Your Love is My Burden

The Woods of Freedom

Breathing heavily, I was able to hide behind a nearby tree that was quite big. He'll never find me here. No one has even attempted to go in here for a billion years. I sighed to myself, looking around the foggy forest of The Lost Woods. There's no way he'd be able to find me... unless he's some sort of wizard which I assume he's not... Is he? No! That's preposterous! I laughed a bit to myself, shaking my head, continuing to walk forward into the thick fog. My goal was to get lost so no one would ever find me again. If I did this successfully then my father would most likely not look for me, seeing as he never cared in the first place and the knight who always stared at me would be tormented by the spirits in the forest. I smiled to myself before jumping a bit at the strange-looking tree in front of me. It's almost as if it had eyes... Staring, watching, judging... stalking. My heart began to race, filling my body with uncertainty and agony. Not this again. I walked slowly towards the tree before I stopped halfway. It's looking... straight at me. I backed away slowly, looking behind me fast before running in the other direction, having no idea where I was going but I had to get away from the horrid thing... but my fear only increased as I turned to see another tree with eyes. Watching, creeping, staring. I jumped, running in the other direction. Just my imagination! I don't have to be scared! I don't have to be scared! I screamed, finding another one, and another, and one more around the corner. I'm surrounded! Make it stop!

The spirits were taking advantage of me and I knew it but I couldn't handle it at all. They were all staring, watching expectantly. You're not good enough, you're worthless, you're hopeless, you're nothing! I know! I know it all too well! My father was right! I should've listened! I'm sorry! I'm so... sorry! I suddenly tripped on a nearby log, collapsing to the ground, rolling in the grass, tears streaming down my face, my whole body freezing in fear. I couldn't move. No more! Stop it! Get up! They're all watching! I slowly got up, fearing everything, hating the fact that there were trees everywhere but to my surprise, the sun showed through these trees that I was next to. No tree had eyes, nothing cared that I was there, nothing was watching. Thank Hylia. I looked around me, finding somewhat of a path of stones, grass growing in the cracks. I slowly walked down it, finding some peace in the warm sun comforting me and the blue skies above. Maybe this isn't so bad after all. I breathed in as I walked past this small opening in the trees, the sun shining in my eyes, blinding me for a second. I blinked a few times, finding myself in an opening, the path wandering down to the biggest tree I had ever seen,  and just below it was a strange sword placed in the center of it all. Was this... No. This has to be it! I had heard of the sword from the legend but I always thought it was just a rumor. This was nothing like what I had envisioned but maybe this was it. I walked forward slowly, wondering if I could pull the sword out and not have to work alongside some individual whom I had no clue about. I suddenly felt a shock of cold against my fingertips, pulling them away fast because of how cold it was. What is this? I reach forward again to feel the sudden cold again, moving my hands quickly away, wincing a bit at how cold it was.

"Princess." I jumped at the sudden high-pitched voice, looking around frantically. Who was that? No one was anywhere near me or at least I couldn't see anyone. I reached forward again.

"Princess it is not time yet." I jumped again, continuing to look around but there was no one. I've gone insane... No, I'm possessed!

"I do not fear you spirit of old! I command you-"

"No, no Princess. I am Fi, the guardian of the Master Sword. I can not let you get any closer to it which is why you feel a cold sensation in your fingertips. I apologize for scaring you." The voice named Fi said somewhat kindly. She's been here all this time, waiting for him? How horrible. I frowned a bit. Useless again... as always. I sighed a bit, turning around, seeing two very familiar blue eyes staring at me.

"How did you find me?! Are you some sort of stalker or wizard? You have no right to continue to taunt me. Please return to the castle like I've told you many times!" I said, turning back towards the sword, finding some interest in it. I reached my hand out again, feeling someone's cold touch on my arm, turning towards the feeling to see Him again. He had other plans. He's pulling me away. I moved fast out of his grasp, attempting to do it again but he grabbed both my arms from behind this time, pulling me back towards the foggy trees. I struggled as much as I could. His grip was tight yet I knew he didn't want to hurt me. I managed to slip out of his grasp, running back towards the sword, hearing the voice again.

"What is your name dear knight?" Fi asked, calling out to my guard. This is ridiculous.

"He's no one. He's been bothering me for these last few months and doesn't understand personal space or the fact that I hate him. He really is a pain." I said, not wanting Fi to get sidetracked with him, wanting to know all I could about this spirit who made herself known within seconds of my arrival.

"You didn't have time to answer dear one. I ask again... what is your name?" Fi asks again, her voice sounding desperate. I sighed a bit, knowing she wouldn't get anywhere with him. He's never spoken a word since I met him and I've seen the meetings he has with my father. He never talks... He never will. I looked over towards him, looking for any type of change in his emotionless expression and yet he stayed calm through this encounter as well. He never showed fear or worry about anything. He took down the lizalfos like it was nothing even when he couldn't see them. He was so brave... so selfless. So... caring. I watched Link draw his sword quickly, making me jump in the process. I looked back over at the sword to see some sort of strange blue power emanating from an invisible wall. Link quickly approached me, grabbing my arm, pulling me away from the blue traveling power. Never scared... just... protective.

"If you will not tell me, I shall search your mind for your name. I am in need of a wielder and no man has come into these woods for more than ten thousand years. I beg you swordsman, what is your name?" Fi asks one more time, the blue power floating in the air, waiting for a response that would impact this visit very swiftly. The knight seemed to freeze for a second and I swear I could see he thought about something for the first time. Not emotionless... just faking it. Yes. I understand you... right? His lip quivered a bit, almost as if he thought about speaking, his eyes relaxing ever so slightly. I had never noticed this. He does feel he just doesn't show it for some reason. Why? He took a breath.

"Link." He said ever so softly. I shivered at his voice. I didn't know what to expect when I heard him for the first time but peace slowly settled my butterflies.

"My Master, I have finally found you." The blue power said, quickly moving towards Link. He tensed up so fast and swung at the strange power but it was no match for him. Within an instant, the power entered his head and his chest like it was nothing, bringing him slightly up in the air, his whole body going limp, the sound of his sword clanging on the stone path in front of us. I wanted to scream but couldn't. There was no reason to. He was gone... right? Was I free?