Zelda moaned softly, wincing as the first rays of morning sunlight pierced the windows and danced on her face. Goddesses, but her head ached! What on earth had she been doing last night?

She sniffed, turning her head away from the persistent rays of light. The bed was far too comfortable, and warm, and…

Wait…

She frowned, eyes still closed, as she became aware that her arms were wrapped around a warm, breathing body. Her fingers prodded the mass of flesh inquisitively, eliciting a deep groan from whatever she was sleeping next to.

Zelda cracked open one eye, and let out an involuntary yelp.

She scrambled out of bed, taking the blankets with her to cover her body. The dull throb in her head had been replaced by sheer confusion and anarchy. What in the Goddesses had happened last night?

It only took one look around the room, where several empty wine glasses and a smashed bottle lay strewn on the floor, for Zelda to understand.

Oh no. Oh no, no, no…

"Link!" she hissed, approaching his slumbering form tentatively and shaking him. "Link!"

"Mmph. Wha...?"

"Link, wake up, for the love of Nayru!" she moaned, pushing him insistently. After a second, he acquiesced to her request, rolling over onto his side and opening his eyes.

"Zelda?" he slurred, still barely conscious.

"Link," she asked urgently, her voice trembling slightly. "What… what did we do last night?"

For a second, his eyes were unfocused, as if he was having trouble understanding her words. Then, he noticed the haphazard state of the room, the blanket she was clutching over her body, and his own naked form. His eyes widened.

"Dear Farore…"

"Oh Goddesses!" Zelda gasped, her worst fears confirmed. The full realization of their situation hit her, and she stumbled back onto the side of the bed, staring at her feet in shock.

The bed shifted as Link rolled over next to her, looking concerned. "Zelda, are you…?"

She took a deep, trembling breath, and turned to face him. He was surprisingly calm, as if he was more bemused by their actions than worried.

"I can't believe we… that… did we really…?"

"Zelda," he asked, tentatively, "what's wrong?"

"I was drunk!" she said in distraught. "You were drunk! We didn't know what we were doing… and now… now…"

She took a deep, calming breath, and to her surprise, Link kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"You know, being drunk tends to reveal your true sentiments. What I said last night still stands."

She blinked, confused, her body feeling slightly drained. "… what did you say? Last night, I mean?"

"That I love you," he replied, genuinely, "and I always will." For a second, his expression faltered, and she could see a faint glimmer of uncertainty behind his normally stoic eyes. "Did… did you mean it as well?"

She sighed, her mind still reeling and exhausted from the revelation of their actions the night before. But… she knew that Link was telling the truth. He would never lie to her, and more importantly, would never take advantage of her either.

"Yes, Link," Zelda murmured, softly, cupping his cheek in her hand. "I love you too. I just… I just…" She smiled suddenly, her spirits feeling oddly lighter with the knowledge of their new relationship. "I just wish our first time was more than a drunken stupor."

She laughed, her voice sounding clear and pure in the early morning, and Link grinned too, hugging her tightly and running his hands lovingly through her golden tresses.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you," he whispered into her ear. "I'd die for you, Zelda, you know that."

"I think you've proven that already," Zelda laughed, tracing one of his arm scars with her fingertips. "Don't worry, Link. I… well, enjoyed it, let's leave it at that."

Link grinned broadly at her, his youthful face somehow rejuvenated by their blossoming relationship. He whooped happily, leaping off the bed and capering around the room like a little boy on Goddess Day morning.

"Put some clothes on before you leave!" she giggled, watching as he paused to fish his tunic and undergarments from where they lay scattered on the floor.

"I knew you loved me," he said, quirking his eyebrows at her. "I knew it, I knew it!"

He paused in his singing to scoop her up in his arms, showering her with kisses, before setting her back down on the bed gently.

"I'm starving," he declared with relish. "A hearty breakfast sounds wonderful right now!"

"That does sound good," Zelda agreed, smiling. "I'll meet you downstairs?"

"Why can't we go down together?"

"Alright," she said, "but wait outside the room."

Link raised his eyebrows at her. "Any particular reason?"

"Link!" she laughed, hitting him with a pillow. "I can't let you watch me dress! That's improper!"

"Yeah, because what we did last night wasn't…"

Link received another pillow in the face for his words, and he leapt off the bed, grinning. "Alright, have it your way, princess! I'll wait outside and do thy bidding like a good knight should. Got any dragons I should slay while I'm at it?"

"Get out!" she laughed, and he retreated, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Zelda sighed, feeling oddly elated with herself. She felt so… so… well, free. To have the awkwardness between herself and Link obliterated, to be free to love him without restraint, and to have such intimacy… She blushed, vaguely recalling their passionate night, and resolved that next time, she would be fully sober to appreciate it.

She leapt off the bed, energized, and began to dress while humming an old tune that Impa had taught her, so long ago. Impa, and Dampe, and the other servants… how were they getting on? Ever since she and Link had come to Kafei weeks ago, they had received no word on the status of the servants at Hylia manor. She prayed to the Goddesses that they had escaped without punishment. After all, they had nothing to do with Link's rebellious activities.

And it wasn't as if they had known they were harboring the Crown Princess for all these years.

Zelda smiled to herself, Link's healthy recovery and affection propelling her to gleeful heights. Suddenly, the prospect of taking on the usurper-king seemed less daunting, and she was confident that she would be able to lead the country into a new Golden Age… as long as she had Link by her side.


Kafei was already eating a light breakfast in the main hall, eyes glued to a small book while he crammed bits of toast into his mouth. Both Link and Zelda waltzed in, faces flushed and smiling like loons. Kafei looked up, his mouth curving into a smile of delight.

"Link! You've recovered!" he said, getting up from his seat and giving the young knight a crushing hug.

"I'm alright, Kafei," Link gasped, weakly returning the embrace. "I've still got some painful burns, but I can walk and fight, which is what matters."

"You've been out for days! I've been worried," Kafei laughed, beckoning for Link and Zelda to grab some seats. "Zelda took good care of you, I can see!"

"Yeah, she did," Link grinned. Zelda flushed and threw him an exasperated smile.

"None of my servants are that skilled in medicine," Kafei said, praising Zelda. "And I must say, you have the dexterity to be a surgeon, given some training."

"Thank you, Kafei," Zelda said modestly, reaching for a platter of fruit. Link got to it first, gallantly holding the silver tray out so that she could pick an apple. Kafei raised his eyes at this display.

"You two seem especially funny this morning," he said, looking between the two of them with a bemused look. "Something happen?"

"Just celebrating my recovery," Link said quickly, unable to wipe the grin from his face.

"Ah, that is something to celebrate!" Kafei said, not inquiring further into their odd behavior. "It's a bit early for wine… although…"

"We're quite fine," Zelda said firmly. "We both had… enough to drink last night."

Kafei shrugged, going back to his plate of food. "Suit yourselves. I actually had Sakon bring up a nice vintage from the cellar the other day…Chateau Romani, from my cousin in Termina. Speaking of which, I wonder where Sakon is?"

Kafei drummed his fingers impatiently on the table, as if expecting his words to instantly summon Sakon, but after nothing happened, he shrugged once more.

"Ah, well, he'll turn up sometime. To tell you the truth, I have trouble keeping track of everything my servants do. All this business with Ganondorf is keeping me quite busy… which reminds me… Link! I've got another shipment of bombs coming in from Death Mountain. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, they've proven to be quite helpful," Link replied.

"Well, that's good," Kafei said, cheerfully. "It's been difficult to get the Gorons to sell me their 'special crop,' as they call it. Costs an arm and a leg, but it's worth it. To King Ganondorf!" he laughed, raising his goblet of water for a toast.

As both Link and Zelda complied, one of Kafei's servants burst into the room, harried and distraught. She was breathing heavily, and a horrible sense of déjà-vu came over Link, eroding his previously high spirits.

He knew what had happened before the maid could even open her mouth.

"Master Dotour," the maid said, face wracked in fear. "A troop of soldiers have shown up – they're at the front door…"

Kafei spat out his drink. "What?"

Distant shouts reached them in the dining room, and the maid gave Kafei a fearful look. He, in turn, faced Link and Zelda.

"Well," he said, face set in a rigid stance, "it looks like we've been found out." He took a deep, calming breath, obviously determined not to lose his composure. "I've got our horses ready in the stables, if we can make it there in time."

"You and Zelda head to the stables," Link said, getting up from his seat urgently. "My weapons and equipment – they're still in the room…"

"Link, come with us!" Zelda begged. "There's no time to get your weapons! Besides, we can't afford to be separated…"

"Gather all the servants you can find," Kafei directed to the maid, who was still shaking in fear. "Tell them to leave the manor grounds at once, under any means possible."

The maid turned on her heel and left immediately, heading down another hallway even as the coarse shouts of Ganondorf's troops grew closer. Link, Zelda, and Kafei all looked at one another, stricken.

"You two, go," Link demanded, pushing Zelda at Kafei. "I'll meet up with you at the stables."

"Link!" Zelda cried, even as Kafei forcefully led her away down another corridor.

"Don't worry about me!" he called back, hoping to reassure her. He waited until Kafei and Zelda were out of sight before grimly setting about the task at hand. He had no weapons, and the main staircase would likely be a chokepoint for Ganondorf's soldiers. Getting to his room wouldn't be easy.

He headed out of the dining room, only to run into two of Ganondorf's troops. One of them roared triumphantly, "we've got him!"

The guard charged at Link, spear held low for a thrust. Link sidestepped the attack easily, the cumbersome guard an easy match after his fight with the Gerudo. Link neatly tripped the soldier up, sending the man sprawling to the ground with a groan.

Link grabbed the man's spear before turning to face the other guard. To his infinite surprise, the other guard dropped his spear and nodded at Link.

"Go on," he said. "I won't stop you." He hesitated, before adding, "good luck."

The soldier sidestepped to allow Link past him. The young knight, suspicious and amazed, ran past without another word.

The main entrance hall was chaos. Soldiers clad in silver mail were everywhere, attempting to subdue the manor servants who were causing a stampede in their haste to escape. Link took advantage of the disorderly mess by slipping up the staircase, barreling through two unsuspecting guards before they realized he was their target. Both guards let out surprised shouts, chasing after Link up the winding stairs.

Link vaulted the last few steps, his path to the room clear. The two guards were a step behind, their armor clanking loudly in their haste to keep up.

"In the name of King Ganondorf, halt where you are, traitor!"

Link kept running, and the guards swore, their bulky armor slowing them down.

The young knight slid into the room, his honed eyes finding his weapons laying atop the desk in the far right corner. Link grinned, scrambling to reach his sword, which lay almost innocently on top of his longbow and quiver.

The two guards burst into the room just as Link raised his sword towards them.

"I'll give you the choice: fight me, or run," the young knight said, a steel glint in his eyes. The two guards looked at each other, as if trying to mentally communicate their strategy. Link took an imposing step towards them, and they both scattered, leaving the room hollering for reinforcements.

That suited Link just fine, as he grabbed his equipment and made for the room's balcony. Outside, he had an unhindered view of the Dotour manor, and the heavy vines that choked the manor walls gave him a perfect escape route. He picked out the stables, hoping to see Kafei and Zelda saddling up; instead, his stomach did an unpleasant summersault.

A veritable company of Ganondorf's troops had surrounded the stables, spears, crossbows, and swords held at the ready. There were probably at least fifty men, and Link watched in horror as several more troops exited the stables with Zelda and Kafei held captive.

"Oh Goddesses…" Link murmured, his mind awash in horror. He watched as the soldiers roughly forced Kafei and Zelda to the ground, keeping them subdued with spear tips. Another pair of guards came up, tying Kafei and Zelda together with rope.

How did Ganondorf discover us? Link felt himself wondering helplessly, even as his mind churned with ideas to free Kafei and Zelda. How? There was no way he could fight all those guards alone – and if one of them happened to kill Zelda or Kafei in panic – Link shuddered at the unpleasant thought.

Preemptively, the young knight leapt atop the balcony railing, drawing his bow and fitting an arrow to the bowstring. Maybe, if he could hit the guard leader and throw them into disarray…

Even as he drew back the bowstring, there was a loud, keening scream; Link looked up just in time to avoid decapitation by a pair of whickering scimitars. He rolled off the balcony edge, drawing himself up into a fighting stance against his new foe.

The Gerudo was poised atop the balcony railings with impossible ease, completely balanced on her precarious foothold. Her eyes burned with fire and as she squatted on the railings like a bird of prey preparing to dive, Link recognized her as the leader of the Gerudo team that had hunted him only days ago.

"You killed my sisters," the Gerudo spat, the venom in her voice as deadly as the poison coating her blades. "In a cowardly, dishonorable attack. You are no warrior, Hylia, only vermin to be exterminated."

She leapt off the balcony, crying like a banshee. Her dual scimitars were raised in curving arcs, and Link knew that if even one of those blades grazed his skin, the poison would kill him before he hit the floor. The knight rolled to the side, drawing his sword and gritting his teeth from the pain of his burns.

"Fight me, dog!" she screamed, her eyes crazed and wild. The Gerudo flew forward, her scimitars dancing with a life of their own. Link, unprepared for the assault, leapt off the balcony railings and clambered onto the vines that grew on the manor walls.

The Gerudo followed him, clinging onto the vines with murder in her eyes. Link climbed steadily, hoping to reach the roof of the manor and gain some time to plan his attack. There was no doubt in his mind that the Gerudo was in a state of frenzied bloodlust – perhaps he could use her enraged state to his advantage.

His muscles groaned in agony, but Link continued to doggedly climb up the manor walls like a monkey, praying to the Goddesses that the tangled vines would support him. The Gerudo was only seconds behind, and as Link looked over his shoulder, he found himself fifty feet above the ground. Any mistake he made now would likely be fatal. He kept climbing anyways, desperate to reach the rooftop and claim the height advantage.

Finally, Link's hands felt rough shingle, and with a grunt of exertion, he hauled himself up onto the roof, ignoring the raw skin on his palms. The Gerudo was still climbing the vines, and he knew that it would be extraordinarily difficult for her to mount a successful assault from such a tenuous position. Link drew his sword and waited, feeling confident that he had claimed victory.

The Gerudo, however, had different ideas. Before Link could cut her down, she nimbly flipped to the side, her fingers grasping the roof's edge and propelling her onto the roof in a graceful summersault. Her speed was incredible, her dexterity even more so.

"Impossible," Link whispered, feeling his face whiten. The Gerudo stood up from her crouched position, scimitars drawn and thirsting for blood.

"Nowhere left to run, Hylia," she whispered, eyes burning malevolently. "The end of your petty rebellion comes now."

She leapt forward, scimitars flying downwards with terrifying speed. Link raised his shield, feeling his arm go numb from the dual impacts. He replied with a quick stab, but the Gerudo effortlessly parried his blow, slamming into his shield with the weight of her body. Link rolled backwards, coming up in a defensive stance.

Casually, the Gerudo flipped towards him, her scimitars flashing in the sun like a dizzying display of magic. Link found himself unwillingly drawn into her dance as her blades flashed and flicked, her body twisting like a snake's. He couldn't even begin to predict her next move – her speed was so fast!

Desperately, Link struck out with his sword, hoping that his blade's superior length would keep his foe at bay. She flipped over his strike, leaping high into the air and pouncing. In desperation, Link used his shield as a bludgeon, hitting the Gerudo in the air. She shrieked as the sudden blow sent her skidding to the right, and she began to slide down the rooftop's steep sides uncontrollably.

Still panting, Link drew his longbow, watching as the Gerudo used her scimitars to dig into the roof's shingle and slow her descent. She was now twenty feet away, desperately clinging onto her precarious hold. She watched as Link fitted an arrow to his bow, preparing to finish her off.

"You traitor," the Gerudo whispered through clenched teeth, as Link casually aimed at her. "You will never topple our king."

On instinct, Link refrained from firing. The Gerudo took the brief respite to dig her scimitars even deeper into the roof, before using her hold to vault at Link with impossible ease. Even as she catapulted through the air, she drew a knife from her belt, and dove towards Link like a bird of prey.

He followed her movement, automatically bringing his bow up to trace her arc. He fired, hearing his bowstring sing as it sent his arrow straight into the chest of the Gerudo. She stiffened in midflight, her body jerking as the bodkin easily pierced her desert robes and lodged itself inside her heart. Even before the Gerudo fell onto him, she was dead, her warm blood staining her clothes a deep crimson.

Link grunted, rolling the dead Gerudo off of him, and looked down at his slain foe. Her eyes, even in death, were still open and filled with burning hatred. The young knight gently rolled down her lids, and noted the dagger that had fallen from her slack hands. It was wickedly curved, the hilt forged in the likeness of a desert serpent, the steel blade winking innocently in the sunlight. How many lives had the Gerudo taken? And now, the famed desert assassins had failed to kill one man. Link knew that, individually, each of the Gerudo were a match for his skills, and this one, their leader, perhaps outclassed him. He privately thanked the Goddesses for their constant protection, and briefly wondered if fate had allowed him to survive against such impossible odds.

Still, he thought, fate would be hard pressed to get him out of this situation. Link crawled to the edge of the roof, looking down upon where Zelda and Kafei were still bound and captive. The number of soldiers guarding them seemed to have doubled, and Link frowned. There was no feasible way he could launch an attack without posing serious danger to Zelda and Kafei. He had no idea if Ganondorf's troops would use them as bargaining chips or even as human shields. Link ground his teeth, knowing that his best option would be to leave them and attempt a later rescue.

The thought did little to set his uneasy nerves at rest. There was no telling what Ganondorf would do to them if Link couldn't rescue them soon. But with Zelda and Kafei as hostages, the usurper-king held every advantage over Link. The young knight bit his tongue, guilt overwhelming his mind. He had no choice but to abandon them – it was the only real option he had. Yet, he felt as if he was condemning Zelda and Kafei to their deaths, betraying them at the worst possible moment.

"I'm sorry, Zelda," he whispered, her body seeming incredibly tiny from his position on top of the Dotour manor. "I'll come for you, princess. I promise."


"Two prisoners accounted for, Captain Zant," one of the guards stated, saluting crisply. "We have… yet to apprehend Hylia. However, Lady Aveil went after him personally. I think it's safe to assume that he will be dealt with."

"Excellent," Zant replied, smirking gleefully. The guard captain glanced down at Zelda and Kafei, who were bound and kneeling on the grassy lawn of the Dotour manor. An entire contingent of guards kept careful vigilance over the proceedings, unwilling to relinquish their prizes after many weeks of arduous labor.

"So, another traitor to the aristocracy," Zant said, observing Kafei disdainfully with his nose turned crinkled. "It doesn't surprise me, Dotour – if I recall correctly, your father was executed for treason as well. After all, the apple rarely falls far from the tree. Am I correct, Minister Vaati?"

"Absolutely," Vaati replied, the slinking noble sweeping past a trio of guards and tucking his opulent robes around him. He briefly glanced over Kafei, before turning to leer at Zelda.

"Miss Zelda, is it? I'm sure you'll come in quite useful later. It seems… Sir Hylia has a certain fondness for you."

"Using me as bait will achieve nothing," Zelda replied quietly, trying to remain calm. "If you haven't caught Link yet, you never will."

"Hmph. We'll see about that, my dear. Now, the pieces of this little conspiracy are beginning to fall into place. Two traitors, both of them of the aristocracy! Not bad for a few hours' work. I shall be sure to commend your efforts to Lord Ganondorf, captain."

"Thank you, minister!" Zant said eagerly, his face glowing from the praise. "Shall we load up the prisoners?"

"Yes. About that." Vaati shifted his weight, coughing delicately. "King Ganondorf seems to have taken a special interest in this girl. Secure her and have your troops escort her back to the castle."

"And the other one?"

Vaati smiled, his lips curling upwards. "Our Lord has no particular interest in the other. In fact, given the history of the Dotour family, our king thinks it best that they are eradicated completely from the aristocracy."

Kafei's face paled visibly, his body shaking. "How… how did you find us out?"

"Ah, yes. The traitor's question. Well, Mister Dotour, let me tell you that our king has eyes and ears everywhere. It is only a matter of time before any rebellion, no matter how petty, is flushed out and exposed."

Kafei's face hardened, understanding blazing across his features. "Someone sold us out. Who?"

Vaati grinned, his pale face stretching like a leering skull. "You really should be more careful in who you employ, Dotour. Your servant… Sakon, was his name? He was only too happy to betray your secret for the bounty on Hylia's head."

"Sakon, you bastard!" Kafei roared, struggling violently against his bonds. Several soldiers forcibly restrained him, as if afraid he would break free in his titanic anger.

"Calm yourself, Dotour," Vaati said carelessly. "Although your servant Sakon came to us with good intentions, a traitor is still a traitor. If you recall, the bounty of one million rupees was for Hylia's head… which we still have yet to claim." Vaati's grin stretched wider. "Take solace in the knowledge that Sakon died for his betrayal."

"You… you killed him?" Zelda whispered, shocked. Kafei seemed unsure of whether or not he should be glad for Sakon's death, and settled for a smoldering glare directed at Vaati.

"Of course we did. We can't have wretches like that running around through this fair land," Vaati replied. "King Ganondorf has a glorious vision of what Hyrule shall become… and thieves, liars, and traitors have no place in this new version of Hyrule."

"You're sick," Zelda whispered, her face white and body shaking.

Vaati shrugged, supremely unconcerned. "Enough. I've got a headache from listening to this prattle. Zant, escort the girl back to the castle. If you can complete the task competently, there may be a new post in the Royal Castle for you."

Zant snapped to attention, his purple plume shaking. "Yes, minister! Guards! Attention!"

Like a well-oiled machine, the troop of soldiers moved out, a trio stopping to drag Zelda to a waiting carriage. She looked back helplessly at Kafei, who was still kneeling on the ground in front of Vaati.

"Kafei!" she screamed, watching as Vaati pulled a dagger from his belt. Kafei grimaced, looking past Vaati and into Zelda's eyes.

"Avenge me," he mouthed wordlessly, his dark eyes shining and his mouth curled into a bitter smile. Vaati took a step towards Kafei, the dagger raised sinisterly.

"Kafei!" Zelda cried again, as the guards roughly shoved her into the carriage and slammed the door. She moved to the barred windows, shaking them wildly with her hands. As the driver kicked the horses into a trot, she saw the dagger disappear in a spray of crimson – and Kafei's body jerk violently.

And then the Dotour manor disappeared, as the carriage sped off towards Ganondorf's castle, leaving the image of Kafei's bloodied corpse to burn itself into her horrified mind.