A/N: I am the worst author ever. Sorry I haven't updated in so long, I've had a major case of writer's block. But Chapter Ten is here, and I hope it's good! Please please review, it gives me so much more motivation to write! Thanks :)
Link could feel heat beating on his skin, seeing the morning sun from behind his red eyelids. He could sense Midna's steady breathing on his chest, her hand draped across his stomach, and suddenly, he didn't want to open his eyes and disturb this perfect moment. He lay there for a moment, enjoying the feeling of Midna's long hair on his cheek, her cool skin curled into him, before slowly opening his blue eyes.
As if sensing the miniscule movement, Midna turned her head and rested her chin on Link's chest. There was a buttery look in her ruby eyes, and Link felt his own melt into the same expression.
She reached up to kiss him, "Good morning."
He returned the kiss all too willingly, "Morning."
"I don't want to get up," Midna sighed, brushing her hair back so it fell silkily over her back.
"Me neither," Link agreed, remembering the previous night.
Although it would have been every man's desire, Hylian or Twili, to spend an entire night alone -no disruptions, and no distractions- with the most beautiful woman, Link wouldn't let himself do anything more than kiss her smooth forehead, and fall into a peaceful sleep with Midna in his arms. His body may have hated him for it, but Link wanted to enjoy his moments with her.
Midna began tracing abstract patterns along his skin with her long fingers, and Link could feel his body punching at him internally, cursing his brain for over thinking the matter. He felt his body shudder slightly, then soften under her touch. This was almost better than when Midna would scratch behind his sensitive ears when he was in wolf-form. He could feel his eyes starting roll back into his head when Midna spoke.
"Do you think we could visit the Mirror Chamber?" she asked.
"Why do you want to go there?" Link questioned back, his words harsher than he intended.
"I just want to see...if the mirror is still broken," Midna admitted.
"It probably still is," he shrugged, the pillows shifting under his movement.
"I know," she said in a small voice, "But it was so weird what happened to me. I want to see if I can do it again..."
"What if you get sent back to the Twilight Realm?" Link frowned.
"Then you can come with me," she countered.
Link stayed silent.
"Please, I just need to know if my kingdom's safe," Midna pleaded, "and to make sure Zant or Ganondorf, or whatever evil hasn't found a way to the twilight."
"Alright," Link sighed, agreeing, "I know we have to save more than Hyrule. Again."
Midna smirked, her eyes dancing. "Look, we're already learning to compromise better than last time."
Link tried to suppress his grin. "That's because you were always the boss in charge. I was just the lowly old wolf who never got an opinion."
"And now I've learned that we're living on a two-way street," she joked, kissing the tip of his nose.
He let out a snicker, mussing her hair. Midna playfully swatted his hand away, pulling back the covers, and bouncing out of bed.
The sun trickling in from the window cast her as a silhouette, and Link marvelled at the smooth lines of her curves as she stretched her lengthy limbs.
There was a tentative knock on the door. Midna strode over, whirling it wide open.
"Nice to see you're up," Zelda nodded, causing Link to grip the sheets, pulling them over his exposed chest. "I thought you would need new clothes for the journey."
She stepped into the room, not paying any attention to Link, and spread the garments on the occupied bed. There was a simple tunic for Link, the over shirt and pants a dark navy, everything else an astonishing white. Midna's dress was a rich burgundy, only a few shades darker than her ruby eyes.
"I figured you might want a map of where to find these ingredients," Zelda threw a piece of parchment on top of the clothes. "And Epona is in the stables if you want to bring her with."
Link pulled the sheets up over his neck when Zelda finally acknowledged his presence.
"You should be able to find everything you need within two days." She met his eyes, staring into them, and Link saw her pupils dilate in the sunlight.
Midna cleared her throat, and Zelda directed her gaze at her. Link looked down, an uncomfortable feeling settling into his stomach from Zelda's gaze.
"I'll leave you two to your journey, then," Zelda nodded, drifting out of the room.
Midna shut the door loudly, turning back to Link. "There's something weird going on with her," she said.
Link had noticed it as well. Zelda could go from unnaturally excited, to worried about her kingdom being destroyed, and her angry outburst added to the table of newfound emotions. The only emotion that Link had ever seen her use the past year, was an undisputed calm. It was almost like something was possessing her.
Link thoughts were interrupted when Midna began changing into the silky dress Zelda had left. She noticed his gaze, and smirked.
"Get changed," she threw a wad of fabric at Link.
He quickly slipped into it, noting the softness of the tunic, and the perfect fit. When Midna had her back turned, he stealthily ducked his hand into his other tunic, sliding the velvet ring case into his navy pocket.
"The map says that we should start in the Forest Temple, go to the City in the Sky, and then finish at Arbiter's Grounds," Midna read.
"Let's go, then," Link suggested, grabbing his sword and shield.
Zelda walked over to the window as soon as she reached her room, and ran her hands along the bumpy stone ledge. Her cheeks were still flaming from the small, but embarrassing confrontation with Link and Midna. Even though Zelda had to accept their feelings for each other, it still made her uncomfortable and itchy thinking about them… together. She glanced out at her kingdom, lost in her thoughts and felt her eyes glaze over.
An unpleasant oozing sensation crept into her head. Zelda felt a small puncture in the interior of her head, hearing a sound similar to a hissing pipe. The sound grew stronger, causing Zelda to grip her ears with both hands, writhing in pain.
It was gone just as quickly as it came. Zelda unclenched her fists slowly, straightening her back. The scene outside her window was still the same, Hyrule still bathed in warm, yellow light. Zelda could feel a whistle of wind slide from her left ear, to right. She shuddered involuntarily.
The mysterious wind snaked its way up her arms swirling around her neck, concentrating itself under her earlobes. Zelda automatically brought her hands to her ears, trying to swat the wind away, and was shocked to find her palms feeling as if scalding hot water was poured on them. They were turning an angry red, her skin already starting to blister. The wind didn't feel hot on her neck at all. On the contrary, it was a cool gust.
The whooshing stopped abruptly, dust particles still swirling in front of Zelda's eyes. Unintelligible whispering slithered through her head, making her so uncomfortable she let out a whimper. The whispers let out a new sound; a slow, deep chuckle.
Even through her discomfort, Zelda recognized the laugh.
"No need to get so work up, Princess." Ganondorf chuckled.
She whipped her head around, searching through the perimeter.
"You'll never be able to find me, Princess," he laughed, "I'm up here." Zelda felt a tapping in her cranium.
"You are just too easy," Ganondorf mocked. "So predictable, Princess. It was no work at all for me this time."
Zelda was stunned into silence.
"Why, when your only concern in for the 'Hero of Time'" he continued with a sneer, "It's simple to find my way into your head. And I must say, Princess, I had no idea you were in love with the Chosen One!"
"I don't love Link," Zelda sputtered, finding her voice.
"Don't lie to me," Ganondorf spat. "I can see every single thought that ever crossed your mind. Such a colourful imagination you have."
Zelda saw images flash past her eyes, ones that she had dreamt up herself. A scene of Link kissing her passionately in the castle courtyard, lingered in front of her eyes.
She felt her cheeks burn scarlet.
"No need to feel so embarrassed. Or guilty, for that matter," Ganondorf said, feeling Zelda's emotions. "I can help you , Princess."
"How can you help me?" she snapped.
"I know how much you hate to admit it, but you despise that imp. I'll dispose of that little brat that your lover is so fond of. " he bargained, "But in return, Hyrule will be my kingdom."
"That's preposterous!" Zelda exclaimed, "I will never give up my throne."
She could feel her legs being forced to walk, over to the vanity mirror in her room. Zelda's reflection was normal, physically, but looking closer, her mouth was twisted into a smirk, her eyes holding a devilish look in them. One eyebrow was raised expectantly. It was nothing close to the fear that Zelda was feeling inside.
She could feel her right hand being weighed down suddenly, and looked to see a dagger with intricate patterns in her fist.
"You will give up Hyrule," Zelda's reflection spoke. "Even if I have to kill you to do it."
The dagger began tracing a pattern along her stomach, the pressure growing stronger after every second.
"Hyrule, or death," Ganondorf spoke. "You get the final decision."
The blade left her stomach, and swept across her hand, leaving a clean cut. Zelda could feel a weight lifted from her body, her reflection no longer cunning, but afraid.
Tears began streaming down Zelda's face as she struggled to find cloth to cover her seeping cut. She flipped her hand back and forth, examining the damage. Her Triforce was radiating a colour only a few shades darker than the blood that was dripping from her palm.
The last time Ganondorf had possessed her, she could only watch sub-consciously, not feeling what he could do to her body. It terrified her to no end to know that he was back, he could use her again, and he knew about her feelings for Link.
Zelda knew how wrong it was to fall for Link, especially considering he was in love with Midna. She didn't want to love him, but ever since he had saved Hyrule from evil, it just made Zelda even more attracted to him. She had secretly hoped that Midna wouldn't return from the Twilight so Link could fall in love with Zelda, and they could be together without worrying about anything else but each other. Although the jealousy tore her apart, Zelda knew Hyrule was her first and foremost worry.
She couldn't let her love for Link destroy her kingdom.
"I don't understand how you can ride a horse for days at a time, and not feel as if your legs are going to fall off," Midna complained.
They had retrieved Epona from the stables, and took off in a dead run. Link loved it, but Midna wasn't exactly comfortable with the fast pace. Thanks to the speed, though, they had already reached Coro's hut and the sun hadn't even began to set.
"It's because I actually like horseback riding, and I'm not a wimp when it comes to discomfort," Link teased.
Midna let out an exasperated huff in return.
"Link!" Coro exclaimed when they came into view.
"Hey, Coro!" Link matched his enthusiasm.
"What brings you to Faron Woods?" he asked, reaching up to pet the bird that had just landed on top of his bushy hair.
"We just have an errand to run for Princess Zelda," Link said, hopping off Epona.
Link held a hand out to Midna, helping her off. He suppressed a pleased grin as he watched Coro's eyes grow wide, taking in Midna's beauty.
"Who might this lovely lady be?" Coro asked, addressing her.
"Princess Midna of the Twilight Realm," she said smugly, shaking his overeager hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Princess," Coro kissed her slim hand.
Link was beginning to become uncomfortable. He hadn't ever considered himself the jealous type, but that didn't mean he wanted every man fawning over Midna.
"We'd better get going," Link urged.
"Don't worry about Epona, I can watch her for you," Coro offered.
"Thanks," he called over his shoulder, disappearing into the shady cavern, gripping Midna's hand.
Thankfully, a Keese came off of the roof immediately. Link drew his sword, slashing it quickly with a strong uppercut.
"That's disgusting," Midna grimaced, watching as Link carved the wing out with his Master Sword.
Link threw the dead carcass at her, laughing as she screamed, taking off towards the temple.
"That wasn't funny!" she screeched, fuming.
"It was to me," he smirked, placing the wing in his bag.
The Forest Temple looked exactly the same since the last time Link had been there. The dim light, soft vines, and circular door were like déjà vu. Link still remembered the Skulltula that would drop from the ceiling every time he came in the first door, and today was no exception. It only took a few easy swipes with his blade, and the venom was dripping out of the Skulltula's mouth and into Link's glass bottle.
"Simple," Link grinned. "I bet we can make it to Lake Hylia before dusk."
Midna's mood was still bitter from the Keese incident, and her only response was a small huff.
"I'm sorry I threw a dead animal at you," Link laughed, kissing her smooth cheek.
Midna rolled her eyes, but still smiled. "I guess that was kind of payback for all of my not-so-nice moments last year, huh?"
"I guess it was," he chuckled.
His laugh was stopped short at the worried look on Midna's face.
"Link," she pointed towards the bush, "Look over there."
Link glanced over at the large shrub, not sure what he was looking for.
It didn't take long, because he could see two blood red eyes peeking out of the greenery.