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sheikxlink_fcTitle: Watch
Series: Legend of Zelda OoT, Majora's mask
Pairings/Characters: Link/Sheik fluff Malon, Talon, Ingo, Skull Kid, Dark!Link (Cethin)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Total: 3,204
Warnings: Humour, violence, character death, SLIGHT angst... would you call it this but... shota(?) (Child Link fluffy with Child Sheik)
Summary/Quotation:
The hero was said to save many lives, and it was said that I saved his life many times, the only thing that was forgotten was how he saved my life. Although, it was only he who knew, only he who remembered, and in order to tell the story properly, I need to start from where it began. It wasn't when the boy-man emerged from the Chamber of Sages, nor was it when he fought the parasite within the Deku Tree. It began with the second nightmare of Princess Zelda, and before Link acquired the Ocarina of time. It was when Ganon began his attack.
Chapter: 06
When we arrived at Lon Lon Ranch, the sun had just set. Link seemed to be rushing however, and I think it was because he thought I couldn’t handle myself. It had to be because of my death. He’s so paranoid that he’ll lose me here too… It was touching, yes, but also becoming slightly annoying. I could handle myself! Especially against some stalchildren!
“Comon She…ena.” Link said with some hesitance.
I rolled my eyes at the unfamiliar name but followed Link. We had decided to use a different name for the time being due to the fact that Sheik wasn’t exactly a common name among Hylians, nor was it exactly feminine. Luckily, due to the fact that my ears were just long enough, that I could pass off as a Hylian. Of course, my ears weren’t as long as Link’s but, he told me that ear sizes vary. I idly touched my ear at the thought of that. Impa’s ears weren’t as long as mine and she was my aunt…
“Sheena!” Link yelled and I sighed and picked up my – Malon’s – skirt and ran towards him.
“You know Link–”
“Link!” Malon yelled as she ran towards us and looked at me with a slight pause. “Oh! Who is this?”
Why is it that whenever Malon sees me, she utters ‘Oh!’? I thought before bowing lightly. “Pardon our intrusion.” I said and I raised my voice ever-so-slightly.
“Ah, well she found me on my journey. She says she has some family in Kakariko, but as you see it’s too dark to head over there right now. I do feel bad for asking, but can we stay the night?”
“I’m sure Dad will say yes, these are harsh times after all.”
I winced. I was helping that happen, and neither of them knew it. I was helping Ganon destroy the land and its people. Nobody could know of the dirty deeds the Sheikah have done. All that surrounds my people needed to be hidden in shadows, because some of those deeds were darker than the shadows that hid them.
Malon had returned with her father who had a smile on his face.
“I hope you find our quaint ranch accommodating.” He spoke to me.
“Any shelter is better than none.” I said sweetly. “However, I’m certain that your ranch is quite lovely. Thank you for having us.” Why did females have to act like this? I preferred being a male…
Talon took us to his dinner table, and I was able to glance at the house in more detail than before. It was made for four people, and I presumed that the fourth person was Malon’s mother. I did not know much about this family, so I did not know if Malon’s mother left or she was deceased. Regardless, it was not my business, and I didn’t want to know – in case that knowledge slipped back to when I believed that I was loyal to Ganondorf.
“We were just making supper. You came just in time!”
However, I noticed a flaw in our plan. It was fine when it was just Link and me but when eating around other people, I couldn’t simply take off my mask and turn around.
So, when I stared at the food in dismay while everybody began to eat, it was only expected when Malon asked, “Sheena?”
“Why won’t you eat sweetie? You can take off that mask to eat can’t you?” Talon asked gently.
I had to come up with something quick – but I couldn’t lie. “Well… it’s custom where I’m from to show as little of your person as possible…” Sheik started. “A-And when he attacked, I was separated from my family. I know my aunt was heading towards Kakariko Village, and I met Link.”
“Oh! I know!” Malon burst out. “Sheena you can eat in my room. Com’on!” Malon grabbed my hand and a plateful of food before rushing me off to her room.
I looked at her as she shut her door and locked it, looking around cautiously. “Sheik – oh, I guess I should call you Sheena now, but I want to warn you about something. Ingo has been acting weird ever since two old ladies came by and asked for shelter. He’s… he looked at a cucoo funny for a bit and last week we had to burry it… Dad says that the cucco had to go… but it was healthy and happy. He has been looking at you funny ever since you came here as Sheena. I don’t want him to do anything to you, so I’m going to see if you can sleep in my room tonight. My door has a lock and only Dad knows where the extra key is. Dad will be okay with it, I know!” Malon winked at me with a smile on her face. “I’ll let you eat though and I’ll ask Dad.” She said and rushed back down to the kitchen table.
I winced at those words, something definitely wasn’t right with Ingo. Two old ladies? Didn’t Ganondorf’s “mothers” come to the castle recently? So it’s true that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree… The Twin Rova sisters couldn’t be his biological mothers (or at least one of them) since they claimed to be a couple centuries old… but still. I sighed though, because I was helping those of malicious intentions secure their hold on Hyrule. Nobody, nothing was safe from them. Guilt filled me because even though I knew that what I was doing was for the greater good, it still caused all of this. It caused the sorrow on Malon’s innocent, pure face. I didn’t know if I was redeemed of my sins because I was ensuring that Hyrule had a fighting chance in the future, and I suppose I would only know when I died…
Another wince graced my masked features. I will die, and sooner than I had expected. That was why Link was here, wasn’t it? To stop my premature death. Of course, in my line of duty, I knew that death always crept around the corner, but I still felt some shock at the prospect of it being set in stone. I would never see that my wrongs were righted; I would never see the fruits of my treacherous labour…
That is, unless Link and I succeeded in our quest to kill Cethin. Was it wrong to sacrifice a life for my own? Was it wrong to kill for what seems best? One life for a thousand? No… two My mind corrected. I still remember the look of terror on the woman’s face. And there will probably be dozens more… I couldn’t help that fact, I couldn’t deny my heritage. I was a warrior within the shadows, I was a pawn for the light. Although I did resent that, I had come to terms with it. It was no wonder why Impa found it easy to convince me that I hated the royal family…
I have to admit that the idea of really playing my role, of changing sides, had crossed my mind often within these past few days, I cannot deny that the taste of potential promise of freedom on my lips was appealing. To truly be Ganondorf’s lackey, to never have to answer to another again… But then I realized how much of a risk that Impa and Zelda had by giving me – a child – such a mission. They probably already knew that there was a potential that I would disobey them.
And then an ominous thought darkened my mind. Was that why I died... was it because I had no other option… was it because they had found out? Did Link come here on his free will, unknowingly letting a beast live when it should die? My body shook in fear before I drove the thought from my mind. It couldn’t be that. What life would I have after betraying Hyrule?
Malon had returned and I forced a smile on my face – not at all feeling the emotion – and she immediately bombarded me with questions.
Now I knew why Navi complained last night…
.+++.
That night I asked Malon for a few favours: to bring both Link and myself to visit the horses and to try and convince her father to let us use the horses to quickly get us to Kakariko Village. The former wasn’t all too difficult, because apparently Link was friends with one of the horses, and with the grin that the girl gave me in relation to the lending of horses reassured me that she had her father wrapped around her little finger but it also disturbed me. Girls are scary.
In the morning, I had the chance to meet Link’s horse-friend. From far away, I was scared of her. She was just a filly but the way she reacted to Ingo was very dangerous. Why was such a horse still alive on the ranch? Usually people would put down a horse if it was that disobedient. But as Malon approached the roan-coloured horse there was a calamity that overcame it. “And Sheik, this is Epona.”
Link’s face lit up as the filly approached us – him – and then Epona nuzzled his neck. “Hey there girl.” The would-be hero said with a giggle.
Friends? I thought and blinked at the scene before me. Malon said that he only met Epona once and yet the horse knows exactly who he is… And even more, she treats Link like she would treat a master…
“Wow Link!” Apparently, I wasn’t the only one amazed and Malon continued. “Epona’s sure warmed up to you since your last visit!”
Link smirked and gently rubbed the filly’s mane.
I don’t know why I reached out my hand out to Epona, but Malon gripped my arm. “I wouldn’t do that Sheena. Epona’s quite the wild one.”
The animal looked me over with what seemed to be curiosity in her eyes before sniffing at my hand – an action that surprise Malon. Then, Epona looked off to the side and snorted.
The action set Link off into a rolling laughter. As he calmed himself, he said, “It’s alright She-ena. I think Epona just said that she’d put up with you.”
I blinked and raised an eyebrow before realizing too late that it wasn’t shown. However at Link’s reassuring gaze, I trusted him. Upon the contact of my hand upon her mane, I realized that Link was right. It did seem that Epona was simply putting up with me.
“Wow.” Malon observed. “Other than Link and me – you’re the only one that Epona will allow to touch her. With her it’s usually love or hate, and more than likely hate. This is the first time that I’ve seen her simply put up with another person.”
Link had this knowing smirk on his face and I wondered what it was about it. I’d ask him about it later. First we’d need to get my horse and convince Talon, but something told me neither task would be too difficult to achieve.
.+++.
“So remind me again why we’re riding towards Kakariko Village and not The Lost Woods which – if I may state – is our destination.” I said with a frown.
“I can’t remind you because I haven’t told you yet.” Link said and smirked.
I swear – he hasn’t changed since the Epona incident. “Fine, tell me.”
Link smiled as he looked at me and the reason of my irritation. Malon was the one who informed me that it was unlady-like to be riding a horse in a dress without shorts or something similar underneath. And seeing that I was just going to Kakariko Village there was no need to borrow Malon’s only riding leathers that were made to fit her. There was also the fact that the only other clothes I had would just ruin our attempts at disguise, so I had to ride side saddle.
“Because both you and I hate lying Sheik, not to mention that it would be suspicious. We can get to the Lost Woods through Goron City though, so just think of it as a detour.” Link said with a less-cocky smirk than before.
Okay, there was something Link was leaving out. “And?”
Link sighed. “And I don’t want to enter the village again. When I went there… they mocked me.”
His mood had fallen and Link seemed distraught. I decided I didn’t like seeing that expression on his face – it was worse than that cocky, knowing smirk. Much more so.
“Hey Link?” I asked in an attempt to change the topic because I didn’t know how to comfort Link. When I got his attention, I asked another question. “Why did you find Epona’s reaction to me so funny?” Even if it would be at my expense… if Link could smile again I’d do it. And once I saw the smile return to Link’s face, I felt myself smile. Yes, it was definitely better when Link smiled.
“Ah… well,” a small chuckle escaped Link, “that’s how Epona treats you in the future. It took her awhile to get used to you – but she learned that she just had to put up with you. So, I think she remembers the future.”
Link’s words gave me something to think about. Epona had to grow accustomed to me? Did that mean I was around Link a lot? But… I was only to be his guide – not his companion. Perhaps was that why Link is so upset with my death?
“Ah.” I said, trying to distract both myself and him from my musings.
If I had succeeded in distracting Link, I wouldn’t know because Link fell quiet and we continued our way to Kakariko. Upon reaching the staircase Link had dismounted Epona and motioned me to do the same. “We’re going to have to walk with them until we reach the Lost Woods.” Despite his earlier quietness, Link had a smile on his face.
Yet, I still found that smile not quite true, and I didn’t know what was really bothering Link. Navi really only spoke when necessary, and asking outright didn’t seem very probable. So with a silent nod from me, we continued on. I don’t know if Link felt it, but to me the air was tense. What was bothering this child-hero, this hero-from-the-future? Was he always like this when something was bothering him and if I was his companion in the future, what did I do when he was like this? Did I ignore it, did I help, did I somehow encourage it? I didn’t know if I had remembered what I was supposed to do, or if I was still under the illusion that was my guise. The duo from the future never gave me any hints…
Link wasn’t entirely silent though, but when he spoke, it was only when he had to. He still had that smile on his face but even that fell once the Gorons suggested that he visit ‘Big Brother’. Link had declined politely at the offer, saying something about an important quest.
By then, my worry was becoming too much. I had to speak up. “Link?” I reached out my hand and put it on his shoulder but he ignored both my question and my hand. Didn’t Link say comfort was holding another? Why was he walking away from the contact? I just wanted to help…
“It’s over here.” Link’s voice even sounded solemn now, all pretences had vanished after that ‘Big Brother’ was mentioned.
Whatever was bothering Link had to deal with that ‘Big Brother’, I was sure of it. Once again, I reached out for contact, and this time I wouldn’t let Link ignore it. I don’t know why I wanted to see Link smile again, but somehow it felt better to have Link smiling. Perhaps it was because Link was the hero, and I didn’t want him to be preoccupied with emotions, perhaps it was for an entirely different reason, but the fact remained that I wanted to comfort him, I wanted him to feel better, I wanted him to smile again. My hand grasped his wrist and gripped it tightly. “Okay Link. What is it?” I looked sternly into his eyes once he turned to look at me in question. Even if he could not see my eyes, even if the mask covered my expression, I think he felt it.
When Link smiled it was mostly false – but I saw some truth behind it, a glimmer or something and it gave me a spark of hope. He shook his head before he gestured to the tunnel and then his hand twisted and grasped my wrist.
I knew that I should have coiled at his tight grip, but something told me that I should let him do it. (Although there was also the fact that I didn’t want to remove my hand from his wrist.)
The walk out of the mountain, through the tunnel, and into the woods was a short one – even though logically it should be much longer.
“Sheik.” Link turned and offered another one of his weak smiles. “Be wary of the forest. Do not listen to it, stay with me. This place is called the Lost Woods for a reason. If you want, you can change back into your normal clothes as well – Ganondorf’s influence shouldn’t have come here just yet.” Link reached into his magic pouch again and handed me the clothes. “Only those who know the forest can traverse the maze and are safe. The Kokori tend to stay in the village, so we are fine to be ourselves here and we are fine to speak freely.”
Why did it seem that whenever something was bothering Link, he always acted like an adult, and yet when he was having fun he was a child? Was this because he had to accept responsibility so quickly, that he held so many burdens on his shoulders? Was this because the only times he had fun were as a child, and as an adult there was only pain and sorrow? I took the clothes from his hand and let go of his hand. Link, in turn, had let go and looked off in a different direction. I appreciated that he respected my privacy.
“It’s alright now Link.” I said once my clothes were back on my body. The small smile that appeared on his face at my usual attire was unexpected, but it was nice. It was no longer fake. It was genuine. I handed the clothes and the mask over to Link, although slightly worried. Why was Link happy to see me in my clothes? Was it because he couldn’t immediately recognize me, that he couldn’t be one-hundred percent sure that it was me following him? Did my death affect him that much? Honestly, I couldn’t tell how well the would-be hero was dealing with the fact that I had died – that I would die again if we don’t do something. The only thing I knew was that he desired revenge, that he desired to save me. Revenge… revenge entailed killing Cethin, but if Cethin killed me and Link is here…. Suddenly my stomach felt uneasy. Cethin was already dead once, and we had to kill him again…. I pushed away the emotions, I pushed away the thoughts. Link, I had to concentrate on Link, and there was something bothering him. I needed to comfort him.
When Link placed the clothes into the bag, my hand shot out and took hold of his hand. My grip was not tight, it was not rough, it was practically nonexistent, but it was there. Contact – I was trying. “Can we talk about it now?” I asked softly. Soft – I was gentle.
Something twitched at the corners of Link’s mouth. “I guess.” He said before me guided me over to a hollowed out tree trunk and sat down. He still held my hand as I sat down beside him, our horses standing nearby. “I remembered when Epona was searching for you after you…” He trailed off, not wanting to say my future fate. “And then, when the Gorons suggested that I see Darunia, I couldn’t. Yet, I also couldn’t tell them why… It would hurt them to hear it, and it still hurts me to think about it. But if I actually saw him… the pain would be too much – in my time he’s gone… I couldn’t save him, I can never save him.” Link’s other hand came out to encase my hand within both of them. “But I can save you.”
I couldn’t help but smile at Link’s words. The sensation that filled me at his sentiment… was it just happiness… was it something else? I brought my hand to the pile and squeezed his hand back. “Then let’s hurry up.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter: 07
We wandered for days and I worried for Zelda’s safety. What would she say to Ganondorf about Cethin? How would the dark king react? Especially considering what he had thought about the last time I was in his quarters… How much did Impa know of my past – and present – life? I knew that Impa did regular checks on my mind as I slept – or that I sent her information – but were the memories still travelling even now as I remembered everything?
Link didn’t share my fears or worries as he didn’t know (to my knowledge) and I wasn’t going to let him. Not only was it unsafe to speak the condemning words but it would also put a frown on that smiling face. Apparently my hypothesis on the clothes was correct – seeing that Link wasn’t as easily depressed like before. Yet the boy was determined. He wanted to get to Termina as soon as he could so he could kill Cethin so my death would be prevented. Speaking of Cethin…
The shadow was continually attempting to communicate with me. I could hear faint yet frantic fractions of words since he detected me in Lake Hylia. Each attempt had a strengthening fervour to it, and the feeling of fear just intensified – as did my guilt. No matter what Link said about Cethin, I just couldn’t believe him. Even though Cethin was a creature of darkness, he was still kind, he was still good. Sure, he had streaks of evil – but that was the cause of his upbringing, it was no fault of his! Cethin could still act nice, he could still be taught another way! Surely I could talk him out of it – I held a higher status than Ganondorf in Cethin’s mind, I was Master, I was a friend – Cethin was my friend.
I hated this! I didn’t want this! Not only was my childhood being ripped away, but my only friend in these dark times needed to be killed by my own hands! Why could I have been born a Hylian! Why was I a motherless Sheikah sworn to protect the royal family!
“Sheik?” A small but loud voice run out in the night air but I hardly heard it. “Sheik?” The voice repeated and was followed by hoof beats that broke the constant, dulled rhythm that was the background but even that went unnoticed. It took a hand on my shoulder to break me from my darkening thoughts. “Sheik what’s wrong?” The voice was now concerned, fearful, and definitely Link’s.
Oh Goddesses! I can’t believe what I was just thinking! “I-I can’t… Look Link can we stop for a rest? I think this endless searching is starting to bother me.” I just want to run away – from Cethin, from Link, from my duties, from my future – to anywhere but here and now…
The hand on my shoulder tightened. “Don’t listen to it Sheik. Ignore the forest, mute out its calls, resist its temptations. Concentrate your thoughts and your feet; find your own way lest you become lost. The woods may be pleasant but you still have a home. Remember your purpose, forget your desires. You are not the forest, nor is it you. Do not become one with it.” Link’s voice was soothing, it was alluring, and most of all it was distracting. I concentrated on it and my haze was fading. Clarity had returned, sensibility was renewed, and I became myself again. Yet I was still groggy and distracted from the alluring promises and the distasteful realities. I didn’t know whether to keep walking to or stop and rest.
And suddenly that didn’t seem to matter anymore – for both Link and I were thrown from out horses and our bodies were frisked over in out momentary stun. I heard the sound of a wind instrument followed by a giggle as I was regaining control over my body. The next sound I heard was a string vibrating in the air – my lyre! – and another impish chuckle. Adrenaline flared through my veins. Only a Sheikah had the right to play that instrument!
I pushed myself off the ground but I was quickly assaulted by fairies battering against my head. I swatted at them – and realized so was Link. The sound of rope and neighing hit my ears and caused more adrenaline to course through my body and I made a jump onto Filk’s – my horse’s – legs. I needed to get that lyre back! The future of Hyrule depended on it!
My eyes closed at the dirt and grass being kicked into my face, but I could hear many things – the rattling of wood and the creature flailed, the grunting of Link as he was attack by something, the clatter of Epona and Filk’s hooves beating the ground and the fluttering of the fairies wings as they hit my face and arms. Eventually my body took enough and my arms let go even as I told them not to. So I just lay there on the grass, heaving to get breath, shaking because of the adrenaline rush and aching on every inch of my body. I wanted to move, I wanted to follow, but not even a finger would listen to me. I was too battered and too exhausted after I had pushed myself beyond my limits.
I lied there for what had seemed hours – but probably five minutes at most – before I realized that I was not alone. Another was breathing beside me. “Link?” I ask, not bothering to turn away from the hypnotic and moonlit ceiling of leaves to glance at him.
“Heh heh…” The weak laughter escaped the young hero. “Apparently I’m not as strong as I thought I was. What’s your excuse?”
I couldn’t help the smile that graved my lips. “Adrenaline rush – enables the body but disables logic.”
Another small laugh. “So much for the Sheikah reasoning.”
I didn’t even try to restrain the laughter that left my lips – even if it did rattle my aching ribs. “What can I say, the body always finds a way to beat the system.”
When Link didn’t respond, I turned my head to look at him. He was sprawled out on his back like I was but he was looking away. I thought his ears were red but he stood up and brushed off the dust on his tunic before I could make sure. “We should probably follow the Skull Kid – he took our instruments and we need them.”
A little perplexed at the comment but agreeing with it, I followed suit. I looked around the meadow we were in to get my boundaries before I realized something.
“Where’s Navi?” Our two voices rang out at once. Dread filled me – and the gaze that I met – before both pairs of eyes violently tore from another to frantically glance elsewhere.
“Navi?” I called out – hearing an echo both in a voice that was not my own and one that was. My feet wandered, my eyes whipped from side to side as I searched. “Navi where are you? Navi!”
After another five minutes of searching we both returned to each other’s sides worry and fear replacing the earlier dread. We were lost in the Lost Woods without a fairy. While Link grew up in the forest, learned to resist its calls, he was still a Hylian. Navi may have been with him for the past waking year or so but she was not attuned to him like Kokiri and their fairies were. If Navi couldn’t find them and they couldn’t find Navi they were stuck. Stuck in the Lost Woods and prone to its calls, unable to save Hyrule, unable to save Zelda…
Lost Woods no fairy, Lost Woods no fairy…
“Sheik! Snap out of it!” Link’s voice shook him. “We just need to get our instruments back! Then I can get us out of here. I know songs – ones that you taught me – and I can get us to Lake Hylia or even Kakariko Village, but I need the Ocarina of Time first and that Skull Kid has it. So com’on!”
There was a small glow emitting from Link’s left hand – the Triforce Sheik realized immediately – and there was determination within the blue that was the hero’s eyes. Courage, Power, Wisdom… No, it was not Power – for Ganondorf had that – and the air about Link was not that of age-old knowledge. So it had to be the trait that all heroes needed. A fearlessness – no the ability to overcome that fear. Courage, Link had the power of Courage; he was Farore’s chosen; one of the forest. And suddenly things made sense. Sheik was not the guide of the Hero of Time, he was not the cryptic musician but he was the friend – the companion – of Link, and later a traitor to turn Link into Ganondorf so that his master could acquire the second piece of the Triforce. Oh Goddesses. No wonder I died…
I looked up at Link with sorrow and guilt in my eyes. I became his friend and then I died in his arms… was it the only way out? I didn’t know and I didn’t want to find out – but I would in seven years and I dreaded that day. Not only because it marked my death, but also because it marked my betrayal of Link. Whether I liked it or not, I had already become Link’s friend and I valued that friendship as much as I valued Cethin’s. One day I would have to choose between the two and because of Link’s interference to save my life, that day was seven years closer. Honestly, I wasn’t too sure what I would decide…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Title: Breathe
Series: Legend of Zelda OoT
Pairings/Characters: Link/Sheik fluff
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Total:
Warnings: Angst, Death-aspects
Summary/Quotation:
When he stopped breathing my world stopped spinning.
He was wet. He wasn’t moving. He was cold. He. Wasn’t. Breathing.
“No!” A shout echoed into the still air. Feet splashed the water as a man approached the unconscious one. “No! You can’t be!” His body was shaking, it was tensing. “I need you! We need you! Com’on! Don’t do this!” Fists were slammed into the soft, sandy soil in anger. “You can’t be dead!”
“Well if you don’t do something now he will be! He only just stopped breathing!” A frantic fairy flailed about. “Do something! Please!”
“There’s still a…” The sentence wasn’t finished as the man went to work. First he laid the unconscious man flat on his back; next he tilted the other’s head back and opened the airways. A mask was pulled down before a pair of lips joined and air was pushed out of one set to enter the other. Again, again, and again.
There was no pulse.
The man’s body shook in despair but he wouldn’t give up. His hands folded together and pushed down on the other’s chest. It was steady yet frantic, controlled yet desperate. “You can’t die, you can’t…” The words were whispered past slender lips. “Live!”
Not even the crickets were chirping, or the gulls cawing. It was dead silent save for the swoosh of breath leaving one pair of lungs into another, the steady thump, thump of hands artificially moving a sternum. Even the fairy silenced her wings – she could only watch in horror at the struggle for life between her master and his friend.
“Breathe dammit, breathe!” The words were fraught with emotion and paranoia, cracking, shaking, heightening. “Why won’t you breathe! Damn the Three!”
He wouldn’t give up – no not until there was absolute proof that the other was dead. “Please!” He pleaded to both the heavens and the man beneath him before joining their lips again and pushed more air into the still lungs. “Move! Respond!” He ordered as his hands forced the frozen chest to move. “Don’t die! Don’t you die on me! Not after everything!”
The small fae flew up to grab hold of the desperate arms. “We… we’re too late…” She whispered and shook her head. “He’s… he’s…”
“No…” He denied and shook the fairy off of his arms. “I need to keep trying! I can’t give up!” His hands moved one more to check the pulse but there still no response. “Com’on I know you can do this! Breathe!” A few more solid and quick breaths, more artificial heartbeats, anything to keep him alive, anything to keep the hope from dying. He wouldn’t let those shining eyes fade, that laughter be muted, that intelligent mind stop, the golden locks fade, he wouldn’t let his friend, his companion, his world die.
“Stop it! Don’t make him suffer more than he has to!” She shrieked, tugging on the hand that was potentially doing more harm than help anymore. “He’s dead! He’s dead!” There was a wet pit followed by a pat as small tears fell from her eyes and landed on the man’s skin.
“No!” His head rapidly turned from left to right. “He can’t be! Just once more… just once more…” He pleaded and the fae nodded. His breath caressed the blue-tinged lips. “Please.” He whispered before giving one last breath of life. Live!
But there was no reaction, no cough, no attempt to intake that air and exhale it. The man hung his head in defeat. He was lost… he was really…
Was that a moan?
His hands almost flew to the other’s neck and he could feel it – it was faint but it was still there – the distinct thump, thump of a pulse.
“He’s…” The man said with joy, relief, and even disbelief as he watched their chest slowly rise and fall on their own volition. He was careful as he moved his friend’s body onto its side and rearranged his limbs in the best position possible.
“Nnm—Ahk!” The man mumbled before he coughed up water. “…k is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me. Don’t talk. Just breathe.”
“‘urts…” He complained with a soft chuckle that turned into more water.
“Shhh.” The rescuer said and placed his finger onto the other’s lips. “It’s going to hurt – you almost… died.” Sorrow replaced the happiness on the other’s face.
The silence was solemn, and even the fae didn’t dare to speak. She just sat on one man’s shoulder, watching as the other slowly recovered – coughing, breathing, shivering.
“Navi, he needs a blanket. One of our packs should have one.” The man whose shoulder she sat on commented before standing up. “Get one for him – I’ll look for sticks for a fire and keep an eye on him.”
“Um… shouldn’t we remove his uhh…” Navi’s aura turned a reddish hue, “wet clothes first?”
“Right, get the blanket, I’ll remove his clothes and then search for wood.”
“I can…” The one lying on the ground tried, only to cough up more water.
“No you can’t, and no you won’t.” The words were said in a strict yet caring manner. “Just concentrate on breathing and clearing your lungs.” As he spoke, he knelt down and was careful in removing the clingy, wet fabric. “By the Three… you’re freezing.”
When Navi returned with the blanket he wasted no time in laying it over the other’s body. “Don’t fall asleep on me… Navi can you keep him awake?”
“Leave it to me.” Normally the fae would have chippered with those words, but this circumstance was far from cheerful. On the contrary it was dark and gloomy.
A few minutes later he returned and hastily started a fire – using the spark created by two blades. “Navi, how is he?”
“A little better, he’s coughed up quite a bit of water.”
A smile twitched to life on the man’s face. “Good.” He rummaged through two sets of bags – one that belonged to him and another set that was his friend’s. He set out the wet articles of clothing to sit by the fire and to dry. “How is his temperature?”
Navi’s light dimmed. “Not any better – I fear it may be getting worse.”
“Damn.” That smile faded and he glanced into the drooping eyes of his friend and grabbed out another blanket along with two cloaks before he faced the fire – and away from his companion. Then he proceeded to remove his own clothes, laid out one blanket before the fire and covered himself with the other cloths.
“What are you doing!” The fae exclaimed.
“He needs to get warmer – and the fastest way is to share my body heat.” There was no hesitation in his actions as he moved his groggy friend onto the blanket by the fire and then covering them with the other blanket and cloaks.
“…k? Why’re you…”
“Shh… just breathe, just live. Oh and don’t fall asleep.”
“But I’m…”
“I know you’re exhausted and mentally drained but you can’t sleep. I can’t risk losing you again…”
“Nmnmm…” He responded and a shudder travelled the length of his body. “...k, thank you.” There was still a drowsy slur to his words.
The other pulled his companion closer – whether it was in response to the words or the shudders was only known by him. “I only did what anybody else would do…” He whispered as he tried to dismiss is actions. He almost seemed embarrassed or humble.
“You’d be surprised…” The reply was just as quiet. “I’m actually rather alone… if you weren’t here…”
“But now you won’t. I’ll make sure of it.” He said and began to rub his hands along the length of the other’s arm – starting slow at first. “I’ll make sure you don’t freeze, that you don’t stop breathing, that you don’t fall asleep.”
The colder, weaker one could only sink into the other’s embrace to regain his lost heat. He could not fight it – if that was what he desired. “…k, what would you have done if I had actually…”
He was quiet for a few moments as the solemn expression fell even further. “In all honesty, I don’t know… You’re… you’re…”
There was yet another silence, and just as the saviour was about to question his friend’s lack of response, there was one. It was hopeful, it was almost pleading, and it could barely be heard even in the deathly silence that pervaded the night. “Somebody important?”
There was a chuckle – a laughter almost – but it was not dry. “No, not just that. You’re my world, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to save it.” He said before kissing the top of his beloved’s head. “But no more talking – just breathe.”
An exhale of breath was the only response.
Who ever thought a sigh would make the world spin once more?
Series: Legend of Zelda OoT, Majora's mask
Pairings/Characters: Link/Sheik fluff Malon, Talon, Ingo, Skull Kid, Dark!Link (Cethin)
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Total: 3,204
Warnings: Humour, violence, character death, SLIGHT angst... would you call it this but... shota(?) (Child Link fluffy with Child Sheik)
Summary/Quotation:
The hero was said to save many lives, and it was said that I saved his life many times, the only thing that was forgotten was how he saved my life. Although, it was only he who knew, only he who remembered, and in order to tell the story properly, I need to start from where it began. It wasn't when the boy-man emerged from the Chamber of Sages, nor was it when he fought the parasite within the Deku Tree. It began with the second nightmare of Princess Zelda, and before Link acquired the Ocarina of time. It was when Ganon began his attack.
Chapter: 06
When we arrived at Lon Lon Ranch, the sun had just set. Link seemed to be rushing however, and I think it was because he thought I couldn’t handle myself. It had to be because of my death. He’s so paranoid that he’ll lose me here too… It was touching, yes, but also becoming slightly annoying. I could handle myself! Especially against some stalchildren!
“Comon She…ena.” Link said with some hesitance.
I rolled my eyes at the unfamiliar name but followed Link. We had decided to use a different name for the time being due to the fact that Sheik wasn’t exactly a common name among Hylians, nor was it exactly feminine. Luckily, due to the fact that my ears were just long enough, that I could pass off as a Hylian. Of course, my ears weren’t as long as Link’s but, he told me that ear sizes vary. I idly touched my ear at the thought of that. Impa’s ears weren’t as long as mine and she was my aunt…
“Sheena!” Link yelled and I sighed and picked up my – Malon’s – skirt and ran towards him.
“You know Link–”
“Link!” Malon yelled as she ran towards us and looked at me with a slight pause. “Oh! Who is this?”
Why is it that whenever Malon sees me, she utters ‘Oh!’? I thought before bowing lightly. “Pardon our intrusion.” I said and I raised my voice ever-so-slightly.
“Ah, well she found me on my journey. She says she has some family in Kakariko, but as you see it’s too dark to head over there right now. I do feel bad for asking, but can we stay the night?”
“I’m sure Dad will say yes, these are harsh times after all.”
I winced. I was helping that happen, and neither of them knew it. I was helping Ganon destroy the land and its people. Nobody could know of the dirty deeds the Sheikah have done. All that surrounds my people needed to be hidden in shadows, because some of those deeds were darker than the shadows that hid them.
Malon had returned with her father who had a smile on his face.
“I hope you find our quaint ranch accommodating.” He spoke to me.
“Any shelter is better than none.” I said sweetly. “However, I’m certain that your ranch is quite lovely. Thank you for having us.” Why did females have to act like this? I preferred being a male…
Talon took us to his dinner table, and I was able to glance at the house in more detail than before. It was made for four people, and I presumed that the fourth person was Malon’s mother. I did not know much about this family, so I did not know if Malon’s mother left or she was deceased. Regardless, it was not my business, and I didn’t want to know – in case that knowledge slipped back to when I believed that I was loyal to Ganondorf.
“We were just making supper. You came just in time!”
However, I noticed a flaw in our plan. It was fine when it was just Link and me but when eating around other people, I couldn’t simply take off my mask and turn around.
So, when I stared at the food in dismay while everybody began to eat, it was only expected when Malon asked, “Sheena?”
“Why won’t you eat sweetie? You can take off that mask to eat can’t you?” Talon asked gently.
I had to come up with something quick – but I couldn’t lie. “Well… it’s custom where I’m from to show as little of your person as possible…” Sheik started. “A-And when he attacked, I was separated from my family. I know my aunt was heading towards Kakariko Village, and I met Link.”
“Oh! I know!” Malon burst out. “Sheena you can eat in my room. Com’on!” Malon grabbed my hand and a plateful of food before rushing me off to her room.
I looked at her as she shut her door and locked it, looking around cautiously. “Sheik – oh, I guess I should call you Sheena now, but I want to warn you about something. Ingo has been acting weird ever since two old ladies came by and asked for shelter. He’s… he looked at a cucoo funny for a bit and last week we had to burry it… Dad says that the cucco had to go… but it was healthy and happy. He has been looking at you funny ever since you came here as Sheena. I don’t want him to do anything to you, so I’m going to see if you can sleep in my room tonight. My door has a lock and only Dad knows where the extra key is. Dad will be okay with it, I know!” Malon winked at me with a smile on her face. “I’ll let you eat though and I’ll ask Dad.” She said and rushed back down to the kitchen table.
I winced at those words, something definitely wasn’t right with Ingo. Two old ladies? Didn’t Ganondorf’s “mothers” come to the castle recently? So it’s true that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree… The Twin Rova sisters couldn’t be his biological mothers (or at least one of them) since they claimed to be a couple centuries old… but still. I sighed though, because I was helping those of malicious intentions secure their hold on Hyrule. Nobody, nothing was safe from them. Guilt filled me because even though I knew that what I was doing was for the greater good, it still caused all of this. It caused the sorrow on Malon’s innocent, pure face. I didn’t know if I was redeemed of my sins because I was ensuring that Hyrule had a fighting chance in the future, and I suppose I would only know when I died…
Another wince graced my masked features. I will die, and sooner than I had expected. That was why Link was here, wasn’t it? To stop my premature death. Of course, in my line of duty, I knew that death always crept around the corner, but I still felt some shock at the prospect of it being set in stone. I would never see that my wrongs were righted; I would never see the fruits of my treacherous labour…
That is, unless Link and I succeeded in our quest to kill Cethin. Was it wrong to sacrifice a life for my own? Was it wrong to kill for what seems best? One life for a thousand? No… two My mind corrected. I still remember the look of terror on the woman’s face. And there will probably be dozens more… I couldn’t help that fact, I couldn’t deny my heritage. I was a warrior within the shadows, I was a pawn for the light. Although I did resent that, I had come to terms with it. It was no wonder why Impa found it easy to convince me that I hated the royal family…
I have to admit that the idea of really playing my role, of changing sides, had crossed my mind often within these past few days, I cannot deny that the taste of potential promise of freedom on my lips was appealing. To truly be Ganondorf’s lackey, to never have to answer to another again… But then I realized how much of a risk that Impa and Zelda had by giving me – a child – such a mission. They probably already knew that there was a potential that I would disobey them.
And then an ominous thought darkened my mind. Was that why I died... was it because I had no other option… was it because they had found out? Did Link come here on his free will, unknowingly letting a beast live when it should die? My body shook in fear before I drove the thought from my mind. It couldn’t be that. What life would I have after betraying Hyrule?
Malon had returned and I forced a smile on my face – not at all feeling the emotion – and she immediately bombarded me with questions.
Now I knew why Navi complained last night…
That night I asked Malon for a few favours: to bring both Link and myself to visit the horses and to try and convince her father to let us use the horses to quickly get us to Kakariko Village. The former wasn’t all too difficult, because apparently Link was friends with one of the horses, and with the grin that the girl gave me in relation to the lending of horses reassured me that she had her father wrapped around her little finger but it also disturbed me. Girls are scary.
In the morning, I had the chance to meet Link’s horse-friend. From far away, I was scared of her. She was just a filly but the way she reacted to Ingo was very dangerous. Why was such a horse still alive on the ranch? Usually people would put down a horse if it was that disobedient. But as Malon approached the roan-coloured horse there was a calamity that overcame it. “And Sheik, this is Epona.”
Link’s face lit up as the filly approached us – him – and then Epona nuzzled his neck. “Hey there girl.” The would-be hero said with a giggle.
Friends? I thought and blinked at the scene before me. Malon said that he only met Epona once and yet the horse knows exactly who he is… And even more, she treats Link like she would treat a master…
“Wow Link!” Apparently, I wasn’t the only one amazed and Malon continued. “Epona’s sure warmed up to you since your last visit!”
Link smirked and gently rubbed the filly’s mane.
I don’t know why I reached out my hand out to Epona, but Malon gripped my arm. “I wouldn’t do that Sheena. Epona’s quite the wild one.”
The animal looked me over with what seemed to be curiosity in her eyes before sniffing at my hand – an action that surprise Malon. Then, Epona looked off to the side and snorted.
The action set Link off into a rolling laughter. As he calmed himself, he said, “It’s alright She-ena. I think Epona just said that she’d put up with you.”
I blinked and raised an eyebrow before realizing too late that it wasn’t shown. However at Link’s reassuring gaze, I trusted him. Upon the contact of my hand upon her mane, I realized that Link was right. It did seem that Epona was simply putting up with me.
“Wow.” Malon observed. “Other than Link and me – you’re the only one that Epona will allow to touch her. With her it’s usually love or hate, and more than likely hate. This is the first time that I’ve seen her simply put up with another person.”
Link had this knowing smirk on his face and I wondered what it was about it. I’d ask him about it later. First we’d need to get my horse and convince Talon, but something told me neither task would be too difficult to achieve.
“So remind me again why we’re riding towards Kakariko Village and not The Lost Woods which – if I may state – is our destination.” I said with a frown.
“I can’t remind you because I haven’t told you yet.” Link said and smirked.
I swear – he hasn’t changed since the Epona incident. “Fine, tell me.”
Link smiled as he looked at me and the reason of my irritation. Malon was the one who informed me that it was unlady-like to be riding a horse in a dress without shorts or something similar underneath. And seeing that I was just going to Kakariko Village there was no need to borrow Malon’s only riding leathers that were made to fit her. There was also the fact that the only other clothes I had would just ruin our attempts at disguise, so I had to ride side saddle.
“Because both you and I hate lying Sheik, not to mention that it would be suspicious. We can get to the Lost Woods through Goron City though, so just think of it as a detour.” Link said with a less-cocky smirk than before.
Okay, there was something Link was leaving out. “And?”
Link sighed. “And I don’t want to enter the village again. When I went there… they mocked me.”
His mood had fallen and Link seemed distraught. I decided I didn’t like seeing that expression on his face – it was worse than that cocky, knowing smirk. Much more so.
“Hey Link?” I asked in an attempt to change the topic because I didn’t know how to comfort Link. When I got his attention, I asked another question. “Why did you find Epona’s reaction to me so funny?” Even if it would be at my expense… if Link could smile again I’d do it. And once I saw the smile return to Link’s face, I felt myself smile. Yes, it was definitely better when Link smiled.
“Ah… well,” a small chuckle escaped Link, “that’s how Epona treats you in the future. It took her awhile to get used to you – but she learned that she just had to put up with you. So, I think she remembers the future.”
Link’s words gave me something to think about. Epona had to grow accustomed to me? Did that mean I was around Link a lot? But… I was only to be his guide – not his companion. Perhaps was that why Link is so upset with my death?
“Ah.” I said, trying to distract both myself and him from my musings.
If I had succeeded in distracting Link, I wouldn’t know because Link fell quiet and we continued our way to Kakariko. Upon reaching the staircase Link had dismounted Epona and motioned me to do the same. “We’re going to have to walk with them until we reach the Lost Woods.” Despite his earlier quietness, Link had a smile on his face.
Yet, I still found that smile not quite true, and I didn’t know what was really bothering Link. Navi really only spoke when necessary, and asking outright didn’t seem very probable. So with a silent nod from me, we continued on. I don’t know if Link felt it, but to me the air was tense. What was bothering this child-hero, this hero-from-the-future? Was he always like this when something was bothering him and if I was his companion in the future, what did I do when he was like this? Did I ignore it, did I help, did I somehow encourage it? I didn’t know if I had remembered what I was supposed to do, or if I was still under the illusion that was my guise. The duo from the future never gave me any hints…
Link wasn’t entirely silent though, but when he spoke, it was only when he had to. He still had that smile on his face but even that fell once the Gorons suggested that he visit ‘Big Brother’. Link had declined politely at the offer, saying something about an important quest.
By then, my worry was becoming too much. I had to speak up. “Link?” I reached out my hand and put it on his shoulder but he ignored both my question and my hand. Didn’t Link say comfort was holding another? Why was he walking away from the contact? I just wanted to help…
“It’s over here.” Link’s voice even sounded solemn now, all pretences had vanished after that ‘Big Brother’ was mentioned.
Whatever was bothering Link had to deal with that ‘Big Brother’, I was sure of it. Once again, I reached out for contact, and this time I wouldn’t let Link ignore it. I don’t know why I wanted to see Link smile again, but somehow it felt better to have Link smiling. Perhaps it was because Link was the hero, and I didn’t want him to be preoccupied with emotions, perhaps it was for an entirely different reason, but the fact remained that I wanted to comfort him, I wanted him to feel better, I wanted him to smile again. My hand grasped his wrist and gripped it tightly. “Okay Link. What is it?” I looked sternly into his eyes once he turned to look at me in question. Even if he could not see my eyes, even if the mask covered my expression, I think he felt it.
When Link smiled it was mostly false – but I saw some truth behind it, a glimmer or something and it gave me a spark of hope. He shook his head before he gestured to the tunnel and then his hand twisted and grasped my wrist.
I knew that I should have coiled at his tight grip, but something told me that I should let him do it. (Although there was also the fact that I didn’t want to remove my hand from his wrist.)
The walk out of the mountain, through the tunnel, and into the woods was a short one – even though logically it should be much longer.
“Sheik.” Link turned and offered another one of his weak smiles. “Be wary of the forest. Do not listen to it, stay with me. This place is called the Lost Woods for a reason. If you want, you can change back into your normal clothes as well – Ganondorf’s influence shouldn’t have come here just yet.” Link reached into his magic pouch again and handed me the clothes. “Only those who know the forest can traverse the maze and are safe. The Kokori tend to stay in the village, so we are fine to be ourselves here and we are fine to speak freely.”
Why did it seem that whenever something was bothering Link, he always acted like an adult, and yet when he was having fun he was a child? Was this because he had to accept responsibility so quickly, that he held so many burdens on his shoulders? Was this because the only times he had fun were as a child, and as an adult there was only pain and sorrow? I took the clothes from his hand and let go of his hand. Link, in turn, had let go and looked off in a different direction. I appreciated that he respected my privacy.
“It’s alright now Link.” I said once my clothes were back on my body. The small smile that appeared on his face at my usual attire was unexpected, but it was nice. It was no longer fake. It was genuine. I handed the clothes and the mask over to Link, although slightly worried. Why was Link happy to see me in my clothes? Was it because he couldn’t immediately recognize me, that he couldn’t be one-hundred percent sure that it was me following him? Did my death affect him that much? Honestly, I couldn’t tell how well the would-be hero was dealing with the fact that I had died – that I would die again if we don’t do something. The only thing I knew was that he desired revenge, that he desired to save me. Revenge… revenge entailed killing Cethin, but if Cethin killed me and Link is here…. Suddenly my stomach felt uneasy. Cethin was already dead once, and we had to kill him again…. I pushed away the emotions, I pushed away the thoughts. Link, I had to concentrate on Link, and there was something bothering him. I needed to comfort him.
When Link placed the clothes into the bag, my hand shot out and took hold of his hand. My grip was not tight, it was not rough, it was practically nonexistent, but it was there. Contact – I was trying. “Can we talk about it now?” I asked softly. Soft – I was gentle.
Something twitched at the corners of Link’s mouth. “I guess.” He said before me guided me over to a hollowed out tree trunk and sat down. He still held my hand as I sat down beside him, our horses standing nearby. “I remembered when Epona was searching for you after you…” He trailed off, not wanting to say my future fate. “And then, when the Gorons suggested that I see Darunia, I couldn’t. Yet, I also couldn’t tell them why… It would hurt them to hear it, and it still hurts me to think about it. But if I actually saw him… the pain would be too much – in my time he’s gone… I couldn’t save him, I can never save him.” Link’s other hand came out to encase my hand within both of them. “But I can save you.”
I couldn’t help but smile at Link’s words. The sensation that filled me at his sentiment… was it just happiness… was it something else? I brought my hand to the pile and squeezed his hand back. “Then let’s hurry up.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter: 07
We wandered for days and I worried for Zelda’s safety. What would she say to Ganondorf about Cethin? How would the dark king react? Especially considering what he had thought about the last time I was in his quarters… How much did Impa know of my past – and present – life? I knew that Impa did regular checks on my mind as I slept – or that I sent her information – but were the memories still travelling even now as I remembered everything?
Link didn’t share my fears or worries as he didn’t know (to my knowledge) and I wasn’t going to let him. Not only was it unsafe to speak the condemning words but it would also put a frown on that smiling face. Apparently my hypothesis on the clothes was correct – seeing that Link wasn’t as easily depressed like before. Yet the boy was determined. He wanted to get to Termina as soon as he could so he could kill Cethin so my death would be prevented. Speaking of Cethin…
The shadow was continually attempting to communicate with me. I could hear faint yet frantic fractions of words since he detected me in Lake Hylia. Each attempt had a strengthening fervour to it, and the feeling of fear just intensified – as did my guilt. No matter what Link said about Cethin, I just couldn’t believe him. Even though Cethin was a creature of darkness, he was still kind, he was still good. Sure, he had streaks of evil – but that was the cause of his upbringing, it was no fault of his! Cethin could still act nice, he could still be taught another way! Surely I could talk him out of it – I held a higher status than Ganondorf in Cethin’s mind, I was Master, I was a friend – Cethin was my friend.
I hated this! I didn’t want this! Not only was my childhood being ripped away, but my only friend in these dark times needed to be killed by my own hands! Why could I have been born a Hylian! Why was I a motherless Sheikah sworn to protect the royal family!
“Sheik?” A small but loud voice run out in the night air but I hardly heard it. “Sheik?” The voice repeated and was followed by hoof beats that broke the constant, dulled rhythm that was the background but even that went unnoticed. It took a hand on my shoulder to break me from my darkening thoughts. “Sheik what’s wrong?” The voice was now concerned, fearful, and definitely Link’s.
Oh Goddesses! I can’t believe what I was just thinking! “I-I can’t… Look Link can we stop for a rest? I think this endless searching is starting to bother me.” I just want to run away – from Cethin, from Link, from my duties, from my future – to anywhere but here and now…
The hand on my shoulder tightened. “Don’t listen to it Sheik. Ignore the forest, mute out its calls, resist its temptations. Concentrate your thoughts and your feet; find your own way lest you become lost. The woods may be pleasant but you still have a home. Remember your purpose, forget your desires. You are not the forest, nor is it you. Do not become one with it.” Link’s voice was soothing, it was alluring, and most of all it was distracting. I concentrated on it and my haze was fading. Clarity had returned, sensibility was renewed, and I became myself again. Yet I was still groggy and distracted from the alluring promises and the distasteful realities. I didn’t know whether to keep walking to or stop and rest.
And suddenly that didn’t seem to matter anymore – for both Link and I were thrown from out horses and our bodies were frisked over in out momentary stun. I heard the sound of a wind instrument followed by a giggle as I was regaining control over my body. The next sound I heard was a string vibrating in the air – my lyre! – and another impish chuckle. Adrenaline flared through my veins. Only a Sheikah had the right to play that instrument!
I pushed myself off the ground but I was quickly assaulted by fairies battering against my head. I swatted at them – and realized so was Link. The sound of rope and neighing hit my ears and caused more adrenaline to course through my body and I made a jump onto Filk’s – my horse’s – legs. I needed to get that lyre back! The future of Hyrule depended on it!
My eyes closed at the dirt and grass being kicked into my face, but I could hear many things – the rattling of wood and the creature flailed, the grunting of Link as he was attack by something, the clatter of Epona and Filk’s hooves beating the ground and the fluttering of the fairies wings as they hit my face and arms. Eventually my body took enough and my arms let go even as I told them not to. So I just lay there on the grass, heaving to get breath, shaking because of the adrenaline rush and aching on every inch of my body. I wanted to move, I wanted to follow, but not even a finger would listen to me. I was too battered and too exhausted after I had pushed myself beyond my limits.
I lied there for what had seemed hours – but probably five minutes at most – before I realized that I was not alone. Another was breathing beside me. “Link?” I ask, not bothering to turn away from the hypnotic and moonlit ceiling of leaves to glance at him.
“Heh heh…” The weak laughter escaped the young hero. “Apparently I’m not as strong as I thought I was. What’s your excuse?”
I couldn’t help the smile that graved my lips. “Adrenaline rush – enables the body but disables logic.”
Another small laugh. “So much for the Sheikah reasoning.”
I didn’t even try to restrain the laughter that left my lips – even if it did rattle my aching ribs. “What can I say, the body always finds a way to beat the system.”
When Link didn’t respond, I turned my head to look at him. He was sprawled out on his back like I was but he was looking away. I thought his ears were red but he stood up and brushed off the dust on his tunic before I could make sure. “We should probably follow the Skull Kid – he took our instruments and we need them.”
A little perplexed at the comment but agreeing with it, I followed suit. I looked around the meadow we were in to get my boundaries before I realized something.
“Where’s Navi?” Our two voices rang out at once. Dread filled me – and the gaze that I met – before both pairs of eyes violently tore from another to frantically glance elsewhere.
“Navi?” I called out – hearing an echo both in a voice that was not my own and one that was. My feet wandered, my eyes whipped from side to side as I searched. “Navi where are you? Navi!”
After another five minutes of searching we both returned to each other’s sides worry and fear replacing the earlier dread. We were lost in the Lost Woods without a fairy. While Link grew up in the forest, learned to resist its calls, he was still a Hylian. Navi may have been with him for the past waking year or so but she was not attuned to him like Kokiri and their fairies were. If Navi couldn’t find them and they couldn’t find Navi they were stuck. Stuck in the Lost Woods and prone to its calls, unable to save Hyrule, unable to save Zelda…
Lost Woods no fairy, Lost Woods no fairy…
“Sheik! Snap out of it!” Link’s voice shook him. “We just need to get our instruments back! Then I can get us out of here. I know songs – ones that you taught me – and I can get us to Lake Hylia or even Kakariko Village, but I need the Ocarina of Time first and that Skull Kid has it. So com’on!”
There was a small glow emitting from Link’s left hand – the Triforce Sheik realized immediately – and there was determination within the blue that was the hero’s eyes. Courage, Power, Wisdom… No, it was not Power – for Ganondorf had that – and the air about Link was not that of age-old knowledge. So it had to be the trait that all heroes needed. A fearlessness – no the ability to overcome that fear. Courage, Link had the power of Courage; he was Farore’s chosen; one of the forest. And suddenly things made sense. Sheik was not the guide of the Hero of Time, he was not the cryptic musician but he was the friend – the companion – of Link, and later a traitor to turn Link into Ganondorf so that his master could acquire the second piece of the Triforce. Oh Goddesses. No wonder I died…
I looked up at Link with sorrow and guilt in my eyes. I became his friend and then I died in his arms… was it the only way out? I didn’t know and I didn’t want to find out – but I would in seven years and I dreaded that day. Not only because it marked my death, but also because it marked my betrayal of Link. Whether I liked it or not, I had already become Link’s friend and I valued that friendship as much as I valued Cethin’s. One day I would have to choose between the two and because of Link’s interference to save my life, that day was seven years closer. Honestly, I wasn’t too sure what I would decide…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Title: Breathe
Series: Legend of Zelda OoT
Pairings/Characters: Link/Sheik fluff
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: Total:
Warnings: Angst, Death-aspects
Summary/Quotation:
When he stopped breathing my world stopped spinning.
He was wet. He wasn’t moving. He was cold. He. Wasn’t. Breathing.
“No!” A shout echoed into the still air. Feet splashed the water as a man approached the unconscious one. “No! You can’t be!” His body was shaking, it was tensing. “I need you! We need you! Com’on! Don’t do this!” Fists were slammed into the soft, sandy soil in anger. “You can’t be dead!”
“Well if you don’t do something now he will be! He only just stopped breathing!” A frantic fairy flailed about. “Do something! Please!”
“There’s still a…” The sentence wasn’t finished as the man went to work. First he laid the unconscious man flat on his back; next he tilted the other’s head back and opened the airways. A mask was pulled down before a pair of lips joined and air was pushed out of one set to enter the other. Again, again, and again.
There was no pulse.
The man’s body shook in despair but he wouldn’t give up. His hands folded together and pushed down on the other’s chest. It was steady yet frantic, controlled yet desperate. “You can’t die, you can’t…” The words were whispered past slender lips. “Live!”
Not even the crickets were chirping, or the gulls cawing. It was dead silent save for the swoosh of breath leaving one pair of lungs into another, the steady thump, thump of hands artificially moving a sternum. Even the fairy silenced her wings – she could only watch in horror at the struggle for life between her master and his friend.
“Breathe dammit, breathe!” The words were fraught with emotion and paranoia, cracking, shaking, heightening. “Why won’t you breathe! Damn the Three!”
He wouldn’t give up – no not until there was absolute proof that the other was dead. “Please!” He pleaded to both the heavens and the man beneath him before joining their lips again and pushed more air into the still lungs. “Move! Respond!” He ordered as his hands forced the frozen chest to move. “Don’t die! Don’t you die on me! Not after everything!”
The small fae flew up to grab hold of the desperate arms. “We… we’re too late…” She whispered and shook her head. “He’s… he’s…”
“No…” He denied and shook the fairy off of his arms. “I need to keep trying! I can’t give up!” His hands moved one more to check the pulse but there still no response. “Com’on I know you can do this! Breathe!” A few more solid and quick breaths, more artificial heartbeats, anything to keep him alive, anything to keep the hope from dying. He wouldn’t let those shining eyes fade, that laughter be muted, that intelligent mind stop, the golden locks fade, he wouldn’t let his friend, his companion, his world die.
“Stop it! Don’t make him suffer more than he has to!” She shrieked, tugging on the hand that was potentially doing more harm than help anymore. “He’s dead! He’s dead!” There was a wet pit followed by a pat as small tears fell from her eyes and landed on the man’s skin.
“No!” His head rapidly turned from left to right. “He can’t be! Just once more… just once more…” He pleaded and the fae nodded. His breath caressed the blue-tinged lips. “Please.” He whispered before giving one last breath of life. Live!
But there was no reaction, no cough, no attempt to intake that air and exhale it. The man hung his head in defeat. He was lost… he was really…
Was that a moan?
His hands almost flew to the other’s neck and he could feel it – it was faint but it was still there – the distinct thump, thump of a pulse.
“He’s…” The man said with joy, relief, and even disbelief as he watched their chest slowly rise and fall on their own volition. He was careful as he moved his friend’s body onto its side and rearranged his limbs in the best position possible.
“Nnm—Ahk!” The man mumbled before he coughed up water. “…k is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me. Don’t talk. Just breathe.”
“‘urts…” He complained with a soft chuckle that turned into more water.
“Shhh.” The rescuer said and placed his finger onto the other’s lips. “It’s going to hurt – you almost… died.” Sorrow replaced the happiness on the other’s face.
The silence was solemn, and even the fae didn’t dare to speak. She just sat on one man’s shoulder, watching as the other slowly recovered – coughing, breathing, shivering.
“Navi, he needs a blanket. One of our packs should have one.” The man whose shoulder she sat on commented before standing up. “Get one for him – I’ll look for sticks for a fire and keep an eye on him.”
“Um… shouldn’t we remove his uhh…” Navi’s aura turned a reddish hue, “wet clothes first?”
“Right, get the blanket, I’ll remove his clothes and then search for wood.”
“I can…” The one lying on the ground tried, only to cough up more water.
“No you can’t, and no you won’t.” The words were said in a strict yet caring manner. “Just concentrate on breathing and clearing your lungs.” As he spoke, he knelt down and was careful in removing the clingy, wet fabric. “By the Three… you’re freezing.”
When Navi returned with the blanket he wasted no time in laying it over the other’s body. “Don’t fall asleep on me… Navi can you keep him awake?”
“Leave it to me.” Normally the fae would have chippered with those words, but this circumstance was far from cheerful. On the contrary it was dark and gloomy.
A few minutes later he returned and hastily started a fire – using the spark created by two blades. “Navi, how is he?”
“A little better, he’s coughed up quite a bit of water.”
A smile twitched to life on the man’s face. “Good.” He rummaged through two sets of bags – one that belonged to him and another set that was his friend’s. He set out the wet articles of clothing to sit by the fire and to dry. “How is his temperature?”
Navi’s light dimmed. “Not any better – I fear it may be getting worse.”
“Damn.” That smile faded and he glanced into the drooping eyes of his friend and grabbed out another blanket along with two cloaks before he faced the fire – and away from his companion. Then he proceeded to remove his own clothes, laid out one blanket before the fire and covered himself with the other cloths.
“What are you doing!” The fae exclaimed.
“He needs to get warmer – and the fastest way is to share my body heat.” There was no hesitation in his actions as he moved his groggy friend onto the blanket by the fire and then covering them with the other blanket and cloaks.
“…k? Why’re you…”
“Shh… just breathe, just live. Oh and don’t fall asleep.”
“But I’m…”
“I know you’re exhausted and mentally drained but you can’t sleep. I can’t risk losing you again…”
“Nmnmm…” He responded and a shudder travelled the length of his body. “...k, thank you.” There was still a drowsy slur to his words.
The other pulled his companion closer – whether it was in response to the words or the shudders was only known by him. “I only did what anybody else would do…” He whispered as he tried to dismiss is actions. He almost seemed embarrassed or humble.
“You’d be surprised…” The reply was just as quiet. “I’m actually rather alone… if you weren’t here…”
“But now you won’t. I’ll make sure of it.” He said and began to rub his hands along the length of the other’s arm – starting slow at first. “I’ll make sure you don’t freeze, that you don’t stop breathing, that you don’t fall asleep.”
The colder, weaker one could only sink into the other’s embrace to regain his lost heat. He could not fight it – if that was what he desired. “…k, what would you have done if I had actually…”
He was quiet for a few moments as the solemn expression fell even further. “In all honesty, I don’t know… You’re… you’re…”
There was yet another silence, and just as the saviour was about to question his friend’s lack of response, there was one. It was hopeful, it was almost pleading, and it could barely be heard even in the deathly silence that pervaded the night. “Somebody important?”
There was a chuckle – a laughter almost – but it was not dry. “No, not just that. You’re my world, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to save it.” He said before kissing the top of his beloved’s head. “But no more talking – just breathe.”
An exhale of breath was the only response.
Who ever thought a sigh would make the world spin once more?
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