Kaori: Sorry I took so long to update! I'm really, really sorry! But now that it's spring vacation, I'll be able to update more than usual. And I think I have finally recovered from writer's block! My thanks to the reviewers and Link and Zelda!

Link & Zelda: No problem!

Guy: So here's Chapter 3! Enjoy, everybody!

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Eventually, Zelda just couldn't take the arguing anymore, so she resorted to tying up and gagging Laharl and Link. Now, they were being dragged across Hyrule Field, their behinds hitting the many bumps and rocks of the ground.

And they couldn't make any pleas for mercy because of the gag stuffed in their mouths.

"Zelda? Don't you think you're being a bit harsh?" Flonne asked with concern.

Zelda made a noise that sounded like an amused snort. "Flonne, did you hear how much they were yelling? Not only is it bad for our ears and their vocal cords, their shouting could blow our cover. We just learned that Baal and Ganondorf had sent troops to the Western part of Hyrule, and if they find out about our plan… everything will be ruined. You know that Baal and Ganondorf are several times stronger than us. So we're attempting a sneak attack."

Flonne nodded. "Yes, I understand… but the fight was getting interesting! It looked as though they we were going to attack each other!"

Etna stared at Flonne in disbelief. "Who are you, and what have you done with Flonne?!" She said, pointing an accusing finger at her.

Link and Laharl gave an audible sigh.

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After a long while of traveling, Etna finally broke the silence. "Hey, I'm tired… can we take a rest somewhere?" She asked. She was panting; obviously she wasn't used to traveling such a long distance. Zelda, however, barely showed any fatigue. "But we're almost halfway there!" She protested. Looking back at them, she saw that even Flonne was tired. "Ah…? I guess you aren't used to traveling?"

"We are used to traveling… but not on such a big field!" Flonne replied in between gasps for air. Zelda stopped to take a glance at the huge expanse called Hyrule Field. She had never realized how large it was. And to foreigners, this field was definitely past their usual traveling rate.

"Alright. We'll stop by Lon Lon Ranch." Zelda said, sighing. Etna jumped up and down with joy and Flonne smiled.

Link and Laharl gave another sigh--this time a sigh of relief. Relief from the bumps and bruises they got from being dragged around Hyrule Field.

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^~*Etna's POV*~^

We finally arrived at the ranch. I'm so glad Zelda agreed to letting us take a rest for the night! And considering this is a ranch, it's got some pretty decent rooms. I stretched, and then let out a yawn. Apparently I was more tired than I thought. I jumped onto the bed that was prepared for me, and was about to drape the covers over me when I heard a voice.

"Why?! Why can't I get her out of my head?!" I could easily recognize the voice; it belonged to the Prince. His yells were followed by loud banging. Probably he was banging his head against the wall, or hitting the wall with his sword.

I wonder who he could be thinking about… I thought with a smile. I tried to suppress a giggle as I heard him continue.

"This could ruin my image as Lord of Terror! I can't be thinking of her every waking moment!"

Our little Prince, falling in love with someone. Yet he chooses to deny it… Just like the Prince I know and love.

It was true; I did love him. I realized it when we returned from Celestia… when I saw what he was willing to do….

Of course, he's only looked at me as a close vassal, never anything more. Sometimes even someone for comic relief. So that's when I decided that I'll just admire him from afar; that I'll be happy with his own happiness. And if he found someone he loved, that I would accept it, even if that person wasn't me. I couldn't interfere with his feelings. I didn't do that to his father, whom I loved as well. I knew I couldn't have the King when I saw how much he loved the Queen. So I did my best to serve him faithfully instead. I will do the same to Laharl if it ever happens.

That was the promise I made to myself…

And now I have to help Laharl sort out his feelings.

"DAMN IT TO HELL!!!" He was cursing when I opened the door.

He panicked as soon as he saw me. "Oh crap… Don't tell me you just heard that."

I rolled my eyes. "With the way you were yelling, I'd be surprised if anyone didn't hear that."

He put on a sheepish grin. "Ah… yeah. Sorry, Etna. I'm having… a case of strange feelings."

I smiled, but tried to look surprised. "You? The heartless monster; the Lord of Terror?"

Laharl gave me a glare that said 'if-you-don't-shut-up-in-3-seconds-I'll-make-sure-you-have-a-slow, painful-death-as-you-burn-in-the-eternal-flames-of-hell'. So I quickly stopped the taunting.

"I'm no psychiatrist, but I might be able to help, Prince."

He took a few minutes to respond as he searched for the right words. "See… It's Flonne…"

A horrible sinking feeling inside me made the amused grin on my face disappear. It didn't look like he noticed as he continued. "I… I just keep thinking of her! I can't get her out of my mind, no matter how hard I try…"

I felt a piece of my heart break as he said that. I don't why, though; it was so obvious Laharl loved her when we went to Celestia. And now that's all been confirmed.

"Her hair… her eyes… her skin… everything about her, I think about…"

Another piece of my heart broke.

"I want to protect her, protect her with my life. With everything I am…"

Another piece broke off.

"And every time I look into her eyes, I feel sick… but in a good way. Etna, what the hell is going on with me?"

He looked at the floor when he finished.

I felt my heart shatter completely as I put my hand under his chin and brought it up, forcing him to look at me. The words I said afterward would haunt me forever. But I couldn't tell him how I felt now. It was much too late.

"Laharl. You. Are. In. Love. With. Flonne." I said each word slowly and clearly. His blood-red eyes, those eyes of the one I loved so much, widened when I finished. Before he could say a word, I continued. "You have to tell her before she finds someone else."

Don't make the same mistake I did…

I released my hold of his chin, and he still looked surprised at what I just said. "I'm… I'm in love?" He asked, confusion in his voice.

"Yes."

The next thing I knew, I was wrapped in a bone-crushing embrace, which probably would have killed me if he wasn't trying to be gentle.

"Thank you, Etna."

As long as you're happy, Laharl… I'm so glad I could help…

I wished he could hold me forever, but eventually he let go.

"Thank you for the advice, Etna!" Laharl thanked me once more before running off.

"Anything for you."

I said that quietly, knowing that they would be ignored and forgotten. He would never be mine, but at least I could help him with this.

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Kaori: I'm really evil for doing that to Etna, aren't I?

Zelda: (*sniff*) Yes, yes you are!

Kaori: I couldn't help it; I was in an angst-writing mood today!

Matthew: Anyway, please review.