Ch.12.

The Wolf was bounding hard through the woods, each step thundering into the grass as it carried the fallen chosen Hero.

Meanwhile, the other two Heroes strode along the grass, following not too far behind. Impa had launched into a fury of verbal beating at Sheik after the wolf had left. “You listened to the wolf, and your only defense was a feeling in yourself telling you to obey the Wolf?”

The two remained silent to avoid further argument. They simply followed the wolf’s beaten path through the wood. The walk was eerily silent, considering the carnage they had just witnessed, and they could hear only the soft touching of their boots to the grass and the crackle of their torches.

It was half an hour or so before the trail stopped at a wall, a stone wall that spanned into the darkness on either side. The two heroes looked at their feet and saw footprints from the Wolf leading up to the wall. Impa put her hand on the wall. “I wonder if my power will trigger something.”

The wall stayed still, but something felt different after she touched it. Her senses blurred, and she fell to her knees. She saw Sheik doing the same. She tried to stay up, but both of them fell to their sides. Impa blurred into unconsciousness.

“Impa? Sheik?” A voice stirred inside the minds of the Heroes, and a vision of a beautiful woman appeared before them. She stood tall, her hair being the only thing covering her body save for some leaves and little vines. Her hair was the color of ivy, like the ‘garments’ she wore. Her eyes were jade green, and her skin was pearly and white. What really set her apart from anything the two had seen was the cloud of golden fog around her, which was hiding multiple Sprites.

Impa blinked her mental eyes, and stared at the woman. “Farore?” she asked, “Is it you?”

The woman shook her head and smiled. “I am known as…”

“…the Great Fairy of Faron,” Sheik cut in and bowed mentally. Impa followed, and the woman waved her hand, dismissing the bow. Sheik moved as if to speak again, but the Fairy held her hand up, shushing her.

“Be silent, child. The chosen Hero is safe with me inside my cave. He is currently resting in my fountain while we speak.” Impa and Sheik sighed. “His wounds are being healed, and yes, Sheik, his heart is healing as well. He will be at his physical prime when he emerges. That is, if you fail in your quest, that is. If you do not, the Triforce will put him in a state of strength he has and will never know other than then.”

“Is that your wolf?” Sheik asked.

“No, and Yes,” the Fairy answered. “It was a monster prowling the forest, and sot to eat you all, but I reached out and touched its mind and body. It turned into the servant it now is.”

“Where is the Temple of Courage?” Impa asked, and the Fairy laughed gently.

“You don’t need to know this, child. Until your chosen Hero has healed, and passed through the Forest Temple with the Forest Emerald in hand, you need not know. So do not trouble your mind, young one.”

“Why didn’t you let us into your cave?” Impa asked, “Why enter our minds?”

“I didn’t see a need to bring you into the cave, and touching the mind of a mortal is always a pleasant experience.”

“Oh,” Impa simply said.

“Where shall we go to await Link’s exit of the Forest Temple?” Sheik asked.

“Follow your heart. It will not lead you astray.”

“When will we return to the physical world?” Impa asked.

“When your Hero is finished healing, which will happen in four seconds. Farewell, children.”

The image of the Fairy faded from their view and was replaced by grass. The two lifted themselves from the ground. Impa looked at Sheik, and she started walking along the left side of the wall. Impa shrugged and followed her, taking one last glimpse of the Fairy’s cave.

 

***

 

Forty-two minutes earlier…

The wolf didn’t break its stride as it neared the wall; it simply bound through it into the Fairy’s beautiful cave. The stone was cleaned by fountain water, not covered in grime. The actual fountain was filled with Fairy water, and inside, resting in the Fountain, was the Great Fairy of Faron. The wolf stopped when it reached the water. It stood atop the royal crest adorned chiseled stone just out of the water.

The Fairy stood up, water dripping from her body as she exited the fountain. She breathed in slightly heavier than normal, and a breeze blew around her body, drying the water and wrapping leaves and vines around necessary areas. She moved toward the wolf and lifted Link’s body from the wolf’s back. She breathed out, and a breeze blew through Link. His garments and weapons fell into the air, dissipating into nothing. The wolf nodded toward the Fairy, and a breeze blew through it, turning it to dust and carrying it out into the forest.

The Fairy walked into the water and kissed Link’s forehead, spreading warmth through his body. She set him in the water, submerging him completely, and his body immediately began to heal: skin growing, heart starting fresh and normal, veins connecting, and blood reappearing. His body was at a state of prime in moments.

The Fairy smiled and lifted his body into the air. She breathed out, and his garments and weapons reappeared on his body, cleansed and stitched into correct patterns. His eyes began to flicker, and the Fairy used a soft hand to stroke them lightly, keeping them shut. She then set his body onto the chiseled block near the fountain, directly onto the royal crest.

Link’s eyes opened. He blinked them a few times and saw nothing but black. His body felt amazing, though. His chest didn’t feel weird, his throat was intact, and all of his scars had disappeared. He blinked again and realized he was floating in the blackness. There, in front of him, a woman stood. He had seen pictures of her from books he had read about Hyrule’s history. She had few differences than the sketch; same eyes, same hair, same figure…Lana would probably be jealous, he thought for a second, and a frown set on his face. A tear threatened to form at the thought of his wife, and he cleared his throat and looked the woman in the eye.

She looked at him sadly. “I’m sorry that you miss your wife, Link,” she said, and Link recognized her then. This was the Great Fairy of Faron!

“Yes,” she said softly, “I am, and you are the chosen Hero. I have healed your wounds. From your scars to your heart problem, it is all pristine.”

“Thank you,” Link said, managing a smile.

“I am about to send an image of myself to your comrades to inform them of the circumstances.”

“Oh, um, do you want me to…” Link trailed off.

“I want only for you, when you wake on the royal crest in my fountain, to dip your head in the water. This will cleanse your mind of its stress and fear, which you will need to keep at bay with your upcoming challenges. Farewell, Hero.”

 

***

 

Link smiled as he stepped through the gate into Hyrule Town. After four months away in Labrynna, helping stamp out a revolt, it was good to be home. The soldiers traipsed along behind him, and Impa, who was on horseback. He greeted the occasional civilian who walked by, smiling and waving a hello, and Impa just nodded her head in recognition, remaining silent.

“C’mon, Impa, loosen up,” Link said. “Say hello to some of these people. After all…Oh hello, Olivia,” he said to a passing woman who responded with a smile and a wave. “Say Hi to Brock.” Olivia nodded, smiling still, and Link turned to Impa. “Sorry, General. What was I saying? Oh, yes…you should greet the people. They look up to you as their chief protector, save for the Princess. But still, they don’t need a silent general who will only give up a begrudging nod. They will think you look down on them. Lana has noticed your silent manner as well.”

“How is she?” Impa asked, breaking her silence, “How, uh, how long have you been with her?”

“Seven months, three of which I wasn’t here, but you would know that, I guess. We’ve gone on…twenty-three dates, I think, and that’s not counting my visits to her apothecary, either for injury, or…withdrawal injury,” he chuckled, and Impa smiled.

“How is her apothecary doing? I remember you mentioned it wasn’t going so great when you met.”

“Well, you see, after a few weeks I began to post up papers in the barracks offering a discount at her apothecary, paid by me.” He waved to a friend and exchanged a few words as they passe. Then he returned to Impa. “Um, I had already started recommending it to soldiers I saw, but it wasn’t going as well as I had wished, so I started the discount system.”

“Did she oblige? Or did she ask you to remove it?”

“She was fine with it, and it really helped her out.” He waved again.

“Are you two…clicking well?”

“Clicking where?” Link asked, a smirk on his face, and Impa grimaced, but a grin came to her face.

“I see that to mean a ‘yes’?”

“Of course. She’s special. I’m definitely gonna try and hold on to her.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Impa said, and they passed through the gate to the Noble District.

“General, do you mind if I have someone take my horse to the stable so I can meet with Lana? After all, I haven’t seen her in almost two months.”

“Is she in your house?” Impa asked, as they stopped at the crossroads, one leading to Link’s street, one to the barracks and stable entrance.

“Yes. I had a messenger run ahead and send a note to her when we reached the four kilometer outpost.”

“Ah, go ahead, Commander. But I would like to see you tomorrow at the recap.”

“Of course,” he said, smiling.

The army began walking, and Link dismounted his horse. He waved to a passing soldier. “Oi!” he said, and the soldier walked over to him. “Take this horse to the stables and see to it that she gets cared for.”

“Yessir,” the soldier said as he took the reins. He walked it with army toward the castle.

Link turned and, not able to contain his excitement, ran to his home. He arrived at his door and waited for his breathing to alter slightly to its normal rate. He pushed the door open and entered coolly. His first encounter was the scent of roasting beef. He looked around but couldn’t see anything. He checked his kitchen and found the remnants of cooking. He saw that his oven was being used. He smiled as he remembered the most obvious place for her. He walked to his room, and pushed the door open, revealing a lounging Lana. She was laid out on the bed and was adorned with Link’s favorite blue sleepwear. He smiled and removed his cap as she stood herself up.

“I’ve missed you,” she said into his chest as he embraced her.

He tilted her head back and kissed her softly, “I’ve missed you, too,” he said when their lips parted. “Been waiting to kiss you for what seems like forever.”

“Oh, Link,” she said, a joyful smile on her face. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Lana,” he said. He kissed her again. Then she smiled at him in a manner which he knew could mean only one thing. She patted his chest and left the room, a devilish grin spreading on her dainty face. He turned, confusion in his mind, and followed her to the kitchen, where she opened the oven and pulled out a pan carrying a delightful smelling roast. She set it on the counter to her right, and began sprinkling salt over the meat. She then pulled another pan from the oven, this one carrying a load of varied vegetables. She sprinkled salt on them, too, and then pulled a glass quart of milk from Link’s frost-enchanted food storage. She grabbed two glasses from his cupboards and poured milk into them before returning the milk to its place. She handed the glasses to Link, who still looked confused.

“Put these on the table, Hon, and set it, too,” she added, as she pulled a pot from the stovetop and scooped mashed up potatoes into a bowl. She brought the food out to the table while Link gathered the silverware and plates.

“Um, Luv?” he called out from the dining room to the kitchen, and she turned her head around the corner to look at him, her blue braid swinging down in front of her face.

“Yes?”

“Weren’t we…you know…but now…food…um…we’ll be…eating?”

“I cooked this so you could fill up on a delicious meal,” she said as she moved to the dining room. “After all, you haven’t had one for almost two months.”

“Ha-ha,” Link said dryly. “But, what about, you know…” He pointed off toward his room.

She turned her head and looked at him innocently, though her face sported a sly smile. “Whatever do you mean, Link?”

“I mean, us, you know…haven’t been together for…two months almost…you know…reuniting?”

“You continue to confound me,” she said.

He threw his hands into the air. “Fine, let’s eat.” He sat down and asked for a blessing for the food, then they dug into Lana’s delicious masterpiece. Though, what seemed like seconds into the meal, Lana began to traipse her hand over Link’s arm and held his right hand while they ate. He looked at her, and she smiled.

“Fine,” she said, but finish what you have on your plate, and I’ll put it away when…you know…”

He smiled and tore through his food. Within two minutes he and Lana were in a passionate embrace on his bed.

 

***

 

Link awoke on the stone and blinked a few times. He stood easily and stretched his limbs. He looked around and observed the Fairy fountain. He stopped when his eyes trailed at the water and remembered his instructions. He walked to the water and dipped his head down into it. Immediately his mind felt…clean. He felt no worry of death. He felt completely courageous. He smiled brightly, and the Great Fairy reappeared before him in the air, smiling right back at him.

“Link,” she spoke,” I wish you good travels and good blessings from the goddesses. Please take care of yourself.”

“I promise to,” Link said.

The Great Fairy smiled even brighter then tilted her head back and lowered herself into the water, her garments melting into nothingness as she relaxed. She smiled again at Link, and he felt his body begin to lighten, and he felt himself disappearing…

 

***

 

Link found himself standing in the Forest by himself. Several torches lit the area. He looked around and saw small structures through the trees. He felt his left hand tingle and glanced at it; through his gauntlet the Golden image of the Triforce shone. He looked back up at his surroundings. He knew where he was. He stepped forward and pulled a torch from a bracket near him. He held it up as he walked forward into the Forest Temple.