A Murderer's Son: A Zelink Story

Chapter 21

"Dear Zelda,

Max here. I'm so sorry to inform you, but Link passed away last night. 

He had cancer, that was why he needed to go home. He'd known it was terminal for a few months, but we found out too late for treatment. We all wanted him to tell you, but he didn't have the heart. 

He wasn't planning out when he was free, when he told you he'd see you in a month. He'd had a month to live.

Please don't be upset at him.

He was never grounded. He'd wanted to make you laugh, that was all. He was bedridden for the last two weeks of his life, and he couldn't stop talking about you to everyone. If it makes you feel any better, that letter you wrote had reached him, and I'd read it to him just before he was too weak to speak, meaning that he'd formulated a reply that I've included beneath, but his death sort of got in the way of posting it. He knew you loved him, though. don't worry.

He died quietly, next to me and one of the others. He could barely speak all day, he was too weak, so he'd just laid there, very peacefully. We talked to him, though, all day, even if he could barely form a reply. Kept him company. And then he just closed his eyes and slipped away, around midnight, to be precise.

I know this must all be really scary. I'm so sorry. We're all feeling the burdens of it over here in the desert. Just know that you're not alone, Princess. He really did love you.

~Max"

"Dear Zelda,

I miss you so much. I'm so sorry. I wish things were different. I wish I didn't have to say goodbye to you. Please forgive me.

I love you too. I love you so, so much. I'm scared. 

Please, Zelda, don't hate me. I'm so sorry. I love you. Please remember me. Please remember us. I promise to come back. I promise to be with you. Forever and always.

Lots of love,

Link

PS: Do you remember the ocean?"