live! I'm sorry for the long wait! This chapter was kind of a bitch to write because I kept getting very anal at some parts. My apologies mucho. Anyway yes thank you for all the comments. I'm glad that I was able to make people have seizures of joy! Wink wink. So yes Dark Link has been very naughty naughty and he will get naughtier. Hopefully to not to a point where I can't control him… Mwahahaha…damn I gotta work on my diabolical laughter. Ok I'm gonna shuddup now and let the story commence. Enjoy

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The next two days to pass were disastrous. Anything that was to go wrong did.

First she tried to teach him how to cook:

"Remember," she said in front of the oven to him as he slowly turned the spit. "You have to keep turning so that the bird is completely cooked through."

He sighed. "I understand. You told me that already."

Malon held up her hands. "Just trying to help."

He continued to roll the chicken on the spit and then his slow pace began to kick up and spin.

Malon's eyes shot open. "Wait! What are you doing?"

"It's taking too long." Before she could stop him, the spit disconnected and the chicken slid off into the fire.

Malon groaned. "Nice work," she told him in annoyance.

But before she could say anymore he plunged his hand into the fire to retrieve it.

And let out a yell of pain!

Luckily the glove he wore caught most of the burn and his hand was only really red with a blister or two.

-----------------------------

Then later…

At the bath, she wanted him to fetch some water.

He was standing on the groove of the rocks, his balance on the denar as he reached out with the bucket to collect the water.

Malon stood below at the shore underneath watching him. "I would remind you to tilt the bucket a bit. That way it won't fall from the pressure."

He pulled back and glared down at her. "I have it."

Malon crossed her arms. "You did ask for my help didn't you?"

He mumbled something incoherent and continued to reach out the bucket. Before he could remember to tilt the bucket, the water flooded into it and was too heavy for him to hold onto. It slipped from his grasp and plunged into the pool below.

Malon rolled her eyes and was about to say her piece when suddenly he spread his arms out and dove in after the fallen bucket.

"Oh no!" Malon cried out. She rushed towards the rock wall. All she kept thinking was what if he forgot to come up for breath! He might not know how to swim! She tried to search him out with her eyes but she couldn't see anything below. No movement. Not even a bubble of escaping air.

She tried to wait for him. She wrung her hands but it was no use. Too much time was passing. She plunged her legs into the water and slid in nearly completely. She ducked her head under the surface. The under depths weren't too clear and she couldn't see anything. She waved her arms in front of her in attempt to feel around.

Suddenly she felt something grab her around the shoulders. She screamed, a muffled geyser of bubbles pouring from her mouth and clawed her way up. Her head broke the surface gasping and choking. He no sooner did as well. Malon made her way to the shore and climbed up. Then she turned to hold out her hand for him.

He ignored her hand but she grabbed his shirt and helped heave him up. He shrugged her off and stood. Then angrily he spun towards the pool again, swept a good amount into the cursed bucket and handed it off to Malon.

"There you go!" he growled. "Water."

Stunned Malon didn't notice the weight of the bucket because that's when he decided to start pulling his shirt free from his trousers and was about to remove it.

Malon quickly dropped the bucket and grabbed his hands.

"What are you doing? Release me!"

"You don't want to be taking off your clothes like that now," Malon said as sweetly as she could.

"They're sticking to me," he said in a no-nonsense voice. "I don't like the feeling."

"But you can't right here," Malon protested. "Y-you'll catch…a cold."

He looked at her strangely. Malon kicked herself inside.

But then she realized she was still holding his hands. Hoping he wouldn't notice, she traced her thumb over the slippery smooth of his knuckles. They were nice to touch though she suddenly let her thoughts roam to how they would feel against her skin…

She felt a sudden shudder go up his arms. Before she could even savor the sudden break of his guard, he pulled his hands away.

"Thank you for warning me," he told her stiffly. "But if you would rather I don't undress in front of you why don't you just come out and say it because if you don't, I will do it anyway." To make good on his threat, he began to draw up his shirt.

Malon jumped back. "All right. You really want to know why?"

He nodded.

She turned away, trying to stall as best as she could by fetching the bucket. Then she faced him. She looked him in the eye straight and true. "I…"

And then she bolted for the door.

-----------------------------

Presently, Malon took up her business in the library. Her tongue tucked between her lips in fierce concentration as she carefully laced the thread through.

The quiet was nice. He was nowhere to be found. Perfect…

Unfortunately he couldn't be that far away. It wasn't like he could just waltz into the market without being struck dead at first sight. She was surprised he wasn't haunting the library like usual. Who cared? He was out of her hair for the moment.

So far this tapestry was really shaping up. She had started it yesterday. Well technically it wasn't a tapestry. She didn't know how to work a loom very well. However she figured that it would be best to sew sheets of nice fabric to a slice of cowhide and then just sew on the fabric pieces of her scene.

There was gentle whir of air that told her Meira had entered the room. Malon gave a smile and quickly placed the tapestry in a place out of sight.

"Malon?"

"Over here Meira." Malon made her appearance around the shelves.

"There you are dear," she said. "I thought you would be with…oh dear he doesn't have a name yet does he?"

"I have a name in mind for him," Malon said snidely. "But unfortunately no one will be able to say it without blushing."

Meira shook her head. "You certainly have a way with words." Though she tried, she couldn't hide the smile forming.

"No," Malon said. "I've decided to let him have the day to himself. Too much at once will only confuse him."

Meira nodded. "Right."

She hovered close to the desk. "I just came from the market. You wouldn't believe how busy it is. The festival is two days you know."

"Yes," Malon said solemnly. "It would be perfect for him to see it. But it would be a fatal mistake to bring him."

Meira didn't answer. She just seemed wistful. Or at least as wistful as a specter could look.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Malon stretched her arms over her head. "Do you know where he is?"

"I saw him as I came inside," Meira responded. "He was on his way to the bath."

Malon's eyes went wide. "Oh."

A mischievous grin bloomed on Meira's ghostly features. "Is it just me or are you actually beginning to feel for him?"

Malon looked taken aback. "Why would you think that?"

Meira looked at her questioningly. "You don't?"

Malon blinked. "I-I do care for him a small measurement. But it's only because I feel I should. I do have to help him after all."

"No other reason?"

Malon turned her face away. An image erupted in her memory. A familiar tanned face with bright blue eyes fringed with lashes the same color of the blonde strands that spilled around those eyes. The mouth which spread into an inviting smile. Soon those sunny features became darker. More mysterious and vampiric. She could no longer discern the differences between the two of them.

Malon picked up a leather bound tome and pretended to look it over. "No. No other reason."

She put the book down. "Please excuse me. I just remembered I've got some work left to do in the monastery. I'll be back soon."

She disappeared behind the shelves, picked up her bundle and made for the door.

Jonalir was just passing outside and went to wave and say his salutations but she just picked up the pace and moved down the hall.

He glanced at Meira and ducked into the room. "Is she all right?"

"She's all right," Meira reported. "She's just being evasive."

Jonalir nodded. "I can see. About what?"

Meira rolled her eyes. "Do you ever pay attention? I think Malon may have feelings for HIM."

Jonalir made a face. "Like she's in love with him?"

"It's too soon for that," Meira said. "There's an interest in there somewhere. She's confused by him. Between admiration and anger. They'll grow to respect each other before anything else should develop."

Jonalir shook his head. "There's six nights left. I don't think we should hold our breath."

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Meanwhile

The night of the third day.

The Castle was still and quiet. Everyone was on their guard. Just waiting for one false move or any sign of malice.

The King's office was lit up. It was a four walled room purposely devoid of any kind of window. Usually when the king's office was lit up, it meant he had something he had to resolve. No windows, no enemy spies looking in.

King Harkinian sat at the head of the table. He had his eyes downcast on the table and his fingers thrumbing against the shiny, polished surface. Zelda sat beside him. Though she was much smaller than her father, it was odd how much more power she radiated than he did. Link stood at the door, his hands clasped behind his back and staring from King to Princess as though encouraging one of them to start speaking.

King Harkinian leaned forward into his chair. He cleared his throat.

"Well… as it seems we have a problem on our hands," he began. "One soul missing on the grounds of an unknown force."

Zelda turned to her father. "We are in fact aware of the work at hand and we have every reason to believe it is Ganondorf."

King Harkinian shook his head. "That is impossible. The man you speak of is in the Dark Realm. He has no way of breaching our realm at all."

Link had to fight from rolling his eyes. His future father- in- law always had a problem with thinking outside the box. He had once blindly believed Ganondorf's allegiance without any option of suspicion was an example of such.

"But Father, Malon was stolen by a creation of Ganondorf's," she insisted. "I believe it was with full intent to get Link to open the doors."

"But how?" Harkinian said. "That would mean the Dark Realm isn't doing what it is supposed to. Its purpose is to keep the evil so no trace of it gets out."

"With all due respect Majesty," Link spoke up. "Ganondorf does hold a piece of the Triforce. He cannot be underestimated."

Zelda's eyes crossed over with thoughtfulness. "And mere nothings such as shadows have no bearings on the goddesses and hence they could come and go as they please."

Harkinian tried to keep his shudder down but he failed. "What shall we do then? Is this a fight we can win?"

"We are still unsure of what we're up against," Link said flatly. "As far as we know Ganondorf remains in the Dark Realm while Malon and his creation are trapped in another world. Once the portal opens I'm going through and getting her out."

There was a knock on the door behind him.

The three fell silent. Link stepped forward and pulled the door open.

On the other side stood Talon. He looked terrible. His badger grey hair laid flat against his head and his eyes held a gloss of tears. They were also very pink as though telling he hadn't slept for nights.

"Talon," Link said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Talon just looked at him as though words weren't needed to be spoken to say why he was here.

"Link," said Zelda's voice from inside. "Let him in."

Link looked over at her. Her face was expectant and serious. He had no choice but to listen. He stepped aside and allowed Talon to enter. He looked over at the Royals and bent slightly as a bow.

Zelda nodded and gestured to a chair. "Take a seat please."

Talon looked down and slowly sank into the chair at the other head. Of course the reason for the change from the happy-go-lucky albeit a bit incomprehensive Talon everyone knew to this sullen empty shell was obvious. However all the same it still didn't seem like it was right. Being like this wasn't Talon.

Silence passed before Talon spoke. His voice was rough and raspy as though he hadn't used it in days.

"What…is going to happen to my daughter? Don't try to make her fate better for my sake," he said. "Just tell me if I should prepare a feast or a funeral shroud and tell me now."

Harkinian stared at the brashness of Talon's plea. He could only stray his glance at his own daughter, whom unlike him was maintaining her calm demeanor.

"We would never be so cruel to lead you to believe anything other than the truth," Zelda told him. "That would not be fair to you or Malon."

She proceeded to explain the portal to him and how it would open on the first night of the full moon. She explained Malon's safety should hold up. Through the whole ordeal, Talon listened nodding tiredly at what he understood. When she finished, Talon stood up.

"I just have one request," he said.

Zelda nodded. "Anything."

But Talon didn't address Zelda. He turned and faced Link.

"I'd like to tell you that my daughter thought the world of you," he said gruffly. "You could do no wrong in her eyes. Not many people are granted the honor of that."

He sniffed and continued. "I realize you have done much good in the past. I was happy to aid you in any way I could. But tonight I ask you to aid me.

"I ask you, regardless of Malon's fate, to bring the one responsible for this into Hyrule. I just want to see his face. I want to know why. Why did he take her? Why?"

Suddenly he broke and nearly collapsed. Link reached out and caught him as he was about to fall. Talon clutched him.

"Please," he wheezed.

Unsure how to react, Link tried to be comforting. Instead he found himself glancing over at Zelda for help.

"Promise me," Talon begged pitifully. "Promise me that you will bring him to me. Promise me."

Those words felt like a fist to the stomach. Zelda was looking at him with a look of stress. This wasn't the plan. He was going to wherever the portal took him, find Malon and then the world will be short a creation of Ganondorf's

"I can promise you this," he said without even completing his thoughts. "I will be sure to deliver him into Hyrule. He will be spared no mercy for his crimes."

Zelda opened her mouth to speak but shut it quickly. Link turned away and signaled for the ward at the door.

"Take him to his room," he said. "He needs his rest."

The guard nodded and led Talon away. Once the door shut, Zelda rounded on him. "What did you think you were doing?"

"Why are you so upset?" Link said calmly. "I thought you would be happy. I've decided I'm not going to kill him."

Zelda glared at him. "No. I believe you should let him stay in the world he is in already."

Link gave her a funny look. "That isn't like you Zelda. You trust so full heartedly that he's cured but yet you don't sound so sure to bring him into Hyrule. I believe he could provide some very valuable information to the plans of his master."

"But Link we both know Ganondorf isn't a stupid person," Zelda protested. "We don't know for sure if bringing the Spawn into Hyrule will open a can of worms. Regardless of his alliance."

Link smirked. "Ganondorf cannot leave the Dark Realm without anyone removing the Master Sword. To take the right precautions I'll have him chained and ironed until I feel it's necessary to let him go. If he doesn't cooperate, he'll be denied any comfort until he breaks."

Zelda appeared appalled. "Link! Listen to yourself! This isn't you speaking."

King Harkinian stood up. "Yes Link. We do not torture our prisoners!"

Link had enough. "Then what do you propose we do? I have the intention of bringing him into Hyrule because we can use him to thwart whatever Ganondorf's plans are. It's up to him whether he chooses to cooperate or not. If he does, we can simply release him and send him back to the world he knows. If he doesn't, I hardly think that giving him a warm bed and sweet rolls will do any justice for us. And I do not care if he is reformed or not, he will not be allowed to leave the dungeons for the time he is held. I cannot risk him going into the Temple and pulling the sword."

Zelda cast her eyes down. For once it was possible that Link had rendered her speechless. And it was about bloody time!

He turned away and headed for the door.

He looked at her. His words were final as he said them. "If I had room for playing it safe, then I would go ahead with you. But I don't. I can't just cross my fingers and pray for the scales to tip in my favor. I have to do what will surely bring success."

And that was it. He was gone, leaving Zelda flinching not just because of the noise the door made when it slammed.

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Thump!

He had eased her boredom when he was around. However she wasn't going to give in just yet.

Instead she was standing in the Monastery kitchen rolling dough for hot rolls. Its recipe was so simple she could have easily done it with her eyes closed. Well she actually tried to do it with her eyes closed which explained how bored she really was. Surprisingly she did a pretty good job too. There were batches of them which she knew considering the heat of the place in general would stay warm enough to drizzle on them the sweetcream butter that seemed to be selling big in the market.

What was left to do after that though? She really wasn't in the mood to play around with him today. Maybe she should have started him off with this recipe. It was easy enough. She had just guessed it seemed more masculine to roast a cucco than bake bread.

Whatever. She placed the big lump of dough in front of her and proceeded to separate it into individual small loaves.

It was easy to simply watch her from the doorway where he stood. She was unaware of his presence as he looked on. She was working rather diligently considering the short and deft way she handled the dough. Her hands were skillful. He had already known that but to see them actually working was interesting.

He cleared his throat. This was as good a time as any to disturb her. He actually felt a rush of some kind of emotion when she jumped in fright. He liked it.

She spun around to glare at him. It didn't cause much of an effect since she'd been glaring at him for the last few days anyway. Oddly enough, he had missed her. Surprisingly he felt that the day would be missing something if she wasn't scolding him or glaring with anger.

Then were times like now where her glare fades and turns softer. She would travel her glance over him up and down as though taking him in. Drawing whatever good or bad she saw and making it her own within. It made him feel funny. Why it did, he didn't know. It wasn't like she was some enemy searching out his weakness or anything to use against him. Or was she?

Thankfully she broke free of it quickly and back to the familiar anger. "One of these days I'm going to have a knife on me and when you decide to sneak up on me again, don't be surprised if I accidentally happen to stab you."

He just chuckled. "Why is it that I'm not quivering with fear? I guess we have to work on that next."

Malon didn't even reply. Learns fast doesn't she? She turned back to her separating.

"I'm hurt," he said. "You didn't tell me we were baking today."

"We weren't," she snapped. "I thought you would like to be by yourself today."

He lifted his head into something of a nod.

"And considering the disaster of the past days," Malon said, brushing the flour from her fingers, "I've decided to make you enough food to last you your entire life since you won't be able to do it for yourself."

He frowned. "I'm not a cook or a keeper. I thought there was supposed to be someone else to do that."

Malon nodded. "Usually it's a wife. However since you don't have one, you might as well learn yourself. Besides it's rare to see a man cook."

He gave her a blank look under his tousle of dark hair. "Wife?" he asked. "What's that?"

Malon started to churn the mixture within the bowl. "Well, it's a woman who is united with a man under the gods to remain with until the end of her days. They have children together and she keeps the house while he goes out and makes his living. They are supposed to love each other forever."

Dark Link fell silent. Malon hated the explanation she gave to him. It didn't sound so happy like marriage should be. It sounded more like a forced pairing. Who cared? It wasn't like he was getting married anytime soon anyway.

He traced a finger along the counter top collecting the flour. "That's interesting. How's the arm?"

She looked down at it. "Healing well. I've been taking the Curall."

They were quiet again. This was so stupid. When they weren't fighting, they didn't even talk.

She pointed the roller at him. "Did you want to try?"

He cocked his head in amusement, his earthen eyes actually twinkling. "I'm not sure… are you going to keep scolding me for a wrongdoing?"

Malon sighed. "I do it only because if you make one mistake you're going to ruin the whole thing."

He shook his head. Malon rolled her eyes in defeat. "Fine. I won't say a word and you can do it all. Fair?"

He snatched the roller from her hand and at once began to knead the dough. Malon watched, true to her word, not saying a thing to criticize. Though she was itching to say something, she held her tongue.

He kept looking over at her expecting her to say something but she kept looking up into the air or encouraging him to continue. He wasn't sure if he was actually doing it right or if she was just letting him into his own grave.

It was bringing a familiar feeling he knew and loved. Irritation.

He turned again to her. "Well am I doing it right?"

Malon gave a look of surprise. "I thought you wanted me to stay quiet."

"There really is no in-between with you is there?" he asked sounding a bit agitated. "I'm through." He dropped the roller with a dull thump and turned to leave.

Malon then did something she knew she would regret.

She didn't know what possessed her to do it. All the negativity she felt towards him all of a sudden just drove her to a point of surreality.

She had picked up a ball of prepared dough and flung it with every intention of hitting him. She expected to hit him in the middle of his back. But no. That devil of a dough ball struck him right on the back of the head.

He froze. She didn't care anymore. Whatever will be will be. She was tired of so many verbal fights that now she just wanted to settle this. Even if it meant throwing things at him. There was no coming back now.

He turned. The look he gave her was one of bewilderment. Her eyes were flashing. He had seen her angry before but right now she looked absolutely crazed.

"Did you just…"

She snatched another one and drew her arm back. He dared her with his eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

Malon threw it, pumping all her adrenaline into it. He caught it in mid flight. But he wasn't prepared for the one that followed up behind that one. It hit him in the chest. He backed away and tossed the one he had caught back at her. She ducked and it splattered against the wall.

She snatched another one and dove on the other side.

Dark Link sneered. So she wanted to play huh?

Quickly he gathered the ones she had thrown at him and crouched. He slowly stepped to kneel against the other side of the counter. Silently he counted her breaths. When she fell silent, he knew she was going to strike.

Promptly she swung around the side and pelted him as he pelted her. She dove down and crawled on her belly. He had her on the retreat mercilessly throwing.

It went on like this for awhile. He hit her, she hit him. He had a bit of a time catching her though. He even missed a few times. She was fast. He even found himself laughing. A thrill was humming through him. The thrill of the hunt. It was exhilarating! He felt outside himself. By the way she was laughing and smiling, he could tell she did too.

Finally he had her cornered. She had a ball in hand. He had one too. She moved right. He feinted right. She moved left. He feinted left. She drew back her arm. But he pitched the roll.

It struck her right between the eyes. He froze. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. She slumped onto the ground and lay still.

"Oh…" He didn't mean to hit her that hard. He felt a poisonous chill rise in him, freezing him completely.

He walked towards her still form and knelt down beside her. "Are you all right?"

She wasn't moving. His heart began to shiver. He couldn't have killed her…he couldn't have.

He seized her by the shoulders and proceeded to turn her onto her back.

Suddenly, her eyes flew open. And she attacked, smashing a dough ball into his hair.

"Gotcha!" she crowed. She forced his stunned form onto the ground, continuing to smush it into his head.

He grunted harshly and switched his position. He loomed over her and tried to reach for the ball he had struck her with before so her hair could suffer the same fate. Seizing the moment, she shoved him under her. It went on like this until finally he was able to pin her beneath him.

He laughed, "I've gotcha now."

Malon struggled but her attempts made her laugh. "All right, all right. You won this but I won the ball fight."

He rolled his eyes. Malon could actually detect a hint of good-nature in the expression. "Fine. I'll admit the defeat."

They didn't speak for a moment. Malon just kept looking up into his eyes. So sharp and piercing at one time, now laughing and mirthful. She couldn't decide which gaze made her shiver more. She lifted a hand to his cheek and traced his face as though she were blind. The cuts of his face were familiar but yet not so. They were his own.

His lips too. He seemed to lean in. Malon's breath hitched again.

He gave a big smile. "It appears as though we've finally reached an understanding Miss Malon."

Her body turned cold the moment he lifted off. He held out a hand for her.

She took it and helped herself up. He was still all smiles.

"I really liked that," he said like he had never felt so good.

Malon nodded. "It was fun."

"Fun," he repeated. Malon could daresay that he seemed at peace. "Yes it was fun."

Malon held out her hand. "Let's call a truce. We can make these learning experiences fun and more enjoyable if we just work together."

He stared at her hand. He waited a second before taking it into his own for a shake.

"Truce." He then gave a mischievous smile. "For now."

Malon sighed. Not exactly the response she was looking for. But it was a start.