A Link Without Zelda [COMPLETE]

6. Ellemy's Idea

Link never slept much last night. After he took the so-called "Inverted Force" out of his palm, there wasn't much work to be done. He cleaned it but running it under water revealing just what the old fortune teller told him: metallic triangle that shone a brilliant gold despite all it's been through. But there was nothing for him to do with that information. No books or person to consult. He knows if Adel were here, she would figure out a way to help him.

So day break came and with nothing else to do, Link ventured out into town just to think. Ok, maybe not just to think but also to watch. The old hag said that the ones who are secretive might be able to give him information he is looking for. So he figured that this would be a good place to start. Hidden Point is the busiest during the morning and the town park is the central area of the town so many people pass here on their travels.

He looks around. Farmer Gen is guiding a horse that is pulling cartons of milk and eggs to bring to the market. He is a crooked old man but Link wouldn't exactly call him secretive. He would offer his home to anyone in need. Then there is Leena . She has become very distant but why wouldn't she? A middle aged woman who lost her husband and grandson during the attack that he and Adel fought in. Before that, she lost her daughter to illness. So that means she's grief stricken, not secretive right? Maybe...

 He keeps her on the backburner as an option, just in case.

He hears giggling and looks in the direction. There are a couple of younger girls, around his own age. They look at him and then huddle around each other laughing. He rolls his eyes. Nothing secretive about these frivolous minded girls--

He feels a tap on his shoulder. "Hey you," says a voice behind him. It was Ellemy. Link tries his best to conceal his bandaged hand before he motions for her to sit next to him. For whatever the reason, Ellemy had her eyes on him since he first arrived at Hidden Point. He thought it was because he was new but several months have passed and the interest has remained about the same. The only thing is that now she worries a lot about Link. He has no idea why that is either. She has been nothing but nice and welcoming. He thinks of the cold shoulder he has given her lately and the way he spoke to her the other day. He feels a twinge of guilt. He doesn't have the time to entertain her but he is aware he likely hurt her feelings.

"Ellemy," he sighs. "About what I--"

"Here," she says handing him a small box of neatly packaged food.

He smiles sympathetically. "I am the last person in this town to deserve a kind gesture from you."

"I know." she laughs. "But in the same breath you are also the person who deserves it the most. I get frustrated that I can't reach you, but then when I think about all you have done, more than I will ever know, and still go through," she pauses a moment. "It's not fair. You're the hero and shouldn't be unhappy. And to not be able to get home... that's scary," she says. "I can't imagine what you're going through... so here," she says offering the food again. "This is also my way of apologizing for telling you how you should feel."

Link takes the food. "Ellemy. I don't know what to say," he says noticing a maturity in her since they first met.

"Say that you will eat it. And just know that I'll be here waiting... if you ever change your mind."

Link looks at her a moment and then smiles. "Thank you. The way I spoke to you the other day, it wasn't about you."

"I have come to realize that too."

They are quiet for a moment then Link gestures at the food. "Care to eat with me?" he says holding out the box. She smiles and picks up a couple of cherries. He places the box down and unconsciously uses his left hand to pick up a peach.

"My Goddess, Link, what happened to your hand," says Ellemy noticing rusty color bandage where he had been bleeding.

"What happened?"

"I have been using my blood in hopes of getting home. I guess I cut too deep." he says. He tries to flex his hand but it's still too painful. He winces.

Ellemy gets up and picks up a herb that is growing nearby some trees. She pulls the leaves off and places in a glass and pours some lemonade over it and passes it to Link.

"It's Goldenrule, a herb used to fight infection. Give the leaves a moment to steep so you can get the most out of it."

"That's kind of you," he says.

"And Link," Link looks at her and is surprised to see tears. Before she was mad and now she looks deeply concerned. "Whatever it is you have to do, I understand completely, but please, be safe."

Women are confusing. How can she cry because she is mad AND concerned. And why me?

"You don't have to hide things from me. I realize all I want to do is help you and I can't do that if you keep secrets from me. You're becoming as secretive as Keyton was and to be honest--"

"What did you say?" Link says abruptly.

"Oh, no. I didn't mean you are like Keaton. But we realize now that Keyton had a lot of secrets. Had we known, had he come to talk to us, we could have helped him and all that happened could have gone down so differently. Well, that's what my brother believes anyways."

Link thinks about what the old hag told him. He can obtain answers from the one that held secrets. All this time he was looking for a living body. He never considered those who have passed on. For that matter, Envan, Adel's father, was secretive too. His entire purpose and relationship to Adel was kept in almost complete secrecy. Hyrule mattered to him, and he often seemed to know more than what he led on. Could there be information hidden within his home? Keyton did not want the story of Hryule and Elrule to come to life. He wanted to rule Hidden Point and then all of Elrule. Simple as that. He foolishly chose not to believe what was presented to him. Other than the fact he had ties to Ganondorf and his plans, he had no secrets to keep. But one thing Link is sure of is that Envan did not feel the same way as Keyton. He wanted the truth to come out, when the time was right. Could there be traces of information left in his and Adel's home? 

"Link? Where did you go?"

He shakes his thoughts away and smiles at her. "Sorry. I'm here. And thanks again, Ellemy. For everything."