The Legend of Zelda: Prince of the Sea

by SushiSheik

Five years have passed since the events of Twilight Princess. Link has become a knight under Queen Zelda and the kingdom prospers. Then the day comes where a single Dark Arrow destroys this fragile peace and darkness returns to the kingdom. To save his Queen and Hyrule, Link must prove that his spirit is stronger than being a hero or knight... even if it costs him his life -ZeLink

16. Chapter Sixteen: Price

"The Goddesses have blessed us with a fine a day indeed, sir".

"Yes, Your Majesty, it would seem that spring has full control of the weather now. It doesn't quite get too warm like this in Noruidia, even in the summer".

"And why is that, I wonder?"

"Simple, my lady. It has everything to do with the ocean. It conditions the coast's weather to keep it wet and cool. Fog is a constant hindrance and there are many days where one can't see anything beyond the shore. To overcome such an obstacle, being a seafaring nation of course, Noruidian ingenuity has developed many tools and instruments to help us navigate the high seas… even if we cannot see where we're going".

Prince Vahylmor flashed the Hyrulean monarch a smile before continuing his gaze around the palace's gardens. There were gardeners hard at work, tending to flowerbeds, planting numerous seeds and bulbs and pruning the shrubberies. The ground had finally thawed enough so that planting could begin. The day was warm and sunny, well enough that the Queen Zelda had asked her royal dignitary to join her for a morning stroll. He had not seen the queen since their private lunch the previous day, which had been interrupted with the disturbing news that Sir Link had been slain. Accordingly, the prince had been more than surprised when the queen had suddenly asked to spend time with him so soon after such a tragic event. They had been slowly walking around for about a half hour already, talking about the weather and other such idle chat, and aside from the gardeners tending to their botanic wards the pair of royals were in reasonable privacy.

Zelda herself only managed to have a couple hours of sleep this morning, after having only returned to the castle shortly before daybreak following her midnight escape from the castle. She felt pretty tired but was this evident in her voice or composure? Of course not! The Queen of Hyrule was always looking her best, especially for her esteemed guests.

Even before the prince could voice his curiosity Zelda spoke up in a gentle tone to say, "Prince Vahl, I'm sure that you can guess that I did not ask you to join me to discuss ocean fog and the seasonal weather".

The man chuckled and perked a brow at the queen, "I'm afraid, Your Majesty, that you are correct. While it pleases me to see you once again, I did not think that it would be so soon considering the recent tragedy that has befallen your kingdom. I would more than understand if myself and my fellows were not placed high on your list of priorities for the time being. I would not feel slighted in the very least. I understand that duty must be pursued viciously at times".

"I could not have said it better myself, sir," Zelda said gently, looking over at the prince and even had a serene smile upon her face. How well the queen could always mask her emotions. Even if her mind was currently filled with worries and questions, meanwhile exhaustion was constantly pecking at the backs of her eyes: she still looked immaculate.

Pausing with her walking, Vahlymor stopping as well, Zelda gently interlocked her fingers and looked around the gardens. It was no coincidence that they so happened to stop beside the very same bench Zelda had sat upon with the Hero of Time last night in her dream, as she had planned to visit the bench now that she was awake. The queen gestured for the prince to join her and to take a seat. He did so after she sat down, as was royal custom. The pair remained in silence for a few minutes, quietly observing the hustle and bustle of activity around them, and Zelda made sure that her castle's staff members were far too busy and keeping their respectful distances from the royal pair that any eavesdropping would be difficult to accomplish. After all, the best places to discuss some matters were actually the ones that were more public.

"Prince Vahl".

"Yes, my lady?"

"Your spar that you had against Sir Link…" Zelda began before pausing, the slightest of frowns found on her lips the only evidence of her continuous indecision.

"What of it?" Prince Vahl asked with genuine curiosity, turning his charming face to look upon the queen.

"I know that we discussed it a bit after Sir Link left for the desert but I was hoping to ask you more about it if I may".

"By all means, Your Majesty, but I wouldn't want such a discussion to possibly arise any mournful feelings-"

"No, please, I am fine," Zelda replied, not curtly, but her gentle tone did stop the prince from saying anything further. She offered him a small smile before she continued, "Sir Link, Hyrule's Hero Chosen by the Gods, is- I mean was… the best knight under my command. He was a natural with the sword and was extraordinarily talented, exuding skills even the most veteran knights took years to perfect. He even bested the Great King of Evil, Ganondorf, who threatened Hyrule and nearly succeeded in conquering my kingdom, in single combat. He was… an exceptional swordsman but it was clear, at least from my vantage point, that he struggled against yourself".

Prince Vahlymor was already nodding by the time Zelda stopped speaking. Wiping a hand across his chin, the slightest of morning stubble found there, the prince arched an eyebrow before he said, "You are wondering how I managed to fair so well against Sir Link?"

The queen nodded but was quick to add, "I hope you understand that myself or none of my Councillors suspect yourself or your countrymen-"

"There is no need to explain or defend yourself, Your Majesty," Prince Vahl said with an understanding smile. "If it had been my knight, then I'd suspect every person as well. It is… our curse, as rulers and leaders, to ultimately distrust even those we hold in the highest regard".

Zelda watched the prince without saying anything and saw how his eyes wandered towards the gardens, the look on his face was thoughtful and perhaps held regret. After a few short moments without saying anything, the prince sighed and settled his hands upon his legs.

"I would be lying if I said that I was confident that I would win against Sir Link," the prince finally said, his tone lower but he retained his gaze to admire a nearby rose bush. "I have been training with the art of the sword since the time that I could walk. It's customary in my kingdom… especially since with my older brother being the heir to our father's throne, it was always clear that I would become a general in our army or something similar. Me being Admiral of the Fleet wasn't just the result of my good looks."

The prince turned and flashed the queen a charming smile, one she couldn't resist to mirror. After all, they were simply enjoying a casual conversation in the gardens, nothing more.

"When I… engaged Sir Link in our duel, I was instantly astounded by his ferocity and techniques. His advanced level of his skill was certainly evident".

"Yes, it was… but any struggle you might have had against him was not visible".

"True," Vahlymor admitted with a small nod, an amused smile still upon his lips, "but, ummm… that wasn't from a lack of interest or effort. Noruidian combat training is pretty strict and one of the first things that trainees learn is to control their expressions. You know, the whole 'don't let your enemy see your emotions' aspect of war. This training is pivotal against our kingdom's sworn enemy, the sea-tribe Talul, whose members are able to harness mind-bending powers that pray on exposed, strong emotions". Vahl gave the queen another shrug, as if explaining the basis of his entire kingdom's military struggle was no big deal. With a short chuckle he continued, "No, no… I hope you believe me when I say that sparring against Sir Link was one of the toughest duels I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I saw the shock in Sir Link's eye when I managed to bring him to a knee and I felt the same surprise, I just hid it better. I think, perhaps… he was just distracted in his own head. Too much on his mind and that his entire heart wasn't in the fight. That's the feeling that I got, anyway, but I could very well be mistaken".

The prince's eyes locked onto Zelda's and even though his expression read as amused and casual, his eyes revealed just how intelligent and calculative the man truly was. There would be no use in denying anything but what the prince suspected, for Zelda knew he'd just see through her lie anyways. "What you say is true, my lord. Sir Link had a few great matters that might have been weighing heavy upon his mind, though I do know that he committed himself in entirety to any task that he faced". The Hyrulean Queen took in a long breath and while her posture was perfect and serene, her downturned eyes showed some of her internal struggles.

Vahlymor peered thoroughly into the queen's eyes and when she looked back up at him, he offered a reassuring smile. "If you are doubting, Your Majesty, how Sir Link won against me, his… amazing use of magic or whatever he utilized…" Vahl paused and when Zelda didn't say anything, showing that perhaps he was on the right track, he continued. "I don't blame him at all, personally. As we're trained, you know... we're given the guidelines and the rules and everything else that outlines what it means to be a warrior, a soldier… knight or ever a prince. We're taught concepts like honour but, honour doesn't always exist in war or battle. No, when it comes down to that moment in battle when you find yourself facing a choice, a difficult choice, that results with a defeat or victory, I would always encourage the person to choose the best course that exploits their strengths. Self-preservation always wins, but that doesn't always get told in the stories or legends. In the end, in battle anyways, there are no rules, no referees, and sometimes even no morales. I have seen men, good men, abandon all that they believe in to save themselves and honestly, I do not fault them personally. I must, as Admiral but... we as mortals only live for such a short time and survival is our right given to us by the gods. Sir Link followed his instincts and judgement: I was an opponent in his way of his victory, his survival... even if it was just a simple spar. If resorting to magic meant that he was victorious then how is he to be faulted for that? I cannot use magic but if I could! Gods… I would've done the same as him if I were met by a better swordsman".

"Are you admitting that, in your professional opinion, that you are a better swordsman than Sir Link?"

Zelda's question roused a small frown from the prince, though he pouted his lips as his thought, obviously up-keeping the non-serious atmosphere of their nonchalant conversation. High above, a cloud drifted in front of the sun and the gardens were cast into the shade. In that same moment, the brightness momentarily dimmed from the prince's expression and he revealed his concern.

"Sir Link… was the better swordsman, Your Majesty, but even the best swordsman in all of the realms can be bested. There are a limitless amount of variables for every and any battle. So many things can go wrong… or right, as luck, chance, fate or whichever divine force that you want to incorporate may be with or against you. If you recall, it was not I who dislodged Sir Link from his stance, but he himself when tripped on his own footing. That's the trouble with sandy terrain, sure-footing is hard to find sometimes. I only took advantage of this and was able to drive him to his knee. I backed him into a corner and he was forced to retaliate using his repertoire, which so happened to invoke magic. I only asked that our duel be without armour, so magic was completely allowed in my eyes".

Zelda had been listening intently to every word the prince spoke, her inner dilemma teetering with each new insight the man provided. However, it was the prince's next choice of words that truly solidified her decision and she felt her heart sink.

"In my professional opinion... as you put it, is that Sir Link could only have been bested on an unfair plane. If he had been completely taken by surprise, or by someone who was his equal or even better, then... unfortunately yes, it's more than possible as we know. However, if there is such a person with greater skills than he that is roaming around Hyrule… I fear for your safety, Your Majesty".

The queen gave him a single nod and her mask returned to its pristine, unreadability.

"I appreciate your words, my lord, and do know that you helped set my mind at ease on the matter. However, I asked you to join me this morning for I have another question for you as you are your kingdom's naval commander".

"You may ask me anything, Your Majesty, and I shall do my best to answer".

Zelda looked over at the man seated next to her. Vahlymor truly was handsome, with his thick black hair, goatee, deep green eyes, and daring scar that cut his right eyebrow in half. He had a strong chin and the skin of his face was darkened from years exposed to the sun, though his notable Noruidian trait was that the tips of his pointed ears were of even darker skin. Now that Zelda thought about it, every portrait she had seen of her mother, who she now knew was of Noruidian descent, always had the queen's eartips hidden from view. Zelda figured that that probably hadn't been a coincidence or artistic interpretation.

"My question," Zelda finally said, her eyes still locked onto the prince's, "is whether or not you can tell me if there exists a particular island somewhere in the ocean".

Vahl actually looked surprised at the queen's question before amusement and intrigue brightened his expression. "Now, Your Grace, you hold my intrigue. There are numerous islands in the ocean, so could you be more specific?"

"This island, if it exists, might be known for having black sand and a storm that dominates its sky. It might not be known as a place where many seek or dwell upon". Zelda watched Vahl's face intently, especially as she said, "this island would be seen as a place of evil or darkness. Does anything like it come to mind?"

As Zelda spoke, Vahl's expression changed. The more she described this supposed island, the less carefree the prince became and the more thoughtful he became and seriousness seeped into his eyes. By the time she asked her final question, the prince had broken eye contact and was looking out at the gardens before he leaned back against the bench.

"If I may, Your Majesty, but what would prompt you to ask of such a place? An evil island you aren't even sure exists?" Vahlymor asked as his gaze returned to Zelda's, his brow quirked but his tone reflected a deeper interest.

Zelda broke eye contact and also sat back against the bench, mirroring the prince's casual nature, and both seemed to be on the same page that their physical composure shouldn't reflect the possibility suspicious nature of their current conversation.

"I believe that I asked you first," Zelda said lightly, arching her own eyebrow, and looking back over at the prince, coaxing a smirk from the man.

"Of course. Well, as vast as the ocean is, there is an island that does come to mind that fits the one you are describing". Vahl's smirk fell and while his expression didn't become grave or too serious, a hardness came into his eyes but his tone remained light. "It not a place that is found on any map, as my great-great-great grandfather, I believe, made it forbidden to be located by just any curious seafarer. It's a cursed land, with dark shores and a storm shrouds the island's landscape with constant fog and rain, just as you described".

"And this storm-wrought island, does it have a name?" Zelda asked.

"Not an official one," Vahl admitted, "but it is known in whispers as the Isle of Blights".

"Why is that?"

"Well… According to legend, the island was once like any other. That is until one day the gods themselves tore the sky open and darkness spilled out of the tear. People say that the gods chose the island to become some sort of prison of isolation and that they were purging the heavens of evil beings. Why a prison? Well after this tear apparently appeared, shadow figures have been seen roaming the island, called blights: beings of supposed darkness and evil. As you know, magic is quite rare in Noruidia so such a place is truly regarded with great fear. None tread near it and even if they wanted to, the seas surrounding the isle are notoriously dangerous: with great waves, hidden rocks and whirlpools large enough to swallow a ship. Even those of the Talul, the sea-tribe, avoid the island and they can harness magic".

Vahl watched the queen keenly as he spoke. He saw how her eyes slightly narrowed and how she got a distant sort of look on her face. Clearly his story of dark magic and a forbidden island was of some interest to her. Zelda glanced at the prince and saw him looking at her; she sighed. "Have you ever seen such a place, my lord?"

The prince took a moment before answering, his eyes looking somewhere in the distance. "To say yes would be admitting that I have broken one of my kingdom's oldest laws, so I'll just say that I know enough to know that at least a degree of the legends are true." Vahl smiled again and took a deep breath, reaching over to a rose bush to gently pluck a bloom, to which he presented to the queen. "Your Grace, might you answer my question now? Not many people know of the place I speak of, let alone a foreign, though lovely, queen from another land".

The woman smoothed the front of her dress, a smile at the corner of her lips, and grateully received the prince's gift. Vahl appreciated her beauty as she took her time to answer, the queen considering the rose. "My lord, while magic might be a rarity within Noruidian, it is the lifeblood of Hyrule. How I could ever know of such a place is due to the fact that some women of my family, myself included, have been gifted by the Three Goddesses to sometimes experience prophetic dreams. Last night I possibly had such a dream. I saw a dark island that was shrouded with storms and malice and its shore were of black sands. Before I could see more, I awoke with a start. I do not know if it was simply a nightmare or if there was some merit to it, a warning or clue that had to be interpreted. I thought who better than to ask of an island in the ocean than none other than the Noruidian naval commander himself? I do not believe in coincidences, Prince Vahl, and now I understand that perhaps the Goddesses are trying to tell me something concerning this island".

The man was quiet for some time after Zelda spoke, clearly thinking of her words. When he did look back at her, Zelda saw a new sort of interest in his eyes. She allowed him a moment to digest her words and she returned to looking around at her beloved gardens. Unbeknownst to the prince but her heart was beating hard and she hoped that he would not dare to try and pry further. He need not know of her bloodline to the Goddess Hylia, of her meeting with the Hero of Time the night before, or definitely of what she knew from speaking with Impaz. She still had yet to decide Link's fate and she had thought that perhaps Prince Vahl could unknowingly help her with some questions.

"Tell me, Your Majesty, but does this have anything to do with what happened with Sir Link?"

Zelda turned back to the prince and blinked when she saw how hard his expression was. She took a moment to consider his expression and concluded that what she saw within his eyes was concern, the willingness to help.

"Yes… possibly. Dreams and prophecies are never clear nor black and white, they are only up for interpretation. This black island I dreamed of could possibly be the Isle of Blights or it could be a metaphor of some sort. Or, like I said, it might still be just a nightmare". Zelda sighed and flashed the prince a smile before reaching over to squeeze his hand. "I am under a lot of stress, I admit. This all could just be too many sleepless nights making me find connections where there are none."

Once Zelda took his hand, Prince Vahl's expression softened and he returned her smile while lifting her hand to delicately plant a gentle kiss on the back of it. "Of course and, as I hope that I've made clear, I am more than willing to provide any aid where I am able to help. I would gladly join the hunting party after whatever fiend who dared to slay the Hero Chosen by the Gods for you, my lady. And, besides... how could I turn down any possibly for a good adventure?"

The Hyrulean Queen tucked her rose into her hair before kindly grasped the prince's hand that held hers with her other hand and thanked him for his kind words. While she wore a mask of gratitude and tranquility, beneath it ravaged heartache and dread. Prince Vahlymor could not have known just how much his information affected Zelda or how much it meant to her. Together they stood and continued their stroll through the gardens, Vahl lending his arm for the queen to hold. For those watching, they would see a pair of royals laughing and talking about the finer things of life. Both queen and prince were doing a fantastic job with hiding their true thoughts and emotions.

/

The door was like any other, not significant in any sort of way. The wood was thick and sturdy, the same material used for hundreds of others like it. No windows breached the solidness of the timbers and the handle hung over a thick lock, to which there was only one key. Such a key only Zelda possessed, as she was the only person who was allowed inside. There was no signage to indicate that the room beyond was special, which is why Zelda had chosen it. The only indication that the door guarded anything of significance was the fact that before the door stood four of the Royal Guardsmen, men sworn specifically to protect the queen at all costs, and who only answered to their Queen and the Personal Guard of the Queen.

The latter is who they currently guarded.

Zelda hated at the sight of the door. Seeing it now it caused her chest to clench with heartache and pain while the coldness of dread seeped into her veins. Upon seeing their queen, who once more had donned her black cloak of mourning, the Royal Guardsmen saluted her in unison with their fists to their hearts, to which their queen gave a small nod in reply. By her side stood Zelda's acting Personal Guard, Sir Arvid, and he would hold such a title until the Council and Zelda decided if he should keep the title or not. There were more pressing matters for the moment and such discussions could wait.

Retaining her regal composure, the queen held up her hand. She glanced at Arvid, to which he simply nodded, before Zelda proceeded forward as she retrieved the door's key from a hidden pocket in the folds of her dress. The metal of the key felt icy cold through her glove, but it must've just been her imagination. With a fleeting glance at the key she inserted it into the keyhole and unlocked the door. The lock mechanism made a clear click, though it might as well have been a bomb blasted for it caused Zelda to faintly shudder. The guards nearest to the door glanced at their queen but dared not speak a word.

No one said anything as their queen opened the door and entered the room where the Hero of Hyrule lay dead within. She pointedly didn't look at the centre of the room until she heard once more the click of the lock, which informed her that the door was closed. She faced the door, hand still on the interior handle and she froze. Closing her eyes, Zelda gently placed her forehead against the wood and inhaled slowly. Finally her expression broke and her brow creased with stress, a dry sob escaping her lips. Her exhale came out shaking and she opened her eyes to the ceiling, blinking back tears, as she tried to steel her resolve.

The Hero of Time and offered her a choice and his recommendation and now that she had spoken with Prince Vahlyor, she knew what she needed to do… what had to be done.

Taking another calming breath, Zelda slowly turned and her gaze fell upon Link's body. The Hylian man had been gently transferred to this room by Zelda's order. The room itself was small and circular, meant as a private study or hospice, but now the total of its furnishings were a few candles in their holders upon the walls and ornate table upon which Link lay upon. The table was dressed with a great embroidered blanket bearing the Wingcrest and was a shade of black: the colouring of death and mourning.

Stepping closer to the body, Zelda's face soothed and she smiled gently as she came to his side to look down upon his face. His eyes were closed and his face serene and he looked almost like he could he sleeping. That is… until Zelda's gaze trailed down his body to his green tunic, which had been dyed with the dark crimson of blood. The queen's eyes quickly passed over the blood to Link's gut and followed upwards along the blade of the Master Sword. She could still see the faint bluish gleam the blade always emitted but she could also see how the light covered Link's entire body, like an invisible cocoon. It was just as the Hero of Time described. Link's body was both dead and asleep and was nothing more than an empty vessel upon the table frozen in time by the power of the Master Sword. His soul was not present, what made Link Link was not within the room and thinking about that caused another pang of pain to erupt across Zelda's chest. Fighting back tears, the queen returned to stand by his head and smiled once more as she reached down to smooth his aside his bangs.

"Hello, Link," she said softly, smiling a bit wider when her fingers failed to shift back his bangs. "Forgive me but I had to see for myself. My guards had informed me that when they had moved your body here, that they could lift you they couldn't move your form. It is as the Hero of Time said, that your body has been frozen in time and will not change until the Master Sword has been removed". Pausing for a moment, Zelda's smile eased into a frown before she whispered, "Which only I am able to remove…" Sighing, Zelda slightly shook her head, tearing her gaze away from Link's face and onto the side of the room.

"It's… not fair, Link," she said softly. "It is not fair that this is your fate after all you have done for Hyrule, for my people and for me". Creasing her brow into a furrow, Zelda glared at the wall as it were the source of the injustice that had befallen the knight. Opening her lips to speak more, Zelda paused and after a moment, she slowly shut her mouth. Dropping her chin and gaze, sadness seeped into her expression and she remained silent for a couple minutes. After which she turned back to look upon Link's sleeping face.

"It's my fault you ended up like this," Zelda finally whispered and her words were enough for a couple tears to fall from the corner of her eyes. "If I hadn't reacted as I had after you kiss- after what happened between us, if I hadn't sent you away then you wouldn't have been alone. You are a Knight of Hyrule, my Personal Guard and the Chosen Hero of the Gods. I should never have sent you away without... without even being able to say goodbye. Now I don't even get the chance".

Placing her hands upon the edge of the table, Zelda leaned her weight upon them, lowered her head, and watched a couple of her tears strike the fabric of the blanket. Now that she was alone with no eyes upon her, save for Link's closed ones, Zelda allowed herself to express her emotions freely and reveal her twisting feelings. She had met with Prince Vahlymor in the gardens a few hours ago and the entire time since it had been a struggle to keep her composure. Finally, when it had been appropriate to do so, Zelda had excused herself from her Councillors and duties to have a private supper; however, she hadn't eaten. Instead, the queen had asked Arvid to accompany her and they had come to Link's room.

There was no way Zelda could even think about food. True she hadn't eaten much all day but considering how she was feeling and how heavy her thoughts were, she had zero appetite.

"The Hero of Time," Zelda said finally, recalling the handsome knight from her dream. "You look so much like him, especially your eyes, and he told me that I resemble my ancestor: one of my grandmothers". Smiling faintly, Zelda slowly lifted her gaze to fall upon the knight's face and she stared at him as she continued to speak. "He told me that I can save you, Link, and you deserve to be saved. You always were the one doing all of the saving and I don't seem to ever be of any help. This time," Zelda continued softly, "I can help, I can save you and… you know, it's funny. It feels like a lifetime ago where my greatest worry was whom I would marry. I regret not telling you sooner I truly do, but… I suppose it doesn't matter now".

Pausing to suddenly laugh under her breath before it grew into a mature laugh. The force of the action returned tears to her eyes but Zelda was so exhausted and mentally ravaged from stress that she couldn't hold back the laughter even if she wanted to. After a few moments she settled down, still smiling, and after a few more she chuckles she finally managed to say, "I never told you that your name actually came up when I was discussing potential suitors with the Councillors during the last Council meeting. It's silly now that it comes to mind but now is as good a time as ever to tell you". Shaking her head softly, still smiling, she looked aside thoughtfully before saying in a softer tone, "I didn't say aloud, as I couldn't, but I had thought about it: you being a potential suitor for me, I mean. However, I cannot marry a man who is not of noble blood and I said as much to the Councillors". Chuckling once more and sighing, Zelda looked back at Link's face and said, "Perhaps… I should've considered making you the exception to the law but, oh Goddesses, could you imagine?"

Staring at Link's face, almost expecting him to burst out laughing, Zelda's smile slowly faded and her expression became serious. "To save you I'll have to travel to Noruidia," she said, "and face dangers and threats I could not even begin to fathom. The road would be long and hard and would take me to the kingdom of my mother. But... my duty and responsibility are here in Hyrule. As queen, I am expected to stand by my people, safe in my castle, and let others go off and risk their lives for my sake. When Zant invaded the castle, so many brave men fell protecting me and I surrendered to save the lives of my people but also myself. I have told you before that I refuse to ever being a damsel in distress ever again and now I am faced with the choice to embark on my own adventure and-"

Zelda's next word froze upon her lips and her eyes barely were able to widen in reaction to her instincts because suddenly a strong and cold hand covered her mouth. An arm, or something equally limb-like and strong, gripped around her waist, pinning her arms to her sides. The person, or thing, who held her was incredibly strong and solid. Only after the woman overcame her initial shock of being grabbed did her instincts take over and the queen began to fight back. Trying to scream or bite the hand over her mouth, Zelda arched her back to try and get away from her attacker but to no avail. Kicking up her legs she tried to push off of the table but icy cold shock surged through her when she felt tendrils or vines wrap around her ankles and pin them to the ground. Screaming louder against the hand, Zelda's wide and terrified eyes strained to see whoever her attacker was but her head was held still and she could not see anything.

All she could do was stare down helplessly at Link's unmoving body and how the glow of the Master Sword that surrounded him had become slightly brighter.

Her heart was pounding hard as fear and anger swept through her body. Zelda struggled to catch her breath due to her frightened breathing through her nostrils. It was then that she realized that she felt no body pressed behind her back, nor breath or any other sound… just the hand over her mouth and whatever appendages were securing her arms and holding her ankles. She froze; her smothered screams ceased and her mind was filled with chilling comprehension in the form of two words: Dark Link.

As if on cue, a dark and menacing laugh erupted from the shadows of the room and the queen frantically looked around, her eyes narrowing in fury. The laugh seemed to come from all around yet she couldn't see anything or anyone. The laughter made her blood run cold and the mere sound of it insulted and defiled her ears. It sounded so… hauntingly familiar. Glancing down at Link's body, Zelda started to shake when it became clear why the laughter was so recognizable, for it was a sound she had heard often over the past five years. However, hearing it now felt wrong and tainted and the woman screamed against the hand in defiance, challenging them to show themselves.

This malicious imposter, this false impersonator, who dared use Link's laugh.

Just as the laugh became loud enough that perhaps the guards outside might hear, it stopped suddenly and silence returned to the room. Breathing heavily through her nose, Zelda struggled against her steely bonds before a scream burst from her lips when her body was suddenly ripped into the air towards the wall of the room. Instinctively shutting her eyes against any impact, the queen grunted when her body unexpectedly stopped. Her landing was unexpectedly soft as her back was gently pressed against the wall and her tendril-shackles secured her to the stones of the wall.

Her bonds still tightly held fast and the queen could do nothing. It was clear by then that her muffled screams had not been heard by her guards outside so there was little use trying to continue. Her blue eyes frantically searched the room but there was nothing to be seen, nothing out of the ordinary. Zelda was helpless and no one was going to come help her because no one knew she was in danger. None of the guards would dare interrupt her while she was visiting Link's body so none would think to check on her.

"Your Royal Majesty, Queen Zelda of Hyrule… we formally meet at last. It is truly my pleasure..."

The voice came directly beside Zelda's left ear. She gasped and jumped in surprise for the sound of it, like pure restrained seduction, which made her heart skip a beat in fright. Her eyes strained leftwards to see the face of the dark being but she couldn't see anything. At first her gaze was narrowed, for it was anger and fury that filled her mind, but directly out of her peripheral vision from the shadows upon the wall itself beside her did a dark form take shape. Appearing like a giant, intelligent blot of ink, as just as black, the shadow emerged beside Zelda and quickly morphed in form to become humanoid. A head, neck, torso, hair and the bridge of a nose quickly appeared before the form shifted into the form of a man and Zelda's anger returned to being disbelief and fear.

'Oh Farore, no…' she thought, eyes wide, and Zelda began to shake because here now standing beside her was… Link.

It looked like Link in every way except… everything was so wrong at the same time. His deep blue eyes had been replaced by ones of crimson and glowed with an unearthly power. His skin was a pale grey and his hair a ghostly greyish-white. His long, floppy hat and tunic were black and her face and expression were perfectly matched to the Hyrulean hero. Zelda could only stare and her gaze was only broken when the being lifted his left hand to gently and slowly sweep a finger along the line of her chin. Zelda tried to shy away from him but her restraints held firm. Her wide, frightened eyes quickly turned dangerous and narrowed when he touched her.

How dare he touch the Queen of Hyrule!

Unfazed, unconcerned or simply ignoring her obvious discomfort and hatred directed at him, Dark Link's crimson eyes were half-lidded as once more he trailed his finger along her jaw. His finger continued its journey until it trailed down the side of her neck. Zelda shivered from the touch, hating how it tickled and how… gentle and intimate this entire entrapment was. This imitator who had stolen Link's form was standing so close to her, their chests nearly touching and she could feel his hot breath upon her cheek. With her head unable to turn, she could only see from his chest, head, and his left arm and he made no notion that he intended to give her any space.

After what felt like a few minutes of Dark Link simply gazing softly at her with his fingers brushing against her skin, Zelda couldn't take it anymore and muffled something behind her mouth's cover. Seemingly breaking his concentration, Dark Link blinked and finally looked up to meet her eyes and smiled. Like... actually smiled. He looked, oh Goddesses, he looked so carefree and happy! He looked so much like Link that it was disturbing, especially since Zelda could still see Link's body laying mere feet behind this dark imposter's back.

Catching her gaze, Dark Link looked over his shoulder at where Hyrule's hero lay and he sighed. "It's a pity, isn't it?" he said under his breath, his voice soft, his voice… Link's. "I wasn't able to finish my work and you were forced to see such a grisly sight. I assure you, my lady, but my original plan, had it gone smoothly, would have insured that you never would have known what had transpired. However… I was sadly interrupted and have been waiting ever since for the most opportune moment to make my move. I have been watching you," Dark Link said, turning back to look at her and blocking Link's body from her view. His expression was so serene, so… terrifyingly sincere. he reached up and Zelda instinctively flinched but Dark Link simply plucked the rose from her hair, the rose Vahl had given her and regarded it. When he continued to speak softly, "I did so to make sure that you were safe. It is, after all, my duty to do so but it's so much more than that... Please understand, Zelda…" his voice catching on her name, a smile breaching his lips, as if finally being able to speak the queen's name brought him sheer joy that he forgot to continue speaking.

"Zelda… your beautiful name does not reflect the beauty that you behold. How long have I waited to speak with you, touch you and be with you". Reaching up, Dark Link tenderly swept back her hair that had fallen by her face with the rose, replacing it behind her ear instead, and sighed with what could only be described as pleasure. "I know your name and of course you know mine. I've even heard you mutter it as you slept," he said with a grin, a hint of amusement brightening his red eyes.

Zelda just continued to glare at him, hating him, disgusted at the notion that this thing had been watching her sleep. She hated how he sounded, how gentle he touched her, how he spoke to her as he if had known her for years at a personal level, how close he was, how his bangs swept into his eyes, the charm of his smile and, most importantly, how he made her feel. Zelda felt dirty, conflicted, and assaulted. 'How dare he', was all she kept repeating in her mind.

How dare he touch her.

How dare he sound and look like her best friend.

How dare he make her heart jump when he spoke to her so intimately.

How dare he caused her blood to pump faster when he had pushed back her hair, his thumb glancing against her neck.

No one touched the queen, ever, and no one ever had except for when… when...

The sensation and memory of Link's lips upon hers jolted her so suddenly that she sucked in a breath through her nose. She could feel the phantom imprints of his hands upon her arms, holding her, and the unexpectedness of the memory caused a whimper to rise from her throat. Shutting her eyes tight to try and force the memory away, Zelda immediately regretted breaking her glare upon Dark Link.

"It feels so good to be able to touch you, Zelda," he whispered next to her ear, his hot breath tickling her earlobe. "You have no idea how hard it's been to merely watch from the shadows... "

Tears appeared in the corner of Zelda's eyes before she quickly snapped her eyes open. His voice… oh Goddesses, his voice was Link's and Zelda had been so worried that she would never hear that voice again. She had to keep her eyes open, to see that it wasn't her knight speaking so sweetly so her, that it was this dark imitation, this imposter, this doppelgänger, and meeting those glowing crimson eyes the Queen of Hyrule narrowed her gaze stubbornly and adamantly.

To her surprise and annoyance, Dark Link laughed upon seeing her steely gaze. Cocking his eyebrow matched with a smirk he said, "Now there's my fiery queen. Forgive me, I don't intend to make you a damsel in distress, for trust me when I say that I know everything about you and how much you hate feeling vulnerable. That being said, if I release your mouth do you promise not to scream?"

His question roused a blink from Zelda. Was he being serious?

As if reading her thoughts, Dark Link chuckled again and nodded. "Well, of course you will, so let me put it this way. If I free your mouth and you don't scream… I promise that I won't paint the walls outside that door," he gestured towards the room's only door, "with the blood of all of your loyal and fine young guards who are diligently waiting for you to return to them unharmed. It'd be a shame, for you that is, and it'd stain the carpet… What say you?"

The threat within Dark Link's words, spoken with Link's voice, caused Zelda to pale and with a soft exhale of resignation, she managed to nod her head. Dark Link searched her eyes for a moment before grinning happily and just like that, Zelda gasped as her gag was removed and she coughed a couple times as she caught her breath. Her breath came out shaking as she trembled with rage and disdain but she managed to raise her chin at the dark entity that held her.

"How dare you touch the Queen of Hyrule, foul creature". Zelda's voice was clear and strong and her tone reflected her feelings of utter revulsion. "Release me at once," she ordered through gritted teeth and with narrowed eyes.

"I would apologize but, frankly I'm not sorry," Dark Link replied with his smirk. "And I will release you but- ah, unfortunately not yet". Reaching up, he once against caressed the woman's chin to which she jerked away. Chuckling, Dark Link bit his lower lip and looked at the queen. "You speak so formally, yet we are old friends.''

"I do not know you," Zelda replied sternly. "You are nothing more than a shadow, a twisted reflection of a true hero and-"

Dark Link's hand suddenly gripped the side of Zelda's hair and pulled her head forward slightly. The queen sucked in a breath but did not call out, though her lip quivered and she trembled. She now found her nose touching her captor's, her eyes an inch away from his and she found herself unable to look away from those blood-red eyes.

"What do you want?" Zelda asked in a harsh whisper, shaking when Dark Link grinned mischievously and he closed his eyes briefly.

"What do I want?" Dark Link repeated, his glowing red eyes searched hers and momentarily a wave of what looked to be sadness swept over his expression. "I want," he began softly, still staring at her, "to no longer have to hide in the shadows. What I want is what your precious Hero wanted but never took. I want..." Dark Link's voice broke and his hand upon the side of her face twitched. Leaning forward to rest his forward against the top of Zelda's, the dark knight sighed with lonely sadness. "I want to be with you and only you. However, I'm not like a coward like him so I intend on taking what I want".

"Don't you speak of him!" Zelda hissed, eyes narrowed to deadly slits and she jerked her head away from his and fought the urge to spit in his face.

"I have every right to speak of him," Dark Link replied, leaning back to look at her, his expression smoothly shifting to one of amusement. "After all, I, he… we are the same. We share the same blood, after all". Glancing over to his hand that was placed on the side of the queen's face before he returned his gaze to lock onto hers; a shade of darkness crept into his expression. "But you know this already, Your Majesty, don't you?"

Zelda just stared at him, hating him, hating his hand upon her and how he was right. She knew how Dark Link had been formed out of Link's blood and dark magic. If she tried to deny it, Dark Link would know and she certainly was in no position to antagonize him.

As if he'd been reading her internal thoughts, Dark Link simply nodded and his expression brightened once more. "I heard you tell your maid how you met the oh-so-glorious Hero of Time in your dreams. Yes, I know of him as well and if it weren't for that meddling bastard we wouldn't be in this predicament, now would we?" Leaning forward so that his cheek brushed against her, Dark Link closed his eyes and inhaled slowly the sweet scent of her hair. He took a moment to relish Zelda's sheer presence: her fragrance, her warmth, the luscious curves of her body, how sooth her skin was and how soft and silky her hair felt beneath his fingers. Focusing on her helped harden his focus, just as much as it hardened the lust within his groin. Slowly he settled his chin upon her shoulder, his left hand resting upon her arm in a slight embrace, and Dark Link sighed once more.

"I just…" he began, pausing to lick his lips and reopened his eyes to look at her. Her eyes… were so beautiful, so full of colour where his entire existence consisted of shades of blacks, greys and whites. Finding himself lost within her eyes, Dark Link forgot for a moment to continue. "I just want to be with you, Zelda," Dark Link finally said, clearing his throat. "I want to show you how much you mean to me in ways that He, that poor fucking excuse for a knight-" the grey-skinned Hylian began, his voice shifting into one of disgust and anger as he turned his head to point at poor Link's body just lying there, "-that he never had the balls to show. He never was honest with you, Zelda, how he, and therefore myself, feel about you. Once," Dark Link turned back to Zelda, his expression excited and motivated, and held up a finger, "only once did he dare show any sort of true affection for you and it was all wrong! He was a fucking idiot and I wish you had slapped him harder! If anything, he should have kissed you in your study when you read your mother's letters. I told him as much, by the way, because he's a fucking idiot and deserved to be reminded as much. I mean... yeah it's not like I was rooting for him to kiss you but for fuck's sake. What a loser... I was truly ashamed to share his blood in that moment. I'm so much braver than him, as you can already see."

Smiling briefly at Zelda before shaking his head with disapproval, Dark Link scoffed and glared over at his Light World counterpart's body and at the Master Sword itself. "I remember everything, Zelda. I have all of his memories! All of the times your hands brushed, how often he thought of you, wanted to hold you when your were upset, to help you, to speak openly with you and-" Pausing in his words to take an unsteady breath through his teeth, Dark Link turned back to Zelda and continued in a hushed, angered tone. "He kissed you all wrong! He had his moment and he fucked it up! I don't blame you that you sent him away, rightly so I might add, and what does he do? Goes off and fucks some Gerudo whore and is just a compliant little obedient bitch who was happy to just leave you alone. Especially with those Noruidian bastards prowling about the castle. I didn't leave you alone, of course, but Him and I… let's just say we're connected so I know all about his sandy sex-romps". Dark Link regarded her expression before blinking. "Oh? What you didn't know about his little sand slut? I'm sorry to inform you, Your Majesty, but your precious Link had a few secrets he was keeping from you but… I guess all of those years of him envisioning bedding you finally got the best of him so he went to try and get some little Gerudo bitch pregnant. Oh well... it all doesn't matter now". Dark Link sighed and half-shrugged.

Zelda never broke her glare for him; however, his expression read nothing of maliciousness and she found this perplexing. Rather he looked pained, troubled and maybe even sad; his red eyes were full of longing with a hint of loneliness. Not that she cared for this evil creature even in the slightest but… she was finding it difficult to focus on him as he spoke. It felt like his entire image kept shifting in and out of focus, like a reflection in water: it was as if every time she blinked it was actually Link she saw standing so close to her and not this dark imitation and she had to try in order to see him better.

"I don't believe you," Zelda replied sternly, the shock from his words gone from her eyes and now all her expression read was regal annoyance. "A dark entity like yourself, a monster created from dark shadow magic, can only lie. Now, tell me what you want or I swear by the Three Goddess... stop wasting my time, demon".

"I would never lie to you, Zelda," Dark Link replied, his expression and smile softening, a flash of what looked ot be hurt even creasing his eyes. He smoothed the side of her head with his hand, "And I am not here to waste your time, far from it. You deserve so much better than how you've been treated, so I have come to help you. You've been under a lot of stress for some time now and it's pained me to watch. However, I know how independent you are, so I was going to allow you to do the right thing but, alas… I think the stress has gotten to you so I had to step in". Grinning and arching his brows, Dark Link tone changed to one that sounded almost like he was teasingly scolding her when he continued, "You were planning on saving the Green-Fucker behind me, weren't you? All of those dangers…. Monsters, bandits, the ocean itself, you were going to face all of that for one knight? A knight beaten by his own shadow, beaten by himself! It was so easy and I can't imagine, my dear, sweet, beautiful Zelda, I couldn't just let you risk yourself for that".

Shaking his head, the shadow-Hylian adjusted his grip to gently lift Zelda's chin to force her to look up at him and he leaned forward until their noses touched. "To help you, I'm going to have to borrow something of yours. It won't hurt, I promise you, and I'm only just going to borrow your, umm…" Dark Link's eyes gazed downwards and he sucked in a breath before he continued hastily, "body to remove that bloody sword. You see that's one of the biggest differences between Him and me: I can't really get any closer to that sword from where I am. Stupid Light versus Dark rules, you understand. But! I digress, though with your perfect body I can remove the sword and then I can take over His body. We can then finally be together, no questions asked. Think of it! Like a miracle you'll have your Hero back, with the skin tone you're familiar with and everything". Dark Link chuckled, looking downwards and slightly shaking his head. The shadow knight lifted his head and took a half step back to show Zelda just what was so funny. "You see, as handsome as I am, my body is not suited for this world. It does, however, have some benefits, as you can see".

Zelda's eyes didn't immediately look away from Dark Link's. Wariness cautioned her and she didn't trust anything about the creature to break her angered gaze. However, a fog was beginning to grow in her mind and it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus. That being said, curiosity managed to poke at the backs of her eyes, coaxing them to look. The fog forced her to relent and look and she saw that the right side of the fiend steadily degraded in recognizable form. Where his shoulder should've been attached to his arm there was only a shapeless black limb that was stretched long and towards her.

The queen's eyes momentarily widened when she realized that the tendrils encircling her arms and trapping her ankles were actually attached to Dark Link. Grimacing at what held her, Zelda returned her eyes to glower at her shadow-keeper. "You speak of the monsters far away, but the only one that I see is you," she said smoothly and with the dignity of her kingdom's ruler. "Now... tell me of your master, demon. Who dared to insult the Goddesses with your vile creation? Who orchestrated the Dark Arrow?"

The corners of Dark Link's eyes momentarily twitched and he rotated his jaw slowly at the queen's words, before he only chuckled and shrugged. "Say what you want now, Your Majesty, but in a few moments it won't matter. And as for my m-" Dark Link stumbled over his words and his mouth clamped shut and his eyes narrowed dangerously as he stared at the wall behind her.

Zelda, her wits wavering, gave him a slightly curious look.

"Well, no need to worry yourself about all that," Dark Link finally replied, his expression softening once more but it was quite clear that he had skipped the topic of his master altogether. "Taking a note from Lord Ganondorf, I shall puppeteer you for a short period and remove the sword from His body. I will then enter my new body. To make this all easier, I will also erase your memory of this entire conversation so that you have no reservations. Just remember: if you're thinking of screaming at any point, I will make short work of the five men on the other side of that door. That, my dear… I won't let you forget".

Stepping back close to her again, Dark Link didn't hesitate when he reached up to caress the side of Zelda's cheek. Helplessness and fear seeped into her expression, especially as she watched his expression turned cold and indifferent. "As I told you, Zelda… I would never lie to you". He looked at her, watched how her eyes glistened, and could feel her warm blood beating through her veins beneath her skin. The longer he stared, the more gentle his expression became before Dark Link sighed and leaned towards her until the distance between their faces was barely a hair's width.

"I love you, Zelda," he spoke softly, genuineness seeping into his expression, "with my entire being. Where your Green Hero was a coward, I am not afraid to admit it and to tell you everything. You are the reason I exist, so I am going to help you finish this. We will be together and I shall never fail to protect you". Smiling at her, Dark Link grazed his thumb across Zelda's lips before ever-so-gently and softly, he pressed his lips against hers.

The queen's breath caught in her throat at the tenderness of Dark Link's words and how soft his touch felt against her skin. She didn't react when he kissed her except that she froze. He had just threatened her guardsmen, had promised to possess her and sever Link's ability to return to his body, yet here he was kissing her with such sincerity and affection. It made no sense and the growing density of the fog in her mind was making it difficult for her to think clearly. She wanted to scream, wanted to beat him back for touching and kissing her, wanted to drive the Master Sword through his own gut. However, even now as she stared at him as he kissed her, she saw… Link. Dark Link was Link and yet he wasn't. He himself has stated that he had all of Link's memories and that they shared blood, but his personality was… bolder than Link's, less subtle, more stark and crude. It was as the Hero of Time had warned her, that Dark Link was the embodiment of Link's weaknesses and flaws but only twisted, intensified and strengthened. However, the ancient hero had also said that this creature would be lustful and filled with violent desire. True she was currently bound and under distress with threats but Dark Link had yet to indicate he had any intention to actually harm her. When he touched her, it was so delicate, as if he was truly afraid to hurt her.

It was… this all was… she should… why?

Zelda's eyelids fluttered as Dark Link deepened his kiss and she felt herself going limp. The dark fog that had secretly and silently creeping into her mind the entire conversation, subtly keeping her complacent, was now making it impossible for her to keep her wits about her. The woman felt her consciousness screaming at her to move, to break the kiss, but with every passing second it faded into the background. Slowly and finally, Zelda closed her eyes and the last wisps of her strength was drained from her body. Zelda wanted to get away, truly she did, instead she ended up returning his kiss. She leaned into Dark Link and he responded with a smirk in their kiss.

Very soon Dark Link would have control of the Queen of Hyrule's body. He would then get the pleasure of ripping the Master Sword out of Link's body, before he completely possessed his Light World's counterpart's vessel to become him. Dark Link's abilities would heal the wounds of Link's body and Zelda would have no memory of any of this. There would be much rejoicing when the kingdom learned of their beloved hero's miraculous resurrection and recovery and he would be there, at Zelda's side, forever and always. He would shower her with affection and love and surely soon she would accept his advances and take him to her bed. He would love her, he would be with her, and his seed would grow in her belly.

That was his dream, that was his wish: his desire, his goal, his want and need. If only this desire was truly originally his...

Dark Link was so close...

But, alas... plans never seem to pan out as they're supposed to.

The Hyrulean Queen was strong: spiritually, mentally and physically. It had taken his entire conversation whilst holding her to slowly invade her mind to overcome her spirit with his will. He truly hadn't been lying, Dark Link couldn't physically get much closer to Link's body with its protection from the Master Sword. It had hurt him to grab Zelda from Link's side when he had, which was why he had been slow to reveal himself from the shadows. With Dark Link concentrating on infiltrating Zelda's mind and body with his shadowy essence, he failed to notice that the reasonably dim and grim room was beginning to brighten.

Suddenly light exploded into the room and Dark Link cried out in surprise and pain, his kiss upon Zelda's unconscious lips broken. Shielding his eyes from the brightness, his form wavering like oil upon water in reaction to the light, Dark Link glared over his shoulder at whatever was making the light.

"The fuck-?" was all he was able to snarl, his crimson eyes widening in surprise when he saw that the source of the light was a circular portal that had appeared upon the opposite wall. "How?" he screamed and his gaze was ripped from the portal when a loud bang erupted on the other side of the door.

"Your Majesty? Are you alright? Is there someone in there with you?"

"For fuck's sake…" Dark Link grumbled under his breath. Of course this would all happen now. He couldn't move or else he'd lose what little control he had over Zelda as it was, now that his focus had been broken. With a hiss of frustration his black tendrils erupted at the base of the door, wrapping around the handle and stretching across the wood, just as Sir Arvid on the other side tried to open it.

"Your Majesty! Open the door!"

Dark Link's focus was drawn back to the portal as a loud, deep and deadly growl filled the room, directly from the depths of the gateway. His eyes in deadly, narrowed slits, the monotone knight turned back to Zelda's limp form. Indecision creased his face, which then twisted with a grimace of agony by annoyance. He lifted his hand to smooth of side of the queen's cheek for one more fleeting touch before he pivoted to face the portal, his left hand transforming from flesh to black blade. His right arm were still preoccupied with containing both Zelda and the room's door. With the presence of the Master Sword ever-pressing against him, there was little room for Dark Link to maneuver for the inevitable fight to come.

The fight did come in the form of bared teeth with claws, a growling snarl and hackles standing up on end in ferocity. The beast leapt from the depths portal and landed on the table upon which Link lay dead; the gateway behind it quickly collapsed once again into non-existence. Usually in such situations, Dark Link would've made some sort of witty or snarky quip but there was no time for such nonsense. The wolf that had emerged from the portal, bathed in its own source of light was now standing over Link's body, barked a snarl as it lunged forward, teeth bared and ready, and Dark Link roared with ferocity and fury and he swept his arm-blade at the beast.

With surprising agility and deftness, the wolf managed to dodge Dark Link's attack and flipped mid-air. With deadly accuracy the beast sunk its teeth into its fiendish foe's shoulder, rousing a grunt of pain from Zelda's captor. The wolf's full weight slammed against Dark Link, sending his back painfully against the wall, so that he now stood side-by-side with Zelda's unconscious form. His arm-blade had become pinned uselessly between his chest and the gouging claws of the savage wolf. Light exploded from around the wolf's jaw as it clamped down fiercely upon Dark Link's shoulder, causing his entire form to shift and squirm away, wavering back into shapeless shadows, as pain creased his expression.

"Ah! You sonofa- Fuck!" Dark Link screamed, his expression contorted between agony and rage, and he screamed again when the wolf bit down even harder.

His legs shook from the extra weight of the wolf and his black tendrils squirmed and writhed in pain from the wolf's light and bite, threatening to lose their grasp upon the Hyrulean Queen and the room's door. Heavy thuds and bangs echoed through the room as a chorus to the wolf's snarls and Dark Link's string of curses and pained grunts. The Queen's Guard fought against the door's thick wood to gain access to their unresponsive queen and were trying to break down the door to reach her.

With teeth clamped hard together and mouth was distorted into a deadly grimace, Dark Link felt himself start to shake from the pressure and presence of the wolf's light. With one final, pained glance at Zelda, he cried out in defeat and released his grip on solidity. In an instant he morphed into a shadow and his tangibility dissipated so that the wolf lost its grip and dropped to the floor. The dark tendrils released their hold upon Zelda, though with a lasting tenderness and extra effort to ease her slack body gently down into a slumped position.

Dark Link had been driven off and silence returned to the small room.

That is until the great crash splintering of wood filled the air as the guards finally managed to bust the door down now that it was no longer being barricaded by shadow magic. Arvid rushed into the room, immediately followed by his fellow guardsmen, with their swords drawn and ready to defend their queen. The men were momentarily stunned and some gasped when they saw a great, greyish wolf fleetingly look at them before it leapt at Zelda's limp body on the other side of the room. The moment the beast came into contact with the Hyrulean Queen, a great light filled the room and blinded them all.

…

…

…

"-!"

Zelda opened her eyes and sat up with a start, her gasp echoing all around her before her breath sputtered into a coughing fit. Her entire body was trembling, her heart was beating fast and she could feel that she was teetering on the verge of tears. Darkness. Once again she had been submerged into darkness, and there had been nothing she could do to save herself from Dark Link's oppression. But then… it had vanished, just like that. The darkness had been ripped out of her so suddenly and she-

Blinking, Zelda looked up and finally saw her environment and that no longer was she in the room with Link's body.

Or even in Hyrule Castle at all.

All around her were swirling white mists. The ghostly shadows of great trees surrounded the misty clearing in which Zelda found herself sitting within, her legs tucked beneath her. Far off in the distance she could see the outline of Hyrule Castle and she heard her own breathing echoing back to her, as is she were in a great cavern.

She knew where she was. Having heard of Link's stories for years, Zelda recognized the Ghostly Ether he had described to her, but how had she gotten there? Her attention was immediately alerted to the echoes of another being. Scanning her gaze, the woman's eyes locked onto the form of a wolf sitting nay two feet in front of her and she jumped back in surprise. Its blue eyes were staring up at her, snout downcast and ears pinned back as if ashamed, and it was its occasional whimpering which she had initially heard. Had it always been there since she awoke? Or had it just appeared? Her memory and mind felt scattered, broken after their molestation by Dark Link's influence, and forming a clear thought was proving to be difficult to the queen. The briefest flutter of fear captured her heart before her breath caught and everything seemed to still.

Zelda's eyes slowly widened and she became frozen.

"Link?"

Her whispered voice reverberated around the unearthly realm and prompted another, louder whine from the blue-eyed beast. A sudden flash caused Zelda to look away for a brief second but when she looked back, a man now knelt where the wolf had sat.

He looked perfect, in pristine condition. His light brown hair still hung in his eyes and its longer length was still held back by a band into a low ponytail beneath his iconic long, floppy hat. The red crimson of his knight's cape hung from his back, as did his Hylian shield and empty scabbard. The green of his tunic looked the same, with even the leather of his greaves still bore the wear of use and scratches from countless hours of training and battling. Zelda's mind only had the capacity to dwell of such details for a mere moment before she was able to accept that it was her best friend who was kneeling before her with an expression of weighted gravity.

"Hello, Zelda".

His voice echoed within the world and her ears. Rather than causing the queen to cry or sob, she simply smiled. "It's good to see you," she replied in a whisper.

"I don't have long to speak," the knight replied, licking his lips and leaning his head forward a bit. "Are you… are you injured?"

"No," Zelda replied, only realizing after she answered that it was the truth. "I feel," she began looking down at her hands, which had stopped shaking, "light, as if I'm only partially here".

"Well, that's not too far off from the truth," Link replied with the faintest hint of a smile. "I'm sure you've figured out where I've taken you".

"Yes," she answered, looking back up at her knight.

"Good," the man replied with a slight nod, "and what you're feeling won't last, it's just your soul adjusting to the realm".

"Link, I-" Zelda began but the knight held up his hand to stop her.

"Please, I don't have long and there is much to say".

"You saved me," Zelda whispered, her expression cracking with her words.

"Always," Link replied, his smile lifting a tad. "I'm just glad I reached you in time".

"How did you know?"

"I have been… watching you," Link replied, pausing in his words as he thought fast on how to describe it all to her. "It's all I could do while in the Spirit Realm".

"Then how are you here?" Zelda spoke almost automatically, her tone casual with a hint of yearning, and she found herself fighting hard against the impulse to reach out and touch him. This all just didn't feel real. "How? Why?"

"I had to, Zelda," Link said after a moment, his expression returning back to seriousness. "I had to stop Dark Link from possessing your body". Glancing aside, Link's tone took on a hard edge as he finished, "at any cost I had to stop him".

"What do you mean any cost?" the queen asked, a sense of dread prickling at her heart.

Link sighed, the sound reflecting around them, and he looked back up at her and offered his hands. Zelda took them without hesitation and when he gently squeezed her fingers, tears finally welled up in her eyes from the touch. He was real.

"Link- I mean the Hero of Time, met you within your dream and told you how I was attacked, of Dark Link's intentions and that it was up to you to remove the Master Sword from my body so that I-it could die safely out of the fiend's reach. I couldn't come myself because I was just a soul and travelling between realms is very dangerous. My ancestor told me everything he told you and I hoped that you would make the right choice, to let me die".

The pleading and pain in the man's voice was clear and hearing it only caused the tears hiding at the corners of Zelda's eyes to fall, though her expression remained calm. Link paused and shook his head, looking down at their hands, and he creased his brows and forced himself to continue speaking: he was running out of time.

"I saw your conversation with Impaz, watched you question the prince and heard your voice when you were next to my body. If I heard you then so did Dark Link. I knew this and as soon as I saw him attack you I had to do something, I had to save you no matter the cost".

"What did you mean when you said that you 'were' just a soul?" Zelda asked when he was done his sentence, to which the hero looked up to meet her eyes.

"There was a great price to pay in order to come save you, Zelda, I'm not going to lie. But I would do it again and again without hesitation because I had to convince you to change your mind about going to Noruidia to try and save me. It would be too dangerous for you and I couldn't let it happen".

Link stared at Zelda with such honesty and intensity that it made her heart ache. Silence filled the air between them and sadness darkened Zelda's eyes. She smoothed the sides of his hands with her thumbs and when she finally spoke, her voice was hollow and empty, "I… never intended to go to Noruidia, Link. I'm sorry but... when I went to your body it was to say farewell. I was going to remove the Master Sword before Dark Link attack- or, before he interrupted me from doing so".

The knight visibly paled and searched Zelda's melancholy eyes before his eyes grew hard and he slightly shook his head, looking away. "It doesn't matter what you had intended or planned to do. What happened was that Dark Link nearly possessed your body in order to possess mine and I couldn't allow that to happen. Your initial intentions don't change anything".

"Link," Zelda said softly, reaching up to take his chin softly to force to look at her. "What did you have to do to get here?" she asked firmly, expression desperate yet serious, with her brows slightly creased.

The hero took a small breath as he put on a grim smile. "I've told you before how the Hero of Time always met me in the form of a Golden Wolf, right?"

Zelda nodded, dropping her hand to resume holding both of Link's.

"And do you remember why?"

The queen blinked and frowned, pausing for a moment before answering, "Well, you had said that he had regretted not being able to pass down his skills and that it was the Goddesses who took pity on him. As for the form of a wolf..." Zelda trailed off in her words and frowned, finding it difficult to remember.

"Don't worry about it but you're right, in a way," Link replied with a sigh. "Yes, it's true, the Hero of Time regretted not being able to pass down his skills because he died young and had no immediate family. His soul lamented that no one knew his heroic deeds as the Hero of Time, because his actions changed the timelines. His regret was so great that after he died his soul, his regular Hylian soul, could not rest. He was both punished and pitied by the Goddesses who then transformed his soul into a spirit, the Hero's Spirit, whom I eventually met. However, because he is of the Chosen Hero line, his spirit was able to manifest in the Light World as…"

"A wolf," Zelda finished for him, feeling her blood running cold as her mind slowly began to connect the pieces. "So what you're saying is-? Link, what are you saying?"

Link nodded solemnly, his eyes diverted down to their hands, as he continued, "What I'm saying is that in order to save you, Zelda, I couldn't be just a soul. Only a spirit has both the ability and power to travel between the realms safely and manifest physically in the Light World. And so… I, ah…"

"Link," Zelda spoke slowly, her tone adamant, "what did you do?"

The man looked up at her, his expression sad but without an ounce of remorse or regret. "The Hero of Time told you that my soul could return at any point to my body, right? Well… not anymore".

Zelda's eyes widened and she leaned back from him, finally dropping her hands from his. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"It means that in order to become a spirit and save you I had to sacrifice my soul, in a sense. I cannot return to my body now. I'm… trapped, or rather, stuck here in the Light World". Link paused and stared at Zelda. When the queen didn't react or motion that she was going to respond, the hero continued. "I saw that you were in trouble and I had to do something, anything. The Hero of Time couldn't help you so I begged him to tell me how I could save you, for there must have been a way. He didn't say anything until I asked how I could become a spirit like he'd been as the Hero's Shade. He tried to stop me but it was my choice to make".

Link paused to dryly chuckle. He knew that he was wasting time but everything had happened so fast and now that he was retelling the series of events, it did sound crazy and rash. "I… I had no idea what to do or what I was doing. He tried to calm me down but then I got this feeling in my gut and I went with it. I followed my instincts like I always do, and I just... jumped".

"You jumped?" Zelda repeated quietly, confusion mixing in with the pallidness of her features.

"You see, how the Hero of Time and I were watching you was through this triangle of branches made by these gigantic trees which he called a Peering Gate. It's like a window into the Light World. I had to do something so I called out the Goddesses and I said something like, 'Please, Goddesses Din, Farore and Nayru! Grant me the ability to save her, to save Zelda the Queen of Hyrule! I offer up my soul just, please, help me help her!' I don't know, something like that, I can't recall exactly".

Link, who had held up his hands to emphasize his prayer, slowly set down his hands and returned his eyes to Zelda's; his expression softened when he saw the tears glistening her gaze. "And then I jumped into the Peering Gate. The Hero of Time had warned me that time flows differently between the realms, so it's only by the grace of the Goddesses that I made it to you in time".

"But how do you know that you cannot return to your body?" Zelda cried out, tears dripping down her cheeks and she grabbed at Link's hands to steady herself. "Why-... why didn't you just return to your body instead of jumping!? If you had returned to your body then Dark Link wouldn't have been able to invade it or-"

Link just slowly shook his head, his expression soft though. "That wouldn't have mattered. Remember, Dark Link would've then just sent my soul to the Dark Realm and he then taken over my body.'

Zelda's face contorted with pain and confusion as her foggy memory caught up with her. "Fine... but y-you still have to tell me what all of this means".

"I'm not sure exactly how I know all of this," Link admitted before gently reaching up to wipe the tears from her cheeks. When he'd been alive he would never have touched her this openly; funny what death does to a person. "But after I jumped into the gate, I was bathed in light and was flying or dropping through a tunnel, a pathway between the realms. A voice spoke to me in my head. It was… beautiful," Link nearly whispered the word at the memory, barely able to manage to express its beauty with any word. "It said that my prayer will be answered but there would be a price. I would become a Sacred Beast once more, my wolf form, and have the ability to protect Hyrule's future: you. That's all it said, actually. The rest… I just sort of know. Zelda, my body needs to die. If it remains as is, the Hero's bloodline will be broken and my successor will never appear. But if the Master Sword is removed and I-it dies, then when the Chosen Hero is needed once more by Hyrule, he will be born. And I must wait for him, as the Hero of Time waited for me".

Zelda just stared at him, no longer crying. "You… must wait..." she said softly, not exactly meaning to form her words into a question, but her thoughts were just slow to register what he had said.

Link, however, nodded. "I have been granted the power of a spirit. Once we return to the Light World I will appear to all as nothing more than a wolf, if people can even see me, though perhaps only you might be able to tell that I am a spirit. I'm not entirely sure. I will wait for… centuries, millennia if I must, until my successor is born and I am able to pass on my skills and knowledge to him. Only then may I rest".

"There… there must be another way," Zelda whispered, her expression darkening with slow acceptance but she had to hold onto any last thread of hope.

"I don't believe so," replied Link. "Only within other realms am I able to resume my Hylian form and even then-"

"What about the Twilight Realm?"

The hero blinked at the queen's sudden interruption, the unexpected strength of her voice and how she squeezed his hands. "Ah-?"

"Before in my dream, the Hero of Time told me that if I were to bring your body to the other gate of the Twilight Realm, that your soul and body can merge without your body dying".

"Right, but, Zelda… I don't want you risking your life for the slim chance of saving me". The man reached up to grip the queen's shoulders and said, "You mean too much to me and to Hyrule. I chose this and if waiting to properly die takes... ten-thousand years! I'll happily oblige".

"But, Link, are you saying that taking your body to the Twilight Realm can still save you?'"

"No, well yes, I suppose so... I think so, but- ah! Listen to me now, Zelda! I don't have much time left. You must remove the Master Sword from my body. If you don't, if you choose to somehow ferry it all the way to Noruidia to try and save me, Dark Link will never stop hunting you. I will do everything to protect you but I don't want to risk it. If you let my body die, then he will die too".

"But how?-"

"The Hero of Time explained to me that Dark Link is-is-is my ... reflection, of sorts. For all of his dark powers and magic he is still flesh and blood, my blood. I am the original and he is the copy. There can be no copy without the original. If you let my body die, yes I will be trapped in the Light World, but Dark Link will return to the hell from whence he came. Fight him all you like but only I can physically kill him with the Master Sword, which I won't really be able to use as a wolf so this is the only way to be rid of him!"

Link's words were beginning to fade and his image was beginning to waver. Frantically, Zelda reached out to him but her hand went right through him. The dim light of the Ghostly Ether was fading into darkness: their time in the realm was ending and the Light World was calling them back.

The last thing Zelda saw was Link's smiling face and the echo of his voice in her ears as he said, "Zelda, I… see you later," before darkness closed in and he disappeared from her view.

"Link!"

Zelda opened her eyes and called out, reaching out to grab at the knight once more to try and keep him close. But… he wasn't there.

"Your Majesty! Are you all right? Oh, Goddesses, have you been injured?"

Confusion filtered through Zelda's features and, blinking, she looked up to see none other than Arvid kneeling next to her as other guardsmen stood behind him, weapons at the ready, and searching the room. "What? Ah, yes… I'm fine," she replied, looking around and realizing that once more she was in the room with Link's body and where Dark Link had attacked her.

"Where…? How long have I been out?"

"I cannot say, Your Majesty. We just entered the room and, well I was hoping you could explain what happened here. The men say that they saw a wolf by you before we all were blinded by a light, though I didn't exactly see the beast and there's no wolf in here, and then we found you sitting here unconscious and now you're awake".

"But that's impossible," Zelda replied, frowning and looking down. "I was with Link and we were talking and-"

The queen stopped with her words when she recalled something that Link had told her years ago. He had said that every time he had encountered the Hero's Shade and was transported to the Ghostly Ether, no time passed in the Light World. He knew this because Midna told him that he just sort of fainted and then would wake up shortly thereafter. Apparently, the Twilight Princess either never saw the Golden Wolf or simply never acknowledged him.

"Your Majesty, what happened? You were attacked, were you not? We heard a great struggle within here! There was banging and growls and-"

"It's fine, Sir Arvid," Zelda said sternly, taking the knight's offered hand and coming to her feet. "Spread the word, sir. I am calling for an emergency Council Meeting".

"But, Your Majesty-"

"All are to attend," Zelda continued, brushing herself off and resuming her noble air of Hyrule's Queen. "No excuses and no delays, I don't care what any of them say. I want all the Councillors and members to be in the chamber within the hour and... the Noruidians, they are to attend as well".

"As-as you command, Your Majesty," Arvid said with a nod, before he barked some orders to a few men who ran off to spread the word. Turning back to his queen, the knight asked, "What is this all about, Your Majesty? What happened here?"

"What happened, Sir Arvid," Zelda replied, turning to him with a determined expression, "is that I have been attacked by the same being that killed Link there on the table. I will not stand for this. Hyrule will not stand for this".