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

Chapter Seven

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Link strained against his chains, trying in vain to break free. He had to get free—had to get to the wedding! But not a wedding, not with what Prince Brighton told him.

The Hylian stared in shock at the Prince, his body sat straight in the chair, his cold, dark eyes staring him down, while a sly smile was on his face. The woman walked to his side and sat in his lap. He wrapped an arm around her waist as she started twirling his brown locks. He give her a chastise kiss before turning his attention on Link.

"Greetings Link, welcome to my humble hideaway. It is an honor to meet you." Link bowed.

"The honor is mine. But why Your Highness did you summon me?" If possible, the Prince's smile grew bigger.

"You see, I learned something a few years ago and its privy information—a secret that you know as well." Link tensed his muscles, but kept his face neutral.

"And this secret is why you're here. Now, don't give me the 'oh, I know nothing' crap. I have knowledge that you know it and therefore have no point in hiding the truth. You and I know the Princess isn't what she seems and I plan to expose her—or rather him at the wedding. You're welcome to join and help me with this plan—and you'll be handsomely rewarded."

Link clenched his fists and glared at the Prince. "I'll never go against the Princess."

"Really." He snapped his fingers. At the signal, a few of his guards brought out a chest and a few crates. They set them down in front of Link and opened the lids, revealing the contents they held. Link's eyes widen at the vast of Rupees, sacks of flour, seeds, cloth—more material and supplies the Hylian had ever seen.

"These are but a few supplies I will offer to you; there are two more chests and five more crates filled to the brim. Enough material and money for your little village in that Ordon Province to survive the winter and more—I hear it's going to be harsh this year and supplies are going to be limited."

Link couldn't deny that. Before he left home, the fields yielded not much corps this season—winter was defiantly was going to be hard on his kin back home. And it was so tempting to say yes and give his village a greater chance to survive, but he knew deep in his heart that he wouldn't betray Sheik. He looked the Prince in the eye and gave his answer.

"It's gracious of you to give, but I must decline."

"You rather help an imposter than feed your fellow brethren?"

"My village has survived many winters that were unyielding—this will be no different. I'm loyal to the Princess and won't betray her." He stood tall and drew his sword, willing to take whatever will happen to him for his defiance. The Prince smiled at him; like he expected him to refuse.

"I see my intelligence on you is flawless—you won't be bribed no matter what. You're so loyal to your Princess, like a dog to its master; or more like a mistress to a lord. Guards, send him to the dungeons 'til further notice."

Link lunged at the advancing soldiers, cutting three down before he was subdued. He was bashed on the head, his limp body falling and his vision blacking out…

And here he woke in his prison, desperately trying to break free. He was guessing it was near the time of the wedding—the time where everything would fall apart.

Zelda looked into the many full-length mirrors as her two dressers put the finishing touches on her gown. It was a beautiful dress: long, flowing, and the color; rich pine-green with golden swirling embroidery—the colors of Foerin Kingdom. The finishing touch to her look was a simple ruby necklace, the size of a child's fist that hung from a gold chain. It rested nicely against her chest, gleaming when a ray of sunlight touched it.

The green veil was place upon her head and she was guided out of her tent and straight to the aisle where there were many upon many lords and ladies, dukes and duchesses seating in the garden. Zelda took a breath before starting down the path, walking to the music that was playing in the background. While she didn't want this to happen at first, she actually felt happy and believed that she can do this with no faults. Yes, her heart will ache when her thoughts would wonder towards Link and of the kiss they shared and what might have been, but she won't let any of that weigh her down.

The crowd awed as she walked down the aisle. She was a beauty gliding towards to her future. Zelda approached the altar, taking the Prince's offered hand. The priest preformed the ceremony and both Hylian and Foerinian said their vows and exchanged rings. Just as they were about to kiss, someone from the crowd stood up.

"Excuse me, but I object to this union." The audience gasped at the person and Zelda looked, seeing it was Tierian's brother, Brighton. Tierian glared at him.

"What is the meaning of this Brother?"

"Sorry Tierian, but I can't let a false princess marry you. Father, Mother, my dear siblings and honored guests, I bring you grave news. That lady up there, this Zelda, is not the true Princess of Hyrule." Zelda stiffened at the accusation.

"Prince Brighton, it is rude to accuse m—"

"And furthermore," he interrupted, "she is not a she not all. There's a man hidden underneath that skin. If you don't believe me, then I shall dispel this illusion."

Zelda didn't have time to react as the eldest Prince raised his hand and shot out a beam of magic, hitting her. Her entire body felt it was being teared apart from the magic and screamed as the pain increased. What felt like hours were a mere seconds as Zelda transformed back to Sheik. The Sheikah looked upon the crowd and saw their shocked faces change into anger and hate. He looked all around for sings of Lithe and Reven, but there was none. He searched for Link—nothing. Panic was taking control. This wasn't supposed to happen! They were all careful!

"Seize the imposter!" Brighton wasted no time to order the guards and Sheik quickly moved, running and searching for an escape. But the area was well guarded and Sheik could do nothing but watch as he was trapped, like a fox by hunting hounds. His captors were rough, painfully binding his arms together. He was dragged in front of the crowd as they threw the various wedding food at him and the followed the guards all the way to the dungeon entrance. He was thrown into a cell, landing hard on the stone floor. Two soldiers ripped the dress and the underclothing off, revealing his bare body.

Sheik had his eyes closed, not willing to see what his captors would do to him. He felt his arms released before being cuffed and then hoisted into the air, his toes barely scrapping the floor. He waited for some kind infliction, but none came as he heard his cell door slam close.

Seconds, minutes passed as the chains were slowly eating away at his skin, but he paid no heed to the pain. In his mind, he was safe back at Hyrule as a nine-year-old, playing around with Zelda and trying to keep her out of trouble. He receded to the farthest memories he had, closing himself off to reality.

Tierian looked through the small bar-window, seeing his private torturers having their way with the Sheikah. But nothing worked; no matter what pain they inflected, he wouldn't respond. He was, in a lack of term, dead to the world.

"Dissociation. A tactic the Shadow Folk learned and practiced to perfection. They receded far into their own little heads so that whatever damage is done to their bodies, they wouldn't physically feel. You could practically fuck them as they frolic through their meadow of memories."

"Yes. It's incredible what the mind do can—especially that of the Sheikah. Now, has your little whore Siltha contact King Stephen, Bright?" His brother scoffed at him.

"Yeah. And don't call her a whore—Siltha is my wife."

"She became your wife after your previous wife found you ruffling Siltha's skirts; not to mention that Siltha killed her—ow! Hey! I'm only speaking the truth." Brighton scoffed at him.

"Yeah, yeah. Doesn't mean you can bad mouth my wife, Tie. Anyways, what are you going to do about him? With the Hyrule King informed about the scheming Sheikah and their soon to be extinction, why keep this one around?"

"When he was revealed at my fake wedding, I was… Invigorated by the fear in those red eyes. I want to see that fear again, but this time when he comes out of his head, I want to see that fear intensified by him seeing what is happening to his clan of shadow. To see that all his careful planning was for naught."

"You're twisted. Then again, so is our whole family. Don't stay down here too long, Tie—you do need to eat and piss at some point."

"Will do, Brighton, will do."

Tierian returned his attention back to the Sheikah, his body marked all over with blood. Perhaps he can torture the poor unfortunate soul before revealing his true self.

"Sheik!"

Sheik turned his head at the Princess, her smile a beam of sunshine. He always loved her smile, the way it can brighten the room. He held out his arms as she jumped into him, laughing with pure joy. He laughed with her and spun her around before falling into the long grass. It was one of the rare times the King would picnic in Hyrule Fields; there were knights and Sheikah surrounding them, but one can't be too relaxed for anything can happen in the open.

"Sheik. You'll be by my side forever, won't you?"

"Of course, Princess. It's my duty to be by your side 'til either my death or yours." She sat up and looked into his eyes.

"I know. But I meant by staying with me as a choice. If you were freed of your duty, you'll stay and be my friend?"

Sheik stifled his laughter. Zelda always had in mind that when she is ruling that she'll unbind the Sheikah and let them choose their own fates. It was a ridiculous idea, but one he'll humor and won't destroy.

"I should think so. I would like to see the world first, but I'll come back. I would probably signup to be your bodyguard."

"But you'll be my friend?"

"Haha, yes Princess. No matter what, I'll still be your friend."

Zelda smiled that smile and Sheik couldn't help but grin, her bubbly aura rubbing onto him.

Sheik hissed as an intense pain flared on the side of his abdomen. It quickly went away and he tried to hide his discomfort, but Zelda saw.

"It's the pain again, isn't?"

"Yeah… But I'll be fine. It's just a little twinge."

"You know it's more than a twinge. It's been happening more frequently."

"Yes, but there's nothing I can do, but bear it. Besides, I rather pay attention to you instead of the pain."

"You know you can't ignore it forever." Zelda morphed into her older self, wearing the white dress she was entombed in. Sheik looked around and saw the warm, peaceful Hyrule Fields transformed into the cold, dark of the Royal Family's Tomb. Sheik sighed and leaned against the wall.

"Yes I can. Sheikah were trained for this kind of situation."

"Yes, but for how long? You can't withstand all their torture—who knows when your body will break. Hell, it could be broken already." Sheik tensed at her words, offended that she doubts his will.

"My body can endure any kind of pain for any length of time. That's this purpose of this dissociation or were you not informed of that information, Princess." He hissed. The pain came again, this time at the curve of his calf.

"I was well informed, Sheik. But no one, no matter how strong-willed, can withstand torture for hours on end. Your body will break and your resolve will crumble; it's only a matter of time before that happens."

"Then what am I supposed to do?!" Sheik screamed into the air, his voice echoing in the tomb. He slide down the wall and slumped over. Everything went wrong! There was no hope for his people. Even he did somehow manage to escape from his torturers, he couldn't travel in his condition and warn his people in time—hell, they're probably already dead.

"No, there not." Sheik looked at Zelda, defeat evident in his eyes.

"Yes, they are. You know your father won't stop 'til they're all dead. And it's all my fault… If I ha—"

"For Goddess's Sake Sheik! Wake up! You're not defeated! Yes, broken and venerable, but not defeated!" Sheik shook his head.

"You're wrong. You said it yourself; I can't withstand torture for long…"

"That's because you're almost there! Damn it Sheik of the Sheikah! I'm trying to help you think a way out of here!" Hearing Zelda getting frustrated, Sheik's shoulders starting shaking. For a moment, Zelda thought she had gone too far and made the Sheikah cry. But as his laughter reached her ears, Zelda playfully growled.

"I see making me mad is funny to you." Sheik nodded.

"Y-yeah. I miss that about you. Whenever I'm down, you'll try so many ways to make me laugh. But for some reason, seeing you get frustrated does it." The Hylian smiled at him, glad he was feeling a little better. She next to him and hugged him. Sheik wrapped his arms around her and held the Princess close.

"It's strange. I know you're dead and the you that is here is just in my head, but for some reason, you feel real to me. Like it's actually you and not some figment of my mind."

Zelda laughed at his words. "Silly Sheik. I am real; as real as you and your love for the Hylian," Sheik blushed, "But enough of that; it's time to think of a plan. No matter what, you're going to Hyrule alive."

King Stephen gripped the arm of his throne tight. What he saw through the orb… He couldn't believe it! He wouldn't believe it! But his daughter's handmaid went pale as she too watched the wedding with him. Rage filled him. If his daughter wasn't there this whole time, where is she?!

"Impa." His voice was low and gruff, barely containing the anger he was feeling. The Sheikah woman kneeled before, head bowed in respect.

"Where is my Zelda? What did you Sheikah scum did with her?" Impa flinched at his words, but otherwise answered calmly.

"Your Majesty. It's hard to speak the words knowing what will happen, but I will." She looked him dead in the eye. "Your daughter is dead and has been for about a year."

Shock colored his face. "Bu-but how?! She's been alive all these years! You even had you her start training with the guards over seven months ago and you were there when she went off to Foerin."

"True, but my Lord, that was one of our kin using magic to disguise themselves as her; in truth, they have been Princess Zelda for these past seven years. She was kidnapped during the Fall Harvest and while we Sheikah went in search of her, I made the executive decision for someone to be her decoy until we found her. Alas, we only found her a year ago, dead and disgraced in the Faron Woods. I also made the decision that the decoy Sheikah keep the disguise, allowing you time forever with you daughter. But I see now it has been foiled. I understand what I did was wrong and know the punishment is death, but please, spare my kin—they have no fault in this; they were only following my orders."

The King stared her down. He could feel two emotions: rage and sorrow. While the Sheikah women had been faithful for all these years, he cannot bypass any Sheikah living. All must die!

"As far as I'm concerned Sheikah Impa, if you're at fault, then all Sheikah are at fault! I don't what my great-great-grandpa was thinking when he had you scum swore an oath to the Royal line, but it's obvisous that all you want was the death of Royal Family and the destruction of Hyurle!" Before even Impa could blink, King Stephen unsheathed his sword and beheaded the leader of the Sheikah clan. As her silver-haired head rolled, the Hylian King stood tall and howled out an order.

"TO ALL WHO HEARS MY WORDS! FROM THIS DAY FORWARD AND FOR ETERNITY, ANY SHEIKAH IS THE ENEMY OF THE HYRULE KINGDOM! KILL ANY RED-EYED DEVIL ON THE SPOT! AND TO THE SHEIKAH SCUM OF THIS FAIR LAND! YOUR LEADER IS DEAD! AND ALL SHALL THE SAME FATE AS THAT BITCH! RUN AND COWER LIKE THE THIEVES YOU ARE! NONE SHALL BE SPARED!"