Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction ❯ Back In Her Hands ❯ Rude Awakenings ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Back In Her Hands
a Legend of Zelda romance fic
Chapter 4: Rude Awakenings
7-8-2004
by Grey

Disclaimer: I don't own the Zelda series or any of its characters; Nintendo and the series' creator Shigeru Miyamoto do. So don't sue me or anything.

This fic is dedicated to CubedCinder128, for what I hope are obvious reasons.

******

Link trudged along aimlessly through the Lost Woods, not really sure where he was headed and not really caring. It had been many hours since Zelda had magically transported them to the Forest Temple. As Link had expected, Saria had no problems with Zelda staying in her temple, since it would hardly interfere with her duties as a Sage. Link had no idea why Impa would think Saria would say otherwise; as expected, she was taken aback when she saw what had happened to Zelda, but Saria had been as friendly and cheerful as ever.

But Link wasn't really thinking about that anymore. Instead, he was trying to figure out what to do for Zelda, but he couldn't think of any way to reverse the effects of the Giant's Mask. After arriving at the Forest Temple, Zelda had asked to be left alone for a while, so Link used that time to try and think of something. But it had been hours, and his mind was still blank.

He also couldn't stop thinking that he was to blame for Zelda's troubles. *This is all my fault,* he thought dejectedly. *I should've gotten rid of the damn thing long ago. And I should've noticed I lost it last night. This is just so typical - Hyrule was doing fine before, but then I show up again and something like this happens, and....*

His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the sound of rustling leaves and creaking branches above him. Link jumped back and took out his sword and shield, anticipating a monster attack.

Link sensed something drop down behind him. Before he could turn around, he heard someone speak to him in a squeaky, childlike voice: "You should put those away before you hurt someone."

Link immediately recognized the voice. He turned around to see none other than the Skull Kid; the very same Skull Kid that had been enslaved by Majora's Mask many years ago. "Oh, hello there," said Link, putting away his shield and sword.

"And hello to you too, fairy boy," said the Skull Kid cheerfully. "Then again, you're not exactly a boy anymore, are you? I saw you a few months ago, but didn't recognize you. Sorry about that."

"Forget it," said Link quickly, remembering how the Skull Kid's kind don't exactly like grown-up humans and turned on him before. "Hey, where's Tatl and Tael?"

"Oh, they've been gone for a while now," replied the Skull Kid, a hint of sorrow in his voice. "But it's OK. I moved back here with my own kind, so I'm not lonely."

"Well, that's good to know," said Link. Of all the people he thought he'd run into again upon his return, the Skull Kid sure wasn't one of them. He had completely forgotten that when he travelled to the future, the Skull Kid was still in the Lost Woods.

"But enough about me, let's talk about you," said the Skull Kid. "Do any of that 'saving the world' stuff you do lately?"

"Well no, not really. Not unless you count how my time-travelling self beat Ganondorf a few months ago." Link stopped when he saw the Skull Kid staring at him curiously. "Never mind, it'd take too long to explain," he said quickly. "Actually, I've got a different sort of problem right now anyway."

"Like what, exactly?" asked the Skull Kid.

Link was about to explain Zelda's predicament to the Skull Kid, but quickly stopped himself when he remembered that she didn't want anyone else to know. "Sorry, I promised I'd keep it a secret. Let's just say that a friend of mine is going through some rough times."

The Skull Kid pondered this for a moment, but then spoke up again. "You'll stay by your friend, won't you?" he inquired. "You won't abandon your friend, right?"

"Of course not!" shouted Link indignantly. "Why would you ask that?"

"Because it's important for friends to stand by each other, that's why," said the Skull Kid. "I know that better than anyone. The only reason I'm here now is because my friends didn't give up on me. Don't give up on your friend. Be seeing you!" With that the Skull Kid leapt up high into the trees overshadowing the Lost Woods. But still, Link could hear his voice echoing from above. "You found a way to help me! I'm sure you'll find a way to help your friend!"

"Hmph. Easy for him to say," Link muttered to himself. This problem wasn't like any other he had ever faced. This wasn't like awakening the Sages or freeing the Four Giants. There was no definitive enemy he had to fight, like Ganondorf or Majora's Mask. He hadn't the faintest clue of what to do for Zelda.

"Zelda...." he said softly. The Skull Kid had been right about one thing: he should stay with Zelda, be there for her, even if he couldn't think of anything he could do to help her. Letting out a sigh of frustration, he turned and headed back to the Sacred Forest Meadow.

Upon reaching the Sacred Forest Meadow, it didn't take too long to make it through the mazelike passageways. Especially since there were no Moblins or Deku Babas or Octoroks or anything. Saria and the Deku Tree Sprout had done a good job of keeping the forest relatively monster-free.

Soon enough, Link was in the Forest Temple once again, looking around the huge room with the elevator that led down to the bottom floor. It was then that he realized he had no idea exactly where in the temple Zelda was staying. "Looks like I'll have to hunt for her," Link thought aloud.

But amazingly, he found her right away. He first tried the door far directly across from the door he entered the elevator room from. After going through the hallway that was now devoid of any ghostly Blue Bubbles, he went into the room in which before he had to fight two Stalfoses for a key. But this time, there was only a giant Princess Zelda standing in the room. Link couldn't help but feel intimidated again; this was the first time he had seen her standing up since the accident - she was almost twice as tall as he was. Now that she was standing at her full height, her presence was downright imposing, looming over him.

Zelda's back was turned to Link when he entered the room, but the sound of the door opening and closing immediately alerted her to his presence, and she turned to face him. "Oh, hello Link. I was wondering when you'd come." Her voice resounded loudly in Link's ears; he wasn't sure whether it was because of her size or if her words were echoing throughout the room, or both.

Link immediately noticed that Zelda wasn't wearing her usual dress anymore; instead, she was wearing what looked like a white nightshirt, composed of cotton sheets hastily sewn together. It hardly had any sleeves, and the hem of her shirt barely came down to her knees. Also, he couldn't help thinking that her new garment looked rather thin, and that he could almost see.... *Ack! Get your head out of the gutter!* he angrily thought to himself. Out loud, he said, "Uh, Zelda, what's with...."

"Oh, this?" she said, looking down at herself. "Impa made it for me, so I'd have something else to wear besides my dress. She also made me a sleeping bag and pillow too. Goddesses bless her, always looking out for me." She looked down at herself again. "But I have to admit, she's not the best seamstress."

"It looks good," said Link all too truthfully, all the while trying to keep himself from thinking dirty thoughts. "So, uh, Zelda, how...."

"Have I been?" Zelda finished for him. "Well, to be truthful, miserable. I said I wanted time alone, but the minute you left I regretted it. I wanted to go look for you, but I was afraid someone else would see me."

"Well, I'm here now," said Link reassuringly.

"And I couldn't be happier," said Zelda cheerfully. She got down on her knees, so that she and Link were at eye level, and outstretched her arms invitingly. "So come on, let me hold you again."

Link nervously hesitated at first, his cheeks getting hot upon remembering how thin her nightshirt looked. But then he looked into her eyes, and found that he couldn't resist that pleading look of hers. So he ran over and Zelda scooped him up, holding his head close to hers and nuzzling his cheek with hers. "Oh Link, I love you so much."

"I love you too," murmured Link, savoring the warmth and softness of Zelda's embrace.

Eventually, Zelda let go of Link. To pass the time, Zelda asked Link to tell her about his adventures again, especially his adventures in Termina. Link obliged, telling her in greater detail about what had happened there all those years ago. But this time, Link left out the part about the climactic battle in the Stone Tower Temple. He reasoned that she didn't need to be reminded about the Giant's Mask and her situation.

The two of them killed several hours this way, and by the time Link had finished his tales, it was well into the night, and Link could see Zelda was getting tired. "Maybe you should go to sleep now, Zelda. It's been a rough day," he said to her.

"Tell me about it," said Zelda somberly. "But I don't know if I can sleep after all that's happened today."

"Just lie down. I can help with that," replied Link imploringly. Zelda did as he asked, getting into Impa's makeshift sleeping bag, which was made up of thick quilts sewn together. Once she had gotten herself tucked in, Link pulled out the Ocarina of Time and played her the lullabye tune. The music echoed throughout the room, and soon it lulled Zelda into a deep sleep.

"Impa was right, works every time," said Link, smiling. He walked over to Zelda, and couldn't help but think that she looked so calm and peaceful sleeping. And that she was so beautiful, no matter how big she was. He bent down and leaned closer to her. "I won't leave your side, Zelda. I'll stay with you, I promise," me whispered softly into her ear. He then got back up and leaned against the wall, watching over her while she slept.

******

Just like with the morning before, Zelda found herself awakened by sunlight striking her face. That, along with the fresh foresty scent of the Lost Woods. Still half-asleep, Zelda stirred, and.... *Wait a minute....* thought Zelda suddenly. *How's sunlight getting in here? And how come I can smell the forest outside?*

Zelda opened her eyes, only to be greeted by the sight of the brightly-lit morning sky. *Huh?! How did I get outside?!* She sat up and looked down around her, and noticed that she was sitting on what looked like a big pile of rubble. Not only that, but the trees all around her looked way too small.

*Wha-what happened?* Zelda thought to herself panickingly, although she felt she already had a very good idea. From the looks of it, she had grown overnight again, to an absolutely enormous size. She grew so big, she busted right out of the Forest Temple, reducing it to rubble. "Oh no.... OH NO!!!"

A smaller set of screams from down below punctuated her own. Zelda quickly looked down, and saw that the entire Kokiri tribe, sans Saria, were near what remained of the Forest Temple. All their faces were twisted in fear, and when they noticed that Zelda had spotted them, they screamed again before they turned and ran.

Almost instinctively, Zelda stood up. She wanted to call out to them, to tell them that there was nothing to fear from her. She took a step forward, and felt something snap underneath her bare foot, as well as a warm, sticky feeling.

"Eh?" said Zelda curiously, lifting her foot. In the spot where she had put her foot down was the shape of a man, with red liquid splattered all around him. He looked like he had been wearing the Kokiri's trademark green clothing, but he was obviously a grown-up, and was carrying a shield and sword.

Zelda knew there was no mistaking what had just happened: she had just stepped on Link, and killed him instantly. "Oh no no, Goddesses, please.... NO!!!!! NO!!!!!!"

******

Zelda sat up in her bed breathing heavily, tears running down her cheeks and her body drenched in nervous sweat. She quickly looked around her - everything was the way it had been before she went to sleep; she was still deep in the Forest Temple and, unfortunately, still twice her normal size. *Just a dream,* she thought to herself reassuringly. *Just a bad dream....*

"Zelda?!" came Link's concerned outcry. Zelda looked beside her, seeing Link standing there, a worried look on his face. "What's wrong?! What happened?!"

Zelda eyed him up and down. He was perfectly fine; he hadn't been crushed to death under her foot. Feelings of gratefulness and relief swelled up in her, and she couldn't resist reaching out and pulling him toward her, hugging him tightly. "Oh Link, you're all right, you're all right," she muttered over and over.

"Ack... Zelda... keep it up... and I won't be...." gasped Link in a strained voice. This time, Zelda was squeezing him so tightly that it REALLY hurt; Link felt as if his head was going to pop clean off his shoulders.

"Oh, Link, I'm so sorry!" cried Zelda, releasing her powerful hold on Link. Link backed away slightly, taking in a few much needed breaths.

"Oh geez, Zelda, what's wrong? What's happened?" asked Link again. Zelda didn't answer. She just let out a big sniffle, and tears poured down her cheeks again. "Please Zelda, you must've just had a bad dream, that's all. Maybe you'll feel better if you tell someone about it."

Zelda considered this for a moment, then said," I-It was horrible. I grew even bigger than this, right out of the temple! All the Kokiri saw me and were deathly afraid of me, a-and then...." Zelda stopped, unable to continue.

"And then what?" asked Link, but Zelda didn't answer. "Please Zelda, it's OK, just tell me."

With eyes full of tears, Zelda finsihed. "And then.... I-I stepped on you... I killed you!"

"Oh," was all Link could say.

"Um, Link," Zelda began, unsure of how to ask what was on her mind. "The Giant's Mask, um, just HOW big is it supposed to make someone?" Link took a step back out of surprise, as he clearly did not want to answer her. "Link, please, just tell me, how big? Bigger than this?"

"Yes," was all Link managed to get out.

"How big?" asked Zelda again.

Link really didn't want to tell her, but found that it was impossible to lie to the girl he loved. Hanging his head, he said, "A lot bigger."

Zelda fell silent for a moment, looking down at herself. "I've become a danger to everyone," she muttered in a sad voice. "If I get any bigger than this.... I'm liable to hurt a lot people just by accident, or even kill someone.... It's just like before...."

"Just like before?" Link repeated in a confused voice. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't you remember what I told you after you sealed Ganondorf?" asked Zelda sternly. "All that was my fault. I tried to keep the Triforce from him, and instead ended up practically handing it to him. So many suffered because of my mistakes, and now...." She looked down at herself again. "If I'm not careful, I could hurt more people. I almost hurt you badly just now."

"Zelda, I need to tell you something," said Link, walking back over to Zelda and putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "If anyone's to blame for Ganondorf's rise to power, it's me. Who's the one who unlocked the Door of Time with the spiritual stones? Who's the one who pulled out the Master Sword? Me, that's who. And who was too stupid to check to see if anyone was tailing him? Again, me. I got too careless and led Ganondorf right to the Triforce; he even said so himself."

Zelda thought about what Link was saying, but didn't entirely believe it. "Yeah, but I gave you the Ocarina of Time, and sent you to get the other two stones. If I hadn't done that...."

"Zelda, please, we need to stop dwelling on the past like this," said Link, trying to lift her spirits. "And as for right now, well, I trust you Zelda. I know you won't hurt anyone, or me. And if you do end up growing again, I don't care. I don't care how big you get, I'll stay with you just the same." He leaned over and kissed her on her tear-drenched cheek. Zelda was at a complete loss for words. Here was this man who would stay by her no matter what happened. She had been truly blessed by the Goddesses to have a good friend like him by her side. "And Zelda, I know you probably don't want to, but I think you should try and get some more sleep. You barely slept an hour."

"But-but, I couldn't stand it if I had another nightmare like that, and...." Zelda's boice trailed off, having just realized something. "Link, have you been staying here the whole time while I slept?"

Link look surprised by her question. "Well, yeah," he answered. "I told you I'd stay by your side, and I did. I wanted to make sure nothing happened to you."

"Like what?" asked Zelda. "We're in the sacred temple of a Sage."

"Yeah, but it's not 100% monster proof," said Link. "If anything got in and attacked you while I wasn't around, I'd never forgive myself."

Zelda chuckled. "Ever the noble one, eh Link?" She looked at him again, and suddenly an idea popped in her head. "Actually, I can think of a way you might be able to keep me from having nightmares...."

"Uh, what's that?" asked Link, confused.

Instead of replying, Zelda opened up her sleeping bag and patted the area right beside her. "Right now, I don't need a hero. I need my friend," she told him. "Or to be more specific, my boyfriend," she added with a sly smile. Once Link grasped the meaning of what Zelda meant, it hit him like the megaton hammer; his body jerked nervously and he fell backwards. "What's wrong Link? I thought you said you wanted to be at my side?"

"Yeah, well, er, uh," Link spluttered, unsure of what to say. "Um, do you think we're, uh, really at that, um, stage yet? Y'know, to be sleeping in the, er, same bed?"

"Why not? I don't see any problem," said Zelda.

"Well, um, I don't exactly, uh, trust myself in the same bed with you," said Link nervously.

Zelda said nothing. Instead, she got out of her sleeping bag and stood up, smiling down at Link. "Honestly, right now, do you think you could force me to do anything?" she said teasingly.

Link looked up into her eyes, once again thinking about how powerful and intimidating she looked standing up at her full height. "It's not really that, but, uh, I don't trust myself to not think, uh, y'know, thoughts I shouldn't be thinking," he said, his voice still betraying his nervousness.

Zelda giggled again. "Like I said, ever the noble one. Well, looks like you'll need some...." She bent down a little, smiling threatenigly. "....Convincing." With that, she reached down and grabbed Link, pinning his arms to his sides. She effortlessly lifted him up off the floor and brought his face up to yours. Then she gave him another crushing, overpowering kiss.

When Zelda broke the kiss, she saw Link staring at her with a half-dazed look. "Like that, huh?" she asked teasingly. Link only nodded. "Well, then I guess you'll have no problems cuddling up with me." Before Link could make any kind of protest, she walked back over to her sleeping bag and laid down flat on her back. She then set Link on top of her and hugged him tightly.

Despite himself, Link found himself reveling in the sensation of being held so close and so tightly by Zelda. He was starting to get used to being hugged and squeezed so tightly by Zelda; in fact, he found he was really starting to enjoy it a lot. He couldn't explain why, but he was starting to like the feeling of being held so tightly and securely in her arms. Not only that, but Link began to feel Zelda's body heat envelope him, and it was a most pleasant feeling as well. And in addition to that, Link could hear and feel Zelda's steady heartbeat, as well as her breathing, her chest slowly rising and falling. All these things were beginning to lull Link in a deep, contented sleep. He would have fallen asleep soon enough, had Zelda not spoken up at one point.

"My breasts make nice pillows, don't they?" he heard her ask.

This snapped Link out of his sleepy state. Zelda's question made him well aware of where she had rested his head, not to mention how thin her makeshift nightshirt really was. Link let out a nervous yelp as he sat up. He was now sitting on Zelda's midsection, and she was still lying down, but with her head propped up looking up at him. "What's wrong? I thoughts guys liked big breasts," she said coyly, still smiling that teasing smile of hers. And of course, this did nothing to alleviate Link's nervousness; Zelda's querying made him blush a violent shade of red.

"I uh, I uh," Link spluttered, unsure of how to respond to Zelda's joking questions. Zelda, however, was simply eating it all up. To her, Link's shyness and nervousness were his most charming attributes. She could tell he wanted to get close, but was too shy and felt as if it'd be improper for him to be so close to her.

She also noticed how much Link was blushing, and it gave her an idea - or more specifically, an excuse. "Say, you look a little hot," she said in that joking voice of hers. "Maybe you should take some of that stuff off." Once again, before Link could do anything to stop her, Zelda reached out and grabbed him.

"What... HEY!!" Link cried out in protest, but Zelda ignored him. She proceeded to remove his shield, scabbard and bomb and supply bags. Nervous, Link squirmed around trying to break free, but he couldn't fend off Zelda's big, strong hands. Next she took off his green tunic, boots and gloves, leaving him in his white undershirt and leggings. "Ack, Zelda! Isn't this a bit much?!" he cried, now extremely embarrassed.

Still ignoring him, she reached out and took off his hat, and petted his head with her huge hand. "You have nice hair," she said, stroking his hair gently with her huge fingers. Link just sighed in defeat, deciding it was best to let Zelda have her way. Besides, there wasn't much he could do in the way of stopping her.

Zelda eyed him up and down, and smiled broadly. "There, that's better," she said as she reached up to grab him again. This time, she set him down next to her, with one arm slung around him, holding him close to her. With her other arm, she pulled the sleeping bag covers tightly around them, as if wrapping the two of them up in a cocoon. "This is nice, isn't it?" she asked Link, who was still blushing and still had a nervous look on his face. "Just the two of us, held so close to each other...."

"Um, I guess so," Link said timidly. But he had to admit that he was enjoying this a lot, and was feeling that tired contentedness creeping over him again.

"Link, I must confess something," Zelda said lazily, squeezing him again. "Often, when I think of you, it's not of the handsome hero that saved Hyrule, but of the little boy that snuck into my garden that fateful day. That day, I couldn't help but think how cute and lovable you looked. And now, now that you look so small to me, I can't help but think of that adorable little boy again."

Link reflected on Zelda's words. Indeed, being in Zelda's presence right now and being held by her like this was even making him FEEL like a little kid again. But instead of resenting it, he found he didn't mind one bit.

Zelda's gentle yet strong embrace, her loving words and caresses, and the softness and warmth of her body were lulling him to sleep again. And before he drifted off, one thought went through his mind: after all the times he had to rise to the occassion and be the unconquerable hero and protect everyone, it sure felt nice to surrender to the loving embrace of someone so strong and feel protected himself.

******

All was quiet that night as the Hyrule trade caravan slowly went through the northern mountain passes. These freshly carved-out canyons and pathways north of Kakariko Village were quite useful, as Hyrule was sort of landlocked and travelling to lands outside of Hyrule was very difficult, so these new pathways were very welcome.

But had they known what lurked within those new mountain passes, the people in the caravan would have thought otherwise.

And even though the moon was almost full, they never saw what was coming.

In the span of less than two minutes, everyone in the caravan was dead.

*****

That's all for now. Sorry it took so long to update. I got sidetracked for a while by finally playing, of all things, Zelda: The Wind Waker. Oh well, stick around for chapter 5.

So long,
Grey