"Step right through here."

The lighting of the rooms was less-than-helpful, and the halls reeked of rubbing alcohol and sweat. The clammy air stuck to my skin, slowly suffocating me. I took each breath quick, paranoid even though I knew the situation was not contagious.

I heard Ashei scoff behind me.

Coughs and moans cut through the thick air, residing from all corners of the maze Link lead me through. Everywhere we seemed to turn seemed to carry the sickening sound of drained vessels. Simple, lonely meat suites without their souls and memories.

Already I knew that I wouldn't be able to save more than many.

"So is the chance of any of the lost souls finding their own way back into another being?" Asked Ashei, her tone tired but completely serious.

"It depends more on the person themselves. If they have the wit, they'll survive until they make it back, always to their own bodies- it's the only one shaped to fit them."

"What happens if they don't arrive back in time?"

Link stops in front of me, not turning around to face me. He spoke so rarely, his baritone voice took me by surprise.

"…They'll be gone. Most likely recycled into a new being- Maybe a Zora, a horse- even something as simple as a flower."

Slowly, he goes back to a brisk pace.

I hadn't realized I was holding my breath.

.

.

.

I woke up to the bright light of day shining through my eyelids- Even though It was only a good nine hours, it was heaven to the six I usually got before Ashei literally dragged my ass out of bed for training.

But guess what.

No training today.

Because. I'm. Officially. Eighteen.

Honestly, I thought I would be happier, I could not drink all the Chateau Romani I wanted, officially own my own property, the whole deal. I guess just the fact that this would literally be my first birthday without my mother present- well, really there- ever.

Let's just say it took a lot of willpower to get out of my big new comfy bed.

But then I remembered I had the entire castle to myself for the morning.

Tugging on one of my newer dresses (Ashei had told me to only wear the tunics for necessary training, and that "These dresses were simply for every other event".

Then when I asked her where hers was she just stared at me.

I chuckle a bit at the familiar memory, pulling the dark sleeves over my shoulders and buttoning the leather brace at my hips. I search my room for another few minutes- trying desperately to locate my leather shoes, not wanting to have to put on a pair of socks just yet- and quickly brush my fingers through my knotted mess of dark hair.

"Owowowowowow." I say, finally just deciding to put in the extra effort of brushing it. Pulling it to my left shoulder, I quickly head out the door of my chambers into one of the large halls of the colossal castle.

Before the smell of fresh baby cakes and sweet baked deku nut butter even hit my nose, my stomach growled- and so loud I'm almost positive it echoed through the long marble halls, and so I decided my first stop would be the kitchen.

The first thing I see when I enter the kitchen is Cook, the head and sometimes only chef, smiling wide when our eyes meet.

"Hail! Sam! Happy birthday!" She exclaims, her brown eyes crinkling as she flashes me another aged smile. "I know we've only known each other for a day, but I didn't want you to spend your special day alone- AND on an empty stomach!"

"Aww, thanks Cook." I say, honestly surprised by her thoughtfulness and kindness. I'm honestly usually an open book, so when I first walked into the kitchen to see a large, middle-aged woman grumbling to herself about her sweet rolls crumbling in the oven, who when she saw me, completely wrapped me in a huge bear hug and smiled widely, introducing herself.

"Sam!" She said, wiping buttercream icing from her face. "Ashei told me to expect you today!" Within the next day I had already told her everything- from the day before to the dilemma I faced now.

"You got it tough, kiddy- but don't forget that sometimes hope is all you have- and you need to have a damn lot."

I liked Cook from that minute on.

"Ok- we got some of those sweet baby cakes you told me you liked, and I even got some deku nut butter from the market. Ooh! And I also made some coffee."

I laugh at her excitement. "Ashei won't like how slowly I'll be moving this afternoon at training," I say through mouthfuls of Cooks' amazing cakes. "I'm going to stuff myself until I can barely walk!"

"Ha! You do that, because today is the day you can get away with what ya want! Well, for me anyways." Cook says with a wink and another wide smile. "I'mma finish fixing up everyone else's food- enjoy your Birthday breakfast!"

After finishing up the rest of the food- I literally scraped the plate clean- I headed out towards the castle gardens.

All the gardens in the newly renovated Hyrule Castle seemed to have a certain purpose- This one (my current favorite, now that I got the time to actually see it) Seemed to be an insect garden. Don't worry- they usually stay in the bushes or in the water, other than the butterflies and dragonflies- they prefer the taller flowers that hang from willowy trees and the new born branches that replaced those that did not survive the collapse of the castle.

I just walked around for a bit, admiring the prefect blades of pure green grass and the gentle buzzing of the insects. I just stood there for a moment, my dress hitting my ankles with the wind.

The gentle breeze whipped my hair all around me, almost tangling it in my earrings, and when I finally stepped back inside, I had to brush it out painfully with my fingers, and in front of a few guards too.

I excitedly made my way down the stairs to one of the many basements that the castle contained- the one that held the royal animals and trained newer additions to their teams.

Now the basement had an outdoor upper-chamber, which held mostly the birds that sent messages to neighboring cities and villages. The lower chamber kept the hybrids, or animals that didn't fully obey their masters quite yet.

So, as you guessed, my new Fire Phoenix was being held there.

I heard her caws and the muffles shouts of frustration from the keeper as I walked the long hallway to the large room.

The moment I entered, I was almost tacked by one of the larger, newer dogs, who had not yet learned to be obedient. Laughing, I stroked his main, and slowly pried his large paws off of me.

"Hail, Sam! Are you hear for the bird?"

"Yeah,'' I say, searching through the cages for the owner of the voice, a small, rather old man named Bun- who treated me kindly enough, considering my new companion almost bit off his fingers. More than once.

I spotted him through a few cages of carrier pigeons, and rounded the corner to go greet him, attempting to feed the Phoenix bird.

"Here, let me try." I take the small fish from him, and gingerly hold out my hand to the bird. Its broken wing was bandaged, and tucked to its side protectively. The bird screeched at me, a thick, glorious, heart piercing sound, snapping its large beak at me and slightly nipping my hand.

I'd need to spend a lot of time with her before she actually begins to trust me.

But I held out my hand again, sending a small glare towards Bun when he tried to stop me. This time I willed myself to stay still and watch as the bird inspected my hand through the metal bars of her large cage.

But then it's long, unbroken wing came crashing into my hand, sending the small chunks of fish flying from my hand, scattering around the cage.

Wow. What a clever bird.

"She seems really intelligent. Have you decided a name for her yet?"

I shook my head, and gave him a soft smile. "Hey- I think she needs space. Is there a vacant garden be can keep her in?"

"Hmm- I'll have to get Her majesty's permission to see whether or not I could keep her in the old courtyard. If she says yes, she'll be out of here the next day." Said Bun, running a large, gloved hand over his balding head.

I laugh at his relief. "And if that's so, I'll take over the responsibility of training her- thank you for everything, Bun."

"No problem, Sam- just tell me when you need her food, and treat her well."

"You got it- when can I start having some time with her?"

"As soon as she settles down, maybe."

"Got it." I say with a wink, shaking his gloved hand and glancing once again at the magnificent bird, eating her well- obtained fish.

As I exit from the basement, I almost feel a strange energy pulling me towards my mom in the medical wing. It was my birthday- And I wanted to see her, even if she couldn't see me.

So I make my way down the other set of stairs, through the twists and turns and finally up another flight of stairs into a softly lit room, each curtain to each person pulled shut, the air damp and tense. It sent shudders down my spine.

"Sam."

Ohmygoddesses. "Oh my Din, Ashei you scared me." She stood with Link- the boy in green- and the… newest member of the team.

I tried really hard to avoid his eyes.

Ashei, though, didn't seem upset at all- surprised, maybe, but not a single trace of anger crossed her solemn face.

"Um… I wanted to see my mom."

The face Ashei then made was like a cross between understanding and sympathy.

"All right- her room is right down the last hall, last cot on your left-"

"Got it. Thank you."

"Sam!"

Stopping in my tracks, I turn to face her.

"Umm… Happy birthday."

The words left her graceful mouth so awkwardly, you could compare it to a young girl confessing her feelings for another.

"Thanks." I say, not extremely comfortable with the idea of sharing my personal life with people I've barley known a few days- well, not these people.

I turn back around and make my way through the clean gray walls. The halls were wide and spacious, there was more than enough room for the beds to occupy, which I guess was great. Finally making my way to the end of the hall, I saw the curtain to my mom's little corner.

Opening the curtain, I see that the room was larger than any other, by maybe a few feet, and that the air was just a bit cooler in the area.

Something told me that Ashei put her here on purpose.

Her sleeping face seemed haunted- very sad in the way her mouth parted and her lower jaw jutted out. Her thin golden eyebrows, so different from mine, hung low, as if in concentration. This was her reality.

For a good amount of time I just stood there, taking in her shudders, her shallow breathing, and the beads of sweat on her forehead. I didn't touch her, out of fear she would just disintegrate.

I never truly cried for physical pain- at a young age I was taught not to show physical weakness, and sucked it up every time I got a cut, or I fell from a practice horse. Even when I broke my leg years ago, in two places, I didn't shed a single tear.

It was the emotional shit that got to me.

My dad always told me that there was intelligence, beauty, and control- and that everyone could only pick two. He would tell me that I chose beauty and intelligence- explaining that I was rather easy on the eyes, and that I didn't skip two years educationally for nothing.

This was when I was rather young, just barley ten years old, and I had thrown a rather large scene in front of town square, learning my father was to be gone for weeks- guarding the then King during his trip to one of the tribes, most likely to form an alliance with the bandits-when they occupied the lands.

And damn it, I could feel my tears of frustration and confusion just build up at the back of my eyes. I finally grabbed her hand. And cried silently as I whispered to her softly.

.

.

.

So her mother was ill. I understood now why she resented me so much- why she didn't even seem to want to be in the same room as I. I didn't dislike her for this- not even the smallest bit, and I would try to help her mother in any way that I could.

But why was I so heart-set on assisting a young girl I haven't even spoken to?

"Arrion.''

I turn to see Ashei curiously staring at me, and I realize I had watched you young girl, Sam, flee towards her mother.

I clear my throat. "I'm here. Do you have any questions before I begin my work?"

She played with her engagement band, still keeping her suspicious brown orbs on mine. "…No. I shall leave you and Link to your work. I'll go get Sam." She finishes as she disappears through the same corner as Sam did, moments ago.

Now it was just me and link.

"Did you know her?"

Links voice startled me, as always. But his question spiked an interest in me. "…Pardon me?"

"Did you know her? Your queen… Midna." The way he said her name made me wonder if their relationship was truly only that of allies. Perhaps they had become close.

"I was not relatively close to her grace, but I did believe in everything she fought for, over Zant. He treated his people cruelly, and even when still young and naïve, she knew how to keep her people happy."

His face remained completely emotionless, much like mine was when I wanted to hide hurt.

"I'm completely certain she is doing a perfect job back home."

At this, his face faults slightly, and his cerulean orbs glimmer with sadness while his mouth slowly forms the ghost of a smile.

"I think so too. Arrion, I have faith in you," He puts a gruff hand on my taller shoulder. "But if you do anything even slightly out of the ordinary, I will question you."

"I understand. And I shan't."

With those words spoken and lingering in the thick air, we make our way through the soulless.