If I Just Dreamed

Sympathy- (8 of 13)

The spring's water parted with their presence.

The warp was nauseating, as it felt like it was pulling her to pieces like one would a delicate flower. Her breath was stolen in the process and her hair fell from her braid. Not willing to tie it back up, Niah let it go. As the warp completed, the water connected back together, and her shoes were soaked once more. But she liked it. She was happy to be back in the fresh breeze of the village as it had felt like the both of them had been in there for weeks, when it had been merely a day or two at most.

Link cursed as he realized where they had ended up.

"-not surprised." He said. "With our luck."

As if it had been bad.

The sky was dark, and the stars bloomed over them as she looked up. A warm wind started to blow. Unlike before, it was dry, but Earth-y, it was warm and safe. It reminded her of her college dorms, smelling the sweet scent of the Pacific breeze.

There were no children to greet them. No adult, not even a crow. It made Niah feel better somehow, the moment of respite before they entered the next section of Hyrule. The next section of Twilight.

"You look like you're about to sleep standing up."

With that, she yawned and pressed the palm of her hands against her eyes.

They walked down the dirt path, bathed in weathered pebbles and dust from the mountains. The air was more cloudy as the volcano eased itself finally from their battle. On the outskirts, that was where the people were. Men were there again, conversing and celebrating among themselves. Their embargo had been lifted, and they were able to provide again. Link did not stop to hear their thanks, but he did scan over them with satisfaction. But, after a moment, the smile faltered, and he walked faster towards the stables.

Link was mad at her. Had to be, but it wasn't any use to stand and ponder about what to do about it. She was always taught to speak her mind, talk about it. Don't let the pressure build until it finally pops and makes a mess of everything.

The wood door creaked as Link unhinged the lock and pushed it open. There was the smell of hay.

"You're mad at me." It wasn't a question.

Link shrugged. His hand brushed over Epona's nose, and she leaned into it. "Not mad. Just..." She nudged against him, "I've been thinking about what you said-"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset-"

"I know. And you did at first." He suddenly stopped and took a deep breath, but still, he didn't look at her. "Okay, I'm still a bit upset. But you were right." Link took a deep breath, and closed his eye.

"I have a legacy designed for me. I have to live up to my ancestors' expectations of me, and that fear makes me live in shame of all the things I didn't do before all of this."

Link moved his hand to hover over the lobe of his ear, he plucked an earring. A specific one as it was sapphire and sparkled in the candle light.

"My mother tried to sing her protections over my destiny. She tried to sing her protection during the siege of our village, and through my wanderings. And even now, she sings from beyond the grave, protecting me from the darkness."

Link's shoulders slouched before he released a deep breath. He turned back towards Niah, and instead of him having a weird, quirky and awkward grin, or a disheartened and hopeless frown. Link smiled.

It was light and perfect, and it released the tension in herself.

"For the longest time, I thought my mother had abandoned me. And it sealed my destiny to be alone-"