Chapter 5

"You are swinging it wrong, here do it like this."

"Oh…wow, that did do a lot better."

"You see? If you know how to handle a sword, then you can be a great warrior."

"Like you are Link?"

"Well…I…uh…"

"No…you are not a great warrior, you are a great teacher."

"…"

"What's wrong?"

" I may, or may not be a great teacher, but you are a great friend Kafei…"

Zelda stood within one of the higher towers of Hyrule Castle, looking out the window. From here she could see the land before her, nothing could be hidden from her gaze. Below her, she heard a yell, and she quickly looked down, where she saw two men fighting with each other within the field in front of the castle. This sight may have alarmed another, however she knew these two, it was Link and Sheik, fighting once again.

Sheik had Link fight him at every chance he could, in hopes that he could help Link be better warrior, however Link showed little to no improvements. Something was holding him back, not letting him concentrate, very unlike the Link she had seen fight the evil Ganon. That Link was swift with the blade, and on the feat, he was truly the Hero of Time. This Link however, was different, although still a magnificent warrior, he was not at all up to par with the abilities of the Link she remembered. Either that, or Sheik's abilities were so much more advanced than his, that it made him seem so. It was as if Link wasn't concentrating while fighting him, strange for a man that had defeated several of the best trained guards of Hyrule castle several days earlier… He was merely better than them, that's all, nothing had to do with Sheik's fighting abilities compared to Link's own. He was still an excellent swordsman, however, compared to Sheik, he was as if nothing.

The Link she knew was different from this one. He was always eager for another challenge; another fight. He was smart, funny, and even…charming… Something that had completely been taken from the boy she knew as a child 5 years ago. He had been made a new person by someone or something… and she had no idea how. He would never tell her what happened, and when asked he would merely say 'I have grown up, that's all…' and leave the room, avoiding her for the rest of the day if he could.

Zelda turned back to the room, the sounds of Link and Sheik's fighting still being heard from the outside. As she walked, she looked around the room of the tower, within it were many objects that were precious to the royal family. One object however was precious to her alone, for very few knew she had it. As she thought about it, she turned back, to stare at a counter that held an assortment of boxes, all of which held several of the royalty's most treasured possessions.

"I wonder…" Zelda stopped herself before she stepped any more forward. This was foolish, to use it on such a matter would be a waste of it's powers… But then again… NO!… An inner battle raged within her, a thing that happened whenever she entered this room. No… not now… only when it is truly needed… and with that she hurriedly left the room.

Outside the room, she slumped against the door, bringing her hands to her face. Tears wept from here eyes. I almost lost it that time… The urge was getting too much for her, and so she had been left in tears. So much responsibility, so much that could happen if it was used improperly… The feel of it's power, was almost soothing, yet when stopped, it was as if she wanted it back. It was addicting, and at time, she couldn't control it… At times, it seamed , to have a mind of it's own…

"Princess." called a guard who came walking up to her. Zelda quickly postured herself back up as he came forward, wiping her eye's with her gown.

"Princess… Is something wrong my lady?" asked the guard, seeing the reddening around the eyes, usually left after tears had been wept from one's eyes.

"No nothing… what is it?" said Zelda, turning away from the guards sentimental gaze. The guard stared for a second, then stiffened back into his usual form, looking very much like someone caught in an evil act.

"A woman by the name of Saria wishes to have audience with you, will you come see…"

"Yes!" she interrupted, catching the man off guard, and herself as well. She turned back towards the man, hoping that her eyes did not still look like they had moments earlier, and in hopes that his eyes wouldn't be filled with sympathy for her well being.

"Yes…very well, come with me my lady." The guard walked off, then looked back to see if Zelda was coming. She was staring at the door that led to the room, as if trying to look through it's wooden makings.

"Princess?"

"Yes…I'm coming." She walked briskly towards him, where then he led her on their way. Lets just hope Saria has good news…

Link fell to the ground, breathing hard from exhaustion. Sheik had, once again offhandedly delivered what would be the finishing blow to him, knocking him down, and bringing his own sword to his neck. Irony, as it were, had a harsh side, for Link had wanted a sparring partner, and he got one. One better than he could have ever wanted…

"Get up, were going again." called Sheik's commanding voice, as he set himself back into his usual position away from Link. Link stood up slowly, having trouble keeping himself balanced, from the exhaustion that plagued him. Link however, did as he was told, picking up his sword and walking back into his position across from Sheik. I won't let him see me give up… I won't let him have the luxury of seeing me quite… Link kept repeating these words to himself in his mind, keeping his eyes focused on Sheik's movement.

"Ready?" called Sheik's voice from his side of the fighting grounds, a slight smile once again creeping onto his face. Link saw this, and glared. He mocks me…

"Ready…" said Link, watching the other like a falcon would it's prey. Sheik stood where he was, watching Link as he stood on the other side, waiting for his attack. Link ran towards him, his sword thrusting forward towards Sheik, however he faked the thrust and slashed instead, catching Sheik of guard for a moment.

"Impressive, you are getting better…" Sheik laughed as he said this, still keeping a cool head after the error he had made. He suddenly fell downwards and tripped Link, sending him sprawling. Link was ready for this, and shifted his weight at the last moment so that he did not fall, but merely jumped back, bringing his sword down where his foe lay. Sheik's rolled to the side, quickly jumping to his feat. He ran towards Link, catching him off guard. What! He never does that!

Link swung his sword sideways, slicing the air, missing Sheik by an inch. Sheik slid downward, going under Link's knees and ending behind him.

"Always be ready for anything…" Sheik spoke aloud, before he kicked back, hitting Link in the joint behind the knee cap, knocking him onto his face. Link hit hard, knocking the wind out of him and leaving him dizzy. Silently, Sheik stood and picked up Link's sword, which had fallen when he had gone down, and had buried it's blade half way into the grass of the field.

"You still have much to learn Link, or have you learned anything at all?" Sheik asked, walking over towards Link's fallen body, still face down into the ground. The coldness of the sword's blade touched against the skin of the back of his neck, ready to fulfill it's purpose, and kill the holder's foe. "Don't turn Link, or your neck will be cut and you will be of no use to anyone." Link's muffled voice came from under where his face met the dirt, words filled with anger and rage.

Sheik heard this, and frowned. He brought up the sword, then sheathed it into the ground beside Link's head. Link turned his neck now, the blade no longer burdening it so he could see more than the greenness of the ground. He glared at Sheik, who had suddenly become interested with a flower that grew to the side of him.

"It's the little things we take for granted in life Link…" started Sheik, kneeling down beside the flower, his eyes fixed upon it's petals. " We spend our whole lives taking for granted the little things that seam to be of no importance to us, until they are suddenly gone... Then… you spend the rest of your life trying to get them back… Just so you can have that feeling again, as miniscule as it may be… those are the things that keep some people going. My job is to find what your missing Link, and possibly, to help you get it back…"

Link stood up from his spot, pulling his sword from the ground and sheathing it into it's scabbard. He stood, his back turned from Sheik, even though he heard every word he had said. A sudden gust of wind poured itself onto them, it's power gentle, blowing itself upon the field of which they resided.

"Tomorrow we will continue your training, I wouldn't want to tire you too much." Sheik remarked, smiling, as Link turned to watch him walk back up to the castle. I just hope I can help you find it in time…

Saria sat within a large chamber, being one of the more extravagant chamber's of the castle. She would have rather met the princess in a more secretive room of the castle, not one that everyone knew about. On the walls of the chamber were many paintings, several of which having the princess in them , along with her late father, the King of Hyrule. On the day that Ganondorf attacked the castle in an attempt to retrieves from her the ocarina of Time, he had killed the King, and nearly gotten to Zelda, if it had not been for Link. Link…

He was the reason she was here. The dream she had was about him, and now she believed she knew what had changed him. It confused her though…why would he care for some one so much, then shut everyone out?… Saria didn't go on with the train of thought, for the princess had entered, leaving the castle guard outside. Saria stood in respect, hoping she didn't look ridicules in the gown one of the maid's had coaxed her into wearing. She had her hair up in a bun, and curls of her brown hair came about the sides of her face.

"No need for that Saria, and the dress looks good on you. It makes you look more like a lady than when you're wearing your forest clothing. This made Saria smile, she had never thought herself much of a lady… "Now…what is the problem Saria? Still having trouble coping with the dieing of the Kokiri forest?" Saria's smile faded. Once again the memory of the forest dieing before her, freshly entered into her mind. A small tear fell down her cheek, as she remembered this.

"I'm sorry princess… I just…it doesn't have anything to do with the forest…" Saria said, quickly drying her eyes with the him of her gown. "I didn't mean to request audience with you, and then fall into tears again." She said, looking down at the table. Zelda smiled.

"Saria, you are one of my best friends, and you need not worry about crying before me, it happens to us all." Zelda's warm smile seamed to radiate outward, making Saria smile as well.

"You always seam to know what to say to cheer me up princess…"

"Thank you." Zelda smiled, attempting to keep herself on the bright side of things, so soon after her last entrance into the tower's chamber. She was still raging that inner battle now, even after leaving the room and that floor of the castle. Sometimes it was so hard to keep control…

"The reason I am here to talk to you has to do with a dream I have…" said Saria, her eyes now dried from her tears, however, still red. These words brought Zelda back into the world around her.

"You had a dream? About what?" asked Zelda, suddenly excided and leaning over the table, eager to hear it. Reading other's dreams was fun to her, and seamed to pull her out of the worst of moods. Saria, however, looked less than thrilled.

"It was about Link…" This shocked Zelda, so much the excitement was gone from her, and she sat bolt upright in her chair once again.

"What?…" she asked, puzzlement coming over her.

"I think…I think I know what's wrong with him…"

Sheik stood looking out the window in his bedchamber of the castle. The sun was setting beyond the mountain, giving them the look like they were on fire. He looked downward, to see Link, standing their, looking towards the sunset as well, however, who knew if he cared about it. He held the same rough look he always carried, like that of a man who has seen to much blood shed in is life. No body knows what happened to him, but it was Sheik's job to find out. Thinking of this, Sheik smiled.

"You're a hard one to break Link, I'll give you that…" The door behind him opened and closed, entering was a cloaked figure, who obviously had snuck in.

"I knew you'd be here Sheik…" came the voice of a woman from below the garb, before she lifted the hood to reveal that it was really Zelda. Sheik smiled.

"Was all this necessary?" Sheik asked, a slight chuckle with the words. Zelda smiled back.

"I had to sneak out of my room…the guards won't leave me for anything… and besides…" Zelda moved over to Sheik, putting her arms around his neck. "It was all worth it to be with you…" She kissed him, leaning into it like a person who was truly in love with the other, Sheik however, broke away.

"I told you…this cannot be the way…"

"But…"

"No… our fate had drawn us apart princess, I cannot be with you like I was before. Unlike you, I did not retain those memories that we once shared together." Sheik slowly pulled Zelda's arms from around his neck, seeing the tears start up in her eyes. "I am, to an extent, not the one you once knew. Our paths of fate has drawn us apart Zelda, I have my duties, and you have your own…" Zelda's eyes were wet with tears, however, she looked up to him understanding what he had told her.

"I'm sorry… I just… never mind…" Zelda turned away, and lifted the hood up over her head. "I'll go now…I'm sorry for bothering you Sheik…"

"Zelda…I'm sorry…"

"I know…" Zelda closed the door silently behind her, so she might not alert the guards. Sheik sighed as he watched her go. I really am sorry… he turned back towards the window, where the sun had faded behind the mountains now, and the moon now illuminated the grounds before him. Link still stood there, looking towards the now cold blue mountains. But…I have to help him now…

Link sat upon his bed, holding his face with his hands. He had another nightmare again… this one even more realistic than the last he had gone through. He was having them every night now… leaving him dreading sleep. The tears coming from his eyes dripped to the ground, wetting the floor below him. Why am I having these dreams?… It just doesn't make since…

Link pulled one of the sheets up from his bed, using it to dry off his eyes in case of a late night arrival intruding into his room. If anyone caught him like this… who knows what would happen. It embarrassed himself to get all worked up like this over those stupid dreams. After all the things he had gone through… a little dream is what finally makes him cry… Disgraceful…

Standing up from the bed, he walked over to the mirror laying against the wall, his reflection looking back at him. His eyes were still reddened from the recent tears, and his hair and clotheshorse were all matted from the sweating that he had done while under the dreams terrors. Looking at himself, he looked weak, and agitated, like some defenseless wild animal.

Anger replaced the sadness that had once been on his face, his rage growing as he looked at the pathetic being looking back at him in the mirror. I'm not weak… I'm not… He yelled aloud, no longer caring if any neighboring chambers may here him, and he slammed his fists against the glass of the mirror, shattering it. He slumped to the ground in front of the mirror, his blood issued forth from his cut hands, resulting from the shattering of the mirror's glass.

He looked down at his hands, shaking from the impact of them against the wall beyond, and the rage that he was still feeling. The red blood shone brightly from the moonlight entering through the windows, leaving him able to see them easily. He clenched is fists once again, small tears from the pain coming to his eyes, which he quickly stopped. He would not give up… he would not ask for help… he didn't need it…

He slowly stood from where he sat, wincing at the pains as he used his hand on he ground to steady himself. He would have to stop the bleeding soon, or he might fall unconscious… Slowly, he walked to the table, shivering from the sudden breeze that issued forth from the night's chill. He took one of his tunics and tore it into pieces, then used them to bind his hands. It took him nearly an hour to finish, but finally he was done.

As he finished, he heard the mourning rooster crow from the market town, waking the townspeople so that they may get to work. How long have I been up? He looked back to the room, the shattered window and bloody marks on the ground, a tell tale sign that something had occurred here last night. The people would ask questions, they would want to know answers. He merely wouldn't give them any, he didn't care what the people thought.

Link putt on his other tunic, throwing the extra pieces of the torn one into his pouch so that he may dress his hands again if needed. He slipped his boots on, and picked up his sword in it's scabbard that lay against the wall nearest the door. He unsheathed it and stared at the sword in front of him, it was merely a borrowed weapon, nothing that he cared about. If it broke, he would get another one, he merely asked for what he needed, and Zelda made sure he got it. After staring at it a moment longer, he slung it over his shoulder, and left through the door.