The Splitting of Evil

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

It had been five days since Zelda had awoken in Kakariko Village.

She'd spent her stay only in Impa's home. Her and Paya had played games to pass the time whenever she wasn't training her body to work like most other Hylian would. Stretches, long nightly walks when no one would interrupt, endless laps up and down the stairs between Paya's room and the main floor. Anything and everything the little space could provide to aid her healing body.

On the fifth day, when Zelda was sure her sanity would be suffering from being in the same, unchanging surroundings, the local seamstress arrived with Impa's promised gifts.

Gloves

A matching pair for both herself and Link. They were brown, leather, matching the belt and boots of her riding attire. The tops were fingerless, allowing for easy movement, and of course the most important fact was they covered the triforce on her hand well.

"You've outdone yourself, Impa. These must have cost quite a bit. I promise to repay every ounce of hospitality when I'm back on my feet again."

"Nonsense. They are a gift, a part of our peoples duty if you will. Now go," The woman waved her off, smiling, "Explore the village while the sun is high."

Zelda didn't waste another second, pulling her new gloves on and running out into the village air. Link, who'd only just received the gloves himself, waved from the stable where his horse was resting, and Zelda was quick to return to his side.

"Let's go," She tugged his arm, a giddy, childish need for exploring apparent in her eyes. "You said there was a Great Fairy Fountain nearby. Let's start there. Then I want to meet everyone and learn their names. I won't be satisfied until I can place every face to their proper name."

Link starred at her, allowing his arm to be tugged but barely budging beyond that. There was something in this moment that made the gears in his mind turn. A memory that desired to escape, but it simply couldn't.

A shake of his head and a smile later he began to move his feet, allowing his princess to guide him the first few steps. "Princess," he chuckled as she quickly whipped her head back to him, looking ready to argue if he denied her request, "Let me lead the way."

Zelda blushed, letting go of his arm and nodded. She stood, waiting for him to be not nearly a step ahead of her before following him. "I've only ever seen drawings of the Great Fountains. Father said the fairies residing inside were far too mature for me to see."

"I agree with the King," Link added, a shiver coursing through him, "And if you don't mind, I'd rather we don't see a fairy, either."

"You've met one?" Her eyes lit up, a curious wonder filling them.

"Yeah, but they're not like the ones in stories." He insisted, "They're very...touchy."

A laugh escaped the Princess. A true, joyous laugh as her imagination ran wild. Link, so stoic and unmoving, afraid of nothing and not even hesitating to take down a legendary demon. Oh, but a great fairy, that was his one true fear. That was where the Hero drew his line. It was comical and she couldn't help but laugh even more.

Link was smiling, looking to her as she lost herself in a fit of laughter. It was contagious, the joy in such a simple moment. "Your laugh," he spoke, "it's familiar."

"Perhaps because it was very rare anyone got me to laugh besides you and a few of the other Champions." She caught her breath, holding her side just a tad. She hadn't laughed in one hundred years, but the pain in her ribs was a welcoming one. A reminder her emotions were still true.