AN: Well, so much for those two weeks off! Who knew revision took up so much time? Thanks to WolfenAmphithere, GreenFantasy64 and 7stones7steps for your reviews! And, without further ado, sorry for the wait, here's chapter six.

Six:

"Princess?"

"Mm?"

"Do you think this is another spell?"

"I have no idea." Staring into the darkness around me I suppressed a sigh. The elevator had stopped some minutes ago, leaving us in a room as black as the tunnel it had just descended through, and apparently left no room for any light to filter down from the floor above. It was disconcerting, being sat in complete darkness, especially when I had no idea where my less-than-friendly companion was. He had started exploring the room as soon as we were stationary, and as far as I could tell he had been feeling his way around it via the walls ever since. I had stayed sat where I was, back against one of the lift's supports and legs curled up to my chest.

"Can't you, I don't know, magic some light up or something?" I, again, jumped when he spoke, voice bouncing around the room from wherever he was at that moment.

"It doesn't work like that, Dark." I said, turning my head in the general direction of his voice.

"Well, how useless is that?" Dark scoffed and I scowled at his apparent lack of knowledge on the subject of magic.

"You're welcome to try." I quipped, stretching my legs as they began to cramp. Dark simply sighed in reply and I ran a hand through my hair, listening to his slow progress around the room. There was a sudden heavy thud followed by Dark practically shrieking, which was both comical and terrifying at the same time.

"Dark, are you alright? What happened?" I tried to put some concern into my voice, but it was hard to do when an extremely foul-mouthed rant was flowing from him at a particularly loud volume. After a moment he quietened and I distinctly heard the sound of him hopping about on one foot, which piqued my interest and I repeated my words of 'concern'.

"No I am not alright, princess." Dark snapped, "I just walked into something and it hurt."

"Hit your shin?" I guessed and he grunted in acquiescence, from the sound of it still hopping. I smiled despite myself – it was nice to know that even someone as strong and mean as Dark had sensitive shins.

As Dark recovered from his collision I became aware of the faintest golden glow now emanating from a similar direction to him and I clambered slowly to my feet, eyes fixed on it. Stretching my arms out in front of me I carefully manoeuvred myself off of the lift and towards the light, treading cautiously and slowly.

"Dark do you see that?" I asked as I came to a halt a few paces from the light.

"Hm?"

"Do you see that light?" I repeated as I moved closer to it, gently bumping my legs against something solid when I did.

"Now that you mention it." I almost jumped out of my skin as he spoke from literally right next to me, and I put a hand to my throat as I recovered.

"I wonder what it is." Dark said as the light suddenly vanished, and I realised he had just stood or knelt in front whatever contained it. After a moment he hummed thoughtfully and I heard nails tap against a hard surface.

"It feels kind of like a chest." He said in explanation a moment later. "I think it's locked, though." I heard him move and then heard the distinctive sound of him pulling his sword from its sheath.

"W-wait!" I exclaimed, "I'm right next to you and you can't see!"

"So move back." Dark said, and I could practically hear his eyes rolling over his exasperated tone. I obeyed though, taking a few hasty steps backwards to avoid any accidental (at least, I hoped it would be accidental) impalement. Listening intently I waited, and winced when there was a sudden loud clang followed by a metallic clatter. There was a brief pause before with a loud creak, Dark flung open the lid of the chest. I winced as a bright, golden light filled the room, ten times brighter than what had been filtering through the crack in the chest. Unable to look at it head on I averted my eyes, blinking rapidly as the light made them water. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust but when they did I fixed them on the contents of the chest, which Dark was midway through picking up. I got the brief impression he was holding a bow before he made the strangest… whimpering noise and had flung whatever he was holding at me. I scrambled to catch it, noticing as I did that the light moved with it, as Dark blew frantically on his hands.

"What… what just happened?" I asked, thoroughly confused, and he paused mid-blow to throw a glare at the object in my hands.

"It burnt me." He replied sullenly, shaking his hands gently. I laughed despite myself, but immediately shut my mouth at the look I got in response. Sobering, I looked down at the thing he had thrown at me and found that it was a bow. It was made of some pale, smooth, white-gold wood and had etched along its surface strange golden symbols, which were the source of the light. It was graceful yet strangely archaic in design, and when I rested it on the ground it reached almost up to my shoulders. I stood in reverent silence, admiring the beautiful weapon as Dark again peered into the chest.

"Well, at least we have some light now." He said as he fished something else out of the box. I turned my eyes from the bow, wondering briefly as I did just how it had fitted into the chest in the first place.

"Here." Dark held out what was in his hands and I found a simple leather quiver filled with arrows of a similar design to the bow being waved at me as it hung gingerly from the tip of his index finger. I almost laughed again at his apparent reluctance to touch anything else from inside the chest.

"Thanks." I said as I took it, pulling an arrow out and admiring it. It was made from the same materials and in the same design as the bow, and as I watched the arrowhead began to glow softly, growing brighter in a closer vicinity to the bow. I amused myself for a moment by putting them first close together and then further apart, watching the strangely shaped arrowhead's light grow and dim accordingly.

There was a loud slam that made me jump before Dark rose to his feet, still waving his hands slightly.

"Well, at least now we have a source of light." He grumbled, and I smiled at his grumpy tone. He caught the smile and gave me a cold look, turning away from me to survey the now brightened room. I took a moment to fix the quiver comfortably to my back before I followed Dark's example and began looking around.

The room was large but empty, the lift and the now empty chest seemingly the only things within it. Despite this, as I slowly moved around it, bow aloft to get more light, I heard a strange scratching noise that seemed to be coming from within the walls. Letting my new weapon rest of the floor gently, I pressed an ear to the nearest wall and listened intently. A moment later I felt Dark's eyes on me before he sighed and mumbled something or other about 'weird princesses' in an irritated tone. Suppressing a frown and resisting the urge to roll my eyes I ignored him, slowly moving around the wall and trying to identify the noise. The sudden horrible idea that there was something inside the walls, possibly stuck, struck me and I shuddered. I wasn't claustrophobic but the idea of being trapped inside a wall made me feel suffocated and I quickly stepped away, taking a few deep breaths to reassure myself.

"Ah. I found a door." Dark's deadpan prompted me to turn, and I found he was right. I didn't have a clue how we had missed it beforehand but somehow we had. In the back wall of the room were two large blue doors, decorated with gold and looking incredibly imposing. I sighed, noticing how the door handles were almost the size of my head as I moved to Dark's side.

"How are we going to open those?" I asked and heard rather than saw Dark shrug.

"Muscles?" he replied, the lilt at the end making it a question, and I rolled my eyes again. "Can you magic them open?"

"No." I said firmly. There were spells to open doors and move objects but I had always felt like it was a waste and misuse of magic to use them, especially when you could do those things yourself perfectly well.

"Fine." Dark sighed before squaring up to one of the doors. He reached for its handle and pulled, accomplishing nothing but a clink from the metal ring. I watched him strain in silence, the spectacle amusing me to no ends.

"Are you sure they don't open inwards?" I proposed when Dark took a break, panting softly and leaning on the blue wood of the door. He shot me a ferocious glare but, once his strength was recovered, tried pushing it nonetheless. I think we were both surprised as it swung open, silently and easily, almost taking Dark with it. I was about to follow him into the room when a series of soft squeaks reached my ears and I felt something warm and furry brush against the backs of my legs. I froze, going cold, as a shudder of disgust ran through me.

"Princess, what're-" Dark reappeared, intent on chivvying me along, but he stopped on seeing me frozen to the same spot I had stood in when the door had opened. "Why're you just standing there? We haven't got all day." He raised his eyebrows at me when I didn't reply, but I just couldn't move. There was another squeak behind me and I flinched, sorely tempted to curl up on the floor and cover my ears, no matter how embarrassing it would be to let Dark see me like that. Upon seeing my reaction Dark leaned sideways, trying to see around me, and apparently what he saw made him laugh. It was a cruel, mocking laugh that would have got my hackles up in any other situation, but I was still too scared to move.

"Honestly." Dark shook his head and pulled out his sword, suppressed laughs still shaking his frame. "First heights now rats? What aren't you scared of, princess?" I plucked up the courage to turn and watch his progress and another wave of goosebumps hit me as I caught sight of the cause of my fear. There, sat just at the edge of the light cast by my bow, sat the largest rat I had ever had the misfortune of seeing. It had black fur streaked with grey, and as I watched its hideous, scaly tail lashed while it's horrible nose twitched ceaselessly, revealing two yellowed fangs that it bared on Dark's approach. Dark dispatched it quickly and I found I couldn't look away, both satisfied and horrified to witness its death. With a dramatic flair Dark sheathed his sword. Once the monster rat's body had melted away I breathed a soft sigh of relief and turned away, eyes fixed on the doors again.

Another soft chuckle made me scowl and, determined not to hear any mocking words from Dark, I stalked into the adjoining room, lighting the way with my new weapon. I found it wasn't needed however, as the new room was lit by several torches which glowed at regular intervals around the large, circular room. There were several pictures on the walls, placed as if to replace the windows the room would have had above ground, and as I admired them I noticed that they were all exactly the same. The red carpet made a sudden reappearance, covering the centre of the room's stone floor, while red ropes attempted to block access to the paintings.

Footsteps and a soft, thoughtful hum alerted me to Dark's presence and I glanced over my shoulder at him. He caught my eye and grinned at me, though it was more of a sneer than a smile, so I shot him a glare that clearly said, 'just try and laugh at my phobias'. The smirk didn't leave but he didn't say anything, maybe because of the bow in my hands. I saw his eyes flicker onto it as he passed me and I was immediately tempted to jab him with it but refrained from doing so when I realised I would then no doubt have to incur his wrath for a moment's pleasure.

"What's up with all these creepy paintings then?" he mused aloud, spinning on the spot as he looked at them. It was true, they were creepy; they all depicted a lonely road leading to a pitch black shape on the horizon while four eerie-looking trees stood like sentries on either side. Surveying them again I asked myself the same question, wondering why they were all of the same thing as I did. It was as this thought ran through my mind that I noticed that it wasn't entirely true. On the right-hand wall the painting seemed a little different. I moved closer to it with a frown, folding my arms and narrowing my eyes as I tried to pinpoint exactly what it was that was different. A small chill ran down my spine as I saw it. There, behind the furthest tree back, was a silhouette. A human-shaped silhouette that appeared to be peeking around the tree trunk as if scared to come out. And it was only in that picture. I glanced at the closest ones to confirm it and shuddered slightly when I did.

"How creepy." I jumped as Dark spoke from right beside me; I had been so engrossed in the painting that I hadn't noticed his approach. Stepping smartly away from him I walked right up to the rope guarding the picture, leaning on it as I reached up to touch the canvas. There was a prickle of magic against my fingertips before my hand was forced back and a slight ripple passed over the image as if I had disturbed some wall of energy. With an irritated click of my tongue I tried again, only to be forced back once more.

"More magic?" Dark guessed on my third attempt and I nodded.

"Yes." I turned to him. "So, do you think that little figure is your fellow soul piece?" Dark raised an eyebrow, cast another glance at the painting, and shrugged.

"Only one way to find out." I sighed heavily at this before regaining my composure, though there was a growing exasperation within me that I felt would probably explode some time in the future. Before that happened, though, I had to do something about the little person in the painting. While I considered my options I heard Dark begin moving around the room again and I resolutely ignored the bored noises he began making after about a minute. I knew from experience that ignoring him would probably have dire consequences but I really needed to concentrate and engaging in a conversation with him would get us nowhere, plus it would only end with one of us more irritated than we needed to be.

It was only when I heard him free his sword that I turned, not wanting to expose my back to him for too long, only to find him absent-mindedly carving shapes into the red carpet. Annoyed that I had gotten worried over nothing I turned back and again attempted to touch the painting.

"You know, princess, that didn't work the first three times so why are you still trying?" I ignored him as I wondered if casting magic on the painting would damage it. I didn't want to risk it if the silhouette really was another part of Link's soul.

"Shall I try cutting it?" Dark suggested and I ground my teeth, refusing to respond. Did he honestly think that would work?!

"You're no fun, princess." He sighed, scattering a little more bait. Too annoyed to do anything else I bit, turning and letting none of my irritation show on my face. He raised his eyebrows when I met his eyes.

"Dark, if you're that bored take the lift back up and find some more monsters to kill." I said, unable to keep my voice completely level. Swinging his sword lazily through the air in front of him Dark grinned.

"If you want me gone all you have to do is say, princess." He said in a singsong voice and I repressed a scowl.

"Well if you would stop sighing and whining maybe I wouldn't want to." I snapped, seeing his eyes narrow a little in response.

"You're obviously not getting anywhere," he pointed out, "so what else can I do?"

"Try using your head, maybe?" I replied, "think up some ideas or something. Not everything can be solved with that sword of yours."

"It's done fine so far." Dark informed me and I sighed. With a shake of my head I looked away, clenching my fist tightly around my new weapon and steadily fighting the urge to hit Dark with it. At the feeling of the wood digging into my palm an idea hit me, blowing away my irritation.

"Alright." I said, backing up a few steps. "We'll try your idea then-"

"Hm?" Dark seemed both intrigued and confused. I glanced over my shoulder at him and smiled coldly.

"-Just with a few modifications." As I spoke I raised my bow and carefully nocked an arrow, accustoming myself to this large new weapon. I watched with awe as the arrowhead began to shine with an ethereal gold light, lighting the area around me and I felt the bow begin to hum with magic. It spread into my arms, powerful and exhilarating, as I focused on my target. The painting with the silhouette in it was illuminated under the light of the arrow as I drew back the string, concentrating. I released the arrow and there was a jolt of pain in my forearm followed by a satisfying thud as the arrow hit the mark. Silence fell and I stared at the arrow, which was now quietly embedded in the canvas. A surge of disappointment rushed through me and I consoled myself with the knowledge that it had at least touched the painting while my hands could not.

"How disappointing." Dark sighed and I whirled on him, bow raised. I was going to do it. I was going to hit him. I saw him smirk challengingly before his eyes went wide and fixed on something over my shoulder. I began to turn when a sudden, brilliant flash of gold lit the room, temporarily blinding me. Instinctively I raised my free arm to shield my eyes, wondering if all magic had to be this bright. Then again I guess it did – it wouldn't have been as impressive otherwise.

"Is all magic this bright?" I heard Dark complain before there was a loud shattering noise that rang in my ears painfully followed by a muffled thud. Somewhere in amongst the light someone started coughing.

Blinking spots out of my eyes I dropped my arm, watching the room come back into focus. To my left Dark was on his knees, hands over his eyes as he complained loudly, to my right an unknown person was coughing. I turned right, more concerned about the newcomer. There, knelt hunched on the ground, lithe body shaking as they choked, was another version of Link. Dressed all in lilac with hints of pale blue here and there was the second Dark look-alike I had come across. His hair was a paler blonde than the first's but when he raised his head weakly I found his eyes just as blue.

"Are you alright?" I asked, sinking onto my haunches beside him. He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and smiled at me slightly, but he didn't say anything so I took the smile to be an affirmative. I offered a hand, intending to help him to his feet, and he took it after a moment's hesitation. His hand was warm and gentle, easily swamping my own, and I couldn't help but marvel at the difference between his and Dark's grips. When he was stood I admired the similarities between them; though their colouring was different, their shape and stance were practically identical. I could map them out clearly as Dark recovered and came to stand beside his fellow piece of soul.

They stared at each other in silence for a long moment before the newcomer smiled with a small, light laugh. Dark scowled in response, narrowing his bright eyes. I watched with interest, curious and prepared for this second meeting of soul pieces.

"Well there you go," I said with a sense of triumph, "it really was another soul piece in the painting."

"Yeah, yeah." Dark waved a hand flippantly, "I don't remember ever saying it wasn't."

"So, is there any way for you to… you know-" I pressed my palms together, "-merge or whatever, without someone getting stabbed?" Both of the men looked towards me and then at each other, apparently having some silent conversation in which I had no part.

"Well, all we have to do is be willing to 'merge'," the newcomer said and I looked at him, "and it should… work..." His blue eyes flickered onto mine and he trailed off. A moment later I saw a faint blush spread across his cheeks as he hastily looked away. For a moment I was surprised before I smiled.

"Don't tell me you're Link's romantic feelings?" I guessed, and they both looked to me with identical expressions of startle. Awkward silence followed, with one piece now blushing fiercely while the other refused to meet my eye. I simply watched with no little amusement, wondering if Dark of all people could be romantic. Almost laughing out loud at the mental image this thought provoked I took it upon myself to break the silence and chivvy the pair along. Clapping my hands together, I drew two pairs of eyes onto me again. I pointed at Dark who raised an eyebrow.

"You told me you had a limited amount of time to put yourself back together, didn't you? Why are we just standing around shuffling our feet?"

"Well look who's talking, Miss Indecisive." Dark retorted. "You wasted a load of time agonising over whether to help me or not."

"I'm not doing it now, am I? It's you two-" I pointed at both of them. "-who are holding things up now." Dark sighed, raising his eyes skyward before he faced the newcomer. Silence fell again before, almost awkwardly, the Link piece dressed in lilac offered a hand to Dark. Dark took it in an obviously grudging manner and then we all waited, staring at their joined hands.

I was about to open my mouth and speak when their interlocked hands began to glow faintly with a pinkish-purple light that steadily got brighter as I watched. I was forced back a step as a sudden gust of wind sprang from the still air around us, whipping hair and cloaks wildly. A strange force seemed to resonate from the pair as they stood absolutely still, unaffected by the wind. The light around their hands grew brighter, throwing shadows around the room as it flickered and pulsed in a way reminiscent to a heartbeat, until I had to lift a hand a shield my eyes. The force became stronger and I braced myself against it, watching from under my fingers with awe.

I watched as the two soul pieces became simple black silhouettes against the light before one of them began to almost melt into the other, tendrils of black smoke seeping into their body. The remaining figure staggered and, as suddenly as it had come, the light, the wind and the pressure all vanished. Their absence left the room eerily quiet; the only sound the gasps now emanating from Dark. The one who was left standing was Dark. I felt a small, confusing pang of what felt like a mixture of both disappointment and satisfaction on seeing him there. The former I could understand; it was the latter that bemused me.

"Two down." He muttered before sinking onto his knees, curling in on himself and still breathing heavily. I crossed to his side and stood in silence, waiting for him to recover. He eventually straightened and glanced at me, so I offered him a hand.

"Are you alright?" I asked somewhat sincerely as, to my amazement, he allowed me to pull him to his feet. His hand was cold but surprisingly gentle, and a slight sense of déjà vu hit me.

"Do I look alright, princess?" he replied and I rolled my eyes.

"I was only asking." I defended myself, releasing his hand. He proceeded to brush down his trousers where he had been knelt on the carpet before stretching and turning towards the exit.

"Onwards then, eh princess?" he said, glancing over his shoulder. I frowned at him, taking in his appearance – which had been growing steadily more dishevelled as the day went on – and shook my head.

"You need to sit down and stay still for a bit." I said, eliciting a noise that seemed half surprised and half resentful from Dark.

"Who's the one who was going on about wasting time just a minute ago?" he said resentfully, "I'm fine. Let's just keep on reassembling me, 'kay?"

"No." I was determined to hold my ground. "Let's not. You, Dark Link, are going to sit down, be quiet and rest for a little while." I switched to my 'princess voice' as I spoke – a voice that encouraged no argument. "What use will you be if you drop down dead because you've pushed yourself too hard? I need you to save my country, so let yourself recover for a minute." I was breaking all the rules, by ordering him around, and I could see the reproach in his eyes as he stared at me in outright amazement. His eyes flashed with some other unknown emotion and he opened his mouth. A moment later he snapped it shut and sighed, raking a hand through his hair.

"Fine. But only after we leave this temple." He growled. I nodded sharply and gave him a small smile that was my discrete way of saying, 'no hard feelings?'. Dark just rolled his eyes.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, reviews/feedback is appreciated, ideas welcome yadda yadda... Thanks for reading!