Bring me to Light

Thanks very much for reviews. Here's the next installment

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Just have faith

The sun beat down in heavy rays onto the two travellers who rode slowly across Hyrule field, their horses plodding along beneath the heat, clearly not eager to move all that much.

“Tell me why we can’t just warp to the lake again…” Link requested, looking to his partner who rode beside him.

Sheik looked over to him, rolling his eyes. “Because the horses need exercise and I want you to understand the full scale of what has become of Lake Hylia.”

“…Those are lame excuses…”

“Hmmm…”

“What’s the real reason?” Link pulled Epona to the left so that he was as close to Sheik as possible, not failing to notice that Epona took the opportunity to nuzzle Thara.

Sheik sighed audibly.

“I…”

“Sheik,” Link said the name softly, with a quiet insistence in his voice that made Sheik look into his eyes. “After everything last night can you not tell me?”

“I’m…anxious over the thought of you going through the temple alone. If what happened to you in the ice cavern hadn’t occurred then I would be more at ease…”

Link’s hand came to rest on Sheik’s shoulder gently. “It was a one off Sheik, I’ll be fine. Besides…I’m not going through the whole temple on my own…just bits of it, right?”

“Yes but…”

“Have faith in me.”

Blue eyes caught red, silently imploring him.

“As you wish.” The Sheikah nodded slightly and Link smiled warmly at him. Sheik melted.

They continued to ride side by side, in silence now, each man mulling over his own thoughts, knowing that there was only one thing that was important enough to occupy their minds right now. The up and coming water temple, and their inevitable separation.

Eventually Link jostled in the saddle, trying to stretch whilst nudging Epona in the sides in an attempt to make her move faster. It didn’t work and he was forced to turn and give her a sharp slap on the flank causing the horse to prick up and quicken her pace.

“Lazy mare.” Link muttered staring down at her mane. He winced as he leaned forwards to pat her neck, the puncture wounds around his shoulder blades pulling.

“If we went any slower we’d be at walking pace.” Sheik commented, rummaging around in Thara’s saddle bags to hand Link a bottle of potion. The Hylian took it ungratefully, pursing his lips in distaste before opening it and pouring a good portion of it into his mouth. His face was a picture of distaste as he swallowed the liquid.

“Tastes almost like blood,” he gagged, corking it and handing it back to Sheik, his nose wrinkled in disgust.

“Maybe it is…” Sheik quirked his eyebrows at his companion, laughing at the expression on his face.

“We really do need to get on with this, y’know?”

Sheik had a feeling that the rhetorical question was aimed half at him and half at the horses.

“Epona…” Link whistled “…if you hurry up and take me to lake Hylia you can have all the frolic time you want with Thara.”

As if understanding, the mare lifted her head fully, ears pricked and immediately sped up. Thara followed suit until both horses were cantering along the plains, their owners nearly standing in the saddles as they rode.

Link took in a deep breath of air as they rode, enjoying the feeling of freedom that came with the movement. Wind whipped his hair back from his face and he couldn’t help but grin widely at the sensation.

Sheik stole a look at Link, the way he was nearly standing upright in the saddle, calf muscles gripping Epona’s side, thighs acting as shock absorbers for every hard slam of hoof on earth, body moving in time with his horse’s rhythm. He looked so carefree at the moment, despite the weight of the world on his shoulders and the Sheikah grinned as Link tilted his head back, closing his eyes as the wind rustled hair and clothes, whipping about his sturdy body, feeling fully at peace with the nature around them.

--

Link jerked in the saddle as Epona cleared the gates to Lake Hylia, resuming a normal riding position. Sheik followed close behind, the winding passage they were travelling down too narrow to allow them to ride side by side anymore.

The shadow warrior kept a close eye on the Hylian as they meandered through the passage, all too aware of the shock he was about to receive at the state of the lake. He glanced up at the sky, taking note of the sun’s position. Early afternoon.

When he lowered his eyes again, he found himself looking into the end stretch of the passage and he kicked Thara into a trot to catch up to Link in the now widening passage as the horses pulled themselves up a slight hill.

Link gasped, his eyes wide at the lake’s condition.

The sky overhead was darkening to grey, rain clouds gathering in anticipation of a storm, ready to spill their contents into the lake. Yet even if they did, the small pool of water left surrounding the central isle would only rise by a few centimetres at the most. Any more than that and it would be drained again by the creature inside the temple, using it to grow larger and stronger.

The hero stared, lost for words as he dismounted, kicking a tektite brutally as it pounded over to him, too absorbed by the sight of the empty crater to even contemplate killing it by sword. The over-grown pond skater pounded back towards him as Link stood stock still.

Sheik threw a needle at it, sending the creature staggering backwards with a hiss.

Link turned, drawing the Master Sword and threw it at the creature, staring at it coldly as the metal split it in half and it dissolved. The blade clattered to the floor.

“How…?” Link’s voice was hushed, shocked as he walked towards the edge of the lake, boots crunching on dry, brown grass that had died from water deprivation. Sheik followed slowly, sensing danger at the low under current of anger in the hero’s voice that ran beneath the child-like shock.

“The creature that dwells in the temple draws in the water for its own purpose. Growth and protection, as I understand it.”

“How long?” the elder blonde asked, sinking down to his knees on the lakebed, running calloused fingers along dry, dusty earth, scooping a handful up and letting it trickle through his fingers back to the ground. As if he was throwing dirt on the coffin of someone he loved and respected.

“It’s been like this nearly a month. The underground streams are beginning to grow dry as well…if they are not refilled within a few days, Hyrule will begin to suffer.”

“The river at Zora’s domain was low…”

“Yes. The underground currents feed into Zora’s fountain. Half the water has been frozen as it is…”

Link stood suddenly, brushing dirt from his leggings and walking to the stone plateau that housed Zora’s domain. The entrance was blocked with ice that spilled out onto the tiled base.

Link ran his fingers down it slowly, his face falling and then hardening in resolve. It was as if feeling the effects made it more real to him and he pulled away abruptly, looking to Sheik.

“I loved this place when I was a kid…the first time I saw the lake...it took my breath away. I’ve always loved being in the water…Saria used to say that I should’ve been born a Zora.” He smiled wistfully at the memory.

Sheik listened quietly; the realisation of how much Link had lost in the 7 years and the rise to his destiny as the hero of time suddenly hitting him.

Link bit his lip, almost drawing blood as he stared out at the remaining puddle of water and he nodded to himself before turning to Sheik once more.

“Ganondorf has taken everything from me, everything I used to love. He’s stolen my adolescence, 7 years of my life, my friend’s…and now he’s even stealing the life from the land that I love…I’m not going to let him do that anymore…”

There were tears in his eyes, sorrow and anger curling in the deep blue depths, just as the creature stirred within aquamarine depths of the temple.

Sheik stepped up to Link, pulling the mask down himself and kissing his partner firmly, offering support and agreement. His hand played at Link’s ear as he spoke.

“Go and save the land you love…”

Link drew away, nodding, smiling wickedly, his eyes dark with power and purpose and he turned, running up the hill to retrieve his equipment.

Sheik paced up the hill slowly after him, watching as Link pulled the green tunic off and the blue tunic on, the iron soles that clipped to his boots being pushed into pockets.

He turned, grabbing his blade and sliding it into the scabbard on his back and with a parting look at Sheik, he headed for the temple, face set in resolve.

--

Wet and cold, in chilled Link to the bone as he sank to the depths of the temple, landing on its sandy floor and looking around. A blue strip of material, laced with Zoran scales was pulled across his nose and mouth…although how that enabled him to breath, he’d never understand. It was of little consequence as long as it did the job though.

Looking up he noted the intricate inscribings that were carved into the main pillar of the temple, the words in an unfamiliar ancient language. He turned away, staring around, looking for where to go next, realising he didn’t know much about travelling through the temple’s without a guide by his side. Be it Sheik or Navi, they had got him through in one piece one way or another.

Shaking his head and refusing to lose faith in himself this early on, he began walking around the floor, eyes scanning for danger and potential routes to take.

A blue passage on his left, flanked by torches looked promising and he trudged towards it, hating the iron soles on his boots already. It struck him as odd though, that there were torchesin a water temple. Perhaps that meant the water level could be changed?

He passed by the empty torches, noting the patterns on the blue walls.

‘Blue…in a water temple, how very original…’ Link thought as he swung his heavy foot around a corner, smiling when he noted it opened into a new room. And that smile quickly dropped when he saw the Zora standing with her back to him. It was clearly female from the shape of the hourglass figure and there was only one Zora he knew that actually looked female…

She must have heard the boot steps for she turned suddenly, shock playing over her face. It quickly turned to a delighted smile.

“Link!”

The sound, despite passing through perhaps several gallons worth of water to reach his ears, was still painfully clear and high and Link found himself wincing. ‘Oh dear gods why can’t some females go through having their voices breaking?’

“You are Link, aren’t you? I’d recognise that outfit anywhere…you always did have a rather odd fetish for wearing women’s clothing didn’t you? But then, who am I to talk? I walk around naked all the time…” she laughed, the sound resembling a chipmunk being gutted alive “But I must say the blue colour suits you better than green. Really complements your eyes…I tell you now, we’ll look great walking up the aisle together…”

The Zoran Princess trailed off, apparently only just spotting the fact that Link was staring at her wide-eyed. If she had known what was running through his head she would’ve realised that the look was pure trauma incarnate.

“You know who I am…don’t you Link? It’s me, your fiancée, Ruto…Princess of the Zoras...any of this clicking in that tiny Hylian brain of yours? I’m only joking of course; I know you’re smart really.” Someone seemed to be killing another chipmunk as she opened her mouth and ‘laughed’ again.

Link jerked back in horror, mouth falling open beneath the mask.

“I never forgot the vows we made to each other seven years ago, Link!”

‘Gods I wish you had you bizarre woman…and I’m using that term in its loosest possible sense’

“You’re a terrible man to have kept me waiting for these seven long years.”

‘Yes that’s me. I’m terrible, mean, horrible. You don’t want to marry me I’d abuse you terribly…oh gods no, it’d be the other way around. I’ll be the only Hylian in history to be noted for his sex slavery to a Zora, never mind my role as the hero of time…’

“But now is not the time to talk about love…”

“Ofankdegds…”

“What was that? I can’t hear you under that mask…take it off.”

Link waved his hands frantically in front of him.

“You can breathe without the mask on for a minute Link…that’s what the Zora tunic does.”

Hesitantly, Link pulled down the mask. Water flooded up his nose, but he found himself able to extract the oxygen from it. He really would’ve preferred it if he had an excuse not to talk to her though…

“Oh my god! You’re so handsome. By Hylian standards anyway. You’re no Zora prince, but you’ll do…”

Link stared.

“Oh Link I’m kidding you’re gorgeous really! Oh, I’m in such a weird mood right now!” Another chipmunk died.

“Uh…shouldn’t we get down to business Ruto?”

“Ohhh…” her hands clasped over her chest “I love it when you talk dirty Link….”

“Gah! I…uh,,I ah….”

“Oh Link. I’m just kidding…we can’t do that until we’re married.” Her fins flicked in a manner that Link supposed would be considered flirtatious.

Her mouth opened again and he winced, praying there was a heaven for chipmunks.

--

Sheik sat at the top of the drained water temple, eyes scanning the floors below for any sign of Link. Aquatic spike balls ran ain circles far below, pattering tiny troughs and peaks into the sand. It was as if they were sharks, waiting for him to fall from the top floor any second now. That wasn’t going to happen though.

He wasn’t quite sure how long he’d been waiting for the hero now. Time seemed to become meaningless inside the ancient temples…he was sure that it had been a couple of hours at least. That’s what it felt like anyway…when separated from Link, time seemed to go both incredibly slowly and unthinkably quickly.

A door slam echoed around the main room of the temple and Sheik jerked, becoming embarrassed despite his solitude that he had been caught off guard and he stood and stretched, trying to remain vigilant.

Sensitively trained ears picked up the sound of footsteps and water running, rising to the mid level of the temple, pumped in by invisible currents and then there was a door opening, the sound of bars sliding down.

It took all of Sheik’s willpower not to get up and run to watch Link as he continued to make his way around the temple but he managed it, sitting back down on his ledge, listening to Link’s steps. They were light, quick and regular…meaning that he was still physically ok. Dangling his legs over the side of the ledge, the shadow warrior watched one of the blue tektites that had re-spawned splashing its way over the surface of the water, before standing idly, waiting for the hero to return.

‘You and me both…’.

Shuffling backwards, he reclined against the cream walls, closing his eyes, ears picking up faint sounds that played among the temples walls. Crashing boulders, gushing water, the patter of spikes against a hard floor. A deep groan from far within the temple.

A lullaby whistling through the air, soothing and summoning.

Sheik opened his eyes, watching the water level rise and climbing to his feet, heading for the niche where he had seen the Triforce symbol.

And standing there, as expected, was Link. A very wet and slightly exasperated looking Link, but it was him nevertheless and he was in one piece. That in itself was good enough for Sheik.

Link turned from the symbol carved onto the wall to watch the water rise, noticing Sheik awaiting him, and he smiled, diving from the ledge into the water, swimming to the surface to meet the other man. He pulled himself out, grinning, dripping water onto the formerly dry level.

“Howdy.”

“Well…quite.”

Link sniggered. “Look look look. Look it, Sheik, lookit, lookit, lookit.”

“I’m lookiting but I don’t know what I’m lookiting at.”

“…Lookiting?”

“You started it.”

“Yeah, well, anyway,” Link gestured to himself “In one piece! See, I told you I’d be fine and the Ice Cavern was a fluke.”

“I’m glad.”

“You’re not the only one.”

Sheik smiled, snorting at the comment.

“I have to say though…” Link began conversationally, looking around “I really hate this temple.”

“You hate all the temples. I should know. I’m the one you complain about them to.”

“Heh. Yeah but this one’s worse. It’s not the atmosphere, or even the environment but….the damned mechanisms!...up and down with the water levels.

It’s like ‘raise it to the top’. No, wrong. Fine, lower it to the bottom again. Wrong again. Middle level. Never in a million years you fairy boy! I mean come on, what is it with these places?!”

Sheik sniggered “They’re designed to test you.”

“Including my patience?”

“I don’t know about that, but if they are they’re certainly working.”

“Hmph.” The Hylian folded his arms across his chest. “Oh, and did you haveto save Ruto?”

“Yes. Why?”

“She kept blathering on about our ‘engagement’ when I met her and laughing like a chinchilla being put through a mangle. Honestly, have you ever heard it?”

“…I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure, no.”

“Lucky git. OK, I always thought it’d be woefullyunlikely that she’d moved on but…but…”

“Link…focus on what’s important here.” Sheik rested his hand on the Hylian’s wet shoulder, water soaking into the bandages wrapped about his fingers.

“Yeah, yeah, defeat the evil, save the world.”

“You were eager earlier this afternoon.”

“That was before I met Ruto again. She tends to change your perspective on things if you’re in her presence more than…” Link tapped a finger against his lips as if deep in thought, head tilted up to look at the ceiling. “…say, five seconds?”

“I didn’t find her that irritating.”

“One, you’re a very patient person. Two, she doesn’t try to glomp you.”

“…Glomp?”

Link waved a hand vaguely in a ‘doesn’t matter’ gesture.

“She sends her thanks to you as well, by the way….I don’t. I send thoughts of pain filled deaths to you…”

“Thank you ever so.”

The hero grinned in his usual heart melting manner.

“So, back to saving the world…I think the next few rooms don’t actually need the Zora tunic…according to this very wet piece of parchment which was once a map and is now…a very soaked piece of parchment that resembles a chamois leather…” he brought out the sopping paper, holding it for Sheik to see.

“Wonderful.”

“Yeah,” Link clenched the parchment in his fist, wringing the water out. “Are you coming then?”

“Do you want me to?”

“Does a bear crap in the woods?”

Sheik rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’m coming.”

“Excellent,” Link grinned, rubbing his hands together in a very disturbing manner. “Onward faithful companion…to the next room we go! Tally ho!”

He ran along the ledge, arm extended and pointing confidently towards the ceiling, the other hand clenched as if holding a rein and all the time clicking his tongue.

Sheik shook his head as if a father following his over-excited three year old son around, stalking behind the jogging Hylian and leaping across the gap to the next room.

A large pit, sloped steeply on either side, descended into nothingness, platforms with targets on them running on a chain down the slopes.

“We have to go from one to the next? Oh this’ll be fun.” Link spat, pulling out the hookshot and walking to the edge and then sliding down the slope onto the single platform on the entrance’s side that raised and lowered periodically. Sheik followed, catching hold of his partner to stop him from flying off the end.

“Thanks. And now I repay the favour.”

“How?”

“Well Sheik, I know you’re amazingly athletic and bendy etc etc. but uh, do you think you can jump all the way to the other side?”

“Possibly…but I’m not willing to attempt it with that drop.”

“A wise decision, my friend. Now, wrap your arms around my waist and hang on…”

Sheik didn’t need to be told twice and he stepped up to Link, wrapping his arms around his waist, pressing his chest to Link’s back. Through the wet clothing that clung to Link’s back he could feel the heat of Link’s body, the smooth muscles underneath flexing as the Hylian aimed for a target.

“And now you’re glomping me.”

Sheik didn’t have time to respond as Link let the chain loose and the hookshot wrenched them to the other side. Reluctantly, Sheik let go of Link and somersaulted onto the next platform up, again and again, until he reached the top, killing the few monsters once he’d arrived.

Link clambered over the ledge, panting.

“Thanks for helping me.”

“Thank you fro letting me ‘glomp’ you.”

Link grinned. “My pleasure.” Panting, he and Sheik walked into the next room, making their way to the other side.

“Raise, lower, raise, lower,” Link complained as he killed a like-like standing before an ornately patterned door. “Not exactly for variation are these architects?”

Sheik snorted, turning back to look into the room they had just crossed when he thought he’d heard something.

“Link, go into the next room. I’ll catch up with you.”

“Sure.” Link slapped him on the shoulder, turning and entering the next room.

Sheik flipped over the spikes, staring out over the room and seeing nothing but water rippling quietly. Frowning and figuring that he must have imagined it as a result of being over cautious he returned to the door, grasping the knob and twisting it.

The door didn’t budge.

Irritated, he slammed a fist against the lock before trying again. It barely even shook and Sheik stood back, staring at it, heart beginning to speed up in a panic at the realisation that he was separated from his companion.

Inside the room, Link screamed in horror and agony.
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Other candidates for insults at Ruto's laugh were: a gopher being bashed with a golf club and a guinea pig being struck by lightening. If you're interested. Personally I think chinchilla through a mangle was the best.

Reviews are, as always, greatly appreciated.