Link spun and ducked under the spear his foe was wielding, driving his blade forwards into the goblin's stomach. The foul creature staggered back with a disgruntled snort as it slumped off of Link's blade. He stood and readied himself for the next opponent. A short time ago he'd never have stood so confidently with shield and sword in hand but Ordon's training, though brutal, produced results. He knew his own weaknesses now. His own limitations. The shadow selves he'd faced time and again had shown him all of his mistakes and no mere goblin was going to exploit a single one of them. He deflected the next blow with his shield and rolled with it, hacking at his opponent's back. He found himself standing besides Malon who held her father's ax in her hands. It bore the blood of their foes.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded grimly, swallowing heavily. "Fine."

Link returned the nod and leapt at the next goblin. In the closed confines of the maze there was no end to the flow of enemies. That Ganondorf had brought so many with him into the forest spoke of just how important he considered all of this. Link had dropped his wolf form shortly after coming into the maze. He didn't want to give Ganondorf reason to suspect he was anything other than an overly loyal citizen of Hyrule. Especially here in the forest, so close to his own people. He drove three of the smaller goblins before him, swinging his blade in wide arcs as he shielded himself with his shield. Then Saria appeared as if from nowhere, wind wrapped around her as she cast the trio up into the air and out of sight. Beyond her, Zelda's rapier flashed as she struck her foes with a flurry of blows. There was a dull thud from behind Link and he turned to see the last of the goblins falling with Malon's ax in its chest.

Malon was breathing heavily as she did her best to remain calm. Link walked to her and put a hand on her shoulder, smiling at her reassuringly. She nodded and swallowed, returning the smile before moving past him towards the others.

"We're nearly there." Saria said nodding towards a stair leading upwards and out of the maze.

"We haven't seen the dragon or Ganondorf yet." the Princess said grimly. "Or for that matter Sheik." she added pointedly.

Saria nodded. "They must be within the temple already. I hope he hasn't done anything to damage it."

Link was already at the stair now, going up it cautiously, wondering if there would be another opponent at its peak. It occurred to him that there was no way that the maze, surrounded by burnt out forest, could rise up into a forested area as the stairwell was doing. He ignored that though, the forest belied explanation as he well knew. Trying to explain it was a fruitless pursuit. You could work with it though, and that at least seemed to make everything fine. He was concerned about Sheik though, if Ordon had found him then he could be in for a very rough time. He reached the top of the stair and found himself on a pathway with impenetrable trees on either side. There was a popping sound then, and Link whirled, sword swiping in reflex.

"Watch it!" Sheik yelled in alarm as he caught the blade in the crook of his arm.

The two of them looked at one another for a moment before Sheik snorted and released Link's sword, examining the blood dripping from his arm.

"I guess we're even now."

Link sheathed his sword and frowned. "Even?"

"For that time at the ranch."

Link blinked for a moment before he laughed. He'd completely forgotten about that but Sheik did have a point.

"Yeah, we're even." he frowned. "Where's Ordon?"

"I don't know," Sheik said with sudden worry. "One moment we were walking, the next thing I know you're trying to cut me open." Sheik's tone changed then, becoming more concerned. "Link, do you trust me?"

Link nodded. "Of course."

"There's something I need to tell you." Sheik said hesitantly.

"Sheik!"

Link took a step back as the Princess wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine," Sheik replied uncomfortably, his eyes widened in alarm. "Just fine, please your Highness, can you stop hugging me?"

"Oh, of course." she replied as she released him with sudden self-conciousness.

"Welcome back." Malon said flatly. "How was Ordon?"

Sheik looked at Link with a raised brow. "I don't know how you put up with him."

Link returned Sheik's gaze with a frown. What had Sheik wanted to tell him? He left it alone as Saria walked past them and followed the pathway.

"The temple is just ahead."

"What did Ordon do to you?" the Princess asked abruptly.

Link looked to Sheik. He'd only cut Sheik's arm. Where had all the bite marks come from? There were teeth marks on his arm and both legs. He looked up at Sheik who looked back at him quietly. The teeth were from a Wolfos.

"No, none of your people attacked me. Just angry ghosts." Sheik said in answer to Link's unasked question.

"Did Ordon explain how he was able to talk with you?" the Princess asked as she began to heal Sheik's wounds.

Sheik shook his head. "He wouldn't say, he just said that it didn't serve his purpose to let me die."

"Oh did he now," the Princess spat venomously. "How kind of him."

"The Princess threatened to hunt Ordon down if anything happened to you." Malon provided.

Sheik looked to the Princess curiously for a moment before gazing back at Link. He did his best to keep his face blank behind his wraps and thought he did a good enough job. Link looked back at him questioningly but said nothing. It seemed to be a commonplace thing between them that they did not speak of certain things in front of the others. Ruto among them. This though was something Sheik would have to tell Link about. It was better that Sheik make certain that Link knew where the blame for his people's reentry to the war should fall. He wasn't sure if that would keep Ordon's plans at bay but hopefully it would slow down whatever the god intended for Link.

"Weren't you listening?" the Princess asked abruptly.

He jerked back from his thoughts. "Your Highness?"

She shook her head. "Sometimes I wonder. I asked what happened to you."

"I don't know, one moment I was riding behind you, the next I pitched over and fell off my horse. I think—" he hesitated a moment before continuing. "I think I heard my mother and other Sheikah just before I fell."

"A telepathic backlash?" Saria asked curiously.

They all looked to her, she shrugged. "It sounds right. His mother touched something of power, a vessel of some kind and when it lashed out through her she reached out to those she trusted most for strength...it would also explain why the mist reacted so violently...and with Wolfos spirits."

"I've heard of that before." the Princess said, looking to Sheik with a frown. "Why wasn't I affected?"

Sheik didn't suggest that perhaps the Princess wasn't someone that Impa would trust as implicitly as she did her own people. She was too close to Sheik's mother for such a comment not to sting her and that wasn't his aim at the moment.

"Perhaps your own power countered the ill effects." he suggested helpfully.

She nodded. "Perhaps. There, its done."

"You're not tired?"

She shook her head. "There's no time for that, right now we need to move forwards and finish this before Ganondorf brings anymore destruction to the forest."

"Agreed," Saria said. "This way."

Malon looked at the ruined stairs leading up to the temple entrance. They'd been made of sturdy stone. It had taken great strength to shatter them. Strength that was likely provided by the dragon in the Mage King's company.

"The Mage King did this." Saria said, her voice hiding barely contained anger.

"I guess he didn't want anyone following him." Sheik said idly.

"Can you get us up there?" the Princess asked.

Saria nodded. "Everyone get close."

Sheik was already halfway up the tree that rose besides the ruined stair and didn't bother coming back down as he finished climbing up to the landing.

As for the rest of them, they bunched around Saria as a gust of wind and a fluttering of leaves wrapped around them and whisked them to the top of the broken stairs to the landing where Sheik waited.

"My way is quicker." Sheik said.

"You just don't like the idea of relying on magic." the Princess countered.

"Oh what fun!" came a mad cackle from above their heads, causing all of them to jump.

Malon looked up to see the Skull Kid rocking back and forth on a bough of the tree Sheik had scaled.

Saria frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Watching the fun!" the Skull Kid cackled with a rattling laugh.

Saria's expression darkened. "This isn't fun Skull Kid. The forest is in danger."

"Yes yes, I know." the imp replied distractedly with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Big wolf told me about the dragon and everything, mist letting out the dead wolves too. All very bad."

Malon frowned. "You knew about Ordon?"

"Of course, mist is a crossover. Golden Wolf and others can access the world here."

"Well that explains it." Sheik mused. "I was wondering how he'd managed to speak with me."

Malon looked over at Link. "Did your people know he could do that?"

Link shook his head. "I've never been this far into the forest, and I don't think anyone else has either...aside from those of us who came here originally and never returned."

"You mean the ghosts I saw?"

Link nodded. "They would have been the first generation of Wolfos who came to the woods within the forest...now I guess they're guardians for the maze and temple."

Malon looked up at the Skull Kid who was lounging on the branch and listening with obvious boredom.

"Did you need something?"

His head twisted in an unnatural manner, rotating about like an owls as he gazed at her. "Wanted to play music and singsong. It's boring without someone to sing or play."

"We're engaged in something a little more important than playing a little music." the Princess said.

"Please Skull Kid, just go away for now. I promise I will come play with you once this is over." Saria said with a hint of annoyance.

"Liar liar burning upon a pyre, build the flames ever higher." the Skull Kid sang out with another cackle.

"Shut up." Saria snapped. "I'm not lying."

"Yes you are," insisted the Skull Kid. "You won't be back. You're what unlocks the seal and you won't be anymore once its out."

A sudden silence gathered around the group as they all looked at the Skull Kid in bewilderment as he sat upon his perch.

"What do you mean," Zelda asked carefully. "That she won't 'be anymore' once the seal is free?"

"Seal requires Kokiri energy. Kokiri life is energy. Energy for seal is Kokiri life." the Skull Kid chirped helpfully.

Zelda looked to Saria, the Kokiri girl wouldn't meet her gaze.

"You're sacrificing yourself?"

"To stop Ganondorf and save the forest, yes." Saria replied quietly.

The others were all silent, Zelda took a deep breath. This wasn't what she'd planned for. She hadn't known that any kind of sacrifice was required for any of the seals...but then again if the Deku Tree had added something more to the protections around the seal then perhaps...he'd used the life force of his own children to do so.

"Are you sure?" she pressed Saria.

Saria nodded. "It's worth it."

Zelda looked to the others, Sheik's gaze was unreadable, Malon looked conflicted, Link...Link was staring right at her.

"You can't let her do this."

Zelda's heart winced at his tone but she did not back down.

"We need the seal Link. If this is what is necessary...I'm sorry."

His eyes narrowed. "You can't ask her to give up her life."

"I asked each of you to do just that didn't I?" Zelda countered. "You've all given your lives for this for me to do what is necessary for us to succeed."

"That's different," Link snarled. "Saria never gave you any kind of vow."

Zelda made to further argue the point but Saria stepped forward and put a hand on Link's arm.

"But I did Link, not to the Princess implicitly but to the Deku Tree. When he created the temple and encased the seal within, I stepped forwards to be its keeper so that none of my friends would have to suffer that fate. This is what I am meant to do."

"I don't like it." Link snapped.

Saria smiled gently. "I don't either, but I gave my word and I will keep it."

Link's mouth flexed as he ground his teeth in annoyance, finally he nodded solemnly and looked to Zelda with a grim expression she'd never seen on his face.

"Let's go."

Zelda wanted to ask if Link was truly okay with it, but she was fairly certain she knew the answer.

"Aw, little wolfie going to lose a friend, sad sad day!"

Everyone glared at the Skull Kid as he cackled merrily atop the branch.

"Are you going to insist on following us?" Zelda asked in annoyed exasperation.

The Skull Kid rocked forwards and bobbed his head with a devious glint in his eye.

"In that case I will make a deal with you. Help us defeat the Mage King and his minions, and when this is over we'll all sit down and play together."

The Skull Kid's eyes, already glowing embers in his black face, lit up like small bonfires as he leaned forwards intently.

"We all play and sing together?"

Zelda nodded. "If you help us."

The Skull Kid stood up and clapped delightedly, dancing back and forth from foot to foot. On the fifth such clap he vanished. Zelda looked around in confusion. Where had the little imp gone?

"Come on come on!" the Skull Kid beckoned from the door leading into the temple. "Sooner we beat big lizard and bad king the sooner we play!"

Zelda looked to the others, Saria needed no prompting as she moved into the temple shadows. Link followed after her protectively, not looking at Zelda as he passed. Malon stopped besides the her and whispered.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"If it wasn't her, it would be another Kokiri...and we need the seal."

Malon nodded, her expression uncertain. "Link really likes her."

"I know Malon...I know...but what choice do I have?"

Malon nodded again and headed into the temple, drawing her bow and knocking an arrow.

Sheik watched Link cautiously as he followed Saria into the temple. He placed a hand on the Princess' elbow.

"Your Highness, there's something you need to know."

"Not now Sheik." she replied. "I'm happy you're safe but...not now."

She sounded tired, Sheik couldn't blame her but he needed to tell her what Ordon had said. Especially after what he'd just seen.

"Your Highness, the Wolfos are rejoining the war."

She froze, not moving for a long moment before she turned to face him slowly. Her gaze was a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"What?"

"My mother...Impa convinced them to fight again. Provided you free them upon conclusion of the war."

The Princess eyes widened. "She did what?"

"And Ordon knows, he's going to tell Link and use that to turn him against you."

She shook her head in growing despair. "Do you realize what Impa has done?" she pointed at the entrance to the temple where the others had vanished. "Link is already furious with me over Saria. I hate myself for making her go through with this but I can live with it. This," she took a steadying breath. "Sheik, this may be what drives him to Ordon...if Ordon gets free." she shuddered. "I trust Link...and the Wolfos...I don't trust Ordon."

"Nor should you your Highness...I just wanted to warn you now before it got out of hand." Sheik took a steadying breath of his own, not believing what he was about to say. "If you need me to, I can eliminate Link now, before Ordon next speaks to him."

"No." the Princess snapped instantly. "You will do no such thing...I just...I need to speak with him. Before he finds out from Ordon. If he hears this from Ordon before he hears it from me...it will shatter whatever trust and faith in me he has left."

The Princess was quiet for a moment before looking Sheik in the eyes.

"Did Impa want you to tell me?"

Sheik hesitated a moment before shaking his head. He wasn't sure who he was betraying now, Link, the Princess, or his mother.

The Princess closed her eyes. "Impa, what have you done." she whispered, sounding all the more exhausted. "Sheik...I wish you hadn't told me this."

Sheik swallowed and nodded. "Forgive me your Highness, I wouldn't have told you if Ordon didn't intend to use the information against Link."

The Princess shook her head. "This is all so wrong. We're not supposed to be sneaking behind each others' backs. We're supposed to be working together, and yet all we're doing is manipulating one another. I'm almost tempted to say we're no better than Ganondorf."

Sheik remained silent, even as she stopped talking. Finally she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you Sheik, let's go."

She turned and entered the temple, Sheik followed after her, his heart heavy. The Princess' words weighed on him heavily. No they weren't supposed to be betraying one another, but his mother had been keeping the kingdom and royal family safe for centuries. Surely she couldn't be wrong after all these years. This was how things were. Whether any of them liked it or not, reality wouldn't compromise.