Traveling to Zora's Domain was certainly strange. The terrain was harder to navigate, there were times where we had to turn around and head another direction. But the strangest thing of all was the way that Link was acting on this trip. He was very indecisive which is not normal for him. He talked to himself about the different routes, he stared off into space a couple times, stopping when he was doing so. I knew there was something that he wasn't telling me but he wouldn't talk about it no matter how much I brought it up in conversation. We were nowhere near Zora's Domain at this point. I knew that for a fact. Somehow we kept walking in the opposite direction multiple times. Link was the one navigating and he never had issues like this before. Could the spell that my father had put on him be effecting him still? Does he not fully remember?
"Link, we're going the wrong way again." I said, calling him on it this time, wanting to get to Zora's Domain as fast as possible. Link stopped dead in his tracks, not turning to face me.
"This is the right way-"
"No it's not. You're leading us in circles. Is there something bothering you?" I asked, wanting to get to the bottom of this.
"No-"
"Then take us in the right direction." I finished, waiting for him to correct himself but to my surprise, he kept walking in the same direction from before. I sighed, walking fast so I could get in front of him, facing him, coming to a halt. Link stopped walking so he wouldn't run into me, turning away from my gaze.
"This is the wrong way." I said once again, waiting for him to admit he's wrong.
"It really isn't-"
"Yes it is. What's bothering you?" Link didn't say anything, not making eye contact with me. I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. He clearly had something on his mind that he wasn't telling me about. Something is bothering him. Something is... hurting him. Worry, guilt, fear, nervousness...
"Do you remember where you're going?" I asked, wondering if that was the deal. Link immediately made eye contact with me then, nodding pointing behind me where we were supposed to be going.
"Yeah it's that... I mean that way..." Link corrected himself fast, pointing to the direction that we were originally going.
"Nice save. I totally believe that we should be going that way after you pointed in the complete opposite direction." I said, sarcasm rolling off my tongue. Link sighed, knowing he had messed up, clearly thinking.
"You gonna tell me what the issue is now?" I continued to ask, waiting patiently for him to answer with the truth. Link shook his head no.
"You don't need to worry about it. It's not a big deal." He said, brushing my questioning off as if it was nothing. I could clearly see the conflict that he had but I couldn't tell what it was about. Something had scared him or maybe he was nervous that something would happen. Either way, I knew something wasn't right. Link had never acted this way before. He didn't do this when we had to go to Rito Village even. Revali is the one person who I know Link would not be excited to see.
"Don't overthink it. I'm just... not quite ready to talk about it. It's a long story but I'll tell you when I'm ready." Link finished, starting to walk in the right direction. I grabbed his hand gently. Why do I feel like this? I should let it go... right? This shouldn't be a problem. He can have his secrets. He can have his privacy.
"Zelda-"
"Sorry. Never mind." I said slowly, letting his hand slip out of mine, looking at the ground, waiting for Link to keep walking.
"Listen... It's not you. I... basically grew up in Zora's Domain. I spent most of my time there when I was young. I'm just concerned that things are going to get... out of hand if I return. There was a lot of drama based around me and the royal family and I don't want you to be in the middle of that. I also... don't want to get wrapped into any of that. I'm concerned that if I return that they'll somehow have control over what happens later. All the things that are taking place right now, may or may not be permanent. In opening that old door, I might never be able to leave. That's why I'm stalling." Link said calmly, taking my hands in his. I looked up at him slowly, seeing his eyes full of conflict and also resolve.
"I don't- I mean... I... I don't want this to change... If that makes sense." Link said, laughing a bit at himself, gently running his thumb over the back of my hand. This? What does he mean by that? His eyes moved down slightly, one of his hands letting go of mine, his thumb gently running over my lower lip, his other hand gently grasping my waist, pulling me closer steadily.
"I want..." He wants this... to never end? But... this... How will this last? This won't... stay forever... right? It can't but... I don't want it to end either. I moved my hands up slowly, resting them on his chest, letting him pull me closer, letting my eyes close slowly. I want this... more than anything else.
"I love-" Link suddenly practically choked on air, gasping loudly. I opened my eyes fast, my whole mind shutting down on me as my eyes were faced with an arrow that had pierced Link's side, the blood dripping quickly. Link clutched the arrow fast, ripping it out of his flesh before he pushed me to the ground, a lynel coming out of nowhere, meeting Link with the biggest club I had ever seen. Link went flying off the ground, landing hard on his side that was steadily bleeding. If he hadn't ripped that arrow out when he did, the arrow would've gone right through him. I stood fast, wanting to run to him but knew that the lynel would go after me if I moved. Like a predator hyper fixated on their prey. Link coughed, standing shakily, drawing his sword, his other hand clutching at his side, taking a battle stance. The lynel charged at him within seconds, drawing the sword from its back as well as a shield. These creatures have to be the smartest of all of Ganon's soldiers. Link seemed to be waiting for the lynel to get closer before he moved out of the way. My worry was rising as the lynel got closer and closer until it was only a few feet away. Link took a couple steps to the right, trying to fake the beast out before attempting to sprint to the left but the worst thing happened. Link had bled so much by this point that he slipped in the puddle of blood that had surrounded him. He gained his balance and somehow didn't manage to fall but the lynel ran straight into Link with his shield, putting away its sword hastily reaching for its spear. I screamed as loudly as I could, hoping that the lynel would pay attention to me and leave Link alone. Once the shield made contact with Link, I had watched his head hit the metal so hard. His eyes were still closed as the lynel was over him but I knew he was awake. The lynel's head turned quickly and within seconds it began to charge at me. I took some steps back, knowing it would do me no good. I would just have to wait for it to get as close as possible and then run for dear life if I was even fast enough. Link's eyes slowly opened, looking towards me. His eyes filled with fear and worry almost immediately. I could see him trying desperately to force himself up. The sound of the blade that the lynel possessed rang in my ears as it was drawn fast. I breathed out fast, getting ready to run as fast as I could. I didn't know when to run or if I should've tried running sooner but it didn't matter. I let the lynel get closer until I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest. I sprinted as fast as I could screaming as I did so, tripping over myself as I leapt from the momentum that I had built up, tumbling to the ground fast. I did it! I got up as fast as I could, rushing over to Link who had finally been able to get up. He immediately took out a bow and some arrows to which I snatched out of his hands, taking aim, with two arrows in hand, firing within the next second, the arrows going straight into the lynel's chest, the wicked creature crying out before falling to the ground dead. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I heard Link sigh as well before he wheezily coughed, slowly sitting down. I immediately reached for his bag, looking for anything that might be of use.
"Look... at you. You... took him down... faster than I... could." Link said, gasping for air every couple words.
"Don't you have bandages anywhere?!" I asked, ignoring him completely. He shook his head, coughing again.
"I was going to... get them... at Zora's... Domain." Link gasped, barely keeping his eyes open, his body giving out on him then. I was barely able to catch him, resting his head on my lap, continuing to search through all his things, tears starting to well up slowly. He can't die. Not now. I moved his tunic quickly, looking at how deep the wound was, blood flowing freely out of the wound.
"Link, stay with me." I said, searching hopelessly for anything that could help.
"Zelda I can't-"
"No! You can't leave me! Stay here please!"
"Zelda I-"
"Hylia please! Link stay with me!" I yelled, knowing that it wouldn't change anything, putting my hand over the wound, having nothing else to stop the bleeding, the liquid running through my fingers. Tears left my eyes so fast. My body was shaking and soon reality hit me harder than it already had.
"Zelda-"
"No. Save your strength. You're gonna be okay. You're gonna be just fine." I said, holding Link close, practically cradling him, holding onto any last thing he said or did. Link's breathing was slowing and his pulse was stalling. There was absolutely nothing I could do. I had to hold him. I couldn't let go.
"Zelda...please."
"Hush... it's okay now. You're okay. Everything's fine." I said over and over again, hoping that it would fix everything. I can't do this. Hylia please don't let him die. Don't let him leave me. Please... Please!! I jumped as Link snapped me out of my daydream, his hand touching my face gently, his eyes half open. I moved my hand from his bag, intertwining our fingers gently.
"Link... I love-" I couldn't help but gasp as something shifted so quickly in me. My worry disappeared and my tears stopped within seconds, my body being warmed by this strange feeling. My fingers tingled at the force that seemed to be within me and soon, it made itself known. I watched as the power that I had been searching for moved out of my hands freely and easily. The power quickly overtook the wound on his side, and the power coming from my other hand rushed to his head, causing him to go into a deep sleep. Just as quickly as it had appeared, the power moved into invisibility once more and I was left with nothing to show for it. I moved my hands from Link, staring at them in shock, my whole body shaking from what had just happened. I felt weak in a sense. It was strange that so little could take so much out of me and this new feeling was already exhausting enough. Link shifted a bit in his sleep, causing my focus to only be on him. He smiled a little, dreaming sweetly. I couldn't help but smile at him as well, gently cupping his face, kissing him gently awake before separating. He opened his eyes slowly, staring at me for a good long while before he realized what had just happened.
"That was-"
"Yes... it was." I was barely able to get out before tears left my eyes. Link sat up immediately, pulling me into his embrace.
"You did it. You found it." He said just above a whisper which only made me cry more as a thought entered my head.
How? What made that happen?