Chapter 18

Despair and Desolation

Malika had searched and searched but still no sign of the boy. After all, the castle was huge… She was even tempted to get all of her lowly servants to scour the place. She cursed her misfortune, why hadn't she killed the boy in the first place? She was agitated with herself for that stupid mistake.

He couldn't have just vanished into thin air…the dust disturbed in his cell and the weakened state he had been in the last time she clapped eyes on him proved against that, but where could he be?

She had scanned through all the rooms located above the lower levels of the dungeons, but still to no avail. She was becoming frustrated and angry, never a good thing for those around her. She vented her wrath on any unfortunate servant of hers who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, slaying them on the spot. Her other servants soon found this out and had made it their number one priority to steer clear of her while she was in such an unpredictable and foul mood.

She hadn't even bothered to find out if Link and Alexis had been taken care of properly; no one had dared to report to her just yet…The only thing that occupied her mind was to find the boy…Chunk…and kill him.

"Er…my queen…it appears the two who faced Tomo's group have appeared…successful…Him and his command are all dead…as well as Dark Link." her thoughts had been shattered by the trembling male voice of one of her servants, the dimwitted fool was probably nominated to do thisagainst his will by the other idiots she called servants.

She was about to finish him off then and there just for the heck of it, but then hesitated and thought better of it. The corners of her mouth lifted up into a smirk as she eyed the boy before her, standing with his eyes clamped tightly shut and waiting for the blow to put an end to his misery. When it never came, he opened one eye and squinted at her and saw his queen standing there relaxed with her arms cross and a smirk on her face.

He breathed a heavy sigh of relief and slowly began to back away.

"And just where do you think you're going?" she snapped.

"I-I uh…I d-didn't know y-you still n-needed m-me…" he stammered.

"You thought wrong." she growled. "You tell me they have succeeded, but you give me no information as to their whereabouts? If they are being stopped as we speak? Are my stalfos around anywhere?"

"…The intruder's location is unknown at this moment…anyone who has confronted them…are now dead…just like…erm…all of the stalfos under your command…"

"WHAT? MY STALFOS DEAD!" Malika seethed inwardly, she was not willing o ask her lowly servants for help but her stalfos were a different story… "Do anything to bring them down! Go! Get out of my sight and do as you are told, summon everyone and get them hunting."

"Yes my queen." And with that, he dashed away as if his very life depended upon it, which indeed it did. If he had lingered any longer, she just may have changed her mind on killing him…He was so relieved, fate had been kind to him this day.

Malika cursed under her breath as she continued her search. She wouldn't tell anyone of the escaped prisoner…not one word. He was unarmed…so how much trouble could he really be? She would soon find out he was more of a problem than she first thought…

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Chunk was amazed with his luck so far, Malika had even stupidly walked right past him without realizing it! Maybe he could have attempted to kill the murderous scum then, but now was not a good time to risk giving away his position, he didn't think one swipe from a sword would be enough to finish her either…

He just needed to find Alexis…and Link. He had overhead Malika's conversation and if there were two 'intruders' that could only mean Alexis and Link…or Alexis had gotten help from someone else…but that was highly unlikely. It was surprising if Link had really stuck with Alexis to come get him especially after what a jerk he had been towards Link…

Apparently they were doing fairly well so far…somehow this didn't surprise Chunk, he had only seen Link in battle once, the night he was captured, but what he had seen was enough to tell him that Link was well experienced and versed in the art of battle…

For the time being, all he could do was hope that his luck held up as he crept along the shadows…

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Link and Alexis had definitely faired quite well, Link had even surprise attacked a room packed full of stalfos and had come out of it unscathed…as well as having received some help from Alexis. Any of Malika's servants who had gotten in their way had all met death through the blade of evil's bane itself.

After a recent encounter, someone appearing out of nowhere and scaring Alexis terribly, and Link finishing them off, they had stopped to rest…more for Alexis' sake than Link's. Alexis crouched down shakily as she tried to recover from the current incident of practically being scared to death.

Link would feel slightly awkward to offer any comfort to her, his emotions for her were stronger than ever and he couldn't allow them to get out of control. Regrettably, the one thing daunting his mind was to hold Alexis in his arms…kiss her perfect light pink lips…But no…as much as he wanted it, he just couldn't let that happen, they could end up facing Malika any second now and if he were to let his emotions free…if something were to happen to Alexis, he would only suffer more heart break. Plus, maybe he had just pushed her to far away? That was what he had wanted to do in the first place, but a part of him ached over it.

But of course another part of him remained loyal to Zelda and the promises he made to himself after she died. He couldn't believe how deep he had allowed himself to fall for Alexis…he had let his emotions slip and now they were overpowering him…trying to take over. But he had loved Zelda so much and then she had taken away from him…taking his heart with her when she left, how could he be in love…again? Thinking of Zelda suddenly brought a fresh wave of pain and sorrow sweeping over him, even threatening tears.

In fact, a tear did escape his hold. He quickly brushed it away, hoping Alexis wouldn't notice, even just a single tear, but unfortunately for him, she did.

What? He's crying? I haven't done anything have I? Last time he cried was back in the forest…because of me…because I had the nerve to make him confess how he felt…but what could it possibly be now?

"What's wrong?" she asked inching her body closer to his.

"Nothing." he hastily replied, he was fully aware of her inching closer.

"Then why the tear?" she asked ever so much closer…

"Er uh…" she was very close now, making Link feel nervous, he could feel the body heat radiating from her figure. The part of him overwhelming with love for her was screaming in his head to close the gap and just kiss her…as the other part was saying she just better back off. His body spoke for him as he tensed up.

Alexis sighed, "Sorry…I'll back off…" but she just stood there seeing Link in a thoughtful mood, hope pounding in her heart.

At first Link didn't say anything as the two different feelings regarding her fought within the corridors of his mind.

I love her…why suppress it any longer? Link thought this, but the words that came from his mouth were completely the opposite of what went through his mind, his feelings for Zelda had just recently come brimming to the surface and now was not a good time, "Alexis please…just don't."

She instantly backed away at this pretending nothing had happened, but it was beyond obvious that he had hurt her…again.

He couldn't worry about it right now, he just couldn't give into his feelings…not yet. Not 'til he was ready…not until then.

"I guess we should get goin' then…" Alexis said sadly.

"I guess so…" Link replied, she had either rested enough or…he had hurt her so much that she just needed to be moving to get her mind off things? He was so confused…why did this have to happen? Was he regretting meeting Alexis, the source of all his confusion and frustration?

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REVIEW! Please...

It feels like it's been forever since I last updated even though it's only been a week...I'm sorry if this did seem like a long time to anyone cuz it sure did to me...and I'm the author! lol. I've just kinda been down lately, but that's life for ya huh? But now I'm back in high spirits : )My birthday's comin up and we went to this restaurant and I got free icecream! Although after suffering through the embarrassment of being sung to...lol.

I'm just gonna say a few more things and then be on my way...lol.

Jupiter-Lightning: Wow no softball...lol that's a shocker. ((OMG did I just steal your word? lol mwahahaha)) ttyl : )

FallenFenix: May-beh ; ) but then again...Maybe not : ) I really do write good battle scenes? ((sniffle)) glad ya think so : ) and yes I will feel special for the time being lol : )

Emeralddestiny: lol...I dunno they just come to me...love scenes and battle scenes are what I love ta write : ) But even if they are frustrating for you, you do such an excellent job of writin' your fic : ) Umm heh I kinda got confused by what you put at the end of your review...heh heh...please explain...heh heh...sorry...heh heh...anyhow, thanks for bein a super nice reviewer and thanks for da review : ) : ) : )

Ewanlover71690: Been readin' it over and over again? o.0 Wow... ((sniffle)) Thanks a bunch for da review : )

AnimeDemonNayorin: lol Ms. Blondie91...lol that cracked me up...So I really am gettin' better? I feel so...uh...let's see...lol j/k. HAPPY:) : ) Spider...((shudders)) lol.

Guest: Thank you so much for reviewin: )

ken nuhfer: lol got that right : )

THANKS A TON TO EVERYONE WHO'S REVIEWED: ) This chapter seemed kinda ok to me...but I'd rather hear what you've got tosay : )

-blondie91