(Ravio)

It felt as if an icy breeze was chilling Ravio to the bone. Hilda found him and he brought and Emerald into his affairs now. How in Hyrule and Lorule could he have been so careless, so ignorant in thinking that this wasn't going to happen? Most likely, she had captured Link as well, but where was he? That didn't matter at this moment. They were in chains, awaiting what was inevitable. Soon, he would have to face his own ruler.

"I... I'm so sorry. I'm the reason were here now 'cause I'm the one they want."

Emerald blinked in dismay. "What'd you do?"

"Hey, both-a-you! Over here!" A guard yelled, holding a slick dark whip.

"Come on," Ravio whispered. It was time to stop acting like this was a long time away.

Emerald stood and crept behind Ravio.

-()-

The stone corridor was long and dim, with only the light of some miscellaneous torches hanging on the walls. As they came closer, it began to feel even more frigid. Ravio kept a straight expression to the best of his ability, but stress and fear leaked through. After what seems like hours, the dreary hall opened into a large room. Ravio's color drained. There, in front of a carved mahogany table and set of chairs, a dark-haired girl stood upright and mighty; Princess Hilda. Ravio and Emerald stood before the princess, who only looked coldly upon them. Link was crouching on his knees, not bothering to look over.

"Well Ravio, it seems we do meet again," Hilda declares.

"I know why I'm here, but why Hilda?" Ravio asks painfully. "Why does it matter where I am? Why'd you follow me?" Crack! Ravio gasped as he fell, the air taken from him. The sting of the powerful whip was enough to send him to the ground. He laid on the floor, cringing in agony.

"Ravio!" Emerald shouted, "how dare you, what did he say?!" Emerald's scarf was yanked and thrown on the floor, exposing her neck. She turned to revolt. Crack, crack, crack! Stricken three times, she was knocked to the ground.

"Do any of you worms have any respect for royalty?" The holder boomed, "address her Highness respectfully."

Ravio watched in horror as she collapsed, feeling a very small amount of blood trickle from the wound of his neck. He had felt the wrath one strike, but could only image the pain of three in a row. After another few minutes, he unsteadily rose to his feet and looked at Hilda. His green eyes blazed with fury and a feeling a betrayal. After everything he and Link had done for her kingdom, she only stood there and watched as blood stained the necks of Link, Emerald, and him. "Princess, how could you?" His tone did not contain any anger or hostility, but instead, it flowed with disappointment.

"That is not them important matter at this moment," Hilda replied sharply. "Why did you use the Triforce to escape to Hyrule?"

"You know why."

"To have a new life. Yes, I found your letter. What's reasoning behind it?"

Ravio blinked. "I-It didn't feel right ever since-"

"-since Lorule's rebirth, yes."

He winced, Hilda's words burrowing into him. He felt like This is unlike her, and he knew it. The question was, why was she being this cruel and completely unreasonable? Ravio had known Hilda personally for a long time. They were family friends and never once had he seen her act so ruthless, especially towards Link and him.

"Now," she snapped, "are you going to explain why you three were trespassing?"

"Trespassing where?"

Hilda folded her slender arms. "Through the Nyctillic Forest, of course."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." Crack! Crack!

"Ack!" Ravio crumpled.

"It's obvious that we are not getting any information anytime soon. Just take them back," Hilda sighed.

-()-

(Link)

Link watched as the guard slammed the door shut behind them. He cursed under his breath as he joined the others in the corner. "Well, that was... interesting." His neck was still flaming with pain.

Ravio's green eyes were focused in the direction through the bars of the cell.

"Ravio, are you okay?"

He shook his head despairingly. "No. All this time, I never thought Hilda would do this."

"What was she talking about? You escaped Lorule, using their Triforce? Why though?"

-()-

(Ravio)

Ravio was laying in his bed, casting a blank gaze upon his roof. Ever since he had his first real adventure, his life had turned for the best in many ways. Selling his wares to Link, he had made a fortune, and it was absolutely beautiful. He was so grateful for his Hyrulean counterpart for buying, that he couldn't help but bow down to him as if he were a mighty king. Lorule's condition had much improved and even some of its land was restored. On the day of Lorule's rebirth, the sky had shifted in color to a beautiful crystal blue and the sunlight cascaded upon the land in luminescent rays. Oh, how he was never going to forget that. He had lived almost his entire life in darkness, and now the change was revolutionary.

However, something seemed to be missing. Ravio had everything he could ever ask for, at fifteen years old no less. He had retired when he was just twelve and had no need for the Blacksmith's teachings. Ravio was never good enough to be a quality blacksmith anyway. Yet, something was wrong. Sheerow, his bird, flew from his perch atop a shelf and landed of Ravio's chest, nuzzling him affectionately. He stroked his bird friend and smiled. "I have you, and what am I worried about? I have everything I need." Somehow, he just couldn't convince himself. He blinked and stayed still for several minutes. "Wait, maybe I don't..."

-()-

(Link)

"That was it. I touched the Triforce and used it to wish me here, but I know that I didn't leave an opening for Hilda. How she got here's beyond me," Ravio explained.

"Ravio," Link began, "I didn't know."

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. It's my fault. I was just so careless, but I just wanted to know more about this place. You guys got things that Lorule doesn't have, but why? That's what I wanted to find out."

Emerald sighed. "It feels like its my fault. I led your guys through that forest, and those monsters must be like soldiers or something. Sometimes, I feel that my life is just gonna get worse."

"What do you mean?" Link asked. Something awful must have happened for her to have to live in the forest. Emerald has given up on any hope that her life will improve, but for what reason?

"Well, when I was ten, my parents had an argument. I don't know what it was about, but my father left and I never saw him again. Later, my mother marries a guy who was a judge in the town. This guy had three other kids, which he brought with him when he moved into my house. I hated my mother for that, but I hated my oldest stepsister even more, Quartine," Emerald growled bitterly.

"Quartine?" Ravio asked, "how old was she?"

"Uh, back then she was fourteen, so she's probably almost eighteen by now. My other two step-siblings were Millie and Miles. Millie was only a year older than me and Miles was a year younger. Anyway, their father liked me a lot, but Quartine completely hated me. She was... vicious. I can't tell you how many times I was framed or something. Eventually, I just got tired of it." A tear formed in the corner of her eye. "I lived with them for a while. One day, Quartine pushed me, and I almost broke my leg when I fell down a flight of stairs. I had enough, so one week before her birthday, I left. That was the last time I saw any of them, ever." Emerald wiped her cheek with her sleeve. "Everything was completely downhill. Now, I don't even have a place to live."

"I'm sorry," Link said, "I had no idea what happened."

"Nobody did," she whispered. "I just don't like to talk about it. I haunts me everyday, and I can't imagine a nightmare that didn't involve it."

Link's heart cracked. Emerald seemed so distant and hard, but that is because of her past. As long as she remains like this, he's not even sure she'll ever be happy. There has to be something they can do, and Link had hope that both Ravio and him can help. By Ravio's unsteady expression, Link could tell he wanted to say something, but just was too afraid to, in fear that he'd say the wrong thing.

The metal door was pounded three times, and Link approached it carefully. He look through the small window. No way. "Princess Hilda? What are you doing?"

Hilda nodded. "I am here to free you," she whispered.

Link arched a brow. He wasn't sure if he should trust her or not, not after their last meet.

"Please Link," Hilda whispered, "it's a misunderstanding. I have the keys to free all of you. You are the only hope for my kingdom."

He pondered this for a moment. Hilda seemed to be behaving more like she used to before, and what if she did need their help? She was willing to free them right away and they had to escape somehow. She was handing them their freedom. "Alright," he whispered back, "I'll get the others." Link turned and beckoned Emerald and Ravio to the door.

"What is it?" Ravio asked.

Link didn't say a word. Instead he backed away from the door, which swing open and Hilda stood in the doorway.

Hilda sifted through her keys until she found a small key. "Quickly, my ally will be here soon." She unlocked Link's restraints and then freed the others using different keys.

"Ally?" Emerald said, skeptical.

"Yes, Lorule is allied with Nyctillans. They are spirit-like creatures that live in the shadows. Unfortunately, the leader, Arkus, had threatened war between Hyrule and Lorule if Lorule did not help him. Regardless, I fear the Hyrule is also in grave danger, so you must leave immediately." She put a key in Link's hand. "This key unlocks the weapons room of the fortress. Your belongings are there, and please take what you need. The fate of our worlds in your hands, Link."

"Wait! Hilda!" Ravio attempted to call for her quietly. "How'd you get to Hyrule?"

A sly smile appeared on her face. "Ravio, some things are better left alone. Allow the future to reveal the answers. One last word, Link. The exit of the fortress is down this hallway. You should pass the weapons storage and there is a door at the end of the hallway. After you exit, head straight through the forest. You should arrive at Hyrule Field."

Link nodded. "Thank you, Hilda."

The princess had already left, heading down the opposite end of the corridor.