Once again, I am SO sorry this is so late! The last scene in this chapter was super hard to write, and is the main reason this took so long. Once again I have little confidence in it. *sigh* There may be some inconsistencies I need to iron out, but I won't know until later when I edit the story as a whole (as opposed to the choppy chapter-by-chapter I've been doing).

I also meant for this to be the last chapter (with an epilogue to conclude the story), but it became so long I decided to cut it in half and absorb the epilogue into the next chapter. So there will be one more chapter, and then it will finally be complete! o.o

You'll also notice I changed the header/numbering of the chapter. Roman numerals were cool the first 20 chapters or so, but then it started to get a little ridiculous. "Chapter L" just looked silly to me, so I've switched to regular numbers. I will be changing the other headings as I complete my "epic edit" of the whole book (more on that later).

Thanks so much for your patience and your feedback! I really hope this is worth the long wait! D:


Xxx 50 xxX

I stood on my balcony, cradling a mug of hot tea as I savored the calm, fresh autumn morning. The stormy weather that plagued Hyrule during Ashton's tyranny had slowly begun to disperse. Patches of a perfect blue sky peeked through the clouds, and the earthy smell of crushed leaves filled the air. Even the birds seemed to sing a more joyful tune. Before Ashton forced his way back into my life, I had taken these everyday hints of beauty for granted. That morning I took the time to appreciate them, viewing them as hopeful signs that life would return to the way it had been, the way it was meant to be.

I had risen a few hours ago, finding myself tired yet unable to sleep. I had rested my eyes a while, listening to Link's slow, steady breaths, but sleep continued to elude me. Soon the added hunger forced me out of bed, and I threw on my robe to find an attendant and request a breakfast tray. Impa had delivered it herself, much to my delight, and the two of us had shared an early lunch together, taking care not to wake Link in the other room.

Impa updated me on all the progress she had made in the past several hours, collecting reports, administering the castle staff, and even interviewing the Council members. Matteus, Elena, and Pierson remained in the dungeons under suspicion of treason, but Kinsley, Timothus, and Renae had been freed from their cells and returned to their own chambers. All had required medical attention for their poor health, but Impa assured me they would make full recoveries.

While the joy of our victory the previous night had not faded, I knew an exhausting amount of work lay ahead. There were traitors to be found, prisoners to be sentenced, villages to be restored, families to be helped. My court was a tangled mess, the military a scattered disaster, and so many of my people still suffered from fear, loss, and grief.

Thus Impa and I made a feeble attempt to simplify things by creating a long list of challenges, goals, and assignments, with priority given to the situation with Vandelius. Nassir had no place on our list, since Impa had already cleared the mess we left back in his lair.

"Don't worry about him," she had assured me, "I've already gone back to burn and purify his remains. I also sealed his ashes in the Shadow Temple, so I'll know if there's any lingering evil attached to them. I'd like to return to his lair to identify the location and even purify the grounds if need be. But I won't bother with that until things have settled down here. I'm not going anywhere until we figure out what to do about Vandelius."

I had told her I needed to contact Guinevere, Ashton's mother. Despite what he claimed, I knew she was the one in charge back at Vandelle Castle. She would have to come retrieve him personally, but Ashton would not leave his cell until I had a solid peace treaty with her signature.

We decided that was something to discuss with Link and the rest of the Council, so Impa left to resume her duties until Link and I emerged from our chambers.

After the maids had cleared away the dishes, I retrieved a sheet of parchment and a quill, intending to draft a letter to Guinevere. I had paced the room a while, sipping my tea as I struggled to gather my thoughts. I soon found myself wandering out onto the balcony, wanting to view the garden for the first time in weeks. Autumn had taken most of its seasonal beauty, but it was a familiar piece of home, so I admired it nonetheless.

I had since finished my tea, but I lingered on the balcony, letting my mind wander more pleasant thoughts. But I had stalled long enough, so I turned and stepped back into the warm bedroom, quietly closing the glass doors and drawing the curtains shut. Some sunlight still filtered through, illuminating the room so I could approach the bed with ease.

Temporarily forgetting Guinevere's letter, I set my mug on the bedside table and sank onto the edge of the bed, content to watch Link sleep. His ill appearance had not yet left him—I knew that would take time—but the shadows under his eyes had lessened, and a calm expression had softened his features. I hated to interrupt his first truly peaceful sleep in months, especially when so much stressful work lay ahead of us. But while I wanted him to rest, Link had no desire to neglect his responsibilities. He trusted me to wake him, and so I would.

Tenderly I brushed his hair away from his face, leaning down to plant a kiss on his forehead. I smiled as he slept on, knowing he would have woken if his sleep had been light and troubled. Determined to wake him in the most pleasant way possible, I cast off my robe and propped myself above him, trailing soft kisses along his cheek. He murmured in his sleep, stirring beneath me as he grew aware of my affections.

"Good morning," I purred, kissing his lips. "You awake?"

"Mm…" He sighed as my kisses continued along his jawline and down his throat. "…Probably not."

I pulled away with a smile, meeting his tender gaze. "How are you feeling?"

"At this very moment?" He sat up against the pillows and drew me onto his lap. "I feel wonderful."

His hands caressed my hips, rousing a strong, familiar ache, and I found myself kissing him again.

"Any pain?" I murmured, trailing my hands along his chest. "Be honest now…"

"I am a little sore," he admitted.

I paused to give him a dry look. "I'm a little sore. You must be terribly sore."

"All right, I'm sore like I tumbled off Death Mountain, but don't worry about it. I've had worse."

"I know you have," I soothed, tracing the hollowed curve of his cheek. "But medicine will help you, and I want you on it until you feel better. Your body has endured a lot of pain and abuse, and it will take time for you to recover. I want minimal stress for you, all right? You do everything exactly as Maddox tells you."

Link gave a small laugh. "Well, the same goes for you," he replied, moving his hands over my belly. "Especially you."

"I know," I murmured. "I intend to be very good about that."

"I'm glad to hear it." He studied me a moment, his smile fading into a more concerned look. "How long have you been awake?"

I gave him a little shrug. "A few hours. I couldn't fall back asleep, so I had an early lunch with Impa. I'll have something brought for you too."

He sighed and brought a hand to his face, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "How much time do we have?"

"As much as you need."

"Before we leave this room I want a physician to examine you. Preferably Maddox, if he's up to it."

"All right," I agreed softly. I had no objection to an examination, especially if it would reassure Link…

An idea struck me then, sending a ripple of excitement through the bond.

"What is it?" he asked.

I clasped his hands and gave him a bright smile. "Would you like to feel Shayne?"

"Feel him?" His features softened with awe. "Can I do that?"

"Our bond is restored, which means you can feel what I feel. I can't imagine why Shayne would be an exception. What do you think?"

"I would love that…" His eyes shone with excitement, but I sensed a flutter of nerves behind his eagerness.

"I'm not sure what Shayne will feel," I said, smiling gently, "but it can only be a positive experience… There's no reason to be nervous."

Link returned my smile with a small shrug. "I know; I just… I hope I make a good first impression; that's all."

I reached for his cheek, realizing the depth of his longing, his desire to know the son he already loved.

"You're his father, Link," I whispered. "He will love you."

His smile faded into a softer, more wistful look, and I leaned in closer, kissing him as I pressed his hand to my abdomen.

You don't have to do anything, I assured him. Just relax…

Then I closed my eyes and bowed my head, releasing a slow, deep breath as I turned my concentration inward. Finding Shayne's familiar presence had become effortless, and within moments I felt my spirit brush with his. I sensed his warmth, his beautiful, untainted innocence. My joy flowed through the bond, echoed by an intense surge of emotion from Link.

Shayne, I heard him whisper. My little boy…

Shayne responded to his added warmth, radiating absolute contentment and trust. Whether he could differentiate between Link and me, I could not tell, but sensing his little spirit was more than enough for Link. His joy and amazement flooded the bond with near overwhelming force, and my concentration broke when I heard his choked sob.

Link… I opened my eyes and reached for him, holding his head to my breast. Don't fight it, darling. Let it all out…

He clung to me, his body shaking with each hushed, unrestrained sob. The sound tore into my heart, but I knew he wept with tears of joy and healing. Link had harbored so much grief and despair for so long, and finally, finally he could let it all go. He knew his future had been restored, that each day carried the promise of happiness he previously believed he would never know. He could hope again. He could live again.

I closed my eyes, aware of my own silent tears as I stroked his hair. His sobs soon began to quiet, and I felt a gentle but profound peace fill the emptiness the Echo had left deep inside him.

Then slowly he lifted his head, his tearful gaze meeting mine. My hands moved to his face, drying his tears as my thumbs caressed the skin below his eyes. I felt his hands move along my back and leaned in closer, sensing his longing as he sensed mine…

We kissed softly at first, savoring a moment of tenderness before we yielded to a more urgent rush of need. I clutched his back, returning his breathless, open-mouthed kisses as he eased me down onto my back.

I love you... His sweet voice filled my head as he rained kisses down my neck, and I felt myself grow desperate for more, for all of him.

"I love you," I gasped, wrapping my legs around him with impatience. "Link…"

We spent the better half of the hour submitting to our long neglected needs, finding it a painfully short amount of time. We had known we wouldn't find true satisfaction before obligation dragged us out of bed that morning. Once more we found the will to stifle our desires and pry ourselves apart, rising, as always, to answer the loud, unceasing call of duty.

xxxxxxx

The days unfolded with long and difficult hours, but each brought good progress in the restoration of Hyrule. The Council had agreed a peace treaty offered the best solution to ending the hostility with Vandelius, since our military remained in pieces while the enemy stood as strong as ever. Most of their troops still remained in Vandelius, and we could not afford another battle. We needed to pick up the pieces, to rebuild and recover. As much as I hated the idea of handing Ashton back over to Vandelius, the idea of further war terrified me. My people needed peace, and I would do everything in my power to achieve it.

Holding Ashton's life in my hands gave us a much needed advantage over Vandelius, and I knew Guinevere would sign the treaty. She was a hard woman, but she would never sacrifice her only son in the name of triumph. Still, her cooperation was not enough. Even with her signature, the treaty was meaningless unless breaking it held severe consequences. Ashton had been defeated, but I feared he would not hesitate to strike again if the opportunity presented itself. In order to prevent another conflict, I needed allies to back the treaty. I needed the Alliance to enforce its terms.

The Alliance had so far refused to interfere with the war between Hyrule and Vandelius for various reasons. One, Ashton's victory over Hyrule had been within the bounds of the Alliance code, since he defeated us in a justifiable war. The Alliance knew Hyrule had provoked Vandelius with a preemptive strike along their borders. The fact that I never authorized the attack didn't matter to them, since I was responsible for the actions of my people. I had made my rightful attempt to settle the matter peacefully, but Ashton's terms in the negotiations—my hand in marriage—had been deemed unreasonable. Thus the Alliance had grounds to refuse either kingdom's plea for assistance. The struggle that followed between the Vandelians and the Resistance had been declared a civil war, and the Alliance rarely interfered with civil wars. I knew they had grown tired of the "blood vendetta" between Hyrule and Vandelius, but they had stood by long enough. Surely they would see this treaty as a means to end the feud once and for all?

If I had any hope of gaining their support, however, I would have to appear before the representatives in person. This meant traveling to the Alliance Capital, an independent city located far beyond Hyrule's borders. Maddox had forbidden both Link and me to travel for the sake of our health—and Shayne's—and I could not bring myself to oppose him. So I had asked Impa to stand before the Alliance on my behalf. It pained me to send her away, but I trusted no one else to complete such an important task. My only comfort was I had lent her the Ocarina of Time to help ensure her quick and safe return.

I had also sent my carefully worded letter to Ashton's mother, which informed her of his capture and invited her to negotiate a peace treaty in exchange for his release. I had sent an emissary to deliver the letter shortly after Impa left for the Capital. As much as we needed the Alliance's support, we could not sit on our hands and wait for their response while Vandelius decided to strike back. The letter served not only to inform Guinevere but to hopefully delay any violent retaliation.

The emissary needed a week to reach Vandelle Castle, and Guinevere would need at least two weeks to reach Castletown. This meant Impa had just over a fortnight to present our request to the Alliance and return with their answer. I knew she would subject herself to minimal sleep and constant travel, but she was more than willing to make that sacrifice. So much depended on the Alliance, and fear of their refusal plagued me day and night.

As we anxiously awaited Impa's return, Link and I struggled to push the matter out of our minds and focus on more immediate tasks. He devoted hours of his time working with Clef to investigate, and often track down, every single soldier enlisted in the military. One by one they determined who would be salvaged and who would be dishonorably discharged. I had absolute faith that Link could rebuild our once mighty army, but such a difficult project would take months. Link knew Hyrule was vulnerable, but he could not rush such important, complicated work.

I had begun my own investigation of my court, determining who had been loyal and who required dismissal. This proved a more exhausting task than I had imagined, since unreliable eyewitness accounts served as my only evidence. After countless meetings of poring over written reports with my Council, I had begun a list of nobles to banish from my court. The very first name belonged to Alicia Grefaire, who had shown poorly disguised contempt toward Link and me for far too long. She and the other nobles I banished could choose to enjoy their wealth in isolation, or they could leave Hyrule and worm their way into some other king's court. But none of them would step foot in my castle again.

Aside from these exhausting investigations, Link and I visited those who had lost family during the war, offering compensation with our deepest sympathies. Lieutenant Aiden's body was recovered from the southern forest, as were those of Keira and Jasmia, whom Jedrek Khar had murdered during our attempted journey to the Gerudo Fortress. Aiden received a proper funeral in the Temple of Time, but Keira's and Jasmia's ceremony had taken place in Gerudo Valley. Later Renae also arranged a memorial to honor all those who had died in the war, and people from all over Hyrule—including Link and me—had gathered to pray for the fallen.

Some happier events did take place amidst so much stress and sorrow. As promised, I made sure each and every Resistance member received proper recognition for their loyal service. Together Link and I presented medals and monetary rewards to countless men and women, including Garret Smith and James Conrad, who had rescued Link during the attack on Aboda Village.

Clef and Siena had been joyfully reunited with their children after Cleia's family came to stay at the castle. They had all remained there until Siena felt well enough to return home, and The Red Phoenix had since resumed business with a full staff. Cleia's family had returned to Kakariko to help with the reconstruction, which had made remarkable progress since the Vandelians had been cleared from the village. Hundreds of Hylians and Gorons had gathered to rebuild what had been lost in the attack all those weeks ago, and the village had transformed from a place of grief and fear to one of hope and strength. Zora's River had also been cleared of Vandelians, and, according to Ruto, most of the Zoras had returned to their homes in the Domain.

Heather had also returned to the castle with Adam, making a happy reunion for the both of us. She had told me how Adam arranged to have a house built for them in Kakariko, much to Heather's delight, and they planned to marry before the end of the month. I had offered to pay for the house, but Adam had politely refused, saying he wanted to earn their home with his own hard work. So instead I arranged to pay for their wedding, since Heather's parents had refused to contribute a single rupee. I had also assigned a member of Renae's staff to help them plan the event. As much as I wanted to be more involved with Heather's wedding plans, I simply could not find the time for such pleasures—especially when I had my own wedding to attend.

The Council had insisted Link and I have another wedding ceremony, since it was the only way we could legally dissolve our annulment. Unwilling to oppose them, I had left the arrangements to Renae, instructing her to keep the ceremony simple without sacrificing our sincerity. Link and I had refused to hold a reception, however, since the wedding had been strictly for legal purposes, and we had far more important things to address than a party.

Some of the nobles—which I later added to my list of suspects—had made formal protests against my remarriage to Link. They accused him of being a threat to Hyrule, and that his heightened status invited hostility from other leaders like Ashton. It was not I who silenced them, however. By the time I heard about it, the Council had already threatened to arrest them with charges of slander. It relieved me to know Link finally had the Council's full support, and that the protesters had been in the minority. Still, I feared to think how many of my own subjects secretly longed—or even plotted—for Link's removal. How many like Vasilis remained in my own court?

"The gods only know," Link had said, clearly less concerned about such things. "Maybe dozens are out there, maybe none. They may choose to rear their ugly heads, or they may stay silent. But we can't live in fear of them, Zelda. Don't torment yourself over what could happen. Focus on what we've overcome, what we can look forward to. We'll deal with our problems as they come."

I did my best to heed his advice, allowing myself to forget those fears as we stood before the Altar in the Temple of Time, bride and groom once more. For the second time in our lives we exchanged our wedding bands, recited the vows we had never broken, and shared a tender kiss as husband and wife, bound by love and law.

It was a joyful event, and all of our close friends attended with beaming smiles. The Council, other officials, and countless lords and ladies had crowded the Temple to witness our union, but outside the citizens of Castletown had filled the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. They waved and cheered as Link and I left the Temple, tossing flower petals and confetti as our carriage brought us home.

There, you see? I told Link as we waved back from the carriage windows. Didn't I promise you would never lose me?

He turned to me as the carriage left the town, a tender, knowing look on his face.

"You did," he murmured, stroking my cheek. "I never should have doubted you."

I leaned in to kiss him, and he drew me into his arms, holding me close until the carriage had stopped.

xxxxxxx

With the plans to mend our broken kingdom well underway, Link and I turned our attention to one of the two living men responsible for such turmoil. For days he had remained locked in his cell, patiently awaiting his fate, and justice would finally be done upon him.

The trial of Vasilis Durithan had come.

It was held in the largest trial chamber of the entire castle, allowing for a greater audience. A vast crowd of lords and ladies filled countless rows of benches rising up toward the far walls. Many had come to witness the end of the former minister's long and respectable career.

An attendant called for silence as the Council entered the chamber. One by one they strode inside, ascending several wide steps to take their places on another long bench. Built high above the floor, it sat behind a walled table which hid all but the ministers' heads and shoulders from view, creating an imposing sight. Lady Elena, who would preside over the trial, sat at the center of the bench. Other important officials—including Clef, the six remaining lieutenants, and Maddox—filled the front row benches of the main seating area.

"All rise for her Majesty, Queen Zelda, and his Highness, the Lord General!"

The noise of shuffling feet and rustling skirts followed as Link and I entered the chamber. I held on to his arm as we moved to join the Council, releasing it only to take my skirt as I carefully climbed the wide stairway. Link followed close behind, his gloved, protective hand hovering against my back. Within seconds we had reached our seat, another private, cushioned bench which rose above the Council, allowing us to observe the trial from the highest point in the room. Only after we sat down did the rest of the room follow suit.

"Guards," Elena spoke, her assertive tone loud and clear, "summon the accused."

"Summon the accused!" an attendant echoed.

Ian strode through the open doors first, followed by two guards. Behind them came Vasilis, his chains rattling as two more guards ushered him forward.

At the center of the room sat the chair of the accused—a simple iron piece which had been bolted to the floor. Vasilis stood before it, gazing up toward the ministers with a tired, almost sad expression. With his shackled hands and disheveled appearance, he bore no sign of his nobility. His grand robes had been stripped away, and he wore a simple grey tunic with faded trousers and worn boots. He was little more than a criminal, a traitor facing judgment.

Ian and the guards then bowed to Link and me before taking their places behind Vasilis. I took a deep, slow breath as I watched them, trying to ease my tension. Link sensed this and reached for my hand. You sure you're all right?

I will be, I answered him, giving his fingers a gentle squeeze. When he's gone from our lives.

This should be a brief trial, Link assured me. He intends to plead guilty.

I looked at him, taken aback. How do you know?

I spoke with him yesterday.

You visited him? Link—

I made him listen to the damage reports. He's been living in ignorance too long, Zelda. I wanted him to know the gravity of his crimes.

I fought to keep the scowl off my face. I doubt it meant much to him.

It meant something. Link gave me a sidelong glance. It reduced him to tears.

Link felt my inward surprise, but outwardly I gave a quiet scoff and looked away. So he shed a few tears. That changes nothing.

Of course it doesn't change anything. I have no sympathy for him, Zelda; you know that. But I do believe he's beginning to realize what he's done.

He can never understand what he's done. My anger seared through the bond like tongues of fire. He will never know the pain he's caused.

Link's sadness washed over me, tempering my anger.

I know that, darling, he soothed, stroking his thumb over mine. And I'll never forgive him for it. Just thinking about the night I found you in the East-Side Alleys, the state you were in… He drew a deep breath, struggling to control his own rush of anger. I could run him through myself.

I lowered my gaze, running a hand over my belly as I remembered that night. Grief and desperation had driven me to the darkest alleys of Castletown in search of a mysterious, potentially dangerous man known only by rumor. Had Vasilis gotten his way, Link would never have survived his imprisonment, and I would be a childless widow, robbed of the joy I once knew.

I wouldn't stop you, I whispered.

By then the murmurs and whispers had filled the chamber, creating a buzz of noise. Elena pounded a large, polished stone against its holder as she rose to her feet and called for silence.

"The trial of Vasilis Durithan," she announced, "former Minister of Foreign Affairs, will now begin."

She then took her seat, so only Vasilis remained standing.

"Vasilis Durithan," she addressed him coldly, "you stand accused of conspiracy and high treason against her Majesty and the Lord General. How do you plead?"

I watched him closely, aware of the thickening tension as everyone awaited his response.

Vasilis cleared his throat but otherwise showed no hesitation. "Guilty of all charges."

Hushed murmurs filled the chamber, though Link and I remained stoic. He had told me how Vasilis watched him draw the Master Sword and that he had realized Link's true identity as the Hero of Time. Witnessing this had obviously changed Vasilis' opinion of Link, but had it truly transformed him?

"The accused has pleaded guilty and therefore yields his right to a proper trial," Elena declared. "The High Council will proceed to the sentencing. Durithan, if you have anything to say in your defense, speak now so the Council may consider it."

Vasilis' gaze lingered on his shackles before he lifted his aged, grey eyes to the row of his former associates.

"I wish to confess everything," he said quietly. "For days I have felt the gods' eyes upon me, and I fear there is little time—if any—to atone for my sins."

His voice faded into silence as everyone strained to hear his every word.

"It is no secret that I have never supported the idea of a union between nobles and commoners, and her Majesty's marriage was no exception. I have stood among those who believe a Blessed king or queen must have the blood of nobility. It is a tradition we have kept for generations, and it has never led us astray. We believe the goddesses intended this for a reason, that true kingship or queenship requires a purity born only to those of noble descent.

"I realize now," he added firmly, "that this belief is utter nonsense."

The audience reacted to this declaration, voicing their opinions amongst each other until Elena called for silence. I remained cold and unresponsive, unwilling to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"For years I have denied Prince Link the credit he deserves," Vasilis continued, "and I allowed myself to believe I knew the will of the gods. My arrogance was terrible and my views misguided, but I am ashamed to admit those are the least of my sins.

"In my desperation to be rid of a man I once believed should never take the throne, I searched for a way to remove him. I never wished him dead—I have always recognized his invaluable military service—but once he entered the royal family I feared death was the only way to remove him. For two years I searched for a way to do this quietly, without suspicion. Some representatives of the Alliance had shown resistance to him, and I tried to use that to my advantage, but nothing came to fruition. It was a risky mission, but I was determined to keep trying, to succeed before the Council decided to grant Prince Link the Rite of Kingship. In my ignorance I feared presenting him to the Three Sisters would summon their wrath rather than their Blessing.

"Then, one night, a possibility presented itself to me. A man—one hooded and cloaked—stopped me on my way to a tavern, demanding I come with him. Of course I refused, but he gave me no choice. He attacked me and teleported out of Castletown. I don't know where he brought me, but I woke to find myself locked in a dark prison cell. He stood outside the bars, watching me. I demanded his name; he refused to give it. He then told me he had brought me there not to harm me, but to help me. He said he could do away with the Prince of Hyrule. I hardly trusted him, but I let him talk.

"He knew of my public opposition against Queen Zelda's marriage, and he showed a personal interest in Prince Link. I did not think it strange at the time because he had also told me he was Tar Alemian, and any citizen of Tar Alem has reason to resent the Lord General."

His words sent an unpleasant chill down my spine, and I tightened my fingers around Link's. As the man who led our army to victory against Tar Alem and ended the Retribution War, Link's name was known and hated throughout Tar Alem. Jedrek Khar had harbored a personal grudge against Link for defeating his brother in battle, but I knew countless more Tar Alemians wanted him dead.

"I soon learned that," Vasilis went on, "despite his Tar Alemian background, this man was a sorcerer—a necromancer, to be more specific. Much to my horror, he demonstrated his power to manipulate the dead and assured me he would use it to take revenge on the Lord General. He then not only demanded my cooperation, but he refused to return me to Castletown unless I swore to become his servant. I agreed to his terms, and I allowed him to cast a spell that bound me to my word. I did this not simply to escape his prison, but because I truly believed my cooperation could save Hyrule. I took his sudden appearance as a sign from the gods, and the answer to my prayers.

"He gave me a portal stone that would bring me to him, but I was forbidden to use it unless he summoned me. Then he ordered me to start a conflict with Vandelius. How I did this was left to me, but he promised to kill me if I did not follow his orders before the deadline. Then he returned me to Castletown and vanished. I wasn't terribly concerned about the task, since Queen Zelda had received a letter from Ashton recently, requesting a rendezvous to renew our treaties with Vandelius. It provided the perfect opportunity to start a conflict."

Vasilis bowed his head and breathed a quiet sigh.

"Two weeks later, Vandelius was attacked by soldiers carrying the banner of Hyrule… I was the one who sent them."

Gasps rose from the audience, and I gripped my armrest, allowing some anger to show on my face. Knowing Vasilis had committed such a crime hardly surprised me at that point, but my blood boiled nonetheless. I sensed Link's anger as well, but also a trace of relief that we knew who had sent the imposters.

"Around this time Queen Zelda and Prince Link had left the castle to rendezvous with Ashton," Vasilis reminded us. "That failed, as everyone knows, and Ashton declared war. I would say his declaration had been madness, had I not paid him a visit mere days before the rendezvous. The sorcerer had sent me to offer the very power which could have devastated our military forces—a staff that could raise an army of the dead.

"I know my actions are unforgivable, and that by delivering the staff I had doomed our soldiers to their deaths, but I had known it wouldn't come to that. Ashton had specific orders to capture the Lord General. Prince Link is an honorable man…" Again Vasilis bowed his head in shame. "…I knew he would sacrifice himself to save our soldiers."

Tears of rage stung my eyes as my fingers tightened around Link's. The bastard took advantage you, I whispered through the bond. He used your own goodness against you…

And he will pay for it, Link soothed. That's over now, Zelda. Don't let it upset you.

I swallowed and blinked back my tears, refusing to break down in public.

"Everything went according to plan," Vasilis continued in a dejected, monotonous tone. "The General had been removed under the guise of war, and Hyrule had a king of pure, noble blood—Queen Zelda's original fiancé, no less. For a while I thought a crisis had been averted."

Vasilis scowled then, letting some frustration show on his face.

"But I was wrong," he said bitterly. "Ashton was a failure, a tyrant with little to no respect for our culture. This became painfully obvious within a few months of his rule, especially when he refused to perform the Rite of Kingship.

"Eventually I heard the General had somehow escaped the necromancer's prison, and that he had started a Resistance to overthrow Ashton. At first I feared a rebellion would brew anarchy, but they claimed to fight for our Queen. Their victory meant Ashton's removal and her Majesty's return to power, so I let it be. The necromancer had assured me that Prince Link would be gone before winter. What I didn't know was how many people would suffer in the meantime.

Vasilis drew another deep breath and steadied himself against the chair, as though physically burdened by the weight of his sins.

"Ashton's reputation took a hard blow after the attack on Kakariko, and he had already begun to lose favor among the court. In his desperation he summoned the infamous assassin Jedrek Khar from a Vandelian prison to kill Prince Link and retrieve Queen Zelda. I knew the madman could not be controlled, and that Ashton was acting against the necromancer's orders. Everything had spiraled out of my control, and I feared the worst.

"Eventually things took a turn for the better when Queen Zelda suddenly returned to the castle after nearly two months since she disappeared. We spoke in private before I delivered her to Ashton, and I swore to protect her and her unborn child from him. I spoke the truth, but I also meant to use her as bait. I knew she would lure Prince Link directly into the necromancer's hands."

Link gave my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze, and I gratefully returned the gesture, swallowing hard as I suppressed my lingering guilt.

"After she had rendered Ashton unconscious," Vasilis went on, "Queen Zelda went to take the staff far out of his reach, but I knocked her unconscious before she could complete her mission. I had her thrown in the dungeons, and then I secretly teleported to the necromancer to inform him of her return. Within the next two hours, Ashton had regained consciousness and Prince Link had arrived at the castle."

Link tensed beside me, worried that Vasilis would reveal his identity as the Hero of Time. He had ordered the traitor not to speak of anything he saw that night in the Temple of Time, much to my disappointment.

"I will not go declaring myself the Hero of Time," Link had told me. "It would serve no purpose, and it might even cause more harm than good if people didn't believe me."

"I want them to know," I replied softly. "You could be their beacon after all this turmoil."

Link had sighed and shook his head. "Our people don't need a hero right now; they need a good, strong monarchy—with a queen and a king. Politics threaten Hyrule right now, and a hero can't fight politics."

I had sensed his frustration, and I knew it had nothing to do with being recognized as the Hero of Legend. Link realized our people would never understand how he saved Hyrule from Ganondorf during the Imprisoning War, and he had made his peace with it years ago. He also knew a hero's title did not necessarily translate into kingship, and he wanted to earn the Rite of Kingship through his strength of character, his skills—both learned and inborn—and his years of loyal service.

Of course I respected his wish, and Vasilis had sworn to stay silent, but would he dare break his word…? A part of me hoped he would. Link's reasoning made sense, but I still longed for him to be properly recognized.

"I then brought him to the necromancer's lair, as ordered," Vasilis continued, "I knew my career was over, possibly even my life, and in my weakness I hoped Prince Link could do away with the necromancer as well as Ashton. I had come to realize that everything had gone too far, that none of it could be the will of the gods. I had been wrong to cooperate with the necromancer, wrong to approve of Ashton—how could I possibly trust my judgment after everything I had caused? I had brought nothing but destruction, and I fear to imagine where we would be if Prince Link hadn't fought to restore what I had ruined."

"I am clearly unfit to serve as a minister," he firmly declared, "but Prince Link is more than fit to lead our kingdom. Ministers of the Council, I beg you to grant him the Right of Kingship."

A few startled gasps filled the room, followed by another wave of murmurs and whispers. I blinked, thinking I had misheard Vasilis. He had always been the most opposed to Link's kingship, and for him to make a public plea in favor of it…

I turned to Link as Elena demanded silence, giving his hand a more affectionate squeeze. I could sense him trying to dismiss Vasilis' plea, since the words of an accused traitor held little weight. But they had meant something to Link, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

"With the verdict decided and the confession delivered," Elena announced, "the Council will now decide how to sentence the accused. Court will resume in one hour."

She struck her stone once, and a guard stepped forward, calling everyone to stand as Link and I rose to our feet. The Council followed as we headed toward the Council Chamber, where we would decide Vasilis' fate.

.

"The death penalty is more than appropriate."

Renae cast Matteus a frown across the large stone table. "The death penalty hasn't been done for generations," she argued. "The gods decide who lives and who dies, not us."

"That is one side of the debate, Renae," Elena countered. "The gods have given us the ability to decide whether a criminal should live or die. That power, that responsibility, allows us to protect our people."

"Vasilis did what he thought was best for Hyrule," Renae replied. "He was terribly misguided, but he placed his career on the line, not to mention his life. He did not act for personal gain; he acted out of desperation."

"He also blinded himself to the suffering he forced upon others," Kinsley growled. "It's unforgivable."

"Yes," Link agreed. "But he is no longer a threat. He has seen the error of his ways."

"Those tears he shed in the dungeon might have an attempt to gain your sympathy," Pierson murmured.

"If that's true he failed miserably," Link replied, anger sharpening his tone. "I have no sympathy for him. I simply believe life in prison is a more appropriate sentence. Death would be an escape. Let him live with his shame, removed from the kingdom he's served all his life."

"I agree," I said quietly. "We must also consider how this will affect the public. Our people have been living in fear all this time, and they look to me to restore peace. Execution was something Ashton enforced, and I will not do likewise. I will not reintroduce capital punishment, especially now."

I sensed Link's agreement, and his appreciation for my objectivity despite my personal struggles. The ministers also nodded their consent.

"It's decided then," Elena said.

.

Within the hour we returned to the trial chamber, where everyone remained seated, waiting for our decision. As always they reverently stood while Link, the Council, and I resumed our places at the head of the chamber.

"The sentence has been decided," Elena spoke. "Her Majesty has chosen to deliver it personally."

All eyes shifted to me, but my cold gaze remained on my former advisor.

"Vasilis Durithan," I addressed him, my voice loud and clear, void of the emotion I'd struggled to control. "As penalty for your crime of high treason, you are to be stripped of your status and your citizenship. Your name will be blackened in our records and your past service forgotten. Finally, you will be banished from Hyrule. You will spend the rest of your life imprisoned on the penal colony of Terefal. You will never look upon your homeland again."

Vasilis had gone so pale I thought he would collapse into his chair. But he gave a small nod and bowed his head, clearly overwhelmed.

"This concludes the trial," I said. "Sir Ian, I leave the arrangements to you."

"Yes, your Majesty," he replied, stepping forward to command his guards.

I waited as they seized Vasilis and ushered him out of the room. Somehow he found the nerve to glance up toward Link and me, and I held his troubled gaze with an icy, unwavering expression. Then he vanished into the corridor, and I knew I would never see him again.

Vaguely I heard Elena concluding the trial, but my attention had shifted to Link. His hand grasped mine, and while we both felt some relief to be rid of Vasilis, I sensed Link's thoughts, like mine, had already turned to a far more important matter: the situation with Vandelius, and the fate of their defeated king.