Chapter Eight: Together
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Disclaimer: I hear by disclaim ownership to LOZ and all afflicted characters.
This chapter is rated FS for Fluffy/Sappy content. (lol) Also, I warn you all once again of the yaoi factor, and the fact that, hey, Link and Sheik are both guys who like each other That Way. Homophobes, away!
Everyone else… :D Enjoy!
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They returned to the palace the next day, only to find that the King had gone away for a week. In his absence, the Queen offered Link his former rooms, and invitation to stay. Much to Link's dismay, Sheik and Shaya vanished upon their arrival, and Navi disappeared, as was her custom. Once more he found himself alone and forlorn, bewildered and wondering where he was going to go next. He had done what the King had asked; all he had to do was give the Stones to him. He couldn't stay at the castle forever, and the forest wouldn't take him back…
He brought his knees to his chest, shivering in the nook of a tree's roots. I feel so lonely… A snap of a twig and the rustle of clothing drew his attention, and Link came to his feet. He could hear the murmuring of voices, and he went to investigate.
What he found was Sheik, talking to a woman in a pale pink dress, not too far away. They were whispering quickly in low voices. Who is that? Why is Sheik dressed that way? He wore a soft crimson tunic, and dark cinnamon pants. His feet were in soft-soled shoes, and his harp was not present.
"Where are you going, Sheik?" The girl asked. "Not to see him, are you?"
Sheik narrowed his eyes at her. "Of course I am, Zelda. We've been here for three days and I haven't seen Link for even a minute." He peered at her suspiciously. "It seems that there's always a conference I have to go to, or someone that I have to meet. Are you purposely keeping me away from him?"
Link gasped. The princess? Can he speak to her like that?
Zelda looked at him helplessly. "Sheik, I'm only trying to help you…you know what Mother would say if she found out…"
Sheik shook his head. "I'm not any of her concern anymore, Zelda, you know that. I belong with the Sheikah, now; the blood rose true in me."
"It doesn't mean that she doesn't care for you, Sheik." She paused. "Zenrik…
"Don't' call me that." Sheik said sharply. "That's not who I am." He indicated his clothes. "This is not who I am."
"Not anymore." Zelda said sadly. She touched him lightly on the shoulder, and then moved away, disappearing into the leafy surroundings silently.
Sheik sighed, rubbing his eyes, and Link suddenly realized that Sheik was just as alone as he was. "How much of that did you hear?" Sheik asked, turning to look at where Link was hiding.
"What?" Link blurted, startled at the discovery. He stepped out of the bushes meekly. "How did you—"
"I can feel you anywhere in the palace." Sheik said, smiling. "And I can sense that you are confused."
"I don't understand…" Link stammered. "That name…the princess…her mother…"
The red-eyed youth nodded. "Do you remember Shaya?"
"Of course."
"That was Zelda in disguise."
Link frowned. I knew there was something different about her. "Then she's not really your sister?"
Sheik led him to a near-by marble seat. He sat down, and gestured for Link to join him. "No, she is my sister."
"But then…" Link jumped up, giving a half-bow. "You're…Your Highness!"
"No!" Sheik's eyes went wide, a flash of distress momentarily visible. "Don't call me that! Please!" He jerked Link back into a sitting position beside him. "I'm not the crown prince of Hyrule, and I will never be!"
"B-but I don't understand…"
"Zelda is my twin and I am hers, through and through, I will not deny that. But when we were born, she had naught but a drop of Sheikah blood in her." Sheik released his hold on Link. "This bred her ability to foresee the future. I, however, retained the entirety of the Sheikah blood strain."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Don't' you understand? The Sheikah are sworn protectors of the crown, they will never hold the throne." Sheik gazed at Link miserably. "I have been disowned as the King's only son. Now I am Zelda's protector."
"And Zenrik—"
"Is my born name." Sheik said. "One that I will never use again."
Link stared at his hands. "I'm sorry, Sheik."
Sheik didn't say anything for a moment. "Don't be." He finally decided. "This makes life much easier for me."
"How so?"
Sheik looked at Link for a moment, a small smile curving on his face. "As a child of the crown, my life would be planned out for me. Who I associated with, who I met, and ultimately who I would marry." Taking Link's face in his hands, he ran a thumb over the young hero's lips. "Without that obligation, I may choose all those things for myself. I may choose…" He drifted, lightly brushing his mouth against Link's. "Who I would love…"
"Love?" Link blinked, eyes boring into a world of crimson waters.
Sheik only nodded, drawing away from Link. He tilted his head to the sky, sunlight gathering on his face like a halo. "Love is something that grows over time, Link, much like a true friendship does. A feeling in the heart that grows stronger over time will blossom into a righteous power and through it you will know which way to go."
Link hesitantly kissed Sheik, drawing the Sheikah into his arms. "Then I…love you."
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::sniffle:: Aww…aren't they so cute? So warm and together and happay….
Ganon: NOT FOR LONG! HAHAHAHAHA!
Link/Sheik: Aw, crap…
Yeah…Sheik's real name ain't that great, but…he'll never have to use it! Ha! … Sorry… Never mind…
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