A/N: This, I fear, is a rather cruel chapter. But worry not, things will only be looking up from herein (for a while at least).

Thank you for reviewing: 11lol11, PianoPlayer1200, Ancient . tree, Generala, ObscurityProject, Astercia, Wolf, Nazgul, Cameron, Bloodspire, wonders, Death Watlz, DarknessFathom, Reader314, tetraforce theory, A True NaZaMi Fan, LillyFlower, Twokeyz, FallenAngel2298, and Schniedragon88.

Chapter 25

"Zelda!"

He made to take off after her and promptly slipped on the ice. Waving his arm to steady himself he regained his balance then cautiously plodded over the frozen water. The ice began to subside under his weight as cracks were formed, stretching out before him. He moved slowly, and just as he reached the end leapt off.

Once more on solid ground he quickened into a run, looking up to catch sight of her among the trees. He saw the tail end of her cloak disappear around an outcrop and shot after it.

She led him off the path and the music slowly faded as he left that part of the woods where the sacred grove was hidden. He knew it could take him days to relocate the music but he didn't care about all that. Zelda was his priority.

By fate or fortune he'd found her again. He would not let her disappear. Not this time. His heart could only handle so much.

She suddenly swerved as she took a sharp turn to the left dashing through another hollow. Link ducked an overhanging branch and ran after her, arms and legs pumping to keep up. How had she become so fast?

He slowed as he entered a vast enclosure and he looked around. A waterfall hung on one side, frozen over with icicles and jutting curves of ice; to his right there was a wide tree stump, rotting and old, frost eating at its surface.

A chill breeze blew past, whipping his cloak out behind him. His breath came in puffs of mist as he swerved around, sweeping his eyes over the trees and foliage, searching the undergrowth.

His heart rate fluctuated and his pulse jumped as he realized she wasn't here. His breaths came faster the longer he couldn't find her. He cursed to himself loudly and grit his teeth. Damn it! How had he lost her so quickly?! The woods were home to him, how had she outpaced him?

Then he noticed it, a patch of snow on the ground and a small imprint in the shape of a boot. It was fresh and shallow, signifying that it bore the lighter weight of a woman.

Mind set in determination he followed the direction the toe was pointing down another hollow. Upon emerging he was faced with a high view of a meadow. He was at the top of a hill, and below the forest extended outward in all directions. Then he saw her, running across the meadow, cloak flaring behind her.

Link hurried down the slope. In the open space and with his longer legs he was sure to catch up to her. He skidded down the last few feet among a pile of slippery snow then pushed off, gaining momentum with each long stride.

Dead leaves and frosty ground crunched beneath his boots. As if sensing his presence behind her, Zelda suddenly sped up, shooting across the meadow like a keaton. Link quickened to beat her pace. Slowly he was closing in on her, just a little longer and he'd be able to grab her cloak.

They reentered the tree line and once again Link had to duck and dodge the oncoming bramble. Soon Link drew near enough that he could hear her soft panting and the flapping of her cloak as it folded and billowed with every twist and turn she took.

Link reached out to her. "Zelda! Please!" he called, voice coming in gasps. "Wait!"

She neither faltered nor paused as she continued running. Soon the trees abruptly ended and a chasm appeared before them. Link's eyes widened as he realized that she wasn't stopping. She was heading straight for the crevice without a break in her stride.

He drew on a desperate burst of speed. "Zelda, Stop!"

Her boot touched the edge of the cliff then she sprang. Her cloak flared as she shot upward and flew to the higher rise on the other side. Inhaling sharply, Link stared at her figure, his memory recounting a similar sight, but for the life of him he could not remember the context.

He skidded to a halt a foot away from the drop and watched as she lithely alighted on the rise and continued running.

Link frowned in frustrated annoyance and gnashed his teeth. Reaching into his pouch he withdrew his hookshot and took aim at the closest tree branch on the other side. Releasing the latch, he waited for it to strike into the bark before pressing the it and reeling it in. He soared over the chasm, pushing on the button to release the point from the tree and dropping down in a crouch.

His eyes burned with fierce intent as he located her trail and followed it. It wasn't long before he once again caught sight of her, this time she was above shooting from tree to tree.

If only she would stop and listen to what he had to say, just for a moment… He growled lowly between pants. She wasn't even giving him a chance! She took all choice away from him! How selfish! How undeniably conceited of her!

Was her grudge against him that strong? He knew his treatment of her in their past life had been awful, but did it truly warrant this? She wasn't even allowing him to explain himself, to beg for her forgiveness. Couldn't she see that he still loved her?! Had what he said in her… in her last moments… mean nothing to her? He had told her he loved her; that he wanted to be with her. She'd promised him they'd meet in the next life!

How could she lie to him?!

She then jumped to the ground to enter yet another hollow. As he gained on her he faltered a step as that familiar music reached his ears. The ground before him dipped into an enclosure with no exit. He suddenly stopped. All around were the stone ruins of something ancient and holy.

He looked down and saw her standing in the center of a cobbled ground, stones inlaid in a mosaic pattern of the triforce. She was faced away, her hood having fallen off, abundant golden locks piling out and cascading down her back, flecked with random flakes of snow.

The mark on the back of his left hand seemed to pulse, he felt it burn through his glove, a warm and familiar feeling.

The sacred grove…

Had she… had she led him here?

He cast his eyes down onto her still form, bright and wonderingly. He stepped to the edge and then swung over and climbed down the vines. Three feet from the ground, he jumped off and warily faced her, half fearing that she would run again.

Tentatively he strode forward, heart beating fast as his mouth became dry. He swallowed a lump in his throat and spoke softly, "Zelda?"

"Link…" And then she turned around him and it was most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

A pale heart-shaped face looked up at him, framed by smooth blonde tresses, slightly curled in the damp atmosphere. Crystal blue eyes met his, clear and morose as if there was a great deal of pain hidden away in their depths.

He could only imagine how much he had contributed to that pain and his heart cracked at the reminder of his faults. He gazed yearningly at her, begging her to see how sorry he was, how much he longed for her…

Her expression remained one of nonchalance. He was struck by how cold she looked, staring at him like that.

Clenching his fists, he averted his gaze, and squeezed his eyes shut. No matter how angry at her he was, how frustrated and irritated by this sorrow they shared, he acknowledged that it was his own fault. If she didn't want to see him, if she sent him away right now then he'd do it. He'd leave and wouldn't bother her again. But he'd never give up on her. He'd wait and if someday she wished to return to him, then he'd be right there, ready to receive her.

He squeezed his eyes tighter and raised a hand to cover his face, awaiting those words that would damn him. They didn't come, however.

Instead she said to him in a clear voice, one void of emotion, "What is it that you want from me? Why do you not cease to chase me?"

His eyes shot open and he looked at her disbelievingly. Could she truly not tell? He took an anxious step forward, heart pounding wildly in his chest. "You have to ask me that? Isn't it obvious? I want you. I've always wanted you, my love for you has never waned."

"Has it now?" her voice lowered vindictively.

Link frowned with conviction. "Yes," he said firmly, carefully watching for any sign of emotion to cross her face. It remained blank, not even the barest hint of anger or sadness. Not like the turmoil that filled his being. "Zelda…" he breathed out lowly, his features softening. "Come back to the castle with me. Your brother has sorely missed you, as have I. Just…please." His eyes portrayed his yearning as he stretched out a hand, willing her to grasp it.

She merely flicked her eyes down at it then reconnected their gazes. "I…" She looked away, and Link suddenly found it hard to breathe as her eyes became downcast, and sadness stretched across her face.

He wanted to pull her into his arms. More than anything he wanted to erase that sadness and let it all melt away. But he couldn't. Not yet. Not when there were so many things between them that needed to be fixed. So many unsaids needed to be said. He didn't want to risk scaring her off.

"Zelda please, I need you with me," he said softly, voice breaking as his eyes moistened. He squeezed them shut and looked away. "I can't live without you. I just can't…"

Her voice, he noted, when it broke the silence, had returned to its bland tone as if holding in all the feelings meant to go with it. "We parted on disagreeable terms, didn't we…"

Link grit his teeth as he dropped his hand. As painful as it was he knew that it would come to this. They had to talk about this sometime and it was best to get it out in the open as soon as possible. Their past life… their most horrendous life.

"No," she said dimly, shaking her head. "You never loved me. You cared for me but when your conditions could no longer be met you rejected me and took another that could hold your interest." She smiled, but it was wan and sorrowful, not like the bright contented ones he had once known her for. Her gaze became piercing and he found himself backing away in anguish, subconsciously trying to get as far away from her anger, her hate, as possible. "That is not love."

Link realized what he was doing and planted his foot down, standing firm against her accusatory gaze. He could not give up yet. He would not let her chase him away, not without a fight.

"Zelda, I can't imagine how you must have felt," he began, cringing at the sound of it. "But know that I am sorry for all of it." He took a step forward, his voice more steadfast and controlled. "I will never ever treat you like that again. You're too precious to me…"

She turned away and for a moment Link thought she was going to flee and readied to jolt in reaction, but she stayed still, gazing upward at the falling snow, at the walls of the enclosure and the trees above them.

"Do you wish to know how I felt?" she asked softly. "Do you wish to know of my suffering, watching you with that woman every day and leaving you be. But then I confronted you, our destinies were about to begin and you needed to be awakened to your role. You were overzealous and confident. It was all repetitive to you, it meant nothing, it was a bothersome role you played, no longer an honor granted by the Goddesses. And I… I sought to bring you back to the reality of the situation."

It was all true… He had been reckless and foolish. He'd been resentful of his status as hero and blamed her for all of it.

She looked at him over her shoulder, eyes suddenly hard and penetrating. "And then you shut me out. That fateful day in my study, I remember every single word you said, your mocking tone, your spite. You made it quite clear to me that neither I nor your destiny were wanted."

"Zelda…"

She went on. "Fortunately you had the good sense to save Hyrule anyways. I resigned myself to knowing you didn't want me as a part of your life anymore and so I stayed away, but there would have been no living for you had you abandoned your duty. I would have tracked you down myself and ended you there. What is the purpose of being reborn if you cannot fulfill the destined fate your rebirth entails?"

She would have…? "Goddesses! Zelda, know that I would never leave Hyrule in the hands of evil," he spoke ardently. "I would never be able to watch idle as people's lives are placed in mortal peril."

She nodded distractedly. "That is good…"

Silence pervaded. A coarse wind blew, swirling their hair and cloaks around, its coldness biting at their cheeks. If there was anything good he'd done in his previous life it had been undergoing his journey to save Hyrule. Everything else, everything pertaining to her, he'd messed up on. He didn't know if there was anything he could do that would be enough to make it up to her.

She inhaled heavily, her bosom rising and falling from beneath her cloak. "It was so lonely," she uttered sadly, eyes glazed and downcast. "Forced to live without the comfort of another old soul beside me. There was no one I could confide in regarding our past lives. All were so suspicious whenever I revealed any advanced knowledge of a field that they believed I had not studied in, how I recognized different locations and landmarks I've never been, whenever I accidently addressed someone by the name of their ancestors. It was difficult to hide. It still is."

"Your brother knows," said Link tentatively. "The Sheikah, Zoras, and a few others, close confidants."

"But none of them could understand, none but you…" she said tearfully.

Link felt something grip his heart and squeeze. He had condemned her to that loneliness. It was his fault. Why had he been so selfish?

"And you," Zelda started quietly, looking up at him, wiping at her eyes. "You punished me unduly. You not only neglected me, you tormented me as well. Flaunting your freedom before me, taunting me with your carelessness and obdurate tendencies. While I feared for the world, you played with it. Everything was accessible to you, defeating the temples was an activity done at leisure, and when things didn't go your way you turned to me to blame, saying you never wanted to be the hero anyways as if I personally had forced you to take that role."

He cringed as her tone became more harsh and unforgiving. If only he had the ocarina of time he could redo it all…

"And you exercised no restraint for your feelings on the matter," she continued, heatedly and Link flinched, that nasty claw on his heart gripping ever tighter. "Whenever you saw me you always had a harsh word, always vindictive, always ornery, you made it quite clear what you thought of me and my role. I was always the one getting in the way of your normal life. Always the cause for your misery. Always-"

"I KNOW!" he shouted, gripping his head and fighting to restrain the tears. He couldn't take it anymore. She was right! And it was too painful to have it all acknowledged. How weak of him. Cowering in the face of his own faults. There was no denying them, but it was still too harsh to bear.

"I know," he said more softly, striding forward. She took a hasty step back and he froze, putting his hands up. "I'm sorry, I promise to keep my distance."

He sighed as she stared at him with wide gorgeous eyes, half fearful and half cautious. She was like an injured animal. He would have to make sure he didn't make any sudden movements.

He inhaled sharply through his teeth. "I know that I have been cruel and loathsome. But I swear to you now that I am ashamed of what I had become. An overconfident insensitive fool," he admitted freely. "If there is some way that I can make it up to you, I'd do so in a heartbeat. I would do anything that you ask. Please. I love you, Zelda…"

There was a pause and then Zelda let out a long sigh.

"In truth I grow weary of living. I tire of enduring court life, the prejudice and cruel remarks I receive whenever Hyrule inevitably falls. I seem to be always the one to blame for an incidence that is unpreventable. And then there's the disapproval when in the end I am not the one to save it, the task always falling to you. Incompetent, they call me. Incapable of keeping my own country when doubtless with any other ruler the outcome would have been the same. And these are the people I must contend with each time after becoming Queen."

It hit him then that she was reiterating their conversations years ago. It was a reflection of some of the things he had endured and confronted her about. At the time she hadn't uttered a single word in her defense, he hadn't given her leave to, only now he was seeing that she was as trapped as he. Back then it hadn't occurred to him that she too was tired of life, that she no longer wanted any part in her destiny. How had he not seen that their continuous reincarnation was taking a toll on her as well? And it was made worse because for her there was never any escape. Unlike him, she never had any choice in the life she was to live. If he had wanted to he could have left without ever returning to Hyrule. But as royalty, she had always been shackled, even more so than him. She'd play her role then become a prisoner of her country. But unlike him she had bore her duty without complaint.

How strong she was… And he had been too blinded by his own wants to see it.

His eyes became watered as he gazed at her. Even now she remained so strong, she was determined to face this evil alone. He suspected that the reason she stayed away from him was because the fear of him causing her more pain would prove too much for her. But he would never do anything to hurt her again, and he'd make sure she realized that. He was here for her now.

"Please, Zelda. I would do anything for you," he reiterated. Words would never be enough, but maybe actions would… "I would become your King once more."

Under Zellandus' influence being King didn't seem so burdensome anymore. He had spoke of it as an honor, as a privilege where one could serve the people in the most powerful way. He'd take on that title once more for her and this time he wouldn't hate it, he'd participate more, be willing to help alleviate all the duties she'd always born by herself as Queen.

Zelda only shook her head. "Let Zellandus have the throne," she said loathsomely. "Let him become Hyrule's defender. Let him bear the responsibility that the title endows upon him."

Link's eyes widened in incomprehension. Was she willingly abdicating? In all his years of knowing her he had never believed her capable of giving up her birthright, but then there had never been anyone she believed deserving on the crown.

His heart stopped as she walked close to him then beckoned him to come near. He came to her gladly and when she opened her arms he swooped down and enfolded her in his. He suddenly found that he had no strength to prevent his tears and they flooded madly down his face onto her shoulder. He stooped down and buried his head in the hollow of her neck. Her hands caressed his back soothingly as shudders wracked him.

"I'm sorry, Zelda," he moaned into her shoulder. "So so sorry."

Her fingers found their way into his hair and she threaded them through his tresses. "Come away with me."

She spoke softly and his ear flickered at the touch of her cold breath. His shoulders tensed, feeling a sense of foreboding. "What?"

She continued to drift her fingers through his short tresses. "Hyrule only leaves suffering and pain for us. The Goddesses have been cruel to damn us like this. It is time we forge our own path. It is time we forsake the Goddesses and find our future in different lands. I no longer want to live forever. Let the Goddesses choose a new hero and Princess. Our time is over."

Her words sent a chill down his spine. His breath caught suddenly as an unpleasant feeling filled him. Something wasn't right. Zelda would never say something like this, she'd never abandon Hyrule. Her country came before anything, even before her own wants and needs. He barely reacted as she continued soothing him with her hands, caressing and probing and violating.

In a quick movement he pulled back and snatched her wrist, placing one hand between her shoulder blades he twisted and slammed her front against a tree, taking her by surprise.

She shrieked, voice fearful. "Link! What are you doing!?"

He grit his teeth. Damn it all! How had he not seen it? She was not his Zelda! Now that he thought of it… He suddenly probed deep into her, looking for a trace of her Triforce. There was nothing! Absolutely nothing but empty coldness. This imposter wasn't even human. It infuriated him that he had fallen for it.

His anger manifested in his deepened voice and lethal tone. "Who and what are you?" he demanded, pushing her harder into the tree. "Speak!"

"I don't understand! Link, please, you're hurting me," she whimpered.

For a second his resolve fractured before he steeled himself once more. He would not be fooled again.

"I know you're not Zelda!" he accused boldly. "Zelda would never consider leaving Hyrule! As much as I hate it, she's self-sacrificing and devoted to her country. There's nothing she would ever love more." Not even him…

The fake Zelda stilled, drawing into a foreboding silence. Link tensed as she gave a small laugh and twisted her head against the bark to look at him from the side.

Her eyes flashed red. That was all the warning he had before he suddenly leapt back out of range as she swiped the air with a rapier that had manifested in her hand. She strode confidently toward him and he took out his sword and bore it warily.

The fake Zelda stopped fifteen feet away then unlatched the clasp of her cloak and let it pool on the ground amidst a snow drift. She observed him and cocked her head, smiling, to the side. "Why Link? Do you not love me anymore? How heavy my heart weeps with tears of blood and anguish. Am I to be cast aside when not of use?"

Tears kept on falling from his eyes, the persistent things. "Just shut up! You're not her! How dare you pretend to be her!"

The fake only hummed considering. "How my love for you never fades. Alas, it is not a reciprocated trait. How fickle you are, playing with women's hearts at your own fancy. To steal mine and to give nothing in recompense."

Link roared in rage and attacked.

Zelda paused in her trek to look down over Hyrule, taking a moment to admire the beauty of it. This wonderful land was hers to protect, as it always had been. Dasril paused beside her and waited, leaving a good deal of space between them.

She could tell he had questions to ask of her, likely to do with their destination, but wisely he kept silent. He had informed her of a burial ground that Xerthos had used many times for his rituals, yet she had taken them on a detour. The burial ground was close enough that it would take less than half a day's worth of travel. In the meantime they would make camp in a place that she knew far too well. Once they rested for a while they could unload their supplies and later go down to investigate the spot for anything that could give them insight to Xerthos's whereabouts.

She glanced back at Dasril, accidently catching his gaze then turned away and moved on, climbing further up Death Mountain to where the Gorons made their dwellings.

After the flurries had abated once morning came they had continued eastward then curved their way downward, reaching the mountain by noon. They had managed to evade Kakariko village by approaching the pass from the north, but had not been able to avoid the random traveller on the road as they journeyed to the village before the heavy snowfalls set in.

A harsh gale blew in her face, ruffling her hair and gnawing at her skin. They finally reached the peak after another hour. Before them stood the Goron village, constructed entirely from the rock. Near the main entrance, two Gorons lingered outside as guards. They conversed loudly with each other, having not yet seen the intruders.

"Gorons? You mean to tell me I've just climbed Death Mountain?" said Dasril. Seemingly quite appalled, by his tone.

Zelda glanced at him. "How little you know your own country." She paused before stepping into view, blinking against the wind.

"My job required that I travel outside of the country," he defended. "Besides, under the snow this mountain looks like any other."

"Indeed," Zelda muttered, ending the short conversation. She threw him a glance. "Brace yourself."

He looked at her quizzically then scowled and tore his eyes away, obviously displeased about something, probably his lack of comforts.

She started down the rocky ledges, carefully descending to the flat ground below. He gave in too easy. There had been times where they would bicker incessantly on end before he finally desisted in the end, conceding her the win. But he knew that in order to retain her favor he had to become compliant.

Sometimes she'd miss their lengthy conversations, but then her mind would flash back to that grey tinted prison, his figure standing emotionless and uncaring above her, and her heart would harden once more. Dasril had a lot to make up for, and she'd be damned before she made it any easier for him, however, she wouldn't make it harder for him either. As they were now, they were complete strangers.

The Gorons soon spotted them and began ambling to them at a quickened pace. Dasril took a wary step back, while Zelda openly walked over.

Suddenly a pair of thick arms surrounded her and she was swept up in a bone-crushing hug.

"Midraga! How good it is to see you!" called one of the Gorons.

From somewhere behind her, Dasril releases a sort of strangled sound as the other Goron approached him, arms wide.

"Dasril! It has been ages!" said the second Goron as Dasril ducked beneath his swooping arms and dodged back. "Don't you recognize me? I was part of chief Darbo's entourage during the midsummer's festival."

Keeping a good distance away from the Gorons, Dasril scowled in irritation. "Look all the bloody same to me," he muttered under his breath, but Zelda with her fine Hylian hearing, heard him. Most of them did indeed look alike.

She tried not to wince as she was set down. Perhaps pushing herself so hard had not been such a good idea. Her stomach sunk within her, just knowing that she was not at full capacity, that she was still weak from her ordeal, tore at her beyond reason. The feeling of uncontrollable helplessness pained her more than any physical wound ever could. Never again did she want to have to depend so fully on another. Never again would she place all faith and trust on one person, only to be disappointed in the end.

"What brings you here in the dead of winter?" boomed the first Goron. "Have you come to see the chief?"

Zelda tore her mind away from her dismal thoughts and offered the Goron a kind smile. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of coming to the mountain and not paying a visit to my host."

The Goron thumped her lightly on the back, causing her to wince and stagger. "The chief will be pleased to receive you!"

The Gorons led them within the rocky dwelling. Zelda followed with a light trod, looking forward to her meeting with Darbo and perhaps some time in the hot springs afterwards.

"I can't believe you're still responding to the name of a horse!" shot Dasril, keeping in stride just short of next to her.

She didn't deign him a response. Midraga hadn't initially been a name for an animal, actually, he had been a notable knight, long ago passed. It was a valiant name.

He sighed then tried to engage her in conversation once more. "How in the blazes are you so well acquainted with the Gorons anyways?"

During one of her travels she had been nearby when she'd heard of a situation they had concerning rogue bulblins and decided to lend her assistance. She considered it her duty to help terminate them, but also she had hoped to encounter the Augurer. Apparently the Gorons, a tribe that valued strength above all else, were so impressed by her skill they had accepted her easily among them.

She didn't explain this out loud, however. Her earlier musings were still fresh in her mind. She didn't want to talk to Dasril, he had no right to seek her attention. Resolutely she remained silent, too tired to bother with him, or to care that she didn't want to bother with him. Some small part of her soul that was inherently kind, nagged her, saying she was being unreasonably cold towards him. It was stifled, however, by malice and hurt.

She hastened her step until they reached the main chamber, in the center of which stood a large Goron, thick, but with a stomach less protruding than the others, more hardened with muscle from endless hours spent in the ring.

"Chief Darbo, we have guests," called the first Goron, alerting the chief to their presence.

Zelda noticed the look in Darbo's eye as he caught her's and hastily dropped into a bow before he could crush the living daylights out of her. "Chief Darbo, it has been a while."

His mouth burst into a wide smile. "Only about half a year! It's good to see you doing well," he exclaimed then narrowed his gaze on Dasril and his eyes seemed to shine with extra delight. "And who's this? Minister Dasril. Have you taken on Midraga as your lover? A right smart choice!"

Dasril abruptly coughed and looked away, while Zelda furrowed her brows.

"Absolutely not," she stated firmly. "We are both merely traveling companions."

"Ah, that's disappointing," said Darbo, no less cheerful. "I personally think you would make a brilliant match."

Chances of that are nil, though Zelda sharply. Dasril was now shifting with uncharacteristic awkwardness from foot to foot.

"Have you come just for visiting or was there something that you required?"

Right down to the point. Darbo knew that with her there was always a purpose for everything she did, always a destination that she would reach in the end.

"If it would not be too troublesome we'd like to rest here for a few days," she said politely. "There is a place we need to go to tomorrow and we'd like to leave the heaviest of our packs here so as not to become too burdened. Also we require more provisions."

Darbo nodded. "I can see to those. For provisions though you'd have to visit our vendor."

She smiled faintly. "I wouldn't have expected anything less."

Although his hospitality was appreciated, she was not willing to take advantage of his charity. She had the means to pay for whatever she needed.

"Come then, I will show you to the hot springs."

Such a heavenly word. Zelda followed after him eagerly down the halls, listening to Darbo's chatter and inputting a remark here and there to show that she was paying attention.

A low sigh came from the man behind her, and she ignored it.

Link narrowly dodged a jab to the face as he twisted to the side, watching the sharp steel veer inches from his nose. The fake Zelda pulled back and twirled, raising her rapier high, and slashing again, moving foot over foot in a fencer's pose. It was uncanny how similar her fighting technique was to Zelda's. He couldn't help but assess the similarities as he fought, it was almost as if she were a faded version of her.

The fake Zelda smiled forlornly, red eyes shining with maliciousness. "I've become a victim of the people, of Hyrule. Then you. Why did you turn on me when I needed you most?"

Link's eye flashed as he parried her sword then cut in at her midsection. He tried not to take in her words, tried to block them out, but he couldn't, because it all rang true.

She dashed backwards, so lithe it was almost as if she was floating. "I've been ever devout to you. Why Link, why?"

Gritting his teeth he fought the urge to relent, to throw down his sword and succumb to her and wallow in his misery. He had to constantly remind himself that this was not the real Zelda. She was not his Zelda. It was an impersonation that needed to be destroyed.

He kept telling himself this…

Abruptly she swooped in, steel glinting as it cut through the air, sweeping a gust of snow with it.

"It takes becoming a martyr for that spite to turn into adoration," she grunted as she slashed downward. Link winced as she managed to clip his shoulder, leaving a thin trail of blood to stain his tunic. "I died, Link. It was only then that you began to love me once more. If I had lived you would have continued to resent me. Oh, the vagaries of human nature. To love what is lost and begrudge what one has."

"That's not true!" he called, unable to stop himself. He tried to ignore her, but it was impossible. When she spoke in that voice, looked at him with that face... She was the physical embodiment of Zelda, but for those demonic red orbs.

He had resented her at first during their past lifetime. It had been a buildup of all the lives he'd had serving the Goddesses, obeying their every whim, and having his life dictated to him each and every time. He had no longer wanted to be their plaything so had decided to take control of the only part of his destiny that he could, and thus had effectively ruined his relationship with Zelda. He'd said many things he wished he could take back, he'd distanced himself from her, but even then he had started to regret his decision. He had been overcome with guilt and misery during those months of temple conquering, often visiting bars in between to suppress his depression with the influence of drink. He'd been snappish, and more irritable to those he had considered close friends.

He had undergone many realizations back then.

Darkly she cooed at him. "I sacrifice my kingdom, I sacrifice my freedom and dignity in order to save Hyrule, yet I am no hero. The people do not see me as the savior of Hyrule, they always look to you, always."

Link swerved out of the way of one of her assaults, before clashing blades with her. "I acknowledge my faults. I know I have done wrong and I know that you are hurting. But you won't even give me a chance to make it up to you!" He growled and increased the force behind his blade. The fake's arms trembled at the strain, her gaze flicking up to him and narrowing. "I'm not the only one with faults," hissed Link, words fueled by sorrow and anger. "You aren't making this any easier for either of us. I hurt as well!"

She yelped as he swept her sword suddenly aside.

"So that is why I'm going to face this head on," he grunted and abruptly thrust his sword forward.

The imposter grunted and froze, mouth dropping in an inaudible gasp. Link stilled, his face hovering next to hers, sword deep in her chest.

"And make it work!"

He slid his sword out of her and watched her flop to her knees, head sagging, the glowing of her eyes becoming dim.

"Because I love you," he whispered to the fake, wishing that it were the real Zelda he was telling this to.

The fake shivered and disappeared, fading out of existence, and in the air a voice seemed to say, Well done.

Link collapsed to his hands and knees. He shuddered, seeing in his mind's eye that vision of her impaled on his sword, just as so long ago she'd been impaled on Ganondorf's... Suddenly feeling sick, he flung the sword away from him. He grabbed at tufts of grass, breaths coming out in raspy sobs.

It wasn't her! He would never do anything to harm her, never! It hadn't been her.

It had been an illusion. It was all fake. The forest had been tricking him, testing him. How cruel of it.

"Why didn't you warn me?" he asked his companion. The Sheikah was supposed to be able to sense threats when they approached. Why hadn't he prepared him for this?

I hadn't the right to, said Laval. As a test set to you by the Goddesses, you had to face it alone.

The voice on the wind returned and filled his ears.

Conquer your fears. Master yourself.

Taking a deep steadying breath, Link got up. All of a sudden around him the scenery changed. The stonework reconstructed itself, a breeze swept through and swept all signs of winter away, he could now see the full turf and mosaic floor. The was a spike of magic and then a creak as heavy doors swung open.

Turning around slowly, Link spotted a set of doors in the wall that hadn't been there before, and beyond them a glowing glade.

Drawing a hand over his face he looked up with determination and set his shoulders. He walked inside with deliberation, confidence flourishing within him. The Master Sword had once more deemed him worthy and awaited him.

He stepped up to the pedestal and grasped the handle with his left hand and pulled it out. A familiar flush of magic swept over him, a bright stream of light shot out to all corners of the grove, engulfing him in its magnificence. His blood became warm, he felt the sword practically pulse in recognition as the mark on the back of his hand burned with ferocity.

The light display died out and he looked down to find himself clothed in his green hero's garments, over which he still wore his scarf and cloak. He felt the heft of the sword in his grasp and stared down at his old companion, eyeing his reflection in the blade, his eyes appeared searing yet bland.

He slashed it diagonally down, cutting the air, then twirled it twice and sheathed it in the scabbard on his back. Morosely, he left the sacred grove. He didn't so much as glance at the sword lying discarded on the grass as he went up to the wall and climbed up the vines. At the top he dusted off a few leaves before he languidly made his way out of the woods, his heading northwest.

"Do you think she feels the same way? As the fake, I mean," said Link silently. "Do you think Zelda's really been through all that?"

Laval's silence weighed heavily on him. It was answer enough. But then...

Beware, Link!

Through Laval, Link felt the malevolent presence. Drawing his sword, he turned swiftly to see Reth DeSange leaning casually against a tree, arms crossed and smiling wryly.

"Ah, Link, pleasure to see you," he said lightly, giving a light wave. "Why, you look as if somebody just died."

Snarling, Link bore down on Reth only to find that his blade had cut nothing. Reth's voice sounded behind him and Link whirled around to find him high up on a tree branch. Reth frowned as he paced down the length of it.

"I would advise against doing that again," he cautioned all seriousness. "I can always teleport away, you know."

"Reth!" hissed Link, poised to attack despite Reth's warning. Just in case Reth slipped up, just in case he came a little too close and was a little too slow. His right hand twitched, about to go for his pouch and bring out the hookshot.

"I wouldn't try that either," Reth input. "Trust me, I've learned from past experience." Surreptitiously he touched the spot where he'd been punctured last time, eliciting a mocking smile from Link.

It quickly faded. "How did you know where to find me?" If he was somehow spying on him that wouldn't be good.

Reth shrugged and answered lightly. "Well you are the hero of course. I couldn't help but notice during our last little encounter that you didn't have that fancy blade you possess now. I figured it wouldn't be long until you went to retrieve it. I found this grove ages ago but was unable to enter it due to my black heart." He smiled whimsically at this. "So I placed sentries around it to alert me when you did finally come fetch the blasted thing."

"What do you want?" Because why else would Reth be here other than if there was something he wished to gain.

Reth smiled with delight. "Good good, right down to business then. In reality, I want what you want. I don't suppose you're happy with the last little duel we had in the temple, so here it is my proposal. I suggest a rematch. Just you and me, with no outside interference. You must dearly want to kill me for what I did to your poor little Princess. I am giving you a limited opportunity to have a fair go at it. Generous, right?"

Link considered this, lips almost curling into a smile before caution stilled them. It was too good of an offer.

As if sensing his hesitation Reth clasped his hands behind his back and looked down at him gleefully. "Of course, if you're tempted to refuse I can provide you with ample motivation not to. There's this quaint little village by a lake that I have a particular desire to burn to the ground. I promise I won't so much as go near it should you agree, and as a generous extension, even if I come out the winner I'll still not touch it, unless Lord Xerthos orders that is."

Link tensed, his pulse racing. Even with all the wet weather they'd been having, he knew that Reth could make it happen. There was no choice for him, but then again, was there ever really?

Bending his legs, he drew his sword back. "I accept."

But Reth waved him off. "Oh, no no no. Not here and definitely not now," he said, floating off the branch. "Tomorrow at dawn. There's a nice little spot perfect for our challenge east of here, it's called the King's Rise. I'll provide an escort to come fetch you."

He chooses the time and location. It is definitely a trap.

Link flicked his ears at Laval's voice talking in his head. A trap it may be, but this was one that he definitely had to walk into. He could not risk the lives of friends. How sick and twisted this man's brain worked. How desperately Link wanted to end his miserable life.

"I'll be there," he said firmly, to which Reth clasped his hands together.

"Excellent!" he said, already beginning to vanish, his body leaving the vicinity as his voice lingered. "And please, don't be late."

Link made sure the area was clear before he relaxed and sheathed the Master Sword. He would come and this time he'd end him for good.

A/N: I believe some character analysis in is order. As Zelda fears Link, the same could be said in opposite, subconsciously Link fears facing Zelda and confronting the result of what his abandonment did to her. But unlike Zelda who opts to run in the face of her fears, Link deals with it by facing it head on, although somewhat lacking tact.

A good guess everyone, but no, it's not Reth who created the fake. As Link said, the forest was testing him.

Twokeyz: I'm taking a bunch of psychology courses right now, you'll see that I implement a lot of that in my writing. The result: frustrating characters who don't know what's best for them, lol. Thank you for the review!

Cameron: *Gives enormous hug* You don't know happy I was to read that. I'm sorry everything has been depressing thus far, but I promise it won't always be so. There will be happy times. I can only thank you for putting up with all these tragic events.

Okay, so to answer the question concerning the beginning of last chapter, with Reth's point of view, I shall now refer back to chapter 11. Commander Deb will have mentioned something about a miscreant they had faced some 4 years ago, believing it had been Zellandus who had been in the fight, but in actuality it was Zelda. Since Reth had been there too, those memories are cleared up for him once Xerthos relieves his mind of tampering. And since we've established that Reth is a sadist, the memories of the war are the one's he most often likes to dwell on. (In case people be wondering, I always imagined Reth close in age to Dasril, but I believe I said he was supposed to be the youngest on the council so I'd say he's around 21 year old).

I believe you asked a question about this a while ago, Generala. Sorry it took so long to reveal the answer, and thank you for your patience in waiting.

Good luck with finals, Cameron! And anyone else out there who has to suffer them (me included XP)

P.S: I just started a tumblr account, you can find the link on my profile page. I also posted a few new stories in case anyone's interested.