Felt like ya'll deserved another chapter. SO...here ya go!

I stood perfectly still. I was almost afraid that if I made any sudden move I would elicit something bad. As if a twitch of my arm would trigger Ganon to take control. I didn't know if this mark was really the work of Ganondorf, but I didn't wish to test it at the moment. I breathed a shaky breath, trying to calm myself. I needed to be in control. I wasn't sure willpower would be enough to keep Ganondorf from fully possessing me again, but damned if I didn't try something.

I heard someone pounding up the steps. I heard Estelle's hushed voice, probably sending off more guards. She sounded so worried, but I'd focus on that later. The door opened and I snapped my head up. I told Estelle to only let Link in…

"Link?" I heard footsteps approach me.

"Zelda, Estelle said you were frightened and that you had a scar?" Link entered my room, saw that I was in a slip – hardly clothing at all – and immediately turned around. I blushed immensely, almost forgetting about the mark in that moment. What would people think if they found out that Link had not only been alone with the queen in her chambers - twice for that matter - but was there with her wearing improper amounts of clothing! "I, uh… what's wrong exactly?" His words moved me from my frozen stance to grab my robe, moving closer to Link in the process. I wrapped it around myself. I steadied my nervous breathing before speaking.

"I think…Ganondorf has returned." He turned slowly to look at me, his mouth a fine line.

"I killed him, you witnessed it yourself."

"Yes, but remember what he said?" I saw him turn thoughtful for a moment. How could either of us forget his chilling last words?

'…Do not think this ends here…'

Link's eyebrows came together.

"An empty threat. He wasn't going to just admit defeat. Evil never does."

"But what if it wasn't empty? What if he managed…something…in some way?" I felt my frustration growing. "The Sages thought they defeated him when they sent him through the Mirror. They were wrong. I don't want to be like them and underestimate Ganondorf. He won't stay down forever." I licked my dry lips. "Evil never does." He stared at me and even being scared out of my wits, I managed to hold his gaze. He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair.

"Okay. Why do you believe it's Ganondorf? And what of this scar?"

"They're related." I started to uncover my scar by sliding the left sleeve of my robe down, but Link turned his head again. "Link…this is not a time for reserve. Besides, it's just on my shoulder, where I got hit by the 'arrow.'"He turned his head back, slightly appalled.

"So…it was magic." I nodded. I then slid the sleeve of my robe down to reveal my shoulder. Link's eyes widened. By his face, I could tell he recognized the marks as well. "It can't be…"

"I know." He studied the mark some more. Then his eyes flickered to my face.

"You think he's going to possess you again." I nodded and closed my eyes.

"That's why I sent everyone from the room with orders to only let you enter." I opened my eyes again. "I knew that if he did manage to make me his puppet…you'd be able to stop me." Part of his mouth turned downward in a grim expression.

"I hope I never have to do that again." He put his hat back on his head and walked out of my bedroom. I secured the robe once more and followed him. We walked to my sitting room. He sat on the couch. "Zelda…when and how did that scar appear exactly?" I sat down on the chair opposite of him and told him of this morning. How I was fine when I woke up and when I met with Lloyd – I had to remember to get him out of custody, but now was not the time – the pain surging out of nowhere and how Estelle revealed the scar when she tried to get me to change. He seemed to ponder this. We sat in silence as he did.

"Do you believe me?" He looked to me.

"Believe that Ganondorf found some way to return?" I nodded. "Unfortunately, yes." I didn't realize how worried I was he wouldn't believe me until that moment. "What do you advise we do?" I thought for a moment.

"Perhaps the Sages can help us?" He perked up.

"That's an idea. Good thinking." I smiled slightly. "Let's go."

"I should probably get dressed first…" He jumped up.

"Right! Sorry, I'll just leave. Did you want me to send in Estelle?" I shook my head.

"Tell her I said to go home. I think it's best if no one is near me…just in case."

"I understand. I'll be right outside your door." He walked to the door.

"Oh, and please instruct my guards to release Lloyd. He was simply a bystander, he caused me no harm." He looked back and nodded. He closed the door gently behind him.

I went and stood in front of the mirror beside my wardrobe. I took a shaky breath before taking off the robe. I looked at my exposed shoulder, the ugly black mark very conspicuous. I don't know why I thought it'd be gone. Wishful thinking, I suppose. Seeing it unnerved me, so I turned from the mirror to get dressed. I put on a dark gray, quarter-sleeved gown and then slipped on my black riding boots. I quickly braided my hair and wrapped the end securely. I grabbed my white cloak and pinned it around my neck. I thought about putting on my headdress, but decided against it. I rushed out of my room. As promised, Link was right outside my door.

"I'm ready." He nodded and walked down the steps as I followed. I made my guards stay, even though I knew their concern was still running strong from earlier events, but they were reassured with Link's presence. We stopped at the stable so I could grab my horse and then left through the eastern gate. Link followed and hopped on Epona, who was waiting outside the gates for him. He looked at me, probably to make sure I was still Zelda, before snapping his reigns. With a whinny, Epona took off toward Lake Hylia under Link's direction. I followed closely behind; the only sounds were those of eight hooves beating on the dirt and the wind whistling past my ears.

We rode our horses hard until we reached the bridge above the lake. Link led us to a small building lying against the rock, just to the side of the bridge. We both descended from our horses and I led mine to the fence to tie it down. Link didn't even bother. He let Epona run free and wasn't worried someone would take her. Even if someone did, she only allowed me, Link, and Ilia ride her. She was a feisty spirit. My horse, however, wasn't as stubborn so I made sure he wouldn't roam too far.

After securing him, I walked down the steps and to the door with Link trailing behind me. We entered the building that opened up to a pen with cuccos clucking about. Link pushed past me down the steep incline and toward the strange man blocking the way to the lake. Link requested passage down to the lake. He paid for both of us and told me to pick any cucco.

I bit my lip. I had only flown with a cucco once before, and let's just say I wasn't too graceful at it. Link chased down a brown cucco, a devilishly grin on his face. I giggled quietly at him as he tried to get a better grip on its legs.

"Come one Zelda! Grab one and fly yourself down to the platform." He ran and jumped off the man-made cliff, his cucco protesting wildly. I bent down and gently scooped up a gray cucco. Just as Link's had, mine began frantically thrashing about, letting me know exactly how he felt about this situation. I walked to the platform and stood next the strange man, slightly scared. But it needed to be done. It was the quickest way to get down to Lake Hylia.

I knew what issue needed to be discussed with my Council next time we rallied.

"Here I go…"

"Byyee!" I smiled awkwardly at the man and stepped off the edge. I closed my eyes and suppressed the urge to release a panicked scream. I felt my dress and cloak being whipped around from the wind and I gripped the poor cucco tightly, afraid of slipping. I then realized that I needed to direct the squawking bird to the platform. I opened my eyes and looked to see Link landing safely on the middle tier of the platform. I headed for his direction and when I was above the platform just below his, I let go. Unlike Link, I did not land safely. I landed on my heels, rather than the balls of my feet, and fell backwards rather harshly onto my bottom. Link jumped down and was at my side in about two strides.

"You okay?" He held out his hand.

"Ouch…" I took it and tried to hide my embarrassment. "That was…unpleasant." He made a noise. I turned to him to see why and got a good look of his expression. "Are you laughing at me?!"

"Sorry! But you look so bashful, I can't help it."

"Why, the nerve!" I couldn't help the smile that twitched from my lips. The happy moment was a short one however, as we both remembered our reasons for being here.

"Come. We have a mission to do." I sobered a bit more and nodded. He turned and hopped down to the lowest platform. Without looking back he jumped from the colorful platform to floating rafts of wood. I proceeded to do the same. We walked around the floating shack we landed on until we came upon another…colorfully dressed man. Link was already striking up a conversation with this man too.

"Oasis flight, eh? Alright. That'll be twenty for the both of you." Link handed over a red rupee. "Who's going first?" Link and I looked at each other.

"I will." Link stepped forward and into the center of the small room. The metal door slammed shut behind him, rocking the entire building and even the platform we were on. I gripped the rail tightly. The man, I heard Link call him Fyer, wound a strange device decorated with balloons and Occoas. I felt my eyes bulge out at the sight of the large cannon that ascended from the tiny shack. Even more so – if possible – when Link went sent flying from the canon. I swallowed down a pit of fear. Did I really have to go in there?!

I was answered when the man running the machinery stated it was my turn. I released my death grip from the rail and conscientiously stepped into the same room Link had just gone in. I swear if I experienced any more fear today, my heart would just explode.

I spoke too soon, for only a few seconds after the thought crossed my brain, was I shot out of the canon and towards the Gerudo Desert. Unlike the gentle descent of a cucco flight, this trip was a lot quicker and a lot less fun. I felt tears being ripped from my eyes and my cloak was thrashing violently from the speed. I started slowing down, but I wasn't exactly comforted seeing as I was still a good distance from the ground. This time, I did let out a scream as I slowly began falling towards the sand, head first. I was saved by a metal contraption clamping onto my right arm and jerking me down. I landed roughly in Link's arms, but it was better yet than a face plant onto the ground.

"Shhh…" He rubbed my back gently and smoothed down my wind-blown hair. I was shaking so badly, he had to hold me up some moments when my knees literally gave out. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins, and I was so overly alert that it made me dizzy. As soon as I could control my movements again I stood up on my own.

"S-Sorry Link." I took a deep breath. I felt the air dry my throat. If the sand and heat weren't indicators enough that this was a desert, then the lack of moisture in the air should've cued it.

"It's alright. I was a mess after my first canon ride too." I breathed a shaky laugh. But, like the queen I was, I put my chin up and pretended like the moment never happened.

"Shall we proceed?" He nodded.

"Just a warning, it's a bit of a distance and since I cleared the Bulblins from the area, we do not have any Bulbos to ride. Walking is our only mode of transportation" I nodded.

"Let's get going then." He looked at me.

"Yes. Let's go."

I looked up after the first few steps just to judge how far the Mirror Chamber where the sages occupied was from where we stood. I sighed internally, but kept stepping forward. I was determined to find out what was going on in my precious Hyrule…and in my body.

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Stay beautiful.