Sorry for the cliffy! I like making people wait…But, don't worry, the next chapter is here!

Chapter 4 – Link: Loss

I had turned away as fast as I could after I had kissed Malon. It was simply a good-bye kiss, and I knew she wanted it.

Yes, I had found out that Malon was crushing on me back when she first joined me on my mission. She always stared at me, and looked at me oddly. And she giggled whenever I complimented her. I may not have known how many girls act when they have a crush, but I wasn't stupid. I could tell.

I heard mumbling from behind me. Malon and Navi were talking. I didn't turn back, for fear of getting caught in Malon's stare again. She didn't exactly scare me, but I did feel a little uncomfortable whenever she watched me.

My first stop was Kokiri Forest. I wanted to make sure my home and the Kokiri were okay. After all, they were my family.

And, at the same time, I was looking for Zelda. I had to make sure she was safe. I hadn't seen her in so long. A lot had changed since I was gone, and Zelda could have changed, too.

The trip was unusually quiet since Navi was gone. I was so used to her non-stop talking, and now that is was gone, I felt a little lonely. But then again, without her to stop me to talk, the trip took a lot less time than it usually did. Usually, the trip from Hyrule Castle to the forest took about two days. This time, it only took one. Navi used to stop me a lot.

I walked through the first log that led to the short bridge to Kokiri Forest. It was unusually quiet. I walked slowly, so as not to surprise anyone.

As I entered Kokiri Forest, I was greeted by quick pain around my knee. I looked down to see a cut. I looked up. A giant plant came biting at me. I managed to jump back before it hit me again. I hit it with my longshot and then killed it with my sword.

This was not what I had expected my home to be like. I ran into every home. Everyone was gone. I started to become angry. Where was everyone! What had happened here! Then I remembered that last place I had to look…The Lost Woods.

I had gotten lost there a few times before, trying to meet Saria. Every time I got lost I ended up in Kokiri Forest again, but it got annoying to have to start over each time I went the wrong way.

I entered the woods. There was no longer music playing. It was silent.

It took me about a dozen tries, but I made it to the Sacred Meadow. I quickly killed the Wolfos that got in my way, and then walked into the maze. I had already memorized the path I was supposed to take; I had gone through this maze countless times, playing with Saria.

But as soon as I turned, a giant, brown, pig-like monster was charging at me, spear held out. I jumped back just as it passed. It didn't turn to follow me, so I assumed that it couldn't. Perfect. So I'd just wait for it to pass and I'd shoot it with my longshot. I didn't have my bow anymore; Malon did, so I couldn't shoot it from too far away.

I did just as I had planned. And, as it turned out, that one wasn't the only one in the maze. I had to kill a few more, and even a giant one with a hammer. But I made it through with few injuries, and I was there.

I walked over to the tree stump Saria used to sit on and play her ocarina. I missed her…I hoped she was okay…

I heard movement to my left. I looked over and saw a boy, who looked about my age. He wore a blue outfit, a one-piece suit that went over his arms, legs, torso, and feet. A worn white cloth with a red eye-like pattern went over his front, and it rose up to cover his mouth. His head was wrapped in tape, and only some of his blonde hair was visible. I could only see one eye. The other was covered by his hair. It was red.

Then I remembered…I had seen him in the Temple of Time, right after pulling the Master Sword. Malon had gone ahead, so she didn't know of him. His name was Sheik…he was of the Sheikah tribe.

(A/N: Prepare for butchered wording! I don't remember what exactly was said here, sorry!)

Sheik took some time to remind me of the sage that lived in the temple above my head. He also said some more of his poetry, too. Seriously, his strong poetic sense made me think twice about his gender. But then again, that would be saying men couldn't be poets, and that wasn't true…I think...

The talking went on for a few minutes. Just as he got out his harp to teach me a song, he stopped moving. I didn't know why, I didn't know how, but I ran over to catch him before he fell face-first on the ground. Then I saw it. An arrow was protruding out from his back, right in the center…right through the heart.

"SHEIK!" I yelled, as if it would wake him up.

I heard rustling in the trees above, and I looked up. I saw a shadow moving, then it disappeared.

Deciding that I would deal with that little mystery later, I knelt down to Sheik. He was breathing, bit it was extremely shallow.

"L…Link…" he said weakly. "You need…to know…something…"

I held picked him up to a sitting position. "What is it?"

He took a few moments to muster up the strength to speak. His minutes were limited. "I'm not who you think I am."

I just stared at him, confused.

Slowly and weakly, he raised his arms and crossed them. A Triforce symbol appeared on his hand. Instantly a bright light shone around him, and I couldn't help but turn away. When I turned back, someone was still leaning on my arm, but it wasn't him.

It was Zelda.

I was too speechless to say anything.

"Listen…" she said quietly.

"No," I said quickly. "We have to help you." I went to pick her up. But she put a hand on mine and held it down.

"I don't have long," she said. "So listen now." She took another few moments. "Your little girlfriend…Malon, I think her name is…she had more impact on the…"

"She's not my girlfriend," I said quickly.

She ignored my argument and went on. "She had a major impact on the fate of Hyrule. If she had stayed at the ranch, and not slept for those seven years, during that time she would have befriended a young girl her age. That girl had lived all her life with abusive parents, bullies at school, and no friends. She was willing to do anything risky. She always said in her mind that she'd do anything risky if she had to, because if she died, there would be nothing she'd miss and no one who would miss her."

"Where is this going?"

Zelda took a deep breath. I put a hand on her lap to comfort her a bit. It didn't seem to work. "Befriending Malon would have changed her view on life forever. Malon's innocent and happy demeanor would have cheered her up. She would have become a potion-maker at Kakariko Village. (A/N: Yes, I'm referring to that freaky one you take the mushroom to in the Trading Game for the Biggy Sword. I'm assuming that's a female) But because Malon was gone, her view won life remained dark, and she fell into the hands of Ganondorf himself." She paused, as if saying the name had hurt her. "She was willing to do anything he said. And he said…he said to find and kill me."

I couldn't say anything. I couldn't even think anything at that moment. But I managed to muster up the stupidest words I could have said at that time. "And…and she succeeded."

Zelda nodded slowly. "Yes, she did. But, Link, Malon's disappearance affected more than you think, not just me and the ranch…"

"What else did she affect?"

"Link…I can't…say anymore…" I was losing her.

"NO! You HAVE to let me help you." I reached into my bag to get my last fairy out.

She pulled my bag away and held it out of my reach. "No, Link. It's better I die than you waste your fairy and die later."

"But…"

"Link, you're the Hero of Time. All I am is the Heir to the throne of Hyrule and the Seventh Sage. Another heir can be found…and even in death, I can still be the Seventh Sage. The only thing you'll be missing…" Her breath suddenly became quicker and shallower. "…is Sheik…" She closed her eyes.

"Zelda, NO!"

"Good luck, Link. Tell Malon…I said…Hi…" She had said something casual, as if this were a normal conversation. But that was the last thing she ever said. He head fell limp.

All I could do was sit there and hold her in my arms. I knew I had to be strong, but I decided it wasn't important now and let tears fall. She was gone…I couldn't believe it. The woman I had loved was gone…

I heard footsteps behind me. I put Zelda down quickly, turned, and drew my sword and shield, all in one fluid motion. But then I saw who it was, and my grip on my sword loosened.

"I knew this would happen," Impa said. "In a matter of time." She kneeled down and picked Zelda up. "But this is the way it was meant to be." She took her gaze from Zelda to me. "Link, I'm sorry. Despite this turn of events, your mission must continue."

I nodded, not saying a word. Quickly I ran over and hookshotted myself up to the temple. I ran in, no regard for my safety on my mind. All I wanted to do at that moment was die.

The Forest Temple was fairly easy, and it only took me a few hours to clear. It was easier than the Deku Tree, which was odd. But the whole time, I felt as if I wasn't alone. I came up with one conclusion…Zelda was with me.

Saria was the sage of the forest. I was glad to know she was safe and her death wasn't brought on my Malon's disappearance. She gave me the forest medallion, and I found myself in the Lost Woods again. But now, music was playing. The forest seemed cheerful again…

…Unlike me. The only thing on my mind was Zelda's face as she died in my arms. I even made the pigs stop in confusion as I just walked right by them. They seemed surprised that I didn't care if they were going to pummel me to death and stab me with their spears. Actually, I didn't care. I wanted to die.

But at the same time, I didn't. Then the rest of Hyrule would be gone just the same, and that was even worse.

And Malon. Malon was my friend, and I didn't want to leave her.

I spent the next two days resting at Kakariko Village. The temple had taken a toll on me, and so had Zelda's death. All I wanted was to be able to think about something else besides her for a few minutes, at least.

On my second day, after it got dark, I decided it was time to contact Malon. I wanted to make sure she was okay. I couldn't afford to lose another person. Plus, I had to tell her what had happened.

I took out my Ocarina as soon as I got into my room at the inn. I played Saria's song. Everything became silent. Even the talk of people downstairs faded away.

Then the silence disappeared. "Link? Link, is that you?"

"Yeah, Saria, it's me," I thought to her. "Could you contact Malon for me? Connect us so we can talk?"

"But how? Does she have an ocarina?"

"Yeah, the fairy one you gave me. Don't worry; She'll take care of it."

"Okay."

There was another moment of silence as I waited to hear Malon's voice. The silence faded, to be replaced by a really quiet sound. It sounded like flowing water. Was Malon already at the river?

Apparently she didn't know what was going on, so I became the first to speak. Or, actually, think.

"Malon? Malon, are you there? It's me, Link!"

There was a brief moment of silence. Then Malon yelled, "LINK! Where are you? Are you okay? What's going on!"

"Malon, I have some really bad news. I found Zelda and Impa."

"The ones that ran away on that horse seven years ago?" She remembered. I thought she would forget about that. I had told her about it on our way to Hyrule Castle, while we were still kids.

"Yeah."

"But what's so bad about that?"

"Malon, they're not the same group as they used to be. Zelda is dead."

No response.

"Malon? Malon, where are you!"

Silence. Not even the sound of water was there anymore.

I put my ocarina away. "That can't be good."

I started running. I had to if I was going to get to Gerudo Valley and find her anytime soon.

So ends chapter 4. (Extra tip: You don't have to kill the piggy things to get through the maze! Just play the scarecrow song as you stand in the first "hiding place". Navi should turn green. A scarecrow will appear, and you can Hookshot yourself up to the top and jump all the way across. Now, the big hammer guy…You're on your own :-P)

Sorry for all you Zelda lovers, I really am! It's not like I hate Zelda, I promise, I don't! I just wanted to keep the story interesting and original. Tell me if I've achieved my goal! Thanks!