A Link Without Zelda [COMPLETE]

8. A New Purpose

"I thought I would find one at the odds and end shop at the market," says Ellemy sitting down next to Link.

"That's great," says Link as he feels the wood grains in the ocarina. He holds it gingerly, like he is holding some sacred object. Speaking of sacred objects, he hid the inverted force in a locked wooden box under the floorboard of his room. He wonders what it is about this town and hiding things. It's like whoever lives her is destined to keep things in secrecy, including him.

"Do you remember the song? The one you saw in that memory?"

He nods. "Now that I remember, I can't forget."

Ellemy's face turns somber, her eyes down on the ocarina that is in Link's butchered hands. "I guess this song, the song of connection, holds a lot of power. The ability to reconnect you with Adel, er Princess Zelda."

"It seems that way," says Link. He is sitting on the floor leaned up against the couch, his right arm resting on his knee as he cradles the ocarina.

"This is something that you have always wanted and to be honest, as the hero and chosen one, I have no doubt that you will return to Hyrule. I mean, why not? You were there during the era of time and twilight. Even before Hyrule existed and we lived in the sky for safety... you fixed all that. You kept us safe all this time..." she looks up at Link who has his eyebrow cocked. "What?" she asks.

"You learned a lot about yours-- our-- history," he says.

"Oh and you're surprised that I learned something?"

"Kind of. I didn't think you were the type to... study."

"That's a little bit offensive," she says then smiles. "But to be honest, I wasn't. Not until I learned about our truth. Not until I met you."

Link and Ellemy look at each other for a moment. They have done that before many times, but for Link, this moment is different. There is a level of admiration and tenderness that wasn't there before. She has matured a lot since the battle five months ago. What was once important to her has now become frivolous.

"Link?" she says pulling him out of his wonders.

"Sorry," he says. "You have changed a lot."

She smiles. "What I was getting at is that I believe you will have success. So, I can leave to give you privacy when you play the song of connection."

"I appreciate that, but it's fine if you want to stay. I would like it if you stayed," he adds. He has had no luck in the five months he has been trying to connect with Adel so he is not overly optimistic about being successful now because he remembers some song. Company would be nice in the face of failure and disappointment.

Ellemy sits on the chair across from Link and keeps her gaze on the ocarina. Link takes one breath and brings the Ocarina to his lips. He begins to play the melody, a sweet and gentle song. Upon hearing it, it is clear to Ellemy that the notes contain mysterious powers. Even if she didn't witness all that went down and the truth didn't come out, she is convinced this song would change her opinion, even if she didn't get to experience all it has to offer.

Link finishes the tune, yet somehow the melody still echoes around them. Then he lowers his hands and gazes at Ellemy. They are both quiet for a few moments.

"It didn't work, did it?" say Ellemy, afraid to ask because she is aware how much it will hurt him.

He sighs. "Nothing."

Ellemy wants to ask questions and try to find a solution but she knows he needs a moment to process, so she waits for him to make the first move.

"I'm not surprised," he finally says. "I knew it wouldn't be that easy."

"What if you played it at the shrine? Maybe it needs to be as close to Hyrule as possible."

He shakes his head, "I spoke with Zelda in that memory too. She said that as long as I played that song, we would be connected."

Ellemy looks at the ocarina and the book and tries to rack her brain. It isn't fair that he's suffering like this.

"You know what I think?"

Ellemy looks at him.

"According to history, there has never been an instance that me and Zelda were separated like this. But now we live in completely different worlds. No one could have predicted what Gannondorf did or the effect it would have on the world. The fact the Hylian race would split into two different dimensions, connected only because of the Goddesses..." he pauses as he processes the situation. "If I'm willing to make a wager, the song of connection will not be effective. Not as long as Zelda - Adel and I are separated. Not as long as I'm in Elrule, her in Hyrule."

Ellemy can sense defeat in Link's voice. This could be an opportunity for her. An opportunity for her to influence him, convince him to accept his fate and that she will be there for him along the way. She can picture her as they stand there, as she moves into him, his lips close to her forehead as she draws him in. It would be easy to manipulate him in this state he is in and if this was just days ago, she might consider it. But she does not want to be that person so instead, she will support the people she cares about, even if that means that he is no longer by her side. If it means she drives him into the arms of another woman.

"Are you ready to put away your violin now?"

"It's... an ocarina," he says.

"I mean, are you ready to quit whining and complaining. Think of all that you have been through and not just in this lifetime. I mean, you never gave up when your life was in danger. Why would you now?"

"It's not about my life being in danger," he says. Ellemy knows what comes next. "It's when she's in danger..."

Ellemy bites her lip and forces a smile. "Well then use her as your fuel."

Link shakes his head gently. "I know this must be hard for you. Why?" he says. "Why are you going above and beyond to help get home?"

She leans back in the seat and looks at the ceiling but Link knows there is something flashing her mind. "Thanks to my emotionally manipulative father, I have re-evaluated what it means to care and support someone who matters. I am ready to give to others what I did not receive, especially those who matter to me. You know, the more I know the story of you and Hyrule, the more intrigued I become. But even deeper than that, the more I know you, the more I want to be that person in your life you can say supported and cared for you," she says.

"Ellemy," he says softly.

She also feels that perhaps she has a purpose to, one that is bigger than herself. One that can assist Link on his journey. She isn't ready to tell him that though.

"I don't know how to ever thank you," he says.

"Let me have those," she says pointing. Link follows her direction.

"This?" he says picking up some texts.

She takes it from him. "I will do some light reading. Plus, I'll let you know if there is anything that can help you."

He smiles. "Thank you, Ellemy."

She leaves, leaving Link alone once again. He is surprised that he finds himself wishing she would stay.