Eight
The creature that wore Link’s face was nothing more than a shadow, and so of course he shadowed them. Zelda could feel his attention, watching them throughout the night, more than enough incentive to cover ground instead of seeking rest. Thankfully, as the first threads of pale light cracked through the clouds, she could feel his power weaken, fading just like a shadow as the sun rose higher.
“He hasn’t gone far.” Impa murmured. “The light seems to hinder his movements a bit, but we should still be on our guard.”
Zelda nodded, pulling a knife from her side and slamming it into the soil, curling her hand right next to it as she bedded down. If Dark Link was following them, she could only assume Ganon was too, or would be soon. Tempting as it was to run fast and hard, it would be better not to exhaust her stamina before the real battle. Not to mention how much it would feel like running, letting that dark shadow chase her across the land.
Above them, a hawk screamed, though the trees were too thick to see much above them.
“I believe the bird has been following us as well.”
One of the Sheikah flexed his claws against the ground, the only hint of possible interest in the bird above.
“Who knows what it might be, or who? It could be Ganon, or even Link.” Zelda didn’t believe it, too tired to try to find a high enough perch, to study the bird, if it would even allow her to. The Sheikah understood her message, though, tail curling back between his feet as he closed his eyes, another beside him and a third laying languidly across a high branch.
She’d been afraid to eat anything, or even step too heavy across the ground for fear of crushing a bug that could have been a man, or even a friend. It seemed a little safer once they’d gone beyond the borders of the major cities, the Chaos Glass seemed more interested in changing the world that existed rather than making mischief out of whole cloth. Except for the mouth she’d mistaken for a crevasse - the valley chomping down on empty air as one of the Sheikah knocked her to safety - there was little danger in the plains, and they were quick to cross them, arriving at the lake in the late afternoon.
Zelda knew where the lake was, and that was the only reason she realized they had reached it – or at least, the place it was supposed to be. The cluster of mountains surrounding the lake were gone.
The lake itself wasn’t gone, precisely – but in its place a three tiered waterfall hovered, starting from nothing and ending nowhere. A cathedral of water, the rapids churning and rushing in both directions, blocks of grass and rock floating here and there among the dark swells and foam. Beautiful, except it should not have been there. No sign of the Zoras, no chance anyone could live in such an elegantly violent place.
Zelda watched the hawk that had followed them wheel a slow turn around the wall of water, calling out as it soared. A shame she couldn’t ask it what it could see from high above, or if she should have any hope, or just stand where she was in awe.
“Princess.” Impa said softly, her entire body seemingly blurred by the mist that wafted through her. The other Sheikah were waiting patiently, even more emotionless now with feline features. Zelda flexed a hand, staring at the thundering waters for another long moment.
“We should do as the bird does, we can walk around it at a safe distance, see if there’s anything on the other side.”
It took much longer than she was expecting, as halfway around the path turned into a swamp. Stranger than that, of course, each blade of grass made of the same rushing water as the towering column, reforming perfectly when she lifted her foot. Nothing different on the other side, just a different view of the shattered remnants of caves now inaccessible beneath the roaring flood. The Zoras had gone, though if there had been a battle here when the Glass shattered the aftermath could look like anything. The underwater people could be anything now, perhaps even the bird still soaring in the sky.
“Princess, all is not lost. At least we know what has happened here.”
Zelda pulled her mask down roughly, taking a long drink from her water skin, splashing some accidentally across her shirt, still not used to the size of her ‘new’ arms and legs.
“I am so tired of being a boy.” She shut her eyes, didn’t scream because princesses weren’t supposed to scream, even when they had been turned to boys. “We’re walking around in circles. Ganon hasn’t acted yet, but all we’re doing now is chasing our tails.”
She glanced down, to where the Sheikah’s tails were actually twitching, and wondered if she should apologize.
“We could return to Talon’s-” Impa started, but Zelda quickly shook her head.
“No, not with that creature following us, waiting for the chance to strike. I won’t let it be there, he’s already done enough.”
//Sacrificed enough for us.// Zelda refused to give the thought any attention.
“We set a trap, then.” Impa crossed her arms decisively. “We lure Dark Link to us, and destroy it.”
It was not her intent to fight more than she had to. Zelda wanted Link, the safety of her friends and a hot bath, in that order. The thought of turning the tables on the thing that had been chasing them, of Ganon realizing at least one of his dark creatures would never hunt again was very tempting. The thought that the only thing waiting beyond that was another endless, fruitless search for answers made the decision for her.
“We’ll do it.”
-----------------------------
Talon’s house was slightly north of Link’s path, but he didn’t bother to stop off, half afraid it wouldn’t be there, changed. Half afraid he would discover what had happened to at least some of his friends, and that it would not be what he wanted to hear. Epona galloped on, stopping only for food and water, and even then Link would lead her on foot a bit, trying to make the lake before sunset.
//At least the days are the same.// Link looked up and grimaced, wishing the Glass had been considerate enough to add a few hours extra – they were not going to make the lake before sundown.
“I’d prefer not to run in the dark.”
Epona said calmly between mouthfuls of grass, as he sat and watched the shades of color in the sky deepen, orange to red, red to the color of lava in what seemed like every underground crevasse and labyrinth he’d ever fought in. He was surprised, Epona’s voice and manner much as he had would have imagined it. Simple and direct, usually only speaking about which path seemed better, if she smelled anything dangerous or which apple she preferred when he pulled two from the bag. It was nice, because if she didn’t ask any more personal questions he didn’t have to think about them either.
“You humans sure do worry about what you look like.”
Link realized he was staring at his hand again, so delicate, even the curve of the wrist not what he was used to. Even the Triforce looked out of place, though it was a matter of spirit and nothing to do with flesh. He looked down, but the horse had not even raised her eyes. Knew him much too well by now, he’d have trouble once they met up with any of his friends and she could start telling stories.
“You don’t care what I look like?”
A soft whuff into the grass. “You smell the same, that’s what matters.”
Link chuckled slightly. “If – when we find Zelda, I don’t know if she’ll even recognize me, no matter what I smell like.” Knowing him was only the tip of a very large ice keese – it wouldn’t change how she thought of him, how she felt about him, would it?
Epona lifted her head. Few things in this world were more humbling than being stared down by a horse. Especially one who had seen him bathing, more than once.
“Princess Zelda has been with you through the loss of her father, the destruction of her kingdom and more dark days than this land has seen in a millennia. She will stay with you now.”
“When you say it that way it’s downright romantic.” Epona only whickered, reaching forward to nudge her head against his shirt, the very specific gesture only amplified by a few mutters for ‘sugar,’ until he provided the treat she had been looking for.
Link had never had much to do with horses, had never seen them except from a distance when he’d lived in Kokiri forest. He still knew that Epona was special, that she could all but fly across the ground, compared to any other steed. If the Chaos Glass had only judged on merit, it would have given her wings.
It still took a long time to cross the plains, a few random enemies stumbling into their path, nothing so organized as a group of Moblins – and Link was surprised. Surely, Ganon would be organizing his armies, attempting to batter order back from the anarchy. Every hour that followed with no such sign led Link closer to the hope that Ganon had been defeated by the Glass, transformed into some helpless creature. This world was not perfect, by any means, but he could adjust to a field of sunflowers wanting to kiss him much easier than wondering what Ganon’s next attack would be.
It was half a day’s ride from the lake, maybe less, but the sun was setting and even at Epona’s pace they wouldn’t make it before dark. Link dismounted, dipping his hands into the stream to splash water on his face, grimacing once again at his smaller, delicate hands through the water cupped inside them. Whatever Epona had said – and yes, she’d made a few good points – what if he was stuck as a girl forever? He couldn’t imagine anything had happened to Zelda – stupid optimism, perhaps, but he couldn’t make himself believe she wouldn’t be as he had left her. Of course they would find each other, but... could it all still work, with how he was now?
//It will work. I won’t fail her.// He stood up, wiping his hands against his tunic and moving toward the river. Nothing much on this side, the sand bank was too high, but if he crossed the stream and moved a little downriver, he might be able to catch a fish – or whatever the fish had been turned into.
“Wait.” Epona said softly, and Link froze, listening to her breathe softly, tasting the air.
“What is it?” He couldn’t hear anything past the sound of the stream, and for the thousandth time Link wished Zelda was here. She had so much more skill in detecting Ganon’s monsters than he ever could.
“I’m not sure. Danger, maybe.”
“Anything specific?” Link let his hand rest on the bow and arrows tied to his saddle, looked up to see the sky just turning a deeper shade of red. If he didn’t make a decision now, he’d be making it in the dark.
“/Enough/ danger, even for you.” He ignored the tease, and stepped around her, staring at the woods. Normal looking trees, and if they didn’t go through the forest it would take at least another day to go around, and he should have been at the lake /now/, or yesterday. Link kept looking as he stepped around Epona, his eyes tracking dangers where none existed, continually distracted by the fact that half the leaves were transparent, and the other half were bright purple.
“I’d rather go in now. At least look around, or fight whatever’s waiting for me, than have it find me in my sleep.”
Epona let out a sigh, and stepped forward, stopping when Link shook his head. He could sense it now too, faint but present – and the sun was nearly gone, he could already see the moon.
“No, the path is too narrow. I don’t want to make you a target.”
Epona pawed at the ground. “I never liked it when you left me, you know. When you went to fight in the temples. I could smell the evil in them, the danger. I worried about you.”
He smiled, reaching out to pat her nose. “I’ll be fine, and there’s no temple in there. I’m sure it’s only a monster or two.”
“Or Ganon.”
“... are all talking horses so remarkably optimistic?”
Link kept his smile on until he turned away, drawing his sword and stepping across the stones to the other side of the river. Already dark, and he didn’t dare light a torch, only hoping whatever was waiting couldn’t see in the dark. He wondered if Epona could tell how much her words had rattled him, how much more ominous the warning seemed coming from a horse.
----------------------------
As the sun set and the shadows grew, Zelda could sense the dark creature’s power increasing, permeating the woods like a fog. The Sheikah seemed equally aware of the growing threat, and Impa said nothing, staring out into the growing darkness, gleaming eyes that took in everything at once.
In the middle of a wide, flat field they had come upon the ruins of a small stone building. A temple to one of the goddesses, Zelda could feel it as she stepped close, and the Triforce glowed softly. Holy ground, Ganon must have discovered this place, or one of his minions, and destroyed it. Whomever had worshiped here had been gone a very long time, but it was still holy ground, and the most of an advantage they could ask for.
The Sheikah spread out, taking up the best positions for attack. No one needed to give orders, to know the best ways and places to strike. If there had been any more noise, she would have been afraid that the evil presence was cloaking a much larger army, but no monster or Moblin could move that quietly in the forest.
//Unless he’s found something worse to set at our heels.//
Zelda drew her knives, creeping along the edge of the woods as the shadows leaned out over the grass. Silently, she leapt into the crook of a tree, waiting for the sound of an arrow being loosed, or the barest sound of a sword coming up to strike. It would be that fast, Dark Link had been only waiting for the opportunity.
She could feel the Triforce glowing, an urgent light burning more brightly as the sense of evil grew. The Sheikah were coiled and ready weapons, waiting for the slightest mistake from their prey.
Only a few feet in front of her, the bushes rustled, a crack of a twig that could only have come from a footstep.
The Sheikah were on him immediately, two leaping criss-crossed through the trees while the third took the straight and simple route across the forest floor. Zelda held her ground and waited, knife ready to throw the first moment she caught sight of the evil creature, though when he emerged from the bushes, thrown out by a blow, she could only gasp.
It wasn’t Dark Link. The clothing was similar, but there was color and life in the face of the woman – definitely a woman – who quickly rolled to her feet, sword in one hand and shield in another, ready to defend herself as the Sheikah stalked out of the bushes, growling.
//Hylian...// One of her people, with a fighting stance so much like Link’s that Zelda felt her heart squeeze in her chest – and then she really looked at the sword in the woman’s hand.
“Stop!”
Zelda yelled, and the battle froze in mid-swing. It was difficult to move, her insides clenching in painful fear, hard even to breathe. The Hylian woman held the Master Sword - if a new champion had been chosen, then that meant that Link...
“She is not our enemy.” Zelda dropped from the tree, the Sheikah drawing back but still ready to fight, watching the girl carefully as she looked at Zelda, and lowered but did not sheath her blade. Instead, she lifted her hand, revealing the Triforce of Courage.
“I need to see Princess Zelda.” The woman’s voice was steady, a little ragged but no hint of darkness to it. Zelda took a step closer, suddenly thankful for the shadows that still kept them mostly in darkness.
“Are you the new Hero?” She could barely get the words out, her throat already closing up with tears. Maybe she wouldn’t have known, if Link had died and a new hero chosen, maybe her hope for Hyrule was not the same as her hope that she would not be left alone.
“No. Yes. Sort of.” The girl finally took a step forward, moving into a patch of light, and Zelda gasped. A stranger with a suggestion of familiarity - and her eyes, her /eyes/...
“Link?!” One hand rose to tug at her face scarf, the girl staring at her in confusion, eyes widening before Zelda had even finished pulling it clear.
“Zelda? Zelda!”
She ran forward, throwing her arms around his neck, never mind that she was no longer a she and Link was the shorter one by several inches. He embraced her fiercely, murmuring soft prayers against her now short hair.
“I wasn’t sure, I felt you were fine – I thought, but I was so worried. I thought he might have, that Ganon-”
The Sheikah were moving into more relaxed positions, and Link didn’t bother finishing the thought, just holding her instead.
“I cannot sense the creature so strongly anymore, Highness. I think it intended to confuse us, and have us kill Link by accident.” Impa bowed her head in greeting toward Link. “It is good to see you again, Hero. I am glad you are unharmed.”
“Creature?” Link frowned, looking back toward the forest. He let out a sharp, high whistle before turning back to her. “Epona’s here with me, she’ll come over now. What creature?”
“Dark Link.” Zelda didn’t want to say it, saw the flinch in his eyes, something about his face even more vulnerable now that he was a woman. A woman – but the more Zelda thought about it, the more it seemed right, or if not right than at least no tragedy. Alive – he was alive, and she could hold him and that was the only important thing.
“Don’t be afraid,” she said, strange to not have to reach up to touch his face, trying not to be jolted by how large her hand was, compared to the delicate span of his features. Had he ever thought of her this way, so fragile? Zelda knew he must have, and nearly blushed.
Link reached up, cupped his hands around her face, and finally seemed to realize how much had changed, glancing across her features, joy fading to bewilderment as the parts became an unfamiliar whole.
“Zelda... you...”
“The both of us, I’m afraid.” Suddenly it didn’t feel right, to be so uncovered, to have him look at her like that. Zelda could feel her fingers shaking as she stepped back, attempting to pull the scarf back up around her face. It was difficult, these new, larger hands very uncooperative on the most precise movements.
Small, warm hands quickly covered her own, it was so strange to look up and see Link’s eyes, watching her from behind such a delicate, feminine face. She was afraid to blink, afraid that she would lose sight of him, that he would be rendered just another unfamiliar girl.
It didn’t happen, of course. No matter where she looked, all she saw was Link, the crinkle of his eyes and the curve of his smile just the same. Funny that anyone, any force would think this would be enough to drive them apart. Make them fishes, or fowl, or one of each. She would have built wings enough to reach him a thousand times.
“I think you make a better girl than I do a boy.” Zelda tried to turn away, but again Link wouldn’t let her, the backs of his fingers brushing against her cheek. The longer nails felt new and strange, and she giggled despite herself at the thought of watching him paint them.
“Not hardly, princess. I would say you make quite the handsome man.” Smiling, but his eyes were still quite serious. “You are Zelda, and nothing will ever change that, just as nothing will change how I feel about you.”
“Link...” She leaned down as he lifted up on his toes. It didn’t matter, she knew it already, his kisses would still be the same.
“Ahem.” Impa coughed, not so subtly, and Link grinned, and took a step back. Zelda sighed, fixing her nurse and guardian with a wry smile.
“It’s not fair. Now that you’re a ghost I’ll have to try even harder to sneak around you.”
The Sheikah nursemaid was impassive as always, though her voice betrayed a hint of a smile. “You may /try/ as much as you like, Princess.”
“Ghost?” Link’s eyes widened in curiosity, even more so when Zelda reached out, dragging a hand through Impa’s arm.
“Well, you should have said so sooner.” He grinned, and swept Zelda into a kiss, forgetting which of them now had the upper body strength /and/ the extra body mass, and overbalanced, they quickly tumbled into the grass. A soft rustle, and Epona stepped out between the trees, moving toward them.
“I told you she’d understand.”
Zelda gasped, staring at the talking horse – and even Impa seemed slightly taken aback.
“It will take some getting used to.” Link sighed, sneaking a pinch at Zelda’s side just to watch a grown man yelp and bat his hand away.
Standing above them, Impa sighed. The Sheikah continued grooming themselves, paws rubbing ears, undeterred.