He was wakened by a pleasant source of warmth at his right. First he wasn’t sure whether he was still dreaming or if his subconsciousness turned reality into a dream, from which he woke slowly. A tender kiss on his right cheek made him smile. A hand brushed carefully through his hair. Slowly he he opened his eyes and turned his head to the right, to see nothing more beautiful than Kafei’s happy face. It was already getting light. Kafei fondled his left cheek and kissed him gently and silently. Link broke the kiss to turn his head to Zelda. Was she really asleep?
“Don’t worry.”, whispered Kafei in his ear. “She’s sleeping. Like a baby.”, Kafei’s voice gave Link creeps.
“What time is it?”, he quietly turned to him.
“Shortly after five. So much for your internal clock, right?”
“I would have woken up.”
“Sure. I’ve seen it.”, giggled Kafei.
“But this was much more wonderful.”
“Come.”, he kissed him again. “Get yourself dressed.”
As hushed as possible he slipped out of bed and got from his cap what he needed. Today he felt like purple. A lot actually. And he could give no account, what to blame for it. Also Kafei confirmed giggling, that he had no clue why Link felt like purple. When he was done, he put his cap back into his locket, just for Kafei’s sake. Link unlocked the room door, but Zelda moved.
“Kiss her.”, Kafei whispered in his ear, but Link turned into space as Kafei was invisible again. “She wakes up. Kiss her.”
“Link?”, she mumbled.
“Yes?”, he turned to her.
“What are you doing? Where do you head to?”, she had her eyes open, if only a bit.
“Now.”, Kafei now hissed in his ear.
It had almost been an order. Link composed himself, went to her, bent down and gave her a tolerably gentle kiss on the lips.
“Sleep on. I need to take care of something.”
“Take care?”, she reached for his hand. “What time is it anyway?”
“I need to be in the Mountain Village at sunrise.”
“Why?”
“I can’t tell you. Now sleep on. Today’s going to be a long day.”, he raised and already passed halfway through the room, when she addressed him again.
“Link?”
“Yes?”
“You are sweet.”, slightly confused he turned around to her another time – but of course one would say this to someone like he was for her. “But the next time you use my brush, please put it back.”, that she smiled, was a real relief to him.
“Oh – I’m sorry.”
“Never mind.”, she giggled and her eyes fell shut. “You can lock if you want. I do not need a key.”, he had noticed that.
Until they had left the town, Kafei did neither make himself visible, nor say a word. Outside the gate Link turned to Kafei and examined him. Today he wore a wide-brimmed linen shirt and trousers, both in a soft shade of green. His clothing was artfully embroidered with white thread on the hems and around the waistline he wore very broad, tight brown leather belt with silver buckles, below which the seam of his shirt hung out about a hand broad. Underneath his trousers brown boots could be seen.
“What?”, giggled Kafei. “What you can, I can do better.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised, if Anidja would slay us in the course of the day.”
“But only if that thing isn’t gone until then.”, he pointed on the middle of Link’s body.
“You never had a morning glory?”
“Sure.”, chuckled Kafei. “You can call yourself lucky that Zelda hasn’t noticed. Fancy a little remedy?”
“Not here.”
“Are you afraid that a watchman could hear you?”
“Something like that.”, smirked Link.
“Well then. Fine. The snow’s gone and sleeping Dodongos only wake up when they want it.”
“The rift is far away enough in your opinion?”
“Hey – I wouldn’t be surprised if some pirates watched us from their battlement.”
“Go on like this and your service is no longer needed.”
“Even if. You wouldn’t mind nevertheless, would you?”
“No.”
Kafei grabbed Link’s hand and pulled him down the ramp. Right next to it he leant him to the wall, opened his purple trousers’ waistband and freed him a bit from his tight underclothing. Also he reached under the seam of his shirt and put down his own two pants.
“What are you doing?”, asked Link.
“You thought, I’d make you happy without benefiting from it?”
“As long as you don’t excoriate my butt on the wall – ”, laughed Link and devoted himself completely to him.
~o~0~O~0~o~
“We got to be arrested.”, aspirated Kafei and gazed dreamingly into Link’s eyes.
“I wouldn’t mind,”, chuckled the other, “As long as they lock us up together. Where do you buy?”
“What?”, faltered Kafei at the abrupt change of topic but redressed them both anyhow.
“Sorry. I don’t know where that just came from. Where do you all buy food and such stuff?”
“Help. What are you that you can think about gorging after something like this?”
“Both are of vital importance.”
“If you assume men to be able to get pregnant, yes. But you’re right. I couldn’t imagine life without anymore either. And to your question, once a week there’s market day. Maybe you did notice the thatched roofs in the Southtown?”
“Oh!“, laughed Link. „That’s what they’re for?”
“Pardon? Sorry. But yes, that’s what they’re for. They are fixed stands for grocers. The others spread all over the town with their own stands. Question answered? The sun’s rising soon.”
He pointed on sky above Ikana that was getting lighter. Link nodded and they set forth to the Mountain Village. When they came past the death-bend of the fireworks, Kafei stopped for a moment to take a look at the remains of the disaster. However, he just shook his head and said nothing on it. The first birds were singing their morning-greets, which echoed eerie between the rocks, what also applied to the distant bell from town.
Link knocked at the door of the smithy – no answer. He knocked once more and got the same result. Also pushing down the doorknob was ineffective. He hoped that the word sunrise as time still meant six o’clock to the blacksmith, as it would for sure take an hour until the sunlight would even approximately fall into the Mountain Village.
At least the Mountain Village was now to be seen as such. During his first stay in Termina he had always wondered how a single house could already form a village. But the blacksmith had told him that there had been more houses a long time ago, what now was again. Only an elderly woman was up already and went to get some water. The majority of the others were in town anyway. The bell rang again and it clicked at the door in front of them. Immediately Link pressed down the knob and as answer to his act, he got an appalled scream.
“Fire, coal and steel!”, cursed the blacksmith. “Who by all Forces of the Mountain – oh! Do come in! It is finished!”, his anger suddenly volatilised to a broad grin. “Ah – and also the Mayor! Come on in to the warm parlour. The tea is on the oven. I heard, the Gorons had an accident?”
“Tz. If you hadn’t heard that, you’d be deaf.”, laughed Kafei flatly. “Seen the place already?”
“Yes. What could be seen of the fireworks was a real feast for the eyes. I hope the actual feast didn’t get blown up by this?”
“No. I gathered all able people. The fireworks will be installed punctually this afternoon.”
“Good, good. I will come too. Apropos – I have a little masterpiece on my counter.”
He pointed on a in drapery covered, longish something that laid on the counter. Like paralysed Link paced towards it. The smith unfolded the rag and both men’s breath caught. The two steels wound around each other in an artful double helix, like Link remembered it. The one steel shimmered slightly blueish, the other greenish. Including the robust hilt it had exactly the length of the sword which Biggoron had once forged anew for Link. The blades were sharpened outwards in perfect rounding off. The smith demonstrated the sharpness by pulling a piece of thick, tightened leather with both hands along it. Though of the light pressure, it was clean-cut in two.
“Only the smith of Ikana would have done it better.”, he grinned.
Carefully Link took the sword in his hand and faltered. It was so light that he could actually wield it with one hand. He stepped back to the emptiest space for not getting anybody or anything in danger and tested its sensibility on the centrifugal force. It swung easy but strong and let itself be brought under control without problems. It also laid wonderful in the hand.
“Admit it now, will you?.”, aspirated Kafei and asked Link for the sword to test it himself. “Hirion was your Master.”
“Who?”, startled Link.
“Not you.”, giggled Kafei. “Well? Tell me. I know his blades. My own daggers and swords are made by him. His technique is inimitable, except for those who have learned from him for years. Also this is no metal of the northern Mountains.”, the smith just grinned on and Kafei laid back the sword, nodding. “I never wanted to be so rude to suck it out of you. But thanks for confessing it voluntarily.”
“Don’t mention it. Now to the little things in life. It is not that I just meddle with knifeies.”
He opened a small jewel case which stood next to the drapery. In it laid the golden shimmering metal parts for the armour and also the necklace with the three round, blue gemstones. At first they looked like iridescent glass that was sparkling in the firelight, but Link recognised the in black metal set material. The cabochons were cut from a Moon’s Tear, flawless and smooth. Then he got out another flat box and carefully gave it to Kafei. The latter opened it cautiously and clapped it shut again, for gazing at the smith with glassy getting eyes. He reopened it and his eyes started to sparkle like the Moon’s-Tear-pieces.
“If you are already moved to tears, what kind of face will she pull then?”, laughed the blacksmith and Kafei closed the box again.
“I assume, she might be a bit shocked.”, said Kafei subdued.
“Yes. If she gets to hear the price you paid for it.”
“That probably as well.”, he mumbled not hearable for the smith, but went on a bit louder. “The money was certainly worth it.”
“I am pleased to hear this. Well, as we already arrived at the unpleasant part.”
“The unpleasant part will come this evening when I have to confess to Zelda that this is all just a fabulously put on fake.”, laughed Link impish.
“Well – what a man doesn’t do for the women.”, sighed Kafei.
“My words.”, Link rummaged for the remaining Rupees. “And yet I can’t give her anything. Nothing. Here she doesn’t get the original, the more original original my heart doesn’t begrudge her – ”
“That’s what I call a wonderful wording.”, smiled Kafei, Link carefully packed his things plus Kafei’s second mystery, they said goodbye and left the smithy.
“Thanks. This doesn’t make the confession easier.”, moaned Link in front of the again closed door. “What shall I tell her? `Hey, Zelda. I’m sorry, the mask doesn’t work here. But this is quite how I’d look like. Oh by the way – sorry, that I left you in another mistaken belief. I’m gay and I love Kafei.´”
“You could say it exactly like this.”, smiled Kafei and stepped closer to him. “But you should make the second confession when you’re alone. Just in case. Forgive me, but there’s no need for everyone to know yet that I do love a woman and a man at the same time.”, he took Link in his arms. “Erm – tell me, were you serious?”
“I was never more serious about any other thing before.”, whispered Link and ended his kiss only several minutes later when they lost balance a bit and stumbled down the stairs, where Kafei came to lie on Link.
“My goodness.”, he laughed. “Did you hurt yourself?”
“Not that I know. You?”
“No.”, giggled Kafei and licked Link over the cheek like a dog.
“What the – ”, laughed the latter, but Kafei already slobbered all over his other cheek. “Kafei!”, hissed Link grinning. “Stop it! This – will you – I – ”, further he didn’t get because the blacksmith opened the door.
“You’re still here? What are you doing on the ground? Are you alright?”
“Yes. Just a little accident.”, chuckled Kafei and rolled off Link. “We enjoyed the fresh air a bit and just wanted to leave. But I stumbled and Link tried to catch me. Unfortunately it didn’t go as expected.”, Link was once again surprised, this time about how fast and convincing Kafei could spread a lie.
“Well then.”, sighed the smith and left them alone again.
“You scoundrel.”, spat Link quietly and poked him in the upper arm.
“What would you have done?”
“You heard what I did, didn’t you ?”
“Yes. Silent and clearly.”, laughed Kafei, pushed himself up and offered Link, another time, his hand.
“Damn. Can’t you fall over once? I want to return it.”, as soon as he said it and stood, Kafei let himself fall over and grinned at him. “Idiot.”, grumbled Link but pulled him up nevertheless.
~o~0~O~0~o~
The town was bustling with activity. They had to pass through it once more, for making the small delivery to the tailors. For this reason they had taken the western entrance and afterwards taken the shortcut in full run, for having at least a slim chance to not bump into the Deku-Queen. Link had never seen Easttown so busy. Some already wore their costumes and masks. They entered the Inn, Kafei ahead. Link was hardly in the reception, he could put his hands out just in time not to crash against the wall. Instead, the rest of his upper body was suffering from enormous pressure.
“El – lo – Oma – ni.”, he retched through the mass of foxy red hair in front of his face.
“Oh! I’m sorry!”, she let him go with a hopper backwards.
“What would you have done if it hadn’t been me?”
“This other one would probably be dead now.”, said Kafei and avoided all looks.
“I’m so sorry, Grasshopper.”, that’s all he needed. “Oh! Is this your hair?”, she reached out with her hand.
“Don’t – touch.”, Link took a quick step aside with raised hands. “They’re just glued on.”
“What?”, came it not only from her but from the other female subjects as well.
“He doesn’t like it, alright?”, giggled Kafei.
“Oh – hello.”, startled Romani.
Finally Link could get an overview of the situation. Romani had overtaken her sister in height almost imperceptible. This one stood next to the counter with Anju. Anidja was on her usual post and had put on an expression she normally just presented Kafei with. This time however it was meant for someone else. Link followed her viewing direction and caught sight of a young man who quietly talked to Zelda. He had laid his long, straight, silky, shiny black hair to the right and wore an Ikana-dressing, a bit different from Kafei’s workaday-dressing. When he looked up, he revealed blue eyes. Link recognised him. If he wasn’t wrong about it, he had to admit that Cremia had made a good choice. Just in this moment, his assumption was confirmed. Cremia went towards Kafei and greeted him with a short hug, what she did with Link too.
“You’ve become tall.”, she smiled – had people really nothing better to do than always saying this sentence? “Oh yes – may I introduce? My husband Nérimlath.”, he stepped towards Link who reached out his arm for greeting, but he made a gentle bow with one hand on his chest and lowered head.
“I once more would like to apologise to Thou for yesterday.”
“Yesterday?”, aspirated Cremia.
“Erm – that – you don’t need to.”, Link was quite embarrassed about the gesture. “I would have went back if – ”, his name echoed warning in his head, “Leunija hadn’t made such a riot.”, he saw Zelda rolling her eyes with relief. “If you don’t mind – ”, he pushed his hand towards him a bit more demanding, “I’m just Link, who hasn’t chosen his task.”, a bit hesitating, Nérimlath shook it nevertheless.
“Rim.”, he smiled shyly, not holding any of his yesterday’s coldness.
Now that he stood closer, Link noticed a long thin scar that slightly disfigured his right cheek. Apparently he therefore had his hair parted to the side. Possibly the reason for his hairstyle was even another, but Link blamed it on the scar, as he himself might have done it so in the case.
“Yesterday?”, laughed Kafei and crossed his arms. “You had shift yesterday or what?”, instead of an answer, he just received a slightly displeased look. “Oh.”, aspirated Kafei and let his arms droop. “Oops.”
“Shift?“, startled Cremia. “Which shift? I thought you were visiting your parents?”
“My parents are dead. And they assigned me spontaneously because Toru got ill.”, the last sentence he addressed to Kafei. “Don’t act like this. I’ve given myself away already anyway.”
“Rim – what – what does this mean? Your parents are dead? You’ve met yesterday already? Who is Toru? Which shift? Who has assigned you? Rim – ”, he closed his eyes and shook his head slightly.
“It appears that this is within blood, isnt’t it?”, Link looked askance to Kafei. “Only that you could conceal it though your eyes won’t let themselves be redyed.”
“What?”, Cremia could only whisper and Nérimlath opened his eyes again.
“I’m sorry.”, Cremia took a small, scared step back when she saw his red eyes.
“I knew it.”, spat Anidja to herself. “Everywhere, this pack.”, Link saw that Zelda had heard her words, but ignored them reluctantly, as Anidja just knew about her peerage, yet not about her blood.
“I should have told you.”
“This – ”, Cremia ran her fingers through her hair stunned. “Whow. You – ”
“What is it?”, asked Romani who hadn’t seen his eye colour yet.
“Promise that you won’t tell anyone. It stays here among us. That was the reason why I wasn’t allowed to tell you. I am a Suro.”
“A what?”
“An Elemental Warrior of the Sheikah.”, Link explained to her.
“Sheikah?”, gasped Romani and went around him to see his eye colour for herself.
“Their identity as such must be kept secret, if they want to have a life outside the folk. If one, like me, is half Hylian, they have one less problem in this regard. Though, the path until mastering the elements and martial arts, is a bit more difficult.”
“Mostly because of the arrogance of the Masters.”, sighed Kafei.
“You say it.”, conciliated Rim. “But of all things, you need them to use the abilities right and conscientious.”
“If one buys into their arrogance.”
“Oh shut up, Kafei. You know why they hadn’t taken you.”
“Because I’m even more arrogant than them?”, joked Kafei.
“Exactly. Because you are a hardhead and you have broken the rules. The Elements are sacred. You abuse them for everyday stuff. Therefore you will never really master them.”
“For me, this looked different.”, Link barged in but was ignored.
“That’s what you think.”, Kafei’s look curdled one’s blood.
“Yes?”, also Rim’s look went adamant, what made Romani and Cremia break adrift. “Your busker-tricks don’t make you a powerful Mage at all.”
“Mind what you are saying.”, now Link knew that he hadn’t been wrong in terms of the glowing of Kafei’s eyes during their little thing at the coast. “You were just too craven for trying on your own, what you are able to. You could do a lot more if you hadn’t let yourself be softened up.”
“Take that back, or – ”
“Or what?”, laughed Kafei.
Nérimlath raised his arm and sent a gush of water towards Kafei, which the latter divided with an insignificant wave of his hand, let rush in different directions and rain exactly into the pots of the houseplants.
“The Inn says thanks, as the plants were thirsty. And only who had fallen far, learns to pull up and fend for oneself. It’s time you start falling and stop being their lap dog.”
He stretched out his flat hand to the other man, whereupon that one was thrown against the wall behind him with a blast. Rim picked himself up and hurled a small fire storm at Kafei, who sucked the flames through his hands and let them vanish.
“Stop, stop, stop!”, screamed Zelda and ran between, before Rim could attack Kafei anew, as she knew that Kafei was still a bit more above it. “You act like little children! Such actions are exactly the reason why Anidja hates us. Furthermore we are in an Inn and not on a battlefield. Also it is half past seven in the morning, on the day of the Carnival’s beginning. There are people who want to sleep, as they are going to have an all-night party. If you are talking about respect already, Nérimlath, then have it at least. Kafei is right. You are the best example for our downfall. You let yourself be domineered over like all kings during the course of our history. Igos was the only one aware of what the Suro-Masters do.
Kafei merely sighed his approval. In the corner of his eye Link saw Anju curl her lips. Anidja’s snoot he wasn’t really interested in.
“Though it was too late, because their then fairhaired boy Urol had almost sealed our fate. The eagerness for power and foolery of the Masters had almost brought our folk to the edge of extinct, not the wars. It were our own people. Open your eyes. True Suro do not need Masters. Kafei had no Master and can control the Elements in his sleep. Also I was not taught by a Master, only by Guard. Yes, I am the Leader of the Sages, but I was still a child when I got to know on my flight, where I have my telepathical abilities from. She had taken over the role of my murdered mother and taught me teaching myself. She had not shown me how to control the Elements, but just told me what is essential. Namely, will, confidence, composure, rationality, understanding and harmony. You lack at least three of them. And one thing I ask myself as well. Why do you men always have to strangle each other, if it is so much easier to talk?”
“This debate, Zelda, I have given up a long time ago already.”, sighed Link.
“Zelda?”, it came from Romani and Cremia, who had meanwhile hidden away scared behind Anju.
“There he’s got a right word.”, meant Kafei. “This is another reason why we got less and less. But there’s no avail. Stubborn warhorses won’t let themselves be tamed. Urol hadn’t changed in death either. He still stayed the same vulture, until he went down with Majora.”
The princess just lowered her look, slightly shaking her head and shortly closed her eyes. Link went towards her, lifted her chin and looked her directly in the eyes, like only Impa had done before him.
“I can understand, how you feel. Yes, this might have been just the beginning. I see the signs, though I can’t recognise or construe them like you. But I see them. If this is really just the beginning, we have to do what Impa taught you. You, most of all. The world needs you. The universe needs you. And whatever the forces of Evil demand of you, I will help you getting through it.”
He carefully took her in his arms and laid his right cheek onto her head, whereas his dejected gaze fell onto Kafei, who intimated him with barely noticeable mimic, to have done the right thing. Nérimlath went around the two and stepped with his face the floor in front of Kafei. Then he fell on his knees. Only the two men understood the meaning of it, as Zelda was currently too busy with sobbing into Link’s shoulder. Kafei curled his lips and squeezed his eyes.
“For how sick do you actually take me, Rim?”, the addressed didn’t look up, but crouched down. “Stand up, you fool.“
“Please. I deserve it.”, Zelda looked up and didn’t believe her eyes.
“Kafei – no – ”, she aspirated.
“You’re wasting your breath, Zelda. I won’t do it anyway. Right, have you heard, Rim? I won’t do it. You can beg as much as you want. I stick to the traditions, customs and also to many guidelines, but I’m not a monster. Get up and go for breakfast, so you’ll get on different thoughts.”, he didn’t move. “Come on. I know that you haven’t meant it like this and I forgive you. In this house I already had to endure far more sardonic accusations and I haven’t even laid a single finger on Anidja for that.”, finally Rim looked up to him, eyes filled with tears.
~o~0~O~0~o~
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