The Legend: Part II

The Legend: Part II: Chapter 24 - Close to Death

Zelda's P.O.V

It was getting late and Link still had not shown up. I began to worry. It was nearly dawn and Link completely skipped out on our midnight meetings. To be honest I was angry. Everything was going so well between us and I was finally prepared to give the new to Link of my pregnancy. His absence was frustrating and I was unable to sleep until I was sure he was okay. Soon the sun rose and it was early morning. I groaned as the sunlight creeped in through the open balcony doors, which I had kept open for Link. "Quick call a physician!" A voice shouted from outside. I swung my legs over the side of my bed and made my way across the room towards the balcony. I reached the handrail and gazed down towards the from gates of the Castle. Soldiers were gathered and people looked onward. "What seems to be the problem down there?!" I exclaimed from the balcony. Only one guard heard me. He bowed in response and then gave me the most horrifying news. "Its Master Link. He seems to have taken ill Milady. He was passed out before the gate and then found just this morning." The guard explained.  "Bring him in this instant! I need you to send for a healer named Laura. She works in Castle Town, she is a renowned healer. Tell her of the situation and that I summoned her to the Castle." I instructed. "Yes Milady." He answered as he turned and left to do the things I ordered him to do. I watched as Link's form was carried through the gates and into the castle. I ran downstairs to meet them there. Link was pale and barely seemed alive. "Bring him to the suite beside mine. Quickly!" I exclaimed. With great pace Link was carried to a room and laid on a bed to rest. Once the guards left the room I quickly looked him over. The corner's of his mouth were stained with blood, and his skin was very warm. "You're running a fever." I stated as I unbuttoned his shirt and removed it from his body. I then lifted his eyelids to check his eyes. They were discolored slightly and his eyes were dilated. He was breathing steadily and his pulse was faint. Suddenly the doors opened to reveal Ronin and Laura. "Oh thank heavens!" I exclaimed. Laura quickly ran to Link's side with a basket filled with various poisons and herbs. "Did he eat anything bad? Drink anything?" Laura questioned.  "I don't know. I haven't seen him in the past 12 hours." I answered. She opened his mouth to see his tongue was colored black. "Oh my goddesses." I cried. She checked his eyes as well to see that they too were discolored. "He's clearly been poisoned." Laura answered. My heart dropped. "No! Not now of all times." I cried. Laura shot me a sympathetic look. "Everything will be okay Zelda." Laura assured me. Ronin stepped forward. "Zelda why don't we give Laura some space to work." He suggested. "No! I refuse to leave his side." I snapped. Ronin lifted his hands up in surrender as he chuckled and left the room. "You know if you're trying to keep your love for Link a secret I suggest you try to seem like you don't care about his well being right now." Laura laughed. I smiled softly as I gently swept Link's bangs out of his eyes. "This a strong type of poison. It seems to have caused a growth within his lungs and up into his throat blocking his wind pipe. He is having difficulty breathing." Laura explained. "Is there a cure?" I asked. "I'm not sure. I've never seen anything like this. It's almost as if its some sort of black magic. " Laura explained. Suddenly Link began to make loud choking sounds. "He's not breathing!" I exclaimed. "Hold him down." Laura commanded. I did so and watched as Laura quickly opened Link's mouth. Thick black liquid began to pour from his mouth. Laura pounded on Link's chest until he coughed up most of the black tar like poison. Laura then pulled out a long, sharp, scapel sort of thing. She stabbed Link's chest in order to create a new area of air flow. Link gasped for air as Laura removed the blade from Link's chest. He panted as more of the black liquid dripped from his lips. Link suddenly reached for me. I grasped his hand and began to prayer silently to the Goddesses. "I'm going to need your help with this." Laura stated. "I need your magic. You have to attempt to heal him as I try to find the source of the growth. I'm going to have to cut it out. The second I do you have to heal him. Can you do that?" Laura asked. "Of course." I stated. Laura then began to cut open Link's chest. More black ooze appeared as she cut him open. Link's lungs were covered in black ooze but just above the two muscles was the growth. It appeared to be almost alive. As if it was feeding off of Link. Laura then cut the growth out and then stitched Link back up. I quickly used as much power as I could muster to heal Link. It wasn't enough to heal the stitches but it was enough to heal the damage inside him. Link began to breathe easy as I finished the job. "I'm going to find some fresh water and rags to clean him off with. Keep an eye on him." Laura stated as she left the room. I stared at Link's form. His chest rose and fell evenly while he still gripped my hand tightly. Laura returned with a pitcher of water and some rags. Together we bathed him until all of the blood and black ooze was removed. Link stirred a few times but was unable to fully awake just yet. Eventually the major question was brought up. "Who would have poisoned Link?"