AN UNWELCOME COMPANION

Days at sea sloshed together until hours were minutes, days were weeks, and time had no meaning. Link quickly came to realize that the captain had not been lying about the speed of the ship, Zephos. It cut through the water like a sword; flying across the sea with unbelievable speed, often leaving even the birds behind. On more than one occasion, Link overheard the captain remark about the incredibly favorable winds they were having, and how at the rate they were going, whey would reach the Isles in half the time. Through it all though, one thing remained trapped in the forefront of Link's mind.

The girl, Kin, had made true to her promise with the captain. Every day she would spend the hottest hours sitting against the main mast, playing songs of courage on her harp to strengthen the mariners lest they succumb to the disheartening heat that plagued the seas.

What bothered Link most was that she hadn't spoken a word to him since their first encounter. She follows me all the way from Outset, uses the last of her money to book passage on the ship I'm taking, then ignores me? Link just couldn't figure her out, and every passing day made both his agitation and his curiosity grow. And he had the sinking feeling that she knew it.

Against his better judgment, sometimes Link would sit on the quarter deck, where Kin couldn't see him, and listen to her play. He told himself that he wanted to understand more about this strange new girl, but Link knew it was a lie. When they had met before, she had somehow used her music to revive some of his most cherished memories, and he would give anything to feel that again.

Besides coming out to listen to Kin, Link mostly kept below deck. Secluding himself in his cabin, he would lay on his cot for hours, just staring at the strong wooden beams that crisscrossed above him and feeling the sway of the ship as it sliced through the large ocean swells. He never really thought about anything; half asleep, it was like he was in a trance.

Every night he would again emerge, but only for as long as it took him to visit the galley, eat a meal alone, and return to his quarters. Link knew he was the subject of many whispers among the crew, but that did not bother him. He just wanted, as always, to be left alone. In fact, the solidarity of the trip suited him rather well. In his opinion, the only thing missing was some brandy.

Several weeks passed in monotony. The songs that Kin played began following Link back to his bed, repeating over and over again in his mind. He thought he noticed a slight change in the tone of her songs. The earlier pieces had all been marches; upbeat ditties to keep the workers' feet light. Now the songs had a more grandiose feel to them. Like she wasn't playing for the sailors anymore, but for someone else. Herself maybe? Or…

Link leaned back against the railing that fenced in the quarterdeck and let his eyes drift up into the intense blue sky. It wasn't worth thinking about. What did it matter who she was singing to? Link closed his eyes for a moment, letting the cool breeze kiss his sweaty cheeks and ruffle his dirty blonde hair. The hull of Zephos sighed heavily as it breached another ocean swell. The water sloshed up against the dark wood playfully. The crewmen laughed as they tightened the rigging. The flag, bearing the royal seal, flapped lazily in the breeze. Link slowly began to fall asleep, lulled by the charm of the sea. From the main deck, Kin continued to sing. Except, now she wasn't singing. She was just speaking; her harp singing in the background. Some of her words drifted up to Link as he nodded off.

"At the trumpet's call, a hero was born." Her next few words were drowned out by a wave slapping at the hull. Link thought the verse sounded strangely familiar.

"Never-ending clash of sword will, by hero and demon be made," she continued. "Of bloodlust and power will one destroy…"

Link sat up, his heart skipping a beat as he snapped back into consciousness. I've heard this before! He strained his ears trying to hear more, but he couldn't catch anything over the sounds of the ship.

He hesitated for a second, cursed loudly, then descended the ladder to the main deck where Kin was sitting against the main mast.

"Play that last one again," Link said, hating himself.

A playful smile appeared on Kin's face. She raised her eyebrows dramatically and gave him a long, meaningful look.

Link huffed, annoyed. "Please?"

She giggled, her voice pleasantly riding on the wind. Humming a little as she again began to stroke her harp, she began the poem anew.

"Goddesses three made the world: Nayru, Farore , Din

Their depart marked beginnings pure and divine.

Beauty absent, a power was sought for

And Hyrule's last chapter was nigh.

At the trumpets call, a hero was born

That battle did do to the demon

At the bid of the princess did he arise

And subdue evil for the sake of freedom

Thus eternity's cycle was born

And ceaseless will wheel turn

The demon will not be eradicated

And princess not be put in ruin

Never-ending clash of sword will

By hero and demon be made

Of bloodlust and power will one destroy

Of virtue the other will save

The cycle never ceasing,

The land safe and populace prosperous

But imbalance terrible originate

And scales be turned by shadow

Old will topple, the new shall be found

The demon's wrath shall he witness

Youth still will he take the journey

The path he is set by the princess

Fraternity dear will be threatened

To incite his ceaseless search

Hero no longer with blade by his side

May ageless quest give him truth

Hero's might will be tested,

Ordeal tragic will he face

Power worthy, Wisdom plenty,

Courage proven too late

Hero that is no hero will he be

Nameless, faceless, lost

Surrender is his last resort

Prevented by love is his cost

Of sorrow will he be reborn,

Of despair will he prevail

The demon slain, the cycle restored

His loss will mark his tale.

O' rejoice! Nation unawares!

O' lament! Hero of Time!

May he find the melodious tune!

May he find the sands of time!"

As she played, Kin allowed her eyes to close, letting the music of the poem take over. Her fingers flew across the harp strings, barely brushing some while leaving others to flutter happily for a few moments before quieting them once more. The music stretched behind the poem as she spoke, telling a story of might and woe that no mere words could ever fully express. Her voice gained power as the poem came to a close, as if she could see the actual events transpire.

Link drew into himself, darkness clouding his vision as the words reawakened sadness within him. He knew the poem, though he had only heard it once and not in its entirety. It was the Prophecy of Ages. A prophecy that he had already fulfilled. Link was quiet for a long time, and Kin made no attempt at conversation. The boat swayed slightly, creaking.

"Where did you learn that?" Link finally asked, pushing away his sorrow and returning his gaze to Kin.

She shrugged, and a smirk again found its place on her face. "A bard picks up some things on the road," she said as if it were of no importance. "Even some things that most people don't think exist anymore." Link opened his mouth to make her explain, but she cut him off. "The worthier question is, where did you learn it?"

"I—"

"Of course, it's not much of a question if I already know the answer," Kin continued in a sing-song voice. Link almost cringed. Had he been so obvious? Kin smiled, clearly finding enjoyment in Link's discomfiture. "The only people, besides myself, that are familiar with the Prophecy of Ages are high-ups in the castle. Which means…" she paused for effect. Link was really annoyed now. If she had figured out he was the Hero of Time, there was no doubt that she would redouble her efforts to give him a headache. "Which means," she continued. "You're a member of the royal guard, maybe even a captain!"

Link almost laughed in relief. Kin mistook his silence for assent.

"I thought you were!" she exclaimed joyously. "Of course it helped that the captain here mentioned the princess when I boarded. Then later I got to thinking, who else would Princess Zelda trust to send on a mission across the Great Sea but one of the royal guard? And with how the captain almost scraped his nose on the deck licking your boots, you must be pretty important!" She smiled, obviously very pleased with herself.

Link decided to change the subject before he gave anything else away.

"How did you follow me all the way here?"

Kin, annoying smirk still perched upon her lips, reached into a pocket and pulled out a crumpled up piece of parchment caked with dirt. She tossed it at Link. Catching it, he opened it up to reveal the message Zelda had sent telling him to return to the castle.

"I found that by the side of the road on my way out of town," she said. "I decided it must be yours since there certainly wasn't anyone else in that backwater village with any connections to the castle."

Link scowled. "And you used it to follow me. Why?"

"Because you're interesting," she said, laughing.

When he didn't break his stony stare to respond, she sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes.

"I'm not just a musician you know," she said. "I'm a bard – a storyteller of sorts." She waited for Link to say something, but he remained silent. Unperturbed, she continued, "In the past, bards were highly respected for their ability to compose epics that told the tales of great men. Commoners haven't always had access to the royal libraries, so songs were one of the only ways for them to learn their histories." She drew her eyebrows together in irritation. "The so called 'bards' of today are feeble shadows of their impressive namesakes."

"So what? You're running away?"

Jumping up, Kin wrapped her fingers around a chunk of Link's tunic and dragged him across the deck to the ship's railing. Before them, the sea flew by in streaks of blue and green.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked. Ignoring Link, she took a moment to lean over the railing and try to catch some water sprayed up by the ship. The sun was slowly falling from its high perch in the sky, occasionally flashing off a wave or a swell in the distance. Overhead, a small group of birds soared. Link found his annoyance at this girl slowly transforming into curiosity. She seemed so out of place, like a cherry blossom tree hidden in a grove of birches.

"I'm going to compose an epic like the bards of old and show those old geezers what our craft is meant to be," she continued suddenly. As she turned again to Link, a mischievous smile lit up her face. "And you're going to help."

Link was left dumbstruck as Kin skipped away, a cheerful song on her lips.

After that, Link stopped coming outside to listen to Kin play. He spent days at a time in his cabin, telling himself that he was avoiding her because he wanted to be left alone, but the truth was that their encounter had unsettled him. Not because she was following him to write some stupid song, but because he hadn't minded as much as he should have. Why can't everyone just leave me alone?! he shouted silently. He punched the air above him as he laid on his cot. He didn't want people following him, especially when they seemed so hell-bent on making him like them. He didn't want any friends! Deep down, he heard a part of himself whisper, Friends hurt.

He furiously crushed the thought.

In a sudden rage, he swung himself out of bed. Enough was enough. Striding to the door, Link began working his way topside. He was going to end this ridiculous façade. Sunlight blinded him as he burst onto the main deck. Shading his eyes, he squinted through the glare, searching for Kin. She was on the quarterdeck near the wheel, talking to the captain. Link didn't quite stomp up the ladder, but he was close.

"Hey!" he began yelling as soon as he was close enough. "You don't honestly think—"

"Swordsman!" Kin interrupted, a huge smile breaking upon her face. "I was worried you were sick, spending so much time below deck!" Beside her the captain laughed heartily at her excitement.

Link eyed her suspiciously, searching her words for mockery.

"It's good that you're here, swordsman," she continued with barely time for a breath. "The good captain's being irritatingly closemouthed as to why we're sailing to the Mother and Child Isles." Turning to the man, she puffed out her cheeks in a mock pout. "C'mon handsome, don't you trust me?"

The man leaned over to Link, eyebrows drawn in comically. "Best be careful with this one sir," he whispered loudly enough for Kin to hear, laughter in his voice. "She's been at me like this fer over an hour. Were I a lesser man I'da already fallin' fer her tricks." On his other side Kin gasped, feigning hurt. The captain broke out into another burst of laughter.

"Swordsman, you'll tell me what's going on, won't you?" Kin said, pretending to brush away the captain with her hand. "You're not old and callous like the captain here."

Link blinked, still trying to situate himself. He felt so out of place amidst the joviality that he completely forgot why he was there in the first place.

"Stay strong my lad," the captain said, his gut bouncing as he continued to chuckle.

"It's a secret," Link said lamely.

Kin threw her hands into the air with a loud cry of frustration. But before she could say anything else, a bell began to sound from the crow's nest above them.

"Land's been sighted!" the captain yelled out excitedly. Striding over to the railing, Link leaned out over the water, squinting into the distance. He could barely make out a dark speck in the distance that disappeared and reappeared as the ocean rose and fell.

"I see it!" Kin exclaimed from behind him. "Is it the Isles?" she asked the captain.

"It ought ta' be," he said. "Though wit' this crazed tailwind we been havin' we're here a good week sooner than I'd thought."

The sun was setting by the time Zephos stowed sail and dropped anchor a ways out from the smaller of the two islands. Link gazed out at the islands from the forecastle as the crew swarmed over the rigging and made the rowboats ready to carry them all ashore. The topography of the islands fascinated him. The smaller of the two landmasses, Child Isle, was little more than a small hill bulging out from the water. From the ship, Link could easily see the far shore, and the dozen or so palm trees growing out of the sand covered much of the island like a blanket. The other island though, was not so quaint. Mother Isle was massive. Stretching into the sky, it looked like the top half of a volcano was bursting out of the ocean. The entire island was surrounded by a steep cliff face, almost black, with dangerous looking crags and sharp rocks protruding out in every direction. From where he stood on the ship, Link could just barely make out what he thought might be a path up the cliff, but the dimming light made it hard to be sure.

"We're going up that?" Kin exclaimed from behind Link, making him start in surprise.

Link was amazed by her audacity. "No, I'm going up that. You're going to stay down here with the captain, twiddling your thumbs and wishing you hadn't followed me halfway across the world for nothing." Kin just smiled and silently made her way to the rowboats. After a moment Link followed, wondering what she was thinking. "Women," he muttered under his breath.

It took three trips to get the men ashore. Only two unlucky souls remained onboard to stand watch, everyone else quickly got to starting a fire, making some sort of soup, and setting up the one barrel of mead they had stowed away.

That night roars of vivacious laughter echoed across the Great Sea. Sailors finally able to rest after weeks at sea danced and sang and got drunk. It was quite the spectacle, and Kin especially seemed entranced by the crew's activities.

Link helped himself to the mead, but distanced himself from the merrymaking. Finding a seat on the other side of the small isle, Link tried his best to ignore the sounds of the crew while savoring his drink. Before him loomed the intimidating Mother Isle. Tomorrow morning he would have to climb the steep, threatening walls that protected the great fairy. He groaned at the thought.

Always alert, Link heard Kin make her way through the crunchy sand long before she appeared behind him.

"I thought you might be hungry," she said, sitting beside him and proffering a bowl of soup. Link thanked her with a grunt, taken aback at her kindness.

"You aren't coming with tomorrow," Link said. He was suddenly suspicious of the soup, as if by eating it he was agreeing to something. Kin giggled, but didn't respond, unnerving Link even more with her silence.

Neither of them spoke while he ate, but the respite ended as soon as he nestled the empty bowl into the sand beside him.

"The crew don't think very much of you, you know," Kin said softly. Link didn't know what she was leading into, but he already knew the men disliked him. That much was obvious.

"Some say you think too much of yourself. Others say you're hostile." She paused for a second. "But that's not true is it?"

Link remained silent. If she was going to try and pry into his past, all she was going to find was disappointment.

"Who was she?"

Link blanched. His chest heaved.

"I know better than anyone the effect that my music will have on people. When I first met you I played two songs."

Even though he was drunk at the time, Link still vividly remembered that night, and the song…

"It was a love ballad," she continued. "I've seen that song make men do things they'd never imagined. Forbidden romance. Flash weddings." Kin paused. "But you...those weren't tears of joy."

The two of them sat silently for a long time. Link could feel the question still hanging in the air.

"Her name was Malon." Link could hardly believe the words as he spoke them. He had never shared his past before, not with anyone. It was his pain. They were his memories and no one else had a right to them. But this girl...something about her drew Link in, made him want to open up and tell the stories he'd tried so hard to forget about the girl he'd tried so hard to remember.

"We grew up together," he continued after a moment. It was getting easier and easier to form the words, but pain still kept some things at bay. He shut his eyes. "We were best friends, always getting into trouble, always together. It was probably inevitable what happened." Link paused again, composing himself. He could almost hear her laughter as they sat on the edge of their dock, watching the sunset. "We barely had time to understand that we had fallen in love before—before she died."

Kin listened without a word. She didn't interrupt or try to comfort him, for which Link was grateful. It was easier to just talk.

"Something happened, something evil, and I was called upon to fight for my home." Link took a deep breath, eyes still closed. "I failed." No more laughter drifted across the island from the crew. They must have finally fallen asleep. "But when it came time for me to face my failure, she appeared and..." Cold wind whistled past the two of them, making Kin shiver.

"I was too late in finding my courage, and for that she died. Now I have to bear the burden of knowing I could have saved her, but didn't." Pain seared through Link's voice. "I killed her."

It took Link a moment to regain control of his emotions. Opening his eyes, he looked at Kin, not sure what sort of reaction to expect.

She was just sitting on the sand, gazing out into the night sky. Link cursed himself inwardly, already beginning to reconstruct the walls that had, for so long, kept the truth locked deep inside of him. What did I expect? he scolded himself. As he leaned forward to push himself to his feet, the full moon illuminated Kin's face.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks, sparkling in the moonlight as they fell from her chin onto her lap. Stunned, Link slowly leaned back, and for hours they sat together. Not saying a word. Sharing his pain.