Link wandered the streets thinking, not caring if the guards would catch him. He knew they wouldn't. He had escaped them last time and this time he was staying in the shadows.
Link had a lot on his mind, images flashing before his eyes. He saw a small boy crying and a woman with short blonde hair. She was skinny and every time she smiled he felt his face heat up.
Link found the old mansion and headed to the back where he had left some blankets he had stolen a few nights ago. He wrapped himself and went to sleep, but his dreams haunted him that night.
There was shouting in the kitchen. When wasn't there? Jack (not his favorite name but his "parents" had been adamant) snuck around the corner and peered in. His little foster brother was the victim of their "mother's" wrath. He sat cowering in a chair while she stood over him, waving a frying pan in the air.
"You worthless waste of space! I don't know why we keep you when you can't even follow the simplest of orders! Tonight you only get to eat what is leftover." His mother's face was red, as she shouted obscenities at her child.
Jack hated her. He didn't know why he hadn't just left. Well... maybe he did. There was a maid, around here somewhere that was worth staying for. And then there was little Pete. Jack just couldn't leave the young child to the mercy of his own mother. Even now rage swelled within Jack at her pointless rantings.
He quickly patted his side and stood. His dagger was still there. He didn't know why, but it lent him courage. He charged into the kitchen rage at full blaze.
"You would call your own child a waste of space?" he shouted, "you don't even deserve to have children, you fat piece of shit! Why don't you do us all a favor and crawl back into the hole you came from and never came back!" his voice rang in the sudden silence. Without hesitation he grabbed little Pete's arm and dragged him out of the kitchen.
"You shouldn't have done that," the smaller boy whimpered," papa's gonna give it to ya now..." With that he dashed off, likely to find somewhere safe.
Link woke with a start, the cries of the little boy still echoing in his head. He rubbed his eyes and shook the blanket off him. He had to see Melinda before she gave her final report about the dark man.
As Melinda woke up the next morning she realized what day it was, judgment day. Melinda still didn't know if she could go through with giving Ganondorf a good review. As she got up to get ready, Link jumped through the window.
Melinda almost cried out in surprise. "Link" she whispered, "what are you doing here, if the guards catch you we'll both be in trouble" Link walked towards her with a smile.
"Don't worry I won't get caught" Link replied, "I never do" he kissed her; she wanted to fold herself into his arms and never let go.
"No" Melinda shoved herself off Link "I'm sorry but I have to go and give my report, even if it kills me" Link looked at her with sad eyes.
"I had to see you" Link replied. Melinda stared at him and could read it in his face that he wasn't just here to see her.
"Something's bothering you" Melinda whispered, she suddenly noticed the dark circles under his eyes "you didn't sleep?"
Link shook his head "nightmares" he replied. Melinda reached a hand up and placed it against the side of his face. Link sighed, "They were about my last house" Melinda frowned. She had guessed something had driven him away otherwise he wouldn't be here in her room.
"Do you want to talk to me about it?" Melinda asked. Link shook his head.
"Just seeing you, has given me comfort," Link replied. Melinda smiled and kissed him again. It only lasted a few seconds before Link finally said his goodbyes and jumped out the window.
Melinda walked up to the king's throne and bowed. Beside the king sat the queen smiling at Melinda. "Rise Melinda" the king instructed, "I trust you have a full report on Ganondorf" Melinda nodded.
"Ganondorf has shown his worth, he has been kept in his place and has listened well to my…teaching" Melinda choked on the last word and she could feel her voice begin to waver "He w-would make a g-great advisor" she could feel tears brimming her eyes but she held them back.
"Very well Melinda" the king replied "I trust and therefore I shall make Ganondorf my advisor, please send him in when you leave" Melinda bowed and walked out.
When Melinda finally exited the throne room she saw Ganondorf waiting. He turned his head and raised an eyebrow. Melinda glared at him "It's done" she answered.
Ganondorf smiled and stepped toward her. Melinda felt him pull her chin up so she was looking directly into his eyes. "That wasn't so hard now was it?" asked Ganondorf. Melinda pulled her face away from him and felt him brush her as he walked into the throne room.
Melinda cried that night, not caring who came in. She didn't really feel like seeing Link tonight.
There came a knock on her door. Melinda quickly dried her tears on the sleeve of her dress. "Come in" she tried to say but it came out a little stuttered.
Samuel walked in "hey Melinda, I thought I heard crying" he explained, "Are you all right?" Melinda smiled weakly.
"I'm fine" Melinda replied, "it's just been a long day" Samuel walked towards her and gestured if he could sit down, Melinda nodded.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Samuel asked again "you don't sound it at all. Did something happen today?" Melinda looked into his dark brown eyes. She had never really taken into account what Samuel looked like. His hair was a dark brown and unlike link's it was combed. He was slightly muscular and Melinda had always admired how kind he was. As she thought about it she had never seen Samuel get angry.
Samuel smiled "what are you looking at?" he asked. Melinda looked away and felt her cheeks heat up. "Melinda" she looked back at him "We've known each other long, hell I still remember the day you came to work at the castle"
It wasn't a day Melinda liked to remember. She had been seven and her father was taking her to see her mother at the castle. She remembered the shouts and seeing her father's anxious face as he pushed her to the side. She hadn't even heard the horses; all she could remember was the thud and the crunch as the cart hit her father. He had died with her over him, telling her to run to the castle and find her mother. She had refused to leave his side at first but as she saw the light fade from his eyes she knew she had no other option. She had run to the gates and right into the arms of one of the guards. He had shouted in surprise as she fell to tears. The man had picked her up and carried her up to the castle, where she had met up with her mother.
As Melinda came back to the present she realized she had been crying and Samuel was looking at her with concern. "Melinda?" he asked. She shook her head and wiped the tears away. "I'm sorry; I forgot what happened that day"
Melinda turned and smiled "It's not your fault" she replied. Samuel leaned closer and before she could stop him, Melinda found Samuel's lips pressing against hers. She put her hand out to keep herself from falling backwards as his tongue ran over her lips, just as she had done to Link the other night.
Melinda shoved him off and backed away. Samuel smiled but after reading her expression it faded. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?" she yelled. Samuel looked hurt and Melinda felt guilt rise in her chest "Samuel I…"
"DON'T BOTHER!" Samuel yelled back. His voice grew quieter "I can see I was wrong, you don't feel that way about me and I should be happy right? But I'm not; I can't stop thinking about you. Since the day we met I've loved you" Melinda stared at him and turned away, looking towards the window.
Melinda froze "just go Samuel, please" she replied in a pained voice. She listened as she heard her door slam; only increasing the pain as she watched a distant shadow fade into the night.
