Chapter 10:

My boots kick up dust, as I plod along the well worn trail, leading to Kakariko Village. I grip Basher's reins tighter in my hand as Link gallops up on Epona. "Why are you walking?" He asks softly leaning down over the chestnut's withers.

"Because I feel like walking." I retort narrowing my eyes against the cloud of dust Epona and Basher's hooves kicked up.

"It's improper."

"It was also improper for me to travel around with you, to every goddess forsaken temple." I snap losing my patience with the man, something I've been doing quite often lately. "I don't care. I've always done what I wanted before and I see no reason to change just because, some stupid dragon couldn't live with the fact that my birth right was hidden from me. I didn't ask to be suddenly declared royalty! I was fine being a nobody, actually I think I prefer being a nobody. What's improper and what's not?" I demand lowering my voice.

Link stares at me, shocked by my abruptness. "I can't understand all of it." He says slowly, his sky blue eyes searching mine. "I'm not, and never will be, royalty. But I do understand what you mean. I prefer being a nobody."

I stare at him, my eyes narrowing into two little slits. "Thank the goddesses. If we had you for a King, then Ganondorf would have taken over long ago."

Link visibly bristles at my words. "What do you mean?" He demands, his voice low and husky, as he glares at me.

"Exactly what I said." I retort, pushing past him and Epona.

"Why is everything with you so difficult?"

I whip around to face Link, fire burning in my eyes. "I could ask you the same fucking question!" I scream, my voice cracking a little with all the pent up anger and sadness.

"I don't cause problems every god damned day!"

"Are you sure about that?" I snarl, my voice cold as the Snowpeak ruins. Link visibly flinches making me feel satisfied for the moment. I pull on Basher's reins a little harder then I need to and brush past the man on his horse. I slowly make my way up the path trying my hardest not to scum to the tears I can feel welling up.

"You're letting her get away!" I almost stop and look back as a voice unknown to me speaks, but decide against it and keep walking.

"Shut up Midna. I can't make this any better, she hates me." I flinch at the anguish in Link's voice but keep my eyes firmly placed on a spot on the horizon.

"You haven't even tried!" The second voice argues.

"I have to and you know it." I can barely hear Link's reply and it takes me a full minute to realize what I just heard.

I wind my fingers through Basher's black mane and inhale the smell of the dusty canyon, trying to hold unto my sanity. Basher sensing my distress nuzzles the side of my face, his horsey whiskers tickling me. Smiling sadly I pet my companions neck and smooth a ruffled piece of his mane, leaving my hand there.

As we pass the spirit's spring I stop and my hand falls back down to my side. Basher nickers gently as I drop his reins and take a step in the spring's direction. I shiver as I step into the shallow waters and water leaks into my boot. Gasping softly at the weird sensation I take a step back onto dry land and shake my foot.

"What are you doing?"

Heaving a silent sigh I shrug my shoulders and frown. "I don't know." I sit down on the rocky shore of the spring and stare at the crystal blue water lapping a few inches away from the toes of my boots. "Link?"

"Hmm?" The man grabs a seat beside me, his actions careful and precise.

I close my eyes and bring my knees up to my chest. I wrap my arms around them and bury my head in my arms, trying my hardest to ignore the world and all the disastrous problems that it brings. "Do you think it's possible for me to ignore my heritage?" I whisper into the crook of my arm.

"No."

The one single word sliced my heart open. The way he says it is harsh and I have to bite my tongue to keep from crying out in anguish. "I'm so weak." I whisper, my voice slightly unsteady. "I'm not a good person, Hyrule deserves so much better."

"You are a good person Elita, look at what you've done to help me. You've destroyed monsters on your own, you've gotten the blade of the sacred sword back. You gave Telma's group information, and you left Ganondorf."

"But I've done so many things Link. I've burned villages, stolen things, killed people. How could someone like me rule a country?"

I hear Link sigh and shift on the hard ground. "Elita, no one's perfect. And it's not as if you enjoyed doing those things right?" Link waits while I shake my head, not trusting my voice. "You're brave and caring and beautiful, princes will fall head over heels to marry you."

I raise my head from it's hiding place and look at Link. "Can't I just let Zelda be Princess? She has more experience then I do when it comes to being royal."

"Elita you're making problems for nothing." Link snaps. As he leans towards me I catch the blaze of helplessness and sadness in his eyes.

I tear my gaze away from him and look back out over the spring. "Maybe I am. But I truly believe I'm not the one who should lead Hyrule." I push myself to my feet and dust my butt off. "I wish I could explain why, but I can't. My heart just keeps telling me, that I'll never be what everyone wants me to be. I know I wouldn't make a good Queen. My soul's been dyed red by the blood of innocents."

Looking down at Link I smile softly before turning around and walking over to a patiently waiting Basher. "Oh screw this!" Link mutters scuffing his boot in the dirt.

I check Basher's girth making sure I can slide two fingers between it and his stomach. Satisfied that all the walking hasn't loosened it I place my left foot in the stirrup and pull myself up. I quickly throw my leg over his back and expertly place my right foot in the stirrup. Gathering up the reins I kick Basher into a gallop leaving Link in the dirt. I am such a baby. I think bitterly to myself, as a sense of guilt and betrayal settles over me.

I gallop through the town, Basher's hooves sound noisily through the canyon, a familiar sound that makes me relax a little. As I pass by the bomb shop I slow Basher to a trot, by gently pulling on his reins. The dark horse shakes his head a little his mane flying in the air. Without thinking I pat his neck letting go of the reins and just sitting there. A shadow moves at the side of a rock wall. To get a better look I rein Basher to a full halt and watch through half narrowed eyes.

The shadow moves again, this time closer towards Basher and I. Slowly it moves towards the center of the canyon. Swallowing my fear, I dismount Basher and draw my sword taking a defensive stance. I wait for the shadow to get within striking range, as the shadow takes the last step towards me I raise my blade above my head and bring it down as hard as I can on the shadow. I yelp as the sword bounces off the edge of the shadow, and sends a wave of pain up my arm.

"Princess Elita, Gor Liggs has seen your visit." I narrow my eyes and raise my sword again.

"If he has seen my visit then he knows I am not a Princess." I hiss preparing to strike again.

"You're not eh? Well that's too bad." My head snaps in the direction of the town, and my gaze falls on a black Goron with yellow symbols all along his body.

"No I'm not." I lower my sword and frown. "This you should know if you saw me coming."

"What I saw didn't lie, but what I'm seeing now may." The Goron's eyes burn with wisdom, the deep black pits call out to me, wanting to whisper wisdom into my ears if only I were willing. "Do you have what you seek to fix?"

"We do."

Grass tickles my nose as I turn on my side and curl up in a ball. The bright full moon lights up Hyrule field with silver light making it appear other worldly. I trace the horizon with my eyes and marvel in the beauty of the rocky formations. Everything is so peaceful, so quiet, that I find myself relaxing underneath the full moon's light. No worries. Smiling softly I roll onto my side and watch Link.

He's form stands out against the brightly light grass, a dark green shadow among the lighter green. "Link..." I whisper trying to get the blond's attention. He turns his head sleepily to look at me, his clear blue eyes heavy with sleep. "I'm sorry. I know that just a word won't change a thing, but I am." I lower my gaze from his pale face and roll onto my back again. "You were right."

"About what?"

"About everything." I reply staring up at the stars. "I do just create problems for no reason. I shouldn't ignore my heritage, I have to accept who and what I am."

"Elita you were right to. You can't just accept who you are."

"But what else am is someone supposed to do?" I have the strangest feeling deep down inside, that we're no longer talking about me, and my problems.

"Maybe someone should have fought harder to be what they wanted to be and tried to change his destiny." Link rasps making me jump in surprise.

"Then who would be the Hero of Time? Who would have helped me see that I truly did have courage?" I roll onto my stomach and gaze out across the edge of the gorge where we're laying. Lowering my voice I look into the canyon's depths and whisper, "Who would have stolen my heart when I wasn't paying attention?"

The smell of forests, transudation and manliness envelops me a second before a warm mass does. "I still would have stolen that. Whether you wanted me to or not."

His rough warm lips press against the back of my lips sending waves of pleasure throughout my body. "Remember when we were in the City in the Sky?" I ask absent mindedly, distracted by the feeling of lips on my neck.

"Mhm."

"I was wondering... Was it something I did?"

The warmth disappears as Link pulls away from me,as if I shocked him. "No Elita." I push myself into a sitting position and face the man, my eyes staring into his. "It's nothing you did."

"I see..." I let my voice trail off as we stare at each other both trying to figure out what's running through the other's mind. "I hope you make her happy."

"Who?"

"Whoever is lucky enough to catch your eye long enough to drag you into marriage."

Link heaves an audible sigh, his blue eyes closing as a look of pain spreads across his face. "I don't want anyone but you Elita."

"But? I? You? City? Ughn?"

"How much more honest do I have to be Elita?" Link growls grabbing my shoulders and pulling me towards him. Our lips painfully collide, and he wraps his warm muscular arms around me. His lips move against mine in a rough almost urgent way. Where our other kisses had been sweet and soft, almost chaste this one was border-lining savage and wanton. I pulled away from Link gasping for breath as I searched his eyes. "I love you Elita. I'm sorry I never told you before."

"I-I love you too." Even though it's the cheesiest, corniest thing to say, it's all I can think of. Sitting with him, drinking in his scent just pushes everything to the back of my mind. "I think I've loved you ever since the first time we meet." I whisper smiling sheepishly.

I only get a glimpse of the look in his eyes before he pulls me into another passionate kiss. I melt into his arms, his fingers tracing random patterns on my back. winding my fingers through his silky hair, I smile into the kiss, finally getting the message he's trying to send. Oh Link. Why did I ever doubt you?

Fingers trail down my side leaving goosebumps in their wake. Opening my eyes I a crack I smile into the beautiful face beside me. "Morning." I whisper stretching my arms above me.

"Morning beautiful." Comes the low reply.

My smile broadens as I sit up, and with a yawn pull the covers off of my body. Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I stand and make my way over to the small water basin in the room. The cold splash of waters fully awakens me, and my mind starts working almost too fast for me to keep up with it. Grabbing the fluffy white towel from the rack beside the basin I pat my face dry and look in the half broken mirror.

My black eyes shine back at me, and the look of relaxation, mixed with a bit of a victorious smirk seems strange, almost foreign to me. Link's face appears behind mine in the mirror as he slides his warm arms around my waist. His warm breath tickles the nape of my neck as he pulls me towards him, and buries his face in my hair.

"What do you want?" I tease turning in his arms to face him.

Link smiles slowly and kisses my cheek quickly, a butterfly kiss really, before asking,"What makes you think I want something?"

"It's the look." I murmur holding him close.

"What look?"

"The problem with being smart is you can't play that game."

Link's blue eyes widen in mock surprise, mirroring what must have been my exact reaction to that statement. "What game?"

"The stupid game."

Link grins at me, his teeth flashing in the dim morning light. "Well now, I guess I can't fool you now can I?"

"Nobody can fool the master." I joke ducking out of his arms and reaching for me tunic and breeches.

"Master? You?"

I roll my eyes as I pull the soft purple tunic over my head. The soft silky material falls in gentle waves around my torso, making me appear smaller then I actually am. "Oh yes." I reply raising my eyebrow. "I practically invented the stupid game."

"Interesting, I thought I invented the stupid game."

"Does that make you the stupid one?" I pulls my breeches on, tripping over one of the pant legs as I comically jump around the room, trying to emphasize my point.

"No it just makes me the smarter one."

Chuckling I do up the laces on my breeches and turn to Link with my arms crossed. "If you're so smart then why would you invent the stupid game oh insubstantial one?"

Link's eyes flash as he leaps for me. Laughing in amusement I dodge to the left, and turn in time to watch him collide with the wooden wall. "I'm going to get you." He threatens turning to me with a evil grin.

Bending down I grab the bunch of brown material by my feet and smile. "Without your pants? Goddesses Link you don't want to give everyone a heart attack." Skipping towards the door, I roll his pants into a ball and stuff them up my shirt for safe keeping.

"Elita!"

"Bye Link!" I call opening the door and skipping through the door and slamming it shut behind me.

"Get back here you scoundrel!"

Shading my eyes with a hand I lean back and look at the top story window to see Link leaning bare chested out the window and looking very, very, very, very, very, pissed off. I grin and wave up at him. "Elita! Come back here before I make you regret it!"

"Is that a promise?" I call back turning to wake down the canyon road.

"Elita!"

Ignoring Link's scream I continue down the dusty well worn road. The sound of children laughing comes from the spring and I find my feet pointing towards the crystal blue spring. I smile as Luda and Beth appear from out of no where. "Hi Elita!" Luda calls waving me over.

"Good morning Luda." I greet smiling down at the young girl. I can hear Beth's surprised gasp as I smile. Turning to the girl I deepen my smile. "Good morning to you to Beth, it's been a while since we last spoke. I seem to remember you telling me I seemed like an angry person."

Luda giggles a little at the look on Beth's face as I remind her of our disastrous last encounter. "You did." She murmurs glancing at my belly. "But I guess I was wrong."

I look down in surprise, and blush a deep red as I realize that the balled up pants must send a message to someone I haven't seen in a while. "In a way you were." Reaching into my shirt I pull Link's stuffed up pants and show them to her. "And in a way you weren't."

Both the girls giggle as they catch the dreamy look on my face. "She's so nice Beth! The other day she helped me with my chores."

"You had a lot to do, and I have nothing to do since the Gorons have the Master sword."

Beth smiles up at me her green eyes sparkling. "Are you and Link married?" She asks curiosity making her voice louder then it needs to be.

"No we're not married." I flush as the girl's eyes sweep over me and I move to pull my tunic's collar over a hickey or two that are probably showing on my neck. "But we're more then friends."

"When you are will you come to live in Ordon Village with everyone else?"

"I uhn, don't know if we'll ever get married Beth..."

"Why not?"

"Because I well I-"

"Elita Romonte! You shrewd, treacherous. duplicitous, crooked, deceitful, double-dealing woman! I'm going to kill you!" Beth, Luda and I turn around to see Link storming his way towards us. Oh he found a second pair of pants. Darn it. I'll have to hide those ones on him while he's asleep, don't want my fun spoiled this early in the game.

"And that's my cue to leave." Winking at the girls I hand them Link's pants. "Hold onto these for me." I murmur as I take off at a run towards the canyon heading towards Hyrule field. "And make sure he doesn't get them!"

Author's note: More of a filler chapter really, I think everyone deserves a break from the action :P Umm... Exams are coming up... ffffuuuuuuunnnnn *rolls eyes* So if I don't post very often for the next little while forgive me. I'll do my best to update as fast as I can. I never really expected this to get as popular as it did :S so i must be doing something right? If you guys are waiting for M rated things that's probably going to happen... soon? Not sure yet :P All I can really say is that it's almost done, probably 3 or 4 more chapters and a epilogue. Reviews are love! I love reading what you guys have to say about this so far. Thanks once again to everyone who's faved it or added it to their story alerts.