A/N: Today is Valentine's Day. Which also marks the first anniversary of my first playthrough of Twilight Princess. And I'm just as single and bitter as before. But who cares about that, y'all have got a story to read!

And I must dedicate this whole thing to the amazing beyond words CrazygurlMadness, whose stories got me into Zelda/Link in the first place and who was kind and available enough to beta the first seven chapters of this story. So, fair warning, this story is a little on the... old side. I'll try and be slow but consistant with my updates - I'm not used to working with a buffer - and... hopefully I won't get caught in a continuty snarl.

All right, that's all I have to say. Please enjoy if you can.

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The Legend of Zelda: Red River

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Chapter One

- x -

Link slid carefully off of Epona's broad chestnut back, having abandoned the saddle in the heat. His boots made a soft thump as he landed on the dry, packed, dust covered ground. Eyes on the horizon, he stooped and pulled off a brittle piece of horse grass. The shape crumpled from his touch, and he knew it wasn't even worth trying to whistle with.

And to believe that this is what has become of the Great Hyrule Plain, he mused, staring up at the empty blue sky.

That day was like so many others had been, beautiful, yet mercilessly hot and dry. Link pulled restlessly at his green shirt collar, having abandoned the off-white layers beneath. It let the dirt and grime cover his skin uncomfortably, but it was better than sweating away a day's ration of water while on patrol. He had just come from checking the water level in Lake Hylia- which was depressingly low.

At least there was water there, however. The Zora had partially dammed up their river and sealed themselves away in their humid climes to stay alive, the hot springs on Death Mountain were reduced to a burbling crack between two rocks that spat out sand more often than water, and the sacred Springs were muddy puddles, the healing water hauled away to keep a child alive for perhaps one more day. Ice was sent down constantly from Snowpeak but it was almost more exhausting trying to keep raiding parties from stealing the precious substance than the distance alone.

It was the third summer following the destruction of the Twilight Mirror, and the summer many were calling 'Ganon's Rage'. Some of the worse-off families were begining to even blame the Queen for the drought. There was tension between the Zora, the Fairies, and the Hylians, with Gorons having to step in as guards and peacekeepers. They were the only ones largely unaffected by the lack of water, and kept themselves busy filtering what little springwater they could and piping it down to Kakariko Village.

Countless times had he done this, even today, but with all the faith he could muster Link raised his eyes to the sky.

"Goddesses of Hyrule, hear my plea..."

- x -

"...I beg you, keep in order," the Queen cried, her normally soft voice a faintly hoarse shout as she placed herself between the Great Fairy and Prince Ralis. The latter of the two looked down in shame, while the Fairy gave Zelda a cold stare.

"As you wish, your Majesty," she murmured, taking her seat again beside Darbus. The massive Goron was sitting on the floor in the main room of the Castle, the representative of his people, just as his companions were of their own races. The only one missing was the Twilight Princess, but that was expected. The sun was sitting placidly in the west, taking its sweet time to set and plunge Hyrule into the cool relief of night. Besides, the meeting had not started yet; so there was no harm done.

Prince Ralis - for he was too young to be officially called King - dipped his head in respect to Zelda and shot a cold green glare to the scantly clad female across from him. "For you, your Majesty, I shall try," and he took a damp rag and patted his sleek skin with it, the color starting to return to his sickly cheeks.

"That is all I ask," the Queen sighed, peering out the window and wishing for nightfall, or better yet, rain. As much as she was suffering in here, up to her chin in treacherous politics, the suffering of her people was what she longed most to relieve.

At last, after what seemed a stifling eternity of thinly disguised animosity, the sun sunk out of sight and the last member of the Council stepped in from the window.

"Let's get this over with," Midna snorted, her sharp red eyes taking in her tired friend and her companions. The Twili was never one to waste time with formalities when others were in distress― for her sharp tongue, she had a kind heart; thanks largely to Link, but still. The Twilight Realm only passed over Hyrule for a minute every evening, which meant that even for politics, this process with the drought took forever.

"Have you any new ideas on how to solve this water crisis since our last meeting?" Zelda's pale blue eyes were weary and pleading, and Midna was only too happy to respond.

"I do. But I don't think you're going to like it."

Midna beckoned one of the guards standing to attention on the far side of the room. "Bring me that map," she snapped, and as the leathery scroll unfurled, she was busy rotating it and running her fingers along the Ordon border, only to drag it straight down off the edge of the map.

"Straight south of here is the Great Ocean, yes? A few twilight hours south of where the land ends, there's an island called the Cobble Kingdom. They call themselves the Great Cobblians, but outsiders like my people call them Coblins. Their island is surrounded by mountains and dotted with shrines to the dead, but they know how to convert seawater to drinking water. I don't know how, and never asked how, and I can't imagine they'd just tell you." Midna cast a worried glance over her shoulder to the darkening sky- she didn't have much time left. "Your only chance, as far as I can see, is to ask for their help and pray that their prices are fair."

Ralis shot a glance at Midna. "How far away is a Twilight hour?" he asked with a scowl.

She shrugged. "Several days journey, probably. I'd try to bring you some from the Twilight, but the machines they use are far too big for my kind of magic to move in the few seconds I'd have."

Black sparks were chipping away at Midna's skin, and as twilight fled Hyrule, the Princess called, "but Fairy Magic might work!"

In the silence that followed, Queen Zelda stole a glance at the Great Fairy. Her shimmering silver hair had lost its luster after the death of so many of her kind, and her eyes, once as soft and soothing as morning mist, were colorless and empty. Even her wings seemed to sparkle less than they used too.

"I could send some of my people to investigate," she said at last, as her eyebrows drew in closer. "But you must give me one thing, Zelda."

Darbus growled at her lack of respect, but at a quick nod from Zelda, stayed seated. "What is it?"

"I want ownership of the Springs, and I want Gorons to keep your Hylians out of them," she glowered at last. The rest of the table's occupants paled. The Springs had been given to Hyrule by the Light Spirits themselves. For any one race or people to claim them would surely be an affront to the Goddess' themselves.

The Queen was the first to break the silence. "But, without the Springs, Ordon will have no water. Without Ordon, there will be no milk or meat or eggs for- "

"Your people will die sooner without water than without food. If the Coblins can end this drought, you won't even need the springs. My fairies are dying, Zelda. You understand what we both must do for our people." The Great Fairy's eyes almost glowed with despair that had been poisoned with fury, though her voice was as coldly calm as ever.

Ralis hissed suddenly, and rose from his chair as if to throw himself at the Fairy. The drought had affected the Zora most of all, and his compassionate nature only added to his strain; at this demand, his reserve seemed to have snapped, like a branch bent until the breaking. But once more, Zelda stilled him, her face settling into a cold mask as her gaze fixed on the other female's face.

"You may have the Spring by Lake Hylia until you return. Leave the other springs alone until we have enough water. Those are my terms."

The Fairy dipped her head coldly, then vanished in a shimmer of light. Ralis and Darbus looked shocked.

"Your Highness―," the Goron started as Zelda rested her head in her hands. She cut him off with a wave of her wrist.

"Post a guard at the entrance to the Spring, if you please, Darbus." Her voice wavered but held, and the massive Goron slipped away with impressive silence.

The young Zora Prince touched her shoulder lightly. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Just hurry home, my friend, and take care of your own people. That's all it seems we can do for now."

Without another word, the room was cleared of occupants, and before the first stars of night began to glimmer over the Castle, Zelda was alone with her tears.

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Jogging lightly across the bridge into Castle Town, Link paused, his gaze drawn to the darkening sky. Somewhere in the ink-stained amber expanse, he knew Midna watched over Hyrule still. His heart reached out to her, wishing for her support even as he knew she was doing the best she could.

"Goodbye, Midna," he murmured as twilight fled Hyrule. Then with a roll of his shoulders and a forced burst of energy, he set off for the Castle to make his report.

Nodding politely at the vendors, who were fanning themselves gently and waiting for the night to leech the heat from the white stone walls, Link padded softly to the square. To his surprise, the massive Darbus sat on the ground by the fountain, staring and seeming to contemplate the empty stone pool.

"Is everything all right?" the Hylian asked, feeling yet more worry descend on his shoulders.

Darbus shook his head. "Nay, Link."

The Goron's massive fist clenched suddenly, and he thumped his solid knee before slumping forward, seeming exhausted. "I never…. "

Darbus turned his head to the sky- Link followed his example. The stars were not out yet, and it seemed as though a coal-black blanket had been spread over Castle Town, ominous and oppressive.

"I never thought it would come to this," the Goron muttered, almost absently, as if his thoughts were farther away than the stars. "You better go talk to the Queen, " he added, a bit more coherently. But his voice kept the same melancholy tone.

Swallowing another pang of foreboding, Link hurried past the Goron and took off for the castle.

The gardens were a far sight from the misted greenery that he had seen before. The plants had all died where they stood; in the dark, they looked like the broken bones of some dragon, scattered around its treasure.

"Link, sire," bowed a pale servant when he came view, "her majesty is in the main hall. I do not know if she will mind your presence or not, sire. So please don't go―"

Too late. He had left at the word 'hall'.

The corridors were familiar to him, and yet strange at the same time. The last time he had run down these huge, silent hallways had been when Ganon was in control. It was such a different place now that he was almost tempted to stop and admire the restored glory.

But he could almost hear her crying out to him. Perhaps that was just wishful thinking- he almost wanted her to need him now, again; to be the hero to sweep her away into safety and erase her mind of troubles – but in any case, he stole quickly along on soft booted feet.

As the door opened, Zelda looked up suddenly, her delicate face marked thinly with tears. Judging by the sallow hue to her complexion, it was probably the only moisture her skin had felt for a while.

"Your majesty," he gasped, a wave of empathy and a twist of affection stealing what was left of his breath away, "why are you crying alone?"

She wiped the back of her gloved hand quickly across her eyes as he knelt beside her. "Oh, I'm sorry," she murmured. "I'm just... so very tired, Link." Zelda sighed, and rested her chin in her hands. "I gave the Light Springs to the Fairies."

The words fell like snow in the room, soft yet stark, chilling the occupants to the bone. After a moment, Zelda lowered her head and covered it with her hands. Silent sobs shook her slender shoulders.

Link stared into the darkness; his mind searching for answers, his tongue searching for words.

The silence was broken at last, but not by him. "I don't feel fit to lead our country right now."

"Don't say that, your majesty," he pleaded, gently taking her right hand and tracing the Triforce mark on it. "The goddesses choose you to bear the Triforce of Wisdom. Sometimes there may not be a right decision, but trust your heart to lead you to the better decision."

The Queen sat quietly for a moment, then a ghost of a smile graced her cheeks. "You sound like the wise one right now," she half-chuckled as last, studying him with eyes bluer than the sky and deeper than Lake Hylia at its peak.

He swallowed, hoping that the darkness hid his blush. "Perhaps I just had the courage to say what needed to be said?"

A real laugh echoed in her throat. "Perhaps." She rose, then, and took in a deep breath. When she let it out, a Queen's composure wiped away the last traces of doubt and tears from her lovely face.

"Shall we go? This chamber is even emptier and gloomier at night." She swept her hand to the door; he rose from kneeling and bowed.

"As you wish, your majesty."

It was a lovely face, certainly. But it wasn't her face that took his breath away when she smiled at him. Ganondorf had stolen her face before, and Link had battled and injured that delicate body as well. It was her heart that not even the darkness of the Twilight and all of Ganon and Zant's combined powers could taint. The thought of it breaking with love for a country that she could not save...

...It broke his heart, too.

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Dawn came, silent and ominous of another hot day, like a match just struck that had not ignited the wood. Link shifted on the thin cotton sheets, blinking against the light that hued the curtains of the castle room red.

Like a blood stained dress, he mused dourly. His sword hand tingled with an uneasy premonition. Din, Farore and Nayru... help me get through another day.

The Queen had suggested he sleep in the Castle since he was to report for ice transportation that afternoon at the Zora Palace. He had accepted her offer gratefully, of course, and under any other circumstances would have enjoyed such a soft sleeping place.

But worry had robbed most of the rest from his sleep, and he felt only regret at having wasted time laying about when he could have been working. Link was the kind of man who was most content when he was doing something, anything- from clipping goat hooves in Ordon to running spring water to Castle Town to dueling Darknuts in Hyrule Castle.

He rubbed his shoulders as he tugged off the bedclothes Zelda had provided for him, still feeling a little stiff. His clothes had been beaten outside as best as they could, and seemed considerably cleaner than before. Someone had even been considerate and rubbed dried rosemary into the fabric- the scent was known as powerful stimulating aromatherapy, and dried plants at least were easy to find.

A gentle knock sounded in the otherwise quiet chambers as Link started pulling on his boots. "You may enter," he panted, fighting with the leather that had gone stiff with sweat.

The Queen herself swung the door open gently, lips turning up slightly at the corners at Link's startled expression. "You did say I might enter."

He ran his hand self-consciously over his still bed-tousled hair. "I fear I'm not presentable to royalty," her subject stammered as she took her seat across from him as lightly as a butterfly alighting on a flower.

"Don't worry about it, Link." She smiled again, brushing the curtain aside to peer out to the horizon. "You will always be presentable to me."

"Thank you, your majesty," he coughed, flushing again, as he settled his old green cap between his pointed ears.

Zelda traced the outline of the embroidery of the curtains, brushing aside one thick braid, seeming lost in her thoughts. "When was the last time you went home, Link?"

The question took him aback. He scowled, blue eyes studying the floor as he racked his mind. "Ah, I was patrolling there a-"

"I don't mean patrolling," she cut him off suddenly, her sharp blue eyes fixing him in their pale intensity. "I meant to visit."

"It doesn't sit well with me to bask in the sunshine when Hyrule needs me," he replied, rather sharply, amending it with a quick and softer "your majesty."

Zelda sighed. "I know. But," she continued, "you have done so much for us already. Do not take this the wrong way when I say that Hyrule does not need you right now."

He flinched slightly. "What way is the right way, then?"

"I mean that we have many others who can carry water just as well as you do. Go home and rest. I... " she hesitated as he reflexively made a fist on the sheets. "Oh, Link."

The Queen rose to sit beside him on the bed, laying her hand gently on his shoulder. "Please understand. I need you to be safe and fit if this business with the Cobblians goes awry. Do you understand me? I need you to be a hero, not a hauler. Just for a couple days." She turned his head to face her, an echo of the same weariness in her eyes that had brought tears the night before. "For me, Link?"

He let out a breath as his resolve melted. "Of course, your majesty."

She smiled as they both stood. "Thank you. One more thing, Link," she softly asked, stepping towards the door.

He hesitated, returning her smile with a bit of confusion. "Yes, your majesty?"

"You call Midna by name, don't you? I should expect the same courtesy. At least when we're alone."

Before Link could offer any objection ―that she was his queen, that it wasn't proper, that he would melt with longing― she dipped her head and walked out.

Link turned back towards the window; Of course he would do as she bid. He sighed.

"If you say so… Zelda."

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Thoughts?