Ocarina of Time II: Parallel Symphony

Standard disclaimer: I don't own any of these people, places or things. Heck, even most of the verbs belong to someone else. :-) All characters and settings © Nintendo. Hey, they've earned it.

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Part One: Boy

Final Interlude: Winter, Sixteen

He'd always loved the winter, before.

Memories of snowball fights and tales around the hearth flickered through his mind. Songs, hot drinks of chocolate and cinnamon, and games, simple child's games, these things had been his for a little while. Certainly, he'd had to face the occasional squad of Stalfos or brigand gang, but even Ganondorf seemed to avoid causing overmuch devilry during the season of Nayru, the season of peace.

Now, Link felt only the cold. Each report was more dire than the last: ReDead had been spotted in the south, Wolfos ran rampant on the edges of the forest, a small army of Skulltulas had barely been repelled near the Altean border. I'm just glad for this brief respite. Tomorrow, he would leave for the woods. Link had long experience in dealing with Wolfos, even before he'd been caught by destiny.

The Hero leaned heavily on the tower's balustrade and watched the people of Castle Town go about their lives. The town had sounded little different to Marth during his last visit, when he'd been here planning military strategy with Zelda and Onox. Marth didn't know Castle Town as Link did. They're afraid. Worse, they have every right to be. Everywhere Link went, people were trying to live their lives normally, whether in denial or defiance, but no one could ignore it any longer. Ganondorf was coming. Everyone expected that he would march with the thaw. Almost everyone.

Familiar footsteps echoed behind him, and he turned to watch Hyrule's greatest source of warmth walk up the stairs behind him, talking with Mistress Agitha about the food stores. "...enough oranges, then?" Zelda asked. "I've heard enough sailor's tales of this thing called scurvy--"

"I assure you," Agitha replied with a faintly amused air, "the stasis stores are bursting with reserves, particularly fruits and nuts." Link forced himself not to chuckle. "I imagine we could manage a siege for years, so long as the walls held, but I leave that to our military experts -- and the Hero, of course," she said suddenly, and Link realized with chagrin that he'd been spotted. The elderly Chronicler giggled much like Zelda had at ten, then curtsied to him. Farore. I'll never get used to that. He bowed in kind, though, making as good a leg as he could.

"Oh. Link." For some inexplicable reason, Zelda straightened her hair, then brushed her dress smooth with her hands. Today's Council meeting must have been particularly wonderful, he thought sarcastically. "Are you...are you well?"

"As well as can be expected, Your Highness," Link replied evenly, nodding a bow.

"Well. A good Chronicler knows when she's needed." Agitha smiled, her amusement growing, and curtsied to the princess. "Your Highness."

"Mistress Agitha," Zelda replied, bowing in turn. "As always, your insight and wisdom are invaluable to Hyrule." Agitha slid away, and they were alone. Link swallowed. For some reason, he felt cornered. Zelda turned to him and smiled, but there was a distant pain in her eyes. That pain was like a dagger through his heart. "I haven't seen much of you recently, Hero," she said lightly, her voice strained just a hair. "You keep this up, and I'm going to start feeling neglected."

Link turned back to the balcony and leaned on the railing once more. He couldn't look into her eyes again, not yet. "It's my job, Zel. Ganondorf's everywhere, and there's just one of me." He chuckled wryly. "This time, anyway, if the Arbiter can be believed." Link shrugged. "Sometimes I don't feel like I should even be in the palace."

"That's absurd," Zelda retorted. Link suppressed a chuckle as he sensed her putting her fists on her hips. Of course, any sane man would be scared right now... That almost did make Link chuckle. ...and if I were sane, would I be trying to fight off the King of Evil practically single-handed? He turned his head slightly as she continued. "I understand why you've turned down knighthood...sear Veran's scheming and the knights' jealousy anyway...but we can at least provide you with safe haven."

"Yeah, my poor old treehouse is getting a little cramped," he replied with a chuckle. "Bess has gotten pretty big." He looked down and chuckled more loudly and ruefully. "So have I, come to think of it."

"Not to mention all those trophies and gifts," Zelda added pointedly. She'd gone from fists on hips to crossed arms. Okay, now I'm in trouble. "So, are you going to tell me what's really bothering you, or do I use 'the eyes?'"

Link shivered. "I think I know what he's waiting for," he whispered. Zelda gestured for him to continue. "The Master Sword."

"Farore," Zelda swore gently. "I was hoping you wouldn't figure it out."

You -- what?! Link whirled on her, eyes blazing. "You were hoping I wouldn't."

Zelda flushed, but stood her ground, matching his gaze. "Why not? You have to draw the Sword, it's the only way. There's no point in you eating away at yourself any more than you already do." Her expression softened, and she placed a hand on his arm. The Hero's entire body felt electrified. Farore. He wanted to escape. He wanted to take her hand in his. He didn't want to stop with her hand. Farore! What am I thinking?! She gazed up at him, her eyes consuming him more than ever. "Why, Link? What happened to you?"

I finally grew up, he thought sadly. Navi sent some very uncomplimentary retorts. He ignored them. "Zelda, you've become what you were always meant to be," he said, a touch of pride and relief driving back the cold fire in his soul. He gently caressed her shoulder. "Sheik is something you do, now. Zelda is who you are." He stepped back and glanced away. "Now it's my turn."

Zelda scoffed openly at that. "Oh? And who are you that you haven't been, all this time? What can you possibly do that would be more than what you've already done?"

"You..." It came out a growl, and Zelda's eyes widened. She took a step back. It broke his heart. Maybe it's for the best. "You think the Hero can't want something for himself? You think I don't hate being an animal sometimes?"

"Animal!" Zelda's shock was gone, and she stepped towards him again. "That's insane!"

Link turned on her fully again. See my eyes, he thought, and drew forth all the ferocity inside him. Zelda froze. "That is who I am. Farore's beast. I'm done fighting it, Zelda. There were times I've dreamed of being accepted, of knighthood, of..." He shook his head and whirled away. Dangerous ground. "Din burn me. Childhood fantasies, all of it. I am what I have to be. Yes, I have to draw that gods-accursed sword." Zelda gasped. "Once that happens, it'll be nothing but blood and death. The battle doesn't bother me -- I don't think it ever has, even in the beginning -- but that's all I have left now."

Her hands grabbed his tunic from behind. Even knowing her power, Link was amazed at the strength of her grip. She leaned against him. "It doesn't have to be like that. It doesn't," she whispered.

"Yes it does. The Spirit Temple taught me that." Zelda clutched at him more tightly. "One thing the Arbiter said was right -- I can't save everyone. I can't be everywhere. Gods, without the Sword, I can't even protect my friends..." He shook his head. "With it, though, I can put an end to Ganondorf. I can stop it all."

"And then," Zelda said fiercely, "you can rest." Link laughed at that, his voice hollow. "You can and you will!" she insisted, releasing his tunic and coming around in a whirl to face him. "Link..." she stroked his cheek so gently he almost thought they hadn't touched. She smiled, and that dagger in his heart twisted. "...please, just be patient a little longer. I'll make it all right in the end. I promise."

Somehow, that dagger didn't stop his heart from pounding like ocean waves. She'd had to press herself against the balustrade to face him, leaning back, so vulnerable...the Hero stepped back slowly, then shuddered in relief when she moved with him. Dangerous ground, indeed. That shudder hadn't merely been relief. "I will always be here for you, Your Highness." She winced at that, and he bowed and strode away before she could react otherwise.

#Did you have to do that?# Navi 'pathed quietly while he walked briskly down the stairs.

#I'm not exactly proud of it, Navi,# he replied, mental voice tight, #but there's no other way.#

Navi's mind vanished from his, radiating a mutinous silence. It's just as well. Link wasn't sure if he meant Navi or Zelda. He stopped and looked back up the staircase. Zelda had come inside, but was still looking out into Hyrule sadly. The Hero turned and kept walking before his emotions mastered him. At least I can protect her better this way. He passed a mirror, then recoiled for a moment when he thought he saw red eyes. From anything that would threaten her. Link looked away from the mirror, missing the blood-red eyes return just long enough to glare at him. Then both Hero and eyes were gone.