Inspiration: "Blame It On the Alcohol," the Mice of Men version lol, regrets part deuce (again lol, some people never learn do they?).

Shout Out: Thegreatbrandee, Summer, Guest 2, Guess Again, thank you all.

Word Count: 10,567

Chapter 8

Later That Morning of The Supposed Day of Departure: Link's POV

I woke up several hours after dawn and blinked multiple times so my eyes could get into focus. I was in a side lying position, facing the inside abridging of the catty corner wall of my tree house, feeling like a megaton hammer slammed across my body, when I ran a hand over my face and groaned from the headache I suddenly felt. I was in so much discomfort, it honestly felt like my hair even hurt. It was obvious that the effects of the alcohol were now taking its toll, but I had never had a hangover like this. That was some pretty strong wine. I was a fan of a good merlot like the next man, but this was ridiculous. It must have been a sour mixture, a different batch, the vintage must have been bad, the fermentation process must have been off, this particular batch maybe incorporated too much yeast or something, because I was never prone to headaches from well devised red grapes. In any such case, it didn't matter. The wine wasn't the reason for my stupidity. The stupidity was my own doing, and shifting the blame to such devices wasn't going to make it go away. I stared at the xylem and phloem strewn wood as reality finally started to set in, wondering what the hell I had just done. Wondering why the haze of the other night couldn't stay just that way, a haze.

Please tell me I didn't just do what I think I just did, I hoped, please let last night have been a dream... a very twisted, sick dream... please.

However, I knew such hope was futile.

Dreams didn't feel that real.

And what happened between Ilia and I felt pretty damn real.

Sweet Farore, help me, I thought.

I took in a deep sigh, seeing no point in staying in bed and prolonging the inevitable. It was what it was, last night happened, I was going to have to deal with it, and it was time I faced the music. I took in another deep breath and turned over, completely expecting to find Ilia lying next to me sound asleep. However, I was surprised to find that she wasn't there. The space was empty, and the sheets had been folded neatly into place as if having been undisturbed the entire night, and I wasn't going to lie, that was a minor revelation to me. Considering what happened between us, I was honestly expecting her to be in full on 'Ilia' mode if that made sense. What I meant was, I thought she was going to be acting in her usual attention seeking, emotive, fickle, on again off again, all snugged up under me with her arms wrapped around my waist, tears in her eyes, begging me not to leave or she would die mode or something, because she was in fear of my life. Basically, I was expecting a great deal of histrionics. I was ready for that song and dance like I had been lately, but apparently I had that notion pegged wrong, because she wasn't lying there. In fact, she was nowhere to be found.

Isn't this an unexpected series of events, I thought sarcastically.

Even still, in any such case, I looked around the room to see if she was up cooking or something anyway. She could have very well wanted to get up and stretch her legs. I wasn't going to pretend the previous evening wasn't intense. It was, and Ilia was a lot more forthcoming than I thought she was going to be. She even surprised me a few times with her... eagerness I'll call it to participate. I was not going to elaborate on that, but she was definitely not as innocent as I thought she was. However, as I searched around the room, I garnered no such luck. The room was empty, and I was almost inclined to believe that maybe last night was a dream. After all, she wasn't here, and my thoughts of sleeping with her could have been from drinking too much. It was a possibility. A very strong possibility. However, that possibility waned when I looked back down at the space she occupied earlier, and saw that in her place on my pillow was a folded piece of paper, along with a makeshift boutonniere. It looked much like the one she made for me the night of the ball. I took in another deep breath, already having a feeling of what was written there, but picked up the paper anyway. I unfolded the letter and read the contents.

It read:

Dear Link,

I want to thank you for the amazing time

last night. It will be something I treasure forever.

Don't worry, I promise it will be our little secret. I

won't tell anyone. I also want you to know, you're

always going to be very special to me. There's

a big place for you in my heart, and only you fill

it.

I have to say, you surprised me with how loving

and passionate you are. I almost didn't recognize

you as the boy I grew up with. I also want to let you

in on something else, you were right... Prince Elbourne

probably has nothing on you. I hope that makes you

smile.

Please don't be angry with me for what happened.

I wouldn't know what to do with myself if you were

upset with me. Just know I'm always thinking of

you, and you mean the world to me. Good

luck at the Dragon Gala, as I know you'll do great.

I'll be in the stands rooting for you, and cheering you on.

Thank you again, and I love you so much Link...

Forever Your Friend,

Ilia

At the letter's end, I closed my eyes and pursed my lips together in a feeling I couldn't even describe. My insides felt numb.

Forever your friend... I repeated in my head, I can't even imagine what's going through her mind right now.

I fell backwards on my pillow and stared at the ceiling like I wanted to scream, but didn't. What in the world was I going to do? How in the world was I going to fix this? I was a problem solver. That's what I did for a living. I fixed things. So, how in Hylia's dear name was I going to fix this? How was I going to make this right? How? I shook my head after a few moments of contemplation, realizing this was a situation I wasn't going to be able to remedy. I was going to have to deal with it.

"Good goddesses, so... that is what happened last night," I muttered to myself finally, not at all surprised, but was hoping for something other than the inevitable. I sat up just then and stroked a hand through my hair frustratingly. "Damn it," I cursed myself, "how could I have been so stupid?"

It was a feeling I was getting too well acquainted with lately, and a question worth due pondering, because now everything was a mess. Things were just starting to feel normal again between Ilia and I... just starting... and now this. Fucking this! It was never going to be the same between us anymore, never, and I knew that. We crossed a line two friends were never supposed to cross. There was no way in hell we were going to be able to look at each other the way we used to and keep it casual, especially on Ilia's end. The woman has been telling me for months she was in love with me, and what do I do? I have sex with her. Sex with her! I... had... sex... with... my... best... friend... whom... I... used... to... vomit... on.

Vomit.

As in throw up.

Good-flipping-grief.

Sweet Hylia, what the hell have I done? Seriously. What the hell did I really just do? Sleeping with a girl I would never see again was one thing, sleeping with my childhood best friend was something completely different. This was insane, and to top it all off, that wasn't even the complicating aspect of the situation. To makes matters worse, I wasn't even envisioning I was with her last night. The entire time I was imagining I was with Midna. The entire bloody time. I was imagining I was with the goddamn queen of twilight. What the hell was that all about? What was I thinking? That really didn't make any sense, and that was why it was the most compelling detail for me. Why was I seeing Midna, when for all intensive purposes, if I was seeing anybody, it should have been Zelda? I just made a resolve within myself to tell the queen of light I was in love with her, and now this.

What the hell was I going to do now?

Why was this happening?

I looked down at my penis just then, as I was still without a stitch on, and shook my head... the one on my shoulders that is.

"Why do you have a mind of your own?" I muttered, but found no humor in it.

I was in trouble.

I was in serious trouble.

Maybe my feelings for Zelda were a lie too. Maybe I was just fooling myself all along, but I didn't see how. I loved Zelda, I really did, and I thought I wanted to be with her more than anyone else. But then why the sudden resurface of Midna? Deep down, I knew I was lying to myself when I just put her on the back saddle as if she didn't mean anything to me anymore, but I didn't think she would conjure herself quite this way. Speaking of which, regarding the subject of conjuring, there was still something besides the obvious about this whole ordeal that didn't make any sense to me. That wine Ilia gave me last night had the same effects as the potion from the Red Lantern District, and I didn't understand why. I was under the impression it was the same wine she bought before, so there shouldn't have been a difference in taste. However, the flavor was off and Ilia wasn't acting at all like herself when she came over.

I narrowed my eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Did... she spike that drink?" I wondered out loud.

I immediately shook my head of the notion, seeing it as implausible and impossible. How in the world would she be able to afford a ten thousand rupee potion? How? I didn't care how much she saved from odd jobs and the like, ten thousand rupees was out of the reach of a country girl who lived in the forest. Also too, there was the realization, or lack thereof, of the Red Lantern District. If I wasn't previously aware of the Red Lantern District, chances were, and still are, that Ilia wasn't aware of it either, and that was the only place that I knew of that sold that potion.

Such an accusation against her had no merit.

It was impossible.

Ilia wasn't capable of such things.

However, I wasn't going to lie, there was this dormant feeling of distrust I had towards her that I couldn't completely shake. I knew from the beginning something wasn't right with her: from the time she came over, to the way she was acting, from the belly dance, to everything else after that -it was all out of character for her. I rubbed the back of my neck, and stared out at the room in front of me. I decided then that there was only one way for me to know for certain, and that was to confront her on the matter. Ilia could pretend that last night was about flowery romance all she wanted, I didn't see it that way. I needed some answers, as this situation was getting more and more convoluted. I had already missed my dawn departure for Dragon Roost, so there was no need to rush and get to a place where I would miss the deadline anyway. Then of course, there was the matter regarding Zelda. I didn't even know where to begin regard her. I had no idea how I was going to face her after betraying her yet again. How could I make promises to her when I constantly messed up? She didn't deserve this.

I ran my hands through my hair again and sighed.

Zelda, Midna, Ilia.

Midna, Ilia, Zelda.

Ilia, Zelda, Midna.

Women.

I have complicated my life with women.

I have to take one thing at a time, I thought, I'll have to think about Zelda when the time comes for that. Right now, I need to speak to Ilia.

With that, I got out of bed, cleaned up, and got ready for the day. I needed to go to Ilia's house before I left for anywhere else. She had some major explaining to do.

I hope this doesn't get unnecessarily complicated, I thought.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I got dressed, and knew I was hoping for too much.

~SSS~

I left my home thirty minutes later, and needed to keep myself composed, but that was proving difficult considering what I had going through my mind. I didn't want to believe that Ilia would deliberately deceive me, but the more I thought on the idea, the more feasible it seemed. I remember a few weeks ago when she propositioned me to sleep with her then, but I had to decline. Was it possible that she had been planning a way to make last night happen between us? The only thing that didn't make any sense, if what I was thinking was true, was how she was able to get a hold of the potion used in 'The Treatment' from the Red Lantern District. I still of course didn't think Ilia knew of the Red Lantern District, but something was needling at me that she wasn't being altogether honest. Maybe she read about it or something somewhere. Maybe it was a variation potion, or some psychedelic herbs of some kind, I wasn't sure. These were all of course my assumptions, but I felt confident I was on the right track.

Stay focused and don't let her deviate, I told myself, because you know she's good at that.

I walked into the main village trying to keep calm. However, I noticed from the corner of my eye Rusl standing out in front of his house. He appeared like he was waiting for either me or Bo, because he looked like he had some business he needed to talk about. When he caught sight of me, he tried to flag me down to talk to me. I acknowledged him, but didn't stop from pursuing my immediate destination, and he seemed annoyed by that.

"I need to talk to you," he called to me, "this isn't a matter that can wait."

That still didn't deter me.

It was going to have to wait.

I had matters of my own concern.

"Give me a second," I called back, "I have something I need to take care of."

I heard him groan, but he nodded anyway, realizing he didn't have much of a choice. I continued down the road and doubled my step to Ilia's house. I didn't want any other distractions from anyone else. When I got to the doorstop I paused. I had to make sure I didn't appear in an enraged state or pigeon chested like a presumptuous fool. Last night was just as much my fault as it was hers, and considering we were the only two people who knew what happened, I wanted to keep it that way. Getting all fired up was not going to make things better between us. However, I wasn't going to pretend that Ms. Ilia wasn't slightly on my bad side. She was, and how she acted determined whether she was going to stay there. I just hoped she hadn't told anyone like she promised in her letter.

I need to get this over with, I thought.

I quickly knocked on the door, wanting to expedite this process. I took in a deep sigh and looked over my shoulder. I saw that Rusl was still watching me from the far end of the road. I wasn't going to lie, I was a little annoyed with his apparent presumptuousness fixation right now. What in the world could be so urgent?

Relax Rusl, I thought, I'll be there in a second.

I turned my attention back to the front door and waited as the footsteps on the other side hurried to greet me. They were light, so I assumed they were from Ilia, and when the door opened, I was pleased to see I was correct. However, Ilia greeted me immediately with widened eyes, a puzzled expression, and flushed cheeks. After last night, I wasn't surprised. I stared right back at her. There was a brief pause from her before she greeted me. She stroked her hair nervously behind one ear with her one free hand. Her other hand was carrying a large mason jar full of goat's milk. She was probably on her way to churn butter or make cheese.

"Hey," she said quietly.

I nodded, not wanting to alert any suspicion.

"Hey," I replied, then looked past her to the inside of her house, "I need to talk to you," I said without beating around the bush, "can you spare a few minutes?"

Ilia looked at me slightly surprised, then bit her lower lip and looked to the ground.

"About?" she asked.

I took in a frustrated sigh, and didn't want to play this game. I honestly didn't have time for the runaround right now. I was already running late, Rusl needed to speak with me regarding some unknown matter, I was annoyed, and my patience was wearing thin. I needed some forthrightness, and I needed it without the dragon shit. She knew why I was here.

"You know what about," I said, with a slight curt undertone.

Ilia looked up at me a little taken aback at my tone just then, but didn't say anything. She looked past me to see if anyone else was watching, then moved out of the way to let me come in. I walked past her and panned around the room to see if her father was present. He wasn't, and for that I was grateful.

One arrow dodged, I thought, another one to go.

"Where's Bo?" I asked anyway.

Ilia closed the door and put the jar she was carrying down on the floor.

"He's at the ranch putting some shoes on some of the goats," she replied, "he'll probably be there all morning. You know how goats are."

I nodded at the explanation and sighed again. I was trying to keep a normal front, but it just wasn't happening. I was initially surprised at how 'un-differently' I saw Ilia when she opened that door, but I could tell on her end she was head over heels in love now, and all it did was stand to irritate me more. I wasn't going to take anything out on her, as that would be cruel, but I couldn't act as though her actions last night didn't get under my skin. One way or another I believed in some way she deceived me, and I wanted to know how and why. She couldn't just take my choices away from me and expect me not to be upset about it. I was trying to avoid making her feelings any deeper for me, but I knew it would be this way with her.

Stay focused, I told myself.

Ilia then walked from behind me to stand in front of me. There was a strange expression on her face. One that started off as nondescript, and then shifted for some reason into an awkward smile. Afterwards, she came up to me, wrapped her arms around my waist, and rested her head on my chest. She was acting like nothing was wrong, and that was where her folly lied. There was something very wrong here, and I was going to address it. We weren't going to pretend that everything was normal.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked in a low voice. "You were out like a lantern when I left."

I let out an audible groan.

I wasn't going to answer that.

"Ilia..." I trailed.

Her hold tightened around me.

"I'm so glad you decided to visit before you left," she whispered, "I've been thinking about you all morning, but isn't it late? I thought you had to leave for Dragon Roost hours ago."

I sighed at how nonchalant she was being, but I guess it was better than what I initially expected.

"I had a slight changed in plans," was all I replied, but then I took her arms from around my waist and pulled her back to look her in the eyes.

I placed my hands on her shoulders so she could see the serious expression on my face. She needed to know this wasn't a normal visit. She looked confused for a moment, but then it turned to nervousness.

"Change in plans?" she repeated. "Is everything okay? Are you still departing today?"

I gave her a wayward look regarding her inquiries.

Is everything okay? I couldn't help but think.

She knew the answer to that second question, and I wasn't in any mood to play pretend with her.

"No Ilia," I said, trying hard to keep the grit out of my voice, "everything isn't okay."

She looked up at me surprised and took a step back.

"Why do you sound like that?" she asked. "What's wrong?"

I took a step forward and narrowed my eyes at her.

"You know damn well why I sound like this," I whispered.

Her breath accelerated just then.

"Link-" she tried.

My grip on her shoulders tightened, but not in a way that would hurt her.

"I need for you to be very honest with me," I said, keeping my voice low, "I need to know exactly what happened last night."

Ilia's eyes widened.

"What do you mean exactly what happened?" she repeated. "I don't understand!"

I stared directly in her eyes.

"You understand alright!" I growled in a low voice. "Stop acting like you're innocent!"

Ilia looked at me like she was truly shocked, but then her eyes narrowed in contempt.

"You know what happened last night," she shot back, "I don't need to tell you Link. You were there!"

I took a step towards her, and felt my own breathing accelerate. I felt my anger growing.

"Ilia you know as well as I do that I have valid reason to believe that you worked to deceive me yesterday," I accused, "all I want to know is, if it's true."

Ilia's mouth dropped.

"What?" she whispered.

I wasn't going to fall for that.

"You know what," I replied, "stop stalling!"

She shook her head.

"I can't believe you," she whispered, "how dare you come in here saying something like this to me!"

I wasn't falling for that either.

Not today.

I let go of her shoulders and cracked my knuckles subtly at my sides.

"Believe it!" I growled in a low voice. "Now answer my question! What did you do to that wine?"

Ilia backed up.

"I didn't do anything!" she replied, with a slight crack in her voice.

I took another step forward to negate the space.

"Don't lie to me Ilia," I warned, "I know that wine was laced with something."

I saw her chest rise and fall quickly.

"You have a lot of nerve!" she tried to deflect. "You should know me Link!"

I wasn't going to be baited into that either.

"Ilia, I'm serious!" I said.

She narrowed her eyes again and this time took a step towards me.

"So am I!" she shot back. "You're so disgusted with what happened between us that you think I would have to stoop so low to make you sleep with me!" She looked me straight in the eyes as hers filled with tears. "Well guess what, you have to live with what you've done! Like it or not, you're Hylian like everyone else, and for a moment you lost control. Unfortunately for you, it was with me! I know that's inconvenient for you, but it's the truth! I'm sorry I wasn't what you wanted last night Link! But I will not stand here and let you accuse me of the unthinkable!"

I shook my head.

"Ilia-"

"I won't!" she interrupted fiercely.

There was a tense silence between us after she said that. I was trying hard to stay focused, but those tears in her eyes and the yearning in her voice was making this difficult. I suddenly wasn't so gung ho about this. I hated to see her cry, and all I stood to do was make the strain worse between us. However, I still couldn't shake this feeling in my gut. There was something toiling inside me, something telling me that this wasn't all what it seemed. I didn't want to believe that Ilia was underhanded, but everything about last night had 'plan' written all over it. There was no way I was going to be able to let this matter slide as a simple consequence of desire when I know something else was entailed. Why else would I have seen Midna? Why else would Ilia come so late, and do what she did? Who the hell does a Gerudo belly dance alone for a man, and not expect something to happen? It didn't make sense, and when something didn't make sense, there was a bit of truth missing.

Period.

End of story.

However, I wasn't going to pretend that there weren't some glaring holes in my theory. Like I stated before, where would Ilia get such a potion other than the Red Lantern District? And where would she get ten thousand rupees? Ilia simply didn't have that kind of currency. Why couldn't I just put it down to the fact that I wanted to have sex with her last night? Why was I calling her out for being a liar, when I was no saint myself, especially where Zelda was concerned? I should have thought this through better, because as it stands now I may have made Ilia hate me for being so callous. I needed in some way to try and save face.

"Ilia come on, you know-" I tried again.

"You think that's the only way a girl like me can get a great big hero like you?" she demanded. "You think I have to trick you? Well, guess what? I didn't, and you made love to me like I was the last woman you were ever going to see again! That has to account for something!" She shook her head and her voice continued to break. "Or maybe it doesn't because you probably thought I was someone else! Don't try to throw your guilt off on me because you don't feel the same way about me the way I feel about you! Don't try to make it seem as though I had to trick you for you to sleep with me! Just because you were thinking about Midna does not mean that I wasn't thinking about you!"

I froze when she said that.

Wait a minute...

Thinking about Midna? I repeated in my head.

I swallowed hard and took a step forward.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I tried to detract.

Ilia's bottom lip quivered and her tears spilled over onto her cheeks.

"You said her name when I was with you last night!" she snapped.

I was probably as pale as a poe just then, because I felt all the blood drain from my face and I felt like I was just punched in the stomach.

Please don't let that be true, I thought.

"That-that's impossible!" I said, at this point not knowing what to believe. "I didn't do that to you, and I wouldn't do that to you!"

I knew I had to be lying, and Midna's name had to slip, because all night long I thought I was seeing her face. I was sure what she was saying was probably true.

Ilia crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

"It seems you would and you did!" she shot back. "Stop acting as though you're a victim Link! It's pathetic!"

At this point I felt helpless. I wasn't sure what to do now. I already put my foot in my mouth more times than I want to count, and I probably made things ten times worse by being so presumptuous. Even still, I thought I could make it right.

"Ilia-" I tried yet again.

"You really think low of me, don't you?" she accused. "You really think I would have to stoop to such levels to make you attracted to me, don't you?"

I didn't answer either of her questions, as I only felt worse because of them.

This is not how I wanted this to go.

"Where would I get this so called potion Link?" she went on, saying what I was contemplating only a moment ago. "With what money?"

I looked away from her when she asked me those things.

I had no explanation for her.

She's right, I thought, feeling foolish.

Ilia's breathing quickened at my silence.

"Get out!" she ordered quietly.

I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"Ilia-" I tried again.

"I said get out!" she interrupted. "I don't need you Link! Especially if you think so little of our friendship!"

I looked at her surprised, but then another cumbersome uncomfortable silence came over us. She was right and I knew that. I couldn't just come and accuse her of such terrible things and expect her to accept whatever I had to say at face value. That was unreasonable of me, but even still, I wanted to do something to make this right. I needed to do something to try and make things right between us. I took a step forward, but stopped myself when Ilia turned away from me and wiped her face of her tears. I wanted to apologize, but was sure she wouldn't accept it from me right now.

It's probably best if you just left Link, I told myself.

I had nothing else to say, and didn't think she would hear me even if I did anyway.

"Alright, I'll go," I said finally, and left it at that.

For some odd reason, I did a partial bow, then headed for the exit. I paused for a moment, with my hand on the knob, and turned to look at Ilia who was still looking away from me. The tears were still rolling down her cheeks, and I probably made what was so special to her, feel so dirty. I felt like such a damn idiot.

"Ilia-" I tried one last time.

"Just go," she interrupted quietly, shaking her head, "please, I don't want to hear anything else from you. You made your point quite clear."

I hesitated, but then nodded and took in a deep sigh. With that, I opened the door and left her house. I had probably given her enough terrible food for thought for one day. I closed my eyes and shook my head at my foolishness, before I started back down the road to Rusl's house. Rusl was relieved when he caught sight of me. The swordsman was already walking towards me with a worried expression on his face. He probably didn't understand why I had him waiting so long, but he didn't inquire about it when he finally met up with me. However, he did take note of my sullen facial expression.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked, addressing it.

I shook my head, not wanting to delve into it again.

"Nothing," I said with a sigh, then changed the subject, "what's up? You wanted to speak with me?"

Rusl wasted no time dismissing the other matter and getting to the point.

"You haven't heard the news?" he asked.

My ears perked when he said that.

Apparently not Rusl, I thought sarcastically.

"What news?" I asked.

Rusl's eyes widened.

"The gala's been postponed," he said with a hint of concern.

I felt my eyes widen and like I was slammed into a wooden fence.

I wasn't expecting this at all.

"What?" I replied.

Rusl nodded.

"That's right," he said, "a messenger from Hyrule delivered the decree a few hours ago. It's actually a good thing you didn't leave for Dragon Roost yet."

I was more than flummoxed to hear this news. I couldn't believe it.

This didn't make any sense to me.

Why in the world was the gala postponed? I wondered.

The inquiry must have been showing all over my face, because Rusl commented on it next.

"I would hurry to the castle if I were you," he suggested, "the queen might be in a frenzy to see you."

I was still blindsided by this news, but nodded absently at hearing him.

What is going on? I wondered.

"You're right," I verbalized, "I better get going."

Rusl nodded, but still took note of my concerned expression and looked back down the road at Ilia's house.

"Are you sure everything is okay with you and Bo?" he asked, thinking it was something else. "You seem distracted."

That was an understatement.

I shook my head at his inquiry, and started heading for the impasse where Epona was waiting for me.

"I'm fine," I called back, not bothering to elaborate, "I'll be back."

Without further word, or thought to Rusl's concerns, I headed for Hyrule Castle. I wasn't sure why, but I had a bad feeling about this, and something told me the day was probably going to get worse.

~SSS~

Hyrule Castle, The Situation Room

I arrived in Hyrule an hour later to a flurry of gossip and talk in Castle Town. I only heard bits and pieces of the conversations as I walked through, but they all had something to do with someone very important falling ill. There was also no shortage of all eyes being on me when I made my way to the castle either. What was that all about? When I was in the enclosed corridors, I was walking down the long hallway to the Situation Room. During my trek, I was surprised to find Shad approaching me from the opposite direction. He looked well, and the time off seemed to do him some good. I was actually glad to see him, and with Zelda telling me that he was her new advisor, I was happy things were starting to look up for him. However, with the look in his eyes, I wasn't sure he was a bearer of good news this morning. I stopped short of him when he approached me. I must have been the man he was looking for. He bowed and I returned the gesture.

I wondered what this was all about.

"Good morning," he greeted in a solemn undertone.

I was alerted to that, and raised a brow.

"Good morning," I replied.

Shad sighed and didn't beat around the bush.

"I'm sure you heard the news by now," he said.

I had an idea, I just wasn't sure what news.

"You mean about the gala?" I replied.

Shad nodded, but he seemed bothered by something else.

"That too," he said, "but I was speaking more in line of her majesty Queen Constance."

The concern in my gut was growing. I was on full alert now.

What in Hylia's dear name? I thought.

"No," I said, "I haven't heard about her."

Shad looked away and sighed. He shook his head.

"She's fallen ill," he said.

So, that was who everyone was talking about in the square. I wasn't sure what to make of this. I knew she had just gotten over her illness when she came to the ball a few weeks ago. Maybe this was a relapse of the same ailment. In any such case, I hoped she was okay. I really liked Queen Constance, and I knew Prince Elbourne had to be taking this hard. He may have hated everyone else, but he seemed to have a deep respect for his mother. I couldn't blame him, she was a wonderful lady.

"What?" I asked.

Shad took in a deep sigh and cut his eyes back towards me.

"Keep your eyes and ears open," he warned cryptically, "something tells me this isn't all what it seems."

I was taken aback at hearing that.

What in the world does that mean? I wondered.

"Shad... do you think foul play?" I cued, hoping he would go on, but he didn't.

He looked around, but then leaned in to get closer to me.

"I think certain nobles may have had a hand in this," he whispered, but didn't say much else. "Look I can't say anything here, but I think you need to speak with the others as soon as possible, they may have more information. Also too, her majesty, Queen Zelda, says she wants to see you alone this afternoon."

At Zelda's name I felt my stomach drop, but for a much different reason.

Zelda... I trailed, feeling an overwhelming pit of guilt.

Shad saw my face and raised a brow.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

I really didn't have a straight answer to that question.

"Yes..." I trailed, "I'm fine."

Shad looked like he was going to say something else, but stopped himself when he looked down the hall past me.

"I better go," he said.

With that, Shad nodded, then headed down the hall to the council room in the opposite direction. After his appointment to advisor to the throne, I knew he wasn't going to meet with the counter insurgency team the way he used too. He answered directly to the queen now, and as such he had to be in her counsel before she took audiences. However, what was all this buzz about Queen Constance? When did she suddenly fall ill? And with Shad, he made it seem like it was something else entirely, a conspiracy or something perhaps. There was no denying that there was something strange, and terribly convenient about her majesty getting sick at such a time. The gala was supposed to have been only a couple days away. Now, it was going to happen at who knows when. There was something completely disingenuous about this. I quickened my pace to the Situation Room, as this situation wasn't quite as black and white as I would like it to be. I hurried inside, but was surprised to find only one member there, and that was Bastion.

This was getting more and more bizarre.

What in the world...? I thought.

I closed the door and looked around the room for anyone else anyway. Nothing changed, there was no one else there. I hesitated before I sat down at the head of the table, and I was sure my expression could be read from a mile away. Bastion just grinned at me.

"Surprised?" he asked.

That was an understatement.

I sat back in my chair and felt unsettled about this whole thing. Where were the others and why wasn't I informed about their departures to wherever they went off to? I raised a brow and pursed my lips together, fully expecting an explanation.

"What's going on?" I asked finally. "Where are the others?"

Bastion chuckled slightly and sat back himself.

"Interesting that you ask that," he said, "because they were both called on assignments by her majesty. Ashei went to check on a lead in Castle Town, and her father Auru left for Dragon Roost this morning. Telma is of course planning for her wedding and left her full report on the deposition book."

I narrowed my eyes slightly, something about Auru's departure wasn't sitting well with me.

"Dragon Roost?" I repeated. "Why did Auru go there?"

Bastion shrugged.

"Your guess is as good as mine, that man is as secretive as he is cranky," he replied. "He didn't tell anyone why he was going, or what he was doing. However, he did seem more worried than usual, and that's not like him."

Worried? I thought.

I really had a bad feeling about this now. Auru was the last man to show his feelings on a matter, and if he was distressed about something, then there was a serious issue at play. This was the strangest set of recent circumstances that I ever bore witness to. Things hadn't been this on edge and disjointed since the days of Zant. Everyone was basically off doing there own thing, and I had no leverage or reasoning as to why. To be honest, this was simply not conventional. I still had no idea what was really going on, and given everything that happened this morning with Ilia, I was certainly in no mood for more surprises.

I ran my hands over my face and sighed. Bastion raised a brow at my actions.

"You alright?" he asked.

No, I thought.

"Yes," I verbalized.

Bastion scoffed and chuckled again.

"That's none too reassuring," he replied. "Come on, you might as well come clean."

I didn't even know where to begin.

"I'm serious," I said with a sigh, "I'm fine, I just... I just drank too much last night."

That wasn't exactly a deviation from the truth. I did drink too much.

Bastion narrowed his eyes at me slightly and his grin widened.

"Without me?" he joked. "You should have told me where you were going to be, I would have met up you. We could have deciphered that second riddle."

I scoffed myself now.

Trust me, I thought, it was a party meant only for two people.

"You wouldn't have enjoyed yourself," I said absently, "it was some pretty bad wine."

Bastion gave me a brief once over, then gave me an offhanded look. There was a brief silence between us before he broke it.

"I suppose you're right," he said, "I'm more of a beer drinker myself."

I stared down at the table without looking at him.

"Yeah..." I trailed, without really listening.

Bastion paused for a moment. I was sure he wanted to inquire more about the matter, but decided to let the issue go. It was for the best anyway.

"Very well," he said, changing the subject, "then we need to make haste."

I looked over at him surprised at the abrupt shift.

"Haste in what?" I asked.

Bastion leaned forward on the table and interlaced his fingers.

"Vincent and Morgana have left the city this morning," he divulged with no hesitancy, "I have reason to believe Queen Constance's 'sudden' illness has something to do with that."

I was on full alert now.

"What?" I replied. "You think they may have poisoned her or something? But how? Why?""

Bastion nodded.

"I just found out from one of my informants," he stated, "I think they did it to postpone the gala."

I didn't understand.

"But why?" I asked.

Bastion shook his head.

"I have no idea," he replied, "but I do think with these sudden actions that whatever it is they're planning entails the inception of the gala as well."

That hypothesis did have clout.

"Well, then we need to arrest them," I said simply.

Bastion grunted.

"I wish it were that easy," he said, "with their both being nobility there is very little they can be held on."

I was beyond annoyed at hearing this.

"They're a threat to the damn country," I replied.

Bastion didn't deny that.

"That may be true," he stated, "but a noble can't be arrested based off mere assumptions."

I let my head fall back in frustration.

"Why didn't her majesty stop them?" I demanded. "She has the power!"

Bastion looked at me surprised, and seemed a little annoyed that I went that route.

"Based on what Master Link?" he asked sarcastically.

I clicked my tongue off the side of my teeth in irritation.

"Based on the premise of their seditious acts to the crown," I replied.

Bastion shook his head.

"I just told you, you can't arrest someone based off a premise or assumptions," he replied, "there's a little thing called evidence that's necessary. Evidence that you've been holding onto for far too long."

I looked at him taken aback at the sudden accusation.

"Excuse me?" I demanded.

Bastion sighed.

"You heard what I said," he replied.

The tension in the room was growing.

"Bastion-" I tried.

"I'm just saying we could have made an arrest by now," he interrupted reasonably, "but for whatever reason you don't want to move forward in this investigation, and I'm not exactly sure why to be quite honest."

I was indignant at that, because he was insinuating that I was willfully withholding intelligence for the sake holding information. I knew it was going to take a lot more than a few indictments regarding the ministry of finance to put Vincent away. That bastard was after Zelda and the throne of Hyrule. I needed to make sure that when he was taken down he wasn't just arrested, he needed to be executed. Him and his contemptuous sister. They were no good, beyond dirty, and could be spared no mercy. I needed this case to be ironclad once I went after them. I didn't appreciate Bastion's lack of foresight.

"If there is one slip up, then everything we worked for will be out the window," I replied. "We need irrefutable proof of their treason. Right now we don't have that."

Bastion leaned forward even more just then.

"We could if you would stop being so damn cautious," he said in a low voice.

I looked at him mildly confused.

What the hell was he talking about now?

"I don't follow you," I replied.

Bastion reached over to the chair next to him and opened his satchel. From it, he procured that old arcane text The Secret Mysteries of All the Ages. He turned to a page he had noted and pointed to the second riddle he had shown me before.

"You don't need to follow me," he said, "you need to follow this. I didn't say that little ditty to you earlier in passing my good man. We need to decipher this thing!"

I looked from the page to him and sighed. Honestly, with everything that was going on I didn't have a chance to decode the second riddle yet, but I knew what he was suggesting had merit.

"I know," I said and shook my head, "but I don't even know where to begin on that."

Bastion turned the book back around to face him.

"I do," he replied, "and I think you do too."

I looked away, not really interested in this due to what it could implicate. If at the end of all this was that goddamn mirror, I didn't know what I was going to do. Last night not only proved I wasn't ready to give up on Midna, but it also proved that I still loved that woman beyond all rhyme and reason, and that was something I wasn't willing to face right now. Not when I still had Zelda, not when I had this new situation with Ilia. I just couldn't. I knew I couldn't simply uproot the twilight queen out of my heart and mind, but I had to try... and good goddesses, I was trying. I really was, but it was so hard. I was aware my thoughts were a betrayal to Zelda, and I was trying to make sense of it all. Zelda was supposed to be my future, I knew that. We both knew that. That woman had put her trust in me, she stuck by me, she was loyal to me, she even denied Elbourne for me, and for what? So I could still be lovesick over Midna? Damn me for being so foolish and divisive.

I don't deserve her, I thought honestly.

"Bastion I-" I tried.

"Look, you've done enough dawdling," he interrupted, "it's time to get serious! Think about your country! Think about your queen!"

When he said that, I pursed my lips together and closed my eyes. There was another silence between us after that, and I knew it was because I was stalling. Bastion was right, I had been putting off doing my duty for my own selfish reasons. I couldn't do that any longer.

"I am thinking about the queen," I whispered finally, "and... I can't find that mirror Bastion. I can't!"

He shook his head and looked at me like I was crazy.

"What's the matter with you?" he demanded. "Why are you being such a fool?"

I didn't have an answer for him, at least not one that would be satisfying. There was yet another brief silence between us, but after this one I knew I needed to come clean and be honest about some things. I kept saying the same things over and over to him without giving any real explanation as to why. It was no wonder he thought I was being an idiot. I swallowed hard and decided it was time for me to be forthcoming with him about some things.

"The queen..." I started, but then trailed off and decided to say things for what they really were, she wasn't just the queen to me, "Zelda... Zelda's in love with me Bastion."

My friend was quiet for a very long moment when he heard that. He sat back in his seat and sighed. He looked from the book to me several times and slowly nodded.

"I know that already Link," he replied, "everyone knows that already. At least, the people that are close to her majesty. She talks about you all the time, and to be honest, I don't think there is a more honorable man for her majesty but you."

I was only half listening to him.

"There's always you Bastion," I said, not really knowing what I was saying.

He gave me an offhanded stare, and smirked.

"That would be strange," he said with a slight encryption to his words, "and besides, I'm head over heels for Ashei. Zelda is in love with you."

I took in a deep sigh and shook my head.

"I love Zelda, Bastion," I confessed, "I really do. She's helped to heal me, but... but I'm in love with this woman named Midna. I can't seem to let her go. I tried, I swear to you I've tried, but I can't." I looked down at the table before I went on. "Last night... last night I was with this girl, and I was making love to her, but the entire time... the entire time I was seeing Midna. Midna... and not Zelda, and if I loved the queen of Hyrule the way I claimed and the way she deserved, I would have been seeing her. The first time I went to the Red Lantern District when I had 'The Treatment' I saw Midna first briefly, but the rest of the night I was envisioning I was with Zelda. It was crazy, and that's when I knew something was real in what I felt for the queen."

Bastion paused and gave me a wayward look.

"You went to the Red Lantern District last night?" he asked quietly.

I shook my head.

I guess the inference wasn't far off considering how I was speaking.

"No," I verbalized, "I was with a girl back home in my village."

Bastion nodded slowly, he seemed surprised that I admitted that so readily.

"I see," he replied.

There was yet another brief silence between us, where I ran my hands over my face again, and groaned in frustration. I felt like everything was getting so convoluted. It didn't make sense that I was being this idiotic. I absently went on.

"Then I accused her of..." I started again awkwardly, but didn't finish.

I was going into the subject of Ilia, when he knew nothing about her.

Bastion raised a brow at my utterance.

"Accused who of what?" he asked.

I took in a deep sigh and shook my head again.

"Nothing," I whispered more to myself than to him.

He didn't believe me.

"Nothing?" he repeated.

I shook my head again.

"Nothing," I said once more.

Bastion crossed his arms over his chest.

"It looks like I'm not the only person who's a bearer of secrets here," he stated, "it looks like you've got a few of your own Link."

I wasn't going to deny that.

Honestly, I couldn't deny that.

I decided to continue.

"I guess so," I replied. "That woman... Midna." I swallowed hard before I went on. "That woman pulls at my heart strings. I've never felt this way about anyone."

Bastion was quiet again.

"Not even Zelda?" he asked.

I shook my head no, thinking I was being honest.

Bastion narrowed his eyes at me.

"Are you sure?" he asked finally. "Are you certain your feelings aren't clouded by some strange kind of infatuation? Every instance of your speaking about Midna has been in a moment of lust. Your love for Midna may be in part and parcel for your lust for her. Are you sure it isn't just a strong sexual desire you have for her? Are you sure you don't love Zelda in the same way?"

I completely understood why he was asking me this, and in many ways he did have a point. However, in this case, I was sure.

"It isn't just lust," I said, "I swear."

After hearing that, Bastion leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes at me briefly. I couldn't be sure, but it looked like there was a hint of anger in his eyes. I found it to be very strange, but I also understood it as well. He was probably very fond of the queen and thought my fickle nature towards her was cruel.

"Well, if that is your position," he started, "then her majesty has a right to know the truth. You can't keep stringing her along if your intentions aren't noble. You've played with her heart enough, don't you think?"

I was right in my first assessment, there was a little anger there. In a lot of ways he sounded like Auru. I shook my head and looked at him taken aback.

"It was never my intention to play with Zelda's heart," I reassured.

Bastion scoffed and narrowed his eyes more.

"But you did," he said matter-of-fact, "and now she's going to have a broken heart."

I looked at him surprised now. I couldn't believe this was coming out of his mouth. Bastion of all people. I gave him an offhanded look.

"Weren't you the one that insisted that I be true to my feelings for Midna?" I demanded, getting tired of his flip flop nature. "You were all gung ho about me loving Midna when it meant finding that goddess forsaken mirror, now you suddenly have a change of heart? You were also the one that told me to pursue the queen! Have you forgotten those things Bastion?"

Bastion nodded.

"I did in both instances," he confessed, "I'm guilty, but I never said to make the queen fall in love with you, and then dump her as if she were a piece of trash!"

I stood from the table, finding his words to be a provocation. Was he trying to get a reaction out of me? Was he trying to start a fight? It certainly seemed that way. I sincerely could have slammed my fist into his mouth for saying something like that to me. He had no idea how I felt about Zelda, no idea whatsoever!

"You know I don't think that about Zelda!" I insisted. "She means more to me than you could possibly imagine!"

Bastion shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Right," he said sarcastically, "she means more to you than I can imagine, yet you have no problem dropping her for a woman you will probably never see again. You also have no problem sleeping with another woman while you're involved with her. When I played the field, I did so as a single man completely detached. You couldn't pry me from Ashei right now. It seems the loyalty in your relationship with the queen is one sided. She has all the loyalty towards you, but you have no remorse for your actions towards her. You don't need to grandstand for me Master Link."

I felt my eyes widen in anger at his words. I reached across the table and grabbed the young soldier by the collar of his shirt and pulled him up from his seat, not realizing the short fuse of my own temperament. I didn't understand where any of this was coming from, especially where he and I were concerned. He used me to get info on Morgana. He didn't say anything about us going to the district that night I slept with her. I had no idea Zelda and I would become as close as we were. It was never my intention to make her fall in love with me, and the mistake with Ilia last night was simply that, a mistake. Was I not allowed that? Was I not allowed to be a goddamn Hylian and make a mistake? I had no intentions of leading Zelda on either. None. If Midna was not in the picture, I would have asked Zelda to marry me already. What I felt for her was that real. What did Bastion want me to do? Lie? Who was he to judge me, when the women in the Red Lantern District knew him by name, by name?! This hypocritical son of a bitch. This was ridiculous. Bastion's attitude was insulting.

"Who the hell do you think you are to say something like this to me?" I growled.

Bastion just stared back, but it looked like he wanted to reply.

"I'm... nobody," he whispered, "I'm just telling you like it is."

My grip tightened.

"I don't need you to tell me like it is, especially when your life is not the best of examples!" I snapped. "You're supposed to be my best friend, why the hell are you acting like I'm your enemy? What the hell is your problem?" I demanded, staring him straight in the eyes. "What's going on with you?"

Bastion continued to stare back with a nondescript expression on his face.

"Nothing," he said finally, "you're right, I'm not the best of examples, now do me a favor and let me go."

That was it?

Was he serious?

"No!" I shot back. "I want you to answer my question."

Bastion looked away and pursed his lips together. He then closed his eyes and sighed.

"I'm sorry okay," he said finally, "I was a pretty big instigator in this mess. I shouldn't be ragging you when you can't help what you feel. If you love this Midna woman, I have no right to tell you otherwise."

I was going to answer in reply, when the door to the Situation Room suddenly opened, and to my surprise and dread a very beautiful face stepped in. It was Zelda, and she was with one other guard. Her eyes widened when she saw Bastion in my grip. I immediately let him go and stood erect. Bastion looked over at me and shook his head slightly before he turned his attention the queen. Zelda looked between the both of us perplexed and her perplexity grew when she saw the stern looks on our faces.

What is she doing here? I wanted to ask, but didn't. Shad said that she would call for me in the afternoon. Why is she here now?

My inquiries must have been all over my face, but they were trumped by my previous actions, as she was going to address them first.

"What's going on here?" she demanded in her quiet serene voice.

I didn't even know how to answer that.

"Nothing your majesty," Bastion said quickly, "just a friendly scuffle, that's all."

Zelda then turned her gaze to me, waiting for my reply. I had none to give.

"It's as he said your majesty," I replied.

Zelda looked me straight in the eyes concerned, but decided to drop the matter. She turned her head slightly to address her escort.

"Please wait for me outside the door," she ordered, "make sure no one enters."

The guard bowed and did as he was directed immediately. "Yes, my lady," he replied.

When he exited, Zelda turned her attention back to Bastion and I.

"I have distressing news from Dragon Roost," she said with a bit of urgency, "an assassin has tried to take out her majesty Queen Constance. There isn't a moment to lose!"