A/N: Hey, guys. Just wanted to say that I'm really,really sorry that I have not updated in foreeeeever. I hate when other authors do it so I should have been better about it. Well, I sort of have a reason *cough* excuse *cough*.

You see, the story was getting very dark when I went into Link (TP) 's chapter where he does his Trail with Farore. I didn't like that so I've been trying to keep this as "light" as possible. That has been very hard so, instead, I've left Link's chappie to the imagination and although I do have his on reserve, I don't want to post it up here.

Its not graphic or anything, I just don't see it fitting in with the way I've written his character. Anyways! The story itself was completely changed from his chapter onward and was getting wallowing into waters that I really didn't want to swim in. The story is much longer that I ever intended but, hey, I hope that's not a bad thing.

So, I'm uploading lots of chapters tonight and will hopefully find an end to this thing soon. :)

Please review and give me your honest opinions but be polite! :D :) Can't wait to hear from you guys.

Queaky


The bookcase opened softly, and a war torn Link stumbled out.

Lincoln glanced up from where he was reading, eyebrow cocked, and hair pulled back into a short ponytail. "Every Hero who I have escorted through that door has come out with the very same face." He chuckled and pointed his fingerless gloved hand at the ragged Hero of Light.

Link's mouth was slightly agap, his blue eyes were as wide as humanly possible, and there was an air about him that spoke of possible mental trauma. When the twenty-eight year old finally could grasp that he had returned, he spoke. "I...I, uh, l-lost your sword."

"That is quite alright, Link." Zelda-Marie laughed and appeared in front of him, dusting dirt from his shoulders. "I have had a bath brought to your room."

"T-Thanks." Link murmured, captured in her violet eyes. "You're pretty." He muttered, still dazed.

The sixteen year old giggled and turned to see a scowling Lincoln. "Thank you, Link, go take your bath now." She shoved the man out the door and gave her servants instructions to help the man with his tasks.

"Where is the Princess Evelyn?" Lincoln asked when the door shut behind Zelda-Marie.

The golden haired lass smiled. "Asleep, finally... It took me forever to drag her from the map." The elder Princess Zelda had been glued to a map many years outdated for hours after she had been released from Nayru's grip... the thing that had shocked the Princess of Destiny and Hero of Time, however, was how giddy she was.

"She was a bit crazed."

The girl smiled. "Yes, she was. She seemed happier though." Zelda twirled and plopped down in the arm chair she had been draped in only a few hours ago. "Nayru burned whatever had been clouding her...moodiness."

The Hero of Time smirked. "Aye, and the Hero fared little better... I wonder what he saw?"

"Its best if he never tells us." Zelda turned and gazed at the man who she so admired. "What did Farore show you when you met her?"

"The paths that I may take and possible futures on them." He sighed, closing his book, and stood. The armor he wore creaked and rubbed against his sore muscles for he had slipped out to train with his men while the Trails were taking place. "And you, Princess?"

Zelda stood and contemplated the man, though still a babe in Immortal terms, before her. "Nayru was cruel and harsh and wicked." Her voice cracked and she brushed sudden, hot tears away, angrily.

"Princess..." Lincoln made to move forward and stopped when he knew that nothing he could do could comfort his friend.

"I was not the Princess that I needed to be so she forced me into it with the crushing of my dreams." Her beautiful face fell to grief. "It is why I gather myself out of the castle as much as I can... because do not know when will be my last day of freedom... when I shall finally be forced to step into my role."

The Hero watched the tears stream down his friend's face and shifted in discomfort for he knew not what to do. He moved, finally getting some grasp on what would be appropriate, and strode across the room to wrap her in his metal arms. "Zelda... I am sorry."

"Don't be." She whispered, standing on her tiptoes to speak against his neck. "You are the highlight of my days, if you are sad, than my day never fades from the grey it is always in."

The words were more intimate than Lincoln was expecting and it shocked his system for a moment as he did not know how to reply. He settled with a kiss upon her brow. "Come, lets get you to bed."

On the way there they came across Link who was making the servants take a bookcase out of his room. The Hero of Light gave them a look that dared them to make fun of the situation and when neither did, he snatched an apple from a tray on the ground beside him, then disappeared into his room with a proud grin.

Lincoln raised an eyebrow, his lips displayed an amused smile. "Such a sad thought that he thinks himself safe... if I wished it I could send him back there with the shift of a few grains of Sand." The Sand of which the seventeen year old spoke of was the Sands of Time.

"That would be cruel." Zelda murmured, standing several feet behind the Hero for they could not walk abreast as it was unseemly.

He chuckled and turned to her, his coblat eyes flashing a brief red. "Would it not be amusing too?"