Ugh I know, I know! For some reason I've had no motivation to write anything. Sometimes that just happens. But at last I've gotten this chapter done. Not as long as I hoped, but I was glad just to reach my minimum word mark. I promise, though, whether I'm updating every week or once a month, I'll never leave this story for any extended amount of time and I've completed everything I've ever written. So don't worry about this story being unfinished!

Thanks to From Dust to Ashes, ShadowNinja1011, R. Recollect, katieOot, Mangageek26, justdoodlingaround, Neez, MajesticStallion, WolfenAmphithere, thespiritmaiden, Kamil the Awesome, Laurie Chausse, Anon69, Zelink005, tentsubasa, Alfred pierce, GameCivilization, , CosmicZelda, Black Lotus13, Shaveza, Mira Moonshine, A Shadow's Lament, Guest, Gojira Geek, sonicxjones, Sheikah Moon, Zeldafreak2000, Mondopartyman, igottawiimote and CaptainAzenor for your reviews!

Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda

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Part II

Chapter Seven

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Link had known better. And he was angry at himself for falling for the trick. He'd seen that blonde gambler a few times before and she'd never bothered to give him a second glance. Which didn't upset him; he wasn't interested in her type. Or any woman for that matter. He was better off alone. Everyone he cared for always got hurt in the end.

Then suddenly she came up to him at the pub in central Trash City, talking to him and running a finger over his hand. If he was being honest he had kind of liked the attention. Just a little taste of what he was depriving himself of.

But that was when she had slipped up. She called him by his name, and he had never told her his name. When he asked her, he could see the stunned disappointment in her eyes. Veran was usually cool and composed, she didn't often slip up. But he knew the look in her eyes when she did. Or the look through the eyes of the person she was possessing.

He'd gotten out of there as quickly as he could. He ran and ran and ran through the dark labyrinth that made up the streets of Trash City. It was raining, and he'd stumbled on things he couldn't see. The rain made his clothes stick to him and his eyelashes heavy.

He had ducked behind a rickety shop to catch his breath, his side cramping. This was the first time Veran had ever caught him in Trash City. It was why he preferred the island so much. It was easy to get lost here. Easy to stay secret and out of sight.

A hand suddenly latched onto his shoulder, nails digging into him. He turned and buried his foot in the blonde woman's stomach, making her double over. He got to his feet and took off running again, brushing off a spider that clung to his shoulder.

The chase had gone on the rest of the night before Link finally lost her. He had finally made his way down to the sewers and swam through some thick muck before wedging himself in a dark and cold niche. For an hour he lied there with his hand over his heart, afraid it was beating too loudly.

He didn't cry, though. He wanted to, but tears had never done him any good. This was his life. And self-pity wouldn't save him. Only he could make sure he survived to see the next day.

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Link slowly opened his eyes, frowning at the memory. He had had many encounters with Veran over his life. Often they wormed their way into his sleep. He didn't mind going back over the chases; it gave him a chance to consider her patterns and how to better avoid her. But he didn't like dreaming about them. He didn't want to see her more than he had to.

He sat up, pushing the blanket off of him and running his fingers through his hair. He glanced over at Zelda a few feet away. Still sound asleep in the hammock. She deserved the rest.

After another hour of walking he'd taken her to his hidden home. It was just an oval space, the walls rusted metal, hidden within a pile that was half trash half building. Some blankets were thrown on the floor to make it softer. He had a hammock hanging from the ceiling, half of a couch that he'd sewn up so it looked better, and a lopsided dresser where he kept his few belongings.

Some light barely came in through tiny cracks in the ceiling, illuminating his home in a gray twilight. He crawled over to the dresser and tugged open the bottom drawer, examining the contents. Nope, all of his food had gone bad. They'd have to find something out in the city.

He changed into a fresh pair of pants and his old boots, glad to be back home. There was only one other person who knew about this place. He had reservations about bringing Zelda, but there was nowhere else to put her. The safest place was with him.

Zelda groaned, and he glanced over to see her sitting up, looking around in semi-confusion.

"Good morning, Princess," he greeted, smiling. "Sleep well?"

She nodded, rubbing her face to get the circulation going. "Ugh . . . I need my vanity. I'm probably a mess."

His smile changed into a smirk as he stretched his back, securing a dagger on his belt. "I have a small mirror if that will be of any help."

"It will, thanks." She got up, slowly making her way over to him. "Am I supposed to wear these same clothes today, too?"

"Well, of course. No one will notice. You can go shopping if you want, but not with my rupees."

Zelda rolled her eyes. "Goodness forbid. I still have some of my own. Though I hope you have a plan for some income."

He sighed. Providing for a second person wouldn't be easy, but he could manage. "Of course I do work, Princess. Actually today I'm going to need to look for a job. Traveling here from Hyrule Castle wasn't cheap."

He handed her the foggy mirror and Zelda examined herself in it, cringing. She was a mess. She had never looked so disheveled in her entire life. She couldn't believe she was about to go in public like this. When she noticed Link watching her she smoothed her hair self-consciously. "Don't look, I'm ugly today."

A surprised laugh escaped him, and he plucked the mirror from her hand. "You couldn't be ugly. Now let's go find breakfast!"

They left his home through a secret tunnel that he always had covered up. It was a ten minute walk to get through it, most of the time ducking and once crawling to get through the passage. Zelda could barely remember coming in this way the night before; she'd been so tired. But now that she really took it in, she felt sorry for him. Living in such a secluded place was probably the only way he felt safe.

At last they exited and made their way out of the half-building half-trash pile and into Trash City in the daylight. Zelda blinked as she took it in, the sunlight shining off all the metal around. But a haze still lingered over the island, and the haphazard streets were tightly tucked between buildings. And she could make out many, many more people. It was a true city, with so many going about their day. Although some were just sitting around, and about half of those drinking. Everyone was dirty and scraggly. Children ran without shoes, men had clothes barely stitched together, and women wore too much make up.

"Where are we going for breakfast?" she asked.

He led the way, pointing. "There's a bar up ahead that serves the best breakfast. And best of all I get it for free."

"Breakfast in a bar?" she asked, frowning.

"Oh, don't worry, I have privileges there. We'll go through a back door and get to eat in the storage room."

She eyed him suspiciously. "And why is it you have privileges here?"

A genuine smile spread across his face as they turned down a street that was roughly paved with stones and descended rickety steps to a building that was nestled in a dark corner. "I want to introduce you to the woman who owns this place. Ever since my parents died, she raised me. I owe my life to her, without a doubt."

She blinked, surprised. She was about to meet the woman who had been like a mother to him since the Kakariko Village fire. She wasn't sure what to think that this woman also owned a bar. "Oh . . . I'd love to meet her."

"You'll like her," he winked. "Everyone does. Her name is Telma." He stopped at the back door to the bar and knocked out a rhythm. When he did, he felt his throat get dry. It had been so long since he'd done that knock. He was sure Telma had heard by now that he wasn't executed. But he could only imagine the distress she must have been in, knowing he had been sentenced to death. It made him feel guilty for getting caught. Feel guilty for giving up while he was in prison.

There was a pause and the door opened up to reveal a robust, dark skinned woman with full lips and red hair that was tied back. Her dark eyes focused on Link, and then she broke into sobs, wrapping her strong arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug. He returned it, burying his face in her shoulder and trying not to cry himself.

Zelda stood there and watched. And she knew she had made the right decision coming to Trash City with Link.

"Oh my goddesses, Link!" Telma cried. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"

"I know, I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice muffled by her shirt.

She pulled back, holding him at arm's length and looking him over, as if to be sure he was in one piece. "Oh . . . I could slap you right now. Come inside, come inside." She noticed Zelda. "Who is this?"

"I'm his friend," she supplied, taking a step forward. "My name is, uh, Mila."

"Is she safe?" Telma directed the question to Link.

He nodded. "Yes, I trust her."

Seeming satisfied, Telma ushered them inside. The storage room was large and square, with boxes ringing the walls. A rusty chandelier hung overhead. There was a round table with a few chairs, and a stack of newspapers in one corner.

As soon as the door closed Telma and Link hugged again, not saying a word. Zelda silently took a seat, looking away until they both parted.

"I love you," the red-haired woman sighed, gazing at Link. "I'm so happy to see you're okay. I read that the Princess had spared your life and a few days later you escaped the castle."

He nodded as the two of them sat at the table, the chairs creaking under their weight. "That I did, that I did."

"What happened? How did you get caught? Why did the princess spare your life?"

Link shrugged, not giving a glance in Zelda's direction. He didn't want Telma to suspect the young woman of anything. "I twisted my ankle running from the soldiers and so they caught me. I was put on death row rather quickly, as you can imagine. Captain Karane was very eager to get me out of her life. I was pretty scared when I was taken to be executed . . ." He trailed off for a moment, feeling the fear again in his gut. But it was over, and so he pushed the feeling away and went on, "Princess Zelda said she saved me because her Triforce of Wisdom told her so. But she didn't know anything more than that."

Zelda resisted the urge to huff. It wasn't her fault she didn't know.

"But Veran attacked the castle," Link continued, meeting Telma's eyes. "I used that to my advantage and escaped. And I've been traveling ever since. Mila here," he tilted his head in the blonde girl's direction, "met me at a tavern and we bonded rather quickly. She's on the run, too, stole some money from her overbearing father who wants her to marry a rich snob to pay off his gambling debt."

Zelda tried not to roll her eyes in exasperation.

Telma looked to her. "Are you sure about coming here, honey? This place isn't for the faint of heart."

"I can handle it," Zelda replied. "I'm tough."

"She knows about Veran hunting me to possess me, and that we don't know the reason yet," Link told his mother figure. "But she wants to help out in whatever way she can."

"That's kind of you," the woman smiled. "Link must really like you to trust you with this information."

"I like him," Zelda responded. "Well, some of the time."

The two females laughed and Link narrowed his eyes. He cleared his throat and said, "So, Telma . . . anything new going on here?"

"Oh, the usual," she answered, still chuckling. "But, sweetie, I have some bad news." She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "Cohen and his group were asking about you."

Zelda saw the instant change come over Link. He stiffened, the humor dropping from his face and his brow furrowing. He was quiet several seconds before he replied, "Asking about me? What for?"

Concern crossed Telma's face. "He said he had a job for you. I told him you weren't on the island, but he said he knew all about you being arrested. He was sure you'd escape and come back here."

Link seemed to relax again, leaning back in his chair. "Guess I'll have to avoid them. I don't do jobs for that group anymore, they're crazy." He twirled a finger next to his head.

"More than that, they're dangerous, honey," the woman said. "You steer clear of them. I worry about you enough without needing be anxious over Cohen bothering you."

He held up his hands, giving an innocent smile. "I'm always fine, don't worry."

The conversation drifted on to questions about the bar was going and asking about specific people they both knew. Zelda studied the cracks on the table as she thought about this Cohen. He obviously worried Link. And that made her worried. She wondered what jobs Link used to do for him, and why their relationship had gone sour.

Telma brought them out a breakfast of eggs and buttered bread with some cold milk. It wasn't extravagant, but Zelda thought it tasted delicious all the same and ate every bit. She was famished from the travel here. For Link, it was the best meal he'd had since last time he left Trash City.

Conversation drew to a close and Link stood up, causing Zelda to do the same. "Well, it's been great seeing you, Telma. I'm sorry I gave you a scare like that. But I'm all fine!" He gestured to himself and grinned. "Maybe we'll come by again tomorrow for some breakfast."

The red-haired woman stood also. "My door is always welcome to you, honey. Whenever you want." She looked to Zelda. "It was nice to meet you, Mila. You stay safe and don't leave Link's side. People 'round here can sniff out innocence in a heartbeat and take advantage of you."

"I'll be careful, thank you," Zelda returned.

The woman looked to Link. "Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" He nodded and they moved over to a corner. Telma's voice was a harsh whisper as she said, "What in Hyrule are you up to?"

He blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"The girl! This Mila, if that's even her name. I know you. You don't tote around people you meet, bringing them to your home and introducing them to the woman who raised you. I assume you took her into your hidden home, too?"

He glanced to the side. "Maybe . . ."

"Link! Are you sure she's safe? Are you sure she isn't a pawn of Veran's?"

"I'm positive. Really, Telma, the one thing I'm sure about is that Mila is safe."

"I don't get this," the woman sighed. "No, I just don't. You've never done this before." Her eyebrows shot up before she narrowed her eyes. "You're not in love with her, are you?"

"Oh goodness, Telma, no!" He sighed. "I just trust her. So you need to trust me on this." He couldn't say anything else or risk Telma's safety even more than it already was risked. Veran knew about Telma. But he didn't want to burden her with knowing he had the Princess with him. It would put undue pressure on her if any soldiers came calling. Or bounty hunters, but he doubted the King would hire them.

"I know you're not telling me everything, but I do trust you," Telma said in a tone that conceited defeat. "Just be careful."

"I will, always." He smiled, wrapping his arms around her. "I love you."

She squeezed him tight, as if he could slip through her arms. "I love you, too."

Zelda waited patiently by the door until Link returned and they walked out together and back into the bustling city.

"She was nice," Zelda commented.

"She always is."

"Does Veran know about her?"

"Yes."

"Oh." Zelda paused, then ventured. "Has she ever been possessed by Veran?"

She could see his adam's apple roll as he swallowed. "Once. Some years ago. It was terrifying."

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Veran didn't like having to work behind the bar at the inn. She especially didn't like the body of the hairy, sweaty man she was in. But this was where Captain Karane's group was staying, and if she wanted the opportunity to get some information, then this was her best bet.

She leaned on the top of the bar, looking around at the room. This was a big inn, with plenty of room for the twenty soldiers Karane had brought along. Veran disliked that woman. She kept Link on the run even more so than he already was. And then she had locked him up for nearly a year and made it all but impossible for Veran to sneak him out. But she supposed things had worked out for the best in the end. Now if she could only get back on his trail, she'd be in a much better mood.

It was midday and not many customers were in the large dining area. Except for all the soldiers having their lunch. Captain Karane was sitting in a corner, her face scrunched up as she stared at a map and made notes on it. No doubt keeping track of where they'd been. Veran knew she needed to get a look at that map. That would tell her more than any of the soldiers would.

A younger soldier came up to the bar. "I'll have another house salad." He smiled. "I need to stick to my diet. Only five more pounds to lose!"

She inwardly rolled her eyes. "Good for you. I'll have your order sent up." She scratched down the order on a piece of paper and pushed it to where the waitress would pick it up. She couldn't stay here too long. It was only a matter of time before she did something this bar man usually didn't do and the employees would get suspicious. "So," she said, leaning closer to the soldier. "Your boss back there doesn't look too happy."

The young man laughed. "Nope, she's stressed over finding a rogue criminal. We're an elite team she picked to hunt him, you know. I have the best archery shot in Hyrule."

"Thinking of killing him?"

He shrugged. "We're supposed to respond to the situation in the best manner possible."

Veran mentally pursed her lips. This wouldn't do. She needed Link alive. She definitely had to beat Captain Karane to him. "That's a lot of stress for your boss to be under."

He shook his head, sighing. "She's always been a tough as nails person, but she's even stricter on this mission. I didn't think we were ever going to get a break."

"I bet. Anything I should bring her to lift her spirits?"

He thought for a moment. "Hm. Well she likes green tea if you've got any. It calms her nerves, or so I've heard from Kev."

Perfect. "I'll have one whipped up."

The man's salad came and he returned to his table at the same time the waitress got the tea. Veran politely but pointedly took it from her and said she would serve it to the army captain. She made her way through the tables, irritated at the big belly of the man she was possessing. How could he possibly make it through each day carrying so much weight? The soldiers talked and laughed as she passed them, drinking and eating and resting from hard travel.

She came up to the corner table where Karane was at. "Ma'am, I brought some green tea for you. On the house. For the good service you do our country."

Karane snapped a look up, frowning. "How did you know to bring that drink?"

Veran winked. "I've worked this inn for many years. I can tell what people drink just by looking at them."

This seemed to neither amuse nor worry the captain. She sat down the map, dropping her forehead into one hand, and taking the cup. She took a long drink, and Veran seized the opportunity to look at the map. The villages and cities that were crossed off. The route they were taken that was roughly drawn in. Her eyes flicked over it and committed it to memory in seconds. It wasn't too hard. The group was working its way back and forth across Hyrule Field from the castle, with everything checked except the far borders.

"Anything else I can do for you?" Veran asked once Karane sat the cup down.

"No, thanks," the captain said shortly, hunching over the map.

Veran nodded and turned, heading back to the bar and inwardly smiling. Link must have gotten pretty far into Hyrule. She wondered if he would head back to Trash City, or stick around here. Just because the villages were crossed off didn't necessarily mean Link wasn't there. He was very good at hiding. But it was less likely, so Veran wouldn't double check. As soon as the time was right, she'd exit this vile man's body and continue her search. She wouldn't even need to worry about killing the man. Any ravings he might have about being possessed would be written off as a drunken stupor.

She returned behind the bar and noticed Karane talking to an older soldier, pointing over at her. She looked down, focusing on setting out some cups. She tried to think of something she may have said or done to make the captain suspicious, but nothing came to mind. She glanced up and saw Karane hand a rolled piece of parchment to the old soldier, and he began heading to the bar.

"Hello," he said once he arrived. "My name is Jon. I'm wondering if you've seen either of these Hylians?" He unrolled the parchment and put it down on the bar.

Veran frowned, studying the drawing. One was of Link. The second was of a pretty blonde girl that she didn't recognize, but did seem somewhat familiar. This troubled her. Was Link traveling with somebody? He hadn't done that since he'd outgrown that Telma woman. Who was this girl? And was she a threat? She didn't look particularly dangerous, but Veran knew great power could come in the most innocent-looking packages.

"Are they traveling together, or two separate people you're searching for?" she asked.

Jon replied, "We're unsure of their current status. They could be together or split apart by now."

Veran glanced up at him, then shrugged, going back to setting out the cups. "Nope. I've never seen them."

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