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

AN: Welp... I had planned to continue this story after a little break, but then Elden Ring came out and the little break turned into a long break. My bad, but I simply couldn't stop playing that game. Anyway, I leave you with the start of the third arc.

Enjoy.

Part III - Reunited as One

Chapter 31 - Promise Me

The arrival of the Zora refugee caught the royal camp by utter surprise. While the princess and a very few of the high-ranking officers knew about the incursion on Zora's Domain, the vast majority of her people were left clueless.

At first, they stood on guard, dreading the meaning of such a large number of people arriving in their new home. Some cried out in despair, thinking that Ganondorf himself was right on their doorsteps, ready to cull their lives. Others were skeptical of how they could accommodate so many people in their already cramped living area.

Quickly their shining beacon of hope, Princess Zelda herself, addressed the distressed civilians and soldiers. In her speech, she placated their fears and also welcomed their Zora brethren in their camp.

After that, a huge euphoric boon exploded within the clear grounds. A huge festivity came to life, food quickly getting prepared to be served to the starving people; drinks, mostly non-alcoholic liquors, came pouring by the barrels.

Never before the spirits of the deep green forest had witnessed such a shift in mood. The people that not too long livid their lives in a melancholic stillness, felt for the first time the truest glimpse of hope for a better day.

Leaving the security and safety of everyone at the hands of General Val and his officers, The Princess excused herself towards Sheik and the only group of people that stood behind as the wave of Zora rushed in towards the revelry.

These people were battered, quiet, and deeply saddened. Their expression and mood are shared by Vahn, Sheik, and La'Azul, with Link lying unconscious at the cart carried by horses.

As she fretted over their health, her surrogated brother assured her that they were fine, a few bruises, and in Link's case a few burns over his arms, but mostly fine. And so, Zelda guided them to the infirmary where the tall Zora man brought Link in his arms. They kept mostly to themselves, waiting quietly inside the tent until Zelda came back to guide them to a living quarter where they could stay.

Pulling a quiet Sheik to the side, Zelda made her exit without much alarm with her brother following her, leaving Vahn and La'Azul to look after the sleeping blond.

Having no problem staying hidden behind the commotion and ongoing celebration, she guided Sheik to her living quarters, sitting the pale blond on the set of padded chairs close to the small round table in the improvised living room.

After one more time asking if Sheik is unhurt to which the blond sighed before reassuring her again, Zelda finally requested a report on the day.

Each new turn of events shocked the Princess. The state of the once beautiful sanctuary home to the Zora; The manner in which Ganondorf had kept them prisoner and most of all the ongoing battle they stumbled into, ending in the most absurd way with the Lord of Darkness himself making an appearance.

At the mention of the man's presence, Zelda grew paler than her fair skin already is. She played on her mind the dozens of ways her friends could have died or even worse, making her thank the Goddesses that each and every one of them is safe.

"Goodness… I had prepared myself to quite the tale but this…" Zelda breathed out, reaching to the warm teacup resting on the table. "Ganondorf?! How did he know you would be there?"

"I ask myself the same thing," Sheik replied with a grim tone, his long ponytail that is most of the time hidden beneath his turban is now unmade, making his golden locks rain on his face in an unkempt mess. "Maybe that… spy teleported back to the capital, running like a mange dog to his master."

Zelda's expression grew a little softer, she can still see the faint glow of hurt beneath the raging anger of her little brother's eyes. "Do you know this Sheikah?" She asked carefully, and even then, he stiffened at her words.

"No… There were no other Sheikahs." Sheik breathed out angrily. "Then again, I found two of them in one day…"

"The little girl with that other group, right?" Said the princess, very much surprised to see a Sheikah child. "Maybe Impa could share a bit of light on this matter, no? As I understand she is currently the Master of the order."

"I don't know… Zel… I don't know anything anymore." Showing anguish in his voice and expression, Sheik pulled his legs up, pushing his forehead against his knees.

Gently putting the cup back on the table, Zelda leaned forward on her chair and pressed a comforting touch at Sheik's arm. "What troubles you so, little brother?"

"What if we were wrong?" He replied with a muffled voice, still pressing his face against his legs. "Zel, we only managed to flee because he stayed there, with Ganondorf!" Pulling back, Sheik looked at his sister's eyes. "With luck, it ended there… but we know, we both know that Ganondorf would never show this type of mercy."

Slowly Zelda pulled her hand away. Leaning back on her chair, her eyes strayed to the side as her expression changed mildly. "That part simply doesn't make sense to me. For all that we knew, that…" She saw Sheik's shoulders quiver, making her bit her lips. "He… I believe that he was just another one of Ganondorf's minions. If so, why would he fight against his master?"

"He hates the tyrant," Sheik said softly. "I saw in his eyes. The way he almost went berserk in front of the man. It was real, I felt it as I can feel your presence in front of me. He saved us, even Link. And I left him there at that monster's clutches."

Detaching the image of the pale warrior as to that of a cold-blooded monster made Zelda shudder. Placing a face, a name, and a bleeding heart to the person to then think that they are now prisoner to that fiend. "I am sorry for him… truly." Her voice came with a small stutter. "Despite everything, no one deserves this end."

Sheik nodded weakly, pressing his face against his legs again. While the young Sheikah didn't break down, his distress is very much palpable. The weight of his thoughts slowly started to wear him down.

Thinking of just the thing to try and divert her little brother's mind from this depressing spiral of thoughts, Zelda moved a little closer to him and reached for his hands. "Sheik… I… I have something to confess."

Her unsure tone was enough to push Sheik to raise his head and look at her. Instantly he noticed the quirky grin on her lips and he shuddered. "Zel… I know that look. Aunt Impa will lose her mind because this won't she?"

A melodic giggle escaped her lips. "Probably." Looking down, a slight blush warmed the Princess' cheeks. "I got to know someone. It wasn't anything so serious that's why I didn't tell you before… Goodness, where to start?"

Deep down Sheik knows that he should be feeling a myriad of emotions, mostly negative ones about the confession. But looking at the silly grin on his sister's lips, he can't feel anything but happiness for her. "Please just tell me it isn't Prince smooth-talk."

Zelda giggled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "It isn't him! To tell the truth-"

"Pardon my intrusion, your highness. There is someone here wanting to see Master Sheikah." One of the guards announced at the steps of the entrance. With one quick salute, the soldier went right back out.

Finding the questioning look on her brother's eyes too funny, Zelda decided to hide her lips behind the teacup.

Sheik recognized the look, the posture, and the teasing glint in her eyes. With a sigh, he got up and quickly began to work on putting back his turban. "This isn't over, and you better give me more than just giggles next time."

"Who knows…" She giggled again and just waved as her brother stepped away.

Feeling the wrenching feeling on his chest getting a little lighter, Sheik stepped outside. He was greeted by the guard giving him an acknowledging nod. Looking down the steps leading to the tent, he saw the auburn-haired girl called Malon standing nervously beside El'Azul.

"Something wrong?" He asks stepping closer to the two.

Clearing his throat El'Azul got the blonde's attention. "Malon, go ahead." He leaned in and gave her a small nudge forward.

Taking two shy steps, Malon raised her eyes to Sheik. Holding in her arms is a little worn-down book that she pressed closer to her chest before speaking up. "Y-You are Sheik, right?" She asked softly.

Eying the object in her hands, Sheik gave a stern but respectful nod. "That would be me."

Raising her trembling arms, Malon pushed the book forward. "He spoke a lot about you…. Well, I guess the only times he was willing to chat with me, it was mostly about you." She smiled sadly, the meaning of her words fully registering on the blonde's mind. "You should have this. Link would… he would probably not want you to read it, but I feel like you should."

A little sob escaped her, instantly El'Azul moved closer and wrapped one comforting arm around her. As the girl fought with her tears, pressing her head against the Zora's chest, the tall man looked at Sheik with a pain-filled look of his own. "The guy was one difficult bastard to deal with. But in the end, he proved that he had a big heart… He poured most of it in that thing you are holding."

With nothing left to say, the pair excused themselves with Malon saying sorry at least three times before El'Azul managed to pull her away.

What small comfort Zelda had brought Sheik's mind was quickly swept away by the sense of confusion, fear, and sadness trying to overwhelm him. The most frustrating part for him is not knowing why he feels this way.

Sure, that person sacrificed himself to save them. He stayed behind to give everyone else a chance to get away from Ganondorf. Normally Sheik would feel for the person, he would silently grieve and then move on.

He watched people die in countless situations before in this war. He saw bigger sacrifices made for an even bigger cause. Then why, why this is tearing him apart so much? He simply cannot fathom.

Sensing the texture of the book as his fingers unconsciously ran against its cover, Sheik looked down. Pressing a hesitating digit at the corner, he slowly pulled it open, showing the first page.

His eyes glazed over a few words. "A diary…?" Scanning the page's content with haste, he closed the book and almost broke his composed mask in front of the guard standing behind him.

One page was enough to unsettle his already crumbling composure, if he wants to go through with this, it is best if no one else is present to witness his reaction.

Turning on his heels, his mind shifted on a singular focus of getting away from this crowd.

Retreating into the shadows under the large trees, Sheik moved as far away from the camp as he could. Holding the diary in a tight vice grip, he tried to get as much privacy as possible for this.

If his heart is already aching for something that he cannot understand, Sheik feels that he might as well tear himself apart in an effort to understand why does his chest hurts so much right now.

By the time Sheik managed to finish the twenty-fifth page of this diary, most of the afternoon had passed. The sounds of people's voices, their cheers are still very much alive behind the thick curtain of verdant trees.

Flipping a few pages back and forward, a disturbing numbness has attached itself to the blonde's senses. As if he could feel, breath, or even register the motion of his fingers tracing the tinted papers.

He feels like a stranger watching his own body from above. Just another spirit of the wild forest, floating aimlessly in the rich winds of the forest.

Then, the quiet sound of a trickle falling on the paper made his world twist and turn. His gaze zoomed in on the single wet stain blurring the tint of a letter. Two mores fell in a moment, dripping wet at the top of the page.

It was only when a lump came rushing past his lungs that Sheik noticed the sounds of his own sobbing.

Panicking as he cried, Sheik shut the book close and pressed it against his chest.

At last, he understands why he has been feeling so awful ever since leaving Zora's Domain. The reasons and why something that should be like another eventual tragedy of this war has been slowly tearing him apart.

This book, this diary on his arms. He has read and studied each page, each sentence, each word written with a trembling grip on those time-worn pages. And every part of it, is all Link.

Frustration, anger, desperation.

Each emotion poured in here feels like him, like his beloved sleeping just a few meters away. Like the second version of himself that has been thrust into this dark world only to suffer.

The very notion of it is absurd. One impossibility that any rational mind would scoff away in the spare of a moment. Yet, deep down he knows it to be true. He always felt strange and conflicted by that twisted version of Link.

And Sheik left him behind. He abandoned Link to be tormented by that monster.

Knowing that a part of Link, no matter how darkened by hatred, is suffering in that place of evil makes him sick. The more he tries to think of the person he loves, at each pleasant memory of them engraved in his mind, just makes him imagine that good and caring person screaming in pain, asking to know why Sheik has left him there.

Feeling so much coming down at him, Sheik felt crushed under it.

In response, his trembling lips parted, allowing his cracked voice to flow out in a cry of anguish. The very taste of his tears sliding down his open mouth feels like ashes, burning down his throat.

Never in his life has the young Sheikah felt so utterly useless and angry. Angry at himself for leaving behind what might as well be the person that he loves. Angry at the world for putting him in a position like this.

Bending forward, Sheik placed his forehead against the dew-coated grass. "Link… Goddesses, what should I do?"

He sobbed once more, unable to contain the tears sliding down his cheeks.

"Never have I witnessed such a tragic sight." A cool voice sounded from the trees to the left, making Sheik recoil back after having his most intimate moment violated by someone else. "Beauty such as yours should never be soiled with this much grief."

Wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, Sheik slowly raised his head to give a tired glare at the silver-haired man standing there. "Not only you are a persistent pest, but now you are also stalking me?"

"I beg that you forgive me, Master Sheikah. There are no ulterior intentions behind my actions." The prince crossed his fingers over his heart. "That I promise on the name given to me by my father." He then risked stepping forward, halting when Sheik threatened to pull a knife at him. "Please, I only wish to know what grieves you so."

Sheik growled quietly. From every person in the camp that could find him, it had to be the person that irritates him the most. "Just leave me alone, your highness…" He said the last part with a snarl.

Drahken shook his head, taking a very risky set of steps forward. "I heard you call out his name. Has our illustrious Hero broken your delicate heart? It would be most foolish of him."

"Fine! You don't wish to leave, then I shall!" Pulling himself up, Sheik stalked away from the pompous prince, who stood there stunned watching him leave.

Placing his mask back in place before stepping into camp, Sheik marched his way across the celebration, ignoring the few Zora who tried to approach him along the way.

With the single purpose of finding a bit of security, the blond made his way to the infirmary, calming his raging nerves before pulling the curtains open.

Once inside he found a very empty clinic. No Vahn or La'Azul in sight, both probably got tired of just hearing the commotion outside without partaking in it. In a way, this is a very fortunate occurrence for the blond, because the only person he wants to see is resting on a bed at the back.

Moving over to Link's bed, however, gave Sheik a little surprise he was not expecting. The blond is very much awake with the Sheikah girl mounted at his back, toying with the blonde's green hat.

"Hey! I told you to stop that!" Link cried out, trying desperately to get the girl away from him without hurting her.

"No." Fie simply stated, putting Link's hat on her head, the headwear falling over her eyes.

"Tsk, give this back." Link took his hat away, and as the girl pouted at him, he pouted right back at her.

"I see you made a new friend." Sheik said with a small chuckle.

Quirking his eyebrow, Link looked at Sheik. His first instinct was to smile and he did, but as Fie climbed over him again to reach for his hat, Link frowned again. "More like a little brat invaded my bed. I woke up with her pinching my nose."

"You're mean." Fie said with a pout, poking Link with a finger.

"I'm not mean! You are mean, you… brat!" Despite his vexation with the girl, Link carefully took her in his arms and placed her on the floor.

"Fie!" She cried at him, her red eyes glossing up but her face still neutral as ever. "I am Fie, you know that… You know!"

Link's harsh expression quickly melted away at those glossy eyes looking at him. He almost scooped the girl in a quick hug to try and calm her, but before he could take the chance, Sheik crouched next to her.

"Fie, Link didn't mean to yell at you. He just gets cranky when he wakes up." Ruffling her silver-colored short hair, Sheik gave her a smile behind his face mask. "Can you let me talk with him alone? I'm sure he will play with you later, okay?"

Fie gave a silent nod in reply while Link grumbled something akin to 'I'm not cranky…'. Turning to give one little still glare, Fie walked away with her arms swinging at her sides. The little Sheikah girl disappeared behind the curtains with as much ease as she used to come in here.

As soon as the little girl made herself scarce, Sheik climbed on Link's bed, peeling away his mask, and pulled his lover in a desperate kiss. The taller blond was caught by surprise, his eyes wide open as the smaller man wrapped both arms around his back.

With a beautiful pop their kiss ended, the red-eyed blond leaning his head firmly against his lover's chest.

"S-Sheik… are you okay? I-I mean, I liked that, liked it a lot. But you never…" As Link was starting to ramble with his words, Sheik pulled back and pressed another soft kiss on his lips.

The smaller blond hummed a little purr as Link softly moaned in their kiss. "I love you." Sheik said simply, meaning each word he said. "All this time, I've been scared of saying this… of putting to words on how I feel. I don't care anymore, I… I just want you to know." He took Link's large hands onto his, interlocking their fingers together. "Link, I love you. I adore you…"

Something deep and feral awakened within the taller blond. In a haste, Link pulled Sheik toward him, lifting his lover to his lap. One hand trailed down to the Sheikah's waist, feeling the lean curves in their tight touch.

Unmaking Sheik's turban with his free hand, Link explored his lover's neck with tender kisses. "I love you." He growled with a deeper voice, his hot breath grazing on the pale skin, making the smaller blond purr. "Spirits, I love you so much." He kissed the tender flesh again, this time lingering a little longer, leaving a sore mark on the otherwise milky pale skin.

In the intimacy of their position, Sheik can feel the very throbbing member of his lover pressing against his bottom; this contact raising something hot within his chest.

Grunting Link took a firm hold of Sheik's body and toppled the blond onto the bed.

Within a flipping moment, Link shifted from the easygoing very young hero to a man possessed by his desire, by this hunger that can only be satiated by his lover's touch.

"L-Link—Hghh…" Taken by the intensity of his beloved need, Sheik felt himself melting under Link's caress.

As Link's member pressed against his own raising erection, Sheik closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around his lover's neck. Responding to this reaction, Link trailed kissed up the Sheikah's jaw before attacking his mouth with a yearning kiss.

Link pressed his lips firmly onto Sheik's delicate ones. He teased with his tongue around his partner's lower lips, probing at the just-right way to make the other blond moan and give entrance. Their tongues danced around each other, giving and taking space, basking at the delicious taste of this exchange.

Pressing a firm grip on Sheik's clothed left bottom cheek, Link pulled away from their kiss but not before taking his lover's lower lip in a soft bite.

Totally overwhelmed by their passion, Sheik just laid there, waiting for Link to take over his body. He felt Link's fingers trailing over his chest, reaching to pull over his vest. With great anticipation, Sheik waited for Link to disrobe him. Biting down his lips, he almost whimpered at the thought of Link exploring him completely.

However, after waiting for a few bathed breaths, Sheik opened his eyes just to see Link struggling to take his white shirt off. "Link?" He called out to his lover, who winced after touching even if softly his toned belly. "Are you unwell?"

Link shook his head. "It's nothing, just give me a moment." He then clenched his teeth and tried to take his shirt off again, just to groan in pain.

Reaching for the shirt himself, Sheik pulled the fabric up to reveal the harsh spots of red in Link's skin; freshly made burned scars, the marks of Ganondorf's cruel magic.

"It's okay, Link…" Sheik breathed out. "We don't have to rush it."

"No! I-I want to." Link argued back, leaning forward in distress. "I can take it. It doesn't hurt much anymore."

To test said words, Sheik pressed his finger against one of the scarred spots, making the other blond hiss in pain. "Liar…" He said softly.

Sitting back, Link glared down to his lap. "This is frustrating… I know you feel the same."

"A little bit." Sheik replied with a chuckle. "But we don't need to rush it, Link, I mean it." Shuffling forward on the bed, he pulled Link closer and pressed their foreheads together. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"Sheik, touching you will never upset me." Link replied with a small smile.

"Do you forgive me?" The red-eyed blond said in a little voice.

"Sheik… I told you, this didn't upset me."

"I just want to hear it… please."

Pulling back enough to look into his lover's ruby eyes, Link's smile grew even brighter and more caring. "I forgive you."

Sheik stared at Link's blue eyes, searching for something deep in those small orbs of bright color. "Promise?"

This time Link shook his head and laughed. "Always and forever." He then pulled Sheik toward him and hugged him tightly, placing soothing kisses on his partner's neck. "I love you, Sheik."

Wrapping his arms very tightly around Link's neck, Sheik buried his face into the hero's neck. "And I love you…" He felt Link's chuckle echo at their chests pressed together. Taking in the sweet scent of his lover, Sheik almost broke into tears.

But instead, he bit his lips and closed his eyes shut. 'I'm sorry, Link… I am so sorry… But I have to do this.'

In his unspoken vow, Sheik tried to take comfort in Link's promise. For he knows that the choice he made today will most likely hurt his beloved's feelings, even if he does have the intention to.

Chapter End.