Chapter Eleven
She was so sweet...
Like spiced honey...
Link deepened the kiss, wanting more, and he heard Midna's muffled gasp. The sound made his gut clench, fire leaping along his skin. He pressed his lips harder to hers, loving how soft they were underneath his. He wasn't aware that he'd dragged her in close, one arm firmly about her waist while the other had stole up, his fingers burying in her fiery hair.
It was soft…
Like silk…
He wanted to know what her skin tasted like, to trace his lips over the lines and curves that graced her body. The sudden, primal urge to take shocked him and he jolted, yanking himself back. His breathing was labored, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. Midna blinked, her bewitching eyes dark and dazed. The look nearly made him groan with want and the raw feelings shocked him. He scrambled to his feet, horrified with himself.
"Link?" Her voice was low, confused, and she frowned, looking up at him.
"I'm…I'm sorry I didn't…I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry." His voice wavered and he found that his hands were trembling.
As was the rest of him…
He turned, striding off into the dark. What had he been thinking? He reached up, running a hand over his face and through his hair. It was a silly mistake, a misunderstanding...
Wasn't it?
He didn't get long to ponder it for a figure seemed to appear out of the shadows beside him. Link jumped, instinctively reaching for the Master Sword but stopped when he realized it didn't grace his hip and that the figure was Zabine.
A very mad Zabine…
Before he could have time to react further the odd little Twili struck. Link jolted, pain flaring up at his jaw and he blinked, shocked.
"What was that—"
"You know very well, Light Dweller." Zabine hissed as he glared at Link. "You should know better, yes, yes you should. She is the Princess of Twilight," he rose up, seemingly to grow but only in manner, "and you are the Hero of Light. Your kind would not be welcome here, no, no it wouldn't." The glare softened but only slightly, "Do not give yourself hope where there is none." Zabine's eyes shifted back to Midna, who still sat around the fire, her eyes dazed as she huddled in close to it. Link followed his gaze and his throat ran dry at the sight of her.
Oh Goddesses…
What was he going to do?
VVVV
The ride was uncomfortable…
And it wasn't because of Dude…
The new horse was spirited but responded to her commands, yielding to the lightest pressure. She found that she liked him but as for the dark figure in front of her she wasn't entirely sure she could say the same thing.
Dark hadn't spoken to her since that morning in the outbuilding on Lon Lon Ranch and Zelda hadn't made any attempt to speak with him either. She told herself it was because it would be easier, she wouldn't invoke his temper and he wouldn't invoke the feelings that seemed to lurk just beneath her skin.
Zelda also knew that if he touched her…
Just once…
She'd lose herself…
They'd left Lon Lon Ranch the previous morning, riding to the south. Despite being the Princess, Zelda was ashamed to admit she'd never so much as left Castle Town. She'd read extensive reports on the lands in and surrounding her kingdom but seeing pictures didn't compare to what lay before her eyes now.
They'd made camp on a small hill, overlooking a patch of trees where in the distance she could see a small mountain range of sorts. Thomas sat beside her, repairing a stirrup to Richard's saddle. Her eyes watched the small boy work. His fingers were quick and the stitches neat.
"Where did you learn to do that?" Zelda asked and the boy raised his eyes to her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"From my mother," Thomas's smile grew, "she was a wonderful seamstress and was very avid about men learning how to stitch." He chuckled a little. "I didn't see the value in it before, but I do now." He tied the final stitch and surveyed his handiwork. "I believe that will do. Please excuse me, Princess, while I attend to Sir Richard's saddle." Zelda nodded, smiling at him as he rose to his feet to cross to the horses.
"He's a fine lad." A low voice spoke beside her and Zelda turned her head to see Richard standing there. His burly arms were crossed over his thick chest and his eyes held pride as they watched Thomas go about his work.
"He is." Zelda agreed but her thoughts travelled back to the boy's childhood. She inwardly winced, and it seemed that Richard was thinking the same thing.
"He bears no grudge against him," Richard's voice was low, his eyes darkening as he looked to Dark who attended Stryder. "But I fear that he leads us astray, we should be traveling to the east, not the south." His words made her frown and she swallowed. "Do you wish for me to speak with him tonight, Princess?" At his question she instinctively shook her head no. She knew of the tension between these two warriors and did not wish to see bloodshed.
"No, I will speak with him." Her tone was firm, offering no argument but Richard looked at her all the same before slowly nodding.
"Very well," he gave a final slight dip of his head before turning to leave. She watched him focus on the cooking fire and she gave a small, resigned sigh before standing. Crossing over to Dark she halted behind him, her hands clasped lightly in front of her.
Stryder looked at her, turning his head and lightly butting her arm. She couldn't help but smile slightly, though it irked her that a horse would notice her before Dark would. She finally raised her chin, clearing her throat to grab his attention. He merely flicked his eyes over his shoulder at her, the crimson depths holding mere irritated amusement. The look infuriated her and she bit the inside of her cheek, reminding herself to keep calm and not lose her temper over a trivial look.
"Sir Dark," she bit the name out and he paused, "would you care to walk with me?" Her tone was icy and Dark pivoted, lifting an amused brow at her.
"Sir is it now?" He questioned softly, his eyes looking her over and she stiffened, her fingers lightly clenching as she pondered whether to slap him or kiss him. The thought nearly made her jolt and she promptly squashed it, knowing that she'd happily pick the first one over the second.
Silence…
"Are you?" Zelda bit out, annoyed that he'd gotten underneath her skin in less than a minute and without even touching her.
"I suppose so," he casually set the brush he'd been using on Stryder aside, turning and walking towards the patch of trees below the hill. Zelda followed, noting that both Richard and Thomas were watching them. Again silence greeted them as they descended the hill and walked amongst the trees. Finally it was Dark who spoke.
"What is it that you wished to speak to me about, Princess?" The last word held a mocking note to it but she disregarded it.
"About our next destination," she stopped to turn and face him, "the monster lies in the caverns located on Death Mountain, to the east," Zelda gestured with her hand, "and we're traveling south." She paused for a moment, "Why?" She questioned and Dark simply looked at her.
"Mildred has a friend there, one who could help in creating a cure." He finished, his eyes flicking down to her arm. "The infection is getting worse, and if that's so then it means that it's getting worse for Link as well and in turn I'll suffer just as much." The words were calculated and Zelda felt her heart shrivel at the cold monotone with which they were spoken.
"I see," she swallowed, refusing to show him how much he affected her. "Then we should break camp, I would hate seeing you put under strain, Sir Dark." She turned, keeping her spine ram rod straight and her chin high in the air. She didn't look back either, striding up the hill and to the camp.
Missing the look of regret on Dark's face…
VVVV
Sir Dark?
Where the hell was that coming from?
He clenched his teeth, keeping his outward appearance calm as he watched her walk back up the hill. The form of address was as if she were detached towards him and it irked him.
Wait…
It wasn't supposed to be like that, he was supposed to happy that she was becoming cold towards him. He turned, striding off into the trees but he couldn't help but feel how empty he felt.
He gritted his teeth, ignoring how he wanted to turn back around and run up that hill. The sun was setting fast, casting the trees in a fiery orange.
Twilight…
It was a certain time where even for a moment he felt at peace. There were rumors that when twilight fell over the land it was when two worlds mingled for only a few precious moments. Perhaps that was why he felt so at ease in this small bit of time.
After all he wasn't born to the light, but deep down he knew he wasn't entirely dark either. No, he was something else.
Something in between…
Something lost…
He lifted his blood red eyes to the fading sun and as the last shred of light began to slip behind the stone mountains he wondered if this is how it would always be.
He'd always be condemned to be the outsider…
To be alone…
A scream tore him from his thoughts and he pivoted, his eyes snapping up to the hill and he froze. The last shred of light glimmered, casting the scene in blood red light before night covered it in shadow.
Stalchildren…
He cursed, momentarily caught off guard and bounded up the hill, reaching for the Dark Mastersword. His fingers closed around the hilt just as Zelda drew her own, dispatching one quickly with a deft stroke of her blade. The head toppled free and the remaining bones shuddered, aimlessly flailing its limbs before she finished it off. It disappeared in a small burst of flame and ash and she went onto the next.
Dark let her deal with those, for his attention was on the three warriors that advanced towards them. Stalchildren were easy to deal with, it was when Stalfos showed up that things got complicated.
Oh well…
He liked complicated after all…
He narrowed his eyes, concentrating as the three approached. They spread out, surrounding him but he kept his eyes on the middle one. It wore a rusted helm, the armor it wore was rusted as well but the Hylian crest upon its chest was unmistakable. Its bright green eyes shined with intelligence while the others burned a mad red.
"Dark Hero," Dark paused, blinking once in surprise at the dry, but intelligent voice that croaked from the fleshless jaws of the Stalfo's. "We've come for—" It's words ended in a dry crackle as an arrow pierced its jaw. Dark whirled and saw Thomas with a bow before everything was lost in a whirl of limbs.
The second charged him, a high shriek spilling forth as it swung its heavy saber at him. He pivoted, driving his shoulder into the Stalfo's chest. It flew backwards and Dark threw up his shield in time to block the strike from the other. He shoved, knocking the other Stalfos back and widened his stance.
It wouldn't do any good to chase after them, they'd happily charge him and rain blows down upon him but the trick would be getting his Dark Mastersword to cut them at the hips. If you severed their spines they disappeared in flame and ash like the Stalchildren but it seemed that they kept rising from the ground.
Richard had his hands full keeping them off Zelda and he knew that it wouldn't do any good to kill off the Stalchildren that were attacking her when the Stalfos themselves were summoning them. Even though his muscles tightened, straining against the instinct to run to her, he remained where he was, his fingers curled tight around the hilt of the Dark Mastersword.
"Well, you're already dead, the least you could do is hurry it up for the rest of us." Dark growled and that was all the goading the Stalfos needed. They launched at him again and he waited for them. Lifting his shield he deflected the first blade, hooking the second with his own and twisting. The blade fell free and he spun, the Dark Mastersword hitting its target. The blade connected, severing the spine and the Stalfos shrieked as its brittle bones disappeared in a burst of flame.
The other Stalfos hissed, its teeth crackling as it punched a hole through his defenses, the blade nicking his hip. He didn't even feel the pain, instinct making him dance away. The Stalfos cackled, as if it was laughing but he only grinned. It paused, seemingly confused but Dark didn't wait for it this time. He lunged; striking the small shield it carried and flicked his blade up. The shield fell away and the Stalfos gave a startled yelp, swinging its sword but it was too slow. The Dark Mastersword hit home and it vanished in a flare of fire.
Dark turned around, the sounds of the other Stalchildren cackling to the others as they slowly withdrew. The leader, the arrow still in its jaw reached up and simply pulled it free, teeth and junks of bone falling away as it did so.
"Who are you?" Dark questioned, curious as to how a Stalfos could speak. It glared at him then at Thomas who still held a bow, an arrow notched.
"Brat," it spat at Thomas, its jaw nearly falling free and the word nearly undecipherable. It continued to glare at Dark before it reset its jaw. "The dead are rising, Prince of Darkness, beware. Hyrule needs its Hero." With that it too disappeared in a blaze and Dark glowered at the spot where it disappeared.
"Another riddle to be solved," he murmured, "perfect." He gritted his teeth, the stinging now becoming a full on blaze of pain.
"Dark!" He turned and there she was, her hair matted and tangled, her face smeared with ash and her eyes filled with such concern that his throat ran dry. "You're bleeding, don't you ever—" her words stopped when he grabbed her hands, firmly but gently pushing them away.
"I don't need your help." He whispered and he saw the flash of hurt in her eyes before he walked away.
After all…
This was how it was supposed to be…
VVVV
This wasn't right…
Ever since the kiss, Midna had acted as if nothing had happened between them. At first it was a relief, but now it bothered him.
But why would it bother him?
He should be relieved that she didn't think anything of it, that she wouldn't be expecting him to stay with her over a simple kiss but even as he thought that his stomach turned to lead and he admitted something to himself.
That hadn't been a simple kiss…
He'd known what he'd felt and what he'd wanted to do and he shifted in the saddle, looking away and over the sand dunes to avoid staring at Midna's back and imagining what she looked like beneath the cloak she wore.
Good Goddesses…
What was going on with him?
He'd never thought such thoughts before, not even concerning Zelda and…
He stopped at that thought…
He'd never imagined himself doing that to Zelda, not even kissing her, but he was in love with her, wasn't he? He clenched his jaw, his fingers curling tighter around Ripper's reins. Of course he was, he was just confused due to his injury. He still thought of Zelda, that he would always do. She was such a major part of his life. They'd gone through so much together and as a Knight of Hyrule they would continue to do so but that thought only reminded him of his current mission.
First he had to return to Hyrule, and in order to do that he had to save this land of Twilight with its Princess. A figure swooped over his head, forcing him to duck and he glared after the laughing Zabine. A Princess and her imp teacher as his companions, just perfect, but he admitted that at least they were company. He could hear Zabine's echoing laugh and he lifted his eyes to look at the curious creature. Zabine's personality reminded him of a boy he met in the Lost Woods, one who was always playing and carefree. Zabine must have felt Link looking at him and turned his bright eyes upon him and the look reminded him of the look that had been cast upon him last night. He felt himself flush and he looked away, resisting the urge to grate his teeth together as he remembered kissing Midna all over again.
He'd get nubs doing that…
"There it is!" Midna's laughing voice shouted as she clucked to Arwin. The Shadow horse responded, picking up his pace and Ripper snorted, pulling at the reins. Link let him have his head and together they crossed up and over a dune. Pulling them to a halt Link's eyes widened at what he saw. A mass of trees lay before them, twisted and gnarled to create a wall but behind the wall he could what appeared to be a forest.
"This certainly is an interesting land," he mused and Midna laughed, casting him an amused look.
"Just wait till were inside, Hero of Time." She clucked to Arwin again and they descended the hill. Link frowned, inwardly biting his tongue, before joining her in the descent. They halted outside the mass of forage and Link ran his eyes over the scenery. Zabine lowered down beside him, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked to Midna.
"You sure this is a good idea?" Zabine asked and Linked glanced at him. For once the odd little Twili looked serious but Midna didn't seem to be worried.
She never did…
Link inwardly blinked, looking away from her and back to the wall of forage. It seemed like there'd be no easy way in and he grimaced.
"Why the long face, Hero?" Midna's lilting voice teased and she raised her palm, "Not everything is as it seems." A moment later a zap of fiery orange magic shot from her palm and engulfed a section of trees. Link watched, transfixed as a section of the wall shimmered, then slowly vanished, revealing a path. Midna laughed at the perplexed look that must've crossed his face and nudged Arwin forward.
"So you still have some tricks up your sleeve, do you?" Zabine asked, a smirk touching his lips as he ascended back into the air, flowing forward to lead the way. Link shook his head.
"I'll never get used to his," he grumbled and followed after Midna. He would have happily stayed behind her but the path was wide and Ripper pulled at the reins, wanting to be beside Arwin instead of behind the shadow horse. Grudgingly, Link loosed his grip on the reins and his mount shuffled forward, head held high and ears perked as he surveyed their surroundings.
Link did as well, his eyes roaming over the twisted trees and thick brush. It was quiet, eerily so. The feeling left him unsettled and tense. Something wasn't right, he didn't like being here.
Then softly…
Voices…
They sounded like children, laughing and playing though the tone was somehow sad instead of full of joy. He looked to Midna who was looking ahead but a soft smile played about her lips despite the sorrowful look in her eyes.
"They're called Lost Children, similar to the ones you have in your world of light I would imagine." A rustle of leaves brought her attention to a pair of trees that had grown together. Atop the branches perched a darkened figure, eyes as bright as coals but skin as black as night. It peered out at them and Link stiffened in the saddle. Midna kept her eyes on the Lost Child, that same sad smile upon her lips.
"Do not be frightened, in a way the Lost Children protect this forest. They will not harm us." She turned back to face Link, who lowered his eyes from the Lost Child to Midna's. For a moment they simply looked at one another, her expression unreadable but before Link could become more uncomfortable she reached out and took his hand.
She said nothing more and he found that he couldn't even if he'd wanted to. For miles they road like that, their fingers entwined in a silence that felt more like companionship than awkwardness. Zabine flew ahead but stayed on the path instead of zig-zagging in and out of the trees.
"Why does he stay on the path?" Link questioned, turning his head to look at her.
"If one strays from the path they are sure to become lost in the forest forever," Midna answered. Link nodded, understanding.
"Is that how the Lost Children came to be?" He glanced around, but could see none. However, he had no doubt that they would be watching.
"Yes, in a way." Midna's voice was soft, her eyes distant.
"What are you thinking about?" His question made her blink, her eyes clearing as she cast him a quick glance. She hesitated; as if she wasn't sure she should tell him or even if she wanted to.
"Something from my past," she finally told him and he slowly nodded.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He could tell by the look on her face that he was treading on dangerous ground but he wanted to know more about her. He wanted to know what her childhood had been like, if she'd even had one, if she'd had friends, who her parents were, everything.
She must have seen the curiosity on his face for she tossed him a smug look, a twinkle in her fiery orange eyes.
"Curious aren't we, Hero?" She teased in her lilting voice that always seemed to hold a ring of laughter in it.
"Perhaps," he grinned at her and she gave a small chuckle, the wind playing with her hair. It became quiet between them but Link could see that she was thinking so he waited patiently.
"Once—" she started but a wail cut her off. Arwin moved restlessly underneath her as did Ripper. Link soothed him but something wasn't right. The forest had lost its stillness and now something stirred within the motionless trees. Zabine was beside them and his eyes were narrowed, his body tense.
"Something is not right, princess," he whispered and as if on cue a shrill cry echoed in the dark depths of the forest.
It was a sound they all recognized…
Without a word Midna and Link spurred their shadow horses that leapt ahead while Zabine shot into the air to follow. A moment later the brush burst and the creature that came forth made Link curse.
A Shadow Beast…
The creature screamed again, the cry pounding in Link's ears as they streaked away from the beast. With another scream it raced after them, its limbs surprisingly eating up the ground.
"What is that doing here?" Link shouted, leaning low over Ripper's neck. Midna cast a furious look over her shoulder towards the monster but as she did so another leapt from the edge of the forest. Arwin screamed, trying his best to dodge the massive hands that reached for him but Link watched with a sickening feeling the beast latch onto Arwin. The shadow horse toppled, his legs buckling underneath him and Midna went with him.
Before Link realized what he was doing he had reined Ripper in and as the other beast from behind closed in he drew his sword. The beast that had latched onto Arwin released the kicking horse and instead turned upon Midna.
The princess bared her teeth, drawing her short dagger as the beast lunged at her. She slipped past the massive hands, coming in close and catching the creature along its arm. It cried out in pain, recoiling but the other was soon there.
Link kicked Ripper and surprisingly he responded, moving forward and pinning his ears back at the second shadow beast. The beast shrieked, swinging at them but Ripped reared, lashing out with his sharp hooves and connecting with the creature's face. As he came down the shadow beast recoiled, hissing at them as it did.
Midna however was still dealing with the other one. Link shifted in the saddle, swinging his sword to catch the creature on its shoulder. He did so and in return the beast lashed out, knocking Ripper out from underneath him. Link tumbled to the ground, the air leaving his lungs in one painful burst.
It gave a cackle of victory, hovering over him as it reached for him. He narrowed his eyes and managed to roll onto his side and to his feet, raising his sword to fend the creature off. With a hiss it lifted its hands, turning them to fists and Link tensed. He blocked the first swing, and caught the second with his blade. Gritting his teeth he pulled the blade back and swung, embedding it within the creature's side.
Black blood covered the steel and the shadow beast screamed, falling back just as another sprung forth. Link cursed, retreating. Now there were three and Link looked over his shoulder to find Midna fending off the first one. She darted in and out, surprisingly nimble as her blade inflicted small but still deadly cuts. Zabine was helping her, raining down blows to the beast as well.
The other two brought his attention back as the advanced on him. He drew in a calming breath, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. They came at him at the same time and tensing his legs he pivoted, spinning. He caught both beasts across their chests and with a thud they fell to the ground.
Turning, Link went to help Midna and Zabine but the final shadow beast lurched, pulling away and lifting its face to the sky. A scream, one that Link had never heard before, left the creature's throat. It seemed to rattle even the ground and Link fell to his knee, wincing and covering his ears as best he could. Midna and Zabine did the same and Link felt more than heard the movement behind him.
To his surprise the other two beasts he thought dead stirred, slowly bringing themselves up until they stood before him once more. He blinked, shocked, and therefore was too slow when they pounced, throwing him aside. He hit the ground hard and he grunted but instead of finishing him off they ignored him, running towards Midna instead.
"Midna!" He shouted, pain and fear lancing through his body. Midna, dazed, tried to fight but they merely plucked her up. Zabine shouted, his words lost on Link but they too batted the little Twili away. Link forced himself to his knees but his body suddenly felt so weak, his head pounding and he felt blood trickling down but he didn't care.
"Midna!" He cried again, his voice cracking. As she struggled, kicking and lashing out at the shadow beasts her eyes flew up to his and what he saw in her beautiful orange eyes made his heart clench in his chest.
Fear…
He reached out, hoping that somehow he could reach her as the world started to turn black.
Midna…
They were taking Midna…
Then everything went dark…
VVVV
AUTHOR NOTE: Okay I know I haven't updated in FOREVER and I am so so so sorry life has gotten so crazy. I was in an accident over a year ago and damaged my hands and after months and months of physical therapy I am able to write without pain! I can't wait to get back into the swing of things and I hope that I didn't disappoint in this chapter! Thank you all for your patience! So happy to be back!