Inspiration: The Seven Deadly Sins: Ira (wrath), Superbia (pride), Avarita (greed), Accidic (sloth), Gula (gluttony), Invidia (envy), & Luxuria (lust). The Arbiter (absolute or sole power to judge something). There is a very vague reference to tGwtGH.

Special Shout: I'm dedicating this chapter to one of my absolute favorite writers OdnetninAdlez. This is an eight year old message and it still stands. I am still your biggest fan across the Atlantic pond. ~ZR~

Original Shout Outs: LegandofThunder, EternalNght1212, Quick, The Guy, The Blind Archer, Bwen4ever, Zxphyr.

New Shout Outs: TywinLannister44 and Timekeeper210, thank you for reading.

Recommended Readings: "Brother of Mine," by InfamouslyMe, "The Legend of Zelda: Remnants of the Past," EmmaPrinceton.

Author Note: Reupload 3/4/2020. Reedited 5/19/2020.

Word Count 13,453

Chapter 18

The next morning in the kingdom of Dragon Roost, Elbourne

I was on the move. I had a great deal of things to take care of this morning, but I was on the move. Last night made me privy to something that I couldn't lose sight of: one way or another Zelda was on her way to the Twilight Realm. And I needed to know what she truly wanted. Was she going to reinforce her alliance with the queen? Was she interested in war tactics of the Twili? Was she going for trade? Was her visit more personal in nature? Most of all, why was farm boy with her regarding her endeavors? It didn't make sense to me. What was Zelda after? I needed to know.

I alerted my personal attendant, Fortunado, that I would be leaving the kingdom for a few weeks. He wasn't happy about the news, but he knew once my mind was made up there was no changing it. Fortunado and I were nearly the same age, but he lectured me much in the same way his mother did when she was alive. He was one of the few people who could speak to me without restraint. I appreciated his concern, but he knew all spots were blind when it came to Zelda. Though, I had no intention of telling him I was going after the Queen of Hyrule. I wanted Zelda to travel freely. I wanted her to feel she was one step ahead. I didn't want her feeling pressured to deviate. But I knew where the endgame was. It was the only place left where one of the four pieces of the mirror resided, the Arbiters Grounds. If Zelda and her escort left right away, it would take at least ten days for them to get there. However, considering it was farm boy leading the charge, that time could be cut down to a week. I hated him, but that bastard was resourceful. He knew Hyrule like no one else. I needed to intercept them before they put that mirror back together.

Currently, it was dawn and I was going about my room gathering things for my personal satchel. The young lady, Clarice, whom I brought home with me last night was wide awake and watching me quietly. It was quite novel now, but she was stunned when she found out who I really was. It became evident to her when I brought her up from the bowels of the palace to my bed chambers. Everyone in the process who saw us together bowed. She thought that was odd. However, the biggest confirmation came when I whistled for my precious Orthella to see her off for the evening when I got back to my apartment. I said goodnight to my dragon every night. I was not going to change that for a guest. The terrace right outside my bed chamber was commodious and wide enough to support my dragon to land. I had the terrace reinforced years ago so I wouldn't have to constantly go to the dragon pits. In any such case, Orthella landed gracefully, but her powerful wings sent a reverb in the air. When Orthella calmed down, I offered Clarice a dragon ride. She was awestruck at the sight of the dracosaurian. Clarice actually divulged an insight I did not think she was aware of. "You're the dragon prince," she whispered the revelation. "There are only two black dragons in all of Hyrule. And, the king and the prince of Dragon Roost are the only ones to have them. You must be the prince." I was impressed with her knowledge. Most peasant girls were unaware of that fact.

Nevertheless, Clarice did indeed take that dragon ride with me. I showed her all over Dragon Roost. It was beautiful at night with the dragon pits aglow below. She held onto me for dear life, but she promised me she was having a wonderful time. I believe she did. Afterwards, when we returned, we talked and had a special brew of tea. I then gave her the option of sleeping with me or going home. I never had to beg for it, nor did I ever have to take it. I left the option open, but generally most women wanted to stay. I am the dragon prince. I had a reputation for pleasuring women. And Clarice chose to stay. That night she received the best sex she was probably ever going to have. She was a moaner, which I liked, but she was also a virgin, which I liked even more. Virgins were pure, though their inexperience could be grating at times. However, I found them to be fun. They were awed by everything and they had the tightest quims in the world. There was nothing like a soft wet orifice to penetrate. I have had my fair share. I knew the difference. In any such case, I appreciated Clarice and enjoyed my night with her. I glanced over at her and smirked when she blushed as she caught my eye. The sheets were covering her nudity and her black hair was shiny, even without the sun being shined upon it.

Clarice finally spoke up about my goings about. She wanted to know what I was up to.

"Are you going away on business?"

A fitting question.

I was placing some sundries in my satchel when I stopped for a moment to appease her. I smiled.

"You could say that my dear. Let me just tell you a certain person hasn't been truthful with me about certain things, and I want to make sure I catch them before they leave the country."

Her eyes widened at my summation.

"Really?"

My grin widened.

"Really."

Clarice giggled and her green eyes sparkled. My goddess, she was lovely. I stopped what I was doing for a moment and went over to where she was. I sat myself down at her feet and stroked her covered ankles. She blushed again when her eyes met mine, but then she looked away. When I first met her last night at the festival, I remember her being the only person who could answer my question correctly about wyrms versus wyverns. That was impressive to me. Not many people knew the difference. Clarice was simple, but she was sweet. She actually reminded me a lot of another girl in my past. A very important one. Someone who I would never forget, but I could guarantee she wished she could forget me. I didn't like recalling it because she was the only other girl I felt guilt about. She was the only other girl I loved after Zelda. In this moment, I reached over and caressed Clarice's cheek, but thought about my past lover. Clarice looked so much like her... black hair, green eyes and all. It was no wonder she caught my attention.

I then asked of her hunger.

"Do you want me to have some food brought? I don't remember you eating very much last night and you must be famished."

She didn't answer immediately and defaulted the way most girls did when they didn't want to be honest about their appetites. She was probably starving, especially after the night in bed we had together.

"I'll leave that up to you."

I chuckled, having a clear decision in my head. I got up and rung the gong near the side of the bed.

"It's settled then. I'll have breakfast ready and waiting for you at the table and you can have it whenever you decide to get up later. Afterwards, I'll have a couple of my servants escort you back home, but you'll need to be out of here before the tenth hour of the morning. How does that sound?"

She stared at me, but then she couldn't help but smile.

"That sounds wonderful your highness. I've never had an escort before. That will be exciting, thank you."

I thought nothing of it. I reached over and kissed her forehead before I got up and finished packing for my eventual departure. I looked to my table to make sure I had everything I needed. It seemed I was missing something, but I couldn't figure out what that something was. So I went over my inventory briefly: there was a compass, a map, four pairs of clothes, toiletries, sundries for healing, and food rations for a week. I even had a copy of that arcane text Secret Mysteries of All the Ages. It seemed I had everything, but something was amiss. Afterwards, I left the room and went to my mother's chamber down the hall. I needed to discuss a few things with her regarding my departure. I excused myself from the young lady's presence and made my way down the hall to the to my mother's chamber.

As with every walk in this palace, I had a great deal of pride as a Roostian. During my trek, I admired the splendor of the palatial architecture. In many ways the palace rivaled, and even surpassed in my opinion, the beauty of the spires of Hyrule Castle. Precious metal and jewels embedded the walls of this magnificent castle naturally. My apartment was mostly composed of marble and blue jade, while my mother's chamber was composed of a mixture of gold and marble. Not to be without mention was my father's chamber. The king's room was the most incredible in all the palace. It was composed of gold, gold, and more gold. The reason for the shifts in design was because the palace was carved directly out of the side of the mountain six hundred years ago. Each room had its own particular radiance. Dragon Roost Palace was considered one of the six wonders of Hyrule. However, the Roostian means for such a procession was often under outside scrutiny, particularly from the Gorons.

I was going to have to consider some negotiations if I wanted to keep the peace with the Goron people. My biggest concern was Zelda getting involved and reducing the sovereignty of both our nations. In any such case, I couldn't concern myself with that now. Though, I already drafted a letter to Darbus, asking if he would like to come to the table for a new truce. I wanted to keep the Gorons at bay so the greater forces in Hyrule would let us tend to each other in peace. It was an important political maneuver for my people. When I approached my mother's door, I presented myself to the guard outside for him to announce me. He did. A few moments later, I was in the presence of my beloved mother. She looked like she was going over some correspondence, and she didn't seem as frustrated as she was the last time I spoke with her. However, to my surprise she was wasn't alone. Her brother, my uncle Cadence, was there with her. I had no idea he had come in for a visit. He must have just arrived from Balaam. I went to greet both of them immediately.

"Good morning mother." I then offered my uncle my hand. "Well, well, well good morning uncle, how are you my good man?"

Cadence turned to greet me and he was the spitting image of my mother. He was one year older than she, but he had the same graying dark brown hair and bright crystal green eyes like her. The fifty-one year old aristocrat was father to two sons, one of which married a certain girl I had gotten involved with years ago. My uncle didn't dislike me, but I knew he didn't approve of many of the choices I made regarding women. He was a firm believer in monogamy. He thought a man could love one woman all his life if he searched for the right one. Thus, his long standing marriage to my aunt Genevieve. I agreed with his logic, but unfortunately my actions stated otherwise. He was a lot like my mother when it came to morals, but the difference was he was more vocal in his disapproval about my philandering ways. I appreciated his concern. It showed he cared for me.

He finally took my hand and shook it.

"I'm doing well Elbourne, and I hear you're making strides in your dragon cultivation, congratulations on mastering your craft."

I appreciated that.

"Thank you very much. I'm hoping to double our productivity by the end of next year."

Cadence nodded, but he looked at me with open caution.

"I wouldn't be so quick to double your efforts," he warned. "There is another monarch on the other side of this country. She might not take too well to your hurried ambitions."

I grinned.

"Tell that to father."

Cadence grunted and didn't have much to say on that. He didn't have too high of an opinion of my father, which I couldn't blame him for. My father was far from a saint, especially where the treatment of my mother was concerned. It was no secret that he was a less than ideal husband. He was known for his perfidy and had no qualms about it.

"I would if the old battle axe was still here," he said simply. "Your mother told me he took off on some business yesterday."

This was news to me. Though, leaving during the festival would negate unnecessary suspicion. All eyes were on Hyrule and not Dragon Roost. I then turned my attention to my mother.

"Did he say where he was going?"

She shook her head no.

"Unfortunately not my love. He simply said he was in a hurry and he didn't have time to explain, then left."

The inconsideration sounded like him. It made me ponder aloud for a minute.

"Did he sound troubled?"

My mother was quiet for a moment.

"That's his new language as of late, but I don't think it was too important."

This was starting to sound more than serious than it should. However, I didn't want to speak on my concerns now because I needed to inform my mother I was soon leaving too. Even so, father was making himself look increasingly suspicious.

"Well, I hope he is successful whatever his endeavor may be." I then changed the subject. "The reason I needed to see you this morning mother was to inform you that I'm going to be traveling myself. I'll be gone for a few weeks, but if I get delayed I'll write you to let you know how long."

My uncle looked at me taken aback.

"Where are you going?"

I wasn't going to go into that.

"I saw some land I was thinking about putting in a bid for near Lake Hylia," I fibbed. "I need the time to negotiate if need be."

My lie sounded plausible enough, but my uncle and mother were natural cynics.

"You need a few weeks for that?" my mother asked.

I nodded.

"Unfortunately yes. You know how these negotiations get."

My mother looked over at her brother with mild distrust.

"I don't think it's a good idea to have the king and the prince gone at the same time," she reasoned.

I saw her point.

"You know father relies on his regent and you to make the decisions when he is gone. My appearance is merely window dressing."

My mother gave me an obvious look.

"Will you be serious?"

I shrugged.

"I am. You know how father feels about me."

My mother stared at me mildly stunned for a moment. I tried, but I couldn't keep the hint of bitterness out of my voice. This was a slippery slope she wanted to avoid, especially with my uncle here. She then saw no further reason to rebut me. She finally nodded against her better judgement and gave me her blessing.

"A point well taken Elbourne. Very well, you may leave. Just be careful."

I grinned.

"Of course I will."

I was about to turn and excuse myself, when suddenly Cadence stopped me for a moment to inform me of some rather interesting news.

"Oh Elbourne, before you go I wanted you to know that Adle's firstborn is learning how to dragon ride. The little lad is quite good. He's a natural... like his father."

My eyes widened slightly, but I tempered my expression with indifference. I stared at him for just a moment.

"Really?"

Cadence nodded.

"I just thought you would want to know. He's exceptional for a five year old."

I grunted when I heard that and glanced over at my mother who was now looking down at her table. Her silence spoke volumes.

"How... how does he look now?"

I attempted to sound casual.

Cadence just raised a brow.

"He looks like his father. Hair and everything."

I knew what that meant.

"I see."

I didn't have very much to say after that, but I was glad the little boy was doing well.

"I'm glad he's making strides. Who knows, he might ride in the galas one day."

There was a brief silence between the three of us afterwards, but the unspoken candor was there. Cadence finally decided to break it.

"Adle too wishes you well. She told me to tell you not to be so intense when you're making your business deals."

I raised a brow and grinned. That sounded like her.

"Tell her I'll try." I then asked. "How are her other children?"

Cadence shrugged.

"Her daughters are as pretty and proper as they should be. My son is a proud father."

I just nodded, not having very much to say on that either.

"Well, I'm glad she's happy. She deserves it."

Cadence just stared at me.

"Indeed Elbourne. Indeed."

I then turned my attention back to my mother.

"I promise to write if I get delayed," I reiterated once more, "but I shouldn't be gone too long."

My mother simply nodded.

"Of course my love."

I then bowed and was about to make my exit when I remembered I wanted to ask Cadence one last thing.

"Uncle, this may seem like a strange question, but I thought I'd ask you."

Cadence gave me his undivided attention.

"Which is what exactly?"

I chose my words carefully.

"Do you remember how long Queen Zelda was in Balaam recently?"

Cadence looked at me perplexed.

"When was her majesty in Balaam?"

I felt vindicated in that moment. My uncle had no idea. And if he had no knowledge being a statesman, chances were Zelda never left Hyrule for the seafaring kingdom.

I knew she was lying.

"I assumed she was. I thought she might be."

Cadence looked concerned.

"Was she planning a trip? Is there something I should be aware of?"

I fanned off his concern.

"It's no matter. It was probably a rumor, or some other simple mistake."

Cadence gave me a knowing look.

"Trust me, if the queen was in Balaam, everyone would know. Her visit wouldn't be relegated to a rumor, or a mistake."

I grinned.

"That's what I thought."

I didn't want to prolong this conversation. I needed to get going so I could find her majesty and ask her these things myself. I bowed once more and exited before I had anymore suspicion come on me. However, when I was in the hallway I paused for a moment. I considered everything we discussed, especially the child. That little boy was special no doubt. I would have to make sure he entered the Dragon Master's Academy when he came of age. Nevertheless, I tried not to think of it anymore. I couldn't let anyone else cloud my thoughts. I needed to be focused. It was with these concluding resolutions that I hurried back to my chambers and finished packing. I wanted to be sure to make it to the Arbiter's Grounds before Zelda and her little hero friend passed through. After all, they had no idea how helpful I could be in this endeavor.

No idea at all.

~SSS~

A rare peek into the heavens, the Goddess Tribunal. Hylia

It wasn't the norm for a goddess to experience stress. However, that was my innate feeling right now. There were so many cogs already set into motion, I wasn't sure there was time for another intervention. Though, it was looking more and more like there needed to be one. I was pacing about the clouds, looking more concerned than I wanted to, when Din came over to where I was, and plopped herself down right in front of me. The vivacious red head was known for causing trouble. I knew right now all she wanted to do was get under my skin.

"What's the matter?" she asked mischievously. "You looked troubled."

I was in no mood for her taunting. She knew very well what the matter was.

"I'm just thinking."

Her grin widened.

"You better start thinking more clearly. You're running out of time deary."

I groaned in frustration. I was more than aware of that. I decided not to answer her. Suddenly, Nayru appeared out of nowhere and came over to try and comfort me. She knew how Din could get when she purposely needled someone. The white dress Nayru was wearing complimented her sky blue hair, and her presence conveyed the essence of wisdom. Of the three sisters she was my favorite.

"Ignore her," Nayru said, "you know she likes goading you. If everything goes well in these next couple phases, then all will be fine."

That was true, but these 'next couple phases' depended on the decisions of a certain stubborn queen with a will of iron. I had a feeling she was going to choose the path of most danger instead of the one of least resistance. It was just in her blood to do so. I was hoping for more reassurances, when Farore abruptly showed up. She placed her hands on her hips after tussling with her long green hair. However, she seemed to take more of the side of Din.

"That may be true," Farore said, "but that requires a lot of 'ifs' and the mirror is now ready to be assembled. Once those shards fuse together, we're going to have a whole lot of trouble about the land and you know what that means for the inhabitants."

I closed my eyes, not wanting to think about it. I was more than aware of the consequences of my actions if none of this worked.

"Everything will be fine," I reassured. "All the shards are gathered I just need to go down and collect them."

Din grunted and smiled, while the other two goddesses stared back at me with open concern. They were all aware of the impending danger of the assemblage of this mirror. It just seemed Nayru and Farore were taking the process a little more seriously than Din.

"For your sake, I hope you're right," Din said. "You know what this means if you fail."

I didn't need her reminders. Admittedly, she was starting to make me upset.

"Why don't you stick to finding out who you're going to bestow your Triforce of Power to next. And, you should think of a better target than crazed Gerudo men."

Din laughed and simply shrugged. She didn't feel threatened at all.

"Then tell some Hylians to exhibit the same attributes as Ganondorf and I will." She then added snidely. "I guess I would be a little on edge too if this tribunal was focused on me and the foolhardy plans I concocted."

Nayru shook her head.

"Will you two stop. You fighting isn't going to make this better. You're seriously worse than children."

Farore didn't have much to add.

"Hylia I think you should go now and try to talk some sense into Zelda. As it stands now, time is not on either of your sides."

I looked over at the sensible goddess and knew she was right. I nodded at her suggestion and decided to be about my way. I walked over to the cloud's edge to make my departure.

However, Din had a last parting word.

"Good luck."

Her voice just echoed sarcasm. I chose to ignore her. However, if there was anything I needed right now, it was a little bit of luck.

"Alright Zel, I'm going to need for you to listen to me," I whispered to myself. "None of this stubborn foolishness."

Then without a second thought, I closed my eyes and disappeared in a flash of light.

~SSS~

On the road to Gerudo Desert, one week later, Zelda

After that impending explosion, Link and I had no choice but to leave the inn that night. The aftermath was swift with the innkeeper coming to see about us immediately. Guards were called and an investigation was started. I had to stay hidden while Link spoke with the soldiers about what transpired. However, the innkeeper alerted the investigators that Link did have a female companion with him. Link was able to thwart that by telling the guards I left right before the incident occurred. I actually did slip out the window via a sheet Link shimmied together and waited for the hero in an alley below. The investigators did a search of the room and found nothing related to me, but plenty of ballistic evidence related to the explosion. Link gave a description of Shiek, but he didn't inform the authorities on why or how Shiek knew who he was. I could tell from Link's recounting of the matter that the guards didn't believe everything he told them. Even so, it was all we could do considering our circumstances. Even so, I felt terrible regarding the ordeal and discreetly left an electrum rupee on the counter in the room so the innkeeper could easily find it. Hopefully, ten thousand rupees would assist with the insurance payout.

When Link finished, he left the inn and regrouped with me in the alley. We had to keep a low profile, but the whole northern square was in a frenzy after the explosion. We narrowly got out of the city before it was placed on lock down. I couldn't expect otherwise after the kind of threat Shiek presented. Now that the fireworks, confetti, alcohol, and ancient fruit juice was gone, sobriety set in. That ninja devastated the entire evening. He made it obvious that his vendetta was against Link and I. Amazingly, no other rooms weren't disturbed, but that didn't allay the crowds from forming. It was going to be a long process of recovery. Shiek was going to pay for what he had done, one way or another. Vengeance wasn't my usual feeling of forte, but I felt a strong inkling of it that night. I wanted to get to the Arbiters Grounds now more than ever.

Nevertheless, once we got out of the immediate vicinity of Castle Town and the surrounding areas, we found a small forest with an abutting alcove to rest at nearby. We had been traveling for several hours that night into the early morning. The hero looked like he was ready to fall out. He needed sleep, so we encamped there. Afterwards, we spent the next six days heading towards the Gerudo Desert where the Arbiters Grounds resided. We didn't let our guard down as we traveled because Shiek was an ever looming threat. I attempted several times to speak with Link about what Hylia told me regarding Shiek, but I didn't want to burden him. I know that was a foolish thought considering what the implications were, but I couldn't bring myself to bring it up. Even so, I knew I would have to do so soon because the closer we got to the grounds, the closer I was to having to face him alone.

Another problem showcased throughout the countryside. Link and I saw strange symbols imprinted on the ground in the shape of a sword with seven words surrounding it. This had to be more from that deranged brotherhood. The Arbiter's Cult wasn't even trying to be subtle anymore. Their allegiance to whoever this symbol represented was disturbing. Link looked over at me troubled when we passed through. There was even an attempt by another group of marauders to rob us. These thieves specifically stated they wanted the shards. How in the world did they know we had the shards? After their defeat one of them informed us, by Link's persuasion, that they were paid by a ninja to collect them. I couldn't believe it. Shiek knew no boundaries. He was a monster. Did he have no chivalry? Apparently not. We doubled our trek to get back to the main roads at that point. We did not run into anymore bandits on our way to Lake Hylia.

There was another instance I was avoiding too. I was avoiding talking to Link about what happened between us the night at the inn. I hoped to keep us preoccupied with our journey so we could avoid discussing it altogether. However, I knew it would come up eventually. I was just nervous about it. For all intensive purposes, I should have been ecstatic. The man I loved loved me back and wanted to be with me. However, I still couldn't completely reconcile what I had done regarding our past, regarding Ilia, regarding the truth... regarding everything. The more I thought about it, the guiltier I felt. I saw Link staring at me over the nights, wanting to bring up what happened between us, but didn't because I purposely had my nose stuck in the Book of Mudora, or I changed the subject to something related to the quest. However, Link knew me better than I thought he did. He knew I was avoiding the discussion because I was afraid of facing my own insecurities. Our relationship was completely different now. I could tell with how Link looked at me. I could tell with how he held me and spoke with me. There was even a time he stated he saw no need for us to go on, but I ignored him. Having this quest was a barrier for me having to deal with myself. I knew it didn't make sense, but it was the truth. Even so, it was all going to culminate if I didn't muster up some courage to face it.

Currently, it was before dawn and we were at Lake Hylia. Link was resting his head on my lap sound asleep. In the days before, the hero informed me we were going to have to take the propulsion machine to be shot into the desert. That was going to be quite the ride because I didn't enjoy it very much the first time. However, I was ready and willing to do whatever to move forward in our journey. Even so, for now I let the hero sleep. I was stroking his hair and staring at his handsome disposition. He looked so peaceful with his eyes closed. That was what he deserved, peace. I wanted that for Link. I wanted that for him more than anything in the world. He deserved a peaceful life. I took in a deep sigh, frustrated with myself, because now I began to believe sleeping with him was not the best course of action for us. We were so close to the Twilight Realm, so close. I should have waited and let Link make his decision then. I should have let him see Midna first to see if he was truly over her before I gave myself to him. It was one thing to say he was over her, it would be another thing entirely once he saw her. What if deep down he still loved her? What if he didn't realize what he was truly giving up by not giving himself a chance? He seemed determined, but he was determined before too... right before he told me he was in love with her in the past.

I tried not to think like a cynic, but I couldn't help it. It was part of my nature. Anyone could say anything when they were caught up in a moment of passion. But passion faded and reality now loomed. Admittedly, I was thinking a little of my pride too. I hated thinking I was number one, if the reality was I was the number two. However, if that was the case I would accept it. It would still hurt, but I would accept it. I now understood Ilia's plight a lot more. It might be my plight too when I got to the Twilight Realm. I stared out at the water, now lost in thought. I paused my massage of the hero's hair, pondering over everything that transpired between us. It had been a long five months. There was so much for me to cherish. But could five months really compete with seven years of longing? Seven years was a long time to love someone. Seven years was a long time to wait for someone. And Link had desired and waited for Midna relentlessly in all that time. Did I really even stand a chance against that? Better yet, did I want to even be second fiddle? I wasn't a brothel girl. I felt I could have and should have been any man's first choice, including Link's. I took in another deep sigh, wishing I knew the outcome now. I then averted my eyes back to the hero, only to find that his were open and he was staring up at me without so much as a flinch.

I was startled for a moment. I placed my hand over my heart when I caught his gaze.

"You gave me a fright," I said breathlessly.

He grinned as his eyes searched my face.

"Why did you stop?" he referred to my massage.

I didn't have an explanation so I just shrugged. He in turn laughed softly.

"I didn't know you were awake."

He nodded then sat up and stroked a hand through his disheveled, but perfect hair. He looked at me with a sleepy smile.

"That felt nice." He yawned. "My grandmother used to do that to me when I was a baby."

My eyes widened at the mentioning of his grandmother. It was the first time he ever brought up his family.

"Your grandmother?"

He yawned again and stretched.

"Mmm hmm," Link moaned.

I giggled at the shadow of hair budding around his handsome face while he got his bearings together. He hadn't shaved in several days. He looked quite rugged like that. I rather liked it. There was something very brawny and sexy about it. He got up momentarily and went to brush his teeth by the shoreline. He used the same method as he had in the past, but with peppermint leaves and raw honey. When he came back, he unabashedly came and sat closer to me. I brought my knees to my chest and gave him my undivided attention. I wanted to know more about his grandmother.

"What was your grandmother like?"

Link was in the middle of stretching again when he looked over at me and half smiled once more.

"I can't say really because I was two or three when she died, but everyone raved about how beautiful and funny she was. She was known for having the most unique green hair. I don't know where she got it from. Someone made a joke saying she washed her hair with too much chlorophyll and hemp herbs and that was how her hair turned green. Even still, she must have been amazing, because my grandfather fell head over heels for her."

I smiled at the explanation.

"Really?"

He nodded.

"Yeah. It was even rumored she had a love affair with the hero who became the king of Hyrule before she met my grandfather."

I looked at Link surprised by the revelation, never hearing of such a rumor, but with my family's history, I knew it was possible.

Love affair with my grandfather, huh? She must have really been something.

"Wow, you have an extraordinary blood line. It's no wonder you're so inclined to being so… passionate."

At that point I wish I held my tongue because I knew what was to come next. There was a brief silence where Link didn't say anything. He didn't have to. The unspoken candor had been present all week between us. However, instead he just smiled at me and came close to where I was sitting. I suspected he would. He unsurprisingly wrapped one of his arms around my waist and slowly lifted my chin so I was no longer staring at the ground, and without waiting for a cue from me, he kissed me tenderly on the lips. It started off slow the way a kiss normally would, but soon it got a little hungrier and a little needier when he held me tighter and obvious memories of the night at the inn went through his head. We stayed like this for a good while. I initially kissed him back, appreciating the affection he was showing me, but then soon after I pulled away. My dormant insecurities were starting to surface again about our relationship. I didn't want to face them. Link thought my separation was only temporary, but soon he stared at me taken aback when I put my finger to his lips to stop him once more.

His eyes searched my face.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head and forced a smile.

"Nothing."

He paused for a moment.

"Then why the hesitation?"

I looked away.

"I'm sorry," I apologized oddly. "I guess I wasn't thinking."

Link studied me, then got up and made another suggestion. He offered me his hand.

"Let's go to the falls and bathe together. We should probably do so before the deer come out and eat."

My heart raced at the implication.

"I beg your pardon? Bathe together?"

The hero seemed to be tempering my reaction.

"What's the issue Zelda?"

I began to feel nervous.

"Noth-nothing, there's no issue."

His point seemed to be made.

"Good, then let's go."

Link never rescinded his hand, but I didn't accept it anyway. Instead, I got myself up off the ground on my own and dusted off my dress. I walked past Link to the shoreline where the lake was and kept my back towards him. I was making it obvious something was amiss, but I hoped the hero wouldn't address it. That was wishful thinking on my part. I didn't want to discuss my insecurities. I didn't want to delve into why I was willing to potentially lose the best thing that ever happened to me. Even so, I knew that wouldn't be the case. I knew Link.

"Why don't you go on ahead without me? I'll wait until you get back."

There was a long silence between us after that. One where Link walked up behind me and turned me around slowly to face him. I was avoiding his eyes, but he lifted my chin to negate that. Nevertheless, I wouldn't look at him. I couldn't look at him.

"Zelda... what's going on?"

I shook my head and pretended ignorance.

"Nothing is going on."

Link took in a deep sigh. He knew I wasn't telling the truth.

"Why are you acting like this?" he asked point blank. "You've been distant from me all week."

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Have I? Well, I apologize. That wasn't my intention."

Link stared into my eyes avoiding his.

"What is your intention Zelda?"

My throat tightened.

"I don't know what you mean."

His patience was wearing thin.

"Stop with the games. You know what I mean. Why are you acting like this? Why are you pretending there isn't something you're hiding from me?"

I shook my head, unwilling to go where he wanted to go.

"Please don't," I whispered.

My inflection said it all.

"Zelda-"

It was then I just blurted out my thoughts. I probably shouldn't have, but I felt impulsive in that moment.

"I don't believe you've really forgiven me," I interrupted suddenly. "I'm sorry, but I just don't."

Link's eyes widened slightly at my outburst. He was quiet for a moment.

"What?"

I already felt foolish. I didn't want to repeat myself.

"You heard what I said."

The hero then gave me a long once over.

"I knew something like this had to be plaguing you." He was speaking more to himself than to me. "I informed you during the festival that I put all that behind me. I no longer hold a grudge against you."

I shook my head.

"I have a hard time believing that. After what you disclosed to me I find your sudden reformation towards me a bit swift."

Link gave me an obvious look.

"You call over five years apart swift?"

I closed my eyes and shook my head.

"You know what I mean."

This time he shook his head.

"I don't think I do. I think you're afraid and you're regressing back to what feels comfortable for you."

I opened my eyes and stared at him taken aback.

"Excuse me?"

He ignored my tone.

"I didn't stutter," he then stated his point more definitively, "I think you're scared."

He was actually one hundred percent correct, but I wasn't willing to relinquish my pride yet.

"So what if I am? It doesn't negate the fact-"

"-that I love you," he interrupted.

I stared at him stunned and took a step back. He just stared back when I had no rebuttal. I felt so silly.

"I... I..." I didn't know what to say.

Link stood patiently and waited.

"What is it? What are you afraid to tell me?"

I looked away for a moment.

"Your child died because of me. You didn't get married because of me. You didn't get to go after the second mirror because of me. How am I to reconcile all that?"

Link watched me carefully. He could see I was trying my hardest not to cry. I wanted to let the guilt go, but it was not easy. I hated the thought of innocent people suffering because of my actions.

"Zelda... you didn't kill my child, recklessness did. I'll be honest with you, I couldn't marry Ilia even if times were good. I don't love her like that. And we both know the second mirror was a misunderstanding you and I had no real knowledge of."

My eyes did sting then, but it was only because his reasonableness was making me feel worse.

"Why aren't you angry?"

"I told you I am done being angry."

I blinked several times. No tears produced. I knew there was one last subject that could garner a possible reaction from him.

"Midna is waiting for you Link. Why are you worried about me when Midna is waiting for you?"

It was then there was another silence between us. But this one was much more uncomfortable than the first. A few moments later, the hero spoke up.

"Why are you bringing up Midna?"

I took a step back from his reach.

"She's the reason we did all this." I avoiding his eyes. "She's... she's the love of your life."

His features dimmed when I said that.

"The love of my life? That's difficult to conjure Zelda when I just told you I'm in love with you."

I closed my eyes.

"You only think that because... because we slept together. I believe your heart truly lies with the twilight queen. She's had it for so long, there's no way you could let it go so easily."

His mouth became agape at my disclosure.

"Because we slept together? Is that how you see it?"

I paused.

"How else am I suppose to see it?"

He was clearly upset with me. He didn't bother to clarify. He was too annoyed at that point.

"What's going on with you?" he demanded suddenly. "Why are you doing this now?"

I really didn't know.

"It's the truth."

He took a step towards me.

"It's the truth according to you. I told you I was done lying to you. If I wanted to be with Midna, I would tell you so. We both know what this is about. You're afraid, but you don't have to be. You need to stop being a coward and let me love you the way you deserve. The way we both deserve."

I expected him to say such, but I couldn't bring myself to believe him completely. Then I uttered something I would immediately regret.

"You don't love me," I said more to myself than to him.

There was a long silence after that. The anger line that sometimes etched his features was more than apparent on his handsome face now. There was no way Link was going to let me slide with saying that.

"Don't do that Zelda, don't tell me how I feel," he warned. "If you have a change of heart that's on you, but don't try to push your wayward feelings off on me."

I shook my head.

"My feelings aren't wayward. They were never wayward. I've never had any doubts... never."

He raised a brow.

"Then what's the problem? I have told you time and again that I have forgiven you. Let your fear go!"

I swallowed hard.

"I-"

"Look at me! If you're going to try to convince yourself you don't love me, then you're going to look me in the eyes when you do so."

My throat tightened and I hesitated. I then reluctantly looked him in the eyes like he requested. It wasn't easy.

"I wasn't going to say that," I went back to his previous statement.

Now Link crossed his arms over his chest.

"It certainly sounds like it."

I knew I wasn't communicating the way I wanted to.

"Look,I only meant that you should keep your options open before you make declarations of love to someone." Then, I added unwisely, "You're known for going back and forth with what you want."

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"So now you're holding what I did in the past against me? Is that what you're doing? I thought we were beyond that!"

I cut my eyes from his just then.

"Can you blame me?" I said in a moment of weakness. "I was ready to marry you back then and you rejected me like I was a piece of trash!"

Link was staring at me in complete disbelief.

"I explained to you my reasons at the festival. I couldn't do anything about us back then. I had gotten Ilia pregnant!"

I shook my head.

"Whatever," I said more to myself than to him.

He gave me several once overs like I had two heads.

"That's your reply? Whatever?'"

I rolled my eyes and looked away in frustration. I didn't answer his inquiry.

"You... you don't trust me. You don't trust what I'm telling you."

I didn't want this conversation to devolve into an argument, but I think I was already unsuccessful in that regard.

"No, that isn't what I meant."

"Then what do you mean?"

I hesitated for a moment when I looked up and saw the hurt in his eyes. I was probably so foolish to him.

"I just want you to be sure."

Link stared into my eyes for a long time before he took several steps towards me and took hold of my shoulders. His eyes searched my face almost imploringly.

"I am sure Zelda. I love you, I promise. I love you more than my own life."

I felt a little shaken with him saying it again and this time I had to avoid his eyes. I wanted to believe that so badly.

"But what about Midna? She's always going to hold a special place in your heart."

Link stared at me for a moment and took in a deep sigh. He nodded slowly, not denying his feeling for the illustrious monarch.

"Yes she is, but that doesn't change how I feel for you."

I didn't reply and let my gaze fall to his chest. He may have thought this was helpful, but it was just making my insecurities surface even more. Knowing what Link was willing to do to go after Midna in the past, coupled with how I mistreated him, I just couldn't bring myself to believe him. I took a step back and released myself from his grip. I didn't want to be the 'other' woman. I didn't want to be the second choice when he was my first. I knew he was trying to reassure me, but it wasn't working.

Link was studying my facial expression.

"What's the matter Zelda? What are you thinking about?"

I remained stubborn.

"I... don't think you should make a decision until after you see Midna. Until after we get to the Twilight Realm and you know for sure what you want."

His eyes widened slightly. He was stunned.

"You're serious?"

I took another step back.

"I just think the night of the festival may have clouded your judgement. It happens all the time."

His breathing quickened.

"Not with me it doesn't. Stop talking about what happened between us as though it were a mistake, it wasn't a mistake!"

I didn't reply right away. I stroked my hair behind my ears and still avoided his eyes.

"Yes it was. You know none of that would have happened if we hadn't spoken about the past. You made love to me because you pitied me."

I didn't even know why I said that.

"I can't believe you," he said, "you're really serious."

I wrapped my arms around myself.

"I have to be. I need to protect my heart."

Link was quiet for a moment, he was obviously upset.

"Because yours is the only one involved here," he said sarcastically, then added with a bit of anger. "You're so damn selfish."

I looked at him surprised with his blunt candor.

"Aren't we all in the end? Don't you think-"

It was apparent he had had enough. He put up his hand in my mid-sentence and turned and walked away from me before I could finish. He went to get his bag and picked it up off the ground in a frustrated fashion. I was a little taken aback at his anger, but I couldn't say it wasn't warranted.

"Don't you say another word to me." He tried to control his temper. "Not another word."

This was not the way I wanted this to go, but somehow I managed to screw it up.

"Link-"

"Not another goddamn word Zelda!" he turned and yelled at me, it was clear that he was hurt. "Not one!"

I took several steps back until my skirt touched the edge of the water. I wasn't going to lie, he frightened me with how angry he got just then. I watched as he snatched up his bag and headed for the waterfalls alone. It prompted me to stop him even though my better judgement told me not to.

"Where are you going?" I called to him finally.

He stopped for a second and turned to look at me. He shrugged his shoulders sarcastically.

"What difference does it make?" he called back. "I told you earlier where I wanted both of us to go."

I looked at a loss.

"Are you coming back? We still have-"

He groaned in open exasperation.

"I'm not leaving you, okay?"

Afterwards, he turned back around and headed for the falls. I watched him helplessly and felt like a fool for having provoked him. I might have really ruined things growing between us. And just when I thought this situation couldn't get any worse, a sudden bright light flashed before my eyes. A familiar, but stern looking divinity reared her lovely head. I knew I shouldn't have been aggravated, but I didn't want to see Hylia right now after what just transpired with Link. She had seen and heard everything and I knew I was going to get scolded for it.

She is going to let me have it, I thought miserably, and sat down on the grass before she prompted me to.

"Hello Hylia." I did not bother looking at her.

I didn't have to see her expression to know there was a disappointed look on her face.

"Hey there Zel." Hylia sat down next to me.

I stared out at the lake and took in a deep sigh. We were silent for what seemed like forever before I did the inevitable and broke it.

"I know you're disappointed in what I said to Link, but I had to. I couldn't help myself."

Hylia didn't reply immediately. She simply nodded, but I could tell a storm was brewing behind her bright blue eyes.

"You couldn't help it..." she said more to herself than to me.

Her inflection said it all.

"Yes," I replied anyway.

She cut her gaze in my direction.

"So... let me get this straight. You finally get the man you love to say what you were hoping he'd say for years now, and you push him away because you're afraid he might actually love you? Do I have the gist?"

I rolled my eyes and didn't answer that.

"It isn't that simple."

She clearly disagreed with me.

"Oh yes my dear, it is. You're a fool. I said it once and I'll say it again, what is wrong with this generation?"

I ignored her dig.

"Contrary to what you may think, I'm not a fool. Link is not being completely honest with me!"

Hyliua challenged that notion.

"How do you know?"

I looked away from her.

"I just do. I could tell from... from-"

"From the way he made love to you at the inn? I wasn't going to bring it up, but you're acting like a complete idiot in this regard."

I clamped my mouth shut after that and refused to speak. If this was the way she was going to conduct herself, she could speak to the wind. I didn't need to be badgered to have a point made. Even so, she saw my reluctance and went on anyway.

"Do you have any idea what you're about to throw away by tempting the hero to go back to Midna? Do you know how rare a man like that is? You better be careful what you wish for Zel, because you just might get it."

I turned from staring at the water to the falls in the distance. I didn't want to see the goddess in my periphery. I still had nothing to say. I was well aware of how special Link was, but I couldn't shake this feeling of doubt I had. Something was gnawing at me that he was not over Midna. Link had been intimate with plenty of different women. That was his own admission. What difference would a night in bed with a queen make? It did not negate the past. It was still there. It was still ugly. There was no way it could.

Hylia sighed when she sensed she hit a wall with me. I wasn't budging and I didn't want to talk about being intimate with Link. I was too embarrassed about it as it was. I didn't need her to remind me of all the things I did wrong in passing. She rested her weight on her elbows before she addressed me once more.

"Look, I'll leave you alone about it. I didn't come here to argue with you anyway. I was initially going to ask you how you were feeling, but I already know... not so great. I saw you two lovebirds just had a spat and I wanted to dispel it."

I brought my knees to my chest and rested my weary head on them.

"I understand," I muttered finally.

Hylia just stared at me for a moment.

"Besides the obvious, how did the festival go?"

I didn't know why she was asking. She already knew.

"It went fine," I replied without much conviction. "We got the last shard and we're ready to proceed to the Arbiter's Grounds, but I'm sure you're aware of that."

Hylia nodded, but didn't reply immediately. She sensed a bit of hostility from me.

"Why are you still so defensive Zelda? I changed the subject."

My throat tightened at her question. I looked over at her incredulously. After the tongue lashing she just gave me, she had the nerve to ask me why I was so defensive? Dear goddesses, give me a break.

"I just want things to be right. I want everything to be right with everybody."

Hylia stared me straight in the eyes.

"You know as well as I do that that is impossible. I'm a goddess and I'm telling you this. You'll never be able to make everyone happy, never."

I knew she was right, but I didn't want to hear this. I wanted to feel vindicated for the stupid decision I was making.

"Then I'm a fool then, because I do believe it is possible."

The goddess sighed, then reached over and took hold of my shoulders like a mother wanting to speak to a wayward child.

"Zelda, you aren't thinking clearly. You have no idea what's gotten into you."

I looked down, avoiding her eyes.

"Ancestral mother I-"

However, she shushed me with her finger. It wasn't supposed to be a comment for me to reply to.

"No, I'm serious," she said almost cryptically. "You have no idea why you're acting this way."

I then stared at her taken aback. With the way she was talking she was making it seem like I had no choice in how I was behaving. I was perplexed and hoped she would afford me more clarity with her statement.

"What do you mean by that?"

Hylia released my shoulders and turned to stare at the lake. Her expression was troubled. But, I think she was finally going to reveal some truths to me.

"It's those damn shards," she divulged all of a sudden.

My eyes widened slightly.

"What?"

The goddess closed hers.

"The shards are affecting your ability to reason rationally. There's a very ancient evil cast onto those shards proctored by an unholy alliance that took place years ago in the Twilight Realm."

I went from surprised to dumbstruck. I had no idea in what she was talking about.

"An unholy alliance? What alliance?"

Hylia was then quiet for a very long time, but never answered my question.

"Your behavior is being directly affected by the evil attributes of those shards," she deflected cleverly. "The longer they're in your possession, the worse off you'll become. I know you've noticed a significant change in you."

That would explain why I was acting the way I was acting at the festival a few days back. Perhaps that was also the reason I was so harsh regarding the situation with Ilia. I knew there was something going on. I just had no idea it was something so sinister in nature.

"Why didn't you notify me of this sooner?"

I did not mean to sound so forceful with her. Hylia ran a hand over her face and shook her head, not having a clear answer for that.

"I honestly thought you wouldn't get this far," she divulged more to herself than to me.

I stared at her clearly confused now, not understanding what she meant. I pursed my lips together in worry and shook my head.

"Why would you think that? Didn't you have faith in me?"

The goddess then glanced my way.

"It has nothing to do with having faith in you. This is just a matter of common sense on my part... I never should have had you do this."

Her tone was full of regret.

"Hylia-"

"I just wanted you to fall in love," she was still speaking more to herself than to me, "that's all."

I stared at her for a moment, obviously stunned at what she just told me, but I still wasn't clear on everything. There were still some things that weren't making sense to me.

"Hylia... I... I have noticed a change in my behavior," I admitted, going back to her initial thought, "but is it just me that the shards affect? Can they affect others as well?"

The goddess sat up and fiddled with some grass next to her. It looked like she was milling through my questions.

"No and yes, it affects Link too, and all Hylians actually." She then paused for a long time before she went on. "You see, the shards highlight the attribute a Hylian most possesses."

I looked at her taken aback.

"What? What do you mean?"

The goddess met my gaze before she went on.

"I know I told you I wouldn't tell you this, but now I feel I must. There are seven deadly attributes of the mirror," she revealed. "The words that you saw branded red in ancient Hylian are: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, lust, gluttony, and greed. You, Zelda my dear, possess a lot of envy, and Link possesses a great deal of wrath. However, as you must know, you both have an equal amount of lust for each other."

This was all so incredible to me. It was surreal for a moment.

"Are you serious?"

Hylia nodded.

"Every time you took possession of a shard. There was a notable increase in the change in your behavior towards one another. It would have culminated at the festival in that bedroom if that ninja hadn't shown up to stop it."

I found it strange that she said it that way.

"I don't understand, why?"

Hylia didn't expect me to.

"It is a lot to take in," she forewent my question for the moment.

I swallowed hard as my thoughts swirled in my head. I looked away from her briefly to the lake where the crystal blue waters were still and calm. This was bordering on the boundaries of the unbelievable.

It was almost as if Sheik's mission with regard to that explosive was to stop Link and I from having sex.

The goddess subtly grunted.

"You would be right about that to a certain extent," Hylia revealed in relation to my thought process. "Though unconventional, Sheik is a servant of Hyrule, he knows that those shards feed off the caustic energy of its latent attributes. Even so, he was not able to stop the occurrence from happening. It did culminate."

My eyes widened.

"You're talking about when Link's and my Triforces emitted energy through us," I realized.

Hylia nodded.

"You would be correct."

I was confused.

"Wouldn't our energies be constituted as good energies? Why would it feed the mirror?"

Hylia understood my puzzlement.

"I would agree with you if it wasn't initiated when you were both under duress. The circumstances leading up to the culmination revealed some very poignant stuff." I hadn't thought of it that way, but it did make sense. Hylia continued. "Every time you or Link showed anger, envy, or lust, the shards influence grew stronger."

I looked at Hylia surprised just then.

"Are you saying that because Link and I were at the festival with the shards, it made everyone else around us more susceptible?"

The goddess nodded and raised her hands in mock surrender.

"I understand your dismay, but that's it exactly. I know it was wrong for me to keep this from you, but that enchantment you felt was nothing more than the reverberations of the shards."

My mouth became agape involuntarily.

My goddess.

"Think about all the people you came in contact with when you had those shards and what their reactions have been." Hylia then paused for a moment before she went on. "After you gathered the shard in the gorge, you went to see King Ralis did you not?"

I was starting to see where she was going with this.

"Yes, Link and I did."

The goddess looked up at the sky.

"And what was his behavior like?"

I bit my lower lip thoughtfully, while I contemplated what she was asking.

He was more forward than usual. He asked me to marry him right in front of Link, that was unusual.

"Exactly," Hylia replied to my thoughts, not waiting for me to enunciate. "Ralis's lust was made more apparent towards you. Are you beginning to understand?"

I nodded.

"This is unbelievable."

The goddess went on.

"Now, what about when you had two shards and you went to see the prince of Dragon Roost? How was he?"

This one was going to be a little harder for me to deduce because Elbourne was typically a very forward man. However, I was beginning to see a pattern in what she was saying.

Elbourne was never that aggressive in the past when it came to his desire in coveting property in Hyrule. Even though he has an apparent fixation with me, he still usurped my authority, illegally had a pylon built, and arrogantly flew his dragon over Hyrule air space without so much as a flinch for retribution. He was never the type to be so antagonistic before.

"You are correct again," Hylia did not wait for me to answer, "Elbourne of Dragon of Roost's greed, was made more manifest due to the influence of the shards. I believe Link was right when he said he desires more than your bed Zelda. Now, think about when all three shards were in one place, the festival, what did you see there?"

Everything seemed so obvious now.

"There was…" I finally spoke up, "there was gluttony, with excess in terms of how the citizens were consuming and being consumed with their exhibitions. There was greed in the overindulgence of hedonism. There was sloth in the drunkenness of some of the people…"

I stopped myself from going on, not wanting to express the characteristics of the other attributes, knowing they had a more personal nature. Hylia looked at me waiting for me to go on, but when she saw that I wasn't planning to, she took the liberty to finish for me.

"There was wrath on the end of Ilia and Beth," she continued. "They saw you as a threat to their intentions with Link."

I found it strange that she said 'they.'

"Wasn't it just Ilia?"

The goddess shook her head.

"Don't be mistaken, Beth had a considerable amount of anger towards you. Understand that her feelings, or infatuation, had been quite established at this point for Link."

I looked at her surprised and Hylia merely grinned.

"Shocking isn't it? Envy was shown on the scale of Beth, Ilia, Elbourne, Shad, Link, you, and even your sweet Colin," she divulged. "It was clear that Elbourne and Link were jealous of each other, though their reasons may be very different. Shad was jealous of Link because of your affection for him. Beth and Ilia were obviously jealous of you because of Link, but you were also jealous of Ilia because of Link's obliged dedication to her. Colin was jealous of Link because of his affection for you, but there is also a deep seeded need in that young man to become great like Link, and seeing another woman he was interested in dote over a man he was trying to overcome was a little much for him."

I listened amazed, but it was almost too much for me. I was disturbed with how powerful this mirror actually was.

"To think a measure of the excess that took place at the festival was because of a few pieces of glass all in the same place," I whispered more to myself.

Hylia felt the need to correct my thinking.

"That mirror isn't just a few pieces of glass. That mirror is dangerous, that mirror is... insidious."

Her utterance made me think back to when I first heard that description in Ordon about the Arbiter.

'The putting together of the insidious attributes will result in the Arbiter's kiss.'

"Trust me when I say you don't want this arbiter to awaken," Hylia continued in line with my thoughts. "And I don't think I need to give you another example of lust between you and Link, that one should be easy, right?"

I suddenly looked away from her embarrassed. I wished what happened wasn't talked about so nonchalantly by her. She had no idea how belittling she was making it seem.

"You don't need to be ashamed of what happened between you and Link," Hylia was reading me entirely the wrong way, "The problem was the circumstances with which they happened. You see, if you had told him you were in love with him before what happened between you two had taken place, then Sheik would not have interrupted you. But… since your passion was a direct result of the influence of the shards, it had to be stopped."

I suddenly looked at Hylia flummoxed.

I didn't understand that.

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask. "We said we loved each other during the act. Why is that any less acceptable?"

Hylia raised her brows, knowing she was going to have to explain that.

"Because again it was after you were both already acting on the influence of the mirror. All of the energy from the seven attributes feeds the arbiter. You and Link have Triforces of Courage and Wisdom. You two culminated your lust for each other under those circumstances. You unfortunately fed the arbiter's kiss more energy than he could ever need."

I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it.

"This is insane." I shook my head.

Hylia didn't have much in the way of a rebuttal.

"Unfortunately, it is, but that is the nature of the mirror."

I was completely bewildered.

"How is that possible?"

Hylia looked down at the grass and ran her hand through a patch.

"Because the arbiter made it that way," she replied.

Something in how she was choosing her words was suddenly confusing to me. I leaned in a little and lowered my voice.

"Hylia... why do you sometimes say the arbiter, while at other times you'll say the arbiter's kiss? What's the difference?"

She got definitively quiet at my question.

"I... I would rather not say."

So, there was a difference and she was deliberately hiding the truth from me. I stared at her desperately just then.

"Who's the arbiter Hylia? Please tell me, I need to know."

Hylia groaned and shook her head.

"Trust me you don't want to know," she warned, then added as if talking to herself. "He's sick, he's so incredibly sick and twisted Zelda."

So the arbiter is a male.

"Yes," she whispered in response to my thoughts, but didn't say anything else.

There was real terror in her voice, and for the first time I felt truly petrified of the consequences of what putting this mirror together could mean. Hylia looked lost in her thoughts, and when I reached over to touch her shoulder she jumped a little. Her reaction startled both herself and me. I placed my hand over my heart to quell it.

My goddess, if the arbiter does this to Hylia what chance do I stand?

"Exactly," Hylia said quietly in reply to my thoughts, "which is why I want you to relinquish the shards to me. I don't want you assembling that mirror Zelda."

My eyes widened shocked.

"Ancestr-"

"Tell Link you've changed your mind and that you love him still. You have the man you want as your king, Hyrule will be safe with the shards in my possession, and no one will ever be the wiser."

I didn't know what to say, except for the obvious.

"But what about Midna?"

She rolled her eyes at my question.

"What about her?"

I wasn't surprised at her reaction, but she didn't seem to care to echo the sentiments of why she told me to do this quest in the first place. She seemed very frustrated that I kept bringing up the twilight queen.

"Isn't she-"

"Link loves you. He's said so, if you love him, take him at his word and go home. You will hand those shards over to me before the day is out. I never should have told you to do this."

I looked at her shocked by the ultimatum.

What in the-?

Hylia got up from the grass and walked down to the shoreline of the lake. I looked after her, knowing she wouldn't want to be followed.

"I was hoping things would turn out differently. As it turns out, I have a huge responsibility in all this."

I stared at her, wishing she would just tell me what she was talking about.

"I don't understand. I partook of this quest of my own free will."

Hylia sighed and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Yes you did, but I put cautionary warnings at every turnstile I could," she paused before she went on, "I told the guardians to warn you."

I was stunned, but then I shook my head.

"But when I told you about Lanayru, you seemed truly surprised."

Hylia turned finally and stared at me.

"That's called acting kid."

My frustration with this situation couldn't have been more apparent.

"You did what?"

Hylia nodded, then turned back around to stare at the lake.

"I had to. I know what imminent danger awaits you in the Arbiter's Grounds."

I appreciated and understood her concern, but that still didn't explain why she even had me do all this.

"Then why did you tell me to do this? I don't understand!"

Hylia didn't answer my question and pursed her lips together.

"I don't want you to go any farther Zelda," she said with a hint of finality. "I mean it."

I knew I was in a losing battle with her.

"What about my promise to Link? I can't renege on that."

Hylia raised her eyebrows and walked back towards me. She looked down at me sternly as she stood over me.

"Yes you can. Promises are broken all the time. Besides, I honestly don't think he cares about going to the Twilight Realm anymore anyway. The obsession in getting there now lies with you."

I was taken aback at her direct accusation on the matter.

"But Hylia-"

"I'm serious Zelda. Tell Link you love him, move on from here, and marry your king. You have to do it for you."

I rolled my eyes and looked away.

This is more than just about my happiness.

"You would be right, but my primary concern is your happiness Zelda."

I got up from the grass and dusted myself off.

"My happiness? I doubt that."

Hylia came up to me took hold of my shoulders just then.

"Please don't doubt that. Take your own advice, and take a chance on Link. He loves you Zelda, he truly does, you don't need enchantment or temptation to make you see that, you just need a little of Link's courage." She then took hold of my wrist with the bracelet on it. "But just in case you decide to be stubborn… " she trailed, and began transferring energy to it, "I'm juicing this to its maximum. If you… if you decide to go forward against my wishes, you will need to be at full strength, because you are going to have to face the warrior Sheik alone without Link's help."

The thought of fighting Sheik terrified me to no end.

I shook my head.

"I don't know how to fight a skilled ninja ancestral mother."

Hylia just stared at me.

"You will with that bracelet. You'll be as powerful as your ancestors."

I was still not convinced.

"Why does it have to be that way? Why can't Link help me?"

Hylia looked at me seriously for a moment.

"Because these are trials of wisdom Zelda. This is what you asked for."

I bit my lower lip after hearing her say that. Hylia saw my expression and tried to encourage me.

"Zelda you've got more in you than you think. You've got to trust that."

I was troubled with everything she revealed to me, but I nodded anyway.

"I guess I'm going to have to."

With that, Hylia hugged me.

"I've got to go. Pretty boy is on his way back." She held me tightly for a moment. "Tell him Zelda."

I closed my eyes, as her words echoed in my ear. Hylia then stepped back, snapped her fingers, and just like that, she was gone. Everything she told me left me wondering what in the world I should do.

I can't assemble this mirror. If I do, there is no telling what will happen.

However, I was at war with myself, thinking about what Hylia told me and remembering what I promised to do for myself. I glanced in Link's direction as he was walking towards me. He had changed into his tan tunic and shaved. His hair was still wet from bathing. As he approached, he didn't seem as frustrated as he once was. I closed my eyes and prepared myself to tell him that our journey was about to be over. I needed to see things the way ancestral mother was seeing things. It was obvious something sinister was on the horizon. Why was I acting so foolishly? I didn't matter now. It seemed I would never know the key to this puzzle. However, Hyrule being safe was far more important. Hylia was about to get her wish. It looked like Link and I wouldn't be going to the Twilight Realm after all.

Did you see all seven sins in the previous chapters?