Chapter Twenty-one and over three thousand total for the story. Can we make it to four before the year is over? I wonder. We're just reaching the midway point, and it's time for the big secret. Bigger than the Triforce, even. All those little clues lead to this moment in the story... Enjoy!

- Familiar.

When Ravio stumbled down the stairs late the next morning, Hilda took one look at him and dragged him by the ends of his scarf into the throne room. He was an utter mess – quite frankly, she wouldn't be surprised if he'd slept in the clothes he was currently wearing. They appeared wrinkled enough. And his hair, well, even though she knew he'd probably made some half-hearted attempt to brush it, looked like it hadn't seen one for weeks. Not to mention the dark circles under his eyes made him look like some sleep-depraved, Keese-crazy raccoon.

"Did you sleep at all last night?" she demanded, half-angry with him. "Or did you spend the night hours working on that ridiculous project of yours?"

Honestly! Just because he happened to be the kind of person to like history – surprise, surprise – he thought he could stay up all night working? Not on her watch he didn't. He was her bodyguard, and a Narbitt, not to mention her fellow Triforce holder. He was not going to get away this.

"It's not ridiculous. It's important. Very important," he mumbled.

"I never said that it wasn't important, I-" Hilda stopped, shaking her head. There was no arguing with him like this. He'd just come up with some answer that only half made sense. "You're impossible. I asked you if you slept last night, not about your project. Were you even listening?"

He nodded slowly. "'Course I was. I went to sleep sometime around midnight. I was up until ten thirty conversing with Link; and then I spent one and a half hours trying to piece the clues together. It's bugging me because I know the evidence is right beneath my nose but I can't figure it out for the life of me."

She chuckled dryly. "So you'd be able to get it if you were a Shade like the rest of your family?"

"Probably. I swear Aviol knows; just the same as Queen Agatha does; but I have a feeling they're keeping me in suspense. And I hate it."

"You hate what exactly?" Link demanded, strolling casually through the doors and into the room.

"Ah… none of your business, Link." he replied.

The Hyrulean snorted, folding his arms across his chest. "Don't be ridiculous. I told you last night, I want answers."

Ravio stiffened. "You'll get them in due time."

Zelda sighed as she slipped past her general into the room. "Boys, don't fight. It's not good for you; what with you both having rather … explosive personalities. I don't think the Hyrule Royal Treasury can afford to pay for the damages."

Hilda paused, glancing back and forth between the two bearers of Courage. "What's this about?"

Link smirked. "Sheerow turned up at my place sometime after nine last night. At first I was puzzled because I've never seen him such a mess, so I thought Ravio had gone and done something stupid."

"I almost dropped the captain down a crevice yesterday afternoon," he muttered.

Link shook his head. "That's not the stupid thing you were talking about."

Her eyes widened, softening as she spoke. "Ravio, is this about yesterday?"

He scowled. "No, it's not. Now, if any of you need me, I'll be in the library. I have work to do." Having said that, he spun around, pulling his scarf from Hilda's grasp, and stormed off.

"Coward!" Link yelled after him. He was ignored.

Ravio stared hollowly at the notes in front of him, fighting a growing headache. The words were all blurring together into one big muddle and he still couldn't make head or tail of it. Having a book on the genealogies of the kingdom was handy but really rather stupid if didn't give you the answers you were looking for.

"Ravio?" His princess. Funny, he'd never thought of the term in the possessive before. He'd never had reason to, either. The kind of stupid you can't take back, alright, he thought somewhat ruefully.

"What is it?" he called. "I'm kinda busy here. Busy giving myself a headache, that is."

She laughed walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Link's still annoyed with you, you know."

'I know – and as far as I'm concerned, he can go jump down a well. I can't tell exactly tell him the truth, now can I?"

"Who are you kidding? Despite all the teasing that would occur they'd be happy for us. Both of them."

He chuckled. "Okay, okay. Am I allowed to be cryptic about it?"

"Be cryptic about what now?" Link demanded loudly from the doorway. Ravio jumped, snatching a book off the table and throwing at his counterpart's head. The book, a record of the oldest genealogies in the kingdom, connected with a thud and Hilda winced as Link toppled over onto his butt.

"Don't do that, idiot! You startled me!" Ravio exclaimed. "Just think yourself lucky that it wasn't a fireball."

"I am; I am. So what are we being cryptic about again?"

"The answers," Ravio replied, hurriedly collecting the book from where it lay on the ground and returning it to the table. He grimaced at the state of it, seeing a loose page at the back of the book. "You can tell Irene she was right."

"Irene?" Link was puzzled. "What's Irene got to do with it?"

Ravio took no notice – he'd turned his attention to the loose page, and what he read there rendered him speechless. He always imagined that it was complicated but never to this extent. Holy Goddesses. Three help him - he'd done it now.

"Ravio? What's the matter?" Hilda queried, spotting the look of complete shock on his face.

He could only place the book in her hands and point to the words.

'Dearest Children,

This is Agatha, first Queen of your kingdom. I have great hopes for you and your people, and I can only wish that history does not repeat itself. But alas, I cannot control such a thing. So if it does, remember: the Triforce isn't the only thing that binds the Narbitts and the Royal family together. And if our Triforce perishes, that blood which we share might be the only thing that holds the place together.

I have closed the fissure between the two worlds, and I pray that no-one discovers it again. Be wary of those who come wishing to advise you, Royal, bearing the trademark red hair and 'artistic' abilities of the Yunon line. No good can come of that.

Never lose my mother's flute, and never misplace the map of the location of my father's great stone lantern. Do not forget the meaning behind the song entitled 'These Painted Stars'. For those are this kingdom's greatest treasures. The power of the Narbitt flames, my child, is what fuels the lights of this kingdom, and you must never let the fire go out. No how matter close it gets.

And if it is somehow possible, keep in touch with the Lindak and Hyrela family. You would have my parents' gratitude. (And my brother's – Vion's a bit smitten with a certain Hyrela princess. Ssh, our secret.)

Agatha Lorealu, first of the Royals.'

"Sweet. Mother. Naryu," she gasped.

"I know. I can't believe it either." Ravio murmured. "It's completely, utterly insane and yet …"

"… And yet, it makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"

"What makes perfect sense?" Zelda asked quietly, stepping past her general. The Loruleans exchanged glances, and nodded. This affected their counterparts just as much it affected them. It was only fair.

Hilda cleared her throat, raising her head to look the Hyrulean princess in the eye. "It would appear Ravio and I are related."

Okay, I had to end there. Yes, I know a cliffhanger, but trust me Link and Zelda's reactions are priceless. And that's not the only thing that happens next chapter ~ I'm not telling either, so don't go begging for spoilers; 'cause it ain't gonna happen.

As always, review, favourite and follow if you want to. 'Til next time!