A Sacred Bond

Chapter 5 ~ Link

   I've dreamt of this moment for so long. And now that it's here...

   I have no idea what to do.

   Do I call her name again? Do I apologize? Explain myself? 'If I did, why would she even believe me?' I counter internally.

   I see her eyes scanning me, the way they do when she's taking everything in. I dared not ponder the reason... I must look awful, I couldn't even remember the last time I saw a mirror. My hair must be a mess, I can't remember the last time I cut it. Half consciously, I bring up a hand to attempt to fix it.

   The bandages only cover so much. Plenty of my scars are on display, and far too much skin. My cheeks begin to burn realizing Zelda is seeing so much of me- and I look like an absolute, repulsive, mess.

   Each silent moment only brought more questions and torment. I can't read her so well anymore... Her expression is too difficult to decipher between my headache and ages apart. I can't deduce what she's thinking.

   Is she mad? Will she yell at me? Throw me in the dungeon? I can hardly breathe. 'Was this all a mistake? Why is she just standing there?! Why can't I stop staring at her?! For the love of Hylia say something!'

   She finally looked away, so I did as well. It would seem neither of us knew what to do. Perhaps neither of us knew how the other would react. I don't want to believe it's my fault I was gone so long, but I feel guilty all the same. I want to hug her and kiss her and beg for forgiveness...

   I still remember that morning. It replays itself in my mind nearly every day.

                                          ~
   Tick... tick.... tick.... I sling many deku seeds at her window before she finally acknowledgs it. Her arms push the window-doors of her balcony open with a wide yawn, shuffling forward until she drapes over the railing and looks down at me.

   "Whhaaattt?" She whines, rubbing her tired eyes.

   I put my hands on my hips proudly and shout back up "Your hero is here to escort you to an adventure!"

   She stretches her arms out, and I can't stop myself from thinking how adorable she is while sleepy. Once she returns inside to change, I assume, I wince at my last thought. I'm not supposed to think such things... we're too young. Not to mention the matter of her being a princess and my lack of heritage...

   "Whatcha thinkin bout?"

   "Ge-aahh!" I clutch my heart and jump about a foot in the air. Curse her Sheikah talents and ability to sneak up on me! I hadn't even heard her land. "Farore..."

   She snickers with that mischievous smile of hers "The shadow strikes again." A smug aura all around her.

   I shake my head and smile, "Sometimes I forget why I gave you that nickname..." I offer my elbow for her to hook onto. She does just that and we continue along the path out of castle grounds. "Let's continue on with as few heart attacks as possible, preferably." I laugh nervously.

   She smirked again, "We'll see~"

   "And where do you think you're going?"

   We both freeze in our tracks. 'So close.' Zelda tightens her grip on my arm, and I look to Impa pleadingly.

   Her caretaker sighs, "You know I do not wish to ruin your fun... but the king is already asking for you, Zelda. If he finds out Link has snuck you out again, I fear for what he may do..."

   I feel Zelda's disappointment as though it radiates from her. "I'll come back tonight with something cool to show you, okay?" I promise, flashing her an encouraging smile. She nods solemnly, releasing my arm and walking back to her guardian. Oh how badly I wish to steal her away from her prison...

   Without another thought I run and wrap my arms around her. It shatteres my heart to see her so sad... so... restrained. Unable to be the free spirit I know she is. Stuck in that castle of nightmares with her father.

   "I'll be back soon..."

   And with that promise, I left.
                                 ~

   And I didn't return for 5 years...

   "I'm sorry..." I croak. I can't expect her to forgive me. I'm unsure I would, were our situation reversed and I hadn't a clue why she was gone. But she had to know at least, that I regret every day we were apart. With every fiber of my being. I longed to be with her... and still do, so much it hurts.

   "What?" She spoke so softly, so patiently, that I could almost imagine she wasn't repulsed by me. 'Please don't make me say it again, my throat burns and I'm more sorry than I could ever express...' I thought to myself.

   "I'm sorry..." A mere rasp. A terrible apology. Zelda deserves so much more than that... "for every... everything... I... promised I'd come... come back... and... and..." I give up with a sigh.

   She wouldn't believe me...

   Another air of silence befalls the room. She hasn't moved, but continues to stare. By the goddesses, what I wouldn't do for a shirt right now...

   She shakes her head and gazes back at me. I shrink away out of instinct as she walks closer. Her hands are clasped tightly in front of her. She's also anxious. "I'm sorry, you must be very thirsty, would you like me to get you some water?" She asks quietly.

   Such a beautiful voice... how I have so longed to hear it... I nod, half dazed, hoping she would never stop speaking. Alas, she had to. Leaving me alone again with my thoughts.

   5 years of separation from my best friend... My princess... and I never even found her. I've wasted years of my life, years that could have been spent with Zelda...

   The familiar shadows of guilt begin to eat away at me. I had to be one of the worst people alive... certainly the worst friend... to Zelda, to Navi... Saria... all the other sages... I'd left them all alone. A sudden anxiety grips me. 'What if something happened while I was trapped there? And I was not there to protect everyone-'

   "Link?" I jump, our eyes lock in an instant. Hers hold such concern... not hatred or anger as I expected. How foolish would it be to entertain the thought of her missing me as I missed her? "You looked lost... are you alright?" As she spoke in that gentle tone, her hand had drifted to my arm, making me freeze again.

   I can't help staring at it. 'Maybe that's why she was staring at me earlier...' that one touch sends electricity all throughout my body. "I'm... I'm okay... thank you..."

   She seems relieved at my answer, heading to the other side of the room and returning with a tray in her hand. "I thought you might be hungry... so I brought us some breakfast... i-if you'd welcome the company," she looks to the door, her face etcher with panic, "I can leave you alone if you want, I understand if-"

   "No!" I cut off her nervous rambling, "No, I... I would love nothing more than your company."

   This was nothing akin to my dreams of returning, but for now, it's enough.