The rest of the day passes in a whirlwind. I'm hustled off back to the castle by the Council, only just managing to keep my grip on Link and tow him along with me. The citizens of Castle Town decide that the entertainment is over for the day, and gradually drift back to their homes. Meanwhile I'm subjected to a barrage of questions about everything that's happened to me since my disappearance. Eventually Impa, who mercifully reappeared shortly after the coronation, raises her hands for silence.

'I think Sheik has been through enough for one day,' she says calmly. 'We should let her rest, and we can resume this in the morning.'

'I think that's an excellent idea,' I say, relieved. When the final member of the Council has reluctantly trooped out, I'm left alone with Impa and Link.

'Everything alright?' Link asks, watching me brood.

'Not exactly. I'm worried about Zelda.' After the rush at the coronation my sister disappeared, and no-one has seen her since. Her horse is missing from the stables, so she could be anywhere in Hyrule by now. But I suspect that she's stayed close to home.

'Relax. She won't be able to do anything,' Link reassures me.

'You should listen to Link,' Impa chimes in. 'Every guard in the castle is keeping a lookout for Zelda. And if Link and I were not able to sneak past them before, Zelda will not be able to do it now.' I nod, unconvinced.

After such a long period of constantly looking over my shoulder and expecting to see Zelda there, I can't bring myself to believe that she's really gone. It just seems too neat, too convenient. And I'm sure that, wherever she is, she wants revenge. There's no way she'll be Queen now and she knows that, but I think my death would probably be enough for her.

'I think I'll get an early night,' I announce, rising from my chair. 'Where are you going to sleep, Link? I'm assuming you're going to stay in the castle, rather than going back to the town.'

'Actually...' Link says, rubbing the back of his neck. 'I was thinking about heading back to the Kokiri Forest.'

'Do you have to go?' I ask, saddened. For the whole of our journey, I hadn't really thought about what Link would do after my memories returned. I suppose it's unreasonable to expect him to stay with me, since all his friends are still in the forest. But he reassures me.

'I want to tell Saria and the others that you and I are safe. Then I'll come straight back, I promise. It'll just be for a day or two, don't worry. Now that I've got Epona, I can easily make the journey in a day or less – especially since I know where I'm going this time!'

'Alright,' I tell him, smiling at the prospect of his return. 'Actually, you can spend a few days there if you want. I get the sense it's going to be pretty hectic around here for a while, so I probably wouldn't have time to see you even if you were here.'

'Thanks,' he replies. 'But I'll be back within a week. Amnesia or no amnesia, I don't like leaving you alone.' I smile and hug him, watching slightly sadly as he leaves.

'The time will fly past,' Impa says sagely.

'I'm sure. Well, I'm off to bed. See you in the morning!'

-o-

I'm woken the next morning by a gentle knock at my door. My mind immediately starts up a wailing klaxon, convinced that Zelda is outside. But I remind myself that that's extremely unlikely, and anyway I locked my door. It's more likely to be Impa, or maybe even Link if he decided not to leave for some reason. Still cautious, I creep over to the door and stand behind it without unlocking it.

'Who's there?' I ask, straining my ears for a reply.

'It's Ciela. I've brought your breakfast.' Scolding myself for not considering the possibility of my maid before, I quickly unlock the door and let her in. 'I'm so glad you're back!' she says as she sets the tray down. 'Everything is going to be wonderful now that you're in charge.' I smile ruefully; it's a sentiment I've heard from several people in the last day, and it seems like everyone's hopes are riding on me. I pray to the Goddesses that I won't let them down.

'What time is it?' I ask Ciela as I start on my toast.

'Just after dawn. I wasn't going to wake you, but the Royal Council are getting impatient. Apparently you promised them some big meeting this morning.'

Did I do that? I wonder as I gulp down the remainder of my food. Maybe I'm not cut out for this whole 'Princess' thing after all, if it involves getting up at dawn every morning!

As Ciela leaves, I quickly dress myself and splash some water on my face. Before I leave, I look once more around the room, checking that I haven't left anything. I'm in a spare bedroom; my own room is still an ashen wreck, and I didn't want to sleep in Zelda's. But the room feels unfamiliar, not like a home. At least, not yet. I sigh, knowing that it will come with time. With one last longing look back at my bed, I head downstairs to the meeting.

-o-

'The first item on the agenda is the date of the coronation,' an old lady announces. 'I think that the people would be reassured if Princess Sheik were to be crowned Queen as soon as possible.' A murmur runs around the table, and I frown. 'I suggest we schedule it for a week's time, when-' the woman continues, but I raise a hand to stall her.

'There isn't going to be a coronation, at least not in the foreseeable future. I have too many bad memories of the last one.'

'But your Majesty, the kingdom needs a ruler!' the woman protests.

'It has one. Princess, Queen, the only difference is the title. Coronation or not, I'll still have the same duties and I'll still perform them to the best of my ability. Maybe, in a year or so, we'll have another coronation. But there's no rush. Next issue?' The woman looks disgruntled, but sits down.

Right now I'm letting Impa and the Council make most of my decisions for me. I was never raised to rule, so even with my memories back I'm struggling. I'll get better at it soon enough, but for now I'm happy for those with more experience than me to do their jobs. But I'm determined about that coronation. I am not becoming a Queen anytime soon, and I'm not changing that decision. And after what happened yesterday, I don't think the people will be too disappointed.

'The next issue is a spy who was captured after the coronation yesterday,' an old man says. I smile at Impa as he speaks. 'Captured' is hardly strong enough; Impa dragged the poor man into the castle by his ear. He's currently sitting in the dungeons, and is apparently very remorseful and eager to cooperate.

'Send him in,' I tell the guards, who rush off to fetch the man.

'What do you intend to do with him?' Impa whispers. 'Given the crimes he has committed against you?'

'Actually, I was going to let you decide,' I whisper back. 'After all, he claims to be a citizen of Kakariko Village, your village, so it's up to you to figure out what to do with him. But if he really is willing to cooperate, don't be too harsh on him. He's greedy, and he did some very morally questionable things for money. But the real culprit is the one who gave him that money and his orders. Zelda is the one who needs to pay for this, not him.'

The man is led into the room, flanked by guards, but that's hardly necessary. He doesn't look like he's going to put up much of a fight. As soon as he reaches me he kneels at my feet, and I look at him in surprise.

'Really, there's no need to-' I begin, but I'm interrupted.

'Oh your Majesty, please forgive me! I know I did terrible things, but I had to! When Zelda tells you to do something, it's impossible to refuse! Please, you have to believe me.' I sigh. It's not the first time I've heard of Zelda's fear tactics.

'Very well. I am willing to be merciful,' I tell the man while glancing up at Impa, who nods slightly. 'But we will need information from you in return. As far as I can tell, you were the closest person to Zelda. Do you know where she is now?'

'I haven't seen her since before the coronation,' the man says, 'but I can guess where she might have gone!'

'And where is that?' I ask, leaning forward.

'She mentioned a friend of yours, a boy from the Kokiri Forest. She seemed to think that you two were close, that you cared about him. She must know that she has no hope of hurting you now, but that boy is not defended by guards like you are. I think she has probably gone to the forest to get her revenge on the boy, and in doing so get revenge on you. Your Majesty?' he asks, watching me as I sprint out of the room.

-o-

I gallop towards Kokiri Forest as fast as I can, begging my horse to go quicker.

Link! She can't hurt him! She can't! Please, Farore, Din, Nayru, anyone who can hear me, please don't let her hurt Link! I leap from the horse's back before it stops as I reach the rope bridge leading into the forest. I run into the village, heading straight for Link's treehouse, but before I reach it I know it's empty. It's nearly dusk, and lights are showing in the windows of the other houses. But Link's house is dark.

'Link!' I yell anyway, standing outside his house. 'Link, where are you?'

'Sheik! It is Sheik, isn't it?' a familiar voice behind me asks. I spin round, and sigh in relief as I see Saria. If anyone knows where Link is, she will.

'Saria, have you seen Link?' I ask desperately.

'Not since he got home this morning. But Mido mentioned seeing him,' she says, leading me over to the red-haired boy. He glares at me, but his expression softens when he sees Saria.

'What do you want?' he asks grumpily.

'Tell Sheik where Link is,' Saria orders him, but Mido just shrugs.

'I saw him going into the Lost Woods a few hours ago. So what?'

'The Lost Woods? Isn't that dangerous? What if he gets lost and turns into a Stalfos?' I ask, panicking. But Saria reassures me.

'Don't worry, Link has been going into those woods since he was a child. He won't get lost.' I let out a long sigh of relief.

'Yeah, but that other girl might,' Mido pipes up, and I slowly turn to him in horror.

'What other girl?' I ask, my voice calm despite the pounding of my heart.

'A strange girl arrived this morning. She was hiding in the shadows, but I saw her. No-one hides in my village,' the boy says proudly.

'What did she look like?' I ask, my mouth dry.

'Blonde. Tall. A lot like you.' My worst suspicions are confirmed. Zelda got here this morning.

'Where did she go?' I ask Mido.

'She asked where Link was. He'd already gone into the Lost Woods, so I told her that, and she went in after him. Why? Is there a problem?' he asks, but I'm already running.

'Sheik, wait! You'll get lost in there!' Saria calls after me, but I ignore her. I run into the woods, pausing in the first clearing.

Think, Sheik! You remember this place! You came here when you were a child, and you followed Zelda through here a few nights ago! Which way? I think for a moment, then head right. There's only one correct path through these woods, and Link is smart enough to stay on it, so if I trace the path all the way through I should find him. Whether Zelda has already found him is a possibility I refuse to consider.

She's had hours to search for him. Surely she must have found him in that time... I shake my head, focusing on the route. I have to find Link. I have to. That's all that matters right now. Finally I reach the last clearing, and take a right into the Sacred Forest Meadow. I remember coming here, once, years ago. That was the day I first entered these woods.

I run through the maze to the stairs at the back, heading for the clearing in the deepest part of the woods. I race up the stairs and along the passage, ignoring the Deku Scrubs which half-heartedly fire nuts at me. I skid to a halt in the clearing, looking all around for any signs of another person, friend or foe.

'Link?' I shout desperately. 'Link! Please, please be here.'

-o-

A/N: Hopefully Zelda didn't get there first...