Ghosts of the Past

by tir-synni

 

 

Epilogue

 

 

            “How is he?” Princess Ruto whispered.

            “Same as he was yesterday,” Saria whispered back.

            “Comatose?”

            “Pretty much.”

            Ruto sighed and stared at Hyrule Field.  Link sat on the brick wall towards the center, gazing blankly at the blue sky.  Beside him, Epona neighed worriedly, but Link never noticed her.

            “How is Sheik taking it?” Ruto continued.

            “Same as he was yesterday,” Saria repeated.

            Sitting beside the wall, Sheik tenderly held Link’s gloveless hand and kissed it.  His lips moved, but they couldn’t hear what he was saying.  Link’s eyes flickered momentarily towards him, and Link squeezed Sheik’s hand lightly, but otherwise, there was no answer.

            “At least he responds to Sheik,” Ruto sighed, stepping back towards the drawbridge.  “He doesn’t even acknowledge anyone else.”

            Saria’s eyes were dark and tormented as she gazed upon her former best friend.  “The castle believes he defeated the Fierce Deity, but the effort involved almost killed him.”

            Ruto paused and glanced back at Saria.  “It is best for them all to believe that.”

            Saria blinked back her tears.  “I suppose,” she whispered, before hurrying after Ruto.

~~~~~~

            Sheik kissed Link’s cold fingers again.  This time, Link did not even notice.  Sighing, Sheik rested his head against the brick wall.

            “It wasn’t your fault, love,” Sheik whispered, as he had everyday since Link’s awakening two weeks ago.  “No one was hurt, besides Ganon.  The third triforce was reclaimed.  Everything is fine now.  Please, wake up.”

            Link squeezed his fingers gently, but Sheik doubted Link understood what he was saying.  Link only knew Sheik was talking.  No one knew whether it was the trauma of the Fierce Deity possessing him or if the Fierce Deity had torn something inside of Link during the possession, but Sheik was left with only a shadow of Link’s former self.  The light in his beautiful eyes was gone.  Not a word passed Link’s velvet lips.  Only Link’s haunted stare greeted everyone, including Sheik.

            “I love you,” Sheik whispered.  “I love you, and I won’t leave you.”

            Link stared endlessly at the blue sky.

 

 

 

 

I tried.  I couldn’t manage a happy ending.  I really, really tried.  I tried to turn this into a happy ending, but it preferred this one.  Here you go.