"Wake up. Ser Link. Arise. Arise this instant. Ser Link."

Link mumbled something unintelligible. His eyes felt as though they were glued shut, and sleep had him firmly in its grasp. Sleep, elusive sleep, at last he was here. The tantalising, tempting promise of nothing but sweet blackness called to him, welcoming him back to where he was safe from his waking life. He was half an inch from slipping back into heavenly slumber, but there was a voice. And it would not shut up.

"Ser Link. This is unbecoming of you. You must arise this instant."

Link was numb all over. He knew he was lying down, but he could feel nothing else. He did not know if he was in bed, on the ground, covered or clothed. And he did not care. He wanted to sleep. He needed to sleep.

"Five more minutes," he slurred.

"Get. UP." The voice came again, and this time, it was accompanied by a small electric shock applied to his arm, that cut through the numbness, wrenched his eyes open and snapped him into a sitting position with a yelp.

Blearily, he tried to rub his eyes and succeeded only in bumping his hands into his cheek. Before him stood the Zora doctor, arms folded over his uniform and a distinctly unimpressed expression on his face. In one hand he held a small, metal shock-rod. He towered over Link, wrapped in blankets and bandages on the examining bed.

The events of the night before came flooding back. The crack of the whip and the molten steel that carved his back like a suckling joint. The blood. The looseness of his skin. The floor rushing up to meet him as he fainted.

"How am I?" Link asked, as the doctor eyed him aloofly. "My back. Am I healed?"

"Your back?" the doctor asked, puzzlement crossing his features. "Ser Link, I was not assigned to you to tend to your back." He began to fuss with the blankets, smoothing them down.

"What do you mean?" Link asked. He tried to flex his fingers. He could feel very little below his shoulders. "I was whipped. I was to be brought here."

"Oh no," the doctor said, matter-of-factly. "I mean yes, your back was quite a state, but I was informed in great confidence that you had requested another operation in addition, one to remove undesired appendages." He looked up at Link, his shark eyes serious. "I am pleased to say that your gender-reassignment was a success, Ser Link. Or would you prefer Lady Link now?"

"What?!" Link yelped, scrabbling at the blankets. With his numb hands and feet, he only succeeded in entangling himself further. He kicked hard and, in his panic, almost rolled off the bed, were it not for the strong arm of the Zora holding him upright. Panting, his breath coming in short, high-pitched gasps, Link succeeded in yanking back the covers.

His torso was covered in bandages from his hips to his armpits, but below his waist…

Link gaped up at the Zora, his mouth falling open. The doctor had a wicked grin on his face. Link looked down again. He was intact, his cock lying innocently against his leg above his balls.

"You bastard," Link said, weakly.

"Consider that jape payback for my headache," the doctor said, his smile still broad. He handed Link a small vial of potion.

"Drink this. It will cease the numbing effect. You will be in pain for a time. I have healed you, but not completely. There is a chance you may scar, but with proper care, you should be back to your normal self within the week."

Link took the potion with muted thanks as the doctor turned to gather up his clothes. He threw back the potion in one gulp and it took effect immediately, spreading feeling along his limbs. His back began to ache and throb, five separate lines of heat striping across his skin. Link winced, but could not help but slide his hand under the sheets to check that he really was all there. He was.

"Get dressed," the doctor said, handing over his tunic. "The princess has decreed that you are to resume your escorting duties immediately." He stepped back and turned around, allowing Link some privacy as he struggled into his clothes.

"If you find the pain to be too great, or the wounds reopen, see me immediately," the doctor said. "Remember, by the nature of your… injuries, and how you sustained them, you are not to heal yourself by anything other than natural means."

"I know," Link said. "Thank you."

The old Zora nodded once and waved him away.

Link limped into the hall, glancing from side to side. The long corridor was empty, and the castle was quiet. By the dim light shining through the windows, he judged the time to be a mere hour after dawn.

He winced as his back throbbed, and he moved carefully towards the staircase, holding himself upright. At the top of the stairs, he gingerly twisted to each side, grimacing as the movement tugged his wounds. He sighed. He would have to be careful for the next few days.

Link took a slow walk towards Thoria's chambers, passing no one on his route. In his mind, he replayed the previous night over and over. His memory was as sharp as broken glass up until he had fainted, followed by hazy images and muted sounds. Vaguely, he remembered someone holding his hand as someone else poured a burning liquid across his shoulders.

He glared at the floor, the carpet plush under his feet. If only he had listened to his conscience, and done as he was bid. He could have visited Ordon at any time, so why did he choose to go when the king himself had ordered him to guard Thoria? Why, out of all the choices he could have made, did he choose one that caused him to shirk his duties, to act in a manner unbecoming of the Hero of Twilight, of the Chosen Knight of the Princess?

He knew why. He missed them, his friends. His family. Those whom he had grown with. Colin, Talo, Malo. Beth. Bo, Jaggle, Fado.

Ilia.

Link squeezed his eyes shut as he remembered her face as he clawed away from her in the darkened treehouse. Her eyes, wide and scared in the dark, her fingers covering her mouth. Her face a mask of confusion and hurt. He had wanted to see her. He had wanted to make things right. But she was no longer there.

Link found himself outside Thoria's door sooner than he expected. The sun was barely in the sky, and he wondered briefly if she would be awake at this hour. He raised his hand to knock, and the door opened, revealing Thoria, bright-eyed and smiling.

"You took your time," she said, coming out into the corridor and allowing the door to swing closed behind her. Her smile faltered as she looked at him. "You okay?"

Link nodded. "Fine."

"You look done in," Thoria said, tilting her head. Her brow creased. "Bad night's sleep?"

"I'm fine," Link said. He gestured, and they began to walk together.

"You're holding your shoulders funny," Thoria said. "If they hurt, I think I can sort them-"

"I said, I'm fine," Link growled.

Thoria stopped talking. Link strode beside her, his pace swift. They passed along the corridor and down the stairs. As they walked the next corridor, Link slowed slightly, glancing at the stranger out of the corner of his eye. The woman was staring ahead, her eyes fixed on a point beyond them. Her face was expressionless, but her very being exuded hurt.

Link sighed.

"I'm sorry," he said. "It's been a rough night."

"S'alright," Thoria said, her voice even. "We all have bad days."

Link twisted his mouth. "How did you sleep?"

"Better than I thought I would," Thoria replied, her tone still cool. "I used to have trouble sleeping. I remember that. I expect I slept well because the bed is so insanely comfortable."

"They are here," Link said. "It took some getting used to."

Thoria spared him a glance that softened as he met her eyes. "You weren't born here?"

Link laughed bitterly. "No. I don't know where I was born. But I grew up in Ordon, a village some leagues from here. I used to herd goats."

Thoria offered the smallest of smiles. "I find myself struggling to imagine that."

"Most do," Link said.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"At the time," Link admitted. "Though I wanted more, as I imagine every boy of sixteen does. If I knew-" He stopped. Thoria wouldn't want to hear his opinion on the matter.

"You were sixteen when you became a hero?" Thoria asked. Link kept his face neutral.

"Yes."

"That's young," Thoria said. "It must have been difficult."

A thousand pictures flashed in his mind. The forest temple and the psychotic monkey, the gigantic, carnivorous plant. The raging monster in Death Mountain, wreathed in flames. The suffocating depths of Lake Hylia and the colossal eel writing at the bottom. The stalchildren, the ghosts, the Twilight beasts. The terror, the darkness, the pain, the twilight, Death Sword, the invisible rats, Ganondorf.

"Not really," Link said. "I had no choice. My friends were kidnapped in front of me, and I tried to save them. I had to."

"Didn't the adults do anything?" Thoria asked.

"I ran after King Bulblin immediately," Link said. "There was no time to go for help."

Thoria nodded as they began to descend the final set of stairs. "You're brave."

"So I'm told," Link said. He pulled a smile onto his face. "But it's okay. My friends are safe now, and so is Hyrule."

"Good," Thoria replied.

They entered the Great Hall, the soft sounds of cutlery and murmured voices reaching their ears over the muddled scents of bacon and toast and smoked fish. As before, the nobility turned one by one to stare at Thoria, their gaze at once indifferent and curious. But to Link's trained eye, he picked out colder, sharper stares from some of the nobility. General Balla, Lady Cassandra, and some others that he couldn't be bothered to learn the names of. Their eyes were fixed on the pair of them, and his back tingled. He cast an uneasy look Thoria's way, concerned she would be rude.

But this time, Thoria ignored them completely, allowing Link to lead her to the table in the corner. He deliberately avoided the noble stares, but he felt them latch onto him, their eyes fixed on his back. Their muted voices sent waves of prickling anger over his skin. He knew they were muttering about him. And his failure.

As a serving girl poured sweet tea for them, Link watched Thoria carefully to distract himself. Her eyes were distant and sad.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he said. Thoria blinked, and smiled gently.

"I just miss home," she said. "It's nice here, but it doesn't feel like I belong. Makes me feel a bit shitty."

Link nodded. It was a feeling he knew only too well. He twisted to tuck his chair under the table and gasped as a wave of fire rushed over his back.

"What is it?" Thoria asked, starting half out of her chair. Link shook his head and forced a smile through gritted teeth.

"Just an old ache," he said. "Nothing to worry about."

Thoria arched her eyebrow again, her expression decidedly unconvinced. Link hurriedly changed the subject.

"How do you do that?" he asked.

"Do what?" Thoria asked, her other brow joining the first in rising up her forehead.

"Move just one eyebrow," Link said. "I can't do it. I've never seen anyone else do it, either."

Thoria thought for a moment, her brows lowering. They were very animated, Link thought.

"I haven't the foggiest," Thoria said. "I've never thought about it."

The serving girl returned with plates of steaming bacon and eggs, accompanied by golden brown potato slices and bowls of fresh berries and cream. Thoria smiled at the girl and thanked her, Link hastening to do the same. For a while, the only sound between the pair was that of eating.

As Thoria pushed away her empty bowl to attack her bacon, the door to the Great Hall opened, and Princess Zelda entered, Navi at her shoulder. As one, chairs scraped back in a great cacophony as the attending nobility rose. Link nudged Thoria and they rose together, watching the princess glide across the hall to the grand table, shadowed by Impa. King Rhoam was nowhere to be seen.

As Zelda seated herself, the rest of the hall followed suit, and Navi disentangled herself from the royal braid and flew to Link. He did not miss the dark look the fairy threw to Thoria as she approached. Thoria watched the fairy approach with fascination.

"Are you alright?" Navi squeaked as she arrived. She landed on the table and grasped Link's finger in her hands. "Zelda told me what happened, I-"

"I'm fine," Link said, shooting a meaningful look at the fairy. "How're you?"

Navi blinked. "I'm okay," she said. "Just worried about you."

"No need," Link said. "I've never felt better."

He failed to even convince himself. The look Navi gave him was mirrored by Thoria, a quiet disbelief. But where Thoria shrugged and returned to her breakfast, curiously watching the fairy out of the corner of her eye, Navi pressed on, pulling herself onto his hand to walk along his arm.

"I understand if you won't say in front of her," Navi said, in a stage whisper. "But it's alright. You can tell me. How is your back?"

"Better than I deserve," Link replied, his voice low. Thoria began to whistle tunelessly. "I am fine. I just need to take it easy for a while."

"You should have listened to me," Navi said.

"I did," Link replied, and Navi's cheeks flushed almost maroon.

"Not my fault," she said, folding her arms. She fluttered off his forearm and helped herself to a crispy bit of bacon he had been saving for last. She crunched it, and sighed happily.

"What are you doing today?"

"Not sure," Link replied, glancing at Thoria, who was purposely gazing out of the window. "Thoria?"

"Hm?"

"Is there anything you want to do?"

"Library," she said, after a beat. Her eyes flickered to his back, and Link set his jaw.

"I thought you wanted to go to the training yard," he said. Thoria picked up her tea and sipped.

"If you like. It would be interesting."

"No!" Navi squealed. "Not with your back!"

"There's nothing wrong with my back," Link said, gruffly. He picked up his fork and shovelled as much food as he could into his mouth, earning himself a disapproving look from the nobles at the next table. He decided he didn't care.

"Come on," he said, rising. Thoria glanced at her plate, still half full of scrambled egg and bacon. She looked from Link, his cheeks bulging, to the sneering nobles at the next table. She picked up a handful of egg, a handful of bacon, and crammed it into her mouth.

"Okay," she said, her voice muffled. She rose, bacon protruding from the corner of her lips. One of the nobles, Lady Something-or-Other, gave an outraged gasp.

"Well, I never!"

Thoria grinned, egg stuck between her teeth, and spun around, leading the way out of the Hall.