The only word that could describe how I felt was humiliated. It was like they were treating me like a child learning how to walk. Except... I really couldn't move on my own.
My knuckles turned white as I clung to Link, slowly moving across the floor of the stable. My legs shook under me as we kept moving closer to my bed.
"How could it have been worse than this?" I grumbled.
"Hm?"
"The voice said Ganon's done worse to the others, and I'm lucky. I don't see how needing to relearn the basics is lucky."
"Mm..."
I took another step, wincing. My grip on Link's shoulder tightened, but he stayed silent. I took a shaky breath, before willing my other leg to move.
Footsteps moved behind me, followed by a quiet clunk. Link sat me on the chair, letting me rest.
"That's a step less than yesterday..."
Link crouched next to me as Zelda pulled her own chair over.
"He could've permanently crippled you. Or turned you into a mindless slave. Or trapped you somewhere so you can't do anything."
"You're not helping..."
"Well, they weren't lying when they said it could've been worse."
"There's always something that could be worse."
"You're not wrong. But we can at least rebuild your strength and get you back on your feet."
"It's been four days, and I can't even make it a quarter across the room."
"You just gotta take baby steps."
"I need to be ready-"
"We'll get you ready. But you have to be patient with your body. You can only push yourself so much. And if you push too far, you'll only make it worse."
I let out a growl, turning away.
"At this rate, we'll be here for years. We don't have years."
"And right now, this is the safest place for you to build your strength. The next stable is about a day away. And if we run into trouble, who's gonna keep you safe?"
"Me."
"When you can't move without help? You can't even lift Zelda's dagger on your own. And you cling to me like your life will end when I help you walk."
I reached up, rubbing my eyes.
"I hate feeling this useless. That's all anyone's called me the past century."
"You're not useless. You're recovering. And you'll regain your strength and be back to normal."
I sighed, letting my head fall back.
"Would it be possible that he's making it so I can't regain my strength?"
"It could be possible, but we've been stopping anything that's tried to reach through. His power should have little to no effect on you."
I sighed again as Zelda took my hand.
"It's okay, MeyMey! You're making great progress!"
"A step less than yesterday isn't progress."
"But you've been improving. You were able to stay up longer, even if you didn't take as many steps. Part of rebuilding your strength isn't in just the amount of steps you take. It's how long you stay up, the size of your steps, your breathing techniques. I'm keeping track of all of it to see what we need to work on. And whether you realize it or not, you are making progress."
I grumbled again as Link got to his feet.
"Do you have enough strength to keep going today?"
"What kind of question is that?"
He chuckled, his eyes glowing.
"Well, if you're ready to try again, we can keep going."
He moved in front of me, then held out his hands.
"I can't get myself up."
"Have you tried doing it today?"
I grumbled yet again as I took his hands.
"Just remember to breathe. And if you need to stop, just let my hands go, okay."
My grip tightened as I took a shaky breath.
"Whenever you're ready."
I took another breath, before pulling forward whatever strength I had left to get up. Link stayed put, pulling back as I struggled.
I lifted from the chair, but fell back.
"Let yourself rest, then try again."
"He's so patient with me... why...?"
I tried again, getting further up. He squeezed my hands reassuringly as my grip tightened again.
"One more time," he whispered.
"Take a deep breath."
My breath was as shaky as ever as I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Try looking up instead of at the ground this time."
I slowly lifted my head, our eyes meeting. He nodded, his smile gentle. I grit my teeth, then took a deep breath.
Slowly, slowly, I lifted myself up. And when I stopped rising, I fell into Link.
"See? If you're patient with yourself, you can do it."
"Yeah, and now I'm out of breath and exhausted."
"I guess that's one way to get her to sleep," Zelda chuckled.
I rolled my eyes, before closing them.
"Do you have any energy to walk a little more?" Link asked.
"If I push myself..."
"What about two more steps? Let's finish up with that, then we'll get you back in bed."
He slowly stepped away, holding out his arms as my support. Zelda moved to my side, ready to help if needed.
"Just take a couple steps for me. We're here if you fall."
"Thanks, I needed that confidence boost."
His smile widened as I looked down at the floor.
"Nope, don't look at the floor. Just look at me."
"How am I supposed to know where I'm stepping?"
"That wasn't a problem before."
"Yeah, cause my body wasn't failing me..."
He lifted my chin up, our eyes meeting.
"You can do it, MeyMey!" Zelda cheered.
Slowly, reluctantly, I took a small step forward.
"One more," he whispered.
I grit my teeth as my body shook. I looked down again, my breath coming short.
"I'll catch you."
I looked back up, then took another step. My body grew weak as Link caught me again, before lifting me up.
"And tomorrow, we'll let you rest."
"I don't have time to-"
"You pushed yourself today. So you need to let yourself rest."
He set me in my bed, propping up the pillows. I got settled, before glancing at Zelda.
"Do you even have enough rupees to stay here for so long?"
Zelda giggled as she set the chairs back.
"That's a secret. Don't tell anyone."
I heard a clink, then glanced at her bag. A rupee pouch sat inside, nearly full. Slowly, I looked back at her as she closed up the bag, stashing it with the others.
"Now, we're gonna get you lunch. So don't move until we get back."
"It's not like I have an option."
They turned and headed outside with the other guests. I watched everyone head out, before resting my head against the pillow.
"You're doing amazing so far, Amethyst. Not many people could make as much progress as you have."
"I've hardly done anything, though."
"But that little bit is still so much. You will improve faster than you think."
"Thanks, I guess?"
Urbosa chuckled as her voice grew quiet. I rested my hands on my stomach, twiddling with my thumbs as I waited.
"You're almost there, MeyMey. You're almost there."
~ * ~
When I was working on this chapter, I kept thinking of the first time I had surgery back in 2021. It took a few months before I could move around like I used to, and I did get really frustrated. I like to go fast, but I couldn't while I was still recovering hehe I just had to be patient until I'd recovered enough. It was a struggle though lolol