Oh wah ah ah ah!

Chapter V is here…

Regarding the last chapter…there may have been an unnatural cut away depending on when you read it. This is in part due to the fact that fanfiction does not accept asterisks. Sorry if this caused some confusion. I've gone back and (hopefully) fixed it at this point using em dashes.

Anyway, I hope some of you beautiful readers enjoyed that little dream sequence in the last chapter; I definitely enjoyed writing it. I'm not sure if I'll be posting Chapter VI until the weekend since I'll be working Thursday and Friday, but I may have time to write it today…we'll see.

A fan of zelda: Thanks for leaving some feedback! :) I can't wait to share where the story goes. There are some twists and turns I've got planned in the future of this story that I'm excited about.

Littlelink123: Thanks for leaving a review…yoda? :P For now, yes, it does seem like the story's following a semi-unoriginal plot, but I assure you that will be changing as things progress.

All rambling aside, continue to leave me some reviews! Suggestions, critiques, praises…whatever ;)

In a Super Mario voice: "Here we go!"

– Vengeful Cam

Chapter V

Link lay awake on his cot in the Guards' Chamber. Even if he had wanted to return to slumber, he knew he wouldn't be able to. Every time he shut his eyes, the nightmare would resurface. He could hear the screams in his ears, feel the stabbing in his gut and the blood on his hands. He could see himself, purple and evil with a blade of shadow. And then his eyes would flicker open again. No, he would not be sleeping tonight.

And though he tried to forget the conversation that he had overheard in the library, King Rhoam and Impa's words still echoed in his mind:

"They are just children…"

"How is your knight doing?"

Link had a sinking feeling that their conversation was in regards to him – the wielder of The Master Sword.

"And I suppose you think my daughter is to blame!"

– And Princess Zelda? What did she have to do with anything?

"Ganon does not care whether they are children or not!"

That name. Ganon. Now, Link was sure it was a name – the very same name he had heard – or felt – in his nightmare.

He felt a shiver race up his spine. Before he'd been curious. Before he'd wondered what was going on. Not anymore. Now, Link wanted nothing less than to understand.

The young knight rolled onto his side. Hylia, he wished he'd never pulled that sword.

Morning came slowly, and the wan sun brought no warmth or comfort as its faint light began to crawl through the windows of the Guards' Chamber. The company of the Royal Guard began to wake and dress, but Link was not among them. Calvin noticed first, as he glanced around at the thirty or so faces, searching for a fair, blue-eyed one. Gydon noticed too and shot a quizzical look at the captain, but Calvin just shrugged as he pulled a crimson tunic over his head.

If Calvin had gone searching for the young knight, he wouldn't have found him in the dining hall, nor in the library. Link was near the docks, sitting on the edge of a sheer rock face that rose up from the moat. He stared down at the filthy water as boats were loaded with trading goods and sent off down the neighboring rivers, headed west and east.

Link took a deep breath of the morning air, trying his best to block out the scent of filth that wafted up from the moat. He could only presume what polluted the waters with such a stench. He had come out here to clear his mind; he needed to forget his dream before he returned inside for breakfast. If Calvin – or even Gydon – had seen him in the state he'd been, they would have seen that something was wrong. Link could only imagine that worry was written plainly upon his face. He would have to improve his mask before he returned to the castle.

"Impa told me I'd find you here," a soft voice spoke from behind the sitting knight.

Link's head whipped about to see the beautiful, golden-haired princess standing behind him. She was looking at him curiously with those round, emerald eyes, her hands folded in front of an extravagant cream-colored tunic which was defined with blue overlays and intricate gold designs. Her hair was braided away from her face, but still, it cascaded down her back like a waterfall of gold.

Link bolted upright and bowed, "Princess Zelda."

"Rise," she said with a bored expression and an elegant flick of her wrist.

Link swallowed, nodded, and stood, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"I don't believe we've formally met," she spoke again.

Link grinned at the sound of her voice. It was so unlike her father's, soft and sweet rather than strong and booming – ah, focus, Link.

"I suppose we haven't," Link responded, then, gathering his senses, "I'm Link."

"Yes, I know."

"Ah."

Princess Zelda strode forward to the edge of the rock face and glanced about at the docks. She inhaled slightly, then scrunched up her face disapprovingly.

Link still wasn't sure why she was here so he spoke again, "Can I help you with anything, your grace?"

The princess did not respond right away, and when she did, she did not turn to face him as proper courtesy would have instructed.

"You can put that sword back in the forest and reverse all that's begun," she muttered sarcastically.

Link laughed aloud, "Would that I could."

He noticed the princess tense up as she turned to face him. There was a fire in her eyes – but not in a pleasant way. She seemed irritated, angry even. Link frowned.

Was it something I said?

"I suppose we've met now," Princess Zelda said simply.

Link could tell she was struggling for words. Finally, she raised her chin up high with a "Good day, Sir Link." And, then she strode past him, head high and hands folded, back towards the castle.

"The same to you, princess," Link responded quickly, though he was still confused as to why she had even bothered coming. He watched her go, her golden hair billowing faintly in the breeze. He turned away as his gaze began to wander further down, to her backside.

That is definitely not an appropriate way to look at the princess, Link chided himself.

He returned to the castle almost an hour later. He entered the crowded dining hall where the Royal Guard was currently enjoying a large breakfast. Calvin spotted him first and waved him over. Link approached the captain warily and took a seat next to him as instructed.

Calvin took a bite from the rasher of bacon held in his large fingers, and, between mouthfuls, "Where the hell were you?"

"Down at the docks," Link answered without meeting the captain's gaze. He grabbed himself a rasher of bacon from the plate in the center of the long table, "I was just getting some fresh air."

"We're not tiring you out already, are we Sir Link?" Calvin jested.

Link smiled faintly and shook his head.

"Good, because I've got news for you, kid," the captain of the guard began. "Before breakfast began, Master Impa was here."

Hylia, that woman was everywhere, apparently, Link mused bitterly.

"I've been instructed to choose fifteen of my best guards to escort the princess to Zora's Domain. We leave on the morrow," Calvin continued.

Link's brows shot up, and he felt something – excitement maybe – pounce within his stomach.

"Will I be coming with you?" he asked the captain expectantly.

"Oh, hell, kid," Calvin said, placing a rough, greasy hand on the young knight's shoulder. "You think I'm going to leave you here to run basic drills with these numbskulls? Not a chance. You go where I go until you've earned the badge of the Royal Guard."

Link could feel the corners of his mouth pulling up into a smile.

Calvin returned to his meal, "Not that I have a choice. Impa commanded that you come with us."

Link's smile faded slightly, "Oh."

Calvin smirked, "You really don't like that Sheikah woman, do you?"

"No – I don't mind her – I don't know her even. It's just–"

Calvin laughed, "It's okay, kid. You don't have to trust everybody. In fact, I think it's good that you don't. But trust me, Impa's a friend. Sheikah or not, she belongs here. Hyrule Castle is the home of the good old souls that remain in this world."

"Like King Rhoam?"

"I was talking about myself, you little bastard," Calvin laughed, giving Link a shove.

Link couldn't help but laugh in return.

"Now finish your breakfast," Calvin grunted as he stood. "We've gotta get you ready for tomorrow's journey."

Link nodded emphatically and began to chow down on the honey biscuits, eggs, and potatoes about him.

The captain just shook his head with a grin as he walked away.

Link was grateful to be leaving Hyrule Castle. He hoped that getting away from Impa and King Rhoam – getting away from this place – would help him to forget his nightmare, to forget Ganon.

And, if leaving in it of itself didn't erase all the unpleasantness from his mind, surely Zora's Domain would. He'd had never been there himself, but he'd heard tales of how magnificent the water-based kingdom was. Plus, all the way there, he'd be tasked with guarding the princess.

Link smiled to himself, it could be worse.