LoH: Forever Waiting

It was still far too early, too early to be up or even think. The skies themselves wished that he still slept but today of all days it wasn’t possible. Streets covered in fog, the blades of grass covered in dew, and the sun just peaking above a few houses towards the graveyard. That’s all what was seen outside the window before he let out a single sigh. He wished he had more time but it had been stretching thin as it is.

Moving forward was hard, each step quite heavy as they went up the stairs. He passed the first door, trying to be as quiet as he could before slipping to the room beside. The door was pushed open even more slowly as he took in a deep breath as to not to wake the small one inside. Peering inside, he saw the toys placed nicely on the side whereas there were books scattered everywhere. Making sure not to leave an imprint, he danced between them as he made the way to the bed. Underneath the sheets lay the sleeping child.

“Wake up little one,” The words were whispered as he reached to pull the blankets off. A protest was made, the sheets attempted to pull back. “Wake up little one. We got a big day ahead of us.” A small smile was made by both of them as the girl opened her eyes. Her small hand rubs one of her eyes as she yawns and starts to sit up. Before she gets the chance, he scoops her out of bed.

“Papa, I’m not that little anymore.” She says, laying her head on her shoulder still half asleep. She is confused as she sees the morning sun just dawning outside her own window. She looks up to him before shoving a little to try and get down.  “Why are you getting me up? Is Grandma angry at you again?”

He lets out a chuckle, refusing to let her go as he dances around her books with her in tow. “Oh you will always be my little one Zahir. No matter how big you get. I’ll come to help you out no matter the distance, pick you up when you need it and think no one else can, and save you from all the bad guys. Especially those boys that your mother will be throwing at you!”  He starts to put her down but just so she doesn’t realize he’s letting her go.

She finally fights free of her father’s grip and lands somewhat gracefully on the floor thinking she did win. “Just like a real sheikah would escape!” She says excited, hands balled in fists as she pretends to hit him a few times in the knee. He feigns being attacked before she too skips around her books looking for a particular one. Once found, she picks it up and goes back to him.  She is finally awake. “So what are we doing? Where are we going papa? Do you need my help at one of the stores again? I thought quit your jobs.”

His hand goes behind his head before he laughs a bit. “You didn’t tell your mother that did you now? She’d be quite upset to hear that. As for your questions little one, I thought we could spend the day together since I have all this free time now. It has been quite a while.”

He heads towards the stairs as he hears her squeal in excitement. Much more noise is heard as she changes quickly and gets her shoes on. He shakes his head and grabs his pack. A week’s worth of preparation and he still can’t believe he’s going to do it. Tears start to form but he fights them back as the noise starts to get louder.

She stumbles down the stairs, book in hand as she sees him waiting at the door. Part of her wonders why he has his pack on but she assumes it is for one of his trips again. Like a true gentleman, the door is held open for her as she runs out. The two walk the streets of Kakariko as they wait for places to open up. They talk about different things, all of which lead back to the traditional sheikah. Others start to head out of their houses too and the streets become busy. She stays by his side as the other people coming on the street start to scare her. Other children mock her a bit and she only sticks out her tongue. He shakes a finger at her before entering the archery shop.

Taking off his pack, he reaches to grab his rupee bag. He takes out a red one and buys her a game even though the man behind the counter insists that she is too small. “I’ll help her.” He says, giving a hearty laugh and messing up her hair. She scowls at him and says she’s not little once again before grabbing the bow offered to her. A few more rupees are slipped to the man behind the counter. He is as quiet as he can be. “Please, just let her hit a few targets. It will make her day. I’ll make it worth your while.” The man behind the counter agrees though he shakes his head. The game is played and she hits just one short of actually winning much to her own surprise. The man behind the counter gives her a prize anyway for being such a good sport before the two leave.

The games continue for a while and so does the talking as they go from place to place. The girl is more and more gleeful as the sun reaches the middle of the sky. She hasn’t been this amused in quite a while and she is making sure her dad knows it. She is no longer staying away from the people or other children. He loves to see this yet hates it. Heart jumping and sinking all at once as he keeps his eyes and thoughts on her at all times.  “I’m glad you’re having such a good day Zahir.”

“Let’s go home, mother will be worried.” She says as she finally realizes the time. Her laughter is still heard as she starts to head towards the direction of their house. He runs forward and grabs her, scooping her up once again. She just laughs and laughs. “Papa, I can walk myself.”

“My little Zahir, I don’t think your mother is even awake yet. You slept through it all. She was up to no good again.” He tries to keep a happy face though he remembers last night’s argument. His wife wished he was dead and told him he was worthless once again. He threatened to take his daughter away from her influence once again but was threatened to have the guards called on him if it did happen. In the end he lost once again.

She loses her smile as she reaches to hug her father, the book she has creating a barrier in between the two. “Papa, I’m sorry. I don’t know why mother is so mad at you. You still love her right?”

“With all my heart. But sometimes that isn’t enough.” He whispers, tears forming as he moves towards a small house. He sits leaning next to it, holding her. “Sometimes love isn’t enough. Even with all the love in the world, if you become too stuck on one thing you will shove others away.” He lets her go and she still hangs on. “I love you with all my heart too, and you’re far too young to see all this that happens with your mother. Oh Zahir, if I could—“

He’s cut off as she pushes out of the hug, a big smile on her face. “Then you gotta be happy. That’s why you wanted to spend the day with me, right papa? So we can cheer you up?” She tries to get him up. “Let’s go play more games. Let’s go talk about the stuff you know. Like the magical stuff and the tools and all that other stuff. You’re really smart you know!” She continues to throw compliments left and right as he finally starts to wipe away the tears.

“Alright little one, my little Zahir. Let me help you out with something first.” He kneels next to her, pointing at her ponytail that is falling out from all the activity of the day. Being ever so gentle, he takes out the few bands she put in and brushes it as best he can with his fingers. He then separates it into pigtails and ties them up, giving her the extra.  She laughs a bit. “You’ll get better at it in time.”

“It’s too long. I don’t like it.” She says as she messes with the two. He is the only one that ever does that and she knows he does it out of spite to her mother. “Why can’t I have short hair like you?”

“You don’t want to look like a boy now do you?” A hearty laugh escapes as he stands up. She grabs his hands and the two continue to have fun the rest of the day. More games, more talking, and now there are some other kids included. He can’t help but watch her play with the other children and be proud that she isn’t being picked on for a change.

Tears start to form once again as he sees the sun starting to set. It wasn’t long enough. “Zahir, my little one come here.” She asks if she has to before he is a little stricter but gentle. She comes over, laughing but ready to listen. The two walk to the gates of the village. Some guards stand outside of it but the two stay inside.

“Are we leaving now? It’s really late!” She states as she tries to push her book at him. Carrying all day has become tiresome.

“No. I have to go though and get some stuff. Your mother knows to where to find you.” He says, his voice is shakier than she ever heard it before. “You remember how I said I’ll always be there? I will be. Don’t you forget it. I’ll be your knight in shining armor, your hero of time, your sheikah to come save the day.” His hand brushes her cheek as tears start forming in her eyes. “I’ll be back little one. Don’t you worry about it. It may be a while but I’ll be back. I promise.”

She nods. “You always come back. I wish you didn’t have business to attend to outside of the village though papa. I hate it when you leave!” She stomps her foot. This wasn’t the same as the last time he left. It was different. She couldn’t put her finger on it but it wasn’t the same. “Mother is going to be mean to me for a while now huh?”

He winces, knowing she’s right. It would be all her fault. Why couldn’t he take her too? “Zahir, you’re a strong little girl. You made it through quite a bit. You have your little brother looking after you and the goddesses too. You will be fine while I’m gone. You’re a strong sheikah. You’re my little Zahir who’s growing up faster than I want.” He grabs her and hugs her tightly, kissing her brow and her head. Back to the brow and the cheeks.

When he stands up, he pats her on the head. “Don’t ever stop learning, don’t ever stop being you. You are so strong. Now your mother will be here shortly.” He turns around quickly and starts off, hands on his straps of the backpack. Tears are streaming down his cheeks as he goes off through the gates. He wants to look back but refuses.

She doesn’t quite understand though she listens. “I’ll see you soon papa!” She yells, waving goodbye. It takes quite a while for him to disappear into the distance and he never looked back and waved like he normally did. And no one came right away either. The moon starts to come into view before she hears the voice of her mother calling for her. Her mother sounds frantic but scoops her up and kisses her brow before taking her back home. She asks her mother where father went and her mother says nothing. She hears her mother accusing him of theft and other such things. She has no idea what is going on and screams back at her mother. She is sent to her room with no supper and then waits to be awoken by her father the next day. He never comes. Day after day, he never comes to wake her up.