Inspiration: "Comfortable Liar" by Chevelle; and 'Black Cat' from The Amazing Spiderman comics (the character Felicia White underwent a transformation when a super serum was injected in her; think about the inspiration that way).

Original Shout Outs: Conner, and Zeldafan88.

New Shout Outs: Softball11chic, and sslamajama97 thanks for reading.

Author Note: I think this is a conversation most of you will enjoy, let me know what you think, thanks for reading. Also too, never play with a man's emotions it can be a scary thing lol. Also don't assume, don't ever assume. ~ZR~.

WARNING: This chapter has some course language. There is one 'F' bomb, if it offends you I apologize, however because of the intensity between the characters I felt it was necessary. I'm putting this up because a reader in the past stated they wished they were warned of the level of 'sentence enhancers' in this chapter lol. Well, there's the warning, please enjoy. ~ZR~.

Reedited 4/10/2012; ADDENDUM Reedited 2/4/2013

Chapter 13

After I got over the initial shock, I got up and released Saria from my grasp. I nearly stumbled over a log as I took several steps back, still not being able to believe what was happening.

How the hell is this possible? I wondered.

Saria stared back at me knowingly with her intense sky blue eyes, then stood up. She wiped her bloody mouth with the back of her hand, and just looked at me. She was waiting for me to respond, however, that was the problem. How in the hell was I supposed to respond?

This can't be real! I thought, feeling a rare sensation of panic.

"Link…" she said to me, but trailed.

I took another step back when she said my name again. I took the heavy helmet off my head and ran a gauntlet straddled hand through my sweaty hair, hoping that in some way would give me some clarity. It didn't. I was trying to keep my composure intact, but I didn't know how long that was going to last. I was completely blindsided with this. I never in a thousand years had any inkling that Saria was the killer I was looking for. The thought never even crossed my mind. How could it? I thought this woman was my friend... not just my friend, my best friend. However, now I knew she had played me the entire time. I looked away then back at her again, as the confusion within me gave way to anger. The more I stared at her, the more pissed off I became. It was then I noticed her slightly different countenance.

I gave her a long once over.

That's why I was thrown off, I thought, she doesn't look like her normal self. She looks taller and stronger.

Saria's body looked hyper muscular, and her facial features were more extenuated. Her eyes were this deep intense blue, and her hair appeared to have a slight glow to it, like it was shining without the light of the sun. The skin tight platinum black body suit she was wearing was engimatic with the way it was designed. There were two sashes wrapped around her waist to fill out the natural indented curvature of her physique. It gave the illusion of a tapered elongated torso like a man's more than a woman's. I also noticed she was wearing a black breast plate that strapped her bosom back. She appeared flat chested in the past because of it, however, when I swooped her up on my horse it must've unsnapped because her breasts were protruding against the fabric the way they normally did. I didn't have an explanation for the added three inches to her height. That was strange to me. I looked her over long and hard with regards to the transformation, and knew it was from some metaphysical means.

Zant? I wondered in anger. Or something else?

I still couldn't subside the stunned realization that she was the assassin.

All this time... I was looking for her? I thought in disbelief, then refused to accept that. She can't be the killer! She can't!

I wasn't sure if I was more angry at her identity, or the fact that I let the signs of who she really was pass me by. I prided myself on my instincts, and I couldn't have been that dense. I couldn't have been so beguiled with her that I let her play me like a damn fool. However, the circumstances were so perfectly illogical, what other explanation was there?

This didn't make any damn sense.

This didn't make any damn sense at all.

This... this bitch used me. I felt my fists ball at my sides as the anger swelled inside me. It had such a profound effect on me, and I knew it was because I was in love with her. I never let emotion take hold of me. I wasn't that kind of man, but this... this was on a whole different level of affect. It wasn't just another killer trying to clutch their way to power, this was a person I knew. A person I trusted, and cared about. A person I loved. I swallowed hard and had to look away from her again.

I can't believe this, I thought again.

I started introspectively regressing and channeling my memory. I was trying to figure out where I the hell I went wrong.

How could I have been so blind? I thought upset.

I began thinking back to all the subtleties of her behavior that I overlooked, and that was when I realized my failure. I chose not to notice them. The signs were there the entire time. The peculiarities and fake vulnerability she displayed regarding her 'so called' amnesia. The limp in her leg. The real reason she was so distant and didn't want to speak to me the day of the hunt. It explained her abilities, and why she knew how to fight so well. That was the real reason she knew how to mount a Gerudo fucking stallion bareback with no prior training. That was why she was training to swim like she was getting ready for a competition against a goddamn Zora. That was the reason for everything: the flirting, why she befriended me, why- I had to stop myself before I exploded.

Calm down Link, I tried to tell myself, but I didn't see how that was going to happen.

It all made bloody sense now. She was a trained killer, and being a con was part of her DNA. I started analyzing everything that happened in my life since I met her, and it all began to take shape. This insanity suddenly had an M.O. I stared at her and had to prevent myself from shaking by balling and unballing my fists several times.

I thought you were this mysterious, beautiful girl who came to Hyrule with no memory of your past. I thought you were setting up shop near the castle for a better life, but you weren't looking for a better life. You were staking out the area to find a convenient time to strike, and you found that opportunity during the hunt. It was public knowledge that the hunting of the royal elk was an annual affair for the royal family. Coincidentally, right around the same time you came to Hyrule, an assassin tried to murder the princess…

I took in a deep unsettled breath.

I saw that limp in your leg and thought nothing of it. I trusted you. I was so caught off guard with wanting to know who you really were, I just let that little detail slide. When I came back to see you after a two and a half month hiatus, there was a sudden change in your behavior. You were very friendly instead of coming at me with the standoffish persona you presented before, perhaps too friendly. I guess you had to regain my trust… and I fell for it. I fell for it hook, line, and sinker, like a fool… like a damn fool…

I pursed my lips together and felt my stomach begin to knot. I honestly felt like I was going to be sick.

Then there was the strange story of your falling in your shop and injuring her ankle. Deep down I never really believed that, but I had no reason to deduce anything otherwise, because I trusted you…

I looked away from her frustratingly.

And then there's your exemplary fighting skills… why did I overlook that? Seriously, why? I knew it wasn't normal for a woman of your supposed life standings to able to fight the way you do…

Of course that didn't make sense, any idiot knew that.

At the tavern you were called the 'dark maiden,' the bartender even named a drink after you. We were supposed to have been looking for clues about your past, about the king...

I turned my attention back to her. Saria just stared right back. She was still waiting for me to react. Honestly, she didn't want a reaction from me right now. I couldn't promise what I would say or do in that moment.

That night in my bedroom… you weren't some innocent girl trying to seduce me… that night didn't mean anything to you… not a damn thing...

I balled my fists at my sides again.

When you came to my cell that night in your assassin regalia I knew those blue eyes belonged to someone familiar, I ignored that too. The eyes I saw that night were the eyes of a murderer… they weren't the soft blue ones I had become accustomed to…

I wanted to scoff at that thought, but I didn't.

So much for a simple goddamn life.

You were toying with me in the cell that night… psychologically… emotionally… all of that sick enjoyment you seemed to have. And then… then you poisoned me. You knew I would come to you after you gave me your 'friendly' advice. You knew exactly how to cure me… that's how you knew about the purple chu jelly toxicity, you gave it to me...

My mind took me back to the events of last week.

You spied a blonde fellow alright. That's why when the guard came to arrest you, you weren't worried, it just made your access easier. You were instructed to kill the princess, and that's what you were going to do no matter who you used or who you hurt... you were going to kill the princess...

I took in another deep breath and came to an apt resolution just then.

You aren't my Saria, my Saria would never do something like this. And if you really are her, then the girl I fell in love with is gone. There's no way I'll ever betray Hyrule, not even for my own selfish desires.

I stared intensely into Saria's eyes just then, and hated how treacherous my heart felt.

But I wish… I wish I didn't love you, because this is hard… this is hard as hell. Why? Damn it why? For the first time in my life I am at a loss, I don't know what to do.

Saria continued to stare at me when my thought process finally came to its fruition. She crossed her arms over her chest in a pretentious confident manner. I knew that air she was projecting was false. She had no intentions of being caught like this. I saw the uncomfortable nuance in her eyes. Even still, she tried to roll with her placate.

"Surprised?" she asked me in a quiet voice, finally breaking the silence.

I guess she felt that was the only thing appropriate to ask me.

Surprised? I repeated in my head in slight disgust. Is she serious?

I went through an array of emotions when she asked me that: confusion, resentment, and anger, but anger was the most incumbent.

"What the hell does this mean?" I demanded finally, ignoring her question. "Are you an enemy of Hyrule?"

Saria didn't answer right away. I think she was trying to gauge me. Oddly, she smirked at me and gave me a long once over.

"Is that the only thing you can think of right now Link?" she asked me quietly. "Hyrule?"

I felt my eyes widen.

What the hell am I supposed to think? I thought angrily.

"Answer my question Saria," I said to her carefully, trying to keep my temper in check.

She shrugged and stroked a hand through her hair.

"I understand you're-" she tried.

I was in no mood to be toyed with.

"Answer my damn question!" I interrupted heatedly.

Saria looked at me slightly stunned, and drew back a little at my tone. She stroked hair behind her ear, but instead of addressing my inquiry she decided to undermine the matter further. She shook her head and smirked again. That snide little smile of hers was starting to get under my skin.

She thinks this is a game, I thought.

"A soldier until the end, aren't you?" she segued, ignoring my outburst.

I stood there staring at her in absolute disbelief.

"Why are you after the princess?" I demanded, redirecting the subject.

Saria bit her bloody bottom lip nonchalantly.

"I'm not anymore," she said to me simply, "you stopped me, remember?"

I narrowed my eyes at her in anger. It was in that moment the little composure I had left me. It flared and died, along with the rest of my self control. I was trying to keep my anger at bay, but she was deliberately needling me for a reaction. She knew my emotions were involved, and she was trying to take advantage of that. I hated not being in control of my actions, but when I was pushed to the limit, my impulses overtook my better judgement.

You've got the wrong man for this, I thought.

"You said you would keep going after her!" I said in a raised voice, not being able to help myself. "You said there would be a second time or a third time or whatever!"

Saria cracked her knuckles abrasively while I spoke, and shrugged again as if the action was of no consequence.

"I lied," she replied simply, in a quiet voice.

I felt my breathing accelerate at that. She was trying to piss me off.

Nothing, I thought incredulous, it's like she feels nothing!

"You're good at that aren't you," I seethed, knowing I was letting my feelings get in the way of being objective. "Deceit is second nature to you, isn't it?"

Saria gave me a long hard look.

"I'm not the only one," she said to me with a cryptic undertone.

I shook my head at her, really not hearing anything she was saying.

"You spineless bitch!" I muttered to her quietly.

Saria was quiet when I said that, but oddly she smiled at my remark.

"You don't mean that," she replied, "you're just upset right now."

That was an understatement.

"You think this is a game?" I demanded. "You think that you're not going to pay for what you tried to do?"

Saria paused and shook her head at me.

"No," she said honestly, "I don't, but I know you better than that."

I scoffed at that.

"Don't make me laugh!" I replied. "You don't know me!" I said to her. "You are not the Saria I know!"

She stared at me for a moment.

"Yes," she said, "I am Link. I know you're disappointed, but things aren't always what they seem."

She took a step towards me just then.

Oh no you don't, I thought, you're not going to beguile me again.

"Stay back," I warned.

Saria paused for a moment, but took another step forward anyway.

"Link-" she tried.

"Stay back!" I snapped forcefully. "I mean it! I'm still deciding if I should let you live or not!"

Saria stopped in her tracks after hearing that. She raised her eyebrows and sighed.

"Okay," she said simply, "I'll stay back."

I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself in check. I took another step back myself, as I struggled with what to do. I just threatened her, but I knew that was the last action in the world I wanted to take. However, if she was a true enemy of Hyrule, I was left with no choice, I was going to have to kill her.

I don't want to have to do that, I thought, but my goddess, what the hell else can I do?

"You've got me all wrong," she divulged suddenly, "it isn't what you think."

I've got you all wrong? I thought in disbelief.

"Shut up!" I replied. "Shut the hell up! You were trying to play games with me from the beginning! Nothing coming out of your goddamn mouth right now is going to make me believe you!"

Saria narrowed her eyes at me again and crossed her arms over her chest once more.

"Fine, so why don't you just kill me then?" Saria asked me casually. "You seem to already have your mind made up."

I felt my throat tighten at her words, and my pulse race at her taunt.

She's testing me! I thought angrily. She really wants to do this right now!

Saria narrowed her eyes at me in defiance just then.

"Or are you just a bunch of talk?" she derided.

I pursed my lips together in frustration and pulled out a knife I had secured in my belt. It was then I called her bluff and went up to her and grabbed her by the elbow. I pressed the blade forcefully against her neck, but didn't break her skin.

"I should," I seethed angrily, "I should cut your goddamn neck for deceiving me!"

I realized I was letting her see a raw vulnerable side of me that I didn't normally show. Saria stared straight into my eyes.

"Go on ahead," she whispered unafraid, "you'd be doing me a favor."

I stared back into her eyes, and pressed the blade tensely against her jugular vein. Saria continued to stare in my eyes, waiting to see if I was going to go through with it.

I can't, I thought, I can't, and she knows that!

"What are you stalling for?" she whispered to me. "Do it!"

I swallowed hard, hating myself for having feelings for her. It was actually her best weapon against me. She knew how I felt about her. I quickly removed the blade from her skin and grabbed hold of her shoulders in a rough manner.

"Why did you try to kill Zelda?" I demanded again.

Saria hesitated for a moment when she saw I wasn't going to make good on my threat. She even tried to reach up and caress my blood stained cheek, but I wasn't having any of that. I knew she was trying to use her feminine whiles, and given my history with her, I knew she could be successful. I pulled her close to me so her wrists were immobile and pressed against my chest. She grinned at me.

"I guess-" she tried.

"Cut the dragon shit, and answer my question!" I demanded. "I'm not playing with you!"

Saria could see in my eyes I was serious, and stiffened a little from my hold. She finally decided to stop gibing me and answer my question.

"Like I told you that night in your cell, I was ordered to," she replied quietly.

I stared into her eyes.

"By who?" I demanded.

She didn't answer, and drew back a little.

What's she hiding? I thought.

"By Zant?" I went on.

Saria turned her head and looked away.

"Look at me!" I said forcefully.

Saria jumped slightly at my tone, and slowly turned her face back to mine.

"Was it Zant that ordered the hit?" I demanded again.

Saria winced a little as my hold tightened.

"No," she replied finally.

"Then who?" I mandated.

Saria gave my face a quick once over.

"I can't tell you," she whispered to me.

I squeezed her arms tighter, and she cringed a little in pain. However, instead of giving in to it, she taunted me about.

"You're going to make me orgasm if you keep squeezing me like," she teased at the pain, "is that what you want white knight of Hyrule? You want to see me lose control?"

My grip tightened even more. I was angry she was trying to toy with me.

"Stop with the damn act!" I snapped.

Saria licked her bloody lips.

"Mmmm... but it's so much fun," she whispered to me, then stared at my mouth, "I'm not blushing anymore, am I?"

I was getting more and more frustrated by the minute.

"Are you an interloper?" I demanded abruptly, trying to stay focused.

Saria shrugged at the question.

"What if I was?" she detracted. "What are you going to do about it?"

I looked at her, wishing I didn't love her so much, because the thought of probably having to kill her crossed my mind again.

If I don't do it, Daphnes will, I thought.

"Are you an interloper?" I repeated.

Saria stared at me again for a long time before she finally answered.

"No Link, I'm not an interloper," she replied.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Then how the hell can you use magic?" I went on, looking her over. "Why do you look like… this?"

Saria narrowed her eyes back at me.

"If you let me go I'll show you," she said to me provocatively.

The request sounded almost sexual. I stared into her intense blue eyes for a moment, then slowly loosened my grip and let go. Saria stepped back and shook her arms for a moment so the normal circulation could return. Afterwards, she pulled out a small paring knife from her back pocket, raised it to the back of her neck, and made a slight incision at her nape.

What in the-? I thought, but cut my thoughts short.

I looked at her confused.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded.

She paused for a moment.

"Showing you why I look this way," she replied, but then added, "you did still want to know, didn't you?"

She still thinks this is a game, I thought upset, but decided to forego it for now.

"Yes," I replied.

Saria looked away from me for a moment.

"Then let me do what I have to do," she said to me simply.

I was still uncertain of what that was, but watched anyway as Saria cut a little deeper and dug into her skin. She went as deep as her dermis layer, and pulling out a small diamond shaped element. It was light golden brown and iridized a strange glow of green and tempered purple. When she released it from her body, her hyper toned muscular appearance and her piercing blue stare dissipated. She also shrank back down to her normal height of five feet seven inches. She looked like her normal self again. I didn't let it show, but I was relieved. I couldn't help it, no matter how angry I was, I still cared for her. My only wish now was for her to come clean about who hired her so we could try to get a hold of this misunderstanding. I knew I was contradicting my earlier thought process, and I knew my cares were laced with selfish intentions, but deep down I didn't believe she was doing this because she wanted to.

Come on Sar, I thought, I need you to be honest with me.

"This strange amulet gives me extraordinary abilities," she said to me, holding up the bloody vestige, "I have no idea what it is, but it was given to me five years ago."

I looked at her surprised by the revelation.

Five years ago? I thought.

"What?" I demanded. "By whom? Who gave it to you?"

She was silent a long moment as blood flowed from the incision on her neck. I was trying to stay focused on what I was asking her, but found myself staring in concern at her. I didn't like that she did that to herself, and didn't understand why it was necessary. Even still, I pulled out a handkerchief from underneath the armor I was wearing and handed it to her.

"Clean that up," I muttered, avoiding her eyes.

Saria looked at my gesture surprised. She took the handkerchief in hesitation.

"So, chivalry isn't dead," she said to me quietly, "thank you."

I mumbled an inaudible 'you're welcome,' and moved on.

"Who implanted that amulet in you?" I asked again, redirecting the conversation.

Saria looked away from me again.

"I can't tell you," she replied.

I was getting sick of that answer.

"What the hell can you tell me?" I demanded, losing my composure once more. "You haven't shared one ounce of truth with me yet Saria!"

Saria swallowed hard, and got quiet for a little while. There was an expression of indecision on her face, as if she were doing some internal rationalization. A moment later, she took in a deep breath and looked like she made a resolve to divulge a few things. She really had to, the situation looked bad for her.

I need something to go by Sar, I thought, all this hiding isn't going to do you any good.

"Alright," she said finally, "I can tell you the amulet was given to me so I could protect the people of Ordon."

I looked at her slightly confused.

Wait a minute, what? I thought.

"You were sent there as a guardian?" I asked.

Saria hesitated, but then nodded her reply.

"Then why are you a hired killer?" I demanded, not understanding the logic.

Saria was silent for a long time after I asked that. I wanted an answer to that question, so I wasn't going to let her slide with trying to be shifty.

That is something I need to know, I thought.

"Saria?" I went on, not letting up. "Why are you acting as an assassin if you're supposed to be protecting people?"

I was so tired of all these damn charades and being left in the dark. I wanted some answers, and I wanted them now. Saria stroked her hair again nervously.

"Because…" she trailed, then said, "I'm a spy, and the assassin act is part of the ruse."

I felt my eyes widen, and I looked at her shocked.

That's one hell of an act, I thought in disbelief.

"A spy?" I repeated.

Saria nodded.

"It's a part of my contract for becoming a Hylian," she divulged.

I shook my head not understanding any of this.

"What?" I replied incredulously. "A contract? What are you talking about?"

Saria took in a deep breath, and groaned in irritation.

"I told you some of my memories didn't make sense," she said quietly, more to herself than to me.

I thought I was about to ask another useless question, but was about to be surprised.

"Who are you spying for?" I asked.

Saria swallowed hard, and didn't meet my eyes.

"The king," she replied, her voice had a hint of fear.

I raised my eyebrows.

"The king is having you spy on Zant?" I asked.

Saria nodded and bit her bloody bottom lip.

"I shouldn't be telling you this," she confessed, "if he finds out, he will kill me."

I looked at her confused. None of this was making any sense.

"Why would the king force you to use an unknown energy source without knowing what the full effects are?" I asked. "That doesn't sit well with me."

Saria smirked at my question and shook her head.

"You are so in the dark, aren't you?" she said, shaking her head.

I was annoyed by the comment.

"I wouldn't be if you'd just tell me what's going on!" I said in a slightly raised voice. "Why the hell-" I tried.

"I'm a pawn Link!" Saria interrupted me, looking into my eyes. "My whole life is a goddamn pawn! Why the hell should the king of Hyrule care about me?"

Her words were forceful, but there was a ring of truth in there that couldn't be denied. It made me think for a moment. We were all pawns really. The royal family's only true concern was the preservation of Hyrule, not the happiness of one servant. I never thought of it that way, and given everything that Saria just told me, I felt a little guilty for assuming the way I did earlier, and for treating her so harshly a few moments ago.

You're not just a pawn, I thought, you're a person who deserves happiness.

Even still, I was still confused as to what was really going on. I wasn't sure which way was up or down now.

"What does Daphnes want you to find out about Zant?" I went on, recouping the conversation.

Saria shook her head.

"His majesty said Zant bore a terrible secret about Hyrule's past and events surrounding the Great War," she disclosed, "and it was my job to find out what that secret was. I was to report back to him immediately," she said.

From the way it sounded, it seemed as though Daphnes already knew what it was. Why would he send her out to do something so incredibly dangerous? And why all alone?

Daphnes! I thought angrily. You and your damn secrets!

Saria stared off into space absently for a moment.

"That's why the encroachment has begun," Saria said as if talking to herself.

I lowered one eyebrow puzzled when she said that.

"What?" I asked. "I don't understand."

Saria closed her eyes, then pulled the handkerchief away from her neck to see if the wound stopped bleeding.

It looks like she's going to have to use some of her own needle work on herself, I thought, seeing the depth of the incision.

"The encroachment is Zant's vengeance against the royal family," Saria said to me quietly.

I nodded.

"For the murder of his father," I continued.

Saria shook her head no when I said that. I looked at her puzzled.

"It's more than that," she whispered with a hint of fear, "his hatred is much deeper. I've been spending the last few years associating with him, so I know whatever it is that Zant is so obsessed with has consumed his mind. He lives and breathes vengeance. That's why I've been corresponding with the king via Faron Woods all this time. That's why his majesty kept Ordon off the typographic grid. The king didn't want anyone to know about the impending infiltration."

I looked at her surprised.

The king knew about this years ago, and he's just now reacting? I thought incredulously.

I looked at Saria concerned just then.

"Have you… have you been fighting the interlopers alone all this time?" I asked surprised. "There was no one helping you?"

Saria was quiet for a moment, then nodded.

I couldn't believe it... well, yes I could. This was Hyrule's royal family we were talking about.

That bastard left her to fend off the interloper infiltration by herself? I thought in disbelief.

"When I met Zant he knew I was a spy, but I convinced him I was no longer working for the king," she said, "I told him I would spy on the king for him. It took some time, but he finally believed me. I went back to Daphnes to tell him of my plans and he approved initially, but when I tried to correspond further, he broke off all contact with me. It turned out he had figured out a way to imprison the Twili without further need of my help. Daphnes never told me what that was."

I felt my eyes widen, and I got a little heated at hearing that.

Daphnes used her, then tried to dissociate himself from her like she was expendable, I thought.

I looked at her with compassion just then.

"Is that why you came to Kakariko Village?" I asked.

Saria nodded and sighed.

"I needed to tell the king the threat of infiltration was about to take place," I said, "that's why when you all went hunting for the royal elk I followed you. I had to tell someone what Zant wanted to do."

I understood that, but I didn't understand her prey.

"But why target Zelda?" I asked.

Saria hesitated for a moment.

"I needed people to pay attention," she replied, but then added, "I wasn't going to kill her."

I swallowed hard when she divulged that, hardly able to stomach myself for my previous thoughts. Saria wasn't a crazed killer. She was a tool the king felt was a useless pawn in his game of chess against the interlopers.

Now it's starting to make sense, I thought.

"What about when we were in Ordon?" I asked suddenly. "Why did Zant act so casually when he saw I was with you?"

Saria raised her eyebrows and looked away.

"He knew you were in the dark about everything," she said, "he knew you didn't know I was working with him."

That's another reason why she started the fights, I realized, she wanted to assure Zant that she could still be trusted. She has some pretty damn good perception.

"I see," was all I replied.

Saria pressed the handkerchief back on her neck when she saw the bleeding go from red and clear to just clear. While she was tending to that, I was pondering everything she was telling me seriously.

This is all so convoluted, I thought, and it seems like one huge mess between the royal family and the Twili.

"What about the letters?" I asked abruptly. "Why did you send those?"

Saria looked up at me peculiarly at my inquiry.

"I only sent one," she replied, "and that was to the throne room."

What? I thought in alarm, but then realized she was right because the second one was sent while we were together.

Saria stroked a hand through her hair again.

"'I see you traitor,'" she mocked softly, then shook her head, "Zant told me to send that to the king."

I looked at her shocked.

I thought it was to me, I thought, but of course it makes sense it's not to me.

"What?" I said.

Saria only nodded again.

"Why does Zant consider the king a traitor?" I asked.

Saria shook her head.

"I honestly don't know," she said softly, "I've been trying to find that out for years."

I took in a deep unsettling breath.

Then... who sent that other letter? I thought. It had to be someone who knew the situation and wanted to send a cryptic message to me, but why?

I ran a hand through my already disheveled hair and sighed. I couldn't believe everything that had transpired that day. While my attention was temporarily diverted, Saria took a step back to get away, then another. Soon, she turned around and tried to head in the opposite direction. I looked up when her back was fully facing me.

You're not off the hook yet, I thought.

"Where are you going?" I demanded, halting her.

Saria kept her back to me.

"Are you still thinking about killing me?" she asked as a twisted kind of joke.

I ignored it, not finding it funny at all. I took in a sigh and looked at her seriously.

"You still never told me who hired you to kill the princess," I detracted.

Saria turned around to face me, and gave me a hard look before rolling her eyes.

"That again, huh?" she replied upset.

"Yeah," I said to her, "that again."

Saria took in a deep frustrated breath.

"I wasn't hired to kill her," she divulged finally, cleverly avoiding my inquiry, "I was hired to make sure you came after me. Why do you think I retreated once I saw you safely displace her?"

I felt my eyes widen inadvertently.

Wait a minute... I thought.

"What?" I replied surprised.

Saria just looked at me.

"The whole hit was orchestrated to get you reinstated," she said to me calmly, "it was never about killing the princess."

I felt my breath quicken.

I couldn't believe it.

My goddess, this is insane! I thought incredulously. That crazy son of a bitch!

"Daphnes," I said angrily, underneath my breath, "he orchestrated the hit on the princess."

Saria stared at me again and bit her lower lip.

"You didn't hear that from me," she said to me quietly.

"Why the hell would he put a hit on his own daughter?" I demanded angrily, talking more to myself.

Saria shook her head and shrugged.

"As I said before, strange times lead to strange bed fellows," she replied, "you must really be needed."

I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it.

I shook my head at a loss for words.

Is there nothing Daphnes won't do? I thought.

"That's why you kept insisting I should marry Zelda, you already knew about all this," I divulged suddenly, as if talking to myself. "You knew I would get my status back."

Saria sighed.

"That's not altogether true," she said to me, detracting the subject and tried to smile, "I just think you two look good together."

I looked at Saria surprised.

What? I thought perplexed.

"How can you even joke right now?" I demanded.

Saria looked at me thoughtfully, but in a sarcastic way.

"I just shot at the princess, brawled with you, and had my life threatened with a knife," she replied, "I think now is as good a time as any."

When she put it like that, I saw her point. Even still, I shook my head frustrated.

"You and I have both been used!" I said, ignoring her conjecture.

Saria looked at me and shook her head.

"That's life Link," she said simply, "that's just the way it is. People use people."

She doesn't mean that, I thought, or... maybe she does. Is that what it was with us?

I gave her a brief once over.

"Is that what you were doing with me?" I asked her all of a sudden. "Using me?"

She swallowed hard at my question and her eyes widened slightly.

"Not entirely," she replied honestly, and didn't look at me, "without you I wouldn't have gotten my memories back."

I raised both of my eyebrows.

"That wasn't part of the ruse?" I asked, wanting to know the truth. "You weren't pretending with that?"

Saria shook her head no.

"No," she said, "my memory was gone, that's the truth. You helped me get it back."

I guess I assumed a bit there too, I thought.

I was wrong about a great deal of things initially.

"Is that all you wanted me around for?" I asked.

Saria stroked her hair again.

"No," she replied, "I... you were the only real friend I had in Hyrule besides gramps," she said quietly, "you didn't want anything from me, and you genuinely cared," she paused for a moment, "when my memory came back, I knew once you found all this out everything would be different. That's why… that's why..."

Saria stopped herself and looked away from me.

I nodded, wanting her to go on, but she hesitated.

Don't stop now, I thought.

"That's why… what?" I asked expectantly.

Saria swallowed hard and looked at the ground.

"That's why I wanted you so badly that night in your bedroom," she divulged with her cheeks turning red, "I figured that was going to be my only opportunity to be with you like that. I knew I was wrong for trying to seduce you because you were getting married, but I couldn't help myself. I just... I just wanted to feel close to you, you know."

I wasn't expecting her to say that.

Trust me Sar I know, I thought, but that night wouldn't have been your only opportunity. Once this mess was resolved we would've had a whole lot more.

"I'm sorry about that," I verbalized, "I wanted you too, Saria," I confessed, "a part of me wishes we did."

She looked at me stunned, and fidgeted with her fingers nervously all of a sudden.

"That's how I really felt," she went on, "I-I wasn't pretending. I know you think I'm a liar and a fraud because of what I've done, but I… I sincerely cared about you... or care about you I should say."

I was taken a little aback by her candidness suddenly. There were no gimmicks. No hyper sexual sadomasochistic references or jargon. There was just honesty. Pure, real honesty... and her blushing had returned, so I knew it was real. I decided I was going to be honest as well.

She needs to know how I feel about her, I thought, she needs to know I'm in love with her.

"Saria-" I tried.

"Wait," she interrupted me, "I have something to tell you, if I don't say this now, I never will."

I took in a deep breath and waited. I felt nervous suddenly. Maybe she was going to be honest about her feelings for a change. Saria stroked her hair behind her ears again and took in a deep breath. When she was ready she finally spoke.

"Um…" she trailed nervously, but before she uttered anything, she looked past me and her eyes widened in panic, "oh no," she whispered.

I gave her a puzzled look.

"What?" I asked.

"Behind you," she said, taking a few steps back.

"What is it?" I asked, turning to see what had her attention, then saw first hand.

Great, I thought in irritation.

I turned back to her.

"The guard is coming to retrieve you," Saria replied, "I have to get out of here!"

Saria turned to leave, but I took hold of her hand.

"Where are you going to go?" I asked, worried about her safety.

Saria looked past me again.

"Ordon," she said quickly, "I have to report back to Zant."

I looked into her eyes, hating the fact she had to go back alone, but considering all she had told me, I knew she had no choice.

"Fine," I said, "be careful," I said to her, "now get out of here! I'll divert them."

Saria stared into my eyes for a moment, before turning around sprinting off into the Lost Woods. I stared after her making sure she was out of sight before I alerted the guards to where I was. It was about time I returned to Hyrule Castle anyway.

I'm sure Daphnes and I will have plenty to talk about, I thought, plenty.

Please write a review and tell me what you think. Chapter 14 is coming soon!