Thanks to all who have continued reading this story!

Special thanks goes to VioWolf & sippurp123, for favouriting and reviewing (respectively)! You are both amazing, if only for taking the time to favourite/review this!

To sippurp123: I have edited the names back to their originals. The only reason I hadn't already is because I am a bad, bad authoress, who didn't want to have to write out Agitha's paragraph for the fifth time - because my tablet refuses to believe that is a name, and shuts down word (as well as deleting the latest sentence) whenever I try to 'add to dictionary' as I truly despise that little red line telling me what a fail I am. Also Telma was called Thelma because of a cross between my awful reading skills (how did I think it contained a h?) and my tablet randomly aggreeing with me - though I honestly don't understand how Thelma is a name but Agitha isn't.

Fortunately my laptop is less fussy, so all is good.

Thanks!

Disclaimer: (am I supposed to write one each chapter, or just at the first one?)

Still don't own…but I'm getting over it. Sniffle.

On with the story!

The Descent

Chapter 2:

Home

Where we love is home; where our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Link

I stared at the place where she had disappeared through the door. She was divine, as pure and heavenly as the goddesses themselves. Mind, she did have the blood of a goddesses. But that wasn't my point.

Her hair was a dark blonde, as if the light that reached her did so through trees, dappling her hair with their light and making it appear subtly darker. Her skin was as soft and fair as snow. Her grey eyes an untameable storm, dragging you in and along for the ride. Her laugh like a beautiful heartfelt melody, her smile brighter than the sun, her voice showing the kindness and compassion she possessed. Her dress, which seemed to highlight her royalty and nobility - the skirt white as could be, as innocent as she was, but inlaid with the patterns of the triforce and Hyrule, the corset of dark purple with gold shoulder pads and crown, inlaid with jewels of purest blue, with cream gloves (which she rarely wore, and I knew she detested) and she often carried her white-edged gold-hilted sword, whose sheath of cream hung at her hip, while over all of it she had worn a dark purple cloak with a hood to hide her clothes and face. She could be a know-it-all, naive, suspicious, wary (as in reluctant to go on - what Agitha insisted on calling - 'adventures'), somewhat ignorant (not intentionally, she had just been well sheltered) and awkward (only around people she didn't know, though). Often others judged her as frivolous, selfish, spoilt and self-centered but that really wasn't her at all. No, she was kind-hearted, devoted, loyal, dependable, selfless, truthful, sincere, punctual (she almost seemed to make a habit of it), patient, cautious, logical, intelligent, confident, persistent, mature and modest. A perfect, model princess. Zelda would be the best for a while, I guessed.

Certainly the most beautiful.

Stop that train of thought right there. Zelda was royalty. Zelda was my friend. Zelda was not anything more. She couldn't be.

I waited. We were headed back to Ordon village for a week because she had demanded - while dragging me through the cramped streets to safety, might I add, where I was in no position to argue - to stay longer than the normal two days, as compensation for me 'taking forever to turn up'. It was unlikely anyone would notice, as she had nothing expected of her these two weeks (supposedly). She deserved a break, anyway. She might just be a princess in a castle, but it's lonely as hell - especially when you're placed on a (metaphorical) pedestal too high for many to reach, so all you receive is smiles and pleasantries and little else. Plus, the hustle and bustle of this town must get so tiring.

She glided gracefully out of the room, now clothed more simply. Her crown and regal clothing was folded and waiting for her return in Agitha's room, while she had replaced them with a light brown back pack, and her dark brown boots had been replace with light brown sandals. She wore knee length trousers of light brown, and a cream-white tunic which went to below her hips and was long sleeved to cover her arms. She also had a small bag strapped to her right hip, and another cloak - though this one reached her knees as opposed to her ankles and was cream, with a silver clasp tied around her throat and the hood currently down. Her hair was once more concealed, but only somewhat - since she had hood down on her cloak, I could see her golden hair was unbound and free until the point in which it was tucked beneath the hood. I smiled at her, captured for a brief moment by her shimmering glory, and she returned it. With a nod she headed towards the door, pulling the hood up and the cloak around her in an attempt to conceal herself from the townspeople.

I smiled at Agitha, who had stuck her head back over the banister to see us leave.

"Thanks!" I called to her, before turning to go.

"Anytime!" She shouted to me as I walked out onto on the bustling, crowded street.

We headed for the south exit, which would be the quickest way to my village. It didn't take long to reach there, especially following behind Zelda, who seemed to know every aspect of this huge place. It still seemed to baffle me, and I'd been here often enough.

Now came the challenge. Fortunately, I quite like challenges.

She pulled the cloak tightly around herself as I walked through the large doors set into the stone walls that separated Castle Town from the rest of Hyrule. On the other side were two guards, more protecting the horses tied here than the town against monsters - few monsters were stupid enough to attack this fortress-like town, and those who might actually bring serious harm to the place wouldn't be deterred by two guards.

I shielded Zelda beside me, trying to divert their attention. I recognised one of them as a man whose life I had once saved (not that I would expect something from it, but it meant he would be less likely to report if he recognised the figure in the white cloak and I explained the situation).

"Hey, Link!" The man greeted me, and I turned towards him with a smile. He didn't so much as glance at Zelda.

"Hi." I replied to the dark brown haired, grey eyed man. Aeleus, his name was. If he hadn't been beaming at me he could've been labelled as scary.

I quickly untied Epona from the hitching post - who whinnied softly at the sight of me, completely ignoring the horses tied beside her as she strove to get close to me - and began to lead her down the wooden bridge. I really abhorred this bridge; it creaked and seemed like it would break whenever you rode over it. Therefore I never rode along the bridge, but still (almost gingerly) walked Epona over it tensely.

On the other side I helped Zelda mount onto the saddle, before climbing on behind her, ending up on Epona's back because the saddle was made for only one. I trusted her wholeheartedly, and Epona loved her, so why not let her have the reins? She was almost as good a rider as I was. Besides, I had to keep any monsters off us.

Zelda turned to me, as if to ask whether I was ready, but before she could voice her question I nodded, kicking Epona's flanks lightly. The mare responded instantly, going into a fast walk, before I urged her into a trot.

I unsheathed my sword, and held my shield across Zelda. Her hood was now around her neck, but thankfully had trapped her hair (which meant it wasn't hitting me in the face). She rode confidently, and I could tell she reveled being in the saddle again. This was obvious from the fact she swiftly urged Epona into a canter, both of us swaying in time with the mares fast movements. We could have brought Zelda's mare, Katherine, but I suspected the guards might have realised who she was then. Besides, what was the point in tiring out both horses? Epona was used to long journeys, and this was her first proper trip in a while. She was probably loving it as much as Zelda and I were, if not more so.

We were riding through Faron field when I saw them - monsters, making their way towards us. Quickly.

Three obscenely large birds flew towards us, with their appearances similar to Pterodactyls (ie, huge leather wings, giant wingspan, wickedly curved beaks, sharp claws and pointed tails) and were grey all over, except for yellow beaks and eyes. They were known as Kargoroks.

Five or so green creatures raced towards us on foot, with another three on large brown creatures. The green ones were humanoid, but shorter and more stocky, with bandit-like clothing. Some carried axes, while others had flaming arrows. They were Bulbins. The large brown things were the size of Epona, like mutated giant warthogs. They were Bulbos.

Whatever they were, nameless or not, they meant us harm and so I would destroy them.

Unafraid, Epona rode straight towards them. Zelda released the reins and pulled a bow and arrow from the pack attached to Epona's saddle. I nearly smiled - away from the safety of a guard for just over an hour and already she wanted to fight.

Zelda struck first, shooting arrows into their ranks before Epona could reach them and killing one Kargarok, while wounding two Bulbin. As we cantered into the fray, Epona trampled a Bulbin. I swung my sword out at any who came near us, and protected Zelda from harm with my shield. She lowered her left hand to the reins, the other still firmly clutching the bow, and redirected Epona back towards them. After all, if we didn't finish them they might finish someone else.

It was a swift fight, as they didn't stand much of chance of hitting us and they were simple targets. By the end of the fight I had received a glancing cut on my left shoulder from an arrow and a slightly deeper one on my right side because of a sword I failed to block, while Zelda was, mercifully, unharmed. Epona had a cut on her front left foreleg, but seemed not to feel it as we cantered through Faron woods.

I was slightly surprised when Zelda pulled Epona aside, and slowed her into a walk while turning her to Ordon spring, close to my home. I would've objected, had I not felt that Epona's wound needed tending to.

We dismounted, Zelda graceful and dainty whereas I more slid off from Epona's hindquarters. Had it been any other horse, that probably would've earned me a kick in the face.

As it was, Epona lay down in the warm, soothing spring, and I sat down beside her, leaning my back against her chestnut brown flank. She whickered quietly to me, and I fondly stroked her muzzle.

Zelda shook her head at me. "Link, you were going to just ride straight past the spring, weren't you?" She asked. Her voice sounded as if she had been injured, but I knew she was fine. Though that didn't stop the clench in my stomach when I first wondered if she had actually been wounded, that I couldn't even protect her.

"Probably." I replied softly, almost feeling ashamed. Her hurt tone most likely meant it was my fault. Whatever 'it' was.

"But you're wounded!" She cried. Honestly, what was wrong? I was often wounded.

I shrugged. "A small cut. It'll heal in no time, even without sitting in the spring water." I answered, as if I needed to defend my actions from her statement.

She shook her head again, before coming to sit next to me. Her fingers traced the scar on my side - for the water had worked its magic, leaving my injury as simply a scar which would have to heal itself and take about a week to fully disappear - and sighed. "What if it had been something worse?" She asked. Her voice seemed heavier now. Almost filled with melancholy. I think I was beginning to understand what was up with her now. I also knew I couldn't let her be sad.

"If it had been any worse," I started, "then you would have been there to help protect poor, defenceless Link, damsel in distress." I smiled warmly at her, lifting my left hand to my head and leaning back over Epona, pretending to swoon, before righted myself with a small smirk.

I saw her smile slightly at the comment, her previous feelings hidden, before she dipped my other hand into the water. I hadn't noticed the cut on the back of the right one.

I also didn't notice her gathering water in the other hand before she threw it at me.

"Hey!" I cried, faking indignation. "Don't splash me and expect to get away with it!"

Thus commenced a splash/water/attempt-at-murder-by-drowning fight, which ended with Zelda holding my face underwater for a few seconds before I dragged her in after me and we returned to the shore, where Epona was patiently waiting.

It was darker now, only about an hour until sunset. I swallowed uneasily, but thankfully she didn't notice.

I helped Zelda mount before leading Epona back through the familiar forest and towards my home. Once there, Zelda went into the house while I untacked Epona, and allowed her to graze in the small field around my house while making sure there was enough water for her and that the stable door was open, should it start raining. I would shut her in for the night later.

By the time I was finished, so was Zelda, without her cloak. She had brought very little with her; a few pieces of clothing identical to what she was currently wearing while her regal clothes had been left with Agitha, two nightgowns, some potions, a quiver of arrows and, now, her beloved bow (which had previously been left in my care). She walked over to me, a smile painted on her face, and I couldn't help but grin back. It made me happy, seeing her so at ease. Especially in the place I loved most.

We left Epona, who seemed more content now we were home, and walked into the village. As much as I loved this place, I grimaced slightly and cringed inside. Fortunately Zelda seemed oblivious, as she stared out at the near silent place.

It was quiet in the village due to the time - with most of the children and women hiding in their homes, and the men preparing to protect the village - but it was eerie, not like the comfortable quiet that surrounded my home. The houses were made of planks of wood, sturdy but not fireproof, and with either wood planks for rooves or thatching. There were about twenty houses in the village, with around thirty villagers living here and around eight of the houses being on the outskirts like mine. I had grown up among these people, knew each and everyone of them by name.

Which just made me feel even more shameful.

Zelda frowned and stopped when she saw the absence of anyone. Then she turned towards me.

"Where is everyone, Link?" She asked in a whisper, as if disturbing the quiet would awaken some monster. "What has happened here?"

I nervously raised a hand to the back of my neck, wishing I could dispel the question or at least improve the answer.

"We were attacked recently." I finally told her, my hand dropping to my side.

At this, she seemed worried. "Why didn't you tell me?" She exclaimed, her voice now having returned to its normal volume. "Guards could have been sent to protect the village." It felt as if she was reprimanding me, though I knew that was just her way of showing concern.

She paused, as if considering my words again. "How recent?" She questioned.

"Yesterday night." I answered truthfully.

"How often?"

"Most nights." I so wished I didn't have to tell her this.

Though I dreaded what her next question would be. I knew what she was going to ask, and I hoped - fleetingly - that she wouldn't.

Another pause. "So why are we walking through the village and not preparing to defend it?"

Now it was my turn to pause.

It was a rather long pause too, and had nearly verged into awkward when I answered.

"Because Ilia missed you, and her house is further into the village than mine, therefore safer. I'm going to go and join the others once you're there."

She shook her head at me. "So you think I'm going to hide inside while you fight to protect this place?"

I didn't really want to do so, but I didn't have much of a choice. So I nodded.

Zelda made a noise which sounded vaguely annoyed in the back of her throat before she spoke. "No way. I am helping." Her voice was stern, but so was mine when I replied.

Goddesses above, why did we both have to be so stubborn?

"You're not." I began to walk towards Ilia's house, located in the center of the village. I hoped she would come peacefully and follow me.

That was about as likely as Epona growing wings.

"I am!" She shouted to my back.

There, she had decided it. Final straw. Not much else I could do, really. She wouldn't listen to reason, we'd continue this argument for ages, and then she would win anyway.

But I wasn't about to give in this time.

I swung around to face her and walked back over, saw her bemused expression briefly, before - gently but swiftly - pulling her over my shoulder in a fireman's lift. She struggled and beat violently at my back, or rather at the bits she could reach around my shield, and I figured she was going to scream when I flung open Ilia's door and unceremoniously - though once again, gently - dumped her on the floor, before taking her nightgown and depositing it beside her.

I was greeted with Ilia's confused face in the lamplight, before comprehension dawned and she swiftly shut the door.

Zelda would be safe and unharmed.

Ilia would make sure she did not leave.

Zelda would understand why I had done it.

Ilia would calm her down, I was certain of it.

...

...

...

Zelda was going to hate me.

But not anymore than I currently hated myself. That simply wasn't possible.

Aww, poor Link or poor Zelda? I can't decide who to feel sorry for. Oh, and Ilia appears! Fleetingly, but still. I probably feel mainly sorry for her - Link just kind of dumps Zelda with her. Link's also being a bit self-deprecating at the end there, which always seems to amuse me. He's not in for much luck throughout this.

[Insert evil laugh]

Ahhh, the wrath of a Zelda scorned. Or annoyed. Whatever. Either way, I don't think he's going to get away with that for free.

Yes, I did feel the need to research the names of the monsters commonly faced on Faron field in Twilight Princess, purely to incorporate them into the story by name. Felt a bit stupid doing so, but I did anyway. Now you know those annoying creature's names.

I also couldn't resist having Zelda's mare called Katherine. I know it's technically Link's mare's name, but still. For those who don't understand what I'm going on about, this is taken from the Legend of Zelda animated series (yeah, I watched it when I was little). I just had to have a reference from that - although I was very tempted to try and somehow work in "Well, excuuuuuse me, Princess!". Even if it is vaguely annoying. Just for the nostalgia and all.

Anyway, sorry for rambling XD

Thanks for reading!

Scar