(Tries to sneak in without getting lynched by the angry mob of impatient readers)
Random Reader #42: HEY! There she is! GET HER!
Pleading Eyes: No! I can explain! Don't use the rat-flails! Waaaaagh!
Okay, actually, despite my comical references to rat-flails, I am most sincerely and truly sorry. It's just, between moving states, renting a room, getting a new job, starting college, and taking up musical theater, I've been busy.
I know it's not an excuse, and I'll try harder to get these chapters out more quickly. But please readers, stay with me! I promise I'll make the ending worthwhile! Even though none of you will expect it...
You Cast A Shadow Bound Romance
"I don't know when or how he even got out." Ingo sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair. "We can't afford to start losing horses now too."
Malon nodded where she knelt, feigning ignorant. She knew perfectly well when Equus had gotten loose, and how. But she said nothing, knowing it would be impossible to explain the circumstances without mentioning Knil. And she didn't want to talk about Knil anyway. She didn't even want to think about him.
In all honesty, she felt downright idiotic. She had been so distracted with Knil, she had completely forgotten to chase after the escaped horse, and she had been even more foolish to think Ingo wouldn't notice eventually.
"Equus is too old to be wandering alone out there," Malon said softly. "I hope he's alright."
Ingo agreed and picked up his pitchfork as he walked out of the barn. There was still work to be done, with or without the missing steed.
Malon finished tying the straw blocks and stood, dusting her skirts. With the efficiency that comes with years of practice, Malon looped her fingers under the string and hoisted the straw block onto her shoulder. She headed out, meaning to join Ingo at the field, but was stopped by a hand on her free arm.
She hadn't expected Knil to show himself so early.
Malon pulled her arm out of his grasp, though gently, and continued to move. Ever stubborn, Knil appeared before her; blocking her exit.
"Let me through." Malon said politely but coldly, as one would to a stranger.
"What's your hurry?" Knil said in his usual, teasing tone. His ever-present smirk mocked the farm-girl before him.
How could he be so comfortable with what he had done? Malon couldn't wrap her head around it, and underneath the confusion, fear began to bubble up. "You're disgusting." She replied dismissively, attempting to move around him.
Knil side-stepped, once again impeding her exit. But Malon was in no mood for his games. She threw the block of straw she carried into Knil's face, distracting him long enough for her to move around him and out of the barn.
Behind her, gaze locked on the straw as he wiped it off his form and onto the floor, Knil spoke so softly that it might have been directed more at himself than her. "You let me do it…"
Malon stopped in her tracks and whirled around in disbelief. It was unthinkable! What nerve! To say she allowed it?! Even as she struggled against him?!
"You never actually said no." Knil added quickly, defensively.
Malon took a deep, steady breath; quelling her anger, and spoke with a tranquility, so cold and detached, it could have made an ordinary man shudder. "I shouldn't have to."
Then she turned and walked away, towards the field to meet Ingo. Knil did not follow after her into the day, even as thick clouds impeded the sun's full rays.
Looks like rain, Malon tried to deter her thoughts from Knil.
Malon went through the motions of being untroubled, and for the most part it seemed to work. Knil did not bother her again. On the surface, the morning seemed as dull and routine as mornings had always been prior to the shadow's arrival. But Malon was anything but calm. Underneath the façade of everyday tedium, a surge of conflicting emotions coursed through Malon's veins. She felt as if she was falling apart, and the best she could do to keep the pieces of herself together was to pretend that nothing was wrong. If she pretended that everything was as it should be, then maybe it would be.
She wiped away a sniffle as she bent down to retrieve the cuccos' eggs from their pen. Everything was alright. Nothing was wrong. She was fine. She was fine.
For a moment she almost believed the mantra. But as fate would have it, the savior's arrival could not have had worse timing.
Malon carried the bundle of cucco eggs and entered the kitchen. She meant to store the eggs, the routine being such a common one that she almost moved without thinking. But Malon halted at the threshold as she happened upon, to her great surprise, three men sitting at the dining room table; Ingo, Talon, and Link.
For a few moments she just watched dumbly as Link narrated a tale of his travels; a rather humorous little anecdote of how he solved a verbal misunderstanding between two prominent Goron and Zora leaders.
"And then, just when we thought everything was settled and good," Link took a breath, trying to recover from his own fit of giggles, "the Zora goes up and says, 'On behalf of the Zora tribe, I extend our deepest friendship and support to the Moron tribe.'"
Talon burst into hearty guffaws, slamming Link on the back. Link choked on his own laughter as Talon's hard back-pats inadvertently pushed Link forward into the table. Ingo just smiled in amusement, watching the spectacle with reserved mirth.
"I'm standing there, going like this," Link waved urgently and made exaggerated gestures, while whispering; "It's Goron! With a G!"
"Amazing!" said Talon, still chortling. "Only you, Link-my-boy. I'm tellin' you; after all that, it's a miracle they weren't at each other's throats!"
Link smiled modestly and looked down at the table warily; should Talon slap him on the back again. "It's not really amazing at all. Peace isn't difficult, not when people want it."
Ingo nodded in assent, ready to put his two cents in. "We live in fortunate times. The Goron and Zora are peaceful peoples. And even the war-coveting types, like the Gerudo, seem to value peace these days."
"I think Hyrule's had it's fill of war, regardless of province or race." Link replied. "Except for the Deku Scrubs; the trouble-loving rascals." He added, chuckling. "But luckily they're not nearly as threatening as they would like to be."
"Lousy walkin', talkin' shrubberies!" Talon said. "Dealing with them types alone makes you a hero in my book. Hey," Talon nudged Link teasingly, "how'd you like to marry Malon?"
Link cheeks flushed, but before he could form an answer, a shriek of protest rang through the room.
The sound caught Malon off-guard, and she jumped, only to discover she was the source of the shriek.
"Father!" She stomped into the kitchen and spilled the eggs into the sink, unconcerned if they cracked; she'd deal with them later. "Stop spouting such nonsense!" Malon huffed, turning on Talon. "Link isn't interested in marrying into a poor, laboring family! Why would he be, when he has all matter of women at his disposal?!"
The outburst contrasted so appallingly with Malon's usually sweet and demure demeanor, it left even Malon herself speechless. She hadn't meant to accuse Link of anything! How had this even come up?
"Excuse me." Malon said quickly, her eyes downcast, before turning and swiftly departing from the room.
She hurried back towards the barn, hoping to distract herself with work and forget all about what she had done, but at the farm's exit a pair of horses caught her attention. One was Epona; patiently awaiting her master's return. The other was a pinto, his pelt a beautiful speckling of brown and white.
"Equus!" Malon exclaimed in relief, walking over to check the older horse. He seemed a bit worn, but otherwise in good health. With a slight smile, Malon brushed her hands along the horse's side, his bristly pelt a delightful contrast to the smoothness of her skin.
"That's why I stopped by." came his voice, so warm and serene it seemed almost expected. "I found him last night, wandering around like a lost child. I thought he might be one of yours."
"Link." Malon said, nearly inaudible, turning to face that sweet, affectionate visage. "I didn't mean to… I'm sorry—"
"Don't be." Link interjected gently, his head tilting to the side just slightly. He always had such a welcoming countenance. "Though I must admit, I'm not too fond of the image of me disposing of anyone." He teased good-naturedly.
"I didn't mean it." Malon replied, gaze to the floor.
Link gingerly placed a hooked finger under Malon's chin, tipping her face up to meet his eyes. "I know." His eyes were so warm, so kind. He hadn't forgiven her. He didn't have to. He hadn't ever really been angry with her in the first place.
And those eyes again! So perfectly clear and cerulean, like the depths of clean, crisp river. Yet when she looked into them, Malon couldn't help but think of a certain pair of murky, crimson eyes.
"I have to go." Malon said suddenly, pulling away and walking passed the puzzled Hylian hero.
"Malon?" Link called after her in concern. Malon did not turn back, did not reply. She went on silently. "Malon." Link called louder as he watched her become more and more distant, until she disappeared into the windmill. "Malon!" Link bit the inside of his cheek. Something was most definitely amiss. And with that thought, Link hurried back into the house to retrieve his sword and shield, just incase.
Malon shut the windmill door behind her and hid her face in her hands. It was too much. She wasn't strong, or smart, or brave, or anything! She couldn't take this anymore! If she went on like this, she would surely lose her mind.
But at least in the dim of the windmill, she felt oddly safe. For a moment, she almost understood Knil. Darkness was understandably frightening, but only recently had Malon learned how terrifying the light could be. When the light wasn't too bright, just slight as it was now, the world was much less intimidating, smaller. No wonder Knil had wanted it this way. Looking around, Malon wondered if he was in there now, with her.
The door opened abruptly behind her. Link burst into the room, eyes searching frantically for something or someone. He came after me…
"Malon!" He said, catching sight of her. Malon did not reply, but calmly shut the door behind him. She didn't want it so bright. "Be honest with me, is everything alright?" Link asked, seeming slightly alarmed. "Talon and Ingo told me you've been acting unusually lately. They're very concerned for you."
"I'm fine." Malon said softly. It wasn't exactly a lie. It wasn't like she was bleeding.
"Malon, please." Link insisted, his voice kind in its concern. "If there's anything that's bothering you, anything at all, you can tell me." He spread his arms in an inviting gesture. Malon said nothing. "Is someone bothering you, are you afraid to say anything?"
She barely managed to stop herself from gasping. Was she that easy to read? Had Ingo and her father figured everything out? Or was it Link, who was probably used to such situations and had learned to tell when someone was in her position?
Her surprise was only momentary, but Link caught it. He had seen such things many times on his travels. "Someone is threatening you, aren't they?" He said, his voice deepening.
"No, Link… I'm fine." Malon moved to walk passed him, out of the windmill, but Link caught her arm. He was not rough, but his grip held her firm.
"What's happening, who is it Malon?" Link's voice sounded so on-edge, as if he was already prepared to cut down anyone who Malon singled out. "Who's hurting you?"
"No one! Link, let go of me!" Malon tried to pull away. Link's change in character was scaring her.
"I'm your friend, Mal. You can tell me anything! I'll protect you." He insisted. "Tell me, who's bothering you?"
"Currently?" resonated a voice from nowhere. "The one bothering her seems to be you."
Link released Malon immediately, stood in front of her protectively, and drew his sword in one, fluid motion. "Who's there?" He demanded, stance set to fight.
"Don't you already have the Princess' favor?" said the dark, mocking voice. "You better not touch my little farm girl." Out from a shadow in the corner emerged Knil. So he'd been watching the entire time…
"You?" Link said, dropping his guard and blinking in confusion. "You're alive?"
"No." Knil replied bitterly. "Not quite."
"What are you trying to do? I don't understand!" Link said, frowning. "I thought you'd died, but as an ally! You sacrificed yourself for Princess Zelda. You were one of us!"
Malon looked up at Link curiously. That "us" struck her as strange; just like before, when Knil had referred to Link as "all four of them." What did it mean?
"Then you suddenly reappear and massacre innocent Gerudos!" Link shouted, raising his shield in defense. "Now you're hiding out here, of all places? What are you trying to do?!"
"Come now, Hero of Hyrule. I thought it'd be painfully obvious by now." Knil tsked, chillingly calm and collected, creeping forward. "I'm trying to kill you!" Knil lunged suddenly, Shadow Blade materializing in his hands, and swung at Link.
A clang of clashing steel resounded through the narrow room as Link expertly blocked the attack with his shield. Knil persisted, pushing down on the blade, trying to knock his fairer self aside. But Link pushed back with equal force, wincing from the exertion.
"K-kill me?" Link grimaced. "But why?"
"Who can say?" Knil replied, just as uncomfortable. "I'm a shadow, not a human. I don't reason."
With extra effort, Link thrust his whole weight against the shield, pushing Knil away. Knil jumped back to avoid losing his footing, and raised his sword for another attack.
Link raised the Master Sword in response. "Don't worry, Mal. I won't let him hurt you anymore." Link called back over his shoulder, without taking his eyes off his enemy.
"Ironic," Knil retorted, smirking, "Mal means evil in the ancient tongue. But you probably weren't aware of the word's meaning before you adopted it as an endearing little nickname." Knil's smirk grew suggestive as he scanned Malon's body rakishly. "It's probably not the only thing you don't know…" Knil trailed off, his voice husky and heated.
Link's eyes widened in understanding for a second, and then narrowed. He began to shake in rage. "How dare you? Don't you dare suggest such indecent things about Malon!"
"Suggest?" Knil chuckled, shaking his head demeaningly. "You've been gone too long, Hero. Pure little Malon isn't quite so pure anymore."
"I told you to mind your tongue!" Link shouted, leaping forward, sword outstretched.
Knil spun out of harm's way, vanishing into another darkened corner. Link looked fervently in all directions. His shadow had eluded him.
For a while all was still. Only Link's furious breathing could be heard in the enclosed room. Malon clutched her hand over her brooch. She could still feel Knil's presence, somewhere in the room. What was he up to?
A pair of swarthy grey hands suddenly emerged from behind Malon, ensnaring her in their grasp. Malon gasped, alerting Link, who whirled around to face her.
"Now listen. I'm only trying to keep you informed." Knil said pitilessly. "I'm not just hurling lewd accusations." The shadow pulled Malon close, one hand perched on her hip while the other gripped her wrists over her collarbone. "I happen to bear first-hand witness."
Link's grip on his sword tightened in fury. "Don't you lay a hand on her!"
"I already have." Knil said proudly, triumphantly. "Though I would worry less about where I lay my hands, and more about where I lay the girl."
"You're lying!" Link growled, gritting his teeth as if in physical pain. "You disgusting, lecherous baba!"
"Will you look at that?" Knil said facetiously into Malon's ear. "I tell him the truth and how does your dear hero reward my honesty? He insults me!"
"Get away from her!" Link demanded furiously, desperately.
"You misunderstand!" Knil said, his tone sarcastically rational. "It's not like I forced her. My little farm girl is learning to enjoy the shadows." He smelled her hair, taking sadistic pleasure in Link's mounting anger. "Though, I admit I didn't give her much choice."
"I'll kill you!" Link roared, eyes glazed over with unadulterated wrath. He charged with every intention of impaling his insolent shadow.
Knil didn't even blink, but threw Malon forward in his place, poised to collide with Link's sword. Her scream brought Link back to his senses. Lucky that Link was always quick to react and managed to lower his sword in time to catch Malon. Visibly shaken, Link held Malon tightly, defensively.
"Link…?" Malon squeaked up penitently. Link tightened his grip, but said nothing. She had never realized how much he really did care. All this time she had been so focused on her own feelings, and now she had stomped all over Link's! What had she done? "Link, I'm so sorry." She whispered. She didn't know what else to say. It wasn't Knil who was the disgusting baba. It was her. She was terrible, unredeemable! And even worse; a small, secret part of her still hoped Link could still love her.
"No, Malon." Link said, as kind and dear as ever. "I'm sorry." She couldn't believe what she was hearing! After everything she had done, he was blaming himself? "I should've realized… I should've known! I'm sorry I failed you. It's unforgivable."
"No Link, it isn't—!"
"This is all very sweet and all," Knil interrupted, feigning a yawn, "but I believe we were in the middle of something?"
Link gingerly moved Malon aside, refusing to look at her directly. It was as if he hated to let her see him like this. But it couldn't be helped. Once again, Link raised his sword. His expression was blank, unreadable. "Now that Malon's out of harm's way," he said coolly, "I won't miss."
In an instant, Link was upon him. He thrust his sword sidelong. Knil blocked, just as Link had expected. With a spectacular show of swiftness and strength, Link raised his sword from under Knil's, hurling Knil overhead and onto the floor at Link's opposite side. Knil fell hard, though his form made no thud upon impact.
Shocked and unsure of what just happened, Knil attempted to lift himself off the floor, but suddenly found a sword at his throat. "I warned you." Link said darkly. "I told you I wouldn't miss."
Knil glared at his fairer half with incomprehensible hatred. He had bested him again. He always did.
Without another word, Link raised his sword to deliver the finishing blow. Knil did not even look away.
"Wait—don't!" Malon interjected. Link and Knil both looked to the girl in surprise. They had completely forgotten she was there. "Please don't, Link." Malon cried, moving to Link's side.
Link regarded Malon incredulously. She was defending this monster? "But Malon…"
"Please." Malon pleaded. She knew what would happen if Link's sword so much as scratched Knil. She couldn't let the Shadow Blade's power be nullified. She couldn't let Knil be erased from existence! "I can't explain why, just please."
Link smiled tenderly at Malon, before turning to scowl at his shadow on the floor. "Your compassion is wasted on it." Link spat. "Still, how can I deny you?" But Link did not lower his sword. Instead, he dropped his shield and with his free-hand reached into his quiver; withdrawing a golden-tipped arrow.
"Link?" Malon asked in worry.
"I'm not going to hurt it." Link sighed, suddenly very tired, pulling some rope out from a pouch on his belt. "I'm just going to make sure it can't escape and cause more trouble." Even as he held the arrow, the golden tip began to glow more and more brightly.
"No!" Knil resisted, suddenly panicked. "Get it away from me!"
"Link?!" Malon asked again, Knil's reaction frightening her.
"It's only a light arrow." Link explained calmly, grabbing Knil's wrists and binding his hands behind his back with the rope and attaching the light arrow. "This won't harm it, only disable its shadow abilities."
"No! Stop! Get it off me! Get it off!" Knil struggled against his bindings, to no avail. "The light…"
"Nothing but a coward." Link muttered dangerously. "Zelda would be ashamed."
Knil ceased his struggle and glared up at Link, squarely in the eye. "As if she ever even mattered!" Link only shook his head in reply.
"What are you going to do to him?" Malon asked, looking down at Knil's. She had never expected to see him in such a vulnerable state.
"It'll be taken to the castle and held for trial." Link said stoically, tying Knil to a post.
Once Link was confident in Knil's immobilization, he sent Ingo on horseback with a letter to the castle to fetch help in transporting the difficult prisoner.
Link and Malon sat on the floor, opposite where Knil lay. Though Link held her, Malon's mind was stuck on the shadow of a man who had run her life recently. It was unthinkable, just until moments ago he had been untouchable. Now he lay at her feet, at her mercy. She almost felt as if she should apologize, but what was there to apologize for? He had brought this on himself.
Malon searched for his eyes, trying to meet them, to explain how concerned she was. Knil only glanced up at her, briefly, before looking away. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. His simple gesture said it all; traitor.
Malon nodded. She understood. He wasn't even going to try to coerce her into freeing him. He didn't want anything to do with her.
He was leaving her…
After everything that had happened, all that she had let go for him, he was still leaving her.
Malon knew she should be relieved. With Knil gone, he wouldn't be able to torment or terrify her anymore. His mind games were over, she could go back to her normal life without living in fear. And yet, if Knil was gone, Malon knew she would miss those rare moments of companionship; the brief times he allowed her a glimpse into a weaker part of himself, and let her lean on him too.
As insane as it seemed, she both wanted and didn't want this to happen. She didn't want to see Knil taken away! But as Malon thought of the previous day's events, of how close he had come to violating her, she could only hang her head in acceptance. This had to happen, for everyone's sake. Knil was bad.
Link's arms around Malon tightened, reminding her of his presence. She looked up at him entreatingly. Why did this have to hurt so much? Wasn't there another way?
Link misunderstood Malon's distress, and simply held her face in his chest; reassuring her that the shadow would be punished for what he had done. Tears sprung to Malon's eyes at the thought, but she wiped them away against Link's shirt. She couldn't cry now. It just wasn't appropriate. She was being rescued, after all.
It was no more than a couple hours later that Ingo returned with twenty soldiers and their Captain. They brought a prisoner's carriage with them; which was much like a carriage except that in place of seats or room for cargo, it had a barred cage on wheels.
It had already started to sprinkle outside when Link and Malon emerged from the windmill to greet the soldiers.
The Captain saluted Link, showing him the letter that Ingo had delivered. Link confirmed the letter's authenticity.
The soldiers dragged Knil out in front of the prisoner's carriage, without care. Link nodded to the Captain and then rode on ahead to alert the castle to the shadow's arrival. Malon watched him disappear into the distance, mournfully.
The rain began to pour then, as if even the Goddesses themselves cried for fate's cruel outcome. The soldiers took the opportunity to punt mud at their prisoner, deriding him. Knil said nothing; he didn't even look at them.
"You like abusing innocent Hyruleans?" probed a particularly anxious soldier. "Well, let's see how you like it, shadow bastard!" The soldier kicked Knil squarely in the gut, his metal boots making a sickening squelch against Knil's pseudo-flesh.
Knil grimaced, but did not reply.
"You ignoring me, shadow?" The soldier spat in Knil's face. Knil did not flinch, made no effort no wipe away the mess. "Yeah, ignore that!"
"You think you can damage our castle, threaten our Princess, and get away with it?!" Another soldier chimed in, planting his foot in Knil's side and rolling him face down into the muck. Knil did not even cringe.
It was too much. "Please…" Malon begged the Captain softly. The Captain shrugged and signaled the men. With displeasure, the men hoisted Knil up and threw him roughly into the cage. Fortunately the barred top of the cage was covered, as the floor had already begun to pool with water and mud. Knil paid it no mind; he only sat up on his knees, eyes averted but not downcast. He was above all this. In his simple, unresponsive conduct, Knil was higher than all the petty soldiers with their insults and attacks.
Malon stared into those scarlet eyes, which lacked their usual glow. They were pale and empty as she had never seen them. His beautiful, naturally silver hair, muddied and soaked into a filthy brown, fell over his face and stuck to his skin. Malon stepped forward and gripped the bars of wood and iron. Longing surged up in Malon's breast. She longed to reach forward and gently brush the muddied bangs out of his eyes. She yearned to just pull him close, to rock him until this stoic, unresponsive, dead shadow faded back into mischievous Knil. She wanted to see him smirk at her! She wanted him to tease her, to trick her! She wanted him to do something!
"Knil…" Malon said softly, soothingly, frustrated with how powerless she was. "I never meant for this to happen." He didn't reply, didn't react. He didn't even seem to have heard.
The Captain barked orders to his men, who returned to their mounts and assigned guarding positions. One soldier, who thought himself particularly clever, quickly broke rank and rode over to the prisoner's carriage. He whooped as he removed the cover from the cage's top, allowing for the rain to flow in freely.
Malon watched in horror as the other soldiers cheered seeing Knil drenched. Knil coughed up some water that had managed to slip down his throat, which only egged the soldiers on.
"He does feel cold, you know!" Malon objected, offended by their callousness. They were supposed to be justice!
"It's a shadow." The Captain said. "It doesn't feel. And even if it did, this isn't anything it didn't deserve."
Malon remembered the stories of the shadow's temporary hostile take-over of Hyrule castle. But that was the shadow! This was Knil! Couldn't they see the difference? Then again, how could she expect them to see the difference, when she had been unable to reconcile this paradox until this very moment?
"He does feel cold." Malon echoed her own words stubbornly, inaudibly.
"Alright men! Move out!" the Captain bellowed.
Malon could only watch helplessly as the parade of soldiers rode away, Knil prisoner in their midst. He cast this upon himself, Malon told herself, but it didn't help. She stood and stared at Knil's retreating form, squinting to keep him in her view for as long as she could, until it became impossible to make out even a smudge of his color in the distance.
Around her, but for the downpour, all was silence. Malon turned away, her boots squishing in the mud. The day was evaporating, evening sinking in. How strange, that the weather she first found Knil in should reflect when he would leave her.
Malon entered the house tiredly, leaning against the shut door behind her. Talon and Ingo, who seemed to have been arguing intensely before she entered, suddenly rushed forward. A torrent of apologetic words and worried questions flooded towards her, but Malon heard nothing save a dull roar and the sound of the overflowing gutters outside.
"Malon?" Talon said, shattering the silence, his voice grave and frightened. "Are you crying?"
"No, father," Malon murmured, wiping the droplets from her cheeks, "it's only the rain."
Maybe it was a lie. Maybe it wasn't. Through the shadows and her counterfeit romance with them, she couldn't even tell anymore.
Review Replies! Woah nelly there's a lot of them...
...who says "woah nelly"? What is wrong with me?
Vaati's Servant: Thank you so much! I hope you liked the new chapter too.
Kamikaya: Really? On the edge of your chair? DON'T FALL OFF! Erm, I mean, thanks! I'll keep writing, but just because you asked!
Kaelin Voidshadow: (whispers) Oh, okay. Shh, it'll be our secret. (Knil: HEY EVERYONE! GUESS WHO'S READING MY FIC!?) Knil! Shush!
Fenrir 666: Well, it's not exactly a soon update. But I hope you still like it!
Irken Illiterate: Ha! Clever penname. Ooh, i heard that song you mentioned. You're right, it does remind me of Knil.
shadowsasuke: I'm sorry for all the agony on your soul! Here, here! An update! See? Things got resolved between them! Well... sort of.
Arden: Thanks so much! I do try to make my characters grow as the story goes on, so if you've noticed it then I guess I'm doing something right. Thanks!
BrokenSilverSoul: No, don't cry! (hugs) I don't mean to torture you! Look, a new chapter! See? See? Knil's back!
Odai: Thank you. And I hope this chapter is to your liking.
The Legend of Soul Emblem: Well, now you know what I meant by "it all goes to hell". I agree. Illia was basically a rehashed Malon, only not as interesting. But overall TP was a great game. I'm just sad it's over now. Knil is still psycho, but we still love him for it. I hope they don't execute him...
Ninjachick93: One of the best? Really? My little story? Thank you! (glomps)
olivehue: My story? You're too sweet! (blushes, then glomps) Thank you so much!
Windmill Sage: I know, isn't it a great name for Shadow/Dark Link? I actually spent so much time coming up with it. Kinda sad, huh? Hope this chapter was worth the wait!
Ninja Froggy: (Is drowned in a sea of sugary online goodness) Hurray! Yes, sugar is my MUSE! Thanks for the extra boost! Now I KNOW I can finish this story. BWAHAHAHA. And yes, silent K's are very nifty indeed.
penguino latino: (sniff) Now the premiere date for Avatar has been pushed back to September. NOOOOOOO!
chocolateteddygrahams: Ah yes, Equus. I should've been more specific, huh? I meant that the horse got away and Malon never really went after him. He was sort of a plot device to bring Link back into the picture, since I didn't think the saddle was sufficient enough to have him come back. I love your reviews! They're always so thorough, but at the same time fun. Knil smashing the egg was almost unforgivable, and I did want the reader to be mad at him for doing it. If that's how you feel, then yay! I've accomplished my goal! And of course, Knil has to stay sexy. It wouldn't be interesting if he wasn't! Haha. Yes, there's still plenty of sensual tension between Malon and Knil, though now I think the tables may have turned. Knil feels hurt by Malon instead of vice versa.
xblumoonx: Thank you! I'm glad you like my writing style. Personally I tend to get annoyed with the way I write. And I was worried someone else might have already written a story like this. Good to see they haven't.
Demon Darkchild: Bipolar you say? You know, I've been trying to get him to see a doctor... (Knil: Screw you!) See? He just won't cooperate.
Arie Under Pressure: So this is the first Dark Link-centric fic you've ever read? Uh oh, now you've put ME under pressure.
little-chibi-girl: Thanks for the honest extra. I really appreciate it. It seemed forced to you? Darn. I was hoping it would seem out-of-the-blue, since Knil has a tendency to just suddenly shift moods like that. Ah well, I'll try harder.Thanks!
Mr. Tino: (blushes) Writing skills? Hardly... I'm sure you're a lot better than you say, Mr. Modest. Anyway, thanks for the review. Here's the update. Tell me what you think...
The Watcher and Reader: I know! What a waste of a cucco egg! That lousy Knil and his anger issues...
Dr. Crazypants: ... well... I never thought of it that way. No, I don't think Link's like that. Though who knows what he really does when he's "out saving the world"? Thanks so much for reading my story, and I'm glad you like it. Though... I can't really believe it's one of the best you've read... you're too sweet!
ahou incarnate: Yeah, low blow Malon! Haha! Well, maybe if Knil got her a really pretty diamond collar... (Malon: NO!) Fine, geez. It was just a suggestion.
Eromancer: Hey, you changed your penname. I understand what you're saying, and I thank you for all the compliments. Honestly though, I think part of being a writer is learning to fake what you don't know. You pretend to know what characters would do in a specific situation and how they'd react. If emotions are difficult for you to express, then the best thing to do is BS them. It may be hard at first, and the results may be... awful. But if you keep at it, I think you'll find you've developed a better grasp of them. If you ever would like me to look at one of your stories for you, I'd be more than happy to do so. Just know that, while emotions ARE central to a character, they don't have to be emotions you're not particularly familiar with. They don't have to be romantic feelings. As for the "ending" tying into Wind Waker or Twilight Princess... SHH! I already have something planned. Don't give it away!
Hydro-Wolf: I bet you hate Link even more now. Ah well, whatever keeps the mob away from ME.
Baronfly: A real-life monkey! ARG! I'm so jealous! (hugs stuffed lobster to feel better) You must be so psyched! ...did just say psyched?
God of Static: Looks like Knil's Master plan has been cut short. Poor, messed up Knil.
harrynginny4eva: Thanks!
Blue-sama: Thanks so much for reviewing my story! I'm honored. And don't worry, I LOVE long reviews. The longer the better, infact. I tried to give the characters some personality, and it isn't easy with characters like Malon and Knil whom we know so little about. But if you liked it, then I'm satisfied. Thank you so much!
JosephineInLove: Wow... thanks so much! I'm so happy you liked it! This chapter came out a bit odd, I hope it was okay...
Axie-chan: Don't panic! Here, an update! CLEAR! (Throws update at you)