The Legend of Zelda: Transient (third book in the Timeless series)

Chapter 13

"Mama! Can I feel her?" Erick asked excitedly, moving closer. She smiled and nodded, taking his hand and placing it over the spot she felt the movement, "Whoa! They're moving a lot!" Zelda nodded before re-positioning herself,

"It's getting tight in there, I'm sure." She said with a chuckle. It had been several months since their visit with Shea, and life had flowed on the way it had before.

Except Link still hadn't come home.

Her child had continued to grow beautifully. Erick was so supportive, and had spent most of his time thinking of names, which had included Ericka and Race car, which he had picked while playing.

His behavior had gone back to usual, for the most part. He got a bit too upset occasionally, but Zelda was helping him control it. It was getting harder though, because Zelda was getting weaker.

There was some complications with her pregnancy, and she had been getting continually sicker over the past several weeks. She didn't let Erick know how much her condition was deteriorating. He continued living life happily. He was too excited when the doctor told her the baby should be coming at any time, and he was blissfully unaware of the sorrowful look Zelda received. He didn't know that it was likely that one or both of them wouldn't survive birth at this rate,

"Mama? What's wrong? You look pretty tired. " he asked, bringing her back to the present. She shook her head, fixing his hair,

"I didn't get much sleep last night, honey. That's all." She said with a small smile,

"How about you take a nap, then?" He suggested cheerily. She chuckled.

"I want to spend time with my favorite boy." She said with a smile. His face lit up,

"Oh yeah! I'm the favorite! Take that Dad!" He said, laughing. Zelda didn't return it, looking down. That one sentence brought back the ache of missing him. Erick realized what he said, and quieted down,

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." He said quietly. She waved him off with a small smile.

"Don't be. When he comes home, we'll have a contest. Whoever kills a cucco will be my favorite." She said with a laugh. His mouth dropped open,

" A cucco?! But I can't kill those spawns of Demise!"

"Well, neither can your dad, so it works out nicely." His face turned determined,

"It's on." She rolled her eyes, smiling.

It faded quickly. The ache she placed with missing him hadn't gone away. She found it harder to breathe, and she was in a cold sweat,

"Mama?" Erick asked. She looked up slowly, a bit disoriented,

"Hmm?" She barely made out,

"What's wrong??" He asked worriedly,

"Honey, go get the doctor." She whispered before turning and vomiting into a nearby trash can. Erick yelped before running out of the room.

Here we go, She thought numbly.

~~

In merely a few minutes, the doctor and several maids were in the room, laying her down and checking vitals. Out of her fogged vision, she saw a small figure.

"Get him out of here." She barked hoarsely, and she heard footsteps leading away from the room.

~~

She felt like she was floating. Darkness would engulf her, just to send her back to reality in some kind of cruel seesaw.

"Heartbeat's dropping."

Darkness.

"The cord is wrapped around their neck. We have to get them out now, or it'll be too late."

"The Queen is too unstable for that, and anesthesia is still on the way."

Darkness.

"If this baby is going to have a chance, we have to do this now."

Pain ripped through her enough to make her alert for a moment,

"Get them out! Now!" The doctor grabbed a scalpel.

Her scream pierced through the air. Black swam at the corners of her vision, but she refused to let it take her again. It was too risky at this point. She vaguely felt someone holding her hand and comforting her, but she couldn't tell what they were saying. 

Then, suddenly, her eyes focused on the tiny baby wrapped up in gloved hands. The pain dulled, and she smiled slightly, though it was short-lived.

The baby was silent. 

She closed her eyes and slumped her head against the pillow, tears falling freely. She felt weak, but she didn't care at the moment, and her shoulders shook as she covered her face with her hands. 

I've lost them. She thought miserably. She barely felt anything when they began the stitches.  

The doctor came by shortly after, carrying a small pink bundle.

"I thought you might want to see her." He said softly, approaching her.

Her.

She held out her arms, and she was set inside them. Zelda smiled sadly. Her daughter's face looked so peaceful. She fell in love with her immediately, which made the truth so much more horrible. She sniffled quietly, leaning in and kissing her forehead. She closed her eyes.

They soon snapped back open though, looking down with wide eyes. 

a loud cry cut through the silence of the small room. 

Her daughter was alive, and so was she. She smiled from ear to ear, hugging her close,

"Th-that's impossible." She heard the doctor whisper in shock. "She had no heartbeat." Zelda was now crying tears of happiness,

"It's a miracle." A nurse said happily. Zelda nodded,

"Yes, she is. My precious Miracle." She whispered.