Notes from HylianShield: This chapter contains an edited scene, because I wasn't sure whether the content in the scene was appropriate for public posting. If you want to read it, PM me and I will DocX it to you. Maybe you can tell me whether or not it's appropriate.

"You've certainly piqued my curiosity," she told him, trying to maintain a sense of balance among her regality and her desire to satisfy that curiosity.

"I figured you'd exile me just for suggesting it," he admitted.

"If we were sovereign and subject," she reminded him. "We are friends, correct?"

"We are." He still did not meet her gaze.

The princess frowned slightly. It seemed he had more than one reason to ask this of her, and she found herself wanting to know exactly what it was that he was asking.

With the power of Farore, she reached out, and drew the chair to her, with the fighter in it. He did not flinch, as he knew of her power, but he still did not look up.

"Please look at me," she asked him.

His eyes met hers, and she immediately knew he was troubled, the mixture of feelings playing across his eyes rapidly. He was nervous, and slightly afraid, but he seemed to be weighing something within his mind. That, and a hint of desire. Somehow, she was glad to know that there was a personal reason for his request, however shrouded in the troubles of his mind. His hands moved as if recalling a feeling, and she was able to guess at what he was asking. And she knew there was a reason.

The robe fell away from her.

EDITED SCENE

The princess's eyes opened, and she released his hands, donning the robe once more. "Why… why did you want to do that?"

There was more than one reason, but Miles decided to stick to the initial reason. "Someone snuck into my quarters and… kissed me in my sleep."

"There is more to it."

The fighter smiled and sighed, telling her about the dream, explaining that it had become too real, and telling her of the chase down the corridor.

She could have shaken her head. To anyone else, she would have. Then again, she would have allowed no one else to touch her the way he had, not even Link. She could have told him just to ask her next time. She could have told him that she would never lie to him. She could have asked him to leave. She did none of those things.

Looking up at him, she nodded and smiled. "I understand. Thank you for coming to me."

"I'm sorry," he said abruptly.

"I'm not," she admonished softly, "and I never want you to say that again."

As he rose from the chair, she caught his hand and stood with him.

Surprised, he turned to look at her, and the two of them stayed that way for a few

moments before she looked down. Miles felt frozen in place, conflicting thoughts darting through his mind.

She let out a long, tense breath. "You are my friend, yes?"

"I am," he replied immediately.

"You will keep this memory between us?"

"Most definitely."

She moved closer to him. "You will keep all memories like this between us?"

He blinked. "Of… course."

She nodded. "Then be here again tomorrow night at the same time."

He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when she closed her eyes, squeezing his hand.

"Are you okay, Princess?" he inquired.

She spoke slowly, almost inaudibly. "I… enjoyed that very much."

The fighter didn't know what to say, but he didn't have time to speak.

"Promise me you'll be here," she whispered as she looked into his eyes.

"I promise," he told her, and she released his hand.

He hesitated before exiting the room. As Zelda closed the door, he thought he saw her smile.

He stepped out into the corridor, thinking as he walked back to his chambers. Had it been her? She was not the dishonest sort. He recalled the feeling… no, Zelda was a bit more… gifted… than whoever it had been, and not familiar at all, in an uncomfortable, yet somehow exciting way. There was also Tanizau… she had reason, after what she'd told him in the workroom. Then again, Tanizau was out of the question; she was noticeably larger than Zelda. So that left one person.

Slipping the Pegasus Boots on and equipping the gauntlets and his vest, he tiptoed down to Archaea's quarters. Oddly, he felt guilty, as if he were betraying Zelda somehow by seeking Archaea out.

It's not like it's going to be anything like what just happened, he told himself. But should it have happened in the first place?

He raised his hand to tap on Archaea's door, and hesitated. Before he could second-guess himself, the door opened and a hand shot out, grabbing him by the vest and hauling him in.

Miles rolled to his feet, turning to face Archaea as the door clicked shut. She wore her nightsuit with the zipper halfway down, but that was as much as he saw before she rushed him. He didn't have time to react, and she pinned him against the wall, lips meeting his fiercely. He tore away, flinging her aside.

"I know what you're doing," he growled.

Archaea frowned. "What?"

"Stop torturing me."

Her chambers were built the same as his, so he hopped out the window and jumped off the balcony.

When Archaea reached the balcony, he was gone.

Archaea sighed. Part of her wanted to recapture that spark, wanted things to go back to how they had been. She thought if she'd felt his lips again, the way his hands used to make her feel, that she'd rediscover her old feelings… but he didn't seem to share her enthusiasm. He held only bitterness in his heart. Hanging her head, she shut the door to her balcony.

Miles landed on his balcony, having wristshotted the lantern-hanging post above his door. Securing it and the windows, he shut the door and undid his equipment once more. He was truly tired now, both physically and emotionally. Too much had happened, and he did not want to think about it all. Not now. Checking his bed for retard-horse traps, he lay down and fell asleep.

Link stirred, waking up with a sinking feeling for some reason, like he had just lost something. Shaking his head, he noted the castle's air held a thick emotional texture. What had happened? Perhaps… perhaps something between Miles and Archaea? Link had never been as good as Zelda when it came to discerning emotional residue, even when he managed to grasp it. Even now, it was gone from his senses, but he remembered the feeling. Or maybe Zelda had had a premonition? No, for surely she would have wakened him herself. The Princess was a telepath, after all, when she chose to make use of it.

He flinched as he realized there was a figure in his open doorway. Drawing Ragnarok from its scabbard by the nightstand, he lit up the room.

Archaea closed the door, sitting in a chair near his nightstand. He frowned, lowering Ragnarok.

Neither of them broke the silence for a long time. Finally, Link spoke up.

"What brings you here?" He asked softly.

"Comfort," the assassin answered.

The Hylian nodded. She felt alone. He knew the feeling.

Sitting up, he crossed his legs and rested his back against the wall, facing her.

"Is it something you would like to talk about?"

She was silent for a few moments before replying, "Have you ever felt your mind and heart at war?"

He nodded, thinking of Zelda. There had been many a time where his thoughts had conflicted with his feelings concerning her.

"Is it okay if I stay in here for a little while?" she asked.

Link nodded again.

"Thank you."

The two sat in silence for a long time. Link could see why Miles was in love with her; she was beautiful, if in a different way from Zelda. She had a natural cuteness to her unsuited to an assassin, and she was very pleasant to look at. In a way, Miles and he were in the same situation: they both loved women who had cast them aside. As he sat on his bed, Link began to question himself in the silence. Did he really still love Zelda? Of course he did, but it was different from how it had begun; more of a sad love than an exciting one. Still, he held onto the feeling, no matter how degraded it was. But was it worth it?

He looked up, and realized Archaea was looking at him.

"Are you okay?" he inquired.

After a moment, she nodded. "I feel a little better. What about you? You look… troubled."

Keen, he thought.

"I'm just unsure of myself, I suppose."

The Sheikah frowned. "What do you mean?"

He paused. "Concerning Zelda."

She nodded. "In what way?"

Link sighed, and explained how he had questioned himself, realizing that his attachment to Zelda was a sad love.

Archaea looked away, her face framed in the glow of the spirit sword. She looked so… sad. The Hylian leaned forward, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Red irises locked on his blue ones, and the two stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. Abruptly, he realized her arms were around him, her head on his shoulder. Hesitantly, he encircled her with his own.

"Thank you for being here," Archaea whispered, pulling away. "I should probably not remain here any longer. I should not have come in the first place."

He looked up at her as she stood. "You are welcome here any time the need arises," he told her. "Whenever you feel alone, you can talk to me."

She smiled awkwardly, thanking him again before she shut his door. Link sheathed Ragnarok, plunging the room back into darkness. Inwardly, he felt glad. He had been able to comfort her, something he thought would never have been possible with someone like her. Her background, her history with Miles… it was a tangled web, and the Hylian was surprised to find that he could help in some small way. A part of himself wondered whether it was right, always trying to help everyone, always trying to save everyone. He knew he couldn't help everyone, couldn't save everyone, but every person he helped was one less person who had to suffer.

He fell asleep to thoughts of Archaea and her troubles.

Notes from HylianShield: One of the best things about life is that it's unpredictable. That way, when good things happen, you appreciate them much more. Think about it. If you expect something good, you know it's coming, it's not really worth all that much. You take it for granted. But when a pleasant surprise happens, you'll remember it for the rest of your life. Nothing in this story will be predictable, I hope, and hopefully, you'll remember it for a long, long time.