Written in Blood

IV . Forget me not

The moment I wake I make the startling realization that I have no idea where I am.

I'm in a bed... which is already a bad sign since I don't have one anymore.

The light that's coming in is stark, too bright for me, sparking a headache.

"Oh hey, you're finally awake."

I stiffen at the voice, disoriented and dazed beyond belief. It has that hint of familiarity... and then I remember.

Zelda is sitting on a chair by the bed, prim and proper and staring right at me. Great.

I let my gaze drop down, noticing the bandages wrapped around my middle, my tunic gone. I brush one hand to my cheek, remembering how I cut it, I feel the stiff stitches poking out of my otherwise smooth face. The headache is still coming, awakening when I did, apparently.

I still haven't answered Zelda, and I don't know what to say to her. Why is it so hard? I fiddle with my hands, staring down at the bank stamp, still as visible as ever. I scratch at it and narrow my eyes. Stupid stamp.

I hear her sigh, hearing the sadness in her voice, which annoys me. What is she expecting me to be like? I don't know what's going on in that head of hers... but she clearly had some nice- and trippy- fantasy about my return, as the charming (I mean... I still think I am) and heroic me, who would pledge to her service and once again lay down his life for her plans.

Instead she got a me who's had the snot beaten out of him, and who isn't completely smitten for her. Or even slightly interested. Or interested at all... for that matter. She probably expected me to be just like that other Link, the one she sent back. Didn't expect me to not want anything to do with her, I presume.

"And hello to you too, princess," I turn my head back to her and reply with an above average dose of snark, my voice rough and quiet from misuse- just how long was I out of it?- but still has that little cutting edge to it.

Her eyes narrow at me, turning into a glare. I don't know why she apparently hates me calling her princess so much, it is her title after all. Sure, I may not be the most respectful... but she's in no position to argue with me.

"So, how have you been fairy boy?" She begins, her voice as cold as that mountain in NL, (snowhead... I think? I'm trying to forget) and dang, I never knew Zelda could slam smack right back at me- the king, "You're certainly a lot different than the last time I saw you."

"Mhmm... cool, I get that a lot. I've been just fine."

One of her thin blonde eyebrows quirks upward, still a frown on her face, questioning me.

"Just fine. Geez, you act so entitled... I'm fine. Peachy keen. Whatever word you wanna use."

She doesn't look convinced.

"I'm fine." I grit my teeth.

"All right, fine." She crosses her arms, annoyed, but still... she doesn't leave.

"And how've you been princess? Hope it's been all sunshine and lollipops for the dear princess." Her eyes flash predatorily at me, like the Gerudo, and I begin to get a little bit scared.

"Oh, it's been all peachy keen, especially when the Gerudos invaded the castle. I've been fine, well, heck, even good. So glad to know we're both happy campers."

I hold back the urge to gape at her. When'd she get so snarky? Sheesh... everyone's a comedian these days.

"Hmm, touché princess."

She scoffs at me, her eyes challenging for me to continue, see what she can do. I mean, so far she's a lot more uhhh feisty than I remember her. In my memories she seemed like a prim and proper princess, with a bit of a stubborn streak, liked to think she was smart, and maybe was more than a little bit manipulative. And she apparently hadn't known what love was, or still doesn't.