Fan Fiction ❯ Somewhere I Belong, You'll Be Right There Waiting ❯ Part 1: A Hero’s Curse and Treasured Recollections – Which is Heavier? ( Chapter 1 )

Part 1: A Hero's Curse and Treasured Recollections - Which is Heavier?

I was a fool, a fool to think that things would get better, but as a matter of a fact, things got worse…for me.

Ganondorf tricked me…Awaking the Master Sword from its eternal slumber opened the gate to the Sacred Realm, where the golden relic rested in peace - the legendary Triforce…

…And I was the one who led the way for the desert man.

I woke up seven years after, only to find that Ganondorf had taken over Hyrule and imprisoned the Seven Sages. I was a child's soul streaming through the veins of a man's body. I was someone I didn't want to be.

And I live it all out to find, But I'm not the only person with these things in mind (inside of me).

I fought, I fought with all my might to end this charade; my childhood was what I wanted…I wanted my life back.

I was so close, so close to my goal, but she had to turn my life against me... I helped her, rescued her, and loved her from the bottom of my heart... What had I done to deserve this pain? Was this the curse of a hero, or a curse of many heroes that had donned upon me?

After defeating Ganon the tyrant, she had sent me back to my childhood, yes…but in the worst possible way. She played with time and erased all the events that had happened in my quest, and as a bonus, she erased me from existence…

I roamed around Hyrule; combed the fields, swam the rivers, climbed the mountains, and wandered the deserts. My happiness was darkened as I realized what she had done to me…

Nobody remembered me.

When all the vacancy the words revealed Is the only real thing that I got left to feel, (nothing to lose)? Just stuck, hollow and alone, and the fault is my own and the fault is my own.

Malon, the redheaded ranch girl, didn't remember me. But Epona, my faithful steed that helped me in my quest, amazingly did. I was happy…at least she remembered me. The astonished Malon was so kind as to lend me the horse once more, even though she didn't remember me. But apparently she trusted me, after looking into Epona's eyes, into her soul.

[A beautiful singing voice had young Link memorized as he entered Lon Lon Ranch. He senselessly followed where his Elvin ears led him - to the corral.

There she was standing in the center of the corral, petting a young mare lovingly. So she was the one who was singing, Link thought calmly while approaching her. Such a nice voice Malon has.

History does indeed repeat itself; the first encounter of Link and Malon fourteen years ago -seven years forward, then seven years back again- in Link's 'alternate' childhood was unfolding again. In fact, up to now, it was unfolding perfectly.

Link knew that Malon was the one singing; Link knew that she had such a nice voice, since he literally went through this encounter fourteen years back, so why was he playing dumb?

Link approached Malon and her youthful steed.

"Hey Malon," he said, grabbing her attention.

"Howdy," she answered in her hillbilly accent.

"Don't you remember me? It's me, Link." He knew she wouldn't remember; yet he gave it a shot.

"I'm afraid not. I don't remember you…sorry," she said with a smile.

"Not even…ugh…fairy boy?" He simply hated that 'title'.

"No, not even that," she giggled.

There was a moment of silence, as Link sighed and stared at her for a while.

"Um, Link, is something-"

"Don't worry about it, I must've mixed you up with someone else," he cut her off quickly.

"It's okay," she smiled. Another moment of silence followed.

"How did you know my-?"

"Met your father on my way in; he kept talking about you none-stop," the blonde boy interrupted her yet again. But this time, he tried to come up with a grin.

"That's my dad for you; always bragging about lill'ol'me," she joked. "Pathetic, isn't it?"

"Nah. I think it's far from pathetic. It proves he loves you, and that's what matters, eh?"

"Yeah, I reckon you're right." Silence…again.

"So what's the horse's name?" He knew its name.

"Epona, and it's a she," she answered, continuing to rub her affectionately.

"May I?" Link asked as he gestured.

"Oh, you mean pet her? I don't recommend it; you see, Epona doesn't like-"

Suddenly, Epona broke free from Malon's soft grip, and walked towards Link. When she finally reached the confused lad, she started licking him on the face.

"Hey! Hey! Cut that out girl!" He laughed, trying to fend off Epona's licking.

"-Strangers." The ranch girl's jaw hit the ground; she was thunderstruck.

The faithful steed stopped licking when the green-clad hero was able to scratch her behind the ears - Epona's soft spot.

"Hey Malon, since Epona's saddled up and all, can I ride her for just awhile?" Link asked.

The flabbergasted female nodded twice.

Thus, the cheerful champion hopped on top of Epona in a flash, and off they went.

A few laps later, Link returned Epona to the stable, where Malon waited patiently.

"Well, it's been fun Malon, but I have to go," Link said, as he turned his back on them, preparing to depart. He expected at least a farewell from Malon, but nothing came. The sudden stillness made him curious, so he turned back to face them…gazing at each other.

The puzzled Link stood his ground, observing quietly, though he couldn't take it any longer - the situation was getting awkward, and he was getting impatient as the moments passed. He did what he had to do: clear his throat and break the silence.

Much to Link's delight, Malon regained her senses…for a short while. Her chocolate-brown eyes were in a trance once more. But this time, she wasn't staring into the jet-black eyes of Epona.

She was drowning in the ocean-blue eyes of Link.

The lad immediately felt the aftereffects of the adrenaline hormone; his heartbeat rate was at the speed of light, his stomach was filled with butterflies, his cheeks were red, his forehead was sweaty, and his mind was jumbled with thoughts.

Oh God, please don't let it be that look.

She seemed to be getting closer.

O-kay, it's official; it's definitely that look.

And closer…

Oh no.

Even more closer…

She's going to confess!

"Link," she whispered.

She has a crush on me!

"Y-yes," Link muttered.

"I-"

I'm doomed; she loves me…

"-Want you to take Epona."

WHAT?! All this freaking out over nothing?! "Come again?"

"You heard me, I want you to take Epona."

"That's all?! For the love of God woman, you freaked me out! For a moment there, I thought you were going to confess your love!"

"I'm sorry. Guess I got a little too caught up with the moment," she stammered, blushing furiously while backing up a few steps.

"Whoops, did I say that out loud?" the blonde boy asked dumbly, as he began scratching the back of his head.

"Look, Link, we've just met. But don't you think we're too young for this 'lovey-dovey mumbo-jumbo'? I think you're a very cut- I mean nice guy and all, but it's just too early to start a relationship; after all we still have a whole lifetime left to know each other-"

Oh no, she's giving me 'the speech'. I just can't take it…must…stop…her. Note to self, before I make a fool out of myself next time, remind me that I'm not seventeen anymore.

"Okay, okay Malon. I understand what you're saying," Link quickly interrupted.

"You do?"

"Yes. Now look, let's start over and pretend that none of this ever happened, deal?" He grinned and extended his hand.

"Deal!" the redheaded ranch girl shook his hand excitedly. "So as I was saying, I want you to take Epona."

"Are you serious?"

"I've never been more serious in my life. She's happy with you, Link. And I want her to stay happy."

"I don't know what to say. I'm…honored to have her."

"Well then, she's all yours!" She smiled.

"Thank you, Malon. You don't know how much this means to me," said Link as he mounted the brown mare joyfully.

"You're welcome, Link. But before you go, I have a question to ask."

"Yes Malon?"

"Have you…met Epona before?"

The Hylian hero took a deep breath before answering. "Once upon a dream, Malon…once upon a dream."

Surprisingly, my Elvin Kokiri Brothers barely recognized me - hardly remembered, but remembered nonetheless.

I hadn't see Navi since I was sent back. Even she, my best friend, had abandoned me…

[…Flash…Temple of Time…flash…The sound of the Master Sword slitting into the pedestal echoing…flash…Navi suddenly heading to the window, trying to fly out of the temple…flash…Young Link crying after her, but to no avail…flash…Link could hear another sound reverberating, fading away gradually as his fairy flies further and further away…flash…

The green clad lad could've sworn that…

…It was a weeping sound…

…Flash…]

Saria, my beautiful green-haired friend, was nowhere to be seen also. She was the Sage of Forest, and that title obviously meant a lot more to her than me. Memories of her started to haunt me…a tear rolled down my cheek…I dedicated that tear to my long lost childhood with her.

I remembered when Saria used to make breakfast for me. She was terrible in cooking, but I ate…just to see her smile, to see her green eyes brighten with joy.

I remembered when we used to play jokes on Mido. Boy, there was one time - we put honey on his pillow while he was sleeping. He tossed and turned, sticking most of his face and hair with the honey. He woke up mad, and I think he had to wash his hair for half an hour or something.

I remembered…the first time we kissed. It was that day when I was too scared to tell her that I was leaving - in this damn quest of saving Hyrule. Somehow, she knew that I was leaving. I felt sorry for her as she stared at me with her saddened emerald-green eyes, for I promised her not to leave her ever, and here I was breaking that promise. We both stood there on top of the wooden bridge leading to the outside world…speechless, motionless, just like rocks. I couldn't take it anymore; tears started shading my eyes. She then did something I never expected in a million years; she pecked me on my lips. A few moments it lasted…then she backed away and I saw her…smiling… wiping away my tears of sadness. I couldn't resist it…for I found myself pressing my lips against hers…a long passionate kiss it was; a moment I will never forget.

I hadn't heard from the rest of the Sages either. I was alone in the world…I cried, I called, I begged… No, no one heeded the call of a hero. I was trapped in a never-ending void, depressed, shattered, and tired.

I wanna heal, I wanna feel, what I thought was never real,

I wanna let go of the pain I've felt so long (erase all the pain till it's gone).

Indeed, this was the curse of a hero. I didn't understand…the people I had saved turned their back on me.

And it was all her fault…

Hatred started to weaken my thoughts and emotions, as if there was poison flowing in my blood, consuming my body little by little. Zelda…augh! The mention of that name stabbed my heart…why had she done this to me? No wonder Hyrule castle was the only place I hadn't visited; to befriend or even face the person who literally stripped the life out of me was just preposterous!

This was too much pressure for a mere nine-year old. I was starting to go insane. I walked in circles inside my tree house as I started tearing at my belongings, wrathfully ripping them apart while screaming maniacally.

The pain I felt was overwhelming. Emotions blended, thoughts deepened, memories echoed…I was going to die from this 'pain'. I curled up my body and lay down on the smooth lumber, mentally hurt…an injury that could take forever to overcome.

I cried and cried, still waiting for a reply to my distress signal, the call of a hero, and that was when I heard the soothing, yet deep voice of the protector…

Yes, it was the voice of the Deku Tree, protector of the forest and its inhabitants. Long have I waited for a hero to save a hero. It was happening at last, I was saved.

He told me to come to his lair right away. I responded with a mad dash out the door, followed by a dare-deviling jump from my tree to the ground.

I wanna heal, I wanna feel, like I'm close to something real,

I wanna find something I've wanted all along,