I don't own Legend of Zelda. Enjoy! :)

Chapter Two

Dreams of the Past and Surprises for a Knight

Zelda slumped against the bedpost. Most of her daily clothing was packed and loaded into the carriage, along with a few formal dresses, jewelry, and every thingamabob and knickknacks a young woman would need to pretty her up. Zelda sighed, her life changing in so any ways. She'll miss Impa, Reven, and the rest of her kin. True, she'll see them when she gets back, and still see them when she's married and having children—if the plan works. But it won't be the same; they'll be only interacting as master and servant. Gone are the days of childhood laughter and jokes between friends; gone are the fierce competitions as fighters and the joyous reunion of a mission gone right. Sharing drinks, stealing baubles, playing tricks, a traditional dinner; all these only memories now to Zelda, to look upon as she dines with the Hylians and their honored guests; dancing in the Royal Hall; and those few moments to herself before she is called upon for a meeting.

Zelda sighed once more, before changing into a simple brown, long-sleeved dress with a dull-blue cloth tied to her waist, acting as another skirt. She slipped on a black corset-vest, tying the coarse laces. Binding her long hair into a low-bun and messy up her long bangs, she looked into the mirror. She smiled; she looked like a commoner now to any travelers she and her escorts would meet.

"Milady, I'm done." Zelda turned to the bathroom, the door wide open as her maid stepped through. She was dressed in Zelda's clothing: royal purple flowed around her in a dress, a nice snug in the chest and arms. A green sash was tied to her waits with the golden color of Hyrule's insignia embroidered on the cloth. Her waist-length blonde hair was pulled back into a half-ponytail, the rest flowing down her back. A cloak of high quality material was fastened around her neck. The maid looked at Zelda, her azure eyes reflecting her nervousness.

"Milady, I know I'm acting as your decoy for this trip, but I feel uncomfortable wearing your clothing. You're royalty; I'm not." Zelda smiled.

"It's alright Cloria. You look beautiful in that dress."

"Really?" Cloria timidly smiled.

"Really. And it's brave of you to act as my decoy and I thank you."

"Thank you for your words, Milady."

A knock interrupted the little scene. "Princess, it is time."

Zelda looked at Cloria and smiled. "You'll do great."

Cloria smiled back and bowed before exiting the room, holding her head high as she was taught to do. Zelda grabbed a simple gray cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders, leaving the room as well. Impa was waiting for her, her face emotionless. But she did show that she cared by giving Zelda a deep-blue colored cloak. Zelda knew it was a Sheikah cloak which held unique properties.

"Impa… I can't accept this! People will kn—"

"They won't know because most don't know. As for the King and the knights, they know I'm giving this to you as a present and a safety precaution—the King himself actually encouraged the idea. So, please, accept this humble gift Princess."

Zelda smiled and gladly took the gift, switching out with the gray cloak. She felt pride at having her people's cloak with her, knowing they will not forget who she truly is. Out of character, Zelda hugged her handmaid, silently crying inside. Impa wrapped her arms around her, holding her dear Princess close, wishing they had more time. They broke apart and Zelda headed to the front gates, followed by her silver-haired Sheikah.

They entered the Front Grounds, stepping on the pebbles of the road and were greeted by the knights that are going to escort them. Seven were chosen for this mission, all elites. They greeted her, bowing respectfully. Zelda knew most by name—the only one she wasn't familiar with was the young knight she fought a week ago. Surprised that such a young and inexperienced knight was coming along, Zelda questioned the leader of the group.

"Milady, this is Link. Yes, he is young, but he is capable of protecting you on this escort."

"I do not doubt he's capable Oswyn, I'm concerned this is a too difficult mission for a trainee."

"With all due respect Milady, Link has proved himself worthy of this great opportunity."

Zelda looked over Link again, doubting that he would perform well—then again, he held his own against her when she wasn't putting much effort into their previous duel.

"Very well, Oswyn, I trust your judgment."

"Thank you, Milady."

The knight then did a final check on everything, making sure nothing was amiss and hopefully have a safe journey.

Zelda stood by the carriage and waited for her father to come say goodbye, the King himself walking down the steps and towards his daughter. He sadly smiled at her and Zelda could see he was trying not tear at her leaving; she felt her eyes water too. The King pulled her into a tight fatherly-bear-hug, squeezing her slightly. Zelda wrapped her arms around his large torso and squeezed back.

"I'm going to miss you, my daughter."

"I'll be back father—though I'm going to miss you as well."

The King cupped her face affectionately, and placed a tender kiss on her cheek.

"Take care, my daughter and may you return to me swiftly and safely."

"I will father."

Zelda hugged her father one more time and gave Impa a small hug, before entering the carriage and settling herself down. Her decoy entered after her and sat on the opposite side of her. Impa closed the door and poke her head through the curtain-window, and spoke in a low whisper to Zelda.

"I'm letting you know that I'm sending two Sheiakh to shadow you and to deal with any threats before they reach you. You must play this safe, Zelda."

"I will Impa. I won't fail you or our kin."

Impa nodded and stepped away from the carriage, saluting the Princess.

"Take care Princess—may the Goddesses bless your journey."

Zelda nodded her thanks and once the escort-guards were in formation around the carriage, the driver whipped the reins and the carriage moved at a slow speed, but soon gained a good pace, the horses trotting. Both Zelda and her decoy waved their arms out the window, waving goodbye to the King—and for Zelda to Impa and any Sheikah hiding amongst the shadows.

The carriage soon exited the Castle Grounds and entered Castle Town, going through the many shops and stores aligned on along Town Square. Zelda sat back as she allowed Cloria to wave to townsfolk that gathered outside to say goodbye to their beloved Princess.

The road to the Kingdom Foerin was long—almost a two-month journey. And the first check-point town they are going spend the night is five hours away, so Zelda closed her eyes, succumbing to a nap.

"Sheik! Come down please!"

Young Sheik opened an eye, the red orb looking down on the ten-year-old Princess, her foot tapping the grass impatiently.

"And why would I do that Princess?" Sheik called down from his spot in the tree.

"I have something I want to try!"

Shiek groaned at her words. The Princess discovered that she had magical powers seven months ago and since then been finding spells in the old tomes in the library, practicing them whenever she got the chance. And Sheik usually is at the end at some of those spells—which he spent too many times in the infirmary to ever be a target again.

"Get another Sheikah or a guard to be your puppet—I'm not interested to meet my maker today."

"But Sheik! Please help me! I promise it's not another fireball or bodily harm spell! Promise!"

Sheik looked down at her again, seeing her big, blue eyes shining with cuteness—the famous puppy-look and Sheik groan again, knowing he couldn't resist that face she made. Sighing, Sheik jumped down from the tree, giving in to the Princess's demands.

"Fine, I'll help—you better not set me on fire again."

Zelda squealed and hugged Sheik tightly; happy her friend is helping out.

"Thank you so much Sheik! And don't worry, I won't."

The Princess led Sheik to one of the attics of the Castle, a small room, but a great place to practice her magic in private. Sheik closed the door behind, looking around and noticing two circle diagrams drawn on the floor. As he moved closer, he noticed the circles outlined what the Royal Alchemists used to perform alchemy.

"Ummm… Zelda, why are there two transmutation circles?" As he looked up, he saw her bring a book over, lying on the floor next to one of the circles.

"Because I'm not powerful enough to do this spell on my own—and they're called magic circles. Until I get stronger, I have to use circles. Now you stand in this circle and I'll stand in that circle." Zelda motioned as she moved to her circle and Sheik follow suit.

"Now, the spell I'm casting is a transformation spell—meaning it'll allow me, the caster, to look like someone, which is you. Now stand still and don't move out of the circle." Sheik nodded as he watched the Princess read the spell once more, before standing in position and taking a breath.

Sheik watched with nervous breath as Zelda raised her arms in a circle formation, magic light appearing in her hands, as her hands met above her hand. A bright light enveloped Zelda and he and Sheik closed his eyes, expecting pain.

A few moments pass and Sheik didn't feel any pain. He opened his eyes, seeing Zelda as herself, overlooking her body. When her eyes looked at him, her mouth dropped and confusion was etched on her face—which made Sheik worried.

"Princess! What's wrong?! Am I missing—" Sheik stopped talking as he heard Zelda's voice coming from his mouth. Looking down, Sheik saw that he was wearing the royal robes that Zelda was wearing. Finding a mirror nearby, Sheik looked upon himself, the smooth glass reflecting the image of Zelda. Sheik started to hyperventilate. This was worse; way worse than a few patches of burnt skin.

"Wh-what happened...?" Sheik asked Zelda, looking at her as she reread the spell in the book—her face went pale.

"I'm sorry Sheik... I placed you in the wrong circle... You were supposed to be standing in my circle... But I got it wrong! I'm sorry!" Tears started to appear in her eyes and Sheik quickly moved to her side and rubbed her back.

"It's okay Zelda; you can reverse the spell, right?" But Zelda shook her head, tears trailing down her face.

"I c-can't! I know how if-if I'm the one trans-transformed! B-but I don't know h-how on an-another person!" Zelda wailed, burying her face in her hands. Sheik was speechless, but nonetheless, tried to comfort the sobbing Princess—though he too felt like crying himself.

Fortunately, the attic door opened and Impa entered; a stern look on her.

"Zelda, I better not find you up here practicing magic on my—Zelda?!" Sheik saw her red eyes go wide at the two Zeldas in front of her. Sheik quickly explained what happened, hoping his aunt would have an answer.

Impa sighed, her shoulders sagging. "There is a way, but it would require a lot of the Princess's magic and it'll drain her and put both of you at risk. Are you alright with this Princess?"

"Yes Impa! I-it's my fault that Sheik is like that—I'll help in any way I can!"

Sheik nodded his head.

"Very well—let's begin." Impa erased the two circles and drew a giant magic circle.

"Alright, Sheik, lay down in the center of the circle; Princess, kneel next to him." With them in place, Impa continued. "Princess, just close your eyes and imagine your magic flowing from you into Sheik. Sheik, close your eyes and imagine receiving the magic from the Princess. It's important to keep these images in your minds eyes—else the magic will escape and leave you both on the brink of death. Now, Princess, place your hands on Sheik and do what I told you."

Zelda nodded and placed her hands on Sheik. He could her feel her arms shaking, but saw the determination in her eyes. With a nod from her, Sheik closed his eyes and imagined her magic flowing into him.

At first, he felt nothing—then a wave of powerful energy rushed into him and Sheik had to bite his lip to keep from screaming out. It was hot, intense, agonizing pain! But he bore the pain, focusing on the magic flowing from the Princess into him. It felt like hours passed—perhaps days, before the pain subsided and his whole body wasn't engulf in hurt.

Opening his eyes, Sheik weakly smiled at Zelda, who was panting over him, but smiling. Exhaustion overtook her and she fell on top of him. Sheik grunted, her weight heavy for him to bear now, gently moved her, laying her next to him. He sat up and looked down on himself, a frown upon his face—he still looked like Zelda.

"Aunt Impa, it didn't work… I'm still Zelda."

"Stand up and do the movements that Zelda did the first time."

Sheik nodded and slowly stood up, his body sore. Taking a breath—and praying to the Goddesses that this will work—Sheik raised his hands like Zelda did before, feeling her magic run through his veins. A bright light blinded him, but he could feel the changes: his hair getting shorter, his limbs feeling a bit thicker. When the light disappeared, Sheik looked down and smiled, seeing his own body again.

He started to move towards the unconscious Princess, but his legs gave out and he fell on his arse. He looked at Impa for help, in which she hoisted him in her arms, along with Zelda, smiling the whole time.

"I'm glad you're back to your old self, Nephew."

"I as well, Aunt."

Time passed and Sheik learned how to hone his new power—at the request both Zelda and Impa. Zelda thought it was fun that Sheik can be her during her lessons, while she can be roam free; Impa thought it be good for Sheik to be her during dangerous times. Who knew that three months later the Princess of Hyrule would disappear…

"Princess Zelda?"

Zelda groaned as she opened her eyes, groggily looking at Cloria.

"Yes Cloria?"

"We're close to the town."

"Ah, thank you Cloria."

Zelda rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stretching and yawning. She looked outside, seeing a few farms go by.

It was late afternoon when the carriage arrived in the town of Kakell. The driver directed the horses to the Mayor's mansion—the man graceful to let the Princess and her escorts spend the night.

The carriage came to a stop at the stairs, the Mayor walking—more like wobbling—down the steps as one of knights opened the carriage door and Cloria acting as the Princess stepped out, Zelda following her as her servant.

"My dear Princess Zelda, welcome to Kakell! I'm Joshian Fleets, Mayor of this town. And I'm honored to have you in my humble home!" He held out a chubby hand and Cloria shook it politely.

"Thank you Mayor Fleets for housing my escorts and I."

"Please Milady, call me Joshian. Come in, come in—I'll have my servants guide your carriage and the knight's horses to my private stable."

"Thank you, Joshian."

Cloria and Zelda followed the mayor inside with Oswyn and a couple of knights—the rest followed the carriage and the servants to stable.

Inside the mayor's mansion was grand and spotless—the Main Hallway was lined with fine wood, gleaming with pride: two short cabinets lined both sides with display of beautiful flowers, blooming like it's still spring and not the end of summer; a doorway on the right led to another hallway; and a grand oak stairs stood proud at the end of the short hallway, splitting in two hallways at the top. The Mayor smiled at the Princess.

"Welcome to my humble home, Princess. I have two maids assigned to you and they will show you and your handmaid to your rooms. Helda! Milly!"

Two maids dressed in a simple brown dress with a white apron around their waists and a white bonnet on their head entered from the hallway from the right, curtsying to the Princess.

"Welcome, Princess Zelda. I'm Helda."

"And I'm Milly. Let us show you to your rooms."

Cloria and Zelda followed the maids, the Mayor saying that he'll have his other maids lead her escorts to their rooms and that dinner will begin shortly. The maids led the ladies up the stairs, turning right at the top and heading down the hallway. They passed a few doors before reaching the rooms that Zelda and Cloria would be sleeping in.

"There is a door connecting the two rooms, so if you wish, you may have it open." Helda explained as she opened the room that Zelda would be staying in; Milly doing the same for Cloria.

Inside wasn't too large: a nice comfy space holding a bed big enough for two, two tall cabinets, and a desk and chair. To Zelda's left is the door that leads to Cloria's room and to her right is the door leading to the washroom.

"Your luggage will be brought up shortly. If there's anything you need, ring this bell." Helda pointed to a series of small bells, each label to different areas of the house—her bell being the Laundry Room. Zelda nodded.

"Thank you Helda, you may go." Helda curtsy and left the room to attend to her nightly duites.

Zelda breathed out, flopping on the bed un-princess-like, as she stared at the swirl-patterns on the ceiling. The connecting-door opened and Cloria stepped in, joining the Princess on the bed, though she was sitting proper.

"Am I to join Mayor Fleets for dinner alone?"

"No. Oswyn would be there, along with a few of the knights. Don't worry, you'll do fine."

"But what if I mess up? Or act like a fool and bring shame to your name and the Royal Family?"

Zelda rolled onto her side and sat up, looking at Cloria, seeing the young's girl's face in fright and doubt. She put her arm around the worried girl, hugging her and giving comfort.

"You'll do well, Cloria, and you have nothing to doubt. Dinner with Mayor Fleets is actually enjoyable from the few times he came to the Castle. He'll mostly talk about his hunts and the jokes he heard from Goddesses knows where. Just laugh and smile and have fun."

A smile appeared on Cloria and she hugged Zelda fiercely. "Thank you Milady. I shall do you justice."

"And you shall. Now, let's get you ready for dinner."

With Cloria dressed for dinner and out the door, Zelda quickly closed all curtains, making sure not a sliver of the window could be seen. Undressing and using the magic given to her, Zelda changed into her original form, happy to be in his body again. Sheik hung his dress and cloak nicely in the closet and strode to washroom, filling the tub with warm water.

Taking a quick bath, Sheik dried his long hair as best he could; combing out the tangles. Dressing in a plain shirt and pants Sheik lounged on the bed, wondering what to do now, when the door abruptly opened and someone entered.

"I'm sorry Princess, but Sir Oswyn told me I'll be guarding you tonight and I di—"

Sheik jumped off the bed and stared at the knight who entered his room. Link stood in there, his mouth in a gap, his blue eyes switching between him and searching the room for the Princess.

"Who are you?! Where's Princess Zelda?!" The Hylian shouted, unsheathing his sword and pointed it at him. Sheik tried to come up with an explanation, but his mind wouldn't function properly—too shocked at being caught.

Then in a blink of an eye—though Sheik could it in slow motion—the knight was tackled and pinned by a Sheikah, their tantō poised at Link's neck. A second Sheikah simultaneously closed the bedroom door and immediately was by Sheik's side.

"Are you alright Sheik?"

"I am Lithe—"

Lithe's hand smacked across Sheik's cheek, leaving a red mark. Sheik could feel the rage that the older Sheikah had for him—anger at his slip-up.

"What were you thinking?! What made you think that it's ok to change at any time?! You now put the whole clan in jeopardy because of your stupidity! Reven—dispose of the Hylian."

"NO!" Sheik shouted as he leaped towards Reven, gripping the girl's wrist before she could drive her blade into Link's neck.

"Sheik." Reven hissed, trying to pry her arm free from his hold.

"No. Lithe, if you let Reven to kill this knight, Sir Oswyn would suspicious about his death and that will lead to an investigation and we don't want that."

"But if I let the Hylian boy live, he will tell Sir Oswyn about you and about us and we don't want that to happen."

Both Sheikah stared at each other, neither backing down. Then Lithe sighed, knowing that this situation would be held with delicacy. He moved towards Link and crouched before him, his red eyes boring into the Hylian's wide blue ones.

"I'll let you live, Hylian and whatever you see here and whatever you'll see and hear in the near future, you better keep your mouth shut. I'll be watching you and anything you do that I think is suspicious, I'll kill you in your sleep. Are we clear?"

"We're clear."

Lithe nodded and stood, nodding to Reven to be dismissed. Instantly, both disappeared. Sheik released a breath of relief, looking at Link, who was also breathing relief. Sheik didn't know what was going to happen in the days to come, but two things were clear in his mind: to keep this Hylian alive and his secret from getting out.