Inspiration: "Untitled," by D'Angelo, Black Widow's outfit, the Master Sword (recurring joke), Pavlovian reflexes, and the humorous psychology of men. "Tree of Life," album by Audiomachine for the 2020 reedit.

All Original Shout Outs: Life-Is-A-Fantasy, Richardbg2, Alice-Ann in Wonderland, Jo, Zelda96, and Itherael, thanks for reading new readers.

Author Note: Reupload 3/4/2020. Reedited 4/13/2020. ~SKIP~ and ~DONE~ for those who need it.

Word Count: 20,256

Chapter 13

Later the same day, Death Mountain trail

After our discovery, or lack thereof, Link and I hurried out of the inlet where the mirror shard was supposed to be. We took a ladder leading down to an opening in the chasm. It led to a trail junctioning Death Mountain and Dragon Roost. We took the trail towards Death Mountain and carefully made our way down the dangerous road. We had to stop twice when we were bypassing the Gorons. The mighty people had guards at the forks in their roads. The only way to stop them when they rolled at a foe was with iron boots. Link informed me he had no iron boots at this time, but if we were stopped he could negotiate, because he was an emissary to their people. I was impressed at hearing that. I had no idea the hero was keeping diplomatic relations with the Gorons, even without royal command.

For the most part, we past through without being noticed. However, there was an area leading towards Kakariko Village where Link had to identify himself. The Goron was not quick to let us by, but Link showed him a sigil of some kind from the Goron leader Darbus. The sigil was a sign of strength, a trait which all Gorons respected. The Goron also called Link 'brother' in an affectionate way. He nearly hugged us, but Link had to stop him for my sake. The Gorons were apparently unaware of their own power. In any such case, we were able to pass and I was grateful. Through our descent, I felt a little guilty for not stopping to speak with the Goron patriarch the way I did King Ralis in Zora's Domain. However, I couldn't risk the exposure being so close to Dragon Roost. If I spoke with Darbus, the Roostians would find out. Even so, the Tribesman probably had a new list of concerns regarding the Roostians slowly infringing on his territory. I was aware of this continuing problem and in the future I would visit soon. If I heard the dragon masters were interloping anymore into the Goron Mines, I would intervene personally the way my forefathers did. Dragon Roost had to understand they were risking open war with Hyrule by violating their treaty with the Gorons. The Gorons were their own patriarchal nation state, but they were just as much Hyrulean as any Hylian in my eyes. When I had the opportunity I would visit Darbus at my earliest convenience.

Stay strong Darbus, please.

After descending the trail, Link and I finally made our way to Kakariko Village, a small mountain post town at the base of the mountain. It was dusk, so the main road and village itself looked deserted. The hero wanted me to wait while he went on ahead and investigated on his own for a moment. The village was notably bigger than it was seven years ago, so many of the sights had changed. We were also coming at a time where many villagers would be suspicious of travelers. We avoided coming here a couple weeks ago because of the fiasco of the Hylialis Borealis. I was certain that news was still budding. On his return, I noticed Link looking keenly at a house near the northern entrance.

I was a little puzzled with his caution and called over to him. "What's the matter?"

He didn't answer me right away as he examined the house in question further. He walked up to it and looked into the window like a voyeur. I was surprised at his brazen action and hoped we wouldn't have to account for that right away. What was Link thinking just peering into someone's home like that? I took a couple of steps forward.

"Link..." I hoped he heard the concern in my voice.

However, the hero did not come back to me until his search was through.

"Sorry." He approached. "I was just making sure Telma and Renado weren't home. They must be away at their Castle Town residence. The last thing we need right now is to be stopped and questioned unnecessarily by people who recognize us."

I looked at him surprised, but vaguely remembered the first name he uttered. There was a woman by the same name Link recruited years ago to be part of the counter insurgency team. There was a roster Link turned into me every week regarding his group's activities back then. I recognized the name from that. However, I wasn't sure what role Telma played, nor did I know of her husband Renado.

"I see, but she's someone you trust, right?"

Link nodded without question.

"Absolutely, she was one of the chief curators on our team when it came to logistics. She could come up with any resource or rubric in any given situation. Shortly after she retired from her post, Telma decided to get married to her long time beau Renado".

I grinned at the extra information.

"It's nice to know that people can still live life outside of always worrying about Zant or Ganondorf. That's wonderful for them."

Link returned my grin.

"I agree. They're doing really well now. Telma always had a bar business in Castle Town, so they went back to that and it flourished. I'm glad Telma and Renado found some measure of happiness together."

I couldn't agree with him more, and thought it was kind that he recognized that.

"That's true." I then added. "You're going to have that for yourself soon. There's no way you can do what you did for Hyrule and not have a blessing like that in your own future."

The hero's eyes searched my face at my utterance.

"That goes for you too. You deserve happiness as well Zelda. I hope you get all that you want after this."

That was unexpected, but nice to hear.

"Thank you for saying so. I hope so too."

Link's gaze intensified for a second. My cheeks blushed and I had to look away.

Ancestral mother would probably tell me to take a lesson from Telma. I can imagine Hylia now.

I appreciated the candor, but we needed to proceed forward.

"Which way now?" I changed the subject.

Link nodded towards the north.

"Just ahead, but we have to be careful. There is no privacy in this pool. We can be easily spotted."

That condition worried me.

I paused.

"Do you think this is wise then? I didn't realize the pool was out in the open."

Link looked around again at the deserted pathway.

"Everyone is probably already looking at us from inside their homes. They don't recognize who we are because of how we're dressed, and this is a chance we need to take if we want to find that last shard."

All his points were valid.

"You're right. I think if we act quickly the villagers won't notice."

The hero scoffed slightly.

"Oh don't be mistaken, the villagers will notice," he reassured. "Eldin is a guardian. Its presence is undeniable. However, whenever the guardian is summoned the villagers stay away."

I had a new concern.

"But if the villagers see us talking to it, won't they stop us once it's over?"

Link gave me a wayward stare.

"I've wondered that myself, but considering my dealings with the guardians in the past, I think they shield us from being seen. It's the only explanation I have."

I understood his conjecture, but it was none too reassuring.

"I suppose our choices are limited. All we can do is hope and try."

The hero agreed.

"That's all we can do."

Afterwards, we continued our trek down the empty road and approached the crystal clear pool encroached by reddish volcanic rock. The Spring of Eldin had its own particular beauty. It was crescent shaped, with a mineral awning acting as a waterfall from the cave behind it. It was open from every angle, which afforded the pool no privacy, and thus our problem. What if the people heard what was uttered? What if our cover was blown? My worries would have to be dismissed for now.

"I hope this works," I whispered to myself.

Link and I waded into the water as we had before and waited to see what would happen. This guardian was not expecting us, so there was no guarantee it would appear. I wasn't sure if we needed a commission from Hylia first. I hoped not, otherwise we were in trouble.

Please come out, please.

Finally, as if in tandem with my thoughts, the surface waters suddenly bubbled. A pillar of water then rose into the sky and took shape. The ball of liquid differentiated into varying directions. After the transmogrification, the water took the shape of a flying creature with a wingspan of twenty five feet. The water shimmered and moved, creating this beautiful effect of crystallization around us. Abruptly in my satchel, the Book of Mudora started changing colors from yellow to red, to green to blue. I was astonished, but this did happen every time Link and I saw a guardian. My instincts must have been correct. We did need to visit Eldin. The colors had to represent new information being revealed in the text. After its complete transformation, Eldin hovered over us it all its magnificence, but its appearance was subdued.

I took note of that immediately and waited for it to speak.

"Queen of Destiny, you have hit a stumbling block in your journey." Eldin did not need a prompt from me. "You now seek counsel as to what to do next, am I correct?"

The guardian already knew.

"Yes my lord. The Hero of Twilight and I are at a loss. We've been searching for the last shard with great urgency, but it is gone."

Eldin floated in silence after my utterance, but then the moment extended to minutes. I wasn't necessarily surprised at this reaction, I just wasn't expecting this prolonged of a delay. Even Link's concern was growing.

"My lord... is there something wrong?"

Eldin didn't answer immediately.

"Even with a foreboding such as that, you still want to continue with this pursuit?" the guardian asked finally.

That familiar dread was starting to manifest itself. Why was everyone so hesitant about us finding this mirror? What was so dangerous about this task? Why were Link and I being left in the dark? These were questions no one wanted to give us answers to. However, I was determined to get the answers on my own.

"Yes my lord," I replied anyway. "I have very important matters to discuss with Queen Midna of the Twilight Realm."

Eldin was silent again, but then turned its attention to Link.

"I thought you were doing this in behalf of mending the rift between the Hero of Twilight and the Queen of Twilight. Why is it that you say now that you have things you want to discuss with the queen?"

Astonished at the accusation in the guardian's voice, I was taken aback by the question. I was not expecting the guardian to delve so deeply into what my intentions were. My motives had changed, true, but I wasn't expecting to be extolled to answer them. What difference did it make? This inquiry was irrelevant.

Link decided to intercede on my behalf.

"As we continued with this journey, the Queen of Hyrule has realized that she has her own concerns that she wants to discuss with the twilight queen, Midna. The light and twilight world have had an unspoken friction for years now."

Link was impressively correct regarding my motivations. I suppose I was more of an open book than I thought. I appreciated his coming to my defense.

"Thank you."

Link glanced over at me.

"It's nothing."

The guardian took note of the interaction, but didn't address it right away.

"I'm aware of this great hero. However, her majesty stated from the onset, that this journey was for you and you alone. The fact that she has somehow added her own intentions leads me to question her judgment."

Now, I was completely befuddled by that statement. I wasn't allowed to have my own motives? I wasn't going to let that accusation slide. There was no way I could.

"What a ridiculous notion." I tried not to lose my air of respect. "I have to ask permission to have my own brain?"

Link took offense as well.

"My lord, unforeseen changes happen all the time in life. Why should the queen be considered untrustworthy because she suddenly has her own issues to settle with the Twili people?"

The guardian paused before it answered Link.

"I think it would be best if you didn't interfere in this intersession good hero."

Link looked at the guardian stunned.

"Excuse me?"

Eldin did not stutter.

"You heard what I said."

The hero did not take the correction well.

"My lord-"

"A hero with so divided a heart and so beguiled in his affection for the people he protects, need not inform Eldin of Death Mountain on the matters of trust. You cannot even be honest with yourself, let alone question a trustee of Hyrule."

Link and I stared at the guardian agape. I glanced over at the hero, who was at a loss for words. Eldin was affront with its honesty, something neither of us was expecting. My heart started to pound fast.

So divided a heart? Does that mean... does that mean Link cares for me?

However, Link's disposition soon turned to anger.

"I am not fickle with my feelings regarding the queen, my lord! I set out on this quest to make things right with her!"

Eldin paused before it answered.

"Is that so? And by 'queen', which one do you speak of great hero?"

I stared down at the water, not daring to look Link's way. Admittedly, the question made the hero's face flush. He was hesitating for a reason, whatever that reason may be. I didn't think he was going to divulge it. However, the silence on Link's end continued.

"Which queen young master?" the guardian pressed.

Again, Link was not quick to respond.

"I... I don't understand your question," he fibbed.

I couldn't lie, that was a poor attempt on the hero's part.

"You understand it perfectly Hero of Twilight. Now answer, which queen?" Eldin demanded.

My throat tightened as the tension was palpable. I knew what Link was going to say, but it didn't make it any less nerve racking. He was obviously conflicted, but he was never going to admit that in the here and now. He was a man. He had his pride.

"Midna," he answered finally. "Midna, the Queen of Twilight."

My assumption was correct, but there was an apparent lack of conviction in his words.

"As it should be," I whispered to him with no ill will.

He stared into my eyes for just a moment, but then immediately looked away. He seemed more frustrated than before he answered. Eldin floated in silence above us.

"I see, hollow words never made a man whole, great hero."

Eldin certainly had no qualms about directness. I glanced over at Link who had nothing to say in return. It was probably for the best. There was a brief silence between all of us, when I decidedly went to change the subject. Nothing good was coming of this. We needed to find that missing shard. We needed information, not lessons on propriety.

"My lord, if my intentions question you to trust me, then I cannot force you to take action. However, I must find that last shard. It is imperative that we make it to the Twilight Realm. If anything, please help us for that reason."

After my words, Eldin's appearance suddenly shifted from a golden hue of iridescence to one of a dulled dimmed luminescence. I assumed what that signified immediately.

A mood change?

I didn't bother to ask.

"Very well," Eldin said finally. "If you are insistent on this, then you must remember what I am about to tell you before I reveal the location of the shard."

Finally, a concession. The anticipation was radiating off me. The feeling was almost tethering at my fingertips. I needed to know.

"Something else?" I asked anyway.

Link turned his attention back to the guardian. He gave it an inquisitive look.

"I don't understand, what now?"

Eldin floated quietly and gave no further clarification.

"'A relative nuance is manifested by seemingly empty matters.'"

I stared at Eldin completely confused. Why was it sharing this with us?

Another riddle? But we've already pinpointed all the shards.

The hero shared my sentiment.

"What? This does not make sense."

Eldin did not entertain the inquiry.

"You will not understand it now," the guardian revealed. "That is to be understood by you much later."

I was more confused now than when we stepped into Eldin's spring. This guardian certainly held nothing back.

'A relative nuance is manifested by seemingly empty matters?' What could that possibly mean?

I immediately scribbled the quote down in the Book of Mudora so I wouldn't forget. Afterwards, I placed the book back in my bag to protect it from the water. Even still, there was something about all this that was not sitting well with me. Why was there another riddle? What else was waiting for us out there? Weren't we nearing the end? I had a sudden foreboding. Eldin then floated higher and uttered one last thing. The most important thing really.

"The last shard is in the possession of the Prince of Dragon Roost. If you want to find him you must look skyward."

I didn't understand right away.

"Look skyward?" I repeated.

However, Link clarified it for me. The hero's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The City in the Sky."

So our prediction was right. Elbourne did have it. But, what was this talk about the City in the Sky? What was Elbourne doing there? What was he scheming this time? Even with the location of the last shard revealed, this whole situation was disconcerting. There was so much that was not making any sense. It was better just to conclude this meeting and move forward. We needed to regroup for our strategy anyway. How in the world were we going to get this mirror away from Elbourne? I was already developing a headache thinking about it.

"Thank you my lord. You have been most helpful."

Eldin stared down at Link and I. The magnificence of the guardian illuminated the sky around it.

"I wish you great haste and insight my lady. Farewell Queen of Destiny and Hero of Twilight. May we meet again at the crossroads of life."

With that, Eldin's luminescence dimmed and the water shaping its body revolved into itself. The aquatic sphere created a small rotundral force that splashed back into the spring below. Link and I were instantly soaked. We were given no warning.

"Something tells me that was purposeful," I muttered.

Link uncloaked himself for a moment and shook his wet hair. I attempted to ring out my dress. It was useless. I was so frustrated, I felt the need to apologize.

"I'm sorry."

The hero sighed and ran a hand through his damp hair.

"It's not your fault." Link then turned to leave the pool. "Come on, let's get out of here before any of the villagers decide to come out and greet us. They may want to inquire why we summoned their guardian."

I almost forgot about that and quickly followed Link out of the pool. Perhaps Eldin did shield us from the outside world and the villagers hadn't seen what had taken place with the crystallization. Otherwise, I was certain they would all be out here. I saw the exit to the east and nodded towards it.

"Should we head for the City in the Sky now? Eldin did say Elbourne would be there."

Link shook his head.

"Let's head back to Snowpeak and figure out a plan first. Besides, it will be quicker to get to the sky city from there."

He had been a trusted guide thus far.

"That will work," I agreed, then looked back to the exit, "but which way back to Snowpeak."

Link gazed at the expanses of Hyrule Field in the distance.

"We have two options. We could head back to Snowpeak via Hyrule Field, or we could go back through Goron City and use that secret impasse like before. Hyrule Field will be a two week journey. The secret passage will be a two day journey. The choice is yours."

The choice was obvious. I didn't want to delay two weeks.

"Let's take the passage. The sooner we get back the better."

Link nodded, but gave me a quick once over.

"Are you sure you'll be okay? You didn't do so well in the sweltering heat."

He said the reasons himself.

"I'll be okay," I promised. "I don't want to stop if we don't have to."

He understood my conjecture, but made me aware of something else.

"Your safety is my biggest concern, not a timeline. If you're tired, we can get a room at an inn here if it suits you better and we can head out tomorrow."

After what he disclosed to me, there was no way we could stay in Kakariko Village without arousing suspicion. The sooner we got out of here, the better. I already noticed some lanterns coming on in the distance. There was a real possibility the villagers watched in silence from their homes, whether they saw us speaking to Eldin or not. It was quite eerie actually. If we weren't quick, our cover would be blown.

"We have to go." I hurried towards where we came before. "We can't stay here."

He followed after me into the mountains. More lanterns were starting to light and I was starting to panic. Link eventually passed me and my paced slowed. I was trying not to let it show, but I was exhausted. The past few days had been draining. The hero slowed himself when he saw how behind I had gotten.

I attempted to reassure him.

"I'm coming, don't worry about me."

Naturally, Link stopped when I uttered that and waited. He gave me a quick once over.

"Do you want me to carry you?"

I shook my head.

"I don't want you to tire out unnecessarily. Don't worry, I'll be okay."

He gave me an obvious look.

"You're the reason I'm here. If they catch you, it's over."

I saw his point. And, when I caught up to him, I rushed past him to the first Goron in sight. We were finally cleared of the village. Going back was a lot easier than coming down, since the Gorons recognized Link. We made quick work of the vertical city. Afterwards, we headed back up Death Mountain trail and to the hidden passage from which we came. It was nightfall, so the glow of the lava pits emitted from the crevice. I was not looking forward to this, but I knew it had to be done. By the time we reached Snowpeak, it would be nightfall again two days from now.

In any such case, we trekked on. Our clothes dried almost instantly when we reached the hot chasm once more. After clearing it, we had to rest because that section was brutal. But we traveled for another six hours before we stopped and rested for the day. We spent the day at the same spot when we traveled through here before, against the stone clearing. The sunshine was nice, but Link and I slept under it indiscriminately. We had no food for this return trip, so fasting was mandatory. Around mid-afternoon, we woke up and headed out again. About two hours later, the warmth in the canyon suddenly shifted. I knew we were close because the temperature dropped significantly at this point. It took us another five hours to get back to the snowy passageway.

It was well past midnight when we returned to the mansion. We were exhausted, but not sleepy at this time. We found lodging in one of the bedrooms on the third floor of the manor. Link advised against staying in the same room as the passageway, because of its implications. There was no telling if Shiek would try and show up to use it. That ninja was astute. Link actually spent some extra time finding wood and furniture to barricade the secret entrance. I didn't know how he had all this energy after the traveling we just did. It must have been sheer will. Once he returned, we settled into our new room and put our things away. Unfortunately, when I was in the middle of counting the amount of potions we had left, my stomach made a series of loud and unflattering noises. I was a little embarrassed, but I was famished. We hadn't eaten in two days. I couldn't disguise it.

I rubbed my tiny tummy.

Come on, have more dignity than that.

Link looked over at me when he heard the gurgling sounds.

"Are you alright?"

I tried to shrug it off, but there was no denying my feeling.

"I am a little hungry," I admitted.

Link understood completely.

"You're not alone in that. If you don't mind finishing putting everything away, I'll see if we can join Yeto and Yeta for dinner."

My ears perked at the second name.

"Yeta?"

Link grinned.

"That's Yeto's wife."

I looked at him surprised, but then thought about the hour.

"Do you think they're both still up, let alone having supper? It is one hour past midnight."

He gave a wayward shrug.

"All I can do is check and see. They are nocturnal creatures so there's a chance. I'll be back."

I nodded as Link left. I finished organizing the room and checked to see if the pump in the washing room was working. Unfortunately, it was frozen solid, so there was no functioning water supply. Everything was frozen. How was I supposed to wash after not having bathed for two days? I was frustrated and went to undo my cloak, but stopped myself when a chill in the air made me rethink that proposition. I actually tightened it and took a seat at the large table centered in the middle of the room. I took in a troubled breath, thinking about our newest obstacle. How in the world were we going to get that shard from Elbourne? He could be so stubborn and bothersome when he wanted to be. However, I knew I had to appeal to his ego somehow. What was it going to take? What were we going to have to do? The stress was getting to me, so I ran my hands over my face. I needed to relax for now, knowing there was nothing I could do about it tonight. I looked out the window at the clear night sky. It was a full moon and it looked beautiful. I wish all nights could be so peaceful. Even so, the pale light was also casting harsh shadows on the floor, making some of the furnishings invisible. It was starting to feel eerie.

I glanced over at the door.

"I hope Link returns soon with some firewood before we join the yetis." I tried getting more warmth from my cloak. "At least the room will be warm when supper is over."

I hugged myself when my breath started to make clouds of vapor. However, soon Link returned. He was carrying a basket that housed a bottle full of orange looking soup and two bowls. In his other hand was a candleabra supporting five candles. I was glad he was back, but I looked at him perplexed because I thought we were going to join the yetis for dinner.

"What's all this? I thought we were going to be eating with Yeto and Yeta."

Link shrugged, then smiled.

"Yeto said he and Yeta are having a romantic evening and we were not allowed to disturb them. However, he did say we could have as much of the 'good' stew as we wanted."

That was certainly unexpected.

Yetis having a romantic evening?

"Hmph," I grunted thoughtfully, "isn't that interesting? Who would have thought that the yetis were such passionate creatures?"

Link grinned as he started setting the table.

"There's passion in even the most primitive of creatures Zelda."

That was a telling statement.

"Apparently." I looked through the goods, then changed the subject. "I don't suppose you have a flint that can melt any ice in there do you?"

Link stopped what he was doing and looked at me thoughtfully just then.

"Why? What do you need?"

This was going to seem like a trivial problem.

"The handle to the water pump is frozen in the wash room. I wanted to clean up, but I can't because it's stuck."

Link looked past me across the room.

"Show me where it's at."

I clasped my hands together happily and hurried to the other side of the room. Link followed in stride. I opened the wash room door and pointed to the frozen pump and tub. The handle was frozen in a ninety-degree angle.

"There it is."

The hero stared at it for a moment, then left the room and came right back. When he returned he had his sword in hand. I looked at him puzzled and stepped back, because he swung two high and swift strikes on the ice surrounding the handle. Soon, there was a crack and a mound of ice broke off the handle in big shards. Afterwards, Link grabbed the torque and pushed down with all his might. I thought he was going to pop a vessel with how sinewy his arms looked when he was pushing down.

"Link..." I was concerned, "if you can't get it, it's not a problem."

His teeth were clenched.

"I'm almost there. There's some ice shuttered down the irrigation line."

I watched concerned as his muscles flexed even more and soon there was another crack and a release. Soon, water started gushing from the pump and I looked at Link stunned. I was not expecting this.

"You did it! You're amazing!" The hero grinned at me, but the effort did take a toll on him and my concern returned. "Are you alright?"

He nodded.

"Just tired."

I imagine he was. He had been going nonstop all day.

"Why don't you rest while I set up the table?"

However, Link chuckled and shook his head.

"I can finish that. Why don't you take a bath and when you get out supper will be waiting for you?"

My eyes widened slightly at the idea. I felt he was taking on too much.

"Link-"

"I insist."

I stared at him dumbstruck and didn't know what to think. I did believe he was pushing himself too hard.

"I'll only do that if you promise to bathe and relax next. I'll even draw a bath for you."

He smiled.

"If that's what you want to do, fine. I agree to it."

I returned his smile, but didn't depart right away.

"Are you sure?"

His smile faded a little and he nodded.

"You're my queen. Of course I'm sure."

I blushed at his tone and stepped back. There was a brief silence between us, one where I kept it short.

"I... I'm your friend too. I'm not just royalty."

His smile returned.

"I know that." Afterwards, he went and got my bag and brought it to me. "You relax, okay?"

I was still shocked, but then nodded and took my bag from him. I held it close to me.

"Okay, and thank you so much again." I then promised. "I'll be out very soon. I won't be long at all."

It didn't seem to matter one way or another for Link.

"Take your time. We have all night."

I blushed again at the inflection in his voice.

Am I hearing things?

I didn't reply right away.

"Um... alright."

Link stared into my eyes again, before he left the room and closed the door. I stared at the closed door for a moment confused. What was going on?

"Did he just imply what I think he implied?" I whispered.

I shook my head, obviously overthinking things and hurried up to wash up and get dressed. Contrary to what he told me, I was not going to take my time. He had done enough for me today. He needed to rest too. I washed up quickly, even though the water was cold, and changed into my white gown. I quickly cleaned out the tub and pumped enough water in so Link could bathe too. I braided my hair and took a last look at my self in the mirror. This was as good as it was going to get. I hoped to be able to help Link before he was finished. However, when I opened the door, I was stunned to find the table set and the candleabra lit with all five candles. It was very nice. I was speechless.

Link walked over to me when he saw I was out. He was pleased at my reaction.

"What do you think?"

I was at a loss for words. I looked up at him.

"It's lovely, thank you so much."

His smile broadened at my approval.

"Only the best for my lady," he joked.

I returned his smile and felt my heart flutter.

"You're silly." I then nodded towards the wash room. "It's your turn to relax, your bath is ready."

Link nodded, but didn't go in right away. He was staring into my eyes again.

"What?" I asked finally. "Did I forget something?"

He shook his head.

"No, you're fine," he then went to go get his things, "I'll be out soon."

He walked past me and closed the door. I in turn walked over to the table and sat down. I put my bag on the floor by my feet. I stared at the set up and couldn't help but smile. The setting was so nice for what he could conjure. There were candles. There was seating for two. There was supper, he even got frozen flowers. It was so thoughtful of him to put in these added touches. He even managed to get a fire going in the fireplace across the room. This was beyond what I could have hoped for. I wanted to show him the proper gratitude. Soon, the door opened to the wash room again and Link emerged wearing his pajamas and looking as composed as ever. I turned when I heard the door. I giggled with how his hair was slightly disheveled.

"You might want to do a quick shake," I said of his tresses.

He looked up.

"Is it out of place?"

"Just a little."

Afterwards, he shook his locks, and like clockwork it fell into place the way it always did. It was perfectly imperfect.

"Better?"

I nodded.

"It's perfect."

Link then put his things away and sat at the opposite end of the table. Before we ate, I wanted to express my thanks.

"This is wonderful Link. Thank you very much."

He was pleased with my tone.

"You're welcome."

I was so happy, I got up and hurried over to his side of the table and gave him a brief hug. He chuckled when he hugged me back. When I pulled back, I looked him in the eyes.

"When this is all over, you must come to the castle at my invitation so I can return the favor, okay?"

Link laughed again, but then nodded.

"That sounds like a plan."

I smiled, but then saw he was going to get up, when I stopped him.

"Please sit, I want to serve you. You've done so much for me already."

The hero looked at me surprised, but then abided by my request. He sat back down.

"It isn't an issue."

I nodded, knowing he was going to say something like that. I went over and opened the jar, then came back and poured the food into his bowl.

"I know that, but you deserve to be treated well too."

I avoided his eyes as I said this, but I saw him staring at me. I finally looked at him when I was done. His eyes were searching my face.

"Thank you, that means a lot coming from you."

I grinned and went back to my seat to pour myself some supper. When both helpings were served, I sat down.

"Bon appetite."

Link smiled and we started eating. I wasn't expecting much of the stew, but to my surprise it was very delicious. It was a perfect blend of milk and cheese and vegetables. There was a hint of Hylian bass and potatoes for texture.

"This is marvelous," I complimented, "or am I just saying that because I'm so hungry?"

Link chuckled.

"It's both," he placed a napkin in his lap, "the yetis are known for this delicious stew."

"Really?"

"Yes."

For the next few minutes we ate in silence. It seemed so ill fitting to have all this perfect ambiance, candlelight, and no proper conversation. I looked across the table at the handsome hero. I decided to make an attempt at such. We had plenty to draw upon considering the day we had. I started with the most relevant subject.

"Eldin was a little more direct than I expected," I said, breaking the silence.

Link had no disagreement with me there.

"It has always been the straightforward guardian," he divulged, "but our visit seemed a bit extreme in my view."

"Why do you think that was?" I asked.

He shrugged.

"It's the same reason all the guardians have been standoffish. There is something about this quest that they know that they are not telling us."

The hero's logic was sound.

"I don't understand why they are making this difficult for us," I said absently.

"Anything worth its weight in gold is going to have its challenges," he replied.

I had no rebuttal.

"True, but you said it yourself, it seemed a bit extreme. I mean, look at the way it came at you."

Link merely glanced my way.

"What do you mean?"

I gave him an obvious look.

"Come come now, you know what I mean," I replied. "It nearly tore your head off regarding your intentions. It's good you set the record straight though."

The hero was quiet for a long time.

"Regarding?" he asked finally.

I gave him another knowing look.

"Will you stop being silly? I'm talking about Midna."

Link got quiet again.

"What exactly did I 'set straight'?"

I stared at him taken aback.

"Link..."

He pretended innocence.

"I'm serious."

I sighed.

"That she was the reason you were doing all this, or did you conveniently forget?"

The hero didn't answer right away.

"I might have. It's great that you're here to remind me."

His sarcasm was apparent. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Now you're just being juvenile."

He shrugged again.

"Or... maybe I've just been enjoying the company of someone else and haven't really thought about it until it was brought up, and keeps being brought up."

I couldn't lie, that did make me blush.

"Oh... well, then I guess that can make a difference."

Link ate another spoonful of soup.

"It can, trust me."

There was a silence that overcame us after that. Admittedly, I felt a little nervous from the tension starting to creep in the air. It was the tension brewing between us for weeks now, and with Eldin's exposition, things were slightly awkward. Maybe I shouldn't have brought up the subject. However, I was beginning to feel Link wasn't as bothered by the revelation as I initially thought. I even think now he felt a small liberation from it.

If that is the case good hero... then just be completely candid with me... like you used to be.

I found myself staring at him absently, before he had to remind me of my gaze.

"Zelda?" he inquired.

I shook my head and snapped out of my trance.

"I apologize."

He paused.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

I said nothing more for a long time and stared down at my food.

"Yes."

Link took note of that.

"Zelda, do you want me to be completely honest with you?"

For some reason my heart began to pound. I was about to completely renege on my own thought process. Was I ready for his honesty? I wasn't sure what he was going to say. Even so, I chose the coward's chide, the easy way out. I wasn't ready for what he had to say yet. I shook my head again.

"No."

Link stared at me surprised.

"No?"

"No," I repeated, "it would just confuse everything."

The hero now gave me a knowing look.

"As if things aren't already confused," he accused slightly.

I finally looked over at him, but decided not to take the bait. I decided to change the subject. This was getting us nowhere.

"Why do you suppose Elbourne took the mirror?" I asked suddenly.

Link was silent for a long time as he stared at me. He knew exactly what I was doing. He knew exactly why I changed the subject, and especially to this subject. The hero took in a deep sigh at the dragon prince's name. He wiped his mouth with his napkin.

"Your guess is as good as mine," he replied. "He really is causing us a great deal of trouble with his interference."

I nodded.

"I have to agree."

Link then tapped his fingers on the table.

"Since you brought it up, the question is: how are we going to get the shard from him? Who knows what his knowledge is about the mirror already."

I hadn't considered that.

"You think Elbourne knows about the Twilight Realm?"

Link gave me a wayward stare.

"He might. Why else would he have the shard?"

This was actually becoming more interesting of a segue.

"I have to defer back to your guess is as good as mine."

Link wasn't going to let me slide with that comment.

"I'll have to disagree with you on this one Zelda. You've been around Elbourne. You know him. What do you think will work?"

I raised a brow.

"I'm not trying to be evasive, but really, sometimes it's hard to tell. He's so stubborn. He can be equally culpable to something as he can be aggressive. It really depends."

Link sat back and got quiet for a moment.

"I could muscle it out of him," he suggested all of a sudden.

I immediately frowned. It was an instinctive gesture.

"That won't work with Elbourne."

The hero looked at me surprised by my swift reply.

"Oh… really? Why not?"

I shrugged and didn't think anything of the question.

"He has a high tolerance for pain. In fact, in some strange way I think he likes it."

Link looked at me taken aback.

"How do you know that?"

It did seem a little offhanded.

"We went on a hunting trip together a couple years ago where he got shot by an arrow in his thigh. I wanted him to stop and get medical attention, but he insisted on keeping with the hunt. That hunt lasted for five hours. When it was over, he finally removed the arrow." For some strange reason the memory made me smile. "What a mule," I said more to myself than to Link, "that man..."

I looked down at my hands and giggled in an odd way. Elbourne was truly something else.

The hero didn't reply right away and studied me for a moment. He gave me a long once over before he spoke again.

"'That man,' huh? What does that mean?"

I gestured without looking at him. I didn't intend anything by it.

"It doesn't mean anything. Elbourne is just Elbourne."

There was a silence between us just then. Some of the tenderness in the hero's eyes disappeared. Link was still calm, but Elbourne could always sully his mood. I noticed that even when we worked together at the castle years ago. However, I could tell from Link's expression he was reading too much into what I was saying. But then he uttered something I thought was intriguing.

"I've been shot at plenty of times, and considering my journeys in the past it was almost a staple to my activities. But of course, I've had the good sense to dodge the arrows."

That was out of the blue.

I nodded.

"Really?"

He was looking me straight in the eyes.

"Really."

I was a bit befuddled. Why was he bringing this up now? Was he comparing himself to Elbourne?

"Well... you're a whole different breed of man. You're imbued with the power of courage."

Link shook his head and made it a point to rebut my statement immediately.

"That doesn't matter if the intangibles aren't already there Zelda."

I saw his point. However, it wasn't like Link to brag. Why was he acting like this?

"I suppose. Farore obviously saw the qualities needed in you for you to be successful as the hero."

Link cut his eyes after my utterance.

"And yet you'd rather…" he muttered to himself.

My eyes narrowed slightly.

"I'm sorry?"

He shook his head again.

"It's nothing. You said you don't want me to be completely honest, so I won't."

I stared at him surprised.

"Link..."

I could see a bit of frustration in his eyes.

"I won't."

I was slightly taken aback at his tone. His mind seemed to be elsewhere now. I studied him further.

Is he... jealous?

There was another brief silence before Link spoke up once more.

"Alright, maybe I have to be a little bit honest," he said more to himself than to me, then redirected to me, "can I ask you a personal question?"

That starter was none too reassuring. I paused, but gave him my undivided attention anyway.

"You may."

He stared into my eyes again.

"Why do you spend so much time with that bastard considering what he's trying to do to the Gorons?"

There was no mincing words in that question. I was certain, there were many in the kingdom who wondered the same thing. I had only one explanation for it: loneliness. I was lonely, and being with Elbourne made me feel less lonely. I knew he was a womanizing charlatan, but he did have his strong suits. He was kind when he wanted to be, and he was loyal to me, even in a very dark time in my life. Also, this would probably sound a little strange, but a part of me needed him. We had a bond that no one but him and I would understand. It didn't make sense to most people, but it made perfect sense to me.

"He's my friend. He's been my friend since childhood."

Link was not at all satisfied with my answer.

"Why? You two are polar opposites."

He would be surprised to know just how much we had in common. I didn't know how to explain it.

"Elbourne's and my relationship is… complicated. I know it seems strange, and he is rather conceited and inconsiderate of others, but he does have another side that he doesn't show to people. I honestly think he puts up those walls as a defense mechanism."

Link seemed more frustrated with my response.

"Defense mechanism? The man is a tyrant with no regard to anyone but himself."

I shook my head, not necessarily agreeing with that.

"That isn't true, he's under a lot of pressure to succeed his father's throne."

Link just got openly irritated with that reply. He sat back and studied me again.

"Why are you defending him?" he demanded of me quietly. "Are you in love with him?"

My cheeks blushed uncontrollably at the question. Not the reaction I intended.

"Why do you want to know?"

The hero looked at me surprised. I sensed that wasn't the answer he was expecting.

"Why do I want to know?" he repeated with a hint of disbelief.

I nodded.

"It's a valid question."

His disposition changed completely in that instant. His guard was up and a serious look crossed his face.

"Let's just say it'll determine how we should proceed later."

Admittedly, I didn't understand what he meant by that. But even so, I saw no reason to prolong this conversation.

"No… I'm not in love with him," I finally answered. "He's just someone for me to pass time with."

Link didn't respond right away, but I think even that was looked upon disapprovingly by him.

"I think you might want to reconsider who you keep company with," he stated moments later.

A typical response from a man who couldn't stomach the dragon prince. I was used to such. I didn't need a lecture on the inappropriateness of my relationship with Elbourne. I was aware of that already.

"Thank you for the advice." My undertone was curt. "But just as you don't want me meddling in your personal life. I don't need you meddling in mine. I know who I should be associating with."

Link raised his brows when he heard the irritation in my tone. He could see that my disposition changed a little too.

"Fair enough. I just wanted to give you a spectator's opinion."

There was another silence that followed that I wish hadn't. I shouldn't have been so terse. There was no need for that. The evening started off so well. We were having a wonderful dinner and then I had to ruin it by muddling it with talk of Elbourne. Not the ideal situation. Link broke the silence with what he had to say next.

"Well, I guess the solution to our problem is simple Zelda."

His tone wasn't promising.

"What are you talking about?"

Link stared straight into my eyes.

"I know exactly how we can get the shard back. You can simply seduce it out of Elbourne."

I looked at him taken aback.

"What?"

Link shrugged and crossed his arms over his broad chest.

"It's the best possible way for us to get the mirror back. And, since the two of you have such a 'special' relationship, it wouldn't seem out of the ordinary for you to do so."

This was ridiculous. He was only saying this for a reaction.

"Link-"

"Is that not true?"

I stared at him with my mouth agape. Afterwards, I stood up and slammed my hands on the table.

"Of course it's not true. What in Hylia's name is wrong with you? How dare you suggest such a thing?"

Link didn't flinch.

"It might be the only way Zelda. I thought you'd be pleased considering how you were just talking about him."

My heart began to race.

"I will not! Your impertinence has clearly gone too far!"

Link smirked.

"What's the matter?" he asked me in a snide manner. "You never seduced a man before? Is that what you're so afraid of?"

He was clearly goading me, and unfortunately, I was letting him get under my skin.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

He did not change his position at all.

"So, is that a yes or no?"

I groaned upset.

"Ooh! You insolent-!" I cut myself off. "That was what I meant! Of course I have!"

Link let his head fall back and grunted in disbelief.

"Right."

My throat tightened.

"Link-"

"I'm going to go out on a lam and say that you're telling me a fib," he interrupted me with cool conviction. "And, considering how scared you acted when you had your arms around me in Zora's Domain, I think that's a safe thing to surmise."

My blood was boiling.

This arrogant bastard!

"I have seduced a man you conceited brute!" I was clearly upset now. "And to prove it, I'm going to show you!"

When Link heard that, his smirk suddenly faded and he looked at me taken aback.

"Wait a minute, what? You're going to seduce me?"

I slammed my hand down on the table again.

"You heard what I said!" I was not going to back down. "Get prepared pretty boy, because you're going to have the hell seduced out of you!"

Before Link could protest, I picked up my bag and stormed from the table to the wash room. When I got there I slammed the door shut behind me, leaving the hero sitting at the table looking after me stunned. Once inside, I took in a deep breath and rested my back against the door. I couldn't believe I just said those things to him. What was I thinking? I looked at my reflection in the mirror across the way and ran my hands over my face. This was insane.

"Hylia help me now," I muttered.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a bright flash of light appeared across the room. I squeezed my eyes shut to protect myself against the glare. When the lights ceased a familiar face showed herself.

"Ask and you shall receive," the goddess's voice said from across the room. "You look like you're in some trouble Zelda baby."

When I opened my eyes, I saw it wasn't my reflection staring back at me anymore. But instead, it was the visage of Hylia.

"Ancestral mother!"

Hylia flashed me a big smile and thumbs up sign.

"You know it!"

She then leaned forward through the glass and crawled out of the mirror in a metaphysical fashion. She stretched when her body was fully excavated. How in the world did she do that? I didn't bother to ask.

"That's better." She cracked her neck.

I bit my lower lip and looked at her in complete distress. I clasped my hands together and pleaded my case.

"I'm in terrible trouble ancestral mother," I said in full blown panic. "The Hero of Twilight and I were having supper, we started talking about things we shouldn't have, and now I just told him I was going to seduce him!"

I covered my mouth once I finished. I probably looked so pathetic to her. However, a huge smile crossed Hylia's face.

"I know! I heard everything! I'm so pleased!"

I looked at her helplessly afterward.

Why am I not surprised that this is her reaction?

Hylia merely grinned.

"You should have known this would be my reaction," she said of my thoughts, "I've been wanting you two kids to mix some fluids for a long time now."

I was feeling hyper anxious.

"What am I going to do?" I asked worried. "I don't know the first thing about the art of seduction! I've read books true, but I've never actually put any of the academics behind it into practice!"

Hylia looked at me like I was crazy.

"Academics into practice? Are you kidding me right now? What about your little rendezvouses with Elbourne? You're not a total novice at this."

"Elbourne is generally the assertive one when we're alone together," I admitted. "I'm usually just on the receiving end."

Hylia raised a brow.

"Really?" she replied with a hint of cynicism. "I spy history a little bit differently Zelly."

I was a loss, not caring if she didn't believe me. Though, she did have a point.

"What am I going to do?"

Hylia smiled and had just the answer.

"I'll tell you what you're going to do. You're going to go out there and you're going to give that man's Master Sword a reason to go skyward!"

My mouth immediately went agape. She couldn't have been serious.

This is her advice?

"Give-give his what- a what?!"

Hylia raised her brows and went on.

"You're going to pop his porpoise, shake his stick, stretch his long shot! You know, turn him on!" she repeated rather bluntly.

This couldn't be happening right now. She wasn't saying this to me.

"Are-are you serious?"

She put her hands on her hips.

"You heard what I said," she then quickly went to my satchel. "Now, where's that little ditty your friend Lydia suggested you wear a little while ago? This is the perfect occasion for it."

My eyes widened again.

Dear goodness!

The goddess smirked.

"You bet it is." Hylia said sarcastically of my thought.

I swallowed hard.

"You want me to wear that?"

Hylia looked up at me when she finally found it and pulled it out.

"Yes," she said with no hesitations. "This outfit is perfect. There isn't a man in his right mind that wouldn't be turned on by that. Now put it on!"

Hylia tossed the black body suit to me and I looked at it in pure disbelief. I funneled it through my fingers and hesitated. Hylia saw how uncomfortable I was and came up to me and put her hands on my shoulders.

"You'll be fine. You're a beautiful, desirable woman. You just need to own it more."

I looked at her incredulously.

"I feel like I'm getting lessons on how to become a slut from you," I divulged without realizing it, but then covered my mouth. "I'm sorry!" I added quickly.

Instead of Hylia getting upset, she laughed.

"I've got news for you honey," she said, smiling in a mischievous way, "there's a little slut in all of us. How do you think you got here? It wasn't because mommy and daddy were baking Hylian cookies. They were busy whipping up some whoopie pies! Whoopie!"

I let my head fall back.

She did not just utter that out loud!

"Oh yes my dear," she replied with a knowing grin to my thoughts, "I did. Now go get dressed before I dress you myself."

I sighed, realizing I was in a losing battle against her. I went behind the divider to change into this body suit, or whatever the hell this thing was. And... the outfit was everything I feared it would be. The platinum black suit was form fitting to the maximum stitch count. The 'V' collar was cut so low, it ended at my bellybutton... with only one button. My breasts looked like two melons squeezed together. This was unbelievable.

"I look like a whore," I muttered.

When I came from behind the divider, Hylia's eyes got wide and her mouth dropped open.

"My goddess!" she exclaimed ironically. "You look incredible!"

That was quite a feat coming from her.

"Wonderful," I said sarcastically.

Hylia walked over to me, undid my braid, and touched my hair. My straight dark tresses instantly curled into big bold waves. Hylia then put her finger to my lips and they immediately reddened do to some extra blood flow. She then turned me around to see myself.

"Check you out." She stood behind me.

I wasn't sure if I should have been freaked out or impressed.

"Oh my goddess!"

I looked like a totally different woman.

This is insane!

"No," Hylia replied to my thought, "this is just right."

She looked me over again and noticed my footwear. It was too cold to go bare foot, so I put my shoes back on. Hylia snapped her fingers and suddenly a pair of heeled boots appeared in her hand. I was beyond dumbstruck. This was really happening. I was really about to do this.

"Put these on," she instructed.

Reluctantly, I did as I was told and Hylia nodded approvingly.

"Now, you look perfect," she said with a devious grin and stared at my protruding bosom. "Those bad girls are really barking, aren't they? Woof woof."

I ran a hand over my face embarrassed.

"I can't believe this."

Hylia looked me over again.

"Believe it, because in a few minutes Link will." She then shook her head in disbelief at my appearance. "I think the poor man's going to have a heart attack from shock."

My heart raced. She was not being reassuring right now.

"What do I talk about? I don't even know where to begin with him. He's supposed to be in love with Midna. Why am I doing this?"

"Because you said you would. Besides, Midna-Shmidna, I wouldn't worry about the twilight queen right now. This is about you two."

I wish she would have clarified, but she didn't. Hylia then came up and grabbed my wrist where my bracelet was and transferred some mystical energy into it. I looked at her surprised.

Why is she doing this now?

"I'm doing this just in case you need help with what to say," she said in reply to my thought. "If you lose your words don't worry it will come to you in time."

I stared at her confused.

"Ancestral mother," I looked at the bracelet, "what is this truly for?"

Hylia paused for a moment and didn't answer right away.

"You'll know soon enough," she said sweetly, and added nothing more to it. "Right now, you need to focus on the task at hand."

I hesitated at her evasiveness. She was avoiding the subject again. But it wasn't something I could discuss with her at this moment. For now, I needed to let it go and trust what she was telling me. I really had no reason not to.

Hylia would tell me if it was truly important right now.

"I would honey," she said to me in response to my thought. "And, to answer your initial question, in situations like these you won't need to really worry about what to say. There isn't very much talking going on, but you do use a whole lot of tongue."

I blushed when she said that.

Tongue?

"Yeah… tongue. Now, I've got to go… you try to have a little fun with this. He really likes you."

My eyes widened.

"How do you know that?"

Hylia shrugged.

"I told you, I can read his mind and heart too, just not as often as yours." She then stepped back and blew me a kiss. "I'll see you around."

I wasn't ready for her to depart yet.

"Ancestral mother, how am I to-?"

"Zel, you'll be fine honey. Go get 'em tiger!"

With that, Hylia wasted no more time. She snapped her fingers and disappeared. My heart began to pound even more when I was once again alone. I sighed and looked at my reflection. I couldn't get over how gaudy this outfit was. It screamed 'brothel girl'. I gripped the basin tightly and tried to calm down. I was beyond a nervous wreck.

"Okay Zelda," I told my reflection, "you can do this. If you can manipulate puzzles, you can manipulate a man. It should be much easier, right?"

I nodded at the beautiful woman staring back at me.

"I can't believe I'm talking to myself like this," I whispered, feeling like a fool.

Just when I was getting my bearings together, there was a sudden knock on the door. That only made me nervous again.

"Uh... yes?" I called back reluctantly.

There was a pause before a reply.

"Are you okay in there?" Link asked from the other side. "There sounded like there was a lot of commotion going on with you talking to yourself and such."

His tone wasn't too reassuring. He probably thought I was crazy.

"I do that to think!" I called back. "I'll be right out!"

My heart fluttered faster, until I thought I was going to pass out. I stared at my reflection one last time.

"Alright, just remember Zelda, you're a queen, you can do this."

After closing my eyes and calming myself down several more times, I walked over to the door and took in a deep breath. I paused before opening it.

Just remember what ancestral mother said, just own it.

When I finally had the courage to open the door, Link caught sight of me, and his eyes literally went from normal to widened in a matter of seconds.

"Great Hylia!" he whispered.

He was completely awestruck by my appearance. I nearly took a step back when I started to lose my will to do this. This was not me. This was not who I was.

I'm sorry ancestral mother, I can't do this.

I attempted to take another step back. However, at my initial footing, something odd happened. Out of nowhere, a strange shimmery white light shined before my eyes. It was instantaneous. It was like the twinkling of an eye. It was so quick, Link didn't even take note of it. It was unusual. But, after it I suddenly felt a lot more relaxed. I wasn't fidgety. I wasn't apprehensive. I felt relaxed. Freed almost. I wasn't sure what it was, but it was something profound. I didn't feel inhibited anymore.

What was that?

I placed my hand over my heart. Link noticed my slight change in disposition, and managed to get his bearings in check enough to ask about me.

"Are you alright?"

I closed my eyes and nodded, then opened them again. Everything was fine. Everything was perfectly fine. I could see him clearly now. Crystal clear. It was a wonderful sight. Suddenly, I smiled with my new found confidence.

I gave the hero a long once over.

"Yes…" I answered finally, "I'm alright."

A brief silence followed my saying that. Link looked me over several times before sweat started seeded his brow. His throat tightened a little. He was slightly flushed at the cheeks. And, he seemed completely caught off guard like Hylia said. Perhaps he would have that heart attack. These instances of no action were enough. It was time to test the waters. I stepped forward out of the washroom and towards the hero. He immediately stepped back, which wasn't surprising, but was interesting. I think he was nervous.

I wasn't expecting this.

"That's good to hear." Afterwards, he cleared his throat and struggled to go on. "I thought you were in trouble with the way you clutched your heart, and uh, uh... uh..."

He forgot what he was talking about and another silence followed. I smirked. Link stopped. And the clock in the background ticked. I didn't say anything. He didn't say anything. We were both just staring at each other. Link gave me another long once over. He couldn't get over what he was seeing. He shook his head still in disbelief.

"My goddess," he whispered more to himself than to me, "Zelda?"

My small smile broadened.

"I don't see anyone else here."

I felt a surge of confidence.

"It's unbelievable." He then stared into my eyes for a moment. "It's like... you're- I don't even-"

He couldn't finish.

I giggled at that.

"You're certainly glib tonight, aren't you?"

He cleared his throat and looked into my eyes.

"So… you weren't bluffing."

I took another step towards him. I looked him straight in the eyes.

"No... I wasn't. I don't look so scared now, do I?"

Admittedly, Link had to shake his head.

"Not at all." He then commented on my hair and seeming make-up. "You look... wow. I didn't think it was possible..."

I licked my lips.

"You didn't think what was possible?"

Link looked me over again.

"I didn't think it was possible for you to look like this. You look incredible."

I noticed something right away. He wasn't as confident as he normally was. That smile he was known for, his witty quips, they were gone. Now he was acting like a tongue tied pile of chu jelly. My, my how the tables have turned. I wanted to see how much further I could take it. I took another step forward, then another, and another, until I was undeniably in his personal space. Staring in his eyes. Feeling his warm breath. Seeing his muscles flex under that night shirt. This time he didn't bother backing away. Why pretend? He just stared back at me with that... look in his eyes. I understood that look because I've had it many nights too.

I reached up and caressed his cheek.

"Do you like my outfit?"

Link raised his brows and nodded.

"Yeah, it's… it's very- um… it'll-it'll do- it does what it's supposed to do."

I grinned at his stuttering and trounced two of my fingers over the front of his nightshirt.

"What's the matter?"

Link cleared his throat at my tone.

"Noth-nothing."

He looked back at me and I stared into his eyes. I gave him that deep brooding gaze he so loved from afar, up close and personal. I saw the way he gazed at me, desired me, wanted me, but said nothing. Acted solemn, but didn't want to. I knew that act. I understood that act. Because I had to do it too. I let my head fall to my shoulder when my gaze lingered. I lowered my eyes to his nightshirt and came a little closer. Slowly at first, pretending to play coy. Then I ran my hands over his broad chest. My goddess, he was so strong. It was like touching a statue. It didn't take but a moment for him to respond. His breathing increased. I then decided to be less coy and wrapped my arms around his neck. I brought myself closer to him.

Link was avoiding my eyes now.

"This is what I plan on wearing when we go get the last shard." I never raised my tone. "You think Elbourne will like this?"

He still didn't look at me, and I could tell he didn't appreciate the mentioning of the dragon prince right now.

"Why would I care what Elbourne thinks or wants?"

I shrugged.

"Because you're a man," I then lowered my voice. "You know what a man wants."

I stared at his down cast eyes. I got very close to his lips without touching him.

"What?" I whispered innocently, then added in a furtive manner. "Am I so beautiful you have no words left?"

The hero immediately shot his eyes back to mine. He looked at me in complete disbelief. His breathing increased more.

"What did you say?"

I had to admit, I had no idea where that came from.

What has gotten into me?

I paused.

"Is that what she said to you? Your precious Midna?"

He was slowly succumbing. He was looking into my eyes now, but then shifted his gaze to my mouth. This certainly didn't take long.

"Yes, yes… that's what she said to me."

I laughed seductively at his behavior. I wasn't going to lie, this was fun. He was acting completely out of character.

"She's really got you smitten, doesn't she?"

Link didn't answer that. I came within inches of his lips to get an answer. He still didn't reply. I didn't know where any of this impulsiveness was coming from.

He remained silent.

"Well?" I asked.

Link looked momentarily confused, not at all paying attention to the conversation we were having.

"Well what?"

I laughed again.

"I asked you if you thought I was beautiful. Do you have an answer, or are you just going to keep staring?"

He shook his head, as if snapping himself back to reality.

"Oh, of course, you're-you're um… you're gorgeous. I'll admit, I wasn't expecting you to look or act like this, but everything about you is amazing."

I chuckled softly again, then let my smile fade. I stared into his eyes.

"That's very kind."

At my tone, Link was done with all this teasing and moved in a little to kiss me, but I pulled away.

"Ah, ah, ah." I taunted, removing my arms from around his neck. I then took hold of his hand to lead him over to the bed near the fireplace. "You have to ask me nicely first."

Link looked at me transfixed, then glanced back over at the washroom door.

"What did you do in there? You're like a different woman."

I smirked at his question. My sudden change in behavior was novel.

"I gave myself a little inspiration." I guided him towards the edge of the bed and sat him down.

Link looked at me incredulously.

"That's one hell of an inspiration."

He looked up at me as I stood over him. I licked my lips again and grinned at him. I didn't bother keeping the current conversation going. I had other things on my mind.

"Now," I whispered, interlacing his hands in mine and forcing him backwards onto the mattress. I got on top of him. "Let's play a little game."

Link stared at me entranced.

"Uh… okay."

I brought my face closer to his.

"We're going to play 'where's the Master Sword?'"

My mouth was only inches from his.

Link raised his brows at my words.

"Where's the what?"

I giggled and didn't answer him right away. Instead, I stroked my hands through his hair. I loved his soft blonde hair.

"Where's the Master Sword?" I said again.

He gave me a once over.

"That's what I thought you said."

I stroked his hair again.

"Any guesses to what I'm talking about?"

Link finally grinned.

"I think I have an idea."

My smile faded a little when I suddenly grinded against his groin without a provocation. He looked at me surprised when I kept doing it. He was completely caught off guard.

"Zelda-"

"Shhh, I'm trying to find it."

Link still stared at me shocked and I kept my eyes fixed on his. I moved my pelvis against his, until I eventually felt him get hard underneath me. It didn't take long. However, I think Link was more surprised in how I approached the action than me actually doing it. It shouldn't have been a surprise. I was very capable of being a sexual creature. He knew that. This wasn't our first time being alone like this. This wasn't our first time being intimate like this. Even so, he ran his hands over his face and closed his eyes slightly embarrassed. I waited for him to open them again before I spoke.

"I found it," I teased.

His eyes searched my face. He seemed confused.

"What's gotten into you?"

I shrugged.

"I'm just making good on my promise. I told you I would. You... didn't like it?"

He was quick to respond.

"I never said that. I'm just... surprised."

I stroked his hair again as I hovered over him. I stared into his eyes, getting lost in them.

"Don't you like surprises?"

He nodded.

"I do."

"You look beguiled my handsome hero," I whispered.

He returned my gaze.

"I won't lie," he whispered back, "I think I am."

I grinned and caressed his cheek. Then, slowly I reached down and kissed him on his lips. I started the kiss slow, but gradually let it get hungrier and deeper, not leaving much room for anything else. Again, the hero was surprised by my forwardness, but not resistant to it. He kissed me back with the same ardency, but his astonishment at my behavior never completely went away. Though, I think he was beginning to ebb with where this was going.

"You need to get inspired more often Zelda," he half-joked between a kiss. "Whatever you told yourself, you need to tell yourself again, and again, and again."

I giggled.

"You're going to have to give me reasons to."

"I'll give you plenty if you keep this up," he whispered.

I giggled once more.

"You're such a 'man' Link."

He nodded.

"That I am."

I liked this. I liked where this was going. I liked being on top. I liked being in control. I like that he was willing to let me do so. I kissed him deeper and stroked my fingers through his hair, but only to have some of the ringlets of my bracelet suddenly get caught in his locks. I pulled away and looked at my wrist in frustration.

"Great," I whispered sarcastically.

I quickly slipped the bracelet off my wrist to take it out of Link's hair.

"Ouch," he complained softly.

I looked at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry." I then concentrated on untwisting one of the ringlets. "Damn it, this would have to happen now."

Link grinned at our dilemma while I continued with my work.

"When you get this undone, what are you going to do next?"

An intriguing question. I smirked and looked down at him.

"I haven't decided yet."

Link kept his eyes on mine.

"Are you going to punish me?"

I gave him an offhanded look.

"Now Link... I never took you as a provocateur."

"Never judge a book by it's cover."

I needed to keep that in mind.

"I guess not," I replied, "but one thing's for certain."

He waited for me to go on.

"What's that?" he pressed.

I stopped working for a moment.

"It's like you said earlier, we have all night. We have all night to figure it out."

His smile faded a little.

"Yes... yes, we do."

I grinned at his eagerness and went back to work. Link wrapped his arms around my waist, while I continued dethreading his poor hair from my jewelry. It was taking me much longer than I had anticipated. When I finally got the bracelet free, I tossed the unhinged wear to the far corner of the huge bed we were laying on.

"Victory at last," I said in triumph. "It was such a nuisance."

Link grinned.

"I agree."

I refocused my attention and reached down to kiss him again. This moment was mine. I wanted to relish in it. However, something strange suddenly happened. Out of nowhere, just as before, a bright flash of light passed before my eyes. It was just as quick as the first time. I pulled away from the kiss, squeezed my nose, and stiffened for a moment when it became intense.

Link took note of that.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head unsure.

"Nothing," I said finally.

However, that wasn't altogether true. I noticed an immediate change in my thought process and actions. The effect was instant.

What in the world? What happened?

I looked down, and suddenly I had no idea why I was straddled across Link's lap. What the hell was I doing? My eyes widened. My pulse danced. And my heart almost stopped. It was then I realized the true nature of what was going on. I looked back over at my bracelet I threw away. All my sexy words and expressions were being fed to me by my jewelry.

Dear Hylia! I need to put that thing back on!

I initially reached out to retrieve it, but, before I could get up and save myself from abject humiliation, Link's gripped tightened around my waist. Apparently, I was already in the middle of something intense... and this had to happen to me now. Now! Goddamn it! The hero stroked his hands down my thighs, waiting for my cue. What the hell was I supposed to say now? What was I supposed to do now? What was I even talking about?

"Hello-hello there sailor," I tried to keep the ruse going.

Link smirked at what I said.

"Sailor huh?" He reached up and attempted to run one of his hands over one of my breasts. "Are you going to put the wind back into my sail too?"

Inadvertently, I smacked his hand away. It was a completely instinctive reaction.

"Ouch!" he cried out.

Link looked at me surprised.

I placed my hands on my hips.

"What are you doing?"

Link raised his brows completely flummoxed by my question.

"What am I doing?" he repeated.

"Yes," I insisted, "what are you doing?"

He appeared truly puzzled.

"Uh… sorry?" He gave me an odd stare and raised his hands in surrender. "I thought the signs for going forward were there."

I felt like a complete idiot. That was silly of me to ask. However, I was about to make matters worse.

"What does sailing have to do with the Master Sword?"

Link gave me another offhanded stare, probably wondering what happened to the sexy woman who was just seducing him. He wasn't alone. I really wanted to get her back too. I glanced over at the jewelry glaring at me from the corner of the large bed. I needed that damn bracelet.

Why did I throw it away?

"I don't know," he answered finally, "you said it."

I swallowed hard, trying to get comfortable with the situation I created, but was rapidly regressing to my shy, prude self.

Come on, Zelda get a grip! You had this!

However, I was not helping myself.

"Well, I'll-I'll have you know wind currents have no effect on the metallurgy of the Master Sword. None whatsoever."

Link paused for a moment and laid still underneath me. He was looking at me with open perplexity now. I couldn't say I blamed him. However, afterwards he sat up with me still on his lap and stared me in the eyes. I immediately looked away.

"Are you alright?"

I bit my lower lip and looked at him nervously.

"I'm fine," I replied without much conviction, then awkwardly went to stroke his hair.

The action didn't seem natural at all, and when Link noted that, he gave me another oddball expression.

"Zelda, what's the matter? Why are you acting one way one minute and entirely different the next?"

I wish I could tell him. I stared at him helplessly.

Because I need my damn bracelet! I looked over at it, watching it taunt me from the far corner of the king sized bed.

I looked back at Link and felt my throat tighten. I was going to say something very silly in rebuttal.

"Maybe because you turn me off and on like a lantern."

Now, it seemed like I was blaming him instead of myself for my foolishness.

What the hell was that?

Link drew back a little at my words.

"Excuse me?"

I shook my head.

"Nothing." I glanced back over to the corner.

Link saw that I kept looking beyond him and turned his head to see what had my attention.

"What are you staring at?"

I panicked immediately and turned my attention back to him.

"No! Nothing!" I feared he would figure out this entire seduction was a ruse.

I turned his face back to mine and before he could say anything, I kissed him impulsively on the lips. I held his face with both my hands and kissed him deeply. He seemed surprised initially, but kissed me back like before. His reaction was almost involuntary, and his grip around my waist tightened slightly, but then loosened again when he sensed something wasn't right about all this. I tried to maintain control, but Link finally pulled away. He shook his head and prevented me from trying to kiss him again. He was clearly confused by the signals I was sending him. He stared me in the eyes once again.

"You're acting strange Zelda," he said outright. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

I looked at him taken aback and insulted.

Oh no! I felt panic overtake me.

"Of course I do!" I tried to kiss him again, but he wasn't having any of it.

He raised his hands to stop me.

"There's something not right here. One moment you were completely enrapturing and captivating. Now, you're a mess. A complete and utter mess."

I wasn't expecting the brutal honesty. I looked at him visibly upset.

"Oh really?"

Link didn't back down.

"Yes, really. What's going on?"

A helpless look then crossed my face, as I stared down at my hands resting at his chest to avoid his gaze. I was trying to think quickly for a suitable reply. What could I say? When he saw I was stalling, Link lifted my chin for me to look him in the eyes.

"Zelda?" he inquired expectantly.

My breathing quickened nervously, while I tried to think of a proper rebuttal. I was at a loss. There was nothing I could think of but the truth.

"I…" I then took in a deep breath, "I usually get stuck about here."

Link gave me an offhanded look at my confession.

"Stuck?" he repeated.

I felt my cheeks burn, not wanting to elaborate. I was trying to conjure the right words. I went back to staring at my hands.

"Yes, every time I get close to… to this, I freeze. I don't know what to do after this point."

The hero looked at me surprised.

"What are you talking about?"

I rolled my eyes and looked away. He knew what I was talking about. I didn't want to repeat myself, so I didn't. Link waited a few seconds when I didn't reply.

"Are you serious?"

I still didn't answer right away. I was dead serious.

"Yes."

This was the truth.

The cold pitiable truth.

I felt pathetic.

Link was quiet again.

"What about all the time you spent with Elbourne? You and he have never...?"

I shook my head and didn't look at him.

"No... well, we have been close... very close actually. But, I wouldn't say it was anything significant... at least, not to me."

Link raised his brows at the revelation.

"Are you saying you're still a...?"

I nodded, groaned, and blushed.

"...Yes Link, I have never had intercourse."

The hero looked at me incredulously as if he didn't believe me.

"You've got to be joking, right? You're twenty-seven years old. With all the rumors about you and Elbourne, you can't expect me to believe the two of you not-"

"I know what the gossip mavens say Link, but that isn't reality!" I interrupted then pursed my lips together. "You said it yourself, I'm starved for affection." I closed my eyes at the confession. "You... you were right about me... I don't know, or I should say, I barely know how to seduce a man, because I've only ever seduced one man. It was easy with Elbourne because we knew each other so long. There was no pressure to be perfect. He didn't care that I wasn't perfect. But as for being a regular seductress, a brothel girl, no. That has never been me. I'm useless in that regard."

Link just stared at me surprised, completely caught off guard by my confession.

"Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I was merely assuming earlier."

I avoided his eyes.

"Well, you happened to be right."

The hero stared at me thoughtfully for a moment.

"Then... then how do you explain your actions only a moment ago?" he inquired. "You weren't acting like a novice at all."

I shook my head, afraid to tell him the truth.

"I don't know how to account for it," I whispered. "Maybe it was just gasconadic luck."

There was an uncomfortable silence between us after my utterance, but Link broke it soon after.

"Well, I wouldn't call it gasconadic luck... whatever that means. You were actually doing a fairly decent job. You already have the look, and you were right on the rupee when it comes to stroking a man's ego."

I looked into Link's eyes just then.

"What are you talking about?"

Link shrugged and went on.

"Men like to be told they have a big Master Sword, or something equally manly," he divulged in a rather humorous way. "Hyper masculine titles always help: The Cannon, Mr. Bigstuff, the Great Snake of Hyrule. You know, stuff like that."

As I was listening to him, I grinned.

"Hyper masculine titles? The Great Snake of Hyrule? You can't be serious."

The hero shrugged.

"I'm dead serious Zelda," he said. "I'm telling you this as a man. We're not that complicated: be sexy, be beautiful, and you win. It's you women that require an encyclopedia."

I giggled and could not deny him his last statement.

"I suppose you're right. But, is that really how it goes? Simplicity? Visual stimulation?"

Link nodded.

"You saw my reaction to when I first saw you, didn't you?"

I needed no other verification than that.

"Fascinating. I've always wondered about that. It's like the Owlanian dog experiment: hear a bell, expect a treat. I suppose there is no need to question you further."

Link went on, seeing I was receptive to what he was saying.

"It also helps to have an abundance of confidence. The more confident the woman, the more desirable she is. You see, this is the thing about seduction, looks alone don't matter. You have to own it."

He had a point.

Ancestral mother told me the same thing.

"Interesting. Alright, let me give it a try." I cleared my throat and looked into Link's eyes. "Your Master Sword is so desirable, it will serrate the flesh of any quims it comes in contact with."

Link tried to keep a straight face, but it broke, and he started chuckling at my saying.

"Not only is that disturbing, it also sounds very painful."

I blushed and looked down.

"Oh." I felt foolish.

Link grinned at my reaction and lifted my chin to look him in the eyes.

"But... you are trying, so I give you an 'A' for effort."

I smiled when he said that.

There was another brief silence between us that I eventually broke.

"Now... what would you say about my kissing?" I moved the conversation along. "Was I doing it too soon? Was there too much tongue?"

Link looked at me thoughtfully.

"I'll answer the last part now, you can never have too much tongue, never. Remember that. You're a great kisser, very controlled. But the last one you initiated was at the wrong moment. You never want to kiss someone when the moment doesn't call for it."

I nodded.

"Right, that's good advice. It's actually convenient you're going over all this with me before I see Elbourne. It will be most useful."

Link was quiet at the mentioning of the dragon prince once more.

"Elbourne again, huh?"

I gave him an obvious look.

"Yes, that's the reason we even got into any of this, or did you forget?" I reiterated. "Considering our recent history, the dragon prince will be surprised if I initiate anything with him at all romantically. We haven't been at odds, but he hasn't been in my good graces these past few months either, especially after what you revealed to me."

Link was quiet again. From the expression on his face, I could tell he was uninterested in the things I was telling him.

"And yet, you still spread the fib of you being on a tryst with him." His voice carried a hint of accusation.

I gave him an obvious look.

"It worked, didn't it? You would have believed it if you had heard it were you not with me, would you not?"

The hero stared at me for a long time without saying anything, but then did something rather bold. He ran both his hands over my legs and up my thighs, letting them rest there, then held me securely around my waist. It was a very deliberate action. Admittedly, it sent a jolting sensation up and down my spine. I think that was his intention.

"Link-"

"I don't want to talk about Elbourne anymore," he interrupted softly. "Can we change the subject?"

I stiffened slightly.

"Oh... I-I have no issue with that."

He started stroking my left thigh casually. He was getting deceptively close to my groin.

"I don't have to wonder about anything you're doing right now Zelda, because I'm here with you. I know what your actions are. I don't have to read a gossip column in the almanac and wonder."

I avoided his eyes again just then.

"I was only making a point."

Link nodded

"Your point has been made. Now, I want to make a point to you. You don't have to wait and use my advice on the dragon prince. You can start now. You can use it on me."

His bold predication made me blush. My skin prickled at his touch.

Is he serious?

I didn't know what to say.

"You mean…" my heart began to pound rapidly, "you mean, I didn't completely make a fool of myself to you due to my silly actions?"

Link grinned and chuckled.

"First, I would never think of you as a fool. Second, let me tell you something about men Zelda, we're never completely turned off... even if your actions are a little silly. Now, if you put my life in danger, that is a whole different story."

I giggled softly at his response and looked back down at my hands. I still felt a little nervous.

"Really?"

He nodded.

"Really."

After that, there was another silence between us. I wasn't sure what to do. Was he giving me the go ahead to move forward?

What now?

Link then lifted my chin once more and looked into my eyes.

"Zelda," he caressed my cheek, it was as if he was reading my thoughts, "relax."

I was trying to, but it was obvious I was nervous.

"I-I am," I stammered.

I wasn't convincing at all. Link shook his head, never taking his eyes away from mine.

"No... let me show you how to relax," he whispered.

~SKIP~

With that, he came close and kissed me. His lips were soft and my heart raced at his touch. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. It was a slow sensual kiss that gradually began to build. I could feel it in Link's strong hands with the way he held me. I could feel it in the passion brewing in both of us for weeks. Link had this natural feral sensuality that was ever present. It was evident in his eyes, his walk, his manner, his everything. It was in his everything. He was the kind of man that commanded the attention in a room without saying a word. Even now, he knew exactly how to take control without allowing me to make a complete fool of myself. He had an innate sexiness that was magnetic.

Link kissed me deeper when he started running his fingers through my hair. He always talked about loving my hair and now I understood why. He liked stroking it while he kissed me. His hands felt nice. Link slowly opened his mouth when he pulled me closer to him, though I wasn't opening mine. It made for a somewhat awkward kiss in that moment. He attempted his maneuver again, but I was still resistant. Why was I acting so self-conscious? Why wasn't I kissing him the way I was earlier? I knew how to kiss, but I felt like such a novice with him. Even so, as I stroked Link's perfectly imperfect hair, he pulled back for a moment and caressed my cheek.

He stared into my eyes intently.

"Open your mouth."

I didn't expect him to speak on it.

"What?"

His gaze didn't waver.

"Open your mouth," he repeated.

I shook my head, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"I-I-I don't-"

He then put his forefinger to my lips to silence me and outlined my jaw.

"Shhh... don't be scared, you're holding back and I can tell. Just relax, open your mouth, and act the way you did when we were alone in the tower all those years ago."

I looked at him surprised by the sudden recollection.

"The tower?"

He looked at me seriously, but then grinned.

"I told you I had my own special memories of you. I couldn't forget a night like that. I couldn't forget how you risked your safety to help me. How else would I know about you knowing how to use your tongue properly?"

I blushed. Of course he was thinking about that now. That was an incredible, but dangerous night. It was the first time I realized I was in love with him. He saved my life, but he ended up taking substantial damage from an attempted assassin's projectile. I nursed him back to health, but I did a little more than the primary care required. As such, I appreciated the recollection.

"That was the night I told you I never saw you as just my servant. Remember?"

He nodded.

"I remember. I remember that was also the night you asked me to stay with you... to take care of your needs. I never got to fulfill that promise."

I stared into his eyes.

"You can… you can do so now."

Link grinned at my comment, but then let his small smile fade.

"I intend to... I intend to."

Afterwards, I came close and kissed him again. I cupped his beautiful face between my hands and followed his lead. He opened his mouth on the initial contact, making me also open my mouth on initial contact. His lips were so soft. My tongue pressed against his and he kissed me deeper. I now understood exactly what he was talking about with that slow initiation. I wasn't too proud to say I preferred his way of kissing more than mine. Link started kissing me deeper when he saw how responsive I was to his guidance. His strong arms held me tight around my small waist. At this point, I could tell he was giving in more to his impulses than his conscious thoughts. We both were, but he was more evident.

"My goddess Zelda, you are so beautiful," he whispered to me between a kiss.

His words made me blush.

"Thank you."

He shook his head.

"Don't thank me, just own it."

I chuckled softly.

"Alright then, I will."

He came close and kissed me deeper.

He let his mouth slide to the side of my head and whispered in my ear, "You know this isn't the first time I've had you like this, right? I know you dream about me the way I dream about you. I've had you so many times like this in my dreams. I get to have you as much as I want in my dreams."

I was astonished at the sordid confession.

"Really?"

"Really."

Link kissed me again. He closed his eyes while I kept mine open. Everything felt surreal. This moment did not feel like it was happening, but it was. I almost felt like I was witnessing this outside of my own body. However, his lashes, his face, his breath, it was all real. I wanted to show him I was serious about this. I wanted him to know I wasn't some asexual statue. So many of my servants looked at me and saw a woman who needed to be revered. I wanted Link to look at me as someone who needed to be loved. I wanted him to love me. I needed him to love me tonight. I started unbuttoning my body suit with the one button at my waist, and then I removed it off my shoulders. Link looked at me surprised when he saw what I was doing.

"Zelda-"

"I want to," I interrupted.

I didn't want him to dissuade me, so I temporarily got off his lap and took it completely off. When I sat back down, I didn't have a stitch on. He was staring at me in disbelief. I wanted him to be comfortable with my nudity. If there was one thing I was comfortable with, it was my looks. I knew how beautiful I was physically. I reached up and caressed his cheek.

"It's alright. I trust you more than anyone. It's alright if it's you. I mean that Link."

He looked at me seriously, then reached in and kissed me deeper. We continued uninterrupted as we lost our center of gravity and tumbled onto the mattress below. Link methodically rotated us so that he was on top of me and I was on the bottom. Things were starting to get heavy.

Heavy breathing.

Heavy moaning.

Intense heart pounding.

I wrapped my arms around him and actively tried to slip off his nightshirt, which I was successful at. I could sense his hesitation now, and that may have been because he thought I wasn't serious. I wasn't, and I wasn't sure what else I could do to convey that to him. I wanted him to take full advantage of this opportunity. I wanted him to make love to me tonight. I wanted him to give me a memory that his love for another woman could never take away from me. I just wanted one night with him. If we went to the Twilight Realm and he decided that Midna was the love of his life, I would be content knowing I at least had this night with him. I wanted him to forget about his feelings for the twilight queen for one evening so he could consummate those desires with me. It was a selfish thought, but it was a truthful thought.

I noticed too he was trying his hardest not to look at my body now, and avoiding skin to skin contact, which was impossible. I wasn't going to let that slide. I shimmied my leg into his right ankle so he lost his balance for a moment and he came down on top of me.

"Oops," I teased.

My breasts flattened under the weight of his muscular chest, and I immediately wrapped my arms around him when he tried to get away. I stared into his eyes and held him tight.

"It's okay." I then reached up and kissed him.

Link didn't reply, but he was slowly getting more comfortable feeling my naked body against his. I decided to ebb him to my thought process.

"Doesn't this feel nice?" I whispered in his ear. "Don't you like feeling my soft skin, my supple breasts, and my feminine clefts?"

Link stared into my eyes and didn't answer. Instead, he kissed me deeply, and started trailing his lips down my neck. He started suckling at my nape, which I had to admit felt incredible. His lips were creating this suction that literally could take my breath away and leave a mark on my skin. He was generous enough not to leave a mark, but he was still selfish in keeping his pajama pants on... and I couldn't be more bothered. I wanted those pants off. I tried to be furtive and run my hands down towards his groin, but every time I attempted to remove them, he stopped me. This latest time he intertwined my fingers with his and placed them above my head. I was disappointed and made sure I let him know it. Why was he hesitating? Did he think I was going to renege? Did he think I was going to run away? All he had to do was ask me, and I was all too eager to say yes to him.

Just ask me Link… please.

I stared into his eyes.

"What are you waiting for?"

I made sure my impatience was apparent. Link stared at me and shook his head.

"This isn't something you rush Zelda."

My eyes searched his face. I wanted to say to him it's been five years. There never was a rush. I reached up and caressed his cheek and almost uttered my confession to him.

I love you. I love you so much Link.

"I... I-" I started, but cut myself off.

I couldn't verbalize it.

Link waited.

"You what?"

I shook my head and then looked away, upset with myself that I was such a coward. I wanted to tell him so badly that I was in love with him. That I was still in love with him and had never stopped loving him. I wanted to let the walls down and be honest, but my pride wouldn't let me. I didn't want myself to be that vulnerable with him when I knew there was a chance it wouldn't be reciprocated.

"Nothing."

Link gave me a brief puzzled look.

"You sure? I'm not going too far am I?"

He wasn't going far enough. Even so, I shook my head.

"No, you're fine."

A bit of frustration set in for me. We were so close, but we seemed to be going at an incremental pace. We would never get anywhere at this rate. I suddenly recollected to a time when I completely shed my innocent facade with Elbourne to get what I wanted. It was slightly deceptive on my end, but it did work. I wagered I was going to have to do something of that nature again tonight to get Link to make love to me. He was so hesitant. I then maneuvered our interlaced hands so I could take hold of his wrists. Afterwards, I held them firmly and guided them up towards my chest. At my breasts, I placed his hands over them. When he tried to slide them away, my grip tightened.

"No," I whispered, "please. I want you to touch me."

Link stared into my eyes at my plea.

"Zelda..."

This worked to my advantage before in the past. I was hoping it would do so again. I didn't want him negating this, so I reached up and kissed him again before he could protest. I kissed him deep and didn't let go. I felt the subtle squeeze from his hands as his defenses started coming down. I opened my mouth to him and kissed him deeper when his hands got more assertive. Link returned my kiss and came back down on top of me when he finally started showing signs of letting go of his inhibitions. He moved his hands from my breasts and spread my legs apart. I could feel his hardened bulge. He was so aroused.

Finally...

I closed my eyes when his mouth went down my neck again and he stopped at my breasts. I loved the way he suckled my nipples and treated them with such tenderness. I loved how aroused he got when he wrapped his arms around my body and feathered his tongue back up to my neck. I loved how his body felt so close to mine. I loved the way he kissed me. I loved the way he knew exactly how to seduce me. It was perfect. Everything was perfect. This was the way things should have been. Link kissed me deeper and soon I felt one of his strong hands between my legs. My eyes shot back open and I was surprised to find that his were open too. He must have been anticipating this gaze from me. I gasped against his lips when he started massaging my cleft. I was trying to remain in control, but I was fast losing it. I was throbbing and wet within seconds. It didn't take much.

"Link..." I whimpered.

"Shhhhh."

The hero didn't let up and I think he could see that soon I was going to have an orgasm all over his hand. I wagered that was his intention. He stared into my eyes before he kissed me deeper. I couldn't lie, I couldn't believe this was happening between us right now. I was enraptured and we were completely lost in each other. I still wanted him to take off the rest of his clothes, but I could be patient if he intended to be a tease like this all night. I was breathing hard when he got a little more intense.

"Link... you're going to make me climax," I whispered.

He wasn't surprised in the least.

"I know," he whispered back.

I was glad he was finally done with the shenanigans. I liked him being up front. As a result, I let my head fall back. However, then something unexpected happened. At the heights of my passion, my body began to glow a light blue. It was like my Triforce of Wisdom was activating. What was going on? Link paused for a moment when he saw the iridescence from my skin. This was similar to that moment we shared before in the past, only this was much much more personal.

"What's happening?" the hero asked.

I opened my eyes to stare at him.

"It's my Triforce," I whispered.

Link stared at me surprised.

"Why is it activating now?"

I blushed.

"I... I don't know. It might simply be because I'm so excited."

Link was a bit astonished by my honesty.

"I see."

The light from my body then went around us. It swirled around like a laser of energy. It was enchanting and intriguing all at the same time. The hero looked around amazed before his eyes met mine once again. Afterwards, Link came down and kissed me passionately. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. This was everything I imagined it would be, only I wish it wasn't his hand pleasing me. I wish it were him. Even so, I thought that was to come later. I whimpered softly from his continued motion, and soon after I felt that intended gush. Link kept his mouth pressed against mine to muffle my scream. When it was over, my glow dissipated and I was breathing hard. I was spent, but I stared into Link's eyes completely captivated.

"That was amazing," I said honestly.

Link grinned. He didn't reply, instead he just kissed me. I kissed him back, feeling so incredibly happy. The kiss was prolonged. I couldn't lie, that was incredible.

My goddess. I stroked my hands up and down his strong back.

I wanted more. I was surprised at how sexual I felt with him. I was sufficient now, but I could definitely see this happening again, and again, and again tonight. I didn't want it to end.

The moment was just… heavy.

~DONE~

I pulled back and looked into Link's eyes. I needed to catch my breath.

"Someone's acting like a big bad wolf."

Link smirked impressed.

"You see that was good." He then leaned forward to kiss me again. "You're learning."

I laughed softly and bit my lower lip. I caressed his cheek.

"I want to learn more," I whispered. "You're an excellent teacher."

Link chuckled and gazed into my eyes.

"I am an excellent teacher."

I rested my weight on my elbows and stared at his handsome face.

"Yes you are." I then wrapped my arms back around his neck. "And no more nonsense. I want the real thing next time. I want those clothes off."

I reached up and gave him another quick peck. When I pulled away, Link stared into my eyes and caressed my cheek.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered. "So perfect and so beautiful."

I felt a slight stirring of emotions at his tone. I was so incredibly happy in that moment.

"You make me feel beautiful Link," I whispered, letting my guard down a little more. "I couldn't be this way with just anyone. Only you... only someone like you."

I reached up and kissed him again and initially he kissed me back. I thought this was going to be our cue to rekindle and pick up where we left off. But then, suddenly the hero pulled away and edged back. He stared at me and hesitated. I was puzzled for a moment, but I attempted to reach up and kiss him again, but this time, he stopped me.

"No," he whispered.

I stared at him openly confused now.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Link's gaze intensified for a moment, but he never answered my question. A moment later, a serious expression came across his face... a very serious expression. Almost like one of regret. One that made him look away from me when I stared back with mounting bewilderment. I didn't understand his expression, until afterwards when he took my arms from around his neck and he got up from the bed. Following his rushed reproof, he pulled the sheets overlaying the bed to cover me, afterwards he took several steps away from the divan. When he drew enough distance, he turned from looking at me. It was as if he was ashamed of what just happened between us. The exact opposite of what I felt. I froze, and all I could do was stare after him shocked. I didn't know where any of this was coming from. I thought everything was going so well. I sat up, clutching the covers and stared at him confused.

The silence between us was tense and uncomfortable now.

What's this all about? I did not understand what went wrong. Maybe the 'big bad wolf' reference was a bad idea, or maybe...

Maybe this had nothing to do with what I said or did at all. Maybe this had something to do with something else... or someone else. Even so, I wanted to know.

"Link…" I wanted to talk, but did not want to talk at the same time, "what… what is it? What's wrong?"

He sighed, frustrated at my question, and ran his hand through his hair.

"Of course you wouldn't be intimate with just anyone, you aren't that kind of person." He seemed to be talking more to himself than to me. "I just wish I had of..."

He didn't finish.

I went on for him.

"You just wish you had of... what?"

He didn't answer and shook his head.

"You're... you're not some brothel girl, you're not a whore Zelda," he said all of a sudden, "and I'm not going to treat you like one."

I was surprised at the conviction in his voice, but I was also slightly disappointed. Was that what he was worried about? Did he think I felt floundered? I wanted to reassure him.

"I don't feel like a brothel girl Link. I was perfectly comfortable with everything you were doing. Could you not tell that I was enjoying myself?"

He shook his head again as if he didn't believe me and didn't reply. I then wrapped the duvet around myself and got off the bed to see about him. He was apparently conflicted with what was going on between us and didn't know what to do about it. However, before I could make contact, he heard my approach from behind and walked several more feet away without turning to look at me.

"Get dressed."

My throat tightened.

"Why?" I asked with quiet defiance.

This time he groaned in mild irritation.

"Please," he begged, "just do it."

I bit my lower lip and took a step forward.

"But... but I thought... I mean... I was hoping we could contin-"

"I'm not free of her Zelda."

I froze when I heard that. I froze. I then felt a sudden pang of jealousy course through my veins at his confession. He stopped because of Midna? He couldn't go on because of Midna? Where was this earlier when he was flirting with me? When I was flirting with him? Where was this when his concern seemed so great? He said we had all night. I knew what he meant by that statement. But, apparently I was wrong. Why couldn't he have said this from the onset? Why couldn't he have just been upfront about his goddamn love for the twilight queen? Why do this? Why confuse us more?

I should have known better. I should have been smarter. I shouldn't have let my guard down. I could have spared myself from this humiliation. This was beyond humiliating. I felt like nothing. I offered myself to him and he rejected me. Now I was glad I didn't blurt out my love for him. Imagine me saying that when this was the outcome. Imagine me having no stakes whatsoever. I couldn't, and the sudden anger I felt regarding this situation was sharp. I was trying to control it, but I knew it was intense because my heart was involved. However, I said nothing.

Link finally turned around when he didn't hear me respond. He was just in time to see the frustrated tears fill my eyes. They spilled over and I didn't bother wiping them away. I cut my gaze immediately. I didn't want to face him. I didn't want more empty words. This was certainly enough. I could see the guilty look on his face from the corner of my eye.

"I see," I whispered.

He took a step forward and this time I stepped back.

"Zelda-"

"I understand. You don't have to explain anything to me."

I quickly wiped my cheeks with the back of my palm when another silence engulfed us. Link spoke up again when he saw my reaction.

"It wouldn't be fair to you or her if I did."

I took in a deep sigh at hearing him say that.

Midna… Midna, Midna, Midna. How in the world could that woman have this much of a hold on his heart? How?

"I understand," I said, not understanding at all. "I know how much you love her."

He didn't reply to that.

"I'm sorry."

I forced a chuckle and looked away.

"So am I."

Afterwards, Link came and put back on his night shirt he left on the bed and a pair of boots. Then he started for the bedroom door. I looked after him surprised.

"Where are you going?"

He paused for a moment with his hand on the knob.

"To go put my head in the snow. I'll be back."

I looked after him puzzled, not getting the full gist of what he was telling me right away. When the door closed behind him I was still contemplating what he meant.

"Head in the snow?" I whispered to myself, then my eyes widened as I covered my mouth. "Oh... his head in the snow."

Thank you for reading.