Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: Forgotten Memories ❯ Drenched In Sorrow ( Chapter 2 )

The rain was pouring down harder than before, but it mattered little to Zelda. She sat outside on a bench in the courtyard, drenched by the rain. Link wasn't the same person she remembered him being - everything he had experienced…his love for her…had been forgotten. When she went to see him, he didn't even recognize her and instead rejected her.

Water dripped from her hair as it fell heavily in front of her face, and although she was soaked to the bone she had no will to go inside to dry off. What was she going to do now? The princess's pale blue eyes swept over the small courtyard, falling upon some of the small flowers and rose bushes. The plants were so lovely and delicate, with droplets of water dripping from their soft colorful pedals and falling on the grass. Zelda remembered vividly spending much of her time with Link there, and during one of their daily sittings on the grass he had picked a rose and gave it to her as a memento.

She sighed deeply, and then looked up at the dark gray sky. Rain beat down on her and splashed upon her soft crème colored face and body, and a loud thunderous rumble ruptured from the dark clouds. A flash of lightning suddenly streaked across a lit the entire upper world for but a second, which startled Zelda from her thoughts. She had to go back inside or else she would catch a cold, and so rather reluctantly the princess got up and headed for the warmth of the castle.

When she walked inside, Zelda looked around and quickly noticed Link standing in front of her near a set of stairs. The young man's blue eyes were locked onto her like a hawk, though behind his serious expression she could clearly see confusion stirring within him. Unsure of what she should say to him, she was relieved when Link spoke first to break the awkward silence.

"Why were you out in the rain? Look at yourself, you're soaked."

Indeed she was soaked, and now insulted by how he failed to say anything nice since his loss of memory. Zelda had to remember that he didn't know who she was, and it was partially her fault for his attitude for trying to kiss him. As to not bring more notice upon her appearance, she shrugged casually and said with a hint of warmth in her voice, trying to make the Hero of Time remember her voice, if not anything else.

"Yes, you're right. Would you care to come sit by the fire with me and have a nice cup of tea Link? I would sincerely enjoy your company…"

She watched Link as he looked at her with his eyebrows raised, and then said nothing for a few moments. Without waiting for him, Zelda walked down the great hallway of the castle to the sitting room where she could dry off and relax. She was tired from her stress and freezing, and whether Link followed or not she was going to go and get warm. It was obvious he was hesitant about going with her, but when she heard his footsteps echoing in the hallway a little ways behind her, a slow weak smile spread across her lips.

Upon arriving in the sitting room, Zelda walked to one of the velvet chairs at the far end and sat down. Link would arrive any moment, and she hoped when he did he would still remember his manners. The room was covered in beautiful tapestry and lined with oak, and when one of the servants entered from a different door to ask if she needed anything, Zelda only had to look out the large windows of the room and see the dreary rainy sky outside.

"Please close the drapes, I'm tired of looking at the rain."

Zelda said mechanically, and watched the servant walk briskly to the drapes and draw each of them shut so the room darkened. Still very much cold, the princess shivered and held her arms close to her body, until one of her other servants came in with a blanket and wrapped it around her comfortingly.

"My lady, you shouldn't be out in the rain in your good clothes. You must be frozen to the bone; I will make you a nice warm fire and some tea. Sir Link is taking his time getting here, but he shall arrive momentarily."

Zelda nodded rigidly, and watched the old servant woman bend down near the large fireplace and work at staring a fire. Eventually a fire was blazing and crackling, casting dim shadows from its glow all over the room. When the servant rose to go and make the tea, she whispered sorrowfully in Zelda's ear.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Sir Link my lady. Since his outing he has not been himself, but give him time and if the Goddesses allow it he could regain his memory. The Hylian mind is a precious thing, and also a complex one at that."

After all the servants had left the room, Zelda slumped in her chair and placed one elbow on its armrest. In exhaustion she rested her chin on her hand, with her delicate fingertips drumming lightly on her cheek. Her servant's words did not bring her much comfort, but she had to remain hopeful Link had not forgotten everything he knew. It seemed he knew what objects were and all the basic things, but did he remember how to fight or anything from they're past relationship? She would never give up hope for her darling, no matter how long it took - she would get him back somehow.

Finally Link entered the room, and he walked with a slow stride until arriving at the velvet chair across from hers and sitting down. Zelda quickly remembered her etiquette as a princess and placed both hands on her lap before sitting up straight in her chair, looking Link over with her observant gaze. Link still had his same handsome face, wore the same clothes and had the same boldness about him, though the only thing he no longer possessed were his memories. His personality hadn't exactly changed to make him a completely different person, but he just didn't know anything about her or himself. Zelda would rather have him lose his looks and keep his personality because she didn't want to be torn away from the love they shared, but alas it didn't always turn out that way.

"Welcome Link, the tea will be ready in a few minutes. For now, feel free to make yourself comfortable."

Zelda said gently, watching Link's eyes look to her and then around the room. There was a silent pause as he folded his arms across his chest, not looking the least bit impressed by the vibrant and beautiful woodwork in the room. Zelda felt her body shiver slightly despite being warm under her blanket, as Link's voice sounded coolly in the air.

"Why do you continue to call me `Link'?"

If he had not been in such a condition Zelda would have laughed at the question, but times were difficult and she felt a twinge of pain seep through her to understand he didn't even know his own name.

"I call you Link, because it is your name. I did not give you that name, because I have always known you by it since the day we were fated to meet."

She heard him give a `humph' in acknowledgement, though he still appeared questionable about his name or who she was. Zelda knew she would have a lot of things to explain over a period of time, but for now she had to focus only on what was most important.

"Link, I have known you for a long time. Whether you believe me or not isn't the point but three days ago you left Hyrule Castle, the place where you live, and forgotten everything involving your personal life. I am one of the people you fail to remember, but as to not confuse you further I will introduce myself. I am Zelda, the princess of Hyrule…"

As much as her heart demanded her, she could not tell him along with being a princess, she had also been his lover. There was too much for him to take in, and although it pained her, she simply could not tell him then. There was too much to explain, and when Link spoke next he still sounded skeptical from hearing her words.

"Princess of Hyrule? What's this `Hyrule' you speak of?"

In exasperation Zelda told him of the legend of the three Goddesses, how the world was created and just about everything there was for her to tell about Hyrule. Her throat ached from her constant speaking, but still she continued. When the time came for her to explain who Link was as far as she knew, it appeared he was beginning to become less shut out and listened intently.

"You saved many people Link, as well as Hyrule and the world itself. You are a hero in everyone's eyes and rightfully so."

Link drummed his fingers lightly, as if contemplating what she just told him. Zelda hoped everything she said didn't sound too outlandish, but as she went deeper into his story and emphasized on the brave things he did such as his battle with Ganondorf and the evil king's fall, it seemed to click with Link. When she finished, a servant entered carrying two cups of hot steaming tea that was handed carefully out to the princess and Link. Zelda took a few forced sips of her drink, and watched Link as he examined the cup and dark liquid contained inside it before putting it to his lips and taking long slow sips. She waited patiently for him to speak, and when he had taken his fill he said rather nonchalantly.

"I see. Tis' a very interesting…version of events…and a shame my memory forbids me to confirm them. I find it to be curious that I know what tea and the cup and saucer I hold in my hands are; yet I fail to recognize anything about myself - or you."

The only comfort Zelda received from his statement was that it was true he did know what the basic things were in life, such as the name of objects and such, but he still didn't remember anything else. Link appeared to be quite taken aback by the way she addressed him as a `hero', and he took her up on her statement by saying resentfully.

"I am no more a hero in my own eyes than the average Hylian. If I cannot remember anything I have done, than it means nothing to me. Even so, I am still wondering why you tried to kiss me like that when I awoke - it was quite unexpected…"

Zelda felt her throat tighten, especially when he said his past actions meant nothing to him because he couldn't remember them. She wanted to cry again over his words, to know their love meant nothing now because he no longer had the deep feeling love brought. What was she to say to him? She would have to make up an excuse for kissing him, because it hurt her too much to explain her feelings toward him now and even before he left and lost his memories. The princess took in a shaky breath and set her teacup down on a wooden stand next to her chair, before saying in a semi-choked voice.

"I kissed you because…never mind, it's not important right now. What is important is that you get some rest and maybe we can talk more tomorrow after you think about what's happened to you."

"As you wish princess. You are right, I need to think and maybe something I have forgotten will reoccur in my memory."

He said quietly and rose from his chair. Zelda was further hurt to hear him call her `princess' in the same respectful way everyone else used, when before he lost his memories he always called her Zelda. Calling her by name always made Zelda feel like they were equals, though now it seemed the balance had been changed. With tear filled eyes she watched him set his teacup down before leaving the room, not looking at her again.

Once more Zelda slumped in her chair, failing to hold back the tears now streaming down her face. It seemed so hopeless - Link was no longer a man who knew her as he did and loved her. For the first time since Link came to stay at the castle almost a year ago, she felt completely alone. No longer did she have Impa to manage her since her former guardian was the Sage of Shadow, and her father had been killed when Ganondorf took over the throne. She had no family to lean on for support, so she had to look after herself.

Zelda got out of her chair and went to the drapes, taking its fine cloth and pulling it back with her frail fingers. Her eyes scanned the world outside once more, and to her despair it was still raining hard. The sky appeared more bleak and colorless than it did when she sat outside, and for Zelda it reflected what was inside her heart now that Link was no longer hers…