Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda, its characters and locations are all property of Nintendo. (Though Ayla, Kaiza, Anaruteir, Terra, Vorpheus and Dr. Kaura are mine)

Warning: This story contains yaoi, shounen-ai, slash, whatever you call two guys falling in love.



Soul Mates

Chapter 56



The fading sunlight did its best to pierce through the thick layers of foliage that was the result of hundreds of years of uninhibited growth, failing miserably as only a few precious rays found their way through the thick leaves and branches. It did little to illuminate the small foyer-like area in front of the Forest Temple entrance. To compensate, torches seemed to be burning at all hours, and some soldiers had been assigned exclusively to change them when they burned out.

They were both exhausted from climbing the long stairway up to the meadow itself. Link had not been able to keep himself from commenting on the fight he had once had with a gigantic Moblin here, and had insisted that Sheik should see the depression in the ground where the giant pig-dog-hybrid had fallen. What exactly had happened to the body afterwards, none of them wanted to know.

The guards stationed around the camp gave them strange looks, as if wondering what a pair of teenagers was doing wandering around the camp. Upon realising just who the green-clad one was, they snapped to attention whenever they came close. When they noticed who—or rather, what—Sheik was, they just glared or stared down their noses at him. It was a remarkable change in attitude compared to the soldiers back in the field hospital, but Sheik knew exactly why this was. The soldiers stationed here, so close to the princess of Hyrule, were the supposed "elite" soldiers, and these men had never had much love for the mysterious shadow people that protected the royal family instead of them. This prejudice seemed to be passed down from regiment to regiment, ensuring a continued hate for the Sheikah.

Sheik knew a couple of these men, those who did not conform to bigotry and suspicions, and could sympathise with the soldiers' frustration…but open hate for their ruler's bodyguards was—in his opinion—not the way to go. Had the soldiers approached the Sheikah many years ago, when the shadow warriors were still a numerous and mighty people, some sort of compromise could surely have been reached. They had not, however, and Sheik knew that it would never change.

Link noticed the tension between his companion and the soldiers and tried to say something, but Sheik's firm, yet soft grip on his arm discouraged the Hero. Link looked at Sheik with incredulous eyes, as if asking why the young Sheikah could possibly put up with it, but Sheik's mouth did not answer. A small, almost unnoticeable shake of his head was all Link needed to keep quiet.

They were directed to a large, grandiose tent that had been erected right on top of the raised platform bearing the Forest Temple's symbol, a tent that only could have belonged to royalty. Raised voices could be heard inside, some of which were in pitches that could not possibly have been coming from human throats. The royal guards—the elite of the elite, as it were—did not know what to make of the two mud-covered travellers that were slowly approaching the habitat. However, they both stood aside when Link drew the Master Sword and proved who he was.

The tent seemed to be made of extremely fine silk on further inspection. The white, almost transparent fabric reflected the torchlight and made it seem like it was in the middle of the day inside. The guards gave them both perplexed looks before closing the entrance, preventing anyone from seeing inside. Amazingly enough, the tent was divided into sections, each with another pair of guards at the "doors".

As they progressed through the sections, the voices became clearer and the words easier to make out. There were Gorons and Zoras inside, they both realised at the same time, and they were discussing tactics. The pair shared a look. If Zoras, Gorons and Hylians were working side-by-side on battle tactics, then it meant that all three peoples had been pushed to the brink.

An attendant, his corpulent form covered in dark purple robes, stood outside the final opening. His beady eyes, which were almost swallowed by the slabs of flesh that hung from his forehead, focused on the pair. His double chin jiggled as he stepped forward, prompting the guards next to him to do so as well.

"Ah, the Hero of Time, not a moment too soon," he announced. His voice was incredibly high-pitched, almost to the level of a pig-squeal. "And your…companion," he added with distaste when his eyes fastened on Sheik. Sheik narrowed his eyes at the impudent man, hoping his mismatched eyes would unnerve the fat one. The attendant didn't seem to notice this however, and his face brightened when his eyes went back on Link. "Her Highness has requested that you…both are to be shown into the war room as soon as you arrive. Follow me, please," he said and turned around, motioning for the guards to relax.

The room beyond was much larger than it seemed from the outside, and an absolutely immense, circular table had been taken inside. Around it, various representatives of the diverse peoples of Hyrule were sitting. Goron, Zora and Hylian military officials, it seemed to Sheik. They all wore some sort of decoration. The Hylians were clad in impressive-looking armour and covered with various ribbons and medals. The Gorons, who did not wear clothes, had their arms covered in bracelets of gold and silver. The ones with the most gold on their arms seemed to be of higher rank. The Zoras, who did not wear any clothes like the Gorons, all had their decorative helmets placed in front of them on the table. Exactly how rank was decided between them, Sheik did not know.

Link seemed surprised to see all the military higher-ups gathered here. Or maybe he was just shocked that the peoples he had saved, the Gorons and Zoras, actually had military forces. Sheik frowned underneath his cowl. All allied races of Hyrule—Hylians, Gorons and Zoras—had been caught by surprise when Ganondorf had attacked. Because of this, none of them had been able to mobilize to mount an effective counterattack against the bronze-skinned man and his armies. The Gorons were overcome by the reappearance of Volvagia, their ancient enemy, and the piscine Zoras were frozen in their home by Gaondorf's evil magic.

But now the races had gathered, and they were all ready to fight. If this would be good enough, however, Sheik was not sure. In the seat furthest from the entrance to the room, with her back to a large sculpture of the gathered Triforce, each triangle representing one of the peoples around the table, sat Zelda, clad in her ceremonial armour. She was staring at the two new arrivals, a smile spreading on her lips.

"Your Majesty," announced the attendant over the din of conversation, "the Hero of Time and his companion have arrived!" He bowed and retreated from the room.

To her credit, Zelda managed to compose herself enough to look kindly at the dignitaries and generals or whatever their corresponding ranks were, and said: "Gentlemen, I am afraid this meeting must be adjourned for now so I may speak to the Her of Time in private." She looked from person to person in a seemingly respectful gesture, but Sheik could see that she was daring each and every one of them to protest. One of the Gorons seemed to be in the process of raising his hand, but the stare from Zelda—which turned icy in the matter of a moment—discouraged the rock-eater from pursuing the action.

The Zoras rose from their seats wordlessly, bowed to Zelda, who inclined her head, and left the room, stopping only to bow to Link and Sheik as well. The Hylian generals did the same, albeit with a bit of grumbling about Link hardly being important enough to interrupt the meeting. The Gorons—minus the one who had begun to protest—all smiled at Link and went outside.

At least the Gorons and the Zoras remember what Link has done for them, Sheik thought as the guards retreated as well.

When she was confident that they were alone, Zelda let a fully fledged grin appear on her face and rose from her chair. Her armour, which was mostly constructed for being impressive rather than functional, glimmered and twinkled in the torchlight. Polished to perfection, the feminine armour was also covered in decorative embroideries of the Triforce and other royal emblems, including that of the Sheikah, although that one was more of an acknowledgment than decoration. Her golden-blonde hair was held back by her royal diadem, which was little more than a simple golden circlet. Her lips had been coloured a bright red, which made them look bigger and—supposedly—more attractive. Appearances were important when dealing with dignitaries from the other peoples, apparently.

She came closer, stopping right in front of them. "You two look like you have just crawled out of a swamp," she said.

Sheik shot Link a pointed look, to which the Hero only grinned nervously.

"Care to explain what has happened?" continued the princess, her voice bearing a fake edge of disapproval. "Doctor Kaura told me you were on your way here this morning, healthy and well and…just look at you!"

"It was m—"Link began, but was stopped by a jab from Sheik's elbow.

"Skullkids," said Sheik. "Skullkids ambushed us and knocked us from our horses."

Unnoticed by Link, Sheik had done his best to make sure his fringes were covering his left eye, masking the injury from the princess.

Expecting some sort of disappointed comment about how he was getting rusty, Sheik was surprised when he was suddenly embraced by Zelda. All he could manage to let out was a low stutter.

"H-Highness…!"

"I was so worried about you," whispered the princess into his ear, tightening her hold on him. "When Link told me you were gone…" She did not seem able to finish the sentence, but continued to hold him.

Sheik found himself relaxing into the hug, realising how much he had missed Zelda's too-casual-to-be-proper closeness to her official bodyguard. Slowly, he put his own arms around her and hugged back, closing his eyes and sighing in content. "I am fine," he responded in an equally quiet whisper. "But I have lost a good friend…"

"Who?" asked Zelda. The embroideries were surely getting soiled by the still-not dry mud in his clothes and hair, though the princess hardly seemed bothered by this.

"A…Sheikah," he answered, unable—and not wanting—to lie to her. Zelda had several times referred to herself as his surrogate sister, and it had never felt as true as it did now.

"I'm sorry."

"There is no need to be sad," he said. "He is in a better place now, with my ancestors." It was true. Terra may not have been put to rest in the Shadow Temple, but his spirit went the same way as his ancestors' did.

They drew back from each other, realising that they had to keep some semblance to proper behaviour while in such a conspicuous place. Link was smiling, happy that the two had been reunited after a long period worrying on at least one part. However, as Sheik was turning his head to look at the Hero, Zelda noticed something. Faster than Sheik had expected her to be, her hand found its way to his face, pulling back the fringe that was covering his eye. The princess gasped.

"What happened to you?"

"I'd like to know that as well," Link piped in.

Sighing, Sheik stepped away from Zelda so that he could look at both her and Link at the same time. It was bound to happen sooner or later, he knew. And it was happening right now. He had been pressed into a corner. If he turned tail and fled, they would surely give chase, or, even worse, end up not trusting him. It was time to tell the story of Twilight.

"It is a long tale," he said, "and it will take some time to tell it."

Zelda drew out a chair and motioned for him to sit. "We have plenty of time," she said.

Sitting down, Sheik drew his breath and began…

To be continued…



Zelda had a surprisingly mellow reaction to Sheik's injury, didn't she? Maybe she doesn't know that he's actually blind on his left eye… Hopefully I didn't screw up the reunion scene too much. I just wasn't sure on how a stressed princess would behave when finally made sure of that her surrogate brother is okay.

Review replies:

Aeri (or, at least, I assume it's you) – Huh, I guess teen sims are very experimental, then. Happy birthday (I guess I'm a bit late, hee!), but I don't think you should announce your age progression aloud to Sheik…he's a bit sensitive in that area. Happiness is a fleeting thing, and is the perfect example of this—that is all I will say on that matter. Link's favourite colour is probably some shade of green, if his clothing preference is any indication of the matter, hee!

Lone Keaton – I actually didn't notice the gun until you mentioned it. Link really shouldn't wave that thing around…he might hurt himself considering his bad luck and clumsiness at times, hee! Glad you (still) like the story :D

NinjaSheik – HERE'S ANOTHER UPDATE!!! :D

Yuffie – Myde's an awesome name for a Zora…I might just have to steal it from you and use it in the story ;) Hee, we'd kick their asses at Lazer Ball of Death Tennis! :D

Foolish Chimera – Aw, now you're making me blush :) I thought about making the whining part longer, but then I realised I would just be dragging it out. I like how it turned out :D.

Thanks for the reviews, everyone! Please leave one if you like the story!