A/N: I'm ill at the moment, which might delay the last chapter slightly. Yes, the next chapter is the last! I've got some stuff in the works, but I'm excited to finish this one.

What I don't get is that this story has had over a thousand hits and less than thirty reviews. Ah well, those of you who have reviewed have made a sick girl very happy!

Muchos luv,

Silverpistola


Chapter 5

A week passed in silence at the palace. The King assumed Zelda to be sulking and, now that the travellers had been removed, he allowed her to wander Hyrule freely once more. The Princess spent much time at Death Mountain with Link's sister, who was enjoying the attention of the Gorons, who were fascinated by the child and her various singing and weaving talents.

However, occasionally she would be reminded of her brother's absence and her courage would fail her. Zelda also fell victim to times of deepest despair, but still would not allow me to deliver Link's final message and lived ever in fear of his return.

But the real trouble, everything that Zelda had been avoiding since the night of the anarchy, was to come back at her upon returning to Hyrule University.


"Papa Darunia taught me how throw bombs today," Aretha told Zelda, her warm dark eyes twinkling as she smiled.

Zelda shot Darunia a warning look, but he was too busy laughing heartily to notice.

"She's got a real arm on her!" He roared, grinning widely. "Can't say much for her aim though."

Aretha pouted. "I didn't mean to hit him. It's his own fault for standing in the way."

Sheik chuckled, surprising Zelda who was still unaccustomed to hearing him laugh after all their years as friends. Zelda took Aretha by the hand and led her out of the cave into the bright sunshine where they sat down on the rocks. Zelda had grown far too fond of the little girl in a few days and could not help but take comfort in her sweetness.

"I came to tell you that tomorrow I am returning to school," Zelda spoke, preparing herself for tears or tantrums.

"School?" Aretha repeated, questioningly.

Zelda had forgotten that travelling around the world would mean that Aretha had never been to school.

"Where I learn how to be a Princess," she explained, wincing as she said it.

Aretha sighed, sadly, looking down at her shoes. "You won't have time to play with me."

Her voice was so resigned that Zelda felt guilty for underestimating her. She cocked her chin upwards and smiled down at her. "I will have time to see you. Just not as much."

Aretha nodded and they fell into companionable silence.

"When Link comes back, will you come with us?"

She had not spoken of this since the morning after he had left, but Zelda knew she had been thinking about it.

"It isn't quite so simple," Zelda answered, quietly.

"Because you're a Princess?"

"Well… yes."

The little girl looked thoughtful for a moment. "Do you have to be a Princess?"

Zelda smiled. "I'm afraid so."

Aretha looked up at her, her eyes filled with innocence. "I wish you weren't a Princess, Miss Zelda."

Sheik had emerged from the cave and watched as Zelda closed her eyes and drew Aretha close to her.


"This is a bad idea," Sheik said, firmly as they entered the halls of Hyrule University.

The day was warm and breezy and the high corridors were filled with a rosy warm light that streamed through the long windows. There was a murmur of resigned chatter as Hyrule's future movers and shakers made their way to classes, each casting Zelda a second glance as they passed.

Zelda's lips were set in a hard line and her fists were clenched. "I can't hide forever."

Sheik grabbed at her wrist. "Zelda wait, there's something I must tell you."

But before Sheik could say anything else an all too familiar voice sounded in the hall.

"Decided to finally show your face, your Highness?"

Malon made her way through the crowd, surrounded by her usual followers. Her blue eyes flashed maliciously and she tossed her hair. The crowd seemed to have fallen silent, sensing confrontation, a general rarity at the University.

"I'd of thought you would have stayed away a little longer. Really, Princess, a month is more befitting for such an embarrassment. Then again, your dignity has long been lost, so I suppose it doesn't really matter."

Sheik stood back, feeling powerless, but knowing this was Zelda's fight.

"My dignity is perfectly intact, thank you, Malon. For it to be damaged I would have to care about the thoughts of people like you," Zelda answered, scathingly.

"Oh," Malon answered, feigning innocence, "about the thoughts of Hylians? It's quite clear you don't give a damn about your people."

Zelda's eyes narrowed, but before she could retort, Malon released the secret Sheik had been shielding Zelda from.

"Still, it's a good thing your Father cares about what we have to say. Indeed, he was most interested when I told him whom I'd seen you with."

Sheik froze, his eyes on Zelda. Her clenched fists were shaking.

"To think, associating with the unwashed –"

Malon would most likely have continued on in this vein, endless cruelty spilling from her lips like poison, had Zelda had not thrown back her hand and slapped her.


Zelda was biting back a smile as her Father paced, his eyes murderous.

"What were you thinking? Have I taught you nothing?"

Her hand was still tingling from the hit and her heart had only just slowed back to it's usual pace. In that second when she had allowed her heart to dictate her actions, rather than her mind, she had tasted that same freedom. The freedom Link had given her, the freedom she missed so badly. Almost as much as him.

"I can't understand what has come over you. If your Mother was alive, she'd be ashamed."

This comment brought Zelda to her feet.

"How dare you," she snarled, "my Mother understood what was important."

"Your Mother, honoured her duty. She was a magnificent Queen," The King bellowed, his face growing with colour.

"And it killed her," Zelda screamed, furiously. "If you're ashamed of me, send me away, wash your hands of me. But if I am to be Queen there will be some changes around here."

The King looked incapable of speech so Zelda seized her new found courage. "Make your choice, Father."


Zelda propped her elbows upon the little wooden fence, watching with amusement as Aretha ordered about a troop of Gorons who were making crowns of flowers. Darunia was charmed by her and her wish was his command. Zelda looked up at him as he was stood beside her, noting his smirk.

"That girl has the makings of brilliance. I must confess, I will be devastated to see her go."

Zelda nodded. "When Link returns."

"Princess," Darunia spoke, gently, "you must learn to forgive yourself. This is not your fault. You met a boy, you fell in love. Where is the crime?"

"The crime is that I am no mere girl. I have a duty."

Zelda's brow furrowed as she heard the words, heard her own voice, tired and sad. How many times had she said something to this effect? All her life she had been wrapped up in her own angst, in longing for another life. But the truth was she had glimpsed that life and now she had seen it, she wasn't sure she could live without it.


Sheik stopped in the entrance of the temple to cast a glance up at the stars. As a Sheikah warrior in training he had a heightened sense of awareness, which was why he jumped when he felt a hand clap on his shoulder.

"Link?" He hissed, incredulously, upon wheeling around to see the gypsy boy's face.

"Is she okay?" Link demanded, not wasting time on greetings. His face was drawn and his eyes were tired. He looked as though he carried troubles not meant for one of such youth.

"Aretha is safe," Sheik assured him.

Link nodded, closing his eyes and running both hands through his hair.

"Link, are you sure it is safe to be here? If anyone were to see you-"

"I know. But I cannot leave without her."

"Leave?"

Link called over a horse, not the same elegant mere Sheik remembered, but a brown stallion.

"Epona is too recognisable," Link explained, noticing Sheik's expression.

Sheik also noted that Link was dressed in brown and his hair had been cut so that it only just fell past his ears.

"It might not be enough," Sheik warned.

"I'm willing to risk it," Link answered.

Sheik looked up at the position of the moon. The sun would rise in four hours.

"I'll lead you to the village. No one will question me."

Link nodded, taking the reins of the horse.

"What are you doing out so late, Sheik?" Link asked, curiously.

Sheik sighed. "Zelda is troubled. Her distress disturbs my dreams."

Link looked at him. "How?"

Sheik smiled, mysteriously. "Zelda and I have an unexplainable bond. Few can comprehend it. We were born at the same time, to the exact minute. Both of us have suffered great loss. Both of us have great responsibility."

Link tilted his head to one side as they walked through the night.

"So you know how she feels?"

"In layman's terms, yes."

They approached the steps leading up to the village where only days ago Zelda had waited for news, her heart trembling with fear.

"I have a lot to thank you for Sheik. I am forever in your debt," Link spoke, solemnly.

Sheik looked long and hard at Link. "Take her with you," he said, firmly.

Link looked away, his lips turning downwards.

"I can't force her, Sheik… she made things clear."

"Don't tell me that you owe me if you're not willing to accept my request," Sheik said, coldly.

Link looked up the steps. "I've found a place near the beach. Aretha loves the water."

Sheik's expression softened. "Swear to me that you'll ask her."

Link smiled, bitterly. "I could never leave without knowing."