WHAT?! Two updates in one week?! IS THIS REAL LIFE?!

No, but seriously, I've felt so guilty about the slow updating throughout the school year. But good news, the 29th is/was my last day! (I don't know when I'll be posting this chapter, sometime soon though, so meh)

I had sudden inspiration hit me just a few minutes ago, so I'm going to go ahead and write a new, lovely chapter for my wonderful reviewers. Without you guys, I'm nothing.

Chapter 15

Zelda awoke to the light filtering through the window shades. She sat up in the bed she shared with Midna, pushing her tousled hair out of her face. Sheik and Link lay, dead to the world, on a makeshift bed from the night before, and Pipit slept in his own bed across the room.

After the crew had came up with a plan of action last night, Link had graciously offered his bed to Zelda, who in turn scooted over so that Midna wouldn't have to sleep on the floor. Pipit came in late last night, shocked to see so many people in his room, but shrugged it off and was soon sound asleep himself.

Zelda stuck her hand underneath Link's feather pillow and sighed a silent breath of relief when she felt the smooth, warm gold of the Goddess Harp brush against her fingers. She didn't know what would happen if she played it, and she didn't exactly know if she was ready to find out yet, either. On the opposite edge of the pillow, Midna snoozed away, a small pool of drool soaking into the brown pillow cases. Zelda quietly slipped out of the bed, thankful to be sleeping on the outer edge as to not wake Midna. She tip-toed around the boys and slipped into the hallway, heading towards the boys' lounge for a much needed cup of strong, black coffee. She spared a glance at one of the hallway's clocks, which read 8:15 AM. True to their stereotype, not a single guy was out wandering about at this hour. Which was a good thing, too, since all she'd bothered to wear last night was a simple white cami and a borrowed pair of Link's blue boxer shorts.

The lounge was empty, just as she'd expected, and Zelda made a happy beeline towards the kitchen section towards the back, eager to claim the first of the fresh coffee. She quickly turned the coffee maker on and busied herself finding a mug in the cabinets, but froze with her hand around a cup as she suddenly felt a cold, chilling sensation that make the hairs on her arms stand up. She whirled around, mug still in her grasp, only to meet a pair of hauntingly handsome red eyes, staring at her from the doorway of the lounge.

"Oh! You scared me…" she started, trailing off. "Who...who are you?" The man standing there was the definition of Tall, Dark and Handsome. His red eyes suggested Sheikah descent, but nothing else about him seemed to resemble the quiet race. His ebony black hair was straight and shaggy, and he had a sharp, angular nose and cheekbones. Something about him made her want to run away screaming, but something else; something familiar and comforting compelled her to stay.

"My apologies," he said, walking towards her. She stared at him, clutching her mug in both hands now, as he approached her with a light smirk on his face. Up close, Zelda knew what was so familiar about him.

"I thought I heard someone in the hallways, though I was sure no one would be awake for at least another hour." He reached around her into the still open cabinet, his arm brushing against the top of her head as he retrieved his own mug. Although she knew he was intruding her bubble of personal space, she simply could not bring herself to move away from the man.

"My name is Dark, I just started going here a few weeks ago."

His words slowly brought her back to reality, and she fought off the impulse to stare. "Were you here before Madame Impa was taken?" she asked.

"No, unfortunately not. Though I've heard nothing but good things about her," he said, making his own cup of coffee. She watched him until he finally turned around again, leaning against the counters and sipping his beverage. "You must be Zelda."

She started. "How do you know me?"

He laughed, a musical, dark, chilling laugh that reverberated throughout her bones. "Darling, everyone knows who you are."

Before she could send a retort back, another figure emerged from the lounge doorway. "Zel, I do not understand how you can wake up so damn early," Midna grumbled, rubbing her eyes and yawning as she walked towards her companion, not noticing the dark man lounging quietly beside her. "Is that coffee I smell?"

"Indeed it is, Twili," Dark replied, cutting Zelda off once more.

Midna lowered her hands from her face then, her eyes bulging at the stranger. "Who in the hell are you?"

"Dark," was all he said before placing his half empty coffee mug on the counter and standing upright. He was a solid 6 inches taller than both of the girls.

Instead of replying, Midna simply stared at him with confusion and suspicion. He smiled at her in return, then averted his gaze to the blonde at his side. "Zelda," he murmured, locking eyes with her. Her breath caught in her throat. He kept smiling as he lowered his head towards her, speaking into her ear, "I'll be looking forward to the next time I see you."

Wide-eyed, Zelda watched as he turned and walked coolly out of the room. Both girls stared at his retreating figure down the hall until it disappeared all together.

"Zelda?" Midna said, her tone serious, her eyes not looking away from the doorway.

"Yes?" she said, her eyes looking at the same place.

"Tell me I'm insane, but did that guy look exactly like Link?"

Zelda gulped before she answered. "Yeah," she said finally, "He did."

It was safe to say that Zelda was thoroughly shaken after her encounter with Dark, and even more shaken by the fact that she was inexplicably attracted to him. Sure, he could have been Link's doppelganger, but everything about him screamed evil. Yet, at the same time, sexy.

No! Not sexy! Bad Zelda! she mentally chided herself, shaking her head. She and Midna had returned to Link's room after finishing their coffee, coming to the conclusion to not mention to their boyfriends about the strange man they'd run into.

"Zel? Are you listening, sweetheart?" Link said, placing a hand on her leg.

She looked up, startled. "Oh, sorry, what were you saying?"

"I was just saying, we need to find a powerful Twili to open the Twilight Realm for us. That's the only puzzle piece missing in our plan."

"It's not even that simple," Sheik added, sitting crossed legged on the floor, "Legend says that the only way you can access the Twilight Realm is by being guided through the Mirror of Twilight by the 'one true ruler.' I don't know about you, but I think the odds of us finding the one true ruler of Twili and the Mirror of Twilight are pretty slim."

"Sheik! You can't just give up hope. They're like, the Chosen Ones. Surely it isn't impossible," Midna said, playfully shoving her boyfriend.

"Who is a powerful Twili that we know of?" Zelda said, tapping her chin.

"Zant," Pipit chimed in from his place on his bed. Apparently he had been brought up to speed by Link.

"That may be true, but Zant would never help us in a million years," Link said. "Hell, Ganondorf probably keeps him around because he is the true ruler of Twili, and he needs him to get into the Twilight Realm."

"I don't know," Midna said softly, "I would think that the true ruler of Twili would be kind and brave, not manipulating and evil."

Zelda looked at her best friend. "Midna, do you have any idea who it could be? You're the only Twili I know of, besides Zant."

"There's Cassidy Lament from my Chem II class," Pipit said, trying to help.

"Cassidy doesn't even know her heritage!" Midna shrieked, throwing a pillow at Pipit. "There's no way she could be a ruler, or even know that we have one in the first place."

"Goddess," Zelda said, rubbing her temples, "I need Farore right now. Or Madame Impa. Or, or Goddess Hylia herself."

"But aren't you Goddess Hylia?" Sheik inquired.

Zelda opened her eyes. "Oh, well, yeah, I guess I am."

"Well then you think of something, Goddess!" Midna teased.

"Princess, Goddess, Triforce of Wisdom, it doesn't make a difference if I don't even know how to tap into these things."

"Maybe you can," Link said eagerly. "Maybe if you concentrate, you can tap into your memories. Surely the Goddess Herself would know who the ruler of Twili is."

"Maybe you're right. But I don't think I could do that here," she said.

"Do you want us to go to your dorm instead?" Midna asked.

"Actually, I should go meditate by myself or something," Zelda said, rising from the bed. She pecked Link on the lips and started towards the door, pulling on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. "I wish things were simple," she sighed, "How much easier would this be if Midna was the ruler?" she joked.

Midna snorted. "Yeah, right."

Zelda grinned. "I'll be back later guys, hopefully with some good information."

"Be careful, love," Link called to her, smiling affectionately.

"I will be," she said, her heart hurting. She left then, hating the guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach. Damn it, she thought, why can't it just be simple?

A solid half an hour later, Zelda was in her own clothes, sitting by herself in the library. With the freezing weather, even less people showed up in there, but Zelda enjoyed the complete solitude She was sitting in the far corner on the floor, hidden by half-sized shelves of books from anyone that happened to wander inside. The book in front of her was opened to a page that displayed a picture of the Goddess Hylia. Now, Zelda could see the resemblance between herself and the Goddess. The long blonde hair, milky skin, clear blue eyes and thick lashes, along with a pleasant, heart shaped face.

"It feels like I can't pray anymore, since I'm actually just praying to myself. But, Goddess, even if you are within me, please help me, I don't know where to go from here…" Zelda bowed her head towards the book and a tear escape from the corner of her eye. She squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated for a moment, searching every crevice of her mind for something godly. The moment turned into minutes, and finally, with a frustrated sigh, she opened her eyes again.

"Please, someone, help me!" she cried, raising her hands to the ceiling. More silence. Not moving her eyes away from the dark tiled ceiling, she leaned back onto the bookshelf and placed her hands in her lap. "I'm really awful at this," she muttered.

Relax.

Her eyes widened briefly before they slowly closed. She let out a deep breath and relaxed her muscles and mind. Moments passed, again, turning into minutes, but she didn't give up. As she bordered the edge of unconsciousness, she felt something tug on her mind, and suddenly she was no longer in the library. When Zelda opened her eyes, she was sitting in the middle of a vast meadow filled with shimmering green grass and glossy pastel flowers. The sky expanded infinitely and was all different shades of pink and orange and purple and blue. Fluffy white clouds floated in the breeze, which smelled of crisp nature.

She looked down at herself, only to see that she was no longer wearing her jeans and hoodie. Instead, she wore a gorgeous, flowing white dress, which, judging from the cool breeze she felt, was strapless and backless. She stood and the dress billowed around her, along with her hair, which was at least 2 feet longer than it was before. Gold bands decorated her wrists and neck.

"Wow," she breathed, examining herself. "So this is… me."

"It most certainly is, Goddess."

She turned, gracefully, only to meet the eyes of her beloved. Only, this Link was slightly older, maybe 25, and seemed all around stronger and wiser. He wore a traditional forest green tunic and boots, and what seemed to be a sword, shield, and a sheath of arrows on his back. He was completely geared up, from the gauntlets to the earrings, and matched the description of the Hero of Time perfectly.

"Link!" she said, allowing him to wrap his arms around her. "What is this place?"

He smiled down at her, and it was possible that his handsomeness had increased tenfold with maturity. "Zel, don't you recognize it? We're in the Sacred Realm."

She blanched. "What?! Where are the sages?"

"They're not in this part of the Sacred Realm, love. This is a much deeper place that only holders of the Triforce can even dream of entering."

"Why are we here then?"

"What were you doing before you got here?"

Zelda thought for a second. "I was trying to remember who the ruler of Twili was."

"And do you?"

She started, looking up at the man. "Is it that easy?"

He smiled warmly and pressed his lips against her forehead. "It can be."

She closed her eyes again, and this time, she felt as if she were falling into an abyss of memories. Images were coming to her faster than she could resuscitate them, drowning her in a familiar confusion. She saw an older Midna, departing through a great portal with a bittersweet smile. She saw Link, who couldn't be more than 10 years old, standing in the middle of a courtyard, watching her. She saw Sheik on her balcony late at night, as if watching for suspicious creatures. Even stranger, she saw Link flying with a large red bird that for some reason she knew was called a Loftwing. She saw him as a wolf. She saw him as a boy, and a man. But most of all, she saw wedding after wedding after ceremony after reunion with him, from the Ancient Times in the sky to modern times in the front office. Her memories pounded her, and she struggled to focus on the one memory she truly needed.

She inhaled the sweet scent of the pure earth around her and felt Link's grasp tighten around her slightly. "It can be that easy," she murmured.

Then, she saw it. She saw Midna standing atop the stairs that lead to the Twilight Realm. She remembered the tear that slipped down her cheek, and as Midna extended her hand, the Mirror of Twilight shattered.

See you later.

Zelda's eyes flung open and she gasped, clutching her heart. She was back on the library floor, the picture of Hylia still in front of her. Her body ached, and as she glanced at the wall clock, she knew why; almost six hours had passed!

"Holy Farore!" she gasped, darting to her feet. She hardly paid attention the time jump. Midna, her best friend of all people, really was the true ruler of Twili!

Through the windows outside, she saw the sun setting on a fresh coat of snow. She hurriedly scooped her book up and pulled her hood over her head, and promptly bolted out of the library.

Link, Link, Link, where are you? Where could you be? Zelda thought, her eyes hesitating between the girl's and the boy's dorms. Finally, she turned on her heels and darted towards the boy's dorms, clutching her book and struggling through the soft snow, her eyes wild.

Incredible! Had she really seen the Sacred Realm? Could all of her memories be true? She blushed as she thought of the countless weddings she could remember between she and Link. Goddesses, they really were soul mates!

Zelda practically threw herself in the elevator, only needing to go three floors up. On the second floor, the shaft stalled and opened, and Zelda found herself staring into familiar, luminescent blue eyes.

"Fi?" she said, incredulous. "What are you doing here?"

"Princess of Destiny recognized. Relaying information now," Fi said, stepping into the elevator. "Princess, according to the data I have on record, during this time I am required to warn you,"

She continued. "It is wise to avoid temptation as a whole; do not feel as if you will be able to resist with sheer willpower."

"Huh?" Zelda said, completely lost once again. "Can't resist what?"

The elevator ding'd then, signaling for Zelda's stop. Fi said nothing, but as Zelda slowly stepped out of the shaft, she said, "Have care, Zelda. Please realize your vitality."

The door shut then, leaving Zelda alone in the dark corridor. Hesitating only a moment, she simply decided she would decipher Fi's psychoanalysis later and began fast walking towards Link's dorm. But when she finally reached his door, it was dark, locked, and quiet.

"Link, damn it, where are you?"

"Looking for someone?"

Zelda's eyes practically leapt out of their sockets as she spun around, clinging to her book for dear life. Merely a foot and a half away from her, Dark leaned against the wall, watching her with amusement.

"Dark! You nearly gave me a heart attack," she shrieked, wiping a hand over her face. "Have you seen Link? I really need to speak with him," she finished.

"Link? Hmm, couldn't say I have. We could always check out the lounge," he said, shoving off of the wall and walking ahead of her towards said room. "You coming?"

She looked after him for a moment, but when he continued walking, she ran to catch up with him.

"How long exactly have you been going here?" she asked, eyeing him curiously. His charcoal black hair blended perfectly with the shadows that seemed to cascade down the hall, and her heart skipped a beat as his red eyes flicked towards her with interest.

"A month or so," he replied finally.

"Really," she said slowly, "so then why haven't I seen you around before now?"

"I would assume you don't hang too much around the boys' dorms, seeing as you're such a… princess."

She froze. "What did you say?"

He stopped and turned to look at her. "What, princess? Can't handle a little pet name, Zelda?" He smirked lightly.

She watched him for a minute, alarm bells going off in her head. The intense yet trained way he looked at her, as if he was holding himself back, chilled her to the bone. Finally, without saying anything, she continued walking to the lounge. He followed quietly behind her.

"Well, that's a shame," he said as they arrived. "No one is here."

The lounge lights were all on, and one of the Tvs were displaying static, but not a single guy, or girl for that matter, was currently in the lounge.

"Well, Princess," Dark practically hissed, turning slightly. "I'd love to stay and watch a movie with you, but I have things that must be attended to. Give Link my regards," he grinned, and began walking.

"Wait," Zelda mustered, "Dark, wait!"

He turned, smirking at her. A wave of sudden desire crashed over the poor blonde, and she struggled to resist the urge to go to him. "What…what things?"

Instead of answering, Dark smiled wickedly, and resumed walking, quickly disappearing into the black corridor.

"I've looked everywhere, Sheik," Link replied, standing in the elevator alone as he traveled back to his dorm room. "I've tried calling her, but her phone must be off. Let Midna search the girl's dorms, then we'll worry." He listened for a moment as Sheik replied. The poor kid sounded like he was about to have a heart attack. "Listen, I'll call you back. I've got to grab my cell charger and I don't want to wake up Pipit if he's sleeping."

Sheik grumbled a quick 'hurry' before Link hung up the phone. Sheesh, he was worried about Zel too, but Sheik took his job as a brother to a whole new level.

Link opened the door to his room and flashed his cell phone light in the direction of Pipit's bed. It was empty. After groping the wall quite sexually, Link finally located the light switch and flipped it without hesitation. He nearly screamed like a small girl though, when he saw the figure lying beneath his own sheets. But, after he noticed the waterfall of blonde hair cascading from his pillow, his worries melted away instantly.

"Link?" she said sleepily, rolling towards him and squinting her eyes against the light. "Is that you?"

Quickly, Link flipped the switch again. "It's me love," he said, feeling his way through the dark to his bed. He kicked off his shoes and jacket, and she wiggled away to make room for him.

"Did you find out anything?" he asked as he crawled in next to her. As she cuddled against him, he felt the smile on her lips as they brushed against his neck.

"Yes," she said simply.

"Are you going to tell me about it?" he asked.

"Later," she mumbled, already dozing off again.

He chuckled, but didn't speak. Instead, he simply grabbed his phone and sent one simple text to Sheik.

Found her.

Ohhh, Dark, you sexy troublemaker, you... the sexual tension has only begun! Mwahahahaha! I even almost considered switching this pairing to DarkLinkxZelda, but I couldn't do that to my dear readers... could I?