Summary: After the attack on her castle, Zelda manages to escape, half dead. Found by Link in the wild, she is taken care of, but when fate plays its harsh hand once more, the princess must do everything in her power to aid the hero, recover her kingdom, and maybe fall in love. AU Twilight Princess.

Please read or review, or criticize, whichever comes first. Flames are not accepted, frowned upon, and possibly deleted.

Also remember, that this story is not a walkthrough, and that Zelda and its characters do not belong to me.

The tie which links mother and child is of such pure and immaculate strength as to be never violated.

-Washington Irving

-Chapter 12-

-A Queen's Request-

"Please, wait!" The animals quickly turned around, spotting a Zora woman floating nearby them. She was a rather beautiful Zora, that even though she was unclothe like most of the Zoras in the Domain, her features made her look as if she was wearing a night dress. She floated above them, glancing a bit at the coughing and freezing Zoras nearby. Link gave a large gasp, while Shannon flapped her wings in panic and almost tripped with her own two feet. The hero, and surprisingly the Zora, shot Shannon a sympathetic look, before Link decided to speak, not like she could have understood him, anyway.

"Who are you?" he barked, trying to sound as unthreatening as possible. Much to his, and even Midna's surprise, the floating Zora gave him a gentle nod, before she spoke,

"…my name is Rutela, once leader of the Zoras, their Queen. Please…allow me to thank you for your kindness in helping my people…" Midna only shrugged.

"Not to be rude or anything, but we didn't exactly do it for you guys…" This was met with a cry of annoyance from Shannon, and a bark from Link. Rutela, nether the less, smiled.

"It is quite alright…" the Queen of the Zoras told her, her smile still in its place. "while you may have not had in mind to help my people, I still will thank you…but, alas…I cannot do so properly as things are now," Rutela glanced at her fallen people, who ignored them all.

"What exactly happened here, Queen Rutela?" Link asked her, although the wolf already knew the answer. Not turning to face them, the queen spoke.

"The dark ones…they raided this village, which soon was under the mercy of the great winds. As a message to my people, the evil ones executed me before them…" Rutela sighed, facing Shannon for a while, before she turned to face Link. "Young man…you who takes the form of a proud beast…I have something to ask of you, if it isn't too much trouble…" The wolf was about to open his mouth, when Midna beat him to it.

"Look, we don't exactly have time to go around helping people…we are, what you call it, busy?" Link growled back at Midna, and looked back at Rutela.

"It's alright, don't mind her…." Link told her, nodding his head. "I'll help you with anything you might need."

"Thank you, young man." Midna gave an exasperated sigh, and she leaned her shoulder on top of his head, balancing her small head with a hand.

"…Let me guess, you said yes, eh, doggy?" Link only glared at Midna, and the imp was quick to understand. The imp only yawned, and looked back at Rutela. "Well, I guess we have to help you…so, what's your story, lady?"

"When the dark ones descended upon our home," Rutela explained, sighing deeply before continuing. "I sent my young one, Ralis, to Hyrule Castle…to inform," the queen stopped a bit, and faced the two animals. Her gaze was set at Shannon, and she gave a faint nod, before speaking again. "Princess Zelda of our fate. But…I fear that danger followed him on his journey to the castle…I can feel it…his presence in this world grows fainter to me over time…" She turned to face Link's deep blue eyes. "But…my time in this world has long passed, and though I would give it gladly, I no longer have a life to risk in his rescue…please, if you would be so kind, would you save my dearest, Prince Ralis? If you do this for me and my son, I will bestow upon you the protection of water…"

"Protection of water?" Rutela nodded.

"The power that would allow to enter the deepest waters, and still breath air…like if you were a Zora…so, would you do this task for me?" Link was silent for a couple of seconds, before he spoke, nodding his head.

"Don't worry, leave this to us…we will help your son."

"Thank you for your kindness, young man…please…let your journey be a good one…for you, and your friends…" The Queen gave them a wink, before she disappeared into the darkness that was her domain. After she was gone, Midna yawned once more, and slapped Link on the back.

"HEY!"

"Way to go, Mr. Hero! Now, we got our hands full!"

"…yeah, because you usually do all the wor-"

"Link…" Shannon called, interrupting another argument that was ready to start between beast and imp. Link looked back at the hawk.

"Yes? What's wrong, Shannon?"

"Wouldn't the prince…be…that Zora that was with Ilia back in that….place?" The wolf and imp stared at Shannon a few seconds, before Link nodded, rather surprised.

"Now that I think about it…he just might be! No wonder it was a bit tad strange that there was a Zora there…even near Ordon, you get to see Zoras very rarely…well, that solves one problem…" Shannon nodded back at Link, before she began to hover in the air. "now…we just have to get light back on here…" Shannon nodded, meanwhile the imp on the wolf's back looked around.

"Well, maybe we can use the water around here to get to that spring…looks like the shock of the impact of our little welcoming rock not only raised the water level, but sped up the flow, too…" Midna seemed to think about something, before she snapped her fingers. "This water should flow all the way to the lake, right? Why don't you let it take you there?" Link looked back at the water before him, that was moving fast with an unknown wind and pressure. He gulped, before he dashed into the water. Link knew he was going to regret the trip later…and he did, as he almost drowned before he even reached the entrance of the spring, had not Shannon pulled his head off the water.

Both animals glared back at the grinning imp before them on the entrance to the spring. Link gave her a killer glare, as the imp smirked. "Enjoyed your ride?" A growl. "Well, it isn't exactly my fault because you can't breathe underwater…" Link coughed, well, rather barked, a bit, before he shook his head. He turned to Shannon, still coughing water out of his system.

"Can we ditch her, now?"

"…well, if it were possible. Maybe." Link chuckled a bit, and then sighed. Somehow, it would be a long time before Midna left them alone. Shaking his head, he and Shannon followed Midna inside towards the spring.

Link gasped in surprise when he saw the spring. It looked more like a shrine, or something of that sort. A whole area dedicated completely to the spirit that lived within the spring. It looked a bit like the spring of Ordon, but bigger and deeper, it appeared. Link nor Shannon could step among the waters of the spring, for they were standing on a smell ledge, overlooking the water. Before long, a small light began to appear within the middle of the lake, before a weakened voice spoke. …hero…chosen by the gods…I am the last….of the spirits of light…consumed by the twilight…The two animals could hear a faint chuckle, before the spirit continued to speak. You have….done well…to make it this far…gather…my tears…of light that…were stolen…by the shadows…gather them…I beg of you…In a flash of light, another of those vessels appeared in the air, which Shannon quickly took, and gave to Midna. Collect…my light…lift the final cloud of twilight…that threatens…to cover…all of Hyrule…Beware…of the shadows…lurking…children… Link and Shannon looked back at the light, who escaped from the grasp of the darkness, and nothing more lighted the area.

"Well, I guess we have to go bug catching now, huh?"

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Midna and Link groaned when they finally made it back to the spring, the vessel of light full. They, along with Shannon, who was flying on top of them, had had a lot of trouble finding the sneaky insects. While Shannon's only difficulty was getting them out of the water before she could crush them with her talons, Link was forced to chase the shadow insects all over the river, jumping and barking at them to stop. Even, Midna, too, had spotted a few insects easily but catching them was another thing. Link had to chase them all over the place before Midna could catch them.

Now, they were finally back, in front of the spirit's spring, ready to return the tears of light towards it. Before Link and Midna managed to enter, however, Shannon called the wolf's attention once more. "Link!" Link looked back at the bird, confusion written all over his canine features.

"What's wrong?"

"Since you are soon not to be a beast, do you want me to go and get Epona for you?" The question of the hawk caught him by surprise, but even so, Link nodded.

"Yeah…that'll be great…I'll meet you two up, alright?" Shannon nodded, before she flew away, only to turn around, and watch silently as Link and Midna entered the shrine of the spirit, before she flew away.

Once inside of the shrine, Midna gave a small chuckle. "Well, it appears that bird brain ditched you, now!" Link growled at her.

"If anyone should be ditching, it should be me…far away from you!" Midna only snickered, before she threw the vessel of light towards the spring, which began glowing in light. She then, got out of Link's back, and waved at the wolf.

"You just make sure you get that last Fused Shadow, eh? See, you later!" Soon, Midna disappeared deep into his shadow, as the light engulfed the place and Link could feel himself human once more. He turned to examine himself, and sighed. The hero was back to normal, then, his sight was set on the spring before him.

Light engulfed the chamber as a sort of sacred sun, finally reveling itself in the form of a giant snake, or it appeared in Link's eyes. The hero had to covered his eyes a little so the light would not affect them. Great hero…thank you for returning my light to me…my name is Lanayru…your efforts have at last, restored light to Hyrule…O…hero chosen by the gods…the dark power that you seek…it waits in a temple at the bed of Lake Hylia… Link nodded at the spirit. Well, even if Midna liked it or not, they had to save Ralis, or else, his mother wouldn't give Link the protection of water that he needed to look for the Fused Shadow in the first place. Link was about to turn around to continue his mission, when Lanayru called him. …But before seeking it, you must now bear witness to something…and never forget it…

"Oh, great…a story," Midna murmured from Link's shadow, making the hero glare at her, although he wonder what was that Lanayru wanted to tell him.

You must know that it was the will of the goddesses that we lock the forbidden power away from the hands of those who sought for it…Link gave an uncomfortable glance at his shadow, who only had its arms cross.

When all was nothing but chaos, three great goddesses descended from the heavens. One of them, Din, with her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth….Nayru…she poured her wisdom unto this red earth and gave the spirit of law to the world…Farore…with her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold—a yawn was heard from the shadow. Link shot Midna a astonished look, but both things were ignored by the spirit, as it went on with its tale. …the law of the world...after their labors were complete…the great ones departed for the heavens, leaving behind three pieces of gold at the point where they left the world...the triforce…In a flash of light, Lanayru made the whole area glow, and then, a great image of a three piece golden triangle appeared in front of Link. The hero gasped, and quickly looked at his hand…the hand where his birthmark rested, a birthmark whom he paid no mind at all, until now. The triforce…was hidden by the goddesses from men, in the sacred realm…for if the triforce were to be found, those with evil intentions will use its power to plunge the land into chaos…and so for many ages, after the creation of Hyrule, the people lived at ease, content in mind and body…The triangle of light, or the triforce as Lanaryu called it began to glow. The upper part was red, the left part blue, and finally, the right part green. In the empty center, a vision of chaos appeared. Strange people ran away from infernos that chased them, while others, laughed along with the agony of the fallen men and women. Both Link and his shadow flinched in surprise with all the destruction that was taking place. ...But soon, word of the Sacred Realm spread through Hyrule, and a great battle ensued…among those living in the light, interlopers who excelled in magic appeared. Wielding powerful sorcery, they tried to establish dominion over the Sacred Realm and steal the triforce for themselves…At that, Link's shadow shifted uncomfortably. It was at that moment, that the three goddesses order us spirits to intervene…we sealed away the great magic those individuals had mastered…Soon, the glowing of the triangles stopped, before, they broke apart and became nothing but light once more. You know this magic…it is the dark power you seek…the Fused Shadow…for you to defeat the King of Shadows, this power, you must wield…The spirit nodded its large, serpentine head. O hero chosen by the goddesses…Beware…beware of this dark power…those who do not know the danger of wielding great power will, before long, be ruled by it…Never forget that…this power that you seek…rests in the depths of the ancient temple of the Zoras, the Lakebed Temple…may the light guide your path…great hero…and be wary…for blood will soon be spilled…and one of your companions shall die…Link froze at those words, as the spirit suddenly turned to nothing and disappeared within the spring's waters. One of his companions…would die? What in the world was this spirit talking about? He only hope it was superstitious talk…no one he knew would die… would they?

"Hey, you okay?" Link suddenly blinked his shock away and faced Midna, who floated in front of him, already in the form of a shadow. Her eyes betrayed worry and confusion.

"Yeah…I'm fine….but what that spirit said…" Midna only waved the comment away.

"Ah, come on! This guys have a knack for saying riddles! No one is going to die, doggy!" Midna told him, although she added a little bitterly, "…well, if they can help it that is."

"Well, that makes me feel better. Thank you," Link grumbled, as Midna only smirked before sinking into his shadow again. Despite himself, Link found himself smirking, as he walked away. Yeah…maybe she's right…maybe everything was going to be alright…

Link calmly walked out of the spring, and began to look around. Then, his sight were set on the huge bridge, the Great Bridge of Hylia, now, how the heck was he going to get up there? First getting to the domain, now this! Wonderful. Midna was quick to get out of Link's shadow, and also looked back at the great bridge. "Well…how about that? Now wouldn't be a bad time to learn how to fly, huh?"

"See any wings?" Link asked her, extending his hands, and then letting them fall to his sides. "But we need to find some way to get back to the bridge…"

"Well, look around…there's probably some sort of stairs or something to get up there…"

"Good idea…" Link quickly began to run around the wooden pathway over the water, when a voice suddenly stopped him.

"Hey, buddy! You lookin' for somethin'?" Link calmly looked back, and spotted that same clown like person that the hero had seen as a wolf before the light returned to Lake Hylia.

"Umm…yes? Do you happen to know how to get up there?" Link pointed at the bridge above them. The clown stared at the place where Link was pointing at, and shrugged.

"There used to be some sort of ladder nearby…but some wise guy destroyed it a long time ago…so, the only way to get up there…is by flying…" Link sighed. Just great…the only one that could fly among the hero's little group was waiting for him to get back to the field with his horse. "Although…you are a luck fella, fella!" The clown suddenly cried, grinning a bit. "I happen to have the only thing that can get you all the way up there, ya know? The HEIGHT of excitement, the THRILL of launching to the heavens, the very PEAK of flying fascination!"

"Huh?" The clown pointed to the house that was behind him, next to a strange large box with a handle.

"I happen to have the only cannon in all of Hylia, buddy boy! The experience to fly can be YOURS, fella! For a limited time only, and without waiting in line! Only ten rupees!" Link's eyes widen, as he looked back at the supposed cannon nearby.

"And…is it…safe?" he managed to choke out, making the clown man chuckle.

"Safe as safe can be, fella…I, Fyre, can guarantee it…although, I haven't tried the cannon yet, so I can't be too sure…" Link shot him a strange look, and he was about to refuse when he suddenly realized that he had no choice. He had to get back to Shannon and Epona, and also find Ilia and that Ralis kid again. He could take this, couldn't he? The hero had taken care of great monsters to just cower at the sight of a cannon.

Link sighed, and from his wallet bag, he got out a small yellow rupee, which he gave to the hands of the clown, Fyre, and begged the Goddesses that the trip be a safe one. Fyre smiled as he pocketed his well earned rupee and argued Link inside the house. "Enjoy your trip, fella…hope you don't land on the rocks, though…" Link was already inside the cannon house, before he cried out,

"WHAT!" And with that the door to the cannon closed, and seconds later, the cannon fired.

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Link grumbled as he made his way towards the other side of the great bridge of Hylia, with Midna groaning along with him as well. "I…can't…believe…you actually…said yes…to that cannon…trip…" Midna told him from his shadow, shivering. "That was the worst trip of my life…right now, why I wouldn't give to run into a herd of Bulblins than this…"

"You tell me…I was the landing target!" Link cried, rubbing his back.

"Yeah…so sorry, for you then…"

The trip towards the bridge had not been fun. Link had missed the rocks by an inch, and he was lucky that Midna was there with him to make the fall less painful. It had done very little to work well, but still, he couldn't complain. He was complete, nothing was missing nor broken, and Link was happy with that. The hero saw Shannon and Epona at the end of the bridge, and quickly ran up to them. Their journey to back to Castle Town was at hand.

The trip to Castle Town had not been long, but it was already night by the time Link and the others reached town. Shannon was seated calmly upon the hilt, looking around the town. Many rumors began to catch Link's ears as he led Epona through the town by the reins. Rumors about a Zora child in a bar that belonged to some woman named Telma…about how the castle was taken over or something like that, because no one could get in nor out….that the princess was probably dead.

The hero began to wonder if with all this rumors circling around, why no one had done something about the mess that Hyrule was currently suffering, well, apart from him, of course. The Hylian soldiers only stood in circles, looking back at the townspeople as if bored, with nothing better to do, even ignoring the citizens that asked questions about the castle. Link had noticed the many glares Shannon had thrown at them, but he only assumed that she was finding their behavior rather rude. He couldn't really blame her, really, he himself was also angry at the incompetence of this people. They were supposed to be serving Hyrule, and instead, they were standing around, doing nothing! Link sighed, knowing anything he said wouldn't make a difference, although, Shannon had another idea. She kept on giving awful glares to the soldiers, sending some cowering behind another of their allies. Both Link and Midna had to stop themselves from laughing out loud, lest they be found out.

Link quickly followed the path he had taken as a wolf, leaving Epona behind on a stable house(for a cheap ten rupees!) so she wouldn't be bothered by the crowded streets and even hurt. Shannon didn't even take to the air, but held on well unto Link's sword hilt, flapping a bit when she lost her balance. In one or two occasions, the young man had gotten lost and asked for helped to passersby's…out of about a hundred people around him, only one, a young girl with blonde hair in pigtails, wearing an strange dress, and carrying an umbrella with her, showed him the way to Telma's Bar, but that was because she had confused him for a giant grasshopper with those clothes he wore.

The girl had quickly introduced herself as Agitha, and she had merrily showed Link to the bar. "Well, here it is, Mr. Grasshopper!" Agitha said, smiling brightly at Link, who in turn smiled back.

"Thanks, Agitha…I owe you one…" Agitha waved a tiny hand, brushing his thanks aside like some sort of princess.

"Heehee! Think nothing of it, Mr. Grasshopper! I was happy be of help! Now, I must go, see you!" Agitha waved a good bye at Link, before she quickly disappeared among the crowd. Link shook his head, chuckling to himself, as he made his way into that woman, Telma's bar. Before he could even open the door, he and Shannon heard angry yelling from inside.

"Doctor! Please, don't just give up like that!" called a male voice, a bit familiar to Link's voice.

"Please, doctor! Shiro is right! Help him!" Link's eyes widen. That voice…Ilia! He was about to get inside the bar, when suddenly someone opened the door for him. It was a man, that had barely missed hitting him by a few inches with the door.

"That is a Zora child! That is beyond my expertise! Hmmph!" He walked past Link, closing the door behind him. In a few seconds, however, someone else opened the door. Link's eyes widen when he saw Ilia, shouting back at the fleeing doctor. "Doctor, wait! If something isn't done, this child will…" Ilia trailed off, realizing the doctor wouldn't turn back, no matter what. Link looked sadly back at Ilia, who wanted to find the arrogant doctor, but to no avail. Well, when he saw him now, she'll probably feel better. Heck, she'll cry of joy just seeing Epona and Shannon…that girl was always good with them animals….Ilia just glance at Link, not giving him any mind, before she went inside the bar. Both the hero and the hawk upon his hilt blinked, surprised by their old friend's sudden action.

Okay, what was that about?

Concern returned to his features tenfold, as Link began to follow Ilia inside the bar, calling out her name. She paid no attention to him, as she sat by the side of the young Zora boy, whom Link had guessed by now, was probably Ralis. Next to her, was a Hylian soldier, this one showing some of his black hair from his helmet that covered his face. His lance lay all but forgotten on the ground beneath him, as he folded both arms across his chest. "The nerve of that man! Leaving a child unattended!"

"…you're right, Mr. Shiro…but, we can't do anything now, if that doctor won't help him…" Ilia patted the Zora boy's delicate hand. Link was about to go over there and ask Ilia what was wrong, when someone patted his shoulder, wanting his attention. Turning around, he spotted that same redhead that accompanied Ilia along with the unconscious Ralis.

"Hey, honey," she replied, smiling brightly. She was holding a small cup on her hand, while she patted Shannon gently with the other. "I see that you know who she is, huh?" Link looked back at the woman, puzzled.

"Why do you mean by know who she is? She and I practically grew up together!" The redhead woman gave him a sad smile, before he took him and the hawk to the side.

"…listen, honey…you might not like what you gonna hear…but, that girl," she glanced back at Ilia, before giving Link a sad look. "has no clue of who she used to be…she hardly remembers her own name…"