PART FIVE - A BLADE OF HONOR

Ruto grew restless and the same could be said about her father.

They were running out of options. Link, Katie and her had tried to lure the enemy to them by staying out in the open. The only thing they got were monsters that would attack them but they weren't a problem to Link. Monsters, she thought with unease, have been coming up recently and unexpectedly.

Fortunately, the only real incident was with Beedle earlier. Ruto had discussed it with her father and even though they aren't on good terms, her father exceptionally agreed with her and doubled the guards around the perimeter of the domain. However, he rebuffed her concern regarding the mirror and explained how it wasn't even working.

There was nothing she could do to change his mind and the more she tried to the angrier he became so she was forced to leave it at that. All she could do was pray to the Goddesses that those Gerudo Warriors stayed clear from her domain.

After Link, Ruto and Katie roamed around the city, the trio would then go back to Giant's fist and train there. Their training would leave her in bruises that smartened the next day. Link wasn't gentle like her previous teachers were, he wasn't assuring and didn't offer her any kind of encouragement or moral support.

It was as if he was trying to get a rise out of her. Make her hate him more than she already did, tear her down and bring her confidence to the dirt. It did have some effect since now she just seriously wanted to hurt him. Just the mere idea of it gave her glee. She finally gave in to his request and bought herself an extra layer of armor that left her shoulders sore and earned Link's approval.

The culprit didn't bother showing up at all. She was beginning to wonder if they had left the domain. Beckward reported that his sources haven't found a clue, and none of the guards saw anything out of the ordinary.

Ruto was just getting sick of all this. She would like to walk around her own palace without the constant trepidation that made her wide and alert. She had a talk with Sheeva about it and the captain expressed disapproval of how the princess was toying with her life and was outrageous when Beckward said otherwise. She suggested that instead of bringing the enemy to them why not go to them. She said this with a stern look that told Ruto if she was planning to follow her advice she must bring a handful of guards.

It was hard to pick sides. Sheeva was a brilliant strategist but was often labeled as ruthless. On the other hand was Beckward who could come up with a solution and he was well known for showing acumen with his intelligence and composure.

Link decided to intervene and shared a few opinions on the matter. Soon it was him and the captain both in a heated argument and Ruto had to intercede for Link's sake before the guards toss him in a cell. Link complained that guards would only slow them down and keep the culprit afar. Sheeva mocked that Link cared little for the princess' life and it was her job to protect her. Ruto dismissed everyone off to bed and was left to speak with Katie that night.

Sheeva's ostensible discussion had taken place in the morning and had soured Link's mood greatly. He laid down on the grass just outside of the Giant's Fist, closing his eyes with a thin piece of wheat sticking out his mouth.

Ruto chastised him for his laziness and demanded for a session of training. Link didn't relent and stayed where he was, too tired and too irritated to lend her an ear.

"Link, come on!" Katie whined. "You can at least do something!"

He didn't open his eyes and speak in a low voice, "Like what exactly?"

"I don't know! Something!"

Ruto exaggerated a sigh. "Just leave him be. I suppose I shall award someone else of the spirit gem instead. Perhaps Sheeva since she seemed more than happy to help me."

Link heaved out a breath and sat up. Staying at the palace really enervated him. It was the paternalistic rules that he had to obey and someone like Link didn't like to be told what to do. He obdurately refused to listen to her when she tried to help him adapt. This human was making things difficult to himself.

Aside from that, most of his irritation would come from the holy sword. They were all careful with how they said it in case someone overheard them. The sword still remained tightly shut in its sheath and Katie still couldn't up with a solution. The poor thing was worrying her head over it and claimed that she couldn't sleep properly.

Link said it was no big deal and yet she caught him fussing on his silver sword, complaining about balance and how dull it was. She actually bought him that sword and it wasn't very cheap so to hear him whining about it especially about the dullness, which it wasn't, just annoyed her. The Master Sword must have been the image of perfection since Link couldn't bring himself to settle for anything less.

Her thoughts cut short when the ground rumbled a bit and something from afar seemed to be heading towards them. Jagged rough rocks, large boulders for arms, a Stone Talus had risen from the dirt and galumphed forward.

Link's eyes brightened. "Finally something exciting!"

He didn't wait for Ruto or Katie and rushed off to greet the monster. The princess decided to let him have his fun in hopes that his gloomy mood will be lifted and they could focus on more pressing matters.

However, when Link finished the fight, rather smoothly at that, he needed her help with something.

"Did you just bring me here to carry your ores?" Ruto demanded when Link tossed her a bag.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Link said with a smirk but it went into a frown. "Why are all these flints?!"

Ruto threw the bag at him. "We are supposed to be training!"

"Or looking for the culprit," Katie added in. "Why do you need money so bad? The palace has everything for you."

"If I'm going to the bottom of the worlds deepest lake then I need to prepare. To prepare I would need a lot of money," Link explained as he kicked a piece of flint with a curse.

Ruto snorted. "Yes, but that's considering if you do get to the lake which you might not, seeing as you spent more time fooling around then getting anything done!"

Katie growled. "Link, knock it off!"

What was she to do with this human? Nothing could ever get done with him lazing about. He kept on complaining that his wallet was starting to grow cobwebs. Unfortunately for him, the Stone Talus left nothing but flints as a spoil, frustrating him enough that he kept kicking it away.

The ground rumbled again, it was tempestuous enough to get both Ruto and Link off their feet. Two Stone Taluses, both larger than the one Link had just defeated, approached them as nearby rocks rolled to their sides. The black ores crowned on their heads, gleaning brightly.

Ruto was horrified. Her heart pounded with fear. "What?"

"Oh yeah! More loot!" Link cheered as he threw away the bag and brought out his sword. There was a flicker of irritation when he held the silver sword.

"Those are both seniors," Katie confirmed timorously. "Maybe we should leave."

"Agreed," said Ruto instantly.

The monsters were moving by inchmeal, dragging their boulder arms to their sides. It would only be a matter of time before those carriage-sized boulders aim at them.

Link snorted as he hung his sword on his shoulder. "Wussies. Those guys are too good to let go."

"Link, don't be reckless," Ruto said as she stood up. She hoped her voice didn't crack. It was her first time seeing two Stone Taluses together.

"That's really funny coming from you."

"I'm not suicidal and I know when to fight and when not to. Not every battle needs to be won."

"Oh relax."

Katie had turned to a peach color and heavy flakes dropped from her orb. "Link, please listen to her. Two Stone Taluses appearing at the same time is not a battle worth fighting."

Ruto felt a spark of vexation when Link seemed to be getting more excited rather than heeding their warning. "There are two of them! You have no chance—"

Link held up a hand. "Alright I have to stop you there." He pointed a finger. "See there's a problem."

"What?"

"That attitude right there. All this 'you can't win' or 'wah, this is too hard'."

Ruto was baffled as gestured over to the monstrous stones. "But it is!"

Link eagerly sliced the sword horizontally just to hear it whistle. "Here's a lesson from me, princess. You want to win a battle you have to think that you're going to win."

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard," Katie said flatly.

"It always worked for me," he said and grinned at the princess.

Ruto was still irritated at him. "It doesn't always work like that."

"Who's the teacher here?" He smirked when her lips went to a firm line, too stubborn to answer his question. He winked. "Watch and learn, fish bait."

By now, the stone monsters flung back their boulders and marked them as targets. While Link moved one side, Ruto grabbed Katie and leaped the other. The boulder had smashed the ground they had once stood on. The princess ran to a safer distance and watched as Link dealt with the two monsters. Seeing him charge at the monsters with such high confidence assuaged her fear just a little bit.

First he waited until the creatures rose from their sides after they brought out another boulder. Link smiled so widely with eyes filled with sinister intentions. He was in between them now, his sword put away and his hands on his hips.

"Link, what are you doing?!" Katie yelled, about to take to his side when Ruto grabbed her. "I have to do something."

"He knows what he's doing," Ruto said uncertainly. "I think."

Link was in no hurry at all. He stood there imperturbable in the shadows of the two behemoths. One of the Stone Taluses threw a boulder and Link rolled over to the side and Ruto watched as how the boulder hit the other Stone Talus instead. It had crashed right on to the ore deposit and the Stone Talus went to the ground, trembling.

Before the other Stone Talus had the chance to crush Link, he brought out his bow and shot an arrow. With two of the Stone Taluses trembling down, Link climbed on to one and tied a rope around the purple-black ore. The other stone monster had recovered from the blow and stood up. Link shot out his hookshot just as the monster he stood on began to move as well. The rope flew along side of him and he tied it around the other monster's ore.

Satisfied, he jumped off its head and leaped back. The closest Stone Talus moved to him but the rope went taut and it was forced back to the ground alongside its friend.

Link was grinning from ear to ear, rather proud of his laudable work. The three of them watched as the monsters struggled to get up. Ores of yellow and white came out from both Stone Taluses whenever their ore deposit clash into one another. They kept colliding to one another whenever they failed to get up.

Link went around gleefully filling his back with ores fresh from battle, in no hurry whatsoever. Meanwhile Ruto had stayed quiet, too stunned for words. Katie flashed with pink and orange. After some time, the monsters were kaput, letting out a short shower of flints.

"And that's how you do it," Link told her in the end with a smirk.

"Fine, that wasn't too bad," Katie admitted. "But I still feel like it was a waste of time."

He looked over at Ruto, still waiting for her to speak.

Ruto flushed. She would never admit it but his performance made him look like an epitome of what a hero should be. "If you are done then perhaps we can train now?"

He just walked past her and waving a finger. "Tsk, tsk, princess, so impatient."

"I have been patient long enough with you!"

"Fine, fine. But what did you think of the fight?"

He was so persistent. Was he really expecting to be reward a meretricious medal of some sort?

"I think we should be doing something productive," she snapped. "Fighting monsters that large and in that number is just suicidal."

Link sighed. "You keep trying to play it safe and you'll never be get stronger."

"And you won't live longer."

Katie came between them. "Okay, that's enough already."

This wasn't the first time Link has shown such audacious behavior around monsters. Just yesterday a Hionx had surprised them during their lunch break. By Katie's suggestion, Ruto had set up a picnic only to have it demolished. She would have ended up the same way if Link weren't fast enough. He didn't falter, and saved her from getting crushed like a bug.

The giant's foot flattened and ruined all of their food, including the sake she had brought. Link wasn't too happy about that.

It was a battle between him and the beast and Katie advised Ruto not to interfere since Link was furious. He managed to get on the beast's head and gave it a sword to its skull. He gave off a storm of profanity as he tantalized the monster mercilessly. Ruto learned that the true reason behind Link's rage wasn't that they nearly lost their life but because sake was wasted.

It was absolute ridiculous argument and she was utterly stunned that such skills were wasted on a moron. A part of her was envious. To be so strong and skillful at anytime…

Link must have never faced any hardships in his life. He must be the perfect boy who had nothing to fear from this world. He followed no rules, no morals, nothing. He could cheat, fend off against powerful foes and easily ignored the traducement from all those around him.

The thought unexpectedly irritated her.

There was also a side of him that she didn't expect to see. A winsome, carefree side when he was with the children, how jovial he seemed to be, so much different than the cold brute she knew. He saved that strange man by putting his life on the line. And then there was the reason why he was here in the first place, tolerating all of this and it was to get the gem to save his dog.

Ruto found herself meticulously scrutinizing his actions and was curious about kind of person was he truly using the example her late mother had taught her.

Her mother had given her an excellent example of how to be a good judge of character. First she brought in a box, which was filthy with mud on one side, and there was a repugnant smell that made Ruto gag.

Ruto had just turned one hundred years old and the spear had been a gift from her mother. Now she was also given a private lesson. Her mother asked her to guess on what was inside the box.

"Something vile," Ruto responded, covering her nose.

Mother asked her to open it and Ruto did. The lid was sealed in shut, making it impossible for her to slip her fingers in easily. She had to force her way in, tearing through it and getting her hands dirty. Mother didn't say anything as she watched with keen interest.

Inside the box was nothing more than an apple and mother told Ruto to wash her hands and take a bite. The princess was hesitant about this, the smell still lingered in the air and it was upsetting her stomach. Dutifully, she did as she was told and reluctantly took a bite.

Sweet and juicy, it was completely unexpected. She looked at her mother and waited for an explanation.

"Why did you tear through the box, dear?" She asked with that kind voice of hers. Her eyes were like sapphires, beautiful and sparkling in the night.

The question made Ruto a bit uneasy. She had been told at a young age to be respectable when opening up gifts. "It was hard to open."

Mother turned the torn box around and showed a clean side of it. "If you had just spent more time looking you it would've been more easier, see?" From this side, Ruto could see that it was easier. She could've slipped her fingers through and gently lift it up.

"I don't understand the purpose of all this."

"Think of this box as a person. The side that you had faced was their worst and you didn't bother looking deeper to see their best. As the future ruler of our people, you would need to commiserate with your subjects and this was an example of just that. You would need to understand them better by using softer methods." She gestured at the box, which had been ruthlessly torn up.

Ruto winced a bit but her mother wasn't finished. "How did the apple taste dear?"

"It was sweet like any other apple."

"Did you expect it to taste sweet?"

"The smell made it impossible."

Mother smiled. "Yes. We don't always believe in the goodness of others because of what we see but if you look at the more cleaner side and look inside their box, you might find something extraordinary, something you might have never expected from them."

This example had served Ruto well. Just like how the apple still held its sweetness despite the unpleasant smell, the same could be said about people. Sometimes they rub you the wrong way and it was challenging to even think that there was something good inside of them. You just have to look at the right side, see the best out of them. Don't force it to happen. Gently get them to open up from the right side.

It was all thanks to her mother's example that Ruto had a better understanding of others. People often told her that she was a good judge of character.

Then her mother died and Ruto closed her heart towards all humans. It was Beckward who told her that maybe getting to know Link would help her. The resentment she carried with her would only ruin her, he said.

What would your mother think? His words echoed into her head.

Link's blade snapped her out of thought. "You better get your head out of the clouds before you end up going there," he warned her. If there was one thing she learned about Link was that he hated anyone that acted lazy during training.

Granted, he often played around and acted cocky but there was a reason behind that. Anyone with skills like that is bound to be arrogant. His skills are impeccable. No monsters or any being could possibly match up to him.

"Okay, let's take a break," Link said with a pant. "You're getting better."

His compliment made her eyes wide. "Really?"

"No, you still suck."

There was also patience when looking at his box. It required focus and patience. It wasn't easy when handling this brute of a human. How did she manage three days with him she had no idea.

At this point, she was wondering if all his sides were covered in mud and inside was nothing more than a rotten apple. He certainly acted that way.

They both sat down under the same tree and Link swung down a cup of sake. The idea that anyone drinks at this time of day horrified her. That's why she purposely watered down his alcohol. He complained about this but she told him that unless he was willing to buy his own sake, she would handle any alcohol he took from her palace.

They hadn't gotten along very well. Not with her father breathing down on both their necks and Sheeva forcing her beliefs down Link and Beckwards' throat. Ruto was also having a hard time of her own since most of her free time were replaced by boring lessons at her father's behest.

Link had wanted to get away from the palace. He could have made his own earnings by remuneration to amortize for inns and food but it wasn't possible unless he intended to break the agreement.

Honestly, the princess couldn't blame him for wanting to elude the palace. As much as he tried not to let the guards get on his nerves, it was rather difficult to ignore the poor service.

Link was pugnacious towards his unfair treatment and wasn't afraid to get into fights with anyone that crossed him. It would usually be either Ruto or Katie to snap him out of it. He was not one to remain quiet when someone bothers him.

It was almost like he was trapped in a cage surrounded by sharks, all whom are eager to rip him apart the moment the cage releases him.

Apart from Link, Katie had remained rectitude and had shown keen interest in the Zoras' arts and culture. If only she hadn't associated herself with the likes of Link then maybe the people of the palace would be delighted to enlighten her curiosity. Sadly, Link's treatment was extended to her as well.

Ruto had tried often to keep him under control. As much as she disliked this human, she wouldn't want him thrown in a cell. That won't solve anything.

Link grunted when he finished all the liquid. "This is getting ridiculous."

Ruto pursed her lips to muster patience. Because of what Beckward had told her, she knew she had to understand Link a little more, if only for her mother's sake. She trusted Beckward's advice, knowing that he would never tell her anything that would harm her.

"If you're that upset about your sake—"

"I mean about this assassination." He gave her a glare as if this whole ordeal was her fault. "It's been days and nothing happened. What if they packed up and left?"

Katie decided to speak on Ruto's behalf. "Link, we can't risk it. What if this person endangers everyone else?"

He groaned, throwing his bottle. "I don't care about anyone else. This whole thing is pointless."

Ruto's hands plucked out the grass, and she watched the line of green go brown at the bottom. It was her way of controlling the urge to punch him in the face. "You may think it's pointless but it doesn't matter what you think," she told him, fumingly. "You want the gem then you'll just have to deal with this. "

"For how long?"

"I don't know."

"Months? Years?"

"I said I don't know. Are you deaf as well as you are belligerent?"

Link's jaw clenched and his eyes darkened. He threw his hands up and laughed hysterically. "I have a better chance at lifting a Hionx than this. We haven't found one clue!"

"There's the snake skin," Katie offered, turning red but her voice remained steady. The dry skin was somewhere in the dirt.

"Oh, lovely. That sure will help. Here, let me just go around and ask who it belongs to. I'm sure the owner would like to have it back."

"Or we could ask around and see if anyone owns a snake? Like what Sheeva says, go to the enemy ourselves." Katie's voice took on a high note. "A snake that size would be impossible to miss. I'm sure someone had seen it. Also feeding Revolten snake would be pricy so maybe we could start there."

Link rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because knocking on every single bloody door is not going to take weeks and definitely won't raise any suspension. Thank you once more for being useless, both of you."

His tone alone, flat and devoid of any kindness, was enough to grind on her nerves. But what really took her to the edge was how blue the little fairy seemed to be and she deflated a bit as she fluttered down.

"You know what?" Ruto stood up, feeling her blood simmer. Link just sat down with one knee bended and an elbow resting on it. He didn't seem fazed and even raised an uninterested eyebrow. "If you don't like this arrangement than leave. There are more than thousands of fighters out there that are more willing to take this task. You aren't the only swordfighter out there and not the best even."

She knew it was bad the second she said it. Whenever she brought up anything related to fighting Link would always remind her who was the strongest out of two of them. So when the words left her, a smile began to play on his lips but it was Katie who saved her.

"Link, please just bare it longer," she said. Her color reflected well on Ruto's feelings but it didn't show in her voice. "You said it yourself. It wasn't a normal attack so they definitely will try again when they have the chance."

The smile and the taunting, to her relief, dissipated. "But we've waited!"

"And we can keep waiting," she assured him. "You're getting a free room and food so it's not like you're sleeping in the rain."

He exaggerated a sigh and stood up, rubbing the nape of his neck. "If I don't see someone waving a sword in your face, princess, then you can forget about me saving your ass. I'll find my own damn way down the lake." He gave a humorless chuckle. "I might have a better chance at that than I do here."

His tone, his disrespectful, unbearable tone was the one of the things she hated. If it were up to her, she would have kicked him out of the domain.

Patience was long gone and what suffocated her was rage. She wanted to lunge out and shake him over and over and yell, You think this is easy for me too?! Do you think you're the only one that hates this?!

Instead, she said, "Go ahead and leave then!" She shouldn't be arguing like this. It was unladylike, completely unlike her and she was older than him, far older, and should act like it. And it was something her mother wouldn't approve of as well. Even if Ruto were in the right her mother wouldn't take her side.

Turn the other cheek, sweetie.

But she had enough of his attitude. "And just for your information, you have no chance of going down there on your own. If one of our greatest Zoras could barely even reach the Big Dozzer then what makes you think that you, a human, has a chance of going beyond the wall?!"

Link's eyes flared but then a smile came on his face, threatening her fists to wipe it off. "Well, I did manage to beat one." He shrugged. "So what makes you think that I can't do what you can?"

The anger pounded her heart so fast that she thought it might explode. Black dots danced in her vision. To think he would speak to her like that…

Ruto never really liked to be formal but know she wanted him to show deference, she wanted the respect that came from being a princess. Of course if she said that he would mock her and do everything in his power to embarrass her for demanding such a thing.

Katie's patience snapped. "Stop talking to her like that! You only won because you've been fighting unfair this entire time!"

Ruto stepped into Link's space right in front of him and her breathing slowed to small deep breathes. The anger was wrapping a hand around her throat, making it so difficult to draw in air. "You think you're invincible, like nothing can hurt?"

The smile just stayed in its place and her fingers twitched. He really enjoyed seeing her mad. "Maybe. It wasn't like you could do much at the arena, Raza."

Has she ever met someone so vile before? How could anyone be this way? What was wrong with this person?

Just hearing the name Raza filled her with abashment. He always loved reminding her and watching her face fall. Her people must have been ashamed of her or perhaps appalled to see how weak their princess had become. Would they trust her to lead? Do they understand that the only reason she stepped into the arena was for them?

Link had never stopped bullying her. He enjoyed watching her chagrin overwhelm her, had loved to see her beaten to the ground during training, hurling insults at her, mocking her, frightening her, humiliating her. She couldn't voice out a complaint because it was her that asked him for training and he even warned her that he was not going to be easy.

But he was taking this too far.

"You are just a man," she spoke with quiet rage. "Just a lowly man and the only thing that makes you any different is that sword on your back. Without it you're nothing."

Link kept his smile but it didn't reach his eyes. "I don't care about the sword. I don't think either of you understand but I really don't give a shit about it. I don't need it anyways. It's not like I'm going to play hero or save the world."

"Is there anything in this world that matters to you?" She asked quietly, searching for perhaps some sign of humanity. "Or do you just wish to see the world in ashes?"

She didn't think her words would spark any reaction but it did. His eyes went parlous and the smile lost.

"I do care about someone and you know who it is? It's not someone whinny and pathetic," he spat and took a step forward while Ruto went backwards. She didn't like that look in his eyes.

"It's my dog, got it? And you're right, I don't mind seeing this whole bloody world go into ashes. What has it done for me, huh?!" There was pure anger in his eyes and she took a step back, putting a hand on her staff just in case. "This country could go to hell for all I care."

He got out of her face and simmered when he kicked the bottle away.

"Why is it that you keep wanting to hurt people?!" Katie demanded. "Just why? What has Ruto or her people ever done for you?"

Link laughed humorlessly. "What have they done? Oh let's see here, they hate me for what I am and not for who I am. If they at least got to know me then maybe I would understand but come one, all humans? And you call me shallow. Remember breakfast? Isn't it always a coincident that whenever I eat without the princess I get shitty food?"

"I'm not talking only about the Zoras." Katie came in closer. "I'm talking about people in general."

"I don't care," he said flatly with his lips twitching. It just confused her seeing him enjoying other people's anger. "I really just don't care."

"You don't mind being hated?" Ruto just seemed gob smacked.

"I don't mind being loved," he said with a sly smile.

Another thing she hated from him was of how flirtatious he could be. He really loved flustering her with his sudden comments and questions regarding relationship between a Zora and a human. He wasn't interested her since he made it clear that he was only interested in female human.

But that doesn't stop a man from trying, he said one time and laughed as she threw a rock at him.

Ruto glared at him. "You're not that clever."

"Still makes me cleverer than you, darling."

Katie beamed red. "Link, stop being so disrespectful. She is a princess!"

He sighed. "Thanks for reminding me for the millionth time today. I almost forgot. And I think I remember telling you that I don't give a damn even if she's the Goddess. I'm not kissing her ass."

"And watch your language." Sparkles puffed out from her as she vigorously fluttered above his head. "You are just so — GAH! Why am I stuck with you?!"

Link chuckled dryly. "Well, get used to it, sprit. If you want to blame someone then blame your precious Goddesses for pairing you up with a meanie human."

Ruto remembered how Link carried a child on his shoulders with a smile so wide and cheerful, you would never think anyone would be so cruel. Her brows furrowed. Why was she thinking of this now?

He said he wished the world was in ashes but he saved that man's life, saved her life multiple times when monsters sprung up out of nowhere.

Her mother had always told her that actions speak louder than words. If there was a person that you truly could not understand then pay attention to their actions. What do they do? Are they as selfless as they claim to be? Actions and words are the ones that defined a person. You could call yourself a good person but could you really? You may believe that but its up to what others think of you.

"Are you really?" She found herself saying just as Link turned to leave. When he turned around and gave her an annoyed look she continued on with a step forward. "Because I feel like its all a show."

She already knew Link had a bitter personality and was genuinely a hated person. But she couldn't help but remember how he was with the children, how lonely he had seemed to be.

There are more sides of the box, she thought to herself.

Link was blinking at her and seemed astound. "Wait a minute," he said with a laugh and pointed. "You think I'm not a bad guy?"

"Do you want to be a bad guy?" She asked innocuously, daring to take a step. She watched his face become expressionless and he stiffened.

It flummoxed her. She never thought that anyone would declare that they were a bad person and saying it with such pride? Something about this doesn't feel right.

"I can't help but feel that you try so hard to paint yourself as one. You keep saying it over and over as if you're worried that we might forgot or that we might change our opinion about you." As she said it, she felt confidence ringing in her voice. She didn't know anything about this man yet just seeing his face it felt like she understood enough.

Katie turned yellow and turned to see Link with his hands clenching and unclenching. For a moment, he seemed momentarily confused and it was a rare and pleasant sight.

He always smiled when the people often threw insults in his way and seemed generally pleased that he was hated rather than accepted. During his argument with the captain of the guards he wasn't bothered one bit by her loud voice and her anger.

But this time, up against Ruto's point, Link's expression hardened and he turned around. "Think what you want to think. I'm out of here."

They should have gone together in case something happened but Link leaving her on her own proved that he's had enough of this. Katie and her festinated back to the palace and it was a safe journey there, fortunately and unfortunately.

The two didn't see Link until the morning who was blabbering endlessly that he had a lead.