The Weeping Eye

Nexas: Hurray! Dances I got three reviews! And they made me happy! So I shall write, and write, and write, until my little fingers bleed!...Or maybe until I'm sick of writing.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Zelda, unfortunately -sigh-. Rao's mine though. So hands off!

Zelda: -Rolls eyes- No one wanted that wench anyways.

Rao: Why you little—!

Nexas: Anyways! I had to up the rating on this story. Basically because of some blood and…yeah…and language that probably will come in later chapters. It's just to be safe people. Alrighty then! On with the story!


Chapter One — The Chains of Cin

He silently stared at her, his face betraying no emotion. The strange woman's words resonated not only through the room, but through his mind. Whispers of temptation…to finally be able to regain that sense of pride and control he had lost so long ago…

Lost to his mirror image, that is.

The young man closed his eyes and turned away from the woman and her seductive words, fighting away the anger that threatened to consume him, trying to drive the thoughts of that golden haired hero away. Oh, how he would love to be the one to free his Master. To be the one who did not give up faith. His Master would be pleased with his loyalty…would grant him the power to leave this forbidden Temple…

Dark Link suddenly groaned, the heel of his palm smacking his head.

There. Right there. How could he be the one to save his Master if he was bound by that Zora's magic to remain here? Crimson eyes fluttered open, instilled with a fiery loathing, and the young man glanced over his shoulder, glaring at the tree. He was bound to the tree. It kept him chained to this room of illusions.

Illusions?

…How did he know this woman wasn't another illusion?

"Too many questions…" he muttered to himself, shaking his head. Brushing the wet bangs from his face, he sighed heavily.

"Excuse me?" asked the woman, watching Dark Link cautiously. Since she had offered him the chance to free Ganondorf, a multitude of emotions had crossed over his face; indifference, ecstasy, anger, longing, despair, resentment, and finally…confusion?

She blinked slowly. When she had heard of this creation of Ganondorf's she had expected it to be a ruthless warrior! But the man before her…he…seemed so, so…

Completely human!

Scowling slightly, she strutted over to the man and pointed a finger at him. "Listen, creature," she hissed sibilantly, poking his chest. "I did not awaken you for nothing! You shall help me, or you shall rot forever in this room!" Her words bounced angrily off the walls of said room, and it seemed to Dark Link, as the waves of her echoed voice hit him, that he truly did not have a choice.

But…he had to make sure…

His hand snaked out faster than the woman's eye could travel, and he pulled her to him. Her eyes widened indignantly, and she opened her mouth to curse him, but she faltered when his fingers brushed against her throat.

"You radiate warmth," the creature said in awe. "And I can feel your pulse…you are no illusion." And with that, the man let her go, seemingly satisfied with this new found discovery.

She stumbled back, giving him a wary look. He was quick, she had to admit. Maybe not so human after all… "Of course I'm not an illusion!" she snapped, brushing imaginary dirt of her dress haughtily. "I have come here for your aid, creature," she continued, steeling the anger and impatience out of her voice. To catch your prey, move slowly, carefully. Let him believe he is in control. The once hunter shall become the hunted. Offer him sweet temptation. Fall for the bait…

Dark Link's eyes narrowed, and his lips thinned as he frowned. "I shall not have you keep addressing me as such," he said softly, head cocked to the side slightly. "I may have been created, but I am more than just some foul beast." Strangely, there was no anger or sarcasm in his voice. "And I would ask for your name and reasoning to be here before I agreed to anything."

The young woman blew a strand of hair from her face. "Is that so?" she replied disinterestedly. "Well, you may call me Rao. I come from the Empire of Divium…a land of the frozen north. Five years ago, the Dark One contacted the Empiress. They discussed an alliance. Of course, Ganondorf had nothing on his mind but conquering Divium for himself, yet Her Majesty was fooled by his pretty words.

"He took control over Divium after having the Empiress executed. I was a cleric of the Moon Goddess' Temple at the time, and became enthralled with what I had heard about this King of Evil. I met with him, and he showed me ways to exploit my power. He left the High Priestess in charge of Divium until he returned. But he never did. A year ago, I learned of his defeat, and made my way here. He had spoken of his creations, once, so I knew where to find you." Rao looked up at Dark Link with an intensity that would have sent shivers down any other's spine. "You are the exact equivalent of the Hero of Time. Your strengths are the same, whereas your powers are a paradox to the other. If Link could defeat Ganondorf, perhaps you could be the one to free him."

Dark Link frowned. "What would you get out of this?"

Rao smiled, a smile devoid of any humor or mirth. "Ah, I get the praise of my Master for being the one to awaken you. My loyalty and faith," she began, not realizing she was voicing Dark Link's earlier thoughts, "would surely please him." She sighed in bliss, and closed her eyes. Then, after a moment of uncomfortable silence, she opened them and regarded Dark Link once more. "There. My name, and my reasoning. Now…" she began to circle him, like a predator stalking it's victim. "...What is your name, creature?"

The young man, a little annoyed at her constant circling, grabbed her arm to stop her and shook his head. "I was never named," he replied truthfully. What? Was he supposed to tell her his name was Dark Link? Absolutely not! That was no name. That was a heavy reminder of why he had had been created — to destroy Link — and what he was — only a shadow.

Rao pried his fingers from her arm and looked at him thoughtfully. "Cin," she breathed quietly, eyes flashing with sudden delight.

"What?" asked Dark Link, staring at her uncomprehendingly.

"Cin," repeated Rao, grinning widely. "Your name shall be Cin."

The newly named Cin blinked. It truly did fit, did it not? He nodded his head. "Yes," he agreed.

"So you shall help me?" persisted Rao, reaching over his shoulder to grab her cloak. She swung the dark mantel over her shoulders, clasping it at the front while waiting for an answer.

Cin shook his head. "It is not quite so easy," he remarked, his blood red eyes watching her. Then, after a thought and before she could answer, "How did you get in the Temple?"

The young woman placed her hands on her hips, not happy with his first comment. Nevertheless, he had asked her a question. "Ganondorf taught the clerics and priests a dark art. I, for one, am skilled in necromancy, but I can focus my magic on certain ancient powers." She shook her head, her red hair bouncing. "This Temple was exceedingly simple to break into. I was surprised, however, that I did not come upon the infamous Water Sage."

Cin, however, seemed disappointed by this. "I see." Was all he would say.

"You have yet to give me a straight answer," pointed out Rao, once again impatient. "Will you help me?"

"Is that how you woke me?" Cin asked, ignoring her last statement. "With necromancy?"

Rao gritted her teeth, growing agitated with his elusive questions. "No," she grated out. "Necromancy is a dark art that awakens the dead. You were merely asleep. The one who cast that slumber upon you used ancient arts. As I just told you, I can dabble in that area of power."

Cin stared at her for a long moment. Rao could see a sudden gleam in his crimson orbs. "What?" she asked suspiciously, her hands slipping from her hips to the hilts of her rapiers. If it came to fighting, she would show him a decent struggle.

"You can awaken…any of the dead?" he asked, his voice a sweet purr.

Rao contemplated this. "No. There are those who have slipped beyond the gates. Only those that remain, bound to the earth or bound by their sins, may I touch."

Cin smirked. "That is perfect," he replied ominously. He suddenly relaxed, though his eyes still twinkled. "As for helping you, I shall repeat myself. It is not quite so easy."

"Explain," Rao demanded, putting off his curiosity in her power for a moment.

He arched his back lazily as he stretched his tired limbs. Already his muscles were slowly arousing from their time of long slumber, and his voice was slightly less raspy. "You see, Rao, I cannot leave this room. That Water Sage, the Zora, has bound me to this tree." He gestured over his shoulder to the withering thing. "However, if one were to…oh, say break that Water Sage's power…perhaps…?" he shrugged, smiling suggestively as he linked his hands behind his head and leaned up against the tree.

Rao tapped her chin before also smiling. "It shall be done," she replied darkly. With a swish of her cloak, she walked across the waters exiting the room of illusions in search of her latest prey.

Cin laughed, elated that he was finally going to be free.

That black laughter resonated in the room menacingly.


The cold water comforted her as it slid over her sleek body, like a soft caress. Breathing deeply, she opened her deep violet eyes and eased herself into a sitting position. Her blue skin shimmered almost translucently in the depths of the water, sending rays of light throughout the submerged room. She turned her head, her diamond earrings clinking quietly, muted by the water. Strange.

Shivering, the Princess let her legs untangle themselves from their sitting position and stood, tiny bubbles of air escaping her mouth as she frowned. She saw nothing out of the ordinary…so why did she awaken so abruptly? Fluttering her wing-like fins, she brought a hand up to soothe the headache she felt.

Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Then, she felt it. Giving a cry of surprise, she felt the water itself…shudder

Someone was draining the Temple!

Disturbed that someone had even entered the sacred grounds without her knowing, she immediately glided through the slowly emptying water and out into the main area. She barely had time to stand in the muddy sand before the Temple was completely drained. Staring around her, she brought her hands to her mouth in dread.

"I apologize," came a voice from above, and the Zora Princess whirled around to stare up at the third floor ledges. Standing there was a cloaked figure, watching her. "I suppose draining the Temple was not perhaps the best idea, but I knew it would get your attention."

"Who are you!" demanded Ruto furiously, her previous fear forgotten as her legendary temperaments took full throttle. "And what do you think you are doing? This is holy ground!"

"My, my, my," exclaimed the being, the voice betraying it for a woman. "Aren't we a little petulant?" The woman disappeared for a moment, and Ruto cleared her throat to yell once more, when the stranger suddenly hurtled through the air, landing on the second floor ledge above her.

"Who are you?" asked the Zora again, backing up against a wall as she prepared herself to summon her power. What was going on? Ruto was tied to this Temple, physically, mentally, and spiritually! What hadn't she felt this presence before! Disturbed, she tried to focus. Letting her fear run amok would do nothing to help her. She needed full concentration. Reason with her, she thought. About to say something, she was cut off by the other.

"I would tell you, but that information would be useless where you are going," the woman replied, hopping down to the first floor. Unlike Ruto, who sunk a little in the sand, this woman…this thing was…hovering over it!

"What are you!" Ruto whispered, abruptly changing her question as the woman slowly stalked towards her. Distress made her heart skip a beat, and she felt her body trembling. Use your power! A voice screamed at her. Yet, she remained rooted to the spot, trapped neatly in a cage of terror. Something inside her refused to believe that this was actually taking place. You're a SAGE! Protect your Temple, idiot! Who knows what this beast wants, but nothing good can come of it! This is YOUR DUTY! With a gasp and nod of her head, she determinedly smothered her fear, closed her eyes, and mentally reached out and made to grab hold on the power as a Sage.

But felt something smooth slide into her first. Something colder than the icy water previously had been. Chilling her, freezing her…Ruto's eyes snapped open instantly. Gaping widely, she realized that the woman was now in front of her. Gaping widely, she realized she was now pinned up against a wall.

And, gaping widely, she realized there was a slender blade impaling her to that wall.

A bubbled gasp erupted from her throat, a trickle of blood sliding down her chin from her mouth. "How…?" she gasped in surprise.

Yet there was no pain.

Only shock.

But when that shock subsided, and stopped numbing the pain…

The Zora clutched the blade piercing her abdomen. "I…don't…under…stand," she whispered, head slowly slumping forward. I can't die! she inwardly screamed. There's so much more I wanted to do with my life! A shuddery gasp shook her body, and she pulled her fingers away from the blade, absently seeing an unforgettable crimson staining her fins. Why is this happening? I…I'm so sorry Zelda…forgive me. I fear…for the worst…I couldn't…I should have…

…so tired. So very tired.

"Good night, Princess," whispered a voice in her ear, rich with triumph. Before Ruto could slip into eternal darkness, she heard the woman speak once more. "If all the Sages are as easily killed as you are, freeing my Master will be near effortless."

A boot pushed into her hip, and with a wrenching tug, the woman pulled her blade free. Too weak to cry out, too weak to scream, the Zora collapsed to the floor in a bloody heap, violet eyes contracted in pain. She barely registered the sound of distant footsteps. She barely registered how long she lay there, body shaking with pain, mind wild with unanswered questions.

"If all the Sages are as easily killed as you are…freeing my Master will be near effortless."

Ruto's shoulders shook, but not of pain. Instead, crystallized prisms trailed down her cheek. She had failed as a Sage…she had allowed this woman of death into the Temple…this woman…"freeing my Master" …who served…"my Master"…"Forgive me," she whispered hoarsely, curling into a ball and clutching her gaping wound. "Oh, please forgive me."

The sound of groaning mechanisms reached her ears.

The Temples was being flooded once more.


He paced, ignoring how he kept splashing water all over himself. How long was it going to take Rao to find the Sage? He froze, chewing on his lip. What if the Zora wasn't even in the Temple! He'd never be free…

Who said the woman was even going to return for you? Perhaps this is a trick. Another way of punishment, hm? She wakes you from eternal slumber, and you suffer an eternity of waiting to be free. Fool. You believed her? a voice whispered, laughing in his head. Pathetic.

"She will return," Cin said firmly, squaring his shoulders and raising his chin as if he could intimidate this invisible foe.

What will you even do, once you are free? Go save your precious Master? Who said Ganondorf wanted your aid to begin with? Or…are you eager to prove yourself? Prove that you're just as strong and worthy as him? Do you hate him? Do you want him to bleed?

Cin growled threateningly, crossing her arms over his chest. Yes, he thought. I want that golden haired swordsman to bleed. I want to redeem myself.

The voice laughed. You can't defeat him! You're weak! A mirror image! A shadow! You're not even his half!

"Rao said—"

That you're equitant. But Rao said a lot of things. Do you believe everything she says?

Silence.

You're so desperate for freedom, that you would believe anything. You're weak. So, so pathetically weak. You would NEVER be able to defeat Link. Pathetic, worthless, creature—

Cin heard a sharp click, like a lock opening, and a sudden thrill ran up and down his spine. Behind him, the tree let out of groan of protest before it strangely convulsed. Then, with a deep shudder, the tree stilled.

Dead.

Crimson eyes widening, Cin felt himself shaking with excitement. "Am I…free!" he wondered aloud, licking his dry lips. He had already forgotten his inner voice in this newly found anticipation. His shoulders seemed less burdened, and his movements less controlled. Inhaling deeply, he fixed his eyes on the door and determinedly strutted over.

Staring at the door as one does a loathed enemy, Cin reached out a trembling hand. This was it. He would be free. Rao kept her word. She had broken the Sage's power and hold over him! Yet…there was only one way to find out if this was surreality…or reality.

His fingers just brushed over the door…

And it came hurtling open, smacking him full in the face and knocking him over.

"It's done!" Rao proudly proclaimed, standing in the entrance. When she saw Cin on the ground, rubbing his head and glaring daggers at her, she had the grace to look sheepish. "Oh, sorry."

"Do not let it trouble you," replied the young man as he rolled onto his feet, shaking the dirt off his black tunic. Exhilaration was making his blood race, but he tried to control his emotions. "You found the Sage?" he questioned, a single eyebrow cocked.

Rao showed him one of her rapiers, which she had yet to clean.

Cin smiled darkly. "I must thank you, though I understand you would like my gratitude in another form."

"Yes," Rao said, taking out a cloth of leather and wiping the blood from her blade. "So. I shall ask a final time. Will you help me?"

"I shall."

"Good."


…I'm so sorry Zelda…forgive me. I fear…for the worst…I couldn't…I should have…

Her sapphire blue eyes snapped open, her chest heaving, her body swathed in sweat. Reaching up to touch her brow, Queen Zelda flung off the quilts and swung her legs over the edge of her bed, trying to control her breathing. Just a dream, she tried to convince herself. Just a dream.

But Zelda had learned to trust her dreams like a sixth sense.

Gathering her pale gown about her, she slipped of the bed and threw open the door, allowing her eyes some time to adjust to the bright moon light illuminating the hallway. Her eyes darted to the left of the hallway, and then to the right, unsure of where to go.

With a whimper of desperation, she ran down the right.

Her bare feet slapped against the cold flooring, and her gown kept getting in the way, but Zelda tried to ignore these things and focus on finding Sheik.

The Sheikah rarely slept, for they were nocturnal beings, but the young man had been last seen trudging to his room. His searches for Link exhausted him, though he refused to admit it. Hopefully, she would find her Guardian in his room. For once.

She ran up the stairs that led to Hyrule's tallest tower; the Sheikah had been persistent in taking the tower as his living quarters…

Two steps at a time…two…four…six…eight…ten…twelve…she tripped over her gown and slipped a few steps…eleven…thirteen…

There the door!

Without even knocking, the Queen threw open said door and barreled into the room.

Yet again Zelda had to pause to allow her eyes to adjust…though this time to the darkness.

Sheik's room was circular and small. Only one window was present, but the moon was on the other side of the tower, thus leaving the room to blackness. A bureau stood next to the window, simple and, Zelda expected, probably empty. A mirror and wash bin were opposite of the bureau, sitting on a little table. She frowned at the simplicity of the room, for it did not seem comfortable or even livable. But the again, the Sheikah seldom wished to live comfortably. Across from her, there was a small bed.

With Sheik in it.

Sighing in relief, she was about to move forward to wake him when she noticed that crimson eyes were watching her warily.

Well, he's already awake…I wasn't that loud…was I? Zelda wondered. Why is he staring at me like that? Is he angry I didn't knock? Why would he be? It's not like… she paused when she realized why Sheik was watching her so guardedly.

He wasn't wearing his mask. Or anything else for that matter.

Zelda blushed fiercely and cleared her throat as she whirled around. "I…uh…need to speak with you Sheik," she said, trying to sound as possibly indifferent as she could.

Who knew under all that tight material and wrapping, Sheik was — Eek! No. Must think Queenly-like. Thinking about Sheik that way is NOT Queenly-like!

"Understood." Came the emotionless reply. Zelda was vaguely aware of the sound of Sheik dressing behind her, and squeezed her eyes shut. Even when her consciousness had been transferred to his body, she had never taken off his mask despite curiosity. According to Impa, it was improper for Sheikah males to show their faces or even any skin in public. Not wanting to betray his trust, Zelda had firmly kept her hands from unraveling those bandages that hid Sheik so.

Why would they hide themselves when they look so…so…beautiful? She wondered idly. Temptation, she realized, rocking back onto her heels. The Sheikah's only objective is to protect the Royal Family. They could not allow trivial temptations of lust and such to get in the way of their mission. Thus they hid themselves.

"Queen Zelda."

She peeked through one eye, almost afraid, and relaxed visibly when she saw Sheik before her, fully masked, fully dressed. However, she couldn't keep a pink tinge from spreading like wildfire across her cheeks. "I apologize, Sheik," she said nervously. "It's just that…I…"

"Sit down, Zelda," the young man commanded gently, leading her over to the bed and forcing her down. "Now. Slowly. What is wrong?" Concern was laced in his words, despite his obviously exhausted appearance.

Zelda stared at her hands folded in her lap silently, trembling. What if it were all just a dream? Then she would be sending Sheik out for no reason. And the young man was tired enough as it was. No, this was ridiculous. Why did she even bother…?

"Zelda."

She looked up in surprise, and nearly started at the close proximity of two crimson eyes. The young man was crouched before her, no longer her Guardian, no longer a Sheikah, just…her friend. "Speak to me, Zelda," he said quietly, taking her hands reassuringly in his own to stop her trembling.

The young Queen studied him for a moment, gratitude at his small yet kind gestures written across her face. Then, with a shaky breath and a nod, she exhaled slowly. "I was asleep, Sheik," she began softly, eyes brimming with soon to be shed tears. "And, as usual, it was a dreamless one."

"Are you taking the potion Caliph makes for you?" questioned the young man.

Zelda nodded. At times, her nightmares of Ganondorf had grown so intense that she had been forced to take a brew that would lull her into a dreamless state. She had taken it not too many hours ago…

"Yes. She made some for me to take tonight," Zelda confirmed, pulling her hands out of Sheik's for a moment to brush back a strand of hair from her face. When she placed them back in her lap, she was disappointed he did not take them once more. Instead, his hands were resting on his knees as he attentively listened to her. "…During my sleep…I heard someone cry out. Then…I saw Ruto." A single tear escaped from her sapphire eyes. "She was in pain, Sheik! And I saw blood! So much blood! She reached out for me, asking for me to forgive her. And I tried to take her hand! I tried to tell her everything would be all right! But her eyes closed, Sheik! They closed! And she died…she died right there. I couldn't even help her!" Zelda's shoulders bobbed back and forth as she began to sob, overcome with grief and despair.

Sheik watched her for a moment, eyes soft with sympathy, before he touched her shoulder comfortingly. "Do not cry, My Queen," he said quietly, unsure of how to react to her mental breakdown. "I shall find the Princess, and you will see it was but a dream…" A dream she should not have had under the affects of the potion…Sheik found himself thinking.

Zelda shook her head wildly, tears thick in her eyelashes. "No! It was but a dream! You are tired, Sheik, and I am being silly. Rest, my Guardian. I shall contact Ruto in the morning and everything will be…all…all…all right."

The young man stood and shook his head. "Remain here, Zelda. I shall return soon." And before Zelda could get up to protest or demand he stay, he vanished from sight with a crack and a flash of intense light.


He stared distastefully at the lurking depths beneath him. Lake Hylia's waters were dark and shadowy, no longer glittering in the moonlight, no longer clear as crystal.

It reminded him of death.

Pushing away the troublesome thoughts, the Sheikah stepped forward and slid down the rocky edge of the island and into the freezing lake. Taking a deep breath, he ducked underwater and swam for the passage he knew would bring him into the Water Temple.

The water was murky, so the Sheikah relied on touching the Temple's inner walls to guide him to the surface. When he finally breached again, his silky hair plastered to his bronze colored face, he took a moment to refill his lungs with that which they desperately desired. Then, after pushing the locks out of his eyes, and pulled himself up onto a ledge and shook the water off his body. Steadily walking forward, he headed down the short hallway before coming into the main area of the Temple.

It did not take him long to find Ruto.

The Temple fully flooded, the Princess was…floating at the surface.

Face down.

Swallowing back the bile that threatened to blind all his senses, he slowly approached the Zora. When he came to the end of the ledge, he kneeled down and hesitantly touched Princess Ruto's finned ankle.

Clammy.

Sighing and fearing the worst, he grabbed said ankle and gently pulled her to him. The movement disturbed the waters, and the Sheikah noticed that there was a thick cloud surrounding the Zora's body. Dark, black blood.

His stomach churned.

Rolling onto his feet, he carefully heaved the Zora's body onto the ledge.

Crimson immediately stained his boots.

Closing his eyes and making a sign of the Goddesses, he turned Ruto over onto her back.

Violet eyes stared up at him.

Bowing his head, he opened his mouth to give the Sage a final blessing into the next life.

But then those eyes blinked. Slowly.

"Ruto?" he whispered incredulously, on his knees in an instant besides her. The eyes blinked twice. Crying out in relief, the Sheikah turned his own eyes onto her ghastly wound. It was remarkably thin and slender, but blood pooled in it, spilling down her smooth skin. A whimper of pain emitted from her blood caked lips, and a hand fluttered to his knee.

"End it," she mouthed laboriously.

He shook his head. Taking her life, no matter the situation, would be like drawing a dagger across Zelda's throat. He could not, he would not, do it. Placing his hands over the wound, he closed his eyes and concentrated. A soft hazy aura consumed his fingers and palms, and he gently touched Ruto's deep gash. She shuddered in pain from his touch, and moaned out, pleading for him to end it. Instead, the Sheikah whispered the words of his ancient kin, the strange language rolling over his tongue smoothly. Ruto's pained moans swiftly became those of small whimpers and hisses.

After a few moments, the Sheikah removed his now blood stained hands, inspecting the wound. However, crimson obscured her abdomen, and he had to carefully brush it off to examine his handiwork.

A long and slim line scarred her stomach, though that line was faded as if it was nearly healed. Relief washed over him, along with fatigue, and Sheik mentally thanked Zelda's intuition and dreams.

"Sheik…" Ruto whispered, eyes distant as pain throbbed through her body. "A woman…"

"Shh," the Guardian soothed, slipping his hands under her head and knees to pick her up bridal style. "Just relax, Princess. Save your energy." His body protested, and his vision swam, but the Sheikah ignored this and steadily headed for the entrance of the Temple. When he realized he could not swim with the near unconscious Zora, he sighed heavily and prepared himself for a transportation spell.

Oh how he longed to sleep.

"But Sheik…" insisted the Princess. "It's about him…"

The Sheikah stumbled over his incantation, eyes opening in shock. One did not need to explain who the him would be if one had lived through seven years of misery, pain, and anguish. Regaining his composure for her sake, he smiled shakily, though she could not see it behind his mask. "I understand, Water Sage. Zelda shall know. But rest. You need to conserve your strength to heal."

When she faintly nodded, he finished the spell. Just as the bright light encompassed them, and their bodies became dim with the magic, Sheik muttered out, "Twice, young Princess. Twice I have saved you now. Can you not stay out of trouble?"

The Zora Princess was already unconscious.


The two golden haired youths sat by the bed, one laden with exhaustion, the other laden with worry. Lying on said bed was the Water Sage, her chest barely rising and falling with each weak breath. "I am afraid she had lost an incredible amount of blood," the doctor said with a sad sigh. "She is very weak. However, may the Goddesses be willing, she may live."

Sheik intertwined his fingers and rested his chin in them, watching the Zora carefully. Beside him, Zelda was stiff with uncertainty and fear.

Neither knew how long they remained there, though the Sheikah had somehow remained awake the entire ordeal, but, with a small gasp, their friend stirred.

Zelda cried out in joy and rushed to the bed, kneeling before it and taking Ruto's hand in her own. "Oh, Ruto, Ruto!" she whispered, tears escaping from her eyes. "Thank the Goddesses you are alive!"

Sheik stood, his muscles cracking painfully from his the taut position he had been in for the past few hours, and stood behind Zelda.

Ruto opened one bleary bloodshot eye, taking a moment to let it focus on the Queen and Sheikah respectively. "I was dying," she whispered, her voice ragged. "It was the most awful thing…so much darkness…suffocating me…the pain…oh how I wanted it to end." A small tear trailed down her blue skin. Then, as if realizing something, her eyes widened and she snapped her head over to face them. "Queen Zelda!" she rasped urgently. "A woman came into the Temple! She was the one who drew her blade upon me!" Zelda gasped and brought a hand to her mouth in mortification. Sheik just waited for the Zora to continue. "I will never forget what she said to me, Zelda! Oh, how horrible it was! 'If all the Sages are as easily killed as you are…freeing my Master will be near effortless.' Zelda! She speaks of him!"

The silence echoed throughout the small room. Zelda's face was ashen white.

Sheik closed his eyes and prayed to the Goddesses.

"Surely you are just imagining these words," Zelda offered hopefully, not looking her friend in the eye. "He is sealed away forever, Ruto. Do not even jest of such things."

"Jest!" screeched Ruto as her temper kicked in. "Have you seen the wound that hellish woman delivered me! And you think I jest!" She seemed as though she would continue, but instead she began to cough violently.

"You are upsetting the Princess!" screeched another voice, this one the nurse. "Please leave immediately!"

Zelda humbly hung her head, wished her friend a farewell, and grabbed Sheik's arm, tugging him out of the room.

Once they were outside, Zelda spun about and latched herself onto him, hugging him so desperately the Sheikah began to loose the circulation in his torso. "Oh, Sheik!" she cried, her voice muffled as she burrowed her head into his mask. "Please tell me this is a horrible nightmare!"

The Sheikah swallowed heavily, feeling light-headed, and reluctantly returned the embrace. Unused to physical contact, he could only just stand there.

He had no words to offer to her.


Rao stood at the hill's edge, staring down into the waters of Lake Hylia scornfully. Then, with a regretfully sigh, she continued to ring out the water in her hair and dress, cursing the submerged Temple mentally.

High above her, making erratic noises of glee as a child does, Cin climbed the massive oak. "This tree is not dying!" he remarked cheerfully, hauling himself up onto a branch and looking down to his companion.

Rao smacked her head and rolled her eyes. "Of course it isn't you moron. Why would it be dy…ah. Yes." She turned her gaze up towards him, her eyes unreadable. "You have never been outside your little illusion prison, have you?"

Cin shook his head vigorously. "No, I have not. I have been in that room since Master created me."

Rao nodded and took off her boots, dumping the water out of them. It was safe to say that the young necromancer was distracted, for she still had lingering thoughts about the Zora Princess.

They had not been able to find her body.

"Rao."

Cin had suggested that it may have gotten dragged into one of the lower levels of the Temple, but Rao had not been quite so sure. Now, she felt a nagging inside of her, scolding her for not finding the gods forsaken body.

"Rao."

There was always a chance that the Water Sage had survived. But, for this also, Cin had a logical explanation. If she were alive, would they not have seen a trail of blood if she tried to leave the Temple? Indeed, they had seen pools of crimson on a ledge, but it had not led anywhere.

"Rao!"

So the young woman, with a shrug, laced her boots up and tried to forget about the Sage.

"RAO!"

She nearly fell head over heels into the lake with a start. "What!" she hissed malevolently, turning her cold eyes upon her companion.

Who somehow was standing not even a foot away from her. How…? She would have sensed his close proximity! No. Not quite so human at all…Hold on! She was close enough to see every long thick eyelash curling over his eyes! Did the creature not understand personal space!

Of course not, she realized. He knows nothing of civilization, people, or…well…anything. Ganondorf probably taught him the tongue of man, but besides that, Cin knew nothing at all of life.

"I wish for you to explain how we can go about freeing our Master," Cin replied austerely, his child-like fascination with the tree long vanished.

Rao glanced about them edgily before hissing, "Shh! Keep your bloody voice down, Cin! I will speak with you of these matters elsewhere!" And with that, she moved to continue across the bridges and away from the lake. But a hand, with an iron grip, grabbed her arm. Unable to move, she whirled around, now enraged. Who did he think he was anyways!

"What about him?" asked Cin in a low tone, eyes narrowed to tiny slits of crimson. Now his face was contorted in hate and spite, and Rao was reminded of the true nature beneath all the flesh and blood of this creature.

Rao ripped her arm from his hand and rubbed it, knowing there was going to be a nasty bruise, and mentally told herself to teach Cin manners. Looking up at him, she sighed. "He hasn't been seen for two years. Do not fear of him."

Wrong choice of words.

"Fear! I do not fear him!" spat Cin viciously.

Rao stared at him for a moment before rolling her eyes again and turning her back on him. "Then why does it sound as if you are trying to convince yourself that?" she questioned, walking ahead.

Cin stared at his feet, hands clenched into white fists.

He could not answer her.


Nexas: Phew. That took forever! Yeah, yeah, so Sheik isn't on the prowl for Link yet. But I am waaaaaay to sick of writing right now to continue. So ta-da! Hehe, you have to love how the he is always Link or Ganondorf, depending on what side it is.

Next Chapter: A long forgotten friend and a familiar blonde young man! Sheik discovers his intuition about Link's haven is true! Zelda has mental breakdowns! Cin develops a plot! Tune in next time for the continuation of…The Weeping Eye! Woot!