/So this chapter was fun to write! I'm cooking up so good stuff to come and I know the whole 'damsel' joke that they're tossing around may be getting weird but there's point to it. Next chapter may be a filler because of—never mind. I'm gonna spoil my own stuff! I hope you enjoy it and please let me know what you think! Also, now would be a good time to let me know if I should consider the possibility of two outcomes of these stories. It all depends on how well you guys like it!/

Fire Temple

Glacia woke up before Link and decided to go to the village for some food. She sat there for a moment and watched Link snore before standing. Her limbs were stiff and she tried to stretch them without making any noise. Dante wasn't in his pouch she turned to see him resting quietly beside Navi next to Link. She smiled and tiptoed out of the Meadow. She was confident she could find her way in and out of the Lost Woods without Link.

When Link woke up and saw Glacia's imprint in the grass he immediately jumped to his feet. "Glacia?" He called. He saw the fairies fly up and shake their bodies with a tingle of a yawn. "Navi, Dante, have you guys seen Glacia?" He asked them as he continued to look around, "I don't like the idea of her wandering off. She could get hurt."

"I'm perfectly okay." Glacia laughed at him as she walked across the meadow. "I just went for some food from the village." She held up a sack of fruits.

"Don't go wandering off like that." He growled. He was angry that she just left without telling him where she going. She could've gotten hurt—or worse—lost. "Did you know if you get lost in these woods you become a Stalfos?"

She rolled her eyes and sat the sack down, "I told you Link, I am not a damsel. Do I look like a princess who needs to be saved?" She cocked her head, "No, I'm not. I'm not even a princess." She added that last part quickly, trying to avoid the princess part. She had to admit that it felt good to actually say she was a normal person. Maybe after this mission her father won't pour her into tight and constricting dresses anymore?

"I never said you were." He huffed, "Look," his voice changed to a solemn tone and he crossed his arms, "I was just worried okay?" He walked past her and started for the exit. "I'm allowed to worry." He said as he bumped her with his shoulder.

She sighed and grabbed the sack and followed behind him as they headed for the woods. Dante flew around her head and chatted with Navi while Glacia stared at Link's back. She thought about the possibility of having to ride that stupid horse again and a sick feeling came to her stomach. "Do we have to ride that horse again?" She groaned.

Link shot a look at her and continued walking, "Not really, there's a shortcut to Goron Village here in the forest."

"Can we go that way then?" She smiled and clapped her hands. She wanted so badly to skip the horse ride. She was much better on her feet than someone else's.

He sighed and smiled, "Fine, we can skip the horse ride for now." He said. She cheered and jumped with excitement. Link laughed at her, "Do you really hate horses that badly?"

She blushed, "Well yeah," She rubbed her neck, "I just think better on the ground." She shrugged and turned away from him.

"You don't seem to think at all." Link muttered under his breath.

Her mouth fell open and she glared at him, "Just what does that mean?" She got in his face. She was flaring with anger at that statement. She did think. It all she does. She's spent half her life alone besides Dante and her nursemaid, so her thoughts where the only thing to keep her company.

He seemed surprised at the closeness between them. He opened his mouth and tried to keep from stuttering, "I—I was just saying that you seem to act without thinking?" He said. It sounded more like a question than a statement.

She didn't move and spoke again, "Example." Was all she spat and Link could feel her breath on his face.

He racked his brain for an explanation and smiled whenever he thought of one, "In the Forest Temple." Her eyes widen and he continued, "You obviously weren't thinking when you jumped in there to shoot that final arrow. You could've gotten hurt but you did it anyway."

She stared at him for a moment. He was right. She wasn't thinking when she jumped on that platform. She just knew she couldn't take his screams of agony for another second. She pulled out of his face didn't say another word until they reached Goron City. The whole walk to the shortcut Link just watched her with a sly smile. He knew he had won that argument.

Link didn't know why she would even attempt to save him. She seemed so reluctant to help most of the time but she was willing to jump in that arena and strike without thinking. He had a weird feeling about Glacia but after she saved him, he had to trust her. Besides, the last time he trusted his gut he ended up getting blitzed by a Jellyfish in Jaba Jaba's belly.

When they arrived at the Goron City Link was shocked to see it completely empty except for a lone Goron rolling around one of the levels. He scanned the entire city with hurt and sad eyes. Glacia watched Link closely and she could feed of the aurora of depression that surrounded him. She placed a hand on his upper arm and looked at his face. "Link, what's wrong?" She asked with genuine concern.

He sighed deeply and didn't look at her, "This place used to be crawling with Gorons and it was just, just so lively. I wonder what could have happened to everyone." He took a step forward and leaned on the railing.

"I've never seen the Goron City. I mean, I have seen Gorons," She looked around, "but never this place." She joined her at the railing.

"Most places are like this now that Ganondorf is ruling." He growled and her eyes widen. This was the first time Link has mentioned her father. She didn't speak; she wanted to know more about what he thought of her father. "Ganon has ruined this place. He's ruined everything. Back at the forest the kids used to play outside till nightfall and the lights used to dance around the village; now they can't even leave their house. Now the Gorons are missing." Link turned around furiously and leaned his back against the rail, "What did he do now? Eliminate an entire race?" He muttered.

Glacia didn't know what to say. She didn't notice how her father changed the world because she has never seen anything outside the Valley for most of her life. She turned away from him and looked at the lone Goron rolling around the level below. "Let's get him to stop and ask him what happened." She tried to smile at Link but she was starting to feel horrible inside just thinking about what the answer could be.

"To stop the Gorons from rolling you have to hit them with bombs." Link said as he pulled a bomb from out and pushed the button on top making it expand and glow.

"Bombs?" She asked, she didn't think anything could take a bomb hit and live. "Won't that, like, hurt it?" She bit her lip and watched Link carefully.

"No," he said as he tried to aim the bomb, "Gorons can take pretty strong hits and live." He tossed in down and missed. Glacia flinched at the ear piercing explosion. It was minor but still hurt her ears. "Damn it," Link muttered under his breath. "I only have 15 of these. I can't keep missing."

"Can't Navi aim for you?" She asked as she leaned over the railing and watched the creature carefully. She had never seen a Goron before and wanted to get up close and personal.

"Navi can only aim for enemies." He said as she pushed the button on another bomb, making it expand as well. "All right, tell me when to drop it." He told her as he held it over the rail.

Glacia watched carefully and tried to calculate when it would hit the Goron dead on. "Now," she called and Link let the bomb fall down and strike the rock creature. She heard a soft whine as he stopped rolling and laid there shaking.

"Good job, Glacia." He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling in a way that made him seem younger than seventeen. She knew he had lost the years leading up to now and it made sense he'd look younger. "Let's go." Without thinking he climbed over the rail and dropped down the lower level.

She sighed, "Why do you just jump off things? You know we could've walked down there, right?" She reluctantly climbed over the edge and jumped down, keeping her knees bent to soften the impact.

"Jumping is more fun." Was all he said as he walked over the trembling Goron and knelt beside him.

"How could you do this to me? You, you're Ganondorf's servant! Hear my name and tremble! I am Link! Hero of the Gorons!" The small creature yelled.

Glacia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "Listen, you're the only one trembling over here."

"Glacia be nice!" Link nudged her in the side. "He's scared, that's all."

"Huh?" the Goron uncurled and looked up at us. "Who—who are you?" He stuttered and Glacia had to use all her power not to roll her eyes.

"I'm Link. This is Glacia." Link gestured towards her and she smiled weakly and waved.

"What?" his eyes widened, "Your name is also Link? You must be the legendary Dodongo Buster and Hero, Link!" He started to cheered and jump. "Dad named me after you, because you're so brave! It's a really cool name! I really like it!" He grabbed Link's hand and shook it fiercely. "I'm so glad to meet you! Please, give me your autograph—"

"Now's not the time." Glacia interrupted. She gave Link a look that meant 'get on with it!'

"Oh…" the poor Goron frown and lowered his head. "I guess right now is a bad time to ask you." He jerked his head up and gave us a worried look. "Please help everyone!" he screamed and they both jumped at the sudden volume.

"What happened? Where are they?" Link went into hero mode instantly and Glacia smirked at him. He may seem like a cocky dude but he was brave and willing to help anyone at any time.

"My dad, Darunia, went to the Fire Temple. A dragon is inside! If you don't hurry even my dad will be eaten by it!" He started crying and Glacia automatically felt uncomfortable. She wasn't good with tears.

"What's wrong with him?" Dante asked as he fluttered around the inconsolable Goron Link.

"Maybe he'll calm down if we talk to him?" Navi suggested as she joined Dante in checking out the child.

Glacia bumped Link with her shoulder, "Ask him about the dragon." She shrugged.

"Can you tell me about the Dragon?" Link asked him as he placed a hand on the Goron.

"A long time ago there was and Evil Dragon named Volvagia living in this mountain. That dragon was very scary!" He started shaking at the mere thought. "He ate Gorons! Using a big Hammer, the Hero of the Gorons destroyed it. I know, because my dad is a descendant of the hero!" He started crying even harder.

"Ask him where the Gorons went." Glacia said with genuine curiosity. She wanted to know if her father was really behind this. He never once talked about the Goron race. She always thought he was much more concerned for the Hylian race.

"What exactly happened to the Gorons?" Link asked.

"Everybody was taken to the Fire Temple. While my dad was out, Ganondorf's followers came and took them all away!" He sobbed. Glacia clenched her jaw at the thought of her father's deeds. "Dad said that Ganondorf revived Valvagia as a warning to all who might oppose him." He wrapped his arms around himself, "Ganondorf is going to feed them all to Volvagia! Dad went to help everyone but I'm worried!" He grabbed Link's hands. "Please Link! You have to help them! I'll even give you this!" he handed Link a fire resistant tunic. "I only have one on me but there is probably another in the shop. I'll open everything."

"Thank you, Link." The human Link smiled at him. "I'll be sure to bring everyone back home to you; including your dad." He turned to walk away and the Goron Link stopped him.

"There's a secret passage behind the statue in my dad's room!" He called and Link smiled at him and nodded.

"Let's go to the shop and see if we can get you a tunic too." Link said as they walked the stairs down to the lower level. They entered the shop and saw a lone Goron looking rather bored. "Excuse me?" Link leaned on the counter and Glacia joined him at his right. The Goron looked up at him and smiled. "Do you have any women's fire resistant tunics?"

The Goron silently turned around and looked at the shelves. "I'm sorry sir, we only have men's. Don't get many women needing traveling wear. Most just stay home." He shrugged.

Glacia looked at Link and his upset face. "I'll just wear a men's." He looked at her with a surprised face.

"What?" she shrugged, "I'm not picky."

He raised his eyebrows and smiled, "All right, one tunic please."

"300 rupees." The shop owner said as he laid the tunic on the counter.

Link opened his wallet and started counting rupees. Glacia put her hand over his and slowly pushed his wallet away. "I can pay for myself, Link." She said as she pulled out a drawstring bag and opened it.

"No way," he shoved the bag away. "I'm getting it."

"Link," she said in frustration, "do I have to remind you that I can do things on my own?" She smiled, "I'm not a damsel. You don't have to take care of me." She handed the store owner 300 rupees and took the tunic. If Link wasn't with her she probably would have stolen it. After all, she was a good thief. All the Gerudos are.

"You wanna go change first? We can change in Darunia's room." Link said as they exited the store.

"Nah, you go first." She said as she sat down at the ground to wait for him. Link and Navi went into the room and Dante bumped into her face.

"I wonder why your dad would hurt the Gorons. They never really leave the mountain and wouldn't cause him any trouble." He said to her. Glacia couldn't think of a solid reason either. She didn't know her dad was such a horrible man. She couldn't fathom why a nice woman like her mother would ever marry a man like him if he was this awful. But then again if she never had married her dad, Glacia wouldn't have been born. Sometimes she wonders if that would be such a bad thing.

"All right, I'm finished." Link walked out and Glacia blushed. She didn't think Link would look that good in red but she was wrong. He looked better in red than green. The color gave him a sort of dangerous look that she actually liked.

"Oh, okay. I'll be quick." She stood and didn't look at him before going into the room. She laid the tunic down and watched as Dante flew around the room checking everything out. She pulled her tights off and folded them neatly next to Link's green clothes that he left lying on the table.

"What do you think the dragon will look like?" Dante asked as he hovered over the folded clothes.

"I don't know." Glacia shrugged as she pulled her tank top over her head and folded it. She ran her hands over her stomach and paused when she felt the raised skin of her birthmark. It was just like her mother's; a misshapen heart on her left hipbone. It was all she had left of her mother so she was proud to have it.

"You almost done?" Link called from outside the room.

She gasped and realized she was taking longer than he did. "Yeah, hold on!" She pulled the tunic over her head and tied a rope around the small of her waist to hold it. The tunic was too big for her small frame but it worked. She walked outside the room and posed in a sarcastic way. "How do I look? Ready to slay a dragon?" She laughed.

"You look like a kid wearing her dads' shirt." Link laughed, "I didn't realize you were that little."

She furrowed her brows at him in anger. "I'm not little! I'm as tall as you!" She crossed her arms and turned away from him, "I'm just skinny is all." She was made that way by all the corsets a princess has to wear for her dresses.

"Whatever," he laughed, "let's head on. I have a promise to keep" She followed him back into Darunia's room. She watched as Link used his incredible strength to pull the statue back. Flinching at the heat, she followed him inside.

The tunics did wonders of calming the heat down as they walked through the lava filled place. Glacia was a bit nerves as she surveyed the area. One wrong slip and her and Link both could fall into the lava. That was certainly something she didn't want. "This place is dangerous." She whispered more to her herself as they made their way to the broken bridge.

"Just stick close. I won't let you fall." Link told her. He didn't seem to be joking this time so she left the sarcastic remark she wanted to make alone. "Let's hookshot across to the other side of the bridge." He said as he pulled out his hookshot and started to aim it for the other side.

"Don't you think it's kinda stupid to put a wood bridge in a lava filled place?" She asked him as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side.

"A little," he said as he pulled the trigger and they were jerked to the other side of the bridge. Glacia ripped away from Link. Being that close to him didn't make her uncomfortable. It was the opposite. She was too comfortable being beside him that she was sacred; so she kept her distance.

"Let's go on." She said without looking at him. She took a step forward and Sheik jumped down from an unknown place and startled her. She hid behind Link in fear before she realized it wasn't a threat.

The Sheikah waked towards them, not paying Glacia any mind. "It is something that grows over time, a true friendship." He started speaking and Glacia's eyes widen. How could Link not tell that Sheik was an imposter? Glacia could tell from just seeing her for the first time. Zelda stood before them in disguise. Glacia's heart started racing. She could end this whole thing right now. She took a step back and slowly reached for her bow when Sheik continued, "The passion of friendship will soon blossom into righteousness and through it, you will know which way to go." Glacia let her hand fall as she watched Link from behind. Friendship…could you call what she had with Link friendship? She certainly didn't want to kill him now but friendship is more than just not wanting to kill each other, right? "Link, this song is dedicated to the power of the heart. The Bolero of Fire." Sheik looked at Glacia as she spoke of the heart. She felt hatred for the Princess in disguise and wanted to reveal everything and attack but yet she didn't want to. She watched as Sheik taught Link the beautiful melody. "I'll see you again." The Sheik didn't break eye contact with Glacia as she walked backwards.

"Wait," Link said he tried to walk up to her. A wall of fire blocked his way and with a flash of a deku nut, she was gone. Link groaned in frustration, "He always does that. Shows up, recites poetry of some crap like that and then leaves. I never get to talk." He looked back at her and saw a weird expression on her face. "Hey, Glacia, you okay?" He walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.

She just continued to stared forward and think about what Sheik said. She was trying to decide if she considered Link a friend. She wasn't too sure what a friend really was. Dante and her nursemaid where the only ones she ever conversed with. But since she's been with Link she's had more deep conversations and hasn't felt completely alone. She was beginning to feel something for him but quickly shut it out. Shaking her head clear, she looked up at him. "Yeah, I'm fine." She pushed his hand off and walked forward. "Let's go make good on your promise." She smiled at him as they got ready to enter the temple.

Once they entered the temple Glacia decided to split up. "Link, I'll go save the Gorons. You figure out how to stop the dragon. Sound alright to you?" She asked the Hero of Time.

"Yeah, sounds good to me." He nodded, "Sure you'll be alright?" He asked her with concern littering his voice.

"Why do you worry so much?' She rolled her eyes. "I tell you what," she pulled out her Ocarina and looked at him, "I'm gonna teach you a song. If you hear this song at any time during our visit here it means I'm in danger."

"Okay, that sounds fair." He smiled as he pulled his Ocarina out. "Ready when you are."

She placed the cold stone instrument to her full lips and blew softly. The sound of her lullaby filled the air around them as she played each note with precision. Link followed her finger movements and played along perfectly with her. Dante danced to music and Navi just floated next to Link. When they were finished, Link looked at her with a surprised face.

"Where did you learn that?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "It's a pretty melody."

"I'll tell you later." She smiled as she headed up the stairs and to the right. Link went to left and they separated.

Glacia didn't like all the fire and lava but she dealt with it. She did say she was going to help Link, so she had to. It wasn't that big a deal. The temple seemed pretty simple. No elaborate mazes or anything that would confuse her. She found most of the Gorons fairly quickly. When she was trying to find the last one, trouble came.

She was trying to cross the wooden bridge in the second main room when a Keese attacked her from behind. She was able to catch herself as she fell and she hung from the bridge over the lava; her feet not far from the deadly liquid fire.

"Glacia!" Dante flew over to her head and started screaming. "Come on! Pull yourself up!" He shouted.

She tried to pull her body up onto to the bridge but the heat made her hands too sweaty to perfectly grip the wood. She could feel herself slipping. "Dante, can you find Link?" she grunted as she tried and failed to pull herself up again. She could feel herself slipping but refused to freak out. She needed to remain calm.

"I'll try. Is there any way you can get your Ocarina and play the lullaby?" He frantically fluttered around her.

She was too afraid to try and plus she'd need two hands to play it. "No," she gasped as she almost lost her grip. "Just go!" She screamed at the blue fairy that flew off in search of help.

"He's never gonna let me live this down." She sighed as she held on for dear life. At least if I die I won't have to kill him, she thought. No, I can't do that. She sighed again. Moments had passed and her hands were getting sweaty to hold on. She started to panic when there was no sign of Link or Dante. "This is it." She whispered as her hands slid and she started to fall.

The hot air blew through her hair as she fell. She closed her eyes and thought of her mother. Would Layla be proud of what she's accomplished? She hoped so. She let out one last breath before she felt a strong grip around her wrist. Opening her eyes, she saw Link hanging half his body over the edge of the bridge gripping her wrist. Her mouth gaped open as her feet where inches from the lava. He smiled down at her and it took all her power not to roll her eyes at the remark that she knew was coming.

"Hey, there." He laughed, "I was looking for Glacia but all I see is a damsel."

She groaned, "Can you please pull me up now?"

"Fine," he smirked, "I had more jokes lined up." He hauled her up and she sat on the bridge. She wrapped her arms around her and looked away from Link. She didn't have anything to say to him. She keeps talking about how she doesn't need his help but then he ends up saving her life. Three times now.

"Oh my goodness, you're alright!" Dante said as he nestled himself into her neck.

She laughed and hugged the little guy, "Thank you for getting Link when you did." She said to her friend Dante. She turned to Link, who was sitting beside her looking over the room. She gave him a weak smile, "And thank you, Link." She sighed, "You saved my life."

"For the third time," he smirked at her. "Probably won't be the last either." She glared at him and he only smiled bigger. "You're welcome." He nodded at her. They sat in silence before Link spoke again. "How many Gorons are left?" He asked as he stared at her from the corner of his eyes.

She sighed deeply, "One more. The only place I haven't looked in the door you went into."

"I didn't really look around for any. I saw Darunia and went straight to him."

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah," Link ran a hand through his messy blond hair. "He went ahead to try and stop the dragon but it doesn't seem to be working too well for him."

She stood, "Did you find the hammer Goron Link spoke of?"

"Yep, sure did." He joined her in standing face to face.

"Then let's go slay a dragon." She shrugged.

They walked towards the main room and into the room connected to the boss room. "There's the last one." She pointed across the room to a lone Goron shaking in a cell. Link jumped over the lava to the platform and released him. After much thanking and cheering the Goron ran off and they were faced with the task of defeating Volvagia. They stood before the door and she watched Link closely. No matter what he has to go up against, he never lets fear cross his face, she thought as he unlocked the door and they entered.

Glacia surveyed the room and saw there was a platform in front of them with several holes, like something had been burrowing in the ground. They jumped across the pit and on to the platform and it immediately started shaking. Glacia gasped as a giant dragon crawled out of the ground and started flying circles around them in the air. She drew her bow and aimed an arrow for the beast. She let it fly and it bounced right of the monster.

"Shit," she mumbled, "arrows are a no go." She could feel the anger in her start to escalate at the thought of being useless.

"I got this." Link said as the creature burrowed into the ground.

"Over there!" Glacia yelled as she pointed at the spot where Volvagia was emerging. Link ran for it and slung the hammer towards its head. It screamed and went back into the ground before Link could strike with his sword.

After three tries of trying to strike the monster he was fed up. "Glacia!" He called and she turned from watching the dragon in the sky to see him. He stood there with a determined look and anger in his eyes. "Take this," he tossed the hammer at her. "When you can, hit it as hard as possible. Then I'll go for the kill."

She nodded and watched the holes closely, waiting for her chance. When she saw its head start to rise she jumped and brought the hammer down with all her weight onto its head. It screamed and grabbed at its temples and she saw Link out of the corner of her eye jump in to the air. She fell back to get out of the way as he jammed the Master Sword into Volvagia's head, right between the eyes.

She didn't see what happened next because Link's body fell on top of her as boulders rained from the ceiling at dragon's last dying scream. She heard the clang of the rocks on Link's shield and she dug her nails into his chest to hold him in place. She was terrified at not being able to see but at the same time she didn't want to see.

She still had her eyes closed when everything went silent and Link's body weight was lifted. "Glacia," she heard him say. "You can open your eyes." He laughed. She opened her eyes to reveal that the dragon was dead and she was still clenching Link's red tunic in her hands.

She gasped and released him. She stood up as quickly as possible and wrapped her arms around her in embarrassment. "I'm sorry." She muttered as she turned away from him and looked at the blue portal. "I wonder if Darunia is the Fire Sage." She said, trying to divert the conversation away from her.

"Probably." Link said as he stepped over to the portal. "Do you want to come this time?" He asked her.

"No, I'll just go back and change and wait for you in Goron City." She smiled and headed for the door. She wanted to know what the Chamber of Sages looked like but she didn't know for sure if they would know her. The last thing she needed was for Link to be told the truth. She wanted to keep lying to him until it was inevitable. She didn't even want to complete this mission anymore. Link has done nothing to deserve death. He has treated her how she always wanted: not like a princess. True, he didn't know she was royalty, but it didn't matter. He seemed to like her just fine as a common girl.

She shook her head clear. Maybe she was over analyzing the whole thing. She was a partner to him—nothing more. The thing is…what if she wants to be more than a partner?