Author's Note: Welcome back everyone! I'll save everything I have to say for the end and let you get right into it this time since I did leave off on a pretty mean cliffhanger last time. No explanations necessary beforehand either - I hope you enjoy the new chapter!


Book I - Meeting

Chapter 7 – The Hero's Wrath

The carriage bounced along the road as it carried Link towards home once more. He had awakened exceptionally early again in order to make good time returning to Hateno Village. There had been no issue leaving the Castle that morning and aside from Urbosa, whom he had awakened from a dead sleep before leaving, he had encountered no one but the soldiers guarding the Castle perimeter on his way out.

He felt a little bad about waking the Gerudo Chieftain but he had wanted to honor her words, refusing to slip his response letter under her door. She wanted to ensure there was no chance of their words causing issue for Zelda; Link, of course, wanted the same. To that end, though she had answered her door in a groggy, half-conscious daze, Urbosa had quickly thanked him and taken the letter, keeping it close. Hopefully she had gone back to sleep after that – it had still been dark outside when he'd awakened her.

Now, however, the sun was at its highest point in the sky. Or it would have been if a dark and ominous cloud cover hadn't descended over the Necluda region. Hateno was no stranger to winter storms that came in from the ocean but Link had been hoping one wouldn't interrupt their festivities that evening, especially for how clear the skies had been for the last several days. It wasn't raining yet but it was almost guaranteed to happen before sunset; they'd have to move their party inside just to be on the safe side.

He didn't love that idea.

Zelda was already so uncomfortable when it came to being around too many people she didn't know. If she were forced to share a small space with the villagers, she would probably become overwhelmed, even if they were all kind to her. Link, his brow furrowed, stared at the floor of the carriage as he pondered how best to help her stay relaxed around the people of Hateno, He chewed the inside of his lip as his mind turned over the situation again and again.

'Hmm…maybe it would be best to keep her behind me? Then I can field the interactions she has with the others and give her some time to recover if she needs it. But she might think I'm embarrassed of her and trying to hide her…right? That sounds like something that might happen and I really don't want her to misunderstand.

'Maybe I should just leave it to her and support her as best I can…but she wouldn't tell me if she was actually getting overwhelmed, would she? She'd think she was being an inconvenience to me if she spoke up. So that probably wouldn't work either.

'I suppose maybe I could make excuses to pull her away from the group here and there and give her some space that way. If it's actually raining, it's not that convenient to go outside, but I might be able to find someplace for her to recover…'

Link continued to toil over the best course of action. It wasn't a given that it would rain on their party, but he had lived in Hateno for several years now and the kind of clouds he had witnessed from the stables at Dueling Peaks always seemed to herald a storm. With a little luck it might clear up before evening but he wasn't exactly counting on it.

"L-Link-sama! There's trouble!"

His ears perked up immediately. The coachman, a different one from the day before, was calling to him in a rather startled voice. What trouble could there be? Bandits on the road? Monsters, perhaps? Though they were far less common than the days preceding the Calamity, there were still small pockets of the beasts that attacked on occasion.

Leaning forward, Link quickly opened the sliding window between himself and the coachman. It was a small opening and he couldn't see past the man, instead electing to call out to him.

"What's going on? Are we under attack?" Link asked, hand resting on the hilt of the Master Sword.

"No, but it seems your village is on fire!"

"What!?"

The man, realizing he was blocking the line of sight, slid to the side and Link finally got a good look at his surroundings. They were on their final approach to Hateno Village now and it appeared he was right. There was a plume of black smoke billowing towards the sky from deep inside the town. It wasn't the entire village, blessedly – he could see several of the usual buildings standing as proudly as ever.

'How did this happen? Is everyone okay? Where's Zelda?'

"Get us there faster if you can," Link insisted.

The coachman just nodded before urging his horse forward.

Within minutes, the carriage stopped and Link wasted no time in throwing the door open and leaping to the ground, rushing into the village. He had left his bag in the carriage but there would be time to worry about that later. Right now, there was trouble in his home.

Rushing through the village towards the smoke, he noticed that many other villagers were doing the same. Several people were carrying buckets filled with water back and forth from the inn. As he passed the center of town, he caught sight of spears strewn randomly across the ground. That wasn't a common sight, even when his students were practicing. Perhaps they had dropped everything to help with the fire once it had started…

'Just how suddenly did this happen?'

Arriving at the source of the smoke, he was shocked to find Syd and Celene's house ablaze, the inferno engulfing the structure and greedily consuming each and every object within that it could. There was a large crowd gathered nearby, many with those buckets of water and several more refilling the empty buckets with dirt, trying to smother the blaze before it took everything. He caught sight of Lissa and Ira among the people doing everything they could to stop the fire, both wearing looks of panic right.

As Link hurried towards the group, he was relieved to catch sight of Syd and Celene themselves. Syd had a pained look in his eye as he threw dirt onto the remnants of his home. Celene, however, was in tears, standing further away from the group as she watched her home vanish before her very eyes. Glenne was standing beside her, a comforting hand on her shoulder.

The poor girl was only a few months older than Glenne. For as long as Link had been in Hateno, she and Syd had been there, taking care of their friends and family. And now this had happened. He could feel the heartbreak emanating from the young woman as she leaned her head against Glenne's shoulder. Her long, auburn hair was dotted with ash and he tried to brush it away for her.

"Glenne, what happened here?" Link asked quickly, stopping at their sides. His student's eyes widened before shifting away, guilt evident in his gaze.

Why?

"M-Master Link…I'm so glad you're back…"

"How did this happen? Is everyone okay?"

Glenne hung his head.

"Um…mostly."

"Mostly? What's going on here, Glenne?"

Celene finally managed to recover enough to draw Glenne's attention, nodding at him as she blinked the tears from her eyes. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it for support. Why did he need support? There was more going on here…something he wasn't aware of yet…

"M…Master Link…I'm sorry. I…I failed you…"

Link's brow furrowed in confusion as he met his pupil's gaze.

"Glenne, just tell me what happened, okay? This isn't your fault."

The young man shook his head before looking up, his own gaze swimming with tears now.

"Not the fire…I…I couldn't stop them. I couldn't save her. I…was too weak…"

Link was becoming more concerned by the moment.

"What happened? What do you mean you were too weak? Is it Anya? Did something happen to your mom?"

It made sense – Glenne's greatest desire in life was to be able to protect his mother, something he worked hard to achieve. He blamed himself for his father's death and wanted to be strong enough to change things now. But if he was saying he was too weak…

"No, mom's fine too. It's…it's…Miss Zelda…"

Link's heart froze.

"Zelda? What do you mean? What happened to Zelda? Is she okay?" he asked quickly, his voice pouring forth with more intensity than it ever normally did.

Glenne hesitated for a long moment. Link almost reached out and shook him. He was a heartbeat away from demanding the answers from him right that second, but he stopped himself. It wouldn't help if he panicked and he didn't even know what had happened.

'Calm. Be calm for now. Don't lose yourself.'

"The…the Yiga Clan took her…"

Link felt a flood of fear and rage engulf his body. Those cowards again. They had skulked away like insects after the Calamity and hidden themselves in the outskirts of the desert. Urbosa, unable to pinpoint the exact location of their hideout, usually kept tabs on them, but they hadn't taken any meaningful action in so long it was almost a foregone conclusion that they wouldn't be much trouble in this new era of peace. But they had taken Zelda? Come to the village and kidnapped her…?

Link's face darkened, settling into a stoic mask. If he went to pieces now, he wouldn't be able to help her. Right now, he needed information.

"What happened? Tell me, Glenne." His voice was more stern than he had meant it to come out, but there was nothing he could do to help that at the moment.

"Um…about an hour ago now…this big guy wearing Yiga armor started walking through town. He had six men following him and…he had Miss Zelda over his shoulder. So me and Toren and Nobo and the others…we go our spears and…tried to stand against them."

"That's why the spears were in the center of the village. Is…everyone else okay?"

Those kids weren't equipped to fight the Yiga Clan. They were only now beginning to master proper fighting technique; they were amateurs in every sense of the word.

Glenne hung his head in shame.

"Everyone's fine. Some of us got hurt more than others but nobody's life is in danger. But…they got away, Master. We couldn't stop them. I couldn't stop them. The big guy watched while his friends fought us. They were…just too strong. We somehow held our own for a little while but they were injuring us a lot faster than we were wearing them down. And finally, the leader set fire to Celene's house in the chaos and used the smokescreen to cover their escape."

Link clenched his fist so tightly he almost drew blood as his nails dug into his palm.

"Then we don't know where they went…"

"No, I know."

"What? You do? Tell me." His voice was intense now and he stepped closer to Glenne.

"I…tried to follow them through the smoke to see what they were up to, but I was too scared to chase them alone…all I saw was that they were heading to the east. I…wasn't brave enough to keep going…"

"You were right not to chase them – they'd have killed you if you had."

Celene gasped and seized Glenne's arm, her eyes wide with fright. The girl hadn't said anything since Link arrived; she was probably still reeling from her home burning down before her very eyes. But Link couldn't afford to worry about her at the moment. There was someone else who needed him now. Someone who was alone and terrified right now…someone he had sworn to protect not twenty-four hours ago…

"Glenne," he began, "you said they went east?"

"Yes…I don't know why though - there's nothing to the east. Just the bay…"

"They were planning to escape by boat," Link muttered, frowning.

"…of course…I wonder if I could have stopped them from taking her before they…"

A somber silence fell over the young man as he averted his eyes again, biting his lip.

"Are you injured, Glenne?" Link asked suddenly.

The young man looked up towards him again, blinking several times.

"N-no. Nothing worse than some bruises."

"I'm glad. But I need your help; come with me. And quickly."

"I…don't understand, Master."

"I'll explain on the way. Let's move."

Though clearly taken by surprise, Glenne agreed, turning and murmuring something to Celene. The girl stepped forward quickly though, her eyes filled with tears. She met Link's gaze and clasped her hands together.

"Link…please don't let anything happen to Glenne. I…can't bear losing him too…"

He nodded to her at once.

"I'll never let any harm come to him. I just need his eyes. I promise he'll come home safe and sound."

"Thank you."

"Glenne, let's go."

Link moved quickly across the village towards his home, Glenne following closely on his heels. The young man was clearly a bit confused as to what they were doing, though.

"Um, Master? Why do you need me?"

"It's always better to have two sets of eyes in battle when the enemy is elusive the way the Yiga are."

"But…didn't they escape by boat?"

"Maybe. If they did, I'm wasting time that would be better spent heading to the Gerudo Desert to hunt them down. But there's a storm coming. It could be the ocean is too unpredictable to sail on right now, in which case they're hiding out somewhere until they can make their escape. And if there's even the slightest chance they haven't gotten away yet, then that means I can still save her. They'd have to be in Hateno Bay. They couldn't have gone north."

"H-how come?"

"Zelda is their prisoner and they won't want any harm coming to her. They couldn't risk taking her on foot across Mount Lanayru because of how cold it is. Their own suits wouldn't help them stay warm either and they can't use their teleportation ninjutsu if they're carrying a third party. Just by the simple act of taking Zelda hostage, they've limited their own movement."

"S-so you need me to help you find them down on the coast?"

They were crossing the bridge to the house now, Link noting that the front door was wide open. They'd brazenly come to his house in the middle of the day and taken Zelda…

"Something like that. If I've learned anything over the years fighting the Yiga, it's that it always pays to have someone watching your back."

If they were even still there…

'Please let them still be there. Please let Zelda be there.'

"Got it. Then I'll be there to help you, Master."

Arriving at the doorway, Link hurried inside. There was no sign of a struggle. Zelda had just opened the door for them. It made sense – all they'd have to do is approach her without the masks and she'd likely think he was expecting them. Perhaps she'd even thought they were a relative of someone in the village.

It didn't really matter how they'd done it, though. All that mattered was finding her. Saving her. Bringing her home.

Link rushed up to the loft and seized one of the quivers he'd prepared a few weeks ago with Zelda. It was filled with several of the elemental arrows he'd collected over the years. He had just been organizing them with her at the time but they might prove useful now. As quickly as he had ascended the stairs, he was back down on the first floor.

"Glenne, take this," Link insisted, thrusting the Hylian Shield at him.

The young man looked conflicted.

"But…this is your special shield, isn't it?"

"I have others. This is the strongest one I've got though; it'll keep you safe. And if we need to fight to save Zelda, you can use it to protect her while I take care of things."

His hesitation seemed to vanish as he reached out and seized the shield.

"I'll do it, Master. I'll protect her this time. I promise."

Link hurried into his bedroom, swapping his casual outfit with the familiar Champion's Tunic he had been presented with years ago. It was still his strongest piece of equipment and the enchantments on it would be invaluable if he had to cross blades with anyone. He quickly grabbed a few elixirs as well, shoving them into his pockets before rushing back to the main room, the Master Sword still safely on his back.

He seized his Lynel Bow from the wall before lifting his Royal Guard's Shield from the ground beneath it. It was a shield he had been gifted long ago for helping to train the knights after the Calamity. He had found that shield in the array of boxes alongside Zelda as well. Everything they'd uncovered a few weeks ago was suddenly proving much more useful than he'd thought it would be anytime soon.

"All set. Let's move, Glenne."

"Um, Master, should I grab a spear to help?"

"There're several in the center of town still. Take one for protection but even if we find them, you won't be fighting."

"I…won't?"

"You won't have any need to."

Glenne eyed him with wonder for a moment before falling into step beside him again.

The two hurried from Link's house back towards the center of the village.


"Master, what are you looking at?" Glenne murmured.

"Shh, don't be too loud. Look at the sand. Have you noticed?" Link asked in a hushed tone, pointing towards the ground before them.

They were by the coast in Hateno Bay now. As Link had hoped, the seas were angry enough that it didn't look to be good sailing weather. The waves roared and crashed relentlessly, as if the very earth were shaking. And yet, he didn't see a boat. Had they already escaped? Or had they been unable to dock their getaway transport thanks to the storm?

He was starting to have his suspicions that it was the latter. Even the most experienced sailors in Lurelin wouldn't have dared to sail on these kinds of waters. Odds were good the Yiga wouldn't risk the life of their hostage on such a suicidal journey.

Link thought back on the last several minutes, trying to sort through the events and facts again. Ira had caught he and Glenne as they crossed town in a hurry, begging them to keep an eye out for Melo. She hadn't been able to find her brother since that morning and was sick with worry, trying desperately to keep herself together in the face of uncertainty. He didn't want to think about it…but it was possible the Yiga Clan had gotten to him and silenced him. If Melo had figured out they were trying to attack the village, he absolutely would have tried to defend his sister. Maybe Link was wrong and Melo was just asleep somewhere, goofing off again.

Hopefully he was wrong.

And, of course, there was the matter of Zelda herself. The Yiga had so aggressively gone after her. They hadn't cared if they'd done it in broad daylight. Why hadn't they attacked the night before while he was at the Castle? Why wait until he was on his way back?

The answer was Mipha. Even seven of them couldn't have taken on the Zora Champion alone. Gentle though she was, Mipha would have stricken down each and every one of them before they'd laid a hand on Zelda. So they had to wait until she left this morning. Had they been staking out his house all night? Watching them? Preying on Zelda?

The thought made him tremble with hatred.

The next question was – why plan to escape by boat? The Yiga were generally landlocked and resided in the mountains beside the desert; they weren't likely to have too many competent sailors amongst their numbers.

The answer to that was because it was safer for them. As he'd told Glenne earlier, the Yiga couldn't use their teleportation while carrying her so continuing their journey on foot was unwise. They couldn't hope to cross the mountains to the north either. Perhaps they had even been concerned that they might come face to face with Link himself if they tried to escape west, depending on how much they knew about the situation.

They seemed to know far too much. Their timing was perfect, eerily so. It seemed likely they had planned this ambush for the day he had left town, knowing that he wouldn't be there. They'd had every opportunity to escape with Zelda.

Link, however, was coming to a more hopeful conclusion having seen the shore. If everything was as he suspected, they were still here. The sand he had pointed out to Glenne provided some tentative proof, too. It looked different than it normally did. Unnatural.

"I…don't see it, Master."

"Look there. Someone's been covering their tracks. It's done fairly well but you can tell from the way the ground becomes uneven. Like someone was dragging something across sets of footprints."

"Wow…did you learn that hunting?"

"Yes. But keep your voice down – we're close."

"Huh? We are?" Glenne's voice, to his credit, was barely above a whisper now.

"Do you see a boat here?"

Glenne scanned the horizon before turning his gaze back to Link.

"No…but couldn't they have already gotten away?"

"I was worried about that too. But I don't think that actually happened Look at the ocean – only a fool would try to sail on that. The people who kidnapped Zelda want to bring her to their boss safely; even they're not stupid enough to risk her life in a storm like this."

"That makes sense," Glenne acknowledged.

"Besides," Link continued, gesturing to the coast, "I don't see any footprints leading to the shoreline. Why bother covering your tracks if you're getting on a boat? There's no sign that the sand there has been disturbed, either."

"So…"

"So they probably couldn't even get their boat here for the storm and the rough waters. It might just be that the Goddess is looking out for Zelda today after all…"

"Then if they really didn't get away…they're still here somewhere?

"I think they might be. Probably inside that cave if the direction of their tracks is anything to go by," Link muttered, gesturing to the large opening at the very edge of the cliffside. It was an area he hadn't ever had cause to explore before today.

"You're incredible, Master; I can't believe you managed to piece all that together. But…how can you stay in control and notice all this? Your fiancée was kidnapped…I don't think I'd be able to be so calm…"

Link chewed his lip again as they made their way towards the cave.

"If I let myself go to pieces, I won't be able to help her. If I were to panic and search in the wrong places, they could still slip away right under my nose; this storm won't last forever."

"T-that's true. You're amazing, Master…"

"But I assure you, Glenne," Link continued, glancing briefly over his shoulder towards the young man, "I am anything but calm."

Glenne's eyes widened as he took in those words. The truth was that Link had been on the brink of snapping for a while now. Since he had first heard that the Yiga had kidnapped Zelda, he was ready to hunt them down like rabid beasts.

Just the thought of what they'd done to her was enough to enrage him like he'd never felt. His hands had been shaking since he'd heard the news and he had to focus in order to keep his breathing under control. His composure was precarious, teetering on the edge of collapse with each step forward, each thought of Zelda in their clutches. That was bad enough.

But to then think about how scared she must have been, how utterly terrified and alone she must have felt, especially after everything she'd endured in her life up until now…

It was enough to fill Link with a murderous rage quite unlike him.

He threw his arm out and caught Glenne across the chest, stopping him in his tracks. They had arrived at the mouth of the cave. The young man swallowed hard, gripping his spear a little tighter.

Link shook his head.

"Even if they're in here, do not put yourself in danger. I'll take care of them myself. Your job is to watch my back and cover Zelda if it comes to it."

"R…right," he whispered back, his voice shaking somewhat. He was probably scared to come face to face with the Yiga again. Anybody in their right mind would be.

"Stay close. And don't say a word once we're inside. I'm hoping we can take them by surprise if they were confident enough in their ability to cover their tracks. Maybe they won't be prepared for anyone to have followed them."

Glenne didn't breathe a word this time, simply nodding.

"Let's go."

Link and Glenne entered the cave slowly, the muted light of the stormy afternoon beginning to dissipate into the inky blackness. The cave itself was quite dark, the long tunnel descending deeper and deeper underground. Droplets of water fell from the ceiling and splashed onto the ground, small puddles having collected in various places under their feet. In all likelihood, when the tide rose high enough, some of the ocean water spilled down into the earth here. Link was careful to steer himself and Glenne around those spots to better cover their approach.

It was a stoke of good fortune that the pathway was narrow and there was nowhere to lurk in the shadows. The only way to progress was by moving forward without an opportunity to fall victim to a trap. If the Yiga Clan really hadn't managed to escape, if his theory was correct…then they'd be waiting up ahead.

With Zelda.

They made their way slowly through the cave for several minutes before Link threw his arm across Glenne's path again. The young man said nothing, coming to a perfect standstill. Ahead, in the distance, were a few lanterns dispelling the darkness around them. And, sure enough, six Yiga Clan members were scattered aimlessly amongst the light.

'They're still here. Then, Zelda must still be here too. I'm not too late.'

Link leaned in close to Glenne's ear and whispered in an almost nonexistent voice.

"Stay here. Don't come forward until I gave you the signal."

He nodded, tightening his grip on the spear in his hand just in case.

Link wasted no more time. Silently, he drew his bow and seized a handful of shock arrows from his quiver. The puddles of water all throughout this cave were about to serve as a wonderful ambush opportunity; there was a rather large one near the assailants, almost as if it had been perfectly positioned for his assault.

Link surged forward, prepping the arrows and leaping into the air. A few of the Yiga members heard his approaching footsteps and turned towards the noise. It took a moment for them to find him in the darkness but by the time they were shouting warnings to each other it was already too late.

Link focused intently on his target. It felt as if time slowed down around him, a sensation he hadn't experienced very frequently since the Calamity but one that always felt familiar all the same. He drew several shock arrows back and let them fly, landing gently on his feet again as the projectiles struck their mark perfectly.

Howls of pain erupted through the cave as the shock arrows landed in the nearby water, producing large domes of electricity. The six Yiga members were all caught in the debilitating fields, unable to even move as a result. Link swapped his bow for the Master Sword and Royal Guard's Shield before closing the last of the distance between them.

As the electricity dissipated, Link darted through the group, bashing each and every one of them with his shield. He tried never to kill unless absolutely forced to. Even now, lost in the throes of hate as he was, his natural inclination was simply to incapacitate rather than execute. Six Yiga members collapsed to the ground a moment later and ceased moving.

Link surveyed the situation. They wouldn't be waking up again for a while…he'd hit them harder than he usually did. He had taken a bit of a dark pleasure in smashing that shield unceremoniously into them – they had kidnapped Zelda and terrified her, hurt his students and set fire to a good family's home. They deserved the miserable headaches and bruises they'd awaken with later.

Sheathing his weapons again, Link took one of the lanterns the Yiga had been using for light, lifting it into his hand.

"Glenne, you can come down now," he called, his voice just above a whisper.

The young man hurried forward before gasping in surprise. He looked stunned as he gazed upon the collection of Yiga, unconscious and soundly defeated. It hadn't even taken him a full minute.

"Master…you're incredible," Glenne murmured. "We…couldn't even take down one of them."

Waving him along, Link began walking forward, thankful for the light they now could rely on.

"It pays to take note of your surroundings. This cave is very damp so the shock arrows are even more effective than usual here. Fire arrows wouldn't work well, though."

"Leave it to Master to notice things like that."

"Try to keep it in mind yourself; it might save your life someday."

"Yes, Master Link." His voice was still low but some of the familiar wonder and excitement was returning to it at last.

Link turned his attention back to the cave as they continued deeper. If the leader who had carried Zelda was only flanked by six men, then that mean he was all that remained. In theory, of course. It was possible several more Yiga members were hiding out in this cave, but that seemed unlikely. The Yiga Clan usually moved in small numbers so as to avoid drawing attention. Besides, if they were truly aware that Link would be out of town, then they likely weren't worried about overcoming anyone left in Hateno and hadn't felt the need to send reinforcements.

Link stopped suddenly as the ground beneath him began to turn downward yet again. Lowering his own lantern, he was able to make out the more aggressive slope before them as well as a faint light much further down the tunnel. Perhaps that was the end of the cave…or maybe it was another camp of Yiga soldiers.

Either way, it was their next destination.

"Watch your step," Link cautioned Glenne. "The path gets steep up ahead and it's probably slippery."

"I'll be careful."

As they began to descend into the depths of the cave, Link was overcome by a realization. This long, dark tunnel…had probably reminded Zelda of the dungeon staircase she had trusted him enough to tell him about. She must have been absolutely terrified when they'd brought her down her, paralyzed from fear and horror at reliving that traumatic memory. That had probably been harder for her to endure than even being taken by the Yiga themselves…

Link bit his lip so hard he drew blood from it, his fists shaking with rage.

"You'll regret putting her through that," Link hissed under his breath, his teeth grinding together.

"What, Master?" Glenne asked.

Snapping from his spell of anger, Link shook his head.

"Nothing, Glenne. Let's keep going. Be ready for anything."

They slowly made their way down the steep path, careful not to lose their footing. The ground was indeed damp which slowed their progress, but neither of them slipped. It seemed to go on forever, but eventually the light at the end of the cave began to grow steadily brighter. And when finally the ground evened out, Link's eyes fell upon what seemed to be the deepest point of the cavern.

A rather large room opened up from the long, dark tunnel they had traversed. There was no other exit in this area; it seemed to be a dead end. The floor was barren aside from a few random supply bags belonging to the Yiga, two more lanterns that had been set up on opposite sides of the expanse to illuminate it, and…

"Zelda!"

Link threw all caution to the wind and raced forward, thrusting his borrowed lantern into Glenne's hands.

The room was empty except for her small frame, resting as far from the tunnel as possible. She was lying on the cold ground, her wrists and legs bound by rope. There were two red marks on her cheeks from where she had seemingly been grabbed with some force. Her new white jacket and her golden hair alike was sullied with mud. And her eyes were closed. He almost panicked but, as he drew closer, he could finally see that she was breathing easily.

Falling to his knees beside her, Link lifted Zelda from the ground and wrapped his arm around her, holding her in a sitting position.

"Zelda. Zelda! Are you okay?"

Her eyes began to flutter but it was as if she couldn't force them to stay open. She tried to mumble something but all that came out was a string of tiny noises.

"Is…she alright?" Glenne asked, arriving at his side again. He was glancing around the room to make sure they were still alone.

Link nodded, fishing into his pocket.

"She will be. The Yiga sometimes give their victims a weakening elixir to ensure they can't escape. It drains your stamina and makes you exhausted. This'll help her, though," he explained, producing a green vial.

"A stamina elixir?"

Link nodded.

"Good eye. Yeah, this'll counteract the affects of the Yiga's weakening elixir, but she'll still have some trouble moving for a while. She'll be just fine with a little time, though."

"Good, I'm really glad to hear that. You take care of Miss Zelda; I'll watch the room."

"Thanks, Glenne."

Turning his attention back to his fiancée, Link leaned her against his raised left leg while he tipped her head back with his hand.

"Zelda, I need you to drink this for me, okay? It'll help you, I promise. Please, trust me." His voice was warmer than it had been since he'd departed the day before.

She muttered some unintelligible sounds again before her lips slowly managed to part. Steadying his hand, still trembling from rage over what they'd done to her, Link poured the elixir very slowly into her mouth. She swallowed it gradually and, after several seconds, managed to drink it all.

The effects were almost immediate. A moment after she swallowed the last of it, Zelda's eyes opened wide and she blinked several times. Her face regained some of its color and she turned her head several times as if she were trying to figure out where she was before, finally, her eyes met his. She gasped in surprise.

"L…Link…"

Without even thinking about it, Link dropped the vial and threw his arms around Zelda, holding her close. She squeaked in surprise before settling into his embrace a few moments later.

"Zelda…thank the Goddess you're okay," he murmured. The tension in his body had all but evaporated when she said his name, leaving him strangely weak.

"You…came for me?"

"Of course I did. I'm so sorry I let this happen."

"It wasn't…your fault, Link. I shouldn't…have opened the door."

Link squeezed her a little tighter.

"Don't blame yourself. None of this was your fault, Zelda. None of it at all."

After holding her for several more moments, Link's arm brushed against the ropes restraining her. Placing her against his leg again, he set about untying her wrists as gently as he could.

"What happened to you?" Link murmured, trying to choke down his fury at the Yiga. He didn't want to startle her with an angry voice.

"I…I'm not sure. A man appeared on the doorstep earlier and it seemed like…he was in trouble. But when I tried to help, a second, giant man appeared wearing the mask of the Yiga. He grabbed me and started to take me away. But…Glenne and your other students tried to save me."

"I owe them so much for trying to protect you," Link told her, finally succeeding in freeing her wrists.

He scowled at the sight - her skin was red and even mildly bruised from how tightly they'd tied her up.

'As if she was really going to be able to get away from you after you force-fed her that elixir, you cowards.'

Zelda continued in a shaky voice as Link set about freeing her legs next.

"The…the leader set Syd's house on fire…and then went to the coast. T-they were supposed to take me onto a boat but…it wasn't there like it should have been. They were all upset and scared that it wasn't waiting for them…so they demanded I tell them when you would be home."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through all that," Link murmured, resisting the urge to gnash his teeth together from rage.

Zelda shook her head.

"I'm glad they asked me that question, at least. I…lied to them. I told them you'd be back in minutes. It was all I could think of that would worry them. I thought…maybe if they trapped themselves…you might be able to find us even though I knew you weren't that close…"

Link stopped his work on the ropes binding her legs and reached up, squeezing her shoulder and offering her the first smile he'd worn in what felt like hours.

"That was a brilliant idea, Zelda. You forced them into a dead end. You stayed calm in the face of such an awful situation and got the better of them. I'm so proud of you."

Zelda's face flushed as Link set about working on the ropes again. She took a few moments to collect herself before speaking again.

"T-thank…you. I'm glad…it worked. If it hadn't…I probably wouldn't have been aware of it anyway. After they brought me down here, they tied me up and made me drink this awful purple mixture. I…don't really know what happened after that…"

Link finished untying her legs at last and met her gaze again. Despite the heat that had overtaken her cheeks before, she still looked scared. Like she might burst into tears at any moment.

He wrapped her up in his arms again without thinking, hugging her tight.

"They gave you a weakening elixir to make sure you couldn't escape…did they do anything else to you? Did they hurt you beyond tying you up like that?"

She shook her head timidly against him.

"I…don't think so. After they gave me that elixir, they just left me here, I think. I could barely understand what was happening around me by that point…"

Link gave her some space, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze again. She didn't appear to be on the verge of tears any longer, though she certainly wasn't happy. But she did seem…calmer, somehow.

He felt a gentle tugging on his tunic and looked down again to see Zelda gripping the shoulder of his clothing between her thumb and index finger. He reached up and closed his hand around hers.

She was okay. Not unscathed, but at least they hadn't managed to take her away.

"Thank you…for saving someone like me," Zelda murmured, her eyes tearing up again.

Link squeezed her hand just a bit tighter.

"What are you talking about? I'll always come for you, no matter what."

Zelda's somber face gave way to a gentle smile at last. It was small but it was also the most genuine smile Link had ever seen her wear. She was even more beautiful than he'd ever realized…

"I'm just so happy you're okay, Zelda. I don't know what I would have done if-

"Master!"

Link jerked his head around at Glenne's warning and his eyes fell upon a giant man wearing the Yiga armor. He had descended from the path they had just followed to find Zelda. This was the leader then, the mastermind who had taken Zelda away.

Rage welled up in Link's heart again, his body quaking with unbridled fury.

"Glenne. Come here. Take care of Zelda."

"Got it," the young man agreed, stepping close and kneeling down beside them.

Link turned back to Zelda, noticing her newly-terrified eyes, and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, Zelda. I'm here now. I'll protect you from anything and anyone, I promise."

Zelda's mouth fell open and she finally managed a timid nod.

"I…know. I trust you…Link."

Link felt his heart swell, even now. To hear those words from her…

"Take care of her, Glenne," Link insisted, releasing Zelda once he was sure she wouldn't fall.

"I'll make sure nothing happens to her this time, Master."

Link rose to his feet and turned towards the last of the Yiga members that had stolen Zelda away, the one who had planned and executed it all. Fixing his hateful gaze upon the man, he began to step forward.

"Thanks. This won't take long."


Zelda was still trying to catch back up to reality. Her mind was reeling and so much had happened since the Yiga had appeared on the doorstep earlier that day. Though she had managed to tell Link the short version, the details were finally starting to come back to her rapidly awakening mind.

She had been thrown unceremoniously over the large man's shoulder and carried through the village, followed closely by six more members of the Yiga Clan. She hadn't dared to make a move or do anything to draw their ire, instead opting to remain perfectly still and submit to her fate. Part of her thought it might even be a blessing in disguise for Link and the others…they wouldn't have to deal with her anymore.

But to her absolute shock, the villagers weren't willing to abandon her at all. Glenne and the other students that Link sometimes trained stepped between the Yiga and the border of the village, drawing their spears and demanding they release Zelda. The leader informed everyone that she, the Second Princess of Hyrule, would be coming with them. Though she caught a glimpse of several shocked faces, not one of them bowed to his demands.

She remembered being so moved by their kindness and desire to protect her that she started crying. Nobody had ever put themselves in danger for her sake before…nobody had ever thought her worth it…

Watching those young men fight to free her was the moment Zelda decided she needed to do what she could to resist too. The villagers…they didn't want her to be taken away. They didn't want her to disappear. And even though it was presumptuous to think so…she was starting to believe that Link felt the same way. As long as he was out there, as long as he wanted to keep her safe…she couldn't give up on herself.

Not this time.

Her captor set fire to Syd's house and used the smokescreen to flee along with his men but they didn't make it far. She had heard them cursing over the fact that their boat wasn't there yet. Evidently, something had gone wrong with their plan, something even greater than the stormy weather. But they couldn't go back to the west in case Link showed up and they weren't equipped to travel north across the mountain. To Zelda, that meant they had two options – take cover and wait for their getaway boat or try to escape back through the village anyway and risk coming face to face with the Goddess's chosen hero.

The large man demanded to know when Link would be returning and she told him he would likely be back in minutes. She had lied, of course; Link probably wouldn't be back for much longer than that, but perhaps she could scare them into trapping themselves. Give Link a chance to actually get home. Maybe he could find her. Maybe he…would want to save her…just the way she had so selfishly wished from the moment they had appeared…

It was the only way she could think of to resist.

The large man carried her down into the cave, down a dark, steep tunnel. It had terrified her, brought back all manner of awful memories. But she hadn't frozen up. This time, for the entire walk down the horrifying expanse that made her shiver worse than the coldest winters she'd ever endured, she kept her mind as focused as she could, hoping they were going to a dead end. Someplace the Yiga couldn't escape from. Someplace they couldn't take her away.

Someplace Link might be able to find her.

That thought alone stayed some of the usual terror she felt when finding herself face to face with a cold descent into the dark. It was a warm light against the freezing nothingness.

Once they had arrived, the leader tied her up and rather painfully forced her mouth open, making her drink that weakening elixir. In moments, she had become so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open or entertain a coherent thought. And after that, everything became a blur. She tried to keep herself awake though. If she fell asleep, there was a chance she would wake up somewhere else. If she could just stay aware of her surroundings…

It didn't work well. She slipped into what she could only describe as the twilight between consciousness and sleep. Each thought disappeared as if she'd never had it to begin with. Every sight no longer made logical sense to her. Even the room she was in felt both wrong and right at the same time.

She was in a cave, right? That was strange, wasn't it? But hadn't she been in this cave to begin with? Maybe she'd always been here. In that case, why was it so strange? Maybe it was normal for her to be here, after all.

This had continued until she had felt Link's strong arms around her again, slowly giving her that green mixture. And now, he stood between her and the man that had taken her from him once already. She shivered as she looked upon the sight. He towered over all of them. Would Link really be able to defeat this man…?

The leader of the Yiga spoke, his deep voice reverberating off the walls of the cave. Zelda felt herself shrink in fear at the sound.

"Link-dono, though I was hoping we would not meet today, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance at long last. My name is Sooga, top general of the Yiga Clan and right hand to the illustrious Master Kohga."

"I don't care who you are," Link intoned, his voice dark and angry.

Zelda was a bit surprised to hear that tone come from her fiancé. He always spoke with such a gentle, reassuring voice. Was he…angry?

"I feel I must apologize for the way we were forced to go about ensuring an audience with Princess Zelda-dono; it seems to have caused you quite a bit of distress. I am afraid there was simply no other option, though."

"You know who she really is, then?"

"Indeed, I do. This plan was all to bring one of the Princesses of Hyrule before Master Kohga."

"It appears your plan failed, though – your boat never showed up."

Link wasn't at the right angle for her to catch a glimpse of his face but she could see how tense he was. His hands were trembling lightly. She didn't think it wasn't from fear.

"You seem to be as well versed in our plan as we were in your schedule, Link-dono. Alas, the old adage 'if you want something done right, do it yourself' comes to mind today," Sooga sighed.

Link was done listening to him, calling out across the expanse in a harsh voice.

"So let me get everything straight. You waited for Mipha to leave this morning. You kidnapped Zelda from our home. You carried her down into this subterranean prison. You bound her wrists and legs so tightly you bruised and injured her. You forced her to drink that weakening elixir of yours even though she was already restrained. And then you abandoned her in the cold to go look for this boat of yours?"

"You appear to be quite perceptive of our methods, though I assure you Zelda-dono was treated with more delicacy than most of our hostages. She is very important for our negotiations with the King of Hyrule, you see. We must keep her safe and healthy."

Link took a step forward, drawing the Master Sword from its sheathe in one fluid motion before leveling the point at Sooga.

"Eight times."

Sooga tilted his head in confusion.

"Forgive me, I'm afraid I do not understand, Link-dono."

"I'll pay you back eight times for the suffering and misery you caused her - one slash across your body for each different pain you forced her to endure."

Despite the intensity and terrifying nature of his words, Zelda couldn't help but feel her heart flutter. He was angry…for her. Nobody…had ever been angry for her…

"Perhaps my counting is different from yours, Link-dono," Sooga responded, his voice relaxed still.

"It must be. One for each wrist, one for each leg, one for her face, one for forcing her to drink that foul elixir, one for putting her through hell when you took her from the one place she feels safe."

"I believe that count still comes out to seven."

Link's left hand balled into a tight fist.

"And one for forcing her to relive her worst memory when you brought her down into this tomb."

Zelda gasped lightly. He had been thinking about her the whole time he had followed them into this cave. He knew how badly the descent must have affected her. Had anyone ever cared about her feelings the way he did?

The answer to that question was a resounding 'no.'

And Link was still being so considerate of her, even now. Even when faced with an enemy that would surely try to kill him, he refused to back down. He refused to let them take her away. Zelda was almost overcome by tears at the thought.

Sooga began to laugh lightly across the room.

"As noble a sentiment as that is, I'm afraid it will never come to pass. Regrettably, I must end your life here, Link-dono, and bring Zelda-dono back to Master Kohga," he announced, drawing his twin blades from his hips. He snapped into a combat stance, staring Link down.

"Come end my life then," Link spat, his voice fierce and dripping with hate.

"I will do as is expected of me."

"Don't forget – eight times."

Zelda gasped as they charged forward, Link drawing a black shield from his back. It wasn't his Hylian Shield that made its usual home by the doorway of the house but a moment later she learned where that particular shield had gone. Glenne pulled it from his back and placed it between her and the battle, moving his body to shield her somewhat.

"G-Glenne?"

"Master asked me to keep you safe, Zelda-sama. I won't fail this time."

"P…please don't…"

"Ah, sorry. You'd probably prefer I still call you 'Miss Zelda,' huh? I can do that!" he assured her with a bright grin.

"…t…thank you." She didn't want the people of Hateno to view themselves as beneath her.

'Not after they put their lives in danger to save me.'

Zelda was pulled from her thoughts as Link and Sooga finally met in the middle of the room. The Yiga general was faster than she expected, leaping and darting around nimbly as his blades danced in a flurry of arcs and crescents. Link dodged and blocked every strike, though. His shield deflected several and he parried many more with the Master Sword, but he never once lost his footing.

'He is…incredible.'

Sooga aimed two staggered attacks at Link, following one slash with a quick second, causing Zelda to gasp. But her concerns, she quickly learned, were unfounded. Link ducked beneath the first strike and blocked the second with his shield, slashing with the Master Sword. His arm moved so fast she almost missed the motion entirely.

A grunt of pain sounded from Sooga who leapt away, putting distance between the two. There was a cut in his suit, one that ran from his right hip up towards his chest. He was bleeding now but not profusely.

Link stared him down with livid eyes before lifting a finger.

"That's one."

"Perhaps I wasn't taking this seriously enough," Sooga sighed, adopting his combat stance once more.

Link said nothing.

Zelda watched in awe as the battle continued. She had never seen Link fight before and even though she was terrified for his safety, terrified that he was putting himself in danger just for her sake when she didn't deserve it, she was enamored with how beautifully he moved. Every step was graceful, every attack measured, every motion deliberate. Sooga was quick for his size and deceptively clever, but Link…

'So this is the greatest swordsman in all of Hyrule.'

After several clashes more, Sooga retreated again, breathing harder than he had been before. She noticed a series of fresh cuts on his body. A pair had appeared on each enormous arm, one across his left bicep and another down his right forearm. One additional wound existed on his left thigh as well.

And despite the ferocity of their duel, Link was entirely unscathed.

"That's four. Halfway," he snarled.

As they clashed again, Sooga moving slower and favoring his right leg, Zelda couldn't stop herself from speaking up.

"Link is…amazing. That other man…can't even touch him."

Glenne made a small noise of agreement next to her but she couldn't tear her eyes away from her fiancé's incredible display of power for even a second.

"He really is," the young man murmured.

"I've never…seen him fight before."

"He's sparred with me and the others, but…I've never seen him fight like this," Glenne admitted.

Another grunt of pain sounded from the Yiga general as Link's Master Sword left another cut along his left leg. His movements slowed even further.

"What do you mean, Glenne? 'Like this?'"

"He's never gone all out with us. He's…worlds beyond what he shows us in the village."

Zelda just stared in awe as Link slipped around Sooga's blades yet again, ramming the man with his shield and causing him to stumble backwards before charging in again.

"Glenne? D-do you think…Link is really aiming to injure that man eight times like he said?"

"Without a doubt. I can see it in the way he's fighting," Glenne assured her.

"…why would he do that, though? He doesn't need to go that far just for someone like me…"

Glenne spoke once more, his voice soft.

"Because they took you and hurt you. I only noticed after he pointed it out before we came inside this cave - he's absolutely livid over what they did to you, Miss Zelda. Maybe I shouldn't say this but…I think he was really scared of losing you today."

Another pained shout escaped Sooga as Link left a sixth cut, this time across the left side of his chest. Zelda gazed on in awe. She had thought he was angry but to think he was actually dueling someone with the intent of making them suffer…just for trying to take her. Nobody else would have cared if she disappeared entirely. Her own sister might have handed her to the Yiga Clan with a bow tied atop her head if the opportunity had presented itself.

But not Link.

Link cared.

Link cared about her.

'I can…trust him…'

Another loud clash of swords yanked Zelda from her reverie as she watched Link parry another of Sooga's attacks. It looked so effortless, as if the Master Sword truly were an extension of his very body. Though witnessing violence didn't make her happy, she had to admit that the way he moved and carried himself was hypnotic. Artful, even.

"His technique is incredible," Glenne managed at last. "The Master Sword is the most powerful blade in existence. For him to cut Sooga with it so precisely and not leave a mortal wound on his body is…just astounding. His control with that sword is perfect…"

The young man sighed heavily.

"W-what's wrong?" Zelda asked, still unable to tear her eyes away from her fiancé.

"I really thought I could fight like he does someday. I'm only now realizing…I've never seen what Master is really capable of. He's on an entirely different level than normal Hylians. We couldn't even stop the six grunts earlier in the village. But Master Link brought them all to their knees in seconds."

Another dazzling flash of Link's sword and one more wound appeared on the large man, this time at his right shoulder. Sooga wasn't capable of holding his blade properly anymore and it fell involuntarily to the ground. The Yiga general grunted in pain and anger. He was panting, moving slowly and injured to the point he wouldn't be able to cross blades with Link any longer with a real hope of winning.

"Seven," came Link's dark voice.

"You are quite the swordsman, Link-dono," Sooga managed through his ragged breaths.

"Stop using my name like you know me. Though I suppose you're intimately acquainted with my blade now – that might count for something."

Sooga actually let out a laugh.

"Your confidence is certainly not unfounded."

Link's eyes hardened.

"Why don't you take another run at me so I can give you your eighth wound? Then you can run away like a coward with your tail between your legs."

"It appears my training has been insufficient if you were able to reduce me to such a state without so much as breaking a sweat."

"Don't be so hard on yourself – it's a cold day." There was no humor in Link's voice.

Sooga began to laugh again, much more genuinely this time. But before he finished laughing, the man seemed to vanish. It wasn't in the puff of white smoke that Zelda had witnessed before, but she couldn't see him any longer.

"M-Master, where did he-"

"Quiet," Link demanded, his voice soft.

Glenne fell silent at once.

Link's eyes scanned the room around him. Zelda did the same but she had no idea what she was looking for. Glenne didn't seem to know either but he still hefted the Hylian Shield and held it close to Zelda, placing his body between her and the center of the room. Link still hadn't moved though. What was he searching for exactly? Could she find it too? Help him somehow?

A moment later, Zelda felt her heart plummet. Sooga materialized all at once behind Link, bringing his blade down with tremendous force. She screamed in terror and reached out for Link.

There was nothing she could do for him…

But just before the blade connected with him, Link leapt to the side. Zelda rubbed her eyes and blinked several times – it looked like he and Sooga were moving in…slow motion? It was almost imperceptible but it felt like Link was using some kind of power. Did he have a magical ability of his own?

Whatever he had done, Sooga's blade missed him entirely, smashing into the ground. A second later, Link spun behind the Yiga general and brought the point of the Master Sword down in a sharp arc, slicing down the full expanse of his back. This attack earned a howl of pain from the giant man, who fell to his knees a moment later.

The last wound seemed to be deeper if the response was any indication. Sooga was panting and clutching his side, unable to rise to his feet again. His final blade clattered to the ground and Link laid the Master Sword across his shoulder, gazing down at him in disgust.

"Eight."

"Impressive…I've never encountered a warrior…who could sense my presence…even while I'm masking it visually."

"Your wounded ego can go right alongside those eight slashes to teach you just some of the suffering you inflicted on my fiancée."

Zelda felt her heart leap. She didn't like violence but she had no positive feelings towards her captor. The fact that Link had gone so far to avenge what had been done to her almost made her cry. He didn't have to care about her. He didn't have to defend her like this. But he did it anyway, asking for nothing in return.

And still he called her his fiancée so readily.

"This victory is yours…Link-dono. Unfortunately, I cannot…leave Master Kohga alone yet. I owe him a life debt."

"And you think you can negotiate with me? Convince me to spare you?"

"You seem a reasonable man."

"Usually. But you seem to constantly forget yourself – you kidnapped my fiancée and hurt her. You're in no position to negotiate with me; you're in a position to beg."

"Would I leave here alive even if I did?"

"You certainly don't deserve to."

"Thank you for an eye-opening duel, Link-dono."

A puff of white smoke accented by those same red talismans engulfed Sooga's body and a moment later he was gone. Link didn't look surprised.

He held up a finger and scanned the room, his eyes narrow and his sword and shield ready, but no attack came. After a minute of this, Link seemed convinced that Sooga had indeed retreated and lowered his arms, sighing.

Sheathing the Master Sword and returning his shield to his back, Link began to cross the room towards Zelda and Glenne again. The young man lifted the Hylian Shield and returned it to his own back, rising to his feet and offering Zelda his arm. She let him help her up but wobbled some, still quite unsteady on her feet.

Hurrying the last few steps, Link reached her a moment later and offered her his hands. She timidly placed hers in them.

"Are you okay, Zelda?" Link asked her, his voice soft and caring again.

"I…think so. Are you?"

"I am, don't worry. Not even a scratch."

Glenne spoke up suddenly, his eyes still wide.

"Master, that was incredible. The way you fought, you the way you moved, it was…extraordinary."

Link squeezed Zelda's hands in his own before turning his gaze to Glenne.

"Sorry if I shocked you. I never showed you all I was capable of because I didn't want you or the others to feel like you weren't good enough. You're learning and starting from scratch, but I've been training to fight the Calamity since I was twelve. If I wasn't at least that good in a fight, Ganon would have destroyed me and this entire Kingdom. But sometimes, no matter how objectively you look at a situation like that, it can be discouraging to see."

"I can't say I believe I'll ever be that good, Master," Glenne continued, a bittersweet smile on his face, "but that doesn't mean I'm giving up! Next time…next time I'll be able to help. To really help."

Zelda felt Link's left hand release her and watched as he placed it on Glenne's shoulder. The young man's face was eclipsed by surprise as Link began to speak.

"You did really help. You stood up to people stronger than you when they came to take someone important to all of us. You kept track of where the Yiga took Zelda so you could lead me there when I returned. And you had my back the whole time down here. Thank you, Glenne. You're far stronger than you give yourself credit."

"Master…"

Zelda smiled at the scene. She knew Glenne could be a lot for Link to handle sometimes, but he was a good kid at heart, someone trying to find his place in the world and become strong enough to protect the people he loved. Link seemed to understand that perfectly.

"Shall we head home now, Zelda?" Link asked, turning his attention back to her. His expression was soft and his smile warmer than she'd ever seen.

She felt a bright smile of her own bloom to life across her lips.

"Y…yes. I would…love…that…"

A moment later, though, exhaustion suddenly overwhelmed Zelda and she fell forward, her consciousness beginning to fade. The last thing she was aware of was Link catching her in his arms.


"Is she okay?" Glenne shouted, his eyes panicked.

Link eased Zelda down into a sitting position and leaned in close. Her breathing was calm and normal. Her face was relaxed. He took her pulse and found it strong and steady. Link breathed a sigh of relief.

"She's okay, just sleeping. All the excitement and adrenaline must've worn her out. She's been through a lot today."

"I'm glad she's not hurt," Glenne murmured.

Link lifted her up into his arms as he rose to his feet, readjusting her gently to make sure she was comfortable. She was deceptively light.

"You're a big part of the reason she isn't, Glenne. Thank you again. I owe you."

The young man's face flushed a bit.

"Y-you don't owe me anything, Master! It was enough of a gift to see you fight that way! You were just amazing!"

"Thanks. Now, what do you say we get out of here? I want to get Zelda home so she can rest and recover."

"Good idea. I'm right behind you."

As Link carried Zelda up the steep slope they had descended before, his mind went over the situation once again. It had been an absolute whirlwind of a day. He hadn't woken up that morning prepared for anything that had occurred since his return to Hateno. It hadn't even been an hour since he'd abandoned his bag with the coachman and yet it felt like so much longer.

But the most important thing was that Zelda was safe. She was hurt and he knew she had been terrified like few other times in her life. But the fact that she had managed to smile at him down in the depths of this dark, dank cave was worth a lot. She had survived even this with grace and resilience.

'She is so very special. So amazing…'

"Master, can I ask you something?" Glenne began.

"Of course."

"That Yiga general didn't just get the jump on you when he teleported away earlier, did he?"

"No, he didn't."

"How come you didn't kill him?"

Link paused for a moment to gather his thoughts.

"Well…I've told you before I don't like to kill others unless I absolutely have to. He was already injured badly enough that he couldn't fight anymore; he was no danger to Zelda like that. Don't get me wrong – he deserved every wound and I hope he suffers because of them for a long time. But…it felt wrong to take his life when he had no way left to defend himself."

"But what if he comes back for revenge?"

"Then I'll slice him to ribbons with my blade again," Link murmured. His voice wasn't as dark as it had been earlier but there was still a rare intensity to it.

"When he turned himself invisible earlier…would you have killed him if he'd tried to attack me and Miss Zelda? Or tried to take her hostage again?"

"In a heartbeat. He wasn't ever going to touch her again." There was no remorse or hesitation in his voice.

Glenne breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm glad to know he wouldn't have managed to get to her in the end."

"Never. But I don't think he would've stooped to that, actually."

"No?"

"For as repulsive as the Yiga are, that man, Sooga…he fought with honor. He treated our fight as a proper duel and ignored both you and Zelda the entire time. Maybe I'm wrong about him, but I got the sense he's a better man than your standard Yiga soldier. That's what I felt as I crossed blades with him, at least."

"That's good to know if we ever see him again," Glenne admitted. "Still, I was real nervous when he vanished that he might come for her instead. I put myself in front of Miss Zelda as much as I could but…I wouldn't have really been able to do anything.

Link gave Glenne a smile.

"I noticed what you did for her. Thank you for putting yourself in danger to keep her safe."

"Of course. I couldn't let anything happen to someone who's actually a Princess of Hyrule, much less your fiancée, Master!"

"Please keep that a secret, Glenne," Link murmured. "Not many people know that Hyrule has a Second Princess and I don't think she wants anyone here to find out."

Glenne grimaced, though.

"Uh…everyone already knows Master. That Sooga guy announced it to the whole village when we tried to stop him."

Link sighed.

"Well…I guess there's no point in worrying about it now. I'll make sure she's okay with things before she has to answer any questions."

"Um, Master? Would it be alright if I asked you a few questions about her?"

Link smiled but shook her head.

"You should save them for her. I don't want to answer for her and I'm sure she'd appreciate the opportunity to tell you her secrets for herself."

Glenne nodded and smiled back.

"Understood, Master Link. Thanks."

They continued walking for a few moments more before cresting the top of the steep tunnel again. They had made their way back to the first group of Yiga members Link had dispatched upon their arrival, the six grunts that had followed Sooga. All of them were still unconscious and hadn't moved at all. Of course, Sooga had been in no position to take them along as he retreated and so had abandoned them.

"Hey, Master?"

"What is it, Glenne?"

"Should I tie them up or something so they can't get away? We don't want them coming back to hurt anyone in the village."

"That's a good idea; we can come back for them later. Here, let's use the ropes in their bags; the Yiga always carry things to restrain prisoners on them."

Glenne shook his head and smiled.

"Let me do it, Master. You just take care of Miss Zelda. You've already beaten seven different members of the Yiga Clan today; the least I can do is this!"

Link couldn't help but laugh lightly before brushing Zelda's hair from her face.

"Thanks, Glenne. Do you know how to tie up Yiga members so they can't get away?"

"No, is there a special way to do it?"

"Tie their hands together after you retrain the rest of them. If they can't use their hands separately, they can't properly use their talismans or their ninjutsu. They can't teleport away."

"Wow, I never knew that! I'm on it!"

Link gazed at Zelda while Glenne set about restraining the remining Yiga soldiers. He hadn't realized just how important to him she'd become until she was taken away. He had been stupid and complacent. Just because his home hadn't been attacked since he'd moved there didn't mean it was impossible. He had left Zelda, one of the Princesses of the Royal Family, his fiancée, all alone overnight. Though he trusted the people of Hateno, it was still a thoughtless action. He should have brought her at least to Castle Town with him even if she didn't go into the Castle herself. She wouldn't have been kidnapped with soldiers wandering the streets at all hours of the day and night.

'At least she's safe. I won't make this mistake a second time. I don't know how exactly the Yiga knew about her, but I'll never let her be in danger like that ever again. Not as long as she's with me. I'll keep you safe, Zelda. I swear.'

His mind was still racing after the confrontation with Sooga, too. They had known Link's schedule. It was already strange enough that they had managed to get that information. Perhaps they had been staking out the village for a while? It was unlikely that he hadn't noticed something that suspicious though. And even if they knew he'd be gone, there was still a bigger issue.

How did the Yiga know that Zelda was a Princess, much less that she had arrived in Hateno? To his knowledge, very few people even knew of her existence. And even if the Yiga Clan had always been aware of her, it made no sense that they also knew she had moved from the Castle. It hadn't been announced by the Royal Family and nobody in the village knew who she really was. Her identity was probably one of the best kept secrets in the Kingdom.

As Glenne finished tying the Yiga up, however, an unsettling thought occurred to Link. If the Yiga knew of Zelda's existence already, then only a member of their group would be able to recognize that she had arrived in Hateno. And if that were the case, then that meant…

"Glenne," Link began, his heart sinking.

"Yeah, Master?"

"Take their masks off."

"Their masks? How come?"

"Because we're going to recognize one of them."

Glenne's face fell as his eyes widened.

"W…what?"

"I think someone in the village betrayed us. That's how the Yiga knew to come here and try to take Zelda. That's how they knew I'd be out of town. Someone was guiding them from the inside…"

"Who? Who would…do that…?"

"There's only one way to find out."

Link stood, still carrying Zelda in his arms, and approached the unconscious group as Glenne reluctantly began to remove their masks and the armor that obscured their faces. The first four were faces unfamiliar to both of them. A mix of men and women, but they meant nothing to Link.

Glenne seemed to be gaining confidence that there wasn't a traitor from the village beneath one of these masks, though, approaching the task with less hesitation as he went along. But when he revealed the face of the fifth, the mask clattered to the ground as his face twisted in disbelief.

"M…M…"

"Melo," Link muttered, turning away and frowning.

"That…can't be true…" Glenne managed at last, shaking his head. "There's…there's no way that Melo would…do that…"

"I didn't want it to be true either, Glenne," Link sighed, feeling an unfamiliar hurt.

He knew he had come to feel at home in Hateno, but he hadn't realized just how deeply he'd come to trust the people there. Melo had been a companion of his for years, a friend. Someone who regularly dropped by to deliver mail, someone Link entrusted the town's food supply to, someone who always seemed like he would do anything for his sister and the people of Hateno. So why…?

"What…do we do, Master?"

Link sighed again, a heavy, exhausted sigh.

"Bring him back with us. We need him to tell us why he did what he did. And…we owe it to Ira. To Syd and Celene. To everyone. Even if it hurts, even if they don't want to believe the truth…they deserve to know why this happened to them. They deserve to choose how they want to think of him from now on."

Link cast his gaze to the ground. He hadn't grown close with many people in his life, but this was the nearest thing to a real betrayal he had ever suffered. Melo had hidden the truth from everyone, even Ira if the panic she had displayed as she begged Link to keep an eye out for her brother had been genuine. It had certainly seemed to be. Barring a situation in which Ira was also a member of the Yiga Clan, that meant Melo had managed to lie to his own sister too, convince she and everyone else that he was just a simple chef with a penchant for slacking off. How many times had he been 'slacking off' with the Yiga? Making reports, sending information, setting their sights on Zelda…

'My…Zelda…'

Link shook his head and tried to clear the thoughts from his head. It didn't matter right now. The most important thing was that Zelda was safe and in his arms. She needed to get home and rest. He could figure out why Melo had done what he'd done later.

"I'm ready, Master," Glenne murmured, hefting the tied-up Melo into his arms.

"Thanks for taking him, Glenne. I know this can't be easy for you."

Melo had been like a big brother to all the younger kids in town. The fun-loving brother that wouldn't tell on you if you were goofing off and would even join you.

Glenne took a deep breath before meeting Link's gaze.

"It's not easy, but you're right. We all deserve the truth. So he'll come back with us and we'll get it out of him. Even if I have to stay with him all day and night guilting him until he talks."

Link gave him a small smile.

"The village is in such excellent hands with you around, Glenne."

Normally, the young man would have sputtered and denied Link's words, but this time he just gave a somber nod. Neither of them were in the mood for their usual banter. As they trudged their way through the remainder of the cave, it was in silence.

Emerging back into the fresh, costal air, Link drew a deep breath. It was raining hard now, just as he'd feared earlier. Though perhaps it, too, was a blessing from the Goddess – it had likely helped put out the fire back in town. Link shifted his arms until Zelda's face was turned into his chest, shielding her as best he could from the persistent downpour. She would be plenty cold by the time they got home but at least she was wrapped up in that warm winter outfit for now. Still, he should move quickly to avoid her catching a cold.

As they crested the steep hill and could clearly see Hateno Village again, Link was relieved to find that Syd and Celene's home had indeed stopped burning. The rain had undoubtedly helped. The structure was mostly in ruins, though. At least nobody had been hurt because of Sooga's thoughtless decision.

Most people had retreated inside to avoid the unrelenting downpour. Link and Glenne encountered no one as they made their way to the heart of the small village. And as they finally reached the inn, they stepped beneath the awning, shielding themselves and their charges from the weather.

"Where…should I take him? Going to Ira probably isn't the right move," Glenne murmured.

"I agree. Take him inside the inn – that's where your mom and the others are tending to Toren and the rest that fought the Yiga, right? Keep him tied up properly but he can recover there with everyone. And once he's awake, we'll get the truth out of him."

Glenne gave a half-hearted nod.

"Okay, Master. I'll do that. Are you taking Miss Zelda home?"

"I am. I don't want her getting sick out here and she's had a long day. She deserves to rest."

"Of course. Are you coming back to the inn later?"

"Not this afternoon – Zelda needs me now. I'll try to come by tonight, though, But if I can't, certainly tomorrow."

Glenne gave Link a much more genuine smile than he'd managed for the last little while.

"She's lucky to have you, Master. You're real good to her."

"I try to be."

A silence fell over them for a moment as Link gazed down at Zelda. She was still sleeping against his chest, her face relaxed. The persistent rain had washed most of the mud away from Zelda's hair, though now it was nearly soaked. He needed to take her home and get her dry. She was all that mattered at the moment.

But still…a small part of him felt guilty to abandon his student. Link sighed and met Glenne's eyes.

"Sorry to put all this responsibility on you…"

Glenne just flashed him a smile.

"Don't be, Master. You have someone very special to you to take care of. I can handle everything else."

"I know you can. You're a good man, Glenne."

"Thanks, Master Link. Now, you'd better get her home. Like you said, you don't want her catching a cold!"

"Yeah. Thanks, Glenne. I'm leaving everyone to you, okay?"

"You can count on me!"

Link gave him a smile.

"I know I can. Hey, would you also send Lissa over if she's in there? I need someone to change Zelda out of these wet clothes but I'd feel far too guilty to do it myself without her permission."

"She's your fiancée though, right? Surely it's not that big a deal!" his student chortled, his eyes beginning to shine a bit more brightly once more.

"Glenne," Link cautioned, giving him something closer to the warning grin he usually did when his protégé started getting feisty.

The young man laughed lightly.

"I was just kidding, Master, sorry! I'll find Lissa and send her over right away."

"Thanks. I owe you again."

With that, Glenne pushed open the door of the inn and headed inside with Melo in tow. The lack of reaction from the first floor told Link that everyone must be up on the second. They'd no doubt be as shocked to learn of Melo's betrayal as he had been, many of them more so. Melo had been there from the beginning, since the day Hateno had been founded. Some of these people had spent three more years with him than Link had. And then there was Ira…

Link banished the thoughts from his head. For now, he needed to get Zelda home and warmed up. She was weak and exhausted from her ordeal and was still no doubt recovering from that elixir the Yiga had forced on her. She needed to rest in her own bed and eat some hot food – food that he'd be preparing for her just as soon as she was awake again.

Taking a quick breath and turning Zelda's face towards his chest a bit more to shield her, Link set out into the rain again. It had been a nightmare of a day and it was barely even half over. But the most important thing was that Zelda was safe. His fiancée was safe in his arms. They hadn't been able to steal her away from him. They hadn't managed to take her away from the life she was slowly starting to build for herself, the happiness she was slowly starting to find.

And despite the sadness that the day had suddenly been enveloped in, he couldn't help but smile down at her, another silent vow echoing in his mind.

'I'll always protect you, Zelda. From Hilda, the Yiga, or anyone else. You're just too important to me to ever let anything happen to you.'

That walk home in the rain was the first time Link accepted that he was most definitely falling in love with Zelda.

That thought didn't much overwhelm him anymore.

9/1/2023


Post-Chapter Note: I hope you had fun reading the climax of this first book!

Well, Link saved Zelda! Of course - I doubt anyone thought he was going to fail to protect her. We didn't spend much time with Zelda this chapter and that was very much by design, though I was a little torn on whether or not I wanted to take the chapter that way. I thought about just writing in real-time the scene where Sooga and his grunts take Zelda away through town, Glenne and the others fighting them, etc., but I felt it was more effective to just drop you into the same uncertain situation as Link came home to. I hope it served the purpose I ultimately wanted it to but I also hope it wasn't confusingly done. This chapter went through a lot of revisions this week and while I finally found a place I think I'm happy with it, I don't think it's *perfect* for sure.

I had a lot I wanted to cover this chapter (which made it fairly long again), but I think I managed to do it well enough. A lot of the details of the situation kept slipping past me on the first few passes and it took me a while to get it to a point I was satisfied with the continuity of events, not to mention justifying the situation in a believable way. No spoilers, but there are a few more critical pieces of information to make the whole kidnapping plot and aftermath make perfect sense to you, so look forward to the final chapter of Book I next time for more.

I really wanted to lean into three things this chapter - Glenne being impressed with Link when he's not holding anything back, Zelda realizing the lengths Link is willing to go to for her, and Link realizing that his anger is a result of the fact that he absolutely is falling in love with Zelda. There are all sorts of subplots of course, like Melo's betrayal and what'll happen to Syd and Celene, but those will get their focus later. This time, Link was all about protecting Zelda. I think his actions made that fairly obvious too - letting everyone else in the village deal with things while he went after her and prioritizing taking care of Zelda when they returned instead of worrying about anything else in that moment.

I enjoyed writing the fight scene and I also really wanted that to be from Zelda's perspective. We'd been away from her for a long time and I thought seeing her emotions and thoughts while Link fought to protect her was important. It also gave me the chance to explore the Zelda and Glenne conversation a bit more since Link was far too focused on his battle to have ever heard or even noticed that. But I hope the action scenes came off well - sometimes I feel that those are my biggest weakness as a writer and though I've improved in that aspect over the years, I still take a lot of care to make sure they're not notably lesser quality than everything I write. I hope I managed that here, too.

Finally, Melo turned out to be a member of the Yiga Clan? Time to pull back the curtain a bit - I knew there was a traitor in the village from the start but I hadn't decided who until chapter 4. I didn't leave many hints to it but did anyone have their suspicions based on the way he acted? Ira complained about him not being around to help, he was known as a bit of a slacker who disappeared sometimes, he very conspicuously came to the house and asked Mipha how long she'd be in the village the one night Link wasn't home, etc. I didn't leave too many hints on purpose but I wouldn't be surprised if someone figured it out anyway - sometimes you just get a suspicion about a character and I'm curious if anyone pegged him as a Yiga member before Glenne unmasked him at last!

So with all that said, we are coming to the end of this first arc with Zelda safely back with Link and Hateno Village dealing with the aftermath of the Yiga attack. There's lots of resolution coming next time too. As a result of that, though, I think I am finally going to swap to and commit to the weekly upload schedule I originally proposed with this story. I've finally written to the first big conflict I was excited to share with you all and, while I'm very excited to keep this story going, I certainly don't want to wear myself out by burning the candle at both ends for too long. I'm in no way burning out at this point though, don't worry! And I'm looking forward to continuing this story long term, though I've also been neglecting every other hobby I have in my spare time lol so I want to make sure I find a good balance between things.

As another note, next chapter will still probably be quite long - I'll write as much as I need to in order to have the proper resolution to Book I without worrying about word count - but after that I'll try to keep the chapters a bit shorter so they're a little easier to digest again. The length this story started (about 9K words per chapter) seemed like it was demanding a little less of anyone reading this story to commit to and I don't want to overwhelm anyone with sheer length of chapters. Even on a weekly schedule, it's hard to always find the time to sit down and read 13K+ words of a singular story, especially if you have a variety of interests and hobbies yourself. I also wonder if long chapters or a daunting word count puts people off from reading a story, but I know I can't appeal to everyone in that regard. Personally, I love finding stories with lots of content, but I recognize not everyone shares that mentality. Ultimately, I'll tell the story the way I want to tell it, but that doesn't mean I can't try to make the experience pleasant for as many people as I possibly can! But don't worry, I won't be sacrificing anything important to me with regards to telling this tale.

Okay, that's far more than enough out of me. With that, I think Friday nights will be my upload day of choice, we'll just roll with this day weekly from now on. It might turn out to be Saturday instead, but I'll let you know if it changes. For now, though, thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! Take care everyone and I'll see you again next week!