Okay guys, I know that I haven't updated since March, and I sincerely apologize for the delay. Life has been a little complicated between my old car dying, the laptop having problems, and finding my motivation. But I am finally back, and hopefully will stay back. Thank you so much for your patience.

In the tower of Arn's Deep, a number of women were sitting close to the fire trying to keep warm in the early dawn. Among them were at least two Sheikah women whose husbands were in the Red Gates, and another had lost her husband in the siege at Hyrule Castle. To one side Queen Fauna sat near a small window, worry for her daughters etched into her face. One of the other women glanced over at her.

"My lady, there's no point in worrying about them. I'm sure they made it past Ganondorf's raiding parties just fine." The queen let a sigh escape her.

"I know, it's just that I can't stand not knowing for sure wether they're still alive or not. It's tearing me apart." One of the younger women, who had no children of her own yet, rolled her eyes.

"Stop worrying about it, besides, why aren't you more upset over Lord Braden's sacrifice? It's certain that he's going to die, if he's not already dead."

"Jenna! That's no way to speak to the queen." Another young lady rebuked.

"Oh hush yourself, Davina. We all know you're just as upset about the prince's fate as I am. But at least you got the chance to dance with him at the last ball. I didn't even get that much." At this point a third young woman had to put in her two rupees worth.

"I'm just upset that he didn't choose me to bear his children." She sighed, a dreamy look in her eyes. "Can you imagine how he must have been in bed?" A sharp bark of laughter from the window caught everyone's attention as their eyes turned to where Queen Fauna had doubled over laughing.

"I fail to see what is so funny your majesty." One of the older ladies said. The Queen took a moment to get her laughter under control before turning to them.

"I find it funny that you girls are discussing potential intimacy with my oldest son who is about to die for his country when he never looked at any of you." She said, still threatening to burst out laughing again. "And the funniest part about it is that while all of you were swooning over him trying to make him fall in love with you, he kept complaining to his parents about a bunch of trollops who kept throwing themselves at him." With that the Queen did break down laughing, leaving the younger ladies in the room thunderstruck. A few of the older women chuckled, but for the most part, the room was filled with the queens laughter.

/

Braden let a roar escape his throat as he drove his spear through the throat of yet another bulbin under Ganondorf's latest general. In six days, Ganondorf had sent as many generals to the front. And had executed them one after another. Many of the strikers bore wounds now, and the blood loss was taking its toll. But they had yet to lose a man. The current assault, much like the ones for the last week, was poorly organized, with men being all but thrown at the line in waves. And every time for the last week the Strikers had thrown them back. But every man knew that it was only a matter of time before someone capable was given command. Twirling around to pull his spear from the bulbins throat, he only just managed to block the sword stroke from another before thrusting through the bulbins torso. As the last of the bulbins in that wave were slain, Braden glanced around at the carnage. It was then that his eyes fell on a young Sheikah who was holding his stomach, blood welling out from between his fingers. Looking up at Braden, the young man gave his captain one last salute before falling face down in the dirt, dead. All the Strikers gathered round the body, before two of them picked him up, making sure to conceal them from the enemy. Braden watched them go for a ways before turning back to the enemy camp, just in time to see a generals head fly out of Ganondorf's tent without a body.

"Now things get tough." He whispered.

/

Rusl couldn't help but stare at this girl who had so easily penetrated the shell that Link had built around himself. And as Link came back into camp it was obvious that his head was no clearer than it had been when he went out. The younger man pointedly ignored Malon as he walked over to his bedroll and lay down, facing away from the fire. A good sign of how agitated the young man was, was the fact that he hadn't bothered to pull his blanket over his body, instead just letting it serve as an extra layer between him and the ground. And as he lay there, he constantly shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position. After a moment of this the boy seemed to have had enough, and sat up. As he rose to his feet, Malon rolled over and watched him, catching Rusl's eye. The older man couldn't help but grin as the girls eyes shone with affection for the younger Ordonian, and as Link walked into the darkness, Rusl could almost hear him muttering to himself.

/

A fell wind swept through the tents that made up the camp of Ganondorf's army. With it came the thunder of thousands of hooves, and the rumble of heavy wooden wheels. On the hill the Black King stood in front of his own tent, a grim smile forming on his lips. He watched as a strange figure stepped off the leading bull and knelt before him.

"My lord, I have brought the siege weapons and supplies that you ordered me to bring." The voice emitted from inside the helmet was shrill, and bespoke a sense of ambition that made him dangerous. Ganondorf nodded slowly.

"Very good Zant. You have done well. These may very well be what is needed to finally break this stalemate." The massive helmet gave no indication as to the expression of the man underneath, but Ganondorf could guess very easily that the patronizing tone he used aggravated him. With a wave of his lords hand, Zant rose and walked off to take control of the final assault on the pass.

O

Cet vard elt erith - trouble and wargs come in packs.

mer tule erith costo, mer tule iano taci, mer tule uthie ceron - Turn to your clan in war, turn to your siblings in feud, turn to your friends in tragedy.

Okay guys, two old Ordonian quotes instead of one to make up for the last few chapters and the lack of updates. I hope to get the next one up soon and look forward to hearing from you guys. please review.