'How are we going to do this?' Link asks. 'Don't get me wrong, I'm on board with the whole crashing-the-coronation thing, but don't you think Zelda is going to anticipate something like that? Once that fire's put out, it won't take them long to realise that there's no body, and Zelda will immediately start looking for you again.'

'It is late in the evening now,' Impa interjects. 'The fire is still going. It is too large to be put out by human means, and it will be midnight at least by the time it runs out of fuel and burns out of its own accord. It will take them a further few hours to ascertain for sure that Sheik did not die in that fire, meaning that we have until morning before Zelda starts to search for her again.'

'Hmm… what time's the coronation?' I ask the old Sheikah.

'Midday,' she replies promptly. 'It will take place in the Temple of Time, a building near here.'

'So somehow we're going to have to avoid Zelda and the guards all morning, then get into this Temple of Time – and I'm assuming Zelda will have people like that bearded spy of hers around to stop us from getting in. Then we need to stop the coronation.'

'Sounds like a job and a half,' Link comments dryly. 'Still, there's three of us. Ignoring the fact that we're the three most wanted people in the kingdom right now, we should be able to manage this.'

'Indeed. We must keep faith,' Impa tells me.

'Alright then. What do you suggest?'

'A distraction may be in order,' she says thoughtfully.

'I can take care of that,' Link tells us. 'Sheik, if any of us get into that temple it has to be you, so you can't be your own distraction. And Impa – well, not to be rude, but you're a bit old to outrun the guards.' Impa looks slightly affronted by this, but agrees.

'Very well. So Link will distract the guards, and the two of us will enter the temple. People know me, and they know that I am loyal to you and to your father. Hopefully my presence there will be of use.'

'I'm sure it will be. And I'd like to have you there,' I tell her. The thought of confronting my murderous sister on my own is a nerve-wracking one.

'Excellent. Then I suggest we rest for the night,' Impa says. 'We will need all our strength tomorrow.'

'Shouldn't one of us keep watch?' I ask, but Link shakes his head.

'The woman downstairs will do that. Her shop is open all night, so she's awake anyway for customers. Come on Sheik, you look like you could use a rest.' There are two beds in the room, so Link and I wordlessly decide to share – neither of us particularly wants to sleep next to Impa who, according to Link, snores like a tree being sawn in half. As we lie down on the other bed, I snuggle closer to Link.

'I'm really glad I'm back with you now,' I whisper as Impa's snoring starts up. Holy Nayru, Link really wasn't kidding about that noise.

'I'm glad you're back too,' Link whispers back with a smile.

'What's going to happen tomorrow? If we manage to stop the coronation, I mean? Will I have to become Queen right there and then? And does that mean I won't be able to see you anymore?'

'Slow down!' Link says with a soft laugh. 'Let's focus on dealing with Zelda and getting your life out of danger first. Then we'll deal with everything else. And I wouldn't worry about it too much. After all, you're a princess. If you don't want to do something, you probably don't have to do it.' I smile, and gratefully close my eyes. The last thing I hear before I drift off to sleep is a few final words from Link.

'Sheik? If everything goes well tomorrow, and we're both still alive and free and have all our memories at the end of it… I've got something I want to tell you.'

-o-

'Zelda? Are we nearly there yet?' I ask my sister as she leads the way through the forest. We left our horse at the rope bridge leading into the woods a while ago, and I'm getting tired. But still Zelda shows no signs of slowing down.

'Almost! Just a bit further!' As we walk, I wonder where we're going. A while ago we passed through a village of treehouses. I assumed that was our destination, but Zelda merely motioned me to keep silent while we crept through the village and went deeper into the woods.

'Where is this tree of yours?' I ask, but Zelda either doesn't hear me or ignores me. Finally she stops abruptly, and I nearly walk into her. 'What's wrong?' I ask, but I'm unnerved as she turns round with a broad smile on her face.

'Nothing.'

'But...' I look around again. We're surrounded by trees on all sides, but they look like ordinary forest trees, not wise magical beings. 'Where's the tree you wanted to talk to?' I ask, turning back to Zelda. Her smile only widens, and I take a step back, gulping. Even after all the cruel things Zelda has done to me over the years, I've never seen her like this. I'm starting to get scared. Suddenly she laughs, the clear sound filling the forest.

'Did you actually believe me? Oh Sheik, you're so naïve. That's why I'm going to be Queen, and you're not.'

'What do you mean?' I ask, stepping away again. 'I thought you said your life was in danger!'

'And you fell for it. How adorable.' There's a glint of malice in her eyes now. 'Do you remember this place?' she asks, gesturing around her. 'We came here once, when we were children. I hated it, but you had the time of your life wandering around these woods. The Lost Woods, they're called. Because it's easy to lose your way in them. There's only one safe way through them, and if you stray from the path you'll never get out, and you'll turn into a monster.'

'I remember,' I say guardedly. Is that her plan? To get me lost in here? If so, I'm still safe. I learnt the correct way through these woods when we came here before. Zelda didn't bother to come in with me, but when she heard me telling my father about the secret path she insisted that I told her. So now we're both safe, since we can both find our way out. But Zelda knows that. What is she up to?

'I know you remember,' she says, still grinning. 'So I'm going to change that. When I'm done you won't remember anything, not even your own name.' I gasp, suddenly realising what her plan is. A few days ago I saw Zelda reading a book on ancient, black magic. At the time I couldn't imagine what she could possibly use that for, but now, too late, I realise. She must be planning to use that on me, to erase my memories and force me to wander this forest until I turn into a monster.

'Zelda, don't do this,' I beseech her, raising my hands in a placatory gesture. 'I don't know why you'd want to kill me, but please don't do it.' Zelda throws back her head and laughs.

'Hah! You don't know? Please! Little miss perfect princess, always being everyone's favourite, trying to steal my birthright! I know what you're up to! But it's not going to work, you see. Because I'm smarter than you! I know what the Council was planning, and I know what you were trying to do! But what no-one seems to have realised is that none of their little schemes are going to work if you're dead!' She raises her hand, and starts muttering strange words under her breath. I stare at her, trying to run but unable to move.

'Zelda, stop this,' I beg her. 'Please! Please, don't do this! I'm sorry! Whatever I did to wrong you, I'm sorry!' She ignores me, still chanting. Why can't I run? Is she using some other magic to keep me from moving? I should have run earlier, while I had the chance. I should never have gone with her, I should never have trusted her in the first place. Suddenly a bright light flashes in Zelda's hand.

'Zelda! No!' I yell desperately, terrified. But she only smiles, and an intense pain fills my head as I fall to the ground. As the clouds of cotton wool start to swirl through my mind, she kneels down next to me.

'Don't worry, Sheik. By the time you wake up you'll be a Stalfos, and then you won't remember having ever been human, let alone a princess. And you know what the best part is? Even if someone does find out what happens, they'll just think this was an accident. Everyone knows that the Lost Woods are dangerous. Poor, stupid Sheik, who wouldn't listen to what her dear, kind, smart sister told her. So don't worry. It's nearly over now. Sweet dreams, little sister.'

With that she turns and leaves, not looking back. I reach weakly after her, fighting to stay conscious. But the pain and the curse are too much, and my vision darkens. Before I pass out, I try desperately to commit one last thing to memory. Even if I remember nothing else when I wake up, even if I don't even know my own name, even if I'm a Stalfos, I have to remember this.

'Zelda...' I whisper.

-o-

'What's going on out there?' I ask Link as he returns the next morning. We woke up earlier with a few hours before the coronation, and we decided to stay in our safe house for a while – we don't want to risk being seen earlier than we have to. But Castle Town seems to be in uproar, so we decided that Link (as the least likely to be recognised) should go out and see what was happening.

'Well, people have heard about the fire. The Council announced earlier that they have no reason to believe you're dead, but that no-one has seen you since.'

'Are they still going ahead with the coronation?' I ask, and Link raises an eyebrow.

'What do you think? Zelda couldn't care less whether you're burnt to a crisp or in hiding, as long as that crown goes on her head and you don't interfere. They've already started setting up the Temple of Time. After all, there's less than an hour to go until the coronation is supposed to start.'

'We should go,' Impa announces, and we cautiously leave the bowling alley. Before we go Impa gives me a hooded cloak to hide my face, and we stick to the shadows as much as possible as we make our way to the temple.

'It's beautiful!' I gasp, and Link agrees. I think I remember coming here a few times when I was a child, but I was too young to really remember much. But we duck back behind a nearby building as a group of guards jog past.

'Security looks pretty tight,' Link mutters. 'I'm going to have to make a good distraction.'

'You'll manage,' I reassure him.

'Come. Let us wait over here,' Impa suggests, gesturing to a green open space round the back of the temple. There are no guards back here, but I soon see why.

'How are we going to get in? There's no door on this side!'

'No, the only entrance to the temple is the one at the front, and you can be sure that will be well-guarded,' Impa tells me. Link sighs, anticipating being chased around town by every guard in the army.

'At least we'll be safe here until the coronation starts,' I tell him, trying to stay positive. 'I think we should wait until the ceremony is underway and Zelda can't sneak off somewhere before we go in.'

'Yes, but we must time our entrance carefully,' Impa cautions me. 'If we leave it too long, Zelda will already have been crowned Queen. I would say we have a ten-minute interval in which to act.' I nod, filing that away for reference.

'Right. So when the coronation starts, Link will distract the guards, then Impa and I will run in. That should give us plenty of time.'

'How long have we got?' Link asks.

'Fifteen minutes.'

'Alright.' He peers cautiously around the corner of the temple, but suddenly jerks back.

'What's wrong? Did someone see you?' I ask anxiously.

'No, but I saw someone I'd like to have a word with. It's the bearded spy, the one from Kakariko Village!'

'Really? What's he doing here?' I ask, although I can guess. I carefully poke my head around the corner, watching as the man goes up to the guards at the entrance of the temple. He hands over a small bag to each of them, and I hear the clink of coins. I narrow my eyes, seeing the guards nod happily before the bearded man sneaks off once more.

'I don't like the look of that,' I comment.

'I have to agree with you,' Impa says. 'I have seen him skulking around town before. That man is a bad sort, and I can easily believe he is working for Zelda.'

'And if he's bribing those guards, it means that Zelda probably knows Sheik's still around,' Link deduces. 'We're going to have to watch our backs. I just wish I knew what they were being bribed to do.'

'Leave that to me,' Impa announces grimly, setting off around the corner.

'Impa, wait! Where are you going?' I whisper as loudly as I dare. She's heading straight towards the guards.

'After all the grief he has given you, the dear, sweet Princess I swore to protect, I intend to give him a piece of my mind!' she says determinedly, marching off after the man. 'Do not worry, I will find him and he will tell me why he is working for Zelda and what he paid the guards to do. With luck I shall make it back to you before the coronation begins, but if I do not, be strong and do it without me.'

'But I need you!' I call after her, but she ignores me. I turn to Link in exasperation and worry. He just shrugs.

'She's starting to remind me of the Great Deku Tree. What is it with old people?' I sigh, and lean against him for comfort.

'Any chance you can come in with me?' I ask, but I'm not hopeful even before Link shakes his head.

'Sorry. I'm distracting those guards, remember? But don't worry about it. You're a princess! You can do anything you want to! And that includes standing up to your sister.' I sigh again, and look away from him.

'Last night... I remembered what happened that night, after we got to the Lost Woods. Zelda tricked me so easily. I was so gullible, I believed her right up until the last moment. Maybe she's right. Maybe I'm not worth as much as her. She wouldn't have fallen for that.'

'Sheik, look at me,' Link says, cupping my face in his hands. 'You believed Zelda because you cared. Because, despite all the horrible things she'd done to you, you still wanted her to be safe. When you thought her life was in danger, you ran off to help her without a second thought. And you're right, Zelda wouldn't have fallen for it. But that's not because she's smarter, or less gullible, or better in any other way whatsoever. It's because she doesn't care about you or anyone else. It's because she's heartless, she wouldn't care if you lived or died. That doesn't make her a better person, it makes her a worse one. Sheik, you're the smartest, kindest, strongest, bravest person I know. Whatever Zelda says, you are worth so much more than her, and don't you forget it.' I smile and hug Link tightly.

'Thank you,' I whisper. 'I needed that.'

'Don't mention it,' he replies, smiling back. Suddenly we hear the sound of organ music from within the temple, and we look at each other in surprise as we realise that the ceremony is starting.

'I believe we have a coronation to ruin?' Link says, his grin widening.

'Good luck!' I whisper as he runs off around the side of the building. I stay carefully out of sight, listening to the shouts from the other side of the temple as they slowly disappear of into the distance. I just hope Link can outrun those guards.

When they go quiet, I take a few calming breaths before sneaking round the temple, keeping a lookout for any stray guards. I go round the corner to the front side of the temple, but quickly duck back, breathing rapidly. The two guards from before are still there. That must be why the spy bribed them, so that they would stick to their posts even if Link drew the other guards away. I close my eyes, and force myself to calm down.

I am not giving up now. Remember Sheik, you're a princess. So start acting like one. I straighten myself up and stride around the corner with all the dignity and poise I can muster. The guards spot me immediately and raise their spears, slackening their grips slightly when they see who it is.

'Oh! Your Majesty! Erm...' one of them starts, nudging the other one.

'Right. Um, would you mind coming with us, your Majesty? Princess Zelda wanted to see you. Um, this way...' He trails off nervously, gesturing half-heartedly away from the temple.

So Zelda thinks she can stop me that easily? Not a chance. The guards gulp as I stop right in front of them, still silent. I recognise these two: they were the ones on gate duty the other night, the ones who abandoned their post. I was grateful then, but I'm not going to let that show.

'Step aside this instant!' I order them in my most imperious voice. They look at one another nervously. They weren't told to expect this.

'Um, Princess Zelda-' one of them begins, rather ill-advisedly.

'I do not take orders from Zelda,' I sneer. 'In case I need to remind you, I am also a Princess, and therefore do not take orders from anybody. Now step aside!' They still look unwilling to move, so I decide to bring out my trump card. 'Or perhaps you would rather I told Her Majesty that you left her castle unguarded the other night?' I ask, raising an eyebrow. Instantly they fold.

'Your Majesty! We're so sorry! We didn't think anyone saw- I mean, it wasn't our fault, the next shift, they didn't-' I raise a hand to silence them.

'I am feeling generous. I will forgive you this once, on the condition that you let me into this temple right now. Also, you will not tell anyone that I was here. Is that clear?' They look surprised, but nod and scuttle off back into town.

I sag as soon as they're out of sight. I feel bad about scaring them like that, especially as I'm pretty sure they have no idea what Zelda's up to. They were just paid to keep me out of the Temple of Time, they didn't mean to hurt anyone. But I had to do it, and now my way is clear. I pull up the hood of my cloak, hiding my face again. I take a few deep breaths, wishing fervently that Link or Impa were here with me.

No! I'm strong enough to do this by myself! I tell myself sternly. It's now or never. I reach forward and open the temple doors.

-o-

Inside, the cavernous temple is packed with citizens, and I carefully weave my way through the crowd. There's a clear aisle up ahead, and if I get to that I can get to Zelda. I pause for a moment, listening.

'I promise to protect my people to the best of my ability,' Zelda is saying. I sift through my very limited knowledge of coronation procedure, and decide that she probably hasn't been crowned yet. I've still got time, but not a lot of it. I push forward, trying not to draw too much attention to myself. As I get closer to the aisle, my heart starts to pound, and I falter.

As soon as I step out there, Zelda is going to see me. And then, one way or another, it's all over. I stop, closing my eyes and trying to calm my frantic breathing. But as I panic, Link's words rise in my mind.

You are worth so much more than her, and don't you forget it. I smile to myself, and start walking again.

He's right. I am worth more than her. I'm not weak, or stupid like she says I am. I'm smart. I figured out what was going on, all the lies she told me. I'm kind. Impa and Ciela said that everyone in the kingdom loves me. I'm strong. I kept going on my journey, even when I thought I'd never find out who I was. And I'm brave. I'm the girl who escaped a burning room by jumping out a window, sliding down a roof and climbing up a drainpipe. Could Zelda do that? Hah! No way she could! She's the weak one here! If she was in my position, she would never have made it home! I have just as much right to that throne as she does, and I'm not going to let her scare me into submission! She's underestimated me for the last time!

By this point I'm practically running through the crowd, and people are starting to get out my way. Ahead of me I can hear Zelda stutter and fall silent as she sees the disturbance. One more row of people and... I'm out. I turn to face Zelda, sitting on her throne, and lower the hood of my cloak. She gasps, as does everyone else in the room.

'Sheik!' she says, shocked, and for a moment her expression shows the true hatred she feels for me. But it's quickly replaced by a joyful smile. 'You're alive! And you're here, just in time! I'm about to be crowned, right now,' she says with emphasis, glaring up at the old man standing next to her, holding the crown a few inches off Zelda's head.

But he doesn't move, still staring at me. I remember him as the Council member who insisted that they keep looking for me even when Zelda wanted to give up. But as I watch, struggling to say something but paralysed by nerves, he slowly lowers the crown towards Zelda's head. She turns back and looks smugly at me.

'I win,' she mouths. And suddenly the spell is broken.

-o-

'Stop!' I yell at the man, and to my relief he does. Zelda looks shocked, but her expression turns to one of faint fear as I march determinedly down the aisle towards her. 'I don't know if anyone's going to be crowned today, but it's certainly not going to be you!' I tell her, still walking. 'Why don't you tell everyone here what really happened last night? And a few nights ago, when I mysteriously disappeared. Why don't you tell everyone how you tried to kill me.'

A chorus of gasps rises from the crowd, and the old man moves the crown away properly, earning a glare from Zelda. She turns back to me, trying to find something, anything to say to stop this nightmare. But I've won this time, and she knows it.

'Sh-Sheik,' she says with a nervous laugh. 'What are you talking about? This must just be a side effect of that curse of yours, it's messing up your thoughts!'

'I'm thinking clearly for the first time in five days,' I reply. 'I remember everything, Zelda.' She opens her mouth a few times, but no sound comes out. Everyone is looking at her accusingly. They believe me, not her. They know what she's like, and none of them doubt that she would kill to keep her throne.

'You're lying,' she whispers, but I can see the fear in her eyes.

'She's telling the truth, and you all know it,' a voice behind me says. I spin round, and smile as I see Link there. 'Think about it. When has Sheik ever lied, to any of you? And why would she lie now? She was always happy for Zelda to be Queen over her. Sheik is the only one who still had any kind of affection for that woman, so why would she ruin her sister's big day unless she had a reason to?' There are nods in the crowd, but they don't really need convincing.

'You can't do this, Sheik,' Zelda says, her tone menacing. 'I'm supposed to be Queen. Not you. You know that.'

'I don't care what's supposed to happen, you're not being crowned,' I say matter-of-factly.

'Why are you doing this? Surely you don't want to be Queen? You'd be terrible!' Zelda says, her tone turning persuasive, but rising with her fear. 'You know you're not good enough to do it. The kingdom would suffer. It needs a strong ruler, someone like me. That's why I did this. That's why, I promise! It was for the good of the kingdom! For all these people! I had to kill you!'

She claps her hand over her mouth, but the damage is done. The people, held in check by shock and a vague sense of propriety, suddenly surge forward and swarm towards Zelda. I'm nearly swept away, but Link grabs onto me and wraps his arms round me, pulling me into his chest until the crowd has passed.

'Are you alright?'

'Never better,' I tell him with a smile, hugging him.

-o-

A/N: Aw. Well, looks like everything is sorted out now... right?