Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Rebel's War - Vigilance

-Link-

Normally, Link would be a heavy sleeper. He could sleep through hurricanes and snore loud enough to wake the dead. Because he was always bursting with so much energy, he would collapse in exhaustion when he finally released it all.

This night, however, Link was far from tired. His eyes stayed wide open all night as he laid on the stone floor beside the bed. The three girls were sleeping, even Zelda, but not him. Currently, his energy was overflowing and threatening to release itself, but he had nowhere to aim it. He was like a coiled snake with no prey. He was as attentive as a bird and silent as an owl.

Ganondorf was near, in danger, and just out of his reach.

Zelda was near, in danger, and within reach.

Should he run off to find Ganondorf and leave Zelda to Geoffrey's protection? Should he stay and leave Ganon to his fate? Link couldn't decide. Then there was the matter of who made the strike at Zelda. Link clearly saw the soldier, and he was just within reach when he somehow disappeared. Was it a Sheikah? Was it a Mitagi? The Sheikah lived beneath the city while the Mitagi were in it, leaving Link's focus sandwiched between both. To top it off, this was all in the middle of politics surrounding Ganondorf. Link didn't even know who could be involved in that.

Link gripped the Spear of Nayru tightly and adjusted himself. He ran a hand under his clothes. He felt the scars. They didn't hurt, but where Midna's sword shattered and its shards pierced him tugged gently at his skin

"Midna... Tou..." Link whispered. In a sudden rhythm, he whispered to the air the name of every man in his unit he lost. He remembered their faces, why they had fought, and how they sacrificed not just their lives, but their very purpose for fighting for him. It reminded him of what he had heard from Ouki: the men who died, did so, and passed on their reasons to fight to him.

Link raised his hand and looked at the glowing triangles. In his mind, he saw his friends, and he saw Zelda and Ganon among them.

"I swear," He whispered. "I won't let you two be added to the list."

-Zelda-

After a good night's sleep, Zelda rose. She stretched, felt her back crackle into place, and looked down at the other girls. Sarah curled up protectively around Malon, who looked rather uncomfortable with how tightly she was held. Zelda smirked. A dark part of her mind found it amusing. If only she could capture this moment and show it to them. She imagined the looks on their faces would be positively delicious.

Zelda looked down the other side to find Link staring at the ceiling with wide, bloodshot eyes. His spear was held tightly above him, and he was as straight as a board.

The bloodshot eyes snapped to her. Zelda just about leapt back in fright. Instead, she merely leaned back.

"I take it you have not slept?" Zelda asked. "Or moved..."

"No," Link rasped. His voice sounded hoarse, tired, scratchy.

"Good of you to not fall asleep on duty, then. But if you were careful to not wake us, surely you could have requested another guard to take a shift."

"You wanted only me."

Zelda blinked, remembering her request. She sighed, "My apologies, you are right. Please rise, speak with Geoffrey, and request for another to take over while you get some rest."

"No, no. I'm fine," Link smiled dimly. "All good."

Zelda raised an eyebrow. He did not look fine, but then again, he knew his limits far more than she would.