Chapter IX: Rubicon

Chapter IX: Rubicon

Link lay prostrate upon the stoney floor, he felt as though he'd been through a garbage disposal after being eaten by a dragon. His lungs blazed with a brush fire raging wildly within. A violent turbulence rumbled his bowels as though he had Vesuvius erputing inside his stomache. His head felt like it was in a constricting vise as he was unsure as to where he ended and the floor he lay on began. The tangy taste of his own blood was caked upon his tounge and teeth. Link sat up far enough to cough, it felt like a softball was trying to force it's way up his throat.
Link sat back and admired his work. He looked at three pendants that he had earned. It seemed like a lifetime ago when Zelda first awoke him and he was crazy to go after her, but he had no regrets. What ever had posessed him, he was hoping it would not kept a hold of him when he was finished with his journey.
As Link saw it, in a matter of days everything would return to normal. The only problem was Link had no 'normal' left to speak of. His uncle was dead, his house was a mound of ash; but Hyrule would be free. The sacrifices that he made were nothing short of costly and most of the citizens of Hyrule had no clue of his actions. All he had to do now was claim the sword and defete Agahnim; of course he had no clue as to what lay in store for him.
He arose to a knee, using his sword as a crutch. Leaning over he tried to take in as much air as he could, like a hunted deer panting for water. He stood up, the fluids in his head swirled violently causing him to fall over again. He lie prone gazing up at the night's sky through the opening in the celing. The stars poked their heads out of the sky's black canvas, each one seemed to be shining for him. He spotted the brightest one and reached up and took it into his fingers. It fit perfectly into his palm as he cradled it gently and tenderly as though it was an infant. It felt as soft as the down of a fledgling and warmed him, driving the chill of the mountain away as Link rolled the star between his fingers, remaining careful not to drop it. He smiled

As he descended Death Mountain, he felt the air grow thicker. He could have choked on the air and his head pounded even more intensly. In spite of this, Link limped back to the sanctuary, after a two days descent.
Zelda rushed out to see him in as he entered the courtyard.
'Link! Are you alright?'
'You shouldn't have come out here--'
'Don't start that with me.' she warned. 'Let me help you.'
'I'm fine.'
She took him tightly into her arms in effort to prevent him from falling.
'Zelda, I'm fine--' Objected Link, although he did not object to the way her arms felt around his sore and battered frame. Zelda wrapped his arm across her shoulders as she helped him across to the doors.
'Link every time you come back, you'remore and more beat up.' She could tell by the way he felt in her embrace, his legs were weary and held him up with difficulty. 'It's a miracle that you are even able to come back at all!' But the most notable thing that came to her attention was, his heart's wild rythym emotion. 'And who's fault is that?' he asked?
'Yours! Of course. You really need to take better care of yourself'
'You forget who's mission this is I'm carrying out.'
'Oh Link.' They entered in, and she sat him down. 'Tellah! Tellah!' she called.
He came to them as swiftly as his aged legs would carry him. 'O Link. Well fought Hero! Just rest now. Why don't you clean up, I'll prepare some food.'
'Thank you.'
'I'll go draw you up a bath, just stay here and rest.' ordered Zelda. He was in no mood to disagree with her, though her offer was very, very welcome. He sat half asleep onto a pew, and a few minutes later, Zelda took him to the washroom. She exited, and he undressed and slipped into the waters. The waters welcomed him like a company of old friends. The heat swirled and brushed upon his skin, lifting the blood and dirt from his wounds. He was half asleep when Zelda entered into the room.
'Link you are so wonderful.'
'Yeah well if you say so.'
She smiled graciously upon him with a smile that made him realize why had undertaken such a mad quest.
'I do. You've fought so bravely and given us so much hope! And just think, in a couple of days, everything will be back to normal!'
Link chuckled.
'What?'
'I don't think I have any "normal" left.'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, my uncle's dead. I have no home.'
How could he find that humourous? 'O Link I'm so sorry. You've given up so much for me. I'll probally never be able to repay you, but I can at least try what I can do. Anything you want; I'll get it for you.'
After she poured a little more warm water into his tub Zelda then massaged his shoulders; noticing they were broad and tense from baring the weight of her kingdom upon them. It was a burden which she should have had to bare, and she felt guilty for imposing it upon Link.
'That's wonderful. Thank you.'
He noticed the heat of her breath falling against the skin of his neck. It excited him the same way that it had when they were escaping the castle. Her soft tender hands upon his ragged and wounded skin felt more comforting than the bath water.
'You've gotten darker.'
'What do you mean?'
'Your skin. It's much darker.'
'Oh'
She continued massaging him, ignoring the growing stiffness in her own fingers. 'Your shoulders seem a little wider too.'
'Really?'
'Yeah, and I think your arms are bigger as well. Must be from slaying those monsters.' The Link she massaged and aided seemed considerably older than the Link who's hand she nervously clung to as they escaped the dungeon. 'I can't believe you've got the Pendants of Virtue! All that remains now is for the sword to choose you.'
'Excuse me?'
'You've done your part, now all that is left to do belongs to the sword. After that the two of you can defeat Agahnim.'
'I din't realize the sword was alive.'
'Yeah odd isn't it.' There was something about Link that made him different from just about everyone else she had known. She had never known anyone else who had given so much of himself for her sake, not even her own father.
'You know someting Zelda? I will miss this.'
'Miss what?'
'This the time that we spend together.'
'Why's that.'
'Weel, once you've begun running Hyrule and all, I imagine you won't have much time for me.'
Hearing him say that caused her brow to crinckle. How could he say such things? 'Link, I'll always have time for you.'
'You say that, Zelda but--'
'But nothing Link. I promise, anytime you need me, I'll be here.'
'Okay If you say so.'
She could still detect a note of doubt in his voice. 'Alright Link, close your eyes.'
'What for?'
'Just close your eyes.'
'Alright.'
He felt her hands upon his brow and temple. He wondered how long he'd have to keep his eyes shut. Suddenly, he flet a presence enter into his conscience. It was a warm, kind, and loving presence and washed over him like the sun's warmth at dawn, easing his fears and calming tensions. It seemed to touch every synapse in his brain, and withdrew but left a lingering sentiment.
'There'
'What was that? What did you just do?'
'Anytime you need me, just say my name. No matter how far away I am, and I'll hear you.'
'Honestly?'
'Yes Link honestly. And anytime I need, you, I'll just tell you. Sort of like that first night.'
'Alrght then.' He was curious as to what happened, but he was glad to have the matter cleared. This made Link wonder. 'Zelda, I must ask you, what are the extent of your mental powers?'
'I can communicate over distances, and that's about it.'
'Can you move objects?'
'No'
'Can you take over some one's mind?'
'No. Why?'
'Just wondering.'
She knew why he asked. 'Link I'd never exploit anyone. Not like that.'
Satisfied, for the most part, He moved on. He did wonder just why he chose to undertake this quest. He had endured so much for Hyrule and for Zelda, but he was just someone ordinary, certainly no one significant. In his youth he really had no interaction with any of the royalty for him and his uncle were content to live the simple lives they had carved for themselves. Still, something about Zelda and her need that made him inexplicably drawn to her aide 'Have you been to the top of Death Mountain, Zelda?'
'No Link.'
'It's majestic.'
'We'll have to go sometime.'
A silence came between them for a few breathes untill Zelda gave him a random question
'What's your middle name?'
Link was a bit surprised 'Erdrich. What's your's'
'Link Erdrich Kokiri. Sounds nice. Mine's Gwaelin.'
Link nodded and returned her a question. 'Have you thought about what you're going to do when you take throne?'
'Well, we have to rebuild Hyrule first, that will be difficult, and long. After that, I havent given it much thought. I'd like to make my self more accessable to the people and I'd also Like to lower taxes.'
'Zelda, Queen of Hyrule', he tasted her name, letting it linger upon his tounge. 'Sounds good to me'
She chuckled. 'Yeah it does.'
'Won't you get lonely on the throne?'
This caused her ears to perk up, and her eyes to brighten. 'What do you mean?'
'Oh I don't know, just thinking out loud I guess.'
'I suppose It'd get lonely.' she paused and Link tuned his ears 'But you could always join me.' Her smile was as wide as a flooding river.
'What?!' He kicked himself for asking the question.
'Link: King of Hyrule!', she savored the title like a delectable morsel. 'Sounds very nice to me! A name fit for a King! What do you think?'
'Me? A king? I DOn't see it happening. I could never handle that much responsibility.'
'WeLl you are right now. You'd be a wonderful king Link!'
'That's different. I could never be a king.'
'O Link, You'd make such a good one. Who better to be king than the man who rescued the Princess and delivered the land from evil?'
'Who'd be better? You that's who. I can't be a king.'
'You can say that all you like, but we both know, you'd be the best king. Just think about it Link. I would love you as king, so would everyone else in Hyrule.'
'If you say so.'
'Of course I do! You'd be a mighty king! I a great a king!'
'No I have no desire to ever become king.'
Having made him feel ackward enough, she changed subjects. 'I still can't get over the fact that you've got the pendants. I'd like to say that I always knew that you would, but that's not true. Everyday I had to worry about sending you to your death, and I just couldn't handle that.'
'Well, we're still not out of the darkness yet. The pendants are one thing, but,' He stopped to take a breath, 'Wow. This will be tough'
'I know, but you can do it! I know you can. I'm so excited though! I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again!'
'And I'll be out of a job.' Link laughed.
'I can get you one.'
'Not king though. I will not be king.'
She laughed 'Well that's the only opening I can find.' Link did not find that humourous. 'So what will you do?'
'I don't know. I guess I'll see if I can't find a patch of land to work for. Get some crops growing. Or I may even go over the sea. I always have wondered what's out there. That way I could also become more prepared should This land ever fall into some evil hands again.'
'Or if I need rescuing.' giggled Zelda
'Oh you can save yourself for once.' laughed Link.
'You're the Hero. That's your job.'
'Sorry Princess, you'll just have to find someone else.'
'And just who would that be?'
'Not me.'
'LInk you leave me no choise, either become King, or I will exile you'
'Good thing I don't have any bags to pack'
THey shared a laugh.
She saw the firelight reflected in his eyes. They were a glazed and even bloodshot but There was something in them though that she found compelling; she saw her future.
He saw hope shining in her eyes; that were as blue as the skies above. He saw the future of Hyrule in them.
Niether one were aware of the fact that they were moving closer to each other; that is untill thier lips met. Link was surprised at first, ths caused him to tense. When he felt her stir within him, his heart nearly exploded. His lips were parched and chapped, she didn't mind and she could tell he was unsure of what he was doing. When she placed his hands upon his face, he began to ease. They were like two volitle chemichals mixing toghether. Fire. After their blaze subsided, They became two instruments finding the perfect chord.
'I'm, I'm sorry Zelda' stammered Link.
'Don't be. I enjoyed it. Thank you.'
'So did I.'

Link rested for the next two days for he had manage to re-open many of the wounds that had been treated before.
'Link I don't know just what to do wuth you.' remarked Tellah. 'The wizard is very formidable. Two days rest may not prove to be sufficent in order for you to defeat him.'
'He'll do it Tellah. I have faith.' stated Zelda, with supreme confidence. Zelda and Link shared a smile.
Link spent most of the morning chopping firewood. Link felt his tensions disipate when he swung the axe, Although he did wish he was hunting. The burden he carried seemed to grow heavier each day and although he had bore it well, Link could not help but to wish it was no longer his.
Zelda watched him day in and day out so she saw how weary he grew, how battered he had become. Evverytime LInk returned, his scars had multiplied, and his sword becamed notched, and his bones more severely fractured. She saw the toll his quest imposed upon him. How he was not driven to madness, she would never understand. Zelda could only fault herself. Here was a young man that she had asked the impossible of, a man that could very well die because of her. She noticed how tense he was as he swung the axe. Link could barely raise his arms, yet here he was chopping wood.
'Rupee for your thoughts Link?' offered Zelda.
'Oh come on Princess, you can afford more than that, you are after all royalty. Besides, you haven't paid me anything yet. A Hero's price is never cheap you know.'
'I thought Heroes worked pro bono?'
'I don't know who told you that, but they were gravely misinformed'
'Very well. You drive a hard bargain.' she giggled
'Why do you think we were chosen to be where we are right now and here? I've been wondering that all this time. Is it some cruel joke the fates have played on us, or are we indeed the chosen?'
'I wish I could tell you something to put your heart at ease, but I have the same apprensions. I cannot say Link but I'm glad that it's us though. You and I.'
'I suppose I am in a way. I guess all we can do is what we've been doing.'
'Don't you get all doubtful and indesicive on me now Link. You've done more than an entire army has, and we'll win this. I know we will.'
'Zelda I haven't thanked you for your support and friendship through this trial. As difficult as it is, it'd be enven tougher without you.'
'Don't thank me LInk. I can never repay you, without you, I'm nothing. So what will you do when you retrieve the Sword Link?' asked Zelda
'I suppose I oughtta plan out how to take Agahnim down.'
'Are you nervous?'
'Yes. I'd be a fool not to be. I still have my doubts. I mean, I took those mosters, but they can't reason. They're not people. Agahnim though...'
'For what it's worth, Link, I know you can beat him.' She gave him a celestial smile. It was a smile that he'd come to enjoy.

The next day Link headed for the Lost Wood. The air was refreshing and thick in his lungs. He felt the tiny capsules of dew crash beneath his feet and splash upon his shins. The breeze was slow, but left him with an onimous chill. The mist cloaked the ground, allowing only a few thin shafts of light to touch the ground. And the sun shone as warmly as it could, but it knew its hours were greately numbered.

All the while he was in the woods he heard nothing; no chirping of the birds, no skittering of the crickets. Not even the whisper of breeze was present. Every stretch of grove that he walked down, looked the same as the one which he just came from.
It was hours, Link roamed about fruitlessly. At times Link could've sworn he was back at his starting piont. He let out a broad, long exhale, his breath billowing through the mist.
'I'm going nowhere.' He swore he could hear the wood laughing at his expense.
He sat upon a downed trunk and rested. His lantern flickered out, spittleing a little, just before it's light vanished, leaving him stranded. He arose in the darkness.
'Sahasrahla, I know you can hear me.' stated Link in a monotone voice. He waited for a miniute, tapping his foot upon the ground. 'Elder'
'Yes Link?'
'Where do I go?'
'I cannot tell you.'
'Well--'
'This though, I must tell you. If you are ineed a true and worthy hero, and I pray that you are, the Master Sword itself, will select you. Only you can repell the darkness which is threatening Hyrule. You are the lone beacon that I have.'
'Wait!' pleaded Link. Nothing though 'Great.'
He kept wandering. He defeated the moldorm, the lanmolas and the armos knights, so why stop? It was what needed to be done
He came into a section of the Lost Wood which he had yet to be in. The brush was heavy and impeded his path. He drew out his sword, and started hacking. Link was getting closer, he could feel it. After about half an hour or so, of slashing his way through the wood, Link found he had only moved about 20 yards. He swung again. This time his sword clashed with the trunk of a tree, and snapped. He regarded it for a moment.
'Thank you'

He came into a section of the Lost Wood which he had yet to be in. The brush was heavy and impeded his path. He drew out his sword, and started hacking. Link was getting closer, he could feel it. After about half an hour or so, of slashing his way through the wood, Link found he had only moved about 20 yards. He swung again. This time his sword clashed with the trunk of a tree, and snapped. He regarded it for a moment.
'Thank you'
Link continued. It was still a while, but at least he was not going in circles. He kicked some foilage which impeeded his path and It revealed an opening which led to a fallen log, that he walked through. It was a long tunnel which Link could see no light at it's end. His footfalls echoed in the hollow trunk. When He emerged, Link saw and opening in the glade, where the mist had not reached. His eyes folowed the opening, and saw that it lead to a stone platform, almost a stage. In the center of the stage stood a pedistal. When Link saw what lay in the pedistal, his heart raced as swift and as wildly as water released from behind a dam, and his eyes became as wide as oceans.
It glistened like the Northern Lights, shining amidst the darkness. His jaw fell like a book off of a shelf and cold beads of sweat poked through onto his skin. He raced over to it, then slowed just before his foot touched the stage.

As LInk approched, the breeze grew swifter, the sun grew colder, and the path grew harder. It was as though the Lost Woods were warning him not to come. He stood at it's edge and looked in. It was blanketed in an even heavier mist that was as thick as the amrour of a battleship. He lit his lantern and headed in. The haze rose and fell and spun about the glade, in an attempt to throw him from his path. Link could not see one yard a head of him and hoped the hazy mist would clear out by noon.
Sahasrahla had marked the uppermost north western corner of the glade. He pulled out his map, and looked about hoping to gain his bearings. He tried tracking his path on the map, but it was to no avail. He replaced his map, and continued. There were some rows of trees that Link was unable to fit between. There also lay fallen trunks, which he could walk in and though like tunnels.

In the center of the stage stood a pedistal. When Link saw what lay in the pedistal, his heart raced as swift and as wildly as water released from behind a dam, and his eyes became as wide as oceans.
It glistened like the Northern Lights, shining amidst the darkness. His jaw fell like a book off of a shelf and cold beads of sweat poked through onto his skin. He raced over to it, then slowed just before his foot touched the stage. Upon the front of the pedistal was scripted words in a forgotten tounge. Link took out the Book of Mudora to read the inscription.

      The Hero's triumpth on cataclysm's eve
        Wins three symbols of virtue
      The Master Sword theh will he retrieve
        And Keep the Knight's Line true

Link said nothing, and He went around to the altar. After cracking his knuckles, Link took in a deep breath.
The Elder's words rung within our young hero's skull
If indeed you are the true Hero, and I pray that you are, the Master Sword it self, will select you.
The pendants that he had won took on a life of thier own. They arose in the air mysteriously about him and the sword. He was too focused upon the sword to notice that each one luminated like a star. Link swallowed and cracked his knuckles then took the sword's hilt into his grasp. He sent a prayer up like an arrow and closed his eyes, and pulled.
The next thing that he knew, the forest was filled with a glorious, magnificent light; a light that could overshadow the July sun. Link had to turn his head, it was so overwhelming. Link was nearly knocked over, by the sudden resonance of power that he took into his grip. It surged with power like a bolt of lightning, The Sword sent a torrent of power coursing through his body.

He felt his arm pulled up towards the sky. The Master Sword poured out a radiance that shot up towards the heavens and dispelled the fog, banishing it past the borders of Hyrule. His heart shot up on that light as well. When the radiance had finished flowing, Link regaurded the Master Sword.
'So this is the power of the ancients?'
'Link, can you hear me?' Sahasrahla's voice entered into his head.
'Yes Elder'
'I knew you were worthy. Listen well though. Although you wield the Sword, you still cannot harm Agahnim's body for the wizard is impervious to any physical assault. However, with the sword, you can best him. It has been forged to repell evil, and one as pure as yourself, can best one as vile as Agahnim. Have faith, and the victory will be won.'
The sunlight danced down the blade like falling water, the sword soaked in the light, and radiated with a new light all its own that shone even brighter.

He stood back in awe of himself. The cold twinge of the hilt and pommell felt like part of his own arm. His shoulders and arms tensed, ready for anything that would assail him. His eyes still remained wide and they radiatied with confidence and energy. A smile formed upon his face, and he wanted to take on the world. As soon as he stepped off of the stage, Zelda's voice shot into his head like a bullet.
A horrific scream pierced him like cold iron and tore out his ear drums. 'Link help!! Agahnim has breeched the sanctuary!'

End Chapter