With a firm grip around Rel's wrist, Link all but dragged her away.
They paced out through the throne room and then across the courtyard, toward the bridge. They were halfway across the bridge before Rel jerked her hand back.
"Link-" She wheezed. "Please, stop."
Another pang of guilt stopped Link in his tracks. It was the first time he'd summoned enough courage to look her in the face the entire day. Her once vibrant features were shadowed and solemn, her skin remaining pale and clammy. Even now he still found himself admiring her resilience and the beauty that remained.
"You're walking too fast." She added. "I need you to slow down."
"Right-" He said, letting go of her arm. "Sorry."
"It's alright."
"I want to get you out of here as fast as possible."
"I appreciate it." She murmured before stopping to look at the landscape.
Mounds of snow caught the remaining sunlight of the day, casting an ethereal glow across the stone bridge. Flakes continued to fall from the sky as they waited.
"I didn't believe it-" She breathed. "It really is snowing."
"And you're shivering. All the more reason to get you home." Link suggested.
The walk back through town was slow and arduous, no doubt from Rel's injuries. Link made sure to let her take her time. He thought of asking one of his friends to send for a horse, but Rel insisted that she could make the trip on her own.
They garnered a few odd and horrified looks from civilians, shocked to see Rel in that state. Despite the odd look, Rel stood firm, walking through the town square with pride.
On arrival, Link set to immediately starting a fire. He also considered running her a bath, but knew she needed a short while to decompress after everything that had happened. Rel merely sat by the fireplace, still clutching the cape closely. Link watched as she stared aimlessly ahead, trapped in a daze of confusion and anger.
"Here, let me help you with that." Link suggested, taking the cape from her. "I'll get you a real blanket."
She glanced down at the fabric.
"This is one of the formal capes, isn't it?" she asked quietly.
Even now she noticed every detail around her.
"Yes." He replied with a guilty conscience. "I should have told you."
"I see." She paused. "It looks… nice."
"Does it?"
"On a better day I'd probably tell you that you look very dashing."
He smiled at that.
Dornan arrived soon after, carrying Rel's belongings that were left behind. He wore a disgusted expression, muttering to himself about how Zelda could possibly call a meeting after everything that had happened. He read Link's mind, running a bath for Rel and helping her inside.
The men sat wordlessly at the table, looking at each other, neither having the courage to speak. It appeared that everyone was completely talked out for the afternoon, a rare occurrence, especially for Dornan.
They could hear her cry out in pain as she washed her wounds, neither knowing what to do.
The day grew darker as the snow continued to fall. Dornan assisted Rel with dressing, helping her choose out loose clothing that wouldn't irritate the scars on her back. She reluctantly accepted the help, cursing herself for not being able to help herself.
Link had already grown tired of the armor, refusing to wear it any longer. He didn't even care if it seemed improper in the presence of royalty. Zelda never cared years ago, and he didn't care if it meant anything to her now. Everyone who was currently present in his house had been through more than enough due to her absence.
As the hour grew late, the familiar faces filed into Link's home. First it was Shad, with a stack of books. He didn't really talk much, even to Dornan as he waited for everyone else to arrive. Telma had also left her post, something she rarely ever did. She brought with her several bottles of her specialty home brew, handing one to Link before planting the rest in the center of the table. Within seconds, Dornan had nabbed one for himself, uncorking it and taking a swig.
Liom joined them, still wearing his ceremonial armor, with Darpa trailing him.
At the stroke of Midnight, Zelda arrived with her latest guest. Ashei was the last to arrive, wearing her furs. She explained how she'd been caught up in the drama at the castle, trying to arrange leave for the evening. She swore that no one was suspicious of her, they simply assumed that she was taking the night off.
Zelda took a seat at the head of the table, as was expected. The entire group gathered, waiting in anticipation for her to start speaking. They all deserved an explanation.
Rel sat between Dornan and Link, her eyes downcast and dark. She hadn't said anything since she last spoke to Link, instead, choosing to sit and muse silently. Link knew when to pick his battles and it wasn't the right time to speak with her about the season or broach the topic of what she'd said to him before she left.
Link leaned forward, resting the lower half of his face on his hands. He didn't want anyone to see his features or know how he was feeling, an act that he'd practiced for many years prior to this.
The newly arrived visitor sat opposite Dornan, waving to him enthusiastically.
From the corner of his eye, Link could have sworn that he saw Liom looking intently at the new arrival.
The quiet murmuring amongst the guests died down as Zelda raised her hand.
"As you can all see, I have returned from an extended leave." She said calmly. "And, I sincerely apologize." Zelda looked around at her confidants. "I understand that this burden has weighed heavily, on all of you-" she turned her attention to Link. "Lastly, I would like to personally thank Link for his initiative in joining my inner circle once more."
Link's hands tensed as he kept his silence.
Rel's eyes flicked toward him before focusing on the oak table once more.
"And we missed you dearly." Ashei interjected. "You were gone longer than I would have hoped."
"Hmmph." Dornan hummed.
"It was- Difficult to find Fienna." Zelda explained.
"I had to meet her at sea." Fienna added. "She simply couldn't find me."
"Unfortunately, that is where the good news ends." Zelda continued. "I have gathered the only people I can trust within this room."
"This is where I come in." Dornan whispered to Link.
"I have gathered you all- Because I was sent a warning, by none other than one of the seven chosen souls-"
"Descendants." Dornan interrupted as Ashei gave him a disdained look.
"Descendants- The Oracle of Time, Dornan, sent for me, with a dire message."
"Very dire." Dornan quipped.
"Dornan." Rel hissed.
He shifted in his seat, readying himself to speak.
"I will allow Lord Dornan to explain the situation." Zelda concluded.
Link stared at Dornan over his hands as he prepared himself to speak.
"For several years, I received a vision from Nayru, as her living descendant." Dornan started. "As Oracle of Time, it is my duty to interpret her messages and act as her living embodiment." He paused. "I refuse to patronize or sugar coat this message. I foresaw the destruction of this kingdom and now, the death of a monarch."
Zelda tensed as she received the new information.
"I have not heard this latest development." She said calmly as her hands trembled. "This is new to me."
"It is new to me too, Princess." Dornan explained. "I experienced this vision only recently."
"It has kept me awake for many a night." Zelda mused "I have not taken this warning lightly, even if I did not completely understand how it would unfold."
The entire group remained silent.
Rel began drumming her fingers on her thigh.
"There is more." Zelda continued. "It is not something that I thought I would experience in my lifetime. The soul of our greatest enemy has been rebirthed."
"One of seven." Shad chimed in. "My research has concluded that there will always be seven- descendants- if they belong on the side of good or evil, that is yet to be determined."
"A child's conclusion." Rel shot at Shad. "You need to think about balance."
"Reducing divine power to the notion of good or evil is incorrect." Fienna advised calmly.
"Forgive me, Princess." Shad concluded.
"The twins?" Ashei asked.
"Yes." Zelda answered.
"Twins are of significance in Gerudo culture." Shad interrupted.
Rel rolled her eyes.
"How… How does a kingdom fall in such peaceful times?" Ashei queried.
"Do you recall what happened last time?" Zelda asked her. "The sheer brute force in which we were invaded?"
Ashei nodded as Zelda gestured to Dornan.
"It is not the only way. In our culture-" Dornan motioned to Rel and then Fienna. "A certain ritual can be performed, though I resent calling it that. If someone were to cause enough destruction, despair and sorrow, they can circumvent your binds and harness the power of your sacred relic."
"That would require harnessing shadow." Fienna said in a sing song tone, not unlike Farore in the temple of time. "One would need to poison their own heart to even try to do that."
Rel's eyes snapped toward Fienna.
"In Princess Zelda's absence, we found evidence of the influence of shadow." Dornan explained. "Aurelia, the Oracle of Seasons, found streams of-"
"Affliction." Rel snapped.
"Affliction- Within the soil of a village."
"And just outside the walls of this city."
Fienna gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. "How?"
"That, I do not know." Dornan answered.
"How?" Rel interrupted. "Are you really asking us this?"
"Aurelia." Dornan warned.
"I'll tell you how!" She continued. "There is shadow- Dark magic at play here. It does not just- just- run through the essence of nature! It takes neglect- years of neglect for this to happen."
"Do you not think I know that?" Dornan snapped back. "Aurelia, we can point fingers all we like, but as it is, we need to fix this, now!"
"We should have done now what we'd done seven years ago… Let this kingdom squabble amongst itself."
"Do you not think that this would not extend to us?" Dornan asked her calmly. "It is no coincidence that the flames are present."
"It is forbidden."
"I know."
Rel buried her face in her hands as Link watched her.
"Centuries ago, we were called to these shores." Fienna said gently. "Rel, do you not remember?"
"I cannot remember anything." Rel faltered. "My connection to Din- It is-"
The wind outside howled for the second time that day. It was so strong that the landing doors flew open, snow blustering inside. Link and Liom leapt into action, pushing the doors shut. Rel continued to hide her face, refusing to let anyone see her shame.
"What the fuck is going on?" Darpa asked. "Please forgive me, Princess."
Zelda shook her head.
"We need to help Rel." Fienna explained. "The seasons and to some extent, the weather, are her life blood."
"What?" Darpa asked.
Dornan turned his full attention to Rel. "Aurelia, we need you to stop this snowstorm. The fissures we found can be addressed soon, but immediately? This blizzard needs to end."
"I can't." She gasped.
"Yes, you can, Rel." Link said to her, breaking his self-imposed silence.
"I can't-"
"Yes, you can!" Dornan dared her. "If you could close that fissure in that village, you can stop this!"
"Not since I was attacked!"
"Enough!"
At that moment, the embers in the fireplace all but extinguished. The room was cloaked in darkness as ice crystals formed at an alarming rate on the windows, extending to the floorboards.
Link put his hand on Rel's thigh, trying to calm her.
"Rel, this is your home." He whispered to her. "You're safe here."
"No." She whispered back. "Holodrum is my home."
"You can control this." Link reassured her. "Please."
With a deep breath, Rel calmed herself. She focused on the same thing she did when she was in the dungeon cell, the warmth of Din's fire. She brought herself back to the present by focusing on the hand that rested on her thigh. A deep sense of shame was present within her, knowing that everyone saw her falter.
The fire blazed back to life, a surge of warmth enveloping the room.
The entire group took a collective breath, shocked by what had just unfolded.
"That will require a mop." Telma joked, pointing to the melting ice.
"There is only one person who can stop this snowstorm and it is Aurelia." Dornan sighed. "We cannot search for anything else until it is rectified."
Fienna stared at Rel concernedly.
"Rel, did you know that you have been bound with a shadow curse?" she asked calmly.
"I fucking knew it!" Dornan burst out.
Zelda shuddered at the use of foul language.
"We suspected as much." Rel trembled.
Darpa shook his hands vigorously. "What is going on? Oracles? Seasons? A shadow curse?"
"Oh, for goodness sake." Dornan scowled. "Are you incapable of paying attention? I am the Oracle of Time, Aurelia is the Oracle of Seasons and Fienna is the Oracle of Secrets! We are descended from the three goddesses who created this wretched place!"
"That's incredible." Darpa said sheepishly. "I still don't know what it means though."
"I can gaze upon the ocean of time." Dornan seethed. "Fienna, she is granted the secrets of every living thing and Aurelia-"
"Changes the season." Rel concluded. "And to some extent, the weather. For every season, I can wield, at least I could, the elements. Since the day I arrived, I can only cause accidents."
"That's the most insane thing I've ever heard." Darpa gasped.
"Yes. So, you can see why we need to heal her of this affliction." Dornan scoffed.
"We need to find an answer to this." Shad mused.
"That we can agree on."
The group continued to talk and argue as the hours passed. The sun began to creep over the horizon as the conversations stalled, with no one being any closer to an agreement. Beyond exhausted, the group disbanded, with Zelda calling an end to the meeting.
"We shall meet again tomorrow evening and for many nights to come." She sighed. "For now, you all need to get some sleep."
With Ashei trailing after her, Zelda left.
Dornan snickered to himself. "I see how it is."
"See what?" Link asked.
"Nothing."
The party was whittled down to Link, Dornan, Rel and Fienna.
"What happened to Danaya?" Rel asked.
"She fled during the commotion." Dornan smiled. "A good idea in my opinion."
Keenly aware that he had barely spoken during the entire evening, Rel glanced at Link. Usually, she would ask what was wrong, but she didn't feel capable. She hadn't slept in days at this point.
Even Dornan had resigned himself to quiet, tapping his foot gently as he remained deep in thought.
Unprompted, Link stood up, walking toward his room. He clenched his hands so hard that his hands shook.
"Link?" Dornan asked.
Link raised his hands and leaned against the wall, allowing his head to fall. He breathed deeply until he choked, eventually leading to soft sobbing.
Alarmed, Rel pushed her chair out, running to his side.
"Link." She quavered, trying to calm him. "Please tell me you are alright, I need you to be."
He turned to meet Rel's gaze, his face contorted in fury. Without warning, Link raised his fist and slammed it into the wall. The he punched it again, and again. The three oracles watched in silence as he unleashed his pent-up rage and sorrow against the surface.
"It doesn't end." He choked. "It never fucking ends."
He threw one last punch into the wall before collapsing in on himself.
"Enough- I can't do this- Not again. End this fucking curse upon us all."
The adrenaline wore off as Link surveyed his fists. Like his eye, they were black and blue, shooting pain up both of his arms.
"It's alright Link." Rel soothed. "We just need some sleep."
Even Dornan was lost for words.
"Fuck me." He murmured.
Pushing her chair out, Fienna stepped toward them.
"Oh dear." She sang out. "Both of you seem to be in a lot of pain."
The two turned around to see Fienna, standing a few feet behind them. She seemingly floated toward them, taking Link's hands in hers. Her skin was surprisingly warm, given it's ghostly pallor and the thinness of her clothing.
"May I?"
Not knowing how to react, Link nodded gently.
Closing her eyes, Fienna grasped his hands tightly. A few moments later, a soft glow emitted from her delicate fingers. Link watched in awe as the bruising in his hands eased, eventually disappearing all together. Din's mark on his wrist felt tender and warm as the faint glowing continued.
As quickly as it had begun, it stopped. Fienna opened her eyes and smiled softly.
"What just happened?" Link stammered.
"Fienna can harness light." Rel explained. "She has an incredible gift."
"Kneel please." Fienna instructed him. "Or I'll need something to stand on."
With Rel's approval, he knelt to Fienna's level. She repeated the same action, this time on his bruised face. Within moments, the pain was entirely gone, and his vision returned to normal. Any remanent of his splitting headache had disappeared.
Despite not being able to tell where she was looking, Link thanked Fienna.
"My brother, you have also been blessed by Din." She whispered in his ear.
Link stood up, feeling his face.
"Rel, I can help you with those wounds too." Fienna explained. "I don't know if I can help you with the scarring though."
"Thank you." Rel whispered.
Grabbing one of the liquor bottles, Dornan motioned for everyone to sit down again.
"We cannot sleep, not yet." He groaned.
"Excuse me, Sir Link." Fienna interrupted as they sat down.
"Just Link is fine."
"Excuse me, Just Link. Did you know that Zelda is very fond of you?"
"Not really." He answered.
Rel said nothing as the discussion continued around her.
"It is imperative that we find a solution to this shadow curse." Dornan explained. "If Aurelia cannot reach her full potential, we are well and truly fucked."
"I'm going to bed." Rel announced.
"I told you to stay!"
She strode toward her room without another word, the door slamming shut.
Dornan relaxed and looked at Link.
"That was an absolute circus." He laughed, trying to remain calm. "I cannot with this place-"
He erupted into a giggling fit, taking a swig from Telma's homebrew.
"Ah!" He chirped. "This drink? I like this drink."
He pushed one of the bottles toward Link who waved it away.
"Do not be sad my dear friend. Your face looks great!"
"I still feel like complete shit."
"Not how you expected your reunion to go?"
Link shook his head. "I feel like death. I've slept maybe five hours in three days."
"You know what would help with that?"
"Don't."
Dornan threw his hands up in mock surrender. Feeling like a terrible host, Link remembered Fienna.
"Do you have anywhere to stay?" He asked her gently.
"No." She answered cheerfully.
"Sleep on the lounge chairs, near your friend." Dornan suggested as he threw himself onto a seat by the fire.
"I guess the two of you are staying." Link shrugged.
"I'm staying until Aurelia decides she's willing to talk to us about this."
Dornan was passed out drunk shortly after, with Fienna asleep on the floor in front of the fire.
The entire house remained a quiet sanctuary for that day, the unrelenting events forgotten in the warmth of the flames.
They all rose in the early evening, even though Link had awoken a long time before that. The only thing he could focus on was the sense of urgency that he had in regard to speaking to Rel. It pained him greatly to know that he couldn't help her and that she would wear the scars for the remainder of her life. He wanted to know why Gresham had focused his campaign squarely on Rel. It didn't make much sense, she was nothing to him. How did he know who she was?
He forced himself to get out of bed.
When he went back to the main area, he found Rel staring blankly ahead, similar to how she behaved in the court room.
She glanced at him.
"Rel-" Link began, trying to keep his voice down.
Dornan was snoring gently, still very much asleep. Fienna had left her makeshift bed and was nowhere to be seen.
"I found the hairpin." She murmured.
"Dornan told me he left it for you."
"I tried to get out. But I was caught." She explained.
"Is that when they lashed you?"
"Seven times." Rel nodded.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, or his. He tried to help."
Rel looked at him, her eyes misty and distant.
"I missed having you here." Link confessed.
She replied with a weak smile before turning away again. "I just need time to think."
Dornan sat bolt upright, panting.
"The king died in that one too." He blurted out. "Oh- That's not good."
They both stared at Dornan.
"You should probably tell Zelda that." Rel suggested.
"They'll be here in a few hours anyway." Dornan replied.
The front door opened gently, Fienna letting herself back in. She wore a grave expression, her ethereal features pained.
"There are slivers of shadow outside these walls." She lamented. "Rel, what has happened?"
"The same darkness that has almost completely severed my connection to Din." Rel disclosed.
"How?"
"I'm not entirely sure. It was most likely with a weapon."
Fienna thought for a moment.
"May I see?" she asked curiously.
Rel obliged, rolling up her trouser leg. Fienna was by her side, observing it. She continued to think before making a suggestion.
"I'm going to try and heal this."
Fienna held her hands over Rel's leg, the soft glow emitting once more. A few seconds later, Rel cried out in pain.
Link felt it in his arm.
"What was that?" Dornan asked. "Surely that would be the cure?"
Her fingers resting on her chin, Fienna squinted her eyes and paused. She gestured to Rel to follow her to the fire, making her sit down on one of the comfortable lounge chairs. Link watched as she examined the wound in the light from the landing.
"Let me try this."
She hovered her hands over Rel's leg once more. The glowing lasted a little longer this time before Rel hissed through her teeth.
"What on earth?" Fienna mused.
"That is a fucking curse aright." Dornan observed.
Link watched the entire interaction as bewildered as the rest of them.
"What about these slivers of darkness?" Fienna asked. "Are there any more of them?"
"There was one in my village." Link answered. "But Rel closed it."
"As I would expect." Fienna sighed. "Then why can't I heal this?"
"Nothing is ever straight forward here." Dornan scoffed.
"This is highly advanced." Fienna continued. "Only someone who is a master or… an idiot, would know how to do this."
"The good news is that clearly, glimpses of Din still live through Aurelia. We just need to get them out of her."
"I suppose. But as far as I am concerned, we need to find a cure for this."
"We've been trying." Link added.
"I have a vaster library to draw upon." Fienna smiled.
"Secrets?"
"You learn fast!"
"That is all well and good." Rel chimed in. "But, we are assuming that no more of these fissures will appear. They have infected the essence of nature, would it be inaccurate to assume that the flow of time and the keeping of secrets would be effected next?"
"Aurelia is right." Dornan agreed. "And when she closed the fissure in Ordon village, she needed three days recovery. It was a small glimpse. I fear she would be incapable of anything more intense."
"Then I am needed more than ever." Fienna answered.
Zelda and her entourage arrived at the same time as the previous evening. This time, she brought with her the addition of Auru. Telma had a similar idea, bringing Kalen with her as support.
The conversation, as with the previous evening, remained scattered and solemn, the group never really coming to an agreement on anything.
As Link expected, Dornan, Rel and Fienna became a united front, always backing one another up when needed. It was true, they were stronger together and it really showed. He was somewhat envious of their ability to work together, a far cry from his present allies.
The royal members, however, were in a completely different boat. They often disagreed and bickered amongst themselves, Zelda putting on a brave face and attempting to calm them.
Link hadn't even sat at the table that evening, instead resting against one of the walls.
"I had another vision, about your father." Dornan explained to Zelda. "I believe his end may be near."
Zelda remained poised and regal despite hearing this news.
"I expected this. They will not even let me see him, my own father."
"That is preposterous." Dornan snapped. "How is that even possible?"
"Gresham, the head of counsel, diverts the other advisor's attention. I am being forced out of the counsel meetings that I should be the head of." Zelda cautioned. "But I have ears inside the room. They do not think me fit to lead."
"Why?" Link asked.
"My absence has not been looked favorably upon and they believe me to be keeping valuable information from them."
"You technically are." Dornan shrugged. "But what could they know of it?"
"My father's words, fractured, but his word nonetheless." Zelda confirmed.
"If he were to perish, then the rule would pass to you?"
"Unless it is in his final words, yes."
"And an entire room of advisors would need to vote on it." Shad informed the group. "I doubt that would happen."
"I can only hope."
"You are the true heir, Princess." Auru reassured her. "I would follow you until the end."
Rel exhaled sharply. Link seemed to be the only person who noticed.
"So, what do we focus on?" Dornan queried impatiently. "Because at this stage it appears we are torn between this leadership trouble and the fissures of shadow."
"We may have to focus on both." Auru suggested. "Myself, Shad and yourself can focus on curing Aurelia of her curse. Everyone else can work together as a united front, supporting Zelda in the inevitable demise of her father."
"Don't forget the snowstorm." Liom added.
"And what if we don't care?" Rel piped up. "Your leadership is of little importance to me."
"Aurelia." Dornan sighed.
"I apologize, but I am finding it hard to empathize with your plight. Perhaps it was the beating and lashing I received when I was in your care, up at the castle?"
Ashei's face contorted in fury. "How dare you like that in the presence of royalty?"
"Rel is tired and injured." Link interjected. "Forgive her, she is not herself."
With a furious stare, Rel turned her attention to Link. He tried to silently apologize to her, hoping that she wasn't insulted.
She said nothing, returning to listening to the meeting.
"Aurelia, I understand your anger." Zelda explained. "I will make it up to you, I swear it."
"Thank you." Rel answered.
"I need the three of you as allies, more than anything." Zelda continued. "I need you on my side."
"Tomorrow morning, we will meet and begin finding answers to this." Auru declared. "Our conversation is reaching a stale mate."
As they had the previous evening, the party left, leaving Link alone with the oracles.
"Dornan, can you please take Fienna to stay at Telma's tonight?" Rel asked quietly. "I need to sleep soundly."
Link felt a sense of relief at the suggestion. As much as he liked spending time with Dornan now, he wished to have some alone time with Rel. He still yearned to talk to her, remembering that she'd said the same thing.
Dornan left with Fienna begrudgingly, having wished to stay at the residence that evening.
When they were alone once more, Rel bid Link goodnight.
Link's home fell quiet and empty, giving him space to quietly reflect on what had happened that day. With racing thoughts, he got out of bed, wishing to stand on the landing. Even in the cold, he yearned to be outside, giving himself a distraction.
He crept out onto the balcony, watching the moon and the falling snow.
Soft footsteps sounded behind him.
"Why did you undermine me?" Rel asked firmly.
Turning around, Link's eyes landed on her stern face.
"I wasn't trying to undermine you." He sighed. "I was trying to keep you out of trouble."
She glared at him, her hands shaking.
"How can you defend the people who did that to me?"
"I wasn't defending anyone, let alone that bastard Gresham."
"Then why is Zelda so important to you?" Rel demanded. "You seem to care deeply about not offending her."
"Rel, you know full well that Zelda is descended from Hylia. It is our duty to maintain her order."
"Bullshit." Rel hissed.
"Surely your warm bed is better than this?" Link asked, trying to deescalate the situation.
He knew full well that Rel was in a heightened emotional state, and he understood why. He was exerting a lot of effort trying to remain calm and not provoke her.
The comment seemed to take the wind out of her sails. She unclenched her hands and cast her eyes down.
Link forced himself to suppress the urge to reach out and hold her, to try and reassure her that she was finally safe, and he wouldn't let anything like that happen to her again. They were one of the hundreds of thoughts and images that ran through his mind on a nightly basis.
"What's wrong, Rel?" He asked her after a while.
"It isn't your concern." She snapped back, using the same tone she'd used at the meeting.
"It doesn't sound like it isn't my concern." Link shot back.
"It isn't. You've more important things to worry about, such as court politics and royalty."
"No, I'm worried about you."
"I told you not to bother."
"What has gotten into you?"
"What's gotten into me?" Rel argued. "What's gotten into you? I leave for a week and you're already throwing yourself at the feet of royalty! How can any of you defend her, just look at what has happened in her absence!"
"I have a duty now." Link said flatly. "We all swore-"
"A duty to what? When have you ever cared about duty? You left!"
"And now I'm back."
"What about me? What about us? The fissures, this curse, the snowstorm- And you care for politics over that?"
"Us?" Link asked, bewildered. "I took this oath because I wanted to help you! I did this for us!"
"Even now, you lie to me." Rel shook.
"We can do this! We just need time."
"You're not going to have any time Link. You're nothing but a pawn. You're a puppet who dances to the whims of a princess."
"I really fucking resent that." Link fumed, his hands shaking in anger.
"You have a duty now."
"At least I'm standing by my duty!" He chastised her. "Instead of acting like a rebellious child who can't see beyond her own fury. Perhaps I'm learning from your mistakes. At least I can look it in the eye instead of running away."
"How dare you, you speak of events that you don't know."
"So, tell me!"
Link's voice rang out throughout the empty room inside, Rel standing firm against him.
"Do you ever think you will be free of this?" Rel demanded. "Or will you just remain at someone else's beck and call forever? Unable to move on?"
"At least I'll stand by my people, Aurelia. What else will you leave other than broken promises and abandoned friends?"
"Fuck you." Rel hissed.
The snow began falling heavily as they stood face to face.
Rel turned on her heel, about to walk away.
Feeling the same urge as earlier, Link rushed toward her, grabbing her from behind. She let out a small gasp, feeling his arms around her. Unable to ignore his warmth, Rel collapsed into his touch. His hands slipped toward her waist.
"Why are you so angry with me?" He whispered in her ear.
She shivered as she felt his breath near her ear, and it wasn't from the cold. Rel couldn't even find it in herself to speak as she felt him against her. Against her better judgement, she placed her hands over his, gripping them tightly.
"We've never fought like this." He continued as Din's mark burnt uncontrollably. "Just tell me what's wrong."
Rel shuddered before speaking. "Everything is fucked."
"I know."
"What if- What if I can't fix nature? This snowstorm is devastating to me. The equinox-"
"Your birthday."
She let out a sob before laughing. "Even I forgot."
Feeling bold, Link threaded his fingers through hers.
"Do you want anything?"
Turning around, Rel looked up at him, her eyes gleaming with unfallen tears. Even now she refused to let them drop, after everything that had happened. She'd resigned herself to a state of comfortable numbness years ago and she didn't wish to relent now.
"I don't know-" She shuddered.
"Just let yourself cry, Rel." He urged her.
"No."
His grip around her loosened as she gazed downward, still trying to hide her emotions.
"You know, whenever you feel distressed, this mark from Din burns." Link explained to her.
"That I can't explain" Rel said flatly.
Seemingly calmer than earlier, Rel's breathing evened out.
"Can you explain why you're so angry?" Link pressed her. "You still haven't told me."
Her eyes flicked around, searching for distractions. Rel wanted to look everywhere except in his eyes. Link remembered the conversation they'd had before she left for the castle, yearning to final know what she wanted.
"You still haven't told me what you want to talk about."
"I've never done this before- I've never needed to." Rel explained. "I'm sorry."
"Never done what before?"
"Acted like such a fool." She spat.
"We all have our moments." He reassured her. "Why are you acting like such a fool?"
"I can't- It hurts too much."
"Is this something a simple conversation could clear up?"
Rel stepped backward, Link dropping his arms. At that moment, the light from outside granted him a good look at Rel's neck. The scar was still there, though far less red. He hadn't even seen the full extent of the lashes and he was admittedly afraid to know. His eyes stayed transfixed on the small segment near her ear.
"Did your friend help you with that?" He asked gently.
"She did." Rel confirmed.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Yes."
Link raised his hand, running his fingers down the scar on Rel's neck. She let out a serrated exhale.
"Did I hurt you?" Link asked, finding himself suppressing his impulses again.
"No." Rel whispered back.
Before he could stop himself, Link raised his other hand and gripped the sides of her face. Like Rel had tried to avoid, she was now faced to face with him, looking at his hooded eyes. She finally relented, closing her eyes and fully leaning into his touch. Her breath hitched as she felt his calloused fingers move to her hair, sending a shiver over her entire body. She hoped that maybe, in this moment, he wouldn't stop.
Her hair felt as Link had imagined, soft between his rough fingers. He felt an overwhelming desire to just simply close the remaining distance between them, his conversations with Dornan echoing in his mind. The possibilities raced through his head, with him finally feeling as though he could give into his longing.
"Tell me stop." He whispered, gripped her hair firmly.
"No." She sighed.
As quickly as she had given in, Rel stepped back, remembering what Shad had told her. She pulled his hands off her face, dropping them gently. Even now, all she could think about was the seed of doubt that had been planted in her mind.
The wind outside picked up into a howl again, carrying snow with it.
"I need to sleep." She fretted. "I'm sorry- But I can't bear it."
With his heart racing and his face heated, Link stepped back, allowing Rel to pass. She all but ran to her room as he stood with the rejection, its sting overwhelming and painful.
"See you in the morning." He said as she left.
Dornan had let himself in, with the extra addition of Fienna, in the mid-morning.
The tension between Link and Rel was palpable, Dornan noticing right away. When she left her room, Rel didn't speak to anyone, even as Fienna greeted her cheerfully. She closed her door firmly as the rest of them waited for her by the fire.
"What the fuck is wrong with her?" Dornan scoffed.
"I think it might be the- everything." Link faltered, his face flushing.
Dornan's eyes narrowed as he retrieved his pipe. He stared at Link, surveying his reaction.
"What?" Link snapped.
With a chuckle, Dornan took a drag from his pipe. "What happened?"
"Nothing happened!"
"And therein lies the problem."
"Surely we have more important things to focus on?" Link snapped, changing the subject.
"You're right- I am about to embark on another academic venture, looking for a cure to this malady." Dornan let out a puff of smoke.
"I can help." Fienna smiled.
Knowing that he was neglecting his duties, Link needed something to do. He could easily lose himself in training, trying to forget this entire situation. He yearned for the physical stress, the pure exhaustion, as a means to process the rejection.
As Rel opened her bedroom door, Link stood up right away, going straight for his room.
"We should spar sometime, you and I!" Dornan called out.
"Fine!" Link called back through the door, dressing himself in his training clothes.
Refusing to lift his head, Link didn't even acknowledge Rel as she took a seat by Dornan, instead rushing out of the room.
"Oh good!" Dornan chirped. "I shall meet you there in a few days."
He didn't say goodbye to anyone as he stomped away, though he caught a glimpse of the sadness on Rel's face.
The deafening silence in the house continued whenever they were left alone. It became a game of cat a mouse, the goal being to avoid one another without addressing what had happened.
Link knew that it was immature, and he knew that Rel did too. But neither of them wanted to be the first one to break the silence. For himself, Link knew that he couldn't bear the idea of moving on from this without her affection. He'd dwelled on the idea for so long that it seemed impossible to see her in any other way. He found himself recounting past situations, surveying them, trying to figure out where he went wrong.
The meetings became more intense in subject and frequency, becoming a nightly ritual by the following week. Rel, Dornan and Fienna continued with their united front, acting as wise counsel for the royal court members. They dubbed themselves as loyalists, the entire group promising to follow Zelda, no matter what.
The following morning, Link was out of bed early, leaving for training.
Liom was the first of his friends to arrive, ready to spar with him. As they were getting prepared, he turned to Link, addressing his mood.
"Are you alright?" Liom asked concernedly. "You've been even more broody than normal."
"I'm not brooding." Link snapped back.
Liom eyed his friend. "Did something happen with Rel?"
With a momentary freeze, Link cursed himself for reacting. He desperately hoped that Liom hadn't seen it, but he knew his friend was better than that.
As suspected, Liom saw everything.
"It has, hasn't it?" Liom continued.
"I don't want to talk about it."
With widened eyes, Liom stepped back. "Well, when you're ready." He shrugged.
"What are you two talking about?" Darpa shouted, interrupting them.
Both Liom and Link jumped.
Turning around, Link greeted his friend. The bruise on Darpa's face had finally healed, though he was still missing a tooth. Link started to feel incredibly guilty about the entire ordeal, given that his aggression was seemingly for nothing.
"Nothing." Liom reassured Darpa.
"Oh nothing?" Darpa joked. "Were you telling him about that girl? The fairy looking one?"
With an eyeroll, Liom ignored Darpa.
"Hey, I see it! I'm not stupid."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Link knew that he would be playing with fire if he tried to chastise his friend. The last thing he wanted to do was put himself in the firing line of ridicule regarding a girl.
The jokes continued as they started training for the day, Link's mood only marginally improving.
A couple of hours passed when another familiar voice called out.
"I am here to spar!"
Link looked up to find Dornan, wearing his usual fine clothing. He wore a beautifully made cloak, its fine embroidery covered in the light flecks of snow descending from above.
His heart sank when he saw Rel trailing Dornan, wearing the cloak Link had gifted her. She wore a concerned expression, her hair unusually pulled back.
Liom noticed the change in Link's demeanor right away.
"We can call it for the day?" Liom suggested.
"And miss the opportunity to spar with me? Not fucking likely!"
Link could see the flask in Dornan's hand as he walked closer, waving enthusiastically. They stopped at the boundary of the training ground, Dornan ripping his cloak off. He shoved the garment into Rel's hand before downing what was left in the flask.
With a chuckle, Link shook his head.
"Now, someone pass me a glaive." Dornan slurred.
Darpa looked at the weapons rack before shrugging. "Best I can do is a wooden spear?"
"Good enough."
With a swift throw, Darpa tossed the spear to Dornan, who caught it with grace despite how much he'd had to drink.
Even if he was performing, Link could tell within moments that Dornan knew his way around this weapon. His stance, his grip… Everything suggested that he knew what he was doing.
"You are familiar with a weapon." Link smiled at Dornan.
Rel watched their interaction with confusion, frowning as she looked between them.
"I told you Link, not all of us can wave a sword. Some of us were taught with a more ranged weapon."
"Hey! Rel!" Darpa called out, scaring her. "You should spar with me next!"
Shaking her head, Rel walked off, finding somewhere to sit down. She completely covered herself with her cloak, trying to create warmth. She watched as the men got around in short sleeves, no doubt from moving so often and intensely.
For the second time that day, Link was thoroughly impressed with Dornan. Match after match, he managed to land a few blows on Link, putting up a good defense of his own. It was obvious that Dornan would be able to put up a good fight for anyone who attacked him and would be a worthy adversary for an enemy.
Even Liom enjoyed sparring with Dornan, giving him an opportunity to learn to defend against a different type of weapon.
Dornan, as usual, kept drinking, downing another full flask as the time passed. Rel remained in her seat, watching intently. Link tried to avoid making eye contact with her, though he wanted to make sure that she was alright.
Darpa had joined Dornan in drinking, making toasts to each other as they practiced. Feeling particularly rowdy, Darpa called out to Rel once more.
"Come on Rel! Spar with me! I'll go easy on you!"
She shook her head again. "Dornan, we should be getting back soon."
"I agree Aurelia! Come have some fun with your friends!" Dornan slurred.
Link could tell that she was feeling uncomfortable.
"Don't pressure her." He sighed. "Just leave her alone, Darpa."
Rel frowned.
Dornan and Darpa howled with laughter.
"Aurelia! Why don't you spar with Link?"
The men burst into laughter again, both drunk and merry.
"I don't think she wants to." Link said flatly. "I think we should finish for the day."
"Why?" Darpa demanded.
"Please do explain, Link." Dornan smirked. "Why?"
Rel had stood by now and made her way toward the group. "We should go." She pressed Dornan, ignoring Link.
"Well that settles it, Rel is sparring with you!"
"Liom would be a better partner for her." Link paused. "They are the same height, and he is right-handed. A far better match."
Darpa stuck his arm out in front of Link. "Scared you'll get hit by a girl?"
"I have no skill with weapons." Rel interrupted. "I would only be wasting his time."
The tension could be cut with a knife. Dornan, ever the showman, steered the conversation back.
"A wager!" Dornan chirped. "If Aurelia can smack you on the head-" He pointed to Link. "I'll buy the next ten rounds at that tavern."
Darpa gasped.
"Link, you have to do it." Darpa fretted. "Think of the rounds."
Liom rolled his eyes. "We should go home." He suggested. "You're going to be too drunk to have ten more rounds."
Rel stood firm.
"Fine." She fumed. "I'll play your stupid wager."
"She's all yours Liom." Link said as he tried to walk away.
"Those aren't the rules of the wager!" Dornan chastised Link. "Get back into the fucking ring!"
Link sighed, walking into the center of the training area.
Dornan shoved the wooden spear into Rel's hands before she met Link in the ring.
The other men scampered away like children, finding somewhere where they could watch.
It was the closest Link and Rel had been to one another in over a week, neither of them speaking. Even after a days' worth of training, Link felt self-conscious. The feelings he was trying to bury made their way back to the surface the moment he laid eyes on her and her expression.
She gripped the spear tightly, with the worst hand work Link had ever seen.
Dornan cackled from the sideline, now onto his third flask of the day.
"On the head!" He cried out.
Darpa joined in.
Link made a halfhearted stance. Rel mirrored his movement.
"You've been avoiding me." She whispered fiercely at him.
She caught him completely off guard.
"Have I?" Link hissed back. "The same could be said about you."
Rel lifted the spear above her head and swung it at Link. He caught it with his right hand, stopping her in her tracks. She tried to yank it away as Link gripped it tightly.
"You're already making me look bad!" Dornan shouted.
"Why would I be avoiding you?" Link demanded, ripping the spear out of her hand.
Rel stumbled forward. "Perhaps you're too busy to man up and speak to me."
"If I recall correctly, it was you who wanted to speak with me. You had the chance, and you ran away."
He tossed the spear in front of her. She bent down and picked it up again.
"Because you are keeping a secret from me!" She growled. "Making a mockery out of my emotions!"
Rel swung the spear at him with an impressive force, Link blocking it with his sword.
The men heckled Link from the sideline.
"What are you talking about?" He pressed further. "If you've got something to say, just spit it out!"
She swung the spear at him again as he blocked it with his arm.
"Whatever it is Rel, you need to move on!" He said as he wrapped his arm around the spear. "When you think you're right about something- When you have your heart set on it, there's no getting through to you!"
"You're wrong!" She snapped at him, trying to rip the spear back.
"This is like the situation with the curse- You wanted so badly to be right! But you were wrong. You yearn so deeply to be independent that you're blind to everything else going on around you!"
"You're so eager to be the hero! You don't care who you hurt in the process!"
"And you're so eager to push away the people who care about you! I'm done with it!"
As Rel yanked the spear back, Link let go of it. She fell backward and hit the ground. Dornan and Darpa roared with laughter from the sidelines.
Link felt an immense sense of shame as he watched her. She looked up at him, her eyes distant.
At that moment, Link's anger all but dissipated. He was by her side straight away, reaching out to assist her.
"Rel, I'm sorry." He whispered to her. "Let me help you."
She waved him off, slowly rising from her spot. Before she could protest, Link wrapped his arm around hers and helped her to her feet.
He of course noticed how close she was, feeling her warmth. He felt frozen in that moment, the emotions he'd felt the other night now present. They were as fresh as the moment it had happened.
Rel took a step toward him.
The next thing Link knew, he was falling backwards. Rel had put her leg behind his, tripping him in the moment of vulnerability. She quickly bent down, grabbing the spear. Before Link could even register what was happening, Rel gently tapped him on the head with it.
"Yes!" Darpa shouted from the sideline. "She did it!"
"Cheeky, cheeky girl!" Dornan called out. "The next ten rounds are on me!"
Link looked up at her, admittedly impressed. He shouldn't have expected any less from Rel. She'd proven to be a master when it came to sleight of hand.
He stood up.
"We will talk this out tomorrow." Link said firmly.
"Fine." Rel spat.
Dornan and Darpa remained merry as the group migrated to Telma's.
Without speaking to anyone, Rel sat herself at the end of the bar, Telma giving her a sympathetic look. She made quick work of the free-flowing wine that Telma provided her with and kept herself busy with cordial conversations.
Link sat with his friends, though he barely spoke for the entire evening. He nursed the same drink for a while, trying to avert his gaze from Rel. As much as he wanted to tell himself that he wasn't hurt, it was a lie.
Liom remained relatively sober, despite the delivered ten rounds that Dornan had promised. He tried to keep an eye on Link throughout the night.
After some time, Rel left without saying goodbye. Without missing a beat, Telma glared at Link from across the room. Knowing he had some explaining to do, Link stepped out from the booth.
Darpa had fallen asleep face first, snoring heavily.
Telma lifted an eyebrow as Link trudged toward her, taking Rel's place on the stool.
"So." Telma said sarcastically. "Are you going to tell me why you're all getting shit faced tonight?"
"I'm not." Link said flatly. "I've only had one drink."
"Hmmm." Telma hummed. "Rel had more than one."
Noticing her tone, Link hissed through his teeth. He hid his face with his free hand.
"Not you too." He groaned.
Telma threw her dish towel over her shoulder, putting her hands on her hips. She looked over Link's shoulder at Dornan, who, despite having enough alcohol to kill a horse, was standing tall and handsome. As usual.
He pulled out the stool beside Link.
"Ah, bar maid." He said affectionately. "I've been craving a tongue lashing from you."
"I don't have enough patience to pretend that I like you." Telma snapped at him.
Turning away, Telma served another customer. Kalen was doing his usual work, cleaning around the people who were left. He kept the fires burning, which was more important than anything at the moment.
Dornan smirked at Link.
"Are you going to tell me what happened with Aurelia? Or do I have to wait until you are asleep?"
Link said nothing, making a point of looking away.
"I don't mind the guessing game." Dornan continued. "Let me see… where do I start?"
Link took a sip of his drink.
"Hmmm." Dornan paused. "You confessed."
Another sip.
Dornan thought hard.
"You had a fight."
"Yes." Link snapped.
"What did you fight about?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Dornan laughed.
"You fought about… All of the drama from the meetings?" Dornan guessed.
Link took yet another sip of his drink.
"That's not it?" He paused. "Is she mad at me about the hairpin?"
"No, actually."
"What else could it be?" Dornan thought out loud, tapping his foot. "Did you reject her?"
Link's face flushed.
"Why the fuck would you do that?" Dornan whispered. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"I didn't reject her!" Link hissed back.
"She rejected you?" Dornan asked, confused. "I- what?"
Telma was watching them, shaking her head.
"I was hoping she'd said something to you!" Link continued.
"No! I've been trying to coax it out of her for a week!" Dornan insisted. "Surely you could have swept her off her feet or whatever it is you-" Dornan waved his hands. "Men of your persuasion do?"
"I tried- It doesn't matter what I tried, but she rejected me."
Telma leaned down on the counter in front of them.
"Bar maid!" Dornan smiled. "A little privacy?"
"I know who you're talking about." Telma said quietly to them.
"Do you?" Dornan smiled. "Do enlighten me with your large wit."
With a menacing glare, Telma looked directly at Link. Even now, after all this time, it caused him to shudder internally. It was scary.
"What?" Link blustered.
"You need to ask Shad." She warned Link.
"What's Shad go to do with this?"
"You know." Telma paused. "One day he's going to get slapped, and I'm not going to do a thing to stop it."
"You've all gone insane." Link groaned as he stood.
"Maybe you should ask her that?" Dornan suggested, raising his glass. "You know- When she has her heart set on something, you can't change her mind."
"Don't remind me."
Making his way toward the door, Link turned to face Dornan again.
"Where is the other one? Fienna?" He asked.
"Probably making eyes at your ashen haired friend." Dornan shrugged. "That or she is looking for secrets."
Link all but ran across the road, the icy wind jarring in comparison to the warmth of Telma's Pub. There were the remnants of a fire left in his own home, enough to soothe his freezing cold hands.
He sat at the table, which was covered in tomes and parchments. His eyes landed on the door to Rel's room.
His first instinct was to throw the door open and demand that Rel hear him out, but he decided against it. The last thing he wanted to do was push her away, especially after their impromptu sparring match earlier.
He couldn't shake the feeling that they were past the point of no return.