I feel I should write a huge introduction, but I don't want any of you to maim me so I'll keep it brief.

These next three paragraphs are important, so even if you normally skip the authors note - PLEASE DON'T! Otherwise it might be a bit confusing.

Basically this is set in the world of Twilight Princess, but none of the races (Twili, Hylian, Zora, etc) can remember those events having taken place - so the things in TP happened, but only Link, Midna, the light spirits and the goddesses actually remember it having happened. Zant is dead and all the Twili are in their true form, but don't really know why (you might see what they think happened later). Also Zelda wasn't involved in these events (which is why she can't remember them - Link and Midna only can because they were so involved and goddesses permitted it [this fact may or may not be mentioned, I haven't decided yet]).

Because no one knows these things happened, life in Hyrule is mostly normal. Link isn't famed as a hero, because to others there was never anything wrong and never a problem for anyone to fix.

However that isn't the only thing I've changed, though it is probably the most significant. I had two problems with TP, and so I have edited this to get rid of them.

1. Zelda and Link didn't grow up together. This truly annoyed me. I mean, Ilia's great and all, but Zelda and Link (or their previous forms or whatever) have history! I've played other games were you finish it and think 'Awwww! They might get together!' (Or at least I do - Skyward Sword!). I love Zelink. They're just such a cute couple! Therefore, this has been edited to make sure they DID actually know each other growing up (which is kind of important considering Zelda wasn't involved in the events in TP - in this fanfic, anyway - so she wouldn't otherwise know Link). You'll see what I mean, as it's mentioned in this chapter.

If you dislike Zelink then this probably won't be for you, but you never know.

2. Midna broke the twilight mirror. I understand why she did it, but I was still a little bit miffed. Couldn't they have found a way around it? What if the twilight realm (or the light realm) needed the other realms help? They'd be stuffed. Sure it would mean if one was corruped the other wouldn't be, but if one was then why couldn't the other help? So in this she didn't actually break it, its just been hidden away somewhere not-really-but-kinda-über secret. Yes, this may end badly. I haven't decided whether to include this in the plot - it'll either be rather vague or quite significant. It really depends. It will probably be mentioned though.

You don't have to read past here, you can just skip to the story now if you want. Thanks!

Okay, nearly done! I just want to apologise to those who hate my writing style, as I tend to lean more towards description than action. In this, at least. It may lessen in later chapters, but in the first two it will be fairly blatant. Sorry if it annoys anyone. It will all (or mostly) be in first person. I will specify who that is at the beginning of each chapter.

This is rated T because there may be some swearing and dark themes in later chapters. If anyone thinks that is too low (I'm not really certain), then please tell me and I'll change it.

Also, sorry this wasn't as short as promised!

Disclaimer: If I owned Legend of Zelda, the fact that the two like one another would be a bit more obvious. And Link would either be mute or he would speak - it just seems strange that he can talk but doesn't. One or the other, please!

But I don't, so...

On with the story!

The Descent

Chapter 1:

Reunion

Every parting gives a taste of death, every reunion a hint of resurrection.

- Arthur Schopenhauer

Zelda

I stare wistfully out of my window, which showed the surrounding fields. I am in a large bedroom, sat on a rather modest wooden stool. My room had grey stone walls and ceilings, though they didn't appear eerie or sinister at all, instead they seemed comforting. The floor was covered in a luscious, royal red carpet. My bed was a four poster, complete with snow white curtains (almost exactly the same as the curtains at the window I was currently sat at, except thinner and more 'dainty') to be pulled across when I slept, the duvet the same red as the floor but with gold patterns making their way across it. Opposite my bed stood an over sized mirror that would've made me feel vain if I ever used it (beyond when I was made to). To the right of it was a large dark wooden wardrobe, that stood about a head taller than me and was patterned with leaves and vines along the doors and headboard. The door to the room was a deep brown wooden colour, mahogany, the same as the stool I was sat on - which was opposite the door. The room wasn't cold, as the sunlight which came through the window bathed it in warmth. It made me smile faintly to myself.

I was currently at the top of the castle, for my room was in one of the taller towers. The castle itself was situated in the middle of a large town or a small city - known as Castle Town to the locals, and the Sacred City to foreigners. The town (I preferred to think of it as a town, as it was a nicer image in my mind) was protected by strong stone walls, capable of keeping nearly anything out - especially if the bridges connecting the town to the outside world were burnt, separating the town and everywhere else by a huge river. I knew the walls were to keep my home and its people safe, but still couldn't help feeling trapped behind them.

I sigh and shake my head, wishing to turn away from the torment of the window and yet knowing I wouldn't. After all, he was visiting today, and I didn't want to miss even one second of him.

Ever so soon, I assured myself, I would hear the pounding hooves that demanded the land beneath them submit to their power, as rider and mount flew across the land with a speed to envy the wind itself. That was the first announcement of his arrival, but not my favourite.

No, I loved the first glimpse of him up close after having missed him for so long. His handsomely tarnished - yet still stunningly - not-quite-golden hair, too shining to be described as mere flaxen though it was darker than such a colour, which was soft as a whisper. His smile of dazzling white, whose very absence made angels weep and lament while the goddesses felt sorrow and grief over its loss. His laughter, gorgeous and rich and never mocking, made teenage-hormone-ruled-girls and happily-married-wives alike swoon. His voice, which could calm raging oceans or ignite a volcano into erupting; it was gentle and soft around me, like his voice had been doused in honey (except when he was angry; his anger shook the ground itself and moved mountains with its force) while to others it was slightly sharper - it did not make him seem cruel, but instead alert and prepared, though maybe he himself didn't notice the change, so subtle it often was. His eyes of deepest azure blue, a sea in turmoil or the brightest sapphire depending on his mood, which shaded despair and a deep-rooted sadness to those who looked well enough, as it was often craftily concealed beneath a happier façade of emotions (though sometimes his eyes were truly alight with amusement, or honestly shining with joy) - his glorious eyes, which I could so happily sink into and lose myself in, which pierced people's souls and discovered their secrets (it wasn't just me who felt his eyes seemed to perceive my very soul, my very being), that were both young and old, world-weary and hollow at times, which strove to deceive others as to his real feelings yet (however only in my case, I found, as others were fooled) seemed so bad at it. His skin was tanned and muscled from manual labor in the sunshine, due to work as a farmer, while also lean from lack of food. He wore simple clothing - light beige trousers that looked thick and warm, knee high dark brown boots of leather, a light green tunic that went to below his hips and patterned with gold and dark brown around the edges (with two brown strap of leather diagonally across is chest, forming an X, due to a quiver of arrows on his back and his bow, while the right strap held his beloved sword and shield safely and securely on his back, as well as a belt around his stomach to hold his backpack and the small bag at his right hip), dark brown gauntlets around both his forearms and his rather distinctive green hat.

However, it wasn't his exceptionally good looks that had first attracted my attention - after all, I wasn't that sort of girl. No, it was his personality - though I must admit, his looks were what drew my gaze to him originally.

Sure, he could be self-doubting or self-deprecating (though rarely), was often late, occasionally distant or secretive and guarded (though he always called it 'reserved' or 'reclusive'), reckless ('brave and daring!' he would insist) sometimes negative and pessimistic ('I'm being realistic!'), stubborn and hard-headed. It was also rather difficult to gain his trust (though he was always polite and civil, even when he disliked people) but I knew it would be simple to keep. Somehow, they all made him more endearing to me. After all, they were what made him him. But not as much as his real personality. For those were only his worst aspects. I liked him for his best.

He was honest, humble, courageous, devoted and loyal, decisive, compassionate, considerate, forgiving, kind, dependable and trustworthy, generous, modest, polite, respectful, sincere, 'persistent and determined' (as he put it, though personally I viewed this as the same as stubborn), selfless, reliable, efficient, adventurous, calm, intelligent, attentive, capable, bold, careful, brave, charismatic, confident, daring and (which I loved most about him) he treated me how I wanted, never tripping over himself to impress the princess. I liked that about him.

Alright, that was a lie. I loved that about him.

It seemed to others that I saw only his perfections, but I knew that wasn't really true. He was more equivocal than I liked to believe - I didn't completely know him, Link was still somewhat mysterious to me. I wasn't certain if that was alluring or infuriating.

A faint noise distracted me from my thoughts.

Dum-dum-dum-dum, Dum-dum-dum-dum

Hoof beats, at a gallop. I smiled, properly this time, my attention moving back out to the fields beyond instead of thinking. They were also bathed in sunshine, and so had turned into a mixture between green and gold. The sun wasn't high or low in the sky, but about halfway towards setting, as it was mid afternoon. The sky was a shade of deep amber from the suns rays, very different from its usual cyan blue.

This, however, wasn't the reason why my mood brightened considerably. No, it wasn't for my enchanting home, but the enchanting young man riding towards my home.

He was striking atop his mare Epona - he seemed noble and formidable, like a general at the front of a charge fearlessly riding into battle. Epona was a flaxen haired, light chestnut Morgan mare, as lean as her rider was. Her almost white mane and tail whipped in the wind behind her, her thin features showing an almost fragile, ethereal beauty yet allowing for speed. Her eyes were a gentle chocolate brown, showing her kindness and something akin to benevolence. Her tack was all in varying shades of brown, from reins to stirrups, except for at the centre of her breastplate - instead of the strap of leather normally used to attach the three straps together, instead they were attached by a smaller version of his shield. When not with him she was often flighty, occasionally skittish, and only truly docile for two people - him and myself - although calm around those she knew, while those she did not know made her nervous. I had once seen her so riled due to sheer terror that it had taken him five minutes to placate and pacify her.

Link looked up at the window then, and I grabbed a piece of royal red fabric from the windowsill (I had received a patch of the bright velvet material upon asking for a small square) before I exaggerated a wave with it - after all, I had to make I obvious that I had seen him. A moment later, he waved his sword over his head in reply, to show that he had seen me.

I flung open the wardrobe door and grabbed my dark purple cloak. I fastened the golden clasp around my throat and pulled the hood over my head, then briefly steered myself for my journey.

In the next moment I was racing towards the door, and prepared to fling them open when I remembered. Guards. Useful for protection, a hindrance for enjoyment. I raised a hand to the door.

Knock. Pause. Knock, knock. Pause. Knock.

It was a signal to the guard on the other side. He would understand.

I hoped.

The door opened inwards, and I was glad that I had remembered to step backwards. The man was barely older than I was, which I guessed to be 18-19 (1-2 years older than me). He wore the uniform standard to the town guards - shining silver breastplate, gauntlets, leg braces and the like which, when combined, makes one look like a knight - though with a subtly different insignia (this one being a large, white, upside down triangle with three silver lines in the middle that together vaguely resembled a 'W') and without a helmet. He smiled warmly, almost chuckling to himself at the signal.

"He's here?" The guard asked. He was one of my favourite guards - one of those who talked to me, that I considered my friends, and who wouldn't hesitate to throw themselves in front of me if I was in danger (there were very few like these, I think most of the guards would simply stare in shock or cringe away). This one was called Dilan, a cheerful black haired man with sparkling green eyes and an amused outlook, a guard who was always willing to help me in any way, even if it meant he would get into trouble.

For which I would be ever grateful.

I nodded in answer, and he shook his head with an almost amused smile. "Goddesses above," He muttered, seemingly more to himself than to me.

"One of these days-"

I cut him off with a sharp grin. "I'll be the death of you." I finished, causing him to smirk in amusement at me. I smiled back innocuously. "You say it every time. Can I go?"

He held the door open and beckoned me through. I crept towards the top of the stairs before turning back to face him.

In one fluid movement, Dilan shut the door, leaned over, picked me up under the arms and threw me into the air. Thankfully I had been expecting it, and so landed rather gracefully on the high up window ledge. Despite this, I still found myself awed at the immense strength he had to be able to do such a thing. I bowed to him, almost mocking my status, before darting through the window and onto the rooftops of the castle.

I had traveled this way many times before, and as such it did not take me long to reach the secluded and nearly forgotten passageway. It was a stone arch that connected the castle to the town (there were four at each point of the castle, with each one joined to a place of relative importance). I then jumped from one roof to the next, which were practically side by side, and proceeded to crawl in through the rather small window that led to Telma's bar.

Upon entering, I was hit by a wave of things. Mainly the smell of alcohol and smoke, but also the dark - for though the bar had a tiny window and used (quite feeble) candles, the place was always dark. I knew Link would be here soon; it was our designated meeting place.

Telma, the bars namesake and no nonsense owner, strode over. Her dark brown hair was plaited with beads (mainly gold, but other colours too) and tied up in bun as her steely grey gaze flicked to me. She wore a flowing black skirt, with a material of deep purple covering over the skirt in a way similar to an apron. Her orange top was rather low-cut, her dark brown sandals only covered part of each foot, and she seemed to be wearing a dark blue choker as well as a black leather jacket. She smiled at me as she walked over.

"Darling!" She cried, for that was her typical greeting to me. "I've not seen you in a while - does this mean Link's here too?" She leaned a little too close for comfort, but I didn't mind. Such was her way.

"He should be here fairly soon. Hopefully father won't notice my absence." I replied.

Telma's laugh was harsh and loud. Everyone in Hyrule must have heard it. She soon stopped, quite abruptly in fact, and seemingly composed herself before she spoke. "Darling, your father wouldn't notice if his crown was missing. He's a lovely bloke, and a hell of a ruler, but he's a getting on a bit now. And ya know what that means."

I stiffened at the comment. Of course she didn't mean anything by it - and she certainly didn't intend to offend me - but I knew my father was old. That didn't mean I had to accept the fact that, maybe sometime soon, he would pass the control of the kingdom over to me. I would deny the idea to the end.

Before she could continue with the conversation - though I had the impression it was going to slowly become more of a monologue with each passing second - he opened the door to the dimly lit bar.

The door was opposite the window, and his eyes were trying to adjust to the darkness of the room.

So, of course, I had to make it really obvious where I was.

"Link!" I shouted as I ran across the room, tackling him to the ground and practically burying him in a hug. He smiled up at me in amusement, his arms trapped by mine but still attempting to return the hug, his eyes focusing on only me. We probably looked a sight, lying in a heap at the entrance to that bar, with who only knows how many people watching our display of affection, but quite frankly I didn't care. I had missed him. Link had been gone for nearly a month, and I was reluctant to admit just how happy he made me feel, or how lonely I was without him.

I stood up, and he did soon after, brushing dirt off him. Link turned towards the door and held it open for me with mock chivalry, so I playfully slapped his arm as I walked out, without even a backwards glance at Telma. Which, knowing her, was most likely a good decision. She would probably be making a gesture at me that I didn't wish to see.

We ran through the town side by side, he seeming unsure among so many while my steps were certain. After all, he lived in a place that was little more than a small village, where everyone knew everyone else. We both knew our destination, but I knew the town better, so soon he was following me through the crowds. We moved quickly, so that none would notice me, and I had pulled my purple hood over my head.

Soon we had reached Agitha's home. She was a bit eccentric and an avid bug fan, but most importantly a friend of Links. For this reason alone I had been willing to accept her. Fortunately she was a really nice person, and I had grown to like her (though I felt she preferred her bugs to me).

"Heya!" She shouted as we entered, though I couldn't see her. Suddenly, she landed directly in front of me, a bright smile on her face and her cheeks flushed red as a golden butterfly fluttered off her wheat coloured hair, tied up into two pig tails and separated by a deep red headband. Violet eyes blinked at me, and they managed to stop my gaze from wandering to her interesting attire - which consisted of a rather old-fashioned dress of teal and white, with a large hoop at the bottom to make the thing seem huge, while also wearing black pumps - before she stepped back, smiling. "How are you two, then?" She asked as she turned back to climb the set of stairs that led to the second floor - which I always saw as just a balcony over the first floor, but still.

Before I had a chance to reply, her head was upside down in front of Link.

"On another adventure?" She asked, her voice suggesting she was thrilled at simply the prospect of such a thing.

One side of his mouth tilted up in the hint (or maybe the memory) of a smile before he spoke.

"Of course, Agitha." Amusement tinged his voice, and he opened a small bag attached to his right hip. Agitha practically squealed in excitement. Sometimes, I wondered if she actually was 16.

With one hand holding something and the other covered over it protectively, hiding it from view, he offered his hands to Agitha. She accepted the gift, before slowly opening her hands with a look of pure awe on her face.

"Yay!" She shouted, appearing overjoyed. "It's a grasshopper!" She commenced to tell us all sorts of really interesting facts about grasshoppers, before promptly falling silent and returning to her normal position - as in not upside down and hanging from the second floor.

I heard noises of rummaging for a moment, before Agitha practically flew down the winding stone staircase in the back corner. She then deposited a jumble of clothes into my arms, and guided (or, more accurately, pushed) me towards another room to change.

This is my first ever post here, so please be nice. Constrictive criticism, yeah! Flames? Not so much.

I know very few people (if anyone) will be bothered by this, but I just have to say - I don't really know why I decided that Castle Town should have an 'actual' name, and that it would be Sacred City. I've just always seen it as a city, and Castle City sounded strange. No idea where the Sacred part came from, but there you go - Sacred City was born. It isn't called that anywhere outside of this fan fiction (I don't think). The guards names also have very little bearing (beyond amusing me at the references. Can you guess what they're from?)

Edit: names have been changed. Thelma has been returned to Telma (whose name was changed due to both my tablets annoying auto-correct and my own stupidity/inept reading skills), while Alice has been renamed to her original Agitha (who was named Alice purely for the fact that my tablet didn't want to accept that it was a name that actually existed, and no matter how many time I tried to add it to the dictionary it threw a hissy fit - and would delete the last paragraph before freezing, out of spite - thus I left it as Alice. Fortunately I am now on my laptop, which is more well behaved).

The name is subject to change. Any suggestions as to what this should be called are appreciated.

I have the next two chapters already written out, so I'll be updating roughly every day with a new one. After that it'll be slower. Probably one every two weeks, as I write a lot and try to be thorough.

Thanks for reading! Please review!

Scar