Chapter 18
What's in a Name
"Still mad at me?"
Blinking indolently, Link was immediately reminded of why he disliked sharing a loftwing with Pipit.
It was impossible to get away from him.
"Pipit, you just asked me that," he said.
"I know, but I was wondering if you'd changed your mind," Pipit said, almost directly into Link's ear.
"A bit," Link told him, facing front again.
The two friends sat quietly for about a minute.
"Still mad at me?"
"Pipit!" Link exclaimed over his shoulder. "Come on…!"
"What? I can't help it."
"Well, start helping it," Link said snidely. "Please, just quit asking."
"Well, are you?" Pipit asked. Link gave a sigh.
"A little bit," Link repeated.
"Well, a little bit is better than a bit, or just a flat out yes like you said the time before that." Sighing again, Link shook his head.
"I've never stayed angry with you for very long," Link said with his head turned. "I wouldn't worry…"
"Why'd you ask me to come if you're so ticked off at me?" Pipit asked, attempting to get comfortable on Crimson's back.
"I dunno."
"The hell you don't. Admit it, even if you're pissed, you still enjoy my company. We're like…attached at the hip." The corner of Link's mouth came up a little bit.
"Attached at the hip, Pipit?"
"Yep, who needs women when you've got bromance? Screw 'em."
"When you've got what?"
"Dude, check it out," Pipit said, leaning forward. "We might, as they say, expostulate sometimes, but we always bounce back. We're resilient."
"Oh yea?" Link asked, silently laughing about the term 'bromance'.
"Most definitely. We can beat the living crap out of each other, put each other in the hospital, fight over the same woman, get each other in buttloads of trouble, etcetera, etcetera, and, after all that, still remain friends. That's love, baby."
"Love, huh?"
"Yep. Just call us 'PipLink'," Pipit said with a flashy smile. Link turned to look at him.
"'PipLink'? What in the world's that supposed to mean?"
"It means we're so close that we're practically the same person."
"Pssssh, well you can't call us 'PipLink' then. That's not how it is. And I highly doubt you could ever manage to swear off women." Link turned again, watching the soldiers in front of them. "And intermeshing our names makes it sound like we're together. So, just, no."
"Well, what if it was 'Linkit'? Would you like it more then?" Link couldn't help but chuckle.
"Good gods, that sounds horrible," he laughed. "I think I'd rather be combined with a female, thanks."
"Okay, well, how about Midna? Is she worthy of being united with you? And get your mind out of the gutter, that's not what I meant."
"Hey, you said it," Link replied.
"Well, 'Linkna' is freakin' atrocious, so how about 'MidLink'?" Peering up, Link thought for a moment.
"Hm, I think I like the sound of that," he said, nodding.
"I dunno, I think it sounds weird," Pipit added, scratching his head.
"What? You're the one who made it up," Link criticized. "Is 'MidPip' more to your liking?"
"Hey, what're you trying to say?" Pipit asked.
"Or, how about 'Midit'? I think I like that one better." Link nodded approvingly once more.
"What? That's terrible. It's too close to midget or something."
"Pipit, it's little people. You know, like Cawlin?" Link scolded.
"Alright, alright. Either way, it's ridiculous sounding. It makes me think of Midna as short, or stumpy, and, I dunno, like…impish or something." Link very nearly burst out laughing.
"Right…Midna is anything but short, stumpy and impish. Never in a million years."
"Would you still like her in that way even if she was ugly?" Pipit asked, tilting his head in curiosity.
"Of course," Link replied.
"You didn't even have to think about that," Pipit said, impressed. "That's saying something."
"Meh. Maybe," Link mumbled.
"Whoa. Don't bowl me over with your enthusiasm, now."
"Well, she wasn't too pleased with me before I left," Link admitted. "I didn't even tell her I was going anywhere, come to think of it. That wasn't good."
"You think you're gonna return to a hopping-mad girlfriend, or something?" Pipit asked.
"Who knows? And besides that, she's not my girlfriend."
"Oh, that's right," Pipit said derisively. "She and I already had the conversation on how she can grope you left and right, and still not be your girlfriend."
"Uuuuuuuummm," Link began.
"I was gonna play soccer tonight with the guys," Pipit grumbled, ignoring his friend's discomfiture. "I was supposed to patrol later, too. They're gonna be looking for me. I already put my job on the line once when I disappeared to find you. I'll probably get fired."
"The Headmaster knows where you are," Link said. "I wouldn't worry."
"I didn't even get a chance to wash up," Pipit complained. "How the heck am I supposed to clean this nastied up tunic that I've been wearing for like…I don't even wanna say how long…?" Sensing Pipit's annoyed tone from a short distance away, one of the soldiers peeked at him. Leaning over his bird, he looked straight ahead again.
"I'm sure wherever we're going will have a wash basin for laundry," Link assured him, sighing. "And if that's your biggest concern right now, then I envy you, Pipit."
"And why couldn't we have taken separate birds?" Pipit griped, kicking his feet out to the sides. "Seriously. This is stupid. I feel like I'm flying with Karane."
"Anything else?" Link asked, holding his hands out. "You didn't have to come, you know."
"Well, why did you ask me to? You haven't actually told me yet. Does this mean you're done being mad at me? And that you don't wanna gut me anymore?"
"I'd never want to gut you, Pipit," Link scoffed.
"Even if I steal your girl?" Link raised a brow and shifted uncomfortably. "Well, you know what I mean, at least."
"You definitely have a way with words, Pipit."
"Dude, didn't we promise each other a long time ago that we'd never fight over a woman?" Link looked around.
"Uuum, I don't think so," he said.
"Well, we should have!" Pipit exclaimed, drawing the soldier's attention again.
"We're not fighting over anything. I'm just…frustrated about a lot of things," Link said.
"Well, if you're finally gonna be civil about it, we can finally discuss it."
"Civil about it? Am I a caveman or something?"
"I dunno, you tell me," Pipit said. "Pretty sure you were about to unleash your fury on me before we left the surface."
"We'll just talk about it later," Link said. "And you might feel like you're flying with Karane, but as long as you don't grab me like you do to her all the time, we're good."
"I'll try and refrain."
"And I'm pretty sure those guys think we're gonna run away or separate if we both have our own birds. I dunno, I have no desire to contest their weird demands right now."
"The last time we shared a bird, I was coerced into acting as your own personal human respirator," Pipit reminded him. Link grimaced.
"Thank the gods for unconsciousness," Link said firmly.
"Well, at least one of us was out of it," Pipit said. "It cut back on the amount of horrification that was dealt out."
"Oh, I think I made up for it later when I found out," Link assured him.
"Tryin' to say you don't like my mouth on you?" Pipit asked with feigned disappointment. Link glanced behind him.
"Yes, very much. That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Okay, well, next time you die I'll be sure to spare you, then."
"I don't plan on dying any time soon, but thanks anyway," Link said with a head shake.
"Hey, that was the scariest day I've ever lived through," Pipit said candidly. "First, Zelda was gone. Then, next thing we know, you're not breathing. Then, you disappear from the hospital and nobody knows where the hell you went…Where'd you go, anyway?" Link sat silently for a moment, pondering.
"I had to go find something," Link said.
"Find something?" Pipit asked. "Oh, you mean your sword, right?"
"Yeah."
"That's a crazy weapon," Pipit said, his voice rising. Link's eyes shifted. "Where is it, anyway?" Link stopped in place, twisting his fingers into Crimson's feathers.
"Uuuuh," he muttered.
"Don't tell me you lost it," Pipit rattled. "Wait, you didn't even have it with you when we found you, did you?" With his face hidden from his friend, Link's eyes danced around, searching for something other than the truth. "How do you lose a sword, anyway?"
"I didn't lose it," Link replied sternly.
"Okaaaay, well, you certainly didn't have it with you when we came home, soooo-"
"I'll fill you in later, okay?" Link asked, tossing another glance behind him.
"Later?" Pipit asked, shrugging. "What's with all this later stuff? You're well aware of my tragic dearth of this thing called patience. I wanna know things yesterday."
"I know, Pip," Link said with his head down. "But I really will tell you later. Probably today, alright? There's more to it than just what happened to the sword. And now's not the time." The two eyed the soldiers up ahead.
"Okay, okay, fine," Pipit said acquiescently. Almost succumbing to an urge to grab Link in a choke hold, Pipit quickly decided that his buddy would probably sock him if he did, given the circumstances. "Hey, you remember what I told you about the general, right? That day on Kehia Island?"
"Yep," Link said, his gaze flat with concentration.
"Aren't you worried?" Pipit asked. "Guy's supposed to be a world class jerk."
"The Skyloftian army seems to breed jerks," Link mumbled, "as is demonstrated by our present company."
"I think they're just antsy to get back," Pipit said. "Probably looks bad on them if they take too long. They said the guy's impatient."
"Maybe you two are related."
"Perhaps. Sounds like the guy's a sex-fiend, too."
"Oh, great," Link groaned, rocking his head back. "As if the world needs more perverts, like you."
"What the…? I'm not a pervert, geez. I may be a little on the easy side, but I'm no perv."
"Yeah, whatever," Link mumbled.
"Seriously, man, perv is freakin' Count Orlok back on the surface," Pipit said sourly. Link's ears perked a bit, but not in a good way. "If anybody has the power to creep me out, it's that guy. Guy gave me like…indigestion or something."
"Pipit, I don't think I know anyone who's worse with names than you."
"Hey, at least I don't call Midna 'Miranda' anymore."
"True."
"So, what is that guy's name, anyway?" Pipit asked. Link looked to the side.
"Uuuuh," he started. He nearly choked on his own breath. He realized that he'd never spoken his enemy's name out loud before.
Memories of the demon realm began to crowd into him.
"Uh, he didn't tell me," Link said at last.
"Didn't tell you?" Pipit asked. Link just shook his head. "How's that even possible? How long were you, like, with him for?"
"Um, I dunno, half a day, maybe?" Link tried to resist his sudden desire to shrink down and bury his face into his bird. He didn't like where this conversation was going.
"That's it?" Pipit asked, tilting sideways to try and view his friend's face. "Well, what happened while you were with him? Besides him failing to tell you his name?" With frustration beginning to nip at his heels, Link's ears turned red.
"Didn't we agree to discuss this later?" Link asked, his irritation simmering.
"Come on," Pipit protested. "You can't tell me anything? Not even just one thing?" Link mumbled through a tightly closed mouth.
"Well, no one can accuse you of not being persistent," Link murmured.
"Damn straight. You gotta share at least something."
Link thought, and thought, and thought a bit longer. Everything that popped into his head sounded dreadful. Out of the multitude of options at his disposal, he couldn't seem to find anything that wasn't outrageously embarrassing.
Then, Link thought of the battle in the upper hall.
"We fought," Link told his friend.
"Fought? Like, crossed swords type of thing?"
"Mmhmm."
"Okay, well…how'd you do?"
"Alright at first. Then, not so well."
"So he kicked your ass, then?" Pipit asked.
"I guess you could say that."
"Well, look on the bright side. You appear to be in one piece," Pipit told him, giving his shoulder a shove. "And it's not like you died or anything." For some reason, Link felt like laughing at this statement.
"Yeah, I got that, at least," Link replied, picturing a stake being driven through the demon's head.
"I got kind'a suspicious that something really bad happened to you, 'cause the guy's so, like…touchy-feely, and all. In fact, you still haven't told me. Which, in my opinion, means only one thing." Running his hand down his face, Link felt himself turn even redder. It was impossible to avoid.
"And what's that, Pipit?" Link asked in dismay.
"That the guy raped you." Link's eyes grew wider.
"What? No…" he said.
"I find that hard to believe," Pipit insisted.
"Well, believe it, Pip. It didn't happen."
"Nothing at all?" Pipit asked incredulously. "There's nothing more clear to me in the whole wide world than the fact that that guy's a top-notch freak. He really didn't try anything?" Link didn't respond at first. He bought himself a few precious seconds by taking a very deep breath.
"No," he finally said.
"You lie," Pipit said, anchored in his belief. Rolling his eyes again, Link opted against further elaborations. "I'm dragging you to counseling when we get home."
"Counseling?"
"Yeah. You got that look," Pipit said.
Fed up, Link brought one leg up to sit sideways. He faced his friend head on.
"Pipit?" he said.
"Yeah?"
"Shut up before I knock you off this bird."
"What? Geez, a guy tries to help his buddy…"
"Well thank you for offering, but, that's enough, okay?" Twirling back around, Link hoped that that was the end of Pipit's prying, and helping. "I do have a question for you, though."
"Oh, I can't ask questions, but you can?" Pipit asked. "I see how it is."
"Do you think I have a guilt complex?" Link asked, stiffening up. He looked down in anticipation. He heard Pipit chortle behind him. "Hey! What's so funny?" He returned to his previous position to face him.
"No, it's just…" Pipit started to say. His grin died down as he caught sight of his friend's look of dread. "Uuuuh…"
"Just be honest," Link told him.
"Uh, well…Let's just say that if guilt complexes were buildings…" Hearing this, Link's face really dropped. Pipit's expression was somewhere between wry, pained and amused. He cleared his throat. "Then…" Link unwittingly leaned forward. Pipit sat up, not really wanting to say it. "Then yours would…" He started to squirm a little bit as Link's eyes got even bigger. "It would fit a lot of people. Okay?" he finally said, sighing.
Link just sat there and stared. Pipit looked at him strangely.
"Uuuuh, you good?" he asked, about to wave his hand in front of his friend's face.
"Yeah," Link said, turning around.
"Man, honestly, I don't think I know of anyone, or anything, that you don't feel at least a little bit guilty about, in one way or another."
"Thanks, Pipit," Link said solemnly.
Pipit went on talking, but Link's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't stop replaying the demon's words in his head, over and over again.
"Why did you come, sky child? Is it because I was right?"
Link shook his head. Maybe the demon was right about a lot of things, although Link found himself disinclined to admit it.
And the incident that had happened right before he came back to the sky…
Link swallowed, really, really hard. He didn't know what to think of himself, or of his reaction to what the demon had…done.
He shifted himself around, uncomfortable, finding even the thought of the intimate encounter to be enough to make him feel…
He wasn't sure how he felt, actually. It was an odd emulsion of feelings, one that he was sure had never been defined.
I need to go to the library, Link thought. I've got some reading to do.
…
"So, what do you think the general of the entire freaking army wants with you?" Pipit asked as Crimson followed the two dun-colored loftwings in their descent.
"I think that's the question of the hour, Pipit," Link answered.
The two best friends stared down in awe. The military base of Skyloft stretched out before them in the shape of a huge hexagon. Long rectangular buildings lined the edge of the enormous island, wrapping around it like a giant gauntlet.
Soldiers marched around in droves. Groups of various sizes were scattered about, taking part in what appeared to be drills and training sessions.
Not only was the land booming with activity, but the air was, as well. Soldiers atop their loftwings filled the skies, with most flying in tight, and perfect, formations.
Link had no idea just how many men – and women – resided here.
"Man…" Pipit said, looking past Link. "No wonder the army views knights as lazy. Look at them go down there! It's Friday afternoon and they're zipping around like they've actually got important stuff to do. Imagine that...Compare this scene to the one playing out at home right now, and anybody would be appalled."
"Can't say this is how we knight-students start our weekend," Link said in agreement.
"Pretty sure these guys don't get a summer vacation, either," Pipit added.
"Still want to join the army, Pip?" Link asked with a merry glint in his eye. He tossed a playful glance at his friend.
"Hey, I was only thinking about it," Pipit said with a little shrug.
"Oh, yeah, sure. All it took to change your mind was to see that."
"I didn't say I changed my mind. I'm still thinking about it."
"Well, if what you want is more discipline, I'd say you came to right place," Link said, studying the island's surface.
"It's something to consider," Pipit said.
"Come about!" called one of the soldiers. Link and Pipit both turned their attention toward the soldiers. "There're strict rules in terms of landing on the base! Keep close!" The brusque man aimed his sights toward the open landing area.
Crimson glided toward the other two birds, keeping within the rigid arrangement.
"I need to shave," Link said, uneasy about his disheveled appearance.
"You need to shave?" Pipit laughed, running his fingers over his face. "I got more than a little five o'clock shadow going on here. I hope you have your razor on you. If I go another three days without shaving, my face is gonna disappear."
"I have it." While Link was glad to have the invaluable object in his possession, he wasn't so glad about the disturbing memories attached to it.
Within minutes, all three birds touched down on the surface. Eager to stand after the long flight, Link and Pipit both slid off of Crimson's left side.
"Welcome to Fort Cielgrenier," a courteous yet firm voice called. The two knights turned to face the one who had spoken: a tall, strawberry blond man in a dark blue uniform, bearing the white symbol of Skyloft on the chest. A small collection of ribbons and medals dressed the top of his shirt on both sides.
The man approached the two friends, holding his hand out.
"You must be Link," he said, honing in on the green-clad young man. His taut face was stuck in a frown. "My name is Captain Gannet. It's a pleasure to meet you." Surprised, Link straightened up before offering his own hand.
Pretty different from the last captain I met, Link thought.
"Nice to meet you, sir," Link responded, giving a small, reverential bow. Almost forgetting, Pipit copied Link's gesture of respect.
"Pipit," he said as his hand was met by the captain's. The man nodded politely in his direction.
"Your loftwing is free to rest here, if he so chooses," the man told Link.
"Thank you."
"But you must go quickly. The general has been awaiting your arrival for a long time." Link and Pipit shared a quick glimpse.
"I'd only just gotten home," Link told the man. "How did he even know that I was there? How could he possibly have been waiting for me? No one knew where I was for days…" He stared into the man's dark eyes. "Or so I assume." Pipit's eyes shifted to the captain. He thought he saw the man's mouth almost curl into a grin.
"If there is one thing that you are sure to learn about the general," the man said with a small smirk, "it is that he is quite resourceful." He held his hand out to the two soldiers. "As you were."
The soldiers immediately signaled for Link and Pipit to follow them.
After gaining access through the gated entrance, the two knights began perusing the grounds. The first sight that both young men were graced with was a stone statue of the Goddess. The size of a real woman, it held a large, carefully carved feather in its hands; etched into the center was the phrase, 'esprit de corps'. Pipit promptly removed his hat before walking past it. Link almost lifted his hand, but stopped himself when he realized that there was no need.
At the heels of their guides, they observed their surroundings, simultaneously conversing amongst themselves.
"Wow, look at that," Pipit said, watching a group of twenty female soldiers performing a seemingly never ending string of pushups, perfectly in sync. "That's something you'd never see at home. You couldn't even get the guys to do that. Not without a widespread temper tantrum, at least."
"Sheesh, Pipit, have a little faith in your fellow knights, will ya?" Link reprimanded.
"Well, it'd be misplaced, and you know it," Pipit retorted. "Compared to these people, we really are lazy."
"We work hard, Pipit, and that's the truth. We might not be as regimented as soldiers, but we get the job done."
"How come they don't award knights with all that nice chest candy?" Pipit whined. "I think a little decoration would spiffy up my uniform pretty nicely, wouldn't you say?"
"It's different being a soldier, Pip," Link explained. "To a soldier, recognition means something different than it does for a knight. The army's core values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. But, for knights, it's about the Knight's Code, which isn't quite the same thing."
"I still want pretty things on my uniform," Pipit said adamantly.
"Well, I dunno if you can be both, Pip. Why don't you go find out if you can be a knight in the army…?"
"Ha, maybe I will."
Link and Pipit's quiet discussion was quickly derailed by the extremely loud mouth of an officer who stood before a gathering of thirty young men.
"ALRIGHT YOU DEATH TECHNICIANS. SEEMS TO ME THE 'TALKING OUT OF LINE' FAIRY'S DONE PAID ONE TOO MANY OF YOU A VISIT TODAY. SHUT Y'ER DICKTRAPS. DROP AND GIMME FIFTY!"
Link's jaw dropped as Pipit slapped his hand over his mouth to keep from cracking up.
"Holy crap, what the hell was that?" he laughed.
"Pipit! Shut up!" Link whispered harshly.
"Good gods!" Pipit whispered back. "Can you imagine the honorable Sir Eagus tearing into us like that? Damn! Are you sure that 'stripped pride' isn't the eighth virtue of the army?"
"Still think you're cut out for this?" Link asked.
"After witnessing that, I'm gonna have to go with no."
The two kept their heads down and their voices low as they made their way from one side of the base to the other. Having left the many echelons of soldiers behind, the small group moved on to the more peaceful side of the island.
Men and women in army fatigues walked around leisurely. Some sat in groups under the trees, relaxing in the shade. Finally able to view them as regular people instead of machines subject to endless drills, Link grinned. Many soldiers gazed back, examining the strange young men in their unfamiliar uniforms; especially the women.
"There's a lot of cute ladies here," Pipit mumbled out of the side of his mouth.
"I knew you were gonna say that," Link said.
The four young men crossed a lush, green field. They followed a long dirt path that led to one of the many buildings at the south side of the base. A gentle breeze brushed past Link's face before he stepped through the doorway, leaving the fresh air behind.
Down several flights of stairs the four men trudged. The stone stairwell was dark, devoid of any light-giving windows. Link looked down, watching his own lightsome steps. An outlandish feeling crept over him as he considered who he was in the presence of.
He didn't know these people. Neither did Pipit. For all he knew, these people could have been deceiving them. Suddenly nervous, Link hoped that the general's agenda was as guileless as the soldiers had made it seem.
With people, and places, such as these, you just never knew…
At the base of the stairs, another hallway stretched out. The two friends worked to keep pace with the soldiers.
"They keep this guy under permanent lockdown or something?" Pipit whispered.
"I dunno. He is the army general, Pipit. If he wants to burrow underground, he can do that."
"I guess it's safe down here," Pipit inferred. "Why can't the Headmaster do that? Figures he'd have to pick building eleven to live in."
"Maybe he wants to keep an eye on you," Link said. "You are a bit of a troublemaker, after all."
"Uh huh. I think you're mixing me up with yourself, pal."
"In here," one of the soldiers said as they approached the end of the hall. Two armed guards stood with swords in hand.
"This guy have a price on his head or something?" Pipit asked the men. None of them answered.
"Your bags," one of the guards demanded, giving Link an intimidating look from under the brim of his hat. Dropping his eyes, Link started unfastening his belt.
"Any weapons on you?" the guard asked him.
"Not once I give you this," Link answered, handing over his belongings.
"Any knives tucked away anywhere?" the man asked. Link shook his head as he brought his belt around his waist again.
"Might as well leave that off," the second guard said. Stooping over, Link gave him a look.
"What?"
"Yeah. Save yourself the time," the first guard said, smiling at the second. The other soldiers joined in on the cattish laugh. Annoyed, Link secured his belt in record time.
"Up against the wall," the first guard ordered, gesturing toward it with his chin. Link froze and stared at him.
"Excuse me?" he asked.
"Against the wall. You can't go in 'til you do it. Now," he demanded. Looking at his friend, Link slowly backed toward the opposing wall.
"Turn," the guard said. Link glanced around, feeling everyone's eyes on him.
"I told you I have no weapons on me," Link said loud and clear, looking each soldier in the eye.
"Turn," the man said more forcefully. With a sigh, Link turned and placed his hands on the wall.
He felt like he was back in the demon realm, being treated like garbage again.
With no hesitation, the guard walked up to Link and patted him down, paying particular attention to the insides of his legs. Link gasped, startled by the snaffling hands.
"Is that really necessary?" Pipit asked, stepping up.
"If he wants to see the general, it is," the second guard stated.
"He doesn't want to see him," Pipit corrected. "The general summoned him."
"Whatever," the man snapped.
"Has it gone out of style around here to show some manners?" He proceeded to stare the man down.
"It's alright, Pipit," Link said, allaying the tension. "Is he allowed in too?"
"He wasn't requested, so, no," the first guard replied.
"But we can feel you up anyway, if you want," the second said, guffawing brashly. Judging by the dry, angry expression on Pipit's face, Link surmised that he'd better move things along.
"Pipit, I'll see you after," Link said, purposely interposing his friend's aggravation. "Why don't you just wait outside?"
"One of us will have to keep an eye on him," one soldier declared.
"Why?" Link asked. "Why does he need to be watched?"
"You guys haven't been approved for base access. Not officially, anyway. The general wanted to see you now, so yours is a special case."
"Well, let's just get this over with, then," Link said. "So we can leave."
"Uh huh," the soldier said with a raised brow. He pushed through the door.
"You didn't have to do that," one guard whispered to the other.
"I know. I just like screwing with these knights," the other answered.
Link stepped across the threshold. As soon as he entered the room he was struck with an unexpected sight.
The room was gigantic, and extremely lavish. Several huge windows, which stretched to the exceptionally high ceiling, let in generous amounts of sunlight. Artwork hung on every available inch of the walls. Link looked down to find a thick, ornate red rug beneath his feet. It was reminiscent of the carpet that ran along the halls and stairs of his dormitory.
Planting their heavy brown boots onto the floor, both soldiers stood at attention. Simultaneously, their right hands came up in a smart, flourishing salute before dropping swiftly to their sides.
Standing to the side, Link felt out of place. Following the soldiers' gaze, Link looked toward the top of the room.
Similar to the Headmaster's office, the room was chock full of potted plants. In addition, it was lined with tall bookshelves which were filled to the brim with literature.
Sitting at a wooden desk in front of the shelves was a man. Link squinted, attempting to catch a glimpse from across the room.
Busy sorting and stacking papers, the man didn't even look up. Link gaped at him, wondering why he couldn't see his entire face.
"Dismissed," the man announced.
"Yessir!" both soldiers shouted, making Link flinch. Without another word, both men exited, shutting the door behind them. Link stood motionless for a moment.
"Aren't you going to curtsy for me?" the man asked without raising his head. Papers continued to shift about on his desk.
"…Sir?" Link asked.
"That is how knights do it, isn't it?" he asked, riffling through a notebook. Link opened his mouth to speak, but wavered. "Well, come on over. Just get your bow over with so we can move on. Don't dither."
Link gawked, confused.
The man's voice was medium-toned, in kind with his skin. The top of is head was wrapped in strips of white linen. His hair was blond; even more blond than his own. In fact, it appeared to be the same pale shade as Zelda's. Strangely, there was something about this man that reminded him of his golden-haired friend…
Much to Link's surprise, the man wasn't all that tall. Although he was seated, Link construed that he couldn't have been any taller than himself. Link had been certain that his beckoner was going to be a large, menacing man. Oddly, he turned out to be neither.
Drawn to compliance, Link walked to the other end of the room. He wiggled his fingers.
"You look like you have some preconceived notions about me," the man called, still not looking up. Link's thoughts whirled in his head. He had no idea what to say or do. "Is that true?"
Upon reaching the desk, Link bowed. He stood before the one who had plucked him from his home almost the moment that he had arrived. Link looked into the man's face. Its lower half was obscured by loose, pallid material which rose from the top of his blue uniform. Link took a second to study the many varieties of ribbons and medals splayed all over the material. Papers continued to slide over the desktop.
Then, the man finally brought his gaze up. Link didn't move as striking, auburn eyes took hold of his.
"Well?" he asked, his voice calm yet intimidating. One eyebrow came up.
"Um," Link began.
"Well, they're true," the man said conclusively before dropping his eyes again.
"They're true?"
"Indeed. Your predetermined ideas. They're all true. Yes, I have the power to take your virginity whether you like it or not. Yes, I am that much of a jerk. Lucky for you, I'm not in the mood." Link's oversized eyes floated to the side. The correct words needed to properly respond to such a shockingly horrendous statement were not going to come to him anytime soon.
"I, uuum…O…kay," he replied.
"Now that we've got that out of the way," the man said composedly, "I'm General Sheik." Shoving a neat pile of papers to the side, he folded his hands and looked at the young knight before him. Link took a while to respond.
"Link," he finally said in return. He shook his head, regretting how dull it sounded.
"Don't you mean 'Sir' Link?" Sheik asked him. Link couldn't tell if he was being facetious or serious. "You've earned the title, have you not?" He fanned his fingers questioningly.
"Oh, yes, I suppose so," Link replied.
"I'll say you did. I was there three weeks ago when you competed in the annual ceremony. Your performance was impressive." Link nodded.
"Thank you."
"So give yourself your due credit," Sheik said.
"Okay…Sir Link, then," he said, examining the curious cloth over the man's mouth.
"You look like you've got a question," Sheik said.
"Oh, well," Link began, "a couple, actually."
"Well, you've come a long way. I guess you've earned the right. Shoot." Link nodded timidly.
"Uh, is there, um, something…wrong with your, uh…" He pointed to his own face.
"Oh," Sheik said. Link could tell that if the man had been the type to laugh – ever – perhaps he would have indulged in a small chuckle. "Not at all." Lifting his hand, he pulled the fabric from his face.
Link found himself even further amazed by how similar the man looked to Zelda. He could have been her brother. "Actually, I started using a new cologne today. Can you smell it?"
Link looked up for a moment, a bit floored by the abounding uncouthness.
"I, um, no, I don't think so," Link said.
"Well, I love it so much, I smeared it all over my chest this morning," Sheik said. "I can't seem to get enough of it. My nose has been stuck inside my shirt all day. There certainly are some notable advantages to holding supreme power. No one asks questions." Link gaped at the weird almost-grin that was playing at the corner of Sheik's mouth. The man's ability to be so bizarre yet sit there and act as if nothing was amiss left him bewildered. "So, what was your second question?"
Waiting, Link cleared his throat.
"You look a lot like-"
"Someone you know?" Sheik interrupted. "Man or woman?"
"Woman."
"Well, there's no point in wondering what our kids would look like, then. What's your other question?"
"Um, I was just wondering…if you really view the knight class as…" Link paused, trying to choose his words carefully. "…as inferior to the army."
Once more, Link knew that the man would have laughed had he been given to such a concept. Instead, his shoulders bounced a bit.
"There are a lot of views that I have on the knight class," Sheik answered. "But, for the very worthy sake of finishing this conversation before the surface war begins and ends without us, I'll sum it up in one tidy sentence: a knight, such as yourself, fosters the same skills and abilities as a soldier, yet lacks the discipline. Big time. Oh, I guess that was two sentences." Link nodded again.
"Okay…"
"Which, most likely, was among the topics discussed between yourself and your friend out there as you walked from the base entrance to my office. You undoubtedly noticed the unfathomable differences between the inner workings of this base and those of your academy."
"Um, I guess," Link admitted.
"Hm. Naturally," he said with a partial smirk.
"So, um, speaking of my friend," Link said.
"Yes?"
"Why wasn't he allowed in here?"
"Because what I desire from you are the facts. Not something loosely grounded in the truth, conjured up by you in an attempt to hide your harrowing experiences from your friend. Is that answer good enough for you?" Link's eyes broadened. He wasn't sure if his ears were malfunctioning or not. He simply nodded.
"Wonderful. And what an excellent, and fabulously appropriate segue into the next phase of our conversation," the general said cheerfully. "You, and this little problem called the demon lord."
Link's face drained of all color.
Oh gods, why did I agree to come here?
"That is precisely why you are here, Sir Link. To share with me what you know, and everything that you saw, and did, in the demon realm."
"You…but, I…everything?" Link stuttered. Sheik sighed nonchalantly.
"I see we have a few pesky walls to break down first," he stated, shaking his head. "Keep in mind that I already know most of what occurred. All I require are the small, minute, seemingly insignificant tidbits of information that only someone that close to the demon lord could have gathered."
"You know what happened?" Link asked quietly. Sheik nodded.
"Yes. And you'll find that the most helpful information will often masquerade as something entirely trivial. So, hence, why I brought you here."
"Oh…"
"But, first, let's break down that bothersome partition known as shyness." Link swallowed down the fear that was starting to form a lump in his throat. "Just relax. Here, have a seat." He held his hand out, bringing Link's attention to a chair. It had been beside him all along.
"Alright," Link replied, sitting down.
"So, you got terrorized, you got abused, you got a little molested, blah blah blah." Link's mouth fell open. "He left you wondering how in the fuck you, a man straight as an arrow, could ever enjoy having another man jack him off. Well, let me ease your suffering." Sheik leaned into Link's befuddled face, tempted to tell the young man to use his jaw as a floor duster, seeing as though it was already brushing it.
"He's a demon. You're a human. You're such Goddessdamned easy prey for him that it's almost worth laughing at. Almost." He leaned back, crossing his arms as he took in Link's amusing expression. "It has nothing to do with gender. Male, or female, your body reacts the same way. Ha, poor you, huh?" Link kept staring. "Life's certainly dealt you a crappy one, to be targeted by one as powerful as him. Oh, but don't waste your time believing that you're the first. Heh, definitely not."
"Is this supposed to help me?" Link asked.
"Mmm, have I embarrassed you? I'm sorry," Sheik said shallowly.
"That's…okay," Link said, fighting back a blazing redness. His toes curled in his shoes.
"Well, it's all part of the process. How can you possibly be fully honest with me if we don't get past these little kinks? Surely you understand the logic in eradicating them right from the get-go."
"Oh, yeah, sure…"
"Which brings me to my next point." Link wriggled in his seat, mentally slapping himself for not running like hell when he was first visited by the soldiers. "Accepting your situation. Overcoming your fears. Surmounting your doubts. There is immense power in owning the name of your enemy. It's an age-old military practice. Say it in your head. Turn it into a mantra. Write poems and sing songs about it. Have you ever spoken the name of your enemy?"
The general gained nothing but silence from the young knight.
"Ah, of course not. If we're ever going to have the discussion that I have been dreaming about for quite some time, then you really must trounce this little scruple."
"I'd really rather not," Link said sternly. "Why does it matter whether I can say his name or not?"
"Hey, I'm on your side, remember?" Sheik asked, lifting his hands. "I want to stop this guy and his even more fucked up master from taking over the world as much as you do." Link blinked a few times.
"I…" he murmured.
"The first leap toward victory is but a tiny little step," Sheik encouraged as he locked eyes with Link. "Come on. Own it. You're not afraid, are you?" Link pulled back a bit.
"What do you know about what I'm afraid of?" he asked, growing angry.
"A lot," Sheik said, jumping to his feet and tilting forward even more. "I know a lot about what you're afraid of. And you'd better get used to listening to me, knight. We will be spending a lot of time together very, very soon. Much cooperation, and many deliberations will be taking place. You can forget about that buxom little fox of yours. Many a cold, lonely night will be spent practically in each other's arms. We will be that damn close. You, and I, will be acquainted to the extreme before the end, friend."
Link couldn't look more stunned if he had tried. He watched as Sheik inched closer.
"Come on. Just once. For me," he reasoned, looking at Link's mouth. Link returned the favor.
"Um," he said.
"You'll be surprised how much better you feel when you finally release it from inside. And besides, what did it feel like for you when your enemy spoke your name to you?"
Link realized that the man had a point.
"Probably felt as though he'd taken ownership over yet another part of you," Sheik suggested. "Reverse it. Use that same power to your advantage. Don't let him win." He narrowed his tawny eyes, visibly trying to drag the words out of Link's mouth. "Come now. It's a cogent argument, isn't it, sky child?"
Sheik's meager grin was returned with a fierce glower as Link shot to his feet. With the man right in front of him, Link saw that he was actually taller than him. He stared down across the two inches that formed the gap between their heights.
"Ghirahim!" Link growled in the general's face. He blinked heavily as a vicious chill practically ravaged his body. He curbed it, however, somehow remaining perfectly still even as his ears were betrayed by his own voice.
"Aah," Sheik said, pleased. "Now we're getting somewhere."
