Did you think you'd never see me again? It's been so long...I'm so sorry. Unfortunatly since I was unable to complete this story prior to my return to college, you will have to put up with infrequent updates, and such. However this does not mean I won't try to update as frequently as is possible, nor that I won't still respond to every comment and review I recieve. I will, just only when I can.

Anyway, rambling and apology over, here's the next chapter.

NOTE: This chapter has a refrence back to my first story, "Pathway to Destruction" at the end. If you forget as your reading (I don't want to give what exactly because that would just ruin the whole chapter.) and you are unable to re-read it and remember. Send me a message and I will help you. :D

And, as always, enjoy.

Chapter 11: Crossing a Line

Dark licked his soft lips hungrily; every inch of him was practically zipping with excitement. He'd never been this close to victory; never felt the taste of success in his mouth like sweetness on his tongue. It was better than anything he'd ever known, and he'd sought it for so long. He'd never been this excited since the first time he'd awakened into this particular lifetime; back before his life had spiraled downwards in the hands of his former master, Ganon.

That moment, over eight years ago now, when he'd been ripped free of the Hero of Time just as he always was, and he'd become the eternal shadow once more. It had been his first moment of self for this lifetime. Before that moment, he'd been nothing more than dark whispers and nightmares in the Hero's head; able to remember the past lives he had spent, but unable to live his own free of the Hero's mind. But at that moment, all the parts of him that had previously been constricted by the dominate side that was "Link" had suddenly unhinged, and he'd been "born" again, more or less.

Dark turned his head sideways, pretending to listen to Princess Zelda's advisors. They were planning some public festival or event; all their self-promoting chatter bored him immensely. Dark instead concentrated his energy on spreading his "charm" like a thick blanket over Zelda and Hestial. He wasn't willing to relinquish a tie on either one, both had a mountain of use left.

Zelda sat to his left; her throne rose slightly above the one where he currently sat, signifying her role as ruler of Hyrule. Her expression was one of polite interest as she listened to her head advisor read off the day's points of interest. She sat straighter than Dark imagined was comfortable, every inch a princess in control. Dark watched her for a moment; sending out waves of charm with his eyes. He hid a smirk when his efforts gave him a blush and a sideways glance. Dark returned the glance with a suggestive wink, deepening the blush. Zelda looked away hurriedly, working to regain her composure.

Dark turned his attention to his right, where Hestial stood with arms crossed within the wide sleeves of her sage's robes. Dark hid a nastier smirk; he couldn't wait to explore her mind. Hestial looked to be listening just as intently as Zelda, but it was obvious that her thoughts were elsewhere. Dark sent out his waves again, and Hestial gave him a sideways glance. Dark gave her a smile, and she smiled back warmly, her eyes practically glowing.

Dark shifted and covered his smirk with one gauntleted hand, "I'm so very close." He thought as he watched the advisors continue to debate the costs and benefits of expanding the farms near Kokiri Forest. "It's almost too easy."

Dark grinned and leaned back more comfortably in his throne. "This is nice but—" Dark spared another glance to where Zelda sat with controlled decorum and thought wickedly, "Up there would be even better."

It had been two days now since he'd left his home at the manor estate near Lake Hylia, even longer since he'd gained this body. Dark looked down at himself, feeling the excitement zip through him again. He flexed his fingers in much the same way a large panther might flex its claws. Dark had taken more than enough time laying down the groundwork for his plan, and he was tired of waiting. It was time to spring the trap, and now was as good a time as any.

"On one last issue my princess, the council would like me to inquire again about the issue of—marriage?" The lead councilor, his chain wiggling a bit in fright, asked the question with his gaze slightly lowered. The rest of the council snapped attentively to their ruler, showing their support of their leader without words. Zelda sighed, loudly. Dark almost snickered; it was like an invitation.

"I have been going over the list of suitors, and I must say that I rejected them all for a reason. Not a one of them pleases me." Zelda said it regally, dismissing the issue with a wave of her hand. The council exchanged glances. Dark watched their reactions, feeling his excitement skyrocket. Zelda paused for a moment to let her words sink in, and then she continued.

"Perhaps if you presented me with another suitor, one I might actually enjoy, then I might be willing to agree. But not before then, I am not yet moved to marry." Zelda stood as she said it, signifying that she was finished debating the issue. The council jumped to their feet, not willing to let the issue be dismissed so easily. Zelda ignored their comments, and reached her hand out to Dark, who stood and took it under his arm. The council paused at that, exchanged glances, and the lead councilor stepped forward. He raised a hand to express he had another point, Zelda sighed and nodded for him to speak.

"My lady, the council and I have just reached a point we think might please you and us." The councilor paused, waiting for his words to sink in, Zelda watched him warily. Zelda turned her golden head and looked at Dark quizzically, Dark replied by shrugging and tapping her hand. Inside however, Dark knew what was about to be asked, and hopefully he'd been able to wheedle his way into Zelda's brain far enough for the answer he wanted to leave her lips. It was harder for him to tell how far his powers extended in this form; he couldn't feel the emotions like he was used to doing. Zelda turned her attention back to the councilor and nodded for him to continue.

"We have decided that perhaps, although it is not traditional, a marriage could be drawn up between you and—"The councilor indicated Dark, who grinned as warmly as he could at him but who was inwardly smirking like a wildcat at his prey, "The Hero of Time."

The room went dead quiet, and everyone looked to the princess, who was breathing slightly uneasily. Zelda looked for all the world like a Goron caught eating the sacred stone of Fire, her heart beating faster than was healthy. Dark untwisted himself from her hands, making her start and look at him in shocked fear. Dark moved forward a step, making all the eyes in the room shift from Zelda to him. The attention made his heart beat faster, but unlike Zelda, he was thrilled.

"This is hardly traditional, and I'm not even sure if it's allowed." Dark spoke clearly and with a imaginary sense of worry. The eyes of the room watched him, urging him to continue. Dark didn't disappoint. "However, I would be a liar if I didn't say that my feelings for the princess have—grown, since our battle with Ganon." Dark turned and grasped Zelda's hands in his own, turning his charm into overdrive and making her blush furiously.

"And I am anything but a liar." Dark said silkily to Zelda. He made it seem like those words were said only for her, meant only for her, but he knew he had a room-wide captive audience. The rest of the room leaned in, hooked on his words like fish on a line. Dark inwardly smirked, and now to snap the trap.

"Princess—Zelda, I—" Dark leaned in, his eyes pleading, his heart beating with the deception he was knitting. "I would love nothing more than to marry you, but only if it is what you want." Dark let go of Zelda's hands, which continued to reach out for him, arms extended longingly. Dark backed away and bowed his head. The rooms' eyes swiveled a third time, focusing on Zelda again.

Zelda swallowed and looked at Dark. Dark could hear her heartbeat; feel the veins of her body pumping blood. All of Dark's inwardly dark senses were heightened, had he not been in this body then he would have been sure to expose his disguise. Dark watched her as she watched him, and then she broke and Dark relaxed. He had won.

"I would love nothing more than to marry you too Link, I accept."

ooooooooooooooooooo

"So how are you planning to defeat Dark now that he's in your body?" Malon said as she stirred the pot of cucco soup over the fireplace of the main ranch house. Link sat at the room's only table with his hands cupping a mug of hot tea, not a drink he'd normally chose in the blaze of Hyrulian summer, but any comfort was worth it. Plus, the warmth from the mug made his hands feel warmer, almost like they were his own again.

"Andthat is more comforting then the actual tea." Link thought miserably as he waited for Malon to serve them lunch, "And by the time I'm able to leave, Dark would have had a little over three days, that can't bode well."

"Link?" Malon asked quietly, Link shook his head and answered.

"I have no idea. Fighting him isn't going to be like before, he is me. He not only has all of my moves, my Master Sword, but he has the advantage of all my other weapons too. I can't just match him, I have to outsmart him." Link looked down longingly into his mug, as if hoping that all the answers to life would come swirling up from its depths. Malon stirred the soup again and looked at him concernedly.

"No offense, but that Shadow of yours is kind-of—well—not quite a genius but—not just smart," Malon paused and then smiled at Link, "Not to mention that in your body he was totally ho—"

"Thank you, Malon." Link cut Malon off with a tone that said, I don't want to hear it. Malon smirked.

"I'm just kidding. At least about the cute part, the other stuffs true though. He's obviously really smart, isn't this the second time he's tricked you?" Link blushed as Malon turned back to her soup again. Malon stirred it and turned back to Link. "If he has your body and therefore all of your moves, shouldn't you have his?"

Link frowned at her, the darkness of his form making him snarl slightly. "I'm sitting right here."

Malon waved a hand dismissively. "No, no, what I mean is," Malon smiled at him warmly, "If he can use your moves against you, shouldn't you be able to use his moves against him?"

Link froze, a sarcastic comment dying on his lips. That had to be true right? Link looked down at his hand, seeing the steely skin reflecting the small light of the room back at him. Essentially, he was Dark in the same way that Dark was now him, as far as he knew. Dark had said that they were each other, and that would certainly explain all the voices in his head much clearer. That must be one of Dark's powers.

Link stood up suddenly. "And if I can do that, maybe I can—" Link trailed off, leaving Malon looking at him quizzically. Link gave her a charming smirk, making her blush. "Malon, do you have a mirror I could possibly borrow?"

ooooooooooooooooooooo

Dark smirked at his reflection in the large ornate standing mirror that occupied a section of his room in the castle. It's wooden sides were curled like drifts of carved cloud, and its legs supported the sleek glass like strong arms. Dark leaned into the reflection, catching hints of flyaway blonde hair and glistening deep blue eyes. Dark smirked and laughed and poked at the glass triumphantly, for he had no reason to fear now.

"The last threads are tying themselves together into knots." Dark purred as he ran a hand through his hatless head of blonde hair, "I only wish you were here to watch Link. That would have made this victory so much sweeter."

Dark turned away from his reflection and began to remove his hero's gear, undoing the straps on the belts and his gauntlets. The council had set the day for the wedding to be in two days, apparently, they were in even more of a hurry then he was to have the princess properly married. Dark shrugged, it was the same to him, the sooner the better.

"Hello there, my little Hero."

Dark froze, every cell of his body turning to ice. Dark swallowed anger that had begun riding the edges of his spine like a hand sweeping over his fair skin, twisting it. Dark turned his head slightly, feeling a hint of embarrassment and irritation adding themselves to the mix at having his own words thrown back in his face. Dark glowered at the dark grin that aimed itself at him.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Dark Link, the Hero's Shadow, the red-eyed demon, the silver being of hatred and darkness? What a coincidence, I was just wishing you were here." Dark recovered relatively quickly, and his response was spat with disdain coupled with a relaxed composure. He had moved back towards the silvery reflection of himself in the mirror, for that was where Link now stood. Link who had his appearance in all but the part that truly mattered, his soul.

"I've given you too much freedom. I should have secured you better, be certain I won't make that mistake again."

Link rolled his eyes, and Dark smirked. How odd that the he makes my motions, and yet he is still Link. Dark waited, every part of him hanging on to hear his other half's next words. He wanted to know what three days in Dark's body had done to Link, how they had twisted him. Link didn't disappoint.

"Freedom? I've been through Hell! Your house is Hell; your servants are insane; your lifestyle is overindulgent and twisted, and—and—and—I—"

"Let me guess, you loved every moment." Dark uncrossed his arms and leaned in to Link, or at least all of Link that was there, which was really just a reflection in the glass. Link glared at him, but the slight red to his cheeks told Dark all he needed to know. Dark tapped his cheek as if he was contemplating the thought, but really he was just drawing out the time. He enjoyed the slight squirming of his other half as obvious irritation and disgruntlement made Link's body sway.

"Ah, see that is just wonderful, because maybe now I won't need that sage after all." Dark pressed one hand to where Link's chest was, and he almost felt his other half shudder under his touch. Dark smirked again. "Maybe now you will be much more willing to take me up on my original offer."

Link's head snapped back and forth so quickly that even Dark felt a twinge of whiplash. Dark pulled away and laughed. Link's expression went dark and menacing, every inch the shadow where the shadow seemed light. After all, they were as they had and would always be: twin halves in a reflection-balance seesaw, no matter who was light and who was dark.

"What offer would that be? Never mind, it doesn't matter. I just dropped by to tell you I'm coming to stop you Dark, so you better get ready." This time Link was the one who leaned in to the mirror, this time his was the face that seemed like it was so alive and real that he might pass right through the glass barrier between them. Dark pulled away slightly, having more fun then he'd had since he'd pried the Master Sword free of that tree. This would haven't been fun without a real challenge anyway, and who is a better challenge than myself?

"Do me a favor while you ride like the wind to save your beloved princess Hero, and at least mull over my offer. You know that all of Hyrule belongs to us anyway, and you're the only one I'd ever want to share it with anyhow." Dark said this with eyes locked onto Link's, his voice as captivating as ever, and his eyes sparkling with excitement. Link glared back at him, every moment that the two stood in each other's company making both of them anxious and itchy for a fight.

"You seem awfully excited for someone who's about to be tossed head first back into the Realm of Nothing Dark." Link replied icily, making Dark shiver and smirk wider. Dark reached to the side of the mirror, his eyes never moving from Link's face. Link's eyes were locked onto his, not because Dark had captivated him, but because he wasn't willing to look away. He wanted to be the strong one this time, he wanted Dark to drop his gaze first, he willed for it. Dark smirked and shook his head as his hand curled around a vase on the table. Link felt a surge of excitement rip through him at having outlasted Dark's stare, but it was short-lived.

"I can't help it Hero, I'm just so very excited that it's finally my turn." Link raised an eyebrow.

"It's your turn to do what exactly?" Dark smirked and laughed out loud. He swung his arm, holding the vase above his head triumphantly, watching Link's eyes widen a bit in realization.

"It's my turn to defeat myself Hero!" Dark threw the vase at the mirror, the vase hit the glass like a hammer, making it shake and finally splinter apart. Link's cry of frustration was cut off as the mirror shattered, and Dark watched as slivers of his other half's face and form fell to the floor like glittering puzzle pieces. Link's form faded as the pieces fell, and by the time the last sliver had hit the ground, Link was gone.

"So don't make me wait too long Link, alright?" Dark whispered wickedly at the remnants of the mirror, before turning on his heel and heading to bed.