Chapter 4: Reminiscence

Zant's P.O.V.

I couldn't remember the last time I thought about holding (Y/N) in my arms, her skin was always smooth, I could tear it with my finger tip. Her eyes were no longer their wonderfully excitable (E/C) that they used to be, nearly lighting up at every little thing. They were a tainted orange now but still looked memorizing whenever she looked at me.

"Zant?" I turn my head and see (Y/N) looking worried at me, she brought her hand up to my face. "Is everything alright? I've never seen you thinking so deeply before." I smile and grab her hand resting on my face.

"That is because I have never had a need to, but with you thoughts come and stay, everything about you deserves a second look, it is why I am dazed by you." (Y/N) giggled and tightened her hold on my hand.

"I wouldn't say I'm interesting at all, it's why I always thought myself too easily to become a bore to you." I smiled and leaned forward pulling her neck close to my lips.

"You could never become a bore to me, my Queen." She gasped a bit feeling my teeth graze her skin, she tensed but soon relaxed under my hold.

"I'm glad I can fulfill your… our needs, my King."

~Flashback~

It was just a few days into the terrible darkness that overtook most of the light world, beasts roamed freely in both worlds causing most to hide and fear the outside world. Most not even willing to leave the protection of the four walls around them. Some no longer even felt alive, as if they had passed over to another world living with no entity. The Hyrule Castle was no exception to this rule. Zelda stood watching as Hyrule fell into the hands of Twilight, as she almost felt helpless against the reign knowing that if she tried anything her people would suffer first.

"Zelda!" She turned at the voice entering the room, there (Y/N) walked in panting and dropping her dress.

"(Y/N)? You should be in your room." She nods.

"I know that but I- I couldn't just stand by and watch as everyone suffered…" She paused. "I know we have the Hero to help us but we should at least think about having someone else to help speed up the process or even someone else to find out more so we can help or do something while we're here." (Y/N) went on but Zelda smiled to her cutting her words short.

"You really want to help… We all do, but (Y/N) there are things even you are not capable of, in terms of strength, we're better off leaving it in the hands of Midna and her companion." (Y/N) closed her eyes.

"So what are we to do? Sit here and wait?" Zelda sighed.

"I don't see much other option." (Y/N) hated her sister's reasoning, she understood it but refused to live under it. She couldn't just stand to watch as everything turn to ruin and just trust anyone with the fate of the world, even if the Goddess did choose him. (Y/N) nodded anyways and went over to Zelda's door opening it.

"I think, I'll go to bed early, I'm still not ready to accept that idea…" Zelda turned her back once more.

"Well I'm sorry, but it's the only way we can all stay here alive." (Y/N) nodded and closed the door behind her.

It was late night, although it didn't seem to be any different from the usual now a days. Today was different though, there was a lack of the second Hyrulian Princess' usual antics of yelling and trying to get past the guards. (Y/N) was nowhere to be found and the guards searched as best they could before reporting to Zelda. She didn't even turn when they entered.

"I knew she was going to leave, I just didn't think it was going to be so soon… Still, keep looking for her and if you find her make sure that she's safe." The guard nods guiding the ones behind him to keep at it, they promptly left to their duties. "I'll have to let her see how it really is."

(Y/N) looked to Hyrule Field, it was the first of many days she'd be out here, (Y/N) was familiar enough with the terrain and could easily adapt to living outside of the castle grounds. She touched her hand to the cold metal around her waist and also felt the pouch full of potions of all kinds. She'd have to ration them wisely.

"Alright, time to take matters into my own hands!"

For the first few days of being out on her own, (Y/N) was fine and handled the monsters and handled meeting people, most couldn't recognize her as she always wore a scarf to cover the most of her face when she went into cities, towns and villages. But traveling wasn't getting her anywhere. She had to find answers, she could only think of two places; Zora's domain had been eliminated as all told her no one could enter there and that even the water had stopped flowing, her only other option: Death Mountain. They'd have to speak with her, at least hear her out. She arrived there, stopping to speak to the villagers of Kakariko, she met with Renado, the village shaman, who was gracious enough to tell her of the current standings with the Gorons.

"Are you sure?" He nods standing up.

"Yes, they have been hostile for quite some time now, preventing any humans from entering, they won't listen to anything." (Y/N) sighed and looked down at her hands.

"Then I won't be able to find out anything, Zora's domain is apparently impossible to get to right now and the Gorons don't want anything to do with humans." (Y/N) wanted to try before giving up, she stood up. "I have to try, maybe if I speak to them they'll at least listen to me." He looked at the willing female.

"I don't think that's how that works…" She smiles to him.

"Nonsense. As much as I hate using my title, I'm sure if they see me they'll listen." He looked at her unsure of what her title could be but he didn't bother to ask.

"Nothing I say will stop you, but please stay safe, and if something goes wrong just come back here and rest in the hot spring above the hotel." She nodded and headed for the door.

"I will, and thank you for everything." She took off and went as quick as she could to Death Mountain. Arriving there, she climbed up the torn net but stopped getting to the top. She stared at a Goron standing in her path. She removed the scarf and walked up a bit more. He noticed her and moved from his position.

"Human! You have no business here, the Elder said no humans allowed!" He curled up in a ball. (Y/N) gasped but tried to stand her ground.

"No, please just hear me out, I'm a princess of Hyrule!" He continued to charge up his roll. "I just want to talk about a few things, please!" He started to roll out toward her. She rolled her eyes and turned to run off before he reached her, she dropped grunting a bit at her unplanned fall, a few rocks fell near her.

"I don't care who you are, now run back home, puny princess!" (Y/N) huffed.

"Puny…?" She shook her head and brushed off the rock before she started to walk off. They weren't going to cooperate no matter what she said or did, even if she was princess. To them a human was a human. She sighed and looked up trying to see if she could sneak her way up the mountain. For the remainder of the day was spent lifting rocks to form a kind of staircase, which crumbled under her feet, and tried climbing the mountain side but slid back down to the earth. She groaned realizing that she couldn't do anymore, she gave up and decided to listen to Renado.

(Y/N) got to the hot spring and sighed sinking into the steamy bath, she sighed and bit and rubbed the water over her hair and sat thinking. What am I'm going to do now? I can't go back home just yet, maybe I should try Zora's Domain, it might be dangerous, I should be alright though. She opened her eyes and looked up to the cloudy sky of Kakariko. (Y/N) sunk a bit more in the water hearing the wood creek behind her.

"W-who's coming up here?"

"Um... It's just me, my name is Link."

That was back then, when she had first met Link. At first she didn't love Link, she admired him for how he was willing to take on any task given to him, she took back her original words about him. Link had been surprised to hear that she was princess, especially to Zelda, but he kept his first thought about her. Being just another person he could possibly rely on, he explained to her that he had helped the Gorons and he assumed that they were out of their ways of thinking about the humans, but she'd be safe waiting for them to come down first before trying to go up again. He also said not to worry about Zora's Domain as it was his next destination, she wished nothing but good, she actually wanted to join him he agreed but realized that she'd just get in the way, Midna thought it for the better. Link explained that he'd be in touch if he ever needed someone's company. That following day, (Y/N) couldn't wait and she went to the Gorons and asked them what was the problem in the first place. Their Elder explained what it was and even mentioned Link who had helped them. She was glad to hear their well being.

"You mentioned something about dark power?" The Elder, Gor Coron, nodded.

"Yes, it's why we had our Patrich locked away!" (Y/N) stared at him.

"Looks as though the Twilight is greater than we thought…" (Y/N) muttered under her breath. "Well, it's all I wanted to know…" She bowed to him. "Thank you for telling me of this news." He nods then smiles to her.

"It's no trouble…" He leaned in closer and whispered to her. "There's no need to hide among us Gorons, we don't mind Royalty stopping by now and then." Her cheeks flushed and she nodded.

"Well, next time I'll keep that in mind." He smiled at her embarrassment before bidding her good travels. She left and scaled back down the mountain, she stopped at the entrance and opened up her map. "Link said he'd take care of Zora's domain, then what am I to do?" She thought to herself before she saw on the map. "What's a little stop by Lake Hylia really quick just to it's condition." She resolved to see the lake by going there.

(Y/N) arrived there after a very long walk, going there directly was out of the question so she wondered about seeing it from above. (Y/N) went to the Great Bridge, she panted as she walked across it, getting to the middle she lifted herself up and peered over seeing the dried up lake.

"Not good. I didn't think it'd be that bad…" She lowered herself and prayed that Link would resolve whatever was going on and fast. She was about to head back to Kakariko Village to rest and after she'd return to Hyrule with new information on their current standings. When it happened all so quick. She heard a thump behind her, she turned and fell onto her backside at the beast in front of her. No face but hands that resembled claws as he touched the ground rising itself back up. Another fell doing the same and they walked around the bridge until one noticed her and began to trudge toward her. (Y/N) didn't know what to do as she was stuck to the core with fear, slowly she moved her fingers then her hand and sucked in air feeling as though someone had been holding onto her neck. She got up and thought quick. There's no way I'm going to be able to take these… things! I have to make a run for it! She began to out run the limping creature but was stopped by something she couldn't see until she hit it. She yelled and felt the force of the field in front of her. "No! No!" She banged at it but to no avail as it didn't seem to be breaking. She turned, her back to the field and the creature to her front, it was nearing her raising it's hand and sung down cutting her arm when she tried to dodge it. She sucked in her teeth and held her now bleeding arm. The droplets fell to the bricks that formed the bridge and fast making a small trail behind her.

"Now, now, leave her…" She stopped upon hearing a voice, What was it now! She searched as the voice seemed to falter the beasts as they came to a complete stop. This was her chance. She panted as she attempted to climb the side of the bridge but was stopped by her injury, she didn't have enough strength to lift herself, but she was going to have to try her best. She tried lifting with her legs and using her stomach to angle herself to fall over. All was well until her body was lifted, she started to panic and kicked her legs around when what felt like a hand prevented her from doing so. "Please, do calm yourself… It is not lady like to flail around in such a manner." (Y/N) grunted and kicked as hard as she could managing herself to fall to the ground hitting the side of her face on the concrete, she moved around and got to her back and panted a bit. "Don't you want to get better?" Her eyes widened as she saw a mask in front of her face.

"Ahh!" She screamed and forced herself up in an adrenaline rush. The field was still there, but the person suddenly appeared in front of her and trapped her between both arms. She panted taking in small ridged breaths as she stared into the mask.

"I mean no harm to you… I see that I've done enough." Her eyes never left the face of the mask, the tongue part of it pulled away revealing a light blue chin and a cut mouth with teeth resembling sharks. She shivered seeing this. "Let me take care of you, I feel that perhaps you may be of some actual use to me." She couldn't hear anymore or see, as her vision was covered by a hand and her ears began to muffle until she passed out…

(Y/N) awoke with a gasp, she caught her breath and felt her body. Once realizing she was fine she took in her surroundings. It looked normal around her, nothing out of the ordinary. She removed the blanket over her body and walked around behind the curtain hiding her body, when she did she found Link sitting in the front next to the door asleep. His shield was resting next to him against the wall as was his sword behind it, his hat was off and his arms rested over his body. (Y/N) stared at him before walking over quietly and bending down to touch his face. He was cold, but he looked fine. What happened after I blacked out? (Y/N) pondered for a quick second but stopped when Link started to shift around in his sleep knocking his shield over making a loud sound. His eyes slowly blinked open then he moved to stretch as he yawned. (Y/N) stood a small distance away from him and when his eyes came into focus he jolted up hitting his head on the low shelf above him.

"A-are you alright?" (Y/N) went over and bent down to his level, Link sucked his teeth as he rubbed his head but noticed her. His cheeks flushed as he carefully got up as did she.

"You shouldn't worry about me…" He looked to her arm. "Does that hurt anymore?" She shook her head.

"Not at all… Were you the one who helped me?" He nods.

"Yeah, I was about to go into the Lakebed Temple when I saw your body on the bank of the river. What happened?" (Y/N) shook her head.

"If I could tell you I would…" She touched her head. "I just remember seeing these giant beasts with hands like claws, faces covered with masks, and a person with a mask on as well, the creature attacked me and the person said they were going to help me… Then I blacked out." Link nods.

"Creatures…? Wait, were they black in color with like designs on them?" She nods. "Twilight Beast!" She looked at him.

"What is it?"

"Those things that attacked you were more than likely Twilight Beasts, they come out of portals in the sky and kill anyone in their way, I don't even think they have a mind of their own." (Y/N) nods.

"I would think so. They answered to the person who said they were going to help me, he told them to stop and they complied." Link sighed a bit then moved his hand over to her bandaged arm.

"You sure you're okay?" (Y/N) looked up to Link and her cheeks heated up at their closeness. She looked down and nodded.

"Y-yes, I'm fine… Thanks to you of course." Link's cheeks rose in color as well and he smiled a bit.

"I think you should just rest up for a while then head back to the Castle soon. You know to tell everyone of everything you saw." She nods.

"I was planning to… Where are we anyways?"

"Oh, we're in Castle Town, I didn't know where else to bring you so I just went here." She nodded.

"Well thank you again, for everything. Will you be alright?" Link smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I'll be fine don't worry about me." (Y/N) nodded and smiled to him. He chuckled liking the sight of her smile.

Link had left after he reassured she'd be okay on her own once more, (Y/N) remained inside the doctor's office and went back under her sheets. She closed her eyes trying to go back to sleep, when her eyes closed all she could see was... Link. She opened her eyes and sat up in the bed, her head began to pound slightly as well from her hot cheeks. What? All she could think about was Link, and meeting him again, she wanted to and wanted to do so as soon as possible. What was going on? It couldn't have been love, she just met him. He was a caring and dedicated person but it wasn't enough to cause her to fall in love... Could it? (Y/N) shook her head and pulled her knees up to her face still blushing.

~End~

(Y/N)'s eyes watered and a single tear ran down her face. Zant towered over her body but stopped his movements, he moved his hand to her cheek and wiped the tears away.

"Why do you shed tears?" (Y/N)'s eyes opened widely she felt her face feeling the tears.

"I-I don't know…" Zant stared at her before lifting her up into his arms.

"You probably still have memories as a light being and are relapsing them." He rubbed her hair. "Just forget them, you shouldn't have to suffer because of the days of your past." (Y/N) sniffed as more tears fell, but she nodded falling for the false security Zant was giving her.

"Y-you're right… Thank you Zant." He smiled and pulled her back from his chest before he touched his lips to hers once more.

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