Hero by Heart

Chapter 62

Minutes had passed, but the large army in front of the bridge did not move.
     Link and Zelda had had plenty of time to discuss the recent events, and plan for what was to come.
     After the commands had been given and a new silence fell over their army, they found themselves still staring at the large masses of monsters and men.
     'What are they waiting for?' Zelda muttered, anxiously clasping and unclasping her own fingers.
     Link shrugged, but deep down he felt as nervous as she did. They indeed seemed to be waiting, and that could only mean more problems for them.
     He glanced over his shoulder, judging their warriors to be as ready as they ever would be. That was a minor comfort at least.
     He then looked at Zelda, noticing the strained look on her face, the lines of worry edged between her eyes and the unmistakable fear in them.
     They were alone, standing a little to the side, so that they could talk freely. That was probably the only reason why he could read the princess so clearly.
     She didn't guard her expression around him, not when he was the only one to see. Any other day that would make him feel good, knowing she trusted him enough to show her true feelings, but right now it worried him.
     She looked on edge, expecting the worst to happen and dreading it with all her might.
     But that wasn't the only thing.
     Link could see grief and sorrow, and something he couldn't quite place. Something was eating at her, and he thought he knew what it was.
     'Are you alright?' He asked softly.
     She looked at him, a little surprised, but nodded. 'I'm fine.' Her voice was calm and controlled, but her face told him a different story.
     'That man-' he started, carefully keeping an eye on her reaction. 'You did well.'
     Zelda shot him an incredulous look. 'Well?' She scoffed. 'Link, I would've died if it wasn't for you.'
     He could see the suppressed anger on her face now, and he almost put a step backwards, catching himself just in time.
     Zelda turned away from him, her eyes staring blindly into the distance. 'I couldn't do it,' she whispered, almost inaudible.
     Link stepped forward, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. His heart ached for her, seeing all the hurt in her eyes, knowing what a toll this could take of someone.
     'There is nothing wrong with valuing a man's life,' he said.
     Zelda shook her head. 'You don't understand. I didn't value anything. At that moment, when it was him or me, I hated him. I wanted him dead.'
     She dropped her head before shaking it. 'I wanted to do it, Link.' She now looked up at him, straight in his eyes, her own burning with emotions. 'I froze.'
     He frowned, unsure of what to do, but Zelda simply went on.
     'I literally couldn't move. I saw him coming at me, knew he would kill me, and I did nothing.' She turned away again, placing her hands on the stone wall in front of her.
     Link went to stand beside her, wanting to offer her comfort, to give her the right words, but he didn't know them.
     'I have never wanted to kill anybody before,' Zelda said softly. 'Never thought I would.'
     She sighed. 'I don't want to feel that ever again, Link. I don't want to decide whether some stranger gets to live or die. How am I supposed to live with that?'
     'It wasn't really a choice, though,' Link said. 'If it saves your life...'
     Zelda shook her head. 'It is a choice. I know most people would prefer their own lives above someone else's, but you still make the decision to end that other life.' She looked at him miserably. 'I don't know if I can handle that kind of responsibility.'
     Link took her hand in his and squeezed gently. He didn't know what to say to that, but he knew that she didn't really expect an answer. She needed his support right now.
     'Fighting a war makes people do crazy things,' he muttered. 'In the end we all have to live with ourselves and with everything we have done.'
     Zelda leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. 'You can do it.'
Link shrugged gently. 'I grew up as a knight. I have never known any different. That doesn't mean it is easy.'
Zelda turned her head to look at him, curiosity and worry battling on her face.
Link smiled in resignation. 'I don't like hurting others. I don't even feel good about killing monsters. I do what needs to be done. I protect myself and my people, everyone I care about. If someone threatens that, I will fight.' He shrugged again. 'It doesn't get easier over time, but you learn to live with it.'
Zelda nodded quietly, before sighing deeply. 'I just hope it won't be necessary.'
Link smiled. 'Me too.'
Deep down he knew it was highly unlikely, and she probably did too, but neither of them spoke of it. For now they could pretend like everything would be fine.