A/N: Mega thanks to my muse, Shinobi Kitten. Indirectly she gave me inspiration for this story. And when you meet her, Silvia is more or less SK's character. Don't worry about the other stories. They'll be updated. This is just another story that'll be added to the update cycle…

Dedicated to her, Shinobi Kitten. I seriously didn't have anything to start this fanfic with and she came to the rescue. I'm really thankful for that. I knew there were reasons why I loved her.

The Darkness Within

Link breathed heavily, his chest heaved with each breath he took. He felt weak, battered, bruised, and tired. But he stood tall; ready for whatever else Ganon was going to throw at him. Master Sword in one hand, Hylian Shield in the other and Navi floating above him. It was the battle between good and evil and both sides were weary from battle. Link, his green tunic ripped and tattered. All that remained was its bottom half, that and shreds of it on his belt. The Hero's hat, situated firmly on his head, never wavered like him. Time held no meaning and it stood still as Link and Ganon stood in front of each other. And Ganon, the monstrous beast of darkness, it was on its last limb. Putrid blood ran from its wounds and it struggled to keep fighting. It wanted to win but it had underestimated the courage of the hero and the wisdom of the princess. Its power was leaving it.

In one last heroic stand, Link raised his sword to Ganon. Its tip pointed right to it. "Ganon, this is the end, this is where your plans will fail!"

The disgusting malevolent monster squealed its gruesome roar that could send shivers down a normal man's spine. With its tree trunk like legs, it began to walk over to Link, ready with its twin blades. Its snout kept twitching to keep Link's position clear to itself. Lightning repeatedly struck the ground as the battle was going to end. Link ran to Ganon, sword held high. Ganon swung low and Link dodged it, rolled through Ganon's legs and delivered that one last blow to the glittering tail, severing it from the beast.

Link watched as the tail fell far and Ganon fell to its knees, needing one of its bladed to support its upper body. Link took in as much breath as he could and watched as the fire around the area dissipated. He hoped that Zelda was fine, because he didn't want the princess to get hurt all the way at the end of it all. And on top of that, he cared deeply for her, like no one saw that coming, and wouldn't like it if she were hurt.

But she wasn't. In fact, Zelda was now going to help Link to seal away Ganon. Maybe for the guilt that she screwed him over for seven years of his life. Maybe for the reason that in this timeline, they could not be together. Maybe for the shame in making him gather three gems that allowed Ganondorf to grab a piece of the Triforce. Maybe it was just because she couldn't have tossed the Master Sword through the fire so Link could've ended it faster. But it didn't matter anymore because the beast was crippled, and Zelda was going to help put it out of its misery. Using her magic, she released whatever energy she had to paralyze Ganon. Link's sword was lit, ready to deliver the final blow that would end the fight entirely. With courage in each swing, Link slashed away at Ganon's pig snout mug, making its crimson blood spill, and with one last thrust, bore it into his skull.

Ganon was done, and he shrieked in pain. Zelda, along with the other sages, sealed Ganon away. He was gone, hopefully forever. Link really wanted it to be permanent but he knew that anything was never forever. From his first love Saria all the way down to his days of adventure. Link was… happy. Since he began his 'little' quest, he hadn't been as happy as he was when it was just him and Zelda, all alone… high above the land. She was beautiful in his eyes, a true angel from the heavens. He couldn't but admire her straight posture, fair porcelain skin, and stern yet gentle eyes, she was perfect in every sense of the word. And then she broke it to him.

"Link, I'm sorry," she said softly. "I-It was my fault that we were caught up in this mess. I want to take you back Link, back so you can relive those seven years you had lost."

Link tried to open his mouth to say something. To say that it didn't matter if he had lost those years as long as he was with her. That he loved her to death and time didn't matter to him. To say that she was more precious to him then time itself. But before he could, he was trapped in a light. She was playing the ocarina.

But how did she get it? Oh right, Link slapped himself mentally. She did ask for it back. He was just not into it then, sort of entranced by her beauty. Talk about head over heels…

But, she was sending him back. Back to those seven years ago that she had ruined his life. Zelda, while Link thought she was an innocent princess, thought much less of her self. If it wasn't for her, Link didn't have to suffer weeks of battle, solitary, and pain. He was important to her, much more than a princess could afford. She had the thought of the rest of Hyrule's safety, she didn't trust Ganondorf, but if she hadn't sent Link to find the stupid spiritual stones, then he wouldn't have gotten the Triforce. Hyrule would've been fine… and after the weeks of deceiving Link, he was still willing to save her. Zelda didn't think Link would waste his time with her. But she was going to make things right.

… And so Link gets sent seven years into the past. Everyone knows what happened when he did. Link went to see Zelda once again. A teary eyed meeting that soon led to Zelda giving Link the Ocarina of Time once again. Link was young and he knew that, and while he wanted to stay with Zelda, he had to find Navi. Just as much as Link wanted to save Zelda, so did he want to find that fairy. Annoying as she was…

And Link came back, his search fruitless. Even the Hero of Time couldn't do everything. The Hero of Time, a title that was given to him. Link felt that he never earned it. Especially how it didn't matter in the end. There was nothing for him at the end of all his troubles, only another chance to live life again. Complete and utter bull shi-

But it didn't bother Link none. He was okay with it. Link was able to buy a small house with the money he got from his troubles. For some odd reason, money just kept coming at him. There were times when he had to leave money behind since he couldn't carry anymore. That was a little reason why he happened to like the bank in Termina. But that wasn't to say that Hyrule hadn't changed since he had left it, especially its citizens… Zelda, for one, became more hands on with the people and was favored greatly. Link took every chance he had to spend time with her whenever she went to town. One would think that he would visit anytime he wanted at the castle but… Link didn't. It wasn't because he couldn't, Zelda made sure he could've stopped by but Link didn't go.

But one day, her visit to his house was a different story. When Link answered the door, he noticed the furrowed brow and concern in her sapphire eyes. Whatever it was, it must've been ban since Zelda brought along her Sheikah bodyguard… Silvia. Niece to the Zelda's first bodyguard and nanny, Impa, Silvia had grown up around Zelda. Only, just in the shadows. She had been dressed in a blue tunic, with wrappings on her hands. Her outfit was accented with blue leggings and boots along with the Sheikah eye on her chest. A fairly defined chest… but, moving on, her Sheikah heritage was obvious. Long, silvery hair that cascaded down her back that even surpassed Zelda's length and bright sapphire eyes. But perhaps the most perplexing thing that set Silvia apart was the little emerald dragon that floated above her head. It yawned as it waited for its master, Link wished Navi was just as enthusiastic.

"What's the matter, Zelda?" he asked worriedly.

"Link… Malon's leaving the ranch," she said bluntly. Link brought Zelda and Malon together, causing a long lasting friendship between the two girls. It was just a few days ago that her father had been murdered, by Ingo of all people. Like no one saw that coming in that timeline…

"Why?" was all Link could say.

"This was just sent to me," Zelda said, showing a rolled up parchment. There was the remnant image of the Aegis family symbol still on it. Link figured that it was from Malon's… well, boyfriend for lack of better terms. He, too, was a redhead but also possessed the red eyes. Whether he was Shiekah or not escaped him. Either way, he was happy that Malon found somebody. "It's from Vincent." That was his name. "… Apparently in Talon's will, it says that Malon's actually half Gerudo. And, well, somehow Talon set up that if he were to die before he had told her, that she could go live with them. Nabooru was on route to pick her up when Vincent sent me this and you know how quick Gerudo can be. I think she means to go… meaning that we might not see her again for some time."

Link sighed, "All right, Zelda, let's go."

( . ) -----------\

"Please Vincent, don't make this harder as is…" Malon said as she packed the rest of her things. Packing seemed a little ridiculous, her clothes were Hylian, and she would no doubt get a new wardrobe from the Gerudo. After all, if they didn't wear Hylain fashion because it didn't appease them, then it had to be because of the different lifestyles. Anyways, a single tear was shed as she prepared herself for the journey ahead.

"But Malon," Vincent said, trying to stop her as best he could. He managed to get in front of her and held her hands in his. "Do you really want to go?"

"Vincent…" she kept her eyes away from his. It was tearing her up inside that she was leaving him. But she really wanted to know more about her mother. At least the mystery behind her red hair was solved. "I-I want to. I need to know about my mother. And… maybe I've found the place where I belong." She shrugged, "You didn't have to grow up with only a few friends to really love you for who you are. All I had was Link and Zelda… everyone else saw me as another… I guess another Gerudo mishap."

"Right," Vincent said, a little offended. "Because my life was so much more easier because my father was the president of a corporate empire. Sure, I had friends lined up for kilometers." He stopped, "Malon, you were lucky to have Link and Zelda… I barely got to even see my brother and sister." Vincent sighed in defeat, "But I understand that you want to know more about your mother." Vincent barely understood her reasoning. She just lost her father, and while Ingo wasn't a real good friend, he was still there. Now he was probably behind bars. Vincent wanted worse for him. What he couldn't get was why Malon couldn't just stay, he'd be the one to help her with her loss, her depression, and her grief. But… she was offered a chance to know more about her mother. Vincent might've done the same. He didn't know, it didn't happen to him.

"Thank you…" Malon said. She was about to tear her hands away before Vincent started to say something else. She didn't want to get any more attached to Vincent. Malon had to do something real soon she wasn't going to like.

"Malon, I need to tell you something," Vincent said.

She sighed, Malon hoped it wasn't anything important. Nabooru was going to show up at anytime. And she kept the words the Gerudo leader told her close, even if she didn't like them.

He looked away apprehensively, "Malon… I love you."

That tore her heart in two.

He reached into the pocket of his long, white jacket. He pulled out a velvet box and opened it in front of her, "I don't care how long it'll take… I will wait for you. Will you marry me?"

Want the pan to pick up the pieces of that broken heart?

Malon stared at the golden ring inside the box. It shone brightly in the light that filtered through the windows in her bedroom. He was proposing to her. He was willing to wait. He was… he was… he wanted to become her husband. Yeah, that was really hard to see, especially with Vincent. "Vinnie… Vincent…"

"Malon…if your coming with us, you have to remember that you wont see anyone for a while. It would be best to cut all ties now, because your mother was my second in command. I'm not going to have children… so that makes you the only one who can lead the Gerudo. I know it's hard, and you don't have to come if you don't want to… but you'd be loved like one of our own. And you are…Send me a message when you thought about it. Remember, men aren't allowed within our walls."

Nabooru's words. Malon had to follow them, no matter how much it hurt. But it would destroy Vincent. Maybe anyways, Vincent prided himself in being made of stronger stuff. She gulped down all her fears and emotions. She had to be strong, because she doubt Vincent would be after she told him what she had to do. It was for his own good. "Vincent," keeping the formality. "I-I'm sorry. I… can't marry you." She closed the box and wrapped it in his fingers. She tried her best to hold back the tears. "I'm sorry."

Vincent was lost for that moment. He watched as Malon took her bags down to the bottom floor. He heard the knock on the door but he didn't move. He didn't move to the window, or down to the living room, or even to the outside to Malon leave. He just stood still with his head down. Jeez, talk about taking it hard.

Link, Zelda, and Silvia walked… no, ran into the ranch. Link, following close to Zelda, ran with her to the ranch house door and stayed quiet as she knocked. Silvia came up at the end, her little dragon following closely. Link couldn't help but stare at the little fella and how his plump little body was somehow supported in the air by the small pair of wings he had. Apparently it got a little lazy and fell onto Silvia's head, curling up and falling asleep.

"I know, Drakeus is a lazy dragon," she said, catching Link's gaze on it.

Link smiled softly at her, "I can see that."

Silvia felt her face redden a bit and turned away from Link's blue eyes. She had a little crush on Link but knew it wasn't her place to tell him that. He did love Zelda after all…

A shriek of a falcon was heard and they looked up. It was the crimson bird the belonged to one person. It had swooped in and dove into the open window. Zelda was getting a little worried. She turned the doorknob but it was locked. She cursed under her breath and stepped aside. "Link, do you think you can?"

"But… princess Zelda, I can easily pic-"

"Of course I can, Zelda," Link said. He braced himself and then rammed into the door. The door violently swung open, taking some of the slot the lock was in with it. Link managed to stop himself from tripping and falling and looked around. The ranch house seemed empty. Zelda and Silvia walked in and scouted the area.

But one thing seemed out of place. There was an empty bottle on its side on the dinner table. Link walked over to it and examined it. Red wine. And it was all gone. A decent year…

"Zelda, look at this," Link said, showing the bottle to Zelda.

Zelda took it and looked at it. She handed it back to Link, "I'm going to check upstairs." Even with those heels of hers, Zelda ran up the stairs and checked Malon's room. And there she found the wreck that was Vincent. He looked about the same but there was an air to him that gave off that he was devastated. He had his head in one of his hands and the other was occupied by holding a glass. It was filled with a red liquid.

"Vincent?" Zelda asked.

He looked up, his eyes red but there were no tear tracks. He coughed. He got up from his seat, rather clumsily, "Princesh Shelda, what're you doing here?" A not so noticeable, but still audible slur and Zelda caught it. Vincent had been drinking. Something he never did before and something that must've been saved as a last resort. Perhaps the only thing intriguing was that Vincent still had that charming, gentleman formality and the trace of the accent of his.

But that wasn't the issue then. Zelda walked forward and took the glass from Vincent. At that point, Link and Silvia figured it would be a good time to see what was happening. They stopped at the doorway and watched as Zelda placed the glass nearby and looked over to Vincent.

"What happened Vincent?" Zelda asked.

"Malon left…" he said softly. "She left. She left all of ush. I-I-I tried to shtop her but… it didn't work." A tear welled up in his eye, "And then I asked her to marry me. Something I wanted to do before but I couldn't until then. Right when I was about to lose her."

Zelda noticed how his slur went away at the point. The pain must've been a lot worse, enough for the alcohol to take a hike. She crouched down so she can be with him eye to eye. "Vinnie… you don't have to be by yourself for this."

"Please don't call me that…" Vincent said. Being called Vinnie usually irked him. And this time was no different, especially then. "Malon shouldn't either but she is."

"Vincent please," Zelda pleaded. She stared into his red eyes. "I'm here with you, I'm not going to let you be alone through this. You would do the same." She didn't wait for him to respond and simply hugged him. "Go on and cry… I know you want to. Stop being such a baby and let it all out."

Vincent wasn't sure what to do. But, he followed his gut and tears came down his face. He didn't sob, he didn't wail, he just cried on Zelda's shoulder. Silent tears of pain fell and he hugged her back.

Zelda smiled, "Don't worry Vincent, you'll always have me here."

Link just stared at them. Now, normally he really didn't care what Zelda did with her friends. He thought that they would be together no matter what, that they were destined to be together. But he couldn't help but feel a little jealous that Zelda was being that close to Vincent. Did she really need to hug him? Probably what got under his skin was her last statement.

Silvia just stared at them, "I think its great to have a friend like her… She's mature, she's caring, she's understanding. Vincent, he so complex too, I don't think anyone can dissect all those layers he has. He's an arrogant jerk when you first meet him and then he's a total gentleman when that skin is shed." She looked up to Link, "But you're an awesome guy, Zelda'll still be with you. I know I would."

Link could only nod. He didn't like what he was watching.

A/N: Read and review. You'll get cookies!