Just a quick warning for this chapter: language. In case you don't like swearing.
XIII - The Beginning Of The End
"O Holy Mother of Wisdom. Great Nayru, hear my prayers. Guide me on the path to righteousness. Help me awaken my powers."
Zelda lowered her arms hopelessly. The icy water around her feet and the cold wind felt like a punishment; a punishment for being an utter failure. She raised her head one last time towards the Goddess sculpture, but even the statue's empty eyes seemed to look past her. She gritted her teeth, tears of frustration burning in her eyes. She didn't want anyone to see these tears. Fuck this. Fuck all this shit! she screamed silently in her head, and kicked the shallow pool of water. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Link's back, a sword slung across it. The fur on his coat wavered softly in the wind.
She collected herself, wiped away the tears from her cheeks and took a deep breath. The cold started to really numb her feet and hands, and the sun had since long moved past its zenith. Zelda hadn't noticed the passing of time while she had dedicated all of her mind power to her prayers. Her personal knight hadn't moved an inch since they had come to the spring either, staring idly into the distance. She unwillingly caught up with him, wishing she was alone. Ever since that incident with the guardian – and particularly since the incident with the Sheikah in the torture chamber – she was barely allowed to roam freely through the castle. She knew that it wasn't his fault, but having someone on her tail all the time was very unnerving.
He turned around to look at her, arms still crossed over his chest. She avoided his eyes, those cold, judging blue eyes, and walked past him.
"I will return to the castle now."
"The sun will set in a few hours. We will not be able to make it to Castle Town before nightfall," Link answered softly. The calm tone in his pleasant voice annoyed her.
"Well, you can stay if you like. I will find the way home on my own," she snapped.
He shook his head ever so slightly, the movement only betrayed by the slight swaying of his blue earrings, but didn't object. Being the princess' personal knight had nothing to do with fame and glory, it was an ungrateful tiring job. Barely an adult, she was dead set on proving everyone that she wasn't a damsel in distress, but an emancipated woman who could take care of herself. Link knew, however, that underneath the tough attitude and the strong words hid an insecure girl who had never gotten the chance to live her life the way she wanted. Although she displayed a hostile and snappish behaviour towards him most of the time, he could see the pain behind her big green eyes, and felt sorry for her.
They descended the mountain trail on horseback and in silence, and Link made sure that he always stayed five steps behind her. Only once he suggested that they'd spend the night in Hateno village, but Zelda pressed on and chose to take the Lanayru road instead, determined to return to the castle at all costs.
They had barely arrived at the eastern Lanayru gate when the sun disappeared behind the horizon and a sudden downpour surprised them. The wind was picking up fast and hurled heavy raindrops at them. Zelda was still dead set on getting back to Castle Town, but the horses refused to go any further. Only minutes after the rain had started to fall, they were already soaked.
"We have to find shelter," Link shouted against the strong wind, and even Zelda could no longer keep up a brave face. She finally resigned. They made for the small forest situated just north of Purifier Lake. Link had to narrow his eyes in order to see better through the lashing rain and the fading light of dusk.
They found shelter in a rather spacious lair beneath a huge tree, freed the horses from their saddle and took extra blankets out of the saddlebags. Link found firewood and pieces of flint stacked in a small niche at the back of the small cave, and proceeded to light a fire while Zelda retreated to the back to remove her soaking wet clothing.
"This lair has to be a popular spot," he said as he poked around in the pile of firewood with a branch, blowing into it to fan the tiny flames. When he didn't get an answer, he turned around to see what the princess was doing – and saw her fiddling with a blanket half-naked. He knew he should have adverted his eyes to preserve her dignity, but he was curious. The blanket slipped down her shoulders as she tried to take off her wet trousers, and Link caught himself glancing at her small breasts, her tiny waist and her firm buttocks. He imagined touching her, but neither the sight of her body, nor the thought of feeling her skin under his fingers managed to arouse him. He turned around just in time to avoid being caught staring, and the flames burned brighter, warming the place. Heavy rain and a strong wind were still raging outside, accompanied by occasional thunder and lightning.
Zelda sat down beside the warming fire, wearing a spare pair of trousers that she always carried around in her saddlebag, and a make-shift dress out of the blanket, secured around her middle with a knot and a golden brooch depicting the crest of the royal family. She glanced at Link and he could swear that a blush formed on her cheeks.
"You will catch a cold or pneumonia if you remain in your wet clothes," she said almost sheepishly.
"I don't carry any spare clothes. Do you mind if I take off my shirt?"
Zelda felt the heat crawl into her cheeks, and her face turned the shade of an overripe tomato. She shook her head, and he laughed softly. It wasn't a mean laugh, but it made her blush even more. And then he took off his wet shirt and laid it out beside the fire, and Zelda couldn't take her eyes off his muscular chest, arms and abs. Suddenly she was fully aware that she was alone in a cave with a half-naked, attractive man. She tore her eyes away from him and stared into the fire, drawing her knees up to her chin. Her heart hammered in her chest.
Link sighed inaudibly as he fuelled the fire with more wood. The flames licked hungrily at the logs. The fire had a hypnotising effect on him, and he slowly drifted off into old memories.
He watched the lure bob in the fishing pond. A fish slowly approached and stopped in its tracks, suspicious of the colourful thing attached to the mealworm. But the fish was hungry, and the worm looked just too delicious. When the lure began to move and slowly float away, the fish quickly followed it. Another movement, and the fish took the bait.
"You got it! Pull it in," he shouted enthusiastically, and the boy named Medda holding the fishing rod pulled and cheered. One more pull, and the fish was out of the water.
They laughed joyfully. The sun was shining, insects buzzed and the flowers were in full bloom. Link leaned back on his hands, letting his feet dangle from the wooden platform, and looked at his friend. Watched how the rays of sun got caught in his chocolate-brown hair, how his sun-kissed skin made his hazel eyes stand out even more, and counted the few freckles on his face. Something like a knot formed in his stomach and he couldn't help but think that Medda looked very pretty. He wanted to touch him. His thirteen year old self desperately wanted to know what it'd feel like to kiss him.
"Why do you look so serious? Is something the matter?" Medda asked, now looking at his younger friend who had become very quiet all of a sudden. Their eyes met and Link felt his heartbeat quicken. For a moment that felt like half an eternity, they just sat at the pond, looking at each other, feeling the light summer breeze on their skin. And then Link acted on impulse as he leaned forward and captured Medda's lips in a kiss.
A few seconds later, he was shoved into the water.
"Are you out of your mind? Don't ever come near me again! You're fucking sick!"
Medda stood on the platform, his reddened face distorted into an angry grimace.
"Freak! You're disgusting! Stay away from me and from everyone I know!" he screamed before running off.
"Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
Link tore his eyes from the flames and looked at her. "Yes. I am fine. Sorry."
"You look like you're in pain."
"No. I am fine. Really. I think the rain is letting up."
He stood up and walked to the entry of the cave, peering out. The rain and wind were less strong, and Link was thankful for being able to dismiss the rest of the memory.
When they reached the Lanayru promenade, Zelda's white stallion refused to step onto the cobblestone paving. He nervously pranced, threw his head back and neighed loudly.
"Storm! What's the matter with you? Come on!" Zelda pleaded, trying to guide him on the walkway, but Storm wouldn't have it. He didn't budge, not even when Link's bay took the lead.
"It's hopeless," she muttered, and Storm snorted.
Link dismounted. "Take my horse. I will walk with Storm. He might calm down when he learns that there is no danger."
"I will lead him myself," she answered and dismounted as well. When she took the reins and started to follow Link, the stallion finally began to move. After a short distance, however, he stopped again, pricking up his ears.
"Oh come on you stupid horse!" Zelda shouted and tugged at the reins, but Storm ignored her and turned his head to the side, ears moving back and forth.
"Someone is approaching," Link said, suddenly standing next to her, "my horse is nervous too."
And then they heard it. The clopping of hooves.
Zelda breathed out in relief. "It's only a rider," she said, but when Link put his hand on her arm, she could feel his muscles tense.
"Stay behind me," he said calmly, slowing drawing the sword out of its scabbard.
The rider stopped. Link could see his shape only vaguely in the darkness, but his instincts told him that something was off. The horseman growled, leaned forward in the saddle, and then charged. The hooves thundered on the cobblestones, and Storm reared up, almost knocking his master to the ground.
"Get on the horse!" Link ordered and helped Zelda get on Storm's back, then mounted his own horse, just in time before it dashed off behind the white stallion. In a breakneck gallop they flew over the promenade, foam building at their horses' mouths. When they passed through the west gate, Link yanked his horse around, causing it to rear up.
Their pursuer slowed down and came to a stop under the arch of the gate, and both Hylians now clearly saw that they weren't a horseman. They weren't even remotely human. The creature straightened up, its glowing red eyes fixated on them. It had the lower body of a horse, and a bulky, ripped, almost human-like torso. Its long arms ended in huge hands with sharp claws, and the feline face was framed with a shaggy white mane. From its forehead, two massive, curved horns protruded.
Zelda's face was as white as a sheet, and all blood seemed to drain from her body as she tightly gripped Storm's mane. "W...what is that?," she stammered, her big green eyes wide in fear.
Link slowly unsheathed his sword. With his right hand, he tried to keep his steed under control.
"Ride to Kakariko," he urged her, "ride, and don't look back."
"Link..."
"Just go!"
Storm made the decision for her. The creature roared and charged at Link, and Storm bolted. Zelda cried out and pressed her face against his neck as he dashed off with lightning speed.
The Lynel swung a heavy broadsword over its head in an arc, moving it menacingly around in circles as it approached. Link's bay sidestepped out of the way as the weapon came down, nearly cleaving them in half. Link spun his horse around and took advantage of the opening, thrusting forward to stab the creature's flank. His blade merely grazed the tough hide as the Lynel dodged the attack. Dammit, it's too fast, Link thought as he manoeuvred his horse out of the danger line. The monster snarled, baring its fangs. It began to circle him, and Link made sure to never let it out of sight. Then it raised its sword over his head and galloped towards him, hacking and slashing, swinging its blade from side to side. Link's bay dodged out of the way, but almost tripped and reared up. Link, unprepared, lost his balance and fell to the ground. His horse's instincts took over and it bolted, trying to save its life. The huge sword came crashing down on him again, and Link rolled quickly to the side, regaining his footing. He parried the next blow with his sword, but the force of the attack drove him back and left him with a throbbing arm. He gritted his teeth. I can't go on parrying his attacks or I'll end up with a smashed arm, he thought as he tried to put more distance between them. The Lynel lunged out again and struck from the side, but Link evaded the blow by quickly ducking under the blade, rolling forward and slashing at its front leg. The creature roared as blood trickled down its injured leg. Infuriated, it thrust its blade forward. Link barely managed to dodge the blade, and was knocked down as the pommel hit him in the stomach. He doubled over, wheezing as he tried to get air back into his lungs. The Lynel backed down and started to circle him again, saliva dripping down its fangs. Then it stopped and Link noticed a change in its attack patterns. It leaned slightly forward, gripped the sword tightly and began to spin, gaining momentum quickly. It whirled like a spin top and Link had to do backflips to prevent from being sliced up like a piece of meat. When the creature stopped spinning, it had to prop itself up on its sword in order to fight off the dizziness. Link didn't hesitate. He hurled himself at the monster and cut it across the face. Blood dripped down from the gash and into its eyes, and it roared in anger and pain. Its blade grazed Link's stomach and the cut wasn't deep, but the wound still burned. Link hissed and ducked down anew, but the Lynel's attacks had forfeited speed and precision, too.
Basically it has a horse's back...what if...
Without finishing the thought, he dropped his sword, grabbed the Lynel's mane, pushed himself off the ground and swung his leg over its back. The Lynel roared angrily and bucked, trying to throw him off, but being a skilled rider, Link dug his fingers into the mane and managed to keep his balance. With his free hand, he removed a dagger from his belt, raised his arm and thrust the knife through the creature's skull into its brain. It roared deafeningly one last time and then its legs gave in and it tumbled over. Link jumped from its back before it could crush him under its weight and panted heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead. And then he emptied his stomach against a rock.
His horse waited for him as he entered the forest north of Kakariko, and so did Zelda. When she saw him approach, she jumped off her stallion, and ran up to him.
"Link! Thank Hylia you're alive." She was shaking as she pulled him into a hug, but so was he. He grimaced, and she quickly let go of him. "You're bleeding."
"It's just a scratch," he said weakly. Though not seriously injured, the intense fight had worn him out. And scared him.
"Why didn't you go to Kakariko?"
"I...was so scared," she whispered.
"For once you had the chance to get away from me, and you didn't," he chuckled softly, but then grimaced again.
"Link...what was that?"
He shook his head. "I am not sure. I think it's what they call a Lynel. It was so strong. Incredibly fast. And definitely determined to kill me. Or us."
"Let's get you to Kakariko," she said, and helped him into the saddle.
The young Sheikah woman blushed when the Hylian knight removed his shirt, and her hands trembled slightly when she wrung out the washcloth.
"You were lucky," she said as she gingerly dabbed at the cut, removing dried blood and dirt, "the blade only grazed you." She felt his blue eyes on her as she wrapped bandages around his torso, and tried to hide her burning cheeks.
"Thank you,...?"
"P-paya," she stammered, "m-my name is Paya."
He gave her a warm smile. "Thank you, Paya," he said, "my name is Link."
"The girl in your company...?" she asked hesitantly.
"Princess Zelda."
Paya's eyes widened in shock. "P-princess Zelda? I...I had no idea."
"Would you mind looking after her? We ran into quite some trouble earlier and I want to make sure that she is unscathed."
"Of course. And please let me prepare the beds for you. You are my guests."
"I thank you for your hospitality, Paya."
Link met Zelda outside of the house, sitting on the porch. She lifted her head as he approached and gave him a look he couldn't quite read.
"Have you finished?" she asked coolly.
"Yes. Paya has invited us to stay and is preparing beds for us," he replied.
"Oh, has she."
Link raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, not knowing what he did to set her off.
"I asked her to look after you."
"I can look after myself," she answered in a snippy tone.
"Alright. I am sorry. I just wanted to make sure you are unharmed." He lifted both hands in an apologetic manner.
She stared into the rushing waterfall, not bothering to even look at him. When she finally heard him leave, she sighed. That was uncalled for, she thought and bit her lip. It wasn't Link's fault that she thought so lowly of herself and it wasn't Link's fault that he was a chick magnet. She couldn't even explain why it bothered her. After all, he was only her appointed knight, so why was she jealous of the young Sheikah woman tending to his wounds?
Thank you James Birdsong for the support x)
I very much appreciate it.
