Time Cannot Erase

I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph and I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away

You've gone away
You don't feel me here anymore
~Seether and Amy Lee "Broken"

Chapter 7
Not so Prince Charming

Link kicked his feet in the dirt as he strolled down the road leading out of Hyrule.

Zelda.

She was all he could think about.

He could hear her laugh, see her smile… she haunted his dreams, lingering in his mind, never letting him go. Even when he left her she was still there. No matter where he journeyed, no matter how far he went, he couldn't escape her.

He still hadn't done it. He hadn't proved himself. He couldn't face her until he had shown to himself, to the world, and to her that he was worthy of her. He battled monsters, rescued people in distress, saved cities, vanquished foes and showed his quality time and time again. Still he wasn't good enough for her.

Every time he returned she was happy to see him, but he couldn't be sure why she was happy. She always referred to him as her friend, and he was afraid to ask for more. She was royalty, and who was he?

He had tried to show her his quality time and time again. Every enemy he defeated, every danger he faced was for her. He had tried to impress her with his tales and stories. He had tried to prove to himself that he was good enough, but he was still not convinced.

As he crossed the border leaving Hyrule he turned back. In the distance lay Death Mountain. Somewhere at its feet stood Hyrule castle. Zelda would be there now.

He wasn't even sure where he was headed. It really didn't matter to him. He passed a small town with people milling about. He stopped at a farmer's small cart on the side of the road and bought an apple. Absentmindedly he sat under a tree, pulling from his pack the book that Zelda had given him. The cover was sun bleached and careworn, the edges of the book slightly frayed from use. He took a large bite of the fruit and opened the book.

"I am the Hero of Time. You must know that I will fight for you, Princess Zelda, no matter where or when or how I must… I will fight for Hyrule and for you." Link read the words that he himself had once spoken. It seemed so long ago- so long ago that he could scarcely remember it.

He leafed through the book as he so often did when he missed Zelda, reliving his old adventures. His reading was difficult and laborious. He had never had any formal schooling at all. Knowing that she had so eloquently written the words that he struggled just to read put their inequality in greater relief.

Even so, just knowing that she had written the words he was reading made him feel happier. It was their one connection: the life they had once shared.
He had had victory. He had defeated Ganon and saved Hyrule, and thus destroyed his own life. He had saved Zelda. He had done his duty. Now he had nothing left.

Sighing he stood up and packed the book away, his mind wandering back to a few days previous. After the blowup in Hyrule Castle town he had made his way to Kokiri Forest, his one true sanctuary.

Once there he had immediately gone to his old house. It seemed to get smaller and smaller every time he went back. Smiling, he had opened his bag and began to unpack his newest souvenirs: a sword (a gift from the King and Queen of Midia), a medallion (a token of gratitude from the people of Akken), and various other mementos from his most recent journeys.

The walls of his home were covered in heirlooms from all of his previous exploits. Masks from Termina were arranged on one wall. He had an entire set of weapons he had been given or acquired through different means. Gifts, tokens and thank-yous adorned every inch of his home.

His eyes instantly were drawn to one of his most precious items: a picture of Zelda in a wooden frame he had carved himself. He had brought a strange invention called a pictograph back from Termina. He had shown Zelda and she had been astounded. No one in Hyrule had such technology. He had taken a picture of her and she had been thrilled. That had been a few years ago. The Zelda in the picture was younger than the Zelda he knew must be in Hyrule Castle today. Still, it was better than nothing.

Smiling at it, he placed it carefully back on the self and began to arrange his newest trinkets. Halfway through, however, he was interrupted by a shout of joy behind him.

"Link!" Saria called in elation. She had flung her tiny arms around his waist and hugged him, looking very high up into his eyes and smiling.

Saria was his oldest friend, whom he could always confide in about anything. His afternoon with her, in the shade of the trees under which he had grown up, was rejuvenating like nothing else in the world.

It was her parting words that had stuck with him, though, and they flooded back now as he made his way down the dusty path.

"Why do you have to leave, Link?" she had asked forlornly. "It seems like time keeps spreading us further and further apart."

"No matter where I go, I'll always be your friend," Link had smiled warmly at her sad expression. Their day together had not been long enough for her.

"You won't find it out there," Saria had said simply as he had turned to leave.

"What?" Link turned, confused.

"You journey far and wide. You travel to distant lands, never resting, always searching. If you haven't found what you're looking for out there by now, you never will."

"Find what?" Link asked apprehensively, a little taken aback by her sudden, poignant comments.

Saria had looked up at him with her large, shining eyes, as innocent as a child's but filled with all the wisdom of the ages. She did not reply. She didn't need to.

He knew what he was looking for. He knew where it was and it wasn't out in the wide world. She was right. No matter how long or how far he searched he would never find it.

Now, the longer he walked the beaten path leading out of Hyrule, the more he thought, and the clearer it became. It was time to end his childish fantasies. He was ready to accept what he had always known- he would never be good enough for the Princess. She deserved more than he could ever give her. He loved her too much to put her through any more.

He had to let her go.

Zelda could never truly forgive her father for the things he said to her that day. She was never quite the same. All the hurt he had built within her over the years, all the fear he had instilled, all the pain he had caused her, had been solidified with his words that morning. However, she didn't let it stop her from doing her duty. She spent the next year doing all the good for the welfare of Hyrule and its people that she could.

Before she knew it her 16th birthday was approaching, and with it was coming the New Year festival.

Darunia was so excited about hosting the festival that year Zelda thought he might just pop. He met Zelda with a bone crushing hug at the doors to Goron City.

"Welcome, my Little Princess!" he boomed as he released her.

"Thank you, Darunia," Zelda smiled while rubbing her sore ribs.

"Call me Big Brother!" he insisted. "After all you've done to help my people, you are like one of us!"

Zelda smiled sincerely, "Thank you, Big Brother."

"Is Link here with you?" Darunia asked, peering behind her.

"No," she replied, surprised that it was the first time she had thought about him that day. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she had thought about Link.

"I haven't seen my little brother in too long! When you see him, tell him Big Brother wants a word with him!" Darunia said emphatically.

"I will," Zelda assured him as she made her way into the city.

She caught sight of Ruto up ahead and smiled. They so rarely got to see each other.

"Princess!" a tiny voice sounded from somewhere beneath her.

"Hello there!" she grinned down at the young Goron who was tugging at her hem.

Instantly she was ambushed by an entire brigade of young Gorons who began hugging her and gazing admiringly at her.

"Big Brother has told us so much about you!" one spoke in awe. "He told us about your adventures with brother Link."

Zelda was touched by the love of the Gorons who had, apparently, accepted the tale set forth by Darunia without hesitation. It became very clear to Zelda she would not be able to break free of her pint-sized entourage, so she led them over to Ruto with her.

"What does a Princess have to do around here to get a drink of water?" she was almost shouting. "It's very dry in this mountain air! And what am I supposed to eat? These rocks!?"

Half a dozen Gorons burst into action, fleeing from her, desperate to please her.

"Hello, Ruto," Zelda called. Immediately Ruto's displeased expression softened.

"Zelda! How are you?"

"I am all right," Zelda half lied.

"Now, where is that Link of mine?" Ruto asked. "I haven't seen him all night!"

"I don't know where he is," Zelda replied truthfully.

"That rascal! I haven't seen him for months! Father's getting impatient. He keeps telling me I have to find a husband soon or he'll choose for me."

Zelda looked shocked but Ruto just laughed. "Don't worry," she said. "I would never let him do that! He can't make me marry anyone I don't want to."

Zelda was absolutely sure about that. Though he acted a little haughty and stubborn to the rest of the world, when it came to his only daughter King Zora was a complete jellyfish.

"Finally!" Ruto exclaimed as a frightened looking Goron returned with a pitcher of water. "What in Hyrule has taken you so long?" She sipped the water and immediately spit it back out. "That is awful! What do I look like: a common goldfish?"

"I'm sorry Lady Ruto!" the Goron cried. In fear he crumpled to the floor in a ball, hiding his face. Ruto looked shocked for a second then a little annoyed. She knocked on his tough skin with her fist, but he didn't respond. "Well, wonderful!" she sat down on him as though he was a boulder. "I'll just have to sit here and wait for something better tasting."

Zelda shook her head and laughed. Zelda relished the time she spent in the company of her friends that night. Saria appeared soon after Zelda arrived, and not long after that Nabooru appeared. All politics were put aside and the four girls giggled and gossiped just like any other girls would. Impa, not prone to gossiping or giggling, sat nearby in silence, watching them. It did her heart good to see Zelda having such a good time.

The young Gorons were enamored with the two princesses, the exotic desert mercenary, and the magical little forest girl and her fairy. Zelda and the sages found themselves the center of attention as Gorons of all ages flocked to their group to talk to them, dote on them and express their admiration.

"Attention everyone!" Darunia called out from the pedestal high in the middle of the great city. "The fireworks are about to begin!"

Everyone immediately flocked outside. As Zelda followed, she found herself alone for the first time all night. It was then that it hit her. Link had not come. The greater shock came that she had not thought about him all night. Even after Darunia and Ruto's queries, she had not let her mind linger on him. She thought about him now, though.

Disappointed, she walked outside and stood near the edge of the cliff and gazed over the side of the Death Mountain Trail and into the cool darkness of the night beyond.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned with a start, but quickly her shock melted into elation. Link had come, just as he had promised.

Together they watched as the Gorons set off a spectacular fireworks display as the New Year passed. The last flash had barely faded from the sky before Link turned to her and said that he had to be going.

"There are many lands out there with lots of dangers," he smiled. "There are adventures waiting for me."

"Before you go, Ruto was looking for you. So was Darunia."

"I know, I visited with them already."

"I guess this is it, then," Zelda said simply. His constant desertion was too much. She wouldn't allow herself to be sucked in this time. She was intent on remaining distant and impassive.

"One year from today…" Link mused.

"What?" Zelda asked.

"One year from today," he said, raising an eyebrow as though she should know what he was talking about.

"What do you mean?"

Link looked slightly disturbed. "The seven years will be up."

Zelda stared at him, still confused.

"The seven years since we returned…? The path will be closed. It will all be over."

Zelda racked her brain. Link was staring at her in disbelief.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, realizing what he was talking about. "Yes, yes… it will all be over," she stammered.

"Are you all right, Princess?" Link looked worried.

Zelda tried to hide her concern. What was happening to her? Something was definitely wrong, but she couldn't tell him. How could she explain to him that more and more the memories of their past were vanishing from her. It frightened her greatly. What was worse, it would hurt him, and she couldn't bring herself to do that.

She felt somehow guilty and traitorous.

She couldn't tell him.

"I'm fine," she replied simply.

He stared at her with a frown on his face. She was being purposefully distant, and he could take the hint.

After a moment of silence, he bid her farewell. A simple, brisk goodbye was all he would give her. He had vowed to remain aloof. He wouldn't burden her any longer.

"Goodbye," she replied casually. He had already begun to make his way down the canyon, knowing it would be a year before he would see her again. Once a year was all he would allow himself. He had to set her free. Seeing her just at the festival would be enough to ensure she was safe and sound.

That was all he could ask for.

He hoped she couldn't see how much it was killing him to leave her. He felt as though this was the end. He suddenly felt empty and hollow inside, though each footstep became as heavy as if he were wearing iron boots on his feet.

Zelda turned her gaze back to the view before her. Link looked back, disappointed that she had turned away so quickly. He called back to her, "I won't break my promise."

She nodded her head in silence, not turning.

Once again he walked out of her life.

It was with great trepidation that Zelda made her way down to the dining hall. It had been years since she and her father had dined together.

Stranger still, he had insisted on making her dress in her most formal and exquisite gown.

The dress was made of light pink silk with gold trimming. Shear sleeves that draped almost to the floor hung from her arms. Her hair was twisted into a bun, upon which was sitting a small golden tiara. The gown's simple train trailed lightly behind her as she made her way down the stairs, wondering what the night held for her.

Truthfully, she would rather romp through a field of deku babas than spend an evening with her father. She couldn't take the coldness in his eyes or the shame he always made a point of expressing he felt in her.

Still, she found herself dressing carefully; making sure everything was perfectly in place. After all these years she was still trying to please him. Cursing her own foolishness, she had left her chamber and started toward the dining hall.

As she made her way down the stairs and into the hall she caught sight of her father, but he was not alone. As she grew closer she could see he was standing next to a tall, thin man with long, white blond hair and eyes as dark and shiny as a beetle's. He was dressed so immaculately it was almost ridiculous. The crown on his head was so large his neck looked like it might snap under the weight. He was covered in furs and ruffles and wore a cape that dragged on the ground behind him. Hiding her laughter she approached them with as much dignity as possible.

"Father, you didn't tell me we would have company for dinner," Zelda smiled at the guest. He smiled back; an oily, false and pretentious smile which gave Zelda's the chills. Her smile quickly faded.

"This is Prince Fabian from Farren. He'll be joining us for dinner," her father announced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Zelda said, but he did not return the greeting. Instead he began to pace in a circle around Zelda, scrutinizing her. She tried to hide the disgust on her face and turned to her father, but he ignored her.

The prince made an indistinguishable mumble and said her father, "Not too tall, I suppose she's slender enough, hair is a nice color, bright eyes… Yes, I suppose she'll do."

Her father nodded.

Zelda was staring at Fabian, looking most appalled. He was leering at her like a piece of meat.

"We shall dine now," Fabian announced.

"Yes, Sire," from out of nowhere an attendant appeared. Fabian seemed to have brought his own entourage with him. The servant bowed him into the dining hall. Fabian walked to the table and an attendant pulled out his chair for him. He took a seat and clapped his hands. Immediately attendants appeared, placing a napkin on his lap, filling his goblet with wine and catering to his every whim.

Zelda couldn't hide her revulsion. "Father, who is he?"

"He is a fine and upstanding, noble man, and if all goes well by the end of the night he will be your fiancé," he replied almost threateningly.

"What!?" she cried.

"Behave yourself. I told you I would find a way to make you grow up. Maybe becoming a wife will do the trick."

"I'm only 16," she pleaded.

"I'm told you will be 17 very soon," he replied. "Believe me; you would have been wed earlier if possible. It has taken me almost two years to find a suitable prince who is willing to marry you. Word of your little escapades with the forest boy and your wild imagination has circled further than you know. Fabian seems willing to overlook all that, so you will be on your best behavior."

"I will not marry him!" Zelda spoke just softly enough so that Fabian could not hear from the other room.

"You will do as I say," he proclaimed. "I'm only doing what's best for you." He turned and walked into the dining hall.

Shocked and slightly numb, Zelda followed.

As they waited for dinner to be served, Fabian kept an unwavering eye on Zelda. He was staring so hard she thought he might burn a hole right through her.

"Well, she certainly is beautiful, I will give you that," Fabian spoke to Zelda's father, not to her. "From the stories I've heard of how abnormal she is I would not have pictured her as so splendid looking." He laughed as though he had made a joke.

"I beg your pardon!" Zelda burst out.

Fabian turned to her and scowled. "That will have to stop. I did not ask you to speak."

Zelda gaped at him.

"So will the lies and fantasies," he nearly commanded her.

"They aren't lies-" Zelda began.

"Talking out of turn, again? You will remain almost silent when you are queen. You will speak only when spoken to and asked for a response. Furthermore, you will always address me as Sire or Your Majesty or the likes. As my wife you will learn to respect your superiors. The people of Farren do not want a queen who babbles on and doesn't know her place. A queen should be beautiful and silent." Zelda was staring at him with such disgust and shock that she was sure she must look comical. Confident that he had convinced her to hold her tongue, Fabian now turned back to her father.

"See there, you have to make sure they know their place. I'm sure I can train her in time for the wedding. I'll have no embarrassments," he continued to talk to her father as though she were not there. "If she remains quiet we can probably hide the manner of her sub-intelligence as well. Goodness knows the last thing we need is a stupid woman running at the mouth!"

Even Zelda's father looked slightly shocked, but he forced a smile as Fabian laughed at his own cleverness.

Zelda allowed all of the rage she had been building up to explode within her. She stood up from her chair.

Fabian stopped laughing.

She started walking towards him, fists clenched, shaking with fury.

"I say, what is she doing now?" he looked at her father in dismay.

Zelda approached him, brought back her hand and struck him across the cheek with all of her might.

He wailed like a little girl, swayed and toppled over in his chair with a crash.

Immediately his attendants cried out and rushed to him, trying to upright him and his chair.

"She's completely mad!" he moaned from the floor.

Zelda's father stared at her with a mixture of fury and utter disbelief.

She wouldn't let him see her cry. Without a word, a cloud of smoke exploded around her. When it cleared she was gone.

Zelda was staring at Fabian, looking most appalled. He was leering at her like a piece of meat.

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