Highly upset that I missed my opportunity for a hilarious (in my opinion) A/N for the chapter where they go flying in Waker. It's at the bottom for those who are curious.

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They didn't waste any more time. Ganondorf would have been well on his way by then. Impa and Tetra wished them well and they set off, every step in the empty halls sounding to Zelda's ears like cannonfire.

Despite this, the trip was as quiet as could be and they reached Ganondorf's rooms without incident. Ilayen deftly picked the lock while Link and Zelda kept watch, and then they were in.

The rooms were pretty much the same as last time: clean, organized and nothing out of place. Instead of searching the room, however, the three rushed to the bookcase and pushed. It gave easily, and they had to scramble around the back side of it to stop it from slamming into the walls, tripping over each other's feet and swearing.

They just managed, the wall inches away from the nearest glass case. Zelda's heart pounded in her chest, her hands slick with sweat.

The case had taken all three of them to push open last time. Now, it had hardly taken a single, light shove to go flying. The reason couldn't be more obvious.

"He's been coming in here more often," Zelda breathed, afraid to speak the words aloud, as if Ganondorf would come flying in through the open windows and confirm it.

Link rose from where he was inspecting the hinges. "They're loose. Hardly any squeak at all. Not oiled."

"Well used," Ilayen said grimly.
Zelda stepped into the room quickly. "Let's not waste any more time. Ilayen, you have what I asked for?"

Ilayen reached into the satchel hanging at his shoulder and pulled out pads of paper and pencils. "Let's get to work."

Grabbing one of each, they rushed around the room in a flurry, need and fear driving their movements. Ilayen was the best artist of the three, so he set to sketching out each monster in their glass case while Link and Zelda headed for the desk at the back of the room.

They couldn't memorize everything in the two journals they'd found, and they certainly couldn't take them out of the room, so this was their only choice. It would take time, but at least they'd have their own copies.

Luckily, the errand she'd arranged for Ganondorf would take at least until early morning. They had time.

It took several hours to copy everything down, and Zelda avoided the floating monsters as they rushed out. Zelda stopped and leaned against an upholstered armchair to catch her breath. Her heart had been hammering against her ribcage as she scribbled; she'd hardly even looked at what the journals had said. Her mind had been consumed with panic. What if Ganondorf came back? What if, for some reason, a servant walked in on them? What if Ganondorf really had forgotten his umbrella?

Scenarios ranging from terrifying to ludicrous ran through her head, and only now did they slow. With a glance at the windows--why were they always open, she wondered?--Zelda decided they had some time before they were expected back. Time to explore, she thought, courage growing with every second passing without Ganondorf storming in.

"Search everywhere," she called softly to the others. She herself crawled beneath the bed, pawing for hidden chests or wooden boxes. She found nothing but dust.

Zelda honestly didn't know what she expected. It wasn't as if she'd find a box with enough incriminating evidence to have Ganondorf executed tenfold, and under his bed, no less. Ganondorf wasn't an idiot.

So it was with a great shock that her questing fingers brushed against a harsh wooden surface, stark against the smoothness of the rest of the floor.

She wriggled out from under the bed, two thumps and pain in her skull telling her she'd whacked her head against the frame. As she got to her feet, brushing the dust off her sweater, it took her several seconds to realize how quiet it was.

Too quiet.

Cold filled her heart. She kept still, listening for sounds--any sounds. She heard nothing--

"Finally realized it, have you?" came a soft, smug voice.

/

Not Ganondorf. This voice was too soft--almost feminine, but it still had a harsh edge that reminded her of Ganon.

Slowly she turned, and found Ilayen and Link on their knees, a slim blade between them, brushing both their necks at once. A tall man stood behind them, holding the blade loose in his hand, as if he could kill them with a flick of his wrist. Zelda was filled with anger, but she kept him down. She couldn't risk aggravating him with that blade so close to Link and Ilayen's necks.

The man himself was unfamiliar, but he had obviously been there the whole time, simply waiting for them to drop their guard. Which raised the question: why hadn't he killed them while they were in the hidden room?

He tsked. "Come now, Empress," he mocked. "Don't tell me you don't recognize me?"

Zelda was really getting tired of people addressing her with that tone, but she pushed it to the back of her mind. She squinted, her heart thundering as she inched away from the bed. The next worst thing to ganondorf himself showing up was this stranger finding out what she, Link and Ilayen were doing in the Advisor's rooms in the dead of night.

The man tsked again, as if Zelda had annoyed him, and twitched the blade. Link and Ilayen flinched, scarlet drops of blood slipping down their necks. "Now, now, Zelda darling. Let's not play that game."

"Who are you?" Zelda snapped. Better to distract him, she thought quickly. Keep him talking.

The man grinned, and Zelda saw twin canines just a tad longer than a normal person's. Were they sharper too? As he shifted, she realized exactly how absurdly he was dressed.

Zelda couldn't help but raise a brow. It appeared to be a bodysuit, white in color and patterned with large black and violet diamonds. A bright red cape clasped at one shoulder. His skin was pale, his hair dyed white and parted . . . uniquely. Zelda might have snorted under any other circumstances.

But now, her heart plummeted. She recognized him, all right. He'd been one of Zant's hero-worshippers at the battle in Twilight, when Zant's warrior and Link had dueled . . .

Zelda very nearly fell to her knees. She forced herself to keep a straight face; he was at the battle! He knew the warrior--he had to have, at least to some degree. He might know how the warrior escaped. And if he was watching over Ganondorf's rooms, did that mean he was involved with the monsters as well?

He was a treasure trove of information. Zelda's mind raced. If they were to capture him, she'd have to play her cards just right. But first--make sure they were alone. Something she should have done in the beginning.

She let her eyes drift around the room, trying to keep an eye on him as well as he continued to speak--with a flourish she would have rolled her eyes at any other time.

He sure likes to hear himself speak, she thought, the creeping light slowly brightening the room making her palms sweat. He could give any of my suitors a run for their money.

The idea of this fool wooing her in a ballroom was enough to make her snort for real, earning herself a gasp of pain from Link.

She winced, watching Link lurch forward, holding his face. His captor stopped talking abruptly, his eyes--black as pitch--narrowing. "I see," he said softly, adjusting his blade once more, "You wish for things to move along, then? I shall accommodate you."

Zelda readied herself as he raised his sword and pointed at her, mania glittering in his eyes. "I, Ghirahim, shall give you a show you will never forget!"

/

Ghirahim. Zelda eyed him, one brow raising. What a . . . stupid name.

She drew her blade, letting it rest against her leg as Ghirahim advanced, swinging his longer sword to and fro. Trying to unbalance me, she thought. Basic move.

She predicted his next swing and parried, slamming her Eightfold Blade against his. He wasn't prepared for the counterattack, nor for the force behind it, and he staggered back. As he straightened, he leveled a furious glare at Zelda.

"You vile little witch!" he hissed, spittle flying. "You dare to oppose me, Ghirahim, lord of--"

He collapsed mid-sentence, a loud thump accentuating the way his eyes rolled back into his head. Behind him stood Link and Ilayen, both with the hilts of their daggers still raised.

Link stared down at Ghirahim's still body in disdain. "I thought he'd never shut up."

"Tell me about it," Ilayen muttered, sheathing his knife. "Felt like my ears were bleeding."

Zelda raised a brow, whistling. "Good job. You two were really in sync on that one."

Link didn't answer, which annoyed her, but Ilayen's grin almost made up for it. Almost.

"Come on. Let's get this guy out of here," he said, gripping Ghirahim under the arms. "Though, where do we put him?"

"Impa's rooms," Zelda decided on the spot. "There's nowhere else we can bring him, really. And you may not remember, Link, but he was at the battle in Twilight--"

"I remember," Link muttered.

Zelda's hand twitched. She wished--wanted, Goddesses damn her--to say something, but they were in Ganondorf's rooms and he was probably on his way back, and Ilayen was there, and it just wasn't--

"The right time," Zelda muttered derisively, earning herself two quizzical looks and a loud snore from Ghirahim. Zelda sighed. "I'll keep watch."

They set off, but almost immediately Zelda stopped, crestfallen. A thought had just occurred to her: if Ghirahim was watching over Ganondorf's rooms, then that meant he was one of Ganon's men. And if he was gone when Ganondorf returned, the Advisor would know that someone had been in his room. But if they let Ghirahim go, he would report back to Ganondorf, without a doubt.

Besides which, the fact that Ghirahim was here at all meant Ganondorf knew there had been a first intrusion in his rooms. So was this a test? Was it just a precaution?

Something told her it was more. Ganondorf was already suspicious of her--at the very least, he hated her. His behavior at the coronation ball had proven that much, even if he wasn't completely obvious about it. And the guard she'd imposed . . .

She wanted to bury her head in her hands, but she forced herself to keep walking. Now, she stared into every shadow and alcove till her eyes burned, gripping the hilt of her blade so hard her knuckles were white.

The way back to Impa's chambers was excruciatingly slow, but miraculously, the halls were still empty, even as morning light grew stronger through the windows.

Zelda had made sure to leave Ganondorf's rooms exactly as they'd left them, meticulously going over every inch. It had taken precious minutes, but what was the point of secrecy if they made it obvious they'd broken in?

By the time the four of them made it to the hall leading to Impa, they were sweating like sinners in Temple, nearly dragging Ghirahim along. They were about halfway down when they heard a booming voice that sent cold down their spines.

Ganondorf had arrived.

But what is he doing here?! Her panicked mind demanded.

His voice was getting closer. The three in the hall glanced up and down wildly before Zelda leapt for a closet, and they hauled Ghirahim's limp body inside, scrounging every inch. It was not a smooth process; his feet and cloak kept getting caught on everything, the closet was cramped with Link and Ilayen already inside, and panic at Ganondorf's ever-nearing voice made them clumsy.

Zelda was caught between screaming and crying before they finally unhooked him and slammed the door--not a moment too soon, either.

Ganondorf's voice rounded the corner, berating whatever poor courier was assigned to him. ". . . and get a move on. I want everything ready by the time I return."

"Yes, my lord," came the reply, in a completely unfamiliar voice. Thin and reedy, and entirely too . . . devoted to his charge. Zelda glanced at Link in question; he shook his head, his eyes dark. Not one of his men.

Zelda shivered as Ganondorf passed by their hiding spot, snarling under his breath. "Foolish princess . . . has no idea what she's doing. If I were king . . ." He snarled again, and Zelda only caught a snatch of his next comment.

". . . missing important . . . estate matters . . . as if the desert is close . . ."

His voice faded, but the words ricocheted off the walls of Zelda's head. As if the desert is close. What on earth was he doing in the desert? What "estate"?

Then something came to the forefront of her mind, some comment Link had made months ago, in a flowery field a mile from the Wastelands.

It brings us too close to the Dragmire Estate! We can't take such a risk.

Zelda stared, stricken, at the wooden panels of the door as Ganondorf's voice faded behind the click of a lock.

Ganondorf had an estate in the Gerudo Wastelands. He'd had an appointment out there, which Zelda had apparently ruined with her assignment. But an appointment with whom?

In several entries of the journal, he'd mentioned having a contact. In the last one she'd read, he'd said he would have to meet with them soon. Was Ghirahim this contact? Was the estate where they were meeting? If he wasn't the contact, did Ghirahim and whoever the contact was know about the monsters? They must, Zelda thought, her mind working furiously. Ganondorf had mentioned a failed awakening attempt in the journal, blaming it on the contact.

And then there were the monsters themselves. Ganondorf had made an entry making it sound as if he was plotting an attack. These palace fools have no idea--

"What I will unleash," Zelda breathed. But the monsters inside his secret room weren't all awakened, nor were they even numerous enough to stage an assault on the palace. Though, Zelda thought grimly, given the stories, a handful of those creatures would wreak absolute havoc on guards who had zero experience fighting such monsters.

Her eyes drifted to the satchel hanging from Ilayen's shoulder. She wondered if Ganondorf had made any other entries regarding either the warrior, the threat of attack, or his contact--or all of the above.

But then, she realized, she was missing the biggest question of all. Was the Dragmire Estate where they were awakening more monsters?

Pure, morbid curiosity drove her to reach for the satchel, Ilayen's eyes flicking to her, but a low groan from Ghirahim stopped her. Without missing a beat, Link slammed the hilt of his dagger into Ghirahim's head, and the man fell silent once again.

Zelda winced in sympathy. She knew how that felt. They'd had to knock him out twice more on the way from ganondorf's chambers; he'd have four goose-egg sized lumps on his head when he woke up.

If we ever get out of here, Zelda thought. And what was Ganondorf even doing here, anyway?

As she thought it, Impa's door opened and the three in the closet pressed their ears to their closed door, hearts thumping.

"Thank you for the report, Ganondorf. I will deliver it to the Empress immediately."

"Will there be a council meeting today, as well?" came the Advisor's booming question, full of barely disguised disdain. Zelda curled a lip as Impa replied coolly.

"That is for the Empress to decide. It's early yet."

That it was. Zelda's handmaidens had long gotten used to her staying out late, so finding her out of bed wouldn't come as a surprise--though it would worry them a bit, after Fire Mountain.

Zelda held her breath as Ganondorf's footsteps passed and faded, oblivious to their presence, hardly two feet from him. The three didn't trust themselves to move, even as their muscles burned with the strain, until they were sure he'd gone. Even then, Zelda was reluctant to step outside. What if Ganondorf was lying in wait for them? What if he knew?

A knock sounded at the door, and Zelda bit down on her lip hard to keep from yelping. Tasting blood, she searched wildly for Ilayen, finding him staring at the door, eyes wide, face pale. Then a voice sounded, muffled behind the thick wood.

"He's gone. You can come out now."

Zelda did no such thing. What if it was a trap? What if--

Ilayen laid a hand on her shoulder, his eyes closed now. A hint of a smile appeared on his tired face. "It's all right," he murmured. "He's a Sheikah. We can trust him."

Just like that, the fight fled Zelda's body, leaving her trembling so hard she could hardly stand. She struggled to her feet, snatching at anything to keep her upright while Ilayen opened the door just enough for the Sheikah's face to swim into view.

Ilayen explained the situation quickly and concisely, but Zelda scarcely registered it. Legs shaking with excess adrenaline, she took a step forward and nearly pitched herself into a bucket. An arm across her chest stopped her, and then her back fell against something, warming her.

Everything she'd felt the past few hours crashed down on her at that moment, and she let Link sling his arm around her waist and half-carry her down the hall to Impa's room. She let her eyes drift closed, only opening them when Link gently deposited her into a soft cushy armchair.

A blanket was draped over her, and then Tetra's face appeared, worried and frazzled.

Dizzy with exhaustion, Zelda snickered. Frazzled was one thing Tetra never was. The picture of composure, that was her Advisor.

Tetra clasped her face. "Are you all right? Why are you so tired? Why is she so tired, Ilayen?" She rounded on her fiancé, who looked just as worn out as Zelda was. He stared at the pair of them, looking for all the world like all he wanted was to fall into bed. Apparently, Tetra saw the same thing, because with something that sounded strangely like a whimper, she rose and crossed the room to him. She enveloped him in a fierce hug, Ilayen's arms circling her tightly. He buried his face in her neck, and even across the room, in her exhausted state, Zelda could see he was shaking.

"Don't do that," Tetra ordered, her tremulous voice muffled by Ilayen's hair. "Don't you ever do that again. Do you hear me?"

She pulled back, clasping Ilayen's face, and there were tears in both their eyes.

They really love each other, Zelda thought, feeling a strange emptiness in her chest. She wondered at that emptiness for a few seconds before realizing it was the lack of bitterness and jealousy she'd felt, all those weeks ago, when Ilayen had first told her the news.

How? She thought, watching the couple. How can something just . . . disappear, and not even leave any sign it was ever there?

Her eyes drifted to Link, whose face was open in a way it wasn't often. He was staring at her with a mixture of desire, pain, and confusion, and the expression tore a hole through her heart. She closed her eyes to him, fighting back tears. Why? something in her cried. Why did it have to be so hard? Why couldn't they have what they both wanted--just once?

But would just once be enough? Seeing his expression in her mind, certain she'd looked at him the same way, Zelda knew the answer was no. It would only make it worse--for both of them.

Beyond her swirling emotions and fatigue, she heard Impa say, "Let her sleep. All of you, get some sleep. We'll talk about this when you wake up."

Well, if you say so, Zelda thought, already drifting off, warmed by the candlelight and blanket. No one says no to the commander . . .

/

She slept long and deep, and low voices woke her. She growled, pulling the blanket up to her chin, but the voices snaked into her head.

". . . isn't good. Even with Zelda's guard, there's not much we can do. We'll have to wait for him to make a move."

"But what if he's doing the same? He could be waiting for a chance to catch us in the act, and then we're the enemy."

"He could be planning an attack as we speak," came Tetra's level voice. "We don't have time to wait around. Every day that passes, he could be awakening more monsters."

Zelda could sleep no longer. The events of the previous night had caught up to her fully, and there were her own revelations that needed to be addressed. She rose from the chair, stretching. She met everyone's gazes. "There's more."

It took some telling; by the time she had finished, morning light streamed strongly through the drawn curtains, and several empty cups of tea sat on the desk. Impa and Ilayen looked at each other, unspoken words traveling between the two, while Zelda nursed her own cup of tea, eyes unfocused.

She could feel Tetra's eyes on her, could almost feel the battle raging within her Advisor. Her job was to help Zelda rule, but she couldn't do that well if they didn't have all the information. And they both knew where a treasure trove of information lay.

Zelda rubbed her face. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

They'd just barely escaped last night. But the Dragmire Estate . . . who knew what they might find? Already they had more than enough to at least land Ganondorf in trial. But they couldn't put him away without getting caught on multiple charges of trespassing and spying themselves. They were stuck.

We'll have to wait until he slips up, she thought, but the sudden silence made her realize she'd spoken aloud. She found everyone's gazes on hers. She shifted in her armchair. "We can't do anything to him without getting in trouble ourselves," she said, and Impa and Ilayen nodded. "We'll just have to wait."

As soon as she was finished speaking, she noticed Tetra's face crumple in relief. Ilayen took her hand and she rested her head against his chest.

Zelda looked away and stood, ignoring the tightness in her chest. "Let's go to the council meeting. I'm sure they're waiting for word."

When they got to the council room, the other members were there. How do they get up here so fast? Zelda wondered, wiping her brow surreptitiously. Then again, I was a full three floors below the rest of their rooms.

Blowing out a breath, she took her seat, holding her chin high against Ganondorf's gaze. This is going to be a long meeting.

"Thank you all for coming here on such short notice," she began. "I know I usually send word ahead the night before, but I'm afraid I'm still recovering from the Fire Mountain incident. Apologies."

"Let's get started. Fire Mountain is actually the first thing I wanted to talk about. Tetra, do you know if anyone from the memorial died that night?"

Her personal Advisor--an appointment that annoyed Ganondorf to no end--shook her head. "Not that I know of. It looked like just about everyone made it off the island in time, but only some of the boats returned to Dragon Roost."

Zelda nodded, the sign from the border's military checkpoint fresh in her mind. "I think those boats may have had the same experiences that Link and I did. They may still be out at sea, which is why I want search parties out there immediately. Commander, have soldiers scouring the coastlines at all times, and send some out to open sea. Now that the storms are gone, they should be safe. But veterans only."

Impa bowed her head. "It will be done."

Zelda rolled her neck. "Now. Mipha, you had something to share, correct?"

The Zora's Domain representative leaned forward, cool as ever. "Yes, Your Majesty. My brother, Prince Sidon, is betrothed. He will be celebrating the union this week. He and my father, King Dorephan, respectfully request your presence. It would be an honor."

"And I shall respectfully accept," Zelda said, smiling. It would be good, even with everything on her mind, to get away for a couple days. "The honor would be all mine."

Mipha couldn't hide her relief and smiled brightly, inclining her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zelda nodded, returning to the next order of business. "Before the ceremony, I will be traveling to Snowpeak to see about the fort."

She'd known they wouldn't like this, and true enough, there was an outcry before she'd even finished speaking.

"Empress, you simply can't," Rauru was saying, spreading his hands pleadingly. "The last time you left us, you disappeared for three days. And you're still recovering. I fear this time you will not return at all."

"I will be prepared this time, Rauru. I will have my guards, and I know what I am heading into. The disaster of the memorial has taught me many things, the least of which is to never let my guard down. I will not make the same mistake twice. I promise you."

Her words hung in the air, effectively squashing the priest's objections. As Rauru fell silent, Ganondorf's eyes bored into the side of Zelda's head. She ignored him. Her words hadn't been just for Rauru.

"Link and the guard he has selected for me will accompany us--do not worry," she added, forcing a smile. "This will be a reconnaissance mission only."

Tetra looked like she'd rather have chained Zelda to the table, but she nodded, not quite able to hide the relief that Zelda had not named Ilayen. "When will you leave?" she asked.

Zelda tapped her fingers on the table absently, lost in thought. "Today. I have business in the city, and there are things I must do in Nol as well."

They definitely didn't like that, but no one opposed her, so she dismissed the council, leaving her instructions for her absence with Impa. As she left, she just caught the beginnings of Ganondorf's voice. "If that is all, I will retire as well. Like the Empress, business has called me away yet again."

"Good luck to you, Advisor," came Impa's reply. The council doors opened and Ganondorf strode out, not sparing a passing glance at Zelda. Behind him, a young Sheikah boy in Royal Guard garb trailed, playing his part well. He caught her eye and nodded, his bright green eyes sharp before returning to the hall ahead.

Do your job well, Zelda thought, making her way to her rooms. Her handmaidens awaited her with hands on hips and sharp words, their usual softness replaced with worry and reprimands.

"Already heading back into danger," Mia was muttering, folding clothes while Ferona tsked, picking through the jewelry box. "Can't you ever take a day off?"

Zelda put her glass of water down, wiping her mouth. "I'm the Empress. I don't get days off until I'm dead or replaced."

Mia gasped, staring at her. "Don't speak like that," she whispered, wagging a finger at Zelda, who had begun inspecting what they'd already laid out for her.

She groaned, fingering through the pile of jewelry on the bed. "Ferona, honestly! I'm going to the mountains, not a ball!"

"And who says you can't look like royalty in the mountains?" came the faraway reply. Zelda had to stifle another groan--Ferona was in the shoe closet.

"Me," she muttered mutinously. "Because I don't want to die from being buried alive."

Mia straightened from her folding, giving Zelda a funny look matched by Link, sitting on the bed.

Zelda picked up a tangle of selected jewelry and dropped it on the floor, staring the two in the eyes. The tangle fell like a deadweight.

Link and Mia burst out laughing, attracting Ferona's attention. She stumbled over heels and boots, her hair frizzy and cheeks red. She held six pairs of shoes in her hands. "What?"

Zelda snorted, falling back on the bed. She let her head tip backwards and closed her eyes, listening to her handmaidens' banter. No, those shoes were too high. That dress was inappropriate--she was going to the mountains, after all. She snorted again.

A hand played with her hair, gentle and tentative, coaxing the tangles out. Zelda let him. She missed this casual contact, their banter even more. Soon, her hair was spread in a halo around her head, smooth and soft. The strokes were long and slow, and she might have fallen asleep had they not stopped.

She nearly whined, but at that moment she noticed her room had gone quiet. The snick of a door closing sounded.

Zelda opened her eyes. Link sat beside her, his fingers still playing with the ends of her hair, eyes on her face. For once, his expression was calm. Her heart pounding, Zelda prayed that calmness wouldn't go away as she sat up. It stayed, to her relief, and his eyes searched her face.

Every time before this, she'd hidden what she was feeling from him. She'd plastered a fake smile on, she'd kept it neutral, she'd pretended. Now, she did none of those things. She let her expression say what she didn't dare speak aloud, afraid to ruin it with words.

Link swallowed. "Can . . . Can I see them again?" he whispered.

Zelda's breath hitched, and she felt her hands begin to shake. No more pretending. No more hiding. No more shame. Keeping her gaze locked with his, she grasped the edge of her sweater and lifted it over her head.

Her skin pebbled as air whispered over her. She reached back for the tie around her neck and undid it, but she couldn't reach the ties in the back. Without speaking, Link gently turned her around and undid them himself, leaving her back open and saving her modesty.

She caught his intake of breath. She felt tears burning her eyes as memories, ever lurking beneath the surface, surged. The rain, her fear, stumbling through the ruins, the flash of lightning illuminating the Lizalfos. Her scream as its blade tore through her skin--

Zelda gasped sharply as Link's fingers drifted over the scars, warmth falling down her face. She stared straight ahead, closing her eyes. She was here. I'm here, she thought fiercely. I'm safe.

Memories couldn't hurt her--not anymore. They were just that. Memories. She sucked in a shaky breath, feeling Link rest his forehead against her bare shoulder. She couldn't contain a tiny sob as he pressed a light kiss against the largest scar--right down her spine.

Link's arms went around her. "You're safe," he murmured, pulling her against him. She clutched at his hands, and for the first time since that night, she let herself cry.

It was a real cry--no inhibitions, never with him, no barriers. She gave herself to it fully, and every time one of those horrid memories came back, the warmth of Link's chest and his soft words in her ear beat them back. Again and again and again, until she'd fallen silent in his lap, eyes red and swollen.

She sniffed, shifting. As she did so, she realized she'd fallen back and was sitting on Link's leg. Biting her lip, she redid the ties on the white cloth that covered her chest and gently sat up. Link watched her, blue eyes unreadable.

Zelda debated speaking, but it still seemed wrong. After a moment, it didn't matter. Link had stripped his shirt off and had turned around, shoulders lowering slowly. "My turn," he said, sounding strangled.

Zelda let her eyes flutter closed for half a second. If ever I needed a reason to love him more . . . But no. This wasn't just for her. He'd needed this just as much as she had.

So she traced his scars as he did hers, and when his shoulders began shaking, she bit her lip and let her own tears fall again. She wrapped her arms around him and held him till the daylight faded, and will o' the wisps floated in through the open windows. They bobbed around the pair, drying their faces, lighting the bed in tiny, blue-white flares.

Link raised his head, disturbing a wisp that had settled there. "I lied when I told you how I got these," he said, turning to face her. Zelda sat cross-legged and said nothing, waiting for him. He took a deep breath.

"I was around fifteen. It was the anniversary of my family's death. The monsters were hanging around my village. I don't know why, but when I heard, I remembered when they'd razed it, four years ago, and I saw my family, and I just . . ." He broke off in a whisper, and it was several minutes before he could speak again.

He swallowed, eyes glittering. "I couldn't let them do it," he whispered. "Not when I could see my parents, hear them. But even that wasn't the worst part. The worst . . . the worst part was when I thought of my little brother."

Zelda's heart shattered.

She felt tears scalding her eyes. "I could see him there," Link gasped, his fists clenching. "He--he was only eight. Eight, and they slaughtered him like fodder. I was supposed to protect him! I--I was supposed to be the older brother, but I went off to be a soldier, and then they came and killed him--"

He launched off the bed, his hands over his ears, as if he could hear the screams from that day. Zelda squeezed the coverlet in her hands, imagining it was the throats of the monsters who had done this to Link.

Monsters, she thought with hate. What an accurate name. Link had fallen to his knees on the floor; Zelda crossed the room and knelt by him, taking both his hands in hers. "My little brother," he whispered brokenly, tears streaming. "They killed my baby brother."

Broken. He was broken, and she had no idea how to fix him. He'd been living with this guilt for years--how old was he now? Twenty? Her heart ached for him, for his family, for that little boy.

"I'm sorry," Zelda wept, pressing her forehead to his. "I'm so sorry."

He buried his face in her shoulder, and they stayed like that for a long while.

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Supes emotional chapter today, but it's finally smoothed over one of the biggest lumps between our two faves. Yay :)

REVIEW REPLIES.

To Oracle of Hylia: you'd think. Yeah, it's.. . Yeah. lol. It was a pretty choppy chapter but every time I tried to go back and fix it, it just got worse, so I left it be. Hopefully it didn't disturb the flow too bad.

To Daniel Olsson (guest): it is, I know, but the design is actually that of a squid lol. I thought I'd stay more anatomically correct, even if Nintendo slipped up with the name. Thanks though, I hope it didn't disrupt your reading. :)

To DarklighterUSA: oooh, these were fun to read! I like the way your mind works haha. Keep reading! :)

To Ultimate blazer: Not saying anything lmaoo.

She's gotta, when she's got asswipes like Ganondorf to contend with haha. You're welcome, as always!

Also, that forgotten A/N. After they go flying, and Zelda's like, "Zelda thought she quite disliked flying" I was going to write "we're going on a trip on a spirit rocket ship, flying thrOoOooOuUgh the skYyY" and I'm

~highly~

Upset I didn't remember.

Anyway.

Whoo, we're getting cloooose haha. See you Thursday, thanks for reading and reviewing!