The Darkling Thrush

I leant upon a coppice gate

When Frost was spectre-grey,

And Winter's dregs made desolate

The weakening eye of day.

The tangled bine-stems scored the sky

Like strings of broken lyres,

And all mankind that haunted nigh

Had sought their household fires.

The land's sharp features seemed to be

The Century's corpse outleant,

His crypt the cloudy canopy,

The wind his death lament.

The ancient pulse of germ and birth

Was shrunken hard and dry,

And every spirit upon the earth

Seemed fervourless as I.

At once a voice arose among

The bleak twigs overhead

In a full-hearted evensong

Of joy illimited;

An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small,

In blast-beruffled plume,

Had chosen thus to fling his soul

Upon the growing gloom.

So little cause for carolings

Of such ecstatic sound

Was written on terrestrial things

Afar or nigh around,

That I could think there trembled through

His happy good-night air

Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew

And I was unaware.

-Thomas Hardy

"Why do I have this unerring feeling that I've been here before?"

Link shot Malon a look. "Maybe because you have?"

"Suck all the drama from the moment, why don't you?" Malon said, sticking her tongue at him.

Link fought the urge to sigh and shake his head. Instead he put his energy to better use and began to walk past the Kakarikean city walls. Zelda, Marek, and Lure were already inside; Zelda and her Guardian were searching for a place to stay while Lure scouted the city out. If any Hunters were still within, Link would have to take extra precautions in case they had heard about him.

Epona kept close and he heard the sound of Malon's boots, accompanied by her mount's steps, follow. The gate sentinel gave them an impatient glare as he waited for them to pass through the heavy doors. The weathered man looked as if he'd rather let them stay outside and rot, but he couldn't refuse Zelda's charms or Marek's imposing presence. Link had a feeling many people were turned from these gates, both enemy and ally alike.

Not my problem, he thought, leaving the sentinel behind. Twitching the collar of his coat up, he shrugged his shoulders slightly. The evening air held a damp chill, one that sank into his bones and brought out the ache in his knee he had earned from a childhood accident, a day he learned Hylians were definitely not meant to fly.

"Where do you think Zelda's going?" Malon said as she walked up beside him, Phooka a misty shadow trailing in her wake.

He shrugged. "She said she was looking for allies to rebuild Hyrule. But I don't see how she can with the Death Riders still about. They'll demolish any attempt she makes."

"Maybe she's looking for a way to stop them?"

"Sometimes I wonder if that's possible," he murmured.

Malon tugged on a loose stitch in her shirtsleeve, lost in her own thoughts, and she didn't reply. The packed dirt road under their feet muffled their steps, heightening the noises that rose from the roadside buildings. A few taverns appeared full, the raucous sounds of drinking and gambling leaking from the shut windows. "Bit of a change since our last visit, isn't it?" Link said.

"Yeah. I wonder what's the occasion."

The inevitability of death? The macabre thought was not a welcome one, and he did his best to banish it. In a way, though, it was true. Perhaps the people of Kakariko realized how short life was, especially in this age, and they were living it to the fullest while they could.

An uneasy sensation of invisible spiders crawling up his back alerted him to the watchful presence of another. Epona noticed, too, and she stopped, head thrown up as she searched the nearly empty streets. Malon opened her mouth to speak, but Link held up a hand for silence. His eyes scanned his surroundings before rising to the rooftops and settling on a darkened figure perched on the eave of a crumbling house.

The figure dropped from the two story building, landing like a noiseless phantom. Link unsheathed his sword and Epona stood by his side, ears flat as she pawed the ground. He made sure Malon was safely behind them before he dropped into a fighting stance, lightly balanced on the balls of his feet while the sword hung in a deceptively open guard.

Silver caught moonlight and the metallic scraping of a blade escaping its sheath crawled over the boisterous laughing from the tavern. Link narrowed his eyes, waiting for the perfect moment. His assailant struck out with a long dagger that could have passed as a sword. He allowed the blade to miss him by scant inches, the wind of its passing ruffling his hair and tickling his nose.

Tightening his hold on his sword's hilt, he brought the honed steel in long arc meant to cleave his opponent in half, or draw him out, depending on its skill. Sparks lit up the shadows as steel snarled against steel. He heard an alarmed shout from behind him, but he dismissed it. He needed to focus solely on the fight.

Disengaging, his opponent danced back, teasing Link to charge forward. If you insist, he thought, the thrill of the fight pumping the blood and adrenaline through his veins. The test of his skills against another, might against might, wit against wit, brought a narrow smile to his face. He'd never passed up an opportunity to spar while training as a Guardian. It was too much fun.

The figure brought a hand up, the sparse light from a far off streetlamp backlighting its hands. It made a beckoning motion, taunting him. Link felt his mouth stretch into a feral grin. If he wants to play...Link obliged the attacker, but at the last instant he dropped into a crouch and lashed his foot out in a sweeping arc along the ground. His opponent leaped backwards, narrowly avoiding a hard fall and defeat. Link thought he saw a glimmer of white in the figure's face, as if it had smiled.

Studying the waiting attacker, Link felt an unaccustomed feeling of respect filling him. This was the first opponent to give him a challenge in a while, and he was enjoying it. But I need to end this, he thought with a pang of regret. I can't risk drawing more attention to myself.

Pulling out of his defensive crouch, he sheathed his sword. He could tell by the body tension in his opponent that it was now wary, unsure if Link was giving in or not. Unlucky for you, I've got something else in mind, he thought, hiding the grin he felt inside. Cupping his hands in front of him, he closed his eyes, reaching inward for the magic. Not the heinous strength of a Death Rider, no, this power was clean, touched with the essence of life and purest magic. A gift from a Great Faery, somehow managing to survive in her pool in this magic-waning world.

Ah, found you, he thought, feeling the magic respond to his mental touch. It flared into existence, the magic using him as a conduit to escape into the outside world. A fire sprang from his palm, a tiny, dancing flame that barely lit up his face. He heard a derisive chuckle from his attacker, and Link let his smile slip to the outside.

Spreading his hands outward, the fire grew in size and strength, becoming a roaring inferno that stretched out at a lightning speed, like a brushfire. They settled to the earth and he bent the flames to his will, forming a dancing wall around his assailant. The circle of fire ensnared the figure and slowly began to lessen in diameter, creeping closer and closer to its fragile body.

Din's Fire, one of the three divine spells. Goddesses, how he loved it. He halted the flames just out of killing range; enough to discomfort the enemy, not harm it. "Why did you attack us?" he demanded.

"And why should I tell you?" asked the figure, traces of humor still evident in its voice. Link liked this person even more.

"Because if you don't, you'll die."

The figure laughed. "You don't have the guts."

"Think so?" The flames rose in height and crept closer together. "I'll stop whenever you feel like talking."

He heard a distressed noise escape Malon's mouth. She took a step forward, but one look from him held in her place. Her eyes were wide in disbelief, one hand coming up to cover her mouth.

"Fine, fine," said the figure. He saw it raise its hand and hurl something to the ground. A blinding flash flared out and Link brought up a hand to shield his eyes, losing his grip on the magic in his surprise. He stiffened when he felt the kiss of cold steel against his neck. "Just so you know, I win this bout," he heard someone murmur in his ear.

"And I believe we tied," he said.

A rich, warm chuckle issued forth. "Perhaps." The blade was withdrawn, and Link turned to face his attacker. His eyes widened, but he managed to keep his mouth from dropping.

"Surprised?" the woman asked with a feline grin. Her red eyes narrowed in amusement. Her face showed a woman in her early-forties, but her short, slicked-back hair was pure silver, like the strange markings below her eyes. A fine network of lines creased her face and he could easily see the hard muscles of a warrior through the tight shirt she wore under her knee length jacket. She appeared both old and young to him, and was overall a disconcerting person.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Not too shabby a fighter," she said, looking him over. "I guess I'll have to let you come along after all."

"What are you talking about?"

"Not quick on the uptake, though."

Link frowned at the woman, who laughed. "If you think to frighten me with such a face, you're mistaken." Suddenly she lightly touched her hands to her eyes and bowed. "My name is Impa, and I am a guardian to the Princess Zelda. She told me you'd be coming along, so I wanted to make sure you wouldn't be extra baggage."

"Guardian?" repeated Malon in surprise. "But I thought Marek was her Guardian."

"He is, adame, but he is her Guardian and I am her guardian."

Link had the feeling he looked about as confused as Malon did. Impa sighed. "Marek is her Guardian with a capital G. I'm her guardian with a lower case. I don't belong to the order of the Protectors, Knights, whatever you want to call them. I was her caretaker when she was a child and I continue to watch over her."

"Oh." Link wondered if Impa was always so perplexing. He studied her and Impa returned the stare. He thought he recognized her from somewhere...

"Put two and two together yet?" she said with a slight lift of a silver brow.

"You feel really familiar. Have we met?"

"Yes, though you never saw my face. If I had a hooded cloak, I'm sure you'd remember then."

"That hooded figure in Hylia!" Malon said, recognition lighting up her face. "You're the one with the Hunters when we tried to lure the Death Rider."

"And I also saw you in Kakariko," Link said. "Why were you there? You're not a Hunter."

"Aye, I'm not. I acted on orders. The Princess knew trouble would come to you if you went with the Hunters, so I tagged along to make sure you got out safely."

"I didn't see you do anything," Link said.

"Remember that explosion? I used it to distract the rest of the Hunters who were trying to get back to you and the other Death Rider. They would've killed you."

"So you blew up a building? What about the people you hurt?!"

"I follow my orders."

"And your orders were to harm innocent people? How many villagers got caught in the blast or hurt from the fire that spread out? How many were killed because of the resulting panic?" He realized he had taken a step forward, hand instinctively clenching on his sword hilt. He saw her body tense and he pried his fingers from the blade, saying, "Why?"

She frowned at him. "I told you why; you had to be kept safe."

He let out a bark of laughter. "Yes, protect the demon from the people who wish to live in peace."

Impa crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, boy, it doesn't matter to me whether you agree with my actions or not. I could care less. So if you're through, the Princess has found rooms for you and your companions." She turned on her heel and walked off, not bothering to check to see if they followed or not.

"She...is an interesting person," Malon said.

Link slowly unclenched his hands and took a calming breath. "You could say that." Though I'd have a few other things to call her.

I like her, Epona said.

Link shot the shadowed mare a glare. How can you like that?

She reminds me of me, Epona said, amusement tingeing her thoughts.

A snort of laughter escaped him. "That she does," he murmured.

"You say something?" Malon said, turning her eyes away from Impa's receding form and focusing on him.

"We should follow her."

"Oh. You think we should look for Lure?"

Link shook his head. "He'll find us, don't worry. He's probably already there, sprawled out on a bed and snoring like a moblin."

Malon laughed at his words and urged Phooka forward.

* * *

A thrush hopped from its perch in the skeletal tree, its quick movements startling him. He took a calming breath and steadied his nerves. He didn't need to look like an idiot in front of royalty.

The sun was setting behind the oppressive bluffs of Kakariko, the bloody light warming the earth one last time before everything faded into night. A low wind sprang up, billowing the long grass of the decrepit cemetery and forcing the dead trees to writhe in a macabre dance. Link turned to the figure before him and clamped down on another shiver. "Why are we here?"

Zelda looked over her shoulder, hands still working on prying the rusted gate apart. "This is the resting place of my ancestors's protectors. I thought it best to pay my respects while I am here."

Link nodded his head and thought, I should've stayed back at the inn with everyone else. We've been here for only a night and day, and I somehow wind up back at this accursed place. I really hate cemeteries.

A low creak arose and he saw Zelda finally succeed in opening the gates. He helped her in pushing them back, the thick grass resisting the movement. She walked forward, her step quick and sure. He followed her to the rear of the cemetery, past the tilting headstones, trying not to think of all the decayed bodies underneath his feet. He pulled his coat closer to him, keeping his eyes on Zelda's back.

She paused before a set of tombstones below a small, fenced off cave in the bluff walls set high above their heads. He wondered why anyone would bar the entrance to something too high for people to reach. She knelt, her cloak pooling on the ground, blanketing the earth. For a while all was silent, giving Link ample time to imagine about all the ghosts that habituated the cemetery, how the earth was probably composed of the decayed flesh of the dead.

Zelda sighed. "Why are you so tense?"

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you."

She flashed him an irritated look. "I can hardly think with all the anxiety I feel from you. What disturbs you so?"

Link felt his face heat up. He shoved his hands deeper into his coat pockets, saying, "It's really nothing."

"If it is nothing, then act like it is nothing. Stop fretting."

Link scowled, taking care not to let Zelda see it. She resumed her meditations as evening deepened to night, the wind picking up from the east, off of Death Mountain. Twitching the collar of his coat up, he tried to still his uneasy thoughts with minimal success. Being in a cemetery was bad enough; now he had to be here in the dark.

Trying to tear his mind from the morbid images of redeads and poes that filled his inner eye, he said, "Who are the people buried here?"

Zelda started slightly, as if she had forgotten he was there. "They are people who gave their lives to the Royal Family. I am ashamed at the condition of this resting ground; it should have never been allowed to become this unkempt." She sighed and rose from her seat on the earth. "Mainly Sheikah like Impa are buried here."

"Sheikah? You mean that woman's a Sheikah?"

"Her name is Impa, and yes, she is. I think all the education you received as a Guardian initiate would have taught you how to differentiate between races."

"My, don't we have an acidic tongue?" he said before his common sense could kick in.

Zelda looked at him in surprise and Link groaned internally. Great work, genius, he thought. Insult the royalty of your country. He prepared himself for a tirade on propriety and manners, but Zelda began to laugh instead. He took a step back, wondering what caused her reaction. She smiled at him. "I was wondering when you would grow a spine."

"What?"

"I never thought you were someone who allowed people to walk over them, even if it is the monarch of their land."

He looked at her, puzzled and slightly embarrassed. "I'm honored, I think."

Zelda's smile broadened before it slipped from her face, replaced by doubt and irritation. "We should return," she said. "They will worry if we stay out for too long."

Thrown off-balance by her rapid changes in temperament, Link watched her walk away, curiosity working at his mind. When her form had disappeared from sight, he said, "You can come out now."

A rich laugh issued forth. Impa stepped from the night shadows and said, "How did you know I was here? Even Zelda wasn't aware of my presence."

Link smiled. "I was guessing. I didn't think you or Marek would leave Zelda alone for a second."

His words surprised Impa, but she quickly recovered and laughed again. "Caught by a bluff," she said. "Not bad."

"Maybe you can answer something for me."

"What?"

"How did Zelda survive the Cataclysm? Why was she spared, and are any of the other Royals alive?"

Impa's eyes narrowed. "As far as we know, she is the only surviving member of the Hylian monarchy."

A long silence followed before he said, "And...?"

"And nothing. If you want to know the rest, ask her yourself."

"A bit defensive, aren't we?" He shrugged his shoulders and started to walk away. "Wait a second, boy," she said.

He debated on making a retort to the derisive nickname and decided against it. "What?"

"I'll only say this once. Zelda's changed a lot over the years; who wouldn't after all that's happened? But I want you to promise me one thing."

"What?" he repeated after it became apparent Impa wouldn't finish without prompting.

Her eyes caught his and he nearly took a step backward. "I want you to promise me that you'll come to me before you decide anything about Zelda," she said. "Promise me that no matter what you hear, you'll talk to me before you act."

"I...I don't understand."

"I don't care if you do or not," she said. "Just promise me."

"Fine, on one condition."

"What?" she said warily.

"You start watching over Malon like you do the Princess."

"The Princess is my charge. Her and no other."

He turned his back to Impa. "Then I guess we don't have a deal. You can't expect me to promise something without anything in return."

A snarl spread over her face. "Damn you to the Dark Realm."

Link laughed without mirth. "Too late for that."

He heard her sigh. "Fine, boy. You have my word. If you keep your end of the bargain, I'll also watch over the redhead."

He faced her and said, "It's a deal."

"You're a pain, you know that?"

"So I've been told. We'd better head back."

A new expression crossed Impa's face, this one tinged with irritation and respect. "Yes, you're a pain, but I don't think I'll regret meeting you."

* * *

Lure flopped onto the chair, legs stretched out, head set carelessly on the backrest. "I am so bored."

Link looked up from the card game he was playing with Malon. "So you've told us for the past three hours. Give me two cards."

Malon complied before picking up one for herself. Resting an elbow on the tabletop, she said, "I wonder when we're going to do something. It's been almost a week and all the Princess has done is sit holed up in her room. What do you think she does in there?"

"Full house," Link said, laying his cards down. "Your guess is as good as mine. I don't know why you're whining, Lure. At least you can go outside. Dictator Impa won't let me open a window, let alone leave our rooms."

"Straight flush," Malon said with a chuckle. "And you can't blame her. Both Marek and Lure said they spotted Hunters in Kakariko."

Link tossed his cards onto the table and leaned back on his chair. "It'd be nice to see sunlight for once. Epona's going stir-crazy with all the time she has to spend in the hostel's barn."

"Maybe we can go for a ride at night," Malon said as she reshuffled the cards. "It's not likely we'd be recognized then."

"Tried that line of logic on her; didn't work."

"I'm so bored," Lure said.

"We heard you the first time." Link stretched his arms over his head and let out a sigh. Leaning onto the table, he drummed his fingers on the rough surface. "Yeah, like that's not annoying," Lure said, glaring at him.

Link stopped and stood. Walking to the window, he pulled back the curtain. "Look, the sun's already set."

A knowing grin stretched over Lure's face. "Got something in mind?"

Link looked over his shoulder and reciprocated the smile. "Maybe."

"You guys, if Impa catches you, you're both dead. Deader than dead. And I'm not cleaning up the blood."

"You can come if you want, Mal," Lure said.

"Mal?" Malon said, arching an eyebrow.

"Saying Malon all the time expends too much energy."

Malon shook her head. "Whatever. You two go on, seeing as you've got your hearts set on this."

"What about you?" Link said.

"Someone's got to stay here in case Impa shows up. I'll try and buy you some time so you can run for your lives."

Link smiled. "Thanks, Mal."

"What is it with that nickname?"

"Don't like it?" Lure asked.

"Only when you say it," she said, winking. "Now get out of here before I have a change of heart."

"Aye, aye, captain," Lure said as he stepped past Link. He slipped through the window and dropped outside to the ground below.

Link followed, giving Malon a wave good-bye before falling two stories to the earth. The landing jarred his knees and he let out a soft curse. "You all right?" Lure asked.

"Not as young as I used to be," he said with a grin. Straightening, he watched two boys lighting streetlamps as night unfurled her ebony cloak onto the earth. When the boys had passed, they stepped from the building's deeper shadows and started walking. "I need to let Epona out," Link said to Lure.

"No problem. I saw Impa leave with Marek to that nearby tavern, the Clucking Cucco."

"Where do they come up with those names?"

Lure laughed in reply. They made their way swiftly to the barn located in the heart of the inn's complex, and Link slipped inside the darkened building while Lure waited. Inside, the scent of hay and horse greeted his nose. He stifled a sneeze and walked to the rear of the barn. It's about time you got here! Epona said.

Link unbolted the stall door and gave the mare a hug. "It's hard to escape the she-demon."

Excuses, she said. Now come on, I need to get outside!

Once they were back into the cool night, Lure said, "So, got any ideas of what to do?"

"I don't care what, so long as it's outside." Epona snorted in agreement.

"If we stick to the outskirts of town, we can go for a walk."

"Fine by me. Let's go."

A candlemark passed by swiftly as they made their way around Kakariko. So this is what freedom tastes like? Epona said. I'd forgotten in the eons I had to spend locked up.

Knock off the guilt trip, Link returned. It won't work.

One day it will, she said, nudging his shoulder.

Not likely. He rested a hand on her shoulder, relishing the night air in his lungs, the soft moan of the wind as it drifted between buildings. The natural walls of Death Mountain that surrounded the city rose up to their left, their presence felt even in the dark. The nearby houses were tiny in comparison. An owl hooted nearby, the sound drifting to his ears, bringing a smile to his face. Wait a moment. An owl...? Realization froze the blood in his veins. He stopped, eyes searching the shadows that surrounded him. Epona knew instantly what was wrong and her ears swiveled, searching for any hint of noise.

Lure quietly drew his sword, picking up on Link's tension. He turned his back towards Link's, watching the rear. A flicker of movement caught his eye, and he tapped Link's arm. Link, understanding the signal, unsheathed his sword. "Looks like tonight's not going to be as peaceful as I hoped," he whispered.

An earsplitting shout rang out, echoing off the walls. Men poured from between the buildings, filling the street with their shouts. A sharp crack resounded as someone shot out the streetlamps, enveloping their senses with blackness. "Keep close," Lure shouted over the din. "We can't risk losing track of each other."

Link nodded in agreement and raised his sword to block the attacking swing of an assailant. Soon the fight swallowed his senses, his concentration focused solely on staying alive. He heard a squeal and thud as Epona lashed out with deadly hooves, the mare a raging demon as she fought off the attackers.

Weak moonlight reflected off steel and Link ducked, narrowly avoiding having his head sliced off. This is insane! he roared silently. We can't fight off this many by ourselves! He drove his blade into the torso of one man before freeing his sword and driving it into another. They're not even trying to defend themselves. Are they that intent on killing us?

Lure shouted in pain and stumbled into Link before falling to the ground. "Lure!" The cry tore from his throat, a rage building up within him, forming a fire that threatened to blaze out of control. Acting without thought, he reached for the weapon closest to his heart: the power of a Death Rider.

An enraged roar filled the street, silencing all other noise. Link closed his mouth on the yell and lashed out with the dark magic, flattening all the attackers to the ground. A demonic wind raked his hair, the shallow moonlight showing the fallen men death incarnate. Nothing remained in his mind, nothing except the desire, the need, to kill.

He reached down and dragged a man to his feet, holding him by his collar. He smiled, the act draining the blood from the struggling man's face. The man's eyes widened, his hands scrabbling at Link's, desperate for escape and life. "This is what happens to those who defy us," Link said to the man, his voice soft and deadly. His fingers curled around the man's throat, searching for the feel of cartilage. Smile widening, Link's fingers delved deeper, grabbing purchase around the man's wind-pipe and yanking it free from its fleshy prison. A fountain of blood poured from the wound, the disbelieving eyes of the corpse reflecting moonlight before it slipped to the ground, landing with a thud.

Link watched the blood run over his hand, fascinated by the way the warm liquid tickled his skin. He brought a finger to his lips and licked the blood off, eyes shut in pleasure. When he opened them again, he saw the men still watching him, horror radiating off their bodies, the stench of fear more intoxicating than any liquor. He stepped forward, laughing softly as the ones closest tried to scramble away. He halted their movements with a flick of the wrist, freezing them in place. He didn't want his prey to escape, not while he was having so much fun.

He picked up another man, running a gentle hand over the man's sweaty face. "Why do you fear me?" he asked the man softly, the cruel smile lessening in intensity as he awaited an answer.

"B- be- because I, I d- don't want, want to die," the man stuttered. "My, my wife..."

"Everyone must die. It's inevitable. So tell me, why do you fear it?"

"Please, please don't kill me, please..." All traces of coherent thought had fled from the man, leaving only an animalistic desire to survive.

Disgusted with the man's gibbering pleas, he took the man's dagger from his belt and drove the blade into his eye, burying it hilt deep. He relished watching the attacker die before him, watching his life slowly slip away, leaving only an empty shell behind. Releasing his hold on the dead body, he took a step forward, ready for another kill. "Stop!" shouted a voice as someone ran from the deeper shadows. Honed steel, the color reflecting a strange silvery-blue, caught his eye.

Ganondorf's hands shook from unsuppressed rage as he stood before Link. "You evil demon," he said in a ragged voice. "I'll wipe out your kind from this earth!"

"You're more than welcome to try," Link murmured, sending a chill down Ganondorf's spine.

"I'll do more than try, beast," he growled

Epona stepped beside Link, ears flattened to her skull. "Not this time, friend," Link said to her, laying a bloody hand on her neck. "I get to play with him."

He walked away from Epona and closer to Ganondorf. The men, seeing a chance for escape, fled into the night, leaving the dark street clear. Link raised his sword in a salute, his smile openly mocking. Ganondorf only narrowed his eyes and deepened his fighting stance.

Swifter than a striking snake, Link lashed out with his sword, Ganondorf almost not quick enough to block. They exchanged blows, the ringing of their swords echoing off the walls, the sounds of rapid breathing a soft underscore to the metallic cacophony. "I won't- let you- hurt- anyone- anymore!" Ganondorf yelled, his words punctuated with his attacks.

"Perhaps I give them what they wish for," Link said, his breathing easy and light.

Ganondorf snarled and drove forward with the sword. Link narrowly evaded his attack, the blade's tip catching his shirt, rending a neat slice in the fabric. "And I liked this shirt," Link said, fingering the cut. He stepped forward, his movements too fast for Ganondorf to follow, and the Hunter found himself on the ground, a newly formed gash on his chest, the blood dripping to the dusty earth. "After all, fair's fair," said Link.

A growl came unbidden from Ganondorf. He rose, hands clenching on the sword hilt. "You're very persistent," Link said.

The Hunter charged forward and Link raced to meet him. The final attack; both fighters brought their blades in a deadly thrust that would end in the death of one or both.

"Stop!" The order issued forth once more, and this time Link found himself unable to move. He saw Ganondorf in the same predicament, and he snarled in frustrated rage. Struggling against invisible bonds, his eyes searched for his captor. Finding her, he glared at her, the look full of pure hate and he lashed out with his power only to have it flung back at him.

"Impa! Be ready to grab the Gerudo. I can't hold on to both of them at the same time!"

Impa nodded and stepped up to Ganondorf, who watched her warily. The Sheikah disarmed the man and trussed his hands with rope. "Ready when you are, Highness," Impa said.

Zelda nodded and the spell on Ganondorf was released. Instantly the Hunter surged forward, trying to kill Link even while bound. "Easy there," Impa said, grabbing hold of him and stifling his movements.

Link watched the whole scene as he stood unresisting, saving his energy. There had to be a way to escape the woman's magic and his mind raced for an answer.

"What do we do with him?" Impa said, gesturing to Link.

"What can we do?" asked a new voice. Looking from the corner of his eye, Link saw a man, auburn hair tousled in contrast to the rest of his immaculate appearance. He had the body of a man resting on his shoulder, the slack face familiar somehow...

"Let me go now," he growled, "and I'll kill you swiftly instead of drawing out your pain."

"Now there's an offer I can refuse," Impa said.

"Why don't you kill that demon while it's helpless?" Ganondorf demanded.

The blonde woman was sweating, the effort she expended in controlling him clearly taking its toll. If he was patient for a little longer...

"I will not kill him," Zelda said. "We can make him wake up, I know we can."

"Wake up? What is this foolish talk? Just kill him!"

"Shut up!" Impa hissed, shaking the Hunter in warning. "Highness, are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

Link saw through her lie. She was tiring, and fast. Seeing the opportunity, he attacked the binding magic once more, finding weaknesses and breaking through them. Zelda struggled to resist, her will strong, but she couldn't withstand the assault. She had been enfeebled to begin with and was no match for him now.

Snapping the last of the spell, Link flexed his hands as he watched Zelda crumple to the ground. The Sheikah raced over to her, cradling the still body as she called Zelda's name. Blondie's the first to die, Link growled silently as he walked towards them. Before he could carry out his plans, the man from before stepped in his way, the limp body still leaning on his shoulder.

He raised a hand to bat them away when the unconscious form stirred, the hazel eyes fluttering open. "Marek?" Lure asked, seeing who held him up. He followed the direction of the Guardian's intense gaze and saw a bloody, disheveled Link. "What's going on you guys?"

Link tried to fight away the images that came unbidden to his mind, images of the two men and a redheaded woman. The warm feelings that accompanied the memories finally broke through his walls, shattering his defenses. "Link, what's the matter?" Lure asked as he struggled to stand on his own.

"Lure?" Link said, his voice broken and hesitant.

"Yeah. Hey Link, are you all right?"

Link gagged against the nausea that filled him and he sank to his knees. He dug his fingers into the hard dirt, breath coming in choking gasps as he whispered, "I'm sorry," over and over.

Lure froze as he watched his best friend fall apart before him. Slipping from Marek's grasp, he fell to the ground beside Link and laid his head and hands on Link's shuddering form. He tried to think of words to console the wretched man, but his mind failed him and all he could do was offer him the comfort of human touch.

Marek watched the two fallen men, hand stretched above them, hovering near Lure's shoulder. He hesitated, then pulled his hand back, jamming both into his coat pockets and continued to stand guard while Impa revived Zelda and Ganondorf looked on.

A/N: Thanks again to LOZ ff ml for all the support, and a HUGE thanks to Tori, who went over this while struggling through finals, which will be upon me too soon. =P Thanks a bunch to all who've read, it means a lot to me. ^_^