Wow…this took a while. I've been busy lately. But enough about me. Anyway, I'm going to start replying with the end of chapter again, but only if someone asks a question or if the review is too funny not to comment on. Also, I know Link seems a bit weird aged in this…so let's forget what I said in the last chapter. Let's say he was seventeen in the flashback, and now he's in his early twenties…that seems good. Oh, and none of you got the little hidden thing. The title of the last chapter was "Forward to the Past" If you reverse that, It was "Back to the Future". Hard, I know. Enjoy!

Chapter 14

(Chaos and Betrayal)

"And that's what happened." Link stated blandly. He was actually a bit relieved to get it off his mind; the memories had been constantly unearthing themselves ever since they arrived here.

Zelda couldn't describe how she felt with words. She was overcome with waves of pity and surges of love for the lonely man beside her. "I'm really…sorry." She felt so little and insignificant compared to his life. Her problems simply felt like they did not matter in the least.

"It's fine, really." Link didn't listen to her, he was pretty sure he knew what she had said. "I don't need your pity."

"Capt…Link." Zelda hesitantly put a hand on his shoulder; it was so light that Link could hardly feel it. "You're not alone." Her eyes sparkled with light like the stars in the night, leaving Link speechless for a few moments.

"Zelda…" If only he knew how to tell her his feelings. He quickly dismissed the thought, turning away. "She would never accept me." He thought. "Zelda!" He looked into her face spontaneously.

"What is it?" she asked, watching him warily.

"Close your eyes." Zelda gave him a questioning look, but obeyed. Link had to know something…he leaned in, nearly brushing her lips with his own.

Suddenly, Zelda's eyes snapped open. Link was back in his original position so fast Zelda would have never known he was about to kiss her a few moments earlier. "Link! Garian! Tetra!" she gasped. "Link!"

"What is it? Stop babbling and tell me." Link waited impatiently.

"Garian is planning a mutiny!" Zelda shot up, immediately followed by Link. "What are we going to do?"

"We've got to go back!" Link began sprinting towards the ship, Zelda trailing behind." How many?" Link panted as he ran.

"I'm not sure. Tetra and Garian." Zelda puffed, her boots clattering as she ran on the cobblestones.

Link cursed under his breath, remembering Zelda was nearby. When Zelda finally caught up with him, she saw the White Wolfos, still as death. She barely caught sight of Link heading for the ship. "What are you doing?" she hissed angrily. "Get back here! We have to wait for help!" She sternly glared at him.

"There's no time!" Link hissed back. "Just stay close to me!" Zelda was worried about him, so she followed. It was cold and foggy that morning. The town still did not stir, which was strange because usually it was bustling by that time.

Just as Link noticed Zelda had left his side for inspection of a noise, she was grabbed from behind by Garian. "Garian! You traitor!" Link shouted, not daring to approach because of the sword he held at Zelda's neck.

"Oh give it a rest. I've got the cards now, Captain." He taunted Link, smiling evilly.

"Well, well, well…Link. What a surprise." Tetra dropped down beside Garian, taking control of Zelda, and roughly binding her hands behind her back.

"Let her go!" Link yelled, seeing Zelda wince visibly as the coarse ropes dug into her skin. "She has nothing to do with this!"

"Oh…then you know what we want? Good." Tetra held the sword so close to Zelda's neck; she could feel the cold steel press against her skin.

"Yes." Link nodded, not letting Tetra know he was fiddling with a barrel full of treasure behind his back.

"See? Didn't I say she would be a key?" replied Tetra, yanking Zelda upwards by her hair.

"I said, let her go." Link became more confident sounding, worrying Tetra a bit.

"No. Give us what we want. Your time as a captain is over Link! Now we and only we will rule the seas!" Tetra spat. "Give us the ring, or your girlfriend dies." She tickled Zelda's throat with the blade.

Link's mind worked furiously, but for once in his life, he couldn't figure out what to do. Then, a desperate plan occurred to him. It would be dangerous, but…it was worth it…for her. He looked over towards Zelda. For the first time in what seemed forever, Link cared for someone. "No." he admitted to himself. He loved her. "You want the ring?" Link yelled, waving his hand in front of them. "Go and get it!" Link hurled the sparkling object through the air. Tetra gasped, and pushed Zelda off the ship as she lunged for the ring.

Zelda screamed as she fell, barely feeling gravity pulling her down. It seemed like the world came to a stop. She saw a glimpse of the sky above before hitting the water with a sickening smack. As the freezing water enveloped her, flashbacks of the storm came to her mind, only she knew Sheik wasn't going to save her this time.

Unable to move because of the ropes that tied her, Zelda began to sink further and further. Suddenly, something clicked in her mind. She couldn't drown; she had someone to live for…she had him. Urging up every power in her, she kicked upwards. Surprisingly, she was pulled back. She turned around, feeling a rush of panic flow over her body. Her skirt had caught on a nail jutting out of the docks, and she was stuck. She began to thrash, trying to free herself.

A few minutes later, Link jumped off the ship, as he had spotted Zelda fall, and taking a deep breath, plunged under the surface. His muscles tensed and he winced as he struggled to use all of his will power to reach her, striving to untangle her skirt and get back to the world above.

Zelda watched Link, feeling her air slowly deplete as she held relatively still for him. She tried to scream, choking a bit, for Link was staining the water around him with red.

Link was now struggling to keep afloat, knowing full well that he was weak. He felt himself losing consciousness, and forced his body to stay focused. With one last tug, Link used the final sliver of his strength to pull Zelda free and cut her bonds with his dagger.

Zelda kicked her way to the air above, surfacing with a gasp, almost completely worn out. She realized with a start that Link had not come up with her. Uncaring for her body's constant pangs of stiffness and hurt, she took a deep breath and dove under. She found Link, unconscious and sinking, and grabbed him under the arms. He nearly dragged her down with his weight, and she found it a huge chore just to get him to the surface. She turned about in a panic, trying to find somewhere to rest. She spotted a large piece of some wreckage, and pulled him on, grunting with effort. She took a deep breath, swaying from exhaustion before falling into a faint…

Well, that's it I guess. I know it's short, but the next one is seriously longer, so you'll forgive me. I regret to say the next chapter is the last, yes that's right, the last. BUT! You will find out my surprise next chapter some of you might enjoy…reader replies!

TheHylian: You made me change the ages, so there you go. I like them better like this. Early twenties. And about Tetra, you'll just have to wait and see…

Sapphirethewindwolf: No, good guess though. And I agree with you, Sheik went too far.

RayxJade: Malon just wasn't mentioned physically in the chapter. I could have, but chose not to. Maybe later…She was present though.

Nihlus: Yes, that's what I thought as I wrote it…lol.

Encumberance: That's partially correct. You'll find out more in this and the next chapter.

Damarshmallow: Wow, good guess. At first, I was like, "Huh? Tarzan?" then I read it again and got what you meant. Yours was better sounding! Let's go with that! Heh.

Thanks to all reviewers again! You really keep me going! Hope you liked the little surprise and I know most of you will like the next one! . Until next time! P.S. I have put targeted update dates on my profile if you want to know when to expect the next update…