The Legend of Zelda: Zelda's Honor

Chapter 18 - A Place of Refuge

They galloped across the fields in the midday sun. The black column of soldiers off to the east could barely be seen from this distance. Making sure they were masked by trees and hills, Link directed the horse ever northwards. Impa was far behind but promised to meet up with them later, she indicated that Zelda knew where their ultimate destination was and would meet them there with Epona. Satisfied with this answer, Link had left Impa alone and rode with Malon to meet up with his friends.

Sora had crawled underneath Link's tunic and was resting on his shoulder using the fabric as a blanket. She had made herself comfortable and was simply enjoying the ride. Malon had completely fallen asleep in his arms within minutes of the journey. Clearly he was the only one awake on the horse yet wanting nothing but sleep. Link forced himself to remain conscious as the life of Malon could depend on it. He did not want to falter with the stallion and have either him or her falling off.

Link noticed Talon first with his hefty paunch. He was sitting against a tree taking a nap. Zelda was nearby tending to the horses while Saria was sleeping on the ground beside Talon. They had made sure she was in the shade of the tree to keep the sun off her. Link smiled at their concern. Zelda turned in surprise as his horse reared up beside her. Link quickly nudged Malon awake who dreamily accepted Zelda's assistance in hopping down off the brown stallion. Link observed two other horses, so we now have three at our disposal he noted.

In a flurry of wings, Sora shot off like a rocket towards Saria and landed gingerly on her chest. Malon rushed into her father's arms, startling him awake with the sudden weight of her body slamming into him with a bear hug. He could do nothing but laugh in joy at the return of his daughter. Zelda moved to give Link an embrace but only managed to touch his arm as he swept past her, his eyes only for Saria.

Zelda followed him morosely as Link knelt down beside his friend, intently watching the actions of Sora. He glanced over as Zelda sat down beside him before resuming watch over his friend. The little fairy had placed her entire body on Saria's breast, placing both hands on her sternum where a soft, pulsating glow was forming. Link could visibly see beads of sweat forming on the little sprite's forehead as she moaned in exertion at what she was undertaking. A final flash of light erupted from beneath those small hands when the fairy collapsed onto Saria's chest.

Link quickly picked up the fairy and cradled it in his hand. Sora looked up into his eyes with something akin to relief, "She's going to be all right Link. I gave her most of my spirit."

Zelda cocked her head at this statement, "Spirit? What do you mean?"

"Silly Hylian, your spirit! What powers you." Sora explained weakly, fading quickly into slumber. She had completely exhausted herself.

Link kept his gaze on the sprite as he explained to Zelda, "She means your life force, the very essence of your being. It is something I never shared with Navi, because I couldn't. I wasn't a Kokiri." A sad tone of bitterness entered his voice at these last words.

Talon and Malon slowly made their way over to Saria and the group, having finished their jubilant reunion. Talon was about to speak but realized he would be interrupting what Link was explaining and decided to hold back. He placed a hand in front of Malon, this was a private moment between Link and Zelda. They should remain out of this.

"Throughout our travels, I always felt that Navi kept things from me. I was never truly connected to her although I wanted to be. A Kokiri bonds with their fairy and they share a life force that is unique only to them." Malon had a hard time following with some of the educated words Link was using, "They share thoughts, feelings, emotions and hearts with each other. It is a special type of bond I desperately wanted for myself. Navi and I never merged that way, she was always the fairy and I was just the Hylian."