I really did it this time, didn't I? In my defense, I'd like to say that this chapter wasn't supposed to exist, but predatorform mentioned how cool it would be to see the kidnapping scene from Zelda's pov and, well, I didn't have anything planned and so I thought why not? But while I tried to come up with something and write it, I had two gifts to draw and one to write (the story I published on Friday) and these are another reasons as to why it took me too long.

The writing may not be that good, though; it would take me at least two more weeks to feel entirely good about this chapter and I really didn't want to make you guys wait more, but I swear I'll spellcheck it and correct any mistakes later! I won't reply to the reviews this time, I'm so sorry! But know that I read them and appreciate them A LOT!

I'll make it up to you, though, I'll post the eleventh chapter this Friday as usual!

Again, I'm so so so so so so sorry! I hope you guys enjoy this not-so-good chapter and tell me what you think maybe?

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Chapter Ten

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Zelda furiously wiped her tears as she walked away. The cobblestone pavement caused her to lose her footing more than twice, but it wasn't enough to make her fall down. She walked away from the ballroom and towards the stables, where she'd find solace in the companion of horses and maybe a dog or a few cats.

Damn Link for being good looking; damn him for wanting to have every girl in the world. She scoffed, though it sounded more like a choke. Of course he would be like that; he was the most famous assassin of their era, the most skilled man of the kingdom, and undoubtedly the most desired. Though he kept his face hidden at all times when wearing his hood and weapons, she could tell women desired him. He was confident, he was kind, and he was everything every woman would want. Without his hood it would be no different; with his features in plain sight, that was just another reason why women would be flocking at him.

Sighing, she wished that Link could at least be an average looking guy, or even ugly. That way, the girls would have one less reason to pursue his love and affection.

Maybe she shouldn't have met him at all, but there was no way she could change it, even if she could go back in time. 'Go back in time...' Suddenly, the idea of borrowing the treasured Ocarina of Time from her family's heirloom was tempting. She could go back in time, avoid him in her birthday party and save her future self from a broken heart.

'If only things worked out that way...'

Shivering from the cold and wrapping her arms around herself, Zelda now wished she was wearing all the extra layers of clothing she shed earlier. With no mind, heart or disposition to go back to the ballroom and face Link again, she quickened her pace towards the stables.

Inside, she sighed in relief and dropped her arms to her sides, moving to seat on a small bench at the end of the only aisle. The horses neighed as she passed them, but one in particular caught her attention. The red mare snorted and nuzzled its nose into her shoulder, which caused the princess to turn and look at it. Smiling slightly, Zelda petted the horse and combed her mane with her gloved fingers.

"You're Epona, aren't you?" She asked quietly, chuckling when the horse neighed in answer. "It's been some time, no?" Epona hit her hooves on the ground and neighed once more, peering at the princess with black, shining eyes.

Zelda leaned on the wooden pillar near the small gate and maintained eye contact. "You miss your master, don't you girl?" Once again, the horse replied with a sound of her own, causing the woman to smile a little. "I miss him too..." She admitted quietly from behind the palm she had brought up to her lips, side glancing at the hays lying nearby. "But Master Link apparently likes collecting and breaking hearts. I can't let him do that to me."

Epona threw her head back and snorted; Zelda looked at her curiously. "Oh? You disagree?" Crossing her arms under her chest and turning to face the horse, she continued, "Tell me why." The horse neighed and she nodded, smiling at her silliness. Maybe Epona really understood what she was saying, but still she was talking to a horse.

The other horses in the stable suddenly got agitated and Zelda stepped back and away from Epona, straining her ears to hear any suspicious sounds she could pick. And of course she heard one and the princess turned to face the closed gates of the stables, waiting for them to be opened. In a matter of seconds, they opened in a slow pace and soon enough a cloaked head peeked inside. Zelda remained calm and kept her expressions in check as she studied the person.

No.

No, it wasn't Link.

And she didn't know whether to feel relieved or only more alarmed.

Fighting the urge to fist her hands, she neatly folded them before herself and waited for the person to approach her. They bowed low in reverence and soon straightened their back, hands meeting behind their back. "Your Highness, I was sent to escort you back to the ballroom." It was a man just like she suspected.

She smiled politely and declined with a slight shake of her head, "I will return, but not now. I want to have some time for myself and my thoughts."

The man emitted a sound close to a chuckle and offered her his hand, "I must insist, Your Highness."

Zelda kept her hands pressed against her stomach and forced her smile to widen. "And I must decline."

"But the Assassin requested me to search for you!" Her eyebrows slightly rose at that. Oh? Is that so? No one, besides herself and maybe Midna, knew that Link was the assassin and he would have come after her if that was the case. This cloaked man was up to something.

Biting the inside of her cheek lightly, she replied, "Very well. We will go back to the palace." The man bowed shallowly and turned towards the entrance, Zelda close behind. "Oh, Mister?"

"Yes madam?" He inquired as he turned around and Zelda's fist connected to his jaw. She brought her knee up and knelt him near his groin, forced her elbow on his stomach and used the heel of her hand to break his nose. The stranger doubled over in pain and Zelda took it as her cue to run away, breathing shallowly as she slowly realized that the person didn't have a nose. Or rather, it was covered by something. By a–

Something wrapped around her legs and she fell forward, trying to lessen the pain that she was surely going to feel. The princess propped herself on her elbows and looked over her shoulder at her legs; was that a tentacle? Following it, her eyes grew in size at the sight before her.

A mask.

The Terminan Mask, Majora's Mask.

All around her, the horses were making a fuss and neighing, but Epona was the one horse that was making more noise and Zelda could only wonder why. The man, who now she strongly suspected to be the Duke of Termina, forcefully grabbed her by her hair and pulled Zelda to a kneeling position; she kept her face cool and emotions under check, merely raising an eyebrow when his face got a little too close to her own. He sneered, or hissed, and yanked her back with a tug, forcing her to lie on her back.

"You try too hard, Princess." The Duke, or the Mask she couldn't tell, bound her wrists together and rolled her around to lie on her stomach. "You can't defend yourself."

With that said he delivered a blow to the nape of her neck and knocked her out.

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When her senses returned to her, Zelda found herself lying in a rather soft bed with her wrists still bound together and fully clothed. She sighed in relief; who knew what the Duke would do now that this mask possessed him? She would sit up if she could, but she decided to stay down among the pillows and try to comfort herself.

It wasn't a secret to her why she was the constant target for outlaws and rich bachelors; she was young and the princess of one of the riches kingdoms around, and she was also single. It was like a Christmas present, really, three for one and as bonus you get for yourself a pretty crown to adorn your (much probably) air filled head.

Judging by the silence all around her, she guessed she was alone and so Zelda used this precious moment to get some facts straight. First, she now regretted telling Ashei to stay at Hyrule and don't accompany her; Ashei would follow her like a shadow and she wouldn't be in this situation now. But Zelda was a grown woman and she knew she couldn't rely on everyone all the time. She had to face her own guards when Ashei was present, not because the knight was too late or incapable of helping her, but because Zelda has to fight for herself. She feels the need to fight, not only to be protected.

She briefly wondered if Link would come to rescue her. Judging by the way she treated him, if he were any other man the chances of him appearing to save the day would be close to zero. But he wasn't a regular man, he was an assassin with principles, and so maybe she'd let herself hope for just a moment that he would come to help her out.

In the mean time, she'd have to fend for herself.

Zelda rolled to lie on her back and examined the bound around her wrists. A knife wouldn't cut them. Maybe magic? She finally decided to sit up and take in her surroundings; the room would be empty if it were not by the double bed and a single nightstand beside it. On the nightstand were a jar of water and a glass, and her throat dried at the sight. She was thirsty and she didn't even realize it before.

The princess awkwardly poured water for herself and sniffed it, examined it carefully before she concluded it wasn't poisoned in any way. Feeling satisfied, she sipped it at first, testing and tasting it, and then decided to gulp it down at once. Sighing, Zelda put the cup down and returned to her spot in the middle of the bed, eyes downcast and focused on her hands.

A quiet rap on the door and it was opened, the Duke's head poked inside, mask still in place. "Oh Zelda, dear, get up, it's time for dinner." She quietly sighed again and decided to obey; he was treating her nicely for someone who had kidnapped her, plus she was hungry. She approached him and held her ground when he brought his hand up to caress her cheek, "good girl. Now, I'll take you to a tour around the mansion."

She nodded her head and silently watched as he covered her eyes with his palms. Her eyes watered and hurt, her body trembled slightly and she felt as warmth left her body. Zelda barely acknowledged that he pulled his hand away. Her vision was foggy, her head was heavy and she felt slightly dizzy. She couldn't see the colors clearly, as if she was colorblind, and her surroundings warped oddly as if she was under the effect of chemicals. Zelda tried to take in a deep breath but found it extremely hard and tiring.

"And we're going to have a special guest tonight." He admitted as he picked her hand and placed between both of his. "I want you to treat him nicely."

Zelda felt herself nod and a second after that she lost her senses.