Time Cannot Erase Chapter 29

Look into my eyes and you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart, search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

Look into your heart you will find
There's nothing there to hide
Take me as I am, take my life
I would give it all, I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it there's nothing I want more

Everything I do I do it for you
I’d fight for you
I’d die for you
~Bryan Adams “Everything I Do”

Chapter 29
Die for You


“Princess of the pure heart,” the Triforce whispered, its voice suddenly much more ethereal and far less menacing than it had been just moments earlier. Zelda could hear them speaking within her, calmly and under control. Instead of each voice vying to be heard, each booming louder than the last, they were now speaking in perfect unison. “The True Force is at your command,” the Triforce echoed in its rich, filling voice.

“What do you wish of Courage?” The bottom right corner illuminated brighter than her sisters for a moment, hovering before Zelda, awaiting her order. “What does your heart desire?”

Zelda felt her heart start beating double time, but she did not hesitate with her answer. She lived to protect her Kingdom, and one being had lived to destroy it. She had an inborn duty to stop him, at whatever the cost. She could not deny her birth-given responsibility any longer.

“Destroy him,” she said simply. “I wish for Ganon’s soul to be vanquished from this world. Let him no longer exist, so that his darkness may never again threaten my people.”

Before the full impact of what had just occurred could seep into her Zelda heard the voice of Wisdom ring out. It was so pure, so gentle and full of compassion, she no longer feared it. She knew it well, and now she finally had come to understand it.

“What do you wish of Wisdom?” the voice asked her tenderly, with the air of an adoring mother speaking to her child. “What does your heart desire?”

At this, Zelda’s heart stopped beating. She knew what she wanted- what she had always wanted. She knew what her heart desired so strongly and so deeply it had ached within her every moment of every day for seven years. It was the thing she wanted more than anything in the world. She had always been denied it because of her obligations to her Kingdom and her position. It seemed that fate had strived to keep it from her at every turn.

Without conscious thought her head turned back, her eyes falling upon Link’s ghostly figure nearby. He was looking at her with an odd expression of mingled pride and sorrow, awaiting her next wish, knowing full well that when her heart’s desires were fulfilled he would have to move on and leave her forever.

She looked at him and she couldn’t deny her heart any longer. He had died for her, and she could not live without knowing she had done all she could to save him. It no longer mattered if he loved her, or if they could never be together. This was no longer about what she wanted for herself. She loved him and she wished only for him to be free: to be given back the life which had been stolen from him.

“I-“ Zelda started, barely able to speak, “I wish for-“

“My Zelda,” Wisdom whispered sadly, not even needing Zelda to finish voicing her desire aloud. “Life cannot be returned without a price.”

“I do not care what the price is,” Zelda replied earnestly. “I will do whatever it takes. Bring him back. Restore him!” she begged, gazing at Link who was looking back at her in confusion. “Please,” she whispered, far softer but with far more longing and with greater desperation.

“Such a sacrifice cannot be made lightly,” Wisdom advised. “His soul is now your soul. His life is your life. It cannot be returned to him lightly. Not now…. You will likely not survive!”

“I know,” Zelda replied calmly, “and I do not care.”

“No!” Link screamed suddenly as realization of what was happening hit him. In an instant he was at her side. “I won’t let you do this!”

“I’m so very sorry for what I have done, Link. It was not you who should have perished upon that sword, but I. So much of this is my doing. I owe you everything, Link,” Zelda said, her eyes filled with sorrow though a melancholy smile graced her lips.

Link gazed at her in amazement, and then said softly. “All I want is for you to be happy,” he whispered.

“Then let me save you,” she replied gently.

“No!” he cried, grabbing her: gripping her tightly, “You can’t do this!”

Zelda turned away from Link, turning her gaze back to the Triforce. As she did so the triangle situated at the top began to glow, and once more a voice rang out.

“What do you wish of Power?”

Without Ganon’s dark influence, Power was no longer threatening and malicious, but strong and enveloping in her tone. It gave Zelda’s weary soul strength to simply listen to Power’s mellifluous, noble voice.

Though Link was still holding onto her, afraid to let her go, Zelda spoke calmly and resolutely.

“Seal the Triforce away,” she replied. “I know now that such power is too great for any mortal to bear. Seal the Triforce away,” she repeated.

“It is done,” the three voices spoke in unison, their voiced booming once more.

The force of their voices made Zelda tremble, though Link held her steady. He was holding her so tightly she could barely move- but she didn’t mind. She could stay in his embrace forever, completely and utterly content.

A wave of power shot from the Triforce, first hitting Ganon. Zelda slowly looked down upon the pitiful mass that was once the Dark King. A beam of light issued from the Triforce of Courage, hitting Ganon’s already nearly shapeless form. With a flash and a final cry of anguish and fury Ganon’s spirit was reduced to a puff of black mist which billowed for a moment and then dissipated completely.

“No!” Link screamed, his head shaking frantically. He turned himself to shield Zelda from the Triforce, wrapping his arms around her even more securely.

“I love you,” she whispered as Link looked down at her, then she closed her eyes in anticipation.

“No!” he cried desperately. “No!”

A second beam issued, from Wisdom this time, flying towards the pair. It hit Link squarely in the back and instantly encircled both he and Zelda.

Zelda was suddenly on fire. She could feel her soul being ripped from her body: causing more anguish and pain than she had ever thought imaginable. She held onto Link tighter: the last thing she felt was his presence in her arms.

Link cried out as well, in pain and fear and horror, holding her in his arms even as she began to fade.

“No, Zelda! Don’t do this!” he screamed.

A third beam issued from the apex of the Triforce, this time consuming the entire realm in which they existed. The last thing Link could feel before the world vanished into the burst of blinding light was Zelda’s body falling limp in his arms.

Her cries had abruptly and jarringly ceased, but his did not. He cradled her helplessly, screaming into the void that slowly enveloped him and faded the world into nothing.


**************

“Is it over?” Elice asked quietly as Roy helped her to her feet.

Before them the billowing sphere had suddenly calmed. Its contents no longer raged but rather swirled and wafted within its black depths serenely and unthreateningly.

“I don’t know,” Roy replied staring up apprehensively, “but somehow I don’t think so.”

An anxious silence fell over the battlefield, every eye watching the hovering sphere. The stillness and inactivity stretched on and on, everyone waiting until the tension in the air was so thick it nearly burst.

“I can’t take this much longer!” Roy suddenly spoke in frustration. “If something is going to happen, I wish it would just happen and get it over-“

Roy’s words were cut off as, without warning, the sphere exploded. Every bit of pressurized energy that had been compressed within suddenly burst its bounds. The wave of chaos emanating from the sphere blasted outward with unequaled force. Every being left standing on the battlefield was suddenly thrown into the air as the wave shot over them.

Roy hit the ground with a bone rattling crash some twenty feet away from the spot upon which Elice landed. Sages were sent sailing in all directions and soldiers were thrown about like rag dolls.

The blackness that burst from the sphere quickly dispersed throughout the sky. For a moment the world was dimmed, but as the blackness faded the sky shone through, clear and pristine.

Roy tried to gather himself together, still reeling from the blow. Instinctively his gaze turned immediately back to the spot where Zelda’s storm had just been. Though the sphere was gone, a black mist lingered where it had been.

“Where is she?” Elice whispered in a frightened voice, unable to keep the terror from her face. She stood up slowly, not taking her eyes from the patch of black fog. Though it was gradually parting, creeping over the ground and fading into the distance, it was still extremely thick.

Everything went still once more, but the tension was gone. A dead calmness settled over the battlefield: a sense of finality came to rest upon those remaining as they peered through the fog.

“Zelda,” Impa whispered, taking a few slow steps towards the mist. There was no trace of the Princess: no sign of life through the haze.

For a moment no one seemed able to speak, they could only stare in wonder, awe, shock and disbelief at what had happened.

“I see something!” Saria cried suddenly, rushing forward. Immediately everyone turned toward her, peering into the gloom. Then they saw it: a shadow approaching through the parting mist. It was vague at first. Those who saw it initially thought their eyes were playing tricks on them.

Soon, however, the figure began to take shape, marching towards them with slow, deliberate steps.

Their first thought was that it was Zelda, but all too soon it became clear that the approaching figure was too large to be Zelda: too tall, too broad through the shoulders. The footsteps were too heavy, the bearing too strong. Whoever it was, they were holding something in their arms.

All present seemed to hold their breath, waiting. The darkness had nearly cleared now, and the being was almost upon them. A last billow of fog passed over the figure and then faded away.

Saria stopped in her tracks and stared. Impa was frozen completely. Roy tried to open his mouth but no sound would come, so he just held onto Elice who had grown suddenly weak beside him.

The figure stood in silence before the awestruck crowd, and finally Impa found her voice.

“Link,” she gasped. She couldn’t look away. She couldn’t say another word. All she could do was gaze up in astonishment at Link, who was standing in the parting fog, holding Zelda’s limp body in his arms. Her head was tilted back, her long hair nearly reaching the ground. Her eyes were closed and her expression calm, as though in sleep.

“Link!?” Saria was staring up at him in sheer disbelief. “How did you- how can you-“ feeble though her words were they were more than anyone else could manage to utter.

It was like walking into a dream. They had seen Link’s violent death; watched as his body had vanished into nothing. Pure joy graced their faces for an instant before the full force of the situation hit them. All at once the shock and wonder that Link now stood before them was equally overpowered by the heartbreaking knowledge that Zelda lay lifeless in his arms.

Impa seemed hardest hit: watching the scene before her in paralyzed shock.

Link didn’t move- didn’t show any sign that he noticed anyone else. He stood for a moment as still as stone, holding Zelda in his arms. Then he looked down at her, his blank expression all at once shattering. His face twisted in anguish and all at once his body seemed to crumple. He went to his knees, holding Zelda close to him. Cradling her lifeless body in his arms he rested his cheek against her head.

All the power had slipped from Zelda’s demeanor. Her body lay still. Not a hint of threat or menace remained in her. Her face was serene and full of gentleness, like that of a child.

Her clothing was tattered and nearly shredded in places. She was smattered in blood. Numerous wounds covered her body and her skin was extremely pale and drawn. She appeared ravaged: ripped, torn, beaten and maimed. Her body lay upon the ground, wrapped in Link’s arms, appearing completely helpless: a heartrending sight for all those who looked down upon her.

Link’s hand brushed against her cheek, and he could hold it in no longer. Tears spilled from his eyes, raining down upon the face of the Princess.

What good was life without her? She was his life- and now she was gone. The pain that shot through him- the paralyzing sorrow- was draining every bit of energy from his body. Weakened already and in a fragile state, his body could barely take the torture of holding Zelda in his arms and knowing that she had done this for him.

“Princess,” Impa finally managed to speak, inching closer. “Zelda,” her voice was no more than whisper. She seemed afraid to go any closer: afraid to know for sure.

“Is she,” Ruto asked in horror, unable to finish the sentence. Beside her Saria was weeping softly. Darunia picked her up in his massive arms and she cried onto his shoulder. Nabooru’s face was twisted with grief, and she didn’t even attempt to hide it. Ruto seemed trapped in disbelief, backing away slowly: unable to look any longer.

Link continued to hold onto Zelda, draped over his lap, her head cradled in his arms. He rocked back and forth forlornly, grasping her tightly and not letting go.

Impa slowly crept forward, finally falling to her knees beside Link, putting a hand on his shoulder. At her touch Link’s head shot up. Impa’s grief stricken expression never changed. She looked down on the Princess’s body and slowly put her hand on Zelda’s cheek.

After a moment of stillness Impa’s eyes widened, her expression growing anxious yet almost hopeful. It was impossible to detect breath under Zelda’s heavy armor, and so with trembling hands Impa ripped Zelda’s breastplate away, throwing it away frantically. She put her ear to Zelda’s chest, frozen with apprehension.

Every heart seemed to stop beating as they watched her with bated breath. Link gripped Zelda’s body more adamantly, watching Impa closely. At last Impa’s eyes closed, the sorrow falling from her face, replaced instantly with joy so pure it brought tears to her eyes.

“She’s still alive,” Impa breathed, hardly able to believe it herself. She had felt it, however- a heartbeat within her chest, so weak it was nearly imperceptible.

Link’s eyes flew open in shock. Relief washed over him like a wave of warm water, leaving him numb with shock.

“She’s alive!” Saria’s head had shot up, her large eyes hopeful.

“Yes, but only just,” Impa’s relief had been both all encompassing and all too short. Zelda was still clinging to life, but there was no question that. Her breathing was faint and the rise and fall of her chest was so subtle it was virtually indiscernible. She was alive at the moment, but she could slip away at any second, and Impa knew it.

Link couldn’t speak. Any chance of life was better than the despair of losing her. She was still holding on… there was hope. He hugged her to him ever closer, as though trying to give her strength: to keep her heart beating and keep breath on her lips. As long as he didn’t let go she couldn’t leave him. He wouldn’t let her go.

Despite himself Link’s body began to give out. He could feel his energy leaving him, flowing from his body into hers, and he let it go freely. As the last bit of strength drained from his body he swayed on the spot, the world growing hazy behind his eyes. Impa tried to steady him, but his strength was fading rapidly. Before anything could be done Link fell to the ground, Zelda still clutched in his arms.

Elice watched the commotion in a state of shock. It seemed too much to take in at once. Between Zelda’s horrifying display of power, Link’s miraculous return and Zelda’s subsequent near loss of life Elice felt numb. She couldn’t absorb it all, and so she stood and stared blankly at the sky before her. In the distant the blackness was parting. The first inklings of dawn were creeping into the eastern sky. Deep blue was fading into warm purples as the sun struggled to climb into view, and Elice tried desperately to come to grips with all that had happened.

Part of her wanted to rush to Link’s side, but she knew she couldn’t. She didn’t know how he had been returned to life. At this point she could barely wrap her mind around even the surface of that mystery. It didn’t seem to matter much. He was there, before her. He was alive.

Elice watched him weep over Zelda’s body and all at once it was over. Link loved Zelda, not her. Though she had long known it, for the first time this truth resonated within her undeniably. For the first time it was real, right before her eyes.

Surprisingly, however, she found it didn’t hurt as much as she had anticipated. In fact, it didn’t really matter at all. The joy of seeing him alive again was all she could feel. It didn’t matter that he didn’t love her. As she became aware of Roy’s presence beside her, Link’s lack of feelings for her seemed quite insignificant.

Instinctively she moved towards Roy, leaning against him for strength. Then Link fainted. Elice gasped and started towards him, but the Sages had closed in around him. Suddenly she felt like an outsider: and intruder upon their grief and concern.

Still fighting off the debilitating awe over all that had happened, Elice’s suddenly came to rest on her brother. All at once any sense of calm she had attained was gone. Her heart was suddenly beating a mile a minute, her throat was dry and her hands were shaky.

“Roy,” she said softly but desperately, turning towards him frantically. “Where is my brother?”

Roy looked at her, unable to answer. He did not know what had happened to Marth after they had been separated. A million thoughts flashed through his mind, and none of them were comforting.

Elice refused to give into doubt, though. He could see the glimmer of hope, however dim it might be, in her eyes. “Roy, we have to find him!” she implored.

“Princess,” a tentative voice came from behind her and she turned sharply. “The Prince, he- he was,” the soldier cut off, his face riddled with sorrow.

“What?” Elice asked in a mere whisper and when no answer came she burst in fear. “Where is he?” she nearly screamed, her voice shaking terribly.

“The demon, he… Marth fell,” the soldier finally replied, his head hanging low. “There,” he pointed to the large pile of rocks a ways off.

For a moment Elice stood in shock, then all at once she tore off, Roy right behind her.

The pounding of her feet and her huffing breath was all she could hear: all she could sense. All else had vanished as she stared ahead, the rock pile nearing. She dashed up the side, slowing as she neared the top, her heart beating mercilessly.

“Elice,” Roy called from below, but she didn’t listen. In an instant she was on her knees, her hands grasping he rocks and stones and throwing them away furiously. She dug deep, boulders rolling down the side of the heap, landing on the ground violently. At last she saw it: a gleam of silver through the rubble. Her heart seemed to have stopped. Her stomach was clenched and she couldn’t find her breath. Her hands grasped a stone and pulled it away, revealing Marth’s face, laying lifelessly in the rubble. He was ravaged nearly beyond recognition. Cuts, bruises, gashes and deep wounds covered nearly every inch of his body.

“Marth!” she screamed, throwing rocks away with renewed vigor. She continued to call his name until her voice had reached a level of hysteria. No matter how she screamed he wouldn’t stir.

He was gone.

When the realization hit her it hit her hard: so hard she nearly lost her balance and fell back.

“No!” she screamed, standing up and looking down at his body. She shrieked into the growing dawn, grief overcoming her. She tore down the hill, running blindly into Roy’s arms. He caught her and held on tight. She screamed and fought to be free but he wouldn’t let her go.

“No!” she screamed over and over, beating on his chest with gradually weakening intensity. He said nothing, did nothing, as her sorrow devoured her. He hugged her close until her body went still, her head falling onto his neck. In final defeat she wept bitterly on his shoulder, her body convulsing with every sob, her arms gripping him tightly for a very long time.

“There was nothing you could have done,” Roy said finally as her sobs quieted slightly. He could hardly believe it himself. The full force didn’t seem to have hit him yet. Right now he needed to be strong, for her sake.

“No,” she replied, her voice calming rapidly as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. She quietly pulled out of Roy’s embrace, her eyes deep wells of grief. “But there is something I can do now.” She stepped back, and Roy let her go, trying to grasp her meaning.

“Elice,” he said gently, “he is gone. There’s nothing you can do,“ but she didn’t seem to be listening. She had already turned back toward Marth. “Elice!” Roy cried, grabbing her wrist, but she jerked it away. “What are you doing?”

“The Oum,” she said simply.

“What?” Roy questioned, not sure he had heard her correctly.

“The Oum spell,” she replied quietly.

“The resurrection spell?! You can’t use that- it’s a spell only the highest Priests can cast. I’ve never even heard of it being used successfully before,” he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How do you know the Oum?” he finally asked in shock.

“A great Priest taught me while I was in captivity in Dolua,” Elice replied hastily.

“See, a Priest! You aren’t that powerful, Elice!”

“I am now,” Elice stated stubbornly.

“How can you be sure?” Roy implored. “A spell like that, it can kill you if you don’t use it right. If you aren’t strong enough to handle it, you could end up dead yourself!”

“Even a month ago, I would have agreed with you,” Elice replied, “but Zelda has taught me much. I’m twice the healer I was before she came. I can do it!”

“You can’t know that!” Roy insisted. “You’ve never done anything this powerful before. I won’t let you!”

His fervor seemed to shock both himself and Elice, but she was resolute. “You can only use the Oum once in your life,” she said carefully. “It is a gift- the knowledge is given to very few. I have to use it.”

“Yes, you can only use it once! That is probably because most healers die trying to do it!” Roy replied, the worry now openly visible on his face.

“I have learned it. I know it. I can save him,” she replied determinedly. “I have to do this, and I have to do it now. If I wait too long he might not be able to find his way back. We’re running out of time!” her eyes pleaded with him.

“No,” Roy said quietly.

Elice didn’t reply, she simply gave Roy one last desperate, pleading glance and turned away from him, walking resolutely back to the rock pile. Roy followed her, begging her to stop, but she could not be swayed.

Near the top she stopped, taking deep breaths, closing her eyes. She stood this way for a long while, finding her strength within.

The sky which had been steadily lightening was now fading into cool tones of gray as a soft covering of clouds lilted overhead, dimming the coming rays of sunlight. Raindrops gradually began to fall, growing to a soft, delicate drizzle that was worlds apart from the violent storm that had raged only an hour before. The steady, gentle rhythm of the rain brought a calming effect over the war ravaged land, cleansing the earth of death and destruction.

Standing with her face raised to the sky, raindrops fell on Elice’s face, running down in a steady stream. All at once she dropped to her knees. Her hands shot out, hovering inches above her brother’s still form. She was then utterly still, her concentration solely upon Marth before her.

There was no flashing of lights, no burst of energy, no sign of power or glory: no physical manifestation of the spell at all. For the absolute magnificence and power the spell contained, it appeared rather simple and unimpressive to watch. Elice’s strength was not visible in the outside world. It existed beyond sight- within her.

Roy watched with bated breath as Elice sat with her eyes shut, her face devoid of expression and as still as stone for a long, long time. At first Roy thought it was hopeless. Elice didn’t have the capability of performing the spell. It was too advanced for her. She simply couldn’t do it.

A sense of despair steadily crept over him. The realization that Marth was gone and could not come back was slowly overcoming him. Elice would not give up, though, and he knew it. The thought of her sitting, trying in vain to revive her brother pained him. Deep pity overcame him as he watched her.

Nothing was happening- that much was clear to see, and the longer he watched the more he realized that nothing was going to happen, no matter how long she struggled. He couldn’t leave her to her futility any longer. The longer she sat the harder it would be for her to let go.

Cautiously, he made his way towards her, but as he drew near he could see a change in her. Her eyes were shut tight, her face twisted in concentration, and her hands were visibly shaking from her effort. It was completely silent now, and though she had not moved an inch Roy could tell she was under tremendous strain, and yet Marth lay before her as cold and still as ever.

Elice poured her soul into the spell, calling her brother with all of her might and all of her strength. At first she was afraid she didn’t have the power to complete it, but she pushed doubt from her mind. She set her thoughts upon Marth, concentrating harder. Her entire life force seemed to flow out of her, silently going to him: willing him back.

And so it went on, for much longer than Roy had expected. He could barely take the strain of watching the silent, motionless ordeal unfold before him. At last he had had enough. He couldn’t let her suffer like this anymore. His hand reached down, falling gently on her shoulder.

He nearly jerked it away instantly. He was astonished at how cold and rigid she was- like ice. It was an unreal sensation, and quite nonhuman in essence. He looked at her in awe for a moment, wondering whether it really was working after all. New faith in her abilities seemed to have kindled within him, for Roy found himself glancing down on Marth’s mangled face with anxious anticipation.

Roy watched for a long while, but nothing changed. Just when he was once again on the brink of defeat something finally happened, and it happened quickly and without warning.

Marth’s eyes flew open and a terrible, pain ridden scream poured out of him. Roy felt his heart fly into his throat as pure, unadulterated shock shot through him. Roy began to scream too, out of sheer terror. He stumbled backward, loosing his footing on the unsteady rocks and tumbed down the hill, screaming all the way.

Elice’s eyes flew open in an instant, and she began to cry out as well. Below her hands Marth was writhing in pain. Though it seemed life had returned to him, his body was still mutilated and destroyed, leaving him in agonizing pain.

Roy hit the ground and leapt to his feet, continuing to back away in terror, clutching his chest and swearing through gasps of breath.

All of Elice’s strength was now flowing from her with renewed intensity and urgency. Though her heart was pounding within her like a beaten drum, she couldn’t afford to lose her focus even for a moment. She had to heal him quickly or he would slip away again, simply from the unbearable pain.

Marth’s cries were unending, but Elice’s fervor was not in vain. Slowly but surely the massive, bloody depression on Marth’s forehead was filling in. Flesh was returning to bone. Skin was healing. Wounds were closing up. This, however, seemed to cause Marth even more blinding torture than before.

Elice’s face was now screwed up in agony. Tears of pain ran down her cheeks as she fought unsuccessfully to keep her screams bottled up inside.

The massive hole in Marth’s shoulder was now mending. His hands clawed at his side, grasping about frantically. It felt as though he was being stabbed all over again, only the pain was blinding and lingering: like a knife being inserted then twisted over and over. The pain was so excruciating that his body was thrashing about uncontrollably.

Elice could barely withstand the knowledge that what she was doing was hurting him so badly, but she could not stop. This was the only way: not matter how much it hurt him and her. The pressure flowing through her and baring down upon her was nearly unendurable, but she would not relent. She pushed her suffering to the back of her mind, concentrating only on healing him.

The violent laceration in his leg now started to close up, as though being sewed with invisible thread, and as it did so his leg contorted and he continued to writhe.

Elice could feel her breath escaping her. Her arms were now like two unbearable weights before her. The simple effort of keeping them extended caused her muscles to burn with searing pain. Her heart was now beating so fast it was a constant hum in her chest, pounding within her so violently it felt as though it would burst.

Through blurry eyes she looked down on her brother’s healing wounds, a sense of relief washing over her. He was healing. She had given him a chance to live.

All at once the beating of her heart stopped and was replaced by an unbearable tightening in her chest that made her gasp for air. She couldn’t scream anymore. Her mouth was dry and breathless. All sound suddenly ceased and eyes went suddenly black as her mind reeled. The world heaved beneath her and she was sent flying. The last thing she felt was cold, hard stone against her face and the feeling of rain against her skin before she was swallowed by darkness.



The next thing Elice was aware of was the sound of careful footsteps and the feeling of strong arms around her. Blinking her eyes hazily she looked up to see Roy’s puckish grin.

“So, you’ve decided to wake up,” he said, but far from his usual playful sarcasm a distinctive sense of relief was in his voice.

Elice suddenly became aware that Roy was holding her in his arms, carrying her through a dark and blackened hallway of somewhat crumbled stone. She was soaking wet and every bone in her body ached within her.

“Marth-“ she mumbled in a barely audible voice. “Where-“ she couldn’t find the strength to say anything else. She felt as though every bit of strength she possessed had been drained away. Even holding her eyes open was a struggle.

“You saved him,” Roy spoke in quiet awe, walking carefully as he held her. “I don’t know how you did it, but you saved him.”

A great, calming solace broke over her, flowing from head to toe. She closed her eyes once more.

“Link?” she managed to whisper. She could feel Roy’s arms tense up- his grip tightening brusquely.

It was a while before he replied in a sullen, much curter tone than before. “He’ll live.”

Elice could barely hear him, but she had heard enough. She could ask for nothing more. Her mind was growing sluggish once more, and she didn’t resist. Resting her head against Roy’s chest she fell once again into sleep.