I apologise for the lateness, I have developed something called 'Lazyitis' Yes I don't have writers block, I'm not giving up on the story, I'm just plain lazy. Since my hand has healed nicely, I'm back to my hyperactive self, so not as much time on the computer.

Reviewers… I love you all; I really have no idea why I haven't replied to everyone. Seriously, no excuse what so ever. So yeah, you can give me a virtual slap to knock the laziness out of me you have my permission.

This chapter is quite short coz well, if I put anymore in I would spoil next chapter, but still I hope you all enjoy.

Disclaimer – I don't own Legend of Zelda… Believe It.

"You idiot! All I asked was you get rid of that slave, such a simple little request and you failed." A dark hooded figure paced angrily, ignoring his companion who stood head bowed not daring to move an inch.

"Master, his life still hangs by a thread there is still a chance he won't make it."

"Shut up. As long as his heart still beats, the Queen will do everything in her power to make sure he lives. It's pathetic how she can care so much about a petty commoner, their relationship is getting dangerous." The figure quit his pacing, clenching his fists and staring up at the full moon deep in thought.

"Master, Link won't say anything you made sure of that."

"Open your eyes, look at him, and tell me he is the same boy I brought to the castle weeks ago. Zelda is undoing everything I trained that boy to be, if she manages to coax him to speak then all of my planning will be for nothing. I guess he wasn't as broken as I thought the brat still had spirit, and as long as Zelda shows him compassion it will continue to grow." The figure punched the wall in frustration. "Dammit, with Zelda developing feelings for him there's no way she will give him up willingly. This was never supposed to happen; he was supposed to be my ticket to becoming King."

"He hasn't spoken in seven years; I don't think he is ready to any time soon master."

"That may be true, but Zelda has managed to undo thirteen years of beatings, giving him back his free will. Those blasted eight years with his mother ruined him; she loved him too much no wonder he is exactly like her. If only I took him sooner, then instead of standing here I would be ruling Hyrule."

"Then why don't you take him back, after all you have every right master."

"I might just do that…"

Early sunlight slowly broke through the blackness of the ally way, the two lone figures had long since departed. Escaping into the dead of night undetected, the villagers none the wiser of their little meeting. Back at the castle, Zelda lay slumped against the wall. Exhaustion had finally caught up on her, after Link's fatal turn Impa had once again forced the Queen to leave his room knowing her presence would only cause a distraction. Refusing to go too far, Zelda had paced outside his door for hours before finally giving in to the sleep she so desperately needed.

The sound of clanking armour awoke Zelda from her slumber, her tired eyes focusing on the Knights as they swapped shifts. Her body ached from sleeping upright on the hard floor; she winced a little at the constant throbbing of her neck as she moved to stand up. Not thinking twice about her appearance, Zelda headed towards Link's door pausing when she heard nothing but silence on the other side. Her heart sunk as she automatically thought the worst, she suddenly felt sick the queasy feeling coming so sudden as she thought about Link lying dead. Zelda's hand flew to the wall to catch herself from falling as her legs started to give way, tears pricked her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She didn't understand why she was acting this way, having never experienced the feeling of pure fear. However, the indescribable feeling deep in the pit of her stomach was unmistakable.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, Zelda opened his door freezing as she saw the healers gathered around Link blocking him from view. It was true then, her instincts had been correct. Link didn't make it; he'd given up the fight. Of course, his will to live wouldn't have been that great, maybe he just didn't want to suffer anymore. She wanted to resent him for taking the easy way out, but that was just fooling herself. Link had never done anything easy; he'd spent most if not all his life getting battered day in and day out. Living a life of fear was no way to live, and yet Link had. He'd persevered through each lash of the whip; he probably expected it more than he did food.

"I vowed to never let anyone hurt you Link… But it was all just a lie. I couldn't protect you, forgive me."

Zelda snapped her head up at the sound of a familiar gasp, the healers parted ways revealing a shirtless Link being supported upright by Impa. A healer held a potion out for him to take, but his attention was focused only on her. Link closed his mouth furrowing his brows, his eyes bore into hers studying her every move. A swirl of emotions rushed through Zelda, she felt dizzy as they vanished as quickly as they came. Pure joy was the first one seeing Link was alive, it was only hours ago that she heard his fading heartbeat. Whatever the healers had done worked miracles, he was up. Even if Impa was supporting him, it was more than she hoped for.

"Link I…" Her voice trailed off unsure what to say, did he believe she was the one that poisoned him?

Link took a deep breath closing his eyes, seeing this, the healer forced the potion into his hand telling him to drink. It was gone in four gulps, after handing the empty bottle back, Impa helped him lean against the wall without her support.

"Let's give them some privacy." Following Impa's command, one by one they all piled out. When only Impa remained, she walked up to Zelda whispering in her ear. "Fear not, when he awoke his frantic eyes searched for you. He panicked realising you weren't there, until I promised him you would be there soon. He knows you didn't do it, you should give him more credit."

Zelda let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding, as soon as the door clicked shut she made her way over to Link's bed.

"How are you feeling?" Zelda spoke with a shaky voice, lifting her hand up to his forehead after remembering how hot he was. Zelda gasped in shock when Link grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bed in front of him. His arms immediately circled her waist, pulling her to him and burying his face in her neck. After getting over her shock, Zelda hugged him back feeling his body shaking but this time it wasn't from fear.

"It's ok Link, I'm here now." She stroked the back of head while hold him tightly with her other hand. She could feel her neck starting to dampen, but couldn't bring herself to care. The way he pulled her towards him, the position they were in, all these thing were improper for a Queen but Zelda didn't care. Nothing mattered any more except for Link.

She didn't know how long they stayed like that, Link's silent crying had subsided, his odd little sniffles were muffled by his face still buried in her neck. The one thing she realised throughout this was Link was imitating her. He didn't know affection, in some ways he was like a child learning from its mother. Zelda had showed him affection by hugging him, so it was the only way he knew how. She had often pulled him into hugs, he didn't know he wasn't supposed to manhandle the Queen the way he just did.

"zdjkn."

Zelda froze. Her fingers still tangled in between his hair, she stared silently at the top of his head straining her ears and trying not to make a sound.

"L-Link, what did you just say?" Zelda couldn't believe it, it had to him there was no one else in the room. She was more than certain she heard a very quiet voice though she was unable to make out what it said.

Link pulled away his eyes wide with fear franticly shaking his head.

"You spoke." Zelda's voice was full of wonder. "You really can speak."

Link made an incoherent noise still shaking his head; his body was still weak he didn't have the energy to run from the bed. Zelda seeing his eyes dart around the room knew he was looking for an escape route. She remembered when she had first asked him to speak; he had freaked out a lot like this. Whatever happened had traumatised him badly.

"Link calm down, it's ok. Nothing's going to happen; no one is going to hurt you. You need to calm down Link; you're only going to hurt yourself further."

Zelda pulled him into another hug, refusing to let go even as he struggled. She continued to stroke his hair whispering calming things, staying away from the subject of him speaking. She knew she had heard him; well really, he basically gave himself away. If she could get him to say the odd word every now and then, he would slowly come to realise it was okay to speak. The only thing was would he ever do it again, she wondered what had triggered it in the first place.

Zelda kissed the top of his head when she felt his arms slide back around her; at least he had calmed himself. She had totally forgot about his thing of mimicking her, so to say she got the shock of her life when he lifted his head and kissed her forehead would be an understatement. It really was a good thing they were alone, the council would have a field day. Link would be in trouble if anyone caught him doing anything like that, the thing was she didn't have the heart to tell him no. He was slowly starting to learn affection, and as selfish, as it was she was glad he was showing it to her.

I hinted at something about Link, can anyone guess what it is….