A mighty pain to love it is, and tis' a mighty pain to miss; but of all pains, the greatest pain, is to love, but love in vain

-Abraham Cowley

Chapter 28: Maybe it would have been better if…?

I opened my mouth, "I want you to… go out and talk with me."

It was simple, but it could open up to so much more. A chance at repairing any sort of relationship with the man… who I admittedly am still deeply in love with. A chance, for him to trust me again.

Of course this seemed like a huge request to Link as he looked at me like I asked him to have sex with him. While that was an option, and I'll admit I did think of it, while it would be extremely pleasurable it would be meaningless and no doubt it'd be short. I never exactly lasted long…

"Talk huh?" Link asked suspiciously eyeing like I have a certain motive.

"Yeah, just you and me… talking," I said clearly. Link looked like he clearly doesn't wanna do it, but I said, "Hey you agreed to the terms, a deal's a deal." To which Link said nothing.

"C'mon Dad, I don't think it could be that bad," Lily commented trying to persuade her dad.

"What's the worst she can do?" Ryan joined. To which I swear I heard Link mumble 'you have no idea'. He then looked at Lily who smiled up at him and he looked displeased at me.

"Alright, I guess I really don't have a choice," Link said frowning. "Where are we going?"

"I'm not gonna tell," I said which made Link even more uncertain, "Look I know you don't wanna go. I know that. But can you at least try to look like you want to? Please?" I begged. It worked as Link didn't say anything to retort, he just folded his hands behind his back and began to follow me. I gave him a smile, and as we were walking out I turned and called out to Lily.

"Lily, do you think you can put our stuff away please?" I asked not bothering to pick it up myself. Instead of answering back, she gave me a thumbs up and a smile as if telling me 'good luck' and picked up both me and Link's equipment. I then saw her shove it into Ryan's arms who looked annoyed but apparently decided not to argue. The two talking as they walked back to the castle.

Now walking through the kingdom with the King behind you would certainly bring a lot of eyes to you, and it did. As soon as me and Link were in sight, everyone split to make room for their king, and the person who's leading him, but not too much room like they thought I'd kill 'em. Just a little bit more than enough room so that we wouldn't be bumped by anybody. While some people would just wave, most would happily walk up and greet their King.

"Hi."

"Good morning Link."

"How ya doin' Link?"

"You're looking great as always… Link," which of course was by a girl.

He's respond with a simple 'hello', 'I'm doing good, hope you're doing just as well', and a 'you look great as well'. Of course the last one would have the girl squealing to herself. Despite the fact that many, and I mean many girls did that, I managed to keep my cool. He's… technically not mine anymore so I can't just grab him by the arm and say 'he's mine'. I'm sure Link would just push me off making me look like a fool.

Once they happily greeted their king though, some people asked me who I am. Now I wanted to say that I am his wife, even though I'm technically not. Now the first person who asked got answered by Link instead, since he answered before me. Link saying he's being blackmailed. To which I'd say 'he lost a bet'. After that whenever somebody asked, Link just responded 'Don't ask', and that was that. Everyone else who asked was just told by Link to not worry about it.

It made me a little happy when the girls that asked that sent me a jealous glare before walking off.

After walking for awhile we finally arrived at Telma's bar, many pairs of eyes still on us. I turned and told the surprised looking Link to stay put, he just gave me a blank look and looked at the sign, probably wondering why I brought him to a bar. I knocked on the door and waited, being here a few times and knowing Telma was probably getting ready for opening up later today.

"Who is it!?" I heard Telma scream from the other side.

"It's me… Tetra!" I answered back. Telma opened the door and happily greeted me. "Good morning Tetra, how are you…?" She also caught sight of Link.

"Good morning Telma, been a while hasn't it? I don't believe I've been here in awhile. I think I was sorting out some… problems," Link informed.

"Wait, you still drink!?" I exclaimed shocked. With him being king and all I wouldn't expect him to drink, set an example for his people I guess. But… 'problems'? Some people stopped at this, making me remember that we're in public.

Link looked offended. "I haven't had a drink in a long time," Link told, loud enough so those around us heard him.

"What exactly do you mean by… sorting out problems?"

"Well our amazing king here, sorted out a fight that was happening. Put on quite the show I might add, took down the group of sailors that thought they owned the place within a minute. How many were there again?" Telma joined seeming grateful to Link.

Link put his closed fist to his mouth before answering, "I think… seven? No actually it was eight, because I know for a fact that after taking down the seventh I threw the eighth through the window."

"And how long we talkin' here? WIthout you drinking anything?" I asked since a long time without a drink isn't a long time at all, least for my crew. A long time for them is about a week. At this Link's eyes grew dark, his mood instantly shifting, as he furrowed his eyebrows, hinged his jaw and gave me his answer.

"Ten years."

Ever since we…

It suddenly became silent, neither of us speaking a word. I can feel Link's harsh eyes on me as I look at my feet trying to think of something to say.

"Well! Why not come inside? I'm sure you two need to… talk some stuff out," Telma intervened. I walked past Telma whispering a 'thank you' and sat in my usual seat, Link closing the door and taking the furthest one right away from me. Me sitting in the middle of the counter, he sat two seats away from me.

"Link… I just wanna talk. Honest," I said looking sadly at Link. He just sighed and took the seat that was only one seat away from me. "Please Link, please." I asked one more time. To which I got nothing. Not a word, not a shake of the head, not even a sigh to show me he's at least considering about doing it.

Still more silence, Telma decided against saying anything this time. She glanced up at me from the glass that she was shining, as if waiting for me to woman up and say something. I tried but, nothing came, not knowing how to start.

"How long are we gonna be here?" Link miserably asked. Once again, reminding me that he really doesn't want to be here. With me.

"Telma… get me a glass. Double shot." To which Telma poured me one of whiskey.

"Do you want anything…? I know you don't drink but I can fix you up somethin' virgin."

"I'll pass. Thank you though," Link said, smiling. Telma smiled back and left to her room, a part of me knowing that she's right behind the door and listening in.

Now that irked me, I won't lie. I'm not mad at Telma, but at the mere sight of… kindness that Link showed towards her. The closest I've come to a genuine smile was just a blank face, other than that I've gotten angry glares and cold stares… along with a few outbursts. Yet he'll smile at somebody who he barely sees or knows like his best friend. Yet I'm the scum of the Earth.

"Here's what we're gonna do, it's simple. When this glass is empty, you can leave," I said pointing to the double-shot glass in front of me.

Link looked at me and hollowly said, "Not a good deal, that can take forever. We can be here for hours and for all I know the glass might still be full."

Not wanting a complaining Link, I said, "Y'know what Link it isn't. But the deal was that whoever wins has the loser do whatever they want. You lost. I won. All I want to do is talk, and that's exactly what we're gonna do."

Link, once again, said nothing.

"Now… um… what is there to talk about?" I said to myself aloud. "Oh! How about this, so your people call you by your first name. I mean, I would've thought that they call you 'your majesty' or 'your highness' or at least add in a king somewhere. What's up with that?"

Link looked at me strangely, not expecting for me to start off our conversation with this, but gave me his answer. "Well I don't like the idea of me being above anybody, I know that's how it really is… with me being the king and all, but I don't want people to treat me that way. So I asked them all for them to address me as my name, which they thankfully do. But only when I'm in front of them, other than that I know they all call me king or your majesty or something like that. At least socially, when it comes to politics and decisions and everything… I get it. I'm the king and I have to uphold my position and act like a king. Other than that, I want everyone to see me as an ordinary man with a job he has to do."

I looked at Link, admiring his philosophy. Despite the fact that he's in the position of absolute power, he wants others to see him as one of them.

"They just respect you too much. You founded and built this kingdom, Aryll tells me that there wasn't a day that you weren't working." I said trying my best to comfort him. When I mentioned Aryll, Link looked puzzled.

"Aryll? You've been talking to her?" Link asked confused.

"Yeah, she's still the same. Except… much, much prettier," I commented.

"I… I didn't even know she came back," Link said sadly. I widened my eyes at this, not knowing that the two hadn't talked. "When did she come back?"

"About a week ago," I answered slowly. Link put his head in his hands seeming frustrated.

"Ugh, I should've made time for her. But… ugh," he groaned frustrated.

"You've been busy, you're the king for Din's sake! She understands," I exclaimed trying to ease him. It didn't seem to work.

He gave me a cold look and said, "Just because I'm king doesn't mean I can't make time for those who I love."

I smirked and asked, "Does that mean you don't love your people?" I think I struck a nerve, because after I said it he gave me another cold look. "Kidding, kidding."

"I tend to their problems, needs, and wants for most of the week. It's tiring, I won't lie. I want my people to be happy, all of them. If that means going through all the stress and paperwork for them then so be it. I love them all, as they love each other and… hopefully love me back. But, I make time for my little girl." At this I wanted to say our, but figured it's not the time.

"As you know, from Lily, who I'm sure you get all your info from. Every Sunday I'll take the day off and spend it with her, that is if she's not with Ryan. If she is, she'll be busy for the day… and when those two are together there's little to no room for anybody else. So if the two are hanging out, I'll take a stroll and just take it all in. What started out as a dream, is now… this. A living reality/ A place where children can play in the streets, where families can be happy together, and where old couples can love one another to the end."

Link smiled to himself and I just remained silent, waiting for him to say something. I just kept waiting, until he finally said, "I hope I made King proud."

I then grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him dead in the eye. "King… King would be more than proud of you. You told him that you would find a kingdom that would be as good as the old Hyrule, but I don't think you did that. I think you've found something even better. Being here only a week, I've seen so much of Hyrule. What you've built… is the most amazing place in the world. I'm sure King's more than proud!" I said strongly.

"I… I just wish that I could have been a part of it all," I ended sadly. Bringing us to even more silence. I wanted him to tell me that what's done is done and that everything will be ok in time. That we'll be ok. But I knew it wouldn't come. And it never did.

Instead Link just said, "Now, I'm sure that's what you us to talk about… isn't it? Us?" I nodded my head and Link just put his head down. "We've talked about this already," he said between his closed arms not looking at me.

"Link, I just want another chance-"

"Another chance at what? Being friends? Is that it? Or do you want more?" Link asked picking his head up and looking straight at me.

"I… I just want to be friends," I said hesitantly.

"Really? Is that really just it? You just want to be friends?" Link asked seeming on edge.

"Yes Link! That's all, I want I swear!" I screamed. "I just want you to trust me again and for us to be back-"

"Back!? Back where!? Back to us being in love!?" Link screamed back. I shrank back. He hit it right on the head, he knows I still love him. And he's using it against me, I do want us to be back to where we were. I wanted to bring that up today, the problem was that I didn't know how to approach it. But Link just did.

"Yes, Link. I… I do want us to be together again. Back to the way we were before," I said hesitantly. Link took a deep breath and said something that felt like a stab in the heart.

"Well Tetra, that's not gonna happen! You wanna know why!? Because I can't love you! To me, you're unloveable. Don't think that just cuz' you're treating Lily like the most important person in the world means that I fell for your little act you've got going on. I've met some bad people in my life, and from what I've experienced you're just another link in the world's worst chain." Link's eyes were dark, just as they would always be when they look at me.

Tears streamed down my face like an overflowed dam. I sobbed so hard I couldn't breathe properly. I then grabbed my glass of whiskey and chugged the entire thing, the burning taste feeling like nothing compared to what pain I'm in now. After downing the glass entirely I threw it past Link's face and it hit the wall, making the glass shatter and scatter into tiny little pieces.

Broken.

I wordlessly got up and walked to the door, opening it and thought about looking back. I didn't. I walked through and slammed the door behind me. I could feel everyone's surrounding eyes on me, I ignored them and ran as fast as I could to the docks.

About halfway there I bumped into someone and fell backwards onto my butt.

"Oh my Din! I'm so sorry… Tetra?" I looked up and saw Aryll holding a basket of food in one of her hands meaning she just came from the market. "Are you ok?" She asked looking down at me. "You're crying…"

She held out her free hand to help me up, I wanted to take it but… she looks too much like… him. I got up by myself and continued to run to my ship, ignoring her calls on the way.

After getting to my ship I ignored my crew and went straight into my room, locking the door behind me then jumping into my bed. After crying for Nayru knows how long, I fell asleep.

...

"Can you open the door! Please!?" I heard somebody say as they pounded on my door.

I didn't even sit up, I just laid on my bed, pulled the covers over my face, and shouted, "Go away!"

"It's me… Lily," I heard Lily say from the other side. After arguing with myself for about a minute I got up and stumbled to the door, slowly opening it, revealing my daughter looking up at me seeming worried.

"Lily? What do you want?" I asked, sounding a bit more rude than I thought it would. She either didn't notice or didn't care, probably the latter.

Not saying anything, she gave me a hug.

I smiled and returned the favor, thankful. After the hug I let Lily in and closed the door behind her, we took a seat on my bed. After a some silence I asked Lily, "So… I'm guessing you know that it didn't go so well huh?"

She looked sadly at me and said, "Yeah… Aryll told me you were pretty upset. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

I ruffled her hair, causing Lily to smile cutely, and I said, "I'm doing better that my little girl is here with me. You really are a ray of sunshine aren't ya?" At hearing this Lily's smile grew and she giggled brightly.

"Lily, I don't think that daddy is ever gonna take me back. Not as a friend, not a lover, not… anything." I said truthfully. It'll take me a while to accept it but, it's true. In the end I can't make Link change what he thinks of me, even if we became friends again it doesn't mean that he'll treat me like one.

"C'mon Mom, I'm sure that you'll become friends again soon enough. Dad just needs a little bit more of a push," Lily said determined. I smiled sadly at my daughter.

"I think that I've pushed him far enough. If I push him just a little more, I'll probably push him off the edge." I said. I then took a glance at the picture of Link and I. Lily seemed to notice this and picked up the picture looking at it sweetly.

"You two look happy together, I'm guessing this was before me huh?" I looked at her curiously wondering where she's going with this. "Maybe… maybe if I was never born then… then the two of you would still be together," Lily said her smile falling to a frown.

I snatched the picture from her hands and turned her head to look at me, "Lily! Don't you ever think that!"

"But it's true!"

"No it's not!"

"Yes it is!" Lily screamed. "Mom, you told me you left because you didn't want to be held down by a child, I'm that child Mom! I'm the reason you left!"

Lily then began crying, making me feel even more sad than how I just felt, I feel like crying myself. Seeing my little girl who I could describe as a ray of sunlight and all smiles and pure joy and happiness break down in tears makes me feel like my whole world just became… smaller.

"Lily, please don't cry," I said as I wiped away her tears and looked into her dull set of eyes. "I love you. This past week and a half has been amazing, getting to know my own daughter. In a way… I'm happy that I left, because there's so much about you to know about. I don't ever want you thinking that me leaving was your fault, okay? It was entirely my fault for being selfish and uncaring. Look I was an idiot, I wish I'd made the better choice and had stayed, but there's no changing that. If I could, we wouldn't be having this conversation. We can only move forward, and now…" I grabbed my daughter's hand, "we can move forward together."

Lily smiled up at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.

Author's Note

Sorry for the quality of emotional detail. I wish I could have done a better job, I'll be sure to edit all this once the story is over, along with every other flaw I can pick up. Which is probably a lot.

So yeah, this was suppose to be more of a heartthrob chapter, bringing feels and all that. Meant to bring sympathy to Tetra, and to see another moment of pure Mother and Daughter love between her and Lily.

Thank you for all the support you've given me! I don't deserve it, I really don't, but thank you so much. I'll try my best to improve and become a better writer for you all. Please tell me what you think in the reviews, I want to know what you all thought. Also if you think any of your friends might like this story, then share it with them! I could care less about this story's popularity but I want to hear what you all think!

Eh… since I just brought up popularity, I might as well say it. WE'VE REACHED 10,000 VIEWS! 10,000! Thank you all so much again! See you all next week!