A/N:
Wow. It's been awhile, ne? So sorry, but I do have a good excuse! It's called school. :P And marching band (hey! Being a nerd is hard work). They always say your junior year in high school is the hardest, and I guess they're right… But once marching season is over I hope to be able to update more quickly, but we'll just have to see. I also have 2 AP classes and Chem. Honors and Precalc. :P :P :P And my muse for this fic was also quite dormant, so I had to hit him /w a sledgehammer last night to wake him up. O.o Riiiiiiiight…..
Disclaimer: I think I've written this over like 50 times. I'm not sure. Why don't you just go back to the last chapter and read this b/c it sure as hell hasn't changed. So there. O.O
Secrets
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. The cool weather of spring transformed into the hot days of summer. Rain fell upon the land often, leaving it damp and muggy with humidity. The vegetation, as a result, was lush and the deepest of greens.
Link was enjoying himself immensely, despite the disobliging weather. Nay, the sticky humidity had no effect on his spirits, for there was always a certain person who could bring a smile to his face and a leap to his heart.
Zelda.
Despite her initial shyness, she seemed to literally blossom before his eyes. Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle more often than not, her long eyelashes fluttering and her lips curving into a sweet smile. She may have been shy, but she was certainly not without feistiness. Her mind was quick and her tongue quicker.
And when he would steal a kiss from her, perhaps from behind a tree or in the meadow, she would blush prettily. After a time, however, Zelda's blushing decreased and her daring increased. By the first two month's end, it was she who was stealing kisses, instead of vice versa.
It seemed so perfect, so wonderful that it was unthinkable that it could be ruined. Link found himself thinking about matters that he had never pondered before. But Zelda had changed all of that.
Zelda had stolen his heart.
Saria watched the happy couple from the kitchen window and sighed as a result. Rubbing the back of her neck absentmindedly, she was certain that if she did not have a neck ache now, she would later. That was what always happened when it came to things concerning Zelda. Secrets that were still hidden; secrets that could destroy so many people.
Saria felt Triana's intense gaze upon her; looking into the fairy woman's eyes, she saw her own thoughts reflected there.
"Are you going to tell them?" the scarlet eyed woman asked quietly as she looked back out the window.
Saria shook her head. "Nay. 'Tis not the time," she answered quietly.
"Will there truly ever be a time?"
"Nay," she murmured, "I fear not." Saria folded her hands as she continued to gaze at two of the people who meant most to her.
Link and Zelda.
It was completely obvious that they had fallen in love, or were very near that point. They were always together if possible; they attempted to be secretive about it, but the way they looked at each spoke volumes more than any words. And they possessed no idea who Zelda truly was, who she was to become, and that they could never really be together for the rest of their lives.
Saria's heart clenched. Mayhap if she had told them, told them sooner this would never have happened, then they wouldn't be forced to be separated and have their hearts subsequently broken.
She shook her head at her thoughts. Nay, even if they had been aware their entire lives, they still would have fallen in love. It wouldn't have mattered. Mayhap they would have been more cautious about diving into such deep waters, but dive they most certainly would have.
Triana broke her train of thought. "Do you think, perhaps, they'll never send for her?" Her voice was quiet, hopeful.
Saria looked into the other woman's eyes and answered honestly. "No, they will come for her, Triana. She is the sole heir of Hyrule. The king and queen have borne no others."
"But if she is to be revealed once more, the curse might be set into motion!" Triana cried desperately.
"Farthnelda would find her, anyhow. Mayhap we should be glad that her true love has possibly been found. Then she will not fall prey to the curse for eternity."
Triana took a sharp intake of breath, her eyes darkening. "Only to be separated from that true love! How can you speak so mildly about something so cruel?"
Saria shook her head, her hands still folded, gripping each other until they cramped painfully. Triana didn't notice. "We can't change the inevitable, Triana," she responded quietly. "Only hope that the Goddesses will be merciful."
Triana glanced at the couple, as did Saria. They watched silently as the two linked hands slowly, Zelda blushing and Link smiling. Their joy was palpable, to the point it was difficult to witness. For they were completely unaware that it would be ending soon.
"Is there naught we can do?" Triana asked, her gaze fixed on Link and Zelda.
Saria felt the muscles in her neck tightening until it was painful. In a whisper, she answered, "Nay, Triana. The damage has already been done."
The guay had been ever so lucky. His persistence had paid off, and now in the care of his mistress once more, never had he been so content.
Mistress was quite nice when she received what she wanted.
"Ah, my pet, so faithful and true. You have served me well," Mistress cooed as she stroked the guay's glossy feathers. He shivered gleefully at the touch of her long fingernails on his delicate skin. "Now, you are certain that you have truly found who I have been searching for? The girl with hair like sunshine and lips as red as the rose?"
The guay ruffled his feathers, offended at her questioning his wise judgment.
Mistress laughed lightly. "Do not be insulted, my pet. I merely want to be certain, is all. Now, answer me: are you sure she is the one?"
He bobbed his head in an affirmative.
"Lovely," she cooed once more. "Just wonderful. I am very pleased with you. You shall receive a most scrumptious treat for supper tonight. Does that please you?"
Nodding and bobbing exuberantly, the guay danced along his mistress's arm.
She laughed once more. "Perfect. Now, my pet, I must set you free for the next few hours. Your mistress has much to attend to." Throwing the guay into the air, she walked away down the hallway, staff in hand, her currently long, silver hair gliding along the floor behind her.
The guay, although excited about his snack, found himself curious. Mistress usually let him come anywhere with her. He was special. She had told him so many times before.
He flew after her, silently as the cool breeze, his ebony wings outstretched. As he followed her down the stony hallway, he quickly found himself in an area of the castle that he had never explored before. The temperature was much cooler; it was much damper. Water droplets from the stone ceiling above literally fell upon the guay's feathered head, almost causing him to squawk in annoyance.
But he didn't. He wanted to see what his mistress was up to.
After a time his mistress glided into a room off to the right. Before she closed the metal door, the guay flew in and perched himself high above her in the rafters. He hoped she wouldn't discover him, for Mistress had a very nasty temper.
The room was dank and dark and filled to the brim with rotted tables and spotted decanters and instruments whose uses were probably better left unsaid. It smelled of mold and mildew, and in the shadows rats scampered about, squeaking and hissing at the intrusion of another being.
The guay watched his mistress below as she began to peruse an old tome, her fingernail touching the page as she scanned the text. She smiled suddenly before going to a cabinet and rifling through it to bring out bottles of very questionable fluids and powders. Going back to the tome, she reached for a large bowl and metal spoon before reading the text once more.
His mistress began to measure the powders and liquids meticulously before pouring them into the metal bowl, where many times steam would arise suddenly from the combination. When all was within, she stirred the mixture slowly, making a point to go clockwise around the bowl. The guay cocked his head in curiosity. What was Mistress making?
She looked to the tome once more, looked into the bowl, and smiled in satisfaction. Taking a ladle to the mixture, she brought the liquid creation to her lips and sipped slowly. Her throat contracted as she swallowed.
Then she screamed.
The guay was so surprised that he jumped from his perch, a squawk emitting from his beak accidentally. But Mistress hadn't even noticed, because her shrieks were so loud that no other noise could be heard.
Now fascinated, the guay leaned down to watch as his mistress hunched over, body trembling with what seemed to be an excruciating agony. Before his keen bird eyes, he watched as long talons began to grow from each finger, each one wickedly sharp and curved into an arc. After one last scream, it was finished.
The silence in the room seemed to resound within it.
The guay was still leaning forward. His mistress slowly curled her back into a standing position, her fingers menacingly curved. Her gaze, however, was on the floor. But before he knew it, she looked up into the rafters.
And saw him.
Her eyes were amber and shone in the darkness. They were without pupils and were curved like a reptile's. They contracted, however, when she found him above her, watching her.
She smiled predatorily.
"My pet," she cooed, "you followed me." She beckoned to him with her index finger, now with the razor-sharp talon protruding from its tip. "Come," she added.
The guay stood still a moment, before descending to his mistress.
He shivered as he landed upon her outstretched talon.
Ah, so sorry for the delay. I don't know when I'll be able to update again. Once the beginning of November rolls around it'll be easier to find time to update b/c marching band will be over. :P I've actually missed writing. So don't think I've given up on fanfiction! I just haven't had any time, and I've been REALLY tired. Bleh. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. (don't forget to review! :D)
P.S.: In Chapter 7, Link said that he had a 3 month leave, but I've changed that to 6, b/c it really won't fit with where this is going. Just to let you know. (I've changed it in that chapter, too)
babowonsuni: Ah, well, I blame band for the previous delay and school for this one. Sorry about that! But I think everyone is better off to wait a bit longer than to read something that I wrote while exhausted. xD
Perfect Soldier 01: I'm glad you liked it! I actually hadn't planned to have them kiss so soon, but it just kinda ended up that way…. Oops O.o
Babydoll72489: Don't we all wish to find a guy like that? Lol There are only a couple of guys I know who continue to give me hope for the male race in general. (sigh) xD
CrazygurlMadness: I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I love you too for reviewing my fics. :D
Nagem: Yes, fluffy fluff fluff. I couldn't resist writing it. (sigh) Thanks for always reviewing, even if you can't come up with anything particularly creative to say. Lol (I have that problem all the time)
sawyerzelda: I'm glad you liked the kiss! They're tricky to write. xD And I'm sorry that you had to wait awhile (again!) for the update. School has officially taken over my life. :P
Vampiress24: I agree, kisses that happen too quickly are annoying. Although initially I was planning on waiting a few more chapters… xD
Azure Raelin: Oh, ok. (runs away)
magnum326: Don't feel bad! It's not like you wanted to break your arm! (at least I hope not O.o) I've only fractured my arm, and that was when I was four after falling off of a plastic playplace house. Lol XD
aslan-chic: I hate marching band. It's so pointless. And stupid. And (grrrrrrr!) I'm only doing it b/c I want to be in concert band. (sigh) N'way, I'm glad you liked the kiss. It was fun to write. :D
PIRO the unforgiven one: I'm sorry you have lopsided…eyes. O.o My hair's really boring. Does that help? xD
Story Weaver1: Glad you enjoyed it! :D And I agree, extremely lemony smutty stuff is nauseating. Bleh. :P
princess of destiny: Thanks! I just love writing fluff, way too much for my own good. XD
kat-SageOfWisdom-princesszel: Well, "san" is a Japanese suffix that is similar to that of "Mr." or "Mrs." in English. There are other suffixes too, that mean different things (and don't have an English equivalent). "San" is usually used for an acquaintance or just to be polite in general. So, "Nagem-san" kinda means "Miss Nagem", but not exactly, for there aren't any direct translations of Japanese suffixes. Does that make sense? Lol, don't quote me on this b/c I'm not really an expert. xD
ZeldaChik63: Actually, this'll is a word. My spellcheck says so. O.o Who would have thought? =D
nightwanderer: And I'm even more evil b/c I delayed getting this chapter out, too. (sigh) Sorry about that. :(
Greki: Glad you liked it! :D
jade04: OK! xD
zeldaiskool: Aw, man, flutes totally rule, hands down. Lol
Lucibell: Yes, I have seen the screenshots and the trailer for the new LOZ GCN game. I'm so excited! Do you know how amazing that game will be? (OMG) Thanks so much for the compliments, too. I feel special. :D
Glorfindel Silverleaf: I wouldn't be complaining if Link kissed me, even if he didn't ask me in the first place! Hehehehe xD
TieFighterPlt181st: Thanks, I'm glad you like it! I really love Sleeping Beauty, too. It was one of my favorite movies when I was little.
Jewel of the Wolves: I wondered where you ran off to! Lol, I'm glad you're back and still reviewing. xD Thank you so much for your compliments, as always. And, yes, I will review your fic when I find the time. Gah, I hate school. O.O