Sorry for a late chapter, here you go.

Sheik opened her eyes and let out a small gasp, that was very low. She quickly pulled the cowl up, looking at Link. She looked at him, watching the different emotions cross his face. She saw hurt, anger, confusion, and pain, all scrunched up into one. "What did you call me?" Sheik finally asked Link.

"Zelda," his voice was hoarse and he rubbed his throat. He watched Sheik shake her head.

"You're mistaken, hero," Sheik explained in a soft tone. "I'm not her royal majesty. So whatever gave you that impression, I am sorry."

Link made a fist, looking at Sheik. "Don't lie to me, damn it! I am not a child easily deceived by trivial things. Tell me the truth! Who are you really?" Sheik's eyes widen in shock, realizing that Link had never yelled at her before. Should she keep her secret and risk him being up set with her just to protect herself from Ganondorf, or risk exposing herself and having Ganondorf find her?

She knew telling Link now was the right thing to do. She bowed her head, as she rose to her feet. She walked over to Link and sat beside him on his bed. "I am who you think I am, Link." She watched him open his mouth, but she raised a hand. "However, it can't be known. For the safety of yourself and myself, it is to remain a secret. Do you understand me?" Link could only stare at her. She watched different emotions pass over his handsome, yet pale face.

"I understand and thank you for telling me the truth about it," Link whispered, his voice sounded strained. He looked down, not being able to look at her.

Sheik placed a hand on his burning forehead, which caused Link to look up at her. "Hey now, I am sorry I lied, but I am not going to lie to you anymore. I was completely wrong. I...I never wanted to lie to you. Impa simply thought that I should protect my identity and stay safe from...you know."

Link simply nodded. "I understand," he finally whispered. He coughed, bringing a hand to his mouth. When he removed it, his eyes widen. Sheik followed his gaze and her heart sank. Blood, Link has coughed up blood.

"L-lay down," she stammered out, her heart hammering against her chest. She knew about the basic essentials to take care of a sick person, but then they coughed up blood, that was something entirely new to her. Not once had Link seen her so flustered or was she in a panic? Sheik raced from the house. Navi slipped out of Link's hat, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"What is going on?" Her high pitched voice caught Link's attention. He raised his right gloved hand at her. She saw the markings of blood, turning to him. "Did you cough that up?" He only nodded. "Oh Link." She placed a gentle hand on his cold, clammy cheek. "Where did she go?"

"I'm not sure," was his hoarse reply. Link dozed off almost after he answered Navi's question. She reached the sick hero sleep. She let out a shaky breath, looking out the window. Rain pounded against the window, the loud, pitter patter sounds bouncing off the roof. Link moaned in his sleep, as the minutes ticked by. After almost an hour, the door opened and Sheik returned with Impa.

"Impa?" Navi asked a little shocked. She only nodded, as she reached Link. She gently grabbed his hand and saw the blood he coughed up. She gently began to remove his gauntlets. Link shuddered in his sleep, as he opened his eyes.

"I-Impa?" He asked in a very hoarse voice. Impa managed a small smile.

"It's good to see you again, young hero," she whispered, as she opened the satchel at her side that contained a lot of medicine. They listened to Link's labored breathing and noticed that he shivered in the relative warmth of the house.

"Sheik, grab me that cloak in your satchel," Impa instructed. Sheik removed the wool cloak, before handing it over to Impa. Impa made sure the edges were tucked around him securely before she looked at Sheik and Navi. "He is going to need a lot of rest."

"Have you eaten anything?" Sheik asked. Link didn't say anything, because he began coughing again.

"No he hasn't," Navi answered for him. "After he fought Phantom Ganon that was the last time he really ate something."

"That was nearly two months ago," Sheik sounded shock. Even Impa looked shocked. Both of them looked down at the boy, who buried his face under the cloak.

"Well, he ate berries and potions," Navi added quickly. "I know those aren't actually food, but it's not like he starved himself completely."

Link fought back a cough and closing his eyes. He shivered and the next thing he knew, he was asleep. The tips of his ears and cheeks were slightly flushed, the only color to on his face.

Impa sighed and stood. "Link has pneumonia. And Sheik and I will stay until he can move on to the Shadow Temple." She grabbed a bag from her satchel. "I'm going to go buy some potions and some milk. Sheik, you make some soup. We need to get him back up, because the days are getting worse and soon if Link isn't better, all hope will be lost." With that, Impa left.

Sheik looked at Navi. "I feel as though Link is rushing himself. Three temples in two months? What does he do?"

"Run in head on," Navi mumbled. "He doesn't always use his head and that can get him in trouble. But he uses his heart and that is one of the things people love about him. He protects his heart and he is prideful."

Sheik smiled. "How he told you, how he feels about me?"

"Hints mainly," the fairy explained. "I think he rather tell you than tell me to be honest." Sheik listened to her words quietly. She had grown quite fond of the boy she met in the Castle Courtyard over years years ago. He was a cute Kokiri child, who knew nothing of evil, but was willing to face it head on. After he pulled the Master Sword from it's resting place and saved the Forest Sage, he learned he was really a Hylian, which didn't shock Sheik that much. Fondness grew into affection. Now finally, she felt it growing in love. She had fallen in love with the Hero of Time.

Author's Note: Perhaps one or two more chapters. Thanks!

~Yami no Nokutan