Hey guys. Sorry that the last chapters were a bit dull. Honestly, I was kind of improvising cause I wasn't sure how to get to the next part of the story. This part, in fact!

I'll be sure to do better the future. I also recruited the friend who hooked me on Zelda in the first place. I'm gonna get her to help me make sure there's no more boring spots. (if she ever ends up reading my story – none of my friends read my stuff. Stink heads)

But this chapter should be fun. ^-^'

I've been waiting to write this one for a while. Kudos to you if you can guess who the mysterious character is. ;3

Chapter 14: The Escapee

Shadow Link lurked around in the dark street, eying the window suspiciously. The light was on, so someone was definitely awake. But he was still debating whether or not to open the door.

He grumbled and scuffed his feet on the dirt road of Kakariko Village.

Navi perched on the windowsill, looking longingly inside at the two people sitting in the fire-lit room.

"How many people are in there?" Shadow Link demanded.

"Two," Navi sighed resignedly. "A girl and a man."

"Hmm."

Shadow Link took a step towards the door and jammed his hood down over his head. Then he stopped and turned away from the house again. He'd been doing this for several minutes already.

The door opened, illuminating the street. Shadow Link flinched and turned his face away, stepping back.

A dark haired girl was standing in the doorway. She cocked her head as she saw the cloaked boy standing in front of her house.

"Hi," she said. "Did you need to talk to Daddy?"

"Er, I'm looking for something," said Shadow Link through gritted teeth. He took a step to the side so the light wasn't shining on him. "It's a blue ocarina. I think I dropped it somewhere."

"Hmm. I haven't seen one."

Most of the light was blocked out as another figure appeared in the doorway – the man.

"Hello. My name's Renado, and this is my daughter Luda. Can I help you with something? You look like you could use a place to stay for the night. There's an Inn in town."

Shadow Link shook his head. "No, I'm just looking for something. A blue ocarina."

"I haven't seen anything like that. I'm sorry. You could try asking the Gorons. One of them may have found it somewhere."

"Maybe." He shuffled his feet uncomfortably.

"Are you sure you don't need a place to stay for the night?" Renado repeated.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Shadow Link began to turn away, then whirled back to face Renado again. "I'm looking for a dragon. You haven't seen one, have you?"

Renado and Luda looked surprised.

"A dragon?" Luda exclaimed.

Renado shook his head. "No one's seen a dragon in a while. At least, not that I've heard.

"OK." Feeling frustrated, Shadow Link turned and walked away down the path. Renado gave a small start as he saw a blue fairy follow the strange boy into the darkness. A moment later, boy and fairy were lost to sight.

Shadow Link kicked a rock, hissing in annoyance. He should have known better than to expect normal people to be able to help him. He was better off working on his own. Except he couldn't because he didn't have the ocarina. Curses! Why did things have to work out like this! How was he supposed to find the Master Sword now? Was there one in this world? And if so, how would he find Ganon? Maybe he wouldn't have to. Maybe Ganon would track him down. Now that he was tied to one time, he might be easy to find.

Shadow Link found himself in a new Part of Hyrule Field.

"Pfff." He jammed his hands in his pockets and started walking out across the grass.

…

Even though a fire crackled in the windowless cell, she was cold. Everything felt so oppressive. She wanted to sink into a deep sleep and remain there. Except she knew she couldn't. This time would be different. She wasn't going to sit by and watch as everything was destroyed.

Princess Zelda took a deep breath and exhaled again, centering her mind. She heard footsteps. No doubt the guard coming to check on her.

She slowly lay down on the bed in her chamber. Her breathing remained slow and even, making her appear asleep. But she kept her mind clear and focused.

The door opened and the guard took the empty food tray from the table. He glanced over at the apparently sleeping Zelda, and then left the room.

This had happened once before. When Zant had come and covered Hyrule in Twilight. That was the first time she'd been imprisoned. Zelda had surrendered in order to save her people. But this time she wasn't going to sit idly by. There was more at stake this time. She could feel it.

Zelda sat up once more, folding her legs in meditating position. She took several more deep breaths. The guard had just come by. It was now or never.

She stood and walked over to the door. As Princess of Hyrule, she had some magic of her own. She'd been spending the past few days trying to focus her power into one form. Perhaps now it would be strong enough to break the seal placed on the door. She placed her palms together, and then raised her right hand. It began to glow with power.

Inhale, exhale, focus.

She placed her hand on the door and immediately unleashed her power.

The door gave a "chunk" sound as the magical lock was blown off. And the door finally swung open.

Zelda dropped her magical trance at once and began to hurry down the stone corridor. She turned a corner and rushed along it.

Footsteps. She ducked down another hall and ran along it. She didn't know where she was going, but she was sure that whatever happened, she might find something. Either a weapon to use, or another ally imprisoned. Link, possibly.

Down one hallway, then another. The place was a maze. She was already completely lost. She came to a staircase. Was she in a tower, or an underground dungeon? She had no idea. She went up.

She picked her way through the spiders web of paths and soon heard footsteps again. She slid through a doorway and pulled it shut behind her, leaving it ajar no more than an inch. She saw several hulking moblins stomp along the corridor where she had just been. One of them paused, and turned his head, sniffing. Could he smell her?

Zelda took several quiet steps away from the door. The moblins moved on.

The princess stood where she was, waiting for the moblins to get around the corner.

She glanced around the room. It was dark and deserted. There wasn't much in here except a table, a few chairs, and a smashed cabinet.

Or… was that all?

Something shifted in the shadows near the broken cabinet.

Zelda quickly stepped away from it, casting around for something to use as a weapon. There was a piece of broken wood not far away…

A figure stepped out of the darkness. It gave a small chuckle and leaned against the table, grinning broadly.

"Hello, Princess."