Hey guys! I'm back! Didja miss me?...I know, I know, an entire MONTH without an update is pretty extreme, especially for me, but I was busy. I could tell you my exact reasons for the delay, but you probably don't care... but I shall tell you anyways my means of self-justification. Well way back in 2011 before Christmas I had to hurry to get this chapter done before I left across country for Christmas with my family (thats why this chapter kinda sucks) but my dad didn't give me much notice as to when we were leaving so I didn't update. then I got back, went to school for two days and then we got another 3 week break for exams. My 3 exams were within the first 4 days, so I really had to study. Then we went away to Mexico for a week, and now here I am, finally updating the chapter I wrote in December. I'M SORRY OK! Really, it won't happen again. I was also very focused on playing Skyward Sword, I got too absorbed in it.

Um, in other news, I'm introducing a semi-new character and Ella's back. Also, I forgot to mention this last chapter, but congratulations to TazzySheikah for guessing the Sarid was the bad guy also for pointing out a glaring flaw in my story. So, for continuity's sake lets say that Sarid didn't kill his parents, he just ordered someone else to do it.

Chapter Twenty: Sheik and Ranor

"I'm sorry, Link! I didn't mean to-"

Link's eyes snapped open. Sweat clung to his forehead, his breathing was rapid. Slowly he rose, drilling his knuckles into his forehead. Why couldn't this dream leave him alone? Every night it haunted him.

What had she tried to tell him? And that kiss… He could still feel her lips pressing against his. For that one moment, his pain had left. Everything had been replaced by sheer ecstasy…

Link looked up at the stars, hating them for their tranquility. The cool night air, bit at his exposed skin, but he didn't care. Before him the fire's embers still glowed.

"What were you going to say?" Link whispered. "Why were you sorry? I don't get it. I need a clue. Anything. At least stop sending me this."

Knowing sleep wouldn't come again, he packed his things. A long, brown sash soon hid his face except for his eyes. The now brown tunic and his shield was hidden by a cloak. A worn piece of leather hid the Master Sword's hilt, getting rid of any clue that led to his identity. He strapped it and his bow to his back before slinging the pack across his back.

The sun was beginning to rise as he stepped onto Lake Hylia. It was beginning to peak over the waters edge, washing the sky with pink, orange, and yellow. It silhouetted the small island in the middle of the lake.

Link paused, glancing at the spot again. Someone was on there. Who, he couldn't tell. The sound of a harp drifted across the water and Link froze. Sheik. It must be. He had seen the Sheikah play it before. Link had taught him a song on it that he had meant to teach her.

Beneath his feet the wooden bridge swayed slightly as he made his away across it. The melody slowly grew louder as he came near the end of the second bridge. Sheik however gave no notice to his approach. He pulled out his own ocarina, also hidden of its true identity, and began to play with him. The moment he did, Sheik stopped.

"How do you this song?" he asked, looking at him.

"A friend of mine… taught it to me," Link answered.

"The one that taught me that song, died," Sheik said. He looked up at Link, his cold, blue eyes piercing through him.

"I know," Link answered quietly. "But he was a friend of mine."

"What's your name?" the sheikah asked.

"Ranor," Link answered, sitting down on the stone monument.

"Sheik," he answered. The two remained quiet, looking out across the water. "Did… you know the princess?"

"N-no," Link whispered. "But… I was told about her… by him."

Link swore he saw a tear fall from Sheik's eye. If one had, it was soon hidden by Sheik's mask.

"When did you meet him?" Sheik suddenly asked.

"Over the past year," Link explained.

Sheik nodded, his harp disappearing with a small flash of light. "The Princess often wondered where he was. Was he always… off fighting something?"

"I… don't know," Link said, swallowing hard. "He wandered mostly, visiting domains I think. I'm not sure."

"How did you meet him?"

"You ask too many questions."

"I want to know if you say you knew him, or if you are only lying," Sheik answered, his voice cold again. "Many don't know him, only claiming to. No one is allowed to make that claim. Only the Royal family and even they didn't know him as well."

"Are you saying you do?" Link demanded. Yes, he had seen Sheik many times with her letters, but their visits were never long.

"Yes," Sheik said quietly. "The Princess revealed much to me. I... don't deserve to say I knew him. There were many things I was blind to."

Link looked over at the Sheikah. He knew he was crying now.

"You miss her?" Link could barely breathe these words.

Sheik nodded. He stood abruptly, his back to Link.

"I… need to go," he whispered. "I'm sorry… Ranor. I know what you're going through."

As Link watched the Sheikah hurry across the bridge he shook his head. "No, you don't. You never will."

*astrix astrix astrix*

Reena peered through the window, watching as Lera wrote in a journal. She clung to the tree as Lera looked out the window, nearly directly at her. Her gaze was torn away as a knock came at the door. Impa entered, sitting down on the bed.

From her perch Reena tried to listen in, but it was impossible. However, she could tell that the conversation wasn't like the ones a few months ago. Lera was laughing.

Reena closed her eyes, looking away. She slowly climbed down the tree, not knowing when she had laughed last.

"How many days do you plan to sit outside the castle's windows?"

Reena froze, turning to face Impa. She touched her face, glad to feel the disguise still there. Slowly, she began to back away.

"I know it's you, Reena," Impa said.

Reena's gaze fell. "So you know it's me, good job. I'm leaving, don't worry."

"Why are you leaving?" Impa asked.

Reena only turned on her heel. "Tell them I'm okay."

"You can't keep running. He tried to do the same thing."

Reena only sighed, shaking her head. Impa didn't understand. She never would.

"You can't pretend to be a Sheikah your whole life."

"Watch me," Reena breathed, pushing the garden gate open. Couldn't Impa just leave her alone? Didn't she know she had died? She was over four months too late to save her. Nothing could save her from the hopeless circle she was running in. She'd never forget. The two Triforces around her neck would make sure of that.

*astrix astrix astrix*

"I don't understand," Lera murmured, looking out the study's window.

"What don't you understand?"

Lera looked at Kasten who sat down on the chair closest to her.

"No attacks. No threats. No… nothing!" Lera said. "It's not… normal. It's been months since… they… were taken. Almost seven months now."

As soon as she said these words, Lera regretted it. Kasten became passive and looked away.

"I don't know, princess," he said quietly. "He's waiting for something. I know it. Either he's too weak to do anything or is just waiting for the right moment. He won't be able to do anything until he has one of the Triforces in his hands."

"We should attack," Lera said, shaking her head. "Not just sit here! What if he has an army? We should destroy it now! Destroy it before he attacks!"

Kasten stiffened at these words. "Thousands of innocent lives in Salderin would be killed. Also, Sarid would be waiting for the attack. It is what he would want us to do."

"So we're just supposed to wait?" Lera asked.

"Yes," Kasten answered.

"But we don't know he's waiting for us," Lera objected. "If we stop him now then everything would be over. We could free Salderin. We could make sure he never gets his hands on one of the Triforces again!"

Kasten only shook his head. "We can't start war. Hyrule is a peaceful land, you know that."

"Yes, but we're also supposed to maintain peace by stopping those threatening to destroy it," Lera pointed out. "I mean, what about Termina? They're so close to Salderin?"

"Sarid would know the instant Hyrule set out to attack," Kasten said. "He could wipe out all of Termina. He would."

Lera sighed. "Why do you have to be right? Why do you have to be the practical one?"

Kasten only gave her a small smile.

"Do you think he's looking for it right now?" Lera asked.

"I wouldn't put it past him," Kasten answered.

Lera returned to her window, fear dripping into her veins. "What if their dead? What if he's found them? We haven't heard of them… seen them… nothing."

Kasten stood, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Link and Reena know how to take care of themselves," Kasten said softly.

"But they're not thinking logically anymore," Lera protested. "They're caught up in… I don't know what. They haven't been helping the domains. Which… I'm actually glad for. We're all learning how to take care of ourselves. We've been able to manage without either of them. Maybe this will finally wake everyone up."

"They did so much for everyone," Kasten agreed.

"And we did nothing in return," Lera answered, anger flashing in her eyes. She leaned her head against the wall, curling her feet up. "And now it's too late."

"No, it's not Lera," Kasten said. She looked up at him. "We would know if something had happened to them. Sarid would…would make sure we knew. Also, like you said, the races are becoming more independent. They're starting to make their own army's to protect themselves. There are still ways we can repay them for all their works."

Lera sighed. "I hope so."

"I know so," Kasten answered.

*astrix astrix astrix*

"Sheik, you're here."

Reena's head shot up. Her eyes met those of Ranor's. She nodded, sliding over slightly so that he might sit down.

"We have a talent for running into each other," she answered, looking up at the moon. The two sat on a large boulder in the middle of Hyrule Field. A gentle breeze blew through the air. "It's been a long time since I've sat under the stars."

She refused to meet Ranor's puzzled gaze. "It seems to me you sleep under them often."

"I do," she answered. "But… never mind."

A long silence passed between them. An understanding had come to pass with them. They hardly talked, but accepted each other's presence. It was easier than being alone. Reena didn't know why. She wanted to be alone… but not when he was near. Her broken spirit seemed almost put together with him. She also felt agonizing pain with him. Her heart bled at the thought of letting him sit beside her where another should have been.

Next to her Ranor fingered a letter in his hands. Whenever she had come across him, he usually had it in his hands. A name was on the front, but she had never been able to find out whose. She had asked, but he only told her that it was from a friend who had died long ago. He said he kept it in memory of that person.

"Have you ever tried to count the stars?"

"Count them?" Ranor asked. "That's a different question. But you Sheikah are confusing. But no, I have not. Have you?"

"What are you on now?"

"Er… 2,476," Reena answered, looking over at Link. He began to laugh. "Hey, shut up! I do odd things when I'm bored!"

"You do odd things no matter what!" Link exclaimed, resting on his arm so that he could look at her. "Enlighten me, why are you counting the stars?"

"So that I can name each one of them," Reena explained.

"Really?" Link laughed again. "You're going to be here for a long, long time."

"No, I won't," Reena assured. "Okay, every star on this half of Hyrule is named Reena and every star on the other half is named…Gerudo."

Link began to laugh so hard that he began to tear. His ribs felt as though they would break.

"And… we'll name that one after you," Reena added as a side note. "Are you alright? You are way too tired!"

"No, I've been around you for too much!" Link answered, finally regaining himself. "What number are you on now?"

"…Damn it!" she cried, letting out a disgusted sigh. "One… two… three…"

"Alright, quiet," Link said, lying down again. "I want to go to sleep!"

"Can't make me," Reena said.

No sooner had she said that when something hit her in the head. She whipped the rolled up blanket back at him, hitting him square in the forehead.

"I'll send a spider with it next time!" Reena threatened. "And don't think I won't!"

"So help me a spider comes anywhere near me, I'll end your life right here and now!" Link cried.

Reena snickered, rolling over on her stomach.

"Don't worry, I'll start again tomorrow."

"Oh, joy."

"Sheik?"

Reena quickly hid her face between her knees. Why did everything have to have a memory?

"Sorry," she whispered. Reena froze as his hand rested on her shoulder. She couldn't stand it. Too many things were brought to mind. She jumped off the rock. "I need to get to the castle. They'll want to know I'm… I'm… good bye."

*astrix astrix astrix*

"One! Two! Three! Four! Five!" Ella whispered excitedly. "Oh, drat!"

"Ella? What are you doing?" Anita called from the kitchen.

"Countin' rain drops," she answered. "Come on, Caris! I'm going to teach you how to count!"

Ella hopped off the couch, taking her brother by the hand and leading him to the window. She sat him on the couch, kneeling on it next to him.

"Da?" he cooed, pointing at the window.

"No, one," Ella said, holding one finger up. "Can you say one?"

"Da!"

"No! One!"

"Da! Da! Da!"

Ella sighed. Teaching Caris would be harder than she thought. She put her chin her hands, studying her brother for a long moment. "Mommy! He won't listen to me!"

A laugh echoed. "Ella, he's two and a half. Besides, I think he's saying someone's home!"

The door opened and Ella let out a shriek. Caris let out a roll of da's, climbing off the couch. Tarin smiled, picking up the two up in his arms.

"And how are my two Stalfos?" Tarin asked, laughing.

"I made a new friend today!" Ella said excitedly. "Mommy was scared at first! But he was really nice!"

"And who would this be?" Tarin asked, putting the girl down.

"Sheik," Ella answered, running to the window again.

"Sheik?" Tarin asked, eyeing Anita as she stepped in. "And who's Sheik?"

"Daddy!" Ella sighed. "It's hard to count the raindrops when I keep getting interrupted."

"Oh… I'm sorry," Tarin said. "Who is this Sheik?"

"A friend of the Royal Family of Hyrule," Anita answered quietly.

"What? How are Link and Reena?" Tarin asked. He read her face and tried to fight the dread that was settling. "Are they alright?"

Anita motioned for him to follow her into the kitchen. She sat down at the smooth, wooden table. Tears were in her eyes as she looked at him.

"They… were killed Tarin," Anita whispered. She put her hands in her face and sobbed.

"…What?" he breathed He stood, putting his arms around his wife. "They… they couldn't have!"

"They were captured," Anita breathed. "I don't have the heart to tell Ella. But… she keeps wondering where they are. How are we going to tell her their never coming?"

Tarin stood there, lost for words. They... were dead? How was it possible? Link had been innocent! Everyone now knew it! Everyone in every land now knew it!

"Sarid killed them?" Tarin asked. Anita nodded, bowing her head. Tears splashed onto the wood.

"B-beaten to death," Anita quavered. "By the time Hyrule had sent someone to rescue them… it was too late."

Tarin looked from the kitchen to Ella. The green hat never left her head except in bed.

"Can you trust this Sheik?" Tarin demanded, unconvinced. They just couldn't be dead. Not after all they had done. They wouldn't be tormented for all their deeds.

"Yes, he's the guard of the Royal Family," Anita said. "He knew the two well."

"Is he still here?" Tarin asked.

"He's out there, daddy!" Ella called from the family room. "He's been sitting in the rain the whole time! We should let him inside! He's really nice, daddy! You should meet him!"

Ella ran into the kitchen, grabbing her cloak from the coat peg. She slipped into her shoes and slide to a halt in front of her parents.

"Can I ask him to come in?" Ella asked hopefully. "Mommy… are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Anita said drying her eyes quickly. "I was cutting onions."

"Oh… they always make me cry," Ella said seriously. "But, please?"

"He can't stay in the rain the whole time," Tarin said, wanting to meet this Sheik.

Ella smiled, putting her hood up. She dashed outside, running to Sheik. He sat cross-legged on a wooden box next to a shop. As Ella neared, his head lifted.

"Ella, you should be inside," he said. "You'll catch a cold."

"So will you," Ella said sternly like her mommy and daddy always did. "My daddy says to come inside."

"Does he?" Sheik asked, eyeing her.

"Yep! He wants to meet you!" Ella said.

Sheik hesitated before taking Ella's extended hand. She giggled, leading him to her home. Above her the rain suddenly stopped and Ella looked in amazement at the blue light coming from Sheik's hand. His hand was above his head, creating a dome that covered them.

"Wow," she whispered. "You like to do a lot of tricks! This is my home!"

Ella opened the door, pulling Sheik inside. In a moment her boots were off along with her cloak. She dashed away, hanging it up in the kitchen. With a quick smile to her parents, Ella was back in the family room. She was shocked to find Sheik dry and playing with Caris.

"La!" Caris said, pointing to Ella.

"That's me!" Ella explained. "He's learning how to talk! Can you say Sheik?"

"Se!"

"Close enough," Sheik said, sitting down next to Caris.

"Do a trick for him!" Ella exclaimed, sitting down excitedly. "Oh! This is my mommy, but you already met her! And this is my daddy!"

Ella ran to them, standing between them. Sheik got to his feet, walking over to them. He held his hand out to Tarin, shaking it.

"I… am sorry," Sheik said, his eyes dropping from their gaze. "I know they were friends of yours."

"Is it true?" Tarin asked as they took their places in the room's sitting area.

Sheik nodded. "Almost a year now."

"A… a year?" Anita gasped.

"Yes," Sheik whispered. The Sheikah lowered his head. "I can not stay long. The Royal Family needs me. I… am sorry. I… I thought you had heard sooner. Don't tell anyone of this encounter. I'm... I'm under strict orders for only you… to be told. The King and Queen knew you were good friends of theirs."

"Sheik! Do you see this?" Ella asked, running to him with Link's hat. "This was Link's! He gave it to me until he returned!"

"Keep it safe," Sheik whispered, laying a head on her head. He stood, bowing to Anita and Tarin. "I'm sorry to suddenly leave. But… I… I need to go."

"But you didn't do a trick!" Ella protested.

His eyes gave away a forced, small smile. He closed his eyes, kneeling on the ground. A gentle breeze swirled around him. When it stopped, a purple monkey scratched its head. Ella and Caris shrieked with glee as the animal climbed up on Ella's shoulders. It suddenly disappeared into a multitude of colorful butterflies.

"Bye, Sheik!" Ella exclaimed as the Sheikah walked out the door. "Say 'hi' to Link and Reena! And tell them to come soon!"

"I will, Ella," Sheik said quietly. "But, they... they're very busy right now."

"Are they fighting bad guys?"

"Yes, they are," Sheik answered.

Ella sighed. "Well, I guess they can get rid of them first."

Sheik nodded, closing the door behind him. Ella jumped up on the couch, watching him leave.

"Was Sheik cutting onions too, mommy?" Ella asked, looking back at Anita.

*astrix astrix astrix*

In the distance the sun began to set, casting its soft light of pink and purple over the village of Kakariko village. Candles began to light the windows and children played a final round of 'ghost in the graveyard' or 'touch Dampe's door'. Soon, mother's called for their children for supper.

Reena sat above the village, watching the events play before her. To her right was the path she had followed up to the level ground before Goron's City entrance. Behind her lead to the Great Fairy of Magic atop of Death Mountain.

The wind swirled around Reena's face, her long hair distorting the picture perfect scene. Around her neck was the cloth that hid her face from all others.

Nearly the whole day she had watched the busy lives of the people in the village. Even though there was great distance between her and the village, she could pick out the girls who always swooned over him. If he had not left her, she would have kissed him in front of them. Partly to see their horror, but mostly because she could.

Slowly, Reena revealed the two Triforce pieces from around her neck. One was cold as ice. The other barely hummed with life.

A brisk wind made Reena shivered. She put away the pieces, heading down the mountain. At the foot, she covered her face before coming to the guard that let her into the village. Children ran in front of her to their awaiting mothers. Men returned home from work, greeted by their excited families. One family in a home that Reena passed was sharing a meal and talking of the days events.

"Tell your father what you did today," a stern mother prodded her daughter.

"Um… I picked flowers!" the girl answered bashfully. A look from her mother told her that wasn't the answer. "And… I was first place when it came to 'touch Dampe's door'…"

Her father smiled proudly. "Did you show those boys?"

"I sure did!" the girl said happily.

"Dear!"

"Er… I mean, that was very wrong to go against your mother's wishes!"

A small smile came to Reena's face. She had half a mind to tell the girl to show the boys what she was made of. Before the family noticed her strange figure at their window, Reena continued past the many homes.

"I can hardly believe he's gone…"

"Both he and the women. They were both taken captive and… killed."

Reena froze, looking up at an open window. There one of the girls and her young sister leaned out the window. Their faces were grave.

"Do you think there was something between them?" the younger sister asked.

"There is no doubt about it," the older sister said. She tucked her brown hair behind her ears. "Didn't you ever see them together? Didn't you notice the change in Link when we started seeing her with him?"

"Unlike you, I didn't look for him every day," the younger girl teased. "But… how could they come to such an end?"

"I don't know…"

"But they are just rumors," the young sister said. "No one knows for sure."

Reena dashed away before tears overran her. They would never know the truth. They would never know the truth that she knew.

*astrix astrix astrix*

Link's boot made ripples in the water as he skimmed his foot across it. The water hole he had shared with her brought back so many memories. It seemed only yesterday she had learned to swim…

His hand lingered to his neck, feeling the absence of the Triforce of Courage once again. He didn't care anymore. Sarid could take over and he wouldn't care. Nothing mattered anymore. Had he gotten a hold of all three again? Would everyone be calling desperately for the Hero of Time to save them all again? The Hero didn't exist anymore.

Like so many times before, Link pulled from his tunic the letter. Tears blurred his vision as he gazed at it. Reena. That was all the envelope read. His fingers itched to open the letter, but he put it away before he did. Reading it would only kill him. Reading it would bring back the memories that he wanted to forget.

"Link?"

He continued to watch the ripples created by the falls.

"You've been gone for so long."

Link looked over his shoulder for a moment. Saria slowly approached him. Alarm washed over her at the haunting in his eyes.

"Where's Reena?"

Link turned from her, closing his eyes. "She's dead."

"What?" Saria breathed, sitting down next to him. She took his hand in hers, hardly able to believe it. "Link… please tell me you're only-"

"Why would I be, Saria?" Link whispered, looking her straight in the eyes. He shook his head, feeling his body begin to tremble. The small girl crawled onto his lap, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

"You loved her. I could tell it from the first day I met her," Saria said quietly.

"I should have been able to protect her," Link said, his voice muffled by her. "I promised I'd protect her. I promised to protect her with my life."

"Link," Saria said quietly, looking up at him. "You can't save everyone-"

"But why not her?" he demanded. "I can save everyone else, but not her? Not the woman I love?"

Saria sat there lost for words. She wrapped her small arms around him, holding him best she could. Slowly her heart began to tear in two. All he had ever wanted, all that he ever needed…. was gone. He had done so much for everyone else, but he couldn't have just one thing? Her eyes were raised to the heavens. Why had they done this to him? Had he not given up enough yet? Couldn't they just answer one of his prayers? Saria closed her eyes in anguish, rubbing her face against his soft tunic.

JUST SHUT UP OKAY? I know that was probably the worst thing I've ever written, but I was in a rush ok? And yes, I know that 2 1/2 year olds have beter vocabulary than "La", "Da" and "Se", but it all had to fit together. So just deal ok? You will all be pleased to know that next chapter will be considerably better written and updated with my usual 2-3 day schedual. I would like to clarify some very important things here about death: the royal family (and Kasten) know that everybody is alive, also they have the triforce of power (that Kasten stole from Sarid). Link thinks Reena is dead and Reena thinks that Link is dead. She also has both wisdom and courage. Sarid is cmpletely out of the loop and thinks that Link, Reena AND Kasten are dead. Also the the royal family has the triforce of power...and possibly courage and wisdom.