Eric's eyes moved slightly as the rays of sun flew through the window and illuminated his face. Scrunching his nose up, he lifted himself to sit upright, placing his hand over his mouth as he yawned. He slightly grinned at the old shirt he had been wrapped up in, took it in his hand and folded it, and placed it with the rest of Link's belongings. Taking a sigh, he exited the room and turning to head to his own quarters. He noted that the castle rounds weren't being kept. The typical two men were supposed to survey the insides just about now, and it wasn't happening.

Groaning, the red head shook his head, continuing to stride to his room. Once he arrived, he gathered the day's garments: the chainmail tunic and the fabric with the Hylian crest embroidered onto it. Today he wasn't going to hibernate in Zelda's study all day, he decided it was best if he tried to forget, tried to stop mourning, and move on and return to his duties. He had figured it would be the best for him, and he knew that he didn't want to head down the route that Link had for that year.

Once Eric had refreshed himself and dressed in uniform, he buckled his thin sword to around his waist and left his room, the door hanging wide open. As he made his way down the hall, descending the staircase, the red head kept his eyes on the floor, never bothering to look up. At the bottom of the stairs, he peered down at the guards' lounge – the door wide open, castle guards eating their rations in such a lackadaisical manner. Eric sneered and stormed right past the room, exiting the castle to make his rounds.

As soon as he stepped from the large wooden doors, a single person caught his eye. The man, from what he could see, was shorter than he, but seemed extremely familiar. Forthwith, Eric lunged from his feet, running down the courtyard to the gates where the man stood outside, seeming to be admiring the scenery. It took the man a second to catch on to the sounds of the leather boots beating against the stone, and that they were heading for him.

As the man turned his head, his face grew to an enormous size as two arms tightly wrapped around him, picking him off his feet. Eric's face was flushed in red, and mixed with a smile.

"Oh goddesses, Link!" the red head exclaimed, "I'm so glad you're back!" Feeling the man squirm in his arms, he dropped him to the ground and loosened his grip.

When the shorter regained his balance back on his face, he promptly turned about-face and glared at Eric the eyes. "Who the hell are you?" His lip snarled up in a wicked curl, exposing his tainted teeth. The man's fists pulsed in balls as he held back his enmity toward the guard. "My name is not Link, nor shall it ever be. Now, tell me who you are.

Eric took a step back, eyes widening and sweat forming along his brows. He frantically looked around as he felt the burning stare char into his skin. "I… uh, I-I'm Eric, sir," the red head stuttered, cheeks turning red. "I am one of the royal guards that serve Princess Zelda." As his eyes wandered over the man's frame, he remarked how much resemblance the man had to Link – the blonde hair, height, ears, eyes, and body type. The man was practically an older, grouchier, version of Link.

Nodding, the man, stuck out a hand. "Name's Kile." Eric shyly took the man's hand and shook it. Sighing, Kile turned his head up toward the red head. "So, you mentioned a boy named Link… could you tell me about him?"

Eric raised his brows, cocking his head at the man. He was betwixt and between the idea of telling the stranger the truth, or to just give the vague explanation of the Hero. To be safe, he stuck with the latter. "Link is the Hero of Twilight. He came from Ordon and went on a journey to rid Hyrule of the Twilight. Quite remarkable, I would say."

"What does he look like?"

Slowly turning his eyes to look at the ground underneath his feet, the red head whispered, "Like you, sir."

Glancing away from Eric, Kile prodded his chin with his thumb, mumbling to himself. The silence went on for minute, before the man turned his attention back to the red head. "I request you take me to him."

Giving an unsettled gaze to the blonde man, Eric sighed, placing his hand on his forehead. "Sir, I do not know you. Nor does Link. Why should I take you to him?"

"I'm his father."

Eric stood motionless, his mouth dry and words unformed in his throat. The lakes in his eyes were as wide as a full moon, and his jaw hung open. The uncanny resemblance between the two was all making sense; the pieces of the puzzle were coming together. Staring into the eyes of the blonde, Eric slowly closed his jaw, reforming his composure and returning to his professional appearance. "I-I can see what I can do. Would you like to wait in the castle for the time being?"

Kile shrugged, and followed Eric as he turned and began toward the castle doors. On the red head's tail, the blonde entered right behind him. As Eric began to climb the stairs, he turned his head back toward Kile, motioning his hand to tell him to follow. The man nodded and slowly escalated the stairs, noting the artwork that lined the walls. At the top of the staircase, the two treaded down the hallway. Eric spotted the familiar room and slowed his steps until he stood in front of the doorway, Kile to his right.

"I must speak to somebody before you can see him." The red head's voice was quiet and his eyes met with the floor. He didn't have the nerve to look into the man's eyes and lie. "Please rest in here for the moment, sir." Eric grabbed the doorknob, twisting it and pulling the door open.

Kile nodded. "Thank you." Taking Eric's gesture, he walked into the room, sitting himself on the edge of the bed while his door was closed. He had recognized the rather despondent emotion that had returned the red head when he had revealed that he wasn't who Eric thought he was. Shaking his head and releasing a sigh, Kile espied the worn cloth that was folded on the dresser, along with a small pile of clothes. Beside the clothes was a small belt and bag. Interested, Kile stood and approached the dresser, picking up the small leather pouch in his hand.

Returning to his seat at the edge of the bed, he unbuckled the pouch, opening it to reveal its contents. Inside was a pair of gloves, threadbare and dirtied; a small shard of stone tied shut in a cloth. Brushing against the cloth that blanketed the stone, Kile felt the dark energy emanate from the stone. At instant, he pulled his hand out of the bag, and proceeded to dump the contents across the sheets, to avoid touching the malevolent stone by accident.

Sorting through the items that lay before him, he noticed a small piece of paper folded up inside one of the gloves. Curiously, Kile pulled the slip from its retreat and unfolded it. In a messy form of Hylian, rather an antiqued version, were the words, I'm sorry I broke our promise, Link.

Like a bodiless hand, the paper was immediately strewn to the floor, eyes widening and breathing growing heavy. Kile couldn't believe what he had ready. Was this Link's room? He had hoped not. He didn't want to seem like an intruder. But, the more he thought about Eric's first reaction to his presence, he could assume that something was going on with Link, keeping him from being here.

The pondering of his mind was halted when he heard the click of the doorknob, instantly, he tidied the mess he made and composed himself, sitting upright. It was Eric that opened the door, a rather apprehensive frown on his face.

"Kile, if you could come with me, please," the red head mumbled, staring at the floor.

The older man nodded and stood, making his way out of the room. He followed Eric down the corridor carpeted with red fabric. It seemed to be a winding labyrinth, but the red head knew it so well, he could most likely do it in his sleep. Occasionally, Eric glanced over his shoulder to keep an eye on Kile, making sure he hadn't strayed off to some foreign wing of the castle.

After a few minutes of a walk, there they stood, in front of the doors to Zelda's study. To the right and left of the doors stood two stout guards, and as they eyed Eric they woke from their upright slumber. "Captain Eric, go right ahead sir!" The guards removed their spears from in between the red head and the study.

The red head smirked at the young guard, and since he had notoriously gotten after him for his disrespect towards Eric a few months ago, the boy had shaped up nicely. Gladly, Eric reached his hand out and pulled at the handle on the large pair of doors, pulling it open, giving a Kile an intimation to enter. The man nodded his head and advanced through the doorway, the red head closing the door behind them.

A woman sat at a desk, a feather in hand, writing furiously at the paper on the table. Glimpses of her pendant and crown were visible underneath her pitch black cloak. Although it was overt that she knew the duo stood at the front of her study, the woman either was waiting for a greeting, or was just ignoring them.

"Princess Zelda, I have brought him." Eric got down on one knee and bowed his head as he spoke.

"Oh, Eric. You know I don't want you treating me with such formality," the woman chuckled, reaching her hands up to pull the cloak from her head. As the blackness was removed, Zelda revealed her face; unveiling her chestnut locks that cascaded down her back in a loose braid, her piercing blue eyes, and her earnest grin. "Ah, a guest. What is your name, sir?"

Kile's face turned red and he began to clam up. "Y-your majesty, my name is Kile."

Zelda cocked her head just slightly, and showed off her white teeth. "Kile, simple but nice." She paused, gesturing the two sat at the chairs before her desk. "So, I hear you are seeking knowledge of Hyrule's young hero?"

Taking a seat, the older man rolled his eyes, pointing a thumb over at Eric. "I was told by freckle-face that I would be able to see my son, who is apparently the recent Hero. All I want to do is see him." As his sentence came to a halt, he saw out of the corner of his eye the red head put his head in his hands as the princess sighed.

"Well, Kile, that is not possible at the current time," Zelda whispered, her voice taking a decrescendo until it was almost inaudible.

Scrunching up his nose, Kile gave an evident frown at made his chagrin toward the situation explicit and raw to the air. "Why can't I? What makes it so that I can't see my son?"

Zelda clenched her jaw and balled her fists. "Well first," her words escaped, tainted with bitter apathy. "Your son isn't even here. We cannot reach him where he is at currently. He is away in another realm." The princess released a heavy sigh, one that was audible, as she folded her hands across her desktop. "Second, I do not trust you. At all. I wouldn't allow you to see Link, even if he were here."

"What makes me seem so untrustworthy?" Kile asked with a sarcastic flair, glaring at Zelda in the eye, and folding his arms across his chest.

Standing from her chair, Zelda strode over to the window, looking down the courtyard of knight trainees. She didn't bother to look back at the man questioning her with such an atrocious tone. "What you did to him."

"Hell, I've never even met the boy," the man hissed under his breath, standing from his chair, only to be stopped by Eric's hand that stuck itself across his chest.

But just then, Zelda whipped her head around and gave Kile a dagger like stare, a stare that stabbed him and unable to get back up. She began to take loud and heavy strides toward him as her expression turned dark and eyes icy. She prodded her index finger into the man's chest as she leaned her head dangerously close to his. "That's the whole point. You left his mother with an unborn child. You gave him life, but left him there without a father. He didn't know how nice it would have been to have both parents until he had none. You left him a bastard; finding out about him, picking up and leaving… because you're a coward. You wished he didn't live, eh? Wished he had never made it in the world, so you wouldn't be in the situation that you're in right now, am I correct?"

The man's eyes widened, exposing the two pits of darkness in his eyes. His face was hot and infuriation flushed through his veins. Kile flexed his fingers, trying to control his anger. "I didn't want him to have the curse."

Zelda's glare fixated on Kile's pitch black pupils. "Oh, the goddess damned curse, placed on my family and yours since the defeat of Demise back in the Era of the Sky? You leaving didn't prevent it. Nothing would have prevented it. It's fate. I had to deal with it no matter what. So did your son." The princess took her head back a few centimeters from the man's face as she folded her arms across her chest. "I cannot believe you, of all people, are a descendent of the Hero of Time. It is obvious that Link is. But you? Oh no, the thought would have never come to my mind."

Kile let out an indignant huff as he took step forward, his jaw tight and clenched. "I didn't want to see him suffer."

"Well he still suffered without you. His mother, your lover, Annamarie, died him when he was almost four. Thank Nayru that Rusl was kind enough to look over him. That man was the closest father figure in his life – you, you're the farthest from that position." Zelda's voice rose in intensity as her level of resentment grew in sync. She was now shouting, compared to her subtle tone at the beginning of the conversation. "That boy, he was left parentless before he was five, and you think he didn't suffer? That curse took him out of the toxic emptiness of his home and gave him a friend – a friend that is now more than a friend, and he loves her, she loves him. That curse made him wear thin, but he is standing strong – and for once in his life, he is not alone." Her words carried a glacial chill through the air. Zelda swung on the balls of her feet and stood back against the window, looking back down at the courtyard, which was now empty.

"Fine," Kile sarcastically groaned. "I am a coward. I am a failure of a father. I never have known my son and thus I do not love him. What says I can't change?"

Not even turning her head back to the man, Zelda spoke in a monotone and reticent manner, "I'm afraid Link may not want to think of you as his father. Knowing that you deliberately left because of his life, it is almost certain that a plethora of animosity has built up in his heart – in the place where he could have had love for you."

The princess' words left Kile speechless and white. Immediately he fell back into the chair, bent forward, and rested his head in his hands. While Eric stood awkwardly, facing the princess, who stood so formally by the window, and occasionally glanced down at the man. He heard faint mumbled and murmurs, but none of which he could find comprehendible. In ways he felt bad for Kile – knowing he may never make right what he did wrong. But, his anger for the man stood much higher than his sympathy. After hearing all that he did, Eric couldn't help but want to slap him across the face.

This man was part of the reason for the mess that became of Link. Kile was the background torture in Link's head that was firewood, and Midna's leaving was the ignition for the flame that almost destroyed him.

Link grumbled and stretched his arms as his eyes adjusted to the morning darkness. The sheets to his left were empty and cold – Midna had already gotten up. He heard her getting ready for the day in the side room, freshening herself up. Slowly, the blonde sat himself up in bed, rolling his neck and cracking his knuckles. Although, his eyes were still heavy and he continued to yawn frequently. The chilled air of the early hours began to wake him as it clashed against his skin, which hungered for the warmth it needed and he wanted.

As Link began to shiver and clatter his teeth together, Midna stepped out from the washroom. The robes which she wore to council meetings rested gently on her skin, and they flowed so freely as she walked. The Twili grinned when she saw the Hylian had finally awoken.

"G'morning, Wolf-boy." Midna smirked, a sense of drollery in her words. "How're you feeling?"

Link shook his head at the woman, an impish grin on his lips. "Are you ever going to stop calling me Wolf-boy?"

"Nope!"

The blonde's face flushed a faint pink as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Ah, well then, I'm feeling just fine." Turning his attention back to the Twili who foraged through the pile of documents on her desk, he asked, "I'm assuming you have a council meeting today?"

Midna nodded, keeping her eyes on the papers as she skimmed through the titles, looking for the correct one. "Yup. I'll most likely be gone all day. My parents are going through the final steps of handing over their power to me."

"Do they know about me?" Link asked, marginally tilting his head to the side.

The Twili halted in her tracks, her face growing ever so pale. "No." She took a deep breath, preparing to speak again. "They will eventually, though. Since they are handing their power over to me, I cannot be titled queen unless I have a suitor." Midna turned her head over to Link and winked, giggling at the same time.

The blonde's eyes widened as his mouth formed a little 'o', cheeks turning a roseate shade. As Midna pulled the desired paper from her pile, Link removed himself from the bed and grabbed a loose shirt and pants that were lent to him from one of Midna's council members.

"I'll probably be in the basement training, if you're wondering where I'll be." Link mumbled as he began to remove his nightshirt, he felt Midna's eyes burn into the back of his skin as he exposed more and more of it.

"You don't look as thin," she said with upmost sincerity. "That's good."

Link shrugged, quickly changing his pants. "I guess. I'm still not like I used to be." He took a paused and laughed, buckling his belt at the same time. "I would probably feel dead riding Epona for not even five minutes."

"Same goes for your training," Midna added. She walked over to the blonde and pecked at his cheek, causing them to grow hot. "Don't overexert yourself while I'm gone. Remember to take breaks and drink your water."

"I know, I know." Link hushed the Twili. "You don't need to be my mother, Midna."

The Twili shrugged as she approached the door, ready to head out. "You still act like you're five in some occasions." And with her words, she exited the room and closed the door behind her.

Link grinned as he led himself to the washroom. Grabbing an old rag, he doused it with chilled water, and took it to his face. The icy nip bit at his skin, taking the final steps to fully awaken him from the previous night's slumber. Taking the rag from his face, Link grabbed a dry towel from his right, and wiped his face clean of any loose droplets of water. Then, he took the damp strands of hair that hung in his face, and twisted them, forcing the trapped water to be expelled. Lastly, he reached around his back and divided his hair into three sections, following by braiding them together.

Looking up into the grimy mirror, he grinned at himself, trying to be, at the least, pleased with himself. Taking a sigh, he grabbed the towel and slung it over his shoulder as he returned to the main room. He took the shoes left for him, slipped them on, and began to knot the laces tightly. Finally all put together, Link stood and headed towards the door. As he exited, closing the door behind him, he looked down both ways of the corridor, and then turned to the right.

The whole day seemed to be going well, quite relaxing, actually. All until he turned the corner. Leaning up against the wall with crossed arms and a vexed face was one of the Twili guards, waiting for him.

Slightly skittish, Link halfheartedly smiled at the guard. "Excuse me sir, may I get by?"

He was only returned with a snitch frown and cock of a head. "Like I would let you, light dweller?"

The blonde looked anxious to the right and left, fumbling with his thumbs. "Well, Princess Midna has given me access to the basement, for training."

The guard snorted, giving a sly smirk. "Always need your princess to defend you, eh?" The Twili took a heaving step towards Link causing the boy to cower imperceptibly. "Well, your princess isn't here right now. And you know what I think? I don't think you should even be in the presence of Midna!" The guard kneed the blonde in the stomach, causing him to double over. "Actually, you shouldn't even be here!" His fist impacted Link's head with a harsh blow, sending him crashing against the wall, then to the floor.

Link lay motionless on the floor for a minute; the pounding in his head was too much. He felt like getting sick. The skin on his face was red and forming a small lump; his lip was cracked and bleeding. He ached all over. The guard's comments had sparked his pride, however. He needed to learn to fend for himself. The despite the idiocy of the idea, Link shakily began to heave himself – knees trembling as he brought his balled hands up to guard his face, he stood in a stance that showed he was ready to fight. His jaw was clenched, and lips snarled up at the corners of his mouth; eyes burning with venom.

The Twili acrimoniously leered at Link, taking the implication of his stance and the swinging his fist at the boy. Surprising to the guard, the blonde had blocked it with his forearm. In much spite, though, Link clutched the arm that had endured the blow and hissed against its pain. Sheepishly, the blonde put the arm back up, the guard giving a haughty laugh at the boy.

"Why don't you just surrender now?" The guard swung another fist at Link, but again, it was blocked. "Put up the white flag now, weakling? You're no match for me." The Twili sneered, his voice resonated a bitter chill.

Link shook his head and snorted, returning his gaze with the guard, the confidence in his eyes doubled. "Like I ever would," he snorted sarcastically.

As the bashes and belts came again and again, Link was able to duck and dodge them, like a vigorous ballad played in his head and he was moving with its rhythm. The blonde took a few swings, but nonetheless, they affected the guard's focus sparsely. As the Twili's actions slowed, the Hylian kept socking him with quick and effortless hits – the most they could do is give a bruise.

The boy began to take initiative of the guard's respite in his actions, lowering his defense to take a heavy swing at the Twili, in hopes of doing some damage. The Twili, however, kicked under Link's feet, knocking him face first to the floor, and kicked the side of his head and chest. The blonde clutched his chest as he curled up into a ball on the floor. His forehead bled with no end, and he had felt the crack in his rib.

The guard bent down on one knee, grabbing at Link's hair to hold his face up to face him. "Now, I suggest you get your worthless, light dwelling, ass out of here before I end up breaking your neck," the guard spit between his teeth.

Staring back lifelessly, Link nodded, slowly taking to his feet and sprinting toward the exit, a hobble in his strides. Nimbly, he exited the castle, still clutching his side. His fading thoughts scanned the surrounding city. Everybody here except Midna wanted him dead – he couldn't just go strolling through the town without attracting some cold blooded riot. Sighing, Link fled towards the rural area of the kingdom. He had remembered from the night before, seeing a lonely little lake – he presumed it would be safe to stay there. And stay there he shall.

Sauntering very slowly, Link had trekked across a few miles to get to his destination. Hurt and exhausted, he collapsed underneath a tree adjacent to the cold water. He stared at the water beside him, reaching out a hand, dipped it in, and pulled it back to dab at his head. Pulling his hand away, Link saw the blood that had dried begin to trickle down his fingers with the water.

"Goddesses damn it," the blonde whispered, a stringent tone to his voice. Sitting himself up, he leant up against the trunk of the tree, listening to the cracking of his back as he moved. He rested his forehead in his hand and closed his eyes, not wanting to give up and cry. "It's either that I want myself dead, or everybody else around me does."

Sighing, Link lowered himself on to his back, stretching across the grass as he closed his eyes and watched as the faint lightness turned to everlasting blackness. As the night grew cold and lonely, Link curled himself up into a small ball, burying his head in his hands. Small whimpers and mewls of sadness echoed in the surrounding silence. Midna, still stuck in the lengthy council meeting, had no idea of the merciless events that happened underneath the roof of her own home.

"I just want a place to feel at home."

A/N: Please don't yell at me, I already feel bad enough having to do this to Link. It will all add up in the next few chapters, though! I hoped you enjoyed this tension filled chapter! As, always read and review? Thanks again - I hope you all have wonderful days!