Ok so first off I'd like to give a special thanks to bookwormsrule! Thanks for commenting and following up till now! You Rock!

So here's next chapter, enjoy! Don't forget to comment and stuff...

14

NOT MUCH TIME

Time is the one thing you can be sure you'll run out of.

-unknown-

Daltus paced back and forth in the empty throne room, his frustrated moans echoing off the marble walls; incredibly vexed he was indeed.

'…And now they love Link for his mercy. So now, I cannot kill him for that makes him more merciful! The whole thing is like a great…. NIGHTMARE! He shrieked at no one, waving his arms wildly in the air in frustration.

He stood, hugging the cool agate pillars, tears flowing down his face, trying to get himself back under control. Suddenly an unnatural darkness filled the room, blocking out the light from the setting sun outside.

'He is defying you…' Hissed the slippery voice of Zant that Daltus had grown accustomed to lately, '…Every victory is an act of defiance. The mob sees this, the senate also. He is becoming stronger, gaining power… and I fear he could ruin everything. You must kill him.'

'No! I will not make him a martyr!' Daltus barked, falling to his knees. Zant only saw things in black and white. The situation was much more complicated.

'Fool! There is far much more at stake here!' Zant said a dangerous undertone flashing in his voice, 'I will not have your arrogance ruin my plans!'

'B-but you promised me that I would be the greatest ruler Hyrule has ever seen.' Daltus stammered, 'You said that you cared about me.'

'But I do, my confused friend, I need your help just as much as you need mine.' Zant's said softly, 'However if you want my help, you are going to have to trust me.'

Trust… Daltus had refused to trust anyone since his father betrayed him. But Zant had proven to be the father figure that Daltus never had. He always seemed to have a solution to Daltus's problems.

Yes, Daltus did trust him. And it seemed the more trust he put into Zant, the more powerful he felt. Even this meeting, it was as if Daltus had known that Zant was going to show up before he actually did.

'What should we do?' Daltus asked quietly, crawling towards Zant's voice.

'We must weed out those whose loyalties do not lie with you… and dispose of them by whatever means necessary.'

A smirk crossed Daltus's face, 'You're right indeed, If I can't kill Link, I will settle for those loyal to him. Whoever they might be.'

Inside the pouch Impa had given him were two small figurines, one of his wife and one of his son. They were crudely carved but Link couldn't have asked for anything better. Tears began to form in his eyes. How he longed to be with them.

'Can they hear you?'

Link turned his head to see Ganondorf watching him.

'Who?' Link asked, wiping his eyes.

'Your family, in the afterlife.' Ganondorf asked sitting down beside him

'Oh yes, I speak with them every night.' Link said stroking the figurines.

'What do you say to them? Ganondorf asked curiously, taking a figure and turning it in his hands.

'To my son, I tell him we will see each other son and to keep his heels down when riding his horse… and to my wife… well that is none of your business.' Link said with a smirk.

Ganondorf laughed too. His laugh was infectious and the two did not stop until they could not breathe any longer. It felt good to laugh, and when he did, a feeling similar to the one he felt when he spared Volga washed over him. His right hand began to hum and a warm sensation spread through his body.

The sun was setting painting the courtyard of the gladiators' villa orange and pink. Just as Link was about to return to his sleeping chamber, a sudden movement from the bushes just outside the gate caught his attention.

'Psst!' a voice hissed

Link and Ganondorf glanced over at the bush and then at each other. The bushes rustled again. Ganondorf got up, cautiously creeping towards the fence, gesturing Link to stay a safe distance away, while drawing his dagger from his tunic. A gesture Link disregarded.

As they got closer, a small head popped out from the brush. It was Impa. Ganondorf jumped forward ready to strike, but Link seized his arm,

'Woah, at ease, soldier, this is an old friend.' Link smiled and Ganondorf relaxed, taking a few steps back and giving a small apologetic bow to Impa.

'Any friend of Link's is a friend of mine. Please forgive me.'

Impa bowed in return. She approached the fence shaking off the stray branches and twigs from her robe. Glanceing around to make sure that no guards had seen them.

'Impa! I thought I had seen the last of you!' Link reached his arms through the fence and gently gently on the back of her head.

'We thought you were dead!' Impa said she was trying, with little success, to fight back tears. It was a strange look for her.

'Close,' Link couldn't help but smile at the sight of the flustered Impa. He was never going to let her forget this one, 'Are the men still loyal to me?' Link asked

'Most still are, but there were a handful who jumped ship. The King offered very handsome pay.' She said clenching her jaw.

'Who is in command?'

'Some fool from Hyrule.' Impa snorted, 'Hardly a general. But I thin-'

'How long before they can be ready to fight?' Link asked quickly. It seems the gods had been looking out for him. Presenting this opportunity to escape Hyrule. This may be his only chance, if he wanted to take down Daltus.

'For you, tomorrow.' Impa said with a smile, 'I will return to Kakariko immediately and tell them the news.'

''Good, but first I need you to find someone for me.' Link said. If he was going to go through with his plan then he needed her help.

The streets of Hyrule were even more crowded than usual it seemed. With the buzz of the matches in the Arena, many had travelled from across the land to spectate.

Zelda strolled through the market inspecting the vendors. The past few days had been very taxing indeed. First, she had not heard heads or tails from Midna, who seemed to have disappeared completely. Also, word had spread that Daltus was investigating each on eof his Senate members and anyone he thought would pose a threat to his crwon. Zelda new it was only a matter of time before he figured out her true intentions.

Zelda was just glad to be out of the castle walls and away from her brother's watchful eye. Well not entirely, she glanced at the guards that walked a couple paces behind her. But still at least she could breathe some fresh air and try and clear her head.

The sun was out and it was a beautiful day so Zelda had decided to venture out into the market square and get a gift for Tobea, perhaps a new book, he loved to read. She looked at her guards in annoyance,

'I don't think I am in need of your services at the moment, I feel quite safe thank you.'

'Your brother has instructed us to watch over you at all times, your majesty.' They bowed in unison.

'Perhaps you could do it from a farther distance; honestly I don't think I'm in any danger this close to the palace.' Zelda rolled her eyes.

'Very well you majesty,' The guards said as they hung back a few more paces.

Zelda leaned over the cart full of loose pieces of parchment and loosely bound books. Although most people couldn't read or write, she always found some of the best stories in the market place. Far better than the bland manuscripts in the palace library. The nobles had a taste for facts and history, but they could not tell a good story to save their lives.

'Psst, Your majesty, I must have a word with you.' A woman's voice whispered from beside her. A cloaked figure pretending to sort through the contents on the cart.

'I'm sorry can I help-' Zelda asked turning towards the figure

'No your majesty, they cannot know that we are meeting.' The figure interrupted her, casting a side-glance at Zelda's guards, who despite her orders where watching her like a hawk.

'Oh-' Zelda said, continuing to sort through the books.

'Listen carefully Princess, I serve under General Link, he sends word.'

Zelda's heart skipped a beat and she struggled not to turn around.

'He says he will meet with you and your ally. Tonight in the gladiator cells, within the Great Arena. Please use caution; I fear your safety may be compromised.'

So Link had changed his mind. Deep down she knew he would. Maybe the man she used to know wasn't completely gone after all.

'Thank you, soldi-' She said, but the cloaked soldier had disappeared, like she had never been there at all.

'I don't like this, Hylian,' Gaepora was saying as he led Link through the Gladiator camp to a desereted cell on the otherside of the compound. Link had had to tell Gaepora what he was planning, as he needed his help. And Gaepora wasn'ttoo enthusiastic, but none the less he had agreed to help set up the meeting. Link wasn't exactly sure why either.

In the cell stood Zelda and another man, both with grim expressions on their faces. Gaepora raised his eyebrows reproachfully at Link before shutting the cell and locking it.

'I will be back in an hour.' He said before leaving them alone.

The man was the first to speak, 'General, I hope my coming here today is proof enough that you can trust me.' He said outstretching his hand. Link shook it.

'Link, this is Senator Vaati, he supports our cause.' Zelda said in a gentle tone, 'He has-'

But suddenly a little Imp creature materialized from the shadows and cut her off, 'This is the guy? From the stories I expected him to be… I don't know alittle.. bigger.' She floated around Link examining him head to foot.

'—Midna?' Zelda finished.

'Yes princess it is I. I do apologize for my absence but I had to see to some important errands. And you will be happy to know that I have indeed gained some valuable information… What?'

Link and Vaati were just staring at Midna, both clearly had never seen any creature like her before. Midna rolled her eyes.

'Honestly can you two get a grip? What's the matter you've never seen a Twili before?'

'uhmm—' Link started, shooting a confused look at Zelda, who just shrugged.

'Midna has proven she is indeed here to help us. I think it's best if we listen to what she has to say and ask questions later.' Zelda said looking up at Midna, who was floating lazily in the air, fixing the large helmet she wore on her head, in a manner that she was indifferent to everyone staring at her.

'Yes… yes, of course.' Vaati said, shaking himself and straightening his hat, 'There is much to discuss.'

'So you are with the Senate?' Link asked Vaati, still a little distracted by Midna.

'Yes I can speak for them.' Vaati said coolly.

'You can buy my freedom and smuggle me out of Hyrule?'

'That depends on your intentions.' Vaati replied

'Get me outside the city, have fresh horses waiting, ready to take me to Kakariko, that is where my army is waiting. I will return by nightfall of the second day at the head of five thousand men.' Link said a little impatiently. He thought Vaati was here to help. He did not have time to be drilled with a hundred questions by the senator.

'But the legion is under new commanders, loyal to Daltus.' Zelda pointed out.

'When my men see me alive you shall see where their loyalties lie.' Link replied confidently. He knew his men would not fail him. He had faith in them.

'So after your glorious coup, you will take your army of five thousand and just… leave?' Vaati asked suspiciously, 'Mark my words, I will not trade one dictatorship for another.'

'Do not worry Senator, I will leave. The soldiers will stay for your protection under the commandment of the Senate.' Link said.

'So once all of Rome is yours, you will just give it back to the people? Forgive me if I don't sound convinced.' Vaati said sarcastically. Link was beginning to get fed up with him.

Link looked at Zelda, 'Yes, that was the wish of a dying man.' He turned back to Vaati, 'I will kill Daltus, the rest I leave to you.'

'Ahemm! Aren't we forgetting something?' It was Midna who spoke. They all jumped, she had been so quiet they had forgoteen she was hovering inches above their heads.

'The Usurper's power has been growing. Already I can feel he has taken control of your Kings mind. It is only a matter of time before the bond is complete.'

'The Usurper?' Link and Vaati said together, exchanging confused looks.

'Midna is the Princess of Twilight. Her country is in the midst of a civil war and the Usurper, a powerful being who is attempting to steal her throne.' Zelda explained.

'But he needs something in this world in order to do it.' Midna finished, descending from the ceiling.

'What does he need?' Link asked

'I already told you.' Midna said alitlle annoyed, 'The body of your king. Once the bond is made, Zant will be free to jump from this world to the twilight world whenever he pleases. Plus if he gets his hands on the Golden Power, he will have the strength to reshape this word in the image of twilight.'

'Ha! The Golden Power?' That is just a myth. A fairy-tale told to small children.' Vaati laughed

'My, my you are dense.' Midna remarked cocking her head at him, 'You surface dwellers really refuse to look beyond fact. Some things are real, even if no one believes in them.' She fluttered gently on Zelda's shoulder, 'Your princess already learned that lesson, tee hee.'

'I do believe what Midna has said. And according to the legends of the Golden Power, only a true King will be granted such a gift. And the true king of Hyrule is the person who the people pledge their allegiance to.'

'That is why the Usurper needs your King. In our world he is not a true leader, but in this world he can shape Daltus to become one. And when they bond, the Golden Power will pass to The Usurper through Daltus.' Midna eyes narrowed and she bared her teeth.

Remind me again why we should trust you, Imp?' Vaati said, and Midna glared at him, 'It seems a world of twilight would benefit you just as much as this.. Usurper'

Midna giggled and did a little twirl, 'There is only one twilight realm and I would like to keep it that way. And I would watch the way you address me in the future.' She added dangerously baring all her teeth.

'So what does this mean for our plan?' Link asked hastily trying to change the subject quickly. He did not want Midna burning the one person who could help him escape to a crisp.

'It simply means that we do not have much time. If the Usurper bonds with Daltus, it will make killing extremely more difficult. And if that happens failure will mean not only the destruction of Hyrule, but the entire Realm as well.'

'She is right we must act soon.' Zelda said

The rattling of Gaepora's key chain echoed up the corridor, 'Times' up, ' he called as he unlocked the door.

Vaati turned to Link, 'Daphnes Nohansen trusted you, his daughter trusts you, so I trust you. It will take me two days to buy your freedom, in the meantime stay alive, or I will be dead.'

'Two days? Evils plans are already in motion. We are all that stands between the destruction of your world and mine and you want to wait two days?. Tee hee, we are all doomed. ' Midna giggled before disappearing into the shadows.'

Ok so alittle more light is shed on the Midna and Zant plot. Zant wants the golden power to rule all Realms. But he needs Daltus because he has the potential to be recognized as a true leader, as long as the people pledge their allegiance to him. Will our heroes have enough time to foil the Usurper's plan? Keep reading to find out.

Thanks for all your support so far, don't forget to comment and let me know what you thought of the chapter or what you think of the story so far.

Tull next chapter...