her nose had picked up the leather smell.

"What color is the band?"

"Black. Black on black. Not very exciting." his voice was kind.

"It's so soft."

"Here now." Richard rose and came to her. "Try it on. You live in Hyrule now, and you have to look the part."

A small smile pulled at eh corners of Zelda's mouth, and when he put the hat on her head, she asked, "How's that?"

"Fine," Richard told her, but a small spark of pain in his chest. A seeing person would have moved it back. It nearly covered her eyes.

"Ralph just came in," Malon announced from the doorway. "Why don't you come in and sit down at the table."

"Okay. May I offer you my arm, Zelda?"

"Sure." She stood and waited for him to remove the hat. When the hat was back on the chair, he took her hand in his and drew it thought his arm. Zelda was vaguely aware that his voice was now many inches over her head, and for some reason she shuddered. She worked to keep his image from her mind, but Link's face came so clearly to her. She had o bite her lip to keep from crying. Link was the right size. Link was perfect.

Forget it Zelda. Just put him from your mind. He wouldn't want you if he knew. So just stop.

It was a relief to sit down and have Malon tell her what was on her plate. It helped her to remember who she was: a blind girl with no chance of marriage. The sooner she accepted that, the better.

A bleak look on life huh? Well don't worry it will get better in the next chapter. Also sorry for it being kind of short. Please read and respond.