Chapter Text
Man..you were having such a nice day, you weren't worried at all. Staring at the entrance of Castle Town however made you feel like you were going to throw up. You had been so distracted that you weren’t even able to come up with a plan to get Link to the temple of Time! Damn it! Tying off the horses underneath a tree for some shade, the two of you were forced to go on foot. Last time you had the misfortune of being here, you don’t remember leaving. You had the scar on your shoulder to show why.
Somehow you were going to have to avoid the Redeads too. How? Fuck if you know. “Are you okay? Link asked, studying you with a worried expression.
You waved your arms frantically, trying not to tip him off. “I’m fine, honestly just nervous! Who wouldn’t be though, considering what we’re about to do!” That seemed to work as the blond squeezed your hand. Castle Town was just the same as the last time you had visited, dark magic weighed heavy in the air, as storm clouds billowed overhead.
Shit..what are you going to do? You had no plan, no alibi, no nothing. The air in Castle Town was thick with rot, every step echoing against hollow stone. Moving through the streets quietly, you were approaching the central hub. Your heart was racing, and you could feel the sweat making your hands clammy.
This was it.
Sink or swim.
Slipping your hand out of Link’s he turned to you, confused. Whispering a quick sorry you took off. Running as hard as your body could go you made a beeline for the Temple of Time. Behind you, Link’s confused shouts turned into loud whispers. Hopefully he’d follow you.
In front of you, you could see Redeads beginning to stir, so you avoided them. Your heart hammered as the first Redead’s jaw creaked open, that guttural moan clawing at your spine. You forced yourself to keep moving, legs pumping before the paralysis could take hold. They were slow creatures, so as long as you ran fast enough they shouldn’t catch you. Shifting your weight, you weaved between them, avoiding the confrontation entirely. You didn’t dare look back, because you knew if you did, you would stop.
Even Navi was shouting for you, making your heart squeeze with guilt. Making a few turns you finally saw it, the Temple of Time. If Sheik wasn’t here, and worse, if the princess wasn't here with him, you were going to kill that ninja bastard. Barging through the doors, Sheik was already there waiting. “(Y/N)? Is Link with you?”
Fighting through gasps and coughs you nodded, forcing yourself to form words. “He’s behind me.” Sheik looked confused, his brows knitting tight.
“How did you manage it?” He asked, his hand resting on his hip.
Looking up at him, you finally righted yourself. “I ran.”
“You ran? That’s what you had in mind?” He asked, shouting at you. “Did you even have a plan to begin with?!”
Shrugging your shoulders, you shook your head. “Nope.” As if sent by the goddesses themselves, Link barged in with a loud bang. Catching his breath his eyes scanned over you, and then the Sheikah that was still very much a traitor. Link moved almost too quickly, putting himself between you and Sheik.
“So you must be the one who Rauru mentioned would be here.” The Sheikah confirmed with a simple nod, moving closer to the two of you.
Before you could come clean about your own role in this, Sheik cleared his throat. “I coerced her to lure you here before I knew what the old sage had planned, the blame for (Y/N) running from you lies with me. Although I did not tell her to just run.” Looking at Link, he didn’t look as hurt as you expected.
“When she bolted, I figured there had to be more behind it.” Link’s hand found yours, steady and warm, but his eyes stayed locked on Sheik. The squeeze was reassurance for you that the mistrust was for him. “So is that why she was so depressed after she came back from Death Mountain?” The silence between all of you spoke volumes. He tore his eyes away from the sheikah for a moment to focus on you, eyes swimming with guilt. “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t even imagine what you’ve been feeling over the last few days.”
You could feel the apples of your cheeks heat up as you held his hand in yours. “It’s okay now.” Steadying yourself, you brushed some hair away from his face. “I’m just glad it wasn’t some plot to kill you.”
Link snickered, staying close to you. “He tried that once already with that stunt in the desert. It’ll take more than that to kill me.” He said, kissing the top of your head before turning his attention back to the problem at hand.
“Link, we are running out of time. I know you’re upset with me, rightfully so. Please just hear what I have to say one more time.” Sheik wasn’t defensive, his posture open. “You have overcome many hardships and awakened the six sages.” Pausing, the blond looked between both you and the hero.
“And now you both have a final challenge, a showdown with Ganondorf, the King of Evil.” For a moment your breath caught in your throat, he said both..Sheik had finally accepted you as a part of this endeavor. Coming out of your own thoughts, you partially listened as Sheik had begun giving Link more information. “The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart of the one who enters it.”
Immediately your stomach sank, remembering what now felt like ages ago, one of the last things Impa had said to you. Now you know Ganondorf's goal wasn’t just the keys to the sacred realm, it was the triforce. “If an evil heart enters, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise.”
Sheik looked much more tired than before. Honestly even though your last meeting with him went terribly, you felt bad for him. “The triforce is a balance that weighs the three forces: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. If the heart of the person who holds the Triforce has all three forces in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all.”
Link’s shoulders tightened.
You bit the inside of your cheek, a cold weight settling in your stomach. What kind of heart did Ganondorf carry into that place? The thought of him having the power to govern all made your stomach churn. “If their heart isn’t in balance, the triforce will separate into their respective three parts. Only one part will remain with the person who touched it, the part that represents the force that they most believe in. If they seek the true force, that one must acquire the two lost parts. The other parts will be held within others chosen by destiny.”
The ones chosen by destiny? Looking at Link, he seemed to be thinking the same thing. You could tell he was nervous just by the way his brows pinched together ever so slightly. “Seven years ago, Ganondorf used the door you opened in this temple to enter the Sacred Realm. When he laid his hand on the triforce, the legend came true. Only the triforce of power remained with the King of Evil. The strength of that piece alone enabled him to become mighty, but as you’ve seen, for him it’s not enough.”
Your breath caught in your throat. The blond almost looked as sick as you felt. He was the reason all of this was happening? Link inadvertently caused Ganondorf to gain power?! “To gain the ability to conquer other lands, he began looking for the other holders of the triforce. The one who holds the triforce of courage is you Link. The other who holds the triforce of wisdom is the seventh sage, the one meant to lead them.” Sheik lifted his hand, and the mark of the Triforce burned gold against his skin. Light flooded the temple, sharp and overwhelming, as if the goddesses themselves were peering down to watch.