Summer of Our Discontent

Keeping Secrets

"Name your price." Saria said to Ilia bluntly.

The three of them - Mido, Saria, and Ilia – were all in an alleyway right off Castle Town. They were angry, sweaty, emotional, and tired. Ilia had overheard something she wasn't supposed to hear, and now Saria and Mido would have to spend the next century trying to keep her mouth shut about it.

Mido pulled Saria back quickly, tugging on her with a force that was surprisingly strong for someone of his caliber. Saria's head whipped back and she was staring at him furiously.

"Ow!" She hissed.

"Are you seriously trying to bribe her? I don't have any rupees! And if I recall, neither do you!"

"Okay, not the best approach. Maybe we don't need rupees to bribe her. I… I can make some more of that chocolate I sold in Castle Town. Even the most resilient can't resist the ooey gooey texture, the way it melts in your mouth, and the –"

"Actually, you don't need anything to bribe me." Ilia said, stopping Saria from going off on a mouth-watering tirade. "I can't be bribed. I'm sorry guys. I don't know how you know this information, or even if it's true, but I have to tell Link. I have to."

"It's not true!" Mido blurted, "We made it up! Just for fun!" He started laughing, nudging Saria to laugh and reinforce his horribly woven lie.

"Saria?" Ilia asked with an eyebrow quirked, "is this true?"

"I…I…" Saria stammered, sighing and knowing that she couldn't lie – at least not while being put on the spot like this.

"No, it isn't. When I was on my way to Castle Town, I saw Malon exiting Groose's house. I was shocked to say the least. I didn't know they were particularly close, but I assumed that maybe they were just hanging out, trying to get to know each other a little better. I guess."

Ilia rubbed her temple, shaking her head skeptically. She didn't have trouble believing what Saria was saying, but the young girl's innocence was kind of hilarious. And infuriating.

"Anyways, they talked to each other for a few moments and then BA-BLAM! Instant make out session! Oh Ilia, they were getting into it too! Groose picked her up, and started kissing her everywhere! But then they stopped. Probably because they wanted to continue their little lovefest at… wherever they drove off to!"

"Woah, woah, woah. Hold the phone. They drove off together?" Mido asked, frowning at Saria. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hey!" Saria said angrily, "I would've… But then Ilia popped up and well…"

"Sounds like they had a one night stand." Ilia said with a grim expression. "This is bad guys. Really bad. It could ruin Link and Malon's relationship."

"Then maybe we shouldn't tell them! Zelda doesn't know, Link doesn't know, Karane doesn't know, Pipit doesn't know, Midna doesn't know, Sheik doesn't –" Mido rambled on and on and on.

"Okay!" Ilia said, growing impatient. "Our whole 'squad' doesn't know. What's your point?

"My point is, us three – aside from Groose and Malon – are the only ones who know about this little love fiasco. We don't need to bring it up or anything. We can keep it 'hush hush.' You get what I'm saying?" Mido winked at her.

"Are you implying that we lie to Link?" Ilia asked disapprovingly.

"No! We just don't say anything about it to him. There's a difference between secrecy and dishonesty. Lying would be saying 'Malon and Groose? There's nothing going on between them!' Secrecy is simply not bringing it up."

"But he's our friend. If you found out that Saria was seeing someone else and your friends knew about it, you'd be angry."

"For the last time, Mido and I are not dating!" Saria snapped.

"So you two sharing that sandwich together wasn't a date?"

"Nooo!" Saria wailed, "We're just friends!"

"Y-Yeah!" Mido said, a little less enthusiastically. "Um… can we talk about that, by the way?"

Ilia gasped, then giggled.

"Later!" Saria said, "Right now we have bigger issues. Ilia is right. If I had a boyfriend and had to find out the hard way he was cheating on me, I wouldn't be too happy about it either."

"But Groose and Malon are our friends too!"

"Well, Malon is at least." Ilia said.

"Hey, Groose isn't a bad guy at all. We kinda clicked when we worked together for Malon's birthday party. I'm sure there is more than one side to this story, which is that Malon is a disgusting cheater and Groose will stop at nothing to make Link's life miserable."

"I hate saying this but at the moment, both of those statements are true." Saria bit her lip.

"Look guys, we need to tell Link the truth. Yes, Malon… and Groose are our friends. But sometimes you need to put friends on blast. It's all a healthy life lesson. Infidelity only gets you in trouble. We will all learn something from this."

"But there's going to be a lot of drama." Mido said worriedly.

"Baby boy, life is all about the drama." Ilia said, patting his head. "We just have to hope that in the end, we'll all still be friends. Because, I don't know why, but I feel like all of this was meant to happen. Zelda and Link pairing up to cook for Malon's party, Malon thinking Link was cheating on her, then she ended up being the one cheating with Groose. Who knows, maybe the universe is telling us something. For now, we should all go home. Then tomorrow, we're going to go to Link's house and tell him the truth. Meet back at this exact spot tomorrow towards noon. We'll discuss what we're going to say then. Sound like a plan?"

"Okay. But what if he's not home?" Saria asked.

"Then we'll find him! I doubt he's doing anything important."

"Another crazy adventure." Mido said with a frown. "See all of you guys tomorrow. Saria, would you like to go home with me?"

"Sure." She said, embarrassed yet delighted at the same time.

"You young ones have fun! Not too much fun though, like Groose and Malon. Oh! And make sure your walk is perfect all right? I'd hope someone like me doesn't come along and ruin your date again." She said devilishly.

"It wasn't a date!" They both scolded simultaneously.

Ilia laughed, walking off. Unbeknownst to her, just a few feet above attached to a brick building near where the trio had been standing, a video camera had captured every moment and every word of their scandalous exchange.

"Hey Shad, look at this." A young girl with long blue hair said, pointing at a monitor.

Shad walked over, adjusting his glasses and leaning in.

"What is this?" He asked curiously.

"It looks like three kids – well two kids, and one teenager – talking. They were in the back of our library's alleyway. I think they're plotting something."

"Ugh," one of the assistants said. She was a Zora named Ruto. "No one likes a tattletale. And why exactly do we need security cameras? Who steals from a library?"

"People who desire knowledge and creativity but don't like due dates or spending rupees on books. It's actually easier to steal books from a library than a bookstore, considering a bookstore is usually in a plaza surrounded by other stores that usually have a lot more eyes looking out for any suspicious activity. Ever since that robbery at the liquor store, every business out there has been on their toes in regards to thieves. Lana, can you turn up the volume dear?"

She played the footage and turned up the audio.

Shad took out some earphones to ensure that the footage wouldn't disturb the peace of the library, and give him a clearer sound of what was being said. Ruto rushed over took one of the earphones to listen as well.

"Huh. It doesn't sound like they want to rob a library." She said in a snarky tone.

"No, it doesn't. But this still sounds like a pressing issue. To get a full gist of the situation, even if we aren't involved entirely, I personally suggest we listen to this a bit more." He said, licking his lips subconsciously.

"Are you kidding me? This is totally juicy! Just admit it Shad, we're snooping."

"No… I can't… I…" He stammered, reaching out to stop the video when he heard an interesting tidbit.

"I would've… But then Ilia popped up and well…" A young, green-haired girl had said.

"Ilia!?" He claimed in surprise, assessing the video carefully, he realized the taller 'teenager' was Ilia.

"Who?" Lana asked curiously.

"Oh, n-nothing. But, wow…"

"Wow what?" Ruto asked.

"Wow, I can't believe this whole, big secret. That's what." Shad said, "I'm going to need a tape of this guys. There's something I need to do." He said with a dangerous smirk. Ruto and Lana exchanged concerned glances, but nodded regardless.

In less than an hour Shad was walking out of the library with a tape in his hands. He wasn't sure where Ilia could be, but he knew he had to find her. He opted for Castle Town since it was the go-to spot for a lot of the 'cool kids.' Not that Ilia was a cool kid. He looked around, and saw her walking out of a coffee shop with a latte smothered in whipped cream. How typical.

"Hey! Ilia!" He shouted a bit too animatedly.

Ilia turned around, startled. "…Shad? Is that you?"

"Yeah, it is." He said with a grin.

"Um, okay then." She said, displaced with his happiness. "Can I help you? Because if I can, I'd tell you to go to someone else. You know, someone who actually likes you. I mean – as a friend." She stuttered.

"I would be nice to me if I were you. Because I know something that you don't know – well you do know, but you don't know… uh… that I know it." He cursed quietly at himself for the last part of his sentence.

"Okay then, what do I know that you don't know – wait! – no, no, no. You do know this 'thing,' and so do I but… Oh cucco sauce! Just spill it out would you!" She stomped her left foot impatiently.

He waved a tape in front of her face.

"That little alleyway that your friends ran into, there was a security camera. It recorded everything you guys talked about. And guess who caught it all and intends on using this information against you? That's right! Me." Shad laughed deviously.

Ilia paled.

"Wait, you know about Malon? And Groose?"

"Yep. And I intend to be the one to show this tape to Link, and Zelda!"

"Oh yeah? Well, with what tape?" Ilia asked, grabbing the tape. She stomped on it with all her might, destroying it.

"Well, good thing that wasn't my only copy!" He bluffed.

Ilia scrutinized him, but his poker face prevailed.

"Ugh. Fine. I don't suppose I could bribe you."

"I don't want your rupees. I'm sure you have none, anyways." Shad said.

Ilia rolled her eyes at this, but still listened to him.

"I at least want to tag along with you guys when you tell him."

"Why?"

"Because I despise Link. Every girl falls for him. Even the most intelligent, sassiest, and spirited ones."

"Oh. You mean like Zelda?" Ilia said jokingly, then laughed.

No. I meant like you. Shad wanted to say, but held his tongue.

"Erm… no. Other girls. And from what I've seen, Zelda and Link despise each other as well. It's a rivalry that goes beyond any of us really."

"I know. It was a joke. You should do some extensive research on them." Ilia put a hand on her hip, taking a swig of her latte.

"So I'm in, right?"

"I don't have any other choice." She said sadly, "Unless I murder you." She added in a completely serious tone.

Shad's eyes widened.

"That was another joke by the way." Ilia said, finishing the last of her latte and throwing it away.

"Look, you can come with. Only because I don't like you carrying that tape around. I will tell Link the truth. But I don't want anyone else seeing the tape and hearing what we said. Especially Malon and Groose. But don't think of this as some sort of show for you to enjoy. It's serious. Cheating is serious. It's more than likely going to be an awkward and uncomfortable situation for everybody, trust me."

"But it's also a 'healthy life lesson!'" He said in a high-pitched tone, mimicking Ilia's voice. "Who was it that said 'life is all about the drama?'"

"Oh shut up!" Ilia said angrily.

The next day…

"Link! Get out of your room, someone is here to see you." Link's mom said in a singsong voice.

Link got up, still solemn over the mishap with Malon and his mother, but curious to see this mystery guest. It couldn't be Malon, judging by the tone of her voice. And thank goodness it wasn't, since Zelda told him she could not be the one to come back to him.

He opened the door to leave his room, but the infamous blonde she-devil was blocking his way. She was holding a bag filled with sweets.

"Your mom sure was happy to see me. But, um, I'd rather you stay here." She said, roughly pushing him back into his room.

"Yeah, sure, of course." He said in an annoyed tone. "Thanks for asking so nicely. I appreciate it." He glared at her as he said so however.

Zelda rolled her eyes and reached into the bag, throwing a packaged good his way.

"Here. Have a cream puff. I need to talk to you." She said, sitting on his bed.

He sat down next to her, biting his lip and scratching his head.

"So, what is it?"

"You and Malon seem to have made up quickly." She said, nudging him.

"What are you talking about? You said three more hours or two more weeks. I decided to go with two more weeks. I thought I would give my mom time to simmer down."

"A momma like yours doesn't simmer down. Besides, I went to talk to Malon today at Lon Lon Ranch."

"Really? What did she say?" He tensed up.

"Nothing about you, don't get your hopes up. We just talked. Because we're best friends and that's what best friends do."

"Well did you try to get information from her, like… if she was ready to forgive me?"

"No. Why would I help you? I gave you advice yesterday, but that's probably as far that I'd go to helping you. All of this is for Malon. I want her to be happy, not you."

"Then why are you here?" he asked.

"For Malon, of course. I literally just said that. I guess I'm a bit curious. I noticed she was a bit 'bruised,' if you catch my drift." Zelda winked at him.

"What!? Malon got a bruise? Oh gods, she probably got hurt when she ran out, I should've run after her when she stormed off, now I owe her an even bigger –"

"No! Not bruised like that you dolt. I meant, she had a couple of marks on her neck." Zelda said, trying to sound all sexual-like, but not really liking it at all.

"Yeah, some pervert probably grabbed her throat and tried to choke her, and maybe even take advantage of her. I should have known better. Look, I'm going to go talk to Malon now. The heavens only know how bad she's probably hurting right now. The girl's been through hell. If you'll excuse me…"

"No, no, no!" Zelda said, her heart unintentionally soaring at Link's compassionate and caring nature towards Malon. Maybe he had actually turned a new leaf and was truly committed to her?

But why did it have to be her? Part of her mind whispered.

"What?" Link asked.

"A hickey! Or hickeys. That's what I was referencing to!"

"Um… Okay? Now I'm plain confused."

"I'd expect someone with a mind as dirty as yours to understand! Malon had hickeys on her neck. They had to be! She wasn't expecting me over, I guess I sorta took her by surprise. That's kinda our thing. So like, she tried to hide it when I got there. But I was too fast for her!"

"Is Impa part of the reason you came here?" Link asked, disregarding everything she was telling him.

"Yeah. She wants me to go out more and stuff. Hanging with Malon isn't enough. Not that you're the best person to spend time with, but I guess this is important stuff to bring up… Considering you are supposedly not the one who gave her those hickeys."

"Are you saying she cheated on me?"

"I didn't say that at all." Zelda said.

"Well you implied it."

"No I didn't! I didn't imply anything."

"Is this even true? Or are you saying this to get me to go talk to Malon sooner rather than later."

"Why would I –"

"Because you want her to get angry with me and ignore me even longer! You said if I talk to her too soon she'll get angry, but if I talk to her too late she'll get angry at that as well! So what the actual hell am I supposed to do!?" Link snapped, standing up to tower over her.

"What are you talking about? I'd never ruin Malon's relationship." Zelda snapped right back, also taking a stand.

"Yeah, sure. But you'd ruin mine!"

Their faces were inches apart. Hatred and tension radiating in the atmosphere.

"You make me so angry, nothing good ever comes whenever we speak to each other." Zelda fumed. "And to think that I was almost… almost nice to you!"

"Maybe we should stop speaking to each other then." Link said, his breath travelling straight into Zelda's nose. It didn't help that he was distractingly minty.

"Maybe we should." Zelda agreed, stepping away to grab her bag of treats and leave. However, Link's hand shot out and grabbed her arm, giving them both an unusual jolt of passion (good and bad) so intense that they both flinched from each other's touch.

"Not until you tell me who gave Malon that hickey."

"I don't know." Zelda threw her hands up in the air.

As if to answer Link's question, the doorbell rang.

Link jumped up and left his room quickly. Zelda followed.

However, Link's mom answered the door first. Saria, Mido, Ilia, and Shad were all standing in the doorway. Link blanched and gestured to Zelda to stay in the hallway, which she did.

"Oh look, it's Link's friends!" Rose said, delighted. "Come on in all of you!"

"Shad is most definitely NOT my friend." Link said quietly.

"What was that?" Rose asked.

"Nothing, mother." He said through gritted teeth.

Rose rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen to grab a glass pitcher of Deku Nut punch.

The foursome scrambled and assembled in Link's living room. Zelda crouched behind a plant to make sure she was completely out of sight.

"So… did you guys wanna hang out today or something?"

"No, we have terrible news." Saria said, biting her lip and looking at Ilia. Link glanced at Shad, who had a weird smile on his face.

"…What is it?" Link asked nervously.

Ilia started.

"Malon's cheating on you."

Rose dropped the glass jug out of shock, watching it shatter to the floor.

"With Groose!" Mido added.

Zelda's jaw dropped and she accidentally knocked the plant over, causing it to fall on top of her.

Everyone turned around to look at the clumsy blonde.

"Awkward and uncomfortable?" Shad whispered to Ilia, "More like hilarious and entertaining."

A/N: And there you have it folks. I decided that Shad would be an amazing character to bring into the story. But for a different purpose. But guys, it's about to go DOWN. Anyways, happy 2015 everyone! Make this year a good one, all right? Our lovely chapter 10 theme song is a song by the band 'Kicking Daisies.' I don't know what happened to this band. Disney made them big and then after that, I never really heard of them afterwards... But gods, this song is seriously amazing and brings back some pleasant memories.