A/N: Second to last chapter! Are you guys psyched to see the ending, or sad that it's finally over? D: Once again, I'm accepting suggestions on what I should write about next. It must be a Legend of Zelda topic though because honestly… I don't really know much about anything else. Lol It's my life! Anyway, I'm kind of a bit… meh… about stories about Link with a female. I don't know why but I find it disturbing for some reason. I always joke around with my friends saying Link is secretly gay because he never goes for it with any of his many lady friends! They always get pissed. Lol I watched the skyward sword trailer and noticed that Link looks truly interested in Zelda in that game and it made me all twitchy. I don't know… I want Link to forever be alone! Ha or maybe I just want him all to myself. :D Maybe one day I'll write about him with a lady, I'd have to think about it. I'm not limited to only boy on boy stuff, it's just I'm picky with my Linky-poo. Back to the story! Let the second to last chapter commence!
I don't own Legend of Zelda or any of its characters.
Chapter 29: The End is Near
Link and Dark had decided to set up camp along the Zora River, hesitant to travel back home. The whirlwind of feelings that would come from the serene setting of the house and the calm, collective atmosphere of the forest would clash violently against the fear and resentment towards the battle to come, causing a ruckus of emotional turmoil. If they'd returned they wouldn't want to leave. They washed their bloodied tunics, stained by the constant slaying of monsters and hung them to dry in a nearby tree. They'd caught a small fish, thanks to Link's amazing natural talents and cooked it amongst the fire. They would need all the nourishment they could get. Stocked with a fairy and two potions they prepared themselves for the battle to come, sharpening their blades and hookshots. Exhausted from the Spirit Temple and the training with Dark, Link passed out sprawling his body amongst the damp green grass. Dark had been watching Link while he slept, admiring his beautiful attributes from the way the moonlight hit his golden tanned skin to his muscle structure, lean yet defined. He really did look like the 'Hero of Time' laying there covered in scars and sweat. However, part of being a warrior was the constant torture of perilous dreams about past encounters with death.
Dark watched with worried eyes as Link fidgeted restlessly on the ground. He'd been grunting undecipherable words and jerking his arms frantically for the past half hour. Dark decided that it would be best for Link to wake up on his own. He knew he was having a nightmare, and he didn't want to startle him. Sighing, he poked agitatedly at the glowing fire with a nearby branch.
"Dark…"
"I see you've finally woken…" Dark muttered as he gazed intently at his blade, pondering if it were sharp enough for combat against Ganondorf and his minions, "I was worried that you—
"Dark… please…"
"What…" Dark turned to look towards the distressed hero who was twisting his face in a look of agony, his eyes shut tight. He lightly placed one of his pale hands on top of Link's wrist who suddenly jerked away causing Dark to stagger back in surprise. Link began to clench his fists, ripping violently at the green grass underneath him. Dark began to wonder if his little lesson in confrontation earlier had disturbed Link to the point he was now fearful of his safety around him. He sighed with guilt and scooted closer to the restless boy. He delicately began to stroke Link's cheek with the tips of his fingers while whispering comforting words to him.
"Link… I'm not going to hurt you… it's okay. You're safe with me…"
The stressed blonde grabbed suddenly at Dark's wrist and shot up from his troubled slumber, emitting a blood-chilling scream. Dark stared with pure bewilderment at the poor boy whose shout was echoing across the vast plains of Hyrule. His voice began to crack as he ran out of breath, and slowly his shriek turned into a husky yelp. Link continued to stare forward in the ominous distance, his eyes wide with fright while his hands trembled anxiously at his sides. The light from the flames danced around Link's face, outlining every curve and shadow of his distressed expression. Dark didn't know if the hero was still sleeping, cursed by a wicked trance, so he maintained his distance and remained silent. Hesitantly, Link began to shift his head to his left staring at Dark with a panic-stricken gaze.
"Link… are you okay?"
The silence amidst the air sent chills up Dark's spine causing the hair on his arms to stand on edge. He rubbed subconsciously at the prickling sensation and gradually moved his arm to rest his hand on Link's shoulder, giving him a light shake, "Link… what is it?"
"You."
The sound of Link's voice was frigid and blank. That single word was so direct and straightforward. Dark's heart dropped and his gut began to churn as he slowly became nauseous from the prominent stare coming from Link's piercing blue eyes.
"L-Link," Dark managed to stammer through the swollen sensation in his throat, "I'm not going to hurt you." He moved a bit closer towards edgy blonde and was cautious to lay a hand on him.
"You're—
"Link, I promise. It will never happen again. I was only trying to—
"…Dead."
Dark's jaw dropped and he stared with his mouth agape towards Link, startled at what he just heard, "Link! Are you awake?" He raised his hand to tap him lightly on the face but Link shot out to grab him violently by the wrist. He glanced down to his grip around the dark-headed boy's arm and stared curiously at it. That's when Dark realized that he must be in some sort of daze, like a sleep walker. Link continued to gaze blankly at Dark's hand, and then began stroking it as if he were petting Epona. Dark remained still watching the boy uneasily.
"Dark… wake him up…" Navi whispered from his side but he shook his head to refuse.
"No… I don't want him to become disoriented. He could have a violent reaction…" Dark stated thoughtfully while gently pulling his hand away from the blonde's grip. Link continued to look down towards his hands, noticing Dark's was no longer there. He glanced up at him with vacant eyes, then in the flash of a single second had Dark pinned to the ground with his sword to his throat. Sweat began to roll down Dark's face as he shifted uncomfortably underneath Link's weight.
"Dark… don't move…" Navi warned as she maintained her distance from the two boys, "Listen… he's saying something…"
Dark held his breath so that his frantic pants would not cover the hero's soft mumbles.
"What… are you… why are you… here…"
Dark's eyes widened with disbelief and he glanced over towards the fairy with a look of panic. She only shrugged in return, unable to help him with his current situation.
"Remain still." Was her only advice.
Dark couldn't just sit there. If that sword slid even an inch down and to the side, it would be the end of him. He cautiously raised his hand to the blade and gradually began to push it away. However, this caused Link to become angry and he thrust the sword forward, cutting deep into Dark's fingers. He shouted in anguish at the sharp pain and kicked Link off of him, giving up his attempt to handle him gently. Link hit the ground with a thud and grew quiet. Dark could see him looking around into the night, confused and flustered.
"Link." Dark called bitterly as he sucked the blood from his fresh cuts. Link stopped turning his head and looked forward towards his other half.
"D-Dark?" Link yelped through a squeaky voice, "What… is going on?"
"What's going on? You tried to kill me in your sleep!" Dark pointed his blood slick hand towards Link accusingly, his voice deep and infuriated.
"I-I…" Link sputtered through a jerky voice. Dark sighed with annoyance, regretting his outburst. He walked slowly towards the river to dip in his hand, wincing as the water washed over his wounds, "Did i… hurt you?"
"Don't worry about it." Dark hissed as he walked back towards the fire and began to pour a few drops of red potion onto his injury. Link hesitantly walked towards his irritated friend and sat down nervously next to him.
"You were having a nightmare." Navi stated through the awkward silence that followed. Link didn't look up from the ground and began anxiously rubbing his knuckles, "What was it about?"
"I was…" Link trailed off looking up to meet Dark's eyes with a worried gaze, "In the Water Temple..."
Dark's face went pale and he jerked his head away to look in another direction, distracting himself with meaningless tasks like shuffling through their weapons. He didn't want to hear what Link had to say. The blonde boy turned back to face Navi, his saphire eyes showing the deep sorrow within his soul. He took a deep breath and then proceeded.
"I've had this dream... many nights before..."
Link began to recall his breakdown in the Temple of Time before he'd returned to the past to conquer the well, as well as the many sleepless nights where he'd been tormented by the same dream. Dark furrowed his brow in anger and he raised his hand to silence the boy.
"Enough. I don't want to hear anymore." Dark shouted irritably, startling both Link and Navi. He remembered the night he spent on a rooftop in Kakariko village when he had a horrible flashback of when Link had impaled him with the master sword.
"But Dark i—
"I said no more Link!" Dark shouted then began to run his fingers through his black locks out of anxiety, "We are going to sleep the rest of the night in peace." Dark stood to his feet and grabbed both of their swords. He walked closer to the tree they were laying under and hung them on a branch by their straps, "Just a precaution." He muttered while taking a seat, "We already have enough to worry about tomorrow. We shouldn't burden ourselves with the past." He gave Link a wry smile and pulled him to the ground, "Now sleep, Hero. You're going to need it." He pulled Link close in a tight grip and tried to relax against the comforting sensation of their bare skin pressed together.
"It's just last minute jitters." Dark assured Link as they arrived in the Temple of Time via ocarina. Link was shaking in his boots and Dark noticed his apprehension, "Everything is going to be fine."
"I don't know why I'm so nervous… I've never been this nervous before." Link replied while gulping down his fear.
"There is a lot at stake this time around."
Dark and Link began walking towards the entrance of the Temple, heading in the direction of Ganondorf's castle. As they approached the door, they both knew there was no turning back now.
"I've been waiting for you, Link."
The voice was easily recognized and the pair turned to meet a serious looking Sheik standing amidst the Temple, "Link… the Hero of Time… You have overcome many hardships and awakened the 6 sages. And now you have a final challenge… a showdown with Ganondorf, the King of Evil."
Link began to shift anxiously where he stood, looking towards the floor and to various areas of the Temple to distract himself. Before he had Dark, he wasn't too worried about death. He needed to do what needed to be done in order to save the country of Hyrule, whether his fate met a tragic end or not. Sure, he had friends and acquaintances whose company gave him happiness but he would always be different from them. Unlike Saria, he would never be a Kokiri. He could not live amongst the Gorons with Darunia and his people. He couldn't dwell in the aquatic lands of the Zora and his gender kept him from wandering with the Gerudo. Even if he wanted to hide among the simple ranch hands, like Malon, or perhaps live an average life with the villagers in Kakariko, they would always recognize him as the Hero of Time. It was that title that separated him from the rest of humanity. It made him an outcast. Dark was the first person who was as misunderstood and unique as he was, giving him a feeling of equality he'd never felt before. He wasn't ready to give that up.
"Seven years ago, Ganondorf, the King of Thieves, used the door you opened in the Temple of Time and entered The Sacred Realm. But when he laid his hands on the triforce the legend came true and the triforce separated into three parts. Only the triforce of power remained in Ganondorf's hands. However, the strength of the Triforce of Power enabled him to become a mighty, evil king, but his dark ambitions were not satisfied. To gain complete mastery of the world, Ganondorf started looking for those chosen by destiny to hold the two other triforce parts. The one who holds the triforce of courage… is you, Link."
Dark smiled proudly at his partner and gave him a pat on the back. Link staggered back nervously and his heart beat quickened at his newfound title. Not only was he the Hero of Time, but now he held the triforce of courage which heightened his duties even more so, adding to the already unbearable pressure placed upon his shoulders. Sheik closed his eyes, and sighed, sensing Link's discomfort. He wanted to go and soothe the boy, but that was Dark's duty now. He looked back towards Link, regaining composure and finished his words.
"And the other, who holds the triforce of wisdom, is the seventh sage. The one who is destined to be the leader of them all… Princess Zelda."
Link gasped in surprise and Sheik moved aside so that the princess could enter the Temple. Dressed in her royal garments, filling out her embroidered dress nicely with her older body, Link could only gawk. She'd definitely aged gracefully, and was much more beautiful than the tiny girl he met in the garden of the castle so many years ago. Dark frowned at Link's sudden interest but decided against calling him out in such a sentiment setting. Link had been worried about the princess's safety for so long, and he was pleasantly surprised to see that she was alive and well.
"Princess…" Link muttered in astonishment as he took a step closer to the heir of the throne, "You're… alive."
Zelda gazed adoringly into Link's eyes, not with affection, but with trust and confidence. She knew that Link would be the chosen one to save all of Hyrule and she always had faith in his abilities.
"Link… call me Zelda." She stated through a genuine smile, "I apologize for remaining hidden, and not allowing Sheik to let you know where I was… but it was necessary so that the King of Evil would not find me… please forgive me."
Link simply knelt on his knee, bowing to the princess for confirmation. She blushed at the notion and raised her hand for Link to stand. He'd done too much for her, to act as a servant. However, Link only saw the gesture as being respectful.
"On that day seven years ago… Ganondorf attacked Hyrule Castle. I saw you as I was escaping with my attendant, Impa." Zelda whispered with a hint of sorrow as she approached Link further, "I thought I should entrust the Ocarina to you… I thought that would be our best chance… As long as you had the ocarina in your possession, I thought Ganondorf could never enter the Sacred Realm, but something I could never expect happened. After you opened the door of time, the Master Sword sealed you away in the Sacred Realm…"
Link closed his eyes irritably at her statement. She didn't know that's what would happen? All along Link had thought that was the plan… so that he could wield the sacred sword as an adult; therefore, able to defeat Ganondorf… it had all been an accident? However, it was now far too late to change anything and he sucked down his pride so that he would not insult the princess.
"Your spirit remained there… and then the triforce fell into Ganondorf's hands. He went on to invade the Sacred Realm. Once he became the King of Evil, the realm became a world of evil. All of this is an unfortunate coincidence…"
Link noticed Dark rolling his eyes, obviously peeved at how careless the princess had been as a child.
"But… now you are back! The dark age ruled by Ganondorf, the Evil King, will end!" Zelda squealed with delight while delicately clapping her hands. Dark sighed with annoyance. Everyone relied way too much on Link. And that's when it hit him… that the reason Link had started to depend so much on Dark, was because he was always the one with all the pressure. He sighed with regret about the lesson he was trying to teach Link the previous day, even though he was still the only one who could slay Ganon; Beholder of the sacred sword that could smite all evil. However, he understood that all Link wanted was a little slack, someone to help ease the constant struggles that came along with the major duty he had been dealt. Being the Hero of Time was more of a curse, than a blessing. Link had been betrayed by his peers and forced to be strong as a mere child, destined by the goddesses to defeat the Dark Lord since before his time.
"The 6 sages will open the sealed door and lure Ganondorf back into the Sacred Realm… then I will seal the door from this world. Thus, the Evil King will vanish from Hyrule. Link, in order to do this, I need your courage again. Please protect me while I do my part."
Link nodded affirmatively, obligated in his duty to help the princess.
"And you…" Zelda stated, directing her attention towards Dark, "I've been watching the two of you, and I see that you both have grown quite fond of each other. It's nice to know that Link has found someone to keep him happy and motivated while on his journey as a hero. Dark Link—
"It's just Dark." He muttered firmly. Sheik twitched with agitation at the rude tone he'd taken with the princess and Link sighed heavily in embarrassment. Dark noticed the two men's demeanor and coughed to cover up his negligence, "Y-Your…. Highness…"
Zelda either hadn't noticed his attitude or chose to overlook it, because she nodded supportively with a cheerful smile, "Of course. Dark, it is then. Would you please accompany Link to help fend off the Evil King while the sages commence in our plan?"
"Of course, my lady." Dark replied with a grin while bowing generously to the princess. Sheik's eyes widened with shock and Link scowled while giving him a slap on the arm. Zelda only giggled in return and pulled out an item to hand to Link.
"Here is a weapon that can penetrate the Evil King's defenses… The power given to the chosen ones… The sacred arrow of light!"
Upon receiving the item, the walls of the building suddenly began to shake ferociously. Dark and Link drew their swords while Sheik instinctively grabbed the princess in a protective hold.
"Sheik… please go see what is happening outside." The princess ordered and he obediently retreated out the temple to find the cause of the sudden disturbance. Link and Dark glanced around cautiously, waiting for whatever was triggering the commotion to come out of hiding.
"That rumbling…" Zelda whispered nervously, "It can't be!"
"Zelda!" Dark heard Link shout frantically, while he was glancing suspiciously about the room.
He instantly whirled around to see the princess encased in a thick sheet of ice, with a concerned Link pounded hysterically at the frozen surface.
"Princess Zelda, you foolish traitor!"
Dark's heart sank as he recognized the anonymous disembodied voice. Ganondorf.
"I commend you for avoiding my pursuit for seven long years!"
Link looked around angrily trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. Dark knew it was sorcery and just stared sorrowfully towards Zelda's frozen face of panic.
"But you let your guard down! I knew you would appear if I let this kid wander around long enough!"
"Show yourself!" Link shouted furiously towards the ceiling.
"If you want to rescue Zelda, come to my castle!"
The large shard of ice then began to levitate before disappearing into an explosion of light. Dark and Link didn't even need to exchange words, but took off out the temple and towards Ganon's castle. Once, they were outside they glanced to each other worriedly when they'd noticed Sheik was nowhere to be found.
A/N: Gah, it's so close. The end is near! Sorry it took so long for me to update guys. DX By the way if you don't remember Sheik is a seperate character in this story. Thank you for all your reviews.
