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.

29. Chapter 29

Inspiration: "Language is the rigid system in which human thought is trapped..." Pier Paolo Pasolini. This man was a very controversial figure in film and academia. His last movie sparked his murder unfortunately, but his theories on film making and writing are thought provoking to say the least.

Shout Outs: ThisRightHereIsMyFanfiction, the guests, and Axclear, thank you for reading new readers.

Word count: 20,383

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Chapter 29

Early the Next Morning, the Catacombs Underneath Dragon Roost: Morgana's POV

I sneezed, and worked hard to keep the chill in my bones from overtaking me. The clothes I was wearing were sodden and smelled of mildew. I had been lying in wait for two days, looking for an opportunity to leave these catacombs and make my way into the king's palace. For whatever reason, it seemed, at least to me, that the presence of the guard had doubled, and I wasn't sure if that was because an alert was put out for my capture or not. I hoped it was the latter, I had very few options at this point, and if I was seen because there was a warrant for my arrest, there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was presently hiding behind a stone abridging settled in a remote aperture, adjacent to the main hall. There was an underground walkway leading to the catacombs from there. I battled moss, dank air, claustrophobia, and snakes to get here in one piece. There was no way I was turning back now. I was going to see the king at any cost.

He will not turn me away, I thought determined, I did him a favor, it's time he did the same.

Side lining my sense of reciprocity for a moment, I peered out from the behind the abridging to the adjacent hallway to see if the area was clear to proceed. There was a secret passageway in one of the main halls, behind a tapestry, that was currently being guarded by two soldiers. That passageway led straight to Xavier's private chambers. I was aware of it partly because it was where he directed me to travel to on nights when he called on me to service him. It was much more convenient than taking the front door. Besides the floor plan, I needed to see if there was any break in the guards rotation. I watched for a moment and saw there pretty much was none. That was going to be a problem. How was I going to get past two guards without arousing suspicion? The more direct answer was I wasn't sure, but I knew I was going to have to create a diversion of some kind in order to make this work. The question was: how?

I had very limited things at my disposal besides my wits. I had no flares, my bow and arrow were relinquished when I went swimming, and all of my other devices were locked away in one of the pits, or abandoned on the shoreline. So, what was I going to do? I thought about it for a moment, and realized I did have one major advantage, even though it was a far fetched one. I was a mess, true, but I still had my looks. My looks were distinct enough that I could pretend to be a lady of the castle or Hyrule or whatever, in need of some assistance. I could ask if one of the guards could go to the main spire and gather me some new clothes, that was a protocol in Dragon Roost. And even though my wears were wet, they still looked of the rich and powerful. Roostian law stated that nobles had first class citizenship in this country. I needed to utilize those facts while keeping a low profile. In the mean time, after distracting the first guard, I could find some other activity to distract the second guard before slipping into the passageway. It could work if I played my cards right. I really only needed a few minutes. I knew it sounded ridiculous, but it was the best I could do with what I had.

"I have to sound convincing," I whispered to myself.

I took in a deep breath and hoped for the best.

It was then I came out of hiding, walked down the hall, and did my best to hurry towards the two specific guards I wanted to help me.

I had to make this legit.

"Oh please good sirs!" I said, stopping and trying to sound breathless for a moment. "I'm in need of your assistance!"

The two guards looked at each other startled for a moment, then back to me. My appearance was none to reassuring in the early morning hours. They were hesitant to help me right away, and considering I came from stark silence to full blown histrionics, they had a right to be suspicious.

"What can we do for you my lady?" the first soldier asked finally.

I took in an exaggerated sigh and went on.

"Oh thank you," I said, "you see, I was robbed this morning and left to fend for myself when I was thrown into a pool of water," I explained. "Thankfully my horse and carriage brought me here safely, but I was wondering if one of you could fetch me some new clothes from the south tower per your country's protocol for nobility."

Neither of them budged, and they both looked at me perplexed.

"Fetch you some clothes?" the second one said. "Can't we just show you to your chambers madam?"

I nodded.

"Yes, fetch me some clothes," I replied, "you see I'm not from around here, so I don't have any proper lodging, but my family is prominent in Hyrule, and as it stands now I won't be able to reconvene with them for several hours."

The two soldiers still didn't look convinced.

One even thought to question me further.

"What's the name of your family my lady?" the first soldier asked cautiously.

I stiffened a little at his inquiry.

I wasn't expecting him to ask me that, I thought.

"My family's name?" I repeated, sounding even more suspicious.

The soldier who asked the question raised a brow.

"Yes my lady, what's your family's name?" he asked again.

I felt my heart race a little.

I couldn't stall long.

Think quickly Morgana, I told myself, what was the one brother always said to use in emergencies? Was it Mother's maiden name?

I decided to use it anyway.

"I am from the house of Tanner," I replied quickly, "my name is Lady Tanner."

The two men still weren't too convinced of my answer, but the second one actually provided an unexpected confirmation.

"I know of that family," he said to his colleague, not really wanting to give me the benefit of the doubt, but had no choice, "they owned a bunch of mining provinces in Hyrule before selling them off."

I nodded.

"That is correct," I replied.

The first soldier took in a deep sigh, and gave me a side eye, but saw no reason not to grant me my request. He knew by law he had to. He then nodded toward his colleague and sent him off.

"Go get her a suitable gown from one of the servant girls," he ordered, "I'll watch her until you get back."

The other one groaned too, signifying his own suspicions.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

The first one nodded.

"We'll get clarification later," he replied, "right now this woman needs to get out of this dress. She does look like she's been through an ordeal."

It wasn't the answer the second soldier was wanting to hear, but he reluctantly followed his comrade's orders anyway.

"Very well," he said, then gave me a sharp look, "I'll be right back... my lady."

I just smirked, not giving one iota if he believed me or not. I just wanted him gone, and when he turned and left, my secret wish was granted.

One down, one to go, I thought.

I then turned my attention back to the first soldier, who was still eyeing me like I was a criminal.

I returned his gaze with a smile.

"Something bothering you good sir?" I asked.

He reached up and scratched his chin.

He tried to appear nonchalant.

"I just find it funny that if you were robbed that you didn't go straight to the magistrate's office," he replied, "all nobles usually go to the magistrate's office for legal matters in Dragon Roost."

I raised a brow.

I hadn't thought of that.

He's a clever bastard, I pondered with a mild irritation.

"I'm new to the area," I said.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Are you?" he asked. "Because you seemed to know that all nobility can request unwarranted assistance from the soldiers in the palace. A newcomer wouldn't know that, not unless they were educated on the process."

I was growing tired of this.

Who was he to question me?

"I was," I replied.

He raised a brow.

"You've already achieved a level of mastery my lady," he replied.

The sarcasm was apparent all through his voice.

I needed to put a stop to this.

"So what," I snapped, "what difference does that make? I must caution you sir, your tongue will be your undoing good sir if you don't bridle it," I warned, "you questioning a lady as though she were a criminal is grounds for a dismissal of your position. However, I'm feeling generous today and will forget all about it because of your ignorance. As payment for your insolence, I need for you to fetch my horse man so that he may know where I am."

The soldier looked at me surprised.

"You want me to do what?" he asked.

I scoffed.

"Did I stutter soldier?" I demanded. "You heard what I said!"

He grunted in mild frustration.

"I can't just leave my post," he replied.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You're the most insubordinate soldier I have ever met!" I snapped. "Go do as I said at once!"

He still didn't budge.

"My lady-" he tried.

"Do I have to call your superior?" I threatened. "Do we really have to take it that far?"

He looked at me stunned with widened eyes.

There was a brief silence between us.

"No," he said finally, "we don't."

I grunted, then pointed down the hall.

"Good, now go fetch my horse man at once," I ordered, "and don't dawdle! I have something important to discuss!"

The soldier hesitated for a moment, but didn't bother to argue with me again. He broke from his stance, then nodded reluctantly before taking off.

"I'll be back shortly," he called over his shoulder as he disappeared down the hall.

I watched with a calm face, but I was wracked with worry inside.

"That was close," I whispered.

With both men gone, I wasted no time hurrying behind the tapestry and into the passage way. I made short work of the stairs, and followed a brief golden wall leading to another stone one. The off setting gems in Dragon Roost were amazing, there wasn't a place like it anywhere in the world. Before being presumptuous and entering the king's chambers unannounced, I leaned against the wall and listened to hear if he had any visitors. I heard only one set of feet and was tempted to knock, but stopped when I heard the sound of another faint voice.

Is that a woman? I wondered.

I listened more intensely and waited to go in.

~SSS~

Several Moments Earlier: Xavier's POV (3rd person omniscient)

The king was in one of his rare good moods. He was so happy that he even decided to share the good vibes with one of his favorite people, his wife. He called for Constance about twenty minutes ago and was expecting her soon. He prepared a table of fruits, cheeses and spared no expense for his favorite one hundred year old burgundy. Breakfast was to be served soon, true, so he wasn't creating a meal to interrupt that, but he felt a proper host should always provide refreshments for a guest, even a guest as notable as his wife. A few moments later, there was a knock at the door, and unsurprisingly waiting on the other side was his beautiful wife, Queen Constance. Constance looked lovely in her dark blue gown and matching jewelry. She had an elegance that was unparalleled. She truly was one of the most beautiful women in the land. It was no wonder why she was Xavier's queen. The king should always have the best of the best.

What a vision, he thought.

Xavier stared at his wife for a moment, and the admiration he previously felt suddenly faded to a deep seeded bitterness. He kept imagining her being pleasured in Auru's arms, and it drove him crazy. He was glad the traitor was dead, and soon she would suffer as well. She had been a lying, treacherous little snake. A slinky little viper who seduced her way into the arms of another man... there was no forgiveness for that kind of betrayal in the house of the dragon masters. It was unfortunate really, Auru was a man with whom Xavier shared a great deal of secrets and respected. They actually pledged to the brotherhood on the same day, band swore to look out for each other. He was one of Xavier's closest friends... but unfortunately, he allowed himself to get too close to someone he shouldn't have. Now the bastard was dead, and the sins of Constance's past were about to catch up to her as well. There was no way Xavier was ever going to let what she and Auru did right under his nose go unpunished. Auru with death, Constance with the misery of knowing she was the one who killed her lover.

Xavier held the door open for her, having sent all of his servants away. Constance looked around the large chamber puzzled before she walked in, she almost seemed reluctant to do so.

"Where is everyone?" she asked.

He grinned.

"I gave them some time off," he replied.

Constance's perplexity deepened, but she didn't bother to question her husband. Instead, she took what he said at face value and came inside. Xavier then shut the door behind her and motioned for her to have a seat at the table.

"Please," he said softly.

Constance looked from the table to her husband with open curiosity and sat down.

"I thought breakfast was being served in the main hall," she said.

Xavier uncorked the bottle of burgundy and poured her a small cup.

"A little drink before breakfast never hurt anyone," he said with a smile, "it's like old times."

Constance looked up at him surprised when he said that.

"Old times?" she repeated.

He nodded and poured himself a cup.

"Right after we first got married on our honeymoon, we had a shot of burgundy before our breakfast the next day," he recalled, "you were quite the rascal back then my dear, an uninhibited tigris."

His words made her blush.

"That certainly came out of nowhere," she replied.

He shook his head.

"I think not," he replied, "it came from the memory of our wedding night. I knew then you were the perfect dragon queen."

Again, she looked at him surprised.

The memory caught her off guard.

"I... I suppose so," she said softly, "we were both different back then."

He nodded, but then took a seat.

"I remember it like it was yesterday," he whispered, "just you and me and no one else."

Constance probably would have been more relaxed if Xavier wasn't being so cryptic, but she knew nothing was ever what it seemed with her husband.

"Those... those were good times," she whispered back with a hint of sadness, "you were much happier back then."

Xavier nodded.

"So were you," he replied.

Constance looked down at the table for a moment.

Xavier then sat back and studied his wife.

"You look lovely today," he complimented suddenly.

Again, Constance blushed.

"Thank you," she replied, "it's this new sulfur soak Elbourne recommended, it does wonders for the complexion."

Xavier simply nodded again, but then looked at her goblet and gave her a sudden hard stare.

"Are you going to drink your drink?" he asked.

Constance got a little uncomfortable with his gaze, but then looked down at the alcohol in question.

"I'm not particularly thirsty for burgundy darling," she said gently, "I rarely care for alcohol at all to be honest."

Xavier narrowed his eyes a little bit and sat back.

He wasn't pleased in hearing this.

He had a plan set in motion here.

"I think you should drink it," he said with a little insistence, "it'll make the news of what I'm about to tell you a little easier."

Her eyes widened almost involuntarily on hearing that.

"News?" she asked. "What news?"

Xavier nodded towards the cup.

"Drink up and I'll tell you," he replied.

Constance looked at her husband apprehensively just then. She didn't understand what a drink had to do with anything, but figured it was just one of her husband's many idiosyncrasies. Even still, she hesitated in looking to the cup, and had a bad feeling about this overall. She didn't want to do it.

"Xavier-" she tried.

"Drink it Constance," he snapped suddenly, "trust me you'll want a lot more after what I have to tell you."

She looked at her husband stunned.

"What?" she asked. "What do you mean?"

Xavier then sat back and said nothing else.

Constance looked at her husband shocked regarding his sudden change in behavior, but wasn't too surprised. She knew he called her here for more than what met the eyes. It prompted her to pick up the small goblet and down her small helping of alcohol. It went down smooth, but Constance held the bridge of her nose because the taste was so strong. Afterwards, she placed the small goblet back on the table and looked to her husband nervously. There was a brief silence between him.

"Now what's this all about?" she demanded finally. "I drank your bloody concoction! Tell me why you brought me here!"

Xavier raised a brow and leaned forward on the table.

He looked her over several times without flinching.

"I just wanted to inform you that your lover, Auru, is dead," he said with chilling nonchalance.

Constance almost thought she didn't hear him correctly.

Her breath stopped for a moment.

She looked at her husband stunned.

She then shook her head in disbelief.

"What?" she whispered. "Auru's what?"

Xavier down another shot.

"Auru's dead," he said more directly, "his death wasn't announced because he wasn't a prominent figure or of a noble house, but I got confirmation that he was killed the other day."

All the blood suddenly drained from Constance's face.

She couldn't believe this was happening.

She didn't want to believe this was happening.

Tears filled her eyes immediately.

"How?" she asked. "Why?"

Xavier poured himself another shot.

He actually seemed to savor the taste on this one before he swallowed.

"That is some good drink;" he said to himself, then directed to his wife, "he was killed by a poisoned arrow," he said with menacing coldness, "and I was the one who commissioned it."

Her bottom lip trembled as shock entered her veins, and she had no reply.

Xavier then narrowed his eyes at her.

"No one will ever touch the wife of a king of Dragon Roost my love and get away with it," he stated with such icy coolness, "no one."

Constance covered her mouth as the tears finally poured onto her cheeks.

It was like the flood gates were opened.

"How-how c-could you do that?" she stammered. "He was your friend!"

Xavier shrugged.

"He was my friend until I found out he was sleeping with you," he replied, "I have limits my dear."

Constance all of a sudden got up from the table, unable to bear anymore of what she was hearing.

It was like some of his cruel words just registered in her head.

"You killed him?" she demanded, then repeated it over and over again. "You killed him? You killed him! YOU KILLED HIM! YOU KILLED HIM!"

Soon afterwards, she hurried around to the other side of the table and slapped her husband across his face several times with both her hands. She couldn't contain her anger any longer. Xavier immediately caught her fists and forced them to her sides, but that didn't prevent her from spitting on him in the process. Xavier then stood up and grappled with his wife as she wasn't done tussling with him.

"You dirty son of a bitch!" she retorted. "I hate you you bastard! I-"

"Shut up you dirty slut!" he interrupted, wiping his face of her saliva. "Just be glad you aren't paying for this with your life!"

Constance didn't feel threatened at all.

"I would welcome it you self centered bastard!" she screamed at him, then wriggled herself, and pounded her fists as hard as she could on his chest. "How dare you take Auru away from me?! Since you don't love me, why couldn't he? I hate you forever Xavier! I hate you! I hate you!" She stopped hitting him after that, broke down, and just started sobbing inconsolably. She even slumped to the ground at her husband's feet, and covered her face in despair. Her shoulders heaved up and down. "Auru," she sobbed, "oh goddesses, why did it have to be Auru?"

Xavier stood over his dejected wife and felt nothing but contempt for her. He was even more disgusted that she didn't see fit to apologize for spitting in his face. He reached down and yanked her up off the ground in a rough manner by her forearm to stand her up. Her crying was uncontrollable at this point, but he shook her violently hoping to get her into submission. It didn't work, Constance didn't stop crying, in fact, it made her tears even worse. Finally, when she could take no more, she yanked herself free and hurried for the door. However, Xavier wasn't letting her off the hook that easily. He intercepted her by grabbing her by the elbowed again and turned her around to face him. She didn't meet his eyes, she was too distraught, and he was annoyed by her lack prudence.

"Get it together!" he growled insensitively. "You're a queen of Dragon Roost! Have some pride!"

It was as if she didn't hear him, because she didn't stop.

Xavier then grabbed her by both her shoulders.

"Constance!" he said more out duty than concern. "Come on, think of what this will look like if you leave like this."

The dragon queen stopped for a moment, and looked at him in disbelief with pink tinged eyes. This was his reply when he just shattered her world? He was the cruelest sadomasochist in creation.

"To hell with you and your throne Xavier!" she snapped. "This goddess forsaken kingdom has brought me nothing but pain!"

She then tore herself away from him and hurried to the exit. She snatched open the door and ran down the hall back to her chambers. Xavier nearly caught her before she left, but stopped in the doorway. He thought to go after her, but then decided against that when he saw the look on the guard's face who probably heard everything just now. This situation was embarrassing enough, he didn't need to make it worse.

Xavier attempted to save grace by fixing his collar.

He then addressed the guard.

"Make sure she doesn't leave that room until I call for her," he ordered, "do you understand?"

The guard looked at me with a twinge of fear but nodded immediately.

"Yes sire," he said, and then hurried to follow after the queen.

Xavier groaned a little in disgust, then headed back inside his chambers and locked his door. He went immediately to his basin and washed his face. He couldn't believe his wife was so worked up in a fit of hysterics. It was embarrassing.

"She'll do better next time," he muttered to himself as he continued to wash his face.

Having finished one activity, he was hoping to conclude another in private. However, his privacy was to be short lived. He thought he was hearing things at first, but then paused when he heard the sound again... three distinct knocks from behind the wall where a large tapestry was hanging. Xavier closed his eyes and groaned again at the realization of his new visitor.

He knew exactly who it was.

Morgana, he thought.

~SSS~

Morgana's POV

When I was met with silence from the initial knock, I waited for a moment, and tapped quietly on the wall three times again. I was a little more specific in reverberating the octave. There was a long pause, but after a few minutes I finally heard the sound of lumbering feet coming in this direction. I took a step back when the footsteps got closer, and watched as the wall opened, and in peered the familiar face of an old acquaintance. It was King Xavier. I was glad he acknowledged me by means of my letter, but he seemed indifferent at my presence now, which wasn't saying much. I knew he preferred to keep his relationship with me they way it had always been, in the shadows. However, I had to rise from the shadows temporarily because I had a killer on my tail. He stepped out of the way so I could walk in.

I walked past him and nodded gratefully.

"Thank you for seeing me," I said sincerely, "I was in a great deal of trouble."

He chose to ignore that and closed off the wall behind me.

"What do you want?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

I raised a brow at his tone and looked around the familiar room.

No small talk for this man, I thought sarcastically.

"I need a place to hide for a few weeks," I said honestly, "and also safe passage to Balaam if you can arrange it."

The dragon king looked at me like I was mad.

"Passage to where?" he asked.

"Balaam," I repeated with no hesitations, "I must get there to continue my work."

Xavier scoffed.

"Would you like half the treasury too?" he inquired sarcastically. "Because that's all that seems to be missing from your request."

I grunted.

I was in no mood to be jilted.

"If you're offering it, I'll take it," I said smartly, "but no, I'm good on monetary compensation right now. My brother has stashed some resources for me."

Xavier was not amused.

"Your request is ridiculous," he said, "and you have to know you can't stay here for longer than a week."

I wasn't about to be tossed aside like a fool or a tool.

"Then you better work fast and arrange for me to get to Balaam in the next six days," I replied, "otherwise, it could be bad for the both of us."

He looked at me surprised.

He didn't like my tone.

"Are you threatening me?" he demanded.

I smirked and stroked my tangled hair.

"Do I need to?" I replied.

The king looked at me heated.

"Who do you think you are coming in here dictating what will and won't be done?" he demanded quietly. "You're nothing but a play thing for men when they get bored with their wives."

I ignored his silly insults.

Honestly, they were beneath him.

"I don't make threats I don't intend to keep," I warned, "it would be very consequential for you if the queen of Hyrule found out that one of her faithful servants was killed by your hand."

He didn't even seem bothered by the notion, and fanned me off.

"Doesn't the queen despise you?" he replied. "She would kill you first."

I narrowed my eyes just then.

"And how quickly do you think she'll then come after you?" I replied. "She may kill me, true, but you won't be left off the hook sire. You know how powerful the queen is without tapping into her potential of the Triforce. If she were to realize her true power, your little mountain kingdom would go kaput."

Xavier looked at me truly dumbfounded for a moment.

We were met with a brief silence.

"I can't believe you came in here to threaten me," he said incredulously, "you have a lot of nerve."

I cleared my throat and grinned.

"I'm just keeping my options open sire," I replied, "you can't blame a girl can you? You would do the same if you were in the same position. Now do we have a deal?"

Xavier looked me over repulsed, but knew that his hands were tied.

"Do I have a choice?" he replied.

Well said, I thought.

I walked over to the table near the entrance and admired the fruit looking so perfect in it. I helped myself to a couple of apples and some grapes, realizing I was famished. I took several bites and felt the immediate effects of the hunger pains in my belly. I quickly gobbled down a few more. I then looked around the room in an sardonic, exaggerated fashion. I was going to enjoy my stay here.

"Did you redecorate?" I asked, purposely going off subject. "Something seems different."

Xavier never answered that question.

"You're staying at the servants quarters off the grid, that way no one will recognize you," he replied, ignoring me, "the bungalows are located in the lower sector of the city. When I arrange for you to leave for Balaam, I will do so within the week, that way you can meet your objective sooner rather than later. There, are you satisfied? You see, you got what you wanted."

I was indifferent to the news, but I wasn't going to say I wasn't surprised that he was willing to give in to all of my demands. I must have really gotten under his skin regarding my threats to the queen. It wasn't my purpose to cause him trouble, but he needed to see things from my point of view too. He was a headmaster in a secret society where he simply gave orders from the top and never got his hands dirty. The very mention of this news to the right mercenary would warrant a hero's ransom for a bounty. I killed for him, the very least he could do is provide me lodging and safe passage away from here. And considering the drama he now he had with his wife, I couldn't get out of there soon enough. I would be out of his hair soon.

Keep your eyes open and your ears clean, I told myself.

"Thank you," I said sincerely, "I appreciate your putting yourself out like this. I promise not to be a pest. I know how to blend in with the crowd."

Xavier didn't seem to reassured by that.

"Be sure that you do," he replied, "it won't be my problem if someone recognizes you."

I raised a brow.

Let's just make sure you don't alert someone to that fact, I thought cautiously.

"Of course," was all I said in reply.

I gathered a few more fruits, then headed back towards another wall, but this time it led to a different region of the palace. When there was nothing more left to say, I proceeded behind the wall, down a narrow hall into a vaulted crypt. I could bypass several levels of security going this way. However, before I went any farther I needed to know one thing.

I turned and looked at the king.

"How will I contact you through out the week?" I asked.

Xavier just stared at me for a moment.

"Don't worry, I will let you know," he replied.

I stared at him for a moment, but didn't have very much to add to it. Something in the way he said that wasn't sitting well with me, but in an eerie sort of way I believed him. The man was very resourceful.

I pulled the damp cloak over my head.

"Very well," I said, then took off into the crypt leading to the lower aspects of the palace.

The door didn't close behind me right away, and when I looked back to see why, I saw that Xavier was still standing in the doorway watching after me. The expression on his face was unreadable, and that was when I knew I needed to get out of his hair as soon as possible. He wasn't a man to be trifled with.

Something tells me he's less than happy that I came, I thought.

I continued down the hall, hoping this week would pass by quickly.

I couldn't get out of here soon enough.

~SSS~

Meanwhile, Two Hours Earlier, Dragon Roost Hall: Elbourne's POV

I had no real reason to gauge it, but I knew today was going to be one of those out of the ordinary kind of days. From the moment I woke up to the golden sun hitting me on my favorite side of the bed, to dressing and riding my lovely Orthella after dawn without so much as a roar from her, to finally taking in audiences with some of the peasants who had grievances with me, I knew today was going to be one of those days. How could I say that with such conviction? I never took in audiences with peasants, never. It was the kind of activity I found completely and utterly useless. However, for some reason that morning I was feeling very generous with my time. Besides, my father told me it was good practice to listen to the complaints of the people to understand the real heartbeat of the people. They were more than a faceless mob... or so that's what I've been told. In any such case, it was good practice for when I took over the throne some day.

I heard a few cases regarding farming mostly and the taxes imposed were hurting the people's intake. I even heard an interesting story from a young man who claimed I deflowered his older sister two years ago. I didn't recall the incident, but knowing me, if she was pretty enough and tolerable enough, I probably did. Now he stated no man wanted to marry her because of her tarnished reputation, and their family farm was about to be taken away due to heavy taxation. Feeling a small amount of responsibility in the matter, I ordered for the immediate halting on the foreclosure of the farm, and told him he could have twelve months free of taxation to turn his fortunes around. If after twelve months he couldn't make a proper business plan for his land, then it was no longer the concern of the throne. His property would then be the heir of the state. The young man was stunned at my proposal, but agreed to it wholeheartedly. He took the concessions gratefully, and thanked me for my time. I merely fanned him off and took audience with the next peasant. Poor people were often so happy with so little. I was grateful I had greater ambitions in life. I saw several more people over the course two hours before finally stopping and recessing for breakfast.

I was getting a little hungry.

It was the norm for me to get up dragon ride, exercise, and then practice my axe wielding for an hour or two. However, that morning I completely changed my routine for the sake of spontaneity. Spontaneity was the spice of life. Speaking of such, when I entered the Grand Hall, I was surprised to find my father and mother already dining there. I was used to eating breakfast with mother, but father was a different story. I raised a brow, but said nothing as I sat down opposite my mother, looking regal and beautiful in her dark blue huntress gown, and cater corner to my father sitting at the head of the table. The king was dressed in his traditional hunting attire, looking like after breakfast he was going to hit the fields for some quarry.

This is unexpected, I thought.

My parents were already engaged in a leisurely meal of dragon fruit, bread, and soft boiled eggs. I wouldn't have been so taken aback if this was the norm, but this wasn't normal for us. Again, I was used to dining with my mother, but most of the time my father found it better for himself to dine alone. He often said he was too busy to leave whatever activity he was engaged in, usually business, or the company of a young woman of the court he was trying to fancy. Whatever the case may have been, that didn't seem to be the story this morning, which only added to why I believed this was day was turning out to be so offhanded. The three of us hadn't sat down together as a family to have a meal in quite some time. In fact, judging from the look on my father's face, he actually seemed pleased we were all together. I wasn't going to lie, I was intrigued.

Is he smiling? I wondered.

I then glanced over at my mother who looked lost in thought about something, but wouldn't divulge what it was. Her crystal green eyes were staring off into her plate, like she was trying to find the secrets of the universe. I didn't know what had her so preoccupied, but I hoped it wasn't another silly fight with father, and this was her brave attempt at a reconciliation. She often did that, put up brave faces to keep the royal family looking normal. However, she didn't seem happy to be sitting here as father seemed to be, which made the occasion all the more strange. What was going on here? Why was mother looking so distraught? Why was father looking so pleased? Why did he suddenly want to dine with us? I decided that there had been enough silent speculation on my part, and to be forthcoming with my thoughts and break the silence.

I cleared my throat before I spoke.

"I took in a few audiences this morning," I started, thinking a neutral ground would be best to start on, "there were a few people who had some interesting grievances."

Surprisingly, before mother replied, father nodded and spoke up instead.

"Hmph," he grunted, "what were the subjects on?"

I was very surprised father was so interested.

"Farming mostly," he said, "but I learned more about the by laws through the eyes of the people. We're going to have to levy some of the taxes in this time of peace. Dragon Roost has more money than Hylia right now."

My father found that amusing.

"And how do you think such a fortune was amassed?" he asked me.

I shrugged.

"I see your point, but there's no sense in being greedy when the revenue stream would only decrease by ten percent," I replied. "Besides a little weight off the people would be a good thing."

Father nodded like he was impressed.

"That's a very mature stance for you to make," he said, "and I'll be frank, I'm surprised that's coming from you."

I smirked.

"I'm not all good looks and charm father," I joked.

The both of us laughed, but my mother didn't find anything humorous. She was still lost in thought. She didn't seem to hear any of what was said. I was getting concerned.

What's going on with her? I wondered.

Father didn't seem to care.

In fact, he continued to ignore her further.

"I'm proud that you're taking these steps," he said, "it's important for you to become accustomed to that kind of work. You'll find yourself doing a lot of negotiations when you become king. Good planning is always about making time for the people."

I looked at him surprised, and wasn't sure how to respond to that because there were many positive connotations to it, and my father rarely, if ever, used positive connotations when he spoke to me.

"Um... thank you," was all I could think of in reply, "it does allow me a better insight to what the citizens want and need."

I then glanced over at mother again who still looked lost in thought. She seemed so distracted, that it was like she wasn't even a party at the table. I was growing tired of this. If there was anyone's approval I wanted to make it was hers.

I raised a brow at her odd behavior.

It wasn't like her to act like this.

What is bothering you? I wondered.

I decided to address her directly.

"What do you think about that mother?" I asked her. "Do you see this as progress?"

Mother still had that faraway look in her eyes, and didn't answer right away. However, a moment later, she seemed to snap back to reality and looked at me with a weary face and a forced smile.

"I'm sorry darling what?" she asked as though she didn't hear me.

I then sat back in my chair and studied her for a moment.

Something isn't right here, I thought, what in the world is going on?

I looked over at father, who was having another piece of dragon fruit, and who didn't seem at all concerned with mother's behavior.

This was strange.

This was very strange.

I decided to forego my initial question in lieu of another.

Someone was keeping a secret here.

"Mother, is everything alright?" I asked finally. "You don't seem like yourself."

She looked like she was going to say something, but then decided against it and didn't answer. However, the question did seem to strike a nerve with her. Her facial expression changed almost immediately. The forced smile she had faded, and was replaced with a nondescript look, one of sadness and strength, or sadness and despondency, or sadness and something, but there was no denying the sadness in her eyes. However, to try and save face, she shook her head and forced another disingenuous smile across her face, but it was short lived, and surprisingly shortly after, tears suddenly filled her eyes. I was stunned at seeing this, the flow of emotions that she was going through was nothing short of bizarre, and it was then I knew they were both hiding something from me. Something very important it seemed.

I looked over at my father once again.

What in the hell is going on here? I wondered.

He didn't seem bothered at all that his wife was crying, which told me he caused it.

I felt a familiar subtle annoyance simmer within me.

You better not have hurt her, I thought.

Afterwards, I cut my eyes back to my favored parent.

"Is everything alright?" I repeated. "What's bothering you? Please tell me."

Mother just shook her head this time and avoided my eyes.

"Everything is fine my love," she said mechanically, trying more to reassure me than herself.

It was overtly apparent she was lying, and I was getting tired of the cover up. I wanted to know what was going on here.

"Mother-" I tried.

It was then my father stepped in.

"She said she's fine Elbourne," my father interrupted calmly, but with an authoritative approach, "let her be."

I looked at him taken aback, but not necessarily surprised. He was starting to sound more like he normally did when it came to the concern of mother and I, he just didn't care. I then looked over at my mother again, who was now staring down at the table with another nondescript expression on her face. There were more tears in her eyes and she seemed even more distraught. Something devastating must have happened for her not to be able to control her emotions like this. She was never one to just cry in public. She knew her image of grace and strength was important as queen, especially being queen to an unfaithful infidel like my father. I decided then I wasn't just going to be a silent bystander like they both wanted. I wanted to know what was going on.

"Mother," I started again, "would you do me the honor of taking a walk with me in the garden after breakfast? I'd like to discuss something with you in private."

There was a brief silence that overcame us after that, and again, before my mother could reply, father groaned and circumvented her at my question. He cut his piercing hazel eyes to me and threw his napkin at the table.

"You just don't know when to quit do you Elbourne?" he demanded of me all of a sudden. "You just don't know when to stop while you're ahead do you? Well, if you really must know what's plaguing your mother so much, why don't you just ask her now?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, as this felt more like the man I was used to dealing with.

This is more like it, I thought, where the hell were you Xavier?

I didn't understand where any of this was coming from. Why was he being so damned cold? Why did he find pleasure in looking for ways to make my mother miserable? Why did he hate her so much? I looked over at my mother again perplexed. She was everything a man could want in a woman: loyal, beautiful, kind, brilliant, and my father treated her like trash. This time the tears that were in her eyes spilled over onto her cheeks. She even covered her mouth and sobbed softly from an extreme grief she was trying to keep at bay. I was shocked at this, and with the way she was reacting to whatever she had just found out, I wasn't sure I wanted to ask her about it in front of him.

"I just did... twice father," I replied finally, "whatever is bothering her she obviously doesn't want to tell me in front of you."

For some reason after hearing that my mother cried more.

I was completely confused now.

What in the world was going on here?

What was I out of the loop on?

I looked back over at my father who was still staring at me. He seemed even more disgusted at my presence now than when I first entered, which was saying something.

"You always have your mouth open when it needs to be shut," he growled at me suddenly, "you always meddle in things that are none of your affair."

I narrowed my eyes back at him.

"If that is a faulty action of mine, it's only because you have left me no choice," I shot back boldly, "someone has to protect my mother. You're too busy philandering in the skirts of other women to care what's going on with her."

My father didn't take too kindly to that.

I probably shouldn't have gone there so soon.

"I find that funny coming from a little playboy like you," he replied, "last time I checked your promiscuous ways were becoming legendary."

I was starting to feel an anger brew inside me.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it father?" I replied. "The only difference is I don't have a wife at home waiting for me!"

Xavier looked at me like he wanted to kill me just then, and my mother cried more. She hated when we fought like this.

"Please," she begged finally, "the two of you stop this!"

Xavier had no intention of stopping.

"You dirty little son of a bitch," he said to me, "you think you have a right to speak to me this way!"

I was growing tired of this. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. I was tired of the run around. I wasn't going to keep going back and forth on this.

"What the hell have you done to my mother Xavier?" I demanded in a low voice. "If you violated her in any way I promise you-"

Xavier then reached over and grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me over to him before I could finish my sentence. He seemed offended that those words even came out of my mouth.

"If I violated her?" he demanded with my face only inches from his. "Do you even know who the hell you really are? You think you have a right to say this to me? Listen here you insignificant bastard, the reason your whorish mother is crying is because she just found out her peasant lover is dead!"

I felt my eyes widen involuntarily.

Dear goddesses, I thought.

"What?" I whispered.

I immediately looked over at my mother who could barely keep her bearings together just then. She then got up from the table and hurried out of the Grand Hall. She was sobbing the entire time. I was too stunned at the news to follow after her immediately. Xavier then let me go and pushed me back towards my seat, I landed hard, but didn't seem to take note of it. The king looked pleased with telling me this, even with his wife in so much distress. He didn't seem to care about anyone but himself.

"Yes, Auru's dead," he confirmed once more, "that is the lesson for her infidelities."

I looked at him repulsed.

"Her infidelities? Are you insane?" I demanded. "How can that come out of your mouth when you sleep with half the damn court right under her nose?!"

Xavier sat back and fixed his collar. He didn't seem fazed by the question.

"I'm the king, Elbourne," he said simply, "I can do whatever the hell I want, and you may not believe this, but I still love your mother very much."

Now I knew he was crazy. The repugnance must have been showing all over my face, but I said nothing. there was no way any of his actions were love. His personified the epitome of hatred to another Hylian-being.

"There was once a time I worshiped the ground that woman walked on," he went on anyway, being candid in a way with me he's never been before in the past, "but... but then things happened that changed all that, and when she got pregnant with you..." he trailed, not bothering to finish.

He said those words with such disgust.

I narrowed my eyes again in contempt.

I knew he was going to make a realization with what I had been fearing for so many years.

"What are you saying?" I asked finally, wanting him to just come out with it. "Are you saying I'm not your son?"

Xavier's eyes widened slightly, and he turned from looking at me, but he never answered my question, which pretty much told me everything.

"I'm saying... I'm saying your birth ruined my marriage," he whispered cruelly, "I'm saying I can't stand the sight of you Elbourne."

An eerie silence fell between us after that, one that was tense and almost palpable. There was a small pang of pain I felt from his words that quickly gave way to a numbing sensation in my gut. If he was truly trying to hurt me, I wasn't going to show him that he succeeded. I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction. Instead, I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath, and backed away from the table. My appetite was completely gone now. I then stood and looked down at my father in his seated position, and didn't know what to think. I didn't know if I hated him for his honesty, or if I hated him for his lies, all I knew was that I hated him. I had done everything possible to please him, but I realized his own hatred for me superseded any accomplishments I may have made. I said nothing in reply to his baleful words, even though I wanted to... I wanted to so badly. I simply bowed out of what little respect I had for his position, then turned and headed for the exit to check on my mother who fled.

It was the worst breakfast I had in years.

When I left the Grand Hall, I headed straight for my mother's chambers on the other side of the palace. The guard outside the door looked concerned when I approached, which alerted me that she was indeed there. However, I waited outside the door for a moment to listen, and when I heard the whimpering sounds of sobbing, I knew for a certainty she was present.

"Open the door," I ordered the guard.

The soldier nodded and didn't hesitate to follow the command. He knew my mother was in distress and needed me. He opened the door without hesitation, and I went in to see her sprawled across her bed crying into her silk pillows. She looked devastated. I went over to her immediately.

"Mother," I said gently, "mother are you alright?"

She was startled initially when I touched her shoulder, but when she turned her head and saw it was me, her eyes refilled with tears instantly and she sobbed inconsolably. She then sat up, brought herself close, buried her head in my chest, and held me tight. I closed my eyes and hugged her back, wanting to take her pain away. I admittedly didn't approve of her seeing Auru, but I understood why. He was a comfort to her, and I do believe he loved her the way she claimed he did. He probably suffered in silence because he knew he could never be with her. When mother calmed down a little, she finally spoke.

"He hates me Elbourne," she said in a broken voice, "there's just no other reason he should be so cruel."

I had no rebuttal for that.

She had every right to feel that way.

I decided not to comment on that.

"I... I'm sorry for your loss," I whispered detracting slightly, "I knew you loved him."

Mother pulled back and wiped her eyes.

"You know what he told me?" she said with a quivering bottom lip, changing the subject again. "He told me he commissioned his death personally! He said he would do it again too if another man ever touched me!" She shook her head as more tears filled her eyes. "He hates me Elbourne!" she repeated. "He hates me to no end!"

I wish I had more of a comforting thought for her, but I didn't. I sincerely felt that she was right and that Xavier deeply and completely hated the both of us. Why his hatred was so tantamount was beyond me, but... perhaps my mother could give me a little more insight into a possible reason. Xavier all but admitted that I wasn't his son, all I needed to know was if that was true. There was only one way for me to know for certain.

I held my mother tight as I tried to console her.

"Mother," I started, "I need you to be honest with me regarding something. I need you to pull yourself together for just a moment and tell me the truth."

When she heard my tone, she stiffened a little bit, possibly due to her knowing what I was going to ask her before I asked it.

There was a brief silence between us.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

I pulled her away from my chest to look at me.

I looked her straight in her eyes.

"I think you know what I'm talking about, something that you've been avoiding telling me for a long time," I said, but then asked anyway, "is Xavier my father?" I asked in a low quiet voice.

Her eyes widened slightly at my question, and she immediately looked away. Tears refilled her eyes.

She hesitated in answering.

"Why?" she whispered. "Did your father say something to you?"

I felt my stomach drop.

That was all but a confirmation.

That was not the answer I was hoping to hear.

"He said my birth ruined your marriage," I divulged.

She looked at me surprised.

"That bastard said that to you?" she replied incredulously.

I nodded.

She immediately shook her head.

"You know that isn't true, the only good thing that came from our marriage was you," she reassured. "Don't you dare listen his tirades! I love you more than anything in the world Elbourne. You're the light of my life."

She then wrapped her arms around my neck and held me tight. I appreciated her reassurances, and knew she meant them, but I also knew she was avoiding my question. A question I think I already knew the answer to. I took in a deep sigh against her hair and pulled her back from me once more. I stroked my hand on her damp cheek and looked her straight in the eyes again.

"I love you too mother," I said honestly, "and you know I think you're the perfect woman, but I must know the truth... am I Xavier's son?"

Again, she avoided my eyes and looked down. A long silence followed, where I was sure her contemplation was working against her. She knew I knew, I just needed her to say it. My mother finally shook her head and confirmed what I had always feared.

"No," she whispered after a couple minutes, "no you aren't his son."

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath after hearing that.

So, it is true... I thought.

Another silence fell over us.

"I had a feeling," I whispered back, "even long before now."

My mother held onto me tight when she saw the expression on my face.

"It doesn't matter," she said, "I love you no matter what, and even though he won't admit to it, I think deep down Xavier does care for you."

I grunted, almost in disbelief that that was coming out of her mouth. She had to know that he hated me, and even by his own admission he said I was the reason their marriage was such a disaster. I chose not to even reply to that. I just wanted to know who my real father was.

"That's unlikely mother," I said, then asked, "who's my real father? A peasant? A noble? Who?"

I was met with another long silence. My mother let me go and stroked her hands through her long dark hair. She bit her lower and looked to her pillows before she answered.

"That... that doesn't matter," she said softly.

I looked at her taken aback.

What kind of answer was that?

I was starting to get upset.

"What?" I demanded. "What do you mean it doesn't matter?"

She cut her eyes back to mine.

"Just what I said," she said with a sharp undertone, "it doesn't matter."

I couldn't believe she was saying this to me.

"It may not matter to you, but it does matter to me," I replied.

Mother pulled herself away from my reach just then, and turned from looking at me so her back was facing me.

"I'm not telling you," she said with a hint of finality.

I narrowed my eyes at her slightly.

This was beyond unfair.

"You know you're wrong in this! You can't just keep me in the dark!" I said upset. "I have a right to know who my real father is!"

However, my mother shook her head and didn't budge.

"I'm not telling you," she repeated.

"Mother-" I tried.

"I want you to leave!" she snapped suddenly. "I don't want to discuss this anymore! Don't bring this horrible subject up ever again!"

I looked at her surprised.

Horrible subject? I thought, finding that an odd thing to say. Knowing who my real father is, is a horrible subject?

I was beyond frustrated at this point.

"Mother-" I tried again.

"I said leave Elbourne!" she interrupted again with more authority. "I mean it!"

My eyes widened, but I wasn't not altogether shocked. I knew this was a sensitive subject, and I needed to proceed with this carefully, but mother needed to understand that she wasn't the only person affected here. This had huge implications for me as well. I had no real birth right to the kingdom, or the throne I loved so much. It was still odd to me that Xavier was allowing me those rites when he knew I wasn't his son. Even with his anger towards me now, he still spoke of me having the kingship. Something wasn't right with all this, and I knew it had bigger implications than what was meeting the eye in the here and now. Perhaps one day I would have a better understanding. But even still, I decided to obey my mother's wishes, drop the subject, and leave at her beckoning. It was probably for the best anyway.

I got up from the bed just then and sighed, then bowed out of respect.

She has enough on her mind, I thought.

"Call for me whenever you need me," I told her, "please know that I still love you very much."

She didn't reply to that, but I knew she heard me and I took my leave.

I walked down the hall, unable to believe everything that transpired at breakfast.

This was truly turning out to be quite the morning.

~SSS~

Three Hours Later

I retired to my own chambers for a few hours, needing a break from all the shocking news I found out earlier in the day. Later, I decided to head back to the training grounds to ride my beloved Orthella once again. However, on my way there, I fell into the unexpected company of a contingency of beautiful maidens. They were all lovely and dressed to impressed, but to be honest, I wouldn't have been so attentive to them if Adlez weren't one of the ladies walking among them. She looked stunning in her light green gown, the color worked naturally with her raven black hair. When I made eye contact with her, she stopped walking and turned crimson immediately, then afterwards dropped her gaze to the floor to avoid looking at me. The other women with her all suddenly looked uncomfortable as well, and fell silent from their chit chat when they saw I was stopped in the hallway watching them from a distance. The ladies were coming in my direction when they halted their advance. I decided in a minute decision to meet them halfway, walk up to them, and engage them in some conversation. I looked over each lady individually, and bowed out of respect as they all did in return. When I looked over at Adlez again, I saw that she was still keeping her eyes cast to the ground to continue avoiding looking at me. It was no secret that she had been avoiding me every chance she got. It was hard for her to do considering my position in the kingdom, but for the most part I respected her decision to stay away from me. I didn't exactly expect her to be happy about our not courting each other any longer. Even still, I couldn't help but admire how strikingly beautiful she looked that morning.

Finally, I decided to break the silence.

"Good morning ladies," I greeted.

"Good morning your highness," they all said in unison.

I broke my fixed gaze from Adlez to associate with the other ladies for a moment.

"Where are you all off to?" I asked.

"Just on our way to take a stroll in the garden," a pretty blonde in front replied, then asked, "would you like to join us your highness?"

I smiled at her and shook my head no.

"Thank you for the invitation, but that won't be necessary," I replied, "I was going to take my Orthella out for a little bit, but I think I've had a sudden change of heart."

The blonde smiled and pretended to pout.

"Aww that's too bad," she said, "we would have had so much fun going over biological taxonomies. I hear you're a natural botanist."

I chuckled at her charm, but then glanced back over at my once favored maiden again. She was quiet, and not saying much of anything, which wasn't the norm for her. I decided to remedy that.

"And what about you?" I asked Adlez point blank. " Where are you off to?"

She seemed discomfited that I singled her out.

"Me?" she asked pointing to herself.

I raised a brow, she knew exactly who I was talking to, but I nodded anyway.

"Yes my dear," I said, "you."

She blushed more and didn't hide the look of annoyance that captured in her sparkling green eyes.

"Isn't it obvious that I'm walking in the company of my friends your highness?" she asked smartly. "We're all going to the garden together."

Some of the other girls looked at her shocked, and turned to me to see if I was going to give any retribution for her sharp tone. I was a little surprised at her defensive quip myself, but I wasn't offended at her feelings. She had a right to them. Instead, I nodded at her answer, knowing she was still upset with me regarding our falling out. I stared at her with a sudden feeling of wanting to make things right with her somehow. I knew she was still in love with me at the time of our break up, and I hated the thought of her having a broken heart because of it. She was much too pretty to be going around with a sad face. Besides all that, I missed her. I missed talking to her and having someone in Dragon Roost to open up to, and with what happened at breakfast this morning, I definitely needed someone to open up to. I wondered if she could be that person again.

I decided to extend an offer.

"Do you think I could take you away from the company of your friends for a little while?" I asked, ignoring her tone. "I'd like to have lunch with you if I could."

The other ladies looked on surprised, and Adlez's embarrassment deepened.

She seemed more upset now than anything.

"Lunch?" she repeated.

I nodded.

"You'd do me a great honor," I said.

She obviously didn't see it that way.

"I... I wouldn't want to put you out your highness," she replied.

I grinned.

"I assure you you're not," I stated, "and I insist."

Her cheeks gained more color.

"I..." she trailed, not sure what to say.

I just stared at her and waited.

"You..." I continued for her.

She took in a deep breath.

"Do I have a choice your highness?" she remarked.

I didn't let it show, but I was surprised at the subtle venom in her voice. The other ladies must have picked up on it too.

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

I wasn't going to let that slide.

If she insisted on being nasty, I could be that way too.

"No," I replied, "I guess you don't."

Adlez looked visibly annoyed now, but kept her composure. The other girls all fell silent and decided cleverly to take their leave. It was for the best.

"We'll... um... we'll meet up with you later Addy," the first one said that spoke up, she then turned back to me, while she and the other girls all bowed together, "have a good morning your highness."

"Yes," all the other girls said in unison, "have a good morning."

With that, the other ladies took off, leaving Adlez behind in their wake. She still wouldn't look me in the eyes and she seemed more nervous about being alone with me than anything. I hoped to ease that. I didn't like it when she was like this, because it just wasn't who she was.

I took a step back so she could proceed ahead of me, but Adlez shook her head no.

"It isn't proper for a lady to proceed before royalty," she said.

I smirked at her proper knowledge of etiquette, and had no rebuttal for it.

She was always one to do things for appearances.

"Very well then, this way please," I directed, and had her follow me back to my chamber down the hall.

It was a short walk, and once we were alone inside my chambers, Adlez stayed posted near the entrance. She stood near the the doorway ready to break ranks and run at the drop of a hat. I did find that a little amusing, but I didn't let it show on my face. I didn't want her thinking I was toying with her. If she wanted to leave she was free to leave.

I poured two goblets of wine and offered her one at the table, she declined.

"No thank you," she said softly.

I sat down at my table, and studied the beautiful woman for a moment, trying to see things from her point of view. If I had been swept off my feet by someone who promised me the world, but then gave me nothing but disappointed hopes, I would be a little embittered too. In fact, that was my lot in life with my beloved Zelda. She was everything I wanted, and at times I thought she had finally seen the light, but just when my hopes were up, they were dashed to pieces as I remembered once again that she was out of my reach. It seemed impossible that there would ever be any future for us.

I took a sip of my wine and never left looking at her eyes.

"Shall I have some food brought?" I asked.

She shook her head no.

"That won't be necessary," she replied.

I sat back and stared at her.

I gave her a long once over.

"You look lovely today," I complimented, "green suits your complexion."

Adlez rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Thank you," she said halfheartedly.

"I was just thinking about how-" I tried.

"What do you want Elbourne?" she interrupted. "Why did you ask me to come here?"

I wasn't surprised at her tone, but I was glad she was done with the facade. Finally, we could get somewhere.

"I wanted to see you," I said honestly.

She scoffed.

"You wanted to see me?" she repeated in disbelief. "Why?"

I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Why not?" I asked.

She took in an annoyed breath.

"Are you bored or something? You want one last lay for the rode?" she said angrily. "Because I do recall after you slept with me you decided not to see me anymore. Perhaps you thought you could do it again. If sex was all you wanted, you should have been more up front with your intentions in the first place. That way, you could have slept with me secretly like you do everyone else, and then my reputation wouldn't have been squandered. Now no decent gentleman wants to touch me with a ten foot spire. They know they'll never compare to the great dragon prince. It would have been better for me to be another anonymous side story gossiped about like every other woman you sleep with."

I was surprised at her comeback.

Touche, I thought, that was almost hurtful.

I didn't have very much to say in return.

"Fair enough," I said, and took another sip of wine, "but I didn't ask to see you because of that... only. I won't lie, you know I'm attracted to you, but I also know you're angry with me, however, you're one of the few people I trust. Unless of course, you decided to open your pretty little mouth and blab off everything I ever told you."

She looked at me taken aback just then.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

I was silent for a moment, then gestured for her to sit across from me.

"Please have a seat," I said quietly.

Adlez looked from me to the seat with open hesitation, but then decided against her better judgment to come and sit down. She still looked upset, but I could tell she wanted to know more of what I was talking about. When she sat down she made an open inquiry about it.

"What's this nonsense you speak of Elbourne?" she asked. "Why are you acting so mysterious?"

Instead of answering, I pushed the second goblet towards her, hoping she would drink a little to relax. She looked to the cup, but still didn't partake.

"I told you I'm not thirsty," she said.

I smirked.

"Wine isn't really for thirst," I said, "it's for you to relax."

Adlez was not going to budge.

"I told you," she said firmly, "I don't want it."

I was in a losing battle.

"Fine, no harm done," I replied, "more for me."

I grabbed her cup and pulled it away towards the center of the table, then took another drink from my own goblet. Afterwards, I looked across the table at my one time serious lover, and decided to be more forthcoming in why I wanted to speak with her.

"How well do you know your parents?" I asked suddenly.

Adlez looked at me confused.

It was an odd question for her to be sure.

"I beg your pardon," she replied.

I leaned forward a little bit on the table and gave her my undivided attention.

"How well do you know your father and mother?" I asked again.

Adlez seemed a little perplexed by the inquiry.

"I would say I know them very well," she replied, "my father talked about being an open book with us. He always believed honesty was important."

I just nodded.

"No secrets with him, huh?" I replied. "That must be wonderful, now what about your mother?"

She paused for a second, not understanding why this was relevant, then gave her answer a moment later.

"I'm sure if there was anything important she wanted to discuss with me or my brother she would have done so by now," she replied.

I tapped my fingers on the table.

It seemed too good to be true, but Adlez did have wonderful parents.

"Are you being honest?" I asked.

She seemed offended by the question.

"Why ask the question if all you're going to do is question the answer?" she replied. "I think I am being honest. My parents are wonderful people. I'm sorry if their lives are not filled with enough drama for you. I'm not going to speak ill of them to appease you Elbourne."

I raised my hands in a mock surrender.

I didn't want to get her upset.

"I wasn't suggesting that at all," I said sincerely, "I greatly admire and respect your parents as well. I apologize if my question offended you."

Adlez seemed a little more relieved when I said that, like she could finally see my sincerity, but she was still puzzled. It didn't make sense to her why I was even considering this line of questioning.

"Elbourne... why are you talking about this?" she asked me. "What's happened?"

I studied her pretty green eyes for a moment. I was trying to determine how much I should divulge to her. Should she know some truth, or the whole sordid story? I decided to disclose what was told to me as discreetly as possible.

"You know, you have the same eyes as my mother," I whispered, ignoring her question for a moment, "the same beautiful green crystal stare."

My compliment caught her off guard.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Oh..." she said and blushed, "thank you... thank you very much, that's quite the compliment, your mother's eyes are extraordinary."

I nodded again, then looked away.

That was my segue in.

"You want to know why I was asking about your parents Addy?" I asked.

She suddenly looked at me intrigued.

"Of course I do," she replied, "ever since I came in here you've been acting very strangely."

I paused for a moment before I went on.

"That is true," I agreed, "but that's because... that's because my mother's been keeping a secret from me," I continued finally, getting back to the subject, "a very terrible secret."

I was met with silence after that. A long uncomfortable silence. Adlez was looking at me with open nervousness, and I think at this point she wasn't sure she wanted to hear what I was going to tell her. She fidgeted with her fingers and shook her head.

"Elbourne... I don't think I-" she tried.

"Please," I interrupted, "I need to tell someone."

She wasn't convinced it should be her.

"But we haven't spoken in weeks," she replied, "isn't there another girl you could take confidence with? Someone else you took comfort in?"

I didn't let it show, but I was annoyed with her assumption that I was sleeping with someone else so soon after no longer having a courtship with her. I was aware I had a reputation, but I wasn't that bad. I wasn't completely devoid of feelings.

"Addy... you're the only person in Dragon Roost that I trust," I said.

She was surprised I said that, but she hesitated anyway.

"Surely there's a prefect or-" she tried.

"There is no one else," I interrupted, "just you."

When I put it that way, she blushed again and clamped her mouth shut. She then looked at me with a bit of remorse and sighed. I was sure this was hard for her, but I hoped to make it easier.

"Fine..." she said with a trail, "what is it?"

I then went on.

"You have to promise that what I'm about to tell you never leaves this room," I cautioned.

She looked at me taken aback just then.

"Never leaves this room?" she repeated.

I nodded.

"Never," I reiterated.

Adlez was even more uncomfortable now.

"I... I really don't-" she tried.

"Promise me," I interrupted again.

She bit her lower lip and looked nervous once more, but then reluctantly nodded.

"Alright..." she said with a sigh, "I promise."

With the confirmation heard, I felt a little more at ease.

But even still, I paused for a second.

"My mother has always worked really hard to reassure her love for me," I said finally, "there's a reason for that." I paused again and took in a deep breath. "And that's because I'm... I'm not the king's son," I whispered.

I was met with another wave of silence, but it was short lived due to the shock of the news.

Adlez's eyes widened in astonishment.

"What?" she whispered back.

I shook my head, hating the thought of this myself.

"Xavier isn't my father," I repeated with more clarity.

It seemed even more of a revelation to her the second time I said it. There was another long uncomfortable silence that followed us after that. One where I knew she was asking a million questions in her head, but was too afraid to verbalize them with her lips. And even with her being upset with me, I saw some of the anger she had fade to empathy. The stern expression in her features softened, and her eyes filled with a warmth I hadn't seen in weeks. I was more accustomed to this look from her than anything.

"When did you find this all out?" she asked after several minutes, keeping her voice low.

I took in a deep sigh.

"Today," I replied.

Adlez was even more floored by hearing that.

"Did your mother tell you?" she asked.

I nodded, and didn't say anything else.

My expression said it all.

Adlez just stared at me with open remorse.

"Did she tell you who your real father is?" she asked.

I shook my head and tapped my fingers on the table again.

"No," I muttered more to myself than to her, "she's acting as if it's some big cardinal secret."

Addy bit her lower lip and reached across the table for my hand.

"You... you do know she still loves you right?" she stated. "I'm sure she reassured you of that."

I grunted and shook my head.

"Yeah, sure, I know," I said, not really believing it myself, "If that's what she says, then I guess I need to believe it."

Adlez squeezed my hand affectionately.

"You know this means nothing," she whispered, "you're still the prince of Dragon Roost, and King Xavier still considers you his son. Why else would he claim you for all these years if he didn't love you?"

That was a question I was pondering myself, but I didn't have an answer for. However, I knew one thing, I knew he didn't love me. I got up from the table just then and walked across my room to the terrace peering out over the horizon overlooking the city. She had no idea how much that man hated me. He even accused the disintegration of his marriage on me. I knew there was a reason from the day I was born why he disliked me so much, why I could never live up to his impossible expectations, why I could never do anything right according to him. He saw me as an unwanted mistake born out of the desire my mother had with another man... or it could have been some else entirely. And instead of divorcing her like his choices allotted as the dragon king, he stayed married to her for the sake of saving grace and saving face of the throne. So, as ironic and convoluted as this might sound, maybe in Xavier's own way he did love my mother. Maybe he did deep down want to keep her safe, but because of the betrayal or anger he felt, his love for her turned to bitter hatred, however I had no way of knowing for a certain. This of course was all my inference, I had no idea of what truly happened between them. Maybe my conjecture was wrong. Maybe something else happened entirely.

I took in another deep sigh.

So many secrets in this family, I thought, so many lies and acts of despair.

A few moments later, I heard Adlez get up from the table and come over to where I was standing at the terrace. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around my waist from behind, and rested her head against my back.

"Did I say something wrong?" she whispered breaking the silence. "I didn't mean to upset you."

I shook my head and didn't reply right away.

"You didn't do anything wrong Addy," I replied quietly, "you just have no idea how much the king hates me."

She squeezed my waist in her arms.

"Don't talk like that," she said, "it only makes you depressed. I... I hate it when you're depressed. You're a completely different person when you're unhappy."

That much I knew was true and I tried to avoid it at every corner I could. However, I looked up at the clear blue sky, done with the denial. The truth was the truth, and that truth was my father disliked me.

"You should have seen his face Adlez," I continued anyway, "I'm telling you, it was like... it was like he was looking at the devil or something."

Adlez cringed a little bit and let me go after hearing that. She then turned me around with little resistance from me to face her. She stared into my eyes with a gentle gaze, and reached up to caress my cheek sweetly. All the resentment she had earlier was gone.

"You're far from a devil Elbourne," she whispered, "I am a witness to that with how wonderful and kind you were to me in the past. I don't know the depths of you and your father's relationship, but I know you, and though you're brash at times, rude and insensitive to others- you're far from this black hearted person you paint yourself out to be."

I smirked at some of her descriptions of me, knowing some of them were truer than I'd like them to be, but I didn't disagree with any of them. She was right. Afterwards, I stared into her beautiful green eyes again, and decided to say nothing in return. Sometimes silence was the best answer. Adlez smiled up at me, encouraged by my expression and went on.

"I'm... I'm glad you got that off your chest sooner rather than later," she whispered, "I know how you can get when something is troubling you."

I grinned again.

"That is true," I replied, "I can be a real brat, can't I?"

She giggled softly at my acknowledgement.

"I think you know the answer to that question," she half joked, "you're a brat when you're in a good mood."

I chuckled a little at that, but then let my smile fade a little as I continued staring at her. When silence overcame us, I reached up and caressed her cheek.

It was time to be honest with her.

"I've missed you Addy," I said suddenly.

The smile soon faded from her face as well.

She looked to my shirt to avoid my eyes.

"I've missed you too," she replied.

There was another brief silence between us, one where we both knew where this was going, it was only a matter of time before anything happened. I lifted her chin so she could look at me, and caressed her cheek softly once more. The subtle nervousness never went away on her end, and I understood it. However, it was then I stopped playing guess work with myself and did what I intended to do. I leaned forward and kissed her softly on her lips. Adlez stiffened slightly at my semi brazen action, but that didn't prevent her from kissing me back. Even still, she was cautious with me, and again I understood why, but I really wanted her to be that uninhibited woman I made love to a few weeks ago. She was very free and sexual when she didn't have anything clouding her thoughts. However, I may have been moving too fast for her, or perhaps I had too much wishful thinking on my part if I thought she was going to succumb to me so easily. This wasn't Morgana I was dealing with. This was a very high class woman, and she took her affections very seriously. I sensed she was getting a little uncomfortable when she pulled away, and stepped back from my reach.

Adlez covered her mouth for a moment, realizing she was doing something she promised herself she wouldn't.

"I think that's enough of that," she whispered more to herself than to me, "I should go, you're feeling better now, and you got what you really needed to get off your chest. You'll be fine."

This was not what I wanted to hear right now. I simply stared at her and didn't reply. She knew I didn't want her to leave, and she could see it in my eyes that I desired her greatly. I was practically an open book about it.

"Can't you stay for a little while?" I asked. "I really don't want you to leave. We were just catching up in a fashion I liked."

She bit her lower lip again and blushed.

"I don't think that's a good idea," she replied.

I raised a brow, and took in a slightly annoyed breath.

"Why?" I asked.

She could tell by my tone that I wasn't joking. She looked down at her hands nervously.

"I... I can't have this kind of relationship with you Elbourne," she whispered, "I can't be your play thing because you're bored. I don't want to be in love with someone who doesn't love me back."

I paused for a moment.

Is that all it's going to take? I wondered.

I then took a step forward.

"That's where you're wrong Addy," I replied, "I do love you, I love you very much. You think I wanted it to be this way between us? I cared very deeply for you."

She looked at me dumbfounded for a moment, not at all expecting me to say anything of the like. I again caught her off guard with my frank talk. She couldn't believe I uttered that.

"You love me?" she repeated.

I thought it was kind of silly she was asking me this.

She couldn't tell?

"You know I do," I said.

Adlez shook her head like she didn't believe me.

"What about the queen of Hyrule?" she asked.

I thought nothing of that right now.

I wasn't concerned with Zelda in the here and now.

"What about her?" I replied. "This is about you and me."

Her eyes widened, her breathing quickened, and she took a step back. She shook her head again.

"I don't want to be confused by all this," she said more to herself than me.

I understood her caution, but didn't want her to be.

"Addy-" I tried.

She covered her ears and closed her eyes like she didn't want to hear me.

"Please, don't say anymore! You ended it!" she interrupted quietly. "You Elbourne! You decided that I wasn't good enough for you and went back to her majesty!"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"That isn't true, I didn't end it with you because I wanted to," I said, "I had to because you didn't understand my relationship with Queen Zelda."

She looked at me like I was insane.

"Is that really how you want to explain all this?" she demanded. "I completely understand your relationship with the queen! You're in love with her, and you're waiting for her to feel the same way about you. You used me because I was a convenient diversion for you until she begged you, or whatever she did, to come back to her! Why don't you just admit that and leave me alone?!"

I didn't reply right away, and stared straight into her eyes where there was still so much hurt. She had probably been keeping this bottled up inside for weeks. She hadn't had an opportunity until now to express her concerns with me, but even still, I wasn't about to give up.

"Adlez I need you," I said, ignoring everything else she said, "please..."

She looked at me upset just then and narrowed her eyes.

"I knew that was the true reason you asked me to come in here," she accused suddenly. "If you want comfort, go find it with another maiden. I'm not one of your brothel whores!"

I looked at her slightly annoyed when I heard that.

"Have I ever treated you like a whore?" I demanded.

She scoffed and shook her head.

"Is that really a question?" she replied in return. "Did you forget our last encounter?"

She had this all wrong.

I took another step forward.

"Is that what you think I really see you as?" I demanded. "You think I only imagine you as a good time girl?"

She looked away and shook her head.

"Look how we ended up," she replied, "what am I supposed to think?"

There was another brief silence that overcame us. All of this back and forth was getting us nowhere. We were simply avoiding the inevitable. She didn't want to leave and I didn't want her to leave. It was evident in her still standing here talking to me. So, in a minute decision, I walked up to her again, and without giving it a second thought, I wrapped my arms around her waist and brought her close to me in a tight embrace.

She looked at me surprised.

"Wh-what are you doing?" she gasped. "You can't just-"

"Don't worry about any of that," I interrupted quietly, "just let your mind be free."

Afterwards, I kissed her again. The kiss was warm and wet and I could tell from her response she was waiting for me to do something like that. I was aware she was starting to feel more than just a little fond of me. She immediately held me tight, with her arms wrapped around my neck, and pulled me close to her of her own accord. She was moaning softly between my kisses, and when she pulled away, I could tell she wanted me. I knew that look all too well. She was waiting on me to take this seduction further, and I was glad to do so too. However, just when things were starting to go the way I wanted them, there was an abrupt knock at the door. I wasn't kidding. An annoying, right at the wrong time, scathingly inconvenient, knock at the door.

This can't be happening, I thought.

I groaned slightly when I pulled back, and looked apologetically at Adlez.

I was beyond frustrated.

I stroked her beautiful raven black hair.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to her and kissed her forehead.

She smiled up at me and wasn't too upset.

"It's okay," she whispered back, "just hurry them along... things were about to get interesting."

I smirked at her, liking the eagerness in her voice.

I then addressed the interruption, "who is it?" I called out.

There was a brief pause on the other side.

"It is your servant my lord," a male voice replied.

It was Fortunado.

I held in another groan.

What now? I wondered. Why is he disturbing me? Did my mother send for me?

I let Adlez go.

"Please excuse me for a moment," I said to her, then walked more into the inner chamber, "come in!"

A moment later, Fortunado walked in carrying a well embroidered stationery on a silver tray. However, when he saw I wasn't alone, and more surprisingly the woman I had with me was Adlez, he immediately apologized. He looked embarrassed that he intruded.

"I'm sorry my lord," he said quickly, "I had no idea-"

"Don't worry about that," I interrupted, wanting him to hurry so I could get back to what I was doing, "what do you want?"

Fortunado cleared his voice and suddenly looked nervous.

"Uh... you have a letter from her majesty Queen Zelda my lord," he replied, "it was brought by expedient delivery. The messenger said it's urgent."

Inadvertently, I felt my eyes widen, but not for the obvious reasons.

Good goddesses, I thought, now? This had to happen now?

I could only imagine the look on Adlez's face right now. I turned and looked at her immediately. It was just as I feared. She was looking down to the ground and avoiding my eyes, the small frown curled at her lips told me everything.

Damn it, I thought.

I then turned back to my servant with open frustration.

"Thank you," I said, "please place it on the table and leave."

Fortunado was taken aback at my sharp tone, considering the news, but did what I told him to do anyway. He probably already guessed why I was so upset. I knew it wasn't his intention, but that small interruption was going to cost me greatly. When the door closed behind him once again, I turned back to Adlez who was still avoiding looking at me.

She took in a deep sigh and forced a smile just then.

"Like I stated before your highness, I better go," she said, "this was a mistake anyway."

I rolled my eyes and looked away for a second in irritation, but then cut them back to her. I wasn't letting her off the hook that easily. We couldn't just start something like this and not end it. I could tell by her tone and mannerisms that she wanted to stay, so when she tried to walk past me, I blocked her path.

Adlez sighed at my persistence.

"Elbourne-" she tried.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"I need to catch up with the other ladies," she replied.

I paused for a moment.

So we're back to that nonsense again, I thought.

"Please don't leave," I said, "I've already told you I want you to stay."

She finally looked up at me.

"I'm afraid that my leaving would be the best thing for all of us my lord," she replied, "that letter from the queen needs your attention."

I didn't agree with her. I didn't agree with her at all, and instead of saying so, I took hold of her shoulders and kissed her again. However, I didn't let it end there. I knew how sensitive she was around her neck, so I decided to do a little teasing with some foreplay. I let my tongue feather down her long beautiful neck right where her errogenous zones accentuated. The reaction was immediate, with a slight gasp from her, but she was working hard not to give me much of anything else. She even let me tease her a little longer than she normally would, but soon after she pulled away. Before she completely left my grip, I took hold of her palm and kissed the back of it tenderly. I really wanted her to see I wanted her.

"The letter can wait," I whispered, "Addy I need you right now... you can't leave me."

For some odd reason my saying that made tears fill her eyes. That was exactly the reaction I was trying to avoid.

"You need me... right now?" she whispered and shook her head. "What about tomorrow? Or the next day? What about when the queen of Hyrule calls for you like she no doubt is now? What about then Elbourne?"

I took in a deep sigh, trying to keep my composure, but admittedly that was falling to the wayside. I didn't want to go into this right now. Didn't she just hear me when I told her I loved her? Could she not tell that I was completely enraptured with her right now? Why did everything have to be all or nothing? I was tired of giving explanations, I just wanted to release this frustration I felt, and I wanted her to be the girl I released it with. Sure it was a selfish thought process right now, but I wasn't going to pretend that I didn't selfishly want to fuck her.

I did.

The feeling was there.

How could it not be?

She was gorgeous.

However, if she didn't want to be here I was going to respect her wishes and let her go. I still had my pride. I didn't have to ask or beg a woman for sex. Women begged me, and if she didn't want to be that girl to console me, then so be it. I would find someone else to do it. That wasn't going to be hard.

It was then I stepped out of her way.

"Unfortunately Adlez, I don't have answers to those questions," I said honestly, "and if that truly troubles you, then you're right, you shouldn't lay down with me. It would be a waste of your time."

The blunt insensitive nature of my words took her by surprise. She looked at me stunned, but didn't have much of a reply. Her eyes refilled with tears and she only nodded, hoping that when I opened my mouth I was going to say what she wanted to hear. However, that was her mistake, I rarely did what people expected of me.

"I see," she whispered, "I appreciate your honesty, but that isn't enough for me."

I looked away and groaned in frustration.

I walked past her and removed the cloak I was wearing.

"Then you're free to go, and close the door behind you on your way out," I said, "I plan to sleep for a little while, the sudden conversation has ruined my mood."

Adlez closed her eyes, but then she turned around to look at me. She watched me getting undressed for a moment.

"Elbourne-" she tried.

"Leave Adlez," I interrupted, "and know this time it's truly over. I won't call on you again."

Her tears spilled over and before I could say anything else more hurtful, she ran for the exit and left the room. When the door slammed behind her, I closed my eyes. I turned and looked at the closed door and ran a hand through my hair in irritation.

"Damn it," I muttered to myself, "why the hell did I say that?"

I fell back onto my mattress and closed my eyes.

This day was steadily getting worse.

~SSS~

~SKIP~

I opened my eyes and looked to be in a familiar place: lanterns, incense, smokey lights and fire. I sat up realizing I was in one of my favorite rooms in the Red Lantern District, The Treatment room. The plush bed I was lying on was covered in purple and red sheets, along with the walls being heavily insulated. The room was just the way I remembered it.

Suddenly from across the room, the door opened on the other side and a scantily clad girl dressed in nothing but under garments came into the room. She wasn't wearing a mask, but I couldn't make out who she was because her visage was heavily augmented, like her face was there, but wasn't. She walked over to me and that was when I realized she was wearing a skin veneer instead of a mask over her face. When she removed the veneer, I was met with those same beautiful green hypnotic eyes that left me enchanted when I first saw them. Her raven black hair fell down her back in these beautiful waves, and she couldn't have looked more beautiful if she tried.

"Adlez..." I said.

"Good evening your highness," she whispered, before climbing on the bed and on top of me.

She reached down and kissed me tenderly on the lips. When she pulled away she looked at me mischievously.

"What would you like to do tonight?" she asked me.

I stared into her eyes.

"Anything," I replied.

She seemed pleased in hearing that.

"Very well my lord," she said, "but your deviance will shine through sooner or later."

I didn't understand what she meant right away.

"Deviance?" I repeated.

She smirked.

"You know what I'm speaking of," she whispered, "your true nature."

I stroked my hand through her perfect hair.

"What true nature?" I asked.

She giggled and threw her head back.

"You know what I'm speaking of..." she taunted cryptically, "why is a dirty bastard like you pretending to be of royal blood? You know you you're a devil..."

I looked into her eyes with a half haze.

"I'm going to be king some day," I whispered back.

She laughed again.

"You're going to find out what you truly are someday," she whispered, "and it'll be so devastating you'll wish you were dead."

None of this was making any sense, and because of that I chose to ignore her. Instead, I pulled her down on top of me and kissed her passionately. There was no shortage of eroticism on her part, and when I turned to get her underneath me, I was in for a surprise. When I pulled away from the kiss, Adlez's green eyes were suddenly blue, but she still had her face.

I looked at her mildly confused.

"What happened to your eyes?" I whispered.

She caressed my cheek.

"Are they different?" she asked in a mysterious fashion.

I nodded.

"They're blue now," I replied.

She smiled at me.

"Does that please you?" she asked.

I nodded absently, not having an opinion, one way or the other.

I reached down and kissed her again, and this when I pulled away her face features were different. They were more delicate, more beautiful in certain aspects. She looked just like my beloved Zelda now. I caressed her cheek.

"What happened to your face?" I now asked. "Why do you look so different Addy?"

Instead of answering the beautiful woman seemed offended.

"Why are you calling me Adlez?" she demanded suddenly. "What's gotten into you Elbourne?"

I looked at her taken aback.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Do I look like Adlez to you?" she demanded. "Do you not know your childhood friend when you see her? Have you lost all your senses?"

I didn't understand why she was being so mean suddenly. She wasn't anything like she was a moment ago. She also was no longer dressed in just under garments, she was dressed in a long white gown with a corset around her tiny waist. She looked like a virginal bride.

"I'm sorry Zelda," I apologized, "I didn't realize-"

She suddenly pushed on my chest.

"Get off of me!" she demanded. "Why would I want to taken by a senseless fool? You have no right to my virtue."

I couldn't believe she was speaking to me this way.

I was starting to get upset.

"It was a simple mistake," I said, "I assure you it won't happen again."

She stared me straight in the eyes.

"You bet it won't," she scathed, "because I'm leaving here right this instant!"

There was no way that was going to happen. This was my bloody fantasy.

"Zelda-" I said annoyed, but was interrupted by her slapping me hard across the cheek.

"Get off me!" she yelled this time. "Do you honestly think I want you when I can have the hero? Do you honestly think you're anything compared to him? Your father was right, you're nothing but a hapless bastard! A mistake not worth chiding over!"

I felt my eyes widen in disbelief as the sting of the slap subsided.

I turned my face back to her to look at her.

She couldn't be saying this to me.

She just couldn't.

"Zelda-" I tried once more.

She tried to reach up and slap me again, but this time I caught her palm. She struggled to free her hand from my grip.

"Let me go you worthless snake!" she seethed. "I'm in love with Link! Do you hear that?! Link!"

It seemed my annoyance was so self evident now, I was shaking. I felt an anger course through my veins that I didn't think existed, and that was when something deep inside me suddenly snapped. A dark, almost sinister, aspect of my personality which I normally kept at bay, was starting to manifest itself. It was a part of who I was that rarely reared its ugly head, but I knew it was always there. Maybe it was conjuring because of the secrets of my mother, or perhaps due to the hatred of my father, or the constant loneliness and emptiness I felt at the expense of this woman lying underneath me. Whatever the case, it was there and it was overtaking me at a very rapid pace.

"You think you have a right to say this to me?" I demanded suddenly. "You don't think I've waited all these years to have you just to be your friend? You've got it wrong Zelda. You've got it seriously wrong."

Without waiting for her to reply, I took matters into my own hands. I literally took her arms in my hands and pinned them against the pillows to keep her from moving, and before she could protest, I pressed my mouth against hers and kissed her again. This wasn't some sweet passion filled kiss. It was a hard painful kiss, much like the one I gave Zelda at the ball. I was tired of being gentle when gentleness didn't get me much of anything in return. I tried that for years and it got me nothing.

Zelda was squirming underneath me and moving her from side to side trying to get away, but that wasn't preventing me from keeping her mouth consumed with my own. Her muffled cries stayed complacent as I wasn't letting her up for air for a second. I even took it upon myself to start undressing her, since I knew she would never do it for me. We both knew where this was going to go. I undid her corset in the back, and tried to pull her dress down so it could fall to her feet. However, Zelda wasn't so easy to play the game. To keep herself modest in front of me, she clutched the front of her gown at her bosom so her breasts wouldn't be exposed. She finally found enough strength to pull away, and this time her tune and tone of voice was totally different.

Her bottom lip quivered in fear.

Her her eyes searched my face frantically.

"What in Hylia's name is wrong with you?" she demanded. "Why are you acting like this? What's gotten into you?"

I just stared back and never answered her questions. I never answered them because she knew the answers already, and when she was done talking, I came down and kissed her again in a very aggressive manner. She was completely resistant to my actions like the first, but I forced her mouth open to get the deep kiss I wanted anyway. She froze when she saw I was very serious, but that didn't prevent her from biting my lower lip, thinking I would stop at the small conjuring of pain. I did pull back for a second and examined the bloody show pouring into my mouth. That was one hell of a bite, but if she thought that was going to stop me, she couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, it made me more determined. I came down and kissed her harder, smearing the blood flowing from my lips onto hers. I immediately felt the repulsion from her. She tried to free her hands to no avail.

When I pulled away, she was looking at me with a terror I had never seen before: eyes widened, lips trembling, body frozen in fear- the kind of thing only tangible in a real nightmare. I probably looked like a crazy person to her with my bloody lips, wild expression, and unrelenting manner. Even with me being in the proximity I was in, she was still trying to bury her head farther into the pillows to create some distance between us. Her fear was real, and for some odd reason... I liked it. I liked seeing her afraid. I liked seeing her cringe. I liked seeing her in a submissive position when the norm was her always wielding her power over me. I even smirked at her jumpy nature. This was the formidable queen of Hyrule. No dragon shit here. I liked it. I even licked my lips of the blood where she bit me, and she stared at me mortified. 'What in the world happened to the sweet Prince Elbourne?' she was probably wondering.

I was right here.

Right here.

I reached down and kissed the queen again. Zelda managed to get her hands free from my grip and tried pushing me away from her. However, that was short lived when I took both hands of hers and put them above her head in a locked fashion again. She still looked terrified of me, and it became all the more evident when the top of her gown had fallen down to her waist, revealing her perfect supple breasts. I always knew they would be lovely. I came close again and forced her mouth open, but this time she managed to wriggled her head free from my grip. Her eyes were wide with fear as she stared at me.

"This isn't you!" she cried out suddenly with a broken voice. "Why are you doing this? Goddamn it Elbourne! What's the matter with you?"

I narrowed my eyes slightly just.

"Because this is what I want!" I snapped almost in a voice I didn't recognize. "And whether you like it or not, this is what you want too! Why the hell else are you here?"

She looked at me stunned.

"Elbourne-" she tried.

I was tired of talking. I pressed mouth against hers again and decided I was just going to take what I wanted from her whether she wanted me to or not. I spread her legs apart with a bit of a fight from her, until she was over powered by my sheer strength. Afterwards, almost like she surrendered, she lay there prostrate with her eyes closed tight, looking frightened in the worst way possible. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she was cringing in fear at my next move, and it was only then, seeing her like this, that something else suddenly snapped inside me. She looked even more terrified now.

"No!" she screamed, wriggling her head free again. "Elbourne no! Your father was right! You are a monster! You are!"

The room suddenly swirled and there was nothing else there but her and me just then.

It was visceral and crazy.

The walls suddenly had claws.

Zelda still fought me but didn't break free.

That 'something' snapped and then faded to black.

~DONE~

My eyes shot open in a haze of cool sweat and I sat up. I ran my hands over my face, then looked around the room in relief when I realized I was in my chambers and not in one of the seedy rooms of the Red Lantern District. It was like a bolt of light careened past my field of vision, and suddenly that dark, feral rage and lust I felt subsided. My heartbeat lessened, my breathing slowed down, that animalistic desire went away, and it was replaced with my normal self, my true self. I worked very hard to keep that horrible person who I knew I could turn into at bay. I wasn't that man, I wasn't that monster. I couldn't believe I allowed that part of myself to take root in my thoughts. I couldn't believe my thoughts lost control. I couldn't believe I almost... to her... in my dreams.

I couldn't bear the thought.

Not to Zelda.

Not to my precious Zelda.

My heart started pounding again.

Dear Hylia, why the hell was I dreaming about that? I thought. I hadn't had a dream like that since I was sixteen.

A chill ran down my spine and I got up out of bed to splash some water on my face from the pool out on the terrace. I then decided in a minute decision to dive into the water and resurface. When the midday sun shined on my platinum hair, it was a stark reminder that this was my reality, not that... not that dream. Not that nightmare I envisioned. I then climbed out of the pool and stroked my hands through my hair to calm my thoughts.

I'm not that monster, I reassured myself, I'm not that monster, I would never do that to her... I would never hurt Zelda.

I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath, and started pacing my room. I had to get my mind in the right place. I had to stop obsessing over her so much. I had to stop thinking about her twenty three hours out of a twenty four hour day. But I couldn't explain it. Why did she suddenly come up in my dream like that? Why was she belittling me so much in my own fantasy? Why did Adlez refer to me as a devil? Why did she say my 'true' nature would shine through? These questions could have all been summed up as manifestions of my recent thoughts of course, but it felt so much deeper than that. It felt like an omen, or a premonition, or something. I stopped pacing for a moment, and looked at my reflection from across the room. I hardly recognized the man I thought I knew.

"Good goddesses," I whispered, "who's son am I?"

I swallowed hard, and tried not to think the worse, but the worse was all that was coming forth. Why did I have a dream like that? What the hell is wrong with me? Nothing was going to calm me except speaking to my beloved Zelda. She was the only person who could quell me.

"I need to talk to her," I told myself, "I have to reassure myself that I'm not some crazy deviant."

It was then I remembered the queen sent me a letter earlier in the day. That would do for now. I just needed something with her essence, something with her calming spirit. Without wasting another moment, I went to go read it. I picked up the stationery on the table and tore it open. However, when I scanned the contents I became puzzled and then full on confused.

Wait a minute... what? I thought.

Elbourne,

Please listen to this message carefully. There has been a great many

things that have taken place in the last twenty four hours. Vincent, the

villain and the charlatan of Hyrule, has been executed by the hand of the

hero Link. Link has been freed and exonerated of all charges, he is currently

seeking the whereabouts of Vincent's vile sister Morgana. It is believed that

she may be on her way to Dragon Roost for protection. Please, I beg you

my friend, DO NOT give aide to this woman. She is a traitor to the throne

and she will be executed in the swiftest fashion possible due to her crimes.

I know this seems callous given your relationship with her, but please

think of the bigger picture here. Know that you are always in my thoughts.

Your Friend Forever,

~Zelda, Queen of Hyrule~

I was stunned by the letter's end.

"Vincent's dead and Morgana's expected to come here?" I whispered in disbelief. "Why in the world would she do that after our last encounter? That doesn't make sense even as a move of desperation."

At the end, I went back to the top and reread it. I was surprised at hearing some of these events, Vincent's death and Linux's new found freedom being the most notable. I wasn't expecting to hear anything like this any time soon, but if Morgana was coming to Dragon Roost, Zelda could be sure that I wasn't going to let her get away with whatever she's done. If she was a traitor, she would die a traitor. I knew Morgana all too well, and she had no good intentions for anyone except herself. Of course I would do this for Zelda... I would do anything for Zelda, except hurt her. I would never hurt her.

I took a deep breath of the stationery and closed my eyes when I smelled her essence.

Just like heaven, I thought.

I placed the letter down and looked across the room at my reflection again in the mirror.

"I'm not a monster," I whispered.

The problem was, who in this room was I reassuring? I was the only person here, and honestly, I wasn't exactly sure if that was true.