A/N: Hey everyone. Well, here is chapter four! I never intended this story to be so long, but as I wrote more I realised I couldn't wrap it up quite so quickly.

Thank you so much for all the reviews! I really mean that, you're all fabulous! Have a happy thought on me!

Chapter five is pretty much written and I'm estimating there'll be another chapter after that.

PLEASE everyone review. I have a tough week ahead and I could really do with the encouragement.

Muchos luv,

Silverpistola


Chapter 4

Goddesses, the destruction seemed endless. It spread across our land like a flood of poison. The tongues of fools indeed are the most dangerous. I watched from my window as the Princess ascended the hill to the castle, broken and lonely. And I was not the only one to see her as she slipped inside.


"Where have you been?"

Zelda's dress was dirty and torn along the hem and her hair was wild. She had taken a detour on her way home, knowing that it was foolish, but wanting desperately to be alone with her sorrow if only for a few hours.

"Father, please," she murmured, her voice sounding weak to her own ears. Was this what it was to finally give in?

"I asked you a question and I want the truth. Where have you been?"

There was something in his tone, in the way his eyes were scrutinising her face that caused a sudden fear to wash over her.

"I… went to the Zora's waterfall."

There was a flicker in his eyes, but he remained absolutely still, watching her from his vantage point on the staircase.

"With whom?"

Could it be…? But how…? Startled and frantic thoughts raced around her mind and she found herself struggling to remain composed.

"Alone."

The King sighed.

"I had expected more of you Zelda. I thought we had come to an understanding. Clearly, I was wrong."

Impa had appeared in a doorway on Zelda's left. She shook her head, sadly.

There was nothing to be said, Zelda had no option but to wait until he revealed his information to her.

"You were seen with him."

Zelda's breath seemed to stop.

"Seen?" She choked, her eyes wide with fear.

The King's face grew hard. "Yes." His voice was deadly quiet. One bad move would indefinitely mean disaster. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Impa was still watching, silently. Zelda wondered if Sheik was listening somewhere.

"I… I did not mean to cause any harm. I simply…I wanted to know what it was like."

The King's voice seemed almost pleading as he spoke. "I told you that I could not protect them if they wronged my people."

"How have they wronged you? Leave them be," Zelda pleaded, "please, I will take their punishment."

The King shook his head. "It is too late. Word has gotten beyond my reach. There is… nothing I can do."

He turned his head, much as a teacher would on a pupil that has disgraced their name and slowly ascended the staircase.


The first signs of anarchy were notable in the town as Sheik rode through and toward the drawbridge.

"Lower the bridge!" He demanded.

"Now you know we can't until-" The guard tried to argue before falling silent at the sight of Sheik's blazing crimson eyes. The drawbridge was quickly lowered. The noise in the town was growing to that of a roar, many voices weaved into one. Sheik urged his horse faster.

The dwellings of the travellers were silent, unaware of the growing mayhem only minutes away. Sheik jumped from his horse and ran toward the small, green tent that Zelda had described to him.

"Link!" He called. "Link, awaken!"

There was a grappling sound in the darkness before a lamp was deftly lit. Sheik noticed a little girl staring at him with wide, terrified eyes and then looked to Link who was notably pale.

"You must leave, all of you. Now."

Link did not demand an explanation as Sheik had expected him too, but looked to the little girl.

"I can… take her somewhere safe, if you would wish it," Sheik offered, hesitantly.

"Link?" Aretha spoke, uncertainly.

Link got up and knelt before the girl, taking her hand.

"This is Sheik, Aretha. He's a trustworthy friend of mine. He's going to take you somewhere safe where you must promise to wait until I return for you."

"No," she shook her head, "I want to stay with you."

Link smiled sadly. "You can't. Not for now. But I'll come back, real soon, okay?"

She shook her head again, her little hands grasping his cuffs.

"Link, there isn't much time," Sheik warned.

"I'll come back. I promise. Do this for me, Aretha."

Aretha looked up at Sheik who made an effort to smile.

"Go," Link told him, firmly. "I'll take care of this. And in some time I'll come back for her."

Sheik took the girl's hand. As he moved to exit the tent, he heard Link's voice, quiet and frustrated.

"Tell Zelda… there will be no other."

Sheik nodded gravely before taking the girl and racing away into the night.


Zelda was waiting at the steps of the village. She had heard Sheik's voice in her fitful sleep and it had brought her here as the sun was rising. She had not dared cast a glace toward the river as she hurried through the field, but she could smell the smoke and still hear the bloodlust even though the horrors had passed now.

It was from behind her that a voice called out her name and Zelda spun around, startled to see the owner of the voice.

"Aretha?" She spoke, in shock.

The little girl let go of Sheik's hand and ran to Zelda, her arms outstretched. Zelda caught hold of her, lifting her onto her hip. Her face was streaked with tears and her eyes were wide and fearful, but she buried her face in Zelda's hair and clung to her, desperately.

"So you know the girl," Sheik murmured, his voice still cold.

"Miss Zelda," she sniffled, choking back a sob, "what's happened? Why is everyone gone?"

Zelda felt her throat tighten. What could this mean?

"He… he is not..?" Zelda stammered, looking up at Sheik.

Sheik shook his head and Zelda felt weak with relief.

"He left her with me when I went to warn him."

Aretha had pulled back from Zelda's hair and was gazing into her face with heart-breaking trust.

"He wanted you to take care of me Miss Zelda, didn't he? And then…" Her eyes brightened at her own wonderings, "and then he'll come back and we can be a family!"

Zelda smiled tearfully, but could feel her heart threatening to break.

"We should find you somewhere to stay," she mumbled.

"Can't I stay with you?"

Zelda imagined what her Father might say if she brought the little gypsy orphan back to the palace. "Best not to. I'll take care of you though."

Aretha nodded and laid her head on Zelda's shoulder, sleepily.

"I… have an idea where we could keep her," Sheik spoke up, not meeting Zelda's eyes.


Darunia eyes narrowed as he entered his quarters and saw Sheik and Zelda stood there before widening as they moved the little girl now sleeping in Zelda's arms.

"Princess Zelda…" he hissed, his eyes still on Aretha, "surely you cannot… and Sheik…"

An expression of disgust passed across Sheik's face. "She is not our child, Darunia."

Zelda who had not understood what Darunia was insinuating had the inkling to burst out laughing. She somehow managed to remain composed, though.

"Ah, well, of course I didn't really believe…" Darunia trailed off, his eyes straying to the ground.

"I have something to request of you Darunia," Zelda spoke up, addressing him as though he were a kind uncle, which was always the way she had considered him, "and a story to tell alongside it, but first, I must have your promise not to repeat a word of this to anyone. Most especially my Father."

Darunia's face had grown solemn and thoughtful as he considered her words. He sank down onto his throne, gesturing for them to sit down.

"You have my word, though I cannot promise to help you."

Zelda took a deep breath. "The child is the sister of one of the Travellers. And she is here due to my own mistake."


Sheik was silent as they descended Death Mountain. This was not unusual, but Zelda could feel an unfamiliar tension and awkwardness between them.

"Thank you," she whispered, as they reached the gates to the mountain.

Sheik looked at her, his face softening. "There are some things I must tell you. And not all of them will please you."

Zelda nodded and they sat down on the steps together. Sheik was silent for what seemed like an eternity. Finally he raised his head.

"I'm… sorry."

Zelda smiled, weakly, shifting closer to him and laying her head on his shoulder, just as Aretha had done. "I'm sorry too."

Sheik put an arm around her shoulders and they sat like that, watching the village awake, best friends, closest companions entwined and eternally linked.

"Link gave me a message for you."

Zelda tensed, blinking back more tears.

"Do you want me to tell you?" Sheik asked, gently.

She shook her head.