The Legend of Zelda: Everlasting (2nd book in the Timeless series)

Chapter 29

He whipped around, eyes growing wide. He took off towards her, catching her as she fell,
"Oh my goddesses..." He mumbled, brushing her hair out of her face. Her eyes were closed, "Don't worry Zelda, I'm here now. I was so stupid. He's gone though. I got rid of him. We're going to be ok now," He said soothingly. He then scooped her up as gently as possible and started running towards the town. She had managed to get a good part of the way there, so he didn't have to go very far.
When he entered the town, every head turned. He ignored them, though. He didn't have the time to deal with their curiosity and worry.
Renado looked up when he entered the makeshift hospital. His eyes widened,
"Wha-?"
"No time to explain. She's weak and needs help." He set her down on an empty bed and pulled the blankets up over her. He then checked her pulse, which was weak but there, "Get me some water," he said, not caring who it was towards. He heard footsteps leaving.
That's when he noticed it. A small but defined bump under the covers, where her stomach was. He wanted to see what it was, but he knew it was more important to keep her warm,
"Here you are, sir," a small man said, handing him a cup of water. Link nodded his thanks before lifting her head up slightly and giving her a drink. Setting it down on the ground, he got up for some disinfectant and bandages to treat her cuts,
"I am impressed with what you have learned to heal." Renado said to him. He shrugged,
"I've got to help her. Now I know I can," he said, returning to her side.
He spent the next half hour tending to the many cuts and bruises she had. Then, he kissed her head and walked outside. Quinn was there, washing a rapier off with a wet rag. She looked up when he approached,
"Hey," she said, smiling slightly,
"Hey," he answered back, sitting by her,
"How are you?" She asked, sheathing her blade. He shrugged, which was the best he could do at the moment. She nodded, understanding,
"I'm sorry about your loss," she said after a moment. He nodded,
"Thanks," he glanced over at her, keeping a straight face. She sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder,
"You don't have to be so strong all the time, Link. I know it's wearing you down. It's ok to lean on someone else for once, you know," she said gently. He scoffed,
"Yeah right. It doesn't matter, though. I'm fine. I'm not worn down, I'm not weak. I'm fine," he said stubbornly. She nodded and took her hand away.
They sat in silence for a few more minutes before Renado exited the hospital,
"Link. Zelda is awake," he nodded and stood up, walking back into the dimly lit room.
Her eyes were open slightly, and breathing irregular when he walked in. They opened more when she saw him. He smiled until he realized what was in her eyes-fear,
"Hey, Zel. Glad to see you're awake," he said, walking over to her slowly. He pushed herself away from him,
"No...not again. Get away! Don't do it again! Go!" She hissed out, hoarse. His eyes widened in surprise,
"I don't underst-"
"Don't you touch me again! You're a sick..." She stopped closing her eyes. A small tear slid down her cheek. He looked down, hurt,
"Zelda..."
"Don't you dare say my name. I won't have my name uttered by filth like you," she muttered through clenched teeth,
"Why are you acting like this?" He asked, looking up at her intensely. She scoffed,
"Don't act like you don't know, you monster. You've already ruined me by posing as him. Just stop already," she then took notice of where she was, "Where have you taken me?"
"Do you not remember being found on the field?" He asked, touching her hand. She tensed, but didn't move away,
"What?"
"When I killed Dark Link, your prison vanished. I found you later wandering the field, hurt," he said, trying to not let what she said get to him. She now had a confused expression,
"Killed Dark Link...?" He nodded. She hesitantly touched his cheek, looking at him. He didn't move as she examined him, and after a few moments her eyes grew wide, tears now freely flowing, "Oh, Link!" She threw her arms around him, and he smiled, hugging her back. He liked this much better, "I'm so sorry! I thought-he impersonated you. I didn't know," she tried to explain. He shushed her,
"It's ok now, love. He won't hurt you again." He layed her back down and stood, "Now, I'm going to go get you something to eat, and then you need to rest,"
"You're leaving?" She asked, fear returning to her eyes. He waited for moment before turning to a man who was sitting in the other room,
"Can you go get her something to eat?" He nodded and walked off. Link returned to her side, and smiled as she relaxed,
"I'm not going anywhere." He said, kissing the back of her hand.