How Zelda Got Her Groove Back

by ZeldaRubix

Seven years after the events of Twilight Princess, Zelda is queen. However, she must right the wrongs of the past and help a broken hero heal. What lies ahead for the queen? She will be guided with the help of an unexpected friend. Reupload. Original upload May 2012.

17. Chapter 17

Inspiration: "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,"; "Casablanca,"; "Jupiter Jazz," episode from Cowboy Bebop; "Rooftops," by Lost Prophets; "Unholy Confessions: Part 1 & 2," by Avenged Sevenfold, "Confessions," by Usher; forty strokes less one; blue & green lights, the Liturgical words: invidia & luxuria, and "Tree of Life" by Audiomachine for the 2020 reedit.

All Original Shout Outs: Altojazzman, Anonreviewer #2, Too Lazy, InfamouslyMe, EmmaPrinceton, Hyaci, Irandi20, Alalalala, Predatorform, ZeldaPhoenixLegend, Fanfiction Ninja, Godessharp, Lagenerala, and EricLightscythe.

New Shout Outs: Ellenora, fictionwriter0.12,and this is stressful.

Author Note: Read and proceed thank you. Reupload 3/4/2020. Reedited 5/15/2020. Take more breaks lol.

Word Count: 32,738

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Chapter 17

The Hyrulean Festival Part 2: Unholy Confessions

~SSS~

Back alley of Castle Town, Ilia

I knew it.

I knew it.

I knew from the beginning that there was something unsettling about Link being gone for so long. Since when did a pumpkin delivery take five months? Since when did anything Link did in recent memory take five months? His last venture was a few weeks at best. However, somehow this menial task required more time? It was a ridiculous notion. I was not going to be fooled again. Link lied to me and he needed to explain himself. It wasn't enough to say I was upset. I was beyond upset. I held Link in the highest regard. He meant everything to me, but for whatever reason my feelings for him didn't seem to matter. Now, he was encroaching in corners with another woman. The same woman who came to the village to take him away from me. I knew there was something suspicious about her. I knew she wasn't just another pretty face like other pretty faces. She was obviously an important girl from Link's past. Why else would they be hiding alone in a niche together? Was she a former lover? Was she someone truly special to him? Why was he willing to throw away everything that we had for this girl? I was fuming with resentment. I needed some answers.

I couldn't properly put into words what Link meant to me. This wasn't some infatuation. This wasn't some grifted romance. Link and I grew up together. I knew him. I knew him when he was a scared little boy and I watched him grow into a courageous man. Life was happy in our village. Life was simple in our village. Our family grew our crops together. Our families broke bread together. Our families shared many happy times together. Then, it happened. One day Link's parents went on an anniversary trip to Balaam and their ship sank. News didn't reach our village for weeks, so Link had no idea his parents were dead. One day, my father Bo received the terrible news and he was the one who had to relay it to Link. At the time Link was only seven, so he didn't properly understand what was going on. Even after my father told him of his parents tragedy, Link still asked about them a few days later. It was only after my father explained to him how when he hunted wolfos, killed them, and they didn't come back, that Link understood that his parents were drowned, and also not coming back. It was a hard lesson to teach. Link was in shock for a week, and for a time he stayed with my father and me.

In fact, the whole village joined in making sure Link had what he needed and that he felt loved. If Link wasn't staying with my family, he was staying with Rusl, or Sera, or someone else who could care for him. Even so, there were nights I saw him stare at a picture of his parents. He stared and looked somber. But when I asked him if he wanted to talk about anything, he always declined. He had been that way for years. However, he confided in me in other ways. Link used to tell me when he was old enough he was going to go out into the world and find out what happened to his parents. I thought that was a noble idea and I so wanted to go with him. However, when he did come of age, he left for a very different reason. Destiny called, and he had to answer. Link was chosen to be the hero and went and saved the world. He saved us all. He saved our village. He saved our lives. Link was a hero. And when he came home, he received a hero's welcome. I was hoping he would be the man he was before he left, but he was so different afterwards. He was still Link, but he was a lot more serious. He suffered from nightmares. He talked in his sleep. He wasn't as sociable as before. Then soon after, duty called once more. He went off to go work at the castle.

Link had a very important job. He never told me what it was, but I knew it was important. I couldn't know any of anything he talked or wrote about. He even answered to the queen. I asked him one day if he ever planned to go on that trip to find out what happened to his parents. He said that he would, but not at that point in his life. I knew then he was a completely changed person. The Link I knew would never keep putting off something that was once so important to him. Something happened to him on that journey. Something also happened to him as he worked that job at the castle. I was so scared I was losing track of who he truly was. But, one thing was for certain, my love for him never wavered. I think I realized I was in love with Link the first time I saw him cry. I never saw him cry before then. We were both eight and we were planting some pumpkin seeds in my father's garden. I noticed he stopped for a moment and looked over at me when I had a trowel in my hand. I found it strange, but then his eyes filled with tears when he said, "Papa used to plant pumpkin seeds with a trowel." I didn't know what to say. I went over and hugged him when he broke down in front of me. After that day, he apologized and promised he would never cry in front of me again. I didn't understand why he was apologizing, but unfortunately it was true. He never did again. I suppose he didn't like anyone seeing him vulnerable, even at a young age.

In the recent past, our relationship had gotten more complicated and there were days when I wasn't sure what Link was thinking. He became more introverted. He didn't like talking about things that made him feel uncomfortable. He didn't like thinking about the past. He stayed busy. He stayed working. He stayed away. I couldn't help but think if he was trying to stay away from me. I confronted him about this very issue a few times and he insisted that I was being nonsensical. However, I couldn't shake the feeling, and maybe my own guilt was making me think such things. I knew there were some nights in the past he would come home and he would have the scent of another woman on him. I was aware he visited the Red Lantern District from time to time because he would discuss his escapades with Rusl. Rusl didn't approve, and ironically neither did Link, but he rationalized it anyway. What I didn't understand was that I was right there. I was right there waiting to be what he needed when he needed me. But, perhaps he was inferring something I wasn't willing to accept. Perhaps he was telling me he did not need me. Perhaps he was telling me to move on. However, I couldn't. I had too much invested emotionally to just let it all go. I wanted some answers, and with our history, I think I deserved some.

I took a step forward and looked between Elga and Link, ready for either one of them to explain themselves. The tension in the air was apparent. It could have been cut with a dagger. I probably looked silly and desperate, but I did not care. I deserved some answers. Elga looked on guard, but she kept her expression stoic. I could only imagine what was going through that pretty head of hers. She didn't have to pretend innocence now. Even so, the silence prolonged. Since they were unwilling to speak up, it seemed I was going to have to address them again, but in a moment. I was waiting for the second set of footsteps to catch up. We all listened quietly as the feet scuttled down the alleyway to where we were. From the look on Elga's face, she probably assumed more trouble was approaching, which in her case may have been the truth.

"Ilia!" the familiar female voice called from down the way. "Why did you run off so suddenly? I thought you saw a poe or something."

Link and Elga recognized who the voice belonged to immediately. Elga rolled her eyes at the disclosure, while Link's posturing too was to one of irritation. They were obviously not pleased with who was approaching.

"I'm over here!" I directed.

When Beth finally did catch up, her eyes got wide and her mouth became agape when she entered the clearing. She suddenly understood why I was so upset when we left the Flight-by-Fowl game. She looked between Link and Elga stunned.

"Link, what are you doing here?"

Link then decidedly took a step back and away from Elga. That was a question I was certain he had a doozy of an answer to. Beth and I intruding upon him was the last thing he was expecting when he planned this... this romantic moment with Elga apparently. That was all it could have been described as. Even so, Link was not going to have it that easy. He wasn't going to sidestep our issues that egregiously. The anger in me was rising. I hated feeling this way. I hated being jealous. However, it was only because I loved him so damn much. Why didn't he understand that? Link was driving me to this.

"It's… it's a long story Beth," Link answered finally.

Elga remained quiet. She probably figured silence was her best refuge, which, at the moment, it was. Beth stared her down, not recognizing her right away. Beth then, however, narrowed her eyes.

"Isn't that…?"

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked between Link and Elga again.

"Yes," I finished for Beth, "that's Miss Elga."

Link looked away and pursed his lips together when he heard the bitterness in my voice. Elga looked to the ground too, she still said nothing. She seemed to be contemplating whether or not she wanted to stay. Whatever the case, she didn't make it known. Finally, I had had enough of this lack of transparency and wanted some answers.

I took another step forward.

"Aren't you going to answer my question Link?"

The hero wouldn't look at me now. He seemed more frustrated than anything. He didn't appreciate the subtle posturing.

"What question Ilia?"

I narrowed my eyes, not caring for his attitude.

"How was the pumpkin delivery?"

I knew there was no answer to this question. I just wanted to know why he was being so damn dishonest with me. Why did he lie to me? Why did he keep me in the dark? However in response, Link clicked his tongue off the side of his teeth and surprisingly shrugged.

"It went fine," he replied in a casual manner.

Elga looked at him surprised. She must have had the good sense to know this was not going to go well with him replying like that. It still didn't keep me from giving him the reaction he was expecting. I stared at Link with a hint of disdain. I uncrossed my arms and took another step towards him. I wasn't going to let his indifference slide.

"It's nice you think it wasn't that big of a deal Link." I did not bother concealing my pain. "I was worried about you!"

Elga looked to the ground again, obviously not wanting to get involved. At this point, I wish she would make up her mind as to whether she was going to stay or go. I wanted to talk to Link alone, but as it stood, Elga didn't budge. Even still, contrary to my first thought, I did have a bone to pick with her regarding this situation too. I just didn't want to discuss it with her now. But, I turned my attention to her anyway.

"I'm glad to see that you're safe Miss Elga." There was a slight quiver in my tone. "It would've been nice of you to remind Mr. Link that he was supposed to be here with me."

Elga then looked my way and sighed. Her expression seemed to read she did, but she didn't clarify it. Instead, she raised her brows and shrugged. It seemed so callous an action. I was doing everything in my soul to control my anger.

"Miss Ilia-"

I didn't want to hear her lies.

"Don't! Don't try to deny anything! I knew what you two were the moment I met you in Ordon!"

She stared at me, obviously wanting to afford me another explanation, but she didn't bother. I wasn't going to believe a word of it anyway. She and Link were in cahoots from the very beginning. Link took another step away from Elga and slowly came towards me, but stopped himself when he saw my disquieted expression. I knew he was trying to think of a way to diffuse this situation. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to think of an appropriate rebuttal.

"You're reading way too much into this."

It was then Elga looked at him surprised. She obviously didn't expect him to reply that way. Even so, I scoffed at his words. Tears filled my eyes immediately. There was no way I could control them now. I felt far too emotional to just let this go.

"Oh right," my voice began to break, "well then, what the hell is this Link?"

Elga too seemed intrigued by the question as evidenced by the new expression on her face. She looked from Link to me waiting for the answer. Instead, Link paused at my tone and probably felt guilt at the sight of my tears. Which he should, considering everything we had been through.

He was now solely focused on me.

"It's a misunderstanding."

I stared at him like he was insane. There was no way he could expect me to believe that.

"A misunderstanding? Are you kidding me?"

He took another step towards me.

"Ilia-"

I was getting tired of this run around. I wanted to know the truth about what was going on here.

"No! What in Hylia's name do you mean by that statement Link?! Stop trying to side step! Where the hell have you been?!"

There was a tense silence that followed between the four of us after that. The tension was so evident that it made everyone uncomfortable. The tears kept running down my cheeks now and I probably looked pathetic to Link, but I didn't care. I was tired of the constant waiting. I was tired of the broken promises he made to me. I wanted some relief from all this stress. I wanted to be free of him, but it was so hard because I loved him so much. Why didn't he understand that? Why didn't he see that after all these years? Why did he need to be in the arms of another woman when I was waiting for him willingly right here? It was infuriating, and he wasn't going to get away from this with sly talk and meager excuses. He was going to tell me the truth. It was then, Elga decided to take her leave. She pushed herself away from the wall and started for the square. However, that wasn't without her making sure Link knew where to find her.

"I'll be near the clock tower," Elga said to the hero quietly as she walked by.

However, with her clear motives and apparent lack of regard for the feelings of others, I wasn't just going to allow her to walk away without so much as a question. She was just as guilty as Link.

"Hold it right there Miss Elga," I ordered.

The young woman was under no obligation, but she halted at my utterance anyway. However, she didn't bother to turn around.

"Yes?"

I was getting livid at her nonchalance.

"You're just as much a party to this as Link. You owe me an explanation."

I was certain she was going to counter with her telling me she didn't owe me anything, but surprisingly she looked a little remorseful, which was more than I could say for Link. There was something about her manner that wasn't as conceited as I expected it to be. She was quiet for a moment before she finally spoke up.

"Miss Ilia… I don't know what you want me to tell you, but all I can say is I'm sorry for deceiving you. It was wrong for me to ask Link to help me under false pretenses."

I was mildly stunned at the revelation, but apparently not as stunned as Link when he turned and looked at her with open surprise. It was obvious I wasn't supposed to know that.

"Elga, what are you doing?"

However, Elga just stared back at him, but I hoped she would go on. I was tired of being in the dark. I focused my attention on her.

"False pretenses? What do you mean?"

She stared at the hero, knowing Link was probably against her speaking to me about this, but she was also probably bearing in mind the circumstances. I believe she felt she had to disclose something to me.

"The pumpkin delivery was a ruse, which you no doubt already know. I asked Link to help me find a ring important to my family. I didn't want to say anything about it initially, because I wasn't sure Link was going to say yes. As a result of that, we were gone much longer than I had anticipated."

I felt so frustrated, I didn't even know where to begin. That was all? That was what was so secretive? She couldn't have revealed that from the beginning?

"Why didn't you just say that from the onset?"

She then raised a brow and gave me a quick once over.

"Because frankly it was none of your business," she replied as decently as she could. "I didn't owe you an explanation then and honestly I don't owe you one now. I am merely choosing to do so. It was a business proposition between me and the hero. It had nothing to do with you."

Link closed his eyes after her utterance. This was probably what he was attempting to avoid. My repercussions were swift. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Oh really? Is that what was happening here just now Miss Elga? A business proposition?"

The beautiful woman simply shook her head.

"I truthfully don't know what was about to happen here, but from the looks of it, it was going to be nothing."

It was then Link cut his gaze over to her stunned. His reaction seemed almost involuntary.

"That isn't true."

Elga just stared at him.

"Are you sure?"

Link remained silent as their eyes met and to me that said everything. I knew something more was brewing here than what the hero was implying. He even took a few steps towards her as if wanting to reassure her that there was indeed something supposed to be happening here, but I interrupted them. Only after he caught himself did he turn back around to face me. He had no idea how much his actions were hurting me, but with his next set of words that didn't seem to be a concern of his either.

"Ilia you're getting yourself worked up into a fit of hysterics for no reason. We were just-"

I looked at him livid. I was not going to let him do this to me.

"You are not going to dismiss this the way you've dismissed everything else! I love you, you selfish bastard!"

There was no way he was going to back out of this one. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I was tired of waiting on him and wondering what was going on. This other woman... this... this Elga was going to know that Link wasn't the altruistic saint he presented himself to be. She was going to understand that he had baggage. He had leverage that he couldn't just unload. He had someone here who wasn't going to easily let him go.

She has no idea what we've been through. No idea.

~SSS~

Zelda

This was what I was trying to avoid. I was frustrated at Ilia's lack of self control. It wasn't her words that were audacious, but her manner. She came across as unhinged and hysterical. I didn't understand why she felt the need to be so histrionic to make a point. I knew from the onset how she felt. I knew she was in love with Link. There was no denying her that. However, all of this attention seeking behavior was ridiculous. She wasn't a child. There was no need for her to scream and have a tantrum. What if others from the main square had heard her? What if she alerted the guards? I was surprised there was no one coming this way at this time. Thankfully, it stayed the four of us. Link looked completely embarrassed by the ordeal. I felt for him. Ilia was turning this into something more than it had to be. Link owed her nothing from my summation.

"I haven't dismissed anything Ilia." He had understandable frustration. "Will you please calm down?"

The hero stared at Ilia at a loss as she continued to cry, and that was my cue to leave. The two of them needed to resolve whatever issues they had without me eavesdropping on them. This was going in a direction that had nothing to do with me.

"I'm heading to the square," I uttered to Link once more, "I will meet you by the clock tower to convene later."

I started for the main square once more. However, Beth had other ideas.

"Excuse me!"

I closed my eyes at the sound of her voice. The last person I wanted to speak to on this matter was Beth. I didn't have time for her nonsense. It was none of her business. But, I turned around to appease her anyway.

I raised a brow.

"What?"

The young girl narrowed her eyes at me.

"Do you think you have a right to that attitude?"

I simply stared at her for a moment.

"You are in no position to ask anyone anything. This has nothing to do with you. Mind your own business."

Beth looked at me shocked. Well, she shouldn't have been. I was just as upset as she and Ilia were. These two selfish women were under the impression that they were the only ones entitled to their feelings. I had news for them. They weren't. I had feelings too. The both of them ruined my moment with Link. A moment I had waited a long time for. I didn't know if he was going to confess his feelings for me or not, but now I would never know because he and I both had to appease his melodramatic friend.

Beth was not appreciative of my tone.

"Why the hell are you trying to walk away?"

I paused. I sincerely found this juvenile routine annoying. I didn't understand why Beth thought a loud voice and erratic behavior was conventional for a young woman. Her acting this way didn't mean anyone was going to take her more or less seriously. She appeared foolish. This silly girl had no idea who she was truly talking to. She would have tempered her tongue in a second if she realized she was standing toe to toe with the goddamn Queen of Hyrule.

I put my mask back on my face.

I was done with this.

"I don't participate in petulance. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to be the adult here and allow Ilia and Link to speak alone."

Beth's eyes widened.

"I can't believe you're so cold."

I never raised my voice.

"Believe it."

Beth was seething now.

"You are such a bitch!"

I groaned. So now name calling was the mainstay of the moment? If so, was 'bitch' the best she could do? I would have been more impressed with 'quim' or 'twat' as peasant colloquialisms go. Bitch was easy. Bitch had no bearing. Bitch was my surname to some, especially in court. It reminded some of my servants how nonnegotiable I could be. And yet, they all had to bow down to this 'bitch'.

The irony.

There was a brief silence between us. I smirked at Beth, which clearly got under her skin.

"Do you have anything else to say? Are you done?"

Beth groaned at my reply.

"You're really a horrible person! Do you know that?"

I rolled my eyes, and with that, I turned and left the alley heading back to the main square. That girl's manners were atrocious.

And to think I told Colin to tell her he loved her. Maybe I should have rethought that.

Back in the alley, Beth was still seething, but she soon realized she was at a loss with me. I wasn't going to stop and give her the satisfaction of getting angry like she so desired. She was petty and there was nothing I disliked more than petty people. Instead, surprisingly she decided to follow my lead and leave so that Link and Ilia could be alone. They obviously needed to talk. Ilia was still glaring at Link.

"I'll wait for you in the square," Beth said to Ilia, then gave Link a quick disapproving eye.

Ilia nodded and wiped her cheeks.

"Thanks," she replied.

With that, the eager young adolescent left the alley.

~SSS~

Ilia

Watching Beth leave only made my disappointment in Link deepen. She knew how much I loved him. She had seen the ebbs and flow of our relationship. Why couldn't he? Why couldn't he understand my pain? When we were finally alone, Link didn't bother to hide his frustration. He gave me a long once over and stared at me disapprovingly. There was a silence that overcame us. He seemed more upset with what just happened in front of Elga instead of how much he was hurting me. My feelings didn't seem to matter to him. Link even voiced his displeasure a moment later.

"Why did you have to make a scene Ilia? That was beyond embarrassing! It isn't that big of a deal that I'm here with someone else! I've gone with you to the festival every year for the last five years!"

The tears just wouldn't stop.

"You know this isn't about the festival!" I shook my head for no particular reason. "Goddesses Link, it's like you hate me or something!"

Link ran his hands over his face and took in a deep breath. Obviously, he didn't want to discuss this, but then again, he never wanted to discuss this. That was his usual method of operation. He deflected. He clammed up. He walked away. He never wanted to talk about the past. He never liked talking about the pain I knew he kept bottled up inside. In that moment, the hero just stared at me. But then after a minute, he walked up to me and stood right in front of me. I knew this was misplaced, but he was so beautiful. Perfect in every way, except one way.

"Look," Link lost some of the irritation in his voice, "I'll be back home soon, we'll talk about this then."

My bottom lip began to quiver and I looked away. I knew those words were nothing more than empty promises. We were never going to get to the heart of the matter.

"That's all we ever do Link! We keep putting it off and putting it off and putting it off! When are you going to make a real commitment to me?!"

I was tired of the run around, but Link didn't take too kindly to my tone.

"Do you honestly think I want things to be like the way they are between us? I've been trying to bend over backwards to please you for years now, but nothing ever seems to be good enough for you Ilia!"

I was not going to back down from that statement.

"You will not put this off on me! I've been nothing but loyal to you from the moment you returned home! I stuck by you! That's why we turned out the way we have in the first place! Everything I do and have done has been for you!"

Link was shaking his head while I was talking. He was clearly upset.

"No one told you to Ilia. No one told you to put all your hopes in me. I never gave you any indicators that I felt the same for you as you did for me. You can't think that trying to dictate my life is going to give you what you want. You need to find someone who loves you the way you want them to love you back. As it stands, that man isn't me Ilia. It isn't me."

Those words stung, my goddess they stung. I took a step back and stared at him dumbstruck. I couldn't believe he was saying this to me. After everything we had gone through, after everything we had been to each other... this was it? This was what he thought I deserved? A forceful sob escaped my throat at his heartless words. The flow of tears never stopped. However, soon after I narrowed my eyes at him. My fists balled at my sides.

"How can you say those horrible things to me? You know how much I love you and how crushing this is to me! You know this Link!"

A guilty look then came across his face for a flash of a second.

"Ilia-"

"I can't believe you're doing this right now! What the hell has happened to you? You're like a different person!"

My emotions were completely out of control. How could he think this was fair? How could he think this was right? How could he be so cruel when he knew how much I needed him? I had no one except him and now he was deserting me for some trollop he had an apparent fling for? Didn't he understand how much this was hurting me? Didn't he know what this could potentially do to me? Maybe he didn't know. Maybe he had no idea how I waited for him day and night to return from his recent venture. Maybe he didn't know how much I wanted him with me when I went to visit father at his grave sight every year for the last five years. Maybe he didn't know how I still cried myself to sleep because I thought back to the night he was so badly broken... how I was so badly broken and lost someone important to the both of us. Maybe his heart turned to stone. Maybe it was easy to be callous in the arms of another woman. Maybe he needed to feel hurt the way I was feeling hurt right now. Maybe he needed a more direct conjuring. Something tangible. In that moment I unballed my fist and without a second thought I slapped Link as hard as I could across his face. I wanted it to hurt. I wanted it to sting. I wanted to make him feel what I was feeling right now. The hero never saw the assault coming, and his face remained turned away until the sting subsided. It was all he could do to control his anger. I didn't care. I was glad he was upset. Now he could have a taste of his own bitter medicine.

I stepped back and tried to get my bearings together.

"If that's the way you see things then don't worry! You won't ever have to concern yourself with me again!" I tried to hold back another sob. "Have a happy life you overblown hero!"

I didn't wait for his reaction. Instead, I turned and hurried toward another alley leading to west Castle Town. I couldn't bear to look at him anymore. Link was still standing there, but then he watched me running away from him. He hesitated in following for a moment. However, afterwards he reneged and hurried to pursue me. His pursuit didn't prevent me from slowing my pace.

"Ilia!" he called to me. "Ilia wait! Ilia!"

I didn't stop.

I wasn't going to stop.

If he wanted to talk to me again, he was going to have to chase me. He was going to have to earn it.

~SSS~

Castle Town Square, Zelda

From my vantage point, it certainly didn't look like Link and Ilia's conversation went too well. I was back at the square near the edge of the dance area, when I saw the two of them in what looked like a heated discussion. I couldn't hear what was said, but after witnessing that slap, I knew it wasn't good. I covered my mouth at the sight of the confrontation.

Oh no.

This was turning out to be worse than I imagined. It was absolutely ludicrous. What could Link have said to warrant a reaction like that? I realize I was in no position to judge, but my goddess, was that necessary? Even so, it seemed Ilia accomplished her goal. Even with her physically assaulting him, Link followed after her when she ran away. He probably felt guilty. Afterwards, I lost sight of them.

I sighed and shook my head.

"Great, what now?"

I was at an impasse. Link and I were officially separated. I told him I would be at the clock tower, but I wasn't certain that was the best course of action about now. There was no telling how long he would be chasing after Ilia. My waiting there would make no sense if it wasn't going to be a quick venture. I recalled the hero informing me to look at our agenda if we ever got lost. That was exactly what I intended to do. I stepped to the side, opened my satchel, and pulled out the note Link gave me earlier in the evening. There was some writing on the back that read: If we get separated proceed to the next game location. Wait for me there. The next shard location was the Flight-by-Fowl in south Castle Town. We just came from that way, and it looked like I was going back that way. I put the note away, but then noticed from my peripheral view I was being watched. That little miscreant Beth was glaring at me. Was she still upset about matters that did not concern her? That girl really needed to mind her own business. Even so, I chose to ignore her. I had too many other things to consider than her persistent posturing. However, soon Beth didn't give me a second thought. In that moment, Colin found her in the crowd and approached her. She looked surprised when she saw his serious expression and seemed lost in his words in whatever it was he was telling her. I couldn't help but grin at how wonderful Colin was. He deserved a wonderful girl. I wish I could say the same for the young lady he was trying to court.

I just watched.

I hope Beth learns to appreciate a decent man like Colin. She has so much growing up to do.

I was glad to see that Colin was making good on what we spoke on earlier. I would have to make good on my end too. For now, I needed to head to south Castle Town and see if the shard was still at the Flight-by-Fowl game. Although, the waltz the Goron quintet was playing right now was absolutely beautiful. I paused for a moment and enjoyed the music. The violins and flute were enchanting together. I listened carefully as I recognized the composition being played.

"Is that a variation of the Ballad of the Goddess?"

That question was not supposed to have a reply.

"It is," a male voice said suddenly from behind me, "it's being played in D sharp."

I turned swiftly at the sound of the man's voice. My eyes widened underneath my mask. And, before I could say anything, the gentleman took me in his arms and started dancing with me on the floor. I stared at him stunned, recognizing him immediately. This was not good. I knew if he was here, there had to be a specific reason for it.

"What are you doing here?"

~SSS~

Moments earlier, an unexpected guest

There was something to be said about being studious. A studious person could outwit even the cleverest of men, of queens even. And that was my vocation for the last few months. I spent weeks studying and procuring information that would only be important to the scholastic class. The Twilight Realm was definitely a subject of the scholastic class. But why was a certain Queen of Hyrule suddenly interested in it? That was what peaked my curiosity throughout my investigation. I had my own personal education on the significance of the Twilight Realm. I was aware of its distinction to Hyrule itself, but what was spurring the motivations of a certain queen? Why was she looking for it? How did she learn of there being a second mirror, and why had I not until recently? Perhaps that was the mystery in and of itself.

That was what brought me here tonight. That was what motivated me to wear peasant clothing, listen to peasant music, and enjoy a peasant festival. This wasn't my first time disguising myself as a peasant. I had done so in the past, for much different reasons, but this was definitely the most fun. I did not ride Orthella to Hyrule, I came by horseback. I informed my servant that I would be gone for a few days due to the length of the journey, Fortunado understood and informed my mother and father. The sights were to be expected with so much confetti and alcohol everywhere: laughter, tears, and squabbles. Peasants liked their parties. All I could do was grin and keep my profile as low as possible.

I enjoyed the roasted pheasant and ale that was bountiful at the vendors in the streets. I even met a lady acquaintance as I went about the square. She was beautiful, that I could already tell. She told me her name was Clarice. Her long black hair came down to her waist, and her sparkling green eyes shined seductively at me underneath her mask. However, her real beauty resided in her figure. She had the most curvaceous physique I had ever seen on a peasant girl wearing a simple dress. Once those clothes came off later tonight, she would get a nice dragon ride for being so provocative. Clarice asked me if I had any company. I told her no. She then asked me if she could join me. I told her only until I met up with someone I was looking for. I had finally found that someone. Though, I had been closely following her and her companion for most of the evening. A certain queen was alone now and I wanted to take advantage of that. Clarice and I parted ways in the interim. However, I slipped her a note informing her to meet me by the stables later if she would like to continue our evening together. She aptly agreed. I looked forward to it.

Until then, I watched another beautiful looking peasant girl wearing a black triple tiered skirt and a white bow neck blouse toil through her bag. She had just come back from an alley where she recently went into with her former companion. Where had he gone? Why was she alone now? It didn't matter. I wasn't here for him. I was here for her. The queen. For Zelda. Clever women were accented with a rare sixth sense. The fairer sex liked to call it 'a woman's intuition'. It seemed something of that nature was guiding Zelda now and it made me drawn to her. I was finally done with my voyeurism and decided it was time to get reacquainted. It was time I made my move and pursued her the way I had been my entire life. I wanted to know what made the queen go to such lengths to try and get that shard from me in the the City in the Sky. Zelda was willing to sleep with me to get it, though she already knew I wanted her fervently over the last few years. Why did she desire to go to the Twilight Realm now? What was awaiting her? What did she want? That woman lived and breathed her sixth sense. Even now, she was so focused on her goal, she could only sparsely enjoy the sights and sounds around her. Her mind seemed so regimented when she was not with the farm boy. That was too bad. When she freed herself, she seemed like a great deal of fun. I had witnessed that earlier at the archery tourney.

I smirked as I got closer.

Ready or not Zelda, here I come.

As I made my advancement, I heard her characteristically talking to herself. She was commenting on the music.

"Is that a variation of Ballad of the Goddess?"

A question like that should not be unanswered. I was going to remedy that.

"It is," I whispered in reply behind her. "It's being played in D sharp."

At my verbal intrusion, Zelda whipped herself around and stared at me stunned. I stared right back. I knew what she was going to say. I knew what that look meant. So, before she had a chance to say it, I swooped her in my arms and took her around the square in dance. Zelda was an excellent improviser. She could follow along. Still, that didn't ease her ever roving mind.

"What are you doing here?"

A proper question, one fitting for the occasion. However, that was something that needed to be asked of her as well, but in due time.

"I came here to visit you my beloved. Don't look so surprised to see me."

The game was on.

~SSS~

Zelda

I knew those quick feet anywhere. The gentleman was wearing a Venetian mask like Link, but his platinum blonde hair gave away his identity immediately.

"Elbourne."

The dragon prince just smiled while he twirled me around the cobblestone floor. We went for several more turns before he finally confirmed my suspicion with a nod.

"Hello there beautiful."

I was confused by his presence. I didn't know what to think. What in the world was he doing here? How was he able to identify me so easily? I needed to verbalize that last inquiry first.

"How did you know it was me?"

Again, Elbourne guided us across the floor in his perfect manner of waltzing before answering my question.

"Zelda I've known you since you were twelve. You could never hide from me."

The way he said that made me a little uneasy.

"What are you doing here?"

Elbourne continued with the dance.

"I told you, I came to see you. You told me you missed me, so I decided to pay you a visit. Friends should do that for each other."

I wasn't in the mood for his shenanigans. I wanted a straight answer.

"That's a likely story dragon prince. You're stalling for obvious reasons. Stop with your cajoling. We haven't seen each other in months. You are here for an entirely different purpose. What would make you come to a peasant festival besides deceit?"

Elbourne's smile broadened.

"The music, the merriment. It's the Hyrulean Festival. Aren't residents from Dragon Roost allowed to come and pay their respects for one thousand years of Hyrulean rule?"

I took in a frustrated sigh. He was obviously lying, but that didn't prevent him from making a solid point. There were citizens here from Dragon Roost. I noticed them with their saurian masks and dragon costumes. Elbourne was purposely trying to look more Hylian than Roostian, with his Venetian cover, lose fitting shirt with a wide open neck fixated with strings showing off his muscular chest, cargo pants, and black hunting boots. It was how he was able to blend in so well. Once, years ago when we were fourteen, Elbourne and his family came to visit and we did sneak into the Hyrulean Festival together at the time. I had to admit, I did have a great deal of fun with him. We rode on some of the rides, we ate confection, and Elbourne even won me a doll from a mallet display. I still had it. However, Elbourne blew our cover when he summoned his dracosaurian to pick us up for a dragon ride. My father and his father lectured us for weeks after that incident. Looking back, I saw the danger we posed. In the present, it seemed tonight Elbourne left his beloved Orthella at home to not make the same mistake. However, I knew that in the here and now Elbourne had something up his sleeve. This wasn't about confetti and cookies. He was up to something and he was willing to risk exposing himself to the common folk in order to find out what that was. I knew how he felt about peasants, so he clearly had ulterior motives.

"Considering what we spoke on the last time we were together, I highly doubt that. It's too bad I already know you to be a scoundrel Elbourne, otherwise what you said might have had some merit."

Elbourne chuckled at my words.

"Ah Zelda, Zelda, Zelda, you have to learn to be more trusting."

I was growing tired of this runaround.

"And you need to be less incorrigible. It's been years since you came to the festival."

Elbourne gave me a knowing stare.

"I know darling, that's why I came. If you want, we can leave this place and go back to your chambers. I have a very big present for you for being such a naughty girl."

I rolled my eyes and groaned at his proposition. I wasn't going to play his game.

"Don't flatter yourself. You aren't in a whore house where that line could work. You are speaking to a queen. You've been ignoring me consistently for weeks, even before the rendezvous at the City in the Sky. You think I'm going to just invite you back to my bed when you've ignored me like a senseless woman? I think not. I got your message loud and clear that you no longer wanted to be bothered with me. You prefer the company of a woman who will put out for you at the end of the night as opposed to the one who used to be your best friend."

The dragon prince stared at me with a hint of surprise.

"Do I detect a little jealousy?"

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"And just who should I be jealous of? A brothel girl? You know by you ignoring me, the loss is yours."

Elbourne's expression waned for a moment. Some of the cavalier charm left.

"I suppose it is. You know I've been wanting to fuck you for years. It's rather convenient for you to mention that now."

His vulgarity was nothing new to me.

"And yet nothing has come of such a desire," I taunted. "You say all these things and your actions are deplorable. Why do you insist on hurting yourself this way? It is an empty life."

His breathing increased a little. This was not the way he was expecting this conversation to go.

"You know why I do what I do. It's because the only woman worthy of me keeps rejecting me."

I shook my head and was about to release myself from him, but his hold suddenly tightened around me.

"Elbourne-"

"Don't," he warned, "don't try and tell me that I don't love you Zelda. I have never loved a woman the way I love you, and you insist on thinking I'm lying. Well I'm not. You have no rights to my words. My words belong to me alone. You, unfortunately, have my heart. You've had it since I first saw you. I have never, and probably will never love another woman like I love you. My world begins and ends with you, but you just don't see that. I love deeply and I only love once. Unfortunately, the woman I'm enamored with is you."

I stared at him stunned, a little shaken by his confession. I didn't know what to say. I avoided his gaze in that moment.

"You-you keep on insisting on telling yourself that lie Elbourne," I rebutted unconvincingly.

He disagreed with me.

"You know it isn't a lie. Shall I recount history for you?"

I was not going to delve into that rabbit hole. Elbourne had more merit in his words than I was willing to admit, and I knew that. I even afforded him that convenience when I came to his defense from Link. I knew he was in love with me.

"That won't be necessary. What is necessary is you telling me what your true intentions are here tonight."

The dragon prince narrowed his eyes slightly.

"It amazes me how you change the subject when the conversation no longer suits your whims. However, if you really must know, I did a little digging about your mirror my love."

When I heard that, I involuntarily stiffened. Not the most subtle reaction to give, but I couldn't control it and Elbourne knew that. He gauged me instantly.

"Well, well, well it looks like I touched a nerve," he whispered.

My breathing quickened. I attempted to deflect anyway.

"What-what are you talking about? You're being fantastic."

He smirked at my facial expression.

"Am I? I was wondering why you would be so willing to seduce me over a cracked piece of glass, and alas… now I know why. It seems the little Queen of Hyrule is trying to get to the Twilight Realm."

I knew I shouldn't have, but I looked away. I was starting to feel a sense of panic with him knowing exactly what I was after. It was then we stopped dancing. Unfortunately, the dragon prince and I were the only ones not waltzing, and we were garnering some attention because of it. Beth's ever nosy eyes were bartered in our direction now, even with Colin speaking to her. Elbourne and I were still too far for either of them to hear our conversation, but our stopping in the middle of the square was not the best of ideas, at least to me. I could not account for what Elbourne thought. He may have wanted to create a scene.

I was trying to think quickly for a rebuttal, but could deduce none.

"Elbourne-"

However, he then surprisingly took hold of me by the shoulders and held me tight all of a sudden.

"Now," his voice sounded completely different, "what I want to know is why are you trying to get back there?"

I looked at him shocked. It wasn't his words so much as it was his behavior that stunned me.

"Why does it matter to you? It's my own private concern."

His piercing hazel gaze looked more haunting in the moonlight and his grip tightened.

"Everything you do matters to me Zelda," he whispered in a very menacing way, and I couldn't lie, he was scaring me. "There's nothing you could ever do that I would not know. There's nowhere you could ever hide that I would not find you. You know deep down you belong to me, just as I belong to you. We are destined for each other. So for you to stoop so low in your natural morals to offer yourself to me regarding a mirror when you haven't done so in years, suggests you want something very very badly from the Twili people. More than a private meeting the way you're letting on."

Other people were now taking note of our terse expressions as we spoke. I didn't want this to turn into another incident like the one at the Aristocrat's Ball several years back. The memory of that event was still fresh in my head. I didn't want that to happen here. I didn't want Elbourne turning into a loose cannon and voicing off secrets. Elbourne had no qualms about embarrassing others to make a point.

I kept my voice down so the people around us wouldn't hear.

"You're being ridiculous. Your conjecture is conspiratorial."

Elbourne narrowed his eyes.

"Is it? Then why are you here with, of all people, farm boy? I thought he broke your heart once. I thought he hated you. What's really going on that made you crawl back to that bastard? Why are you so obsessed with finding that shard if what I'm saying has no merit?" He then leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "Why do you think I told the committee to rotate the mirror between the attractions?"

My breathing quickened again and I looked at him shocked.

"It was you?"

Elbourne smirked, pleased with my reaction.

"I saw you and your little bootleg hero going from attraction to attraction to win it. I've been very amused by your efforts."

I was so upset now.

"You slimy bastard! I ought to-"

"Ah, ah, ah," he then took hold of me once more and resumed our dance, "none of that," he said, then added furtively, "what did the hero tell you?" he asked rhetorically, pretending not to know for a moment. "Ah that's right: you look too perfect not to own it. So, keep that mouth of yours pretty, otherwise I might have to shove something quite big inside of it to clean it out."

My bottom lip started quivering.

"You're disgusting! How can you call yourself a decent gentleman when you've been following me all night?"

He didn't flinch.

"Why does it matter? Are you afraid I might break up your little romantic evening with Linux?" His eyes gave me a quick once over just then. "Are you going to let him pluck your flower tonight? Is that why you're so incensed at my knowing?"

He knew he would never get an answer to that question.

"What are you planning?"

Elbourne's smirk widened.

"I should be asking you that question. Why are you on your way back to the Twilight Realm? What's waiting for you there?"

My throat tightened. I never did answer his questions. Elbourne just licked his lips and seemed satisfied with the outcome of our conversation.

"You know," he lowered his voice, "you look very sexy in peasant clothes. Do you still have that other outfit when you saw me last?"

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You never answered my question," I ignored his comments. "What are you planning?"

He shrugged.

"And you never answered mine, what's your point? But I suppose I couldn't expect to get the same kind of honesty out of you as Linux would... my hair isn't dark enough, is it?"

I wasn't going to be baited into another argument with the dragon prince. Not tonight. Not when the stakes were so high.

"No, it isn't."

Elbourne stopped us from dancing yet again, and unfortunately we were now only several yards away from Beth and Colin's location. However, they still were unable to hear us over the music. The dragon prince seemed too preoccupied with his own thoughts to care where we were standing. In that brief rare moment, he appeared serious.

"I know you won't believe this, but you're the only woman I want to be my queen Zelda. No one else is worthy of being the queen of dragons but you."

I rolled my eyes at his confession and attempted to release myself from his hold. He was right. I didn't believe him.

"That will all change once you head back to your favorite whore house, won't it?" I said rather cruelly. "You're a fool if you think your recent behavior absolves you-"

His eyes widened just then.

"What the hell do you know about my recent behavior?! Huh? What the hell do you know about it? I wouldn't even look at another woman if you beckoned me to be your lover! Do you know how many dreams I've had about you Zelda? Do you know how much you haunt my thoughts? Every time I tell you this you attempt to thwart me! Well, you're not doing it tonight. You're going to hear this and you're going to deal with it! I've been in love with you since we were twelve years old. Twelve!"

I swallowed hard.

"Elbourne-"

"That's not changing. That's never going to change Zelda. Ever."

I didn't know what to say. Elbourne took my silence with indifference.

"You know you rightfully belong to me. Even scoundrels like me have a soft spot."

I shook my head, but before I could reply, he pulled me to him and kissed me hard on the lips. It wasn't for pleasure. It was to make a statement because it hurt. When he pulled away I stared into his eyes stunned. How could he be so reckless? My eyes then shifted to his mouth when I saw they were stained red suddenly. I reached up and touched the corner of my lips. They were bleeding. I quickly wiped the blood away.

"You bastard!" I whispered. "How could you do such a thing?"

Elbourne licked my blood off his lips and let it linger on his tongue.

"It was easy. You gave me no other option."

He then swallowed and I took a step back from him, finding the implications of his words disturbing.

"What... what has gotten into you?"

Elbourne stared at me for a long instant like he wanted to tell me. Something in his gaze alerted me he had a mystery to divulge. A secret. However, seeing where we were with all the eyes watching, he reneged. Instead, he found it the perfect time to depart.

"Ask me that again sometime," he half-joked, "the answer might surprise you. Until then, I bid you a good rest of the evening my lady. I hope you win your prize."

The dragon prince stared at me for a few seconds longer, before bowing, and turning to leave the main square. He didn't allow me to stop him, though I was tempted to. What did Elbourne really know? What was he really trying to tell me just then? I would have to wait for a more opportune time. Even so, out of the corner of my eye, I could see that Colin and Beth watched the whole ordeal. Beth looked like she was seething. My focus was still on the conversation I just had, not the nonsensical pinning of a petulant young woman. However, that pinning was making her way towards me. Unfortunately, Beth stormed up to me after Elbourne walked away. I really wish she understood where her boundaries were.

She wasted no time telling me how she felt.

"What the hell was that all about?"

I didn't bother to answer her, and my silence made her more enraged.

"You are such a slut! I guess Link wasn't enough for you, was he?"

I suppose this was progress. I've graduated from a 'bitch' to a slut. Unfortunately, Beth's loud voice captured the attention of dozens of people in the surrounding audience. Some of the couples in the square stopped dancing to see what the commotion was. This was turning out to be a bigger ordeal than it needed to be.

"What's going on over there?" a young woman asked her young suitor.

The young man shook his head.

"I have no idea," he looked between Beth and I, "let's hope it's no unnecessary ruckus."

I heard the murmuring and couldn't have agreed more. I knew not to instigate the situation because like the suitor, I wanted no ruckus. I stared at Beth, wanting to diffuse this matter quickly.

"Why don't you calm down? You don't understand everything that's going on."

Colin immediately came up beside Beth and tried to take hold of her.

"Will you stop?" he demanded of the wayward youth. "You're making a scene! I already told you! That man kissed her! It was not the other way around!"

Beth snatched her hand from Colin's grip, determined to have her words with me.

"No Colin! This-this man leech needs to be taught a lesson!"

I raised a brow at her threat.

"Oh really? By who? By you little girl?"

I knew those words would get under her skin. Beth was predictable. A woman at the cusp of her twentieth birthday would not like to be referred to as a child, but she was certainly acting like one.

Beth became incensed at my words.

"Why you-!" she didn't finish and reached forward to try and slap me.

I ducked and sidestepped out of the way. She nearly fell forward from her momentum, but Colin was quick to catch her. Beth was looking at me brimming with anger. What did she expect me to do? Stand there and let her hit me? I fixed my skirt and made sure my mask was still in place.

"Make sure you know how to stand on your own two feet when you come up to a woman honey. You'll do well to remember that after you grow up a little and pass puberty."

Beth's eyes widened at my words embarrassed, but a few in the audience chuckled at what I had to say. It served her right for acting like an idiot.

"Well said," the young woman dancing with her suitor agreed. "Serves that little wench right for trying to cause a scene."

I was glad I wasn't the only person put off by Beth's ridiculous behavior. I understood she wanted to be a true friend, but grandstanding to prove a point was ridiculous. Nevertheless, I no longer could afford to waste time on these distractions. I had to reconnect with Link. I then turned and headed for the rendezvous point in south Castle Town. At this rate, the mirror would be won by someone else, and Link and I would have another host of problems on our hands. I started making my way through the crowd. The full brunt of Hyrule seemed to be here now. There was very little space to stand or squabble in the square. Many of the citizens found themselves traveling to the overflow areas in the east and west exits of the northern area. The fields had way more space and the fireworks could still be seen by the clock tower. The dispersal helped with crowd control. I continued heading south as the crowds lessened, but then paused when I saw a shadow jump overhead. It was swift. If I wasn't paying attention I could have missed it. I looked up to the rooftops to catch the shadow again, but this time I actually saw the culprit: a bandaged face man, wearing a skin tight dark blue ninja suit with an emblematic eye on the breastplate. Suddenly, a chill ran down my back and my heart began to race.

"Shiek," I whispered.

The ninja looked determined and for a brief moment he caught sight of me and locked eyes with me. How did he know it was me? I had no sure identifier as to who I was. This was unsettling. Maybe he followed Link and me like Elbourne had been. I did a quick scan of the crowd, hoping to find the hero, but he was nowhere to be seen. I was on my own in this instance. Shiek looked to be heading over east Castle Town. I couldn't lose sight of him. I forgot about the rendezvous for now and started formulating a plan. I wasn't sure how I could apprehend him if I caught up to him. For now, I would have to tail him. I doubled my step, looking above instead of in front of me when the ninja took flight once more. My lack of vision soon would back fire. A moment later, I ran right into a young woman and her beau. I tumbled and fell forward.

"AHHH!" we screamed in unison.

I tried to maintain balance, but momentum was against me. We landed hard on the ground, with the large framed man with her breaking our fall. I felt terrible about the collision and quickly got up to help the couple. My face was unmasked for a moment and I went to dust off her dress.

"I'm dreadfully sorry," I said sincerely. "Are you alright?"

The offended maiden was not so forgiving.

"What in Hylia's name is wrong with you? Why didn't you watch where you were going? You nearly-" However, the woman suddenly cut herself off when she got a good look at my face. "Your majesty!" she whispered shocked.

My eyes then darted to her masked ones, and immediately I went to cover my face again. Quickly realizing my cover could be blown, I went to silence the young woman. It was only then I saw that she was someone I knew. The young woman was Lydia.

"Lyddie!"

Lydia was with her fiancé Ivan, a tall friendly looking brunette with a broad chest and good disposition. He looked over at me confused by Lydia's utterance.

"'Your majesty?'" he repeated perplexed.

I shook my head.

"She is mistaken," I fibbed. "I get mistaken for her all the time."

Lydia gave me a wayward look and I had to basically will her to follow my lead with my gaze.

"I'm... I'm sorry," she improvised. "She is right," she told Ivan, then she looked back at me, "forgive me, but it was Miss Elga correct?"

I nodded.

"That is correct and I apologize for running into the both of you."

Ivan wasn't so quick to let me off the hook.

"Why were you running? It's dangerous to do so with the crowds."

I nodded.

"I wasn't thinking. I was trying not to lose sight of someone."

Ivan grunted at my reply while Lydia looked more intrigued.

"Who were you looking for? Maybe we saw them."

I was certain that wasn't the case.

"I doubt that, but thank you for your concern. Now, I really must go."

Lydia was starting to look more concerned.

"Are you sure you don't want us to assist you in your search? It wouldn't be an inconvenience."

Ivan didn't share Lydia's enthusiasm.

"As much as I appreciate assisting young ladies in need of help, I have to disagree with my fiance. We have very little time to spend together as it is. I have been looking forward to this festival for months. The last thing I want to do is spend it searching for someone else's party. There are guards working in the lost and found for that."

Lydia looked at her beau stunned, but I understood where he was coming from. Lydia stated to me constantly over the years that Ivan was always out on duty. They hardly had time to be together. Now that he was in her presence, she shouldn't have been so quick to relinquish her time with him. I for one appreciated Ivan's honesty. Besides, it made it an easy segue for me. I did not want to involve unnecessary persons in my pursuit of Shiek.

"You are quite right sir," I said to Ivan. "You two please enjoy yourselves, and I apologize again."

With that, I was about to take my leave when Lydia wasn't so quick to let me go, even with her fiance's objection.

"Miss Elga... please don't take what Ivan said the wrong way. Please know that if you need help we-"

"Enjoy your evening tonight. Don't worry about me." I turned my attention to Ivan and grinned. "Get her an ale," I half-joked, "she definitely needs it."

Ivan shook his head at his fiance.

"I think I might get her two."

His reply made me giggle, but I knew I couldn't dawdle any longer. Shiek was widening his distance. I no longer saw him on the rooftop I was scanning. I looked around and felt a small twinge of panic.

Great, now where did he go?

"You two have a wonderful time tonight." I hurried back into south Castle Town.

Lydia was still looking after me worried.

"She looks frightened," she told Ivan. "We should have helped her."

Ivan still didn't understand her concern.

"Let her be. It's not your business."

In this instance, I was in agreement with her beau. There was nothing Lydia could do to help me. Shiek was a different kind of problem. He would use her as a hostage if he had to. My distance widened from them and I kept my eyes to the roofs where I saw the ninja jumping over wide gaps like it was nothing. He had to be on his way to the Flight-by-Fowl game. I doubled my pace and made it to the alley where the game resided in record time. I slowly peeked around the corner to see the line for the Flight-by-Fowl was as long as ever. I glanced up to see if Shiek had touched landing, but I saw no sign of the ninja. I waited, but saw that he still had not made his appearance. My foreboding started to grow when Shiek didn't show up at all. I stared up at the roofs, knowing this was where his direction allotted, but saw he was nowhere to be found. I groaned slightly in frustration. Where had he gone? Did he double back and head for the clock tower instead? Did he take note of me following him? Did he teleport? I was at a loss.

I tried not to get visibly frustrated, but that was proving difficult. Where the hell was he? Shiek being in Castle Town amplified this situation to a whole different level of dangerous. I got my bearings and was about to retrace my footsteps, when unexpectedly, I caught sight of Link and Ilia. I was slightly taken aback and froze. They were talking privately in a corner away from everyone. Ilia was tugging gently on the front of Link's shirt, wiping tears from her cheeks, while he was holding her close. One of his strong arms was around her waist, while the other was keeping her chin up so he could stare into her eyes. I couldn't lie, they looked like two lovers engaged in some serious talk.

I hurried to hide and went to the adjacent alley. My heart pounded as I glanced around the corner once more. My eyes weren't deceiving me. That was Link with Ilia. I shouldn't have felt uneasy, but admittedly I did. Why in Hylia's name were they standing so close? What were they talking about? Why did Ilia have to make tonight about herself? Didn't Link realize we had much larger problems to tackle? Wasn't the hero on the look out for Sheik like I was? This whole situation was maddening. Even so, I didn't want to be spotted and have him thinking I was following him. I then looked around to see where I was. I stared up at a marquee that read: Telma's Bar. Telma. That was the woman Link mentioned when we were in Kakariko Village sometime back. She was someone he trusted. Perhaps this was a good time to regroup and rethink my strategy.

I fixed my mask to make sure it was in place before I went inside. When I opened the door to the bar, it was completely abuzz with people. I looked around surprised at how many citizens were drinking and getting drunk. To be honest, it was disgraceful. There should have been more self-control exhibited here than there was. Telma's Bar was a small, but bustling business in south Castle Town. Right now, it had more customers than all of the other businesses combined in the area. The festivities made sure of that. However, I also deduced a bigger reason was because of the owner, Telma. When I caught sight of her, I saw why. Telma was a buxom, half Gerudo, half Hylian, sexy redhead, with a countenance as prominent as the beauty mark on her gorgeous face. She was tall, with her red hair braided back in several rows. She commanded her bar with all the grace of a savvy business woman. Currently, Telma was tending to two customers. She was telling jokes while she made buttery chu chu shots. I went and sat down on a stool at the bar when an inebriated patron got up and left. I waited for her to come my way. Telma came over a few moments later and placed her magnetic attention on me.

She raised a brow and smirked.

"What'll you have honey?" she asked me in her deep rich voice.

I hadn't thought of that. I wasn't much of a drinker.

"I'm not sure. What do you recommend?"

The pretty lady shrugged.

"Depends on what you're here for."

She was good, then I looked across the bar and saw a man downing a blue concoction of sorts. It looked pretty good.

"I'll have what he's having," I said with a nod to the man I spied on.

Telma turned to see who caught my eye.

"You want a double blue chu jelly whiskey sour?" she turned back to look at me. "That's some pretty potent stuff for a little lady like you."

I raised a covered brow.

A what?

I didn't understand a word she said.

"Uh... well it's necessary. It's something that might help me think."

Telma looked at me surprised and her grin broadened.

"That's not the kind of drink that makes you think honey. Are you sure that's up your alley?"

I looked at her surprised. This was harder than I thought.

"I think it would be. It seems precocious enough."

Telma raised an eyebrow.

"Precocious huh? Not quite the word I would use, but you might want to consider something else. You may get whisked off in the arms of a crazy drunk."

Now I had my doubts. The drink couldn't have been that strong. I realized then I needed to sweeten the proverbial pot. So, I opened my bag and pulled from it a silver rupee worth two hundred rupees. I placed it on the counter and pushed it towards her.

"I'll take my chances. If you can make it for him, you can make it for me."

Telma looked down at the currency, then to me. She grinned slyly. No further questions were asked.

"One double blue chu jelly whiskey sour coming up."

Somehow I think I may have gotten hustled. In any such case, it didn't matter now. As Telma made the drink, I attempted to engage in some small talk.

"How has the night gone for you thus far?"

Telma's ears perked and she looked my way.

"It's gone pretty good. A few unsavory folks here and there, but nothing I can't handle."

I smirked.

"I'm certain. This place is pretty rambunctious."

Telma chuckled, then raised a brow.

"Rambunctious? Something tells me you're not from around here."

I guess I made that obvious.

"I'm... I'm from Dragon Roost," I fibbed. "It's a very different climate."

Telma stared at me for a moment.

"I'll say. The bars in Dragon Roost are much wilder than this one."

She caught me off guard with that.

"Oh..." I trailed, "I suppose that's true."

So much for my reconnaissance. Telma just grinned.

"Here you go honey," she said once my drink was made. "A double blue chu jelly whiskey sour."

She slid it to me and I caught it.

"Thank you."

Telma then offered me some unsolicited advice.

"Woman to woman, be careful tonight, there are a lot of crazies entering Hyrule. Even those dressed like ninjas looking for shards."

My ears perked immediately when I heard that.

"I beg your pardon?"

Telma then came in closer and leaned on the counter. She gave me a quick once over.

"Master Link told me everything weeks ago," she whispered suddenly. "He told me who he was protecting and if you should come into my bar for me to look out for you. I recognized you immediately from the clothes he said you would be wearing tonight. Also, you don't really fit into this scene."

I stared at her astonished.

"You know who I really am?"

She nodded.

"You're the queen, and I saw that ninja come through here earlier in the night. That was about an hour ago. He hasn't been back since."

My heart pounded a bit.

"You know about the mirror?"

She shrugged.

"I know that it's an ancient piece of glass, but that's it. Working with Link in the past has always taught me to expect the unexpected."

I stared at her amazed. I didn't know what to think. Link's friends were some extraordinary people.

"I agree," I let my guard down a little. "I was trailing him because he was roof hopping, but now I've lost sight of him."

Telma looked serious for a brief moment.

"I'll keep my eyes open then. If he comes back this way, I'll send word to you."

However, I shook my head.

"I don't want to alert anymore people than the ones who already know. You attempting to tell me might send too many red flags."

Telma was hesitant at first, but then she soon agreed.

"Fair enough," she then looked beyond me. "Speaking of red flags, where is Link? Why are you alone?"

A fitting set of questions.

"He's... he's dealing with another problem," I disclosed. "Hopefully he'll be through with it soon."

My answer wasn't too reassuring.

"You shouldn't be roaming aimlessly. Tonight is not a safe night to be gallivanting around Castle Town."

That was clear to see.

"I'll be careful."

Telma placed a hand on her hip.

"Be sure to do that. I got to go. Call me if you need me."

I nodded.

"I will."

With that, Telma went back to the other side of the bar to tend to two new patrons. I had no idea how she did it. She had to be everywhere at once and still knew who everyone was. I now understood why Link had her on his team. She was sensational. I then picked up my drink and raised it slightly to the bartender.

To you Miss Telma. I took a sip.

However, I was then brought back to reality when I realized how strong the beverage I was drinking actually was. I stared at the blue elixir shocked.

"What in the world is in this?"

Not expecting an answer to that, a couple of inebriated men were watching me a few seats away at the bar. They both looked dazed.

"That, my dear madam, has the best damn whiskey in Hyrule," one of them said with a burp.

I looked over at him surprised by the reply and said nothing.

"That drink is meant to be downed baby!" the other said with a bit of vigor. "You don't sip that shit! You down that shit!"

I stared at them surprised. Interesting use of words.

"Oh," I said, then, taking their advice, drank the drink quickly.

My small accomplishment garnered applause from them. It was a sad kind of victory really. I certainly hoped they got home alright. Even so, I caught sight of another man watching me intently from my periphery too. I groaned when the drunken fool wouldn't look elsewhere. I finally turned his way.

"Yes?"

The man could barely keep his masked eyes open.

"Whoa, whoa eazzzy lil lady," he said to me with massive slurred speech, "tat's not vaaater."

I just shook my head.

"Mind your own business," I thought that was going to be the end of it, but did a double take when I realized I recognized the man, "my word... Shad?"

The drunk scholar's eyes were glazed.

"In de fesshh," he said to me and burped, "and yuuu arrre?"

At that, I immediately got up front my bar stool and went over to help him. He looked like he was ready to fall over.

"Oh dear goddesses," I helped my steward, "what in the world happened to you?"

~SSS~

Shad

It was easy for a stunningly gorgeous woman to over look a man like me because I was told I had the face of a friend. Even my late father said so when I was a child. It wasn't that I wasn't handsome. It wasn't that I didn't have the prestige of the nobility from my bloodline. It wasn't even that I didn't have young maidens interested in me to court them. It was that I wanted to garner the attention of a certain queen. I had been her loyal steward these past five years and it was needless to say that I was completely in love with her. However, that was no shock. Zelda could make any man fall in love with her. She was that special. I wasn't ignorant to her feelings for Link. I knew about them even before I had feelings for her myself. There was no denying her attraction to the hero, but when her heart had been broken, I so desperately wanted to be the man to pick it up and mend it again. She was so duplicitous, but so gentle and kind as well. She was so powerful, but so shy and vulnerable with the hero. I knew she truly loved him. I just wish she would allow someone else have a try. I wanted that someone to be me.

I didn't realize how difficult it was running a kingdom until Zelda garnered me with that charge. Zelda came one morning months ago saying she had to go on some quest. I still thought it was nonsense, but I would never divulge that to her. However, she neglected to tell me early on that she was going to make contact with the hero. Had I known that, I would have vehemently discouraged her. I remember the aftermath between those two. Everyone did. Needless to say, I wasn't happy in hearing the news when she finally did tell me, even though Link was a friend. To be honest, I had no real right to be jealous of him other than his relationship with Zelda. I aided the hero on his quest once long ago. Link had me work with him again at the castle in the following year. And, he used me in a great capacity to further her majesties interests. In short, Link was a good man. I just wish he had the good sense to see what he had in front of him. Everyone knew Zelda was in love with him. Everyone.

Earlier today, I left the confines of the castle and made my way to south Castle Town Square where I joined my good friend Telma for a drink. It had been years since we just sat and chatted. As the drinks kept coming, I lost track of time. It was one beverage blurring into another. Telma asked me several times if everything was alright, to which I replied, "The Hyrulean Festival is a success, everything is fine!" I knew she was concerned by the look on her four faces. However, she didn't need to worry. I knew how to hold alcohol. That was why when I saw the pretty brunette at the end of the counter, I was surprised that she downed that rather strong drink like it was nothing. She had to know that it was going to catch up to her sooner rather than later, especially considering her slim physique. I didn't know what women tried to prove in thinking they had to out drink men. It was silly really. Gender dynamics needed to be improved upon in Hyrule. I also thought the woman was sillier still when she rejected my advice. However, admittedly I did find it strange that she was now next to me and placing my arm around her shoulders. I could tell she was quite beautiful, even with her mask on. Maybe tonight wouldn't be such a loss after all. Maybe my luck was about to change.

~SSS~

Zelda

This was embarrassing.

"I think you need some help good sir."

My chief of council was grossly intoxicated and seemed to have no qualms about it. Telma looked over at me from behind the bar and shook her head.

"I tried to get him out of here three hours ago. He kept insisting he was alright."

Shad looked liked he was going to collapse, but managed to keep himself on his feet when I stood him up. I wasn't surprised that he didn't leave. He could be so stubborn when he wanted to be.

"It's fine," I reassured, not so certain I believed that. "I'll make sure he gets home safe."

Telma shook her head.

"I told him he was going too far. He'll be hung over for days with the amount he drunk."

I put Shad's arm around my shoulders and started guiding him towards the exit.

"That's unfortunate. Thank you for all you have done Miss Telma."

She thought nothing of it.

"Make sure you look out for yourself as well ma'am, especially regarding you know who."

Her point was taken. This night was far from over.

"I will," I promised.

With the scholar now in tow, Shad and I stumbled through the crowded bar until we finally made our exit. Once we were outside, I sat him down on a crate in the alley. All the patrons passing by either snickered or looked on in shame at the drunken, open mouthed scholar. When we were alone, I temporarily lifted my mask and started patting Shad's face to arouse him.

"Wake up. Come on Shad, come to your senses."

Shad's eyes fluttered a little. He blinked several times and tried to focus. When he saw my unmasked face, his eyes widened. It was almost like a sobriety potion.

"Your majesty!" he whispered surprised.

I sighed, shook my head, but finally grinned at him.

"Yes my dear Shad, it's me. What in the world are you doing getting drunk? You're supposed to be ruling the country in my absence."

Shad gave me a sloppy smile.

"Sooo arrrre yoooou," he pointed out, "but loooooook whaat yuuuu diiiid."

I raised my eyebrows at his slurry conjecture. As inebriated as he was, he did have a point. I was off gallivanting in the world, while leaving him with this huge responsibility. However, that wasn't the issue. The issue was his lack of self-control.

"I suppose you're right, but that doesn't shirk you from your responsibilities. I left Hyrule in your care for the time being. You promised to help me in this."

It was as if he hadn't heard a word I said, because he didn't reply to any of it. Instead, Shad stared into my eyes and surprisingly reached up and caressed my cheek.

"You know I'm in wuv wiff you riiiight?" he confessed.

My expression didn't change by his confession, but it was surprisingly more due to the circumstances. I tried not to giggle at his drunkenness.

"Shad-"

He silenced me by putting his finger to my lips.

"I know I'm no Rink," he interrupted with slurred enunciates, "but I woooould wuuuv you wiiiike you've never been wuuuved."

I just nodded, having to tell myself that I still greatly respected this man. He was beyond inebriated.

"That's very kind Shad, but I-"

Surprisingly he interrupted me this time with his lips. My eyes widened as he kissed me and I quickly pulled away. I stared at Shad shocked. He stared back unapologetic.

"I've been wanting to do that for the last five years," he said to me in all seriousness and perfect speech.

My throat tightened.

"I see," I did not know what else to say.

Afterwards, Shad effectively passed out and started snoring. I looked at him incredulously and ran a hand over my unmasked face.

This man, I stood up afterward and putting my hands on my hips.

I sighed, deciding to alert a guard and have Shad escorted back to the castle. I flagged a soldier flirting with a drunken lady and explained to him who Shad was. He immediately recognized the scholar and went to get help. After twenty minutes, the scholar was taken safely away into the care of the soldiers. I was glad he was going to be alright. Shad would need a few sobriety unguents for the hangover he was going to have in the coming days. I did not envy him. Even so, in a flash of the moment, a shadow zoomed by overhead. I noticed the occurrence an looked up. It took me only a moment to realize who it was rather. Sheik was back on the move. And when I looked down the alley, I soon saw why. The mirror shard was being loaded back onto a wagon and taken to the clock tower. No one had won it at the Flight-by-Fowl game. This certainly complicated things. The ninja was moving quickly. I couldn't lose him this time. There was no telling what he was going to do to apprehend the shard. I scrambled around the corner and hurried back towards north Castle Town. As I scuttled by, Link and Ilia were still talking. However, when Link saw me out of the corner of his eye, he turned slightly and gave me his attention. He saw I was in pursuit.

"Elga," he called to me, "what's going on?"

I didn't bother to stop.

"A bandaged fellow is on the move!" I hoped he'd get the gist. "I can't lose him!"

That was all the hero needed to hear. Link's eyes widened and almost immediately he left Ilia's side. He ran after me. Ilia looked after the hero shocked.

"Link!" she called to him. "Wait! Where are you going?"

He didn't bother with the senseless questions.

"I'll be back!" he called to her instead.

After seeing Link and I running, we did garner the attention of the guards patrolling the alleyways. One of them even stepped in front of me.

"What you doing?" he demanded. "You aren't supposed to be running in the streets!"

I kept my eyes to the rooftops.

"I can't explain now, but there is someone who might try to harm the citizens here."

The guard looked at me stunned.

"What?"

I didn't have time to dawdle so I sidestepped him and continued on.

"Hey!" he called after me. "Come back here!"

This was fast becoming a bad situation, but I didn't stop. As I ran by, dozens of people suddenly became interested in what was going on. Link was hot on my heels and the crowds watched after him too. Soon, they followed us, and now there was a crowd of people heading towards the square. This was not what I had in mind.

"What's going on?" someone asked.

"I have no idea," someone else replied.

"Is it the fireworks show?" someone else asked. "Is this the preshow to the fireworks show?"

"I'm not sure," a young lady replied, "but we're about to find out."

This was definitely no show. Link, running close behind me, soon past me. He was fast, incredibly fast. And the guard first alerted was now getting some of his men together to stop us. When we made it back to the square, Sheik jumped down from one of the buildings and headed for the clock tower. I paused for a moment when I realized now what was going on. Everything was happening so fast I wasn't aware of the time. It was already near midnight.

The countdown's going to start soon! Sheik must've been following the shard from the Flight-by-Fowl attraction in anticipation of intercepting it at the clock tower using the fireworks display!

Link sprinted up to Sheik and tackled him down before he reached the tower. The guards were now on full alert along with everyone else in the square. Both men crashed into the base of the edifice where all the goods stacked the ground. The mirror was behind the tower out of everyone's view. The audience in the surrounding area looked on stunned.

"Is that Link?" an older woman asked removing her mask for a moment to get a better look.

Her husband next to her was peering pretty extensively as well.

"I do believe that is the hero!"

The soldiers then made there way to the perimeter, and the square became abuzz with talk. The night was becoming more unpredictable by the minute. The initial soldier who stopped me approached me, while his men created a zone of demarcation.

"What is going on?" he demanded of me. "Who's the man with the bandages and the strange looking eye?"

I couldn't give too much information.

"I don't know," I fibbed. "I just saw him and saw that he was running across the roofs."

The soldier then got in front of me.

"Is that Master Link?"

I nodded.

"It is."

He groaned.

"And you thought to run after this ninja? This is no place for you. You need to stand back."

He couldn't have been more wrong, but I understood his reasoning. I said nothing and followed his order.

A spectator in the crowd then asked what no doubt many were wondering.

"Why are they fighting?"

This was not going to bode well if it didn't end quick. Sheik, not caring about the people watching, immediately jumped up and initiated his ninjutsu ninpo akido stance, a bare handed stance with a focus on grabbing and grappling. Link got up soon after and initiated his own battle stance. This was not good. This was not good at all.

"Great Hylia!" a woman cried out, clutching her suitor when she realized what was happening. "They are fighting!"

The man calmed his fiance.

"It's going to be alright, maybe it isn't what it seems!"

I wish that were the case, but unfortunately it wasn't. The guards were keeping everyone back while Link handled Shiek. However, there were only ten minutes before the fireworks were supposed to go off. The hero didn't wait to engage the ninja. Link ran up and attacked him with an elbow to his face. The ninja didn't receive the complete impact of the hit because he ducked. However, he did get clipped on his chin before he maneuvered. The ninja didn't fully recover when he went to attack Link. Unfortunately, it didn't matter because it didn't effect Sheik's strength. He grabbed Link by the arm and threw him across his back. A few in the audience gasped, but Link recovered by doing a mid-aerial flip and landing on his feet. It was a rough landing, but it was a landing. The hero unconventionally garnered applause for that, but that didn't prevent him from keeping his focus. The ninja was already back in his battle stance.

"I want that shard," Sheik did not bother to be discreet.

Link was breathing hard for a second.

"Not a chance in hell."

This was getting more and more dangerous. If the citizens weren't careful, Sheik would start using some of them as leverage, especially if he started teleporting. I stayed my ground near the soldier, but I knew I needed to help Link in some way. Unfortunately, a moment later Ilia made her way through the crowd and came up next to me. When she saw Link fighting, she covered her mouth in disbelief. She was so impulsive, she tried pushing past the guard to intervene.

"What are you doing?" the soldier demanded. "Stay back!"

"What's happening to Link?"

I had to stop her. Was she mad? She would only get in the way. I pulled her back.

"You can't go out there."

Ilia snatched herself from my grip and narrowed her eyes at me.

"Don't touch me!"

I held my hands up in surrender just then and let her have her space. Anything to prevent her from doing anything foolish.

"Look, you can hate me all you want, but don't be reckless. Don't make Link have to fight for himself and you. That's incredibly selfish. I'm just giving you a fair caution. Take it for what you will."

She never replied to me, but she did seem to listen to reason. Although, she remained slightly petty and cut her eyes from me. Honestly, it was just as well. As long as she stood her ground. Meanwhile, Link avoided another grappling maneuver from Sheik and tackled him to the ground. Even so, the ninja got free from the hero's grip and jumped back onto his feet. With the way Sheik was fighting, it was obvious that he wasn't trying to have an all out brawl. And, that was when I realized what he was truly doing. I looked near the base of the clock tower.

He's trying to stall Link long enough for the fireworks to go off and destroy the mirror! He doesn't want to apprehend it! He wants to destroy it!

I couldn't let that happen. We had come too far to lose the shard now. I had to do something. I had to somehow go up to the shard, touch it, shrink it down to a pocket size without anyone noticing, and make my way out of there. That was not going to be an easy task with all these eyes watching. And, only I or Link's power of the Triforce could do it. With everyone's attention averted, I drew back into the crowd and made my way to the anterior perimeter of the square. If I could make it to the clock tower without being noticed, I could shrink the mirror before the fireworks went off. However, I didn't escape complete notice, Ilia saw me slip away and soon followed me. I was about to get on my knees to crawl, when she came over and stopped me by placing her hand on my shoulder.

She obviously wasn't going to let me go unquestioned.

"What are you doing? Didn't you just say for us not to intervene?"

This was quickly becoming an annoyance.

I meant all of you, not me.

I groaned, not really wanting or having the time to give an explanation. I realized I needed to make a quick compromise.

"Do you want to come with me?" I ignored her concerns.

She seemed surprised that I would involve her so readily and hesitated at my request. However, she then looked back over to where Link was and made a quick decision.

"Fine, what are you planning to do?"

I immediately nodded towards the fireworks cannon.

"When we get behind the tower, I want you to light the fuse to the fireworks. I'll provide a diversion, so you won't get caught."

Ilia looked at me taken aback.

"You want to set off the display early? Why?"

I took in a frustrated breath, not meaning to be short, but there was no time for a full explanation right now.

"Because if we don't do something now, something terrible will happen later. Do you want to help or not? I can do this alone."

Ilia took offense to my being short with her.

"I'll help. I just wanted to know what we were doing, but just know I still don't trust you."

I didn't care.

"Fine, come on!"

Afterwards, I quickly got down on my knees before the guards noticed and made my way around the perimeter to the clock tower. I didn't bother waiting for Ilia, but the Ordonian immediately hurried to follow me. In the mean time, we inconsequentially caught the eyes of both Colin and Beth in the crowd. They took note of us and discreetly pointed. I prayed that they didn't alert the guards. The soldiers were doing an excellent job keeping the crowds at bay. I didn't want to draw their ire towards me.

I quickened my crawl as time was running short. I knew the fireworks display would go off any minute now. When Ilia and I finally got to the tower, I motioned for her to make a run for the torch nearby when the area was clear to do so. This was the time where we would get caught, but we had to take a chance. I would stay behind to divert Sheik's attention if it was necessary. However, our discretion was soon discovered. Having taken note at our impromptu plans, the guards were alerted. Even Shiek motioned his head slightly in Ilia's direction when he saw what she was trying to do. Nevertheless, Link immediately took advantage of Sheik's distraction. The hero tackled him once more. He wrestled the ninja to the ground and looked up to make sure we were able to do what needed to be done. The guards still had a good bit of distance between us.

"Hurry up!" the hero called to the both of us.

We both responded to his mandate. Ilia hurried to grab one of the torches set high on a stone wall. Afterwards, she scuttled back to the tower and lit the cannon. However, before she did so, I took hold of a firework laying nearby and pocketed it. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but if I could make use of it I would. It was important to have a contingency plan. I then turned my attention back to Ilia as the cannon was now lit.

"Get out of here now! It's going to blow!"

Ilia quickly darted for the crowd, where a guard was quick to apprehend her. Afterwards, I jumped onto the long table behind the tower and made a mad dash for the mirror shard. When Ilia saw that I wasn't behind her, she looked on shocked. Her eyes widened.

"Elga-?"

Ilia looked like she was trying to run back to where I was, but the guard stopped her.

"You are not going back over there! Do you hear me?"

The guard's apprehension helped because I didn't have time to explain. I jumped over a bundle of goods at the center of the table and kept going. The shard was nearly within my reach. The mirror was sitting on the ground level only a few feet in front of me.

Almost there! I readied myself to slide off the table to the cobblestone below.

However, I was beginning my celebration too soon. Sheik's eyes widened when he saw from the front where I was heading, and from underneath Link didn't bother to reengage the hero. Instead, the ninja did the unthinkable and teleported from his grip. Everyone who saw it gasped.

"My word!" a woman cried out from the audience. "He disappeared!"

Link couldn't offer an explanation. He just locked eyes with me for a moment.

"Damn. Elga get it and get out of there! He's coming for you!"

I was well aware of that now. My heart was pounding when I had to force myself to stop mid-slide at Sheik's sudden reappearance in front of me.

"Ahhhh!" I cried out in alarm.

Ironically, as if like clockwork, my neck ended up in Sheik's grip. This man and his damn choke holds. Sheik obviously had no qualms about killing me in front of everyone. He would be willing to do anything to get the shard.

"Did you honestly think it was going to be that easy? Did you think I was going to let you get away without so much as a word?"

My heart was racing. It was then I gripped the firework in my pocket and had a sudden idea. I only had one shot at this. Sheik's grip tightened. I needed to be quick.

It's now or never.

"No," I then shoved the firecracker into the bandages of his face, "but I figured you wouldn't."

Shiek looked at the firework startled.

"Ah!" he cried out and released me.

Having no idea if the fuse was lit or not, Sheik immediately teleported. At his disappearance, I then hurried off the table and took hold of the shard. Link hurried behind the clock tower to where I was. He looked concerned.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded breathing hard, too preoccupied with the mirror to answer his question verbally. Out of nowhere, the mirror suddenly cast that familiar, but haunting red light when I touched it with my hands. Two words appeared like fire on the glass: invidia, and luxuria. It was more of that ancient Hylian text. In that instant, a strange and sudden surge of raw energy flowed through me. It was both intoxicating and exhilarating. I looked on in awe as the words then disappeared and the glass shrunk down to a portable size.

Finally, I thought in a moment of triumph. Finally... the last shard is ours.

I didn't understand why, but the thrill of it all almost seemed sexual. Nothing was going to stop us now. Nothing. However, when I realized what was happening, I shook my head and got my senses back. The worst was not over yet. Everyone was still in danger. Link and I then ran from behind the clock tower to the crowd.

"Look out!" the hero sounded the alarm. "Take cover!"

The entire crowd looked at us shocked, then dropped to the ground at the sound of his command. Soon after, the fireworks cannon went off. However, it did not go off in the fashion the hero or I feared. There was no grandiose life threatening explosion. The display went off as normal. The projectiles flew off, and the sky lit up in a multi-color spectacle. I was astonished there wasn't a booby trap the way I surmised. I looked over at Link who was equally surprised. The crowd then rose slowly, seeing there was no real threat. Everyone watched in silence for a few moments, then soon thereafter, strangely the audience broke out in applause. Seriously, everyone started clapping and even cheering. I had no idea how to account for it.

What in the world?

"Bravo!" someone from the back shouted. "That was wonderful!"

Link and I then turned to face everyone.

Wonderful?

The confusion wasn't mine alone. Link was equally bewildered by the audiences' reaction. He looked puzzled. The hero then glanced over at me and mouthed: 'What just happened?' I shook my head. I didn't have a noteworthy response. However, the more the applause generated, the more I quickly deduced an idea. I think I had a way out of our dilemma. I abruptly took hold of Link's hand and rose it in the air. When I ensured his grip, I bowed to the crowds in front of us.

I hope this works.

Again, Link looked at me confused, but I cued him with a glance. When I readjusted my stance to a standing position, I forced a smile across my face and yanked slightly on his arm.

"Bow!" I instructed through clenched teeth.

It took Link a minute to figure out what I was doing, but finally he caught on. Afterwards, he bowed. Ilia, Colin, and Beth too had the same befuddled expressions. I then gestured for Ilia to join us. The guards holding the crowd back all appeared confused too, but soon laxed when they no longer saw a threat. Ilia hesitated at first in coming forward, but seeing that the crisis was averted, she finally aligned herself with Link and me. She too received an ovation and bowed. Colin and Beth slowly started to clap, completely bewildered by what was going on. I soon hoped to circumvent an explanation. My assumption was the citizens thought we were all part of some stunt show put on by the festival committee. If that was the case, that was exactly the excuse I was going to use. I just needed the others to work with me. Hopefully the real theatrical troupe wouldn't catch us. We had to count our blessings and continue with the ruse for as long as we could.

The applause continued.

"That was magnificent!" a young woman said from the sideline. "The theatrical academy should be very proud!"

"I second that!" said another young lady. "That was the best show the festival has ever put on! I thought it was real!"

My smile never wavered. She had no idea. More people began to shout out.

"That was marvelous for you to be in on it too Master Link," an older gentleman stated with a laugh. "It's good to know our resident hero has a sense of humor."

"Indeed," a young man next to him added. "This reminded me of a circus troupe years ago when I was a kid."

Link forced a grin at the men's words. He didn't have much to say.

"Thank you," he replied to both of them.

Ilia was still staring at the crowd, trying to figure out what was truly going on, but she kept in step with the ruse anyway.

"We… uh, would like to thank the festival committee for… uh… for not getting mad about the fireworks display. The maneuvering of it wasn't intentional, I swear."

I smiled at her reply and added to it.

"It is with great honor that I am standing here with the best acting troupe in the world. I could not have pulled this off without them. We as a group would also like to thank each and every one of you for coming out tonight in support of the kingdom. The queen would be proud! Let's hear it for one thousand more years of Hyrulean rule!"

The crowd got extremely enthusiastic after my utterance. The entire crowd broke out into thunderous applause. It was like magic. It felt incredible. It must have lasted at least sixty seconds.

"Hear, hear young lady!" a middle aged man shouted.

"Nay, not one thousand years, one million years of Hyrulean rule!" said another man. "Let's hear it for this magnificent show of the Hylian spirit!"

I didn't think it was possible, but the applause seemed to get even louder. With the three of us standing there, even the guards started clapping. They were completely out of the loop as to what was going on and I hoped to keep it that way. Colin and Beth's applause suddenly heightened. They seemed to be taken in by the ruse too. It was unfortunate, but it was necessary. In fact, Colin suddenly got emboldened by all the adulation. He then turned his attention to Beth.

"There's something I've got to tell you."

Beth looked at him surprised.

"What? Were you in on the stunt too?"

Colin shook his head.

"No, but I think I'm in love with you."

And before she could reply, he took hold of her by her shoulders and planted a kiss on her lips. Many in the audience saw that and gasped, but then clapped even more.

I grinned.

Well, what do you know? He did it.

The praise of his actions weren't just from me.

"Way to go young man!" a man said standing near him.

"There is no perfect time than this to express your love!" an older woman called out. "Bravo! Well done!"

I couldn't have agreed more, and knowingly I squeezed Link's hand. I looked up at him seeing if he got the gist. He did, because he was staring right back at me. His unmasked gaze made me blush. However, I then glanced over at Ilia who had witnessed it all. She was remaining silent, but I knew once the crowds subsided there would be theatrics. I didn't want to be rude, but this should have been a victorious moment for Link and I. This moment was ours alone and I couldn't help but feel Ilia was infringing a bit. She felt like a third wheel interfering. It was no matter. I knew Link wouldn't keep her around for long. I knew because this was something we worked for. We deserved our moment of triumph. We deserved to have our own private celebration. In the mean time, I addressed the crowds.

"Thank you all once again for enjoying the show. Now please be safe as you return home."

Afterwards, I turned my attention to Link and gave him a prominent stare before I turned my attention to Ilia. I wanted her to know she had taken enough of his time away from me. It was time she understood that he didn't belong to her. Link could let her down anyway he wanted to, but he needed to make it clear to her that he was here with me.
This was my night with him. I kept my masked eyes fixed on hers.

"Thank you for playing along."

Ilia didn't reply right away and looked beyond me to Link. She looked nervous.

"I wasn't certain a game was being played," she said honestly.

I grinned.

"Well you know now," I said softly. Ilia gave me a hard stare, but I looked away and focused my attention back on Link. He was giving me a nondescript look as if he were confused by my behavior. "Shall I leave you two to talk?"

Link gave me a brief once over and a subtle nod.

"Sure."

I smiled at the hero and gave one last look to Ilia before I walked off and left the two of them alone. I wanted Link to make his conversation with her quick. Let her cry. Let her sob. Let her have her say. But, he needed to let her know. As I walked towards the main square, it seemed I garnered a little fan club. A contingent of the crowd stayed behind just so they could speak to me. I smiled as I walked up to the ladies, the gentlemen, and even some of the guards. My mask was intact and I answered what I could. The people asked about rehearsals, and the only answer I could give them was improvisation. They laughed at my answer. But, as I made my way through the crowd, a certain tall platinum blonde caught my eye. He was staring at me with a perpetual grin only a few feet away. I noticed a pretty masked brunette now standing next to him. The dragon prince had made another conquest. It was Elbourne, and he was clapping along with everyone else, but I knew for a totally different reason. Even so, there was no malice in his eyes and he blew me a kiss before mouthing: 'Good job.' I wasn't surprised he was congratulating me. Much of what he thought of tonight was a game to him. I would have to wait and see if he had more for me in the future. Something told me he would. To show no ill will, I even blew him a kiss back and mouthed: 'Thank you.' He chuckled at my gesture and pretended to catch it and place my kiss over his heart. Afterwards, he nodded me a farewell, took the young lady accompanying him by the hand, and left the square. From the corner of my eye, I think Link caught the whole thing, but I wasn't certain. I would have to find out later.

Speaking of which, I decided to head for the inn. That was the last rendezvous point for the night. There was much for Link and I to talk about. I just hoped he didn't hold up our evening with the prolonged histrionics of Ilia. I was growing tired of her meddling. I headed east of the main square to the two story lodge centered near the middle of the eastern side of town. Before I went inside, I was given more sparse fanfare from the citizens who recognized me. I stopped momentarily, smiled, and bowed. They were enraptured. It was too bad it was all a lie.

My action even prompted a young man to ask, "Who's the lady behind the mask?"

I turned to look at him.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I teased playfully.

The man smirked at my reply, thinking I was going to invite him upstairs with me. However, he had the wrong idea in that regard. I was saving my celebrating for Link. A few in the crowd laughed at his reaction. I simply grinned, winked at him, and went inside. Now I was waiting for my hero.

~SSS~

Meanwhile in the square: Link

"Are you serious Link?" Ilia demanded of me. "You're not coming home with the rest of us tonight?"

I was growing tired of having to explain this over and over and over again.

"No I'm not. I told you I still have to deliver the ring with Elga to her family."

She looked at me incredulously.

"Why? I thought that was all over!"

I sighed.

"Because that's what she hired me to do. Yes we found it, but we still need to deliver it. Stop worrying."

Tears filled her eyes just then as if on cue.

"I can't help it. I'm... I'm scared of what's happening between you two!"

I paused at her saying that. There was nothing she could do to stop that now, and I think I needed to make her aware of that fact.

"Ilia... Elga... is my friend."

She didn't like the inflection of my tone.

"You mean the same way that woman Midna was your 'friend' when she traveled with you on your last quest? I know how friendly you can get Link!"

I shook my head.

"Don't bring up Midna. This has nothing to do with her."

Ilia rolled her eyes and looked away.

"I'm sure it doesn't."

I stared at her without really seeing her, then decided to go on.

"I... I care a great deal about Elga, Ilia."

Her bottom lip quivered and she looked at me stunned.

"But... but how is that possible? You don't know her Link!"

That was where she was wrong, and there was a long silence between us proving that.

"Yes, I do, I've actually known her for quite some time."

Ilia's tears spilled over and she took a step back.

"No," she whispered, "are you telling me she's... she's another girl from your past?"

I paused before nodding.

"Yes, she is. I just never told you about her the way I did Midna."

She looked mortified. There was another brief onset of silence.

"That's why you acted like you did when you saw her in the village," she replied, saying it as more of a revelation to herself than to me.

I nodded again and looked to the ground. I didn't have much to say. Her breathing was quickening.

"But-but I love you. What about-?"

I closed my eyes at her constant confessions of love to me.

"You need to forget me. I... I don't feel the same way as you do Ilia... I never did, I'm sorry."

When she heard my honesty, she took several more steps back. She could barely keep it together and I couldn't look at her. I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. She covered her mouth and started sobbing before she turned around and hurried away from me. In the distance, she met up with Colin and Beth who immediately asked her what was wrong and she could barely speak. She simply stated she wanted to leave. The two teens then looked my way, Colin with remorse, Beth with contempt. There was nothing I could do now. What was done was done. I was not coming back to Ordon with them tonight. I watched as they escorted Ilia down the south alley to the exit.

I sighed again, not sure how I felt about what I had just done. Afterward, I then looked to the inn on the eastern side of the square and realized this night was far from over. Sheik was still on the loose and Zelda and I needed to regroup on what to do next. Besides all that, I had some unfinished business to tell her from the alley. The night wasn't going to be over until she knew the truth.

~SSS~

Back at the inn, Zelda

I informed the innkeeper I was a guest of the Hero of Twilight and he showed me to a room on the second floor. It was a room that overlooked the square. The view was beautiful with the shutters opened. I immediately remedied that by closing the windows. There would be no voyeurism tonight. I removed my mask and placed it on the dresser. I was still euphoric from capturing the last shard. The plan was thrilling. What an incredible night. I still couldn't believe Link's and my fortune. I opened my bag to admire the piece of glass again. It was beautiful, and it was ours. Link and I had fought long and hard for months, but we were successful. Hylia's warning went through my head, but since she was unwilling to tell me the truth, I was no longer going to concern myself with the warnings. I wanted to know what I wanted to know. When Link and I got to the Arbiter's Grounds that would be all the warning we would need. I ran my fingers over the glass and then closed the flap to my bag. I removed my satchel and placed it on the floor. I then checked the room as a standard practice. Making sure all the security measures were in place was second nature to me now. I was bound to pick up some habits from the hero. There were no bugs to be accounted for. I found no trap doors. The wash room was merely a wash room. And the bed looked secure. It was just a regular room. It was perfect.

I then went and sat down at the vanity where the desk was. I stared at the beautiful woman looking back at me and felt an excitement I hadn't felt in years. I was going to own tonight like I should have years ago. I was going to be honest about my feelings and cast caution to the wind. I wasn't going to let anything get in the way of me having my moment with Link. We were on the cusp of the greatest discovery perhaps in a hundred years, and I wanted the man I respected the most to know he was the reason why. I had so much to give him. I had so much to explain to him. I wasn't going to hold anything back tonight. I was going to own it. Whether the outcome was good or bad, I wanted no regrets. I wanted to be free, and I wanted to be free with Link. I went to the washroom and washed up, wishing I had something more provocative to change into. There was the option of wearing nothing at all, but I didn't want to be too forward. I knew there was something different about tonight... something different about me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I wasn't going to concern myself with it, but I did recognize it. Perhaps it was the festive feeling of the evening. Perhaps it was the rush of exhilaration from getting the mirror. Perhaps it was the deep seeded desire to tell the man I loved that I loved him. Perhaps it was all those things, but something was different. Something was in the air.

Once I freshened up, I lit the lantern by the bed and propped up the pillows. Afterwards, I went and sat down again and brushed my hair at the dresser. I smiled a confident smile when I placed the brush down and unabashedly admitted that I liked what I saw. The woman staring back at me was damn near perfect.

"She's not so bad." I then turned to my side view. "She's not so bad at all."

Afterwards, my anticipation grew when I heard footsteps coming from the hall outside. Link was on his way. I turned and looked at myself again in the mirror.

Own it Zelda, own it.

Afterwards, I turned to face the door. When the tumblers sounded and the scaffolding abridged, Link's handsome body finally emerged. Unfortunately, he had a slightly troubled expression on his much too beautiful face. Admittedly, it was an expression that made me a little annoyed. I didn't want any of that. I didn't want any distractions tonight. Our evening was not about to be ruined over the nonsensical hysterics of an emotionally charged woman. I knew it was because of Ilia. I gave Link a long once over when he walked in.

"Hello there."

I got up to help him with his things. Link removed the flask of ancient fruit juice from around him and handed it to me, but he didn't reply to my greeting. Not a good sign.

"What's wrong?"

He shook his head and walked past me.

"It's nothing."

His tone was not promising and I chose to ignore the concern in his voice. I didn't want anything to ruin our moment of triumph. I kept my enthusiasm high.

"Can you believe how close that was tonight?"

Link went and sat down on the bed and nodded. He didn't seem interested in what I was asking.

"Yeah, it was something."

I stared at him for a moment. I didn't want him to be this way. I didn't want him to be sullen. Tonight was too important. I walked over to him, hoping to cheer him up.

"Come on Link, put a smile on your handsome face."

The hero grinned at my attempt, but his mind seemed elsewhere. Damn that Ilia for doing this to him. This night was supposed to be about us, not her. I hated when people did that. I hated when people made everything about them. I sounded a bit contradictory in the moment, but it was true. This was ridiculous. I had to get his mind on other things. I saw the perfect opportunity when he went to remove his shoes. As soon as he bent over, I circumvented him when I knelt down at his heel to remove his shoes myself.

"I've got it." I took hold of his boots. "Let me."

Link looked at me surprised by the request, and frankly, felt a little uncomfortable with me tending to him this way.

"That's alright Zelda." He was slightly on guard by my actions. "I can take my own shoes off."

I smiled.

"I know that, but I want to," I then pulled his left boot off anyway. "You've been taking such good care of me. Let me take care of you for a change."

He was surprised at my utterance, but I went about my task anyway. After it was decided, I took off his other boot and got a foot basin to wash his feet. Link looked discomfited while I cleaned his toes.

"You know, for a man who fights a great deal, you have nice feet," I complimented.

He was watching me carefully.

"Uh… thank you."

I got up and thought nothing of it.

"You're welcome." I poured the dirty water out and went over to the wash room to wash my hands.

When I finished with my task, Link was still watching me. He didn't seem to know how to respond to what I was doing. I didn't want him feeling uncomfortable, but I could understand why he may have been a little on guard. It wasn't everyday a queen washed his feet. Even so, afterwards I got up and came up behind him on the mattress and began massaging his shoulders. The maneuver also caught the hero off guard, and he seemed more tense than he needed to be. The muscles in his back and shoulders were definitely taut.

"You have got to relax."

My words had no effect and he stiffened more.

"Zelda?" he asked quietly just then.

I continued with the massage.

"Yes?"

Link paused, and in an effort to show me he was 'serious', he placed one of his hands over mine. His action prompted me to stop. There was a brief silence that followed.

"What are you doing?"

I stared at his dark blonde hair from behind and didn't reply right away. He already knew the answer to his question. He had to know. However, if he wanted to play hard to get, so could I. At his inquiry, I ran my hands down the front of his chest and cuddled myself close to him, while my mouth came near to his ear. His body was so strong. I recalled back to his flirting with me at Zora's Domain.

"What does it feel like I'm doing?" I whispered.

Link tensed up a little more, and it was just the reaction I was looking for. I hugged him tighter.

"Relax," I whispered. "You're so tense when there's no need for you to be. Did tonight get you all riled up?"

The hero paused.

"Maybe."

I smirked.

"I'm thinking that's more of a definitely, but that's okay, you can play hard to get. I'm going to take care of you tonight anyway."

The hero again was taken in by my tone. He turned slightly to look at me.

"Oh... really?'

I rubbed the back of his neck in a circular motion.

"Yes, really. Unless... you don't want me to."

He was silent for a moment.

"I... I never said that."

I grinned.

"I didn't think you would." I stopped my massage for a moment and wrapping my arms around his waist from behind. "Let's make tonight extra special. Let's hold nothing back."

The hero was quiet for a moment.

"Do you mean that?"

I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Of course I do. I want to be completely honest with you."

Link was quiet again.

"I want that too."

I grinned and looked at him innocently when he turned to stare in my eyes.

"Perfect." I let him go. "I know just the thing to get us on the right track."

Afterwards, I got up from the bed and went over to open the flask of ancient fruit juice resting on the dresser. The room supplied us with two goblets, so it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation. I poured two cups accordingly. Ancient fruit juice afforded no lies. Nothing was hidden. And with nothing hidden, there could be no secrets. With both goblets poured, I turned to hand one to Link. However, he stared at the contents cautiously and aptly declined.

"I'm okay. Thank you though."

Interesting.

I took a sip, not about to give up so easily. I didn't want any barriers between us tonight. Ancient fruit juice ensured that. The lack of it showed me he was unwilling to be completely honest. We needed complete honesty tonight. I didn't withdraw my hand.

"Come on Link, tonight's a night for celebration. Just have one glass with me and see what happens."

Link gave me an offhanded look.

"I already know what is going to happen."

I raised a brow.

"Which is what exactly? Your guard will be down and you'll say some things you've been meaning to say to me?"

The hero stared at me for a moment.

"Are you quite yourself?"

I nodded.

"I'm fine."

He gave me a quick once over.

"You're a bit more glib than usual."

I held up the goblet.

"I just took a sip."

Link paused.

"Indeed you did."

I took another sip.

"Would you rather I be a liar instead? Would that suit you better?"

Link paused for a moment.

"That's a silly question."

I smirked.

"Is it? I was once told that people prefer a beautiful lie over an ugly truth."

The hero raised a brow.

"Who told you that?"

I shrugged.

"What difference does it make? Isn't it true?"

Link stared at me for a long time.

"It can be. It depends on what that truth is."

I stared in his eyes.

"You don't want to share a bit of truth with me? Is that why you're so willing to say no?"

I was baiting him, but he wasn't falling for it. In fact, he stared at my cup when he reassessed my behavior.

"That's some pretty potent stuff Zelda," he detracted.

I took another sip.

"It is. Are you going to answer my question now?"

He raised a brow.

"Is this an interrogation?"

I walked up to him and stared into his eyes as I stood over him. I reached down and stroked my fingers through his hair as he sat on the bed.

"You are so beautiful," I whispered.

Link looked at me surprised.

"Zelda..."

My fingers stroked over his cheek.

"Do you want it to be an interrogation?"

Link paused for a long moment.

"No."

"Then it's not."

Link stared into my eyes and I offered him the goblet once more, but he still declined. I grunted at his discretion.

"I'm sensing a lack of trust."

Link paused, with his eyes stopping briefly at my bosom and grinned.

"That couldn't be farther from the truth. I trust you more than anyone Zelda."

The candor was surprising and I planned on capitalizing on it.

"If that's the case, then have a drink with me," I reasoned.

Link smirked.

"You're determined."

I nodded.

"I am."

Link looked at the goblet again and finally took it. He still didn't take a sip.

"My goodness Zelda, I thought peer pressure would have gotten easier with age," he half joked. "You wash my feet, massage my back, then you offer me a drink. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you were trying to seduce me."

I grinned and took another sip.

"What makes you think I'm not?"

Link was surprised at my honesty.

"Oh, I see."

I gave him another once over before I stepped away from the bed and took a walk about the room. I took another drink and felt extremely relaxed. It was quite liberating to speak freely. I just hoped Link would stop being a killjoy and eventually join me. I turned back around to face him when I walked over to the shuttered windows. The hero still hadn't touched his drink. This was becoming circular. I considered a different approach. I walked back over to the dresser and sat down. Perhaps it was time I asked about the other... other woman. I didn't want to appear like a self-centered sex kitten as Elbourne once referred to me as.

I sat back and raised a brow.

"Did everything go alright with Ilia?"

The hero stared at me for a moment and shrugged.

"It went as well as expected."

I scoffed.

"What does that mean? Did she cry incessantly and call me a bitch?"

Link grinned at my spicy language.

"Not exactly."

"Well what exactly did she do?"

The hero stared at me again, but this time before answering he finally bit the dagger and took a sip of his drink. A long sip. It was about time. I was starting to think he and I switched places. I was usually the guarded one.

"She cried. She didn't call you a bitch, but she doesn't like you Zelda."

I simply smirked.

"I wasn't expecting her to for all the obvious reasons."

Link grinned and started looking more relaxed.

"What reasons are those?"

I gave him an obvious look. He knew the answer.

"Come on."

He shrugged.

"Tell me."

I had no qualms.

"Fine. You have to know it's because I'm traveling with you, and I'm the most beautiful woman in Hyrule."

The hero stared into my eyes.

"That you are," he stated with no hesitancy.

I grinned.

"You see. You already know."

He looked me over again.

"That is the trial of every beautiful woman, isn't it? Dealing with the jealousy of others."

I nodded, but put the question right back at him.

"It's the same with you. Remember, how Shad tried to downplay your accomplishments because he's jealous of you."

Link seemed surprised I brought that up.

"I don't think he meant any harm."

I wasn't going to let that slide.

"But he did. He wanted to feel superior to you because he's felt inferior to you for years."

Link paused for a moment. He didn't seem to want to discuss this subject.

"Like I said before, I don't think he meant any harm. I consider Shad a good friend."

I stared into his eyes and took another long drink. When my goblet was empty, I refilled it. Even now, Link knew how to remain chivalrous. It was an admirable quality. There was a brief silence that he eventually broke.

"You're a little more forth coming than usual."

I sat back in my chair.

"It's the drink. You can't lie to me now Link. You're going to tell me exactly what's on your mind."

Link then stared into his goblet.

"I have no intention of lying to you ever again." He then amazingly downed the rest of his drink and offered me his cup for a refill. "I'm game for whatever you want to ask me."

I looked at him surprised, but then got up immediately and refilled his goblet. This was going to be an interesting conversation. When his cupped was topped off I went and sat back down. Link then started another conversation.

"Let me ask you something."

I gave him my undivided attention.

"Okay."

He studied me for a moment.

"What was all that hoopla about with Elbourne after we stopped Sheik?"

I was impressed with his keen eye.

"So... you saw that."

He nodded.

"I hardly miss anything suspicious Zelda."

I noticed the character dig in his framing.

"It was nothing. He was just happy I finally got the last shard to assemble the mirror."

The hero stared at me taken aback.

"So, he knows about the Mirror of Twilight?"

I saw no point in keeping him in the dark.

"As a matter of fact, he does. He apparently has been researching it for weeks. He even confessed to me he was the one who had the shards rotated between the attractions."

The hero's surprise never left.

"And you're okay with all this? You're speaking like you're at a recital or something."

I gave him an obvious look.

"What would you like me to do? Scream? Panic? I can't prevent Elbourne from having a curious mind. He's his own man."

The hero wasn't going to let that slide.

"You could act a little more concerned. Elbourne knowing about the Twilight Realm isn't a small thing."

I saw his point and went to put his mind at ease.

"Elbourne can read books all he wants. Just as long as he doesn't get in our way during this investigation."

Link grunted at my summation.

"This investigation? Is that what we're calling it now?"

I shrugged.

"I don't know what else it would be."

He stared at me.

"I thought you were making amends."

I had no qualms.

"It's that too."

Link gave me a quick once over at my reply.

"Even so, I don't like it," he redirected.

The hero's action provided the perfect segue for me.

"I have to ask, why are you so aggravated by the dragon prince? I remember you disliking him, but now it seems your toleration of him is nil."

Link got quiet for a moment. He had to know I was going to ask that question.

"I don't like you being around him. I don't like that he looks like me and sounds like me, but he's the exact opposite of me. I don't like it."

There was a brief silence where I gave him a quick once over.

"But why? That's been privy to you for years. Why is it an issue now? You know you're the better man."

Link took another drink before he answered.

"I can't put it any other way than how I just did, other than I don't like that you like him." He then added. "It makes me feel icky."

I couldn't lie, that made me giggle.

"Icky?"

Link nodded.

"Icky."

His inflection made me giggle more.

"Don't you think that's juvenile?"

He nodded again.

"It's very juvenile, but who cares, it's true."

I shook my head.

"Why worry about what-"

Link was growing tired of the subject.

"He desires you Zelda, and I don't like it. You're a queen of Hyrule, you're supposed to be revered, not looked at as a sex object."

I scoffed a little at his reply.

"I've got news for you Link," I took another sip, "queens of Hyrule like having sex."

Link paused and gave me a quick once over.

"This isn't about sex, this is about Elbourne. There's something deeper in his depravity for you. He almost sees you as a prize, not as just you."

I didn't answer afterwards because I knew then he simply didn't understand Elbourne the way I did. Elbourne probably knew me better than I would ever give him credit for, thus him being able to identify me in my disguise tonight. Even so, I didn't try to explain that to Link. The hero took my silence as him making the final point on the matter and changed the subject.

"Since we're on the subject of resentment, I have a question for you," Link shifted. "Why are you so jealous of Midna?"

I was expecting it. I saw no point denying it.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Link shook his head.

"I wouldn't be asking if it were. You have everything she has. Why are you jealous of her?"

I paused for a moment.

"The only difference between Midna and I is you," I confessed. "It's because you two were so close. I can see it in your eyes when you speak about her. She has a piece of your heart no other woman will ever be able to claim. That would make any woman intimidated who had a vying for you."

He got quiet and stared into his goblet.

"That is true," he confessed more to himself than to me.

I leaned forward after his utterance, letting my elbows rest on my knees. I stared at his down cast eyes.

"You're still in love with her, aren't you?"

Link didn't answer and didn't bother looking my way. Really, that should have been all the response I needed. He apparently had very deep feelings for the twilight queen. His silence only made him more complicit in my opinion. Even so, I decided to go on anyway.

"Did you make love with her? Is that why it's so hard for you to let her memory go?"

Link finally looked back at me and sighed. This was obviously something he didn't want to discuss. He knew there was no way he could get around it if he decided to answer. He could only speak truth.

"Zelda…"

I wasn't going to let up. I really wanted to know.

"Did you?"

Link shook his head.

"No, but I wanted to. I won't lie, I've thought about it a great deal."

I wasn't surprised in hearing the confession, but it did make me a little more grounded in reality. What the hell were we doing alone in an inn when Link still loved another woman? Why were we here like this? Why were we doing this to ourselves? I sat back up and looked to the ground. The hero studied my expression for a moment.

"Does that surprise you?"

I shook my head.

"No, no, it doesn't surprise me at all. I had a feeling."

Link paused.

"Do you think differently of me now?"

I didn't know how he wanted me to answer that.

"Why would I?"

He shrugged.

"I figured you'd think I'm not the altruistic hero you assumed I was."

This time I shrugged.

"I never assumed you were altruistic. I knew you were a man of the world and had seen and desired many things."

Link got quiet after hearing me say that.

"Do you think I don't see you in the same way?"

I grinned halfheartedly. I needed another drink before I answered that question. After what I had done to him, I seriously doubted it.

"I know you don't see me in the same way." I then added. "Especially with what happened between us five years ago."

My tone completely shifted and Link took note immediately. The hero's eyes shot in my direction when he realized what I was about to bring up. He attempted to negate the subject.

"I told you, none of that matters anymore."

I shook my head.

"You know that isn't true," I said more to myself than to him.

"Zelda-"

"I'm going to have my say Link." I then stared into his eyes. "I want to clear the air between us and get all my skeletons out of my closet. It's only the right thing to do since I might not have another opportunity to tell you these things."

Realizing I was going forward anyway, Link was at a loss. He sat back against the headboard of the bed and closed his eyes. I knew this was going to be hard for him. I knew he wanted to forget the past and move forward, but we couldn't until we addressed this. It was going to be hard for me too.

"There's no sense in rehashing any of that." He attempted to defer one last time.

I needed to do this for myself.

"I know, but I must. I'm sorry for... I'm sorry for having you falsely arrested and thrown into prison as a traitor to the crown," I uttered finally. "I look back at that and regret that decision every single day, especially after having spent so much time with you informally."

Link didn't reply right away.

"But you have spent time with me informally in the past. The first year and a half after the fall of Zant and Ganondorf, I was at the castle everyday planning counter resurgences with the resistance team. It wasn't like we were ever strangers."

I nodded at his answer.

And that was when I fell in love with you.

"I know, and I was grateful to you for that, but it was when you inquired about the Mirror of Twilight… I... I..."

I didn't allow myself to go on.

Link stared at me intently just then.

"You didn't want me searching for it," he went on for me.

I shook my head.

"No I didn't."

He sighed and gave me a knowing look.

"It didn't help that I defied your orders and tried searching for the rumored second mirror anyway."

I avoided his eyes. I was so nervous.

"It turned out you were right. I told you a lie stating I didn't know how the effects of another wormhole would be in the land of Hyrule. The truth was a lot less complicated. I just didn't want you looking for Midna."

I knew from the silence that followed, that Link's intense blue gaze was fixated on me. However, I didn't look at him. I couldn't look at him.

"Why? Why didn't you want me looking for Midna?"

The hero asked the question in such a way so I could be honest with myself, not because he didn't know the answer. Link knew the answer. Everyone did. I didn't hear any bitterness or malice in his voice. It was actually very kind of him. I took another sip of the juice.

"Because I wanted you all to myself," I confessed. "I had grown very fond of you, and hoped you felt the same for me. It turned out I was wrong when you informed me you were in love with her. After that, I got angry and bitter about our fallout and I just wanted you to forget her."

There was another brief silence, but when he spoke up again he brought up the most uncomfortable subject.

"Is that why you ordered the flogging? Forty strokes less one of a whip?"

I could hear a hint of bitterness now. I closed my eyes at his questions and involuntarily felt tears fill my eyes. I knew he remembered every last lash. The scars on his back were evidence of that. My lips began to quiver. There was a truth I really needed to convey to him.

"I never ordered a flogging. Never. I would never do that to you. I was informed of what happened after the fact. I found out there were some guards who conspired with Vincent Rue Morgue to have you whipped. They were paid and took it upon themselves to exact what they called the 'queen's justice'. They illegally gathered paperwork under false pretenses, stating you were to be flogged according to Hylian law because you were trying to escape," I whispered, wishing I didn't hate myself as much as I did in that moment. "The whole coup was planned by my former advisor. The initial letter given to me was written as an agenda against you. Vincent hated you so much Link because you made him look foolish. He lied and said you turned rogue. He informed me you went after the mirror for divisive purposes, and because I was so bitter, I allowed myself to believe it. Based on that information, I made a decision according to the law. However, I have another confession to make. I created that law solely to go after you if you defied me regarding the mirror. I didn't want you searching for it. I put you in jail. I wanted you to forget her. But, I stake this on my birthright as queen, I never ordered for you to be flogged, never. I know what I did was evil, but I could never hurt you like that."

More tears came and spilled over. I couldn't help it. I knew Link had every reason to hate me. It was hard for me to believe we had come so far. But, somehow through it all, he decided to forgive me. I just hope that forgiveness would stand now that we were talking about this. I knew this was something he wanted to forget.

"I'm so sorry." I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

Link was silent. I could see it in his eyes that he was reliving every second in that prison cell. He was jailed for thirty days. I couldn't imagine the betrayal he must have felt from me. He was probably controlling his anger once again about learning that there was a second mirror, and that my efforts to thwart him were petty ones. He should have had a maddening rage against me still, but he appeared calm. The hero finally took in a deep sigh and a long drink from his cup before saying anything. I was certain he had a great deal to contemplate.

"You created that law to stop me?" he whispered.

I pursed my lips together and nodded.

"I did," I whispered back.

There was another silence that engulfed the room and I felt so uncomfortable. Link cut his eyes to me and for a moment I saw a glint of the man who once hated me. His stare was hard and brief.

"You were wrong, but I understand why you did it," was all he said in reply.

I stared at him stunned.

"That's all you have to say?"

He nodded.

"I'm done being angry about that."

I was astonished.

"Link-"

"Let it go Zelda."

I didn't know what to think.

"You can't possibly-"

"Let it go."

My mouth was agape and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. However, I didn't want to become circular. If he was done with the subject, so was I. I just wasn't certain what to say next. Link's next words surprised me though.

"You... you were the one who came and tended to me in the dungeon after I was beaten, weren't you?"

I stared at him surprised. I wasn't sure how he knew that. I never told him.

"While you were in the dungeon?" I attempted to detract anyway.

Link's gaze intensified.

"Stop being evasive, you know you can't lie. There was a girl who came and tended to my wounds after I was beaten. I remember her crying and holding me close after she gave me a gold potion. I was blind temporarily, but I recalled her voice. She had a beautiful soothing voice. I remember her telling me everything was going to be okay."

I avoided his eyes as he said this.

"I-"

"She said her name was Elga, Zelda. It was you, wasn't it?"

I froze at the disclosure, but finally had the courage to look his way and in his eyes again. I nodded. I didn't know why I was so afraid for him to know that truth. He already knew it was me.

"Yes, it was me." My voice broke. "I was worried about you. When I came in that dungeon and saw what had been done to you, I thought you were dead. That was why my reaction was so visceral. I couldn't imagine life without you, but I was relieved when I saw you were still breathing."

My eyes refilled from the memory. There was another brief silence between us before Link spoke again.

"Is that why you chose the name you chose when you appeared in Ordon? Is that why you chose the name Elga because you wanted me to know it was you?"

I thought about his inquiry. To be quite honest, I wasn't sure. It wasn't something I consciously considered.

"I don't know, possibly."

Link gave me a quick once over and nodded.

"When... when you thought I was unconscious that day. I wasn't, I heard everything you said."

My eyes widened at hearing that.

"You knew?"

The hero nodded.

"I did."

I didn't know what to say.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

He just stared at me.

"Why didn't you?"

I had no reply, but his point was well taken. I realized for quite some time he knew exactly how I felt about him. I avoided his eyes and stared into my goblet. However, it was then I noticed Link sit more upright and run a hand through his hair. He looked lost in thought for a moment. He seemed ready to make a few confessions of his own.

"You're not the only one with regrets Zelda. I was in the know of many things back then too. I was aware of your previous advisor's intentions. I was going to tell you he had his own ambitious devices after I got out of prison, or somehow from prison, but that never happened. I'll be honest, I was pretty arrogant in my confidence of my relationship with you. I knew you would believe me over Vincent. I just didn't see it as a pressing issue at the time. That arrogance cost me greatly. I got caught up in the praise and adulation of my title. I relished in that you, the Queen of Hyrule, wanted to be near me." He then paused for a moment. "I defied you because I knew you were in love with me Zelda."

I wasn't surprised at that fact. I had a feeling that was the case.

"I suppose I was an open book."

He nodded.

"You were, but I shouldn't have taken advantage of that. I went after the mirror against your will because I was banking on your feelings for me to let me off the hook. I reasoned I was a hero. I should be able to do whatever I wanted, with or without your permission. I was wrong for that."

I paused when he made known a fear I had about our past relationship.

"So... none of those moments back then were... real?"

Link didn't reply right away to the question.

"You mean did I have feelings for you?"

I couldn't look at him just then. I didn't feel like I had the right to.

"If you're willing to tell me, I'd like to know."

Link avoided my eyes just then.

"I was with you almost everyday for a year and a half. How could I not have feelings for you? You were one of the most beautiful creatures I had ever seen, and you were so kind and gentle. I... I'll admit I wanted something to happen between us. I cared about you very much and I wanted to protect you. You were this shy, lonely girl with all this power and no one to love it seemed. You laughed at my terrible jokes, and you opened up to me in a way that no one ever did about your family. You blushed back then the way you blush now. I never crossed the line because I wanted to protect you." He stopped himself to rephrase his point. "Well, I never intentionally crossed the line because I didn't want to be disrespectful towards you."

I unintentionally giggled with how he said that because I knew exactly what he meant. We crossed the line many times in the past without ever really acknowledging it. I knew now wasn't an appropriate time for humor, but Link's inflection was amusing.

"Sorry," I said anyway.

He took no offense.

"It's alright, I like it when you laugh," he said with a grin, then went on. "So, yes those moments were real for me." He then looked down into his cup and rotated the goblet in his palm. "But... I couldn't act on them because I had another situation to contend with."

I stared at him taken aback, curious as to what he meant. I didn't want him to stop.

"What situation?"

He continued avoiding my eyes and raised his brows tentatively.

"Another woman actually..." he muttered more to himself than to me.

My eyes widened slightly.

He isn't saying what I think he is... is he?

Link continued with the silence until he finally had the courage to speak up again. He took a long drink from his goblet first.

"You aired your dirty little secrets, now it's time that I did the same." He then looked me straight in the eyes. "The reason I couldn't take our relationship further was because I had gotten Ilia pregnant."

I froze. Nothing prepared me for the shock that suddenly entered my veins.

"What?"

He nodded.

"Yes indeed."

I covered my mouth. Everything suddenly felt surreal.

"How-how?" I couldn't help but ask.

Link smirked suggestively.

"What do you mean how? We played Hylian jousting Zelda, my blue zone penetrated her red zone."

I blushed at the implied vulgarity. I felt a little foolish.

"That was silly of me, of course I know how. When did it happen?"

He gave me a knowing look.

"You want details too?"

I felt even more embarrassed.

"No! I only meant-"

Link held up his hand to stop me.

"I know what you meant. I was just being an ass." He paused before he went on. "It just… it just kind of happened one night," he confessed. "I have no idea why or how it started the way it did... a kiss perhaps, I don't know, but it did. Honestly, I think it just may have been a case of her needing somebody and me needing somebody... and it just happened."

I shifted a little uncomfortably in my chair with the thought now in my head of Link making love to Ilia. It was no wonder the poor girl was so love struck with Link. She probably relived those moments constantly.

"She told me a few weeks after the incident she was pregnant," he went on in a monotone, he didn't sound like his normal self. "We were going to get married before anyone found out. Mayor Bo, her father, already knew and told me to take care of my responsibilities. Interestingly enough, at that same time, Ilia also knew I had feelings for Midna."

I was slightly puzzled by that disclosure. I didn't understand its relevance right away.

"How?"

Link chuckled with a hint of sadness.

"I told her," he said simply. "Ilia was one of my best friends, and she wanted me to clear up things with Midna before I married her. So, when I came to you commissioning an allowance to look for the mirror, I already had my own ulterior motives. I defied you because I knew Ilia wouldn't marry me if I was still thinking about Midna." Link ran a hand over his face and took in a weary breath. "I know I'm going to sound like a jerk, but there's something about that night I don't trust. I don't think Ilia was being honest with me regarding all the events that led up to me bedding her. I say that because she said I was saying Midna's name when I slept with her. If I was fully aware of what was going on, I would never have done that. I never would have hurt her like that."

I felt a little shaken with everything he was telling me. It was coming from such a deep, personal place. It was obvious he hadn't shared this with anyone else before, except for maybe Bastion when he was alive.

"Are you saying you think you may have been tricked?"

Link paused for a long time before he answered.

"I don't know what I'm saying. All I know is I have vague memories of that night."

I looked away and felt for him.

"What happened to the baby?"

There was a brief conjuring of emotion from him I was not expecting from that question. It made me look back his way, and that was when he avoided my eyes again. He blinked his eyes several times to keep the tears from coming, but he wasn't successful with one. He wiped the lone tear from his cheek and got quiet. I almost got out of my chair to go comfort him.

"Link..."

I didn't know what to say.

"Ilia lost the baby," he said finally, "and she's never been the same since."

My throat tightened.

"I'm so sorry."

There was a brief pause just then and I wasn't sure if Link was going to go on. However, I was surprised when he did.

"When I was in prison, Mayor Bo hatched up a plan for my escape." Link then dropped a deku shell. "That's actually the reason he died."

I stared at him shocked.

"What? What do you mean that was the reason he died? What are you talking about?"

The hero didn't mean to sound so poignant, but he did.

"I meant what I said."

My breathing increased.

"You mean you weren't the one who planned the escape?"

Link was staring up at the ceiling now.

"No, I wasn't."

My blood ran cold. I literally felt my fingertips go numb. This was huge. This was huge. On the night Link got flogged, I doubled the security because I was told he was orchestrating an escape with some of his men. I never authorized the flogging, but I did mandate the increased security presence... the same security presence who were under orders from Vincent. And now I was learning Link had nothing to do with it? Link never made the plans himself? I realize now how grave of a misunderstanding that situation really was.

Link had no idea. He got blamed for something he had no hand in.

The hero went on.

"Bo thought he was going to muscle his way through the guard and get me out. I found out later, Ilia went after him to try and stop him, but it was in her pursuit that she fell off her horse... they both fell off their horses. Bo broke his back and died from the complications from the injuries. Ilia was in a coma for two days after she lost the baby. She suffered massive blood loss and nearly perished herself. That was why I was so concerned about that woman who went into labor a few months back. She could have lost her baby and died. That was also the reason I knew so much about labor. I made it my business to know for Ilia's sake. I didn't find out what happened to either one of them until after I was released from prison."

I was dumbstruck by this information. I didn't know what to say. I had no idea the death of his child and his friend were indirectly caused by my jealousy. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't even look at Link in that moment.

He…

I couldn't even think.

What was I going to say after that? Everything was so much clearer now, in terms of his behavior, in terms of why he was so attentive to Ilia tonight or any night.

She was the mother of his child. The mother of his dead child... and what have I done for him? I rewarded his loyalty to Hyrule with a prison term and misery, all due to my own jealousy.

Link was then frank with me about something I had known for quite some time.

"I won't lie, I hated you for a long time after all that. That's why when I first saw you in Ordon I was so angry. It just brought everything back to mind."

I closed my eyes tightly at his words.

I would hate me too. I would still hate me if I were him.

"I don't know what to say to you right now."

My voice was broken.

Link didn't reply right away.

"You don't have to say anything Zelda. I told you, it wasn't just you, it was me too. If I had of just let the past go, none of that would have happened."

A new onset of tears seared my eyes. I knew he was trying to make me feel better, but it wasn't working. I was so ashamed and embarrassed. I felt a surge of guilt. I was getting so overwhelmed, I wanted to escape it. Just then, I got up from the seat at the dresser and hurried for the door. However, Link quickly got up and intercepted me before I had a chance to get through the abridging. He took me in a tight hug when I began sobbing into his chest.

"Don't. That's why I didn't want to talk about this."

I tried to free myself from him.

"Let-let me-me go!" I was barely able to speak. "I-I just-just-"

I was starting to hyperventilate.

"Stop blaming yourself. It wasn't just you."

I can't believe I did that to him! I can't!

I felt like I was going to stop breathing. The feeling was that intense.

"What-what the hell am I supposed to think?!" I screamed at him. "Loo-look what I-I've done to your life!"

Link forced my face up in his palm to look at him.

"You didn't do anything that I didn't have a measure in on myself." He stared into my eyes. "I'm not going to let you take all the blame for what happened back then."

I tried to shake myself from his grip, but he was so much stronger than me. There was no way I was going to overcome him.

"Let me go goddamn you! I don't deserve- I don't-" I cut myself off.

I settled down a little and cried into his chest like an inconsolable child. I grabbed onto the front of his shirt and just sobbed. I felt like I was going to die from guilt. Link held me tightly.

"Please don't cry," he whispered against my hair. "I hate seeing you cry."

I shook my head.

"I can't help it." I was not able to stop the tears from falling. "I just-"

However, I never got to finish. As soon as I tried to speak again, Link interrupted me by pressing his mouth against mine in this fervent kiss. I was immediately taken aback and opened my eyes. It was a hungry, passionate kiss that I didn't initially understand.

What in the world?

I managed to pull away for a moment and look at him perplexed, but the hero went in and kissed me again anyway. He kissed me deeper when he lifted me in his strong arms and walked me over to the bed. I lost gravity for a moment when I landed back first on the mattress from the short trek. Link got on top of me and wasted no time getting down to business. I followed his lead for a moment, until I realized what was happening. Afterwards, I shook my head as my eyes refilled with tears.

"I can't do this," I whispered, "not after knowing I hurt you so badly."

Link stroked his hands through my hair.

"I'm not hurt anymore Zelda," he reassured. "Honestly, it's because of you that I was able to finally move on. I don't have anymore hate in my heart. I swear."

As sweet as his words sounded, I didn't believe them.

"You deserve better. You're saying these things to be kind."

He shook his head.

"You know me well enough to know I don't play such silly games. I'm telling you the truth."

I still couldn't bring myself to believe him. I decided to deflect.

"I promise. I promise, I'm going to get you to the Twilight Realm so you can be with Midna."

My words were a bit frustrating for the hero.

"What?"

I pursed my lips together and avoided his eyes.

"You will have a chance to be with someone who deserves you. That will happen."

He took in a deep sigh and shook his head.

"Stop trying to make decisions for me," he warned. "I don't need you telling me who I deserve to be with."

I narrowed my eyes slightly in defiance.

"You know I'm right."

Link stared at me with a hint of remorse. He stroked his forefinger over my lips just then.

"You are so stubborn. I can make that distinction myself. I want to be with you Zelda. I want you."

I froze at his disclosure. My heart began to race.

"You want to be with me? But why?"

Link shook his head.

"Stop asking questions you already know the answers to. The last few months should tell you why."

His voice was so calm, so soothing. I avoided his gaze as tears refilled my eyes.

"I just find it hard to believe after everything you just told me. I had you thrown in prison! You have every reason to hate me!"

Link wiped away one of my tears.

"I could never hate you. You seriously mean everything to me now Zelda. It just took me some time to see that."

My eyes widened at his frank talk, but I still kept trying to ward him away.

"You have hated me before! You just admitted it to me."

Link's eyes searched my face.

"That was years ago. It wasn't one sided. I defied your order. I used you. I squandered your trust and broke your heart. I was just as guilty."

I remained stubborn.

"You're proving my point."

Link shook his head.

"Zelda that's the past. I don't want to dwell on that anymore. I don't want to live in that anymore."

Link was being so kind... so kind. As I stared at him, I reached up and caressed his cheek. My tears ran over. The thought of him being in prison when he should have been free was killing me. I stroked my fingers over his perfect face. Nothing in creation could have been more beautiful right now than his eyes.

My throat tightened.

"I never would have done it. I never would have put you in prison had I known you were going to be a father… never."

He winced at my utterance.

"Zelda…"

My voice choked up.

"Please forgive me. I need your forgiveness. I mean it. I won't be able to go on without it."

Link stroked my bangs off my forehead so he could stare directly into my eyes.

"I told you, I already have."

I obstinately shook my head at his deflection. He didn't understand. I needed this for myself. I needed to forgive myself too and I could not do so if Link did not formally do so.

"I need you to say it Link! I need to hear it from you! Please."

The hero stared into my eyes for a long time. He saw I was dead serious. I probably looked so pitiful to him. Finally, he nodded and caved in to my reasoning.

"Alright, I… I forgive you," he reconciled.

At his words, I closed my eyes and took in a deep sigh of relief. Afterwards, I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him close. He let himself down gently on top of me so I could hold him tight. He felt so solid in my arms.

"Thank you."

His mouth brushed against my ear.

"Anything for you," he whispered. "I mean that."

Link had no idea what his words meant to me. It felt like a release. It felt cathartic, but I knew it was only in the moment. I would have to live with the true reality of what I did. I would have to understand the depth of our relationship from now on. I hoped to Hylia I could forgive myself one day the way Link forgave me just now. I believed him. I believed he was sincere. However, it was going to take me some time to truly forgive myself. I would eventually, but it would not be easy. I shed a few more tears at this realization. However, I felt hopeful. And hope was important in situations like these.

~SKIP~

I hugged him tighter, but then my body suddenly responded to his closeness. There was no way it couldn't. My groin got moist when he pressed his pelvis against mine intentionally. I started breathing hard from the excitement I was starting to feel, and turned my face towards his when I felt his warm breath increasing against my skin. I brushed my lips against his cheek when that flash of sky blue looked my way again. He stared into my eyes for just a second before he kissed me when I beckoned for it. He kissed me deeply, as his tongue licked around my oral vestige when he opened my mouth. He wasn't holding back like before. I ran my fingers through his hair when he kissed me harder. Slowly our breaths got in sync and I couldn't have wanted anybody more than I wanted him in that moment. I was practically telling him with my eyes. But he was methodical, slowly he guided me more towards the center of the bed so we could have more room to love each other. He was so thoughtful. And then his hands were at my blouse, and my blouse became undone. Soon it was the same with my skirt. His hands were at my skirt, and then my skirt was on the floor, along with my undergarments. He wasted no time getting to the point. This wasn't like at Snowpeak at all. When I was naked, I soon wanted him to be naked. I wanted there to be no mixed messages. I was very clear. I helped him by removing his shirt, and that gorgeous muscular body was every bit as inviting as it had always been. But when it came to Link's pants, he did what he always did, and kept them on. He was going to make me wait. He took hold of my hands and interlaced my fingers with his when he saw I was trying to undo them.

I wasn't going to let him get away with that without protest.

"You think you're being fair?"

He stared into my eyes.

"I want you to relax. You're eager which is good, but you have to learn to pace yourself."

I wasn't going to lie, he had me pegged.

"I just want to do this right."

"There is no right or wrong way, but you are a virgin and this is something you'll remember for a long time. I want you to enjoy it."

I appreciated his sensitivity to my feelings, but I didn't need child gloves. I wanted to be treated like a woman.

"You don't have to put off me seeing you naked. I want to see you naked."

He grinned.

"I understand that, but that's not why I'm doing it."

I tightened my grip in his hands.

"Then why are you doing it?"

Link paused for a moment.

"It helps me maintain some self-control," he admitted. "If I'm completely undone, I'm going to want to go right in and you aren't ready for that."

He had no idea how wrong he was.

"Yes I am."

He gave me an obvious look.

"No you're not."

I pouted my disagreement.

"You can just pretend I'm a brothel girl. Think about one of your former escapades and play it out with me. That could be fun."

I didn't garner the smile I was hoping for from my comment. Instead, he got very serious.

"I don't want to think about anyone when I'm with you except you. Don't you ever compare yourself to a brothel girl again."

I was taken aback at his serious tone. I was hardly expecting to be chastised.

"I'm... I'm sorry I was just teasing. I know most virgins are considered boring experiences, so I thought-"

"Who told you that? Elbourne?"

I stared into his eyes.

"No... I read it in a book."

He gave me an offhanded stare.

"What book?"

I paused, slightly embarrassed.

"The Academics of Sex."

He stared at me in disbelief.

"You don't learn sex from a book Zelda. You learn by actually doing it."

I was well aware of that.

"I know, but I thought it would be helpful."

Link shook his head, but then used his superior strength to guide me down into the mattress. His closeness already made my groin slick and sticky. His voice was intoxicating. I could only imagine what the real thing was going to be like.

"Let me show you," he whispered, then kissed me deeply.

Afterwards, he spread my legs apart and wrapped them around his waist. He let his tongue run down my neck, and I got goosebumps from every touch. He looked me in the eyes when he licked my breast bone. He made those same eyes roll to the back of my head when he started suckling one of my breasts. My goddess, he was good at this. And that wasn't to negate his strong hands fixated at my thighs either. I promised myself I wasn't going to yelp or act like a prude, but dear Hylia he was tempting. Then his fingers slipped between my labia and I couldn't control it.

"Ah!" I shrieked.

I think he actually liked when I did that. He started kissing my other breast and he gave it just as much attention as the first. But it was when he started feathering his tongue down my belly that the real erotica began. I stared at him slightly nervous because he was so close to my birthmark... the one shaped like a music note. He didn't know this, but it wasn't just a piece of darkened skin. It actually had a bit of power to it. A power I found embarrassing. Anytime someone else besides me touched it, I sang. That wasn't hyperbole. It was true. I started singing uncontrollably. I did not want that to happen now. So, when Link got too close, I edged back. He saw that and looked up at me.

"What's the matter?"

I shook my head.

"Don't... don't touch my birthmark."

He then looked at me taken aback.

"Why?"

My breathing increased.

"Just don't," I begged.

He was surprised at this.

"Zelda..."

I was serious.

"Please... it's-it's embarrassing," I warned.

That probably wasn't the best explanation to give.

"Now with you talking like that I might have to."

"Link..." I begged. A mischievous look came to his eyes and he kissed my belly button. I edged back again. "I'm serious," I warned.

"Alright, alright. I won't, but you owe me."

He then came back up and kissed me on my mouth. I stared into his eyes gratefully.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He just grunted and didn't reply. He was slightly disappointed with my plea. Instead, he closed his eyes and kissed me again. However, this time I felt him taking off his pants. It didn't take him long. Once he was completely naked, I initially felt that skin to skin contact and I loved it. Although, he neglected to mention how big he was. He hadn't gone in yet, but I could tell he was very very large. Bigger than I thought he was going to be. It made me a little intimidated to be quite honest. When I looked down to see it, my eyes widened and Link chuckled at my facial expression.

"It's not a tektite Zelda."

I had a mild look of distress.

"How is that thing supposed to fit inside me?"

Link chuckled again.

"It doesn't fit all in one go... unless you've been around. I'm not going to go farther than you want me to. And if it hurts too much, I'll stop."

I took in a troubled sigh and Link raised a brow.

"Or... we could stop now," he offered. "I don't want you uncomfortable, but then I get to play with that birthmark of yours."

He was insane.

"I never said I didn't want to, and you are not touching my birthmark."

Link looked down at my skin again, tempted to harass it.

"What is the big deal?"

I shook my head.

"You don't want to know."

He nodded.

"I think I do want to know," he stared down at it. "It's so pretty, just like the rest of you."

I was not going to be goaded.

"If you do I'll never forgive you," I threatened with no real conviction.

Link looked at me surprised for a moment, but then grinned when he realized I wasn't actually serious. However, he saw that I really didn't want my birthmark to be touched, so he didn't. Instead, he slid one of his strong hands between my legs and started aggressively massaging my labia. I was stunned by the maneuver. My back arched almost involuntarily under him.

"Ah!" I yelped again.

He came close to my ear and kept working my center with his hand.

"I have other ways of making you wet," he whispered.

I was breathing hard, but I couldn't catch my breath too readily because he planted his mouth back on mine and kissed me again. He started breathing with me when he saw how much I was writhing in pleasure. Finally, he removed his hand altogether and spread my legs apart. With his mouth still pressed against mine, he penetrated that massive manhood inside me. I gasped, but it was muffled against his lips. The pressure sent a jolt up my spine like electricity. He held me firmly. He kissed me harder as he thrusted me gently. The whole room seemed to burst in wetness. Link finally pulled away so he could look me in the eyes. I couldn't lie, he was a very intense lover.

"Do you want me to stop?" he whispered.

I stared at him like he was insane. He was such a tease.

"No," I whispered, "no, I don't want you to stop."

Link kissed me again and kept his motion going, but then he cradled my face between his arms to keep me looking in his eyes. He now had a serious expression.

"You are everything to me Zelda. Everything."

I was a little surprised at how intense his gaze was. Even so, I attempted to answer him, but he maneuvered in such a way that it nearly made my eyes roll in the back of my head. It felt so damn good.

"Ah!" I whimpered.

He didn't let up.

"This isn't just some game. The past doesn't matter anymore, it never did. I only want you, just you."

My head buried into the pillows as he continued to take me. My breasts bounced after each thrust. Then something incredible happened. It was surreal and seemed to have the perfect timing. Apparently, Link and I both were tapping into our Triforces. My body began to emit a soft light blue glow, while Link's emitted a soft light green glow. That fluttery sensation flowed through my body as it always did when this transpired. I opened my eyes when the energy surged and looked around. Everything around us was highlighted. I wonder if Link had been practicing. But, I never expected the both of us to activate at such an intense, intimate moment. Or, perhaps it was activating because it was such an intense, intimate moment. I did not consciously call on it. I surmised Link didn't either with the way he was looking around. The lights surrounded our bodies, then fused to make a bluish-green glow. Just like before. Just like the evening of our return. It was amazing. However, as soon as it happened, it then disappeared.

What triggered this occurrence?

We were paused for a moment, staring off in awe. But then Link resumed his position and hovered back over me when he stared into my eyes. His face held all the inquiries I had.

"It happened again," he whispered.

I nodded.

"I know."

His eyes searched my face.

"Did you call on yours?"

I shook my head.

"Did you?"

He shook his head.

"Then there must be only one answer," I reasoned.

Link stroked my cheek.

"What's that?"

I grinned.

"It must be a blessing from the goddesses."

Link chuckled and returned my grin.

"It must have been," he whispered.

My smile broadened, while his faded. He stared me straight in my eyes.

"What is it?" I asked.

Link held his serious expression for a long moment before he answered.

"My sweet, beautiful Zelda... I'm in love with you," he confessed suddenly.

I stared at him taken aback. I couldn't say I wasn't expecting it, but I didn't expect to feel so surprised by the disclosure. I didn't reply. Link was little befuddled by my lack of response.

"Did you hear what I said? I said I'm in love with you."

My bottom lip quivered slightly.

"Y-Yes I heard you."

His gaze became more intense when my desired reply was still deferred. Even so, I couldn't look away. Where was I going to look? Concern suddenly enveloped his features.

"Why are you hesitating? Zelda... don't you love me too? Didn't you say 'you should always make your feelings known for the one whom you love'?"

He remembered me saying that in passing at Ordana's Spring? I had no idea he was paying that close of attention.

He had no idea.

I nodded.

Link looked at me seriously just then.

"Then say it," he whispered. "Tell me. I want to hear it from you."

My throat tightened at his request.

"I-I'm in love with you too. I've always loved you Link. I've never stopped loving you. I've been wanting to tell you for years."

Link's serious expression never left and he caressed my cheek. He then leaned in to kiss me again. However, the milieu we created was not to last. Out of nowhere, an explosion set off outside on the bedroom window seal.

~DONE~

We were both startled back into reality. Link immediately covered me, as glass and shards of debris came raining through the room. When the propulsion subsided, he checked on me.

"Are you alright?"

I quickly nodded.

"I'm fine. What about you?"

"I'm okay," he reassured.

When it was over, Link took one of the sheets off the bed to wrap around his waist. He went and examined the now gaping hole in the wall, but the culprit had no intention of leaving the hero or myself second guessing who it was. Link's eyes widened when he saw the perpetrator.

"You son of a bitch!" he yelled angrily at the night sky.

I sat up and covered myself too so I could peer out the window. When I saw who it was, dread filled my stomach. There, standing on the opposing rooftop, was Sheik. He made sure I saw him too when I walked up. I gasped and covered my mouth. The ninja gave us both a sarcastic salute.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to thank your lady friend for the explosive. It was the perfect plan B. I will get those shards, one way or the other."

With that, Sheik turned and jumped off the roof. Afterwards, he disappeared into the night. Link turned to look at me, trying hard to keep his anger at bay. Considering the circumstances that was proving to be difficult. I understood, because I felt it too.

"That bastard!" I growled.

This all goes down at the Arbiters Grounds. I stared up at the night sky. There will be a reckoning Sheik. You can count on it!

---

Thank you for reading the Hyrulean Festival!