If I Just Dreamed

Sympathy- (4 of 13)

The small party pressed forward. Niah had been pleased with the fact that they stayed shaded from the morning sun. There was no clear answer what time of the year this was, however -- from the experience yesterday crawling through the plains on horseback, and the fresh breeze that swiped away the fear that so admonitory donned her; it must be early spring. The light however still warmed her skin to hopefully fight back the rather bitter chill that would occasionally run up her spine -- they tread once again over the field, yet this time, there was a mild feel of what she believed to be euphoria. Mara had become a pleasant aid on her journey. No longer did she have to deal with the judder of a shield in front of her as she clung to Link on horseback.

Just before the passage that connected the fields, it may have been a little after nine or ten in the morning. Instead of the sun beaming a soft glow, it was brighter and more alive. They stopped by a drab tree for a break. It had the right amount of shade to not roast them in the sun. In the distance -- the castle could be seen embedded in Twilight. Link hadn't said much, he seemed to be thinking, and Niah wasn't going to bother him with it. Small handfuls of food was taken from the satchel, Niah had taken berries, while Link had retrieved some bread for himself, just a small scrap, he didn't appear too hungry, and in fact seemed adamant to avoid stopping all together.

Niah's breath came like ropes, she had stared long enough into the abyss, 'Damn you,' She thought to herself, 'Damn this life, why must it speak in riddles?' But that left her with another thought. She was merely a strand of life from elsewhere, and that it was just her, or maybe it wasn't just her. She turned her gaze from the castle to see a hawk fly above and let out a crow, a lone squirrel that was attached to the sad tree they had sat by quarreled. There was no peace for her, or Link especially. He would continue to be reincarnated, continuing to be reborn into a torn world. From the moment he was forced to leave his peaceful forest there will not be a time anymore where he would be able to stand in a single place.

But the Triforce was three pieces -- there was Link and Zelda, and even Ganondorf to fill that weird lonesome void, perhaps there were others for her, 'I suppose they're hiding, or even waiting for me. In need of my help.' A painful flash erupted from her skull. It was only a second, but it was enough to make her gasp for breath. It was a terrible thought, a bad memory maybe?

"Are you okay?"

Niah barely noticed the voice, but met him with a weary nod, "Yeah, just a weird headache."

Link shrugged, "Sorry about earlier though, it was a bit much wasn't it?"

"Not really, people like to be alone and not talk, it's not that big of a deal."

Link pulled himself together and managed to look at her, "I know this is a bit early, but..." He stopped for a moment, thinking of his words, "When this is all said and done, what do you actually plan on... doing?"

"I don't know," She began to swiftly choose her words. "- I mean, I could go home now. But I feel like I'm here for a reason." Niah dug into her pocket and pulled out the brooch, "I just wish I knew what for."

Link for the most part laughed, "Let's face it, we're both pawns in the game of life." He scooted down from leaning on the tree to lie down on the grass, his arms pillowed his head. "-Or pawns for the Gods in my case."

She smiled and rolled her eyes, at least his attitude had shifted to something slightly more comical. "Yes, of course. Who knew you were a philosopher."

Link let out a laugh, it's the kind of laugh that would take anyone out of a sour mood, and for the most part it did the job well, for just a moment large questions were pushed aside. Fortunately as the mood lightened so did their conversation — it rang in her ears for a solid minutes before it dissipated. Link's eyes were closed and he relaxed and for Niah's part she didn't disturb him. The soft breathing of drowsiness almost swept her as well, but they were on a mission back to Kakariko, preferably before dark.