A/N: To my two WONDERFUL reviewers, I thank you guys, you totally rock!

Chapter 3 – Mr. Mystery

Weeks had passed, nights void of dreams and days filled with loneliness and wondering. Zelda was fading, her once bright, unpredictable self shrinking into the shadows, withdrawing to a world of thoughts. Impa watched the electric violet eyes of her charge darken and dull, with a feeling of helplessness. She felt a change, something that would return Zelda to her. Yet all she could do was wait and pray to the Goddesses.

Zelda had so much time alone that she found herself drawn to places with people, excitement, that electric atmosphere that certain times and places held. She would walk the streets as the sun set, music pounding in her ears as she passed by the bright glow of an ice-cream parlour or the cinema. When she returned home she would retire to the solitude of her bedroom with only Deku for company.

Yet, much like in all the tales of urban legends that Rosalind had indulged upon Zelda, there came a night when Zelda did not want to go home. The sunset came and passed, yet Zelda continued to wander the streets. It had been a particularly painful day, her World Civ. class had been asked to write a paper and give a presentation on their ancestors and lineage. It had only acutely reminded Zelda of the absence of her parents from her life. She closed her eyes as the screaming music blasted anger into her head and hated them both for leaving her to do this on her own.

She was so distracted in her thoughts that she did not notice the eyes in the shadows, watching her, seeing through her anger into the person, the secret, she held inside her heart.

Zelda pulled her jacket tighter around her body as the night air grew fiercely cold. She had walked so far, lost in her thoughts, that she suddenly realised she needed to turn back before Impa began to worry. Taking a deep breath she turned around.

And was met with the cold gaze of a man standing before her. She froze as she recognised him. It was her kidnapper's accomplice from the dream. Every part of her knew it and told her to run, yet she could not move. He did not smile or show any facial expression, but merely reached out and grabbed her at the throat, clenching his fist around her neck. Suddenly Zelda's common sense kicked in and she began to struggle, thrashing her limbs, but it was to no avail. The darkness of imminent death began to close around and there was a screaming in her head. When the man dropped her body to the ground, she believed she was dying as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Zelda opened her eyes expecting to see that crimson gaze from her nightmares, yet instead she found herself being watched by a pair of indigo blue eyes, the depths of which seemed endless. She noticed, with some distinct embarrassment, that she was being carried by this stranger. Then she lost herself in studying his handsome features, his strong jaw and flawless skin with a slight tan. He had golden blonde hair that fell into his eyes and acutely tipped ears peaking out from under a green cap. He smiled, warmly, down at her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Um, woozy."

"Well, you're nearly home."

Zelda's head was reeling, yet she was so overwhelmed by this situation that she found herself incapable of saying anything intelligent.

"Er, thanks."

They fell into silence as he turned a corner and began walking towards her front porch. Suddenly Zelda heard the front door being thrown open.

"Zelda? Zelda!" It was Impa, her voice sounded urgent. Then Zelda heard a gasp. "Link?"

Zelda watched the guy smile, his eyes twinkling momentarily. "Hello Impa."

Impa rushed forward, gathering them both into a hug (which partially crushed Zelda who was still being held in the arms of this stranger).

"Impa?" Zelda managed to speak up. As Impa released them both, the boy set Zelda upon her feet, gently.

"Steady now, you'll still be weak," he told her, placing a strong arm around her waist as her knees buckled, slightly.

"Link, how on earth did you get here?" Impa asked. She was showing signs of panic, running her hand through her salt and pepper hair, which made Zelda feel uneasy.

"I was hoping you might be able to tell me that."

Zelda's head was swimming. She had surmised that the handsome boy was named Link and that he knew her guardian, but how he knew Impa and why he had carried her home were complete mysteries. Link turned to her.

"Can you walk Princess?"

"Princess?" Zelda yelped, incredulously, her feminist side overwhelming her. "Who the hell do you think-"

"Link, it's best to refer to her by her first name," Impa advised Link who was looking slightly bewildered by Zelda's outraged reaction. Impa turned to Zelda. "Can you walk, Hun'?"

Zelda nodded, taking a step toward the house. Link stayed beside her as she made her way up the porch steps and through the front door, watching her with tender concern.

Zelda sat down at the breakfast bar and gazed, expectantly, at Impa.

"I think I have some explaining to do," Impa sighed. "Zelda, this is Link."

Zelda looked at Link who was standing, awkwardly, in the doorway. A look of pain passed over his face that Impa noticed. "Yes Link, you're right, Zelda does not know who you are."

Zelda's stomach did a back flip. "Oh God, you're not, you're not like some long lost brother or twin or something are you?" Zelda asked, bracing herself.

Impa could not contain her sniggering. "No Zelda, Link is most certainly not your brother."

Link was looking rather deflated and miserable. Impa ushered him over to the breakfast bar. "Sit," she ordered, pointing at the stool beside Zelda. It was as he pulled himself onto the stool that Zelda noticed his strange ensemble of a forest green tunic with white hosen and a large sword in a sheath strapped to his back. This was all just too much.

"Zelda, stop looking at Link like that, it's rude," Impa barked. Zelda flushed and turned away. "Now Link, how long have you been here?" Before he could answer her maternal instincts surfaced. "My goodness, you must be starving!" She quickly hurried to the fridge and began making him a sandwich whilst encouraging him to speak with a wave of her hand.

"I'd say about a month."

"How did you find Zelda? And what happened tonight?"

Link looked curiously at Zelda.

"I was attacked," Zelda admitted, "by a guy from my dream."

"A Gerudo," Link added.

"A Gerudo?" Zelda repeated, questioningly. Link nodded.

"And you saved her?" Impa asked, shredding lettuce.

"Well, I er, I fought the Gerudo," Link answered, blushing and looking down at his hands.

Zelda cringed as the ultimate cliché line escaped her lips.

"You saved me?"

Unfortunately the good looking boy, rather than telling Zelda he was madly in love with her and had seen his whole world ending as he saw her in peril, merely nodded silently.

Which was just proof that those knights in shining armour don't exist.

Zelda yawned, widely, as Deku scampered into the kitchen and sniffed at Link's brown boots, warily.

"Deku, leave Link alone, he isn't a cat, I swear," Zelda assured the rabbit and strangely enough Deku stopped snuffling at Link's boots.

"Deku?"

"The rabbit," Zelda told him.

Link looked to Impa who placed a sandwich down in front of him. Impa couldn't help smiling as she saw the two of them, together again, sitting at her kitchen counter, Zelda dressed in jeans and a leather jacket and Link in his green kokiri tunic.

"Link, you eat while I make you another. Zelda, go take a bath because I'm sure once Link's finished eating he'd like to clean up. Some food and rest and I promise I'll do some explaining in the morning," Impa told Zelda who was looking impatient.

"But I have school in the morning," Zelda protested with a famous pout.

"School?" Link verified.

Impa sighed. "Zelda bath. Link eat."

Zelda picked up Deku and stomped upstairs while Link attacked the sandwich, ravenously. When he'd finished he turned to Impa.

"Why doesn't she remember me?" He asked, softly.

Impa felt sorry for him. He had always been fond of Zelda, ever since the first time they had met, seven years ago.

"You never truly forget someone," Impa told him as she prepared a second sandwich. "Just give her a little time."

Link nodded, getting to his feet and unsheathing his sword. It gleamed, like a pet greeting its owner. Link held the sword high above his head.

"Oi, none of that in here! You'll break something," Impa barked. Link jumped and slowly sheathed his sword, sheepishly.

"Seven years… Is it possible she is even more beautiful?" He whispered, contentedly.

Impa saddened. "Beautiful but troubled." Link sat down at the counter again. "These dreams she doesn't understand and being attacked tonight and then you turning up."

Link looked down at the sandwich in front of him. "I never have yet seen Princess Zelda happy."