Disclaimer: See Previous chapters.

A/N: Alright, who was expecting Link and Talim? Who was expecting Talim to save Link? Thought so....

*****

The King of Red Lions sailed towards my home in silence, respectful of the time I needed with Talim. There would be time enough to discuss what happened at the Forsaken Palace after we got to my home.

"I missed you," Talim whispered into my throat. I held her closer, delighting in the feel of her.

"How did you get here?"

She shrugged, her shoulders bare. I loved the clothing she wore, and the sun-kissed skin she left bare to the gentle sea breeze. My lips gently touched her shoulder, eliciting a smile from her lips.

"I heard you call me," she said, turning her head towards mine. "I couldn't stay away."

I took her lips with mine, but had to settle for just the kiss. Even so, our tongues met and battled in the close quarters of the boat. We reached my island too soon, but that was perfectly fine. After all, I would have some more privacy there.

I took her hands and lifted her from the boat when we were at the shores of my island. Hand in hand, we walked to my front door. I wasn't surprised to see the pirate ship just a few moments off-shore. I was far from the young boy that first battled Gannon those eons ago, and knew better the intricacies of my powers and duties. The young pirate girl bore the Triforce of Courage.

Talim leapt lightly from the boat when it was mere feet from the shore. Without thought or hesitation, I followed her, splashing playfully even as my boots found the sand shore. Her dark eyes flashed with barely contained desire that mirrored my own as I followed her into the small hut that had been my home.

Even as she pushed open the door, I knew that we weren't going to have our time alone like I had hoped. Sighing heavily, I gazed upon the younger Link and the pirate girl.

"What happened?" the pirate girl asked first, beating Talim's question and the younger boy's statement. As loath as I was to answer her question, I felt it needed to be answered.

"I fucked up," simple. To the point. Blunt.

"You need the Master Sword," the boy stated, his voice a lesson in calm despite his wounds. Even as he spoke, he held his hands out, giving me three strange stones.

"Yes," my reply was much weaker. "Soul Caliber wasn't as strong as I thought."

"The boat knows what to do," the boy said, ignoring the pirate and Talim. He handed me three gems, looking up to me as he did so. "Good luck."

"Thanks, kid," I said as I slid the gems into my pouch. "You feeling better?"

He only shrugged, gesturing to the missing fingers on his hand. I nodded in return, turning to leave as Talim followed me without a word.

I stood along the sandy shores, my mind slowly, evenly, considering the choices before me. It was times like these that I missed Navi, my old fairy companion. Her soft words of encouragement, her useful insights, where often just what I needed to carry on. Now it was just me, really. I couldn't let anyone else carry this burden.

"You're not going alone," Talim said softly as she took my hand. "We're in this together." Her soft smile mirrored my own as I wrapped her in a tight embrace. Such strength and courage in this woman that I had only seen in two other women, both now long dead. Zelda and Malon...

"Let's go," I murmured after long moments. She nodded slightly against my chest as we walked to the boat. Within moments, we were sailing into the sunset towards an uncertain future.

*****

We traveled to three small islands, each with a strange statue almost overgrown with weeds and grass. I placed one of the stones in the open hands of each statue, curious as to what their purpose was. When I placed the third stone with the third statue, the sudden lance of light that flew from it surprised me. The rising spires of my youth surprised me even further. Castle Hyrule once again showed in this world.

Talim and I sailed into the cavernous entrance of the castle, our heats and minds turned towards the task ahead of us. I had spent our time sailing explaining to her what I sought, and she nodded in agreement of my conclusion. I needed the Master Sword.

The trails within the castle were actually pretty simple; the enemies we faced were pretty pathetic, actually. Talim's elbow blades were often enough to dispatch our foes, and those that proved even slightly difficult fell to the bow I wielded.

It was in the chamber of the Master Sword where everything changed.

*****

"Is that it?" Talim asked quietly as we entered the massive chamber. The chamber had changed in my long absence. No longer was it the spartan, slightly holy chamber that I had first drawn the blade in. Now, towering statues of armored knights stood in silent vigil over the powerful, mystic blade.

"Yes," I answered, my own voice barely above a whisper. Without looking at her, I walked towards the blade. It was my birthright, my destiny, to wield this blade.

"Not so fast, whelp," a powerful, dark voice echoed throughout the chamber. I recognized the voice instantly, and felt the fear rise within my heart. I managed the fear as I always had, pushing it to the back of my mind for the time being. I could afford to be afraid later, but now I had a foe to face.

"Show yourself."

Even as my voice echoed throughout the chamber, Gannon's tall, powerful form walked out from behind the farthest statue from the door. His twin blades were held low as he walked towards the pedestal that held the Sword.

"I'll end this now, boy," Gannon sneered. "With your death, the Triforce will FINALLY BE MINE!"

Talim charged past me even as I raised my bow, her elbow blades singing as she launched herself at Gannon. A dozen lightning attacks were traded between the two without steel finding flesh. Despite the fury of her attack, Talim was unable to force Gannon away from the Master Sword, and with her so close, I was unable to take a clean shot at Gannon with my bow.

What happened next will forever be etched into my heart. With a sudden twist, Gannon deflected Talim's attack, and her momentum carried her a step past the spinning Gannon. His face twisted into a twisted smile more evil than anything I had ever seen as his left blade snaked forward, sliding effortlessly into Talim's back until a foot of the blade protruded from her chest.

I didn't realized I was screaming as I released a barrage of arrows at Gannon. I truth, I was aware of nothing but the young woman before me, slain by my pride. Her killer smiled as he ducked away from the arrows, summoning his magic to spirit him away with a last, taunting laugh.

My bow fell from lifeless fingers as I rushed to Talim's side, gently cradling her head. Somehow, she was alive, but I couldn't even delude myself by hoping she would live. There was no magic that could save her. I was loosing her as I had lost so many others...

"Link..." she whispered through blooded lips as her left hand gently caressed my cheek. "You... must stop him..."

"Talim," I choked out. "By the Goddesses, Talim, no..."

Her smile was soft, and her eyes were amazingly free of the pain that must have been tearing through her. Her right hand lifted slightly as she gestured to the Master Sword. Through my tears I barely saw her small motion.

"The sword... and the Oricana..." she coughed slightly, more blood trailing past her lips. "Stop him." I nodded, barely understanding her. "Travel back."

My head shot up suddenly, looking at her with surprise mingled with pain. What did she mean, travel back? That was impossible... or was it?

"Stop this all from happening," she whispered as her strength faded. "We'll never see each other again."

"But you'll live," I whispered, kissing her forehead gently even as her life faded. I knelt there, holding her lifeless body for a few moments as my mind and heart bid her farewell. When I finally felt ready, I stood and walked to the Master Sword.

"I'm sorry," the King's voice echoed as I stood over the Master Sword, the Oricana of Time held lightly in my hands. "But we must move on."

"No," I replied silently. "No, I must go back."

"You can't! Just to save your lover, you're willing to risk everything!"

"I know what to do now," I said firmly. "I'm going back to stop him."

"And what happens if you fail?"

"I won't."

His anger and confusion were thick in the air. He walked around to stand in front of me, his eyes filled with anger.

"Don't," I said softly. "I'm going back to stop him in ages past. This should never had been, this world, like this...."

His eyes held questions that would never be answered as I lifted the Oricana to my lips and began to play. Motes of light danced around me and the Master Sword as I felt the Magic flow through my blood, taking me back through time.

I will not fail you... Talim, Zelda... myself and countless others. I will not fail.

*****

A/N: Sorry it's been so long with the update, but my Muse got scared and hid from me. She finally came out to play, so that's good, at least. Hopefully she'll hang around for a while....

And, Yes, I brought Talim in just to kill her off. Right evil bastard I am... Mwhahahaha!