Chapter VII: The Trial

Chapter VII: The Trial

LInk emerged from the Desert Palace and looked around. As far as his eyes could see, there was nothing but sand and more sand. The desert glared at Link with nothing but contept as The sun was just now setting.
'Which way did I come from?'
His jerkin was tatered, and drenched in sweat. He could feel a dozen thorns constricting his calves and A stinging pain was emminating from his side. As he walked he felt sand grinding in his raw wounds bringing him much difficulty. His feet felt like he had broken glass in his boots. His legs must have wieghed several tons and A deep rumbling shook his stomache. He clutched his sides in a fruitless effort to keep warm.
He walked in the general direction ,or what he assumed was, of the exit. In contrast to the day, the night was as chilly as an November wind. Link's jerkin hung off of him in drenched sweaty scraps, offering him minimal protection. He kept his hands clutching his pockets as His throat felt like sandpaper.
Link kept walking and before he knew it the, sun was out again. It's relentless assault on Link left him wearier. He could hear the vultures circling above him.
'You think you;ll be getting a meal outta me do you?'
It was again dusk when Link came to the exit, spent and worn. Link saw a tree which was still dressed. He climbed up it and settled onto a firm limb and closed his eyes. The owl and the wolf exchanged long lonely malissmas, their songs greeting Link as he faded into the night's embrace. He could not have been dormant for five miniutes when the branch he lay in gave way.
Link cursed as he felt his rump become sore. He got up and continued walking wading through a shallow stream. LInk took in the water that soothed his throat, and washed the sand from his wounds. He emerged to find himself in a thick glade. Link followed this into a tall knoll, where he fell to the ground worn and empty.
'This seems like a nice place to rest.'
He faded again, with no intentions of ever rising. A still small voice came into his ear, It was as gentle as falling snow on Christmas morning, but as stong as thunder on a summer's tempest.
'Link arise.'
'I cannot.'
'You can. Arise Link.'
'leave me be Sahasrahla. I am too tired right now.'
'I am not the Elder. Now Link arise'
'I am too tired.'
'I will give you strength.'
Link came to his knees, like a puppet pulled by its strings. He had no idea where his energy came from and soon he was on his feet.
'Walk Link.'
'I am unable.'
'Have faith my child. Arise and walk.'
LInk arose and began walking, slowly, trepidly at first, but each step had more spring than the one before. Before he knew it, Link was running. He kept running, through the night, and past the day. He went through the forests, and the streams and the knolls. He ran over the hills and through the meadows. It was yet another day untill he reached the sanctuary. Link collapsed upon the threshold. Tellah scouting around saw him, and hastened to him.
'Zelda, come quickly!'
As swiftly as she could, Zelda ran over to him. She reeled back in shock when she spotted Link.
'O Link.' She looked in horror at his bruised frame. Tellah bore him up. 'I, I,....'
'Prepare a bath for him Princess.'
Zelda went off, and drew hot water for him. After which, she and Tellah carried him into the bath. They cleasned him and treated his wounds none of which he was aware of. Zelda kissed his brow. 'I'm sorry'. She paused nearly in tears. 'Do you think he'll be alright?'

'Almost certainly Princess. Have faith' She inhaled her tears, and Tellah left LInk to rest. She remained at his side, keeping vigil over him. Later on, they drew him out, and set him upon a pew. She kissed him again, as she covered his battered frame in a blanket.
'Thank you'
Later that evening Link came around, Zelda and Tellah since had expired. He looked at his bandages.
'How did I get here?'
He felt like he had been trampled by several bulls, and thrown into a blender. He walked around, and found his way to a table; On which was set some provisions, most of which had become cold. Link didn't care for He was just glad to put something in him. The chill in the air made him quiver. When he finished his repast, he sought out a fire. He went over to the room he saw Zelda aslep on the floor, curled up in a blanket and shivering. Link looked at her as he sat with his back turned towards the subtle burning.
'I can't believe I'm doing this.' he whispered. 'If I had any bit of sense in me, I should just leave Hryule all together. It's your kingdom.' He shook his head. 'But what kind of man would I be? It's not your fault. You're only doing what you have to. I can't fault you for that.'
Link knealt down beside her. He walked the back of his fingertips across her hair, down her cheek, past her neck, onto her shoulder. Link loved the way her soft, smooth, warm skin felt upon his calloused hand. He kissed the crown of her head. As he did, Link cought a whiff of her hair. The aroma took him away; She smelled like an angel oghtta smell. He layed down next to her and When he did She stopped shivering. He simply looked at her.
He tried to close his eyes, but he found no rest.
'So what's going to happen after Hyrule's free?' He mused. 'You have your palace to return to and, and your kingdom to run, but What do I have to return to?' He looked at her and All of his anticipations began to evaporate. 'I'll be out of a job by next week.' Link chuckled. Soon the sands flowed over his eyes, and he dozed away.
Upon the new day, Link found himself awake and Zelda still lay sleeping next to him.
'Why can't I get any sleep?'
'You're a hero, you don't need it.' stated the voice beside him.
'Very funny.'
Zelda turned to face Link. 'Good morning Sunshine.'
'That's even funnier'
'How are you feeling?'
'I've been worse.'
'Seriously?'
'Seriously.'
Zelda let out a yawn. 'I'm glad.'
'You're glad that I've been worse?'
'No Link that's not what I mean, I--'
'I Know what you mean.'
They simply looked at each other. 'Every day you've been gone, I can't help but wonder if or not you'll be coming back. Tellah says to "have faith", but that's been very difficult for me to do recently.'
'I feel the same way. except for that not coming back part.'
'What do you mean?'
'My uncle always told me to have faith, but now that's he's gone, I don't know what to do. I figure that if I had any sense in me, I'd leave this mad quest behind.' Zelda's eyes widened. 'But then I'd always wonder what if. I'm almost certain that my uncle would want me to continue.'
'Well what do you want?'
He paused to think. 'I, I, want to avenge my uncle for one. What about you?'
LInk sat up. 'I want to keep Hyrule safe. I can't do that with Agahnim on the throne. That's why I need you.' An idea came to her, She paused to consider it. Zelda felt that, It may seem a bit underhanded, or perhaps even unnessascary, but at the same time, irresitable. She figuered everything would be back to normal by next week, so whay would be the harm. 'Link you told me that you were wanting to enlist right?'
Zelda sat upright, putting on a front of authority. 'Yes why?'
'Alright that's it.'
'What's it?'
'You're a Kinght.' Zelda smiled. Link's face held only confusion.
'I'm a Knight?'
'You're a knight. You're my knight. Link of the Kokiri House, is now a Knight of Hyrule. The only Knight might I add, My knight, shall I add again.'
'So that's it then?'
'Yes that's it, Sir Link.' She said his name as though she was tasting it. He returned her smile.
'Why did I just let you do that?' She had no answer, Just a smile. 'Well then, your Highness, what does Her Majesty request of Her Knight?' Link knew what she was doing.
She thought about it for a moment. 'I'll get back to you in that.' Zelda let out another yawn.
'I guess this means I have to finish my quest.'
'Yes, but you were going to do that anyways.'
'So how long am I in your service?'
'You only have to be a knight untill you defeat Agahnim. After that, I'll let you do anything you want. And at the rate you're going, We're looking at next week, if all goes well. Or for life,' she jested, 'I have not yet decided.'
Link chuckled
'What?'
'"If all goes well" I just found that kinda funny.'
'Okay' she didn't see the humour that he did. She shifted sujects. 'You have no idea I appreciate you and what you're doing. I want so much to go with you. more than you can imagine.' He smiled when she told him that.
'It's good to hear that. Thank you.' HE paused, and took in the sight of her. 'I'm, still a little unsure about this myself. Something about it though just seems sort of right.'
'I'm glad you feel that way.'
'Well I guess that someone has to care.'
'I'm greatful that you do.'
'So what do you do when I'm gone?' Asked Link.
'Oh sit around and be bored most of the time. THat and pray.'
'Oh' was all Link said. I must ask you something Princess.'
'What is it?'
'When I was coming out of the desert, I fell down tired. A voice told me to arise and walk. Was that you?'
She looked at him inquisitively. 'No Link. It was not.'
'That's odd. At first I thought it was Sahsrahla, but the voice told me it wasn't.'
'I don't know what to tell you.'

After the two of them ate breakfast, Link departed for the mountain.
'Be careful out there Link. I know you can save Hyrule.' said Zelda as he departed. She gave him a sweet little kiss on the cheek, For good fortune, and a swift return, or at least so she said. She gave him a new tunic with a cape to keep him warm.
Death Mountain stood tall above the sanctuary. From just outside the sanctuary door, he gazed up at it. It's pinnacle rose high into the clouds. It gazed back down at him with a lazy eye. Link swallowed.
The first leg of the mountain, was a trail. It wound around the mountain like a rope. It rose at a steady grade. The final leg was up at it's climax.
As, he began, Link still found walking to be uncomfortable. His legs still felt as though they had nails in his shins. His side still ached when he breathed. A cold wind rushed down from the mountain, as though to ward him off. It sent goosebumbs up and down his spine.
'This may take me a while'

End Chapter