ITS TIME.
The warrior.
Zelda stared at Link, her arms crossed. The Domain healer finished binding Link's wound and packed up her things. Zelda nodded at her. "Thank you."
She returned the nod and promptly left. "He's refusing to talk," Zelda said, the sleeves of her jacket rolled up. The bandages under her shirt shifted against her skin; she'd been right. Two ribs had fractured. What I wouldn't give for a red potion, she thought dryly, thinking of Nabooru.
Link shifted, drawing Zelda's attention back. "Let me see him," he croaked. "I--I need to see him."
"Why?" she asked softly. "I know you've wanted to find him, but he attacked us. And you're in no shape to fight if he acts up--"
"Neither are you," he interrupted, struggling to stand. "And you were just in there."
Well. She couldn't argue with that. And, honestly, she was itching to get back in there. The only reason she'd left was because Tetra and Ilayen had kicked her out to "get healed".
Well, I'm healed now, technically speaking, she thought. She extended a hand to Link and pulled him to his feet. He relaxed against her with a grateful sigh, and they made their way into the makeshift cells. Darunia was currently at work crafting iron bars, so for now, the holding cell they'd kept the warrior in was just a bedroom. A heavily guarded bedroom, but . . . it was all they had to work with.
Apparently, the Zoras have never taken prisoners before.
They entered the hall and found it still teeming with guards. Two were posted at the entrance of the hall, two more at the doors of the "cell", and Mipha, Laruto, Tetra and Ilayen stood in the room. They turned as Link and Zelda entered.
Tetra rolled her eyes, but Mipha simply tapped her trident on the floor and gestured behind the group. Beyond Laruto's tall frame, a chair stood in the middle of the floor, and on it . . .
The warrior.
A burlap sack was tied over his head, and they'd tied his hands and feet to the chair. His head was down.
Link stared, his face going pale. "Why is he like this?" he whispered.
"You know why, Link," Mipha said quietly. "He killed four guards on his own in the skirmish. He'd have killed a fifth if his wound hadn't acted up."
The wound that Link gave him, back in Twilight, Zelda thought, watching Link's face. He swallowed tightly. She took his hand, glancing at the warrior.
At the mention of Link's name, his head had raised. His face turned this way and that, searching for Link's voice.
"Leave us," Zelda said quietly. Mipha opened her mouth, but Laruto simply laid a hand on her daughter's shoulder, her eyes on Zelda.
"Call us if you need anything, Zelda," Tetra murmured as they passed. Once the door closed behind them, Zelda asked, "Do you want me to leave too?"
Link couldn't speak past the lump in his throat, so he just nodded. He squeezed her hand in apology.
She simply kissed his cheek and let him go, sending one glance at the warrior. Then she was gone.
Link closed his eyes, aware that the warrior's head tracked every movement he made. He took several deep breaths, calming the turmoil within. Then he approached the chair.
They'd covered his face with a bag. Link knew it was for safety reasons, so the warrior wouldn't know where he was or how to escape. But . . . he couldn't talk to him like this. He needed to see his face.
As he knelt, the warrior lifted his head. Link swore he could see his face, even through the sack. How else could he track movement so sharply? He gripped the sack and tugged it off, revealing the face beneath.
He nearly fell backwards. Th-that face . . . no. It couldn't be. He . . . he'd died. Link had read the report himself. It had killed him--killed him to know that he'd failed. Even if he was miles away.
No, he decided, this couldn't be him. He refused to believe it.
Those red eyes stared up at him, so eerily familiar Link thought his heart might crack. That tilt of the head, that quirk of the mouth, the expression in those eyes . . . but how? How was it possible? His own eyes burned.
He ground his teeth. No. He wouldn't get his hopes up--not after all this time. He'd tucked them away in his heart, him most of all. He couldn't bear it if he let himself believe, and then have his heart shatter again . . .
Unable to help himself, he glanced back at the warrior. His face hadn't changed, but . . . there was just something about him. He . . . he--
"I . . . I know you," Link whispered. "Why? Who are you?"
The warrior stared into Link's eyes, and the urge in them, the need for understanding, was so genuine, so like him, that Link felt ill.
"When you were young," the warrior said, and here Link's ears started ringing, "you lived in Mabe Village. You had a mother, and a father." The warrior swallowed. "And you had a little brother."
Link shook his head. No, no no! But the warrior continued. "You left with --with your father to go to the castle. Everything was fine. But then he died. Monsters attacked the village. Your mother and brother died." He swallowed hard, those red eyes pleading, now. "Everybody thought we died," he whispered.
Link sucked in a breath. "No."
The warrior stared up at him with eyes so beseeching, so real, that Link couldn't believe he'd ever denied the possibility. How could he--now, when it was so clear?
"I'm your brother," the warrior said.
"He's just a child, Val, he's too young!"
Link hid behind the corner, listening. He knew he ought to be packing, but he'd heard the first hints of an argument and hadn't been able to stop himself. He shrank back against the wall as his father answered.
"He's strong. He'll be fine, and I'll be there soon to look after him."
"And what about Dark?" Her voice was quiet. "Will you leave me here to take care of him alone? He's also your son, Val, don't abandon him."
"I would never." His father's voice had been equally quiet, but fierce all the same, and Link could tell from the creak of the floorboards that his father had taken a step forward. "I love them both, and I love you, Laryn, but Link is the eldest. He must take up the sword. He must uphold our name."
"Why do you speak as if you won't return?" Her voice broke, and a piece of Link's heart with it. He waited for his father to answer, but the silence stretched out, until Val finally sighed deeply. "I do not want to fight on the eve of my departure. Please, Laryn. You three are my world. I will come back to you."
Link peeked around the corner, unable to help it, and saw his parents standing by the light of the table lantern, their foreheads touching. The firelight illuminated the tear tracks on his mother's face.
Val took his face away, and Link darted back behind the doorframe, wringing his hands. Heart pounding, he knew he would be punished if he was caught. He was supposed to be packing for the castle, and his father was strict.
But then his parents started speaking again, too quietly now for him to hear, and so Link heaved a silent sigh of relief. Something tugged on his sleeve and he nearly whirled out of his skin. "Dark!" he hissed. "What are you doing? You're supposed to be sleeping."
Dark's eyes were wide. "And you're s'pposed to be packing."
Link sighed, and took his little brother by the hand. Though Dark was his twin, he was almost the exact opposite of Link. White hair and red eyes, where Link's hair was golden and his eyes blue. When they entered their room, making sure the door closed silently, Dark watched Link as he started meticulously folding his clothes. "Are mom and dad fighting again?" he asked timidly.
Link stilled, wondering how to answer. He knew what Dark was really asking: are mom and dad going to separate? He shook his head. Their parents loved each other--they wouldn't do that. "They're just worried," he told Dark, who watched him with wide, trusting red eyes. "There have been more and more attacks on the nearby towns. Dad has to go protect them. Mom doesn't want him to."
Dark blinked. "Neither do you," he said quietly.
Link didn't answer, just continued packing. His brother was only eleven years old, same as Link, and yet he could go from innocent and trusting to perceptive and knowing in a second, with more sensitivity to other's emotions than Link would have given any eleven-year-old credit for.
It was true. He didn't want his father to leave. But he also knew why Val was leaving. If his brother was so perceptive, he thought, why couldn't he see that? His frustration and fear boiled over, and he snapped out, "Of course I don't. But I get why. Maybe if you actually paid attention to when dad talks, you would understand why he's leaving, too."
Dark didn't respond, and Link whirled to see his little brother, his sweet, caring, loving little brother, watching him with tears in his eyes. Link swallowed as Dark sniffled, and he ran over to him, no longer caring about making noise.
"Noo, no, Dark, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, okay? I'm just frustrated, and--and I don't want him to leave, and . . ."
Link felt tears burning his eyes and squeezed them shut, not wanting Dark to see. He was supposed to be the older brother, the one who protected his sibling, not hurt his feelings. He sniffed as Dark's small hands settled over his back. His cheeks were wet.
Footsteps sounded on the floor, and too late Link realized it was their father. The door opened, revealing Val's tall, imposing frame. He was already wearing his Royal Guard's uniform. "Boys," he said in that deep rumble he had. "Aren't you supposed to be in bed?"
The brothers pulled away, and did their best to stand as tall as they could, even with the tears on the younger's face. It used to be a game, each trying to stand taller than the other till they were almost falling over, doing their best to emulate their strong, valiant father, then Val would laugh and throw them both over his shoulders.
Now, he wasn't smiling, and Dark wasn't trying to climb on Link's back to gain extra height. After a moment of silence, Val sighed. "Come here, Link. I need to have a talk with you."
Link took a step forward, then in a flash remembered his mother's words. Dark is your son too, don't abandon him. He glanced back at Dark, suddenly afraid he'd heard them too, but his brother was watching Val with sad eyes. Val noticed. He smiled. "Don't worry, Dark. I'll come back when Link and I are done, okay, son?"
Dark nodded, still so solemn, and Val took Link' shoulder, gently steering him into the living room. He remained standing, so Link did too. His father had always said you never did anything without permission from your commander.
Link swallowed. He figured if he was ever allowed to break that rule, it was now. "Dad," he said, his voice breaking, "Are--are you gonna come back?"
Val's expression was surprised if anything, but it quickly faded to one of understanding when he saw the tears in Link's eyes. "Oh, Link, of course," he murmured, pulling his son into a hug. "I will always come back."
Link knew that was untrue, in that way kids had. You couldn't always come back. But he didn't say anything, wanting to believe in his father now of all times. He's strong, Link thought ferociously, clutching Val's tunic tightly. He'll come back. He definitely will. And me and Dark and Mom will be waiting for him.
Val pulled back a bit. "Woah, there, son," he laughed, wiping Link's face. "You'll break my back with strength like that."
Link couldn't stop a watery laugh, taking several deep breaths and puffing his chest. He was going to be a soldier. Soldiers didn't cry. Not even when their fathers were going away.
"Now listen to me, my boy," Val said, his voice once again serious. "You're going to be on your own for a little bit. I have to go to Essen to help out, but I'll be back within the fortnight. Your mother and Dark will be safe here--and when he's old enough, Dark will join us at the castle."
"But what about Mom?" Link couldn't stop worrying. "What if the monsters come here next, when we're all away?"
"I've sent for Groose and Keeta to set up a guard. This will be their first village, all right? Everything's going to be fine," he said quietly, reassuringly, and pulled his son in for another hug. "You'll see."
Link clutched at Val again, squeezing his eyes shut tight. He didn't have the heart to tell Val that he didn't believe him.
When his father exchanged him for Dark, Link lay awake in his bed, unable to sleep, no matter how much he told himself he needed it. Even the thought, Father will be displeased, didn't motivate him enough, like it did most other things.
He didn't know why he was so afraid. Soldiers weren't meant to be afraid. His father had gone on many missions, a lot of them more dangerous than this one. So why was Link so convinced it would go badly?
In the end, he worried himself sleepy enough to let oblivion take over, and he woke the next morning tired and his stomach in knots. He tried to hide it but he knew his mother could tell, and Dark too. They both hugged him and Val tightly, wishing them safety, and Link tried hard to hold back tears.
When he looked back for the thirtieth time, on his very own pony beside Val, his father laid a hand on his shoulder. "Look forward, my son," he said, indeed keeping his bright brown gaze ahead.
Link tore his eyes away from his mother and Dark, now mere dots in the distance. "But what if that's the last time we see them?"
"We can never know that. If we keep asking ourselves that, we'll be stuck in the same spot, worrying, but not living. We must keep moving forward."
He glanced at Link, who was finding it hard to accept that, and sighed. "You will understand, my boy. In due time."
That had been that. They'd arrived at the castle, and almost immediately Val had left, heading for Essen Village to the east. A week had gone by, Link had received letters from his family every day, and he'd received word that his father had safely reached Essen.
Then it had all gone wrong.
The monsters attacked, his father killed in the chaos, and Link had been forbidden to leave the castle, near hysterical with worry--and a week later, Mabe Village, his home, the place where his mother and little brother were, supposedly safe, was razed.
He'd been numb with shock when the missive arrived--the village burned to the ground, nothing but sticks and bones, the messenger said.
No survivors.
Such silence had been in his head, in that moment. In his heart. In the hall, the world.
Link had vomited, right in the Great Hall. All over the marble floors. In front of the young princess. The king.
They'd taken him away, almost dragging him from the hall, and he'd let them. How could he fight, knowing his entire family was gone in the span of a couple weeks? What was he fighting for, if not them?
They'd put him in a cell for three days, and he'd cried silently, when he knew the guards weren't listening. Soldiers didn't cry, he'd told himself. Even when their family was dead.
Soldiers didn't cry.
After he'd been deemed "stable", they'd let him out. In between weeping and sleeping, he'd thought in that cell. About what he was going to do. And when they asked him if he wanted to stay, he'd agreed.
They'd had a funeral service in the castle, allowing a single 11-year-old boy to light the pyre of wood. After that, Link had thrown himself into his practice, made sure he was the best at everything, no matter what it was. His father knew he could do it--that was all he needed.
He'd kept them locked away in his heart: his father, strong, reliable, always the picture of loyalty and bravery. His mother, beautiful, witty, golden hair glowing, her own strength buried soul-deep.
His little brother, sweet, caring, innocent and yet far too perceptive for his own good. And when he'd found they could be used against him, in a place where the sun never shone, he'd buried them even deeper.
Gone, but not forgotten.
Never forgotten.
Link stared at the warrior--at Dark, his brother.
My little brother.
Tears fell. He let them. Dark watched him, silent. Waiting. Then--
"Do you remember me?"
Link swallowed. Like it was yesterday, he wanted to say.
"You used to eat mud pies when you were five."
Dark blinked, and then a smile broke across his face. He leaned forward, but the bonds held him back. He gave them a tug, glancing at Link. He cleared his throat. "You want to, uh . . . ?"
Snorting despite himself, Link reached around and cut the bonds. Immediately Dark crashed into him, his arms--so much stronger than the last time he'd felt them--wrapping around him. Link squeezed his eyes shut and clutched his brother to him, a sob escaping him, wishing he'd never have to let him go.
He didn't know how long they sat there, simply holding each other, but once his tears had dried and the relief and joy of having his brother back—he nearly started crying again at the thought—his mind caught back up to reality.
He recalled the night he'd told Zelda about his family. How he'd failed them. She'd held him to her, like he held Dark now, and she'd cried with him. How would she react now, he wondered, once she found out?
That reminded him.
He pulled back, holding Dark at arm's length. "Where's your injury?"
For a moment his brother seemed lost. But then his expression cleared, and he lifted his shirt. Across his left side, an angry red line denoted the scar tissue, still not healed. Irritation around the edges and bits of wire proved Dark had busted the stitches more than once.
Guilt poured over Link in waves, and Dark seemed to pick up on it. "Don't blame yourself," he muttered, pulling his shirt back down. "Zant made us do it, after all. It's not your fault."
How untrue that was. "If I were a better man, I would have recognized you instantly," he said bitterly, unable to banish the scar from his mind. "I should have known it was you."
"As far as I can remember, you did," Dark reminded him. "You hesitated, remember? At the same time I did. That's why Zant stepped in. I think he knew, somehow, that it would be you."
"Oh, he knew all right," Link muttered.
Dark raised a brow. "Is that a story I'm sensing?"
Link laughed, and even that was enough to make him question the reality once again. Who could have thought that he'd be sitting here, with the brother he'd left as a child--who'd been dead for all this time, as far as he knew.
He held onto Dark's scarred hand as he told him the story, all the way up to the battle in Twilight. At the end, Dark whistled. "Dad did always tell us not to fight--"
"Or someone would get hurt," they said in unison, and laughed. Dark sat back. "Wait, so . . . you can turn into a wolf? That's . . . pretty amazing. I always knew you had a secret."
"Yeah, and you pestered me for weeks on end about it," Link muttered, pretending to be sullen. "But it wasn't about the wolf thing. Back then, Ilia kissed my cheek when we went to Ordon that one summer."
Dark thumped his leg with a fist. "Damn! You always got the pretty ones."
Link snorted, thinking of Zelda. Well, he's right about that, he thought, unable to keep a smile down.
Dark noticed, of course. His smile morphed into a smirk, and his brows lowered. "So who's the girl this time?"
Link shoved his shoulder. "None of your business. Not yet, anyway. But first . . . what happened to you? How did you escape?"
He hated to kill the happy mood, but it was killing him. He had to know. Dark's face fell, his smirk fading slowly. "When . . . the monsters attacked, Mom hid me in the closet. She was with me, at first, but then they came in the house."
His grip on Link's hand tightened. "I didn't know it then, but it wasn't monsters. They don't talk. Not the Hylian language, anyway. This one did. Mom went out to fight him . . ."
He bit his lip, his chest shuddering. Link closed his eyes, fighting that scene in his mind. He refocused on Dark as his brother picked up the story again. " . . . After, the man came to the closet and pulled me out. He said, 'This one will do'. And he took me with him. That was the last I saw."
"I think he drugged me," Dark said, glancing up at the ceiling. "Next thing I knew, I was in some old ruins. The man shoved a sword and shield at me, and told me to fight. That was pretty much my life, for a long time. I became the best fighter they had--my final test was facing a silver Lynel. You've seen one, right?" He added.
Link nodded, stomach roiling. "Dad's old books."
"Right. So . . . it took a while, and I think I broke a few bones, but I managed to kill it."
Goddesses. They'd had him fight a silver Lynel . . . "Who was 'they', Dark?" he asked, already suspicious of the answer.
Dark glanced at him. They said it together.
"Zant."
Link swore viciously. Dark watched him, clearing his throat. "I heard he's dead."
Link nodded, rage still flooding his bones. "Zelda killed him. Had him hanged at the castle."
Dark whistled. "Wish I could have done him in. I'll have to thank the Empress."
If Zant had still been alive, Link was sure Dark would have been disappointed either way, because Link would have hunted the bastard down himself for what he'd done to his brother.
He forced those thoughts from his head. "So then what? We figured, after Ganondorf dragged Zant out of the old Palace, that you had escaped somehow. We thought you made it to Nol, but then we lost you."
Dark nodded slowly. "Yeah . . . Ganondorf." His face paled beneath his tan complexion. "He . . . he didn't visit often, but when he did, it . . . wasn't pleasant. Anyway, you're right. He sent his monsters in to kill the doctors and trainers. I was still chained to the bed--after I recognized you at the duel, I wanted to escape, but Zant had me trapped there until I recovered."
Link flinched, and Dark's voice softened. "Anyway . . . once I got out of there, it was just in time. Ganondorf just about had a fit; I'd heard him talking with Zant a lot, and it was clear they both wanted me for something, but I could never figure it out. By the time I got out of there, I was lost in the woods around the ruins. It took me a while to get out of the Reach."
"Long story short, I stayed with some people, healed up as much as I could, then headed south. I heard that you and some girl--I guess it was the Empress--had gone to Hyrule Castle. So that's where I headed. In the Fields, I ran into some bandits, and after a fight, they took me in. That helped. I caught up on news; when I heard there was a Summit, I tried to get to the palace. But, I figured if you were attending the princess, they wouldn't let some kid see you. So I backed off, waited for a chance to sneak in, maybe."
"But then . . ." His voice trailed off, and a smile grew. "I was in Castle Town, and I saw you two. The princess was on the ground, talking to some kids. You were there, with somebody else. You . . ." Dark swallowed.
"You looked right past me," he murmured. "You were watching some kids, about a foot from me. They looked just like we did," he breathed, looking at the ceiling.
Link stared at him. He remembered that day. They'd gone to town for an archery contest, where they ran into Saria and the troupe. Link had spotted those kids Dark mentioned, and frozen.
Memories had rushed into his head, those he'd tried so hard to forget. Of his little brother, of whom that little boy was the spitting image. Link had thought his mind was playing tricks on him.
He didn't realize he'd spoken aloud until Dark laughed softly. "That's what I thought too. I couldn't believe it . . . and when I saw your face, I knew you saw it too. But then . . . the princess grabbed your arm, and you left. That was the last I saw you, until today. I could never get close enough after that."
Link's heart seized up. "You could have called for me," he said, almost accusingly. "All you had to do was give the guards your name, and I'd have come running."
Dark laughed, running a hand through his hair sheepishly. "I know. I think . . . I think I was afraid. That you wouldn't believe it was me."
He wouldn't look at Link. He seized his younger brother's hands and forced him to meet his eyes. "I would have," Link swore. "I'll always believe you."
Dark's nostrils flaring was the only warning before he buried his face in Link's chest. His shoulders trembled, and Link held him close.
Never again, he vowed, staring at the ceiling while Dark let it out. I'll never let you go again.
Once Dark was stable enough, they spent a few more hours talking, and only when they both complained at once how hungry they were did they finally leave the room. As Link led the way into the hall, they were met with a pair of Zora spears.
"Captain, if I may ask, where are you taking the prisoner?" a castle guard asked.
Link raised a hand. "You don't need to worry. He won't hurt anyone. Can you tell me where the Empress is?"
The guard looked like he wanted to argue, but lingering loyalty made him salute. "She's in the council room, sir. She wanted to wait out here for you, but reports have been coming in like rapidfire."
Link nodded. "Good. Thank you, return to your post."
"Yessir."
His voice was reluctant, but the guard did as he said, with a suspicious look at Dark. Link's brother was conspicuously quiet; Link knew the weight of what he'd done only hours ago was weighing on him, with the judging stares of every guard they passed. Those had been loyal, honest guards Dark had helped kill. Their grudge wouldn't fade just because he was Captain Link's brother.
Link sighed through his nose, jumping a bit when Dark spoke quietly. "If it makes them feel better, you can tie me up."
"No."
Dark tried to argue, but Link sent him a look over his shoulder. "I'll hold a briefing later tonight. It'll take a while, but they'll grow used to it."
Dark made a noise like he disagreed with that, but didn't argue. As they entered the council room, raised voices made Link sigh.
"I've already told you, it doesn't matter." Zelda was clearly trying to hold her temper. "He's going to have a fit when he sees her--"
"Who cares?" came Saria's voice. "Let him! What was she supposed to do, go back to a village that was just evacuated?"
Link could tell from the set of Zelda's shoulders that she knew she was losing; she turned at his approach, her mouth opening. But her blue eyes flicked behind him, and they widened.
"L-Link," she stammered, eyes flicking back and forth between him and Dark. "Would you care to explain?"
Yeah, she wasn't happy. But Link ignored the question, for his gaze had fallen to the new group of arrivals. "Actually, I think I need an explanation." He whirled on the girl at the front, standing with her arms crossed defiantly. "What are you doing here, Ilia?!"
She refused to answer, just huffed and looked away. Aware of Dark holding back a snort behind him, Link took a deep, deep breath and strode forward, jerking his chin at Zelda.
Her eyes flamed, and behind her, Saria's brows had risen. He didn't care. He strode to a corner with Zelda on his heels, and quickly the inhabitants of the room found something else to focus on.
Zelda spoke first. "I know, all right? I know. This place could be attacked any moment. It wasn't my idea. But she's here. And Saria has a point--where is she supposed to go? The caravan is already here; she might as well stay."
"What I want to know," she continued, and here Link shifted, "is why the prisoner is walking freely among these halls, Link?"
"It's not what you think. Just--just let me explain it, before everyone loses it, all right?"
He did so, quickly, and Zelda's expression changed from one of righteous fury to wonder, her eyes filling. "Oh," she whispered, lifting a hand to Link's cheek. "Link, that's . . ."
She couldn't find the word, but Link knew. He nodded, his heart so full and so light. "I know." He swallowed. "I didn't think I'd ever see him again."
She covered her mouth with her hands, then took a breath. "Well, I think he's been standing there for far too long, don't you?"
Link grinned. Zelda kissed him quickly and strode to Dark, who watched her approach apprehensively. She spoke a few words, pulling him to the table. She'd tied her hair into a knot at the top of her head; as she tilted it this way and that, the loose pieces fell and framed her face. Dark said something that made her laugh, and her tongue poked out between her teeth like it always did when she was unsure of something.
After a short hesitation, though, she reached out and cupped Dark's cheek, swiping away the wetness there. Link smiled and joined them, but then Zelda turned. Caught up as she was in the revelation that was Dark, she hadn't noticed the other new arrivals. They'd come in behind Telma and Ilia, hidden in the shadows.
She tilted her head, coming around the table, but she froze at the muted cry of a baby.
A small whimper fought its way past her lips. Telma smiled and stepped aside, revealing two faces she'd know anywhere.
Saria stared for a moment, but her eyes fell to the bundle of blankets in the girl's arms, and she cried out. She was beaten by a second by Zelda, who pulled the two into an embrace so tight she felt her fractured ribs twinge. Wincing, she stepped back as they returned it, and bit her lip to stop its trembling.
"Well, clearly you didn't think we would make it," Faylen remarked, feigning insult. Zelda poked his side.
"A late arrival is more like it, knowing your penchant for lack of punctuality," she teased. But there was a missing face, someone she'd searched for in the back but didn't see . . .
She turned to Sirela, who shook her head, blue eyes sad. "We couldn't find Alana in time," she murmured. "I don't know if . . ."
She broke off, and Zelda's chest hitched slightly. "She's fine," she insisted, trying to convince herself. "She's fine, I just . . ." She took a deep breath. "I'm glad you're here," she nearly whispered, and Sirela nodded, biting her lip. From where Faylen stood with Saria, his gaze on them was solemn.
Determined to not linger on it, Sirela took a breath, turning her attention to where Saria had taken Navi into her arms. She bit her lip, glancing at Zelda.
"So she's not yours after all," she murmured, as Saria and Faylen spoke quietly. She sent a sly look at Zelda. "I would have thought, especially now . . ."
Zelda, taking the hint, as much as her heart ached for Alana, refrained from glancing behind her, where she knew Sirela was watching Link and Dark. "Well," she hedged, picking at the edge of her jacket. "You're not completely wrong . . ."
Sirela grabbed her arm, her brows raising, and Zelda found herself laughing. "Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it later," she promised, looping her arm through her friend's. "It's about time to eat, though."
The group collected around the table: Tetra and Zelda; Sirela, Faylen and Saria chatting about Navi; Darunia and Link introducing Dark to the other members of the resistance.
Laruto accepted Dark's bow, much to Link and Darunia's sniggering, and when Dark's back was turned, she slapped them both behind the head. When everyone was settled, servants brought out the food, clearing the table of reports and plans; and with the conversation flowing, the torches being lit, Zelda almost felt as if nothing much had changed. She could almost believe they were still in the castle, and the turmoil outside was nothing more than that: outside.
She sighed through her nose and smiled at Link, who was piling greens onto Dark's plate.
"I told you, I hate these!" Dark was shouting, much to the amusement of the other occupants, and Link cackled like a madman and continued to pile them on. They continued to bicker until Zelda lifted a forkful of it and said, "Now Dark, growing boys need their vegetables."
The boys laughed again, though it was softer this time, and Zelda knew they had recalled something between them.
"Do you remember?" Link asked. "How mother would always give you a bigger helping than everyone else?"
"Of course I remember." Dark grinned. "And father would say, 'Warriors need to grow strong, so--'"
"Eat up," they murmured. Link glanced at his brother amid the quiet atmosphere that had fallen, and watched Dark eat the vegetables. He chewed a few times, then made a face that had Faylen snorting into his wine, spewing it all over him.
Zelda and Sirela nearly fell out of their chairs, the former holding her fractured ribs, tears springing to her eyes. Mipha laid a hand on her shoulder, hardly able to speak for her laughter, and by the time they got themselves together, Dark was decidedly pouting.
Sirela then launched into an embarrassing story about Zelda; halfway through, Zelda was leaning on the table, her head resting against the back of her hand, shoulders shaking. "No, no no! That wasn't it!" she yelled, and Sirela broke off, cackling. "He said, 'Maybe you could help me clean it with your tongue'!"
"Oh, that's right!"
"And I didn't know what to do, so I just said--"
"'I'll think about it'!" Sirela and Faylen cried, and the table dissolved into a fit. Link threw his head back, clutching his stomach, and Zelda hid her face behind her hands. Several more stories came up like that, though thankfully not all were about Zelda. Eventually, though, the mood turned more serious as the conversation geared towards the more militaristic.
"Have you ever been to the Tower, Darunia?" Link asked, sipping his wine. The big Goron shook his head. "I know a few men who have, though they told me no one in their division ever made it to the top."
Zelda cut her chicken, glancing at Link with more than a little pride. He caught it and smiled before asking Dark the same.
His brother's answer was the same, but he added, "I've always wanted to. Whenever Dad talked about sending you, I got so jealous. Speaking of--did you ever make it?"
Zelda's smile grew, and this time, more than Link noticed. Dark raised a brow. "Oh, so the Empress knows of my dear brother's accomplishments? Now this is a story I need to hear."
Link chuckled self-consciously. "There's not much to tell--"
"He made it to the top at just fifteen," Zelda interrupted, unable to keep herself back anymore. She ignored Link's exasperated glance. "There was only ever one other who made it too--"
She broke off a little sharply, glancing guiltily at Link. Her cheeks burned at her slip; that part of the story wasn't hers to tell.
But Link just gave her a smile. "She's right," he said to the slightly confused audience. Mipha cocked her head. "It was just me and another boy, from the Waker Paragliders. His name is Revali."
"Revali? You mean the son of the president of the Paragliders, Revali?" Darunia asked, surprised. Link blinked.
"I'm pretty sure. I know he was to be the next chief of his village, but he never said anything about being the president's son."
"Cocky? Can't stand losing?"
Link snorted, pouring more wine. "That's him, all right."
Darunia laughed. "I've met him. Arrogant little bastard he was, but I've never seen a better flier."
"I guess he hasn't changed much, then," Link mused.
"So," Darbus interjected after a short pause. "The Tower, the Empress's personal guard . . . where else have you been, Captain?"
Link hmmed. "Well, there was Twilight."
"The Riots?"
Focused on her meal as she was, Zelda didn't notice the way Link stiffened the slightest bit.
But Dark did.
His eyes flicked between his brother and the Empress as Rudania grunted. "Those Riots were a bloody time. I'm surprised the old king of Twilight let it get so out of hand."
"You know Midna wouldn't have let them get so violent if she'd been Queen at the time," Mipha added. "She's not one to take even the hint of insurrection lightly."
Darbus nodded. "True enough. Even so, that battalion the late king sent in sure got the job done."
"I'll say," Dark said. "I was there, in Twilight, when it happened."
Link jerked. "You were? Where?"
"Traveling," his brother said, after the smallest hesitation. Link frowned.
Obviously, that was a lie, but then, no one but himself and Zelda would know the truth. And if it came out now . . . Link swallowed his chicken.
"I remember what it was like," he said, mouth full. He shook his head. "Never seen a worse sight."
"You couldn't have been that old," Darunia said dubiously.
Link shrugged, missing the way Zelda had turned to stare at him. "The king decided to send me on merit. I didn't actually fight; my commander wanted me to learn and see what battle was like, get me used to the sights and smells. Not like it's all that easy to forget."
All four of them hmmed in agreement to that. Link went to drink his wine, until Zelda spoke.
"The Riots? You never told me you were there."
He raised a brow, not sensing the danger in her voice, the way she leaned back in her chair, blue eyes narrowed. Dark rolled his own. He'd known the woman for hardly an hour, and he could already see his brother was about to get an earful.
"I did," Link said. "When we met, you asked how I knew Midna--"
"And you said you--"
"Helped her take control," Link interrupted.
"No, you said you helped her with a--a problem. You never said it was the bloody Riots."
Now Link was a bit irritated. "What does it matter now? I already said I didn't do any actual fighting. It was no different from when I went to Deku."
Zelda spluttered as the table's occupants hid their smiles behind their wine glasses. "That was finding a princess, not an insurrection!"
Link's eye began twitching. "You didn't have a problem with me going to the Tower!"
Zelda leaned forward, her cheeks flushing. "That. Was. Different. That was training. Oh, I can't believe--how could--you were a page, for goddesses' sakes!"
It took a moment for her words to sink in, but when they did, Link softened. "It was my commander's idea," he said, gentler now. He pulled on her arm. "And for your information, the king was against it. He only wanted experienced warriors on the field."
That made it worse. Zelda took a deep breath. "That's no excuse," she muttered, stabbing her meal with her fork. "He had no reason to send you to such a place."
"Yes, well . . ." Link sighed. "If he hadn't, can you imagine how much might be different?"
He met her eyes, and she saw what he meant. He may not have caught Midna's eye, might not have been knighted for service to a royal, might not have been chosen to find the lost princess.
So much. So much may have been different.
Zelda hmphed, catching the grins on everyone's faces. "What?" she snapped.
"Next time, get a room," Mipha said, not missing a beat. Dark snorted and began choking on his chicken. Laruto and Mipha shared an eye-roll while Darunia slapped Dark's back, his booming laugh immediately lightening the mood.
Link slipped a kiss on Zelda's forehead in the midst of it.
And so it went, until Laruto banished them all to their rooms. "Get your rest," she'd announced with a clap of her hands. "Tomorrow, it's back to business."
So? SO?? HOW WAS THAT??? HAHA.
You know I had to. But seriously— how many guessed it—the real twist? I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed that so many knew Dark's identity as the warrior so early on—I think the earliest solid guess was about. . Chapter 15? (Props to you, Ultimate blazer. . . Smart bastard. Love ya ;)) but I placated myself with the knowledge that there was no way— I repeat NO WAY— anybody would guess he was Link's brother HAHAHA. (Was I right? Or am I more transparent than I think I am?) let me know!!
And now to my favorite part.
REVIEW REPLIES.
To Guest: you're welcome! I hope you enjoyed it!
To Ultimate blazer: Guessing the correct identity so early AND the 100th review? Dude. KILLING it right now.
Haha, Dark Link is here, baby! Ahh you're welcome, I'm so glad you enjoy it!
Generala: oh jeez. That's rough. I hope the surgery went well, at least xD
Ah okay. I can work with Hildavio haha. Sanidin is honestly one of my favorite names from the game, but it's pretty hard to choose a fave. Breath of the Wild is an all around masterpiece, after all.
Yay, happy cats equals happy me. And I think I saw mine in the backyard today! (He's been missing for a little over two years; I miss my squishy wild bean)
To Queen Emily the Diligent: Noo! *pulls hands away from face* it's okay haha. I'm just glad to know the story kept your interest! I def know there are some awesome stories out there. Thank you! (And don't worry about reviewing haha :))
Also YEESSSSS MY SQUISHY DARK BOI. Wel it wasn't the Shade but you were close!
To Oracle of Hylia: oh yes I would. Not for long, but I totally would LOL. Have I mentioned I'm evil? Cue maniacal laugh. Also, Hildy? HILDY! I LOVE THIS. Permission to use it? And Sappy reunions are my forte lmao.
To Oracle of Hylia part two: ITS DARK LINK BABEYY. HAHA! Hmm, survivors. . . Getting chummy. . . Hold that thought. *maniacal laughter begins again*
PSA: prepare your ears.
WE'RE AT 100 REVIEWS??! HOLY CRAP GUYS. HOLY BALLS. THATS AWESOME. THATS SO FRICKING AWESOME.
prepare for sappiness. Oracle: "were gonna need a bigger cup. . ."*
For real, guys. I never even expected to get ONE review, so a hundred??! That's wild. WILD. And I am so—oh god she's saying it, PLUG YOUR EARS KIDS—Fucking(tm) thankful, it's ridiculous. Y'all and your support and hilarious and thoughtful reviews keep me going and make it worthwhile to write this never ending story (it's still not done, guys.) so thank you, thank you so much. You're awesome (even you, Queen Emily ;) )
With that being said, somebody please rescue Oracle from drowning in the sappiness and meet me back here on Monday!
Later *social distanced hugs*
