Before Twilight

Chapter 21: The Beginnings of Something

Zelda's P.O.V

It took quite some time for Link to return. I put Epona back in the stables and waited patiently. Ilia was obsessed with Link. I couldn't help but feel guilty for being the cause of their little spats. She appeared to love him dearly but Link did not return the feelings. Something told me that the two were in fact lovers and some point in time, but something happened. 

"Sorry for making you wait." A voice chirped. 

I turned to see that it was Link entering the barn. He appeared tired and somewhat sad.

"Are you alright?" I inquired. 

"I've been better." He fake laughed. 

I shot him a disapproving glance before he sat beside me. 

"Im sure you have some questions regarding Ilia and I's relationship." He stated. 

"I mean I wasn't going to ask." I said. 

"I apologize for putting you in a position like that. Ilia has always been very protective of me every since we were children." He explained. 

"She loved you." I corrected. 

Link lowered his head in shame. 

"I thought so too, but she changed." He added. 

"How so?" I asked. 

"We had been friends since we were children. She always pushed me to be my very best but when we got older she kept trying to push me into things that I didn't think was right. She only wanted to be with me for that sake of no one else having me. She didn't love me, she loved the idea of me." He explained.

"I see." I stated. 

"What about you? Is there any past boyfriends I should be worried about?" He inquired. 

I gave him an annoyed look. 

"Are you suggesting that you are trying to court me?" I asked. 

"Maybe, but not if you are already being courted by someone else." He explained. 

"Let's just say boys are the last thing on my mind." I huffed.

Link laughed at my response. 

I couldn't help but feel annoyed. 

I didn't have time for this. I should be focusing on finding the other springs. I needed to figure out how to get out of Ordon. 

"Do you ever think about being somewhere else?" Link asked. 

I straightened at his question.

"Was he reading my mind?" I thought to myself. 

"Of course." I answered. 

Link tilted his head upwards towards the skylight in the barn. He pointed towards the stars as he proceeded to talk to me. 

"I always felt that I belonged else where. As if there was this calling that I am meant to fulfill something." He explained. 

I couldn't help but to relate to what he was saying. 

"I completely understand." I stated. 

"You do?" He inquired. 

"I do. There is something inside of me too that keeps telling me that I am meant to fulfill something. Its almost like its-" I started before Link cut me off. 

"-Destiny." He added. 

"Yes." I stated. 

Link turned to me and grasped my hand gently. 

"I feel as if we have met before." He stated. 

"Maybe we have in another life." I laughed. 

"Perhaps." He chuckled. 

We remained silent for a moment just enjoying each other's company. 

"May I ask you something?" I inquired. 

"Of course." He answered. 

"Do you remember your birth parents?" I asked. 

Link appeared deflated at the question. 

"No I don't.  I don't remember much of anything from my childhood. Nothing but Rusl finding me at the edge of the woods." He explained. 

"I am sorry I didn't mean to pry." I tried. 

"Dont fret Sheik, its alright." He comforted. 

"What about you? Any parents?" He asked. 

"I have a father, but I lost my mother when I was very young." I answered. 

"May I ask how?" Link questioned. 

"She got really sick one day. We went to all the best healers and tried all types of different potions in an attempt to save her, but nothing worked." I explained. 

"I am sorry." Link apologized. 

"I remember her still so well. She would sing to me all the time. Her voice was so gentle and calming." I explained. 

Link smiled softly.

"She still lives on then." Link stated. 

I looked at him with confusion. 

"We never truly loose our loved ones if we remember them. They are always with us." He explained. 

"That was a very wise thing to say. "I laughed. 

"I guess you're rubbing off on me." Link chuckled. 

I yawned quietly as we sat there. 

"Tired?" He inquired. 

"A bit." I admitted. 

"Just rest your eyes for a bit I will stay here with you." He offered. 

At first I felt uneasy but as I looked upon him I could see that he was deep in thought and wasn't planning on falling asleep anytime soon. 

"Okay." I whispered as I leaned into him. 

I felt him tense up at first and then relax. 

"Goodnight." He whispered before I closed my eyes.