Note: Some Twilight Princess canon is abused/ignored entirely for this story.

Chapter One: Darkness Within

How is one to live a moral and compassionate existence when one is fully aware of the blood, the horror inherent in life, when one finds darkness not only in one's culture but within oneself?
-Barry Lopez

Twilight. Shadow. Darkness.

Evil.

That's what they call me these days, in low, almost voiceless whispers as I pass them by. The women hanging their wash, the sellers at the market, the drunken bastards in Telma's bar. Some nights I wonder if they even remember my name, who I am, what I did.

Or if all they see is a blue eyed wolf out to eat their children.

Four years ago, I saved the world. I saved all their pathetic little lives and this is the thanks I get, all for having a bit of the twilight stuck in me. It's not like I even attacked anyone as a wolf...well, not counting the apple seller but honestly, he smelled like darkness, how was I supposed to know he had just come from visiting Kakariko and had a run in with Shadow beings? But, minus the apple seller I didn't even sniff someone the wrong way.

"Oy, Shadow!" came the booming voice of the bar's owner and Link was jerked up, out of his bitter thoughts, blinking at the dark skinned woman before him. Telma laughed and slid a beer down to the former hero, leaning on the bar as she took a sip from he own glass. "Ignore them, Shadow. They're of no use."

Link looked at the knights of Hyrule from the corner of his eye before snorting. "Ignoring them is all I do, Telma." he said, ignoring the fact it had been their whispers that had first sent him spiraling into a moment of bitterness. He took a sip of the beer and leaned forward on the bar himself, holding his cloaked head up with a gloved hand, absently staring at the reflective glass Telma had placed above the more expensive liquors.

"So what stories do you have for me tonight, maiden fair?" Link asked with a small smile, turning his head so he could see both the glass and Telma, the hand holding his beer clutching and releasing the glass with every person that passed, the only sign of his nerves.

"Nothing new, another season, more fish mongers attempting to sell rotten bass, more weapon makers jacking up prices and another crop of young things coming to learn their trades."

"And here I thought you liked the apprentice season, Telma. What would you do without a fresh crop of strapping young men flooding the town every few seasons?" Link said, smiling, sipping his beer. "Speaking of," he turned slightly, hiding himself away deeper in his cloak as the door opened and a group of loud, laughing young boys flooded in, each chatting happily about their home lives and their apprenticeships that started the next morning.

Telma simply smiled at him before heading down the counter towards the group, getting their orders and demanding payment before she started serving them, teaching them the rules of the bar right quick when one balked at the demand.

Colin smiled at his companions, blushing as the future apprentice offered to pay for his drinks, long blond bangs falling into his eyes. "Thank you," he said softly, pushing back the hood of his cloak as he slid onto a bar stool, having to give a few hops to manage to get up. He gave Telma his order, his blush brightening as the woman ruffled his hair and asked after his father.

Talk grew around the young teen, his fellow apprentices being drawn into conversations with the knights and Telma. Colin drunk it all in as he sipped his light ale, watching everyone, spending a few minutes studying them each in turn. Colin loved watching people, learning what he could about them before they even spoke. He liked to make up stories about them, imagining great adventures they may have had before he saw them.

His eyes rested on a cloaked figure at the end of the bar and he tilted his head curiously, studying what he could from the figure so intent on hiding. Tall, seemingly a blond from the wisps of hair that kept sliding free of the hood when the person leaned forward, a fighter for sure.

Colin smiled, amused by the fact the figure hid everything about him that he could (and it had to be a he, no woman had that sort of build), yet the man had cut a hole in his cloak so his sword's handle could easily poke out and be within grabbing range.

Colin turned back to his ale, finishing the last few sips before sliding it across the bar closer to Telma's end. "Ms. Telma, could I get a class of milk?" he asked softly, blushing at the stares his request received.

"Milk, honey?" Telma asked, a smile peaking out as she took the dirty glass and got a fresh one.

"I don't really like drinking," he said, ducking his head, turning even redder at the yells from the knights and merchants around him.

Telma gave the men a glare, pouring a glass of milk and sliding it to Colin with a grin. "Anything for you, Sunshine. And ignore them, they wouldn't know a decent drink if it bit their ass."

Colin giggled, reaching for his pouch to pay for the drink, confused when Telma shook her head. "It's on the house, Sunshine. Wouldn't want your father to think we weren't treating you well here in the big city." She gave him a wink before moving back down the bar, re-filling glasses and giving those still snickering at the teen a good rap on the head.

Colin smiled as he watched her, before his attention was drawn back to the cloaked figure as the man reached for a fresh glass of beer. The milk he had taken a sip of was suddenly thick, almost chokingly so. He struggled to swallow, his eyes locked on the slender fingers now wrapped around the rim of the glass of amber liquid, eyes following the index finger that slowly stroked over the glass in an endless circle.

There were few things that passed Colin's notice, especially if it was something that had fascinated Colin for years. Malo's speech, Talo's fighting skills and various yells, Beth's freckles, there were certain things that Colin could pick out over anything and identify them with great accuracy.

Link's hands had always been a fascination for Colin. But not just his hands, the swordsman's arms, his wrists, the gauntlets Link wore over his wrists, even the edges of his tunic and undershirt were memorized by Colin.

The boy could tell you ever tear, every repaired cut, every bend and knick in the hard leather of the gloves and gauntlets, provided hadn't occurred since Colin had last seen Link.

And he knew that hand, from the small scar curling around the middle finger almost like a ring, to the bit of finger sliced off the top of Link's right pinky.

He hurriedly took another sip of milk, his mouth suddenly dry. He hadn't seen the young hero in two years, not since Link had gotten into a fight with the Mayor and stormed out of Ordon, the silent thunder of Epona's hoof beats a sign that it would be the last time they saw him.

And now Colin was here, and Link was here, and the goddess' were cruel, sadistic witches to orchestrate this chance meeting. Link would be gone before Colin could see him again, Colin could feel the truth of that in his stomach, curling and burning him.

He refused to allow that to happen. He wasn't going to let Link disappear again, only heard of in faint stories and twisted rumours.

"I'm going upstairs," Link said, his voice soft, meant only for Telma. He slid some rupees at her, before sliding from his stool, ignoring the looks he got as he headed up to the attic cum guest rooms Telma had installed in the bar after all the trouble was over.

Telma watched him go, sighing softly before tossing his glass into the sink. "Poor boy," she said softly, shaking her head.

"Ms. Telma, do you have any extra rooms?" Colin said softly, his eyes still on the stairs, even though Link was long out of sight.

"Shouldn't you be rooming with your Master tonight, Sunshine?"

Colin shook his head, returning his attention to the bar owner. "He's out of town until later this week." He gave her a winning smile, hoping it was enough to cover his lie.

"Alright then, I have a double, a single and I think another single. Take your pick."

"A single, please." he said, fishing around in his pouch for the appropriately coloured crystals, sliding it to her and accepting the key she held out. "Thanks!" He hopped from his stool, waving good-bye to his new friends before dashing outside, picking up his saddle bags he had left out with everyone else's. Running back in, he nearly tripped over a guard before dashing up the stairs, eager to wash up after a long day of riding and horsing around with the other boys.

"Red, Green, Blue..." Colin muttered, reading the names of the rooms as he tried to find his, worrying at his lip. "Gold!" He unlocked the door, slipping inside and tossing his bag across the room before making a bee line for the barrel of fresh spring water in the corner. He dipped a finger into the water, testing the temperature before shoving his face into it, letting out a happy groan as the warm water cascaded over his face.

Raising his head, he sighed happily, the warm water trickling down his neck and face as he struggled out of his over tunic, wiggling around as he tried to get the course wool off without unbuckling his belts. "Uh oh," he whispered, stuck in the cloth, his belt doing it's job and keeping the material down around his waist while his arms refused to come out of the arm holes.

He twisted around a few times, trying to get the shirt off, but only succeeded in tripping and falling over onto the bed, nearly rolling to the floor. "Help!" he cried out, voice muffled from the cloth, though hopeful someone could hear him. His arm was starting to become sore, twisted at an odd angle behind his head as it was. He started kicking his feet in an effort to right himself, face flaming red as he thought of how embarrassing the situation was.

He heard the door opening, a voice calling out before dying off as the person obviously got a good look at him flailing around on the bed. Booted footsteps moved closer, and Colin could see a shadow through the weave of his over tunic. There was a tutting sound, before Colin could feel fingers brushing over his stomach, grasping the silver belt buckle holding him hostage and undoing the leather, sliding the belt off the boy, causing him to roll across the bed and fall on the floor. Colin groaned and pulled the shirt off, blowing his blond bangs from his face as he rubbed his arm.

"Thanks," he whispered softly, his lisp kicking in in his nervousness. "Guess I shouldn't rush," he said and looked up to give his rescuer a smile that died as he stared at the haunted blue eyes looking down at him.

"Slow is always better for most things," Link said softly, his voice rough, just barely above the whisper he had used downstairs.

Colin tilted his head, wondering why Link was whispering. It really wasn't like the man the teen had known, Link had always been soft spoken, but even then there was a strength to the words that made them rich. Links' voice now was broken, raising and lowering without warning, but never higher then the soft whisper that used to tickle Colin's ear during late night sleep overs.

Colin was drawn out of his thoughts by the soft swishing of Link's cloak as the man moved past him, heading for the door. Colin scrambled to his feet, grabbing Link's arm, jerking his hand back when Link started, shaking Colin off, one hand going for the dagger Colin knew Link kept on his thigh.

"I..thank you," Colin said softly.

Link stared at Colin for a moment before nodding and leaving the room, shutting the door behind him. Colin sighed, staring at the closed door for a long moment before shaking his head and pulling off his under tunic and shirt, tossing them aside as he dunked his head back into the cooling water before washing up with the formerly white shirt.

--

"Huunnggrryy," Colin groaned, laying his head on the bar, giving Telma puppy dog eyes as he tried to un-stick his nightshirt from his still damp body.

Telma shook her head, grabbing two covered plates from the hot rack she had set them on, loading up a dray with the plates, two glasses, a bottle of beer and milk, and three shining apples brought over from the apple seller. "You just love me for my food," she teased.

Colin perked up as she set the tray in front of him, leaning over the bar to kiss her cheek. "And your beds!" He picked up the tray, stumbling a bit with the weight.

"Take the second plate to room Red, Sunshine," she said, and smiled fondly as the fourteen-year-old tried to make it up the stairs without spilling anything. "Shadow's in for a world of trouble with that one," she said, her smile turning into a smirk before she shook herself from her thoughts, returning to the more rowdy patrons.

"Red, Red, Red..." Colin sung under his breath, finding the door again and using his foot to knock. "Telma sent up dinner!" he called, returning to humming under his breath.

"Bring it in," came a soft voice and Colin shuffled the tray, trying to hold it and open the door at the same time. He managed to get the door open and entered the room, looking around for a table to set the tray on.

"It smells really good, I think she made stew." Colin said cheerily, setting out the plate, a glass, the bottle of beer, and an apple. "Her stew is really good, tons of different meats and vegetables and sometimes she even slips a bit of whiskey int..." Colin's voice trailed off as he turned, staring at the sight before him.

Link stood in front of Colin, staring out the window, his right hand flexing and releasing at his side. The man had stripped down, leaving him clad in just his white leggings, a tight white shirt, and those beat up brown boots Colin knew since he could first recognize Link. He licked his suddenly dry lips, shaking his head. "Uh...she even puts a bit of whiskey in it sometimes," he said, finishing his original sentence, swallowing as Link turned slightly, the falling sunlight glinting off the golden strands.

There were so many things he wanted to say, so many questions he wanted to ask, but they had all vanished the moment he turned, and now he couldn't get them back. "I...should go," he said softly, blushing at the stupidity of his words. He reached out for the door, opening it.

"Colin..." Link said and Colin turned, tilting his head in question.

"Yes, Link?"

"...nothing, never mind."

Colin frowned before shaking his head and leaving the room with his tray, mind wondering off as he slipped into his room and sat down on his bed, wondering about his childhood hero, the sight of the blood stained bandage around Link's neck stuck in his mind.

--

The sun was streaming through the upper windows of Telma's bar by the time Colin managed to un-glue his eyes and roll out of bed. He gave his head another quick dunk in the now cool water before tossing on his clothes, grumbling under his breath about stupidly comfortable beds and not having to share a room with his brother.

Dashing down the stairs, he attempted to put his boots on at the same time as he was walking, ending up with him doing a weird hopping dance across the bar. "Telma, is there anything for breakfast?!" He called. The woman raised her hand and pointed, before returning to nursing her hand over. Colin smiled and grabbed the apples and cheese. "Is Link up?"

"He already left, Sunshine," Telma said softly.

"What?!" Colin pouted, biting into the cheese.

Telma smiled, raising her head. "I think he was heading towards Kakariko, but I could be wrong." she said, resting her head on the table again.

Colin paused mid chew before grinning at her. "I love you!" he called and ran back upstairs for his bags, tossing the apples into them before dashing back downstairs. "Bye, Telma! Too, dried leavers!" he grabbed a pouch of the snack, tossing a few rupees on the counter to pay before running out the door.

He ran up the alley and back down South Marked Road, dodging the sellers and residents who were wondering around, seemingly without purpose. Colin shook his head as he nearly bowled over a wash lady, hopping and trying to dry his foot after kicking over her bucket. "Honestly, do they teach you lessons in standing around?" he muttered, finally making his way down West Castle Town Road and out to where he had left his horse, rather glad the small nag hadn't wondered off as they were won't to do.

He quickly laced his bags to the saddle, climbing onto the horse, yelping as the nag started to trot off before he was fully seated. "You enjoy that, don't you?" he muttered as he adjusted his position in the seat, pulling up the hood of his cloak against the light rain falling. The horse made a sound, almost like she was blowing a raspberry at the boy, before picking up speed, hoofs making happy sounds against the worn stone of the road.

Colin gave a soft sigh, looking down the path that would lead him to Kakariko, and hopefully, Link. He had no idea what he was doing, or why he was going after the hero, he just knew that he had to, and that was enough for him.

--

It had taken him the rest of the day to reach Kakariko, the sun falling behind the cliffs as he finally made it to the Inn, nearly falling out of his saddle. It wasn't a long trip, but his thighs and hips were sore from riding without break, and the damn crows hadn't left him alone the whole trip, trying to steal his apples.

He slid off his nag and tried it to the decaying wooden railing, giving her a pat and an apple before hopping the railing and heading into the inn, spotting Epona between the buildings, a smile crossing his lips.

"Bethy!" he called merrily, tossing his last apple up into the air and catching it.

"Don't call me that, Colin." The red head said from a doorway and poked her head out, blinking at him. "I thought you were headed to Castle Town."

"And I made it, decided to come back." He batted his eye lashes at her. "Bethy, dearest darling cousin of mine..."

"No."

"You don't even know what I want!"

"Any time you remind me we're cousins is bad enough. Last time you brought up our familial relations, you dragged me up Death Mountain to fight the Goron leader."

"Yes, well, perhaps that wasn't the best of ideas..."

"Colin, you had a broken leg for three weeks!"

"Yes, well, it's nothing like that. I just need a room."

"We only have one and it's in use."

"The room has five beds!"

"Yes, but our guest specifically requested privacy."

"Bethy, you know me, it's little Colin, I'm not going to bother him. Plleeaassee"

"I really shouldn't be doing this..."

"Come on, Bethy, for me, your cute, little cousin whom you love and adore and want to get out of your hair?" He batted his eyelashes at her again, doing his best to look pathetic and begging.

"Arg! Alright, but the first complaint and you're sleeping with the horses! And don't be surprised if he runs you through. I've never met a man that scares me more. Must be a mercenary or something." Beth shuddered, handing Colin a copy of the key to the upstairs room.

Colin paused, blinking at her. "You mean, you don't know who he is?"

Beth shook her head, stacking bottles of beer onto the shelves. "Just came in and asked for a room, all I could see was his eyes between the cloak and that odd face cloth he wore. Gave off an evil vibe though, like those moblins of old."

"Hm," Colin blinked at her before smiling and leaning across the bar, kissing his cousin's cheek and dashing up the stairs, his heart thundering as he approached the closed door. He had no idea why he was so nervous, it was just Link, but every time he thought of coming close to the blond man his heart suddenly took up a race in his chest.

He swallowed thickly before unlocking the door and stepping inside, glancing around. The room was empty, window wide open, letting in a dusty, moist breeze. Colin noticed Link's gear (and it was certainly Link's considering the Ordon Shield on the pillow), on a bed to the left. Colin grinned and dove onto the bed next to it, staring at the weapons and sheer...junk Link had managed to acquire over the past four years.

Glancing around he reached out, gently running a finger over the sword his father had made, before pulling it closer to him and sliding it from the sheath, watching the light play over the honed edges. "Still so beautiful," he whispered, looking at his own reflection in the blade before smiling and sliding it back into it's sheath.

He yawned and laid back on is bed, holding the sword close to him as he let his eyes drift shut, sleep taking him before he knew it.

Link hissed as he climbed over the window sill, cursing as he stumbled to the floor, holding his bloody hand. He glared down at the crow who was sitting on the roof next door, giving a cry as Link looked at him. The blond could have sworn the bird was smirking at him.

Link slammed the window shut, latching the wooden frame before turning, sucking on the wound on the side of his hand. He paused, lips still wrapped around the bleeding wound as he stared at the bundle of blond hair and black traveling cloak, slender pale arms wrapped around Link's oldest sword.

Link sighed, wondering what Beth was thinking, renting out another bed when he asked her (and paid extra) not to. He removed his hand from his mouth and crossed over to the bed, pushing back the hood enough to confirm his suspicion (only one child in Hyrule had hair the same wheat blond as Hyrule Plains), before gently trying to remove his sword from Colin's grip. He would have to pack up and leave quickly, before the boy awoke.

Colin made a sleepy sound, almost disagreeing with Links' thoughts, rolling onto his side, pulling the sword closer to his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around the weapon. Link growled softly, his arm now trapped beneath Colin's arms and part of the boy's chest.

"This is not helping," Link said, even though the boy really couldn't hear him. He sighed, kneeling on the floor, staring down at the sleep slack face of the teen. "Why did you come here, Colin? Why didn't you stay away like everyone else?"

Link was used to being shunned, being cast out. He was used to watching friend walk away. He wasn't used to the stirring in his chest, reacting to the boy's bright smile and easy friendship. That time of his life was long over, even Telma kept herself away from him, despite being one of the few who even spoke to him anymore.

Link raised a trembling hand, hovering over Colin's cheek before gently brushing that odd long bang from the boy's cheek. "Will you run, when you find out the truth?" he asked softly, a calloused finger gently trailing over Colin's smooth cheek. "Will you scream, when you see what I truly look like? Will you tremble in terror and fear when the wolf stares into your eyes and you can't escape?"

Colin shifted, curling into the warmth coming from Links' body, his smaller form nearly curling entirely around Links' chest. He pulled the sword closer, and his hand fisted in Link's cloak, pulling the familiar feeling fabric and scent closer to him.

Link rested his head on Colin's side, tears threatening in-spite of what he desired. "How can you so innocently touch me, when a part of me wants to rip your throat out and drink your sweet blood as it flows from the wound?" he asked softly. "When I want to sink my teeth into your tender skin and see if you taste as good as you smell?"

"Goddess, you smell good," Link whispered after a moment of silence, burring his nose in the curve of Colin's neck.

--

Colin gave a yawn, a soft, mewling sound slipping out as he stretched, eyes opening, blinking away the sleep from his eyes. He blinked again, as his eyes cleared and a pair of deep blue eyes came into focus before him. "Hi," Colin said softly, blushing lightly.

"May I have my arm back?" Link asked dryly, wiggling his half dead fingers.

Colin shot upright, blushing even brighter, ducking his head, hiding behind his blond bangs. "S...sorry," he stuttered.

"It's quite alright," Link said, retrieving his arm and wiggling his fingers, wincing at the pain that shot up them from behind under Colin's weight for so long. "I thought you were in Castle Town."

"I was," Colin said, adjusting his cloak, not looking at Link. "Now I'm here."

"Why?"

"To visit with Beth and Malo," Colin said, tilting his head as he turned to look at Link. "And why are you here? Hiding away from the world?"

"You wouldn't understand," Link said, standing in a swirl of his cloak, gathering his weapons and equipment.

"No, I wouldn't, because I haven't seen you in years, and even when I did you didn't have any time for me, for any of us! You took us home and then you left and you didn't even say why!"

"Colin..."

"No, Link. I'm not going to be quiet, all my life my parents and aunts and uncles and even you have told me to be quiet, to hold my piece, that I wouldn't understand. I'm tired of not knowing anything. I'm tired of being ignored, I'm tired of watching you walk away without a word!"

Link opened his mouth to say something but closed it as he felt a smaller body impact his, Colin's face buried in his chest.

"I've missed you so much, Link. You left and you never came back and no one would say why. Why did you leave us, Link? What did we do to push you away?"

Link closed his eyes, a tear sliding down his cheek as he wrapped his arms around the teen, holding him, not knowing what to say or how to explain what had happened in those last moments of the war against twilight.

"Colin, I..."

"MONSTER!" the shout came from outside, followed by the sound of an arrow hitting the metal roof of the building next door. "MURDER!" This shout was followed by a rock that struck the closed window.

Link released Colin and dashed to the window, peering out at the mob below who was attacking the inn. "Dammit, they spotted Epona."

"Link, what's going on?!" Colin shouted over the yelling from downstairs, watching the other man as Link gathered his things.

"I have to go, they'll burn down the inn if I don't leave."

"But why?!"

"I don't have time to explain, Colin, go downstairs with Beth, she'll protect you."

"No!" Colin yelled and grabbed Link's cloak, planting his feet, face firm as he struggled to hold Link back. "I'm not allowing you to leave again! You're not walking away from me and I'm not waiting another two years to find you again!"

"Colin, let go, I have to leave!" There was a pronounced growl now in Links' words, his right hand clenching and releasing.

"I'm not letting you go!" Colin yelled, tears streaming down his cheeks, heart filled with fear at the idea that Link might walk out that door and never come back into Colin's life.

"FIRE!" Beth screamed from downstairs and there was a following shout that sounded like Malo. The thick smell of smoke curled up the stairs, entering the room through the cracks in the door, giving a rich indication that time was more then limited.

"Colin..."

"Link."

Link growled deeply and wrapped an arm around Colin's waist, pressing the boy tightly against him. Colin screamed as he was suddenly airborne, tucking his head against Link and clutching desperately as they pushed through the glass of the window, shards cutting both of them. There was a moment of sheer terror as Colin realized they were jumping out the window, and then pain as they hit the ground, the shouts of the mob and the smell of smoke thicker now.

"Get on!" Link roared and Colin climbed onto Epona without realizing he was doing it. Link climbed on behind him, arm wrapped tightly around Colin's waist again as Link gave a yell, Epona taking off at a leap that nearly sent Colin flying back off the horse. He pushed back against Link, securing himself as well as he could in the v of the older man's legs, grasping desperately to the arm around his waist.

Epona leapt through the crowd blocking the alley, trampling at least one man that was aiming a crossbow at her master, heading for the nearest gate without urging. As she thundered down the dirt path, Colin peeked behind them, looking back at the burning in over Link's arm, eyes wide at the size of the crowd and the hatred in their eyes.

He took one final look at his family, at Beth and Malo along with others trying to put out the fire before turning back to face forward, and the new direction his life was heading.