Author's note: I wrote this chapter about a year ago, so don't wonder if its a little abstract and badly told. I tried to make a few changes here and there so that it went better with the current story, and because my English has improved drastically over these last twelve months.
Just so I said it once before some or you get disappointed: this is a love story with a MiLink shipping. And there'll be mature content in the next chapters so be prepared. (no dirty lemon, more a wonderful rescue attempt … I told you, this story is abstract!)
Chapter 46 – Shadow Kiss
It took a very long while until Link could actually manage to find his senses again. He felt terribly tired, even if he surely had slept for a long time. No sound met his soughing ears, but behind the skin of his eyelids he was able to perceive a warm, orange light to his right. By all this time he had lain there in that bed, he knew that it must be either evening or even the middle of the night. He also noticed a bigger presence next to him, maybe the shaman, but by the way it occasionally moved much more gracefully and delicately, he presumed it to be female.
''Midna?'' he asked, trying to let his voice sound loud enough to be actually heard. It was raucous and scratchy by long disuse or even something else, but the person next to him had heard him perfectly. ''Link! Oh, thank the Goddesses, you're awake!''
That was not the voice he knew from his little imp companion. It sounded much more tender and softer, however not childish like Luda's voice, but older and more mature. Link was intrigued, for he knew that voice all too well. But he could not believe that the person belonging to it was really sitting there, next to him at the edge of his bed. It was so … impossible!
When he at last managed to open his eyes, be it just a crack, he nearly started to weep in happiness. ''Uli!'' he gasped as his arms tried to lift themselves, wanting to take her slender body into their embrace, but she got the drop on him. Blowing out a relieved and overjoyed breath, she threw herself forward and wound her thin, long arms around his broken frame. ''I was so worried! Oh, Link, my child! I love you so much …'' Her sobs rang in his ears as he felt her lovely, assuring presence so close to him, and he let his own tears flow freely down his cheeks.
Long, they stayed in one another's embrace, cherishing a moment they had so long not lived. It was as if all the dark clouds around Link's mind and soul dispersed in that very instant, being chased away by his surrogate mother's soft, appeasing words of Love she whispered in his ear. He felt her palm ruffle through his hair and noticed that her hands were pleasingly warm, as always. Oh, how much he wanted this moment to last forever, just being held by her, feeling as safe as he never had felt in months.
''I missed you so much …'' he sobbed over her shoulder. Her head nodded approvingly as she replied, no less touched. ''I missed you too … oh you can't imagine how much!''
But soon, Link's upper body started to ache in tiredness from the long holding upright, and letting out a moan, he let go of her, plummeting down to the mattress again. Uli moved the chair on which she had sat closer to him and took his hand gently in hers, stroking over it with a smile on her beautiful features.
''How are you feeling, sweetheart?'' she asked in her unforgettable voice. Her cerulean eyes were clouded by tiredness, apparently she had been sitting at his side for quite a while without daring to sleep. Link tried to smile, but his weakness let only the outer corners of his mouth lift a millimetre. ''Happy.'' came his quiet reply. ''I'm so glad you're here.''
Uli grinned as she stroked his hand. ''I had to come to take care of my oldest, of course.''
Link then looked at her with worry in his eyes. ''But how … I mean, you didn't travel alone, did you?'' Uli shook her head, smiling at the sheer thought of it. ''No no, of course not. When Renado's letter came to Ordon, Rusl went here alone, telling me I should not come just after the birth, but nothing could stop me. I followed with the Group two days after.''
Link exhaled in effeteness, smiling despite his weakness. ''Rusl told me … about Aryll. Is she … all right?'' Uli chuckled softly. ''Yes, I left her in Bo's care, and she's fine. When I'm back I shall tell her about her two brothers despairingly wanting to meet her. She'll boast with proudness by hearing all the deeds they accomplished.'' She kept on smiling, caressing the top of Link's hand. Her adoptive son already looked a bit drowsy, for his eyes kept falling shut.
''Link, I wish I could stay here at your side and ensure that you'll be okay, but I'm afraid I have to go again first thing in the morning. Aryll is a hungry child and I'm afraid goat milk will not suffice her long enough. It's a mother's instinct, I'm afraid … '' she said, looking down at her swollen breasts.
Link immediately nodded in comprehension. ''Of course, please, you have to go back to her. I already feel much better, I just need to rest a few days longer … and I'll be … all right.'' His voice trailed off as his breath failed to perform words.
Uli stretched out a hand to caress his cheek, shushing him. ''That's exactly what you are going to do now, sweetheart.'' But Link forced his eyes open again. ''Please be … careful on the road, it swarms with Bulblins and … other dangerous … '' he said, wanting to draw himself up but failing miserably. The woman inched him back to bed carefully. ''Don't worry, honey. I met a few very nice creatures here which are willing to escort me back safely. I think they said they owed you a favour for having saved their patriarch, am I correct?'' A knowing grin crossed her face at her words.
Link couldn't help but smile. If the friendly Gorons escorted his mother figure back to Ordon, she really had nothing to worry about. ''Oh yes, they will do just fine. Please be sure … to thank them from me.''
He could already feel heavy weights tug at his eyelids, and he cast his surrogate mother a last, happy smile before he sealed his eyes once more from the world. He saw Uli bend forward to kiss his forehead lightly, and it was also the last thing he felt before sleep took hold of him again.
0
''Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?'' Rusl asked worriedly, draping a delicate hand over Uli's flattening belly. She smiled at him and ruffled his hair as if he were a helpless child. ''Darling, I need you to stay with Link and make sure he's all right. He needs you more than I do. And the Gorons will protect me on the road back, so you have nothing to fear.''
Rusl seemed not convinced, but the Ordonian woman allowed no contradiction. ''The Goron elder said he'd send his toughest scouts and warriors with me. Do you seriously think those monster on the road stand a chance?''
The blacksmith huffed out in frustration and silenced his wife with a sudden plunge for her mouth. She grunted out in surprise as he kissed her passionately, soon sighing with a smile and winding her arms around him. ''Take care of yourself …'' Rusl whispered. ''And kiss Aryll for me.''
Uli laughed quietly and pecked his cheek. ''I will.''
The morning sun was sluggishly sidling its way up to the zenith as the resistance Group, Renado, the children and Midna bade the blonde woman goodbye and a safe road home. Five Gorons, as fierce-looking as oversized wrestler and heavily armed with hammers and crossbows, nodded eagerly to their elder who was giving them last-minute instructions. Gor Coron was always referring to them as his 'little brothers' and looked genuinely worried, a countenance which looked quite hilarious on the face of a mighty Goron such as him, as they departed alongside Uli's horse. Renado soon came up to him and patted his arm with a good-minded laugh, assuring that his five siblings would be just fine.
As the brown horse disappeared from view, the Goron elder came up to the shaman and Rusl. ''I heard that our noble rescuer is ill. Is it something serious?''
Renado smiled at him. ''Your concern is kind, but it is no longer needed. He is on the best way to recovery.''
The rock-man grinned happily. ''Ah, what good news! By my stony beard, he's a tough little human.'' he said, making the shaman chuckle slightly. ''His companion Midna told me he bested you in a wrestling match. Is that true, my friend?''
Gor Coron's cheeks turned a deep shade of ochre as he scratched his scalp in shame. ''Don't you mention it to my elder brethren, Armoto would pester me with it for the rest of his life …''
Renado laughed out heartily at this, letting the elder blush even more.
0
When Link next awoke, he felt already much stronger than the first time. His healing scars ached much lesser, and only the place near his belly-button still tormented him quite much. But this was bearable, much to his relief. Apparently, Renado had applied another layer of his miracle ointment to blight the pain coming from the wrath of the Curse. Yet, by a feeling he could not put words onto, he felt strangely good, as if Darkness had lifted from him to let Light once more return to his broken body.
But he didn't understand, he could not comprehend why the Curse did this to him. Why did it give him this peaceful feeling when its initial means was to torture him? It made no sense.
A shift next to him brought him back to reality. His clearing ears soon heard every sound within the room, and behind still closed lids he perceived a pleasant, orange light around him. The air was quite heavy, a stench wafting in it that indicated numerous people having used the oxygen within it.
Instantly he felt the urge to breathe deeply in search for fresh air, and as soon as his belly stretched under the air he took in, a sudden pain let him groan out.
''Link!'' resounded the all too familiar voice of his faithful companion just next to him, and immediately he felt her warm, tiny hand rest on his cheek. After managing to separate both lids, Link opened his eyes and saw Midna's black and white face with its shimmering, orange hair above himself.
''Midna.'' he said, his lips breaking into a cracked smile; having her beside him only made him feel better. The young imp's pointy tooth grinned back to him as she cocked her head a bit in amusement, her high-pitched voice ringing pleasantly in his ears. ''Hope you're feeling good, 'cause if not you'll have a serious problem with me.'' she teased.
Link frowned a bit, uncomprehending. ''What do you mean?''
The bigger frame of the shaman appeared behind Midna. Despite his tired countenance, he was smiling broadly. ''She means that we have a victory.''
That didn't help much. Link straightened his upper half in the bed to lean against the back of his bed, casually noticing just how easy it was now for him. ''I don't understand.'' Midna flew over him to the other side to sit on the chair to Link's left, and Renado seated on his right. Taking his hand, he gaze deeply into the Hero's eyes. ''Link, the Curse that laid on you is broken! You are healed!''
There was just a short inhale from the youth before everything went silent. Link's look bore into the healer's eyes as he tried vainly to put sense to his words. Suddenly, all became clear; this pretended feeling of warmth the moment he woke up, his scars not hurting any more, the pleasant vigour in his body which he hadn't felt in days … it all made sense now.
He was cured! He was still alive! He was … free.
One sob came out of him before his body toppled to the side. Midna screamed out, but Renado was there in time to catch him. In the older man's embrace, Link could do nothing else but cry. He cried in deliverance, clawing his fingers into the shaman's woollen gown just to hold onto the wonderful truth, as if fearing that it might slip out of his grasp again and dip him into pain once more. Long he wept, a moment wherein Midna came closer and wound her long, thin arms around his frame as well. She pressed her entire body against his just to let him feel her sympathy, a move which he gave back by working one of his arms free and tying it around her.
Another moment past by until they separated again. Link wiped his eyes on a towel that Renado handed him while Midna sat down beside him on the sheets again. ''Thank you.'' said Link, but his voice still shook with emotion. ''Thank you so much.''
''It's okay, Link.'' said Renado. ''I'm so sorry that we were only able to help you when your suffering was at its highest. Forgive us.''
That only let new tears of emotion well up in Link's eyes, and he could just nod before pressing the towel once more on his face to hide his crying eyes. Renado tapped gently on the Hero's shoulder in affection and let him in Midna's care as he went back to his table where he had been busy cutting herbs. The imp sat down in the little space Link's legs and upper body formed as he lay on his right side. Leaning against his thighs, she watched him how he dried his eyes.
''I never saw you cry like that.'' she said not without a little teasing tone. Link glided a bit down the bed so that his head could rest on the pillow once more, placing one arm under his head as an additional support and glancing at her with tired eyes. ''You didn't have to live for days with a curse upon you.'' he answered in a quiet voice.
Midna fell silent, looking down. Her hands and fingers fumbled restlessly with one another, and for many a long moment, she didn't say a word. Her back which leaned against Link's body perceived his soft breaths stirring his belly gently, and she felt good knowing that he wasn't in pain any more. But her tongue burned to tell him all, to contradict him, however the healer's presence in the distance and her own proudness forbade it.
But what was so bad in telling him? Was that not the perfect opportunity?
''Link, I … '' she began, looking to him, and fell silent once more. Link laid there just like before, but his eyes had fallen shut from tiredness, and he was already fast asleep again. Midna's lips smiled kindly as she stroked with one finger over his cheek. ''I meant just to wish you a good night.'' she said instead.
A deep inhale from the youth answered her, followed by a mumbled ''Thanks.'' and a little smile.
0
Next time Link opened his eyes, the broad light of day already faded to an early evening glow. He found himself lying on his right side, but what was most pleasant to notice was that this position didn't hurt at all, like it had done before. At once, everything from the day prior came back to him, and he had difficulties holding back his tears of pure happiness and alleviation.
As he tried to move his muscles and found that it was terribly easy, another move let him look to his left and immediately his lips lifted.
''Mmmm … '' came Midna's little voice from her place at his thighs. She had her eyes tightly closed and both arms draped over his limbs as a pillow for her broad head. Link looked at her for a moment, his smile still locked on his features. Somehow, he couldn't tear his look away from her, for she suddenly seemed so fragile, so alone and small. He had an abrupt urge to wind his arms around her like he had done the day before, but strangely, he didn't dare to move. Maybe it was because he didn't want to wake her, or because he wanted to simply look at her without her knowing.
This privilege didn't last long, however, for a sudden squashing feeling inside his belly let him shout out in fright and double up. Immediately, Midna was awake, but this queer sensation in his stomach already disappeared from his senses.
''Link, sorry, did I do something? Are you okay?'' Midna said in a drowsy voice, rubbing her eyes. Link was massaging his belly thoughtfully and answered that it was nothing. He thought it best not to ponder too much on it right now and instead smiled at her. ''Did you sleep well?''
''Mhm,'' she answered, her drowsiness making him laugh. ''What are you laughing at, you insolent wolf?!'' she cried and stemmed her fists into her sides. Link made a move as if to shield himself against someone's wrath and laughed only more.
''Well, at least you seem to be in a good shape today.'' she said and broke a little, defeated smile. Link ceased laughing and considered the truth she had just revealed. Indeed, he was feeling as strong as long not in the days he had lain there. ''I feel good, actually.'' he answered and looked down at himself. ''How is this possible?''
Midna chuckled softly. ''You had enough sleep the last two days, and your curse is broken. I think you can be happy that it turned out that well.'' Link locked eyes with her and cocked his head. ''You seem kind of irritated, Midna. Is everything all right?''
The young imp suddenly looked shocked. ''Oh, yes! I'm all right!'' and added in a softer and a bit shy tone. ''I'm just, well … relieved that you don't suffer so much any more and, well … that you are all right. I was, you know, quite worried and … ehm … ''
While she was talking and her voice slowly trailed away, Link gently reached for her hand and held it firmly. Midna turned silent upon feeling her palm embraced by his bigger hand, and they sat there for a while, just looking at their two limbs united. Midna glanced at him after a moment and saw the deep thankfulness in his clouded eyes, and somehow she felt odd about it. Not the look he was wearing, but the darkness in his pupils that enshrouded them like a veil. She presumed that it was just weariness from having suffered so much pain the last few days, but then …
''So where's your Fused Shadow?'' Link asked, quickly pulling his hand towards himself once more as the silence got awkward. Midna felt her cheeks heat up in shame, but tried to hide it by turning away slightly. ''I gave it to Eldin in return for the Tears of Light.''
Link looked puzzled, so the imp took it upon herself to fill in the gap he had missed during the last few painful days. She noticed Link gently massage his belly while she spoke, and wondered inwardly if it was pain or just discomfort from the remaining wound.
''He really gave one of his precious tears … for me?'' the Hero asked incredulously. As Midna cleared him up that not only one, but all four of the Light Spirits had each contributed in Link's healing, the youth's mouth fell agape. His astonished countenance, however, soon went over to a shocked one as Midna depicted how he lost his mind to pain. She had initially not wanted to reveal this so shortly after his healing, but as Link kept asking questions about what he had done, she was soon forced to tell him about Rusl's shoulder.
''Oh no …'' he breathed, burying his eyes in his palms. ''I'd never hurt him, he's my surrogate father! Did I really … bite his shoulder?'' The Twili sighed. ''You really don't remember a thing?''
Link shook his head. ''It's all blurry and totally mixed up. As if someone had told me a story and I imagined myself in it. It doesn't make any sense.''
''That's weird, really. Well, at least you're back to yourself, and that's good. I really prefer you like this than lying half conscious in bed and wincing every time I make the bed shift.''
Link smiled and looked down. ''And I'm glad you removed that Fused thing from your head, you look so much more beautiful like this.''
As soon as his sentence was out, and Midna stared at him in disbelief, he clapped a hand over his mouth as if he had let something secret slip out. ''Did I really say that aloud?''
Midna tried to laugh nonchalantly, yet inside she was boiling with adrenaline. She couldn't find anything clever to say in return, and apparently Link could neither, so the uncomfortable silence following let them look down in shame.
Midna's mind was reeling. What was that now? she thought confused. Did he mean it? Or did he just say so to comfort me? She knew she had to ask him about it, and the question about his Horsecall still lingered untouched in her mind. If she tried to seem cool and cheeky as always, maybe she could investigate his statement a little further and hide her untamed curiosity behind the masquerade of her sarcasm? It was worth a try, but the simple thought about it let her heart race in nervousness.
Ok, Midna. Just get it over with! she decided, and opened her mouth to set her plan into action, when the door suddenly emitted its usual, non-lubricated squeak along with the click of the doorknob.
She quickly cleared her throat as if nothing where while Renado entered the room and smiled at them. ''Good afternoon, Link and Midna. It's nice to see you both up so lately.''
They smiled self-consciously at his remark, for it was quite true; they had both slept for at least ten hours non stop. ''How're you feeling, Link?''
Link now smiled broadly. ''Very good, I feel like I'm newborn in this world.'' The shaman chuckled. ''Oh, well that's nice to hear. Did you sit up all on your own?''
The Kakarikan seemed genuinely surprised by Link's good condition, especially when the Hylian stood up slowly and headed for the chair in front of the table without as much as a little stumble. His upper body was still uncovered and slightly bloody from the last wound and the deep scratches, which Renado carefully bandaged while examining the youth's other scars thoroughly by scanning his belly with his fingers. Link gave a soft cough of pain the moment he passed the wound still healing, but assured quickly that it was nothing.
''I can't believe it!'' Renado exclaimed happily as he sat down in front of Link, watching him with a broad smile. ''I've never seen someone recover from such severe wound as quickly as you. The fact that you can walk on your own proves that you have no internal damage, and that you have regained nearly all the blood you lost.''
Link's voice sounded still quiet and powerless as he answered, but the look he wore spoke fathoms. ''I would never have pulled trough without your care, Renado. It's thanks to you that I'm still alive.''
The older man made a nonchalant swish with his hand, but instead of protesting Link bend forward and wound his arms tightly around him. Midna smiled as they embraced each other, Renado's eyes widening briefly in surprise before closing over the youth's shoulder. ''I'm so glad you're well again, Link. You gave us all quite a fright.''
Link looked at him again, smiling in shame. ''I hope I never will again.''
Renado tapped him on the shoulder affectionately before standing up once more. ''Tell me, would you like to go downstairs and say hello to our fellow fighters? They're just having supper and would be very pleased to see you so well. I suppose you're hungry as well?''
Link nodded, but he had another urge. ''You're right, and I would love to, but actually I'd want to take a bath at first to wash all this blood away. I'm feeling more filthy than ever.''
Renado lifted his brows and nodded. ''Oh! Well, guess you're right, shall I set the kettle on for a bath in the washing room?''
''No, I'd prefer to go to the spring. Like this I get some fresh air and some movement all the while.''
''But knowing you, you'd like to go alone, wouldn't you?'' the healer countered, folding his arms and looking cheekily at the blushing youth.
Link smiled shyly and looked down. Renado seemed to know him better than he knew himself. ''Yes, if you don't mind.'' To his surprise, the healer agreed. ''I can't keep you from anything, but you'll have to promise me not to overdo yourself, you are still healing.''
So with the shaman's help, Link was soon standing on his two feet, getting the feeling back of sensing his weight on them. ''I think I should be able to walk alone.'' he said after a few steps assisted by Renado. The latter nodded happily, letting him walk the last few paces to the door. Midna watched with widened eyes just how well her Hero was at last. It made her heart scream with happiness and relief to know he was feeling so good.
When Link stepped out of his room and supported himself on the railing, Rusl's voice from downstairs met his Hylian ears. The Group sat at the big, round table in the middle and listened intently to the blacksmith's talking, all holding a wooden cup in their hands and occasionally taking a sip from it. The kids were playing with wooden figures in a corner and took no notice of the adults as they talked. Ilia sat with the older gathering at the table and listened to their words.
''Well, he charged it without hesitation, but this foul creature simply knocked him away with this club of an axe.'' Rusl was saying, receiving stunned looks and a silent whimper from Ilia. ''But he kept on fighting. I've never seen someone fight with such ferocity than him.''
Renado approached Link and called over the railing towards the gathering. ''You can leave the talk about great deeds to later and greet our noble Hero first.''
Link went deep red with shame as everyone turned to him. A few gasps and shouts of surprise drifted up to him as he started to struggle his way down the stairs. Then, all the chairs were pushed back with loud rumbling as everyone stood up and raced to the steps, but Rusl was there first. He ran up the stairs like mad and pronounced Link's name just once ere he flung his arms around him.
''Link, oh my boy, you're well!'' he gasped over his shoulder and held the youth tightly. Link was so surprised by this move that his body froze momentarily, and it took him a few seconds before he, too, could return the gesture and squeeze the blacksmith in his embrace. Everyone cheered as they joined them with taps on their shoulders and words of care. Link noticed in awe how his surrogate father even shed a few tears as he held him close to himself, and soon he felt his own eyes water in emotion upon feeling Rusl's body stir with sobs. ''I'm so sorry about your shoulder, Rusl.'' Link said, eyeing the white bandage looking out from underneath the blacksmith's shirt. ''I didn't know what I was doing …''
Rusl just shook his head and tapped his son on the shoulder. ''I was careless, it's all my fault. Don't you even think about it, okay?''
Only reluctantly could the smith elicit Link an agreeing nod. Together with the others, the Hero walked to the base the stairs where the kids were upon him immediately. They screamed and shouted in happiness and wrapped their tiny arms around him, a move which he had not expected either. Just after that, Beth and Talo jumped up and down and riddled him with question.
''Link! It's so good to see you! We were so worried!''
''What was wrong? Were you dying?''
''No, Talo, you imbecile!''
''Sorry, but he screamed and cried like a goat that's being slaughtered.''
''That's because he was in pain, you moron!''
''But why?''
''Because … well … Link, why were you in pain? Were you injured?''
Link nodded nervously while looking around for an explanation; he didn't really fancy the idea of telling the kids about that Curse and his totally mad reaction to its pain. ''I'll tell you another time, is that all right?'' he suggested. The little ones agreed nonchalantly since their little minds were more focused on playing than the past of his sufferings. Link didn't blame them for that at all, he was actually rather pleased that this subject was, for now, settled.
Before he could even think about excusing himself from the merry gathering, his eyes caught sight of another welcomed person who was standing behind the children, its gaze pointed at its feet. ''Hello Ilia.'' he said, and the young woman's head jerked up to him.
He was slightly frightened by her red-rimmed eyes and weary appearance, and immediately felt the urge to tell her how sorry he was for everything. But before he could move towards her, she was already hurling herself at his neck with a huff of joy, winding her slender arms tightly around his middle. ''Oh Link! Don't you ever do that again, you hear me?!''
The party around them laughed out happily at the sight of the two youths united once more, and Link nodded while staggering a little under the crushing embrace of his life-long friend.
''Would you like something to eat?'' Rusl suggested after they separated once more. ''I can go look in the kitchen for what is left.'' But Link merely shook his head. ''Actually I wanted to go to the spring and have a bath, after all this time. But I'll have something later, if that's okay.''
Rusl nodded eagerly. ''Of course. We'll wait for you here.''
''I made some stew, if you like I can warm it up for you.'' Ilia said with a huge smile, and Link grinned back crookedly. ''That would be gorgeous, I've always loved your stew!''
Just as he turned towards the door, however, Renado called back at him. ''Link, don't overdo yourself, remember!''
''I'll remember.'' said Link smiling and took his leave, stepping out into the bright evening sun that sent its last rays onto the world.
''Renado, is he really all right now?'' Rusl asked as soon as the door closed behind the youth.
''Yes, my friend. I saw him stand up all on his own, and he looks as if the pain is completely gone. I'm quite sure he isn't lying this time.''
The blacksmith's grin said it all. Contently they sat back down at the table while Ilia disappeared in the kitchen and the children resumed their figure playing. While Rusl finished his tale about the Temple of Time he had started earlier, Midna silently stepped back up the stairs into Link's room and glanced through the window onto the main street. Her searching gaze set on her Hero as he carefully stepped along the road towards the little cavern, and she couldn't help but sigh in longing.
Had he meant his last sentence to her? Was she beautiful to his eyes? Or had he just said it out of politeness?
Damn it! she thought with another huff. Why am I always so shy when it comes to him? I wasn't like this on the beginning of our journey …what the heck is happening to me?
0
The usually dusty path leading to the spirit spring was rather muddy this time; apparently, it had rained. Link took his steps with caution, fearing that he might loose balance and fall. But his pace was sure and his legs strong. He was definitely on the way of recovery.
Passing the sanctuary, he entered the little cavern leading to the deeper basin of the spring where he and Midna had already taken a bath a few weeks ago. His careful steps reverberated against the walls of red rock as he passed underneath the high ceiling and ascended, with a little more difficulty, the inclined path leading to the small outgoing.
His left hand searched for support as he plopped against the wall just above the basin, panting in effeteness. His face turned into an ironic smirk as he looked over himself. You really are a great Hero who tires already at a little ascent. He knew perfectly that, if Renado would have heard that, he would have slapped him.
The soft burbling of the crystal clear water played pleasantly in his ears, letting him shiver with silent anticipation. He would at last be able to free his scarred body from all the traces of blood remaining, and perhaps the washing would also help him to forget all this grief the Curse had brought to him. He had to convince himself once more, since his exhausted soul was still numb with disbelief, that it was really over, that all this torment was at last at an end.
After descending the stone stairs down to the shore, he removed his white shirt and spread it over a rock near him. Just before entering the water, though, he looked down onto his disfigured belly. The big, long scars were no beautiful sight, especially the one crossing his entire torso. There was still the place where this incision had not completely healed and which Renado had covered with the bandage to keep it from opening again. As he touched it with two fingers, the well-known pain grabbed him again but let only the outer corner of Link's brow twitch; this little sting was nothing compared to the pain of that Curse.
He decided to leave his stomach as it was and turned towards the edge where the water rolled in tiny waves over the sand. As the liquid embraced his bare feet, its cold tickle let a shiver run down his spine. He waded in the low billows until he saw the ground disappear in the depths of the basin, and without waiting any longer, he plunged head-first into the water.
The shock of the sudden cold froze his movements for a fraction of a second, but it was a wonderful feeling to be roused out of his body's apathy at last. He could perceive every bloodstream pounding in excitement, could sense his nerves electrify his mind and soul. His legs performed a few powerful strokes, aided by his swinging arms, and before he really noticed it, his fingertips touched the stony ground.
Turning around, he pressed his arms up to propel his body down and landed with both feet softly against the floor of the pool. He pulled his legs in as if he wanted to crouch down, releasing a bit of air so that his filled lungs would not let him drift up again. And then, he turned immobile, closing his eyes and letting his mind wander freely around in search for the water's touch.
The quiet burbling of the spring above send a pleasant melody down to him, letting him forget everything around him except the soft, dandling movements of the water sending him into another world.
The water made him feel weightless, as if he was just another mass of molecules melting together with the blue around him. He wasn't there any more, had become a part of the spirit spring and the water surrounding him. He would hover in its entity for the rest of his life, enjoying the silence of the endless peace which had taken him prisoner, which had seduced him by showing him a place where everything was equal, serene, and calm.
Yet, he could still hear the faint bubbling the air he released from time to time made when the pressure in his lungs became too great. He found it quite annoying to hear a sound not fitting into this environment under the surface, and he wished that it would stop. Why did humans always need air? It was so uproarious when it left the mouth of a land dweller, so loud it could become sometimes! Why couldn't it just stop? He wasn't a human any more, so he would never need it again. He could just squeeze his lungs empty so that they would be quiet at last. Yes, that was a good idea.
Uh, so loud it was! He heard bubbling all around him as he forced every bit of air out of his breast. The pressure of the water became greater, but the annoying sounds had stopped. At last! This human shell which took in so much room in his entity was finally out of air, so he could at last listen to the silent tranquillity reigning around him in peace.
But … what was that? What was this strange thing in his chest which grabbed him as if a foot was pressing on someone's breast to suffocate a dying soul? It felt like a weight pulling him down, like a heavy clump inside him that grew and grew and took in more and more room. Soon, his throat, or at least the place where his throat would have been would he still be a Hylian, was grabbed too, the weight crushing it until it contracted painfully. Yes, it hurt, even if he couldn't tell why. But it was impetuous, and agonizing, so agonizing that he clenched his teeth.
Hang on! Water didn't have teeth! But Hylians had. Where was his body? He heard no bubbling any more. Where was Link? He had to find him before the pain destroyed him. Before the suffering extinguished the only living link he had to the world above.
There was a touch on his throat, a tight grip closing upon it as if it wanted to tear the pain out of it. A new torment shot out from somewhere deeper, letting his fear become even greater. Where the hell was his body?!
A sudden groan let him jump in fright. The other water moved, whirled around as something pushed off from the ground, letting his world turn wildly around. He was stirred, beaten, broken up as the body within him made it's way upward, guided by an unconquerable will which was stronger than any logical thinking.
His mass was pushed aside as the survival instinct of Link won over his confused mind.
With a loud splash, Link broke through the surface and flung his arms over the edge of the basin to hold himself above water. He sucked in the air hungrily, gasping for breath. His head spun awkwardly, letting him moan out as his forehead met the rock rather roughly. But knowing that banging his head against the stone was no use to fight dizziness, he let his forehead lie on the edge and waited patiently for the vertigo to fade away and his breathing to become steady again. As he did, he tried to recall what had just happened underwater, and mentally slapped himself. I should really be more careful with water from now on, or everything Renado and Midna did for me was for nothing. It would be dishonouring their loyalty towards this irresponsible Hero!
He felt really bad now that this particular thought had crossed his mind. He was lucky that he didn't suffer Hydrophobia after this dangerous plunge at Lake Hylia that had nearly cost him his life. He could be marked forever, never able again to enter water deeper than a foot without having a panic attack. He shivered in dislike; never swim again? That would be horrible, for he simply loved swimming! His entire childhood he had passed countless summers above and under water, driving Rusl to the limit of his nerves when he had tried to stay underwater as long as possible. The blacksmith had been soaked wet a few times those summers, having plunged after his adoptive son when a number of minutes too great for his withstanding had ticked by. Link would always have laughed in amusement at seeing the terrified face the older man had worn, assuring him that he was all right and that his surrogate father had just messed up a new record.
He smiled as those pleasant memories submerged his mind. At the same time, he felt his shoulders sink deeper again, and he decided that no one and nothing would ever be able to break his Love for the water.
And with that, he grabbed the edge of the basin with both hands and pushed himself back under the surface again.
0
Link stayed at the spring for at least one hour, for the night was soon upon Kakariko. Occasionally, he rubbed his belly and sides to cleanse the healed skin from all the blood remaining, but mostly he swam around in the pool, diving here and there to the bottom and enjoying how easy it was now to move freely again. Sometimes, though, when he submerged too quickly, the folding of his body caused the still healing wound on his belly to hurt all of a sudden, letting him jerk in fright and retch on water. Several times, he shot up again and coughed terribly as he tried in vain to free his airways from the wet he had accidentally swallowed.
As he surfaced once again after a while, he had to grab the edge with one hand to hold himself up, and as he had successfully spit out all the water, he remained there at the border of the shore, panting, eyes closed in tiredness. Enough playing, he thought, I can't any more.
With a groan of effort, he heaved his body out of the water, crawling in the sand to find a comfortable place where he could sit down. He didn't slip his shirt over himself yet, for he wanted to let his body and leggings dry before returning to the shaman's house. And, even if he couldn't swim any more, he wanted to stay at the water's edge as long as possible to enjoy the melody of the spring and the silence of the night.
If they worried about him, they would just have to come and get him, he decided. So long hadn't he been able to go outside, now he wanted to make full use of his good condition and the free time he had to his disposal to enjoy these little pleasures of life to the full.
So he moved back to the edge and drew up one leg while letting the other dangle loosely in the water. It was one of his favourite positions, laying his chin drowsily on top of his knee and letting his mind loose itself in dreams. In this posture he had passed all these long hours of reflection every human did when he came of age to pose himself all the questions of life. And Link was someone who had enough material pondering on for a long time: where he came from, who his parents were, why they had left him in the woods, if he would one day meet them … He had passed all his youth sifting through his memory in search for answers, but had, until now, found none.
What was odd was that, even if he had never met his parents before and didn't know what they were like, he missed them sometimes. How often had he watched Talo, Malo or Beth with an envious eye when they came back home after a day of playing and were greeted with embraces and kisses? True it was that Rusl and Uli had treated him like that too when he was young, but he had never called them ''mother'' or ''father''.
There had been a time where he didn't even know those two words. He could well remember that day when he had picked up the word ''dad'' for the first time in his life, when Ilia had called her father, major Bo, who had come to take her back home.
He had been three years old.
And he could also recall the embarrassment in Rusl's face that evening when he had asked him with his little, quiet voice, what this strange word meant. The blacksmith had said that some parents wanted their children to call them different names, easier for them to pronounce so that, when they came into trouble, they could better call their parents for aid.
To answer Link's second question as why Rusl and Uli had taught him their real names instead of easier ones (Rusl's name had been a real disaster for him for a long time, he remembered with a chuckle), his surrogate father had evaded the answer by assuring the three-year-old-Link that he would learn the answer when he was old enough.
Now, being seventeen, he could easily guess the cause: the married couple hadn't wanted him to call them names they didn't own, since they were not his real parents. But they had wanted to spare him from this knowledge until he would possess enough mental strength to withstand the truth, and would not be forced to loose the habit of calling them ''mum'' and ''dad''.
It all made sense to him, he had to admit. But it hadn't been easy, neither, to learn that Rusl and his wife were not his parents. And that had only caused more question to appear in his mind, and he had longed for so many years to find answers.
He was so lost in thoughts and questions that he didn't hear the faint pit-pat resounding in the cavern above him. Neither the dim green light caught his attention, and even the soft, high-pitched voice calling his name carefully remained unnoticed. ''Link?''
Above the spring, with a full view on the pool in the closed area, stood Midna. She had been worrying ever since the night had fallen about how Link was there at the water, all alone. The others had all said that she had nothing to fear and that Link could well look after himself. But she had had a strange feeling that they were wrong, and as Link still wasn't back one hour past sundown, she couldn't hold in place any longer.
So there she stood, looking down to Link sitting motionlessly at the water's edge, wondering if he ignored her willingly or if he simply hadn't heard her. She chose the latter as a more plausible cause and called for him again, louder this time. ''Link!''
Link's head shot around in fright, staring up with eyes open wide. ''What?''
Midna looked down to him, smiling a bit shyly. She saw him search around with his wonderful blue eyes, but the darkness of the cave entrance and her dark skin made her nearly invisible. ''Midna? Is that you?'' he asked.
She turned towards the stony stairs, deciding to come down to him since he had difficulties to make her out in the dark. ''Yes, it's me. Can I come down?''
As she looked again at him from the edge of the stairs, she saw that he was smiling. Apparently, he could now fully see her black and white body with it's glowing green lines criss-crossing her arms and legs. ''Please, why would I say no?'' he answered with a warm but weary voice. He was visibly tired, for his eyelids were heavy and his head battled to stay upright.
Midna smiled back broadly and settled beside him on the shore, letting her feet hang over the rim as well. ''I just wanted to know if you were all right, I was quite worried about you.'' she said while looking to him with kind, glistening eyes. The other, unvoiced cause of her coming was actually to be alone with him, but she would never reveal that to him.
Link smiled happily back, nodding his thanks. ''I am, no need to worry.''
Then there was silence. No one made an attempt of starting a conversation. Midna not since she was satisfied now, seeing Link well, and to tell the truth she hadn't really been thinking of words to say when she would at last be reclusive with him. Link neither said anything because he hadn't been expecting her coming. No one knew what to say.
Midna was quite embarrassed, for she had interrupted him in his cogitations and had even seated beside him. She felt rather awkward now, and the shame let her head heat up terribly. She could see, from the corner of her eye, that Link let his gaze sink down, moving his left foot nervously in the water. She had to say something, anything, or she would be so misplaced that she would have to go again, apologizing a million times of having disturbed him.
But what could she say? The weather, perhaps? No, bad idea, for Link had been asleep all day. Maybe ask what he had done there, alone, at the spring? Oh no! That was none of her business, and she might sound rude and too interested, what could anger him or embarrass him even more.
Think, Midna, think! she screamed in her head. What could she say? What could she say?! What the hell could she …
''Midna, I've got to ask you something.''
She jumped as she heard Link's shaking voice beside her, and she turned her head to him, a questioning gaze in her single eye.
Link was still looking down, his face suddenly stern as he placed a trembling hand on his chest, on the scar of the longest, deepest cut his body had endured. She noticed that he stared at the bloodstained cloth covering the still healing injury, and his eyes were strangely glassy, as if viewing a scene passed long ago.
Breathing deeply, he continued. ''My memories are broken from that night at Lake Hylia, all I know it that you saved my life.'' He looked at her, his twin oceans clouded by tiredness yet still glistening with a somehow knowing gaze that gave his eyes new strength. ''How did you save me?''
Midna's hand on which she had supported her weight slipped over the rock as she heard his question. She suddenly felt even hotter that before as she stared fiercely at the water in front of her as if trying to squeeze an answer out of the low waves. How would she ever tell him how she had saved him from drowning?
''I … I,'' she stammered. ''Well, you know, it wasn't actually me who got you out of the water. It was, well, the Light Spirit Lanayru who found you underwater and carried you to the shore. I would never have been capable of doing that with my tiny arms.''
She heard him chuckle softly. ''No, definitely not. I'm much too heavy for you.'' Midna had just wanted to laugh with him, relieved that this was done, when Link replied. ''But I didn't really mean that.'' Her brows pursed in despair as she frantically looked down so that his vigilant eyes would not see it.
''I stayed much too long underwater, no human can survive that, not even the Hero. I must have been nearly dead.'' he said, his voice deepening with concern as he looked at her. She felt her eyes water as the horrible picture of seeing him lying half-dead before her dug it's claws into the border of her sight. She could blink as much as she wanted, it didn't let go.
''Well, I presume that … that Lanayru gave you the energy you needed to … well, to wake up again.'' she replied, trying to hold back her tears and looking away so that he would not see the lie in her eye.
Link's gaze turned downward, and Midna waited with bated breath for what he would say in return. His brows furrowed slightly as he searched in his shattered memory. ''I … can't remember any light.'' he said, thinking hard. ''I remember only darkness around me, and pain. But … '' he paused momentarily, closing his eyes as a feeling shot through his mind. Midna turned her eye to him without moving her head.
''There was … something else, that night. A feeling, a pleasant feeling that pulled at me, wrapped me in warmth, wanting me to come back. It was so pleasant that I could only follow it. And there I saw your face above me, heard your voice pronounce my name, felt your hand on my shoulder. In that instant, I knew that you saved me, Midna.''
He cast a smile at her, a smile so wonderful, so thankful, that Midna soon felt the first tear breaking through, wandering over her skin. She decided that it was no use to fight against her feelings any longer, for both her tears and the truth only known by her were much too strong. Her voice trembled as she said in a low tone. ''That feeling, Link, was a … kiss … I kissed you … ''
She heard Link gasp, and slowly his smile faded away. His eyes were filled with a strange look, a mix between surprise, shock and astonishment. But Midna was scared by this look, thinking that he was angry because she had kissed him without his permission. As Link's shocked gaze moved down, she couldn't hold still any more. ''Please, Link, don't be angry. I … I had no choice! It just happened, I don't know why … It was necessary, you were dying, and I couldn't let you die! Because I wanted you to live, you must live! Because I love-'' She had just the time to stop herself by biting her lip mercilessly. She clapped a hand over it as the singeing pain let her moan out, casting a considering look to Link to see if he showed any sign proving that he had noticed her gaffe.
But he still stared with a blank gaze in front of him, breathing rather strangely as if he felt somehow cold. Or hot. It was really odd. She had never seen him act like this before.
But then, Link shifted by pushing his weight up with his arms. She just caught a glance of his face where his eyes had closed and his brows knit, wearing a countenance of disappointment, even betrayal.
Midna's eyes widened in horror. He stood up, preparing to leave! She was suddenly the most frightened like she hadn't been in months. She had angered him, or deceived him, or even worse! No, he couldn't leave her like that, she had to stop him. ''Link! Please, don't go! I didn't meant to kiss you without your willing, but I had no choice! Please don't be angry, it was so save you, I couldn't let you die! I … I had … to …''
What was he doing there?
Her voice died away as she watched, mouth agape, how Link laid down on his back, half a meter behind her. He had lowered himself parallel to the water's edge on the sand surrounding the spring, and had closed his eyes, placing one hand to rest on his belly.
Midna didn't understand anything any more. Was he now angry that she had kissed him without his permission or not? She was too confused about the whole situation that she couldn't think of anything better to ask than. ''A - Are you tired?''
Without opening his eyes, Link slowly shook his head. Instead, he answered in a weary, whispering tone from which Midna couldn't tell if it was real or fake. ''I'm drowned, Midna.''
What?! she thought with the utmost bewilderment. What the hell is he talking about?
''I … I beg your pardon?'' she stammered, choosing the more gentle version to ask him. This time, Link turned his head to her, looking at her with eyes half closed. ''I'm drowned, Midna.'' he repeated even softer. ''Save me … ''
He closed his eyes again, turning his head back and breathing another time. ''Please, Midna … save me … ''
It took a long moment before Midna could actually move. She felt strangely light, and feared already that a sudden gust of wind could blow her away. She had lived this scene before, seeing Link lying there on the ground in front of her, and if she wasn't mistaken, he even held his breath intently. The sight let a shiver run down her back, for it seemed so real, so similar to this tragic night that it really scared her.
But wait a moment! To save him, she had kissed him, she could too well recall that! But … no, this could not be. This simply could not be Link's real wish … or could it?
Midna was completely lost between her confusion, the fear of seeing him like that once more, and her desire of kissing him again. What if she interpreted his plea wrongly? What if he didn't want her to kiss him but do something else to save him? Oh, what should she do?
''Midna … ''she heard from beside her, which tore her out of her stirred reflections. Link was looking into her eyes again, holding an arm outstretched in her direction, waiting for her to take it. He smiled with the kindest of smiles, so soothing that all her worries dispersed like smoke, leaving only her loving desire behind. He was just so beautiful …
Her fingertips hovered to him and were embraced by his bigger hand. He pulled her very gently to him, and she just followed, standing up and lowering herself quickly after beside him again, kneeling at his left side just like then at the lake. He raised her hand to place it softly on his shoulder, all without moving his warm gaze from hers. She let herself go, trusting him that he had noticed her confusion and helped her out.
All his movements were very slow and calm, filling her to the brim with tenderness and care. She still had no idea what he wanted from her; however, had no doubt any more as Link placed her other hand, the left one, on his right cheek, and closed his eyes again while muttering drowsily. ''Save me … I'm dying … ''
Mida could feel the adrenaline move up into her head as she leaned forward, approaching his face very slowly. Her mouth came nearer and nearer, so near that she could feel Link's warm breath on her lips. And … just as she closed her eyes, they touched him, caressed him … kissed him.
The bliss which overcame her the moment Link gave back the kiss by moving his lips softly was like a firework exploding in her mind. Unintentionally, she let out a moan as the sheer pleasure took hold of her, and she moved on her turn her lips just as he had done. He was stroking over her mouth with such care as if her lips were made of pure glass. His hands approached her chin and cheeks, caressing them like her mouth, with the utmost care. But as she did the same with her hands as well, she felt something warm, wet on his face.
Even if she did it with the most reluctance, she pulled her lips away from his and opened her eyes, looking down at him with loving concern. ''You're crying … '' she muttered.
Link opened his eyes too, gazing at her with a look he had never worn before. It was like sadness, but deeper, and … happier. But how could sadness be happy? This didn't make sense, something was wrong. No one could be deeply sad and happy at the same time.
It took some time before she understood. There was only one thing on earth that could transform sadness into happiness, hatred into respect, despair into hope …
… Love …
''Don't stop … '' he sobbed silently. ''Please … ''
More tears ran down his temples as he saw that Midna had begun crying too. She leaned over him again, but halted in mid-air. ''Please tell me if it's true.'' she pleaded, snivelling. ''Do you love me, Link? Please tell me the truth.''
She asked it even if she could already see the answer in his crystal eyes. She just wanted to hear it once and for all so that she would not have to live in doubt any longer.
Link's sobs became harsher as he tried to form words, so moved by his own feelings that he had difficulties to speak properly. So he inhaled deeply a few times, catching his breath, and said then in a trembling voice filled with pure Love: ''Yes, I … I think I love you.''
Midna instantly dissolved into tears, burying her little face in her small hands and startling Link who straightened his upper body immediately. He sat beside her, watching her with an even sadder look. What had he done? Why had he burdened her with his feelings? After all she had been through, the only thing that came to his mind was telling her how much he longed for her, for her lips, her wonderful gaze, her entire body which let him shiver every time she moved. And now she was crying, weeping in despair because he loved her but she not, and that she couldn't tell him by fear of hurting him.
As Midna calmed down again, wiping her face, he was sitting with his legs drawn up, ears hanging down, staring at his knees. She was a little thoughtful at his sad countenance, but was still too moved to say a word. Then Link turned his head to her but kept his eyes down. ''I'm so sorry I burdened you with my feelings, and I can understand if you do not feel the same for me.'' His look transformed into one of despair as he stretched out his arms, indicating his shivering body. ''Please, if you're angry, shout at me, slap me, or drown me if you like, the water's just there … ''
He didn't have the time to finish as Midna clapped her hand over his mouth. She stood before him, her head at the same level than his, looking with glistening eyes into his. ''I really should slap you,'' she said in an upset voice, yet filled with care and Love that soothed it a bit. '' if you don't shut up now and listen to what I say. I love you, Link. I love you more that everything on this earth, do you hear me?'' Her voice shook with emotion, becoming louder, filled with despair. ''I love you, Hero chosen by the Gods! I love you!''
She had no time to breathe after her sentence when she saw Link burst into tears as well, propelling himself forward and winding his arms tightly around her.
She heard him sob terribly, felt the heat of his body close to her, and wound her arms around him too so that her fingers touched his skinny back and felt the bones of his ribs and shoulder blades against her fingertips.
They sat and stood there for many long moments, crying in Love. The water of the spring seemed to glow in the darkness of night as if the Light Spirit Eldin felt the pure Love within their hearts as well. The time seemed to stand still, as if to grant them a moment for their feelings to sink in. It was only after a very long time that they separated again but stayed in one another's arms. Link lifted one hand to Midna's face, stroking over her cheek to dry it. She returned the gesture, and both smiled lovingly.
But then, Link let out a feeble moan as he staggered on his knees, shooting out an arm to catch his tilting body. Midna gasped in fright as she started to slide out of his slackening embrace, clinging to his shoulders to hold herself in his arms. Link noticed that and leaned with quaking body over the ground to depose her softly in the sand, holding himself up with his two arms which trembled in effort. Midna was instantly at his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. ''Link? Are you all right?''
He didn't answer immediately, still trying to calm his shaking body down. She looked anxiously to him, her mind screaming for an opportunity to somehow help him.
''I'm all right,'' he then croaked wearily. ''I think I'm just tired. Perhaps it's better if I go back to Renado's house if I don't want to fall asleep on the road.'' He managed with great effort to lift his head, peering into her eye. She looked back at him with a little smile. ''Yes, I think that's the best thing to do.''
He let his head fall down again, apparently a failed attempt of nodding, and tried to stand up but vacillated dangerously. Midna's arms shot forward instinctively as if wanting to catch him should he collapse, of course it was completely impossible for her to hold him up. ''Be careful, will you?'' she said worriedly. ''I don't want to loose you now that you know my feelings.'' she added in a more ironic tone. Link smiled and this time managed to stand up without staggering too much. ''Aren't you coming with me?'' he asked while making a few unsure steps as if figuring out if his trembling legs could still carry him.
She shook her head. ''Did you see in what a state I am?'' Stretching out her arms, she indicated her soiled body which was covered in dirt, dust and Link's long dried blood from the night at the lake. ''I feel like plaster-covered in all this blood, since I haven't had a bath in weeks.''
''Oh.'' said Link and looked down, feeling a bit ashamed to not have noticed that his blood still covered her entirely. ''Then I'll wait for you, if you don't mind.''
But Midna shook her head wildly. ''No! You go straight back to Renado's house, you can barely hold on your feet any longer. Don't wait for me, I'll come later.'' To blight Link's starting protest, she flew up to him and placed a hand on his cheek, pressing the index finger of the other palm on his lips. ''No contradicting.'' she said calmly.
Link relapsed into silence, looking down and smiling with eyes closed. ''Okay.'' he said, lifting his head again and gazing into her ruby eye, wearing a shy grin. ''I'll wait for you in bed, then.''
Midna chuckled softly, brushing tenderly over his face.
Link turned towards the rock where his white shirt was spread out and put it on again before walking back to the stairs which led to the cave entrance above them. His steps were a bit unsteady but he kept going, ignoring the clumsy tumbling every now and again. However, he halted just in front of the entry, calling down to her. ''Midna!''
She turned away from the shore where she had just wanted to sit down to enter the water, and looked up to him. ''Yes?''
Link waited a little moment, letting his chin sink down and then quickly lifting his eyes before he said in a soft, caring voice. ''I love you.''
Midna was paralysed for a short instant, digesting what her long, pointed ears had just heard. It was still so new and unfamiliar to hear Link saying those three words, and her mind had to work it out another time before she could answer, wearing the happiest of smiles. ''I love you too.''
Link's face shone with happiness as he nodded slowly, turning then around to walk out of the spring pool area. Midna stayed a few moments where she was, still looking to where he had disappeared and trying desperately to believe the events of this night. Before, she had been imagining how it would be if Link would love her, and she had to admit that the reality was very different than she had envisaged and … a thousand times better!
All her wishes had come true just because she had had that feeling that something was wrong.
Not that there ever would be anything wrong again.
0
The steps of his bare feet echoed in the cavern as Link walked back to the village. He felt a bit dazed from the events just past, but only the thought about it painted the broadest of grins across his lips. At last, everything was out, he thought with a relieved sigh. He had confessed his feelings to Midna, who had apparently felt the same already long before. It just felt so good …
As he passed the outgoing of the cavern and let the scenes just past play in his mind, he didn't notice the strange tightening inside his stomach at first, but had to sense it soon after with a surprised moan. His hands shot up to place themselves on his underbelly, wrapping his arms tightly around his middle. He choked on a swallow, stared at the flying dust with eyes open wide as he stopped his pace, leaning slightly forward like a child suffering a terrible stomachache.
What was happening to him?
He could not understand where this convulsive feeling came from, but he remembered having sensed it before, in the bed the moment he had woken. However, it had changed in intensity from the last time, letting him barely breathe as it contracted his gut dreadfully. But the most wicked was that it didn't hurt, just suffocated him and tortured him with an awful feeling, as if his entrails were dissolving into a slimy mass of swelling pudding and were moving around like mucus in a bucket. It felt horrible and made him sick.
One hand shot up then to his lips as he felt something warm move up his trachea. He took a few steps back into the cavern to have some privacy, and coughed up the liquid amassing in his throat. He sensed it running through his fingers, and instantly a strange metallic smell ensnared in his nostrils.
When he opened his eyes after having closed them to bear this wobbling sensation inside him, his look grew horrified at the sight of deep red dripping from his drenched palm. Blood? He could not understand what that was all about, but he decided to keep it hidden from Renado's vigilant eyes. Otherwise, he would never let him go! Besides, coughing up some blood was rather common after such severe wounds. The only thing abnormal was his belly playing odd tricks on him, but at least it didn't hurt. It had been much worse, he remembered, clenching his teeth at the thought of the dreadful agony that curse had made him suffer.
Already, his belly calmed down again, letting him feel rather light now as he took careful steps towards the centre of the village again. But with a start, he remembered his hand still red with blood, and he quickly moved to the spring to wash it away so that Renado or the members of the Group wouldn't suspect anything.
Just as he stood up again, he heard a familiar voice call out his name. ''Link!'' At the porch of the shaman's house stood Luda, leaning over the railing and waving a hand in greeting. He smiled back and walked slowly in her direction, pulling his hand quickly down when he noticed that it still hung at his belly.
From far, he could see Luda turn around to call through the door inside the house, probably telling the inmates the news of Link's safe return. She then walked back to the porch, looking on as he marched with careful steps. Link was a bit embarrassed to have her watching while he toppled clumsily on his shaky feet towards the centre of Kakariko, and he hoped that the sick feeling would not grip his belly again. This wish would not be granted to him, he had to realize soon after.
Just as he avoided stumbling over a stone, his body suddenly paralysed, and his breath caught in his throat. There it was again, that dreadful feeling squashing his inside tremendously, but this time, it corded up his airway too, choking him until his lips opened and closed in a vain attempt to suck in air. He stared horrified in front of him, bending over as his crunched body forced him to.
Then, all the energy he had left from his abidance at the spirit spring left his extremities by moving towards his middle, exactly to the point where the last wound from the Mirror Shard remained. He realized too late that his legs gave way under him, and as he crashed to the ground he fell with his entire bodyweight on his right wrist. But he didn't feel the pain issuing out of the twisted limb, for everything around him spun boisterously. He felt his back arch as he curled up in convulsions, twitching and jolting horribly. However, his mind was still very awake as he helplessly tried to make his body stop trembling.
The moment he had toppled over, he had heard a frightened scream, surely from Luda still standing on the porch. After a few seconds of violent tremors shooting through his body, he heard a loud skidding sound in the soil just next to him and received flying dust in his face.
''Link!'' he heard someone gasp over him, and instantly his weight laid on his back. But he couldn't answer, his throat was corded up by an invisible rope, giving him no chance to breathe properly and calm his body down. He gritted his teeth as new shaking gripped him, and he could see other figures above him that were speaking in hushed, frightened voices. Another high-pitched scream rang out some distance away, a familiar voice he knew all too well.
''Luda, get the children away from here!'' shouted the shadow above him while pressing both his hands on Link's shoulders to keep him on the ground. It hurt quite a lot since his strong hands pressed on the still healing scar under Link's collarbone, and he shouted at him to make him stop, but all that escaped his mouth was a helpless, pain stricken moan.
One of his hands clapped on the fingers of the man holding him down, and another voice called angrily at seeing his gesture. ''Renado, stop! You're pressing on his wound!'' He knew that voice, for it belonged to a seemingly heartless warrior girl with short, coal black hair. The moment Ashei had shouted at the shaman, the weight pinning Link to the dusty ground immediately let go, and as his convulsions became more violent again, his arching back sent him reeling to his right side.
No … not again … he thought desperately as he felt blood once more shoot up his trachea. What on Earth was happening to him?!
He managed to spin his body further sideways so that he now practically laid on his crunched stomach, using both arms now in an attempt to lift himself from the ground. But no strength remained in his extremities, so all he could do was move a palm to his chest as it twitched and jolted brutally.
''Father!'' he heard Luda cry, but Link could not make her out through his eyes drowned in tears. That was when he felt the warm tickle on his chin and in the corners of his mouth, realizing that the blood already flowed over his lips. A gasp sounded above him, and Renado's fearful, hushed voice met his ringing ears. ''Luda, quickly, give me your towel! Rusl, take his shoulders and hold him up!''
Momentarily, he felt his shoulders being grabbed by strong hands as he was pulled up to his knees. The world spun dreadfully the moment his body didn't lie any more, letting his nausea become only worse. Then, another hand grabbed his mouth, or rather pressed something white on it. But he had no time to start musing over the strange touch, for his body made terrible retching movements as the blood poured out of his mouth. His voice choked as well while he coughed and coughed, not able to stop once it had really started. Soon, his throat felt numb and painful from the harsh retching as if he suffered tonsillitis.
But then, the gush of blood receded, and in a final cough, he spat out the last of it. Immediately, his muscles let their grip on his body go, his arms which held him up a bit folded powerlessly, and he felt his stomach hit something hard which let him choke anew. But all his remaining energy had left him as if poured out with his blood as well. Before he really noticed it, his consciousness slipped out of his grasp, letting him fall into blackness instantly.
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