Chapter Two – Old Friends
Link travelled for a week, occasionally fighting off packs of wild beasts who sought a meal. It was difficult to use his bow with his broken thumb but found a way to hold it that still worked. As he crossed the three point bridge over Lake Hylia, he flexed his hand. It still hurt, but at least not as bad as the week before.
He decided to refill his canteens at the lake. The water flowing from Zora's domain was amongst the purest in the land, more so since the defeat of Ganondorf. Drinking deeply and washing his sun battered face felt fantastic. He hoped he wouldn't have to return to the desert any time soon. It always surprised him to see the vast expanse of sand dunes. They seemed to carry on into the horizon and the Arbiters Grounds tower was only a speck in the distance. The trip itself always made him feel like he had aged years instead of days.
"Stop daydreaming." he told himself.
Until he found a way back to Midna in the Twilight Realm, he would his best to maintain focus on his long-shot idea. He decided to do some stretches to loosen his sore muscles. Riding Epona was comfortable for him a long time ago, but constantly shifting himself on her saddle tired his legs after a couple of days. Taking time to enjoy the sunrise, he completed his routine and then breathed deeply. Feeling much better and refreshed, he mounted Epona once again.
"It's time to see some old friends, girl. Lets go to Castle Town" he said whilst patting her neck.
She whinnied happily and let Link guide her.
Some hours later, he found himself in the canyon that separated Lake Hylia and Hyrule Field. Despite it being a safe route, Link always felt tense in the relatively narrow road. He was good with a bow, but archers who wanted to shoot him from above would have a huge advantage over him. Looking ahead and around, he made sure the route was safe. As soon as he had settled his unease, he heard the distinctive sound of swords clashing ahead of him. Instinct took over. He drew his bow and held an arrow in his off hand. Spurring Epona into a gallop, he made for the noise as quickly as Epona could carry him.
Rounding a bend, he saw a caravan with its driver missing their head and the horses panicking. The gruesome sight didn't faze him, but then he saw two men facing off. A panicked looking man was doing his best to defend against a series of brutal attacks from a muscular masked man. He also noticed two others climbing into the back of the wagon. Slowing Epona to a steady pace, he knocked his arrow and slowed his breathing. Adjusting his aim slightly and picturing his target in his minds eye, he loosed the arrow. It pierced straight through the muscular man's sword hand as he stepped back and fell to his knees screaming. The panicked man seized the advantage and stabbed the full length of his blade through the mans neck. The two others in the back came out and rushed the man who was not prepared, but Link was. He loosed another arrow and this one found its mark in the nearest attackers gut. A painful blow, but the caravan guard lunged with his blood stained blade and pierced the man's skull. He went limp in a split second. The remaining attacker gave into his fury and rushed straight into the lone defender, knocking him to the ground and winding him. With the defender down, the attacker drew a short crossbow and aimed it towards Link. By the time he raised the weapon, another arrow from Link hit the front of the crossbow, knocking out of his hand and back into his face. He shouted in pain as he held his now broken nose, but by then it was too late. Link had finally caught up and with a powerful swing of the Master Sword, sliced straight through his neck, sending his head spinning through the air.
As his body collapsed, Link brought Epona to a stop and quickly dismounted her. He ran for the guard who had just gotten back to his feet. Seeing the dead bodies, the guard sheathed his sword and caught his breath. Link offered him his canteen, which he drank deeply from.
Wiping his mouth the guard finally managed to speak.
"Link... I don't quite believe my luck. Thanks for the assist there. Could have gone very differently..."
"It's fine. Sometimes you get lucky." he shrugged. "Who are you and who were they?"
"The Name is Karlsman. I was hired to protect the caravan here. These poor fools though? I can't rightly say. They attacked swiftly and were well co-ordinated. Let me check on our passenger though..." he said as he moved to the back of the caravan.
Link was relieved to see a smile on his face. Once he stepped around the corner though, he saw another dead body. This of an old man dressed in expensive looking robes, his throat cut.
"So... you're happy?" Link asked, rightly confused.
"What?" Karlsman said, his smile gone. "No...No I'm not".
He looked back over the body, then back to Link.
"This was my first job freelancing. Guard the VIP they said! It's only to Lake Hylia and back they said... What in the goddesses name do I do now?" he muttered.
Link knew defeat personally. How it felt when everything was spiraling beyond his own control. He had hated it. But he had Midna to encourage him on. Time to help, he thought.
"Listen. You were outnumbered there and this was a carefully planned attack. They sent their best fighter to keep you busy whilst the weaker two crept in the back... and you appear to have been the only guard. Was that man your employer?"
"Yes..."
"Then he expected trouble and only brought one guard... Doesn't strike me as wise."
Karlsman looked thoughtful.
"Well...true I guess". He paused for a moment then looked straight at Link. "How would you have handled that, if I could ask..."
"React as best as I could. Thing is... I'm quite experienced with a sword. You can only get experienced by carrying on, no matter how hard it gets."
"I suppose I have a ways to go before I get near your abilities. But listen, I'm really grateful for your help here. Could I ask for help once more?" he looked, trying to keep his composure.
"With what?" Link asked
"Could you please escort me back to Castle Town? I'll need to...report what happened" he said, with the colour draining from his face.
"I was heading there myself. So yes. But what about the driver and the man in the back? I could help you bury them?"
Karlsman sighed, but steeled himself and nodded to Link.
Over the course of the next hour, the two retrieved the bodies and dug two graves near a tree in the canyon. They didn't bother digging any for the dead robbers. Link retrieved the poor drivers head. He also fashioned a burial marker from two branches and planted them over the fresh Earth. Standing before the makeshift graves, Karlsman knelt and uttered a payer to the goddesses. Soon after, Link helped soothe the horses who had a new master. Karlsman didn't seem experienced with steering a large carriage, so Link rode Epona at a steady pace nearby and offered guidance where he could.
The trip took them another hour, during which Link managed to learn the Karlsman was quite skilled with a sword and had actually helped to repel some of the Bulbins during the attack on the Royal palace. Link noticed he seemed to be lacking confidence and tried to offer swordplay advice.
"...and if you have to use two hands on your sword, you'd better make sure that there are no archers nearby. I can guarantee that you don't want to take an arrow." he explained.
Karlsman listened attentively and did his best to remember the advice.
Eventually, they arrived in the town stables where they dismounted. Karlsman took his effects and some items from the carriage.
"Again...thank you. I'll mention what you did in my report. Hopefully I can still find work after this."
"Remember, you were outnumbered against people who were skilled and had planned this attack." Link said plainly. " You can't always get the results you want, but you can learn from them. There's something incredibly good about this though..."
Karlsman raised an eyebrow.
"You're still alive." Link said, with a small smile. Karlsman returned a bigger one.
The two parted ways, waving each other off. Sighing, Link really felt like having some of Telmas drinks, so he made his way to the underground bar. It was mid-day when he opened the solid door, the smell of ale and the sound of happy patrons greeted him.
"Link! Welcome back sweetie!"
Telmas voice could cut through the loudest din, but the patrons didn't seem to mind.
Link waved to her and walked straight to the bar.
"It's good to see you Telma. Could I have an ale?"
She winked at him and set about pouring from a set of kegs behind her. A moment later, a chilled glass sparkled with an amber liquid in front of him. He placed several yellow rupees on the bar.
"Oh do you want me to open a tab sweetie?" she asked happily.
He nodded.
"Please"
She smiled, pocketed the rupee and leaned over to Link.
"So tell me, where did you end up going?"
She was always eager to hear about what he had been up to, listening with rapt attention. Link felt comfortable around her. Talking seemed to be natural to her, so maybe he could share a little. Just a little. Hopefully she had some insights.
"Well... think of wherever you most want to be, and then imagine the complete opposite.
I found these...materials in the desert and want to learn more about them. I want to speak to Shad if he's around".
"He'll be here soon. He always stops to see me for lunch. Sometimes Ashei too!".
Link's face lost its emotion. He had almost forgotten. Shad and Ashei had fallen in love with each other during the battle of Hyrule Castle. He thought he would feel despair, hearing about others finding love. Whilst it did hurt a bit, he found himself somewhat happy... and proud of the two of them. They deserved each other and had managed to survive despite the immense danger.
Link sat and spoke with Telma for a while, catching up. She kept on mentioning Renado, hoping she would be able to see him again. Link smiled a little. Despite his own miserable situation, other people were making progress how they could. He started thinking of Midna again. Only this time, it wasn't in a memory. He was thinking of what he could say to her if he managed to build a portal of his own. He played out many different variations and imagined her responses. He thought of happy reunions, dramatic ones and the look of shock on her face when he would step into the Twilit Palace.
Shaking his head, he brought himself out of his daydream.
"Link honey? Are you alright?" Telma asked, a little worried for the hero.
"Yeah...just daydreaming..." he said as he stared into space, drinking from his flagon.
Telma narrowed her eyes a little.
"If you say so dear." She eyed him a little while longer.
Then she said something that caught him off guard.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll see her again" she said with a coy wink.
Link was taken aback. He had never told Telma about Midna, he was also fairly certain the resistance members wouldn't have mentioned her either. It was common courtesy after all.
"How...did you..." he stammered.
Quietly, she leaned closer to his ear.
"The second I mentioned Shad and Ashei, you looked like you got lost in your mind. Only someone you loved and lost could make you look like that, sweetie. Plus, you've been buying some of my strongest drinks. Normally, someone only does that if they need to...focus on something else."
Link turned a little red. Was he really so easy to read?
As if to answer his next question, Telma spoke again.
"I know exactly how it feels you know. I had a husband once, you see."
She looked lost in her thoughts. Is this how he had looked to her a moment ago?
"If... you don't mind my asking-"
"He was a Sergeant in the Royal Army. He fell in battle about fifteen years ago. To this day, I don't know how he died. Just that the Captain of his division hand delivered me the letter of condolence, promising me he had died as a hero in the line of duty".
She spoke flatly but Link felt like he was suddenly a lot closer to Telma than he had been in the past.
"Telma..."
She held up her hand briefly.
"Don't you go worrying about me now, you hear? I've made peace with it as much as I can. I do still miss him, but I'm still grateful for the years we shared".
She poured herself one of the nicer Hylian Whiskeys.
"It's part of the reason I run this place you know. I hear sad stories similar to mine and I give people a chance to let it out or just unwind. I didn't get that myself at the time and really wish I had. So...", she gestured around, "Telmas Bar!"
She flashed a warm smile and leaned in closer once again.
"I bet that's why you've been looking so down this past year hmm?"
Link was surprised at how perceptive she had been. He nodded, looking to the floor whilst feeling a little ashamed. He had been so focused on seeing Midna again that he had never considered other people close to him had similar feelings. This time, he felt her hand cup his chin and lifting it up gently. He looked her in the eyes.
"I bet that whatever happened between you two was so upsetting, that it literally made your chest hurt. Well honey, if you have some way to see her again or apologise or even just write her letters, do it. I assure you, it's better than letting your heart get cut into ribbons."
Link felt stupid. He had thrown away a letter that Midna had left behind for him whilst he was hurt. He rationalised that there was nothing he could do. Didn't help him stop from feeling like an idiot. What a treasure that letter would have been...
Currently it was the alcohol and hearing Telma's advice. Link felt tears welling up in his eyes again. He hadn't felt so touched in a long time. The last time he felt so good was when Midna had kissed him as he lay in recovery from his battle with Ganondorf. Telma's smile widened and she planted a kiss on his forehead. Then she topped up his drink.
"You can see her again, right?" she asked.
Link smiled wholeheartedly. "Not right now. But if I speak to Shad, I think I might be able to."
Telma smiled enough to show her teeth slightly. Link, just imagining the possibilities, felt like he had a new purpose.
"I... feel like you just lifted a chunk of weight off of me, Telma. I promise I'll never drink anywhere but here from now on. Unless that was your aim to begin with?" he said, winking back at her.
She laughed deeply. Link still couldn't forget how much it had hurt him when Midna had left. But now, it didn't seem to feel as hopeless. All he had to do was carry on. As if right on cue, the bar door opened. Shad and Ashei walked in together. Looking over at the bar, their eyes became as wide as plates. Wasting no time, they practically tripped over each other to get to the bar first.
Ashei, the more relentless one, made it first. She threw her arms around Link and gave him a bear hug. Link managed to pat her back a couple of times before he started having trouble breathing. Luckily, she let go.
"I don't believe it! It's so good to have you back!" she said happily.
Realising how open she was being, she wiped the smile from her face then regained her composure and spoke calmly.
"Hello."
Link held off laughing but smiled.
"And you Ashei. It's been too long". Standing himself, he leaned around her. "Shad. Don't think I forgot about you" he said, smiling just the same at him.
Returning a wider and toothy smile, he walked over and shook Links hand energetically.
"Link, old boy! I cannot begin to describe how marvellous it is to see you once more."
Link suppressed another laugh. His mannerisms, although eccentric, brought a level of sophistication to their conversations.
"Same to you".
They then greeted Telma who was equally as happy to have her old friends back under her roof again.
They all sat at the bar and started catching up.
Shad and Ashei had moved in to a house together a few months ago and seemed to be enjoying themselves. For their service to Hyrule during the Twilight crisis, Shad had been appointed as custodian of the Royal Library. He spent his days organising all of the collected knowledge available to the realm. The book of the Sky language he had was copied several times and had ignited the passions of several young academics who had dedicated themselves to learning the language. He had said he had never had such a satisfying job before.
Ashei had to cut him off as he started listing all of the interesting books he had found over the past week.
She had received a just reward too. She had been appointed as a Scout master to the Royal army and was responsible for training new recruits in reconnaissance. She had relished the challenge too. Apparently the standards of the Royal army had improved significantly since she had been training them. Link was particularly pleased to hear this. During the Twilight crisis, he hadn't seen the Royal army anywhere and the ones he did see hadn't seemed to be capable of much. He wondered how the military had managed to decline so much during the crisis but realised it was no longer important.
Telma had been running her bar, as always, and shared several interesting stories she had overheard from her patrons.
Link shared bits and pieces of what he had been up to. He managed to avoid telling them about the drunken stupor he had been drinking himself into, losing his virginity to Ilia one stupid night and leaving Ordon behind without so much as a word. He told them he had been to the desert to look for 'something' and was going to ask Shad about it later on. He found himself relaxing for the first time in a long time and wanted to savour the moment.
It was late in the evening when they decided to get some food together. Telma left the bar to go and prepare 'something nice' for them all. Something had looked like it was bothering Ashei.
"Ash? Something bothering you?" Shad asked curiously.
"Well...Link, I was hoping to ask you something actually."
"Sure. What is it?"
"I don't know what you're up to these days, but would you be able to come to the Army training grounds one day? I'd like it if you'd be willing to spar with me in front of some trainees. Maybe give them some pointers of swordplay and the like. I think it could be a huge help to them if the Hero of the Twilight crisis was there to offer some actually useful advice..." she said, turning more red with each word.
Link raised his eyebrows. He hadn't considered what he could do whilst back in Castle Town. He knew that Shad would probably need time to look over the materials he found. But that left him with free time. He knew that would bring about misery once again, having time to think.
"That actually sounds pretty good! I'm probably going to be in town for a while, so yes. Tell me when and where."
Ashei smiled happily and quickly wiped her face of emotion as she focused on the details. Link had liked that about her. She was focused when she needed to be. He imagined that her training the new army recruits was a natural fit.
She asked him to come to the castle gates at dawn the next day. She would meet him there and explain more about what she had planned for the day.
Right after explaining herself, Telma arrived with an enormous platter of food. Cucoo meat breaded and fried, a pot of vegetable soup, some fresh bread, fresher salad and mushroom skewers. Shad paid her with a red rupee and the three let their appetites take over them. Each bite Link took warmed him and tasted incredible.
Eventually, the platter got smaller and smaller until a few crumbs and leaves of lettuce remained. Everyone leaned back on their chairs and stayed quiet for a while, the food having wiped away their energy. Telma, timing it perfectly, brought a pot of coffee over to them and then sat with them as she poured the dark brew out for everyone.
Link hadn't tried coffee before, but the smell drew him in. Drinking it, he marvelled at its rich taste. Moments later, he felt refreshed.
They all talked a little while longer until eventually, Link felt the need to speak to Shad and explain his plan.
"Everyone? Want to hear about why I'm here?" he asked.
They all leaned in and listened intently. After all Link had done for them and indeed Hyrule itself, they wanted to help however they could.
He told them about Midna, the Twilight realm and the broken mirror. He felt dirty sharing such personal information, but around them, he felt like he could finally get it out. Plus, he did want help.
He started with how Midna had appeared to him back when his adventure first began. He left out the part about being able to turn into a wolf, as he didn't feel like answering hundreds of questions all night. But he carried on. He explained how she had been cold and demanding at first. But as time went on, she started to seem more friendly and open. He remarked he had noticed it first when he was in the Lakebed temple, recovering from a jellyfish sting.
Carrying on, he kept to the essential details such as how they had travelled the land and how their bond had grown deeper with each day. Eventually, he got to describing the aftermath of his battle with Ganondorf. He tried to spare the details of his wounds and his recovery. He remembered feeling like he was dying most of the way through it and was not eager to remember any of it.
Feeling embarrassed, he then told them how he had woken briefly from his long recovery and Midna had kissed him. Despite the warm atmosphere, the friends that cared for him and Telma's wonderful service, Link felt his gut clench as he described it.
He could remember the sensation of her lips touching his, how it felt like time had stopped and his wounds had stopped hurting as pure elation took over him. With difficulty, he told them of when Midna had outright told him that she didn't love him. How utterly injured she was saying it, but also that he had recently figured out she had lied.
Finally, he finished his abridged story with Midna leaving through the Mirror of Twilight, shattering it behind her.
"...and that was the last time I saw her...about a year ago now." Link sighed as he finally got the last of his story out. "I spent a fair bit of time moping until I felt so frustrated with doing nothing, that I thought travelling would at least distract me."
His throat dry and feeling miserable, he poured himself another coffee and drank the whole cup in one go.
Putting the cup down, he looked back up and was shocked by what he saw. Ashei had tears in her eyes that she was desperately trying to wipe away.
Shad's face painted such a level of sadness that Link actually felt worse for telling the story.
Telma meanwhile was crying softly into a handkerchief.
"Uh... I'm...sorry..." he stuttered. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad".
Telma was the first to speak as everyone tried to rush and dismiss what Link had said.
"Oh Link...I knew I was right earlier... but I never thought it would have been this bad..."
Ashei barely managed to stifle a sob. Hiding her face, she wiped away her tears. Looking back up, she got straight to the point.
"Why did she leave?". Link had wondered and agonised over this for a long time. "Through all of...that? Only to throw it away at the end? I just don't get it." she concluded.
"Well, she is a princess. Zelda herself has to put the people before her own desires as royalty." Shad suggested, but Link felt his gut tighten, anxiety threatening to grip him and convince him that seeing Midna again was a hopeless endeavour.
"She probably had her reasons, but after everything we went through, I'm not about to just give up".
Link needed to distract himself, so he reached into his pack and pulled out several pouches.
Placing them neatly on the table and unfolding the wrapped cloths.
"Here..." he pointed to several sharp looking bits of glass. "These are fragments of the Mirror of Twilight. And these...", he pointed to several chunks of stone, "...are what the Mirror projected its portal on to.
There are other things at the Arbiters Grounds that may be of importance, but these two things are the most important that I could think of."
His throat getting dry, he took a sip of his drink.
"Long story short? I want to build a new portal to the Twilight Realm."
All three of his friends were looking intently at the pieces of mirror and the stone. Telma was rolling a piece of the stone between her fingers, going through all of her basic senses to learn what she could. Link couldn't manage a smile after explaining the miserable conclusion of his time with Midna, but he was grateful that she had immediately tried to learn what she could.
Shad was toying with a piece of the mirror and holding it up against a candle on the table. The reflected light glinted all over the table and his face. Then he tapped it on another piece, trying to learn what he could like Telma had.
Link managed to finish his ale when Shad eventually spoke again.
"Dear boy, you have delivered quite the mystery to me..." he said, scratching his head.
"Worry not though. There's only so much I can learn by touching it. If it's alright, would you mind if I took these samples to be investigated? My position allows me to access some of the finest minds in Hyrule. As well as means of having them tested more thoroughly".
Link nodded.
"I know this is a lot to ask. I can pay for your services if-"
Shad put his hand up.
"Not in this life or any other." Telma said loudly.
Ashei smirked a little.
He felt a little overwhelmed. Through his adventure, he had collected an incredible amount of rupees. He had to buy several different wallets to accommodate the sheer volume of them. Plus, Zelda had given him a very generous amount as part of her thanks for his service to the Kingdom. He would never need to worry for money again. Now, frustratingly, it appeared to be useless.
Still, his friends all looked at him, eager to try and help however they could.
He couldn't help but smile a little, lightening his spirits.
"Thank you...seriously. You have no idea how big this is for me."
"Of course! But don't thank me yet, dear boy. I still have to investigate it before we can even think of building a portal. I'm afraid that I can't give you an honest estimate of the time this will take... for which, I apologise". This time, Link held his hand up.
"You've told me that you'll look into it and that is a huge step in the right direction. Remember, this ends with us building a portal to the Twilight realm. If you have even a daydream that's insightful, please let me know."
Shad nodded with enthusiasm.
"It was built once, so it can be built again. Lets just hope we don't have to be goddesses to make it work eh?", Ashei contributed.
Link considered the thought but shrugged it off.
"Well, at least we have a lead". He got up from his seat, withdrawing a red rupee. "Telma, I could do with a place to stay. Any spare rooms upstairs?"
Telma, swiftly got to her feet. Learning how to build a portal may have been beyond her, but she was still going to help however she could.
"Of course, sweetie! Let me just..."
At that moment, the bar door crashed open as several soldiers poured in.
The leader, wearing a red sash over his armour, spoke aloud to all the patrons. Their attention was nowhere else.
"We need all able bodied men, right now! There's a huge fire spreading through Faron Woods and we have to stop it."