The worst part of having to go to sleep, were the nightmares.

My face was wet. I was laying on the ground and looking up at the starless sky while red rain clung to my hair and clothes and ran down my face. The rain I soon recognized as blood.

I quickly got to my feat only to be face to face with Midna. Her expression was of complete sorrow but it soon morphed into what could only be described as hate, pure and unrelenting.

She lifted a small jeweled dagger and plunged it into my chest. I let her; I wanted her to do it. Only death never came for me. Instead it was Midna who grasped at her chest and reeled back as a blotch of red began to slither its way down her body. She screamed and screamed at me to make it stop but all I could do was watch helplessly as she crumbled to the ground in a pool of blood.

Suddenly a loud wail could be heard throughout the lonely field. I realized it was me. Finally freed from my cage of guilt and shock, I ran to where Midna lay unmoving. The dagger was still in my chest; I realized and pulled it out.

Midna was breathing shallowly and her eyes were unfocused but still held my attention. Her lips suddenly quirked up into a smile and she grabbed the front of my tunic and whispered in my ear "did you really think you could die and all of my pain would disappear?"

I felt tears threatening to spill. I shook my head "I'm just so sorry Midna, for everything. It was all my fault…I failed."

She snarled "you have to live with that now, knowing that you killed me. Not even death can save you from the guilt of letting me die."

"No! I shouted. I will find you and save you."

"Don't bother. You aren't a hero, you are a failure! You will always fail! You will fail me, you will fail Zelda, and you will fail the Goddesses!" Then her demeanor changed to that of amusement and she laughed morbidly "I am not Midna though." She pursed her lips into a pout "I am but only a dream."

I stared confused when suddenly she shrieked with laughter and began to float in the air above. Her face was shadowed with the night and her laughter boomed all around like thunder. Suddenly she stopped floating and stared down evilly upon me, her face twitching and focusing and unfocusing until it was no longer Midna but Ganondorf himself.

I began to run. I had to get away from this awful dream. But then his hands were around my throat and I was looking up into his murderous and hateful eyes.

"You want to save her hero?" he cooed. "Come and get her."

The shrieking wails of a woman then escort me through the dark tunnel back to consciousness along with the whisper of "goodnight hero" as the final remnants of the nightmare.

(~0~)

Link woke to a loud banging on the door, it was Zelda. I quickly wiped the lingering tears still on my face and in my eyes and recomposed myself before muttering "come in" and allowing Zelda to enter.

She walked over to the side of the bed with her hands on her hips looking at me expectantly. When I didn't say anything she sighed and sat down beside me.

"I heard you screaming again." She looked pleadingly into my eyes "tell me what's wrong Link! I can help, Telma can help. I've been listening to you have those tortured dreams of who knows what and doing nothing for too long already. You can tell me Link, please."

I ran my hand through my hair restlessly. I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell her. A thought suddenly crossed my mind 'what if she's been having nightmares too?' I sighed and looked back at Zelda who sat staring at me patiently.

"I've been having dreams about Midna." When it came out I was surprised at how tender my voice sounded, must have been from the screaming.

Zelda nodded "and?"

I sighed realizing how much harder this was feeling. "She was telling me that I had a right to feel guilty and that I was destined to fail everyone I cared about." I decided to leave out the gory details like the stabbing and the blood rain. "Then she turns into Ganondorf and he tells me to come and rescue her. Her screams are the last thing I hear before I wake up" I choked, surprised once again by the emotion this was eliciting from me.

Zelda's fingers entwined in mine, we hadn't stopped staring at each other the whole time and we remained like that for a while after. Her eyes filled with sympathy and horror from what I'd just told her and mine reflecting the sorrow and pain I'd felt in the dream.

She was the first to turn away. "I don't know what to say Link."

I nodded "you don't have to say anything, the dream was right…about everything." I got up and headed for the door when something caught my wrist. Zelda was looking desperately into my eyes.

"Link…you can't" a tear slipped down her cheek. She pulled me closer and shut her eyes.

We were only a few inches apart now and the closeness was beginning to make me uncomfortable. Suddenly she leaned forward, her lips grazing my cheek.

"Promise me this Link" she whispered in my ear.

I shivered slightly not sure what to think of this. I barely knew her yet…this seemed so perfect. It felt like it was supposed to be this way.

"Don't blame yourself. We will save her together." Then she backed away smiling at me warmly.

I didn't know what to do. I was frozen in place by her actions, by her words but I felt better. I nodded "I promise."

"Good. I had something else I wanted to talk to you about." She pulled a small book from behind her back.

I was so consumed in everything that had happened I hadn't even noticed she had a book with her. "What is it?" I asked, coming back into hero mode.

"I was doing some research and remembered this book I had read. I went back to the castle while you were sleeping to retrieve it."

Anger seeped into my expression "alone!?"

"No, I had guards with me but that's besides the point." She gave me a warning look telling me that she didn't want to discuss this further before continuing "It actually says something about the prophecy if the hero fails to defeat Ganondorf." She opened the book and turned to a page with a picture of a green clad boy lying in a field with an amber sky swirling above. Ganondorf was floating above him looking up towards the sky. "It looks exactly like what had actually happened doesn't it?"

I nodded solemnly remembering that night, how I'd failed my own destiny and my friend was captured as a result. I relaxed my fists realizing that they had been clenched tightly at my sides.

"My point is this. There is good news and bad news about this side of the prophecy." She took a deep breath before continuing "the bad news is that your Master Sword is no longer adequate enough to defeat Ganondorf due to him having acquired his full power and the fact he has even more power in the Twilight Realm. The good news is that I know how to defeat him."

I had been listening intently the whole time and was kind of disappointed that I couldn't just go straight to the Twilight Realm and kill Ganondorf right away. "So how do I defeat him?"

"The legend states that long ago a hero had failed to defeat Ganondorf as you just did and did too in fact, need more power to defeat Ganondorf. So he prayed to the Goddesses for help and so they sent down to him three items, a bottle of heavenly water, a bottle of divine fire, and a song blessed by the Goddesses themselves. The hero performed the blessing on the Master Sword using the items given and returned to defeat Ganondorf."

"Ok" I shrugged "where are the items?"

"That's the thing Link" Zelda continued reading "the items were then hidden by the hero in separate locations that no body knows about. He left three riddles to guide the hero that ever has need of them to the items. The problem is that it doesn't show what the riddles are and I have no idea where to look."

I propped my elbows on my knees deep in thought. I could tell that Zelda was doing the same when Telma suddenly entered the room.

"You kids doing all right?" she frowned "the bar seemed too quiet all of a sudden."

Zelda nodded "we are just discussing our plan to defeat Ganondorf."

"Oh" she mused "does it have something to do with that book you went back for?"

"Yeah, I think we almost have it figured out." She paused. "Telma? Would you mind if Link and I went to the library to do a bit more research?"

She shifted uncomfortably and seemed to be at war with the thought of us going alone. Finally she sighed. "Link, are you sure you are up for this?"

I nodded "if I can't handle the library then I most definitely can't defeat Ganondorf."

Telma chuckled softly "I suppose you have a point. Just stay safe you two and no leaving the castle walls without at least letting me know." She turned and walked back down the hall "and I expect you two back for dinner!"

Zelda laughed to herself "I like her this way."

"Glad one of us does." I found myself laughing too "almost makes me glad I don't have any parents to boss me around."

Zelda sat up and closed her book "are we going to the library then?"

I nodded "I just have to gather my things; I'll be out in a minute."

"Ok, I'll wait for you by the door." She ran out the door leaving me to my own thoughts.

(~0~)

Zelda only waited about ten minutes before Link came back fully equipped. His wild hair was stuck back under his familiar green hat and his face was set with determination.

"Ready?" he asked.

I nodded "let's go."

They weaved through the alleys around Castle Town until they came across a rustic looking shop with wooden framed windows, red brickwork and brown dusted tiles. Stone steps led up to the door with rusty railings guiding the way.

Link was the first to open the door and walk inside. When I emerged into the building I had to stifle a gasp as I took in my surroundings. Big black wall sconces trailed the walls and shadowed the multitude of old shelves that littered the entire building. A balcony sat on the opposite end of the room with a spiral stair case leading up to it. On the balcony sat a single person at a wooden desk with two stacks of books set neatly on either side of him. He looked highly engrossed in what he was doing and didn't even look up as we entered.

I had been so caught up in the building's architecture that I hadn't heard Link whisper my name until he lightly tapped my shoulder waking me up from my awe induced trance.

"Where would we find information on the Goddesses?" Link whispered harshly.

"Probably in the rare books section." I whispered back. Then I saw a lady approach us and bow respectfully at my feet.

"Can I help you two?" she said a little too loudly disturbing some of the customers.

"Yes. Would I by any chance be able to see the rare books section?" I asked politely.

"Oh yes, of course. Any thing for the Princess" she then seemed to notice Link. She gave him a distasteful look up and down before asking "who's this?"

"He is Link. He is in charge of protecting me." I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice. The lady seemed to register it.

"Of course, just don't…" she paused, a frown on her face "break anything."

Link seemed oblivious to the fact that she was talking about him and just smiled politely. "I'll try to keep her out of trouble."

I snorted "let's just go already."

The lady turned swiftly away and began walking towards a door on the left all the while talking about what a pleasure it was to meet her. When we reached the door the lady pulled out a set of keys and stuck one of them into the lock and turned the knob. The door silently creaked open.

I followed the lady quietly before coming to a halt beside her at a shelf that was labeled "Rare". She then glared at Link once more and smiled at me before leaving and shutting us alone inside.

Link snorted "what was that lady's problem. She obviously doesn't like me."

I guffawed "you mean you were aware that she meant you when you said you would keep me out of trouble?"

"It wasn't necessarily a lie."

I growled before grabbing a pile of books off the shelf and shoving them into Link's chest, he scrambled not to drop them.

"Start looking."

(~0~)

Midna stood eagerly beside the door to her room. It would be any minute now before another brute did his routine check up on me. I smiled while shaking with anticipation, this was it, I was getting out.

Foot steps could be heard coming hastily up the stairs now. I squeezed the hilt of the dagger tighter in my palm. Three seconds, two, one.

The Bokoblin unlocked the door and unsuspectingly walked past me and into the room. Before he could register my absence I had drawn the blade across his throat and watched as his blood pooled around his limp body. I dragged his body further into my room and snagged the keys off his belt before closing the door behind me and walking down the hall.

I climbed carefully down the steps leading to the main hall. I listened intently for any foot steps that may signal an approaching enemy but found none. I quickened my pace.

When I got down to the hall and burst out into the throne room I couldn't help but feel this was too easy. There the door was that led to my freedom and no guards had come by and no signs of Ganondorf could be seen. Realizing that I didn't have much a choice I bolted for the door and yanked it open. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins as I popped outside to an empty sky and no Shadow Beasts in sight. Though, I did see my people. They were littered around the streets, gazing emptily forward, unmoving and as dead as zombies. There faces looked similar to those of Shadow Beats and I couldn't suppress the rising anger I felt or the panic of knowing deep down that this was a trap from boiling over.

I sprinted forward. I ran past my people and down the streets toward the Mirror. Its radiant glow beckoned me to freedom and I ascended the stairs leading to it. Just as I was about to climb the final step I found I could not move and from behind me, a low chuckle cut through the silence like a dagger.

"I knew it was too easy" I said quietly.

"Midna, Midna. What fun." He teased "I see you found that dagger I left you. Thank you for finding it, I needed the amusement."

"You left it there? This was all just for your amusement?"

"Of course. I did say I took all the weapons from your room did I not? And I feel so bored what with your little hero taking his sweet time getting here." He flicked his fingers and I was slowly floating towards him "I think its time your friend had a little encouragement, don't you think?"

"Don't hurt him you bastard!" I screamed.

"I'm not going to hurt him, just leave him a message." He smiled before throwing me harshly to a group of Bokoblins.

All that was left was the dagger hanging in the air before vanishing. The Bokoblins grabbed me roughly before leading me back to my room. I didn't struggle and I didn't protest because through all of this, Ganondorf was too cocky to notice one small detail…I still had the key.

(~0~)

Link was pounding his aching skull into the wooden desk that had now become his prison. Zelda had insisted that we not leave until we found something to help us and we had been here for hours already. Telma was undoubtedly getting worried by now and my stomach had been growling the whole time.

Zelda then came back to my desk with another stack of books. "I need you to put these books back for me. If you're not going to read then you might as well be helpful."

I eagerly grabbed the pile and scuttled off to one of the empty shelves to deposit the books. Behind me I could have sworn I heard Zelda laugh quietly to herself. I looked at the lower binding of the first book and looked for the symbol that would indicate which shelf it belonged on.

I put the first book in the Goddesses section. The next book was massive and had a Triforce symbol on it so it went in the Prophecy section right next to the Goddesses section. The third book which was called The Gift of Forgiveness belonged on the shelf labeled Legends. So I gently slid it on to the shelf when I heard a click.

I caught movement above my head and saw that a book had popped half way off the shelf. "Hey Zelda!" I called "you may want to check this out."

"What is it now?" she said as she hurriedly scampered next to me.

I explained the clicking and the book popping out. A smile finally worked its way across her face. She reached up and grabbed the book almost hungrily before leading the way back to the desk. She shoved the other books aside and set the one we found in their place.

Upon further examination of the book I noticed there was a lock on the side of the book preventing us from opening it. Zelda noticed too and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Did you see a key anywhere by any chance?" she asked dejectedly.

I shook my head "unfortunately, no." then it came to me "I have an idea though."

I rushed over to the same shelf where I got the book and stuffed it back in its original spot. Another click sounded and this time a section of the shelf slid open revealing a compartment in the back and sure enough it had a key in it.

"Link" Zelda breathed "how did you?"

I shrugged "just a hunch."

We once again went back to the desk and laid the book down. Zelda stuck the key in the lock and turned. The book sprung open only to reveal that it wasn't actually a book. In fact it was another compartment. The pages were cut in a square so that a wad of paper could be stuffed into it. Zelda took out the wad of paper and unfolded it.

"What is it Zelda? Are the riddles there?" I asked expectantly.

She stifled a giggle and began a little dance. I looked at her questioningly and she stopped dancing, her face blazing red.

"It is um…what we were looking for. There are three paragraphs each containing a riddle, though making sense of them will have to wait till tonight. It's already late."

I nodded "Ok, let's go."

"Find everything?" a voice sounded from behind.

We both turned towards the voice to see the women standing by the door. She was smiling at Zelda and ignoring me.

"We are closing soon so I need you two to-" Suddenly she flew into the air and began twitching uncontrollably. She was gagging and thrashing like something had taken hold of her and was attacking her. I drew my sword and pushed Zelda behind me. The women suddenly went still, still floating in the air. Her mouth was wide open and her eyes had rolled back into her head and were pure white. She then began speaking in a voice not her own. "Little hero, I bring a message." She spoke.

I recognized the voice as Ganondorf's and had to hold back the rage that was now threatening to boil over. Then a shiver ran down my spine as to the acknowledgment that he knew where to find us and now had an innocent lady at his mercy.

"I have grown tiresome of waiting for you to show up and fight me. So I bring you this message. You have three days to come to the Twilight Realm and fight me or Midna dies!"

I shouted "you monster! Don't you dare touch her."

The women smiled "that Link is up to you."

Then the women fell gently to her feet and her eyes went back to normal. "-leave the library." She finished.

Zelda and I still had our mouths hanging open in shock.

"Are you two okay?" the women said still smiling "you look as if you've seen a ghost."

I shook my head before Zelda could say anything "we are just leaving."

The women led the way out and shut the library door behind us. I looked at Zelda unbelieving and she returned the gesture as well.

"I think we had better hurry back to Telma's."

(~0~)

Hope this was more exciting for you all. I understand I have bent the storyline a lot so for those who can't handle it, please don't read. I don't want to hear criticism about it, it isn't a mistake. My imagination has taken hold of the story and is madly running with it. Have a wonderful life.