Chapter XVII: Completion

A smile shone upon Link with a celestial sweetness. Zelda knealt beside him and looked upon her savior with a flood of emotions and questions rushing into her. Link sat up and returned her smile. She wrapped her arms about him and leaned her head upon him. They remained silent, and simply took in each others presence. They became ignorant of their surroundings, as she wept upon him.
'Let's go.' said Link.
'Thank you.'
As they stood up, she nearly fell over, but Link caught her. Link took Zelda into his arms, and bore her out of Turtle Rock. They were a good half mile away when they stopped and Link and Zelda sat beneath a naked tree.
'I know a place where we can rest.'
She acknowledged, and they went on thier way onto Celteria's fountain.
'I could feel you coming'
'I know. Have you been safe this whole time?'
'No. Ganon, he...' She could not continue, as her voice faltered and her eyes moistened
'I'm sorry.'
'So am I. We'll make that bastard suffer for all he's done to us!' They came into the fountain and sat down. Celteria saw them and welcomed them into the her home.
'Good day Hero! I am glad to see you are well!'
'I hope you don't mind us crashing here for a little bit, Celteria.'
'Oh no, not all. OH and who is this with you?'
'I am Zelda, Princess of Hyrule. Thank you so much for your aid!'
'Oh I am honored to have such dignified company! If there is anything I can do for you, Majesty, please just tell me.'
'Thank you. We just need to rest before we kill that sick bastard.'
'I see.' Celteria brought them some food, which they took down eagarly. 'Hero, I have been praying for your safety and victory. Let me do what else I can, close your eyes, and I will ease your wounds.'
Celtaria hovered above them and they felt a new engery flow into them causing Their eyes to become wide with vigour. When she was finished, Celteria told them, 'My queen summons me, I must depart.'
They bade her thanks, and like a plume of dust scattered by the wind she was gone. After they finished, Zelda took off for a moment and LInk settled into a warm spot against the wall, right between two torches. She came and found him half asleep, and sat down next to him, laying her head upon his shoulder, and her hair fell upon him.
Zelda looked at Link, with wide eyes. She noticed how his torn jerkin showed that chest seemed to have thickened and tightened. Zelda saw that his complection had darkened a bit as well. and noticed the hair jutting out from his jaw. His shoulders had broadend also, for they carried the weight of her kingdom apon them. Zelda's eyes wandered down to his arms. They had also thickened and were now finely toned, but most of all she loved the way they felt wrapped tightly about her frame. The Link who lay beside her, looked years older than the Link who charged into the storm after her. His body was toned like a front running greyhound. Link was too spent to notice how Zelda's eyes could not remove themselves from him.
She brought her hands across his chest and shoulders, and arms. She found a sacr on his side, that was raw and red, and stood on his skin like a ridge. She ran her fingers upon it, causing him to wince. 'Oh LInk, I'm sorry.' She realized that all of his wounds were inflicted in defense of her.
'Zelda.'
'What would I be without you?'
Zelda then encircled his waist with her arms and pulled herself close to him. He let free a groan as her embrace aggrivated his rib injury, but he did not complain. Instead Link brought his arms about her, and cought a whiff of her hair. It sent him back to the night they danced in the sanctuary.
'So what's left for us to do?'
'Storm the Dark King's citadel. He stands on top of Death Mountain, Now that I am free, we should be able to freely enter into it.'
'You said we'd do this together' She looked at him. 'Like you wanted.'
'Yes. And we can finally claim what's ours.'
'So how are we supposed to defete Ganon.'
'Together, and with the Sword.'
Link's hand lay upon the hilt of the sword, which Zelda covered with her own and as always, she could feel his pulse. She counted the beats, and soon they matched time with her own. Feeling that, she sank her head upon his chest.
'Link, you know what I'd like to do when we get home?'
'I don't know, what?'
'Dance.' she purred 'You and I, Like we did in the sanctuary.'
Link smiled. 'That would be nice.'
'I owe you so much Hero. I've taken, and asked so much from you, and given you nothing in return. Anything you ever need, I'll do it. You've saved my life, and my kingdom.'
'Yeah, but we have miles to cross before we can rest.' 'I know. But still, after a few days, we can pick our lives up again.'
'Well you have a life to pick up. I don't know if I do anymore.'
'Oh Hero, of course you do.'
'What is it then?'
'I'm going to need all of your help to get Hyrule back together.'
'Really. You want me to help?'
'There's no one I'd rather have.'
Zelda nestled in his grasp, and suddenly realized what she just said. 'Geez, will you listen to me?! Here I go asking you to do more for me, after you've already given me so much. I'm so selfish! After this is all done, I want you to take some time for yourself Link.'
'Are you sure? Like you said, there is a great deal of work to be done.'
'Link I insist. You've taken care of me, now let me do the same for you.' She blurted out a notion that came to her 'I'll build you house. Any place in Hyrule just name it.'
'That can wait. And besides, you don't have to do all that.'
'Why? Would you rather live in the palace?'
'Would living in the palace mean I have to be king?'
'Maybe. Are you interested in the job?'
'I'd rather be a shrub trimmer, or stable hand, or royal log splitter; something humble. Not a king'
Zelda chucked at his statement. '"Shrub trimmer?"'
'Why don't you just pay me to fish? I could never be a king.'
'You'd be the perfect king! And you know it! You'd be the kind of king that the people would admire and adore, and you'd be celebrated in stories and songs thoughout history. The kind of king that no country would ever dare march on.'
'Who me?'
'Oh yes. You'll be the kind of king that a queen, or future queen would love forever.'
'If you say so.'
'I insist so!'
HE took in the aroma of her hair for it was a scent he could never get enough of. 'I need to tell you something'
'Go ahead.' She looked at him a bit inquisitively.
'I've been pretty much scared throughout this whole time. Ever since I first left the sanctuary, even now.'
'You?! Sacred?! But you've been such a couragous hero, daunting and strong. Brave and noble!'
'No, I'm just doing what's required of me. Anyone could have fulfilled this quest.'
'No Hero, you're wrong! You were chosen for this role! I know it is no mistake that we are here now.'
'But everyday I knew the odds were good, that I'd die wherever it was that I stood. I was mad to take on such a taxing burden. But when I saw you disappear before me, I realized that I had nothing left to lose. No reason to hold back.'
'I am sorry for what I have put you through. Even today, I realize, I had no right to send you on this quest, but Link, without you an entire kingdom will be decimated. You've proven yourself to be a selfless and determined hero. I owe you everything, my life, my kingdom. I thank you.'
'You've thanked me enough already.' He paused to swallow. 'But I must also tell you, I was told that the darkness has no chance against me.'
'Who said that?'
'A voice. I don't know whose, but it's a voice that is familiar somehow. When I heard Him, I knew I'd succeed'
They remained in each other's arms, and soaked in each other's company and the gentle candlelight.
'Remember the last time we did this Zelda'
'Yes. It was just before you were going off to claim the Master Sword.'
'We thought that that would be the end of our quest.' Link chuckled in spite of himself. 'I'll miss this Zelda.'
'Link, we've already been through this. I'll always have time for you.'
'I know you will.'
He was right and she knew it. They'd never have these moments again. They were both in peril, but they found solace in each other. Zelda sighed
'Link you do realize how powerful the Dark King is?'
'Yes. I have faith though. The same Voice who told me the darkness has no chance, also told me, He did not bring me so far to fail.'
Celtaria came out again. 'If you wish to destroy Ganon, you will need this.' She presented Link and Zelda with a quiver. 'These arrows have been touched with the Power. My queen has held these since the Imprisoning War. When I told her you arrived in my fountain, she told me to give these to you.'
Link thanked her, and accepted the quiver. He drew out an arrow and the three of them marveled at its radiance. His eyes grew as wide as lakes, looking at the arrows. She also gave Link a new jerkin. It was sewn by the faeries themselves, to protect who ever wore it.
'Any arrow you place into this quiver, will also recieve the power.' After thier awe cooled down a bit, Celteria spoke again. 'My queen regrets not being able to deliver these to the Hero personaly.'
'Thank you.' stated Link, 'I must ask, Why are you helping us?'
'The Dark King has done much to harm us faeries. We have vowed to help the Hero whenever he comes'
'All of Hyrule is in your debt.'
The three sat, still and silent.
'So when will we attack the citadel?' Link inquired of Zelda
'Whenever you are ready to.'
He nodded. 'I am wondering, How will I defend you, and fight Ganon at the same time?'
'Link, I have recieved training, so you will not have to defend me. Even as strong as you are, someone must gaurd your rear. You stay focused on what's ahead, and I will take care of any who try to get you from behind. I told you we are going to this together.'
'Alright. Together'
They sat silent in the warm serene glow of fairy dust and candlelight. 'Is there anything else I can do to accomodate you?' asked Celteria.
'I'm fine,' answered Zelda. 'Thank you for all you've done for us.'
'Yeah.' added Link, 'You've done more than your share. We could not have gotten this far without your help.'
'I will pray for your protection and guidance as you fight to expell the Dark King.'
Celtaria retired to her inner chamber. Zelda found LInk's firm chest to be a very comfortable rest, and nestled her head upon him. Before dawn poured its morning light down, Link sat alone in silent thought.
'Who am I to have been thrust into this position?' He looked down at Zelda who lay nestled against him. 'What do you see in me?' As she lay sleeping, Link took her hand in his, and brushed her hair back from her eyes.

It was a good two days later when Link and Zelda left Celtaria's fountain. The wind raged furiously against them. They stood at the base of the mountain and looked up. It stood like a bully in the playground; massive, haughty, unopposed and glared at them with a scornful eye.
The two of them made their way up it's crags and clefts. They remained in close proximety to each other. Link was mindful to keep Zelda in his vision, as well as up ahead. While watching her, he reached up for a rock. He took a hold of it, and began to pull himself up, only to have the rock eject itself from the rest of the mountain. Zelda gasped when whe saw him hanging by one hand, which she noticed, began to loosen from it's hold. Link remained calm, and regained his footing first, and then stabilized himself. She expelled a relieved sigh when he was grasping fast and firm.
Zelda felt her tricepts and thighs begin to quiver. It pained her to raise her arms, yet she did nonetheless. She could feel herself begin to flag. Her eyes came onto Link who waited for her. Zelda kept pulling.
A bit later, Link had relinquished the lead to Zelda. He marveled at how she kept a steadfast pace up the mountain's face. He knew he could not fail her. Zelda had invested so much of her trust, her faith, her kingdom, her famliy, her soul upon him. At times Link led. At times Zelda led. Most of the time Link and Zelda climbed side by side.
They reached the apex perhaps a couple of days after they left the fountain. Link and Zelda looked at the citadel. It climbed high into the clouds. It stood like a crown atop the head a despot. The stone gates were slammed tight like a heavy vault.
'So now what?' queried Link.
Zelda did not answer, instead she closed her eyes, and began to focus. 'Ancient Creator of Hyrule, Most High above the all nature. Your servants ask You to open the way that we may depose the Dark King.'
The ground began to tremble, and the skies began to quiver, clouds shifting like waves. It's immense gates opened wide like the jaws of a predator, welcoming an unknowing victim. They stayed the night and upon the morning, they arose and looked at thier final challenge.
'Are you ready?' Their hands seem to find each other.
'Yes Link. I want back what is ours.'


End Chapter