"A Setback in Recovery"
Part 9
Link's progress had been steady, but it was short-lived. Later that day, he suddenly clutched his head and let out a pained cry. Zelda, who had been sitting beside him, immediately jumped up to help. But before she could even reach him, Link's body began to convulse, his eyes rolling back in his head. His hair stood on end, and his limbs stiffened, causing him to arch his back. The healer rushed over, concern etched on her face. "Link, can you hear me?" she called out, but he didn't respond. The seizure lasted for several minutes, and when it finally subsided, Link was left feeling disoriented and weak. As he tried to sit up, the healer caught him, holding him steady. "Easy, Link," she said. "You're not well enough to get up yet." Link looked around, his eyes unfocused, and Zelda could see that he was struggling to see her clearly. "I...I see two of you," he stammered, his voice shaking. The healer nodded sympathetically. "That's okay, Link. You're experiencing double vision. It's a side effect of the medication." She helped him lie back down, and Zelda could see that Link was struggling to stay upright. The healer decided to take extra precautions to ensure Link's safety. Firstly, she ordered that Link be moved to a room with a padded floor, to prevent him from injuring himself if he had another seizure. Zelda wasn't thrilled about this, as it meant that Link would be farther away from her and the rest of the castle. Secondly, the healer decided that Link should be restrained to his bed, using soft but sturdy straps to prevent him from thrashing about or getting out of bed on his own. Zelda was hesitant about this, as she worried that it would make Link feel trapped and uncomfortable. Lastly, the healer ordered that Link be administered a sedative, to help calm his nerves and prevent further seizures. Zelda was opposed to this, as she knew that sedatives could have unpleasant side effects and make Link feel groggy and disoriented. As the healer began to carry out her orders, Zelda couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that the healer was only trying to help, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were taking away Link's freedom and autonomy. She watched as the healer carefully secured Link to his bed, and then turned to her with a concerned expression. "I'm sorry, Princess," she said. "But I must insist that we follow these precautions. Link's safety is my top priority."