I choose to assume that the lack of comments coincides with my lack of updates. I hope this chapter makes up for it. After all, it is the REAL Moment You've All Been Waiting For. I made it short and sweet and incredibly cheesy for you, hoping to elicit some reviews. I hope you like it.

Chapter Twenty One: Dreams Do Come True

The Fairy's Fountain rumbled with conversations. Drunks sat at the bar, ordering another round. Three pairs of men were engrossed over chessboards. Music was being played in one corner for women who danced, making the drunks cheer.

Reena watched all of this in disgust. Why would they sink that low? The cloak hugged her tighter as drunks tumbled by. The temptation to disguise herself with more than a cloak came. She didn't want the same problems to arise from them.

"Come, watch the wenches!" one roared, reaching for her arm.

"Do not touch me," she said dangerously.

He laughed, but backed away as his eyes fell on the double hilts peeking out from underneath her cloak. With a word to his companions, they staggered away. The spell disappeared from Reena's hands as she straightened. Two men began to argue over their chess game and the haunting memories returned.

In her mind the pieces moved in front of her. Her ill-tempered opponent began to yell, saying she had cheated. He lunged towards her, his fingers grasping for her neck. Before she could retaliate, someone was dragging her away. She snapped at him only to be answered with a purse filled with gold coins. Out of confusion she asked if it was him. The Hero of Time never stole.

It had been him. Shock had flooded through his face at the change of her voice. She could still see his expression as her true identity was revealed.

Reena was brought back into the present as the tavern door opened. She watched as a man entered. His eyes scanned the room, looking for a table. The only free one was set up with chess pieces.

Ice flowed through Reena's veins as the man's hilt flashed when he sat down. It was blue with a completed Triforce on in.

"The Master Sword," Reena breathed.

Anger dripped into her veins. How had he gotten that relic? It had been laid to rest in the Temple of Time… hadn't it? The Royal Family wouldn't dare present it to another... would they? No. They'd never do such a thing. There was only one way to find out though.

"You need two to play," she said, approaching him.

Without looking up, he motioned her to sit down. Reena tried to catch a glimpse of his face, but his hood gave no hints. Being white, she began the game.

As the game progressed, Reena was stunned. He knew her strategy. Beneath her hood, she scowled. Reena began to scold herself. She wasn't here to win. She was here to reveal him.

"That weapon is unlike anything I have ever seen," she said, moving her pawn.

"Check."

Reena's knuckles turned white under the table. He wasn't going to give in easily.

"Something that magnificent wasn't made by Hylian hands," she said as she moved her king.

"Check."

"Are you not answering because it doesn't belong to you?" Reena hissed. "Checkmate."

The man stared at the chessboard.

"Or because-"

"You cannot judge me so harshly," he interrupted in a low, dangerous voice.

"The trials of the true bearer of that sword are greater than you can ever imagine," Reena answered. "Let alone withstand."

"You do not know my trials," he answered, his fists clenched.

"Where did you get that sword?" Reena demanded.

"That does not concern you," he said. 'You have no right to question me so."

"Concerning that sword I do," Reena snapped. The temptation to reveal herself was almost to great. Just one simple spell could send him flying.

No… she had worked to hard to hide herself. It was better this way. But she wouldn't have anyone carry the Master Sword.

"And who gives you that right?" the man demanded.

"The Princess Reena."

"Do not speak of her to me."

Reena felt satisfaction well up in her. She had hit a nerve. He didn't approve of her.

"There is no way you can interrogate me under her name," he continued.

"Why?" Reena asked.

"That is of no importance to you," He answered, standing.

"Where did you get that sword? It doesn't belong to you!"

"It was given to me by the Princess and her family," he answered darkly.

"Do not lie to me," Reena hissed, her real voice nearly answering.

"Why… would I love about the one I loved?"

Reena froze as he walked away.

"There was only one who loved her and it was not you," she breathed, shaking from head to foot in anger.

That had done it. The man turned around, slowly approaching her. He stopped in front of her and Reena barely had time to avoid being knocked unconscious. She dove to the ground, kicking at his legs. He jumped out of the way, connecting his boot with her stomach, sending images of her torture ran through her mind as she slammed into a table.

"Get away from me, Sarid!" she screamed, his face imprisoning her mind.

Reena fought hard to keep the images at bay. They weren't real. She couldn't be overwhelmed now. Cups fell around her, making the ground slick. With difficulty she got to her feet, avoiding another attack. She grabbed his arm, elbowing him hard in the back. She lifted the Master Sword from its sheath and fled from the Tavern.

The bitter air slapped her in the face the moment she stepped outside. Reena whistled for Athen, who was only around the back. She strapped the sword to the saddle bag, making sure it was secure.

Suddenly she was tackled from behind. Athen reared, kicking at the attacker. She missed as he rolled away, Reena entangled with him.

The man grabbed her hands, forcing them to stay next to her head. He fought his way on top of her, having much difficulty but finally straddled her. Reena glared venomously at his eyes, only to realize her hood had fallen. She had been revealed.

Panic began to run through her as she looked at her immobile hands. This man was stronger than her and she was in a very bad position. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck, breathing hard.

Reena went to call upon a spell when she suddenly realized he… wasn't moving. He was breath was short and he was… shaking. Who was this? She opened her mouth to demand this, but was cut off as his mouth covered hers with a kiss.

A scream died on its way from her chest. She couldn't stop this. It was… she didn't know what it was. She knew this person. But who? All questions left her as the urge to kiss back won.

Everything felt in place. She couldn't feel the cold sting. She couldn't feel the swords driving into her back as she was pressed harder and harder into the ground. All she could feel was him. All she could feel his lips sliding over her mouth.

His hands left hers, giving him free reign. They slide around her neck and grasped her shoulders. His hold was so hard, Reena knew bruises were forming but she didn't care. She wouldn't dare stop it. It all felt too right. Her hand slipped under the hood, touching his face. It seemed as if Link-

Reena's eyes snapped open. She ripped her mouth away from his, sending him flying across the ground with her fist.

"What are you doing?" she screamed. "Do you go around kissing random women? That isn't yours!"

Reena's breath was becoming rapid, sliding away from him.

"I don't even know you! Get away from me! That wasn't supposed to be yours! I don't care if you think you love me! The one I loved was killed! Now you've stolen the only thing I was never to give to anyone… but him!"

Sobs broke her anguished outburst. She bent over, her head hitting the freezing ground. She hadn't enjoyed that. She hadn't allowed it to continue. She hadn't betrayed Link.

"It wasn't meant for you," she sobbed, digging her fists into the dirt. "It wasn't for you!"

A golden light interrupted her tears. Reena put her hand in her shirt with a trembling hand. The Triforce of Courage shone brilliantly in the night. She raised her eyes, seeing the man standing a few feet in front of her. Ever so slowly she stood, shivering from head to foot. It couldn't be…

"I don't deserve what I've taken," he said, his voice shivering. "That I know."

Reena stepped towards him, her breath caught in her chest. With a shaking hand, she pushed his hood away. Link's brilliant blue eyes gazed into hers.

"But I think it was meant for me," he whispered. "Then again, I've been wrong one too many times."

"By the goddesses," Reena breathed. "Link!"

Before Reena could think of anything else, she was kissing him. Tears streamed down her face and her body shook beneath his touch. Instead of blood, she tasted his lips. Instead of shackles, his arms bound her to him. All of this was too beautiful. It couldn't be real. His touch felt like a dream. But it had to be real.

Reena pulled away, looking up at him. She traced his features with trembling hands, barely noticing that he was doing the same to her.

"It is you," she whispered, tears choking her words. "I don't know how, but it's you!"

Beneath her fingertips Link was shivering. A thin scar ran above his right eye and Reena could see traces of others. His beaten body filled her mind and unbearable shame filled her.

"I'm sorry, Link!" Reena wept, tearing her eyes away from him. "I was so scared! I didn't know! I didn't mean to drive you away! It was the last thing I wanted…"

"Reena," he breathed, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Was that what you were trying to say to me? That you didn't mean to?"

"Yes, Link," Reena whispered, her shoulders shaking violently from her sobs. "I didn't know."

"Know what?" Link asked. Could this be happening? Could she be standing in front of him at this moment? Had he been holding her only a moment before, kissing her soft lips? "Reena… why are you sorry?"

"You wanted to die," she said, putting her face in her hands. "All because of what I had done! Link, I loved you before we had gone to Salderin on our 'holiday'! I… I was too frightened to tell you… I didn't mean to drive you away! I'm so sorry… I never wanted to cause you pain…I never knew that you loved me…"

Link felt himself begin to die all over again. The remorse in her voice was too much. He cupped her face in his hand, lifting her eyes. So much despair disfigured their wondrous glow.

"I didn't want to marry because I was afraid, Link," Reena breathed. "I didn't want someone else at my side. I didn't want to marry because… I knew that I was bound by law to have a prince by my side. But I didn't want that, Link, because the one I love isn't a prince."

"But…your engagement to Sarid…"

"It was to make you happy, Link."

"Me?"

"I thought it was your dream to see me rule. That was what kept me going. To make you proud…Link. I never wanted any of it. I only wanted you to be happy."

Link closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. He wouldn't cry. Not in front of her. Why was she apologizing? He should be begging for her forgiveness.

"Link?" Reena whispered, backing away slightly. Fear lingered in her voice. "Please… forgive me. I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to make you suffer, Link."

Link took her hands in his, drawing her closer to him. He looked down at them, unable to look her in the eyes.

"You should not be the one asking for forgiveness," Link whispered. "I never meant that, Reena. I never meant that I wanted to die. The years with you have been a heaven. I was…I was only… by the goddesses, I don't know what was wrong with me! I still don't! Please, don't be sorry!"

Link's vision blurred and his shoulders began to tremble. His arms longed to hold her close to him again so that should couldn't see him fighting the tears away.

"Link," Reena said softly. "It's okay to cry. I don't care."

"I'm afraid to cry."

"You're never afraid."

"I might wake up."

"I don't think you're going to wake up."

Reena let go of his hands, wrapping her arms around him. A new wave of tears overtook her as his strong arms pulled her closer to him. In her ears echoed his crying. She buried her face into his chest, her body shaking. His hand slid to her head, holding her there as the other wrapped around her waist. She would never let him go. She couldn't.

Link rubbed his face in her soft hair, tears washing down his face. She was alive. She was in his arms, crying. He didn't know how this was possible, but here they were. Alive.

"I love you, Link," Reena whispered.

"I know," Link breathed. "I love you too."

Reena didn't know it was possible to feel so safe, but she did. In his strong arms, nothing could ever harm her again. Nothing in the world could make her believe he was truly gone from her.

*astrix astrix astrix*

Reena groaned as the sun hit her directly in the eyes. Instinctively she rolled over, thrusting her hand at it as if attempting to bat it away. For the first time in ages she didn't hit anything. Shocked, Reena opened her eyes. Where was she?

Slowly Reena sat up, rubbing her eyes. She was at an inn. Stock Pot Inn to be exact. The sun's glow was blocked by clouds, but it still gave enough light to wake her. Reena looked down at herself, seeing she was still in a tunic. Her eyes lingered back to the window and an excited smile stretched across her face. Snow.

Reena suddenly had the urge to get into her nightwear and wrap up in a blanket. She got to her feet, doing just that. In a moment her things were in the armoire and sheer bliss made her sigh. It hadn't been a dream. In the armoire were his things also.

Last night played through her head. She couldn't recall how long they had stood in each other's arms. When the drunks had stumbled from the tavern, Link refused to stay any longer. It wasn't long before they were on Epona, Link sitting behind her with a strong arm around her. After that, Reena didn't remember a thing, only exhaustion and then sleep.

Reena grabbed the comforter from her bed, wrapping it around herself as she sat in the large window seat. She watched in wonder as the snow swirled around outside. Already the world was a winter wonderland. She leaned her head on the wall, curling up tighter.

Her eyes lingered to the second bed. The blankets were tussled, but where was Link? The door creaked opened and Reena met Link's eyes. The moment they did, all doubt left.

"It's snowing."

A quiet laugh came from Link as he made his way over to her. She had always been so amazed of snow. Then again, she had been raised in the desert. His step staggered slightly from lack of sleep.

"May I join you?" he asked.

"I guess," she said with a smile, leaving her enclosure. Link sat down, putting the blanket around him. Reena sat on his lap, leaning against him.

"You're exhausted," she said, looking up at him.

"I… didn't sleep much last night," he admitted, putting his arms and blanket around her.

Reena shifted slightly so that she could look out the window. "You should go back to sleep."

"I'll be…"

Link trailed off, his eyes catching scars running down her arms. Reena followed his eyes. She quickly tried to hide them from view. Link removed the blanket from around them, seeing the scars that crisscrossed her arms and legs. He was left to imagine the ones on her back.

"It's not like you look much better," Reena swallowed, her eyes lingering to his exposed chest. She was shown the beatings once again. "They shouldn't be a shock. You… you saw them before."

"I was hoping I had been seeing things," Link whispered, touching her cheek. He made her sit down in front of him again, slowly sliding his hand up her back. He sighed, resting his forehead against her. The scars beneath his finger tips made him tremble. A long thin one ran the length of her back. He closed her eyes knowing exactly what had happened. He had one identical.

"Sarid did not appreciate my silence," Reena explained, swallowing hard as chills were sent down her spine. The burning metal searing her skin pierced her mind for a split second.

"Mine too," Link answered. "I have one as well."

Reena looked up at him. "Link… what happened to you during your imprisonment?"

Link sighed. It was only a matter of time before she asked. However, he couldn't deny that he too was longing to have questions answered. He rested his hand on her head, smoothing her hair as he searched for where to start.

"First of all," Reena started, "how'd he make you believe I was dead?"

"When he was taking me away," Link answered, swallowing hard. "My eyesight was obscured enough and I couldn't tell what was happening. All I heard was the ring of metal, a thud, and then the slumping of a body. After seeing him beat you… I… I could only imagine the worst."

"The guard had hit me over the head with the hilt," Reena said quietly. "He gave me your Triforce. There was nothing emitting from it. No glow. Nothing."

"He brought me to a different dungeon in the castle, but I was as good as dead," Link answered. "My soul was dead. My heart broken."

Link caressed Reena's cheek as her arms around him tightened.

"I thought I was going to die, Link," Reena breathed. "Seeing you… like that. Damn, that was all I could picture during this past year. Whenever you came to my mind… all I could see was the blood… the gashes… the bruises… the burns. It haunted me every night. Every waking hour!"

"I prayed it was a nightmare," Link said. "I couldn't bring myself to believe it was you in front of me. Like that. I couldn't stand seeing him do that to you while I… stood there watching."

"Like you could have done anything," Reena said, her hand moving to her stomach. She could feel the sharp pangs of the boot. "You couldn't even stand."

"Yes, I could've done something," Link answered. "I should have kept you from coming with me. That would have saved you from all of this."

Reena sat up, looking him in the eyes. Regret disfigured their fiery spark.

"I knew I was cursed," Link said, shaking his head. "I should have known it would have happened. Even now… I'm afraid. What if he finds us? You'll be submitted to the same thing… if not worse. I can't have that happen again!"

"Then what do you advise we do?" Reena asked, making him look at her.

"I…" Link trailed off, the words dying on his lips. "I should leave… like I did last time."

"Leave?" Reena asked, not amused. "Do you love me?"

"Yes! And I need to protect you! I'm not doing that staying here… with you! I'm only endangering you again!"

"Are you happy?"

Link tried to tear his gaze away from hers, but found it impossible.

"Yes," he whispered.

"Then why are you talking like this?" Reena demanded.

"Because it's not fair to you," Link answered. "You deserve to live without worrying about being attacked."

"So, you're saying that you don't deserve to be happy?" Reena cornered.

Link tried to counter her attack. If she was safe, shouldn't he be happy? Her safety, her life, was all that should matter to him…

"If you're safe-"

"You didn't answer me," Reena interrupted quietly.

"That's not a fair question," Link objected.

"Answer it," Reena said. "And I don't want to hear about how I should be safe or any of that. During that year when I was 'safe', were you happy?"

"…I was heartbroken."

"How would this be any different?" Reena asked. "Link, why can't you be happy? Why can't you have what you what? And don't give me this crap about being cursed. There is no such curse! Things happen because of other occurrences! It was my choice to come! It was my choice not to leave! It was my choice to love you, Link. Why can't you just accept that? Why can't you just accept that maybe, just maybe, you can be happy too and just not everyone else?"

"…Because…"

"Because why?"

"Because… I was meant to be alone. I'm the Hero of Time. You're… you're the Princess. You're going to rule and I was meant to protect you."

"Link," Reena sighed, tracing his cheek. "I know you always dreamed of the Princess sitting on the throne and ruling over Hyrule. But it's not my dream."

"Reena, please don't-"

"Link, you've been saving everyone else," Reena whispered. "Isn't it about time someone saved your life? You've been alone your whole life. Everything has been taken away from you. Your family, your friends, your childhood. But you're not going to lose me."

Link gazed into her eyes. He cast his down, trying to find the right words to say.

"Where would we live?" he asked. "I... don't have much, Reena."

"The castle will be our home," Reena answered. "It has been for the past years. We can leave whenever we want and if we want our own home, something tells me that the King and Queen will help us. Something tells me we don't need to worry about being left without somewhere to go."

Link met her eyes, his breath dying in his chest as her hand rested on his cheek. He hated how she could make him lose all train of thought. It wasn't working when he was trying to win a battle. As she kissed him, Link realized he had already lost. He had lost long ago.

Link pulled her closer to him, sliding his hands over her. Reena answered by opening her mouth, allowing him to explore. She rested a hand against his chest for support pushing Link harder on the wall he leaned against. A gasp was muffled by Link's mouth as Reena felt his fingertips slide under her shirt. She ran a hand through his hair, feeling him over.

"There's another dream… one that replaced the other a long time ago," he said the moment he was able to catch a breath. "A dream that somebody would…stand by me and be too stubborn to heed my pleas."

Reena smiled, tracing his face with the back of her hand. She lay down, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Dreams do come true," she said as two sat in the window, watching the snow purify the world they knew.

"Yes, because of stubborn goddesses like you."

Wow. That was cheesily romantic. Has anyone else noticed that my story has been going downhill ever since we found out that Reenas a princess? Or is it just me? It's ok, you can be honest. But fortunatly more exciting will be happening in the coming chapters. And grrr, Link. He's always so negative and pessimistic. Hurr, why can't you just love Reena and be done with it? And NO, Link and Reena did NOT sleep together in the last section. That's the impression Arianna got when she was editing, but NO they didn't. I don't care how many sexual innuendos I made, they only stayed in the same room.