Hey, everyone. I just played Brawl for the first time with my friends, and just allow me this statement: IT WAS SO EPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC! 'Course, I lost every time, but they're like addicted to that game, and it was my first time. And in case you didn't know, Link's Final Smash move or whatever it's called is the most epic one I've seen. Plus it's Twilight Princess Link, so he's supah hawt. :DD

Anyway, getting back to the story, I have NO CLUE how long it's gonna be, so I'll just write it and see what happens. Hopefully it will have some kind of awesome merit, so those of you who have been waiting will, you know, enjoy it in at least a remote sense. Sorry in advance for the evil cliffy. :P Happy reading!

Oh, yeah. Shout out to Grithic Austere, for changing his story rating to suit my needs. Thank you! :DD

Disclaimer: No one I make up is even near the awesome level of Link. But I can dream, can't I?

And I totally didn't practically steal the idea for an entire paragraph from my favourite book, Rainby Kieryn Nicolas. Definitely not. Decidedly not. Indisputably not. Incontrovertibly not.

This chapter is dedicated to the people in my youth group, who are some of the most awesome persons on this planet! I love you all!

"Love is not a victory march; it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah."

~'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen

Cautiously I opened the front door, wincing at the loud creaking sound it made. The room was pitch black. Good. I had been hoping that Link would've just gone to bed. Once inside, I reached for the lantern of the front table next to the door and lit it, a feat which I had labored over learning. Successfully having a navigational tool, I turned towards the center of the room.

"Where were you?"

I jumped visibly at the sound of the low, male voice, almost dropping the lantern in surprise. I extended my lantern arm, just illuminating Link's face, who was seated at the kitchen table.

"Link," I breathed heavily, slapping a hand over my chest. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Where were you?" he repeated, his voice gentler this time. "It's late."

I wracked my brains for a suitable excuse, discarding most of the jumble immediately. "Oh, uh… I was taking a walk in… the woods… and I, uh… lost track of time!" I smiled, encouraging him to accept my feeble lie.

Link raised his eyebrows, informing me of his silent disbelief. "Really," he said flatly. I nodded eagerly. He looked at me for a minute, and I drew in a nervous breath, wondering if he suspected what I thought he suspected, but then he sighed and got to his feet.

"Well, what you were doing is your own business. I'm going to bed." He reached for the ladder

"Wait, Link!" I rushed to him, grabbing his right arm with my free hand. "It's not like that!"

Link just looked at me again. The swaying light from the lantern revealed a flicker of pain in his eyes. It was enough to wring my heart. Those eyes should sparkle. A little voice in my mind told me 'You caused that pain. If you had never come here, Link would be happy'.

"Link, it's not that… It's just… I just can't tell you. It's nothing bad or anything…" I couldn't tell him that I heard what Rusl said. It would only make him feel worse. "Please, Link. Can you believe me?"

Link sighed, his chest heaving up and down noticeably. "I… believe you…" I almost cracked a relieved smile. "It's just been a long night, that's all."

I know. The words halted on my lips. Instead I let go of his arm to reach up and touch his cheek lovingly.

"For me, as well. Maybe it's best that we just go to sleep." Link nodded, and I let him help me up the ladder. When we exchanged good nights he gave me a small kiss on my cheek, but as I crawled in bed, all I would think was that things would never be the same.

For the first time in a while I was up at dawn (though even then Link was awake before me). I was eager to start proving Rusl wrong, that I could make myself useful, and was not just a distraction to Link.

Oh, he should've seen the look on Pergie's face when I showed up at her door, offering my services for today. (Pergie's the one glued to her sink always scrubbing the one dish, in the watermill house. Though why they even have a watermill is beyond me. Shouldn't they don't use it to like, grind corn or something?)

She immediately ushered me in, offering me a cup of tea, but the next thing I knew I had a huge apron tied over my neck and a rag in my hand. So I spent all morning doing the general cleaning while Pergie supervised, still scouring the one pan. I swept, dusted, cleaned the windows, cobwebbed, washed the floors, cleaned the fireplace, beat the rugs, made the beds, organized the cabinets and shelves, took in the laundry, harvested the pumpkins, and polished Jaggle's (Pergie's husband) wood workings. Ugh. Doesn't it make you sweaty just reading about it? But I was determined to make myself useful. I kept saying in my head, It's all for Link, it's all for Link, it's all for Link…

Uli came over when I was just about done, and Pergie beamed with pride when the former praised the latter's immaculate house. Pergie did well to mention me, but Uli did not seem surprised when she learned that I had done it. They sat down for tea, and I was blessed with a cup as well, which hit the spot quite nicely. My feet already ached, but I didn't care. Uli had seen what I had done, and I would bet my Legend of Zelda shirts that she would tell Rusl.

But I still had a few doubts (and I did have an awful lot of shirts), so as Uli was leaving, I asked her if she needed anything done. Uli looked at me, and then around at the sparkling house, and then gave me a small grin and a nod. My feet protested as I stood, but I smiled in defiance of my tiredness and asked her to lead the way.

Similar chores ensued, except I also had to fetch water, do a couple sewing projects, and gather the chickens- err, cucoos (that was a nightmare). Uli was a bit more instructive than Pergie and a lot more helpful. She started to attempt doing the chores herself, but I insisted she sit down. She looks so pregnant, it's… it's just insane.

Anyway, Colin came later and dumped his dirty belongings all over the clean floor (he takes after Link), but Uli had me help Colin to "put his things away".

During this time, I kept glancing out the window while doing my chores. I told Uli that I was checking for rain, and tried to convince myself of that, but I knew that I was really looking for Link. Do you know how hard it is to avoid someone you are madly in love with? Lemme tell ya, not the easiest task in the world. I would prefer to gather the cucoos ten times over- and that is saying something.

When I was putting the finishing touches on a floral arrangement of butterfly flowers, all of a sudden my stomach gave a loud, horrifically embarrassing growling sound.

My eyes widened. I turned my head around to see Uli with a similar expression. Then a small giggle escaped her lips, and soon we were practically rolling around on the ground with laughter.

"I guess that means it's time for dinner!" Uli laughed, wiping her eyes.

"Oh…" I bit my lip. Link and I had always had dinner/lunch together, and afterwards we had our sword lessons, which were now more like just practice.

Dilemmas, dilemmas.

Why wouldn't you go have practice? a voice in my head asked.

Because, protested the other, Rusl said that Link had to keep up with his duties. Logically, he would be catching up on them today, thus not having time for you.

But wouldn't one consider the practices a duty as well? Me Number Two countered.

Not really. I mean, think about your last one…

My mind flashed back to yesterday's sword practice. It had started with Link hiding in the bushes and jumping onto my back. I screamed loudly and girlishly, swinging my sword in a wide arc around myself. I shook him off right before he started tickling me, and thus an epic battle ensued. When he disarmed me (because, no matter how hard I trained, he was still the stupid Hero of Twilight and Time and a million other things), I ended up just tackling him to the ground and we rolled around on the ground, he trying to tickle me and me trying as hard as I possibly can to prevent him from doing so.

He won, of course, and tickled me so hard I could barely breathe. Apparently, he likes seeing me red-faced and suffocating. I have no idea.

See? Me Number One said. It's just an excuse to spend more time together.

The other voice frowned.

…Romantically, added the first.

All three of us blushed.

"Annie?" A hand waved in front of my face. I jerked back.

"Wha-?" I recognized Uli.

"You spaced out on me," she said.

"Oh, uh, sorry," I mumbled lamely. They say 'spaced out'?

"That's okay," Uli nodded. "I was just going to ask you if you needed to go home and make dinner for Link."

"Oh, um…" Well how convenient, as I was just asking myself the same thing. "Umm… I think I can stay and help you." Dang. I hope I didn't just collapse our relationship. Mine and Link's, I mean.

"That's really nice of you, but you don't have to stay." Uli's eyes held concern, like she could sense my feelings. Dang it, do we have an empath on our hands?

"N-No… I'll stay…"

I was running back to the house at top speed. Curse my soul if I find out that Link came home expecting lunch/dinner. In going home, I was allowing myself a short break from chores to find out if we were indeed having lessons today.

Uli and I had made sandwiches for ourselves and Colin, but then Rusl came home. That led to some rather awkward ramblings on my part ("Hey, how ya doin', really nice to see you, lovely weather we're having…"), while Rusl maintained a cool, formal attitude. (A/N: Cool as in unfriendly or indifferent.) As soon as he had left, I had attempted to nonchalantly sprint out the door. Of course I had to help with the dishes, but then Uli told me leave and enjoy myself for the rest of the day. So I left. I did not need an angry, pregnant, possibly empathic mother right now.

Fudge! I tripped over a rock, almost sprawling ungracefully face-first on the ground. Luckily I had been practicing with magically catching myself, so I was back on two feet in a second, taking off once again.

I practically burst into the front yard, if it is possible to do so in an open threshold; I wasn't sure. A quick glance around informed me that Link was not here. My face fell, but then I supposed that he could, in fact, be inside. Of course!

Then my eyes rested upon a note hastily attached to the front door with a short dagger-like knife. Climbing the ladder with haste, I removed the paper, almost crumpling it in my excitement, and read it carefully.

Annie~

Rusl has some extra work for me, so I can't do sword lessons today.

~Link

I flipped it over, expecting more text, but it was blank.

What?

That was it?

No "Oh, Annie, I'm so desperately sorry, but my other far less important labors are so demanding that I had no choice but to cancel our lessons. Please find it in your soul to forgive my wretched heart"?

No "Annie, I love you more than anything, and not being with you has weighed heavily upon my core"?

…Not even an "I'm sorry"?

I was slightly annoyed, wondering if I should call this a "snub" or a "stand-up". I mean, he could've at least taken the time to come find me, or write me a decent note, for goodness' sake!

When I scanned the note for any further signs of apology, I noticed the many ink blots and holes the pen made in the paper.

Then I realized how stupid I had been. Of course I only got a tiny note! Link had all those chores, remember? DUH! He probably risked Rusl's wrath* just to come here to put the note on the door!

I crumpled the note. Darn that Rusl. Why does he have to be so mean, and meddle in the affairs of others? I mean, before he looked like the nicest guy you could ever meet (except Link), but now he seemed downright cruel. What could've spurred this change of heart?

Grrr… This was so frustrating! I sat down on the porch in a huff, muttering to myself.

See? I told you this was a bad idea! Me number one said.

Nothing horrible happened, Number two insisted.

Oh, yeah? I think missing an entire afternoon with your boy- err, best friend is pretty terrible! It had a point there.

You were expecting this. You should've better prepared yourself for this disappointment. Anyway, it's all Rusl's fault.

Yeah, what is up with that guy? For the first time, we all agreed on something. First he's all like, nice, and everything, and now it's like he's pulled an Anakin and gone over to the Dark Side.

Something must be wrong. Logical conclusion, Two.

Uhm guys? Can we please shut up now? The Voice That Is Me cut into the conversation

Is it Uli?

No, unless he has some kind of problem with babies.

Guys… TVTIM said again

Colin?

Maybe, but most likely not.

Guys-

Maybe he got into some kind of trouble, like at work or something. Does he even have work? It seems like there are no ways of making money around here…

Back to the original subject.

Yes.

GUYS-!

He could be possessed, like that Luke dude was, Number One reasoned.

Now why would anyone want to posses him? What is there to gain from that? Besides, his being a little strict doesn't exactly reek of evil purposes, Number Two seemed very sure.

No, but it could be possible.

No way.

Yes way.

No way!

Yes way!

NO-

SHUT UP! The Voice That Is Me shouted. Thankfully, they complied, but my mind wouldn't stop racing.

"Not fair… not fair… nothing makes sense… not fair."

Oh, yes, how could I've forgotten? Life isn't fair!

I stood up and entered the house to retrieve my sword, slamming the door behind me and jumping from the platform.

Because, first off, I had to go to stupid Hyrule (I began to hack away at the scarecrow), and then I had to meet stupid Link (whack), and he had to stupid invite me (whack) to his stupid town (whack), and he had to be stupid nice and funny and cute (combo move), and we had to become stupid friends (whack). And then he had to stupid save me (whack) from stupid Ganondorf (head blow), and then we had to stupid fall in love (whack), and he had to stupid kiss me (whack), and I had to stupid like it (whack), stupid a lot (whack). And then we had to stupid spend time together (whack-whack), getting stupid closer (whack). And then stupid Rusl (whack) had to stupid threaten us (whack) with stupid me (double whack) being stupid banished (whack) from stupid Ordon (whack), which I've stupid worked against (whack) for stupid forEVER!

"GRRRRAH!" I spun around in an angry crouched circle with my sword fully extended outward (spin attack). The satisfying rattle of metal never reached my ears; instead I heard a painful metal-against-metal scraping sound accompanied by a chop.

My eyes widened as I stood up, looking at the damage I did.

I had cut the scarecrow in cleanly in half. The poor thing's head, arms, and upper torso were lying on the ground some feet away. As I went over to inspect it, I ran my index finger along the bucket's new edge. Ow. Blood ran down across my hand.

I looked at the bucket. Then at the smoothly-cut wooden pole sticking out of the ground. And then back at my finger.

…I must promise never to use this power for evil.

I took off my bandana and wiped my sweaty forehead. I was just then walking home to make dinner, but the sun had set a while ago.

After the Scarecrow Incident, I had spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning out the stables. Okay, this is what happened: I had gone to Mayor Bo's house to ask him for a job, right? But while inquiring and "explaining" that I was "bored", I was disrupted some ceramic clunks, which I had noticed even coming in. Mayor Bo assigned me (loudly, so as to be heard over the clankings) as an official one-day-slash-afternoon ranch hand.

Immediately I had burst into a sweaty panic. What if- what if Link was there? What if he saw me? Shakily I had thanked Mayor Bo and walked out. What if we get distracted by… each other and then Rusl finds out?

After I had exited, I could still hear the sounds, so I decided to briefly investigate. I had started to circle the house, looking up and down for the source. And when I found it, my heart had nearly stopped.

Link was on the house's roof, hammering at some tiles, his bare back shining with sweat. I had gaped shamelessly, watching his arm come up to wipe his forehead and then back to hammering. His lean muscles rippled effortlessly as he worked.

Then after a minute, Link had looked up and glanced around, almost spotting me. But, luckily for me, there had been a nice convenient bush nearby. Shrugging his broad shoulders, Link had gone back to his work and I was able to sneak off unnoticed.

It had not been a very pleasant afternoon, thankyouverymuch. Though I had only hauled about fifty tons of goat manure (under the helpful guidance of Fado, AKA Sir Knows-Everything-There-Is-To-Know-About-Goats), that stuff reeked. Like what happens when I leave my sweaty basketball socks in my bag and forget to wash them, but a hundred times worse. And you doNOT want to smell those socks, my dear. Not if you value your sanity.

Not to mention the little "surprises" I found in the hay piles that I thought had been clean. And then I had to change THAT, too. Ugh.

And it didn't stop there, oh no. After that I had to wash the goats, brush them once they were dry, and polish their horns.

Like, seriously. Who brushes their goats? As far as I know, here they are only used for dairy and meat purposes. They're not show goats. Of course, I didn't know anyone who HAD goats before coming to Hyrule, so I really have no idea how to care for them. But I mean, come on! That's like brushing a cow or a bull or something. You just… don't.

Anyway, where was I?

Oh, yes. After the stables:

As I was walking, I wondered if Link had eaten dinner yet, or if he had not eaten at all, or if he had made dinner for us and was waiting for me… By the wonderful process of elimination, I picked the first. More than likely, if I had not reached a decision, The Voices would've come back. Shudder.

My feet clanked on the wooden boards of the small bridge by the mayor's. The night air was rather cool and refreshing, especially after today, which had been particularly hot. I wondered if that meant that it was summer. Wait, did they even have seasons? I wasn't sure; this was something I would have to ask Link.

Link.

My thoughts had turned to him once again.

I stopped mid-pace, realizing that my feet had taken me to the bottom of the plateau covered in vines. Hmmm. Why did I come here?

I looked out to the farthest plateau. It looked so very inviting, and I was dying to just sit down so I could rest and think. So with a "why-not" shrug of my shoulders, I latched my fingers through the plants and began to climb.

Once in my spot, I plunked myself down on the ground, propping my arms on my knees. My foot tapped on the ground rapidly. I felt twitchy and restless. Why? I just worked my butt off all day, and now I feel like I could run all the way to Castle Town. Gah, I don't understand my own body. Or my neural functions, for that matter.

For instance, at that moment I was plotting a way to accidentally-on-purpose run into Link tomorrow, and have my hair down -purely by chance, of course-, and then "discover" something on his cheek that "just won't come off", and have to lean in really close to get it off and…

And…

GAH! Annie, you have to stop doing that! I leapt onto my feet and began pacing around. Why why why why why why WHY? Gah, stop talking to yourself, even if it's mentally! Do you want those Voices to come back? No! Gah, stop it! Gah, stop telling yourself to stop telling yourself to stop talking to yourself! Wait-no- GAH!

I dug my fingers into my hair as if that would slow my racing mind. Why am I not making any sense? Calm down, calm down, calm down… Wait, why do I even need to calm myself? Great, now I'm second-guessing my thoughts! And still talking to myself. This is just fabulous. Okay, okay, breathe. You've had mental breakdowns before. Wait, when? GAH, SHUT UP! Okay… being calm… slowing down… Man, why am I so hot? It's not hot out. I better not be getting sick. Okay, focus. Breathing... Calming. Warm breezes. Gentle waves. Beaches. Bananas. Bank accounts. Bums. Bands. Bars. Berries. Burns. Brown. Blonde.

BLONDE! LINK!

NOOOO!

I tore off my outer shirt, straightened my tank top, kicked off my boots, and dove headfirst into the water.

It wasn't a graceful dive, but the sudden shock of cold water helped to clear my mind. The confused thoughts that had been rattling around in my brain seemed to disperse, and I was able to focus on just the motions of swimming. Push, pull, push, pull. Thoughts were dangerous and confusing now, so I didn't think, I just moved.

It was easy for me to maneuver around the pond, even with my eyes shut. I had swum here so many times that I had memorized where everything was.

I was just thinking that I was entering the small alcove when unexpectedly I hit something. Instinctively I kicked to the surface and gasped in air, which I had been lacking in my underwater excursion. What could I've hit? A sunken rock? The side? The rock in the middle? A-

"Annie?" A male voice spoke my name, one I recognized instantly.

…A Link?

"Link?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. Once my vision cleared, I saw him there, treading water with a confused look on his face.

Emotion rushed through my body. This wasn't supposed to happen... We weren't supposed to encounter each other like this… We weren't supposed to meet at all! What should I say? What will he say? Oh, I wish I had just gone home!

…Or did I? While he took in my appearance, I found myself resisting the urge to jump into his arms. Abruptly I realized how often I had thought of him today.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, curiosity tinting his sky-blue eyes.

"Oh, uh…" I said intelligently. "I was just…"

"Come on." He gestured to the piece of land jutting out from the wall. We swam over, Link hauling himself out and then helping me. My heart skipped a beat when our hands made contact, but as soon as I was out of the water he let go. We sat on the edge with our legs in the water. Neither of us wanted to make eye contact, so we stared up at the crescent moon.

"…I was taking a late-night swim," I said after a minute of uncomfortable silence.

"…Me, too," Link answered quietly.

A cold breeze came from out of nowhere, sending goose bumps across my skin. I shivered, wrapping my hands around my upper arms.

"You're cold," Link observed, concern edging his voice.

"Only a little," I brushed off his remark. My temperature wasn't important at the moment.

"You need to be warmer. May I…?" He held out his arm, asking if he could put it around me.

My heart twisted. Since when does he ask…? Then, with a stomach-turning feeling, I realized what that meant to him.

"Did you ever need permission before?" I breathed, sorrow in my voice.

"No… But I would like to have it anyway…" His voice was barely audible.

"Then please do." I closed my eyes. His strong arm embraced me, pulling me closer to him, closing the gap between us. I felt his head shift as he looked back at the sky.

Yes. It was a simple action, but such an important thing to do.

We sat together, relishing each other's company. I took deep breaths, calming myself with his familiar scent. I was so glad just to be in his arms again. When we were together like this, it was hard to see anything wrong with the world.

Yet I had so much on my mind, and it all had to do with last night. I wondered if being here with him was the right decision to make. My judgment seemed distorted because of Rusl's declaration. This was all because of those stupid, life-changing words.

"…It was a long day." I said after a spell.

"…Yeah." He shifted his gaze towards me.

In that one word, I could tell that my absence from his company had hurt him as much as it had me. I could hear thousands of unspoken feelings just streaming from a simple syllable. How Rusl's words had hurt him, how he missed me today, how he didn't want me to leave, how he needed me, and how he needed me to need him, too.

My chest filled with emotions I can't describe and my heart clenched together. I lifted up my hand to softly touch his cheek. "Link."

His eyes captured mine in an intense gaze.

Stay, they pleaded. Please stay.

I took a deep breath, then wrapped my arms around his waist, tucking my head under his chin. I felt Link's chest move up and down in a relieved sigh, and he tightened his grip on me. My message had been successfully conveyed.

I'll never leave.

"NO! NO!" I was screaming, my arms reached out in front of me, groping about for Link. But something was holding me back, keeping my body from moving forward despite my struggling and shouting. It was invisible… no… I was in a… a carriage… a carriage made roughly of wood… My arms stuck out the barred windows, but I wasn't close enough to reach Link.

Link… he was… yelling… at Rusl? Yes, Rusl was the one who did this to me… to us… I was in the carriage, being taken away by… something that was pulling my prison… no, it was… pulling itself… Link tried to run after me, but he couldn't move his feet. We were screaming each other's names… tears were running down his face and probably mine as well… "LINK!" I shouted, but the carriage just got farther and farther away… I could barely hear his cries anymore… "LIIIIIINK!" I screamed desperately, finally...

"LIIIINK!"

I sat up straight in bed. Surprisingly, I was not covered in sweat; only tears stained my cheeks.

The nightmare was over. I almost sighed in relief, but a growing feeling stopped me from doing so. Something… something wasn't right.

"LIIIINK!"

Something definitely wasn't right.

"LIIIINK! HURRY!"

Out of pure instinct, I glanced out the window next to my bed.

What I saw made my stomach turn to lead and disappear.

Oh, no….

Ordon Ranch was on fire.

…DONE!

So sorry for the most evil cliffy in the world.

It was a bad chapter, no? Oh, well. I hope I had at least gotten the feeling out that I wanted to convey. The last part was kinda hard, and the writing was not really my style… You know, all emotional and stuff?

So, yeah. I'm sorry it took me forever to update. I swear, you all deserve a huge reward for waiting so long for me. I should write you double- no, triple- no, QUADRUPLE drabbles! But… would you rather me write those for you or just write the next chapter?

Eternal Nocturne, typos if you please! :DDD

Shout out to The Sage of Hyrule, for making me the awesome profile pic! I will put it up ASAIC!

LINKLUVER'S BOOK PIC OF THE CHAPTER: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. Read it!

…Review? *insert Link's irresistible puppy-dog face*