I'm so sorry that I haven't updated on schedule! I was on vacation for a week, and just got back yesterday! Thanks for your patience... I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.


Link sighed as he slowly immersed himself in the tub of hot water, feeling his aching muscles relax as the dirt and grime of his night's adventures washed off him. The steamy vapors coming from the water – had Zelda added some perfume to the bath? - helped to clear his mind from her, at least for the moment. Closing his eyes languidly, he reclined his head and breathed in softly, feeling his own heart pounding in his chest…

For the next few minutes, Link wasn't sure if he was still conscious or had slipped into lucid dreaming: the world passed into a haze of different colors and he felt completely at ease, without a care in the world to bother his conscience. Zelda was with him, too – not as a physical being but manifested as some sort of deeper connection inside of his soul. Link smiled, feeling her imaginary tresses, silky skin, longing to breath in her very scent… and then he started choking.

Startled, Link opened his eyes, only to find that he had slipped underwater during his dreaming and had just swallowed a large mouthful of soapy water. Choking and hacking, he lifted his head from beneath the water and shook his sopping hair in embarrassment. Good thing Zelda wasn't here to see that… thank the Goddesses for small miracles.

Still flushed red, Link spat out a few extra mouthfuls of disgustingly bitter soap water before pounding his chest twice for good measure, expelling an extra lungful of water in the process. Shaking his head, Link stood up from the bathtub and stepped out onto the cold tile floor, finding a nearby towel with which to dry himself before slipping into a fresh green tunic and white leggings.

Looking out the window, the semi-darkness of dawn had given way to the orange flush of a new day. Link felt a bit startled – had he really been in the bathtub so long? Quickly, he unbolted the bathroom door, hoping that Zelda wouldn't be too angry at his tardiness.

But, there was nothing to worry about. Zelda was slumped over gracefully in his bed, fast asleep. Link smiled, cautiously approaching her, watching the outline of her body move ever so gently up and down as she breathed softly. For a moment, he was tempted to reach out and touch her, just this once, but quickly decided against it. He contented himself with gazing quietly at her slumbering form, before turning around and leaving the bedroom. He could sleep later. Right now, she needed it more than he.

Closing his bedroom door with a soft click, Link stretched and looked down on the ground floor from his perch on the manor's second floor. A few servants were already active, bustling about in the main hall, brandishing feather dusters at cob-webbed suits of armor. Dampe's familiar form was trudging towards the main entrance, a series of gardening implements slung over his shoulders. A regular day: Link smiled at the familiarity of it all. It felt, somehow, more endearing to him that there were some constants in this ever changing world.

Jauntily picking his way down the stairs with more energy than he should have had, Link headed off towards the manor kitchens, his stomach rumbling for a proper meal. Once more, as his thoughts usually did when he was unoccupied, he began to think of the previous night's adventures. The raid on the supply depot, the distribution of provisions to the townsfolk – he had been much more daring, actually showing himself to the people he was aiding rather than watching from the shadows. It was probably better that way – the people would believe more in an actual person rather than whispered rumors. It was only a matter of time now: Link could tell that Ganondorf's troops were getting anxious, and the guard captains seemed to have greater trouble than normal carrying through their police duties in the town square. And so far, he hadn't run into any more Gerudo. Link smirked. Maybe his reputation had scared away the elite warrior women.

The kitchen was empty, although a couple of servants had recently eaten, evidenced by the plates and bowls stacked neatly on the table. That also meant a hot meal was already prepared – Link gratefully inhaled the scent of porridge and stew, helping himself to generous quantities of both. His stomach rumbled greedily, and despite the scalding temperature of the porridge, he ate several mouthfuls before easing his burning tongue with some cold ice water.

As he scooped up some more porridge, the door to the kitchen clanged open, and Impa burst in, her red eyes falling upon Link almost instantly. "There you are!" the nursemaid declared.

"Good morning, Impa," Link said, but before he could say anything else, she slapped him furiously on the side of the head. He recovered quickly enough to dodge the next attack, shielding his face with his hands.

"Ow – Impa, what in the name of the Goddesses are you doing?"

"What on earth did you do to that poor girl?" the wizened nursemaid demanded furiously, swiping at him again.

"Who? Zelda? Ow!" Link got up from his seat and retreated to the other side of the kitchen. "Impa, I have no idea what you mean!"

"I've been searching everywhere for you this morning! Finally, I look into your room and see Miss Zelda fainted on your bed!"

"Oh! She just fell asleep, that's all," Link said honestly, fighting down the urge to laugh. "Besides, Impa, if we had… er… done anything… don't you think she wouldn't be wearing any…"

"I don't know how you 'do' anything!" Impa replied shrilly, although she looked a bit relieved. "So… you didn't do anything, Master Link?"

"I swear," he said solemnly, raising his right hand.

"Ah. Well, I always knew you were a proper gentleman. That's how Aleron raised you," Impa huffed. "But tell me, Master Link. How did Miss Zelda end up in your bed?"

"That's a long story," Link answered, walking cautiously back to the breakfast table. "May I resume my breakfast, Impa?"

"Of course," she replied courteously, her previous anger abated somewhat as she pulled out the chair for him. She took a seat next to him, eyeing him with her red, catlike eyes.

"Miss Zelda's been worried sick over you," Impa said conversationally, watching Link scoop porridge into his mouth.

"She has?"

"We all have," Impa confessed, her tone causing Link to look at her with a sidelong glance. "You, Aleron's son, disappearing off into the night… why, just think how Aleron would scold us if he knew we were so lax in caring for you."

"Impa," Link said patiently, "I'm perfectly capable of caring for myself…"

"Right," the old nursemaid snorted. "You couldn't cook an edible meal to save your life, Master Link."

"You don't have to worry," Link said, slightly amused and exasperated. "My father wouldn't hold you accountable for my own actions. Besides, I think… he would have wanted me to do this."

Impa surveyed him quietly, a shrewd expression on her ancient face. "I have no idea what you're up to, Master Link," she said, "but it's hard to say now what your father would have wanted you to do."

"Don't worry about it," Link replied, sighing and offering Impa a slice of buttered bread. "It's too early in the morning for that."

"I'm always worrying," she replied, nonetheless taking the bread and ripping a portion off with her teeth. "That's how I've lived so long."

Link smiled, and patted the withered hand of the tough old nursemaid. Impa might not have shown it, but she was fiercer than anyone would give her credit for, and one of the people he could confide in. She had served Aleron loyally and seemed just as protective of Link, and for that, he was grateful.

"You know, Impa," Link said thoughtfully, "I've never thanked you for any of your services."

"There's no need to, Master Link," she replied, holding her head up proudly. "Friends help other friends. It's as simple as that."

"Yes, well, you don't have to call me Master," he asserted firmly. "Link is fine."

"But you are Sir Aleron's son," she said in surprise, "and I must show proper respect regardless."

Link sighed, setting down his slice of bread. "Zelda seems to take your point of view as well."

Impa regarded him carefully, her red eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And that upsets you?"

"Of course it does!" Link said, slightly louder than he had intended. "After all these years… she still insists on treating me like her superior?"

"Not inferior," Impa corrected, "she just feels a debt to Sir Aleron, and as his son, she thinks that you…"

"I know, Impa," Link sighed, waving away her words. He didn't want to get back on this topic, especially since he had been having a fairly good morning. "Just forget I brought it up. It's not a big deal."

He sighed, bringing the piece of bread to his mouth before stopping, perking his ears slightly. After a moment of silence, Link frowned, looking at Impa. "Did you hear something?"

"Hear what?"

Link screwed his eyes shut in concentration as he listened. A distant pounding, and definitely some shouts, probably in the main hall. Then the unmistakable sound of several pairs of heavy booted feet pounding on the tiled floor that led towards the kitchen…

"Goddesses!" Link exclaimed, fumbling for his sword and realizing that he had left it in his room. Swearing, he drew the knife concealed in his belt and turned to face Impa, who was white as sheet.

"Master Link, what…?"

"They're here! They've found me," Link exclaimed breathlessly, as the sound of stampeding boots grew nearer. How had Ganondorf's thugs found him? The thought of one of his servants betraying him was too painful, and he immediately dismissed it. No, something else – there must have been another way Ganondorf had found his secret…

The door to the kitchen burst open, and three armored guards trampled into the room, wearing full battle armor and brandishing long spears. The leader took one look at Link and howled victoriously.

"We've got…"

Before he could finish the sentence, Link had thrown his knife straight into the man's jugular, sending a violent spray of crimson across the man's shining steel chest plate. The man gurgled, clutching at the wound vainly as he fell to his knees, eyes rolling wildly. The other two soldiers let out a cry of fury, advancing on Link with murder in their eyes.

"Run!" Link commanded Impa, as he retrieved a butcher's knife from a rack filled with kitchen tools. The guards hesitated for a moment, unwilling to make the first move.

That's a mistake, Link thought to himself, remembering Sir Shiro's teachings. The first rule of combat: always take the initiative. And Link firmly believed that the best defense was a furious offense.

The young knight dove forward, bringing the butcher's knife down in a cleaving stroke that snapped through the wooden shaft of the first guard's spear and embedded itself in his shoulder guard. The man growled, lurching to one side as Link kicked him square in the chest, sending the armored behemoth toppling to the ground. His partner took a swift jab at Link, who ducked under the blow and rolled to the side.

Eyes scanning the kitchen for another weapon, Link settled for the pot full of steaming porridge. He grabbed the container and hurled it mightily against the other man, where it exploded against his visor, sending shards of ceramic and steaming porridge into the man's vision slit. He howled, furiously trying to clear his vision by scraping the mess off with the back of his hand.

Link rushed forward, shoving the man to the floor, where he collapsed in an unceremonious heap next to his feebly stirring comrade. Link looked up grimly from the fracas, to find the kitchen in a state of complete destruction. Impa was in the corner, eyeing Link's handiwork with a shocked expression.

"Impa," Link breathed heavily, striding over to the guard leader and nonchalantly retrieving his dagger from the man's neck. There was a sickening squelch as he pried the dagger loose from the man's ruined throat. "You should get out of here. I don't think the guards will hurt you… they're here for me. But you must get the other servants organized and make sure they're all fine."

"I understand, Master Link," Impa breathed, even as the sound of more footsteps hammered along the walls. "What about Miss Zelda?"

"I'm going to find her," Link said grimly, clutching his bloodied dagger. "The manor is no longer safe for us. We need to go into hiding."

"But where?"

Link frowned, unable to immediately come up with an answer. But, there were more crucial matters at the moment, and he had to find Zelda before Ganondorf's thugs got to her. "Stay safe, Impa. I'll see you soon."

"Good luck," the old nursemaid whispered, scurrying out of the kitchen with her wizened head bowed. Link took the backdoor out of the kitchen, stumbling onto the manor grounds where several of the guards were patrolling.

"There he is!" one of them shouted, and Link took off running.

The blood was pounding in his ears, and he could hear their shouts and footsteps as he raced around the side of the manor and towards the balcony of his room. The vines were thick and tangled on the back walls, and Link leapt onto the makeshift ropes, climbing with practiced ease up to the open balcony of his chambers.

"Stop him!" one of the guards cried, as his companion attempted to scale the vines. The twisted undergrowth wasn't strong enough to support the weight of a fully armored man, however, and the vines ripped violently, sending the man tumbling back down to the ground.

"Never mind that!" the leader shouted. "Spears!"

Link craned his neck around to see the guards preparing to throw their spears like javelins.

Oh Goddesses, the young knight prayed, as the first make-shift projectile clattered against the wall only a foot away.

With the most effort he had exerted in his life, Link grabbed a fistful of vines and vaulted himself over the balcony's railings even as the guards launched their spears, which impacted harmlessly against the stone wall of the manor. Link kept his head low and ducked into his room, praying that he wasn't too late.

To his immense relief, the first thing he saw upon entering his room was Zelda, who had piled all the furniture and chairs in the room against the door as a makeshift barricade. Several guards were on the other side, pounding furiously on the door. Zelda flashed Link a terrified look as he stumbled into the room.

"Are you all right?" Link asked breathlessly, retrieving his sword, shield, and longbow from the ground.

"Of course I am," she replied, watching him gather his items. "How about you?"

"We've got to get out of here," he said, taking her arm and pulling her towards the balcony. "Ganondorf's found me."

"But how…?"

"I don't know either, but we've got to go!" Link shouted, leading her out onto the balcony. The guards below let out a cry and sent another wave of spears flying at them, forcing Link and Zelda to crouch low to the ground.

"What now?" Zelda asked, remarkably calm as the guard leader below began shouting for his troops to find a ladder.

Link grit his teeth, grabbing his longbow and fumbling for an arrow before realizing he had forgotten his quiver. Cursing viciously, he popped his head over the balcony to get an accurate count of his attackers: five total, all dressed in heavy armor and positioned around the balcony, waiting for him. Additionally, the guards banging on the bedroom door were sending cracks running down the stout Deku-wood door. In only a few seconds, Link and Zelda would be completely surrounded.

With nothing else to do, Link rose to his feet and bellowed with all his might. "EPONA!"

The stables were only a short walk away from the manor, and the instant the words left his lips, Link could hear the distant whinnying of his faithful steed as he hastened to its master's aid. With bated breath, Link watched as the stable doors were kicked down and Epona came barreling down the grass lawns and towards the balcony.

The sight of his gleaming, chestnut colored mare charging furiously at the surprised guards filled Link's heart with pride. There was no horse faster than Epona, Link was convinced, and in seconds she had covered the hundred yards from the stable to the manor. Letting out a cry of fury, Epona reared up on her hind legs, kicking one of the guards out of the way with her powerful hooves. The other guards scattered as Epona fought her way to the balcony, clearing a small place for Link.

"Jump!" Link yelled, grabbing Zelda's hand and preparing to lift her off the balcony.

"Jump?" she repeated faintly.

"Epona will catch you," Link assured her, and before she could protest any more, he tipped her over the side of the balcony rather rudely.

"Link!" she screamed all the way down, but she needn't have worried: Epona, ever alert and dexterous, had calmly positioned herself to receive the falling princess. With a muffled thud, Zelda landed squarely on Epona's back, hair askew and cheeks red, but still alive and well.

As Link prepared to follow her, the guards pounding on the bedroom door finally smashed apart the wooden door and the various pieces of furniture Zelda had stacked up against it. Three guards stormed in, spears held at the ready, accompanied by Vaati, who still wore his silken robes and fine jewelry.

"There he is!" Vaati screamed furiously, pointing a damning finger at Link. The guards advanced, murder clear in their eyes.

Link leapt up onto the balcony railings, drawing his bloody dagger and hurling it with precise aim at Vaati. The projectile streaked past the guards and embedded itself up to the hilt in Vaati's shoulder. The foppish nobleman screamed in agony, clutching the painful wound with an ugly grimace on his face.

Feeling slightly vindicated, Link sneered at Vaati, who had crumpled to the ground. The wound was non-fatal, but the very fact that he had inflicted pain on his father's murderer was enough for Link. Before the guards could jab at him, he leapt gracefully off the balcony, rolling onto the ground only a foot away from Epona.

"Get going!" Link yelled to Epona, and the horse took off immediately. As the mare rushed past him, Link grabbed a hold of her flanks and leapt atop his steed's back, landing right in front of Zelda. The horse bolted for the manor exit, passing several surprised guards who were guarding the front entrance.

"How are you?" Link called to Zelda, taking in the exhilarating feel of the wind rushing through his air as Epona carried them off to Castle Town. For some reason, the knowledge that Ganondorf had learned of his identity did not frighten Link: in fact, he felt more alive than ever before. It meant he could wage his own personal war out in the open, without having to strike under the cover of night.

"I'm okay," Zelda replied, her face alabaster white and her golden hair whipping in the breeze. After another second, she took a steadying gulp of air and gave Link a wavering smile. "Your horse is smart."

"Best in the land," Link said proudly, slapping Epona's neck, and his horse whinnied.

"Where are we going?" Zelda asked, turning back to look for any pursuers. There were none; Epona was swift enough to outpace any of the horses in the king's stables.

"The only place we can go," Link replied, holding onto Epona's reigns with white-knuckles. "To the Dotour manor."


The ride to the Dotour manor was fairly uneventful; Link's arrest warrant had apparently been secretly arranged, for the few guards they did pass made no attempt to stop them. By now, messengers were probably rushing to Ganondorf's castle to convey news of the failed arrest attempt, and Link was determined to make it to safety before the king could dispatch more troops to hunt him. He urged Epona onwards, her mane flying in the wind and her hooves pounding the cobblestones of Castle Town.

"Do you truly trust Kafei?" Zelda asked, holding onto Link tightly as Epona sped through the streets.

"No," Link admitted, "but we've got no choice now. Besides… he came at Viscen's recommendation. And Viscen is an honest man."

"How do you think Ganondorf found you?"

Link shrugged. "I have no idea."

"We need to find out," Zelda insisted. "Otherwise, Ganondorf's soldiers will follow us right to Kafei's manor."

"We'll figure it out eventually," Link promised, heart jumping as he saw the outline of the Dotour manor towering over the hovels of the town. "Right now, we need shelter and an ally. Hopefully, Kafei will supply both."

The Dotour manor was gothic in appearance, its black walls and imposing architecture forcibly reminding Link of Ganondorf's obsidian castle. The entire estate was ringed by a wall of black iron gates that separated the Dotour manor from the hovels surrounding it.

Despite the foreboding appearance, Link urged Epona onwards towards the front gate. After a careful glance around to ensure that no one was watching, Link slid off Epona and gently tried to push the gate open.

"State your name and business."

Link jumped; from the shadows emerged a thin, sallow man, dressed in the unmistakable garb of a noble's servant. The man's beady eyes and uncouth mannerisms gave Link the distinct feeling that they were unwelcome.

"Sir Link Hylia, and I am here on an invitation from your master," Link replied, refusing to back down from the other man's glare.

The servant looked him up and down almost contemptuously before nodding curtly. "Very well, Sir Hylia. Master Dotour is currently having breakfast, I believe."

Drawing a large, rusted key from his coat pockets, the servant unlocked the gates and slowly pushed them open. Link nodded to the servant in thanks and mounted Epona once more, ushering the horse into the manor grounds as quickly as possible.

Zelda's grip around his waist was tighter than normal. "I suppose you know what you're doing?" she hissed in his ear.

Link shrugged, batting down his own feelings of uneasiness. The single road that led from the front gates to the manor's doors was flanked by rows of withered and dead trees, their husks drooping over the cobblestone road like specters. Epona nickered anxiously and Link patted her head to reassure his steed's nerves.

The front doors were made of polished iron, and a single brass door knocker crafted in the likeness of a leering skull was set into the wood. Link jumped off of Epona, before helping Zelda dismount. Together, they approached the front doors, seemingly transfixed by the skull-knocker.

Taking a deep breath, Link grabbed the brass knocker and slammed it against the doors three times. The booming echoes reverberated throughout the entire house, and several nesting keese nearby took flight in alarm. Zelda squeezed his hand tightly; Link fingered the hilt of his sword, taking comfort from its familiarity.

After several seconds, the door creaked open, to reveal a young maid. Unlike the porter at the gates, the maid seemed to be livelier, and her cheeks were flushed red. Upon seeing Link and Zelda, she broke into a smile. "You must be Sir Link. Master Dotour is expecting you."

Link took a hesitant step inside, followed closely by Zelda. Unlike the gloomy atmosphere of the manor grounds, the interior of the Dotour manor was warm and full of life. A roaring fire was already blazing cheerfully in the hearth and servants bustled around, carrying gilded decorations to adorn a gigantic Deku-tree set into the middle of the floor.

"Preparations for Goddess Day," the maid said off-handedly, leading Link and Zelda away to a side passage.

"That's right," Link mused, suddenly recalling that the most important holiday in Hyrule would come in less than a month. Goddess Day celebrated the supposed date of creation of Hyrule by the three Goddesses, and the festive celebrations represented a period of rebirth and joy. He had completely forgotten about Goddess Day – judging from Zelda's expression of shock, she had as well.

The maid led them down several winding corridors, then up several staircases. "Master Kafei is having breakfast," she explained, somewhat apologetically as they climbed a steep staircase. "He prefers to eat in his private chambers."

As they reached the top, a large mahogany door greeted them, and the maid cheerfully knocked on the door twice.

"Master Kafei? Sir Link is here."

"Ah, good!" came the muffled response. From the other side of the door came the clatter of a fork and then the sound of hurried footsteps. After a second, the doors flew open, revealing a grinning Kafei.

"So you decided to come!" Kafei said delightedly, ushering Link and Zelda into his room and shutting the door with a snap. "Of course, you came a bit earlier than I was expecting – but that's quite alright."

"Kafei," Link said quickly, taking a seat on one of the chairs scattered around the room. "Ganondorf sent troops to arrest us this morning. We're on the run."

Kafei's cheerful complexion slipped a notch, as he looked between Zelda and Link worriedly. "Are both of you alright?"

"Yes, but…"

"You need someone to shelter you?"

"I understand the situation we've put you in, Kafei," Link continued quietly. "And if you want us to leave, we'll do so."

Kafei blinked once, as if confused. "Leave? Why would you do that? No, Link and – Zelda, is it? – you're perfectly welcome at my estate. I daresay there's enough room for two extra people," Kafei said with a conspiratorial wink.

Relief broke out onto the faces of both Link and Zelda, and each of them immediately stammered out a series of thanks. Kafei waved their words away.

"There's no need to thank me. You two shall be my guests! And besides, Link… I've been hearing much of your exploits lately. It is I who should be thanking you!"

"My exploits?"

"Don't play dumb with me," Kafei laughed. "I know you're the one whom the townspeople are calling 'Hero.' And now, I suppose, Ganondorf knows your identity too."

"I have no idea how he found out," Link replied through gritted teeth. "Like I said, Kafei, I don't want to lead him to you as well. If ever you feel uncomfortable with us…"

"We've gone over this already, Link," Kafei said, pouring himself a glass of wine from his bedside table. "Would you like a drink?"

"No thanks," Link said. "Kafei, do you mind me asking… why are you helping us? What have you got at stake?"

Kafei's brows furrowed together as the young noble sat back down on the edge of his bed. "What do I have at stake? Are you assuming that I stand to profit from the downfall of our king?"

"It would be a clear motive," Link answered, shrugging, "and besides, no one does anything out of the pure goodness of their heart."

"What about you? And Miss Zelda?"

"Maybe Zelda," Link answered, smiling at her and causing her to flush red from his praise. "As for myself, my war against Ganondorf is a personal one."

"As is mine," Kafei nodded gravely. "You see, my father was executed during Ganondorf's purge of the aristocracy."

Zelda couldn't help but gasp in shock. Kafei turned to her, his eyes somber.

"Did you know my father, Miss Zelda?"

"N… no…" she replied, quietly, "but I… witnessed his death."

"A public execution?"

Zelda nodded, keeping her head bowed at the terrible memory. Duke Dotour… he had been one of the men called forth by the executioner… only now did she realize why Kafei's name had sounded so familiar…

"I'm sorry," Link murmured quietly, after a second of silence.

"You needn't be," Kafei replied, trying to make his voice a bit more airy. "You've lost your father as well, haven't you?"

Link smiled ruefully.

"We both have our own personal crusades against Ganondorf," Kafei continued, in a more businesslike manner. "The gratification of my quest for revenge: that is what I stand to gain from our king's downfall, Link. What we stand to gain."

Kafei stood up from his bed, placing the empty wineglass on his bedside table and stretching. "Whatever I can provide you with, Link, you shall have it. I'm not the warrior you are… but together, we will topple the usurper king."


On a personal note, wow! Over one hundred reviews now, and 6,000+ hits! Thanks a lot for the support, guys! I really appreciate it :)