Warnings: Violence, Disturbing Material, SLIGHT Spoilers for Skyward Sword
"If you move any slower, it'll be about sunrise tomorrow by the time we finish!" Patia teased lightly.
Link smirked at her over his shoulder, pushing the plow through the fresh earth, "I'm concerned about overexerting my wife is all!"
Patia scoffed, rolling her eyes as she tossed seeds out from her apron, "If I have to tell you one more time that I'm fine, Link, I swear I will do the plowing myself."
Link's smirk grew mischievous, "You'd have to pry it from my hands first!"
"I could do it!"
Link laughed, the sound free and loud. Patia untied her apron, tossing it aside, and flung her arms around her husband, trying to bring him to the ground. Link stood his ground stubbornly, the plow forgotten as he assaulted Patia's sides with tickles, making her shriek with laughter. "Stop, Link, stop it!" Patia squealed, stumbling backwards, "That's not fair!"
Link simply grinned at her, cupping her face and kissing her slowly. Patia smiled back at him as he drew back. "You make me so happy," he murmured, resting his forehead against hers.
"You make me happy too," Patia grinned, feeling as giddy and carefree as if she were still a child. Link always had that effect over her.
She blushed, giggling, as Link dropped to his knees, pressing a kiss to her rounded, clothed stomach. "And you'll make me very happy too, little one," Link smiled up at Patia, "Does the mother have a guess at the gender?"
"I already told you it'd be a boy," Patia reminded him, "I can just feel it; a mother knows this sort of thing."
Link stood, wrapping his arms around Patia, his hands caressing her stomach as she leaned back against his chest, "And what are we going to name him?"
Patia sighed, letting her eyes shut, "I haven't given much thought to it yet. What do you think?"
"I've always liked the name Galen," Link replied, anticipating Patia's reaction.
"It sounds nice," Patia agreed.
The sun was beginning to set, dusk beginning to overtake the village. "We should keep working," Patia finally stated, regretting that she had to end such a peaceful morning.
"The field will still be here tomorrow," Link said lightheartedly.
Patia rolled her eyes but did not fight the smile that crept upon her lips, "We should finish this row at least! We hardly got enough done today!"
Link clucked his tongue, teasingly scolding the girl, "Picky, picky, picky. Very well, we'll finish this row…after I got get a drink inside."
Patia shook her head as Link began to walk back to their small farmhouse, "Did you want anything? I'll bring you a jug, if you like."
"No thank you," Patia called back, retying her apron around her waist and scooping up the next handful of seeds.
Go away!
Inside the house, Link rummaged through their cabinets, looking for a clean mug to use. They had collected enough rain water outside for Link to indulge without having to worry about any pesky trips to the well resulting from his actions. He grinned. He and Patia didn't have very much, but Link wouldn't trade his life with her for anything. He was perfectly content as a farmer. Well, maybe there was one occupation he might prefer, but it was unrealistic, foolish even to…
Patia's screaming made Link's blood run cold. The mug in his hands shattered as it hit the floor, Link sprinting back outside. He snatched up his sword, dust collecting on it from lack of use, and bolted through the door. By the dimming light of the fading sun, Link saw three bokoblins darting off in the direction of the woods, one dragging Patia's weakly resisting body through the dirt.
Link's heart pounded in his chest as he ran through the field, the wind racing alongside him. One of the bokoblins spotted him and gave a quick cry of alarm. Two of the monsters had made it into the woods when Link reached Patia, but one stubborn and very unlucky one had stayed behind, still trying to drag Patia away with him. With a quick, clean slice from Link's sword, the monster's head was severed from his body.
Patia was gasping for air, her face contorted from the agony she was experiencing. "Link, Link," she whimpered, tears streaming from her shut eyes as she thrashed back and forth weakly. Link's knees shook at the sight of her. He knelt beside her (or maybe his legs gave out from horror), hastily trying to soothe her as he stroked her cheek, "It's me, Patia. It's me, Link. I'm here; I'm gonna save you."
Patia made no move to acknowledge her husband, still sobbing out his name as she lay there. "My baby!" Patia sobbed hysterically, "They killed my baby! My baby! Liiink! Link!"
Tears stung at Link's eyes—for the first time in years. Realizing that Patia was delirious and panicking, Link shouted at the top of his lungs, "Help! Somebody help me please!"
"Link!" Patia croaked, still keeping her eyes shut as her chest heaved, "Help me, Link! Link…"
Patia's tone grew softer. Link found himself growing panicked, "Patia! Just stay calm, alright? Everything will be alright. I'm right here. I'm gonna help you. I'll save you, Patia. Just hold on—please hold on for me, Patia!"
"Link," Patia's screams became whispers, her erratic breathing gradually slowing. She made a sound as if she was choking, her head jerking away from Link as she gasped for air. Suddenly—her chest stopped moving altogether. Link's breath hitched, his mind repeating "No, no, no! This isn't real—this can't be real! No!"
Just stop trying to fix everything and go away!
"Help me! Somebody please help me!" he shouted again, his voice cracking with emotion. He crumpled to the ground, burying his face in Patia's dress as he wept. Patia's dress was already tainted with her own blood, and her face scarred with long scratches—presumably from the crude knives of the bokoblins. But worst of all—her stomach was oddly deflated. As if she had been stabbed there, cut open.
With a shout of rage, Link leapt up again, seizing his sword. Driven solely by passion, he sprinted into the woods. He ignored the briars that slashed at his legs. He ignored the branches that snatched his shirt, tearing the fabric. He was upon the other two bokoblins within a few moments. Both squealed with terror at the sight of him, but they were cornered. Blinded by his fury, Link barely registered his movements. He had impaled both upon his blade within seconds, their screeches of pain and fear reverberating through the woods.
Link's hands shook, his sword slipping from his fingers. Utterly overwhelmed, he collapsed to his knees once more before falling completely to the earth. His fingers dug into the soil, his tears dampening the dirt beneath his cheek as he sobbed loudly without constraint. His family—his life—gone within the blink of an eye.
It's too late!
Link's eyes flashed open. He was panting heavily, a sheen of sweat glistening on his skin. After realizing where he was, he slowly calmed his breathing. He knew he would struggle with going back to sleep—the memory of Patia's death was still as vivid and haunting in his mind as it had been the day he watched it happen.
Something stirred against his chest. Glancing down, a wave of relief swept over Link at finding Zelda nestled against him, his arms securely around her. He couldn't remember how they had gotten into this position—it didn't make sense when considering their last interaction. He knew things would probably be uncomfortable the next day—for who knew how long. So, regardless of how they came to be in it, he cherished his moment of peace with his wife.
Zelda whimpered in her sleep, her brow creasing with worry. "No…Takoume," she mumbled against Link's chest, still soundly asleep.
Link sighed, stroking his hand through her hair in an attempt to comfort her. It seemed to work as it at least quieted her. He forced his eyes shut and tried to find sleep.
Zelda awoke to the warm rays of the sun on her back, the light trickling through the tent and flooding the interior with the glow of morning. Zelda was surprised to find Link still asleep. She had awoken before him once while on their journey, but it was still unusual for him to sleep in so late. Zelda assumed his exhaustion was to credit for that.
Zelda blushed, feeling strange and uncomfortable, as she realized how close she was to Link. His arms were coiled around her, and she found herself pressed to his chest. She kept her movements slow, so as not to wake him, and gradually eased herself out of his arms.
She was still angry from last night—very angry and hurt and she still had to bite her lip when thinking about it to prevent fresh tears from gracing her cheeks. But a night's rest had calmed her, leaving her not quite as enraged as she was before. But she'd rather not remember last night or Link's accursed sense of responsibility or Patia at all.
Link shifted as she left, rolling onto his stomach to compensate for the emptiness in his arms. Zelda smiled as she watched him, not even recognizing the slight happiness spreading through her. Link sometimes seemed more mature than Zelda, especially considering her recent emotional breakdowns and moodiness accompanying her pregnancy, and yet he was still so childish sometimes—in the way he slept, sometimes in the way he talked, sometimes in the way he thought-with childlike simplicity. Zelda parted some of the hair from his forehead gently and left the tent, eating a silent breakfast outside.
Link initially panicked upon waking up with Zelda not at his side. The covers were thrown back in haste as he leapt to his feet, grasping his sword and bursting out of the tent. His eyes locked on Zelda sitting quietly in the distance. With a sigh of relief, Link flung his sword back into the tent and approached her. They couldn't keep doing this; things had to change.
"Zelda."
Zelda shut her eyes, knowing Link was standing directly behind her, "Link."
"I-I think we need to talk…about last night," Link murmured.
"I'd rather we didn't."
"Zelda, we can't keep doing this."
"Link," Zelda stood to face him, her voice a warning, "Leave it be. It's behind us now."
Link inhaled, struggling with himself. He finally answered resignedly, "Alright."
He turned to leave. "Where are you going?" Zelda called.
"To hunt," Link replied, heading towards the tent, "We're short on rations, so Thorolf has arranged a small hunting party to leave within the hour."
Zelda made a quick decision, giving it little thought, "I'd like to come, too."
Link gave her a skeptical look, "Zelda, we've no horses, and considering your condition-"
"I'd like to come," Zelda repeated. She didn't know where the sudden desire had spurted from; in fact, she was often annoyed with how frequently Link hunted and, as a result, wanted little to do with it. But she didn't want to be alone at the camp with a few nameless soldiers she'd never know. She wanted to be productive; she wanted to do something. She was tired of being babied and crying, and she wanted to prove to Link that she could still be of some use.
Thorolf approached Link just as Zelda spoke. "Good day to you, your highness," he addressed Zelda with a bow before turning to Link, "Master Link, are you ready to depart?"
Zelda turned her focus to Thorolf, "I'd like to join your expedition, General, if that's alright."
Thorolf's eyes widened, nervously glancing at Link, "Your highness, I really don't think you would enjoy your trip-there's really no guarantee we'll even find anything in this kind of terrain. And if anything were to happen to you…I'd rather not think of it! Please, milady, I think it'd be wiser if you were to remain here. Besides, hunting is surely not a skill that is required of the future queen and I'm sure you've not concentrated on practicing—"
"Nonsense," Link interrupted, "Zelda's marvelous at archery; she has bested me before several times. As the princess, she has the right to choose her own fate, I should think."
Zelda tried not to look too surprised as she studied Link. She could only guess he was trying to keep peace between them. "I'll try my best not to slow the company down," Zelda said to Thorolf.
Zelda hadn't practiced with a bow since getting pregnant, yet the smooth wood felt warm with familiarity beneath her fingertips. It was true. She had, at one time, been able to best Link in archery; archery had been one of her hobbies as a girl that Impa had always strongly approved of. Yet signs of life were scarce on the slopes of Eldin Volcano. "Master Link, do you suppose there's simply nothing here?" Thorolf muttered under his breath, trying to avoid discouraging the other soldiers.
"I'd expect a few wayward birds, at least," Link replied, "Stay alert and take care not to waste arrows."
Zelda's eyes narrowed, and suddenly, she saw something. In the distance, she could make out a flutter of feathers—a bird! Zelda controlled her pace but quickly approached the edge of the mountain path. "Zelda!" Link hissed, "What're you doing—be careful!"
Zelda drew her bowstring taut, aiming her arrow. She waited for the bird to draw closer; shooting it then would've been useless because the men would've been unable to fetch it. Zelda exhaled, feeling carefree and thirteen again, simply practicing with some targets. Before Link had given her a distaste for them, of course. …perhaps they were not so different from each other, after all.
Zelda's arrow whizzed through the air, her eyes tracking it with anticipation. The creature fell with the arrow plunged into its breast, and a satisfactory grin of triumph curled Zelda's lips. She glimpsed over her shoulder, feeling even more victorious at the look of pride Link was giving her. "Well done, your highness," Thorolf whistled with disbelief, "I woulda never thought—"
It all happened too quickly. The rock lining the outskirts of the path gave way, and Zelda lost her footing. With a shrill scream, she dropped down into the gorge below. She fortunately landed on a broad ledge instead of toppling all the way to the riverbed at the bottom of the valley. It hurt to move, so she lay there, motionless, gasping as she tried to slow her breathing.
"Zelda!" Link's voice echoed through the ravine, "Hold on, Zelda, I'm coming!"
Link swiftly leapt here and there, making quite a jump at one point before landing on the ledge. He was at Zelda's side within moments, examining her for broken bones as he eased her into a sitting position. "Zelda," his voice sounded strained, "Oh goddesses, Zelda, are you alright?"
Bringing herself to nod vaguely, Zelda tried to assure him, hoping to avoid another discomfited exchange between the two of them. "Let down a rope!" Link yelled hoarsely, and Zelda noticed that—well, it almost looked like his eyes were watering.
Link carried Zelda as easily as he always had, allowing the two of them to be pulled back to the ledge by the rope. Link set Zelda down gently before turning to Thorolf, speaking briefly, "I wish to be alone for a few moments." With that, he hastily stalked off in the direction of the camp.
Zelda was still dizzy from her fall, and while she wasn't severely injured, her back truly ached, and she needed help standing. "I'm so glad you're alright, your highness," Thorolf commented with relief, "And the baby too?"
"Yes," Zelda responded, trying to straighten her back with one hand habitually drifting to her stomach, "Yes, I think so."
More quietly, Thorolf murmured, "You should go after him, your highness."
"What?" Zelda failed to mask her shock at the request.
"He needs…to be comforted, your highness," Thorolf struggled to say, his complexion flushing uncomfortably, "And I feel he'd refuse everyone, even me…except for you."
"Link has never once asked for my comfort," Zelda answered.
"You didn't see his face when you fell, milady," Thorolf added as a quiet after note.
The general wordlessly escorted Zelda back to camp with the rest of the hunting party, save for the men who had left to fetch Zelda's bird. Her back still ached, and she had a slight limp as a result. Zelda almost would've preferred Link as an escort to the silent presence of the general. As Zelda hobbled over to her tent, she found no trace of Link inside. She sighed, wondering if Thorolf's words were worth heeding.
Link sat on a stump in a sparse forest. He'd had to search for it, considering that a forest was not something easily found on a volcano. There were hardly any trees, and most of them resembled skeleton fingers clawing up from the earth, so perhaps it could not even be considered a forest. But it was a place of solace, nonetheless, and that was precisely what Link needed.
He sat with his palms buried into his eyes, his hands hiding his face. He hadn't cried just yet, but he hadn't caught his breath back either. It had been stolen right from his lungs the moment Zelda disappeared over the cliff. It was too familiar, too disturbingly familiar, and it made Link's skin crawl. Was he doomed to always watch his wife and child die before his eyes? And here he was in a forest, just as before, emotionally broken.
"Link." Her voice was soft, unsure, behind him.
Link took a shuddering breath, his mind unable to process his thoughts fully. So he simply spoke what was on his mind. "She was pregnant, you know," he mumbled, dragging his fingers down his cheeks, clasping them together in between his knees as he stared at nothing in particular.
"What?"
"Patia. She was carrying our child when she died."
Zelda made no sound, but Link could practically envision her cringing at the mention of his first wife. "I know you don't like talking about her, but you need to know," Link stood up, turning to Zelda bravely.
Zelda's eyes were fearful, she'd never seen Link like this. It was bizarre, unsettling. Heartbreaking. "I cannot," Link emphasized the word as he stepped closer to Zelda, "I cannot lose my wife and child again."
Zelda did not look away as Link reached forward, his hand cupping her cheek. "I can't take it; I can't. People think I'm stronger than that, but they don't know what it's like," he rambled, "Losing Patia nearly killed me, but then—then you gave me a purpose once more. Losing you—I'd die. I can't lose the closest person in the world to me twice. I wouldn't be able to bear it, Zelda, it'd be too much."
Tears, actual tears, moistened Link's blue eyes, dampened his cheeks as they rolled down them, "Promise me you won't do that again, Zelda. Please promise you won't leave—I can't do it!"
Zelda couldn't describe the emotions flooding her being at such a display. Hearing of Link's closeness to Patia yet again made her anger from before return. Yet hearing Link refer to her as his dearest acquaintance confused her…and made her feel strange. And seeing him cry—a sight she had never before seen—made her feel a new sense of pity for him. It broke her heart to see him so weak when she knew how strong he truly was. Even if she didn't love him, she could still empathize with him.
"I promise I'll be more careful," she murmured, lifting her hand to clap over his. She intended on removing it from her cheek, but found her fingers remaining atop his instead.
Link's tears did not recede. He withdrew his hand and dropped to his knees, shamefully hiding his face once more. His shoulders quivered, and Zelda knew he was silently crying. Careful to not worsen the condition of her back, Zelda slowly knelt beside him, tugging him into her arms. It reminded her of last night, in an oddly parallel way.
"I can't lose you, I can't," he sobbed into her shoulder, his arms wrapping around her waist as hers wrapped around his neck, "Please, Zelda, please. You've got to promise."
"I'm not going anywhere, I promise," Zelda soothed, welcoming the warmth that she felt. Finally, she could repay Link for his constant attempts to console her. Even if she felt odd embracing Link, she also felt happy at being able to forget their differences, even if just for a moment.
Eventually, Link's sobs quieted, but he didn't make any signs of moving. He rested his head on Zelda's shoulder tiredly, and she let him do so. "I'm sorry," he finally said, "I just—I know we aren't perfect for each other in any way, but I want you in my life, Zelda."
"Because I love you." Zelda half-waited for the words to follow, but they didn't. She should've known they wouldn't, especially after the events of last night.
Zelda pulled back slightly, acting solely on her emotions rather than her famous logic. She let a kiss brush Link's forehead, as she murmured, "Shh, it's alright. I want you in my life, too."
Link didn't react to the kiss, even though it was possibly the first she had ever willingly bestowed upon him. Yet another sign he hadn't grown to love her as she once hoped he had. Zelda ignored the realization and said firmly, "I—I acted falsely earlier. I've been thinking it over, and I think that you were right. We should…talk about our difficulties with each other, even if I wish it could be avoided."
Link nodded against her shoulder, still silent. Zelda continued, one of her hands currently cradling Link's head and the other absently massaging his neck in an effort to pacify him, "I just wish…you wouldn't speak of Patia so often. I feel as if you're comparing me to her and reminding me that I could never replace her."
"I never meant to make you feel that way," Link sat up slowly, Zelda's arms falling from about his neck. He glanced down hesitantly, debating his answer but obviously deciding to respond anyways, "I-well…truthfully, Zelda, nobody can replace Patia."
Zelda truly wondered why she bothered voicing her concerns, trying to stand to leave but the pain in her back preventing her from doing so. Link noticed her movements, "No, Zelda! Just listen to me!"
"I have no choice," Zelda responded bitterly.
"I never loved Patia," Link reminded her, "And I could never compare the two of you. Patia was lighthearted, funny, and simple-minded. But you Zelda—I can't compare the two of you because you're both so different! You're so elegant and wise and composed and selfless. You're such an example and a heroine to your people, and I'm so, so fortunate to be able to call you my wife. You're not my childhood friend like Patia was, Zelda, and that's why you can't replace her. You're my queen, my bride. Your role is so different from that of Patia's, and I don't want you to change it in any way. You mean so much to me just as you are, Zelda."
Zelda blushed at the compliments, compelling herself to apologize once more rather than linger on all of the kind words of her husband, "Well, thank you…I suppose. But I also wanted to apologize for my behavior last night. It was wrong of me to get so angry, and—we both truly are fulfilling our duty to Hyrule. I'm sorry that I asked something of you that you couldn't give, and I'm sorry that I became so irrational and emotional over it."
"It's alright," Link smiled at her kindly, "You're pregnant with our child, after all; we can't expect your emotions to be controllable. And in accordance with your wishes, I will strive to not mention Patia as frequently as I have been."
Zelda grinned at his compliance but glanced away from Link, feeling awkwardly hot beneath his stare. "You look so tired," he said, worry tinting his voice as he stroked at her cheek.
Zelda forced a chuckle, "My back still hurts a bit from my fall, and of course the tent cannot compare to the comforts of our bedroom in the castle. I suppose I am a bit drained."
Link's expression brightened, "I have some news that might cheer you up. Do you remember that wander from your bedtime story—the one fascinated with Skyloftian culture?"
"Gorko the Goron?" Zelda inquired, instantly interested in anything having to do with Impa's legends.
"That's the one," Link continued, "They say his people, the Gorons, have built a settlement somewhere here on Eldin Volcano. Of course it's just rumors, but a source of shelter might prove worthy of investigation. Would you be up to proving any truth to the myths?"
Zelda bobbed her head excitedly, "I'd love to!"
Link smiled at her reaction, helping her to her feet, "We'd better head back to camp to alert the soldiers then."
Zelda allowed her fingers to be interlocked with Link's as they made way towards camp ,and tried not to wonder why it was exactly that she so desperately wanted Link to admit to loving her. And why it mattered that he thought back upon Patia with fondness—she was his best friend, after all. Such trivial things really shouldn't have mattered to her, should they?
BAM! Look who is finally, for once, on time! Oh yes, I'm feeling pretty accomplished right now. Hopefully you enjoyed the new chapter (of course Zelda's good at archery; her descendents shoot light arrows, don'tcha know), and I shall see you all again next week!