Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays everyone. It may be a day later, but I hope it was fun-filled. This story is coming along well and I m happy to present the next part to you. Finally we are getting closer to the "dreadful" Water Temple. The Water Temple will be in the next chapter. Enjoy this next chapter, though it is a necessary filler. xD

-Unexpected Alliance-

Zeruda felt her heart skip a beat as she looked towards the door that led to Goron City. It had been two days since they cleansed the enchantment from Link and they were now allowing him to rest, so he could regain his strength. Impa looked towards the Hylian Princess, who had been looking like something had been bothering her for the past hour.

"What is it?" Impa inquired of her; her voice shattering the silence, which gained Sheik's attention from her musings. Sheik looked over at her descendant questioningly, who, in turn, turned to them both.

"I am not entirely sure," Zeruda whispered. Her face was filled with many different emotions, including confusion. "I...I got an odd feeling, like something, or someone, is off and it's coming from that direction." She pointed in the relative direction of Hyrule Castle.

Sheik bit her lower lip in distress, looking towards Impa, who had her hand on her chin.

Impa looked at Zeruda. "Have you ever gotten this feeling before?" Zeruda looked at Impa only to shake her head worriedly. Deciding that no answers would be found sitting around, Impa decided to take initiative, "We should go investigate, but someone should probably remain here with Link."

"I'll stay," Sheik volunteered. "Besides, she might need strength on her side should any harm come her way." Zeruda smiled at Sheik, who returned it.

Impa nodded. "Very well, let us go."

Sheik shifted positions so she could face Link, with her back to the retreating women.

Stroking Link's golden strands of hair, Sheik stared at his sleeping face. She pulled her cowl down and leaned towards him. Closing her eyes, she kissed him gently. Her lips lingered on his longer than she intended. When she raised her head and opened her eyes, blue hues were staring at her in shock.

"Sheik?" His voice was low but sounded confused. Then she saw his eyes widen in horror of realization. "Zel-Zelda?" He stammered, pushing himself to a sitting position. Sheik was going to tell him to lay back down, but she froze. It felt as though someone poured a bucket of ice cold water on her, she didn't know what to do.

"Link," she managed to say steadily, though her calm and collected facade as Sheik was slowly crumbling. "I can explain if you allow me." Link didn't say anything or move in any way for a moment. He looked extremely upset, but he seemed to come to a decision and gestured with his hand. She took that as a sign to continue. "I am so sorry. I am hiding from Ganondorf and this is mainly the only disguise that I can use and still be around. You know what I mean?"

Link's angry expression softened to one of understanding as he nodded. A smile graced his lips. "I-I do understand. It's just that I feel that you didn't trust me enough to tell me."

"No, not that," Sheik explained quickly. "I trust you more than you know, but the less that people know, the more chance I have of being left undiscovered."

Link nodded, fully understanding Sheik's reason for keeping it as a secret. He looked around at the warm cave-like surroundings, knitting his eyebrows together, trying to piece together where he was at.

"Goron City?"

Sheik nodded, as Link gave a look of bewilderment.

"But why?"

Sheik looked at him. "Do you remember a stalactite hitting you in the head when you were in the ice cavern?" she continued on when she saw Link nod in acknowledgment. "Well, the stalactite was enchanted. It had begun to freeze you from the inside out. Navi found Impa and I so we could help you and Zeruda."

"Yeah, thanks," he whispered, looking down on his hands. His eyes snapped up to meet hers. "I do have a question for you, though." Sheik knew what it was, but waited for him to ask anyway. "Do you like me?" Sheik felt her heart stop in her chest, without answering. She opened her mouth and closed it. Taking her inability of an answer, Link bowed his head. "I guess you do then."

She only nodded. Link sighed, closing his eyes. He saw himself in a predicament. He had the Hylian Princess and Farm Maiden both loving him. But in the end, who would he choose?

x~X~x

Zeruda took in a deep breath, looking around. Impa and Zeruda had made it safely out of Kakariko Village without any monsters finding them. Impa wiped her brow, staring out at Hyrule Field. She turned her gaze on Zeruda.

"Is the feeling even stronger?"

The young Princess nodded and Impa gave a small sigh, trying to think of the direction.

Before either one of them could think further, a single cloaked figure on a black stallion crossed the grassy field, just within their range of sight. Something about his presence made the air seem suddenly cold and heavy with a feeling that reminded Zeruda of the fog that settles atop the peak of a lone shadowed mountain. Zeruda found herself not wanting to look at the figure and yet her eyes were drawn to that spot like a moth to a candle flame. She gasped in horror when she caught sight of the rider's face.

"That was Rinku," she whispered to Impa.

The two of them watched, as the horse galloped at high speed across Hyrule Field.

"But...I didn't feel his essence like I usually do." She turned to Impa. The Sheikah had her head bowed. "No... please tell me that what I'm thinking is wrong."

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Princess," Impa reported gravely. She raised her head, red eyes connecting with Zeruda's grayish-blue eyes. "It seems as though Ganondorf was successful in turning Rinku against us."

Zeruda's eyes filled with tears, as she cried softly into her hands. Never did she think that her hero would be turned into a vessel of evil. Impa wrapped an arm around Zeruda, allowing her to cry against her. She did the same for Zelda whenever she needed a shoulder to cry on. She also felt a strong connection to Zeruda as well.

"Sorry," Zeruda whispered a few minutes later. She lifted her head from Impa's shoulder, staring at the Sheikah, who smiled at her.

Impa shook her head, "You don't need to apologize. I can understand that."

The two of them watched, as the black rider faded off into the distance. A shuddering breath left Zeruda's lips. Impa placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Do you think you think you'll be alright?" The Princess nodded softly. "Then let us go." The two made their way across Hyrule Field quietly, fighting off any enemies they came across.

x~X~x

Rusl rubbed the back of his head as he left the Temple of Time. His eyes widen in horror as he stepped under the eaves. The sky seemed as black as night, as the sun was hardly seen through all the oppressive blackness that was around. The pathways were crumbling; the trees were dead, and the water that had been in the pond in the front temple had long since dried up. Rusl walked down the broken cobblestone path, looking around, trying to gauge his surroundings.

Sadness filled his soul when he realized this was definitely the era that the Hero of Time had lived in, having recognized the environment from books he had read about the famous hero. He could have never imagined that one of the heroes would have lived through this, the blackness seemed to have malice in it, in which its only purpose was to crush the light out of everything it touched. He continued his way towards the courtyard, and then he froze when he heard the moans of the re-deads.

"What in Hyrule?" Rusl growled under his breath, as he withdrew his sword. He charged one of the re-deads and managed to end it before it could shriek. Then he quickly made his way out of the city, avoiding the other re-deads along the way. Rusl sighed softly in relief when he crossed the broken drawbridge that lead to Hyrule Field. He turned left and right as to see if there was some sort of village or town nearby. To his left, he saw the smoke of some chimneys twisted up into the sky from a high canyon.

After Rusl traveled for nearly a day, he spotted two figures in the distance and hid behind a rock, for he did not know who would be traveling at a time like this. He watched them as they drew closer. He eyed the tall woman. He recognized her as a Sheikah, knowing that they were extinct in his time. His teal eyes drifted to the figure next to her. He did a double-take. She couldn't possibly be the Princess from his time, could she?

Rusl didn't realize they both had stopped walking until the tall woman's voice broke his musing. "Come on out," she ordered in a loud tone, taking a step forward threateningly.

Rusl immediately stepped out and the Princess gasped in recognition.

"Sir Rusl?" She asked in a shocked and confused tone.

Rusl immediately bowed, "You're-" Zeruda placed a finger over her lips. He was shocked.

"My identity is to remain secret," she whispered and Rusl nodded. She looked at Impa and then back at Rusl. "Sir Rusl, this is Lady Impa. The Princess of this Era's protector, but she is also looking out for me and the hero."

"The Hero of Time?" Rusl questioned. Impa and Zeruda both nodded. He felt hope rise within himself. "And what of Rinku?" He saw Zeruda looked away, as Impa frowned. He felt dread, as he stared at them.

"He...was turned against us," Zeruda whispered, closing her eyes. Rusl gasped, not able to believe that Rinku was turned evil. He was the hero. But Rusl also knew he was human, so it was possible. He wasn't invincible. He tightened his fist, angry he wasn't able to save his adopted son. He hoped that wherever Damon was, that he wasn't angry with Rusl.

"Come," Impa whispered. "Let us return to Death Mountain." Zeruda nodded, as the three of them decided to head back. Realizing that Rusl was what Zeruda sensed, she felt at ease. He was Rinku's adopted father and a very skilled fighter. Having him there and on their side, put her at ease, even just a little.

What plagued the princess' mind was the issue with Rinku. She was in love with the young warrior, spending time with him was one of her favorite things and she couldn't possibly imagine life if they went back without him. Zeruda didn't say anything, as they continued onward.

Rusl looked over at her with a small frown. He knew she was worried about Rinku and constantly was worrying for his life and safety. He let a soft sigh, running a hand through his blond strands. He was actually worried about Rinku as well. He still couldn't believe that his adopted son was now his enemy. His closed his eyes, thinking of little Rinku. The one who was so excited to see him each time he came to visit.

FLASHBACK

The morning sky was cool over the small village of Ordon. It was the middle of the summer, so the cool of the morning would not last. The village was still quiet, indicating to many others were asleep. A young Rusl, who had just turned 15 a few months prior, was running out the door, after giving his mother and father a smile. He wanted to be the first to welcome Damon, Katerina, and Rinku. The three came four times a year and it was to celebrate their birthdays with each other. This time it was for Rinku's 5th birthday. A whinnying was heard not too far, and seconds later, Ella rounded the corner with Katerina and a black stallion followed that held Damon and Rinku.

"Uncle Rusl," Rinku waved at Rusl, as Damon brought the horse closer. Rusl waved back, as Katerina and Damon both let out a small laugh. Katerina pulled Eva to a gentle stop, as Damon did the same. Rinku jumped off the horse and into Rusl's arms before Damon could fully stop.

Rusl laughed at Rinku's antics and hugged him close. "Excited to see me?"

"Mmhmm," Rinku nodded, grinning at Rusl. "You better believe it, Uncle Rusl. It's so cool because my daddy said you could show me some sword techniques today." Rusl laughed a bit, nodding.

"Well yes I am," Rusl said. He looked at his house, before looking at Rinku. "Let me get the practice blades, okay?" Rinku only nodded.

END FLASHBACK

Rusl shook his head at the memory. Lately, he realized that he had been thinking about Rinku as a small child. He couldn't fathom why. He just remembered how sweet and innocent he was as a small child and upon hearing that he was now evil, it rattled the warrior to his core. After a day traveling, the three of them returned to Goron City. When Rusl entered the room, his eyes landed on a young blond, wearing a green tunic and floppy green cap. Knowing it wasn't the hero he knew, this had to be the Hero of Time. Sapphire hues were now studying him curiously. Sheik also watched him, but her eyes were filled with caution. Navi was flying between them, her eyes on him as well.

"Hello," Link whispered, shaking Rusl from his thoughts. The voice...was almost the same as Rinku, but Rinku's had a hint of highland burr softly accented. The young hero tilted his head to the side. "May I ask who you are?"

Before Rusl could say another, Zeruda stepped forward. "Link...Sheik, I'd like for you to meet Sir Rusl, who is Rinku's adopted father." Sheik and Link both looked back at the man. He had short golden brown hair, teal colored eyes, and a cropped beard that framed his face. He was neither tall nor short. Link took a few steps towards him.

Rusl watched the young hero stand before him, extending his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet Rinku's father," Link greeted, a smile gracing his lips. Rusl couldn't help, but smile at the hero and shake his hand in greeting.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Link," his gruff accented voice was soft and Link grinned even more. He could see why Rinku loved the man before him, who was like a father to him. The man, although slightly intimidating, was just as Rinku described him.

Impa coughed slightly, to gain everyone's attention. "Now that you have met Rusl, I must ask you the hero. Are you able to continue with your journey?" All eyes landed on Link who nodded. "Very well. This time, though unconventional, you will all go. I shall remain in Kakariko Village until you return." They all nodded. Link withdrew the ocarina. He felt Rusl placed his hand on his shoulder. Then he felt Zeruda and Sheik's hand follow in suit. He closed his eyes, playing the beautiful Serenade of Water.

Author's Note: Well did you enjoy that? I sure hope so. Now that things have been placed in motion, the Water Temple will definitely be the next chapter. Many apologies for the extensive wait between chapters. When I updated the last chapter a few days later my schedule got ridiculously hectic. So I will say until next time. Thank you all who have been keeping up with this story. It truly brings a smile to my lips and warmth to my heart.

Please note that my birthday is coming up in exactly two weeks (Jan. 9th) so I may not be around, depending on what my adopted family has planned for me. Heh. xD Until next time, much love!