A/N: Auuhh... terribly sorry for the delay. The truth is, I honestly gave up on this story. I really hated it and was planning to stop it there, but then I realized that hell, I already have it just about finished anyways, so I might as well go through with it.

I still think it sucks, though. But the reviews are still nice to read anyway.

Moonlight Swim

I was constantly under Link's watchful eye from then on, and it was getting to me quickly.

Being under Link's constant watchful eye was getting to me. I felt like the walls of the castle were closing in on me, and I longed to return to the days that I used to sneak out and run around the marketplace. I felt like Link was understanding me more lately than ever before, so I figured that perhaps he would allow me a little time outside the castle walls.

Link and I were discussing Ganondorf one afternoon when I decided to bring it up.

"Don't let what he says get to you," Link was instructing. I had told him about the way Ganondorf would criticize and ridicule me at times. "This is obviously one of his methods to gain control of you. He's using words to twist your thoughts and contort your perception, making you forget your common sense and your morals and beliefs."

I raised my eyebrows. "Did you come up with that by yourself?"

He glared sternly at me for a moment, but then he broke out into a sly grin. "All right, so maybe I had a little help from the great, all-knowing Impa…"

I laughed. "That's what I thought."

"Anyway," Link continued, "she's right, you know. Ganondorf is basically making you forget your true self. He knows you too well, knows how to persuade you to change your opinion of yourself and of everything around you."

I nodded, letting the words sink in. After a moment, I decided that it was a good enough time for me to ask him.

"Link, I haven't been outside the walls of the castle since Mother's funeral," I pleaded, regretting the words when Link winced.

"I know," he sighed. "It's just… very dangerous out there, especially for you."

I scowled. "It's not as if Ganondorf is running free around Hyrule, waiting to get his hands on me. He as just has much power over me here as he would anywhere else."

Link sighed. "Yes, I know, but at least here I have some control over your actions."

"You see me as a threat to people?" I asked him.

"You know I don't mean you," he said. "I meant him. Who knows what he's got planned for you now?"

I sighed, knowing that he was right. "Well, what if you went with me?" I suggested. "The moment I start acting up, you can kick my ass and that'll be that."

Link chuckled. "Yes, well… I suppose you can walk around the market if you'd like," he agreed reluctantly. "I don't think my accompanying you will really be necessary, as long as you stay within the gates of town. The guards down there will help you if you need it. You can go…as long as you're back before sundown, that is."

My eyes widened. He was trusting me to go off by myself? I almost felt like hugging the man…

Almost.

Needless to say, I busted out of the place as soon as I could get away after training that afternoon. The castle guards allowed me to walk out the front gates, on the orders of Link. I tried my best to dress inconspicuously, wearing a cloak to cover my head for safety reasons.

I trudged down the hill toward the marketplace, filled with a feeling of freedom that I hadn't experienced in years. Entering the central square, I sighed peacefully. I hadn't realized how much I missed wandering around this place and the simple act of watching people go about their everyday lives. I leaned back against a building near an alleyway and tried to enjoy being away from the boring castle for once.

Out of the corner of my eye, a figure slinked out of the shadows. I whirled around and gasped at the familiar face that I had not seen for years.

"Toril," I murmured, staring open-mouthed at the young Gerudo before me.

"Haven't seen you for a long time," she stated, leaning casually against the wall. "For three years, I believe. I've turned eighteen already."

"Yeah, I know," I said softly, looking down. "I'm sorry. I've just been... busy."

"Yeah. I understand," she said compassionately, smiling softly. "I'm sorry about your mother."

I nodded, tearing my eyes away from her as I felt tears burning beneath my eyelids. "Thank you," I said, unable to hide the shakiness in my voice. I looked down at the ground and shut my eyes, terrified of what she would think if she knew what I had done.

All of a sudden I felt her arms wrap around me. I opened up to her warm embrace. All of the emotions I had kept inside me for months was released. I began to sob in her arms. I hated myself for crying in front of her, and I could almost hear my father shouting at me for showing weakness. But the tears kept coming, and I was powerless to stop them.

"It'll be all right," she said soothingly. "I'm here for you."

Instead of feeling comfort at her words, I suddenly felt extreme anxiety. If she knew about me, about what I had done, would she be so willing to console me? Sure, she already knew and accepted the fact that Ganondorf had fathered me, but what would she think if she knew that I was more like him than she first thought?

"Come with me," she whispered in my ear. "Come with me to Lake Hylia."

"Yes," I said without thinking. All I knew was that I would do anything to be with her longer.

Before I knew it, we were galloping through Hyrule Field on her horse, me in the back with my arms around her. Her hair blew wildly in my face, but I did not mind at all. In fact, I made sure to savor the moment. The sun was setting, casting a fiery glow onto Toril's hair.

It was twilight by the time we reached Lake Hylia. Without a word, she hopped off of the horse and sprinted toward the water. She collided into the waves with a splash, and then twisted and floated on her back.

"Come on in, Kiran," she called, splashing playfully. "The water's fine."

"I don't know," I said hesitantly. I wondered if Link had discovered that I had left the castle yet. I was beginning to worry.

She started to pout, loosening those luscious pink lips of hers. "I was hoping you'd come and take a nice, relaxing swim with me. C'mon, you know you want to," she said seductively.

I smiled and shook my head. She was right; I wanted to more than anything. I stripped down to my pants and began to slowly wade into the dark, murky water.

"I grow impatient," she grumbled as I timidly tested the water with my feet. After a few moments, she started fidgeting. "Ugh, you're no fun!" she cried suddenly, leaping from the water. She grabbed my arm and roughly pulled me in. I cried out in shock as I plunged into the icy water, and I heard her giggling.

I scowled at her. "You're going to regret that," I growled.

She just laughed. "What are you going to do about it?" she taunted, circling me.

"This!" I cried, and ducked her head under the water. I quickly began to swim away in fear of her reaction. Sure enough, I heard her cry out in frustration and start after me. But I was no match for her warrior-trained body. She caught up with me in no time at all and wrapped her arms around my neck playfully. I felt my skin tingle, knowing that it wasn't because of the cold. She was awakening strange and new feelings inside of me that I had never thought possible before.

I turned to face her, slowly reaching out to touch her. My hand paused in midair as if I was afraid that touching her would shatter this moment and I would find myself in my bed, realizing that it had all been a dream. She gently took my hand and held it in her own, giving me her most sincere, beautiful smile. I could no longer hold myself back. I leaned forward ever so slowly until I felt her lips against mine. I gently kissed her, reveling in the moment, but keeping it short and polite. The last thing I wanted to do was seem like I was trying to take advantage of her. However, when I began to pull back, her hands moved to my neck and she returned the kiss, making it longer and more passionate. As I tried desperately to relish the wonderful moment, Ganondorf's voice suddenly came to me.

Well, well, well, he taunted. Looks like my boy's growing up.

 he taunted.

I tried to ignore him, remembering Link's advice. But he kept speaking, urging me to delve into my deepest desires and divulge them, regardless of what Toril felt or thought.

That's all women are good for. Use her until you tire of her, and then discard her. Satisfy yourself, and then let her go. She cannot become a distraction.

I clenched my fists as his words tore at my soul. I broke away from Toril's embrace, making my way toward the shore.

"Kiran?" I heard her say. She began to follow me. "Kiran, what's wrong?"

I ignored her, fighting my way through the impeding water and up to the shore where I pounded my fist on the ground in frustration. I scurried to put my clothes back on, hearing her come up behind me.

"Did I do something wrong?" I heard her ask. I whirled around to face her, and I suddenly found myself speechless. Her body glistened in the moonlight, and the droplets of water in her hair made it sparkle like stars. She was a vision of beauty. No matter how I tried, I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.

"I can't do this," I said softly, looking down at the ground shamefully. "I won't hurt you like this."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Nothing," I muttered, turning away and exasperatingly yanking my clothes back on.

"Kiran, you can tell me," she said forcefully, stepping in front of me. I ignored her. "Look, I'm not going to judge you. Maybe I can even help you."

I glared at her angrily and crossed my arms over my chest. "You can't help me. But do you really want to know? Because I'm warning you now: you won't want to have anything to do with me."

She raised her eyebrows and cocked her head to one side. "You want to bet?"

"Yes," I replied stubbornly.

She sighed. "Look, I don't care what you are or who your father is. Stuff like that doesn't matter between friends."

I lifted my eyebrows, allowing myself to smile a little. "Friends?"

She laughed. "All right, maybe we're more than just friends," she said, grinning slyly.

I glanced down guiltily at my feet. "I don't know… I don't think I'm ready to tell you yet," I said regretfully.

"All right," she replied, shrugging. I looked up, surprised. "That's fine with me. You can wait until you're comfortable enough with me."

"Does this mean… you want to meet with me again?" I asked hopefully.

She rolled her eyes and smacked me hard on the shoulder, making me wince. "Of course, Kiran. Sheesh, you act like you're some disgusting, hideous creature or something," she said, laughing.

As I slipped into my boots, I couldn't help but think that that was exactly what I was.

"I'd better head back," I muttered absently, turning away from her to gaze off into the distance. "Link's going to kill me."

"Oh… okay," Toril replied, and without another word between us, we rode back to the castle gate. I hopped off of her horse and stood there for a moment, staring at the ground as I searched for the right words.

"Well… thanks, Toril," I said, glancing up at her and forcing a smile.

She stared back at me for a long moment, her amber eyes shimmering as her lips stretched into an enticing grin.

"What?" I questioned, becoming uncomfortable with her expression.

"Nothing," she murmured, shaking her head. "It's just… you look… handsome when you're nervous." She giggled, quickly hiding her face with her hands in embarrassment.

I could feel my cheeks burning red. "Uh… thanks," I replied, laughing quietly. I paused suddenly and wrinkled my forehead. "Uh… can I see you again sometime?" I asked anxiously.

"Of course," she answered, recomposing herself quickly. "You didn't think I'd let you go that easily, did you?"

I smiled. "How about… the day after tomorrow, at noon?"

"It's a date," she replied, smiling.