As Link stepped outside, I took a moment to gather my thoughts, marveling at the transformation he had undergone since our first encounter. The layers of his character were slowly unfurling, offering me a deeper understanding of the person he had become. The weight of our shared experiences settled over me, a palpable reminder of the gravity of our journey.
Few minutes passed before I joined him as he was skillfully setting up a small fire for the cooking pot. The flickering flames danced, casting a warm glow on his features. Meanwhile, I decided to venture into the surroundings, gathering eggs and mushrooms, relishing the moment of solitude.
The morning unfolded in a comfortable rhythm as we prepared and enjoyed our late breakfast. Conversations murmured around us, a distant backdrop to the shared silence that enveloped us. It was clear that a cloud of unanswered questions still lingered, but Link appeared preoccupied, his thoughts seeming to wander elsewhere.
As we concluded our meal, Link made his way back into the stable to gather his belongings, a clear indication that his journey was set to continue. The stable worker brought our horse, cementing the fact that departure was imminent. When Link emerged, our eyes met, and he nodded gently toward the waiting horse, signaling that it was time to move on. As we ventured further from the stable, walking side by side, my curiosity got the best of me.
"Where are we going?" I asked Link, searching his face for any hint of his intentions.
"Hateno Village." His response was simple yet filled with weight. The realization hit me; he was taking me back home. I knew it was undoubtedly the right thing to do, the best course of action for my safety. Still, my mind couldn't help but circle back to the myriad of unresolved questions, like ghosts haunting the periphery of my thoughts.
"But, I..." I began, determined to press for the answers that still eluded me.
Link halted and turned to face me, his gaze steady and unwavering. For a moment, he looked at me, his expression softening, before he lifted his arm and gently patted my head. "You're too small to be out here," he said, a faint smile gracing his lips. His voice carried a soothing quality, providing a moment of solace amidst the uncertainty that hung in the air. I could feel my cheeks warming in response, a telltale sign of my emotions. Despite the surge of warmth, I stood my ground, determined not to let these newfound feelings overwhelm me. It was destabilizing, to witness this tender side of him.
His eyes held mine, a silent understanding passing between us, before he continued. "I wish I had all the answers you seek," he spoke, his tone laced with empathy. "But, Ganondorf is still searching for me, and being out here puts you in danger. Returning you home is the best choice." His words were now resolute, leaving little room for argument. The weight of his decision settled heavily between us, the gravity of our circumstances bearing down on our shared journey.
I slightly frowned and looked up at him, crossing my arms, his presence towering over me. For a moment, my gaze lingered on his features—the scar forming on his jaw, the weariness in his deep blue eyes from countless battles, and the tousled strands of hair that framed his chiseled face. Eventually, I had to look away, realizing my confrontation didn't faze him. The weight of his decision was palpable, the implication clear. Once we reached Hateno village, it would probably be the last time I'd see him.
He gestured towards the horse, and once we were mounted, we officially set off for my hometown. The day was overcast, a chill wind sweeping across the landscape. The journey was marked by a heavy silence between us with each passing mile carrying with it a weight of introspection, as if we were both lost in our own thoughts.
While we approached the outskirts of Kakariko Village, I took this opportunity to express my desire to do a bit of shopping, mentioning its renowned fortifying pumpkins and rare sundelions. Link nodded in understanding, speaking of some business he needed to attend while we were in the area anyways.
I was wandering through the village when my steps led me to a grand building at its center. Oddly enough, I had passed by Kakariko Village before, but I had never really explored this particular building. Frankly, I felt like I wasn't meant to be here but it seemed to emanate an aura of significance, drawing me in. With a sense of anticipation, I stepped inside, greeted by a tapestry of images adorning the walls, each one a testament to the struggles and triumphs of different historical events.
My eyes eventually fell upon a book, its pages filled with accounts of the relentless battles against Ganondorf. A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled my own encounter with him. In the midst of the text, the book chronicled the Queen and King's fierce battle against the Demon King, a fatal one at that. They had made a desperate sacrifice, entrusting the safety of their young daughter in a distant place, awaiting for the appointed moment. The passage spoke of a time when she would return, for Ganondorf was never truly eradicated; his malevolent essence endured, casting a shadow over the land. The text foretold of his growing strength, and when the day arrived, the kingdom would rely on her to deliver the people from this impending doom.
As I turned the pages, I found a captivating image: a beautiful woman with cascading golden locks, a regal crown gracing her head, cradling a child bearing an uncanny resemblance. The inscription on the back confirmed their identities, it was the Queen and her daughter. I scrutinized the portrait, a strange sense of familiarity washing over me.
Then, studying the picture intently, goosebumps prickled on my arms as realization overcame me. I recognized the woman. It was a distant memory, yet indelible. I felt my breath heavy, and my chest constricted while millions of thoughts raced in my mind. With trembling hands, I gently lifted the picture from the book. I couldn't shake the recognition. She was my mother.
In that instant, a torrent of visions flooded my mind, memories rushing back as if they had been concealed in the depths of my subconscious. I saw her face, remembered my youth, my family, the war, and the powers that apparently rested within me. Each recollection was vivid, striking, as though I were living those moments all over again. The intensity of it was overwhelming.
In that tumultuous moment, I fled the building, my heart pounding in my chest. I needed solitude, to escape the prying eyes of the world. I raced up a hill, my sight blurred by the tears in my eyes. Drawn to a shadowed spot, I hunched down, emotions crashing over me like relentless waves. I grappled with the revelation, struggling to accept it. Tears streamed down my face, mingling with the bitter taste of disbelief. Memories kept flooding my mind, each recollection a piece of the puzzle. Could it truly be that my mother was the Queen? And if so, did that mean I was destined to face Ganondorf, to end his dark reign? Nothing made sense. The weight of it all pressed down on me, a destiny I hadn't asked for, but one that seemed inescapable.
As I crouched there, the weight on my shoulders felt immense, as if the air itself had turned heavy. My mind was a jumble of confusion, fragmented and filled with pain. Amidst the turmoil, a distant memory resurfaced, one of this very location, my mother and I standing before the resting place of the Great Fairy Cotera. It was as though I were transported back in time, the memory unfolding before me in vivid detail, immersing me completely.
"Zelda?" her voice, unexpectedly loud and clear, reverberated in my ears, jolting me to my feet. Before me she stood, the tall, radiant woman adorned in exquisite jewelry, positioned within a fountain that resembled a large, unfurled flower bud.
"What a surprise!" I heard the Great Fairy shout, her voice tinged with a sense of knowing that both intrigued and unsettled me.
"Remember me?" She regarded me with a cheerful gaze. It felt like she was addressing me directly, not as if I were merely observing a memory. Time seemed to stretch in her presence, each moment carrying a profound weight of significance.
"We've met before, when you were just a child, in this exact memory!'' She exclaimed. Her eyes, pools of wisdom, bore into mine with an intensity that felt both comforting and piercing. It was as if she held secrets of ages past, and they were now being unveiled before me.
''How is this possible?!'' I blurted out, my astonishment barely contained.
''Well, you are the princess of Hyrule, aren't you? The divine have their own mysterious ways of working, of communicating, revealing themselves when it would be time, when you found out about your destiny.'' I stood there in disbelief. This felt so unreal. The words came out in a rush, my voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of desperation.
"You must be mistaken. I am not related to the Royal family." The turmoil inside me threatened to overwhelm, and I clung to the denial, unwilling to accept this staggering revelation. It felt like the very ground beneath me was shifting, threatening to crumble.
"Of course you are, dear. Your mother was a wise and noble ruler. You have the same striking eyes, the same determination. You are her legacy, her living memory. It has been a long time, but the blood of the Royal family runs through your veins, there is no mistaking it.'' Her words held an undeniable conviction, leaving little room for doubt. I regarded her with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, the weight of her words settling over me.
"Oh come on, never thought about your special abilities? Do you really think it's usual for you to have the power to mend stone to metal with your bare hands? Or perhaps emit such a strong light that it burns those around you? There is more to you, and you will learn with time… Even your name holds significance."
"You don't know…" I began saying before being interrupted.
"I know the boy you travel with. Your handsome savior. With his newly potent arm, a gift you bestowed upon him. The divine answered, and the triforce formed, even momentarily. How fortunate for him. It may have cost him his arm, but it also infused him with power." She giggled.
"How do you know all this?'' I inquired as I watched her smile.
"You will find the answers once you accept them," her voice gently trailed as the vision began to dissipate. The world seemed to blur around the edges as I teetered on the precipice of that elusive memory. The colors were muted, the air thick with anticipation. Every detail of that recollection was etched into my mind, a tapestry of emotions and images.
As I inched forward, drawn to the ephemeral tendrils of the past, a sudden touch startled me. It was Link's hand, his fingers warm and sure around mine. The roughness of his palm spoke of countless battles fought and victories won. They were the hands of a warrior, yet in this moment, they held a gentleness that anchored me.
I turned to face him, meeting his gaze that held a multitude of emotions. Concern etched lines on his features, giving his normally stoic countenance a touch of vulnerability. The warmth of his hand enveloped mine, a stark contrast to the cool breeze that swept through the village. It was a grounding force, pulling me back from the depths of my own thoughts and into the present moment.
"Who were you talking to?'' He asked. His eyes, so deep and steady, seemed to search for answers in my own.
"Oh, the Great Fairy," I muttered while wiping the moisture from my face. However, as I pivoted back, the scene before me had transformed entirely from what I had witnessed moments ago. Instead of the Great Fairy's fountain, I found myself at the edge of a colossal chasm, its depths veiled in shadow. It felt like a small miracle that I was still standing on solid ground with just a few more steps and I might have plunged into the abyss. The memories had been so vivid, immersing me completely, so much that I momentarily lost track of reality. I now stood where her fountain had once graced the land, replaced by this unfathomable void.
Surprised, I took a few steps back, nearly stumbling onto Link's feet. His face was etched with concern, his eyes probing mine. "What's wrong?" he inquired, his voice gentle yet filled with worry.
Meeting his gaze, I bit my lower lip in an attempt to steady my trembling emotions. The ache in my heart was too profound, and I couldn't contain it any longer. His presence beside me had now become a comfort, a silent assurance that I wasn't alone in this revelation. Slowly, I released my hand from his, my fingers brushing against his palm as I withdrew. A blush crept up my cheeks, an involuntary response to the vulnerability of the moment.
From the pocket of my tunic, I retrieved the picture, its edges worn from time and touch. Without a word, I handed it to Link, my gaze dropping to the ground. The weight of the revelation pressed heavily on my shoulders, and I couldn't bear to see his reaction.
With a deep breath, I turned and began to descend the hill, each step heavy with the burden of truth. Tears welled up, blurring my vision, yet I welcomed their release. The weight of the façade had become too much to bear. All I longed for was the familiarity of home, a sanctuary in the midst of uncertainty.