"So… What did you need to ask me?"

Naie locked his emotionless gaze on Zelda. "I just find it a tad suspicious you are looking for a dead man despite being a servant of the gods. You should've known he was gone. Explain yourself."

Zelda sent a quick, helpless glance to her companion, who rolled his eyes and stepped forward. "I thought I told you everything. We went over his death and all, so why the doubt?"

Despite Naie's vacant expression, his anger was clear in his words. "This girl cannot speak for herself. I would assume the gods' messenger would be more well-spoken, wouldn't you agree? Now, tell me the truth or I'll have my women slice off your arm."

"N-No, I can explain!" Zelda protested in a panic. "This man said the hero was lost in the future! That's why-"

"Oh, I have no trouble believing that," Naie interrupted. "He was quite the mischievous boy from the tales I've heard. But you didn't start with that. Every time you hit a wall, your friend here had to help you. If you continue to lie I shall make your punishment more extreme. And no, your companion is not allowed to aid you. Make it quick."

"Tell him the truth."

"Huh?" Zelda quirked a brow at the man. "But shouldn't we-"

"The Gerudo women are gone. If the king promises to keep our secret to himself, we'll tell him everything." He hardened his gaze at Naie, who nodded.

"Very well," the king agreed. "I don't like keeping things from my subjects, but I will make an exception."

Zelda let a second of hesitation pass by, but with a shaky voice, she began telling Naie about meeting the blond man and using the timeshift stone.

"Is that all?" Naie asked.

"No," the man answered, folding his arms. "Zelda's left out one important detail."

"What? No I haven't," she countered defensively. "I told him how we came here!"

Her companion shook his head. "That's not what I mean. Go on, tell him who you are. It's perfectly safe."

"Oh? She's lied about her identity as well?" Naie asked, a hint of mockery in his otherwise empty voice.

"Not exactly…" Zelda sighed. "But I don't know if I can trust him enough to say."

"You can," the man assured her. "The Gerudo are very trusting of the gods."

Zelda could have sworn she heard Naie quietly scoff. "At least the ones that haven't abandoned us. And no, I no longer believe any connection you have to the gods. I really should have you killed, but guilt is an emotion that does not sit well with me."

You have emotions? Zelda thought sarcastically. Gee, I wasn't able to tell.

"Do you claim to be a god?" Naie said, obviously talking down to her. "So, which are you? The god of trickery and mischief? Home and health? Love?"

"No, definitely not the love god," the man smirked. "She's perhaps the worst at that. I'm sure the god of love would be insulted being mistaken for her. He's pretty sensitive, you know."

Zelda blinked stupidly. "Wait, the love god is a he?! We thought they were a girl this whole time!"

The man couldn't help but laugh at her ignorance. "Yeah, you Skyloftians really messed that up. We humans on the surface before you had it down."

"Enough," Naie commanded sternly. "Just spit it out. I don't have time for your games."

"No, no, you screwed up all the gods," the man continued, shaking his head. "The god of sex is the girl."

"There's a god of sex?!" Zelda gasped, her face turning red.

"Yup. Guess you guys thought it was too obscene. But she's just like the reproduction god. Now, the god of lust, he was fun… Constantly trying to steal everybody's girlfriend. Or boyfriend. Depending on how bored he was."

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

The two froze in shock, Naie finally raising his voice. He had leapt up from his throne, his fists clenched and his eyes finally showing the emotion of irritation. However, he quickly realized what he had done and sat down, his eyes becoming half-lidded again.

"Um, my apologies…" he apologized awkwardly. "I'm just not used to people disobeying me."

"No, it's okay," Zelda sighed. "But I guess I'll just tell you. Have you heard the legends of Hylia?"

That got Naie's attention. His head snapped up, a hint of shock on his face. "Hylia? How do you know her? We Gerudo are the only ones who still know of her existence. Even Hylians have forgotten."

"Yeah, well… I'm sure you heard she was reincarnated after her fall, right?"

Naie sat up, his eyes widening. "Are you saying you're her…?" Zelda nodded hesitantly. Then, without any second thought, the king fell to his knees before her. Too surprised to react, Zelda once again looking to her companion for help.

With a deep sigh of impertinence, he began, "The Gerudo are very attached to the old gods. The Hylians like to move forward, but this tribe tends to side with the ancient ways. And you're their most revered deity. Well, besides the Sand Goddess, of course."

"Seriously?" Zelda continued to stare at Naie bowing to her before reaching out a hand. "Hey, it's alright, you don't have to do that. I'm not used to people worshiping me anyway."

Naie cautiously raised his head, looking up at Zelda sheepishly. "B-But you're a goddess-"

"Was," Zelda corrected. "I'm just a regular girl now. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't give me any special treatment."

"Um, if you say so…" Naie sat up on his knees, a panicked look plastered on his face. "But I'm sorry for threatening to cut off your arm! I didn't mean it!"

"Seriously, it's okay," Zelda chuckled. "I guess I'm a pretty bad liar anyway. Not your fault. But that's not what's important right now."

"Yes, you needed result from Avka!" Naie jumped to his feet and gestured to the hall. "Come, we should check on her!"

Zelda and her companion nodded, swiftly following Naie to the fortune teller.

"My queen, please calm down!"

Hyrule's ruler was barely able to storm out of her room before one of her servants pulled her back in. He quickly forced her into a chair and held her at arm's length.

"Let me leave, Jordan," Zelda commanded with her most threatening tone. "I'll be fine, I'm not a little girl."

Jordan ran a hand through his black hair and sighed. "Please, think of your country. What are they to do if something happens and you're not around?"

"I won't be gone that long," she huffed impatiently. "Once I find Link I'll come straight back."

"But Link practically saved Hyrule single-handedly! And no offense, but he's much more capable of taking care of himself than you are. He has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal and he's mastered all of them. What do you have? A bow? Magic that no longer works?"

"Temporarily," Zelda corrected. "Once the seal wears off I'll be alright."

"But it hasn't worn off yet, has it?"

She groaned in exasperation. Ever since she was a child, Jordan was always there to be sure she wasn't being hurt. When she tripped and cried, there he was running in with the bandages. And if the queen ever was in danger… Even when Zant came to the castle for the first time and forced her to surrender, there was Jordan coming to snap the Twili's neck. To this day Zelda wasn't sure how he survived the encounter. In short, she was forever grateful to him looking over her, but she had her limits.

"Stay in your room, my queen," Jordan ordered sternly. "Your safety is most important."

With that, he swiftly left her chambers. Guards were standing on either side of the door in the hall, so making another attempt to go wasn't a viable option. Here she was sitting all cozy in her bedroom while Link was in danger! What kind of a queen was she to her country's hero? She felt so awful…

BAM!

A sudden crash from outside her balcony doors made her jump out of her skin. Was that a person…?

No, impossible, she told herself, shaking her head. I'm up in one of the castle's tallest rooms. If it were safe to climb the wall I would've escaped that way. Perhaps I'm starting to hear things.

"Move it, jackass! I'm trying to climb!"

"Link!" Zelda felt a jolt of excitement from the insults coming from outside. That voice! She'd recognize it anywhere! She nearly fell out of her chair getting to her balcony. Placing her hands roughly on the knobs, Zelda shoved open the glass doors and leaned over the railing. And, true to what she hoped to see, a young boy, hanging off the ivy growing on the walls, gazed up at her with a flirtatious smile.

"Well, I thought I heard a beautiful princess was up here," he joked. Zelda giggled and pulled him up onto solid ground. "Sorry I took so long. I heard you were trapped up here."

"Oh, yeah, that," Zelda said, suddenly recalling why she was home in the first place. "Cia sent me back to my own time. I would've gone back, but I think she put a damper on my magic."

Young Link's face became red with anger, though his emotions didn't clearly show on his face. Speaking of which…

"Link, what happened to your eye?"

He froze and blinked his good eye stupidly. "Huh?" A hand wandered to his wound, reminding him of it. "Oh, right, that. It's no big deal; I've been through worse. Besides, we've got an issue." Young Link leaned over the railing and shouted, "Mido, get your ass up here!"

"Mido?" Zelda repeated. She followed his gaze to see a familiar creature hanging onto the ivy for dear life, returning the hero's irritated glare. "Oh, you're back! I haven't seen you in quite a while." The queen reached down to grab the monster's tiny arm and pulled it onto solid ground. "Are you Link's friend? Is that why you're together?"

Young Link made a gagging sound at the word "friends." "Hell no!" he groaned. "Mido used to annoy the shit out of me way back when. See, he got cursed into this body and we need you to change him back so I can punch that dumbass face just the way I remember it."

He's starting to use foul language again, Zelda thought comically, suppressing a smile. He must be starting to feel better.

"I didn't know you were cursed," she told Mido gingerly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"The bastard was probably embarrassed," Young Link shrugged. "He'd never tell anyone, but he was super self-conscious." That statement earned him a punch from Mido. "Ow! It's the truth, dammit! Anyway, like I was saying…" He shot Mido a hateful glare. "He was telling me on the way you would let him into the castle all the time to keep him company. But now you're sort of under lockdown."

Zelda hung her head, suddenly recalling the reason she was trapped in the first place. "Oh, right… And to be honest, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do for you. Cia did something to my magic, so it isn't working properly."

"You could at least try," Young Link suggested. "I sort of need this to go quickly anyway. My grandson is in trouble, you know? I've got priorities."

"That reminds me!" Zelda said with newfound determination. "Have you spoken with him yet? I can't even see him from my room anymore."

Young Link fell silent for a brief moment before saying, "I have no clue where he is. Hell, I haven't seen him since you have."

"I see…" That wasn't what Zelda wanted to hear, but there was no helping it. "Well, no use worrying about it. I'll do my best to change Mido back and then we'll find a way back to Cia's world."

"Sounds like a plan," the hero grinned, pushing Mido closer to her. The former Kokiri looked up at her nervously, instantly making Zelda regret what she was about to attempt.

My magic isn't what it used to be, she thought. So I have to be careful if I don't want to hurt him…or me.

The queen gently placed her hands on Mido's and closed her eyes in concentration. As with Midna so long ago, Zelda began transferring her power to him, slowly feeling the energy draining from her. However, the process wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it would be. By the time she heard Young Link let out an impressed whistle, she was only feeling a bit drowsy.

"Would you look at that, he's back," the hero smirked. Zelda could have sworn his voice was shaking slightly upon the sight, but she set the idea aside. Instead, she opened her eyes to see a little boy with fiery red hair standing before her with a shocked expression.

"It…" His hands flew to his throat at the sound of his own voice. "It worked…?"

"Of course it worked, jerk off," Young Link huffed, now running out of insults. "Zelda can do anything. Right?"

He smiled at her, and she returned it happily. "Of course." She looked back down at Mido with a concerned gaze. "Do you feel alright? It's probably been a while since you were in your own body."

"Um… I think so," he replied, obviously unsure. "It feels a little weird."

Young Link rolled his eyes and focused his sight on the nearest wall. He was avoiding looking at Mido for whatever reason.

"Hey, Link."

The hero flinched at the sound of Mido calling him. "Yeah?"

Mido furrowed his brows, annoyed by Young Link's blunt response. "What's your problem?"

Young Link tilted his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't try to act stupid! You've been avoiding me this entire time, even when we were walking here."

"Oh, sorry," the hero shrugged mockingly. "Did you want me to get on my knees and bow or something? Should I celebrate being graced with your presence?"

Zelda stood up and placed her hands on her hips. "Link, don't give him that attitude! He didn't do anything wrong from what I've seen."

"Yeah, I know," Young Link huffed. "It's just…something he said from a while back. It's not important."

Mido gave him a long stare of disbelief. "You're still upset about what I said? You're such a baby!"

"Ooh. Nice insult." Young Link started towards the balcony and stopped at the railing. "I'm heading down. Follow me when you're ready." He vaulted over the side, flipping Mido off on the way down.

Zelda exchanged glances with Mido. "Is something the matter…?"

"He's just sensitive about some stuff I said years ago," Mido sighed, rolling his eyes. "It's been, like, a century since I saw him too. It's not like I was expecting some emotional reunion, but… He didn't have to be such a dick about it. I was just teasing him."

"Language," Zelda said firmly. Mido recoiled from the scolding and continued.

"I guess I was sort of mean to him. I used to call the guy a human all the time…no offense of anything. You're different from the others. By the way, did he ever tell you what he was doing all this time?"

Zelda fell silent for a brief moment. "He, err…didn't explain it in great detail. I believe he was off exploring the world. Kokiri Forest was too small for him, I suppose."

"I figured," Mido scoffed. "That place couldn't have held him for long. He was always antsy about leaving. None of us knew why, but there was a big rumor going around that he, well…belonged out here. Still, he's a kid even a hundred years later, so he's a Kokiri alright. Guess I'm stuck with him for a while…"

Zelda, not having the heart to tell him what he was saying wasn't true, offered another smile. "Yes, well, I'm sure what he's seen in that time is very different from the forest. So try to be at least a little patient with him, okay?"

Mido rolled him eyes at the word "okay." "I can try, but I make no promises."

"Understood." The queen patted him on the head. "Now let's go get you home."

Meanwhile, Cia was standing confidently at the edge of Kokiri Forest, her two henchmen at her side.

"So you want us to storm the forest?" Sky asked. "Sounds easy enough."

"No, not you," Cia smirked, holding a hand in front of him. "I have a special friend I want the children to meet."

"Then what do we do?" Wolf wondered, tilting his head. Cia couldn't help but blush at the cute gesture, being sure to quickly regain her composure.

"You two will come back with me to the temple," she commanded. "We can't have Volga guarding the place forever." She allowed herself a wide smile as she stared into the forest's entrance. "A King Dodongo will be enough to deal with a few weak children."

*This one took a while. Of course, it wouldn't have taken that long if I wasn't busy reading the Twilight Princess manga. BUT IT WAS AWESOME! :'D It had tons of blood and quite a few badass moments from Link. I could only read the Japanese raws, but check it out! It's great for anyone who thought the other mangas were too childish… :P

Young Link: But I decapitated a dragon in mine! D':

Sky: I-I didn't even get one… ;_;

Stop whining and appreciate the epicness! Anyway, review and you'll get Mido! :3

Young Link: Great, now no one will review. =_=

K bye.*