Clearer in Time

VII. A Second Wind
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The infinite gray sky was reflected by the pristine surface of the water. The endless void stretched for unmeasured distances.

In a far corner of the mirror room, however, the gray monotony was challenged by color. Crimson swirled cloudily through the water. A figure lay upon the surface of the strange mirror lake. His skin was pale, even more so than usual from blood loss. His black tunic was drenched with vitality, and his deep red eyes stared glassily into the unfathomable sky. His breaths were slow and shallow, moments from death.

As he lie there, contemplating his failure in his last moments, he heard splashes upon the water’s surface. Someone approached. As he continued to stare into the sky, a figure came into view, looming over his head. A tall, imposing figure, scarlet hair strewn about wildly, massive arms crossed over the chest. Yellow eyes gleamed furiously with rage.

Ganondorf.

“You have failed, me,” the Evil King spoke. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I’m sorry, my lord,” Dark Link said weakly. He found that it hurt to speak. “The hero proved more formidable then I could have guessed.”

“There’s no excuse, you pathetic waste,” the Dark Lord spat. “You were created for the sole purpose of killing that annoying kid, and you have failed miserably.”

“I’m deeply sorry, Master,” he almost whispered. The world before his eyes faded in and out of darkness. “If I had another chance…” At this, Ganondorf laughed to himself. There was no humor in it.

“What makes you think you deserve another chance?” He said. “Am I to believe it will be any different a second time?”

“Please, Master,” Dark Link choked out. “I’m sure I can do it this time. I know I can do it.”

Ganondorf smiled. “We shall see.” The Evil King waved a hand over Dark Link’s body, and his mortal wound immediately began to close. He could feel his strength returning.

“Heed my words,” Ganondorf said. “If you fail me again, then you may as well resign yourself to death. I will not save you again.”

Dark Link, fully recovered, rose off of his back and knelt at the Evil King’s feet. “I shall not fail you again, my lord. The hero will die by my hand. I swear it.”

…

Through closed eyes, Sheik could see the brightness of sunlight. She would’ve opened them, but she felt sublimely comfortable. She felt as though she were lying atop a cloud, wrapped in the most decadent of furs. Also, she could feel eyes upon her, a spectator. Who else could it be, but Link? She smiled, pleased by the thought that he was watching her sleep. How protective. How sweet.

She opened her eyes and winced at the brightness. Sunlight flooded through the window of the small room she was in. She was in a large, plushy bed, covered in layers of blankets. She sat up to see her hero, but the eyes her gaze met were not the deep blue she expected. Instead, her gaze was held by eyes of a beautiful turquoise, eyes partially hidden behind pretty locks of fiery red hair.

“I thought you would wake soon,” Malon said cheerfully. “You were beginning to sir.”

Sheik’s eyes were wide, unblinking. It was the farm girl. The one she had seen with Link. She had no idea how to react. Should she lunge and attack the redheaded tramp? No, she decided. Don't give her the satisfaction.

“What are you doing here?” Sheik finally managed. Malon arched a brow.

“Um, you are in MY room, dear,” she said, her tone a bit sharp. “You’ve been here for days.”

Days? Sheik thought. What in the name of the Goddesses?

“What happened?” She asked, putting aside the black fury that roiled within her for the moment.

“Fairy Boy brought you here,” Malon said. Sheik ranted inside. She had her own pet name for him? “You were both injured pretty bad. We weren’t sure if you would make it.”

Sheik nodded, a smile touched her lips. Link had saved her, yet again. She turned her gaze back up to the farm girl, trying her best to look both as beautiful and intimidating as possible at the same time.

“Where’s Link?” She asked. At this Malon rolled her eyes, a loving smile on her lips. A smile that Sheik wanted to wipe off her face more than nothing else.

“You know Fairy Boy,” the farm girl said. “The doctor fixed him up and told him to rest, but of course, he can’t sit still when there’s work to be done. He’s outside with Ingo, helping with the chores.”

Outside. That was all Sheik needed to know. She attempted to get out of the bed and immediately cried out. Red hot pain flared up inside her. Malon rushed over to her, helping her lie down slowly.

“Not so fast, dear,” Malon said. “You still need to rest. Your not getting out of this bed for a while. I‘ll just go tell Link you‘re awake.”

Sheik batted Malon’s hands away furiously. “Get your hands off me!” She cried at the farm girl. Malon smirked at this, sighing as she spoke.

“That’s right,” she said. “Fairy Boy said you had a bit of a temper.” Sheik’s eyes flashed with rage. Link had said that? How dare that insolent farm girl smirk at her like that! And that pet name, still ringing in her head like an annoying insect.

“Would you stop calling him that!” Sheik cried, huffing and puffing in anger. Malon’s smirk grew wider at this.

“What?” She said. “Fairy Boy? Why should I? He doesn’t mind. From what he’s told me, he likes it a lot better than people always calling him ‘Hero of Time.’” Sheik trembled with rage. That red headed bitch.

“He actually said that to you?” Sheik asked. Malon grinned devilishly.

“Of course,” she said, her voice practically dripping with ridicule. “Fairy Boy talks quite a bit, once you know him well enough. Doesn’t he talk to you?”

Sheik darted her hands out, determined to gouge those pretty little eyes right out of the farm girl’s head. Malon quickly sprang to her feet, however, and headed to the door. She turned back to Sheik before she left the room, her teeth showing in a mischievous grin.

“I’ll send Fairy Boy up as quick as he can. Perhaps you should get dressed?” With that she closed the door, the click masking Sheik’s gasp.

Sheik raised a hand to her face and felt bare flesh. She peered under the blankets and cried out. She was completely naked, save for a large dressing on the wound of her shoulder.

She looked around frantically, ignoring the pain as she sat up. Where were her clothes? She spotted them on the floor next to her bed. A pile of her blue underwater garments. Among the heap was her side bag.

She lunged for it, wincing at the pain. She opened the sack and retrieved from it a tiny folded square of fabric. Her body suit.

She unfolded it hastily and yanked it on over her body. She was just finishing the wrappings around her face when she heard footsteps approaching on the other side of the door.

The door opened and Link appeared in the doorway, closing the door softly behind him. Sheik smiled behind her mask. He looked completely rejuvenated. His face held the determined strength it once had, instead of the recent misery she had seen so often. He also no longer looked mangled and dirty. The tears on his tunic had been sewn shut, and Sheik felt a sour turn in her stomach as she realized who must’ve sewn it, who must have eyed his bare torso as she lovingly mended his clothing.

Link approached the bed and sat down on the mattress beside Sheik, wary of the angry light in her eyes. Her arms were crossed over her chest.

“You had to come back and visit your sweet farm girl again, did you?” She said sharply, her head turned away from him. She gasped as, once more, she felt the hero’s arms around her.

He embraced Sheik tightly, overjoyed to see her awake. The doctor had said that she may not survive. Sheik rest in his arms, absolutely glowing beneath her mask. The pain in her body and the jealousy at the farm girl were temporarily forgotten as she melted into Link’s embrace. They stayed that way for a long while, until finally he let go of her. Awkward silence followed. Sheik had a question burning in her mind.

“Link…” she said, still looking away. “Did you… did you see me without my mask? Did you see my face?” Link shifted uncomfortably, debating on whether or not to be honest. She seemed as though she was hoping he say no. Finally, he nodded. Sheik waited for him to react. Did he recognize her?

“Why do you cover your face?” Link asked, breaking the silence.

“I have my reasons,” Sheik replied shortly. Silence again, the awkward tone seemingly determined to stay after their tender embrace. Sheik broke the silence this time.

“So I see your tunic is mended. Who sewed it for you?” Link smiled. Sheik sounded angry, but he could tell that beyond her obvious jealousy, she was happy to see him. Link rose from the bed and stretched. He turned to Sheik.

“Rest,” was all he said. Then he left the room to continue helping with Ingo and Malon’s work. Sheik fell back into the bed, still tingling from Link’s touch. Beneath the wrappings covering her face, she grinned ear to ear, replaying the moment over and over in her mind. She fell back into a deep sleep that way.

…

Lon Lon Ranch was cast in a golden glow as the sun fell behind the horizon. It was in these moments of the day that Hyrule showed a hint of the beauty it had once possessed. The corral was empty, Malon having gathered the horses into the stable for the night. Ingo, eternally generous after Ganon’s spell had broken, helped her.

Link sat in the grass with his back leaned against the fence of the corral. His eyes were closed, and pressed to his lips was Zelda’s ocarina. His fingers moved fluidly atop the instrument as he produced the notes of a beautiful melody. Saria had taught it to him, a long time ago. Link still enjoyed playing it years later, the cheery tune bringing back long past memories of his childhood friend and their adventures in the forest.

As the last notes in the song faded into the wind, Link heard footsteps approaching. He opened his eyes to see Malon sit down beside him. She smiled prettily at him.

“I missed you and your ocarina, Fairy Boy,” she said. “It used to brighten my day.” He smiled warmly at her. He hadn’t had a chance to relax and play music since his wild adventure had begun.

“Play the one that the princess taught you,” Malon requested. “I always loved that one.” Link nodded and brought the instrument to his lips once more. Princess Zelda had taught him the song in order to gain Darunia’s trust, all those years ago. The song of the royal family. Zelda’s Lullaby. It was a beautiful piece, soothing and deep. He closed his eyes and produced the melody from his ocarina.

The melody echoed throughout the ranch, bringing a smile to all who heard it. The horses in the stable were entranced by the tune, one by one being lulled to sleep, Epona among them. Ingo heard the tune and smiled to himself, remembering the days when he used to hear that ocarina around the ranch, before Ganondorf had been a worry to anyone.

In the upstairs bedroom of the ranch house, Sheik heard the melody in her dreams. She whispered Link’s name in her sleep and smiled.

Outside, Link finished the song, the last notes fading into silence. The sun was almost gone, and the sky was a dusky purple. Malon’s head was leaned against Link’s shoulder. As he finished the song she looked up at him, their eyes meeting. Their faces were dangerously close. If she wished, Malon could move in an inch or two and kiss his perfect lips. Should she? Would he let her? The look in his eyes was a passive one. He wouldn’t stop her. The next move was up to her. Did she want his love, or his friendship?

Moments passed, yet time seemed to stand still.

Finally, Malon acted. She wrapped her arms around Link’s middle and pulled herself to him, pressing her face to his chest, forgoing the kiss. She looked up at him, a beautiful smile on her face.

“You were my only friend when we were children,” she said. “You were always there for me. You’ll still be there for me, right?” Link smiled and nodded, rubbing the top of her head. She nodded back, snuggling into his chest once more.

“That Sheik is a jealous one,” Malon warned. “Much more jealous than I ever was.”

Link chuckled to himself at this, still rubbing her head. “Be nice to her,” Link said with a smile on his face.
Malon said nothing, all though her decision was made, that woman had still thieved away with her Fairy Boy’s heart. She had no intention of being nice. For the moment she simply enjoyed his hand upon her head.

They sat together until the sun had fully set, the moon bright and new in the sky. Then they went inside.

…

A few days had passed before Link was readying Epona for the road. Kakariko Village. That was where Sheik said they needed to go next. She stood in the corral with Link, glad to be outside for the first time in a few days. She felt ten times better, the wound in her shoulder almost fully healed with the doctor’s medicine and her own magic.

It wasn’t until Link was almost finished that Sheik noticed something strange. Epona was already saddled and bridled, yet Link was still busy. He was preparing another horse, a pretty white mare.

“Link, are we really going to need two horses?” Sheik asked.

“It’s not for you,” a voice came from behind her. Sheik turned to see the Malon, carrying a bag of her supplies. She looked ready for travel. “I’m coming with. My father’s in Kakariko. Besides, somebody needs to ride this horse back.” She motioned to the white mare. “It’s not ours. Link was only borrowing it.”

Sheik’s head reeled in disbelief. The farm girl was coming with them? She turned to appeal to Link, to ask him to tell her that the farm girl was playing a gag.. He nodded his head in agreement with Malon.

The farm girl approached Link, helping him with a troublesome knot. He smiled at her in thanks, sending hot waves of fury through Sheik’s body.

“So,” Malon said. “I was thinking I would ride with Fairy Boy. That is, unless you really don’t even know how to ride a horse?” she smiled mockingly at Sheik while Link’s back was turned. "Of course, you could always ride with me?"

Sheik trembled in rage, wanting nothing more than to dive at the horrid redhead. She remained composed however, not wanting to give Malon the satisfaction.

“I’m perfectly capable of riding a horse, thank you,” Sheik said sharply. “I’ll ride alone.” She would’ve rather had the redhead riding alone away from Link, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to look incompetent. She mounted the white mare and made an obscene gesture towards Malon.

Link, who was mounting Epona, took no notice. Much to Sheik’s dismay, he held out his hand to help Malon climb up. She wrapped her arms tightly around Link, poking her tongue out at Sheik while his back was turned.

Without noticing any of this transpiring, although able to feel the tension between the two women, Link spurred Epona into action and headed out of the ranch. Sheik followed close behind, making sure that the farm girl kept her hands to herself.

In this manner they rode across Hyrule Field, the hills of Kakariko faint upon the horizon.

…

Ganondorf climbed the towering stairway in his castle, making his way to the tallest, highest spire. There were only two temples remaining, and the Evil King wanted this problem resolved as soon as possible.

The shadow warrior was riding hard on the trail of the hero, but Ganondorf held little faith in the pathetic creation. The only reason he had spared it in the first place was because the Hero’s blood would not often be attainable, and it would be a shame to see such go to waste.

No, he did not have much faith in the shadow knight at all. What he needed was real magic. Something devastating, a power that perhaps even he himself was not capable of.

Ganon reached the topmost level of the staircase and stood before a large stone door. He didn’t knock, for he knew they sensed his presence.

Sure enough, the door slid open, a voice emanating from the darkness.

“Enter,” it said. Two voices in unison, identical yet somehow different, as sultry and seductive as it was booming and terrifying. Ganondorf walked into the darkness. The door slid shut behind him.

Inside, the Evil King was engulfed in shadow. Yet he could feel a gaze upon him. Feel the watching eyes of the two before him. Two that were somehow one. He knelt down on one knee, his voice echoing into the abyss of darkness.

“Mother,” he said.

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Not much to say. Read/Rate/Review. Next chapter soon. Finals are this week, so perhaps not right away.