Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Zelda Franchise... I wish I did.

Chapter 21 - Chances and Encounters

"H-Hello... Papa."

Vahn's very timid and quiet revelation shook the entire ensemble of soldiers; even Sheik looks flabbergasted in little of what is visible of his face.

For what felt like very long minutes, no one moved or said a word. The central hub grew tiny in its size and every eye and attention is now laid upon the two figures standing face to face to each other.

"Vahn…" The words flew in a breath from the General's mouth, his green eyes quivering and getting hazy behind the moist veil.

With a loud and harsh sound, the tall man crashed with his knees on the brown ground, the hard knee pads of his pants crushing the dirt beneath its surface. Raising his trembling arms towards his son, the always daunting man is showing a very conflicting contrast to people that have ever seen him in a light admiration or fear.

"My boy…" Carefully reaching with one hand, The General pressed a firm but gentle touch on the back of Vahn's head, his fingers dancing on his son's fluffy red hair. "For so long I thought I'd lost you… for years I've cursed myself for letting you down, for failing your mother's wishes… How?"

A conflicted smile appeared on the petite scholar's lips, his green eyes also sparkling with the glow of tears. "Papa, please… not here."

General Val's expression shifted from a mixture of joy and sadness to his usual scary frown. "What not here? You disappeared from my life for years! For years I thought the worse… I blamed Ganondorf and his backstabbing mongrels. You, young man, have a lot to explain. I deserve to know!"

This time Vahn's expression is the one morphing into one of displeasure. "I mean it, please, stop." His eyes gave a short glance to the people around them, trying to give the other man a hint.

His father's frown worsened, the tower of a man slowly pulling himself away and standing up to face him. "For one I care not what others think, much less about my family." The General all but shouted his words out. "I raised you a warrior, not a coward. Stand with your chin up, boy. Tell me what happened to you?"

Vahn's green eyes flared up in anger, despite his small frame he managed to cross his arms and copy his father's imposing stance. "What happened to me? THIS!" He pointed a finger to his father, making the man tilt an eyebrow. "You raised me a warrior? I never asked for it. I never wanted to be a soldier, to learn strategies, formation, or whatever delusion you had about my future. I couldn't take it anymore, Papa. I'm not you, I can't be like you…" With his arms shaking, Vahn lowered his gaze, hiding his eyes behind his long bangs. "After the war started… I ran away… I ran away from you."

The people starting to gather a bit closer to witness the commotion quickly grew wide-eyed and began to trail their steps back. They have witnessed their General in a foul mood, and how easy it is to get the older man in that disposition; seeing his son yell words at him was bound to get a reaction out of the man and no one wants to be close when it happens.

However, despite the expectation of many, General Val didn't blow up in heated shouts and threats of clubbing the young man on the top of his head. Instead, the tall man looked down at his son challenging glare, and frowned in confusion.

His mouth twitched in a small movement, his tongue ready to reply with equal force that has been spat at him. But before he could regain his composure, the slender figure of the blond spy stepped in between him and his son.

"General…" Sheik called in a respectful tone. "I don't believe this is a proper place for this conversation." Giving a pleading look with his visible eye, Sheik nodded to the man, expecting to have his request considered.

The General looked to the blond young man, his frown deepening, but as the young Sheikah expected, the older man just growled and then nodded. "As you say, Master Sheikah." He then looked at his son, who is on the verge of tears but still holding to that strong defiant look on his face; this sight giving a light pull of pride inside the hardened soldier's chest. "I… I assume you and your companions have a matter of some urgency to deal with. The Princess was not expecting Master Sheikah's return so soon. HOWEVER, this conversation is not over, young man. I shall await you on a later time, to receive a proper report."

Taking a sharp turn to the right, the tall red-haired man stomped his way out of the central hub, his fuming glare scaring anyone foolish enough to not get out of the path in advance.

Captain Briar, that had lost his voice for most of this situation, finally cleared his throat to get the group's attention onto him. "Despite the present company taking her time at the moment, I believe our Princess would like to see you immediately, if the General's assumption is right."

Taking a small glance at the group behind him, most specifically Link, Sheik nodded in agreement. "I believe this is a matter of the most urgency Captain."

The raven-haired man gave a small salute and cleared the way forward. "Then please go right ahead, and… pardon me for not following you. I would rather prefer to stay clear of those people."

A small tingle of curiosity popped on the Sheikah's thoughts, his mind wondering about this entourage sent by Arturia that has both their General and Captain scurrying away from them.

Still, his focus is on his mission and his mission at this moment is to report to the Princess about the new anomaly in their path. With a nod of his head, the red-eyed blond gave a sign for the group to follow him, and quietly they did; with Link still sparing a few glanced towards the way where the red-haired General went.

As they approached the entrance to Princess Zelda's large living quarters, the purple curtains serving as a door flapped to the side and a tall woman stepped outside. Her piercing red eyes studied everyone with a single glance, the silver hair of her small ponytail swinging in the air as she moves her head from left to right.

"We were not expecting you so early." The leader of the Sheikahs announced with a stern but smooth voice; the red-eye symbol in her vest glinting against the torchlight.

Taking a spot ahead of his group, Sheik did a small bow and raised his gaze to meet the one from his master. "Something of great urgency came up. I need to report to our Princess."

Impa studied her nephew for a long second, her features not betraying anything. Then her gaze shifted a bit further back onto the other blond watching her nephew's back with too much intensity.

Giving Sheik only the smallest nod as a response, Impa disappeared into the tent yet again. This prompted the young Sheikah to release the air he didn't even know he was holding.

"You okay?" Link asked as he moved closer to Sheik, pressing a comforting hand on the other blond's back.

Sheik looked at Link and smiled behind his mask. "I'm fine. This is just how we are within the order."

"Scared of each other?" Link asked again, furrowing his brow.

"Respectful of our leaders." Sheik replied coldly, a bit too much of his Sheikah persona slipping out in the reply.

Link grunted and crossed his arms, properly unsatisfied with the response he got. Seeing his friends getting in a weird mood where they never agree with each other, Vahn tried to jump in and distract them. "So… when you told that lady that 'I need to report', was that a slip of the tongue or are we barred from the meeting?"

The blond Hero who was diverting his blue eyes away to pout, suddenly shoot his azure gaze back at Sheik.

Cursing quietly at that sharp mind of his red-haired friend, Sheik sighed and rubbed his left arm in an uncomfortable itch. "Listen, don't take this in the wrong way. I will take all of you to have an audience with the Princess. However, right now I need to do my job as a Sheikah and I need you two to drag Link to our medical ward."

"No!" Link cried out loudly.

"Yes, Link. You will." Sheik turned to give a stern look to the other blond. "That cut on your side was bad and we barely managed to stop the bleeding. You need proper medical care and I will not have you squirming your way around it."

"But Sheik!"

"No buts and no crying." Sheik cut him off quickly, making the young Hero frown. "I'm sure Doctor Rose is most eager to see her favorite patient again."

Link almost fainted on the spot, his memories all too fresh of his last encounter with the small and terrifying woman.

With Vahn and La'Azul blinking in confusion on Link's reaction for a helpful doctor, and the other two blondes locked in an inner spat only they are private on, the curtains to the Princess' quarters swung to the side again, this time revealing four people stepping out into the open.

This group being the entourage sent by another nation, each individual present is distinguishable in their own way.

First, the tall woman standing in the front, who wears an ever-vigilant look in her features, is strong and carries with herself a massive twohanded sword, also adorning a heavy metal plate armor, hiding most of her body but giving away how big and muscular she is. Her dark auburn hair is kept short in a messy wave that goes as far as her shoulders.

To her left stands a man of small stature but the regal presence to make himself known with just a step into the room. He is wearing an olive-colored soft robe instead of armor, and the bridge of his slightly crooked nose supports the weight of his small round glasses. His dark grey hair is very short and thin, making some parts of his scalp very prominent to look at.

On the right of this group is a person of a mysterious look. They are wearing a loose robe covering most of their body with a wooden mask concealed in between the waves of their hood. They are the smallest of the four and despite their weird look, this person carries themselves with proper dignity and regal.

Now, at the center of them all stands a young man with dashing looks. He is tall and lean, his face is fair but also masculine, and very well complemented with the long strands of silvery hair cascading from his brown. He is wearing a light armor made mostly of leather and iron, not too many fancies on its design or much of it in his equipment, save for the beautiful golden rapier resting on the left side of his belt.

"Oh…" The young silver-haired man exhaled in surprise, his amber eyes descending upon the group ahead of them. Promptly the apparent leader of this group stepped past the woman in the front and walked to meet the others. "I find myself blessed with another promising encounter. But before I forget my manners in excitement, the name is Drahken. A pleasure to meet you, miss…"

Sheik stared at the pompous person in front of him, who after offering his name as the most generous gift, the brazen young man extended his right hand in reverence as if expecting the blond to place his hand upon it to receive a small kiss.

Instead of going with these theatrics, Sheik crossed his arms and narrowed his visible red-eye. "The name is Sheik. An… equal pleasure." His voice not carrying the warmth of the words, not that it stopped Drahken from smiling and inching closer.

"Sheik, from the Sheikah?" He said with an understanding nod. "Heard quite a lot about your people, but unfortunately not enough about your person." Giving a soft bow of his head, Drahken retracted his head but his smile only grew. "I hope we can rectify this mistake."

From the side Link cleared his throat so loudly that he almost tore the inside of his windpipe, leaving an aching sensation on his neck. However, his little stunt was enough to force the silver-haired menace to glance at him and change the overbearing attention away from Sheik.

Blinking a few times in his stare, Drahken looked back to one of the people in his group just to receive a small nod from the man in olive robes. "The blessed Hero from the Goddesses, an honor to meet you." Casually taking two steps to the side, he stopped in front of Link and offered a hand in a good gesture.

Oh and Link grabbed that hand with gusto. Putting way too much effort in their friendly handshake, the blue-eyed blond squeezed that hand enough to make the other man squeal softly and widen his eyes. "Call me Link, nice to meet ya."

"S-Sure… Link." Drahken pulled his hand back, wincing at the aching sides and his squished fingers. Then his gaze traveled past Link and landed on the two people staring at him. His playful smile quickly returned. "Tell me Link, how does it feel to be fortunate enough to travel not only with a marvelous blond spy but also with a cute bronze-skinned girl and a Zora beauty?"

Not waiting for a response, nor that Link would give one that was fitting to such a question, the young silver-haired moved closer to Vahn and La'Azul, offering each a dashing smile. "A pleasure to meet both of you and it will be a bigger one to know your names."

Crossing his arms, Vahn gave this stranger a short grin. "Name's Vahn, buddy." He pulled his right hand forward and forced Drahken into a handshake. "Not a girl by the way."

La'Azul looked a bit taken by the brazen display, clearly uncomfortable with how forward this person can be. "Nice to meet you… I'm called La'Azul."

"La'Azul and Vahn… I shall remember that." He said with a nod and then focused back on Vahn, leaning in closer to whisper a few words. "Forgive my embarrassing mistake… about your gender, of course. I stand by on my comment about your cuteness."

Green eyes widened a bit on the comment, Vahn was sure Drahken would recoil away after learning his mistake, but instead, he only pressed harder; even taking a slight blush out of the red-haired scholar.

"I don't like this guy." Link grumbled with a frown, his blue eyes glued to that back with a long silver hair tracing down to its waist.

Sheik poked his blond on the side with his elbow. "Shush, he can hear you."

"He better hear me, because I don't like him."

As on cue with Link's second comment, Drahken turned around and gave the blond an innocent little smile. This only makes the young Hero turn even redder in his anger and frustration.

"My prince," The tall woman called out to Drahken, giving out a long sigh at the young man's behavior. "it's best if you leave them be for the moment. We have yet to properly set our accommodations in the camp."

"Fantastic insight, my dear Lyna." Casually whirling his hair in the air with a turn of his heels, Drahken began to march back toward his group, his eyes trained on the form of the auburn-haired woman. "Ever so reliable my sworn knight. What would I ever do without you."

"If my memories serve me well, your father once stated that without the valiant efforts of your knight, Miss Lyna, he would have renounced you years ago." Stated the man in olive-colored robes as a matter of fact.

"So, Master Sheikah it seems that our small meeting needs to be cut short." Drahken turned to face Sheik yet again, totally ignoring the other man's words about him. "I only hope that we can partake in each other's company some other time. Until then, a good evening to you." He then bowed elegantly, then turned his sights onto Link. "Link." He casually mentioned the other blond and then walked to give another bow to Vahn and La'Azul. "A pleasant evening for both of you too."

Having presented his show, the young Prince of Arturia, casually walked away in the direction of a secluded quarter separated for them.

Letting out another sigh of frustration the knight Lyna walked over towards Link and bowed her head. "Master Hero, Master Sheikah; I deeply apologize for any grievances my lord may have inflicted upon you." She then pulled herself straight again and turned to follow after her liege. "Good evening."

The person with a large hood came by and gave a proper curtsy, then walked away without a single word. Then the last of their group just passed by giving out a quiet snort as he followed the rest, his interest clearly not aimed at Link or any of his companions.

"Charming fellows." Vahn chirped with a smirk, earning himself a glare from Link. "What? That one was a spectacle if I ever saw one. And he is a Prince to boot, never met one of those types… I always thought it was an over-exaggeration of fictional books."

"Spirits forgives whatever sick mind comes up with a fictional book that has a Prince like that, bah." Folding his arms against his chest, Link glared the way the Prince just went too, shaking his head in disapproval. "That person is rude, and that's all I will say about it."

"Rude indeed, but one that is very much needed, so please don't go looking for a fight with him." Giving a sideglance look at Link he pleaded and the other blond shrugged. "Link… please."

"Ah, fine… sheesh." Shooting his arms in the air, he turned to the left and promptly grabbed Vahn by the arm. "Come on, let's us go after doctor Rose." He then gave La'Azul a glance and a nod, making her walk after him.

Sheik watched with a raised eyebrow but felt a faint edge of pride on Link's behavior. Not only did he follow Sheik's advice about visiting the hospital but also complied with this troublesome new person.

"You guys don't know how eager I'm to present our great doctor to mister Prince-o over there." As Link announced his true plan, Sheik had to rub his temple to contain a growing headache.

"Sheik!" The stern voice of his master shook the young Sheikah out of his troubled thoughts.

Taking his gaze back to the entrance of Zelda's living quarters he saw Impa standing there with a blank expression on her face, but to someone that lived so many years with the master of the Sheikah order, he knows that strange glow that stays so very hidden in the corner of her eyes.

"Go on, the Princess is waiting for you." Impa commanded, making way for her nephew to enter. And with a quiet nod, he did as requested, keeping his head straight and his eyes trained on the curtains, not daring to look back at his aunt at the moment.

As Sheik disappeared behind the purple cloth, Impa stayed behind for just a spare moment to trail her eyes toward a loud blond walking into the camp. Her features changed ever so slightly to a concealed frown.

Closing her eyes, the senior Sheikah turned around and followed her nephew into the tent.

'That boy has a lot to explain.'

"Ganondorf…"

The hooded man chuckled ever so quietly, slowly raising one finger to press it against his lips. "Now, now. We don't want to make a scene in this lovely place, do we?"

Link, despite his drunk stupor, quickly shuffled in his seat, letting his right hand fly to the handle of the sword resting on the floor at his side. "What the hell… do you want?" He hissed the question, a metallic click sounding off as the Dark Master Blade raised ever so slightly from its sheath.

This hooded man, that looks exactly as Ganondorf did seven years ago, leaned back on his chair and tilted his head in a lazy contemplation. "What a broad question you made. Let's see… what I want… Overall? The Triforce, as a whole, the half piece in the back of your hand included. But today? I want to talk."

Letting out a furious growl, Link jumped straight to his feet, shooting his sword forward, only stopping to press its cold metallic tip onto Ganondorf's throat. "Here is my answer to that." Slowly pushing his arm forward, Link grazed his blade onto the man's skin, drawing a thin line of blood.

Yet, despite the imminent danger that his head would roll onto the floor, Ganondorf didn't show panic or distress. Instead, he just raised his left hand and grabbed the sword by its sharp blade. "This is unbecoming of you… A rabid dog frothing from the mount, I expect that of your… counterpart, not of you."

Link stopped, his red eyes growing wider for a moment, to only then narrow at the other man again. "You know…"

A devilish grin spread Ganondorf's lips. "I know quite a lot." Casually pushing the sword away from his neck, he relaxed on his chair again and laid both of his hands on the table. "After you opened the door of time, oh thank you for that by the way," His jab made the blond growl yet again. "After you opened the way for me, I made a small trip into the Sacred Realm to claim my prize."

Still debating with himself if he should slash open this snake of a man's neck, Link frowned deeply but moved back to sit back on his chair. With a nod, he motioned for Ganondorf to press on.

"Sadly those pesky little Goddesses had already split the Triforce into three pieces, only the Triforce of Power was left in that place…" His yellowish-green eyes twitched in his temper, but his face remained neutral. "Ah, you know this already don't you? That is not what is important to you, or our conversation right now."

Bitting his lower lip Link took the bait and asked. "So what is important to me about your… trip?"

Ganondorf's lips parted into a wide smirk. "I saw the last moments of a delusional Sage. In those last moments of a senile old man's existence… I discovered you."

"Sheik!" Princess Zelda rushed to her surrogate little brother quickly pulling him in a tight embrace. "This is a surprise, I wasn't ready when Impa told me you were waiting just outside." Then her happy and easygoing smile faded, replaced by the serious façade of Hyrule's last royal member. "How bad is it? Is Link hurt? Are you hurt?" She began to tap and touch his arms and body, looking for any bruises or wounds.

"Zel… please, I'm fine." Calmly taking Zelda's hand, Sheik pulled her from him and smile behind his mask. "I met our Arturian guests just outside."

Zelda let out a long sigh, her eyes rolling in an exaggerated motion. "They are… very unconventional to say the least. Even more so their Prince."

"He did something weird?" Sheik asked.

"Other than be here when he isn't supposed to? We are in a war plagued time for Goddesses sake, what if something happens to him?" Zelda replied with a frown. "He also tried to flirt with me and then Impa."

Sheik's shock is very apparent despite most of his face being hidden behind his mask. "And he still breathes?"

Zelda shrugged and the shuffling of the curtain sounded from the entrance.

"A young man's empty flattery isn't enough to make me waver, nephew," Impa said in a blank tone. "Even if he is very insistent about it."

The young Sheikah nodded and sighed. "That he is…"

"He flirted with you too?" Zelda asked with a wrinkled brow. The look Sheik gave is enough of an answer. "Goodness me, that man has no tact... I'm not amused with his antics."

A rare sincere laugh came from the blond Sheikah, his reaction making both the Princess and his Master glance at him. "It seems you and Link share the same opinion of him."

The Princess beamed at the mention of the young Hero, her eyes not failing to notice the softness present on her little brother's demeanor at the mention of the other blond, and neither did Impa miss it too.

"Something you want to share with me, little brother?" Zelda tip-toed closer to Sheik, poking him at his side with an elbow.

Letting a small smile tug at his mask, Sheik was ready to provide the answer Zelda was most likely looking for, but one glance at the glare her aunt is sending him, and he was forced to gulp back the words.

Then his visible eye got a subtle shadow of seriousness. "M-Maybe later, Zel… there is, there is something more important I have to tell you."

With his words, the lightweight mood in the room vanished away, now even Zelda is wearing a frown in her expression. "Only something very serious would force you to bring Link back without him cleansing all Sacred Temples… what is it, Sheik? What happened?"

Clenching his fists together, Sheik allowed himself to remember the events he was most likely trying to forget for a small moment. Closing his eyes, he ventured within his memory until he found that pale figure with red eyes staring right at him.

"It's Link…" He breathed out softly and then opened his eyes. "The other Link."

"How amusing was it to find Rauru himself tearing apart his beloved protege, and then blaming it on me." A burst of melodic laughter exploded from the tall red-haired man, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Really, how come a man imprisons an innocent child for seven years and then blames that child growing resentment on another?"

A murderous glow appeared on Link's red eyes, his face contorting in a scowl. "A shame the old hoot died. I would love to show the bastard my 'appreciation of him."

Ganondorf nodded in understanding. "Anyone would resent a person that put them into a sacred prison for seven years." A dark grin appeared on his lips. "You have my condolences, truly. I can't fathom my existence in a prison cell like that. Seven years in the same place, forced to stare at the same boring space without escape, without respite. Making you weaker, draining your sanity away."

Ganondorf tried to poke with words, making sure to drive his point further with fake sincerity. But to his surprise, Link didn't growl or snarl at him. The pale young man just laid back on his chair and laughed.

"It seems you don't know quite everything, oh great King." Link taunted and the other man glared at him. "Yes, you saw me stuck in that tree. You possibly saw me bound with those dark chains, but Rauru made a mistake. He bound me to a sacred place, a small piece of the Sacred Realm. If I so willed it, my mind could breach those walls and so I did."

Pulling himself back, Ganondorf studied the blond in front of him. Lacing his hands together, he pressed two fingers against his lips and nodded. "What did you see in there?"

"The world." Link smiled cheekily. "You assumed that I grew weaker in my time bound to those chains. Instead, I took that time to learn. I sought after knowledge. I educated myself. Learned to fight by watching other masters in the craft. I understood the skill needed to wield a sword, to properly raise a shield, to draw a bow and hit my mark; to be a warrior instead of a screaming savage that uses only the power of his arms."

"So, in those seven years…"

"I became an adult, a proper functional one." Link mused with his thoughts. "Rauru saw fit to punish me and instead he punished that dunce with blue eyes. While my other self slept his beauty sleep, I saw this blasted world for what it is. I learned to be better and I became better. In his act to save his darling, Rauru made me the better one."

Once more Ganondorf exploded in thunderous laughter. "Fascinating!" He roared the word before losing himself to the giddiness storming his chest. "This conversation is even more amusing than I had expected it to be." His malicious eyes then shifted into a mocking sneer. "It's always the fool that thinks he knows best when he is still nothing but a puppet."

At the words, Link's grin faded away, making him scowl at the hateful man yet again.

"Explain…" The blond growled sharply.

"Surely not… This cannot…" Zelda's panicked face is a painful sight for Sheik, immediately he tried to move in into an embrace, but the presence of his aunt in the room forced him to stop his hands. "Perhaps it was an Illusion? The Water Temple is riddled with fog and mysteries, maybe this was one test in his trials."

"Zel… he was very much real." Sheik gave a grim look to his sister. "The way he fought… moved, and the way he spoke. It was all Link. An angry, pain-filled Link. But Link nonetheless."

Feeling her legs turn into a wobbling mess, Zelda fell into the support of a padded chair. Sinking her face against both hands, the Princess shivered in distress. "Impa… that dream. The nightmare I had. Goddesses… this can't be happening, this can't be real."

"What dream?" Sheik threw a glance to his aunt, the tall stoic woman just gave a short shaking of her head. "Hey, Zel… please talk with me." Taking a seat next to her, Sheik pressed a calming caress onto her back, feeling the young woman lean closer toward him.

"Impa…" Zelda called out to the Spymaster again, this time raising her face from within her hands. "Remember what I requested of you?" She asked with a hint of fear in her voice. "Please…"

The tall silver-haired woman nodded in reply. "I will see it done, my Princess." Then giving a deeper bow, Impa disappeared with the flash of a Deku-nut, leaving Zelda in the care of her nephew.

"Zelda, what happened in your dream that left you so terrified?" Sheik asked again, this time with a bit more of a demand.

And finally, Zelda turned her eyes to her brother.

"Really, kid. You think of yourself as a titan, an unmovable pillar in this sea of chaos." Ganondorf clicked his tongue in condescending tisks. "You are not blessed, very far from it. The Goddesses, they bestow upon you the godly courage to face one such as myself. In this simple act, they condemned you to your death."

"Cocky, huh?" Link replied with a smirk.

But Ganondorf just shook his head. "Only practical. You are infused with the Triforce of Courage. I have dominion over the Triforce of Power. What good does your courage do in the face of absolute power?" He raised his right hand, showing the glowing symbol in its full glory. "Truly, in a normal circumstance, our battle would be mildly entertaining. But as it stands, you have only but half of what should be yours… That makes our 'fight' less than a boring affair."

Link shuffled uncomfortably in his chair, his right hand twitching ever so closer to his sword. "Right… big man. Then, what the fuck are you doing here? If you are so strong, so powerful. Why the hell are you talking with me?"

A playful chuckle sang from the red-haired man's lips. "Because you are…"

"Zel… is just a nightmare," Sheik said a little shaken. "Link would never… no matter how angry he gets, he would never become a monster."

Zelda looked at Sheik with tears at the corner of her eyes. Her quivering lips opened a few times and then only after a few seconds of silence did she speak again. "Sheik… This other Link. This Dark Link. He is evil… I know it. This Link he is… a catastrophe for Hyrule."

"You are an opportunity," Ganondorf replied with glee. "And I found in the generosity of my heart, to point you in the right direction. You can't hope to stand up against me, not without the other half of your Triforce. So I hope you will use your… self-taught skills to track down that annoying other half of you."

"Is that so?" Link replied with a shrug.

"As I said, it wouldn't be a lot of fun to crush you beneath my boot without a little bit of a challenge." The man grinned maliciously. "If you desire, I could push you into the right path. I know that your… childish counterpart is seeking refuge with the rebels. I'm certain that if we… enjoyed a small truce and work together, we can easily flush out the rats."

Then the realization dawned on Link. As the knowledge poured into his mind, he couldn't for the life of his hold on to the fit of laughter that spat out from his mouth.

The blond's more than odd reaction caused Ganondorf to scowl deeply.

"Now your true colors are showing, Dorf." Link said with a smirk. "Ha… so you want me to be your little scout and discover exactly where our pretty Princess is hiding." The blond waved one hand in front of him, dismissing the glare he is getting from the other man. "A good plan, ingenious and cold-blooded. However… there is just one tiny teasy little flaw in it."

In a reverse of their previous role, Ganondorf bit his lips in anger and took the swinging bait in front of him. "And that is?"

Link's smile shifted into an almost cruel smirk, the blond enjoying every bit of reaction he is getting out of the feared King of Evil. "Up until the moment when the bumbling idiot destroyed Volvagia, we were linked in… a fundamental level. We shared thoughts, memories, and even… feelings." He finished with a tilt of his head, just watching as the realization dawned at the other man's face.

"Then-" Ganondorf started but was unable to finish as the sharp tip of Link's sword came flying to his chest and pierced his flesh and dragged itself up onto his neck.

"Yes… I know where their camp is." Link replied at a slow pace, enjoying the hateful glare he is getting from the man gurgling his own blood. "I heard that your inquisitors are masters in the art of torturing people. Why don't you try to take me to them sometime? May just learn what you need." With a wink, the blond pulled his sword up and then to the side, separating the man's head from its body.

Screams of terror and outrage exploded inside the hotel, people pointing and staring in disbelief as Link towered over the body in front of him.

Taking his red eyes to the head rolling on the floor, Link saw the moment where the illusion magic broke away and the spell keeping 'Ganondorf' in this place vanished, returning the olive-brown skin into its real pale tone.

As the fabric of the hood slid away from the head, it revealed the terrified face of someone Link has never seen. Probably one of Ganondorf's many warlocks, who came to serve as a beacon to his master.

Casually pulling a small pouch from his belt, Link took out a shining piece of red rupee and placed into on the table, next to the bowl he ate from. Giving one simple glance to a panic-filled Ingo, he nodded to the man. "You may keep the change."

Without giving single care to the people scattering around him or the group of soldiers already amassing on the front door, Link just adjusted the weight of his sword and walked forward at a leisure pace.

"The bastard was right… we did have a fun chat." With a small grin, the blond pressed on with his pace and dashed forward. Meeting blade on blade against the small army waiting for him.

"This is so… unbelievable. Link isn't too hurt is he?" Zelda asked.

"Not anymore… but I sent him over to doctor Rose anyway." A soft chuckle escaped the blond. "He is a bit mad at me for sending him there and not letting him see you yet."

Zelda giggled softly, her expression finally softening up. "Sounds like our precious Hero requires a big and warm hug. As his friend is my duty to spoil him rot in moments like this."

"I'm sure he will appreciate your hugs and giggles very much. But he doesn't like to be called a Hero."

"No?" Zelda asked with a tilted eyebrow.

The blond Sheikah shook his head in a small reply. "I don't think he cares much when strangers call him a hero, but if he thinks of you as a friend, then it will upset him quite a bit."

"Friends, huh…" She sang in a teasing tone. "Impa is not here to threaten you with her glares. Think you can tell me about you two now?"

Sheikah raised his gaze to hers. She looks so excited and giddy to talk about this, it is almost frightening to him. Still, a small smile appeared on his lips, forcing his hand to go up and slide his face mask down.

Fidgeting with his hands, Sheik trailed his gaze all around until Zelda placed one hand to his chin and made him look back at her.

"I… we…" Sheik sighed, deeply. "Okay. We talked, at the insistence of Vahn, a new friend of ours… and… Link and I decided to be together."

Then his ears got assaulted by the very high pitch squeals exploding out from his sister's mouth.

Not giving a single care about status, manners, or none of that non-sense, Zelda tossed herself onto Sheik, hugging him and tickling his belly in her happiness.

"I knew it, I knew it!" She beamed. "You two look so cute together, and Link was all glances and blushes when you too were here before. Oh, Sheik, I'm so happy for you."

Sheik's pale cheeks turned a light shade of red. "It's… yeah. Thank you." He then smiled a shy little smile. "I feel happy too."

Jumping to her feet, Zelda began to scramble towards her boots, the giddiness making her fumble a bit in her steps. "This is no time for us to be stuck in this place. Let's go after Link, I so want to tease him about it. Oh and this Vahn person, they sound like a lovely company. So glad they convinced you two to talk."

"I'm sure you two will love each other, both are snooping little fiends." He teased her right back and Zelda just stuck her tongue out at him.

Watching as Zelda ran right back at him and grabbed his arm, Sheik surrendered himself to the whims of the Princess. Without putting in any fight, the young Sheikah just followed after his sister while she drags them out of her quarters.

Still, even as his own belly is twisting with giddiness, there is a shadow of a doubt tingling on the back of his thoughts.

'I'm happy, I truly am… But how will aunt Impa react to this?'

His mind went back to the glare she gave him and something deep inside told him that when she heard of this a glare would be the least of his concerns.