A Link Without Zelda [COMPLETE]

11. Ellemy's Discovery

Link takes the torn up book. Ellemy decided it might be a good idea in case they wanted to reference something. Without making Ellemy aware, he took the inverted force and wedged it between the book. It's thin and small anyways and goes even more unnoticed between a mess of torn pages.

Link isn't sure why he is keeping it a secret. Actually, he's not even really keeping it a secret. It was traumatizing to him, to carry that without him even knowing and then removing it... he shutters at the thought of the pain. Then he thinks about Adel. He wasn't there when she battled Gannondorf but he had heard Ownis say that this entire time, Zelda had carried the Triforce in her heart and was ejected by force. The synchronicity between him and her is uncanny. Like they both came to this earth specially made by the Goddesses, equipped with all that they needed to make things right.

So, with that being said, why would Ellemy be wrong?

"What's it like?" says Ellemy breaking Link away from this thoughts.

"What's what like?"

"The other side. Hyrule."

Link looks down at her a moment then puts his gaze back on the trail. "I guess I don't know what it's like now. Back then it was barren and dangerous. If you ventured to the wrong place at the wrong time, you could get taken by one of Gannondorf's troops." He is about to say that that is what happened to Adel, but isn't sure he should tell her story. He leaves it for now. "Food was scarce and you could trust no one. Before, there were many races. The Zoras and Gorons and Ritos. With time, maybe Hyrule will be what it once was."

Ellemy nods her head. "I read about the other races. But I don't think you have to worry about Hyrule with Adel there."

Link says nothing, as he is inclined to agree, so he just waits for her to state her rationale.

"I didn't get to know Adel too personally and part of that was because I was so intimidated by her. She was different than the other girls and myself. Special. Like she knew deep within her soul that she had a duty to fulfill. She was so brave despite all she went through. I can picture her in Hyrule, being princess yet humble as ever, making the necessary sacrifices to ensure the wellbeing of everyone else." Ellemy looks at Link with a smile on her face. "I can see why you are in love with her."

Of course deep down Ellemy is hoping for a rebuttal. For Link to argue with her, and say that's not the case whether he means it or not. 

"Of course I love her," he says. Ellemy is is surprised by the ache in her heart as it breaks a little. She thought she was past this. "It's weird, coming into this world with everything predetermined. It kind of feels like I don't have much autonomy in my own actions and feelings... I guess I don't have much autonomy at all. Every cycle I come back into the world to do the same. That's fine but then what happens when that purpose is over? What do I live for then?"

Ellemy is quiet as she reflects on his words. "Yourself," she says after a few moments.

"Live for myself?" he says.

"Why not? After all you have done, you of all people deserve it the most."

"Yet here I am," he says dryly.

"Link. You might be chosen by the Goddess, legendary knight of the princess of Hyrule. And you are human being too. One who has their own personality, likes and dislikes, desires and wants. Your reason for being chosen by the Goddess is a part of you... but it's only a part. There are other parts of you too. Have you ever gotten to know them?"

He shrugs. "Well no, I guess I haven't."

"I think I get your struggle. Right now you are in a place where you can have autonomy over your life... you just don't know how."

"I guess I never thought it like that before. I don't know what to do with my own freedom. I only know how to fight for others' freedom."

"Good insight," she says.

"So how am I suppose to do that? Have autonomy?"

"One thing at a time," says Ellemy coming to a stop. She points to the shrine and Link follows her gaze. "Where do you want to begin? And remember, I'm coming with you if it works."

"I didn't forget. Can you hold onto this before we get started? Nature calls."

Ellemy takes the book from Link's hands and shakes her head as she watches him disappear behind some trees. It's dark but some torches light the place up a bit. She spots a flat rock to perch on but trips in some twigs, dropping the book as she uses her hands to catch herself.

"You okay?" calls Link.

"Yes," she says brushing herself off, "Just tripped." She gathers the loose papers that fell and then pricks herself on something. "What now?" she says feeling for the object. She picks up a small metallic triangle, turning it this way and that trying to figure out what it is. She holds it out in the front of the monument, where the most light is coming from and something catches her attention. In the monument is an engraving of an upside down triangle, Elrule's divine symbol. But it looks as though the triangle she holds, where ever it came from was meant to put right there. She slides it into the spot.

"It fits perfectly," she says to herself. Then right before her eyes, three more triangles appear, surroundings the triangle she just placed. They glow. "Isn't that the triforce? What does this all mean?"

"Hey, Link. I think I found something," she says when she hears footsteps behind her. She turns around, her proud smile fading when she realizes it wasn't Link that she heard. And she has an unsettling feeling that he isn't with her anymore.