Chapter Twelve
Hell…
That's what this was…
Dark leaned against the stones of the small house that sat atop the hill overlooking Lake Hylia. Richard and Thomas were down below attending to their horses while Zelda remained inside with Mildred's friend. He flicked his eyes across the clear waters, his mind wandering.
What were they going to do now?
They'd reached the home this morning and found Mildred's friend, Agatha outside waiting for them. The two bore striking resemblance in both appearance and manner. Zelda had been promptly taken inside and examined and the diagnoses had been as he'd expected.
Terrible…
A week…
That was all they had…
The door opened and Dark turned his head to find Agatha there, a very cross expression adorning her aged face. Feeling suddenly like a child that was about to receive a scolding he straightened, his muscles coiling for a fight.
"I assume you know what I'm here to tell you." Her voice was like sand paper but Dark dipped his head.
"Yes," his simple answer left them in silence and Agatha trailed her eyes to Richard and Thomas below.
"I may be old, Dark Hero, but I know little of this poison that plagues the Princess. There are very few of us left that do." Her words did little to ease Dark's worry but he hadn't expected the old crone to give them hope.
"I'm aware of that." His tone was cold but that did little to hide the fear in his heart.
"I will travel to Castle town on the morrow to meet with Mildred. Perhaps together we can make a stronger herb to help stay the poisoning until then it is up to you." Handing Dark a vial with black liquid inside she turned and entered the little shack, leaving Dark outside. He pivoted, his intention to head over to where Stryder grazed, when another figure filled the doorway.
Zelda…
Her face was pale, her lips not as full as he seemed to remember them to be. Yet despite this he watched her move, saw the strength in her stride, the determination in the way she held her head and the silent resolve in her blue eyes. She halted in front of him and to his surprise managed to smirk at him.
"Well, I should have known that in the end it wouldn't have been good news." The words were filled with a quiet sorrow and Dark swallowed, suddenly wanting to reach out and hold her. "Agatha said that she'd given you a vial, is that it?" Zelda reached for it and Dark let her take it from his fingers. Their fingertips brushed and he saw her cheeks redden ever so slightly but what alarmed him was how cold she was.
Without thinking he reached out, cupping her hand in his. She jumped but before she could protest he gently wrapped her fingers in his. The action silenced her and she ducked her head. They stood like that for a moment, her fingers tucked inside his.
They were so tiny…
Almost fragile…
He suddenly had the urge to hold her again, to bring her in close and tell her that everything would be alright. They'd find the cure and things would go back to the way they were but as he thought this another cold reality hit him.
If the cure was found and given Zelda would heal…
And so would Link…
The Hero of Time would return and she wouldn't need him anymore…
The thought made him stiffen, the pain an unwelcomed feeling inside his chest. Zelda must've sensed that something was wrong and lifted her face to his. He wanted to recoil from her, draw back away from the sweet light she gave off but even as he ordered himself to, the thought was fading inside his skull.
He wanted to be with her…
"Dark?" Zelda's voice was filled with concern, her eyes sparkling with it and he gave a derisive snort while shaking his head.
"I'm fine," he answered and released her hand, regretting how her skin no longer touched his. "You on the other hand, are not Princess." His tone for once didn't hold scorn and instead held sympathy and Zelda seemed confused by it but he didn't dwell on the matter.
"Yes," her eyes moved to Richard and Thomas below them, "a week is all I have." Despite the death sentence her voice did not tremble and Dark admired her for it.
"Then I suggest that we don't tarry." He whistled and Stryder picked his head up, ears swiveling forward. The black stallion then proceeded to prance towards them, coming to a halt beside the pair. Reaching out he nibbled at Zelda's sleeve and she chuckled, the strain of pain and fear leaving her face as she stroked the horse's nose.
"I suggest you tend to your own horse Princess, take care not to waste precious time." His words made her glance at him and a look he couldn't quite place crossed her face. Instead of a tart retort she nodded and dropped her hand, moving away from them and towards where Dude had been tied.
Dark watched her but was interrupted when Stryder butted him with his head. He grunted, frowning at the stallion which surprisingly glared at him.
"Traitor," he responded and Stryder snorted, shaking his head at him. "Yes, yes I know." He climbed into the saddle, settling easy onto his back. He waited as Zelda mounted up as well, Richard and Thomas soon following. Together the four left Lake Hylia, their eyes trained upon the smoking mountain in the distance.
Missing the six that slipped from the shadows to follow…
VVVV
Impa didn't like this…
Didn't like it at all…
Since Zelda's departure the Council had been in chaos. The King had fallen ill, restricted to bed rest and without Zelda to overlook things Impa feared that Lord Rendel was making trouble. She paced the halls, her mind playing over the past few days.
Information had come to them that Zelda and Dark had indeed met with the old knight and his squire but they had been attacked. They'd fled castle town and taken refuge at Lon Lon Ranch. After departing there they'd headed towards Lake Hylia but since then Impa had had no contact with her spies. It was unsettling and Impa narrowed her eyes. The Sheikah didn't like to be caught off guard so to have even her spies be unable to either locate them or communicate with her was unnerving.
A soft moan from the door beside her made her inwardly grimace. Link's condition had worsened despite the attempts by the king's many physicians. Pushing the door open she found Link's unconscious body laid out on the bed. The sheets were pulled to his chin but that did little to ease the shivering that racked his body. An older nurse tended to him, bathing his forehead and cleaning the wound on his temple regularly but the cut continued to ooze.
"Impa," the nurse bowed her head in respect and Impa dipped hers in return.
"How does he fair?" She asked, her eyes watching his pale, pain stricken face.
"He continues to worsen with each day that passes." The nurse's voice was soft, worry in her aged eyes and Impa reached out and touched her shoulder.
"He will live, Princess Zelda will find a cure and all will be well again." Impa's words were firm, filled with determination and she could see that the worry eased in the nurse's gaze.
"I've been praying to the Goddesses that that is so," she whispered and Impa gave her another soft pat on the shoulder.
"Take care of him well," she instructed before turning to leave.
"I will," replied the nurse and Impa left, her destination the council room.
As she approached she could hear the chaos inside and camped her jaw. The guards outside the door bowed their heads respectfully before one stepped inside to announce her. She hated when they did that. Sheikah were supposed to move silently, always watching from the shadows, protecting what was theirs when no one thought that they were there. Having her presence announced to everyone only made her skin crawl but the guardian straightened her back and entered.
All of the council members were there, including Lord Rendel who looked particularly red about his cheeks and neck. His eyes even looked to be bulging and by the dark looks he was casting Lady Helena the two had argued. Lady Helena however remained poised and calm, her wise eyes assessing Impa even as Impa overlooked them.
Silence…
It was finally Lord Varon that cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone.
"Is there any news regarding Princess Zelda's whereabouts?" He asked and Impa could see the worry on his face. Lord Varon cared for Zelda, cared for her deeply so she knew that his heart was true but something made her hold back.
"No, not since the attack in Castle Town." The lie slipped easily from her lips but all seemed to take her words for truth. After all why shouldn't they? She was tasked with guarding the Royal Family and so she would put their best interest first and she did not trust Lord Rendel.
"Are you sure?" Lord Varon's voice was almost pleading but Impa would not disclose any more information to them.
"Yes." The word was final and Lord Rendel finally spoke.
"Very well, you are dismissed Impa." He waved his hand and Impa narrowed her eyes.
"With all due respect," her tone was quiet but cold, "you do not have the power to dismiss me, Lord Varon. I am a Sheikah." Her eyes met his gaze until his finally lowered. She then looked to Lady Helena. "Lady Helena, a word please?" She moved towards the balcony doors where they could talk in peace without the threat of being overheard. Lady Helena nodded, rising from her seat to meet her there. The two women stepped outside, the warm weather greeting them with open arms.
Impa was the first to speak.
"My spies can no longer locate the Princess." The serious words would have caught most people off guard but Lady Helena's face remained neutral.
"When did you lose her?" She asked, her eyes drifting towards the town.
"Their last known location was outside of Lon Lon Ranch, heading to Lake Hylia. That was the last report two days ago." Lady Helen nodded, her tall and graceful figure a welcomed contrast to Impa's muscular yet lean form.
"What of the raids?" She questioned and Impa complied.
"Three more small villages on the outskirts of Hyrule. All of the villagers were taken captive, their tracks leading to the desert. My people lost them in the shifting sands." Whatever was going on it wasn't good and they both knew it. Lady Helena looked over her shoulder at Impa.
"Lord Rendel is making attempts to place himself as the Stewart of the throne until the King either recovers or Zelda returns but I fear there is dark treachery here." Lady Helena narrowed her eyes, the edges of her lips thinning. "The other Lords are frightened, easily swayed by his black words." Impa felt rage swell in her heart but stayed neutral. Lady Helena sensed the anger and cast her a cool glance. "I will do what I can to keep them strong but men fear what they do not understand and will follow anyone that's willing to lead the way." She swiveled back to Impa. "It is up to you to find the Princess." Lady Helena's eyes shined, "Do not fail, Impa." Her tone gave way to the lingering fear that seemed to hold everyone in its grasp and Impa bowed her head respectfully.
"I will not." She answered while straightening and Lady Helena gave a soft farewell before entering back into the council room. Impa did not follow her, instead taking the hidden paths only known to the Sheikah. A few minutes later she was in the gardens, poised beside the statue of the king. The soft flutter of a falling leaf gave way to the stranger's presence and she turned her eyes upon the shadows. A figure drifted out and Tyre greeted her. He was a man of twenty and of small stature with eyes the color of the greenery that surrounded them. His hair was covered by his hood but he bowed, placing his fisted hand over his heart.
"Master Impa," he straightened, reaching into the pocket of his cloak to withdraw a small piece of parchment. He handed it to her and she took it, glancing at the contents. What she found did little to ease her fears.
"Thank you Tyre," she put the paper away and resisted the urge to sigh.
"How does the King fair?" Tyre asked and by Impa's pained expression he knew the answer. "I pray Princess Zelda returns soon. Hyrule will need her." Tyre's voice held the sorrow Impa felt and she nodded in agreement.
"Dark times will be ahead of our kingdom and for our Princess. We must be there to protect her," her eyes swiveled up towards the towers of the castle and hardened, "but first we must find her." She returned her gaze to Tyre. "Take five scouts with you and travel to Kakariko Village. Hide yourselves there and keep your ears and eyes open for any word or sign of our Princess." Impa ordered and Tyre bowed in respect before vanishing into the shadows of the gardens once more.
Impa remained standing there, her eyes still fixed upon the statue of the King. His marbled face showed his courage and strength, his broad shoulders his pride and devotion. It was ironic considering that his real self lay inside the castle walls, barely strong enough to lift himself from the bed. The statue before her was of a King that was healthy and young and was of a time where the dark threat of Ganondorf returning to claim the Triforce was not a reality. Now that was not so and now age had taken its toll on him.
A distant roll of thunder drew Impa from her thoughts. She craned her neck back to see the blackening clouds rolling in from the north and it felt as if it were an ill omen.
Yes indeed…
Dark days were coming…
VVVV
"Link! Wake up light dweller! Wake up I say!" The voice was fuzzy, but the sharp pain across Link's cheek was not and his eyes flashed open. Zabine's face floated above him, coming in and out of focus as his eyes tried to adjust.
What was going on?
Then he remembered…
Remembered Midna…
Remembered the fear in her eyes…
He sat up, or tried to but pain lanced up his neck and he stopped short. His stomach twisted and he fell back onto the hard ground. The Twili was not far from him, his little body twitching as he anxiously paced about.
"Hurry, get on your feet light dweller we must find her! We must! We must!" At his sporadic words and fearful expression it seemed to Link that something had snapped inside him. After a moment Link tried sitting up but grimaced as the pain and nausea struck him once more. Taking in deep breaths so that his head would clear from the pain he did manage to rise to a sitting position. Casting him a dark look Zabine still pranced about, his eyes darting towards the forest.
"They took her in there, we can't go in there. Not there, no not there." He gnashed his sharp teeth and Link frowned at him.
What was wrong with him?
"Zabine," he clenched his teeth and pushed the nausea away, "what's going on?" He asked while looking around. His eyes found where the creatures had taken Midna into the forest, after all it would have been rather hard to miss the felled trees. Ripper was standing beside Arwin and Link noted that the shadow beast favored his foreleg.
Noting that Zabine ignored his question, Link made himself stand. His legs wobbled but he crossed over to the mounts and Ripper greeted him with a soft rumble. Link scratched him behind the ears before kneeling down and inspecting Arwin's leg. A long, but shallow gash ran from the shadow horse's knee up to the bottom of his chest. Wincing Link straightened and talking softly and soothingly to the injured animal started to treat the wound.
At first Arwin would shy away from him, ears pinned back in a warning but Link proceeded to talk quietly to him. He spoke of nothing in particular but made his movements slow and fluid so as not to frighten him. Arwin, sensing that Link meant him no harm, calmed and watched quietly as Link tended to him. After the job was done Link smiled to himself and giving Arwin a reassuring pat he looked back to Zabine. The odd little Twili had fallen silent, his eyes trained upon the trees while his suddenly frail body rocked back and forth.
The sudden change alarmed Link. Was this forest really so bad? His blue eyes drifted to the shadowed trees and an odd feeling settled in his chest. To him it felt as if he was transported back in time, to a place where he played as a child when he lived with the Kokiri. He'd always known that the Lost Woods was a dangerous place, but the looming threat of getting lost forever had never occurred to Link and it didn't now even in this new land, in this new forest.
Without a word he crossed back over to Zabine leading the two companions. Passing Arwin's reins to the Twili he turned back to Ripper and mounted despite the sudden spinning of his head. Shaking it off he steeled himself and caught Zabine staring at him.
"Make sure to look after Arwin, Zabine." He shifted in the saddle, silently praying to the Goddess that he was doing the right thing. "I'm going after Midna, you make your way to the temple. We'll meet you there." As he spoke he turned Ripper towards the trees but suddenly Zabine seemed to find life within himself.
"No!" He leapt from his kneeling position and planted himself before Link. "You can't go alone, you can't stray from the path, not in this forest!" He hissed and Link let a frustrated sigh leave his chest.
"We don't have time to argue, Zabine. I've already failed Midna in protecting her, the best I can do now is rescue her and I have to go alone." He held his hand up when Zabine tried to interrupt. "You're in no state to follow me," his truthful words caused Zabine's eyes to narrow but he again said nothing, letting Link finish. "And someone needs to remain to look after Arwin." The shadow horse shifted, even adding a little flare of drama as he butted Zabine in the shoulder with his nose. Anger and fear twisted across Zabine's face but in his eyes Link could see that the Twili knew him to be right.
He nodded, "Very well, light dweller." His hoarse words matched the defeated look he wore but Link had no time to feel guilt.
"Good, we'll meet you at the temple!" With that he spurred Ripper on and into the trees but he heard Zabine call out to him. He turned in the saddle, looking back to the small Twilight dweller.
"Thank you." The simple words did little to envelope the gratitude Link saw in the eyes that stared back at him and his throat ran dry. He jerked his head in a farewell before disappearing into the trees.
The trail would be easy to follow, considering the Shadow Beasts were huge creatures that didn't seem to poses the knowledge of stealth. Link wasn't worried about losing their trail though, he was nervous that he wouldn't be there in time. As they continued down the twisting path of felled trees Link tried to convince himself that they wouldn't harm her, for if that would have been their intention they simply would have finished her off back on the trail when Link had been knocked unconscious.
The memory made him grit his teeth in shame…
He'd failed her…
He'd sworn to protect her and he'd let them take her…
Link wanted to drive his heels into Ripper, send the shadow horse streaking along the path to make up ground but that would emit noise. The Shadow Beasts did not seem overly bright but he knew in this silent forest that they would hear him and then he'd lose the element of surprise. That would be his only advantage in rescuing Midna and he could not afford to lose it.
Or her…
He'd been ignorant of it…
Had tried to deny it…
But he had feelings for Midna…
Feelings that ran so deep he knew he'd disappear if he didn't find her…
Didn't save her…
He straightened in the saddle, his whole body hardening with the purpose he felt burning in his chest.
He'd find her…
Even if it killed him…
VVVV
AUTHOR NOTE: I know this is a short chapter but hopefully it's enough! Thank you to all my fans for your patience and reviews, it is greatly appreciated!