Life in Zora's Domain

Chapter 86 - Desert Sorcery - Part 2

Summary: Link finds himself back in his original timeline, and turns to his journal and Dr. Purah for answers. But life holds some surprises that play upon Link's feelings.

Zelda put her arm around her husband and smiled at him. But Link's reaction was anything but the usual affectionate response she was used to.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" said Zelda. "You're staring at me like you don't know me."

"Zelda? What's happening?" said Link. "What am I doing here with you?"

"Oh, no!" said Zelda. "Don't tell me your illness is acting up again! The doctor said when this happens to try to relax and take deep breaths. It's been so long since your last attack that we're all out of your medication."

"No, I'm fine," said Link. "It's that evil sorceress from the Gerudo Desert. She transported me here. I need to get up."

"All right," said Zelda. "I don't know what you're talking about, but the doctor said to humor you when this happens. If you're getting up you had better put your clothes on. They may be scattered about since you threw them off in the heat of passion."

Link looked bewildered, and Zelda pointed to where his clothes lay strewn about on the floor near a chair. Link got up from bed, realized he was naked, and hastily got dressed. When he finished, he found he was wearing a royal looking outfit, something he had never seen before.

"I guess I might as well get up too," said Zelda as she stretched her arms above her head, yawned and then got up from bed to get dressed.

"You don't have to look away, sweetheart," laughed Zelda as she noticed Link averting his glance.

Link felt relieved when Zelda finally finished getting dressed.

"Your Majesty, can we sit and talk?" said Link. "Something terrible has happened, and I need to understand it. As far as I can tell, I was in the Gerudo Desert a moment ago and then suddenly I woke up here. This situation isn't real to me."

"Yes, by all means, let's talk," said Zelda. "Come, sit next to me on the couch. Now, tell me again what you think happened."

"I don't know where to begin, Your Majesty," said Link rubbing his head as he sat down next to her.

"Anyplace you like," said Zelda. "But you do know I'm your wife, don't you? We made love last night, woke up in bed together naked, and you're addressing me by my title?"

"But that makes no sense to me, Zelda," said Link. "I'm married to Mipha, not to you."

"Oh!" said Zelda. "You're having delusions about Mipha again? You haven't spoken of her in years. What brings back her memory now?"

"Her memory?" said Link.

"Yes, her memory, what do you think?" said Zelda. "She died over 112 years ago, Link. You don't remember that?"

"Well, I do remember that did happen once," said Link thoughtfully.

"Good, we're making progress," said Zelda.

"But wait!" said Link. "What about the Temple of Time? I thought we fixed all that."

"What are you talking about? The Temple of Time didn't work, Link," said Zelda. "Maybe you should re-read your journal. You wrote about all that."

"Yes, that's a good idea," said Link. "You say Dr. Purah never got the Temple of Time to work? But she did get it to work, Zelda. I remember that very clearly."

"No, she didn't," said Zelda. "Though not for lack of trying."

"But then what about Mipha?" said Link. "I remember marrying her and having a family with her. You even spoke at our wedding! And I can name and describe our four children."