An update on Wednesday this time, since I'll be out of town the next two days. I should have no problem getting an internet connection, but just in case I wanted to make sure this got up.

Thanks to Rawr I'm a Toaster, Farlie30519, Neko-Chan, Gojira Geek, A Shadow's Lament, ShadowNinja1011, Guest, GameCivilization, Kamil the Awesome, Heidihammond14, AngelicParadox91, MrSnowmanJoe, ZeldaFanForever, Mangageek26, Drewyyy101, Christian Cadet, BloodlustAssassin, OMGAReview, MajesticStallion, CaptainAzenor, Snowyflakes, Screen, iranda20, WolfenAmpthithere, Zeldafreak2000, T-Reg95, Shaveza, and R. Recollect for your reviews!

Thespiritmaiden: I'm aiming for this to be around 100,000 words, and it won't be nearly as long as Bright as Night, haha.

Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda

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Part I

Chapter Three

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Zelda could barely stop herself from jogging as she hurried down the dusty, less used corridors of Hyrule Castle to the records room and Sahashrala. She hoped he would have some information for her. A great amount of information would be preferred, but even a little bit would help. She needed to know who Link was. She was getting such different messages from him, from Captain Karane and the soldiers, and from her Triforce that she didn't know what was true. But she knew she couldn't hold off her decision forever. Sooner or later, she'd have to consult with her father on Link's fate.

She knocked on the door before entering the sunlit room. "Sahashrala?"

"Hello, what?" the old man peered from behind a shelf of books. "Oh! Princess! Yes, yes, you asked me to research the criminal Link."

"Yes, I did. I'm . . . hoping you have some news," she said politely, walking a few steps inside.

He shuffled over to a low table stacked with papers, his yellow and orange robes swaying about him. "Well, it was easy enough to find his trial and execution papers, and even records on his criminal activities. The most recent census places him in Trash City, though of course that would only be a theory since no one respectable goes there. So for more information I searched through birth records, marriage records, even gravestone records in hopes he was named after his father. I looked for the older census that would have been taken when he was a child. And, well, I have some news."

Zelda leaned forward unconsciously. "Yes?"

Sahashrala looked up at her. "There are no records of Link. None of the sources I looked through had anything on him. It's like he never existed."

The princess felt disappointment settle in her stomach. "So, we don't know anything else about him, then?"

"I wouldn't say that," the old man smiled. "Because we have a group of people whose records are missing. And they all have one thing in common." He raised his bushy white eyebrows. "They were all in the Kakariko Village fire."

Zelda frowned, intrigued. She drifted over to a wooden chair on the opposite side of the table and sat down. She could smell the old parchment and dust from the papers. "The Kakariko Village fire. That happened when I was very little. They never figured out who did it or why, correct?"

"Correct," Sahashrala sat down, also. "The majority of those living in the village died. Some escaped to tell the story. For those who survived, we have a break in their records. Of course there were children there who perished that have gone unrecorded in history. All the records kept in Kakariko Village were destroyed. There are marriage papers we will never know about, birth certificates lost to the flames, even death certificates that are forgotten. It's a sad business, really. But given that correlation, I think it's safe to assume Link was born in Kakariko. It's likely his parents died there, though that's not certain. He must have survived and turned to a life of crime, which is why our only records of him are those."

The young woman blinked, taking this all in. "Thank you, sir. You've been very helpful."

He nodded his head. "It's my pleasure."

When Zelda left and began to walk aimlessly down the castle halls, her mind was a tumult of thoughts. It helped make some sense of Link, at least, although it didn't give her his life story or tell why he might be important to the goddesses and a crook. But every little bit helped. She wanted to go down and see Link again, ask him about Kakariko, but her father had forbidden her from speaking to him more than one time.

So it was with a pensive mind and a bit of depression that she met her friend, Lady Mila, for a morning stroll through the gardens. Mila looked as she always had, and it brought a small smile to Zelda's face as she met her by the shimmering fountain. Mila's blonde hair was done up in extravagant curls, her pink dress luxurious and billowy with puffy white lace. She held a matching umbrella above her head, casting her space in shade.

"Zelda, my friend!" Mila smiled, waving daintily.

The princess shook her head with amusement. She refused to carry an umbrella; she liked the sun on her skin. And she almost felt underdressed in her blue spring dress that came to her knees. "It's good to see you, Mila."

"I have the most wonderful news for you!" her friend began as they started down the white stone path. "Things have been going so well with my boyfriend that we've reached a new level in our relationship!"

"You didn't sleep with him, did you?" Zelda couldn't help but joke.

Mila fanned at her shoulder with one slender hand. "No, no, you scandalous thing! I painted him! I gave him a nice fiery design on his neck. I felt so happy, and he was just all smiles!"

The princess felt sorry for Mila's boyfriend. She had no artistic talent in the slightest. As her friend rattled on about the "intimate experience" and how "totally in love" she was, Zelda's mind wandered. She gazed at the gardens as they walked through them. All honey sunshine, vibrant green, and flowers that were as bright as gemstones. It smelled wonderful, and the fountains that were interspersed made a pleasant background music. The castle walls didn't seem to crowd them, and the soldiers in armor that reflected the sun didn't interrupt them. It was really the perfect place to escape the castle life. Or any life, for that matter.

"Hello, Princess Zelda?" Mila waved in front of her face. "Are you listening to me?"

"Hmm?" Zelda glanced at the other young woman. "Oh, sorry. There's just been a lot going on."

"Indeed," Mila's eyes narrowed. "I heard about what you did in the execution chamber."

"You wha-" Zelda broke off, realizing that naturally Mila would have heard about it. She did stand up in the middle of the public executions, after all. "I guess word gets around."

"It does."

"What do people say about it?"

Mila shrugged. "Oh, many things. Some think you were just being compassionate because he was so young, or so I've heard. Some think you actually did learn new evidence and it's a big cover-up scandal. Still less flattering gossip going about is that you went mad or that he's your secret lover." She wiggled her eyebrows.

Zelda laughed, letting her hand trail over some low-hanging leaves as they walked. "I swear, does every royal family have to have some gossip about their love life?"

"The greatest story of all is about love," Mila purred. "Everyone lives their fantasies through the rich and famous. Tell me what really is going on, though. I'm so curious!"

Zelda let out her breath heavily. "It's . . . nothing you'd be interested in."

"Tell me anyway."

"My Triforce piece was urging me to save him. So I did."

Mila's face scrunched up. "You're right, that wasn't interesting." They both laughed, and she continued, "So why do you think that is? Who is he?"

"I don't know," the princess replied. "I've been trying to find out. He wasn't cooperative when I spoke to him."

"Are you going to try again?"

Zelda shook her head. "I can't. My father hates this whole situation and only permitted me to speak to Link – the criminal – once."

Mila grew silent for a few seconds, twirling her umbrella between her fingers, before saying, "I don't want you to get into any sort of trouble, Zel, but maybe you should go speak to him again anyway."

"Mila!"

"I'm serious! He might be more responsive now. Bring him a cookie, peasants love cookies."

Zelda giggled, passing her hand over her eyes, "Oh goodness, Mila. Maybe you're right, though. Just one more time can't hurt. I'll try to keep it secret from my father."

"And even if he finds out," her friend said, "it's better to beg forgiveness than ask permission."

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LoZ

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The second trip down to the dungeons wasn't any better than the first. Zelda still huddled in on herself against the chill, and cupped her hand protectively over the cookie she'd brought to save it from the dirt and dust. Her footsteps echoed all around her as she finally descended the steps and came to the dungeon.

"Your Highness," one of the guards greeted. "How may we serve you?"

"I wish to speak to the prisoner I spared from death again," Zelda said with authority, concealing the food in her palm. "I think I can learn more from him a second time."

"As you wish," the guard replied, and escorted her there before planting a torch on the wall and leaving her alone once again.

The darkness crowded her, the torchlight just barely holding it at bay. The flickering orange casted shadows all about. It was because of the poor light that Zelda had to look twice to be certain that was Link huddled in the corner, sleeping. He was curled up on his side, using his arm as a pillow. His face was dirty but he looked peaceful. She almost didn't want to wake him.

"Link?" she said in a hushed tone, stepping closer to the cell. "Link."

His eyes fluttered open, catching the light. When they focused on her he groaned, burying his face in his arm. "You're back. Why are you back?"

"I . . . brought you a cookie."

That caught his attention. He raised his head up, looking more disbelieving and sarcastic than she thought anyone could. But when he caught sight of the food in her hand he sat up abruptly, his face pulling down into a frown. "You really did. Why did you bring me a cookie?"

She shrugged helplessly, regretting listening to Mila's advice. Mila never gave good advice. "I just . . . I know the food you get is pretty gross. And I thought this might make you want to talk more."

"I told you everything," he responded tensely. He held out his palm. "Now hand that over. I'm hungry."

She almost wanted to demand he tell her the truth or he wouldn't get the cookie at all, but she thought that seemed pretty childish and would take this conversation in a direction she didn't want it to go. She wanted him to cooperate, not get angry. So she held the food out by the bars.

"Toss it," he said.

She scowled but tossed it all the same. Her aim was terrible, but his hand flashed out lightning-quick and caught it. He sniffed the cookie for a moment, looking at it suspiciously, before giving a shrug and beginning to eat. Those blue eyes flicked back up to her as he spoke, his words muffled with food, "What did you want to know?"

How to approach this? She didn't want to just jump into asking about Kakariko if it was a sensitive subject. She decided to go broader. "Where are your parents? Should I tell them you're alive? Let them see you or something?"

He shook his head. "They're dead. I have no other family in Hyrule."

"Oh. That must be lonely."

Link just stared at her, finishing off the last of his cookie.

She took a breath, trying again. "Where were you born?"

"In Hyrule."

This time she couldn't help but heave an exasperated sigh, leaning against the bars.

"What do you want?" he demanded, anger lacing his tone. "Why all these personal questions? I don't get it."

Zelda gripped the rusty bars with white knuckles. "I want to understand you, Link. I want to understand why I needed to spare you. I'm really putting some effort into this, but if you don't help me out here my father would like nothing better than to finish your execution. Captain Karane is practically ready to tie the noose herself."

Link laughed. "Ah, Captain Karane! I miss her shenanigans."

Zelda couldn't help but smile at that. "She was pretty satisfied when she talked about catching you."

He huffed. "Well, if I hadn't been running for my life and gotten injured she never would have. I can't believe I didn't notice her at the executions. Surely she would have come. Was she there?"

"She was out of town that day," Zelda answered.

"I'm surprised she hasn't come down to threaten me," he continued, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Technically only I have freedom to speak to you since I spared you temporarily," Zelda explained. "And it will only be temporarily if you don't work with me here." She took a breath and dove right in. "So tell me what happened at Kakariko Village."

Link grew very still, his eyes boring into hers. A silence stuffed itself between them, only broken by the crackling of the torch.

Getting tired of his stare, Zelda pushed forward, "Your birth certificate is missing, and you're not on any census. We have a group of citizens like that, and all of them had their records burned in the Kakariko Village fire. So I figured you were born there. Did that make you turn to crime? Is that how your parents died?"

"You're very rude, you know," he growled. "You think you can just take information from anybody. Well, not from me, sister. Yes, I was born there and yes, that's how my parents died. But you asking about why I'm a criminal, as if the guilt of what happened caused-"

"The guilt?" Zelda interrupted, frowning at the word choice. "What would you have to be guilty for?" She gasped. "Did you start the fires?"

"What?!" he looked at her as if she was crazy. "Are you kidding me? I was five when it happened!"

"Then why would you feel guilty?"

Link paused, his mouth open as if to give a heated retort, but then he closed it. He let out his breath slowly before saying more softly, "I misspoke. That was all."

"I want to know-"

"That was all," he said again, more forcefully. "Now leave me alone." He looked to the side, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

Zelda stood there for several seconds, frustrated. But then she turned and headed back to her room.

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LoZ

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King Daphnes was wary when he heard that Captain Karane requested an audience with him. He was even more wary when she walked in with a darker scowl than usual and her arms crossed.

"Yes, Captain?" he asked from the seat of a golden throne, which was raised up on a platform over the marble throne room floor.

"I have a question about the prisoner Link," she stated, the evening sun that came from the long windows cast her shadow behind her.

"We covered quite a bit about him yesterday," Daphnes replied. "I don't see what else there is to discuss."

Karane paused, glaring down at the floor, before looking back up at him. "I know you are the king, Your Majesty. And I'm not undermining your rule. But you have given authority to the army over the law breakers in Hyrule."

"Only because you are more aware of all the details and have the man power to carry out your missions," Daphnes replied with an edge to his tone. "If I think something supersedes your wishes, then it is my decision."

"Your Majesty!" Karane exclaimed, throwing her arms out. "Link is dangerous! He can't be allowed to go free! I've hunted him for years!"

The king raised a placating hand. He didn't want this little fiasco to spiral out of control. "He will not be going free."

"Maybe that's what Princess Zelda wants," Karane stated. "If there was an issue with his execution it seems to me she should have already brought it up."

Daphnes was about to rebuke her, not liking his daughter to be questioned, but then he sighed and thought better of it. He didn't want a war waged in his castle over the fate of this young man. This time he needed to be a mediator to make sure both sides got what they wanted. "I hear your concerns, Captain. I will give my daughter two days to finalize her opinion. Once she does, the three of us will sit down and decide what to do next."

That seemed to satisfy her. She nodded her head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After she left, Daphnes departed the throne room and made his way to find Zelda. He asked a few guards that he passed if they'd seen her, and one thought she'd been heading to her room earlier. Her chambers were on the third floor of the castle, on a wall that overlooked the gardens and even the city beyond. It was a long way there from the throne room on the first level. And by the time he got there, the king knew he wouldn't be happy if Zelda was elsewhere.

But he found her sitting on a white cushioned stool, her easel in front of her. It had a piece of large parchment stuck on it that she was slowly painting on. He couldn't tell what she was painting yet. Just a mess of greens and blues. She was positioned between the open doors of her balcony, sunshine and a breeze coming in.

He smiled at her from her doorway. She was a very beautiful young woman. "Zelda?"

She glanced over. "Hi, Dad. I'm painting a landscape."

"It looks nice, sweetheart. Can we talk for a minute?"

She visibly stiffened, but she offered him a smile before twisting on her stool. "Um, yes?"

"We need to talk about Link."

She nodded, and he thought he saw her jaw tighten.

"I don't want to argue about this," the king stated, hoping to calm her down. "But Captain Karane is anxious to punish Link."

Zelda blinked, seeming surprised. "You're . . . you're here about what Karane wants?"

"She's very upset, Zelda," Daphnes replied.

Seeming more relaxed now, the princess said, "Oh, I see. She wants to punish Link, you said? Pffft." Zelda shook her head. "He's already in the dungeons, that is considered a punishment."

"Zelda," he sighed, "the Captain raises legitimate points. I told her I'd give you two more days to form your opinion on Link. After that, the three of us will meet and decide what to do with him."

Zelda pursed her lips, looking to the side. "I guess that sounds fine."

"Good," Daphnes smiled. "I'm glad that's settled. I'll see you for dinner tonight."

After he left her room Zelda couldn't find the desire to paint anymore. She paced around, her curtains ruffling in the wind, as she tried to decide what to do. Ask for Link to just stay in the dungeons permanently? Did the goddesses want him to stay there permanently? Or was she just misreading the whole thing?

Too late for those kinds of thoughts, Zelda told herself. He's alive and now we're moving forward.

She knew Karane wanted execution. She'd just have to try to avoid that. Should she try to have Link kept close to her? Zelda almost felt like dismissing him. He was such a pain to talk to. Getting him out of her life might be for the best.

She tried to concentrate on her father when they ate dinner together, a nice meal of chicken drizzled with honey and toast to the side. Afterward she read some of her book on Hyrule's laws to stay fresh, but her mind kept wandering. The sun dropped below the horizon and a full moon came out. She shut up her balcony and changed into a silk nightgown. Her mind still turning over what to do, she lied down on her large, circular bed and closed her eyes.

And then a realization came to her. Something Link had said that she'd missed before but caught her attention now.

Well, if I hadn't been running for my life and gotten injured . . .

As if the guilt of what happened . . .

Her eyes flew open, staring up at the pastel canopy of her bed. He'd been running for his life in Hyrule Castle City when Karane said she'd caught him on a standard patrol. Meaning it wasn't her or the soldiers he'd been running from. And "running for my life" was a rather severe statement, one she didn't think he'd use unless he meant it.

And then, when she'd brought up the Kakariko Village fire and asked if that was what caused him to commit crime, he'd mentioned having guilt about it. Survivor's guilt, maybe, but the way he dodged her questions afterward made her think it was something else.

Pieces were beginning to fall into place. And she needed to speak to him now.

Zelda jumped out of bed. She grabbed a thick, patterned robed and threw it on, tying the sash securely about her narrow waist. She slipped her feet into some sandals and hurried to her oval mirror. Quickly running a brush through her hair, she applied some color to her lips before leaving her room.

She knew this was uncouth, and it would probably be best if she just waited until tomorrow. But she wanted to avoid her father and really had the urge to confront Link about this. She felt a little crazy, but she liked it.

The castle halls were nearly deserted. She passed two guards on her way down, offering them an innocent smile. She saw a maid finishing up her work, but otherwise everything was silent. Reaching the dungeon steps, the princess quickly made her way down, hand trailing the stone wall.

At the dungeons, she was stopped by a surprised guard. "Princess! The hour is late, can we help you with something?"

She took on her air of authority again. "Some information has been acquired about Link. I need to interrogate him immediately." As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she'd said the wrong thing.

The guard straightened, glancing back at the other solider behind him. "Your Highness, we can interrogate him if that is your wish. It is unwise to do so alone."

She held up a hand. "Sorry, I . . . misspoke," she told them, using one of Link's excuses. "I just need to verify something with him. Everything really is fine. Please hand me a torch, I can find my own way."

The guards exchanged curious looks, but one handed her a light anyway. She nodded her thanks and quickly left them behind. The shadows parted before her and closed after her. It seemed most of the other prisoners here were asleep. Just a couple blinked at the light inquisitively as it passed. She saw Link's cell up ahead, and made out the form of the young man leaning against the back wall. He raised a hand to shield his eyes as she planted the torch in the sconce, turning to face him.

"Who are you running from?" Zelda asked, crossing her arms.

He blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the new light. "Do you have any idea how late it is?"

She frowned. "It's not even midnight yet."

"No, it's not. But it is my sleepy time."

Zelda growled, reaching forward and grabbing the bars. "Why are you so difficult to talk to?!"

Link tilted his head to the side, looking at her sardonically. "Maybe because you have me locked up in a cell?"

"You listen to me," she said icily, "you are in a cell right now but you are alive. Karane is just itching to finish you off, and right now the only thing standing between you and the noose is me. So you might want to consider telling me the truth, or I'll just hand you over to the law."

His expression turned sulky as he stared up at her, his knees pulled close to him. He didn't say anything, but that was all the answer Zelda needed.

She drew closer to the bars, her voice softer now. "Who are you running from?"

Link was silent a few moments longer before he responded quietly, "How did you figure it out?"

"I put pieces of what you said together," the princess answered. "Someone is after you. And they have been for awhile, haven't they? The Kakariko Village fire . . . it was started to kill you?"

"I was the reason, yes," he replied, his voice almost a whisper. She saw hurt in his eyes, and he was looking at her guardedly. As if he didn't trust her.

"Let me help you," Zelda pressed. "I'll have you protected. Tell me who is after you."

Link shook his head, giving a soft laugh. "I can't tell you. You're safer not knowing."

"I'm always guarded in the castle," the princess protested. "No one can hurt me."

"Your soldiers have never fought an enemy like this before," he countered. "I won't tell you, and I'm not budging on that."

Zelda watched him, wondering what to say to that. At last she just asked simply, "What's your favorite color?"

He laughed in surprise. "What?"

"Your favorite color. What is it?"

"Green," Link answered with a curious smile.

"Mine is blue," she told him. "Blue like the sky."

He was quiet a moment before asking, "How old are you, Princess?"

"Nineteen. And you?"

"Nineteen, also."

She chuckled. "Both nineteen and yet down very different paths."

He gave her a smile, one that seemed very genuine, as they lapsed into a more comfortable silence.

"So what are you going to do?" he finally asked, looking up at her.

Zelda sighed. "I'm not sure yet. But if someone was trying to kill you when you were five years old, then they must have known you were important. Right?"

" . . . Right. Whatever you say."

"So you can't be executed," she stated. "But it's not as if you're guiltless and should be set free."

His smile dropped, his eyes darkening. "Well we'd hate for a mass murderer like me to go free, now wouldn't we?"

Zelda gave him a scowl. "You can't pretend you aren't a career criminal. You broke laws and those laws have consequences."

"So you're just going to keep me locked in this cell for the rest of my life?" he snapped. "You don't want to kill me because you think I'm special, but think staying in prison until I die is a better option?"

"You are the criminal here, not me! Don't try to make me feel sorry for you."

"Do you even have the capacity for sympathy?"

She took a step back from the bars, glaring. "It's obvious you don't, with how many victims you've made of people."

Link leaned further back against the wall, huddling in on himself and crossing his arms. "I'm glad you've got me figured out."

"I don't have you figured out," she spat. "And that's what frustrates me because in two days I'll need to have you figured out enough to stop Karane from hanging you."

"Just let her," he muttered bitterly, glancing away. "Then everyone is happy."

She scoffed, shaking her head. "Is this how you respond to all your problems in life?"

Link stared fixedly to the side, not moving.

"Fine," she sighed. "Don't talk." And so she left.

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LoZ

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The tavern nestled just off the main street of Hyrule Castle City was a nice one. At least as far as taverns go. It was the only one Jon would agree to going to whenever Kev persisted on a night out. It was a busy and bustling, but the people there looked clean-cut and were generally polite, if not a bit rowdy. Round wooden tables dotted the floor, making getting anywhere a maze of twisting and weaving. Night had fallen outside, and the tavern was lit with the homey glow of many lanterns.

"I missed this place," Kev said. "It's been too long since we visited!"

Now a seasoned soldier, Kev had short auburn hair and a thick goatee. He was still too easy-going for Jon's tastes, but ever since that stormy night guarding the drawbridge the two of them had become close.

"I'm getting too old for this," Jon muttered.

"Nonsense! You're only as old as you feel," Kev stated with a grin. "I'm going to grab us some drinks. What do you want?"

"Just water is fine," the older man answered. "Or lemonade, rather."

Saluting, Kev got up and made his way over to the bar.

Jon observed the other people in the tavern for a few moments, the conversation a little too loud, before a middle-aged, dark haired man sat down across from him. He was plain, with simple clothes and a narrow face.

"Hello, sir," the man said. "I'm a reporter for the Hyrule Castle City News. We want to feature an article in our next issue about the executions."

Jon grunted, not wanting to be impolite but he wasn't a fan of strangers talking to him in taverns, especially reporters.

"I was wondering if you could tell me a little about it?" the man gave a prompting smile, his eyebrows high on his forehead.

Giving a long sigh, Jon replied, "Not much to say. We were executing ten this month. Captain Karane couldn't make it, so I gave the final words to each criminal."

"Okay. I heard Princess Zelda freed someone. Link, right? What can you tell me about that?"

Jon didn't want to be the source of any gossip. He replied gruffly, "He's not free, he's in the castle dungeons. Why don't you go talk to my friend Kev back there," he gestured to the younger man, "he's more talkative."

"I think I have all I need. Thank you sir," the man left the way he'd come, going through the crowds before leaving the tavern.

Jon shook his head, tapping his fingers against the table. He looked down at his hand and pulled up short, noticing a black spider on the table. That was a little odd. This tavern was usually much cleaner. He brushed the creature off with the back of his hand, shaking his head in disgust, before noticing a curvy blonde woman coming in through the door. Her big eyes scanned the area before settling on Kev. She gave a sultry smile and made her way over to him.

Uh-oh, Jon thought. Trouble. He better not leave my table for hers or I'm not going for a 'night on the town' with him again.

Without being too conspicuous, Jon leaned back to listen to what they were saying. He just caught about half of the conversation. She was being flirty with him and he was playing right back.

"So you're a soldier?" she asked. "That . . . so brave!"

He heard Kev chuckle. " . . . like it. Things stay interesting."

"You were at the execution . . .?"

Jon frowned, leaning further back to hear better. Was she another reporter?

"It was about the same as it usually is," Kev said. "Though this time Princess Zelda pulled some kid from the noose. That was about it."

"I heard about that!" the woman responded. "Sounds exciting. Do you know why she sent him to the castle dungeons?"

"No idea. All I know is we're holding him there until the princess decides what to do with him."

Jon frowned. Link was a popular subject, it seemed. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but something seemed very odd. After a few minutes the woman left, not sparing a glance back as she exited the tavern. Kev returned to the table with two drinks.

"Sorry about that," the younger man said. "This pretty girl came to talk to me. But she seemed to lose interest fast and left. Just my luck."

"Yeah . . ." Jon replied, puzzled.

"What? What's wrong?"

"It's just . . . I just had a reporter ask me about the executions and Link. And then you had someone ask you about the executions and Link right afterward."

Kev shrugged. "The executions are always popular topics. And what the princess did was surprising. It's gossip." He eyed the older man. "What, you think something suspicious is going on?" He laughed. "Oh, Jon! You shouldn't worry so much. It was just a coincidence."

"Yeah," Jon sighed, glancing down. "I guess it was."

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Please review!

For those who don't know, some of the characters featured are real Zelda characters. Sahashrala is a wise man from A Link to the Past, Mila is a rich girl on Windfall Island in Wind Waker, and Karane is a student at the Knight Academy in Skyward Sword.