Chapter Three: The Power of Women

A/N: Chapter three! We'll be reverting back to Zelda, now. I had the most fun writing the arguments in "Ducks and Dragons", but I'm having the most fun writing Zel in this one! Thanks go out to Miss Piratess (yes, Zelda is annoying), Malon Aniku (the link doesn't work! Maybe you can send it to me? I saw your new drawings on the Legends of Zelda website, and I like the one of Tailo! No, the guard will not be a crucial character, but he will make later appearances), and zeldaisthebest (you think I write good dialogue?! Thanks again! And Link's in this chapter!) I'm in the process of writing a one-shot in which Zelda, Impa, Link, and Navi experience baking. It will hopefully be uploaded this weekend. BTW, Falen is pronounced Fah-lin. Just so you know…


Quinn and Falen had taken Zelda through the Haunted Wasteland to the Desert Colossus. Inside, they had made a large pile of jewels and valuables that they had stolen from many citizens of Hyrule. Zelda wandered over to it and began looking at the thieves' loot.

"Boy, I never knew there were so many things like this in the castle," Zelda said, looking at the Zora's Sapphire. "I think I've seen that somewhere before…"

"Well, if it was in the castle, you probably have," Quinn said, untying the strip of black satin that held his hair back. He shook his head, letting the hair fall loose, because the ribbon had been tied much too tightly (courtesy of Falen), and he was getting a headache. He and Falen had actually snatched the sapphire right out of the Temple of Time, having dressed like Hylian priests to sneak in. Falen had made sure that the high minister hadn't been looking, then had grabbed the jewel and stuffed it under his numerous robes. It was then brought to their hideout in the former Spirit Temple, and now Zelda was holding it precariously. Sighing in frustration, Quinn stretched out on his back and slid his arms under his head.

After a bit, Zelda put the sapphire back in its place and flopped onto the sandy ground, legs crossed. "So, when are we going to polish the stuff?" she asked.

"Soon, Princess," came Falen's voice from right outside. He was checking the horizon for any royal messengers.

"You know," Quinn began, pulling his hair back, "I don't think you're qualified for polishing silverware, Princess." He couldn't believe that Falen had come up with such a stupid excuse.

"One second, I'm not listening," Zelda said, pulling off her shoe. "Die, evil spider!" she screeched, bringing the heel down hard and causing a poor arachnid to expire with a faint crunching noise. She wiped the shoe on the sand and replaced it on her foot. "You were saying?" she asked sweetly.

Quinn swallowed hard, deciding to change his words, for he had had a sudden image of the princess whacking him over the head with her shoe. And that would hurt. "Uh…I said that I think you're perfectly qualified to polish silver."

"Why, thank you," Zelda smiled. "But I was wondering, why did we have to come all the way out here to do it?"

"Something about the sand makes them shinier," Falen said, walking in. Quinn shook his head. Why did his friend have to come up with such idiotic ideas all the time? He resolved to do the talking from now on.

"You mean you use sand on the silverware?" Zelda said. She looked confused.

"No, it's from being around the sand…" Falen answered casually.

"Will you please stop talking?" Quinn begged, sitting up.

"No, I'm interested," Zelda interrupted. "Go on, please."

"Actually, Princess, it's a very complicated process," Falen said, catching a glare from Quinn.

"Really?"

The men nodded in unison.

"Oh, that's too bad. I don't want hear, then. I don't like complicated things," Zelda said. She looked at Quinn. "So, how are you related to Impa?"

Quinn shot another death look at Falen, who grinned lopsidedly and shrugged. "Actually," the supposed-Sheikah began, "it's a very distant relationship. She probably doesn't even know me."

"How far?" Zelda asked, looking entranced.

"Well, she's my mother's sister's aunt's cousin's wife's daughter's best friend's nephew's third cousin fourteen times removed," Quinn said quickly.

Zelda's fascinated expression had faded. "You lost me."

"Would you like me to explain again?" he asked, grinning at Falen. This imbecile was pretty fun!

"No, it's complicated, too," Zelda said, standing up. "Aw, man!" she cried. "My nightgown's all dirty now!"


"There they are!" Link cried, pointing at the large shadow in the sky. "They came!" He began to dance happily around the front lawn of Hyrule Castle, much to the guards' amusement. Impa and the King simply shook their heads in embarrassment. This was the guy who'd saved their entire kingdom? It was ludicrous.

Aranel landed in the grass, causing the ground to shake beneath their feet.

"Oh, I've never been so glad to see anyone in my entire life!" Link cried, running to Lute as he slid off the dragon's back and grabbing him in the tightest hug he'd ever received. The Xenosian could hardly breathe when Link released him. "I was so afraid that you wouldn't come, because then I have no idea what I would do if you hadn't! I have no experience whatsoever with kidnappings!"

"Well, I'm glad you think so highly of me," Lute said bashfully.

"No, it's just we didn't know who else to call," Daphnes said.

"Thank you for the compliment," Lute replied curtly.

"Cassandra! Darling!"

Everyone looked to the drawbridge of Hyrule Castle, across which Aridia, the King's court sorceress, was running. She threw her arms about a startled Cassandra, who hugged her back joyfully.

"You're a princess, now?" Aridia asked, holding her former apprentice out at arm's-length. Cassandra nodded, but before she could say anything, Aridia had pulled her into another hug. "I'm so proud!" she cried. Cassandra laughed and returned the embrace.

"Well, are we going to start figuring things out?" Impa asked, stepping forward. Her armor was glinting in the sun, and Lute smiled, remembering how similar she looked when he'd first met her in the castle courtyard, where everything had started. And now here he was, back at the beginning.

"Life's so strange," he muttered.


A/N: There you go! More next week! I'm sorry the chapters are so short, but think of it this way: the shorter the chapters are, the longer the story lasts, right? I'm not one for writing long chapters, anyway. My novel's longest chapter so far is eleven pages. Pathetic, huh? Hope you like!