The Zora Queen looked at the Princess serenely, Sheik found the expression decidedly unnerving. He couldn't say that he couldn't understand the Queen's suggestion, after all what ruler could tolerate renegades within their own court? However to ask someone from outside that court, from another species altogether, to conduct that request was unusual it seemed to him. Especially from a species as insular as the Zora, he kept his attention partially on Queen Rutela but mostly on the corridors around them. As far as he could tell they did not have company, but he wasn't going to let that assumption sit idly.

"Princess," Queen Rutela said in a quiet voice. "We would not normally make such a request of you or your people. However these are strange times. Our forces are committed elsewhere and we only have the barest of guard details in any of the domains that would normally be tasked with dealing with the issues at hand."

Sheik had listened to their earlier conversation and indeed the Zora were in an interesting situation. The Gerudo corsairs had been raiding Zora territory for months now out on the ocean and most of the Zora people's military forces were dedicated to fighting back the raiders. He looked to the Princess, wondering what she would ultimately choose in this case.

"I will not have my companions turned to political assassination." she said, quite true to form. "I came here seeking your assistance, not to tidy your laundry your Majesty."

Zelda's tone was snappish and she looked, to Sheik, as if she were a coiled spring waiting to be let loose. The entire situation was becoming tenser than he was comfortable with.

"Your Highness, your Majesty," he interjected cautiously. "With due respect, I am of the Sheikah, eliminating undesirables is hardly new to my people. With your permission Princess, I can take care of this business."

"Absolutely not," Zelda snapped. "I am not going to become entangled in Zora blood politics."

Queen Rutela's eyes narrowed. "Listen very carefully Princess of Hyrule, you come to us seeking our people's portion of the seal and military aid against the Mage King. We've told you what our situation is, our forces are already engaged elsewhere and with this rebellion in the east we cannot commit militarily to your cause. However we will give you the seal you seek, if and only if you are willing to remove the domani of the Eastern Domain from his seat. Those are our terms. You may take them or you may try and take the seal by force which we would advise against, strongly."

Sheik looked between the two royals quietly. Part of his training had included scenes like this: when to keep your mouth shut and simply observe when the nobility were going at it. This was one case when the mere bodyguard was to do just that. He did find it remarkable though that here was a Queen who had been ruling for—if he remembered correctly—two decades being stood up to by the Princess of a lost throne. He wondered how many of his fellow Sheikah had been given similar opportunity to witness such an odd scene for the Royal House.

The starring contest might have continued indefinitely if Link had not spoken up.

"Excuse me your Highness, but I don't see a problem."

Zelda turned to look at him, for once looking displeased with Link which was a somewhat welcome change in Sheik's mind. However she did not protest as Link continued.

"My people drive out or kill members of the pack who pose a threat to the community. This seems to be more of the same," he glanced at the Queen hesitantly. "The Zora are just asking another pack to do it for them. That's all."

Zelda's eyes narrowed, Sheik looked to Queen Rutela who was smiling and looking at Link with what he thought was appreciation but might have been something else. Sheik for his part couldn't completely believe how sensible Link had made killing a major lord sound. He had to wonder if Link understood the exact gravity of what he was talking about. Given his limited experience outside of the southern forests, Sheik doubted very much if he did. Sheik looked back to the Princess whose attention was returning to the Zora Queen.

Damn Link, Zelda thought acidly. Damn him for opening his mouth and making murder sound so sensible. Her father had warned her once that the Zora rarely asked for favors but took them frequently. He'd told her that Zora politics and inter-domain relationships were a complex web of alliances between disparate peoples who all ostensibly answered to the Queen or King whose favor could dote on any one of the domains depending on where they chose to make their residence. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.

"Your Majesty, if we do this thing for the Zora people. If we kill your domani, I will require certain pledges from you."

The Queen eyed her cautiously, but she nodded. "Name them."

"First, I want the Zora's portion of the seal."

She inclined her head, "Of course."

"Second, I want you to go on the offensive in your coastal holdings against the Gerudo once we've dealt with the Eastern Domain."

The Queen considered Zelda for a moment before answering. "We will need time to quell the Eastern Domain. Then we will move."

Zelda shook her head, oh no, she was not getting out of this war that easily. "Unacceptable. If we do this for you, you will go on the offensive the moment you've confirmed your rogue is dead."

Queen Rutela starred at Zelda for a long time, her sea-green gaze seeming to appraise the value of what she'd been told in Zelda's face.

Finally she nodded. "Very well, once Domani Dobon* has been dealt with we will go on the offensive against the desert coast."

Zelda took a deep breath; this next one would be the most challenging to obtain. "Lastly, I want your word that the Zora will march against Castle Town when I call for the attack."

The Queen's eyes narrowed and her face darkened. "We are not your pet hounds to be summoned at your beck and call Hylian. We will not do this thing, if you want attack dogs then go to your wolves."

She nodded towards Link as she spoke. Zelda heard a low growl come from him despite his Human form and hoped that he wouldn't do anything irrevocable.

"The Wolfos have been decimated, they barely have a population left to commit to the fighting." that wasn't entirely true of course, the Wolfos still had able fighters but sending those fighters would mean depleting their population even further. Zelda would not condemn a species to extinction. Even for this.

"That is not our concern," Queen Rutela countered. "Perhaps if your ancestors had not squandered the gift of the wolves then perhaps they would not be in so dire a condition that they are unable to fight."

Zelda bristled at this rebuke, nevermind that she herself agreed with the Queen's assessment. The Wolfos' lives had been squandered in the thousand years since they'd been bound to the Royal Family. However to hear such criticism from outside the Royal House, even from another monarch, was unacceptable.

"Consider your decision very carefully your Majesty." Zelda responded coldly. "How long can the Zora stand alone against Ganondorf? If we should fail then he will have no distractions to keep him from crushing the Zora beneath his heel."

"He would need legions to take the Domains," Queen Rutela responded dismissively. "He has a sizable army it is true, but the desert sands cannot be everywhere."

"The sands of the desert need not reach everywhere your Majesty. Once he has quelled all resistance within the plains, how long do you think it will be before he has rallied the forces he requires to crush you? You've not seen his army, it is vast and supported by magics that no one understands. He can summon the dead to do his bidding and bend dragons to his will. If you believe that the Zora can stand alone against such a foe once he has nowhere else to turn his aggression then by all means, decline my request."

Malon watched the exchange with interest though she kept casting worried glances at Link. His lip was still curled over his teeth in obvious annoyance about the Queen's apparent disregard for Wolfos life. More than that though, that he seemed calm about the prospect of killing a Zora who apparently would not go along with the others was…troubling. There was something else about all this that was bothering her as well, and given the direction the conversation was going, she didn't expect to get an answer unless she asked.

"Excuse me," she asked quietly.

In the silence that had come after Zelda's last statement, no one had any issue hearing her. With all eyes focused on her though she had to take a moment to form her question.

"What did this…domani?" Link bobbed his head in affirmation. "Do?"

The Zora Queen regarded Malon with an arched eyebrow before turning to Zelda. "It seems, your Highness, that your entourage need lessons in timing."

Malon flushed, glaring at the Queen in annoyance. She opened her mouth to protest but was beaten to it.

"It's a fair question." Sheik supplied. "Since you've neglected to tell any of us what Domani Dogon has done beyond rebel against you."

Malon looked at Sheik in surprise; he wasn't looking at her though. His red gaze was regarding the Queen passively. Malon too redirected her attention towards the Queen who sighed and looked between the pair of them with an arched brow.

"He has sided with your Mage King against us. Ganondorf has promised him the Zora Kingdom if he will bring as many domains into the desert camp."

"Why didn't you mention this previously?" Zelda asked quietly.

The Queen leaned back in her throne. "Leverage my dear. If you'd known how dire the situation was then your bargaining position would increase. As it…" she trailed off and shrugged. "We can tell that you aren't going to yield on this matter so we will set the agreement like this."

Zelda opened her mouth but the Queen cut her off. "We've had enough wrangling Princess, it is time to draw in the line. Here is my offer: you and your companions will kill the domani and his daughter to ensure that this rebellion's leadership dies with his family. In exchange you will be given the portion of the seal that you require, we will conduct our offensive once he has been eliminated," she paused and smiled at Zelda. "The Zora will march at your call Princess."

Malon watched as Zelda bowed deeply at the waist to the Queen. "Thank you your Majesty."

Queen Rutela nodded and waved them off, pointing down one of the corridors though it was not the one they'd come in on. "You will find quarters prepared for you. In the morning you will be taken to the Eastern Domain by our men. They will take control of it once you have removed Domani Dogon and his daughter."

Zelda turned to Malon and the others with a nod. Malon and Link followed her down the corridor.

"Your Highness," Malon inquired. "Are you really alright with this?"

Zelda nodded, looking very tired in the dim lighting. "Yes, if this is what we have to do then we will do it…I pity the domani's daughter though."

"Now what," Link inquired.

"We get some rest," Zelda responded, she looked around at them all. "Then tomorrow we get ready to murder an innocent woman because her father is a fool."

Malon swallowed, the knot in her stomach forming again. "Your Highness I don't know if I can do this."

Zelda smiled wanly. "I don't either Malon, but I don't see a way around this."

"Don't worry," Sheik supplied quietly. "I'll take care of the domani and his daughter."

Link looked thoughtfully. "I can assist."

Sheik shook his head. "No, this will need to be quick and quiet."

"Before you start debating who is going to kill whom," Zelda interjected. "I suggest we all sleep first."

Malon nodded agreement, looking at Link worriedly. He seemed unusually ready to kill someone he didn't know and it wasn't someone who was directly threatening him either. Just what was going through his mind?

Link stirred, waking in the all too familiar mists. He looked around him; he was in his human form as he had been when he'd fallen asleep.

"So now you're volunteering to cull the flock." Ordon said flatly.

Link turned around to find the golden Wolfos regarding him quietly with his crimson eyes.

"It makes sense doesn't it?"

Ordon's lips curled back in a smile. "It makes perfect sense Link, and I'm proud of you. You're thinking like a Wolfos. There is a disease in the Zora's flock and it needs to be cut out."

Link considered the deity carefully for a moment. Ordon certainly showed no signs of his earlier condition; he looked just as healthy and powerful as he had when Link had first met him.

"Are you alright now?"

"Of course Link, I am a god. We can recover from anything if given enough time."

"What of the Goddesses then?"

Ordon shrugged, his fur rippling with the motion. "They may return one day once they have recovered." He smiled darkly at Link. "But it won't be in time to save this world or your people so I suggest you let that glimmer of hope you just had die."

Link tensed, feeling himself bristling at Ordon's snide remark. "I will not take your power."

Ordon's eyes flickered and he gave a nod. Link turned to find seven shades standing ready with weapons drawn. Looking down at his feet, he found his own weapons lying ready for him. He picked up sword and shield and set himself for his opponents.

"Then you'd best train hard Link." Ordon said darkly as the shades closed around him. "Train hard so that you may cull the Zora's pack and survive to fight for your own."

Malon opened Zelda's door quietly, slipping into the room with barely a noise.

"Your Highness?"

Zelda sat up in her bed and looked at her blearily. "Malon?"

"Sorry, I couldn't sleep."

Zelda nodded, "what about Link?"

"He's…he's glowing again." Malon said, feeling like a fool for saying it despite the obvious truth of the statement.

Zelda closed her eyes and sighed. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Link actually, I'm worried about him."

She sat down on the bed besides Zelda, the bed was soft just like the one she'd been given…in fact it was eerily soft, yielding to her weight and conforming to her body. She'd have preferred a simply straw mattress in all honesty to whatever it was that the Zora used.

"He seemed too willing to kill today."

The Princess nodded thoughtfully. "It's like he said Malon, in his culture those that don't support the community are driven out or killed. In that context, the request being made by the Zora is not that unusual though to us it's…." she trailed off and shivered.

Malon smiled cautiously. "Are we really going to do it?"

The look that Zelda gave her was not the look of a girl in her late teens; it was the look of a woman raised to rule.

"The Zora have set the terms and we have to meet them. We will do what is necessary."

Malon drew in a deep breath, it was answers like that which made her worry about what she and Link would be like once this was over. For that matter, would the world they lived in ever be the same? She couldn't see how, but she had her entire life to find out, and she'd be damned if she was not going to stay with Link to find out how all of this would end.

Author's Note: well this chapter felt awkward, hope it isn't too weird or offish though. Onto the next one.

*I am using this name because it appears to be the family name of the Zora King in Ocarina of Time in the manga version. And yes, in this case he is not a king because that did not suit the story very well. Instead I have created the term 'domani' or one who rules a domain. Hurray for linguistic buggery!