UPDATE! BAMA! PART 2 OF MY AMAZING 2 PART DRAMATIC PLOT CHAPTERS THAT EXPLAINS ALMOST EVERYTHING! Alrighty, I believe I've used up my quota of capitals and exclamation marks. But be excited! Now you get to find out what REALLY happened last chapter. This is the truth. Thanks for all your comments/speculations last chapter, unfortunatly you're all wrong about Dark Link being the culprit. But I have admit, that was a FANASTICAL idea! I wish I had thought of putting Dark Link into this story at some time. I love him so much! In fact, the closest to being right was Jay Foren...kind of. But yeah, it'll all be explained soon! Stay tuned!

Chapter Eighteen: Assassins and Truths

Lera hesitated. Was now really the time? Two weeks had passed already. A sigh came from her and Lera lowered her hand, walking away from Link's door. He'd probably refuse to talk to her anyways if she brought it up. He had sounded irritated before he had been cut off.

The stone wall was cold beneath the fingers that brushed against it. The torches sent eerie images over the wall. That was the only thing she didn't like about the castle at night. It seemed haunted. To Reena it reminded her of Ganondorf's castle. Lera shivered at his name.

With the clock striking ten o'clock, Lera retreated to her quarters. Thoughts muddled her mind to near insanity. Would Kasten ever speak to her again? Would she be able to tell him the truth? They would be back in Salderin by now.

A sigh came from Lera as she went to open her door. She paused. It was already open. Hadn't she closed it? Maybe the servants had come in. Lera stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Her body froze as the door clicked behind her.

A figure, dressed in black from head to foot stood in front of her. His eyes pierced through her from a small slit for his eyes. That was the only skin visible. An assassin.

Lera had the urge to scream, but refrained. Had she been taught to fight or not? Her eyes flickered to her boot. Link had told her never to go anywhere without some form of protection. The dagger was her best chance.

With one fluid movement, the dagger left the sheath and was flung at the assassin. His eyes widened and had to duck to avoid the deadly weapon. It clattered to the ground and he lunged at her. Lera dodged, grabbing his arm, attempting to break it. He twisted away and threw her to the ground. Lera grabbed the fallen dagger and stabbed the man. He let out a cry as the flesh on his arm was torn. He grabbed her arm with the dagger, trying to force her hand to the ground. Lera used all her strength to try and drive it into his heart.

"Lera! It's…me…" the man gasped, blood dripping from his arm onto her chest.

"Who's me?" she demanded, trying even harder.

The man overpowered her and drove the dagger from her grasp. Before she could make another move, he tore his disguise off. Kasten breathed heavily in front of her.

"Kasten!" she cried.

He instantly got off of her, holding his injured arm. Lera gaped at him. What was going on?

"Kasten…what?" she asked. "Kasten, Link's innocent!"

"I know," he breathed, leaning against the wall.

Lera only then noticed his white face. She sprang to his side, putting his arm around her neck. With slow steps she laid him on her bed.

"What's wrong?" she demanded. "Did I hurt you that badly?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I've been on the run. My leg. It's cut. I haven't been able to treat it."

"On the run?" Lera demanded, taking his hand. He was shaking. "Kasten, why have you been on the run?"

His eyes began to close. Lera shook his shoulders.

"Kasten! No, don't fall asleep!" she said desperately. "Reena! Reena, come quickly!"

"What?" Reena asked stepping inside. She froze, seeing Kasten. She ran to his side, knowing the look of blood loss. "I'll ask you're arrival later. What happened to you?"

"Lera," Kasten gasped, grabbing her arm. "It's Sarid. Sarid…"

"Kasten, Sarid did what?" Lera asked, trying to keep him awake.

"Sarid…killed…them…" he breathed, his eyes losing focus. "Link's… innocent."

"Kasten! Kasten, wake up!" Lera cried.

"He'll be fine," Reena assured. "This cut isn't bad."

"He said his leg was injured!" Lera protested.

"Okay, that's a different story," Reena said, pulling a dagger out of her boot. She felt his left leg and then his right. She nodded, cutting the cloth from his right leg. It cracked with dried blood.

"By the goddesses," Lera murmured as the black cloth was ripped away. A gash ran from his ankle to his knee.

"How did he make it here?" Reena asked more to herself. "Lera, get Lenaya, Jerold, and Link."

*astrix astrix astrix*

White haze hung before Kasten eyes. What had happened? Where was he? Was Sarid-

Kasten sat bolt right up, clutching his arm. The pain rocketed everything back to him. His breathing quickened as he blinked away the haziness. Had Sarid caught him? Was he back in Salderin Castle? He needed to get to Hyrule. Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he forced himself to get up. The door creaked open and he froze.

"Kasten! What are you doing up?" Lera demanded.

"Lera! You need to listen to me!" Kasten gasped, a dizzy spell coming over him. "Sarid's behind it all! He found out that I knew and tried to kill me and-"

"Sit down!" Reena cried, walking in. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"You don't understand!" Kasten shouted. "Sarid's behind it all!"

"Kasten, we know," Lera answered, making him sit. He sat there, staring at the two.

"What?" he breathed.

"You told us everything…well almost," Reena said, crossing her arms. "You're mumblings at least told us mostly everything."

Kasten put a hand on his forehead trying to gather everything. A hand on his shoulder made him jump. Lera retracted, startled. He gave her a small smile.

"Sorry, over the past days I've been a little jumpy," he explained. "Wait…then you know Link's innocent? Have you heard from him at all? We need to tell him!"

"Kasten… you're going to make yourself pass out again," Reena said. "I'm going to have to ask you to settle down."

He took a deep breath. "Then… what do you all know? You know about the Triforce?"

"We took the liberty of relieving you of that burden," Reena answered. "Like I said, you told us a lot. You're the most conversational person experiencing blood loss."

"Thank the goddesses that I made it here," Kasten sighed, running a hand through his hair. He eyed Lera. "Though it almost didn't matter."

"Well, excuse me, but I'm not used to men dressed in all black appearing in my room," Lera said. "What was that for?"

"I figured you'd listen to my story first. And I didn't think they'd let me in disguised," Kasten explained, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. "I had to disguise myself in case anyone recognized me. Right now I think Sarid thinks I'm dead."

"We got most of the details, but we need the entire story yet," Lera said. "When you've gotten your strength back-"

"No, they need to know now," Kasten said, shaking his head, getting to his feet. Lera and Reena pushed him back down. He gazed at them, bewildered.

"You can hardly walk," Reena said, crossing his arms.

"I can walk a lot better I bet than when I was coming here," Kasten protested. "This is not something that can be ignored! It's only exhaustion! It's not like I can't physically walk!"

"When did Link walk in?" Lera asked, looking up at Reena. "They're too much a like."

"How come I'm the only one who seems to be worried about his well being?" Kasten demanded.

"Because I am probably in the safest place," Link answered, slipping in. A smile escaped from him as Kasten sighed in relief.

"That explains a lot then," Kasten said. He looked at his leg, feeling it. "Just how long have I been out? It's completely healed!"

"You forget whose presence you're in," Reena said, making her hand glow.

"Oh," he said with a half smile, standing again. "No matter if Link is here or not, you need to know the entire story. Now."

"What is it with men and being so stubborn," Lera muttered as the four left. She hung back with him. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Kasten gave her a small smile. "The arm might have to go."

"Alright, enough," Lera muttered. "Don't pass out on me again! I'm used to Link, but that's it!"

"Heard that," Link called back.

"Well, it's true," Lera shot at him. "You always show up half dead!"

The group entered the study, taking seats as Reena called the King and Queen. Link took his usual seat as Lera and Kasten took the couch. Soon everyone was congregated in the room. All eyes were on Kasten.

"First of all," he sighed, "I want to apologize for showing up so suddenly. However, it was urgent that I arrived as soon as I could. As I've been informed, my mumblings have revealed plenty of the story. Since the Triforce is now protected, I can speak freely."

"When did you realize it was Sarid, Kasten?" Jerold asked.

"We had only just reached the castle. After we saw…saw our parents, I retreated to my room. I could hardly believe it. It was like a nightmare. Hoping to find understanding from Sarid, I went to his room, but he didn't answer when I knocked. Unconvinced I opened the door. There he was… holding it. A malicious smile was on his face as he cradled that… that evil."

Kasten, paused, remembering Sarid's gaze. It was a look of insanity.

"Before I could disappear, he spotted me and possessed… some type of power! It was like something was pulling me inside. Then, he told me everything. He began rambling like a madman. Saying how all he had ever wanted was power. How Ganondorf had… been in league with him."

Kasten put his face in his hands. It was almost too much to take. What had happened?

"They had a deal. Once Ganondorf took over, Sarid would live and rule Salderin and another region," Kasten continued, his voice quavering. "You never found the Triforce of Power, Reena and Link, because Ganondorf gave it to…him before he went against you two."

"Ganondorf told us the Triforce still had another hope," Link breathed, looking at Reena. "I… I didn't think anything of it."

"Kasten, go on," Jerold said.

He nodded, swallowing hard. "I barely even knew what I was doing then. Next thing I knew I had taken it from his hands and was running. He attacked me, but I escaped on one of our horses. Only when I donned my new disguise did I realize that I had gotten injured."

He fell silent again, letting the tale sink in. He sat back, feeling himself shake. Comfort took him at the touch of Lera's hand on his shoulder.

"So he only wanted to marry me because of the Triforce of Wisdom?" Reena asked.

"Yes… and because he… does want you," Kasten swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."

"Great, I've got a raving lunatic after me," she muttered, sliding the engagement ring off of her finger. A burden and dread seemed to leave with it.

"And… Link, he framed you because he plans on killing you," Kasten said. "He framed you to make your death clean cut. He… killed our parents. Everyone in this room, in this country is in danger."

"Do you know when he plans on striking, Kasten?" Jerold asked.

He shook his head. "No, I… didn't stay around to find out. But he thinks I'm dead and will probably be coming to tell you that… framing Link again."

"You're on a role, Link," Reena muttered, eyeing him. He rolled his eyes. "So now we've got two fugitives."

"I don't plan on staying," Kasten said quickly. "If he finds me here-"

"You're staying!" Lera interrupted. "Just where do you plan on staying?"

"You'll be safest here," Lenaya said.

"But-"

"You need to," Jerold said. "You're life is in danger too, even if he thinks you're dead."

Kasten sighed, realizing there was no way to win. They wouldn't stand for his protests. He slowly nodded.

"I'm going to Salderin," Link said suddenly.

Everyone stared at him as if he had turned into Ganondorf's incarnation. He looked each one of them in the eye.

"We need to find out what's happening," Link answered. "As soon as the guards return, I'm going to Salderin and finding out what's happening."

"I'm going with," Reena said.

"No," Link said instantly. "It's too dangerous."

"Too dangerous? Too dangerous?" Reena demanded. "You're the one he wants dead! Somehow you going on this mission by yourself seems more dangerous!"

"And what if I got caught?" Link argued. "What if we got caught?"

"Like we haven't been in tight places before," she answered.

"This is different!" Link exclaimed. "He'll kill you on the spot!"

"Actually, he'll kill you on the spot," Reena pointed out. "I'll be there to save your neck."

"No," Link said defiantly.

"You can say it all you want, but you'll find me following you," Reena answered, standing up and leaving.

She hurried out of the study, not stopping when she heard Link's footsteps behind her. He was becoming so frustrating! As much as she wanted to see him, she found it more torturing!

"Reena, wait!" Link called.

"What?" she snapped, rounding the corner. She was sick and tired of being careful. Of being cautious. A hand jerked her around, forcing her to stop and look at Link.

"Reena, I-"

"I'm sick of being cautious, Link!" Reena cried. "I'm sick of staying in these walls! Ever since this princess thing, everything has become too dangerous, or too strenuous! I want to be out there! Not in here!"

Reena searched his face, trying to find a reaction. She felt so lost. So alone.

"And you! I don't know what's happened to you!" she breathed. "It's like I don't exist anymore! Yeah… there're my letters… but no responses! What's happened, Link? What's going on? Just how 'busy' can you be?"

Reena sighed, dropping his gaze. She wasn't sure if she wanted an explanation. Everything on the subject was irritating.

"Reena," Link said quietly, grasping her shoulders gently. "I know I've been away. And… you have every right to be irritated at me. I know you're going to be sick of hearing this. You already told me so. But… I've been away because… because I don't want to tempt you in joining me."

"So you've been acting like I'm dead?" Reena asked crossly.

A sigh came from Link. "Do you think I enjoy being away for so long? I want to be here, Reena. But duty calls, and you can't come with me. I feel that the more I'm here the harder it's going to be for me to say no to you. You can't come with me anymore Reena. The future Queen of Hyrule can't jeopardize her life like that anymore. Yes, you'd probably be saving my neck, but there's always that chance that you might not return."

Guilt replaced Reena's frustration. He was right. He just had to be right and make her feel horrible at the same time.

"I'm sorry, Reena," Link whispered. "But you have to see my reasoning."

Reena slowly nodded. A small smile crept across her face. "But that still doesn't mean I'm staying here. This isn't because I want to get out of here. I need to make sure you get back. That place will be overrun with guards keeping an eye out for you."

"Alright, fine," Link sighed. "But if we're caught, you need to promise me you'll get out of there!"

"If I'm leaving then you're leaving," Reena answered firmly. "Remember, he wants you dead. So, really, you need to promise me you'll run."

Link smirked. "If I'm leaving then you're leaving."

"Deal," Reena said, holding her hand out.

Link shook her hand, feeling that he had just issued their death sentence.

*astrix astrix astrix*

"Over there is our best bet," Reena whispered, seeing her breath in the cold air. She hugged the stone wall, looking up. "I've dropped down over there. No guards will be able to see us."

"Are you sure?" Link asked.

"Have I ever been wrong?" Reena asked. She saw Link's face in the moonlight. "Don't answer that actually."

"How far is the drop?" Link asked as they climbed the wall.

"About ten feet," Reena answered. "Let me go down first, and then you follow."

She looked below before jumping down. She landed softly on her feet, looking left and right. She motioned up to Link who landed next to her a moment later. A hundred feet away was the castle entrance. Guards littered the ground, making entry near impossible.

"We need a diversion. I wonder if the Hyrule guards are still here…," Reena murmured. "We need to go through a window."

"This is going to need to be a big diversion," Link commented, shifting the coil of rope on his shoulder.

"Let's not forget who you're talking to," Reena smirked. She closed her eyes, taking deep, slow breaths. A moment later a scream pierced the night. Reena's eyes snapped open, seeing her blue dragon sweep around the castle grounds. "Now!"

The two sprinted across the ground as guards gathered together. Link fired an arrow with one end of the rope tied around it at a crevice in the castle wall. It stuck fast and Reena scrambled up it, Link following her. Link pulled himself into the window well as Reena began to open it. Her hand glowed purple and she touched the glass. It disappeared and the two slipped in.

The room they stumbled into was dark. It was an elegant room with a four poster bed. Reena smirked.

"Kasten's room," she whispered.

"How do you know?" Link asked.

Reena picked up a letter that was addressed to him. "That's how. Come on. We need to find the map room."

"That's where the plans would be," Link agreed. "By the way, nice diversion"

Reena pressed her ear against the bedroom door with a smirk. She could hear frantic footsteps and angry yelling. Sarid. The voices slowly drifted away and Reena slowly opened the door. With a quick glance each way, she nodded at Link and they crept out of the room.

Torches in the hallway cast eerie shapes over the walls. Tapestries depicting famous battles were illuminated, giving the feeling of being watched. The long corridors amplified the footsteps of the two trespassers.

Every room was checked, but no luck. The two glided past the throne room and headed down a hall lined with suits of armor. Between two menacing empty guards was the prize.

Reena pushed the door room, rewarded with the smell of parchment and ink. They two slipped inside, closing the door behind them. Reena created a light on her hand, revealing a large table in the middle of the room. A map of the lands laid on it with clay figurines littering it.

"These aren't normal soldiers," Link murmured. "Does he have the power to… to create minions?"

"He may have, but not now," Reena murmured. "Not without the Triforce of Power. Look, he plans on taking Hyrule first it looks like. Why not Termina first?"

"If he takes Hyrule first, Termina will be no problem," Link answered. "Also, we both live in Hyrule. He's out to get us and then will move on."

"Forgot about the Triforce pieces," Reena sighed. "We need to-"

"Not move and pray that we don't kill you right now."

Link's veins ran cold. Candles were lightened one by one and Link realized that they were not alone. The door swung open and Sarid stepped inside.

"Well, what have we here?" Sarid hissed. "Link, such a pleasant surprise. Are you here to confess to your murders?"

"Listen you-"

Pain screamed out as the hilt of sword crashed against Link's head. He fell to his knees, the room spinning. A scream made his head split.

"Princess Reena, I had no idea you were behind it too," Sarid crooned as Link's hands were bound and his weapons taken. "Don't worry. I can cover this up for-"

"Forget it, bastard," Reena snarled, her hands beginning to glow. "We know the truth. You were responsible for those murders. And it's about time everyone knew."

With the snap of his fingers a dagger was placed to Link's neck. Reena's breath went short.

"You use those and he dies now," Sarid snapped. "You might want to rethink your actions, Princess."

Reena's eyes flickered to Link's. His gaze pleaded for her to use them. Reena shook her head. They had made a deal. She let her powers slip away, allowing her own hands to be bound.

"Reena, what are you doing?" Link demanded. He was answered with a knee in the chest.

A sneer stretched across Sarid's face. "Now, where is the Triforce of Power?"

"I wouldn't know," Reena said, glaring at him. "Ganondorf had it when he died. It disappeared with him."

Blood flowed into her mouth as she was hit in the jaw. Was that what it was like when she punched Link all those times?

"If you tell me know, I can save you a lot of pain," Sarid hissed in her face. Red spit answered him and Reena crashed to the ground as her knees were kicked out from under her. "Throw them in the dungeons. I want them heavily guarded and in separate cells. If this one so much as creates a flicker of light, slit his throat."

Reena glanced over at Link as she was thrust to her feet. If she used her powers he would be killed. If she didn't… who knew what would happen.

OH MY GOD SARIDS AN EVIL DOUCHE BAG! AND WAS THE TRIFORCE OF POWER'S NEW HOPE! NO WAAAAAAYYY! WHO COULD OF POSIBLY FORSEEN THIS COMING! NO ONE? WELL! I'm feeling better about myself. I feel as though I have redeemed myself for the Reena/Zelda revelation. But really, did ANYONE see that coming? See? I told you I'd find a use for those princes. Tee hee hee Link and Reena have really gotten themselves in deep this time. How will they ever escape? I have to admit, but next chapter will be a bit extreme... I'll try too work something out...