Author's Note: Whew! Barely got this one out on time! Ended up working about 50 hours this week on top of school, so I was in a frenzy mode to get everything done and ready for spring break. Hope you enjoy this super tense chapter, it was tough to write!

As always, thank you all so much for the reviews! Keep em' coming!

-Written In Bold

Chapter Fourteen

"If you have a scrap of honor in your bones," Medoh scoffed, "then you will turn yourself in and answer for your crimes against the sovereign kingdom of Hyrule."

"And what crimes would those be exactly?" Link replied, disguising the bite in his tone with indifference.

"Destruction of royal property, obstruction of justice, warmongering, assault on the crown Prince, and worst of all; the attempt of statutory rape and the kidnaping of Princess Zelda Elenore Hyrule."

"Destruction of royal property is the only crime that I plea guilty of, Medoh of Rito Village," he responded. "On all other counts, I find your claim wanting of evidence."

"Wanting of evidence," Medoh mocked. "There the Princess stands, not feet behind you. Now how do you suppose she got here, huh?"

"Simply enough," he replied. "She came here willingly for refuge and healing."

"Is that so?" the Rito Champion derided. "Healing her of what? The wounds you inflicted upon her?"

"Perhaps this could all be resolved if the Princess would speak on her own accord, as she is free to do so," Master Koshia cut in, his even voice rising above the rest. "Allow her to lay these matters to rest so that we may pursue a peaceful end to this debacle." With a gentle gesture, Master Koshia motioned for Link to step aside, allowing Zelda to step forward far enough to be within reach but still visible that she was free to make her own choice. Looking up at her timid expression and trembling lip a surge of sympathy coursed through Link's heart… she never asked to be put in the center of this mess and now she had the weight of impending war residing on her words alone.

"Princess Zelda," Medoh called out in a tone that was becoming of a friend, which was by far the complete opposite of how she spoke to the rest of the group. "Please, come to me and be rid of these scoundrels. I can take you back to safety."

"What they say is true," Zelda replied with a tremor in her soft voice. "Master Link brought me here for safety and healing. He rescued me―"

"But he tried to take advantage of you!" Medoh squawked. "He tried to seduce you for his own disgusting personal gain!"

"No, h-he didn't," she cried, her face turning a bight crimson color. "I am ashamed to admit it, but it was actually the other way around. My brother forced me to―"

"This is an outrage! Princess, come to me. You don't have to play along with their lies." Medoh's stance changed as she bent down a little as if preparing to fight before shooting harsh glances at her enemies. "I can get you to safety if you will just trust me."

"I am safe right here!" Zelda shot back agitatedly. "Now go back and tell my father that if he wants to see me then he will have to come here himself and speak peaceably with us! Tell him that if he wants to try to cover this all up with his lies then I will be forced to tell every ear that will hear my words of how he has manipulated and corrupted every one around him… how he and my brother beat and belittled me since I was a child… all the backstabbing, bribery, blackmail." The confidence in her voice began to tremble into emotional sniveling but after a deep breath she steadied her quivering lips and continued.

"I, nor anyone here, wants war, Medoh. The only aggression you will find here is that of which you bring on your own." At last Medoh's hawkish gaze softened into genuine confusion and unsureness, and the feathers around her neck began to lay flat as she eased back to a more reasonable state of mind.

"You swear on all that is sacred you are in no harm?" the Rito warrior asked quietly.

"I'm safer here than in my own home, Medoh," Zelda answered. "Please don't listen to my father's lies… allow us to arrange a meeting so that we can find a peaceful solution to this." Medoh sighed in a long and deep breath, indecision marking her puzzled expression until at last she acquiesced with no small amount of bitter attitude.

"This is beyond me," the Rito huffed. "But I will do as you have asked, Princess. However," Medoh said as she raised a single feather to denote her one requirement, "I will not be letting you out of my sight. I will have a message sent to your father." Without an explanation, Medoh gazed up to her divine beast and called out in a high-pitched caw ―a sort of native language for the bird-folk― and before long a second warrior plummeted over the railings of the flying fortress and swiftly landed next to his commander.

"Send word to the King that the Princess is safe under my watch, but that we are to convene a formal meeting to… negotiate on peaceful terms."

"Yes commander," the Rito responded with a disciplined salute before leaping back into the air and made for Nabi Lake to the west. All eyes followed the warrior bearing such crucial information left on the winds above, and for a time not a word was spoken among them, for the tension in the air was palpable enough to speak for itself. It was Zelda that spoke first as she wrapped her arms around herself ―a habit Link noticed she would perform when she was feeling insecure― and shifted her feet in the gravel.

"Thank you, Medoh… I know this is all a mess… but please hear me out. This is all a big misunderstanding."

"I did not seem a such when I was called upon by your father," Medoh sighed, although her defensive and alert demeanor had not diminished any further. "I am a warrior at heart, Princess, not a politician," she said, her adjudicating eyes danced over the faces of the group behind Zelda. "I like look upon the word in black and white… right…" her eyes locked with Link's, "and wrong."

"I wish things were always that simple," Zelda agreed as she also glanced to the company behind her, her hazel eyes filled with a softness that her feathery friend did not. "But they're not. Never."

"It has been many winters since we have last spoke, Commander Medoh," Ruta spoke calmly, promptly beginning the next conversation, although there was a great restraint in her level voice. "Nearly seventeen years, I believe?"

"Seventeen years and yet you don't look a day older," Medoh half-grumbled half-chuckled. It was not meant to be friendly, but neither was it meant to be exclusively rude. "And yet I have the scars and fading colors of age to boot. Siding with the Sheikah has done well for you and its people, has it not?" That seemed to pull on a string of irritation for the Zora noblewoman, although Link was at a loss as to exactly why.

He knew of course that Ruta and Medoh had once been… well, never exactly friends, but certainly not enemies until the fateful death of the late Queen. That had been the straw that broke the sand-seals back, so to speak, and seventeen years of social and demographical separation had certainly not aided in maintaining that bond of common mutuality and interest, so it was no surprise there would be strain between them. However, Link could sense that there was more to be said than what passed their guarded lips… or beaks.

"We never wanted to choose sides, ya' know?" Rudania commented amiably as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It just… sorta happened that way. No hard feelin's right?"

Medoh merely graced his answer with a serious glance

"We," Ruta began, "along with the Gorons, have chosen a simpler life than many like to fantasize about. I believe you will find that not many have benefited from the separation. It has been a zero-sum game for us all."

"I do not treat this as a game," Medoh responded.

"Trust us, Commander Medoh," Master Koshia said. "No one here takes the situation lightly."

"Is that what your brother believes too?" the Rito fired back as she grasped her hands behind her and began to pace. "You would think if one took this seriously they would take the time to appear, seeing that they are the root cause of this whole mess."

"I'm afraid that I cannot speak for my brother," the Sheikah Monk replied. "But I believe it is fair to mention that this blame cannot rest on one side alone. The Kingdom of Hyrule and the United Sheikah Sects of the Kalvin'Zein both have their own burdens to answer for."

"And yet, here we are, conversing without the head leaders of said peoples," Ruta offered for all to consider. "Doesn't it seem odd that we should carry the burdens of our allies… to deal with the issues they have created?"

"If I recall, it is the poster child of Kakariko that stirred up all this trouble," Medoh commented as she glared at Link. "That doesn't make this an issue that 'they' have created. Its an issue you have created, Master Link."

"And if I recall, I am not the one that decided to threaten and beat the sole Princess for personal gain," he replied calmly. "Besides, I believe that is not the point Ruta was trying to make."

"Well what point is she trying to make, huh?" Medoh's gaze shifted between Link and the Zora standing beside him.

"Oh, for the love of the goddesses," Zelda whined. "This arguing is getting us nowhere! Can't we all just agree that no one likes the situation and move on?"

The sudden brazen tone of her voice caught everyone off guard, however ―for the second time that day― Link couldn't hide the flare of pride for the Princess. She was ever slowly she was building her self-confidence… even if it was just piece by piece.

He rather liked the strength in her eyes when she spoke like that… it was very becoming of a future leader... and as a fine young woman.

"Perhaps we should all take the chance to sit in the meeting hall and discuss everything that has happened from both perspectives?" Koshia suggested. "I'm sure you would like to hear in detail the Princess's side of the story and put these rumors to rest, Commander Medoh?"

"Very well," the Rito replied firmly as she took her spot beside the Princess.

No one spoke at first as they all exchanged silent glances with one another. To avoid ruffling Medoh's feathers, Link sat opposite of her and the Princess, despite how it made him feel a little uneasy… there was nothing except the roof preventing Medoh from just scooping her up in her talons and flying off, but the standoffish warrior seemed willing sit peacably… for now.

"Well," Zelda sighed as she prepared to tell her story. "It all started when I first met Master Link just outside of the Temple of Time…"

For the better part of an hour the Princess recounted her side of the story, which for the most part was brief and impartial, but as she began to describe the incriminating actions of her brother she spoke in small and quiet verses… he felt awful that she was being subjected to bringing this all up again but it was a necessary evil. If they could win over Medoh then they would stand a better chance of resolving the issue with the King, and worse than he; the Prince.

Dimitri wasn't going to let this down easy… that was a given.

As Zelda continued, Link found himself entrenched in her perspective of the matter… she of course kept her emotional thoughts out of the picture as much as she could, but it was still enlightening ―and saddening― to glimpse into what and how she thought about the situation. It was on more than one occasion that she had to clear her throat and blink away the threat of tears. However, as the sun struck its midday course, her tale was done and Medoh was left to contemplate it in full.

"I suppose credit must be given where it is due," the Rito warrior sighed. "Perhaps you are not the monster the King has made you out to be, Master Link."

"How touching," he responded sarcastically, warranting a stern eye from his teacher.

"On that note, I suppose I should explain everything that I have been told." Medoh shifted slightly where she sat, brining her wings to rest in her lap as she straightened her back. "You of course already know of the charges brought against you and why they were brought up, but there is more. Both the King and Prince have spoken personally to Naboris and I, warning us of your intentions to undermine the crown through the process of subversion. They seem to believe that you, and by proxy the village of Kakariko along with its sister city in Necluda, plan to destabilize the region further so that conquering its vast reaches will be easier than ever."

"And what do you believe?" he asked.

"That has yet to be seen."

"Medoh," Zelda breathed. "You can trust Master Link. You of all people understand how my father is."

"I get that, Princess," she replied roughly. "But my gut feeling speaks otherwise. You cannot ask me to betray my loyalty to the kingdom for the actions of one man. There's too much at stake." Silence passed over the group, each member taking the weight of the situation into their thoughts to mull it over.

A nasty situation it was indeed. At least Medoh was compliant… for now.

However, the group was unceremoniously disturbed by a loud horn echoing over the mountain pass of Kakariko, coming from the west, signaling the impending arrival of the King and his men, and so the group made their way back outside ―Medoh practically keeping Zelda under her wing― and stood vigilantly in the center of town. Two Guardian Striders were the first machines to enter, and while they were on high alert, they made no indications of aggression. All four Divine Beasts made their appearances too, as each land machine made its stand on a nearby mountain peak, and Medoh's Beast hung in the air… it was an absurd amount of firepower resting solely in the hands of four individuals, but the goddesses seemed keen on blessing them with a momentary peace… if peace meant holding guns to each other's heads, daring to pull the trigger on who ever made the first move.

At least the Champions were open to reason.

The two battle worn Striders parted at the center and took defensive positions as a Transport Strider ―the only one Hyrule could get its hands on― made its way to the front of the line until it stopped several yards in front of the group before settling its six legs to the ground. From the mouth of the vehicle there extended a thin ramp and before long the cab began to creak and hiss as it cracked open, revealing its passengers of at least eight heavily armed soldiers, a tall Gerudo chieftain and two very angry looking royals.

Zelda glanced over to Link and took a long haggard breath. It was time.

As the King and his son descended the ramp, two guards escorted them on each side, although they were unlike any of the other soldiers. They did not wear the standard issue garb of Hyrule, nor did they bear the Royal Family's crest on their persons… they instead wore armor of a simple black leather make, long red hooded cloaks, and shapeless white masks that didn't even have holes for their eyes. Not an inch of their skin showed under their heavy clothing, but their forms were distinctly Hylian in shape. Link looked to the Princess for answers, but she seemed just as lost as he.

They must have been mercenaries from overseas. Perhaps Labrynna? Holodrum?

Either way, their presence put him on edge.

"Well," the King grumbled as he snapped his fingers, summoning two servants to bring him ornately decorated chairs for he and his son. Both sat with indignant glares that scanned the whole assembly, excluding Medoh, although very much including Zelda…

"I see Kodah Koshia has chosen to insult us by his absence," the King continued as stroked his long grey beard. "However, he has sent not one, but two of his Champions. Ruta. Rudania… it has been many years since I have seen your faces."

"It would not be so, were you willing to meet us on even ground," Ruta answered while Rudania merely grumbled something in his own tongue and put his massive hands on his rocky hips. "But here we are now. So, let's talk."

"We did not come to talk to you," Dimitri sneered from his seat, slicking back his long brown hair. The collar of his shirt was pulled high to cover the bruise around his neck… where Link had strangled him into unconsciousness. "Our business is with the half breed… and my sister." His dark eyes darted over to Zelda, who could not bring herself to look back. Medoh made an attempt to walk her over, but she remained firmly planted in her spot.

"Princess," the tall Gerudo chieftain called out, her rugged but attractive voice sounding much more inviting than her feathery counter-part. "Why don't you come stand over here."

"I'm fine right where I am, Naboris… thank you." Naboris opened her mouth to speak again, but she was promptly cut off by the King with a sharp cough.

"Shall we stop beating around the bush now?" he demanded. "You have requested my presence. Now come, what is it you are so desperate to tell me from the center of this gods forsaken patch of dirt?"

This certainly wasn't what Link was expecting… not even close. Were they even going to try to deny what really happened?

"Father," Zelda breathed. "Please, there is no need for us to go down this path. We can just let this all go, and no one needs to get hurt anymore."

"Let this go!?" Dimitri scoffed, absentmindedly nursing the pain around his neck, and shooting daggers at Link. "That rat attacked me―"

"Only after you beat your own sister black and blue," Link retaliated with a righteous anger. Oh, how he wanted to tell him how just one twist of his arms would have snapped the fat prince's neck, ending his pathetic life before he ever dared lay his hands on―

Master Koshia's iron tight grip latched around his wrist… warning him to control his inner rage.

"Father," Zelda tried again, but he waved her off.

"I don't want to hear excuses, Zelda," he sighed vehemently. "You started this whole mess. Now it your responsibility to clean it up. Get over here. Now."

"So, you don't even deny her story!?" Ruta suddenly cried in disgust.

"That depends on what her story is," he growled. "How I see it is that she was told to do something very specific, and she failed to do so, thus suffering the consequences until he," the King said as he pointed a fat finger at Link, "decided take matters into his own hand."

"Your majesty," both Medoh and Naboris gaped simultaneously in utter disbelief.

"What of it!?" he sneered. "What is the point of denying it any further?"

"If that is the case then why don't you pack up and just leave!?" Link seethed. "If you care so little for her then why even bother trying to retrieve her!?"

"Because she is still the Princess of Hyrule… my daughter." The King spat his last word as if it personally offended him. "You backwater orphans know nothing of family… in Hyrule there is only one good use for a useless princess like her. Marriage for diplomatic gain. I had a very wealthy duke just waiting for her to come of age… very wealthy."

"I don't believe it!" Rudania rumbled. "You haven't changed a bit, King Gustaf. You are every bit of the vile selfish pig that you were since the day you were crowned. Gre'kakh Dou, I say! Let the poor girl go."

"Your majesty," Naboris aired cautiously. "You told us―"

"I know what I told you!" he yelled. "How else would I have gotten your damned mechanical monsters here!? Your loyalty to the kingdom that feeds you is not even strong enough to come to our aid without the extra motivation. Now I will hear no more of this!" The King's intense glared returned to his daughter. "Zelda! Get your worthless ass over here!"

Not even Medoh tried to stop Link as he took one big step in front of the Princess and shielded her with his body. Despite telling himself to control the fire that was burning a hole in his chest, he allowed his unkempt anger to lash out in a strained-jaw threat, and a hand on his sword. In the blink of an eye, the two faceless escorts threw back their cloaks and activated their energy swords, ready to fight him back at a moment's notice, and in perfect unison, all four Divine Beasts opened their laser arrays at the order of their pilots, primed to fire but remained stationary and alert.

"I swear on the goddesses, I will cut you down King Gustaf."

"Enough of this!" Master Koshia yelled, his voice being enhanced by a rare Sheikah magic that allowed his words to echo over the mountain that surrounded them. "King Gustaf, we all walk on a delicate rope. Thousands of lives are being pitted against the high emotions of this meeting. I urge you to consider a compromise."

Dead silence followed, but no one moved for what seemed like an eternity.

"What is your compromise?" the King finally asked as he settled back into chair. Dimitri's eyes went wide in angered surprise but before he even had the chance to protest his father silence him.

"Allow the Princess to stay here until her eighteenth birthday, when she is to come of age, and then on that day she may return to resume her duty as the Princess of Hyrule."

"That is ludicrous!" the King scoffed. "The outrage of it! No one would want to marry her after being here for that long. They'll think she's gone sour. Besides, in our kingdom, she is to come of age not at eighteen, but seventeen; which is a mere week away."

"Is it such a ridiculous consideration when the threat of war is on your doorstep?" Master Koshia asked sagely. "Does a single year mean that big of a difference?"

"Then isn't it equally ridiculous to think that you would risk the threat of war to keep a single worthless Princess happy?" the King asked pointedly

"Safe, not happy," Impa's husky voice called out in stern correction.

"What do you know of keeping people safe, Master Impa," the King sneered as his eyes grew to immeasurable malice and his nostrils flared while his fingers dug into the armrest of his chair. "Your promises of safety mean nothing to me."

"And yet you care so little for your own daughter's safety outside of your own personal gain," Impa replied. "I may have failed to keep your wife, my sworn Shiv'maton, from the clutches of death, but I will be damned if I allow you to willingly harm her only daughter. Like it or not, your majesty, I will personally see to it that not a hand is brought against her without going through me first."

"You 'failed' to keep her safe!?" Dimitri spat mockingly. "Nay, you murdered her! She died because of you," his finger fanned from Impa then to Zelda, "and her."

"How dare―"

"Shatviyike, utmas Impa," Master Koshia chided in the Sheikah tongue, biding her to cease before regaining control of the conversation. "Your majesty, as you can see there are many here that would draw blood to keep the Princess safe for one reason or another. Accept this compromise as I have presented it and we can avoid war, and the Princess will remain safe until she is old enough to marry and live away from the castle." The King contemplated his proposal with a haggard gaze, and for the better part of a quarter minute, not a word passed from his lips.

Link was disgusted that he did not even care enough to claim that he would not harm the Princess anymore, even if he would have lying through his teeth.

"Very well," the King sighed.

"FATHER!?" Dimitri shouted. "You can't be serious!?"

"We will discuss this later, Dimitri," he replied far to coolly for Link's comfort… he could see it in his eyes... the King was planning something.

"But fath―"

"SILENCE!" With his insufferable son quieted, the King motioned for his faceless guards to stand down as he stood. "I will honor this agreement, even though I find it abhorrent. On Zelda's eighteenth birthday we will return to collect her, and she will come willingly to marry whoever has agreed to accept such a dishonor." With a snap of his finger, the servants returned to collect their chairs and the King began walking back to the Transport Strider, a stern expression marring his face. Before he strode back up the ramp he spared one last glare to his daughter and shook disapprovingly.

"Don't let these scoundrels turn you into some worthless dog, Zelda. Their honeyed words are like parasites that eat away at a sound mind. I expect you to act like a princess when I return." And without another word, the King of Hyrule dove back into his mechanical transport, followed by his red-faced son, a helplessly conflicted Naboris, his soldiers, and the finally the two faceless escorts.

Link didn't like the feeling those men gave him… there was something off about the way they moved… or the way it felt like they were peering into his soul through their eyeless masks… nothing felt right about them.

But at least Zelda would be safe with them… that's all that mattered now. They could figure out what to do before her eighteenth birthday… hopefully. Once the royal caravan had left Link allowed the muscles in his arms and back loosen and he turned back to look at Zelda who was on the verge of a nervous meltdown standing next to Medoh, who seemed as equally conflicted as Naboris had when she left.

"Princess," he said reassuringly. "Everything will be alright."

Her only response was to swallow and nod shakily.