AN: At last, here's chapter 4! Sorry for uploading late; I was trying to make this chapter as well as I could, especially since this is when everything starts to kick into motion. I hope you all like it. My brain felt like it was in shambles the entire time writing this because I'm an impatient writer who always wants everything to go sideways or become really dramatic with no context. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out though, so I hope you guys think it's nice.

Anyway, enjoy. Please review & let me know what you think!

"Damn Castletowners can't control their livestock-!" Midna snapped as the crowd in the street ebbed and flowed in the efforts to avoid the agitated bull, which bellowed angrily as its owner fruitlessly tried to grab the leather strap attached to its mouth. Link, in irritation, pushed a man away from him as he and Midna fought their way through the crowd.

Sometimes, Midna was right, Link thought as he forced himself through the sea of town goers, Castletown could be obnoxiously full of people.

Sudden cries of alarm punctured the air as Link saw a smaller, cloaked figure abruptly fall into the open space around the flailing bull, its owner still struggling to calm the beast down.

The person was struggling to stand back up, continually getting jostled by the flowing mass of people. Link couldn't help but noticed the flailing bull's legs growing closer and closer to the struggling person. A slightly nauseous feeling hit Link's gut, one laced with dread and apprehension. That person was far too close to the animal to be visually comfortable to look at for too long.

The bull kicked back its legs, the hooves barely missing the person's head as Link's heart jumped into his throat at the closeness of the blow. Over the raucous shouts of the crowd, he heard a cry from the person. Link looked back at Midna, who was just a few yards behind, then to the person, who was nearly arm's reach away.

He wasn't a white knight, he just really didn't want to see someone's head burst on impact with a bull's well-placed stomp. There were things he could stomach, and violent implosions of body parts weren't necessarily part of those things.

There wasn't much of an idea of hesitation as Link forced himself to the dangerous edge of the crowd, outstretching his hand towards the kneeling individual.

"Grab my hand!" He shouted over the auditory chaos of the crowd, and he watched as the person reached towards him, while he saw the bull backing rapidly in the direction of the struggling person from the corner of his eye. Link gritted his teeth in both exertion and annoyance and he stretched more forward, nearly losing his balance as someone pushed into him from behind.

The person's hand slipped across his, missing. Link tried not to move his hand as he used his opposite arm to elbow roughly into someone's gut, ignoring the pained shout behind him.

If this person missed his hand one more time, Link decided he'd have to deal with stomaching something unpleasant today.

As if his thought was a motivator, Link felt the person's hand securely grip his own. Without a second thought, Link roughly pulled, yanking them to their feet and into him just as the bull's hooves struck down, making the crowd move in flux with the animal's movements.

Link stumbled but growled impatiently as he forcefully surged through the squabbling townspeople, keeping a firm grasp on the person's hand as they stayed close to him, not letting any town goer between them. Link couldn't see Midna anymore, and he felt a flare of annoyance at the sudden interruption that occurred in their plan to return right away to Telma's.

This person better pay me for their troubles or something, He bitterly thought as he guided the person to the open side of the road and into a slightly more open side street, where a crowd was gathering in the intent to watch the spectacle rather than get involved. Link irritatingly pushed through that smaller crowd too, earning a couple of glares in his direction as the street freed up. Walking to the side next to a Goron fruit vendor, Link pulled his rescuee in front of him. In response, they gasped, hand twisting slightly in his grip.

"You better thank me, you could've been killed," Link began gruffly, looking towards the middle of the road, where the crowd was still looking on. "After all, it's -"

He faltered as he looked down at the person, whose hood had been swept off in the chaos. Oh.

It was a woman, a pretty one at that. Her greyish eyes were blown wide with adrenaline, frazzled blond hair turned light brown from the kicked up dirt in the road. She was breathing hard, understandably, cheeks red, and a little dirt-smeared. Link abruptly let go of her hand, and she winced slightly. There were small cuts in her hand, probably from landing so hard on the ground.

"I'm sorry." Link quickly said, then internally beat himself over the head. Why am I the one apologizing? It's her fault in the first place.

"N-no, thank you. That crowd was violent, I couldn't fight my way up." She nervously laughed, pushing some of her loose hair behind her ear. "Bit weak of me."

"It's alright."

The woman looked up at Link, unconsciously wringing her hands together. She gasped sharply, startling Link as she pulled them apart and shook them lightly.

"Are you okay?"

Link's own words surprised him as the woman smiled lightly, gently flexing her fingers on one hand. "I'll be alright. Just a few scratches." She furrowed her brow, fixing Link with a strong gaze. He felt his stomach flop from her stare - it was oddly commanding; like it was coming from a position of power. "Are you alright?"

Link narrowed his eyes, putting a hand on his hip. "I'm fine. I wasn't the one who fell."

He noticed her face flush slightly, and he smirked at her slight flustering. The commandeering gaze she had softened, turning into indignation. "That - that doesn't really matter! Anyone could've been shoved around hard enough in that crowd."

"Okay."

Link's aloofness looked to be annoying the woman ever so slightly, and she huffed, backing away by a few steps towards the center of the street. She nearly stumbled into a Zoroan passerby, who, looking as if they had just come from the chaos on the main road, pushed her back in annoyance, making her topple forward.

Link caught her around the waist as she grabbed his arms, falling heavily into him with a small noise of surprise. As they straightened, Link kept her pulled flush to him, yet softened his hold around her waist. In opposition, he felt her grip slightly tighten on his arms.

"You're clumsy," He remarked, fixing the woman with an amused look. The more he looked at her, the more he realized that she was undoubtedly attractive, suddenly becoming a little too hyperaware of how strongly he was looking at her. He looked away slightly. "You're definitely not from around here."

"What is that supposed to mean? Are you suggesting I can't hold my own?"

"I didn't say that."

"You most certainly implied it."

Neither of them moved, still holding each other very closely. He blinked slowly, scrunching his eyes tight for a brief moment. He did somewhat like the way she felt against him, which he didn't mind, but she was a stranger. He sighed.

"Are you here alone?"

The woman raised a brow, pulling her chest slightly away from his. "Is that a come-on?"

"It was not. I'm only asking so if I left you here..."

"Are you with someone?"

Link wrinkled his nose, both annoyed and somewhat surprised from how much this woman was volleying back and forth with him.

"...No," He replied. Midna didn't count, being practically a sibling, but he might as well lie for good measure. "I'm here alone."

The woman nodded slowly, looking to the side. "I'm here with my brother."

"And where is he?"

"We got separated in the crowd, obviously."

"Obviously?"

"I - um, I'm sorry."

The woman's face flushed slightly, and not from the exertion of pushing through the crowd. Link fidgeted, adjusting his grip on her waist. He should probably let go now.

"No, I got aggressive."

He dropped his hands to his side, and after a few moments, the woman followed suit, her own hands gently pulling away from Link's arms. She brushed more hair out of her face but winced, left-hand twitching from no doubt the sting from the small cuts.

Without thinking, Link grabbed the woman's wrist, pulling her hand towards him and turning it palm up. He felt her stiffen in his grip, and Link cursed himself out in the head. Why would he do that? Stupid...

"...You need to wash out the dirt right away. It could get irritated." He muttered, avoiding the woman's gaze by looking at the fruit vendor behind her. It did look like that seller got a good harvest. The apples looked pretty nice, well-taken care of...

Link felt a gentle hand on his lower arm, quickly pulling him from his small stupor as he looked back at the woman. Her opposite hand was delicately gripping it, her limp wrist still caught in his own hand. She was looking up at him, her brow slightly furrowed.

It wasn't Link's imagination that his face felt warmer than usual, the strange sensation of embarrassment in his stomach.

"Do you know anywhere where I can do that? Close to here, I mean?"

Her voice was very soft with a small tone of nervousness underlying it. Her cheeks were rosy, and her gaze flickered from his face to the side to their arms.

Link fidgeted. "...I can only think of the main square fountain..." He replied slowly, treading lightly. If she asked him anything about going with her or showing her anything, he was going to take that as his cue to leave -

"Ah...thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

Thank the goddesses.

"...I'm...Zelda, by the way."

The woman, Zelda, pulled away from Link and dropped her arms to her sides. It took a brief moment for Link to follow suit.

That was a nice name, not very common, but a nice name. Regal.

"That's a nice name."

Link had no idea how to do small talk. There had never really been a need for it in his life. He had all the things he needed to get through a typical day, from cold-shouldering to false sweet-talking. But at this moment, falseness, at least verbally, seemed a little wrong. Maybe even offensive.

Zelda smiled slightly, her lip twitching in what seemed like humor. "You're very childlike."

Irritation replaced the slight anxiousness Link had as he frowned, glaring at the woman.

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

The words slipped by without his typical pondering over what to say as Zelda laughed, a truly good-humored one that Link rarely ever heard. There was always some venom in them.

Zelda took a breath, looking ready to say something. Link caught himself waiting for what she had to say.

"Zelda!"

The woman jumped as she quickly turned in the direction of the main western street, which appeared to have calmed down. A man, dark blond hair messy and clothes dust-covered, was stalking towards the two Hylians, an expression of fury on his face. Whatever small, light-hearted environment that'd been there quickly dissipated.

"What the hell are you doing?" The man's voice was clipped and slightly trembling as he grabbed Zelda's upper arm, pulling her away from Link and towards him. "Where did you go?"

"I-"

"Never do that again! I thought I was gonna die from panic...do you know the amount of heat I'd get in?!"

"Sheik -"

"And who are you?" The man steamrolled over Zelda's attempts to speak to him, leaning aggressively towards Link. He was a bit shorter than Link was, but was broad-shouldered and toned. He was definitely the type who could put up a nasty fight if he wanted to.

Link pulled away slightly from Sheik but didn't move his feet. "I helped your sister, is that right?"

"That's right. But what were you doing with her?"

Link resisted the urge to roll his eyes. That was offensive. He didn't think he entertained the appearance of a brute that well.

"What was I...? I helped her."

Sheik pulled a distasteful expression across his face, to which Zelda looked from her brother to Link, brow furrowed.

"He's telling the truth, Sheik. Really, he helped me when I fell -"

"You what?"

"- and simply guided me here, that's all that happened. Stop overreacting." At Zelda's last few words, Sheik bristled visibly, leaning slightly over his sister in a looming manner.

"You're telling me not to overreact?! If you weren't my older sister, I'd..." Sheik's last few words faded into muttering as Zelda pushed him away to keep him from looming over her any longer.

"I-I'm sorry... He's overprotective," Zelda began, her tone embarrassed. "We... don't go out often."

She looked as if she was fighting to urge to yell her brother's ear off while also looking as composed as possible. Contrasting her, her brother seemed to not care about the half-angry, half-exasperated expression on his face. Link wasn't sure if it was meant to be directed at him or Zelda, but he interpreted it as his time to exit. There wasn't much sense to just standing around, and Midna...

He tried to ignore the urge to hover a little longer, that little annoying part of his consciousness curious to hear what Zelda was going to say before her living bomb of a brother rushed in.

Link snuffed that urge as quickly as it came; staying would be idiotic.

Zelda rounded on her brother, beginning to bicker in a more quiet, polite (if bickering could be polite) manner. The two were engrossed in their annoyance towards the other until Zelda began to turn back in the direction of Link.

"He helped me! If you could thank him -"

Zelda faltered as she realized her gesture in Link's direction was now towards an empty spot where he had been standing.

Sheik looked up from his sister, his indignant expression turning to a bored one. He looked back at her.

"Alright, then where did he go?"

Link dodged a full-power kick to the shin from Midna when she reached his spot across the busy street from Zelda and Sheik, her expression furious.

"You good-for-nothing bastard! Stupidhead!" A dodged hand that was outstretched for a massive hank of hair. "Tit!"

"You weren't going to get lost!" A failed attempt to move a foot out of the way as another one stomped down it. "Ah - shit!" Link slouched, pressing heavily against the top of his thighs as he tried to ignore the throbbing pain blossoming in his foot.

"So what! Why did you disappear into the crowd? You ditched me!"

Link hissed as he stood straight, Midna's face intrusively in his. Her nose was smudged with dirt, flyaways sticking every which way as she crossed her arms, hands balled into fists.

"I helped someone! Does it matter that much?!"

"I don't care if you helped someone or not, that doesn't - w-wait, helped?" Midna's words spilled from her mouth until she stopped herself, stumbling on her rant. "You? Helping someone? What's wrong with your head?"

"Nothing's wrong with it, thank you," Link grumbled, grabbing Midna's upper arm, pulling her in the direction back to central Castletown. "It was a spur of the moment thing."

Yeah, a spur of the moment thing you were stretching out to hell and back, Link scolded himself. He'd let himself lapse, he should've just brushed the whole thing off like the woman at Jovani's. But that would've been rude.

"Shut up," Link muttered under his breath as Midna attempted to peel his fingers from her arm one by one, practically digging her heels into the ground with each step.

"You idiot! Let me go!"

"...You're making a scene."

A brief glance at the people around them showed there was nothing wrong about that. People were beginning to pause in their daily activities, watching the dysfunctional duo practically wrestle with each other down the street.

"This sort of attention is a death sentence, blockhead. You don't know who..."

Link's voice faltered as he looked to a side street across the road that branched off towards North Castletown. He stopped mid-step, nearly making Midna fall flat on her face from the sudden shift in the force.

"Wh-what!" Midna finally wrenched her arm from Link's slack grip before casting a few deadly glares at some passersby who were still staring, "You're acting stranger than a..."

Midna glanced at Link before finding where his stare was fixed. Her inhale was sharp.

"What are they doing here?"

The three cloaked figures were standing in the shadow of a building, one of them with their hood down, leaving their face visible to the masses. The person, a lithe, silver-haired Hylian, was staring at the duo with a blank expression. Link immediately knew the face, yet Midna reached the audible conclusion before him.

"...Ghirahim was in Labrynna, wasn't he?"

I always feel like such a headass finishing chapters because I always decide to change the ending when I have one planned out. I'm so indecisive and sometimes my brain feels like a brick trying to decide lmao.

Anyway, we got the first meeting w/Link & Zelda! There're reasons why Link doesn't recognize Zelda as the empress, but I'll be introducing those details in later chapters. Misunderstood identities just make everything fun & more chaotic.

I'll make sure to upload on Monday again since I messed up this week lol. Hope you enjoyed!