AUTHORS NOTES- Hello everyone, this is an intermission chapter. I do realize you all want to see the climax of this first part of the story and see it finally come to a head and I promise you will. The very next chapter is the end with closure.(For reals, absolutely, positively 100 percent) It's just that I am going to go with my gut and I feel that this tidbit of storytelling needs to be unveiled now instead of later for story progression reasons and to hype the reading of the next arc. Let me know your thoughts. I will be getting the end out soon. I had to do major revisions and swaps on it these past few weeks which delayed its initial release. Thanks again for your continued reading. I promise I won't be doing anymore baits and switches!

Chapter

Premonitions

The tower was cold, quiet, and soulless. The castle stone bled with the memories of a past that I wished I could forget. A swelling heartache was all that remained from these halls that at one point in time in my life carried much joy in my heart. The laughter that once echoed within these walls has all but silenced and faded away into nothing short of a never-ending sorrow and a painful reminder. A reminder of something I could never have. A happiness that was always just out of my grasp. That was my destiny.

I moved away from leaning against the window as I performed my everyday morning routine of assembling myself. A monotonous task of getting out of bed over and over again. I lost count of the days it has been. So long already have I been walking through the motions in an endless daze that I have instinctively begun to force myself to wear the ceremonial dresses and smiles they all wanted to see when all the while they were behind a mask of tears.

I sighed, letting out a breath of regret. What was it all for? What was the meaning of anything anymore? What is the point of having peace restored if the price is more than I can bear?

The dawn crept over the silent green hills to the east beyond the city and the chill wind blew in from the north bringing with it a gust that pierced the depths of my bones. But, not even a fell wind such as that could even come close to contend with the ice that was now my heart.

The city for a while now had begun the monumental task of rebuilding and the people had much to be glad for and yet even with all that, I felt dead inside. Everything was cold to me and living held no appeal to me anymore. All that was left of me was the empty shell of a woman I no longer believed myself to be. A living statue void of hopes and dreams. I felt nothing.

The voice of one of Simon's men spoke to me as I stood while gazing out the window, awakening me from my daydream as he came into my chamber; breaking me away from what leftover peace I had left hidden in the memories of happier days.

"Your... Majesty, the reinforcements from Tarble have arrived."

I didn't answer. My stare was trapped gazing out beyond my keep past the city into the depths of my thoughts which were now a blank space of maybe memories that could never be. They too have been swallowed up by a silent nothingness that was now my soul.

Just below my tower, the townsfolk had returned in full force and the people were busy bustling and starting anew. New homes, new markets, and a new beginning. And I could care less to even notice them. I was lost in a sea of despair.

"Your majesty? Did you hear me? The reinforcements that you summoned have—"

"I heard you the first time, Villamor." I snapped. My neck twisted to face him but I quickly remembered to loosen my fist, realizing who I was and how I should behave.

"Sorry, Villamor... you were saying?" I said, focusing hard to force a phony smile that blurred as I stared at him.

The man quickly fixed his fancy shirt and composed himself, coughing into his fist as if he had a sprawling laundry list for the day's agenda to lay out to me.

"Ah, yes, the much-needed Rangers from Tarble have arrived as you requested and the Lady of the Lake Marin has already been dispatched as was to your orders—"

"Don't ever speak of her to me! I know who she is! I'm the one who sent her away!" My fist tightened again, and I took a step forward toward him. He fell back immediately, and his breathing paced.

"Forgive me, your grace... I was just only—"

"You will do good not to speak of that red-haired vixen ever again in my presence, are we clear?"

"Yes, your highness, my mistake..." he coughed again to clear his throat and continued. "She left some time ago and the reinforcements she has left will be ready to march as soon as you're ready."

"And what of..." My voice softened and my eyes stung red. I couldn't even force myself to even say his name. Such an easy thing to do. I've said it easily a million times before and now the thought of which was unbearable. His name tipped on my tongue like a scalding knife carving across my chest to rip out my heart and choke it down my throat to even try and utter it.

He stepped forward and interjected, realizing my discomfort. "I'm so... so sorry my Princess, but it's been over a month since he... I know this pains you, but we all saw what happened to him at the tournament. I'm sorry but there is no way anyone could have survived something like that—"

I spun and stomped at him. "And what would you know of it!? You have no idea what sacrifices he had to endure!" I raged and in a tantrum scattered the stacked papers, parchments, and restoration plans that littered my desk. They meant nothing to me. My eyes welled with tears and my throat choked coarse. "What he had to endure for all of you ungrateful fucking peasants! What pain and misery he went through just to make sure that all of you were kept safe! The life he had to give up! What it cost him! What it cost us!" My chest heaved and my voice trembled sporadically in spaced incoherent breaths. "You could never understand! None of you do!" My fists clenched tighter, and I could feel the pulse of rage burn as it crawled up my hand and finished illuminating brightly within me.

The sniveling man fell to his feet and in the reflection of his eyes, I could see his pale fright. The fear of seeing my hand blaze with three illuminating golden crests. Before I could escalate any further, I suddenly remembered to calm myself and the glow of my hand dimmed and faded away into nothing. I took in a breath, collecting myself.

"Forgive me, Villamor... I don't know... I don't know what came over me." I breathed, reaching out for him. But even with that, he recoiled at my touch to his shoulders. Shook and afraid. I could hear his heart thump a mile a minute as if any sudden shock from me would make it burst within him.

He fell to his knees and begged. "Please, forgive me... I only wish to serve thee, Princess. Please..."

"I know... I know Villamor..." I said softly, trying to reorient myself.

"I didn't mean to mention Sir Link... but, there can still be some hope..."

At the mere mention of him I felt once again the warmth of his lips press against mine as they did that magical evening we met in secret beneath the gold willow. The sweet taste of his breaths encompassing mine, back and forth. The electrifying touch of his skin that pressed strong yet, tender against mine. That same touch of his fingertips that set my whole body ablaze with a fiery passion from my toes to my bosom, all the way to my lips. I would remember every detail as if he were still here. But, every time I would open my eyes from such a blissful remembrance, he would not be. He was gone forever and the knowledge of that would shatter my bliss into a decaying frost that would claim my lips and my heart once more. "And what hope might that be?" The icy sharpness of my tone returned upon opening my eyes.

"Sidon... Sidon your majesty..." he said, flailing his hands erratically trying to appease me. "At last reports, we know he has successfully engaged the enemy and has infiltrated their fortress. Your plan for justice will work! You must have faith, my princess... please... Princess Zelda"

I sighed again, turning away, hand pressed against my chest and eyes glistening with soul-sucking doubt. "Faith... as if...". I squeezed my stomach.

A long and quiet silence rang out between us and he was still too afraid to say a word to me. So, I broke the uneasy calm that stirred between us. "I'm done relying on faith... No more... I've been listening to everyone else's council my entire life. Doing things their way... Waiting for them to take action... And look where that has gotten me? Nowhere!

"No more! I'm going to handle things my way now! By myself! I'm done waiting. On my own, I will snuff them out like the vile treacherous vermin that they are. I will raze their castles to the ground and all of history will forget that there ever was a house called Draene! By my power, I will scorch them from every tablet, tapestry, and monument. Let no one ever utter the name of Draene ever again for what they took from me! They will drown in the sea and their posterity shall be burned to ash and if I could make them feel just a tenth of my misery, then they will know my name! They will know that my word is law and that I am now queen!"

Villamor trembled before me and the crackling of his knees echoed in my ears. Yes, soon, they will all see. I'm no longer the weak, naïve, and beguiled princess they all thought me to be. I am the heir to the goddess herself, poetry in motion, and now it was high time for me to finally rise up and become who I was always meant to be. The ruler of this world. A goddess among men.

Zelda awoke violently drenched in sweat. In a flurry, she tossed the covers to her bed. In panicked breaths, she glanced about herself unsure where she was, what day it could be, or what had transpired. A nightmare?

Still reeling from her hazy vision, the bitter taste of disgust sat on the back of her tongue. The vaguely recollected details of how she saw herself just moments prior frightened her to her soul. The callus, heartless woman she saw before her eyes seemed so unrecognizable, yet just as familiar as gazing into a mirror. And before she could remember anymore of her dream, the thoughts quickly diminished into nothing more than a faintly forgotten memory. As does so commonly happen when we awake from dreams.

Still unsure what had taken place she attempted to gather her bearings and desperately scoured around the room with her eyes, soon realizing herself to be in a castle keep. It was still the dead of night. Not a sound stirred except for her. The twinkling calm of stars befell her face from the terrace and for the most part, the night was serene and peaceful. She was safe. And as she turned to face the flickering far corner of the dimly lit room where the hearth was, she saw a makeshift bed of straw and linens where Link lay, sound asleep. What was going on? Or more importantly? What has happened?

Authors Notes: Next one is it. No more waiting. I apologize in advanced if it has felt like a long wait. I just couldn't avoid putting in these pieces that I felt were important for what is to come. Please, stay tuned to for the conclusion. As always, let me know your thoughts. It's been a while since anyone has gave any feedback. All feedback whether be praise or criticism is good in my eyes. I want to craft a good story for all of you to enjoy. Thanks and much love!