Chapter Eight
"Alright missy, don't forget what I told ye." Mildred informed as she stood in the doorway of the old house. Zelda nodded her head, adjusting the cloak around her head and giving the old woman a small smile.
"I will, don't worry." She looked sheepishly over her shoulder where Dark stood, nearly engulfed in the shadows and swallowed, her stomach suddenly twisting at the sight of him. He was half hid in shadow, the other highlighted by the pale moonlight of the moon.
He looked dangerous...
Forbidden...
Yanking her eyes back to Mildred she managed to keep the half smile on her face. The old woman squeezed her arm and Zelda frowned, slightly confused but the woman reached around and slipped a small jar of ointment into her hand.
"Here, missy, ye did good grinding those mushrooms. This will help slow the spread of poison," she looked past Zelda to Dark and something passed between them. Zelda glanced over her shoulder at him but his face was now fully hidden in shadow. "May ye travel swiftly," she whispered and Zelda nodded.
"Thank you," Zelda murmured and bowed her head respectively. Mildred nodded and clasped her hands in front of her. Zelda turned and hesitantly looked up at Dark, but he wasn't paying her any mind. He glanced at Mildred one last time before turning and heading down the dark alley. Zelda slipped the jar of ointment into her pack and waving one last time to Mildred, quickly followed after him.
The streets were surprisingly quiet and empty, the faint light from overhead their only guidance for the only lights that were on were the tavern's. Zelda watched him walk, saw how he turned his head ever so slightly to listen, yet keep his eyes on their path. She saw how tense he was, how if a simple touch could send him snapping like a tightly strung bow. She wondered why he was so tense but knew that if she voiced her concern he would only be angry at her.
She turned her head, glancing down an alley towards the large clock tower and halted when she saw the pool of blood. Her eyes widened and she reached out and grasped Dark by the tail of his cloak. He halted, his muscles tensing and she gestured with her head.
"There's blood," she murmured and watched as his eyes fastened on the pool of crimson before they darkened and looked away. He pulled his arm from her grip and started walking. "Dark?" Zelda called after him but he kept walking and she glanced back at the blood before following after him. "What are you doing? Someone could be hurt—"
"They're dead, I killed them." Dark's word made her stumble and she stared at his back. He halted when she didn't follow him and turned back to face her. This time she could see his face and what she saw scared her.
There was no remorse...
No guilt...
Nothing...
"As I told you before, Princess," his eyes shined with something that Zelda knew all too well. He stepped towards her and saw his eyes darken further when she pulled slightly back, "You are not the only one who has enemies." His voice had dropped to a low, seething whisper and she swallowed but straightened.
"Were those men from earlier your enemies?" She whispered back but kept herself rigid even as he leaned towards her.
"What if they weren't? What if I simply killed them because I wanted to?" His dark cold words split the suddenly bitter air and she forced herself to remain calm.
"You wouldn't do that," her words were firm, unyielding, and Zelda watched as surprise flickered through his crimson eyes before they darkened till they were nearly a deep red.
"Oh," he reached up and his fingers ghosted along the brim of her hood, bringing it farther down to hide her face, "I assure you, Princess," he tilted his head, his blood red eyes challenging hers, "I would." With that he turned sharply, his cloak flying out and Zelda swallowed. Clutching her own cloak tighter around herself she bit down on her lip to keep herself from shaking.
Not because she was scared...
No...
It was because despite everything she knew about him, about what he'd done and who he was, she was not afraid.
And that she never would be...
They traveled the rest of the way in silence and Dark halted before entering Town Square. He looked about before stepping out and crossing the stones. Horses stood in the far corner and they raised their heads, their darks eyes falling on them and Zelda watched, fascinated, as a man came wobbling out of the tavern doors. He burped and Zelda drew back at the strong smell of ale that filled the air. He tottered, grinning stupidly at them before he stumbled over to the tied horses.
Zelda heard Dark snort with disgust and was silently pleased that he didn't care for drinking. He turned to look at her and she jumped, for she'd been studying how the lights coming from inside the tavern played over his pale skin. He frowned, narrowing his crimson eyes to slits before speaking quietly, but sternly to her.
"That was just a mere glimpse of what's going to be inside the tavern, Princess," at his tone Zelda couldn't help but notice that he only called her that when he was irritated with her and that he said it mockingly, but menacingly as well. He reached out and clasped her arm, knocking her out of her little daze and she stiffened at his touch, for his fingers were surprisingly warm even through the gloves he wore. "When we're inside keep your head low and your face covered. Hopefully they'll just think you're a boy who hasn't reached adult hood yet. Don't talk either, your voice is too soft, they'll know you're a woman the minute you speak." He reached up and flicked a loose strand of her hair back and she couldn't help how her breath hitched in her throat at his casual gesture. "Keep your hair back too." She could only manage to nod before stuffing her hair under the cloak and pulling it around her face, but no matter how she adjusted it her face was still too exposed.
Dark's eyes narrowed and he looked around at the empty streets. Reaching up he unwound the scarf that covered the lower half of his face and draped it around her neck. Zelda blinked and stared up at him.
"Wait, what are you doing? If they see your face—" She started, reaching up to undo the scarf but his fingers clasped her wrist and she halted, looking up at him.
"If they see my face then they'll be frightened, they won't try and fight me at this time of night, for there won't be any guards to help them and most of the men that are still in there are nearly as bad as I am, so they'll want to avoid drawing any unneeded attention." He tightened the scarf around her face even more and gave it a final tug. "Now, do you remember what I told you?" He asked and she managed to nod. He didn't reply and turned back to the tavern door. Zelda followed and stayed close to him as he opened the door to the tavern.
It was late...
Very late...
And the men that filled the tavern all stared at them as they entered. Dark hadn't been wrong, the men that filled the tavern looked rough and dirty, their eyes blazing with anger and skepticism of one another. It seemed that at any moment someone would leap to their feet and sink a dagger into the other's back. The aromas filled Zelda's nostrils and she swallowed, fighting the sudden nausea that flooded over her.
Dark seemed like a dark shield that protected her from the prying, beady eyes and she shifted, stepping closer to Dark and ducking her head, inhaling the mysterious scent of Dark's scarf.
He smelled like the forest...
Like a long forgotten glade hidden in mist...
Shrouded in mystery...
Unreachable...
The thought made her glance up at Dark's back. It was so strong and imposing, so feral yet regal in a lithe, dangerous matter that made her heart pound faster inside her chest.
She reached out and touched the cuff of his tunic with her fingers...
He stiffened...
The men in the tavern had now glimpsed his face and she saw from underneath her hood, their eyes widen before they looked quickly away. The air suddenly grew cold as they all seemed to shrink farther back in their chairs.
Away from him...
Zelda glanced back up at Dark, but his eyes had fallen to a table in the corner. Zelda followed his crimson gaze to two figures shrouded in dim candlelight. She felt Dark shift and his hand clasped her arm. His fingers were like iron as he pulled her forward, but as he did so his other arm came down around her waist underneath their cloaks so that no one could see.
She took in a steadying breath...
Despite what she'd just learned...
Having him so close...
It made her feel better...
In the far corner of the tavern at the small table sat what appeared to be an aged man with a short beard. It was a light brown, tinged with white and he wore a faded light blue cloak. Beside him sat his sword, a large broadsword by the look of it and a shield that had the Hyrule Crest upon it, but Zelda didn't recognize the colors. They were a crimson red with sunset gold. Those colors were only used by the aged knights of Hyrule and they typically held roost towards the desert lands.
Why was one here?
The thought drifted to the back of her head as she looked at who sat beside him. A boy, perhaps only twelve sat in the chair beside him but Zelda immediately sensed that he was more than he appeared.
They crossed the tavern and as they reached the table the man lifted his face and Zelda was surprised that despite the deep lines and weathered skin, he was handsome in a bear like manner and the hands that clasped the ale cup were callused and lined with scars from years of combat. He frowned, his sharp brown eyes catching sight of Dark's face before they shifted to Zelda's covered one. Dark stood there, his face emotionless and his blood red gaze cold but Zelda felt his unease.
She tightened her fingers around his sleeve...
When the old knight's eyes returned to Zelda's she stared deeply into them, hoping that he would recognize her. Finally, after what seemed like a millennium, the old knight dipped his head. Dark nudged her into a chair and she quickly sat, keeping her head low and after looking around the tavern, Dark took the seat beside her as well.
Silence...
Then finally...
The old knight spoke...
"So, you the escort for Her Highness, are you?" His words were low and slow, as if he liked taking the time to form the syllables. Dark looked at him but said nothing, his icy gaze telling the knight of Hyrule everything.
"A little late, weren't you? Find some unwanted acquaintances?" His sharp eyes had fallen to Dark's arm and Dark casually shifted so that the cloak concealed his wound.
"Unwanted, but dealt with all the same." His crimson eyes looked about the tavern. "We have ten minutes before the three over there became courageous." His cold eyes came back to the old knight's who gave the tiniest hint of a nod.
"Alright, I'll go first then, considering our current situation." His eyes flicked down to the cup of ale he grasped between his thick fingers. "I received a letter from Impa, calling me back from the desert. She didn't mention why, but I had a feeling it had to deal with something concerning the Royal Family." His eyes flicked up to Dark, "Mind telling me why?" Dark remained silent, his face giving away nothing.
"Link has been poisoned," Zelda whispered while hesitantly glancing about the tavern, "he needs a cure." The boy looked at her, his eyes slightly unnerving as he looked down at her arm.
"Apparently you do as well, your Highness," he murmured and Zelda jumped. Dark leaned forward in his chair, his eyes sharp and fierce. The knight held up his hand, halting Dark momentarily.
"Thomas only stated the obvious," he lowered his palm back to the table but Zelda noticed how his fingers were tense. Dark must have made the same observation for his lips turned up into a dark smirk.
"Afraid, old man?" He taunted quietly but the knight just shook his head.
"Cautious," he replied and turned his eyes upon Zelda. "What do you mean by 'poisoned'?" Zelda swallowed, feeling it crawling up her arm.
"The venom is from a beast located in Death Mountain, though it hasn't been sighted in over a hundred years." Zelda looked cautiously over at the men in the corner. They were glaring at them and the looks that were in there eyes made her skin crawl.
"A beast, hmm?" The knight snorted and raised the cup of ale to his lips. "Figures," he grinned, though it was devoid of humor. "If what your friend said was right," he shifted so that his hand casually drifted down to his broadsword, "then we only have five minutes to leave without acquiring attention." He stood and swung the blade and shield over his back. Thomas stood as well, his eyes on the group of men.
"Sir, we must hurry," the boy whispered and Zelda saw him reach for something inside his cloak.
"Princess—" That was all the farther the old knight got before the tavern erupted into chaos.
The men leapt from the corner, daggers drawn and Zelda yelped as Dark yanked her back. He drew the Dark Mastersword, a faint metallic ring echoing inside the tavern and at the sight of the blade the men halted for a moment.
"So it is you, eh?" One snarled and Zelda stiffened, but the man's eyes were only on Dark. "Heard there was a bounty on you, and where there's more of us than there are you," he grinned, showing yellow and cracked teeth, "I figures we can take you." He took a step forward but Dark's disarming grin made him pause.
"I welcome it," he whispered and before Zelda could react he sprung forward. He swung his blade, the deadly steel finding a home in the man's shoulder. He howled and crashed to the floor but before Zelda could react the boy, Thomas, had her by the arm and was pulling her towards the door.
"Dark!" She shouted, his black cape disappearing into the throng of thrashing bodies.
"Go!" He shouted over his shoulder as he ducked a blade and twisted. The old knight shoved through a line of men and looked over his shoulder at them.
"Your Highness!" He shouted and at the name the cavern grew still. At that moment Zelda felt as if everyone was looking at her, and realized that they were.
A moment later he was there...
Dark grabbed her arm and hauled her through the exit. The knight led the way through and out into the Town Square.
"Over here!" The knight crossed over to a group of horses and Thomas bounded into the saddle. Dark kicked a man away and brought his fingers to his lips. A shrill whistle sounded and a moment later a whiney answered. The sound of hooves bounced off of the houses and Dark snarled, swinging his sword and an arc of crimson followed.
Zelda narrowed her eyes, grasping the dagger that was concealed in her cloak and lifted it, blocking a blow from another. Dark slammed into him, his shield crunching the man's teeth.
His blood red eyes were alight with flames as they latched onto hers and she noticed that his arm was bleeding again.
"Get on your horse!" He growled as he fended off another set of men. Zelda didn't have time to reply for her horse was there. She grasped Storm's reins and lifted herself up. She danced nervously underneath her and Zelda guided her away from the flashing blades. Stryder seemed to appear out of the shadows and lashed out at a group of men. They scrambled back and out of reach of the stallion's gnashing teeth and sharp hooves. Dark turned and leapt atop his back and the horse lurched forward, Zelda quickly following after.
They raced through the streets and Zelda heard the shouts behind them. Dark steered them through, following the old knight and Thomas. As they neared the draw bridge Zelda heard Dark swear and yank Stryder to a halt. Zelda did the same, her breathing ragged as she looked up at the closed gate.
They were trapped...
Dark turned, looking over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes as they saw the figures coming from the shadows. His crimson eyes latched onto the old knight and they narrowed.
"Protect her while I lower the gate," he snapped before looking over his shoulder at her, "and don't do anything stupid!" He called and he kicked Stryder forward. The horse screamed, lunging forward and streaking towards the wall. Zelda couldn't help the twinge of anger whelm up inside her at his words but Storm danced nervously underneath her, the smell of blood making her nervous. She kept Storm in check and watched as when he got close to the wall he leapt from Stryder's back. He caught a beam and lifted himself up. He scaled the wall and kicked the lever but it didn't budge.
Zelda's eyes widened when she saw a figure behind him but before she could call out a group of bandits rushed her from the shadows. The old knight growled, his horse suddenly there and swinging his sword he quickly pushed them back.
"Thank you," Zelda murmured and opened her mouth to ask him his name but then she heard it.
The chains groaned and Zelda looked back over her shoulder, her fingers tightening on the reins when the men were twenty feet from them. They now had swords and the man who had lost his teeth was glaring at them with hatred in his eyes.
"Get behind me!" The old knight thundered as he brought his giant bay horse out front. His broadsword was lifted and his eyes glinted harshly.
"Sire!" Thomas shouted as he drew out something from his pack. Before he could pass it to the aged knight his horse shrieked and kicked out, sending a man flying backwards. Thomas steadied the animal, guiding it out and away from the reach of the swords.
"Dark!" Zelda called over her shoulder and an instant later she heard a sharp ring as a blade sliced through the thick chains. The bridge groaned and dropped, hitting the ground with a boom. Storm whinnied, lurching to the side as her hide was lanced with a sword. Zelda yelped as she lost her balance, her fingers trying to grasp onto the horse's mane but it was too late. She hit the stones and for a moment the world swam.
She sat up, her vision going blurry but she blinked, momentarily clearing it. The men seemed to have doubled in numbers and they were coming at them fast. She heard Storm behind her, her panicked pain filled whinnies echoing on the air, and the old knight shouting something.
Then something odd happened...
Figures seemed to leap out of the shadows and Zelda's eyes widened when she recognized the men Dark had previously run from, the ones where he'd forced her to stay at Mildred's so that he could take care of them. One grinned at her, his hood drawn and covering the top half of his face.
"Ah," his voice was a low whisper, like a snake's, "Princess Zelda," there were three of them and they took a step towards her, "what an honor." They reached into their cloaks and drew out twin blades that caught the light of the torches. The one in the middle had spoken to her and she scrambled backwards, her hand fumbling for her dagger.
"Who are you? What do you want?" She demanded and was surprised at the steel that was in her voice. The men in black seemed amused by it and chuckled. They seemed to play over each other, creating an endless echo and she felt fear grip her gut with icy fingers.
"What we are, are shadows, and what we want," they were only a few feet from her and she saw that the old knight and Thomas were fending off the men from the tavern, "is your life." The last words had barely left the man's lips before they lunged at her.
Her body tensed and she shot to her feet, pushing off with her legs and catching the man in the thigh and using the momentum, flipped backwards. Her landing was unsteady but she crouched down, steadying herself. They snarled at her, revealing white teeth the color of pearls and straightened.
"Do not think I'll be so easily taken," she hissed and glimpsed a dagger that one of the bandits had dropped. She edged towards it, hoping to draw their attention away from what she was doing and more towards what she was saying.
"Oh but you will," the man grinned and chuckled, "and Hyrule will be plunged into beautiful blackness, that is," he twirled his blades, "after it burns." He shot forward once more and Zelda rolled, grasping the knife and bringing it up to block his blow. She succeeded but the force that was behind it knocked her backwards and as her head hit the stones she heard a crack. Pain lanced up her head and she cried out, her whole body seemingly to be sucked of life. She could only lay there on the cold stones and three blurry figures stood above her. The man grinned once more, his lips stretching wide at his own evil glee before he lifted his swords skyward.
And brought them down...
VVVV
Link rode behind Midna, his eyes watching how she handled the spirited Shadow horse. She seemed at ease in the saddle and her manner proved it. She rode with confidence and ease, guiding them through thick foliage and twisting paths. They'd been traveling for nearly a day and he began to notice that the soft colors were fading away, growing darker. Midna explained that it was because they were drawing near the Forbidden Lands.
They were traveling down a mountain pass when it happened...
Midna was ahead of him, picking out a path when he heard it. His head shot up, his ears perking just as Ripper's head swung to the right. He whinnied a warning but it was too late. A bellow rang down through the canyon, causing the walls to tremble and Arwin sidestepped, tossing his head and rearing up. Midna remained in the saddle and she looked up, her gleaming eyes latching onto the creature.
A Shadow Beast...
It scrambled down the side of the canyon and Link spurred Ripper. He shot past and grasped Arwin's reins, pulling the shadow horse forward. They shot down the twisting path, rocks falling down around them and more than once they nearly slipped and fell. The Shadow Beast roared its anger, bounding down the walls of stone to land on the path.
"Keep going!" Midna shouted as she gripped her mount with her legs. Her hood had fallen back, revealing her fiery orange hair that whipped about her face. Link looked past her, trusting Ripper to guide himself, and wished that he hadn't.
There were more of them...
Ten of them filled the canyon and he saw more coming down the sides. Midna must have seen his expression for she looked over her shoulder as well. He saw her eyes widen before they narrowed. Twisting about in the saddle she fumbled for something before bringing it out to show him. What he saw immediately made him feel better.
It was a bomb...
"Light it!" Midna shouted while tossing it at him. He nearly dropped it but secured it against his chest, Ripper stumbling underneath him and nearly tossing him from the saddle. If he hadn't spent so many years riding Epona he would have been thrown and would have been crushed underneath the onslaught. He quickly grasped a striker and raised it into the air but as he did so he heard Midna cry out. His head snapped back and he watched as Arwin stumbled. The shadow horse screamed, its whole body tipping sideways as Midna fought to steady them.
His instincts took over and he reached out, dropping the bomb and grasping her arm. He pulled her up and against him, his arm coming around her waist and holding her close to him. Her arms came around his neck as she hung onto him.
Ripper kept running but he knew unless they made it to open ground they had no chance. The path was too narrow and the Shadow Beasts were gaining. He didn't see Arwin and he knew either the Shadow horse had been crushed or had managed to scramble out of the way before hand but he doubted it.
"Turn to the left!" Midna shouted in his ear and he grasped the reins and pulled. Ripper responded and swerved to the left. They had suddenly seemed to be plunged into a deep ravine and Ripper screamed, rearing up and getting his feet underneath him before sliding down the steep hill made up of stone and earth.
Midna tightened her hold around his neck and for a moment he caught the scent of pines and something else, something dark and seductive that made his senses tingle. Before he could dwell on it Ripper reared up once more, nearly causing them to tumble from the saddle.
A jagged cliff was before them, the drop easily more than a hundred with unforgiving rocks at the bottom. Midna cursed and turned her head, her eyes on the path behind them. The thrashing bodies of the Shadow Beasts stumbled down the path, each one trying to fight for dominance.
"We're trapped," she whispered and Link looked around, searching for an exit, anything, but there was nothing but the drop off. He looked it at but there was no hope of surviving that fall.
"Link I—" her voice was cut off by the explosion.
It rocked the ground, causing Ripper to prance and toss his head but what drew their attention was the canyon. Rocks and earth rained down on the monsters, covering them from head to foot until there was nothing left but dust. It floated through the air, seemingly to create a thick cloud of fine dirt that had them coughing.
Link reached into his saddle pack and drew out a bright blue scarf. He coughed, squinting his eyes in the gloom so he could see.
"Here," he managed and wrapped it around Midna's face. She nodded her thanks and he drew out a green and brown one. Covering his face with the green he covered Ripper's nose with the brown. He dismounted and helped Midna down as well. When her feet touched the ground she wobbled and he steadied her.
"Thank you," she murmured but she didn't let go and he found he didn't want to either. Her bright eyes were trained on the passage. "What do you think happened?" She asked and he knew she was worried about Arwin.
"I don't know, the bomb you gave me earlier wouldn't have—" He was cut off when a shape appeared out of the gloom. He jumped, his hand reaching back and grasping the sword that adorned his back. He drew it and pushed Midna behind him, raising the blade into the air.
"Be calm, Hero of Time," the voice was ancient and a blast of wind disbanded the dust, revealing a man in red robes that sat atop a red carpet that floated on the air. "I shall not harm you, in fact," the man's face was covered with a hood, "I do believe thanks are in order considering I just saved your life from those unpleasant sort of beings." His words caused Link to frown but it was Midna who answered.
"Hello Zabine," she sighed and Link jolted, looking over his shoulder at her.
"You know him?" He demanded and she nodded, though she didn't look particularly happy about it.
"Yes, since I was a small girl," her lips pulled up slightly at the corners, revealing one of her fangs. "He was considered a bad influence if I remember correctly," she stepped out from behind Link, casting him a slightly amused look before turning back to Zabine. "What are you doing here?" She ran her eyes over him but the man grinned, reaching up and removing the hood.
His skin was the same blue as Minda's, though a shade slightly lighter with gold markings around his bright eyes.
"Why I heard about your little journey to the Forbidden Lands and since I do love a complicated quest filled with danger and unrequited love I thought that I must come along, so here I am." He stood in one dramatic movement and hopped down from the red carpet, his robes fluttering around him. He grinned, revealing fangs slightly longer than Midna's. He was a foot shorter than her but that didn't take away from his manner.
It was odd...
It reminded Link of one of the sages, though only as a child, but when he spoke his voice sounded as old as time itself.
"Unrequited love?" Midna gave a derisive snort, "You were always a hopeless romantic, aren't you, Zabine?" Midna questioned and the man gave a hopeless shrug.
"I do have my perks," he winked and chuckled, "but I do believe a thank you is in order," his brows scrunched together, "I did save you both AND," he waved his arm and produced a sphere of ash that shimmered and grew, revealing Arwin who was wide eyed and scared.
"Arwin!" Midna cried and reaching up gently soothed the Shadow horse. She kissed his forehead and stroked his neck, giving a relieved sigh.
"You always could perform wonders," Midna murmured and looked back at the odd Twili. "Thank you, Zabine," she whispered and Zabine nodded.
"You are very welcome, dear Princess, now as for you, Hero of Time," Zabine swung to face him, his brows still pinched together, "I deserve a thank you from you too!"
Link blinked...
He looked like a little kid...
Then he caught Midna's fiery look and mentally shook himself.
"Ah yes, thank you." He dipped his head before straightening and sheathing his sword. "But who are you? And how do you know me?" Link questioned and Zabine rolled his eyes before leaping back atop his red carpet.
"So many questions!" He clicked his tongue disapprovingly, "And stupid ones at that," he added and Link jolted from shock before his fierce eyes narrowed.
"Hey—"
"Come along, come along, let's get moving!" Zabine called from above as he rose into the air. "Follow me, I'll guide you!" He shouted as his carpet whooshed through the air, clearing the dust from it. Link glared after him but then he heard Midna's laughter.
"That wasn't funny," Link grumbled while glowering at her but this only seemed to make her laugh even more. She flashed him a disarming grin and though he desperately tried to hang onto his anger he found that it had already disappeared, just by having her look at him and smile.
"Zabine is like that," she stroked Arwin's nose, "he's odd but," she turned and climbed into the saddle, "I like him and I have a feeling you will too." She flashed him another grin and though Link seriously doubted it he did the same and mounted up. As he adjusted himself in the saddle he shook his head and glared after the streak of red that was hovering in the distance.
"He did save our lives, and Arwin's, I suppose I owe him but who is he?" Link clucked to Ripper and Midna guided Arwin so that they were side by side. As she drew close he couldn't help but think of when her arms were around his neck and how close she'd been to him only moments before.
Of course that was when they'd been about to die...
"He used to be my teacher, but the Elders did not like his," she paused and smiled as she thought of the right word to describe the odd Twili that floated above their heads, guiding them from the clearing that had trapped them only minutes ago, "techniques in teaching me." Her answer made Link's brows rise but she rolled her eyes and smacked his arm playfully. "He taught me like he would a prince, and I'm grateful to him for that." Her eyes went above them and Link followed them.
"Why would the Elders not like that?" Link asked and his question made Midna flush.
"Well, because," she paused and looked away before raising her chin. "They wanted me to find a suitable husband when I was only a child, they wanted a king instead of a queen and I wouldn't budge on the subject and since I am the only one left with a noble blood line they were stuck with me. Zabine was hired to teach me how to be a lady, how to simply be an empty husk incapable of thinking for herself or her kingdom but he didn't. He taught me politics, how to be a queen and though they never admitted it, that is why they fired him." Her lips twitched at the corners, "They were certainly surprised when they saw the new Princess," she murmured and Link chuckled. Midna cast him a dark look but he just shook his head.
"I'm sure they were," he murmured and his eyes softened. He saw her eyes widen and her cheeks flush slightly once more before looking away.
"Let's go, Hero of Time, before Zabine leaves us behind, he does tend to do that," Midna called over her shoulder as she spurred Arwin further on. Link chuckled once more before following after her.
Zabine led them out of the twisting paths and into a wide clearing. A mountain range now lay behind them while in the distance Link saw a wide range of dead plains. He stared, perplexed at the abrupt change in the landscape. Midna didn't seem fazed by it and she continued on, leaving him to trail after her.
They travelled the rest of the day, though Link noticed how guarded Midna was now. He himself found that he was more on edge since the attack. It was careless of him not to have noticed it earlier. If Zabine hadn't of shown up then they would have been killed and...
He flinched at the sharp pain that sprang along his skull and reaching up pressed his palm against the wound that was beginning to spread. Midna looked back over her shoulder at him and then up at Zabine.
"We're stopping!" She called and Link furrowed his brows into a frown.
"Princess, I'm—"
"We're stopping," she pulled Arwin to a halt and climbed gracefully from the saddle but winced, "I'm sore and need a good stretch, plus," she looked up at the sky that was darkening slightly, "it'll be dark soon and we don't want to be stumbling around in it." She started unsaddling Arwin and making camp.
Link inwardly grinned and went to dismount but his head erupted in pain. He fumbled with the stirrup and stumbled out of the saddle.
"Link?" He heard her worried voice but he suddenly felt as if he couldn't breathe and he shook his head, trying to shake the blackness that was creeping along his vision off. A cool hand touched his shoulder but his legs were suddenly weak and he crashed to the ground.
"Link!" He heard her voice, it seemed far away, distant, and he looked up at the twilight covered sky.
Eerie yet beautiful...
That was the last thought that drifted through his head before the blackness took him...
VVVV
His plan was going perfectly...
He grinned from the shadows, his eyes filled with the hunger for power latching onto the souls that dangled from his strings. They were his puppets, his tools, and once they were done, had performed their tasks and were no longer useful to him he'd toss them away like the pathetic excuses for beings that they were.
Then he'd make his move...
He grinned again, his face transforming into a mask of pure evil and he felt the Usurper King's fear.
"Sire, I tried to do as you asked but—"
"No, Zant, you did not." He felt the rage at his impudence whelming up inside him but he restrained himself. He still needed the weak little creature but afterwards when his task was complete that would not be the case.
"I needed you to destroy the Dark Hero, they both stand in my way and I cannot have either of them alive when I make my move." His voice thundered and Zant trembled.
"Y-Yes, I understand." His voice shook and quivered, dripping with fear and submission and he snorted.
"No, you do not." He felt the power in him growing, "But you will." He reached out, his fingers dark trails that touched the Twili's skull. "You will."
Zant's mouth dropped open, his eyes bulging with the new sensations that flooded through him.
Power...
It was immense...
Breathtaking...
Corruptible...
He saw it taking root in the broken Twili's heart and he smirked as he watched it bloom, make it whole and destroying what once was. When it was done the once cowering and quivering husk was no longer there. Instead a figure that radiated dark power and beheld blood red eyes that glowed with the power that coursed through its veins looked back at him.
"Now," he felt the immense pleasure of having his plan unfolding before him, "you understand." The figure bowed, his blood red eyes glinting with evil mirth.
"I do," the voice echoed with the power he'd given him.
"Then go," he withdrew but his voice remained to whisper the last words. "And destroy her." The figure only remained a moment longer before turning and disappearing in a flash of light.
His destination...
The Princess...
And the Dark Hero who guarded her...
AUTHOR NOTE: Sorry I haven't posted in so long! Life has gotten busy, as it usually tends to do, but know that I am still writing! I actually have a surprise to mention too! Since I love writing so much I created my own website, wwwDOTmidnightrosebooksDOTcom, , fanfiction doesn't let you provide websites but I'm hoping that they will on this, theDOTS I would love it if you all who read my FanFiction stories would get on and read my novels! I've worked hard on them and they are all self-published, though there is only one so far but the next one is coming, VERY SOON, so if you find grammatical errors-my bad-please bear with me on it! I hope you like my own self-written stories as much as you do my FanFiction stories but if you don't please continue on reading my works on this site! Thank you all who have been so patient waiting on this story! P.S If you like my works please tell your friends and family about it too! I would really appreciate it! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! MidnightRose72