Water Temple/Filler

Once Link had rejoined her they exited the Goron City and return to Kakariko Village. Glacia followed behind Link on the way to the Inn; never taking her eyes from his back. She was glad all the Gorons were safe but this mission is bringing troubling news to her ears about Ganondorf. She didn't know how much more she could take of learning about her father. It was beginning to divert her mind to stopping him rather than completing her mission of eradicating Link and that annoying Zelda. It was nightfall as they entered the Inn and got assigned to Room 9. After laying all their supplies out and sitting on their beds, Link began to ask her about the song she taught him in the Fire Temple. "Where did you learn that?" He asked as he held his Ocarina in his hands and played little single notes to the fairies amusement.

She rolled her Ocarina between her hands and smiled at the thought of her mother, "My mother taught it to me before she died. She called it "Glacia's Lullaby" and sung it to me every night before bed." She pushed the instrument to her lips and played a random note to make Dante dance.

Link flopped down on his back and stared at the ceiling, "Does it have words to it or is it just music?" He asked and she looked away from him.

"It has lyrics…" she started and he interrupted her.

"Sing it then," he jumped up and put his Ocarina to his mouth, "I'll play and you sing."

"And I'll dance!" Dante jingled and caused Glacia and laugh.

"I don't know," she rubbed her neck. She had never sung in front of anyone other than Dante.

"Come on," Dante bumped into her face, "I haven't heard you sing since we left home!"

"Just the first verse," Link smiled, "Come on, it's bedtime. The perfect time for a lullaby!"

"Fine," she sighed and Link began playing the melody and she took a deep breath, "Close your eyes my sweet baby, when the morning sun rises you will see, all of this is but a dream, you are more than you seem. Close your eyes my sweet darling, the moon is high and waning, watching over you as you sleep. Close your eyes and do not weep." She smiled as she started to sing to last high note and Link's eyes widen, "I am here never fear." Link slowly pulled the Ocarina from his lips and stared at her. He hadn't heard anyone sing as beautifully as her since the last time he hung out with Saria seven years ago. He memorized every line of the song.

"That's a pretty song." He said as she stared off away from him. Dante and Navi had been dancing to her voice and they nestled down on Links' hat, which lay at the foot of his bed. "Looks like you sung these two energy balls right to sleep too." He laughed.

"My momma had a better voice than me." She blushed, "and now I'm tired." She yawned and stretched.

"Well, get some sleep. We got the Water Temple tomorrow." Link said as he lay back and pulled the blanket over him. He was fast asleep. No doubt that he was exhausted. Glacia watched his back for a few minutes before turning to face the wall. She couldn't understand how Link was going through these temples back to back. Link was pushing himself to his limit each time to try and save this land. She couldn't even get the courage to stand up to her father for anything.

She definitely didn't have the courage to face father now. There was no way she could complete this mission if it meant killing Link in the end. If only she could shake the feelings for Link, if only she could throw herself back into the darkness Link showed her out of. He didn't even do anything to make her feel this way. He was just kind to her and showed her that life wasn't about riches and crowns. Just being in that bed next to his, wearing the same clothes she spent the last few days in, and not in her luxurious bedchamber in silk gowns; made her happy.

This is what scared her. She pulled the blanket tighter around her and sighed. She couldn't stay by Link's side. Not like this. Being this close to him would kill her in the end; especially if her father found out about her change of heart. She could just imagine the fight that would break out and ultimately end in her early demise.

Silently getting up, she packed her things. She figured it was best to leave while him and Navi where asleep. It would be easier and she could avoid any conflict. She poked Dante and flew awake. She pressed her finger to her lips to tell him to be quiet and he obeyed. As she placed her bow over her head, she looked back at the sleeping Link. She closed her eyes and headed for out of their room. Once they were out of earshot, Dante started asking questions. "Where are we going, Glacia?" He asked as he flew beside her head. "Why are we leaving Link behind?"

She sighed and tried to smile at him, "I'll tell you when I have an answer." Was all she could think to tell him at the time. When they reached the front desk she rang the bell. When the inn keeper came to her she leaned on the counter and pulled out her wallet. "I'm checking out of room 9, but my partner is still asleep." She smiled, "Can I go ahead and pay for his stay?"

"Of course dear," the inn keep smiled at her. "May I ask why the early departure?" She accepted the money and watched Glacia carefully.

"Uh," she looked around, "I don't really know, to be honest." She sighed, "Do you have some paper and something to write with? I'd like to leave my partner a note."

The inn keeper nodded and handed her a paper and pen. "That friend of yours is a cutie! I hope you don't plan on running out on a stud like that!" She raised her eyebrows at Glacia. Glacia laughed at the old lady.

"What can I say?" She laughed, "I'm an idiot." She lightly shook her head and handed the old lady the note. They nodded and out the front door Glacia left.

"Where are we going now?" Dante was quiet as he fluttered about her head.

"I'm not sure." She whispered with all the sickening truth in her voice. She couldn't go home that was for sure. But where could an on-the-run princess go? She had a friend in the Valley that she could always go to. Her name was Zira and she always kept things to herself so she would perfect. "We're going to the Valley." She told Dante as they headed south. He seemed okay with it but she could tell he was missing Navi already. Dante seemed to really like her.

Back in the inn, Link woke to the daylight and an empty bed beside him. He shook his head and figured Glacia went for some food at a diner or something. After gathering all his stuff, he decided to ask the inn keeper if she had seen her leave this morning.

"Excuse me?" He rang the bell at the desk and called.

"Hello young man!" The old inn keeper greeted him.

Link smiled to be polite, "Have you see my friend? She wasn't in our room this morning and I was wondering if she may have come through here?" He leaned on the counter and Navi bounced around his head.

"Are you Link?" She asked as she picked up a piece of paper with pretty handwriting on it.

"Sure am," he nodded.

"You're friend paid for your stay and left you this." She handed Link the letter with a sympathetic look, "I'm so sorry, dear."

Link's eyes widen as he took the paper from her. His eyes scanned the lettering and he felt anger and abandonment start to flow through him.

Link,

I'm so sorry but I had to leave you. I just couldn't be around you anymore. I can't say why but I hope you can understand that I just got my feelings mixed up with our mission. Please, don't look for me. I went somewhere you wouldn't find me anyway. Just carry on with saving Hyrule and forget about me.

—Glacia

He didn't say a word as he left the inn. He tucked the letter away in his pocket walked to the nearest tree. Pulling out his sword, he slashed at the tree until the tree was barely standing. "Link!" Navi yelled, "What's wrong? What was in that letter?"

He was breathing heavy from the anger and glared at the glowing ball of light, "Glacia left."

"What?" Navi stopped in midair. "Why would she and Dante leave?"

"I don't know," he put his sword away and started walking out of the town, "She said she 'got her feelings mixed up with the mission'. I don't even know what that means." He groaned.

"It sounds like she was saying she fell in love with you…"

"She could've said that to my face!" He yelled at her. He didn't know why Glacia leaving had such an impact on him. All they ever did was bicker and fight anyway. He sighed and looked at Navi, "I'm sorry I yelled. I don't know why I'm so worked up about this."

"Maybe you fell in love with her too?" Navi suggested and Link waved her off.

"I don't have time for that. I got to save Hyrule. Besides," he looked off in the direction of Zora's Domain, "what would it matter now if I was?"

It took two days to reach Gerudo Valley. She knew Link probably had read the letter by now. She felt so guilty for leading him on and leaving him high and dry. She had too, though. It was for the best. She was coming up on the Valley and walked across the bridge. The familiar heat of the desert glazed over her and she felt more comfortable. She was home.

The Valley didn't look any different than it did when she left. The guards were patrolling a lot more, probably because of the increase in the amount of monster around the world. She returned the friendly waves of her longtime neighbors and friends and searched for Zira. She found the Gerudo atop a lookout tower.

"Zira!" She called at the top of her lungs. She saw the familiar redhead women look over the railing and smile brightly.

"Glacia!" she heard her friend scream as she quickly made her way down the ladder and ran into her arms. "It's so good to see you!" She cheered as they embraced each other and laughed.

"It's really good to see you too, Zira!" She smiled weakly and Zira instantly knew something was wrong.

"Glacia is everything okay on your side?" She asked. Before Glacia could answer Zira grabbed her arm and pulled her away to her house. "Sit down, girl. I'm gonna make some tea for me and get a glass of Sake for you."

Glacia sat on the floor and rested her arms on the table. The animal rug under her felt soft against her skin and eased her nerves. Zira returned to the living room and sat the glass of sake down in front of Glacia and sat on the other side of the table. "Spit it out." She rested her head on her hands and stared at Glacia.

With a sigh, Glacia told her about Link and her mission, "…and after I had come to fully realize that I had strong feelings for him, I left." She ended the long story and felt her gut wrench at thinking about Link. "I just don't know what to do Zira. I know that dad will be furious with me if I go home without Link's head on a silver platter. What do I do?" She let her head fall onto the table in frustration.

Zira was silent for a few moments. Glacia waited patiently for her reply while downing her second glass of sake. She felt the burn of the alcohol in the back of her throat and ignored the buzz that was coming to her head. "Glacia," Zira started with a soft voice, "you need to go back to this boy."

Her eyes widened as she jerked her head to stare at Zira. "What?" She raised an eyebrow, "Go back to him? How can I even begin to do that? He must be so angry with me because all I did was leave him a note!" She felt a tear slide down her face as she thought about hurting him.

Zira lowered her head, "Child," she said and Glacia rolled her eyes. Zira always spoke like she was an old lady but she only two years older than Glacia. "You really care for this boy, Glacia, enough that you are willing to go against your father, our king, just so you don't have to hurt him. Doesn't that tell you that you need to go and be by his side to protect him?"

She thought about that statement. Even now that she's gone, it won't stop Link from having to battle her father in the end. He would still have the risk of getting hurt with or without her. She wanted to go back. "He wouldn't take me back." She sighed. That was true as she knew it. She'd have to do something heroic and stupid to gain his trust and make him understand. She just didn't know what.

"You do not know that." Zira smiled, "He may be waiting for you right now."

"He's at the water temple. I'm sure the only thing on his mind is saving Hyrule." She sighed and ran her finger over the rim of her empty cup.

"I wouldn't count on that." Zira laughed, "Men are curious creatures, dear. Once they get stuck on a female they can't quit her." She shrugged, "That's just how it is."

"And how do you know that?" She raised a curious eyebrow and watched Zira blush.

"Uh," she rubbed her neck, "before you're dad decided to go on the war path, I may of met some boy over at Kakariko…but this isn't about me." She shook her head and pointed a finger at Glacia, "This is about you and that boy who you've running from. What did ya momma tell you before she left us?"

Glacia smiled at the thought of her mother, "She always said told us to follow our hearts and never fear what we know to be right."

"She was right," Zira stood and collected the empty glasses. "In life you are given a true love once. This could be yours and you're running from it." She took the empty glasses to kitchen. "Now, we been talking all night. Time to get some sleep so you can go get that boy tomorrow." She smiled as she handed Glacia a blanket. "I'll give you some new clothes in the morning." She said as she went for her bedroom and tossed Glacia a pillow.

"Thanks, Zira," Glacia yawned, "I'll see you in the morning." She laid down and closed her eyes. Dante hadn't spoken much all day. He's been held up in his pouch complaining about missing Navi. Glacia wasn't too different from him. She'd just spent an entire day recounting the last few weeks with Link. She felt so pathetic. It's all her fault she feels terrible. She could've just stayed with Link and enjoyed the time they would have together until they reached the castle and all would be revealed. Then again, if she did stay she and Link would only get closer and it would make the ending even harder on them both. This whole thing gave her headaches not even sake could fade.

When morning rose Zira woke her and gave her a fresh set of clothes, "You can go change in my bedroom." She yawned as she went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Glacia walked into Zira's bedroom and took in the sight. Tapestries hung on every wall and her bed sat on the floor and the animal rugs decorated the floor. It wasn't much different than she remembered and the nostalgia of childhood made her a good kind of sick. As she changed into the new outfit she couldn't help but smile. Zira was smart not to give her the traditional Gerudo clothes. Instead she was now wearing a purple dress with a jewel rope that used to tie it up at her waist and white skin tight white leggings with light desert sandals. She had to admit she liked the change but she looked a little too girly for her mission. "Hey, Zira," she called as she went back into the living room, "When you said 'a fresh change of clothes' I thought you meant something like—oh I don't know—something I could fight in."

Zira didn't look at her as she grabbed her scythe, "Darling, you're going to get a boy back. You need to look good. Not like you just slaughtered a hog." She laughed, "Well, I've got guard duty today. Think you'll be okay on your way out?" She looked over at her friend.

"I'm sure." She smiled, "Thank you, Zira. Can you not mention any of last night to anyone?" She asked nervously as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"Mention what?" she smirked.

"Thanks," she laughed. "I'll be sure to come back and visit after all this mess is finished and dad straightens up." She said as Zira nodded and left. Glacia walked leisurely through the Valley and into Hyrule field. Dante flew around her head with excitement of seeing Navi again while Glacia walked with a slow pace. She was dreading the argument she knew she and Link would have. It would take at least a day to reach Lon Lon Ranch and then another to reach Kakariko Village. She started to consider getting a horse but the fear was too real to try.

"I'm gonna tell Navi that she's cute!" Dante shouted as he flew ahead of her with determination.

"Slow you're roll, buddy." She laughed. They continued on through the night and the next morning. She was tired and decided to sit under a tree and rest. She didn't want to get too tired before finding Link. She knew that conversation would take all her strength.

Link had just completed the water temple and said his farewell to Ruto before heading Kakariko Village. He was still angry about Glacia and he used that anger to help him slaughter the beast in the Water Temple. He thought he was in trouble a few times in the temple. His head was just too foggy and crowed with thoughts of Glacia. She hadn't left his mind since she actually left his life. Even Sheik couldn't get his mind away from her. Navi could tell Link wasn't in the best of mood so she stayed quiet and avoided any mention of her. Link didn't even want to take time to rest. He needed to keep his mind busy so he headed straight for the Shadow Temple in Kakariko. Who needs rest anyway? He thought as he rubbed his bicep. He was hurt pretty bad but he didn't care. The sooner he saved Hyrule the sooner he can leave this land.