Undisclosed Desires

4.5.2013 - chapter edit

Credit for the song goes to OneRepublic for their version of Shout (the live version).

Chapter 7

The next morning Link and Zelda were awakened by an ear splitting shriek and then then they heard Blackjax's snorts and cries and Epona's softer more concerned whinny.

"Oh no," Zelda muttered as she jumped up and threw on her cloak and belt as she transformed into Sheik. "Someone must be below and tried to touch him."

"Why is that a problem?" Link asked as he pulled on his own boots.

"He's trained to be unfriendly to strangers," he answered and yanked on his boots. "He's a hardheaded horse but still worth his weight in gold rupees." And after checking that his face wrappings were in place he jumped out of the window while Link took the more conventional method: the door.

As he looked on at the scene below him Link couldn't help but feel a little bit of amusement despite his concern for his friend. Ilia was backed against the cliff and his house with Epona standing between her and a clearly upset Blackjax. The stallion was tossing his head in agitation and rushing towards Ilia only to be blocked by the larger Epona. He would then back off but to vent his frustration he would rear and then buck viciously into the air.

"LINK!" Ilia screamed as soon as she saw him, setting off Blackjax once again.

"That's enough," Sheik's calm voice cut through the stallion's high pitched squeals and jumped down from his hiding place in the tree.

Blackjax eyed his rider but his main focus was still on Ilia and Epona. At least until Sheik barked out a command to him that Link didn't understand. Defeated, the black stallion backed off and walked over to his rider and thrust his head into his heads in dissatisfaction. Sheik looked up at Link and gave him a small nod to tell him that it was alright for Ilia to move.

"It's okay now Ilia." Link called as he climbed down the ladder just in time to catch the sobbing girl in his arms.

"I was so scared!" She cried. "All I did was try to pet him after Epona and then he just went crazy!"

"He's a bit of a one person horse," Sheik said after watching Link struggle with the right words to console the crying girl. "He's trained to move away from strangers he doesn't know but he will fight if someone goes after him."

"That's horrible!" Ilia said harshly and whirled around to face him. "How could you do such a thing to such a beautiful animal? What if it had been a child?"

"He's trained that way because there are people who would try to steal him. And if you had been a child there wouldn't have been an incident. He's trained to react to threatening adults not to children."

"But how do you know? How could you prove something like that?" Ilia challenged. She was still angry that the beautiful horse had effectively rejected her affection but was as calm as a kitten with the red eyed stranger. "Who are you anyway?"

Link felt that Ilia had overstepped her bounds and if the glint in Sheik's eyes was anything to go on he felt the same way.

"Madam," Sheik began and his voice was calm but there was an edge of steel that couldn't be hidden. "Should this horse ever go against his years of training and become a threat to an innocent child I will put him down myself. Until then I will stand by the fact that he will not harm a child. My advice to you is to stay clear of him from now on. And if you should happen to see him with some children and they're not having any problems stay away. Otherwise he will take your approach as that of an enemy intent on harming the children."

Link felt Ilia wince and shrink back from Sheik's stern words but he knew better than to interfere. Working so closely with Tarak he had come to understand how very much the Sheikah valued their word and the words of others. For Ilia to doubt his word and demand proof was like a spit in the face for Sheik.

"His name is Sheik," Link said before any more difficulties could arise. "He's here as my guest actually."

"Why are you here Link?" Ilia asked and looked up at him curiously. "Did you decide to return home now?" She asked hopefully.

"No," he sighed and gently pushed her away. "We're actually here to discuss something with Rusl for Queen Zelda."

"I see," she said in disappointment. "Well in that case I'll just take Epona with me and give her a bath. I'm sure you haven't had time for her lately."

Link bit back his irritation but didn't protest as Ilia led Epona away. After all, the baths were something that Epona enjoyed and it made Ilia happy to spoil her.

"I'm sorry," Sheik apologized. "I-"

"I understand." Link interrupted and grinned wryly at the other man. "You don't need to explain and she's not usually like this. Ilia really likes horses and I think it hurt her feelings that Blackjax didn't take to her."

"I didn't think it would be an issue here." Sheik said worried and gave the stallion a nudge so he'd resume grazing.

"It shouldn't be now that Ilia knows. The kids might be curious but I doubt they'll worry him."

Sheik nodded and stretched his arms out over his head and let himself fall back onto the ground with a deep sigh. "Okay now that we've had our excitement for the day would it be lazy to go back to sleep?"

"Yes," Link confirmed but he was grinning.

"Fine." Sheik's eyes glinted and Link knew that the man was grinning at him. "I guess for this mission I should consider myself to be your Sheikah companion. Which means that I'm finally in a position to give someone advice that they must take into careful consideration."

Sheik's voice was gleeful as he informed Link of his decision as he jumped easily to his feet from the ground.

"I thought people who take your advice anyway," he said dryly and gestured to his right hand where the mark of the Triforce of Wisdom hid under his glove.

"Selene told me I needed gray in my hair before people would just accept what I say without question," Sheik began as he followed Link into the village. "So I decided to expedite the process by dyeing my hair to gray."

"And what happened?" Link asked and smothered a grin with his hand.

"She was wrong. Even if you're a child with grey, or in my case white hair, you still don't get people to just do as you say. They just go 'oh, that's nice. Oh and what did you do to your hair?'"

The disgruntled tone made Link laugh at the picture he painted. "I'm sure you were a sight to see."

"For a little while anyway. Selene wasn't nearly as amused as you are." Sheik observed.

Almost without warning they entered the main part of Ordon Village and Link paused to take everything in. There were changes that he hadn't expected. There were a few more houses now and more people out and about as well as more plots of pumpkins growing.

"Let's go say hello," Link said with a broad smile and eagerly went to make his usual rounds. He greeted and was greeted exuberantly in return by the people he'd known all his life. All of them wanted to know how life was at the castle and how was the Queen? Then they would take a disconcerted look at Sheik and ask uncomfortably who he was.

"Sheik," he would answer for himself and his one word reply would disconcert the villagers as much as his crimson eyes and covered face would.

"Why are you being deliberately distant?" Link asked curiously on their way to Rusl's house.

"It's my job to be imposing," he answered with a shrug. "Besides, with rare exception we're not the friendliest of people until we get to know you." He slung an arm playfully around Link's shoulders as he added, "And then you tend to get treated more like family."

Just as Link was about to knock on the door it was flung open by an excited Colin. "Link's back!" He was yelling over his shoulder as he ran right into said person. "Link!"

"Colin." Uli scolded her son gently but there was a soft smile on her face. "Welcome home Link," she added her greetings. "Who is your friend?"

"I'm Sheik," he answered for himself and for the first time he actually raised his fist over his heart and gave a slight bow of respect.

"A member of the Sheikah Clan?" Rusl started in surprise and Link watched as his old mentor evaluated Sheik thoughtfully. "I didn't think your people ever left their village."

"Some of us leave to better serve Hyrule and the Queen." Sheik tilted his head slightly and asked his own question. "Isn't it rare to have a swordsman of your caliber in a sleepy little village like this?"

"Definitely a Clansman!" Rusl laughed. "So tell me, how are things at the castle and then tell me why you're here."

Link settled in to 'his' chair and told them about his life at the castle and also about some of the people who lived there. He also told them about his responsibilities and what his plans for the Knights were. Then he told them about the dismemberment of the Council.

"Excellent!" Rusl declared. "Those heartless aristocrats have been in power for too long." He gave Link a playfully jealous look and said, "I wish I could have been in your shoes when Queen Zelda got rid of them."

In the background, Sheik played his harp that he'd returned to Link's house for and he kept baby Cassandra entertained so Uli could make dinner more easily. Collin quietly sat at his father's feet with his back propped against Rusl's legs as he also listened to Link's adventures.

"It was incredible," Link agreed and smiled at the memory. "But it's left a vacuum of power that needs to be filled."

"Well I hope the nobles that the Queen will choose serve Hyrule better than the ones that she threw out."

"It's more than nobles that she's searching for," he began awkwardly. "Zelda-"

"Zelda!" Rusl interrupted with a laugh. "So you get to call the Queen by her given name?"

"We're friends," Link answered somewhat shyly.

"You do have an ability for making interesting friends." Rusl noted and didn't press Link any further in the issue.

"Zelda wants people who are like you Rusl," Link began again in a serious voice. "She needs men and women who put their people and family before their own ambitions."

The silence that followed would have been deafening if not for the gentle music that Sheik continued to play without pause.

"You must be mistaken lad," Rusl said finally. "There haven't been common members of the Council for years and years. Why would the young Queen want to change that now? Not only that but Uli and I have made our lives here." The couple shared a long look with one another that was another conversation all on its own, but it was one in which the others were not privy to.

"Her Majesty wants people who will be the best representatives for their provinces," Sheik finally spoke. "It is not a command but a request. If you feel that you cannot accept then the Queen understands and asks that you recommend someone whom will be up to the challenge."

Sheik's perceptive eyes took in the finished food and a hesitant Uli and took the initiative to break the serious conversation. "Come friends," he said to the men still deep in thought. "There is good food to be eaten that has been prepared by loving and lovely hands."

"Thank you," Uli said with a blush as the men came to the table.

"Your friend is quite the charmer." Rusl said as he eyed the young Sheikah.

Sheik shrugged but remained standing instead of sitting with the others and thrummed his harp thoughtfully as he thought of a song to entertain his audience. And his fingers began to play a tune and his clear tenor washed over them.

In violent times
You shouldn't have to sell your soul
In black and white
They really, really ought to know
Those one track minds
Took you for a working boy
Kiss them goodbye
You shouldn't have to jump for joy
You shouldn't have to shout

"Why doesn't he eat with us?" Colin asked his father quietly.

"It's not their way," Rusl answered absently as he listened in pleasure to the music. "Sheikah are rarely open with people outside themselves. You'd be hard pressed to find a better friend though."

Without warning Sheik's voice went from sad and wistful to something stronger and more demanding as he sang, as if he himself would take on the status quo then and there.

"I'd say you're a good friend to have dear." Uli said to her husband and Link nodded his agreement but like the others his attention was mainly on Sheik.

It amazed him that the gifts he had as Zelda carried over to this form as well. Link wished that he had the gift for words that his travelling companion did. Even now he was making Rusl and Uli think of what could be as they heard Sheik sing his desire for something different.

Oh, I said

Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on, I'm talking to you, come on

Sheik's eyes roamed over them but every time that his red eyes met his own Link felt that it was his soul that Sheik was looking into. And when he was looking over and past them his eyes would look so fierce but wistful that Link couldn't help but wonder what his companion was thinking about. As he reflected back on his own choices Link was glad that he had decided to take his chances and leave Ordon. He was grateful now for all the experiences that had transformed him from a boy into a man.

"You have a wonderful voice," Uli complimented him as his fingers danced idly upon the harp once more.

"Thank you lady," he answered and bowed his head slightly in thanks.

"You make a fine politician for your Queen," Rusl commented wryly.

"I am just a vessel carrying another's message." Sheik returned and they all started at an unexpected knock at the door.

"Rusl! Uli! Who's that musician you've got hidden in here?" Mayor Bo called as he entered the dwelling.

"Welcome Bo," Rusl said with a grin. "Link's friend here is the bard you heard."

"That's a fine set of lungs you've got boy!" Bo complimented him. "Got anything else that'll stir a man's soul?"

Sheik chucked but he shook his head and raised the harp in his hand. "Perhaps with a different instrument but not currently," he answered and resumed playing a more gentle tune.

"Pity. Well I was just stopping by to be nosy. You folks enjoy your evening."

"That Bo," Uli laughed after he left. "He never changes."

During the conversation that followed they finished dinner but before they left Uli made sure that she sent them home with some leftovers so that Sheik could eat later.

"Thank you," she said sincerely to the red eyed man. "Your music made the evening very enjoyable."

"You're welcome," Sheik answered and bowed respectfully with his fist over his heart before offering the same salute to Rusl and then headed towards Link's home.

"He's a high ranking member of their Clan isn't he?" Rusl asked Link curiously.

"I'm not exactly sure myself." Link answered honestly.

"He is," Rusl said confidently. "Otherwise he wouldn't be travelling with you. Only their masters are allowed to travel without the accompaniment of another Sheikah."

"How do you know all this?" Link asked.

"I too have travelled extensively," Rusl said and tugged on his shirt in mock importance. "Plus with Shad around you tend to get overeducated on things."

"True." The two men laughed together before Link also took his leave and headed toward his home. Alas a certain person was lying in wait for him.

Ilia. He recognized her silhouette in dismay as he stepped back into the shadows. He wasn't in the mood for another scolding from her but didn't see any way around her.

"Really Link," Sheik's voice spoke quietly into his ear. "You shouldn't be that afraid of a woman."

"What if they're really intimidating?" He whispered back.

"Then you should admit defeat and just take it," the other replied and Link could hear the laughter in his voice. "But just this once I'll help you out since I happen to be considerably hungry." No sooner had he finished speaking before his palm gently covered Link's eyes. For a brief moment Link felt as though the earth beneath his feet moved but then Sheik had removed his hand and they were standing in front of Link's house.

"That's a useful trick," Link complimented sincerely.

"Especially if you're avoiding your guards." Zelda laughed and pulled off her face wrappings. "Even if Rusl and Uli decide to remain here I hope I can get some recipes from Uli. Everything looked so delicious."

Link laughed and carried the basket inside so that she could climb up more easily. "She'd be even more pleased if she knew that interest was coming from the Queen herself."

"Do you think?" Zelda asked curiously and paused her eating for a moment to consider him. "I didn't get the impression that they'd be too impressed with my 'Queenly' self."

"They'd be impressed with you," Link said and without thinking he wiped some stray crumbs of bread from her mouth. Almost immediately he had realized what he'd done and stepped back in embarrassment as his cheeks heated.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be-"

"It's okay Link," Zelda interrupted and reached out and gently took his hand despite the fact that her cheeks were also flushed from embarrassment. "I promise to eat at a more dignified pace if you'll relax."

"Agreed," he said readily and gently squeezed her hand before releasing her so she could eat more freely. "Where do you come up with all of your songs?" He asked curiously.

"Most of them are ones that I've been taught since I was a child. Father allowed Selene to have a free hand with me and brought me up to be Hyrule's princess and a Sheikah Clan member. And the Sheikah enjoy music very much."

"Rusl said that you had to be ranked highly within the Clan to be able to travel by yourself."

Zelda started a bit and looked at him thoughtfully. "He's correct actually. Only members who have achieved mastery over the arts are allowed to travel unaccompanied by a master."

"Even if one is a Queen?"

"Especially in one is a Queen," she answered with a wry smile. "Link… I haven't asked you but what is it that you want?"

"What do you mean?"

"Some reward that you desire for saving Hyrule or some dream you wish to fulfill?" She hesitantly explained and her smoky blue grey eyes looked out the window to the forest beyond it. "Something you want more than anything?"

Link halted in picking up the few things that become scattered in a home when it's occupied and looked at the delicate woman in his house. He'd always considered himself to be a simple man with simple wants. Growing up his only desire had been to become a good man like Rusl and then with the invasion had happened he'd only wanted to save his friends.

And then later he'd gotten to know Zelda and her unwavering determination had impressed him and her selfless desires had become his own. And somewhere along the way his only dream had been to stand with this woman and to do his best to help her make their country into a better place. And yet as he stood in his house that he'd built with his own hands it truly felt like a home with Zelda there with him. It was the same feeling that he felt whenever he and Zelda could get together for one of their long discussions with usually Selene or one of the other women who would add their own opinions to the mix.

"I do," he answered finally and placed a hand on her shoulder so that she turned to look at him. "My dream is to help my friend bring our country into a golden age."

Zelda laughed quietly and placed her small hand atop his. "Anything else?" She asked seriously.

"I'll let you know." He promised and held her gaze for a few moments longer before releasing her hand. "It's my turn to sleep on the pallet tonight." He announced as he pulled off his boots and sloughed off his sword and shield. With a contented sigh he lay down on the blankets and was pleasantly surprised to note that they still had her scent on them.

"You forgot something," Zelda teased as she plucked his cap from his head and laid it on the table before lowering the lantern light and getting ready for bed herself.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Good night Link."

"Good night Zelda."

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She was racing through a land barren of all color and life. Even the horse she rode was a brilliant white like the dress that she wore.

Where are you running to little Queen? A menacing voice echoed from all around her. She was surrounded by darkness with only herself and the horse emitting any light. Not that the darkness bothered her, she was one of the Sheikah after all, but she did not like being a large glowing target.

"Who are you?" She shouted back into the abyss. "Show yourself!"

Foolish little Queen. Laughed the voice and she could feel the very air moving about her. You are nothing here.

"I am never nothing." She returned and an icy blast hit her so forcefully that it caused the horse to rear in panic. "I am Zelda Harkinian! Queen of Hyrule and keeper of its people! I am never nothing!" She shouted in defiance.

Cold mocking laughter followed her statement. Queen of Hyrule you say? Then you must be the Queen of Death! And suddenly the landscape lighted and she was looking upon the ruin of her country. The very earth was a wasteland and all around her were the bodies of her people. Some she knew very well and others she simply knew by their faces. And everywhere there where rivers of blood.

"No," she whispered.

Again the laughter mocked her. Is that all you can say? Where is your spirit? Your fire? Perhaps it is dead along with your hero? And another light appeared from nowhere and illuminated Link's bloody and beaten body. Where is your hope of rescue now little Queen? And distantly she could see a pair of murderous white eyes.

A ruler is nothing without their people. Her father's voice echoed within her. So you must fight for them and do what is best for them before yourself.

Anger and sadness warred within her as tears poured from her eyes. "No." She bit out as she stared at Link's face.

No?

"No!" She screamed with rage and kicked her horse forward toward the pair of eyes. A rapier suddenly in her hand a great golden glow surrounded her, urging her on.

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"No!" The cry shattered the stillness of the night and Link automatically jumped to his feet and reached for his sword. For a few heart pounding moments he searched the darkness for danger only to realize that the cry had come from Zelda.

He dropped the sword and quickly hurried to her side. "Zelda?" He whispered and his hand felt her wet face. "Zelda!" He called more urgently and began to panic when she didn't awaken as easily as she should have.

He sat down beside her and gathered her into his arms as he shook her roughly while he called out her name. What seemed like an eternity later her eyes suddenly snapped open and the pain he saw in her eyes worried him more than anything else.

"Link?" She stared at him for a moment and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank the Goddesses it was just a dream," she whispered but her hands still clung tightly to him as if she still needed to reassure herself.

"Zelda, what was it you dreamed?"

"Not yet," she whispered and laid her head against his shoulder. "It's still too close."

"Okay," he agreed and shifted them so that he was leaning back against the pillows with Zelda wrapped safely in his arms. Rather than saying anything he just held her and gently stroked her soft hair as tremors shook her body.

"Everyone and everything was gone," she whispered softly. "Hyrule was a wasteland. There wasn't any green anywhere and the water had disappeared. And the people," her voice broke and she clasped his nightshirt tightly in her fists. "Selene was dead her body broken into pieces. And your body was there also lying amongst the others and I was alone in a dead world. Except for something that was made of the darkness that kept taunting me. I was so alone and so angry that I didn't care anymore. What did it matter if anything happened to me with all my people and loved ones gone?"

Her voice sounded so full of despair that Link didn't know what else to do but hold her more closely to him and let some of his warmth seep into her body. "That would never happen," he swore. "Besides I can't picture Selene giving in to anyone. She scares me sometimes."

"You were afraid of Ilia last night," she reminded him with a watery laugh.

"That's called conditioning," he answered and placed tilted her chin so she had to look at him. "I promise I won't leave you alone. Wherever you go I will follow and I promise that I will come whenever you call me."

Zelda's eyes widened as she stared back at him. "You shouldn't make such promises Link. It's almost blasphemous."

He chuckled and tucked her head back under his chin. "I don't think the Goddesses will mind."

"But-"

"Go back to sleep," he chided. "I'll keep your nightmares away."

He was well aware that he was crossing boundaries but for this night he didn't care. He'd seen the closeness between Zelda, Selene, and her other handmaidens and knew how comforting a touch could be in such a family centered Clan. He just hoped that she would allow him to comfort her while she was away from her family. Eventually the tense lines of her body eased and the tremors faded as she slipped into sleep.

"Goodnight Zelda," he said quietly and allowed himself to drift off to sleep as well.

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The next morning when he woke Zelda was already up and burning breakfast.

"I take it cooking isn't your specialty?" He said jokingly.

"Not at all but I try," she answered and threw out her attempt at eggs for the morning. "I keep thinking that eventually something will just click and I'll be able to do this."

"How many times have you tried?" He asked and couldn't quite hide his grin.

"This morning? This is my third attempt. Overall?" She sighed and looked dejectedly at the stove. "Melena has always said I have a unique talent for burning water." She gave him a baleful look when he started to laugh but a smile ghosted over her lips as well.

"I'll take over then before we run out of eggs."

"Link," she stopped him with a hesitant touch on his arm. "Thank you. For last night I-"

"I know," he interrupted and squeezed her fingers lightly before taking over the cooking utensils. "Zelda?" He called and didn't turn around as he began to cook. "I meant what I said."

"I know," she answered after a moment of silence. "I'm going to go get some more water."

When she returned with the fresh water the two of them polished off his simple but tasty breakfast. "Do you want to stay here another day?" She asked curiously. "Give them time to think it over and for you to see what Ilia wanted."

"How about we go and tell everyone goodbye and see what happens before we head to Kakariko Village?"

"I think you won't have a choice about one," Zelda said and before Link could say anything Sheik was standing before him and putting on his face wrappings.

"What do you-"

"Link!" Ilia's voice came through the windows. "Can I speak with you please?"

"Excuse me then." Sheik said and gave a polite bow to Link but wasn't able to mask the humor glinting in his eyes as he made his exit. Out the window of course.

"I'm coming Ilia," he called and went to the face the confrontation he'd been hoping to avoid.

She was standing under his home with such a sad look on her face that he instantly felt contrite for having avoided her.

"What is it Ilia?"

"You've been avoiding me ever since you came home Link. I don't understand why."

"We didn't part on the best of term when I last left. When I returned I thought you were still angry with me."

"I was but then I realized that there was only one reason why you would have returned."

"One reason?" Link echoed.

"For me!" She exclaimed and threw her arms around him. "You must have returned once you realized that you love me."

"Ilia," he sighed and gently unwrapped her arms from around him. "I told you that I returned because I was sent her by Queen Zelda to-"

"I know what you said but that isn't what you feel!" She interrupted irritably.

"Ilia. I don't love you," he said calmly.

"But you will, I can make you!" She cried and threw her arms around his neck and this time she managed to press her lips against his own. He'd never really imagined what his first kiss would be like but he hadn't pictured it leaving him feeling cold and annoyed. He'd finally had enough.

"Are you done?" He asked and his voice was cold. "What would your father say if he saw you throwing yourself at men like this?"

"At men?" She bit out. "Do you think I just throw myself at any random man who comes along?"

"If you don't then kindly quit doing it to me," he chided. "I've told you twice now that I don't love you. I haven't led you on to believe anything else and yet you still won't accept what I'm telling you. I would like for us to remain friends but I can see that for now we won't be able to."

"Link! What are you saying?" She cried.

"I'm saying goodbye Ilia. Find someone who will be able to love you. I cannot." And with that he walked off towards Rusl's home.

"Oh Link! How could you!" Ilia cried and threw herself to the ground in a fit of tears.

"Easy little one," Sheik's calm voice came from above her. "It's not the end of the world."

"It is!" She sobbed and refused to look at him. "Oh, why did he have to come back?"

"Because this is his home. As it is yours."

"Not anymore," she bit out. "Castle Town is his home now!"

"Ilia," he scolded. "Do you want to lose your friendship with Link over something so silly?"

"My feelings are not silly! I love him!"

"But you can't make him love you. And even if you could, it wouldn't really be love. Love is something that must be given freely and accepted as it is."

"How would you know?" Ilia asked but her voice was much quieter than it had been. "Have you ever been in love?"

"No," he answered honestly. "But I've seen it in people like your Uli and Rusl."

"Why can't he just love me back?"

"Why do you feel like he must?" Sheik countered as he landed silently beside her. "Sometimes the hardest part of love is to love someone enough to let go." And he twirled a leaf gently between his fingers. "If you try and hold onto something or someone too tightly," and here he crushed the delicate leaf in his fist. "You crush them and even the most gentle of souls will come to resent you." He laid the mutilated leaf beside Ilia and said quietly, "it is up to you."

Ilia took the leaf delicately in her small hand and one of her tears dropped on to its crushed surface. "I'm sorry Link."

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"You boys leaving already?" Rusl called as Link and Sheik almost rode past him from where he was waiting at the Spring.

"Uli told us that you'd headed out to the woods." Link answered, glad that he would have the chance to say goodbye to his old friend after all.

"Yeah," Rusl agreed and rubbed his neck awkwardly. "So Uli and I did a lot of talking last night and we decided to accept."

"I'm glad," Link said and reached out to Rusl to shake his hand. "It'll be good to see you around all the time again."

"I just hope your Queen knows what she's doing." He laughed and grip Link's forearm in return. "We'll see you in the city."

"See you Rusl!" Link called as the two of them coaxed their horses into a trot.

"Are you ready for Kakariko Village?" Link asked as they stopped the horses at the edge of the Ordon Woods where it met the fields of Hyrule.

"Very," he answered. "Who do you have in mind this time?"

"No one as of yet," Link answered honestly. "But Renado probably will." He gave his companion a sly look before giving a light kick to Epona to start her into a sudden gallop. "Race you!" He shouted over his shoulder.

"Should we let him win?" Sheik asked Blackjax as the two stared after the running horse. The black stallion snorted and pawed at the ground in discontent.

"I don't think so either." He agreed let the eager stallion run to his heart's content.

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(A/N: So if I don't end here I'm going to keep rambling on and that could be interesting or bad I haven't decided. Regardless I hope you enjoy this chapter and will leave a review with your opinion).