The Ambivalent Hero: Book II

by ZeldaRubix

The story of Link and Zelda continues in book II. Will Link be redeemed? Will Zelda succumb to her vices? Find out in the concluding story of book I. This was originally uploaded in 2013. It will be re-edited later.

11. Chapter 11

Inspiration: "Twilight Princess," the Sacred Forest Grove where the skull kid resides; Disney's Aladdin, the scene where Aladdin and Jasmine ride the carpet all over the world; "Saria's Song," from Ocarina of Time; and Skyward Sword.

Special Shout Out: This chapter is dedicated to Jwill21 for his/her suggestion of the skull kid in their review. Thank you for that, and thank you for reading.

Shout Out: Mitsuki-love13 and Barbull. UPDATE 7/4/2014 & 7/8/2014.

Word Count: 21,126

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Chapter 11

Two Days Later, Hyrule Castle: Link's POV

I was working in the Situation Room, when there was a knock on the door. I looked up from the document I was going over, and raised a brow.

That's odd, I thought.

"Who is it?" I called.

There was a brief pause before a reply.

"Master Link, I come with news regarding her majesty," the messenger answered through the door.

My ears perked, and I got up immediately after hearing that. I opened the door, and the courtier who greeted me back was the same fellow I had been acquainted with for the past year now, and yes, he still hated my guts. I ignored his general disposition in lieu of what he had to say. Any news regarding her majesty was a top priority.

"Please come in," I gestured past me.

The courtier turned his nose up at me and walked past me into the room. I tried not to smirk, but I couldn't help it. This man was really trying hard not to like me. Afterwards, I got right to the point.

"Now, what's this news regarding her majesty?" I asked. "Is everything alright?"

The messenger put his fist to his mouth and cleared his throat in preparation to speak.

"Master Bastion has returned from Dragon Roost... alone," the messenger divulged, "and he requests an immediate audience with you sir."

I raised a brow again at his utterance.

Alone? I wondered. Why has Bastion come back alone, and why is he requesting to speak to me? He knows he doesn't have to do that.

This was getting stranger by the minute.

"Uh... of course, tell him I'll see immediately," I replied, feeling a little awkward with how this was being presented.

The courtier bowed, then turned and headed back out. When the door opened, I saw Bastion in the distance heading this way with two other soldiers with him. I had no idea what was going on, or why he thought it necessary to present himself in the fashion he did. I said nothing on it in the mean time, and merely watched as he stopped short of the door and told the two soldiers with him to hold back. When he caught sight of me, he grinned, but he didn't address me first. He went straight to the messenger.

"Has Master Link permitted to see me?" he asked the courtier.

I gave him an oddball look.

What in Hylia's dear name...? I wondered.

"Bastion I'm right here," I blurted out without waiting for the mediator, "why are you speaking like I'm not able to hear you?"

Bastion continued to grin and didn't answer me right away. The courtier groaned, still disgusted with my peasant-like manners.

"I take that as a yes," he said to the messenger, then walked past him and me into the Situation Room.

I wasn't going to lie, I was getting slightly annoyed with this. I followed after Bastion and closed the door behind him after first thanking the messenger. Even with the privacy allotted us, the off handed behavior continued. My crazy friend bowed and that silly smile wouldn't leave his face. This was getting ridiculous. I wanted an explanation.

"Why the hell are you acting like a fool?" I demanded.

Bastion then laughed and removed his gauntlets.

"I'm just getting you and myself prepared for such protocols," he replied cryptically.

I had no idea what he was talking about.

"Bastion get to the point," I demanded, "what is going on? What protocols? Why is her majesty not with you?"

The young soldier took a seat at the catty corner chair near the head of the table. He studied me for a moment before he answered. He then gestured for me to sit down alongside him.

"Please," he said simply.

I paused for a moment and stared at him, not understanding where this was going to go, but then did as I was directed. If it was going to get me closer to finding out some answers my then fine. However, I was getting tired of this secrecy. Whatever he was about to tell me better have been worth it.

I raised a brow.

"Well?" I asked impatiently. "Where is her majesty?"

Bastion undid his cloak and took it off his shoulders.

"Her majesty is staying in Dragon Roost until the new postponement of the Dragon Gala," he revealed.

I looked at him surprised.

What? I thought.

"The new postponement?" I repeated.

Bastion nodded, then leaned forward to look over one of the first editions I had laying on the table.

"Yes I'm afraid," he replied absently, then muttered to himself the title, "Ancient Lore of Hyrule... hmm, interesting reading."

I wasn't deflected by that.

"The Roostians are still going to have the Dragon Gala even after the attempt on the queen's life?" I asked incredulously. "Are they mad?"

He smirked.

"After a sold out arena and having people trumpet this event into the heavens, why not?" he asked rhetorically. "The Roostian royal family has made a killing off this."

He was not being helpful.

"Bastion will you focus?" I demanded.

He shrugged.

"I am," he replied simply, "but I do want you to understand that that's the reality of the situation."

There was obviously more to it than that, otherwise he wouldn't be here.

"I have that part," I conceded, "now tell me why the queen of Hyrule is staying?"

Bastion paused for only a moment.

"She is there as a comfort to the dragon queen," he replied.

I looked him straight in his eyes and didn't reply right away. Something about this wasn't sitting well with me.

"Queen Constance can't be comforted by her son and husband alone?" I asked with a hint of cynicism.

Bastion didn't delve too much into that..

"It was her decision," he replied simply.

I looked away for a moment, thinking maybe Elbourne coerced her to stay in some way to stay. Zelda had her own mind, but I knew how that selfish bastard played on her feelings for him.

The dragon prince... I thought with a trail.

I sighed and got back to the subject at hand.

"Well, when is the gala supposed to take place then?" I asked. "They're going to spend a small fortune on reprinting the tickets they've sold."

Bastion sat back in his chair.

"Two and a half weeks from now," he said simply, "and a royal decree by horseback has been ordered in lieu of reprinting. The Roostians work smart, not hard."

I just realized what he said, and looked at him shocked.

Wait a minute... I thought.

"The queen is going to be gone for that long?" I said in mild disbelief. "Who is supposed to rule in her stead? The nobles?"

At that my friend snickered.

"No," he said and shook his head, "she surprisingly left that task to... you."

My eyes widened.

"What?" I demanded. "Me?"

Bastion nodded.

"Yep, it's you my friend," he repeated.

I couldn't believe this.

I shook my head.

"You must be joking," I said.

He shook his head.

"I heard it straight from the lady's mouth," he said, "the queen stated implicitly that you are to act as regent in her absence. I even have the written order with her seal to prove it."

I couldn't even begin to describe the shock I felt.

"Doesn't she have a specific designate for that assignment?" I went on.

He nodded.

"She does, but she trusts you more than anyone else," he said, then added, "I even teased her that she was probably getting you ready for a much grander role in Hyrule's history."

I looked over at him and knew exactly what he was implying, but I wasn't going to delve into that.

"I know nothing about ruling a kingdom," I said, changing the subject.

Bastion raised a brow at my deflection.

"Well, we both know that isn't true," he said, "but if you're feeling a little intimidated by the task, take solace in knowing it's only for two and a half weeks, or just give the assignment to someone else."

I took in a deep breath at hearing that, knowing the reassignment of duty was probably going to have to be an option I had to consider. However, the fact that Zelda had that kind of faith in me spoke droves about her character. And even though I didn't want to acknowledge it, there was some merit to Bastion's implications. I was sure Zelda was testing me to see if I fit the kingly mold. Those were big shoes to fill, even with her being by my side as queen. With the ancestry of her father, and the Hero of Time, I wasn't sure I was up to snuff. Those men were legends in their own right for very different reasons: Daphnes II, the great peacemaker, the Hero of Time, the great hero. However, there was no way I was going to shirk my responsibility of protecting Hyrule. In fact, with everything I found out over the past couple days, this time with the queen away may have just been the wriggle room I needed.

"I'm not just going to throw the entire task at another man," I replied finally, "however, all of the proceedings of the court I can designate to Shad since he's her acting advisor. All tactical protocols can be handled by her generals, and court mandates can be recessed until she returns."

Bastion grinned.

"See you're handling this splendidly already," he teased.

I ignored his inflection.

"Well, to be quite honest, this may have been a blessing in disguise," I replied.

Bastion raised a brow and gave me a curious stare.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

I leaned forward a little, but couldn't keep the smile off my face. He was going to be pleased with what I was about to tell him.

"I deciphered the other riddle," I said in a low voice, "I think I know where the other location is."

Bastion looked at me shocked.

"You what?" he whispered.

I nodded.

"Have you heard of a place called the Ancient Cistern?" I asked.

His face crumpled with perplexity.

"Say that one more time," he said.

"The Ancient Cistern," I repeated.

He then sat back and nodded.

"Yes, I think I have actually," he replied, "but I didn't think it existed."

I grinned.

"You thought wrong," I boasted with a confident smile, "the second clue was a reference to an old temple in ancient Hyrule. I have a copy of the old map of Faron Woods to prove it."

Bastion looked at me impressed.

"I guess that scolding the other day did you some good," he joked.

I didn't disagree with him.

"In more ways than one," I replied.

Bastion's intrigued heightened.

"So, what do you propose we do?"he asked.

I sat back myself now.

"Exactly what you just suggested," I replied, "once everyone knows of her majesty's decree, I'll assign the proper people to the proper places. Afterwards, you and I will be free to go search these two spots without distraction."

Bastion chuckled.

"You and I?" he repeated.

My mind was made up.

"Yeah," I repeated, "you and I. You got me started in this crazy thing, you're going to see it through to the end."

Bastion raised his hands in a mock surrender.

"Fair enough," he said, "but in the mean time you might want to put some dragon practice in as well. The gala is still going to happen."

I sighed and gave Bastion a wayward look. That was the one thing I didn't understand. Why in the world would they postpone the gala anyway? The queen's life was far more important.

"I have a question about that," I said.

Bastion gave me his full undivided attention.

"Yes?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Why if the queen's life is still in danger are the Roostians worried about the gala?" I asked.

Bastion paused for a moment before he replied.

"Well... the truth of the matter is Queen Constance's life was never in danger," he divulged, "at least that's what we all believe."

I looked at him confused.

"What?" I asked.

Bastion scratched the back of his neck.

"Whoever did this, did so under the pure guise of an assassination attempt," he said, "the true motive was to have the gala postponed."

This didn't make sense to me.

"Why?" I asked.

Bastion paused for a moment, then looked from the closed door to me.

"Could you check to see if there's anyone outside?" he asked in a low voice.

I raised a brow and looked at him surprised. However, I did as he asked and opened the door to see if anyone was propped up against it. The two guards who accompanied Bastion were waiting down the hall. I then closed the door and looked back at him.

"The coast is clear," I replied, then went to go sit back down.

Bastion leaned in a little on the table and lowered his voice.

"Have you heard of an event called the crystalline moon?" he whispered.

I shook my head and gave him an off handed look. The term was foreign to me.

"No," I replied, "what about it?"

Bastion lowered his voice more.

"I don't know all the details, but it has something do with a ritual the interlopers take part in," he said. "It turns out the postponement of the gala directly coincides with the night of the crystalline moon."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

That was certainly a revelation to me.

"What?" I whispered.

Bastion continued.

"That's not all," he went on, "we have to take into account Vincent and Morgana's sudden disappearance in relation to all this. They may have orchestrated the hit on the queen to make sure the gala was postponed. They're planning something huge that night."

When he put it that way, it made perfect sense, and I couldn't help but recall that creature talking about the bringing back of Hyrule's 'true master'. Hyrule's 'true master' according to them anyway.

This is what this is all pointing to, I thought.

"You're definitely onto something," I said in agreement.

Bastion nodded.

"The best thing we can do now is what you suggested and go looking for the two locations in question," he continued, "that's our best bet and our only lead into what the Rue Morgues may be up to."

I had no rebuttals to either of those suggestions.

This time I nodded.

"I agree," I said, "I want you to come with me and we'll call the entire consulate together to read the queen's decree. That way there won't be any questions asked about what she mandated."

Bastion got up as I said this.

"I couldn't have said it better myself," he replied, then gestured for me to stand up, "after you."

I grinned at my friend and followed his lead. Afterwards, we left the Situation Room and headed for the royal council. There was much work to be done.

~SSS~

Meanwhile in Faron Woods: Vincent's POV

Vincent covered his head as his sister lagged behind him. The large branch they were traveling up began to sag low into the lower leaves due to the excess weight. After walking for several days, they finally reached their destination of Faron Woods. Faron Woods was said to be the lair of the guardian of the forest. Faron's power was rumored to lie encapsulated in a vessel of light. However, with the dark forces gone, Faron's power was no longer latent. The guardian was suppose to reside in the spring not far from where Vincent and Morgana currently were. However, there were also rumors of a strange apparition roaming freely through the forest resembling a little skull child. The rumor stated the child was there to lead or deceive. The only problem was, there was no prediction where to find it.

If he does show up, I hope he doesn't give us any problems, the former advisor thought.

Vincent stopped short of his intended destination and stared down at the compass he was holding. He was hoping the distortions to the geomagnetic field had nothing to do with the terrain they were approaching, but quickly deduced that as circular reasoning. It was obvious the area they were approaching had some type of abnormal electrical shift, Vincent just couldn't make out what it was. Meanwhile, Morgana finally caught up to her brother and rubbed her rear end in displeasure. The forces of nature and the outdoors weren't exactly her forte, and she was very irritated by the fact she hadn't been able to bathe for the last couple days. She only needed to take whiff of herself to know she was offensive. Even still, her brother didn't seem to mind or care. He was too focused on where they were supposed to go. Morgana was getting tired of his carelessness.

She groaned in frustration.

"How much longer until we find this goddess forsaken place?" she whined.

Vincent ignored her inflection and kept his compass steady. He was in no mood to hear her list of complaints today.

"Not much longer my dear," he said absently, he said speaking more to himself than to her.

Morgana wasn't reassured by that.

"This is ridiculous," she complained, "I thought you said this would be a change of climate for the better."

Vincent watched as his compass did a full three hundred sixty rotation and grunted from the runaround.

This is madness, he thought irritably, why doesn't it give me any indicator?

He addressed his sister's concerns halfheartedly.

"We're under a canopy of leaves," he said, without really caring, "be glad it isn't something more unpleasant like a pit of skulltulas."

Morgana took no solace in that.

"I don't see why I had to go with you," she went on, "I could have stayed in the Red Lantern District until you were done."

Vincent shook his head at her shortsightedness.

"Right," he said sarcastically, "and then you would have been arrested for sex trafficking. That would have been a marvelous turn of events."

Morgana shot him a venomous look.

"I wouldn't have been caught!" she insisted.

Vincent sighed, tired of this subject.

"Except you decided to be careless and let a fool find out about you," he replied.

Morgana was well aware he was speaking about Shad.

"I hardly think you can hold that against me when I've found out so much," she stated.

Vincent would have saw her point if her revelation wasn't such a draw back.

"You should have thought about that before you got mixed up with a foolhardy scholar," he replied, "he has caused us a great deal of trouble."

Morgana didn't see it that way.

"Without me you wouldn't have gotten the information on the purges," she insisted.

Vincent couldn't deny her that.

"That is true," he acknowledged, "but I think most of this nonsensical talk is because of your apparent infatuation with Elbourne of Dragon Roost. You wouldn't even care for that ghastly district if the dragon prince didn't visit you as often as he did."

If there was anything that would get under Morgana's skin, it was the subject of the dragon prince. She wasn't merely infatuated with Elbourne. She truly and deeply cared for him and his well being. Morgana wasn't even expecting to fall in love with him, it just kind of happened over the course of months. Elbourne would come in, have 'The Treatment', make love to her like no man ever had, and then leave. He never really talked about himself or what was on his mind, but he always had a a latent sadness that Morgana took note of. She would always ask him to talk to her, but he never would, and when he made love to her at times he slip and say the queen of Hyrule's name, "Zelda, Zelda, I love you so much... my sweet Zelda...". It was the only time Morgana had been truly jealous of another woman, and when Elbourne threatened her, she knew his phrases weren't mere slips of the tongue. He was crazy in love with the queen. Morgana really and truly loved the man, and wanted to be his life mate. However, she knew there was no way he would consider her with Zelda being in the picture. Her one hope was that when her master was resurrected, she would have the power to destroy the queen. Then, the biggest obstacle keeping Morgana and Elbourne apart would have been eradicated. The problem with her relationship with Elbourne was Queen Zelda, not her feelings, that was all.

Morgana got indignant at her brother's unbridled tongue.

"I've spoken to you on this before Vincent," she warned.

Vincent continued to look down at his compass.

"And I've never hesitated to be frank with you Morgana," he replied, not feeling at all threatened by her words.

Morgana was very surprised at her brother's lack of sensitivity.

"You have no idea how he makes me feel Vincent," she said, "none whatsoever."

Vincent honestly didn't care.

"That's your quim speaking my dear, not your brain," he said vulgarly, "now can we please focus on the task at hand?"

Morgana rolled her eyes and grunted in disgust at her brother's blunt words. Vincent on the other hand held up his compass to see if the geomagnetic field would shift at all, no such luck.

What is going on here to cause such a disturbance? he wondered.

Before he could conjure an answer, a faint sound of a child's laughter filled the air. It sounded far off in the treetops, anmd as quickly as it sounded, it faded away. Vincent and Morgana both paused at the sound.

"What's that?" she whispered.

Vincent strained his ears to listen again, he couldn't be sure.

"I have no idea," he replied, but then looked down the branch in front of him and saw a translucent apparition, "dear Farore," he whispered.

It was just as Vincent hoped and feared, it was the other dweller who haunted these grounds. The apparition resembled a skeleton dressed in peasant wear with a large milestone hat. It was no taller than three feet so it resembled a child... a very creepy child. Not giving the repercussions a second thought, Vincent started down the branch after it, thinking it was a clue of some kind.

"Come on!" he hurried his sister along.

The apparition stared at the both of them, then pointed to the branch below. Vincent paused when he saw what the child was doing.

What in the...? he wondered.

Vincent paused and studied what the child was doing a little more. The apparition didn't move and continued pointing to the branch below.

"He wants us to take that route," he whispered more to himself than to Morgana.

Morgana didn't hear him.

"What?" she called.

Vincent shook his head.

"It's nothing, come on," he urged.

They followed the branch up into a hub of trees, however when they came to the clearing it led to, they realized they were right back in the place they started from. The route was an encircle.

"We just came from here," he said mildly frustrated.

Vincent turned and looked up at the branch the apparition was resting on again. The skull kid laughed at their plight, then disappeared. When it reappeared, it was in another high tree, but this time there was a flute of some kind resting in its mouth. A moment later, it started playing notes of a melody, a little forest cadence. When it was comfortable, this time it pointed to another branch below where it was resting. Vincent saw that, but was hesitant. After the first runaround, he wasn't in the mood for a second. However, he soon decided to follow that path, he didn't have any alternatives. His compass was useless in such a place, and who knew, it may have been the right route this time. Both Vincent and Morgana went up and around the second branch, but like the first, they ended up back in the same clearing. Once again, the skull kid laughed.

Morgana voiced her displeasure this time.

"That little bastard is playing with us," she muttered.

Vincent well understood and felt the same aggravation. This apparition was proving to be more of a nuisance than a help.

"Yes, he is," Vincent replied, then stared at the little creature, playing its ocarine as though it didn't have a care in the world, which it probably didn't. It was then Vincent had a minor epiphany.

Wait a minute, he thought.

He immediately opened his satchel and began rummaging through his bag.

Morgana raised a brow at him.

"What are you looking for?" she asked.

Vincent didn't answer her right away, then found the item a moment later.

"This," he said pulling out a flute-like instrument.

The former advisor took a step forward, listened, then started playing the same notes as the skull kid, he played:

F-A-B F-A-B F-A-B-E-D B-C-B-G-E

D-E-G-E-F-A-B F-A-B F-A-B-E-D

When the skull kid saw and heard what Vincent had done, it paused for a moment. The apparition laughed, then started playing again, but this time it was faster:

FAB FAB FABED BCBGE

DEGEFAB FAB FABED

Vincent didn't deflect and kept right up with it. Once again, the skull child saw that, and played even faster, this time louder too, with the notes running into each other:

FABFABFABEDBCBGE

DEGEFABFABFABED

Vincent still kept in synchronization with the skull kid, when finally the duet came to an end. Satisfied with what it had heard, the skull child applauded the former advisor. Morgana looked at the little creature perplexed.

"All it wanted you to do was play with it?" she wondered aloud.

Vincet nodded.

"Apparently so," he replied, "let's see what comes of it."

The skull kid laughed and continued to clap. Vincent in turn bowed, but then the apparition disappeared. There was a long wait of silence, until it was abruptly abated. Suddenly, a strange marking came out of nowhere. It was a large post with a wooden bird stationed on top it. Written near the center was something in ancient Hylian, roughly translated it said: rest here. However, near the bottom it also had some other words written upon it, it said: Ancient Cistern ahead. Vincent felt his eyes grow wide and his countenance almost got away from him. This was exactly what he was looking for.

"This is it!" he said excited. "Let's go," he ordered his sister, and took off without her.

Morgana didn't share in his glee, and hurried to keep up with him.

"Vincent slow down!" she called. "What's the rush?"

However, Vincent ignored her and kept going. He knew how much they needed to find those two keys before the night of the crystalline moon. He couldn't dawdle over his extra sensitive sister now having second thoughts. She needed to get over the elements, she would live in luxury soon enough. Vincent followed the sign down a road leading to a densely populated forest of trees. The wall of trees was so thick, that nothing could be seen past them. However, before they continued forward, that strange little apparition of a child showed itself again. This time Vincent wasn't so happy to see it.

What in the world does it want now? he wondered.

As if in tandem with his thoughts, the apparition laughed, then disappeared.

"What in Hylia's dear name is going on?" Morgana whispered. "Is he taunting us now? Didn't you do what it wanted?"

Vincent wasn't sure, but he knew they didn't have time to linger. However, that apparition was making this much more difficult than it had to be. He was even beginning to wonder if it showing up now was to serve as a warning for what was up ahead. This access to Faron Woods hadn't been traveled in over at least five hundred years. When newer maps were instituted years later, this area being siphoned off. There was no telling what was going to be found when they entered the clearing. Even still, Vincent also knew that he wasn't going to turn around when he and Morgana had gotten so far. However, Morgana came a little closer and grabbed onto her brother's cloak. She wasn't as enthusiastic as she once was.

"Vincent... I have a bad feeling about this," she whispered, "that creature keeps following us."

That was obvious, but that wasn't reason enough to turn around.

"We're too close to our objective Morgana my dear," he replied, "we have to keep going."

Morgana hesitated again.

"But-" she tried.

His composure flared and died atthat.

"What do you expect us to do then?" he interrupted impatiently. "Go back to Hyrule and ask the queen to help us? Think Morgana! We have to see this through. Your temporary fear and discomfort is necessary in getting to our goal. So, will you kindly stop whining and shut up!"

Morgana looked at her brother shocked, but Vincent didn't wait for a response or for her to recuperate. He went on ahead towards the tree lined road. Morgana didn't linger behind, even in her subtle shock,b and hurried after him to catch up. Vincent then unsheathed his sword and started cutting through the foliage and ferns. After a few minutes work, a sizable hole where two bodies could fit through was made. The interesting thing was between the apparent veneer of ferns was a hollow space of tall bamboo-like reeds. They were tall like bamboo, and even resembled the plant in appearance, however the structure of these similar plants were flimsier, making walking by them no problem. On the other side of the hollow space was another interwoven veneer lattice of ferns. Vincent once again pulled out his sword and cut through the foliage, and once they were on the other side, it was like they were transported to another world.

Morgana gasped and covered her mouth at the sudden change of beauty around her.

"My goodness!" she whispered.

Vincent had a much more subdued reaction, but he was taken in by the beauty as well. Hidden away like a precious jewel, was a canopy covered waterfall with perpetual sunlight shining through the top. The look of the area was almost iridescent, as if there was a shining haze mixed in the air. Fireflies and butterflies buzzed and flew about, with tall bluffs in a semicircle fashion acting as an edifice overlooking the entire area, but where was the temple? Vincent and Morgana started down the mountainside over the rocks, until they hit the bedding. When they got closer to the pool chasm's edge, Vincent narrowed his eyes slightly.

Morgana caught his gaze.

"What is it?" she asked.

Vincent didn't answer right away.

"I think we might have to get wet," he muttered more to himself than his sister.

Morgana looked at him puzzled.

"What?" she inquired.

Vincent continued to stare at the falling droplets.

"The temple is hidden behind the waterfall," he said plainly.

Morgana nodded, but then realized what he had just said.

"Vincent, I don't have the proper attire to swim," she complained.

Vincent groaned and started undressing down to his undergarments.

"Then you stay here and wait for me," he replied.

Morgana looked at him surprised.

"You can't be serious!" she demanded.

Vincent had had enough of his sister's nitpicking. She would be of more help to him if she just stayed there.

"I won't be gone long," he replied, "I have the map so I know exactly where to go."

Morgana was not reassured.

"What if someone catches us?" she asked. "What if we're being followed?"

He knew that wasn't the case. They had a two day head start.

"Relax," he replied, "we haven't been followed. Most people don't even know this temple still exists."

Morgana sighed, but then nodded and conceded to her brother's words.

"Very well," she said looking around, "just try to hurry."

Vincent was in a diving position at his sister's concern.

"Right," he said, not really listening and doze into the water.

Vincent dove low and continued in that direction until the excess pressure from the water fall wasn't a deterrent to getting to the other side. When he surfaced, he climbed up onto the rock landing behind the waterfall and entered the long corridor leading into the temple. On the other side, he was welcomed by a surprising pink and green crypt with a pool housing a large statue of an ancient eastern deity. The ancient peoples of Faron must have been a nomadic eastern tribe, because influences of that were everywhere: giant jasmine flowers resting in the water, lilly pads, paintings of flowers all across the walls, escalators that looked like leaf petals- it was evident in everything.

Vincent looked around and saw inspiration of the riddle in the truest sense of the form. Old spider webs threaded together and even the two that were adjacent to each other in the main corridor were in conjunction to the part of the story where the spider acted as a protector of the thread of fate. Vincent walked slowly and looked at the old carcasses in the main foyer, then understood why the strings were referred to as 'red strings'. Protecting the thread often meant the giving of a blood sacrifice.

Interesting, he thought.

Vincent panned his vision upward at the large vaulted ceiling and noticed that the roof was retracted. Whoever had come in here years ago already traversed the terrain and figured out all the dungeon's secrets... well, maybe not all the dungeon's secrets. There was still one big one to unearth. Vincent doze into the pool of water and swam towards the center structure. When he got inside he worked the apparatus by turning the gears on and off until he reached the top floor. At the top, a floral like structure had already been set with a key opening a door to a large vault. In the vault was the remnants of what looked like a dangerous battle. The golden armor lying on the ground was the only evidential marker of the felled opponent. Vincent walked into the room and over to the remains. It only took him a moment before he started digging through the roughage for what he was looking for. A moment later, his eyes got wide, and he pulled something from the shattered breastplate.

I think this is it! he pondered with excitement. I think this is the Demanded Flower!

He smoothed away the surface of object and held it up in the light. The object was shaped like a key and had floral prints all over it, except on one section on the back. On the back there was an inscription written, it said: it is finnished, not finished, but just the way it was written, it is finnished. That was an oddity that must have meant something else. Vincent would figure that out later, he was just overjoyed that he finally had the second piece to freeing his master.

"I can't believe it," he uttered holding the stone, "I finally have the second key! I finally have the second key!" he shouted with more vigor.

Afterwards, Vincent quickly left the temple and hurried to where Morgana was waiting for him. She looked both relieved and annoyed that he kept her waiting so long.

"Well?" she demanded. "Did you find what we were looking for?"

Vincent raised a brow and got dressed.

"Yes, my dear," he said, "yes I did, and I can promise you this, this year's gala will be one that will live in infamy!"

A short time later, the brother sister duo left the woods and continued with their plans. All that they needed now was the crystalline moon. A moon that would give them the power to awaken.

~SSS~

The Gerudo Desert, One Day Later: Link's POV

There was no way my precious Epona was going to venture out here in this sweltering hot desert. I remembered the first time I traversed through this place, and it was just as unpleasant now as it was then. I turned for a second to see how my friend was fairing, he was fine. Bastion even hand signaled at me to reassure me of that fact.

"I'm okay mother!" he joked.

I shook my head at his amiable disposition and turned back around.

The plans I set in motion for looking after Hyrule were in full effect. Shad was acting as working regent, while Bastion and I pounded the cobblestone for information, so to speak. We were well on our way to finding the two locations we decoded. The Cave of Ordeals was not far from where we currently were, and with both Bastion and I traveling through it, it should have been no problem. To be honest, it wouldn't have been a problem anyway, the monsters were all manifested by the Triforce of Power. With Ganondorf gone, the cave was likely empty. We traveled over several more dunes until the dark pit was in sight. I removed my hood protecting me from the sunlight to get a better look. Bastion followed suit when he came up beside me breathing hard from the unforgiving heat.

He raised a brow.

"Is this it?" he asked, looking down the walk way.

I nodded.

"This is it," I replied, "it's just down these stairs."

He glanced over at me just then and smirked.

"You ready?" he asked. "There's no turning back now."

I nodded again.

"Yeah," I replied, then patted my friend's shoulder, "let's do this."

We then proceeded inside to the Cave of Ordeals. When we traveled through the first ten floors, it was just as I thought, there wasn't a monster in sight. In fact, the entire place thus far looked like a tomb of carcasses. However, as we continued on I did see something rather disturbing. I stopped for a second when I took note of something on the ground of the tenth floor. Bastion looked at me puzzled for a moment.

"What's gotten into you?" he asked.

I nodded towards the ground.

"See for yourself," I said with a slightly irritated sigh.

Bastion followed my pan of vision, until his eyes fell upon what I was seeing. He then realized.

"Damn," he whispered.

Those were my thoughts exactly.

Resting distinctly in the ground were two sets of new footprints. I didn't notice them before on the first nine floors because I was so focused on remembering my way through here, but there was no denying what I was seeing. Those were footprints from two people, and they had just recently been made. There were very few people, if any, who knew of this place, and this unveiling had Vincent and Morgana written all over it. The air was thin down here, so there was no disturbance from the outside forces of nature. The prints were as clear as day.

"What do you make of it?" Bastion asked, already knowing the answer to his question.

I put my frustration to the side for now. We had to keep going.

"They obviously beat us here," I said, "come on."

We continued forward through the rest of the cave, carefully taking note of the footprints, and how the trail ended all to the last floor. When Bastion and I descended the fiftieth floor, I felt my stomach drop when I saw the disturbed earth.

"Good goddesses," I muttered to myself.

Bastion shared in my aggravation.

"You were right in your initial assessment, they definitely beat us to it," he said annoyed, "damn it!"

I ran a hand through my hair and walked over to the dug up fountain anyway. Maybe there was something left behind that would give us a clue as to what was hiding here. However, as I approached, a strange ethereal light panned across the room, making both Bastion and I cover our eyes momentarily. When the light dissipated, a young nubile maiden appeared. Bastion looked on shocked, I on the other hand wasn't surprised at all.

So, she's still resting here, I thought.

"Greetings Master Link," she said in a whispery voice, "but as you must have known you've come too late."

Bastion came up next to me with widened eyes.

"Who is she?" he whispered to me.

I held up my hand and ignored his question for now.

"What's happened?" I asked the fairy.

She looked over at Bastion then back to me.

"I am a Great Fairy," she replied to Bastion's question anyway, then spoke to me, "and right now two people are well on their way of bringing great destruction onto Hyrule. They have taken the treasure here and are well on their way to the second one."

I felt my ears ring in alarm at hearing that.

"What treasure?" I demanded. "Why didn't you stop them?"

The fairy looked at me with indifference.

"It is not for me to decide Hyrule's fate," she whispered, "that belongs to goddesses. I couldn't deny what wasn't mine to keep, only to protect."

I wasn't in the mood for a philosophical discussion. It wasn't going to make me feel any better.

"When were they here?" I asked, changing the subject.

"A few days ago," the fairy replied.

I closed my eyes at her utterance, and there was a silence that didn't last very long.

Bastion stepped forward.

"Can you at least tell us what was buried here?" he inquired.

The enchantress didn't reply right away. She turned her attention back to me.

"Do you plan on stopping them young master?" she asked me, changing the subject briefly.

I looked at her surprised.

I found that odd.

"Of course," I said, "that's why we came down here."

She nodded.

"Then don't lose heart," she said, "they won't succeed."

There was a vague premonition in her words, like they weren't just sayings to boast confidence. It was as if she was prophesying from foreknowledge. The fairy turned her attention back to Bastion.

"The item they received was the Gufu Key," she replied, answering his question after the fact.

I looked at her puzzled as did Bastion.

"Gufu Key?" I repeated.

The fairy nodded, and didn't clarify any further.

"That is all I can tell you for now," she said.

Bastion took in a frustrated breath.

"If this key can open up a threat to Hyrule why don't you be a little more forthcoming than this?" he demanded. "This is preposterous!"

The fairy didn't flinch.

"Some things are set in motion that cannot be undone," she said calmly, "Master Link probably knows this better than anyone."

I didn't reply, but I knew what she was implying.

Fate... I thought.

I shook my head.

"Thank you for what you could tell us," I replied, realizing we were going to get nowhere staying down here.

The fairy just stared back at me.

"Don't worry," she said, "they won't succeed."

With that, the fairy turned really fast on one leg, like a pirouette, until her countenance disappeared. Bastion and I both stared at the disturbed earth when we were alone once again. I took in a deep sigh and looked over at my friend.

"What do think she meant?" he asked me.

I wasn't certain, but I knew we had to get moving.

"She meant what she said," I replied with a deep breath, "they won't succeed."

Even though it was fleeting, I hoped against all hope that that was true.

~SSS~

Dragon Roost, One Week Later: Zelda's POV

I finished penning the letter I was going to have delivered to Hyrule Castle, then decided to take a break. There were so many concerns swirling through my head, that I needed a moment of clarity. My greatest concern was how Link was fairing in my absence. I was sure he was fine, but I was also certain he may have been a little intimidated by the sheer magnitude of responsibility now presented before him. However, from Shad's advisory reports, Link seemed to be doing okay. It had been two weeks since my visit to Dragon Roost, and everything here was functioning much in the same manner. Constance was heavily guarded and Xavier rarely, if ever now, left his wife's side. It was sad that it took a situation like this for the king to see how valuable his wife really was. I just hoped his feelings for her were genuine and not a temporary consolation for appearances. Constance deserved better than that, she had suffered enough.

I shook my head, trying not to think about the dragon queen's plight because it reminded of my own life standings. I still had a responsibility to my people and to the throne of Hyrule. It was the duty of the Nohanseen queen to produce an heir for the sake of the matrilineal bloodline, but I couldn't do so without a proper husband.

I thought about that for a moment.

A proper husband...

Those words together...

What defined a proper husband? Royal blood? Nobility? Acquisitions of power? Life standings? None of those things mattered in the end when it really came down to it. A man was going to do what was latent in his heart, whether he was a royal or not. If his intentions were noble, then they would show. If not, then the opposite outcome would present itself. So, propriety had nothing to do with class distinctions. A man would be the man he wanted to be. What mattered the most, at least to me, was love. I wanted to be in love with the man I married. I wasn't going to have an uncivil union. Again, those thoughts took me back to the example of my grandparents. I hated doing that to them because they were so much more than two people with a forced marriage, but there was no denying the unspoken bitterness between the two of them. I sighed, not wishing to recollect on the unhappiness of their marriage yet again. They had to live through it, there was no sense rehashing it.

Let it be where it belongs... in the past, I thought.

I got up from the marble table and stepped out onto the terrace. It was a lovely night, with the sky sprinkled with stars. The celestial canopy looked like an open blue-black mystery sparkling with diamonds. It was really something. Nearby, Death Mountain glowed a low dull red causing a slight orange rift in the darkness. It created a visual demarcation in the heavens. It was beautiful. When I panned my vision below to my own surroundings, the open air bath looked warm and inviting, still bubbling, fizzing and popping for a visitor. I was contemplating taking a night soak, but I kept giving myself reasons not to. However, it was the perfect evening for it, it was a great place to relax, and there would only be so many times I could visit Dragon Roost like this. I should seriously take this opportunity while I had. Even still, my one deterrent was thinking an unexpected visitor was going to show up. That visitor being Elbourne.

Elbourne was known for his spontaneity. I remember once when I first came to visit Dragon Roost as a child, that he stayed hidden under my bed for two hours before coming out and giving me the scare of my life. He found it hilarious, I didn't. I also recalled another time right after my parents died, him standing over me watching me while I slept in my chambers one night. When I opened my eyes and saw him, I nearly screamed, but he was quick to console me, alerting me to who he was. There were other instances of course, but they were too numerous to recall: walk ins, scares, peek-a-boos, and the like. In short, there was no telling when Elbourne would show up. He was just that kind of man, and with me being on his stomping grounds, there was nothing to prevent him from doing just that... even if I was bathing.

How convenient that would be, I thought sarcastically.

Even still, I wasn't going to lie, for the most part, Elbourne had been a perfect gentleman. When we spoke he was polite and cordial, but he never kept the conversation longer than a few sentences. When we had supper together with his family, he pulled out my chair, and sat across from me, but kept communication to a minimal. When we spoke on political matters, he was clear, but straight to the point, and so far he hadn't tried to drop by without advance notice. Maybe my setting him straight in front of Master Bastion did him some good. Maybe it got him thinking. He was even treating his servants better, which was a big deal for a self centered man like Elbourne. Maybe he was changing. Maybe he was starting to see the light. Maybe he realized that if he wanted to be an effectual ruler in the future, he needed to think about how to lay that ground work now. That was a lot of 'maybe's' to consider, but any proper due diligence afforded such a thought.

I sighed and shook my head.

Or... I thought with a trail.

Maybe I was being too hard on him.

Now I was just confusing myself.

"Oh Elbourne," I whispered.

After the short contemplation, I glanced down at the hot spring again. Was I really going to let a 'would be' situation take my comforts away? It was pretty ridiculous when I thought about it, and maybe I was being a little short sighted. In any such case, it was then I made a minute decision. I stared at the hot multicolored liquefaction again and raised a brow.

I mean... why not? I wondered.

It was then I went back into my room and to the closet in the corner. I would normally allow the servant girl assigned to me to attend to my things, but I sent her away earlier in the evening. She needed to take of her mother, and I couldn't bear the thought of her being here attending to me when a loved one needed her attention at home. That would have been thoughtless.

Anyway, I searched through my clothes until I found a modest one piece bathing corset and pulled it out. I then got dressed and headed out to the open air bath. When I stepped in, I immediately became unglued. The relaxation effects were instant. I sat down and dipped my head in the sizzling spring and felt my cares fade away. The bubbles radiated through my hair and cleansed my skin almost instantly. When I surfaced, I ran my hands through my wet hair and felt as though I had been purged of all my sins. The exfoliates present already felt like they had scrubbed away a dead layer of skin, maybe they went a little deeper and scrubbed a little away at my soul. I took in a sigh, sat back up, and just let the rocks bubble around me. I closed my eyes and got lost in the comforts for a moment.

This is unlike any relaxation technique at Hyrule Castle, I thought, and was slowly succumbing to the effects of warm water.

A few minutes past by, then a few more before a strange breeze began to kick in. It was interesting because I had no idea where the air was coming from. It wasn't coming from the north, south, east, or west. The odd thing about the occurrence was that it was actually coming from below. How was that possible? Perhaps the blacksmiths were working late tonight and the added effects of their tempering was creating a wind current? It was plausible, however the current was starting to get stronger. No blacksmith could do that unless there were hundreds of them working at once in Death Mountain. With the way the city was tonight, that seemed highly unlikely. Even still, the air current didn't stop, in fact, it seemed to be picking up.

I raised a brow and sat up.

"What in the world is causing this?" I whispered to myself.

Feeling a little unsettled about the whole thing, I was about to get out of the spring, then suddenly, the answer to my question made itself manifest. As if coming from the bowels of Dragon Roost, a large, platinum black dracosaurian slowly made its way up to my vantage point. My heart stopped, my eyes widened in disbelief, and body got numb.

What in Hylia's dear name-? my thoughts were cut short.

I was in complete shock when I saw the giant wingspan, and how each flap of it was causing a vertical wind rotunda. It was no wonder there was a upward damned wind, this dracosaurian was causing it. The dragon's head finally appeared, and its crystal green eyes glowed with a slight resonance. Its scales shined like black diamonds in the night sky. Involuntarily, I felt a twinge of fear swell within my belly, not because of the dragon itself, but because of its commanding magnificence. The dracosaurian was the king of the dragon classes, and it garnered such respect. I panned my eyes to its back, and saw the rider riding confidently in an iron mail. I knew exactly who it was hiding under that mask.

Elbourne! I thought.

As if in synchronization with my thoughts, the rider lifted his mask and the confirmation was made. The dragon prince grinned at my present state, and I could only imagine what was going through his dirty little mind right now.

"Well, well, well, good evening your majesty," he called from his dragon's back, "you must forgive me, I had no idea you were bathing just now."

I raised a brow and didn't answer. This was just like Elbourne to show up in a way I wasn't expecting. Who in the world rides their dragon in the middle of the bloody city? It was down right dangerous and stupid. However, that seemed to be the dragon prince's forte. He had a penchant for danger and stupidity.

This fool, I thought.

He smiled at me when he received no reply.

"Are you cross with me my dear?" he asked rhetorically. "Well, let me make it up to you."

Elbourne then leaned forward and enforced a command that made his dragon stationary while still flapping its wings. When the dragon was secure, he jumped off its back. I didn't move at his approach mainly because I couldn't move at this point. The force generated by the wings was too great. The only reason Elbourne was able to walk towards me without toppling over was because of the mail he was wearing. When he was over to my side of the spring, he offered me his hand. I looked at him like he was crazy.

"You can't be serious?" I demanded upset. "I'm practically naked Elbourne!"

His grin never went away.

"Trust me Zelda, I would know if you were naked," he reasoned, "I would hardly be able to function."

I groaned and felt my cheeks turn red.

"Will you just call your bloody dragon off?" I demanded. "I wouldn't need your help if you would just send that beast away."

Elbourne took a minor offense.

"Hey, you can't speak of Orthella like that," he said, "she actually likes you."

I was in no mood for jokes.

"Elbourne I'm serious," I said, "you're creating a breach in your security."

His smile widened.

"I beg to differ," he said, "who in the world is going to come up against a dragon? Much less a dracosaurian?"

When he put it that way he did have a point, but I still didn't want to take his hand on principle. He was being a damn idiot.

He saw my hesitation once more and then challenged it.

"Well my lady, do you want my help or not?" he asked. "You aren't bothering me, I could stay here all night staring at you."

I rolled my eyes and avoided his face, I knew I was never going to live his cocky grin down. Without looking, I conceded to his reasoning and gave him my hand. He chuckled slightly and helped me out of the water, but I nearly flew away. Elbourne then gripped me tight around the waist so I wouldn't fall. This was more than a compromising situation, but I couldn't push away from him. He actually swooped me up in his strong arms and carried me back inside. I didn't even want to imagine what he was thinking right now. When we were safely away, he snapped his fingers and Orthella flew away. My mouth dropped, and I looked at the dragon prince shocked.

"Put me down!" I said slightly angry.

Elbourne's grin never left, but he did as I asked.

When my feet touched the ground, I was ready to slap him across his arrogant face. Who did he think he was handling me like a brothel girl? I was not one of his whores, and I was going to make sure he knew that.

"You have a lot of nerve!" I said, taking several steps back. "First you invade my privacy, then you come in here grandstanding! You could have sent your bloody dragon away to begin with!"

He laughed at both things I said.

"Was I grandstanding?" he repeated.

I was beyond frustrated with his cocky demeanor.

"How in Hylia's dear name is this appropriate in any sort of fashion?" I demanded. "You tell me Elbourne! You flew your dragon over the city! You breached your own security! You show up to a lady's private chambers uninvited! I'm practically naked, and then you proceed to treat me like a whore!"

This was all so humorous to him.

"The only thing I take issue with is you saying I treated you like a whore," he replied, "I would never disrespect you in such a way."

I felt my mouth drop again.

That was it?

That was the only thing?

I closed my eyes and ran my hands over my face. There was a puddle of water pooling beneath me, and I still had done nothing to modify my immodest state. Elbourne, however, took no issue with my appearance. Why would he? He would prefer the entire peepshow if he could. I walked over to the closet and immediately pulled out a robe and covered myself up. I also took this time to ring out my hair and put another towel around it. I then tried to calm down as much as possible and face my unexpected guest. I was aware Elbourne liked to make entrances, but this was borderline crazy, especially considering what just happened to his mother.

"What is the matter with you?" I asked finally after I closed the closet door. "Have you lost your senses?"

Elbourne smirked.

"All my senses are intact, especially my sense of sight," he said suggestively, "that robe rubs you very well."

Dear Farore, I thought.

I shook my head.

"Will you be serious for a moment?" I said helplessly. "You've created a real problem tonight! I'm surprised-"

There was suddenly a loud knock on the door.

Oh no, now the repercussions were starting to show.

"My lady?" a guard called from the other side. "My lady are you alright?"

Before I could answer, Elbourne circumvented my reply.

I had no idea why he did that.

"She's fine," he called back, "I'm with her."

I felt my eyes widen.

He could not have been serious.

"Elbourne!" I whispered in disbelief.

He saw no consequence in what he had done and shrugged.

"What?" he asked me.

I closed my eyes and sighed, as if I was really going to answer that question.

There was a brief pause from the other side of the door.

"Who's 'I'm' sir?" the soldier asked. "Who are you?"

Elbourne got slightly indignant at the question.

"Who's he to question me?" he asked rhetorically.

I looked at him dumbfounded.

"Are you serious?" I whispered.

Elbourne grunted, then held up his hand to deter me for a moment.

"Excuse me for a second," he said to me then went over to the door.

I looked after him puzzled, then clamped my hand over my mouth when I realized what he was going to do. He went to open it.

Elbourne stepped out and was greeted by several guards. He looked over each man and took a step forward. "Which one of you asked that question?"

It was truly unbelievable.

The men were hesitant at first, but then the soldier who spoke up came forward. "It was me your highness."

Elbourne narrowed his eyes at the man and grunted. "Hmm," he moaned, "did you realize it was me you were talking to?"

The guard paused for a moment, but then shook his no. "How could I my lord?" he asked. "The door was closed. We were worried for her majesty's safety."

Elbourne looked the man straight in his eyes. "I see," he replied, and surprised everyone with his even handed reply, "to answer your inquiry, I'm Elbourne of Dragon Roost. The dragon you saw fly over the city was mine. I was in route to her majesty's room because I had something urgent to speak with her on. She is not in any danger, and no she was not warned of me coming to see her first." He then raised a brow. "Is there anything else?"

The soldier he was addressing looked past the prince to me, and I had to give the young man credit, he was brave for stepping forward the way he did. "No your highness not at this time," he replied, "but the next time you call, will you wait for her majesty to finish dressing? It's inappropriate for a man to be in a lady's chamber unmarried."

Elbourne didn't flinch, but I could tell he was slightly irritated now. However, he didn't act on it. "Thank you for the advice," he said surprisingly, "I'll take that in consideration in the future."

With that, Elbourne gave the young man a nod and the guards in turn bowed back. The dragon prince then came back into my chambers and closed the door. When he made his way back over to me, I looked at him shocked. He wasn't even fazed by my expression.

"What?" he asked me.

I was at a loss for words.

"You're unbelievable!" I asked. "Do I really need to spell it out for you?"

Elbourne took his helmet off completely now and ran a hand through his hair, then nodded towards my closet.

"Get dressed, we've wasted enough time," he said, ignoring my concerns.

I couldn't get over his nonchalance.

"Don't you dare dismiss me!" I demanded. "I want you to answer my question!"

Elbourne just stared at me for a moment.

"Zelda nothing I say is going to make you feel any differently about the situation," he replied. "Now you have a choice: we can either go out and cool off, or we can stay in and cool off. I'll leave the decision up to you, but I'll let you know now, I'm not leaving unless you have me arrested."

I felt my eyes widen and I didn't know what to say.

He's serious, I thought.

"Elbourne... I..." I trailed, trying to think of some reasoning.

He raised his eyebrows and waited.

"Well?" he asked.

I closed my eyes and took in a frustrated sigh. I couldn't believe I was going to let him have his way when he approached the situation so inappropriately. However, I couldn't very well let him stay in my room all evening long, that would cause more chatter than going out.

"What are you talking about going out?" I muttered more to myself than to him. "Go out where?"

Elbourne gave me a brief once over.

"Don't sound so excited," he said sarcastically, "I was thinking of taking you on a stroll through the night sky."

I looked at him stunned.

"On your dragon?" I asked.

He just nodded.

"Won't that-" I tried.

"Nothing's going to happen to you Zelda," he interrupted, then narrowed his eyes at me. "It's time you gave me some of that unconditional trust you give to Linux on a daily basis. I think I've earned it."

I was dumbfounded for a moment. That came out of nowhere. I really had no reply.

"I... I do trust you Elbourne," I said, "I don't think it's fair that you say such things to me."

He stared me straight in the eyes.

"Then prove it," he challenged, "start acting like it."

I pursed my lips together and looked to the ground, knowing part of this was because of what happened between us at the ball. There was a brief silence when I contemplated the answer. Was I really going to say no? Elbourne knew me better than that. I sighed again.

"Fine," I said, "I'll go, but only for a little while."

Elbourne's demeanor didn't change at all. He already knew I was going to go.

"Right," he said with a hint of cynicism.

I stroked a hand over my damp hair.

"Let me go change," I said, heading back to me closet.

Elbourne raised his hand to get my attention just then.

"May I make a suggestion?" he asked. "I think you should wear that silk white gown you had made for hot summer nights. I know it isn't summer, but the evening feels like it."

I was surprised at the precise look he wanted for me.

What's this all about? I wondered.

"I'll... I'll see what I can do," I replied.

Elbourne smiled at me.

"I'll wait for you out on the terrace," he replied, then turned and walked away.

I watched after him for a moment, and even though I was annoyed I couldn't help but admire his resilient spirit. Even when everyone was against him, Elbourne never gave up. I shook my head and went back to my closet. I looked through everything I had, and Lydia did pack the exact dress he described for me. I pulled it out and looked it over before I made the minute decision to wear it. It was a simple request and the dress was beautiful. Besides, I wanted Elbourne to know that I did trust him and that I was always going to be there when he needed me. He felt like I abandoned him at the ball, and I didn't want him feeling that abandonment any longer. Afterwards, I took the towel from around my head and took on the task of brushing my hair. The minerals in the hot spring actually made it appear shinier naturally.

When I was done with my grooming, I walked out to the terrace and was surprised to find Elbourne now dressed in all black. I looked to the ground and saw a dragon satchel with his mail and helmet now in it. He turned when he heard me approach and he couldn't have looked more handsome. I always told him he appeared his most distinguished in all black, his platinum hair just stood out against it. Now that I thought of it, that was probably why he wanted me to wear a white dress. He often told me he loved the way my hair looked in contrast when I wore white.

I guess he wants us to appear as opposites, I thought, I'm the ying to his yang.

"Wow," he whispered, giving me a brief once over, "you look wonderful."

I smiled, then pointed to the bag.

"Thank you, were you planning the spontaneous dress change all along?" I asked. "How are you going to steer your dragon without your mail?"

He looked down at his clothes and merely shrugged.

"I always plan for my evenings out," he replied, "and the only time I need a mail is when I'm taking Orthella or any full grown dragon out. I don't need one for any other dragon."

He caught me off guard with that.

"Any other dragon?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, Elbourne took his two fingers and whistled as loudly as possible. A moment later, another dragon appeared, it was a smaller red dragon with a much shorter wing span. It was probably a baby.

My goodness, I thought.

"This is Volvagia," Elbourne introduced, "I've been wanting to break him in since he was ready to ride. He's feisty, but tamable."

I wasn't reassured by that and raised a brow.

He named this dragon after the wicked one guarding a temple my grandfather defeated long ago? I thought. Talk about unconventional.

I decided not to bring that up.

"He isn't tame?" I asked.

Elbourne laughed.

"Trust me," he said, "this is the last dragon that would hurt you."

I looked from Elbourne to the small red dragon and hesitated. It was then Elbourne decided to remind me of my trust issues.

"Remember you said you would treat me the way you treat Linux," he said sarcastically.

I cut my eyes from the dragon to him, all Elbourne did was smile.

I sometimes hate my conscience, I thought.

"Well?" he taunted.

Without saying anything, I took his hand and he helped guide me on the dragon's back. This dragon had a double seated saddle on it. I had never seen one like it before. Elbourne must have had it specially made for two people. I sat down on the second seat while he took the front seat, and when I got a better view of baby Volvagia I understood why he chose this dragon to take me riding. The animal's skin was very smooth unlike an adult's. The scales hadn't manifested yet, and wouldn't until the dragon hit puberty. It was details like that that made me admire Elbourne as a dragon master. He really knew his craft. After getting a better gist of my situation, I wrapped my arms around Elbourne's waist and held him tight when he grabbed onto baby Volvagia's reigns.

"Ready?" he asked, turning his head slightly to cue me.

I nodded.

"As I can get," I said honest, "just be easy with the take off."

Elbourne snickered at that.

"For you my dear Zelda, anything," he replied, then slowly leaned forward to whistle a command.

When we took off, it wasn't as heart pounding as I anticipated, but I did need to catch my breath. We flew heavenward, then suddenly darted through the sky towards Hyrule Field. I held onto the dragon prince tight, while he was laughing at my initial reaction.

"Isn't this incredible!" he called over the wind.

We barely missed a branch as we rode low.

Sweet Hylia! I thought.

My heart nearly stopped.

"Marvelous!" I replied sarcastically.

We continued over Hyrule Field until we hit Zora's Domain high in the mountains. I glanced down and saw Prince Ralis meeting with his assembly of counselors. I thought it was late for a meeting, but I did respect his dedication to wanting to make Zora life better. The young Zora prince had been through a great deal in his young life, losing his mother and the like. Meanwhile, Elbourne and I continued our flight over the country. We headed towards the snowy caps of the Snowpeak. I wasn't too happy about that considering I had nothing to warm myself with. If I had known we were going to such a location I would've worn a shawl. However that was about to be rectified.

"Watch this!" Elbourne called over his shoulder.

He maneuvered his dragon up high by the reigns until we were near the impasse leading to Snowpeak Mansion. Elbourne whistled another command, and suddenly Volvagia's mouth puffed up really big. It took me a moment to realize what the dragon was doing.

It isn't going to...? I wondered.

I saw the dragon draw its face back.

Sweet goddesses, the dragon is! I thought panicked.

"Elbourne wait!" I cried out.

But it was too late, Volvagia already rained his fire down on the mountainside, melting tons of snow. The ends result created a makeshift river that ran off the side of the cliff, but it was the message embedded in the mountain that left me a little speechless, it read: Zelda. I didn't know what to say. Elbourne looked over his shoulder at me and smiled.

"Do you like it?" he asked in a loud voice.

I was dumbfounded.

"I... I love it," I replied honestly.

Satisfied with my answer, we took off again, this time heading south towards Hyrule Castle. Nearing the approach, I couldn't help but admire the splendor of the castle from afar. With the lanterns lit all over the city, it looked like a beacon of hope in the night sky. It was one of the most beautiful sights on the trip. Elbourne then stopped Volvagia before we approached completely. We were several hundred meters away. He must have realized a dragon hovering over Hyrule air space would have been taken as an act of war on Dragon Roost's part. It was a good thing he understood such political fall outs. However, I still felt we were too close to just stay hovering. Dragons were not a mainstay in any air space, not even Dragon Roost. The animals were just too powerful. However, I decided to stay quiet for now.

The dragon prince turned to look at me for a moment.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Elbourne whispered. "Hyrule looks like the city of all cities from up here."

I grinned and shrugged nonchalantly.

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," I replied, "Dragon Roost is splendid in its own regard as well."

Elbourne grinned when I said that.

"You really think so?" he asked.

I nodded.

"I often refer to it as Hyrule's eighth wonder," I said, "you should be very proud of being a citizen there."

The dragon prince smirked at my utterance.

"Thank you for that," he said sincere, "we try very hard to make Dragon Roost the country she is."

I was very aware of that.

"Well, there is no doubt you have succeeded," I said, "the growth you're experiencing there is amazing. It seems everyone wants to be a part of it."

Elbourne liked the sound of that.

"The provinces are buzzing with a lot of young entrepreneurs now," he said, "you should here them talk about all the things they want to do with dragon ore."

I laughed lightly at that. I knew how much Elbourne wanted the city to explode with inventors. He was always encouraging the best and brightest to move to Dragon Roost, even from Hyrule Castle. I remember one afternoon he came by to visit and shortly after speaking with me, he went in conference with some of the most influential families in Hyrule. I was quite surprised he was able to get Lord Miyamoto-San's granddaughter to build a house in the countryside of Dragon Roost. The young lady was known for taking an idea that seemed crazy and making it feasible beyond all imagination, just like her grandfather. However, when I thought about it, this was Elbourne I was talking about. He probably slept with the poor young maiden and made her forever infatuated with him. In any such case, he got the job done.

He does get what he wants when he wants it, I couldn't help but think, even an impromptu dragon ride with me.

"I'm sure Dragon Roost is a hub of plutocrats right now," I replied.

Elbourne turned again and smiled at me.

"It is," he said, "you better watch it your majesty. We're catching you in the aristocracy."

I shook my head and scoffed playfully.

"You can have it," I half-joked, "aristocrats are becoming a dying breed, just ask your father."

Elbourne laughed at that.

"Touche," he replied.

I laughed myself, but then stopped when I saw him staring at me for a long time with a small grin. I looked down, feeling a little uneasy about it. His looks always meant so much more than they let on.

"What is it?" I asked.

Elbourne shook his head and didn't reply right away.

"I... I was just thinking about my own eighth wonder," he said finally, "you."

I felt my cheeks blush slightly, and that was something I wanted to avoid.

Don't make this worse Zelda, I told myself.

"You're silly," I said, trying to make light of it.

Elbourne shook his head.

"No," he replied, "I'm right."

I didn't have anything to say in reply except thanks.

I nodded.

"Thank you, I appreciate your kind words," I said.

He studied my face for a moment.

"You know," he said, "you were always an open book when it came to certain things."

I grinned.

"Am I?" I asked.

He nodded.

"You carry your concerns on your pretty face," he replied, "you shouldn't do that, you'll get premature wrinkles."

I chuckled at his silliness.

"I'll certainly keep that in mind," I promised, "I wouldn't want to look like a fuddy duddy before I found a husband."

I suddenly wished I hadn't said that. This wasn't the time or the place for such a conversation.

Me and my big mouth, I thought.

Elbourne immediately took advantage of the topic.

"You could look like two fuddy duddies Zelda and you'd still capture every man's heart," he joked.

I shook my head.

"Charming," I said.

Elbourne shrugged.

"It's the truth," he replied, then added, "speaking of hearts, why haven't you found a husband yet? I'm sure any man would love to be your king."

I avoided his eyes and cleared my throat.

"I just haven't thought about it," I replied.

Elbourne looked me over and was quiet for a moment.

"Shouldn't you think about it?" he asked afterward. "You're of age."

I was aware of that.

"Thank you for stating the obvious," I said slightly annoyed.

Elbourne raised his hands in a humorous surrender.

"I didn't say it to get under your skin," he joked, "I was just concerned, sorry."

I sighed, knowing I had no real rebuttal.

"Don't be sorry," I said, "you didn't say anything wrong. I just... I just want to wait."

Elbourne got silent again.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked, breaking it. "Are you waiting for someone to ask you?"

I didn't want to delve into this too deeply.

"No," I replied, not really knowing what I was saying, "I'm just waiting."

Elbourne's eyes searched my face before he let off a minor scoff.

"Who are you waiting for is what I should be asking," he stated with mild displeasure. "Is it that peasant? Are you waiting for Linux, Zelda?"

I closed my eyes and groaned slightly in frustration.

"His name is Link, Elbourne," I corrected, "stop being a jealous fool."

Elbourne looked at me surprised at the slight poignancy of my reply.

"Well, you got one thing right," he said, "I am jealous of him, but only because you claim to be in love with that insignificant bastard."

I opened my eyes and cut them to him.

"It isn't a claim!" I shot back. "I do love him!"

He stared at me hard just then and turned away. He grunted in disgust.

"No you don't," he denied.

I was growing tired of this nonsense.

"You happen to be wrong," I said, "because I do."

He looked at me defiantly just then.

"Well if I'm a jealous fool, then you're a damned fool Zelda," he replied, "you claim to love Link when you don't even know him."

I narrowed my eyes.

"That isn't true, I do know him," I insisted, "in all the time that he's been in contact with me he's never lied to me."

Now Elbourne rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Please tell me you don't believe that," he said, "you sound extremely naive and for someone who is supposed to possess the Triforce of Wisdom."

I got indignant at that.

"I do believe it," I said stubbornly, "he's given me no reason to think otherwise."

Unorthodoxly, Elbourne laughed.

"Well then you better be prepared for disappointment my love," he said. "I don't care how virtuous you think farm boy is, at the end of the day he's still just a man." He shook his head. "I'll bet you he told you he was a virgin as well."

I didn't want to hear this, and that last comment made me blush.

"And so what if he did?" I snapped, not knowing one way or the other if Link was or not. "What's wrong with a man his age being a virgin?"

Elbourne shrugged.

"Nothing whatsoever," he replied, "I'm just telling you a man with his kind of reputation and his looks will have no problem finding a woman to sleep with him. If he told you otherwise there's a good chance he's lying."

That was the first nonjudgmental thing he said about Link, but it was still designed to keep me away from him.

"Whatever," I muttered more to myself than to him.

Elbourne looked at me and took in a deep sigh.

"A good friend tells you the truth no matter what Zelda," he stated. "You may not like what I'm saying, but at least heed them for your heart's sake. I just don't want you putting all your hopes on one person, and then ending up heart broken." He turned from looking at me just then. "Trust me, it doesn't feel good."

I was quiet for a moment when I realized he was speaking about his feelings for me. The silence lasted a little longer before Elbourne broke it again.

"Are you angry with me for saying these things to you?" he asked finally. "I wasn't trying to say anything to hurt you. I just wanted to warn you."

I wasn't upset, and in all honesty, I was grateful he was so concerned. After the way I treated him, he very well had a right to dislike me. It wasn't fair that I used him, and when he needed someone I didn't avail myself to him. I put my friendship with Elbourne on the line to pursue my feelings for Link. If nothing came of that, I could have potentially fractured my friendship forever. What Elbourne was saying wasn't something I wanted to hear right now, but I knew deep down he was actually making some valid points.

"No, I'm not angry with you," I replied.

Elbourne took in a deep breath and looked up at the night sky a moment later.

"I just don't want you going into this... relationship or whatever you want to call it, thinking this man is perfect," he said, "no man is perfect Zelda."

I looked over at the castle in the distance when he said that.

Link... I thought.

"I'm aware of that," I replied.

There was another brief silence between us, but it was tempered with tension. I kept my eyes fixed on the castle, when I suddenly noticed several guards pointing in our general direction. From where we were there was no way they could identify us, but apparently Elbourne's and my fixed state was becoming a problem. We needed to get out of there, and we needed to move quickly. My men may have thought we were spies. I decided it was time to vent my concerns.

"Shouldn't we head back?" I asked.

Elbourne turned to look at me, his hazel eyes shined in the moonlight.

"Already?" he inquired. "We just got here."

I didn't want to be a prude, and it was wonderful, but I was thinking of the bigger picture.

"I think my men caught sight of our stationary dragon in these skies," I said, "I saw some movement only a moment ago that suggested they are considering us a threat. Hyrule Castle is beautiful from this vantage point, but there are other things to consider Elbourne."

Elbourne listened, then just stared at me for a few seconds. A moment later, he dangerously let one of the reigns go so he could reach over and caress my cheek. My eyes widened in disbelief. I looked at him like he was insane.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a panicked voice. "You have to be careful! Pick that back up!"

The dragon prince didn't flinch.

"You are so beautiful in the moonlight," he whispered.

Was he serious?

"Elbourne!" I snapped.

He tried to calm me down.

"Relax," he reassured, "a dragon won't lose control if a master loses his reigns. Those are concerns for a rookie."

I looked at him defiantly.

"Consider me a rookie then," I replied, "please pick up your reigns!"

He smiled at my spirited tone and didn't collect the leather strap right away.

"Are you sure it's your men you're worried about seeing you, or a man?" he inquired, detracting a little bit.

I looked at him taken aback. Now wasn't the time for this.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded.

He stared at my lips now.

"I'm talking about the farm boy," he said rather bluntly. "Are you afraid he may get a telescope and catch you up here with me? The big bad dragon prince?"

I looked away, not wanting to discuss this matter any longer. He had made his point.

"You're being ridiculous," I said quietly.

Elbourne gave me a long once over, and looked back over at the castle again.

"Am I?" he asked, then turned back around to collect the dangling reign. "We'll see about that."

I looked at him puzzled just then.

What was he planning now? We really needed to get away from there.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Elbourne didn't answer, instead he leaned forward and whistled another command in Volvagia's ear. A moment later, we took off skyward to reach a much greater altitude. I held onto Elbourne tight when the sheer amount of force whipped my head back.

Dear Farore! I thought.

We flew higher until we were at least several thousand feet in the air. The pressure was lighter making the air thinner. I gasped a little for breath before I looked down and saw Hyrule Castle appearing like a little dot from where we were now. I felt my grip inadvertently tighten around Elbourne's waist when I saw how far the drop was. Elbourne then whistled another command to keep the dragon stationary in the air while he turned around to look at me.

"There, is that better?" he asked. "Not an ear within ten thousand feet."

I looked at him like he was crazy.

"Elbourne are you mad?" I demanded.

He grinned at me.

"Maybe," he said, then added jokingly, "I am a little mad for you."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. I loosened my grip from around his waist slightly and sat upright on the saddle. This was a very dangerous situation for me to be in. I was thousands of feet in the air with the best dragon rider in the country and there was nowhere for me to go. I thought we were going to head back to Dragon Roost, but apparently Elbourne had more to get off his chest. He didn't take his eyes off me now, and what could I do? There was nowhere for me to run to.

"You're a little mad period," I said, trying to deflect.

He got quiet for a moment.

"Hmph," he grunted, then said, "you always have a way of changing the subject on something that makes you uncomfortable."

I wasn't in the mood for this.

"Elbourne-" I tried.

"All I ask is why I make you feel uncomfortable?" he interrupted suddenly. "You know me Zelda. That's the difference between Link and I."

I had no real answer for that. Even with me looking at him now, I had no idea why I felt this innate sense of danger just resting inside him. He was a playboy and a brat true, but that was the worst of it. He never struck me as evil, however, there was definitely something sinister lurking beneath the surface of that handsome face. It was the main reason I couldn't give my heart to him. He was his own man and he loved his country, true, but he could be very dangerous when he wanted to be. The fact he was willing to forfeit Link's life the night of the party, spoke droves about his thought process at times. Even still, I wasn't going to bring that up in the here and now. That would have been idiotic.

"I don't feel uncomfortable," I said, looking away from his face.

He wasn't reassured by that. He turned around full on now, and I was just as nervous with him not being able to access his reigns now as when he casually let them go before. He came closer and wrapped his strong arms around my waist, then looked me straight in the eyes.

"How about now?" he whispered.

This was definitely compromising.

I closed my eyes and shook my head.

"Why are you so childish?" I muttered.

He laughed lightly, thinking I was deflecting again.

"I'm not," he said, "you need to stop being such a nervous wreck."

I knew he was going to mention that.

"I'm not a nervous wreck," I replied, "but you will have to excuse the fact that I think you're being reckless for trying to grandstand for me."

Elbourne raised his eyebrows.

"Grandstand?" he repeated. "Darling you're mistaking my confidence for composure."

I rolled my eyes and looked away.

"Whatever," I said.

Elbourne stared at my face, then tilted my chin up so I could look at him. He caressed his hands over my shoulders and I drew away slightly from his touch. He took note of that immediately and rested his arms around my waist again.

"Why are you trembling?' he asked, changing the subject briefly.

I shook my head.

"I'm not," I said, "it's... it's chilly up here."

Elbourne glanced over at the moon.

"I suppose it is," he said, "maybe I shouldn't have flown quite so high."

I tried to free myself from his grip, but that only made him hold me closer.

"Maybe," I replied.

He was slightly taken aback.

"Easy there," he said, "you don't want to fall."

I was frustrated with this situation.

"Elbourne will you let me go?" I asked without looking at him. "Please, this isn't appropriate."

He stared at me in surprise for trying to get away from him.

"Appropriate?" he repeated. "Zelda I used to spend the night with you in your chamber only a few years ago, kissing you like no man has kissed you before, and you consider the way I'm holding you now inappropriate? Are you serious?"

I didn't reply and stopped struggling a little bit.

I saw his point.

His eyes searched my face.

"You used to like being alone with me like this," he whispered.

He was right.

"What's happened Zelda?" he went on. "Has farm boy popped your precious cherry? Is that why you can't stand me any longer?"

I was almost sympathetic, until he added that unnecessary remark. I looked back at him in minor disgust.

"You would say something like that," I said, "it's nothing like that Elbourne."

He stared at my mouth and nodded.

"You used to never talk to me this way either," he divulged. "You used to respect me, just then you sounded just like my father."

I looked at his chest, that wasn't going to work on me.

"I do respect you," I said, "I just don't like it when you talk about the man I love so negatively."

He was quiet for a moment.

"The man you think you love Zelda," he said finally.

I swallowed hard.

"I do love him," I said defiantly.

He stared straight into my eyes.

"Here we go again," he groaned.

I bit my lower lip.

"Elbourne-" I tried.

"What do you know about him?" he interrupted.

A wave of nervousness ran over me. I didn't answer right away.

"Hmph?" he moaned thoughtfully with his eyebrows raised. "What do you know about him Zelda?" he asked again.

I looked down at his chest again to avoid his eyes.

"He's kind and courageous," I said finally, "he has a big heart, and he loves his country."

Elbourne scoffed.

"So what?" he said. "You've just described half your army. What about his family? Where does he live? What are his ambitions in life? What other thing is compelling about him other than his Triforce Zelda?"

I was not going to him down play that.

"You could never understand the burden of the Triforce," I said, "that alone makes him worthy of me."

Elbourne's eyes searched my face once more.

"Do you even know if he feels the same way?" he asked me. "Are you certain of his love for you?"

I continued to avoid his eyes.

"Of... of course I do," I replied.

He raised a brow.

"You hesitated," he perceived, "you're lying."

I felt my cheeks burn.

"It doesn't matter," I defied.

"Of course it does," he said, "you really don't know him, at least, not the way you think you do, and certainly not the way you know me."

I started fiddling with my hands in nervousness.

I didn't have anything to say in rebuttal. Elbourne studied my expression for a moment and caressed my cheek. He sighed and his features softened.

"Why is it so hard for you to believe that I'm in love with you Zelda?" he asked, changing the subject. "Why won't you give me a chance?"

I was at a loss for words.

"Do you remember those days when I used to come to you whenever you needed me?" he asked. "Does that not account for anything?"

I didn't discount that at all.

"Of course it does, but you told me you never wanted to see me again," I said stubbornly.

Elbourne sighed helplessly and gave me a hard stare.

"Has that proven true?" he asked with open sarcasm. "Didn't I go against my own word?"

Both of his points were valid.

Even still, I shook my head.

"Elbourne-" I tried.

"Zelda I love you," he interrupted, "period, the discussion is over."

I looked him in the eyes just then.

"Elbourne..." I whispered, and didn't know what else to say.

His eyes searched my face again.

"Farm boy doesn't even know what makes you tick," he whispered, "but I do."

I felt his hands run over my clothed thighs just then. I stiffened a little bit.

"I know what drives you crazy," he went on, stroking my shoulder again, "I know all your pleasure centers. I know how to kiss you to make you turn to jelly. I know how to make you laugh. I know your favorite color is pink. I know you love thinking alone in your private library."

His tone was very suggestive of his feelings.

"I-" I tried.

"Shhhh," he interrupted with his forefinger, "that's the problem Zelda, you never just let things happen between us."

That was true, I was always on guard.

"I'm just..." I trailed, not finishing.

He reached up and caressed my cheek again.

"You're just scared," he finished for me, "and you don't have to be."

I looked in his eyes just then.

"Elbourne..." I trailed.

His breathing quickened from the desire in his voice.

"You don't have to be scared," he whispered again, "not of me."

After that, he filled in the inches, leaned forward, and kissed me on the lips. I will admit, I did get a little lost with his sensuous mouth and tongue. If there was anything Elbourne knew how to do and do well, that was seduce. I didn't mean for it to sound as if it was his only specialty, he was brilliant in many things. He just happened to like to showcase his love making skills the best. I moaned softly from the way he nibbled on my bottom lip, and I kissed him deeper when he held me secure in his arms. I wasn't sure how he was able to do it, but every time I was with him, I felt like the most beautiful woman in world. I wonder if that was the case with every girl Elbourne was with. It wouldn't be such a wonder as to why he had such a prominent reputation with the ladies if that were true. I pulled away for a moment and looked him in the eyes.

"Don't you think we're strange Elbourne?" I whispered.

He grinned at me.

"How do you mean?" he asked.

I laughed lightly.

"We start off talking about how in love I am with Link and end up making out in each other's arms," I said, "most people would think we were certifiable."

This time Elbourne chuckled.

"I guess you're right," he said, then added with a semi sad smile, "we're getting more and more dysfunctional like my mother and father by the minute."

I felt my smile fade slightly at his words. I took his hand in mine and squeezed it tight.

"Things will get better," I whispered, "I really believe deep down your father loves your mother. He wouldn't be at her side if he didn't."

Elbourne looked away from me when I said this.

"It'll go back to normal soon enough," he whispered bitterly, more to himself than to me, "just you wait and see."

I stared at his eyes looking away from mine and caressed his cheek softly. I hated that his family's dysfunction was his version of 'normal'. There were so many things I took for granted when I had my parents: my mother's kisses, my father's praise and adulation, their warmth and laughter. Elbourne never really had that, at least not with his father. His mother worked especially hard to make her son feel like he was the light of the world, but I knew he desperately wanted his father's respect. Even still, I hoped my words were of some comfort to him.

"Let's..." I trailed, not sure what to say, "let's hope that isn't the case, huh?"

Elbourne sighed and turned his gaze back to me. His eyes searched my face once more, before he stroked his forefinger over my lips and came close to kiss me again. I kissed him back more so out of wanting to diminish his pain than anything else. He needed someone right now, much in the same way I needed him in the past. He was going through a lot with his parents not being unified in their marriage, and the constant attacks from his father. In many ways, I at times was his only outlet. I knew he thought he was in love with me, but I sincerely believed it was because he was so lonely. I had known him the longest, and he trusted me before he became the now infamous sexy womanizer that so many women fawned over. He didn't have to put up airs with me. I accepted him for who he was, and he was grateful to me for that. That's where I think his thoughts of being in love with me stemmed from. I remember him as that mean, but earnest, little boy who slowly showed his other side to me because he wasn't afraid of me rejecting him. Over the years he became very kind to me, often telling me I was the only person he trusted. That at times was a hard burden to bear, but it wasn't something I was willing to throw away either. I cared for Elbourne as much as he cared for me.

I could tell he was starting to feel more sexual with the way he was breathing, and when he pulled away and stared into my eyes, I knew he was going to want to take this further. He came close and kissed me again. Elbourne's hands slid over my thighs again and up my back as he kissed me deeper.

"No one's ever going to love you like I love you Zelda," he whispered between a kiss, "not a king, not a noble, not farm boy, not anybody. No one loves you like I do, no one."

I stiffened at the undercurrent of determination in his voice. He kissed me harder, and I had to hold onto his ruffled shirt to get a better grip so as not to fall. I pulled away to catch my breath, but it was only for a second before Elbourne came and kissed me again. He was so intense, but I curved away a little when he started kissing my neck. I had to put a stop to this now.

"Wait, we can't," I whispered, "not up here like this."

He stared into my eyes just then.

"Why not?" he joked. "I've always wanted to make love on the back of a dragon, you would be the first."

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"I'm serious," I said, "please stop."

The small smile he had on his face faded a little, and he loosened his grip at my waist.

"Very well," he said, not giving up, "would you like to fly back to my room and stay the night with me in my chambers?"

I gave him an obvious look, however, he didn't flinch, still waiting for my answer.

He was dead serious.

"You know I can't do that," I replied.

He reached up and caressed my cheek.

"You can do anything you want, you're a queen," he whispered.

That got a grin out of me.

"How many times do I have to tell you that isn't true?" I whispered back.

Elbourne chuckled and pressed his forehead against mine.

"You're like a spell," he said, "just when I think you can't enchant me anymore, you manage to take more and more of my heart."

His words were very sweet, but I felt terrible for not saying the same thing in return.

I looked down.

"You're silly," I replied.

There was a brief silence between us, when Elbourne tried to kiss me again. This time I pulled away. I really had to stop this, because I did need to think about how this would affect my relationship with Link. The one thing Link knew for certain was my loyalty to him, I didn't want to betray that in a weak moment of desire. When Elbourne tried to kiss me again, I put my finger to his lips.

"I... I think we should head back," I whispered, then caressed his cheek, "please understand why."

The dragon prince didn't want to hear my words.

"The night's young Zelda," he whispered, then leaned in and kissed me again.

However, I pulled away once more.

"It's not that young," I whispered back, "seriously, I want to leave."

Elbourne looked at me mildly stunned. There was a brief silence between us.

"What's the matter?" he asked finally, probably taking note of my changed disposition.

I took in a deep sigh and brushed a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Nothing," I whispered.

After hearing that, Elbourne just stared at me. I could tell he didn't believe me. He looked me over several times before he groaned finally in contempt.

What now? I thought.

"It's that peasant again, isn't it?" he demanded, not splitting hairs for a second.

I didn't reply, which only made him more upset.

"Is he ever present on your mind Zelda?" he asked angrily. "Can't you forget about him for just a few moments? I need you!"

I was a little alarmed at his tone.

I shook my head, not sure what to say.

"No... yes... I don't know," I said honestly.

His breathing quickened.

"Yes, no, hot, cold," he said angrily, "you don't know what the hell you want!"

I couldn't believe the distinct change in his manner.

"Elbourne-" I tried.

"Do you?" he interrupted. "You're like a goddamned pendulum in a clock, first you're one way then you're another! It's infuriating!"

I edged back from him in disbelief.

"I know exactly what I want Elbourne!" I said, then added. "I want Link! I've been telling you this for the longest time now." I shook my head and pushed away from his reach. "This was a bad idea, take me back to Dragon Roost!"

Elbourne had no qualms about the request and grunted his displeasure.

"What a waste of a damn evening," he muttered, turning around grabbing Volvagia's reigns, "I should have gone to the Red Lantern District. At least I could have found a woman who pretended to give a damn about me!"

I rolled my eyes and didn't reply.

Maybe you should have, I thought.

I had to hurry and grab Elbourne around the waist before we zoomed off in the distance. I felt my stomach turn a little.

So much for a midnight dragon ride, I thought, sweet Hylia I think I'm going to be sick.

Neither one of us said a word all the way back to Dragon Roost, and I felt guilty every second of the trip.

~SSS~

Ordon Village One Week Later: Ilia's POV

I was heading out to the spring the way I did every day, when I suddenly felt that familiar feeling of nausea come over me. I inadvertently placed my hand over my belly and hurried to hide behind some high grass if I had to regurgitate. I had been feeling increasingly nauseous as the weeks went on, and I was sure I knew exactly why. I was waiting for some sign of my monthly menstruation and so far nothing had shown. I was approximately three weeks late at this point, and I was convinced it was because I was pregnant. I waited in the high grass as the uncomfortable urge came on, but nothing came up. I went to Castle Town and bought a book on what to expect when a maiden was pregnant, and I was showing all the classic signs: nausea, weakness, a late and eventually absent menstruation, an increase in hot and cold flashes due to hormone changes, fatigue, and mood swings. I had them all.

Aren't you a lucky girl Ilia? I thought sarcastically.

My discomfort was an inconvenient byproduct of my consequences, but to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way. I was bearing Link's child, what other maiden in Hyrule could tout that? No one. When I was sure it was just a false alarm, I stood up and composed myself. I was trembling because the distress I felt was so great, but I quickly dismissed it.

Come on Ilia this is what you wanted, I thought.

After the false alarm, I picked up the jar I was carrying and continued down the road towards the spring. However, out of the corner of my eye I saw my father watching me from a distance. Papa had been increasingly more attentive when I first started showing signs of my pregnancy. He thought it was the just bokoboblin virus with the way I was consistently vomiting, but that coupled with my withdrawn behavior didn't add up. He was becoming more and more aware that something else was going on with me. I told him I was simply battling a bug and not to worry, but I was sure he was more than worried now. No one threw up as much as I did lately and not get noticed. So, I tried to make light of my previous actions by acknowledging my father by waving. He saw that I saw him and waved back, however, he still didn't look reassured.

I tried to ignore it.

If I was pregnant, now wasn't the time to divulge that information. I wanted to tell Link first, and then the both of us could go to my father after we got engaged. If we got married soon after, no one would ever have to know about our little secret. I knew one thing was for sure, I didn't want a long engagement. Long engagements gave individuals time to manifest doubts, and that was something I wanted to avoid. Link and I needed to be a family, and because of that, the added distractions in his life were going to have to cease. I paused for a moment just then, as I saw Link in the distance leaving his tree house. I stopped short of the impasse hoping he wouldn't see me, but it was too late, I had already caught his eye.

Dang it, I thought.

I was trying to avoid him as much as possible.

Link paused for a moment, then headed towards me with a serious expression on his handsome face. I looked away when he approached, but that didn't do any good, because he immediately turned my face back to his and looked at me concerned. We hadn't spoken since he came to visit me at my house the last time, and I was quite surprised at how quickly he picked up on what I had planned. He was more astute than I gave him credit for... it must have been that job at the castle making him so savvy. I was more scared than anything when he approached me the way he did, mainly because I had never seen him like that before. I would have taken several nights with him yelling at me for barging in his home, than have him accusing me like that, especially with everything he thought was true.

Link stared me in the eyes and caressed my cheek consolingly.

"Hey," he said quietly, then looked at my jar, "you want me to carry that for you?"

I didn't return his gaze.

"No," I said, "that's alright."

He paused for a second, then nodded. It was then I looked him over and saw that he was on his way out. He was going to that damn job again. That damn job that took him away from his home and his friends. That damn job that surrounded him with suspicious evil people. That damn job that made licentious maidens drop their garter belts for him at his every whim. That damn job that put him in close contact with the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. I had never seen the queen, but I knew she was beautiful. Everyone who saw her said so, and she wasn't just beautiful... she was smart... she was an advocate for justice... she was kind... she was loyal... and she worked with Link. That was the thing that bothered me most, her working with Link. That damn job at the castle ruined everything.

I was suddenly embittered by that thought.

I almost hate the queen and I don't even know her, I thought.

Link took note of the look on my face and translated it differently.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you a little while ago," he apologized, "I was completely out of line."

I almost didn't hear him, but when I did I was grateful he at least he acknowledged he was a jerk in how he treated me.

I looked away again.

"It's fine," I said quietly.

He shook his head.

"No Ilia, it isn't fine," he insisted, "I was presumptuous and cruel, you didn't deserve to be treated that way."

I didn't reply immediately. He was right, I didn't deserve to be treated this way, especially since I loved him so much. I bit my lower lip and felt these frustrating tears fill my eyes. When Link saw that, he immediately took the jar from hands, placed it on the ground, then wrapped me in his arms in a tight hug. I closed my eyes and sobbed quietly into his strong chest, and he stroked my hair. He was always so kind when it came to comforting me, and I wasn't sure what I loved about him more: his kindness, or his innate chivalry. even if he was angry, he still at the end of the day tried to do the right thing. All I knew was that I wanted him to be all mine. I loved him so much.

"Shhh," he cooed against my hair, "please don't cry."

I hugged him tighter after hearing that, and felt a knot well in the pit of my stomach. I thought it was just from my tears, however it took me a second to realize it wasn't a knot of apprehension, but a knot inducing vomit.

Oh no! I thought, and immediately pushed away from him.

Link looked at me surprised.

"Hey, are you alright?" he asked.

I didn't answer him.

I hurried past Link and into the alcove that housed the spring.

"Ilia!" he called after me.

When I was settled among the reeds, I purged violently, green bile and sediment hurled from my mouth. I heard Link's footsteps scurry up to me from the background.

"Ilia-" he tried concerned, but the sounds of my regurgitating drowned him out.

After a few moments, the vomiting finally stopped, and I struggled to catch my breath. However, Link was right there to help me.

"Ilia are you okay?" he asked me again.

I hurried with my nod and stood up. I had my back facing him, and wiped my mouth with the sleeve of my shirt. I was trembling again, and my whole body broke out it a cold sweat. When I turned back to look at him, his concern never went away.

"I'm okay," I reassured, "I just caught a bug or something."

That wasn't a confidence booster.

He gave me a long once over.

"A bug or something?" he repeated cynically.

I nodded, then avoided his eyes.

Link was silent for a moment.

"Do you think you need to see a doctor?" he asked afterwards.

I paused, really wanting to answer that question honestly.

Yes, I thought.

"Uh... I might in the next few days," I replied.

Link nodded and took in a deep sigh.

"Alright," he said, then he tried to lighten the tension, "but just make sure you take care of this before the Pumpkin Festival, everyone's looking forward to your soup."

I tried not to let it show, but that did get a smile out of me.

"It's nice to know where your priorities are," I joked.

That got a small snicker out of him.

"Yeah..." he trailed, then his brief smile faded, "I have to go, but if you want to talk, stop by anytime when I'm home."

He caressed my cheek again and I wanted to say something in rebuttal, but I kept my mouth closed. I just nodded and looked to the ground, I didn't want him to leave. Link saw that and questioned it.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

I felt my cheeks redden at his tone, and it suddenly made me think of how he made love to me only a short time ago.

"It's nothing," I replied.

He raised a brow and scoffed slightly.

"Come on," he replied, "don't lie."

I blushed even more, then grinned.

"The... way you sound right now is much like how you sounded the night we were together," I confessed.

Link looked at me surprised and got quiet suddenly.

"Oh," was all he said in reply, "oh I see... I'm sorry."

I shrugged and looked up at him just then.

"Don't be," I said, and stroked a lock of hair behind my ear, "I'm not."

That was true.

I wasn't sorry for anything I had done to be with him. Link and I were meant to be together. However, he was silent after my utterance. Instead, he took me in another hug and held me tight. He sighed as if he had some unspoken indecision he was dealing with.

"I..." he trailed, "I have to go, just make sure you take care of that bug."

I didn't want to let him go, but did and nodded.

"I will," I whispered.

He stared into my eyes and caressed my pale cheek once more before letting me go. Afterwards, I watched him mount Epona and get ready to take off. He looked at me once more and smiled.

"Be good," he joked.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I will," I said, "you won't be here to distract me."

Link laughed, then pulled slightly on Epona's reigns.

"Giddy up!" he commanded, then turned and took off out of the spring.

I hurried towards the springs entrance and watched after him. My smile continued until his personage disappeared behind the thickets and foliage of the trees. Every time he left, I felt a little emptiness inside, and that was when I knew he was going to have to give up his job at the castle when we got married. That was all there was to it. It simply consumed too much of his time. There was no way we could be a happy family if his mind was constantly some place else. Besides, it was far too dangerous, and he needed to focus on being a father. A man had to think about what was best for others and not just himself. However it was best not to think of that now, Link and I would discuss that at a later date. Also too, there was this whole ordeal with this Midna woman as well. He was going to have to set things right with her too before we settled down. He was going to have to tell her he was no longer in love with her, and that he was about to be married. Hell, if he had to confess to her that I was pregnant, then so be it. I just wanted her to stay away from him afterwards. He didn't need reminders of a past he needed to forget. There would be no need for her in his life after we got married. No need for her or the queen.

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

I'll tell him about his baby the night of the Pumpkin Festival, I thought, it's appropriate enough... it's the most joyous time of the year for us Ordonians.

I headed back towards the spring and filled up the jar I was carrying and went back to the main village. When I got home I set the jar down, but then quickly grabbed my belly and headed towards the privy just outside the side of the house. I barely had time to stand over the opening where the sewage went before I heaved my guts away. There was no use trying to eat anything, I couldn't keep anything down, and this condition was starting to alert the others. Uli had asked about me looking pale several times this week, and Talo and Malo's mother bought me some ginger tea because she said "I was looking under the weather." However, the person I was trying to avoid the most was papa, but that was impossible. If papa found out what happened between Link and I, I didn't know what he was going to do. When my countenance returned back to normal, I again wiped my mouth and tried to get my bearings together. I wasn't sure how long I was going to be able to keep this a secret without getting confirmation first from a doctor about my pregnancy. Papa was already suspicious about when I went to visit Link's that night, and this was only adding to his suspicions.

"You need to focus," I whispered to myself, "just try not to cause a scene if you don't have to."

I nodded at my own advice, then went to open the door. However, before I could step foot outside, I was suddenly face to face with my father. I felt my stomach turn again, but for a much different reason.

Oh no, I thought.

Papa raised his brow and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Ilia, what's going on?" he asked quietly, and by his tone I knew I wasn't going to get over one on him. "Don't tell me that there isn't when I know that's not true."

I stared at him for just an instant and suddenly tears filled my eyes. He saw that and looked at me alarmed.

"Are you...?" he didn't finish.

I couldn't find my voice when I opened my mouth, and all I could do was wrap my arms around him and sob.

"I'm so sorry papa!" I cried into his chest, not even trying to deny what I had done. "I know you've always been proud of me and now I've brought you shame!"

Papa took in a deep sigh, closed his eyes, and stroked my hair.

"Ilia I'm not ashamed of you," he said against my hair, "I've told you long ago that I accept you for who you are, for the good or the bad honey."

I held onto him tighter.

"I know papa, but-" I tried.

"No buts," he interrupted, "what kind of father would I be if I only accepted the good in you? You need me now more than ever."

My bottom lip quivered.

"You're so good to me," I whispered.

He chuckled a little bit.

"Besides it'll be nice to hear the pitter patter of little feet again," he stated trying to lighten the mood.

It worked a little bit.

"I guess," I said with a sad smile.

Then there was a brief pause before he spoke again. He cleared his throat and held me tighter.

"Who's the father honey?" he asked in a low voice.

I felt my stomach drop at the question. I didn't know why he asked, he already knew.

"You know who it is papa," I murmured.

He wasn't having any nonsense today.

"Ilia you've come this far," he said, "just tell me who it is. You'll feel better saying it out loud."

I closed my eyes and buried my face further into his chest.

"The father is Link," I confessed, and felt my whole body turn to mush, "...it's Link daddy."

Papa got quiet after he heard that, then asked his next question.

"Does he know?" he asked.

I shook my head no, but I hesitated.

"I haven't told him yet," I whispered.

Papa held me tighter and stroked my hair.

"That's alright honey," he said against my hair, "we'll tell him together. We'll tell him the night of the Pumpkin Festival."