Author's Note: What's up guys? Not a whole lot of action in this chapter, but the ball's about to get rolling shortly. So please just keep those reviews coming so I can keep the chapters coming! ;) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything The Legend of Zelda series-related. However, any OC's that appear might belong to me.

XXX

I wake up in one of the ranch's beds. Talon was nice enough to let me stay here, since monsters have apparently overrun the forest.

That reminds me…

…I need to check on the Kokiri and Skull Kid.

As I'm headed downstairs, I hear voices.

"Impa?" I question. She's talking to a distraught Talon.

"Don't worry. We'll get you your daughter back." I hear her whisper to him, giving him a comforting pat on his big arm. He nods and sniffles, turning his attention to me.

"Good morning, Talon." I greet.

"Morning, Son. I made you some eggs. They're on the table." He says, pointing. "Freshly laid."

"Thanks." I tell him, leaping off the last three stairs and sitting at the table.

I don't much feel like eating, but I need to keep up my strength for the long journey ahead of me.

"Did Nabooru ever end up heading to the castle?" I ask.

"Yes, and I've lost her telepathy connection." Impa sighs. "I can't contact her."

"You think something happened?" I ask worriedly, forcefully gulping down the eggs.

If I of all people don't have an appetite, you know something's wrong.

"I won't jump to any conclusions, but she was supposed to have contacted me by now." Impa perks up suddenly. "I think I know how Dark Link found out about Malon."

Talon noticeably tenses up, as do I.

"How?" I ask, glaring just thinking about that devil.

"The shadows."

"The shadows?" I question. Impa nods.

"As the Sage of Shadows, I have some extent of control over the shadows. I can travel unseen through them and I can even manipulate certain shadows…like yours."

"I don't quite understand." I say, finishing the last of my eggs. Talon grabs my plate and piles on more eggs.

"Eat up, Boy. Keep up your strength." He says. I nod and continue to eat.

Another thing I love about Talon is he always makes sure everyone is well fed.

"I'm assuming he can travel through the shadows like I can. He could very easily hide in your shadow and watch your every action, every decision…and it goes without saying that could prove to be a major problem."

I get chills just thinking he could watch me. He probably watched me all those times with Malon, which is how he found out about her. He could watch me with my friends, such as Talon, the sages, Zelda, Skull Kid, the Dotour's…

I shiver at the thought.

"I can manipulate your shadow if you let me. I can seal it off to make sure not only Dark Link, but no shadow entities can enter."

"That would be great!" I say, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Okay." With that, she pulls out a small vial and opens it. "This shouldn't hurt, but it might feel a little strange." With that, she points the open vial at me.

This strange tingly feeling envelops my entire body, and then this cold chill runs down my body slowly, starting at my head and ending at my toes.

I stare in shock as a black substance seeps from me and into the small vial.

The black substance ceases as soon as the cold chill ends.

With that, Impa closes the vial and pockets it.

I look down at the floor.

"My shadow's gone." I notice. Impa gives a slight grin, a rare sight for the usual dead-serious Sheikah.

"Exactly."

XXX

When I enter the forest, I'm immediately met with a horrific sight.

All the houses are gone. Piles of ash remain in their place. There are no Kokiri in sight. Most of the grass and trees have been burned away.

"No…" I whisper, collapsing to my knees.

This was my home.

This was where my mother, with her last few dying breaths, managed to bring me and entrust me to the protection of the forest and the Great Deku Tree.

The Great Deku Tree…

I slowly rise to my feet and shakily make my way to the Deku Tree's grove.

When I enter, I see the Deku Tree Sprout. He's not a sprout anymore, however. During my first quest, the sprout's growth was postponed seven years due to Ganon's curse on the forest. However, when time was reset, the Great Deku Tree passed away on the same day he had in the alternate timeline (as we call it) except that time, he died due to natural causes. Since there was no curse, the sprout began to grow immediately after that. So the Deku Tree Sprout is about seven years old at this point. Not as big as the old Deku Tree, but still a pretty well sized tree.

I haven't seen the tree in seven long years, but what worries me is that he's an unnaturally gray color.

"Great Deku Tree Sprout?" I ask, my voice cracking.

I'm greeted with silence.

"No…" I whisper, falling to my knees once more. Resting my head against the tree, I begin to sob.

Dark Link.

That bastard.

He's taken too much already.

Regaining my composure, I stand. I put my hand on the tree and bow my head for a silent prayer.

"Rest in peace, old friend." I whisper, slowly letting my hand fall from the bark of the tree.

"I'm so sorry you had to see this."

I defensively draw my sword and whip around to see who's there.

"S-Sheik?" I whisper. I lower my sword slowly. "Or should I call you Zelda?"

"Sheik." She says firmly. "I'm in disguise for a reason, you know."

"Of course." I say, sheathing my sword and approaching her. "So, I'm glad to see you're alright."

"Likewise," she says, walking forward and staring at me.

It's a little awkward; the last time I saw her was the night of the banquet when she kissed me and I rejected her feelings.

"So…" she says.

"So…?" I question.

"Link, I'm so sorry about everything!" she shouts, surprising me by pulling me into a hug.

"Like what?" I ask.

"For Malon, for Saria, for the forest, the ranch…everything!" she sniffles and pulls away, tears visible in her artificially red eyes. "This isn't fair…none of this is fair to you!"

"Or anybody…this isn't fair to anybody. I'm not the only person affected by this whole mess."

"Of course you're not. That's why I want to help you. Please." She begs. I blink.

"But Zel…I mean, Sheik…"

"No, Link. I have…regrets. Please let me help."

"What kind of regrets?" I ask confusedly. "You have nothing to feel guilty for."

She bites her lip and looks down.

"But I do. One of them being I felt like I could've helped you more in the alternate timeline."

"Sheik, you helped me loads. I wouldn't have solved half the puzzles I did if it weren't for you."

"Look, in the alternate timeline, I was specifically trained in the ways of the Sheikah. Impa trained me for seven long years. I can fight. I can fight really well."

I sigh, looking away.

"They've already taken too much from me. I'm not dragging yet another person into this mess."

"But Link…"

"No, listen. Everyone who associates themselves with me gets hurt. I'm sure the enemy is already seeking you. Having you near me all the time will just further endanger you. You'd best go into hiding like you did during the reign of Ganondorf."

"No, Link! I will NOT go into hiding again! Look where that got us last time! Ganondorf caught on, kidnapped me, lured you into his tower, and almost got you killed in the process."

"I won't place you in any further danger! I can't let the enemy see me with anyone."

Sheik sighs and begins kicking up dirt, avoiding my gaze awkwardly. In the midst of the awkward silence, I avert my gaze as well and begin readjusting my belt.

"Link," Sheik finally speaks. "Having you with me will be the best protection. Think about it. We can both look out for each other. I can help you. Not to mention people tend to go crazy alone during stressful times. You need a companion whether you want one or not. Please, I'd be more of a help than a burden."

I chew my lip thoughtfully, mulling over everything Sheik said.

"Well it would be nice to have someone to talk to." I say finally. Sheik smiles and squeals, hugging me.

"Thank you, Link." She whispers.

"Don't mention it…at all." I mutter the last part, sighing and rubbing my throbbing temples.

All of the sudden, I feel a vibration from my magic pouch. Sheik and I simultaneously jump in surprise.

"What's that?" she asks.

"My ocarina." I reply, digging through it and picking out the ocarina. "Hello?"

"Link!" I hear Skull Kid's distorted voice emanate from the Ocarina.

"What's going on, Bud?" I ask. Sheik bends forward to listen to the conversation.

"The mob of monsters found our hiding spot, so we all ran and relocated to the Sacred Meadow. Can you come quick?"

"Of course. I'll be there ASAP." I respond, pocketing the ocarina. "Alright Sheik. Let's get going."

XXX

Interlude

Malon shivered and pulled her knees up to her chest, staring at the floor dejectedly. It was dark and cold inside the small cell they'd left her in. The cell did not have bars; rather it was just four stonewalls with a barred window about fifteen feet up. The window was the source of the cold drafts that kept coming in. There was also a small hole with a wooden flap located at the bottom of one of the walls.

Link will come… Link will come… she kept thinking to herself.

Her dress was dirty and tattered…even bloodied in some spots where the Moblins had been a little rough handling her. She imagined her appearance would anger Link.

She didn't want him to see her like this. She wanted him to come rescue her and defeat this new enemy, sure, but didn't want him to let his emotions get in the way of his smarts.

"Oh, Link…" she whispered shakily, pulling her knees as tightly to her chest as possible to keep warm.

Suddenly, the small wooden flap opened. A bronze hand pushed a plate of food in.

Malon snatched the plate and began piling the food into her mouth with her bare hands. It was pork, and it tasted delicious.

Sure, she'd received small scraps of food here and there since she'd been imprisoned here, but not like this. These weren't scraps. This was practically an entrée.

"Is the food to your liking?" a feminine voice cooed from the other side.

"Yes…thank you." Malon said, licking her fingers after swallowing the last bite.

"Would you care for some water?" the voice asked. Two seconds later, a small cup was pushed through the flap.

Malon gulped down the water, sighing with satisfaction.

"Thank you." Malon repeated.

"Slide the plate and cup back through the flap. We'll get in trouble if anyone finds out about this." The voice said. Malon complied and shoved the said items through the hole.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" Malon asked. There was a silence.

"What is your name, Girl?" the voice questioned, avoiding Malon's question entirely.

"M-Malon." Malon said, a bit surprised at the question. "What's your name?"

There was a pause before the girl spoke.

"Jasmina. Please don't repeat it to anyone."

"Well thank you, Jasmina." Malon told her. There was another pause.

"Don't mention it." The girl said finally. Then all Malon heard was the girl's footsteps as she walked away.

XXX

Interlude

Rai rolled her eyes in disgust as she dutifully resumed her place beside Vaati the next morning as he just lazed about in his new throne.

"Ahh…good morning, Miss Rai!" he said in a cheery on the surface yet almost sarcastic tone of voice. "What a lovely day this day promises to be!"

"Why must you get me up at the crack of dawn each morning to just stand here and watch you become giddy over the most childish things?" Rai asked caustically.

"Why, Rai…aren't you a morning person? You struck me as a morning person!" Vaati said with a cackle. Rai hissed agitatedly.

Before either person could comment further, Dark Link stormed in angrily.

"Ah…Dark, back so soon? I thought you were going to reside in the Hero's shadow for awhile?" Vaati commented.

"I was, but…" Dark sighed. "I can't access it."

"WHAT?" Vaati shouted, sitting upright. "Impossible! I created you from the Hero's very shadow! Your powers allow you to access and travel through ALL shadows! Why…?"

"Someone must have sealed it off or something! I don't know! All I know is I can't locate or receive access to it." Dark kicked one of the tapestries in anger.

"Easy! Easy!" Vaati shouted, waving his arms frantically. "Don't take it out on the décor!"

Rai sniggered at how easily unnerved the power-hungry mage was over the castle's furnishings.

"Now then, you say someone 'sealed it off'?" Dark nodded. "Impossib…wait a minute," Vaati frowned in confusion. "Rai, what are the six elements of this land again?"

"Light, forest, fire, water, spirit, and shadow." Rai said.

"Shadow…shadow! Is there a Sage of Shadow?" Vaati questioned.

"Figure it out, Genius." Rai commented dryly.

"Of course!" Vaati shouted, ignoring Rai's comment. "The Sage of Shadow must be involved!"

"They must have caught onto the fact I was hiding out in Link's shadow." Dark said.

"Yes. Because how else would you have figured out about Link's little girlfriend?" Vaati turned to Rai. "Rai, send someone to fetch the farm girl."

"Sir, yes Sir." Rai said monotonously, saluting the mage and sauntering off with a smirk at Vaati's un-amused expression.

"Oh, how I would love to just stone that woman." Vaati commented after Rai had left.

"Not quite sure how the rest of the tribe would feel about that." Dark commented.

"It won't matter after I restore their king to them." Vaati responded, rubbing his hands together excitedly.

A few moments later, Rai returned along with two purple-clad Gerudo, Malon, and Jasmina.

"Farm girl!" Vaati shouted. Malon glared.

"Malon." Vaati whipped around to stare in confusion.

"Pardon?"

"Malon. My name is Malon." Malon responded, neither her voice nor her glare ever faltering.

"Whatever," Vaati said coldly, returning her glare. He eyed her up and down, and then turned to Dark. "She's certainly looking shabby."

"Perhaps if you gave her something else to wear rather than those old tattered rags." Jasmina spoke up, causing everyone to stare at the usually quiet girl in surprise. Jasmina's eyes widened, as if surprised even at herself. "…Um, Sire." She added in respect so as not to anger Vaati.

"Hm." Vaati commented, rubbing his chin and eyeing the girl again. "Very well. Rai, do you happen to have some type of spare uniform for 'Malon' over here?" Rai nodded.

"Sure, I suppose I could find her something in her size." With that, Rai walked off.

"Thank the Goddesses. I can't bear to see those hideous rags anymore." Vaati said, eyeing the ensemble with disgust.

Dark found himself slightly smirking at the fact Vaati was such a powerful mage yet cared a little too much over things like fashion and décor.

"Why have you sent for me?" Malon demanded with a glare.

"You're a feisty one, aren't you?" Vaati asked with a smirk. "I called for you so I could question you."

"If you mean to question me about Link, I won't tell you anything." The girl said firmly.

"I see," Vaati said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "So what do you know of the Sage of Shadow?"

"Impa?" Malon whispered, covering her mouth with her hands soon after she spoke.

"Impa? Is that the sage's name?" Vaati asked. "So it is a woman?"

"I think I've heard of this Impa woman before, Sire." A purple-clad Gerudo spoke.

"And what's your name, Love?" Vaati asked.

"Shirah, Sire."

"Very well. Speak, Miss Shirah."

"If I recall correctly, Sire, Impa is one of the last of her kind. The Sheikah."

"I thought all the Sheikah were extinct!" Dark shouted.

"They're rare, but it is said there are few left." Jasmina interjected, blushing shyly as Vaati turned his gaze toward her.

"She opened Kakariko Village – the home of the Sheikah – to the Hylians. She has also been the princess of Hyrule's attendant since she was young." Shirah finished.

"Kakariko Village?" Vaati questioned.

"That town with the big windmill just east of here." Dark interjected.

"Oh." Vaati said.

"And it sounds like she might know of the princess's whereabouts." Dark added with a menacing grin.

Vaati nodded and turned his attention to Jasmina.

"Jasmina," Vaati said, causing the girl to tense up nervously. "Go fetch Nasheem and tell her to prepare the girls to invade Kakariko. We've got a Sheikah to hunt for."

XXX

So I'd love to hear your guys' opinions. What do you think of Zelda wanting to help Link all the sudden after disappearing after abandoning his girlfriend to fend for herself? I'd love to hear your guys' thoughts and if you have any questions, feel free to post them in a review or PM them to me. I'm really excited about this story, and I hope you guys are enjoying reading it just as much as I enjoy writing it!

Thanks in advance, and thank you to all the readers who've posted reviews and favorited the story thus far!

~Green Eyed Gerudo