Fan Fiction ❯ The Legend of Zelda: Forgotten Memories ❯ When Love Dies ( Chapter 3 )

Zelda's night was restless, and even though Link returned she still could not sleep. Occasionally the princess would leave her bed and stand at the window in the same worried fashion as when Link was away, contemplating deep within her thoughts what to do about the situation. The rain beat hard on the pained glass as she stood solemnly staring into the night, and the darkness outside and of that in her room seemed to envelop her into a new state of sadness.

Morning came slowly, though when Zelda opened her eyes for a second she thought it had all been a terrible nightmare. Reality soon set in, and she knew everything was as it happened yesterday. Her head rested on the soft downy pillows of her bed, and when she sat up to fully awaken, she was startled to find none other than Link standing in the doorway of her chambers.

The hero of time was watching her coldly with his penetrating blue gaze, his mouth a straight line and his face hard and serious. Zelda stared at him in surprise, her sparkling blue eyes widening as if she were only imagining things. Perhaps she was losing her mind from lack of sleep, Link couldn't be standing there? Though when Link moved back slightly in appearance to be completely shocked she had noticed him, Zelda inquired softly.

"Link? What hath brought you to my chambers? Is everything alright?"

Embarrassed, she pulled the covers over herself while looking at him in disbelief. Even when she and Link were lovers, he had never once come to her chambers. To do so not only would be unexpected, but to anyone else in the castle it would arouse suspicion. Link seemed to know of her discomfort, and drifted farther away before reflecting vaguely.

"I apologize princess. This may sound very strange, but when I walked down this passageway because I succeeded in getting myself lost, I couldn't help but see where it led. I suppose I stumbled upon your chambers, and I will leave as I have disrupted you."

He turned as if to walk away, and before she could contain her words, Zelda found herself calling out to him. She understood he may have gotten lost accidentally, but what she did not understand was why he remained in her presence so long, not that she minded.

"Link, if you would please, I wish to speak with you after breakfast."

He didn't seem much interested in her request, though she was relieved when he paused and said without turning to look at her.

"What do you wish to discuss princess?"

There came that word again, `princess' as he now addressed her. Zelda breathed deeply in annoyance, but knew to be patient with him. After all, it wasn't about her, it was about Link and she had to remember that no matter how much she was affected by everything that happened. She wondered why he would ask something like that of her, especially when the reason why she wished to meet with him was obvious. Link was most likely confused and pained by his situation, and as his now former lover, she wanted to help him in any way she could.

Zelda's pale blue eyes strayed to the large windows of her room, and fell upon the dreary gray sky looming over the emerald green fields. The rain had stopped, though the land was covered with pools of crystal clear water fallen from the skies above. Droplets of water fell from the leaves of trees, and the sweet sounds of the lark and the morning dove echoed in the distance. She felt slightly enlightened because the rain ceased; yet still a dreadful feeling tugged at her heart and held her hope back…

…The rain will stop…

…The sun will rise…

…In my heart I cry…

…From love's demise…

Zelda had to clear away the choked feeling occurring once again in her throat, as she fought to maintain her composure. Link stood there, with his back turned to her, and among all else his heart as well. The princess's hands wrapped around the edge of her covers, and clenched them tightly. When she spoke, her voice shook with a vibrating pain that she could not hide.

"There are some things I wish to tell you that I failed to during tea yesterday, and so I would appreciate you company so that I may do so."

Upon hearing her words, Link slowly turned around and looked at her, his eyes focusing on her in such a way Zelda almost feared he could see right through her. A long pause followed, and Zelda found it to be most unbearable and heart wrenching, because the more she looked at him the stronger her longing for his love grew. Finally Link spoke, and for a second the princess caught a dim reflection of familiarity in his eyes and tone of voice, but it was distant and brief.

"Very well. I do not know if this makes any sense…but for some reason when I saw you sleeping there…I had a feeling I knew you somehow. I do not mean this as merely on a term of acquaintance, because I felt as if it was something more. My thoughts are irrational, and I had no right to disturb you. I will leave you now, and I apologize yet again not only for this incident, but also for saying such inconsistent rubbish."

He moved his lips articulately, shifting in place a few times though not once removing his watchful gaze from her as she sat upright in bed. When he finished speaking, he lowered his head respectfully before turning and disappearing down the hall, and leaving Zelda to contemplate what he spoke of. The princess was truly stunned, but she couldn't help but feel a flicker of new hope fill her to know he was remembering something. Even though it was vague in his mind, it certainly was not rubbish like he assumed.

Almost all morning Zelda's mind drifted to Link and what he told her. She wondered what was really going through his mind, and she thought of the love they once shared together. It was so very personal…so very close…was the bond they shared too strong to be forgotten? Link had given her but the slightest words to be hopeful from, and she feared if she was wrong all of her hope would be dashed and never to be recovered again.

She ate a light breakfast of scones, fruit and tea before hurrying off to the pasture behind the castle. Zelda felt no hunger in her body, only an incessant need to be with Link and find out more about his mysterious loss of memory. Gracefully her feet moved over the grass, her pure white dress sweeping and flapping gently in the breeze as the princess walked over a hill and began her decent to a flat area of grass with a single massive tree in the middle. A layer of thick gray clouds blocked the sun, yet she would not lose her spirit when the mood of the Earth seemingly tried to tie her feelings down in its dreary atmosphere.

Daintily she flopped down under the tree, and leaned her back against its thick trunk. The plant's large heavy branches swayed in the wind and rustled its vibrant green leaves, and there she remained for some time listening to the calming silence that enveloped her. As long as Link lived, she would continue to breathe easily, even if she felt unsettled deep inside her soul. Since she was a princess, many thought her meditative hours beneath such a large tree was unsuitable for someone of her class, but Zelda thought it beneficial because it allowed her to think.

Without looking in the direction of the castle, Zelda could hear Link's footsteps as he walked swiftly on the grass toward her. She dare not look in his direction for fear of appearing too expectant, and instead continued to rest within her thoughts. What would she say to her beloved? What would he say to her?

The time finally came for her to look upon her hero, and he stood before her looking down on her with a hidden curiosity burning in his deep blue eyes. The wind rustled his golden locks, and despite the absence of the sun's rays shining upon him, he was gallant and bold in his approach - as she always knew him to be. Perhaps Link had not lost some of the pride he held, but instead lost the substance of that pride instead - the meaning of what he had done, and the meaning of his emotions. By the look in his eyes as they focused on her just like they had in the early morn, she sensed he was amidst finding out who he was and what his purpose in life was. The absence of his memories had caused him to lose more than merely important points in his life…

"How wonderful for you to join me, please come and sit with me under this tree."

Zelda invited with a soft flowing tone in her voice, before she motioned gracefully with one hand to a spot next to her. Link stared at her, his face expressing a distinct hesitation, but he reluctantly gave in and seated himself next to her. When he was comfortable, Zelda knew it was her time to begin explaining the reason why she asked him to join her.

"Have you discovered any more memories after thinking about it for a while? Or is there anything you wish to ask me in regards to certain areas…of your life."

Link nodded rigidly, his eyes darting away from her and to the serene landscape around them. The castle in all its glory was proudly erect behind them, while in front of them was nothing but endless fields. Zelda observed Link's mood carefully, but this time she could not estimate what he was feeling. Did she really wish to? Link's voice sounded in the air in a calm cool manner, when his eyes returned to her and glinted mysteriously.

"You have explained many things to me, and I am grateful for your kindness. I may never fully realize how much I have lost…and I am unsure what I shall do about it. I feel I may have to leave Hyrule Castle to find what has caused this, but I fear if I do leave I will not return."

Zelda's mouth nearly gaped to hear him say that, because the last thing she wanted him to do was leave her. He didn't know anything about her feelings for him, and she couldn't bear to see him leave without understanding how much she cared about him. Although she still had the overwhelming desire to simply tell him, she feared doing so not only would threaten what `relationship' they had left, but would also change him further in a way that may not be positive. The only thing she could do was convince him to stay for his own sake, so that he may discover more about himself by remaining with the only person who unknowing to him, loved him dearly.

"Link, do not resort to such drastic measures. I cannot tell you what to do, but I can ask that you stay. You may never find what caused this memory loss, and if you leave you could possibly lose your memory further. I feel that if you stay here…you might remember more as this place grows familiar."

Link sighed deeply and leaned back onto the trunk of the tree, allowing its hard back to support his body. Zelda watched him silently, not wanting to disrupt his thoughts. There was nothing else she could say to him, other than what she felt would work for the best. Though he was obviously stressed over his lack of memory, he was relatively collected and able to clear his mind and make an accurate and sound decision. For a moment he pursed his lips, until he replied coolly.

"You do not know what I go through, so why do you try to help me so? You are a woman of a higher order, while I am merely a man without any recollection of his life and insignificant in importance in comparison to you. I will stay at the castle to find out if I can remember anything else, though it frustrates me to no end when I cannot recall the simplest things one should know about themselves…"

Her heart longed to reach out to him, but Zelda kept her hands placed politely on her lap. Link finished uneasily, which made her wonder how exactly she would explain why she had the desire to ensure he would never be alone though his troubles. The princess' voice softened when she spoke to him reassuringly, but keeping her reasons vague as to not impose anything on him.

"I help you Link, because I am concerned for you and you have done so much for me that I feel I must do something in return. You deserve so much more, and I feel no matter what I do it will never be enough. I am glad you have decided to remain with me in the castle, and I will help you in any way I can to find a way for you to remember what has been stolen from you."

As unpredictable as he was, Zelda was not expecting Link's hand to reach out to hers and clasp it gently in his. Zelda nearly pulled away in surprise, as their eyes locked and bore into each other's. Link trying to remember what kind of connection he had with her, and Zelda trying to make him see what connection she had with him. Zelda felt her heart pound wildly in her chest, but sink when the hero of time abruptly let go as it he had touched something that hurt him, before he looked away and said distantly.

"Princess…Zelda…since the moment I began speaking to you, that same strange feeling of more than just familiarity came over me. I'm sorry for touching you so suddenly, but as much as I am curious to know more about myself, I am more curious to know more about…you."

Zelda froze in shock, almost unable to take in what he told her. He wanted to know more about her? Maybe the recollection of their love was coming back into his memory! No words came from her ruby lips though, as she stuttered blatantly for the right words to say. Link turned his head and looked at her, but the expression on his face was a mix between further confusion and resent. She watched with glassy eyes as he got to his feet in frustration, and said bitterly.

"I am sorry princess, not only for my rude gesture but also for calling you by name. I'm afraid I no longer understand what I say; do forgive me. Especially since I must now take leave and return to the castle. It is unfair for me to burden you with my thoughts."

Like the earlier incident, Link turned his back to her and started off swiftly toward Hyrule Castle. Zelda got to her feet quickly and attempted to hurry after him, but within a few paces she knew better than to pursue. She stood solemnly watching him disappear over the hill, her hands folded in front of her and long blonde locks flowing passed her shoulders and blowing in the wind. It was then that a burst of thunder echoed in the sky once more, and a chilly sprinkle of drizzling water burst from the clouds above and fell upon her pale form. She did not move despite the fact her white dress was becoming speckled with dark splotches of water, and the moment it seemed Link was beginning to remember her he had turned away.

Rejected for the second time, Zelda was tempted to give in to her emotions and let Link go. However, she still felt the same ray of hope that occurred that morning, and even if her heart cried of tears and the rain above soaked her to the bone, she would love Link eternally and never give in to despair…

Author's Note: What did you think of that? I really enjoy writing this, and I always work hard on every chapter. I never expected this story to gather as much attention as it has from reviewers, since most of my other fics have not been so successful. More to this tale will come soon, and you can expect that Zelda is not a weak character by how much she's endured so far.