The Love Below (sheikah) wrote in zelda_fans, @ 2008-07-07 13:48:00 |
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Entry tags: | fic |
Title: And The Darkness Peers Back
Author/Artist: sheikah
Rating: PG
Warnings: Nightmares. That's it really.
Word count: 723
Prompt: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link/Malon: darkness - he could still remember everything
Summary: "And so he would hold her close and pray to the Goddesses that this night would last forever."
A/N: Set during OoT, after the Water Temple
Clawed hands reached for torn green fabric. Ghastly howls pierced the air and Link thought the darkness would envelope him. Beads of sweat trailed down his brow and shocked blue eyes blinked rapidly as they tried desperately to focus on the shadows that danced across the room.
The glow from the candle caught the eye of the young hero. He instinctively reached for the sword normally strapped securely to his back, but now lay propped against the wall. The faint orange glow casted shadows on the sleeping form of the farm maiden. She lay curled up in the plush chair, her arms serving as a pillow and strands of her red hair falling around her face as her chest rose and fell in an almost hypnotic rhythm.
Link sighed and sat back on the pillow. The howls and screaming monsters were all in his imagination. His muscles felt tense and Link gently ran his calloused fingers across the tightness in his shoulder. Fights always left him with tension. And it would be a few days before he would be able to travel again.
His eyes were heavy and he blinked several times before he slid beneath the blanket and tried to sleep.
And suddenly he was surrounded by water. It was cold and the young hero shivered involuntarily. The air smelt of salt water and Link found it rather difficult to breathe. He grasped desperately at the blanket around him when he felt the slick, leathery appendage wrap around his midsection. He gasped for air, thrashing about for something, anything to hold on to and pull himself free.
Link!
Hands were on his shoulders and reality began invading his senses. Link's eyes opened with a start and sharp gasp for air. Malon sat next to him, her hands on his shoulders and a look of concern in her bright blue eyes. “Link? Are you all right?”
He clutched his bandaged chest before moving closer to Malon and burying his face into her neck. “It...I could still feel everything.” A choked sob escaped his throat and Malon placed her arms around his shoulders.
Malon had no real idea about the horrors Link faced every time he ventured off with sword and shield in hand. But when he returned, barely hanging on to life, nights were always like this. She hated that she could not protect him, that she could not keep whatever it was that tortured him at bay. Her neck was wet with his tears. “Stay with me, Malon?” He asked, his eyes peering at her.
“Of course I will,” said she softly.
He lay back and scooted over, making room for his friend. Malon curled up beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I'm sorry, Link.”
“Sorry for what?”
“That I can't help you, that I can't do more for you.” She could feel him chuckle silently and she glanced up at him curiously. “What?”
“You do help me, Red. Without you, I would've lost my mind a long time ago. This sort of thing...Nobody can do what I have to do alone. And because of you, I don't have to.” He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and Malon placed an arm across his stomach. She was tempted to ask about his dream. And yet she knew he would lie to her. He always lied when it came to stories of his adventures. She knew it was to protect her, so whatever it was couldn't touch her. “Hey Link...”
“Yeah?”
“I'm not made of porcelain. I won't break if you talk to me.”
Link shifted, placing his arms around her and hugging her close, despite the sting of the movement in his chest. “It's complicated,” said he slowly, “You're important to me. And I have to protect you. I just have to.”
“But if you need to talk. I'm all ears, all right?”
“I know Red. Thanks.”
Malon sighed and closed her eyes, in some semblance of sleep. And Link lay there, with her in his arms and his thoughts swimming. He would have to leave soon, though he wished with all his might he didn't have to. She was his stability and he did not want to leave her. And so he would hold her close and pray to the Goddesses that this night would last forever.