Okay ugh here it is a day late. I'm sorry. Not even gonna do any ANs this time, let's just get it posted.

Termina Royal Palace

"Link!" Viscen exclaimed. He recognized the Hero at once. "What brings you here?" he asked, glancing at the group of travellers.

"Unfortunately, it's not good news." He said solemnly.

"Where is Zelda?" Viscen asked. Sheik scoffed inwardly. She'd never heard him use her name without her title.

"That's why we're here. You see... You're no doubt aware of the attacks that have been going on recently,"

"Of course,"

"We have reason to believe that the main target is Princess Zelda-" (Sheik smiled at Link's use of the title) "-so she has gone into hiding. Hyrule is in good hands, but no one, not even I, know where she is."

"No one has heard from her?"

"No one, your highness, but that is not the reason for our visit."

"You have my attention,"

"Because of the attacks," Link started, "The Princess' attendant has left us with the task of finding the assassin and ensuring the safety of the Allied Kingdoms."

"I appreciate your concern," Viscen said. "I can assure you every measure of caution will be taken. But Termina is a strong kingdom."

"I absolutely agree," Link agreed. Why is he being so difficult? He'd been nothing but respectful when he last visited Hyrule. "But Princess Zelda and many others may be in danger."

Aveil entered the meeting room, hearing the commotion. "Link!" She exclaimed. "It's wonderful to see a familiar face." She shook his hand eagerly. She looks like she's in a good mood, Sheik thought, and smiled. That was an uncommon thing ever since her parent's funeral.

"Link and the others should be leaving," Viscen said.

"Oh, Link, where has Zelda been?" Aveil asked, ignoring Viscen. Her personality seemed softer, more gentle than normal.

Suddenly a thunderous noise filled the air. Sheik recognized it instantly. Soon the booms were replaced by a sickening laughter.

"Oh where has Zelda been?" The voice said. "We must take the proper precautions to save our precious princesses."

Link pulled the Master Sword from its sheath as Ghirahim's figure appeared in a red and yellow smoke.

"I had a feeling you would be here, Courage," He glanced at Aveil and Viscen. "My sources tell me that you two were close with her highness." He pulled his thin blade from behind him. "Two royal ladies, the best of friends," He scoffed at Aveil. "And the prince and princess, arranging to be married. I wonder how that makes the Hero feel?"

Sheik clenched her teeth, holding in her anger. One glance at Link and she knew he was getting ready to attack.

"So, can anyone tell me where she is?" He turned to Aveil, holding his blade out.

"I don't know," She said, trembling. "I don't know where she is... Who are you?"

Link suddenly thrust his sword at Ghirahim. He barely dodged the blow, but when Sheik lunged her small knife at him, he was not so lucky.

"You..." He glared at Sheik, clutching his wound. "You will pay for that." He tried swiping his sword at her, but in his wounded state, she was much faster than him. Suddenly his laugh filled the air again. "No," he said. "I don't wish to fight you right now." He vanished quickly and reappeared dangerously close to Aveil. Link lifted his sword quickly, but Ghirahim brought his to Aveils neck with an even swifter movement.

"No no no, Hero... No one move." Sheik barely contained her shock, at the scene. But what could she do? Any sudden movement and Aveil would die.

"Now, if anyone would please tell me where Zelda is, and this lovely lady will not have to suffer." Ghirahim said menacingly. Viscen shook in terror. Aveil's breath quickened.

"Let go of her," Sheik said, somewhat calmly.

"None of us know where she is." Link added.

Ghirahim rolled his eyes. "Please. If that is true, why are you trying so hard to protect her? If you're truly sure I will not find her, why go to this trouble?"

"I- we're only trying to protect Hyrule." Link argued.

"If you want to protect your kingdom," Ghirahim spat, "Just fetch me the Triforce from the Sacred Realm. I'm sure you, a Bearer, could find it, and it'd save me the trip!" He broke off into laughter, but the tension in the room only grew.

"I would gladly send you to the Sacred Realm. But not for the Triforce. Just let her go and fight me." Link's words were strong, but he really didn't know what would happen. Ghirahim's laughter stopped abruptly.

"Just how stupid do you think I am?" He asked plainly.

Viscen, who had shrunk back in fear, finally gained enough blind courage to charge at Ghirahim, sword in hand.

"No!" Sheik called, reaching out her hand. She heard the shrieks and screams from the group of adventurers behind her, but it was entirely too late. It all seemed to happen in slow-motion. As soon as Viscen came within mere inches of Ghirahim and Aveil, he swiped the blade at her neck with a simple, swift motion. By the time Viscen reached her, Aveil's body lay limp in a growing pool of blood. He sobbed helplessly while Ghirahim cackled.

"I warned you, you daft man, if only you'd have listened... Now your sister's own life is on your hands!"

"Liar!" Ashei spoke up.

"You're the one who... murdered her," Sheik added through clenched teeth.

"So you're beginning to see just how desperate I am," Ghirahim replied. "If I don't have the Bearers, I'll never find the Triforce."

"You'll never find her, you monster." Ghanti said. "No one in this room will allow that to happen."

"What will it take," Ghirahim said angrily, "for you to realize how serious I am?" He glared at the adventurers. "How many attacks? How many assassinations?" He said, motioning towards Aveil's lifeless, body as if it were a simple prop, as if it were never filled with life, as if it was meaningless.

"I'll keep looking," He said. "I'll keep looking, and I will keep attacking and I will not stop until either she shows herself or her kingdom is destroyed." Ghirahim smirked. "Whichever is first.

"Now, I'm off to see the Great Sea," Ghirahim said. "Perhaps a certain lookalike of the Capital Island can tell me what I need to know." With that, he twirled in the air and vanished.

"Lookalike?" Auru repeated. "He means to attack the Princess of the Great Sea!"

"What do you mean, lookalike?" Ashei asked.

"Tetra, the Princess... she looks exactly like Princess Zelda. People often mistook the two for sisters,"

"In any case, we have to hurry," Link said. "Maybe we can get to Windfall Island before he finds her."

"Then let's go," Ghanti said.

I can't offer enough apologies for getting this in late. So, please review as always... I hope you're enjoying it!