A Glimpse of Kindness

Part 16

As they sat in the courtyard, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Hyrule Castle, Link's eyes seemed to gaze into the distance, his thoughts lost in the labyrinth of his memories. The warm sun cast a gentle glow on his face, and Zelda couldn't help but notice the softness in his expression. A few days had passed since they had escaped the dungeon, and Link seemed to be slowly opening up to her. "You know, Zelda," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "the Kokiri weren't all mean to me. They weren't all cruel." His eyes locked onto hers, and she saw a glimmer of nostalgia there. "When I was little, they did try to make me feel safe and loved. They would tell me stories and sing songs to me, trying to make me feel like I was part of their group." Zelda's expression softened, and she reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind Link's ear. "What were the stories like?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. Link's face lit up with a faint smile. "They would tell me about the forest, about the ancient magic that flowed through the trees and the creatures that lived there. They would tell me about the Great Deku Tree, and how he was the guardian of the forest. They made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself, something special." Zelda's eyes sparkled with interest. "And the songs?" she asked, her voice gentle. Link's eyes seemed to glaze over, and he began to hum a soft, melancholic tune. "They would sing me lullabies, Zelda. Songs about the forest and its creatures. They would sing about the Kokiri's connection to nature, and how we were all a part of it. Their voices were like a soothing balm to my soul, and I would feel safe and comforted when they sang to me." As Link spoke, Zelda couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. She realized that the Kokiri had been torn, that they had been conflicted about their treatment of Link. They had been ordered to raise him, to care for him, but they had also been instructed to keep him prisoner. It was a cruel fate, one that had left deep scars on Link's heart. "Why did they do it, Link?" Zelda asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did they try to make you feel loved and safe, but also keep you prisoner?" Link's eyes dropped, and he looked away, his voice cracking. "I think they didn't want to be mean to me, Zelda. I think they genuinely cared for me, but they were also afraid of the curse. They were afraid of what would happen if they let me go, if they treated me like one of their own. They were torn, and I think that's what made it so hard for me." Zelda's grip on his hand tightened, and she pulled him close. "I'm so sorry, Link," she whispered. "I'm so sorry that you had to go through that." As they sat there in silence, Zelda knew that she would do everything in her power to make sure that Link's next birthday was one of joy and celebration, not pain and sorrow. She would help him heal, help him find closure, and make sure that he knew he was loved and cherished, not just as a hero, but as a person.