Welcome to chapter 2 of my installation Shadows Left by Time! Things are continuing to go smoothly, just as I had hoped. I have a few plans for my story, but things are subject to change(s). For instance, I do not like having a story titled something that I cannot truly work into the story. I'd prefer it to be something that makes sense... so...

Though this isn't an incredibly long chapter, things will get... more involved. Anyway, read and enjoy! ^^

"I thought I saw my broken heart, in the crescent of the moon... " - Bobbi Davies

Chapter 2: Moon-Gazing

I sat back against the tree on the little island in the middle of Lake Hylia. This was my favorite spot to sit and watch the sun rise - when I got the chance, I would come here and think over the events of the days and of the things of days past. It was at no particular time in the afternoon when I noticed the clouds, which had seemed to slow to a dreary drudge against the backdrop of the sky, and the large fowl flying towards Hyrule, wings flapping in large strokes, as though painting the sky with each beat. I began to mull over the events of that morning: Zelda, it had seemed, was indeed waiting for me to wake, and had taken the liberty of preparing my least favorite drink in the entire castle for me: warm Lon-Lon Ranch milk. She claimed it to have mysterious healing powers, yet I simply can't stand the taste of it. That, and the fact that that particular brew brings with it some unwanted memories of the past.

It had been a busy morning. The events, of course, being hectic at best and tedious at worst. It had started right after Zelda's morning Lon-break. Immediately following that, we jumped head first into meetings with different court members, including the likes of Midal, which I had seen and heard enough from in the past 24 hours. Listening to the man for more than a minute tended to make one feel the way I felt about him: completely disinterested. His way of worrying and stressing detail was to the point where nothing was good enough or gentle enough to be taken lightly. In essence, everything was part of this "war". He stressed the importance of maintaining contact with the Zora royalty, keeping up with the Gerudo thieves, appeasing the spirits of those dead in our "most sacred temple" (which in this case and from my experience, could have been any of the temples), and making sure that we had the Gorons trust at all times. In general, everything was a mountain to him, even the slightest molehill. Thus began the morning.

Soon to follow that was the meeting with the captain of the guard; those wretches who think themselves well trained and able to stand against evil when it comes upon them. Speaking with him, at the least, was less tedious than with the members of the court. He spoke of high defenses and how all of the soldiers had learned great lessons in warfare from the deliverer of the land of Hyrule, the Hero of Time. He listed the ways in which the castle and all surrounding settlements were protected by the guards of the castle. He prattled on about how the royalty - being Zelda and myself - were in no danger whatsoever of any such attack. Though the captain was completely clueless to his ignorance in stating that we, of all people, needed protection, his habit of speaking in confidence and power was settling to hear.

Next came the envoy from the Gerudos, claiming loyalty and looking past the events of 5 years prior. Though a simple matter, I personally wouldn't trust the Gerudos as far as I could throw them - and since they don't let males near them, that's not very far.

It was during this time, the break in between meetings and consults, that Zelda and I began speaking once more.

"Sheik... what's wrong? Are you tired of the processions of people?" The quizzical look on Zelda's face displayed the compassion and innocence that I had always know.

"Nah, it's nothing like that. I'm just thinking over what everyone is claiming. Some are claiming that Hyrule is on the brink of a Civil War, lead by some unknown faction, and yet others are claiming that we are in the 'Golden Age' thanks to the Hero." I said with an unconcerned tone. "With all that's being said, I'm surprised things have remained as calm as they have. I would expect things to die down soon though."

"Sheik... what would you do if something big did occur?"

"Why do you ask? Do you have such little faith in me? I would perform my duty, of course. I would do what I must to protect Hyrule - to protect you. After all, you are the only piece of the Triforce still around... you are Hyrule's unknown treasure." Saying these things made me remember the story of the Triforce. The story of Din's power, Nayru's love, and Farore's courage, all of which took the form of different people. It is said that whenever there is a disruption between the power of the Triforce, the parts will come together again until the balance is restored. But that has already happened. The question remains to me though - whatever happened to the other two? Zelda was still here... so her power must remain... but what of the Gerudo king's? Or Link's? Have the goddesses forgotten their chosen ones? Are they left to an unknown fate?

I must've been deep in thought, because when I finally regained attentiveness, Zelda was giving me a curious look. Her next words gave me a reason to be chilled.

"Something's coming, Sheik," Zelda whispered. "It's different from before, but something is definitely coming."

I could have asked her what she meant or how she knew what she believed, but I was caught up in other things, too busy to truly stop and think. And so the day proceeded.

At a certain point in time, I broke away from Zelda, hastily telling a servant to deliver news of my absence, and came here. This place always helps me to think and understand what is going on. I look up to see that the clouds have not made much progress at all in the sky, and thus, the time must not be nearly as gone as I had thought. In fact, things seemed abnormally slow. As though time itself was at a slower pace. I gather my thoughts together and make to begin my journey back when something catches my eye: a bottle floating in the middle of the lake. I looked around, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary- though I had this feeling that I couldn't quite place. The wind itself seemed to be playing tricks on me, as though whispering a soft, familiar song. With the feeling set aside I continued towards the castle for the second time within a 24-hour period.

That night was no different from the night before. The words Zelda had whispered earlier sent shivers down my back, causing me to involuntarily shudder.

"Something's coming, Sheik. It's different from before..."

The look she had at that time was speaking volumes of what she believed.

Different, yet the same. Isn't that what you meant, Zelda?

My thoughts drifted back and forth, from continuously wondering about the current situation, to reminiscing over how it might be similar to the past.

Nothing changes - not even time. It's always moving forward, whether we desire it to or not. Everything is the same... always. I wonder how long this will last? This cycle...

A soft knock on the door alerted me to a visitor. Knowing what time of night it was, it could only be one person: Zelda. I had a brief amount of time to come to my senses and to push away my constant worries and wonders before Zelda opened the door and came to sit on the edge of my bed.

"Sheik..."

She said my name much in the same way she usually does when she has something important to discuss, or more so when she is worried.

"Do you feel it? The tremors, the sound, the fury... it all is coming to a soft roar. I had a dream, Sheik..."

Saying this, she stopped fiddling with the hem of her dress and looked me properly in the eyes. The still small voice inside told me that the time of peace truly was over, but her eyes betrayed a hint of something else. Not as much worry as I had expected or thought. Not so much sadness as what I had anticipated. Instead, what I saw was something... cold. Something hard. I supposed that, with everything she had experienced in her life, she would be hardened to these types of events. After all, she had put down uprisings nearly every year since the first major event Hyrule had experienced since its civil war. Her eyes betrayed her. They spoke of confidence and knowledge... though of what, I couldn't quite place.

"Since the creation of Hyrule, the goddesses power, the Triforce, has always had balance. Never have the three been out of balance. Something else seeks to interrupt that balance again." She continued speaking, merely pausing for brief intervals in order to take breaths. "In my dream was the Triforce. Each piece shining in its own brilliance. As they joined, they displayed something dark though, not something awe inspiring, as I had thought they would. I could feel that darkness, Sheik..."

One look into her eyes displayed a "knowing"... as though this something wasn't new. As though this was as old as time itself. As she was talking, I found myself gazing out at the moon and wondering what I always wonder: what had happened to my Hero? Not so much as a "goodbye"... or an "I'm leaving...". He just... left. Was I of that little importance to him? Did I do something wrong? Was it my fault? If he was here, I'm sure, this threat that Zelda mentioned now would have a difficult time getting what it sought. I turned my attention back to Zelda in full.

"When the pieces had come together, they shone. But through that light came a darkness directly out of the center of the Triforce. Soon the light was overpowered, and nothing but darkness remained. That's when I woke."

We both sat in silence for a few moments before I finally spoke. "So, what does this mean then, Zelda?"

The look on her face was as though the power of Din had temporarily found a new home in Zelda. She gazed with fierce eyes and a power that belong to a warrior. "The light is nothing without the darkness. Without light, darkness cannot exist, and vice versa. But when the dark overpowers the light... it means that these rumblings are not random occurrences or small rebellions of the outer peoples... it means that this is something greater than all of that. Just like before."

I wondered why she was so confident and not worried for her people, but thought it best not to ask. After all, Zelda's reasons are her own. I've never been one to care about what other people do... unless it affects me.

"I want you to do something for me tomorrow, Sheik."

I looked up, not realizing that I had looked away and was gazing at the moon again.

"Neh? Another errand to run?"

A temporary look of guilt crossed over Zelda's face, but was quickly replaced with something more determined.

"Yes. Go to Kakariko tomorrow. Ask the old man what he thinks of the things happening around here."

"Old man?" I don't think my confusion could have been more clear as I spoke the question aloud.

"Yes. You will know him when you see him. Show him your crest, Sheik, and he will know that I have sent you."

I looked away and back towards the moon as I thought over what I was being asked to do. It seemed as though tomorrow's escapade would bring knowledge and insight that Zelda desired. Though who could be more wise or able to deal with the situation than Zelda?

"Ok..." I said as I turned back. But my words were spoken to the walls and the moon. No one was in the room. I was completely alone... I turned my attention back to the moon and continued thinking.

Zelda paced along the castle battlements in silent awe of the world around her. There was something about the night that she simply adored. The silence drew her in and wrapped itself around her. It gave her time to be away from the harsh realities of the world; time to be at peace and not constantly act like the leader she had no choice but to be. She gazed up at the moon and wondered what he was doing right now. Was he looking up at the same moon she was? Was he wondering why? Did he ever question her decision? Will things ever be the way they used to be?

She took a deep breath to steady her nerves that had been held inside the entire day.

It's quiet tonight...

Zelda took one last glance up at the moon before pulling her cloak around her tightly and silently walking back to her quarters.

Only time will tell...

When the following day finally came, I was wakened to the morning sun shining directly in my eyes. My head must've been hanging out of the opening in the window throughout the entire night. As I stretched, yawned, and subsequently tried to bring my body back to the world of the living, I recalled the events of the previous day and the errand that Zelda had asked me do for her. My body creaked and groaned as I continued stretching.

I really need to start using this bed...

I started to get up and gather the clothes and things I would need for the journey today. I started pulling the pants up over my boxers quickly in order to get as early a start as possible. A small, light knock followed by a "Lord Sheik..." was all the warning I received before a short servant girl quickly entered. She was slowly closing the door when she realized the current situation. Her gaze went from my head to toe as her face turned an excruciating shade of embarrassment.

"I-I-..." She stuttered, not being able to find her voice.

I smiled lightly at her hoping that would be enough to ease her embarrassment. "Yes?"

She shifted her gaze to the floor, occasionally stealing glances up, as she spoke. "Her Highness asked me to deliver a message to you, Lord Sheik. She requests that you wear your Sheikah gear. She says that it would look more befitting and convincing as an envoy of the royal family if you were in your old gear."

She lifted her stare as she said the last few words. I held her gaze as she quickly bowed and silently opened the door to leave. Before I knew it, she was out the door and I was alone again and left to prepare for the day in thought, wondering why Zelda would want me to wear my gear.

I haven't worn my gear in the last 5 years. Zelda knows that...

Even though I did not know exactly what Zelda had in mind or why she wanted me to do what she had requested, I decided that it would be best to simply do and not dwell too much on the whys and wherefores. I let the pants that I was in the process of putting on fall to the floor before turning to reach for the chest hidden on my bed.

I slowly pulled at the chance and took a good look at the outside. It wasn't everyday that this thing saw the light of day. On the top was the symbol of the royal family - the Triforce - and on the sides was the symbol of the protectors of the royal family - the Bleeding Eye of the Sheikah. As I looked over the chest, a flood of emotions temporarily consumed me. This chest was one of the last few relics, and the only item I personally had, left of the Sheikah. It had belonged to the most revered Sheikah of my race. The owner had left it in the castle - in my protection - directly before she had left to fulfill the duty that the goddesses had determined was hers. She left it as remembrance - as a link to the past - before she left to protect the grave of my people. It was the last link I had connecting me to my sister.

Pushing the emotions aside, I slowly unlatched the chest and began to open it, trying to make as little noise in this most personal of moments as possible. Inside sat my old clothing that I wore during the war 5 years ago, exactly the way I had left them on that last day. I had folded them and laid them in this chest the day after the King of Evil of been defeated... and the day after the Hero had left. I had thought nothing of this up until this point. I had expected that I would be prepared and be able to deal with the rush of emotions that were sure to be unleashed the next time I saw my uniform, but I was wrong. I struggled to push my emotions down as I lifted the clothes out of the chest and shook the dust and wrinkles out of them.

For the most part, they still fit, though I did have to adjust a few things here and there so they looked right on my body. As I looked in the mirror, I was hit with another rush of emotions which took me a few minutes to subdue. Once all of the items that I needed for the day were out of the chest, I softly shut the chest, locked it, and slid it back to its home underneath the bed. For once, I was thankful that I had something to do in order to distract myself during the course of the day.

It's best that I get started as soon as possible... If I hurry, I will have time enough to visit my people...

Zelda stood out in the garden, like she normally did on these rare days. The flowers were in full bloom, and, as she stooped to smell one, a small shadow fell over the area. The clouds, it seemed, were moving in intent on stealing the sky away from the radiance of the sun. As she stood back up, she was alerted to a presence in the garden's courtyard.

A wind blew through the garden, bringing a familiar smell with it. A soft sound of boots moving across grass; a small cough; expectant eyes.

"So, it's that time of year again... isn't it, Zelda?"

So hey guys, it's Arrundo again. I know no one enjoy's chapter filler, but... sometimes it's necessary for the story. Also, unfortunately, I've waited a long time on a beta-reader who never returned my story to me. So, though I have a few chapters written at this point, my beta-reader bailed on me... which is why it's been a little while (a week and a half?) since I last updated. I would like to get a beta-reader before continuing to post things - to make sure that everything is good, well thought out, put together correctly, and such things...

If anyone is interested in it, just send me an email at iwrite2016 . Make sure you include BETA in the subject line, and also, tell me your preferred name and how you would like to exchange the documents. It would help out a lot.

Also, college is "going, going, gone"! My year of Bio-Med continues with exciting classes and tons of work and research to conduct ("SAVE ME!")... so, though I have some chapters already written, and though I have a general idea where the story is going to go, I am going to be utilizing Charles Dickens' method and publishing chapters to a collective story in intervals. This keeps people waiting and loyal to your story, and it also gives me time to do a little bit of my own work for college. Leave your flames in the comments, yea?

I'll do my best to limit each update to a week though - at most 2 weeks. So expect a new chapter or entry (some chapters will be broken up into many different parts/sections) within the time frame of 1 to 2 weeks.

Leave love, flames, suggestions, comments, concerns, et cetera in the comments! (Any comment is fine... I'm a comment hungry wa-hore...*courtesy of my best friend Bella*)

Till next time,

Arrundo