Oh man oh man oh man. THIS CHAPTER! Oh man. This is the torture scene! Please don't hate me for this chapter. In return for not hating me, I have written The Part You've All Been Waiting For. A warning: this is a much more disturbing chapter than the web plague chapter. It took so long to get just right. This is the 3rd draft I wrote! 1st draft: way to gory and painful. In short, it was like the most gruesome scene from saw or any other horror movie. 2nd draft: basically the 4kids version of my 1st draft. No blood, torture, love or pain was mentioned. Which brings us to this copy: a mix of both. I'll let you read the rest.

Chapter Nineteen: Hidden Truths

Reena's knees seemed to break as she was slammed into the ground. The blindfold was removed from her eyes. It took her eyes a moment to adjust to the torches that blinded her. She was used to the pitch dark of her other accommodations. Reena decided she didn't like the look of this room.

Iron rings were attached to the walls about four feet from the ground and three feet to the next ring. Her stomach lurched at the sight of dried blood that stained the stone walls. Whips lined one wall and fire with metal rods was in another.

Her head throbbed as a fist connected with her temple. She landed on her stomach, keeping her curses to herself.

"Has she said anything yet?"

Reena kept the temptation away to use her powers.

"Not a word, your highness," answered her guard. "I've told her the consequences."

"She'll come around," Sarid hissed. "Tie her to the wall. Only twenty lashes today."

Reena tried hard not to let fear settle in her heart as she was dragged to the wall. Her shackles were attached to the iron ring and she watched as a whip was selected. No matter how hard she struggled, her shirt was ripped off her, leaving only her under garments.

"To bad such a fine thing has to go to waste," he sneered, touching her cheek. "Maybe we'll still be able to have our way with you later."

"You can go ahead and try," Reena snapped, kicking out at him.

Then the torture began.

*astrix astrix astrix*

"They'll be back any day now," Lera told herself for the hundredth time. She tore herself away from the window that gave view to the castle's gates. Dread was settling in her heart. If they had found something, nothing would have stopped their haste. "It takes about a week to get there Lera."

She moaned. That was only if they were taking their time. She paced the study, biting her knuckles. Two weeks was more than she could bear.

"Princess Lera?"

Lera gave him a small smile, knowing he was trying to draw her mind away from Link and Reena. "Hey, Kasten."

"Don't worry, it's Link and Reena. They'll be back soon," Kasten said, walking towards her. "Besides, they're professionals when it comes to these things."

"They would be back by now," Lera said, shaking her head. "If they found something out, they would be back here in record time. Something's wrong, I know it."

"You're just getting worried," Kasten said gently.

Lera shook her head. "It's like I know when something bad happens to either one of them. It's a gift… and a curse."

"Don't worry," Kasten said. "Come on, you need to get your mind off-"

"Princess Lera, Prince Kasten."

The two looked up, seeing Impa in the doorway. Her face was grave, but then… it was always grave.

"Yes, Impa?" Lera asked, stepping towards her.

"A message from Salderin," she said.

Lera's heart plummeted. Impa was worried. Her voice gave it away. Without another word, Lera was running to the throne room. She ran in to see the Hyrule Guards there holding odd wrapped objects. They had finally arrived! But… where were Reena and Link? Why was her mother… crying?

"What?" Lera demanded, stepping up to them. "What's happened? Tell me!"

"Link and Reena… have been captured," Jerold whispered.

All of her fears had been answered. Everything she had been trying to refuse to believe was coming true. No. They couldn't be. They would never allow themselves to be captured.

"How do you know?" Lera snapped. "We don't' know that! Sarid could be lying!"

"Milady," the guard whispered, presenting one of the packages to her. He opened it and Lera backed away.

"No," she whispered. Tears formed in her eyes.

Each package was open. Each revealed one of Link's or Reena's possessions. Soon the double swords, Hylian Shield, Master Sword, bow, quiver, and vials stared at them.

"Please, no," Lera whispered, tears beginning to stream down her face. "They can't be captured!"

"Sarid sends another message," the guard said quietly. "If the Triforce of Power isn't handed back over, they will be killed."

Lera stood their shaking. When had they received that message? How long did they have? What had already happened to them?

"We need to go after them," she finally said. "I'm going after them."

"No, it's too dangerous!" Lenaya gasped.

"They're going to kill them! We can't give him the Triforce! Link and Reena can't die!" Lera cried. "We need to rescue them! How many times have we tried to rescue them from danger?"

Lera let her words sink in. They had never done that. Yes, they may have treated their wounds. But those were wounds received from saving their lives. Now it was time to return the favor. She wouldn't let them die.

"I'm going with," Kasten said immediately.

"I can get Link and Reena back here instantly," Impa said. "I have a feeling Sarid has not kept them from harm."

Lera swallowed hard at these words. She gazed at her mother and father. Reluctantly they nodded.

"We leave in ten minutes," Impa said. "I fear even that may be too late."

*astrix astrix astrix*

Link couldn't recall when he had seen daylight last. Agony blocked nearly every thought. He couldn't move without pain screaming through his body. Blood stained the floor and his body. Nothing was free from the deadly crimson.

Reena. What was her fate? What had happened to her? Had she been forced to endure the same torture? Where was she? Was she… still alive?

A gentle whistle floated past his cell door. Link froze, recognizing Epona's song anywhere.

"Shut up, you!" a guard snapped.

The melody continued. A cell door screeched open.

"I said, shut up!" the guard snarled.

"Hey, I'm whistling! Is that such a bad thing?" answered a parched voice.

"Sarid gave us orders that if you do any magic-"

"Enlighten me, how is whistling magic?"

The door screamed shut and the song continued. She was alive. She sounded dead.

"Reena?" Link called. He was surprised by the sound of his hoarse voice.

"Hey, Link," she answered, starting again.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Whistling," she answered simply.

"Erm… why?" he asked.

"Because I can," Reena answered. "I didn't want to do it with all the guards in here. Since there are only three now, I decided I had a better chance of getting away with it. I'm sick of being quiet."

"Have you been here the whole time?" Link asked, shifting slightly. He gasped, closing his eyes as his raw skin scraped against the stone floor.

"Yeah," she answered. "But I've been… unconscious most of the time. What about you?"

"Same… same here," Link answered, looking at himself.

"I… have the feeling you've been getting the same Royal treatment," Reena said.

"Probably," Link said, feeling himself break at the thought of her being harmed.

"Well, being the stalker that you are," Reena started, "you'd like what I'm wearing."

Link felt a small smile come to his cracked lips. "Nothing?"

"Close to it," she answered, looking at her undergarments. "You?"

"You'll be glad to know I've got pants," he said.

"Thank the goddesses," Reena murmured. "Wanna play rock-paper-sword?"

"What?" Link asked with a laugh. It came out as a cough. "Now? Here?"

"Link, face it, we're not going to be rescued," Reena said quietly. "No one knows we're here, I physically can not use my powers, and we've been beaten countless times. We're not going to see the light of day, Link."

Link laid his head on the ground, helplessness overwhelming him. She was right. Neither of them would live through another torture session. He was startled to hear a quiet laugh come from Reena's cell.

"I can still remember our first game," she said. "I thought you had lost your mind when you started explaining the game to me. I figured I'd humor you because you had been alone for way too long."

"I knew you were thinking that," Link said, a smile coming to his face. "You're look said that clearly."

Reena grinned, sitting up slightly. She took a deep breath and bit her tongue as she reached for a stone. Her shackles tore at the raw skin on her wrists, but no sound escaped her lips.

"How are we going to play?" Link asked. "We can't play the original way obviously."

"I've got a rock," Reena answered. "How many times is it going to bounce? I say seven times."

"Five."

Reena threw the stone best she could. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. Reena laughed.

"Hey, you won," she answered. "Alright, I go first and then you go and so forth."

"Alright," Link said, hardly believing this was happening. "You're crazy."

"Thanks," Reena answered. She grinned, knowing exactly what she was going to reveal. "Alright… this I've kept inside for years. I've never told anyone."

"This'll be gripping," Link answered.

"You know that… fairytale book?" she asked. "I…er… wrote that."

A smile came to Link. "Yeah, I know."

"You know?" Reena asked dangerously. "How could you possibly know?"

"I read it," Link answered. "In Termina when it had been taken by the Web Plague. You had fallen asleep trying to find the cure and I… was curious. You hate the damsel in distress. Don't worry, that was the only time I read it."

"Yeah, I wrote those when I was ten, so I was a little odd," Reena sighed.

"You were good," Link said. "But… why'd you start writing about… my adventures?"

"Because you're such a mystery, Link," Reena answered. "I wanted to record all that you had done so that everyone else would know that you've killed yourself for them. But… well… I guess I won't be able to finish it now. Lera will have to continue it for me… Anyways, it's your turn, Link."

Link was quiet. Silence passed between the two, only the rustling of the guards was heard.

"I want to die."

Reena tried to find a way to laugh. He was joking. He had to be.

"That doesn't count, Link," Reena said. "Jokes don't count."

"What makes you think I'm joking?"

His voice was empty. No laughter was heard behind it. No joking manner. Only a cold sting.

"Link… what do you mean?" Reena breathed. Yes, their torture was excruciating, but… wanting to die?

"I want to die, Reena," Link answered, his voice quiet. "I'm sick of this life, Reena. I can't stand it anymore."

"…Why?" Reena whispered. She felt stunned and… hurt. Did she mean nothing?

"Because the only thing I ever wanted. I ever dreamed to have, was taken away over year ago."

"What could you want so badly that would make you want to die, Link?" Reena asked. "Nothing is worth that."

"Yes, there is," Link said softly.

"Then what?" Reena demanded, anger rising in her voice.

"You."

Reena's world went silent. Nothing could have prepared her for his confession. Her?

"Me?" Reena breathed.

"Yes, Reena," Link said. "You. I love you. I've loved you for the longest time."

Reena fought to find her voice. How could he love her? "But… you told me to become engaged…"

"Yes… because I could never be with you," Link whispered. "Everyone I have ever loved has been killed. I couldn't, I wouldn't, have that happening to you. That's why I stayed away, Reena. Not to tempt you, but for me not to be tempted."

Emotions swirled around her as the pieces fell into place. Everything made sense. His absence. His odd behavior. How could she have been so blind? She could scream.

"That's why Sarid framed me," Link continued. "He knew I was, and am, in love with you."

"It would be the easiest way," Reena breathed.

A door screeched open. Footsteps echoed down the stairwell and the cell next to Reena's was opened. Her heart broke as Link let out a cry of pain.

"Good afternoon, Princess."

"Oh, is it afternoon?" Reena snapped, peering into the eyes through the window of her cell. "I couldn't tell because my curtains are still closed."

"What do you want, Sarid?" Link gasped, being forced to walk out of his cell. "I can barely stand, make it quick."

"Don't worry about standing," Sarid hissed. "You won't need to after today."

Link didn't waver as the realization sunk in. He was going to die. Killed within the day.

"Let's go," Sarid commanded.

"Wait!" Reena called. "Can we at least have a few last words?"

"I don't have time for that," Sarid snarled.

"Just two minutes!" Reena snapped. "Alone, if you don't mind either. Don't worry, we won't run away. We can barely stand for that matter."

"Fine," Sarid said to two guards. Link almost fell as his only support left. However he refused to fall in front of Sarid. The cell door behind him whimpered open. Shackles rattled as a body was flung against the wall. Link turned around and wanted to scream.

Reena's bloody body nearly sunk to the floor. Two guards shoved her back up, making her cry out in pain. She glared at them, making them back away in fear. She staggered over to him as his eyes washed over her beaten body. She was wearing next nothing. Bruises and gashes littered her body, the gashes bleeding freely. Her once golden hair was stained a dark crimson and blood trickled down her face.

He couldn't recognize her. Only her eyes. Every other feature was covered with torture.

"Leave," Reena hissed at Sarid.

"We'll be back in two minutes," he assured.

"Fine," Reena answered. The guards and Sarid left, closing the door behind them. She looked up at Link, barely recognizing him. "It seems like you'll be getting your wish sooner than you thought."

Link swallowed hard, lowering his gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry, Reena. You weren't supposed to be here."

"Hey, I said I was coming with no matter what," Reena said. "Don't be sorry. This isn't your fault. I mean, we both should have seen that the dark room was filled with the enemy. But, hey, we're only Hylian. How… do you think it'll happen?"

"Hanging, beheading, stabbed, one of those," Link answered.

"I was thinking more along the lines of death by paper-cuts," Reena said quietly. "But… I guess not."

"He's not imaginative enough," Link said.

"At least you know I'll be following soon," Reena said. His gaze met hers and Reena felt her heart beat faster. His eyes still shone their startling blue shade behind all the pain. Her heart fell into the pits of her stomach as the dungeon door took away their final moments.

"Time's up," Sarid hissed, walking up to them. He sneered at Reena. "Why not a kiss?"

Link was grabbed by the shoulders. Reena put her hand on his face, making him turn towards her… and kissed him.

Blood washed down Reena's throat as Link answered her. For an instant she couldn't fell her body screaming in pain. She couldn't fell the emptiness that had resided in her for so long. All she could feel was him.

A fist connected with her temple, making her crash to the ground. Darkness spun around her. She struggled to get up, but a boot caught her in the stomach. Defeated by agonizing pain, Reena just laid there.

"Stop!" Link cried, crouching down next to her.

"The feeling's mutual, Link," she gasped, her arms wrapped around her torso.

"Shut up," Sarid snapped, throwing Link to the side as he slapped Reena across the face.

"You told me to kiss him," Reena retaliated. A blow answered her. She struggled to get on her hands, blood dripping from her mouth. "You can't do this, Sarid! I'll do anything!"

"Too late for that," he hissed. "You could have saved his life. You could have saved both your lives."

"Please, let me take his place!" Reena pleaded.

"No! Reena, you still have a chance!" Link assured as he was pulled to his feet.

"We were in this together!" Reena answered. "I'm sorry, Link! I didn't mean-"

"I said be quiet!" Sarid shouted, kicking her again. "Make her shut up."

A guard nodded, pulling his sword out. Link gasped and struggled as much as he could as they dragged him up the stairs.

"No! Sarid, stop, please!" Link cried. "I'll do-"

The ring of metal cut him off. In the black a body slumped to the ground. No desperate screaming could be heard. She had been silenced. Forever.

"Reena! No!"

Link tried to break free from his captors, only to be answered with pain. A door screeched open and he fell, feeling every stair on the way down. He laid there, digging his fingers into the dirt floor as tears streamed down his face. A thousands swords pierced his mind and heart. Her bloody face still filled his eyes. Her laughter still echoed in his ears. Her breathe still warmed his skin…

A door slammed shut behind him.

"You killed her."

"Shut up!" Link pleaded, pressing his face into the floor.

"You dragged her into everything. You could have prevented her form coming. You know you're cursed. Now, she's dead."

"No," Link moaned. "She wasn't supposed to be here."

"You gave her this pain."

Something dropped between the bars. The letter. Her letter. The footsteps drifted away as Link's sobs of denial floated through the night.

*astrix astrix astrix*

"Wake up, Princess."

Reena's chest lit on fire as she gasped. Her head throbbed. Gingerly she touched the back of her head, feeling an oozing bump. Her eyes slowly opened. The familiar darkness peered at her.

"I hope you had enough rest."

"Bastard," she breathed, trying to lift herself up as the room spun. "Where is Link?"

"You know the answer to that," Sarid sneered.

"Tell me where he is!" Reena snapped.

"Even I couldn't tell you," Sarid admitted. "You'll find out soon enough."

"What have you done to him?"

"He certainly gave as much of a fight as he could until the last breath."

"I don't believe you," Reena spat. However, her defiance didn't match the screaming in her heart.

Laugher echoed past her.

"You know he's dead. One wonders how he lasted so long. He was always alone in this life. No wonder he wished for death. He was always turned away again and again."

"Unless there's a reason you're here, leave," Reena breathed, her voice wavering.

"There is."

Through the small barred window, an object flashed as it fell. It landed at Reena's feet. With difficulty she reached it and she froze. The Triforce of Courage stared back at her. No light glowed. The only trace to his life was gone.

"Go away," Reena whispered, clutching the Triforce close to her own.

"One wonders why he would risk so much for you."

As the footsteps faltered, the same question ran through Reena's mind.

*astrix astrix astrix*

Why, Link? Why me? The world around Reena was a blur. Heartache overran pain. She was too spent, too exhausted, to care about the ever present wounds that bled freely. It wouldn't be long.

Scenes of them flashed in her mind. How come she had been so blind? Had she not told herself numerous times to tell him the truth? To tell him why she never wanted to marry? She hadn't wanted to marry a prince whom she was bound by law to do. No, there was no prince that could stand next to her. There wouldn't be.

A sigh came from her cracked lips as the door opened. She couldn't move to look. Her body wouldn't allow her too. Why did she need to? She knew who stood over her.

Pain ripped through her body. She was dying. Trembling hands held her. Was this dying? Rain felt upon her cheeks. Raining? She was in the dungeons…

"Reena! Reena say something!"

She forced her eyes to focus. Lera. Her head, slumped against her sister.

"Leave me here, Lera," Reena whispered. "He's dead. I won't live."

"Reena, no!" Lera cried as Reena's eyes closed. "Impa! Kasten!"

Kasten ran in, nearly vomiting from the site. He kneeled next to Lera who cradled Reena's beaten body.

"Where's Link?" Lera demanded.

"He's already at the castle," Impa said, walking in. She took Reena in her arms and with a flash, was gone.

"Lera… Lera, you're shaking," Kasten whispered. "Lera, say something. Lera, they're going to be fine!"

Impa returned with another flash, grabbing the young royals' hands. Wind whipped around them and the next thing Lera knew, she was in the castle. Without a word, she ran to Link's room.

"Lera! Wait!" Kasten called behind her.

Lera didn't listen. Her rapid footsteps echoed down the stone corridors. She dashed past Kasten's quarters, Reena's, and stopped at Link's. Healers surrounded his bed, the same scene in Reena's room. She pushed one aside, falling to her knees at the bedside.

"Link, wake up," she whispered, taking his hand. "Don't leave! Come back!"

"Lera, come on," Kasten breathed, pulling her away.

"Stop it!" she shouted, trying to break free. "Let me go!"

Kasten didn't listen, pulling her out of the room and closing the door.

"This isn't happening!" she screamed, grasping his shoulders. "They aren't supposed to be like this! They aren't supposed to be in there! They're going to die!"

"No, they aren't!" Kasten answered, holding her still. "Listen to me! Lera, listen! They won't die! Sarid isn't going to win! I won't let him win!"

"I'm going to lose them," Lera wept, putting her face in her hands.

Kasten felt lost. What could he do? His brother had done this. Without thinking of what he was doing, Kasten put his arms around her. Lera buried her face into him, crying into his shoulder. Her slender body shook beneath his arms, tearing the young prince apart.

"It's going to be okay," Kasten whispered as tears falling form his eyes. "I promise."

Lera clung onto him tightly. He placed a hand on her head, holding her close to him. He lifted his gaze, meeting the King's and Queen's. He couldn't read their gaze. He didn't want to. Instead he laid his head on top of Lera's, closing his eyes in anguish.

*astrix astrix astrix*

Lera quietly opened the door, stepping inside Link's room. Her mother and father already sat at his bedside.

"Is he up yet?" Lera asked, sitting next to him. She tried not to scream. Behind the bandaged gashes, bruises and treated burns that littered his body, it was near impossible to recognize him.

"No," Lenaya answered, shaking her head. "He's woken up a few times, but he's been delusional. He barely knows where he is. We've tried to explain that Reena's… alive, but he still won't listen. It's getting worse as time progresses."

Lera ran a hand through her hair. She sat on her father's lap, taking comfort in his strong arms.

"Reena's the same," Lera whispered. "What are we going to do? Unless they see each other, it won't make any difference. Even if they see each other… will it work? What could he have done to make them believe in their deaths?"

"I don't know," Lenaya sighed. "I don't know."

"At least they'll be able to live to learn the truth," Jerold said. "Thanks to Impa's healing powers and Reena's potions."

"Where's Kasten?" Lenaya asked.

"I don't know," Lera said quietly. "It's like he's disappeared from sight now. I think he… blames himself… for everything."

"Why?" Lenaya asked. "None of this was his doing!"

"I don't know why he's blaming himself," Lera sighed. She looked back at Link, tears threatening at her eyes. What were they going to do?

*astrix astrix astrix*

Reena held her breath as the healer finished with the last bandage. Not until the woman had left did she let the air out of her chest. She slowly opened her eyes to meet the night. Ever so slowly did she rise. Satisfaction rose in her as she walked around the room without difficulty. Thanks to Impa's powers and her potions, she was ready sooner than she could have prayed for.

In a moment her blue garb hung on her body. The Gerudo swords crossed her back and a select few potions were on her body. A cloak in her wardrobe soon hid her identity. Without a sound, Reena crept from her room and out of the castle.

Thought fatigue threatened, it wasn't long before Reena gazed across the plains of Hyrule Field. For the first time in years she would be facing them alone. She looked back at the castle, swallowing hard. It was hard to believe it had worked, but she was glad it did. It was so much easier than facing them. It was easier to fake asleep than listen to their false testimonies.

Athen's call drifted on the breeze. The white mare cantered toward Reena, nuzzling her shoulder. Habitually Athen looked for him, nickering when she didn't see him.

"I'm sorry, Athen," Reena whispered, stroking her forehead. "He won't be coming with us anymore."

With one swift movement, Reena was sitting on Athen. She clicked her tongue, heading her south. Where she was going, Reena didn't know.

*astrix astrix astrix*

"They're both gone!"

"What?" Lenaya gasped, Jerold jumping to his feet.

"Link and Reena! They're both gone!" Lera cried, running up to the throne. "Their swords, clothes, everything!"

"Could they have been taken?" Jerold asked, the three running to the rooms.

"There's not sign of struggle," Lera told them. "It doesn't make sense!"

"It makes perfect sense. In their eyes at least."

"But… how could they have run? They've been in a coma it seems for the past two weeks!" Lera protested, turning to face Impa.

"They were acting that way," Impa explained. "They didn't want to face what they thought was the truth."

"We need to find them!" Lenaya said. "They could kill themselves!"

"They don't want to be found," Impa said, shaking her head. "They are masters at disappearing. We won't find them."

"But…" Lera trailed off. There was so much they needed to know! She slumped down on the steps to the throne, massaging her temples. They had wanted to die. Maybe there was more between the two best friends than they knew…

Did you really think I was going to kill both of them? But I have to admit... this was almost just as bad. Oh man. I'm such a horrible person. Feel free to send me words of hatred and tell me how horrible me and my story are.