It was just after midnight by the time Link managed to successfully find his way back into the Sheikah headquarters and locate the secret corridor Impa had referenced. Luckily, the passageway was empty, and it was simply a matter of watching his footing on the damp stone and keeping the torch above his head to navigate through the corridor. Link felt a thrill of exhilaration as the cool night breeze ruffled through his shaggy blond hair and tugged at the scarf wrapped tightly around his mouth. A faint whiff of wet grass teased itself into the air that brushed past Link's cheek, and he repressed a laugh of excitement. He hadn't been outside the castle for several months, and even then he had been closely guarded and monitored as he accompanied Captain Ashei and Master Mahko on a diplomatic discussion with the Gatepost Town headman. He'd certainly never been in Hyrule's fields and mountains on his own.
Not entirely on my own, he corrected himself absently, wondering what kind of traveling companion Ravio would be. Impa made it sound like the guy was a legend among the Sheikah, an expert with the sword. Link was only too eager to meet someone so well trained and admired.
The stone under Link's boots suddenly gave way to soft dirt, and Link stumbled slightly as he pressed forward, his grip on the torch suddenly slackening. Desperately, Link tried to catch the thickened branch as he regained his footing, but the torch fell to the dirt with a soft thud. Link bit back a yelp as the passageway suddenly went dark, the only lit part of the tunnel being the dirt patch that the torch had fallen on. His heart started to pound in his ears, his blood rushing to his head in an instant. Link scrambled to pick up the torch, his knapsack of supplies also dropping to the ground beside him. His mind conjured the image of a looming black shadow skittering across the stones behind him, slithering toward the sword at his back. Panting now, he lunged for the torch and wrapped his fingers tightly around the handle, swinging it up like a sword to illuminate the passage again. He spun to light the stone pathway behind him, his eyes darting around to spot the oozing black shadows Zelda had described.
The passageway was empty. Link's torch cast wavy shadows on the walls, but they moved when Link moved and stilled when he stilled. Link could hear his own ragged breathing, but his heart was still pounding. He turned his head back to gaze down the dirt path before quickly glancing behind him again. Nothing else moved. He yanked the scarf from around his mouth and gulped down a mouthful of fresh air before turning his back on the stone passageway. Swinging his knapsack back across his shoulders and hefting his torch a little higher, Link scampered back down the dirt path.
The passage widened as Link went on, his breathing coming easier as he started to see moonlight from outside light the tunnel. Then he saw the dim outline of a tree, and Link sprang forward, leaving the passage behind him in a single leap. The moon was still bright, casting an ethereal glow on the leaves and branches. Eagerly, he pressed a hand up against the trunk, the rough texture of the bark sparking a sense of life back into his soul. The chirping of crickets and frogs filled in the silence of night, and Link inhaled deeply, the fresh scent of leaves, dirt, and wood filling his nose. Then, glancing around quickly, Link pulled the scarf back across his mouth and headed forward, knowing that there was a road nearby that would lead him to the closest town. Impa had told him that the passage opened up on the east side of the castle, which meant that he was somewhere just outside the gates closest to the kitchens. It should be a simple matter to find the wheel ruts of the supply wagons that came bringing the food each day.
Link peered down at the ground, keeping the torch at waist-height as he scanned for the wagon tracks. The ground was mostly tall grass that tickled through the thin wrappings on Link's shins, which strengthened Link's confidence that he could find the wagon trail in the dark. His hair kept falling down into his eyes as he kept his gaze locked on the ground, and he was constantly brushing it to one side. Visibility was already reduced in the darkness, and he was starting to get annoyed with Sheik's white cap. Finally, he reached up to take it off, deciding that his anonymity wasn't nearly as important as him locating the road, but his arm froze as he reached up to his head. Confused, he tried to lift his arm higher, but it felt like something was keeping his arm locked in place. A thrill of fear ran through him, and he spun around, extending the torch over his head.
"Wha-Sheik?" A slight figure jerked a hand back and stumbled back a step. They wore a dark hooded cloak over their head and shoulders that hung down to the figure's ankles. Link felt the tension on his right hand release, and he dropped his hand quickly.
"Sheik? Is that you?" The figure slipped off the hood, and Mage Zelda's face appeared, her eyes hopeful. Link repressed a growl and instead took a step forward and nodded.
"Oh, thank the goddess!" Zelda breathed out a laugh. "I thought you were a Sheikah scout. But it's just you."
Just me? Link raised an eyebrow, reluctant to speak. The fact that Zelda somehow recognized his disguise was still disconcerting, and he didn't dare reveal himself as the Prince. The mage shrugged shyly, the shadows on her cheek shifting slightly with her movement.
"I-I don't suppose you know the way out of the castle? Would you show me the way?"
Why does she just expect that I'll be able and willing to help? Link thought, his lip curling in disgust, as his face was still hidden beneath his scarf. But then...did he dare refuse? Any animosity could easily give him away, especially if he spoke. He glanced around at the grass, squinting to see if there were any of those ruts in the grass.
"Oh, let me help!" Suddenly a bright light illuminated the grass patch. It was a shade of light that Link had only seen from the moon, a pure white light that made everything around them appear in shades of gray rather than the brown tones cast by the torch. He turned back to the hero and saw a bright orb of that white light hovering over one outstretched hand.
"Moonlight," Zelda explained, lifting her hand and letting the little light ball move upwards to float just over one shoulder. "Should be a little less noticeable than torchlight."
Link rolled his eyes. Not something that bright. But Impa had urged him to take the torches, promising him that there wouldn't be anyone watching this side of that castle around midnight. So hopefully Zelda's glowing moonball wouldn't be noticed.
Thanks to the increase in visibility, Link could easily pick out ruts in the grass another fifty feet in front of him, and he pointed at them with his torch.
"Oh! Is that the trail out?" Zelda surged past him, her moonball bobbing along beside her. She reached the little grass ditches and glanced up and down the trails before nodding decisively and pointing up one end. "Yes, this one heads away from the castle! This must be the way to the servant's entrance."
She turned back to Link and smiled gaily. "Thanks for your help, Sheik! I have to go find the Prince before he gets himself into more trouble."
The Prince? Link involuntarily stiffened. How does she know I'm not in the castle? Is she going to drag me back? Then he met eyes with Zelda and realized that she had chosen to go looking for him also against the King's wishes. He schooled his features into a puzzled expression and pointed back at the castle.
Zelda shook her head. "I can't go back, I have a job to do. The Prince is out there somewhere looking for the dragons with the Master Sword, and I'm the only one who can save him." She shivered. "Even though I don't know how, not to mention how the King feels...but I can't do any more good in the castle if the Prince isn't there. I can save him, I just know it."
Link blinked, his emotions churning. Zelda was worried about him? Did she feel responsible? She should, one voice argued in his head. If she were good enough, then we wouldn't be here.
But now she's trying to make it right, another voice whispered. That's got to be worth something, right? Link remembered the anger in Zelda's voice as she defended herself to his father and the determined expression on her face as they went their separate ways in the throne room. This wasn't just about him or her duty; she needed to improve, to work past her mistakes. And that was something Link understood.
"I have to go," Zelda went on, studying Sheik carefully. "Don't try to stop me. I know you belong here in the castle. I don't know what that vision was about, if you're supposed to come with me or something...but I'm leaving."
She turned back toward the trail, her moonball skittering out in front of her, but then she froze. "Sheik, watch out!"
Automatically, Link released his torch and dropped to a crouch, his shield sliding down his arm as he moved. He braced himself against his shield, but no impact came. Carefully, he peered over the top and saw...an arrow hovering where his head had been just moments before. He choked on air as the arrowhead suddenly shot backwards, the wooden shaft splintering into pieces. So much for no one watching this side of the castle.
Zelda grunted, stumbling in the grass. "Are you okay? Did I get it?"
Link's mouth was dry with fear, and he couldn't take his eyes off the arrow as its broadhead fell to the grass. Then he stumbled forward, crashing into Zelda. He grabbed her wrist and took off down the trail, leaving his torch flaring in the grass.
"Wait, your torch!" Zelda panted, but Link gripped her tighter and ran faster. The gates couldn't be that much further, especially if they were getting shot at. Maybe leaving the torch behind could allow them to escape. Then the torch flared out, and he wondered if Zelda had just put it out somehow.
The moonball rushed out in front of them, lighting their path in spite of the gray dimness. Link could hear Zelda panting raggedly, but he knew the gates should be practically in front of them. The moonball suddenly froze, and Link picked out the outline of the heavy wooden gates.
Zelda brushed past him, still breathing heavily. She laid a hand on the doors and closed her eyes, her brow knit in concentration. Link heard a heavy click, and the gates cracked open. He refused to be impressed and shoved his shoulder against the wood, pushing the gates open enough to squeeze through.
A hand grasped him and hauled him back. Zelda stared up at him, her eyes looking almost black in the semi-darkness. "You don't have to do this, Sheik. You can stay here at the castle."
Link shot one last glance back at the castle, but everything was dark. He could almost see the malice creeping around in the shadows of the turrets and walls. He turned back to Zelda, trying to swallow both his fear and his reluctance to go with her. But he couldn't see a way to ditch her as Sheik at this point, especially with how she was treating him. He did need to get out of the castle. He nodded once.
A bright smile crept across Zelda's face. "All right then. Let's go."
Link whistled shrilly, yanking Zelda in front him as they ran away from the gates onto the road. The moon barely gave them enough light to see, and Zelda's small ball of moonlight was still bobbing brightly at her shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Zelda hissed, tripping slightly as they ran. "We're not even entirely clear of the gates yet! They'll hear you!"
Link squeezed her hand none too gently. And you think they won't see us with that moonball in front of us? he wanted to say, but he kept silent. Sheik always kept silent.
There was another shout from the battlements, and Link heard the twang of crossbows as the triggers were released. He urged Zelda forward with a shove, and they ran toward the trees. He whistled again.
"Sheik, what are you-" Zelda's voice broke off as Link's sable mare trotted toward them through the brush. Ebony was barely visible in the semi-darkness, which Link was grateful for as she nickered softly, drawing level with them.
Link stroked Ebony's mane and quickly swung up into the saddle, hands going for the reins.
"Oh." Zelda blinked. "You had a horse out here already? Were you planning on leaving?"
Does she think I'm going to respond this time? Link thought in annoyance. He hesitated a moment before reaching a hand down to help Zelda up. They did have to get away from the gates, and he didn't feel entirely right about leaving her in the dark, knowing that she would be looking for him the whole time.
Keep your enemies close, a voice hissed in his mind, but Link ignored it as Zelda grasped his hand and clambered up behind him.
Link squeezed his knees and let the reins slip loosely through his hands. Ebony snorted and broke into a trot, angling toward the road. Zelda let out a cry, her arms shooting forward around him, coming to latch together tightly around his middle.
"I've never ridden a horse before!" Zelda gasped, pressing her cheek into Link's back. She bounced up and down in the saddle, jerking Link off balance as she struggled to keep her seat.
Link ground his teeth. This is what I get for taking a mage with me. He pulled on the reins until Ebony halted. He shifted his weight into his left stirrup, purposely not giving his passenger any notice, and started to swing his right leg back over the saddle. Zelda squeaked and withdrew her arms quickly, sliding back in the saddle.
Serves her right, Link thought, inwardly smirking. He slid to the ground, gesturing for Zelda to slide up toward the pommel. She inched forward, her expression uncertain. Link hooked his foot into the stirrup and swung back up into his saddle, behind Zelda this time. He reached around her to grasp the reins once more, and he urged Ebony back into a trot. Zelda slid back instantly, her slight frame pushing against Link's chest. Her whole body was tensed, and she jostled the whole saddle.
You're going to regret this, his mind told him, but Link grit his teeth and nudged her forward, tapping the back of his hand against her waist. She stiffened even more, and Link tapped her again, harder this time. He felt her relax and start to move with the rhythm of Ebony's stride, and he breathed an inner sigh of relief
Link steered Ebony back onto the road and urged her onward, Zelda's moonball lighting the way ahead of them.
"S-so," Zelda's voice was punctuated with the rise and fall of the horse, her shoulders still pressed up against Link's collarbone. "Where are you going? Do you know which way the Prince went?"
Link resisted the urge to groan. I'm not going to answer, Zelda. He squeezed his knees again, and Ebony picked up the pace, breaking into a gentle canter. Zelda gasped and stiffened up, her legs clenched around Ebony's back as her elbow jammed into Link's stomach. Link grunted and shoved her forward, jabbing his finger into her leg to get her loosen up. She squirmed, but she did let her muscles relax. Link braced himself, waiting to see if she would take a fall, but he felt her body begin to move with the motions of the horse, matching his own movements.
"I-I just have to ride with the motion?" Zelda panted, her hands gripping the pommel.
Link nodded, knowing that she would feel the motion of his head against hers, and he felt Zelda relax even further, still bouncing in the saddle but firmly keeping her seat.
"We didn't have horses in my village," Zelda said, her voice still frantic. "Only cuccos. Mabe Village is famous for cuccos."
Mabe Village? Link cast back in his memory for his father's maps, trying to think of the village that matched that name. There were a couple small villages right next to the eastern forest, he knew, but...
"It's right next to Forest Haven," Zelda went on, and Link's map clicked into place. "They had wild horses, but I never got to ride any. Pipit said it was too dangerous to go outside the village by myself after the Gerudo attacked." She paused. "Even though I was always stronger than he was."
You? Link inwardly scoffed, but he kept silent. She's so full of herself.
Zelda shifted in the saddle. "Pipit always said I didn't worry enough, that there was more out there than what my Foraging could handle." Zelda laughed weakly. "He was always nagging me after my parents died."
Link stiffened. Why are you telling me this? I don't need to know your life story!
Zelda gazed up at her floating ball of moonlight. "I hope they're proud of me. I'm trying to do my best with all this Chosen One stuff. Even if no one believes in me." She shivered, her voice turning dull and bitter. "Even the Prince."
Link felt a lump form in his throat, and he swallowed nervously. She didn't know it was him, right? Why was she telling him these things? He felt a flash of guilt as he remembered the way he'd treated her back in the castle, but he pushed it back down. He shifted the reins, and Ebony slowed back to a trot.
Zelda gasped at the shift in speed, and she lost her balance slightly as she leaned too far forward in the saddle. Link grabbed her by the waist and hauled her back, and she crashed into his chest. Link grunted and Zelda shot forward, trying to create distance between them, but another stride from Ebony had her hunching over the pommel, gripping the saddle horn with both hands. Then, as she almost bounced out of the saddle, Link felt a burst of irritation and tugged his horse to a halt.
"Sorry, I'm still new to this," she mumbled, shifting forward so only their legs were touching.
Link took a deep breath, careful not to let his annoyance break through Sheik's mask of stoicism. Was it worth it? Should he just dump her in the trees on head off to Ravio? She could get lost in the forest and never find him, and he and Ebony would be free to explore Hyrule.
"Sheik?" Zelda's voice was soft, and Link felt her shoulders hunch further over the saddle. "If you keep the speed consistent, I promise I'll do better."
Do better. The words rang in Link's memory, and his mind cast back to the throne room, where his Father had so cruelly torn down Zelda's intentions to help.
She's all the way out here because she's trying to do her duty, a voice whispered in his mind. And you want to leave her behind?
The moonball quivered, and Link's gaze fell on the glowing ball of light just ahead of him. It hadn't shifted in luminosity this whole time, and he caught himself wondering how much moonlight Zelda had needed to create it-and how much effort it took to keep it shining. He let his eyes settle on the woman in front of him on the saddle, her reddish brown hair looking black in the shadow of the moonball. He let out another breath and nodded once, urging Ebony back into a canter.
"Thank you," Zelda said quietly, letting herself settle against Link's chest once more as she let her body ride with Ebony's rolling motion. Link nodded once, focusing on the road in front of them.
The ride was quiet for several hours, the moonlight dimming and the night growing darker. Crickets and frogs continued to chirp around them, and Link could also hear the heavy footfalls and calls of larger game in the woods too. At one point Link thought he saw a shimmery blue creature skirting through the underbrush, but as he peered down into the bushes, it vanished.
Zelda's head was starting to nod back against Link's throat every few minutes, and he resisted the urge to shove her off him. Sheik was stoic, he kept telling himself. Sheik is generous. Sheik would let Zelda sleep on him if she was tired. After a while he even brought Ebony back into a trot and then a walk as Zelda nodded forward once.
After Zelda finally settled against him, her breathing heavy, Link decided it was time to try to find camp. He turned Ebony off the main road and headed into the trees, still moving at a walk. Zelda didn't respond; it seemed that she was actually asleep.
She did catch an arrow with her mind, Link reminded himself, that's got to take a lot of energy. It wasn't until a branch brushed across her face that she awoke with a gasp.
"Oh!" Zelda cried out, recoiling instinctively into Link as the branch brushed her mouth. He wrinkled his nose but managed to keep himself from reacting
"Wh-where are we? Is this a shortcut?"
Link shook his head, remaining silent. He urged Ebony quickly into a canter to jump over a fallen log, and Zelda let out a shriek as they left the ground. Quickly, he wrapped an arm around her middle to keep her from flying out of the saddle, and she landed with a thump back in front of him.
"Ow." She mumbled, trying to settle herself back into Ebony's rhythm.
Link resisted the urge to laugh before releasing her again and pulling gently on the reins to get Ebony to slow back down.
"Oh. Are we just going to make camp somewhere?" Zelda asked, and Link nodded, still scanning the trees for a clearing. He remembered a piece of advice from Captain Ashei.
"You want a place that's not entirely in the open," she'd explained, "But also not entirely in the trees. Water close by is good, but a good Forager can find water easily. Flat ground, a place to have a fire...and you're all set."
I have a good Forager, Link thought with a twinge of bitterness, so we just need...there!
Link spotted an area just a couple yards to the right where a couple fallen logs created an open patch of grass between them, and it was shaded but not surrounded by trees. He tugged Ebony in its direction, and it wasn't long before he was sliding off the saddle and pulling open his rucksack. Quickly, he rummaged inside and pulled out a large, tightly folded square of canvas and a small length of rope.
"Um." Zelda started, and Link looked up from his rope to raise an eyebrow in her direction. She was still sitting on Ebony, her moonball still hovering at her shoulder. Her face was cast in shadow, but Link could see her clenching the saddlehorn and shifting uneasily on the saddle. He stared at her questioningly and gestured to the ground.
"Sorry, it's just...how do I get down?" Zelda laughed nervously, one hand coming up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
Link resisted the urge to roll his eyes, but he set his rope aside and moved closer to Zelda. He pointed to her right leg before holding his hands up.
Zelda eyed him nervously before leaning down and putting her hands on Link's shoulders, swinging her right leg up and over the saddle horn. Link took a step back and braced himself as Zelda stepped down from the stirrup, and he quickly brought his hands around her waist to catch her.
Zelda let out an eep of surprise as her feet left the stirrups, but Link was ready and lifted her easily to the ground. Zelda glanced up at him, her hands still on his shoulders.
"Thank you," she breathed, and Link suddenly realized his hands were still on her waist. He stepped back quickly, nodded, and turned back to his canvas, his face flushing.
Their campsite went up quickly, with Zelda hovering around Link as he lashed the canvas across two trees, creating a quick shelter for the night. Zelda kept following Link around, spouting off question after question-could she help, how the knots worked, could she help him roll out his bedroll, where Ebony would be, what time would they wake up. Link felt his patience growing thinner and thinner as he continued shaking his head at Zelda and pointing at various parts of the campsite. Finally when she asked if he needed help taking off his sword, he shot her a dark look and stomped off into the trees.
It's got to be morning by now, right? Link found himself thinking blearily, shoving aside a tree and glancing up at the setting moon. This night has gone on forever! He shifted his shoulder, feeling the familiar weight of the Master Sword and wondering how long he could last before Zelda found out who he really was.
Zelda started awake to a deep grunt. She sat up jerkily, Gathering in a portion of the morning breeze as she shoved down the spare blanket Venna had given her. The campsite Sheik had located the night before had served their needs perfectly. Sheik had fashioned a quick shelter in the trees, and Zelda was able to gather a layer of protection around them from the rocks on the road, which allowed Zelda to fall asleep much sooner than Sheik quickly at the sun, Zelda realized it must be late morning, which meant that they had both slept peacefully through the remainder of the night. Holding the breeze in one hand, she scanned the trees for the source of the sound that had awoken her.
The little glade of trees was empty. The canvas roof above Zelda was still standing, casting her in shadow, and the grass was glistening with dew. There was a faint chirping of birds coming from the trees, and Zelda could hear the gentle burbling of a creek nearby.
Then the grunt sounded again, and something shifted nearby. Zelda started, tracking the movement and...saw Sheik writhing in his bedroll immediately next to her. Something jumped within Zelda's chest; she must've been asleep by the time Sheik returned after stomping off, and she didn't realize he was sleeping next to her the whole night.
Stop it, Zelda chided herself. We're in the middle of the woods, of course we're going to sleep under the same shelter.
The Sheikah's back was to Zelda, his sandy hair loose over his neck and his Sheikah wrappings tucked under his head as a pillow. Zelda had a flash of familiarity, looking at the back of Sheik's blond head, but...he always wore a hat. Shaking it off, Zelda noticed that his hair was damp with moisture, and his legs were jerking and kicking underneath his blankets.
"Sheik?" Zelda whispered, inching closer on her knees, releasing her wind without a second thought. "Sheik, are you awake?"
Sheik gasped loudly, breathing heavily. His hand shot up near his head, and Zelda heard a metallic shing. Then he sat up quickly, a silver dagger in his right hand, his back still to Zelda. His cotton tunic clung to his back, and Zelda could see his neck was also glistening with moisture. Zelda bit her lip, trying to keep her face from turning red.
"Sheik?" Zelda tried again. "Are you okay?"
Sheik froze, his shoulders tensing even higher. Zelda could still hear him panting. Staring at his uncovered head and his back, Zelda realized with a shock that she had never seen Sheik's face before. He always kept it tucked away under a scarf.
Why doesn't he show himself? The thought struck her. None of the other Sheikah wore anything like that.
"Are you-did you have a nightmare?" Zelda said softly.
"Get out."
The words seemed to tumble from Sheik's lips, and Zelda shied back instantly, a deep shaft of hurt and disappointment piercing her heart. She scrambled away and quickly wrapped her blanket around her.
"S-sorry," she whispered, stumbling out from under the shelter, her own heart pounding in fear. She felt sick as she raced off into the trees, gathering in sunlight desperately, seeking for warmth. The first time Sheik spoke to her was to tell her to leave; she was starting to wonder if he just didn't ever talk, and then all of a sudden he's angry at her. What did she do wrong? Sheik was having a nightmare, wasn't he? Should she not have asked?
She felt something tug on her wrist, and she gasped, spinning back to pull her hand away. But she came face to face with Sheik. His hair was still loose, freed from his customary white cap, his tousled blond hair falling down into his eyes, but he had covered his face once more with a gray scarf. The scarf looked strange up against his white cotton shirt and tan colored breeches, but his icy blue eyes were soft and apologetic. His hands were also unbound, and Zelda could feel the press of his calloused fingers into her wrist.
"Sheik," she breathed. "Are you-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-"
Sheik's eyes softened further, and his finger slid down to squeeze her hand quickly before he released her and gestured back at the little canvas shelter several feet behind them.
Zelda nodded hesitantly. What was she supposed to say? He wasn't talking again, was he? "Are you...did you sleep okay?"
Sheik raised an eyebrow before shaking his head tersely. He turned his back on Zelda and moved back toward their campsite, his bare feet standing out against the green grass.
I did it again, Zelda berated herself. He had a nightmare and doesn't want to talk about it! Stop pestering him. Her face hot once more, she hurried back after Sheik. As she started to walk, all the muscles in her thighs tightened in protest after her initial dash out of camp, and she noticed a distinct pain at her tailbone. Wincing, she hobbled after Sheik back into their campsite.
Zelda tried to help Sheik take down their canvas covering, but as soon as she grasped one side of the canvas, Sheik shot her a dirty look, and she decided to let him take care of it. Instead, she decided to go wash her face and fill up her canteen with fresh water from the stream. After following both her ears and her Forager Sense, she found a small creek nestled under a patch of chokeberries. Her heart warming, Zelda bent and picked a couple and popped them into her mouth. The bitter, tangy flavor flooded her mouth, invoking a distant memory.
Reiku had begged Zelda to show him which berries he could eat, and Zelda had enough experience after visiting Forest Haven every other day to study with Old Jennings that she could easily recognize which ones were poisonous. She'd found a chokeberry bush just on the side of the road, and Rei had cheered. He was only 6, but looking back, Zelda realized that she was only 9. Her little brother was only three years younger, but Zelda remembered feeling so responsible and old whenever she was with him. The enthusiasm and excitement was bright in Reiku's hazel eyes, and he was constantly brushing his jet-black hair out of his eyes. He'd grabbed a whole branch and just shook the bush, trying to get all the berries to fall at once, and Zelda could still remember the flash of annoyance she'd felt, watching the tree and the berries go flying.
Zelda blinked, the warmness in her heart settling into something emptier and deeply rooted. She sighed quietly, Rei's youthful face still posted in her mind's eye. Slowly, she unslung her canteen from over her shoulder and dunked it into the sluggishly moving stream. Almost automatically, she focused in on the merry, flowing energy of the water, seeking out the impurities. Then, Gathering them into a bead of moisture, she opened her hand and let the grime and germs from the river bleed out into her palm and drip down back onto the grass. Quickly dunking her hands in the river again, she splashed some cold water on her face and turned to head back toward the camp. She paused as she passed by the chokeberry bush and swallowed a lump in her throat before spreading open her skirt and gathering chokeberries into it.
Sheik was sharpening his dagger up against his sword when Zelda returned. The blade of his sword seemed to glow in the sunlight; the blade itself seemed to be almost blue, and the silver dagger chased up and down the blade, glinting in the light. Strangely, the hilt and crosspiece of Sheik's sword was covered with the same blue leather that Sheik himself was clad in. As Zelda stared at the sword, mesmerized by the patterns of ringing steel, another sound seemed to feel her mind, almost like a melody. Frowning, she closed her eyes and tried to listen to the notes. Then the sound faded, and Zelda felt a hand on her arm. Her eyes shot open, and she took a step backwards in surprise.
Sheik raised his hands placatingly, and Zelda noted that both his dagger and sword were resheathed.
"Sorry," Zelda said quickly. She held open her skirt, still filled with chokeberries. "I found some berries. They were down by the stream."
Sheik's eyes widened, and he grabbed a handful of berries. Artfully reaching up under his scarf from the bottom, he shoved the berries into his mouth while still keeping his face concealed. As she heard chokeberries pop in his mouth, she found herself wondering what the rest of his face looked like. His blue eyes were sharp, with heavy, angled eyebrows, but his blond hair concealed the rest of his forehead, and his nose and mouth were still covered with his scarf.
Suddenly Sheik's eyes screwed up, and he coughed. He looked accusingly at the rest of the berries gathered in Zelda's dress and shook his head hurriedly.
Zelda giggled at his expression. "Sorry, I should've warned you. They're a little bitter if you're not used to them."
Sheik shot Zelda another baleful look before turning his back on her and clearing his throat. Zelda picked another few berries out of her skirt as Sheik whistled, and his sleek black horse trotted into the clearing.
"What's your horse's name?" Zelda asked without thinking as Sheik busied himself with tying the canvas back onto the saddle.
Sheik paused and turned to look at her pointedly, one eyebrow raised.
Zelda flushed. "What? It's a reasonable question."
Sheik shook his head and returned his attention back to the saddle.
Zelda glanced back down at the chokeberries in her skirt, picking out a couple of the juiciest ones and shaking them in her palm. Suddenly, Zelda felt a hot breath on her forehead, and she looked up to come face to face with Link's horse. She shrieked in surprise, dropping the berries back into her skirt and yanking it closer to her body. The horse snorted and inched closer, throwing Sheik off-balance while Zelda took a deep breath, glancing up nervously at the horse. She'd never gotten along well with horses...a memory came to mind, but she shoved it back as Sheik raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry," Zelda said quickly, picking out a few more berries. "Just caught me by surprise." Sheik studied her a moment while his horse continued to snuffle at the berries in Zelda's palm.
"Does it..." Zelda hesitated, trying to get her heart rate back under control. "Does it want some?"
Sheik nodded slowly, reaching a hand to hover over her fingers. He pressed down her fingers, flattening her hand so the chokeberries pooled in her palm. He'd replaced his fingerless gray gloves, but Zelda could still feel the tips of his fingers against hers. Sheik guided her hand closer to his horse's mouth, and it sniffed at her hand before nestling into her palm with its lips and consuming the berries.
"It-it tickles," Zelda murmured, smiling. The horse's lips felt rubbery and stiff, and its chin felt prickly against her palm. Then the feeling was gone as the horse shook its mane and withdrew.
"What's your name, horsie?" Zelda said softly, slowly reaching a hand up to its neck, but she couldn't bring herself to touch it. Sheik looked sideways at her for a moment before tightening up the saddle. Then he took a step back and pointed at the saddle, then at Zelda.
"What?" Zelda eyed the saddle nervously, remembering her previous experiences bouncing around yesterday. Her thighs and tailbone were still sore. "You want me to get up?"
Sheik nodded, his face impassive. He tapped the stirrup with one hand and then reached up to do the same to the big hump at the front.
"O-okay." Zelda felt a flash of nervousness. What if she fell off and knocked over Sheik? But she dutifully put her left foot in the stirrup and grasped the hump Sheik had pointed out, swinging her right leg up and over the saddle. Her dress bunched up around her legs, and she quickly yanked it out to preserve her modesty. Then Sheik swung up behind her again, reaching around her to grasp the reins. She stilled as Sheik's hands brushed her waist, and the thought struck her that they had slept more or less back to back last night.
Then Sheik clicked his tongue, and his horse picked up into a trot, catching Zelda by surprise. She grunted as she came down hard on the first stride, her tailbone complaining.
"Ebony." A voice said quietly in her ear, and Zelda stiffened. Sheik was talking again! "Her name is Ebony."
Hey friends, I'm back. :) Sorry...moving across the country and then grad school caught up with me. I'm still writing loads ahead, so I'll try to catch up here.
Most of the stuff written here in the next few chapters is going to change drastically with revisions, so don't get too attached to it. I'm writing near the climax now, so I have a pretty good idea of what needs to change. But hey, we'll see what happens. :)
Thanks for reading! As always, comments make my day!