Time Cannot Erase

I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And my scars remind me that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel
~Papa Roach "Scars"

Chapter 9
Just Another Fool

Each day after the council meeting Zelda made her way to the Healing Hall to check on her mystery man. Althea had continued to care for him, though he still hadn't woken up. She kept a constant flow of fairy water going into him. His cut was healing, but slowly. Althea said that he had been nearly dead when he had been found, so healing would go slower than if treatment had begun immediately after he had sustained his wound.

Though he greatly improved immediately after Althea's care began, he had frequent relapses. Every so often he would slip into a deeper sleep, his breathing would slow and his heartbeat would drift away to almost nothing. Althea assured Zelda that he would pull through, but there were times when even Althea looked worried.

About a week after he arrived his condition stabilized. A peaceful look overtook him and he resembled someone who was simply in a deep and comfortable sleep.

With each visit Zelda would get that familiar anticipatory feeling, but each day he would still be asleep when she arrived. Sometimes she would stay and sit by his bed for a while and wonder.

What was his name? Where did he come from? Who had done this to him? How did he know Link? Why had he come here? Who was he?

She looked long at him. He had a strong face- a handsome face. There was no question to her that he was some kind of nobility. She could tell just by looking at him.

There was something strange about him, though. His ears were the first indicator. They were so tiny- so short and round. Only Gerudos had ears like his, and he was definitely not Gerudo. She wondered often how far he had traveled to get to Hyrule. Stranger still was the question of how he traveled all that way with a life threatening injury?

Day after day she got no answers. But each morning held new hope. She would enter the Hall to find the curtain still drawn around his bed. Hope would fade for then, but she never gave up.

With Link, and now Impa, gone she was very lonely. Often she would stay and watch over him for a while. A strange sense of protectiveness for this man had grown in her. She felt greatly responsible for his well being.

It was a great blow when her father appeared, demanding that "the bum" be sent out of his castle.

In the end Zelda had convinced him that the man was royalty and that throwing him out could cause a war with whichever country he ruled. Her father reluctantly agreed, but insisted that the man must leave as soon as he was well enough to.

"And I'll have another prospect in here for you as soon as possible, and you will behave yourself!" he shouted as he left her.

Zelda was used to his screaming and empty threats. She had long ago learned that his tantrums rarely amounted to anything. Still, if he did manage to find her another suitor she wasn't sure how she would get out of it again.

She didn't dwell on her father, though. Instead, she spent much of her time in the Healing Hall. Althea had taken her under her wing, and even began teaching her about healing remedies and secrets of the trade. So, though day after day her mystery man continued to struggle to regain consciousness without success, her time in the Healing Hall never felt wasted.

It was almost two weeks since her chaotic return to Hyrule Castle that she entered the Hall to find he had awoken. Althea was hovering over his bed, fussing over him. Zelda entered quietly and slowly made her way over, though inside she felt like shouting for joy. She could see him sitting up for the first time.

He was awake!

"You've been nearly dead for two weeks!" Althea was saying as she settled a tray of food before him. "You need to put some meat back on those bones!"

"Yes, Ma'am," the man's voice was low and croaky, no doubt from his extended period of slumber and hovering near death.

"Oh, Zelda dear!" Althea turned and smiled. "Our patient has returned to the land of the living. The worst is over now. He'll be all right, in time. Now, you eat every bit of that and I'll check on you in a few minutes," she spoke to the man. "Don't you stay too long, Princess. He needs his rest."

Althea bustled away leaving Zelda standing at the foot of the man's bed. Suddenly Zelda felt shy and a bit awkward. In all honesty he looked awful. His eyes were sunken in; his skin was pale and his hair unkempt. He had a thin, stretched look about him. She felt embarrassed watching him and suddenly had no idea what to say to him.

He in turn was staring back at her, his eyes, though ringed with dark circles, looked very much alive. They were dark blue and fiery. There was life in him yet. He gazed at her unflinchingly, almost transfixed. The two stared at each other for the longest time, neither one moving an inch. Something unsaid passed between them in those moments of silence before he finally spoke in a scratchy voice.

"Come now, I can't look that bad, can I?" his gaunt face broke into a weak smile.

Zelda blushed, taken aback. Was she that obvious?

Then he laughed. It was a small, lethargic laugh, but a laugh nonetheless.

She smiled too, and then found herself laughing. She walked to the chair beside his bed and sat down.

"My name is-" she started.

"Princess Zelda," he finished.

"How did you know that?"

"Link spoke of you many times," the man replied. "You're the one who saved my life," he said softly, his eyes boring into her. "How can I ever repay you?"

"I'm just glad that you are all right," she said sincerely.

"What happened to me?" he asked. "I lay there for hours, trying to reach Link's forest, but I couldn't make it. The last thing I remember is your face…"

"I found you, outside of Kokiri Forest. I brought you here, to Hyrule Castle: my home."

"Are we far from Kokiri Forest now?"

"Yes, miles and miles away."

"No, I need to get to Kokiri Forest!" he had grown quickly upset and was trying to pull himself up, out of the bed. "That is where Link lives, isn't it?"

"Yes, but-"

"I have to get there, now. I have to find him." Once more he tried to get up, but couldn't even manage to pull himself into a full sitting position.

"You need to lie still," Zelda's voice was firm. "If Althea sees you trying to get up she'll have my head. You're in no condition to travel across all of Hyrule. Besides, Link isn't there now. He's not even in Hyrule."

"What!?" he exclaimed hoarsely. "I have to find him!" exhausted his head fell back against his pillow.

Zelda's eyes filled with compassion. "No one knows where he is now, but he will be here, at this very castle, very soon. He returns every year for the spring festival, and that's just a little over a month away."

"A month?" he whispered hopelessly.

"To be honest, I think you'll need that long, at least, to recover," she said. "You stay here and Link will come to you, I promise you."

He didn't answer, but he had obviously accepted defeat in the situation.

"You should eat," Zelda said more lightly. "Althea will be very cross if you don't."

The man smiled slightly and took a bite.

"All right, you two, visiting time's up!" Althea rushed over and began escorting Zelda from the room.

Zelda made her way toward the door, but looked back. The man was gazing at her as she exited. "You will come back, won't you?" he asked.

"Yes, tomorrow," she replied. He looked pleased. She started once more to leave, but turned at the last moment.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Marth."

"It's nice to meet you, Marth," Zelda replied with a grin, then closed the door behind her.

"You're the Prince of Aritia?" Zelda marveled. "Where is that? I've never even heard of Aritia."

"Very far from Hyrule," Marth replied. "It would take months to reach it by horse."

Marth was sitting up in bed and Zelda was sitting in the chair beside him. It had been three days since he had woken up and already his improvement was astounding. He looked like a completely different person. His face had regained its color and had filled out. His eyes were now as bright and lively as ever. His shaggy hair was now clean and hung carelessly over his eyes. It was a dark black color that shone with silver, almost cool blue, highlights in the sun.

He was easy to talk to. Self confidence radiated from him almost to the point of cockiness. A slightly impudent smile almost always graced his face. However, he really was kind and good natured. He was completely uninhibited and honest, and sometimes alarmingly so.

She lived in a world where keeping up appearances and living by protocol was essential. She had been taught to never act out, never speak out, never let your heart be known. Guard yourself, hide yourself, protect yourself: at all costs. His candidness was completely new to her, and a bit shocking, but refreshing.

Zelda had not been allowed to stay very long the day before, so she was just getting the chance to ask him the many questions she had.

"How did you get here all the way from Aritia?" she asked. "Why do you need Link so urgently? Who did this to you?" she looked down at his bandaged side.

Marth laughed, "So many questions! I don't even know where to start…"
"I'm sorry," Zelda smiled. "How about this, what brought you to Hyrule?"
Marth looked at her seriously now. "I came to find Link. I need his help. My people and my home need his help- desperately."

Zelda sat in silence, not wanting to interrupt now that she was finally getting her answers.

"Aritia is a land wracked with war and turmoil. We have not had peace since before I was born. My father was King of Aritia. We are of the house of Anri, a legendary hero who saved Aritia thousands of years ago. With this lineage comes great power and therefore great responsibility to maintain peace in our land. This task has not proved simple in any manner.

"All of my life my kingdom has been ravaged by plagues, famines, invading armies and destruction of all sorts. My people do not know what peace even feels like," Marth spoke passionately. Zelda could feel his emotions flaring as he spoke. His eyes had darkened and his voice lowered.

"When I was sixteen the neighboring Kingdom of Dolua invaded Aritia. We were betrayed by one of our own. A man who my father trusted, and who I trusted, betrayed our kingdom and murdered my father. It was pointless savagery, done only to put fear into the hearts of my people: as an example to all those who opposed the power of Dolua."

Immediately Zelda felt a knot in her stomach and a lump in her throat. She knew all too well the horrors of having her home invaded and destroyed, and watching as her father was killed to make room for the invading power to assume control.

"I was forced into exile, fleeing for my life to the land of Talis. I was left to lead the revolt of my people. I led my people into war. It took a year, but we succeeded in overthrowing them. I regained control over Aritia and took my place as Prince, only to have the dark dragon Medeus reappear and resume terrorizing my people once more.

"We were rebuilding from a war that had almost entirely decimated our civilization. Now we had a dragon to contend with. To make matters worse, my sister, Elice, was captured and held hostage by Medeus.

"Aritia would have crumbled and vanished, and my sister would have been killed, if it hadn't been for Link. He was traveling through the area and happened upon us. I met him and he offered to help. Just like that. He didn't want anything in return. He didn't ask for money. He just helped us."

Zelda smiled. That was the Link she knew.

"With his help we destroyed Medeus. He assisted me in rescuing my sister as well. Even when it was all over he remained with us. He even stayed long enough to help us begin rebuilding. He left only after he had stolen and then broken the heart of my sister. She was the reason he left. If it hadn't been for that ordeal…" his voice had become soft and slightly angry, "I wonder if he would have stayed, and things would have been different now…."

Zelda felt a flash go through her. What ordeal? She didn't have time to dwell on that now, for Marth continued with his tale.

"By the time we had vanquished Medeus there was little left of Aritia. Our cities were burned, half of our people lay dead, and all that we had ever had was gone.

"In our weakness, Hardin, King of Akanea, rose up and used the opportunity to his advantage. He is a wielder of black magic: a sorcerer twisted by the evil power he fought so long to posses. He has no mercy. He destroys without thought and reason. He began a campaign of annihilation, his sole purpose being the complete extermination of Aritia and its entire people.

"Most of our men were dead," Marth shook his head, lost in his memories. "Already Aritia lay in shambles. We were in no position to fight Hardin's forces. What was left or our civilization Hardin has begun to destroy.

"We were finally rebuilding!" he burst out in frustration, "but there is such a long way to go. My people are still devastated by poverty and hunger. And now Hardin is bent on our utter destruction. His armies are constantly growing. His spies and mercenaries run rampant, threatening and murdering my people. It won't be long before his armies break through out last defenses, and when he does it will be the end of Aritia. We cannot survive another war," as Marth spoke fire rose in his voice. It was righteous indignity that filled him: a complete unwillingness to surrender, though hope was fading. He turned to Zelda, his eyes blazing.

"If Link returns with me, we will not suffer defeat. Link holds power greater than any in Aritia possess. I know that if he returns with me he can use his power to destroy Hardin. I will not let my people be destroyed!" Marth proclaimed. "Not after we have fought so long and hard to survive," his voice dropped into a desperate whisper.

Zelda was in shock. Hyrule had been through many difficult times, but her land was now basking in an era of peace. Aritia, it seemed, had not known peace in many, many years. Zelda knew first hand what she would do to save Hyrule if it was in danger. She had risked her life and surrendered her happiness to protect Hyrule, and she would do it again.

She reached out and placed her hand on Marth's.

"I know what you're feeling," she said steadily, staring at him unblinkingly. "I understand what it's like…"

"I knew you would," Marth replied. Zelda looked slightly shocked but Marth continued. "Link told me all about what you and he did to save Hyrule. You succeeded in bringing peace to your land."

"Link will help you," Zelda assured him. "He'll return and agree to help you."
"I know he will," Marth smiled. "He's a good friend and an even better man."
Zelda nodded. Marth watched her closely. "So you and he are…" he trailed off presumptuously.

"Friends," she replied sharply.

"I see," Marth nodded.

"You said he spoke of me…" Zelda tried to sound casual. "What did he say?"

"He told me your tale: all about your adventures together."

"And you believed him?" Zelda couldn't keep the shock from her voice.

"Of course," Marth looked amused. "He's never given me reason to doubt him."

"So you believe in the Triforce and that we truly battled with Ganon?" she couldn't help but be surprised. It seemed that no one in Hyrule had believed them, and now a stranger from a strange land did?

"Yes," Marth said, bemused but smiling nonetheless. "Why, should I not?"
"No, it's not that," Zelda assured him. "It's just that here in Hyrule our tale has not been widely accepted."

"I believe you," Marth smiled. "As a man who has seen his share of deception, I know when I am being lied to." He looked at her deeply. "You are not lying to me."

Just hearing those words lifted a burden off of Zelda she felt she had been carrying for years.

"Did Link say anything else about me?"

Marth thought back, "Well, not much else."

Zelda had been fighting the impulse to ask, but finally she could not hold it in any longer, "So, what happened between Link and your sister?" she asked briskly.

Marth smiled at her, his piercing, mischievous smile that seemed to see right through her.

"Link rescued her, and she became, shall we say, quite taken with him."

"Quite taken with him?" Zelda asked skeptically.

"Well, smitten out of her mind would actually be more accurate. She begged me to give him her hand in marriage. With my father gone, she needed my permission. She seemed to sense that I didn't approve, and that made it all the worse. I had heard too many of Link's tales. I didn't want to give my sister to him."

"I thought you said he was good man?" Zelda was torn between jealousy and defensiveness about Marth's sudden change of tone about Link's character.

"He is, don't misunderstand me," Marth replied, "but he is also a wanderer, and he will always be a wanderer. He has no roots. I knew he wouldn't stay put long and Elice deserves more than that. I was right too. Like I said, Link told me of many of his adventures. There was Princess Zanria from Keth. I guess he saved her from a kidnapping plot and her father was so grateful for what he had done he insisted that Link marry her. She was pretty pleased about the idea too, if I remember correctly. He told me he had to escape like a thief in the night to avoid the wedding. Then there was Princess Dari. Then there was Kenzie, Meredith, Solara, Trida," Marth ticked the names off on his fingers, "and Rudo… I think she was from Hyrule."

"Ruto," corrected him.

"Yes, that's it. From what I heard she doesn't give up easily, either."

"No…" Zelda said in a hallow voice.

"Well, just as I predicted, one morning Link was just gone. Elice's heart was completely broken… are you all right," Marth asked her. Zelda's fists were clenched and her knuckles were white.

"Yes, I'm fine. Why should I care what Link does?" she lied.

Marth did not reply, but stared into her eyes with his intense gaze. She felt as though he was reading her thoughts, and she didn't like it. Grasping for something to say she inquired about the only other thing she could think of.
"You still didn't explain how you came to be hurt… and how you managed to make it all the way to Hyrule in such a state."

Marth smiled slyly at her as she changed the subject. He wouldn't press her.

"My group was ambushed by a band of Hardin's thugs. They tried to kill me- they almost did kill me- but I managed to escape. I knew that Aritia was no longer safe. I had been thinking about going to Link for help, but I didn't want to burden him. However, lying there bleeding to death was a humbling experience. I swallowed my pride and accepted the fact that I needed help. Link was the only one I could go to. With my last bit of strength I made my way to Hyrule."

"But how," Zelda interjected. "You said the journey takes months."

"It takes months by horse. I did not travel by horse," he replied mysteriously. She smiled at him. He was teasing her.

"How did you travel then?"

"Ask me again some time, and I will show you," he replied, then quickly went on. "As you know, I never made it to Kokiri forest. The next thing I remember is seeing your face, then everything went black. I remember pain…" he said. "I know I was in pain, but nothing else."

"Althea told me what you did to get me here," he said gratefully. "That was quite a noble effort on your part. I thank you again."

"There's no need."

"I do not take my life so lightly. You have my eternal gratitude."

She blushed under such praise.

"You must be quite the rider," he mused.

"I do love riding," she smiled.

"You must show me your horses when I recover. I should be out of bed soon."

"I hope so," she replied. She truly meant it, more than she had anticipated.

He gazed at her and opened his mouth to speak, but Althea appeared, shooing Zelda from the room.

"Three days he's been awake, Little One. He needs some more time to rest and recover!"

"Come now, Althea!" Marth exclaimed with a broad smile. "I'm as fit as I ever was! I'll be out of this bed tomorrow."

"Over my dead body you will!" she threatened. "You've got a ways to go, my friend."

Zelda left them arguing and made her way to the library. She had work that needed to be done.

As she walked down the cavernous hall she caught a glimpse of her reflection in a large, gold rimmed mirror. The pearl necklace around her neck shimmered through the glass. Link had given it too her. An empty gift…. How many other girls in how many lands had he given similar gifts to?

She didn't want to believe it. Marth must be mistaken….

Then again, she could think of four girls in Hyrule alone whose hearts Link had stolen.

Saria… Link's best friend from childhood. Saria loved him so deeply. Zelda could see it in her eyes. But Link had left Kokiri forest and left Saria as well.

Ruto… Link had saved her from the wrath of Ganon and Jabu Jabu. Then he had left.

Malon… Link had saved her father, her ranch and her livelihood, not to mention the horses she loved so dearly. Though Malon didn't remember those times, she and Link had become very close again as Link spent much of his time in Hyrule at their ranch helping them out. But, in the end, he always left.

Herself… Link had come to her rescue: her personal knight in shining armor. He had saved her too, but he always left.

Even Nabooru, tough as nails Nabooru, had a soft spot for Link!

Reality struck her like lightning. She felt like a fool: an absolute fool.

Marth's story about Elice and Link could just as well have been about Ruto and Link, Malon and Link, Zelda and Link…. How many others were there with similar stories?

"Kenzie, Dari… and who in Hyrule is Meredith!?" she though venomously. She felt as though a great beast were coming to life inside of her. It screamed and cried like a wounded animal: carnal and uncontrollable. It cursed Link for all he had done, unforgiving and unrelenting.

No, she shook her head. Link was not that way. Link was kind and helpful and he cared for people, that was not a crime.

She had thought Link cared for her… but she was just another name on the list of damsels he had saved. She was just another silly girl, foolish enough to fall for her rescuer. She was just part of another adventure to add to his tally: nothing more.

Her hand ran over the chain of the necklace. The beast within her bristled and growled.

No matter where she went or what she did she couldn't escape her past, and she couldn't escape him.

She took the necklace off. It didn't mean anything anymore: just another painful memory.

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