Free to Love - A Zelda x Link Fanfiction

XIX: Dangerous Times

Link's Perspective:

The kiss ended as quickly as it started. We were kissing and holding each other tightly, as if we needed to know the other was real. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, my ears detected noise below, heavy footsteps, definitely something that wouldn't come from a woodland animal.

I pulled away, catching Zelda's face as it turned into shock and confusion, right before I pushed her closer to the trunk of the tree. I put my fingers to my lips, hinting at silence, as her face went from breathlessly pink to pale white. I gestured at a few branches that weren't far off, nudging her slightly, indicating that she should move into the shade. She obliged, casting a worried look at me, before she turned and climbed carefully further into the shadows cast by the falling sun.

I leaned forward, climbing down a few branches easily, hiding in the leaves to watch the two arrivals begin to clear through the trees. Just as I suspected. Yiga.

Their masks were blood red, the eerily staring across the dirt. I could hear their voices, but I suspected it was only because of my elven senses. If I were any other species, I doubt I'd be able to hear them.

"...horses were back there," one man said, investigating a tree farther over. "If those were the horses he told us about, they should be here."

The second masked-figure turned in a slow circle, investigating his surroundings, responding, "They could just be similar horses. I don't see them." The first man pointed towards the mouth of the cave, poising the gleaming sickle in his hand as he made his way into the cave cautiously. There was half a moment where I waited for indications of what to come, drawing my bow and arrows where I was sure they wouldn't see the movement. They walked out, figures hunched in defeat.

"They're not here," one responded. Their voices weren't as quiet anymore, now that they suspected Zelda and I were gone. I leaned back slightly. "This is the only way they could've traveled, I suspect they're father up the road."

"What of the horses?"

"I suppose they're a merchant's horses and he's simply camping out for the night. Nothing to worry of." Giving up, they relaxed, returning to the main path. When I was sure that I couldn't hear their footsteps anymore, I returned to where Zelda sat.

Her breathing was hitched as she hugged her shoulders, straddling a branch. "Who was it?" she asked quietly, voice fearful and shaky. I considered telling her the truth, but I knew it would do her no good. She'd only worry and that would make us more vulnerable. She had a habit of acting shrill and making herself stand out when she was scared.

"Nobody," I lied, shaking my head. "Only a few merchants. They allegedly had a runaway horse." The coloring returned to her face slowly, as a nervous smile began to pull at her lips.

"Oh," she laughed, covering her face. "I... I was worried for a moment!" She rubbed her eyes with the heel of her palm, glancing back at me, a lazy smile on her mouth. "After a day of excitement, we... we ought to go to bed."

"Yes," I agreed. The branches Zelda had located often intertwined and created small breaks that would support a person if the weight was divided evenly. She was eager to help, helping stretch out some extra fabric over the openings that were to act as hammocks. It wasn't long before we had two hammock-like shapes set up.

She turned in her side to face me, face flushed. She smiled slightly at me, her eyes closing. I reminisced about our short but intimate time together.

Oddly enough, I was thankful that the Yiga interrupted. If not, I might've done something I would've deeply regretted.

As much as it pained me, I turned on my side, facing away from her, and began to lose my consciousness to the night sky.