Chapter 3 already! I'm really happy that I've come this far (it may not seem like much, but I'm really proud!) Anyways, let's get right to it! Enjoy!

Termina Royal Palace, Termina

Aveil and her brother Viscen wore all black. They stood in front of a gloomy, gray temple as people they didn't bother to remember gave them warm, meaningless smiles and comforting reassurances. They both thought it dreary. A waste of time. Aveil had always been somewhat bitter, but Zelda had not seen her face so completely emotionless until this day. She was unreadable. Zelda stepped hesitantly to greet her grieving friend. Zelda hugged Aveil, feeling genuine grief for her, and gave her a knowing look. Aveil simply nodded. Though it was a silent exchange, the two knew well from one another's eyes what they had said. Much would be discussed between the princesses later. Link followed closely after Zelda, having given Viscen his best, he watched the princess carefully. Something was on her mind, and he would find out what it was. He always did.

Termina Field, en route to Hyrule

There was a chorus of pounding hoofbeats, footprints, creaky carriage wheels and the occasional melody hummed or sung by one of the convoyers, and despite all the clamor around her, the princess of Hyrule stayed silent. Thoughtful. She thought of home, of her friends, of their kingdoms. She prayed to the Goddesses, earnestly and desperately, that the death of Termina's rulers was not her nightmare beginning to come true.

"Terrible, isn't it?" Link said quietly, peering through a small opening in Zelda's carriage. Zelda never would describe Link as a worried person, but that was the only emotion she could read in his eyes at that moment. The two dared not speak of Zelda's supposed prophecy.

"Indeed," Zelda spoke calmly, though her thoughts were ablaze. "It is a tragedy. I can assure you the assassin will be brought to justice,"

"Oh, I have no doubt," Link replied. "And do you think that this occurrence is... significant in any way?"

Significant? Zelda was puzzled for a second until she realized his meaning. She shuddered at the thought. Of course she did, but there was no way in Nayru's good name she would go into detail about it right now. Significant? It was always significant. There were few people that Zelda could say she truly trusted, and Link was unquestionably one of those people. By all means, she would have loved to just spill her heart out to him right then and there and discuss her nightmares at length. She knew he would listen, he was always there for her. But now, surrounded by guards and knights she could not easily express her concerns. As a princess, her privacy was limited. The situation was delicate. If anyone were to find out what fates she had seen, if the information fell into the wrong hands, not only Hyrule but all the citizens of all the kingdoms may become restless with worry. With terror. It was not a matter to be taken lightly, and the expression on Link's face told her he knew it.

"Yes," she replied, remaining stoic.

Hyrule, Lanayru Province, Hyrule Castle

Zelda finally told Impa everything about her dream. Impa had always been masterful at interpreting them with great accuracy, never once unsure about their meaning, and this time was no different.

"I wish you wouldn't have kept it from me for so long, your Highness," She had said. Zelda didn't respond.

Impa suggested that the rampant death in what Zelda had simply named The Nightmare represented an attack on the respective kingdoms. It made sense, considering the Terminian King and Queen's deaths were no accident. The dark cloud and shadow, she supposed, meant confusion. Chaos. Zelda couldn't tell, but she suspected that her guardian left out Link's role in her dream on purpose, though she didn't bother figuring out why. Impa had always been something of a mystery.

"And the fires?" Zelda asked cautiously, quietly. Impa paused for a moment. Rarely was there any emotion visible on the Sheikah's face, but if you asked the princess at that moment she'd have sworn that she saw something she couldn't place. Something like worry or discontent, but not as strong.

"War."

War. Zelda thought, over and over. Of course it's war. No one knew of this supposed impending doom but herself, Impa, Link and the Captain of the Guard, Auru. He always knew what to do in seemingly hopeless situations. Over the years the princess had grown to trust him, for her kingdom's safety and often her own was put in his hands. No matter what, Zelda needed to be prepared. Hyrule needed to be prepared. Auru took necessary precautions while still keeping the knights unsuspicious. Know stayed close to Zelda, watching her surroundings carefully. Link was almost always by her side. For a short time, she felt safe, even if she knew war was coming. She always felt safe with her Hero.

"Princess Zelda! Your Highness!" A young voice echoed in the large castle hallway. She recognized the young boy, a messenger of the castle, no older than 11. "Princess Zelda, there's a visitor from all the way across the Great Sea waiting in the throne room for you. She says it's quite urgent,"

Zelda's heart sank. Assassination? War? Theft? Murder? A the worst possibilities entered the princess' mind.

"Who ever could have come here all the way from the Great Sea with no announcement as to their arrival?" Zelda mused to herself. Normally the Nobles and Noblewomen of the Great Sea were quite upright and big-headed. "Did you happen to hear the visitor's name?" Zelda asked the young page, who followed two steps behind her.

"Medli of the Rito Tribe," he explained.

"Oh, Zelda, it's been too long!" Chirped a delicate, familiar voice. Zelda turned to see the frail birdlike woman before her. She was thin, almost wiry, with the form of a Hylian but the beak and wings (in the place of her arms) of a bird. Intricate white and auburn feathers draped her slender figure, and chestnut-coloured hair fell lightly at her hips. "I wish I were here under better circumstances," she said, with a touch of melancholy in her small voice.

"Nonsense," Zelda replied, hiding her worry. "It is always pleasant to see a familiar face, no matter the circumstance," Zelda embraced the Rito reassuringly, though she'd be lying if she said she wasn't inwardly terrified at that moment. "So tell me- please, do sit- what news do you bring from the Great Sea?"

"Well," Medli started. "As I said, the situation is not entirely agreeable at the moment," The Rito girl paused. "You remember Tetra, that kind young princess of the Capital Island?"

"Why of course," Zelda said, fearing the worst.

"Well... As you probably recall, the woman bears a striking resemblance to yourself."

Indeed, Zelda remembered. Many often thought the two to be sisters, they looked so alike. "Y-yes..." Zelda replied quietly.

"I am only here out of concern for the both of you... You see, an a-attempt was made on h-her life just three days ago. Several people think the attack was meant for you, Zelda... Not many witnessed the attack, but some claim it's the same assassin who took the lives of the Terminian King and Queen, Goddesses rest them,"

Zelda it stared. An attempt on her life? Zelda thought of the sweet girl. A bit rough at times, but kind-hearted, who Zelda lovingly referred to as her doppelganger. Meant... For me? It was quite a lot for the princess to take in.

"I'm so sorry to have scared you," Medli said quietly. "I thought you might want to be warned. To hear it from someone familiar,"

"No, no, I'm just..." Zelda stuttered. "I'm truly glad you came to tell me. Tetra... Is she alright?"

Medli's eyes softened a bit. "She's doing fine. In fact, she wanted to come along with me to see you," she smiled slightly. "My husband Komali and many of the guards are trying to track the assassin, but with no luck so far."

The two talked, talked of death and war, life and peace, of Tetra and of Komali and of Aveil and Viscen. Many found Medli easy to talk to, she was kind and sweet, with quite a determined soul, and an excellent listener. The two girls chatted before either of them realized hours had gone by.

Medli took her leave, thanking Zelda for seeing her and warning her to be careful. Zelda buried her face in her hands when she was sure Medli was gone.

"I have no doubt that attack was meant for you, Princess." Impa's voice resonated throughout the hall.

"And what," Zelda said, almost irritably, "Do you suppose I should do?"

"You'll need a personal bodyguard," Impa replied. "Someone you trust. You have your magic to defend yourself as well, I suggest you be cautious at all times."

Someone you trust. After Zant's attack and Hyrule's near destruction, after its salvation and its rebuilding, there was only one person on the Goddess' Earth or anywhere in the Sacred Realm that she could think of that was qualified. One person she trusted, felt safe with, felt at home with. Just one. Link.

Duhn duhn duuh! I guess you saw that coming. Review, tell me what you think! I know it's moving a bit slow but I promise that it'll pick up soon. So, review? Yeah, review.

Auru - Twilight Princess

Medli - The Wind Waker

Tetra - The Wind Waker

Uploaded on 22/03/13, 9:20pm, North American Eastern Time