2 Wish

In which Sheik and Link see a shooting star and make wishes.

Link regretted it when Sheik pulled away. All the warmth in the world left with her. But she looked back at him with sparkling eyes.

"Let's watch the stars!" she said and proceeded to lie on the ground.

When Link hesitated, she patted the ground next to her. He took a deep breath to settle his nerves, then lay next to her. Tentatively, he touched her hand. Like last time, his fingers tingled. He laced his fingers with hers, and a bit of warmth returned.

With her other hand, Sheik pointed at the stars. "Aren't they beautiful?"

Not as beautiful as you, Link wanted to say. But that would be too awkward.

Sheik went on. "Do you know constellations?" She didn't wait for him to answer, which was good because he couldn't even if he tried. "They're groupings of stars that form a picture. My favorite is the Sea Lily Bell. It's an instrument used to awaken the Wind Fish. Do you know that story? I love playing the ballad that accompanies it."

Link let her go on about the stars. He loved listening to her, even if he didn't know all of the references she made. She had such passion in her voice.

"Oh! A shooting star!" Sheik said suddenly. Link saw it too. "Make a wish!"

I wish to love you always and forever.

Link looked over at Sheik. She had her eyes closed. When she opened them, she looked at him somberly.

"Want to know what I wished?" she said quietly. "I wished for peace to return to Hyrule."

Link blushed. Oh yeah. They were in the middle of a war. He sat up, frowning. How could he waste time like this when he needed to stop King Ganondorf?

"What's wrong?" Sheik asked, sitting up. She rubbed his shoulder. "Is it the Gerudo King?" Link hesitated, then nodded. "Don't worry," she said. It was her turn to blush. "I… I think we already have the solution."

When she didn't go on, Link looked at her questioningly. She bit her lip in thought and wouldn't meet his gaze. Her hands were in her lap, and he rested his hand on hers. She looked at him then.

"This may be hard to believe," Sheik said, "but I think…" She took a deep breath and let it out. "I think you're the Chosen Hero."

Link's mouth fell open and went dry. What was she saying? His brain was fuzzy. He looked away from her.

"You've already proven your courage," Sheik said quickly. "Now, all you need is the Master Sword. With that, I'm sure you will defeat King Ganondorf. Please, will you at least try?"

Link thought it over. He had already vowed to fight the king, so why not do it for Sheik? He nodded, even though a sour taste entered his mouth. He still didn't look at her, but he squeezed her hand. The pressure helped him feel better.

"Oh, thank you," Sheik sighed. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "You might be our only hope. I can fight, but I'm not nearly strong enough to take on King Ganondorf. You've seen him. Do you think you can… you know…?"

Link swallowed. He didn't think he could. But… he would have to. To protect Hyrule and to protect Sheik. Before he could answer, his dad approached. Link stood quickly.

"You two should get some rest," Dad said. "We've got a long day ahead of us."

"Why?" Sheik asked, getting up. "What's the plan?"

"We're going to the castle," Dad answered. "We need to see what we're up against."

"Excellent," Sheik said. "Then Link can get the Master Sword."

Dad looked startled and a little scared. "What are you talking about?"

Sheik's hands flew to her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry. I…"

Dad held out a comforting hand. "It's okay. Just, please explain. Why would my son need the Master Sword?"

"I think… I think he's the Chosen Hero," Sheik said, blushing.

Dad's brow furrowed. "My son? The Chosen Hero? What makes you say that? Not that he's not capable, it's just… unexpected."

"It's… hard to explain," Sheik said. "I… have a feeling."

Dad looked at Link. Was that pride in his eyes? "Then we have our work cut out for us. Still, even heroes need rest. Come to camp and sleep."

𝆘∴𝆗

Sheik lay awake on her side, thinking. She hoped her parents were okay, but feared they weren't. Maybe they would find them when they reached the castle. If they weren't… killed. Tears spilled from her eyes at the thought. She sobbed quietly. She couldn't wake the others. Happy thoughts. Think of something happy…

A person lay next to her and wrapped his arms around her. Without looking, she could tell it was Link. He filled her with such comfort that she stopped crying. Well, almost. She laced her fingers in his.

"Thank you," Sheik whispered. "I was just thinking of my parents. They were in the castle when King Ganondorf came. They were supposed to meet Impa and me, but they never made it. I'm worried about them."

Link squeezed her tighter.

"Thank you," Sheik said again. "You're wonderful. I'll get through this. Even if they've–" She bit back a sob. "I wish this had never happened! Oh, what am I saying? What's done is done. We can only go forward… Though that isn't much of a comfort…" She snuggled closer to Link and said dreamily, "You're much more of a comfort."

Sheik fell asleep in Link's arms.