Finally, I give you chapter thirty-four. Weekend updates are going to be all I can do right now. I honestly didn't think I would have this little time, but homework is awful. But anyway, here's the next chapter! I think it's the longest one... but I hope you guys like it! Enjoy! :D

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Untold Story

Zelda stood up hurriedly, staring at her shaky hand.

Could it be? Is he still alive? She asked herself as she watched the blue and gold shimmering on her skin. But as soon as she said those words, her Triforce became dimmer and dimmer. Her face fell more with each second, and the light was dying away. All of her hope evaporated when her Triforce finally disappeared, and her world became dark once more. The one sliver of light was gone... and so was Link.

Zelda was more in shock than she was in despair. She felt as if in the past few days, she'd cried out all of her tears. She would've never expected this to happen. She hadn't thought about this possibility while she and Link were having their argument, but she wished she had. Then maybe she could've told him she loved him, and that she was willing to forgive him and help him through anything. And she was dying to hear those same words flow from his perfect lips. But it would never happen; Zelda never thought it would end with a storm.

Epona, completely oblivious to what was going on, contently drank her water. Zelda's entire body was trembling, and her mouth was open dumbly. She felt as if her feet were glued to the ground, and she could hear her heart pounding heavily in her ears. It was the only sound she could hear. Everything else around her disappeared. Somewhere in the distance, she vaguely heard the sound of the postman running through Kakariko Village. It was but a tiny distraction in her session of deep thought.

He's gone... she shook her head, not wanting to believe it. Is he really gone?

Perhaps Zelda was just overreacting. Perhaps he was still out there somewhere, recovering from the storm and making his way back to Kakariko Village. But wouldn't he have Epona with him?

"Oh, I wish you could speak," Zelda trembled as she put her hand on Epona's neck. "Then maybe I could figure all of this out. Tell me, Epona," she swallowed. "Is Link dead?"

Her only response was an ignorant whinny.

Zelda watched, silently, as her tear collided with the spring, creating tiny ripples. Her face was completely blank, and not a single sniffle escaped her. Her eyelids fluttered, and her lips trembled. But there were no sobs. Only shining, silent tears.

"Princess," a smooth, calming voice came from behind. Zelda didn't turn around. She felt Renado's large, strong hands on her shaky shoulders. "I have good news."

"Yes, Renado?" Zelda finally managed as she turned to face the shaman. He held a blue envelope in his hands, and there was a reassuring smile on his large lips.

"Read this letter. I'm sure it'll make you feel better," Renado nodded, handing her the envelope. "It made Ilia feel much better."

"Very well," she hesitantly took the letter. "Thank you."

Zelda was barely aware of her actions as she opened the envelope and Renado walked back inside, a coy smile on his face. The envelope itself was completely blank, and she was reluctant to read the letter. Honestly, she didn't want any comfort at a time like this. Zelda simply wanted to sulk and bask in her own misery. But if this was going to make Renado happy, then fine. She would read the mysterious letter.

Hello Renado,

This is a precautionary letter, sent to inform you that my closest advisor found Link in Hyrule Field last night during the storm, injured, and he is now under our care.

"Oh," Zelda gasped as she read the beginning of the letter, sinking to her knees. She was overwhelmed by this news, and she hugged the letter to her chest in relief. "Thank the goddesses," she whispered, staring up at the sky. The goose bumps on her skin only increased as she began shaking even more; this time, it was in pure relief. Then, she continued the letter with glistening eyes and a worried smile.

Do not worry for his health. He is fine here in our village, and as soon as he is strong enough, we will help him return to Kakariko Village, since we have much trust in you. There is no need for you to come looking for him. He will be back with you as soon as possible. Thank you.

Prince Ralis of the Zoras

Zelda could've wept in joy, but she didn't. She simply stared at the words, reading them over and over again. Link was in Zora's Domain, safe and sound. She wondered why she had even doubted his presence for a single second.

"I was pretty relieved, too," Ilia said behind her. Zelda, curious, stood up and turned around. Ilia was standing before her with a nervous look on her face. She avoided eye contact with the princess, and was shuffling her bare feet anxiously.

"I was afraid that he..." Zelda's voice trailed off, and she swallowed. Ilia seemed different, more resigned.

"Princess, I owe you an apology," Ilia said. The words were sudden and, frankly, they caught Zelda off-guard. She furrowed her brow, tilting her head curiously. "I was unfair to you, and you're right."

"Ilia—"

"It's my fault that Link left. I didn't help him when he needed it most," she continued, ignoring Zelda's interruptions. "I shouldn't have been so rude to you, because you don't deserve it. I guess I was just jealous because Link loves you, and he doesn't love me."

"Ilia, Link does love you," Zelda smiled, putting a hand on the teary girl's shoulder. "You're one of the closest people to him. Trust me, you're very dear to him."

"I guess the problem was that I wanted to be more than just friends," Ilia sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "And now I've ruined our friendship forever."

Zelda didn't know what she was doing, but she couldn't help it. Ilia just seemed so helpless. So, the princess pulled her into a comforting embrace, and began whispering reassuringly.

"Don't say that," she said. "I'm sure if you apologize, he'll forgive you. I can tell by the way he looks at you; you're the best friend he's ever had. I doubt that he's ready to lose that."

"How do you know?"

"If you didn't matter to him, he wouldn't have taken it so harshly when you got into that argument."

"I suppose you're right. I'm so sorry that I was mean to you, Princess" Ilia continued. "You're being so kind to me, and I don't deserve it."

Zelda pulled away, looking at Ilia with sympathetic, glistening eyes.

"I apologize as well," she said, smiling in a friendly fashion. "Both of you were going through a hard time, and I wouldn't just leave you alone."

"No, I'm glad you tried to help," Ilia grinned, flashing her white teeth. "Thank you, Princess."

"Please, call me Zelda," she chuckled, finally content. She was happy that she and Ilia were finally friends, and they understood each other... at least, enough to get along.

"I finally see why Link loves you so much," Ilia admitted, making Zelda blush.

"Did he...really say that?" Zelda couldn't help asking. She wanted proof that Link felt the same way about her. Ilia took on a mischievous expression, glancing away.

"...Yes," she said. Zelda narrowed her eyes playfully, noticing that Ilia was hiding something. But she didn't press for the answer. "You know, I'm glad we're friends now."

"Me, too," Zelda agreed, the words honest on her tongue. She was truly glad that she didn't have to argue every time she saw this girl.

"When Link returns, I'm going to definitely apologize," Ilia decided, moving to run her hand through Epona's hair. "I should've been more encouraging."

Ilia's words made Zelda wonder about what exactly caused their argument. But she came to the conclusion that she would learn in time, especially if it had caused this much chaos.

"Um, can I ask you something?" Ilia sighed, scratching the top of Epona's head. "The other day, when I stole Epona, I saw you and Link here..."

Oh, no, Zelda became a sickly pale.

"I don't know if I was dreaming or not, but I saw Link transform from a wolf to a human," Ilia continued. She seemed as if she didn't believe what she was saying. Zelda kept her expression blank. "Is that...true? Is Link really a wolf?"

"Ilia, you need to understand that this is very complicated," Zelda said, not wanting to lie.

"So he is a wolf!" Ilia gasped, gaping. "Why didn't he tell me?"

"We never thought he would turn back into a wolf after we saved Hyrule," Zelda explained vaguely.

"It's happened before?" Ilia raised her eyebrows. There was an expression of complete shock on her face, and Zelda felt guilty.

"It's... a long story, to say the least," the princess replied. Ilia sighed, pursing her lips.

"I can't believe this," she said.

"If you want to hear the whole story, let's—"

"Wait," Ilia interrupted. "Actually, I want to hear Link tell the story. I want to hear it from him."

"Very well," Zelda looked away anxiously. Link wasn't going to be happy with Ilia having this knowledge...

"Well, I'm going to check on Luda. The poor darling is suffering so much," Ilia shook her head sadly as she moved to the inn, but the princess could tell she was moving in a haze. Such knowledge shouldn't have been taken lightly anyway.

"I admire your will to help this girl," Zelda said honestly. Ilia blushed in modesty, and grinned.

"Do you want to come help? Luda can use any encouragement she can get," Ilia offered.

"Of course," Zelda nodded, but paused for a second. "You go ahead of me. I'll join you in a moment."

"Okay," Ilia nodded before disappearing into Renado's house. Zelda sighed, looking at the letter once more. The words still seemed so unreal; even more unreal was the conversation she'd just had with Ilia. The only guilt left inside of Zelda was what she'd said and done to Link. But she could easily fix that when he returned.

The warm breeze felt comforting on Zelda's skin, and she closed her eyes as she breathed in the sweet air. When Link came back, they would complete the orb and take the next step to defeating this plague and keeping Hyrule safe. The princess was willing to do anything to protect her proud kingdom.

"Hey, there she is!" a deep, rumbling voice called from behind Zelda. Blinking, she turned around. Her eyes widened when she saw two large Gorons running straight at her with angry expressions on their faces. "You!"

"May I help you?" Zelda asked, but she was cut off when the Gorons grabbed each of her arms and held on tightly. There was immediate pain in her forearms, and she sucked in a deep breath. "What do you want?" she gasped.

"You came to Death Mountain, didn't you, girl?" one of them asked. Zelda's stomach flipped uncomfortably.

"I-yes, I did," she admitted, struggling a bit. "But it was only to help you!"

"Pfft," the other one scoffed. "Help us?"

"You were all sick, and I just wanted to be of aid," Zelda clenched her teeth as they tightened their rock-solid grips on her arms. She felt her circulation being cut off, and her arms turning blue. "Ah, please let go."

"Not until you return what was stolen," they growled angrily. Zelda's eyes widened even larger, and she gasped again when they squeezed harder. She felt as if her arms were about to fall off. "Weak human!"

"I..." Zelda opened her mouth, but nothing seemed to come out. She didn't want to play dumb; she knew exactly what they were talking about, but she wasn't willing to lie.

"Come on, talk!" the other one hissed.

"And you better hurry, before we break your arms," he laughed cruelly. Zelda couldn't suppress the yelp of pain as he tightened his meaty fingers on her delicate bones.

"Please!" she cried through gritted teeth, the pain becoming almost unbearable.

"Tell us where the hidden page is!" he said, more specifically this time. "You're the only one who could've taken it! You were the only one to enter our library!"

"Okay, okay," Zelda breathed deeply, her face becoming red. "I... have the paper,"

"Ha! I knew it!" the Goron laughed triumphantly, but he loosened his grip a bit. Zelda let out the breath she had been holding, feeling slight relief wash over here. "Give it here!"

"If you...let go," Zelda swallowed. "I'll give it to you,"

"No tricks?" he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"None," Zelda was hyperventilating as she shook her head. The two Gorons looked at each other, and then with brief nods, they let go. Zelda's arms fell to her sides, and she gasped loudly; they were completely numb, and she tried to move them to no avail. "I might... need a moment."

"Just give us the page!" one of them screamed, pushing her frail back. As she stumbled forward, Zelda felt her arms regaining their ability to move. Shakily, she reached into her cloak, taking out the crumpled page. Her back was to the two impatient Gorons, and she looked at the paper anxiously before turning around.

"Please, listen to me for one moment," she pleaded as they moved forward, reaching out for the 'hidden page.' Thankfully, they paused. "Please let me keep it for the time being."

"What?" they both screamed, looking at each other with angry glares. "Why?"

"I will return it as soon as I am finished with it!" Zelda argued. "But I need it right now to..." she paused, thinking of the right explanation. "To keep my kingdom safe."

"No," they both said bluntly. Then, one of them reached out and ripped the paper from her feeble hands. Zelda gasped, reaching out blindly. It slipped right through her fingers. "We are under strict orders to keep it in Death Mountain and keep it protected."

"I really need it, please!" Zelda continued, becoming frantic. That page was the answer to finding the cure to the plague. "If you give me the paper for just a little longer, I might be able cure your people of the illness that has fallen upon them."

At those words, the Gorons raised their eyebrows.

"She's lying," one of them said suspiciously.

"Maybe..." the other replied.

"I swear in the name of the Sacred Realm, I'm telling the truth," Zelda argued. "This could be the only way to find the cure."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," Zelda felt pride swelling inside of her. Her plan was working.

"If we find out that you're lying," one of them said as he handed her the paper. "Darbus, our patriarch, will break you like a twig."

"Thank you so much," Zelda smiled in relief, tucking the paper back in her cloak. "I will return it as soon as possible."

"We'll cover for you as long as we can. But when Darbus finds out that you have it, he'll come looking for you. This is not something to fool around with," the Goron continued, and he seemed a little anxious.

"You won't regret this, I promise," Zelda nodded reassuringly. The Gorons groaned, and then rolled their beady eyes.

"You better hurry, weak human," they warned as they walked past. Zelda let out a heavy sigh of relief as they strode off, disappearing into the trail leading up to Death Mountain.

"Thank the goddesses," Zelda looked up to the heavens, a smile on her face. "I just need a little more time to find the other pieces of the paper."

"Actually, Princess," an ominous voice said. All of the color drained from Zelda's face as she slowly, hesitantly turned around. "We're determined to make sure that doesn't happen."

She was facing three large, armed, Guardians of the Source.

LINK POV

Thalassa and Link simply gawked as Ralis nonchalantly walked toward the beaming podium, strutting just as proudly as ever. He had light, tender fingers as he lifted the glass case protecting the paper. That's when Link noticed a few other things inside the case, like a blue pearl and a small, coin-like object. Those weren't of importance, however. Link was concentrated only on the paper that Ralis was gingerly handling.

"Here, take it," Ralis smiled, turning around after securing the glass once more. He held out the paper to Link, who was staring at it blankly. "You will surely make more use of it than we can."

"Prince Ralis, what is this paper?" Thalassa peeked over Link's shoulder at the paper, narrowing her green eyes suspiciously. Link was thinking the same question as he scanned the black, fading words on the paper, trying to make sense of it.

"I apologize for the lack of..." Ralis paused, thinking of the right explanation. "The lack of sense that the words hold. The paper is ripped, and I'm sorry to say that I don't know where the other pieces are."

I do, Link thought of the paper Zelda had taken from the library of the Gorons. Thalassa was becoming irritated with her ignorance, and huffed angrily as her body became tense.

"Prince Ralis, I—"

"Fine, I'll explain," he rolled his eyes playfully. However, Link was feeling far from playful. This could be another key to finding the cure to the sickness and saving all of those suffering, dying people.

"Finally!" Thalassa sighed. Though Link was listening, his eyes remained on the torn parchment. There were no complete words written; there was only a jumble of letters in an unorganized order. It frustrated him, because he knew that after seeing the other piece of paper, this one couldn't completely finish the other one. It meant that there were more than two pieces to this puzzle.

"In ancient times, there was a horrible, unspeakable monster that swept through the land, killing all in its path," Ralis began, his words catching Link's attention. "The story is seldom told, but it was shortly after the chaos of Hyrule was resolved. Anyway, the full details of this monster, I don't know."

"How come nobody's ever heard of this monster?" Thalassa threw up her arms in frustrated curiosity.

"If you would let me finish, maybe you could find out!" the prince replied, catching Thalassa off-guard with his outburst. She shut her mouth, and just stared at him blankly as he continued. "Anyway, this paper is part of the reason why nobody's ever found out about this monster. As I was saying, somehow, this monster was vanquished and Hyrule was saved. The story of it was passed down for generations, and at first, it was a commonly told tale.

"An anonymous writer wrote a book, a tome about the Ancient History of Hyrule maybe a thousand years later. The book still exists today. And in the book was the tale of this monster. However, it is said that the Royal Family ordered the page speaking of the monster to be ripped out. The pieces of the pages were spread throughout Hyrule, and one of them came to be with the Zoras. Because the written story disappeared, it has been forgotten."

"Why did the Royal Family order this?" Thalassa was calmer now, but Link was now on edge. Ralis shrugged, sighing sadly.

"My mother, Queen Rutela, only told me what I just said to you." Ralis admitted. "The page has been kept secret within our people ever since it was given to us by the Royal Family. To be honest, I don't know much about it. The only reason I knew that Link should have it was because when my mother showed the paper to me, she told me something important. She told me that the paper should be shown 'only to the Messenger of the Royal Family searching for the cure.' I never understood that until now."

Link was completely silent. So many thoughts were running through his head. When Zelda heard about this...

Ooooh! Huge cliffhanger right here, especially Zelda's point of view ;) Trust me, I will try to update as soon as possible... but it won't be easy. Haha tell me what you guys think! And don't forget: I love you all! Hhaha :DDD