Author's Crap:
HEY GUESS WHAT. An update. Sorry it took forever, but I wanted to have at least one chapter of buffer material before I posted, so there's that. Thanks for your patience... except Joe. Everyone except Joe.
Next chapter should be up next week. :)
Enjoy!
"What do you mean, gone?"
The sky was beginning to lighten as Sheik and Nabooru prepared to leave Gerudo Valley. Sheik stood as Nabooru unlocked his cell, a panicked look in her eyes.
"Lor- Ganondorf must have taken it with him," the Gerudo glanced around nervously, "it's gone from the armory."
Sheik was still unsure whether to trust the seemingly transformed Nabooru. She had said very little before departing to gather a bag of supplies along with Sheik's weapons. Sheik was surprised she had returned at all. He stepped out of the cell, eyeing the bundle in her hands.
"Why is it so important?" Nabooru asked meekly, handing him his belongings.
Sheik slid his knives back into their places at his wrists, "It might not be. Depends on whether he knows how to use it."
Nabooru nodded and said nothing more. Sheik glanced at her once again, attempting to identify the exact doubt clouding her eyes.
"You have not been seen? No one knows you're leaving?" Sheik stared hard at her.
"No. This way is best," her face was blank, "if they think you kidnapped me, Ganondorf will be forced to leave me for dead."
Sheik raised an eyebrow behind his cap, "Why wouldn't he come after you?"
"He believes me to be loyal until death, like all of his high-ranking soldiers," Nabooru half-smiled, "I am not worth recovering."
"Good. Ready?"
Sheik placed his hand over Nabooru's. He heard her sharp intake of breath just before his magic blinded them and pushed them into the wind. They hurtled over Hyrule as dawn illuminated the pink and blue sky.
They landed with a whirlwind just outside Kakariko Village, where two men worked to rebuild the charred banner over the path leading into town. One of them turned around to look down at the newcomers from the top of his ladder.
"Sheik!" he called, "You alright?"
The other workman paused in his task to face the conversation.
"Fine," Sheik answered, wary of the sudden weakness in his voice. He fought back images of Impa.
"What's she here for?"
"I'll tell you later," Sheik said firmly, taking a protective step forward in front of Nabooru. The Gerudo shifted nervously behind him.
The worker shrugged and waved a hand at the path, "There's someone asking for you in town. Someone you're going to want to see."
He laughed at this, and his fellow carpenter joined in.
Sheik, in no mood for laughter, simply walked beneath the half-finished sign and up the stone steps. Nabooru followed close behind, speaking in a hushed voice.
"Who were they talking about?"
"I don't know," Sheik said honestly, "I imagine they mean Avin. Your former prisoner."
"Listen... I..." Nabooru stopped walking, "I'm sorry."
Sheik turned to look her in the eye, and was somewhat taken aback when he saw that she was crying. She suddenly appeared very young, though she was at least ten years his senior. She held a hand up to her eyes as the early sun grew bright.
"I wasn't..." she shook her head, red hair flying back and forth, "You haven't met me..."
"What?"
"I don't know what you did... but... in the fortress, I saw everything just as if I was going backwards and my life wasn't mine."
She wiped away tears, smiling wryly, "I didn't see it when it happened, but he changed me. I think... I could remember when he was a good man. And I was... good, too."
Sheik had no response but to watch her in utter confusion.
Nabooru laced her arms around her chest and held herself tightly, "You... woke me up."
"I'm... sorry," Sheik said slowly, "I don't understand."
"I never meant to become this," Nabooru continued as if she hadn't heard him, "but he was so strong, and took over my mind the same way the voice did, like I told you."
"The voice," Sheik repeated quietly, "What did it say to you?"
"Sleep," the Gerudo's face was dark for a moment, "I ran to help you and it sent me to sleep."
A chill ran through Sheik's veins. This was undoubtedly the same voice he had heard, the same gentle power that had prevented him from attacking Ganondorf. Hearing the echoes in his mind, he placed its familiar tone.
Nayru. The goddess herself had stayed his hand, and Nabooru's.
"But why?" he asked aloud.
"I... don't know," Nabooru took a deep breath, "but I just... I wanted to tell you, because-"
"Whatever happened to you, I was not part of it," Sheik lied. He watched her take in his statement. Her eyes darted to the ground.
Sheik considered her for a moment. He was fairly certain the power surge from the triforce had somehow broken whatever hold Ganondorf had had on Nabooru. He could not comprehend why, or how long it would last.
"Now," he said coldly, "we should go into town and-"
"I didn't mean to kill them!" Nabooru shouted at him.
When she looked up at him, there was a new passion on her face. It looked nothing like the spiteful rage to which he'd grown accustomed. He took a step toward her.
"I'm trying to tell you," her voice was soft, "that I'm on your side."
There was a pause. Sheik took the moment to examine her eyes, and the way she was holding herself like a lost child.
"Alright," he said with a slight nod.
He turned and continued up the steps into Kakariko. Nabooru followed him.
Link awoke in the early morning. He couldn't remember falling asleep. He rolled gingerly onto his side and looked across the room. Avin still slept on the other table. After a long glance at the other man, Link leaned on his arm and pushed himself up.
Sitting up brought aching muscles, but none of the fiery pain he remembered. He drew back the rough blanket from around his shoulders and looked down. There was a vertical scar at the bottom of his chest, stained blue by the witch's potion. He ran his fingers gently across it. It did not hurt.
He tested his legs, swinging them over the side of the table. He was still wearing his faded white pants over his bare feet. He moved his toes. They flexed and stretched obediently. Still wary, Link pushed off to stand. One knee buckled, and he was forced to grab onto the table edge to support himself.
"Come on, damn it," he muttered.
With some difficulty, he straightened his leg. He took a few jerky steps along the table, feeling as if he were walking in quicksand. Considering this good enough, he looked around. There was a pile of items on the floor. Someone had thought to leave him a borrowed tunic. Kneeling shakily, he grabbed the shirt and pulled it on. It had long sleeves, which Link was too exasperated to fasten around his wrists. He stood and stumbled toward the door, trying not to bump into anything lest he wake Avin.
The handle gave as he pushed the door open. He held up a hand to block the bright morning sunlight of the cloudless day. What he saw caused his heart to clench.
Kakariko had been decimated. Only three buildings stood intact, and the grassy commons had been burnt away into dirt. But there were scaffolds up around the remains of the houses, and people were rebuilding with what they had. A pile of newly felled trees occupied the space beside the well.
"Well, I'll be damned!"
Link had no time to turn before he was clasped strongly from behind. A crushing embrace lifted him slightly and pushed the air from his lungs.
"Hrrk!" he gasped, and was promptly released. He fell to the ground, groaning.
"Whoa, sorry 'bout that!" a giant hand extended toward him.
Leaning on the offered arm, Link stood up, staggering a little. Another hand clapped to his shoulder to steady him.
"I knew yeh'd make it!" a voice boomed, "He's a strong one, I said, like a bloody Goron!"
"Right," Link looked up into the oddly-proportioned face of the bazaar shopkeeper. The man was grinning down at him with childlike excitement.
"We ain't been introduced," the shopkeeper said eagerly, "or not properly anyway, but I remember yeh from the day that... er, the name's Domel, and I hope yeh're not too sore at me fer runnin' off on yeh-"
"No," Link extended a hand weakly, attempting a smile, "Link. Good to see you're alright."
Domel laughed, causing Link to wince as his ear rang, "Few Gerudos won't take me down. Not you either!"
"N-no," Link was looking around for an escape, "guess not."
His eyes roved across the town, surveying the damage and the number of people.
"Not bad, eh?" Domel asked, lowering his voice, "Not but a few casualties, too."
Link took a breath, "Do you know where I could find Sheik?"
Domel let out an explosive laugh, and Link jumped, turning to stare incredulously at the man.
"O' course I know!" Domel shouted, "He's right bleedin' there!"
The shopkeeper pointed toward a burnt tree stump near the path into town. Two figures were walking past it, one clad in white, the other in blue. As Link stared down at him, Sheik looked up. For a long moment, they stood, watching one another as neither moved. Sheik broke into a run and bolted up the stairs beneath. Link began walking as quickly as he could to meet him, hobbling down the stone steps.
A blue blur rushed up the corner of the stairway, and for the second time in five minutes Link had the breath knocked out of him. He stood, disoriented, as Sheik held him tightly. He returned his ally's embrace, beginning to chuckle and cough simultaneously.
Sheik pushed back and grasped Link by the shoulders, shaking him violently at arm's length.
"How?" Sheik yelled with uncharacteristic abandon, "How are you alive?"
"I don't know," Link said honestly, laughing a little, "Perks of being the Hero?"
Sheik paused to breathe heavily and stare piercingly at Link's face. Link returned the Sheikah's gaze, laughter fading as he saw pain in the man's eyes. Sheik was blinking away tears. His face and head were bloodied. Link looked awkwardly at the ground, embarrassed. Sheik moved slowly forward and hugged Link to him, pressing a fist against Link's back and hitting it gently.
"Don't you dare-" Sheik choked, "Don't you dare ever try that again."
Link said nothing, staring past Sheik's shoulder. Gold hair brushed his cheek as they pulled apart. Link held Sheik's elbow a moment, then smiled. He clapped the Sheikah's forearm warmly.
"I think we should celebrate," Link said, looking from Sheik to Domel, "by taking a few hours not to get ourselves killed."
Sheik chuckled, a nearly alien sound, "Agreed."
"I've got ale in the shop safe!" Domel shouted with extraordinary enthusiasm. He hurried off toward a lean-to where the Bazaar had stood.
"Besides," Link said quietly, looking from Sheik to the distant figure of Nabooru, "I'd say you owe me an explanation or two."
Bright daylight illuminated the floating dust in the Temple of Time, seeming to move as Nayru paced back and forth. Her blue hair was windblown and her dress was torn. She crossed her arms in frustration.
Sister, please, called Farore from her perch on the crumbling altar, It does you no good to worry like this.
Overnight, Farore had healed almost completely. Her green glow was not its brightest, but still lit the edges of her body and filled her eyes. She drew her legs up and closed her arms around them, watching her sister with a concerned face.
"I do not like this," Nayru stopped pacing and stared at a beaten wall, "If Din has not returned by now, we must assume she intends to fight us."
Farore accepted this with a nod, remaining silent.
"And I did not want to sacrifice Impa," Nayru's voice grew quiet, "Not like that."
I know.
"I cannot understand it... Din was there! She felt the sacrifice, she has to know that you've returned..."
The goddess trailed off, resuming her previous path around the large room. Farore followed her movements thoughtfully, listening to the wind.
Sister.
Nayru turned.
It may be, Farore sighed, that Din intends to bind her power to her host.
"But..." Nayru looked as if she'd been struck, "Why?"
Farore leapt down from the altar, taking a few steps in Nayru's direction. She watched the dust swirl.
If she believes us to be weak, still, she will try to take the kingdom for herself.
"But if she binds her power- Sister, she could be killed!"
I did not say it would be a wise decision.
Nayru leaned heavily against a wall, grasping her hair in frustration, "I cannot kill my sister, Farore. I could barely kill a mortal. My presence nearly led him to spare her."
You must be strong. We should not need to kill Din, even if she does attempt to overthrow us. A simple trap might suffice.
"Perhaps," Nayru fought back sudden tears, "but if it does not, we will have to fight her."
Farore crossed her arms, glancing at her sister in concern, You will have no choice. Do not allow your mortal form to interfere with your judgement.
Wiping at her cheeks, Nayru shook her head. She drew a deep breath before meeting Farore's gaze.
"I will do what is necessary."
Good. It already appears Din will have her wish.
"Sister?" Nayru pushed herself away from the wall, eyes wide. Farore shrugged, sighing slightly.
There is nothing to be done. Hyrule will burn before it is saved.
The day passed in a slow haze as the small company toured the wreckage of Kakariko. Sheik led them through the charred remnants of the town, occasionally stopping to allow Link time to rest. They circled the village and finally returned to the well. A curious crowd had gathered and Link had assured them he did not intend to die again.
As the sun set with an orange glow, Sheik insisted they retire to the hollowed shooting gallery for the ale Domel has promised. By late evening, they had drained half of it. Domel built a small fire in a hastily-made brick pit, and they sat near it in comfort. Nabooru had fallen asleep on a bench. Domel was seated across the room from the fire, staring at the flames.
Sheik sat near Link at the remains of a wooden table, his clay jar of ale balanced on his knee. Link, already considerably drunk, wiped sweat from his forehead with a sigh.
"You alright?" Sheik watched him.
"Fine. It hurts to walk, or turn quickly. But I'm fine."
Sheik nodded in acceptance, pulling down his cowl to take a sip of ale.
"Your people have done well holding on to this place," Link said, leaning slightly in Sheik's direction, "The village. I'm honestly impressed."
Sheik smiled, "It is their last safe haven. I would have been surprised if they'd given it up."
"Of course, they had help," Link mused, laughing, "I bet you and Impa were a frightening sight during the battle."
A chill and an empty feeling caused Sheik to lean back, jaw tight against the threat of tears.
"Where is Impa, anyway?" Link asked, "And don't try to convince me she's gone to the Sacred Realm, because I won't believe you."
"Alright."
Link waited for a moment, then gave Sheik a wary look, "Don't go Sheikah on me again and stop talking. I will hurt you."
Sheik looked away, "Impa... has gone to the Sacred Realm, in the way we all do."
"What?"
"She's dead," Sheik said shortly, then took a long drink. When he looked back to Link, the Hero was staring blankly at him.
"How?"
"She went to rescue Avin from the desert fortress. Ganondorf... found her. I tried to help her, but..."
He broke off as words ceased to make sense. He vaguely felt Link's hand on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry," Link was saying.
Sheik shook his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "I can't make sense of it. He threw me aside like a toy. I have never seen that kind of power. And Impa... just let him kill her-"
His voice cracked, and he closed his eyes to drive the image away. He felt a slight rush of air as Link moved to sit beside him.
They sat in silence for a while, listening to the crackling of the fire and the eventual soft snoring of Domel. Sheik, realizing how close Link was, stood suddenly and paced in a slow circle. The Hero watched him do so, finishing his flagon of ale.
"Goddesses damn the whole thing," Link said finally, setting the empty jar down on the burnt floor, "I could... could've stopped this."
Sheik crossed his arms, "Stopped what?"
"The war," Link scratched a flushed cheek, "If I'd killed him then, instead of getting myself... and then Impa would be here."
Sighing, Sheik took a few steps closer, "You couldn't have killed him, he was far too strong. You're drunk."
"And Zelda..." Link groaned, pushing his hair back from his eyes, "she'll be... she must be so sad."
Link's expression was so pathetic that Sheik felt compelled to sit by him once more. Link sighed heavily and stared at the floor.
"Why," Sheik asked softly, "are you so concerned about her? More so than others, at least."
In response, Link stood and shuffled over to the crate containing the remaining ale. He brought over a new jar and opened it, pouring a liberal amount into the broken top of Sheik's small vessel.
"I don't know," Link admitted after a pause, "I just am."
Sheik waited.
Link addressed his feet, "I... it's that... I met her only a few times, when I was just a kid. But... you sometimes meet a person, and after that it doesn't matter how long you're apart, or how many changes either of you go through, you have to find that person. Because, even... even if you try to go on with your life, you know it's the same as being dead unless you can have that one person. Zelda is just..."
He paused to search for a word, "... she's sunlight. And every day I don't know where she is or if she's alright, or if she smiles anymore... Ah, hells, I'm sorry."
Sheik made an attempt to shake his head as Link grinned drunkenly.
"I sound like an idiot," Link muttered, chuckling to himself.
Unable to disguise the catch in his voice, Sheik made some vague excuse for himself and wandered outside. The night was silent but for a brave cricket. Edging around to the back of the building, Sheik allowed a moment of weakness and sat down on the dew-covered grass. He buried his face against his palms and let out a tense moan. His head began to hurt.
He heard soft footsteps and sighed, glancing up.
"Sheik?"
Nabooru's head leaned around the corner. Seeing he was alone, she moved quietly around him to sit inches from his side. There was a short quiet.
"Impa was your mother, wasn't she?" Nabooru asked in a whisper.
Sheik said nothing, not bothering to correct her. It might as well have been the truth. Nabooru held his hand briefly before staring out at the shell of the Skulltula house.
"We Gerudos understand about losing mothers. All our warriors are women, so we're raised to expect early deaths. It can't be made easy, though."
She leaned her head delicately against Sheik's shoulder. He accepted the gesture in silence, easing his head back to rest against the wall. Deep beneath Sheik's sadness, the small piece of Zelda that remained was losing her grip on herself. Her kingdom needed her to disappear, and Link needed her to love him. Sheik buried the thought and closed his eyes, too exhausted and inebriated to stay awake.