"We'll go on ahead, and the rest of you slow-pokes can meet us in Ordon, yeah?" said Ashei, strapping a final bundle to the saddle of her horse and giving the steed a pat on the nose.

"Just because you don't like wagon travel..." Shad mumbled, but a death glare from Ashei prevented him from finishing his sentence.

"I can't stand wagons," said Link, who had clambered onto Epona and was overlooking the East Gate of Castletown wistfully. "They're musty. Slow, too."

"And flammable," said Ilia quietly. Link caught her eye and they shared a look that only they would understand.

"Well, I think wagons are quite pleasant," Shad said decisively, and he watched as Ilia fastened something to the front of the wagon. "You sure are good at that," he said in admiration.

"Of course she's good at it," Ashei snapped irritably. "Gods, Shad, she could sneeze and you would tell her she was good at it."

"Excuse you, Ashei, but my sneezes are actually quite remarkable," Ilia said, poking her nose up in the air.

"It's true," Shad added quietly, and Ilia caught his eye and winked. A blush crept up his neck; he hadn't meant for anyone to hear him.

"It's a good day for riding," Link now said, and it was true. The August sun beat hot and white in a cornflower blue sky. A breeze sent puffball clouds tumbling through the air, and the banners adorning the outer wall of Castletown did acrobatics in the hot air. A cicada was serenading the day somewhere out in the haze, and as Link and Ilia prepared for departure from Castle Town, they felt that the weather was practically beckoning them home.

"I miss Ordon," Ilia had said that morning, and it was no secret that she was happy to get out of the city. "I'm a country girl at heart," she'd added, and Shad had just smiled vacantly at the sound of her voice. His infatuation with Ilia was really getting quite excessive and Link was starting to think that if Shad didn't stop with the dopey looks soon, he was going to have to put an end to them himself.

That wasn't to say he wasn't feeling similarly to Shad. Although, his feelings for Ashei weren't quite the same as what Shad felt for Ilia. Shad seemed to genuinely like her; as far as Link could tell, Shad had a crush. He liked Ilia because he thought she was funny and cute, and she was nice to Shad.

But the way Link felt about Ashei was different. He knew that it was dirty and rude, the way he thought of her. If Ashei ever found out that Link was having fantasies about her, she would probably beat the living daylights out of him. But Link didn't want to end it; it made him feel good, and during a time when he felt the weight of fear and sadness increasing on his shoulders- seemingly without explanation- a little bit of sensuality wasn't so bad. Right?

That was how he justified it with himself, but even as he watched Ashei mount her steed gracefully and pose proudly upon it, he couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt run through him. She didn't deserve to be used as a prop to make him feel better. Especially in the context he was currently putting her in...

"I think that we're about ready to go," Ilia said, making sure that all of the luggage was safely stored in the back of the covered wagon. "We've definitely got everything..."

"My equipment?" asked Link. "Mildred said she packed it but I'm not so sure I trust her… Poor girl. Don't know how I'll manage without her these next few weeks."

"Check," Ilia answered in the affirmative.

"And my trunk?" Shad asked. "My clothes, books, my mother's candlesticks-"

"- Your mothers candlesticks," interrupted Ashei mockingly.

"Check."

"Don't forget Shad's knickers," Ashei scoffed.

"Oh, be quiet, Ashei, you're the one who insisted on bringing those stupid antlers-"

"I won those antlers after trapping and killing a Wild Snowpeak Stag, thank you very much," Ashei clarified, referring to the antlers on a plaque that had been hanging on her bedroom wall for the past few months.

"Your knickers are definitely in here, Shad," Ilia interrupted, and Shad's face glowed red.

"You checked?!" he cried.

"Wasn't I supposed to?" Ilia answered innocently, and only seconds later Ashei reached into Shad's wooden trunk from atop her horse and pulled out one of his undergarments, holding it at arm's length with her thumb and forefinger.

"Why are they purple?!" she cried, and Shad leapt for the garment dangling from her grip. She lifted it out of reach and continued, "Were they purple to start out with, or is this the result of something recent?" She caught his eye teasingly. "Should I be worried?"

"Stop it! Give those back!" Shad cried, his skin having gone violently red. Ilia watched from ten feet away and giggled, turning away after a second to consult Link about something.

Ashei tossed Shad's underpants back at him, and they landed gracelessly over his forehead before he grasped them and threw them back in with the rest of his luggage.

"That'll teach you to insult my antlers," Ashei laughed as Shad grumbled angrily to himself.

"Shad, Ashei," said Link, catching everyone's attention, "Ilia suggests that Ashei and I ride quickly so we can make it to Ordon before sundown. Shad, you and Ilia travel at a slower pace, and meet us there in a few days."

"What if we get attacked?!" cried Shad worriedly.

"Monster supper," Ashei answered darkly. Ilia's eyes widened.

"Really?!"

"No," Link assured her. He caught Ashei's eye. "It's not funny," he said. "Ilia had to travel by wagon through monster territory before. It was awful. Don't joke about that kind of thing."

"It WAS awful," Ilia said quietly.

"ANYWAY," said Shad loudly, displaying his henceforth undisclosed talent for awkwardly changing the subject, "I think you all raise a valid point. Ashei and Link go on ahead, let the villagers know we have a company of four, and perhaps you can have preparations made? You know, find proper accommodations for our stay-"

"Proper accommodations," Ashei scoffed quietly.

"Would you stop doing that?!" cried Shad, stamping his foot.

"Maybe I will," she answered.

"Good," Shad sighed.

"But maybe I won't," she added, turning away and trotting off with a shrug. Shad watched her in utter bewilderment as she grinned and pranced off.

"My pain fuels her," he remarked. He turned to Link. "You'd better hurry up," he said. "She's not going to wait for you."

A grin crossed Link's face. "I know," he said. And then the earth shook under them as Epona whinnied and Link shot after Ashei.

Shad noticed suddenly that Ilia's mouth had formed into a small o.

"What? What is it?!" asked Shad, and Ilia just shook her head.

"I've just realized something," she said, taking the reins of the two horses pulling the wagon and guiding them along. He watched her as she strode along, and noticed that she had taken her shoes off, and smiled at the girl walking into the undergrowth, the girl walking back home.

-
The windows of Zelda's private study had been left open today, letting in the warm, sweet breeze. The smell of grass wafted in through the opening, carried on the wind. The gossamer drapes fluttered into the study like the skirts of dancing ladies, the morning light falling across Zelda's figure and illuminating the pictograph in her hands. She was observing the face inside the frame with just the slightest hint of a smile that really was very becoming on her. A knock at the door signaled someone's arrival and Zelda stored the pictograph back into a drawer in her desk almost regretfully; a split-second later, a tall, slim figure entered the study.

"Good morning, Your Highness," the man said.

"Hello, Chancellor," Zelda sighed, and Chancellor Crevan smiled oily. She shuddered internally.

"You weren't at the council meeting this morning," he said, glancing into the mirror on the wall and slicking back his greasy gray hair.

"I was occupied," the princess answered.

"With?"

"I was signing papers," she answered, and Crevan turned to her.

"Papers?"

"Approving the knighthood of two of my newest soldiers," Zelda finished, and a smirk crossed Crevan's face.

"Ah, yes... About these knights of yours- I'm afraid that they won't be in service much longer."

Zelda sat up straighter, brow drawn. "Why on earth-"

"As chancellor," Crevan interrupted, "I am in charge of the army and the law. Face the facts, Your Highness- you are a figurehead. You link us to the public, but you have no real power."

Zelda stood up very quickly. "Chancellor, are you implying that you intend to disband my entire army?"

"Only those who do not follow the new order of things," he answered smoothly. Zelda's fists clenched.

"New order of things?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

Zelda narrowed her eyes. "Enlighten me."

The chancellor let out a long sigh. Then, he began a slow pace around the room.

"As you know," he began, "Hyrule has seen its fair share of trouble... The kingdom has been subject to poor leadership-"

"-Excuse you!" Zelda interrupted. "I sacrificed everything for my people!"

"Oh, I'm sure," Creven replied with heavy sarcasm. "I'm sure that would explain the photograph you keep so perfectly hidden in that desk of yours."

"How did you..." Zelda trailed off.

"I won't tarry on the subject," Creven continued, brushing off Zelda's small protest. "The point, Your Highness, is that towns and cities are poorly managed these days. Just look at the Zora village- those fish were worshipping a king that is hardly 13 years of age! It's a mockery of the work we do, Princess. We cannot allow such poorly chosen leaders to remain in power. The kingdom will fall to anarchy."

"Anarchy wasn't a concern before the dark days," Zelda argued.

"Neither was a twilight invasion!" Creven cried. "My actions are taken with the welfare of Hyrule at heart. Your Majesty, you must understand- it is our responsibility to ensure that Hyrule is being properly governed. We cannot weaken ourselves. And that is why I suggest we take extra precautions by withdrawing current local leaders and replacing them with our own workers."

Zelda was quiet. She rested her fingers on the windowpane and looked out at the kingdom, green and bustling under her gaze.

"You're probably right," she said quietly.

"Of course I'm right," Crevan answered. He made to leave, but stopped before he could reach the door. "I've asked that man Auru to leave service."

Zelda turned around in alarm. "What?!"

"Didn't you hear the sorts of things he would say?!" Crevan remarked. "Treason, all of it. Men like that can't be trusted. I ask that you don't meet with him again."

Zelda took a step closer. "And if I do?!"

"It's like I said," Crevan answered dramatically, "you're just a figurehead, Your Highness. Consider who has the REAL power here."

And with a bone-chilling wink, he slammed the door of the study behind him.

Epona's hooves thundered underneath her as she whisked Link across the glade.

Th-thump, th-thump, th-thump.

Mud flew out behind him and he rounded a corner, the air rushing past, wind cool against his face, in his eyes, through his hair, at his collar. He inhaled the scent of grass and flowers and bowed down closer toward Epona, heart pounding against his ribcage.

He rounded another corner and had aligned himself with Ashei within only a few more paces. She was grinning into the tempest, black hair flying out behind her as she pushed her steed, almost as if she were racing time itself. Something swelled and turned in Link's chest and he tore his eyes off of the girl, focusing instead on the crest of the oncoming hill as he pushed up it. Hooves hammered underneath him as he pushed Epona during the ascent, and like slingshots Link and Ashei flew up the hill, coming to a halt at the very top.

They stilled, and their breath caught in their throats.

The kingdom stretched on for miles in every direction, glistening green and white and silver under the sun. The distant mountains crested in white and Ashei looked toward the peaks with a longing in her eyes that Link understood all too well.

The two warriors posed proud and quiet atop that hill, overlooking the land they'd fought so hard for, and Link found himself reaching for Ashei's hand; in a moment of surprise, he found that she had had her hand outstretched as well, perhaps for the same reason.

Link's heart churned and throbbed in his chest and for a few moments there was nothing but the sound of the wind in the grass and the breathing and the stamping of the mares.

Ashei caught Link's eye and smiled. When he smiled back there was something sorrowful, something sentimental about it that she couldn't quite place. Her heart drummed in her chest and she felt in that moment a bond that had for so long eluded her.

And then with a sly grin she broke the moment, spurring the sides of her horse and plummeting down the hill with a laugh that coursed like a fever through Link's veins.

The wagon wheels squeaked as they turned on their axels, the wagon bumping and up and down as it started to cover the rough terrain of Hyrule Field. Rocks and shrubs and short pale grass flattened under the wheels as the wagon paved a route across the moor, Ilia walking barefoot beside it and taking deep breaths of the sweet air.

Shad sat in the wagon, his crutch across his lap, and as he gazed out at the plain ahead of him, asked, "Are you very happy to be going home?"

"Yes," Ilia said a little breathlessly. "I love the country. Wide open plains and clean air and big space. And Ordon, with little suction-cup frogs and rainbows over the springs, where summer lasts forever and winter is spent at the hearths of those who love you..." When she turned to Shad, her eyes were wide and glassy. "It's not like the city, where you don't know anybody. You know everybody in Ordon. And you love them all, and they all love you. I've missed them all so much."

"You never said so," Shad remarked. Ilia shrugged.

"I like you all very much, too. I've had a lot of fun with you and Link and Ashei. I don't know how I'll ever choose between the two lives I've been given..."

Shad's stomach did a somersault. "Maybe you don't have to," he said. "Maybe one of us could stay with you in Ordon, and..."

Ilia smiled at the ground. "Shad of Castletown, I do believe you just asked me to marry you."

"What- no!" cried Shad in utter embarrassment, sitting up very straight very quickly. Ilia grinned.

"Shame," she remarked and caught his eye. "I might have said yes."

She kept walking and Shad felt inclined to ask more questions.

"What did Link mean when he said that you had to ride in a wagon across monster territory?"

Ilia's face fell and she turned forward again. "During the dark days, we had to bring a dying Zora boy to Kakariko to seek medical attention. Telma and I rode in the wagon and Link guided us across the plain. He fought off hoards of monsters... they would shoot fire arrows at us, and the wagon went up in flames. More than once. I was never afraid of fire until then. Now I'm too scared to light a candle."

Shad sighed. "The war changed all of us. I know it made me afraid of nearly everything..."

Ilia glanced at him. "Do you mean... Shad, you don't consider yourself a coward, do you?"

"I don't know if 'coward' is the right term... I'd go with 'selective risk-taker.' It sounds much nicer but means the same thing."

Ilia's eyes were wide. "I don't think you're a coward," she said with a perfectly sincere expression.

Shad's lips turned up in a smirk of self-depreciation. "Everyone thinks I'm a coward," he said quietly.

"Not me."

"Yeah? Name one brave thing I've done."

"You were part of a resistance movement!" Ilia cried. "You challenged a ruthless king that many didn't dare to SPEAK of!"

"I never took up arms, though," Shad argued. "I never risked my life."

"Risking your life isn't what defines bravery," Ilia said. "You had the courage to pray for peace in a time when nearly everyone else was afraid of their own shadow. That sounds pretty daring to me."

Shad's face lit up. "You think so?"

"I KNOW so," Ilia answered, and she meant it, too.

Shad had one last question before he drew quiet again.

"You said this morning that you just realized something. About Link, I think. What was it?" Shad asked. Ilia frowned.

"It's the secret to Link's happiness."

"And that is?"

"Ashei," Ilia answered. "I wish it was me, but it's not. It's definitely her."

"But... But they're always fighting!"

"That doesn't mean they're not happy," Ilia theorized.

"No," said Shad quietly, thinking of how alive Link seemed around Ashei. "You're right, it... It doesn't mean that at all."

"We should stop and make a camp," said Ashei once the sun had started to set. "There's no way we'll make it to Ordon by nightfall."

"Yeah, all right," Link replied in agreement. They moved to the side of the road and Link dismounted for the first time that day, flexing his muscles. Ashei landed beside him and did the same.

"I'll look for firewood," Link said immediately. "You can set up camp. Sound good?"

"Uh, yeah," said Ashei, who was focused on something in the distance. "Hey, Link. Look over there." She pointed to the horizon, where a cloud of dust had formed and was getting bigger.

Link sighed. "Looks like we've got company." He reached for his sword, but Ashei stopped him.

"You get firewood," she said. "I'll take care of this. Probably just some travelers, yeah?"

"Yeah, some travelers stampeding across Hyrule Field," Link said.

"Oh, that doesn't mean anything. Get us some firewood before it gets too dark to make a fire. I'll stay here."

Link eyed her with concern. "You sure?"

"Link," Ashei groaned. "I'm a soldier, remember? You don't need to worry about me."

Link stared blankly for a second. Then, he smiled. "Yeah, I know," he said, and he sheathed his sword, moseying off toward a line of trees bordering the field. "If I don't return..." he said melodramatically, and gave a short salute before pivoting on his heel and marching off.

He seems better, Ashei thought to herself. She pulled a bundle of blankets off of Link's horse and spread them over the grass, lighting Link's oil lamp and hanging it from her belt. They were running low on oil; Ashei made a mental note to restock once they reached the village.

The sun continued to set and the travelers grew gradually closer. Ashei unstrung a satchel of food and supplies from her horse's saddle and threw it atop one of the blankets.

The sound of hooves grew louder behind her and she clutched the hilt of her sword instinctively. Where was Link? Nearly ten minutes had passed...

She turned around. The travelers were about fifty feet away and she recognized them now for what they were- finely dressed men, probably warriors of some sort, astride decorated horses. Ashei's shoulders tensed as the approaching men slowed down and then stopped not ten feet from where she was standing.

"Good evening," one of the men greeted. They were each dressed in a royal blue tunic with a silver breastplate and helmet. Ashei drew her sword cautiously.

"Hello," she said stiffly. The man frowned at her.

"Do not be alarmed," he said slowly. "We are not planning to hurt or rob you, if that's what you're afraid of."

"I'm not afraid of anything," said Ashei, wondering where on earth Link had gone to.

"Clearly not," said the man with a sneer. He raised a hand and the men who were with him- a company of eight- did the same. "Allow us to introduce ourselves," he said. "We are soldiers of Hyrule, and we are patrolling these roads on behalf of our kingdom's ruler."

Ashei eyed them skeptically. "You're not dressed like Hylian soldiers are supposed to be," she commented, and she raised her sword an inch or two.

The man raised his eyebrows. "I suppose you are privy to the goings-on of the Hylian army. Are you a knight yourself?"

"I'm a freelancer," she answered. "I don't work for Zelda."

"No, neither do we," the man said. "We have been hired by His Grace the chancellor of Hyrule, Chancellor Crevan."

Ashei's eyes widened. "What chancellor? When was he elected?"

"The Royal Council hired him just a few months ago," the man answered. "You don't mean to tell me the public wasn't informed?"

"No," she answered stiffly. "We weren't. And quite frankly-" she raised her sword- "that makes me pretty upset, yeah?" Ashei took a few steps forward. "I don't get it. Why would they need you when they already had an entire army? Unless..." Her eyes went suddenly very wide and her jaw dropped. "This Crevan- he's the one kicking everyone out of power, isn't he?!"

The soldier looked suddenly uncomfortable. "He is doing what is believed to best for the kingdom."

"Or for himself," Ashei countered, and she went tense, prepared to fight if she needed to. "I don't trust you, and I don't trust this Crevan."

"But you trust your princess," the soldier answered hotly, "and why?! Because she was born into her role! Surely blood doesn't define honesty. If you knew the evidence that has arisen against her recently, why, you'd be alarmed!"

"And what's that?" asked Ashei.

"Certainly you've heard that she's taken a vow to chastity. Would you believe that she hasn't held true to it?"

"What the hell makes you say that?!" cried Link, and Ashei jumped. 'When did HE get here?'

"The princess has less privacy than she thinks she has. Creven likes to keep his acquaintances closely monitored."

Link dropped the newly acquired firewood and gripped the hilt of his sword in anger. "You'll leave the princess alone!" He threatened.

The man raises his eyebrows laughingly. "Shall we obey boy who so fiercely and readily defends Her Majesty despite the overwhelming evidence against her?" he asked, addressing his company.

"She's done nothing wrong and the whole lot of you are liars," Link concluded. "Zelda would never do anything-"

He was cut off by a roar of laughter from the soldiers. "It would seem that you and Her Majesty are on a first name basis."

"We are," Link responded through gritted teeth.

"Ah- forgive me," the man said, but there was no hint of sincerity in his apology. "I didn't realize that Princess Zelda kept the company of commoners."

"Commoners?!" Ashei stepped forward. "Do you know who he is?!"

"The girl is bold," said one of the soldiers coolly.

"Indeed," the leader answered, and he chuckled. "Of course I know who he is," he finally said. "Only an ignorant fool wouldn't recognize Hyrule's beloved hero. Tell me, boy, why do you tread the road that leads straight out of Hyrule? Surely you don't mean to abandon the people who revere you so strongly."

"We're going to the Ordona Province," Link said, just as Ashei said, "None of your beeswax."

"I see. On business?" the man questioned.

"On leisure," Link answered. The soldier nodded slowly.

"His Grace will be happy to hear that. Nobody likes a gadfly-"

Ashei raised her sword and was about to swing when Link grasped her arm and stopped her.

"I'm glad to know I'm so meaningful to this chancellor," Link said darkly. "You'd best be on your way. The sun's gone down and the cold's setting in." He made to turn away. "Tell Zelda I say hello."

The soldiers frowned decisively. "I'll relay the message. And I'll let her know where you've gone. She won't feel abandoned at all." And with this hint of sarcasm, the soldier beckoned his fellow men and they rode off.

Ashei sheathed her sword angrily. "We should have challenged them to a fight," she argued. "We could have taken them."

Link arranged the firewood and lit a match. "No. That would've been brash. Best for them to know that we're not completely tactless- now when they give their report to Crevan they'll speak of us with a little respect. Rushing into battle would have just gotten us killed. Talking it out was the wise thing. Zelda will be pleased."

Ashei shot him a look and then plopped down as the fire caught. For a minute she was quiet, and then she glanced at Link, who was staring intently into the fire. He had his hands folded under his chin and he was clearly deep in thought, so she didn't say anything. They ate in silence, and since Link was still deep in thought, Ashei announced that she was going to get some sleep. She pulled the blankets over herself and lay awake for a long time.

Before he went to sleep, Link placed a hand on Ashei's hair and whispered for her to rest well. He figured at that point that Ashei had been asleep for quite awhile, but the truth was that Ashei was still wide awake, and she heard every word of it.

I typed this entire chapter on my iphone and I think I deserve a small medal.

Once again, I'm updating at the time of day (night?) when the archives are the most remote. I do this because I am busy. I am always busy. All the time I am busy. I am busy all the time.

That's not an excuse, by the way. Why do you think I had to write the chapter on my phone?

I hope that you will forgive me for being a total dumbass 99% of the time. This story has the continuity of an episode of Glee and I am deeply ashamed of that.

Until next time.